The I-70 Scout & Eastern Colorado News

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South Fork PD Seeks Information in Missing Person Case

Police are seeking information about a 49-year-old South Fork woman missing since early January.

Marlena Rena Mizell (DOB: 03/02/1971) was last seen leaving the Rainbow Motel (30359 HWY 160, South Fork CO) in South Fork just before noon on January 2, 2021. She has had no contact with family or friends since.

Mizell has brown hair and blue eyes. She’s 5’1” tall and weighs 140 lbs., and was last seen wearing black pants and a black shirt.

The motel manager indicated Mizell drove from the motel in a blue Ford Focus hatchback (similar to the photo shown). The vehicle has a Texas license plate number of NMK6052. The front bumper fairing is secured by wire on the driver’s side, and the paint chipped away under the rear spoiler on the back making it appear like a gray stripe. Additionally, the rear window wiper is missing.

Mizell was reported missing by her boyfriend on January 3, 2021.

The South Fork Police Department is requesting assistance from the public in locating Mizell. Please call the South Fork Police Department at 719 873-1040 with any information connected to this case.

“Our investigators have been working this missing person case for nearly a month and are seeking any new information that might lead to the location of Ms. Mizell,” said South Fork Police Chief Hank Weber.

The Colorado Bureau of Investigation has been requested to provide additional resources in this case.

Please see the images below of Mizell and the likeness of the car she was last seen driving attached to this news release.

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February 2, 2021
Backcountry camping at Golden Gate Canyon State Park moving to reservations only

Photo by Jason Clay/CPW

GOLDEN, Colo. – Starting July 15, backcountry camping sites at Golden Gate Canyon State Park will require a reservation.

Reservations can be made by calling 1-800-244-5613 or online at www.cpwshop.com. The backcountry campsite fee is $18. A vehicle pass is also required in addition to the camping fee.

The park offers four backcountry shelters and 20 backcountry tent sites that in the past were on a first-come, first-served basis year-round. These are backpacking, hike-in only campsites, there is no vehicle access. Average hiking distance is 1.5-2 miles one way. Backcountry camping provides a more primitive and somewhat unique camping experience, but with that comes responsibilities the user must assume to take care of the land.

After experiencing issues of misuse such as people not paying park fees, going to the wrong sites, leaving waste behind and igniting illegal fires at the backcountry sites, the decision was made to implement reservations. Part of that decision is to also help promote Leave No Trace principles, as Golden Gate Canyon is in the process of working with the Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics foundation to achieve Gold Standard Site designation.

The four backcountry shelters are three-sided structures, which are built in the Appalachian trail-hut tradition, have roofs and wood floors. Each hut can sleep up to six people without a tent.

The 20 backcountry tent sites are open year-round. Many of these sites are located in large, scenic meadows and are surrounded by 10,000-foot peaks. Each site is limited to a maximum of six people and are also equipped with bear boxes.

ALL FIRES ARE PROHIBITED IN THE BACKCOUNTRY

Please adhere to the following Leave No Trace Principles:

1 – Know before you go

2 – Stick to trails and camp overnight right

3 – Pack out your trash, properly dispose of it and pick up all dog waste

4 – Leave it as you find it

5 – Be careful with stoves – no fires allowed

6 – Keep wildlife wild – use bear boxes

7 – Share our trails and manage your pet

Photos below courtesy of Dustin Doskocil.

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July 15, 2020
Fishers Peak Park One Step Closer to Opening

PUEBLO, CO– Governor Jared Polis today signed into law legislation sponsored by Representative Daneya Esgar to create and fund the new Fishers Peak State Park and to make improvements to parks all across the state to accommodate more visitors. The governor also signed legislation sponsored by Representative Dylan Roberts to fund Colorado Water Conservation Board projects and support endangered or threatened species conservation programs.

