CAIC facing potential budget cuts

[linvillegorge]

According to the latest Facebook update of Friends of CAIC...

"Are you ready to write your legislator? CAIC budget cuts could be on the very near horizon"

[DAFTC]

More info here...

http://www.powderbuzz.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=1096

[TBS]

It's happening all over. Washington state cut out a bunch of NWAC's funding too.

[linvillegorge]

Email sent to everyone on that link:

It has recently come to my attention that the Colorado Avalanche Information Center is facing substantial budget cuts. The budget cuts could well eliminate the backcountry forecasting that CAIC provides that backcountry users as well as search and rescue teams find absolutely invaluable.

Colorado has one of the most dangerous snowpacks in the world and of the 886 avalanche related deaths in the Unites States since 1950, 235 of them occurred right here in Colorado and avalanche incidents are only increasing as more and more people take to the backcountry year after year. The information that the CAIC provides with their avalanche forecasts are a vital tool used by backcountry travelers to plan trips in order to travel in avalanche terrain as safely as possible.

I understand that Colorado, like many states and our nation, needs to cut spending in order to balance our budgets and reduce deficits. However, cutting the budget of the CAIC is going to put lives at risk. There's no way around that. Without the data and forecasts that the CAIC provides, there will be more avalanche incidents and there will almost certainly be additional lives cost unnecessarily.

Thank you

[Crampedon]

That's ridiculous.

Can a mag set up a form letter or a TGR petition to show support of this?
How can all the SAR team managers feel about this? It will make their job more dangerous and harder to do safely.

Hope this does not go down.

[Wooster]

It's happening all over. Washington state cut out a bunch of NWAC's funding too.

I'm not sure about CAIC, but a significant portion of NWAC's funding also comes from the federal government. The recession and recent swing in House control are going to affect a lot of programs like these.

[Puffin]

This really sucks. CAIC is a great program.

[Puffin]

Just sent this:
To Whom it May Concern,

I am writing this letter to notify you of the importance of the CAIC (Colorado Avalanche Information Center) Budget for the continued safety of backcountry travelers, US Forest Service, Search and Rescue, Sheriffs Offices, Flight for Life, and all other professionals that work in the backcountry.

With the proposed budget cuts, all backcountry forecasting will be discontinued according to CAIC as the rest of the budget is used for CDOT contract work. This would be devastating, in a state with one of the most volatile snowpacks in the nation. To work and play in the backcountry without a forecasting system is jeopardizing the safety and accessibility of one of the most important recreational resources we have. Colorado is known for mountains and skiing - it is our way of life.

Please consider the ramifications of decreasing CAIC's budget.

Sincerely,
Me


Copy and paste it to these people if you're feeling lazy.
senmaryhodge@gmail.com, sen.steadman@gmail.com, SenatorLambert@comcast.net, cheri.gerou@gmail.com, jon.becker.house@state.co.us, mferrandino@yahoo.com

[Hacksaw]

I heard on the news today that the govener is going to consolodate the Divison of Wildlife and Colorado State Parks into one program. Down the road I could see the CAIC as a program of CDOT. But, what would happen to the backcountry forecasting program would be the question...

[linvillegorge]

Down the road I could see the CAIC as a program of CDOT. But, what would happen to the backcountry forecasting program would be the question...

In that scenario, I could see the backcountry forecasting completely eliminated. CDOT doesn't give a damn about the backcountry, nor should they. If it doesn't impact the highways, then it doesn't concern them.

Luckily, here in CO there is enough interest that I'm sure some organization would step up to the plate and provide some type of avalanche forecasting. For example, I could see Friends of Berthoud Pass putting together some type of program to provide some forecasting for that area. However, it wouldn't be nearly as comprehensive as what the CAIC currently offers.