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The I-70 Scout & Eastern Colorado News

Category: Front Page

  • The 10 Best Places to Retire in Colorado – Study

    A new study from SmartAsset ranks the 10 best places to retire in Colorado. The analysis considers four criteria, including tax burden, access to medical care and opportunity for recreation and social activity. Counties which ranked the best across these metrics were the counties that ranked highest in the study. According to the study, Arapahoe County ranked as one of the top places for retirees in Colorado.

    For a closer look at the top 10 counties in Colorado, check out the table below:

    More details on the study, including the methodology and interactive map, can be found here: [LINK]

  • Small shooting range grants available through Colorado Parks and Wildlife’s Hunter Education Program

    Adequate shooting ranges and facilities are vital in ensuring sportspersons have the knowledge and skills to be safe and ethical during hunting season.

    DENVER – Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) is offering grant funding to shooting range projects that make improvements at public and private shooting range facilities that allow hunter education classes, public sight-in days and youth and family involvement in the shooting sports. Projects must be between $500 and $5000 in value and matching funds must be provided. Deadline to apply is September 29, 2023 at 5 p.m.

    The Shooting Range Small Grant Program provides matching funds to Colorado entities for the improvement and maintenance of Colorado shooting ranges. The grants available through this program reimburse project sponsors for up to 75% of approved expenses.

    “Hunter education is vital to CPW’s mission to educate and inspire current and future generations to serve as active stewards of Colorado’s natural resources,” said CPW Statewide Hunter Education Coordinator Jordan Likes. “Having publicly available shooting ranges and facilities helps to ensure hunters have the knowledge and skills to be safe and ethical during hunting season.”

    Funding for the Shooting Range Small Grant Program is generated from the Hunting and Fishing license plate that provides dollars specifically set aside to increase recreational shooting opportunities.
     
    Who can apply
    Local government agencies, parks and recreation departments, private shooting ranges that allow use by hunter education classes and allow public sight-in days, shooting associations or any other shooting facility that is open to the public may apply for a small shooting range grant.  Commercial, for-profit ranges are not eligible. Please contact the CPW’s Hunter Education Office at 303-291-7470 if you have questions about eligibility. 

    Applicants must match a Small Shooting Range Grant award with non-state cash or in-kind services like donated labor and/or supplies and equipment use. Grant activities must produce improvements at shooting ranges that are readily available for public use – some private use is allowed.  

    Eligible project  
    The Shooting Range Small Grant Program is designed to improve shooting ranges across Colorado. The following are general requirements of all projects:

    • Proposed improvements are substantial in nature.
    • Improves access and/or amenities at a shooting range that is available for public use.
    • The public access to the shooting range resource is assured for hunter education classes and use by hunters for sight-in and practice.
    • The project is determined to be a cost-effective investment.
    • The grant funded activities will be maintained for the life of the project for shooting range purposes, which is normally considered to be 15 years, if major construction work is involved.
    • The project will assist Colorado Parks and Wildlife in reaching its Strategic Plan goals of an increase in hunter recreation days and hunter satisfaction.

    How to apply
    Applications undergo a detailed review process by a review panel. Project sponsors may be contacted during this time for more information. Please follow the steps below in completing your application:

    Projects will be ranked primarily in terms of new and/or improved shooting range opportunities for the greatest number of users. CPW plans to select approximately five to eight projects annually. Each project request should not be less than $500 or more than $5,000.  

    Be sure to completely describe the project in the application, emphasizing how it benefits hunter education, hunter sight-in and practice, and youth participation in shooting sports. 

    For additional information refer to CPW’s Shooting Range Small Grant FAQ page or contact Jordan Likes at .

  • VA extends deadline Through Monday for Veterans and survivors to apply for PACT Act benefits backdated to August 10, 2022

    Extension will ensure that no Veteran or survivor will miss out on a single day of backdated PACT Act benefits

    Today, VA announced that Veterans and survivors who apply (or submit their intent to file) for PACT Act benefits by 11:59PM ET on Monday, August 14, 2023 will be eligible to have their benefits backdated to August 10, 2022 – the day that President Biden signed the PACT Act into law. This is an extension from the original deadline of August 9, 2023. We encourage all Veterans and their survivors to apply – or submit their intent to file – for PACT Act benefits now by visiting VA.gov/PACT. 

