Author: I-70 Scout

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Image of a gray wolf (photo courtesy of Gnagel/Dreamstime.com) DENVER – Colorado Parks and Wildlife and the Keystone Policy Center announced today the launch of an Online Open House and detailed Comment Form available on Colorado’s Wolf Restoration and Management Plan Public Engagement Website. The online open house and comment form offer the same information, questions and opportunity to submit feedback that is available at in-person public listening sessions that will be conducted throughout the state this summer. “Whether attending an open house in-person, or reviewing information and providing feedback online, we want to hear the public’s input about the Wolf Restoration and Management Plan,” said Julie Shapiro, director of the Natural Resources Program for Keystone Policy Center. “The online open house includes posters and video presentations providing the same information offered at in-person meetings, effectively creating a virtual learning and listening session for everyone to participate in at their own convenience.” The detailed online comment form will be open through late August and allows visitors to submit responses to the same topics and questions discussed at open house listening sessions. Those topics include:  Engagement, Education, and Outreach Wolf Restoration Wolf Management Livestock Interactions CPW and Keystone Policy Center announced last month the full slate of 14 open house listening sessions set to be conducted throughout the state. The open house public listening sessions are one component of the more than 40 meetings being conducted in July and August. In addition to the open houses and the online comment form, CPW and Keystone will convene approximately 17 invitational geographic-based focus groups in Western Colorado, approximately 10 invitational interest-based focus groups, as well as Tribal consultation meetings and virtual town hall sessions. About the Wolf Restoration and Management Plan Proposition 114, passed on November 3, 2020, directs the Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commission to restore and manage gray wolves in Colorado no later than December 31, 2023, on designated lands west of the Continental Divide; hold statewide hearings about scientific, economic, and social considerations; periodically obtain public input to update the plan; and use state funds to assist livestock owners in preventing conflicts with gray wolves and pay fair compensation for livestock losses. About Keystone Policy Center Keystone Policy Center brings together crucial teams of stakeholders who have diverse individual perspectives but recognize a common need to address urgent issues with lasting solutions. For more than 40 years, Keystone has helped leaders move beyond fixed positions toward collaborative, action-oriented approaches to problem-solving. In this age of polarized debate on nearly every major topic in public policy, Keystone offers a refreshing yet proven blueprint for progress.

DENVER — The U.S. Department of Agriculture is offering $41.8 million through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) to help producers in Arizona, California, Colorado and Oregon alleviate the immediate impacts of drought on working lands.

USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service will make available the funding through Conservation Incentive Contracts, a new option available through EQIP. The NRCS will accept applications through July 12.

Through EQIP, NRCS offers conservation practices that help producers recover from the impacts of drought as well as build resiliency. These practices provide other key benefits, including mitigating impacts from climate change as well as preventing and recovering from wildfire.

“As ongoing drought conditions in Colorado continue to worsen, we knew we needed to increase our support to farmers and ranchers in dealing with drought and prepare for the challenges of tomorrow,” said Clint Evans, NRCS state conservationist in Colorado. “EQIP is our flagship conservation program, and with the expanded benefits the Conservation Incentive Contracts offer, it enables producers to deploy conservation activities that strengthen existing efforts on their land to help during times of drought. Additionally, by targeting this program in several states, we can make any needed adjustments before rolling out Conservation Incentive Contracts nationwide in fiscal year 2022.”

Conservation Incentive Contracts

While Conservation Incentive Contracts are available in select states in fiscal 2021, NRCS will roll them out nationwide in fiscal 2022, using this pilot to refine implementation of this new option.

The 2018 Farm Bill created the new Conservation Incentive Contracts option to address high-priority conservation and natural resources concerns, including drought. Through five- to 10-year contracts, producers manage, maintain and address important natural resource concerns and build on existing conservation efforts.

NRCS will set aside $11.8 million directly for drought-related practices. Practices include forest management plans, tree/shrub establishment, brush management, prescribed grazing, pasture and hay planting, wildlife habitat, livestock watering systems and cover crops.

How to Apply

To learn more about Conservation Incentive Contracts, visit the EQIP webpage.

For more information, contact the Adams County FSA office, 57 W. Bromley Lane, Brighton, at (303)659-0525 or the Arapahoe County FSA office, 133 W. Bijou Ave., Byers, at (303)822-5257, or visit www.fsa.usda.gov.

Photo is of the junior game warden class taught in Evergreen, Colo. in conjunction with the Jefferson County public schools.

