1. 50Cents
Trinidad
Colorado
Proudly Serving Southeastern Colorado and Northeastern New Mexico • www.thechronicle-news.com
~
Vol. 139, No. 38
Monday
February23,2015
FEBRUARY 23
Holy Trinity Academy
MONDAY (5:30 p.m.) School
board meeting at the school, 613 Pros-
pect St. Information: Andrea Jimenez,
719-846-4522.
Today’s Quote
“If you want a happy
ending, that depends,
of course, on where
you stop your story.”
~Orson Welles
FEBRUARY 24
THS KEY CLUB
THRU TUESDAY: Members are
joining in a food drive in partnership
with Pueblo Central High School to
feed homeless teens in the Pueblo
area. Please bring donations of non-
perishable food items or gently used
clothing items to 207 E. Main St. THS
students can bring items directly to the
school. Info: charray.reilly@trinidad.
k12.co.us.
Trinidad City Council
TUESDAY (1:30 p.m.) Special
session followed by regular work ses-
sion will be held at City Hall, 135 N.
Animas St. Information: Audra Garrett,
719-846-9843.
Vision Loss Support Group
TUESDAY (1:30-3:30 p.m.) OIB
(Older Individuals Who are Blind or
have Vision Loss) hosts a monthly sup-
port group at the Trinidad Work Force
Center, 140 N. Commercial. Refresh-
ments will be served and family and
friends are encouraged to attend. Info:
719-546-1271.
Calling all Square Dancers
TUESDAY (6-8 p.m.) Swing your
partner and join the fun at the Square
Dance Club at LaCasa on Hwy 12 in
Jansen.Newmembersandbeginnersal-
ways welcome. Info: Peter Monzon, 719-
845-0375 or pmm49@hotmail.com.
PUBLIC SERVICE
DEALING: GRIEF & LOSS
WEDNESDAY (5:30 p.m.) The
HOPE Pregnancy Center is offering a
special workshop for anyone interest-
ed in dealing with loss. Confidentiality
is a priority. Info: JoAnn, 719-846-4889
or joann@hpct.comcastbiz.net
Hoehne Schools
WEDNESDAY (6 p.m.) Hoehne
School Board will meet in regular ses-
sion in the Superintendents Office.
Information: Hannah Baca, 719-846-
4457 ext.109.
TASPERA
FRIDAY (1 p.m.) The Trinidad Area
School and Public Employees Retire-
ment Association will meet in the Sayre
Senior Center, 1222 San Pedro. Infor-
mation and lunch arrangements please
call: Paul Montera, 719-846-2423.
OPERA TRINIDAD
SATURDAY (Noon) Thrilling perfor-
mance—AIDA, by Giuseppe Verdi—the
composer’s grandest opera about the
forbidden love of an Egyptian general
and an Ethiopian slave, and the jealousy
of the daughter of the King of Egypt.
FUN & FUNDRAISER DINNER
SATURDAY (6 p.m.) The Trinidad
State Educational Foundation will host
their annual fundraiser dinner and silent
auction “Aim for the Fence” with fea-
tured guest speaker Colorado Rockies
great Todd Helton at the THS Donnelly
Gym. Info: Linda Perry (719-846-5649)
or Toni DeAngelis (719-846-5520).
Calling all ARTCAR Volunteers!
Volunteers are needed for the
Prison Art Car Project for the 2015
ArtoCade Festival. Must be willing to
take training class workshop for prison
admission. Info: Rodney Wood, 719-
334-0087.
GET ‘EM WHILE THEY LAST!
The Chronicle-News 2014 Col-
lector Mugs with beautiful artwork
by Trinidad Artist Paula Little are
here and waiting for you to come
pick them up, 200 West Church St.
Info: 719-846-3311.
