Registration is now open for the third annual Give It a Tri kids and beginner triathlon, to be held Sunday at Catamount Ranch and Club. Last year, 150 kids and adults participated in the USA Triathlon-sanctioned event.

Age groups include: 6 and younger; 7 to 8; 9 to 10; 11 to 12; 13 to 15; adult beginner; and adult competitive. There is also a relay category for all age groups. All beginners and first timers will receive medals, and there are competitive awards for the top three men and top three women.

The event is sponsored by Get Fit Family Racing. For more information, maps and a link to register, visit getfitfamilyracing.com.

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Deadline is Monday for sand painting design submissions

Bud Werner Memorial Library is seeking design idea submissions for the 2015 community sand painting, which will take place during the time six Tibetan Buddhist monks from Drepung Loseling Monastery take up residency at Bud Werner Memorial Library from July 29 to Aug. 2 to construct a sand mandala in Library Hall.

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As the monks create their sand mandala, the community will have an opportunity to try the ancient art of sand painting, using the same tools and techniques that the monks employ, on an adjacent community sand painting.

Design ideas must be submitted to the library by no later than 5 p.m. Monday. The winning design will be revealed before the monks arrive, in mid-July. Designs can be delivered in person to the library front desk or via mail to 1289 Lincoln Ave., Steamboat Springs, CO 80487. Clearly mark submissions with name, phone number and email address.

Important elements to consider for design submissions can be found at steamboatlibrary.org/events/community-sand-painting-design-contest-2015.

Weed spraying set for Emerald, Spring Creek Park

The City of Steamboat Springs has been awarded a grant from the state of Colorado for the treatment and removal of noxious weeds on Emerald Mountain and Spring Creek Park. There will be a weed spraying technician working on Emerald Mountain in early summer and on Spring Creek later in the summer. All trails on the Emerald Mountain trail system will be treated.

The affected trails and areas will be marked with yellow flagging prior to spraying, and markers will remain in place for 24 hours. The trails will be safe for use, but if you wish to avoid spraying operations, alternative trails and routes will be accessible.

The chemical used to treat the noxious weeds will be marked with blue dye for easy identification of the treated areas. Please do not handle blue stained vegetation, and keep pets at a safe distance. For further information, call Brad Setter, Howelsen Ski Hill/rodeo supervisor, at 970-871-7035 or email bsetter@steamboatsprings.net.

Local veterans groups reach out to returning soldiers

The Routt County Veterans Affairs, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 4264 and American Legion Post 44 in Steamboat would like to meet and greet local sons and daughters returning from military service. The VFW is looking for female war veterans and new members.

For more information, call VFW Post Commander Tony Weiss at 970-846-5035, Jim Stanko at 970-879-3936 or Routt County veterans service officer Michael T. Condie at 970-879-5489.

Food bank in Hayden will distribute food as needed

The Hayden Community Food Bank and outreach ministry of Hayden Congregational Church will distribute food on an as-needed basis. Call Theresa Stivers at 970-276-2507.

Girl Scouts in Steamboat looking for volunteers 

The Steamboat Springs Girl Scouts are looking for volunteers. For more information, contact Nancy Mucklow at 970-846-2630 or mucklow@wildblue.net.

Copper Magnate accepts throwaway electronics

The Copper Magnate reminds Routt County residents it is against the law to throw away anything with a cord. The Copper Magnate does offer a newly permitted free metal and electronics public drop-off site.

All electronics and car batteries, with the exception of televisions, are free to recycle, as are all things metal with the exception of refrigerators. For more information, call 970-846-6991.

Forest Service to protect private forestlands

The Colorado State Forest Service is now accepting Forest Legacy Program proposals from Colorado landowners.

The program authorizes the USDA Forest Service or the CSFS to purchase permanent conservation easements on private forestlands to prevent those lands from being converted to non-forest uses.

The application deadline is 4 p.m. July 24 for federal fiscal year 2017 funding. Proposals must be submitted by mail.

The purpose of the Colorado Forest Legacy Program is to protect environmentally important private forest areas that are threatened by conversion to non-forest uses. The program provides an opportunity for private landowners to retain ownership and management of their land, while receiving compensation for unrealized development rights.

The Colorado State Forest Stewardship Coordinating Committee will evaluate proposals and recommend to the state forester those proposals that have sufficient merit to forward to the USDA Forest Service. Forwarded proposals will then compete at a regional level; those selected at the regional level will compete nationally for funding.

For additional information or to obtain an application packet, contact Naomi Marcus at 970-491-6303. Applications also are available online at csfs.colostate.edu/funding-assistance.

Colorado health exchange special enrollment available

Have you had any of the following life-change events in the last month? If so, you may qualify for health insurance coverage through Connect for Health Colorado outside of the open enrollment period:

■ Marriage, birth, adoption and placement for foster care.

■ Your insurance plan or Medicaid coverage was canceled or ended.

■ You changed jobs and lost your employer-sponsored insurance.

■ You gained citizenship or immigration status.

■ You experienced a change in incarceration status.

■ You moved to Colorado.

For more information or to meet with a health coverage guide, call 970-871-7664 in Moffat County or 970-871-7638 in Routt County.

Photos sought for Yampa Valley Medical history book

Yampa Valley Medical Center’s book on the 100-year history of Steamboat Springs hospitals is progressing toward publication. Author Christine McKelvie is interested in finding information about the Payne building, which was located on Sixth Street in 1914.

She also is seeking hospital or physician photos dating from 1914 to 1990, particularly images of Dr. M.L. Crawford from the 1930s, ’40s or ’50s; Dr. R. C. Hooper from 1937 to 1942; or Hooper Hospital at either location, in the Maxwell building or at 11th Street and Lincoln Avenue.

Anyone who has photos or information to share may call McKelvie at 970-871-2540 or email her at christine.mckelvie@yvmc.org.