A new 2022 study from SmartAsset ranks the most affordable places to live in Colorado. The eighth annual study weighed several factors, including taxes, homeowners’ insurance, and home costs relative to the local median income. Places where home ownership costs were lowest relative to the median income in each location were considered the most affordable.
Check out the list below for additional details on how the top places in Colorado ranked:
Rank City, State Avg. Closing Costs Annual Property Tax Annual Homeowner’s Insurance Avg. Annual Mortgage Payment Median Income Affordability Index 1 Federal Heights, CO $2,557 $437 $337 $3,960 $49,291 86.05 2 La Junta, CO $2,896 $491 $445 $5,236 $49,654 65.17 3 Lamar, CO $2,020 $533 $496 $5,827 $41,124 47.90 4 Johnstown, CO $2,757 $2,301 $1,711 $20,110 $115,069 37.67 5 Brush, CO $2,197 $948 $841 $9,887 $56,078 37.31 6 Roxborough Park, CO $2,954 $3,578 $2,077 $24,413 $140,994 37.00 7 Cimarron Hills, CO $2,361 $1,088 $1,096 $12,880 $71,342 36.94 8 Security-Widefield, CO $2,371 $1,115 $1,116 $13,118 $72,175 36.62 9 Pueblo West, CO $2,369 $1,556 $1,111 $13,057 $73,608 36.45 10 Derby, CO $2,301 $1,144 $973 $11,439 $63,071 35.99
The methodology and interactive map can be found here: [LINK]
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New Study: Most Affordable Places to Live in Colorado
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Everything You Need To Know About Voting in Colorado’s 2022 Elections
Most Coloradans vote by mail and ballots start arriving in mid-October.
By Vignesh Ramachandran, Colorado News Collaborative
Election Day is Nov. 8 this year, but since every eligible registered Colorado voter will receive a mail ballot in October, you can vote sooner.
The Colorado News Collaborative has compiled answers to frequently asked questions about the voting process in our state as we near a pivotal midterm election that includes our governorship, a U.S. Senate seat and 11 statewide ballot issues. More information about elections in our state is also available directly from the Colorado Secretary of State Office (at GoVoteColorado.gov).
Registration
How can I register to vote in Colorado?
Colorado has automatic voter registration when you interact with certain state agencies — like the Department of Motor Vehicles — and share personal information like your name, address and date of birth. So you might already be registered.
If you’re not, you can register online or mail in a paper form. Voter registration will also be available at voter service and polling centers between Oct. 24 and Election Day on Nov. 8.
Do I have to register to vote every year?
No, as long as your voter registration is active, which you can check online. “Active” means you voted in the most recent election or you recently registered or updated your registration information.
How can I look up my voter registration status?
The Colorado Secretary of State website has a lookup page online. There, you can see your voter status, party affiliation and other key info about your profile, as well as submit changes.
What if I moved within Colorado since the last election?
If you have already changed your address at the Department of Motor Vehicles, your voter registration address should be automatically updated. If that’s not the case, you can change your voter address online. (See the next question about how long you need to have lived in Colorado in order to register.)
Who is eligible to register to vote?
You must be 18 years of age or older to vote (you can actually be as young as 16 to just register). You must be a U.S. citizen, as well as a Colorado resident for at least 22 days before the election. If you’re currently unhoused/homeless, you can list any address the state considers a “home base,” including a shelter.
I have a felony conviction — can I vote in Colorado?
If you’re currently incarcerated, no, you cannot vote. But if you’re on parole, yes, you can vote. If your conviction was in the past and you’ve served your sentence, yes, you can vote.
I’m a college student in a different state who is originally from Colorado. Can I vote in Colorado?
It depends. You can either keep your Colorado residency and vote by mail as a Coloradan. Or if you establish residency (which varies by state but can include conditions such as getting a new driver’s license or living there for a certain duration) in the different state you’re going to college in, you vote there, not here. You cannot vote in two states.
I’m a college student from a different state going to school in Colorado. Can I vote in Colorado?
