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Hunters urged to apply for limited license online now; do not wait

Colorado Parks & Wildlife advises against waiting to apply; Hunters should send application for limited license today

DENVER – Colorado Parks and Wildlife is urging hunters planning to apply for a limited hunting license to begin the process as soon as possible. The agency says waiting until just before the application deadline, midnight, April 3, could pose challenges for hunters due to staff availability and support. Getting in early will ensure successfully completing and submitting an application.

This year, CPW launched a new, integrated online purchasing system designed to streamline the limited license application process. Agency officials say so far the majority of transactions have been successful; however, as is the case with the rollout of any new computerized system, there are always challenges.

As advanced as our new system is, and regardless of how well it has worked so far, there is no system in existence that will work perfectly out of the box. Especially this first year, we urge hunters to do their part by logging on today and making sure any holdups are addressed right now, not at the last minute. — Cory Chick, License Services Manager

One recommendation CPW officials have for hunters is to be sure and read all directions on the website before applying. There are video tutorials and step by step guides for setting up accounts.

One of the primary challenges customers are facing is when they create a new profile rather than looking up their CID number. The information to make the online application process work is there, but it is critical that people take the time to read it before they start. — Bradley Gabrielski, CPW Call Center Coordinator

Gabrielski says hunters with questions, or those that may not have experience with computers, have several options to get help with their application. They can come into one of CPW’s offices located across the state, contact the CPW Call Center at 1-303-297-1192 or by calling the agency’s 24-hour hotline at 1-800-244-5613.

Agency staff are asking for customers to be patient when calling into an office, the CPW Call Center or the Aspira Call Center. Call volume is extremely high this time of year which is also why it is important to start the application process earlier rather than later.

We cannot stress enough that waiting until the last minute to apply is not recommended. Begin your application today. — said Chick

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March 31, 2018
Egg producers team up with Ronald McDonald House, local food banks

When: 9 a.m. to noon, Thursday, March 29

Where: Ronald McDonald Family Room at the Rocky Mountain Hospital for Children (2001 N. High St. in Denver)

Contact: Eric Brown, (970) 415-2899,

The local farms that make up the Colorado Egg Producers (CEP) Association will once again be helping out the Easter Bunny this year in spreading the holiday sprit.

This week, the organization will be serving omelettes and other treats to families at the Ronald McDonald Family Room at the Rocky Mountain Hospital for Children.

And this comes after CEP member farms partnered up with Feeding Colorado and our local food banks this past week, to donate more than 300,000 eggs — ensuring those in need will have eggs in time for the holiday. While this marks the 11th year in a row that CEP has partnered with Feeding Colorado for Easter, it’s estimated that Colorado’s local egg farms altogether donate about 1 million eggs annually to the state’s food banks through their regular donations year-round.

Members of the media are welcome and encouraged to attend the upcoming event at the Rocky Mountain Hospital for Children, where the Easter Bunny will also be on hand, in addition to the CEP representatives helping feed families in the Ronald McDonald Family Room.

CEP has been involved in a number of other efforts supporting the local Ronald McDonald House organization, having recently donated $30,000 to its radio-thon fundraiser in November.

“We’re truly blessed to partner with such wonderful organizations,” CEP Executive Director Bill Scebbi said. “Our local egg farms want to reach out make a difference in their communities, and collaborating with the likes of the Ronald McDonald House and Feeding Colorado makes our impact go farther.”

March 28, 2018
WATCH EVERY MARCH MADNESS GAME: FINAL FOUR TV schedule & live streaming

March Madness 2018

— FINAL FOUR —

Live Streaming & TV Schedule

Saturday, March 31

TEAMS

TIME (MT)

WATCH

(3) Michigan vs. (11) Loyola Chicago

4:09 p.m.

TBS | Stream

(1) Villanova vs. (1) Kansas

6:49 p.m.

TBS | Stream

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March 28, 2018
DOWNTOWN AQUARIUM HOSTS LOW SENSORY MORNINGS

Denver’s Aquarium will open early for Special Needs — once a month

WHAT:           For some adults and children with sensory sensitivity and special needs, the Downtown Aquarium’s exhibits can be a bit overwhelming. Join Downtown Aquarium Denver as they host Low Sensory Mornings on the second Sunday of every month beginning April 8 from 8:30 – 9:45 a.m.

The Aquarium will open an hour and a half early with a calmer, quieter setting, turning down the ambient sounds and turning up the lighting. These mornings will offer families that have children or other family members with special needs a subdued environment to participate in all the fun Downtown Aquarium Denver has to offer! The Aquarium will return to normal operations at 9:45 a.m.

COST: Exhibit entry purchased required.