“Colorado has some of the best state parks in the country, and soon we’ll add one more, the beautiful Fishers Peak in Southern Colorado,” said Rep. Daneya Esgar, D-Pueblo. “Our state parks contribute significantly to our communities, and Fishers peak will draw visitors from across the region, boosting our small businesses and Southern Colorado’s economy. Parks like Fishers Peak create the outdoor recreation options that Coloradans love and our state is known for.”

SB20-003, sponsored by Representative Esgar, provides $6 million in funding to the state’s parks to open Fishers peak and to make improvements at parks throughout the state to accommodate additional visitors and upgrade park facilities and infrastructure.

“I’m proud of this bipartisan effort to fund the critical water projects that Colorado communities need and rely on, and to protect the wildlife and endangered species that live in our state,” said Rep. Dylan Roberts, D-Avon. “By investing in our water infrastructure and conservation, we are ensuring that our state is prepared for the future. These important projects are going to put people to work, revitalize environmental habitats, and protect our Colorado way of life.”

HB20-1403, sponsored by Representative Roberts and Marc Catlin, provides funding for Colorado Water Conservation Board projects. These projects support and implement the Colorado Water Plan and are essential for the state’s water supply and the economic activity that relies on it. SB20-201, which is also sponsored by Representatives Roberts and Catlin, provides funding for programs at the Department of Natural Resources that protect endangered and threatened species and wildlife in Colorado. Colorado Parks and Wildlife lists dozens of endangered or threatened species, including the American Bald Eagle and Lynx.

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June 29, 2020
Dinosaur National Monument Increases Recreational Access to Include Camping and River Use

Dinosaur, CO and Jensen, UT – Following guidance from the White House, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and state and local public health authorities, Dinosaur National Monument is increasing recreational access to camping and river use. The National Park Service (NPS) is working servicewide with federal, state, and local public health authorities to closely monitor the COVID-19 pandemic and using a phased approach to increase access on a park-by-park basis.

Beginning Sunday, June 7, 2020, Dinosaur will reopen access to campgrounds, backcountry, and river use:  

• River Trips including permitted daily trips through Split Mountain Canyon and multi day trips on the Green and Yampa rivers will resume. Most launch dates have already been assigned for the 2020 season. Any remaining river permits will be available on a first-come, first-served basis through Recreation.gov.

• Developed campgrounds at Split Mountain, Green River, Echo Park, Deerlodge Park, and Gates of Lodore will be open for camping and have drinking water and restrooms available. Rainbow Park Campground will also reopen, with vault toilets and no drinking water. Camping fees will be charged.

• Backcountry camping will resume, free permits are required and will be issued starting June 7. Campers need to be familiar with the monument’s backcountry regulations and know where they will enter, exit, and camp prior to requesting a permit. All backcountry permits will be issued by phone (435) 781-7700 x0 from 9:00 am and 5:00 pm. Permits will then be emailed to requester.

• All monument roads and trails are open. 

• Restrooms are available in all developed campgrounds; along the Harpers Corner Road at most scenic overlooks, and at the Canyon Visitor Center front patio in Colorado; and along the Cub Creek Road at Josie’s Cabin, Split Mountain Boat Ramp, and at the top of the Fossil Discovery Trail near the Quarry Exhibit Hall parking lot in Utah.

• Drinking water is available in all developed campgrounds except Rainbow Park; at the Canyon Visitor Center front patio in Colorado; and at the Quarry Visitor Center back patio and top of the Fossil Discovery Trail near the Quarry Exhibit Hall parking lot in Utah.

With public health in mind, the following facilities remain closed at this time:

• All monument visitor centers, and the Quarry Exhibit Hall remain closed.

• All ranger-guided programs including night sky programs are suspended until further notice.

“The camping and river recreation at Dinosaur are outstanding – I and the employees of the monument are excited that access to these spectacular places will resume,” said monument superintendent Paul Scolari. “We commend our local communities and visitors for their continuing patience as we increase access to the park in phases and thank local public health and elected officials for their support as we have navigated management of the monument through the COVID response.”

