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The I-70 Scout & Eastern Colorado News

Category: Front Page

  • 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.

  • Remaining big game hunting licenses go on sale August 1 at 9 a.m.

    Photo courtesy of Wayne D. Lewis/CPW
    DENVER – The big (game) day is almost here! Hunters mark their calendars for the first Tuesday in August each year to take a shot at any big game hunting licenses remaining after the primary and secondary draws. Remaining licenses for 2023 are placed on the leftover list and will become available for purchase on August 1 at 9 a.m. Mountain Time. Over-the-counter licenses for elk, bear, archery pronghorn, and whitetail deer will go on sale at the same time.

    Licenses go on sale online, over the phone, and in-person at CPW offices and sales locations all at once. Limited licenses are first come first served and this is the first opportunity to get a big game hunting license outside of the draw process. 

    Licenses that will become available include:

    • Limited licenses leftover after the primary and secondary draws for elk, deer, pronghorn and bear
    • Limited elk, deer, pronghorn, and bear licenses that someone drew but surrendered or did not pay for during the secondary draw that took fewer than five resident preference points
    • Limited licenses that were returned for refund/preference point restoration since the opening of the secondary draw but prior to July 24 and took fewer than five resident preference points to draw
    • Over-the-counter (OTC) licenses for elk, archery pronghorn, whitetail deer, and bear

    Preparing for sales day
    CPW locations and sales agents will be very busy that morning, so try to get prepared ahead of time.

    Log into the online system a few days prior to sales day to ensure your information, such as email and mailing address, is up-to-date. If you have any problems getting into your account, contact CPW ahead of time for assistance. 

    Have your hunt codes and credit/debit card number ready. Check the leftover list, write down all hunt codes you are interested in, and list them with your most coveted licenses first.

    If you call the CPW sales line for your purchase, be prepared for extended wait times and have all of your information – including hunt codes – ready. The sales line representatives will not be able to look up hunt codes for you.  

    Inventory held in shopping cart
    When you enter a hunt code and confirm it, that hunt code is “held” for you in the cart for 15 minutes or until you process the transaction, whichever comes first. If the time is allowed to expire, another customer can hold/purchase that hunt code.

    Keep the inventory hold system in mind when attempting to purchase licenses from multiple species. Licenses are held in your cart for 15 minutes. Be sure to pay within that timeframe or licenses become available for someone else.

    Queuing system
    CPW’s licensing vendor Aspira utilizes a virtual queuing program, called Queue-It, to mitigate the load on the system. While products go on sale at 9 a.m., customers who are on the site and logged in up to an hour prior will be placed in the queue. Do not go further than the residency page until 9 a.m.or you will be moved to the back of the queue.

    Additional information
    You can only purchase for one person at a time, so it may be necessary to work on multiple devices if you are purchasing for multiple people like your children or spouse.

    For each species, hunters are limited to one list A and one list B, or two list B licenses. If you received a list A license from the primary or secondary draw, you are only eligible for a list B or list C license. If you received a list B or list C from the primary or secondary draw, you are eligible for either a list A, list B or list C license.

    Because the online leftover list updates every 5 – 10 minutes, a hunt code may still be listed as available, even if it is sold out. 

    Where to purchase
    CPW strongly suggests hunters purchase their licenses online at cpwshop.com.CPW offices and sales locations use the same system as you do at home.

    Head to cpwshop.com and get logged in to your account up to an hour before 9 a.m. on August 1 so you’re ready to purchase when the licenses go on sale. You can call in and purchase at 1-800-244-5613, but know there will be long wait times.

    More information on the leftover list and over-the-counter licenses is available on the CPW website. 

    Additional licenses will become available as part of our reissue processbeginning August 9.

  • Female Suspect in the Parental Kidnapping Arrested

    On July 21, 2023, law enforcement was able to track down the female suspect Clarissa Gardette to a hotel in the Houston, Texas, area where she was taken into custody and is being held at the Harris County, Texas Jail on several warrants: Violation of Child Custody – $50,000 bond, Failure to Appear – $4,000 bond and Contempt of Court – $100,000 Bond where she is awaiting extradition to Colorado. The missing children and male suspect Howard Myles are still at large and are believed to be in the Houston, TX or Baton Rouge, LA area where they both have family. The male suspect is wanted for Violation of Child Custody – $15,000 bond and Contempt of Court – $100,000 bond. Howard could be driving the female suspect’s Gold 2005 Honda Pilot or could be in a 2004 – 2008 Gold Pontiac Grand Prix with a sunroof and Black Wheels. Investigators are asking family members and the public that may have information to contact the Arapahoe County Sheriff’s Office Tip Line at 720-874-8477 or Metro Denver Crime Stoppers at 720-913-STOP(7867).

    The Arapahoe County Sheriff’s Office and its Investigators would like to thank our local and federal partners in Colorado and Texas for their continued assistance in attempting to locate the young children safely.

