Uninvited Guest Shocks Visitors at Colorado Renaissance Festival
From medieval knights to fairies and mermaids, the Colorado Renaissance Festival is known for its eclectic mix of characters. However, this past weekend, the festival-goers encountered an unexpected visitor that left everyone in awe.
On Sunday, deputies from the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office were summoned to the Renaissance Festival in Larkspur due to an uninvited guest—a curious 80-pound black bear named Smoky, who had wandered into the festival grounds and decided to relax under one of the buildings.
Ironically, Smoky chose a building that sold honeycombs as his resting spot. “He seemed to have a sweet tooth,” the sheriff’s office quipped. To ensure everyone’s safety, deputies promptly moved all human attendees away from the area and awaited assistance from Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) officers.
Despite the commotion, Smoky appeared unfazed. Deputies even noted that at one point, he found a ball to play with while resting in the shade.
Once the CPW officers arrived, Smoky was safely relocated to a more suitable environment for black bears, far from human activity.
The Colorado Renaissance Festival will continue to run until August 4th, featuring a different theme each weekend. For more information, you can check out the event guide.
Interestingly, the number of human-bear conflicts in Colorado has decreased over the past few years. In 2023, there were 15% fewer interactions compared to 2022, with just over half of the 3,526 reported conflicts resulting in some form of property damage.
If you encounter a black bear near your home, it is advised to contact your local CPW region or submit a report online to ensure the safety of both the bear and the community.
