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Opinion: More funding for Colorado’s overwhelmed Outdoor Equity Grant Program is imperative to keep outdoors open to all

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Opinion: More funding for Colorado’s overwhelmed Outdoor Equity Grant Program is imperative to keep outdoors open to all


In a state celebrated for its breathtaking mountains, verdant valleys and endless opportunities for adventure, it is disheartening to recognize that equitable access to the great outdoors remains elusive for many Coloradans. 

At the Colorado Mountain Club, we are deeply committed to fostering inclusive outdoor experiences that ensure everyone — regardless of background — can forge a meaningful connection with nature. That is why we wholeheartedly champion the Colorado Outdoor Equity Grant Program, or OEGP, which embodies our shared commitment to bridge this critical gap.

Established in 2021, the OEGP addresses the barriers that have historically prevented marginalized and underserved youth from experiencing the splendor of Colorado’s natural landscapes. For example, The Latinx population in the United States, estimated to compose 28% of the country’s population by 2050, has a long history of public land use. Yet while research on Latinx outdoor recreation in urban green spaces has increased over the past 20 years, research on Latinx outdoor recreation on federal and state public lands has waned. 

Fortunately, organizations like The Colorado Mountain Club have benefited from the $50,000 grant received through the OEGP, enabling us to welcome individuals who might otherwise lack the resources to participate in our programs.

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The OEGP has proven to be transformative. Since 2021, it has allocated an impressive $8.5 million to enhance outdoor experiences for 65,000 youth across 51 counties. This includes youth of color, low-income youth, those with disabilities and other marginalized groups. From the Four Corners to the Eastern Plains, this OEGP is opening doors for young Coloradans, allowing them to reap the abundant benefits nature has to offer.

However, the demand for these grants far outstrips the available funding. While the program is primarily financed through Colorado Lottery spillover dollars, its current cap of $3 million falls drastically short of the more than $21 million requested in the most recent grant cycle. This disparity means numerous promising initiatives remain unfunded, leaving many young Coloradans without access to transformative outdoor experiences.

We urge Colorado lawmakers to embrace the vision of a fully funded OEGP that provides youth with educational, recreational, cultural, workforce and conservation opportunities in our cherished outdoors by supporting House Bill 1215. In the years the overall lottery revenue exceeds the projected cap, the bill would add an additional 30% of those additional funds to the OEGP fund. By increasing investment in this already successful program, we can ensure that more youth and families enjoy the recreational opportunities that make Colorado such a remarkable place to call home.

The case for more funding goes beyond simply experiencing the outdoors; it is an investment in Colorado’s outdoor recreation economy. Introducing youth and families to the joys of outdoor activities cultivates a culture of belonging for communities historically excluded from our shared public lands. When young people engage with the outdoors, they develop healthier habits, enhance cognitive function, and foster stronger community ties. Additionally, by nurturing the next generation of outdoor enthusiasts, we lay the groundwork for future environmental stewards and advocates.

We also wish to express our gratitude to the bill sponsors who have ensured the OEGP made it into committee: Reps. Rick Taggart and Junie Joseph and Sens. Jeff Bridges and Barbara Kirkmeyer. Your dedication to expanding access to our beautiful landscapes is commendable, and we are grateful for your efforts in championing this program.

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The bipartisan support for expanding the OEGP reflects a collective aspiration to make Colorado’s outdoors accessible to all. It acknowledges that fostering inclusion within our stunning landscapes enhances the overall well-being of our communities and economy. 

But we cannot stop here. To achieve true equity, we need sustained, long-term investment in the OEGP — a commitment to ensuring every Coloradan can thrive in the outdoors, enjoying the myriad physical and mental benefits that come with it.

With increased funding, we can envision a future where all Colorado youth, regardless of their backgrounds, can embark on their first hiking experience without the complications of transportation or navigating new terrain alone. We can create programs that offer immersive environmental education, cultivate leadership skills, strengthen communities, and nurture lifelong conservation advocates. For the Colorado Mountain Club, this funding will allow our conservation education initiatives to flourish, integrating these vital lessons into all aspects of our work.

