outdoors

Lack of investment in developing new varieties of millet and lack of new market creation has inhibited expansion of this crop. --Chris Stum, Towner

Colorado Parks and Wildlife is accepting applications for a two-year volunteer term for members of the statewide Colorado Sportsmen's Roundtable. In order to maintain regional representation on the Roundtable, CPW is seeking two members from the northwest region, one from the northeast, and three from the southwest. For details on regional boundaries, see a map of the regions at the CPW website.

Whether it is the early morning fog over the park, vivid summer sunsets or the beauty of a full moon rising, my "office" is an amazing place.

After 10 years a ranger at two Colorado state parks, I've learned no two days are the same, whether you are talking about the people, the weather or the activities that take place. A day in the life of a park ranger can bring everything from a pleasant campfire talk to a panic over a snake in a campground to a late-night fight and everything in between.

Attention hunters! The draw results for 2018 Colorado Sheep and Goat Hunting have been posted. Hunters who have applied for a license should receive a notification in their email inboxes Friday. Applicants who do not see an email can log into their Colorado Parks and Wildlife account at https://www.cpwshop.com and check for updated information.

Conditions Report - Statewide

Rivers and Creeks

Whitewater rafting and kayaking enthusiasts, who make the Arkansas River one of the most popular whitewater rivers in the nation, received good news this week from the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation (BOR), which manages flows in the river.

The BOR released its May forecast regarding the availability of water for the Voluntary Flow Management Program (VFMP) in the Arkansas River for the upcoming whitewater season and projected a minimum of 10,000 acre feet of water will be available for recreational purposes.

A new National Park Service report shows that 6,536 visitors to Sand Creek Massacre National Historic Site in 2017 spent $373,700 in communities near the park. That spending supported seven jobs in the local area and had a cumulative benefit to the local economy of $375,300.

With wildfires already burning homes in Colorado this spring, more than three-quarters of the state in drought conditions and a low snowpack, the possibility of a dangerous wildfire season looms in the minds of many residents. Now is an ideal time for homeowners living in the wildland-urban interface, public lands users and others to become more knowledgeable about how they can join in reducing wildfire risk.

Search and rescue experts from several area agencies plan to resume searching Lake Pueblo on Tuesday for a man in a small aluminum boat who went missing along the north shore of Lake Pueblo State Park.

The search began shortly after noon Monday following calls from witnesses who reported seeing a small boat, hearing a loud noise, then seeing the boat disappear and a man in the water several yards off shore, calling for help.

When the man didn't swim to shore, the witnesses, who were fishing on the shore, called 9-1-1 for help.

Colorado Governor John Hickenlooper along with the Denver Post Community Foundation, announced Kiowa, Bennett, and Limon as the host communities for this year's Pedal The Plains bike ride.

The 188-mile, three-day tour will take place Sept. 14 - 16. The 2018 Tour includes a new gravel century ride. Registration is now open online at www.pedaltheplains.com.