Slash/Chipping Program Sign-up (Updated 23 February 2023)
Unfortunately, the program filled in the first 2 days after sign-up opened up. Elk Creek Fire Protection District (ECFPD) has closed the sign-up website. Below is the link to the site in hopes that they may add additional capacity and open it up to more people. One can hope. This is the link: https://arcg.is/4CCeK0
ECFPD provided the following guidance as to how the progtram will run in 2023:
Chipping operations are planned to start in middle to late May and be completed by the end of October. Individuals who were able to sign up will recieve group emails notifying them once they are assigned to a "service group". Service groups are determined by geographical area and the number of homes ECFPD can complete in a one month period. Each service group will have a one month window of "expected service". ECFPD could show up as early as the first day of the assigned window or anytime during that month.
Please keep in mind that the Fuels Crew also manages the implementation of fuel breaks, mitigation projects, and acts as an initial response resource for wildfires and other emergencies. If there is a delay of more than one week for a specific group, ECFPD will send out updates via email. Updates will also be posted on the ECFPD Chipping website (on the chipping tab) every week.
Pile Guidelines
Piles that don't meet parameters, are hard to find, or hard to access take much needed time and effort out of the program.
If you were unable to sign up for the ECFPD Chipping Program, another option would be to haul it to the Jeffco slash collection point. Last year, they were conveniently located across the street from the Crossroads Bar and Grill for 3 or 4 weekends in July. Hopefully they will use the same site this year. There was a fee of $20 per 6 cubic yards (a long bed pickup truck stacked as high as the cab roof). I made a few trips there last year and found it to be very easy and convenient. It was also nice to be able to get rid of the slash as I generated it and not have it pile up into a hard to manage mess and I could plan exactly when I wanted to work on fire mitigation on my property. Another option is the slash collection site in Bailey. We will update info of both the Jeffco and Bailey slash collection sites for 2023 as it becomes available. They typically resume operations on or about 1 June so they should have their info for 2023 out to the public a few weeks before that.
Park County slash collection website.
Jefferson County slash collection website.
If you have any questions, feel free to contact me, Otto Boneta, you ECPFD Community Ambassador.
Unfortunately, the program filled in the first 2 days after sign-up opened up. Elk Creek Fire Protection District (ECFPD) has closed the sign-up website. Below is the link to the site in hopes that they may add additional capacity and open it up to more people. One can hope. This is the link: https://arcg.is/4CCeK0
ECFPD provided the following guidance as to how the progtram will run in 2023:
Chipping operations are planned to start in middle to late May and be completed by the end of October. Individuals who were able to sign up will recieve group emails notifying them once they are assigned to a "service group". Service groups are determined by geographical area and the number of homes ECFPD can complete in a one month period. Each service group will have a one month window of "expected service". ECFPD could show up as early as the first day of the assigned window or anytime during that month.
Please keep in mind that the Fuels Crew also manages the implementation of fuel breaks, mitigation projects, and acts as an initial response resource for wildfires and other emergencies. If there is a delay of more than one week for a specific group, ECFPD will send out updates via email. Updates will also be posted on the ECFPD Chipping website (on the chipping tab) every week.
Pile Guidelines
- Chipping will take place Monday through Friday and start at 8AM.
- Improperly stacked piles, and any piles stacked after 8 a.m, may not be identified or collected.
- Stack piles neatly (no bags), with the large ends of branches facing the road.
- Place piles within 5 feet of the roadway, but not touching the road or in drainage ditches.
- Maximum pile size is 5 'x 5' x 5'. There is a 15-pile limit per address.
- After crews have removed your pile, clear away any remaining branches, needles and debris.
- Do not combine piles with neighbors' piles or place piles in other neighborhoods.
- No piles that have been created by any machinery.
Piles that don't meet parameters, are hard to find, or hard to access take much needed time and effort out of the program.
