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  • Triple-digit temps forecast for the Southwest this week

    Triple-digit temps forecast for the Southwest this week

    By Ryan Adamson, AccuWeather meteorologist

    Published Jul. 8, 2022 6:28 AM MDT | Updated Jul. 11, 2022 11:03 AM MDT

  • Triple-digit temps forecast for the Southwest into next week

    An active start to the North American monsoon has helped to keep temperatures relatively in check in the Southwest recently, but AccuWeather forecasters say that the chance of thunderstorms will decrease in the coming days, allowing temperatures to swell across the region.
    Much of the monsoon’s moisture has been focused over Colorado, New Mexico and southeastern Utah as of late. Farther to the west, many locations have received very little, if any, rain. When the ground is dry, the sun’s energy is not needed to evaporate moisture. Instead, the ground is heated quickly which results in higher temperatures.
    As a ‘heat dome’ shifts to the west this weekend and into next week, temperatures will be on the rise. Underneath a heat dome, sinking air causes temperatures to climb, and precipitation and cloud cover tend to be limited.
    “A resilient heat dome that has brought hot weather to the southern Plains this week will spread into the Southwest and park itself there, likely through much of next week,” said AccuWeather Meteorologist La Troy Thornton.
    One example of a city that will be under the dome of heat is Las Vegas. The last time Las Vegas had measurable rain was on March 28 when 0.1 of an inch of rain fell. This extended period of dryness will allow for efficient heating, and the mercury will rise to around 110 degrees Fahrenheit by Monday, a few degrees shy of record territory. Similar values are likely on Tuesday and Wednesday.
    People planning to visit outdoor destinations, such as Zion National Park and Arches National Park in Utah, should avoid hiking in the afternoon when temperatures are near their peak.
    Phoenix received 0.31 of an inch of rain in late June thanks to monsoonal thunderstorms. However, no measurable rain has fallen since, and the ground is fairly dry. Temperatures will rise above 110 degrees as early as the weekend and stay there through much of next week. The highest predicted temperature is 112 degrees on Monday. However, the temperature may be a degree or two lower in some Phoenix neighborhoods thanks to the city’s Cool Pavement Program aimed at reducing the intensity of the urban heat island effect.
    As high as these temperatures are expected to be, records are unlikely to be broken.
    “Record heat may be hard to come by for many locations because this is already a very warm time of year,” explained Thornton.
    Farther north, Salt Lake City has had four days above 100 degrees so far this year. That number may double or triple by the time next week comes to an end. The heat will peak a bit later in Salt Lake City, as the heat dome builds northward throughout next week.
    Since normals and records are not as high in Salt Lake City as they are in the Desert Southwest, this may be an exception to records being out of reach. The forecast high of 105 F on Saturday would surpass the correct record for the date of 102 F. The mercury could also challenge the daily record of 107 F on Wednesday, July 13.
    With moisture suppressed, the chance of monsoonal thunderstorms will be low outside of New Mexico. However, given the lack of moisture, any thunderstorms that do develop may produce more lightning than rain. These are called dry thunderstorms as most or all of the rain falling from the clouds evaporates before making it to the ground, while lightning from the storm could spark fires in the parched landscape.
    The greater focus of any thunderstorms should be on the edge of the heat dome.
    “The monsoon’s moisture will shift west and fuel spotty thunderstorms across the mountains of Nevada and California by the middle of next week,” said AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Mike LeSeney.
    It may take until next weekend for temperatures to lower somewhat as the heat dome finally begins to weaken and shift eastward over the Plains.

