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The I-70 Scout & Eastern Colorado News

Author: I-70 Scout

  • Celebrate Library Giving Day

    Celebrate Library Giving Day

    People nationwide are donating locally to the libraries they enjoy and depend on in honor of Library Giving Day on Wednesday, April 6, 2022. Show your love for Anythink and donate to the Anythink Foundation!  

    Your support will help expand Anythink’s pollinator gardens. Plans are already underway for a pollinator garden at Anythink Wright Farms, and it will be designed to help further the learning and understanding of the importance of pollinators in our area. We are raising money to enhance this project and to build pollinator gardens at additional Anythink locations. 

    Anythink’s goal is to raise $2,500. We need your help to create beautiful, soothing spaces for our community to connect with nature and for pollinator animals to thrive. 

    Donate today

    What’s the buzz about Anythink’s pollinator gardens? 

    • They will provide food (pollen and nectar) for pollinators such as bees, butterflies and hummingbirds 
    • They will include flowers, plants, walkways and water features 
    • They will share learning prompts to help us better understand the role pollinators play in environmental stewardship 

    Looking for more ways to give? Become an Anythink Foundation member. 

    Thank you for being part of our Anythink community and for supporting the pollinator gardens! 

    Donate today

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  • Air Quality Health Advisory for Blowing Dust

    Issued for the eastern Colorado plains and the San Luis Valley Issued at 8:00 AM MDT, Tuesday April 5th, 2022

    Issued by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment

    Affected Area: Morgan, Logan, Sedgwick, Phillips, Washington, Yuma, Elbert, Lincoln, Kit Carson, Cheyenne, Pueblo, Crowley, Kiowa, Otero, Bent, Prowers, Baca, Saguache, Rio Grande, Alamosa, Conejos, Costilla and eastern parts of Weld, Adams, Arapahoe, El Paso and Las Animas counties. Locations include, but are not limited to, Fort Morgan, Sterling, Julesburg, Holyoke, Akron, Wray, Kiowa, Limon, Hugo, Burlington, Cheyenne Wells, Pueblo, Ordway, Eads, La Junta, Las Animas, Lamar, Springfield, Deer Trail, Kim, Saguache, Del Norte, Alamosa, Conejos, and San Luis.

    Advisory in Effect: 10:00 AM MDT, Tuesday, April 5, 2022 to 8:00 PM MDT, Tuesday, April 5, 2022.

    Public Health Recommendations: If significant blowing dust is present and reducing visibility to less than 10 miles across a wide area, People with heart or lung disease, older adults, and children in the affected area should reduce prolonged or heavy indoor and outdoor exertion.

    Outlook: Strong and gusty winds will produce areas of blowing dust across large sections of eastern and south-central Colorado on Tuesday. The highest threat for blowing dust will be across the plains of northeastern Colorado for areas to the north of Interstate 70, however blowing dust can also be expected at times for southeastern Colorado and the San Luis Valley of south-central Colorado. Areas of blowing dust will likely be most widespread across the entire advisory area during the afternoon hours before gradually tapering off Tuesday evening.

    For the latest Colorado statewide air quality conditions, forecasts, and advisories, visit: http://www.colorado.gov/airquality/colorado_summary.aspx

    Social Media:

    http://www.facebook.com/cdphe.apcd

  • 20 Safest Cities in Colorado 2022, SafeWise

    20 Safest Cities in Colorado 2022, SafeWise

    Colorado is one of just nine states that saw increases in both violent and property crime year over year. Thankfully, Coloradans worry less about their safety than the average American. But in what Colorado cities can state residents feel the most safe?
    After analyzing the latest violent and property crime data from the FBI, SafeWise just released its 8th annual “20 Safest Cities in Colorado for 2022” report. 

    Here are the cities that made the top 5 safest cities in Colorado:

    1. Brush
    2. Frederick
    3. Milliken
    4. Severance
    5. Gypsum
    To see what cities rounded out the rest of the rankings, click here: https://www.safewise.com/blog/safest-cities-colorado/

    Key stats about Colorado:

    • This year’s safest city in Colorado—Brush—is brand new to the list, while last year’s number-one city—Frederick—dropped to second place. 
    • Most of Colorado’s safest cities declined in ranking year over year, but Aspen jumped 13 positions to land at number 14. 
    • Aggravated assault is the most common violent crime in Colorado’s safest cities, but Milliken, Gypsum, Dacono, and Aspen reported 0. 
    • Violent crime represents 13% of all crime in Colorado, which is 4 percentage points lower than the national average.
    • According to our latest State of Safety survey, 40% of Coloradans feel concerned about safety on a daily basis. That’s seven percentage points lower than the national average.