    VA has made this decision out of an abundance of caution after experiencing technical difficulties with VA.gov/PACT in recent days. Specifically, due to extremely high demand, some Veterans who have sought to submit their intent to file for PACT Act benefits have received error messages while doing so. Despite these messages, VA has successfully logged every one of these intents to file – meaning that every Veteran or survivor who has received an error message while applying for PACT Act benefits can consider their intent to file complete. We are working to contact these individuals to confirm directly to them that their intent to file will be honored and their effective date protected. Most importantly, no Veteran or survivor will miss out on a single day of benefits due to this issue. 

    VA has also resolved nearly all of the technical issues with VA.gov/PACT. As of 5:00pm, less than one tenth of one percent of attempts to submit an “intent to file” today (August 9) had resulted in an error message. This percentage is down from about 18% on August 8. Additionally, we have had a high volume of calls to VA call centers throughout this week, and we are working to decrease abnormally long call center wait times. We continue to work on these issues and will not rest until they are fully resolved. 

    Throughout the past day, VA has sent out communications from all channels to reassure Veterans and survivors that they would not miss out on their earned benefits due to this issue. We put an emergency banner on the VA website to tell Veterans and survivors that their intents to file will be honored. We changed the intent to file error message to confirm that, despite the error message, the intent to file has been saved. Finally, we communicated with Veterans directly on social media, via email, and through coordination with Congressional leaders and Veterans Service Organizations. All of this messaging will be updated tonight (details below) to reflect the extended deadline for Veterans and survivors to apply for benefits backdated to August 10, 2022. 

    We at VA will continue to encourage Veterans and their survivors to immediately file their PACT Act claims — or submit their intents to file — at VA.gov/PACT. With the extended deadline, Veterans and survivors who do so by 11:59PM ET on Monday, August 14, 2023 may receive benefits backdated to August 10, 2022. 

    Updated website banner: 

    PACT Act backdated benefits deadline extended!

    You now have until 11:59PM ET on Monday, August 14, 2023 to file your PACT Act claim—or submit your intent to file—and be eligible for benefits backdated to August 10, 2022. Take advantage of this extension and file now!

    Due to high volume, some Veterans have received error messages when submitting their intent to file PACT Act claims. If you received one of these messages, don’t worry! We have logged your intent to file and saved your effective date for benefits.

    File a disability claim online

    Submit your intent to file

    Updated Error Message

    Due to the high volume of submissions we are receiving, you can’t continue with this claim form at this time – but we have received your intent to file and saved your effective date for benefits.

    Here’s what this means for you:
    • You have 1 year from today to complete your claim.
    • If we determine that you’re eligible for disability compensation, we’ll use today to determine the effective date of your benefits.
    • If you’re filing a claim based on the PACT Act, you may still be eligible to receive benefits backdated to August 10, 2022.

    Note: If you come back to this form in the next few days and continue to get this message, don’t worry. Your intent to file date is set for today.

    Legal background for this extension: 

    Under the authority in 38 C.F.R. 3.1(r), the Under Secretary for Benefits may extend a deadline such as this “when he or she determines that a natural or man-made interference with the normal channels through which the Veterans Benefits Administration ordinarily receives correspondence has resulted in one or more Veterans Benefits Administration offices experiencing extended delays in receipt of claims, information, or evidence from claimants served by the affected office or offices to an extent that, if not addressed, would adversely affect such claimants through no fault of their own.” In the coming days, VA will submit a federal register notice to codify this extension.

  • 2024 Non-Motorized Trails and Land and Water Conservation Fund grant cycles are now open


    DENVER, Colorado Parks and Wildlife is pleased to announce the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) and Non-Motorized Trails 2024 Grant Rounds are now open. Pre-applications for this grant cycle are due by Tuesday, September 5 to address potential wildlife impacts. CPW staff will host webinars, detailed below, for each program to cover application requirements and commonly asked questions for both programs.

