A young bear killed after it got into a mountaintop restaurant reportedly had been fed by customers on multiple occasions in the preceding days.
A worker shot and wounded the 70-pound animal Saturday after it broke in through a locked door and charged him at the Sundeck on Aspen Mountain, which was closed at the time. Wildlife officials later euthanized the yearling.
Colorado Parks and Wildlife area manager, Perry Will, told The Aspen Times that the employee said visitors on the deck gave food to the bear, including a father and son who fed it by hand. Will said he didn't doubt those claims and said it explains the bear's behavior.
He says the shooting in this case was justified but emphasized that deadly force should be a last resort.
