By Shannon Lukens.
United States Congressman Joe Neguse held a Town Hall in Steamboat Springs Wednesday night, on the campus of CMC, where it was standing room only in Allbright Auditorium. Some questions from the crowd were about frustration with the current administration in Washington DC. Neguse quoted Dr. Martin Luther King’s “I have a dream speech,” with the line in the speech that said, “Let us not wallow in the valley of despair.”
“And yet, his admonish to that was, ‘Don’t despair. We’ve got work to do. Let’s get to doing it.’ So I’m going to keep doing my job and I’m going to make a humble request to all of you as citizens, that you keep doing yours. Stay engaged, stay activated. Keep participating and hold me and everyone that’s a leader from the local level to the federal level accountable. And know that we’ll be back here in Steamboat soon. Thanks so much for having me.”
Neguse’s stop in Steamboat Springs was one of five counties he visited on Wednesday. He represents Colorado’s 2nd Congressional District, which has 12 counties in it. Immediately after the Town Hall at CMC, he left for another Town Hall in Eagle County.
More on the Story — Congressman Neguse talks about Washington DC and its affect on Colorado
A five-year grant for $3.26 million dollars over five years has been given to the Colorado First Conservation District. It’s to protect the sage grouse in Moffat County, and their habitat on private lands in northwest Colorado. The grant will support collaborative work with local ranchers, government agencies and conservation partners.
District Manager Kacey Green Highlights Local Impact “This grant is a game-changer for our conservation efforts,” said CFCD District Manager Kacey Green. “The Greater Sage-grouse is not just a species of concern but a symbol of the health of our rangelands. With this funding, we can focus on enhancing and restoring sagebrush ecosystems to benefit wildlife, ranchers, and the broader community that depends on these lands. This is a win for conservation and for our local economy.”
For more information about this project or how to get involved, please contact: Colorado First Conservation District Phone: 970-329-3145 Email: coloradofirstcd@yahoo.com
More on the Story — Sage Grouse in NW Colorado will benefit from a $3.26 million grant
Changes are starting May 7, that could affect travelers who are flying. The Transportation Security Administration, or TSA, will be enforcing what is called “REAL ID” requirements at all TSA security checkpoints nationwide. That includes Yampa Valley Regional Airport in Hayden.
Any passenger 18 or over has to have a REAL ID-compliant form of identification with a star in the upper right corner of the card, or another acceptable form of ID, such as a valid passport. If you don’t have one, there may be additional screening, delays, or you may not get to fly at all.
Again, this starts May 7.
More on the Story — TSA has new requirements to get security checkpoints, starting May 7
Local governments and community partners in the Yampa Valley are considering forming a Regional Transportation Authority. This is for Routt and Moffat counties. There is a meeting at 6 p.m. tonight in Oak Creek Town Council Chambers.
Find out more at SteamboatSprings.net/RTA
Yampa River Botanic Park opens for the season on Friday, April 25, which is Arbor Day. Early flowers like crocus, tulips, and daffodils have been blooming through the snow, and the osprey are in their nest. Gates open at 9 a.m.
More on the Story — Yampa River Botanic Park opens Friday
The local American Legion Post is offering to send local young men from Routt County, now in their junior year of high school, to Colorado Boys State. It is June 1-7 in Sterling, Colo. The American Legion will pay for the tuition. Applications are due by Friday, April 25. Apply through COLegionBoysState.org
Local contact information:
- Steamboat Post 44: Jim Stanko 970-879-3936 JStankoRanch@gmail.com
- Hayden Post 89: Steve Dunn 970-276-3576 Sadunn001@gmail.com
- Yampa Post 89 – Gary Burkholder 970-638-4218 gdbholder@aol.com
The Routt County Fair Lion’s Club parade is looking for groups that would like to build a float and celebrate Routt County’s agricultural and cultural heritage. The parade is Aug. 16 in Hayden. Information to register your float is on the Community Calendar on our website. **Register Your Float:** Jake 970-846-6593
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.