Deputies Respond to Break-In in Roxborough — Suspects Are Two Very Nosy Bear Cubs

DOUGLAS COUNTY, Colo. — When Douglas County Sheriff’s Office deputies got a call about a break-in at a Roxborough home, they probably weren’t expecting the suspects to weigh about 40 pounds and have fur.

Turns out, the culprits weren’t your typical burglars. Two sibling bear cubs had climbed through an open window and decided to let themselves in for a little home tour. You know, as bears do.

Deputies responded to the scene and, with help from Colorado Parks & Wildlife, managed to guide both cubs safely back outside. No injuries were reported — to the deputies, the homeowner or, thankfully, the bears.

The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office posted about the incident on X, calling it a “Bear Break-In!” and using the opportunity to remind residents that this isn’t exactly an isolated incident. “We’ve had several bear run-ins lately,” the post read.

And honestly? That tracks. Bear activity in Colorado’s Front Range foothills tends to ramp up as bears search for food ahead of winter, and residential areas like Roxborough — which sit right on the edge of prime bear habitat — are basically a buffet of opportunity if residents aren’t careful.

So How Do You Not Have Bears in Your House?

Colorado Parks & Wildlife and the sheriff’s office have a few pretty reasonable asks:

• Secure your trash. Bears are not above dumpster diving. Lock those cans.
• Bring in bird feeders. Yes, bears eat birdseed. No, they are not embarrassed about it.
• Keep pet food indoors. That bag of kibble on your porch? A bear sees a free meal.
• Lock lower-level doors and windows. Apparently this one needs to be said. Out loud. Repeatedly.

That last point is a big one here. An open window was all the invitation these two cubs needed to waltz right into someone’s home. A locked window would have kept this a wildlife sighting instead of a law enforcement call.

Colorado Parks & Wildlife’s “Keep Wildlife Wild” campaign has been pushing these same reminders for years, and wildlife officials consistently point out that human behavior — not bear behavior — is usually the root cause of these encounters. Bears are just doing what bears do. It’s on us to not make it easy for them.

The good news is this one ended without anyone getting hurt. The cubs are back outside where they belong, and hopefully their mom gives them a solid talking-to about breaking and entering.

In the meantime, Douglas County residents — especially those in foothill communities like Roxborough — should stay bear aware. These encounters are only going to keep happening as long as there’s an easy meal (or an open window) waiting for them.