Colorado decision-makers, we call on you to secure additional sustainable funding for the OEGP, making it possible for all Colorado youth and families to experience the immense beauty of our public lands. By expanding outdoor access, we can ensure the vibrancy and resilience of our communities for generations to come. Together, we can unlock a “Colorado for All” — a state where everyone feels a profound sense of belonging and stewardship in the great outdoors.

Gabriel Romero of Golden is the development director of the Colorado Mountain Club.

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The Colorado Sun is a nonpartisan news organization, and the opinions of columnists and editorial writers do not reflect the opinions of the newsroom. Read our ethics policy for more on The Sun’s opinion policy. Learn how to submit a column. Reach the opinion editor at opinion@coloradosun.com.

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Type of Story: Opinion

Advocates for ideas and draws conclusions based on the author/producer’s interpretation of facts and data.

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Colorado community reels after police say driver with revoked license hits three pedestrians, killing one

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Colorado community reels after police say driver with revoked license hits three pedestrians, killing one


A man already driving with a suspended license from a DUI is now accused of intentionally plowing into three people on a sidewalk in Colorado.

This happened near the intersection of East Wildcat Reserve Parkway and Willowbridge Way in Highlands Ranch around 10:30 a.m. Monday.

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CBS


Witnesses say that after the crash, the driver made a U-turn, went back to the scene, slowly drove past the wreckage, then left. That allowed another witness to follow him 5.5 miles down to Daniels Park, where just 15 minutes later, 28-year-old Adam Bauserman was taken into custody.

Bauserman’s demeanor was described by deputies as “unusually quiet.” At one point, he apparently asked, “Do you know if I killed the man?”

As it would turn out, the man survived, but his girlfriend did not. Flowers are piling up at the scene of a morning walk that turned deadly.

Right now, investigators don’t believe the driver knew any of those victims.

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“You expect to be safe when you’re walking on the sidewalk,” said neighbor Beth Chitel, who lived just yards from the crash site until she moved last month. “These are very highly trafficked pathways around here; it could have happened to any of our friends, any of our neighbors, any of our children.”

“This was a horrific scene,” said Douglas County Sheriff Darren Weekly.

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CBS


Thirty-five-year-old Corrine More died in the crash. Her sister tells CBS Colorado she lived in the neighborhood and was out on a walk with her boyfriend. She describes Corrine as a nursing student with a big heart who was loved by everyone who knew her, and who was beautiful inside and out.

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Corrine’s boyfriend, 30-year-old Kyle Vasey, was seriously injured. He has undergone multiple surgeries and was described by a doctor in the affidavit as being at substantial risk for permanent disfigurement or death.

The other victim is 72-year-old Dianne Windes. The sheriff says she was walking in the opposite direction from the couple. She was also hospitalized with serious injuries.

Witnesses believe the driver who crashed into the three pedestrians did so on purpose.

“If we can prove that, we’ll certainly do that, but at this point we have no indication of that,” Weekly said.

It was thanks to a witness who followed that truck that deputies arrested Bauserman, who was driving with a revoked license after a DUI last year.

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“Mr. Bauserman has had several revocations and suspensions of his license over the last 10 years,” Weekly said. “He should never have been on the roadway, and as a result of that, somebody is now deceased.”

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Douglas County Sheriff’s Office


Deputies did not detect immediate signs of intoxication but are waiting on blood test results.

Right now, investigators believe Bauserman was only traveling 3 mph over the speed limit, at about 48 mph in a 45 mph zone. That will need to be confirmed in the investigation.

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“He should never have been on the roadway, period. And so, the fact that somebody in our community has been lost in such a tragic, horrible way. How many lives have been destroyed by this selfish act?” Weekly asked.

“I want to express my sympathies to the families, and yeah, we’re here to support you as a community, and we’re by your side,” said Chitel.

Neighbor Beth Chitel started an online fundraiser for the victims.