If you decide to establish residency here in Colorado, yes, you can vote here. But please note that you cannot vote in two states and, by establishing residence here, give up your residency elsewhere.
I’m actively serving in the military outside Colorado or living overseas. How can I vote?
Under the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens and Absentee Voting Act (“UOCAVA”), you, your spouse/partner and dependents are permitted to vote and get extra time. Your mail ballot can be sent to your current mailing address 45 days before the election (so earlier than general voters) and you get extra time to send it back. It can reach Colorado as late as the eighth day after the election — Nov. 16, this year. You also have an online option to securely upload and send an image of your ballot
Voting by mail
Who gets a mail-in ballot?
All active registered voters in Colorado automatically get a mail ballot (also sometimes called an absentee ballot).
When will I receive my mail-in ballot?
Ballots begin to be mailed out to active registered voters between Oct. 17 and Oct. 21. Counties are supposed to mail overseas and military voters ballots 45 days before the election, but those voters have an online option to upload and send an image of their ballot, as well.
Where will my ballot be sent?
Your mail ballot will be sent to the mailing address you provided during voter registration or when you updated your registration.
Do I have to vote by mail just because I get a mail ballot?
No. You can still vote in person (see FAQs on in-person voting below), but most of your fellow Coloradans choose the mail option. In 2021, about 98% of Republican, Democrat and unaffiliated voters used their mail ballot, according to the Colorado Secretary of State office.
If I don’t get a mail-in ballot, how can I request one?
You can register to vote or update your registration by Oct. 31 and can then get a mail ballot. After Oct. 31, you can pick up a ballot at your county clerk’s office or at a polling center. Also, you can also just vote in person instead. Call your specific county’s election office – or see its website – for details.
When do I have to send my mail-in ballot back by?
Your county clerk office has to receive your mail ballot by 7 p.m. on Election Day, Nov. 8 in order for it be counted. That means if you’re mailing your ballot via the U.S. Postal Service (USPS), you’ll want to put it in the mail at least a week before Election Day (ask your local USPS branch when the cutoff is for your community). If you’ve missed the cutoff to mail it, your county will have secure drop boxes (see a list on your county website, for example, here are Denver, Douglas, Jeffco and Mesa) in which you can deposit your completed ballot or you can drop it off at a polling center.
The only deadline exception is for military and overseas voters who must send it by 7 p.m. on Nov. 8, but it can reach as late as the eighth day after the election — Nov. 16, this year.
Don’t forget to sign the envelope of your mail ballot or it won’t get counted. If your signature is missing on your envelope, you’ll get a letter letting you know and you’ll have to provide your signature within eight days after Election Day. If you decide not to drop off your ballot at a drop box and want to mail your ballot via the USPS, be sure to include postage (the amount varies county to county but many counties include the postage amount in the ballot instructions).
Are ballots available in languages other than English?
Colorado’s Secretary of State’s office has set up a multilingual hotline where interpreters can explain ballot content to voters in their preferred language. For Spanish-language voters, some counties might also provide a ballot in Spanish.
How do I learn more about the issues and candidates?
In addition to reputable local media reports, the nonpartisan League of Women Voters of Colorado has put together a guide on the statewide amendments and propositions on the ballot. The state also mails all registered voters a blue, paper election booklet that explains each statewide proposition and amendment on the ballot, as well as what a “yes” or “no” vote means for each.
Voting in person
When can I vote in person?
Between Oct. 24 and Nov. 8 (except Oct. 29, Oct. 30 and Nov. 6). See the state’s election calendar for more details and deadlines.
Where do I vote in person?
Check online to see your polling place in your community.
When is Election Day?
Election Day 2022 is Nov. 8, but you don’t have to wait until that day to vote (see above). If you do decide to wait until Election Day to vote in person, polls are open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Mountain time. If there are long queues on Election Day and you’re still waiting in line at 7 p.m., you’ll still be allowed to vote. Same-day voter registration is available, if needed. Under Colorado law, if you have to vote during the workday with some conditions, your employer must pay you for up to two hours.
