Bennett— High Plains Bank has established an account to collect donations for the families of the recent car crash, which claimed the lives of two Bennett High School students and injured three others.
To donate, visit the Bank and ask a teller to deposit a contribution into the account.
The account will be open through May when the money will be disbursed to the victims’ families.
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Democrats on Committee Defeat Bill to Erode Federal Management of Colorado Public Lands
With a 6-3 party-line vote, the House State, Veterans & Military Affairs Committee defeated a bill this afternoon that threatened to make federal employees subject to criminal charges simply for doing their job managing public lands.
HB17-1141 would criminalize the Bureau of Land Management or Forest Service for managing grazing on land being leased by grazers. The bill would set a dangerous precedent of creating penalties for a government employee doing their job and would threaten to embolden the small subset of ranchers who sympathize with the Ammon Bundy armed seizure of a federal wildlife refuge in Oregon last year.
I cannot tell you how much respect I have for the ranchers of this state, I’m voting no on this bill because of the dangerous precedent that it sets, said Rep. Edie Hooton, D-Boulder.
Scott Braden, a public land and wilderness advocate from Mesa County described the bill as “a misguided attempt that would make it nearly impossible for federal managers to do their job. Colorado is blessed with over 23 million acres of public lands. These lands bolster our economy and our quality of life.”
I agree that our agricultural and ranching industries are important to our state and must be protected, but any perceived abuse by federal employees against ranchers won’t be resolved by this bill, said Rep. Adrienne Benavidez, D-Adams County.
Organizations opposed to the bill include Conservation Colorado, Colorado Cattlemen’s Association and the Colorado chapter of Backcountry Hunters & Anglers.
Humans Dramatically Increase Seasonal Extent of U.S. Wildfires
Humans have dramatically increased the spatial and seasonal extent of wildfires across the U.S. in recent decades and ignited more than 840,000 blazes in the spring, fall and winter seasons over a 21-year period, according to new University of Colorado Boulder-led research.
After analyzing two decades’ worth of U.S. government agency wildfire records spanning 1992-2012, the researchers found that human-ignited wildfires accounted for 84 percent of all wildfires, tripling the length of the average fire season and accounting for nearly half of the total acreage burned.
The findings were published today in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
There cannot be a fire without a spark. Our results highlight the importance of considering where the ignitions that start wildfires come from, instead of focusing only on the fuel that carries fire or the weather that helps it spread. Thanks to people, the wildfire season is almost year-round, said Jennifer Balch, director of CU Boulder’s Earth Lab and an assistant professor in the Department of Geography and lead author of the new study.
The U.S. has experienced some of its largest wildfires on record over the past decade, especially in the western half of the country. The duration and intensity of future wildfire seasons is a point of national concern given the potentially severe impact on agriculture, ecosystems, recreation and other economic sectors, as well as the high cost of extinguishing blazes.
The annual cost of fighting wildfires in the U.S. has exceeded $2 billion in recent years.
The CU Boulder researchers used the U.S. Forest Service Fire Program Analysis-Fire Occurrence Database to study records of all wildfires that required a response from a state or federal agency between 1992 and 2012, omitting intentionally set prescribed burns and managed agricultural fires. Human-ignited wildfires accounted for 84 percent of 1.5 million total wildfires studied, with lightning-ignited fires accounting for the rest.
In Colorado, 30 percent of wildfires from 1992-2012 were started by people, burning over 1.2 million acres. The fire season length for human-started fires was 50 days longer than the lightning-started fire season (93 days compared to 43 days), a twofold increase.
These findings do not discount the ongoing role of climate change, but instead suggest we should be most concerned about where it overlaps with human impact,” said Balch. “Climate change is making our fields, forests and grasslands drier and hotter for longer periods, creating a greater window of opportunity for human-related ignitions to start wildfires.
While lightning-driven fires tend to be heavily concentrated in the summer months, human-ignited fires were found to be more evenly distributed across all seasons. Overall, humans added an average of 40,000 wildfires during the spring, fall and winter seasons annually — over 35 times the number of lightning-started fires in those seasons.
We saw significant increases in the numbers of large, human-started fires over time, especially in the spring. I think that’s interesting and scary because it suggests that as spring seasons get warmer and earlier due to climate change, human ignitions are putting us at increasing risk of some of the largest, most damaging wildfires, said Bethany Bradley, an associate professor at the University of Massachusetts Amherst and co-lead author of the research.
The most common day for human-started fire by far, however, was July 4, with 7,762 total wildfires started on that day over the course of the 21-year period.
“Not all fire is bad, but humans are intentionally and unintentionally adding ignitions to the landscape in areas and seasons when natural ignitions are sparse,” said John Abatzoglou, an associate professor of geography at the University of Idaho and a co-author of the paper. “We can’t easily control how dry fuels get, or lightning, but we do have some control over human started ignitions.”
The new findings have wide-ranging implications for fire management policy and suggest that human behavior can have dramatic impact on wildfire totals, for good or for ill.
“The hopeful news here is that we could, in theory, reduce human-started wildfires in the medium term,” said Balch. “But at the same time, we also need to focus on living more sustainably with fire by shifting the human contribution to ignitions to more controlled, well-managed burns.”
Co-authors of the new research include Emily Fusco of the University of Massachusetts Amherst and Adam Mahood and Chelsea Nagy of CU Boulder.
The research was funded by the NASA Terrestrial Ecology Program, the Joint Fire Sciences Program and Earth Lab through CU Boulder’s Grand Challenge Initiative.
500+ New Trees in 2017 Thanks to $35K in Grants
BROOMFIELD, CO – The Colorado Tree Coalition (CTC) is awarding nearly $35,000 in grants to eleven Colorado communities and organizations to help fund the planting of more than 500 new community trees in 2017. A diverse array of tree planting, maintenance and education projects are receiving funding. Communities receiving grants include Grand Junction, Durango, Alamosa, Aurora, South Suburban Parks & Recreation District, Monte Vista and Pueblo.
One project receiving funding this year is Durango’s Mountain Middle School’s, “Trees are the answer!” project. This project will help encourage and educate future generations on the principles of planting, nurturing and sustaining a healthy tree population. Durango’s Mountain Middle School is focused on two areas of the campus that are void of all trees.
Another organization receiving 2017 funding is the City of Pueblo Parks and Recreation Department. They will receive $2,000 for their Municipal Tree Nursery Project. The purpose of the project is to strengthen community ties and partnerships with the City of Pueblo’s Urban Forestry Program. Additionally, Pueblo Parks and Recreation will work with a local non-profit organization, Tree’s Please, in two ways. First, Tree’s Please and the City of Pueblo will create a City-Wide Tree Board. Secondly, the project will initiate a tree nursery to provide trees for future planting projects in the City of Pueblo.
While grant recipient projects vary, a few will add trees to parks, trails, schools, and downtown areas. Many will also focus on countering the threat posed by emerald ash borer (EAB), a non-native pest discovered in Boulder, CO, in 2013. EAB attacks and kills ash trees, which make up about 15% of the state’s urban trees. Grant-funded EAB projects this year will plant native and diverse trees beneath existing ash, preparing for their likely eventual decline as EAB spreads across the state.
Each year, the CTC awards thousands in grant money to Colorado communities to help preserve, renew, and enhance one of Colorado’s most valuable resources: its urban forest. Aside from aesthetic benefits, urban trees protect the air and water from pollution, save energy by shielding homes from summer sun and winter wind, increase property values, and improve the economic viability of commercial areas.
The Colorado Tree Coalition awarded nearly $50,000 to 17 organizations in 2016. Along with matching funds provided by the grant recipients this helped plant more than 360 trees in communities across Colorado. Each of these projects allowed residents the opportunity to make a difference in their community with a combined total of 3,117 hours of volunteer service. CTC grants are made possible through the support of the USDA Forest Service, the Colorado State Forest Service, Xcel Energy Foundation, Xcel Energy Vegetation Management, Colorado Public Radio and other private donors, and our Colorado Tree Coalition members and supporters. Since 1991 the Colorado Tree Coalition has awarded 501 grants totaling over $844,000. These grants have been matched with over $7.8 million in community money and/or time. As a result of these grants over 74,110 trees have been planted throughout the state.
The Colorado Tree Coalition is a volunteer-driven non-profit organization leading statewide efforts to preserve, renew and enhance community forests. Programs administered by the CTC include, among many others: Trees Across Colorado, ReForest Colorado, the Select Tree Evaluation Program, and the 5th Grade Poster Contest.
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The Arapahoe County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a locker room burglary that occurred on Monday, Feb. 20, between 2:45 and 4 p.m. at Lifetime Fitness, 5000 E. Dry Creek Road.
The man is suspected of taking personal belongings from two different lockers at the facility. The stolen credit cards were used immediately at various locations, including:
Target, 6767 S Clinton St, Englewood
Target, 1950 E. County Line Road, Highlands Ranch
Walmart, 6675 Business Center Drive, Highlands Ranch
King Soopers, 8673 S. Quebec St, Highlands Ranch
The victims in this case lost more than $3,000 in cash and property. Please see photo gallery provided below.
Anyone with information about this crime is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 720-913-STOP (7867) or the Arapahoe County Sheriff’s Office tip line at 720-874-8477.
The Deer Trail Lady Eagles finished second at the 1A District 7 Tournament at Kiowa Feb. 25.
The red-and-white qualified as the No. 7 seed for the 1A Region 3 Tournament and will compete in Bracket 1 this weekend. The Eagles take on McClave at approximately 4:30 p.m., Friday, March 3, at La Junta High School, 1817 Smithland. If they win, the Eagles will play top-ranked Kit Carson at approximately 4:30 p.m. Saturday for the right to advance to the 1A state tournament March 9-11 at the University of Northern Colorado in Greeley.
For district tournament coverage, see the March 3 Eastern Colorado News.
Washington — Republican Rep. Ken Buck announced the 2017 Congressional Art Competition for high school students in the 4th Congressional District. The theme is “America the Beautiful.” High school students can submit an original work of art for display during April at Centennial Park Library in Greeley. The winners will be announced April 14 at an awards ceremony, also at Centennial Park Library. The winning work will be displayed in the U.S. Capitol for a year. The entry deadline is March 24 with the artwork delivered to Centennial Park Library from March 27-29. For more information, visit buck.house.gov.
March 2017 at the Denver Art Museum
Mi Tierra
Check out the dynamic site-specific installations of Mi Tierra: Contemporary Artists Explore Place by 13 Latino artists that express experiences of contemporary life in the American West with tours at 2 pm on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday and an in-depth Mindful Looking tour on March 21. Make yourself at home and celebrate the love of the land at Untitled: Roots on March 31.
Star Wars™ and The Power of Costume
The popular exhibition, Star Wars™ and the Power of Costume continues, with weekend demonstrations in the Costume Studio and daily opportunities for hands-on creativity. Dated and timed ticket required.
Spring Break Fun
Family fun in March includes Spring Break—complete with special performances of the family-friendly play, Art Emergency: Code Redder—as well as Free First Saturday/CelebrARTE, Create Playdate and Foxy and Shmoxy: Art Detectives.
Other Highlights
Celebrate the Month of Photography with a special lecture series featuring Carol Golemboski (March 3), Andrew Beckham (March 17), Gary Emrich (March 23) and Benjamin Rasmussen (March 30).
Among other exhibitions currently on view are Then, Now, Next: Evolution of an Architectural Icon and Shock Wave: Japanese Fashion Design, 1980s-90s.
Native Arts Artist-in-Residence: Wendy Red Star will host open studio hours on March 18, 22 and 23 from 11 a.m.–2 p.m.
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Many libraries will be partnering with National Education Association to host “Read Across America” events in honor of the famous author’s birthday. The NEA instituted the “Read Across America” project to challenge America and it’s youth in public education. We will post library events for the eastern I-70 corridor, but be sure to check your local library calendar too! #ReadAcrossAmerica @I70Scout
1920s Comedy: “Pistols & Posies” by Christy Frederickson
Bennett High School @ 7 p.m. Join High School thespians for a night of comedy and adventure from the Roaring ’2os; with flappers, and the roughest, toughest gangsters in Chicago, as the Bennett High School theater department stages its annual spring play. Tickets cost $5 per adult and $3 per student.
Byers Community Church @ 7 p.m. Join the journey as Lent begins to let go of your past, remember who we are, and cleanse for the journey to The Cross.
Community Blood Drive
Deer Trail School, 350 Second Ave., @ 2 – 6 p.m. in the cafeteria. Donors should eat a full meal and drink plenty of water prior to their contribution. For more information or to schedule an appointment, contact Diane Craven at (303)877-0184 or visit www.bonfils.org.
1920s Comedy: “Pistols & Posies” by Christy Frederickson
Bennett High School @ 7 p.m. Join High School thespians for a night of comedy and adventure from the Roaring ’2os; with flappers, and the roughest, toughest gangsters in Chicago, as the Bennett High School theater department stages its annual spring play. Tickets cost $5 per adult and $3 per student.
Crafternoon:
Anythink Bennett library, 495 Seventh St., @ 4:15 p.m. Participants will draw Dr. Seuss characters.
Read Across America
Kelver Library, 404 E. Front St., Byers, @ 3:30 – 4:30 p.m. Children ages 5-12 can participate in games, stories and crafts to celebrate the 108th birthday of Dr. Seuss — the man who created the Cat in the Hat.
EVERY WEDNESDAY
Bennett Young At Heart seniors potluck
Bennett Community Center @12 p.m. Shirley Kuzara, (303)644-4768.
Byers Silver & Gold senior citizens game day
Byers American Legion Hall @ 12:30 p.m.
Recovery in Christ
Valley Bank, Strasburg @ 7 – 9 p.m.
Baby Bounce
Anythink Bennett library @ 10 – 10:30 a.m. Songs, stories and rhyme times for babies up to age 2 and their caregivers.
Music & Movement
Anythink Bennett library @ 10:30 a.m. Ages 2-6 can sing, dance and learn to play basic instruments.
SCHOOLHOUSE NEWS
Strasburg Youth Wrestling Practice, SES cafeteria @ 6:15 – 8:15 p.m.
TC Lightning Club Softball Practice, HMS Gym @ 7 – 8:30 p.m.
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Gardner Joins Senate Colleagues and Encourages the President to Strengthen Mission at GTMO, Safeguard Americans
Washington – U.S. Senators Cory Gardner (R-CO) and Jerry Moran (R-KN), along with nine of their colleagues, this week encouraged the President to assess the future operations and detention of detainees held at the Joint Task Force Guantanamo Bay detention facility in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba (GTMO) in a letter to the President.
“Congress has continuously opposed and prohibited the closure of GTMO as well as the transfer of GTMO detainees to U.S. soil since 2010 in response to the previous administration’s attempt to fulfill a campaign promise,” the Senators wrote. “Despite the growing number of threats to our nation from terrorists around the globe, the Obama administration demonstrated a serious disregard for the safety of the American people and the will of Congress by dramatically reducing the number of detainees housed at GTMO to justify those remaining to be transferred to the U.S.”
In the letter, the Senators shared with President Trump a number of recommendations for the future of the detention facility as the president and Congress work to ensure the safety of the American people. They requested an immediate hold on transferring detainees approved for release by the Periodic Review Board (PRB) and the suspension of the PRB itself – which was established in 2011 to assess and determine the transfer of detainees – along with a full and judicious review of the PRB’s role and responsibilities. They also requested the consideration of military value analysis and recommendations of the nation’s most senior military leaders.
Washington – U.S. Senator Cory Gardner (R-CO) today released the below statement following the White House press secretary’s comment that “President Trump has made it very clear that he expects the Russian government to de-escalate violence in the Ukraine and return Crimea.”
“I welcome news that the White House has laid out a clear and unequivocal stance on Russian aggression in Ukraine,” said Gardner. “Russia’s destabilizing actions must be met with resolve from the United States, and today’s statement from the White House is a positive step toward that goal.”
This past week, Gardner led a group of Senators in sending a letter to President Trump urging his Administration to pursue a principled and tough-minded Russia policy, highlighting Russia’s aggressive behavior in Ukraine, Syria, and cyberspace.
Gardner Reacts to Joint Statement from US, South Korea, and Japan
Washington – Senator Cory Gardner (R-CO) today released the below statement after the United States, South Korea, and Japan released a joint statement condemning North Korea’s ballistic missile launch:
“I’m encouraged by today’s joint statement from the U.S., South Korea, and Japan because it represents a unified front against North Korean aggression. The statement also sends a message to North Korea and our adversaries around the world: the U.S. will stand up to those who threaten our allies,” said Gardner. “I urge the Administration to continue to pursue and strengthen this important trilateral alliance, an effective policy tool to deter Pyongyang and promote peace in the region. Additionally, I’m hopeful that the Administration expedites the placement of the U.S. Terminal High Altitude Area Defense and show-of-force exercises near North Korea. Together, the U.S., South Korea, and Japan can work toward changing North Korea’s behavior and disarming the regime.”
Gardner’s statement on North Korea’s launch along with a letter he sent to the Administration urging the prioritization of the North Korean threat can be found here. Additionally, earlier this week Gardner sent a letter with his Senate colleagues to Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin requesting that the department pursue a full range of financial sanctions against the regime.
Gov. Hickenlooper Welcomes Refugees for Their Contributions to Colorado
Colorado – Gov. John Hickenlooper and Lt. Gov. Donna Lynne today welcomed refugees to Colorado during a celebration at Union Station honoring the many contributions refugees make to Colorado. The event, sponsored by Union Station Alliance, brought together 75 refugees – most of whom had arrived in Colorado just weeks or months earlier – from countries including Syria, Iraq, Afghanistan, Somalia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Central African Republic.
The event also brought together Coloradans who work to support refugees as they begin their new lives, including Denver Mayor Michael Hancock, Aurora Mayor Steve Hogan, as well as leaders of Colorado’s three resettlement agencies: the African Community Center, the International Rescue Commission and Lutheran Family Services.
Colorado Bureau of Investigation Seeks Re-Accreditation
Colorado — A team of assessors with the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc. (CALEA®) will visit the Colorado Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to examine all aspects of the Bureau, including policies, procedures, management, operations and support services beginning on March 12, 2017.
The CBI must comply with 189 standards to continue the current CALEA accreditation status. Verification by the assessment team that the CBI meets the Commission’s state-of-the-art standards is part of a voluntary process to gain re-accreditation, a highly prized recognition of law enforcement professional excellence. The CBI received its initial accreditation in July 2014.
As part of the on-site assessment, Bureau employees, agencies and members of the community are invited to offer comments at a public information session beginning at 4:00 p.m. on March 13, 2017. The first portion of the session will be for call-ins from 4:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Beginning at 5:30 p.m. a public meeting will be conducted at the CBI headquarters (690 Kipling St., Lakewood, CO 80215). If for some reason an individual is unable to call in or attend in person, but would still like to provide comments to the assessment team, information can be shared via email at .
To participate in the call in session from 4:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., please call 1 (646) 749-3131, access code 814-586-733.
Telephone comments as well as appearances at the public information session are limited to 10 minutes and must address the Bureau’s ability to comply with CALEA standards. Local contact is Susan Medina (303-239-4423).
Persons wishing to offer written comments about the CBI’s ability to meet standards for accreditation are requested to write: Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc. (CALEA), 13575 Heathcote Boulevard, Suite 320, Gainesville, Virginia, 20155.
The assessment team is composed of law enforcement practitioners from similar agencies. The assessors review written materials, interview individuals, and visit offices and off-site locations where compliance can be witnessed. The assessors are:
Team Leader: Chief Humberto I. Cardounel Jr., Henrico County Police Division
Team Member: Mr. John Bailey Tucker, South Carolina CALEA PAC President
Once the CALEA® assessors complete their on-site review of the Bureau, they report to the full Commission, which will then determine if the CBI is to be granted re-accredited status.
Accreditation is for three years, during which time the agency must submit annual reports attesting continued compliance with those standards under which they were originally accredited, and must undergo annual compliance audits by CALEA certified compliance management officers.
For more information regarding the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc. please call (800) 368-3757 or write to the Commission at:
Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc. (CALEA)
13575 Heathcote Boulevard, Suite 320
Gainesville, Virginia, 20155
Senate GOP Passes Bill to Stifle First Amendment Rights
Denver – Senate Republicans passed SB17-035 that would change “tampering with oil and gas equipment” from a class two misdemeanor to a class six felony.
Colorado Senate Republicans have decided to join Republican legislators across at least eight other states to repress political dissent and allow for a pathway to crackdown on protest activities. In Colorado, there has only been one reported incident over the past 3 years of tampering with oil and gas equipment.
The way the bill is written would also make a peaceful protester blocking a road that inhibits a vehicle carrying oil or condensate a class six felony, even though there was no act of vandalism. Republicans in Colorado have positioned themselves in complete opposition to the right to protest and the right to free speech. More importantly, they have stifled Coloradans right to protect their environment and home.
“Why carve out something for oil and gas when we’re not adequately protecting people?” asked State Senator Matt Jones, D-Louisville. “We should be focusing our attention on protecting Colorado families around oil and gas industrial operations, not oil corporations. These are dangerous industrial operations that are being plopped into neighborhoods. Let’s worry about our neighbors. The bottom line is we should be protecting Colorado families — not oil and gas corporations.”
“This is a felony in search of a protester to convict. In Colorado, we do not live in a dictatorship nor do we have an authoritarian form of government. We live in a democracy that should not suffocate but protect our right to protest, our right to free speech, and our right to assemble to safeguard our community,” said State Senator Rhonda Fields, D-Aurora.
First Week in March is National Weights and Measures Week – Oil & Gas
Division of Oil and Public Safety ensures accuracy at the gas pump
Denver –Gov. Hickenlooper has issued a proclamation declaring March 1 – 7 as Weights and Measures Week in Colorado. Each year, the first week in March commemorates President John Adams signing the first weights and measures law in the United States on March 2, 1799.
The week provides an opportunity to remind consumers and businesses about the work done every day to ensure the accuracy of all commercially used weighing and measuring equipment. Coloradans buy gasoline by the gallon and purchase meat and produce by the pound. Scales at DIA determine allowable luggage weights. Every day, commercial scales, meters and scanning equipment ensure equity in the marketplace and the regular inspections of those devices protect consumers.
