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The I-70 Scout & Eastern Colorado News

Category: Upcoming Events

  • Arapahoe County hosts public hearing on proposed commissioner district boundaries

    Citizens Redistricting Advisory Committee seeks public feedback 
     
    ARAPAHOE COUNTY, CO — Today, Arapahoe County will hold the first of five public meetings to present proposed commissioner district boundaries to County residents. By statute, county commissioner district boundaries must be redrawn every 10 years using data from the most recent United States Census.  
      
    The Citizens Redistricting Advisory Committee created four draft maps with the assistance of County mapping, census and legal professionals. The hearing will allow the public to review these maps and provide feedback to the Advisory Committee. This is not a working meeting; no decisions will be made. However, the Advisory Committee may alter draft maps based on comments received before presenting the drafts to the Board of County Commissioners. 
     
    After five public hearings, the BOCC will review the Advisory Committee’s draft maps in open session and may recommend further changes. The BOCC will then vote to decide which proposed map to adopt.  
     
    The Advisory Committee Chair Bill McCartin will be available to the media for interviews following the hearing.  
     
    Who:     Arapahoe County Citizens Redistricting Advisory Committee 

    What:   Public Engagement Hearing 

    When:  Thursday, April 6 at 6 p.m. 
    Where: Eloise May Library: 1471 S Parker Rd, Denver, CO 80231 
    Online: This meeting will be livestreamed on the Arapahoe County Facebook page: www.facebook.com/ArapahoeCounty. You do not need a Facebook account to go to the page and view the livestream. 

  • Celebrating National Agriculture Day, 2023

    Happy National Agriculture Day! I want to thank all of the farmers, ranchers, and Ag workers from across Colorado’s 4th Congressional district. These amazing producers and growers are the foundation of Colorado’s economy and work day and night to feed our families and communities. 
    Here on the Eastern Plains, we know just how important agriculture and ranching is to our communities and way of life. I am proud to say that my district, Colorado’s 4th Congressional District, is home to all of the top 10 agricultural counties in the state. Not only do our producers depend on their trade to feed their families, but we rely on them to put food on our tables, fuel our economy, foster our way of life, and feed American families. 
    Colorado boasts 69,032 agriculture producers who come from all walks of life, including nearly 8,100 veterans. The industry employs more than 195,000 people. These producers aren’t being brought out by big companies and names like Bill Gates, resembling what you may see nationwide. Instead, over 81% of farms in the state are owned by individual farmers, with only a small fraction being corporate owned. So, by supporting Colorado agriculture, you are supporting your neighbors, family, and friends.
    It’s an honor to represent and fight for so many hardworking Ag producers and growers from across Eastern Colorado in Congress. I hope you will join me in celebrating National Agriculture Day!
    God bless,
    Ken Buck
    Member of Congress (CO-04)

  • NRCS in CO Announces NEW Agricultural Conservation Easement Program – Agricultural Land Easement (ACEP-ALE) Application Signup Cut-off Date

    Fiscal Year 2023 ACEP-ALE Applications are due February 17, 2023

    DENVER, CO – Colorado Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) State Conservationist, Clint Evans, announced the 2023 application cut-off dates for eligible entities to participate in the Agricultural Conservation Easement Program – Agricultural Land Easement (ACEP-ALE) in Colorado. There is one signup offered for complete and eligible applications to compete for available funding.  Application packages are due on Friday, February 17, 2023, by 4:00 PM Mountain Standard Time (MST) for funding.  Ranking pools offered for parcel applications are General, Grasslands of Special Significance (GSS), GSS Gunnison Sage Grouse, GSS Greater Sage Grouse, and General Urban Agriculture

    The purpose of the ACEP-ALE program is to (1) protect the agricultural viability and related conservation values of eligible land by limiting nonagricultural uses of that land that negatively affect the agricultural uses and conservation values and (2) protect grazing uses and related conservation values by restoring or conserving eligible land.

    Applicants (eligible entities) must be a federally recognized Indian Tribe, state or local units of government, or a non-governmental organization. Applicants must have an established farmland protection program that purchases agricultural conservation easements for the purpose of protecting agriculture use and related conservation values by limiting conversion to nonagricultural uses of the land.

    USDA provides up to 50 percent of the appraised fair market value of the conservation easement in this voluntary program and up to 75 percent for qualifying Grasslands of Special Significance (GSS), including projects in Sage Grouse territory. The qualified landowner retains ownership and continues to use the land for agricultural purposes.