FP Horse Association
MARCH 7 (10 a.m.) The 2015
Season kicks off with OPEN RIDE (10
a.m.), EXHIBITIONS (11 a.m.), OPEN
4-D BARREL RACE (Noon) followed
by YOUTH BARREL RACE and POLE
BENDING. All events will be at the
Las Animas County Fairgrounds in
the indoor arena (EXPO). Info: Susan
Schneider, 719-680-0666
DAYLIGHT SAVINGS TIME
MARCH 8 (2 a.m.) In less than two
weeks the Spring Time Change in the
United States begins. Don’t forget to
set your clocks ahead by one hour on
that Saturday night.
TheFinePrint
WeatherWatchMonday: Snow likely, mainly before 8 a.m.
Mostly cloudy, with a high near 28—wind chill
values between -5 and 5. South southeast
wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation
is 60 percent. New snow accumulation less
than one inch. Night: Mostly cloudy, with a
low around 14. West wind around 5 mph.
Tuesday: Partly sunny, with a high near
38. West wind 5 to 10 mph becoming north in
the morning. Night: Partly cloudy, with a low
around 16. West wind 5 to 10 mph.
Wednesday: A 20 percent chance of
snow after 11am. Increasing clouds, with
a high near 40. West wind around 5 mph.
Night: Snow likely. Mostly cloudy, with a low
around 18. Northeast wind around 5 mph.
Chance of precipitation is 60 percent.
Thursday: A 30 percent chance of snow.
Mostly cloudy, with a high near 27. Night: A
30 percent chance of snow. Mostly cloudy,
with a low around 8.
Friday: A 20 percent chance of snow.
Partly sunny, with a high near 32.
RiverCall
Purgatoire River Call as of:
02/20/15. Chilili ditch: Prior-
ity # 7 --- Appropriation date:
04/30/1862.
Trinidad Reservoir Accounting:
Release 0.91 AF
Inflow 47.88 AF -- 24.14 CFS
Evaporation 3.97 AF
Content 17,032 AF
Elevation 6,179.29
Precipitation 0
Downstream River Call: John
Martin Reservoir: (Conservation
Storage) 05/31/1949.
TheChronicleNews
Continued on Page 2 ...
Eckhard Elementary School
Special to The Chronicle-News
Recently Eckhart kindergarten and
first grade students entered into a Meerkat
Contest sponsored by the Colorado Council
International Reading Association. Each
child decorated his or her meerkat in a
reading theme. The winners were displayed
at the annual CCIRA reading conference in
Denver, Colorado, on February 5-7.
Eckhart is excited to announce that Ky-
lie Baruch from Ms. Armijo’s class placed
first, Brody Robinson from Mrs. Garcia’s
class placed second, and Jeremiah Romero
from Mrs. Armijo’s class placed third in the
K-2 division. Each student won an Amazon
gift card as well.
Congratulations to the students, parents,
and teachers.
WINNERS TAKE FIRST, SECOND, THIRD
Eckhart students bring home
top honors in Denver Reading
contest — The Meerkats Win!
Photos courtesy of Eckhart Elementary School
Kylie Baruch, Brody Robinson and Jeremiah Romero (L-R) took the winning honors for their grade
levels at the recent Meerkat Reading Contest in Denver with adorable renditions of their favorite
literary meerkats. The winning entries above are: First Place (Kylie Baruch), ‘Sofia the Reading
Ballerina,” above left, Second Place (Brody Robinson), ‘Wallop,” above center, and Third Place
(Jeremiah Romero), ‘Cool Bronco Meerkat-Read to Succeed,” above center. Way to go, kids!
POLICE UPDATE
Situation clarification: Local elementary school lockdown report
Staff Report
The Chronicle-News
Last Thursday’s situation at
Eckhart Elementary School was
clarified by a press release from
the Trinidad Police Department.
The release says that on Thursday
February 19, 2015, at approximate-
ly 12:15 p.m., Trinidad Police De-
partment officers were dispatched
to Eckhart Elementary School on
a report of a suspicious male party
wearing all black and causing a
disturbance at the school.
