by Chris Murray The Nevada softball team's Mountain West regular-season championship this season could mean an upcoming upgrade at Hixson Park Nevada is expected to host the 2026 conference tournament as that honor goes to the previous season's champion if approved by the MW's joint counsel (San Diego State will host this week's tournament) something it has lacked since Hixson Park opened in 2007 In anticipation of winning this year's regular-season championship Nevada had been planning on the addition of lights and is hopeful it can secure the funding to host next year's tournament in what would be a $1 million-plus stadium upgrade Nevada softball got a new $2.9 million artificial playing surface it needs more money to get the lights in place "We've put the money into the field," Nevada athletic director Stephanie Rempe said We have to figure out a way to raise that money over the next couple of months All of those things we need to do to demonstrate that we're committed to softball and that we are a place to be for a softball program people are hanging all over because there's not enough seats Softball is big in this part of the country and we need to continue to invest and show that we are a strong program and Victoria (Hayward) is putting us on the map "No question that we need this community to help support us We've obviously been talking about it for a couple of weeks now and people are very interested in helping and trying to figure out how we can do this The softball alums that have been around have been excited and they want to do what they can to help we need our community to step up for sure." The new playing surface was phase one of the Hixson renovation with two phases to follow This year's MW title adds urgency to get the funding to complete the lights portion of the secondary phases as the Wolf Pack's ability to host next year's conference tournament hinges on it "Getting lights here is the next big thing and opportunity," Nevada president Brian Sandoval said and it's probably one of the nicest playing surfaces that you can find How great would it be to host the Mountain West Championship next year?" Ground is scheduled to break on San Bruno Mountain’s Day Use Area improvements Construction crews are expected to begin work in May or June and will continue through August 2025 During that time nine new picnic areas (six of which will be accessible), a new accessible restroom, and interpretive displays will be built around the field near the main parking lot located in the Saddle area of the park. View the Day Use Improvement Concept which is based on input San Mateo County Parks received during a community survey process from 2022 to 2023 For more information on the closure, see the San Bruno Mountain Park advisory and Locust Fork swept their area tournaments earning a seat in this week’s regional tournament Cleveland’s second place finish in their area tournament puts them in the regional tournament News | May 1 Rocky Mountain National Park’s 2025 timed-entry reservation system will open Thursday This is the public’s first opportunity for permits to access the park from May 23 through June 30 Subsequent rounds of reservations will occur on the first of every month through September.  Timed-entry reservations will be required to enter the park from May 23 through Oct with timed entry to the Bear Lake Road Corridor running until Oct Park officials say that the system manages day-use visitor access to protect the park’s resources, maintain a positive visitor experience, promote safety and support the park’s ability to maintain daily operations. It was formally established through the Day Use Visitor Access Plan, which was finalized in May 2024 The 2025 system will operate similarly to the 2024 system One permit will be for the Bear Lake Road Corridor which includes the entire corridor as well as the rest of the park This reservation period will be from 5 a.m meaning a reservation is needed to enter the Bear Lake Corridor between those times The second permit will be for the rest of the park and excludes the Bear Lake Road corridor This second reservation period will be from 9 a.m and permits will allow park visitors to enter the park within two-hour windows of availability There is no set time for departure with these permits.  The only cost associated with booking a reservation is a $2 processing fee at Recreation.gov Rocky Mountain National Park is one of the most visited national parks In 2022 the park received 4.3 million visits Even with a pilot vehicle reservation timed entry system in place the park received some of the highest visitation in its history For more information, visit http://www.nps.gov/romo. The Sky-Hi News strives to deliver powerful stories that spark emotion and focus on the place we live. Over the past year, contributions from readers like you helped to fund some of our most important reporting, including coverage of the East Troublesome Fire. If you value local journalism, consider making a contribution to our newsroom in support of the work we do. Share your photos on Instagram using #exploregrand or #skyhinews. During a Huerfano County meeting in late February community members expressed worries about rumors regarding the possibility of a developer building a tiny home project at the park or even the possibility that the county would sell the park outright Many also sent letters to the county commissioners, including the Cuchara Foundation which originally purchased the park and donated it to the county The letter from the foundation said in part: representatives from the Cuchara Foundation met with Buckhorn Ridge Outfitters during which the development plan was shared with our Board We were dismayed to learn of the proposal to construct 20 tiny home lodging units and other commercial amenities within the park This plan directly contradicts the original intent of maintaining the park as a public space free from commercial exploitation…It has come to our attention that the Huerfano County Commissioners are now attempting to finalize a lease agreement with the developer without opening the process for public comment.” county resident Jessica Loveless said she and others are concerned about how a new development might affect the small Cuchara community she also wants to see economic development in the area.“I've always loved Cuchara,” she said “I grew up coming here every year and now we live here I'm all for someone investing into the community and growth and development.” Loveless said the community simply wants to know what’s going on Commissioner Karl Sporleder said there’d been a lot of rumors and misinformation about the development “There's nothing that has been set in stone,” he said “We do not have contracts to sell anything.” Sporleder said before any kind of commercial development were to happen Buckhorn and other interested parties to work together to come up with a plan Other local residents spoke about their concerns at the meeting while others said they supported the idea of a private developer’s involvement in the park two grants from other agencies totaling $350,000 are helping to fund park operations as well as ski and bike programs for children from Huerfano and Las Animas counties These grants are in addition to the grant supporting getting the ski lift running and other repairs.Ken Clayton a volunteer with the Panadero Ski Corporation said they expect to have the lift open for skiers and snowboarders in time for next winter But he also said that the ski bus has been pretty popular “We won’t send it back to the scrap yard,” he said “I would imagine that there will be days every season where we bust out the ski bus and let people have some fun on it.” A long term contract between the county and Panadero Ski Corporation to continue running the park has been pending since last year as various details are worked out. Meanwhile, an effort last year to transfer ownership of the park from the county back to the Cuchara Foundation was never finalized Southern Colorado is changing a lot these days Sign up for the KRCC Weekly Digest here and get the stories that matter to Southern Colorado Colorado Postcards are snapshots of our colorful state in sound. They give brief insights into our people and places, our flora and fauna, and our past and present, from every corner of Colorado. Listen now. Contact KRCCFCC Applications & FilesFacebookInstagramNews That Matters © 2025 Colorado Public Radio. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy Vail wants the Utah Court of Appeals to overturn a 2022 Park City Planning Commission’s decision to revoke a permit to upgrade the Silverlode and Eagle chair lifts after four residents filed an appeal when a district court judge said there were reasonable doubts about the project’s parking plan said the commission’s assessment of the resort’s parking plan went beyond the scope of their role That’s where Judge Amy Oliver said she saw a “disconnect.” and it was modified to add additional requirements,” Oliver said “So it seems that there’s a big disconnect to say Cooke said the resort was trying to be good partners with the city “I think it’s a matter of no good deed goes unpunished,” he said “The planning director and its staff asked Park City Mountain to submit a parking mitigation plan Park City Mountain wants to improve these lifts It wants to continually improve the mountain Oliver’s focus on parking came near the end of an hour-long hearing before a panel of three judges It wasn’t immediately clear Tuesday when the court would issue a decision Attorney Lara Swenson represented Park City Municipal at Tuesday’s hearing Swenson said Park City Mountain has had several years to ask the city for a conditional use permit to upgrade its lifts rather than seek an expedited administrative process Swenson pointed judges to the 1998 agreement governing future resort development that City Hall struck with POWDR In that agreement is a “Mountain Upgrade Plan” that establishes an expedited review process for essentially pre-approved lift projects in which the resort could sidestep the planning commission and get administrative approval from the planning director Park City Mountain is required to meet several standards to win approval under that process Residents appealed former Park City Planning Director Gretchen Milliken’s initial approval of the lift project claiming it did not comply with the standards set out in the 1998 agreement the planning commission determined that the project failed to meet two standards Park City Mountain Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Deirdra Walsh said: "We believe the Planning Commission’s decision to revoke our permit was wrong These investments in state-of-the-art lifts were intended to improve the guest experience by allowing skiers and riders to get up the hill faster while reducing congestion in the Mountain Village base area These improvements were requested by guests and the community alike." who will dispense advice for campers.While the summer camp prioritizes youngsters have two weeks of adult sessions where skiers and snowboarders 18 and older can work on their freestyle skills also plan to stay open for part of next month launches the second part of its video introduction today “Standing on the Shoulders of Innovators." It's an ode to the trail designers and builders who have built the lift-serviced bike park that opens June 21 “A question to ponder: Which came first or the legendary trail?" the video existentially asks Trail building at RED Mountain Resort Calling trail builders the "innovators of evolution," the 2.5-minute long video is filled with quick-cut scenes of riders ripping this bermy beauty that has us booking tickets to Rossland It also shows the workers who have made North America's newest bike park a reality "Red isn’t just chasing adrenaline it’s betting big on four-season adventure This multi-million-dollar move is about more than bikes: it's tourism and putting Rossland on the map as a year-round basecamp for the outdoor-obsessed there’s a shiny new rental fleet at the base so no excuses if your rig’s in the shop (or if you just want to try something fresh) Partnering with Whistler-based trail building company Gravity Logic the new bike park is designed to appeal to both first-time downhillers and professional athletes Bike Park map of RED Mountain Resort "Phase One opens with a mix of new and reimagined trails accessible via the Silverlode Chair," reads a Red Mountain press release "Whether you're new to the sport or a seasoned shredder chasing airtime there’s a line with your name on it Red and Gravity Logic have locked in on progression with personality—expect flow "This park isn’t here to replace Rossland’s existing trail network, it’s here to amplify it. The town’s already legendary singletrack (thanks to the Kootenay Columbia Trails Society) blends seamlessly with the new lift-served terrain creating a two-wheeled paradise where you can crank out DH laps in the morning and dive into backcountry loam in the afternoon." The first phase of the bike park will include the Silverlode Chair that will carry riders 624 vertical feet to the top of the park Riders then will have a choice of 15 trails: one green dining and accommodations are available at the base area A Fort Collins cyclist died April 27 after being hit by a motorcycle on Larimer County Road 38E west of Fort Collins, near Horsetooth Mountain Open Space. A crash at 38E and Milner Mountain Ranch Road happened around 1:15 p.m., according to the PulsePoint app that tracks the dispatch of Poudre Fire Authority units. A 61-year-old man was driving a Honda motorcycle eastbound on 38E and passed another motorcycle as he approached a left-hand curve, Colorado State Patrol Trooper Gabriel Moltrer told the Coloradoan. He was unable to negotiate the curve and drove onto the right shoulder, where he collided with a 68-year-old man riding a Trek bicycle, Moltrer said. After the impact, the Honda came to rest on the left side of the road. The driver of the motorcycle had serious injuries and was transported to the hospital. The bicyclist was pronounced dead at the scene. The state patrol did not release the identity of the person who died. The Larimer County Coroner's Office will release it after notifications have been made. Both people involved are Fort Collins residents. Anyone who witnessed the crash and has not yet spoken to investigators are asked to call the Colorado State Patrol Dispatch at 303-239-4501 and reference case number VC250133. This story was updated to add new information. Key to the transformation is the major expansion and development of the lake as a beautiful reflecting surface and ecologically diverse complement to the mountain. Urban runoff flows through wetland terraces and cypress forests to elevate water quality suitable for human contact, hence the thriving small boat program that creates a sociable replacement for the amusement park. A modern forest meditation by local composer Yifang Han will fill the space of a pavilion along the promenade At a terraced wood deck overhanging the lake edge one will hear a traditional/modern composition including sounds of the old amusement park The work is composed and performed by The Kronos Quartet in collaboration with famed Pipa player You'll now receive updates based on what you follow Personalize your stream and start following your favorite authors If you have done all of this and still can't find the email An investigation by the Tennessee Comptroller’s Office has resulted in the indictment of Mark Kilgore the former Program Coordinator for the City of Kingsport’s Bays Mountain Park & Planetarium (BMPP) The investigation began after City of Kingsport officials reported questionable transactions to the Comptroller’s Office misappropriated at least $31,370 in cash from parking fees collected by BMPP employees Investigators determined that Kilgore altered cash collection totals on daily gate house deposit sheets and removed the cash before it was deposited Kilgore concealed these alterations by voiding cash receipts in the city’s receipt system predominantly using other employees’ access information This allowed deposits to match receipt system daily collection totals investigators identified other questionable voided receipts totaling $19,250 Due to a lack of documentation supporting voided receipts and management oversight investigators were unable to determine if these voided receipts were for authorized and appropriate purposes Mark Kilgore’s employment with the City of Kingsport was terminated on February 23 the Sullivan County Grand Jury indicted Mark Kilgore for one count of theft of $10,000 or more one count of violation of the Tennessee Personal and Commercial Computer Act of 2003 “City officials should ensure they provide oversight to the people responsible for preparing deposits,” said Comptroller Mumpower “Kilgore was responsible for preparing daily deposits Allowing one person to have exclusive control over all financial duties increases the risk of fraud To view the investigative report, go to tncot.cc/doireports. To view a map depicting Comptroller investigations, go to tncot.cc/mappinginvestigations If you suspect fraud, waste, or abuse of public money in Tennessee, call the Comptroller’s toll-free hotline at 800.232.5454, or file a report online at: tncot.cc/fraud. Follow us on X/Twitter @TNCOT and Instagram @tncot Media contact: John Dunn, Director of Communications, 615.401.7755 or john.dunn@cot.tn.gov News | Apr 25 Mountain Parks Electric scholarship awarded scholarships to 28 applicants on April 26 According to a news release from the company The scholarship recipients received recognition at Mountain Park’s 75th annual meeting at Middle Park High School in Granby Attendees at the meeting celebrated the students’ achievements the winning applicants shared stories of how in their childhoods they have overcome challenges and sometimes tragedies but their hopes and dreams have remained in focus and were even inspired and enriched by their life experiences,” Mountain Parks Electric stated the students will enter a “wide range of fields that include aerospace engineering