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When heading outdoors to find the perfect scenic view this fall, practicing the Care for Colorado — Leave No Trace principles is essential in keeping our landscapes colorful and clean.
(Photo: CPW/Bridget O’Rourke)

DENVER – Colorado’s vibrant “leaf-peeping” season has officially begun as patches of color pop among the trees. While the stunning fall foliage display is worthy of the annual crowds at Colorado state parks, Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) encourages park visitors to protect our natural resources while enjoying them.

“We ask that folks “rushing for gold” plan ahead and have location backup plans because parks get crowded and parking is limited at certain trailheads,” said Todd Farrow, park manager at Golden Gate Canyon State Park. “Please only park in designated areas and remember that parking along roads is prohibited because it destroys vegetation, can ignite wildfires and blocks emergency vehicles.”

All Coloradans and visitors can contribute positively to conserving our natural resources by respecting our outdoor shared spaces, as outlined below.

Know Before You Go
The fall season is busy at Colorado state parks and parking lots get full. If a parking area is full, move on to the next designated parking area and follow instructions given by park rangers. Park rangers can issue parking tickets to people who park illegally or block traffic. CPW also recommends having a backup plan if your desired trailhead, park or location is crowded or closed.

Use CPW’s Park Finder Tool to see a Colorado state parks map. To learn more about outdoor activities at Colorado state parks, visit cpw.state.co.us/thingstodo.

Stick To Trails
Shortcuts and that perfect selfie can be tempting, but staying on the path will decrease your risk of injury and protect trailside plants and local wildlife.

Download the COTREX app to discover Colorado’s extensive network of trails.

Leave It As You Find It
Parking in designated areas is critical — undesignated parking can destroy vegetation, ignite wildfires in dry grass and block first-responder vehicles in case of an emergency. Show you care about our state parks by not driving over plants, flowers, rocks or through water streams.

Colorado’s trees provide beautiful leaf-peeping photos, shade and oxygen. Help keep them thriving by not carving into them or pulling down branches that may kill or disfigure them.

Keep Wildlife Wild
Many species call Colorado home, making it the perfect destination for wildlife watching on state park trails. Protect yourself and your loved ones from potential wildlife conflicts by watching wild animals from a safe distance to avoid startling or forcing them to flee.
Keep dogs leashed when enjoying dog-friendly trails and put waste bags in a trash can. Do not hang waste on trees or put waste bags in toilets.

Do not feed or approach young wildlife and be bear aware on trails. If you see wildlife that appears sick or injured, leave it alone. Call a Colorado Parks and Wildlife office and consult a trained wildlife officer for guidance.

Share our Trails and Parks
Being kind and considerate to others outdoors helps build more inclusive spaces and allows everyone a personal connection to nature.

“We want everyone to have a great time experiencing the vibrant colors and the natural wonders our beautiful state has to offer,” said Farrow. “No matter where you plan to explore this fall, please respect our natural resources, park staff, volunteers and fellow recreationists out searching for Colorado gold.”

Join us in keeping Colorado, Colorado. Read about the Keep Colorado Wild Pass and how it benefits Colorado’s wildlife and state parks at cpw.info/keepcoloradowild and cpw.info/keepcoloradowildpassspanish.

The Most Popular Pizza Toppings in America

• New research from Casinos.com in the run up to National Pepperoni Pizza Day on the 20^th of September has revealed the most popular pizza toppings across the US.
• The research revealed that Pepperoni is by far the most popular topping in the US, being the most popular topping across 29 states in total!
• Bacon came out in second place as it is the most popular topping in 11 states across the country, and Sausage placed 3^rd leading the popularity ranking in 5 states.

Pizza is one of the most popular foods not only in America but across the globe, with everybody having different preferences and traditions for enjoying their pizza, and with National Pepperoni Pizza Day on the 20^th of September, have you ever wondered which are the most popular pizza topping across America?

Well, Casinos.com decided to analyze Google Trends data across all 50 US states for some of the most commonly ordered pizza toppings in the world in order to reveal the most popular pizza toppings in America.