    Land and Water Conservation Fund Grants
    The LWCF is designed to strengthen the health and vitality of local communities through generous funding for outdoor recreation land acquisition and development projects. LWCF grants are available to local, state, county, or tribal government agencies with fee-simple ownership of the land where the project is situated. Grants ranging from $100,000 to $1,250,000 are available but must be matched 1:1.

    Non-Motorized Trail Grants
    Eligible projects fall under one of the following non-motorized trails grant categories:

    • Construction: Maximum Award of $250,000 – New trail or trailhead construction, including the installation or creation of new facilities where none currently exist.
    • Maintenance: Maximum Award of $250,000 – Maintenance, reroute, or reconstruction of existing trails or trailheads.
    • Planning: Maximum Award of $45,000 – Trail layout, design, engineering, feasibility studies, inventory, use studies, and analysis of existing and proposed trails.
    • Support: Maximum Award of $45,000 – Building and enhancement of volunteer organizations, increasing volunteer capacity, and implementing trail training and education.
    • Trail Stewardship Crews: Maximum Awards of $75,000 to $150,000 depending on crew size – Supporting stewardship crews to complete work on existing trail systems.

    There is no minimum request for any category. 

    Pre-application Submission
    To help address potential wildlife impacts in their applications, all potential LWCF and Non-Motorized Trails applicants must submit a project scope that includes a high level overview of the project and a site map that outlines where work will be performed by Tuesday, September 5. 

    LWCF applicants are also required to submit a United States Fish and Wildlife Service Information Planning and Consultation (IPaC) Report. This information will be shared with the appropriate CPW Area Wildlife Manager for a pre-application review to discuss potential concerns with the applicant. Applicants must email the basic project scope and site map to by September 5 to be eligible for full application submission in October. Guidance on addressing wildlife impacts for trail projects can be found here.

    Learn more and apply
    Application documents and program guidelines are available on the LWCF and Non-Motorized Trails webpages. 

    To help navigate the application process, CPW staff will host webinars for each program to cover application requirements and commonly asked questions for both programs. Register at the links below:

    • Thursday, August 10
      • LWCF Grant Cycle Overview – 2 p.m.
      • Non-Motorized Trails Grant Cycle Overview – 2:30 p.m.
    • Monday, August 14
      • LWCF Grant Cycle Overview – 10 a.m.
      • Non-Motorized Trails Grant Cycle Overview – 10:30 a.m.

    Key dates

    Please reach out to CPW staff for help with your application or project specific questions.

  • CPW hunts bear that bit a camper as he relaxed in a hammock; victim treated at hospital

    TRINIDAD, Colo. – Colorado Parks and Wildlife officers are searching for a black bear that bit the arm of a man relaxing in a hammock late Saturday night at a campground in the Purgatoire River bottoms east of Interstate 25 in Trinidad.

    CPW was notified of the bear attack after 10 p.m. and immediately began a search of the campground. Dogs were called in to initiate a hunt in the area.

    “Bear attacks are rare and we take them very seriously,” said Mike Brown, CPW’s Area Wildlife Manager for the region. “We are doing everything we can to locate this bear. And we continue to investigate the incident. Luckily, the victim’s injury appears to be relatively minor.”

    Under CPW policy, any bear that attacks a human is classified as a dangerous bear and, if captured, must be humanely euthanized.

    The man told CPW Wildlife Officers that he was in a hammock Saturday night when he heard a rustling noise, turned on his head lamp and saw a dark-colored bear next to him. The man said the bear bit him on the upper right arm, turned and wandered off.

    The victim left the campground and went to a motel before calling an ambulance, which took him to a hospital for treatment of a wound on his arm. His injury appeared to be a 2-3 inch bite.

    The victim told CPW he had no food or other attractants with him in the hammock that might have lured the bear.

    Two CPW officers responded, set a trap for the bear in case it returned to the campground and called in an agent with the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal & Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) with a team of dogs to search for the bear.

    WATCH: Camping and Hiking in Bear Country.