Mountain Parks Electric stated that the volunteer scholarship committee “had a challenging task this year as they had more than 50 scholarship applications to review.” Its scholarship committee utilized the total annual budget of $75,000 for academic scholarships which is the standard scholarship for students continuing their post-secondary education two Grand County students received trade school scholarships recipients included 14 Middle Park High School students five West Grand High School students and four Jackson County students who attend North Park High School Also included in the recipients were four non-traditional students or those continuing in their college programs MPE expanded the scholarship program to include three categories — academic applications will be accepted in the trade school and energy industry categories through 2025 Visit MPEI.com/scholarships to learn more about the program or apply The Sky-Hi News strives to deliver powerful stories that spark emotion and focus on the place we live contributions from readers like you helped to fund some of our most important reporting including coverage of the East Troublesome Fire consider making a contribution to our newsroom in support of the work we do Share your photos on Instagram using #exploregrand or #skyhinews Densmore Mountain… North America’s tallest peak has gone by many names While the name of the mountain and the name of the park have changed multiple times since the park was established in 1917 There are five Athabascan languages surrounding the park According to University of Alaska linguist James Kari the groups to the north and west of the mountain (and Alaska Range) use words that translate to “the tall one.” The Athabascan languages to the south of the mountain use words that mean “mountain-big.” The name “Denali” stems from “deenaalee,” which is from the Koyukon language traditionally spoken on the north side The first non-Native record of the mountain came from George Vancouver in 1794 when he referred to the “stupendous snow mountains.” Early 18th and 19th century Russian explorers had several names for the mountain explorer Andrei Glazunov called the highest peak Tenada which is Deg Hit’an Athabascan and means “the great mountain.” This name appears on an 1839 map of the area Another Russian name used to describe the mountain was Bulshaia Gora and means “Big One.” The US purchased Alaska from Russia in 1867 and a couple of decades later a gold prospector named Frank Densmore explored Interior Alaska and effused about the tremendous mountain Prospectors all along the Yukon River started calling the mountain “Densmore Mountain” or “Densmore Peak.” “Mount McKinley” emerged after a gold prospector named William Dickey used the name in an 1897 New York Sun article Although the new president had no direct connection to Alaska the name Mount McKinley was popularized following the president’s 1901 assassination Renaming efforts began before the establishment of the park and have continued into the present when legislation was first drafted to establish a new national park to protect wildlife there was disagreement over what the park should be named “Mount McKinley National Park” officially prevailed after its legislation was signed into law on February 26 Despite the official decision to use “Mount McKinley” as the name of the peak and the national park the name controversy reemerged when the State of Alaska petitioned the U.S Board on Geographic Names to change the name of the mountain to Denali officially though the Ohio congressional delegation (representing former-President McKinley’s home state) blocked their efforts for the next four decades the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act changed the park’s name to Denali National Park and Preserve The official name of the mountain remained Mount McKinley until 2015 when President Barack Obama and Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell restored the name Denali to the mountain President Donald Trump issued an executive order to change the name of the mountain back to Mount McKinley The name of the park remains Denali National Park and Preserve From webcams and blogs to articles about history there are many ways to learn about the park Learn how Denali protects cultural resources and enforces the National Historic Preservation Act Two million acres of designated wilderness preserve wilderness character Download the NPS app to navigate the parks on the go Contact Email: robert.labbe@americanglobal.com Website: https://supporting.afsp.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=donorDrive.event&eventID=10510 The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) hosts Hike for Hope events to raise funds and awareness for suicide prevention support for mental health is needed more than ever and we are asking you to join us in the fight to stop suicide the Bear Mountain Hike for Hope will be able to maximize our mission impact in our communities by reaching and serving more people through our lifesaving programs and resources April 26th event in particular is in support of Construction Hike for Hope with the goal of improving the mental health of construction workers through effective suicide prevention education equip and empower mental health champions in the workforce May 29-June 5: 8-night firefly viewing opportunity open to vehicle reservation holders and Elkmont Campground reservation holders The firefly viewing opportunity takes place in Elkmont within Great Smoky Mountains National Park The park manages this high demand viewing opportunity through a lottery to protect the fireflies. Visitors can enter the lottery on Recreation.gov in late April Elkmont is closed at night to all but vehicles with a reservation and foot traffic from registered campers in Elkmont Campground When the lottery opens visitors may select two dates within the 8-day viewing opportunity—a preferred choice and an alternate date All lottery participants are notified that their entry was selected or not Lottery winners will receive a vehicle reservation All lottery participants are charged a $1.00 application fee Successful lottery participants will receive a vehicle reservation for a specific night within the 8-day viewing opportunity and will automatically be charged and additional $29 to the same credit or debit card used for the application fee on Recreation.gov This additional fee helps cover the costs associated with supplies and personnel required to manage the viewing opportunity Flashlights can disrupt the firefly display and impair others’ night vision Cover your flashlight with red cellophane or use a flashlight with a red-light filter Multiple layers of red cellophane may be necessary to dim bright lights Use your flashlight (with red cellophane or a filter) only when walking to your viewing spot Point your flashlight directly at the ground to minimize disturbance to fireflies and other visitors Turn off your flashlight once you reach your viewing location You can also help protect fireflies and their habitats: Female fireflies reside on the forest floor The science behind this phenomenon is known as bioluminescence a natural process also seen in certain fungi Firefly flashes are remarkable examples of bioluminescence producing light through highly efficient chemical reactions that generate light with minimal heat fireflies mix the chemical luciferin with oxygen and the enzyme luciferase resulting in a ‘cool’ glow that boasts nearly 100% light traditional incandescent bulbs emit only about 10% of their energy as light Great Smoky Mountains National Park is home to 19 unique species of fireflies out of over 2,000 species identified worldwide the synchronous fireflies (Photinus carolinus) are particularly famous known as one of few species with the incredible ability to synchronize their flashing patterns This mesmerizing display transforms sections of the forest into a flickering spectacle Researchers have investigated the reasons behind this synchronized flashing behavior; however the synchronous behavior is not yet fully understood One theory suggests that males flash in unison to elicit a call-and-response interaction from the females A study found that female fireflies of this species only respond when an adequate amount of flashing is presented to them Once enough light is generated in the forest the much dimmer females will respond during the pauses in the males' flashing pattern The flash pattern of Photinus carolinus is a remarkable sequence of five to eight distinct flashes followed by an eight-second pause of darkness creating a breathtaking display of pulsating light throughout the forest The mating season for synchronous fireflies lasts approximately two to three weeks each year with the exact timing varying based on environmental conditions such as temperature and soil moisture The park uses soil temperatures to predict the optimal dates for the viewing opportunity in Elkmont Nature's unpredictability means that the peak of firefly activity can shift year by year recorded peak dates have ranged from