Ranch2Ranch Trek rescheduled

Heavy snows last weekend forced Grand Nordic to postpone and reschedule the Ranch2Ranch Trek to Saturday, February 29. Join Grand Nordic for a cross-country point-to-point ski trek from Snow Mountain Ranch to Granby Ranch via the Fraser to Granby Trail. Volunteers are also needed to help with the event. For more information, visit grandnordic.org.

Presidential Ballots in the mail

Since Colorado is now a part of Super Tuesday, presidential primary ballots are being mailed out this week. If you’re an unaffiliated voter, you’ll get both primary ballots but you can only fill out one. And don’t forget, thanks to a bill passed last year, HB19-1278, if you turn 18 years old by November 3rd, you can register to vote and participate in this primary. Ballots can be dropped off in designated drop boxes or mailed in with two stamps.

PRC Fundraiser Banquet

The 16th annual Pregnancy Resource Connection fundraising banquet, featuring comedian Mike Williams, takes place at Young Life Crooked Creek Ranch on Sunday, February 16 at 5 pm. All are welcome to attend this free banquet and fundraiser, pre-registration is required. To register, visit pregnancyresourceconnection.org or call (970) 887-3617. 

Let’s Chat! 

Grand County Economic Development is hosting a free Community conversation on current county topics of interest on Monday, February 24 at the Granby Library from 11 am-3 pm. This is your opportunity to join the discussion, give your input and network with community members.  

11 am-12 pm: Peak Health Alliance – Information on an affordable health insurance initiative for Grand County;

12-1 pm: 2020 Census over Lunch (free) – The importance of capturing an accurate population count in the county and how to participate;

1-2 pm: Home Talent Initiative – Come find out what Homegrown Talent Initiative is and how you can be a part of helping our students find their passions, engage with their community, and develop new skills and competencies to develop lifelong learners;

2-3 pm: WorkInGrand.com – Learn about the popular workforce community platform and how to join the movement.

RSVP at gced.events.idloom.com/lets-chat.

Town of Fraser Marketing

The Town of Fraser needs you! In an effort to drive community engagement and marketing, the Town of Fraser has established the “Fraser Community Influencer Program”. The goal of the program is to include and engage the community in showing the rest of the world how great Fraser is. The influencers are outfitted with Gopro’s and will gather visual content for marketing and economic development use that is truly unique to the Town from a unique perspective. This is open to individuals and business owners and there is no charge to check out a Gopro. For more info and to check out a GoPro, contact swieck@town.fraser.co.us.

J1 Visa and Seasonal Employees Appreciation Night

As a Thank You from the Winter Park community, the Headwaters Center is putting on a social night just for you on Tuesday, February 25 from 6-8 pm! Join us for music, light refreshments, games, and raffle prizes. Cash bar will be available. Please bring your valid ID.

Employers! We are asking for your support in two ways for the J1 Visa & Seasonal Employee Appreciation Night:

First, we are happily providing the venue and staff, but greatly need your help with in-kind donations of food and beverage and/or raffle prizes. If any of your J1 Visa employees are a part of your culinary department, we would love for them to participate by preparing their local cuisine for the event.

Second, please invite and encourage each of your J1 visa and seasonal employees to attend the event. We would love your support in making this a “GRAND” event!

Learn more and RSVP: headwatersriverjourney.com.  Please contact Andrea Toy to donate at andrea@headwaterscenter.com.

Mountain lion management plan

Colorado Parks and Wildlife held a public meeting in Kremmling last week to provide updates on a proposed new management plan for mountain lions in northwest Colorado.

At the meeting, CPW wildlife managers explained the management proposal, which provides for maintaining a stable mountain lion population across the Western Slope. Mountain lions in Colorado have historically been managed on smaller, localized scales–similar to the management of Colorado’s deer and elk. Current research, however, shows that managing mountain lions on a landscape scale is more appropriate and effective. A careful review by CPW biologists of research studies on mountain lions from Colorado, Wyoming and Montana has helped wildlife managers evaluate populations and set harvest objectives that align with the best available science.

Additional meetings are planned next week and interested parties should contact the CPW, especially hunters, outfitters, farmers, ranchers and landowners for more details.

Big game management plans provide guidance to wildlife managers who attempt to balance the biological capabilities of animals, their habitat and public requests for wildlife-related recreation opportunities. The management plans drive important decisions, which include the license-setting process, and strategies and techniques to reach population and harvest objectives.

Upcoming Meetings.

  • Gypsum: Feb. 18, 6 p.m., Community Center, 52 Lundgren Blvd.
  • Meeker: Feb. 19, 6 p.m., at Mountain Valley Bank, 400 Main Street.
  • Grand Junction: Feb. 19, 6 p.m., Mesa County Central Services, 200 Spruce St.
  • Rifle: Feb. 20, 6 p.m., Colorado Mountain College, 3695 Airport Road