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  • Soil Erosion Strategies

    Soil erosion from both wind and water can happen nearly anytime in Colorado. When soil leaves a field due to wind or water, the field’s productivity is reduced. Topsoil that leaves a field is the best soil and is high in organic matter. Low organic matter soils experience reduced crop yields. In addition, blowing soil can have consequences on the field the soil is blowing into not to mention a dust storm’s effect on the environment with reduced visibility. Water erosion simply carries top soil off your field and into someone else’s or the topsoil is carried into streams and lakes as sediment. Some weather issues magnify soil erosion potential such as drought, which reduces the amount of crop residue raised and thus the amount of cover protecting a field. Summer flooding due to intense rain storms can create water runoff issues.
    The most effective soil erosion control strategy is to leave crop residues in place after harvest. This strategy insures maximum cover during winter dormant periods. Crop residue management includes practices such as reduced till, no-till, stubble mulch, strip cropping and cover cropping. Each of these methods substitutes chemical or cover weed control for tillage. Each one of these practices have advantages and disadvantages but all will help reduce both wind and water erosion potentials in a field. The bottom line is; when soil remains covered from the previous crop’s residue, both wind and water erosion will be reduced, leaving topsoil in place. Tillage, drought and flooding increase soil erosion issues.
    What can be done when wind erosion has overtaken a field? Emergency tillage is an option to suppress wind erosion. Emergency tillage strategies should include the following: use a combination of tractor speed, tillage depth, and implement shovel size to achieve the roughest soil surface with the most soil clods. Surface roughness is the number one wind erosion control strategy when wind erosion is the issue. The rougher the soil surface with more dirt clods, the more protected the field will be. This condition becomes more difficult with extremely dry soils. Try to start the emergency tillage on upward wind field locations. Till in a perpendicular direction to prevailing wind direction. Our prevailing winds mostly come from the south making an easterly-westerly tillage direction most effective, when possible. Variations of this tillage direction can still be effective. Try and skip passes (up to 50% of the field) from tillage which leaves some crop residue anchored. Tillage should not be solid. Shovel spacing of 24 to 40 inches can reduce wind erosion, depending on soil type and conditions. If a second tillage is needed later, increase the tillage depth.
    The best wind and water soil erosion control strategy is leaving past crop residues in place. However, if soil erosion from wind becomes an issue due to drought, emergency tillage can be a short-term option.
    Source: Kansas State University MF2206

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  • Top 6 Emergency Relief Program Checklist Items for Eligible Farmers

    Farmers.gov sent this bulletin at 07/01/2022 06:52 PM EDT
    Top 6 Emergency Relief Program Checklist Items for Eligible Farmers
    FSA recently began mailing 303,000 pre-filled applications for the Emergency Relief Program (ERP), a new program designed to help agricultural producers impacted by wildfires, droughts, hurricanes, winter storms, and other qualifying natural disasters experienced during calendar years 2020 and 2021.

    The past few years have been tough to say the least. As producers have dealt with the continued impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, they have also struggled to recover from more frequent, more intense natural disasters. I am grateful that Congress passed, and President Biden signed into law the Extending Government Funding and Delivering Emergency Assistance Act (P.L. 117-43), which includes $10 billion in critical emergency relief.

    After extensive stakeholder outreach, including with producers and groups that have not always been included in USDA programs, our team began work developing a responsive, easier-to-access program that could be rolled out in phases. We’re now rolling out the first phase of ERP, which uses existing Federal Crop Insurance or Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP) data as the basis for calculating initial payments.

    By leveraging existing data, we will be able to deliver approximately $6 billion in assistance on a faster timeline; at the same time, my team and I are committed to ensuring that producers who do not have existing data on file with USDA are captured in the second phase of ERP, which will be explicitly focused on filling gaps in previously implemented emergency assistance.

    To apply for ERP Phase 1, here’s what you need to do:

    Check Your Mailbox
    The form being mailed to you includes eligibility requirements, outlines the application process, and provides estimated ERP payment calculations. Producers will receive a separate application form for each program year in which an eligible loss occurred. Receipt of a pre-filled application is not confirmation that a producer is eligible to receive an ERP phase one payment. This application takes about 0.176 hours (that’s less than 15 minutes) for producers to complete, compared to the former Wildfire and Hurricane Indemnity Program – Plus application which took several hours for producers to complete and even longer for FSA staff.

    The deadline to return completed ERP applications to FSA is Friday, July 22, 2022. If you have NAP coverage, you will receive pre-filled ERP applications later this summer. Details on ERP Phase 2 will be forthcoming as well.

    Check Your Eligibility
    ERP covers losses to crops, trees, bushes, and vines due to a qualifying natural disaster event in calendar years 2020 and 2021. Eligible crops include all crops for which crop insurance or NAP coverage was available, except for crops intended for grazing. Qualifying natural disaster events include wildfires, hurricanes, floods, derechos, excessive heat, winter storms, freeze (including a polar vortex), smoke exposure, excessive moisture, qualifying drought*, and related conditions.

