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FATAL CRASH ON RIO BLANCO COUNTY ROAD 23 MP 3.3
On July 3, 2011, at approximately 0733 hours the Colorado State Patrol Communications Center in Craig received a 911 call regarding a possible fatal crash on Rio Blanco County Road 23, 3.3 miles south of Rangely, CO. Colorado State Patrol troopers and Rio Blanco County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to the scene.
Upon arrival at the scene, the troopers determined that a grey, 2005 Chevrolet 2500HD was southbound on Rio Blanco County Rd 23 when it drifted off of the left side of the roadway, re-entered the roadway and overcorrected. The truck rotated counterclockwise off the left side of the road and rolled over two times. During the rollover, the driver and sole occupant of the truck was ejected from the vehicle. The driver was identified as Tyrel Bosick, age 21, of Rangely, CO. Bosick died from his injuries at the scene. Bosick was not wearing a seatbelt at the time of the crash. Bosick’s family has been notified.
While the cause of the crash is under investigation, it is suspected that excessive speed and alcohol use were contributing factors.
Numerous personnel from the Colorado State Patrol, Rio Blanco County Sheriff’s Office, Rangely District Hospital Ambulance Service, the Rangely Rural Fire Department, and the Rio Blanco County Coroner’s office responded to the scene and assisted with the investigation.
The Colorado State Patrol would like to remind motorists to wear their seatbelts and to not drink and drive.
DISPENSARY AMENDMENT
Marijuana dispensary owners could have a little more time to close up shop if a ban on their operations is approved by voters in November. The Steamboat City Council has approved a ballot question asking residents if they would like to ban the facilities. However, the question approved would make the ban effective immediately. Now the city attorney is asking to revise that question to allow operators to continue their practice until January 1st, to allow them time to phase out their business. The city council will consider the matter at tonight’s meeting, which starts at 5 at Centennial Hall.
HORSE DEATH
The Routt County Sheriff’s Office is looking for help in finding the person or persons responsible for the suspected shooting death of a horse found last week in Phippsburg. The horse was shot in a home pasture. Authorities say it appears the horse was shot in the neck, although they haven’t been able to determine what type of weapon was used. The family that owned the horse is offering a reward for any information that would lead to the identity of the supposed shooter. If you do have information, you’re encouraged to call the Routt County Sheriff’s Office.
COLORADO STATE PARKS EDUCATION PROGRAM FOR BOATERS ON PREVENTING AQUATIC NUISANCE SPECIES PAYS OFF
Inspectors at Colorado State Parks have checked more than 50,000 boats for aquatic nuisance species (ANS), including zebra and quagga mussels, this summer and found only two boats with mussels attached, indicating that the education program is working. Both of the boats, which came from other states, were inspected and decontaminated before they entered the water, said Gene Seagle, ANS coordinator for Colorado State Parks.
“Educating boaters about the risks of ANS and how to check your boat has been a high priority for several years and it’s paying off,” said Seagle. “Most boaters arrive at the reservoirs in state parks already knowledgeable about ANS and how to check your boat.”
The education effort includes a series of three to five minute videos, posted on the Colorado State Parks website www.parks.state.co.us, to help boaters prepare for the mandatory boat inspections. The short and easy to understand videos, posted under the gold “boating’’ tab, offer information about ANS, the threat they pose to Colorado’s waterways and how to check your boat. The videos were paid for, in part, by Great Outdoors Colorado through Lottery Funds.
“Especially during busy holiday weekends, like the Fourth of July, the boat inspections go faster when boaters arrive at the boat ramps already well informed about ANS and their boats cleaned,” said Seagle. Colorado State Parks has one of the most progressive and active ANS inspection programs in the nation. Last year, more than 200,000 boats were inspected at the 29 state parks with reservoirs and lakes.
Seagle said the two out-of-state boats with adult quagga mussels attached were found at Crawford Lake State Park in May and Jackson Lake State Park in June. In 2010, eight boats – all from other states – had ANS, and were decontaminated along with 12 other boats with suspected ANS, said Seagle.
To protect Colorado’s water, boaters leaving a lake or other waterway, boaters should:
CLEAN all mud, plants or animals from the hull of your boat.
DRAIN all of the water from the boat, live well and lower unit of the engine.
DRY the boat and contents before the next launch.