Upon arrival officers observed
a male party who matched the de-
scription on the 300 block of South
High Street. The male party, later
identified as Daniel Quintero,
began running east and north
through numerous yards and
jumping fences as he went.
Due to the proximity to the
school, administrators kept the
school on “lock out” status and the
children could not go outside for
recess.
All of Trinidad’s public schools
are on a permanent lock out sta-
tus, meaning that all visitors to the
schools must push a buzzer near
the school’s main entrance doors
in order to be allowed to enter by
a school staff member. Eckhart El-
ementary School was not on lock-
down status during the incident,
according to school officials. Infor-
mation from police last Thursday
indicated that the school had been
on lockdown, but that information
was incorrect. In a lockdown situ-
ation, no one except law enforce-
ment officers are allowed to enter
File photo / The Chronicle-News
Continued on Page 2 ...
TRINIDAD STATE
Foundation
names new
board members
By Toni DeAngelis
Trinidad State
Special to The Chronicle-News
At the Trinidad State Junior
College Educational Founda-
tion’s recent annual membership
meeting and Board of Directors
meeting, the Foundation mem-
bers elected two from the group to
the Board of Directors, Kathleen
Griego, owner of the Wendy’s in
Trinidad, and Mary Lou Tallon,
Banking Center Manager for Com-
munity Banks of Colorado in Ala-
Photo courtesy of Trinidad State
TSJC Educational Foundation members are (L-R) Executive Director, Toni DeAngelis, and Foundation Board of Direc-
tors members Ed Trommeter, Leslie J. Gerbracht, Mary Lou Tallon, Laura DeBella and Kathleen Griego. Not pictured,
Kim Lucero. Continued on Page 2 ...

2. Page 2 Monday, February 23, 2015 The Chronicle-News Trinidad, Colorado
General Manager
Allyson Sheumaker
asheumaker@trinidadchroniclenews.com
Advertising
Sales-Adam Sperandio
advertising@trinidadchroniclenews.com
Classifieds, Memorials, &
Circulation- Joey Loewen
classified@trinidadchroniclenews.com
Design & Legals- Lauri Duran
ktoci@trinidadchroniclenews.com
News Room
Editor: Eric John Monson
editor@trinidadchroniclenews.com
Features Editor & Fine Print
Catherine Moser
cathy@trinidadchroniclenews.com
Reporter: Steve Block
news1@trinidadchroniclenews.com
Business Hours:
Monday - Friday
8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
USPS #110-040
200 West Church Street
P.O. Box 763, Trinidad, CO 81082
(719) 846-3311 • Fax (719) 846-3612
Member: Associated Press, Colorado Press Association
Periodicals Postage Paid For At Trinidad, CO.
Published Monday - Friday
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Attention
High School Seniors
The Trinidad Masonic Lodge reminds
you that there is still time to apply
for the 2015 Colorado Masons
Benevolent Fund Scholarship and
Vocational Grant. For information
and an application go to www.cmbfa.
org. For more information and to
schedule an interview call
Allen Nicol 680-1400
U.S. CENSUS BUREAU
HAS OPENINGS FOR PERMANENT,
PARTTIME SURVEY INTERVIEWERS
30-40 HRS A MONTH - $12.19/HR & $0.575/MILE
MUST BE A U.S. CITIZEN, LIVE IN LAS ANIMAS COUNTY,
HAVE DRIVERS LICENSE, RELIABLEVEHICLE, & BE
AVAILABLE TOWORK DAY, EVENING, ANDWEEKEND HRS
TO APPLY CALL 1-877-474-5226 BY MARCH 3, 2015
TO BE SCHEDULEDTO ATTEND A RECRUITING SESSION
INTRINIDAD, CO.
The U.S. Department of Commerce is An Equal Opportunity Employer.
This agency provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities.
If you need reasonable accommodations for any part of the application process, please notify
the agency. Decisions will be made on a case-by-case basis.
