By Shannon Lukens.
Colorado Senator Dylan Roberts has introduced a bipartisan bill that would help with economic development in rural communities. The Rural Opportunity Office would be within the Office of Economic Development and International Trade. It would be the central coordinator for communities like those in Moffat County, that are transitioning away from coal-based economies.
“By creating the Rural Opportunity Office, we will have a one-stop shop for rural communities like Craig, Hayden, Meeker and Oak Creek, and all over Colorado to have access to technical assistance and resources so they can get help with economic development, economic diversification, worker training, and a variety of state, federal, and private sector opportunities to help them with their economic development efforts. This is really important because rural communities have unique and special needs and this Rural Opportunity Office will give them the resources they need to access everything that is available to them as they move forward. I’m really excited to bring this bill forward with bipartisan support and I’m excited to get it passed so we can create the Rural Opportunity Office and start helping our rural communities in Northwest Colorado as soon as possible.”
Senate Bill SB23-006 will next receive a hearing in the Business, Labor, and Technology Committee.
- Rural Opportunity Office
- Follow the bill’s progress
- SB23-006 Bill Description
- Read the Full Press Release
The Colorado Cattlemen’s Association held their mid-winter conference in Denver this week. They also toured the State Capitol and met with local legislators. The cattlemen presented some awards. Top Individual Membership Recruiter went to CCA President Philip Anderson from Jackson County. He won a rancher’s cattle chute but donated back to challenge the members to do more recruiting themselves for the Annual Convention which is at the Steamboat Grand in June.
Students in the Cybersecurity Program at Colorado Northwestern Community College are being recognized. Gwen Doizaki is from Craig and she has earned an internship with Lockheed Martin. Both she and Josh Day passed their Cybersecurity industry standard exams as well.
The Brown Ranch Annexation Committee is hosting its first meeting, at 9 a.m. Friday morning. Meet in the conference room at Centennial Hall on 10th Street. You can also join via Zoom. There will be a series of bi-weekly meetings to discuss the annexation of the 420 acres of Brown Ranch into the City of Steamboat Springs. Two City Council members will be there along with two members of the Yampa Valley Housing Authority Board of Directors, City Manager Gary Suiter and the YVHA Executive Director.
All future meeting minutes, agendas, session video recording and other pertinent material will be accessible online through the city website, YVHA website and EngageSteamboat.net/Annex. Public comment is available at all committee meetings, through EngageSteamboat.net or by email or letter.
The Senior Social Center in Craig is having their Yearly Membership Drive. It’s from 5-7 p.m. Friday, Jan. 20, at the Yampa Admin Building. There will be live music and food. Everyone is welcome to go. If you have any questions, call 970-326-3188. Learn about the programs and services they offer, meet the board members, and enjoy live music, a potato and salad bar, desserts and refreshments.
Snow sculptors… sign up for the annual Snow Sculpture Contest for Winter Carnival. Steamboat Creates is accepting applications for teams of five (students and adults). This year’s theme is “Dream, Dare, and Dazzle.” Sign up to be a snow sculpting team by Jan. 23, and you could win some prizes! The snow sculpting starts Feb. 9, along Lincoln Ave. Apply through SteamboatCreates.com Or email Robin@SteamboatCreates.org
Top slalom racers from Colorado high schools are competing at Howelsen Hill today for the state qualifier. The race is hosted by the Steamboat Sailors Ski Team.
Check out upcoming events in the Yampa Valley on the Community Calendar on our website.
For the KRAI Time, Temp, and Weather Hotline, call 970-824-1918.