the third week of May to the third week of June the display begins with just a few flashing insects till the season peaks before gradually declining as the season comes to an end Environmental factors may influence these nightly displays; heavy rain often halts their flashing while misty weather will likely not stop their display Cool temperatures below 50º Fahrenheit can also reduce the number of active fireflies WJHL | Tri-Cities News & Weather Bucs Savage discusses graduated players and new recruits on the Hawk's Nest podcast Gate City native McClung continues to patiently awaits is chance in the NBA UH and Chuckey-Doak are district baseball champs ETSU softball splits with UTC on Senior Day Greene Devils take district titles on the diamond Reinhardt rallies past Milligan for walk-off win Texas A&M tops Lady Vols on soggy Senior Day ETSU leads VMI in rain-delayed Saturday matchup Mocs use long ball to open ETSU series with win Rocky and other pets up for adoption in this weekend's segment of Tails and Paws CUCHARA — After two decades, skiing opportunities have returned to Huerfano County with Cuchara Mountain Park offering $40 day passes where a snowcat will tow you and "20 of your best friends" to the top of the park's slopes The return of winter activities to the now revived Huerfano County-owned park is the result of intense fundraising by the non-profit Cuchara Foundation concerted efforts and donations of the community and the ongoing work of the non-profit Panadero Ski Corporation which operates the park through an agreement with the county the park initially operated through the '80s and '90s before shuttering in July of 2000; at its most popular included a little over 1,500 feet in elevation gain and utilized multiple chairlifts and surface lifts According to the website of the Cuchara Foundation "the 48-acre plot that formed the base of the ski area," was purchased by Jerry and JoVonne Fitzgerald According to the Cuchara Mountain Park master plan "...the Cuchara Foundation raised and donated $150,000 for Huerfano County to purchase 47 privately-held acres at the base for use by all Huerfano residents as a county-owned park." Following the purchase there has been a continued and dedicated stream of volunteer, fundraising, and donation efforts to further the revitalization of the park; which now offers year-round activities In 2019, according to the Cuchara Mountain Park webpage the Panadero Ski Corporation (another non-profit organization) was formed one of the original two Panadero Ski Area chairlifts that is within Cuchara Mountain Park." following an agreement with Huerfano County Panadero Ski Corporation began operating the park; the winter season of 2022-2023 was the first time in more than two decades that the park offered down-hill The following two seasons (23/24 and 24/25) saw the non-profit operating the ski area on Saturdays and Sundays through the winter months grants were applied for and awarded to both Huerfano County as well as Panadero Ski Corp and provide increased accessibility to outdoor opportunities to families and kids Major grant amounts and recipients are listed below: As a work around to the fact that the Mountain Park's chairlift is currently not in operation Panadero is (and has been) getting visitors to the top of their ski area with a trailer which has been outfitted with bus seats and is then towed behind a snowcat; you can purchase a day pass at the slope for $40 This low cost of entry is directly in line with the mission statement of the non-profit "[To] act as stewards for Cuchara Mountain Park and fun recreational and educational opportunities for everyone." the hope is to have the chairlift operational for the 2025-2026 ski season following an upgrade of the electrical system this close to starting the work to finish the lift so that we can call the [Colorado Passenger Tramway Safety Board] and get them down to run us through the certification process."_________ Clayton also reports that the nonprofit is planning several new exciting ventures for Cuchara Mountain Park; included among them are the following: Panadero Ski Corporation has hosted free-ski events for youth in the area and has plans in place to expand on those efforts "One of the grants that we received does include funding for two big ski camps next season," commented Clayton "there's two camps during Spring Break of next year that [will get] kids who have never skied up the mountain for free Clayton went on to say that the grant also included funding for two weeks of bike camps for this coming summer season The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) regarding operations at Cuchara Mountain Park that is currently in effect between Huerfano County and the Panadero Ski Corporation lasts through May 31 When speaking with Huerfano County Administrator Carl Young he informed KOAA that by the end of the MOU the county expects to enter into a long term operations agreement with Panadero Ski Corp For more on Cuchara Mountain Park, visit their Facebook page _____Watch KOAA News5 on your time, anytime with our free streaming app available for your Roku, FireTV, AppleTV and Android TV. Just search KOAA News5 Report a typo OKLA (KOKH) — The Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation (OSBI) and the Mountain Park Police Department (MPPD) arrested a local man for first-degree murder and kidnapping MPPD officers responded to a shooting call at approximately 2:30 a.m on March 14 at a residence off State Highway 183 officers discovered 63-year-old Sandy Killian deceased with a gunshot wound An initial investigation identified the suspect as 52-year-old Chad Carl Cummings A search warrant was executed at Cummings' residence OSBI located an adult female locked in a back room and recovered her safely Cummings was arrested and booked into the Kiowa County Jail based on the information and evidence gathered He is facing charges of kidnapping and murder For more local news delivered straight to your inbox, sign up for our daily newsletter by clicking here. Nature and Boulder’s remarkable open spaces inspire and ground us creating a timeless connection that enriches our lives City of Boulder Open Space and Mountain Parks (OSMP) staff partners and the Boulder Open Space Conservancy collaborated to help people enjoy and protect these lands while safeguarding and restoring sensitive wildlife and plant habitats these efforts created opportunities for connection and healing ensuring the deep bond we share with nature is preserved for future generations What does a year of stewarding Boulder Open Space and Mountain Parks look like we conducted hundreds of projects focused on helping our community and future generations enjoy and protect Boulder’s open space our work in 2024 encompassed conserving and restoring important wildlife habitats and plant communities while designing building and maintaining visitor infrastructure It also involved partnering with Tribal Representatives to foster healing from the past providing programs to help the community connect with the land supporting the agricultural community and conserving local native ecosystems We do so much work to help people enjoy and protect the land Read on to discover just some of the key highlights we accomplished together with volunteers community partners and the Boulder Open Space Conservancy in 2024 such as the 2019 Open Space and Mountain Parks Master Plan developed in collaboration with the community We invite the community to learn more about our collective work to pass our shared legacy of land conservation on to future generations by clicking one of our open space focus areas below Our community’s long-term investment in open space has paid dividends for each generation of community members providing stunning landscapes and inspiring natural areas with trails and trailheads for all to enjoy long into the future OSMP lands offer accessible and challenging terrain for all abilities We have prioritized three "Responsible Recreation Stewardship and Enjoyment" strategies in the city's Open Space and Mountain Parks' long-term strategic plan: Boulder Open Space and Mountain Parks maintains 162 miles of trails In 2024, OSMP conducted trail improvements in the Boulder Valley Ranch area The department also opened a key segment of an Eagle Trail re-route As part of trail improvements in the Boulder Valley Ranch area the department focused on improvements to welcome visitors experiencing disabilities and enhance adaptive mountain bike experiences The Great Plains and Southern Rocky Mountains merge dramatically in Boulder unmatched scenic beauty and high biodiversity This natural heritage is a powerful and enduring reflection of Boulder’s values sustain and restore plant and wildlife habitats We have prioritized three "Ecosystem Health and Resilience" strategies in the city's Open Space and Mountain Parks' long-term strategic plan: Learn more about OSMP's seasonal wildlife closures and view a map of current closures by visiting OSMP's main closure webpage. View a map of seasonal wildlife closures. Receive our Field Notes e-newsletter Two continental-scale ecoregions – the Central Great Plains and the Southern Rocky Mountains – merge within Boulder's open space system The collision of these two ecoregions has helped create some of the most diverse natural areas in the western United States A temporary trail and wildlife area closure OSMP instituted helped the city protect important Gunbarrel Hill habitat, where two burrowing owl pairs raised eight owlets successfully in 2024. Burrowing owls are a state-threatened species and the temporary closure of the Vesper Trail helped protect the only burrowing owl nests in city-managed open space in 2024 Open Space and Mountain Parks preserves agricultural uses on open space lands to support agricultural viability and the native plants and animals who rely on agricultural lands as habitat We deeply value our relationships with ranchers farmers and the many community members who enjoy and appreciate these lands We have prioritized three "Agriculture Today and Tomorrow" strategies in the city's Open Space and Mountain Parks' long-term strategic plan: The City of Boulder’s charter (Section 176) identifies preserving agricultural uses and lands suitable for agricultural production as a specific purpose for open space.  