    CPW advises the public to always be aware of potential bear activity when camping in Colorado. Bears that have previously found a food reward from a tent may attempt to enter even if no attractants are present.

    To avoid problems for yourself and bears, make sure there’s nothing to attract bears to your camp.

    • Stash Your Trash. Use bear-proof containers when available. If they’re full, double bag trash and lock it in your trunk or RV. Never leave trash outside.

    • Store Attractants Safely. Store food, beverages and toiletries in air-tight containers and lock them in your trunk. Many bears have discovered that coolers, bags and boxes are full of food; never leave them in your tent or anywhere a bear could see, smell or reach.

    • Keep a Clean Camp. Bears are attracted to odors of all kinds and will investigate anything interesting in hopes of finding food.

    • Keep a Clean Tent. Don’t bring anything with an odor into your tent – that includes all foods, bever­ages, chapstick, scented toiletries, gum, toothpaste, sunscreen, candles and insect repellant. Don’t sleep in the clothes you cooked in; store them with your food.

    • Lock RVs and Vehicles. Close windows and lock your vehicle and RV when you leave your campsite and at night before you go to sleep.

    For more information on camping and hiking in Bear Country, visit the CPW website.

    This is the third reported bear attack in Colorado in 2023.

  • CDOT launches new videos to increase trucker safety Focal point: Preventing crashes on mountain highways

    Colorado Springs —­­ As part of “The Mountain Rules” truck driver education series, the Colorado Department of Transportation is releasing three new videos aimed at educating and preparing truck drivers — especially those from out of state — for the unique challenges they face on Colorado’s mountain highways. 

    The videos are specifically focused on safe winter driving, navigating construction work zones, and handling hot brakes.

    “We know that our state’s terrain and unpredictable weather conditions create immense challenges for semitruck drivers,” said CDOT Executive Director Shoshana Lew. “We’ve created this series as a way to equip truck drivers with the necessary knowledge and awareness to safely and confidently navigate our highways, especially in the high country.”

    “The Mountain Rules” series was developed by CDOT, in partnership with the Colorado State Patrol and the Colorado Motor Carriers Association in 2019. All videos in the series emphasize the importance of being prepared for the specific obstacles truck drivers face when traveling through the state. 

    While local truckers may be familiar with Colorado’s highways, those from out of state often are new to the intricacies of navigating winter driving conditions along steep mountain corridors, understanding chain and traction laws, managing hot brakes, and adhering to Colorado’s Move Over law. Each topic has its own dedicated, 10-minute video as part of the overall series to help prepare drivers.

    “Traveling along the I-70 corridor includes sharp curves, seven and eight percent grades, not to mention congested peak travel times accompanied by quickly changing weather conditions,” stated Col. Matthew C. Packard, chief of the Colorado State Patrol. “Colorado relies on your presence and services, and this video series will help prepare you for the common conditions on I-70. Safety should never take a back seat – prepare yourself before the trip.” 

    CDOT and its partners encourage all truck drivers to educate themselves and view the videos, which can be found on CDOT’s YouTube channel and at freight.COtrip.org. The Mountain Rules videos also are distributed to truck driving schools, trucking companies, and other trucking-related entities. 

    “The steep downgrades, winding roadways, and fast changing weather conditions, make for a challenging drive, for even the most experienced truck driver,” said the CMCA President Greg Fulton. “The Mountain Rules program and videos provide a great educational tool for truck drivers, especially those unfamiliar with Colorado’s mountains. It helps them to understand how to navigate our mountainous roadways in a safe manner.  We believe this tool and other strategies by our state and local partners will make mountainous corridors like I-70 safer and reduce delays and closures.”

  • 2nd Annual Northern Colorado Brew Fest, Greeley, CO – sample beer from different breweries across Colorado, August 12th, 2023

    The Northern Colorado Brew Fest (NoCo) isn’t your average backyard barbecue. When you sign up for the event, you’ll get to sample beer from countless different breweries across Colorado. You receive a two-ounce glass when you first walk in. Then, you’re free to explore.
    Event Dates & Times: August 12th, 2023
     
    Bring a group of friends and hang out at the Island Grove Regional Park, 501 N. 14th Ave., Greeley, CO 80631, on August 12th, 2023. The pouring hours are 3-8 on Saturday August 12th with VIP starting an hour early at 2pm.
     
