The Spirit of Allenspark, Colorado's Favorite Bear Lives On

June 20, 2012 - PRLog -- June 20, 2012- Recent black bear sightings near The Wild Basin Lodge in Allenspark, CO have reminded staff and local residents of the famed black bear that was a local attraction in the 1920s. “The legend of Jasper the soda drinking bear” remains a local story that’s been passed down since J.E. (Jasper) Tilton caught the bear in 1922 in Lyons, CO. Jasper the bear was named after Tilton, and guests from all over the world visited Allenspark to see the bear and feed it soda pop. Legend has it that the mortgage of the gas station located adjacent to The Wild Basin Lodge’s former building was paid off by the soda pop sold to feed Jasper.
   The former Wild Basin Lodge property burnt down in 1980 and was rebuilt across the street in its current location in 1981. Today, guests visit the property to attend private weddings, events, and to marvel at the adjacent Rocky Mountain National Park area overlooking Longs Peak. Denice Kristoffersen, the owner of The Wild Basin Lodge, loves to see locals and former residents stop in to talk about Jasper. “Over the years, we have had several guests and locals stop in to tell us about feeding the bear, the former lodge facilities, and the great times they had visiting the Wild Basin area. They often bring us photos and postcards to display in our current facility,” says Krisotoffersen.
   Last year, a bear cub got stuck under the lodge’s dumpster cage that was designed by a team of experts to reduce the property’s impact on wildlife. The bear was rescued by a staff member and since then, the dumpster has undergone updates to ensure that cubs won’t become trapped. Staff members and Allenspark locals suspect that the same cub has been coming back to the same area, and no incidents have been reported.
   The Wild Basin Lodge staff is committed to the protection of wildlife in and near Rocky Mountain National Park. Gone are the days that locals would trap and feed a bear soda pop, but the spirit of Jasper remains in local black bears that frequent the area. Guests are encouraged to remove all food and drinks from their cars before entering the facilities for weddings or events, and staff members check cars to ensure the safety of guests and reduce impact on wildlife. They have taken several pictures of the bear that’s visited recently, and continue to encourage safe practices among residents and guests. Locals are pleased that 90 years after his capture, the spirit of Jasper lives on in Allenspark.
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If you would like more information about this topic, or to schedule an interview with the Wild Basin Lodge’s staff members, please contact Hillary Hanson at hillary@wildbasinlodge.com or visit The Wild Basin Lodge's website at www.wildbasinlodge.com