Inspectors at the Division of Oil and Public Safety (OPS) at the Department of Labor and Employment play an important role in helping to ensure that Colorado consumers are getting what they are paying for. These inspectors are responsible for inspecting more than 50,000 retail motor fuel dispensers in the state.
“Our inspectors verify the calibration of gas pumps and test motor fuel to ensure compliance with fuel quality standards,” says OPS Director Mahesh Albuquerque. “Through our work, Coloradans can be confident they are getting what they pay for at the pump, while businesses are assured of an even playing field with their competitors.”
OPS also inspects bulk propane, gasoline and diesel truck meters and retail propane, compressed and liquefied natural gas dispensers for accuracy. In addition, inspectors verify that the calibration mechanisms are sealed from tampering. They look for leaks and evaluate advertising practices and price computations. “We don’t favor the retailer or the consumer,” Albuquerque says. “Our inspectors ensure accuracy and equity in the marketplace.”
Consumers who have a complaint or question about a retail motor fuel purchase or believe they are not getting precisely what they have paid for, can call 303-866-4967 and request an inspection.
Helping the Neediest Stay Warm
Committee Advances Hamner-Exum Bill to Continue Home Heating Program – A bill to enact a five-year extension of a home heating and home insulation assistance program for Colorado’s most vulnerable families unanimously passed the House Transportation & Energy Committee this morning.
HB17-1116, sponsored by Reps. Millie Hamner, D-Dillon, and Tony Exum Sr., D-Colorado Springs, extends the Low-Income Energy Assistance Program, which is helping heat and/or insulate the homes of more than 58,000 Colorado low-income families and individuals this winter.
The average benefit under the program for the current year is $342. Payments are sent directly to the heating fuel provider, electric utility or insulating contractor. Colorado’s oil and gas severance tax pays part of the tab and private groups like the Colorado Oil and Gas Association and the rural electrical associations also pitch in.
Rep. Exum talked about growing up one of 11 children in a low-income family. “You learn how to get by with the little that you have, but you also appreciate the assistance when it’s needed,” he told the committee.
Rep. Exum elaborated further later in the day: “This bill is very, very important for a lot of families all over the state to give them assistance when times are tough. This is literally the difference between staying warm and not during harsh winter months.”
The bill rides a 13-0 vote to the Appropriations Committee.
COLORADO ROCKIES AND ROOT SPORTS ANNOUNCE 2017 TELECAST SCHEDULE
Denver – The Colorado Rockies and ROOT SPORTS™ announced the network’s 2017 Colorado Rockies telecast schedule. The network will air 150 Rockies regular season games and six Spring Training games.
ROOT SPORTS’ Spring Training coverage begins Monday, March 20 with a matchup against the World Series Champion Chicago Cubs at Salt River Fields. Regular season coverage begins on Opening Day when the Rockies travel to Milwaukee to face the Brewers on Monday, April 3. Pregame coverage on Opening Day will begin at 11:00 a.m. MDT followed by first pitch at 12:10 p.m. MDT.
ROOT SPORTS has been a great partner and we’re proud to be entering another Rockies season with them. The high quality work their production team and on-air personalities put forth is impressive, and they have proven to be great collaborators with our organization over the years. We look forward to another year of professional game coverage and in-depth special programming to entertain Rockies fans throughout the Rocky Mountain Region – said Rockies Chief Operating Officer Greg Feasel
The Club/Colorado Rockies, a 30-minute weekly show which debuted in 2016, will return for the 2017 season. The show will offer fans a behind-the-scenes view of the players and front office, in addition to covering milestones of the week and the stories behind them. The Club/Colorado Rockies will air Sundays after the Toyota Postgame Show throughout the season.
Rockies Double Play, which provides all the highlights from the previous game in just 30 minutes, will also return for the 2017 season and airs 30 minutes prior to each Rockies Pregame Report.
ROOT SPORTS will bring back many familiar faces to Rockies telecasts in 2017. Drew Goodman, 12-time Colorado Sportscaster of the Year, enters his 15th season as the Rockies play-by-play announcer. Jeff Huson and former Rockies player Ryan Spilborghs will once again split time in the booth beside Goodman. Jenny Cavnar and Marc Stout return to host the Rockies Pregame Report and Toyota Postgame Show, as well as share on-field reporting duties. Spilborghs, Huson and former Rockies outfielder Cory Sullivan will also provide analysis on the Rockies Pregame Report and the Toyota Postgame Show through the season.
A full 2017 ROOT SPORTS Spring Training and regular season telecast schedule is below.
