Bear Attacks Security Guard in Aspen Hotel Kitchen; Animal Euthanized After Search

Security guard at St. Regis Aspen Resort treated for scratches and released following rare black bear attack; unique physical characteristics from video footage lead to identification and euthanization of bear several days later.

The security guard was attacked by a bear in the kitchen of St. Regis Aspen Resort in Aspen, Colorado, after he went to investigate reports of a bear inside the hotel.
The bear managed to enter the hotel by passing through a series of doors near a courtyard; the hotel was closed for renovations during the time of the attack.
After the attack, the security guard managed to escape and call 911; he was later treated at a local hospital for scratches on his back and released.
Following a large-scale search involving Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW), the Aspen Police Department, and the Pitkin County Sheriff's Office, the bear was successfully tracked down and euthanized; the identification was made possible due to unique physical characteristics, like a distinct white patch on its chest, seen in the surveillance footage.
The event has ignited a reminder for the community about the importance of 'bear awareness' as wildlife, including bears, are common sights in Aspen; in fact, CPW officers noted eight other bears in downtown Aspen during the search for the offending bear.