Meeker

Discussion about leashing laws for Meeker’s parks

MEEKER | Meeker trustees’ first regular meeting of April included more discussions about Ute Park, specifically when it comes to allowing dogs. Meeker resident and landowner David Smith, who leases the park for his livestock, shared concerns with the board about potential conflicts between new calves and dogs in the park.

As part of a lease agreement with the town, Smith uses the property during calving season, which is currently in full swing. “Most people that know about cows would probably never take their dogs out there, I don’t take my dogs with me. I don’t take my dogs out when they’re calving, period,” said Smith. He also mentioned a few recent examples of people having unleashed dogs in the park, and requested the board install signage banning dogs from the park until calving season is over.

Smith also expressed concern over dogs chasing wildlife in the area, something that all residents should know is illegal and could result in action from the department of wildlife. According to state law, ranchers are allowed to kill dogs that chase or threaten their cattle, though Smith says he and others typically avoid going that far, instead working with animal control whenever possible.

Town Manager Lisa Cook pushed the board to make a decision about dogs in the park, which led to a broader discussion about dogs on leashes, having a designated place for people to “run” their dogs off-leash, and leash laws within the town itself.

Cook mentioned that according to the town’s lease agreement with Smith, park usage should be “limited” during the specified “calving-season” period, from Feb. 20 to May 15. “We’ve never done that in the past, but the lease or agreement does state that,” said Cook.

Many trustees were hesitant to outright ban dogs from the park, but agreed to the measure temporarily. Signage will be placed at the multiple park entrances with language stating ”Due to wildlife and calving operations, no dogs allowed from Feb. 20, through May 15.”

Cook also suggested that the board create more concrete rules for dogs in the park, including rules about leashes. The board will revisit the discussion on leashes and park rules at a future meeting.

The board also heard from Meeker business owner Vanessa Trout regarding a fermented malt beverage license application. Trout plans to open a new business in the same building as her current business (Blanco Cellars & The Little Cheese Shop).

“For the most part it’s just a place that people can go to get a fermented malt beverage, which includes beer, saké cider and cocktails made of malt beverage and small bites that include cheese from the cheese shop,” said Trout.

“The opportunity presented itself as there is an outdoor patio space in the back of the building,” she noted, adding the space will be open during the same hours as Blanco Cellars, and will stay open later on Thursday evenings.

The board set a public hearing for the application on April 18, at 7:15 p.m.

During other business the board:

  • Awarded bid of $31,000 for 2021 hot pour crack filling project to Rock Mountain Asphalt
  • Amended an ordinance to allow the town administrator to live within five miles of town limits, previously they were required to live in town.
  • Updated the town’s personnel policy to comply with healthy families workplaces act, which mandates paid sick leave for all employees including part time workers and requires employers to offer additional leave hours in the event of a public health emergency, among other requirements.
  • Gave an unofficial approval for the historical society to paint boot prints indicating the path of the 1896 bank robbery from the museum towards Market Street.

Mayor Kent Borchard said he spent the weekend in Grand Junction, and noticed many residents had large piles of trash on the sidewalk, spurring thoughts about renewing the town’s “spring cleanup day.” Trustees discussed education efforts to remind residents that Overton recycling can pick up certain items for a relatively low cost.

Town Manager Lisa Cook noted that the town received $1,955 from Pinnacle, their workman’s comp provider, and announced a reminder that the Land Use Code workshop will be next Tuesday, April 13, at 7 p.m. at the library.