The health and safety of our visitors, employees, volunteers, and partners continues to be paramount. At Dinosaur National Monument, our operational approach will be to examine each facility function and service provided to ensure those operations comply with current public health guidance and will be regularly monitored. We continue to work closely with the NPS Office of Public Health using CDC guidance to ensure public and workspaces are safe and clean for visitors, employees, partners, and volunteers. While many areas are accessible for visitors to enjoy, a return to full operations will continue to be phased and services may be limited.

The CDC has offered guidance to help people recreating in parks and open spaces prevent the spread of infectious diseases. We will continue to monitor all park functions to ensure that visitors adhere to CDC guidance for mitigating risks associated with the transmission of COVID-19 and take any additional steps necessary to protect public health. When recreating, the public should follow local area health orders: Best practice precautions include the practice of social distancing, avoiding crowds, wearing face coverings if appropriate, and avoiding high-risk outdoor activities.

We will notify the public of changing conditions, access, and activities by providing updates on our website www.nps.gov/dino and social media channels @DinosaurNPS on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

Updates about overall NPS operations will be posted on www.nps.gov/coronavirus.

www.nps.gov

About the National Park Service: More than 20,000 National Park Service employees care for America’s 419 national parks and work with communities across the nation to help preserve local history and create close-to-home recreational opportunities. Learn more at www.nps.gov.

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May 27, 2020
Delegation from France Visits State Fire Agency Facilities

March 6, 2020 – Lakewood, CO: The Colorado Division of Fire Prevention and Control (DFPC) will host a delegation from France March 9-10th. The delegation requested the visit as part of France’s efforts to increase their knowledge about emerging technologies that impact the wildland fire community.

The delegates include French firefighters officers (Head of international affairs), AIRBUS personnel, THALES personnel, and representation from Nîmes metropolitan area (Openimes).

The delegation will use this visit to learn more about aerial firefighting best practices in the US and to learn about new and innovative technologies that may help with the firefight in France.

In addition to meeting with DFPCs Multi Mission Aircraft program staff at the Centennial Airport, the group will travel to Rifle to meet with the Center of Excellence to learn more about the Divisions efforts in Night Aerial Firefighting, Aerial Water Enhancer, Team Awareness Kit (TAK), and Unmanned Aerial Systems.

“We are pleased to welcome the delegates and share the programs we’ve built,” said DFPC Director, Mike Morgan. “We are fortunate to have outstanding facilities and resources, which serve as a model for other fire programs not just in Colorado, but around the world.”

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March 7, 2020
Nutrien announces $10 million long-term investment in CSU’s College of Agricultural Sciences
Colorado State University and Nutrien, the world’s largest provider of crop nutrients, inputs and services, have entered into a strategic partnership with a primary goal: feeding the world in the most sustainable, inclusive and innovative way.

Nutrien is providing CSU’s College of Agricultural Sciences $1 million each year over the next 10 years. This $10 million gift will fund state-of-the-art research and teaching initiatives on campus and provide scholarship support to students, elevating CSU into a position of leadership in developing a diverse, highly skilled agricultural workforce and boosting Nutrien’s ability to deliver industry-leading products.

“We are grateful for this incredible support from Nutrien,” CSU President Joyce McConnell said. “Both Nutrien and CSU share a vision of using high-tech agriculture to help sustainably feed the world. We face immense challenges to accomplish this task, and it is through improved research capabilities and training more students to bring their innovative ideas forward that CSU will make a bigger impact on the future.”

Nutrien, a global company with offices not far from campus in Loveland, Colorado, has been providing crop inputs and expert agronomic services for more than 50 years. The company has operations and investments in 14 countries and 20,000 employees, including more than 600 CSU alumni.

Mike Frank, Executive Vice President and CEO of Retail at Nutrien, said studying strategic plans put together by CSU and the College of Agricultural Sciences that look 10 years into the future inspired his company to seek a partnership with the University. He said CSU’s commitment to sustainability, diversity and inclusion, global research, and high-tech agriculture perfectly fit with Nutrien’s vision.

