It Takes a Village

With a warm start to winter, TOSV Animal Services is seeing our local black bear population delay their hibernation schedules, and many black bears are still active around Snowmass Village. Without natural food sources available, these bears are on the search for food.

Garbage, bird feeders, pumpkins, and other unnatural food sources can be an open invitation to a bear, and even a single incident can delay their hibernation further and cause them to become habituated to human sources of food. They will then keep coming back for more. These bears can become aggressive in their pursuit of an easy meal and often must be destroyed. 

We need everyone's help to keep bears out of trouble and prevent bears from being destroyed. Please remain vigilant during these early winter months, and practice good bear safety.

Early Winter Bear Best Practices:

• Dispose of Halloween pumpkins promptly
• Don't put out bird feeders until January
• Clean barbecue grills, smokers, and other outdoor cookers
• Never leave food or garbage outside in an unsecured location
• Lock your car and house windows and doors, especially if they are on the ground level.

Composting Coming Soon

In addition to providing you with high-quality hauling services, the Town is committed to upholding the Town’s commitment to environmental resiliency and sustainability. That is why, beginning January 1, 2022, the Town will begin hosting its very own residential drop-off location to compost residential food waste!

The bear-proof container will be located at the Public Works facility, and there will be NO ADDITIONAL COSTS to our customers for the use of this service and dropping off compostable materials. The container will be accessible 24/7, and you can make a drop off anytime! 

The composting dumpster will take the place of the electronics recycling container that has previously been available. Electronics can still be recycled and disposed of properly at the Pitkin County Landfill, and they offer a waste allowance program to make it free for qualifying residents. 

Please visit www.tosv.com to learn more about the waste allowance program, disposing of hazardous waste, and how to receive a FREE food waste composting container from the Pitkin County Landfill to begin composting in the New Year. 

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Sky Mountain Park Closed

Respect Wildlife. Respect Seasonal Closures.

Local elk herds have been spotted moving into their winter ranges for the season, and the North Mesa and Sky Mountain Park areas and trails are now closed. These habitats provide critical food sources for wildlife during the hardest times of the year, and the closures allow wildlife to negotiate winter conditions. These trails will reopen on May 16.

Winter Season Closures:

• Rim Trail North: December 1 - May 16
• North Mesa Equestrian Trail: December 1 - May 16
• Sky Mountain Park trails: December 1 - May 16
• Seven Star Trail: December 1 - May 16

Learn more...