The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment has issued an ACTION DAY ALERT at 4PM on Monday, October 19, 2020 for the Front Range Urban Corridor from Douglas County north to Larimer and Weld counties, including the Denver-Boulder area, Fort Collins and Greeley.

Moderate to heavy smoke can be expected through Tuesday morning for locations in Larimer and Boulder counties near the Cameron Peak, Calwood, and Lefthand Canyon wildfires. Lesser, but moderate, amounts of smoke can be found below these fires along the Front Range Urban Corridor, particularly from Ft. Collins southward to Loveland, Longmont, and Boulder. However drier and windier weather during the day on Tuesday could increase fire activity, so an increase in smoke will be possible by Tuesday afternoon for larger sections of the Front Range from Ft. Collins southward to Denver.

This Particulates Action Day Alert will remain in effect until at least 4 p.m. Tuesday, October 20, 2020.

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

At 1PM (MST), Monday, 10/19/2020 the highest AQI value was 58 for Particulate less than 2.5 micrometers which indicates Moderate air quality. Respiratory symptoms possible in unusually sensitive individuals, possible aggravation of heart or lung disease in people with cardiopulmonary disease and older adults. Unusually sensitive people should consider reducing prolonged or heavy exertion.

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Colorado State Patrol Increases Enforcement as Part of “Slow Down, Move Over Awareness Day”

COLORADO – A proclamation signed by Governor Polis, officially declares October 19, 2020, as “Slow Down, Move Over Awareness Day”. Together with AAA Colorado, the Colorado State Patrol, Colorado Department of Transportation, and law enforcement agencies across the state are teaming up this weekend in an effort to educate about new changes to this life-saving law – and some of that education will happen through enforcement. 

“When you see lights flashing on the roadside, that’s your cue to slow down or move over,” said Shoshana Lew, CDOT Executive Director. “Not only is it the law, it’s respectful to our first responders and maintenance crews who risk their lives on our roadways to keep us safe.”    

All 50 states have some version of the “move over” law, with one existing in Colorado for over a decade, yet 30 percent of American motorists do not know their state’s law. For over a decade Colorado drivers have been required to move at least one lane away from any tow truck, emergency vehicle, road crew, or public service utility vehicle on the shoulder with its emergency lighting illuminated.  Now, since September 13, 2020, that law was updated in Colorado to include specifics related to the speeds and speed limits when passing an emergency, tow, or maintenance vehicle.  

The Colorado Slow Down, Move Over law now states:

Drivers are required to move at least one lane from the emergency/tow/maintenance vehicle.  If they are not able to safely move away at least one moving lane, then they must slow to a safe speed. Safe speed means:

• Drivers must slow to 25 MPH or less in a 40 MPH (or less) zone
• Drivers must slow by at least 20 MPH in a 45 MPH (or higher) zone

Again, the “slow down” portion applies only if a motorist cannot safely move over away from the vehicle on the shoulder.

“Adjusting your driving when someone is on the side of the road is not only common courtesy, it’s the law,” stated Chief Matthew Packard, Colorado State Patrol. “Follow the law and save a life. These tragedies do not have to happen if drivers move away and slow down near roadside workers.”

Agencies and officers will take to social media to put out reminders and education about the “Slow Down, Move Over” efforts taking place.  In addition, high visibility enforcement will be conducted by multiple agencies across the state throughout the weekend.  All of this leads up to Monday, October 19, 2020, “Slow Down, Move Over” Awareness Day.  The goal of the campaign is widespread education so every Colorado driver will be aware of the updates to the law that keep emergency personnel, tow operators, road crews, and public service utility personnel safe while performing their jobs.  

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BELLVUE, Colo. – An evacuation of Lory State Park has been implemented, effective immediately (Oct. 14), due to unsafe conditions presented by the Cameron Peak Fire. 

Cameron Peak Fire officials have ordered mandatory evacuations for Redstone Canyon, Buckhorn Road and Stove Prairie that is just west of the state park. Additionally, the adjacent Horsetooth Mountain Park has been closed by Larimer County.

