fbpx

The I-70 Scout & Eastern Colorado News

Category: Colorado News

  • Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commission to meet May 4 – 5

    Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commission to meet May 4 – 5

    DENVER – At a hybrid in-person/virtual meeting in Sterling, the Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commission will discuss “Big Game” regulations related to adoption of all limited license numbers for deer, elk, pronghorn, moose, and black bear for all Game Management Units in the state that have limited licenses for these species for the 2022 big game seasons. “Nongame Wildlife” regulations and emergency regulations related to removing rubber buckshot and rubber slugs from the list of authorized hazing techniques will also be addressed.

    The CPW Commission will also discuss “Parks and Outdoor Recreation Lands” regulations related to pilot testing a timed entry reservation system at Eldorado Canyon State Park, Colorado Wildlife Habitat Program final recommendations and CWHP recommended proposals at its meeting on Wed., May 4 and Thu., May 5. The meeting will be streamed live on CPW’s YouTube page.

    The meeting is scheduled to begin at 8:15 a.m. on Wed., May 4 and adjourn at 2:15 p.m. The commission will reconvene at 8:30 a.m. on Thu., May 5 and adjourn at 11  a.m.

    Additional agenda items include:

    • Department of Agriculture update
    • Department of Natural Resources update
    • Financial update
    • Great Outdoors Colorado (GOCO) update
    • Chronic Wasting Disease update
    • Wolf Planning update

    A complete agenda along with all materials for public review for this meeting can be found on the CPW website. The public is encouraged to email written comments to the commission at . Details on providing public comments are available on the CPW website.

    The commission meets regularly and travels to communities around the state to facilitate public participation. Anyone can listen to commission meetings 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 parks, wildlife and outdoor recreation programs administered by the agency. Find out more about the commission on the CPW website.

    The next commission meeting is scheduled to take place on June 1 and 2.

  • Antero Reservoir to open to boating on Sunday, May 1

    Antero Reservoir to open to boating on Sunday, May 1

    The south boat ramp at Antero Reservoir, taken Friday, April 22 (courtesy of CPW)

    The aquatic nuisance species (ANS) inspection station at the south ramp will be open seven days a week from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. beginning May 1 and running through Sept. 30. From Oct. 1-31, the ramp will be open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., so long as there is no ice on the reservoir.

    The north boat ramp will not open until May 26 and stay in operation through Sept. 4. That ANS inspection station is open Thursday through Sunday, with its hours of operation being 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.

    The reservoir had been covered with ice on the week of April 18, but the strong winds and mostly mild temperatures helped the ice recede rapidly.

    CPW reminds all boaters that boat inspection for aquatic nuisance species is mandatory. All watercraft that are not hand-launched and human-powered will need to be inspected at the boat ramps. This includes any and all vessels utilizing electric trolling motors.

    Zebra and quagga mussels, along with a variety of other ANS, are a serious threat to Colorado waters. Invasive species such as the zebra mussel negatively influence the food chain for native fish. The mussels reproduce prolifically, consume phytoplankton and devastate fisheries. The small mollusks also grow on engines and boats, and can clog water pipes and dam mechanisms.

    Boat owners are urged to clean, drain and dry their boats thoroughly before they launch for the first time this season. After that, owners should do so every time they leave the water.

    The bag and possession limit for trout at Antero Reservoir is two, while the daily bag and possession limit on tiger muskie is one, and it must be at least 36 inches long. Fish caught and placed on a stringer, in a container or live well, or not returned to the water immediately count in the daily bag and possession limit. See our 2022 Fishing regulations brochure for more information.

    For detailed fishing information, including species stocked at Antero Reservoir, please see the most recent fish survey and management data summary.

    [WATCH] Spawning brown trout at Antero Reservoir

    In order to keep water-based activities carefree and risks at a minimum, it is important to keep basic safety practices in mind. The Colorado Boating Safety Program promotes safe vessel operation while enhancing boating experiences.

