November 15, 2024
[Louisville Public Library, Louisville, CO.]
Boulder County, CO.
Boulder County Community Planning & Permitting, Approved 2024 Boulder County Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP)
[The following is based on a press release.]
Key Points
Boulder County has completed theĀ 2024 Community Wildfire Protection Plan update, which was collaboratively developed with agency partners and significant community engagement and input.
The plan addresses the new era of more intense climate-driven wildfires that have expanded beyond the mountains and foothills and also threaten communities in the eastern plains of Boulder County.
View the new Boulder County Community Wildfire Protection Plan (PDF)Ā or interactiveĀ CWPP story map.
TheĀ 2024 Boulder County Community Wildfire Protection PlanĀ (CWPP) is now available to view and download on the countyāsĀ CWPP website. TheĀ CWPP Story MapĀ offers an interactive tour of the CWPPās highlights, maps, and graphics.
The 2024 Boulder County CWPP is a strategic planning document developed through months of agency collaboration with significant community engagement and input. It provides a countywide wildfire risk and hazard assessment and identifies management recommendations and actions. A county-level CWPP is used as an umbrella for community plans and supports local level planning efforts.
The 2024 plan is an update of the countyās 2011 CWPP. Since then, we have entered a new era of climate-driven wildfires. The threats and impacts from these more intense wildfires have expanded beyond the mountains and foothills, and also threaten our communities in the eastern plains of Boulder County. Wildfire planning, mitigation, and response must be addressed on a larger scale and at a faster pace to match current fire activity, climate change, and population growth in the wildland-urban interface.
The updated CWPP reflects this changing landscape and will be monitored and updated as changes occur, and management recommendations and actions are implemented.
Contact Staff and More Information
For more information, contact Meg Halford, Wildfire Team Forest and Grasslands Project Coordinator, atĀ mhalford@bouldercounty.govĀ or (720) 564-2843. View wildfire mitigation resources and information on theĀ Boulder County Wildfire Mitigation webpageĀ or visitĀ WildfirePartners.org.
Boulder to Erie Regional Trail (BERT) Plan Approval and Next Steps
[The following is based on a press release.]
October 24, 2024, the Boulder County Board of County Commissioners approved the Boulder to Erie Regional Trail (BERT) Plan in a 2-1 vote. Public testimony was taken during the hearing. Thank you to everyone who submitted written comments and spoke at theĀ public hearing.
The BERT Plan evaluates multiple conceptual alignments and identifies a preferred alignment for further consideration for an 8.5 mile east-west multi-use trail connection between the City of Boulder and Town of Erie. The BERT Plan includes the project process, public and partner input and engagement, technical evaluation, conceptual level alignment, opinion of cost, and next steps.
With the adoption of the BERT Plan, local, state, and federal funding opportunities can be pursued, and the preliminary design process can begin. The planās preferred alignment is the starting point for more detailed engineering and in-depth technical analysis, including additional environmental analysis. Strategies to minimize potential environmental impacts of the preferred alignment will continue to be explored.
Partner coordination and community outreach will continue in the next phases of the project. Regular updates will be provided as the project progresses.
Learn More or Contact Staff
View more project information atĀ boco.org/BERT, or contact Tonya Luebbert, Regional Trails Planner, atĀ tluebbert@bouldercounty.gov, orĀ submit a question or comment online.
Businesses
Fort Collins, CO.
JAX Fort Collins Outdoor Gear
1200 North College Avenue
Fort Collins, CO.
80524
(970) 221-0544
Colorado Creatives
Brian Nevin, Musician
https://www.bandstofans.com/interviews/brian-nevin-of-big-head-todd-and-the-monsters
Colorado Parks and Wildlife
CPW Commission adopts East Slope mountain lion management plan
[The following is based on a press release.]
Months of research and public hearings culminated Friday when the Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commission adopted a new plan for managing mountain lions that live on the east slope of the Continental Divide.
