Mandan, ND – Sunflower producers looking for some expert advice on the crop should plan to attend the National Sunflower Association’s annual Research Forum this week. The forum will be held January 8-9, 2020 at the Holiday Inn in Fargo, ND. The forum is an annual event designed to learn about research, promote discussion, and stimulate creative thinking.
Researchers from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, North Dakota State University, South Dakota State University, Kansas State University, University of Nebraska and Texas A&M University will present their findings on sunflower studies they have conducted. Topics will cover everything from diseases, insects, irrigation, blackbirds, and more.
David Lyall will be the noon speaker at this year’s forum. Lyall is CEO and Co-Founder of Bee Innovative, an Australian AgTech company, and is the inventor of “BeeDar.’ Bee Innovative has developed a unique, drone-based technology for precision pollination that promises to increase yields and improve accuracy and efficacy of crop pollination season to season but also has a vital role to play in protecting and improving the health of our honey bee populations. Lyall will talk about putting the power of pollination back in your hands and protecting our bee populations into the future.
Registration information and the agenda for the meeting can be found on the NSA website: www.sunflowernsa.com/events.
For more information, contact John Sandbakken or Jody Kerzman.
DENVER, Colo. – Colorado Parks and Wildlife is coordinating the Youth Fair at the International Sportsmen’s Expo, where more than 500 companies pack three giant halls with fishing and hunting products, expert presentations, a variety of informational booths, and a new “Campfire Theater” that will offer tips and tricks for Colorado’s outdoors in a casual setting. The International Sportsmen’s Expo runs from January 9 – 12, 2020 at the Colorado Convention Center in Denver.
The Youth Fair will offer free activities geared toward young sportsmen and women, including live raptor demonstrations, a catch-and-release fishing pond (with free flies for kids who fish), and mini off-road racetrack. Don’t forget, youth under 16 enter the Expo for free!
“We are excited to sponsor the Youth Fair at the International Sportsmen’s Expo . We think families will particularly enjoy our Leave No Trace Challenge Trail and kids fishing tank,” said CPW Interpretation and Wildlife Viewing Coordinator Mary McCormac. “Our goal is to provide activities that are not only fun and engaging, but also promote responsible and ethical outdoor behaviors.”
Look for CPW signs near the food court located in the northwest corner of the exhibit floor. Some of CPW’s featured exhibits at the Youth Fair include:
CPW Kids’ Leave No Trace Challenge Trail – Bring the kids! Join us for an indoor nature trail that teaches conservation and Leave No Trace principles. Take a “selfie ” in front of our beautiful state park backdrop, sponsored by the Friends of Colorado State Parks.
New this year! Test your Leave No Trace knowledge on the Challenge Trail using your smartphone with the free Agents of Discovery app. Download the app before you or staff and volunteers will be on-site to help you.
Kids fishing tank – Catch and release real fish. All rods, tackle and bait will be provided by CPW’s angler outreach program.
Boating Safety – Color and make your own t-shirt that promotes the importance of wearing life vests when boating throughout Colorado. Also, be on the lookout for our Boating Safety Program mascot, Talon the red-tailed hawk, while exploring the show.
Invasive species – Try your hand at the “Whac-A-Mussel” game and learn about invasive species in Colorado.
Hatcheries – Check out our brand-new hatchery trailer and learn how and why we stock fish in waters across the state. Test your skills and tie your own fly to take home.
CPW sales booth – Purchase CPW merchandise, Colorado Outdoors subscriptions and more.
Hunter Education – Want to pass on your hunting heritage? Learn what it takes to become a hunter education instructor.
CPW information center – Ask questions, learn about our 41 amazing state parks and see if the new transferable state parks pass is a fit for your household. Officers and staff will be on-hand to answer questions.
CPW partner booths – Learn more about trail etiquette with Stay the Trail’s mini remote control truck course and other topics with Colorado Wildlife Federation, Outdoor Buddies, and the Raptor Education Foundation, which will have live birds as part of their educational booth.
A man who shot and killed his Aurora host was sentenced Friday to life in prison with the possibility of parole after 40 years.
Arapahoe County District Court Judge Andrew Baum sentenced Marquez Woodruff, 18, for the death of Terry Capler. Woodruff was just shy of his 17th birthday when he killed Capler, making him eligible for parole after 40 years. Capler was 36 years old when he was killed in his Aurora home.
