The Steamboat Pilot & Today

Steamboat Springs residents who leave their trash out overnight in containers that aren’t bear-proof face possible fines beginning May 1. (File Photo)

Steamboat Springs — Beginning May 1, the Steamboat Springs Police Department will start issuing tickets to people who put their trash at the curb before 6 a.m. on trash collection day (or after 8 p.m. the night before), unless it is in a wildlife-proof container.

The amount of the fine is up to the discretion of the municipal court judge.

“It can be from $100 to $500 depending on whether the person is a repeat offender or not,” said Wendy DuBord, deputy city manager. “Most of the time if you come into court and prove that you ordered the service from Waste Management with an approved trash can, or purchased one, the judge will waive the fine because you are now in compliance.”

Wildlife-proof containers can be found at local hardware stores, through Waste Management or online.

“For less than $100 you can get a heavy-duty trash container,” DuBord said. “I know one guy who designed his own. We don’t care what it is, as long as it keeps the wildlife out.”

The city ordinance has been in effect since June 2001, but the city has become stricter on the matter to help avoid bear and human interaction.

“These cotton-pickin’ bears around here get so domesticated, and we don’t want to see them get hurt,” said Public Safety Director J.D. Hays. “A city attorney a couple years back left his window open and woke up in the middle of the night and found a bear in his kitchen. Somebody’s going to get hurt, and that’s the only reason (for the ticketing).”

Hummingbird and other wild bird feeders, as well as dirty barbecue grills and pet food, can also attract bears.

“The bears then learn to come back day after day. If a nuisance bear is called about twice, they have to destroy the bear, which is really sad and what we want to avoid,” DuBord said. “We’ve already had a lot of missing dogs and cats and don’t want a tragedy of a child or person facing a bear.”

DuBord said the ordinance is the best solution for all parties involved.

“We don’t care about issuing tickets and collecting money. What we want people to do is get the wild-proof container,” she said. “We just want people to do the right thing.”