News

• The Bears Are Back In Town
• Parking Changes Come To Main Street
• A Flag For The Earth

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Remembering Steven Payer

Norwood lost a member of its community over the weekend. Steven Payer was found dead in his home on Saturday afternoon. He was 65 years old.

A lover of the West End, Payer spent his time outdoors and fishing with his little dog, Zoey. He was a carpenter by trade, moving around the country with his wife until they discovered Norwood 11 years ago.

Payer loved working the land he owned and dreamed of building a new house on their property. That dream was put on hold when he got sick with lung cancer last August.

The cause and manner of death is under investigation. Crippin Funeral Home will attend to services.

Payer is survived by his pup, Zoey, and his loving wife, Lynda.

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The Bears Are Back In Town

Black bears are officially back in town.

“A problem that we have with black bear conflict that’s a little bit more unique to some of our mountain towns, like Telluride and Mountain Village, is we do seem to see a slightly higher rate of bears getting into vehicles that are left unlocked or have windows down,” said John Livingston, a public information officer with Colorado Parks and Wildlife.

“We already had two cases of that just west of Telluride last week,” Livingston added.

Livingston said the problem occurs when bears get into cars and are unable to get back out.

“Bears are really good at getting into cars that are left unlocked. A black bear that smells food inside, or something that it thinks might be delicious, can easily open a car door, but they really struggle to get back out. If they’re in there looking for food or if they get stressed because they’re trapped inside, they can really rip things up in a hurry. Ripping up all your car seats and your whole interior – it can be a big claim if you’re going to the insurance company after that,” Livingston explained.

He also noted that if a bear gets into a car multiple times, it might try to get into a house window next.

“Which we absolutely can’t have. It’s a slippery slope. Something may start as a small conflict, but if it’s not addressed by humans doing their part, it can escalate quickly,” Livingston warned.

Livingston stressed that it’s up to the community to help be “good neighbors” to the black bears.

“A lot of people, we all say we care about the bears, but a lot of times people aren’t doing the actions that actually help the bears. At CPW, the last thing we want to do is set a trap or relocate a bear, or in those rare instances where a bear is involved in multiple of these incidents, have to put a bear down,” Livingston said.

To be a good neighbor, Livingston advised making sure all doors are locked and windows are shut on cars and the ground floor of homes, not leaving food out, and ensuring trash is always locked.

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Parking Changes Come To Main Street

Those freshly back from spring break are likely to notice something new driving down Main Street in Telluride—angled parking from Aspen to Davis.

“One of the growing things right now with parking is that it has been proven to increase safety, but it also increases available parking compared to parallel parking,” said Kyle Beck, Public Works director for the Town of Telluride.

“I’m sure everyone is aware of the parking needs and the shortage of parking throughout the year. Obviously, we’re not seeing it right now, and I think that’s giving a false image of not having a parking crisis, but coming up shortly, we’re going to see that very clearly,” Beck added.

With the shift in parking format, Beck said Public Works was able to add 20 new parking spots along the two blocks. He noted that this comes as the town embarks on several infrastructure projects and construction that will reduce parking this summer, including accessibility ramps on Main Street and the addition of a bike lane along Pacific.

“The fact is that it does allow for additional parking, and I think it is a solution for the town during this crisis,” Beck said. “Until, maybe, we get a parking garage or have available parking where it’s not such a battle throughout town, that’s another opportunity for discussion. Do we go back to parallel parking? Because I get it—it does create a denser area of vehicles. But I truly believe it’s the solution for the time, during this parking crisis we have in town. I think it’ll be a good solution, whether it’s permanent or temporary.”

Beck said he understands there’s a history of angled parking in town, but he believes it’s the right move for now.

“I know this town is aware they had angled parking back in the ’90s, and of course I hear from everyone that it failed and that’s why they got rid of it. But this is the new age, and vehicles are equipped with backup cameras and sensors, so these options are more available and safer,” Beck said.

He acknowledged that he’s heard concerns from some members of the community about safety and emergency vehicles, but he said his team has thought through those issues.

“I’m there to think through it, and I’m very confident this is the right solution,” Beck said. “I’m open to failure, but let’s give it a try and not throw it away without any facts and without throwing out assumptions. I ask that we just give it a shot and see if it works out. If the community as a whole sees it as a benefit, and if not, there’s a solution to get rid of it. At least give us a try for innovation, because that’s how you make things better and move forward.”

Beck noted that if the program doesn’t work or needs adjustments, the town has the ability to paint over the lines and return to parallel parking.

Those who would like to provide feedback on the angled parking program can submit it at bit.ly/totparkingpilot.

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A Flag For The Earth

We only have one Earth, and once a year, countries across the world gather to take action to support it on Earth Day — April 22. This year’s theme for Earth Day is “Our power, our planet.”

Oskar Pernefeldt designed the International Flag of Planet Earth as a design school graduation project in 2015. Several years ago, it waved along Main Street in Telluride.

KOTO’s Matt Hoisch was there, so today we’re rebroadcasting that story — originally aired in April 2022.

Story begins at 6:43.

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CDOT Roadwork to Cause Delays on Highway 145 This Week

Drivers should expect delays on Colorado Highway 145 between the Society Turn roundabout and Alta Lakes this week.

The Colorado Department of Transportation will begin routine crack-sealing operations Tuesday. Work will take place from the roundabout at mile marker 71 to Alta Lakes Road at mile marker 66.

Drivers should plan for full stops with delays of up to 30 minutes, alternating single-lane traffic and reduced speed limits.

The roadwork is scheduled for Tuesday, April 22, through Friday, April 25, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., weather permitting.

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Grand Junction Jackalopes Rebrand to Honor Humpback Chub Fish

This spring, there’s reason to cheer for both baseball fans and supporters of a threatened fish native to the Colorado River.

Grand Junction’s baseball team, the Jackalopes, is rebranding as the “Humpback Chubs” every Wednesday this season to honor a fish that has become a local mascot. The humpback chub was recently removed from the endangered species list after years of conservation efforts.

The team will donate half the proceeds from jersey sales to a scholarship program for children working at a local fish hatchery.

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Trump Administration Plans to Repeal Key BLM Conservation Rule

The Trump administration has announced its intent to repeal a landmark Bureau of Land Management rule that placed conservation on equal footing with other uses of public lands, including oil and gas development and grazing.

Rocky Mountain Community Radio’s Caroline Llanes reports.

Story begins at 11:26.