In 2024, the City of Boulder conducted prescribed burns to reduce fire danger for the community, improve the health of open space ecosystems and maintain agricultural water infrastructure. Learn more about why the City of Boulder conducts prescribed burning Learn more about the nonprofit organization – Open Space and Mountain Park's official philanthropic partner – which was founded in 2017 and is focused leveraging public resources with private philanthropy to help the department fulfill its mission We have prioritized two "Community Connection Education and Inclusion" strategies in Open Space and Mountain Parks' long-term strategic plan: The City of Boulder welcomes visitors of all abilities to enjoy open space trails and is focusing on accessibility improvements as part of its 2025 trail and trailhead projects. Read our trail accessibility guide Open Space and Mountain Parks also offers numerous experiential wheelchair and adaptative bike hikes and provide "Roll and Stroll Hikes" to accommodate people in wheelchairs or experiencing some disability.  Boulder Open Space Conservancy (BOSC). OSMP leveraged the $55,000 it received from BOSC, its official philanthropic partner, to support ongoing work across the open space system to help improve trails and restore sensitive areas on Mount Sanitas. The nonprofit also helped us design ecological restoration work on Coal Creek. Learn more about BOSC and donate today. These volunteers are critical in increasing Open Space and Mountain Parks' "Presence on the Land" and helping us communicate responsible recreation reminders to our visitors Bike Patrol: Fifty-two volunteers made more than 1,000 contacts and supported additional monthly outreach/bike tables at popular trailheads from May through November They also rode over 6,000 miles on city trails Trail Ambassadors: Sixty-four volunteers made about 45,000 contacts to assist open space visitors Flagstaff Nature Center: Eighteen volunteers made over 6,000 contacts Volunteer Ambassadors at Chautauqua: Fifteen volunteers made approximately 30,000 visitor contacts Dog Ambassadors: This new program had eight volunteers who made over 6,500 public contacts The department offered 143 community programs that helped more than 5,800 people connect with nature These programs provide participants with knowledge about local ecosystems foster connections with the land and each other We provided 33 programs that helped more than 4,000 people we offer many ways for youth and families to explore and connect to Boulder’s wild open space lands OSMP continued to offer school programs to help youth connect with nature and learn about Boulder Open Space and Mountain Parks school assemblies and classroom activities OSMP reached over 5,000 students through 131 programs conducted on open space and at schools We thank our partners at the Boulder Valley School District and local independent school staff who help us co-create engaging learning experiences OSMP continued its “Lil' Explorers” collaboration with Thorne Nature Experience and Boulder Housing Partners focusing on engaging young children and their families in nature-connection experiences on open space In the fall of 2024 –the third year of the collaboration – 45 participants from nine families participated in this six-week series Each session provided a safe and supportive environment for hands-on learning and exploration allowing families to create lasting memories while deepening their connection to the natural world three citizen-approved sales tax increments accounted for about 90 percent of OSMP's annual revenues evidence that Boulder community members continue to recognize the value of open space Boulder residents have created a remarkable open space legacy for themselves and future generations by approving tax increases the Open Space Fund is made up of the following three sales tax increments: We have prioritized two "Financial Sustainability" strategies in the city's Open Space and Mountain Parks' long-term strategic plan: In 2024, Open Space and Mountain Parks completed a long-term study of fees it charges the public to ensure that important fee programs, such as Voice and Sight Tag Program permits and parking fees © 2025 City of Boulder. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy — Parts of Catoctin Mountain Park will close starting at noon on Friday parking lots and public use areas will remain open Park Central Road will be closed between the Hog Rock Parking Lot and the Camp Greentop entrance For more information, call 301-663-9388 or go to www.nps.gov/cato This story was created by Janis Reeser, jreeser@gannett.com, with the assistance of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Journalists were involved in every step of the information gathering, review, editing and publishing process. Learn more at cm.usatoday.com/ethical-conduct or share your thoughts at http://bit.ly/3RapUkA with our News Automation and AI team Maryland launches survey to gather input for State Parks Strategic Plan Search autocomplete is currently not responding Revised Code Aligns Development with Environmental Responsibility newly updated amendments to the Pitkin County Building Code will go into effect CONTACT: Lindsay DeFrates, Dep. Director of  Public Relations — 970.456.8973;  ldefrates@crwcd.org — The effort to permanently protect the Shoshone Hydroelec.. Pitkin County government invites students to gain work experience in the public sector and serve the community Pitkin County is offering a high school internship program for local students Regional Greenhouse Gas Report Available  Tracks progress toward community climate action goals  2025) - Due to road conditions and severe weather predictions through the end of the day Pitkin County Facilities including the County Administration Building Library and county services at the Schultz Health a.. 2025) – Cathy Hall has announced her resignation as Solid Waste Director for Pitkin County This departure marks the conclusion of a prolific chapter in the county's commit.. lisa.guida@pitkincounty.com 2025) — Due to damage caused by a burst pipe during the extreme cold snap CONTACT: Lindsay DeFrates, Dep. Director of  Public Relations — 970.456.8973;  ldefrates@crwcd.org — The effort to permanently protect the Shoshone Hydroelec.. 2025) — Aspen/Pitkin County Airport (ASE) experienced a security incident today that led to the temporary closure of the commercial terminal for approximately two and a half hours 2025) – Pitkin County is pleased to announce the appointment of Ryan Mahoney as the new deputy county manager Media Contact: brian.pettet@pitkincounty.com  2025) – Parking changes are coming to a few Pitkin Count.. Strengthening Commitment to Sustainability Countywide  2025) — The Pitkin County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) officially adopted the 2025 Climate Action Plan (CAP) today 2025) - Pitkin County has been made aware of multiple scam attempts targeting both the public and county staff and text messages to impersonate county officials and .. 