By Shannon Lukens.
Today is Yampa Valley Gives Day. Local nonprofits in Routt and Moffat counties are asking for your support of their organizations. You can donate through YVGives.org
The operation to bring 15 gray wolves from British Columbia to Colorado is underway. Colorado Parks and Wildlife and the Colorado Department of Agriculture have sent an update to confirm that it will happen sometime between January and March. The email says the groups have listened to feedback and plan to incorporate that feedback into an expanded and improved conflict minimization program for Colorado’s livestock producers. The email did not say where this next round of wolves will be released.
The email adds information on the following
- Site Assessments for ranchers are available. Call your area CPW office.
- Five Wildlife Damage Specialists have been hired and fire more will be added this month. A Wolf Conflict Coordinator was hired in 2022.
- Criteria for a Depredation Response will be included in the CPW Wolf Livestock Conflict Minimization Program Guide to be published this month.
- CPW is partnering with the Colorado Range Rider program that will launch in early 2025. Colorado Range Rider Program Interest Form
- Best Practice Recommendations for Carcass Management
- Grants of up to $20,000 are available.
- Communications and Training is available in the following places:
- December 11, 3 – 7 p.m. – Gunnison, Gunnison County
- December 12, 3 – 7 p.m. – Gypsum, Eagle County
- Wolf Reintroduction Listening Session is at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 18, in the Eagle County Room at 500 Broadway in Eagle
- December 19, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. – Aspen, Pitkin County
- The email below also updates the first year of wolf restoration.
More on the Story — Colorado Parks and Wildlife has started the operation to bring 15 gray wolves to Colorado from British Columbia
A meeting for the proposed Mountain Rail Project was Monday night in Steamboat Springs. Paul Desrocher is the director of the Division of Transit and Rail for Colorado Department of Transportation.
“For us, the win is to be able to talk about a passenger rail service that is unlike any other in the world, that has the opportunity for economic development, for a safe and affordable transportation option, for folks in the Yampa Valley and throughout this entire alignment between Craig and Denver.”
Desrocher spoke of the importance of mountain rail for the community and for employees. “This corridor has something for everyone, including urban and rural.” He says it provides an opportunity for economic development and jobs. Elected officials were at the meeting in Library Hall in Steamboat Springs, from Hayden, Craig, Oak Creek, Steamboat Springs, and Routt County.
The first phase of the project would be from Denver to Granby. Phase 2 would be from Craig to Oak Creek. Desrocher says it would be a transportation option for “regular folks,” and the work force.
The middle section of the railroad would be Phase 3. This would be from Granby to Oak Creek. Desrocher says the would be the hardest and most expensive to create. It would be hilly with drop-offs, but it would be beautiful.
He also presented station location options in Craig, Hayden, Steamboat Springs, Oak Creek, and Kremmling.
The fare structure would probably be based on distance, or zone based.
The question of whether there would be service from Yampa Valley Regional Airport to Hayden was asked. Desrocher says that it has been discussed but they aren’t sure how to do it yet.
CDOT plans to do one more open house, but it will be done virtually. More questions will be answered. That date is not set yet.
More on the Story — Mountain Rail in Northwest Colorado was discussed at an open house in Steamboat Springs
The Moffat County School District is being awarded a grant for $1.57 million to help with their capital projects fund next year. It is a BEST grant, which is Building Excellent Schools Today through the Colorado Department of Education. It is a matching grant, so the school district can match the funds. The funding focus will be on overhauling and upgrading the Heating, Ventilation, and Cooling system at Moffat County High School and Sunset Elementary School in Craig. The district hopes to eventually overhaul all HVAC systems in district buildings.
More on the Story — Moffat County School District to receive a $1.57M grant
State Representative Meghan Lukens has been named chair of the Colorado House Education Committee.
“I am deeply honored to accept this appointment as Chair of the House Education Committee. As a teacher and having served on the House Education Committee in the 74th General Assembly, I understand firsthand the challenges and opportunities in our education system. I look forward to working with my colleagues to strengthen Colorado’s schools and ensure every student has the resources and support they need to succeed.”
The appointment was made by Speaker of the House, Julie McCluskie. Lukens also serves on the House Agriculture, Water & Natural Resources Committee. She represents House District 26, which includes Routt, Moffat, Rio Blanco counties and most of Eagle County.
Craig City Council meets tonight. One agenda item is the discussion and action for a Letter of Support for Memorial Regional Health’s Geothermal Efforts. That meeting starts at 6:30 p.m. Agenda
Steamboat Springs City Council also meets tonight. The project activity plan with the Steamboat Springs Redevelopment Authority is on the agenda. There is a work session on an update from Community Builders, and regulations for Natural Medicine.
Agenda for Steamboat Springs Redevelopment Authority
Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club athletes had many top finishes over the weekend in ski jumping and Nordic Combined. Also the Rocky Mountain Freestyle season opener was Saturday. Shane Mariano took the men’s overall title. For the women, Anabel Ayad was second and Mia Satkiewicz was third overall for the women.
More on the Story — SSWSC has top finishes in Rocky Mountain Freestyle Season Opener
More on the Story — SSWSC results from US Cup Season Opener at Howelsen Hill
The Steamboat Skating Club sent 18 skaters to the Aspen Invitational over the past weekend. The figure skaters, ages eight to 14, came home with seven first place finishes.
More on the Story – Steamboat Skating Club has top finishes in Aspen Invitational
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.