    *Lists of 2020 and 2021 drought counties eligible for ERP are available online.

    Check Required Forms on File with FSA
    Producers must have the following forms on file with FSA:

    Form AD-2047, Customer Data Worksheet.
    Form CCC-902, Farm Operating Plan for an individual or legal entity.
    Form CCC-901, Member Information for Legal Entities(if applicable).
    Form FSA-510, Request for an Exception to the $125,000 Payment Limitation for Certain Programs(if applicable).
    A highly erodible land conservation (sometimes referred to as HELC) and wetland conservation certification (Form AD-1026 Highly Erodible Land Conservation (HELC) and Wetland Conservation (WC) Certification) for the ERP producer and applicable affiliates.
    If you have previously participated in FSA programs, you will likely have these required forms on file. However, if you’re uncertain or want to confirm the status of your forms, contact your local FSA county office.

    Check Historically Underserved Status with FSA, If Applicable
    The ERP payment percentage for historically underserved producers, including beginning, limited resource, socially disadvantaged, and veteran farmers, and ranchers will be increased by 15% of the calculated ERP payment.

    To qualify for the higher payment percentage, eligible producers must have the following form on file with FSA:

    Form CCC-860, Socially Disadvantaged, Limited Resource, Beginning and Veteran Farmer or Rancher Certification.
    Check Your Future Insurance Coverage
    All producers who receive ERP phase one payments are statutorily required to purchase crop insurance, or NAP coverage where crop insurance is not available, for the next two available crop years, as determined by the Secretary.

    Coverage requirements will be determined from the date a producer receives an ERP payment and may vary depending on the timing and availability of crop insurance or NAP for a producer’s particular crops. The final crop year to purchase crop insurance or NAP coverage to meet the second year of coverage for this requirement is the 2026 crop year.

    Check Your bank
    Once the completed ERP application for payment is submitted to and signed by FSA, producers who have direct deposit should look for payment within three business days.

    More Information

    We have additional resources, including:

    ERP May 16, 2022 New Release
    ERP Fact Sheet
    Answers to Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
    Emergency Relief Webpage
    ERP Notice of Funding Availability
    In addition to ERP, FSA is also implementing the first phase of the new Emergency Livestock Relief Program. At this time, FSA has made more than $588 million in payments to impacted livestock producers.

    Bottom line, we take your feedback seriously, and we wanted to deliver this relief as soon as possible. We learned from previous relief programs, and we’re excited to be getting this to you as swiftly as we can.

  • USDA To Hold Special Webinar For Farmers Union Members Tomorrow

    USDA has provided a link to join the special presentation on Thursday, July 7, from 11 am – 2:30 pm Mountain:
     
    https://www.zoomgov.com/j/16118762201
     
    There will be a reminder and a finalized agenda sent out tomorrow.

    Top staff from the U.S. Department of Agriculture will be presenting a special webinar designed specifically for Farmers Union staff and leaders to learn more about the many grant and program opportunities. This “USDA 101 Workshop” will be held online on Thursday,  July 7th, from 11:00 AM – 2:30 PM (Mountain). Please plan to attend this event as Secretary Vilsack directed his staff to make sure that Farmers Union knows about all the opportunities that are available to the organization through USDA’s Food System Transformation framework.

    The event will be a wide-ranging look at USDA’s funding opportunities to access capital, markets, and technical assistance, and will provide specific examples of how funding has been used in the past and how you can access it within your state. USDA will also be available for Q&A. A tentative agenda, subject to change, is available below.