If you were unable to sign up for the ECFPD Chipping Program, another option would be to haul it to the Jeffco slash collection point. Last year, they were conveniently located across the street from the Crossroads Bar and Grill for 3 or 4 weekends in July. Hopefully they will use the same site this year. There was a fee of $20 per 6 cubic yards (a long bed pickup truck stacked as high as the cab roof). I made a few trips there last year and found it to be very easy and convenient. It was also nice to be able to get rid of the slash as I generated it and not have it pile up into a hard to manage mess and I could plan exactly when I wanted to work on fire mitigation on my property. Another option is the slash collection site in Bailey. We will update info of both the Jeffco and Bailey slash collection sites for 2023 as it becomes available. They typically resume operations on or about 1 June so they should have their info for 2023 out to the public a few weeks before that.
Park County slash collection website.
Jefferson County slash collection website.
If you have any questions, feel free to contact me, Otto Boneta, you ECPFD Community Ambassador.
|
2023 Kids Fishing Derby
The annual Woodside Kids Fishing Derby is tentatively scheduled for 3 June 2023 from 9am to 12 noon at Walers Pond on Woodside Drive (same pond used for previous derbies). The Fishing Derby is open to all residents of Woodside Units 1 through 6. It’s a Colorado State free-fishing day and a fishing license is not required. Poles, tackle, and bait will again be provided by Colorado Parks and Wildlife to those needing them, or you can bring your own tackle and bait if you desire. Colorado State Fisheries will stock the pond a few days before 3 June so, the fish will be there. Prizes will be awarded to all the participating kids. Hot dogs, chips, and soft drinks will be served, courtesy of the HOA. If you plan on attending, please contact Head Fish Guy, Bob Banks, at cbbanks26@aol.com or at (303) 838-0827 to sign up. Please provide your last name and total number of attendees in your party, and identify the number of adults, number of participating kids, and the kids’ names and ages. An accurate count is needed to ensure we have plenty of food and drinks on hand but, more importantly, a sufficient number of age-appropriate prizes for all the kids. If you’d like to help out with Derby operations, please indicate this in your reply. In past years many adults have pitched in to cook, keep track of fish being caught and by whom, as well as rigging and detangling fishing gear. The Derby is one of our community’s hallmark events for residents to come together for a grand time. It is especially enjoyable to watch the youngsters exhibit their individual fishing prowess. We look forward to seeing you there! |
Broadband Initiative (Updated 6 March 2023)
HIghline Communications (formerly Southpark Telephone) in Fairplay received state and federal grants to deploy fiber optic, highspeed internet in the Staunton State Park area to include Woodside Park. The most up-to-date information on this project can be found at their website. Below is a high-level project timeline; they will tighten up the dates upon securing permits.
If you sign up now and during the initial roll-out in Woodside, the price to have your home connected to the fiber optic backbone is only $200 regardless of the size of the lot or distance to the road. Homeowners are strongly encouraged to sign up for this service, even if you don’t intend to use the service, as it is a great value that will be added to your home: It is estimated that having a fiber-optic connection increases the average home value by 3%. If you decide to connect after the initial roll-out, it will be much more costly and pricing is based on linear feet from the house to the road. If you have questions about fiber optic, you can call Highline and discuss with their staff at 888.212.0054. Additionally, Elk Falls HOA maintains an excellent website with updates on this very important broadband initiative. Click here. |
|
Proposed Fire Protection District Consolidation
Updated 8 March 2023 There is a proposed consolidation of the three Fire Protection Districts that serve the approximate 400 square miles in the Conifer area to include Woodside Park. The proposed consolidation will need voter approval and is designed to address the growing fire risks we face and the problem of dwindling / inadequate resources to combat these threats. To learn more about the proposal, please go to their website. The website also provides the ability to bring up your questions / concerns and has a list of upcoming open houses at various fire stations in the area where you can go and discuss the proposal with the brave crews that protect us. We expect the proposal will be on the ballot in November so now is a great time to learn about the proposal so you can make the best decision for you and our community. |