Community Update
December 2, 2022
Greetings!

Beginning in January 2023, Colorado residents will see a $29 Keep Colorado Wild Pass added to their annual vehicle registrations. You can choose to opt out at the time of registration.

In addition to giving you access to Colorado State Parks, the $29 will support search and rescue teams, avalanche safety programs, protect wildlife, land and water, as well as help to fund new trails and outdoor educational programs for local communities.

Because vehicle registrations happen throughout the year, there will be situations where the current Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) annual pass overlaps. To address this issue, CPW will have refund options that will cover the time between when a current pass expires and a vehicle registration is due. Refunds will be calculated based on a flat prorated structure. Refunds will need to be requested through the online platform which is managed by CPW, not DMV. No refunds will be issued for passes that had been used for nine months or more.

For more information about the Keep Colorado Wild Parks Pass please visit: cpw.info/keepcoloradowild
General County Updates
We Need You! There are numerous volunteer boards and commissions that have open positions for community members. Routt County relies on our residents to keep these boards and commissions running smoothly. Find all descriptions online at https://www.co.routt.co.us/105/Vacancies to see which one suits you best. Some boards require a good deal of time commitment and others meet infrequently. Complete the Boards and Commissions Application to apply.

Routt County Releases 2023 Budget Brief: The Routt County Finance Department recently released the 2023 Budget Brief that is now available online.
The proposed budget will get its final review and adoption by the County Commissioners on Tuesday, December 6, at 9:35 am at the Board of Commissioner’s meeting.

Routt County Winter Road Maintenance: All information about winter road maintenance can be found online at https://www.co.routt.co.us/878/Winter-Maintenance. Please contact the Road & Bridge Department at 970-870-5552 if you have questions. A couple reminders from our crew:
  • “Don’t Crowd the Plow.” Give our plows at least 150’ of space so they can do their job to keep the roads free of snow. Plow drivers can't see you in their rearview mirrors if you are following too close. Giving the plow space will also result in fewer bits of scoria hitting driver’s cars and windshields.
  • Please do not plow snow across county roads. Not only is it illegal, but it creates a safety hazard for our plow drivers. Help keep them safe…. Do not plow across the road.

Survey for The Wildfire Protection Plan: The Routt County Community Wildfire Protection Plan needs your input! Take our community survey and tell us your thoughts about wildfire risk in Routt County. Please contact Alyssa Ingles, [email protected], 970-761-9168 with any questions. All details can be found on online at: routtwildfire.org.

Yampa Valley Recycles Depot moves to new location: Yampa Valley Sustainability Council’s Yampa Valley Recycles Depot has moved to a new, winterized location. Previously located at 1801 Lincoln Ave, customers can now visit the YVR Depot at Riverside Plaza, 2851 Riverside Plaza, Unit 250. Reopening on Wednesday, December 7, the YVR Depot is open Wednesdays and Fridays from 10:00 am-4:00 pm. Visit the new location for your hard-to-recycle needs, including electronics, light bulbs, batteries, and more. For mattresses or other large items please call ahead. For more information about our new location and what can be recycled call (970) 387-4433 or visit yvsc.org.

Are you signed up for Routt County Alerts? Get alerted about emergencies and other important community news by signing up for Routt County Alerts. This system enables us to provide you with critical information quickly in a variety of situations, such as severe weather, unexpected road closures, missing persons and evacuations of buildings or neighborhoods. Sign up now at RouttCountyAlerts.com.

Stay Connected! There are lots of ways to stay connected to Routt County! For non-emergent news you can sign up for County News, follow Routt County on Facebook, Twitter Instagram or LinkedIn, and of course visit the County website.
Public Health Updates
National Influenza Vaccination Week
National Influenza Vaccination Week will be recognized by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) this year from December 5-9. National Influenza Vaccination Week is a critical opportunity to remind everyone that there’s still time to protect themselves and their loved ones (6 months and older) from flu this flu season by getting their annual flu vaccine if they have not already. Currently, flu activity is elevated across the country, so this week will serve to remind people that there is still time to benefit from the first and most important action in preventing flu illness and potentially serious flu complications: get a flu vaccine today.

