Manitou Springs might enact a policy to keep residents’ trash cans upright and local bears out of them, forcing the bruins to munch instead on nuts, berries and other natural fare. The City Council asked the staff at a Sept. 5 meeting to draft a “Bear Smart” ordinance that likely would require residents to keep their trash indoors until collection day or store it in a wildlife-proof bin.

Proponents say the measure would protect residents from scavenging wildlife, prevent bears from becoming too familiar with urban areas and save more of the animals from being euthanized because they are habituated to humans.

“We want to keep bears and people safe,” said Nancy Wilson, an organizer with the grassroots Bear Smart Task Force, which proposed the policy. “Most people are responsible in securing their trash, but some people don’t realize how important it is.”

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