Traffic signal replacement work set to begin Tuesday

Contractors for the Colorado Department of Transportation will replace a damaged traffic signal on the northwest corner of U.S. Highway 40 and Ninth Street in Steamboat Springs on Tuesday, Sept. 15. The signal pole was damaged recently when a vehicle struck the pole, causing a 20-inch crack in the structure.

The repair work will begin at 9 a.m. and is expected to last six to eight hours.

Traffic control will be in place and motorists can expect four lanes of traffic running as the left lane turn lanes will be used for through traffic. Motorists should expect two closures of 10 to 15 minutes later in the day as the mast arms are replaced and traffic is held for safety reasons.

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Routt County Riders to lead trail build day Saturday

Routt County Riders will lead a trail build day on Emerald Mountain from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 19. The group will be putting finishing touches on the newest trail to join the Emerald network — NPR (No Pedaling Required).

Volunteers are needed to assist with the trail build project and should meet at 8:45 a.m. at the Blackmere Drive trailhead. Volunteers can bring their bikes and ride down after. This trail work day is made possible thanks to support from Soda Mountain Construction.

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Tools will be provided; volunteers should wear sturdy shoes and bring work gloves, backpack, sunscreen, rain gear, cap and water. Following the work session, volunteers can enjoy lunch donated by a local restaurant and beverages donated by New Belgium Brewing Company at approximately 1 p.m. RSVP for a free lunch and trail builder T-shirt to trails@routtcountyriders.org or at goo.gl/ptvtsq.

Visit routtcountyriders.org for more information.

Suds N Grub event set

to feature beer-tasting stroll

Suds N Grub, a downtown beer-tasting stroll, will kick off the Steamboat Springs OktoberWest weekend from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 18. The event takes participants on a tour of main street and along the beautiful Yampa River to mingle, nibble and sample draft beers at a variety of local restaurants. Beer tokens and a tasting mug can be purchased at Schmiggity’s starting at 5:30 p.m. Suds N’ Grub will end with an after party at Schmiggity’s featuring local musicians starting at 9:30 p.m.

CDOT continues road work on Colorado Highway 9

The Colorado Department of Transportation is continuing its safety and improvements project on the 11-mile segment of Colorodo Highway 9 between Kremmling and Silverthorne. Traffic delays of as many as 45 minutes and rough road conditions should be expected. Work will continue through Friday with possible work also planned from 6:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday. Crews are working on the north end of the project between mile markers 131 and 137, where there is one lane of alternating traffic. At mile marker 132.5, there are temporary detours in place for underpass structure work. Motorists, cyclists and bikers are urged to use extreme caution and follow reduced posted speed limits and flaggers’ instructions.

4 seats on CMC’s board of trustees up for election

Voters will see four seats up for election, one contested, for the Colorado Mountain College Board of Trustees on the November ballot.

The four districts with seats up for election are:

■ District 2 — Roaring Fork School District Re-1 Director Districts B, C, D and E. Current trustee Kathy Goudy is running, as is Jon P. Warnick.

■ District 4 — Summit County School District Re-1. Patricia J. Theobald is running unopposed. This seat will be vacated by Robert Taylor, who decided not to run for re-election for personal reasons.

■ District 5 — Steamboat Springs School District Re-2. Current trustee Ken Brenner is running unopposed.

■ District 6 — Lake County School District Re-1 and Eagle County School District Re-50J Director District A. Current trustee Patricia M. Chlouber is running unopposed.

The Colorado Mountain College Board of Trustees has seven at-large seats that are elected by all the voters in the six counties that constitute the CMC District. Board responsibilities include employing and evaluating the president, approving the college budget, certifying the mill levy, establishing college goals and monitoring the progress of the institution.

One resident from Eagle, Lake, Pitkin, Routt and Summit counties is elected to the board. An East Garfield and a West Garfield County resident are also selected by voters to serve. Those elected serve four-year terms. The board usually meets on a monthly basis at locations across the district.

CDOT to crank up heat with drunk driving campaign

The Colorado Department of Transportation is ready to crank up the heat on drunk drivers with the statewide Fall Festivals DUI enforcement period. Working with the Colorado State Patrol and local law enforcement agencies, CDOT’s The Heat Is On campaign began Friday, Sept. 11 and will continue until Oct. 26.

The DUI enforcement arrives on the heels of the Labor Day enforcement period, where 74 law enforcement agencies arrested 939 people between Aug. 21 and Sept. 8, according to preliminary data.

“Even one alcohol or drug impaired driver is one too many and serves as a reminder of the importance of education and enforcement,” said Darrell Lingk, director of the CDOT’s Office of Transportation Safety, in a news release. “CDOT’s The Heat Is On campaign helps keep Coloradans safe from those that act irresponsibly and put others at risk.” 

“With the arrival of fall, we tend to see an increase in impaired driving due to alcohol-related events such as Oktoberfest and football season, among other factors,” added Col. Scott Hernandez, chief of the Colorado State Patrol. “We realize people want to have a good time, and that is fine, but drinkers must be responsible and never get behind the wheel impaired.” 

Low-interest loans help producers start or expand

Farmers and ranchers still have time to apply for low interest loans available through the FSA direct farm ownership program, according to U.S. Department of Agriculture Colorado Farm Service Agency Director Leland Swenson. Applications must be approved by Sept. 30 to take advantage of the funding available.

Eligible farmers and ranchers can borrow as much as $300,000 to buy farmland, construct or repair buildings, pay closing costs or promote soil and water conservation. The interest rate can be as low as 1.5 percent with up to 40 years to repay.

“If you are thinking about purchasing or expanding your farm or ranch, our affordable loans can help,” Swenson said. “There are no backlogs or waiting for funds, so give us a call today.”

New farmers and ranchers, military veterans and underserved farmers and ranchers also are encouraged to apply. Each year Congress targets 80 percent of available loan funds to beginning and targeted underserved farmers and ranchers. 

For more information about the farm loan program, visit fsa.usda.gov/farmloans or contact the local FSA office.