What should I bring to vote in-person?
You must bring an acceptable ID. If your ID lists an address, it must be in Colorado.
Are there accessible voting options for voters with special needs?
Yes. Every polling location must have at least one accessible option, such as accessible voting machines or wheelchair-accessible paths.
Election security
How secret is my vote? Does anyone know who or what I voted for?
Your ballot and whomever or whatever you voted for is totally anonymous. The only thing that is public information is your party affiliation associated with your voter registration, which you can update online.
How common is voter fraud in Colorado?
Not common at all. The conservative-leaning Heritage Foundation has documented only 16 cases of fraud in Colorado since 2005. That’s 16 cases out of millions of ballots cast.
How can I be sure my ballot is counted?
Colorado has one of the most advanced and secure voting processes in the United States. Some experts have characterized it as the “gold standard” nationally.
Colorado counties use BallotTrax, a free service for voters that allows you to track the point from which it is mailed or gathered from a collection box to when it is counted. You can get text or email notifications. Think of it like tracking an online shopping order.
After the election, bipartisan teams and county clerks across Colorado do audits with paper ballots to confirm results. “No bipartisan audit has ever found a ballot that wasn’t tabulated correctly,” according to the Colorado Secretary of State office.
Other security measures in Colorado include: background checks for election staff, bipartisan teams conducting tests to election machines, signature verification; and a partnership with the National Guard to monitor critical elections technologies, like the statewide voter registration system, for cyber threats.
Can I be a poll watcher?
Yes. Poll watchers are members of the community who volunteer to observe the conduct of an election. Call any county clerk and recorder office to find out how to get involved. You’re allowed to watch in any county, not just the one you reside in.
Is Colorado taking any steps to improve election security?
The new Colorado Election Security Act (signed into law in 2022) creates additional measures to protect our vote, including but not limited to: year-round video surveillance of voting system components, felony prosecutions for tampering with voting equipment, whistleblower protections for reports of election law breaches and a $1 million grant program for counties to upgrade security around voting equipment.
Have more questions about voting in Colorado? Email us at and put “Elections” in the subject line. You can also find more information directly from the state at GoVoteColorado.gov.
This story is brought to you by COLab, the Colorado News Collaborative, a nonprofit coalition of more than 170 newsrooms across Colorado working together to better serve the public. Learn more at https://colabnews.co
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Study: CO residents have 11th most disposable income
The economy has been a roller coaster for consumers over the last two and a half years, and the ride isn’t slowing down yet. As COVID-19 and its ripple effects have continued to shape the economy, U.S. households have navigated both prosperity and struggles.
In the early weeks and months of the COVID-19 pandemic, experts feared that widespread shutdowns would devastate households economically. While March and April 2020 did bring brief spikes in unemployment, the economy overall fared better than expected early in the pandemic. Expansive government relief programs gave a boost to household finances, and because people spent less during lockdowns, the personal savings rate—calculated as the percentage of disposable income that people save—increased to record heights. Over the course of 2020 and 2021, low interest rates for borrowing and rising wages in a tight labor market continued to make it easier to save, keeping the rate elevated.
The rise and persistence of inflation more recently has reversed that trend. Year-over-year increases in the Consumer Price Index have exceeded 5% in every month since May 2021 and topped 8% in each of the last six months. With everything from housing to energy to groceries becoming more expensive, money that consumers had previously been setting aside is increasingly going toward essential spending.
These economic headwinds have sent the household personal savings rate back down to pre-COVID levels. The savings rate peaked at 33.8% early in the pandemic but had fallen to just 5% as of July 2022—less than half the rate of the previous July and the lowest level since the Great Recession. Today’s figures are more in line with recent history: despite steadily rising real disposable income over time—where disposable income is defined as total personal income less any personal taxes paid—personal savings rates have fallen from 10% to 15% in the mid-1970s to between around 4% and 8% in more recent decades.