    To be eligible to receive ALE funding, eligible entity applicants must demonstrate a commitment to long-term conservation of agricultural lands; a capability to acquire, manage, and enforce easements; adequate staff capacity for monitoring and easement stewardship; and the availability of funds. All landowners of record and the land being offered for enrollment must also meet specific eligibility criteria as outlined in the application materials posted to the State ACEP website.

    Fully completed application packets must be received by no later than 4:00 PM MST on an advertised signup date to be considered. Application packets may be sent to the attention of Easements Program Manager, by email (preferred) to ; by FedEx or UPS to USDA-NRCS, Denver Federal Center, Building 56, Room 2604, Denver, CO 80225; or by USPS to USDA-NRCS, Denver Federal Center, PO Box 25426, Denver, CO 80225.

    Applications postmarked or time stamped after the deadline WILL NOT be accepted. Only fully completed and properly executed applications that are submitted by the signup date on the appropriate forms and accompanied by all required supporting documentation will be considered for funding in FY 2023. All qualified applications will be reviewed, ranked, and considered for funding according to the Final ACEP rule, policy, and guidance. Complete applications received after the cutoff date may be considered if another sign-up date is announced

    Incomplete applications WILL NOT be considered.

    For more information about ACEP-ALE, please contact Laura Trimboli at 970-403-6379 or .  You can also visit your local NRCS at your nearest USDA Service Center or visit the Colorado NRCS ACEP website.

  • NFIB to Oppose Spending Additional Money on UI Recipients’ Families

    Testimony tomorrow will remind legislators of the fragility of the Trust Fund and its sole purpose

    DENVER, Feb. 8, 2023—The state’s leading small-business association will testify tomorrow, February 9, against House Bill 1078 when it comes before the House Business Affairs & Labor Committee at 1:30 p.m.

    “Every working Coloradan has a stake in the health of the state’s Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund. It is from that pot of money that unemployment benefits are drawn from when needed,” said Tony Gagliardi, Colorado state director for the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB).

    “Colorado was one of 22 states that had to borrow from the federal government to keep its UI trust fund solvent, and we just recently paid Uncle Sam back, but with the help of another loan from a private bank. We cannot afford to expand the program, and it was never intended to include anyone other than the recipient who lost his or her job through no fault of their own. It’s also important to remember that employers – not employees – pay into the fund and increasing a cost to them when the small-business economy is extremely fragile is poor policy.

    “To be certain of our opposition to this bill, we sent our members a special poll asking them what they thought, and it came back with a 97% in opposition.”

    NOTE TO CAPITOL CORRESPONDENTS—Gagliardi will also testify in support of House Bill 1063, an income tax rate reduction, before the House State, Civic, Miliary &Veterans Affairs Committee, which convenes after adjournment of the floor session. 

    Keep up with the latest Colorado small-business news at www.nfib.com/colorado or by following NFIB on Twitter @NFIB_CO or on Facebook @NFIB.CO

  • Make Plans to Attend CLA’s Marshall Frasier Beef Symposium

    Cattle Market Outlook, Bureau of Animal Protection Update, Long-Range Weather, Beef Quality Assurance Certification and more!

    Aurora, CO – Register to attend the Marshall Frasier Beef Symposium next Wednesday, February 15, 2023, in Hugo, CO! This annual event, hosted by the Colorado Livestock Association, includes trade show exhibitors and a full day of informative presentations from experts across the industry.

    For the first time, Dr. Matthew May, Feedlot Health Management Services, will share how all sectors of the beef industry can harness the power of their data to drive decision-making. May will lead a discussion on how to think outside the box about data collection and how the beef industry can collaborate to move the industry forward.

    Dr. Rebecca Niemec, Manager of the Bureau of Animal Protection program, will provide producers with an update on program activities since she was appointed to the position last February.

    CattleFax Market Specialist, Troy Applehans, will be on hand to share a market outlook. CattleFax is an industry leader in research, analysis and information for beef, grains, energy and protein sectors, including pork and poultry, as well as trade.

    Back by popular demand, KKTV’s chief meteorologist and Weather5280‘s climate and long-range forecast specialist, Brian Bledsoe, will provide a forecast for Colorado farmers and ranchers to assist them in strategizing for the future.

    Need to renew your Beef Quality Assurance certification or earn a CLA Safety Group credit? Producers can receive both in the afternoon, led by Colorado BQA State Coordinator Libby Bigler.

