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By Kent Singer Executive Director
The Colorado Rural Electric Association spends many hours and resources representing the interests of its member co-ops before the Colorado General Assembly. Each year from January through May, CREA staff and contract lobbyists carefully follow all the legislative proposals considered by our state legislature to determine if they will have any impact on electric co-ops. This is a job that requires our attention 24 hours a day, seven days a week to make sure proposed new laws won’t have any negative impacts on electric co-op members.
In addition to our work at the state level, CREA also works with the national trade association — the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association — to promote and protect the interests of Colorado co-ops in Washington, D.C. While most of the policy action takes place in Colorado, there are many federal initiatives that are relevant to Colorado’s electric co-ops.
In 2021, the United States Congress passed the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, also known as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. One of the provisions of that law authorized electric co-ops to apply for grants and loans to help pay for distribution grid projects that will reduce the risk of wildfires and improve the resilience of electric co-op systems. In 2022, Congress passed the Inflation Reduction Act, which included a loan and grant program specifically for electric co-ops. The funds authorized by this law were made available to electric co-ops to help them acquire new generating resources and improve the reliability of their systems.
Colorado’s electric co-ops collectively spent thousands of hours working with the appro-
priate government agencies and filing applications for these grants and loans. Over the last year or so, CREA’s member co-ops have been extremely successful in being awarded grants and loans that will be administered by the Department of Energy, the Department of Agriculture, and the Department of Homeland Security. These grants and loans provide a historic opportunity for Colorado’s electric co-ops to invest in infrastructure that will serve their members at the end of the line with affordable, reliable electricity for many years into the future.
I recently traveled to Washington, D.C., with a group of Colorado co-op CEOs to meet with our members of Congress to emphasize the critical importance of these loans and grants to Colorado’s electric co-op members. Co-ops serve about 70% of Colorado’s land mass, and any help we can get to keep rates affordable and service reliable is much appreciated.
The grants and loans that have been committed to Colorado’s electric co-ops will benefit thousands of Coloradans, and we urge all officials of the federal government to honor these commitments.
Kent Singer is the executive director of CREA and offers a statewide perspective on issues affecting electric cooperatives. CREA is the trade association for 21 Colorado electric distribution co-ops and one power supply co-op.
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If you look up “lineworker” in the dictionary, you’ll find a definition — but it won’t tell you the whole story.
Lineworkers keep our homes and communities humming. We can cook dinner, stay connected with friends and family, access entertainment — this list is endless — thanks to the skilled professionals who dedicate their lives to helping people.
These individuals are our friends and neighbors. We see them at the grocery store, at our kids’ Little League games, at community events. What we don’t see is the moment their phones buzz at 10 p.m. during a severe storm. We don’t see their exhaustion after working through the night to restore power.
Dictionary definitions aside, here’s my attempt at defining “lineworker”:
• Lineworker: a skilled professional who creates and maintains the electrical grid
• Lineworker: the boots on the ground, an unshakable individual whose grueling work begins when disaster strikes
• Lineworker: a helper-hero who keeps our communities thriving
• Lineworker: the unseen first responder who sacrifices time, sleep, and comfort so the rest of us can live in the light
Lineworker Appreciation Day is April 18 — let’s thank the crews that keep Colorado powered.
STAFF
Cassi Gloe, Publisher cgloe@coloradocountrylife.org
Kylee Coleman, Editor kcoleman@coloradocountrylife.org
Melinda Taylor, Editorial Assistant mtaylor@coloradocountrylife.org
SUBSCRIBERS
Report change of address to your local cooperative. Do not send change of address to Colorado Country Life. Cost of subscription for members of participating electric cooperatives is 30 cents per month, paid from equity accruing to the member. For nonmembers, a subscription is $15 per year in state/$20 out of state.
advertising@coloradocountrylife.org 720-407-0712
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Advertising Standards
Publication of an advertisement in Colorado Country Life does not imply endorsement by any Colorado rural electric cooperative or the Colorado Rural Electric Association. Colorado Country Life (USPS 469-400/ISSN 1090-2503) is published monthly by Colorado Rural Electric Association, 5400 Washington St., Denver, CO 80216-1731. Periodical postage paid at Denver, Colorado. ©Copyright 2025, Colorado Rural Electric Association. Call for reprint rights. View advertising and editorial policy terms and conditions online at coloradocountrylife.coop.
Denver Corporate Office 5400 Washington St. Denver, CO 80216
info@coloradocountrylife.org 303-455-4111
Editorial opinions published in Colorado Country Life magazine shall pertain to issues affecting rural electric cooperatives, rural communities, and citizens. The opinion of CREA is not necessarily that of any particular cooperative or individual.
By Dennis Herman General Manager
In the quiet hours before dawn breaks, while many of us are still nestled in our beds, lineworkers begin their day, often clad in flame-resistant clothing, safety goggles, rubber gloves, and thick, heavy boots.
