Hello Amanda,

Friendly reminder about our second educational Noxious Weed Day on Saturday, June 1 from 8:00 am-12:00 pm at 2300 County Shop Road, Steamboat Springs, CO 80487. Join the Routt County Noxious Weed Program, Noxious Weed Advisory Board and CSU Master Gardeners for this educational event open to the public to help residents with plant identification and noxious weed management. This is a drop-in event, no reservations required. We encourage you to bring: 

• Any weed management questions you may have
• Plant specimens or photos to be identified
• Functioning handheld or backpack sprayer to be calibrated
• Appropriate PPE if you are wishing to receive up to five gallons of premixed herbicide solution. PPE should include: long sleeves, long pants, shoes with socks, and eye protection. Herbicide is to target whitetop and many other broadleaf weeds such as thistles, mullein and Houndstongue.  

Contact the Routt County Noxious Weed Program at weeds@co.routt.co.us or 970.870.5246 with any questions. Find all details online at Routt County | Weed Program.

General Updates

Routt County Offices Closed Monday, May 27: Routt County Offices will be closed on Monday, May 27 in observance of Memorial Day. Regular business hours will resume on Tuesday, May 28.

Routt County Clerk & Recorder Introduces GovOS Property Alert: GovOS Property Alert is a free real property fraud alert system. Real property fraud is a fast-growing crime as damaging as identity theft, with the added risk of losing your property. Real property fraud is where a party fraudulently records documents against your property for financial gain or to attempt to take ownership without your knowledge. After creating an alert record, you will receive email notifications anytime a document is recorded against your property or name. Find all details online and sign up today!

Have you moved or updated your P.O. Box? Make sure to update your voter registration online www.govotecolorado.gov!

Reminder to Unaffiliated Voters: Colorado law allows unaffiliated voters to vote in a primary election. Here's how it works:

1. You received two ballots in your packet: one from the Democratic Party and one from the Republican Party.
2. Choose ONLY ONE of these ballots and fill it out. Your vote in this election will not affiliate you with a political party. Please tear up and throw away the ballot you won't use.
3. Return ONLY ONE voted ballot in the return envelope. Returning two voted ballots will disqualify all of your votes.
4. Sign the Affidavit of Voter on your ballot return envelope and return your ballot before 7:00 pm on Election Day.

County Road Event Permits: To Apply for a Road Event permit please visit The Routt County Permitting Portal on CityView. Select Public Works and Apply for permit. It will then prompt you to set up an account if you do not already have one. Once you set up your account you will then select Public Works, Apply for Permit, Special Events permit. Follow all prompts and attach all documents needed. You will need to fill out this application and attach it in your documents. Please review The County Road Event Permit Policy prior to applying. All information regarding County Road Event Permits, including current pending or approved permits can be found online. If you have any questions about applying for permits, progress on pending or approved permits, contact Tony Brown at 970.870.5344 or tbrown@co.routt.co.us. 

CDOT US 40 Concrete Rehab Project: Concrete rehabilitation improvement work on US Highway 40 will occur near Steamboat Springs. Traffic Impacts for Tuesday, May 28 to Friday, May 31:

• Eastbound and westbound single-lane and median closures from 3rd Street to 4th Street
• Westbound single-lane closure on 12th Street

Stay updated about this project:

• Project Webpage: codot.gov/projects/us40steamboatrehab
• Hotline: 970.875.6461
• Email: steamboatmainstrepairs@gmail.com

Go solar, together! Sign up now for the Northwest Colorado Solar Co-op before it’s too late. The co-op closes to new members on June 30. Organized by nonprofit Solar United Neighbors (SUN), the Northwest Colorado Solar Co-op is leveraging the power of group buying to help members get a competitive price and quality solar installation. The solar co-op is open to homeowners and small business owners. After a competitive solar installer bidding process facilitated by SUN, a group of volunteers from the co-op will select a solar company to complete the co-op's installations. It’s free to join and there is no obligation to purchase solar. Sign up to learn more.

Business Leadership for Climate Workshop: Colorado Green Business Network of the Yampa Valley invites local businesses and organizations to attend the third Business Leadership for Climate Workshop May 29 from noon-1:30 pm in the Routt County Community Room. This is the third installment of a four-part workshop series co-hosted by the Yampa Valley Sustainability Council and the Steamboat Chamber, and will focus on funding opportunities for participating businesses. The event is free and lunch is provided, but registration is required online. Please reach out to Ashley Dean with any questions.

CARbon-Free Challenge Starts in June: As in years past, participants will log their miles and have the ability to take part as a solo rider, family, or adult team. Participants can log miles for commuting, running errands, going out, etc., all while using an alternative form of travel (e.g. walking, biking, longboarding, rollerblading, etc.). Riders who commit to taking alternative transportation at least once per week can expect great prizes from our local sponsors and fun prize categories. Find all details and register online.

“Insight: Art for Climate Action”: The opening show for “Insight: Art for Climate Action” will be held on Friday, June 7, 2024, at 5:00 pm during First Friday Artwalk at Steamboat Creates. Hosted by Yampa Valley Sustainability Council (YVSC), this unique exhibition will feature a collection of pieces created by talented artists dedicated to raising awareness for climate change. Located at Steamboat Creates’ Bliss Hall at 1001 13th St, Steamboat Springs, CO 80487, this month-long event will showcase artwork slated for auction as part of the “Insight: Art for Climate Action” fundraiser benefiting YVSC and taking place on Saturday, June 29 at the Larson Barn in Steamboat Springs. Don’t miss this opportunity to engage with art as a powerful medium for addressing climate change. Learn more about the fundraiser and purchase tickets online. Learn more about the auction and bid on artwork starting June 7 online.

