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The I-70 Scout & Eastern Colorado News

Author: I-70 Scout

  • School choice conversation not complete without accountability

    DENVER – Statement from CEA President Kerrie Dallman on School Choice Week:

     

    “Every student deserves to attend the best public school we can offer, traditional or charter. The Colorado Education Association supports parents in having the right to choose the public school they deem to provide the greatest learning opportunities for their children. But during ‘School Choice Week’, parents are typically offered very selective information from interest groups promoting charter schools. For examples, parent will likely have to find out on their own:

     

    ·        If a charter school has waived out of state and district policies and their reasons for doing so;

    ·        Information about the company that owns the charter, its motivations for operating the school, and if the school enthusiastically opens its doors to all children in the community;

    ·        Matters of finance such as a charter’s acceptance of gifts, grants or donations from outside sources, and whether its school board members are personally profiting from these arrangements; and

    ·        If they are sending their children to a school where principals and teachers are not licensed by the state and not evaluated in the manner prescribed the state’s educator effectiveness law.

     

    “It’s time to remove the veil from the mysterious inner workings of charters and allow Colorado families and communities to make an informed choice, just as they can when considering a traditional neighborhood school that demonstrates full, unquestioned accountability to a publicly elected school board. Charter and neighborhood school educators are on the same team in helping all students thrive and achieve their full potential. Good teammates, though, play by the same rules from a common rulebook open for everyone to see. So during this ‘School Choice Week’, the 36,000 members of the CEA challenge all charter school operators and advocates to choose accountability and transparency in their dealings with parents and the public.”

  • ANTI-IMMIGRATION ACTION ALERT

    ANTI-IMMIGRATION ACTION ALERT

    The Trump Administration has made it clear where he stands regarding our communities today, when he issued executive orders on immigration.

    As a result, a Community Meeting will be held to TONIGHT discuss the impacts of these executive orders.

    6:30-8:30 p.m., Thursday, Jan. 26, 1085 Peoria St., Aurora

    For more information, contact Elizabeth at (303)893-3500, ext. 1 or  or go to the Colorado People’s Alliance facebook event page. 

     
  • TODAY’S EVENTS – Thursday, Jan. 26

    TODAY’S EVENTS – Thursday, Jan. 26

    WHAT’S HAPPENING? 

    • DID YOU KNOW?? IT’S NATIONAL SPOUSE DAY!

      Spouse’s Day is a time to enjoy and appreciate your better half. You can use this day as a prelude or warm up to Valentine’s Day, perhaps. But, its not as much of a gift giving event. Rather, use it as a time to show your spouse that you care and appreciate all of the things that he/she does for you and for the household with some cuddle time! Over the long years of a relationship, it’s easy to take for granted the many things your spouse does. So, take today to notice and say thanks. As for the “enjoyment” part of the day…we will leave that up to you.. Share your ideas with us @I70Scout #NationalSpouseDay

    • AA Strasburg Sobriety

      Saron Lutheran Church, 1656 Main St. @ 7:30 p.m. Contact: Lane Shade (303)717-2263.

    • Agate School Board @ 6 p.m.

    • 3D felted monsters

      Davies Library, 303 Third Ave., Deer Trail: Teens can learn the easy and addictive art of sculptural needle felting. Once the crafters get the hang of it, they will make an adorable pocket-sized monster to take home. 2-4 p.m.

    EVERY THURSDAY 

    • Music & Movement

      Anythink Bennett library: Ages 2-6 can sing, dance and learn to play basic instruments @ 10 a.m. 

    • Family Story Time

      Davies Library, Deer Trail: Ages 3-5 @ 11 a.m. 

    • Bingo for Books

      Anythink Bennett library @ 4:15 p.m.

    SPORTS

    • Basketball
      Strasburg High School Varsity vs Frontier Academy @ Pepsi Center, 3 p.m.
      Byers Boys Basketball @ Calhan 4 p.m.
      Deer Trail Middle School @ Arickree/Woodlin 4 p.m.
    • Wrestling
      Strasburg High School @ Platte Valley 6:30 p.m.
    • Spelling Bee – Bennett Elementary School @ 3 p.m.

