Election forum expands to 2 nights; set for Oct. 7, 15

The 2015 Election Forum, sponsored by Steamboat Today, the Steamboat Springs Board of Realtors and the Routt County Republican and Democrat parties, has expanded to two nights due to the number of candidates running for Steamboat Springs City Council and Steamboat Springs School Board.

The first forum will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 7, at the Steamboat Grand and will focus on Steamboat School Board candidates, the one contested race for Colorado Mountain College’s board of trustees and the Steamboat School District’s bond issue and mill levy override ballot proposals.

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The second forum is slated for 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 15, at the Grand, and its focus will be on Steamboat City Council races and the local broadband referendums. Both forums will begin with a candidate meet-and-greet from 5 to 5:45 p.m. Appetizers will be served and there a cash bar will be available.

Questions will not be accepted from the audience on the nights of the forum, but Steamboat Today Editor Lisa Schlichtman, who will moderate both events, is accepting questions from the public in advance. Email questions to lschlichtman@steamboattoday.com.

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Call-in line enables residents to listen to public meetings

Routt County commissioners have established a call-in line enabling people to listen in live to public meetings held in the Commissioners Hearing Room at the Routt County Courthouse in Steamboat Springs. People are invited to listen to the meetings, but there is no capability to take public comment. The call-in number is 970-870-5499, and the next meeting is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 29.

1st Impressions candidates forum at 11:30 a.m. Wednesday

The annual First Impressions candidates forum will be held from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Wednesday in the County Commissioners Hearing Room on the third floor of the historic Routt County Courthouse, 522 Lincoln Ave. The event provides an opportunity for members of Routt County’s Early Childhood Council, First Impressions and the public to hear from candidates on where they stand on issues facing families with young children. To RSVP, contact Stephanie Martin at 970-870-5270 or smartin@co.routt.co.us.

Nominations for local museum awards due Wednesday

Each year, the Leckenby and Larson Awards Committee, in association with the Tread of Pioneers Museum, presents two awards that honor persons who have enriched the quality of life in Routt County. These citizens have served public institutions, preserved local history or contributed significantly to the county’s heritage.

Since 1980, the Leckenby Pioneer Award has been given to a living person in Routt County; since 1982, the Stanley L. Larson Award has been given posthumously. The committee is seeking the community’s help in assuring that people from all parts of the county are considered and nominated for these awards.

Nominees of the Leckenby Pioneer Award:

■ Should have lived a total of 30 years in the county. The nominee does not have to be living here now,

■ Should be involved with the

community, responsive to community needs (past and present) and serve as a representative of the history of the community.

■ Should demonstrate personal integrity, and,

■ Should be inspirational to youth.

Qualifications for the Stanley L. Larson Award are:

■ The nominee must have lived in Routt County and must now be deceased.

■ The nominee must have made a major contribution to Routt County.

Community members are encouraged to submit nominations for these awards. A short summary of the nominee would be helpful in the committee’s decision-making. Nominations can be emailed to topmuseum@springsips.com, attention Candice Bannister. Include contact information, and submit nominations by today. Past nominations may be resubmitted.

Short films feature Cook Islands, American plains

Bud Werner Memorial Library will present a free screening of two award-winning short films from the 2015 International Wildlife Film Festival at 6:30 p.m. Monday in Library Hall.

“Mapping the Blue,” a film by Alison Barrat, takes viewers to the Cook Islands, where in 2012 officials announced a Mega Marine Park — the biggest on Earth. The film tells the story of how Rugby League star Kevin Iro turned conservationist and founded the world’s largest sanctuary where he used to play as a boy. By using high tech mapping, Iro and his team are able to show the best uses for areas within this pristine ocean park which is good for conservation and the needs of local people.

“Silencing the Thunder,” a film by Eddie Roqueta, travels to Montana, where when temperatures drop, wild bison migrate to lower elevations outside the boundaries of Yellowstone National Park. But once outside, they run the risk of being killed because some carry a chronic disease called brucellosis that ranchers fear could spread to cattle. The film presents the obstacles ranchers face, as well as the side of those trying to protect one of America’s most iconic animal.

Visit steamboatlibrary.org/events for more information.

WWFM 91.1 set to present classical music Friday

Live From Steamboat, on WWFM 91.1, will present classical music from the Strings Music Festival at 10 a.m. Friday, Sept. 25, as part of the radio station’s “Celebrating Our Musical Community” program hosted by Diane Guvenis. This month’s program includes Tchaikovsky’s “Serenade for Strings in C Major” and a sonata for piano and violin written by the composer idolized by Tchaikovsky, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.

These broadcasts, which are featured on the last Friday of each month, are made possible by the cooperation of WWFM in Trenton, New Jersey, Strings Music Festival of Steamboat Springs and West Slope FM.

Information about veterans’ benefits, claims available

Anyone wanting information on veterans benefits or who needs assistance filing a claim for veterans benefits can contact Michael T. Condie, Routt County Veterans Service officer, at 970-870-5469 or mcondie@co.routt.co.us. His office is in the second floor of the Routt County Courthouse Annex, 136 Sixth St. Office hours are 8 a.m. to noon Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday and 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Thursdays.

Transportation department upgrades bike, byways maps

The Colorado Department of Transportation is upgrading its Statewide Bicycle and Scenic Byways map, giving local governments an opportunity to provide cycling information specific to their area.

Initially, bicyclists could go online and review and search routes based on shoulder width, traffic volumes, lodging, bike shops, restaurants and other areas of interest. Now, local jurisdictions can add similar cycling information to the site.

Local agencies can access the site and request to be a “trail editor.” Once approved, they can upload their GIS files showing their local trails, routes, bike lanes, etc. Trail editors must be associated with a government agency to be approved.

To access the map, visit dtdapps.coloradodot.info/bike.