Happy snow day Gilpin!

Avian Flu Update For CO 

Colorado is number three in the nation for most domestic birds affected (behind Iowa and Nebraska). The outbreaks still seem to be from wild waterfowl. Consider every wild water bird infected and continue to practice biosecurity to protect your domestic flocks. Approximately, 80% of the dead owls and raptors that have been tested have HPAI also. Visit CDA: Avian Flu for more details about biosecurity for your backyard flocks. 

Livestock Antibiotic Elimination Webinar 

Feb 6, 2023 

12 -1 pm 

The Federal Drug Administration will be enacting guidance #263 on June 13th of 2023. At that time all over the counter livestock antibiotic will require a prescription from a licensed veterinarian and will no longer be sold over the counter. This ruling impacts all livestock animal owners. This webinar will be led by Ragan Adams, the Colorado State University Extension Veterinary Specialist. She will go over the guidance, the history behind it and what any livestock owner needs to do now to prepare for this change. If you have questions for this topic please submit them digitally to Beth De Lair, the Pueblo County Extension Agriculture and Natural Resources Coordinator at delairb@nullpueblocounty.us prior to January 30th at 5:00 p.m. Register for the free webinar here  

Gilpin County Fair Ambassador Scholarship Deadline Extended 

Applications are due for the Gilpin County Fair Ambassador scholarship on January 27! Open to Gilpin County residents in grades 9-12. Applications are accepted until Jan 15, 2023. Selection based on: community involvement, public speaking, and well-rounded academic performance. Scholarships awarded to one student from each grade. Senior $500. Junior $250. Sophomore $75. Freshman $75. Scholarship funds provided by Gilpin Archwood 4-H. Apply here 

Ecology and Restoration of High Elevation Five-Needle White Pines 

The six high elevation five-needle white pines—whitebark (Pinus albicaulis), limber (Pinus flexilis), southwestern white (P. strobiformis), foxtail (P. balfouriana), Rocky Mountain bristlecone (P. aristata), and Great Basin bristlecone (P. longaeva)—(Family Pinaceae, Genus Pinus, Subgenus Strobus) are ecologically important to western montane coniferous forests.Read article here. 

Pile Burn Update for Gilpin County 

Thanks to the forecasted snow, firefighters plan to burn slash piles from multiple fuels reduction and hazardous tree removal projects on the Boulder Ranger District in Gilpin County this week as conditions allow. Burning of these piles could take place throughout the upcoming snowy, winter months. 

Piles are only ignited under certain conditions, including favorable smoke dispersal and adequate snow cover. These conditions direct firefighters on where within project areas burning can occur due to the localized nature of conditions. Smoke, flames, and glowing embers are often visible, and are a normal part of pile burning operations. This can be visible throughout the night. Moisture, namely snow, helps contain the piles and firefighters monitor the area during and after the burn. Monitoring continues until the piles are considered out. Public and firefighter safety is always the number one priority in burning operations. 

Areas that could be burned next week as conditions allow include: 

• Lump Gulch 35: 150 machine piles General Location: Gilpin County south of Gilpin Road, 3 miles south of Rollinsville on west of Hwy 119 
• Forsythe II Units 26, 27, 28: 75 Machine Piles General Location: 2 miles north of Rollinsville, just north of Shoshone Road 
• Lump Gulch 18: 250 hand piles General Location: Gilpin County a half-mile north of Rollinsville on west of Hwy 119 Peak to Peak 
• Lump Gulch 29, 30: 150 hand piles General Location: Gilpin County west of Lump Gulch Road, 1.5 miles south of Rollinsville on west side of Hwy 119 If you would like to receive regular updates about burning in your area and are not already on our email list, please contact Christopher Green at christopher.green2@nullusda.gov to get added to the district’s email contact list. Information for all pile burning this winter is posted online here. Prescribed fire smoke may affect your health.  

    

Radon in the Home 

Winter is the time to test your home for radon. Free tests are available for Gilpin County residents. Radon is an odorless, colorless gas that can cause cancer from long-term exposure. Radon levels are high in Gilpin County, and mitigation is not very expensive. Colorado Department of Health and the Environment offers free mitigation for qualifying low-income applicants.  Home radon tests are easy and free. Please contact CSU Extension at 303-582-9106. 

Census of Agriculture 

USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) conducts a Census of Agriculture every 5 years. The ag census includes even the smallest plots of production. If you produced and sold at least $1000 or more of agricultural products, your farm can be counted. This data is helpful for Gilpin to be able to secure funding or assistance in the area of ag if we have more production data from the census. All the data is anonymous. Respond to the Census of Agriculture by Feb 6, 2022 here.  

Home Hardening and Fire Mitigation 

• The Colorado State Forest Service has an excellent guide on what to do to prepare your home for wildfire. Take a look here.  
• Gilpin CSU Extension created a quick Wildfire Mitigation checklist and Family Preparations for Wildfire Evacuation. 
• Gilpin residents can take advantage of free slash drop-off at the transfer station! 
• Timberline Fire Protection District is offering free wildfire property assessments! Call 720-398-1972 

Free COVID-19 at Home Test kits and KN95 Masks 

Free masks and test kits are available for the public. Pick them up in the Barn lobby, 230 Norton Drive, Black Hawk, CO 

Follow Gilpin County CSU Extension on Facebook@GilpinCountyExtension  

It is recommended that you make an appointment or call ahead prior to visiting our Gilpin CSU Extension office. Our staff are not always available to assist the public.  

In the spirit of healing, Gilpin County acknowledges and honors the Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes, the original historic people of the land upon which Gilpin County stands. 

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