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MONTROSE, Colo. – At a hybrid meeting in Montrose, the Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commission will open for consideration changes to allow the use of artificial light for wolves causing damage, allowing pooled grazers to apply for wolf permits and compensation, and defining domestic bison as livestock. The Commission will also consider the adoption of all limited license numbers for black bear, deer, elk, pronghorn and moose for all game management units in the state that have limited licenses for these species for the 2024 big game seasons. The second step of a three-step process considering changes to the 5-year big game season structure for 2025-2029 is also on the agenda. The Commission will also consider adopting regulations for disqualification factors when participating in the Landowner Preference Program under CRS 33-4-103 and adopting regulations to implement SB23-059, Local Access Funding to State Parks and Wildlife Areas. The meeting is scheduled to begin at 8 a.m. on Wed., May 1 and recess at 2 p.m. The Commission will reconvene at 8 a.m. on Thur., May 2 and adjourn at 5:20 p.m. The meeting will be streamed live on CPW’s YouTube page. Additional agenda items include: Department of Natural Resources Update Department of Agriculture Update Financial Update Ute Mountain Ute and Southern Ute Indian Tribes – Brunot Treaty Area and Tribal Hunting Wolverine Update Wolf Update Ridgway State Park Update 2025 OHV Grant Recommendations Discussion of Commission Officer Elections Colorado Wildlife Habitat Program Draw Process Workshop A complete agenda along with all materials for this meeting can be found on the CPW website for public review. The public is encouraged to email written comments to the commission at . Details on providing public comments for hybrid meetings are available on the CPW website. The Commission meets regularly and travels to communities around the state to facilitate public participation. Anyone can listen to commission meetingsthrough the CPW website. This opportunity keeps constituents informed about the development of regulations and how the commission works with Colorado Parks and Wildlife staff to manage the parks, wildlife and outdoor recreation programs administered by the agency. Find out more about the commission on the CPW website.

(COLO)–The Colorado State Patrol wants all Coloradoans to be safe on the roadways regardless of their choice to use legal, impairing substances. Any drug, whether alcohol or marijuana, affects a motorist’s ability to drive safely. While many myths surround the impacts of marijuana and driving, marijuana affects areas of a person’s brain that control bodily movements. These impacts can include balance, coordination, slower reaction to hazards, impaired cognitive performance, and judgment. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration conducted a study of drivers involved in serious injury or fatal crashes from 2019 to 2021 and found about 26% of the drivers in the study had active THC, or marijuana, in their bodies at the time of the crash. If you have plans to participate in the use of cannabis or other impairing substances on 4/20, practice responsibility as you celebrate. Make a plan not to drive and enjoy one of the options available to maintain a safe roadway system for everyone: Assign a trusted designated driver who will not drink or use drugs when going out with a group of people you know. Arrange a ride home from someone who has not been drinking alcohol and/or using drugs, using a rideshare service, or calling a taxi. Plan on taking public transportation. The most important thing you can do is to not drive and remind your friends and family to do the same – make a plan together.

Residents can celebrate Earth Day by signing up for recycling at their homes, a service now available in all parts of unincorporated Adams County.

In February, the Board of County Commissioners (BoCC) unanimously approved an ordinance that requires all trash collection providers operating in unincorporated Adams County to offer curbside recycling services to their residential and commercial customers. The ordinance does not mandate what trash providers can charge for recycling services paid by the resident or business.

Extensive research and community input found lack of convenient access to recycling services in unincorporated parts of the county was a top barrier to diverting waste from the landfill. In a residential survey, respondents overwhelmingly reported recycling was a worthwhile effort and believed Adams County should do more to increase access to recycling services and programs in unincorporated areas. Only 30% of the survey respondents believed households in their community had access to convenient recycling services.

“Residents told us recycling is important to them, but many in unincorporated Adams didn’t have access to services at their homes. Now, those residents can enroll in curbside recycling through their preferred trash collection company if they choose,” said BoCC Chair, Emma Pinter. “What a great way to celebrate Earth Day, signing up for a recycling service for the first time!”

The development of the Waste Hauler Licensing Ordinance is part of Adams County’s efforts to increase recycling and waste diversion rates across unincorporated areas from approximately 16% in 2022, to 40% by 2034. The county’s efforts align with the Sustainable Adams County 2030 Plan and the state’s goal of 39% waste diversion by 2026, and 51% diversion by 2036 along the Front Range.

Adams County received a grant from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment’s Front Range Waste Diversion (FRWD) program to pursue this project and develop the Solid Waste Hauler Licensing Ordinance.

Residents and businesses in unincorporated Adams County should contact their waste hauler to find out more about curbside recycling services and costs. More information about recycling and other waste reduction initiatives can be found at adcogov.org/recycling-and-waste-diversion.

Arapahoe County and the Sheriff’s Office invite residents to join a conversation with County representatives 

   

ARAPAHOE COUNTY, CO—April 8, 2024— Arapahoe County District Three Commissioner Jeff Baker along with special guests, Animal Services Field Supervisor Alyssa Haden and Arapahoe County Sheriff Kenneth C. McKlem, Bureau Chief, Public Safety, invite residents for a Conversation with the Commissioner on Wednesday, April 10, from 6-7:30 p.m. 

During this informal conversation, Baker, McKlem and Haden will provide updates in response to requests from residents in eastern Arapahoe County who are concerned about law enforcement and animal service issues. Following a brief presentation, they will answer questions from the public. 

Who:                                 Arapahoe County Commissioner Jeff Baker, Arapahoe County Sheriff’s Office Bureau Chief Kenneth McKlem and Alyssa Haden, Animal Services Field Supervisor 

What:                                Conversation with the Commissioner 

When:                              Wednesday, April 10, 2024, from 6-7:30 p.m. 

