DENVER -- State wildlife officers have killed a bear they believe forced its way into an Aspen home and attacked a woman.

Colorado Division of Wildlife spokesman Randy Hampton said 48 hours after it clawed the woman on her back and chest, it returned to the same home at the same time of night.

On Wednesday night, wildlife officers monitoring the property encountered a large, male black bear matching the description of the aggressive bear.

"We placed our personnel at the scene of the earlier attack knowing that bears are highly likely to return to the places where they have previously found food," said Perry Will, DOW area wildlife manager. "Because the bear had eaten some food after breaking into the home Monday, the hunch paid off and the bear returned to the home at almost the same time of night as the original incident."

Wildlife officers saw the bear near a trap that had been placed on the property. The trap was ineffective at capturing the bear and the bear wandered the area for a short time, the DOW said.

Wildlife officers approached the bear to make a positive identification and based on the matching description and the fact that the bear exhibited no fear of people, the bear was shot and killed, Will said.

"I'm convinced, based on my training and experience, that this is the bear responsible for the Monday night incident," said Will.

The woman in Monday's attack didn't have to be hospitalized.

Wildlife officials said bears that are aggressive with people are too dangerous to relocate. The Aspen area has had trouble with bears getting into garbage and breaking into homes this summer. Aspen Police were called to several other homes Wednesday night where bears had forced their way into homes.

Part of the problem is that berries and other natural fare have ripened late because of the cool, moist weather.

People living in bear country are reminded to take care of bear attractants such as trash, pet food, barbecue grills, birdfeeders and fruit trees. Information about how to live responsibly in bear habitat is available on the Division of Wildlife Web site.