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The environment desk at Aspen Public Radio covers issues in the Roaring Fork Valley and throughout the state of Colorado including water use and quality, impact of recreation, population growth and oil and gas development. APR’s Environment Reporter is Elizabeth Stewart-Severy.

CPW: Stay off closed trails, keep distance from newborn animals

Courtesy of Colorado Parks and Wildlife

The state wildlife agency is reminding people to take steps to protect newborn animals this spring, and it starts with adhering to trail closures.

 

Several trails near Snowmass ski area close Wednesday to protect deer and elk during calving season. Government Trail, Tom Blake, Sequel and Anaerobic Nightmare will remain closed until June 21; many other popular trails in the Roaring Fork Valley have not yet opened from winter closures.

Kurtis Tesch, district ranger for Colorado Parks and Wildlife, said it’s important that young animals are able to grow without stress, so they can store up nutrients.

“It’s not a zoo; these are wild animals and they need to be treated accordingly," he said. "Give them their space, and keep your dogs on a leash.”

CPW officials get dozens of calls every spring from people concerned about young wildlife. They say it’s best to keep your distance and not touch baby mammals, as that can leave a scent that makes them vulnerable to predators.

 

Aspen native Elizabeth Stewart-Severy is excited to be making a return to both the Red Brick, where she attended kindergarten, and the field of journalism. She has spent her entire life playing in the mountains and rivers around Aspen, and is thrilled to be reporting about all things environmental in this special place. She attended the University of Colorado with a Boettcher Scholarship, and graduated as the top student from the School of Journalism in 2006. Her lifelong love of hockey lead to a stint working for the Colorado Avalanche, and she still plays in local leagues and coaches the Aspen Junior Hockey U-19 girls.
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