Providing updates about our work in conservation, outdoor recreation, and the environment here in western Colorado |
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2024 will mark the 50th Anniversary of the Ouray Mountain Rescue Team (OMRT). Staffed entirely by volunteers, OMRT is available 24/7, 365 days a year. Given the unique terrain of Ouray County and surrounding communities, the OMRT is skilled in technical rope rescue, emergency medicine, avalanche, swift water rescue, tracking, search management and communications. Even before the COVID-19 Pandemic and the onslaught of people recreating on public land, the OMRT responded to a record number of rescue calls. Over the past few years, the number of rescues has doubled from the teens to a high of 31 in 2018.
OMRT operates out of a rescue barn that was built in 2005. While the building is functional, the ever-increasing number of calls highlighted the inadequacies of the facility, especially when it needed to function as a command center for overnight and multi-day operations. Our regional Community Foundation is pleased to support this renovation project. Once the upgrades are complete, the rescue barn will have a functioning kitchen that will support late-night operations, day-long training and out-of-town rescues; a working bathroom with shower facilities; refurbished floors and an upgraded HVAC system.
In May of this year, OMRT was nationally recognized by The American Alpine Club for a 2021 rescue on Mt Sneffels that required rescuers to overnight near the summit. Volunteers braved torrential downpours, hail, and lightning. They were met by a Colorado National Guard helicopter the next morning that flew an injured hiker to St. Mary’s hospital in Grand Junction. A hearty CONGRATULATIONS and THANK YOU to the courageous and dedicated volunteers in Ouray County!
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Keeping Water in the River
Colorado Water Trust and Partners Working on Sustainable Flows
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The 15-Mile Reach of the Colorado Rivers runs from the mouth of DeBeque Canyon to the confluence with the Gunnison River. Home to four native, endangered and threatened fish species, it is a stretch of the river that runs dangerously low during the hottest and driest times of the year. In partnership with Orchard Mesa Irrigation District, which owns the Grand Valley hydropower plant, the Colorado Water Trust (CWT) purchases water from upstream reservoirs that flows into the plant. CWT purchases water stored in Ruedi Reservoir, above Basalt, which then travels nearly 150 miles through the Fryingpan River, the Roaring Fork River and finally into the Colorado River. Once the water arrives at the hydropower plant, it supports clean hydropower production, and then is released to boost flows in the river at critical times of need.
This unique collaboration is now in its fourth year. Water purchases have grown from 394 acre-feet in 2019 to likely 5,000 acre-feet in 2022.
Last year, our CORE Giving Circle awarded funding for this 15-Mile Reach and is planning an educational event to travel along this portion of the river with donors later in the summer.
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A Day in Unaweep Canyon
Donors Explore Special Landscapes,
Proposed Energy Projects
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Earlier this summer donors to the CORE Giving Circle explored Unaweep Canyon and the Dolores River Canyon on a tour led by the Colorado Wildlands Project.
The group learned about the special geologic features of the area, specifically how Unaweep Canyon is unique in the world with two creeks that flow in opposite directions and drain into two distinct watersheds. The area is currently being studied for a hydroelectric project.
Additionally, the tour stopped at the hanging flume to discuss the mining history of the area. While gold prospectors never hit the motherload in the Dolores River Valley, the area’s uranium deposits have been and are currently of interest to mining companies.
Finally, the group hiked into a petroglyph panel overlooking the Dolores River and discussed the native people who called the area home.
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Colorado Canyons Association
Wins National Award
Colorado Canyons Association (CCA) was nominated by the local Bureau of Land Management (BLM) office for the 2022 Making a Difference National Volunteers Award competition. CCA was selected as a “Group Excellence” award winner.
In 2021, CCA’s volunteers contributed nearly 2,000 hours resulting in the stewardship and cleanup of over 200 miles of trail and 39 miles of river. CCA has roughly 130 active volunteers. Congratulations to the Colorado Canyons Association!
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Colorado Discover Ability's New Summer Programs
Our Community Foundation's CORE Fund provided financial support for the expansion of Colorado Discover Ability's young adult programing this summer. This is an age group that has limited opportunities for outdoor recreation. They recently organized and ran a women and girls Colorado River trip. The program allowed for the development of new skills and confidence in rafting. Fun was had by all!
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Tell Me More... What is C.O.R.E? |
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Conservation. Outdoor Recreation. Environment.
Our Community Foundation is making a committed effort to expand funding and better support the conservation, restoration, and enhancement of natural ecosystems important to the quality of life and economy of our communities in western Colorado.
With the enthusiasm and financial support of 32 founding donors, the CORE Giving Circle, who care about the environment, our Community Foundation is building an endowment fund to increase funding and distribute grants in support of conservation, outdoor recreation, and environment (CORE) projects.
The CORE Fund supports a wide span of projects as there are many issues to work on related to protecting and enhancing our environment and outdoor lifestyle. Like-minded donors who care about these issues and want to make grant investments are encouraged to join us! CORE Fund donors participate in the annual process to review projects and determine grants, go on project site visits, and attend special education events. For more information, contact eorbanek@wc-cf.org.
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Building CORE Strength Here in Western Colorado...
Our goal is to provide more support through increased funding, technical assistance, collaboration-building, and education focused on conservation, outdoor recreation, and environment projects protecting and enhancing the place we live in and call home
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Interested in supporting our work?
Please consider a donation today.
Any size gift is appreciated!
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