Community Update
March 24, 2023
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Greetings!
Spring in Routt County is a difficult time for road maintenance. Roads are at their most vulnerable given the often abrupt, inconsistent weather conditions. The sun is higher in the sky and the frost is coming out of the ground leading to soft spots and potholes. This is the nature of gravel roads in a winter climate. We have received and heard comments from numerous citizens about roads being in rough, potholed, axle-breaking, tooth rattling condition. We are aware of problem spots and will continue to work on ensuring as rapid a transition from spring to summer condition as possible.
Our Road & Bridge crews have years of experience dealing with our County roads. Unfortunately, the reality is that oftentimes the only solution is to wait for the weather to change. We cannot apply gravel too soon or it will end up in the ditch after plowing. We cannot grade roads too early or the fines erode away in melting snow. While roads may be in less than ideal condition for a period of time, Road & Bridge crews will continue to provide a high level of maintenance as conditions allow. Crews check on roads daily. In fact, many crew members use the very same roads they care for all year long. Winter can always be a challenge, this one in particular, and the resulting Spring will certainly have an impact. Until Mother Nature allows us to get out and grade roads, we ask that you trust we are working diligently to accelerate drying and improve conditions as we are able.
Your Routt County Road & Bridge Crew
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Call for Public Art: Routt County is excited to continue our partnership with Steamboat Creates to identify, select and install a 3-D sculpture that will be showcased outside the new Health and Human Services Building at Oak Street and 6th Street in downtown Steamboat Springs. The ideal piece will engage the public in a positive, engaging way that celebrates Routt County citizens who will benefit from the diverse services available in this location. Find the RFP and all details on the Steamboat Creates website. Proposals are due April 15, 2023 by midnight. A curatorial committee composed of a diverse and representative group of community members, arts professionals, government and creative district committee members will review all proposals. Selected artwork should be ready for installation by July 1, 2023. Contact Kim Keith, Steamboat Creates Executive Director, at 970-879-9008 with any questions.
Funds secured to support water resource management in the Upper Yampa River Basin: The Center for Western Weather and Water Extremes (CW3E), Yampa Valley Sustainability Council (YVSC) and key partners Upper Yampa Water Conservancy District (UYWCD) and Colorado Mountain College (CMC) have secured $860,000 in funding from Colorado Water Conservation Board's Water Plan Grant, Colorado River District's Community Funding Partnership, and UYWCD for the project, “Enhancing Soil Moisture Observations to Support Water Resource Management in the Upper Yampa River Basin.” This funding enables the project team to expand upon the first soil moisture monitoring station that was installed in the Yampa River Basin in September 2022 and install eight more stations over the next two years. To read more about the network and the exciting developments as a result of this new funding, visit yvsc.org or contact YVSC's Soil Moisture, Water, and Snow Program Manager Madison Muxworthy at madison@yvsc.org.
Routt County Child Care Needs Assessment Survey: First Impressions and the Craig-Scheckman Family Foundation have contracted with a research team to understand childcare supply, needs, and gaps in Routt County. This needs assessment will look at what childcare services exist across the county, what families need, and what opportunities and barriers exist to realizing a robust childcare system. Please fill out this short survey to provide input on the childcare needs in Routt County! Share with other families and childcare providers as you are able.
Volunteers needed for Planning Commission and Board of Adjustment: Do you have an interest in Land-Use or Planning related matters? Are you looking for an opportunity to serve & shape the community of Routt County? Look no further, Routt County is seeking volunteers to serve on either the Planning Commission or the Board of Adjustment. Details are found on each of their websites linked above, or you can contact Kristy Winser, Planning Director with any questions..
2023 Taylor Grazing Act Range Improvement Projects Application Open: Routt County is now accepting applications for 2023 Taylor Grazing Act Range Improvement Projects. Applications should be submitted prior to work commencement and will be reviewed by the Noxious Weed Advisory Board and the Board of County Commissioners. Projects are to be completed by the end of the calendar year, though multi-year projects may be submitted with detailed annual work plans and annual completion thresholds submitted. Projects are reviewed on a case by case bases but historically funding is awarded for half of a project cost, usually for materials. If approved, monies are awarded as reimbursements and must have accompanying receipts, supporting documents and photographic evidence of work completion. Priority will be given to projects submitted by Routt County BLM permittees, but not to the exclusion of other applicants where projects may benefit range management in Routt County. Please contact Tiffany Carlson at tcarlson@co.routt.co.us or 970.870.5246 with any questions.
Two Evenings with the Master Gardeners: Join Routt County's CSU Master Gardeners on April 25 or 26 from 5:00-7:00 pm at Bud Warner Library. This is a chance to talk one-on-one with the Yampa Valley's local gardening gurus, whether you're a seasoned gardener or new to growing things in Routt County. Experts will be on hand to share information about soil, climate, seed selection, container gardening, high-mountain perennials, gardening with kids, season extension and weeds and more. In addition, Master Gardeners will lead a 30-minute New to Routt County Gardening lecture from 5:30-6:00 pm each night. Find all details at https://steamboatlibrary.org/events/mastergardeners2023.
