Category: Health & Food Recalls

Handle and prepare foods properly to avoid getting sick this holiday season

Denver: As the holidays get closer, the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment reminds Coloradans to follow some simple food safety tips so their holiday feast doesn’t turn into a holiday fiasco.

“The most frequent causes of food borne illnesses are from foods kept at unsafe temperatures, inadequate hand washing, inappropriate food handling, and preparing and serving foods on soiled services or with contaminated utensils,” said Troy Huffman, retail food program coordinator at Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. “Other causes include cooking foods such as eggs, poultry and meats below the proper temperature. By following some simple food safety guidelines, holiday parties and meals will be safe and enjoyable for all.”

Here are some basic tips:

Cool all leftovers: Leftovers should be cooled to 41 degrees F or lower within four hours after cooking. Do not leave foods containing meat, dairy, eggs, fish or poultry at room temperature. This includes casseroles and pumpkin or other custard pies that are popular during the holidays.

Wash hands: Use with soap and warm water before food preparation and after using the bathroom, changing diapers, sneezing, coughing, eating, drinking, or smoking. Also, wash hands after handling raw meat, eggs, fish, or poultry.

Don’t cross-contaminate: Bacteria can spread throughout the kitchen and get onto cutting boards, knives, sponges and countertops. Minimize cross-contamination risks by thoroughly cleaning and sanitizing knives, cutting boards, and other utensils, particularly between the preparation of raw meat and foods that will not be further cooked. Using a commercially prepared sanitizing wipe can be an easy and quick cleaning alternative to help minimize cross-contamination.

Cooking Temperatures: Buy a cooking thermometer, and use it properly. The thermometer should be placed in the thickest part of the food and don’t let it touch bone, fat, or gristle. Turkey and stuffing should be cooked separately to 165 F and ham to 145 F before serving. Recipes with eggs must be cooked thoroughly to 155 F or above. If egg dishes do not require cooking, such as homemade eggnog or salad dressing, use pasteurized egg products instead of shelled eggs.

Thaw Foods Properly: Do not thaw foods at room temperature. Plan enough time to thaw food in the refrigerator, placing thawing items on a tray to catch any juices that may leak from the packaging to avoid cross-contamination of other foods.

The number of days a frozen turkey takes to thaw in a refrigerator depends on the size. A turkey 4-12 pounds takes one to three days to thaw; 12-16 pounds takes three to four days; 16-20 pounds takes four to five days; and 20-24 pounds takes five to six days.

If you’re ill: When you’re not feeling well, do not prepare or handle foods.

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November 27, 2019
Thanksgiving Fire Safety
Lakewood, CO – For most, the kitchen is the heart of the home, especially during the holidays. So keeping fire safety top of mind in the kitchen during this joyous but hectic time is important, especially when there’s a lot of activity and people at home.

“As your families gather to celebrate this holiday, keep everyone safe,” Colorado Division of Fire Prevention and Control (DFPC) Director, Mike Morgan says. “Start by making sure you have working smoke and carbon monoxide alarms.”  As you start preparing your holiday schedule and organizing that large family feast, remember, by following a few simple safety tips you can enjoy time with your loved ones and keep yourself and your family safer from fire.  ”DFPC recognizes that Thanksgiving is a time of food, fun, and fellowship with loved ones,” said Director Morgan. “As you sit down with family and friends this Thanksgiving,we want you to be safe.”

Visit the NFPA website to learn more about what you can do to protect your loved ones during the holidays.
- Stay in the kitchen when you are cooking on the stove top so you can keep an eye on the food.
- Stay in the home when cooking your turkey, and check on it frequently.
- Keep children away from the stove. The stove will be hot and kids should stay three feet away.
- Make sure kids stay away from hot food and liquids. The steam or splash from vegetables, gravy or coffee could cause serious burns.
- Keep knives out of the reach of children.
- Be sure electric cords from an electric knife, coffee maker, plate warmer or mixer are not dangling off the counter within easy reach of a child.
- Keep matches and utility lighters out of the reach of children — up high in a locked cabinet.
- Never leave children alone in a room with a lit candle.
- Keep the floor clear so you don’t trip over kids, toys, pocketbooks or bags.
- Make sure your smoke alarms are working. Test them by pushing the test button.
the heart of the home, especially during the holidays. So keeping fire safety top of mind in the kitchen during this joyous but hectic time is important, especially when there’s a lot of activity and people at home.

