JEFFERSON COUNTY, Colo. -- Neighbors in a mountain community are locking their car doors these days, not because of thieves, but a bear.

Late last month Jean Hart heard noises outside her home in Turkey Creek Canyon as she was watching late-night television.

She rushed outside to find her Honda rocking back and forth.

A bear had crawled inside the vehicle, but couldn't get back out when the door closed, Hart said.

"One of the deputies said 'I think he is trying to go through your sun roof,' and I said 'I don’t have a sun roof,' " Hart told 7NEWS.

Police eventually tied a rope to the car door handle and pulled the door open from a distance.

The Colorado Division of Wildlife is reminding homeowners to bring both human and pet food inside at night and to be careful with garbage and barbecue grills.