    This is a 21+ event and all the beer is unlimited 2oz tasters from 3PM – 8PM. VIP tickets can be purchased for an additional cost and get you in an hour before at 2PM so you have first dibs at samples and swag from breweries. No brew fest would be complete without yard games, food trucks, and live music.
     
    Admission: General Admission is $50, VIP Admission is $60. Ticket cost includes a taster glass. VIP Ticket Cost includes a swag bag this year (Drawstring bag, sunglasses, drink lanyard, bottle opener, sticker, and koozie).
     
    Ticket sales go towards a scholarship for Firefighters and EMTS through the nonprofit Thunder Mountain Wind & Fire Chapter 81. There are currently 24 breweries or distilleries signed up for this years event.
    Tickets: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/noco-brew-fest-2023-tickets-598435194777
     
    Web: www.nocobrewfest.com
      

  • CDOT prepares for heightened DUI enforcement as Sturgis Rally rides through Colorado

    4,644 impaired crashes happened overnight since 2019

    Haga clic aquí para ver este comunicado de prensa El Departamento de Transporte de Colorado refuerza la vigilancia de DUI mientras el Sturgis Rally atraviesa el estado en español.

    Statewide — As thousands of motorcyclists gear up to ride across state lines, the Colorado Department of Transportation, Colorado State Patrol (CSP) and local law enforcement agencies will unite to keep impaired drivers – and riders – off Colorado roads. During the Sturgis Rally DUI enforcement period from Aug. 3–15, there will be increased safety patrols aiming to keep all motorists safe.

    The annual rally brings motorcyclists from across the nation through Colorado to Sturgis, North Dakota for the annual festival. Regardless of when and where riders are on the road, motorcyclists are urged to ride sober during their travels. Last year 308 DUI arrests were made during the same heightened enforcement period.

    “If you are planning to drink, you also need to plan a sober ride,” said Col. Matthew C. Packard, CSP Chief. “We want Coloradans to enjoy summer activities but also remember to never drive impaired. Rally participants have a long ride ahead of them, and everyone needs to be aware of their surroundings at all times on the road.”

    While Sturgis Rally riders will be traveling day and night on their way to South Dakota, most impaired crashes tend to occur at night. A 2023 CSP report shows that from January 2019 to April 2023, most impaired fatal, injury and property crashes occurred during evening hours (6 p.m. to 9:59 p.m.) and late night (10 p.m. to 1:59 a.m.) hours. A total of 4,644 impaired crashes happened at night during that time period.

    The Heat is On Graphic with text "Rally Responsibly. Ride Sober."

    “With more people on our roads during the rally, it’s especially important to drive sober or plan a safe ride home,” said CDOT’s Office of Transportation Safety Director Darrell Lingk. “It is up to all motorists and riders to remember the consequences and dangers of getting behind the wheel or handlebars under the influence.”

    Planning on driving at night? Here are a few reminders:

    • Plan a sober ride home before heading out.
    • Make sure rideshare is available for your guests to use if you are hosting a gathering.
    • Buzzed driving is drunk driving. Even one drink is enough to impair your driving ability.

    The previous Summer Strikeout enforcement period concluded with 171 DUI arrests across 69 participating law enforcement agencies. The agencies with the highest number of arrests were Colorado Springs Police Department (28), Larimer County Sheriff’s Office (12) and Longmont Police Department (23). Additionally, CSP reported 33 arrests.

    For yearly impaired driving crash and fatality data in Colorado, visit codot.gov/safety/traffic-safety/data-analysis/fatal-crash-data. For local law enforcement agency plans, visit codot.gov/safety/traffic-safety-reporting-portal.

