*** Colorado AvalancheCenter *** From: B. Caldwell Newsgroups: rec.skiing.backcountry Subject: CO Avalanche Info. Center Date: Mon, 18 Nov 1996 15:04:07 GMT Organization: Netcom (Following up on some messages on this newsgroup, I e-mailed Dale Atkins for more info. Here's his reply:) Here some info on the why's, what's and how's of our friends of the Avalanche Center. Friends of the Avalanche Center The Colorado Avalanche Information Center is a program of the Colorado Geological Survey, a state agency. Even though the CAIC is a state program we receive no state general funds. The CAIC is cash funded; in other words we must raise all of our operating dollars from sponsorships and donations of our users. Our largest sponsor is the Colorado Department of Transportation, followed by the ski industry. Though we are supported by our users, the largest group of users-the public-contributes the least. For years the dollars from the US Forest Service helped fund our operation and even subsidized our public education. But now this has all changed. The US Forest Service used to contribute about $60-65,000 per year to our program, but due to their own budget problems in 1995 the US Forest Service initially stopped all funding support. This resulted in some serious changes to our operation. In early 1996 the US Forest Service did have a change of the heart and contributed $24,000. The decrease in the US Forest Service's contribution hurt the CAIC's operation. Our staff shrank from 5 to 4; daily hotline reports were reduced from two to one; and we now must charge for all avalanche educational programs that we conduct. For this winter it appears the US Forest Service will again contribute $24,000, however, funding for future winters is unlikely. Because of the funding shortfall for this winter and the certainty of even less money in the future we started the Friends of the Avalanche Center. We are seeking the support of our backcountry users by asking for a contribution of $25.00. For that you will receive: * our new newsletter "The Beacon" * a cool bumper sticker * daily forecast via e-mail We hope that 1000 people will help us out. The CAIC does make a difference. Sure that statement sounds as if I am "singing to the choir." But here's the proof: Since the late 1980s the average number of people killed by avalanches in Colorado has increased about 30%. For the US the average has climbed more than 100%! Thanks for your interest, Dale Atkins Colorado Avalanche Information Center 10230 Smith Road Denver, CO 80239 303 371-1080 caic@avalanche.state.co.us _______________________________