The commission voted 10-0 to approve the 10-year plan after hearing an overview from Mark Vieira, CPWās Carnivore and Furbearer Program Manager. Vieira described the mountain lion population of the east slope and discussed goals for the management plan and a timeline for implementation.
Approval comes after a similar effort resulted in the successful development of a West Slope Mountain Lion management plan in 2020.
The East Slope Mountain Lion Management Plan will guide management decisions made by CPW biologists and wildlife managers for maintaining a stable mountain lion population east of the Continental Divide (excluding North Park). Additionally, the plan discusses future research that will help CPW improve its understanding of lion populations and biology.
Mountain lions in Colorado have historically been managed on smaller, localized scales ā similar to the management of Coloradoās deer and elk. Current scientific research, however, shows that managing mountain lions on a broader landscape scale is more appropriate and effective.Ā
A careful review by CPW biologists of research studies on mountain lions in western states helped wildlife managers evaluate populations and set harvest limits that align with the best available science.
CPW staff held several public meetings before drafting the East Slope. Approximately 700 members of the public attended the meetings.
Historically, CPW has used big game management plans to provide guidance to wildlife managers who attempt to balance the biological needs of various animals, their habitat and public requests for wildlife-related recreation opportunities.Ā
The management plans drive important decisions, which include the license-setting process, and strategies and techniques to reach population and harvest objectives.
For more information on East Slope Mountain Lion Plan public meetings, please visitĀ EngageCPW.org.
Comics
Dry Bar Comedy
Canada Is Building A Wall, Dylan Mandlsohn
Finding Colorado
The twenty-eighth highest mountain in the State of Colorado is Mt. Sneffels, at 14,150 feet above sea level.
Larimer County, CO.
Estes Park, CO., Cleave Street Improvements
[The following is based on a press release.]
The Public Works Department offersĀ the following updates regarding activities of the Cleave Street Improvements Project, as of November 15, 2024:
UtilityĀ Replacement and Relocations
The Town of Estes Park's Power & Communications (P&C) crews set transformers at the west end of the street and are beginning final service connections in that area as well. Removal of overhead infrastructure is anticipated by the end of the month. Given the nearness of their anticipated completion date, the current work area map will not change. Questions or concerns about the P&C work may be directed toĀ Tyler BolesĀ (P&C,Ā (970) 577-3607, orĀ Jamin Rucker, Public Works,Ā (970) 577-3736).
Construction Project Status
ABC Asphalt completed potholing operations on the east end of the street. This work was necessary to determine the depth of additional water service lines in need of insulation. Public Works and Water Division staff met with the contractor to determine the scope of this work, and it is not expected to impact the overall schedule. Next week, insulation will be installed, and more concrete will be removed from within the right-of-way to facilitate the initial excavation work in the street. Questions or concerns about the roadway construction may be directed toĀ Cesar Gonzalez,Ā Project Manager, ABC Asphalt, (720) 768-8688).
Additional Contact During Construction
The Town has contracted with Empire Management, Inc., for construction management services. Their work involves serving as a Town representative during the construction process, overseeing construction practices, observing concrete testing, etc.Ā Jon EricksonĀ (970) 290-6503, will be on-site for at least a few hours each day during construction activities and is fully authorized to help resolve any issues that arise during construction.Ā Please contact Jon when you are unable to reach Town staff or the Project Manager.Ā
Estes Park, CO., Board of Education Regular Meeting
[The following is based on a press release.]
The regular EPSD Board of Education meeting will be held November 18, 2024, at 5:15 P.M. at the Town Hall Building downtown in Estes Park (170 MacGregor Avenue). There will be aĀ ZoomĀ option for those that can't join us in person.Ā Ā
TheĀ agendaĀ can be found here 24 hours prior to the meeting.Ā
Public Participation is open at the beginning of each regular meeting via the followingĀ Public Participation Procedure.Ā Ā
Meeting minutes are recorded and then approved at the following month's meeting (for example, September meeting minutes will be approved and posted to the website following October's regular meeting) The regular board meeting recordings are posted to our EPSD YouTube and on the website within 48 hours.
Resources
Until next time,