     

  • CPW Day of Giving, donate today to support Colorado’s outdoors


    Give back to the outdoor spaces we love.
    Support Colorado Parks and Wildlife and donate today!

    DENVER – Today, Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) is hosting its first CPW Day of Giving, a 24-hour fundraising campaign to raise funds for CPW programs and projects.

    Donors make a big difference in the work of CPW. Every contribution goes a long way to help protect our wildlife and natural spaces, support our state parks and outdoor recreational opportunities, and introduce new people to all the wonders of Colorado’s great outdoors.

    All dollars raised through the Day of Giving will sponsor CPW programs and projects. Below are five programs our donors help support:

    • Agents of Discovery is an augmented reality gaming platform, inspired by Pokémon GO, that provides free self-guided experiences to learn about our state parks in fun and engaging ways. Agents of Discovery is available at 14 Colorado state parks and guests have played more than 17,700 missions.
    • Colorado’s Conservation Data Explorer (CODEX) is an interactive mapping tool that hosts critical natural resource data for conservation planners and decision-makers in Colorado. The project allows users to screen a project area for potential impacts on threatened, endangered and special concern species and their habitats. CODEX brings together data to support conservation planning, recreation planning, the conservation easement process, environmental review, evaluation of conservation portfolios, education and more.
    • Macroinvertebrate Monitoring: River Watch is a CPW program composed of volunteers from 122 different public, private, and charter school groups, watershed organizations, and dedicated individuals who monitor 274 river sites throughout Colorado. Each year these volunteers gather the samples that provide CPW scientists with data about aquatic habitat quality, including measuring the levels of nutrients and metals in streams.
    • CPW K9 Program: CPW has three extraordinary officers that come to work on four legs. K9s Cash, Sampson, and Sci put their talents to use helping their two-legged colleagues find and gather evidence in poaching cases, release bears that are being relocated away from populated areas to safer spaces, and have even sniffed out endangered species like Boreal Toads and Black Footed Ferrets. They also are some of CPW’s most popular teachers and participate in educational presentations at schools and communities across the state.
    • The Aquatic Toxicology Program has allowed CPW to increase the technical and scientific services provided and conduct much-needed research on Western Slope threatened and endangered fish species. From invasive species like zebra mussels to monitoring survival and stress hormones of Cutthroat Trout, measuring the effect of water temperature on Colorado’s native fish populations, and extensive sampling of the state’s fish hatcheries, the Aquatic Toxicology Program is providing valuable data to improve water quality policies and inform management decisions.

    For more information on CPW’s philanthropy program, visit cpw.state.co.us/donate.

  • 2023’s Best Cities for Cornhole Lovers

    Which cities offer the best access to casual and competitive cornhole games?

    LawnStarter ranked 2023’s Best Cities for Cornhole Lovers to mark the 2023 American Cornhole Organization Worlds (July 24–29) and the American Cornhole League World championships (July 29–Aug. 6).

    We compared the 200 biggest U.S. cities based on three categories. We looked at access to cornhole venues, park and yard space, clubs, and tournaments, among 10 total metrics.

    See the 10 best (and 10 worst) cities for cornhole fans below, followed by key stats from our report.

    Key Insights:

    • Texas Throwdown: Houston tossed to the top with the most cornhole clubs and the 3rd-highest number of cornhole venues. Space City also hosted 374 cornhole tournaments in the past year, the 6th-highest number in our ranking.
    • California Catapults: 25 Golden State cities cast their way into the first half of our ranking. Folks don’t need their own boards in San Jose (No. 9), which offers the most cornhole venues. Sunny San Diego (No. 2) tied with Phoenix (No. 3) for the most American Cornhole League (ACL) Directors.
    • Tourney Time: Wichita, Kansas (No. 102), hosted the most cornhole tournaments in the past year — an astounding 666. Indianapolis (No. 4) follows with 564 tournaments, while Albuquerque, New Mexico (No. 112), claims the 3rd-highest number, 541. These are a mix of casual and competitive events hosted by local leagues.
    • Professional Pitches: Salem, Oregon (No. 40) — the only Beaver State city to finish in the top 100 — scheduled the most ACL events so far for the upcoming year, followed by Chicago (No. 17) and Chesapeake, Virginia (No. 13). Players compete in these events if they aspire to qualify for the ACL World Championships.
    • Virginia Is for Cornhole Lovers: Five Old Dominion cities launched in the upper half of our leaderboard, with Virginia Beach (No. 6) ranking in the top 10. Resort City offers the best overall Access, with plenty of park and yard space, as well as the 2nd-highest number of cornhole venues.
    • Big-City Interest: New York (No. 52), Los Angeles (No. 14), and Houston (No. 1) boast the top three highest cornhole-related Google search volumes, respectively. Unfortunately, New Yorkers and Angelenos have scarce Access to cornhole venues and spacious backyards. NYC also lacks ACL leagues and directors.

    Helpful Links: