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  • TODAY’S EVENTS – Monday, June 26

    TODAY’S EVENTS – Monday, June 26

    WHAT’S GOOD TODAY?

    • Deer Trail School Board @ 7 p.m.

    EVERY MONDAY

    • High Plains Music Ensemble rehearsal

      Strasburg High School band room @ 6:30 p.m. New players welcome.

    • Bingo

      Byers American Legion Hall @ 7 p.m.

    • AA Strasburg Sobriety

      Saron Lutheran Church, 1656 Main St. @ 7:30 p.m. Lane Shade, (303)717-2263.

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  • TODAY’S EVENTS – Sunday, June 25

    TODAY’S EVENTS – Sunday, June 25

    WHAT’S GOOD TODAY?

    EVERY SUNDAY

    • Alcoholics Anonymous

      For more information call (303)903-6734.

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  • TODAY’S EVENTS – Saturday, June 24

    TODAY’S EVENTS – Saturday, June 24

    WHAT’S GOOD TODAY?

    • Byers Masons

      Byers Masonic Lodge @ 8 p.m.

    EVERY SATURDAY

    • Deer Trail Pioneer Historical Museum

      Open from 2 – 4 p.m. through August or call (303)769-4542 for an appointment. Admission free, donations accepted.

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  • ATTN: WATKINS COMMUNITY

    ATTN: WATKINS COMMUNITY

    Backyard BBQ this Saturday

    hosted by

    Senator Rhonda Fields

    Watkins, CO — Please join State Senator Rhonda Fields for a backyard BBQ this Saturday in Watkins. Several key agency leaders have been invited to discuss with local residents their department priorities and any current initiatives that might impact the Watkins community. Additionally, Senator Fields will provide a post-session update. The event is nonpartisan and open to the public. Watkins residents are invited to share their thoughts and concerns with government leaders and Senator Fields.

    WHEN: Saturday, June 24, 2017, 12:00 – 1:00 p.m.

    WHERE: Home of Susan Dahncke, 1500 S. Ulm St., Watkins, CO 80137

     

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  • TODAY’S EVENTS – Friday, June 23

    TODAY’S EVENTS – Friday, June 23

    WHAT’S GOOD TODAY?

    • Front Range Airport Advisory Board

      Conference room in terminal, second floor @ 1 p.m.

    EVERY FRIDAY

    • Al-Anon family group

      For more information call (303)888-4525.

    • Handiwork Hangout

      Anythink Bennett library @ 1 – 4 p.m. Adults can share new knitting, crocheting, embroidery or other handiwork projects. Help available for new crafters at some gatherings.

     

     

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  • Roadway Alert!

    As temperatures rise, roadways may be affected…

    …concrete pavement can break or buckle

    DENVER– As temperatures rise and stay above 85 degrees, concrete pavement can either break or buckle. In the past two days, the Colorado Department of Transportation maintenance crews have had to conduct emergency repair work on CO 83 between Belleview and Stroh Road to clean-up broken concrete, gut the damaged section of roadway out and lay asphalt pavement as a temporary repair.

    Currently, crews are conducting emergency repair work on CO 83 at East Valley Drive. This is necessary to protect motorists from loose concrete and prevent further damage to the roadway.

    Each summer, CDOT is constantly on the lookout for loose or buckling concrete. CDOT asks motorists to report any signs of damaged roadway to its customer service representatives so they can alert crews immediately.

    Concrete pavement is often more durable and can have a lifespan of up to 30 years. This is largely due to the fact that concrete is constantly moving allowing for heavy traffic without causing major damage. With extreme heat, however, the concrete starts to expand and the expansion joints meant to allow the concrete to move lock-up. If the concrete expands too much, it has no where to release the pressure and ultimately breaks or buckles.

    Motorists are reminded that they can be penalized for failing to move over and/or slow down when approaching stopped emergency and maintenance vehicles.  The Move Over for Cody Act stipulates that failing to move over carries the possibility of 12 to 18 months in jail and a fine up to $5,000.  The new law is named for Colorado State Patrol Trooper Cody Donahue, who was killed in 2016 when a tractor-trailer driver drifted onto the shoulder and hit Donahue while he was outside his cruiser responding to another crash.  

    [ngg_images source=”galleries” container_ids=”179″ sortorder=”3855,3852,3853,3854″ display_type=”photocrati-nextgen_basic_slideshow” gallery_width=”600″ gallery_height=”400″ cycle_effect=”blindX” cycle_interval=”7″ show_thumbnail_link=”0″ thumbnail_link_text=”[Show thumbnails]” order_by=”sortorder” order_direction=”ASC” returns=”included” maximum_entity_count=”500″]

     

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  • NEW TOLL RATES PROPOSED: I-25 & US36 EXPRESS LANES

    NEW TOLL RATES PROPOSED: I-25 & US36 EXPRESS LANES

    TOLL RATE ADJUSTMENT PROPOSED

    FOR

    US 36 AND I-25 EXPRESS LANES

    HPTE to review proposed annual toll rate adjustments to ensure trip reliability

    DENVER – The High Performance Transportation Enterprise (HPTE) announced that Plenary Roads Denver (PRD), the private concessionaire managing the US 36 and I-25 Central Express Lanes, has proposed toll rate adjustments on the US 36 and I-25 Central Express Lanes. PRD proposes adjusting rates to manage congestion and ensure reliable travel times for users of the Express Lanes, including RTD Flatiron Flyer users. The HPTE Board will consider and take action on the proposed toll rate adjustment at the regularly scheduled July Board meeting on July 19.

    The current rates on US 36 and I-25 Central were established two years ago. In order to manage congestion and provide reliable travel times. We need to review the rates and their effectiveness each year. – Simon Stachnik, PRD project manager.

    Highlights from the proposed toll rate adjustments, which assume an ExpressToll account and pass, include:

    • On average, tolls along US 36 will increase 10 cents for off-peak customers
    • US 36 peak rates will increase between 15 and 35 cents on average, but in some locations, the tolls will decrease between 10 and 60 cents
    • The maximum price for a morning trip from Boulder to Denver will be $8.35, a 40-cent decrease from the current rate of $8.75
    • The maximum price for an afternoon trip from Denver to Boulder will be $8.05, a 75-cent increase from the current rate of $7.30
    • The round-trip rate from Boulder to Denver will increase 35 cents
    • Changes to toll rates would be communicated on the overhead electronic signage boards at each toll gantry point, so motorists know how much they will be charged before choosing to enter the Express Lanes

    Express Lanes offer travelers the choice to carpool, take transit, or pay a toll to ensure a reliable travel time. Express Lanes can’t remain reliable unless we are regularly re-evaluating the rates on the lanes. In PRD’s proposal, some tolls increase but others decrease based on traffic volume. ” – HPTE Director David Spector

    Commuters are embracing the traveling choices the new US 36 and I-25 Express Lanes offer. On US 36, the Express Lanes have increased speeds during rush hour for all travelers (not just those in the Express Lanes) by 20 to 29 percent. The project, a public-private partnership, includes two free general purpose lanes in each direction, one tolled Express Lane in each direction and a bikeway along the US 36 corridor –- offering users the valuable choice to ride the bus, carpool or bike.

    For more information on the proposed toll rates, including fact sheets, click here.

    CDOT, HPTE and PRD encourage motorists using Express Lanes on US 36, I-25 and I-70 to get an ExpressToll account and pass to save on tolls every time. ExpressToll accounts and passes can be obtained at www.ExpressToll.com or (303) 537-3470.

    HPTE Board meetings are always open to the public, and the proposed toll rate adjustments will be presented by PRD and considered by the HPTE Board for approval at the July 19, 2017, HPTE board meeting at CDOT Headquarters Auditorium, 4201 E. Arkansas Ave., Denver at 11:30 a.m. Public comment and the Board vote will take place no earlier than 12:30 p.m. If approved, the proposed toll rates will go into effect on July 24, 2017.

    About Express Lanes: Express Lanes increase roadway capacity and help to manage congestion on the highways. The use of toll pricing during peak travel times reduces delays, manages congestion and maintains reliable travel times. Express Lanes are currently open on I-25 between downtown Denver and 120th Avenue, US 36 between Denver and Boulder, and on I-70 between Idaho Springs and Empire. Learn more at expresslanes.codot.gov.

    About the High Performance Transportation Enterprise (HPTE): The HPTE operates as a government-owned, independent business within CDOT. It searches out innovative ways to finance projects to help Colorado fulfill its commitment to increase travel choices through options that include Express Lanes, transit, biking, walking and carpooling. For more information, visit www.coloradohpte.com.

    About CDOT: www.codot.gov

     

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  • Untitled post 17254

    Front Range No Ozone Action Day Alert in Effect

    This is the Front Range Air Pollution Forecast effective 4PM on Thursday, June 22, 2017:

    No Advisories for Ozone or any other pollutant are in effect until at least 4 p.m. on Friday for the Front Range Urban Corridor from El Paso County north to Larimer and Weld counties, including the Denver-Boulder area, Colorado Springs, Fort Collins and Greeley.

