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Monday July 18, 2022
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Welcome To The 3rd Issue of Volume 2!
The 76th Annual Westcliffe Stampede PRCA Rodeo A Success
Over the past few years, many events have decreased in size or disappeared entirely. However,
the Westcliffe Stampede seemed to increase in size. In 2021 and 2022 the arena became so
packed that many were left without a seat. Parking quickly dipped into overflow. This could be
attributed to the attention the Westcliffe Stampede developed during covid as they were one of
the few rodeos that didn’t cancel. This meant that many of the top contestants in the circuit had
to be sent to Westcliffe. That newly gained attention clearly hasn’t left the minds of many a
rodeo-goer which leaves the arena packed near to capacity.
The 76th annual rodeo began with a pre-show featuring mini-bronc riding for kids of various
ages and horses of various sizes. The Top Hands Drill Team kicked off the Grand Entry with
one of their always gorgeous drills involving the American flag and beautiful choreography. The
rodeo on both nights featured the same events such as: Bareback, steer wrestling, team roping,
the stick-horse race, saddle-bronc riding, tie-down roping, barrel racing, and bull riding. With
slack during the day for contestants who couldn’t be in the big event for the sake of time.
Overall the Westcliffe Stampede PRCA rodeo went off without a hitch and few injuries. The
crowd was large and rowdy, and by some miracle, it never rained. Along with this article there
are results of the events, pictures of the rodeo parade, and pictures from both nights of the
rodeo. We sincerely hope you enjoy them as rodeo weekend closes for the year.
- by Madeline Ballard
the Westcliffe Stampede seemed to increase in size. In 2021 and 2022 the arena became so
packed that many were left without a seat. Parking quickly dipped into overflow. This could be
attributed to the attention the Westcliffe Stampede developed during covid as they were one of
the few rodeos that didn’t cancel. This meant that many of the top contestants in the circuit had
to be sent to Westcliffe. That newly gained attention clearly hasn’t left the minds of many a
rodeo-goer which leaves the arena packed near to capacity.
The 76th annual rodeo began with a pre-show featuring mini-bronc riding for kids of various
ages and horses of various sizes. The Top Hands Drill Team kicked off the Grand Entry with
one of their always gorgeous drills involving the American flag and beautiful choreography. The
rodeo on both nights featured the same events such as: Bareback, steer wrestling, team roping,
the stick-horse race, saddle-bronc riding, tie-down roping, barrel racing, and bull riding. With
slack during the day for contestants who couldn’t be in the big event for the sake of time.
Overall the Westcliffe Stampede PRCA rodeo went off without a hitch and few injuries. The
crowd was large and rowdy, and by some miracle, it never rained. Along with this article there
are results of the events, pictures of the rodeo parade, and pictures from both nights of the
rodeo. We sincerely hope you enjoy them as rodeo weekend closes for the year.
- by Madeline Ballard
The Rodeo Parade- Photos by Ted Ballard
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Westcliffe Stampede PRCA Rodeo- Photos by Madeline Ballard
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RMWSD Address Water Issue
Round Mountain Water and Sanitation District (RMWSD) has received several questions pertaining to the public notice that has recently been sent out to RMWSD customers.
The first concern to address is the potable water quality. The municipal water is SAFE to drink. NO contamination has been introduced into the water system.
The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) conducted a routine Sanitary Survey of the RMWSD water system on April 5, 2022. During that inspection, CDPHE found that RMWSD had not met compliance targets in backflow protection and had not performed a 3-year inspection on the south water storage tank.
Concerning the backflow protection violation, some background information may be helpful.
In 2015, CDPHE mandated all public drinking water systems to inspect all properties within their districts to assess potential cross-connection issues. After that inspection is complete, CDPHE mandates the water districts to force certain customers (usually commercial customers) to install backflow devices on their water service lines to protect the distribution system. After the backflow devices are installed, CDPHE mandates RMWSD to require customers with backflow devices to have them tested yearly and RMWSD must send a yearly report to CDPHE, outlining the number of customers in compliance. This idea looks really good on paper, but this program has been very difficult to complete due to the following factors:
• You don’t have to live in the Westcliffe area very long to find out that people around here don’t like to be told what to do. Many have been “resistant” to allow inspections, install devices, or to have devices yearly inspected.
• Large city water systems hire a dedicated cross-connection technician. However, rural water systems (RMWSD included) do not have the financial capability to hire additional staff and existing operations staff must try to complete this project while attending to existing responsibilities.
• A 40-hour certification course is required to be a back-flow inspector. We had two technicians certified, but one lost the certification during the Covid pandemic as no re-certification classes were offered during that time. We now have only one certified inspector.