2025) - Pitkin County Clerk & Recorder recently debuted a new and more user-friendly way for the public to search its online database 2025) – Aspen/Pitkin County Airport Director Dan Bartholomew has announced his resignation Deputy Airport Director Diane Jackson will step in as Interim Director 2025) — Due to damage caused by a burst pipe during the extreme cold snap 2024) – The Pitkin County Incident Management Team and the organizers of Winter X Games are encouraging community members to proactively plan for parking and entry to this year’s tickete.. Board of County Commissioners looking forward to year 2025) – The new members of the Pitkin County Board of County Commissioners were sworn in today voters re-elected District 3 County Commissioner Greg Pos.. invisible health hazard that can seep into homes through cracks in foundations The first step in mitigating this threat is through a home test kit available for free from the City of Aspen and .. is thrilled to announce it has been awarded 2 Million Dollars through the prestigious U.S High Profile Events and Visitors Will Add to Community’s Winter Rush 2024 Vice President Elect JD Vance arrived for a personal holiday visit to the Aspen area PCREDC’s passion and sacrifices noted in state recognition   the Pitkin County Regional Emergency Dispatch Center (PCREDC) earned two major honors from the Colorado Association of Public-.. Board of County Commissioners commends work of the Elections Department 2024) -  In honor of the successful completion of the Election review and certification process 2024) – Aspen/Pitkin County Airport (ASE) announced the arrival of the Embraer E175 which made its inaugural flight to Aspen on December 3rd through SkyWest Airlines This event launches a new milestone in the .. 2024) – The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has approved the updated Airport Layout Plan (ALP) for the Aspen/Pitkin County Airport (ASE) initiating a multi-year process to modernize the airport and align it.. 2024) – Pitkin County and Atlantic Aviation have finalized a landmark 30-year lease agreement solidifying Atlantic Aviation’s role as the county’s fixed-base operator (FBO) The deal brings a projected total financial contribution .. CO – Pitkin County gathered as a community on Veterans Day to honor the service and sacrifice of local veterans in a heartfelt ceremony held in front of the County Administration Offic.. 2024) - The Pitkin County Clerk’s Office reports strong voter turnout and announces the availability of unofficial election results for the November 5 General Election 2024) – The Pitkin County Elections Department invites the community to “Vote-A-Rama,” a special early voting event on Saturday in the Pitkin County Administration Building 2024) –  The Pitkin County Vision 2050 project is hosting a community open house from 5 p.m 2024) - The Pitkin County Clerk and Recorder's Office has been notified of a pr.. 2024) — Pitkin County and Kids First have announced an increase in income limits for childcare financial assistance programs providing crucial support for families across the region 2024) — The Pitkin County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) considered the proposed 2025 county budget and five-year plan during a work session on Tuesday This was the first of several meetings ahead of .. 2024)  – Pitkin County is proud to announce the launch of a groundbreaking new diversion program aimed at recycling 25 tons of plastic film annually 2024) - The dates for the Aspen/Pitkin County Airport’s annual spring closure have been announced The flying public should plan for a May 5 - June 1 2025 closure for airfield pavement maintenance Clerk and Recorder – 970-429-2708 CO) Local election officials are now collecting comments from the public detailing the pros and cons of five ballot tax issues in the  Pitkin.. the purpose of the program is to honor individuals and groups for their outstanding service The recipient of the 2024 Greg Mace Award and 12 other local volunteers will be recognized by Pitkin County.. announced his plan to retire in the spring of 2025 Rich has been with Pitkin County for the last eight years most recently for the past four years as D.. Water quality analysis confirms minimal biological impact from sediment event draining of the Grizzly Reservoir to allow for maintenance of the dam caused a sediment release that discolor.. 2024) - A portion of the East of Aspen Trail near North Star Nature Preserve has been closed indefinitely in response to an aggressive moose The Beach may also be posted as closed as warranted The online survey on AABC bridge options has been extended to August 21 2024) – Pitkin County Open Space and Trails is conducting an online survey to gather public input on potential locations for a new bridge that .. K9 Officer will enhance the PCSO’s engagement and involvement at Pitkin County schools 2024) – The Pitkin County Sheriff’s Office is excited to announce the addition of its first-ever K9 officer New tool funded by Colorado's Opioid Settlement enhances Harm Reduction in the Roaring Fork Valley and beyond 2024) - Members of the Pitkin County Sheriff’s Office and the Aspen School District’s Safety Team attended the National Association of School Resource Officers (NASRO) convention 2024) –  The Pitkin County Vision 2050 project is about taking the thoughtful and interconnected suite of recommendations from the Community Growth Advisory Committee (CGAC) and implementing them into poli.. 2024) - Commissioner Patti Clapper of Pitkin County recently attended the National Association of Counties (NACo) Annual Conference This gathering brought together elected official.. the board will vote on a resolution appointing Richard Neiley known as “Ry,” has been a dedicated member of the .. 7/1/2024  – The upcoming rehabilitation project for the Grizzly Reservoir is scheduled to begin this week with construction equipment mobilizing to the worksite CO – In response to the recent reassessment of property values Pitkin County Board of County Commissioners in collaboration with Aspen Valley Hospital approved the Pitkin County Low-Income Property Tax Relief Program which  ai.. 2024) - Pitkin County is now accepting nominations for the 2024 Pitkin County Cares Volunteer Service Awards and Greg Mace Award Community members are invited to submit nominations for people spending their time and energy .. 2024 – UPDATE: The Pitkin County Sheriff's Office is h.. CO – (6/6/24) – The Aspen/Pitkin County Airport is pleased to announce the runway will reopen at 7a.m The pavement has been repaired following an early morning fire that occurred earlier this week CO – [6/5/24] - Pitkin County Airport is announcing an urgent runway closure due to fire damage sustained during routine maintenance last night A lighted “X” sign indicating that the runway was unavailable the Aspen/Pitkin County Airport (ASE) will conduct its triennial exercise to test the community’s emergency response capabilities Contested race for District 5 Commissioner  ASPEN-The official ballot for the June 25 Primary Election has been certified and ballots for overseas and military voters will be mailed beginning Friday Regional Greenhouse Gas Report Available  Tracks progress toward community climate action goals  2025) – Cathy Hall has announced her resignation as Solid Waste Director for Pitkin County This departure marks the conclusion of a prolific chapter in the county's commit.. 2024) - We are delighted to announce the successful completion of our summer High School Internship program which welcomed six talented interns from various high schools across the Roaring Fork Valley 2024) - Pitkin County has extended the deadline for the Low-Income Property Tax Relief Program to Friday 2 but the program would like to encourage more people to look at the pro.. 2025) - Due to road conditions and severe weather predictions through the end of the day Pitkin County Facilities County Administration Office530 East Main StreetAspen, CO 81611Phone: 970-920-5200Department Directory winter is their favorite time of year to visit Rocky Mountain National Park winter is an enchanting time to explore the wonders of the park easy-to-learn activity and offers a new way to see the beauty of the park in winter Rocky Mountain National Park offers Ranger-Led Snowshoe Walks on both the east side (Estes Park) and west side (Grand Lake) of the park Snowshoe walks are offered from January through mid-March Participants must provide their own snowshoes Rental opportunities are available in nearby communities outside of the park in collaboration with the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation The operation targeted several acres around the peak of the mountain near the radio towers Prescribed burns are a crucial tool in managing and reducing the risk of destructive wildfires by decreasing the amount of excessive brush They also help maintain a healthy forest ecosystem regular fires play a significant role in the life cycle of many species There was an error; please refresh the page or try again There are no events matching your selection Subscribe to the monthly Phoenix resident newsletter for updates Contact Form • Phone Directory Do you require an accommodation to participate in a City program, service, or activity? Contact the ADA Compliance Program at least five business days before the event Documents are available in alternative formats upon request. Learn more about ADA Compliance Provide feedback about modernized Phoenix.gov City of Phoenix. All rights reserved. Review our privacy policy and statement of commitment. — Catoctin Mountain Park will temporarily close portions of the park from Friday closures will begin around noon on April 11 and last until about 8 p.m Buttonwood Nature Center's Kite Fly event set for April 12 the Parks and Recreation Board ("Parks Board") established the Trail Heat