    Breezy to gusty winds, increasing cloud cover, and rain showers will help to keep ozone in the Good to Moderate range.

    Should atmospheric conditions suggest increased ground-level ozone concentrations, the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment and the Regional Air Quality Council will issue an ozone advisory. In addition, if conditions warrant, the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment will issue advisories for other pollutants. Check this website (http://colorado.gov/airquality/advisory.aspx) often for a report on current air quality conditions and to learn if an ozone action day alert is in effect.

    For statewide conditions, forecasts and advisories, visit:
    http://www.colorado.gov/airquality/colorado_summary.aspx  

    The highest Ozone related AQI at 1 o’clock PM Mountain Standard Time on June 22, 2017, is 58 which indicates Moderate ozone air quality. It was recorded by the RFN ambient ozone monitor. Unusually sensitive individuals may experience respiratory symptoms. Unusually sensitive people should consider reducing prolonged or heavy outdoor exertion.

    The highest Particulate Matter (PM2.5) related AQI at 1 o’clock PM Mountain Standard Time on June 22, 2017, is 45 which indicates Good Particulate Matter (PM2.5) air quality. It was recorded by the LNGM ambient monitor.


    Front Range Air Quality Forecast & Colorado Smoke Outlook

    FRONT RANGE AIR QUALITY FORECAST:

    Thursday, June 22, 2017, 2:30 PM MDT


    Ozone concentrations are expected to be in the Good to Moderate range on Thursday. Moderate concentrations of ozone are expected in the Denver Metro and Colorado Springs areas, with the highest concentrations expected in the southern and western portions of these areas. Unusually sensitive people should consider reducing prolonged or heavy outdoor exertion between the hours of 12-10 PM on Thursday. Ozone concentrations are expected to be in the Good category on Friday.


    Fine Particulate Matter concentrations are expected to be in the Good category on Thursday and Friday.

    Carbon Monoxide concentrations are expected to be in the Good category on Thursday and Friday.


    Nitrogen Dioxide concentrations are expected to be in the Good category on Thursday and Friday.

    Visibility is expected to be Good to Moderate on Friday, with likely periods of exclusion due to rain showers and high relative humidity.

    COLORADO SMOKE OUTLOOK:

    Thursday, June 22, 2017, 2:00 PM MDT

    Enormous amounts of smoke are being emitted from the 10,950 acre Brian Head wildfire in southwestern Utah, and at times this smoke is being transported into Colorado. Haze and smoke will be possible mainly in western and southern parts of the state on Thursday and Friday, particularly during the overnight and morning hours. Public health impacts are expected to be minimal at this time, however unusually sensitive people should consider reducing prolonged or heavy exertion on Thursday and Friday, particularly in western and southern parts of Colorado. Smoke and haze should gradually dissipate during the late morning and into the early afternoon hours on both Thursday and Friday as atmospheric mixing increases.

    Light to moderate smoke is also possible near prescribed fires and small wildfires around the state.

    What if there is a wildfire or smoke in your area?

    The focus of the Colorado Smoke Outlook is on large fires (e.g., greater than 100 acres in size). Nevertheless, smoke from smaller fires, prescribed fires, and/or smoke from new fires not yet known to CDPHE air quality meteorologists may cause locally heavy smoke. If there is smoke in your neighborhood, see the public health recommendations below.

    Public health recommendations for areas affected by smoke: If smoke is thick or becomes thick in your neighborhood you may want to remain indoors. This is especially true for those with heart disease, respiratory illnesses, the very young, and the elderly. Fine particulates may reach the Unhealthy category where smoke is heavy. Consider limiting outdoor activity when moderate to heavy smoke is present. People with heart or lung disease, older adults, and children should avoid prolonged or heavy exertion; everyone else should reduce prolonged or heavy exertion. Consider relocating temporarily if smoke is present indoors and is making you ill. IF VISIBILITY IS LESS THAN 5 MILES IN SMOKE IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD, SMOKE HAS REACHED LEVELS THAT ARE UNHEALTHY.

    Summer Ozone Program

    For an AQI value that considers all pollutants, please click here .

    Ground-level ozone is a summertime air pollution problem that is created when other pollutants from sources like vehicle exhaust, paints, degreasing agents and cleaning fluids react with sunlight. Exposure to ground-level ozone can cause acute respiratory problems, reduced lung capacity and inflammation of lung tissues and can trigger asthma attacks.

    Ground-level ozone should not be confused with the protective stratospheric ozone layer miles above the Earth’s surface. This naturally-occurring ozone layer protects the Earth’s surface from excessive ultra-violet radiation.

    Do your share and be a part of the solution to the Denver-metropolitan area’s summertime air pollution problems. These easy strategies will help reduce the harmful vapors that react in sunlight to create summertime air pollution:

    At Home:

    Tightly cap all solvents (paint thinners and strippers, degreasers, and some cleaning products). Solvents contain pollution-causing vapors. Postpone painting, stripping and refinishing projects to avoid the morning and mid-day summertime heat. Better yet, wait until the Fall or Spring. Use water-based products (paints, stains and sealants).

    In the Yard:

    Delay mowing your lawn to another day. Don’t mow, let it grow! Avoid using high-emitting, gasoline-powered yard equipment. Electric alternatives are an efficient, environmentally-friendly alternative. Use an electric starter or a “charcoal chimney” to start your barbeque grill. Lighter fluid contains a lot of harmful vapors that escape into our air and contribute to summertime air pollution.

    On the Go:

    Stop at the click when refueling your car. Overfilling your tank often results in fuel spills and always allows unnecessary pollution-causing vapors to escape into our air. Refuel in the evenings after dusk. By refueling after the sun goes down, fuel vapors do not have as much of a chance to “cook” in the mid-day sun and become harmful ground-level ozone. Maintain your vehicle. A poorly-maintained vehicle can pollute as much as 25 times more than a well-maintained one.

    To learn more about the summer ozone program, visit:
    http://www.SimpleStepsBetterAir.org

    Additional Information

    ACTION DAYS: An Action Day for fine particulate matter (particulates), carbon monoxide, ozone or other pollutants indicates that either current air quality is unhealthy or conditions are expected to worsen later in the day or on the next day. Action Days for air pollutants generally indicate that air quality will be in either the Unhealthy or Unhealthy-for-Sensitive-Groups categories according to the Air Quality Index. Action Days trigger voluntary pollution prevention measures, which may vary by season, and public health recommendations. In addition, during the winter ‘high pollution day’ season (October 31 to March 31), Action Days trigger mandatory restrictions that limit burning inside the home to approved devices only (see indoor burning below).

    Action Days for Visibility alone are issued during the winter ‘high pollution day’ season (October 31 to March 31), only. At the time they are issued (4 PM), action days for visibility indicate that the Visibility Standard Index for visual air quality is expected to be poor on the following day. Action Days for Visibility trigger mandatory restrictions that limit indoor burning to approved devices only and voluntary driving reductions for the seven-county Denver-Boulder metropolitan area .

    The VISIBILITY STANDARD INDEX reports the air’s visual quality in the seven-county Denver-Boulder metropolitan area. The visibility standard is 0.076 per kilometer of atmospheric extinction, which means that 7.6 percent of the light in a kilometer of air is blocked. The level must exceed the standard based on a four-hour average for a violation to occur. On the Visibility Standard Index Scale, a value of 101 equates to the 0.076/km standard. Values between 0-50 are good, 51-100 moderate, 101-200 poor and 201-plus extremely poor.

    The AIR QUALITY INDEX reports the daily level of air pollution on an hourly basis. The index reports the highest level of either carbon monoxide, fine particulates or ozone depending on which pollutant has the greatest hourly concentration. Values greater than 100 for carbon monoxide, fine particulates and ozone indicate exceedances of the pollutant’s state and federal standards. Air Quality Index values between 0-50 are good, 51-100 moderate, 101-150 unhealthy for sensitive groups, 151-200 unhealthy, 201-300 very unhealthy, and over 300 hazardous.

    INDOOR BURNING: On Action Days issued during the winter ‘high pollution day’ season (October 31 through March 31), mandatory restrictions that limit indoor burning to approved devices only generally apply to everyone in the entire seven-county Denver-Boulder metropolitan area below 7,000 feet. The restrictions will be enforced through local ordinances or a state regulation.

    The state regulation applies to any community in the seven-county Denver-Boulder metropolitan area that did not have its own mandatory indoor burning ordinance in effect on January 1, 1990. Under this regulation, the only exceptions to the burning restrictions are for residences above 7,000 feet in the seven-county Denver-Boulder metropolitan area; and those who use Colorado Phase III (Phase II EPA) certified woodburning stoves, Colorado approved pellet stoves, approved masonry heaters or those whose stoves or fireplaces are their primary source of heat. For more information on indoor burning, call the Air Pollution Control Division at (303) 692-3100.
    For more, go to: http://www.cdphe.state.co.us/ap/woodhome.html

    COLORADO OPEN BURN FORECAST: For those with permits for Open Burning, that is burning of waste materials or vegetation outside, check the following webpage to find out if open burning is allowed today:

    http://www.colorado.gov/airquality/burn_forecast.aspx

    FOR CURRENT AIR QUALITY INFORMATION AND UPDATES:

    http://www.colorado.gov/airquality/advisory.aspx

    http://www.colorado.gov/airquality/air_quality.aspx

    ABOUT THE AIR QUALITY INDEX:

    http://www.epa.gov/airnow/aqi_brochure_08-09.pdf

    SOCIAL MEDIA AND AIR QUALITY NOTIFICATIONS:

    http://www.facebook.com/cdphe.apcd

    http://twitter.com/#!/cdpheapcd

    http://www.enviroflash.info/signup.cfm

    Winter High Pollution Advisory Program

    The Winter High Pollution Advisory Program is coordinated by the Air Pollution Control Division of the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment.

    Winter season air pollution forecasts are issued daily from October 31 through March 31 at 4 p.m. When conditions warrant, forecasts will include information about Action Days and subsequent indoor burning restrictions.

    An Action Day for fine particulates, carbon monoxide or ozone indicates that either current air quality is unhealthy or conditions are expected to worsen later in the day or on the next day. Action Days for air pollutants generally indicate that air quality will be in either the Unhealthy or Unhealthy-for-Sensitive-Groups categories according to the Air Quality Index. Action Days trigger mandatory restrictions that limit indoor burning to approved devices only (see indoor burning below), voluntary driving reductions, and public health recommendations.

    An Action Day for Visibility alone indicates that the Visibility Standard Index for visual air quality is expected to be poor on the current or following day. An Action Day for Visibility will trigger mandatory restrictions on indoor burning and voluntary driving reductions for the seven-county Denver-Boulder metropolitan area only.

    When no advisories are issued, air quality is good or moderate and is expected to remain so during the effective period of the forecast. No restrictions are in place. 

  • RED ROCKS • LOTTO • COLORADO SYMPHONY • ENTER HERE!

    RED ROCKS • LOTTO • COLORADO SYMPHONY • ENTER HERE!

    – ENTER TO WIN TICKETS –

    Red Rocks Amphitheatre presents

    Pink Martini with the Colorado Symphony
    AND special guest Rufus Wainwright

    JULY 6

    Pink Martini celebrates the release of its ninth studio album, Je dis oui!, featuring vocals from China Forbes, Storm Large, Ari Shapiro, fashion guru Ikram Goldman, civil rights activist Kathleen Saadat, and Rufus Wainwright. The album is the band’s happiest in years; it features 15 tracks spanning eight languages, and affirms the band’s 22-year history of global inclusivity and collaborative spirit. Join us under the stars to celebrate an evening with Pink Martini, your Colorado Symphony, and special guest Rufus Wainwright!

    Enter to win two (2) tickets to Pink Martini with the Colorado Symphony with special guest Rufus Wainwright by sending an e-mail to by 12 a.m. on Friday, June 23. To be considered, the subject line should read “Red Rocks/Colorado Symphony” and e-mail body should include your full name and e-mail addressThe winner will be notified via e-mail by 5 p.m. on Friday, June 23. 

    Click Here To Purchase Tickets to the SHOW!

     

     

     

     
     

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  • TODAY’S EVENTS – Thursday, June 22

    TODAY’S EVENTS – Thursday, June 22

    WHAT’S GOOD TODAY?

    • Agate School Board. 6 p.m.

    EVERY THURSDAY

    • AA Strasburg Sobriety book study

      Saron Lutheran Church, 1656 Main St. @ 7:30 p.m. Contact Lane Shade, (303)717-2263.

    LIBRARY NEWS

    • Cryptid Creation

      Anythink Bennett @ 10:30-11:30 a.m. Kids will design a cryptid monster with its own traits and personality. Materials provided.

    • Kalama Polynesian Dance

      Anythink Bennett @ 2:30-3:30 p.m. Polynesian dancers will visit to spread the aloha spirit through the songs and dances of the islands of Hawaii, New Zealand, Samoa and Tahiti.

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