Outdoors
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Climber airlifted to hospital after 65-foot fall
Apr 9th
The victim was “scrambling” alone on Red Rocks, a formation near the Mount Sanitas Trail and Settler’s Park in Boulder. Scrambling is a cross between hiking and climbing, mostly without ropes.
The man fell at approximately 11:42 a.m., when nearby hikers heard him yelling for help and called 9-1-1. The Boulder Fire Department, AMR Ambulance, Boulder Open Space and Mountain Parks rangers, the Boulder Sheriff’s Department and members of Rocky Mountain Rescue responded.
The victim was airlifted to St. Anthony’s Central Hospital in Denver. It’s believed that the man suffered severe head trauma and other injuries, but further details are not available at this time. The victim’s boots were untied, and one was found partway up the rocks.
The victim’s identity is not available.
City of Boulder to get tough on crosswalk violations—finally
Apr 6th
Police to step up crosswalk safety enforcement
Residents should be aware of three new laws
Beginning on Monday, April 9, 2012, the Boulder Police Department will be performing proactive enforcement at city crosswalks. As priorities allow, officers will target Boulder’s busiest intersections to make sure drivers, bicyclists and pedestrians are following three new rules that went into effect in February.
The three amendments to the Boulder Revised code are:
- “Stop at crosswalk required” [7-4-77] stipulates that when one vehicle stops to yield for a person in a crosswalk, another vehicle cannot overtake and pass that vehicle.
- “8 mph speed limit for bicycles in a crosswalk” [7-5-5] establishes a speed limit of 8 mph for bicyclists during the immediate approach, entry and traversal of any crosswalk that spans a roadway.
- “Pedestrian obedience to traffic signal required” [7-5-15(f)] targets the use of flashing crosswalks (those with flashing yellow crosswalk signs) by requiring a person crossing to enter the crosswalk with the warning device activated.
The rules are intended to address some of the most frequent problems highlighted in “Safe Streets Boulder,” the city’s recent traffic study analyzing data from motor vehicle collisions involving bicyclists and pedestrians. The data compiled during a 40-month period indicated that overall, the city’s street safety record is good, considering the high number of pedestrian and bicycle trips in Boulder.
“Most people are using common sense and following the law, but there are still some problem areas in town. We’re stepping up enforcement to educate citizens about the new laws. Ultimately our goal is to save lives and prevent more accidents,” says Cmdr. Carey Weinheimer.
The report found that crosswalks at intersections are the most common location for collisions and identified 15 of the most accident-prone spots. Police will focus enforcement efforts at those locations. Four of the intersections are along Broadway, adjacent to the University of Colorado campus. The University of Colorado Police Department will also enforce the city’s pedestrian ordinances and focus on high traffic areas of campus.
Possible penalties for violating the new laws are listed below:
- Stop at Crosswalk Required [7-4-77]: possible $300 bond, $125 mail-in fine and 4 point violation
- Speeding bicycles in Crosswalks [7-5-5]: possible $100 mail-in fine and 0 points
- Pedestrian Obedience to Traffic Signals [7-5-15(f)]: possible $50 mail-in fine and 0 points
Boulder County to air decisions on oil and gas
Apr 5th
Boulder County, Colo. – The Board of County Commissioners will hold a public meeting on April 16 to further evaluate oil and gas development in unincorporated Boulder County.
What: Public meeting on oil and gas development
When: Monday, April 16 at 4 p.m.
Where: Commissioners’ Hearing Room, Boulder County Courthouse, third floor, 1325 Pearl St., Boulder
The meeting will also be streamed live at www.bouldercounty.org/gov/meetings/pages/hearings.aspx.
NOTE: The public is welcome to attend, and additional staff information may be presented, but public testimony will not be taken at this meeting. Comments were received in-person at a public hearing on March 1 and in writing for weeks prior to the hearing.
Background
On Feb. 2 the commissioners approved a temporary moratorium on the processing of the required development plans for local oil and gas permits under the county Land Use Code (Resolution 2012-16) and released a statement detailing their concerns about the potential for significantly expanded oil and gas drilling within the county.
At the conclusion of the four-hour public hearing on March 1, the commissioners directed staff to continue gathering information about the impacts of oil and gas drilling on air, water, land, roads and infrastructure.
Boulder County remains concerned about the potential for significantly expanded oil and gas drilling within the county, and supports appropriate, tighter restrictions on drilling and increased local control to mitigate the impacts of these activities. While the county endeavors to ensure its Comprehensive Plan and Land Use regulations are as thorough and up-to-date as possible, the moratorium will remain in place and could be extended if necessary.
The meeting on April 16 will allow the commissioners to:
- Discuss the information presented by staff and consider public comments made at the March hearing
- Provide direction to staff for pursuing amendments to the county Comprehensive Plan and Land Use Code or take other appropriate actions
- Make any additional necessary decisions regarding the nature and duration of the temporary moratorium
Visit www.bouldercounty.org/dept/landuse/pages/oilgas.aspx for more information.