Attracting more than 12 million visitors per year, Colorado’s 42 State Parks are a vital cornerstone of Colorado’s economy and quality of life. Colorado State Parks encompass 224,447 land and water acres, offering some of the best outdoor recreation destinations in the state. Colorado State Parks is a leader in providing opportunities for outdoor recreation, protecting the state’s favorite landscapes, teaching generations about nature and partnering with communities. Colorado State Parks also manage more than 4,300 campsites, and 63 cabins and yurts. For more information on Colorado State Parks or to purchase an annual pass online, visit www.parks.state.co.us.
PARKS AND WILDLIFE BOARD TO DISCUSS MERGER
The inaugural meeting of the Colorado Parks and Wildlife Board will feature the election of officers for the board that will set regulations and policies for the new Colorado Division of Parks and Wildlife as well as a two-hour discussion about the merger of the former Colorado Division of Wildlife and Colorado State Parks.
The two-day meeting will be held July 7 and July 8 at the Hunter Education Building, located at the Colorado Division of Parks and Wildlife’s campus at 6060 North Broadway.
During the Board’s afternoon session on Thursday, members will discuss a number of issues related to the function of the new, 14-member body, including the composition of the board, the process for input by the public and stakeholders, interaction with the transition team that is guiding the merger and other items.
Following election of officers and the establishment of the 2011 meeting schedule in the morning, the board will shift its attention to several wildlife regulations. The Board is scheduled to take final action on season regulations for small game, including the elimination of the additional permit required to hunt Greater prairie-chicken, expansion of the prairie-chicken hunting season on the eastern plains, and modification of units open to Greater sage-grouse hunting in western Colorado.
Also on the agenda is final action on migratory game bird regulations, including the establishment of hunt dates for 2011-2012 and designating waterfowl hunting zones for 2011 to 2015. In addition, the board is scheduled to vote in improving waterfowl hunting access at James M. Robb Colorado River State Park and Highline Lake State Park and increasing the bag limit on dark geese in the Pacific flyway portion of Colorado. The Board will also consider a citizen petition requesting that archery be allowed as a manner of take for kokanee salmon during the snagging season in areas open for snagging. Members will also receive a briefing on the start of the annual review of fishing regulations.
In other matters, an update on the future of Bonny Reservoir State Park will be presented by John Geerdes, the southeast regional manager for parks and Dan Prenzlow, the southeast regional manager for wildlife. Bonny Reservoir is scheduled to be drained this fall to satisfy Colorado’s obligations to deliver water to Kansas and Nebraska under the Republican River Compact.
Tom Morrissey, the state trails program manager, will provide an update on the OHV Enforcement Pilot Program run by the former Colorado State Parks. Friday’s meeting will be devoted to providing orientation to the members of the former Wildlife Commission and the former Parks Board about the operations of the agency, including the histories of Colorado State Parks and the Division of Wildlife, their missions, legal and statutory authorities, the regulatory process, strategic plans, field operations and other subjects.
The Parks and Wildlife Board will meet monthly and travel to communities around the state to facilitate public participation in its processes. The meeting schedule for the remainder of 2011 will be published after the meeting. The complete agenda for the July Parks and Wildlife Board’s meeting can be found on the Wildlife Commission web page at: http://wildlife.state.co.us/WildlifeCommission/Archives/2011/July7-82011.htm.
Members of the public who are unable to attend Board meetings or workshops can listen to the proceedings through a link on the Division of Wildlife website. This opportunity is provided to keep constituents better informed about the development of regulations by the Board and how they are working with Parks and Wildlife staff to manage parks, wildlife and outdoor recreation programs administered by the agency.
To access the live audio feed during the meeting, click on the “listen to live audio” link at the bottom of the Board webpage at: http://wildlife.state.co.us/WildlifeCommission/
The Colorado Parks and Wildlife Board is a 14-member board appointed by the governor that sets policies and regulations for the Colorado Division of Parks and Wildlife.
ROAD PROJECTS
The Colorado Department of Transportation is expected to finish up a few Northwest Colorado projects this month. A culvert replacement on Colorado Highway 13 just north of Craig has been going on for a couple of months now. There have been slight delays. Also expected to be finsihed this month is a chip seal project between Elk Springs and Maybell. One lane of alternating traffic is causing about 10 to 15 minutes worth of delay. Chip seal projects are also taking place on Colorado Highway 64 between Meeker and Rangely, causing similar delays. All of those projects are expected to be finished by the end of the month. A guardrail replacement and striping effort on Highway 40 over Muddy Pass will last through September.