Safety Program as a proactive measure designed to help bikers and outdoor enthusiasts navigate the beautiful Phoenix trail system while minimizing the risks of extreme heat to trail users and first responders the program has evolved to meet the needs of both hikers and first responders as Phoenix continues to experience record-breaking summer heat the Parks Board voted to approve expanding the program to include all trails at South Mountain Park and Preserve and to begin trail closures one hour earlier Following the October meeting, the Parks Board held work study sessions during its regularly scheduled meetings in January and February 2025 to discuss further proposed changes The work study sessions were focused on discussion only and no action was taken by the Parks Board After hearing public comment and careful review the Parks Board approved the following updates on March 27 On days when the National Weather Service (NWS) issues an Extreme Heat Warning three trails at South Mountain Park and Preserve will be restricted from 8 a.m The National Trail will remain open when accessed from other trailheads and all other trails at Pima Canyon Trailhead will remain open.  more than 100 miles of trails on South Mountain will remain accessible to hikers with fewer than 7 miles subject to restrictions during Extreme Heat Warnings the Parks and Recreation Board ("Parks Board") established the Trail Heat Safety Program as a proactive measure designed to help bikers the Parks Board voted to approve expanding the program to include all trails at South Mountain Park and Preserve and to begin trail closures one hour earlier Following the October meeting, the Parks Board held work study sessions during its regularly scheduled meetings in January and February 2025 to discuss further proposed changes The National Trail will remain open when accessed from other trailheads and all other trails at Pima Canyon Trailhead will remain open.  with fewer than 7 miles subject to restrictions during Extreme Heat Warnings On days when the NWS issues an Extreme Heat Warning the following trails are restricted from 8 a.m Camelback Mountain Preserve - Echo Canyon and Cholla Trail Phoenix Mountains Preserve - The Piestewa Peak Summit trail and associated trails \r\n South Mountain Park and Preserve - Holbert Trail and access to the National Trail from the Pima Canyon Trailhead.  Camelback Mountain Preserve - Echo Canyon and Cholla Trail Phoenix Mountains Preserve - The Piestewa Peak Summit trail and associated trails  South Mountain Park and Preserve - Holbert Trail and access to the National Trail from the Pima Canyon Trailhead.  More than 200 hikers annually are rescued from City of Phoenix desert and mountain parks and preserves Follow our simple checklist to help you from becoming a statistic Phoenix experienced 45 days of trail closures due to extreme heat warnings between May 1 and October 13 with a total of 121 days reaching temperatures of 105°F or higher This extreme heat not only raises the risk of heat-related incidents but also poses significant challenges for first responders during mountain rescues The Phoenix Trails and Heat Safety Program has been effective in decreasing mountain rescues during the hottest months as affirmed by the substantial decline in the number of rescues on closed trails from 2021 to 2024: 200 W. Washington Street Phoenix, AZ 85003 • Map Contact Form • Phone Directory Do you require an accommodation to participate in a City program, service, or activity? Contact the ADA Compliance Program at least five business days before the event City of Phoenix. All rights reserved. Review our privacy policy and statement of commitment. Were any Great Smoky Mountains National Park staffers among the thousands of federal workers terminated late last week A spokesperson for the park declined to share how many, if any, staffers were let go, but an advocacy group for national parks reports that 1,000 National Park Service staffers were cut More than 10,000 federal workers were terminated Feb. 13 and 14 as the Trump administration escalates its efforts to downsize the federal workforce The cuts targeted federal employees across all departments with “probationary status” because they have been hired in the past year. Probationary workers are easier to fire because they lack the bargaining rights of career employees to appeal their terminations, USA TODAY reported Katie Liming, management assistant at the Smokies, said she was unable to share any details with Knox News on Feb. 14 and directed us to contact the park service via the agency’s news media email There is some reprieve for seasonal workers, though. The Department of the Interior has given national parks the go-ahead to hire 5,000 seasonal positions under the current hiring freeze “Allowing parks to hire seasonal staff is essential but staffing cuts of this magnitude will have devastating consequences for parks and communities,” National Parks Conservation Association President and CEO Theresa Pierno said in a statement “We are concerned about smaller parks closing visitor center doors and larger parks losing key staff including wastewater treatment operators.” Understaffing at Great Smoky Mountains National Park heading into the spring and summer season could interfere with operations at Sugarlands and other visitor centers, educational and safety programming, trail and facility maintenance, bear management and other projects Great Smoky Mountains National Park has relied on 200 permanent employees and 140 seasonal employees, according to park statistics from 2024 “It's really hard to watch the decline in staffing,” former Smoky Mountains deputy superintendent and current chair of the Coalition to Protect America’s National Parks Phil Francis told Knox News Feb “Park service personnel have given their lives They’ve taken extraordinary measures to meet the mission of the National Park Service,” Francis added “It's not a very good way of rewarding those kinds of behaviors just to freeze jobs and to scare people through messages that are sent from Washington.” Visits to national parks increased 16% since 2010 even as staffing was down 20% making it hard for parks to keep up with demand even before the recent cuts according to the National Parks Conservation Association Just over 12 million people visited the Smokies during 2024 The park had a 42% increase in visitation from 2013 to 2023 Knox News contacted the National Park Service and the Department of the Interior on Feb 14 and 17 to confirm how many Great Smoky Mountains National Park employees were let go Knox News had not not heard back as of Feb but this story will be updated with any response Devarrick Turner is a trending news reporter. Email devarrick.turner@knoxnews.com. On X, formerly known as Twitter @dturner1208 Support strong local journalism by subscribing at knoxnews.com/subscribe and Cataloochee Valley areas remain closed The National Park Service continues to assess conditions and address damage following the impacts from Hurricane Helene in Great Smoky Mountains National Park The park experienced substantial damage particularly in North Carolina the Cataloochee Valley saw the most significant impacts from Hurricane Helene and will be closed until further notice as staff address damage Flooding from Rough Fork Creek washed out several roads in the valley Upper Cataloochee Valley Road saw the worst damage and is not drivable Various levels of erosion and flooding impacted all trails in Cataloochee Valley and nearly all footlog bridges in the area were washed away during the storm Cataloochee Valley also experienced fallen trees flooding at campsites and damaged power lines which park staff are currently working to stabilize The Balsam Mountain and Big Creek areas are also currently closed until further notice due to storm damage and safety concerns Most trails on the Tennessee side of the park are open; several trails on the North Carolina side are closed The park continues to assess the trails on the eastern end of the park to find the western edge of the damage in the backcountry Examples of trails that were severely impacted include Big Creek Trail which saw damage throughout its length and lost a 70-foot steel bridge and its abutments Gunter Fork Trail experienced a landslide that took out 100 feet of trail Most park roads are open with a few exceptions: Foothills Parkway East, Lakeview Drive, roads in Cataloochee Valley, roads in Balsam Mountain area and Parsons Branch Road (visitors should check the park map) US441/Newfound Gap Road is open 24 hours a day Commercial vehicles are prohibited in the park All park visitor centers and most park facilities are open All Tennessee park campgrounds are currently open North Carolina campgrounds are currently closed and park staff continue to assess for when they can be safely opened Dec 12, 2024After a 24 year hiatus, southern Colorado's Cuchara Mountain Park will reopen on December 14, 2024. A grant of $250,000 was awarded to Panadero Ski Corporation, the non-profit behind the mountain, in order to aid with the operational