“The last thing that the family should be having to worry about right now is the bills that are coming,” said Chitel.

The sheriff says that 15 to 20 community members stepped up to help in the aftermath of this tragedy.

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Chitel says the community has been hurt by other recent tragedies, like the death of 13-year-old Alex Mackiewicz, who was hit while in the crosswalk on his way to school. That fatal crash happened just over a mile away from this one.

“Something really needs to be done. The community is well aware of the safety issues posed there, of course. Again, we don’t expect them on the sidewalk,” said Chitel. “We need more crosswalks; we could use more stoplights. We need more safety measures put in place because, in general, it’s really not a safe road. People speed on it.”

“It’s absolutely horrible. As the sheriff, I have done a lot to increase traffic enforcement. We’ve almost doubled the size of our traffic unit. I expect my folks to be out there and be productive and ensure the safety of our citizens. These tragedies, certainly back to back, are heartbreaking for everybody involved, it shouldn’t happen,” Weekly said.

Three families are forever changed, a community is left with questions, and the investigation is just beginning.

“We need to make sure that we do our job well, and that we get justice for all these victims,” Weekly said.

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Bauserman is being held on charges including vehicular homicide and leaving the scene of a fatal accident.

Preliminary charges Bauserman is facing include the following seven felonies and one misdemeanor:

  • Vehicular homicide
  • Failure to remain at the scene of an accident involving death
  • Failure to remain at the scene of an accident involving serious bodily injury (two counts)
  • Vehicular assault (two counts)
  • Assault in the second degree – crimes to at-risk persons
  • Driving a motor vehicle with a license is under restraint (express consent refusal/DUI conviction)

These charges could change based on the results of the blood tests and additional information that is garnered through the investigation.

A judge set Bauserman’s bond at $100,000.

As the investigation continues, the sheriff’s office says anyone with additional information is encouraged to contact Detective Pereira at bpereira@dcsheriff.net or call (303) 660-7537.

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Eagle Rock Ranch

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Eagle Rock Ranch


When Dave and Jean Gottenborg met as teenagers wrangling horses in Estes Park, they dreamed of one day running a ranch together. That dream fell by the wayside for decades until 2012, when the couple purchased Eagle Rock Ranch in the Tarryall Valley.

Talking about the Gottenborg’s ranch means deliberately avoiding words like “owners” and “ownership.” The couple “manage” their land — their preferred term — through the conservationist lens of thinkers like Wendell Berry and Aldo Leopold. Visitors are welcome on the land (see some basic guidelines here), and they sell their beef by the cut, box and share at their family-owned mercantile in Fairplay.



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Where to watch Colorado Rockies vs Los Angeles Angels: TV channel, start time, streaming for Jun. 02

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Where to watch Colorado Rockies vs Los Angeles Angels: TV channel, start time, streaming for Jun. 02


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The 2026 MLB season has surpassed the quarter mark, and after each team’s first 40 games, there’s plenty of reasons to tune in all summer long.

Chicago White Sox slugger Munetaka Murakami has already proven doubters wrong by launching 17 home runs, Pittsburgh’s Paul Skenes consistently looks like the best version of himself on the mound and Milwaukee ace Jacob Misiorowski is throwing harder than any starter in the majors.

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The MLB action continues on Tuesday as the Colorado Rockies visit the Los Angeles Angels.

Here’s everything you need to know to tune in for the first pitch.

See USA TODAY’s sortable MLB schedule to filter by team or division.

What time is Colorado Rockies vs Los Angeles Angels?

First pitch between the Los Angeles Angels and Colorado Rockies is scheduled for 9:38 p.m. (ET) on Tuesday, Jun. 02.

How to watch Colorado Rockies vs Los Angeles Angels on Tuesday

All times Eastern and accurate as of Tuesday, June 2, 2026, at 6:33 a.m.

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Watch MLB all season long with Fubo

MLB regional blackout restrictions apply

MLB scores, results

MLB scores for Jun. 02 games are available on usatoday.com . Here’s how to access today’s results:

See scores, results for all of today’s games.



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