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 Kohl founded Roaring Fork Bears in 2019 after over 21 years as a part-time resident of the Roaring Fork Valley. Growing up in the Swiss and French Alps, she developed a love for bears. In 2014, she rescued a grizzly cub from a Florida roadside zoo, later joining a bear advocacy group there. Her involvement with the International Association for Bear Research and Management in 2016 connected her with bear experts and inspired her to start a grassroots movement in Roaring Fork Valley. With bear conflicts rising, Roaring Fork Bears focuses on innovative public engagement to promote peaceful coexistence with black bears.

Lyn Bair
Lyn is a public educator and has been a teacher or principal long enough to teach children of her first students. She has been involved with Scouts, BSA serving in many positions from local units to national positions, and is currently the Three Rivers District Chair. Lyn is a published author with books or articles in Art History, Religious Studies, and Education. She enjoys being with her family playing outdoors or giving back to her community.
Mike Bair
Scoutmaster Michael Bair has been instrumental in creating awareness of many aspects of Roaring Fork Bears. Michael is the 6th generation in the Roaring Fork Valley, a longtime outdoor enthusiast, and a conservation-minded individual. His understanding and commitment to the valley are great assets to our bear group. Under Michael’s leadership, we have retrofitted hundreds of cans into bear-resistant ones for communities in mobile homes and residents in the Roaring Fork Valley.


Ylice Golden
Ylice Golden is our web developer. She is a trained fine artist with over 30 years of experience in graphic and web design. During her time at the Sopris Sun, she won nearly a dozen design awards from the Colorado Press Association. Ylice not only designed our website but also does research, writing, and editing for us.
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.

Jeff Marley

University of Guelph
Agricultural Background
Founder/GM Margo Supplies
Specializing in non-lethal wildlife deterrents. Extensive experience in exclusion electric fencing of carnivores, ungulates, and other wildlife.
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.