life
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Federal judge advances retaliation-related claims of Castle Rock employee
A federal judge on Thursday largely declined to dismiss multiple retaliation-related claims from a Castle Rock employee, while cautioning that the discovery of evidence would shed light on the circumstances surrounding the town’s actions. Matthew Gasser, a senior athletics supervisor, alleged Castle Rock learned in summer 2023 that an employee may have manipulated certain receipts…
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Cloning: The latest in black-footed ferret recovery in Colorado and beyond
For years, Colorado Parks and Wildlife officers have driven out to the eastern plains in the middle of the night, a predator’s hunting hours, in hopes of spotting a pair of green, gleaming eyes. Officers are expected to do just that sometime next year, out on a sweeping ranch near Lamar. This is where they…
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Protection or overreach? In western Colorado, national monument proposal ignites controversy
Sean Pond was around a small town of his native western Colorado when he spotted a man in a blue ball cap. Above the bill were the words at the center of an ongoing controversy: “PROTECT THE DOLORES.” Pond approached the man. “He said someone at REI just gave it to him and he liked…
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New tribal liaison in southern Colorado: ‘You are responsible for learning this history’
When Jason Herbert is meeting with tribal members on their lands, he prefers not to wear his U.S. Forest Service uniform, despite whatever agency guidelines suggest in the case of official business. “It’s not disrespect to the Forest Service. I’m really proud to work for the Forest Service,” Herbert says. It’s just that he knows…
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New tribal liaison in southern Colorado: ‘You are responsible for learning this history’
When Jason Herbert is meeting with tribal members on their lands, he prefers not to wear his U.S. Forest Service uniform, despite whatever agency guidelines suggest in the case of official business. “It’s not disrespect to the Forest Service. I’m really proud to work for the Forest Service,” Herbert says. It’s just that he knows…
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Plan calls for more protection of scenic, recreation areas in large swath of Colorado
The Bureau of Land Management has released a plan to manage a vast mosaic of canyonlands, grasslands and mountains in southern, central and eastern Colorado. In the works for close to a decade, the plan is officially called the Eastern Colorado Resource Management Plan. “Eastern” might be deceiving; the focus area spans beyond the plains…
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Goats help Colorado Springs property owners with fire mitigation
A herd of hungry firefighters is getting antsy in a trailer off Old Ranch Road in northern Colorado Springs. It’s mid-morning, and more than 40 goats are backed up to a 5-acre lot lush with weeds, grass, yucca and scrub oak – a scrumptious buffet for goats, but worrisome fire fuel for homeowners. Kimberly Jones,…
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Free fishing weekend coming soon in Colorado
No fishing license? For one weekend only in Colorado, no problem. Colorado Parks and Wildlife will be hosting its annual Free Fishing Weekend on June 3 and 4 – two days when residents and visitors are invited to try their hand at the sport. The agency maintains a web page for those interested in participating, with…
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Free day coming up at national parks in Colorado
A visit to one of America’s highest-regarded natural treasures is one way to celebrate Earth Day. Even better: You can do it while saving money. Earth Day is April 22, which happens to coincide with the start of National Park Week. It’s one of the few days on the year when the National Park Service…
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Mountain kayaks, cardboard races, pond splashes: Spring around Colorado ski resorts
It’s only fitting the powder-packed ski season that was 2022-’23 goes out with a bang. Or, more specifically, a splash. Pond-skimming is but one tradition of closing festivities across ski country in the spring. Here’s a look at other happenings: Arapahoe Basin: A nod to the parking lot that takes on a summery scene, the…