• CDPHE offers no financial or personnel aid to rural districts to assist in completing this mandated project and rural water systems must adsorb the financial cost and additional man-hours into already stretched budgets and time constraints.
RMWSD has been conducting cross-connection inspections during the winter months as operational responsibilities are reduced at that time. We will continue to inspect and enforce back-flow device compliance until we meet CDPHE compliance guidelines. We just won’t be able to accomplish it as fast as CDPHE wants and will be in violation of their expectations until completion. We are doing the best we can with what we have.
Concerning the water storage tank violation, some background information may be helpful.
RMWSD hired a company to completely rehabilitate the two water storage tanks north of Silver Cliff in 2015. They were brought completely up to code at that time. In 2017, CDPHE mandated public water systems to perform scheduled inspections and cleaning of finished water storage tanks. RMWSD has complied with these regulations until 2021, when RMWSD could not perform a mandated empty tank cleaning due to one of the municipal wells failing and going off-line. Without the second well, RMWSD could not supply the district water demand and fill the 250,000-gallon tank at the same time. This cleaning will be scheduled when the second well is back on-line, likely in the spring of 2023.
The water storage tanks are in excellent shape, and we received the violation only because we could not comply with the 3-year cleaning requirement.
RMWSD is committed to provide excellent and safe drinking water and effective wastewater treatment. RMWSD is also committed to solving the significant operating and financial challenges that currently exist. Please contact us with any questions or concerns you may have.
Dave Schneider CWP
District Manager
Round Mountain Water and Sanitation District
719-783-2604
The first concern to address is the potable water quality. The municipal water is SAFE to drink. NO contamination has been introduced into the water system.
The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) conducted a routine Sanitary Survey of the RMWSD water system on April 5, 2022. During that inspection, CDPHE found that RMWSD had not met compliance targets in backflow protection and had not performed a 3-year inspection on the south water storage tank.
Concerning the backflow protection violation, some background information may be helpful.
In 2015, CDPHE mandated all public drinking water systems to inspect all properties within their districts to assess potential cross-connection issues. After that inspection is complete, CDPHE mandates the water districts to force certain customers (usually commercial customers) to install backflow devices on their water service lines to protect the distribution system. After the backflow devices are installed, CDPHE mandates RMWSD to require customers with backflow devices to have them tested yearly and RMWSD must send a yearly report to CDPHE, outlining the number of customers in compliance. This idea looks really good on paper, but this program has been very difficult to complete due to the following factors:
• You don’t have to live in the Westcliffe area very long to find out that people around here don’t like to be told what to do. Many have been “resistant” to allow inspections, install devices, or to have devices yearly inspected.
• Large city water systems hire a dedicated cross-connection technician. However, rural water systems (RMWSD included) do not have the financial capability to hire additional staff and existing operations staff must try to complete this project while attending to existing responsibilities.
• A 40-hour certification course is required to be a back-flow inspector. We had two technicians certified, but one lost the certification during the Covid pandemic as no re-certification classes were offered during that time. We now have only one certified inspector.
• CDPHE offers no financial or personnel aid to rural districts to assist in completing this mandated project and rural water systems must adsorb the financial cost and additional man-hours into already stretched budgets and time constraints.
RMWSD has been conducting cross-connection inspections during the winter months as operational responsibilities are reduced at that time. We will continue to inspect and enforce back-flow device compliance until we meet CDPHE compliance guidelines. We just won’t be able to accomplish it as fast as CDPHE wants and will be in violation of their expectations until completion. We are doing the best we can with what we have.
Concerning the water storage tank violation, some background information may be helpful.
RMWSD hired a company to completely rehabilitate the two water storage tanks north of Silver Cliff in 2015. They were brought completely up to code at that time. In 2017, CDPHE mandated public water systems to perform scheduled inspections and cleaning of finished water storage tanks. RMWSD has complied with these regulations until 2021, when RMWSD could not perform a mandated empty tank cleaning due to one of the municipal wells failing and going off-line. Without the second well, RMWSD could not supply the district water demand and fill the 250,000-gallon tank at the same time. This cleaning will be scheduled when the second well is back on-line, likely in the spring of 2023.
The water storage tanks are in excellent shape, and we received the violation only because we could not comply with the 3-year cleaning requirement.
RMWSD is committed to provide excellent and safe drinking water and effective wastewater treatment. RMWSD is also committed to solving the significant operating and financial challenges that currently exist. Please contact us with any questions or concerns you may have.
Dave Schneider CWP
District Manager
Round Mountain Water and Sanitation District
719-783-2604