Arapaho & Roosevelt National Forests
Pawnee National Grassland

Local News Releases 2006

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Volunteer Coordinator Recognized (December 15, 2006) - Several Forest Service partners and employees received the highest recognition by the Rocky Mountain Region on Wednesday evening, including Canyon Lakes Ranger District’s Volunteer Coordinator Kristy Wumkes.

Forest Employees Honored by Regional Forester (December 15, 2006) - On Wednesday evening Robin Winston, Mike Foley, Kim Obele, Beth Humphrey, Randy Reichert, Kristy Wumkes and Todd Hess, employees of the Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests and Pawnee National Grassland, were honored for their extraordinary service by Regional Forester Rick Cables.

New Hazards on Shadow Mountain Lake (December 13, 2006) - Due to the freezing and thawing action of the recent drawdown at Shadow Mountain Lake stumps and other debris have come to the surface and are frozen in and sticking out of the ice.

Forest Service Trailer Burned (December 12, 2006) - Sunday morning at approximately 7:30 a.m. U.S. Forest Service (USFS) personnel arrived at the junction of County Roads 69 and 68C south of Red Feather Lakes, Colo., to discover a USFS trailer had been burned.

Last Weekend to Cut Your Tree (December 7, 2006) - This is the last weekend to bring your friends and family to the Canyon Lakes Ranger District of the Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests to find your Christmas tree this holiday season.

Forest Service Stuyding Proposed Communications Facility Atop Middle Bald Mountain (December 1, 2006) - The U.S. Forest Service is conducting an environmental analysis of a Larimer County proposal to place a radio communications facility at the top of 11,000-foot Middle Bald Mountain, about 40 miles northwest of Ft. Collins.

Christmas Trees on Sale This Weekend (December 1, 2006) - Bring your friends and family to the Canyon Lakes Ranger District of the Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests to find your Christmas tree this holiday season.

Christmas Tree Cutting Time Nears… (November 22, 2006) - The USDA Forest Service will offer Christmas tree cutting opportunities again this year from Dec. 2-10 at the Elk Creek Christmas tree cutting area near Fraser.

Canyon Lakes Ranger District Christmas Tree Sales (November 22, 2006) - The Canyon Lakes Ranger District of the Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests is selling Christmas tree permits for its annual sale near Red Feather Lakes, Colo.

Great Holiday Gifts at Your National Forest Visitor Center (November 21, 2006) - From Dec. 4 – Dec. 8, Forest Service Visitor Centers on the Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests will be offering discounts on the perfect gift for introducing your children to nature, or helping loved ones find their way in the woods.

Loch Lomond Road Closed to Protect Resources (November 20, 2006)- Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests and Pawnee National Grassland Acting Forest Supervisor Howard Sargent signed an order closing approximately two miles of the Loch Lomond access road located just outside the town of Alice for the winter to prevent further resource damage to wetlands, streams, soils and alpine tundra. Snowmobiles are exempt from this order and can still use this area.

Berthoud Pass Remains Closed to Sledding Because of Serious Accidents (November 16, 2006)-Serious sledding accidents caused Forest Service officials to prohibit sledding at the former Berthoud Pass ski area on the Continental Divide in 2005 and the area remains closed to sledding.

Cameron Pass Nordic Rangers Aim to Break 60 Members (October 31, 2006) - The Cameron Pass Nordic Rangers are seeking volunteers for the 2006-2007 season and are kicking the season off on November 15, 2006.

USFS Public Meeting: Thompson River Fuels Reduction Project (October 25, 2006) - The U.S. Forest Service (USFS) is encouraging community participation at a November 6, 2006, public meeting in Estes Park to discuss proposed treatments for the Thompson River Fuels Reduction Project.

Prairie Dog Management Decision Made for the Pawnee National Grassland (October 18, 2006) - District Ranger Steve Currey has signed a decision about management and conservation strategies for black-tailed prairie dogs and their habitat on the Pawnee National Grassland (PNG) located in Weld County, north of Greeley.

Shadow Mountain Lake Drawdown Begins on Monday (October 13, 2006) - Beginning Monday, Oct. 16 the USDA Forest Service together with the Bureau of Reclamation, Northern Colorado Water Conservancy District, Three Lakes Watershed Association, Western Area Power Administration and Grand County will be lowering the water level of Shadow Mountain Lake to kill aquatic weeds.

Shadow Mountain Lake Level to be Lowered For Weed Control (September 28, 2006) — Beginning the week of Oct. 15, the USDA Forest Service together with the Bureau of Reclamation, Northern Colorado Water Conservancy District, Three Lakes Watershed Association, Western Area Power Administration and Grand County will be lowering the water level of Shadow Mountain Lake to kill aquatic weeds.

4-legged Friends Like the Woods Too (September 25, 2006) - Humans aren’t the only ones who enjoy spending time in the beautiful outdoors. Dogs like hikes too and there is an abundance of places you and your dog can enjoy on the Canyon Lakes Ranger District.

Dowdy Campground and Day-use Open Ahead of Schedule (September 20, 2006) - The Dowdy Campground and Day-use Area near Red Feather Lakes, Colo., will open September 22 after a closure for reconstruction.

Grassland Fire Restrictions Lifted (August 29, 2006) - The Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests and Pawnee National Grassland (ARP) lifted campfire and smoking restrictions Monday for the Pawnee National Grassland.

Grassland to Host Open House to Answer Questions and Take Comments on Prairie Dog
Management Environmental Assessment (August 29, 2006) - The Pawnee National Grassland is hosting an open house to answer any questions the public may have on the recently released environmental assessment (EA) for proposed management strategies of black-tailed prairie dog and their habitat.