“We’re extremely excited about our partnership with CSU – the University itself and in particular the College of Agricultural Sciences,” Frank said. “When we talk to CSU and the folks in the ag school about their strategic vision, it really aligns with what we’re doing.

“We have an incredible responsibility and opportunity in agriculture to feed a growing population around the world. The American farmers have embraced that, and the programs and research at CSU and the tools and knowledge that CSU imparts to its students really fits with where agriculture is going.”

Numerous impacts

Nutrien’s gift – the largest in the College of Agricultural Sciences’ history – will impact the college in numerous areas:
- Scholarships for students in the college, focusing on education and success of women and students from diverse backgrounds.
- Program enhancements to help students become career-ready in the field of agriculture, and ensuring they persist in their studies through graduation and placement in the industry.
- Funding to attract top talent in the application of technology to agricultural problems including food safety, security and sustainability.
- Sponsorship of high-impact engagement and educational events at the nexus of technology, innovation and agriculture, such as CSU’s AgInnovation Summit.
- Sponsorship of the Nutrien Ag Day BBQ each fall, held annually to coincide with a home football game.
In recognition of this transformational gift, the College of Agricultural Sciences’ Shepardson Building will be renamed the Nutrien Agricultural Sciences Building. This building is undergoing a radical remodel of its 1938 structure and a 41,000-square-foot expansion with funds from the State of Colorado and CSU. The Nutrien Agricultural Sciences Building will house the impactful programs and people supported by the Nutrien gift, and the building will become a home for Colorado agriculture, student aspirations and agricultural innovation for a global impact.

A rendering of the proposed Nutrien Agricultural Sciences Building

“We have a long-term vision in mind and a partner (Nutrien) who wants to be part of that, which is tremendously exciting,” said James Pritchett, interim dean of the College of Agricultural Sciences. “I’m especially excited for our students. Nutrien’s gift is transformational for attracting, retaining and placing talent in agriculture. Students respond with enthusiasm and boundless energy when we show our confidence in their future, and that is exactly what this gift does. Our students will be working in state-of-the-art facilities, and that means we will be teaching and they will be learning better. We invite all to come to the table and be partners in this future vision.”

The college has more than 120 faculty and more than 2,200 undergraduate student majors and minors – 65 percent of them female – plus 298 graduate students. Nearly 30% of agricultural sciences students are the first in their family to attend college.

About Nutrien

Nutrien is the world’s largest provider of crop inputs and services, playing a critical role in helping growers increase food production in a sustainable manner. Nutrien produces and distributes 27 million tons of potash, nitrogen and phosphate products worldwide. With this capability and the leading agriculture retail network, Nutrien is well positioned to supply the needs of its customers. Nutrien operates with a long-term view and is committed to working with stakeholders to address economic, environmental and social priorities. The scale and diversity of Nutrien’s integrated portfolio provides a stable earnings base, multiple avenues for growth and the opportunity to return capital to shareholders.

About State Your Purpose

The Campaign for Colorado State University: The University’s first $1 billion comprehensive fundraising campaign has attracted transformative philanthropic support for people, programs and places at CSU. The campaign surpassed its original goal 21 months ahead of schedule and continues through June 2020, coinciding with the conclusion of a yearlong celebration of CSU’s 150th anniversary. Read more about the campaign’s impact at giving.colostate.edu.

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January 20, 2020
PW looking for individual suspected of illegally shooting a mule deer in Craig

CRAIG, Colo. – Colorado Parks and Wildlife is asking the public for help identifying the individual suspected of illegally shooting a mule deer buck in Craig, Colo.

During the afternoon of Dec. 31, Wildlife Officer Mike Swaro responded to an injured mule deer buck in the 700 block of Barclay Street in Craig. The injured deer had an arrow sticking from his left rear hip. Swaro believed the deer was shot that day as the wound was fresh.

The deer was wounded with a black carbon arrow with two green fletchings and one black fletching. This individual could have also been using this same arrow target practicing. The arrow was in relatively new condition so there is a good chance they could have been a Christmas gift. “Whoever commits any wildlife crime has the opportunity to do the right thing and turn themselves in immediately, and we will take that into account when determining charges,” said Swaro.

