Blog

CSU’s Salazar Center presents inaugural International Symposium on Conservation Impact Sept. 24

Colorado State University’s Salazar Center for North American Conservation is hosting the inaugural International Symposium on Conservation Impact, featuring former U.S. Interior Secretary Ken Salazar, Colorado Gov. Jared Polis, CSU System Chancellor Tony Frank, and a broad range of conservation experts from Canada to Mexico.

The symposium is set for Tuesday, Sept. 24, the first day of the 2019 Biennial of the Americas Festival, at the McNichols Civic Center Building in downtown Denver. It will convene thought leaders in conservation policy, practice, and research around the theme of landscape connectivity across the continent and will establish a forum to track, incent, recognize, and reward progress on conservation challenges in North America.

The Center also will announce a significant competitive prize for conservation impact at the symposium.

“In the face of global warming, the alarming disappearance of biodiversity and healthy connected ecosystems, and a growing world population that now exceeds 7.5 billion people, the Center looks to invest in cutting-edge ideas and world-class conservation leaders to pioneer projects that address these increasingly urgent challenges. These approaches are needed today more than ever,” said Beth Conover, director of CSU’s Salazar Center for North American Conservation.

Symposium focus

With its continent-wide focus on landscape conservation and connections across borders, the symposium will bring together a range of stakeholders from the United States, Canada, and Mexico to build bridges between academic research, on-the-ground practice, and policy in the conservation space.

Recognizing that conservation efforts must also engage the interests of a broad and inclusive set of constituencies in order to be successful, the Center aims to bring more and new voices into the conversation, including many of whom have previously been unheard or excluded.

The Salazar Center’s efforts are bolstered by its home within CSU. A land-grant institution, CSU is a respected leader in environmental and conservation research and is recognized for its preeminent conservation programs and interdisciplinary strength.

The Salazar Center has seeded partnerships with a robust community of faculty and staff who are working on conservation-related issues, and this network continues to grow. The Center will ultimately be headquartered at CSU’s complex at the National Western Center, an unprecedented space for researchers and stakeholders from various backgrounds and from around the world to collaborate on issues at the intersection of water, food, sustainability, and human and animal health.

Speakers and tickets

Keynote speakers and panelists at the symposium will include: former U.S. Interior Secretary (and Center namesake) Ken Salazar, Colorado Gov. Jared Polis, Denver Mayor Michael Hancock, CSU System Chancellor Tony Frank, CSU President Joyce McConnell, Gary Tabor (Center for Large Landscape Conservation), Cristina Mormorunni (Wildlife Conservation Society), Mark Anderson (The Nature Conservancy), Ruth Musgrave (National Council of Environmental Legislators), Loren Bird Rattler (Blackfeet Nation), Exequiel Ezcurra (University of California Institute for Mexico and the United States), Eli Enns (Iisaak Olam Foundation), and Leigh Whelpton (Conservation Finance Network), with additional speakers to be announced soon.

The symposium and incentive prize are made possible with support from the Trinchera Blanca Foundation, an affiliate of The Moore Charitable Foundation, founded by Louis Bacon; CSU; the Biennial of the Americas; the Center for Large Landscape Conservation; the Bohemian Foundation; the Kendeda Fund; Denver Parks and Recreation; New Belgium Brewing; and a number of generous individual donors.

Tickets are available at regonline.com/conservationimpact2019.

About the Salazar Center

CSU established the Salazar Center for North American Conservation in 2017 with help from former U.S. Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar, and with a significant gift from the Bohemian Foundation and support from CSU alumni Patrick Phillips.

The Center, housed in CSU’s School of Global Environmental Sustainability, seeks to build bridges between science, practice, and policy that will inform conservation decisions for years to come.

For more information, contact Catie Boehmer at .

SPREAD THE NEWS

COMMENT, Like, Follow & SHARE @I70Scout

CURRENT EDITION

WEATHER & TRAFFIC PUZZLES RECENT NEWS ADVERTISE WITH US

September 2, 2019
Unstable Housing Market Hurts Health of Coloradans

DENVER — A new analysis of housing trends in Colorado reveals that the health of Coloradans is closely tied to access to affordable, stable, accessible and quality housing. Residents across the state have been harmed by the rapid increase in housing costs, and that pinch has been acute for seven distinct demographic groups, the report found.

