By Shannon Lukens.
Northwest Colorado is preparing for more flash flooding after hitting Hayden hard on Thursday. The National Weather Service has issued a Flood Warning for parts of Routt and Moffat Counties, until noon Saturday. The flooding is caused by snowmelt. Some low-water crossings may be impassable. Turn around and don’t drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood deaths occur in vehicles. Weather Forecast
Flood Safety Tips and Resources from the National Weather Service
Friday’s forecast calls for rain and snow.
Moffat County officials and law enforcement are also preparing for possible flooding, mainly near the low-lying areas of Fortification Creek within the city limits of Craig. This includes 17th Street on the north, and south to First Street between Lincoln and Rose Streets. Sand berms are up along parts of Lincoln Street in Craig today. Sandbags are available for residents at the City of Craig Road & Bridge shop at 1710 N. Yampa today.
Sandbags are also available for Hayden residents at the Hayden Police Station.
Sandbags are available at two spots in downtown Steamboat Springs, including at Stehley Park.
Both Routt and Moffat Counties ask that everyone sign up for the Emergency Alert Systems. Moffat County has a QR code to sign up easily, and it’s on our website, or details are on the Moffat County website. Routt County residents need to go to RouttCountyAlerts.com
- Link for Moffat County alerts
- Moffat County Office of Emergency Management
- Routt County Alerts Information
- Link for Routt County Alerts
UPDATES ON THE HEAVY FLOODING IN HAYDEN
Hwy 40 was closed early Thursday until the afternoon. Check with COTrip.org for updated road conditions if headed out on 40 between Steamboat Springs and Craig. Routt County has posted detours, which are also on our website.
The PeeWee Wrestling Tournament in Craig Saturday has been canceled.
Yampa Valley Electric says some of their equipment has been submerged under water. They’re asking that everyone stay away from electric poles and submerged equipment. YVEA is in constant contact with Routt and Moffat Emergency Management agencies, ready to help with any flooding emergencies.
Yampa Valley Electric also reports that the big outage in west Steamboat Springs Wednesday was because of a raccoon at the sub station across from Bob Adams Airport.
In other news…
The Colorado Bureau of Investigation has identified the officers involved in the fatal shooting of 52-year-old Christopher Rothermund on March 31 in Craig. Craig Police Officer Daniel Molina has been with the police department for one year. Moffat County Sheriff’s Office Patrol Sergeant Kurtis Luster has been with the department since 2021, and in law enforcement for 23 years. Both men are on paid administrative leave pending the outcome of an internal investigation, which is standard protocol.
Here is the full press release from the Colorado Bureau of Investigation.
NEWS RELEASE
Update in Craig officer-involved shooting
April 13, 2023– CBI – Craig, CO –This release is being sent out on behalf of the Craig Police Department and the Moffat County Sheriff’s Office:
The Craig Police Department and the Moffat County Sheriff’s Office are identifying the officer and deputy involved in the officer-involved shooting on Friday, March 31, 2023. Both the officer and deputy discharged their duty weapons during the incident.
Craig Police Officer Daniel Molina has served as a Patrol Officer with the Craig Police Department for one year.
Moffat County Sheriff’s Office Patrol Sergeant Kurtis Luster is a 23-year law enforcement veteran, serving with the Moffat County Sheriff’s Office since 2021.
As is standard protocol with any officer-involved shooting, both Officer Molina and Sergeant Luster are on paid administrative leave, pending the outcome of an internal investigation which takes place separately from the criminal investigation being conducted by the 14th Judicial District Critical Incident Response Team.
This incident remains under investigation by CIRT. Further information will be provided as it becomes available.
Steamboat Springs Police have transitioned to online reporting when there is a traffic accident with damage only, and also when there is a minor criminal incident, within city limits. Look for the Online Reporting link on SteamboatSprings.net/police. There is also a link there for the Department of Motor Vehicles website for reporting traffic accidents online. Once processed, a police officer will follow up.
SSPD MOVES TO ONLINE REPORTING FOR SOME ACCIDENTS AND INCIDENTS
The last day of the season for Steamboat Resort is this Sunday, April 16. There is a Springalicious Luau at the base area Sunday afternoon to celebrate the season. SPRINGALICIOUS LUAU
Another resort has been added to the Ikon Pass community. It’s Alyeska Resort is in Alaska. There are 56 destination resorts on the pass, which includes Steamboat. The price on an IKON Pass renewal goes up April 21. www.IkonPass.com
Memorial Regional Health in Craig is hosting a Community Health Fair. It’s from 8 a.m. to noon Saturday, at the hospital.
Students in the Cybersecurity program at Colorado Northwestern Community College are competing in the National Cyber League team competition today. Top competitors in the individual competitions earlier this month at were Draken Blackwing, Josh Day, and Jesse Aitken in the top 10 percent. It’s an online Cyber Security Competition with over 6,000 competitors.
The Sandhill Crane Nest Camera is back up and running for the spring and summer. It is in a marshy and still snowy area of Routt County. Sandhill Cranes in Colorado typically lay two eggs in late April or early May. They will incubate those eggs for about 30 days. About a day after hatching, the chicks will leave the nest with their parents. A raccoon has already visited the area. Crane Nest Camera
Heidi Mendisco has taken over as the new executive director for Yampa Valley Autism as of the first of the month, replacing Lisa Lorenz.
Moffat County Partners for Youth is hosting a Pottery Painting Night. Is from 5-7 p.m. Friday, April 14, at the Center of Craig. This is for all middle school and high school aged students from Craig and Hayden. Partners for Youth is teaming up with Yampa Valley Fiber Works to do the pottery painting night. There will be refreshments. For questions, contact Mackenzie at Mackenzie@partnersyouth.org
Tryouts are Saturday, April 15, for the Local Talent Concert. The Craig Concert Association is looking for musicians, singers, and dancers. Tryouts are from 10 am. to 3 p.m. at Moffat County High School. Then the concert is April 22.
Check out what’s happening in the Yampa Valley on the Community Calendar.
For the KRAI Time, Temp, and Weather Hotline, call 970-824-1918.