The National Weather Service in Boulder is on the record reporting: “Heavy snow will accumulate on tree branches and powerlines, possibly causing them to break and lead to power outages,” starting later today.

Reports from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration indicate that “The hazardous conditions will impact Tuesday evening and Wednesday morning with accumulations between six and eight inches in the mountains.”

Ok, as mountain residents, we’ve heard this precipitation prediction time and time again during this record dry season, with little to no snowpack to show for the forecasts.

I’d like to hear from Clear Creek mountain residents as to how these forecasts play out in real-time the next few days, specific to your area.

What’s the impact of this drought on you, your family or your business?

Let me know; [email protected].

I’ll collect a consensus and report back in the next edition of The Mountain Life.

Thanks,

Christopher

Mandatory watering restrictions are in place in Idaho Springs, limiting residents to watering their lawns to three times a week.

Colorado is experiencing one of its driest and warmest years on record, with snowpack currently at or near historic lows across the State's major collection basins, according to a resolution passed by city council members.

The restrictions, as outlined in the resolution, include: Watering of grass is prohibited between the hours of 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. Irrigation of Trees, Shrubs, Vegetables, and other plants and landscaping may be watered any day by means of a hand-held hose or low-volume non-spray irrigation, but not between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. 

Unlike many other local water jurisdictions, Idaho Springs will not specify ‘watering days’ by an odd or even address number.

Assistant City Administrator for Idaho Springs Guy Patterson told the Courant, “We choose the route of asking people to limit the days that they water, the amount of time they water three days a week, for no more than 20 minutes.”

“Relying on homeowners and residents to respect regulations, if not, warnings will initially be issued,” according to Patterson.

Full details about the restrictions can be found on the city’s website: https://www.idahospringsco.com/

The fourth annual Wing Crawl fundraiser for Loaves and Fishes food pantry in Idaho Springs was a sellout again this year, with nine downtown restaurants and bars competing for the coveted trophy and bragging rights.

The popular vote, counted after the May 2 event, showed the Idaho Springs Elks Lodge #607 and its ‘Honey Bourbon Wings' took this year’s trophy by a single vote, according to Loaves and Fishes Director Rachel Josselyn.

“A heartfelt thank you to all of our participants. You all did an amazing job! The wonderful food you prepared truly reflects your dedication and care for this event,” Josselyn said in a statement.

The real winner this year is Loaves and Fishes food bank, which announced it raised a total of $8,111 this year.

Restaurants and bars competing in this year’s competition included:

One of the biggest reasons the annual competition is such a huge success for the food pantry is the commitment to the community demonstrated by local retailers.

“All of the wings are donated. All the restaurants are doing this out of the kindness of their hearts. We get every single ounce of money from the tickets,” Josselyn said. 

Stay tuned for information on what Josselyn said will be a Wing Crawl 2027.

Hallways at the Georgetown Community School were packed with crazy clothes, hair bands and tie-dye during Spirit Week on Wacky Wednesday, April 29.

However, one 5th grader was the center of attention, even prompting a visit from the Clear Creek Sheriff’s department.

It was 11-year-old Ava Henson’s birthday, and she earned the opportunity to have CC Deputy Aron Tetzlaff bring cupcakes to the school for lunch a month prior.

During Georgetown’s annual Easter Egg hunt April 4 several ‘Golden Eggs’ were spread throughout the park, Henson’s prize was lunch with a deputy.

Henson, in her ‘Birthday Girl’, tiara smiled wide as the entire class, teachers and principal sang a rousing rendition of “Happy Birthday to You”, in the lunchroom.

“They’re good at doing their jobs and they brought lunch,” Henson said about the sheriff’s department.

Tetzlaff couldn’t help but smile as the kids bombarded him with questions about the job and all the equipment he was wearing.

“We get to hang out with the kiddos and they get to see us as human beings, not just a badge,” Tetzlaff said. “It’s another reason Georgetown is special – it’s a small town and community, so they can get to know us really well.”

The visit from the sheriff’s department also coincided with ‘Spirit Week’ at the Georgetown Community School.

“It’s Wacky Tacky Wednesday, so you dress up like an insane person,” 6th grader Whittier Taylor said.

The week of events and themes is just one way the Community School tries to encourage and engage students, especially as the end of the school year approaches, according to Principal Samantha Klemm.

6th grader Khuno Gibbons, dressed between a hippy and a zombie, agreed these are the kind of events that make the school special.

“I love this school for that reason; We get to have a lot of fun days, like scavenger hunts and stuff like that,” Gibbons said.

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Years of scholastic work, sports, student government, community service and months of application work are paying off for Clear Creek High School Seniors Donovan Duke (Miller) and Maggie Gothman.

“When I called my Mom, she was crying her eyes out,”  Duke told the Courant when he learned he earned the Boettcher Scholarship to attend Colorado State University.

Senior Maggie Gothman said her first thought was of her family when she learned she earned a full-ride scholarship from the Daniels Fund. 

“It’s crazy, you don’t realize how much money it is until you start registering for college and $25,000 is a lot,” Gothman said, “Especially coming from a family of five where my parents own two small businesses. So it’s not easy.”

Gothman’s sister is also a previous Daniels Fund recipient.

Duke said he plans to use the full-ride scholarship to study Fish and Wildlife Conservation Biology with the hopes of “…a dream career as a marine biologist.”

“I feel like I’m free now, I just have to finish strong,” Duke said.

Gothman is committed to the Air Force Preparatory School in hopes of ultimately attending the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, where she hopes to train as a fighter pilot.

“It was definitely a journey, but I’m blessed and grateful for it,” Gothman said.

Clear Creek High School Student Body President, Gothman said she started filling out applications to the Daniels Fund Scholarship in Sept. of last year with essays and interviews in February.

Duke said he submitted his application in November, along with Letters of Recommendation. The finalist event was an overnight experience, including a long-format interview.

“He’s that kind of person where he starts something, and then he wants to master it,” Donovan’s mother, Colleen Duke, said. “He wants to be the best he can be at whatever he applies himself to and wants to make this a better place for everyone living here.”

Tuesday:

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