Noticias

• Norwood Water Commission Eyes Federal Grants
• G is for Government Previews Telluride Town Council
• Legislators Talk Guns and Reproductive Rights

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Norwood Water Commission Eyes Federal Grants

Amid a federal funding freeze, the Norwood Water Commission is moving forward. Commissioners met Tuesday, Feb. 11, for their regular meeting.

With a goal of hiring a grant writer for more federal funding, Commissioner Tony Daranyi asked about the status of funding applications given changes in the federal government.

“Unfortunately, I think our existing applications are all in jeopardy, from what I’m reading,” Daranyi said. “There’s a memo that was shared with me today, and I’d be happy to share it with all of you from the Colorado Municipal League. Right now, the state of Colorado was promised $574 million in grants that have been frozen in spite of the judge’s order to unfreeze these monies.”

The funding freeze has drawn the attention of Colorado Sens. John Hickenlooper and Michael Bennet, both of whom have publicly advocated against the sweeping funding and personnel changes from the Trump administration.

There was no indication that the Norwood Water Commission has any frozen outstanding grants. Commissioner Jenny Russell advocated moving forward with hiring a grant writer to target federal grants despite recent changes.

“Yeah, I think we need to keep moving forward, especially because we have their ear and interest now, and they’ve paid attention to it,” Russell said. “Things could change tomorrow—that’s the kind of world we’re living in right now. But I would hate to not be ready to get somebody on board just because we think everything is going to be frozen forever.”

The grant writer contract position will assist the water commission in applying for federal water grants. Five services submitted résumés, including the opportunity to use the local nonprofit West End Economic Development Corporation or Region 10.

“I particularly like Garver because of their experience with federal water grants,” Russell said. “My concerns with WEEDC and Region 10 is they are not water experts. They are not in the water world. You can apply for the wrong grant and not know what you’re doing, and spend a lot of time and money on something like that. I would like somebody that doesn’t have to get up to speed with bureau grants or the other water world grants that are out there, and they can get to work right away.”

The water commission is currently juggling three large state grants: a Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment administrative planning grant, a Department of Local Affairs administrative planning grant, and a Colorado Water Conservation Board technical assistance grant.

All of this funding is for planning, engineering, and, finally, construction of two main infrastructure projects—a redundant water line and a secondary water diversion from the San Miguel River. Both projects aim to create resiliency and ensure water quality and delivery for Norwood Water customers.

Commissioners agreed to draft a more specific scope of work to relay back to the applicants for the grant writer position to continue the hiring process.

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G is for Government Previews Telluride Town Council

A concert in Town Park will get a final decision from the Telluride Town Council this week, and the town will discuss wayfinding.

In this installment of G is for Government, Communication Manager Lindsey Mills steps in to share what to expect.

Story begins at 3:40.

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Legislators Talk Guns and Reproductive Rights

Two national hot topics, gun regulation and reproductive rights, are before lawmakers in Denver.

This week on Capitol Conversation, KUNC’s Lucas Brady Woods shares the latest.

Story begins at 7:25.

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Wilkinson Public Library to Host Climate Events

Looking to share your thoughts and feelings on climate change? The Wilkinson Public Library is hosting two local climate events this Tuesday and Thursday.

On Tuesday at 5:30 p.m., join Eco-Action Partners and poet Joanna Yonder for a workshop on exploring emotions about the changing planet. No emotion is unwelcome, and no poetic experience is required—bring your biggest feelings.

On Thursday at 8:30 a.m., Sheep Mountain Alliance will host a discussion at the library with free coffee and pastries. The conversation will focus on sustainable tourism and building a resilient economy and planet.

Both events are free and open to the public.

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Bighorn Sheep Talk at Wilkinson Library

If you’ve driven Highway 145 Down Valley, through Placerville and Sawpit, you’ve likely seen Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep along the roadside. These large ungulates are native to Colorado but are becoming increasingly rare due to diseases contracted from domestic sheep herds.

Join wildlife expert Chadd Drott at the Wilkinson Public Library on Wednesday, Feb. 26, at 5:15 p.m. for a presentation on bighorn sheep, their lifestyles, and the extreme conditions they endure in the San Juan Mountains.

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Colorado Hosts Olympic Curling Trials

The U.S. Olympic Team Trials for Mixed Doubles Curling wrapped up over the weekend in Lafayette, located in Boulder County.

Cory Thiesse and Korey Dropkin, 2023 world champions from Duluth, Minnesota, secured the gold medal on Sunday afternoon. The victory puts them one step closer to earning a spot in next year’s Winter Olympics in Italy.

Thiesse said she was excited to compete in Colorado, where the sport has been gaining momentum.

“I think we’re seeing a lot of growth all over in the U.S., and especially here in Denver,” Thiesse said. “You guys have two curling clubs now, and this Rock Creek Curling Club is incredible. I know they’ve been hosting lots of national championships now, and it’s a great space. It’s a great way to just kind of get out in the community and meet people and do something fun in the winter.”

Following their victory in Colorado, Thiesse and Dropkin will represent the U.S. at the World Mixed Doubles Curling Championship in New Brunswick, Canada, in May. A high enough score at that event will qualify them for the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Games.