The report details how housing instability has a direct negative effect on the health and well-being of people of color, Coloradans with low incomes, families with children, people in rural areas, people with disabilities, immigrants without documentation and Coloradans experiencing homelessness. The report, “Home Equity: A Vision of Housing Security, Health and Opportunity” was produced by the Colorado Health Institute in partnership with a cohort of 18 Colorado nonprofit organizations. The average Colorado home price increased 77 percent in the past decade, researchers found, yet the state’s median income increased just 4.5 percent.

“Colorado is frequently called one of the healthiest states in the nation,” said Stephanie Perez-Carrillo, Policy Analyst at the Colorado Children’s Campaign, one of the 18 organizations in the Health Equity Advocacy Cohort. “However, health isn’t uniformly available to all Coloradans—and we see after compiling this report that barriers to health often start with housing. Your race, ability, geography or any other factor should not determine whether you have an affordable, stable, accessible and quality place to call home.”

The Health Equity Advocacy Cohort is a partnership of 18 organizations located across Colorado and funded by The Colorado Trust. The goal of the cohort is to build a diverse field of advocates who, together, improve health equity through changes in public policy. The cohort hired the Colorado Health Institute to research and write the report in partnership with members and other stakeholders.

“We believe this report provides the most comprehensive collection of evidence about how housing affects the health of Coloradans. We at CHI have learned a lot from this research, and we think it help make a strong case about the need for secure housing in Colorado,” said Michele Lueck, president of the Colorado Health Institute.

To improve housing opportunities throughout the state, the report outlines 11 promising policy ideas created in partnership with affected communities that state and local policymakers should consider. They range from local to state-level solutions and include ways to correct historic and current policies that have created today’s inequitable systems.

An embargoed report is attached. The full report will be available to the public at coloradohealthinstitute.org on Sept. 3, 2019.

SPREAD THE NEWS

COMMENT, Like, Follow & SHARE @I70Scout

CURRENT EDITION

WEATHER & TRAFFIC PUZZLES RECENT NEWS ADVERTISE WITH US

September 2, 2019
WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT MONTH KICKS OFF SEPTEMBER 1ST

(DENVER) — September is National Workforce Development Month and the month-long celebration will feature workshops, open houses, hiring events (both in person and online), employer seminars, presentations and symposiums throughout Colorado.

The Colorado Department of Labor and Employment (CDLE), state and county-run Workforce Centers and partners will be showcasing resources and services to both employers and jobseekers, while also highlighting initiatives and career opportunities within some of Colorado’s key industries.

The first week of Workforce Development Month is focused on apprenticeships, where CDLE will be highlighting apprenticeship opportunities throughout the state. Apprenticeships across many industries continue to emerge nationally. In the years ahead, apprenticeships will play a significant role in virtually all industries and, in fact, in the future of work.

In weeks two, three and four, Workforce Development Month will concentrate on several industries that are having a broad, statewide impact on Colorado’s future. The second week will be devoted to the education sector, with an emphasis on career paths, specifically within early childhood education. Week three will spotlight healthcare and week four will target energy.

Just a few of the scheduled events include:

Wednesday, Sept 4: Seven Steps to Getting the Job You Want (Greeley)

8:30am – 12:30 pm, 918 10th St, Greeley, CO 80631

Thursday, Sept 5: Correctional Services Hiring Event (La Junta)

9am – 11am, La Junta Workforce Center, 308 Santa Fe Ave, La Junta, CO 81050

Tuesday, Sept 10: Government Job Fair (Englewood)

1pm – 4pm, 1000 Englewood Parkway, Englewood, CO 80110

Wednesday, Sept 11: Job Search Safari (Boulder)

9am – 12pm, 5755 Central Ave, Suite B, Boulder, CO 80301

Wednesday, Sept 18: Path to Payday Job Fair (Denver)

11am – 1pm, 1200 Federal Blvd, Richard Castro Building, 1st floor, Denver, CO 80204

A full calendar of events and Colorado Workforce Center locations is available at www.COWorkforce.gov. Throughout the month, events will also be posted to CDLE’s Facebook and Twitter pages.