They are the individuals who epitomize dedication to service in its purest form. As we celebrate Lineworker Appreciation Day on April 18, this is an important moment to reflect on the essential role they play in our daily lives.
Amid towering utility poles and power lines, lineworkers exhibit a strength that goes far beyond the physical. Whether battling inclement weather, troubleshooting technical problems, or navigating treacherous heights, lineworkers demonstrate resilience and a quiet determination to keep our lights on, our homes comfortable, and our communities connected.
Highline Electric Association’s linecrews travel across our 11-county service territory, building, maintaining, and repairing parts of our local system. Their extraordinary skills ensure our homes remain connected to the grid, businesses stay operational, and emergency services remain accessible — a lifeline that connects us all.
In moments of crisis, when the lights go out and we find ourselves in the dark, lineworkers emerge as beacons of hope. Their swift response restores normalcy and offers reassurance in times of uncertainty. Whether repairing storm-ravaged power lines or ensuring continuity during emergencies, their unwavering commitment illuminates life when we need it most.
HEA lineworkers also answer the call beyond the boundaries of home. Our crews travel to fellow co-ops, near or far, when widespread outages occur and additional support is needed. Cooperation among cooperatives is one of our seven guiding principles, and no one embodies this core commitment better than lineworkers.
This month, as we celebrate the remarkable men and women who ensure reliable power, let’s recognize their unwavering dedication to the local communities they serve.
The next time you flip a switch, please take a moment to remember those who make it possible — lineworkers, who are wired for service.
1300 S. Interocean P.O. Box 57 Holyoke, CO 80734-0057
phone 970-854-2236 toll free 800-816-2236
Holyoke & Sterling: M-Th 7 a.m.– 5:30 p.m.
info@hea.coop hea.coop facebook.com/HighlineElectric
Ovid: Mon., Tues., Thurs. 9 a.m.–3 p.m.
Highline Electric employees face serious health risks when they unknowingly enter a field that was sprayed with any chemical. Just as you would not subject your family or employees to risk, we do not want to subject our employees to risk. Please consider the following:
• If you used any chemicals on a field, please notify Highline. You may call the office or you can place a flag at the entrance to the field. Please note the day when it is safe to enter the field and what chemical was used.
• Notification signs or flags are available free of charge at any Highline office.
• If calling during in an outage, please notify Highline if the field was sprayed.
The initial and long-term effects of absorbing chemicals in the body are extremely hazardous to one’s health. Please don’t subject our employees to these dangers.
Before starting any digging project, call 8-1-1 or visit Call811.com to have underground utilities marked. Hitting buried lines can cause serious injuries, service disruptions for you and your neighbors and costly repairs. Stay safe by knowing what’s below before you dig!
Before starting any digging project, call 8-1-1 or visit Call811.com to have underground utilities marked. Hitting buried lines can cause serious injuries, service disruptions for you and your neighbors and costly repairs. Stay safe by knowing what’s below before you dig!
Before starting any digging project, call 8-1-1 or visit Call811.com to have underground utilities marked. Hitting buried lines can cause serious injuries, service disruptions for you and your neighbors and costly repairs. Stay safe by knowing what’s below before you dig!
It’s called a controlled burn for a reason. If you don’t plan your controlled burn in advance and keep it under check, it can quickly spread too far and wide.
Even with the best laid plans, a utility pole could catch fire during a burn. However, planning in advance can decrease the chances. Fire damage to a power pole is usually evident by blackening and scorch marks, but even slight discoloration can cause serious problems. Sometimes the poles burn from the inside out and the damage is not immediately apparent.
To inquire about controlled burns near power poles and lines, contact Highline Electric Association at 970-854-2236.
The deadline to retire an irrigation service is April 15. After this date, you will be charged the annual minimum.
Congratulations
Congratulations to the following HEA employees who observe an employment anniversary in April:
Jeff Poe - 21 years
Matt McCabe - 10 years
Carson Ebke - 9 years
Josh Martin - 8 years
Kevin Humphreys - 1 year
Irrigators: If you signed up for 2025 load control, it begins in May. Please be aware of which option you signed up for.
Control dates for options 1, 1A, 2, and 2A include May 12–May 31, June 21–June 30, and September 1–September 10. If you selected either the 1A or 2A options, you could also be controlled 1 day per week in July and August as well. If you selected option 3, you may only be controlled 1 day per week in July and August.
Electric lineworkers make sure our lights turn on, our TVs are powered, and our electronics and phones get charged! Their job is to keep electricity flowing from power lines to our homes.
Thank the lineworkers in your community for all they do to keep electricity flowing!
DO WE HAVE YOUR CORRECT PHONE NUMBER?
Please check the phone number you have listed with us and update if necessary. Having updated phone numbers will enhance Highline Electric’s updated outage management system’s ability to notify both staff and members with outage information.
By Mary Peck
What’s not to love about springtime? It’s a season rich with ancient symbolism, rituals, and traditions — including spring cleaning. The practice holds long-standing significance for societies across the world, from the practical need to clean soot and ash from winter fires to the symbolic idea of clearing out the past year’s bad luck to welcome a new season of life and prosperity.
A deep spring cleaning, as opposed to regular surface cleaning, involves tackling the corners, nooks, and crannies where dust and grime have accumulated all winter. While there are many ways to approach it, postwinter decluttering is a natural first step to clear the way for deeper cleaning.
Meghan Jackson, a professional organizer and owner of Colorado Springs-based Joyful Spaces, advises focusing on progress not perfection. She says it can be overwhelming to feel the need to organize every corner of your house and recommends breaking tasks down into achievable goals — which are different for everyone.
“Set a timer for 15 minutes to tackle one thing — it’s a great start. If you want to level up, you could do one specific space like a drawer or closet ,” she says.
After decluttering, make a spring cleaning plan that works for you. The American Cleaning Institute recommends first taking an inventory of your cleaning supplies, then coming up with a strategy. For example, clean one room at a time or tackle one task at a time, such as washing all the windows. Remember it’s okay
to delegate tasks and enlist help from friends, family, or cleaning pros as needed.
The results can be surprisingly impactful. Spring cleaning has been found to boost your mood, reduce stress, benefit physical health, and even increase focus and productivity.
“One of the biggest hidden benefits is emotional clarity,” Jackson says. “Managing space and being organized is a skill that can be learned, and if you start with something small and do it well, you can do that again.”
Here’s to the welcome sense of optimism and possibility that springtime delivers every year. Happy cleaning, and happy spring!
• Clean baseboards, door trim, and window sills
• Dust cobwebs from walls, ceiling, and plants
• Vacuum and wash vents
• Shampoo carpets and mop floors
• Wash windows, curtains, and blinds
• Clean light fixtures and lamp shades
• Vacuum upholstered furniture and pillows
• Deep clean kitchen appliances
• Wash all bedding
• Clean bathroom tub, shower, and accessories
• Sweep front and back porch or deck
• Clean and test smoke and carbon monoxide alarms
Mary Peck connects Coloradans with practical tips, ideas, and information to help them prosper.
By Dennis E. Smith
The Mother’s Day caddis hatch on the Arkansas River is one of those events Colorado fly-fishers look forward to every spring, although how it came to be named the Mother’s Day Hatch is anybody’s guess since it usually starts mid-April and is pretty much over with by the time Mother’s Day rolls around in mid-May. In truth, the calendar has little to do with it; the bugs start hatching when the water temperature reaches into the 50s. I’ve heard 54 degrees is the magic number.
The phenomenon has more to do with the sheer volume of bugs than anything else. Caddis flies of the genus Brachycentrus erupt from the river in swarms so thick they can blanket the water from bank to bank, plaster the windshields of passing cars, and in some instances, even grease the streets. If you’re in the river fishing, you can spend as much time brushing the bugs from your eyes, ears, and nose as you do casting your line. A guide in Salida says, “You have to learn to breathe through your teeth to fish this hatch.”
When the hatch comes off, it can seem as if every trout in the river magically appears to feed. The emergence usually begins in the lower river near Cañon City and progresses upstream as water temperature and sunshine dictate. Locals suggest fishing upstream or downstream of the main hatch so your fly doesn’t have to compete with the millions of others just like it on the water.
Size 14 and 16 dark-bodied dry fly caddis patterns are effective, but pupae, larvae, and emerger imitations are important too. Check local fly shops for their recommendations. Dry fly anglers like drag-free presentations, but skating or skipping your fly across the surface can be effective too, because the little bugs are highly animated, and mimicking their fluttering behavior often draws strikes from aggressive feeders. Another technique is to avoid the dry fly altogether, and swing a soft-hackled wet fly downstream on a tight line to imitate the struggles of an emerging caddis.
There’s about 117 miles of river between Leadville and Cañon City, but not all of it is prime, public, or accessible. Because the hatch draws anglers from all over the state and more than a few from across the country, it would behoove you to avoid weekend crowds or hire a guide who has access to private water if you have limited time to fish. Guides and outfitters are available at most of the fly shops in Cañon City, Salida, and Buena Vista as well as Denver and Colorado Springs. Go now — if you wait for Mother’s Day, it could be over before you get there.
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By Patricia Logan
Electric lineworkers put their pants on one leg at a time like the rest of us; they just happen to be flame-resistant jeans so the worker’s skin doesn’t melt if things go sideways with a hot wire. They like to eat dinner with their families, too, but it can come with a side of apprehension when snow is falling, wind howling, or thunder cracking.
The call could come anytime.
“I think they are kind of the forgotten first responder,” says CREA Director of Safety Curt Graham.
It’s their job to head outside so the rest of us can stay safely indoors.
“Nobody thinks about a lineman until their lights go out. A lot of people don’t realize there is a unique skill and person to go do this, to stay out all night long to get your power back on,” Graham continues. “Not everyone can grab 14,000 volts and go up in a snowstorm and put up a wire. You can’t have any quit in you. Not
everybody is built to do this job.”
Casey Krening is among the roughly 475 co-op lineworkers in Colorado who are built for this job. Krening, a journeyman lineman for Y-W Electric in Akron, has been preventing and responding to power emergencies for 11 years.
“Probably the worst is at night when it’s blizzarding, low visibility. Everything is different at night,” Krening says. “You can go someplace a hundred times in the day, but when you see it at night, you’re totally turned around and lost.”
Winter is tough, but so are spring and summer. A tornado hit near Akron in 2023, taking dozens of poles down. A couple of weeks later another storm scattered 75 to 100 poles
across a roadless area. Krening and his crew cut through fences and drove up sandy hills to get poles upright and lines lifted. He worked a bunch of grueling 14-hour days during that stretch.
One customer brought his crew cookies after the twister. But when the power is out, some folks get frustrated.
“Every lineman that’s working on it is trying to get the lights on as fast as they can,” Krening says. “We’re not napping under the shade tree when people are out of power.”
Sometimes they take on extra risk to avoid shutting off power. “We also do hot work, when the entire job is done with an energized wire. There’s times when it’s not feasible to shut 300 consumers off — especially during the irrigation season,” Krening says.
There are no typical days, but there are constant physical demands including wearing heavy rubber gloves and sleeves for hot work. There is a lot of climbing — lattice, ladders, and poles — and working at a height of about four stories in a bucket or strapped directly to a pole.
On the ground, he and his crew haul heavy tools and equipment and operate hydraulic machinery to repair, take down, or set new poles weighing 700-1,200 pounds. Luckily, that’s what Krening signed up for.
“I like the physical labor. Growing up and going through school I wanted to be outside; I didn’t want to sit still. I wanted to do something creative and work with my hands,” Krening says. He also likes the teamwork. “It’s a big deal when you can trust and know that the guy who’s got your back is doing what he’s supposed to be doing and you don’t have to worr y about it.”
“For the most part, we can control a lot of the dangers by doing stuff the right way and the safe way,” Krening notes. “But I think there are risks that you can’t avoid in our job; it’s a dangerous industry.”
Lineworkers are paid well for those risks, but that’s not the most important thing. “I feel pretty good when I get to go home and I’ve been safe and everybody I work with has been safe,” Krening says. “You take the hard hat off and go be a dad for a little while, and that makes everything worth it. I’ve got a wife and two rambunctious boys. I’ve got a bunch of people depending on me.”
His kids are 1-1/2 and almost 4. They’re growing up in the same town he did. His wife teaches at the local school. Krening’s neighbors are customers. He often thinks about the person at the end of the line. “I like being able to help people,” he says. “I love it. I love what I do.”
Lineworker Appreciation Day is April 18. Cookies are optional. A smile and a wave go a long way too.
Patricia Logan is a Colorado writer and filmmaker who loves to learn and share stories about this precious earth and its fascinating people, places, plants, and animals. She is a graduate of the University of Colorado where she also taught journalism.
By Suzie Romig
Photos by Sue Broderdorp
Odin, named for the Norse god of frenzy, and Bane, which means glorious defender, were the energetic hometown favorite K-9 officers at the High Desert Police K-9 Challenge competition last May in Craig.
The 6-year-old Belgian Malinois and 5-year-old German shepherd showed off their skills and extensive training for the audience by competing in obedience, agility, speed, and muzzle fighting, plus events to determine who has the strongest grip. The hometown heroes serve with their human handlers and law enforcement partners at the Craig Police Department in tasks such as patrol work, handler protection, illegal-drug detection, tracking, and apprehension.
The annual spring exhibit of canine skills serves as a public education opportunity, friendly competition, and fundraiser for the nonprofit High Desert Police K-9 Association. Established in 2020, the association offers training and certification for canine teams in law enforcement, search and rescue, hospital security, and cadaver detection for smaller agencies and organizations in Colorado, Wyoming, and Utah.
The association currently has 50 canine teams, largely in police and sheriff’s departments. The outdoor competition at the high school football field had audience members in the stands cheering for the abilities of some 20 teams in three different dog age groups.
“You can see the tails on these dogs,” says event announcer Ginny Chase, a retired police officer from Grand Junction. “They are happy to be out here, happy to be working and making their handler proud.”
A merchandise tent sported the furry faces of the working dogs on magnets and coffee mugs. Souvenirs for Odin and Bane sold out quickly.
Audience members ranged from curious dog lovers to family supporters wearing canine team jerseys. The announcer described the skills performed by such dogs as Diesel, Moose, Reese, Te Ka, Bones, Cholo, Jocko, Moki, Teg, Max, and Murray.
Most of the competition was disciplined and sometimes fierce when dogs were commanded to take down a target wearing a padded bite suit. Then
handlers called off their dogs and rewarded their four-legged partners with playtime with a favorite toy, often a canvas tug.
If anyone might consider trying to outrun a patrol dog, they should note the fastest canine clocked during the 2024 challenge was just over 3 seconds for a 40-yard dash.
A few times during the challenge, the younger dogs could not resist participating in some cute and funny antics. One younger dog got a little too excited about a stuffed flamingo floating in the kiddie pool that was meant to remain part of the obstacle course and took the pink toy on a short side trip.
Corporal Grant Laehr with Craig Police and president of High Desert says the public image of police dogs has expanded through the years, and community members have become much more comfortable around the law enforcement dogs.
“There was a little bit of a persona that they are just angry dogs and just wanted to bite people, and I believe that perception has changed over the years,”
Laehr says. “These dogs are highly trained, and the primary application nowadays is for detection.”
Breeds commonly employed as K-9 officers include German shepherds, Belgian Malinois, black Labrador retrievers, and sometimes a German shepherd/Malinois mix or a German shorthaired pointer. Those breeds of dogs are high energy, determined, and intelligent.
Dog duties, depending on how each dog is trained and certified, may include tracking people such as lost children and older folks with dementia, finding evidence, and apprehending suspects. Some are trained to sniff out illegal drugs including heroin, cocaine, fentanyl, and methamphetamine.
The spring challenge helps the association raise funds through sponsorships and sales of raffle tickets and T-shirts. These funds support the medical needs of retired K-9 officers, send handlers from smaller departments to training, and host regional trainings for handlers to learn new techniques and sharpen skills with their canines.
The day before the public challenge in Craig, the canine teams competed in more-sensitive tasks with no crowds watching. These tasks include detecting both indoor and outdoor explosives, narcotics, and simulated human remains.
During the second day of competition, the loyal K-9 officers were excited to go to work with some straining at their collars or barking while awaiting commands. In the agility course, the dogs were impressive, tackling everything from jumping through hanging tires to walking a teeter-totter.
At home off duty with their handlers, the dogs can be as playful as family dogs. Laehr says his 85-pound partner Bane gets along great with the family’s goldendoodle and cockapoo.
You’ve
got a partner who is your best friend that you know would do anything for you. Being able to deploy them and take substances that are killing people off the street is incredibly rewarding.”
—Corporal Grant Laehr, Craig Police Department
At home, Bane is out of his work uniform of a special harness and leash, so he knows he is off duty. The German shepherd knows the routine of getting into the police vehicle and wearing his work harness indicating he is on duty. Most handlers use commands spoken in German or Czech to deploy dogs on duty.
High Desert association Vice President Kali Henderson, an officer with the Delta Police Department, says her Belgian Malinois partner of four years, Raico, knows he is on duty by his special collar. Laehr says working canines recognize those rituals. “[Bane] is an entirely different dog in the backyard than he is as the patrol dog. He knows when we are going to walk up to a vehicle to do a sniff; he gets happy and excited to go to work.”
Bane likes to play tug and is very toy driven, so after the dog indicates a detection by sitting and pointing, he is rewarded with ball playing time. During five years of work, Bane has been used in 159 deployments.
Some of the law enforcement dogs come from specialized training programs in the United States or Europe, but other dogs are retrained after being initially raised in a civilian environment.
“What we are looking for is the right type of dog with the drive to work and wanting to please,” Laehr says. “You need to have the right dog for the right handler. That relationship is so important.”
Handlers say the work to keep their canine partners in reliable, top shape requires many hours of rigorous and ongoing training — usually 16 hours per month.
You need to have the right dog for the right handler. That relationship is so important.”
—Cpl.
Grant Laehr
“The work that goes into handling a police canine is pretty intensive,” Laehr says. “We train more with canines than probably any other discipline.”
Each year High Desert presents awards in five categories for achievements in tracking, patrol and apprehension, narcotics detection, evidence detection, and cadaver detection. In 2023, Laehr and K-9 Bane were recognized with the Narcotics Case of the Year Award.
Bane’s skills in alerting to drug odors for cocaine and methamphetamine in a hotel room helped put three drug dealers in prison. The dealers also had hundreds of illegal fentanyl pills. A dog trained in narcotics detection alerting to illegal drugs can give police officers probable cause needed to proceed to arrests, Laehr says.
“Over his career, the amount of drug seizures we’ve had is pretty remarkable, especially for the size of the town and local community,” Laehr says. “The bottom line, it probably saved lives by preventing overdoses.”
Last year, K-9 Raico in Delta alerted to a vehicle where a drug dealer was transporting 5,000 illegal fentanyl pills and a large amount of methamphetamine, Henderson reports. That dealer is now serving prison time.
Henderson says that Raico is also a valuable asset in community relations, as he is often used in demonstrations and social visits at schools, libraries, and nursing homes.
Although time consuming, handlers say the work with their canine partners is fun and rewarding. “You’ve got a partner who is your best friend that you know would do anything for you,” Laehr says. “Being able to deploy them and take substances that are killing people off the street is incredibly rewarding.”
Laehr and Henderson say K-9s used in smaller police departments are on the rise because they are used for detection to help stop the flow of illegal drugs along state highways.
The nonprofit, all-volunteer Colorado Police Canine Association, based in Arvada and founded in 2003, also works to establish professional standards for canine handlers and provide certifications for police service dogs in Colorado. Canine partners can be used to help with security at airports, transit stations, high schools, music festivals, conventions, and sporting events.
Colorado Police Canine Association, with information at Facebook.com/cpcak9, includes 127 canine teams from 43 different agencies, says Krista Schmit, association secretary. This year’s membership represents an increase from the previous year that had 113 teams from 39 agencies.
In Colorado, other specially trained dogs work in fire investigations. The Colorado Division of Fire Prevention and Control uses dogs to track and detect ignitable liquids and decomposing human remains. Currently the division’s officers include two yellow Labs named ROTC and Ash trained to identify accelerants, German shepherd Moose trained as a cadaver dog, and bloodhound Hiccup trained for tracking and trailing.
Fire investigator Brian Eberle says the dogs also are available for public education visits and to help fire departments around the state with investigations.
The teams from High Desert Police K-9 Association will be competing again and serving as energetic law enforcement ambassadors at this year’s challenge scheduled to start at 10 a.m. Saturday, April 26, at Delta High School. Admission is free, but other dogs are not allowed. More information can be found online at Highdesertpolicek9association.org or Facebook.com/HighDesertPoliceK9
High Desert collects donations to help pay for medical care for member’s retired police dogs. When the K-9 officers retire, their expenses become the responsibility of the handler instead of the department. Henderson notes police dogs usually work to age 8; four High Desert dogs retired in 2024 with three scheduled to retire this year. The big dogs work hard throughout their careers, so injuries or illnesses could last through retirement.
Suzie Romig is a degreed, award-winning journalist who lives near Steamboat Springs and has lived, worked, and explored in Colorado since 1990.
People should always ask a handler first before trying to approach a K-9 officer. The canines are protective of their handlers and their patrol vehicles, so approaching without prior permission is not advised.
By Miranda Boutelle
Q: How can landscaping help lower my energy bill?
A: There’s a lot going on in the space around our homes. Competing factors of aesthetics, safety, energy efficiency, water conservation, and more are a lot to consider. Thoughtful planning and good design can address these factors.
Carefully positioned trees can save up to 25% of a typical household’s energy use, according to the United States Department of Energy. When selecting trees and other foliage, research what is best for your elevation and climate. Select native species naturally adapted to your location for lower maintenance.
Strategically placed deciduous trees allow for summer shade and passive solar heat gain in the winter when leaves have fallen. Slower-growing trees might take longer to provide maximum shading benefits, but their roots are typically deeper, and branches are stronger. These factors can also make them less likely to be damaged by wind, snow, or ice and be more drought resistant.
Plant large trees far enough away from your home to prevent damage from falling branches or root damage to your home’s foundation. And if you have a rooftop photovoltaic solar system, even a small amount of shade can significantly reduce energy production. Consider smaller plantings closer to
the home to shade walls, windows, or hardscaped surfaces, such as driveways and sidewalks.
Keep landscaping clear of dryer vents, heat pumps, and air conditioning units to ensure access for maintenance and airflow around those locations.
When landscaping, always consider safety first. Call before you dig to ensure you know where any underground utility and sewer lines are located. The national 811 Underground Service Alert program routes you directly to your local resources. Call 811 or visit call811.com before you dig.
Be mindful of overhead power lines too. Look up and check the surroundings before setting up ladders. Be thoughtful when planting new landscaping that could encroach on power lines. Utility equipment should have at least 10 feet of clearance, when possible.
As you prepare to refresh your yard for the coming spring and summer, consider ways you can boost your energy efficiency for more comfort and savings year-round.
Remember when…
Think about the things you loved to do that are dif cult today — going for a walk or just sitting comfortably while reading a book. And remember the last time you got a great night’s sleep?
As we get older, health issues or even everyday aches, pains and stress can prevent us from enjoying life.
So what’s keeping you from having a better quality of life?
Check all the conditions that apply to you.
Arthritis Dry Skin
Insomnia Anxiety
Diabetes Mobility Issues
Lower Back Poor Pain Circulation
Then read on to learn how a Safe Step Walk-In Tub can help. Feel better, sleep better, live better
A Safe Step Walk-In Tub lets you indulge in a warm, relaxing bath that can help relieve life’s aches, pains and worries.
A Safe Step Tub can help increase mobility, boost energy and improve sleep.
It’s got everything you should look for in a walk-in tub:
• Heated Seat – Providing soothing warmth from start to nish.
• MicroSoothe® Air Therapy System – helps oxygenate and soften skin while offering therapeutic bene ts.
• Pain-relieving therapy – Hydro massage jets target sore muscles and joints.
• Safety features – Low step-in, grab bars and more can help you bathe safely and maintain your independence.
• Free Safety Package
By Melinda Taylor Editorial Assistant
Plan a trip to the southern part of the state to experience the great outdoors at Lathrop State Park, just 3 miles west of Walsenburg. Nestled in San Isabel Electric’s stunning service territory, the year-round playground has endless activities for all stripes of outdoor enthusiasts.
Lathrop is the only Colorado state park with two beautiful lakes for all things water recreation. Martin Lake has a sandy beach and is best for swimming and speed boat activities. Horseshoe Lake is less developed and is best for wildlife viewing and wakeless boating. Both lakes are open to kayaks, canoes, paddleboards, and fishing.
Lathrop has numerous lakeside picnic tables around scenic Martin Lake, but you can find a great spot to picnic anywhere in the park! Grab your picnic fare from Charlie’s Market in La Veta (visit Charlie’s Market on Facebook), Walsenburg Mercantile (walsenburgmercantile.com), Safeway, or any of the area’s restaurants.
Book six months ahead for one of the park’s 103 campsites — cpwshop.com. The park maintains group campsites (one is lakeside!), single tent sites, and RV sites with electricity. Regardless of your site, you’ll enjoy dark skies and excellent stargazing.
The Hogback Nature Trail offers a great hike. Lathrop State Park Manager Stacey Koury says the view at the top of Hogback is her favorite: “Hike to the top and it’s like you’re looking at a giant map of the park.” The Cuerno Verde Trail encircles Martin Lake and is a wheelchair accessible, paved 3-mile loop for cyclists and walkers. North Side Trail allows mountain biking and hiking. All trails are dog friendly.
Make your next family meal quick and tasty with a recipe that calls for common ingredients and simple preparation. These southwest salmon patties are ideal for busy weeknights, bringing everyone together for a meal around the dinner table.
½ cup mayonnaise
¼ cup sour cream
1 tsp. grated lime zest
4 tsp. lime juice
3 tbsp. fresh cilantro, chopped
¼ tsp. salt
¼ tsp. pepper
1 ½ cups panko breadcrumbs, divided
1 lb. skinless, boneless salmon filets, chopped
4 oz. whole green chiles, drained and chopped
2 scallions, thinly sliced
½ cup vegetable oil
In medium bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, sour cream, lime zest, lime juice, and cilantro.
In a large bowl, combine salt, pepper, ¾ cup breadcrumbs, salmon, chiles, scallions, and 3 tablespoons mayonnaise mixture. Form salmon mixture into four patties. Cover patties with remaining breadcrumbs.
In skillet, heat oil. Add breaded patties and cook until golden brown, about 3 minutes on each side.
Serve with the remaining mayonnaise mixture and enjoy!
Serves: 4
Source: Culinary.net
Explore the all-new Colorado Country Life website! It’s the same trusted source you love — now with a fresh look and new features to make exploring even easier. Whether you’re looking for past stories, entering a contest, or sharing your favorite recipe, it’s all just a click away.
• A fresh look that’s easy to navigate
• Improved accessibility for all readers
• Searchable archives to find past stories
• A place to share your travel photos and recipes
• Fun contests with great prizes Visit us online at coloradocountrylife.coop and take a look around!
CONTROL
By Kylee Coleman Editor
A few times each year, we feature books by Colorado authors. This month’s roundup has something for everyone, and we hope you find the perfect book for some spring reading. Enjoy!
by Scott A. Wilson (Firefly Books, 2025)
Gardener Scott’s Guide to Raised Bed Gardening by Scott A. Wilson is a comprehensive, step-by-step guide to create thriving gardens.
Better known as YouTube’s Gardener Scott, Wilson is a Colorado-based master gardener. His approachable teaching style and expertise shine in this visually stunning guide that features step-by-step plans for building and using raised beds; expert advice on soil blends, planting techniques, and pest management; and tips for garden planning, year-round maintenance, and maximizing yields.
by Patty Latham, DVM (2024)
Veterinarian Dr. Josie Tate attends a demonstration on taming wild horses and decides to give gentling mustangs a try, to sculpt trust between wild and human.
But after an arson fire at her horse barn, the specter of revenge from Justin Perry, the convicted animal abuser that Dr. Josie testified against in court, clouds her everyday work with small and large animals alike.
But with Perry still jailed, is there a new madman on the loose, endangering their lives, their animals, and their land?
This is the third book in the Dr. Josie Tate series by Colorado novelist Patty Latham; it can be found at your favorite online book retailer.
by Brandon Tosti (B2 Ventures,
LLC, 2024)
Game day pomp and pageantry, the traditions, the mascots, the cherished rivalries, and the coveted trophies — it’s all just pure entertainment for folks watching from the stands or the comfort of a couch. But behind the scenes, there’s a very different team from the ones competing: the team that makes it all happen.
For Colorado author Brandon Tosti, 18 years of working in the sports industry came with wins, losses, and hard-earned perspective. A memoir woven with true stories from other members of the “team” and advice for those aspiring to work in the sports industry, Bright Lights & Long Nights takes the reader along for a captivating ride through Tosti’s nearly two decades in the sports industry.
by Karen Morgan (Clavis, 2025)
Could you take a nap while standing? Or taste with your feet? Some animals and plants can!
Animals and plants can do countless remarkable things that people could never do. Take a wondrous journey through the fantastic world of nature in Colorado author Karen Morgan’s second book. Can You Hide Like a Chameleon will teach your early reader about 11 animal and plant species and their extraordinar y abilities.
by Annie Herzig (Simon Kids, 2024)
One magical morning, a little girl makes a new snow friend. She calls her Wonder. Everything is new to Wonder, and she and the little girl spend many enchanting days together. But as winter turns to spring, Wonder must go. Without her friend, the little girl is sad … until one day when she rediscovers her own sense of wonder. Suddenly, the little girl can see the beauty all around her again. As the seasons continue to change, she collects more pieces of wonder to share. All she needs now is the first magical snow of winter to bring her friend back home. Colorado illustrator and author Annie Herzig’s debut picture book was released by Simon & Schuster in October 2024 and can be found at book retailers.
by J. David Holt (2025)
On the forest floor, camouflaged by dry leaves, lie delicious — but hard to spot — morel mushrooms. One has to be present and purposeful, or it’s easy to overlook these hidden treasures. And this is just one of the valuable life lessons at the heart of the new children’s book from J. David Holt, The Mystery of Mushroom Valley: A Tale About the Magic of Nature and the Power of Kindness.
This coming-of-age story, set against the backdrop of an age-old foraging tradition, promises to captivate the hearts and minds of young as well as older readers and inspire them to connect with nature as they appreciate the wonders around them. Find it online at amazon.com
their CCL magazine in
Mountain View Electric member Gretchen Stockwell and friend Gina Hadly take a girl’s trip with CCL to Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, Canada, to see the northern lights. Gretchen reports that the temperature was minus 50 degrees about midnight on February 13.
Marketa and Jan Barkova take a break after a run to enjoy CCL at the Bad Hofgastein ski area in Austria.
Teresa Bruecken and family visit Kauai, Hawaii for a nice break from the cold Colorado weather. Here she is at Tunnels Beach — “The view is so beautiful,” she reports.
Show us where you enjoy CCL for a chance to win! Take a photo of someone (or a selfie!) with the magazine and share it with us on our website at coloradocountrylife.coop. Each month we’ll draw one photo to win $25. See all the submitted photos on our Facebook page @COCountryLife
Highline Electric Association board member Lisa Schilke (third from left) takes her copy of Colorado Country Life to Phoenix, Arizona, to take a break from the cold and to visit cousins. Looks like a fun crew!
Mountain View Electric Association member Stephen Brock brings the magazine to New Zealand and Australia to celebrate birthdays, a 45th wedding anniversary, and Christmas. He says, “Milford Sound, reported to be the wettest place on Earth, is very beautiful.”
Poudre Valley REA members the Hebberts bring CCL to Cambodia’s Angkor Wat, an iconic UNESCO HinduBuddhist 12th century temple.
An initiative of the Navajo Tribal Utility Authority in coordination with the American Public Power Association, Light Up Navajo brings electricity to families living on the Navajo Nation.
Crews from utilities across the United States travel to Navajo Nation to set power poles, run power lines, and prepare homes to receive electric service. Beginning in April, volunteer linecrews from eight Colorado electric co-ops will participate in Light Up Navajo VI.
More than 10,000 families on the Navajo Nation live without basic electricity at home. Bringing power to these homes will provide families with modern conveniences such as electric lighting, refrigeration for food, and access to electric heat and air conditioning.
You can make a difference for those in need. Donate to the Colorado Electric Educational Institute today and support Colorado’s electric co-ops in this important and impactful work.
