Author: I-70 Scout

Ramah State Wildlife Area is one of 120 properties protected by the Colorado Wildlife Habitat Program. Wayne D. Lewis/CPW DENVER – Colorado Parks and Wildlife is pleased to announce the Colorado Wildlife Habitat Program application period is now open until October 10, 2023. The Colorado Wildlife Habitat Program (CWHP) is a statewide program that offers funding opportunities to landowners who wish to protect wildlife habitat on their property, and/or provide wildlife-related recreation access to the public. The CWHP is an incentive-based program that funds conservation easements, public access easements, and fee title purchases to accomplish strategic wildlife conservation and public access goals.   Approximately $11 million will be made available during the 2023 cycle from revenue provided by the sale of Habitat Stamps, hunting and fishing licenses, and through CPW’s partnership with Great Outdoors Colorado. How to Apply Landowners or a third party representative must complete applications showing their proposal addresses one or more of CPW’s 2023 funding priorities: Public access for hunting, fishing, wildlife viewing Big game winter range and migration corridors Riparian areas and wetlands Landscape-scale parcels and parcels that provide connectivity to conserved lands Protecting habitat for species of concern (specifically those Species of Greatest Conservation Need, as identified in the Colorado Parks and Wildlife State Wildlife Action Plan) Application materials are available at cpw.state.co.us/cwhp. All proposals must be received by 5 p.m. on Tuesday, October 10, 2023 Applicants should contact the CWHP manager before submitting an application to discuss the Budget Form. Local CPW office contact information can be found here.  Contact Information For additional information about the CWHP or application process, please contact:  CWHP Manager Amanda Nims, 303-291-7269

• Learn What it Takes to Be an Adams County Foster Parent – Adams County families who are interested in becoming foster parents can learn more about the process at an upcoming information meeting on Tuesday, June 27, from 6-8 p.m. This is a virtual event held via Zoom, and it is the first step in becoming a foster parent. In the meeting, families will learn what foster care is, what it means to be a foster parent, how and why children come into the foster care system, a general overview of child protection in Colorado, and how to move forward to become a foster parent. Those interested can register here. Learn more about Adams County Foster Care on our website.

DENVER – As people gear up for summer outdoor adventures, Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) wants to encourage state park visitors to act as stewards for Colorado’s land, wildlife and water by balancing outdoor recreation with mindful conservation.

Below are a few expert outdoor safety tips on how to coexist with wildlife and recreate responsibly to keep landscapes healthy and thriving.

Know Before You Go
Plan your outdoor adventure based on the weather forecast and your skill level. If the area you want to explore has bad weather or appears too difficult, help yourself and our outdoor first responders by changing your outdoor plan to avoid hazardous conditions.

• Plan your visit with the Colorado State Parks Guide (el folleto de parques en Español).
• Use the Park Finder Tool to discover outdoor activities at each state park.
• Camping reservations are required at Colorado state parks.
• Find park events, classes and festivals on the CPW Events Calendar.
• Download the COTREX app to discover Colorado’s expansive network of trails.
• Check out a free state park pass and backpack from a Colorado public library.

Be Safe on the Water
Life jackets save lives. Last year was the deadliest year in Colorado waters, and the majority of fatalities occurred because people did not wear a life jacket.

• Wear a life jacket. Accidents on the water happen too fast to reach and put on a stowed life jacket.
• Be aware of weather and water conditions.
• Protect yourself from the dangers of cold water shock. Regardless of your age or experience level, cold water can quickly create a drowning emergency.
• Paddle boards and kayaks are considered vessels, and life jacket requirements apply.
• Follow boating speed limits and maintain a proper lookout to avoid hitting floating debris in waterways.
• Take a Boating Safety Class. 
• Get a safety inspection of your vessel.
• Boat sober. Alcohol use is the leading contributing factor in recreational boating deaths.
• Help prevent the spread of Aquatic Nuisance Species by keeping your vessel clean, drained and dry, and by utilizing the green seal program.
• Check out the map of Statewide Watercraft Inspection and Decontamination Sites in Colorado.

Trash the Trash
Together, we can trash the trash. Always dispose of trash properly when on the trail.

• Pack it in, pack it out. Whatever you bring into the outdoors, take it out with you.
• Don’t leave a pet waste baggie on the trail. Even if you mean to pick it up on your way out. People forget, and that pet waste is not just unsightly but disruptive to wildlife.
• Bring along plastic grocery bags to carry trash when trash cans are not available or full.

Keep Wildlife Wild
Many species call Colorado home, making it the perfect destination for wildlife enthusiasts to catch a glimpse of nature at its finest.

• Do not feed or approach young wildlife.
• Be bear aware on trails and while camping.
• Keep dogs leashed on dog-friendly trails.
• If you see wildlife that appears sick or injured, leave it alone. Call a Colorado Parks and Wildlife office and talk to a trained wildlife officer for guidance.
• Watch or photograph animals from a safe distance to avoid startling them or forcing them to flee.

Be Careful with Fire
Although parts of Colorado have received moisture in the last month, drought conditions are still present and impact if summer campfires are allowed or restricted.