“You made horrific choices with devastating consequences,” Baum told Woodruff.
A jury convicted Woodruff on Sept. 25 of first-degree murder in Capler’s death.
“Our legislature now has made it possible for a remorseless, cold-blooded, near-17 year-old to murder another person by shooting him four times and still be eligible to be on our streets again before the killer is 42 years old. Here, the innocent Mr. Capler will be dead forever,” said District Attorney George Brauchler. “Make no mistake, this killer is not required to serve anywhere near 40 years. And he likely will not. He will be allowed to apply for a special program for those juveniles who have earned long sentences through murder, and — if successfully completed — he will be presumed safe to return to our communities. This is no joke. This is our law. The Capler family deserved better. Future victims deserve better. Colorado deserves better.”
On Dec. 16, 2017, Capler’s roommate called Aurora police to report Capler had been shot.
Victim Terry Capler
Police came to the home in the 1400 block of North Clinton Street and found Capler dead in the living room. The coroner determined Capler had been shot in the head and torso.
The roommate told police he had used Capler’s car to pick up a couple with whom Capler was friends and bring them to Capler’s house. He picked up Woodruff and Woodruff’s girlfriend.
The four spent time in the home together that evening, drinking alcohol and consuming drugs. For no apparent reason, Woodruff pulled out his gun and repeatedly fired at Capler at very close range. Woodruff and his girlfriend fled the home. The roommate hid in a bedroom and eventually called the police.
Aurora Police found Woodruff and his girlfriend by tracking the phone they used to text with Capler that night.
“Woodruff took no accountability for his decisions then and takes no accountability for Capler’s death now. In 2017, he carried a loaded gun, got high on cocaine and other drugs, and ran after shooting Terry Capler four times at very close range. He never reported the shooting – police had to find him using cell phone records,” said Chief Deputy District Attorney Amy Ferrin, who tried the case with Deputy District Attorney Zoe Laird. “After testifying at trial and claiming self-defense, the defendant how claims he can’t remember anything, including the trial. His lack of remorse and unwillingness to take accountability shock the conscience.”
Capler had four children. They had messages for the judge during sentencing, along with Capler’s parents, his sister, his twin brother and others who were close to him.
“Terry was taken away from so many who loved him by a callous young man with no empathy or remorse,” one member of the extended family said.
Capler’s sister told the judge, “Terry was the glue that helped keep my family together.”
Capler’s only daughter was in the courtroom. “I lost my dad, my best friend, my rock, and my greatest supporter,” she told the judge through her tears. The defendant “took the heart from my chest.”
Rules promulgated from the 2019 legislative session are the most extensive since retail marijuana was legalized in 2012.
DENVER, Colo. December 31, 2019 — Marijuana rules stemming from the General Assembly’s 2019 legislative session go into effect on January 1, 2020 for all regulated marijuana businesses across Colorado, most notably allowing, for the first time, state licensing of hospitality establishments and the issuance of permits for residential delivery of medical marijuana. Final rules were adopted by the State Licensing Authority on November 5, 2019 after a summer of extensive stakeholder engagement led by the Marijuana Enforcement Division (MED).
“Feedback from our stakeholders through work groups and public comment has always been a MED priority,” said Jim Burack, MED Director. “But this year, we encouraged an even more collaborative approach to rule development where work group participants utilized their experience and expertise within stakeholder teams to engage more directly in the drafting of rule language.”
Highlights of notable key rules that go into effect on January 1 include:
Marijuana Hospitality Businesses (HB19-1230):
Creation of two marijuana hospitality business licenses, subject to local jurisdiction approval, including 1) “Marijuana Hospitality Business” license (may be mobile), allowing consumption of marijuana on the licensed premises, and 2) “Retail Marijuana Hospitality and Sales Business” license (cannot be mobile) allowing for the sale and consumption of retail marijuana on the licensed premises.
MED will maintain a list of approved hospitality businesses on the Division’s website.
Regulated Marijuana Delivery (HB19-1234):
Creation of a permit to allow delivery of regulated marijuana to private residences from medical marijuana stores, subject to local jurisdiction approval.
Delivery to private residences from retail marijuana stores begins on January 1, 2021, also subject to local jurisdiction approval.
Sunset Regulated Marijuana (SB19-224):
The Retail Code and Medical Code are integrated to create a single code, which will streamline operations for both regulators and businesses.