     

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  • Denver Metro — Action Day for Visibility 

    Denver Metro — Action Day for Visibility 

    Indoor Burning Restrictions in Effect

    This is the Denver Metro Air Pollution Forecast effective 4PM on Wednesday, January 25, 2017:

    An Action Day for Visibility is now in effect for the seven-county Denver-Boulder metropolitan area. Indoor Burning Restrictions and requests to limit driving are now in effect until at least 4 PM Thursday, January 26, 2017. Poor visibility and an exceedance of the state visibility standard are expected on Thursday. Otherwise, good or moderate air quality conditions are expected. No other air quality advisories are in effect.

    Cold and stagnant conditions will lead to Poor visibility on Thursday.

    For statewide conditions, forecasts and advisories, visit:
    http://www.colorado.gov/airquality/colorado_summary.aspx  

    A poorly maintained vehicle pollutes more than a well maintained one. If you must drive, properly maintain your vehicle. We’ll all breathe easier!

    At 2PM (MST), Wednesday, 1/25/2017 the highest AQI value was 35 for Particulate less than 2.5 micrometers which indicates Good air quality.

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    Front Range Air Quality Forecast & Colorado Smoke Outlook

    FRONT RANGE AIR QUALITY FORECAST:
    Wednesday, January 25, 2017, 2:30 PM MST

    Ozone concentrations are expected to be in the Good category on Wednesday and Thursday.

    Fine Particulate Matter concentrations are expected to be in the Good category on Wednesday and Thursday.

    Carbon Monoxide concentrations are expected to be in the Good category on Wednesday and Thursday.

    Nitrogen Dioxide concentrations are expected to be in the Good category on Wednesday, and in the Good to Moderate range on Thursday. Moderate concentrations of Nitrogen Dioxide are most likely within the Denver Metro area near busy roadways, particularly between the hours of 7-10 AM. Unusually sensitive people should consider reducing prolonged or heavy exertion in these areas on Thursday.

    Visibility is expected to be Moderate to Poor on Thursday.

    COLORADO SMOKE OUTLOOK:
    Wednesday, January 25, 2017, 1:45 PM MST

    Light to moderate smoke is possible near prescribed fires and small wildfires around the state.

    What if there is a wildfire or smoke in your area? 

    The focus of the Colorado Smoke Outlook is on large fires (e.g., greater than 100 acres in size). Nevertheless, smoke from smaller fires, prescribed fires, and/or smoke from new fires not yet known to CDPHE air quality meteorologists may cause locally heavy smoke. If there is smoke in your neighborhood, see the public health recommendations below. 

    Public health recommendations for areas affected by smoke: If smoke is thick or becomes thick in your neighborhood you may want to remain indoors. This is especially true for those with heart disease, respiratory illnesses, the very young, and the elderly. Fine particulates may reach the Unhealthy category where smoke is heavy. Consider limiting outdoor activity when moderate to heavy smoke is present. People with heart or lung disease, older adults, and children should avoid prolonged or heavy exertion; everyone else should reduce prolonged or heavy exertion. Consider relocating temporarily if smoke is present indoors and is making you ill. IF VISIBILITY IS LESS THAN 5 MILES IN SMOKE IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD, SMOKE HAS REACHED LEVELS THAT ARE UNHEALTHY. 
    For additional information about smoke, visit: 
    http://www.colorado.gov/airquality/wildfire.aspx 

    Winter High Pollution Advisory Program 

    The Winter High Pollution Advisory Program is coordinated by the Air Pollution Control Division of the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. 

    Winter season air pollution forecasts are issued daily from October 31 through March 31 at 4 p.m. When conditions warrant, forecasts will include information about Action Days and subsequent indoor burning restrictions. 

    An Action Day for fine particulates, carbon monoxide or ozone indicates that either current air quality is unhealthy or conditions are expected to worsen later in the day or on the next day. Action Days for air pollutants generally indicate that air quality will be in either the Unhealthy or Unhealthy-for-Sensitive-Groups categories according to the Air Quality Index. Action Days trigger mandatory restrictions that limit indoor burning to approved devices only (see indoor burning below), voluntary driving reductions, and public health recommendations. 