    Use these resources to help your coverage on web and on air: 

    • A media kit with infographics available upon request. 
    • SafeWise security and safety expert Rebecca Edwards will be available for interviews and to provide quotes
    • Any other information or resources you need!
    Read a full breakdown of our methodology here.

  • Farming — in a parking lot? Top 10 cities for urban gardening

    It seems everyone has a green thumb, but where can city-dwelling gardeners find their patch of paradise?

    To mark April as Lawn and Garden Month, LawnStarter ranked 2022’s Best Cities for Urban Gardening. We looked for cities with easy access to gardening space and supplies, an ideal climate, and a local gardening community.

    What exactly is urban gardening? Think empty parking lot-turned-communal veggie plot, rooftop container garden, or vertical plant wall — and sharing your bounty. This global movement is as much about growing food as it is about cultivating community.

    See the 10 best (and 10 worst) cities for urban gardening below, followed by highlights and lowlights from our report.

    Highlights and Lowlights

    • Setting the Standard in St. Louis: The Gateway to the West is also the gateway to urban agriculture. Our 2022 Urban Gardening Capital not only leads the nation’s 196 biggest cities in access to gardening space, but it also provides ample social space for cross-pollinating ideas with other urban farmers.

      Urban Harvest STL sets a prime example. This nonprofit network of urban farms donates most of its harvest to underserved populations and educates the local community.

    • Georgia on My Mind: Urban gardening is just peachy in the Peach State, the only state with more than one city in our top 10, including Atlanta, Macon, and Augusta. Each provides top access to private and public gardening spaces and has well-established gardening communities.

      Some of those communities help maintain the nation’s largest free-food forest, which Atlanta built in 2021 to address its population’s food insecurity problem.

    • Rough Patches in Colorado: The Centennial State has sown a reputation as a sustainability leader, but the emphasis on urban gardening seems to be lacking in its biggest cities.

      Half of the Colorado cities in our ranking are among those in our bottom 10. But there’s one bright spot: Denver leads the Colorado pack at No. 73, thanks to one of the highest numbers of community gardens and gardening Meetup groups among all 196 cities.

    • Northern Gardening Exposure: Urban gardening clearly is tougher in colder regions. Our worst city is Anchorage, Alaska. Its one sunny quality: above-average access to gardening space, ranking No. 45 overall in this category.

      Other cold cities like Chicago, Detroit, and Sioux Falls, South Dakota, also fared poorly. With more frigid days, these Northern cities have to work harder at urban gardening — making the most of those warmer days and investing in greenhouses and hoop houses.
       

    Our full ranking and analysis can be found here: https://www.lawnstarter.com/blog/studies/best-cities-urban-gardening/

  • Colorado Saw a 52% Drop in Travel Spending During COVID

    Colorado Saw a 52% Drop in Travel Spending During COVID

    For the first two years of the pandemic, the shifting landscape around COVID-19 affected travel more than almost any sector of the economy. Concerns about the spread of the virus and changes in travel restrictions and public health guidance led many would-be travelers to hold off on trips. As a result, industries like air travel and lodging saw much lower than usual demand throughout 2020 and 2021, and closely related businesses like restaurants and arts, entertainment, and recreation facilities also suffered. But according to recent data from the U.S. Travel Association, many indicators like hotel room demand and overall travel spending are at or near pre-pandemic levels.

    A recovery in travel spending would be welcome news given the dramatic drop brought on by COVID-19. The onset of the pandemic in 2020 sharply reversed an upward trend in travel spending over more than two decades. From 1997 to 2019, annual per capita travel spending—defined as the summation of air transportation and accommodations spending—increased from $504 to $856 in inflation-adjusted dollars. Over that span, spending only declined in the two years following the September 11 attacks, which produced a decline in air travel, and from 2008 to 2009 with the onset of the Great Recession. But from 2019 to 2020, the pandemic set off a historic drop of almost 55% in travel spending, to just $388 per capita.


