Author: I-70 Scout

Residents can celebrate Earth Day by signing up for recycling at their homes, a service now available in all parts of unincorporated Adams County.

In February, the Board of County Commissioners (BoCC) unanimously approved an ordinance that requires all trash collection providers operating in unincorporated Adams County to offer curbside recycling services to their residential and commercial customers. The ordinance does not mandate what trash providers can charge for recycling services paid by the resident or business.

Extensive research and community input found lack of convenient access to recycling services in unincorporated parts of the county was a top barrier to diverting waste from the landfill. In a residential survey, respondents overwhelmingly reported recycling was a worthwhile effort and believed Adams County should do more to increase access to recycling services and programs in unincorporated areas. Only 30% of the survey respondents believed households in their community had access to convenient recycling services.

“Residents told us recycling is important to them, but many in unincorporated Adams didn’t have access to services at their homes. Now, those residents can enroll in curbside recycling through their preferred trash collection company if they choose,” said BoCC Chair, Emma Pinter. “What a great way to celebrate Earth Day, signing up for a recycling service for the first time!”

The development of the Waste Hauler Licensing Ordinance is part of Adams County’s efforts to increase recycling and waste diversion rates across unincorporated areas from approximately 16% in 2022, to 40% by 2034. The county’s efforts align with the Sustainable Adams County 2030 Plan and the state’s goal of 39% waste diversion by 2026, and 51% diversion by 2036 along the Front Range.

Adams County received a grant from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment’s Front Range Waste Diversion (FRWD) program to pursue this project and develop the Solid Waste Hauler Licensing Ordinance.

Residents and businesses in unincorporated Adams County should contact their waste hauler to find out more about curbside recycling services and costs. More information about recycling and other waste reduction initiatives can be found at adcogov.org/recycling-and-waste-diversion.

Arapahoe County and the Sheriff’s Office invite residents to join a conversation with County representatives 

   

ARAPAHOE COUNTY, CO—April 8, 2024— Arapahoe County District Three Commissioner Jeff Baker along with special guests, Animal Services Field Supervisor Alyssa Haden and Arapahoe County Sheriff Kenneth C. McKlem, Bureau Chief, Public Safety, invite residents for a Conversation with the Commissioner on Wednesday, April 10, from 6-7:30 p.m. 

During this informal conversation, Baker, McKlem and Haden will provide updates in response to requests from residents in eastern Arapahoe County who are concerned about law enforcement and animal service issues. Following a brief presentation, they will answer questions from the public. 

Who:                                 Arapahoe County Commissioner Jeff Baker, Arapahoe County Sheriff’s Office Bureau Chief Kenneth McKlem and Alyssa Haden, Animal Services Field Supervisor 

What:                                Conversation with the Commissioner 

When:                              Wednesday, April 10, 2024, from 6-7:30 p.m. 

Where:                             American Legion in Byers, 278 W. Front St. Byers, CO 80103 

Photo Opportunities:    Commissioner Baker, Bureau Chief McKlem, and Supervisor Hayden from the Arapahoe County Sheriff’s Office meeting with community members 

The Morgan Community College (MCC) Fort Morgan campus will provide limited services on Friday, April 12, from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM due to scheduled professional development training for faculty and staff. During this time, MCC Student Services staff will be available in the Welcome Center, located by entering Cottonwood Hall from the east side of campus or by phone at (970) 542-3100.  The Center locations in Bennett, Burlington, Limon, and Wray will be closed.

The campus will resume normal operations and reopen on Monday, April 15, 2024, at 8:00 a.m.

MCC appreciates the community’s understanding and apologizes for any inconvenience.

The Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production Advisory Committee (UAIPAC) is one of several ways that USDA is extending support and building frameworks to support urban agriculture, including issues of equity, climate resilience and nutrition access.

The 2018 Farm Bill directed USDA to create this committee to advise the Secretary of Agriculture on the development of policies and outreach relating to urban, indoor, and other emerging agricultural production practices as well as identify any barriers to urban agriculture.

Twelve members are appointed the Committee for one to three-year terms by the Secretary of Agriculture. The members represent a diverse set of expertise including urban production, innovative production, higher education, non-profit, finance, business and economic development, supply chain, and other areas related to urban, indoor, and other emerging agriculture production practices.

The Committee will host public meetings to deliberate on advice and recommendations to the Secretary of Agriculture on ways USDA can support urban agriculture and innovative production.

Fact Sheet: Federal Advisory Committee for Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production

BUCKLEY SPACE FORCE BASE, Colo. – Colorado Air National Guard 140th Wing State Command Chief U.S. Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Edward Hauschild will pass responsibility to U.S. Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Jeremy Jenkins in a Change of Responsibility ceremony  at 2:00 p.m., April 6, 2024, Hangar 909, Buckley Space Force Base, Aurora, Colorado.

Assistant Adjutant General, Air U.S Air Force Brig. Gen. D. Micah “Zeus” Fesler will serve as the presiding official at the ceremony.