    An Action Day for Visibility alone indicates that the Visibility Standard Index for visual air quality is expected to be poor on the current or following day. An Action Day for Visibility will trigger mandatory restrictions on indoor burning and voluntary driving reductions for the seven-county Denver-Boulder metropolitan area only. 

    When no advisories are issued, air quality is good or moderate and is expected to remain so during the effective period of the forecast. No restrictions are in place. 

    Additional Information 

    ACTION DAYS: An Action Day for fine particulate matter (particulates), carbon monoxide, ozone or other pollutants indicates that either current air quality is unhealthy or conditions are expected to worsen later in the day or on the next day. Action Days for air pollutants generally indicate that air quality will be in either the Unhealthy or Unhealthy-for-Sensitive-Groups categories according to the Air Quality Index. Action Days trigger voluntary pollution prevention measures, which may vary by season, and public health recommendations. In addition, during the winter ‘high pollution day’ season (October 31 to March 31), Action Days trigger mandatory restrictions that limit burning inside the home to approved devices only (see indoor burning below). 

    Action Days for Visibility alone are issued during the winter ‘high pollution day’ season (October 31 to March 31), only. At the time they are issued (4 PM), action days for visibility indicate that the Visibility Standard Index for visual air quality is expected to be poor on the following day. Action Days for Visibility trigger mandatory restrictions that limit indoor burning to approved devices only and voluntary driving reductions for the seven-county Denver-Boulder metropolitan area . 

    The VISIBILITY STANDARD INDEX reports the air’s visual quality in the seven-county Denver-Boulder metropolitan area. The visibility standard is 0.076 per kilometer of atmospheric extinction, which means that 7.6 percent of the light in a kilometer of air is blocked. The level must exceed the standard based on a four-hour average for a violation to occur. On the Visibility Standard Index Scale, a value of 101 equates to the 0.076/km standard. Values between 0-50 are good, 51-100 moderate, 101-200 poor and 201-plus extremely poor. 

    The AIR QUALITY INDEX reports the daily level of air pollution on an hourly basis. The index reports the highest level of either carbon monoxide, fine particulates or ozone depending on which pollutant has the greatest hourly concentration. Values greater than 100 for carbon monoxide, fine particulates and ozone indicate exceedances of the pollutant’s state and federal standards. Air Quality Index values between 0-50 are good, 51-100 moderate, 101-150 unhealthy for sensitive groups, 151-200 unhealthy, 201-300 very unhealthy, and over 300 hazardous. 

    INDOOR BURNING: On Action Days issued during the winter ‘high pollution day’ season (October 31 through March 31), mandatory restrictions that limit indoor burning to approved devices only generally apply to everyone in the entire seven-county Denver-Boulder metropolitan area below 7,000 feet. The restrictions will be enforced through local ordinances or a state regulation. 

    The state regulation applies to any community in the seven-county Denver-Boulder metropolitan area that did not have its own mandatory indoor burning ordinance in effect on January 1, 1990. Under this regulation, the only exceptions to the burning restrictions are for residences above 7,000 feet in the seven-county Denver-Boulder metropolitan area; and those who use Colorado Phase III (Phase II EPA) certified woodburning stoves, Colorado approved pellet stoves, approved masonry heaters or those whose stoves or fireplaces are their primary source of heat. For more information on indoor burning, call the Air Pollution Control Division at (303) 692-3100. 
    For more, go to: http://www.cdphe.state.co.us/ap/woodhome.html

    COLORADO OPEN BURN FORECAST: For those with permits for Open Burning, that is burning of waste materials or vegetation outside, check the following webpage to find out if open burning is allowed today: 
    http://www.colorado.gov/airquality/burn_forecast.aspx

    FOR CURRENT AIR QUALITY INFORMATION AND UPDATES: 
    http://www.colorado.gov/airquality/advisory.aspx 
    http://www.colorado.gov/airquality/air_quality.aspx

    ABOUT THE AIR QUALITY INDEX: 
    http://www.epa.gov/airnow/aqi_brochure_08-09.pdf

    SOCIAL MEDIA AND AIR QUALITY NOTIFICATIONS: 
    http://www.facebook.com/cdphe.apcd 
    http://twitter.com/#!/cdpheapcd 
    http://www.enviroflash.info/signup.cfm

    Summer Ozone Program 

    For an AQI value that considers all pollutants, please click here . 