    But the rapid drop in travel spending played out differently across the country based on varying geographic trends in spending on air travel and accommodations. For example, residents of the Midwest and parts of the South tended to be the lowest spenders on travel in both 2019 and 2020, which may be a product of lower incomes in these regions. Other states like Alaska and Hawaii—which are more costly to travel to and from due to geography—were among top spenders in both years but saw significant declines in dollars spent.


    By percentages, however, the greatest drops in travel spending were in the Mideast (-61.4%) and New England (-59.8%) regions. Some of these locations were hard-hit early in the pandemic, with severe early outbreaks in locations like the New York and Boston metros that may have discouraged travel. Many Northeastern states were also among the most stringent in terms of public health restrictions like testing or quarantine requirements for travelers entering or returning to the state. All of these factors reduced interest (and spending) on travel from states in these regions. In contrast, states in the interior of the U.S., including the Plains (-51.7%), Far West (-49.5%), and Rocky Mountain (-48.5%) regions saw lower declines in travel spending from 2019 to 2020.


    The data used in this analysis is from the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis’s Personal Consumption Expenditures. To determine the states with the biggest drop in travel spending during COVID, researchers at Filterbuy calculated the percentage change in air transportation and accommodations spending from 2019 to 2020. In the event of a tie, the state with the greater total change in air transportation and accommodations spending from 2019 to 2020 was ranked higher.

    The analysis found that travel spending in Colorado declined by 51.9%—a decrease of $3.3 billion—during the pandemic. Here is a summary of the data for Colorado:

    • Percentage change in travel spending (2019-2020): -51.9%
    • Total change in travel spending (2019-2020): -$3,282,100,000
    • Per capita travel spending (2020): $524
    • Per capita travel spending (2019): $1,099

    For reference, here are the statistics for the entire United States:

    • Percentage change in travel spending (2019-2020): -53.9%
    • Total change in travel spending (2019-2020): -$149,797,900,000
    • Per capita travel spending (2020): $388
    • Per capita travel spending (2019): $846

    For more information, a detailed methodology, and complete results, you can find the original report on Filterbuy’s website: https://filterbuy.com/resources/covid-impact-on-tourism/

  • Jackson Lake State Park to open to boating on April 1

    Jackson Lake State Park to open to boating on April 1

    The four-lane boat ramp on the west shore of the reservoir

    ORCHARD, Colo. – Jackson Lake State Park, a popular fishing and water-sport destination in Morgan County, will open its reservoir to boating on Friday, April 1.

    The four-lane boat ramp is located on the west shore of the reservoir. The Aquatic Nuisance Species (ANS) inspections will take place at the park’s visitor center during weekdays. For weekends, those will be out at the regular ANS station. Hours of operation for all ANS inspections will be from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily in April and most of May.

    For weekends after Memorial Day through Labor Day, the ANS station will be in operation from 7 a.m. to sunset.

    All boats must comply with current Colorado boating rules and regulations, which are also available at the park’s entrance stations and visitor center.

    Things to know about boating at Jackson Lake: 

    • Boats are allowed in designated areas only. 

    • Weather changes can have boaters rushing to get off the lake, creating lines for the dock. If the weather looks like it’s going to turn, start early to dock your boat. 

    • The Shoreline Marina is located on the west side of the lake​.

    • Both an observer and an operator must be on any vessel that is towing a skier. Ski counter-clockwise, and please spread out across the reservoir to avoid dangerous congestion. 

    • Since Jackson Lake was built for irrigation purposes, please check conditions on the main page for up-to-date information regarding water levels, boating conditions, etc.​

    Jackson Reservoir is a 2,967 acre water body (at full capacity) and anglers can expect quality fishing for walleye, saugeye, wiper and channel catfish. Crappie and trout can also be caught, and yellow perch were also stocked into the reservoir last year. WATCH video of the yellow perch stocking.

    For more detailed information on fishing and the fishery management of Jackson Reservoir, please see our fish survey summary.

    You can learn more about Jackson Lake and its many offerings by visiting the park’s website.

  • AccuWeather forecasters warn storm-weary South may face new tornado outbreak

    AccuWeather forecasters warn storm-weary South may face new tornado outbreak

    Another tornado outbreak could develop across the South and impact some cities and towns from Texas to Louisiana that are still cleaning up following this week’s deadly tornado outbreak.

    AccuWeather Global Weather Center – March 25, 2022 – Next Tuesday a potent storm will race from California to Kansas before slowing its forward speed and pivoting northeastward across the Central states on Wednesday. This system will first bring beneficial precipitation to California later Sunday into Monday.