    Attendance is free, but please register for lunch by February 10, 2023. Register online at www.coloradolivestock.org or call the CLA office at (970) 378-0500.

    CLA is able to provide high-caliber meetings and events because of the support of our agribusiness partners. We would like to recognize and thank our meeting sponsors!

    AGPROfessionals

    AgRisk Advisors

    Alltech

    American National Insurance

    Colorado Beef Council

    Flagler Cooperative Association

    Pinnacol Assurance

  • Colorado Missing Persons Day—February 3, 2023: Ceremony to be held at State Capitol

    January 31 – CBI – Lakewood, CO – Colorado Missing Persons Day is being honored with a series of events at the state Capitol building (200 E. Colfax Avenue) beginning at 9:00 a.m. on Friday, February 3, 2023. In addition to a Resolution being read at the Capitol, a prayer vigil will honor 589 individuals currently missing for a year or more in the State of Colorado.

    The Colorado Bureau of Investigation (CBI) will also post the list of those missing in Colorado to its website on the day of the event, as well as display a slide show featuring some missing person cases in the state.

    *Order of events at the State Capitol Building on February 3, 2023

    8:30 a.m. – Family members are invited to meet near the Senate Gallery

    9:00 a.m. – Family members will join the Senate in their chambers to observe the ceremony to designate February 4, 2023 as Colorado Missing Persons Day.

    9:45 a.m.  – 10:30 a.m. – Family members will join the House in their chambers to observe the ceremony to designate February 4, 2023 as Colorado Missing Persons Day.

    10:45 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.  (or at the conclusion of the Senate/House Sessions): A Prayer Vigil and the reading of the names of the missing will take place on the West Steps of the Colorado State Capitol Building.

    The ceremony will conclude with a Bubble Release.

    *Order and timing of events are dependent on weather. All updates about Colorado Missing Persons Day will be on the CBI website and on the Bureau’s Facebook and Twitter pages.

    “While Colorado law enforcement agencies have recorded a number of solved cold cases in the past year, we must never lose sight of the families still left without answers about their missing loved ones,” said CBI Director John Camper. “While we are making great strides in incorporating emerging technologies as part of some cold case investigations, we must continue to also focus our resources on supporting families who are navigating the myriad of challenges associated with having a missing loved one.”

    Family members and friends are asked to share a short tribute about their loved one on the Colorado Missing Person Day Memoriam page created in their honor.  (https://www.forevermissed.com/coloradomissingpersonsday/about)

    Colorado Missing Persons Day is sponsored by Colorado State Senators Rhonda Fields and Bob Gardner, along with House Majority Leader Monica Duran and House Minority Leader Rose Pugliese.

    Note: CBI Victim Advocates are available for any family member of those missing needing additional support during this difficult time. To contact a CBI Victim Advocate, please call (303) 239-4649.

  • Feb. 1 is National Energy Assistance Day

    Coloradans are encouraged to apply for energy assistance through LEAP

    DENVER (Jan. 30, 2023) — The Colorado Department of Human Services is celebrating Feb. 1 as National Energy Assistance Day. All potentially eligible Coloradans are encouraged to apply for Colorado’s Low-income Energy Assistance Program (LEAP), a federally funded program that helps save eligible households money by paying a portion of winter home heating bills.

    LEAP, a statewide program, helps keep Coloradans warm during the winter months by making a one-time payment directly to the utility company on behalf of each LEAP eligible household. Nearly 57,000 Colorado households have received LEAP benefits this season, a 15.8% increase over last year at this time. The average benefit is $441. Applications are accepted through May 1.

    “Recent data shows nearly 26 percent of Coloradans reported reducing basic expenses like food and medicine to pay their energy bills,”explains Theresa Kullen, LEAP program manager. “LEAP can help Coloradans with their high energy bills. We encourage Coloradans to find out if they qualify and apply to take advantage of the program’s many benefits.”

    In addition to home heating assistance, LEAP recipients may be eligible to receive furnace repair and replacement in heat-related emergencies, as well as weatherization services. LEAP recipients may also qualify for the Low-Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP), a temporary program that is part of the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). LIHWAP provides funds to make a one-time payment directly to the water vendor on behalf of eligible households who are facing eviction due to unpaid water bills or whose account is either in arrears or shut off, as long as funding is available and the water vendor is a LIHWAP participant. 

