By Shannon Lukens.

 

 

Yampa Valley Community Foundation is working to finalize the verbal agreement to acquire Casey’s Pond Senior Living Center. YVCF led an effort to raise millions of dollars to help Northwest Colorado Health purchase the facility. The announcement was Friday afternoon by Yampa Valley Community Foundation CEO Tim Wohlgenant, to a crowd at Casey’s Pond.

“It’s been an amazing showing of support by this community. People love Casey’s Pond.”

Casey’s Pond went into receivership in early July for being close to $70 million in debt. The community is being asked to continue to help with donations in an effort to bring in the final dollars for the purchase. Yampa Valley Community Foundation hopes to have the agreement between the parties signed as soon as possible.

• DONATION LINK TO Save Casey’s Pond Fund
• Live Announcement at Casey’s Pond
• More on the Story — YVCF is under a verbal agreement to secure Casey’s Pond

 

  

The next group of wolves to be introduced in Colorado will again be dropped here, in the northern part of the state. That was the announcement at the Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commission meeting last week, by Assistant Director Reid Dewalt.

“We have a Northern Zone and a Southern Zone and for this next year we are really going to look to that Northern Zone again. We really need to supplement those wolves that we put out and then look for those opportunities to move through that zone.”

Dewalt still isn’t sure where the wolves will be coming from since the Colville Tribe changed their mind about giving wolves to Colorado.

“We have a level of confidence that a new source will be found soon and that we will continue to proceed with the legally directed process with releases this winter.”

Also at last week’s commission meeting, Dewalt confirmed there are 11 wolves in Colorado with three juveniles from one pairing, and they are in Grand County.

 CPW has confirmed 24 cattle and sheep killed by wolves since early August, with four confirmed in Routt County and 16 confirmed in Grand County. But ranchers there say more sheep are missing.

• Confirmed Gray Wolf Depredation Information
• More on the Story — CPW confirms the next wolves introduced will again be in Northern Colorado
• Parks and Wildlife Commission Meeting: August 22-23, 2024

 

Centennial Farms and Ranches were honored at the Colorado State Fair in Pueblo. A Centennial Farm or ranch has belonged to the same family for at least 100 years is a working farm or ranch. The ranches and their families were recognized by History Colorado and the Colorado Department of Agriculture. Those honored are:

The Frye Ranch north of Steamboat Lake founded by the Carpenter family in 1901, and managed by CJ and Nancy Mucklow.

The Wellman Ranch in Moffat and Rio Blanco County since 1912.  Eric Wellman is the FFA advisor in Hayden.

The Windler/Schlatter family now ranches in Routt County and they were honored for 140 years in ranching in Colorado.

The Leggett Hedges Ranch out of Moffat County was founded in 1898. It was originally part of Wyoming and Routt County. But when Routt County was divided into two counties, it became a Moffat County ranch. (Not pictured.)

• More on the Story — Four Centennial ranches from Northwest Colorado honored at state fair
• From History Colorado — History Colorado and the Colorado Department of Agriculture Recognize 20 Centennial Farms and Ranches
•  2024 Centennial Farms and Ranches Honorees

 

Helicopters are working on removing towers from the Priest Creek lift at Steamboat Resort this week. Repairs are also being done on the Christie Peak Express lift. Some trails will be closed up on the mountain.

 

The 24-Hour ‘Boat Cruise raised close to $81K ($80,987) for Integrated Community this past weekend. There were 95 bike riders on 16 teams with the Single Arm Velodora raising the most money, with just over $18K ($18,065).

  

Today is the last day to sign up to run for Hayden Town Council. Five Council seats and the Mayor are up for election on Nov. 5. Information is at Hayden Town Hall.

 

The Routt County Board of County Commissioners meets tomorrow morning. There are some Liquor License renewals on the agenda. Budget presentations are in the afternoon, from Routt County Search and Rescue, Yampa Valley Housing Authority, Community Ag Alliance, the All Crimes Enforcement Team, the Routt County Economic Development Partnership, and the Human Resource Coalition.

 

Remember, that it is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month. If you are in crisis, dial 988, or reach out to REPS which is Reaching Everyone Preventing Suicide. Please know that people care about you and you aren’t alone.

 

In football…

The Moffat County Bulldogs had a big win in their first game of the season, 54-28, over JFK.

The Steamboat Sailors were down 14-zip in the first quarter and came back to beat Coal Ridge Saturday night, 28-21.

The Sailors head east to Craig to play the Bulldogs at 7 p.m. this Friday night.

 

 

Check out what’s happening in the Yampa Valley on the Community Calendar on our website.

 

 

For the KRAI Time, Temp, and Weather Hotline, call 970-824-1918.