costs associated with reopening. Located on Baker Mountain the hill has been closed to the public since 2000. Colorado Governor Jared Polis and the Colorado Outdoor Recreation Industry Office of the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade announced that the mountain's reopening is the largest infrastructure project to receive funding through the Colorado State Outdoor Recreation Grant.Panadero intends to reopen Cuchara as a year-round recreational spot for the community the ski hill will offer seven beginner runs geared towards families With intentions to remain open in the summer as well Pandero hopes that a year round recreational destination will help to improve the local economy by encouraging local businesses to extend operating hours and improving the communities’ access to services The highlighted section of the map represents the current lift and trail footprint of the ski area Cuchara will help ensure that more Coloradans can access outdoor recreation and become life-long skiers and riders,” said Outdoor Recreation Industry Office Director Conor Hall in the press release Cuchara Mountain Park is currently selling season passes for $200 as part of a larger fundraising campaign for the mountain the mountain will have 30 acres of skiable terrain serviced by one chairlift Users can also access the mountain via an uphill route for backcountry terrain From ski resort news to profiles of the world’s best skiers Contact: Emily Davis is pleased to announce the expansion of adaptive ranger-led programs in 2024 the ranger-led programs are designed for visitors of all abilities and their families to learn about the natural and cultural history of Great Smoky Mountains National Park News | Apr 25 Colorado Parks and Wildlife biologists confirmed that the death of a female gray wolf occurred in Rocky Mountain National Park on Sunday The U.S Fish and Wildlife Service is investigating the mortality due to the fact that wolves are a federally listed species under the Endangered Species Act “A final determination of the cause of death will not be made until the investigation is completed a foundational component of the overall investigation process,” the press release states.  The wolf, known as 2514-BC, was part of the group of wolves translocated to Colorado from British Columbia during the state’s reintroduction.While wolf survival in Colorado is within what Parks and Wildlife considers “normal margins” for a wolf population within the Rocky Mountains the press release notes that any reintroduction efforts include mortality that the Colorado Wolf Restoration and Management Plan has already taken into account “Mortality is a factor that plays a role in all natural populations,” the release states.  The average lifespan of a gray wolf in the Rocky Mountains is generally three to four years No additional details are available at this time While this is the third death this year of a wolf relocated from British Columbia three of the wolves brought to Colorado from Oregon died last year Editor’s note: This story includes past reporting by reporter Ali Longwell.  Readers around Aspen and Snowmass Village make the Aspen Times’ work possible Your financial contribution supports our efforts to deliver quality your support is critical to help us keep our community informed about the evolving coronavirus pandemic and the impact it is having locally Each donation will be used exclusively for the development and creation of increased news coverage Aspen-Pitkin County Airport saw over 100,000 passengers in March — a record-breaker View Results Destructive insects and diseases can be transported in firewood The forests of Great Smoky Mountains National Park could be devastated by these insects The emerald ash borer has killed tens of millions of ash trees in North America since its discovery here in 2002 but was accidentally introduced to North America The adult beetles eat ash foliage but cause little damage The larvae (the immature stage) feed on the inner bark of ash trees disrupting the tree's ability to transport water and nutrients More information about emerald ash borer is available from: The Asian longhorned beetle is native to Asia but has been found in Ohio Most Asian longhorned beetle infested trees have been in landscaped setting so far These beetles lay eggs on trees and their young bore through trees as they grow More information about Asian longhorned beetle is available from: Thousand Cankers Disease poses a serious threat to black walnut trees inside the park The disease is caused by a non-native fungus which is transmitted by small twig beetles For information about the disease please visit: A former Bays Mountain Park & Planetarium program coordinator has been indicted for theft according to the Tennessee Comptroller's Office (Photo credit: Tennessee Comptroller's Office) (WCYB) — A former Bays Mountain Park & Planetarium program coordinator has been indicted for theft Mark Kilgore was indicted by a grand jury in October 2024 for theft of $10,000 or more violation of the Tennessee Personal and Commercial Computer Act of 2003 who was responsible for the park's finances misappropriated at least $31,370 in cash from parking fees collected by park employees Kilgore altered cash collection totals on daily gate house deposit sheets and removed the cash before it was deposited Kilgore is accused of concealing these alterations by voiding cash receipts in the city’s receipt system Kilgore’s employment with the city of Kingsport was terminated on February 23 “City officials should ensure they provide oversight to the people responsible for preparing deposits,” said Comptroller Jason Mumpower And that number could grow in the coming months “We have just received word in the last couple of days that layoffs are not finished, that agencies – all federal agencies including the park service – have to submit a reorganization plan which will call for additional, quote, ‘massive layoffs,'” Bill Wade, executive director of the Association of National Park Rangers “I would say that morale in the National Park Service right now is probably as low as it's ever been,” he continued At least 12 staffers have been let go from the Smokies so far employees within the park and those who have been fired told the Association of National Park Rangers Wade is “pretty confident” in that number given that national park leaders and the park service have been ordered to not discuss personnel matters The organization also reports at least one person from the Blue Ridge Parkway has been laid off The National Park Service employees across the country who have been fired or laid off range from maintenance and custodial workers to researchers and scientists who worked for three years in Great Smoky Mountains National Park in the 1970s said the employees who were fired worked in visitor centers and provided educational and ranger-led programs Administrative and budgeting employees are among that number according to National Parks Conservation Association The buyout program offered federal employees the chance to resign before potentially being fired and to continue receiving their salaries and benefits through September The next cuts – expected in March and April – could target people in lower-level positions who have worked past their probationary year affecting those providing visitor services and protecting park resources There's no way of knowing right now how many more employees at the Smokies or at other national parks could be fired It all depends on the reorganization plans each park submits and the Office of Personnel Management’s recommendation after a review the park service has been approved to hire 7,700 seasonal workers ahead of the busy spring and summer season The Smokies is the country’s most-visited national park, with just over 12 million people visiting during 2024 Understaffing might cause schedule changes for visitor centers and other public use facilities Restrooms might not be cleaned as frequently and more trash might sit on park grounds than usual Visitors are encouraged to be mindful of their trash and park resources, volunteer to help staffers and express their concerns to government leaders “I think the only way that I know of that all of this is going to get turned around is if the public gets concerned enough and gets maybe angry enough that they exercise their abilities to influence things perhaps through their elected officials and that sort of thing,” Wade said More than 1,600 people volunteered their time help Smokies staffers between October 2023 and September 2024 But some of America’s most popular parks also require reservations particularly during their busy season: summer Most requirements are similar to last year's Here are the national parks definitely requiring reservations in 2025: Visiting a national park after layoffs? What to know before you go (This story has been updated with new information.) Event coincides with fee-free day in celebration of National Public Lands Day Contact: Emily Davis www.nps.gov/grsm Download the NPS app to navigate the parks on the go.