By LUCAS TURNER | [email protected]om

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  • The 2024 Meeker High School boys basketball team held their awards banquet last week. Jace Mobley was named Player of the Western Slope League and all-conference, Ryan Sullivan all-conference, Jonathon Fitzgibbons all-conference, Ethan Quinn honorable mention all-conference, Jacob Simonsen honorable mention all conference. Mobley will play in All State games. Coach Klark Kindler was named Western Slope Coach of the Year. Left to right: Bryan Rosas, Simonsen, Quinn, Fitzgibbons, Mobley and Sullivan.
  • It's that time again! Another edition of great local news stories is 
🐰 Hopping 🐰 your way this morning! Catch up on everything thats 🐣 hatching 🐣 in Rio Blanco County this week.
Need a copy? Signing up is fast and easy! Visit our website at ht1885.com/subscribe to get a copy sent to your door every week! 
We appreciate all your continued support!
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Rio Blanco County and the White River and Douglas Creek Conservation Districts are still asking for your help to identify additional hatch-outs of crickets so that control efforts can be put in place. The success of the program will highly depend upon local landowners and the public helping to locate crickets as soon as they hatch.  See last week’s paper for a list of ways to help or contact the County Weed & Pest District at 970-878-9670 or the Conservation District office at 970-878-9838 with any questions. Website: www.WhiteRiverCD.com
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The 2024 Meeker High School boys basketball team held their awards banquet last week. Jace Mobley was named Player of the Western Slope League and all-conference, Ryan Sullivan all-conference, Jonathon Fitzgibbons all-conference, Ethan Quinn honorable mention all-conference, Jacob Simonsen honorable mention all conference. Mobley will play in All State games. Coach Klark Kindler was named Western Slope Coach of the Year. Left to right: Bryan Rosas, Simonsen, Quinn, Fitzgibbons, Mobley and Sullivan.
The 2024 Meeker High School boys basketball team held their awards banquet last week. Jace Mobley was named Player of the Western Slope League and all-conference, Ryan Sullivan all-conference, Jonathon Fitzgibbons all-conference, Ethan Quinn honorable mention all-conference, Jacob Simonsen honorable mention all conference. Mobley will play in All State games. Coach Klark Kindler was named Western Slope Coach of the Year. Left to right: Bryan Rosas, Simonsen, Quinn, Fitzgibbons, Mobley and Sullivan.
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It's that time again! Another edition of great local news stories is 
🐰 Hopping 🐰 your way this morning! Catch up on everything thats 🐣 hatching 🐣 in Rio Blanco County this week.
Need a copy? Signing up is fast and easy! Visit our website at ht1885.com/subscribe to get a copy sent to your door every week! 
We appreciate all your continued support!
It's that time again! Another edition of great local news stories is 🐰 Hopping 🐰 your way this morning! Catch up on everything thats 🐣 hatching 🐣 in Rio Blanco County this week. Need a copy? Signing up is fast and easy! Visit our website at ht1885.com/subscribe to get a copy sent to your door every week! We appreciate all your continued support!
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Rio Blanco County and the White River and Douglas Creek Conservation Districts are still asking for your help to identify additional hatch-outs of crickets so that control efforts can be put in place. The success of the program will highly depend upon local landowners and the public helping to locate crickets as soon as they hatch.  See last week’s paper for a list of ways to help or contact the County Weed & Pest District at 970-878-9670 or the Conservation District office at 970-878-9838 with any questions. Website: www.WhiteRiverCD.com
Mormon crickets have hatched near Rangely. They were all sighted on BLM land north of Hwy. 64 near the junction of CR 96 and CR 1, down a dirt road near the Moffat County line. The picture shown was taken yesterday by Mary Meinen from Rangely. She says the crickets are about the size of a ladybug (less than 1/2”). Some of them are actually yellow in color but most of them are darker. They are milling around and getting ready to start moving soon. Note: Photo is not to scale. Rio Blanco County and the White River and Douglas Creek Conservation Districts are still asking for your help to identify additional hatch-outs of crickets so that control efforts can be put in place. The success of the program will highly depend upon local landowners and the public helping to locate crickets as soon as they hatch. See last week’s paper for a list of ways to help or contact the County Weed & Pest District at 970-878-9670 or the Conservation District office at 970-878-9838 with any questions. Website: www.WhiteRiverCD.com
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Meeker FFA Chapter members competed at the District Leadership Development Event in Craig, Colorado, this month. Top row from left to right: Eva Scritchfield, Charlie Rogers, Alan Rivera, Trent Sanders, Koy Weber, Orion Musser, Said Rodriguez, Carlos Carrillo, Aidan Tapia, Hayden Garcia, Tristan Rollins, Mathew Willey, Quentin Simpson. Middle row: Sidney Keetch, Aurora Stallings, Sydnie Ross, Ava Nay, Lili Piper, Leah Wood. Bottom Row: Jaicee Simmons, Kailynn Watson, Cody Richardson, Kayla Castillo, Braydin Raley, Autumn Stallings, Aimee Shults, Emily Hamm. Read the full story online at ht1885.com.
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A crew from the Flat Tops Chapter of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation joined forces last summer to remove obsolete fences to improve habitat for wildlife. Read the full story and the foundation’s update from their 30th Anniversary meeting in this week’s edition and online at ht1885.com.
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