Category: Front Page

By Andrew Maciejewski, Summit Daily News

While post-tropical storm Harold has been downgraded as it makes its way inland from the Gulf of Mexico, it is making its presence known across Colorado as heavy rains fall across the state.
National Weather Service meteorologist Evan Direnzo said while most of the moisture from the defunct tropical storm should make its way out of Colorado by Saturday evening, lingering showers are expected to last through Tuesday.
“There will still be widespread showers, but it will be light rain over the High Country,” he said.
The extended forecast in Dillon calls for thunderstorms between noon and 3 p.m. Saturday, but the storms and lightning could linger into the evening. Thunderstorms are possible all the way up until midnight Saturday.
“The remnants of tropical storm Harold will move into Colorado on Friday with an abundance of moisture along with weak winds aloft resulting in the potential for widespread and slow-moving showers and thunderstorms,” OpenSnow meteorologist Alan Smith wrote in his blog post Friday. “A cold front sneaking into Northeast Colorado will also result in low-level upslope winds blowing from the east, which will favor the Colorado Front Range east of the Divide.”
Flash floods could be possible through Saturday, and wildfire burn scars, steep terrain and small streams will be the most susceptible to mudslides and flooding due to the heavy rainfall possible Saturday.
As far as temperatures, the cooling pattern is expected to wane later in the week.
“Temperatures from California to the Central Rockies will be on the cooler side of average on Friday and into the weekend before warming up early next week,” Smith wrote.
Storms will continue Sunday, with lightning possible before noon and also extending into the evening hours. Things will begin to clear out Sunday night and into early Monday morning, according to the current forecast, but with rain expected to pick up again in the morning, the break won’t last long.
Smith noted that although the rainfall should be lighter on Sunday, “thunderstorms may be more common with frequent lightning activity and locally heavy rain possible,” according to his blog.
Drier weather should appear Monday night and into Tuesday morning, making way for partly cloudy skies and highs in the 70s.
Another Gulf of Mexico system is making its way toward the U.S., and it is expected to gain power as it heads through the warm waters of the Gulf. However, this storm is expected to track toward Tampa, Florida.
The six to 10 day outlook for Colorado shows a possibility for above average precipitation while temperatures are expected to be above average.
Up at elevation, however, temperature forecasts show a potential for below-freezing temperatures, with a possiblity for now at high elevations, according to Mountain-Forecast.com.

By Colorado National Guard Public Affairs

CENTENNIAL, Colo. – The Colorado National Guard’s Director of Joint Staff, U.S. Army Brig. Gen. Scott Sherman, will promote to the rank of major general in a ceremony to be held at Wings Over the Rockies Exploration of Flight, Englewood, Colorado, at 4 p.m., Aug. 26, 2023.

A traditional howitzer salute will take place to honor the accomplishment.

Sherman directly supervises the Joint Staff and is the commander of the standing Joint Task Force-Centennial, responsible for leading the CONG response to domestic events as directed by the governor.

In his next assignment, Sherman will serve as commander of Contingency Command Post 1 and Task Force 51.  Task Force 51, a subordinate element of U.S. Army North, is a scalable, deployable command post that provides mission command options for routine and contingency operations in the U.S. Northern Command area of responsibility.

“Brigadier General Sherman has dedicated 23 years of service to the Colorado National Guard, serving at all echelons of our organization, and his impact on the mission success of the CONG cannot be understated,” Chief of Joint Staff U.S. Army Col. Will Diprofio said. “His vast experience in domestic operations, Defense Support to Civil Authorities, and his supreme leadership will undoubtedly be a huge asset to his new organization.  He will be greatly missed.”

During his time as director, Sherman was responsible for CONG support to the state’s historic COVID-19 response in 2020, the extreme cold weather event in December 2022, and multiple wildfires and other domestic response missions directed by the governor.

He is also credited with overseeing and strengthening the state’s partnerships with the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan and the Republic of Slovenia through the National Guard State Partnership Program.