65 Comi Funeral Home
Janet L. Maniscalco
It is with profound sadness
that the family of Janet L.
Maniscalco announces her
passing on February 17,
2015. The Lord took our
warrior at 4:01 p.m. She was
50.
Active Pallbearers are Kyle
Maniscalco, Joe Martinez,
R i c k M a r t i n e z , L u i s
Guzman, Colin Caldwell,
Ryan Scott, Chris Baca and
TJ Duran.
Visitation will be Tuesday,
from 3 p.m.-6 p.m. at the
Comi Chapel.
Rosary will be Tuesday,
February 24, 2015 at 7 p.m.
at Holy Trinity Church.
Funeral Mass will be
celebrated Wednesday,
February 25, 2015 at 10 a.m.
at Holy Trinity Church.
Interment will follow at the
Trinidad Catholic Cemetery.
Richard Anthony "Rick"
Flores
Richard Anthony “Rick”
Flores died peacefully in
P u e b l o , C o l o r a d o o n
Saturday, February 14, 2015
at the age of 56.
Rick is survived by his
Mother, Dorothy Flores
(Gonzales); children, Adrian
A. Flores (Laura) and Leslie
Flores; siblings, Valerie
Lujan (James), Joseph A.
F l o r e s ( M o n i c a ) ,
Grandchildren, Isabella,
Analisa, Mia, and Francisco.
The family would like to
thank Juanita Romero for her
loving relationship and
dedication to Rick for the
past 13 years. Numerous
nephews, nieces, other
relatives, and friends also
survive. Rick is preceded in
death by his father, Joseph
Anthony Flores.
Rick was born on October
3 1 , 1 9 5 8 i n D e n v e r ,
Colorado to Joe and Dorothy
Flores. He graduated from
Trinidad High School in
1976. He then enlisted in the
Navy, married Cynthia Rael
and had two children. He
attended TSJC and earned a
degree in Electronics. Rick
worked for BNSF as a
brakeman/conductor for 10
years before moving on to
his career in electronics with
Unisys, McDonnel Douglas,
a n d o t h e r h i g h t e c h
e n d e a v o r s .
Rick was an accomplished
guitar player and often made
us smile with a few strokes
of the guitar pick. He was a
dedicated individual who
loved music, yard-work,
watching football, and a
passionate Christian.
Funeral Services will be
Friday, February 27th at 11
a.m. at Comi Funeral Home.
Private inurnment to be
held at a later date.
Condolences can be sent
v i a e m a i l t o
j a l f 3 @ u s w e s t . n e t .
Arrangements made under
the direction of the Comi
Funeral Home.
65 Comi Funeral Home
Ruben DeJesus Gutierrez
It is with profound sadness
that the family of Ruben
D e J e s u s G u t i e r r e z
announces his passing on
February 18, 2015.
He was born to Elifido and
M a t i l d a ( M o n d r a g o n )
Gutierrez in Torres, Colorado
on May 26, 1933.
Ruben graduated from
Primero High School in 1951
and joined the US Navy on
May 28, 1952. He was a
Radar Operator for the USS
Rendova and veteran of the
Korean Conflict honorably
discharged May 22, 1956.
He graduated from Trinidad
State Jr College in 1958.
He is preceded in death by
his parents, brothers,
Freddie, Lloyd, and Elfido Jr.
Gutierrez and sisters, Jenny
Perez, Ida Roybal and Celia
Mondragon.
Ruben married his beloved
wife Carmen (Martinez),
September 26, 1959. He was
a loving and devoted father
t o D e n n i s , D a v e a n d
Devona. 5 grandsons Bruce,
David, Brandon, and Dustin.
4 granddaughters Devondra,
Brittany, Cory, and Dimree. 3
great grandsons Aaron,
Dominyk and Danilo, 2 great
granddaughters Leilani and
Desirae.
