The I-70 Scout & Eastern Colorado News

Category: Colorado News

Colorado Parks and Wildlife promoting boating safety, responsible water recreation at 2020 Denver Boat Show

DENVER, Colo. – The 2020 Denver Boat Show, Colorado’s largest boat show, takes place January 17 – 19 at the Colorado Convention Center and Colorado Parks and Wildlife will be there promoting boating safety and responsible water recreation with educational information and fun activities.

“Safety is key to enjoying Colorado’s many fantastic water opportunities,” said Grant Brown, CPW’s Colorado boating program manager. “We at Colorado Parks and Wildlife are excited to promote boating safety, specifically the importance of wearing a life jacket, and the importance of preserving water recreation and infrastructure through the invasive species program at the Denver Boat Show.”

Colorado Parks and Wildlife is an exhibitor at the show. The CPW booth will showcase boat safety and the invasive species program. Highlights include cameos by Talon the red-tailed hawk boating safety mascot, information about watercraft inspection and decontamination, an iron-on T-shirt coloring station, free giveaways, and boat safety class information.

CPW is promoting boating safety, responsible water recreation at the 2020 Denver Boat Show.

“Preventing the introduction and spread of zebra and quagga mussels and other invasive species is critical to providing outstanding water-based recreation in Colorado,” said Elizabeth Brown, CPW invasive species program coordinator. “We are grateful for the support of boaters and the Colorado Marine Dealers Association for their continued participation in the program.”

CPW’s invasive species program has been very successful preventing infestations of invasive species ranging from zebra and quagga mussels to noxious weeds in bodies of water in Colorado. Aquatic invasive species negatively impact the aquatic ecosystem, fisheries, water-based recreation, and water supply and distribution systems for municipal, industrial and agricultural supply. The invasive species program needs the support of Colorado boaters and anglers who enjoy and benefit from clean water in Colorado. Learn more at the CPW website.

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January 14, 2020
Open Enrollment for Individual Coverage Deadline January 15 Still time to get health insurance coverage for 2020

DENVER – This Wednesday, January 15, is the open enrollment deadline for Coloradans to enroll in individual health insurance plans. The next few days are the last opportunity to enroll in coverage for 2020, unless someone experiences a special circumstance like losing their employer-based insurance, getting married, divorced or the birth of a child.

“Now is the time to sign up, get enrolled, and shop around to find health care savings. Health care premiums on the individual market are down by an average of 20%, and the savings are even greater on the Eastern Plains, the Western Slope and in Southern Colorado. I encourage Coloradans to take advantage of the historic premium reductions and enroll in a plan before Wednesday’s deadline,” said Governor Jared Polis.

The 2020 premiums have decreased across Colorado and in all levels of plans – bronze, silver and gold – thanks to the bipartisan Reinsurance program passed by lawmakers and signed by the Governor. Reinsurance is bringing real savings to real people. In his 2020 state of the state address, Governor Polis highlighted the story of a Summit County family of four who is saving upwards of $7,000 this year as a result of reinsurance and the Peak Health Alliance.

Colorado individual health insurance consumers can enroll with insurance agents, directly with the insurance companies or through our state’s exchange, Connect for Health Colorado. Contact Connect at 855-752-6749 or find in-person assistance through their statewide network of certified experts at connectforhealthco.com/person-help. In addition, Connect for Health offers tools such as the Quick Cost & Plan Finder that can help you check if you are eligible for financial assistance and find a plan that fits your needs.

Coverage for people enrolling now and through the Jan. 15 deadline will begin on Feb. 1. On average, people can find plans with premiums 20% cheaper than the 2019 plans and some people are finding plans as much as 35% cheaper than before.

Preliminary enrollment figures show that as of Dec. 18, over 173,000 people have signed up for individual coverage for 2020. This includes people who enrolled through Connect for Health Colorado and those who enrolled directly with an insurance company (also called enrolling “off-exchange”).