Low savings rates can have a positive effect on economic activity because they signal that consumers are spending on goods and services. But in today’s environment, with high prices and rising interest rates, low savings could expose more households to financial difficulties. If the U.S. economy enters a recession and unemployment rates increase, households with depleted savings may struggle with essential spending.
As a result, having more disposable income is important for positioning families to pay for necessary expenses and weather hardships when they arise. On this count, residents in certain parts of the country will be better off than others. Without taking cost of living into account, states in the South tend to have the lowest per capita incomes on both a pre- and post-tax basis. In contrast, most of the states where disposable incomes are highest are coastal locations, which tend to have higher concentrations of well-educated workers and well-paying industries. But these states also often have higher cost of living. As a result, some of the states with the most disposable income, after adjusting for differences in living costs, are in fact found in low-cost parts of the central U.S.
The data used in this analysis is from the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis. To determine the states whose residents have the most cash to spend, researchers at Upgraded Points calculated the per capita disposable income by state in 2021, adjusted for cost-of-living differences. For the purpose of this analysis, disposable income is defined as total personal income less any personal taxes paid.
Here is a summary of the data for Colorado:
- Per capita post-tax income (adjusted): $58,663
- Per capita post-tax income: $60,344
- Per capita pre-tax income: $69,016
- Per capita taxes paid: $8,672
- Cost of living (compared to average): +2.9%
For reference, here are the statistics for the entire United States:
- Per capita post-tax income (adjusted): $55,671
- Per capita post-tax income: $55,671
- Per capita pre-tax income: $63,444
- Per capita taxes paid: $7,773
- Cost of living (compared to average): N/A
For more information, a detailed methodology, and complete results, you can find the original report on Upgraded Points’s website: https://upgradedpoints.com/finance/states-with-the-most-cash-to-spend-or-save/
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National Bison Day Saturday November 5
WESTMINSTER, CO (November 3, 2022) The first Saturday in November offers everyone an opportunity to rally around a symbol of national unity, as National Bison Day celebrates the cultural, historical and economic significance of our National Mammal. The American bison is at home in a wide variety of climates across the continent, with herds today found in American parks, refuges, national forests and grasslands, Tribal lands, private conservancies, ranches and farms.Since 2013, the United States Senate annually has designated the first Saturday in November as National Bison Day. This resolution has the full support of a community bound by the heritage of the American Bison and includes the National Bison Association, the Wildlife Conservation Society and the InterTribal Buffalo Council. These three organizations championed the enactment of legislation in 2016 designating bison as the National Mammal of the United States.Today’s bison herds continue to grow despite a three-year cycle of pandemic, drought, and economic uncertainty. There are exciting advances in understanding bison through the Center of Excellence for Bison Studies, established in 2020 within the South Dakota State University system. Researchers and academics from across the country are bringing together projects to improve the ability of bison caretakers to manage healthy herds and produce healthy meat.As bison return to the landscape, the National Bison Association remembers their rebound from near extinction only 150 years ago. With this National Bison Day we celebrate the heritage of the buffalo, strive to keep learning more, and create a sustainable future for the caretakers of the animals. -
‘Happy’ and ‘mad’: 2 visions in Colorado governor’s race
By JAMES ANDERSON
Associated PressBOULDER, Colo. (AP) _ Seeking a second term as Colorado’s governor, Democrat Jared Polis refers to himself with a simple phrase as he tries to fend off a barrage of attacks from a challenger trying to become the state’s first Republican governor since 2007: “Happy dad.”
The father of two’s optimism is a rebuttal to Republican Heidi Ganahl, who is trying to channel the angst of parents worried about underperforming schools, drugs and post-pandemic crime this mid-term election by using the campaign slogan “#MadMom” and painting a darker portrait of the state.
“We have skyrocketing crime, out of control inflation, a huge fentanyl problem that’s killing our kids, and our kids can’t read, write or do math at grade level,” Ganahl said in a recent debate. All are nationwide issues.
Polis, a wealthy tech entrepreneur and former U.S. representative, counters with a rosy picture of the state under his watch and insists Colorado’s best days are ahead as it emerges from the pandemic with a strong economy and healthy state revenues bolstered by federal relief spending.