WHEN:        8:30 – 9:45 a.m., Second Sunday of every month, April 8 through December 9, 2018

(April 8, May 13, June 10, July 8, August 12, September 9, October 14, November 11, December 9)

WHERE: Downtown Aquarium Denver, 700 Water Street, Denver, CO 80211

MORE INFO: For more information, please visit www.downtownaquarium.com

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March 27, 2018
Click It or Ticket Enforcement Begins Tomorrow in Rural Colorado
1,306 people cited during last year’s enforcement period

STATEWIDE —According to a 2017 study by the Colorado Department of Transportation, the five counties with the lowest seat belt use in Colorado were all rural: La Plata (74 percent), Montezuma (74.4 percent), Cheyenne (75.2 percent) and Mesa (75.5 percent). To encourage drivers in rural regions to buckle up, CDOT, the Colorado State Patrol (CSP) and local law enforcement agencies will conduct Click It or Ticket seat belt enforcement in rural counties from March 26 to April 1.

Last year 1,306 seat belt citations were issued in rural communities across Colorado during the CIOT campaign. Seat belts are the most effective way to prevent serious injury and death in motor vehicle crashes.

Unrestrained crash fatalities account for more than half of the motor vehicle occupant fatalities in Colorado. This Click It or Ticket rural enforcement is a reminder that buckling up saves lives. Our goal is to decrease fatalities this year and seat belt use will be a key factor to achieve this. — Darrell Lingk, Director of the Office of Transportation Safety at CDOT

In 2017 Colorado’s seat belt use rate was 84 percent, ranking Colorado 36^th in the nation in seat belt use. Last year, 211 unbuckled drivers and passengers were killed in crashes in Colorado — a 14 percent increase from 2016, according to preliminary data. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) estimates that 58 lives could be saved every year if Colorado had 100 percent seat belt use.

Seat belt use is always important, especially in rural communities where the closest hospital may be miles away from the crash. Seat belts give you the best chance to survive a serious crash. We encourage people to buckle up every time they enter a vehicle. — Col. Matthew Packard, Chief of the CSP

Fines for not buckling up start at $65, and parents or caregivers caught with an improperly restrained child can receive a minimum fine of $82.

Colorado’s Seat Belt Laws
- Adults — Colorado has a secondary enforcement law for adult drivers and front-seat passengers. Drivers can be ticketed for violating the seat belt law if they are stopped for another traffic violation.
- Teens— Colorado’s Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) law requires all drivers under 18 and their passengers, no matter what their age, to wear seat belts. This is a primary enforcement, meaning teens can be pulled over simply for not wearing a seat belt or having passengers without seat belts.
- Children— Colorado’s Child Passenger Safety law is a primary enforcement, meaning the driver can be stopped and ticketed if an officer sees an unrestrained or improperly restrained child under age 16 in the vehicle.
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March 26, 2018
Gardner-Backed Legislation to Combat Sex Trafficking Passes Senate

Washington, D.C. – Senator Cory Gardner (R-CO) helped pass H.R.1865, the Allow States and Victims to Fight Online Sex Trafficking Act. Gardner was a cosponsor of the companion legislation in the Senate, which would clarify existing law that was shielding certain websites and certain individuals that were knowingly facilitating sex trafficking.

This bipartisan legislation gives the victims of these crimes the justice they deserve against the criminals that carry out these dreadful acts. We need to do everything we can to combat sex trafficking and this legislation that will soon be law is a sensible step in the right direction for the victims. — Gardner

The legislation was prompted after Senate investigations of the classifieds/advertisement website backpage.com. Criminals were using the website to post advertisements that led to sex trafficking and prostitution and the website was aware that it was being permitted to happen and did not take appropriate action to stop it. Under current interpretation of existing law, the victims of sex trafficking could seek civil action against the individuals but not against the websites facilitating this action. This legislation would give the victims the opportunity to hold these website or third party facilitators accountable.

Additional information about the legislation can be found here. It passed the House 388-25 on February 27^th.

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March 23, 2018
CSU study: One-third of young adults have ridden with an impaired driver

A new study led by a Colorado State University researcher indicates that riding with an impaired driver is prevalent among emerging adults, with 33 percent of recent high school grads reporting the risky behavior at least once in the previous year.

In addition, the study shows that young adults are more likely to ride with a driver impaired by marijuana than a driver who is drunk. The research, published in the March issue of the Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs, is one of the first to ask about what specific substance was used by the driver and who the driver was.

“Parents should be a role model by not driving while impaired, and real friends should stop their friends from driving after using substances — if using substances cannot be stopped,” said Kaigang Li, an assistant professor in CSU’s Department of Health and Exercise Science.