SPREAD THE NEWS

COMMENT, Like, Follow & SHARE @I70Scout

CURRENT EDITION

WEATHER & TRAFFIC PUZZLES RECENT NEWS ADVERTISE WITH US

September 1, 2019
Colorado State University remains first in public engagement in 2019 Sustainable Campus Index

Colorado State University has once again been recognized as a leading performer in the 2019 Sustainable Campus Index, achieving the highest spot in public engagement. CSU was also recognized for research and campus engagement, and ranked fourth overall for universities that grant doctoral degrees.

The Sustainable Campus Index, published by the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education, recognizes top-performing colleges and universities overall and in 17 sustainability impact areas, as measured by the Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Rating System, also known as STARS.

The index also highlights innovative and high-impact initiatives from institutions that submitted STARS reports in the most recent calendar year.

Among the highlights, CSU tied for second place with 18 other universities in the research category, and shared third place spot in campus engagement with four universities. Nearly 80 percent of departments at CSU engage in sustainability research.

CSU ranked fifth in well-being and work, which includes student and employee wellness programs and employee compensation, satisfaction, health and safety. The University also placed eighth in curriculum, which covers courses, living laboratory initiatives, immersive experiences, sustainability literacy and faculty development.

Lynn Johnson, vice president for university operations, said CSU’s decision to invest in sustainability and related efforts is based on a passion to protect the environment and people. Everyone in the university community helps to encourage sustainability, she said.

“The efforts we’ve made include students, faculty, staff, the city of Fort Collins and our researchers,” Johnson added. “We once again ranked as a top performer because everyone comes together to collaborate on and advocate for sustainability.”

Engaging the public

CSU Extension offers numerous classes on sustainability topics across the state, including energy and climate change, transportation alternatives, home energy audits and building efficiency.

In addition, the University has aligned its climate action plan goals with the city of Fort Collins. CSU also partners with the city on ClimateWise, a free, voluntary program that offers solutions to help businesses save money and gain recognition for achievements in energy and water conservation, waste reduction, alternative transportation and social responsibility.

CSU’s Eco Leaders — peer educators who raise awareness about sustainability and encourage environmentally responsible behaviors by students — manage recycling stations during move in. And the student-led Zero Waste Team hosts waste diversion and up-cycling events at football games at Canvas Stadium, as well as craft nights and potlucks held on campus.

“Being recognized as a top performer in six different categories ranging from research and curriculum to well-being and work demonstrates the University’s comprehensive commitment to sustainability across campus,” said Tonie Miyamoto, co-chair for the President’s Sustainability Commission and director of communications and sustainability for Housing & Dining Services.

“Students, faculty and staff at CSU should be very proud of this accomplishment,” she added.

In 2015, CSU was the first university in the world to have its sustainability efforts rated Platinum by STARS. In 2017, CSU achieved the Platinum rating from the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education for the second time.

“The institutions being recognized as top performers in this year’s Sustainable Campus Index exemplify the leadership higher education institutions are showing in addressing sustainability challenges,” said AASHE Executive Director Meghan Fay Zahniser.

CSU is also one of 26 schools that made the 2020 Green Honor Roll, produced by The Princeton Review. Nearly 700 colleges received Green Rating scores from The Princeton Review this year.

SPREAD THE NEWS

COMMENT, Like, Follow & SHARE @I70Scout

CURRENT EDITION

WEATHER & TRAFFIC PUZZLES RECENT NEWS ADVERTISE WITH US

September 1, 2019
Autism rates among black, Hispanic children increasing

Boulder — Autism rates among racial minorities in the United States have increased by double digits in recent years, with black rates now exceeding those of whites in most states and Hispanic rates growing faster than any other group, according to new University of Colorado Boulder research.

The study, published this month in the Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, also found that prevalence of autism among white youth is ticking up again, after flattening in the mid-2000s.