“We encourage anyone that may know something to let us know as soon as they can,” Swaro added. “This could be information on someone target practicing with this type of arrow in the area, or receiving them as a gift over the holidays.”

Anyone with information can remain anonymous by utilizing the Operation Game Thiefprogram by calling 1-877-265-6648 or via e-mail at . You can also contact Wildlife Officer Swaro directly at 970-942-8275. Monetary rewards are available if the information leads to an arrest or citation.

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January 2, 2020
Restoring wildlife habitat in western Colorado starts with native seeds

DOVE CREEK, Colo. – Good habitat is the key for maintaining wildlife populations. So Colorado Parks and Wildlife is working in western Colorado to restore abandoned farmland and other areas back to a natural condition.

On a freezing November morning on the western edge of Colorado, Ryan Lane, a CPW wildlife technician, drove an open tractor back and forth across a 400-acre expanse of the Coalbed Canyon State Wildlife Area. The tractor pulled a specialized planter, known as a no-till drill that pushed seeds from 30 different native plants into the dry soil. Late fall is a good time for planting these types of seeds ‒ with snow and rain usually reliable at this time of year getting the seed down ahead of moisture is ideal.

Since 2014, CPW has been working aggressively in several areas throughout western Colorado to plant native seeds on: old farmland, state wildlife areas, state trust lands and areas burned in fires. Since 2015, the agency has planted on about 7,500 acres for restoration and on another 10,000 acres of areas burned in forest fires, explained Trevor Balzer, CPW’s sagebrush and mountain-shrub habitat coordinator.

One of those areas is the 2,800-acre Coalbed Canyon State Wildlife Area in southwest Colorado. In the areas level enough to plant, the parcel produced beans and wheat for decades. To accommodate agricultural crops, however, the land was stripped of sagebrush and other native plants that supported multiple species of wildlife, including the Gunnison Sage-grouse, mule deer, elk, multiple species of birds and small mammals.

Before CPW’s ownership, the fields were abandoned and planted with a fast-growing non-native grass that does not provide much value to wildlife. So in 2016, CPW started the long restoration process. The area was treated to kill the non-native grass and the planting process started. Planting in areas like Coalbed Canyon, however, can be frustrating because of dry weather conditions.

Seeds planted in the fall of 2015 and 2016 received adequate moisture, sprouted and became established. But extremely dry and hot weather followed the fall planting of 2017 and seeds did not do well in 2018. Consequently, those areas are being seeded again.

Wet conditions last spring were favorable for getting seeds to take hold, Balzer said.

CPW plants native seeds using the “no-till” method. The land is not plowed so the roots of the native existing grasses hold soil in place. New seeds are planted among the remaining vegetation.

Colorado Parks and Wildlife technician Ryan Lane holds a mixture of 30 different native seeds used to replant former farm land to benefit wildlife.

A key to reclamation efforts is CPW’s native seed warehouse in Delta that was completed in 2012. CPW and other agencies collect seeds of native plants, mostly on the Uncompahgre Plateau west of Montrose, and ship them to commercial growers in the northwest U.S. Those businesses specialize in native plant propagation and then harvest thousands of pounds of seed in amounts that cannot be collected in the wild. The seed is shipped to CPW’s climate-controlled warehouse where it is stored and distributed as needed.

“With large amounts of seed available we can take on large-scale seeding projects,” said Jim Garner, manager of the warehouse. “The warehouse allows us to provide locally adapted plant varieties to Western Slope land managers who are conducting habitat improvement projects.”

A mixture of seed from the warehouse was dropped by airplane last spring over more than 5,000 acres of the Bull Draw fire area near Nucla. That fire burned during the summer of 2018. An inspection of the area in the fall showed that native plants have started to grow.

Balzer explained that the availability of seeds of native forbs – broad-leafed flowering plants – and shrubs are especially important for reclamation efforts.