Since graduating from the U.S. Military Academy in 1992 and commissioning as a field artillery officer, Sherman has dedicated more than 30 years of service to the U.S. military. He served on Active Duty in numerous operational and staff assignments, primarily in field artillery and operations.

Since joining the Colorado Army National Guard in September 2000, Sherman deployed several times, including as the effects coordinator for the 25th Infantry Division in Tikrit, Iraq.

His numerous awards and decorations include the Bronze Star and Legion of Merit.

DENVER – From August 21 – September 29, 2023, organizations helping instill a sense of wonder, excitement, and responsibility for the environment in Colorado youth can apply for financial support from the Colorado Outdoor Equity Grant Program (OEGP), which will award $2 million in Outdoor Equity Grants this December.

“Colorado is home to world-class outdoors areas, and we are making outdoor experiences more accessible for every Coloradan,” said Governor Polis. “By  helping more Coloradans spend healthy time outside, explore new interests, and learn about the outdoors, more children will thrive and access the fun and bright future they deserve.”

The OEGP was created through HB21-1318 sponsored by Representatives Leslie Herod and David Ortiz and Senators Leroy Garcia and Sonya Jaquez Lewis, and works to increase access to outdoor opportunities for all Coloradans. Through funding from the Colorado Lottery, the OEGP has invested over $3.1 million in grants supporting environmental learning opportunities, outdoor education, exposure to career pathways, public health, and outdoor fun for underserved youth and families.

“Colorado Parks and Wildlife is enthusiastic about supporting organizations across the state who are inspiring the next generation of outdoor stewards,” said CPW Director Jeff Davis. “We’ve received a tremendous response to this program since it began, and are excited to continue to invest in youth education and outdoor experiences through Outdoor Equity Grants.” 

Nonprofits, government entities, school districts, for-profits, and federally recognized tribes that wish to increase outdoor access for traditionally excluded youth (including youth from low-income and communities of color, LGBTQ+ youth, youth who are members of Tribal Nations with historical ties to Colorado, and youth with disabilities) can apply for grants up to $100,000.

In order to continue to support quality outdoor experiences for youth Colorado youth, organizations who have previously received Outdoor Equity Grant funding may reapply this year. Organizations who have spent more than half of their previously-awarded funds, or who plan to do so by September 29, are eligible to apply.

“Though Colorado is known as a hub for outdoor experiences, our recreation and conservation spaces do not yet reflect our state’s population,” said Benilda Samuels, Outdoor Equity Grant Board member. “Positive experiences in the outdoors are paramount to building a sense of belonging and responsibility for the environment in youth who have never been introduced to these opportunities. Outdoor Equity Grants support healing, health, and learning in the outdoors for a diverse group of tomorrow’s conservation leaders, so that they can fully engage in the stewardship of our state’s lands, waters, and wildlife.”

“We encourage all organizations whose mission includes increasing access to the outdoors for youth to apply and help Colorado continue to build a welcoming, inclusive, and accessible outdoors for all,” said Colorado Department of Natural Resources Executive Director Dan Gibbs. 

OEGP Board members, who were appointed for their experience with outdoor recreation, equity, and engaging the communities served with grant funds, will accept and review grant proposals from organizations that support outdoor activities and learning for Colorado youth; show cultural competence in working with a target population of the OEGP; demonstrate a commitment to justice, equity, diversity and inclusion; and propose to increase the capacity of the communities they serve in the outdoors and conservation. Organizations who show a deep commitment to and understanding of the youth they serve and who will help cultivate in youth a responsibility for the outdoors will be awarded grants on a competitive basis.

The OEGP Board is committed to providing funding to organizations that have traditionally been unable to apply for grant programs due to organizational barriers, and encourages organizations of all sizes and with diverse missions to apply. The board will provide applicant guidance through a virtual Q&A session for applicants on Thursday, August 31 at 10 a.m. The link to register for the Q&A session can be found on the OEGP website.

The Outdoor Equity Grant Program accepts applications for grants each fall. Last year, it distributed $3.1 million in funding to 69 organizations across the state. This year, the program will award approximately $2 million in grants. Beginning in 2024, the program will distribute approximately $2.75 million annually in Outdoor Equity Grants.