Flu Vaccines Offered at Routt County Public Health
Routt County Public Health continues to offer flu vaccines to the public each Tuesday and Thursday from 1:00-3:00 pm by appointment only. Please click here to schedule an appointment. You may also call us at (970) 870-5341 to schedule an appointment over the phone. Please click here to visit our website for more information. 

Respiratory Viruses On the Rise: Respiratory viruses, including Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV), flu, and COVID-19 are spreading across Colorado and the nation. Protect your loved ones, the community, and our health care system by:
  • Getting vaccinated. Both flu and COVID-19 have effective, safe vaccines. Anyone 6 months and older can get vaccinated for flu and COVID-19. It is safe to get the vaccines together. Consider getting vaccinated by December 10 for holiday protection.
  • Seeing or calling a health care provider or doctor before going to a busy emergency department when you or your child has respiratory symptoms. Your provider can help you determine the best ways to manage symptoms and when it is important to be seen in the clinic, urgent care, or emergency department.
  • Staying home when sick, including not visiting or interacting with people who may be at higher risk, including older adults, young children, and infants. What might feel like a mild cold for one person can be very serious for another person. This is important in preventing the spread of viruses and causing outbreaks, which put additional strain on the hospital system.
  • Wash your hands frequently for at least 20 seconds with soap and water or use hand sanitizer with 60% alcohol.
  • Covering your nose and mouth with a tissue or upper arm sleeve when you cough or sneeze, throw away the tissue after you use it, and clean hands as instructed above.
  • Cleaning potentially contaminated surfaces, like doorknobs, tables, handrails, etc.
  • Avoiding sharing cups, eating utensils, and touching your face with unwashed hands.
Employment Opportunities
Full Time Job Openings:
  • Detention Kitchen/Laundry Services Coordinator - $22.32 - $30.20/hr
  • Board of County Commissioners – Office Assistant - $20.00 - $24.94/hr
  • YVRA– Operations-Safety-Security Officer - $22.69 - $25.90/hr
  • Human Services Program Specialist - $20.00 - $23.53/hr
  • Planning – Office Technician - $22.65 - $30.64/hr
  • Recording & Motor Vehicle Department – Deputy Clerk - $20.00 - $27.06/hr
  • Public Safety Dispatcher I - $24.75 - $26.65/hr
  • Detention Deputy - $32.50 - $38.24/hr
  • Road & Bridge Motor Pool/Heavy Equipment Mechanic - $26.41 - $31.06/hr
  • YVRA Equipment Operations Technician - $20.40 - $30.31/hr
  • Early Childhood Program Leader - $86,798.40 - $117,416.00/Annually
  • Senior Deputy Clerk - Elections - $29.34 - $39.69/hr
  • Assistant County Attorney - $98,321.60 - $133,016.00/Annually

Part-Time Job Openings:
  • Human Services - Case Aide - $20.00 - $21.41/hr – Some Benefits
  • Human Services - Program Specialist – Fatherhood Program - $20.00 - $24.94/hr – Some Benefits
  • YVRA – PT/YR Passenger Services Representative - $20.00/hr – Sick Time & Worker’s Compensation
  • YVRA – PT/YR Operations-Safety-Security Officer - $22.69 - $25.90/hr – Sick Time & Worker’s Compensation

Seasonal/Temporary Job Openings:
  • Temporary YVRA Building & Grounds Maintenance Tech - $22.49/hr – Benefits Available: Sick Time & Worker’s Compensation
  • Temporary YVRA Janitorial Service Worker - $20.00/hr – Benefits Available: Sick Time & Worker’s Compensation
  • Seasonal YVRA Food Service Busser - $14.00/hr + Tips – Benefits Available: Sick Time & Worker’s Compensation
  • Seasonal YVRA Food Service Host/Hostess - $14.00/hr + Tips – Benefits Available: Sick Time & Worker’s Compensation
  • Seasonal YVRA Airport Security Guard - $20.00/hr - Benefits Available: Sick Time & Worker’s Compensation

Find all Routt County job opportunities and apply on the Routt County website.
One Fun Thing
#PlayOutsideDay

Did you know the first Saturday of every month is National Play Outside Day? In 2011, Aaron Wiggans and Rhonda D. Abeyta founded National Play Outside Day as a reminder to explore and play in the world outside.

This month its Saturday, December 3. It's time to get outside and play! What is your favorite way to enjoy the great Routt County playground?