1 year ago: Local stakeholders demand action as more cattle are killed by wolves in Grand County

Four yearling cattle have been killed by a wolf or wolves in Grand County. Colorado Parks and Wildlife believes the depredation occurred between the night if April 15, 2024, and the next morning. In an email to Sky-Hi News, Parks and Wildlife officials stated that they responded to a possible livestock depredation incident on April 17 and 18. Both incidents occurred on the same property. The first livestock depredation event since wolves were reintroduced occurred in Grand County on April 2. A second incident happened in Jackson County on April 7. The Middle Park Stockgrowers Association and Western Slope lawmakers have asked the agency to clearly define the term “chronic depredation.” When a wolf falls into that category, Parks and Wildlife or a producer is allowed to intervene, including using lethal measures, according to a federal rule. In a statement, the Stockgrowers Association requested that Parks and Wildlife and U.S. Fish and Wildlife lethally remove what they’re calling the two chronically depredating wolves.

— From the April 24, 2024, edition of Sky-Hi News

5 years ago: Kremmling officials vote to fire police chief and find replacement

Kremmling Town Council elected not to reappoint Police Chief Jamie Lucas on April 22, 2020. When the town board began its meeting, Mayor Grover Pryor said there was a public comment from Lucas and gave council members time to read a letter he wrote to themselves. It’s unclear what the letter said because the board didn’t comment on it or read it aloud, nor was it attached to the agenda. During what appeared to be a series of routine town appointments later in the meeting, council members voted 6-0 not to reappoint Lucas to the position of police chief. Instead, the council directed Town Manager Dan Stoltman to find an interim police chief and start searching for a new hire. Lucas was placed on administrative leave in December after the 14th Judicial District Attorney’s Office began investigating allegations Lucas mishandled an animal abuse case.

— From the April 24, 2020, edition of Sky-Hi News

10 years ago: Hot Sulphur Springs nixes idea of town marshal after heated meeting

A contentious and confrontational crowd showed up April 16, 2015, to the Hot Sulphur Springs Town Board meeting to express displeasure with the town’s plans to appoint former Grand County Undersheriff John Stein as the new town marshal. The meeting started with a lengthy public comment period during which residents questioned town officials’ thinking regarding the possible creation of the position of either town marshal or code enforcement officer. Previously Hot Sulphur Springs had contracted with the Granby Police Department to conduct code enforcement. The board took no action regarding the appointment of Stein or the creation of either a marshal or code enforcement officer’s position.

— From the April 22, 2015, edition of Sky-Hi News

90 years ago: ‘Million dollar’ snow storm arrives in Grand County

One of those “million dollar” snows, which are heard of now and again, hit Middle Park and Grand County this week and has produced more happy smiles than anything the weather man — or even the politicians — have done for us in two years. The storm set in early April 23, 1935, and it was still snowing when the Middle Park Times went to press April 25. It is difficult to estimate the amount of moisture received locally, but had the snow stayed on the ground instead of a large part melting as it fell, we would probably be wading in it up to our belt buckles. The story was general over Colorado, with all points receiving a very welcome soaking. Temperatures have remained mild.

— From the April 25, 1935, edition of Middle Park Times

110 years ago: Hot Sulphur Springs designates a town clean up day

By mutual consent, and also from the standpoint of a spontanoeous necessity, May 1, 1915, has been designated as ‘Clean-up Day ” in Hot Sulphur Springs. Every home and every town should have at least one annual clean-up day. This is as necessary and indispensable as the annual bath is to the body. If we would get busy and clean up our own lots and backyards first and then appoint a time for a general cleaning up of the vacant lots, streets and alleys, our town would present a much more attractive appearance. This is an important duty, which we owe to the town and the community, and it matters not
whether we are tenants or proprietors of the premises which we may occupy.

— From the April 23, 1915, edition of Middle Park Times

Sky-Hi News is working to digitize Grand County newspaper archives and make them available to the public for free. Support the project at SkyHiNews.com/donate.