“As your families gather to celebrate this holiday, keep everyone safe,” Colorado Division of Fire Prevention and Control (DFPC) Director, Mike Morgan says. “Start by making sure you have working smoke and carbon monoxide alarms.”  As you start preparing your holiday schedule and organizing that large family feast, remember, by following a few simple safety tips you can enjoy time with your loved ones and keep yourself and your family safer from fire.  ”DFPC recognizes that Thanksgiving is a time of food, fun, and fellowship with loved ones,” said Director Morgan. “As you sit down with family and friends this Thanksgiving,we want you to be safe.”

Visit the NFPA website to learn more about what you can do to protect your loved ones during the holidays.
- Stay in the kitchen when you are cooking on the stove top so you can keep an eye on the food.
- Stay in the home when cooking your turkey, and check on it frequently.
- Keep children away from the stove. The stove will be hot and kids should stay three feet away.
- Make sure kids stay away from hot food and liquids. The steam or splash from vegetables, gravy or coffee could cause serious burns.
- Keep knives out of the reach of children.
- Be sure electric cords from an electric knife, coffee maker, plate warmer or mixer are not dangling off the counter within easy reach of a child.
- Keep matches and utility lighters out of the reach of children — up high in a locked cabinet.
- Never leave children alone in a room with a lit candle.
- Keep the floor clear so you don’t trip over kids, toys, pocketbooks or bags.
- Make sure your smoke alarms are working. Test them by pushing the test button.
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November 26, 2019

Health and Safety Advisory issued today from the Department of Revenue’s Marijuana Enforcement Division.

November 22, 2019 – The Colorado Department of Revenue (“DOR”), in conjunction with the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (“CDPHE”), is issuing a health and safety advisory due to the identification of potentially unsafe levels of microbial contamination on retail marijuana and medical marijuana produced by several business. CDPHE and DOR deem it a threat to public health and safety when marijuana

is found to have levels of total yeast and mold above the acceptable limits established in MED Rule M 712 and R 712.

Due to a technical error that was the result of a software update, several Harvest

Batches or packages of finished marijuana displayed an incorrect testing status in the Inventory Tracking System (Metrc®). The technical error was found to have occurred between October 21, 2019 and November 13, 2019. This error has been corrected and all impacted licensees have been notified.The affected marijuana that was transferred to a store and sold prior to the correction of the error is included in this advisory.

Consumers who have these affected products in their possession should return them to the store from which they were purchased so they can be properly disposed of. Consumers who experience adverse health effects or an illness from consuming the product should see a doctor immediately and report the event to the store from which they purchased the product. All affected marijuana has a label affixed to the container that, at a minimum, indicates the license number of the marijuana business that cultivated the marijuana, as well as the harvest number assigned to the marijuana. Consumers should check the label of their medical marijuana or retail marijuana for the following license numbers, harvest batch numbers, and other provided product information:

Medical Marijuana – Sold between October 21 and November 14, 2019.

Product Type: Buds/Trim Item Name: Blue Dream

Harvest Number: Blue Dream 10/14/19
Sold From: 402-00390, AJC Industries LLC dba TweedLeaf Produced by: 403-01850

Product Type: Buds/Trim
Item Name: Blue Dream
Harvest Number: Blue Dream 10/14/19
Sold From: 402-01201 MMJ 95 LLC dba TweedLeaf

Produced by: 403-01850

Product Type: Buds/Trim

Item Name: 9LB Hammer
Harvest Number: N26-9LB Hammer 10/8 T4
Sold From: 402-01064, CG Industry LLC dba Cross Genetics

Produced by: 403-01657

Produced by: 403-01467

Retail Marijuana – Sold between October 21 and November 14, 2019.