2017 ROOT SPORTS™ Colorado Rockies Spring Training Schedule
(Schedule Subject to Change)
DateTime(MT)Opponent
March 20 2:10 PM vs. Cubs
March 22 2:10 PM vs. Indians
March 24 2:10 PM vs. Giants
March 25 2:10 PM vs. Cubs
March 31 7:40 PM at Mariners
April 1 1:10 PM vs. Mariners
2017 ROOT SPORTS™ Colorado Rockies Regular Season Schedule
(Schedule Subject to Change)
DateTime(MT)Opponent
April 3
12:10 PM
at Brewers
April 4
5:40 PM
at Brewers
April 5
April 6
April 7
April 8
April 9
April 10
April 11
April 12
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April 14
April 15
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11:40 AM
2:10 PM
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6:10 PM
2:10 PM
8:10 PM
8:10 PM
6:40 PM
6:10 PM
1:10 PM
6:40 PM
6:40 PM
1:10 PM
6:40 PM
6:40 PM
6:10 PM
1:10 PM
6:10 PM
6:10 PM
5:10 PM
2:10 PM
11:10 AM
5:05 PM
5:05 PM
5:05 PM
6:40 PM
7:10 PM
1:10 PM
1:10 PM
5:10 PM
8:10 PM
1:40 PM
8:10 PM
2:10 PM
2:40 PM
6:40 PM
1:10 PM
6:05 PM
12:20 PM
12:20 PM
12:20 PM
5:05 PM
5:05 PM
5:05 PM
6:40 PM
6:40 PM
1:10 PM
1:10 PM
6:40 PM
6:40 PM
8:10 PM
8:10 PM
2:10 PM
8:15 PM
8:15 PM
7:40 PM
8:10 PM
2:10 PM
6:10 PM
6:10 PM
6:40 PM
6:40 PM
7:10 PM
1:10 PM
5:10 PM
5:10 PM
11:10 AM
6:40 PM
6:40 PM
6:40 PM
6:10 PM
1:10 PM
6:15 PM
6:15 PM
6:15 PM
5:05 PM
5:05 PM
11:35 AM
6:40 PM
6:40 PM
6:40 PM
6:10 PM
1:10 PM
5:10 PM
10:10 AM
5:10 PM
5:10 PM
11:10 AM
6:40 PM
6:40 PM
6:40 PM
6:40 PM
6:10 PM
1:10 PM
6:15 PM
6:15 PM
5:35 PM
5:10 PM
11:35 AM
6:40 PM
6:40 PM
6:40 PM
6:10 PM
1:10 PM
1:10 PM
6:40 PM
6:40 PM
8:10 PM
8:10 PM
7:10 PM
2:10 PM
7:40 PM
7:40 PM
7:40 PM
6:40 PM
6:10 PM
1:10 PM
8:15 PM
1:45 PM
8:10 PM
8:10 PM
6:40 PM
2:40 PM
6:40 PM
6:40 PM
1:10 PM
6:10 PM
6:10 PM
1:10 PM
at Brewers
at Brewers
vs. Dodgers
vs. Dodgers
vs. Dodgers
vs. Padres
vs. Padres
vs. Padres
at Giants
at Giants
at Giants
at Giants
at Dodgers
at Dodgers
vs. Giants
vs. Giants
vs. Giants
vs. Nationals
vs. Nationals
vs. Nationals
vs. Nationals
at Diamondbacks
at Diamondbacks
at Diamondbacks
at Padres
at Padres
vs. Diamondbacks
vs. Diamondbacks
vs. Diamondbacks
vs. Cubs
vs. Cubs
vs. Cubs
vs. Dodgers
vs. Dodgers
vs. Dodgers
vs. Dodgers
at Twins
at Twins
at Reds
at Reds
at Reds
at Phillies
at Phillies
at Phillies
vs. Cardinals
vs. Cardinals
vs. Cardinals
vs. Mariners
vs. Mariners
at Mariners
at Mariners
at Padres
at Padres
at Padres
vs. Indians
vs. Indians
at Cubs
at Cubs
at Cubs
at Cubs
at Pirates
at Pirates
at Pirates
vs. Giants
vs. Giants
vs. Giants
vs. Giants
vs. Diamondbacks
vs. Diamondbacks
at Dodgers
at Dodgers
at Dodgers
at Giants
at Giants
at Diamondbacks
at Diamondbacks
at Diamondbacks
vs. Reds
vs. Reds
vs. Reds
vs. White Sox
vs. White Sox
vs. White Sox
at Mets
at Mets
at Mets
vs. Padres
vs. Padres
vs. Pirates
vs. Pirates
vs. Pirates
at St. Louis
at St. Louis
at St. Louis
at Nationals
at Nationals
at Nationals
vs. Mets
vs. Mets
vs. Phillies
vs. Phillies
vs. Phillies
at Indians
at Indians
at Marlins
at Marlins
at Marlins
vs. Braves
vs. Braves
vs. Braves
vs. Brewers
vs. Brewers
vs. Brewers
at Royals
at Royals
at Braves
at Braves
at Braves
vs. Tigers
vs. Tigers
vs. Diamondbacks
vs. Diamondbacks
vs. Diamondbacks
vs. Giants
vs. Giants
vs. Giants
at Dodgers
at Dodgers
at Dodgers
at Dodgers
at Diamondbacks
at Diamondbacks
at Diamondbacks
vs. Padres
vs. Padres
vs. Padres
at Giants
at Giants
at Padres
at Padres
at Padres
at Padres
vs. Marlins
vs. Marlins
vs. Marlins
vs. Dodgers
vs. Dodgers
vs. Dodgers
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Colorado State University expands international online reach through new partnership
FORT COLLINS – More people than ever, around the world, will be able to learn from Colorado State University — along with other top institutions like the University of Virginia and Penn State — thanks to a new partnership with FutureLearn, an international social learning platform that specializes in delivering online education at any scale.