    Antero is Denver Water’s first collection reservoir on the South Platte River. Geologists believe Antero Reservoir occupies the site of a former lake-bed called Green Lake. While Green Lake lies submerged within the reservoir, an extinct volcano, Buffalo Peaks, looms above.

    The north side area of the reservoir is a day-use area only (no camping allowed), but 38 first-come, first-served campsites are available at the south side campground and boat ramp.

    To learn more about Antero Reservoir, please visit Denver Water’s website.

    Photos below courtesy of Jason Clay/CPW.

  • Statement on Colorado Parks and Wildlife

    Statement from Colorado Department of Natural Resources Executive Director Dan Gibbs on Colorado Parks and Wildlife:

    “Last week I received several complaints about inappropriate comments and interactions at Colorado Parks and Wildlife’s (CPW) Partners in Outdoors Conference in Vail, CO.  As the Executive Director of Colorado’s Department of Natural Resources, equitable, inclusive access for all to our programs, events, and the outdoors are a priority personally and integral to the mission and culture of DNR. DNR has commenced a fact finding investigation to better understand what occurred and to help inform any future personnel or department actions.  We will follow our processes and procedures in regards to complaints received associated with the conference.  

    In light of the complaints and events at the conference, I have placed Colorado Parks and Wildlife Director Dan Prenzlow on administrative leave, and designated Heather Dugan as Acting Director for Colorado Parks and Wildlife.  

    Heather is currently Assistant Director for Field Services for CPW overseeing operations including training and investigations associated with protecting Colorado’s wildlife and providing a safe and enjoyable recreational experience for visitors to Colorado. During her 30 year career, Heather has worked as a full-time ranger, a training coordinator, instructor, and a region manager.”

  • Colorado State Patrol Partners with Bandimere Speedway for 20th Year for “Take it to the Track”

    CSP Bandimere

    (COLO) – Start your engines, the opening night of “Take it to the Track” is Wednesday, April 27 from 4 p.m. – 9 p.m. at Bandimere Speedway located at 3051 S. Rooney Road, Morrison. The Colorado State Patrol has partnered with Bandimere Speedway for 19 years, so drivers of any age can come and legally race down the quarter-mile strip at full speed in a controlled environment.

    Traffic deaths surged across Colorado in 2021 hitting a 20-year high and speeding was a major factor in fatalities. For our youngest drivers, street racing also increased dramatically along with it the risk to other motorists and the general public.

    “Colorado State Troopers donate their time to these weekly Wednesday night events to connect with all ages, but its especially fun to talk with our young motor heads that take a lot of pride in their vehicles,” stated Sgt. Bonnie Collins, Colorado State Patrol. “They can bring their friends and even race a trooper – we don’t mind looking ‘not cool’ as long as they get out their need for speed here and not on the public roadways.”

    In 2021, Troopers top citation for drivers between the ages of 16-21 was speeding (9,240). The Colorado State Patrol supports “Take it to the Track” as the right way to hang with friends and show them what your car can do.

    “Investigating a fatal crash is a necessary part of my work as a Colorado State Trooper, and the tragedy of a life lost never becomes routine,” explains Sgt. Collins. “Speed eventually will change your life. This behavior will catch up with you with the loss of your license or the loss of a life.”

    “The Colorado State Patrol Take it to the Track events are the best part of our summer as we truly value the opportunity to make an impact in the community and in the lives of so many individuals,” General Manager Sporty Bandimere added. “At Bandimere Speedway, safety has been the focus since 1958 while giving the ability to people of any age, any vehicle, a haven to play and experience the automobile and is what we continue to do.”

    With the exception of July 13 and 20, the Colorado State Patrol “Take It To The Track” Test nights will be held every Wednesday beginning April 27 and run until October 12. Racing begins at 4 p.m. and runs until 9 p.m. For more information visit www.bandimere.com.