Save the date for Routt County Solar Summit: The Routt County Solar Summit, hosted in partnership with the Colorado Solar and Storage Association (COSSA) will be on April 26, 2023 at a location TBD. This is an opportunity to learn about utility scale solar development and the impacts we may experience within Routt County. Discussion opportunities will include an overview of facility infrastructure, the construction implementation process, long term management, the end-of-life/deconstruction process, and the process and community involvement opportunities for updating the Zoning Regulations that govern utility scale solar. Time will be allocated to discuss site-specific topics, such as potential impacts that may occur to wildlife habitat and nearby community resources. This event is being organized by the Routt County Planning Department as a community outreach and education opportunity. A more detailed agenda will be advertised closer to the date.
Routt County Wildfire Mitigation Conference: This year's Wildfire Mitigation Conference will be held April 27-29. The theme of this year’s conference will be “From Planning to Implementation” and will focus on the countywide Community Wildfire Protection Plan currently under development. Kicking off the conference on the evening of April 27, co-hosted by the Bud Werner Library, there will be a public screening of the award-winning documentary Elemental that challenges us to reimagine our relationship with wildfire — now more timely and urgent than ever. The public is invited to attend the conference on Saturday April 29, at the Colorado Mountain College. Registration is required for this free event. Contact Josh Hankes with any questions.
Office of Emergency Management Needs Volunteers: Routt County's Office of Emergency Management (OEM) is writing Routt County's Mass Casualty Emergency Response Plan, which should be done in June. The next step will be to validate this plan at an exercise at YVRA simulating an aircraft accident resulting in numerous casualties. We will activate the Routt County Incident Management Team to manage the incident and the Emergency Operations Support Center to provide the required support. We need volunteers to make this exercise effective! Please email Mo DeMorat if you are interested in participating.
Are you signed up for Routt County Alerts? Get alerted about emergencies and other important community news by signing up for Routt County Alerts. This system enables us to provide you with critical information quickly in a variety of situations, such as severe weather, unexpected road closures, missing persons and evacuations of buildings or neighborhoods. Sign up now at RouttCountyAlerts.com.
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March 24 is recognized each year as World TB Day: On this day in 1882, Dr. Robert Koch announced his discovery of the bacteria that causes tuberculosis (TB), Mycobacterium tuberculosis. During the time of Dr. Koch’s discovery, TB killed one in every seven people in the United States and Europe. According to the World Health Organization, TB is currently the 13th leading cause of death and the second leading infectious killer after COVID-19 worldwide. TB is present in all countries and in all age groups. Did you know that state and local public health agencies still work to prevent and manage the spread of tuberculosis (TB) throughout Colorado and the nation?
March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month: It is is a great time remind those 45 years old or older to get screened for colon cancer. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), colorectal cancer is the second leading cancer killer in the United States. Colorectal cancer screening saves lives by helping to find precancerous polyps that can be removed before they turn into cancer. Screening also helps identify cancer early when treatment works best. Please click here to visit the CDC’s website for more information about colorectal cancer. As always, please talk with your doctor about any questions or concerns you may have related to colorectal cancer screening.
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Full Time Job Openings:
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Public Health - Emergency Preparedness and Response (EPR) Coordinator - $40.63 - $53.59/hr – Full Time & Full Benefits
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Detention Kitchen/Laundry Services Coordinator - $26.02 - $35.20/hr – Full Time & Full Benefits
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Public Safety Dispatcher I - $26.36 - $34.78/hr - Full Time & Full Benefits
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Detention Deputy - $34.78 - $47.05/hr – Full Time & Full Benefits
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Road & Bridge Motor Pool/Heavy Equipment Mechanic - $31.25 - $41.22/hr - Full Time & Full Benefits
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Deputy Clerk - Motor Vehicle - $21.40-$28.95/hr - Full Time & Full Benefits
Part-Time Job Openings:
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Human Services - Case Aide - $21.40 – $28.95/hr – Some Benefits
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Human Services - Program Specialist – Fatherhood Program - $21.40 – $28.95/hr – Some Benefits
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YVRA – Operations-Safety-Security Officer - $29.30 - $38.66/hr – Sick Time & Worker’s Compensation
Seasonal/Temporary Job Openings:
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Weed Sprayer - $26.75 – $35.29/hr – Sick Time & Worker’s Compensation
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Road & Bridge Sign Tech - $24.42-$32.20 – Sick Time & Worker’s Compensation
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Road & Bridge Flagger - $21.40-$28.95 – Sick Time & Worker’s Compensation
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March 30 is National Pencil Day: Each year, March 30 National Pencil Day honors the writing utensil that has done more than just teach millions the alphabet and draw straight lines. It’s also helped win wars and enabled amazing art.
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Routt County | info@co.routt.co.us | www.co.routt.co.us |
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