Ranger gets bit by Rottweiler
A ranger was entering a campground and saw from a distance a Rottweiler running around one of our dumpsters. The closest occupied site was approximately 100 feet away from the dog. The ranger yelled for the owner to place the dog on a leash (as we knew through earlier encounters that this dog was very protective). Just as the dog was placed back on its chain, the Ranger got out of his vehicle and approached the owner. This seemed to spark the dogs instinct and it ran towards the Ranger, breaking its chain in two. The owner attempted to pull the Rottweiler away but not until it had already bitten the Rangers leg. The woman was cited and Animal Control took the dog for a mandatory 10 day quarantine where it would then be returned to the owner. The Ranger was checked out by an Ambulance and had minor injuries. It is wake-up calls like this that remind us why even the sweetest dogs should be leashed at all times. The owner said this usually very sweet dog has just recently started showing this aggressive behavior.
Fall rut
Occasionally, Rangers can take a step back from their busy schedules to take in the wildlife. Especially this time of year, the birds and mammals are adventurous and active. Seen here are a couple of male Mule Deer battling.
Boy fell from 40 feet near Rim Rock Trail
Rangers responded to assist a 14 year old boy who fell off of a cliff. This was near the Rim Rock Trail south of Horsetooth Reservoir on private property. Along with Larimer County Search and Rescue, Poudre Fire, Larimer County Sheriff, and North Colorado Med Evac we were able to carry out the patient and transport him in the helicopter.
Granite Ridge Fire
Rangers were at the Range qualifying with their weapons when they noticed a large plume of smoke coming over the horizon. This was the beginnings of the Granite Ridge Fire. Rangers responded to IC to assist Larimer County Emergency Services and Sheriff deputies, Livermore Fire, Poudre Fire, Loveland Fire, Berthoud Fire, Colorado State Forest Service, Colorado State Patrol, Colorado Division of Wildlife and others with coordinating evacuations, road closures, assisting residents with removing their pets including turtles, cats, dogs, and horses. Thankfully no one was hurt and no homes were lost. A great job done by all responding agencies. A pat on the back to one of the first Deputies on scene who perhaps saved a house from being destroyed before fire fighters arrived by using a garden hose to keep the flames from catching the house on fire.
Snake Facilitates an Excellent Learning Experience!
On 10-3-09, a group of geology students was at Red Mountain Open Space learning about all of the geological wonders of the area. While they were on the trails, a ranger was performing maintenance at the trailhead and found a rattlesnake hanging out between two of the student’s cars. As the ranger guided the snake away, the students returned. It turned out to be a great educational opportunity for the students to learn about the prairie rattlesnake and its role in the local ecosystem through an impromptu interpretive talk by the ranger. Some of the students had never seen a rattlesnake before and they all enjoyed the experience.
Rock Climbing + Being Intoxicated + Darkness = Bad Equation
Usually when it's dark and someone who calls 911 cannot give their location but is in need of help, Larimer County Search and Rescue is called in to assist. 911 received a call from an informant reporting that a female had fallen approximately 20 feet while rock climbing. The caller stated they were in the Eltuck Cove area, but was unsure of the exact location. Rangers along with Larimer County Sheriff's Deputies responded through Lory State Park to the Eltuck Cove to assist in locating the victim of the fall. Search and Rescue notified Rangers the victim was actually going to be in Quarry cove. Rangers went to Inlet bay and responded back with the Larimer County Ranger boats for extrication of the female. The female was transported to Poudre Valley Hospital for spinal injuries.
Fossil Creek's Friendly Flyer
Recently, Rangers at Fossil Creek Reservoir Regional Open Space have been watching a juvenile Red-Tailed Hawk. Rangers and other birders originally thought it might have been an osprey due to the light morph and unique markings. The youngster doesn’t seem to be bothered by the visitors or nearby office. It frequently hunts in the fields near the office and roosts on the light posts in the parking lot. He or she has been coming around on a regular basis for a couple of weeks.
Rangers Go On Field Trips Too!
The title Park Ranger comes with many job descriptions, Educator being one of them. On 9/18/09 Rangers lead a group of elementary students preparing for Eco-Week at Pingree Park. The students hiked towards Horsetooth Rock, learning about plants, animals, geology, and other aspects of natural ecosystems along the way.
Rangers Transport Injured Woman From Horsetooth Rock Trail
The hiking trail to the top of Horsetooth Rock is one of the most popular trails in Larimer county. So when the call came out that a woman had broken her leg halfway up the Horsetooth Rock Trail, Larimer County Rangers hurried to find the woman needing assistance. It was a Ranger who located the patient, radioing to another Ranger to lead emergency services to the location. Rangers also assisted emergency services with carrying the patient a couple hundred yards to the nearest vehicle access point. She was then transported in a Ranger vehicle with emergency service personnel to the ambulance waiting in the parking lot, while another set of Rangers attended to her pet dogs and escorted them to the trailhead as well.