    Ground-level ozone is a summertime air pollution problem that is created when other pollutants from sources like vehicle exhaust, paints, degreasing agents and cleaning fluids react with sunlight. Exposure to ground-level ozone can cause acute respiratory problems, reduced lung capacity and inflammation of lung tissues and can trigger asthma attacks. 

    Ground-level ozone should not be confused with the protective stratospheric ozone layer miles above the Earth’s surface. This naturally-occurring ozone layer protects the Earth’s surface from excessive ultra-violet radiation. 

    Do your share and be a part of the solution to the Denver-metropolitan area’s summertime air pollution problems. These easy strategies will help reduce the harmful vapors that react in sunlight to create summertime air pollution: 

    At Home: 

    Tightly cap all solvents (paint thinners and strippers, degreasers, and some cleaning products). Solvents contain pollution-causing vapors. Postpone painting, stripping and refinishing projects to avoid the morning and mid-day summertime heat. Better yet, wait until the Fall or Spring. Use water-based products (paints, stains and sealants). 

    In the Yard: 

    Delay mowing your lawn to another day. Don’t mow, let it grow! Avoid using high-emitting, gasoline-powered yard equipment. Electric alternatives are an efficient, environmentally-friendly alternative. Use an electric starter or a “charcoal chimney” to start your barbeque grill. Lighter fluid contains a lot of harmful vapors that escape into our air and contribute to summertime air pollution. 

    On the Go: 

    Stop at the click when refueling your car. Overfilling your tank often results in fuel spills and always allows unnecessary pollution-causing vapors to escape into our air. Refuel in the evenings after dusk. By refueling after the sun goes down, fuel vapors do not have as much of a chance to “cook” in the mid-day sun and become harmful ground-level ozone. Maintain your vehicle. A poorly-maintained vehicle can pollute as much as 25 times more than a well-maintained one. 

    To learn more about the summer ozone program, visit: 
    http://www.ozoneaware.org

  • PRAYER ANNOUNCEMENT FOR ROLLOVER VICTIMS

    PRAYER ANNOUNCEMENT FOR ROLLOVER VICTIMS

    BREAKING NEWS: PUBLIC PRAYER TONIGHT FOR BENNETT VEHICLE ROLLOVER VICTIMS

    A prayer vigil for Bennett rollover victims is set for tonight.

    BENNETT — A public prayer vigil for the two Bennett High School students killed and three injured in a Jan. 24 single-vehicle rollover north of town will be held at 7 p.m. tonight (Wednesday, Jan. 25) at the Corridor of Honor Veterans Memorial in Bennett’s Civic Center Park. Organizers indicate candles will be provided and residents along the entire I-70 Corridor are invited to join in the hands and hearts of these families and young victims.

     

  • TODAY’S EVENTS – Wednesday, Jan. 25

    TODAY’S EVENTS – Wednesday, Jan. 25

    WHAT’S HAPPENING? 

    • Did You Know?? It’s Irish Coffee Day!!

    Warm up with an Irish coffee!! Just add these simple ingredients: 1. starting with a warm glass, fill 2/3 full of freshly brewed coffee; 2. Stir in a heaping teaspoon of sugar; 3. Add 1 ounce of Irish whiskey; 4. Adding the cream so it floats is the tricky part: Add whipping cream (not whipped cream) that has been lightly whipped or foamed once the coffee has stopped swirling from stirring in the sugar. Take a selfie and share with us! #NationalIrishCoffeeDay @I70Scout

    • Bennett Municipal Court

      Town Hall, 355 Fourth St. @ 7 p.m.

