Page 17 - Sentinel May 2017

COALITION Continued from page 16 can sing another day.

very high priority for the State of Colorado, as both an econom- New study challenges bear behavior beliefs
ic catalyst and safety improvement,” noted Colorado Springs A six-year study of our statewide black bear population by the
Mayor John Suthers. “I commend CDOT for its commitment to Colorado Parks and Wildlife department is challenging decades
accelerating the timeline on this vital project and encourage the old assumptions about bear encounters with humans.
Colorado Legislature to find an equitable funding mechanism Wildlife researchers concluded that increasing bear-human
for this and other major state transportation initiatives.” conflicts do not mean the bear population is growing or that
we bears are becoming more aggressive. Warmer temperatures
As the primary link between Colorado’s two largest urban areas have shortened our hibernation time, so we are more active later
– Denver and Colorado Springs – I-25 serves a variety of users in the fall and earlier in the spring. But even with less sleep, we
and plays an important role in the transport of goods and ser- are still generally in a good mood.
vices along Colorado’s Front Range and beyond.
There is some compelling new evidence that supports a trend
“Improving the I-25 ‘gap’ is critical to ensuring efficient move- that our population is actually declining. In southwestern Colo-
ment of goods, commuters, and tourists throughout Southern rado around Durango, where researchers studied 617 bears
Colorado and the state,” added Dirk Draper, president and chief starting in 2011, the female bear population decreased by 60
executive officer of the Colorado Springs Chamber and EDC. percent! Colorado’s bear population could decline even faster
“Our economy depends on the efficient operation of statewide statewide if current trends and practices continue.
arteries like I-25.”
It is hard to obtain an accurate update on the Colorado black
“Expanding I-25 between Castle Rock and Monument is cru- bear population, mainly because we don’t sit still. Best guess
cial to meet the national security, public safety, and economic is about 17,000 statewide if you count my cousin Vinny who
needs for southern Colorado in the years to come,” said El Paso spends half the year in Colorado and the other half in New Mex-
County Commissioner Mark Waller. “Waiting is no longer an ico. The population of people in Colorado, by any measure, is
option. We must move this project forward now.” increasing rapidly. To co-exist harmoniously, being Bear Wise
is more important than ever.
Colorado Springs is the home of military installations ranging
from the United States Air Force Academy on the north side of
the city to Schriever and Peterson Air Force bases on the east
side, and Fort Carson, NORAD and Cheyenne Mountain Air
Station on the south.

“I-25 provides essential regional access for our residents and
our business,” stated Frank Gray, president and CEO of the
Castle Rock Economic Development Council. “We look for-
ward to working with our partners on the coalition to improve
this vital regional infrastructure for the benefit of all our com- Discover the secrets to
munities.”
PAIN-FREE LIVING at any age
®
For more information about the I-25 Gap Coalition, visit www. with the MELT Method !
douglas.co.us/road-work/25-gap-coalition.
Full Circle Larkspur will be hosting three MELT events
in June. Learn simple self-treatments you can do at
home to remain active, healthy and pain-free for life.
BEAR WISE June 3, 2017 June 17, 2017

Hand and Foot Clinic - $20 MELT Class - $30
10:30am - 11:30am 10:30am - 12:00pm
Howdy, Folks. Beary Bear here. Hope
you all had a relaxing Easter holiday Intro to the Soft Body
Foam Roller - $30
SAVE $10
and are enjoying the wonderful spring 11:30am - 1:00pm when you register
weather. Because we bears are up and for both classes
about, be extra bear aware when enter- Hosted by: on June 3rd
ing garages, outbuildings and walking Full Circle Larkspur
around blind corners on your property. 127 W. Colorado Avenue, Larkspur, CO
Practice your “The Voice” blind audi- www.fullcirclelarkspur.com
tion song out loud when outside. You Call Juan to register (719) 359-2257.
may not get a four-chair turn, but you Class space is limited.
will help ensure your safety so you

Perry Park Sentinel May 2017 - Page 17