    As the storm pushes east of the Rockies, it will pull moisture from the Gulf of Mexico and into the zone of warmth over the South-Central states. At the same time, high above the ground, winds will increase. These three ingredients are likely to lead to a significant outbreak of severe weather that includes tornadoes from late Tuesday to Wednesday evening.

    Storms Tuesday night should generally remain to the west of Interstate 35, with locations such as Abilene and San Angelo, Texas, at risk for the storms. However, storms could approach the metro areas of Dallas and Oklahoma City as well toward daybreak.

    The risk of severe weather will increase significantly as it progresses eastward on Wednesday. Large hail, damaging winds and isolated tornadoes will also be possible on Wednesday. 

    Areas from near or just east of Oklahoma City and Dallas and on to Tulsa, Oklahoma, and Austin and San Antonio, Texas, are likely to be affected by the storms during the day Wednesday. Similar to this week’s severe weather outbreak, the peak of next week’s severe weather is expected to occur at night. In this case, portions of Louisiana, Arkansas, Mississippi, western Alabama and Tennessee appear to be at risk for violent storms Wednesday night. 

    By Thursday, eastern Alabama, the Florida Panhandle, Georgia and part of South Carolina may be at risk for severe thunderstorms as the associated cold front advances eastward. However, by Thursday afternoon, the band of showers and thunderstorms may be less intense when compared to Wednesday evening as energy from the storm will be lifting hundreds of miles away to the north, forecasters say.

    Many of the storms may move offshore by Friday

    AccuWeather forecasters warn storm-weary South may face new tornado outbreak (Full Story) >>

    About AccuWeather, Inc. and AccuWeather.com

    AccuWeather, recognized and documented as the most accurate source of weather forecasts and warnings in the world, has saved tens of thousands of lives, prevented hundreds of thousands of injuries and tens of billions of dollars in property damage. With global headquarters in State College, PA and other offices around the world, AccuWeather serves more than 1.5 billion people daily to help them plan their lives and get more out of their day through digital media properties, such as AccuWeather.com and mobile, as well as radio, television, newspapers, and the national 24/7 AccuWeather Network channel. Additionally, AccuWeather produces and distributes news, weather content, and video for more than 180,000 third-party websites.

  • CPW’s hunting and angling outreach programs help to get people in the outdoors

    DENVER – Colorado Parks and Wildlife’s hunting and angling outreach programs offer clinics and seminars throughout the year to give novice and experienced sportspersons alike opportunities to learn or improve upon their skills.

    CPW’s hunter outreach programs offered more than 300 mentored hunts across the state in 2021. The program also incorporates sponsoring agency programs that nonprofits can apply for, and makes dream hunt licenses available to youth with a life-threatening illness or injury, through sponsoring agencies.

    On the angling side, CPW hosted well over 100 fishing clinics statewide and helped introduce nearly 3,000 people to the sport of angling. These clinics include warm water, fly fishing, kids events and ice fishing. Additionally, CPW distributes around 6,000 free fishing rods across the state annually.

    For 2022, there are already 73 fishing clinics scheduled in the Denver metro area alone.

    These hunting and angling clinics and seminars are informative and educational, featuring experienced guest speakers and CPW experts, and they offer a setting in which to meet others who share similar interests and goals. 

    Seminars are generally classroom-based and cover specific topics such as Hunting 101 for a variety of species or really any skill set needed to be a safe, ethical and successful hunter. Some of the seminars are offered virtually through Zoom and can be found online on CPW’s YouTube Channel.

    Clinics are typically more hands-on and oftentimes take place in the field, at the range or on the water, sometimes even on the ice (click here for a video on an Ice Fishing 101 clinic at Eleven Mile State Park). They are usually geared towards fishing, shooting, archery, hunting, or basic outdoor skills. Oftentimes, all the necessary equipment is provided for participants and are free.

    “We provide that mentoring and educational aspect to get you started and give you a little bit of confidence so you can get out there on your own safely and effectively,” said Pepper Canterbury, hunting and angling outreach coordinator for CPW’s Northeast region.

    Canterbury last year offered 80 days in the field for both big and small game hunts, many of those coming through CPW’s Novice Pheasant Hunter Program (NPHP).

