By Shannon Lukens.
Routt County and the City of Steamboat Springs have moved to Stage 1 Fire Restrictions, as of today. The Fire Danger is rated as high for Moffat and Rio Blanco counties, and very high for Routt, Jackson and Grand counties.
Stage 1 fire restrictions were recently announced for all the Medicine Bow-Routt National Forests and Thunder Basin National Grassland. Fall hunting seasons are underway, and hunters are reminded that restrictions apply to all visitors.
Fire restrictions are considered only when very high or extreme fire danger exists and is predicted to persist. This determination is based upon current conditions, long-term weather forecasts, and upon the heavy, dry fuel loading which creates the potential for uncontrollable fires.
The restrictions will remain in effect until officials determine that conditions have changed sufficiently to reduce the risk of a human-caused wildfire. Rescinding the restrictions will be considered when the critical elements diminish. Should you have any questions, please call your Fire Protection District Chief or the Routt County Office of Emergency Management at (970) 870-5551.
- North Routt Fire Protection District – Matt Mathisen, 970.879.6064
- Oak Creek Fire Protection District – Brady Glauthier, 970.761.8141
- Steamboat Springs Fire Rescue – Chuck Cerasoli, 970.879.7170
- West Routt Fire Protection District – Trevor Guire, 970.276.3511
- Yampa Fire Protection District – Machia ‘Ky’ Cox, 970.846.2169
SBT GRVL race organizers told Routt County Commissioners in front of a standing room only crowd Tuesday about their new plan for the world-renowned cycling event in Steamboat Springs and Routt County. Commissioners then approved the large event permit. Changes for next year include 2,500 riders instead of 3,000, a new date in late June so as not to interfere with haying season and the Routt County Fair, and two days instead of one, for a ride and a competitive race with professional cyclists.
Here’s SBT GRVL founding partner Amy Charity.
“We’re pleased with the outcome. We understand that this was a bit of a compromise for everybody. Our numbers are lower this year. We’ve changed things fairly dramatically to have a race and a ride. But we are really looking to listen and understand the rural concerns and address them.”
The SBT GRVL ride is on the rural roads of Routt County. Rural residents became frustrated with the extent of the 3,000 cyclists on county roads on race day, and the week leading up to the event in late August. They started speaking up after the race in 2023. Krista Monger is a local rancher.
“People say they’ve lived her for five, ten, 15, or 20 years, but our ranches have been here for generations. And our generations of family members have seen tons of change happened in the Steamboat community and our surrounding areas and we feel like the tourism has just gotten so big and so mighty and it just keeps growing and growing and our rural residents are ready for it pause and stop, and we’re not asking to go back in time. We’re just asking for a stop of the brutal marketing that’s occurring on our county roads.”
Commissioners asked race organizers to work with the county attorney about any liability concerns for those who live along the 39-mile race course, and a safety plan, approved by Sheriff Doug Scherar. They also asked for a place where spectators can watch the race on that Sunday.
More on the Story — SBT GRVL gets approval for two-day event in June 2025
A new letter has been sent to Colorado Parks and Wildlife, asking the agency for a “temporary hiatus” before reintroducing more wolves until a few changes are made. The latest letter is from Colorado Counties, Inc., which represents 63 out of 64 counties in Colorado. The only county not in CCI is Denver County.
The letter says the reintroduction of wolves should be paused to “protect the interests of impacted communities, livestock producers, and wildlife.” It listed the problems and the suggested solutions and you can read that letter on our website.
More on the Story — CPW Commission gets another letter asking to pause wolf reintroduction
Screamboat won’t be happening this year. That’s the annual Chamber of Horrors haunted house up on the campus of Colorado Mountain College in Steamboat Springs. It has been scaring kids for 25 years. CMC is taking a year off and they hope to do it again in the future.
More on the Story — CMC cancels SCREAMBOAT Chamber of Horrors
Tonight, all are invited to hear from two survivors of the Oct. 7 attack on Israel. One speaker is a survivor of the Nova Music Festival. The other is the brother of an Israeli hostage. The event is free, at 5 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 9, in the Champagne Room at the Holiday Inn in Steamboat Springs. More information is at JewishSteamboat.com
Meet new Moffat County School District Superintendent Dr. Mathew Neal for lunch on Thursday. This is part of the Community Conversations series at Memorial Regional Health. It’s at noon in the conference rooms at the hospital.
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.