Groups can apply from August 21 – September 29, 2023. Find out more on the Outdoor Equity Grant Program website: https://cpw.info/outdoorequitygrant.

www.colorado.gov/governor

    
El Programa de Becas de Equidad en las Actividades al Aire Libre de la Administración de Polis y Parques y Vida Silvestre de Colorado distribuirán $2 millones para aumentar acceso al aire libre para jóvenes

DENVER – A partir del 21 de agosto – 29 de septiembre, las organizaciones que ayudan a inspirar la sensación de maravilla, el entusiasmo, y la responsabilidad para el medio ambiente en los jóvenes de Colorado pueden solicitar la ayuda financiera del programa de Becas de Equidad en las Actividades al Aire Libre de Colorado (OEGP, por sus siglas en inglés), que distribuirá $2 millones en becas este diciembre.

“Colorado es hogar de muchas áreas al aire libre reconocidas mundialmente, y estamos haciendo que las experiencias al aire libre sean más accesibles para todos los habitantes de Colorado”, dijo el gobernador Polis. “Al ayudar a más habitantes de Colorado a pasar el tiempo al aire libre, explorar el estado y aprender sobre actividades al aire libre, más niños prosperarán y tendrán acceso al futuro divertido y brillante que se merecen”.

El OEGP fue creado a través del Proyecto de Ley 21-1318 de la Cámarapatrocinado por los representantes Leslie Herod y David Ortiz y los senadores Leroy García y Sonya Jaquez Lewis, y aumenta el acceso a las oportunidades al aire libre para todos los habitantes de Colorado. A través de fondos de la Lotería de Colorado, el OEGP ha invertido más de 3,1 millones de dólares en subvenciones que apoyan a las oportunidades de aprendizaje ambiental, educación al aire libre, la introducción a las carreras profesionales, la salud pública, y la diversión al aire libre para los jóvenes y las familias desatendidas.

“Colorado Parks and Wildlife está entusiasmado de apoyar a las organizaciones en todo el estado que están inspirando a la próxima generación de administradores de nuestros recursos naturales”, dijo el director de CPW Jeff Davis. “Hemos recibido una tremenda respuesta a este programa desde que comenzó, y estamos muy contentos de seguir invirtiendo en la educación de los jóvenes y las experiencias al aire libre a través de becas de equidad en las actividades al aire libre.” 

Las organizaciones sin fines de lucro, las entidades gubernamentales, los distritos escolares, las empresas con fines de lucro y las tribus reconocidas por el gobierno federal que deseen aumentar el acceso al aire libre para los jóvenes tradicionalmente excluidos ( incluyendo los jóvenes de bajos ingresos y las comunidades de color, los jóvenes LGBTQ+, los jóvenes que son miembros de tribus con lazos históricos a Colorado, y los jóvenes con las discapacidades) pueden solicitar subvenciones de hasta 100.000 dólares.

Para seguir apoyando las experiencias al aire libre de los jóvenes de Colorado, las organizaciones que han recibido financiación de una Beca de Equidad en las Actividades al Aire Libre anteriormente pueden volver a solicitarlas este año. Las organizaciones que han gastado más de la mitad de sus fondos, o que planean hacerlo antes del 29 de septiembre, son elegibles para aplicar.

“Aunque Colorado es conocido como un centro de experiencias al aire libre, los esfuerzos de recreación y conservación aún no reflejan la población de nuestro estado”, dijo Benilda Samuels, miembro de la Junta de Becas de Equidad en las Actividades al Aire Libre. “Las experiencias positivas en la naturaleza son fundamentales para crear un sentido de pertenencia y responsabilidad por el medio ambiente en los jóvenes que nunca han tenido acceso a estas oportunidades. Las subvenciones Outdoor Equity Grants apoyan la curación, la salud y el aprendizaje al aire libre para un grupo diverso de los líderes del futuro, para que puedan participar de forma plena en la administración de las tierras, las aguas y la vida silvestre de nuestro estado.”

