By Shannon Lukens.
The Routt County Sheriff’s Office is helping federal law enforcement officers up at the Rainbow Gathering. About 1,700 people are estimated to be up in northwest Routt County already, preparing for the gathering July 1-7.
Routt County Sheriff Garrett Wiggins says he is sending four officers up there a day, funded through an agreement with the US Forest Service. Some officers are from Routt County or from neighboring counties, such as Grand County, thanks to help from the State Sheriff’s Association. Sheriff Wiggins says that’s not all.
“Local ranchers in the area up there want our presence up there and they have lodging facilities, so they are donating lodging facilities for all the deputies that are coming from around the state to help us out.”
Sheriff Wiggins says the Routt County Sheriff’s Office does not have jurisdiction on federal land which is where the Rainbow Gathering is happening. That’s the US Forest Service officers. He said they only have jurisdiction on Routt County Road 80 which runs through the national forest.
“We are actively enforcing state and local laws and the federal government is enforcing federal laws where they have the jurisdiction.”
That’s where they have jurisdiction against things like illegal drugs or firearms.
“It’s not unusual for this group to have drugs and firearms. In the last few years, firearms have become more and more popular at this event. But we are actively working to try and mitigate for the influx of illegal drugs and firearms coming into our county.”
- June 26 update from the US Forest Service
- June 24 update from the US Forest Service
- Rainbow Gathering meeting in Craig
- All Rainbow Gathering updates from Steamboat Radio News
- US Forest Service Website for the Rainbow Gathering
- USDA Virtual Meeting Presentation
Griffin Loughlin of Salt Lake City has been sentenced to 35 years in prison for the murder of Ian Tillack, who had been living in Steamboat Springs. He was originally from New York. Tillack was shot and killed in Moffat County, just north of Dinosaur in November of 2020.
Moffat County has scheduled aerial mosquito treatments for Tuesday through Friday, weather permitting. This will be done in and around Craig and Maybell, early in the morning or late in the evening. Bring the kids and pets inside and close the doors and windows if you see the spraying being done.
Truck spraying for mosquito mitigation is scheduled to happen in Hayden Thursday night after 8 p.m. Fogging depends on the winds and the weather.
The Moffat County Board of County Commissioners and Natural Resources Director, Jeff Comstock, are in Denver today. They’re meeting with Governor Polis regarding coal transition.
The Moffat County Youth Action Council is hosting a Frisbee Golf event from 4-6 p.m. this afternoon at Loudy-Simpson Park. It’s free for the kids.
Biking the ‘Boat brought about 80 riders out on Saturday, to support STARS, which is Steamboat Adaptive Recreational Sports. Over $45,000 dollars was raised for adaptive sports. John Ruehle of Steamboat participates with the STARS organization and helped with announcing the event.
Jeffrey Allen Turner is also with Horizons, and he rode the 5-mile ride for more than just the exercise.
The fast male in the 50-mile ride was Calder Daenzer. The fastest female was Laura Prussin. The winner of the New Belgium Cruiser Bike was Blane Hoza.
The 2nd annual Yampa Valley Pride celebration for 2022 was this weekend in Steamboat, on the lawn of the historic Routt County Courthouse.
And finally… Zipper Merge. Use both lanes until the merge point.
For the KRAI Time, Temp, and Weather Hotline, call 970-824-1918.