The following table ranks each pizza topping analyzed in order of highest to lowest Google Trends score, along with the number of states in which it ranks as the number one topping:

Rank	Topping	Avg. Google Trends Score	#1 Spots
1	Pepperoni	71.62	29
2	Bacon	67.58	11
3	Sausage	66.48	5
4	Mushrooms	64.78	1
5	Chicken	60.10	1
6	Peppers	58.58	2
7	Ground Beef	56.56	0
8	Tomatoes	48.86	0
9	Onions	47.56	0
10	Olives	46.26	0
11	Jalapenos	45.58	0
12	Pineapple	39.32	1
13	Ham	37.70	0
14	Basil	35.30	0
15	Anchovies	22.22	0

Pepperoni is the overwhelming favorite across the US with an average Google Trends score of 71.62 out of a possible 100 and is the most popular pizza topping in 29 US states. In second and third place are Bacon and Sausage who have scores of 67.58 and 66.48 and are the number one topping in 11 and 5 states, respectively.

As far as some controversial toppings go, Anchovies finish dead last in the ranking with a score of just 22.22 out of 100, and Pineapple is 12^th with a score of 39.32. Pineapple does however rank first in one state: you guessed it, Hawaii.

If you’d like to read more about this research or about Casinos.com, then please visit https://www.casinos.com/us/news/america-s-most-popular-pizza-toppings

 

GRAND LAKE, Colo. – Colorado Parks and Wildlife announces the discovery of rusty crayfish in Lake Granby, south of Grand Lake, Colorado.

Multiple crayfish were found at Lake Granby during routine Aquatic Nuisance Species (ANS) sampling by CPW’s ANS Sampling and Monitoring team near Sunset Point campground, on Aug. 17. Samples were collected by the tam, preliminary species identification was performed at CPW’s ANS laboratory and suspect specimens were sent to Pisces Molecular in Boulder for genetics testing, where the samples were confirmed to be rusty crayfish on Aug. 31.

CPW’s ANS Sampling and Monitoring team and area aquatic biologists set multiple crayfish traps around Lake Granby and other waters in close proximity to determine the extent of the rusty crayfish population in the area during the week of Sept. 11. Sampling traps were left overnight before being collected. Crayfish traps collected from the surrounding lakes did not contain crayfish; however, two traps from Lake Granby did contain rusty crayfish. A trap was set below the dam on the Colorado River in addition to the lakes. No crayfish were found in this trap upon removal.

“While this is not the first time we have found rusty crayfish west of the divide here in Colorado, it is the first detection in the Upper Colorado River basin,” said Robert Walters, CPW’s Invasive Species Program Manager. “While finding any invasive species is detrimental to our state’s aquatic ecosystems, finding rusty crayfish in Lake Granby, which feeds into the Colorado River, poses an even greater threat to the entire Colorado River Basin.”

Rusty crayfish were first discovered in Yampa River and Catamount Reservoir in 2009.They are a la​rger, more aggressive freshwater crayfish, native to the Ohio River Basin. The rusty patches on either side of their body can sometimes identify them. They are believed to have been illegally introduced to Colorado by anglers ​​as bait.

The public is reminded by following these simple steps, they can prevent the introduction and spread of invasive species in Colorado.

• Use only bait that is legal in Colorado! Never bring in live aquatic bait from another state.
• Do not throw unused bait of any kind, back in the water alive.
• Clean, Drain, and Dry your gear and water craft before heading to the next body of water.
• Do not dispose of pets or unwanted aquarium plants or animals in natural systems.

“When you follow these simple steps, you’re not just protecting the lake or river you’re recreating in, you’re protecting every water body in Colorado,” said Walters.

Crayfish of any species are not native west of the continental divide. CPW reminds the public the live transportation of all crayfish from waters west of the Continental Divide is prohibited. All crayfish caught west of the Continental Divide must be immediately killed (by removing the head from the thorax) and taken into possession, or immediately returned to the water from which they were taken.

To learn more about the rusty crayfish and what the public can do to prevent the spread, visit our website.

Image 1: ANS Sampling and Monitoring team members separating and identifying crayfish from Lake Granby during trapping efforts the week of Sept. 11. 

Image 2: Empty crayfish traps used in trapping efforts at multiple sites at Lake Granby, and additional bodies of water nearby.

DENVER – ​Colorado Parks and Wildlife is excited to offer grant funding to advance the Outdoor Regional Partnerships Initiative (RPI) this fall, 2023. The grant application period opened Sept. 6 with Letters of Interest due Oct. 13 and final proposals due Nov. 1. 

