Monday, December 17, 2012

SLED DOG RACES!

On January 26-27, Delta County will host the 7th annual sanctioned Grand Summit Challenge Sled Dog Races on Grand Mesa. At 10,300 ft, the sprints are the highest dog sled races in North America.
Displaying some of the best dog sledding teams in the sport, the Grand Mesa Summit Challenge Sled Dog Races are International Sled Dog Racing Association (ISDRA) sanctioned, and typically feature more than 40 teams. From the traditional Huskies and Malamutes to Rottweilers and mixed breeds, all kinds of dogs pull mushers through miles of powdery snow. The mushers are almost as diverse, men and women of all skill levels representing various states.
The competition features multiple races between four and 12 miles, with the number of dogs varying from one to eight. The challenge also includes a junior race and skijoring, a sport where one or two dogs pull a musher on cross-country skis. Competitors in each race will vie for cash prizes.
When most people think of dog sledding, Alaska comes to mind. But Delta County is one of few places in the lower 48 to catch dog sleds in action.
Delta County tourism coordinator Kelli Hepler says it isn’t just the dogs who are howling with anticipation over this event. “This race brings a lot of excitement each year, and all the businesses in Delta County are making preparations to welcome the sled teams back and show visitors a good time.”
A region of many superlatives, Delta County also boasts the longest snowmobiling trail in the contiguous United States, the Sunlight to Powderhorn Trail on Grand Mesa, giving race-goers their own chance to dash through the snow at top-dog speeds.
Cozy spots to curl up for the night are nestled in the friendly towns of Cedaredge, Crawford, Delta, Hotchkiss, Orchard City and Paonia, which also feature some of the tastiest places to eat and most unique cultural activities.

Friday, December 14, 2012

WESTERN SLOPE EDUCATION

The Western Slope region consists of eight Colorado counties west of the Continental Divide: Garfield, Mesa, Delta, Montrose, Gunnison, Hinsdale, Ouray and San Miguel. Some of Mother Nature's finest work - alpine meadows, canyons, plateaus and high desert - abound on the Western Slope, providing easy access to activities like skiing, mountain biking, rafting, rock climbing and hunting. The area's attractions include the Grand Mesa National Scenic and Historic Byway, the Colorado National Monument, the Black Canyon of Gunnison National Park and the magnificent Colorado River. Grand Junction, the population hub of Western Colorado, is home to nearly 60,000 people. It sits in the Grand Valley near the Colorado River.

For opportunities to improve your education, the Western Slope hosts several well-established institutions:

Colorado Mountain College, with 11 locations, offers two-year academic programs guaranteed to transfer to all four-year colleges and universities in Colorado. It offers career and technical programs, teaching job skills that can take you right into the workplace.
Colorado Mesa University (formerly Mesa State College), provides educational opportunities and tools that help students succeed in today's complex and interconnected world. Its focus is on providing quality academic programs, built on a strong liberal arts core that support students' interests and regional employment needs, as well as technical programs that respond to vocational workforce demands.
The main campus is located in the heart of Grand Junction.
The Tilman M. Bishop Campus is the result of a partnership of the university, Mesa County Valley School District 51 and area businesses, and is the main site of the university's two-year division, the Western Colorado Community College Programs at the Bishop Campus serve the technical education needs of both college and area high school students.
The Montrose Campus of Colorado Mesa University provides access to a variety of two- and four-year degree programs in a scenic, smaller community campus setting.
Western State College, located in Gunnison, offers many degrees in the liberal arts and sciences, as well as in professional areas such as business, accounting, recreation and teacher education.
Colorado Northwestern Community College has campuses in Rangely and Craig, and Service Centers in Meeker, Hayden, Oak Creek's South Routt Center, and through the San Miguel Partnership in Telluride. CNCC offers and offers educational programs that respond to evolvingworkforce environments, including two-year general education transfer degrees. It also offers Associate of General Studies (AGS) - Emphasis Degrees that are tailored for transfer to specific four-year institutions.
Colorado Christian University, a private university with a campus located in Grand Junction, offers undergraduate programs for students right out of high school or transferring from another college. For adults with work or prior college experience, it offers programs directed at completing a degree, certificate, or licensing program through CCU's College of Adult and Graduate Studies. For individuals who have already completed a bachelor's degree, the university offers graduate degrees through its College of Adult and Graduate Studies. The College of Adult and Graduate Studies at Colorado Christian University offers associate's, bachelor's and master's degree programs specifically designed to meet the needs of adult learners, with many classes available in the evenings and/or on weekends, as well as online.

