Q&A
Judy Scherpelz is executive director of the Rocky Mountain Raptor Program and teaches a “birds of prey” class.
Bird lovers of all ages and expertise are encouraged to participate in the class, presented by the Rocky Mountain Raptor Program and the Colorado Division of Wildlife’s Watchable Wildlife Program. The class will be held on three Saturdays, Nov. 4, 11 and 18 at Colorado State University’s Veterinary Teaching Hospital at 300 W. Drake in Fort Collins.
Cost of each session is $50, or three sessions for $125. All fees will help support the Rocky Mountain Raptor Program, which provides health care, rehabilitation and release for injured birds of prey.
To register, call 970-297-0398.
Q: Do you have to be a bird expert to enjoy this class?
A: Not at all. I aim to be helpful to people who know nothing about birding but want to get acquainted with it as well as those who have lots of experience with birding and want to learn more. The more you know about birds and their environment, the more enjoyment you will get out of watching them in their natural surroundings.
Q: Why are people so fascinated with birds of prey like eagles and hawks?
A: The really big raptors are so powerful and wonderful that many cultures have given them mythological powers. They have been given the power of controlling the weather or taking souls to heaven. They seem so ingrained in people culturally that we still are fascinated with them.
Q: Are we taking better care of our birds of prey?
A: It really depends on the species. Because we have been taught over the past several years that we shouldn’t be shooting these birds out of the sky, those scary-type problems have improved. But the biggest issue now is habitat loss. We see more and more of their habitat being lost along the Front Range to development. Some species, like the Great Horned Owl, have been able to adapt. They can co-exist alongside development. Other species can’t handle the pressure of the human population.
– Monte Whaley, Denver Post staff writer
REGIONAL NOTES
LOVELAND, FORT COLLINS
Senator to discuss park legislation
U.S. Sen. Ken Salazar will meet with Larimer County residents Wednesday to discuss ongoing legislation designating Rocky Mountain National Park as a wilderness area as well as other issues.
Salazar will be at Loveland City Hall, 500 E. Third St., at 10 a.m. to talk about the Rocky Mountain National Park wilderness designation. At 12:25 p.m., Salazar plans to be at the Fort Collins Rotary Club lunch at the Fort Collins Lincoln Center, 417 W. Magnolia St.
He will meet at 1 p.m. with the Mental Health and Substance Abuse Partnership and the Poudre Valley Board of Trustees at Poudre Valley Hospital, 1024 S. Lemay Ave., Fort Collins.
Also in Fort Collins, Salazar will tour the Anheuser-Busch facility at 2:30 p.m., followed by the groundbreaking of the Northside Aztlan Community Center, 112 E. Willow St., at 4:30 p.m.
CASTLE ROCK
Town wins marketing awards
Castle Rock is among the nation’s best at marketing and public involvement, according to awards presented at the City-County Communications and Marketing Association convention in Dallas earlier this month.
“Castle Rock View,” the town’s monthly television news magazine, won among cities with populations of up to 86,000, marking the second time since 2004 that the program has been recognized by the organization.
Castle Rock also won for public involvement in developing the town’s long-range water plan.
