By Shannon Lukens.
The City of Steamboat Springs and Routt County are in Stage 1 Fire Restrictions as of midnight last night. Fire Danger is rated Very High right now with restrictions in Moffat, Routt, and Rio Blanco counties. The Fire Danger rating is High in Jackson and Grand Counties.
Stage 1 means campfires only in designated campgrounds or picnic areas. Recreational fires at a private residence are allowed with a Steamboat Springs Fire Rescue permit. There are smoking restrictions, and restrictions when using a chainsaw.
More on the Story — Stage 1 Fire Restrictions go into effect in Steamboat Springs and Routt County
Courtesy BLM
The Bureau of Land Management is using water and bait trips to capture the wild horses in the Sand Wash Basin Herd Management Area. This is in north Moffat County. It started Monday. Up to 60 horses may be gathered. They will be taken to Canon City to be checked and possibly adopted.
Right now, the BLM estimates there are 487 wild horses both inside and outside the Sand Wash Basin. The best number to manage the horses is 163 to 362.
U.S. Department of the Interior Bureau of Land Management Wild Horse and Burro Program
More on the Story — BLM to capture up to 60 horses in Sand Wash Basin
There was a heavy police presence on the 4th of July, during the parade in downtown Steamboat Springs and at the base of the Steamboat Ski Area that night. Steamboat Springs Police Chief says the large events can be vulnerable.
“We prioritized providing state-of-the-art security to our community. We’ve sent people to trainings across the country. We are employing tactics and practices that are recognized as best practice. So when you go to an event and you see a larger footprint of officers than you’re used to, it’s because we want to make sure we’re keeping the community safe. We, we have SWAT team members there that are conducting surveillance. They help direct anybody on the ground if there’s a fight or if there’s a disturbance or, or more often the case is a medical incident.”
Chief Beckett also says that Steamboat Springs Police and the Routt County Sheriff’s departments have been each gifted Lenco Tactical Armored Security Vehicles.They’re called Bearcats. You may have seen them in the parade. They were given to local law enforcement from the Mesa Police Department in Arizona, where Chief Beckett used to work. They were purchased by the Arizona department using grant money so they had to be donated, in turn.
More on the Story — SSPD Chief Beckett explains heavy police presence on the 4th of July
Casino Night at Victory Motors is July 19, in the showroom in Craig. It’s a benefit for the Cancer Society of Moffat County. The cost is $65 per person. Tickets will sell out so get them in advance by calling 970-824-4422.
The Town Challenge Mountain Bike series continues tonight with the Emerald Envy at Howelsen Hill. There are Junior and Adult divisions. Race-day registration is available starting at 4 p.m. More information is at TownChallenge.com
- July 9 — Emerald Envy at Howelsen Hill
- July 23 — Cow Creek Classic on Emerald Mountain from Cow Creek Trailhead
- Aug. 6 — Buff Pass Burner (hill climb) on Buffalo Pass
- Aug. 13 — Free community ride at Howelsen Hill followed by end-of-season awards and a BBQ at Howelsen Hill.
For more information, call 970-879-4300.
More on the Story — 2025 Town Challenge Mountain Bike Series begins June 11
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.