While some of the increase is due to more awareness and greater detection of the disorder among minority populations, other environmental factors are likely at play, the authors conclude.

“We found that rates among blacks and Hispanics are not only catching up to those of whites — which have historically been higher — but surpassing them,” said lead author Cynthia Nevison, an atmospheric research scientist with the Institute of Arctic and Alpine Research. “These results suggest that additional factors beyond just catch-up may be involved.”

For the study, Nevison teamed up with co-author Walter Zahorodny, an autism researcher and associate professor of pediatrics at Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, to analyze the most recent data available from the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and the Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring (ADDM) Network.

IDEA tracks prevalence, including information on race, among 3-to-5-year-olds across all 50 states annually. ADDM tracks prevalence among 8-year-olds in 11 states every two years.

The new study found that between birth year 2007 and 2013, autism rates among Hispanics age 3-5 rose 73%, while rates among blacks that age rose 44% and rates among whites rose 25%.

In 30 states, prevalence among blacks was higher than among whites by 2012.

In states with “high prevalence,” 1 in 79 white children, 1 in 68 black children and 1 in 83 Hispanic children born in 2013 have been diagnosed with autism by age 3-5.

Other states like Colorado fell in a “low-prevalence” category, but the authors cautioned that differences between states likely reflect differences in how well cases are reported by age 3-5. They also said the real prevalence is substantially higher, as many children are not diagnosed until later in life.

“There is no doubt that autism prevalence has increased significantly over the past 10 to 20 years, and based on what we have seen from this larger, more recent dataset it will continue to increase among all race and ethnicity groups in the coming years,” said Zahorodny.

In 2018, the Centers for Disease Control reported that about 1 in 59 children of all races have been diagnosed with autism and that rates had risen 15 percent overall from the previous two year period, largely due to better outreach and diagnosis among historically underdiagnosed minority populations. The new study challenges that explanation.

“Our data contradict the assertion that these increases are mainly due to better awareness among minority children,” said Zahorodny. “If the minority rates are exceeding the white rates that implies some difference in risk factor, either greater exposure to something in the environment or another trigger.

Established risk factors associated with autism include advanced parental age, challenges to the immune system during pregnancy, genetic mutations, premature birth and being a twin or multiple.

The authors said that, based on current research, they cannot pinpoint what other environmental exposures might be factoring into the increases in autism. But they would like to see more research done in the field.

“I’d like to see our public health agencies acknowledge the steep increase in autism among American children over the last 40 years and explore what environmental factors might be making minority children more vulnerable,” said Nevison.

SPREAD THE NEWS

COMMENT, Like, Follow & SHARE @I70Scout

CURRENT EDITION

WEATHER & TRAFFIC PUZZLES RECENT NEWS ADVERTISE WITH US

September 1, 2019
Colorado hunting access expands for 2019 season: Colorado Parks and Wildlife announces the locations of newly available acreage for sportsmen/women

DENVER, Colo. — Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) staff today announced the locations of newly available properties enrolled in the Public Access Program effective September 1. The Public Access Program provides seasonal hunting and fishing opportunities on Colorado trust land across the state.

Blue Lake – 41,564 acres – Arlington, CO (Southeast Colorado)

Queens – 9,020 acres – Eads, CO (Southeast Colorado)

Pawnee Valley – 2,720 acres – Sterling, CO (Northeast Colorado)

Brett Gray Ranch – 23,878 acres – Rush, CO (Open September 1 for dove hunting. CPW expects additional hunting opportunities will be available later this fall.)

The Colorado Hunting Atlas is an interactive map that depicts all trust land enrolled in the Public Access Program.

The expansion of the Public Access Program was approved in July 2019 by the Parks and Wildlife Commission and the State Land Board as part of a multi-year effort to double the size of the Public Access Program from 480,000 acres to up to one million acres. This is the first major expansion of the program since it began in 1993.

“Colorado is known for our incredible natural beauty, and I’m committed to expanding the public’s access to and enjoyment of our treasured state and federal land. CPW’s Public Access Program for sportsmen and women is growing just in time for the upcoming 2019 hunting season. We will continue looking at more opportunities to increase access and help relieve overcrowded areas,” said Governor Jared Polis.

