Steamboat Pilot & Today

Steamboat Springs — Residents with the winter blues have a chance to hone their green thumbs.

The Routt County Cooperative Extension Office is accepting applications for its Master Gardener Program, which begins Feb. 1 and includes full-day classes on Thursdays through April 19. The program costs $200 and requires submitting an application by Jan. 26.

Classes primarily are taught by Colorado State University horticulture professors and agents, and they cover a variety of topics including plant health care, irrigation management, diagnosing tree disorders, pruning, landscaping and how to grow perennials in mountain areas.

Routt County Extension Office Director C.J. Mucklow said unlike last year, when the program was canceled because of low enrollment, this year's program is a sure thing.

"It's going to go, no matter what," Mucklow said. "This year, most of the classes will be given live with Internet video-conferencing."

Local participants will attend classes at the courthouse annex on Sixth Street in downtown Steamboat Springs.

This Thursday at the courthouse annex, Colorado State University Ph.D. candidate Lindsey Ellingson will present an overview of her thesis, "The Value of the View." The thesis focused on the Yampa Valley in its examination of the values of ranchland preservation relating to the needs of tourists and locals.

Ellingson conducted her studies in 2004 and 2005. She compared her data to previous studies conducted on the topic in the mid-1990s, Mucklow said, and analyzed the different studies to look for trends or recurring themes.

"Routt County was really a leader in studying the value of ranchlands a decade ago, and still is," Mucklow said.

Soup and sandwiches will be provided at Thursday's free event, at which Mucklow said he hopes to see a crowd.

"If this works, we might do similar events more often," Mucklow said.

- To reach Mike Lawrence, call 871-4203

or e-mail mlawrence@steamboatpilot.com