Open Enrollment for Individual Coverage – Deadline January 15

Still time to get health insurance coverage for 2020

DENVER – This Wednesday, January 15, is the open enrollment deadline for Coloradans to enroll in individual health insurance plans. The next few days are the last opportunity to enroll in coverage for 2020, unless someone experiences a special circumstance like losing their employer-based insurance, getting married, divorced or the birth of a child.

“Now is the time to sign up, get enrolled, and shop around to find health care savings. Health care premiums on the individual market are down by an average of 20%, and the savings are even greater on the Eastern Plains, the Western Slope and in Southern Colorado. I encourage Coloradans to take advantage of the historic premium reductions and enroll in a plan before Wednesday’s deadline,” said Governor Jared Polis.

The 2020 premiums have decreased across Colorado and in all levels of plans – bronze, silver and gold – thanks to the bipartisan Reinsurance program passed by lawmakers and signed by the Governor. Reinsurance is bringing real savings to real people. In his 2020 state of the state address, Governor Polis highlighted the story of a Summit County family of four who is saving upwards of $7,000 this year as a result of reinsurance and the Peak Health Alliance.

Colorado individual health insurance consumers can enroll with insurance agents, directly with the insurance companies or through our state’s exchange, Connect for Health Colorado. Contact Connect at 855-752-6749 or find in-person assistance through their statewide network of certified experts at connectforhealthco.com/person-help. In addition, Connect for Health offers tools such as the Quick Cost & Plan Finder that can help you check if you are eligible for financial assistance and find a plan that fits your needs.

Coverage for people enrolling now and through the Jan. 15 deadline will begin on Feb. 1. On average, people can find plans with premiums 20% cheaper than the 2019 plans and some people are finding plans as much as 35% cheaper than before.

Preliminary enrollment figures show that as of Dec. 18, over 173,000 people have signed up for individual coverage for 2020. This includes people who enrolled through Connect for Health Colorado and those who enrolled directly with an insurance company (also called enrolling “off-exchange”).

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January 13, 2020
Enhance Your Life Outdoors at the 2020 International Sportsmen’s Expo

Try something new, discover an unknown trail, and get advice on improving your outdoor experiences.

Denver, CO (January 3, 2020) – A new adventure is down every aisle at the state’s largest annual consumer gathering for outdoor enthusiasts, the International Sportsmen’s Expo (ISE), held at the Colorado Convention Center from January 9 to 12, 2020. ISE hosts a variety of hands on learning and practical tips from renowned experts on a myriad of outdoor activities including fly fishing, fly-tying, reel fishing, camping, hiking, off-roading, animal tracking, hunting, game calling, dog training, kayaking, stand up paddle boarding, foraging and more. Find your life at outdoors at the International Sportsmen’s Expo. Here are a few unique outdoor activities guests can enjoy as well as expert guides:

Shoot arrows at the Archery Experience with skill games to accommodate beginner to expert. The knowledgeable staff at No Limits Archery is on hand to pair attendees with the right equipment and lessons they need to hit the target at the skeet shoot-style launcher. Three separate archery games are open to the public.

Meet “The Bug Guy”, Robert Younghanz, who’ll show and talk about local bugs in his manmade stream. Learn to spot nature’s “tells” for yourself regarding the health of the stream and whether it’s a good fishing hole or not.

Explore the world of #VanLife and kick the tires of latest conversion-van styles and models complete with sinks, stoves, beds and plenty of storage for outdoor gear. Plus, compare models of teardrop trailers, campers, tent toppers and RV’s.

Cast the latest fly rods and watch pro-led demos at the Fly-Casting Pond, which hosts the Colorado Casting Contest on Sunday. At the nearby KASTKING Combo Pond, showgoers watch and get tips—on both fly and conventional gear—from pros Sandi and Clay Roberts. Meet bass-fishing legend Jimmy Houston and watch him and local experts compete as teams of fly and conventional casters.

