For over twenty-five years Collbran Job Corps has served as Mesa County’s main source of manpower in this upper valley region when the surrounding streams and rivers threaten to flood.

Curt White, Collbran Job Corps’ Facilities Operations Specialist, and Acting Work Programs Officer, reported that this year 16 students serve on the Quick Response Team. Recently 30 students from all trades volunteered and filled 1,000 sand bags. Local residents placed and used 450 of the bags. The bags and sand are provided by the county.

Collbran Job Corps students must be 18 years of age, and certified swimmers, to qualify for the Quick Response Team. Rescue gear is required and they cannot work at night. White hand-picks his crew, which can be very busy if the area streams and rivers flood.