“Those weren’t readily available on the market before we had the warehouse,” he said. “They’re critical because they provide diverse food sources for all wildlife in the area. When these plants flower they attract a wide variety of insects which help to spread the plants over large areas of the landscape and restore broader habitat function.”

The planting on the 400-acre plot at Coalbed Canyon has been difficult because of wet and cold weather that hit in mid-November. That planting should be completed early in 2020 and plans are already in place to plant a 200-acre parcel next year.

Across the Western Slope, Balzer wants to stay the course of reclaiming about 1,500 acres per year. Even though that’s a small amount of acreage in a vast landscape, biologists know that their work will impact areas far beyond the individual plots.

“Getting native plants established in these areas is not easy,” Balzer said. “The process is slow and native
shrubs take many years to mature. But revisiting a successfully restored site is extremely rewarding.”

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December 30, 2019
Huge prizes and great fun at Stagecoach State Park during 9th Annual Steamboat Great Outdoors Ice Fishing Tournament
OAK CREEK, Colo. – With up to $30,000 dollars in cash and prizes on the line, ice anglers can make big money at Stagecoach State Park‘s 9th Annual Steamboat Great Outdoors Ice Fishing Tournament, Jan. 4 from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Stagecoach State Park is located near the town of Oak Creek, south of Steamboat Springs, in Routt County.

Adults and youth 16 years and older can register the morning of the event for $40, cash only, or pre-register in person at the following locations up to Jan.3:

PRE-REGISTRATION LOCATIONS:
- STAGECOACH STATE PARK OFFICE
- 25500 RCR 14, Oak Creek, CO 80467 / (970) 736-2436
- YAMPA RIVER STATE PARK HEADQUARTERS
- 6185 W Hwy 40, Hayden, CO 81639 / (970) 276-2061
- CPW STEAMBOAT SPRINGS OFFICE
- 925 Weiss Dr. Steamboat Springs, CO 80487 / (970) 870-2197
- CPW DENVER OFFICE
- 6060 Broadway, Denver, CO 80216 / (303) 291-7227
Participants can download a registration application from the Steamboat Fishing Adventures website.

Youths under 15 can register free of charge and receive non-cash prizes. Optionally, youth may enter the paid tournament for $40.00 and be eligible for cash prizes. All youth entries under the age of 13 must be accompanied by an adult contestant.

New for 2020, due to a mandatory harvest at Stagecoach, anglers catching the most northern pike will be awarded a non-cash prize valued at approximately $400.00. There is no entry fee for this category but all pike must be presented at the measuring table for eligibility.

For an additional $20 buy-in, anglers can participate in the optional pike category. This pot will be awarded to the angler(s) that turns in the biggest individual pike by length.

For the rainbow trout category, cash prizes are awarded for first through tenth place based on the total combined measurement of two trout.

Happy participants during a previous ice fishing contest at Stagecoach State Park (PHOTO/CPW)

Anglers are reminded that all current fishing regulations will apply and will be enforced. A current fishing brochure is available at cpw.state.co.us, or at the park’s Visitor Center or at any CPW office or CPW license vendor.

For a detailed copy of tournament rules, visit the Steamboat Fishing Adventures website, or click here.

A valid state parks pass is required to enter the park. Carpooling is highly recommended due to limited parking space.

Colorado Parks and Wildlife cautions that early season ice conditions will exist. Anglers are reminded to use caution and seek ice-fishing safety information at the CPW website.

Registered snowmobiles and OHVs are permitted on the reservoir below the high-water mark only for the purpose of commuting to ice-fishing destinations. Contestants can use motorized vehicles to bring fish up to the Marina measuring table to enter fish as soon as they are caught. This will help avoid congestion at the end of the day.

Pets are welcome but must be kept on a six-foot leash at all times.

For questions and additional information, contact Steamboat Fishing Adventures at 970-819-3561, or by email at , or Stagecoach State Park at 970-736-2436 or by email at .
December 27, 2019