The State Command Chief represents the highest level of Air enlisted leadership and is the principal advisor to the commander of the COANG.  Responsibilities include readiness, operational utilization, professional development, morale, and welfare of more than 1,600 COANG Airmen.

“I have been reflecting so much on what these last 33 years of military service means to me, and I know how blessed I am to have served along some of America’s finest,” Hauschild said. “I will always cherish these experiences and thank every fellow service member for their contributions to making me the best person I could be.”

Hauschild enlisted in the Air Force in April 1991 as a munitions systems specialist. He served nine years on active duty while stationed at four different Air Force bases before joining the COANG in 2000.

He went on to serve as the 140th munitions superintendent, the 140th equipment maintenance superintendent, the 140th maintenance group superintendent, and the 140th Wing command chief prior to his current position as the state command chief.

Jenkins enlisted in the Active Duty Air Force in June 1999 as a tactical air control party. He served 10 years on active duty and conducted numerous combat missions in support of Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom. He joined the COANG in 2009, where he held several positions, including patient administration non-commissioned officer in charge, search and extraction flight chief, Medical Support Squadron superintendent, and Detachment 1 superintendent in support of Colorado’s Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear and High Yield Explosive Enhanced Response Force Package.

In 2013, he served a tour in support of the Colorado Joint Counterdrug Task Force where he served as the senior enlisted advisor responsible for overseeing all departments which included civil operations, administration staff, aviation support, criminal analysts, and ground reconnaissance/surveillance specialists in support of local, state and federal drug task forces. Prior to his current position, Jenkins was assigned as the Senior Enlisted Leader for the 140th Maintenance Group.

DENVER—The Parks and Wildlife Commission will hold a hybrid “Special Commission Meeting” in Denver on April 5, 2024. The meeting is scheduled to begin at noon and adjourn at 5:30 p.m.

The meeting’s complete agenda and reference materials are now posted and can be viewed online on the Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) Commission webpage. The meeting will be streamed live on CPW’s YouTube page.

The Commission will discuss the 2025-2029 Big Game Season Structure (BGSS) staff recommendations and receive public comment. Additional agenda items include:

• Wildlife corridors
• Lesser Prairie Chickens
• Beaver management

Details on providing public comments for hybrid meetings are available on the CPW website. The public is encouraged to email written comments to the commission at . Written comments must be provided by April 3, 2024, to be received by the Commission before the meeting.

The Commission meets regularly and travels to communities around the state to facilitate public participation. Anyone can listen to commission meetings (live or archived) through the CPW website. This opportunity keeps constituents informed about the development of regulations and how the commission works with Colorado Parks and Wildlife staff to manage the agency’s parks, wildlife, and outdoor recreation programs. Learn more about the commission on the CPW website.

CENTENNIAL, Colo. – Lieutenant Governor Dianne Primavera and The Adjutant General of Colorado U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Laura Clellan will host an Easter event at the Boettcher Mansion in Denver for the families of Colorado National Guard service members March 23, 2024.

The CONG Easter Egg Roll is a military-focused event held every other year to recognize that families of service members also serve.

“This event is about saying thank you to our Colorado National Guard families while connecting them with valuable resources,” Clellan said.  “Our National Guard members would not be ready to serve our state and nation without the support of our families.”

The CONG’s Prevention Workforce and Joint Resiliency Directory, or J9, coordinates the festivities. Those in attendance can participate in crafts, games, an Easter egg hunt, story time for the children, and a special visit from the Easter Bunny. The event will be held from approximately 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

Events such as this are a way for military families to network and get connected to resources. Each year CONG families experience separation while their service members are called to support stateside emergency response or overseas contingency operations.

From 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Wednesday, March 20, motorists should expect a right lane closure on westbound I-70 at the E-470 interchange to set the traffic barrier. Once set, motorists can expect a right shoulder closure for several months. Crews will also begin installing permanent storm sewer pipe north of I-70 through this week. Motorists will also notice increased truck activity near Picadilly Road and Colfax Avenue for several weeks with trucks hauling materials to and from the project. Drivers are asked to use caution when traveling through the work zone and wto atch for trucks entering and exiting along Picadilly Road between 19th Avenue and Smith Road.

urged to avoid travel if possible

Statewide- Several highways across the Denver metro area and high country are closed due to adverse conditions and crashes. Road conditions vary, but most highways are snowpacked and slushy making driving conditions difficult.

Keeping the roads open as much as possible will be an all-hands-on-deck effort. CDOT urged drivers to stay off the road when possible during heavy periods of snow and to make sure that vehicles venturing into the snow are equipped for the conditions. For example, numerous instances of jack-knifed semi trucks, many without chains, have led to numerous closures on key thoroughfares like I-70. If travelers must head out, be sure to maintain slower speeds, keep plenty of room between you and the vehicle ahead and use extreme caution. There may be a lull in weather early this morning in the Denver metro area, but motorists should be warned that snow conditions are expected to pick back up later in the morning.