Produced by: 403R-00314

Produced by: 403R-01092

Produced by: 403R-00373, 403R-00182

Product Type: Buds/Trim
Item Name: 9LB Hammer
Harvest Number: N26-9LB Hammer 10/8 T4
Sold From: 402-00867, CG Industry LLC dba Cross Genetics

Product Type: Buds/Trim
Item Name: Super Lemon Haze
Harvest Number: Super Lemon Haze 10/8/19
Sold From: 402-01066 Troy Enterprises LLC dba Elevations

Product Type: Buds/Trim
Item Name: Ghost Cake Killah
Harvest Number: GCK.F8.100719
Sold From: 402R-00600, Smoked Colorado INC dba Mighty Tree

Product Type: Buds/Trim
Item Name: Grape Ape
Harvest Number: Grape Ape – 10.17.2019.
Sold From: 402R-00477, Natural Alternatives For Health LLC

Product Type: Buds/Trim
Item Name: Snowball
Harvest Number: SB-F2-101619

Sold From: 402R-00138, Colorado Product Services LLC dba Doctors Garden

Product Type: Buds/Trim
Item Name: Snowball
Harvest Number: SB-F2-101619
Sold From: 402R-00038, Cannabis King LLC dba Green Dragon Colorado

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November 22, 2019

Small, wearable air pollution sensors will let workers know what they’re breathing

Every day, millions of workers head to their jobs and breathe any number of airborne chemicals, particles or vapors, all of which may or may not be affecting their health.

Measuring these pollution exposures – and making that data meaningful to workers and employers – is both difficult and expensive. Colorado State University engineers and social scientists are working to make such measurements simpler, more affordable and more comprehensive, so that workers everywhere can know what they are breathing.

A team led by Ellison Carter and John Volckens in the Walter Scott, Jr. College of Engineering has received a four-year, $2.2 million grant from the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, part of the Centers for Disease Control, to develop radical new technologies and methods for assessing worker exposure to occupational air pollutants. Carter and Volckens are joined by an experienced team of engineers and social scientists who will help refine the successful adoption and deployment of the technology.

The team is developing a lightweight, inexpensive, wearable air pollution monitor for aerosol and vapor hazards that, like a commercial smartphone, is ready to use out of the box and requires minimal user training.

Testing with workers

Once they’ve created the devices, which should be no more obtrusive than name tags, the researchers plan to test them on several hundred workers in various industries – from emergency responders to product manufacturers and oil and gas drillers. The workers, who will participate voluntarily in the study, will help the scientists piece together one of most complete pictures of occupational air quality to date.

Though workers have a right to know by federal mandate what potential toxins they are exposed to, measuring the amounts of those toxins in any comprehensive way has been difficult or impossible for employers. Typically, an industrial hygienist can make about 10 measurements of personal airborne exposures each day. Collecting the data involves decades-old pump technology – similar to the aeration system in a home aquarium – and cumbersome tubing that drapes across the body. Such personal sampling trains are expensive and poorly integrated, making it virtually impossible to collect all-day data on more than 10 individual workers at a time.

The CSU researchers are pivoting off an existing technology commercialized through Volckens’ spinout company, Access Sensor Technologies. Volckens, an air pollution specialist and professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering, led the development of a personal air sampler called the Ultrasonic Personal Air Sampler, or UPAS, that collects data on particle exposures using a silent, low-power micropump.

The new device will be a smaller, lighter version of the UPAS, explained Carter, an assistant professor in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering who has studied the effects of air pollution policies in China. Carter’s previous leadership in field sampling for measuring air pollution complements Volckens’ years of technology development and commercialization of personal pollution monitors.

“The technology development part is very exciting and drew me to this project,” Carter said. “The iterative design and test process is fun and has an energy to it that I’m excited to be a part of.”

Moreover, engaging with social scientists will help the technology achieve broader impact and allow the engineers to develop something that can scale to a commercial level, Carter said.