“My opponent identified herself as a mad mom. I identify myself as a happy dad, of two great kids, 11 and 8, raising my kids in the best state of all the states,” Polis responded at the debate.
Ganahl, a University of Colorado regent, mother of four and successful entrepreneur, faces stiff odds but is undaunted in a state that has become increasingly Democrat-controlled in the last decade, said Dick Wadhams, a former state Republican Party chair.
“Heidi is very competitive, but it’s a high bar,” Wadhams said. “She clearly has shifted her message and she’s doubled down on social issues. There is a lot of angst among families about the damage done during the lockdown.”
“But when you have an incumbent governor with unlimited money, that’s a hard thing to overcome,” Wadhams added.
Polis has spent more than $12 million on the campaign, most of it his own money. Ganahl’s spending is just over $3 million.
Once a swing state, Colorado has shifted to blue over the past decade. Former President Donald Trump lost by 13 percentage points in 2020, and Republicans have not won a top-tier race in the state since 2014.
An opponent of late-term abortion, Ganahl would like to rescind a new law signed by Polis enshrining abortion rights in a state that’s repeatedly voted to keep them _ and put the issue to voters again. She wants to eliminate the state income tax and cut its gas tax while trimming the state bureaucracy by 40% over a first term and gutting waste and fraud.
Ganahl also selected Navy veteran Danny Moore, an election denier, as her running mate, though both she and Moore insist they recognize Joe Biden as president.
“I think people are beginning to appreciate the extreme radical nature of her rhetoric,” Polis said recently. “Her scheme to cut the income and gas tax would cut funding for the state patrol by 50%, hurt schools, increase property taxes.”
The daughter of a police officer, Ganahl insists she’d never cut, but rather boost, law enforcement funding.
Ganahl has hammered Polis for issuing dozens of executive orders on mask wearing and indoor gatherings that hurt business and schools in the early stages of the coronavirus pandemic. Polis, who lifted orders earlier than most U.S. governors and often clashed with the federal government over delays in vaccine authorizations and availability, insisted throughout the crisis his goals were to avoid deaths and overwhelmed hospitals.
Ganahl also has blamed Polis and Democrats who control the Legislature for easing criminal penalties before and after protests against George Floyd’s killing and racial injustice rocked Denver and other cities. Polis signed a 2019 law that made possession of 4 grams or less of the powerful synthetic opioid fentanyl a misdemeanor. Another law this year lowered the felony threshold to 1 gram. Polis insists tougher penalties and expanded addiction treatment options are a better approach to the crisis.
Polis made health care access a top first-term priority. Under a new state exchange, health insurance premiums initially stabilized for individuals and small firms buying insurance coverage. A state-supervised health insurance plan with annual premium reductions comes online next year. Caps on insulin co-pays and other prescription drug prices complemented the ambitious effort, though some insurers are leaving the state market.
He’s rankled the fossil fuels industry in this oil- and natural gas-producing state with a relentless pursuit of a state power grid fueled by renewables by 2040. Ganahl favors an all-of-the-above approach to energy.
Water — and its increasing scarcity throughout the West due to drought and climate change _- is a key issue in this headwaters state.
Ganahl says she’ll boost long-planned water storage projects and fight the federal government to protect Colorado’s water rights, secured by decades-old interstate compacts approved by Congress. Polis says a major second-term priority will be to tie urban planning to water availability.
“You can’t advocate disregarding treaties and compacts we honor as a state,” Polis said. “And you can’t store your way out of the drought.”
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Broncos’ Russell Wilson says he’s ‘ready to roll’ in London
By KEN MAGUIRE
AP Sports WriterHARROW, England (AP) _ Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson proclaimed himself “ready to roll” despite a lingering hamstring injury Wednesday ahead of Denver’s game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Wembley Stadium.
Wilson was a limited participant in practice at the Harrow School outside London and coach Nathaniel Hackett was noncommittal, but the veteran quarterback was optimistic.