  • Chatfield State Park making change to boat ramp in operation

    LITTLETON, Colo. – Chatfield State Park is switching its boat ramp in operation to its larger ramps on the northern side of the reservoir, effective immediately.

    The north boat ramp has eight launch lanes and four courtesy docks. 

    The hours of operation for the north boat ramp Aquatic Nuisance Species (ANS) inspection station will be from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., seven days a week.

    Reopening of the south boat ramp will be announced when adequate staffing is available to operate a second ANS inspection station on the south side of the reservoir.

    Please click here to see a map of the state park.

  • Colorado Has the 11th Most Expensive College Tuition in the U.S.

    Despite a slight drop in college attendance amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the large majority of high school graduates go directly to college upon completing high school. According to data from the National Centers for Education Statistics (NCES), enrollment in four-year colleges has more than doubled over the last 50 years, going from a little over five million students in 1970 to nearly 11 million in 2019. At the same time, Census Bureau data shows that the share of the U.S. adult population with a four-year college degree has more than tripled, from 11% in 1970 to 36% in 2019.


    For many, a college degree offers the most straightforward path toward securing a job and increasing pay. Research from Georgetown University suggests that 35% of job openings in 2020 required at least a bachelor’s degree and data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics shows a greater than 67% pay difference, on average, between high-school graduates and college degree holders.

    While higher levels of education are necessary for many jobs, the cost to get this education has increased dramatically in the last several decades. In 1979, the average annual total cost of attendance—including tuition, fees, room, and board—for full-time undergraduates was $9,307 (in constant 2019-2020 dollars). By 2019, this rate had nearly tripled, to more than $25,000. The result is that currently, the average amount of debt a college graduate owes at graduation is $31,100, up from less than $10,000 in 1970.


    Because of this, it’s not surprising that cost is one of the primary determining factors when considering where to attend college. In fact, roughly four out of every 10 high school students rated cost as “most important” in a recent Fidelity survey. However, a university’s published price is often not a strong indicator of what any individual might actually pay out of pocket to attend, after factoring in the availability of grants and scholarship aid. In recent years, more than 80% of first-time, full-time undergraduates attending four-year colleges received some form of financial aid. So rather than focusing on published sticker prices, prospective students and their families should focus on net price, which better reflects the dollar amount paid by those who can’t afford to pay full price.

    To determine the states with the most expensive college tuition, researchers at Self Financial analyzed data from the National Center for Educational Statistics. The researchers ranked states according to the average net price for students awarded aid, defined as the total published price of attendance for full-time, in-state undergraduates less the average amount of grant and scholarship aid received. Researchers also calculated the average published total price, the average published price of tuition, fees, books, and supplies, the average published price of room and board, and total public undergraduate enrollment. Only public, four-year, degree-granting institutions were included in the analysis.

    The analysis found that in Colorado, students pay an average net price of $18,247 for college tuition. Out of all states, Colorado has the 11th most expensive college tuition. Here is a summary of the data for Colorado:

    • Average net price for students awarded aid: $18,247
    • Average published total price: $28,394
    • Average published tuition, fees, books, & supplies: $12,600
    • Average published room & board: $15,793
    • Total public undergraduate enrollment: 105,475

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

    • Average net price for students awarded aid: $15,090
    • Average published total price: $26,685
    • Average published tuition, fees, books, & supplies: $11,533
    • Average published room & board: $15,151
    • Total public undergraduate enrollment: 5,297,491

    For more information, a detailed methodology, and complete results, you can find the original report on Self Financial’s website: https://www.self.inc/blog/states-with-the-most-expensive-college-tuition

  • CPW recognizes outstanding partnership contributions with the 2022 Partners in the Outdoors Awards and Grants

    Colorado Parks and Wildlife presents the Colorado Fourteeners Initiative with its Statewide Partner of the Year Award.

