By Shannon Lukens.
Colorado Senator Dylan Roberts didn’t hold back on the Senate floor Wednesday, warning the state to fix the wolf reintroduction program, or they’ll lose the funding for it. The Senate was discussing SB25-206 which is the budget. There’s a footnote on there that says Colorado Parks and Wildlife has to implement seven things that were in a petition filed by Middle Park Stockgrowers of Grand County and 26 ag groups, and Colorado Counties Inc. If they don’t, they could lose funding for the wolf reintroduction program.
“This footnote says, if you don’t get these seven things in place over the next year, we’re not going to give you more money for new wolves. I don’t think we should be giving them new money for new wolves anyway. We’ve met the legal obligations of Prop 114, in my opinion, long ago.”
Regarding the budget, the estimate for the cost of the program under Proposition 114 was $800,000 per year. Now, it’s at $2.1 million.
Senator Roberts also brought up on the Senate floor that there has been another wolf depredation in Eagle County this week. CPW would not confirm saying, “The investigation in this case is not complete.”
“CPW’s ongoing process is to update the Confirmed Gray Wolf Depredation webpage when a depredation is confirmed by CPW staff after the investigation is complete. The investigation in this case is not complete. If the incident you are referencing is confirmed to be a wolf depredation, the page will be updated.”
Three senators were specific about the footnote and here are their entire speeches.
District 8: Counties of Clear Creek, Eagle, Garfield, Gilpin, Grand, Jackson, Moffat, Rio Blanco, Routt, and Summit
District 23: Counties of Larimer and Weld
District 5: Counties of Delta, Eagle, Garfield, Gunnison, Hinsdale, Montrose and Pitkin
Colorado Politics — Colorado lawmakers warn state to fix wolf reintroduction program or lose funding
The U.S. Forest Service is conducting some prescribed burns sometime this spring, in the areas of McKinnis and Harrison Creek. That’s on Hwy 40 on the Western boundary of Routt National Forest, which is the Steamboat Springs side of Rabbit Ears Pass. The forest service plans to burn about 300 acres but only when weather conditions are perfect. The forest service will be coordinating with Colorado Parks and Wildlife, CDOT, and Routt County on the project.
More on the Story — Forest Service is planning a prescribed burn near base of Rabbit Ears Pass
The Moffat County High School Theatre presents Bye Bye Birdie, on stage in the MCHS Auditorium, at 6 p.m. tonight through Saturday. Tickets are at the door. There is also a 2 p.m. matinee on Saturday.
The play Alice by Heart is Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, April 4-6, in the Julie Harris theater at Perry Mansfield. Thirteen performers are on stage, including Ruby Frank and Jacob Griffith.
SB Alice by Heart
Maybell Colorado Heritage Days is looking for vendors for May 4. The link to apply is through VisitMoffatCounty.com
All Routt County high school students are invited to visit the Routt County Prom Closet, and get a free dress that has been donated. Sign up for a slot on April 11-12. The Prom Closet is at the Heart of Steamboat United Methodist Church. Over 150 dresses are available. This is for all students in Routt County, including Steamboat Springs, Hayden, and SoRoCo. Link to Sign Up
April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month. Brighter World Child Advocacy Center is putting on a local initiative called “Root to Rise.” They’re hosting free events throughout the month to spread awareness on supporting our families and communities. Friday is Wear Blue Day. Sunday, April 6, is a kickoff at the base of Steamboat Resort, starting at 1 p.m., with hot chocolate and free gondola rides.
- April 4 is Wear Blue Day. Wear Blue Day is a national effort to wear all blue to support child abuse prevention.
- April 6 is a kickoff at the base of Steamboat Resort, where you can also pick up a passport to get stamped at various events. It starts at 1 p.m. at the base. Enjoy hot chocolate and free gondola rides.
- April 9 is Bud Werner Story Time at 10:30 a.m.
- April 14 and April 16 is Mandatory Reporter Training for adults. Child care is available. This is from noon to 2 p.m. in the Community Room at the Department of Human Services and 6th and Oak Streets.
- April 23 is Inside Out and Crafts at 1 p.m. at Queer Futures.
- April 30 is the day to turn in passports at CAPM Website or email cassandra@brighterworldcac.org for help.
- May 2 is an Inside Out 2 and PJ Party. It starts at 4 p.m. at Bud Werner Library.
More information is at the Root to Rise website.
More on the Story — April is National Child Abuse Prevention MonthThere are also book displays at Off the Beaten Path Bookstore and Bud Werner Library.
Kick off the Bike Season with The Cycle Effect tonight. This is a group whose mission is to get more girls on mountain bikes each year. They’ll be at The Barley in Steamboat Springs from 5-8 p.m. today, with hot dogs on the grill, and plenty of prizes.
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.