“I feel great, ready to roll,” Wilson said. “I’m super locked in and ready to hopefully get a big win in London.”
Wilson, who was held out of Sunday’s 16-9 loss to the New York Jets by Hackett because of a strained hamstring, estimated he stayed on his feet for half of the eight-hour flight to Britain.
“I was walking up and down the aisles,” Wilson said. “Everybody was knocked out. I was doing high-knees, working on my legs and everything else, making sure I’m ready to rock.”
Wilson took part in stretching and throwing drills but didn’t roll out and throw during the portion of practice that was open to the media at the private school once attended by Winston Churchill.
“I always want to be out on the field,” he said. “That obviously was tough not being out there. I wanted to help us win and get on a hot streak and just get us rolling.”
Hackett echoed his comments from earlier in the week, saying Wednesday that Wilson “is trending in the right way.”
The rookie coach said Wilson did “quite a bit” in practice. Asked what Wilson needs to show him, Hackett said “that he can protect himself, just want to be sure that as he gets out there, he’s able to escape, he’s able to move and so forth.”
“We want to be smart with him,” Hackett said of Wilson’s limited practice. “We don’t want any setbacks.”
Backup Brett Rypien threw for 225 yards and one interception against the Jets his second career start. The third-year player out of Boise State completed 24 of 46 passes with no touchdowns.
The Broncos (2-5) lost their fourth straight despite another outstanding defensive performance, and Hackett has faced more scrutiny than any rookie coach in the league because of his team’s offensive woes and his debatable in-game decision-making.
“I always feel pressure on myself, from the standpoint of me personally,” Hackett said. “We are who we are and we’ve got to dig ourselves out of this.”
Wilson, new contract in hand, is off to the worst start of his 11-year career, completing 58.6% of his passes with five touchdowns and three interceptions. He has missed just four games as a pro.
With the Seahawks in 2018, Wilson threw three touchdown passes in Seattle’s 27-3 victory over the Oakland Raiders at Wembley.
Second-year safety Caden Sterns (hip) did not practice Wednesday.
“It’s been something that he’s been dealing with for quite a while right now, and so we want to make sure that he’s going to be OK long-term,” Hackett said.
CB Essang Bassey (hamstring), OLB Baron Browning (hip), WR Tyrie Cleveland (groin), T Cam Fleming (quad) and DL Mike Purcell (knee) also did not practice. ILB Josey Jewell (knee) was limited.
Also Wednesday, the Broncos designated veteran offensive lineman Tom Compton for return from the physically unable to perform list, though he’s not yet been activated. Left tackle Garett Bolles sustained a season-ending leg injury earlier this month and Fleming is expected to miss time.
New addition Marlon Mack could be an immediate help. The running back was signed off the San Francisco 49ers’ practice squad after an injury to Mike Boone.
“We want to get him up top speed as fast as we can,” Hackett said of Mack.
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Be a good neighbor to Colorado wildlife by removing tangle hazards
Colorado Parks and Wildlife officers Becca de Vergie and Lucas Clancy work to remove a cage for a tomato plant from the antlers of a mule deer buck in Durango. DURANGO, Colo. – Antlered wildlife across Colorado are on the move during the fall months as they migrate to winter range and seek mating opportunities. During this time of year, deer, elk and moose are increasingly prone to becoming entangled in objects found around homes.
Earlier this month, Colorado Parks and Wildlife officers in Durango had to tranquilize a mule deer to safely remove a cage for a tomato plant from its antlers. The cage would swing in front of the buck’s mouth to prevent it from eating.
The same week, a wildlife officer in Woodland Park had to tranquilize a buck to get a plastic ring removed from around its hoof.
Every year, wildlife officers across Colorado respond to incidents like these when deer, elk and moose have become entangled in hammocks, volleyball nets, holiday decorations and more.
That’s why CPW asks the public to assess their homes and yards for potential tangle hazards to wildlife. People can help by putting away summer recreational equipment that is not in use and by making sure any holiday lights and decorations are wrapped tightly wherever they are strung.
