Sulphur Ranger District Wildlife Biologist Doreen Sumerlin receives the 2018 Jack Adams award Photo courtesy Arapaho Roosevelt National Forest

Local wildlife biologist wins Jack Adams award

Congratulations to Sulphur Ranger District Wildlife Biologist Doreen Sumerlin for receiving the distinguished Jack Adams Award. The award is presented annually to a Forest Service wildlife biologist, fisheries biologist or botanist, who, over the course of their career, has exemplified the characteristics and qualities of former Forest Service wildlife biologist Jack Adams – dedication, hard work, and steady, dependable service. 

Doreen’s career is one of outstanding work for wildlife and she is well deserving of this honor! To learn more about the award, visit: fs.fed.us

Hazardous tree removal projects on BLM lands

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) urges the public to be aware of hazardous tree removal and timber salvage work in Grand County this summer and fall. 

Crews will be working to remove the hundreds of standing dead trees in areas with significant beetle-kill, including:

  • East of Hot Sulphur Springs, along Kinney Creek Road and McQueary Loop Road;
  • East of Tabernash, near Hurd Peak and the Phases Mountain Bike Trail System; and,
  • North of Hot Sulphur Springs on Smith Mesa.

“Before heading to public land in these areas, people should use caution and be aware of the potential to encounter heavy machinery and logging trucks,” said BLM Kremmling Field Manager Bill Mills. “The most visible work will be hazardous tree removal along the roads. While the work may create some inconvenience this summer, it is an important step to keep the roads open for the long-term.” For more information, call (970) 724-3000.

Winter Park Disposable Bag Fee begins July 1

Earlier this year, Winter Park Town Council moved towards its goal of building a more sustainable community by approving a fee for retailers and grocery stores that use single-use plastic bags. Creating a “healthy & thriving environment” was identified as a primary vision for the future through Imagine Winter Park, an initiative to develop a new Town Plan. Starting July 1, 2019, a disposable plastic bag fee of $0.20 per bag will be imposed.

Retailers and food stores will retain 40% of the fees collected ($0.08 per bag) to offset expenses associated with the fee implementation. The Town will collect 60% of the fees ($0.12 per bag) to mitigate the effects of the bags through education, programs to reduce waste, contributions to “The Drop” in Fraser, etc.

A few exceptions to the fee include:

  • Temporary food vendors at farmer’s markets and other short events;
  • Restaurants or other businesses (such as salons or spas) where retail sales are clearly a secondary activity; and,
  • Customers participating in a federal or state food assistance program.

The fee does not apply to produce bags or other bags used for bulk items, meats, baked goods, flowers, prescriptions, liquor sleeves, etc.

For more information, visit wpgov.com/312/Disposable-Bag-Fee.

Comcast Franchise Agreement

On first reading, Winter Park Town council approved a contract extension with Comcast to provide cable-related services (excluding internet and phone services) and utilize the Town’s right-of-way. Winter Park has had an agreement in place with Comcast since 2002 and Town staff has recently been working to ensure the agreement is favorable. A public hearing and second reading of the ordinance will take place during the July 2nd meeting.

Volunteer Opportunity

Are you interested in volunteering with the Winter Park & Fraser Chamber to produce summer events and activities that enrich our community this summer season? Working with our partners and our volunteers, the Chamber is able to attract a wide variety of year-round events and activities to the Winter Park and Fraser area, including the following:

  • Run for Independence – July 4, 2019
  • Winter Park Jazz Festival – July 20-21, 2019
  • SolShine Music Festival – August 17, 2019
  • Country at the Park – August 31, 2019

Volunteers are an essential and invaluable part of the team, without whom these well-loved events would not be possible. We recognize that each individual’s experience is unique, and we welcome the opportunity to work with you to best apply and build on your unique skill set.

In return for your service, we offer incentives for sharing your time and experience, which could include a free beverage and lunch, event ticket/or a $25 donation per shift to the non-profit of your choice. To volunteer, visit playwinterpark.com.

FREE Community Chipping Days

Grand County Wildfire Council has scheduled the dates for this summer’s community chipping days: 

  • Saturday, June 29th, 10am-3pm, in Kremmling at 14th Street and Eagle Ave.
  • Saturday, July 13th, 10am-3pm, at Grand Lake Fire Columbine Lake Station
  • Saturday, July 27th, 10am-3pm, at East Grand Fire Headquarters in Winter Park
  • Saturday, August 10th, 10am-3pm, at HSSP/Parshall Fire Station in Parshall
  • Saturday, August 24th, 10am-3pm, at Grand Fire Headquarters in Granby

Accepted materials include trees, tree branches, small diameter logs and brush (cut away from root mass). Sagebrush and juniper bushes are also accepted.

The following restrictions apply:

  • No logs or branches with a diameter greater than 12 inches
  • No construction, building or other man-made materials
  • No lumber, fence posts or signs
  • No roots, root wads, stumps or anything else that grows below the soil
  • No materials that contain dirt, sand, gravel or rocks
  • No materials that contain any metal (nails, screws, fencing), string or other man-made materials
  • No herbaceous / non-woody plant material
  • No willow trees/branches/bushes

Please be prepared to provide the following information at drop off: name, email, address, amount of material, acres treated, and time committed to slash removal projects.

For more information, call (970) 887-3380.

Operation Call It Quits: Robocall Crackdown 2019

On June 25, the Federal Trade Commission, state and federal partners announced Operation Call it Quits, an effort to combat those annoying robocallers. As part of the announcement, the FTC has new videos, infographics, and articles you can watch, read, and share. To find out more about how to battle these persistent callers, visit: ftc.gov/calls.