    CPW’s annual Partners in the Outdoors awards recognize partner organizations that have made outstanding efforts in support of Colorado’s Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan (SCORP), State Wildlife Action Plan (SWAP) and CPW’s Strategic Plan. Organizations are nominated by CPW staff for their significant efforts in conservation, stewardship, outdoor education and/or research, with award winners selected by CPW regional leadership.

    This year, CPW awarded $100,000 in grant funding through its Partners in the Outdoors Grants program. These grants are a unique element of the conference, with all organizations attending the annual conference eligible to apply. Besides the Statewide Partner of the Year and the Statewide Collaboration award, each of CPW’s four regions honors a partner organization for working to uphold those strategic goals.

    In the introduction to the awards ceremony, CPW Director Dan Prenzlow said, “The Partner of the Year Awards are presented to those who have displayed outstanding efforts in support of Colorado Parks and Wildlife’s mission. Each of the organizations honored plays an integral role in advancing and balancing outdoor recreation and conservation in Colorado.”

    Statewide Partner of the Year: Colorado Fourteeners Initiative

    Colorado Fourteeners Initiative (CFI) protects and preserves the natural integrity of Colorado’s 14,000–foot peaks —the “Fourteeners”— through active stewardship and public education.

    Established in 1994, CFI hires crews and passionate volunteers to maintain, reroute and repair the trails that take an estimated 415,000 hikers every year to special alpine places. The work conditions require long hikes, the ability to move heavy rocks and 5 a.m. start times to conduct much-needed trail maintenance.

    CFI’s work contributes to the goals of SCORP by supporting public land access, building a stewardship ethic and addressing recreation impacts. To provide a more robust understanding of changing conditions on 14er trails, CFI began the Sustainable Trails Program in 2010. This effort was conducted foot-by-foot, with GPS-based inventories of all constructed trail features and resource concerns. Over two phases and five years of data collection, CFI assessed the condition of all 56 principle 14er routes. The updated 2019 “14er Report Card” outlines $12.8 million in needed new summit trail construction projects and a further $5.6 million in major improvements to existing trails. CFI uses this data to both educate and prioritize future work plans. CFI has become the nation’s leading high altitude trail building, terrain restoration and visitor education organization through its ongoing work protecting this special network of trails, and its work has garnered honors and awards from Congress, the U.S. Forest Service and the Coalition for Recreational Trails.

    Statewide Collaboration Award: Colorado Department of Education; Colorado Alliance for Environmental Educators 

    The Colorado Alliance for Environmental Education (CAEE) is a professional organization for environmental educators in Colorado. CAEE was established as a nonprofit in 1989 to serve the shared interests of public agencies, businesses, teachers, community organizations and individuals providing environmental education materials and programs. Since then, CAEE has grown to more than 850 members across Colorado. Members cover virtually every subject discipline from anthropology to zoology, and have learners across the lifespan, from early childhood educators, elementary and high school teachers, camp counselors and university professors.

    Fostering a love of the outdoors and an interest in being active stewards of our natural resources starts by building lifelong habits from an early age. CAEE, the Colorado Department of Education (CDE) and CPW have been collaborating on a number of projects to support K-12 students by building a solid understanding of Colorado’s precious natural resources. The Colorado Environmental Education Plan was adopted by the Colorado State Board of Education in 2012 and is currently in the final stages of updating by CAEE, CDE and CPW. The plan includes goals to support educators in strengthening collaborations with key stakeholders, access to professional development, access to outdoor experiences for all students and support in creating pathways for career exploration opportunities. These goals directly align with CPW’s goals to maintain dedicated personnel and volunteers, increase awareness and trust for CPW and connect people to the outdoors.

    Northwest Region Partner of the Year: Headwaters Trails Alliance

    Headwaters Trails Alliance (HTA) is a nonprofit advocacy organization for trails in scenic Grand County, Colorado. Surrounded by mountain peaks and passes, Grand County streams are the headwaters of the Colorado River. HTA works hard to provide high-quality trails linking towns and recreational areas within Grand County, with secondary trail systems connecting historical, cultural and recreational sites within the local communities.