    EVERY WEDNESDAY

    • Baby Bounce

       Anythink Bennett library: Songs, stories and rhyme times for babies up to age 2 and their caregivers @ 10-10:30 a.m.

    • Music & Movement

      Anythink Bennett library: Ages 2-6 can sing, dance and learn to play basic instruments @ 10 a.m.

    • Bennett Young At Heart Seniors Potluck

      Bennett Community Center @ 12 p.m. Contact: Shirley Kuzara (303)644-4768

    • Byers Silver & Gold Senior Citizens Game Day

      Byers American Legion Hall @ 12:30 p.m.

    • Recovery in Christ

      Valley Bank, Strasburg @ 7 to 9 p.m.

    SPORTS

    • Girls Basketball
      Hemp Hill Middle School @ Ft. Morgan 4 p.m.
      Bennett Middle School @ The Academy 4 p.m.

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  • Single-vehicle rollover near Bennett kills 2, injures 3 others

    Single-vehicle rollover near Bennett kills 2, injures 3 others

    by Steven Vetter, Managing Editor

    BENNETT — An SUV rolled several times about two miles northwest of Bennett Jan. 24, killing two teenage males, and injuring three others. One of the injured was transported to University Hospital via chopper in critical condition while the other two were taken by ambulance.

    The accident occurred around 3:30 p.m. on westbound 38th Avenue between Penrith and Harback roads. High speed is said to be the cause. Drugs or alcohol are not considered contributing factors.

    While the Colorado State Patrol isn’t expected to release any identifications of the victims until early Wednesday morning, it is being reported that many in the vehicle were Bennett High School students. Bennett High School Superintendent Robin Purdy told The I-70 Scout/Eastern Colorado News that victim advocates from the Colorado State Patrol and Adams County Sheriff’s Office will be on hand Wednesday morning to address students’ and faculty members’ questions and concerns. Additional counseling staff is also expected to be on the school campus. Classes are planned to continue as scheduled.

    For full coverage, see the Jan. 27 edition of the Eastern Colorado News.

     

  • TRUMP ISSUES GAG ORDER ON USDA & EPA

    TRUMP ISSUES GAG ORDER ON USDA & EPA

    TRUMP ORDERS GAG ON U.S.D.A. & Environmental Protection Agency

    “Starting immediately and until further notice” the department’s main research divisions of the USDA and Environmental Protection Agency “will not release any public-facing documents. This includes, but is not limited to, news releases, photos, fact sheets, news feeds, and social media content,” according to an internal memo sent to BuzzFeed News.

    The message was handed down to the Agricultural Research Service (ARS) from the Environmental Protection Agency and US Department of Agriculture just days after Donald Trump was sworn into office as President. A couple of other agencies have been put on an order to obtain ‘prior authorization’ over what they are allowed to share with the public, among them is the Environmental Protection Agency. Confirmation of this report from the new Administration is still pending. Neither the USDA or EPA has blogged, twittered or posted any news or updates since. 

    What does this mean?

    The ARS is the main research agency of the USDA and is tasked with “finding solutions to agricultural problems that affect Americans every day from field to table.” The memo outlining these new rules has not been made public, but the ban reportedly includes everything from summaries of scientific papers to USDA-branded tweets. Scientists are still able to publish their findings in peer-reviewed journals, but they are unable to talk about that research without prior consent from their agency.

    How much does public science really shape our lives? For instance, the weather app on your phone projects rain with minute-by-minute precision—or warn you about an impending tornado—is underpinned by government science (in this case by the National Weather Service). The reach of government science isn’t just limited to the weather however. Government science is what determines which strain of flu should go into each year’s flu vaccine. It’s what helps us avert pandemics and helps farmers maximize the yield of foods that feed us and exports too. The work of Cooperative Extension exists to improve the livelihood of farmers, which is underpinned by government science. The research has value because of its dissemination to the public. When science isn’t released and discussed, we can’t make decisions based on it.

    Who is the USDA?