“Right now is a good opportunity to clean up your yard and to remove items a curious animal might stick its nose in or get wrapped up in,” said CPW Assistant Area Wildlife Manager Steve McClung out of the Durango office. “We see animals get wrapped up in netting, landscaping materials and holiday decorations all the time, and it can impair their mobility, vision and ability to eat and drink.”
When deer and elk become entangled, the stress involved and the physical exhaustion caused by trying to break free can lead to death.
Wildlife officers can often get deer untangled if they are nearby and notified in a timely manner. In some cases, they will cut off the animal’s antlers to free it. In other instances, they can remove the object. Some cases do not require human assistance if the entanglement is not preventing the animal from eating or drinking or if there is low risk that the animal could get caught up in other items that would prevent it from being mobile. In those instances, the animal will be free of the burden when it sheds its antlers.
“We need to know about these situations quickly,” McClung said. “It’s best if we can get to these animals before they’ve undergone too much stress and have exhausted themselves. Darting them also creates stress and can lead to mortality if the animal has already been stressed too much.
“If the animal is not tethered to what it is tangled in, it can also be difficult to chase them through a neighborhood and get into a position to dart them, or sometimes they disappear and we never catch up to help them. The sooner we get information, the more likely we will be able to assist that animal.”
As people begin to hang holiday decorations this season, CPW recommends lights and other decorations be placed higher than six feet or attached tightly to trees and buildings. Lights that hang low or that are draped insecurely over vegetation easily get tangled in antlers.
If you see wildlife that does become entangled, wildlife officials ask you to report that directly to CPW by calling an office local to you or through Colorado State Patrol if it is outside of normal business hours. When calling CSP, they will relay your information to the on-call wildlife officer in your area.
Be prepared when calling CPW with information regarding the animal’s location and time observed, its behavior, whether it is tied to an object or still mobile and if the hazard is preventing the animal from eating, drinking or breathing.
Do not try to free wildlife from entanglements yourself and always call CPW.
The rut – or breeding season – for deer enters its peak in late-November and will last through mid-December.
During this time, bucks have a one-track mind – they want a mate. So they can become agitated if any other animal, object or person appears to be posing a challenge. Dogs are often targets and they can be badly injured by a buck’s antlers.
Deer can become aggressive toward humans, too, so stay well away from them. Attacks get reported around the state each fall.
During the rutting season, bucks will also rub their antlers on various objects to mark territory and signal their presence to other bucks. That can further increase the possibility of tangle hazards.
You can learn more about living with wildlife by visiting the CPW website.
Photo Information
TOP LEFT: A mule deer buck with a hammock tangled in its antlers is also caught in barbed wire fencing.TOP RIGHT: CPW biologist Jim White works to try to free a mule deer buck tangled in several yards of netting that surrounded a tennis court.
BOTTOM: Two different mule deer bucks tangled in Halloween decorations.
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Air Guard night flights now underway
AURORA — Residents of Aurora and neighboring communities can expect to see and hear F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft overhead later than usual while the 140th Wing, Colorado Air National Guard, conducts supplemental night flying training through Nov. 17.Jets will conduct training missions and land back at Buckley Space Force Base as late as 10 p.m.“Implementing our flying mission sets at night is critical to maintaining our readiness and effectiveness in support of our nation’s defense,” said U.S. Air Force Col. Christopher Southard, commander, 140th Wing. “We understand that the increase in noise can be disruptive to our local communities. We appreciate the continued support and seek to have minimal impact by flying during the winter months when hours of darkness begin earlier in the evening.”According to a release, training gained from the exercises will significantly improve the 140th Wing’s ability to prepare and respond to contingency operations around the world. The 140th’s real-world mission and emergency response capability will take priority over training actions. -
Cut your own Christmas tree at Golden Gate Canyon State Park; applications open Nov. 1
Golden Gate Canyon State Park will offer 250 tree-cutting permits in 2022. Applications for these randomly drawn permits open on Nov. 1. This year’s tree-cutting event is Saturday, December 3. GOLDEN, Colo. – Don’t miss your chance to visit a beautiful Colorado State Park and pick out the perfect Christmas tree to take home for the holidays. Located just 30 minutes from Denver, Golden Gate Canyon State Park is offering 250 tree-cutting permits through an online application draw event.