    During the 2021 field season, HTA reported 1,351 hours spent on trails with a total of 6,158 volunteer hours. This includes 530 miles of trail maintenance, 9,718 hazardous trees removed, 2,320 drains cleared or constructed in wetlands, 27,720-feet of new trail construction, and 18,480-feet of trail reroutes to promote sustainability and social trail decommissioning.

    HTA works closely with outdoor government agencies, local land management agencies, local municipalities, land developers and CPW to promote sustainable trail systems for public use. CPW has partnered with HTA on a variety of projects to promote developing trails with wildlife in mind, advocate for sustainable trail systems and sponsor educational events around the community.

    Southeast Region Partner of the Year: Get Outdoors Leadville!

    Get Outdoors Leadville! (GOL!) supports a mission to deepen the community’s connection to the natural world by expanding equitable access to culturally informed and enriching outdoor experiences.

    GOL! is dedicated to helping the Leadville community to find connections in nature, and they work to facilitate access and remove barriers so that all can enjoy the outdoors. They partner not only with CPW but with other local organizations to support outdoor community and school programming. GOL! works with many local and trusted community-based organizations to help expand their reach. One such organization is Full Circle of Lake County whose mission focuses on youth development, community empowerment and family services. Full Circle also works with immigrant families in Leadville and helps GOL! bridge the gap between Spanish-speaking members of the community. Other unique programs they launched include a Latinx Family Campout program. GOL! also expands its reach beyond Lake County with its Taking Kids Outdoors training for teachers and administrations across the state. The training focuses on teaching how to take students and their learning outside in a safe and inclusive way.

    Northeast Region Partner of the Year: Jeffco Open Space

    Jeffco Open Space (JCOS) was founded as a land conservation organization in 1972 by PLAN Jeffco and The League of Women Voters of Jefferson County. Funded with a one-half of one percent sales tax, JCOS contributes to city and park district projects and preserves more than 56,000 acres, manages 27 open space parks and more than 261 miles of trails in Jefferson County, Colorado.

    The willingness of JCOS to assist CPW with wildlife management, wildlife education and hunter outreach efforts is exemplary. From raptor monitoring to coordinating access for CPW hunter outreach programs, and providing support when contentious wildlife conflicts arise, JCOS staff go above and beyond to provide detailed documentation of wildlife sightings, wildlife population monitoring and wildlife conflicts on JCOS properties. This communication with CPW on all wildlife matters helps ensure that a collaborative approach is taken when solving wildlife management challenges in the county.

    JCOS’s partnership and support of CPW outreach hunting programs, disease monitoring, and an elk radio collar study are helping pave the way for better management of healthy elk and deer populations. JCOS works to keep wildlife in mind, and their actions to conserve wildlife and habitat to ensure healthy, sustainable populations and ecosystems are right in line with the CPW Strategic Plan.

    Southwest Region Partner of the Year: Friends of Youth and Nature

    Friends of Youth and Nature (FOYAN) promotes, supports and facilitates opportunities for youth and family to go outside. Their goal is to get kids outside in nature to explore, learn and have fun.

    The FOYAN is a leader in outdoor experiences for youth in the Colorado counties of Montrose, Delta and Ouray. FOYAN staff is dedicated to bringing kids to the outdoors in collaboration with their community partners, and work through their partnerships to better understand what the needs of the youth are so they can customize and accommodate a positive outdoor experience. Each outing they create provides opportunities for youth to build knowledge, awareness and personal success in a natural setting through experiential learning. Through grant funding, FOYAN has removed obstacles, particularly for underserved youth. Their approach is to comprehensively plan and provide activities, including equipment, transportation and food as needed to foster a happy outdoor adventure.