Prior to this expansion, the majority of properties enrolled in the Public Access Program were located in Northwestern Colorado where there is prime big game hunting. CPW is providing a broader array of hunting opportunities on trust lands by expanding the program in Eastern Colorado where bird hunting and small game hunting is prevalent.

The Public Access Program is one of several ways hunters and anglers can get out in Colorado: Colorado spans 66.6 million acres and 23 million acres of public land is available for hunting.

Additionally, three million acres of land in Colorado are called trust lands and have been held in a trust since statehood in 1876 for the purpose of funding public schools. The State Land Board earns money for schools from trust lands by leasing the land for a variety of purposes, including hunting and recreation. Ninety-eight percent of trust land is leased for agriculture. More than one-third will be enrolled in the Public Access Program due to this expansion over the next three years.

Public access for wildlife-related recreation on trust lands is made possible through the Public Access Program, which is a lease agreement between the State Land Board and CPW. CPW will fund the new acreage opened to public access through hunting and fishing license fee increases approved by the General Assembly in 2018 in the “Future Generations Act.” In total, trust land leases have earned $1.4 billion for Colorado public schools in the past decade and have been the primary funding source for the Department of Education’s Building Excellent Schools Today program.

“Hunters and anglers are a critical foundation to wildlife conservation,” said Dan Prenzlow, CPW director. “They make significant contributions to our local economy, especially rural economies. It’s an added benefit that our Public Access Program helps fund Colorado school kids.”

“I’m glad that hunters and anglers will have more access to state trust lands in Colorado this season, and I’m grateful for the cooperation we’ve gotten from the ranchers and farmers who already lease these properties for agriculture,” said Greg Ochis, State Land Board Assistant Director. “These leasing activities stimulate the local economies and also help generate money for Colorado school kids.”

Trust lands enrolled in the Public Access Program are open to a variety of wildlife-related uses, primarily hunting and fishing. Nearly all of the properties enrolled in the Public Access Program are also working ranches leased for agriculture, and hunters are expected to respect the existing agriculture operations. For hunter safety, wildlife protection, and the integrity of the land, the public must follow the rules and regulations at each property enrolled in the program. Unauthorized activity on trust lands is subject to enforcement. Hunters and anglers must check the rules and regulations for each property enrolled in the program; timing and use restrictions vary.

In 2020, CPW will announce the locations of additional properties that will be enrolled in the Public Access Program prior to the 2020 fall hunting season.

SPREAD THE NEWS

COMMENT, Like, Follow & SHARE @I70Scout

CURRENT EDITION

WEATHER & TRAFFIC PUZZLES RECENT NEWS ADVERTISE WITH US

August 31, 2019

Last Blast for Summer Traffic

DENVER – The Colorado Department of Transportation is reminding drivers to anticipate heavy traffic in many areas of the state due to the number of events and recreational activities taking place over the Labor Day weekend.

All CDOT construction projects will be suspended statewide on Friday at noon to reduce potential traffic delays. The only exception is for emergency operations. Projects resume their regular schedule on Tuesday, Sept. 3.

Heavier than normal traffic should be anticipated on Interstate 25 along the Front Range and on I-70 west of Denver this weekend. I-70’s traffic tends to be heaviest from mid-morning until late afternoon on Friday, and from 7 a.m. to mid-afternoon on Saturday. Eastbound I-70 traffic will be at its peak on Labor Day from mid-morning to late afternoon, especially from Summit County to the Denver area.

The 2018 Labor Day weekend traffic numbers at the Eisenhower/Johnson Memorial Tunnels:

	Westbound	Eastbound	Total
Friday, Aug. 31	34,202	18,551	52,753
Saturday, Sept. 1	29,486	17,889	47,375
Sunday, Sept. 2	20,005	26,012	46,017
Monday, Sept. 3	15,593	31,450	47,043
Total	99,286	93,902	193,188

State Highway 5 – the Mount Evans Highway – closes from Summit Lake to the top on Tuesday, Sept. 3. The remaining segment from Echo Lake to Summit Lake is scheduled to remain open until Monday, Oct. 7, weather permitting.