    About The Heat Is On

    The CDOT Highway Safety Office provides funding to Colorado law enforcement for impaired driving enforcement, education and awareness campaigns. The Heat Is On campaign runs throughout the year, with 16 specific high-visibility impaired driving enforcement periods centered on national holidays and large public events. Enforcement periods can include sobriety checkpoints, saturation patrols and additional law enforcement on duty dedicated to impaired driving enforcement. Find more details about the campaign, including impaired driving enforcement plans, arrest totals and safety tips at HeatIsOnColorado.com. More information about DUI laws in Colorado can be found at NoDUIColorado.org. Learn more about CDOT’s dedication to keeping Colorado roads safe, including impaired driving enforcement objectives, arrest data and safety information at codot.gov/safety.

  • Colorado National Guard electromagnetic warfare squadron celebrates new facility

    BUCKLEY SPACE FORCE BASE, Colo. – The Colorado National Guard’s 138th Electromagnetic Warfare Squadron will host a ribbon-cutting ceremony to mark the opening of its new facility at Peterson Space Force Base, Colorado Springs, Colorado, at 9 a.m., Aug. 5, 2023.
    The ceremony represents the next step in Colorado Air National Guard Space operations and is the result of a multi-year effort by hundreds of individuals who have contributed to the occasion. This will be the permanent home of the 138th EWS and will be the foundation for unit, or according to their motto, “ghostrider,” operations for many years to come.
    “This ribbon-cutting ceremony, demonstrated by our squadron’s military construction project as ready for beneficial occupancy, symbolizes a major step toward the 138th Electromagnetic Warfare Squadron achieving full-operational capability,” U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Andrew Gold, commander, 138th EWS said. “This is a momentous event for our squadron, the 233rd Space Group, and the 140th Wing. This day would not be possible without the incredible dedication and support of the 140th Civil Engineering Squadron, 140th Wing Contracting Office, our National Guard Bureau partners, and numerous other individuals and agencies who helped see this project through to success.”
    The new facility provides 138th Airmen with a state-of-the-art building that will simultaneously increase readiness and modernization through more efficient training so they can focus on accomplishing their real-world mission. This will be a centralized location to train and prepare Colorado Guard members for their critical federal and state missions. From a strategic perspective, the 138th will be able to train more Guard members in a more efficient manner than currently exists.
    Air National Guard Space EW squadrons have consistently deployed to the U.S. Central Command and U.S. Africa Command theaters since 2018. The units typically deploy to Space EW Counter Communications Systems already in theater.
    The 138th Space Control Squadron stood up in May 2019 and has rapidly improved the training environment to create the most realistic wartime scenarios possible, preparing space professionals for future wartime missions.
    These Airmen remain unaligned with their natural Active Component mission partner, the U.S. Space Force.  The establishment of a Space National Guard would preserve the combat readiness of our ANG space units and leverage this capacity and resident space expertise to support our National Defense Strategy.
    ANG space units defend our nation on behalf of U.S. Space Command and combatant commanders across various mission areas: missile warning; space domain awareness; satellite command and control; military satellite communications; space electromagnetic warfare operations; space test and training; analysis of space intelligence.

  • Colorado State Patrol partners with local jurisdictions on statewide surge enforcement this Friday

    (COLORADO) – On Friday, August 4, 2023 CSP troops across the state will be partnering with local jurisdictions to reduce fatal crashes on the most traveled highways.  As the 100 deadliest days of travel begins to close, we know travelers are wanting to get in those last-minute trips before the kids go back to school.  It is our number one priority to ensure that everybody gets to their destinations safely.  There have been 8058 motorists contacted during surge enforcement efforts so far in 2023.  

    Enforcement efforts alone do not save lives.  We need your help.

    • Ensure all occupants in a vehicle are bucked up.  Being thrown from a vehicle in a rollover crash could end tragically.  
    • Drive safe.  This includes putting the distractions aside and focusing all of your attention on driving.  Don’t engage in road rage.  Let those dangerous drivers get safely around you and if possible, have a passenger notify *CSP
    • Always drive sober.  Whether you are impaired by alcohol, recreational drugs or prescription medications, they all impair your ability to safely operate a vehicle.  Never get behind the wheel impaired.