The Fly-Fishing Theater presents local guides from Colorado talking about fishing local waters. At the Fly-Tying How-To Center, experts demonstrate the art and science of recreating nature. For anybody who fly fishes or wants to explore this fascinating and affective style of fishing, the Fly-Fishing Pavilion offers experts, activities, local shops.

Catch a fish (and release it) at the Youth Fair and Colorado Outdoor Pavilion, hosted by Colorado Parks and Wildlife. This area is filled with state experts on what, where and when, plus free activities for youth under 15, including catch-and-release trout pond, fly-tying, live raptors, RC-off road course, outdoor trail, plus interactive educational activities and rock-climbing wall.

Improve your shot at new LASR Shooting Game. This digital virtual shot game is free and open to the public.

Learn canine first-aid, obedience and other valuable tips for better times with your fuzzy friend. Plus, new free-style dance at the Sporting Dog Arena presented by FORD.

Get a photo with Wilder, mascot for Get Outdoors Colorado (GOCO)—part mountain goat, part yeti and all friend—who will be at ISE on Saturday (11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.) and Sunday (noon to 3 p.m.). And Wilder will stop by the sessions on camping with kids, led by Helen Olsson, author of The Down & Dirty Guide to Camping with Kids (Saturday, 4:30 p.m., and Sunday, 12:30 p.m.) or adventuring as a family (Sunday, 1:30 p.m.).

Acquire valuable outdoor survival skills (basic to advanced) from Lakewood-based husband and wife Matt and Brooke Wright, alums of Discovery Channel’s Naked and Afraid. Learn to find fresh clean water using nature’s filter, where to find kindling in a bind and simple tracking tips to keep yourself safe on every outdoor adventure.

Find your wild at the daily talks hosted by locals Donnelle Johnson and Lisa Thompson, who spotlight the adventures, bonding and comradery that arise on their all-female guided hunt trips. These women celebrate the process more than the prize.

Discover undiscovered trails and learn to forage for food at the Campfire Theater. This intimate theater showcases Colorado’s diversity of recreation options. Get an insider’s look at which state parks to visit, where to camp, Colorado’s hiking trails, what gear is needed, foraging, family adventures, and how to be responsible stewards while enjoying the state’s incredible outdoor resources.

The International Sportsmen’s Exposition opens to the public Thursday, January 9, 2020 and runs through Sunday, January 12, 2020 at the Colorado Convention Center (700 14^th St. Denver, CO 80202). Youth 15 and under are free; active military with ID, too. Tickets to the event are $16 and can be purchased on site or online at SportsExpos.com. $10 parking with shuttles is available from Elitch Gardens.

For more information, visit sportsexpos.com/attend/denver. Find photos, B-roll and logos at https://www.sportsexpos.com/contact/media. Please use #YourLifeOutdoors and #SportsExpos.

About International Sportsmen’s Expos:

“ISE” was founded in 1975 in Eugene, Oregon as a boat show but quickly grew to much larger and diverse events across the West. The Denver expo launched in 1977, offering Coloradans and visitors from surrounding states the largest yearly event showcasing gear, local and world-recognized outdoor experts and destinations near and far.

The International Sportsmen’s Exposition is sponsored by Colorado Parks and Wildlife, CBS4 Denver, Your Local Ford Store, The Know Outdoors, Bulleit Frontier Whiskey, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, O’Reilly Auto Parts and 5280 Magazine.

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January 7, 2020
Colorado Parks and Wildlife will sponsor family activities at the 2020 Denver International Sportsmen’s Expo

DENVER, Colo. – Colorado Parks and Wildlife is coordinating the Youth Fair at the International Sportsmen’s Expo, where more than 500 companies pack three giant halls with fishing and hunting products, expert presentations, a variety of informational booths, and a new “Campfire Theater” that will offer tips and tricks for Colorado’s outdoors in a casual setting. The International Sportsmen’s Expo runs from January 9 – 12, 2020 at the Colorado Convention Center in Denver.

