Bears Openly Roam the Streets of Ouray ( Colorado )

11 News ^ | Jun 6, 2008 | KKCO

[george76]

Last night's two hotel guests relaxing in a hot tub in Ouray looked up to find there was another guest in the tub- a bear.

The hotel says the bear was just inches away from one guest.

Both the guest and the bear got the scare of their lives, the guest screamed and the bear ran and dove into the swimming pool. The Bear made his escape after swimming across the pool

The Ouray Police Department says five to six bears have roaming the streets. Even walking down Main Street during the day.

[Abigail Adams]

I think the locals pronounce it “your-ray,” which I found interesting.

[george76]

City law enforcement officer Tony Schmidt said on Monday alone, he responded to eight bear incidents around town, adding there is not much he can do about the bears unless they pose an imminent threat to the safety of a person.

“Last year we were using rubber bullets but the Division of Wildlife told us not to use them,” he said.

“All we can do is honk our horns or throw rocks, and within five minutes they come right back.”

Schmidt said that citizens who are having bear problems need to contact the Colorado Division of Wildlife’s district wildlife manager Kelly Crane. She is based in Montrose; her number is 240-9575.

http://p.lps2.com/Articles-i-2008-06-06-179849.112113_Council_proposes_300_fine_on_second_trash_offense.html

[Libertarianize the GOP]

You are right about the pronunciation, it is also the town Ayn Rand visited and came up with the idea for Galt's Gulch in her novel "Atlas Shrugged."

[yoe]

I once unwittingly shared a quiet and foggy early morning bath in the Sol Duc springs long before it was well know. Both bear and I unaware of the other, enjoying the moment till one of us made a sound then…“OMG a bear! – “OMG a human!” - both left the water in a hurry, an understatement, going in opposite directions.

[jazusamo]

“Last year we were using rubber bullets but the Division of Wildlife told us not to use them,” he said.

I agree with the DOW, a more effective bear-deterrent than rubber bullets or bear proof gargabe containers are Nosler bullets, it eliminates repeat offenders! /sarc

[kingattax]

[GladesGuru]

Ironic, that the town used for a model in Atlas Shrugged is the same town where the Colorado Dept. of Wildlife’s Kelly Crane shrugged.

“Don”t harass that bear!”

Agency AGenda Uber Alles!

[RepublitarianRoger2]

Considering where Ouray is situated, it seems like this would be a fairly common occurrence.

[mikrofon]

I guess if a hot tub is nearby, bears don’t prefer to “do it the woods”...

[Mogollon]

I think the locals pronounce it “your-ray,” which I found interesting.

The town was named after a Ute chief.

[kbennkc]

The Ute Indians I grew up with on the Uintah and Ouray Reservation pronouced it oh-Ray. But what do they know , the great Chief has been gone a long time ? The words Ute , Uinta , Uintah , and Utah are all English translations of the same word . The town of LaVerkin Utah was so named because the White settlers were told the name by Natives who were doing their best to say the name the Spanish explorers gave the nearby river , La Virgin . (sorry. I do not know the correct Spanish )

[Sherman Logan]

Actually more like “you-ray.” Depending, I guess, on how you pronounce “your.”

[Uri’el-2012]

Actually more like “you-ray.” Depending, I guess, on how you pronounce “your.”

That is how I've heard it pronounced for 40 Years.

[goldstategop]

Hot tubbing with a bear? I guess there's something to be said for interspecies concord in a hot tub!

"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus

[martin_fierro]

"Ou can calls me Ray..."

[robomatik]

i lived down the road from ouray in durango for ten years. once, upon arriving home from work, i found a baby bear in my living room. since i didn't see the mama bear, i went to a bar and had a few drinks. an hour later i returned home, and it was nowhere to be found.

bears roaming around town in those parts, while not an everyday occurence, is nothing deserving of getting ones panties in a twist.

;)
:)

[Uri’el-2012]

Colorado Toponymy How to say it like a native

[Fichori]

I've heard that paintball markers are effective for chasing bears out of town.

While I have no experience with bears, I can say that painballs are effective for other obnoxious pests.

[jongaltsr]

bears roaming around town in those parts, while not an everyday occurence, is nothing deserving of getting ones panties in a twist.

I lived in the hills just outside of Golden Co. and I had regular visits from bears to the point that if I went a week without having one in my yard I thought something was wrong. I even had names for a couple of them. No big deal if you know how to live with them around.