Below are the closures that are currently in place as of 8 a.m.:

• I-70 in both directions between Morrison and Silverthorne because of adverse conditions and semi-truck crashes due to lack of chains.
• US 285 just south of C-470 is closed due to a jackknifed semi truck.
• Highway 119 is closed due to adverse conditions. Power outages have been reported.
• US 40 Berthoud Pass and US 6 Loveland Pass are closed due to adverse conditions, avalanche recovery after a natural slide occurred overnight and additional
• winter operations will be necessary to make sure that the roads are safe to reopen.
• US 40/I-70 Frontage Road is closed.

I-25 between Castle Rock and northern Colorado Springs and roads in the Palmer Divide communities are particularly treacherous and have received over 10” of snow, making driving conditions very difficult. The winter storm will continue throughout the day and roads may become worse, especially as more folks take to the roads. The storm is tracking as forecasted. Friday morning ski traffic will be affected.

Pavement Impacts

Front Range Mountains

• Peak impacts: Wednesday night to Thursday night
• Winds: Moderate
• Snowfall Rates: 1”/hour+
• Pavement Condition: Snowpacked/icy

Southwest Colorado

• Peak impacts: Thursday afternoon to Friday night
• Winds: Moderate
• Snowfall Rates: Moderate to heavy
• Pavement Conditions: Snowpacked/icy and then will turn to slushy/wet

North of the Palmer Divide

• Peak impacts: Wednesday night to Thursday night
• Winds: Moderate/gusty
• Snowfall Rates: 1”/hour+
• Pavement Conditions: Wet/slushy and then will turn to snowpacked/icy

South of the Palmer Divide

• Peak Impacts: Early Thursday to Friday morning
• Winds: Moderate/gusty
• Rates: Moderate to heavy
• Pavement Conditions: Wet/slushy and then will turn to snowpacked/icy

Looking for Road Conditions? Go to COtrip!

For real-time updates, motorists should use COtrip.org or the COtrip Planner app for the latest road closures and conditions. CDOT’s social media channels, especially X (formerly Twitter), will not be updated with real-time information. Chain and Traction Laws are in place in the high country and can be seen on these platforms as well.

Winter Travel Tips for Motorists

• Avoid or limit driving during the brunt of the storm on Thursday.
• Work from home if you can.
• If you plan to travel, know before you go by checking out the latest weather conditions and visiting COtrip.org for road conditions (see info sources below).
• Make sure your vehicle is winter ready with the appropriate tires for the weather and have a snow emergency kit.
• Once you are out on the road, take it slow, no sudden stops and leave plenty of following distance.
• Give plows space! Stay back three to four car lengths from snow plows.

Safety Closures

A safety closure is a precaution taken during inclement weather to reduce the probability of traffic incidents, increased congestion or other safety-related factors. During a safety closure, traffic may be stopped on the interstate, turned around or directed to an exit. Safety closures help decrease delay times, and, above all, keep travelers safe.

Chain & Traction Laws

When weather conditions warrant, CDOT will activate the Traction Law. If weather conditions deteriorate, CDOT will activate Chain Laws for passenger and commercial vehicles. Motorists will be alerted to an active Traction or Chain Law by highway signage, COtrip.org and traffic/roadway condition alerts. For more information on the Traction Law and Passenger Vehicle Chain Law requirements, visit codot.gov/travel/winter-driving/tractionlaw. For more information on the Commercial Vehicle Chain Law requirements, visit codot.gov/travel/colorado-chain-law. To learn more and view helpful tips for winter driving, visit winter.codot.gov.

COtrip.org & COtrip Planner App

If motorists must head out during this winter storm, they are urged to visit COtrip.org and download the COtrip Planner app ahead of time. Motorists are now able to sign up for travel alerts through COtrip.org to see if there are any highway closures or impacts along their favorite routes. The COtrip Planner app also offers a “Trip Planner” feature that allows motorists to map out their routes and receive updates about road closures or incidents along the way. Motorists can turn on the “Hands-Free, Eyes Free” feature to receive these alerts via voice notifications and avoid routes with impacts.

The free COtrip Planner mobile app was designed to meet the growing trend of information on mobile and tablet devices for the traveling public. The COtrip Planner app provides statewide, real-time traffic information, and works on mobile devices that operate on the iOS and Android platforms. Visit the Google Play Store (Android devices) or the Apple Store (iOS devices) to download!

Know Before You Go

Travelers are urged to “know before you go.” Gather information about weather forecasts and anticipated travel impacts and current road conditions prior to hitting the road. CDOT resources include:

• Road conditions and travel information: COtrip.org
• Download the COtrip Planner app: bit.ly/COtripapp
• Sign up for project or travel alerts: bit.ly/COnewsalerts
• See scheduled construction lane closures: bit.ly/laneclosures
• Connect with @ColoradoDOT on social media: Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube