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October 1, 2014 VOLU M E 53 | I S S UE 39 | 7 5 ¢
PikesPeakCourier.net A publication of
T E L L E R C O U N T Y, C O L O R A D O
Aspen Gold Rush
Colorado Quakies showing great color recently By Rob Carrigan
rcarrigan@colordocommunitymedia. com
L Above, Rock-topped Aspen range in color and elevation between Victor and Gillette Flats. Below, Color seems to blow the roof off a cow shed in Beaver Valley.
Dumptruck load of color in Goldfield, Wednesday afternoon, Sept. 24. See additional photos on Page 12. Photos by Rob Carrigan
ocal leaf peepers experienced some of the best shows — so far to date— this past week in Teller County, but it is still possible, the best is yet to come. Color changes in Colorado’s Quaking Aspen (Populus tremuloides) start first in the higher altitudes of subalpine zones, between 9,000 and 11,000 feet, usually in early September, and drop progressively to 8,000 to 9,500 feet in three to four weeks. Variations in temperature, moisture and light cause the chemical changes to begin. Diminished light and fall temperatures trigger the breakdown of chlorophyll. As green colors fade, yellow, orange and red pigments — carotenoids and xanthophylls — are left and become more obvious. Cool, dry weather promotes the longest and best color show and wet weather, especially snow, usually shortens the viewing period.
New engine (red) arrives in Cascade By Pat Hill phill@coloradocommunitymedia.com
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P L EA SE R ECYC L E T H I S C OPY
The shiny red 2014 fire engine at the Cascade Volunteer Fire Department reflects the outpouring of generosity after the Waldo Canyon Fire. “After the fire, the department received nearly $100,000 in donations,” said Mike Whittemore, the department’s chief. The fire started in June 2012 in the canyon a short distance away from Cascade. To express their gratitude to the firefighters for saving their homes, people opened their wallets. “It was real grassroots; we didn’t do any fundraising at all; people wrote checks for $50, $100,” Whittemore said. “It shows the gratitude that came out after the fire.” As word spread of the firefighters’ bravery, checks arrived from out-of-state and some European countries. “The funds put us in a position to really move forward with increasing our capability and adding a significant apparatus (engine) to the department,” Whittemore said. With an annual budget of $90,000, a new engine has been out-of-reach for the department. “You can never save enough money to keep up with the inflationary price of a new truck,” he said. “The donations helped us get to a point where we could move forward.” As a result of the donations, the department contributed $75,000 to the total cost of $266,000, with the remaining shared by the fire protection district, which also approved a lease-option on the engine of $110,000. Unlike the 20-year old engine, the new one has four-wheel drive and is fully compliant with standards set by the National Fire Protection Association. “This truck was part of the turning factor that helped us lower our ISO rating to a 5 from a 6,” Whittemore said. “So, all of our homeowners should see a decrease in their homeowners’ insurance because of that.” The truck will be on display at the department’s chili supper, the annual fundraiser, from 5 to 8 p.m. Oct. 11. The department is a nonprofit organization separate from the revenue-generating district.
Mike Whittemore, Chief of the Cascade Fire Department, is justifiably proud of the new 2014 fire truck. Delivered last week by the manufacturing company in South Dakota, the new truck enhances the department’s services. Photos by Pat Hill
The Cascade Volunteer Fire Department hosts its annual fundraiser, the chili supper, from 5 to 8 p.m. Oct. 11 at the fire station.