Other seasonal roadways – State Highway 82 over Independence Pass between Twin Lakes and Aspen and Trail Ridge Road through Rocky Mountain National Park – remain open through the fall until adverse weather requires a full closure for the winter.

Information regarding the opening and closing of seasonal highways in Colorado is available on the cotrip.org website or by calling 511.

SPREAD THE NEWS

COMMENT, Like, Follow & SHARE @I70Scout

CURRENT EDITION

WEATHER & TRAFFIC PUZZLES RECENT NEWS ADVERTISE WITH US

August 30, 2019

CPW to offer free Hunter Ed class, Survival 101 class in September

LA JUNTA, Colorado – Colorado Parks and Wildlife is offering two free classes to residents of Southeast Colorado in early September.

The first is a Hunter Education Internet Completion Course planned for 9 a.m.-2 p.m. on Saturday. Sept. 7, at the La Junta Police Department Memorial Range, 27510 Target Road, La Junta.

Participants in this free course first need to complete an approved internet course and bring printed proof.

They also need to sign up online at this link. If they have questions they can call the La Junta Police Department at 719-384-2525, or CPW’s Steve Keefer at 719-940-3586.

The next day, on Sunday, Sept. 8, CPW will be offering Survival 101 from 2-5 p.m. at the Rocky Ford State Wildlife Area, 21898 Otero County Road 805.

The course is free. Participants should wear a hat and sturdy shoes and bring water for this interactive class. They also need to sign up online at this link. They can call Keefer at 719-940-3586 with questions.

SPREAD THE NEWS

COMMENT, Like, Follow & SHARE @I70Scout

CURRENT EDITION

WEATHER & TRAFFIC PUZZLES RECENT NEWS ADVERTISE WITH US

August 30, 2019
Overnight full-ramp closures from northbound I-225 to westbound I-70

AURORA – A series of overnight full closures of the northbound Interstate 225 on-ramp to westbound Interstate 70 are expected to take place starting Tuesday, Sept. 3, and continue through Thursday, Sept. 12, as part of a bridge repair project. Nighttime operations will begin at 10 p.m. and will be completed by 5 a.m., when the road will be open for the early morning commute.

Crews will conduct minor repairs and temporarily raise the bridge via jacking to replace the bridge bearing components. During this operation no traffic will be allowed on the impacted on-ramp.

WORK SCHEDULE AND TRAVEL IMPACTS

The first week of operations are scheduled for Tuesday, Sept. 3, through Thursday night, Sept. 5. The second and final week of activities will begin on Sunday night, Sept. 8, and be completed by Thursday, Sept. 12. During working hours, crews will require a full closure of the I-225 ramp to westbound I-70.

Northbound traffic on I-225 heading to westbound I-70 will be detoured onto the eastbound ramp and use the Chambers Rd. exit (Exit 283) and return to the westbound direction of I-70.

Motorists should allow for extra time, as the suggested detour route will add about 1.6 miles or 5-7 minutes per trip.

These operations are site-condition and weather dependent, and this schedule could change and include additional night shifts.

PROJECT FACTS

Cost: $1.4 million

Contractor: Hamilton Construction

Timeline: February – November 2019

Project Background: CDOT and contractor Hamilton Construction are working on minor repairs of nine bridges across Denver Metro area. These bridges have been identified by CDOT engineers as structures that will benefit from maintenance to preserve and extend the lifespan of the bridges.

The goal of this project is to repair aging infrastructure, improving safety for motorists and reducing wear and tear on vehicles and vehicle maintenance costs.

Work on this project includes repairing bridge bearings, abutment and rail repairs, sandblasting, painting and sealing, slope paving repair and debris removal, anchor bolt and spall repairs, and embankment protection.

PROJECT CONTACT INFORMATION

·        Hotline: (720) 572-4475

·        Email:

·        Website

STAY INFORMED

·         Travel conditions: COtrip.org

·           See scheduled lane closures

·         Facebook

·         Twitter

REMEMBER: SLOW FOR THE CONE ZONE

The following tips are to help you stay safe while traveling through maintenance and construction work zones.

