By Shannon Lukens.
Photos courtesy Colorado Parks and Wildlife.
Five gray wolves from Oregon have been released onto public land in Grand County. The two females and three males were weighed and measured and fitted with a GPS satellite collar for tracking before being released in the undisclosed location. About 45 people were there to watch, including Governor Jared Polis who opened the cage door, with the First Husband.
“Everybody here is just in reverent awe at seeing these animals in their natural habitat and knowing that they have not been part of our ecosystem for close to a century and now they’re returning to their historic role and there’s a lot of science from Yellowstone and other areas and it’s really going to be exciting.”
Courtesy Colorado Parks and Wildlife
Colorado Parks and Wildlife says more wolves will be captured in Oregon and released this week in either Eagle, Grand or Summit counties.
While this was happening, ranchers from Moffat, Rio Blanco, Routt, and Jackson counties were making their way to Craig for a Wolf Update for Livestock Producers. Colorado Parks and Wildlife officials were there to answer questions about what happens next, now that wolves are on the ground. Rancher Don Gittleson was there and provided first-hand experience about what has and has not worked for him on his ranch in Jackson County, where he has had at least seven head of cattle killed or injured by wolves. Three lambs were also killed by wolves in Jackson County last month.
Adam Baca is the Wolf Conflict Coordinator for CPW. He emphasized the importance of filling out a Wolf Sighting Form on the CPW website, if you ever think you see a wolf. He added, “If we don’t know there is a problem, we don’t know how to help you.”
Moffat County Sheriff’s Office hosted the 8th Annual Shop with a Cop over the weekend. Twenty-five kids had $200 each to spend, courtesy of the Walmart Supercenter in Craig. Santa arrived in the Classic Air Medical helicopter. Also helping out was Craig Police Department, Colorado State Patrol, and Colorado Parks and Wildlife.
Moffat County Sheriff KC Hume writes, “Special thanks to the crew from our local Walmart Supercenter #4377, for their dedication to our community, and providing an opportunity for a great group of kids to have the Christmas experience of a lifetime.”
SHOP WITH A COP DELIGHTS MOFFAT COUNTY KIDS THIS WEEKEND
Law enforcement officers from throughout Routt County also held Shop with a Cop at the Steamboat Springs Walmart over the weekend.
SHOP WITH A COP DELIGHTS 12 ROUTT COUNTY FAMILIES
The tubing hill at Howelsen Hill is now open for the season. Tubing is open from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. every day, except for Christmas Day. Tubing tickets are at the Tube Howelsen Gazebo in the main parking lot, or at the ticket office inside the lodge.
Santa Claus is taking a break to spread cheer and share the holiday spirit again tonight. Steamboat Springs Fire Rescue is providing the ride to Santa. Starting around 5 p.m., they’ll journey through the Conestoga, Indian Trails, Sunlight Drive and Crossing, West Acres and West End Village and Dream Island neighborhoods.
SANTA CLAUS TO VISIT STEAMBOAT SPRINGS NEIGHBORHOODS ON A FIRE TRUCK
For those interested in helping with the Christmas festivities in the Town of Yampa, they’ll be making popcorn balls at 5 p.m. tonight at the Ladies Aid Hall.
Courtesy photo
The Murphy Roberts Holiday Classic continues at Steamboat Resort today and then Howelsen Hill on Wednesday night, with the slalom. Cooper Puckett who grew up in Steamboat had a first place finish for the men. Top regional and collegiate ski racers from 15 counties, including the United States and Canada are competing.
The race is named after former SSWSC alpine racer Murphy Roberts of Steamboat Springs, who died unexpectedly in 2016 when he was 22 years old.
For the full schedule, live video links, and spectator information, go to www.sswsc.org.
On Wednesday, you’re invited to see a new art installation called One Million Branches, in the Gondola Transit Center at Steamboat Ski Resort. The artist is Sage Sullivan who grew up here in Steamboat Springs. The unveiling is at 2:30 p.m.