Social science component

One of the team’s social scientists is Elizabeth Williams, associate professor in the CSU Department of Communication Studies, whose expertise is at the intersection of organizational and health communication. With experience in conducting several health campaigns and health and safety initiatives, Williams researches how organizational processes influence the health of individuals.

The team also includes Ander Wilson, assistant professor in the Department of Statistics, who has expertise in managing large environmental datasets; Ashley Anderson, assistant professor in the Department of Journalism and Media Communication, who has developed quantitative methods for effective survey data collection; and Marilee Long, a professor in the same department who has expertise in effective health messaging.

The researchers hypothesize that their project will change worker- and organizational-level attitudes toward occupational hazard assessment and mitigation. The social science team will test that hypothesis by engaging with study volunteers through surveys, interviews and targeted messaging.

“We will be utilizing a citizen science approach as we focus on designing messages prior to implementation; measuring attitudinal and knowledge changes of individuals as a result of the project; and examining the influence the project has on the safety cultures within organizations,” Williams said.

As one of their study partners, the researchers will work with the Poudre Fire Authority to test their monitors on firefighters.

“First responders are one of the most vulnerable workforces to environmental hazards, they put their lives at risk, and they often pay the ultimate price,” Volckens said. “Part of our challenge is to develop something so vanishingly small and quiet and unobtrusive that those first responders will have no problem wearing these devices. A primary goal of this project is to help workers gain the information they need to make decisions that protect themselves from the unseen hazards in the air around them.”

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November 8, 2019
CSU to host Bipartisan Commission on Biodefense Nov. 5
Scientists, policymakers, industry and academic leaders will visit Colorado State University on Tuesday, Nov. 5, for a discussion on agro-defense with the Bipartisan Commission on Biodefense.

The event, “Too great a thing to leave undone: defense of agriculture,” is free and open to the public, with remarks starting at 9:30 a.m. and panel discussions throughout the day until 3:15 p.m.

It will be held at the C. Wayne McIlwraith Translational Medicine Institute on CSU’s South Campus. Lunch and refreshments will be provided.

Agro-defense refers to protecting the nation’s agriculture, farmers and people against the threat and potential impact of serious diseases.

The Bipartisan Commission on Biodefense was established in 2014 to comprehensively assess the state of U.S. biodefense, and to issue recommendations to foster change. The Commission is co-chaired by former Senator Joe Lieberman and former Governor Tom Ridge, the first Secretary of Homeland Security.

Event participants

Participants at the event will include:
- Thomas Daschle, former Senate majority leader and panel member
- Kenneth Wainstein, former Homeland Security adviser to President George W. Bush and panel member
- Rep. Diana DeGette (D-CO, 1st District)
- Tony Frank, chancellor, Colorado State University System
- Alan Rudolph, vice president for research, Colorado State University
- Amy Delgado, director of monitoring and modeling, Center for Epidemiology and Animal Health, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture
- Capt. Casey Barton Behravesh, director, One Health Office, National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
- Keith A. Roehr, state veterinarian, Colorado Department of Agriculture
“Colorado State University is among the nation’s leading institutions in protecting our agricultural industries from infectious diseases,” said Alan Rudolph, vice president for research. “We aim to advance our ongoing efforts in preparedness that focuses on research in surveillance and diagnosis for disease, vaccine and therapeutics treatments development and remediation to enable return to normal operations after outbreaks such as the current global crisis experienced with Africa Swine fever. The Commission’s meeting at CSU will focus on the role of land grant innovation ecosystems and public-private partnerships in addressing one of the major challenges of our day.”

This event will also be webcast; registration for the webcast is encouraged.

The Translational Medicine Institute is located at 2350 Gillette Drive in Fort Collins.

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October 28, 2019
CLA Members Host Renewable Energy Tour for Gov. Polis in Yuma County

Greeley, CO – This past Wednesday, CLA members from the Yuma area hosted a tour of their wind turbines and facilities for Governor Jared Polis and Commissioner of Agriculture Kate Greenberg.

Erick Farmer, owner of Heritage Dairy, talked about his wind turbines and discussed the benefits and some of the obstacles to increasing the use of turbines throughout rural Colorado.