The Youth Fair will offer free activities geared toward young sportsmen and women, including live raptor demonstrations, a catch-and-release fishing pond (with free flies for kids who fish), and mini off-road racetrack. Don’t forget, youth under 16 enter the Expo for free!

“We are excited to sponsor the Youth Fair at the International Sportsmen’s Expo . We think families will particularly enjoy our Leave No Trace Challenge Trail and kids fishing tank,” said CPW Interpretation and Wildlife Viewing Coordinator Mary McCormac. “Our goal is to provide activities that are not only fun and engaging, but also promote responsible and ethical outdoor behaviors.”

Look for CPW signs near the food court located in the northwest corner of the exhibit floor. Some of CPW’s featured exhibits at the Youth Fair include:

CPW Kids’ Leave No Trace Challenge Trail – Bring the kids! Join us for an indoor nature trail that teaches conservation and Leave No Trace principles. Take a “selfie ” in front of our beautiful state park backdrop, sponsored by the Friends of Colorado State Parks.

New this year! Test your Leave No Trace knowledge on the Challenge Trail using your smartphone with the free Agents of Discovery app. Download the app before you or staff and volunteers will be on-site to help you.

Kids fishing tank – Catch and release real fish. All rods, tackle and bait will be provided by CPW’s angler outreach program.

Boating Safety – Color and make your own t-shirt that promotes the importance of wearing life vests when boating throughout Colorado. Also, be on the lookout for our Boating Safety Program mascot, Talon the red-tailed hawk, while exploring the show.
Invasive species – Try your hand at the “Whac-A-Mussel” game and learn about invasive species in Colorado.

Hatcheries – Check out our brand-new hatchery trailer and learn how and why we stock fish in waters across the state. Test your skills and tie your own fly to take home.
CPW sales booth – Purchase CPW merchandise, Colorado Outdoors subscriptions and more.

Hunter Education – Want to pass on your hunting heritage? Learn what it takes to become a hunter education instructor.

CPW information center – Ask questions, learn about our 41 amazing state parks and see if the new transferable state parks pass is a fit for your household. Officers and staff will be on-hand to answer questions.

CPW partner booths – Learn more about trail etiquette with Stay the Trail’s mini remote control truck course and other topics with Colorado Wildlife Federation, Outdoor Buddies, and the Raptor Education Foundation, which will have live birds as part of their educational booth.

You can check out presentation dates and times at https://www.sportsexpos.com/attend/denver/schedules.

Outdoor enthusiasts from Colorado and surrounding states attend the annual Denver International Sportsmen’s Expo. For more information about the expo visit CPW’s website at https://cpw.state.co.us/Pages/ISE.aspx or https://www.sportsexpos.com/attend/denver. A coupon for a $3 discount off adult admission to ISE is available at license agents statewide, CPW office locations and for download through CPW at https://cpw.state.co.us/Pages/ISE.aspx.

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January 6, 2020
New Colorado marijuana rules go into effect on January 1, 202
Rules promulgated from the 2019 legislative session are the most extensive since retail marijuana was legalized in 2012.

DENVER, Colo. December 31, 2019 — Marijuana rules stemming from the General Assembly’s 2019 legislative session go into effect on January 1, 2020 for all regulated marijuana businesses across Colorado, most notably allowing, for the first time, state licensing of hospitality establishments and the issuance of permits for residential delivery of medical marijuana. Final rules were adopted by the State Licensing Authority on November 5, 2019 after a summer of extensive stakeholder engagement led by the Marijuana Enforcement Division (MED).

“Feedback from our stakeholders through work groups and public comment has always been a MED priority,” said Jim Burack, MED Director. “But this year, we encouraged an even more collaborative approach to rule development where work group participants utilized their experience and expertise within stakeholder teams to engage more directly in the drafting of rule language.”