    To qualify for LEAP, Coloradans may have an income up to 60 percent of the state median income level, which equates to a household income of less than $66,468 a year for a family of four. Additionally, LEAP recipients must pay home heating costs directly to a utility company or landlord as part of their rent and have at least one U.S. citizen or permanent legal resident of the U.S. living in the household.

    Coloradans can access a LEAP application at cdhs.colorado.gov/LEAP, or by calling 1-866-HEAT-HELP (1-866-432-8435) to receive an application via mail or email, or by visiting their county human services office. 

  • CPW’s big game license distribution and preference point comment form live until February 20, 2023

    DENVER – Colorado Parks and Wildlife is considering changes to policies and regulations that direct the distribution of big game hunting licenses in Colorado. To help inform this process, CPW is looking for input from residents and nonresidents interested in big game hunting in Colorado.  

    CPW is encouraging the public to complete this comment form and share their thoughts on the current big game license distribution process. The comment form will be open through February 20, 2023. Results from this comment form will be shared with the Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commission to inform their decision-making process on big game license distribution.  

    Changes that are being considered: 

    • A preference point banking system
    • Averaging group applicant preference points
    • Updating the high-demand hunt code split from 80% to residents and 20% to nonresidents to 90% for residents and 10% for nonresidents
    • An across-the-board license allocation of 75% to residents and 25% to nonresidents 

    These topics under consideration were requested by the CPW Commission. The results of the comment form will be discussed with the Commission at its March 15-16, 2023 meeting. 

    Changes that have already been made: 
    In November 2022, the Parks and Wildlife Commission approved an update to big game license allocation. The three-year preference point average that is used to determine high-demand hunt codes that are allocated 80% to residents and 20% to nonresidents was updated such that CPW will use the most recent three years (with a one-year lag). 

    The Commission decided to retain the six preference point threshold used to determine high-demand hunt codes, which added about 1,200 deer and elk hunt codes to the 80/20 allocation of high-demand hunts. This change will be effective for the 2023 big game hunting season.

    Why is CPW evaluating big game license distribution now?
    Due to the complexity of the subject as well as on-going interest from stakeholders, the Parks and Wildlife Commission requested that license distribution be reviewed separately from the upcoming Big Game Season Structure. Members of the Colorado General Assembly also showed interest in making changes. 

  • Colorado Parks and Wildlife to Attend the 2023 Farm Show

    Colorado Parks and Wildlife to Attend the 2023 Farm Show

    CPW representatives accept “Best Big Educational Booth” award

    GREELEY, Colo. – Colorado Parks and Wildlife will host a workshop and operate an extensive booth at the 2023 Farm Show in Greeley. The Farm Show runs from Jan 24-26 at Island Grove Park. CPW will have representatives on hand to talk about state parks, hunter outreach, and education opportunities. 

    The CPW workshop will discuss wildlife conservation, private land ownership, and ways to support habitats. The workshop will be Thursday starting at 10 a.m. in meeting room C. CPW will also lead an Agriculture Roundtable to meet with producers and groups on the nuances of conserving Colorado’s natural resources.

    Agriculture producers are an important part of Colorado life, and agricultural lands provide important habitat for wildlife. CPW will engage with farmers, ranchers, and landowners, who have vital perspectives on pressing environmental and economic topics affecting the state.

    Additionally, CPW looks forward to defending the “Best Big Education Booth” award for the fifth year.

  • Colorado Air National Guard conducts night flying training

    BUCKLEY SPACE FORCE BASE, Colo. – The 140th Wing, Colorado Air National Guard, will conduct night flying training from Buckley SFB, Aurora, Colorado, Jan. 17- Feb.2, 2023.

    The Wing will conduct nighttime flying missions and arrive back at Buckley SFB as late as 10 p.m. Mountain Standard Time. The local community and adjacent communities can anticipate an increase in flight activity and noise level during this period from the F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft.

    “The F-16 fighter mission will be conducting night flying operations to maintain and increase our warfighting skills,” said 140th Wing Commander Col. Christopher Southard. “We must train to defend our state and nation in all types of conditions so we’re ready to support our commander-in-chief when needed. While there is an increase of noise and activity during the evening hours, we will do everything possible to minimize the impact on our community, and we appreciate your support as we perform this valuable training.

    “As members of the community, we value your support and patience during the nighttime phase of our training in the area. The safety and security of our nation is our top priority and falls in line with our motto: ‘Always ready, Always There.’”

    The Wing’s real-world mission and emergency response capability will not be affected and will take priority over training actions.