Colorado Guardsmen give needed push to public works project in Byers

Colorado National Guard Public Affairs

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Thursday, Sept. 16, 2010

CONTACT:
Capt. Michael Odgers
(720) 785-3860

DURANGO, Colo. (9/16/10) – The 947th Engineer Company of the Colorado Army National Guard will begin construction on a retention pond in Deer Trail, Colo., Sept. 18.

The retention pond will be located in a rural area about 20 miles south of Byers, Colo., where water hydrants are nonexistent. The pond will be used by North Central Fire District firefighters to refill their fire engines while responding to fire-related emergencies in the surrounding rural area.

This civil-military project is part of the National Guard’s Innovative Readiness Training program.

Civil-military IRT projects enhance unit training and readiness, while filling a community need that is not otherwise being met. The unit must maintain its readiness by performing realistic training. IRT projects provide a meaningful outlet for that training and help connect National Guard units with the communities they serve.

“This is a great mission that will help the North Central Fire District make the surrounding community safer,” said Col. Dana Capozzella, commander of the Colorado Army National Guard. “This is exactly the type of training our engineers need to maintain their ability to respond to local emergencies and support the nation.”

Recent IRT projects include Tamarisk removal in Grand Junction, Colo., work on a whitewater park in Durango, and work on the Fruita dam and reservoir in Fruita, Colo.

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For Assignment Editors: The construction site is located at 40144 Ridge Road, Deer Trail, Colo., 80105. From Byers, Colo., take Front Street southwest to CR 181/South Exmoor Road. Take Exmoor Road south 7.8 miles. Turn left on to CR-42/Knudtson Road. Continue south approximately 12 miles. Site is on the left. Media interested in covering this training please confirm with Capt. Michael Odgers at (720) 785-3860.

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9/16/2010