·        Do not speed in work zones. Obey the posted speed limits.

·        Stay Alert! Expect the unexpected.

·        Watch for workers. Drive with caution.

·        Don’t change lanes unnecessarily.

·        Avoid using mobile devices such as phones while driving in work zones.

·        Turn on headlights so that workers and other drivers can see you.

·        Be especially alert at night while driving in work zones.

·        Expect delays, especially during peak travel times.

·        Allow ample space between you and the car in front of you.

·        Anticipate lane shifts and merge when directed to do so.

·        Be patient!

WHOLE SYSTEM. WHOLE SAFETY.

To heighten safety awareness, CDOT recently announced its Whole System — Whole Safety initiative. This project takes a systematic statewide approach to safety combining the benefits of CDOT’s programs that address driving behaviors, our built environment and the organization’s operations. The goal is to improve the safety of Colorado’s transportation network by reducing the rate and severity of crashes and improving the safety of all transportation modes. The program has one simple mission—to get everyone home safely.

ABOUT CDOT

CDOT has approximately 3,000 employees located throughout Colorado, and manages more than 23,000 lane miles of highway and 3,429 bridges. CDOT also manages grant partnerships with a range of other agencies, including metropolitan planning organizations, local governments and airports. It also administers Bustang, the state-owned and operated interregional express service. Governor Polis has charged CDOT to further build on the state’s intermodal mobility options.

SPREAD THE NEWS

COMMENT, Like, Follow & SHARE @I70Scout

CURRENT EDITION

WEATHER & TRAFFIC   PUZZLES   RECENT NEWS   ADVERTISE WITH US

August 30, 2019
No new cases of sudden and severe lung illness associated with vaping
DENVER: The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment will provide updates on sudden and severe lung illness in Colorado if or when there is new information.

Over the weekend, the number of confirmed cases held steady. Colorado has one confirmed case of sudden and severe lung illness tied to vaping.

“Confirmed case” means it meets all the criteria for the definition being used nationally and that exposure to vaping products was most likely the cause of the illness based on the review. The department is investigating all cases reported to us to determine whether they meet this definition.

All affected people reported using vaping liquids or oils that contained nicotine, marijuana, CBD, synthetic marijuana, or a combination of these.

Colorado has an unusually high rate of teen and young adult nicotine vaping. Colorado clinicians, school-based health centers, campus health centers, parents, and people who vape should be aware that this outbreak is occurring and be on the lookout for symptoms.

Symptoms include:
- Shortness of breath or trouble breathing
- Chest pain
- Cough
- Fatigue
- Possible fever
People who vape and currently have a lung illness or may have had one since June 1, 2019 should contact their doctor or local health department.

Vaping products contain more than just harmless water vapor. The agents causing this illness could possibly be pesticide contamination, residual solvent contamination, additives with unknown inhalation effects, or heavy metals contamination inhaled from vaping products.

Health care providers, school based health centers, and campus health centers should:
- Screen all youth, parents, and caregivers for e-cigarette use and exposure.
- Counsel children and adolescents about the harms of e-cigarette use and clearly communicate the importance of never using e-cigarettes or other nicotine products.
- Report suspected cases to CDPHE’s Disease Reporting Line: 303-692-2700 or 303-370-9395 (after hours). This includes potential cases who presented since June 1, 2019. CDPHE personnel will conduct a medical record review and contact the patients to administer a thorough investigation questionnaire.
Parents should:
- Talk with your kids about the risks of using e-cigarettes. Get the facts for your conversations at www.tobaccofreeco.org/know-the-facts.
- Set a smoke- and vapor-free rule for your home and car.
Youth and young adults who vape should:
- Be aware that this illness is occurring and be on the lookout for symptoms.
- Learn more about free resources available to help you quit all tobacco products at coquitline.org or 1800-QUITNOW.
SPREAD THE NEWS

COMMENT, Like, Follow & SHARE @I70Scout

CURRENT EDITION

WEATHER & TRAFFIC PUZZLES RECENT NEWS ADVERTISE WITH US
August 27, 2019