FutureLearn, started by The Open University in the United Kingdom, works with more than 100 preeminent international universities and specialist education providers to offer hundreds of high-quality online courses.
Beginning with course offerings on water and the science of relationships, the move by the Colorado State University System and CSU Online, a division of the University in Fort Collins, will expand access to the expertise of its faculty, opening doors for lifelong learning to CSU alumni and friends as well as a large international audience.
‘A perfect extension’
“Working with FutureLearn and other world-class institutions is a powerful way for CSU to share information and expertise that’s both interesting and valuable for people who love to learn,” said Provost and Executive Vice President Rick Miranda. “Lifelong learning from quality institutions is increasingly important as people adapt to rapid changes in industries and careers, and FutureLearn is a perfect extension of our mission as a land-grant institution to engage with people in communities in Colorado and around the world as they extend their education and learning throughout the course of their lives.”
In addition to CSU, four other universities have become the first in the U.S. to join forces with FutureLearn: American University, Pennsylvania State University, Purdue University and the University of Virginia Darden School of Business.
“We know that many of our Colorado State students and alumni are interested in enhancing their lives — and their careers — through lifelong learning, and CSU’s partnership with FutureLearn will give them the opportunity to join with people from around the world who will be able to learn from this group of leading institutions,” said Amy Parsons, executive vice chancellor of the CSU System. “We recognize the need for CSU to provide high-quality resources for our students long after graduation, and we’re thrilled to be able to connect people who want to always be learning with our great faculty in this robust, diverse learning ecosystem.”
FutureLearn’s reach
Since its first course began in October 2013, FutureLearn has attracted over 5 million registered learners to its courses from almost every country in the world. So far it has seen over 13 million course enrollments. Most of its courses can be completed within four weeks and can reach a huge scale — the largest so far was the British Council’s course “Understanding IELTS,” which attracted learners from more than 150 countries. Over 1.5 million learners have enrolled in that course over its five offerings.
In 2017, CSU Online will begin offering two courses through FutureLearn:
• “Science of Relationships,” in which students learn about what makes their significant other tick, why they’re attracted to certain people and how to best nurture a relationship or get through a breakup. It will be taught by Associate Professor Jennifer Jill Harmon from CSU’s Department of Psychology.
• “Water, Civilization and Nature: Addressing Water Challenges of the 21st Century,” which provides an overview of the interactions among water, people and nature, including issues like water scarcity, conflicts and disasters. About 14 CSU faculty members from departments across campus developed the course.
Elegance, ease of use
“We’ve had a chance to evaluate the various platforms that have emerged over the past several years, and we’re particularly impressed with the elegance and ease of use of FutureLearn’s approach,” said Associate Provost for Instructional Innovation Mike Palmquist, who directs CSU Online. “It’s particularly well-suited to use on phones and other mobile devices. In the coming years we’ll be rolling out courses on several subjects, from professional development in various commercial sectors to areas that CSU has particular expertise in, such as the life sciences, education and psychology.”
The FutureLearn approach is based on a social learning pedagogy that supports learning through conversation on a platform with an award-winning user experience. It works on any device with Internet access.
“We are delighted to be welcoming CSU into our stable of world-class institutions,” said FutureLearn CEO Simon Nelson. “The Colorado State University System, with CSU Online and the CSU-Global Campus, are U.S. pioneers in distance education. FutureLearn will help CSU build even stronger bridges to grow their international learner communities and enhance their existing pedagogy through the social voice of the learner base.”