Kaigang Li

About the analysis

In their investigation, researchers at Colorado State University, the Colorado School of Public Health, Yale University, and the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development of the National Institutes of Health used data from Waves 4 and 5 of the NEXT Generation Health Study, collected in 2013 and 2014. Young adults at one and two years after graduating from high school were asked about a variety of health topics, including risky behaviors surrounding substance use.

Questions included, “During the last 12 months, how many times did you ride in a vehicle driven by someone who had been drinking alcohol?” The question was repeated for marijuana use and illicit drug use (including ecstasy, amphetamines, opiates, cocaine/crack cocaine, glue or solvents, LSD, or anabolic steroids). The answer “at least once” was given by 23 percent of respondents for a marijuana-impaired driver, 20 percent for an alcohol-impaired driver, and 6 percent for a driver by other illicit drugs.

“We’ve put a lot of emphasis on drinking and driving, but less effort on driving under the influence of marijuana,” Li said. “Maybe we need more of the latter.”

Driver’s age, relation

One factor that made the study unique was that participants were also asked who the impaired driver was: a friend or relative about the same age, an unknown or little-known person around the same age, an older relative, an older known adult, or an unknown older adult. The risk of riding with an impaired driver was much higher for peer drivers than for older adult drivers (21 percent vs. 2.4 percent for marijuana, 17 percent vs. 4 percent for alcohol, and 5.4 percent vs. less than 1 percent for illicit drugs).

Some study subjects showed an increased risk of driving with an impaired driver, including those who don’t attend a four-year college and those who attend technology school, as well as those who live on their own or on campus. The researchers also found that riding with an impaired driver in the past was associated with an increased risk of subsequent riding with an impaired driver — making it important to instill in young adults early on the dangers of riding with a driver who is under the influence, Li said.

“It makes me think of my daughters,” he said. “My oldest is only 11, but they’ll be driving soon. If I drive after drinking, it sets an example, so they may think it’s not a bad thing. If they realize early on that driving under the influence is not good, we can reduce the chances that they will perceive it as OK in the future.”

A gateway to risk

Li also pointed to research showing that engaging in one risky behavior can increase the risk of others — specifically, that young adults who ride with impaired drivers often become drivers who get behind the wheel while impaired. Li said there is a need for programs tailored to this age group to prevent the perception that riding with an impaired driver is acceptable.

“These behaviors are not isolated, especially in young people,” Li said. “When one risk behavior is present, it can definitely influence other behaviors. We want them to conclude that ‘friends don’t let friends engage in risky behaviors.’ If they know that their friends don’t do these risky things, they won’t do it themselves.”

A table of Li’s findings. Click to enlarge.

The takeaway from the research, Li said, is that early and frequent riding with an impaired driver leads to more of this behavior in the future. And when that impaired driver is a peer, it’s more likely that their passengers will eventually become impaired drivers themselves. Li believes that there is an opportunity to reduce motor vehicle crashes, starting by reducing the relatively passive behavior of riding with an impaired driver.

Changing behavior early

“Emerging adults are entering the transition period from being kids to being adults, so their behaviors, perceptions, knowledge, and beliefs can still be changed during this period of time,” says Li. “If they realize the problem associated with risky behavior now, they can reduce that behavior and reduce crash risk. But if they don’t, and they’re influenced by peers who are engaging in risky behavior, that behavior becomes a habit.”

Funding for the NEXT Generation Health Study was provided by the National Institutes of Health and the Maternal and Child Health Bureau of the Health Resources and Services Administration.

The Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs is published by the Center of Alcohol Studies at Rutgers University. The Department of Health and Exercise Science is part of CSU’s College of Health and Human Sciences.

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March 23, 2018
Emerald Ash Borer Detected in Lyons — invasive, highly destructive tree pest

LYONS, CO – State officials have confirmed the presence of emerald ash borer (EAB) – an invasive, highly destructive tree pest – in the Town of Lyons in northern Boulder County. This new detection is still just within a quarantine area established to try and prevent the human-assisted spread of EAB. However, it represents the fourth community with confirmation of EAB in Colorado outside the City of Boulder, where the pest was first detected in 2013.

An estimated 15 percent or more of all urban and community trees in Colorado are ash species susceptible to being killed by EAB – and a majority of these trees are on private land. EAB attacks and kills both stressed and healthy ash trees and is so aggressive that trees typically die within two to four years after becoming infested.