He is also survived by
sister, Theresa Duran and
sister in law Annie Boyer,
numerous nephews, nieces
and cousins.
V i s i t a t i o n w i l l b e
Wednesday, from 2 p.m.-6
p.m. at the Comi Chapel.
Rosary will be Wednesday,
February 25, 2015 at 7 p.m.
at Holy Trinity Church.
Funeral Mass will be
Thursday, February 26, 2015
at 10 a.m. at Holy Trinity
Church.
Interment will follow at the
Trinidad Catholic Cemetery.
Active pallbearers are Kash
Alvaro, Dustin Asevedo,
John Boyer, Ed Griego,
David Gutierrez and Lester
Larsen.
Honorary pallbearers
Devondra and Dimree
Asevedo, Bruce, Mike,
Chuck, Randy, Brittany, Cory
Gutierrez, and Randy
Griego.
Arrangements under the
direction of the Comi Funeral
Home.
TheFinePrint
TSJC Foundation names board members
... Continued from Page 1
Update: School lockdown report
... Continued from Page 1
... Continued from Page 1
or leave the school building.
Quintero continued to
flee from officers toward
the 200-block between High
Street and Animas Street.
Officers gave several ver-
bal warnings to Quintero
advising him to stop or he
would be Tased. He failed to
comply with officers and an
officer did deploy his Taser.
Per Trinidad Police De-
partment policy, officers
requested medical assis-
tance due to Quintero be-
ing Tased. While waiting
for EMS to arrive on scene
Quintero told officers that
he was near Eckhart El-
ementary waiting for a
friend and admitted to re-
cent methamphetamine
use.
While conducting a
search of Quintero for weap-
ons, officers recovered drug
paraphernalia. After being
medically cleared, he was
transported to the Las Ani-
mas County Jail. He was
charged with interference
with staff or students of an
educational institution, a
class 3 misdemeanor, ob-
structing a peace officer, a
class 2 misdemeanor, and
possession of drug para-
phernalia, a class 2 petty of-
fense.
mosa to the Board of Directors.
Rounding out the six-member board are
Leslie J. Gerbracht, Third Judicial District
Court Judge, Laura DeBella, State Farm
Agent, Kim Lucero, Director of Planning
and Development for Mt. San Rafael Hos-
pital, and Ed Trommeter, owner/broker of
Town & Country Real Estate. Officers of the
Board were elected – Leslie J. Gerbracht,
President; Laura DeBella, Vice President;
and Mary Lou Tallon, Secretary/Treasurer.
The TSJC Educational Foundation is a
private, non-profit corporation founded in
1968 to raise and manage private gifts to
benefit Trinidad State Junior College. The
mission of the Foundation is to support the
growthanddevelopmentoftheCollege. The
private gifts raised by the Foundation do
not replace other revenue streams; rather,
private gifts allow the Foundation to bridge
the gap between the needs and resources of
the College. “Our Board of Directors looks
forward to working with Ms. Toni DeAn-
gelis, Executive Director of the Foundation
and Dr. Carmen Simone, President of TSJC
as the Foundation continues its success in
supporting the College,” said Foundation
President, Leslie J. Gerbracht.
The members of the Foundation are civ-
ic-minded citizens from the communities
served by the College who are interested in,
and have a passion for, Trinidad State Ju-
nior College. Members further the mission
of the Foundation through active engage-
ment in fundraising activities, advocacy,
participation and leadership.
As ambassadors, Foundation members
help to better serve the community by
sharing knowledge of issues, promoting ac-
tivities at the College, and highlighting the
need for community investment in order to
stimulate quality and excellence into the
programs offered by the College while en-
couraging TSJC students to achieve their
goals through higher education.
For further information about the Foun-
dation, scholarship information or dona-
tion opportunities, please call Ms. Toni
DeAngelis, Executive Director at 719-846-
5520 or 719-589-7200.
~DON’T MISS CALL FOR FUN!