    The Unites States Department of Agriculture is governed by the Executive Branch of our Government. USDA‘s Mission: “Enhance the quality of life for the American people by supporting production of agriculture; ensuring a safe, affordable, nutritious, and accessible food supply; caring for agricultural, forest, and range lands; supporting sound development of rural communities; providing economic opportunities for farm and rural residents; expanding global markets for agricultural and forest products and services; and working to reduce hunger in America and throughout the world.”

    Through inspection and grading, the U.S. Department of Agriculture enforces standards for wholesomeness and quality of meat, poultry and eggs produced in the United States. USDA food safety activities include inspecting poultry, eggs, and domestic and imported meat; inspecting livestock and production plants; and making quality (grading) inspections for grain, fruits, vegetables, meat, poultry and dairy products. USDA’s education programs target family nutritional needs, food safety and expanding scientific knowledge. The department supports education with grants in food and agricultural sciences and conducts its own and cooperative food research.

    • A number of research and public programs are housed under the USDA, for instance, WIC, SNAP, and Food Security. A complete list can be found here.

    Who Is the EPA?

    According to their website, the Environmental Protection Agency aims to: 

    • Develop and enforce regulations

    When Congress writes an environmental law, we implement it by writing regulations. Often, we set national standards that states and tribes enforce through their own regulations. If they fail to meet the national standards, we can help them. We also enforce our regulations, and help companies understand the requirements.

    • Give grants

    Nearly half of our budget goes into grants to state environmental programs, non-profits, educational institutions, and others. They use the money for a wide variety of projects, from scientific studies that help us make decisions to community cleanups. Overall, grants help us achieve our overall mission: protect human health and the environment.

    • Study environmental issues

    At laboratories located throughout the nation, we identify and try to solve environmental problems. To learn even more, we share information with other countries, private sector organizations, academic institutions, and other agencies.

    • Sponsor partnerships

    We don’t protect the environment on our own, we work with businesses, non-profit organizations, and state and local governments through dozens of partnerships. A few examples include conserving water and energy, minimizing greenhouse gases, re-using solid waste, and getting a handle on pesticide risks. In return, we share information and publicly recognize our partners.

    • Teach about the environment

    Protecting the environment is everyone’s responsibility, and starts with understanding the issues. The basics include reducing how much energy and materials you use, reusing what you can and recycling the rest. There’s a lot more about that to learn!

    • Publish information

    Through written materials and this website, EPA informs the public about our activities.

     

    For more information about what the EPA’s Mission and Purpose is visit their website here. For more information about what the USDA’s Mission and Purpose is visit their website here.

     

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  • Colorado Positive for Phylloxera Infestation

    Colorado Positive for Phylloxera Infestation

    Four More Colorado Vineyards Test Positive for Phylloxera Insect

    BROOMFIELD, Colo. – In November 2016, the Colorado Department announced that an insect capable of damaging Colorado’s wine grape crop was confirmed in Mesa County; since then, an additional three vineyards have tested positive for the insect. US Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Research Service entomologists identified grapevine phylloxera (Daktulosphaira vitifoliae) on Vitis vinifera grapevines in the Grand Valley American Viticultural Area (AVA), which is a federally designated grape production area in western Colorado. 

    In its full life cycle, phylloxera can take multiple forms. The most serious and damaging form, which was recently discovered in Mesa county, feeds on roots of grape plants. It can damage the plant by disrupting water and nutrient flow. Initially, infested plants appear weakened, stunted, and with leaves lighter in color which may look like they are suffering from a nutrient deficiency. In addition, phylloxera can live out another stage of its life on grapevine leaves. This less serious form feeds on leaves that causes leaf galls to develop, but generally not on V. vinifera.