“Animamos a todas las organizaciones cuya misión incluya aumentar el acceso de los jóvenes a las actividades al aire libre a que soliciten el programa y ayuden a que Colorado siga construyendo un lugar acogedor, inclusivo y accesible para todos”, dijo el director ejecutivo del Departamento de Recursos Naturales de Colorado, Dan Gibbs. 

Los miembros de la Junta de la OEGP, que fueron nombrados por su experiencia en actividades recreativas al aire libre, equidad e involucración de las comunidades beneficiarias de los fondos de subvención, aceptarán y revisarán las solicitudes de las organizaciones que apoyen las actividades al aire libre y el aprendizaje de los jóvenes de Colorado; muestren competencia cultural en el trabajo con una población objetivo de la OEGP; demuestren un compromiso con la justicia, la equidad, la diversidad y la inclusión; y propongan aumentar la capacidad de las comunidades a las que atienden en las actividades al aire libre y la conservación. Se concederán subvenciones a las organizaciones que demuestren un profundo conocimiento de los jóvenes a los que sirven y que ayuden a cultivar en los jóvenes la responsabilidad por las actividades al aire libre.

La Junta del OEGP se compromete a proporcionar financiación a organizaciones que tradicionalmente no han podido solicitar programas de subvenciones debido a barreras organizativas, y anima a organizaciones de todos los tamaños y con misiones diversas a que presenten su solicitud. La Junta ofrecerá ayuda a los solicitantes mediante una sesión virtual de preguntas y respuestas el jueves 31 de agosto a las 10.00. El enlace para inscribirse en la sesión de preguntas y respuestas se encuentra en el sitio web del OEGP.

El Programa de Subvenciones para la Equidad en las Actividades al Aire Libre acepta solicitudes de subvención cada otoño. El año pasado, distribuyó 3,1 millones de dólares en financiación a 69 organizaciones de Colorado. Este año, el programa concederá aproximadamente 2 millones de dólares en subvenciones. A partir de 2024, el programa distribuirá aproximadamente 2,75 millones de dólares anuales en subvenciones para la equidad en las actividades al aire libre.

Los grupos pueden aplicar del 21 de agosto al 29 de septiembre de 2023. Más información en el sitio web del Programa de Subvenciones para la Equidad en las Actividades al Aire Libre: https://cpw.info/outdoorequitygrant.

Run, drink, eat and support preserving trails in the County,  

 

ARAPAHOE COUNTY, CO—Aug. 23, 2023— Arapahoe County Open Spaces hosts 5K Trail Run presented by Les Schwab Tires, Thursday, Aug. 24 at Tagawa Gardens (7711 S. Parker Road) from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. 

 

Lace up your sneaks for a timed 5K trail run beginning at Tagawa Gardens, running along the Cherry Creek Regional Trail and finishing back at Tagawa Gardens. Funds support trail maintenance and Arapahoe County Open Spaces. Includes dinner, craft beer or sports drink, and live music at the finish line. 

 

This event is for everyone, whether walking or running with a dog or stroller, enjoy the combination of paved and dirt trails along the Cherry Creek Regional Trail. Register online for $25 or $30 at the event.  

 

For tickets and more information visit: 5K Trail Run 

 

Who:     Arapahoe County Open Spaces 

 

What:   5K Trail Run presented by Les Schwab Tires 

 

When:  Thursday, Aug. 24, 5:30-7:30 P.M.  

 

Where: Tagawa Gardens (7711 S. Parker Road Centennial, CO 80016) 

 

When the COVID-19 pandemic arrived in the United States at the beginning of 2020, quarantine and social distancing regulations caused consumer behaviors to change dramatically. Many stores and restaurants were required to close down temporarily, and only able to reopen with limited capacity and increased safety regulations. Several other businesses that were deemed non-essential—such as beauty salons and barber shops—were unable to operate for an even longer period.