Highlights of notable key rules that go into effect on January 1 include:
- Marijuana Hospitality Businesses (HB19-1230):
  - Creation of two marijuana hospitality business licenses, subject to local jurisdiction approval, including 1) “Marijuana Hospitality Business” license (may be mobile), allowing consumption of marijuana on the licensed premises, and 2) “Retail Marijuana Hospitality and Sales Business” license (cannot be mobile) allowing for the sale and consumption of retail marijuana on the licensed premises.
  - MED will maintain a list of approved hospitality businesses on the Division’s website.
- Regulated Marijuana Delivery (HB19-1234):
  - Creation of a permit to allow delivery of regulated marijuana to private residences from medical marijuana stores, subject to local jurisdiction approval.
  - Delivery to private residences from retail marijuana stores begins on January 1, 2021, also subject to local jurisdiction approval.
- Sunset Regulated Marijuana (SB19-224):
  - The Retail Code and Medical Code are integrated to create a single code, which will streamline operations for both regulators and businesses.
- - Criminal history disqualification provisions are amended so that felony convictions within the past three years will typically preclude licensing as an owner or employee.
  - Industrial hemp can be used in the manufacture of marijuana products and sold in retail marijuana stores. Prior to this legislation, the sale of industrial hemp products by licensed marijuana businesses was limited to medical marijuana stores. Beginning July 1, 2020, industrial hemp used by medical and retail marijuana manufacturers and sold in medical and retail stores will be subject to testing and can only be sourced from persons registered with the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment.
  - Retail and medical marijuana stores and hospitality establishments can collect marijuana consumer waste for purposes of reuse and recycling. This includes containers, packages, and cartridges, among other waste components left after the marijuana is consumed.
- Other notable rule changes:
  - Vitamin E Acetate, Polyethylene glycol (PEG) and Medium Chain Triglycerides (MCT Oil) are expressly prohibited for use in the manufacture of regulated marijuana concentrate or regulated marijuana products intended for inhalation. Read more here.
  - In an effort to further simplify the licensing process, there are now only two (instead of three) license categories for individuals working in the regulated marijuana industry: 1) owner and 2) employee.
To view the Colorado Marijuana Rules, 1 CCR 212-3, in its entirety, please visit: https://www.colorado.gov/pacific/enforcement/med-rules.

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January 2, 2020
With the Quadrantid meteor shower peaking this weekend, Jackson Lake State Park has the dark skies for a dazzling display

The International Meteor Organization (IMO) is projecting that the Quadrantid meteor shower will peak around 1 a.m. Saturday. AccuWeather predicts that most of Colorado, including the eastern plains, will have good viewing conditions for the shower. And Jackson Lake State Park offers up the dark skies to showcase it all.

By Amy Brandenburg, Park Ranger at Jackson Lake State Park

ORCHARD, Colo. – Ralph Waldo Emerson probably said it best, “The sky is the ultimate art gallery just above us.”

Venturing from Denver and the metro area, the sky is clouded with an orange haze and inorganic glow. However, once on the eastern plains of Colorado, a traveler can pull the car over on a country road, get out, look up and be astounded at the beautiful sights that encompass the sky above him. This is one of the very unique things about living outside of the city, which most people forget about, because their eyes are looking down at their phones.

Morgan County has exceptionally dark skies once you journey away from our still quiet towns onto a county road. We should consider ourselves lucky to still be one of the few places our children can look up and see the big dipper, or even the Milky Way on a clear night.

Jackson Lake State Park is taking these dark skies one step further. The park was awarded two separate grants – $3,500 from the Colorado Parks Foundation and $20,000 from the Director’s Innovation Grant – to fund a “Dark Skies Initiative.”

This project consists of eliminating and changing out lights inside and outside all buildings on the park to be “dark skies friendly.” This means that lights are fully shielded, point straight down and have a color temperature less than 3000 kelvins. Bathroom buildings will also have sensors inside, so that lights are not staying on all evening.

Aside from causing less light pollution for night sky viewing, research has shown that this specific type of lighting is less harmful to wildlife that migrate in the night. Some birds even rely on stars for their migration path. Studies have also found that increased lighting has little to no effect on decreasing crime rates. Additionally, having dark areas is also known to help people reset their circadian rhythm, which is the biological clock that relies on the daily cycles of lightness and darkness; more on these topics to follow in upcoming articles.

