Valley state wildlife areas close
during nesting season
To protect water birds during the nesting season, Colorado Parks and Wildlife implements seasonal closures at several State Wildlife Areas (SWAs) across the San Luis Valley.
Higel, Playa Blanca, Rio Grande, Russell Lakes and Sego Springs SWAs are closed to all public access Feb. 15 through July 15. Additionally, the wetlands portion of San Luis Lakes SWA is closed to the public on the same dates.
“These properties serve as important areas for many species, including the federally endangered Southwestern Willow Flycatcher, different species of waterfowl, Sandhill Cranes, herons, etc.,” said CPW District Wildlife Manager Tyler Cerny. “We have staff that continually work in these areas managing weeds, water movement or other projects, so the public may see staff during these times of closure.”
The closures add to two other closures at SWAs currently in place in the San Luis Valley:
Photo of Southwestern Willow Flycatcher, courtesy USFWS
- Hot Creek SWA is closed to motor vehicles from Jan. 1 through April 30.
- La Jara SWA is closed to motor vehicles Jan. 1 until the last Thursday before Memorial Day. This year, that is May 26.
The purpose of those closures is to protect big-game animal winter range during the months elk and deer are most vulnerable.
For more information on seasonal closures in the San Luis Valley, call the Monte Vista office at 719-587-6900.
Adams State Gives Day
features student talent
The curtain will open on the third annual Adams State University Gives Day Talent Show and Telethon with a moving rendition of “Take on Me,” performed by 68 West. The evening’s entertainment will move along at a fast pace with instrumental and vocal music, dance, and a little chemistry magic.
Talented students and alumni will perform throughout the evening beginning at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 15, live in Richardson Hall or streaming at adams.edu/live. The event is an opportunity to showcase the talents of current and former Adams State students, with a focus on raising funds to support scholarships and programs that help students succeed at Adams State University.
Tune in for special guest stars Freddie Jaquez, Adams State Class of 1976, and Semillas de la Tierra. A clarinet duo rendition of “Harlem Blue” and “Nice to See You Jazzin’ Away” should
have the audience swinging in their seats. Hosts Adams State School of Visual and Performing Arts Director John Taylor, Ph.D., and Alamosa Mayor Ty Coleman will welcome the 2021 NCAA Division II Women’s Cross Country Champions and their coaches to the stage for a brief recognition of their impressive win.
Theater students Aaron Corona, singing “Come Dance With Me,” and Jamie Buzomi,
performing an original song, are sure to charm audiences. It’s not all song and dance as chemistry students will light up the stage with two brief experiments and the a cappella group 68 West will close out the evening with Run to You and All Star.
The event can be viewed at adams.edu/live.
Students will staff a live telephone bank to accept pledges made during the talent show. Viewers can call in to make a gift or a pledge to 1-844-GIVE-ASU or 844-448-3278. For every dollar donated, three more dollars will be added, thanks to the $100,000 match by Duane and Lorey Bussey and San Luis Valley Federal Bank.
US 160 east of Monte Vista:
Road work continues next week
RIO GRANDE COUNTY ― The Colorado Department of Transportation will continue to perform crack sealing operations on US Highway 160 just east of Monte Vista, mile points 217-222. Work will take place weekdays, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., through the remainder of February. Travelers should allow for extra time as intermittent closures will be enforced to allow crews to work on the highway.
Traffic Impacts: Drivers will encounter full stops. Flagging personnel will guide traffic through the work zone. Up to 15-minute delays are anticipated. A reduced speed of 40 MPH will be in place and drivers should slow down and use extreme caution when approaching and driving through the work zone. Motorists are urged to be aware of crews working on the highway with heavy equipment.
CDOT and State Patrol begin
increased DUI patrols
The Colorado State Patrol and CDOT are establishing sobriety checkpoints, saturation patrols and additional law enforcement ahead of the Super Bowl weekend. “It’s the game of the year and we know a lot of Coloradans are excited for Super Bowl festivities,” said CDOT’s Safety Director Darrell Lingk. “Whether people are going out or hosting parties at home, everyone needs to be held accountable for their actions and work together to eliminate impaired driving.”