As a result, many Americans were able to save money during the pandemic. When stimulus checks and other financial relief began reaching bank accounts—from the first payment in March 2020 to the third round in March 2021—many households were able to improve their financial situations by increasing savings and paying down debt.

As businesses closed down during the pandemic, a large number of Americans also experienced financial difficulties due to layoffs and furloughs from their employers. However, to help ease financial burdens caused by the pandemic, state and federal governments offered additional types of financial relief, such as forbearance on several types of loans. For example, student loan forbearance has been extended for over 3 years, with payments to resume in October 2023. Delinquent student loan balances decreased dramatically, from more than 9% of student loan balances being transitioned into delinquency in Q4 2019—the final quarter before the COVID-19 virus was confirmed in the U.S.—to a low of just over 1% in Q1 2022.

Additionally, many auto lenders provided this same type of relief, permitting their borrowers to skip several monthly payments and make them up at the end of their loan. As a result, auto loans also saw a decrease in delinquency, from nearly 7% of loan balances in Q4 2019 to a low of less than 5% in Q4 2021.

Delinquencies on credit card balances and loans can quickly impact an individual’s credit score. Experian reports that 35% of a FICO credit score is calculated based on payment history. And as delinquencies on loans decreased, Americans saw large increases in their credit scores. Millennials benefitted the most, with an increase of 19 points between 2019 and 2022, but they were followed closely by Generation X with an increase of 18 points over the same time period. The Silent Generation—the generation with the highest average credit score—saw the lowest percentage change in credit scores with an increase of just 3 points.

Many COVID-19 regulations and relief options varied by state, leading to varied financial impacts around the country. Additionally, the virus—and its effects on public health—spread unevenly across the United States, sometimes contributing to prolonged restrictions in some areas more than others. While the average credit score in the West region of the U.S. increased by nearly 1.9%, the Northeast—once home to the early epicenter of COVID-19 in the U.S.—was slower to lift pandemic restrictions and experienced a slower economic recovery.

At the individual state level, Idaho, Alaska, Arizona, and Nevada led the nation with average credit score increases of 2.3%—an increase of 16 points. At the other end of the spectrum, North Dakota (+0.8%) and South Dakota (+1.0%) had the smallest credit score increases, but both had an average credit score of 727 in 2019, the highest credit scores at that time behind only Minnesota.

The data used in this analysis is from Experian and the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System. To determine the states with the biggest increase in credit scores during COVID, researchers at Upgraded Points calculated the percentage change in average credit score from full-year 2019 to September 2022. In the event of a tie, the state with the greater total change in average credit score during the same time period was ranked higher.

Here is a summary of the data for Colorado:

• Percentage change in average credit score (2019–2022): +1.7%
• Total change in average credit score (2019–2022): +12
• Average credit score in 2022: 730
• Average credit score in 2019: 718
• Average household debt-to-income ratio (2022): 1.954

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

• Percentage change in average credit score (2019–2022): +1.6%
• Total change in average credit score (2019–2022): +11
• Average credit score in 2022: 714
• Average credit score in 2019: 703
• Average household debt-to-income ratio (2022): 1.558

For more information, a detailed methodology, and complete results, see States With the Biggest Increase in Credit Scores During COVID on Upgraded Points.

CPW officers prepare to relocate a bear

DENVER – Black bears in Colorado are entering hyperphagia and will spend up to 20 hours a day trying to search out and eat as much food as possible as they fatten up for winter. In the coming months, it is critical that people are vigilant and proactive in removing all attractants from outside homes and campsites in order to prevent conflicts and encounters with black bears. 

Twenty chicken sandwiches, 10 large orders of french fries, 10 soft drinks and 10 milkshakes is the approximate fast food order needed to total 20,000 calories. That is how many calories hyperphagia, an increase in feeding activity driven by biological need, drives a hungry black bear to consume every single day as they pack on the pounds to build up their fat reserves to survive the winter.

Over half of bear incident reports in 2022 occurred in the months of August, September and October. And as bears begin this annual quest to prepare for winter and hunt for food, Coloradans may see more bear activity in urban areas. 

