Wildlife officer kills bear in Durango

DURANGO, Colorado — A Colorado Division of Wildlife officer has killed a bear in Bayfield that entered the same house twice.

Wildlife officers typically relocate problem bears that come in contact with humans but destroy them if they return. DOW spokesman Joe Lewandowski says the yearling killed Wednesday had become dependent on humans for its food and would be unable to survive in the wild.

Marian Clementoni says the bear opened a sliding door of her home Wednesday and rummaged through the kitchen before leaving, only to return two hours later.

Lewandowski says the bear had entered four other houses in the last three weeks by walking through open doors. He says this is the third nuisance bear the DOW has killed this year.