Volunteers Work at Historical Site (August 7, 2006) - Five volunteers and three USDA Forest Service (USFS) employees will spend this week working in the Old Roach historic area of the Canyon Lakes Ranger District.

Volunteers to Restore Historic Bridge Near Empire (August 4, 2006) - On August 5, volunteers partnering with the USDA Forest Service, the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) and Partners for Access to the Woods (PAWS) will rehabilitate the stonework on the historic Hoop Creek Bridge.

Three Campsites in the Poudre Canyon Now Reservable (August 1, 2006) - Three additional campgrounds in the Poudre Canyon are on the reservation system as of August 1, 2006, Ansel Watrous, Stove Prairie and Narrows.

Fire Restrictions Lifted On Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests (July 27, 2006) - On July 27, Jackie Parks acting forest supervisor on the Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests and Pawnee National Grassland signed an order lifting fire restrictions on the Forests, but keeping restrictions in place on the Grassland.

Dowdy Lake Area Reconstruction on Schedule (July 21, 2006) - Reconstruction activities in the Dowdy Lake Campground and Day-use Area, near Red Feather Lakes, Colo., are on schedule. The entire area remains closed.

Fire Danger on the Rise with Hot, Dry Weather (July 20, 2006) - The recent record-setting heat has rapidly dried out vegetation in the national forest, increasing fire danger. It is important for visitors to know that fire restrictions are still in effect.

Fire Restrictions in Place on the Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests and Pawnee National Grassland (June 27, 2006) - Acting Forest Supervisor Jackie Parks issued fire restrictions, which prohibit building or maintaining open fires or campfires and restricts smoking on National Forest System lands in Boulder, Larimer, Clear Creek, Jefferson, Grand, Weld and Gilpin counties.

USFS to Host Open House: Prescribed Fire on the PNG (June 15, 2006) - The U.S. Forest Service is encouraging community participation at an open house to discuss the use of prescribed fire on the Pawnee National Grassland (PNG). The open house will be held at the Ault School Administrative Building, located at 210 W. First Street, Ault, Colo., starting at 6 p.m., June 22, 2006. The public can stop by anytime between 6 and 8 p.m.

Dowdy Lake Day-use Area and Campground Closed (June 14, 2006) - The Dowdy Lake Day-use Area, near Red Feather Lakes, Colo., will be closed July 7, 2006, through January 1, 2007. The Dowdy Lake Campground is already closed and will remain closed until January 1, 2007. Both areas are closed to help protect life and property during reconstruction.

Fire Restrictions in Place on the Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests (June 13, 2006) - Acting Forest Supervisor Jackie Parks issued fire restrictions, which prohibit building or maintaining open fires or campfires and restricts smoking on National Forest System lands in Boulder, Larimer, Clear Creek, Jefferson and Gilpin counties.

Greyrock Mountain National Trails Day Event (May 31, 2006) - The Canyon Lakes Ranger District, along with the Colorado Mountain Club, is hosting trail maintenance on the Greyrock Mountain Trail for National Trails Day June 3, 2006.

6191 acres planned for Pawnee National Grassland Prescribed Fire (March 28, 2006) - The U.S. Forest Service is planning to burn as many as 6191 acres on the Pawnee National Grassland starting Wednesday and continuing through the week and weekend. Smoke may be visible in Greeley and surrounding communities.

Forest Service Reopens Climbing Areas in Boulder Canyon (March 10, 2006)– The Forest Service has reopened certain climbing areas in Boulder Canyon, recently closed to protect birds of prey during their nesting season. Security Risk, Blob Rock, and Bitty Buttress are now open to climbing and other activities. These areas are located along State Highway 119 and within approximately one and one-half miles east of Boulder Falls.

The Eagle Rock area remains closed to climbing and other activities and is expected to remain closed through July 31, 2006.

Clear Creek Dude Ranch Permit Will Not Be Re-issued (February 21,2006) - Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forest and Pawnee National Grassland Forest Supervisor Jim Bedwell has decided not to re-issue the permit to operate the Clear Creek Dude Ranch (CCDR), located on the Clear Creek Ranger District near Idaho Springs.

Boulder Ranger District Implements Seasonal Area Closures in Boulder Canyon to Protect Nesting Raptors (January 31, 2006) - Certain rock climbing areas on National Forest System lands in Boulder Canyon will be closed to all access beginning February 1. These closures protect long-established golden eagle territory, including valuable alternate nest sites. Undisturbed access to alternate nest sites is important for birds of prey early in the nesting season, to give them a chance to use different nests during courtship and to select a nest site for the season free of human influence.

Clear Creek District Ranger Daniel Lovato Heads to the State Capitol and Andrew Archuleta Named Acting District Ranger (January, 20, 2006) - Clear Creek District Ranger Daniel Lovato is taking a temporary assignment as the USDA Forest Service’s liaison to the Colorado state legislature for the next four months. Andrew Archuleta will be acting district ranger while Lovato works at the state capitol in Denver. Archuleta is currently the program manager for the abandoned mines program on the Arapaho Roosevelt National Forest and Pawnee National Grassland.

Weather Increases Fire Danger; Firefighters Brought Back (January 11, 2006) - Fire danger is threatening the Front Range and in response to recent wildfires and weather conditions, the Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests and Pawnee National Grassland is activating four fire engines to patrol higher risk areas and be available to quickly respond to wildfires on national forest lands.

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Last modified December 15, 2006