“Colorado’s world-class outdoors bring fun and adventure for Coloradans and tourists and are a key economic driver for our strong economy. These grants are an important part of our work to preserve and protect our great outdoors and make sure that everyone can enjoy them now and for generations to come. We encourage those especially on the Eastern Plains to apply for this round of funding,” said Gov. Polis.

Coalitions are invited to join a network of Regional Partnerships working to ensure that Colorado’s land, water, and wildlife thrive while also providing equitable and quality outdoor recreation experiences. Grant funding supports coalitions at all stages of development, including those just forming and those already funded under the RPI.

Since its inception in 2021, the Regional Partnerships Initiative Grant Program has awarded $3 million, supporting coalitions dedicated to preserving Colorado’s world-class outdoor recreation experiences in concert with the conservation of natural resources. With 16 funded coalitions, the Regional Partnerships Initiative covers over 80% of Colorado’s Western Slope, offering new and innovative approaches to conserving Colorado’s outdoors for future generations. With this new grant round, CPW hopes to garner interest from Colorado’s Eastern Plains. The Eastern Plains are an important geographic region for the Regional Partnerships Initiative and this funding offers an opportunity to advance collaboration and community priorities to support eastern Colorado’s prairies, diverse wildlife populations, rich history and culture, and agricultural economy.

The fall 2023 funding round is offering two types of grants:

1. Partnership Capacity grants for up to $150,000 support new and existing coalitions working to ensure that Colorado’s land, water, and wildlife thrive while also providing equitable access to quality outdoor recreation experiences. Coalition work focused on Colorado’s eastern plains and other areas where there are no established Regional Partnerships is a priority for capacity funding — see the RPI map.

2. Planning grants for up to $250,000 support new and existing Regional Partnerships’ work to complete regional conservation and recreation plans that complement Colorado’s Outdoors Strategy, a collaborative vision for conservation, climate resilience, and sustainable recreation. These grants can also include funding for capacity. 

If you are considering whether to apply and/or would like more information, please contact Jody Kennedy ( or 970.281.7330). To learn more about this grant opportunity, visit the CPW webpage.

DENVER — The Colorado Newborn Blood Spot Screening Program at the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment’s State Public Health Laboratory is observing Newborn Screening Awareness Month this month by raising awareness about the importance of newborn screening. 

The newborn screening program began nearly 60 years ago when it first started screening for phenylketonuria (PKU), an inherited metabolic disorder that increases the levels of a substance called phenylalanine in the blood. There are approximately 63,000 births in Colorado every year, and newborn screening is a set of tests that checks for a variety of conditions. Through newborn screening, the state lab is able to identify more than 700 children every year who are at risk of a metabolic or genetic disorder. These children are quickly connected to specialized follow-up clinical care, resulting in improved quality of life.

“Newborn screening is critical and one of the most essential programs in the state. There are no clear signs or symptoms present, and each disorder tested has a treatment to improve the child’s health or even save their life,” said Greg Bonn, the newborn screening  program manager. “The mission of our program is important to all of us because the work that we do each day helps save the lives of babies throughout Colorado.”

Some of the screened conditions include: 

• Cystic fibrosis.
• Sickle cell disease.
• Congenital hypothyroidism.
• Critical congenital heart disease.

The Colorado Newborn Screening Program is a three-part system consisting of the blood spot screen, which can detect 39 disorders, the hearing screen, and the pulse oximetry screen. The blood spot screen is collected at the hospital and then sent to the state lab. The second screen is collected at the primary care provider office between 8-14 days of age.

The program runs six days a week, including holidays, in order to ensure timely testing, reporting, follow-up, and education of these disorders. For more information, visit Newborn Screening’s webpage or email .

Haga clic aquí para ver este comunicado de prensa Eventos de revisión de sillas infantiles y oportunidad de recibir sillas gratuitas en la Semana de la Seguridad del Pasajero Infantil en español.

Statewide — Despite advancements in vehicle safety, car crashes continue to pose a substantial risk to children, and 66% of caregivers in Colorado are still misusing car seats. Car Seats Colorado, a collaboration between the Colorado Department of Transportation and Colorado State Patrol, is taking proactive measures to address and improve the safety of our youngest passengers.

National Child Passenger Safety Week, observed from Sept. 17 to 23, is an opportune moment to focus on the alarming data surrounding child passenger safety and educate parents and caregivers about the importance of proper car seat use. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), in 2021, 710 children under the age of 13 were killed in passenger vehicles nationwide, and over 100,000 more were injured. Shockingly, 36% of these child fatalities involved children who were not properly restrained.

