Drought

According to a press release, the latest happened Friday evening, Aug. 21. A man was heading back to his vehicle after a day of fishing along the North Fork Trail in Jefferson County. That’s when a bear knocked the man to the ground and bit his legs.

There has been a surge in black bear attacks across Colorado. Most recently, Colorado Parks and Wildlife announced two attacks in Steamboat Springs and Aspen.

Colorado Parks and Wildlife said 30,000 fish died as a result of low oxygen levels in Sandpiper Pond at St. Vrain State Park this month. Officials say fish kills are common, but drought conditions are prompting different fish management strategies this fall.

Recent rainstorms have brought some needed relief to the Front Range. But because of dismal snowpack last winter, the storms are not enough to pull Colorado out of the lingering drought.

As Yampa Valley hunters gear up for the upcoming big game seasons, last winter’s anemic snowfall has raised questions regarding the health of local herds. However, while Steamboat’s ski season suffered, local animals fared well.

As the climate warms, some mountain trees are moving higher up, while others are spreading downhill. Scientists say something inside the trees may explain why. And that split could reshape watersheds and wildfire risk.

The reservoir, which straddles the Arizona-Nevada border, has suffered due to an imbalance between supply and demand for Colorado River water.

Trout need cool water to survive. But record heat this summer has driven water temperatures to levels that can kill fish. Wildlife officials are responding by banning fishing during certain hours on rivers and streams across the U.S. West.

As communities across the West keep a close eye on water supplies and wildfire risk, a new federal drought forecast highlights where relief may be on the way, and where dry conditions are likely to continue.

The federal government just issued a new plan for states to share water from the Colorado River. So far, Colorado is spared from the steepest cuts. But some experts are skeptical that the plan does enough to help solve the river’s ongoing issues. We get details on the proposal.