By Shannon Lukens.
Ranchers and producers in Jackson County met with Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) officers and officials in Walden this weekend. It was to discuss the draft just released of the Colorado Wolf Restoration and Management Plan. While wolves have naturally migrated to Jackson County from Wyoming, Colorado residents voted to reintroduce wolves in Colorado, on land west of the Continental Divide, by the end of 2023. Each wolf would be collared and tracked. CPW would reintroduce ten to 15 animals a year for three to five years. The wolves would be released on private grounds with permission of the landowners. Reintroduction needs to be 60 miles from the border of neighboring states.
Kris Middledorf is the area wildlife manager for Colorado Parks and Wildlife. He was at the meeting at the Wattenberg Center in Walden.
Philip Anderson is president of the Colorado Cattlemen’s Association and a native of Jackson County.
Five more meetings are scheduled, with possibly a sixth meeting in April in Jackson County.
CPW also said that if you see a wolf, report it through their website on the Wolf Sighting Form. Wolf Sighting Form
Jan. 19, 2023 – Colorado Springs – 8 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Jan. 25, 2023 – Gunnison – 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Feb. 7, 2023 – Rifle – 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Feb. 16, 2023 – Virtual via Zoom – 5:30 – 8:30 p.m.
Feb. 22, 2023 – Denver – 8 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Online comments can be made through wolfengagementco.org.
You may see smoke southwest of Meeker. The Bureau of Land Management is planning a prescribed burn in the Piceance Basin, anytime now through March 30, weather permitting. A prescribed burn reduces hazardous fuels near homes, it improves range conditions and reduces catastrophic wildfire risk. Smoke could be visible from Highways 13 and 64 and county roads in the area.
Steamboat Springs Police has three new officers. They were sworn in Monday. They are Martin Bartusky, Benji Williams, and Mikey Buccino, who is also a 2020 graduate of Steamboat Springs High School.
All three are the most recent graduates from the Colorado Law Enforcement Training Academy through the Colorado Mountain College in Glenwood Springs. They’ll now start four months of field training.
Also at Monday’s swearing in ceremony, Sarah Larson was recognized for her promotion to records Supervisor. She has been with the Steamboat Springs Police Department for ten years. She was given the honor from Christina Stewart, the Support Services Division Manager.
The Routt County Conservation District is hosting its last Toolkit Listening Session for ag producers and landowners. It’s a way to come up with good practices and ideas on how to build resiliency health for drought, wildfire, and soil. It’s from 5-7:30 p.m. Tuesday night at Franciosi Brothers Pizza in Oak Creek.
For more information, call 970-439-3243, or email information@routtCountycd.com, or visit www.routtcountycd.com/toolkit.
The Soroco Invitational Wrestling Tournament hosted 15 schools over the weekend. North Fork won it for the boys with Hayden was in second. Twelve of the teams were girls teams. The Moffat County girls won the tournament. Ashley Seely is the head coach for the Moffat County Girls Wrestling Team, which has 20 girls out for the season.
Steamboat has one girl on the wrestling team. Dani Latrimurti is a freshman.
Soroco has two girls on their wrestling team, Larhae Whaley and Makayla Iacovetto.
For the KRAI Time, Temp, and Weather Hotline, call 970-824-1918.