A new analysis from AAA, which examined five years of crash data from the U.S. Department of Transportation, points to the lack of proper child restraint use among children injured or killed in car crashes nationwide. The analysis showed that nearly half (48%) of children aged 10 and under who were injured and half (51%) who were killed in car crashes were either using a vehicle seat belt prematurely or had no restraint instead of a car seat. To see the full analysis, click here.

The situation in Colorado is equally concerning. State data from 2022 revealed a troubling 66% car seat misuse rate in Colorado. And, between 2018 and 2022, 36 children under the age of 8 lost their lives in passenger vehicle crashes within the state.

“Our little ones rely on us to keep them safe, especially when it comes to car travel. Children can’t protect themselves, and that’s why it falls upon parents and caregivers to ensure that they are properly secured when riding in a vehicle,” said Darrell Lingk, director of the Highway Safety Office at CDOT. “It’s your responsibility to equip yourself with the knowledge and resources to keep them safe on the road.”

According to child passenger safety technicians, car seats and booster seats are commonly misused in these ways:

• The car seat is not correctly fit to the child’s height, weight and physical development
• The harness is not tight enough
• The chest clip isn’t in the correct location
• The car seat base is too loose
• Parents and caregivers move their kids out of a booster seat too soon. Kids 8 to 12 years old are at a high risk for death or injury because of this
• Healthcare groups are also seeing an increase in the use of counterfeit car seats, or seats brought in from other countries or purchased online that don’t comply with U.S. safety standards

In response to the need for education and awareness, Car Seats Colorado, in collaboration with community partners, is hosting several events for parents and caregivers during National Child Passenger Safety Week:

Children’s Museum – Friday, Sept. 22 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Car Seats Colorado, with support from the Children’s Museum of Denver at Marsico Campus and DOTI’s Booster and Seatbelt Engagement program (BASE), will have certified car seat technicians available outside the main entrance of the museum to answer questions and demonstrate the basics of car seat fit and installation. The booth will also feature a coloring activity for kids. Families that visit the booth and take a short survey will receive a voucher for buy-one-get-one museum admission and be entered into a raffle to win a free car seat.

Denver Zoo – Saturday, Sept. 23 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Hosted by the Child Passenger Safety Collaborative of Colorado, visitors will receive a free car seat or booster seat (while supplies last) or a free ride on the carousel and train after learning about child passenger safety. The Collaborative will also be offering free car seat checks outside of the zoo’s main entrance.

Colorado Springs SafeKids – Saturday, Sept. 30 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. (appointment required)

SafeKids will be hosting a free car seat check event at the Colorado Springs Fire Station 4 (2280 Southgate Rd., Colorado Springs, CO 80906). Call 719-305-7233 or email to schedule an appointment.

“Children are among the most vulnerable passengers on the road, and it’s our responsibility to protect them. There is no reason a family or community should experience heartbreak due to a lack of knowledge on how to use available protections,” stated Trooper Kent Trimbach from the Colorado State Patrol. “We urge parents, grandparents and any caregiver to join us at these hands-on events to ensure their children’s safety every time they ride in a vehicle.”

In addition to these events, Car Seats Colorado offers a wealth of educational resources and materials, available in English, Spanish and 15 other languages, to provide valuable information to parents and caregivers. This includes instructional videos and information on how to recycle a used car seat. For more information from Car Seats Colorado, click here.

If you are unable to attend an event but have questions about car seat use or would like to schedule an inspection, click here to find a car seat inspection station near you. Inspections are always free and available statewide.

If you are unable to afford a car seat for your child(ren), WeeCycleand SafeKids Colorado both have programs through which families are able to get a free car seat. Visit their websites for more information.

About Car Seats Colorado

Car Seats Colorado is a joint effort of the Colorado State Patrol, CDOT, local car seat technicians, law enforcement, emergency services and other professionals who are dedicated to implementing child passenger safety programs and encouraging parents to take the necessary steps to protect their children when in vehicles. Learn more about how to keep children safe in vehicles and download informational resources at CarSeatsColorado.com.

Statewide — During Rail Safety Week (RSW), Sept. 18 to 24, the Colorado Department of Transportation is reminding motorists, pedestrians, and bicyclists to always use caution when approaching rail crossings.