    TENTATIVE AGENDA

    NFU USDA 101 Workshop

    Thursday, July 7, 2022

    11:00pm to 2:30pm Mountain

    11:00 AM                Welcome

    1:10 AM                Panel 1: Access to Capital

    Meat and Poultry Intermediary Lending Program

    Meat and Poultry Processing Expansion Program (MPPEP)

    Business and Industry Loan Guarantees (B&I)

    Food Supply Chain Guaranteed Loan Program

    Intermediary Relending Program (IRP)

    Rural Business Investment Program (RBIP)

    Rural Economic Development Loan and Grant (REDLG)

    Rural Microentrepreneur Assistance Program (RMAP)

    12:15PM                Break (15 minutes)

    12:30PM                Panel 2: Access to Markets

    Farmers Market Promotion Program (FMPP)

    Local Food Promotion Program (LFPP)

    Regional Food System Partnerships Program (RFSP)

    Local Food for Schools Cooperative Agreement Program (LFS)

    Value Added Producer Grants (VAPG)

    1:20PM                Break (10 min)

    1:30PM                Panel 3: Access to Technical Assistance

     Agriculture Innovation Center Program

    Rural Business Development Grants (RBDG)

    Rural Cooperative Development Grants (RCDG)

    Socially- Disadvantaged Group Grants (SDGG)

    USDA Service Centers

    Coming Soon: Regional Food Business Centers

    2:10PM                Final Q & A Session

     2:25PM                Closing Remarks

     2:30PM                Finish


    Reach out with any questions! Email or call 970 389 2041. 

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  • CPW renews warning to expect aggressive wildlife as mothers defend their young
    helpful information

    CPW renews warning to expect aggressive wildlife as mothers defend their young

    COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – An incident between a hiker with a dog off-lease and a defensive cow moose with a calf on a Teller County trail prompted Colorado Parks and Wildlife to renew its call for caution in the backcountry.

    On Thursday, a woman with her dog reported a confrontation with a cow moose and its calf about 45 minutes up the popular Crags Trail, which is off Colorado Highway 67 about 3 miles south of Divide.

    The hiker told CPW her dog was running off-leash when a cow moose charged from the brush, chasing the dog. The hiker said she yelled at the moose and it turned and charged her. In her effort to run, she fell and suffered a broken arm.

    The hiker told CPW the moose stood over her until it resumed chasing the dog. Eventually the moose and calf wandered off and the hiker and her dog retreated down the trail to her car.

    “This incident is a reminder of why we warn everyone to respect wildlife and give them their space,” said Tim Kroening, CPW’s Area Wildlife Manager for the Pikes Peak region. “We know Colorado residents love their dogs. But to keep them safe, we urge people not to take their dogs into wildlife habitat during fawning and calving season and never let them off-leash.

    “These confrontations can happen with bears, moose, elk, deer and other wildlife and especially when dogs are involved. They view the dogs as a predator and react in defense of their young.”

    CPW officers posted warning signs on the Crags Trail on Friday urging people to avoid the area and, if they proceed, to be especially alert to moose along the trail.

    The incident is another in a series of recent moose conflicts that have resulted in injuries to people in Colorado. At least two others also involved cows exhibiting defensive behavior of their nearby calves.

    One was on a woman running on a trail in Breckenridge on May 26. The second was on May 31 in Grand Lake when a woman encountered a moose five-feet away in some willows near her home. As she started running away, she fell down and then felt the moose stomp on her back and head. 

    “This cow moose was exhibiting classic protective behavior of its calf,” Kroening said. “If you are in the backcountry, give wildlife extra space. Especially this time of year when wildlife are raising their young. 

    “Also be sure to keep dogs on leashes. Better yet, keep them at home.”

    As a precaution against run-ins with moose, Kroening urged hikers to avoid thick willow habitat in riparian areas where they are likely to be found eating or resting. Their calves, born in a 3-4 week period from the end of May to mid-June, are often lying in the willows while their mother is off grazing. 

    Calves, which weigh 26-28 pounds at birth, typically gain about two pounds of weight per day, reaching weights of 385-400 pounds by October.

    CPW produced a video illustrating how people can be safe and responsible around moose. The video is available on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q6Qj9K_eJJE&t=2s

    Video of a newborn calf with its mother during the May 31-June 1 snow that hit Colorado’s high country: https://youtu.be/B2wk2oHUdas

    Kroening said the best thing is to leave young wildlife alone, untouched in their natural habitat so they can grow and thrive in the wild.

    “Do not approach, touch or feed wild animals,” Kroening said. “Enjoy wildlife from a safe distance. Keep your dog on a leash and on trails.

