Storm Mountain News

Local News

Saturday July 15th - Work On 34 Begins Monday...

On Monday, July 17th, Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) will begin a 10 mile preventative maintenance project on US 34 between Estes Park and Drake. The chip seal portion of the work is expected to take approximately four to five days, weather permitting.

"This project will chip seal US 34, which is a proactive maintenance activity that preserves and extends the life of the roadway," said CDOT Project Engineer Sarah Mayse. "The process will not take a lot of time but it will require lane closures and delays throughout the week."

During the chip seal, motorists can expect single lane alternating traffic from 7am to 5pm and from 8pm to 5am. Pilot cars will be on site to direct traffic through the work zone and delays up to 20 minutes are possible.

"We will have two to three pilot cars on site to ensure that one direction of traffic is always moving." added Mayse. "This process should help keep delays to a minimum, but we do want motorists to be aware that delays between 10-20 minutes are possible depending on the traffic volumes."

The speed limit will be reduced to 30 mph approaching and leaving the work zone and 20 mph through the work zone. Motorists are advised to follow the speed limit as chips may be loose. In addition, bicycles are encouraged to avoid the construction zone until the project is complete.

A-1 Chip Seal is the contractor for this $549,000 project, which will be complete by the end of July. The chip seal portion of the project will be complete by Friday, July 21st, but crews will have to return to the project site the following week to stripe US 34. Traffic delays will be minimal during the striping operations.

Thursday July 13th - Hot Days Ahead...

Hot days are ahead for the area. Record temperatures are forecast through the weekend with Sunday's high temperature predicted to be a scorching 104° F in Denver.

While triple digit highs are predicted for the Denver area, higher elevations will see temperatures in the 80's and 90's. 

As little to no precipitation is expected during this period, fire danger levels are also expected to increase with very high to extreme fire conditions possible by Sunday.

Wednesday July 12th - Recent Rains Raise West Nile Concerns...

Hundreds of ornamental ponds that have been dry for the last several months have been filled by this past weekend’s rain. Many of them will start producing large numbers of Culex mosquitoes in the next few days, warned Mike Doyle, Health Educator for the Larimer County Department of Public Health and Environment.  Culex mosquitoes, and the birds they infect, are the primary cause for West Nile Virus in Larimer County.

“Now is the time to check your backyard for standing water,” Doyle said.  “It’s also good to watch for unmaintained, “For Sale,” or vacant properties that have containers or ornamental ponds,” he added.  “If not, in the next week or so you will likely see lots of adult mosquitoes that have the ability to transmit West Nile Virus.”

Doyle observed that an ornamental pond in his neighborhood has been dry and full of leaves for the last two months. “As of Monday morning it had 4 or 5 inches of perfect ‘mosquito’ water,” he said.  “I expect to see Culex mosquito larvae any day now.”

So what can Larimer County residents do to discourage mosquitoes from breeding in their own, or their neighbors’ backyards?

Fort Collins, Loveland, and Windsor residents can call the local mosquito control agency (Colorado Mosquito Control) which works with property owners to find a way to remove the mosquito larvae. In many cases, they will treat the water free as part of the city’s mosquito control program.  Some homeowners associations may also contract for mosquito control services.

Several “do it yourself” options also exist.  Property owners can stock ornamental ponds with mosquito-eating fish, treat the ponds with a mosquito-killing bacteria, or treat the ponds with a specialized mosquito growth hormone.  “Most products intended for mosquito control in ponds are labeled as safe for fish, pets, and children.” said Doyle.

In addition, Doyle stresses the ongoing message to wear mosquito repellent when outside during mosquito peak activity hours, from dusk to dawn.

For more information, call Mike Doyle at the Larimer County Department of Health and Environment, 970-498-6752, or visit www.larimer.org/health

Tuesday July 11th - Fire Restrictions Extended...

The restrictions prohibit open fires/burning; the use of fireworks; and, public firework displays. There is one exception to the open fires/burning restriction: citizens who live in residential-type neighborhoods in the unincorporated areas of Larimer County can operate a charcoal grill on a non-combustible surface at their residence. Contained open fires, those in permanent masonry or metal grills at campgrounds for example, are not restricted at this time. The County’s complete ‘fire ordinance’, with specific details, is available at: http://www.larimer.org/policies/. Any person who knowingly violates the restrictions commits a class 2 petty offense.

Today’s extension was approved despite recent rains in the region and based on a recommendation from the Larimer County Sheriff’s Office. The weather forecast is calling for high temperatures through the weekend and fuels are expected to dry out quickly again supporting the fire danger.

Current fire restrictions went into place in Larimer County on June 2nd. The Board of County Commissioners recently also the banned the sale of fireworks in unincorporated Larimer County.

Sunday July 9th - Photo Of The Week...

This week's photo, taken near the "T" on the 4th of July, features a stand of Wild Bergamot and one of the many beautiful views found throughout our area. 

Wild Bergamot (Monarda fistulosa) is a member of the Mint Family and a common summer flower across the United States. A domesticated variety, Bee Balm (Monarda didyma), is often planted in home gardens for its colorful lavender to red blossoms and unparalleled ability to attract hummingbirds.

Wild bergamot is a native perennial from slender creeping rhizomes and thus commonly occurs in large clumps. Plants are up to 3 feet tall with a few erect branches. Leaves are 2-3 inches long, lance-shaped, and toothed. Flower clusters are solitary at the ends of branches. Each lavender cluster is about 1 1/2 inches long and contains about 20-50 flowers.

Wild Bergamot is noted for its fragrance, and is a source of oil of thyme. One authority states that Amerindians recognized four varieties that had different odors. Leaves were eaten boiled with meat, and a decoction of the plant was made into hair pomade. The herb is considered an active diaphoretic (sweat inducer).

Bergamot is used as a tea and inhaled to sooth bronchial complaints and ease colds. Thymol is contained in this plant which has been used as a stimulant and to relieve digestive flatulence and nausea.

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