Steamboat Pilot & Today

Buffalo Pass Road closed to cars, not snowmobiles

U.S. Forest Service officials have closed Buffalo Pass Road to automobiles from the gate just below Dry Lake. Officials said they are concerned that cars that drive past the gate will get stuck in snow. The road is open to snowmobiles, but officials remind snowmobilers that it is illegal to use the machines on less than 12 inches of snow in order to protect forest vegetation. For more information, visit the Hahn's Peak/Bears Ears Ranger District office, 925 Weiss Drive in Steamboat, or call 879-1870.

Permits available to cut firewood, Christmas trees

Permits to cut firewood and Christmas trees in the Routt National Forest are available at U.S. Forest Service offices in Steamboat Springs, Yampa, Walden and Kremmling. A Forest Service employee also will be at the Bureau of Land Management office in Craig from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Fridays through Dec. 23.

Firewood permits are $20 for two cords of fuel wood. Permits are required for every pickup and trailer load of wood removed from the forest.

Christmas tree permits are $10 a tree. There is a limit of five permits per household. Trees are for personal use only and cannot be resold.

For more information, call the Forest Service office in Steamboat Springs at 870-1870, the Yampa office at 638-4516, the Walden office at (970) 723-8204 or the Kremmling office at (970) 724-3060.

Exchange program applications due today

The Rotary Club of Steamboat Springs is inviting young professionals ages 25 to 40 to apply for the Rotary Group Study Exchange Program. The program is designed to develop professional and leadership skills among young adults to better prepare them to address the needs of their communities. Team members will spend a month visiting southern Brazil and living with Rotary families there, where they will learn about Brazilian life, exchange ideas and develop personal and professional relationships. Rotary pays for most expenses, including transportation and meals. Applications for the program are due today. Interviews will be conducted Dec. 3 in Laramie, Wyo. Call Jim at 879-3718 or Donna at 879-3967 for more information.

CMC offering ESL classes for people of all levels

Colorado Mountain College offers free English as a Second Language classes for all levels. Classes meet from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays and from 9 a.m. to noon Wednesdays in Room 302 of Willett Hall, 1330 Bob Adams Drive. To enroll, call Jenny le Roux at 870-4534.

Local scholarships available to seniors

The Career/College Center is organizing and presenting local scholarships to the Class of 2006. There are about 30 local scholarships that are offered in the spring. Call Gayle Dudley at Steamboat Springs High School by Dec. 15 at 871-3641.