    “Perhaps most important, if you find a wild animal that appears sick or injured, leave it alone. Call your local Colorado Parks and Wildlife office and talk to a trained wildlife official for guidance.”

    For more information, please visit our website with spring wildlife advice.

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  • Colorado Parks and Wildlife promotes sober boating ahead of Operation Dry Water and the holiday weekend

    Colorado Parks and Wildlife promotes sober boating ahead of Operation Dry Water and the holiday weekend

    DENVER – Boaters heading out onto the water this weekend will see additional Colorado Parks and Wildlife officers enforcing boating under the influence (BUI) laws as part of the national Operation Dry Water campaign. This enforcement operation is timed closely to the July 4th holiday each year to educate boaters on the dangers of boating under the influence and reduce the number of accidents on waterways. Dangers include:

    • Alcohol impairs judgment, balance, vision and reaction time on the water, which can increase fatigue and the dangers of cold-water immersion.
    • Sun, wind, noise, vibration and motion are added factors in a boating environment; all of these intensify the effects of alcohol, drugs, and some medications. A general rule to remember is that one drink on land is equivalent to three drinks on the water.
    • Alcohol can be dangerous for passengers, too. Intoxication on board can cause injuries from slips, falls overboard and other dangerous accidents.

    “Boating is a favorite pastime of Coloradans and visitors alike, but we want to make sure that everyone is enjoying their time on the water responsibly,” said Grant Brown, boating safety program manager with Colorado Parks and Wildlife. “Alcohol use is one of the leading contributing factors in recreational boating deaths in the country. We encourage boaters to boat smart, boat safe and boat sober.”

    Penalties for boating under the influence include receiving fines, having your boat impounded, potential jail time and the loss of boating privileges. Boaters with a blood alcohol content (BAC) level above the .08 state limit should expect to be arrested for BUI. In Colorado, Operation Dry Water operations will include increased patrols and checkpoints. 

    In Colorado, boaters must also take into account the risks that unpredictable weather can present while recreating on the water. Dangerous weather conditions include strong wind gusts that can knock a paddleboarder or kayaker into the water, and cold water temperatures that exist year-round.

    CPW advises the following boating safety tips before heading out onto the water:

    • Wear your life jacket
    • Check your boat and all required boating safety gear.
    • Avoid boating alone and tell someone where you are going and when you will return.
    • Stand-up paddleboards are considered vessels in Colorado and require a life jacket on board at all times. 
    • Protect your self from the dangers of cold water shock. Regardless of your age or experience level, cold water can quickly create a drowning emergency.

    For more information on boating safety, visit cpw.state.co.us.

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  • Outdoor safety tips for Fourth of July weekend celebrations

    Outdoor safety tips for Fourth of July weekend celebrations

    DENVER – Nature belongs to all of us, and recreating responsibly shows you care about keeping our landscapes healthy and wildlife thriving. Colorado Parks and Wildlife is sharing a few safety tips ahead of the holiday weekend to help you balance your outdoor recreation with mindful conservation.

    Be Careful with Fire

    • Colorado’s low humidity can create dry, dangerous conditions that impact if fires are allowed or restricted.
    • Check fire restrictions or bans before you go. Visit www.coemergency.com to find county-specific fire information. 
    • Avoid parking or driving on dry grass. Check your tire pressure, exhaust pipes and if chains or exposed wheel rims are dragging from your vehicle that may create sparks. 
    • Use designated campfire areas when allowed and available. 
    • Keep campfires small and manageable.
    • Put fires out with water until you can touch the embers.
    • Never leave a campfire unattended and report campfires that have been left burning.
    • Fireworks are not permitted on Front Range public lands.

    Wear a Life Jacket

    Enjoy the water, but always do so with a life jacket on – they save lives. Before going onto the water make sure you are carrying basic safety gear:

    • Wear your life jacket​
    • Check your boat and all required boating safety gear.
    • Avoid boating alone and tell someone where you are going and when you will return.
    • Boat sober. Alcohol use is the leading contributing factor in recreational boating deaths. 
    • Stand-up paddleboards are considered vessels in Colorado and require a life jacket on board at all times. 
    • Protect yourself from the dangers of cold water immersion and shock. Regardless of your age or experience level, cold water can quickly create a drowning emergency.

