The Steamboat Springs School District’s collaborative bargaining team is meeting at 8:30 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 23 at the District Office, 325 Seventh St. The meeting is open to the public. The agenda for the meeting is available at steamboatschools.net under announcements.

Public input sought on ski area’s environmental impact statement

The U.S. Forest Service, Medicine Bow-Routt National Forests and Thunder Basin National Grassland are seeking comments on a draft environmental impact statement that analyzes proposed improvement projects at Steamboat Ski Resort. Public input at this stage will help guide the decision-making process for this project.
Steamboat Ski Resort operates under a special use permit from the National Forest and is located on the Hahns Peak/Bears Ears Ranger District, Routt National Forest.
The draft environmental impact statement analyzes one action alternative, which includes individual projects located in the Rough Rider, Bashor Bowl, Pony Express and Pioneer Ridge areas of Steamboat Ski Resort. These projects would occur within the resort’s existing special use permit area.
The projects are proposed to improve the quality of guest services, increase operational efficiencies and enhance the recreation experience for all skier ability levels. The recreational benefits of these projects will be weighed against the identified resource impacts these projects may create.
A project decision will be made after considering information contained within the analysis, public comments, and staff recommendations.
Comments on the project will be accepted until March 5. The entire draft environmental impact survey is available for review at fs.usda.gov/project/?project=48246. A comment form is included on the website, which allows the public to submit comments electronically.

Snowshoeing, history, happy hour events join

A pair of local organizations passionate about education, history and community are teaming up on Jan. 28 and Feb. 27 to present “Snowshoe Through History.”
The Tread of Pioneers and Yampatika will offer a unique program for families with kids ages 8 to 12 at the historic Legacy/Hutchinson Ranch, at 35435 East U.S. Highway 40, from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. Jan. 28.
Snowshoe through history as wildlife detectives searching for signs of animals that frequent the ranch. Dive deeper into what animals are doing in the winter and reflect on how human activities have changed over time.
These human and history connections will be made outside as well as inside the historic buildings of the ranch where there will be storytelling and pioneer life activities to connect everyone to what life may have been like for people in the past, including Elizabeth Hutchinson, a Routt County homesteader who lived on the ranch.
Then at 4:30 p.m. Feb. 27, adults 21 and older are invited to “Snowshoe Through History Happy Hour.” The event begins with an easy snowshoe program around the Legacy/Hutchinson Ranch meadow. Then participants will then head inside the historic ranch house to enjoy some hot happy hour beverages and a fascinating history talk.
Parking is very limited on site, so registration is required in advance for both events. The first 25 people who sign up for each event will receive free admission. Register by emailing or calling Yampatika at info@yampatika.org or 970-871-9151.