“Terri and I were honored to host a discussion on wind energy with Governor Polis in Yuma County. Renewables are an important part of our ag operations in both Colorado and Kansas. Our wind turbines provide approximately 60% of our power at Heritage Dairy, and even more at our feedyards. This allows us to not only be more efficient and cut costs, but also allows us to be part of a bigger picture of becoming more sustainable. We are proud to be part of this movement,” said Erick Farmer. “It was important for us to also inform the Governor not only of our success with these wind projects, but to also enlighten him with the hurdles associated with renewable energy implementation in our County and State. We hope that this discussion with the Governor will help lead the path to more renewables as part of the future of ag in Colorado.”

Following the tour at Heritage Dairy, the group visited Smithfield Hog Production where Bill Gill, Assistant VP for Sustainability and Environmental Affairs, Smithfield Foods; Dwain Weinrich, Colorado Operations Manager for Smithfield Hog Production and Julie McCaleb, Environmental Systems Manager, Smithfield Foods gave a bus tour of the hog farm and talked about the benefits of using renewable energy from wind turbines to power their facility and their future plans for wind turbine construction at the Yuma operation.

“It was good to have Governor Polis, Commissioner Greenberg and Michael Turner (State Energy Office) tour Yuma county ag operations. The tour highlighted livestock production along with crops that are grown in the area to feed the livestock in Yuma County. Renewable energy is a focal point for the Governor and as we concluded the visit, he stated how impressed he was with the current and proposed wind projects,” stated Dwain Weinrich, President-Elect of the Colorado Livestock Association.

On the bus ride following the tours, Yuma County Commissioner Trent Bushner shared information about the county’s impressive agricultural production and discussed how the agriculture industry is the driver in Yuma county and is critical to the sustainability of rural communities throughout Colorado.

Livestock producers from the local area had the opportunity to visit with Governor Jared Polis and Commissioner of Agriculture Kate Greenberg following the tours during a meet and greet hosted by the Colorado Livestock Association. Representatives from Colorado Pork Producers Council and Colorado Cattlemen’s Association were also in attendance.

Photos from the event are online here: https://coloradolivestock.org/cla-members-host-renewable-energy-tour-for-gov-polis-in-yuma-county/

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October 26, 2019
Know the 10 Signs – An Alzheimer’s Checklist
As we age, it is tempting to attribute all of the gradual changes our bodies go through – including our changes in memory – to the normal process of aging. There are some changes that we should be more attentive to, including those memory lapses that begin to affect our quality of life.

The Colorado Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association has developed a helpful checklist of 10 Signs to aid in the early detection of Alzheimer’s. Why is early detection important? Without it, the ones we love may wait too long to make necessary lifestyle changes that are important to ensure that all medical care options are explored, ranging from medications to research. Other considerations include personal safety as well as quality of care, and to make necessary financial and estate planning adjustments.