Jackson Lake is not alone in this lighting feat; they are also working with Morgan County Rural Electric Association to remove the large light poles at the park to increase opportunities to see those beautiful stars above.

Since the lighting will be so minimal at Jackson Lake State Park, it will become an even more significant place to visit during unique celestial and lunar events. One of Jackson Lake’s frequent amateur astronomers stated, “I drive out twice a month to get away from the city’s light dome, so I can enjoy the night sky in such a way that is impossible to do in Denver. You can actually see the Milky Way.”

Photo by Nora Logue

The grants also affords the park the opportunity to acquire a new telescope to use while hosting educational and interpretive programs for the public. Guests can expect several experts in the field to share their knowledge, as well, at certain times of the year.

Furthermore, in the evenings, rangers will be educating campers to “light their site, not the night.” Many new RVs and motor homes have large amounts of exterior lights, which are generally unnecessary, use excess energy and can cause neighboring campers to have a limited view of the night sky.

By making these changes, Jackson Lake State Park is hoping to gain the accreditation of an “International Dark Skies Place” from the IDA (International Dark Skies Association). If the title is granted, Jackson Lake State Park will be the only state park in Colorado, and the only accredited place in Colorado east of I-25 to be certified.

It is a very exciting endeavor for Jackson Lake State Park, an endeavor they hope will create a new unique reason to visit Morgan County.

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January 2, 2020
Colorado National Guard aviation battalion mobilizing three units

CENTENNIAL, Colo. – Colorado National Guard Soldiers from Company A, Company D and Headquarters-Headquarters Company, 2nd General Support Aviation Battalion 135th Aviation Regiment will be honored at a departure ceremony on Buckley Air Force Base Jan. 2, 2020, at 3 p.m.

Family, friends and dignitaries will gather at the at the Chief Warrant Officer 5 David R. Carter Army Aviation Support Facility on Buckley AFB, in Aurora, Colorado, to bid a farewell to approximately 130 Soldiers as they prepare to depart for a yearlong deployment to Southwest Asia.

“These warriors are trained and ready to provide support to troops on the ground and will excel at any mission that comes their way,” the Adjutant General of Colorado U.S. Air Force Maj. Gen. Mike Loh said. “The commitment of these Soldiers, as well as their families and employers, should make all Coloradans proud.”

Based out of Buckley AFB, in Aurora, the 2-135th GSAB will conduct air movement, air assault, casualty evacuation, combat support and combat service support for aviation operations throughout the designated area of responsibility to employ and sustain combat power.

Civic Leaders from throughout Colorado, hosted by the Adjutant General of Colorado U.S. Air Force Maj. Gen. Michael Loh, depart for Public Affairs travel to observe F-16 training at the CONG’s Airburst Range, near Fort Carson, Colorado.
(U.S. Air National Guard Photo by Maj. Darin Overstreet)

The units also support civil authorities annually during wildfire response efforts and save an average to 20 lives annually through mountain search and rescue missions.

One year ago today, Company B, Detachment 1, 2-135th GSAB, the CONG’s heavy lift aviation unit operating CH-47 Chinook helicopters, deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation Freedom’s Sentinel.

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December 31, 2019
FLY FISHING SHOW ATTRACTS VISITORS FROM ENTIRE AREA

DENVER, Colo. – Visitors from throughout the western states will get a first hand view of every fly-fishing tool from factory-fresh rods and reels to boots, waders, clothing and accessories at the 2020 Denver Fly Fishing Show® this weekend (Jan. 3-5) in the Denver Mart Pavilion Building, 451 E. 58^th Ave.

More than $50,000 in national door prizes including fishing trips, tackle and accessories are up for grabs. The Grand Prize – chosen from all seven 2020 Fly Fishing Shows – is an $11,000 fly-fishing vacation to the Seychelles off the coast of Africa. Additionally, there are regional show door prizes.

