Security Footage Captures Bear Attacking Guard in Colorado Hotel Kitchen

A security guard at a hotel in Aspen, CO, had a harrowing run-in with a large black bear this week, and the terrifying ordeal was all caught on video.

The incident went down at the St. Regis Aspen Resort on Monday night, which is currently closed for renovations. According to TMZ, the security guard had gone into the hotel's kitchen to investigate reports of a bear rummaging around inside when he came face-to-face with the apex predator.

In the below video, which was released by Colorado Parks and Wildlife, the bear could be seen meandering through the kitchen, likely looking for food ahead of its winter hibernation, before strolling into a back room. Moments later, the security guard wanders down and follows, evidently catching the bear off guard.

The animal suddenly attacks, knocking the poor security guard off his feet and clear across the room before turning and hightailing it in the opposite direction.

Incredibly, the security guard suffered only minor injuries and was treated for scratches to his back after calling 911 and being taken to a hospital.

The bear, on the other hand, had to be euthanized. Wildlife officials located the animal on Tuesday morning but weren't able to sedate it for public safety reasons at the time. However, the following day a tranquilizer gun was used to remove it from a tree after it was spotted in a nearby park.

Colorado Parks and Wildlife said the bear was humanely euthanized per policy, and was sent to the CPW Wildlife Health Lab in Fort Collins for a full autopsy.