The entry period for the permit draw will be open from Nov. 1-15, and only one permit will be granted per household. The cost for a permit is $35. Those wishing to apply for a permit can find the application and entry information by following the link on the Golden Gate Canyon State Park page or at cpwshop.com. Applications are not available or accepted by phone or in person.
Applicants whose names are randomly drawn will be notified by email the week of Nov. 15. On Saturday, Dec. 3, applicants chosen for a permit can visit the park between the hours of 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. to choose and cut their tree.
Areas for both 2-wheel and 4-wheel drive vehicles will be available, and some hiking will be required. Permit holders with high clearance 4-wheel drive vehicles can use the pre-selected backcountry area and, in the case of bad weather, must have chains available for use. Access to the backcountry area will be open from 9 a.m. through 2 p.m. – weather permitting. All other vehicles will be required to stay in the designated parking areas along the main park roadway. Access to these areas will be available from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. All vehicles must display a daily or annual parks pass.
Trees must be cut with hand tools, such as a handsaw or an ax. Chainsaws and power saws are strictly prohibited. Tree selections include Douglas Fir, Ponderosa Pine, Lodge Pole Pine and Rocky Mountain Juniper.
By cutting trees, permit holders will assist Golden Gate Canyon State Park in thinning overcrowded and dense vegetation. This selective thinning will improve the overall health of the forest and reduce the impacts of future wildfires.
For additional information on Golden Gate Canyon State Park, visit cpw.state.co.us. -
Corridor squads make football, volleyball playoffs; first round this weekend
This Friday and Saturday marks the opening weekend of the Colorado High School Activities Association football and volleyball playoffs.
Five I-70 Corridor teams will take to the postseason gridiron or court this weekend.
FOOTBALL
The Strasburg Indians, 8-1 overall and undefeated in League 5, are the second seed in the 1A football bracket and will host the 15th-seeded Burlington Cougars at 7 p.m., Friday, Nov. 4. Burlington enters the playoff 2-7 overall and 0-5 in League 4, previously known as the North Central League. All six teams from League 4 qualified for the playoffs. The winner will play the winner of No. 7 Centauri and 10th-seeded Gunnison during the quarterfinal weekend Nov. 11-12.
The Bennett Tigers, who finished their season 7-2 and 4-1 in League 1, were the final team to make the 16-team 2A bracket but were seeded 15th because of CHSAA’s desire to avoid first-round playoff matches between teams in the same league. The orange-and-black will travel to Eaton Saturday for a 1 p.m. kickoff against the No. 2-seeded Reds. If it wins, the orange-and-black would advance to the quarterfinals Nov. 11-12 against the winner of No. 7 Basalt or 10th-seeded Woodland Park.
VOLLEYBALL
The fifth-seeded Strasburg Lady Indians host 2A Region 5 on Saturday, Nov. 5. The red-and-black will play the first match at 10 a.m. against No. 32 Plateau Valley and the third and final match of the day against 20th-seeded Gilpin County at approximately 2 p.m. The winner of the round-robin advances to the Colorado State Volleyball Championships Nov. 10-12.
The Byers Lady Bulldogs are seeded 25th and travel to 11th-seeded Sanford for Region 11 on Saturday. Byers and the host school will battle in the first match of the day at 9 a.m. and Byers will follow-up with the next match against No. 14 Front Range Christian. The winner also advances to the following weekend’s state tournament.
In 3A, the Bennett Lady Tigers are seeded 21st and will participate in 3A Region 4 hosted by Faith Christian in Arvada. The host school and 32nd-seeded Aspen will start the action at 2 p.m. with Bennett to play the following two contests — against Aspen first, followed by Faith Christian. The winner of the day advances to the state tournament.