Forest Service reminds snowmobile riders of rules

U.S. Forest Service officials are reminding area snowmobile riders that until a foot or more of snow is on the ground, snowmobiles are not permitted in the Routt National Forest.

Kent Foster, USFS recreation manager, said a foot of snow is needed to protect vegetation and other important features of the national forest, such as wetlands and sensitive areas.

“This snow depth protects the visitor’s investment in snowmobiles, as well as the natural features. A foot of snow barely covers up rocks, logs and other hard objects that can damage snowmobiles,” he said.

Spokeswoman Diann Ritschard said there will likely be more dead trees on the ground this year due to the bark beetle epidemic, so riders should take extra precautions when snowmobiling.

People caught snowmobiling on less than a foot of snow will be issued citations.

For more information about area national forests, please visit http://www.fs.fed.us/r2/mbr.

Free diapers offered to mothers who quit smoking

The Northwest Colorado Visiting Nurse Association’s “Baby and Me Tobacco Free” program offers free diapers for one year to any pregnant woman who is trying to quit smoking or who recently has quit.

For more information, call Hope Cook at the VNA at 871-7622.