• Check fire restrictions or bans at www.coemergency.com.
• Use designated campfire areas when allowed and available.
• Never bring fireworks to public lands or ignite them on trails, campsites or other areas.
• Keep campfires small and manageable.
• Put fires out with water until you can touch the embers.
• Never leave a campfire unattended and report campfires that have been left burning.
• Avoid parking or driving on dry grass. Check your tire pressure, exhaust pipes and if chains or exposed wheel rims are dragging from your vehicle that may create sparks.

Join us in keeping Colorado, Colorado. Read more about the Keep Colorado Wild Pass and how it benefits Colorado’s wildlife and state parks at: cpw.info/keepcoloradowild and cpw.info/keepcoloradowildpassspanish.

Mule Deer Buck by Wayne D. Lewis DENVER – Colorado Parks and Wildlife invites the public to have a voice in big game hunting regulation changes that will form the foundation for policy in the years to come. As part of its Big Game Season Structure (BGSS) planning process, CPW is holding a series of in-person open house and town hall meetings across the state as well as virtual meetings for big game hunters to voice their opinions about the BGSS topics under consideration. A list of remaining meeting locations, dates, and times can be found below. CPW encourages the public to attend these public meetings to learn about the current BGSS and the potential changes CPW is considering for the upcoming BGSS cycle. For more information regarding these public meetings, visit our BGSS EngageCPW page. BGSS topics being discussed at the public meetings include: Alternatives regarding over-the-counter archery and rifle elk licenses Rifle season date structures for deer and elk Early season (archery and muzzleloader) date structures Adding rifle deer opportunities to the first regular rifle season Adding a second regular rifle buck and doe pronghorn season The topics covered during these meetings are starting points for discussion. Additional topics and options may be considered at future meetings. Open house meetings will consist of several stations where members of the public can learn more about specific BGSS topics, ask questions, and give verbal feedback directly to staff. Each station will have a different interactive activity that allows attendees to provide input. Town hall meetings will consist of a PowerPoint presentation and will include live interactive digital polling via smartphones and devices to compile input from attendees on each of the BGSS topics. All attendees are encouraged to bring a smartphone or device to the town hall meetings to better and more fully participate. Attendees will also have an opportunity to ask questions and provide verbal feedback to staff.  What is the Big Game Season Structure planning process and why is it important? The BGSS planning process is a critical component of big game management and big game hunting regulation development.  The central purpose of the BGSS planning process is to determine: What, when, and where types of big game hunting opportunities are available. How opportunities are divided among hunters. Through this planning process, CPW is better able to maintain healthy wildlife populations while keeping with management objectives and provide recreational benefits for the hunting and non-hunting public.  How does CPW evaluate BGSS? CPW evaluates and updates the BGSS by gathering internal and external input, evaluating the current season structure, and identifying emerging issues related to season structure. CPW then uses that information to develop policy recommendations for the upcoming framework. This approach helps ensure the administration of hunting is continuously aligned with big game management needs as well as sportspersons interests.  After all public meetings have concluded, CPW will compile all the public input received into a public outreach summary report. This report will be presented to the Parks and Wildlife Commission during the August Commission meeting. Staff will then begin developing draft BGSS recommendations this fall and present their recommendations to the Commission in the spring of 2024.  2025 – 2029 Big Game Season Structure Public Meetings List Virtual Meeting Thursday, June 29, 6-7:30 p.m. MT – register here Tuesday, June 27, 6-7:30 p.m. MT; Area 6, Meeker (open house)  Meeker Fire Department, 236 7th Street, Meeker, 81641 Southeast Region Thursday, June 29, 6-7:30 p.m. MT; Area 3, Sterling (town hall) Northeastern Junior College, Ballroom, 100 College Ave, Sterling, 80751 Learn more about BGSS and the planning process on our website.

(COLO) On June 20, 2023, at approximately 10:57 AM, Colorado State Patrol Troopers responded to assist Otero County Deputies with a suspect fleeing from them, along Highway 50, in Otero County. The vehicle was reportedly called in as a “shots fired” call. In addition, the suspect was reported to have caused multiple crashes and attempted to cause head-on crashes with himself and other vehicles.  Troopers were able to TVI the vehicle and contact the suspect successfully.

During the arrest, the suspect gained access to the front of a  fully marked Colorado State Patrol vehicle and fled.  Agencies on the scene pursued the suspect in the stolen patrol vehicle and troopers deployed stop sticks further down Highway 50.  After hitting the stop sticks, the suspect in the patrol vehicle lost control, crashed into the side of a stopped Commercial Motor Vehicle (CMV) parked on the side of Highway 50 and spun out, catching on fire.  The suspect was extricated from the patrol vehicle and transported to an area hospital. The suspect later succumbed to injuries sustained at the time of the crash.  The CMV driver was not injured.

The suspect’s name is being withheld while next of kin is notified.

The investigation is currently ongoing at this time.  The Colorado Bureau of Investigation will be the lead agency in the investigation.

Flyer beware!