This is the fourth of six articles written by wildlife officer Scott Murdoch that will be distributed throughout the summer. Each will come out roughly a week in advance from when wildlife officers from Park, Jefferson, Clear Creek and Gilpin counties host Coffee with a Wildlife Officer get-togethers, providing the public with an opportunity to meet their local wildlife officer and ask them questions. Times/locations for the fourth Coffee with a Game Warden sessions at local establishments on July 10 are listed at the bottom of the article.

CONIFER, Colo. – Welcome back, my name is Scott Murdoch and I am a District Wildlife Manager with Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW). I work in the Conifer area along U.S. Highway 285 in part of Park and Jefferson counties. 

This article is the fourth of a series of articles that will highlight how wildlife is managed in Colorado. CPW is the state agency responsible for managing the wildlife that calls Colorado their home. Our agency employs aquatic and terrestrial biologists, researchers, property and hatchery technicians, administrators, wildlife officers, investigators, engineers and many others to accomplish the broad mission of conserving and protecting the state’s 960 game and non-game species. More than 70 percent of CPW’s wildlife programs to conserve and protect those species are paid for by the license fees from hunters and anglers. CPW does not receive general tax dollars to fund its wildlife conservation programs.  

In the first few articles, I described that our district wildlife managers are commissioned wildlife officers which focus on law enforcement, biology and education. Today, I will describe a large part of my daily job, wildlife education.  

So much of CPW’s mission relies on the employees to be educators of some kind. We have dedicated education folks that spend their career working on educating people about wildlife. We have other roles that spend parts of their day as an educator. 

While my role as a wildlife officer may seem to focus mostly on law enforcement or the biology aspects, education takes up a significant amount of my time and is vitally important. Many days are spent teaching hunter education, teaching 4H, talking to students at the local schools, teaching people how to fish, participating in outdoor skills days by coaching those wanting to be involved in the outdoors, mentoring novice hunters, educating the public about bear and lion conflicts, teaching about laws and regulations to hunters and anglers and instructing homeowners how to live with the deer and elk in neighborhoods. Many days are also spent teaching other officer’s critical skills, such as firearms handling and shooting, defensive tactics and arrest control, boat operation, ATV operation and horsemanship to name a few.

I can’t tell you how often someone approaches me at the gas station, lake, or trail to ask a simple question and have that question turn into a 30 minute or one-hour conversation about all things wildlife related. The public loves wildlife and so do I.  

These topics are easy to talk about and get a lot of interest from the public. There are a lot of members of the public that know a tremendous amount about the wildlife around them and others that know very little. There is an expectation in the mountain communities that people living there, whether natives or transplants, know the basics about living with wildlife. We help teach people what to do with the wildlife living around them. I have taught classes for realtors about living with wildlife so they can help inform buyers with the reality of living in nature. We talk with homeowner associations and schools about bear and lion issues and why it is detrimental to feed the deer, elk and moose. I hope that by teaching the public, they then can become teachers too, ultimately reducing our negative impact on wildlife when we live in their habitats.

One of the great parts of my job is to share my passion as a hunter and angler and teach others about hunting and fishing. Hunting and fishing plays an integral role in the management of wildlife and is one of the very few activities that you can directly interact with wildlife. The benefit too is that you can take home a wonderful, fresh, organic, free-range, hormone-free meat to feed your family.  

Our wildlife is an incredible resource and education is part of what makes that resource sustainable. Hunting and fishing are highly regulated and there are stiff penalties for those that don’t follow the rules. Sometimes the reason people don’t follow the rules is not that they are being malicious, but rather they don’t know or are confused. It can go a long way with members of the public to educate rather than cite them for a violation. Remember, the goal is compliance with the law, and many times that just involves education.

There are so many people that have a desire to become a hunter or angler, but don’t have the know-how or a mentor to show them. CPW has stepped up in many ways to try and teach novice hunters and anglers. The hunter outreach program helps mentor many novice hunters each year. Fishing clinics by CPW reach over 20,000 people statewide. Finally, the many outdoor skills days, archery classes, and shooting classes teach critical skills to emerging hunters and anglers. If you want more information about CPW’s educational outreach events by clicking here.

There are so many other educational events that CPW puts on each year in different places of the state. If there is something you are interested in feel free to look at the CPW website or call one of our offices. To highlight the wide variety of educational outreach, we only need to look to one event in Evergreen put on by the local wildlife officer. The event is a junior game warden class taught in conjunction with Jefferson County Public Schools. It is part of their outdoor lab curriculum, where students learn about poaching, evidence collection, investigation and prosecution. Every year it gets rave reviews by all students, inspiring many to investigate a career in wildlife management.