MARCH 14 (entry deadline)
Call for artists for “There’s No
Such Thing as an Ordinary Cat”
all-media art show scheduled for
March 20 at Oasis Studios/Galerie
Vivant, 214/218 E. Main. Info: Su-
san Palmer, 805-603-6181.
~BAR NI RANCH GRANTS
MARCH 27 DEADLINE: The
Bar NI Ranch Community Fund is
accepting grant proposals. Grants
may be awarded in the areas of
education, youth development,
environment and conservation,
health and human services and
civic or public benefit. Grant
awards must be made to 501c3,
non-profit organizations in the Pur-
gatory Valley. Info: Tom Perry at
tomandlindaperry@gmail.com.
~Medical Scholarship
APRIL 10 DEADLINE: Min-
ers’ Colfax Medical Center Auxil-
iary $1,000 medical scholarship for
Colfax County students entering
the medical profession. Info: Trudi
Robbins 575-445-2644.
~9HEALTH FAIR
APRIL 18 (7:30 a.m.-Noon)
The annual 9Health Fair will be
held at the Mt. San Rafael Hos-
pital, 410 Benedicta Ave. Info:
Lynda Pachelli at 719-846-8051.
~PEACOCK BALL GALA
APRIL 18: (5 p.m.) DON’T
MISS THIS! The 12th Annual
community benefit for Noah’s
Ark will be at Brix Sports Bar on
Main St. Entertainment will be pro-
vided by Dr. Fine. Evening events
include: Drinks & Appetizers (5
p.m.), Dinner (6 p.m.), Program (7
p.m.) and Dance (8 p.m.). Tickets
& information: 719-680-2385.
~SUPPORT TRINIDAD!
SHOP LOCAL: Dine out and
shop area and downtown mer-
chants for special February sales
and promotions for the season.
Help Trinidad thrive!
~COMMUNITY RECYCLE
NEW LOCATION: Terra Firma
Recycling (Mon.-Fri. 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
& Sat. 9 a.m.-Noon) will open at
201 W. Indiana and will recycle
paper, cardboard, tin can and
plastic #1-#7. Info: Kelli Van Ma-
tre, 719-859-3998.
~ Fire Season Coming Up!
Anyone over 18 interested in
becoming a volunteer fireman for
any of our area fire protection dis-
tricts, please call Buddie Curro at
719-859-1535. Any donations of
food, water and funds for our area
fire district volunteers call 719-
846-4074.
~From the LA County Clerk
License plate renewal online.
Go to: www.colorado.gov/re-
newplates.
~Donations for Doggies!
And kitties too! The Noah’s
Ark pantry can always use dog
and cat food supplies, which will
be used to help elderly and in-
need residents maintain their pets.
If you’d like to make a donation of
food or funds stop by the animal
shelter at 224 N. Chestnut St. or
call 719-846-8578.
~ Books & More
The Carnegie Library’s book-
store is located at 132 N. Com-
mercial St. All proceeds benefit
the public library. (Open noon-4
p.m., Monday-Saturday.) Volun-
teer information and book dona-
tions: 719-846-8522.
~Low-Cost Spay/Neuter
The Fisher’s Peak Veterinary
Clinic (719-846-3211) and the
Trinidad Animal Clinic (719-846-
3212) offer grant-funded, low-cost
spay/neuter surgeries. Call for in-
formation and appointments.
SUICIDE/CRISIS HOTLINES:
n ADULT: 800-784-2433
n TEEN: 877-968-8454
nGLB-YOUTH: 866-488-7386
n VET-2-VET: 877-838-2838
“Hope is holding on and go-
ing on and trusting in the Lord.
Hope is endurance.” ~Michael
Novak
ABUSE HOTLINES:
n Domestic Abuse Hotline:
In Trinidad call 719-846-6665
(24-hours a day). In Walsenburg
call: 719-738-0770. National Hot-
line: 1-800-790-SAFE (7233).
n Animal Abuse: Report ani-
mal abuse and dog/cock fighting
at Crime Stoppers anonymous tip
line: 720-913-7867.
