County

Parks board approves changes

RBC I The Colorado State Parks board voted to reduce the discounts offered to Colorado residents 64 and older. Under the changes, which go into effect June 30, 2011, seniors will receive less of a discount on the Aspen Leaf Annual Pass and on Aspen Leaf camping fees. The prices of an Aspen Leaf Lifetime Pass, created by the Colorado Legislature, will also increase.
The Aspen Leaf discounts will be reduced because Colorado State Parks will receive no general tax dollars and substantially less support from severance tax dollars as of June 30, 2011. To prepare for the loss of general tax and severance tax dollars, the parks board approved a financial plan in November 2010, including 10 strategies to reduce spending and increase revenues. Reducing the Aspen Leaf discounts was one of those strategies slated to be implemented this year.
“We value all park visitors and have reluctantly reduced discounts for seniors to address the state’s budget cuts,” said Gary Butterworth, chairman of the Colorado State Parks Board. “Reducing the Aspen Leaf discounts for seniors is a last resort. We tried to protect the senior discounts as long as possible, just as we have tried to avoid park closures. We approved these reductions purely out of necessity.”
Colorado State Parks has raised fees for all park visitors in the last few years to offset the dramatic drop in funding from the legislature. During that time, Colorado State Parks continued to offer seniors a 50 percent discount on the Aspen Leaf Annual Pass.
Starting July 1, 2011, Colorado residents 64 years and older will receive a $10 discount on the Aspen Leaf Annual Pass, which will cost $60. The fee for the standard annual pass is $70. Seniors will receive a $3 discount on all camping, from tent sites to full service RV hookups, Sunday through Thursday evenings, excluding holidays.
The Lifetime Pass was created by the Legislature with the fee amount, set by the Parks board, not to exceed five times the cost of the Aspen Leaf Annual Pass. Under the increase, the Aspen Leaf Annual Pass will cost $60 and the charge for the Lifetime Pass will be $300.
While these discounts aren’t as low as those offered by the National Park Service and the U.S. Forest Service, both those agencies receive support from the federal budget. Nationally, 22 other states do not offer any discount on state park fees to seniors.
For additional information, please visit the Colorado State Parks website, www.parks.state.co.us and click on the “Proposed Fee Changes” near the top of the page.
Colorado State Parks get everyone outdoors! Attracting more than 12 million visitors per year, Colorado’s 42 state parks are a vital cornerstone of Colorado’s economy and quality of life. Colorado State Parks encompass 224,447 land and water acres, offering some of the best outdoor recreation destinations in the state. Colorado State Parks is a leader in providing opportunities for outdoor recreation, protecting the state’s favorite landscapes, teaching generations about nature and partnering with communities. Colorado State Parks also manage more than 4,300 campsites, and 63 cabins and yurts. For more information on Colorado State Parks or to purchase an annual pass online, visit www.parks.state.co.us.

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It’s getting late, do you know where your kids are? Read all the Rio Happenings for this week in print or online at ht1885.com.
It’s getting late, do you know where your kids are? Read all the Rio Happenings for this week in print or online at ht1885.com.
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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
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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4 days ago
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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.
4 days ago
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Cowboy Carson Klinzmann on the mound for Meeker at Suplizio Field in Grand Junction last Saturday. Meeker took on the 4A Rifle Bears, losing 11-1, and the Basalt Longhorns, losing 7-3. Read the recap online at ht1885.com.
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