Be WinterWise and Drive Safe this January

Application packets for the La Plata Electric Association Board of Directors are now available. Completed packets are due March 22nd for inclusion in the May, 2025 elections. With winner settling in, the Colorado Department of Transportation asks drivers to be winter wise, pay attention to traction laws, and drive safely during winter weather. And help with climate and snow studies from the comfort of the indoors with snowtography studies with the Mountain Studies Institute. You’re watching the “Local NEWS Roundup,” brought to you by Kroegers Ace Hardware and Happy Pappy’s Pizza n Wings. I’m Sadie Smith. La Plata Electric Association candidate packets for the LPEA Board of Directors are now open. To be eligible for the position, potential candidates must be a member of LPEA for at least one year immediately before applying, be a resident of the district they plan to represent for at least 120 days before applying, and have no immediate family members employed by LPEA. Board of director terms are elected on three year terms, and there are four incumbent directors up for reelection in districts one through four encompassing Archuleta County, South and West La Plata County, City of Durango, and North and East La Plata County. Completed packets must be turned in by 1:00 PM to be considered for inclusion on the ballot. Election results will be announced at the annual meeting on May 21st, 2025. Winter driving. Love it or hate it, the Colorado Department of Transportation reminds drivers to be winter wise this year. Be aware of traction laws. If the weather and road conditions require, CDOT will enact the passenger vehicle traction law. Under the law, all motorists are required to have either four-wheel drive or all-wheel drive with a 3/16th inch tire depth, tires with a mud and snow designation, winter tires, or tires with an all-weather rating or chains. If you are driving without proper traction when the law is in place, you could be fined more than $130. When planning travel during the winter months, try to avoid traveling during winter storms if possible. Ensure your vehicle is winter ready with a snow emergency kit and appropriate tires. When on the road, take it slow, avoid sudden stops, and leave plenty of following distance between you and other vehicles on the road. Make sure to leave at least three to four vehicle spaces between you and snowplows on the road, and do not pass snowplows if they are in tandem formation. Make sure to check resources like COtrip for updated road conditions, enclosures along your planned route. Curious about the effects of snow on the climate, but prefer your couch and blankets to snow down your back or in your boots? The Mountain Studies Institute is looking for volunteers for its Snowtography Citizen Science program that doesn’t require you to brave the outdoors to contribute to the research program. Snowtography is a monitoring technique that enables the understanding of how different forest structures and canopy cover impact snow. The information assists drought and water management and climate impact. Volunteers in the program will be tasked with processing game camera footage to turn pictures into snow measurements. The commitment is three hours a month from January to July with the opportunity to return in November for the 2025-26 snow season. Learn more about these and other stories at durangolocal.news. Thank you for watching this edition of the “Local NEWS Roundup.” I’m Sadie Smith.