When I first got into this career, I didn’t see myself as a teacher. The longer that I am in this career, the more I realized how critical that education component is. The public yearns for information about wildlife, what CPW does and opportunities to be in nature. CPW field staff, biologists, district wildlife managers and CPW dedicated educators do their best day-in and day-out to give the best information to the public regarding the wildlife resource.

The next time you see wildlife, know that the local wildlife officer is looking after the wildlife that you so cherish. If you would like to meet your local wildlife officer, please come with questions and share coffee with us on July 10th at the following locations and times:

Coffee with your local wildlife officer on July 10 at:
Conifer: 9-10 a.m. at Dutch Bros Coffee: 10855 US Hwy 285

Evergreen: 9-10 a.m. at Java Groove: 28186 CO-74 #1

Black Hawk: 9-10 a.m. at B&C Coffee: 135 Clear Creek St.

Fairplay: 9-10 a.m. at The Java Moose: 730 Main St.

In the coming weeks, we will look at other aspects of wildlife management in Colorado. If you have any general wildlife questions, please call the Northeast region CPW office at 303-291-7227.

Poaching is a crime against you, your neighbor, and everyone else in the state of Colorado. Call 1-877-COLO-OGT toll-free or Verizon cell phone users can simply dial #OGT to report it. If you’d prefer, you can e-mail us at

Cherry Creek State Park’s swim beach closed on Wednesday due to elevated E. coli bacteria levels

AURORA, Colo. – Cherry Creek State Park’s designated natural swim area is temporarily closed because routine water quality tests, performed to meet Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) requirements, contained higher than allowable E. coli bacteria levels. 

The beach area and other water related activities such as boating, waterskiing, paddleboarding and fishing will remain open to the public. Only the swim beach area is closed.

“These closures are not a common occurrence, but can be caused by fecal waste from wildlife, run-off from urban areas, or excessive run-off from rain, which we have had a lot of lately,” said Cherry Creek State Park Manager Jason Trujillo. ”There is still a lot of water coming into the reservoir, which is a good thing to be this full in July, but that is potentially the cause of our elevated samples.”

The water gets tested daily to monitor the situation and when the bacteria levels meet CDPHE standards, the swim area will be reopened. Water quality testing in natural swimming areas is mandated by the CDPHE and the Colorado Board of Health. It is required to report water quality data to the CDPHE on a regular basis during the swimming season to ensure public health and safety. 

Over on the western side of the Metro Area in Littleton, Chatfield State Park’s swim beach reopened on Wednesday. It had closed Tuesday after one of its two test readings came in above the CDPHE-defined levels. Retesting took place Tuesday and those laboratory tests were made available Wednesday afternoon, showing they had returned to a safe level.

“Additional tests taken from our swim beach were shown to be well below the levels the CDPHE procedures warrant for a closure,” said Ben Vinci, Chatfield State Park operations manager. “We had the one irregular sample that caused us to close the swim beach on Tuesday out of an abundance of caution, but the rest of our samples this year have been below the maximum limit. With today’s test results showing the levels are safe, we reopened our swim beach.”

According to the CDPHE, water quality samples are analyzed for the fecal matter, or E. coli . If a laboratory result shows an E. coli concentration above 235 organisms per 100 milliliters, the beach must be closed. The beach will remain closed until E. coli results return to a safe level. 

For information on when the swim area will reopen, follow us on Twitter at @CPW_NE, or visit our website at https://cpw.state.co.us/placestogo/Parks/cherrycreek.

For more information regarding Colorado natural swim area monitoring, please visit CDPHE’s web page at https://cdphe.colorado.gov/swim-beach-monitoring