Last year there were 23 traffic crashes involving trains in Colorado, resulting in seven injuries and two deaths. This is down slightly from 25 crashes the year before.

To reach the public, CDOT has created videos that provide warnings about crossing railroad tracks where there may not be gates or signals, known as passive crossings. Click here for the video playlist. Such crossings are common in rural areas of the state. In urban areas, RTD has released its own video on the importance of rail safety. Click here to view RTD’s video on rail safety.

Every year in North America, 2,100 people are killed or seriously injured around tracks and trains — often at at-grade crossings.

“We all need reminders about railroad crossings, which is why this week is so important,” said Darrell Lingk, Director of the Highway Safety Office at CDOT. “Paying attention to the warning signs at crossing and being on the lookout for trains are simple but life-saving tips that everyone should practice.”

Every three hours a person or vehicle is hit by a train in the United States. To prevent such crashes, there are both active and passive rail crossings in Colorado. Passive crossings lack bells, whistles and gates found with active crossings. Passive crossings, which include warning signs, are more common in rural areas where there are fewer cars. Currently there are 784 active warning crossings in Colorado and 960 passive ones.

Since 2017, RSW has saved lives by educating and empowering the public to make safe decisions around trains and tracks and raising awareness of the need for rail safety education. This annual week-long event is a collaborative effort among Operation Lifesaver, Inc., state Operation Lifesaver programs, and rail safety partners across the U.S., Canada and Mexico. The goal of RSW is to raise awareness of the need for rail safety education and empower the public to be safe near highway-rail grade crossings and railroad rights-of-way. For more information on Rail Safety Week, click here.

Operation Lifesaver, Inc., a national rail safety education organization, works in partnership with the U.S. Department of Transportation and other organizations to observe Rail Safety Week each year. The organization’s “Stop Track Tragedies” public awareness campaign shows the impact that rail-related incidents have on families – and communities.” For more information on the “Stop Track Tragedies campaign, click here.

Operation Lifesaver works with CDOT to prevent crashes. Upgrades at railroad crossings with warning lights and gates is part of CDOT’s commitment to reducing crashes involving trains.

By law, trains always have the right of way, and avoiding a train collision is the responsibility of the driver, pedestrian, bicyclist or motorcyclist. A train cannot swerve, stop quickly or change directions to avert a collision. A train traveling at 55 mph requires a mile to stop – the length of more than 17 football fields – after applying the emergency brakes.

CDOT urges motorists to follow these tips to stay safe at railroad crossings:

• When approaching a railroad crossing, slow down, look and listen for a train on the tracks, especially at passive crossings where there are no gates or warning signals
• Look carefully in both directions before crossing a rail track, even during the day
• Do not rely on past experience to guess when a train is coming. Trains can travel from either direction at any time
• Never race a train. It is easy to misjudge a train’s speed and distance from a crossing
• Before entering a railroad crossing, check that there is enough room on the other side of the tracks for your vehicle to cross completely and safely. Be aware that you may need to cross multiple sets of tracks at some railroad crossings
• Never stop on railroad tracks. Keep moving once you have entered the crossing. To avoid a vehicle stalling, never shift gears on the tracks
• If your vehicle stalls on a railroad track, quickly move away from the track and your vehicle at a 45-degree angle to prevent being hit by debris. Call the phone number on the Emergency Notification System sign or, if the sign is not visible to you, dial 911 for help

According to the Federal Railroad Administration, 2,197 highway-rail grade crossing collisions occurred in 2022 resulting in 274 deaths and 812 injuries across the U.S.

Join the Colorado Department of Agriculture and CSU Extension for an In-person Seminar in your area on the transition to organic farming process, what to expect from annual inspections, and programs available to fund you..including FSA Programs! This Seminar will be located at the CSU Extension Office in Fort Morgan and lunch will be provided:

CSU Extension Office
914 E. Railroad Ave.,
Fort Morgan, CO 80701

Time: 10:00am-1:00pm Lunch Provided with Registration

To attend this FREE seminar in person, click the link below to register before attending:

In-Person Registration Link 

If you are unable to attend in-person, you can also attend via Zoom. Click the link below to register for the Zoom portion of the meeting:

Zoom Registration Link

If you have any questions about the meeting or to register without using the links, please contact Maclaine Sorden at or call 720-402-8579.