Residents of a rural Colorado town say a cow named Apple chased off a bear that had climbed into her favorite apple tree.

Jack McDonald of Hygiene, about 30 miles northwest of Denver, says the bear had climbed out of the tree when the cow approached it Sunday afternoon.

McDonald says the animals touched noses and hung out together for a bit before Apple chased the bear off.

"It was hilarious," McDonald says.

There's no sign that either animal was hurt.

Apple belongs to McDonald's landlady, Nancy Dayton, who has a house and three rental units on 14 acres.

Dayton says Apple weighs about 1,200 pounds and is more pet than livestock. She got her name because she loves to eat apples from the tree the bear had invaded.