    [WATCH] Video highlighting CPW’s Novice Pheasant Hunter Program

    The Novice Pheasant Hunter Program, for adults and youth over the age of 12, supports new hunters, with detailed pheasant hunting knowledge, practical field experience and quality instruction on a trap range. Students must complete three hours of classroom instruction and one half-day field session to receive a NPHP vehicle walk-in access (WIA) permit. Mentored hunts are available during the pheasant hunting season to students who desire additional instruction.

    When we can’t meet live to work on our skills, the Hunter Outreach Program also offers an online “Learn to Hunt” series. You can watch recordings of past Learn to Hunt Webinars on our YouTube Playlist.

    Upcoming Colorado Outdoor hunting and fishing basics courses include:

    For a complete list of clinics and seminars being offered, please visit our website by clicking here.

    Follow Hunter Outreach on Instagram to stay up-to-date with new webinars, applications, season reminders and more.

  • COLORADO ROCKIES AGREE TO CONTRACT EXTENSION WITH RYAN McMAHON

    COLORADO ROCKIES AGREE TO CONTRACT EXTENSION WITH RYAN McMAHON

    SCOTTSDALE – The Colorado Rockies announced today that they have agreed to a six-year contract extension with infielder Ryan McMahon covering the 2022-27 seasons.
     
    McMahon, 27, has spent parts of the last five seasons with the Rockies, compiling a career slash line of .243/.323/.433 with 61 home runs and 215 RBI in 452 Major League games … named a finalist for the NL Rawlings Gold Glove Award at third base in 2021 after posting 2.5 defensive WAR, the highest in the NL … set career highs last season in games (151), runs (80), hits (134), doubles (32), RBI (86), walks (59) and stolen bases (six) … is the first Rockie in franchise history to log 400 or more career innings at three different infield positions (1B, 2B, 3B) … since 2019, ranks second among Rockies players in RBI (195), home runs (56), games played (344), runs scored (173) and doubles (60) … ranks first in walks (133) … his 24 home runs and 83 RBI in 2019 were the most in a single season by a primary second baseman in franchise history, surpassing Clint Barmes in 2009 (23 home runs, 76 RBI) … first player in franchise history to hit a game-winning home run in the seventh inning or later in consecutive games, Aug. 10-11, 2018 vs. Los Angeles-NL … named MiLB.com Fan’s Choice for Best Offensive Player in the Minor Leagues in 2017 … named an All-Star at each of his Minor League stops, 2013-17 … the Yorba Linda, Calif. native was drafted by the Rockies in the second round of the 2013 First-Year Player Draft.
  • Successful “Meat In” Day: Coloradans Supporting Ag and Local Causes

    Successful “Meat In” Day: Coloradans Supporting Ag and Local Causes

    ARVADA, Colo. — Every March, producers, agricultural associations, businesses, and consumers across the country join together to recognize the contributions of agriculture during National Agriculture Week (March 20-26) and in particular, on National Ag Day (March 22). Farmers and ranchers support and feed communities across the world each day, and this week offers the opportunity for those who benefit from these contributions to celebrate and show support for the industry.

    This year’s National Ag Week overlapped with “Meat In” day in Colorado, which celebrates the contributions of livestock production and agriculture, while also uplifting those in need and supporting local causes. Colorado Cattlemen’s Association (CCA) joined its counterparts and friends in the industry to celebrate the second annual “Meat In” day. 

    “‘Meat In’ day 2022 was another great reminder of the dedication and commitment of Colorado’s livestock industries to serve others”, commented Steve Wooten, CCA President. “We appreciate not only livestock producers for spearheading events across the state, but also consumers for joining in and celebrating the shared connections between rural and urban Colorado.”

    It is reported that at “Meat In” day gatherings across the state, over 10,000 people participated in the different events and around $175,000 was raised for local groups and charities, including fire departments, FFA and 4H chapters, families in need, and programs fighting food insecurity. 

    For those who missed out on a “Meat In” day event or are still looking for opportunities to celebrate the industry and show support, consider supporting CCA’s commitment to contributing funds for a week of statewide distribution of beef sticks through the Beef Sticks for Backpacks program. This non-profit organization was founded with the mission to produce and distribute beef sticks into backpack programs that help feed kids facing food insecurity on the weekends. Contact the CCA office directly to make your contribution or visit https://tinyurl.com/ccasupportform 

    Thank you to Colorado’s beef community for all your hard work and what you provide for our communities, economy, and environment. We look forward to celebrating National Agriculture Week and celebrating our producers throughout the year.