KREMMLING, Colo. – Due to extremely low flows and warm water temperatures, Colorado Parks and Wildlife is asking anglers to voluntarily avoid fishing on the Colorado River between Kremmling and Rifle. Effective Wednesday, July 7, CPW is placing a full-day voluntary fishing closure on the Colorado River beginning at the Highway 9 bridge in Kremmling downstream to the Highway 13 bridge in Rifle. The voluntary closure will remain in effect until further notice, with a possibility of a mandatory emergency closure to all fishing if conditions worsen. “We know that anglers care deeply about this fishery,” said CPW Aquatic Biologist Lori Martin. “We need their help to conserve this resource.” Because of the ongoing drought, flows are down in the river. The USGS gauge on the Colorado River at Catamount Bridge typically measures between 1,500 and 2,000 cubic feet per second (cfs). The gauge has been measuring 600 – 700 cfs, about half what is historically expected there. The USGS gauge on the Colorado River near Dotsero is running at 1,250 cfs, down from an expected 3,000 – 4,000 cfs.  CPW’s aquatic biologists on the West Slope are concerned about critically high water temperatures and possible low dissolved oxygen. Some fish mortality has already been observed this summer. In addition to these issues, another factor unique to this year has been multiple mudslides and flash flood events resulting from last year’s fires. This has increased the sediment load in some river sections. “With the high sediment load, the fish can’t find clear water,” said CPW Aquatic Biologist Kendall Bakich “They’ve got to sit through those conditions. And at nighttime, the temp isn’t coming down enough, so there’s no recovery for those fish right now. They’ve just got to hang on.” These conditions aren’t just limited to the Colorado River.  “We’re likely looking at moving into a voluntary fishing closure on the Yampa River from the upstream boundary of the Chuck Lewis State Wildlife Area downstream to the west city limits of the town of Steamboat Springs,” said CPW Aquatic Biologist Bill Atkinson. “Water temps surpassed 75 degrees on Tuesday, so if it hits 75 degrees on Wednesday, the closure will be implemented.”   Biologists are also closely monitoring the Fraser and upper Colorado Rivers in Grand County, another area where temperatures are edging toward dangerous levels for trout. Anglers should be aware that most of the major rivers on Colorado’s Western Slope are experiencing adverse conditions heading into the hottest days of summer. Follow the Leave No Trace Principle to “Know Before You Go” to the West Slope this summer and check out conditions related to mandatory and voluntary fishing closures: https://cpw.state.co.us/thingstodo/Pages/StatewideFishingConditions.aspx Tips for anglers CPW is encouraging trout anglers to consider fishing early in the day and in higher altitude lakes and streams as hot, dry conditions and reduced water levels increase stress to trout populations. Heat, drought, and low water levels are contributing to elevated water temperatures in much of Colorado, depleting oxygen levels and leaving trout vulnerable. Trout are cold-water fish that function best in 50-60 degree waters. When temperatures exceed 70 degrees, they often stop feeding and become more susceptible to disease. Warm temperature and low water levels can also lead to algae blooms in rivers and reservoirs which cause oxygen levels to drop when algae die and decompose. Anglers are asked to carefully consider the water and weather conditions when they go fishing for trout. If water seems too warm or fish appear lethargic, it would be best to leave the fish undisturbed. During mid-summer, try to fish early in the morning when the water is coolest. “Get out early to avoid the higher water temperatures commonly seen in the afternoon and evening,” Martin said. “Anglers are also encouraged to seek out high-elevation trout lakes and streams, where water temperatures are more suitable and fishing doesn’t potentially add additional stress.” Martin also urged anglers to add a hand-held thermometer to their fishing kits so they can test the waters they intend to fish. “Anglers should monitor water temperatures and stop fishing when water temperatures start to approach 70 degrees,” she said. “If trout have difficulty recovering after being caught and are acting lethargic, it’s a good decision to call it quits for the day.” Other suggestions include using heavier tippet and line to quickly reel in and release the fish, always wetting your hands before handling a fish, and to keep the fish submerged while unhooking and releasing it. Avoid taking the fish out of the water even for a quick photo in these conditions.

What:  Denver Broncos guard Dalton Risner and his RinserUp Foundation will host their annual free youth football camp July 12th at Wiggins High School. Dalton will be joined by fellow NFL teammates for a day of football inspired drills, life skills development, and educational/leadership exercises. The camp will feature over 400 kids from the surrounding Colorado area, ages 7-17.   All participants will receive a t-shirt, lunch, backpack, and hands-on instruction. 

*Social distancing will be required on-site

*Registation is now closed, but walk-ups with a parental guardian will be accepted

When:  Monday, July 12

               Session One (1st-6th grade): 10:00am-11:30am

               Session Two (6th-8th grade): 2:00pm-3:30pm

               HS Session (Private Work-Out): 4:00pm-6:30pm            

Where:  Wiggins High School

                201 Tiger Way

                Wiggins, CO 80654              

Who:  Dalton Risner of the Denver Broncos                                                          

            RisnerUp Foundation

About Dalton Risner:  Dalton Risner is entering his third season in the NFL with the Denver Broncos. Dalton was born in Branson, Missouri and later played at Kansas State University.  He was a 2nd round pick in the 2019 NFL Draft by the Denver Broncos.  His tremendous work ethic, leadership, and community initiatives have made him a fan favorite in Denver.  

