A rare California condor passing through southwestern Colorado was shot and killed this year and state and federal authorities on Wednesday asked the public to help track down those responsible.

A critically endangered species, condors flying in the wild and rugged canyons of northern Arizona and southern Utah number only 85 – a population hard hit in 2023 by avian influenza. They’re seldom seen in Colorado. But in late March this year, somebody killed one in a remote area northeast of Lewis and west of McPhee Reservoir in Montezuma County, Colorado Parks and Wildlife officials said in a news release.

This massive dead bird was discovered about 24 hours after it was killed, CPW officials stated.

“Previous leads have not yielded results,” the officials said, so CPW and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service officials are asking for any information regarding the killing and those who are responsible.

California condors are protected under the Endangered Species Act, which means it is illegal for anyone to harass, harm, pursue, hunt, shoot, wound, kill, trap, capture, or collect them. Anyone involved in killing this condor could face a third-degree felony charge of wanton destruction of protected wildlife, with a maximum fine of $5,000, restitution of $1,500, and a five-year prison sentence, CPW officials said.

In 1987, the California condor population had declined to just 22 birds in the wild. A federally led recovery program has relied on captive breeding and release of condors. The total world population numbers more than 560, officials said. More than half are flying free in Arizona, Utah, California, and Mexico.

Anybody with information about the bird’s killing can call the Colorado Operation Game Thief hotline at 1-877-265-6648, send an email to game.thief@state.co.us, notify federal authorities by calling 844-397-8477, or submit it via cpw.state.co.us/hunting/poaching-and-operation-game-thief. Anybody providing information that leads to a successful prosecution may be eligible for a reward, CPW and USFWS officials said, adding that any requests for confidentiality will be respected.

Originally Published: September 4, 2024 at 3:24 p.m.

The Denver Broncos hope Bo Nix is ready for the moment.

The rookie quarterback and the Broncos will face the Seattle Seahawks in their regular season opener at Lumen Field, one of the most intimidating stadiums in the NFL. The fans can be loud, making it difficult for the opposing team to communicate, resulting in penalties, particularly false starts by the offensive line.

Nix could be rattled by the noise and the pressure of playing in his first regular season game. However, Denver wide receiver Josh Reynolds isn’t worried. He said Nix has played in tough environments in college and possesses the poise to handle the crowd noise.

“Seattle is definitely a tough environment. But I think Bo, he’s played in big games. He’s played with crowds that kind of compare to this Seattle fan base,” Reynolds told reporters Monday. “I think he’ll adjust perfectly.”

Reynolds not only praised Nix for his mental toughness, he has been impressed by the rookie on the field.

Reynolds, 29, is playing in his ninth season. He previously played for the Detroit Lions, Tennessee Titans and the Los Angeles Rams. He has caught 220 passes for 2,933 yards and 19 touchdowns in his career, with most of passes coming from Jared Goff and a few from Ryan Tannehill.

Reynolds said Nix’s throws compares favorably to Goff and Tannehill.

“Bo Nix compared to anybody else I played with, he’s got a beautiful ball, man,’’ Reynolds told reporters. “He can place it wherever he wants to. He can put it on a line, he can have some touch with it. He’s got an amazing arm.”

The Broncos used their first-round pick (No. 12) to select Nix in the 2024 NFL draft. Denver coach Sean Payton named Nix as the Week 1 starter over veterans Jarrett Stidham and Zach Wilson. Nix will be the first rookie to start at quarterback for Denver in Week 1 since John Elway in 1983.

Payton’s decision to name the rookie as the starter didn’t come as a much of a surprise. Payton had been connected to Nix since he saw the quarterback during a pre-draft workout in March. Nix is being compared to Drew Brees, a future Hall of Fame inductee after spending 14 seasons with Payton in New Orleans.

“I’m excited to see how he progresses and continues to take charge of this offense,” Reynolds said.

If you have an event taking place in the Denver area, email information to carlotta.olson@gazette.com at least two weeks in advance. All events are listed in the calendar on space availability.

Wednesday

Music in the Gardens — With Casey Sidwell, 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m., 17th Street Gardens, 1945 17th St., Denver; cpvmd.org/17thstgarden-events.

Jazz and American Improvised Music Concert Series — 6 p.m., MSU Denver Music, 800 Kalamath St., Studio 101, Denver, $12. Tickets: ahec.universitytickets.com/w.

Sipping N’ Painting Hampden — “Summer Flatirons,” 6:30-8:30 p.m., Sipping N’ Painting Hampden, 6461 E. Hampden Ave., Denver, $35. Registration required: sippingnpaintinghampden.com.

Passenger — With SYML, 7 p.m., Ogden Theatre, 935 E. Colfax Ave., Denver, $35. Tickets: axs.com.

Colorado Symphony Brass and Percussion — 7 p.m., McGregor Square, 1901 Wazee St., Denver, $22-$93.50. Tickets: coloradosymphony.org.

Ann Hampton Callaway — 7 p.m., Dazzle at Baur’s, 1080 14th St., Denver, go online for prices. Tickets: dazzledenver.com/#/events.

Paint and Wine Party — “Bronco Sky,” 7-9 p.m., Sipping N’ Painting Highland, 1331 W. 38th St., Denver, $32.65. Registration required: sippingnpaintinghighland.com.

Hippie Death Cult & Kadabra — With Eagle Wing & Lord Velvet, 8 p.m., HQ, 60 S. Broadway, Denver, $15 and up. Tickets: hqdenver.com.

Violet Chachki — With Andrea Staxxx and Alyssa Love, 8 p.m., The Oriental Theater, 4435 W. 44th Ave., Denver, $39 and up. Tickets: theorientaltheater.com.

Sophie Ellis-Bextor — With Holiday Sidewinder, 8 p.m., Gothic Theatre, 3263 S. Broadway, Englewood, $35-$40. Tickets: axs.com.

Open Mic Musicians — 9-11:30 p.m., sign up at 8:30 p.m., Mercury Café, Jungle Room, 2199 California St., Denver, $5; mercurycafe.com.

Wednesday-Saturday

Denver Food & Wine Festival — Seminars, grand tasting and more, Denver, Auraria Campus, Tivoli Quad, 1000 Larimer St., go online for prices. Tickets: denverfoodandwine.com.

CARLOTTA OLSON, The Denver Gazette