An arborist recently identified an ash tree on private land in the vicinity of 4th Avenue and Broadway Street in Lyons as potentially infested with EAB. The property manager notified members of the interagency Colorado EAB Response Team, which is working to manage the spread and impacts of the pest in Colorado. An adult beetle specimen found in the tree was provided to the Colorado Department of Agriculture (CDA) and then confirmed by Colorado State University experts as being EAB. The infested tree and surrounding trees also are being examined by experts from the CDA and Colorado State University Extension.

So far only the one tree has been identified as having EAB in Lyons, but town officials are looking into nearby ash on public property. Most trees in the immediate vicinity are on private property so assessment of other nearby ash will require coordination with private property owners.

It is unknown whether EAB arrived in Lyons by natural spread or via accidental human transport, such as in firewood or other raw ash material. Populations of the insect are capable of spreading a half-mile each year on their own, and the City of Boulder is less than 15 miles to the south.

EAB was first confirmed in Colorado in September 2013, in the City of Boulder. That fall, the CDA established a quarantine zone around Boulder County in an effort to protect the state’s ash trees.

EAB has also been confirmed in Gunbarrel, Longmont and Lafayette – all within Boulder County. At this time, EAB has not been detected in Colorado outside the county or the EAB Quarantine area. However, the pest is extremely difficult to detect when its numbers are low in an area.

The EAB Response Team remains committed to EAB outreach and detection efforts in Boulder County and surrounding areas, in addition to enforcing the quarantine. Over the past four years the Colorado State Forest Service (CSFS), partnering with Boulder County and the City of Boulder, has set hundreds of traps targeting EAB to try and detect its presence along roadways within Boulder County. The CSFS also is currently developing detection strategies with communities in Larimer County – the southern border of which is only a few miles north of Lyons.

EAB tips for Boulder County and Front Range Residents:

Determine now if you have any ash trees. Identifying features of ash trees include compound leaves with 5 to 9 leaflets; leaflets, buds and branches growing directly opposite from one another; and diamond-shaped bark ridges on mature trees. More information about a related app for mobile devices is available at www.csfs.colostate.edu/emerald-ash-borer.  If you have an ash tree, start planning. Decide if the overall health of the tree merits current or future treatment or if it would be best to remove and replace it with a different species. If you aren’t sure, contact a certified arborist. If pesticide treatment is the preferred option, the applicator must be licensed by the CDA as a Commercial Pesticide Applicator.  Recognize signs of EAB infestation. Property owners with ash trees should be on the lookout for thinning of leaves in the upper tree canopy, 1/8-inch D-shaped holes on the bark and vertical bark splitting with winding S-shaped tunnels underneath. Report suspect trees by calling the Colorado Department of Agriculture at 1-888-248-5535 or filling out their EAB Report Form at https://www.colorado.gov/pacific/agplants/eab-identification-and-reporting.  Be aware of EAB imposters. Other insects like lilac/ash borer, ash bark beetle and flat-headed apple tree borer may look like EAB or cause similar tree symptoms. For more information, visit www.eabcolorado.com.  Help prevent further spread of EAB. Do not transport ash or any hardwood firewood, or any other untreated ash wood products, to other locations. Boulder County and some surrounding areas are under a federal EAB quarantine, allowing for significant fines for those who move untreated wood from the area.
For more information about ash tree identification, the symptoms of EAB and treatment options, go eabcolorado.com or csfs.colostate.edu/emerald-ash-borer.

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March 23, 2018
Downed line leads to power outage in and around Byers, Deer Trail

by Steven Vetter, Managing Editor

At approximately 12 p.m. today (Friday, March 23), residents in the Byers and Deer Trail zip codes lost power after strong winds blew down a main line along I-70 near mile marker 320.

Crews with Intermountain REA continue to work to restore power as quickly as possible. As of 1:45 p.m., power was still out in both towns and surrounding areas.

March 23, 2018
Tax Scams of 2018 announced; IRS Encourages taxpayers to remain vigilant

Are you receiving phone calls from an automated teller claiming to be the IRS, who is threatening arrest if you don’t comply? — don’t let this happen to anyone… like, comment and & share!

WASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service today concluded its annual “Dirty Dozen” list of tax scams with a warning to taxpayers to remain vigilant about these aggressive and evolving schemes throughout the year.

This year’s “Dirty Dozen” list highlights a wide variety of schemes that taxpayers have encountered throughout the year, many of which peak during tax-filing season. The schemes can run the gamut from simple refund inflation scams to technical tax shelter deals. A common theme throughout these: Scams put taxpayers at risk.

Taxpayers need to guard against ploys to steal their personal information. And they should be wary of shady promoters trying to scam them out of money or talk them into engaging in questionable tax schemes.