Thursday, December 13, 2012

WATCH YOUR WEIGHT IN MONTROSE

Montrose is a city of 19,132 people, and Olathe a town of 1,849 (US Census Bureau, 2010). This area is part of the Western Slope’s “bread belt” with 1,045 farms. Montrose County School District RE-1J enrolls 6,294 students, and has a 59% free/reduced lunch rate, with over 70% in three of the six elementary schools. Demographically, the county population majority is white, with 20% being Hispanic but soaring to 48% in Olathe (U.S Census Bureau, 2010). The Hispanic majority is first generation immigrants from Mexico, with a small pocket of Cora families, a linguistically-distinct group from the Nayarit State in Mexico. Montrose County is a retirement destination, with 18% of its residents over age 65, higher than Colorado’s 11% rate. The overweight and obesity rates in Montrose and Olathe are no better than state averages (Montrose County, 55.2% vs. Colorado, 55.3%), and in some cases worse (Montrose Head Start children, 31% vs. Colorado children 26%). The rates of homelessness and unemployment have risen, the median household income lags significantly behind the state average, and in less than 5 years the number of SNAP recipients has increased by 54% and food bank recipients by 48%. Montrose has a sizable senior population and Olathe a sizable migrant population, with both groups being at risk for health disparities. Conversely, there are unprecedented opportunities that will contribute to successful health interventions. Citizen and non-profit groups are asking for healthier, more affordable foods, such as more nutritious food bank boxes and community gardens. And Montrose citizens recently rallied in support of a new multipurpose recreation center through a sales tax initiative that narrowly lost the vote but indicated the need for active community infrastructure, and revealed a near-majority who was willing to raise taxes to do it. This was notable given the economic and political times.

Wednesday, December 12, 2012

COLORADO FISHING

Colorado Parks and Wildlife has determined that the fish kill at North Sterling in Brush, Colorado this past September was not as significant as previously believed. Samples confirm that enough fish were spared for continued angling throughout the coming year and through the fishery rebuilding process.

"It appears that we dodged a bullet" said David Piper, park manager for North Sterling State Park, "We have a good base of catchable sport fish at the reservoir and won't need to start from scratch in 2013."

CPW aquatic biologists ran their annual fall survey at the Park on Nov. 14 and learned the September fish kill was not a complete summer kill as initially suspected.

"Black crappie, walleye, saugeye, yellow perch and wiper were found in our sampling," said Mandi Brandt, aquatic biologist for the northeastern plains, "So there are definitely some keeper-sized fish for anglers. We will be stocking more of these warm water sport fish as fry and fingerlings and using catchable rainbow and cutthroat trout to fill the gap."

Total fish numbers sampled were down 77% from last year, pointing to a significant loss of fish overall. However, efforts will be made to boost the prey base of gizzard shad back to prior levels, as well as the sport fish. In addition, the reservoir should receive another 5 ft of water by the end of December, which will help the fishery through the winter.

Colorado Parks and Wildlife has started work on a construction project to install a long-sought fish screen in Rifle Creek and officials say it will be complete and operational by spring of 2013. Fed by Rifle Gap Reservoir, the creek is a tributary to the Colorado River and is located northeast of the city of Rifle.

Once it is functioning under all expected operating conditions, the screen will prevent non-native fish that have escaped from Rifle Gap Reservoir and into Rifle Creek from progressing downstream to the Colorado River where they can be harmful to native fish populations.
"This is a win-win project all the way around; we are protecting native fish populations downstream, while simultaneously having the opportunity to improve a combination, cool-warmwater fishery within Rifle Gap Reservoir," said Lori Martin, aquatic biologist for Colorado Parks and Wildlife in the northwest region." We are answering the call of our anglers who are seeking more warmwater fishing opportunities but also keeping in mind the concerns of our partners within the Upper Colorado River Endangered Fish Recovery Program."

Monday, December 10, 2012

SKI IN COLORADO!

There’s no substitute for a Colorado winter vacation, where having so many of America’s best ski resorts makes Colorado the nation’s No. 1 ski and snowboard destination — and blue-bird skies and tons of fresh, dry powder reign supreme.

From family ski trips with leisurely days spent gliding down the slopes to intense, expert-only terrain for adventurous skiers and boarders, there’s a slope in Colorado for everyone in your group. And oftentimes, Colorado’s ski resorts offer lift ticket and lodging packages that make planning a ski trip a cinch.

Need more reasons to choose Colorado for your ski or snowboard adventure? Here are three:

1. Most years, Colorado’s 26 ski and snowboard resorts open earlier and stay open later in the season than anyone else (roughly early October to late April).

2. Colorado has some of the largest ski resorts in the nation, but we also treasure the hidden-gem ski areas, which still offer great snow and plenty of space to perfect your skills.