About RisnerUp:  The RisnerUp foundation was created to positively impact others through love and kindness. The RinserUp work ranges from the Special Olympics, people suffering from serious illnesses, or offering a helping hand, lifting spirits/smiles, and spreading the word of God.

SuperMagick performs at the Anythink Backyard Concert Series 

WHAT: The Anythink Backyard Concert Series features disco-funk band SuperMagick on Friday, July 9. Presented by Mountain States Toyota, the Backyard Concert Series is a family-friendly tradition that celebrates music and community while also raising funds for the Anythink Foundation. Hosted at the beautiful one-acre park adjacent to Anythink Wright Farms, these concerts are just one way that Anythink continues to establish itself as a cultural destination in Adams County and the greater metro area. The show is free and open to all ages. Food from Dickey’s Barbecue Pit, wine from Infinite Monkey Theorem, as well as beer and hard seltzer from Great Divide Brewing, are available for purchase on-site. This year, the Anythink Foundation will use proceeds raised from food and drink sales and individual donations will help fund The Anythink Box, a free book subscription service for kids ages 5-12. Supporters can donate online, in-person or by texting BACKYARD to 50155.  

WHEN: Friday, July 9; doors open at 5:30 pm, performance from 6:30-8:30 pm 

WHERE: Anythink Wright Farms, 5877 E. 120^th Ave., Thornton, CO 80602; shows will also be available to stream live on Facebook at facebook.com/ilovemyanythink or YouTube at youtube.com/ilovemyanythink.  

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. 

State Fire Agency Brings on Large Airtanker to Support Colorado Wildfires
State airtanker will augment existing ground and air resources in protecting Colorado

Contact: Caley Pruitt | 720-391-1565 |

July 2, 2021 – The Colorado Division of Fire Prevention and Control (DFPC) announced that it has selected Neptune Aviation for an exclusive use contract for a large firefighting airtanker.

Two pieces of legislation passed this year (Senate Bills 21-049 and 21-113) provide funds for additional aviation resources. These resources include:

State-contracted Large Airtanker (LAT) and a State-contracted Type 1 Helicopter. 

The legislation also increases the number of days existing DFPC Single Engine Airtankers and helicopters are under contract. Furthermore, SB 21-049 provides additional funding and resources so that DFPC can better support Fire Departments and Counties during the early stages of a wildfire incident.

On its first day (June 24, 2021), the LAT was dispatched to the Muddy Slide Fire outside Steamboat, CO, the Oil Springs fire in Rio Blanco County, and has flown on multiple Colorado fires since. 

The BAe-146 (Tanker 10) joined other LATs and a Very Large Airtanker (VLAT) in supporting multiple fires in Colorado. From June 23-24, this and two additional aircraft that are contracted with the USDA Forest Service, flew 19 missions to three separate fires in Colorado dropping over 52,000 gallons of retardant. 

The exclusive use contract is a base year with multi-year options contract for a period not to exceed five years. The initial master contract will be for one year and may be renewed for four additional one-year periods. The aircraft will be hosted at Jeffco Airtanker Base, a USDA Forest Service facility, in Broomfield, Colorado at the Rocky Mountain Regional Airport. DFPC is excited to have Neptune as the contractor of choice to support the State with an airtanker. We anticipate a busy year in 2021 and are looking forward to providing this aerial attack resource to support wildfires for the residents and visitors of Colorado.”

The Large Airtanker (LAT) is a British Aerospace BAe 146-200 aircraft capable of carrying 3,000 gallons of fire retardant while cruising at over 400 knots at altitudes of up to 28,000 feet.

Neptune Aviation is familiar with the challenging firefighting environment in Colorado with more than 25 years of experience flying on fires in the state and around the United States. The BAe-146’s outstanding maneuverability, operational safety, and excellent field performance make the aircraft a great addition to Colorado’s firefighting assets.

FOR ASSIGNMENT EDITORS: Join us for a meet and greet with DFPC and Neptune leadership as well as a tour/show-and-tell of the aircraft. 

Please note: Due to the changing fire conditions across the state of Colorado, the aircraft may be dispatched to support a fire and may not be present. We will advise the media as soon as possible if the aircraft is dispatched to a wildfire.

Date: Thursday, July 8^th, 2021

Time: 10:00 a.m. Mountain Time

Location:  USDA Forest Service Jeffco Airtanker Base, 10900 W120th Avenue Building D Broomfield, CO 80021

*The event will be live-streamed on the DFPC Facebook page.