Community
Colorado Parks and Wildlife
Special to The Chronicle-News
In an effort to reduce stress and the distur-
bance of wintering big game animals, the Colo-
rado Parks and Wildlife Commission adopted a
new regulation in January that limits shed ant-
ler collecting in portions of Eagle, Pitkin, Gar-
field,andRouttcounties,effectiveMarch1,2015.
The new rule prohibits the collection of shed
antlers in game management units 25, 26, 35, 36,
43, 44, 47, 444,and 471 from Jan. 1 through March
14, and only between the hours of 10 a.m. and
sunset, March 15 through May 15. For a map of
Colorado’s GMUs, go to
www.cpw.state.co.us/
Documents/Maps/
R u l e s R e g s / B i g -
GameGMUmap.pdf
“Available winter
range in this area is
being reduced due to
increases in the human
population, develop-
ment, and outdoor rec-
reation,” said CPW’s
Northwest Regional
Manager Ron Velarde.
“If they are pressured
duringthecoldweather
months, big game ani-
malsherehavenoplace
else to go to find food, so
it is critical that people
cooperate and respect
the regulation to pre-
vent animal mortality due to starvation.”
Similar restriction are already in place in
game management units 54, 55, 66, 67 and 551 in
Gunnison County, instituted several years ago
to protect Gunnison sage-grouse and big game
animals.
“Violators may be fined and assessed points
against their hunting and fishing privileges,’
said Velarde.
Eachyear,maleungulatesgrowantlersused
for display and battles with competitors during
thefallmatingseason.Bymidtolatewinter,the
antlers begin falling off naturally and the pro-
cess begins anew.
During late winter into early spring, consid-
ered the prime collecting period, shed hunters
fanoutacrossthestateinsearchoffreshantlers
that artisans use to make furniture, knife han-
dles and other art projects, or are sold to make
dog treats and other creations. Often involving
large groups or entire families, the practice is
becoming more popular across the country and
Colorado.
Wildlife officials believe most collectors are
conscientious and careful, but concerns arise
when some search for sheds on noisy, fast-mov-
ing ATVs and off-road vehicles. In addition, a
growing number of collectors use dogs trained
to find shed antlers. When allowed to run off-
leash,manyofthesedogschase deer andelk,oc-
casionally causing severe injuries and extreme
stress.
Running from noise and dogs adds to the
difficult conditions the animals already endure
during winter months.
“That’s just about the worst thing that can
happen to them,” said Area Wildlife Manager
Perry Will of Glenwood Springs. “Any unneces-
sarymovementduringthecoldweathermonths
causes big game to use up their fat stores very
quickly and there’s little chance of replenish-
ing it. This situation leads to their death, or the
deaths of their unborn calves and fawns due to
poor body condition.”
Wildlife managers remind shed hunters that
keeping their distance from wintering big game
is the most effective way to prevent animal
stress and mortality. Even searching for antlers
on foot or horseback can create stressful condi-
tions for wildlife, they say.
“We understand that people enjoy hunting
sheds, but we ask everyone to be legal and ethi-
cal,” said Will. “The best option is to follow the
laws and keep your distance, and maybe wait
until big game has moved to summer range to
begin looking for sheds.”
Colorado Parks and Wildlife urges anyone
that observes illegal activity to contact their
local wildlife officer, or to remain anonymous,
contact Operation Game Thief at 877-265-6648.
Rewards are available for information that
leads to a citation.
For more information about the new shed
collection restrictions, contact Colorado Parks
and Wildlife’s Glenwood Springs office at 970-
947-2920.
For more information about living with
wildlife, go to www.cpw.state.co.us/learn/
Pages/LivingwithWildlife.aspx
Protecting wintering wildlife
Colorado Parks and Wildlife