Colorado’s Sleepiest Intruder: Bear Snoozes in Basement Window Well
A quiet Colorado neighborhood got an unexpected and rather sleepy visitor when a black bear turned up in the most unusual place—a basement window well.
In Falcon, Colorado, wildlife officers responded to a call from a homeowner who discovered that a bear had wandered onto the property and fallen into the window well outside their basement. Instead of trying to escape, the animal appeared to settle in and promptly fell asleep, creating a surreal scene for those who found it.
Photos and videos taken at the scene show the bear curled up in the confined space, calm and unmoving as it napped just outside the home. While the situation may have looked almost peaceful, it required a careful and coordinated response to ensure everyone’s safety.
Wildlife officers arrived and assessed the situation before safely immobilizing the bear. With help from the homeowner and a few neighbors, they worked together to carefully lift and guide the animal out of the window well and through the basement area. The effort was steady and controlled, with everyone focused on minimizing stress for the bear.
The rescue unfolded in stages: first, the bear resting in the window well; then officers maneuvering it through the basement window; and finally, a team effort to carry it out of the home.
Once removed, the bear was transported and released into a more appropriate habitat away from residential areas.
The entire incident serves as a reminder that wildlife encounters can happen even in suburban neighborhoods. Simple precautions—like covering window wells and removing potential attractants—can help prevent animals from ending up in situations like this.
In the end, what began as a strange discovery became a successful rescue, with a drowsy bear safely returned to the wild and a community left with an unforgettable story.