Last summer was rough for airlines – flight delays and cancellations were commonplace.  And travel industry experts are already warning about similar issues this year. 

So, to help passengers predict which airports are most likely to experience delays or cancellations this summer, InsureMyTrip researchers analyzed flight data for Q1 of 2023 from the Department of Transportation (DOT).

Summary:

• Honolulu’s Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL) had the highest delay rate in the country for Q1 of 2023: 29.8%
• A majority of the top 10 airports with the highest percentage of delays are in Hawaii and Florida. Three (3) in Hawaii (HNL, OGG, LIH) and three (3) in Florida (BBI, FLL, MCO).
• Dallas Love Field (DAL) had the highest cancellation rate: 3.87%; but DAL also ranks among the airports with the fewest delays.
• San Juan Airport (SJU) made the list of airports with the most delays (26.3%), but SJU also has among the fewest cancellations (0.47%)

Top 10 Airports with the Highest Percentage of Delays

1. Honolulu, HI: Daniel K. Inouye International
2. Las Vegas, NV: Las Vegas Airport
3. San Francisco, CA: San Francisco International
4. Palm Beach, FL: Palm Beach International
5. Maui. HI: Official Kahului Airport
6. Kauai. HI: Lihue Airport
7. San Juan, PR: Luis Muñoz Marín International  
8. Fort Lauderdale, FL: Fort Lauderdale – Hollywood International
9. Orlando, FL: Orlando International
10. San Diego, CA: San Diego International

Top 10 Airports with the Highest Percentage of Cancellations

1. Dallas, TX: Dallas Love Field
2. Dallas, TX: Dallas/Fort Worth International
3. Chicago, IL: Chicago Midway International
4. Milwaukee, WI: Milwaukee Mitchell International
5. Saint Paul, MN: Minneapolis – Saint Paul International
6. Burbank, CA: Hollywood Burbank Airport
7. Austin, TX: Austin – Bergstrom International
8. Denver, CO: Denver International
9. Portland, OR: Portland International
10. Boston, MA: Logan International 

Let me know if you would like to schedule an interview with one of our travel insurance experts, or to request specific research.

Media Contact:

Meghan Kayata

Methodology

Rankings were based on the flight delay and cancellation rates per airport. Airports on the list also reported 3,900 or more scheduled flights for Q1 2023 (January – March).. Sources include InsureMyTrip and The U.S. Department of Transportation’s (DOT) Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS). BTS tracks the on-time performance of domestic flights operated by large air carriers.

(COLO) On June 20, 2023, at approximately 10:57 AM, Colorado State Patrol Troopers responded to assist Otero County Deputies with a suspect fleeing from them, along Highway 50, in Otero County. The vehicle was reportedly called in as a “shots fired” call. In addition, the suspect was reported to have caused multiple crashes and attempted to cause head-on crashes with himself and other vehicles.  Troopers were able to TVI the vehicle and contact the suspect successfully.

During the arrest, the suspect gained access to the front of a  fully marked Colorado State Patrol vehicle and fled.  Agencies on the scene pursued the suspect in the stolen patrol vehicle and troopers deployed stop sticks further down Highway 50.  After hitting the stop sticks, the suspect in the patrol vehicle lost control, crashed into the side of a stopped Commercial Motor Vehicle (CMV) parked on the side of Highway 50 and spun out, catching on fire.  The suspect was extricated from the patrol vehicle and transported to an area hospital. The suspect later succumbed to injuries sustained at the time of the crash.  The CMV driver was not injured.

The suspect’s name is being withheld while next of kin is notified.

The investigation is currently ongoing at this time.  The Colorado Bureau of Investigation will be the lead agency in the investigation.

ARAPAHOE COUNTY, CO—June 21, 2023— Arapahoe County Open Spaces hosts Pictures on the Plains, Thursday, June 22 at the Arapahoe County Fairgrounds beginning at 5:30 p.m. 

 

The event offers a memorable family movie night. Tickets are $5, kids under the age of 2 are free. Admission includes live entertainment, kid’s activities, and movie-themed fun in partnership with Arapahoe Libraries.  

 

For tickets and more information visit: Pictures on the plains 

 

Who:     Arapahoe County Open Spaces 

What:   Pictures on the Plains – “Encanto”  

When:  Thursday, June 22, 5:30-7:30 P.M. pre-movie themed activities. Movie starts 7:30 P.M. 

Where: Arapahoe County Fairgrounds (25690 E. Quincy Ave. Aurora, CO 80016) 

THORNTON, Colo.–June 12, 2023– All Anythink libraries and administrative offices will be closed Monday, June 19, 2023, in observance of Juneteenth. Anythink locations will return to regularly scheduled hours of operation on Tuesday, June 20. 

 

About Anythink^™ 

Anythink is a new style of library – a place of unlimited imagination, where play inspires creativity and lifelong learning. Anythink serves the residents of Adams County, Colo., with seven libraries and a bookmobile. With a focus on innovation, Anythink’s award-winning approach to library service is recognized by industry leaders and organizations across the globe. For more information, visit anythinklibraries.org.