3. And we have the highest altitude lift-served terrain in the country — a factor that contributes to massive amounts of our famous, incredibly dry, fluffy Colorado snow.

All of this adds up to the undeniable fact that Colorado ski slopes offer some of the most epic trails and thrilling rides you’ll find in North America.

But for those seeing a slower snow experience, a simple pair of cross-country skis can launch you into thickets of snow-laden trees, silent white meadows and tracks running parallel to frozen creeks. Colorado’s more than 20 Nordic centers (many of which are attached to ski resorts), 42 state and 11 national parks and forestland are another way to get on the snow quickly and start discovering the state’s winter wonderland.

No matter your skill level, budget or desire for adventure, Colorado has a downhill ski, snowboard or cross-country route to suit you. Find the ski area that fits your group’s desires and plan the Best. Ski. Trip. Ever.

Friday, December 7, 2012

SOME LOCAL HISTORY

The first settlers came to the Uncompahgre Valley in the 1870s, but legally could not purchase land until after September 1881, when the Ute Indians were removed from their land and put on a reservation in Utah. The first stake was driven in December of 1881 and in 1882 Montrose officially became a town. The town was known by the names of Pomona, Dad’s Town, Uncompahgre Town, and several other names, before it finally came to be known as Montrose. Joseph Selig suggested the name Montrose after a favorite character in Sir Walter Scott’s novel, The Legend of Montrose.
The town of Montrose was founded originally to provide supplies to nearby mining communities. With the mines' decline, agriculture soon took over as the major economy. Settlers worked the fertile valley soil producing fruits, grains, vegetables and livestock.
The Gunnison Tunnel, constructed to provide vital irrigation water to the valley, opened in 1909. Its opening was highlighted by the visit of President Taft and signaled the beginning of a new era of agricultural production in Montrose.
In 1882, the Denver & Rio Grande Railroad Co. built its narrow gauge mainline railroad through Montrose on its way from Denver to Salt Lake City, Utah. In 1890 the D&RGRR completed its standard gauge railroad from Denver to Grand Junction, leaving Montrose on the narrow gauge from Salida to Grand Junction and Ouray. In 1906, the track from Grand Junction to Montrose was changed from narrow gauge to standard gauge.
The same strategic location that led to Montrose becoming a hub for transportation and commerce at its founding, still serves as an asset today. Although much has changed since the city’s beginning in 1882, Montrose continues as a thriving gateway to the many wonders of Western Colorado.

Thursday, December 6, 2012

WHISPERING MONTROSE

The Montrose area is loaded with fun in every direction, accessible, and centrally located no matter what your interest. In the winter you can enjoy snowmobiling, ice fishing, snow shoeing, cross country skiing, and the Cerro Summit Winter Recreation Area, which is a 30-minute drive from Montrose. Telluride Ski Resort, Crested Butte Mountain and Powderhorn Mountain are the three closest downhill ski/snowboard resorts.

Locals and tourists alike enjoy the summer opportunities to hike, mountain bike, river raft and more! Other activities include horseback riding, camping, tennis, fishing, boating, water and jet skiing, 4X4 and off-roading, and golf.
Annual Events include a hot air balloon rally hosted by Montrose Events, the County Fair and Rodeo, Great American Summer Salute, and Best of the West Food Fest. Montrose boast twenty city parks which are beautiful no matter what time of year you enjoy them.

Tuesday, December 4, 2012

OUTDOORS IN OLATHE

outdoor recreation near olathe, co

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- Sweitzer Lake State Park is located in the arid region southeast of Delta along Highway 50. This is a day-use area open year round. The 137 surface-acre lake is the main attraction.

The next five miles involves a considerable number of intersections, so care is necessary to navigate correctly. At the end this section of the route, you should turn on to Rim Road.

Designated as wilderness in 1999, the BLM-administered Gunnison Gorge Wilderness Area encompasses some truly beautiful canyon country that extends north from the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National.

We are the largest outfitter on the Gunnison River.We offer 1 to 3 day fully guided fly fishing and whitewater rafting trips through the Black Canyon of the Gunnison Gorge. Class III and IV.

Jim and Lisa Bryce have been outfitting in Colorado for more than 17 years. With experienced guides and an outstanding lodge, we are committed to making your stay unforgettable.

As a Colorado outfitter, we are 3rd generation family owned and operated. Have been in the guide and outfitting business in Colorado since 1969. We provide home cooked meals, starting with breakfast.

If your choice for adventures includes remote backcountry activities, then Gunnison Gorge, north of Montrose, is the place for you. It provides kayaking, rafting, hiking, primitive camping.