It’s not easily seen as you whiz by in a vehicle along Interstate 76 in Northeast Colorado. A fire ravaged the area in early March, killing cattle, decimating the rangeland, burning homes, structures, and farm equipment. But, rain in the area, as well as the proactive actions of local ranchers, have led to the slow beginning of recovery. Over 32,000 acres were impacted (larger than the size of Disney World, nearly double the size of Manhattan).
Sand Creek Massacre National Historic Site will host a special evening walking tour May 26 in observance of the Memorial Day weekend. The tour begins at 7:00 p.m.
Park staff will explore the night march of Colonel John Chivington and 675 troops of 1st and 3rd Regiments, Colorado (US) Cavalry, as they marched from Fort Lyon toward “Black Kettle’s Camp” along Big Sandy Creek.
Program length is two hours, with a round trip walk of approximately one mile. Participants should bring flashlights.
Cooler weather, accompanied by rain for eastern Colorado and a late-season snow storm for the western half of the state, will move in later Wednesday.
An Aurora fifth grade student submitted a poster that represented Colorado as part of the National Missing Children’s Day campaign sponsored by the United States Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Colorado Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
Emilina Varga, from the AXL Academy in Aurora, submitted a creative and colorful poster featuring a child holding a teddy bear while family and friends mourn the missing child. Colorado’s winning artwork was part of the DOJ national poster contest held in late April.
Spring has come to Colorado bringing blooms and rain showers, and of course the young wildlife of the year. As birds and mammals give birth, Colorado Parks and Wildlife wants to remind citizens that newborn wildlife may be found in backyards, along trails, or in open spaces. The best course of action is to leave them alone.
The Colorado Department of Agriculture is accepting listings for the 2017 Colorado Hay Directory. The annual publication connects hay producers with buyers.
“We receive calls from across the country requesting information about Colorado hay,” said Wendy White, marketing specialist for the Colorado Department of Agriculture. “This publication helps Colorado producers market their hay.”
The listing fee is $25, and the deadline is June 16, 2017. Forms are available at Colorado State University Extension offices or by contacting the Colorado Department of Agriculture.
Adobe Creek Reservoir
Anglers have been catching crappie, which have been consistently small in size, but most are catching 6 to 10 a day. There have also been some saugeye and largemouth being caught.
Two pet dogs have tested positive for rabies, one in Weld County and one in Yuma County. These are the first cases of rabies among dogs in Colorado since 2003, when a dog from Texas tested positive. The last time a dog was exposed and developed rabies in Colorado was 1974. All contacts of these two dogs have been identified and have sought appropriate care to prevent rabies; these animals did not create a risk to other members of the public.
This year, 34 rabid skunks have been confirmed in nine Colorado counties. The Colorado Department of Agriculture reminds pet and livestock owners that rabies is a deadly disease that can spread from skunks to other mammals and vaccination is the single best method to protect pets and livestock.