Here is a brief overview of the 10 Signs. Some are more, like memory loss, are more commonly associated with Alzheimer’s disease and dementia, but each case of dementia is unique:
1. Memory loss that disrupts daily life. A typical age-related memory change is occasionally forgetting names or appointments, but remembering them later. A common sign of Alzheimer’s disease, especially in the early stages, is forgetting recently learned information. The increasing need to rely on memory aids (reminder notes, electronic devices) or family members for things that one previously handled on their own is a sign.
2. Changes in mood and personality. Increased incidences of confusion, suspicion, depression, fear or anxiety can be a sign. Individuals can become more easily upset at home, work, with friends or in places where they are out of their comfort zone.
3. Misplacing things and losing the ability to retrace steps. Putting things in unusual places and being unable to find them. Sometimes, they may accuse others of stealing – with more frequency over time.
4. Challenges in planning or solving problems. Making occasional errors, such as checkbook balancing, is not uncommon. If a person experiences changes in the ability to follow a plan or work with numbers, or has difficulty concentrating and completing a task, that may be a concern.
5. Difficulty completing familiar tasks. People with Alzheimer’s often find it hard to complete daily tasks. They may have trouble driving to a familiar location, managing a budget, or remembering the rules of a familiar game.
6. Confusion with time or place. Losing track of dates, seasons and the passage of time is another indication. Sometimes people with Alzheimer’s can forget where they are or how they got there.
7. Trouble understanding visual images and spatial relationships. For some individuals, vision problems can be a sign of Alzheimer’s. They may have difficulty reading, judging distance and determining color or contrast, which may cause problems with driving.
8. New problems with words in speaking or writing. People with Alzheimer’s may have trouble following or joining a conversation. They may struggle with vocabulary, have problems finding the right word or call things by the wrong name (such as calling a “watch” a “hand clock”).
9. Decreased or poor judgment. People with Alzheimer’s may use poor judgment when dealing with money, giving large amounts to telemarketers. They may also pay less attention to grooming and personal cleanliness.
10. Withdrawal from work or social activities. Some individuals may avoid being social because of changes they’re experiencing, removing themselves from work projects, hobbies and sports.
If you or someone you care about is experiencing any of the 10 warning signs of Alzheimer’s disease, please contact the Alzheimer’s Association 24/7 bilingual Helpline at 800-272-3900 for more information. The Helpline is staffed by trained professionals and offered at no charge to Colorado families.

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October 8, 2019
ADULT CONGENITAL HEART ASSOCIATION’S WALK FOR 1 IN 100 COMES TO DENVER

DENVER — The Adult Congenital Heart Association (ACHA) will host the Denver Walk for 1 in 100 on Sunday, October 27, 2019 at Denver City Park Pavilion. ACHA, the only nonprofit in the country dedicated solely to the unique needs of the 1.4 million adults born with heart defects, has set a goal to gather 350 walkers and raise $55,000 at this festive Halloween-themed event. Denver’s Walk for 1 in 100 is one of 14 similar events ACHA is hosting nationwide in 2019 to raise money for outreach, education, research and more.

“Walk for 1 in 100 helps to energize our network of congenital heart disease (CHD) patients, supporters, and medical professionals in communities across the country and to increase knowledge of the specialized care that those born with heart defects need throughout their lifetimes,” said Mark Roeder, ACHA President and CEO. “Funds generated through the Denver Walk will support the ACHA ACHD Accreditation Program, which is working to elevate and standardize care for the adult congenital heart disease population nationwide. In addition, Walk for 1 in 100 helps to fund cutting-edge medical research, advocacy efforts and various educational and outreach initiatives. We look forward to meeting new friends in all our Walk for 1 in 100 communities this year!”

Walk for 1 in 100 was created to empower all of those who were born with a heart defect, their loved ones, and the medical community that cares for them, such as Derek Patton, Captain of Team D-Pat from Colorado Springs.

“I walk for 1 in 100, along with my family and friends, because I am a 32-year-old survivor of CHD. My goal, as well as others in the ACHA community, is to continue to expand support for the mission and values of ACHA while also demonstrating the strength and resiliency that all CHD survivors possess,” said Patton. “I have never known a day that I haven’t been supported and cared for and I have this amazing organization, along with my excellent healthcare providers, to thank for this! Let’s fight CHD together—one heart at a time.”

The approximately 1-mile walk around the Ferril Lake from Denver’s City Park Pavilion includes views of the Rockies, a DJ, warm beverages, pastries, bagels, and fun for all ages—Halloween costumes are welcome and encouraged! For more details or to register for a walk, please visit www.walk1in100.org.

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October 6, 2019
Dog off leash area at Cherry Creek State Park to temporarily close for maintenance, Oct. 14-17

AURORA, Colo. — The heavily used dog off leash area at Cherry Creek State Park – a popular spot for dog owners that sees over one million visitors of the two- and four-legged kind a year – will be temporarily closing Oct. 14-17 so park staff can conduct needed maintenance work.

This is the first time the dog off leash area will be closed for a short period of time, but park staff feel it is necessary to do to sustain what is one of the most popular attractions at any of Colorado’s 41 state parks.