    Be Bear Aware

    Staying bear aware while on trails and when camping helps keep bears wild and reduces human-bear conflicts. For more resources and information on how to be “bear aware,” visit cpw.state.co.us.

    • Safely store food, beverages and toiletries in campsite lockers called bear boxes (if provided), in bear-proof containers away from your tent or locked in the trunk of your vehicle.
    • Keep a clean campsite. Scrape grill grates after use and clean used dishes. 
    • Never bring food or anything that smells like food into your tent. 
    • Lock cars and RVs whenever you leave your site and at night and close windows. 
    • Stay alert and respect forage areas like berry patches and oak brush.
    • Keep dogs leashed at all times.
    • NEVER feed or approach a bear. 

    Know Before You Go

      • Be aware of weather conditions, water temperatures and trail closures where you plan to visit. 
      • Camping reservations are required at Colorado State Parks. 
      • Use the CPW Park Finder to learn about outdoor activities available at each state park and visit the park’s web page to learn about park or trail closures. 
      • Tools such as COTREX provide additional outdoor opportunities in the surrounding areas if your desired trailhead, park or location is crowded or closed.
      • On a holiday weekend, expect lines and potential gate closures. Have a backup plan and please be kind to park staff and other park visitors.

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  • DENVER BRONCOS DALTON RISNER TO HOST FREE YOUTH FOOTBALL CAMP 

    What: Offensive Lineman for the Denver Broncos, Dalton Risner, along with his RisnerUp Foundation will host their second annual youth football camp at Wiggins High School on July 11. This camp offers a variety of activities from life skills and educational/leadership exercises, to NFL-inspired drills. The event is open to rising 4th graders through rising 8th graders who are looking to find their inner strength. All participants will receive a t-shirt and breakfast.

    Sign up is available at https://risnerup.org/.

    When: Monday, July 11, 2022

    8:00 am – 12:00 pm

    Where: Wiggins High School

    201 Tiger Way

    Wiggins, CO 80654

    Who: Dalton Risner, Denver Broncos

    RisnerUp Foundation

    About Dalton Risner: Kansas State University alum and offensive lineman for the Denver Broncos, Dalton Risner is entering his fourth season in the NFL. After he was drafted in the second round by the Broncos in 2019, he has started in all 38 games over the past three years. However, Risner is more than just a professional football player, he has a passion for helping others after being raised in the small town of Wiggins, Colorado.

    About RisnerUp: The RisnerUp Foundation was created in hopes of bringing more love and kindness into the world. RisnerUp aims to encourage others to make a positive impact on those around them. This foundation reflects Dalton Risner’s personal values by highlighting the importance of having a positive attitude and strong work ethic in all aspects of life. To learn more, visit https://risnerup.org/ or visit on Twitter, Instagram, or Facebook.

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  • Gov. Polis Takes Action to Ensure More Swimming Pools Can Open this Summer

    DENVER — Today, Governor Polis and the Department of Local Affairs announced grants to 71 swimming pools across Colorado received much-needed grants to help ensure swimming pools are open and properly staffed in time for the July 4th holiday and for the remainder of the summer months. Last week, Governor Polis announced the Pools Special Initiative 2022, a plan of action to help swimming pools open and expand hours this summer, as pools around the country have faced workforce shortages. 
    “We are helping expand pool hours and get closed pools open so that this July 4th and throughout the summer, Coloradans across the state can safely have fun with family and friends, learn to swim, exercise and recreate at our amazing public pools. We are working with local communities to  get more pools open and expand hours with support for increased pay, more work flexibility, and helping train more lifeguards,” said Governor Polis. 
    The Pools Special Initiative 2022 provides incentives to attract and retain public pool employees through the summer and ensure adequate staffing levels to allow pools to open at maximum capacity. The awarded grants support more workforce flexibility, new training for lifeguards, and provide real relief to local communities working to make sure Coloradans can enjoy their summers at the pool. 
    These grants help communities find and keep qualified lifeguards, ensuring that pools can increase operating hours and to stay open longer in the summer after many lifeguards return to school in the fall, and expanding capacity to teach life-saving swim lessons. 
    Grant recipients include the Bennett Park and Recreation District (Adams County)

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