Premiere of the 2020 International Fly Fishing Film Festival is Fri. (1/3) at 6:30 p.m.

Hours are 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Fri.; 9 a.m.-5:30 p.m., Sat.; and 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Sun. Admission is $15 for one day, $25 for two days and $35 for three days. Children under age 5 are free as are Boy and Girl Scouts under age 16 in uniform. Children 6-12 are $5. Active military with an ID are $10.

Parking at the Denver Mart is free.

Visit www.flyfishingshow.com for a list of door prizes, demonstrations, seminars, films and classes.

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December 31, 2019
Restoring wildlife habitat in western Colorado starts with native seeds

DOVE CREEK, Colo. – Good habitat is the key for maintaining wildlife populations. So Colorado Parks and Wildlife is working in western Colorado to restore abandoned farmland and other areas back to a natural condition.

On a freezing November morning on the western edge of Colorado, Ryan Lane, a CPW wildlife technician, drove an open tractor back and forth across a 400-acre expanse of the Coalbed Canyon State Wildlife Area. The tractor pulled a specialized planter, known as a no-till drill that pushed seeds from 30 different native plants into the dry soil. Late fall is a good time for planting these types of seeds ‒ with snow and rain usually reliable at this time of year getting the seed down ahead of moisture is ideal.

Since 2014, CPW has been working aggressively in several areas throughout western Colorado to plant native seeds on: old farmland, state wildlife areas, state trust lands and areas burned in fires. Since 2015, the agency has planted on about 7,500 acres for restoration and on another 10,000 acres of areas burned in forest fires, explained Trevor Balzer, CPW’s sagebrush and mountain-shrub habitat coordinator.

One of those areas is the 2,800-acre Coalbed Canyon State Wildlife Area in southwest Colorado. In the areas level enough to plant, the parcel produced beans and wheat for decades. To accommodate agricultural crops, however, the land was stripped of sagebrush and other native plants that supported multiple species of wildlife, including the Gunnison Sage-grouse, mule deer, elk, multiple species of birds and small mammals.

Before CPW’s ownership, the fields were abandoned and planted with a fast-growing non-native grass that does not provide much value to wildlife. So in 2016, CPW started the long restoration process. The area was treated to kill the non-native grass and the planting process started. Planting in areas like Coalbed Canyon, however, can be frustrating because of dry weather conditions.

Seeds planted in the fall of 2015 and 2016 received adequate moisture, sprouted and became established. But extremely dry and hot weather followed the fall planting of 2017 and seeds did not do well in 2018. Consequently, those areas are being seeded again.

Wet conditions last spring were favorable for getting seeds to take hold, Balzer said.

CPW plants native seeds using the “no-till” method. The land is not plowed so the roots of the native existing grasses hold soil in place. New seeds are planted among the remaining vegetation.

Colorado Parks and Wildlife technician Ryan Lane holds a mixture of 30 different native seeds used to replant former farm land to benefit wildlife.

A key to reclamation efforts is CPW’s native seed warehouse in Delta that was completed in 2012. CPW and other agencies collect seeds of native plants, mostly on the Uncompahgre Plateau west of Montrose, and ship them to commercial growers in the northwest U.S. Those businesses specialize in native plant propagation and then harvest thousands of pounds of seed in amounts that cannot be collected in the wild. The seed is shipped to CPW’s climate-controlled warehouse where it is stored and distributed as needed.

“With large amounts of seed available we can take on large-scale seeding projects,” said Jim Garner, manager of the warehouse. “The warehouse allows us to provide locally adapted plant varieties to Western Slope land managers who are conducting habitat improvement projects.”

A mixture of seed from the warehouse was dropped by airplane last spring over more than 5,000 acres of the Bull Draw fire area near Nucla. That fire burned during the summer of 2018. An inspection of the area in the fall showed that native plants have started to grow.

Balzer explained that the availability of seeds of native forbs – broad-leafed flowering plants – and shrubs are especially important for reclamation efforts.