Where:                             American Legion in Byers, 278 W. Front St. Byers, CO 80103 

Photo Opportunities:    Commissioner Baker, Bureau Chief McKlem, and Supervisor Hayden from the Arapahoe County Sheriff’s Office meeting with community members 

The Morgan Community College (MCC) Fort Morgan campus will provide limited services on Friday, April 12, from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM due to scheduled professional development training for faculty and staff. During this time, MCC Student Services staff will be available in the Welcome Center, located by entering Cottonwood Hall from the east side of campus or by phone at (970) 542-3100.  The Center locations in Bennett, Burlington, Limon, and Wray will be closed.

The campus will resume normal operations and reopen on Monday, April 15, 2024, at 8:00 a.m.

MCC appreciates the community’s understanding and apologizes for any inconvenience.

The Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production Advisory Committee (UAIPAC) is one of several ways that USDA is extending support and building frameworks to support urban agriculture, including issues of equity, climate resilience and nutrition access.

The 2018 Farm Bill directed USDA to create this committee to advise the Secretary of Agriculture on the development of policies and outreach relating to urban, indoor, and other emerging agricultural production practices as well as identify any barriers to urban agriculture.

Twelve members are appointed the Committee for one to three-year terms by the Secretary of Agriculture. The members represent a diverse set of expertise including urban production, innovative production, higher education, non-profit, finance, business and economic development, supply chain, and other areas related to urban, indoor, and other emerging agriculture production practices.

The Committee will host public meetings to deliberate on advice and recommendations to the Secretary of Agriculture on ways USDA can support urban agriculture and innovative production.

Fact Sheet: Federal Advisory Committee for Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production

BUCKLEY SPACE FORCE BASE, Colo. – Colorado Air National Guard 140th Wing State Command Chief U.S. Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Edward Hauschild will pass responsibility to U.S. Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Jeremy Jenkins in a Change of Responsibility ceremony  at 2:00 p.m., April 6, 2024, Hangar 909, Buckley Space Force Base, Aurora, Colorado.

Assistant Adjutant General, Air U.S Air Force Brig. Gen. D. Micah “Zeus” Fesler will serve as the presiding official at the ceremony.

The State Command Chief represents the highest level of Air enlisted leadership and is the principal advisor to the commander of the COANG.  Responsibilities include readiness, operational utilization, professional development, morale, and welfare of more than 1,600 COANG Airmen.

“I have been reflecting so much on what these last 33 years of military service means to me, and I know how blessed I am to have served along some of America’s finest,” Hauschild said. “I will always cherish these experiences and thank every fellow service member for their contributions to making me the best person I could be.”

Hauschild enlisted in the Air Force in April 1991 as a munitions systems specialist. He served nine years on active duty while stationed at four different Air Force bases before joining the COANG in 2000.

He went on to serve as the 140th munitions superintendent, the 140th equipment maintenance superintendent, the 140th maintenance group superintendent, and the 140th Wing command chief prior to his current position as the state command chief.

Jenkins enlisted in the Active Duty Air Force in June 1999 as a tactical air control party. He served 10 years on active duty and conducted numerous combat missions in support of Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom. He joined the COANG in 2009, where he held several positions, including patient administration non-commissioned officer in charge, search and extraction flight chief, Medical Support Squadron superintendent, and Detachment 1 superintendent in support of Colorado’s Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear and High Yield Explosive Enhanced Response Force Package.

In 2013, he served a tour in support of the Colorado Joint Counterdrug Task Force where he served as the senior enlisted advisor responsible for overseeing all departments which included civil operations, administration staff, aviation support, criminal analysts, and ground reconnaissance/surveillance specialists in support of local, state and federal drug task forces. Prior to his current position, Jenkins was assigned as the Senior Enlisted Leader for the 140th Maintenance Group.

DENVER—The Parks and Wildlife Commission will hold a hybrid “Special Commission Meeting” in Denver on April 5, 2024. The meeting is scheduled to begin at noon and adjourn at 5:30 p.m.

The meeting’s complete agenda and reference materials are now posted and can be viewed online on the Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) Commission webpage. The meeting will be streamed live on CPW’s YouTube page.

The Commission will discuss the 2025-2029 Big Game Season Structure (BGSS) staff recommendations and receive public comment. Additional agenda items include:

• Wildlife corridors
• Lesser Prairie Chickens
• Beaver management

Details on providing public comments for hybrid meetings are available on the CPW website. The public is encouraged to email written comments to the commission at . Written comments must be provided by April 3, 2024, to be received by the Commission before the meeting.

The Commission meets regularly and travels to communities around the state to facilitate public participation. Anyone can listen to commission meetings (live or archived) through the CPW website. This opportunity keeps constituents informed about the development of regulations and how the commission works with Colorado Parks and Wildlife staff to manage the agency’s parks, wildlife, and outdoor recreation programs. Learn more about the commission on the CPW website.

CENTENNIAL, Colo. – Lieutenant Governor Dianne Primavera and The Adjutant General of Colorado U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Laura Clellan will host an Easter event at the Boettcher Mansion in Denver for the families of Colorado National Guard service members March 23, 2024.

The CONG Easter Egg Roll is a military-focused event held every other year to recognize that families of service members also serve.

“This event is about saying thank you to our Colorado National Guard families while connecting them with valuable resources,” Clellan said.  “Our National Guard members would not be ready to serve our state and nation without the support of our families.”

The CONG’s Prevention Workforce and Joint Resiliency Directory, or J9, coordinates the festivities. Those in attendance can participate in crafts, games, an Easter egg hunt, story time for the children, and a special visit from the Easter Bunny. The event will be held from approximately 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

Events such as this are a way for military families to network and get connected to resources. Each year CONG families experience separation while their service members are called to support stateside emergency response or overseas contingency operations.