About
Roaring Fork Valley Bear Coalition, a 501(c)(3) proactive volunteer-based non-profit, is dedicated to reducing human-bear conflicts over a 50-mile corridor.
Our Mission
At the Roaring Fork Valley Bear Coalition, our mission is to safeguard both people and black bears by promoting proactive strategies to prevent and reduce human-bear conflicts. We encourage communities to adopt best practices for peaceful coexistence with bears, keeping wildlife wild and neighborhoods safe.
What we do
As a boots-on-the-ground nonprofit, we are committed to engaging the public in bear awareness through innovative, hands-on approaches. We partner closely with Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) on their “Bear Aware” programs and organize educational outreach at community events across the Roaring Fork Valley, including the Aspen Saturday Markets. Our partnerships extend to cities, towns, municipalities, and key stakeholders, like trash companies, to spread bear awareness and safety.
During these events, we provide educational materials from Bear Aware and BearWise®, such as door hangers, flyers, stickers, sports packs, magnets, and retrofit straps for trash cans. In collaboration with local youth groups—including Aspen Girl Scout Troop 15014 and Boy Scout Troop 201—we’ve helped retrofit hundreds of trash cans in the Roaring Fork and Grand Valleys. The retrofit straps were an Eagle Scout project in 2019 for one of the Boy Scouts, while the Girl Scouts have contributed by crafting bird nesting boxes and supporting our retrofitting efforts.
In addition, we offer bear-resistant containers Kodiak KP95, and loan out electrified bear deterrent mats to residents. We also collaborate with Uproot Colorado to glean fruit from local properties, reducing backyard attractants for bears.
Our Goals
Our primary goal is to encourage widespread investment in bear-resistant cans (BRCs). We aim to expand access to these crucial tools through donor support, community involvement, grants, and fundraising. We are actively working to raise funds for more BRCs, non-lethal bear deterrents, electrified mats, and portable electric fencing kits.
Our Approach
We believe in the power of education and proactive outreach. By equipping individuals and communities with the knowledge and tools to coexist with bears, we aim to prevent conflicts before they start. Through our efforts, we strive to keep bears out of human spaces, protect people and wildlife, and ensure that bears remain wild.
Our TEAM
Daniela Kohl — Founder
Daniela founded Roaring Fork Bears in 2019, inspired by a lifelong passion for wildlife and over two decades as a part-time resident of the Roaring Fork Valley. Raised in the Swiss and French Alps, she developed a deep love for bears at an early age.
In 2014, Daniela rescued a grizzly cub from a roadside zoo in Florida, which led to her involvement in bear advocacy and eventually connected her with the International Association for Bear Research and Management (IBA) in 2016. These experiences, along with mentorship from global bear experts, motivated her to launch a grassroots movement here in the valley.
As bear conflicts continue to rise, Roaring Fork Bears—under Daniela’s leadership—focuses on creative, community-driven strategies to foster peaceful coexistence between humans and black bears.
Lyn Bair
Lyn is a dedicated educator currently teaching at Colorado Mesa University. A longtime volunteer with Scouting America, she continues to support youth programs and remains passionate about empowering the next generation.
With a deep respect for nature and a strong belief in conservation, Lyn is also an active member of the Ernest Thompson Seton Institute, where she contributes to preserving wilderness values and outdoor education.
Mike Bair
Michael, our Operations Manager, is a sixth-generation Roaring Fork Valley resident with deep roots in the community. A passionate outdoorsman and committed conservationist, he brings a unique blend of local knowledge, hands-on experience, and leadership to our team.
A jeweler by trade, Michael has owned and operated shops in both Aspen and Basalt. Outside of work, he volunteers as a Scoutmaster for a Boy Scout troop in Aspen and serves as a certified NRA Shooting Sports Trainer and Instructor with both Scouting America and Live Fire Shooting locally.
Under Michael’s guidance, we’ve successfully retrofitted hundreds of trash cans to be bear-resistant and delivered dozens of new Bear-Resistant Containers (BRCs) to residents throughout the valley. His dedication to safety, sustainability, and community engagement makes him an invaluable part of our mission.
Robert Hinch
Roaring Fork Valley wildlife photographer Robert Hinch provides us with stunning, one-of-a-kind images of our local black bears. His work captures the beauty, behavior, and individuality of the bears we strive to protect.
Robert’s photographs frequently appear in The Aspen Times, on Aspen Public Radio’s website, and across local social media—bringing awareness and appreciation for our wild neighbors to a broader audience.
Ylice Golden
Ylice is our Web Developer and creative powerhouse. A trained fine artist with over 30 years of experience in graphic and web design, she brings both technical expertise and artistic vision to everything she does.
While working with The Sopris Sun, Ylice earned nearly a dozen design awards from the Colorado Press Association. In addition to designing and maintaining our website, she also contributes research, writing, and editing—making her an essential part of our communications and outreach efforts
OUR BOARD
Daniela Kohl
Daniela Kohl gained valuable experience working with a Florida bear protection group, where she learned how raising awareness and using bear-resistant containers can reduce and prevent human-bear conflicts. She started Roaring Fork Bears in 2019, focusing on innovative solutions for better coexistence with black bears. The organization connects and partners with local governments and promotes proper enforcement and improvements to waste management practices to protect people and keep bears wild. Through education on bear behavior and living safely in bear areas, Roaring Fork Bears aims to influence residents and visitors. The organization supports communities through tailored solutions and collaboration.
Perry Will
Perry Will comes from a farming and ranching family in Southeast Colorado. In 7th grade he was inspired by a book about wildlife management, earning a college degree in wildlife biology. He worked as a game warden for over forty years. Public service was also important to him and he is now the ranking member of the Energy and Environment committee in the Colorado Legislature, where he is a champion for rural Colorado in an urban-dominated organization, representing western slope values and way of life working to protect our future and our children’s future by focusing on our heritage.
Josh Wamboldt
Josh is a Colorado native who grew up in Gypsum. He started hunting at a young age and developed a deep respect for wildlife. At the age of 12, he began his career as an outfitter. In 2016, he bought Avalanche Outfitters in Redstone, CO, to follow his passion for horses and the outdoors. In recent years, he has served on the Redstone Community Association Board and was recently elected president. Josh’s outdoor expertise has provided him with a strong understanding of wildlife. He has been collaborating with fellow community members on non-lethal bear deterrents and promoting proper bear safety in Redstone.
Frosty Merriott
Frosty and his wife Carly moved to the Valley in early 1998. He maintains his CPA office in River Valley Ranch. He term-limited after 10 years as a Carbondale Town Trustee and also served 4 years on Planning and Zoning. Frosty currently serves on the Environmental Board and the Chamber Ex Board to give back and stay involved in our community. He was named an Everyday Hero by the Colorado Chapter of CPAs for the work he did on the Wildlife Crossings Zones Bill a decade ago which along with CDOT and DOW to get the fencing initiative started. Frosty is fond of saying he will always give wildlife a seat at the table and considers wildlife as one of our most valuable assets.
If you would like to support our efforts, please donate to our cause today.
Send checks to P.O.Box 932, Carbondale, CO 81623.
Or call Daniela directly for more information.