By Shannon Lukens for Steamboat Radio News.
No fireworks are allowed in Northwest Colorado, this holiday weekend, or anytime, until further notice. Steamboat Springs Police Chief Mark Beckett there is no tolerance for fireworks right now.
“The extreme fire risk in our area is more important than the celebration, so I want to the community to know that any violations, we’re going to prosecute to the fullest extent of the law. You can expect $2600 fines and serious repercussions if we catch you with fireworks that are airborne. And if we catch you using them at all, we’re gonna get you.”
That’s the message also from Craig Police and Hayden Police, and throughout Routt and Moffat counties this weekend.
- Stage Two Fire Restrictions are currently in effect in Routt County.
- More on the Story – Routt County Sheriff reminds residents and visitors that fireworks are prohibited
- More on the Story — Routt County says to be prepared for wildfire emergencies and possible evacuations
- More on the Story — Steamboat Springs Police and Fire Rescue send a reminder that fireworks are not allowed
- More on the Story — Craig Police says there will be zero tolerance for fireworks this year
United States Senator John Hickenlooper was in Routt County Thursday to meet with local leaders and officials to hear about issues with water, such as the drought emergency across the West, and how it affects things like ranching, outdoor recreation and wildfire mitigation.
“As difficult as democracies are, they’re based on getting people together and letting everyone tell you what you need to know. This afternoon, the people of Routt County are free with their thoughts and happy to share and I can walk away from here with all kinds of arguments I can take back to Washington and fight to get more money.”
Those at the meeting included representatives from the City of Steamboat Springs, Steamboat Springs City Council, Routt County Commissioners, Colorado Parks and Wildlife, Steamboat Resort, local business owners, Yampa Valley Community Foundation, Steamboat Springs Chamber, US Forest Service, Steamboat Springs Police, Upper Yampa Water Conservancy District, Routt County CSU Extension Office, Colorado Department of Natural Resources, Friends of the Yampa, Tri-State Generation and Transmission, and the Colorado Cattlemen’s Agricultural Land Trust.
More on the Story – Senator Hickenlooper talks water with local leaders
Steamboat Ski & Resort Corporation has launched Steamboat Hospitality. It’s a new business division with the Steamboat brand. It brings together lodging and property management, homeowner services, real estate and association management. Mountain Resorts and Simply Steamboat will become part of Steamboat Hospitality.
More on the Story — Steamboat Resort introduces Steamboat Hospitality
More fishing closures from Colorado Parks and Wildlife. It’s a voluntary closure on the Yampa River upstream from the Chuck Lewis State Wildlife area to the western edge of Steamboat Springs, until further notice. The City of Steamboat Springs has also issued a voluntary closure through city limits for all recreational activities including tubing, paddleboarding, swimming and fishing.
More on the Story — The Yampa River is closed for all recreational users
We have a full schedule of all of the 4th of July fun on our website.
More on the Story — 4th of July FUN in Northwest Colorado
It’s Scholarship Day at the Howler Alpine Slide. Proceeds go to the Scholarship Fund for Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club.
It’s Walter Day at Colorado Northwestern Community College. Walter is a dinosaur. Activities are on the Rangely campus in the morning and in Craig in the afternoon.
Rio Blanco County Historical Society is hosting a tour of the Milk Creek Battlefield. Meet at the site at 9 a.m. today.
Tonight is First Friday Artwalk in downtown Steamboat Springs.
Cowboy Roundup Days is tonight and on the 4th of July at Romick Arena, presented by Steamboat Springs Pro Rodeo.
Steamboat’s Olympic athletes from the most recent Olympics will be celebrated at a flag dedication in Olympian Hall at Howelsen Hill. That’s at 4 p.m. Friday.
Saturday…
The Steamboat Springs Parade starts at 10 a.m. on Lincoln Ave. Closures on Lincoln and other downtown streets start at 6 a.m. tomorrow, until about 2 p.m. Traffic will be rerouted in a loop with vehicles heading east on Yampa Street, and those heading west on Oak Street.
All are invited to stop by for hot dogs and food at The Veterans Center on Lincoln Ave., right after the 4th of July Parade on Saturday.
The Jumpin’ and Jammin’ Ski Jumping Extravaganza is also right after the parade at Howelsen Hill. It’s free to watch. Bring some chairs and umbrella.
The ski area has roller skating, a strider Bike Parade, DJs, and the 6 Million Dollar Band on stage Saturday evening.
The Independence Day Parade in Craig starts at 10 a.m.
The 4th of July Parade in Yampa starts at 1 p.m.
The Ride ‘n Tie Rodeo is at the Moffat County Fairgrounds in Craig Saturday night with a Junior Rodeo and CPRA Rodeo on Sunday.
Meeker’s 4th of July Parade is also at 10 a.m. on Saturday with concerts and rodeos starting tonight as part of the 141st Annual Meeker Range Call. And Meeker is having fireworks.
In Baggs, Wyoming, firefighters are hosting a pancake breakfast fundraiser and then a fireworks show, weather permitting.
Fireworks in Craig, Yampa, and at Steamboat Lake State Park have been canceled this year.
The Steamboat Running Series hosts the eight-mile Hahns Peak Vertical Trail Race Sunday morning. Register through Running Series.com. Start time is 8:30 a.m.
Check out what’s happening in the Yampa Valley on the Events Calendar on our website.
For the KRAI Time, Temp, and Weather Hotline, call 970-824-1918.