    CPW’s SCORP and Strategic Plan aligns with FOYAN’s mission to connect people to the outdoors. An example is a recent grant designed specifically for families associated with CASA and the Families Plus Organization out of Delta county to have access to outdoor equipment so underserved local communities have the ability to spend quality time outside and enjoy Colorado’s great outdoors.

    About the Partners in the Outdoors Conference
    CPW hosts its annual Partners in the Outdoors Conference to provide a platform for those involved in the outdoor industry to network, collaborate and stay abreast of current issues and initiatives. This year’s conference was held in Vail from April 18 – 20, 2022, with over 600 participants from more than 250 organizations attending.

    Goals of the conference include: providing professional development on current issues affecting the industry, providing funds for our Partners in the Outdoors Grant program, and recognizing the work our partners across the state do to advance outdoor recreation and conservation through our Partners in the Outdoors Awards program.

    More information about the Partners in the Outdoors Conference is available on CPW’s website.

  • Stage 2 Open Burning Ban

    Due to the extremely dry conditions in unincorporated Arapahoe County, Centennial, Foxfield, and Deer Trail, Arapahoe County is in stage 2 open burn ban.

    In stage 2 open burn ban:

    No fireworks or any other outdoor fires including, but not limited to, campfires, fires in constructed, permanent fire pits; fire grates within developed camp and picnic grounds and recreation sites; charcoal fueled fires, warming fires, fires in outdoor wood-burning stoves (chimney sparks or embers); the prescribed burning of fence lines, fence rows, fields, farmlands, rangelands, wildlands, trash, and debris.

  • Colorado State Patrol Seeks Information For Vehicle Pedestrian Fatal

    (Superior, COLO)

    Colorado State patrol investigators are asking for the public’s assistance with a vehicle/pedestrian crash that happened on Tuesday night at approximately 9:11p.m. on Highway 36 just West of the McCaslin Boulevard overpass.

    A pedestrian was running across the highway and was struck.  Investigators believe the pedestrian was hit by multiple vehicles before one stopped at the scene.  Investigators are asking anyone that was in the area at that time and think they might have struck or run over anything not realizing it was a pedestrian to please call with any information they may have on the incident.

    Please call 303-239-4583 and refer case #1D221241

  • Colorado launches new Crisis Guidelines informed by school tragedies

    Panel of school safety experts will discuss Crisis Guidelines in virtual news conference

    (April 20, 2022) – After convening experts from across the state who have dealt with unimaginable crises in educational settings, the Colorado School Safety Resource Center (CSSRC) recently released new Crisis Guidelines to help K-12 schools and institutions of higher education prepare for and respond to large-scale emergencies.

    The new Crisis Guidelines incorporate recommendations based on lessons learned from school tragedies in Colorado and across the country in an effort to prepare others for the possibility of one of these events. The guidelines also incorporate the input of K-12 and higher education school security experts, mental health providers, and crisis responders.

    On April 21, the Colorado Department of Public Safety will host a panel of representatives to discuss the Crisis Guidelines, lessons learned, and key takeaways for school safety.

    WHAT: Colorado School Crisis Guidelines News Conference

    WHEN: 9:30 am, Thursday, April 21, 2022

    WHERE: Virtual, join via: meet.google.com/nxa-kjvj-xvx

    WHO: School safety experts including:

    • Chris Harms, Director, Colorado School Safety Resource Center
    • John McDonald, Executive Director, Department of School Safety, Jeffco Public Schools
    • Greg Busch, Emergency Manager, Colorado Community College System 
    • Nate Thompson, Director of Social, Emotional, & Behavior Services, Littleton Public Schools
    • Kati Garner, Regional Training Consultant, Colorado School Safety Resource Center

    “No two crises are the same and therefore it is impossible to anticipate all situations. However, knowing what worked previously and what educators had wished were in place before an emergency, can help others before tragedy strikes,” said CSSRC Director Chris Harms.

    For more information about the guidelines or school safety, visit cssrc.colorado.gov.