“We are reinvesting into the dog off leash area to give users the experience they want,” said Park Manager Jason Trujillo. “It has gotten to the point it is so busy down there we can’t get any work done without interrupting experiences of visitors and this maintenance work cannot be conducted safely while the area is open.”

Last year the dog off leash area surpassed one million visitors by the week of Thanksgiving and if you break it down to visitors by hour, looking roughly at a 12-hour time frame as hours of operation, the area sees 228 people an hour.

“It is hard to have a sustainable resource when it is so heavily used,” Trujillo said. “The work we are doing will be a balance of resource protection and preservation. We appreciate the patience of our users for the brief period the dog off leash area will close.”

One of the most noticeable improvements users will see, and see it right away, is a new entrance and exit bullpen. As it sits now, dogs and their owners enter and exit at the same location, which creates congestion and the possibility for confrontations between tired dogs leaving the park and the energetic dogs entering.

With separate entrance and exit locations, that traffic will be diminished and it will also help disperse the amount of dog urine excreted upon entry in a concentrated area, thus lessening the dog urine aroma. Pea gravel will also be installed to allow urine to be soaked into the ground versus the cement that paves the ground in the current entrance/exit bullpen.

Other work that will take place includes erosion control improvements in the northwest corner of the park, vegetation sustainability management (seeding and weed management), trail improvements and the main parking lot will be relined to create a one-way traffic flow.

The trail work will consist of park staff adding road base and then a layer of crusher fine gravel to elevate the trail and assist with erosion control concerns.

In the northwest corner where the erosion work will be taking place, that is part of a multi-phase project. This will assist trails over drainages so they do not get washed out during significant rain events and it will allow vegetation to improve.

Native grasses will be seeded in areas to re-establish native vegetation and park staff will be spraying noxious weeds so that visitors will continue to have access to all areas of the DOLA while protecting native grasses and vegetation.

Park staff will be looking at this type of major maintenance work twice a year – once in the fall and once in the spring. If anyone wishes to volunteer to help with this project, they can contact the park by calling 303-766-6562.

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September 25, 2019
2019 Bike Your Park Day- Colorado State Park Trails Await

DENVER — Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) invites people of all ages and backgrounds to join in the celebration of Bike Your Park Day on Saturday, Sept. 28. The global event, hosted annually by the Adventure Cycling Association, motivates people to live life outside by biking the trails in parks and public lands. Rides can be registered in advance and are tracked on a worldwide map. Last year, 15,337 people in all 50 states and 11 different countries participated in over 1,600 rides.

This year, 21 rides and counting have been registered for the event at Colorado State Parks alone. Barr Lake, Chatfield, Eleven Mile, Golden Gate Canyon and St. Vrain State Parks will all be hosting public rides on Sept. 28, providing unique opportunities to learn more about the outdoors, enjoy the fall colors and celebrate our state’s amazing public spaces with others. Lake Pueblo State Park will have Steel City Cycling Club bike to the park to complete a service project, and the Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area will be celebrating an early Bike Your Park Day by hosting a public ride on Sept. 27. More information can be found on the CPW website and calendar.

In addition to the state park organized rides, independently organized rides will be taking place across more than nine Colorado state parks including Boyd Lake, Cherry Creek, Cheyenne Mountain, James M. Robb Colorado River, Lake Pueblo, Staunton, and Stagecoach. Cyclists can choose to join any of the open rides on the Adventure Cycling Association website.

Whether you love serene lake views or braving the rugged alpine terrain, Colorado’s 41 state parks offer over 700 miles of trails for cyclists of all skill levels to enjoy. If a ride has yet to be registered at your favorite park, CPW encourages you to create one of your own on the Adventure Cycling Association website. All official registrants for the event receive a sticker and are eligible to win a new, Co-Op Cycles ADV 3.1 adventure touring bicycle.

For more information about Bike Your Park Day events, or to find an event near you, visit the Adventure Cycling Association. To begin planning your next cycling trip in one of Colorado’s 41 state parks, visit the CPW website.

Please check the local forecast and park conditions ahead of your bike ride.

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September 25, 2019