“Those weren’t readily available on the market before we had the warehouse,” he said. “They’re critical because they provide diverse food sources for all wildlife in the area. When these plants flower they attract a wide variety of insects which help to spread the plants over large areas of the landscape and restore broader habitat function.”

The planting on the 400-acre plot at Coalbed Canyon has been difficult because of wet and cold weather that hit in mid-November. That planting should be completed early in 2020 and plans are already in place to plant a 200-acre parcel next year.

Across the Western Slope, Balzer wants to stay the course of reclaiming about 1,500 acres per year. Even though that’s a small amount of acreage in a vast landscape, biologists know that their work will impact areas far beyond the individual plots.

“Getting native plants established in these areas is not easy,” Balzer said. “The process is slow and native
shrubs take many years to mature. But revisiting a successfully restored site is extremely rewarding.”

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December 30, 2019
Huge prizes and great fun at Stagecoach State Park during 9th Annual Steamboat Great Outdoors Ice Fishing Tournament
OAK CREEK, Colo. – With up to $30,000 dollars in cash and prizes on the line, ice anglers can make big money at Stagecoach State Park‘s 9th Annual Steamboat Great Outdoors Ice Fishing Tournament, Jan. 4 from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Stagecoach State Park is located near the town of Oak Creek, south of Steamboat Springs, in Routt County.

Adults and youth 16 years and older can register the morning of the event for $40, cash only, or pre-register in person at the following locations up to Jan.3:

PRE-REGISTRATION LOCATIONS:
- STAGECOACH STATE PARK OFFICE
- 25500 RCR 14, Oak Creek, CO 80467 / (970) 736-2436
- YAMPA RIVER STATE PARK HEADQUARTERS
- 6185 W Hwy 40, Hayden, CO 81639 / (970) 276-2061
- CPW STEAMBOAT SPRINGS OFFICE
- 925 Weiss Dr. Steamboat Springs, CO 80487 / (970) 870-2197
- CPW DENVER OFFICE
- 6060 Broadway, Denver, CO 80216 / (303) 291-7227
Participants can download a registration application from the Steamboat Fishing Adventures website.

Youths under 15 can register free of charge and receive non-cash prizes. Optionally, youth may enter the paid tournament for $40.00 and be eligible for cash prizes. All youth entries under the age of 13 must be accompanied by an adult contestant.

New for 2020, due to a mandatory harvest at Stagecoach, anglers catching the most northern pike will be awarded a non-cash prize valued at approximately $400.00. There is no entry fee for this category but all pike must be presented at the measuring table for eligibility.

For an additional $20 buy-in, anglers can participate in the optional pike category. This pot will be awarded to the angler(s) that turns in the biggest individual pike by length.

For the rainbow trout category, cash prizes are awarded for first through tenth place based on the total combined measurement of two trout.

Happy participants during a previous ice fishing contest at Stagecoach State Park (PHOTO/CPW)

Anglers are reminded that all current fishing regulations will apply and will be enforced. A current fishing brochure is available at cpw.state.co.us, or at the park’s Visitor Center or at any CPW office or CPW license vendor.

For a detailed copy of tournament rules, visit the Steamboat Fishing Adventures website, or click here.

A valid state parks pass is required to enter the park. Carpooling is highly recommended due to limited parking space.

Colorado Parks and Wildlife cautions that early season ice conditions will exist. Anglers are reminded to use caution and seek ice-fishing safety information at the CPW website.

Registered snowmobiles and OHVs are permitted on the reservoir below the high-water mark only for the purpose of commuting to ice-fishing destinations. Contestants can use motorized vehicles to bring fish up to the Marina measuring table to enter fish as soon as they are caught. This will help avoid congestion at the end of the day.

Pets are welcome but must be kept on a six-foot leash at all times.

For questions and additional information, contact Steamboat Fishing Adventures at 970-819-3561, or by email at , or Stagecoach State Park at 970-736-2436 or by email at .
December 27, 2019