    Our priority right now is to continue surveying vineyards to see how widespread this infestation is and to encourage Colorado’s grape growers to practice biosecurity methods that can help protect their crop said Laura Pottorff, CDA’s Nursery and Phytosanitary program manager.
    The main mechanism of phylloxera spread over long distances is on grape nursery stock.  Therefore, the Colorado Department of Agriculture is urging vineyard operators to contact their supplying nurseries to find out what, if any, procedures they have in place for identifying and stopping the spread of phylloxera. Colorado grape growers should also take the following precautions:
    • Watch plants for symptoms of chlorotic leaves, stunting, poor vigor, and other symptoms that mimic nutritional deficiencies.  If detected roots of plants must be sampled for presence of phylloxera.
    • Contact CSU- Western Colorado Research Center (970-434-3264) or CDA (303-869-9070) to take part in survey of your vineyard.
    • All harvesting and cultivation equipment should be power washed or sanitized between fields.
    • When purchasing grape nursery stock from any nursery, request that the plants be hot water dipped prior to shipment. If nurseries are not able to hot water dip vines prior to shipment, then growers themselves need to hot water dip vines prior to planting. For details of this procedure, contact CDA, CSU or the Colorado Wine Industry Development Board (CWIDB).
    • Examine and inspect all new nursery stock prior to planting. Contact the Colorado Department of Agriculture if you would like to request assistance with inspection of incoming nursery stock. 303-869-9070
    • Consider use of grafted grape nursery stock for all susceptible cultivars, including all those of Vitis vinifera origin.
    Phylloxera is found throughout the United States. It has also been present throughout Europe since the 19th Century as well as in California since the early 20th Century.  Although its discovery will cause our grape-growers to adopt new biosecurity measures to limit its spread and impact, Colorado will continue to produce world-class wines just as they continue to do in Europe and California said Doug Caskey, Colorado Department of Agriculture’s Executive Director for the CWIDB

    Phylloxera History

    Colorado has approximately 150 grape growers tending 1,000 acres of vineyards and more than 140 licensed commercial wineries.  These vintners produced 166,000 cases of wine during the 2016 fiscal year, which equaled more than $33 million in sales. Phylloxera is native to the eastern and southeastern United States, where native American grape species (such as Vitis riparia and Vitis labrusca) co-evolved with the insect. Though it has spread around the world since the mid-19th Century to many other wine regions, prior surveys found no evidence of phylloxera in Colorado’s commercial vineyards. Grape species native to the U.S. are generally resistant to phylloxera, but V. vinifera vines have no natural resistance whatsoever.  This is why phylloxera nearly wiped out all the vineyards in Europe once it survived the trans-Atlantic trip in the mid-19th Century. On V. vinifera grape cultivars, phylloxera normally infests only the underground parts of the plant and eventually kills the vine. The leaf-feeding, gall-producing form is not present. In susceptible American Vitis species and hybrids, the full life cycle occurs, including the leaf-galling form. Colorado had been one of the few wine regions worldwide to not have been affected by phylloxera and as such many grapevines are self-rooted on V. vinifera rootstocks.
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  • Researcher Devotes 25 Years to Developing Pueblo Chile Variety

    Researcher Devotes 25 Years to Developing Pueblo Chile Variety

    Dr. Michael Bartolo is the best sort of person, accomplished yet humble. Since 1992, he has patiently bred chile peppers to find varieties that are  popular with buyers and profitable for growers. In 2005, Arkansas Valley growers first planted “Mosco”, a  Pueblo chile type. Today, Mosco is one of the most popular chiles  grown in and around Pueblo, Colo.

    That is not an easy accomplishment, given that Arkansas Valley residents are serious about their chiles. The region’s largest city, Pueblo, Colo., hosts one of the largest food festivals in the state.  The Pueblo Chile and Frijole Festival, held annually in September, draws in over 130,000 visitors.  The main attraction is the ever-popular Pueblo (a.k.a. Mira Sol) Chile.

    Bartolo, who is the vegetable crop specialist and manager of Colorado State University’s Arkansas Valley Research Center in Rocky Ford, Colo., was born and raised on a small farm east of Pueblo. He received his undergraduate and master’s degrees at Colorado State University, and in 1990, he received a Ph.D. in plant physiology from the University of Minnesota.

    In 2014, he joined with other growers and allied industries to serve on the organizing board of directors for the Colorado Fruit & Vegetable Growers Association (CFVGA). He continues to serve as a CFVGA board member.

