The euphoria of powder skiing since Aspen got pelted with a major snowstorm Friday is getting some competition from the frustrations of holiday travel.
People planning overnight trips at Chapman Campground are now restricted to using hard-sided campers or trailers because the area has become a popular food source for one black bear in particular.
The U.S. Forest Service also announced Wednesday that day-use at Chapman, which is located in the upper Fryingpan River Valley, is prohibited.
The restrictions are expected to remain in place for two weeks, according to Shelly Grail, recreation manager for the Aspen-Sopris Ranger District. Refunds for reservations made during that period can be obtained through recreation.gov, which handles advance campsite bookings for Chapman, she said.
The decision to temporarily ban tents and soft-shells was made after a bear, searching for a meal, damaged and entered an unoccupied soft-sided camper at the campground. It was not an isolated incident at the campground: Last week Forest Service officials met with camp hosts at Chapman to discuss the possibility of closing certain areas of the campgroun