Lory State Park is under voluntary evacuation orders from Cameron Peak Fire officials, but CPW officials made the call for an evacuation of the park in consideration of the safety of visitors and staff. Staff is working to alert any visitors inside the park of the immediate evacuation order – at midday there were only four to five vehicles in the park as visitation has remained low due to the unhealthy smoke conditions. The 135,000-plus acre Cameron Peak Fire is not currently burning on state park grounds.

Equipment and valuable property from the state park will be moved offsite.

Additionally, CPW is announcing that several of the state wildlife areas in Larimer County will be opened up for ranchers in the evacuation area as a place for temporary relocation of livestock and trailers. For more information on that and the properties available, please call CPW’s Fort Collins office at 970-472-4300.

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LITTLETON, Colo. – Given recent reports of concerning mountain lion activity at Deer Creek Canyon Park, Colorado Parks and Wildlife advises the public to be aware and take necessary precautions in Jefferson County Open Space’s 1,637-acre park southwest of Littleton.

On the evening of Sept. 24, multiple hikers reported to a trail volunteer that they encountered a lion on the Red Mesa Loop trail. On Friday, Oct. 9, a cyclist encountered a lion and was unable to scare it away for approximately 25 minutes as it followed her down the trail. This also occurred on the Red Mesa Loop Trail. Fortunately nobody was injured in either occurrence.

Jefferson County Open Space closed the park following the most recent report from Saturday through Monday, allowing CPW wildlife officers time to investigate.

From Friday night through Monday afternoon, wildlife officers conducted an extensive search, looking for the mountain lion or other observable lion activity. Wildlife Officers set traps and utilized calls to try and draw the lion in. Additionally, trail cameras were deployed and wildlife officers hiked, biked and used ATVs throughout the park looking for activity.

No additional lion activity was observed, but wildlife officers still advise recreators to remain cautious and alert while in the park.

“Please be aware that there could still be a mountain lion in the area and report any unusual lion activity or behavior to authorities,” said Wildlife Officer Melanie Kaknes. “The individual from Friday’s encounter did all the right things – she did not run, she faced the animal and kept her bike in between her and the lion.”

Unusual mountain lion activity can be reported through Colorado State Patrol by calling 303-239-4501 at any time. It can also be reported through CPW’s Denver office, Monday through Friday between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., by dialing 303-291-7227.

CPW recommends you walk/hike/bike in groups and make plenty of noise to reduce your chances of surprising a mountain lion. Lions are most active early in the morning and in the evening, you may choose to avoid recreating during those times. Always be aware of your surroundings.

Helpful tips to know if you encounter a mountain lion: • Stay calm, talk calmly yet firmly to it and make enough eye contact so that it knows you have seen it. Maintain visual contact with the lion so you can always see what it is doing.

• Do not approach a lion, especially one that is feeding or with kittens. 
• Most mountain lions will try to avoid a confrontation. Give them a way to escape.
• Stop or back away slowly if you can do it safely. Running may stimulate a lion’s instinct to chase and attack. Face the lion and stand upright while backing away slowly.
• Do all you can to appear larger. Raise your arms, position yourself to appear bigger by getting up on a stump or a rock. Open your jacket if you’re wearing one. 
• Place obstacles you may have, like a bike, between you and the lion.
• If you see a lion and you are with a small child, pick up the child immediately so they won’t panic and run. Tell the child not to speak – the high voice may sound like prey to a lion.
• If the lion behaves aggressively, throw stones, branches or whatever you can get your hands on without crouching down or turning your back. Wave your arms slowly and speak firmly. Convince the lion you are not prey and that you may in fact be a danger to the lion.
• If the lion behaves more aggressively (eyes locked on you, ears pinned back, feet underneath them), continue to speak firmly and wave whatever you may have (backpack, walking stick) in front of you. If you can’t talk calmly then we recommend clapping your hands or making other noise.
• If the lion gets even more aggressive (crouched, tail twitching, hind feet pumping in preparation to jump), be ready to fight back.
• FIGHT BACK if a lion attacks you. People have successfully fought back with rocks, sticks, keys, tools and their bare hands. Remain standing or if you are knocked down try to get back up! A lion’s face, including its eyes, can be sensitive areas to target with fingers or car keys if you have to strike back. Visit our website to learn more.

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