The IRS highlighted the “Dirty Dozen” scam list in separate news releases across 12 days. Taxpayers are encouraged to review the list in a special section on IRS.gov and be on the lookout for these con games throughout the year.

The IRS reminds people that participating in illegal schemes can lead to significant fines and possible criminal prosecution. IRS Criminal Investigation works closely with the Department of Justice to shut down scams and prosecute the criminals behind them.

Taxpayers should always keep in mind that they are legally responsible for what is on their tax return even if it is prepared by someone else. Consumers can help protect themselves by choosing a reputable tax preparer. For more see the Choosing a Tax Professional page.

Report a scam to the IRS here

Here is a recap of this year’s “Dirty Dozen” scams:

Phishing: Taxpayers should be alert to potential fake emails or websites looking to steal personal information. The IRS will never initiate contact with taxpayers via email about a bill or tax refund. Don’t click on one claiming to be from the IRS. Be wary of emails and websites that may be nothing more than scams to steal personal information. (IR-2018-39)

Phone Scams: Phone calls from criminals impersonating IRS agents remain an ongoing threat to taxpayers. The IRS has seen a surge of these phone scams in recent years as con artists threaten taxpayers with police arrest, deportation and license revocation, among other things. (IR-2018-40)

Identity Theft: Taxpayers should be alert to tactics aimed at stealing their identities, not just during the tax filing season, but all year long. The IRS, working in the Security Summit partnership with the states and the tax industry, has made major improvements in detecting tax return related identity theft during the last two years. But the agency reminds taxpayers that they can help in preventing this crime. The IRS continues to aggressively pursue criminals that file fraudulent tax returns using someone else’s Social Security number. (IR-2018-42)

Return Preparer Fraud: Be on the lookout for unscrupulous return preparers. The vast majority of tax professionals provide honest, high-quality service. There are some dishonest preparers who operate each filing season to scam clients, perpetuating refund fraud, identity theft and other scams that hurt taxpayers. (IR-2018-45)

Fake Charities: Groups masquerading as charitable organizations solicit donations from unsuspecting contributors. Be wary of charities with names similar to familiar or nationally-known organizations. Contributors should take a few extra minutes to ensure their hard-earned money goes to legitimate charities. IRS.gov has the tools taxpayers need to check out the status of charitable organizations. (IR-2018-47)

Inflated Refund Claims: Taxpayers should take note of anyone promising inflated tax refunds. Those preparers who ask clients to sign a blank return, promise a big refund before looking at taxpayer records or charge fees based on a percentage of the refund are probably up to no good. To find victims, fraudsters may use flyers, phony storefronts or word of mouth via community groups where trust is high. (IR-2018-48)

Excessive Claims for Business Credits: Avoid improperly claiming the fuel tax credit, a tax benefit generally not available to most taxpayers. The credit is usually limited to off-highway business use, including use in farming. Taxpayers should also avoid misuse of the research credit. Improper claims often involve failures to participate in or substantiate qualified research activities or satisfy the requirements related to qualified research expenses. (IR-2018-49)

Falsely Padding Deductions on Returns: Taxpayers should avoid the temptation to falsely inflate deductions or expenses on their tax returns to pay less than what they owe or potentially receive larger refunds. Think twice before overstating deductions, such as charitable contributions and business expenses, or improperly claiming credits, such as the Earned Income Tax Credit or Child Tax Credit. (IR-2018-54)

Falsifying Income to Claim Credits: Con artists may convince unsuspecting taxpayers to invent income to erroneously qualify for tax credits, such as the Earned Income Tax Credit. Taxpayers should file the most accurate tax return possible because they are legally responsible for what is on their return. This scam can lead to taxpayers facing large bills to pay back taxes, interest and penalties. (IR-2018-55)

Frivolous Tax Arguments: Frivolous tax arguments may be used to avoid paying tax. Promoters of frivolous schemes encourage taxpayers to make unreasonable and outlandish claims about the legality of paying taxes despite being repeatedly thrown out in court. The penalty for filing a frivolous tax return is $5,000. (IR-2018-58)

Abusive Tax Shelters: Abusive tax structures are sometimes used to avoid paying taxes. The IRS is committed to stopping complex tax avoidance schemes and the people who create and sell them. The vast majority of taxpayers pay their fair share, and everyone should be on the lookout for people peddling tax shelters that sound too good to be true. When in doubt, taxpayers should seek an independent opinion regarding complex products they are offered. (IR-2018-62)

Offshore Tax Avoidance: Successful enforcement actions against offshore cheating show it’s a bad bet to hide money and income offshore. People involved in offshore tax avoidance are best served by coming in voluntarily and getting caught up on their tax-filing responsibilities. (IR-2018-64)

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March 23, 2018