    According to Bartolo, the Pueblo Chile has been cultivated in southern Colorado for over 100 years. “It is characterized by the upright growth habit of the pepper,” he said. “Hence the name Mira Sol, which translates into looking at the sun.”

    The Pueblo Chile originated in Mexico and was brought into the United States and improved by horticulturalist Fabian Garcia, a researcher at what is now New Mexico State University.   From there, the pepper made its way into southern Colorado.

    Bartolo’s chile breeding legacy started officially in 1992 when he obtained a strain of Pueblo Chile from his uncle, Harry Mosco, a farmer on the Saint Charles Mesa, east of Pueblo. Today, the Mosco variety has become the predominant Pueblo Chile variety in and around Pueblo. 

    The researcher’s matter-of-fact modesty makes it sound as though development of the Mosco variety was a small project on the side with which he was fortunate to associate. In fact, it was a project “on the side,” as Bartolo’s primary work is researching production and irrigation practices. But, development of the chile took a lot of time and many hours of work over two-plus decades.

    Breeding the Mosco Chile was low tech, explains Bartolo. “If I were breeding for a seed company, it would be in a controlled environment in a greenhouse with precise pollination between plants and multiple crops each year.”

    Bartolo’s chile plants grow in the open. “Chiles cross-pollinate, and insects can carry pollen from long distances, providing potential for some unusual varieties.”

    “In 1994, I found a superior plant and saved its seeds. I continued to use the single plant selection process to develop more uniformity within the desired traits,” he said. “I asked a few growers and family members to try the seeds and took their feedback to adjust my selections in future years.”

    In addition to taste and hardiness, Bartolo’s input from growers steered him toward plants that yielded fruit that was easy to pick and which had thick, “meaty” flesh, ideal for roasting.

    “Mosco has thick fruit walls and high yield potential relative to the original forms of the Pueblo Chile,” he said. “This variety also has excellent roasting and eating characteristics.”

    The Mosco Chile is more pungent than a typical Anaheim-type pepper, yet less “hot” than a jalapeño. Its estimated pungency is 5,000-6,000 Scoville units.  The Mosco Chile is green and turns red as it further matures. It is Bartolo’s opinion that the red Mosco Chile is a bit sweeter with a subtler heat.

    Bartolo’s chile breeding program is recognized for its importance to the chile industry by Pueblo growers.

    “Mike Bartolo’s work to breed peppers that are both suited for cultivation in southern Colorado and sought after by consumers is invaluable to chile growers,” said Dominic DiSanti, a fifth generation chile grower from Pueblo, Colo., and a fellow CFVGA board member. “Growers are grateful to work with someone who understands real world production issues and offers so much knowledge and experience in specialty crops. The results of his two and a half decades of pepper development and research have helped our production tremendously and yielded superior varieties.

    Neither Bartolo nor DiSanti, both of Italian heritage, find irony in their passion for developing and growing chiles most often associated with Mexican cuisine.

    The Arkansas Valley is a melding of cultures and the foods that represent these cultures,” said Bartolo. “Growing up, we used chiles in our sausages, and we often had roasted chiles with many of our traditional meals

    Arkansas Valley chile growers took their passion for chile a step further by launching the Pueblo Chile brand in 2015.

    “They had been talking about this (branding the Pueblo Chile) for years,” said Bartolo, who suggested growers look into getting a Specialty Crops Block Grant administered by the Colorado Department of Agriculture. “The growers got the grant as well as a lot of support from the Pueblo Chamber of Commerce and Pueblo County government to promote Pueblo Chiles. A lot of folks were involved.”

    Although development of the Mosco variety is a major accomplishment for a ‘side project,’ Bartolo continues to breed chiles. “We are making additional selections that will result in other varieties developed specifically for Colorado growing conditions,” he said.

    Bartolo’s chile breeding project as well as irrigation and production research conducted by the Arkansas Valley Research Center will be the focus of his presentations at both the Colorado Farm Show Produce Day, Jan. 24, at Island Grove Park in Greeley and the CFVGA Third Annual Conference, Feb. 21, at the Renaissance Denver Stapleton Hotel in Denver.