August 28, 2014
SEPTEMBER
5-7, 2014
VOLU M E 1 0 | I SS UE 1 3
Special Insert
A special supplement of the A publication of
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ArvadaPress.com J E F F E R S O N C O U N T Y, C O L O R A D O
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Livestock virus grips horse population Despite outbreak, state fair continues its celebrations By Amy Woodward
awoodward@colorado communitymedia.com An outbreak of vesicular stomatitis, a virus which affects livestock, has infected numerous horses, forcing some boarding facilities and horse owners across the state to ban services as they enter into a voluntary quarantine. On Friday, Aug. 22, the Colorado Department of Agriculture reported that eight counties, including Jeffco, have properties which have tested positive for vesicular
stomatitis and are currently under quarantine. A total of 192 premises across the state are under quarantine with seven in Jeffco and 58 in neighboring Boulder County. “I suspect that number will continue to grow,” said Ashleigh Olds, veterinarian at Aspen Creek Veterinary Hospital in Conifer. On Thursday, Aug. 14, the number of statewide facilities in quarantine was at 149 showing an additional 46 cases in eight days. Additional testing in all eight counties is still pending which may contribute to an increase in the number of cases, Olds said. But officials at the Colorado State Veterinarian’s Office recommend fly control, the insect charged with spreading the disease.
“Fly control is essential,” said Nick Striegel, veterinarian at the State Veterinarian’s Office. “Manure management is really important too because often times the more manure you have, if it’s not being composted, the more flies you are going to have.” The state’s veterinarian’s office under the Colorado Department of Agriculture is not requiring that horses not move because the disease is not typically transmitted by direct contact, Striegel said. While lesions caused by the virus that produce fluid could spread to other horses — after a week, the virus is not present, he said. While quarantining helps reduce risk, it won’t prevent the disease. “Many of the horses that we are seeing have not left the property at all and no new
horses have come on,” Striegel said. The Jefferson County Fairgrounds is not under quarantine but the board of directors decided to put precautionary measures in place that requires a current Health Certificate in order to use pens or stalls, a recommendation the board followed from the state veterinarian’s office. Open riding in any of the indoor or outdoor arenas at the Fairgrounds has been suspended until further notice. “We just need to make sure we protect the safety of the facility for our users,” said Scott Gales, director at the Jeffco Fairgrounds. Virus continues on Page 5
Flying high above the green, a blue heron soars above the lake on the course. Photos by Crystal Anderson
Haven on the green
Golf course recertified as wildlife sanctuary By Crystal Anderson
canderson@colorado communitymedia.com Sitting on the green, an eagle plays with a white ball. A golf ball. This is not an unusual sight for those who frequent West Woods Golf Club, 6655 Quaker St., as the 208-acre plot of land is a certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary. “When you have a big property like this, you can either ruin it or enhance it and why not enhance it?” said Bernie Kubistek, West Woods Golf Club maintenance lead worker. The sanctuary sits among three, ninehole courses in the heart of west Arvada. Home to more than 200 species of birds, a variety of fish, coyotes, foxes, mule deer, white-tail deer, snapping turtles — and occasionally a mountain lion, bear or moose — the golf course has become a natural haven for Colorado wildlife. “The opportunity I saw was, you’re in a suburban area, really lucky enough to be next to the foothills and have the wildlife. It allows us to be involved with that on a daily basis, to keep and enhance the natural corridors,” Kubistek said. During the review for designation as
a certified sanctuary, the course evaluated on several environmental factors, including water quality and conservation, wildlife habitat management, turf management, protection measures, chemicaluse reduction, safety and education. “They have a nice balance between mowed areas and native areas,” said Karen Miller, executive director of the Majestic View Nature Center. “All of the staff out there, they care. They want to make sure it’s a beautiful area with all of the elements — they know their trees, they know their wildlife out there. They know it so well and care about it so much.” Originally certified in 2009, course managers have steadily made efforts to let native Colorado vegetation, such as blue and buffalo grass, blue gamma and wheat grass, grow tall, and have added natural berry bushes, shrubs and trees to the property. The use of vegetation that is natural to the area creates habitats and attracts animals. Looking into the future, Kubistek said, he hopes to add more natural vegetation and possibly an eagle nesting spot. He said he may also introduce wild turkeys to the area to promote the harmony between nature and business. “You just don’t have an opportunity anymore the way they’re building houses now, where you have a 250-acre plot of land that gives animals a place to live and flourish in a suburban area.”
A gaggle of geese casually take time for an afternoon stroll near a fairway yard marker.
A dragonfly peacefully sits among the brush near one of the course’s lakes.