Criminal history disqualification provisions are amended so that felony convictions within the past three years will typically preclude licensing as an owner or employee.
Industrial hemp can be used in the manufacture of marijuana products and sold in retail marijuana stores. Prior to this legislation, the sale of industrial hemp products by licensed marijuana businesses was limited to medical marijuana stores. Beginning July 1, 2020, industrial hemp used by medical and retail marijuana manufacturers and sold in medical and retail stores will be subject to testing and can only be sourced from persons registered with the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment.
Retail and medical marijuana stores and hospitality establishments can collect marijuana consumer waste for purposes of reuse and recycling. This includes containers, packages, and cartridges, among other waste components left after the marijuana is consumed.
Other notable rule changes:
Vitamin E Acetate, Polyethylene glycol (PEG) and Medium Chain Triglycerides (MCT Oil) are expressly prohibited for use in the manufacture of regulated marijuana concentrate or regulated marijuana products intended for inhalation. Read more here.
In an effort to further simplify the licensing process, there are now only two (instead of three) license categories for individuals working in the regulated marijuana industry: 1) owner and 2) employee.
The International Meteor Organization (IMO) is projecting that the Quadrantid meteor shower will peak around 1 a.m. Saturday. AccuWeather predicts that most of Colorado, including the eastern plains, will have good viewing conditions for the shower. And Jackson Lake State Park offers up the dark skies to showcase it all.
By Amy Brandenburg, Park Ranger at Jackson Lake State Park
ORCHARD, Colo. – Ralph Waldo Emerson probably said it best, “The sky is the ultimate art gallery just above us.”
Venturing from Denver and the metro area, the sky is clouded with an orange haze and inorganic glow. However, once on the eastern plains of Colorado, a traveler can pull the car over on a country road, get out, look up and be astounded at the beautiful sights that encompass the sky above him. This is one of the very unique things about living outside of the city, which most people forget about, because their eyes are looking down at their phones.
Morgan County has exceptionally dark skies once you journey away from our still quiet towns onto a county road. We should consider ourselves lucky to still be one of the few places our children can look up and see the big dipper, or even the Milky Way on a clear night.
Jackson Lake State Park is taking these dark skies one step further. The park was awarded two separate grants – $3,500 from the Colorado Parks Foundation and $20,000 from the Director’s Innovation Grant – to fund a “Dark Skies Initiative.”
This project consists of eliminating and changing out lights inside and outside all buildings on the park to be “dark skies friendly.” This means that lights are fully shielded, point straight down and have a color temperature less than 3000 kelvins. Bathroom buildings will also have sensors inside, so that lights are not staying on all evening.
Aside from causing less light pollution for night sky viewing, research has shown that this specific type of lighting is less harmful to wildlife that migrate in the night. Some birds even rely on stars for their migration path. Studies have also found that increased lighting has little to no effect on decreasing crime rates. Additionally, having dark areas is also known to help people reset their circadian rhythm, which is the biological clock that relies on the daily cycles of lightness and darkness; more on these topics to follow in upcoming articles.
Jackson Lake is not alone in this lighting feat; they are also working with Morgan County Rural Electric Association to remove the large light poles at the park to increase opportunities to see those beautiful stars above.
Since the lighting will be so minimal at Jackson Lake State Park, it will become an even more significant place to visit during unique celestial and lunar events. One of Jackson Lake’s frequent amateur astronomers stated, “I drive out twice a month to get away from the city’s light dome, so I can enjoy the night sky in such a way that is impossible to do in Denver. You can actually see the Milky Way.”
Photo by Nora Logue
The grants also affords the park the opportunity to acquire a new telescope to use while hosting educational and interpretive programs for the public. Guests can expect several experts in the field to share their knowledge, as well, at certain times of the year.
Furthermore, in the evenings, rangers will be educating campers to “light their site, not the night.” Many new RVs and motor homes have large amounts of exterior lights, which are generally unnecessary, use excess energy and can cause neighboring campers to have a limited view of the night sky.
By making these changes, Jackson Lake State Park is hoping to gain the accreditation of an “International Dark Skies Place” from the IDA (International Dark Skies Association). If the title is granted, Jackson Lake State Park will be the only state park in Colorado, and the only accredited place in Colorado east of I-25 to be certified.
It is a very exciting endeavor for Jackson Lake State Park, an endeavor they hope will create a new unique reason to visit Morgan County.
