State warns of avian flu surge amid migration

commercial farms are impacted, it takes months and millions of dollars to recover from a mass death event.

From avian u to zoning permits, here’s what you need to know about raising backyard chickens

BY PAOLO ZIALCITA COLORADO PUBLIC RADIO

Highly pathogenic avian in uenza, the disease spreading among wild and domestic bird populations nationwide, is expected to have a surge in cases as the migratory season begins in Colorado.

It’s been nearly a year since the rst outbreak in Colorado, and while cases have slowed, Colorado state veterinarian Maggie Baldwin said the risk will go up as more ocks of birds pass through.

“[ ese wild birds] are bringing more virus, they’re shedding more virus in the environment, and we’re likely gonna see more spillover of that virus into our domestic poultry operations on both the commercial and the backyard side,” Baldwin said.

So far, about 6.4 million chickens have either been killed by the virus or put down to prevent outbreaks within a ock. Hundreds of wild birds, mostly geese and ducks, have also been killed by the virus. Death is all but guaranteed for birds that contract it, and symptoms include sudden fatigue, decreased egg production, and nasal discharge.

e avian u has recently been linked to deaths in mammals that consumed infected birds. e nationwide outbreak has driven up egg prices across the country. According to federal data, a dozen eggs cost an average of $4.83 as of January 2023, up from the average of $1.93 recorded a year prior.

“What we can likely expect is across the nation, we’re going to see another increase in cases this spring, and that’s really what led to

1-877-328-1512 e federal government is discussing the possibility for a large-scale avian u vaccination program for poultry, and e New York Times reports a potential vaccine is already being tested. consumer impacts was when we had a lot of our commercial egg laying populations impacted around the same time,” Baldwin said.

Baldwin, along with experts from Colorado Parks and Wildlife and Colorado State University, will host a webinar next week to share more information about the avian u and how to keep ocks safe this spring.

Avian u cases among humans are extremely rare, and they usually occur only when people are heavily exposed to infected poultry.

“ e USDA is really the rst step in getting that approval process started because, if you vaccinate, there are potential trade implications,” Baldwin said.

In the meantime, agriculture o cials and veterinarians are still searching for other solutions.

With the length of the outbreak hitting “unprecedented” levels, Baldwin acknowledges that fatigue may be setting in for commercial and domestic owners. However, she urges owners to keep up their biosecurity measures. When big, ere’s “no clear end in sight” for this avian u outbreak, Baldwin said. With no treatment available and the uncontrollable nature of bird migration coming back into play, it appears this strain of avian u is here to stay. is story is from CPR News, a nonpro t news source. Used by permission. For more, and to support Colorado Public Radio, visit cpr.org.

Saturday, May 13, at Elk Creek Station 1, 11993 Blackfoot Road, Conifer; and 3-5 p.m. Saturday, May 20, at Inter-Canyon Station 3, 8445 U.S. 285, Morrison.

Je co Foothills Town Hall focusing on reducing wild re risk will from 9-10:30 a.m. Saturday, April 8, at the Evergreen Fire/Rescue Administration Building, 1802 Bergen Parkway. Area experts will discuss what can be done to prepare for wild re. e event is free.

Evergreen chamber mixer: e Evergreen Area Chamber of Commerce’s monthly mixer will be from 5-7 p.m. April 13 at Flow eory CoWorks & Best Custom Homes, 3540 Evergreen Parkway. For more information and to register, visit evergreenchamber.org.

Resilience1220 o ce next to the Buchanan Park Recreation Center. e group’s rst book is “Hell Followed With Us.” For more information and to register, visit R1220.org.

Hiwan Museum winter hours: Hiwan Museum has shortened winter hours for tours, open ursday and Friday from noon to 4 p.m. and weekends from noon to 4:30 p.m. Private tours of large groups may be accommodated when the museum is closed by calling Erica Duvic at Hiwan Museum at 720-4977653.

Sensitive Collection: Resilience1220 o ers a monthly workshop for highly sensitive people to help them live healthy and empowered lives from 3:30-4:30 p.m. the third Wednesday of the month via Zoom. Visit R1220.org for more information.

Evergreen chamber breakfast: e Evergreen Area Chamber of Commerce’s monthly member breakfast will be 7:30-9 a.m. Wednesday, April 5, at Troutdale Tavern. For more information and to register, visit evergreenchamber.org.

Conifer chamber awards banquet: e Conifer Area Chamber of Commerce will host its awards banquet from 5-8 p.m. ursday, April 20, at Beaver Ranch. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit goconifer.com.

