By Shannon Lukens.
U.S. Senator John Hickenlooper met with forest fire leaders from throughout Northwest Colorado for a regional bipartisan roundtable this week to discuss the growing wildfire crisis. He says people always said the hot weather is “unprecedented.”
“But we can’t say that anymore. This is the new normal. And we are in a 12-hundred year drought. We can see the sediments in the Grand Canyon that can prove that. And we’re going to have to recognize that we’re going to have to get by on less water.”
Senator Hickenlooper says that we need to be aware of fire dangers around our homes and do mitigation, to help prevent wildland fires.
The roundtable was in the new Steamboat Springs Fire Station at 10th and Oak.
“Your new fire station is pretty impressive!”
More on the Story — Water and Wildland Fires were discussed at a regional roundtable with U.S. Senator Hickenlooper
The Crosho Fire in South Routt is now at 25% containment and the last count still at 2,072 acres burned with 365 total personnel working on the fire. That’s as of last night.
If you are driving down to Wolcott and Eagle County, you will see the Derby Fire to the west, so check road conditions. It’s burning in Eagle and Garfield counties, 13.5 miles north of Dotsero, and it is at 0% containment, burning 839 acres, and started by lightning.
- Crosho Fire Information on Inciweb
- Derby Fire on Inciweb
- Routt County Emergency Management Map
- Crosho Fire on Watch Duty
A bipartisan group of lawmakers is introducing a bill at Special Session this week, asking for a pause in wolf introductions in Colorado, to save money on the budget, and the money saved would help Coloradans lower their health insurance costs. Governor Polis’ office responded saying, “The bill doesn’t save the budget any money,” adding that it, “will have unintended consequences that negatively affect ranchers.”
FULL STATEMENT from Governor Polis’ office:
“This special session is about closing corporate tax loopholes and tax havens to fill the budget hole that Trump, Jeff Hurd, and Gabe Evans created while taking away TABOR refunds from hardworking people on the Western Slope. This bill doesn’t save the budget any money, it just moves a small amount of money for wolf reintroduction to an unrelated issue without decreasing the deficit. We are open to continued dialogue with communities about Colorado’s wolf program that is consistent with efforts to meet the will of the voters, but right now we are focused on limiting the damage to Colorado done by President Trump and Congressional Republicans.”
On background: This bill will not save the state money and will have unintended consequences that negatively affect ranchers. Specifically, it would move $250,000 into an unrelated program.
A Colorado Parks and Wildlife spokesperson said they are not in support of a bill that would pause wolf reintroduction. Those statements are on our website.
Response from CPW Public Information Supervisor Travis Duncan:
“Thanks for your inquiry. Related to your first question, we continue to support releases of gray wolves during the 25-26 FY. The Wolf Restoration and Management Plan was developed with a broad set of stakeholders and was unanimously approved in 2023. Per the Plan, we have an obligation to release 10-15 wolves per year for 3-5 years in efforts to establish a self-sustaining wolf population in Colorado, a legal requirement of Proposition 114. These releases are crucial to creating a strong, genetically diverse population base in line with the will of Colorado voters and are backed by science and the expertise of our veteran biologist at the agency. Here are the following programs the state has launched
- an improved Livestock Conflict Minimization Program
- increased site assessments
- increased conflict specialist capacity
- improved depredation response
- range riders to monitor for the presence of wolves and deploy hazing techniques to deter wolves
- carcass management best practices
- a grant program to assist with implementing non-lethal wolf conflict reduction measures
- educational workshops and training across the Western Slope”
Duncan also said CPW is unaware of any fires (in Routt and Rio Blanco counties) that have affected wolf dens in the state.”
More on the Story – Gov. Polis’ office and CPW respond to proposed Wolf Bill in Special Session
More on the Story — Colorado legislators to introduce a bill to put a pause on wolf introductions, to help with the budget
The Town of Hayden and Bedrock Energy hosted geothermal experts, leaders and elected officials Wednesday. The subject was “Rocky Mountain Resilience: Colorado Geothermal in Action.” Here’s Hayden Town Manager Mathew Mendisco.
“It’s important for the community of Hayden because we’re building the future, and we’re building the future on reliable, sustainable, like, proven technology. And also, a business park that is going to provide jobs and possess value for the future. The whole meeting is important because we have people here from all over the nation, and they’re coming to see why Hayden is leading the charge, and not just putting out studies about what it could be. We’re doing it. The rig is right there. Like, we are doing it. And I think it’s important for them to see that, like, rural places can do this.”
The event was at Yampa Valley Regional Airport and the new Northwest Colorado Business Park which is under development across from the airport. Keynote speakers included U.S. Senator John Hickenlooper, and U.S. Senator Michael Bennet, who spoke of the collaboration on projects.
“It is possible to work in partnership and collaboration with people that are in completely different political orbits on this incredibly important project that you’re all engaged in, and that Colorado’s engaged in. I take a lot of optimism and a lot of hope from what I’ve seen on the ground here in Routt County and in Moffat County as well.”
There were also live drilling demonstrations at the site. Routt County Commissioner Tim Redmond was there. Steamboat Springs City Council President Gail Garey also attended.
“It’s interesting to be here and to learn from all of the various different experts, and actually to see what’s happening real time, and specifically how this could be applicable to Steamboat Springs and as we look forward in terms of creating a reliable and a dependable energy future.”
New scam alert… The Colorado Bureau of Investigation says scammers are posing as a Cyber Crimes Special Agent with CBI, and trying to get your information and access to your computer. Don’t fall for it, and call local law enforcement if you aren’t sure, and to report it.
If you receive a suspicious call, contact local law enforcement, or call the CBI Victim Assistance Hotline at 855-443-3489. Or visit: https://www.stopfraudcolorado.gov.
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.