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For nearly sixteen months, a group of business executives, economic development, education and workforce professionals have been working on enhancing regional and state economies through the Jobs Cabinet. After a year of listening, learning and deliberation, the Jobs Cabinet has developed ideas for aligning the needs of employers with appropriately educated and trained employees.

Before the group makes its final recommendations to the governor, it wants to gather public input.

A Craig session is scheduled for 3 to 4:30 p.m. Wednesday at Colorado Northwestern Community College (Bell Tower Building), 50 College Drive.

The session will include a short presentation by the Jobs Cabinet staff and co-chairs followed by an interactive discussion.

Organizers ask that those who wish to attend RSVP to Becky Dubbert at 970-675-3301.

Workshop to address prairie dog conservation

Conservation of prairie dogs in Northwest Colorado will be the subject of a one-day workshop from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. June 10 at the Craig Holiday Inn, 300 S. Highway 13.

The workshop is an early step in the implementation of the Gunnison's and White-tailed Prairie Dog Conservation Plan, which is being developed by the Colorado Division of Wildlife and various stakeholders.

The purpose of the planning effort is to ensure conservation of prairie dogs and to avoid the need for a listing of the species under the federal Endangered Species Act.

At the workshop, interested stakeholders will consider the options presented in the conservation plan and help identify specific management actions that will be most effective at the local level. Stakeholders will discuss issues unique to Moffat and Rio Blanco counties, rank proposed conservation strategies and develop an outline for a local action plan.

Although many interested stakeholders have been personally invited to attend the day-long workshop, it is open to members of the public who are interested in participating in the group discussions to develop the local conservation solutions and strategies. More than 40 stakeholders have been invited to participate, including private landowners, conservationists, concerned citizens and representatives of local, federal and state agencies.

"This work session is not an opportunity for people to explain how they feel about prairie dogs," said Brad Petch, DOW senior wildlife conservation biologist for Northwest Colorado. "We understand the debate, but we need to move past it to make sure we conserve this species and avoid the need for it to be federally listed."

Anyone who did not receive an invitation and information packet, but who would like to attend the full-day workshop, should contact Brian Holmes, DOW conservation biologist, at brian.holmes@state.co.us or 970-878-6063.

Date announced for 1st Farmers Market

The first Farmers Market of the year is scheduled for 4 to 7 p.m. June 18 at Alice Pleasant Park in downtown Craig.

The market features regionally homegrown and handmade products for sale.

For more information, call Kay at 620-4917.