Sips for Scholarships: Bootstraps Inc. will host Sips for Scholarships from 6:30-9 p.m. ursday, April 20, at Twin Forks Tavern, 19423 N. Turkey Creek Road. Tickets are $75 and available at bootstrapsinc.org.

Community Bible Study: Several community Bible study groups are available — women (in person and online), co-ed young adults, school age, preschool & babies. is year’s study covers six books of the Bible: Philemon 1, 2, 3, John, Jude and Revelation. In-person classes are ursday morning at Rockland Community Church in Genesee, Tuesday night at Bergan Park Church in Evergreen and Wednesday morning at Conifer Community Church in Conifer. More information is available at cbsclass. org/evergreengolden.

Caregiver support groups: Mount Evans Home Health Care & Hospice o ers two monthly groups to provide emotional support services for caregivers helping ill, disabled or elderly loved ones. An in-person support group meets every third Monday from 4-6 p.m. at 3081 Bergen Peak Road, Evergreen, and a virtual support group meets every rst Tuesday from 10 a.m.-noon via Zoom. Call 303-674-6400 to learn how to connect to the group virtual call. For more information visit mtevans.org/ services/emotional-support/.

Parkinson’s disease support group: A Parkinson’s disease support group meets the rst Friday of the month from 1-3 p.m. at Evergreen Christian Church, 27772 Iris Drive, Evergreen. For more information, email esears@parkinsonrockies.org.

A look at Je co’s Climate Action Plan: Evergreen Sustainability Alliance is hosting the community’s rst look at Je erson County’s recently adopted Climate Action Plan along with information on incentives to help create more eco-friendly, low emissions households or businesses. e event will be from 6-7:30 p.m. ursday, April 6, at the Wulf Recreation Center. Space is limited. Register at www.sustainevergreen.org.

Free legal clinic: A free legal clinic for people with no attorney will be from 2 to 5 p.m. ursday, April 6. By telephone or video, volunteer attorneys will answer questions, help ll out forms, and explain the process and procedure for all areas of civil litigation. Pre-registration for individual 15-minute appointments is available by calling 303-235-5275 or visiting https://tinyurl.com/ ykzs2ej7.

Je co Foothills Town Hall: A

World Tai Chi Day: World Tai Chi Day will be celebrated at 10 a.m. April 29 at the Buchanan Park Recreation Center pool.

Rockies Springtime art show: Shadow Mountain Gallery will display artists’ renditions of springtime in a wide range of media through April 29. One-of-a-kind artwork will be priced for every budget. Shadow Mountain Gallery is open from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. in downtown Evergreen between Java Groove and Beau Jo’s.

ONGOING

Mountain Area Democrats: Mountain Area Democrats meet the fourth Saturday of each month at 9 a.m. through April at United Methodist Church of Evergreen, 3757 Ponderosa Drive, Evergreen. For more information, email MountainAreaDems@gmail. com.

LGBTQ+ teen book club: Resilience1220 is o ering a LGBTQ+ teen book club that meets from 4-6 p.m. the fourth Monday at the

ESA EverGREEN Re ll Station: EverGREEN Re ll Station (re ll your laundry detergent, lotions, soaps and more. We have many sustainable products available). e Re ll Station is open Tuesdays from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. and Wednesdays from 1-4 p.m. It is located upstairs in the Habitat Restore in Bergen Park, 1232 Bergen Parkway.

Support After Suicide Loss: Heartbeat and Resilience1220 o er Support After Suicide Loss from 5:30-7 p.m. the fourth ursday of the month for ages 14 and older. Join in-person or online. Suggest donation is $15. For location, visit R1220. org.

History Happy Hour: e Evergreen Mountain Area Historical Society will host a History Happy Hour from 4:30-6:30 p.m. the second Friday of each month at Hiwan Museum. Join us in a round table discussion on any and all aspects of history with topics driven by the attendees.

Mountain Foothills Rotary meetings: Mountain Foothills Rotary meets at 6:30 p.m. Wednesdays both in person at Mount Vernon Canyon Club at 24933 Club House Circle, Genesee, and via Zoom. Join the Zoom meeting at https://us02web. zoom.us/j/81389224272, meeting ID 813 8922 4272, phone 346-248-7799.

Beyond the Rainbow: Resilience1220 o ers Beyond the Rainbow, which is two support groups that meet from 7-8:30 p.m. the second Wednesday of the month. One is a safe group for those 12-20 and the other is group for parents and caregivers wanting support for raising an LGBTQ child. To RSVP, contact Lior Alon at lior@wisetreewellness.com.