Reported conflicts with bears most commonly result from attractants such as trash, bird seed, pet food, and barbecue grills. When bears become too comfortable around people, they can destroy property or even become a threat to human safety.

“Research shows that bears prefer natural sources of food. But they will seek out sources of human-provided food if it’s available which can become dangerous to humans,” said CPW Northwest Region Senior Wildlife Biologist Brad Banulis. “Preventing bears from relying on human food sources takes a community effort, and it’s important that we all take proactive steps to limit human food sources in order to avoid any possible conflicts with bears and bear-proof our homes.” 

A black bear’s natural diet consists of berries, fruits, nuts, plants and grasses that grow naturally in the foothills and forests. When natural sources of food become scarce, a bear’s drive to search for food can overcome its fear of humans.

Significant portions of Colorado experienced abundant rainfall throughout the spring and summer, leading to ample natural food production for bears in the form of acorns, berries and other forage. Despite this, bears will still be more active in the coming months as they search for much needed calories to survive the winter, pushing some to venture toward homes and campsites.

Become Bear Aware
Colorado Parks and Wildlife offers a reminder that by taking some simple precautions, you can avoid human/wildlife conflicts and help to keep bears wild. 

CPW offers printable resources on our website and encourages you to share these materials and talk to your neighbors about being Bear Aware.

Bear-proofing your home:

• Keep garbage in a well-secured location. Only put out garbage on the morning of pickup.
• Clean garbage cans regularly to keep them free of food odors: ammonia is effective.
• Keep garage doors closed. Do not leave pet food or stock feed outside.
• Use a bear-resistant trash can or dumpster.
• Bird feeders are a major source of bear/human conflicts. Attract birds naturally with flowers and water baths. Do not hang bird feeders from April 15 to Nov. 15.
• Don’t allow bears to become comfortable around your house. If you see one, haze it by yelling at it, throwing things at it and making loud noises to scare it off.
• Secure compost piles. Bears are attracted to the scent of rotting food.
• Clean the grill after each use, and clean up thoroughly after cookouts.
• If you have fruit trees, don’t allow the fruit to rot on the ground.
• Talk to your neighbors and kids about being Bear Aware.

Cars, traveling and campsites:

• Lock your doors when you’re away from home and at night.
• Keep the bottom-floor windows of your house closed when you’re not at home.
• Do not keep food in your vehicle; roll up windows and lock the doors of your vehicles.
• When car-camping, secure all food and coolers in a locked vehicle.
• Keep a clean camp, whether you’re in a campground or in the backcountry.
• When camping in the backcountry, hang food 100 feet or more from the campsite; don’t bring any food into your tent.
• Cook food well away from your tent; wash dishes thoroughly.

Protecting your chickens, bees, livestock:

• Keep chickens, bees and livestock in a fully covered enclosure, especially at night.
• Construct electric fencing when possible.
• Don’t store livestock feed outside.
• Keep enclosures clean to minimize animal odors.
• Hang rags soaked in ammonia and/or Pine-Sol around the enclosure as a scent deterrent.

CPW asks all residents and visitors to help save Colorado’s bears by being actively bear aware throughout the late summer and fall seasons. Bear conflicts and, unfortunately, bear euthanization is most often traced back to human behavior. It is all of our responsibility to help minimize risks to humans and bears alike by being mindful of our impacts.

For more information on bears in Colorado, visit cpw.state.co.us/bears. If you have questions or need to report bear problems, call your nearest CPW office.

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]

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:

• Application is available here: 2023 Shooting Range Small Grant Application
• Contact your local CPW wildlife office at least three weeks prior to the application deadline to discuss the details of your proposed project. Call the Hunter Education Office at 303-291-7470 for more information.
• During this review period, applicants may be asked to explain, revise, or expand their application. Be sure to make any changes in a timely manner.
• Forward your completed application to the Hunter Education office by 5 p.m. on September 29, 2023.
• By Mail: Colorado Parks and Wildlife ATTN: Hunter Education to 6060 Broadway, Denver, CO 80216
• By Email:

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 .

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.