DENVER -- A bear sighting in the southwest metro area Thursday morning forced a Jefferson County elementary school to keep students indoors for a time.

The bear was first spotted in Denver, near Belleview and Kipling. It was then spotted in Jefferson County in the 5300 block of South Robb Court.

That's near Peiffer Elementary, a Jefferson County school. The staff brought all of the students into the building while officers searched for the bear.

One resident said that the bear got into her garbage can.

"He had a little bit of ice cream, had some hamburgers and eggs," said Sue Powell as she examined her outside trash.

The Jefferson County Sheriff's Department had three deputies in the area on the search. Other agencies involved include Lakewood, the Colorado Department of Wildlife, and Colorado State Patrol.

The bear was last believed to be near C470 and Highway 285, moving toward the foothills, acccording to 7NEWS Reporter Lance Hernandez.

If people see the bear, they should call the Jefferson County non-emergency number (303) 277-0211. Officials said the residents shouldn't call 911 unless it a life threatening situation.

Other Bear Sightings

A bear and her cubs showed up at a Wendy's fast food restaurant in Trinidad earlier this month and another bear was captured this week after it sneaked into a Pepsi warehouse in Pueblo and consumed four gallons of fruit-flavored ice tea syrup.

A black bear entered the Aspen home of tennis star Chris Evert and former Olympic ski racer Andy Mill last week.

Colorado Division of Wildlife spokesman Todd Malmsbury said that bears have been drawn to neighborhoods because late frosts killed some of their natural food sources. Trash and food left outside have attracted the bears into areas where they don't normally go.

Malmsbury said that bears are a fact of life in Colorado, and residents need to take precautions.

Additional Resources:

• Living In Bear Country
• DOW: The Black Bear