PROTECTION

to really mean something, they must be enforced, even when — especially when — opponents are among the most economically and politically powerful industries.

You’d think that identifying a species as “endangered” meant that there was still time to save it. But the prairie chicken, along with its high-pro le distant cousin, the sage grouse, is running out of time. e birds need lots of open space, and the new designa-

About Letters To The Editor

Colorado Community Media welcomes letters to the editor. Please note the following rules: easy to forget the face. Don’t make that mistake. At high altitude, you are exposed to signi cantly more intense ultraviolet radiation than at sea level. Apply a generous amount of sunscreen on your entire face and neck before you put on your scarf, face cover, helmet or goggles. Even though you think most of your skin is covered, it is common to have people with intense facial sunburn after a day in the mountains - the classic skier sunburn that only spares the areas around the eyes, which are covered by the goggles. A useful tip is carrying in your pocket a sunscreen in a stick, so you can apply to the face without even taking your gloves o , while waiting tion only puts some constraints on existing oil and gas operations, while limiting new development. Later this spring, I intend to return to the prairies near the town of Milnesand, New Mexico, this time with my nine-year-old twins in tow. I can only hope that the birds are still dancing. I also hope that my boys have the opportunity to watch and wonder about why these birds return to woo females at the same place each spring, and what we, as a society, must do to ensure that the dance continues.

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John Horning is a contributor

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• Keep it polite: No name calling or “mudslinging.” in lift lines. It is easy to lose track of time when we are having fun in the slopes, so make sure to reapply every few runs.

After a fun day in the mountains, most people like a hot shower or a hot tub. While this feels lovely, remember that, associated with the dry air of the mountains and of heated spaces, this will dry your skin. Apply thick moisturizing cream to your skin at the end of the day to prevent dry or itchy skin.

If you are going to be at a sunny destination to enjoy the ocean or the pool, more of your skin will be exposed to the sun. Clothes provide a physical barrier to protect your skin, and there are several brands that o er clothes with ultraviolet protection factor (UPF) number, which are made for outdoor activities. ey have cool breathable fabric, and some also can be used for swimming.

Regarding the sunscreen for the to Writers on the Range, an independent nonpro t dedicated to spurring lively conversation about the West. He beach, look for one that is water resistant (stays e ective for 40 minutes in the water) or very water resistant (stays e ective for 80 minutes in the water). Even if your skin remains dry while using a water-resistant sunscreen, you’ll need to reapply the sunscreen every 2 hours. Also, don’t forget your feet! If you’re wearing sandals, be sure to apply sunscreen to all exposed skin. Remember that it does not matter if it’s a cloudy day on the mountain or at the beach. Ultra-violet A rays can go through clouds and cause skin damage.

Good skin care should happen all year round, but spring break is a great time to remind us of that, as we prepare to step out of the house and enjoy the beautiful outdoors.

Dr. Renata Prado is a boardcerti ed dermatologist and boardcerti ed Mohs Surgeon at Vanguard Skin Specialists is the executive director of WildEarth Guardians and lives in Santa Fe, New Mexico.

Warm Hearts Warm Babies serves hospitals, agencies across Colorado

BY TAYLER SHAW TSHAW@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

Surrounded by colorful fabric patterns, handmade baby items and frequent laughter, volunteers of the Warm Hearts Warm Babies nonpro t went to work on a Friday morning to put together layettes for organizations who need them.

e nonpro t has a list of roughly 40 agencies it delivers items to throughout Colorado, said Kathleen Williams, the nonpro t’s grant coordinator. e list includes the Children’s Hospital Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Platte Valley Medical Center and Denver Medical Center.

“Warm Hearts is totally made up of volunteers,” said Sandi Powis, president of the board of directors. “Everyone’s volunteering with their heart and skills to make things for newborn (babies), preemies to help them get a good start in this world.”

Volunteers sew, knit, crochet and quilt items such as bibs, burp pads, jackets, hats and blankets. e items are assembled into a layette, which is a collection of clothing and accessories for newborn infants.

Each layette contains a quilt, two receiving blankets, bibs, burp pads, clothing and a goodie bag containing items such as a bottle, some diapers and a small toy. ese items are delivered in a handmade tote bag.

“All these items are made with love,” Powis said. “We don’t connect to the individuals personally. We deliver the layettes to hospitals, birthing centers, food banks — anyone that can help us help the newborn.” e nonpro t also o ers items for the neonatal intensive care units at hospitals in Colorado, such as positioning roles that are used to help support the infants.

A number of the mothers who receive these items are experiencing homelessness, sometimes living in shelters or in their cars, Williams said.

“We also provide clothing for babies that don’t survive, from tiny little babies to full-term babies,” Williams said. “We have clothing for them that we hand out at the hospitals.”

Included in those burial layettes is a cloth-made envelope intended for the parents to hold important items and memories, Powis said.

“It’s sad, but it’s so important,” Powis said. “And to know that a mom wouldn’t have to go out, or send her mom or her sister to go out and nd things for her precious one that has passed — that it can be given to them and that’s not a worry for them.”

How it began

e nonpro t’s origin dates back to 1996, when a woman named Victoria Swain gave birth to a stillborn infant, according to the nonpro t’s website. e hospital she was at could not provide a blanket or clothes for her infant, prompt- ing Swain to look into how she could help donate these types of items.

After recruiting some volunteers and spending a few years working through a di erent organization called Newborns in Need, in 2000, Swain and the other board members decided to create their own nonpro t: Warm Hearts Warm Babies.

Powis estimated the nonpro t currently has about 200 volunteers and 12 work groups throughout the state including in Arvada, Brighton, Littleton and ornton.

Powis is part of the work group in Conifer, where she lives. She joined the organization roughly six years ago.

“I’ve been doing things for babies for many years, donating to other groups, but they were all missing something. ere was no social connection with anyone else making things,” Powis said. “I found that they had a local organization up here in Conifer and it was like, that’s it — that’s one I can link up with. I can meet people right here in our community.”

Williams learned about the nonpro t through a quilt show, as representatives of the organization had a table at the event. Living in Aurora at the time, she initially joined the Aurora group. Since then, she has moved to Colorado Springs

SEE IN NEED, P17