Burning Toilet Paper Sends One to the Hospital
Larimer County Dept. of Natural Resources South Bay campgrounds accommodate more than just happy boaters. For Horsetooth Reservoir, South Bay is one of the more popular camping areas. With over 26 restrooms to accommodate all of our park visitors, this can mean a lot of toilet paper. Two park visitors walking through the campgrounds noticed a male come out of a restroom in a hurry, after sparking their curiosity, they entered the restroom to find three rolls of toilet paper that had been completely engulfed in flames. Rangers arrived and investigated the incident to which they were able to locate the male suspect. Upon contact Rangers gained some concern for a female subject who appeared heavily intoxicated. Several citations for drinking under the age of 21 were issued, and the female was transported to PVH to be checked out.
Speed Doesn't Matter When Your Intoxicated
Poudre Valley Emergency Services was called to the 4400 block of Picadilly Lane for a motor vehicle accident/roll over. Larimer County Rangers also responded and were first on scene. At the time of the accident there were two occupants of the vehicle who walked away with minor injuries. Colorado State Patrol responded to investigate the cause of the accident, alcohol is believed to be involved.
Fast Bike is No Match for Truck
Larimer County Sheriff's Office along with Colorado State Patrol responded to County Roads 21 and 50E for a motor vehicle accident with injuries. When deputies arrived, there was an unconscious, non-responsive male lying on the ground. The male was the single operator of the motorcycle which broad-sided a truck at the intersection. Larimer County Rangers provided traffic direction while Emergency personnel extricated the victim. Flight for life was called in but victim was trasnported by ambulance due to the extent of his injuries.
Verbal Fight Over a Playful Puppy Lands 2 in Jail
Dogs are required to be on a leash at all times ANYWHERE on the Larimer County Properties that allow dogs. This particular case began when a puppy "broke free" of its leash and ran down to play with another dog sitting on the shoreline. A woman was holding the dog on her lap and the puppy scratched her while trying to play with the dog. The puppy was reunited with its leash and owners but the tension was just beginning. Puppy owners were defensive of their puppy not being aggressive and the woman who was scratched had a whole family defensive of her being hurt. Both sides were inappropriate in their behavior after this, but 2 males stepped over the line. When Rangers arrived the verbal altercation was pretty heated. Witnesses reported extremely disturbing language heard by all those at the beach. As standard procedure, the Rangers identify those involved and run their names through dispatch. One male came back with a warrant for his arrest and when the ranger looked for the male he had disappeared in the confusion. Rangers and Sheriff Deputies responded to locate the male and he was apprehended a short time later on top of a ridge approximately 200 yards away- a comment was made that you shouldn't run from a ranger into the woods - this is where we live. Through investigations it was determined that the male that ran and his brother both allegedly made statements or gestures threatening the well being of the other family. Both were charged with Harassment. One with Menacing and Obstruction as well.
Rangers Help a Man having a Heart Attack
While most people come to Larimer County Reservoirs to boat and recreate, there is a small group of people who come up and dedicate their lives to ensure the public their safety while recreating. This small group of individuals is known as Larimer County Rangers. Everyday Rangers are faced with a multitude of calls for service. On 09/04/09 Rangers were dispatched on the water to a male who appeared to be suffering from a heart attack while recreating on Horsetooth Reservoir. The man was loaded and transported on the Ranger vessel to South Bay where Poudre Valley Emergency Medical Services were waiting. The man was conscious and breathing and was transported to Poudre Valley Hospital.
Locking Your Vehicle Just Might Save You Money
Larimer County Department of Natural Resources just might have some of the most beautiful preserved recreational lands in the State. Having such beautiful natural areas draws for heavy visitation and much needed protection and preservation for these areas. In the past few weeks there have been a rash of vehicle trespasses near the Horsetooth Reservoir area. While recreating, Rangers would like to send a friendly reminder to make sure you don't leave personal items in your vehicle, and make sure you lock your vehicle. Most times people who fall victim of a crime leave the suspects opportunities, such as not locking a door, or leaving windows down. Typically suspects pick on vulnerable people...SO MAKE SURE YOU TAKE THE EXTRA MINUTE AND SECURE YOUR PERSONAL BELONGINGS (I-pods, cell phones, wallets...etc)!
Every Day is Different as a Larimer County Ranger
On any given day a Larimer County Ranger might rescue someone, teach a group of kids about nature, fight a fire, work with volunteers, etc. It just so happened that on 8/21/09 we were wrangling cattle at Red Mountain Open Space. In order to keep with historic practices and to help continue the tradition of the West, grazing rights are leased on some of our properties. Every once in a while a hundred or so cattle might wander where they aren't supposed to be and rangers help get them back home.
