Fundraising to help wildlife

$4,000 to pay for two sets of cans. She is nearly halfway there, and she hopes families who use the park will chip in to help make the park safer for wildlife and patrons alike.

BY DEB HURLEY BROBST DBROBST@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

An

Emily Nelson, who moved to Kittredge in 2020 with her husband, has started a GoFundMe page to raise

Nelson explained that when she started spending time at the park, she noticed during warm weather, the trash is consistently knocked over.

“I’ve seen (bear-resistant cans) in campgrounds and other places, but I haven’t seen them anywhere else here,” she said.

The Evergreen Park & Recreation

District, which manages the park, has not budgeted for bear-resistant cans, but Parks Operations Manager

Heart Cameron knows their importance.

Once bears figure out there’s a food source anywhere — in this case the park — they come through all the time for an easy meal. Then the trash strewn on the ground becomes an easy feast for other animals such as raccoons and crows. Plus, when the wind blows, the trash blows, creating a mess for neighbors.

According to Colorado Parks & Wildlife, in 20201, people reported 273 bear incidents in Area 1, which includes west Jefferson County plus

Park, Clear Creek and Gilpin counties. Of those, 113 were specifically bears getting into trash.

In 2020, 334 incidents were reported, with nearly half having to do with trash, and in 2019, 182 bear incidents were reported with 84 dealing with bears in trash.

Nelson said the money was being collected on the GoFundMe site by the Kittredge Civic Association, which will donate the money to EPRD to buy the trash cans once enough money is donated.

Barb Gertz, who heads up a local group called Bear Aware, said it was important to keep parks safe from bear/human conflict.

“Keeping bears out of parks keeps them from going further into residential areas to get into trash,” she said. “We should have (bearresistant trash cans) in all of our parks because without them, it’s like a buffet for bears every day in the summertime.”

She noted that bear/human interactions needed to be brought under control, and it was up to the commu- nity to do it.

“Our responsibility as a community to pitch in and do our part to keep our community and the bears safe,” she said.

Welcome to our new members:

Catalyst Nutrition LLC

Kelly Kading 12065 Evergreen Rd Conifer, CO 80433 http://catalystnutrition.health Kelly is a registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN) and certified lactation counselor (CLC). She provides nutrition counseling and support for people of all ages and works with a variety of conditions.

Dawn Zalfa Real Estate Inc

Dawn Zalfa 28027 Belle Vista Drive Conifer , CO 80433 http://DZsellsRE.com

I am a real estate adviser who finds the perfect homes & home buyers for my clients. My background as a civil litigation attorney with extensive real estate, contracts, negotiation & risk management experience www.goconifer.com gives me the tools to navigate the complicated real estate process for my clients when they sell & buy property.

Elemental Smoke Amazing Catering

Charles Elliott Conifer, CO 80433 http://www.elementalsmoke.com

Bu et caterer, diverse, flexible menu options. Service area 150 from Conifer.

Mountaintop

Bath Remodeling

Edward Fleming 11873 Springs Rd 135 Conifer, CO 80433 http://Www.mountaintopbath. com

Bath Remodeling company

Current Events:

Membership Drive – Sign up and become a Chamber member by March 30st and we’ll waive the $35 start up fee and you’ll get listed in the 285 Business Directory. Log on to our website or call the o ce.

Photo Contest – The Conifer Area Chamber of Commerce mails out a printed business directory along the 285 Corridor. We are looking for local photographers to submit photos that capture the beauty of our area. We are looking for photos that best represent the active lifestyle of our community and show people enjoying all our area has to o er (camping, mountain biking, hiking, horse back riding, etc). Please submit only local shots of images in and around the 285 corridor. The Contest Winner will be announced and awarded on April 1st. WINNER receives an article in the Canyon Courier, your photo and photo credit on the cover and bragging rights of your photo being in over 11,000+ home and businesses along the 285 Corridor!! If you have any questions or would like to participate, please reach out to Britni LeRoux at director@goconifer. com or call 303-838-5711 with questions.

Annual Awards- Each year the Conifer Chamber is thrilled to honor businesses, organizations and individuals that have made a di erence in our chamber, our community and have worked to make living in the foothills even better. Winners will be announced at our April 8th meeting at Woodlands from 7:30 a.m.-9:00 a.m.

Elevation Celebration on Sutton Rd. in Aspen Park – July 30 & 31- Conifer’s signature summer festival focuses on celebrating the mountain lifestyle! Elevation Celebration is a free community street fair the last weekend in July. Join us for Conifer’s signature summer festival featuring the Elevation Run/Walk, live local music on two stages, a craft beer tent, beer garden and kid zone. Fun for all ages! Follow us on Facebook for all the latest updates.

We are now taking applications for craft and food vendor’s for this event. Log on to GoConifer.com for more details.

Take advantage of the many opportunities and business services the Chamber o ers. If you have any membership questions, or would like to find out more about becoming a member, do not hesitate to contact me, Britni LeRoux, Executive Director, director@goConifer.com, 303838-5711. Thank you for your continued support and thank you for shopping local!

Take advantage of the many opportunities and business services the Chamber o ers. If you have any membership questions, or would like to find out more about becoming a member, do not hesitate to contact the o ce at (303) 838-5711 director@goConifer.com, 303-838-5711. Thank you for your continued support and thank you for shopping local!