5.20.05

Hi, All.

In addition to providing telephone and email support on about a dozen inquiries from the public this week, RMAD continued to pursue our program goals.

Road Mortality
We’ve learned that, effective May 2, a nighttime maximum speed limit of 55 mph (reduced from 65 mph) was placed on Highway 13, from Rifle to the Wyoming state line, for a study period of one year. The intent of the study is to determine if lower vehicle speeds at night reduces accidents. During this study period, the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) will be working with the Colorado State Patrol to monitor vehicle-animal accidents. On Highway 13, in the five years from 1999 to 2003, there were 760 animal-vehicle accidents. By comparison, during that same time period there were 737 accidents of all other types combined.

More Deaths in Douglas County
As some of you know, Castle Rock is rolling back what scant protections it offered wildlife. Seems the process is about complete. Our hope is that, come 2006, the town council will take advantage of opportunities to designate open space areas as wildlife sanctuaries. Our gratitude to the folks in Castle Rock who’ve gone to bat for the animals, particularly Kathleen Neubauer. A story will likely run in Sunday’s Denver Post.

Suspected Poisoning in Boulder
RMAD is investigating an anonymous tip of poisoned prairie dogs at notorious EastPark. So far, we have not confirmed any deaths.

Denver Move
Some of you have inquired about the status of RMAD’s potential move to Denver. The office space we were after fell through. We are keeping our eyes open. If you know of good space (quiet, close to downtown, at least two windowed rooms of 300 square feet each), please let me know.

Thanks
Chris says thanks to Lorissa for going to Louisville last week to bring a stray and malnourished cat to the HSBV; thanks to everyone who helped at the mailing party: Donnie Hutchinson, Jill Bielawski, Barbara Bear, Matt Bear, Ellen and Oyster, Lorissa ArgoRay, and Ashley Mills; and extra thanks to Ashley for her ongoing help with our historical/accomplishment portfolio and photo archive. Chris says it's going to make the table “really groovy.” I say thanks to Chris and all our hardworking volunteers for their efforts this year. I’ve included at the end of this email a partial list of our 2005 accomplishments.

One Anonymous Person Making a Difference
One of my favorite new friends, who insists on remaining anonymous, has donated to KRFC Community Radio in Fort Collins (88.9 FM, http://krfcfm.org/) designating Monday, May 23, as “RMAD Day” on the station. Community radio is critical to the success of progressive causes. And what a great way to get out the word on RMAD’s work. Thanks, J!

One Organization Making a Difference – RMAD’s 2005 Accomplishments to Date
- Continued efforts to save nearly 2000 aquatic lives at Boulder’s Leggett Canal
- Helped protect urban, suburban and prairie wildlife by working with the City of Boulder on the development of new wildlife ordinances and non-lethal management of prairie dog conflicts
- Fought for the rights of farmed animals by protesting the 2005 National Western Stock Show with our newest additions, Duke the Calf, and two body-screen televisions
- Brought attention to animal road mortality by leading the effort in the Colorado legislature to double fines for speeding in select wildlife crossing zones (the measure made it through the house but was killed in senate committee)
- Continued efforts to network prairie wildlife advocates and to catalog crucial information on 700 Front Range prairie dog colonies
- Spoke on behalf of wildlife at numerous Front Range city council meetings
- Fought to end the horrific fur trade practices of trapping animals and raising them in tiny cages with weekly demonstrations, including RMAD’s annual “Fur is a Drag!” protest
- Brought light to the crimes perpetrated on Colorado’s wildlife with the launching of WildlifeCrimes.org
- Helped place scores of companion animals in homes through RMAD email lists and referral services
- Provided further guidance to the Boulder Creek Festival – at that institution’s behest – to ensure that the event remains free of exploitive animal displays
- Gave four talks at schools, screenings, and events in the Denver/Boulder area
- Celebrated the healthy and cruelty-free vegetarian lifestyle with monthly potlucks
- Provided hundreds of hours of advice, support and guidance to citizens ranging from school kids concerned with prairie dogs to the elderly concerned with unconscionable acts of cruelty toward companion animals
- Educated the public about the plight of homeless companion animals by distributing thousands of English/Spanish doorknob flyers
- Advocated for all animals by maintaining a constant presence in the media; already in 2005 RMAD has appeared in five media broadcasts and more than 20 news articles
- Met advocate and activist needs through numerous meetings and events and through the maintenance of RMAD phone trees, websites and email lists
- Provided major support for the Prairie Dog Coalition as it gained momentum in promoting collaborative solutions to North America’s grasslands crises
- Helped cows, pigs, fishes, chickens and other “food animals” by sponsoring two local talks by nationally renowned author and lecturer Dr. Michael Greger

- Dave

David Crawford, Executive Director
Rocky Mountain Animal Defense
2525 Arapahoe, #E4-335
Boulder, CO 80302
303-449-4422 / www.rmad.org

RMAD has been advocating for animals and serving the public since 1994.