‘Boat Cruise benefitting Integrated Community: The Annual ‘Boat Cruise is a fun filled bike ride of teams competing to raise money for the non-profit, Integrated Community’s early childhood education program. This year the event is on Friday, August 23 and Saturday, August 24. Teams of six riders pedal through a 12-mile course for 24 hours. Kids and families are encouraged to participate. Find all details and the sign up form online. You still have time to put together a team before August, see details about team riding. 

News from the municipalities:

• Hayden
• Town of Oak Creek
• Town of Yampa

Stay Connected! There are lots of ways to stay connected to Routt County! For non-emergent news you can sign up for County News, follow Routt County on Facebook, Twitter Instagram or LinkedIn, and of course visit the County website.

Planning Department Update

Last week, the Routt County Planning Commission held a public hearing to further discuss the draft language of the Unified Development Code (UDC) and the proposed zone changes that accompany the UDC. The Planning Commissioners heard a presentation from Design Workshop, the consultant working with the County on the project and took public comment. After a roundtable discussion on several topics, the Planning Commissioners decided to table their final recommendation to May 30.  Topics discussed at last Thursday’s meeting included:

• Updated and consolidated zone districts, which will involve zone changes for some properties
• Changes made since the last planning commission meeting on standards for certain uses including golf courses and ski areas
• House sizes and how that will be calculated
• Standards and requirements for Workforce Housing, Essential Housing, and Employee Housing
• Vested Rights for Site Specific Development Plans
• A review of the public benefit requirements for certain large scale development

Navigate Your Routt continues to be updated with meeting minutes, recordings and reports. In addition, you can find the most recently published Draft Code Language in two versions, clean and redline. We welcome your comments online, via email or in person at an upcoming meeting:

• Planning Commission: May 30, 2024, 6:00 pm consideration of recommendation of UDC
• Board of County Commissioners: June 11, 2024, consideration of adoption of UDC

Reach out to the Planning Department at 970.879.2704 or by email at planningdept@co.routt.co.us with any questions or concerns. 

Building Department Update

Mark your calendar! Building Futures Event Schedule for September 18, 2024: The Routt County Regional Building Department through partnerships with the International Code Council will be hosting our 6^th Annual Building Futures Event this fall on September 18, 2024 at Howelsen Hill. This event offers our local high school students from Routt, Moffat, Grand, Rio Blanco, Garfield, Eagle, Jackson, and even Summit County an opportunity to discover and learn more about the career opportunities within the Construction and Design Sectors of our Economy. This event takes volunteers who are willing to set up a booth and offer both educational and hands on activities that allow our students to learn more about all the wonderful career opportunities available to them as they prepare to make decisions on their future. The Building Department would love to hear from any contractors, within all trade sectors, who are willing to participate in this one day event. In addition, we are looking for design professionals who are interested in participating. If you are interested in participating please email Todd Carr, Building Official for Routt County at tcarr@co.routt.co.us and provide your contact information and activities or booths you are interested in offering or participating in. We greatly appreciate your time, and thank you for supporting our youth as they plan their future. 

State of Colorado’s Energy Office Training Opportunity: State of Colorado’s Energy Office will be offering an IECC Blower door, Duct leakage, and Ventilation prep course for the BPI Infiltration and Duct Leakage Certification to help bolster the IECC compliance testing infrastructure in rural areas of the state. This BPI certification helps ensure AHJ confidence when working with IECC Approved Inspection Agencies, that individuals know how to perform the required field testing verification. View the Training Flyer to learn more about this training opportunity in Grand County on June 13 and 14, 2024.

Public Health Update

Healthy and Safe Swimming Week 2024: DYK? More children ages 1-4 die from drowning than any other cause of death. Drowning happens in seconds, is often silent, and can happen to anyone, any time there is access to water. The good news? You can prevent drowning. This week is Healthy and Safe Swimming Week and a time to highlight basic swimming and water safety skills to keep children and adults safe around the water. Here are some drowning prevention tips from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC):

• Learn basic swimming and water safety skills. Formal swimming lessons can reduce the risk of drowning.
• Build fences that fully enclose pools
• Supervise closely. Designate a responsible adult to supervise closely and constantly when children are in or near water (including bathtubs).
• Wear a life jacket
• Learn CPR
• Know the risks of natural waters. Lakes, rivers, and oceans have hidden hazards such as dangerous currents or waves, rocks or vegetation, and limited visibility.
• Avoid drinking alcohol before or during swimming, boating, or other water activities.
• Always swim with a buddy and choose swimming sites that have lifeguards when possible.  
• Know if your medical condition might increase your risk for drowning and take extra care.
• Avoid swimming if you take medications that impair your balance, coordination, or judgement.
• Do not hyperventilate before swimming underwater or try to hold your breath underwater for long periods of time.

For more information about how to prevent drowning, including knowing the risks of natural waters please visit the CDC’s Drowning Prevention webpage.

Mental Health Awareness Month: Colorado Crisis Services

When you feel overwhelmed, you don’t have to go it alone. Colorado Crisis Services can help if you don’t know where to start. Trained counselors and peer specialists will listen to your story, suggest next steps and even connect you to resources in the community. Everyone deserves someone who will listen and care, including you and your loved ones. Learn more at ColoradoCrisisServices.org. 

Employment Opportunities

One Fun Thing

Photo courtesy of Shannon Lukens.

"I Voted" Sticker Contest Winner Announced: Congratulations to Brody Frentress from Hayden High School, the winner of Routt County’s inaugural “I Voted” sticker contest! See the his winning design below. Routt County Clerk & Recorder, Jenny Thomas presented him with his award yesterday during a school award ceremony. His sticker design will be included in all mail ballot packets sent to registered voters in Routt County for the 2024 Presidential Election.