Over the River EIS Scheduled for May
CANON CITY – The U.S. Bureau of Land Management has indicated that the environmental impact statement for the proposed Christo and Jeanne-Claude art project, “Over the River,” will most likely be released in May. The EIS is required for any project that “significantly affecting the quality of the human environment,” by the National Environmental Policy Act.
Parlin P.O. May Close
PARLIN – The historic post office in Parlin, 12 miles east of Gunnison is being considered for closure by the U.S. Postal Service (USPS). The post office, which is located in the same building as the General Store and the office for QT Cabins is located at the intersection of County Road 76 and U.S. Hwy. 50, according to The Gunnison Country Times.
The post office is undergoing a “discontinuance study” by the cash-strapped USPS. Nearby Ohio City’s post office was closed in 2001. The office has been a transfer point for the area for 131 years. Local feedback is currently being gathered for submission to postal headquarters and an appeal can be made if the decision is made to close the facility.
Clueless Hikers Saved
LEADVILLE – Six hikers from the University of Illinois had to be rescued after attempting to climb Mt. Elbert in late March.
According to the Leadville Herald-Democrat, the would-be hikers had been warned by two local businesses not to attempt the hike but the warnings went unheeded. Reportedly, they attempting the climb wearing only cotton sweats.
The trouble started when one member of the party began feeling sick and started back down alone, eventually taking refuge in a hut. He then left the hut and began bushwhacking in an attempt to find the trail. When he could not find it he used his cellphone to call for help. Meanwhile the remaining members of the group separated and were met individually by members of search and rescue who were responding to the call from the first hiker. After about three hours he was also found, huddling in about three feet of snow. After being treated and brought down the mountain in the dark he refused further treatment. Other members of the ill-fated party were treated at St. Vincent Hospital in Leadville for hypothermia and altitude sickness.
Mount Elbert is the highest peak in the Rocky Mountains of North America at 14,440 feet.
Roadless Rule Proposed
The U.S. Forest Service has released a proposed roadless rule prohibiting road work, tree cutting and linear construction zones on more than four million acres of national forest, according to The Mountain Mail.
The rule would more than double what has been recommended by state officials. According to Rick Cables, U.S. Forest Service regional forester, the proposal would improve the roadless inventory by adding 409,000 roadless acres and removing 460,000 acres of substantially altered land.
A 90-day comment period on the proposal began on April 15. Environmental groups are concerned the new draft rule falls short of protecting some of the state’s roadless national forest land.
Bike Race Rebranded
DENVER – The international road bicycle race scheduled for Colorado this August has a new name.
The Quiznos Pro Challenge Race had its name changed to USA Pro Cycling Challenge by officials during a press conference in Denver in early April.
The also announced NBC television as the broadcast partner for the event, scheduled for Aug. 22-28. The Aug. 23 stage begins in Salida. Organizers said the name was changed to reflect the importance of the race, and that Quiznos, a submarine sandwich chain restaurant, is still the event’s founding partner.
Art Heist
SALIDA – Two paintings on exhibit at the Salida Library were stolen the weekend of April 2-3. The paintings by Salida artist Roberta Smith had been on display since March 1. Library director Jeff Donlan believes the artwork was stolen during business hours due to the lack of evidence of a forced entry. “We found the empty frames behind a radiator. We looked around in hidey-holes for the canvases but we haven’t found them.” said Donlan, according to The Mountain Mail. Anyone with information about the missing art should call Salida Police at 719-530-2600.
Millionaires for a Day
PUEBLO – A Pueblo couple woke up on a Sunday morning in April to discover they had won the Colorado Lottery drawing for $4.2 million. The problem was the local paper had printed the wrong numbers.
As it was a Sunday and the newspaper offices were closed the couple were not able to confirm the numbers. A retraction was published the following day.
“I woke up and found out we were millionaires,” Jim Sprague said. “(It was) a case of going from rags to riches and back to rags again,” according to a 9News story.
Terrapin Taken
COLORADO SPRINGS – An Indian Star tortoise may have been stolen from a hands-on exhibit at the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo. The tortoise, named Butti, was last seen during an educational presentation. Zoo officials feared someone may have just walked off with him. The 13-year-old tortoise is about the size of a grapefruit. A reward is being offered for his return.
Notable Quotes:
“My first reaction was to stay calm. I grabbed some towels, but there wasn’t time to get ready – it happened pretty quick.” – Poncha Springs handyman Michael Forro, who assisted in an emergency home delivery of newborn Malachi Nathaniel Christiansen on April 19. – The Mountain Mail, April 20, 2011.
It’s not some hippy-dippy earthy thing. It’s a reality. We’re running out of resources.” – Gunnison City Councillor Jonathan Houck, on a proposed solar easement requirement being discussed for new homes. – The Gunnison Country Times, April 7, 2011.
“Incidents can happen that you hope don’t happen, and it did happen.” – Lake County superintendent of schools Dr. Bette Kokenes, referring to the misadministration of state reading tests in the third-grade class which caused the scores to be thrown out. – Leadville Herald-Democrat, April 14, 2011
“It’s easy to be excited to see it happen to him because he is such a humble, good person and you want to pull for him.” – Buena Vista football coach Bob Marken speaking about B.V. High School grad Nate Solder, who is projected to be an NFL first-round draft pick. – The Chaffee County Times, April 7, 2011.
“A lot of people don’t realize how many spirits there really are wandering the streets of Leadville.” – Business owner Sherry Randall, who is sponsoring a visit to Leadville by a psychic medium and clairvoyant. – Leadville Herald-Democrat, April 7, 2011.
“People in other parts of the country and other parts of the world don’t realize that all these incredible places exist in one state. Salida and Gunnison – people will get to see how cool these towns are and that they’re right in there with all of these other remarkable places.” – Colorado Governor John Hickenlooper at a press conference for the USA Pro Cycling Challenge bicycle race. – The Mountain Mail, April 6, 2011.
