By approving the “Step Up Main Street” master plan this week, the Town of Frisco is one step closer to upgrading its main drag despite numerous financial unknowns.
Construction on Main Street however may be slow going — based on a poor economy, the town tentatively plans to break ground in 2012 instead of 2011.
According to town planner Jocelyn Mills, the project's next step will be converting the master plan into construction documents and determining actual costs. This was initially set for 2010, but it's now being pushed back to next year.
“Due to public comment, we will look at zoning codes to encourage redevelopment on private property to go hand in hand with the Main Street redesign,” Mills said. “Staff will be working on that this year.”
Master plan designer Mary Hart presented a pedestrian-friendly main drag to council and staff Tuesday, complete with tree lanes next to side walks, pocket parks, a pedestrian corridor by Third Avenue and public art. An upgraded option for a welcome sign to welcome visitors from Highway 9 to Main Street was also created.
Hart's redesign includes historic simple forms, a mountain-rustic look and natural materials. She suggests keeping sidewalks 8-feet-wide, and then creating a tree/amenity lane to the right of it to make the street-scape more interesting. The tree/amenity lane could even be used to accommodate tables and seating areas for Main Street eateries.
Both Hart and Mills also stressed the importance of getting visitors to walk the whole length of Main Street, which is currently a problem in town.
“We want to make Frisco memorable for visitors,” Mills said Tuesday.
The Council stressed to Hart and Mills the importance of creating additional parking spaces as the project moves forward. As the plan is purely conceptual at this point, this will be taken into consideration as it's turned into actual construction plans. Potential materials for the redesign project will also be analyzed by the town for cost and durability.
“The council and the town are sensitive to parking, and needs of retail and business on Main Street,” Hart said. “That's something that will continue to be important as the process moves forward.”
Hart added that public input was important to her design from start to finish.
“We tried to balance all the different needs of Main Street to accommodate maintenance, retail, traffic and pedestrians,” Hart said.
Saturday, March 27, 2010
Friday, March 19, 2010
Alpine Coaster for Breckenridge
The Breckenridge Planning Commission is on board with a proposed alpine coaster at Breckenridge Ski Resort.
The commission voted unanimously Tuesday night to approve the project; the plan will go before the Breckenridge Town Council March 23.
“Overall, it was fairly well received as an asset to the town,” Planning Commission chair Rodney Allen said. “We felt it fit into the character of the ski area as another recreational amenity.”
An alpine coaster is similar to an alpine slide, but the sleds run on rails set in a raised track, rather than in a trough. Breckenridge already has an alpine slide. According to Allen, the coaster's potential visual impacts received close scrutiny by the commission.
“There is going to be substantially less visual impact than the current alpine slide, which is out in the open,” Allen said.
The coaster will be located between two ski runs in a healthy stand of trees, comprised of a variety of species. The ski area committed to revegetating the area, should the trees die at some point in the future.
The commissioners also received assurance that the project would be in compliance with the town's outdoor lighting standards.
“There will be lights, but it won't be lit up like a football field,” Allen said.
The ski area could begin construction as early as this summer.
The commission voted unanimously Tuesday night to approve the project; the plan will go before the Breckenridge Town Council March 23.
“Overall, it was fairly well received as an asset to the town,” Planning Commission chair Rodney Allen said. “We felt it fit into the character of the ski area as another recreational amenity.”
An alpine coaster is similar to an alpine slide, but the sleds run on rails set in a raised track, rather than in a trough. Breckenridge already has an alpine slide. According to Allen, the coaster's potential visual impacts received close scrutiny by the commission.
“There is going to be substantially less visual impact than the current alpine slide, which is out in the open,” Allen said.
The coaster will be located between two ski runs in a healthy stand of trees, comprised of a variety of species. The ski area committed to revegetating the area, should the trees die at some point in the future.
The commissioners also received assurance that the project would be in compliance with the town's outdoor lighting standards.
“There will be lights, but it won't be lit up like a football field,” Allen said.
The ski area could begin construction as early as this summer.
Friday, March 05, 2010
Vail Resorts to Move More Employees to Denver
Vail Resorts is moving about 100 accounting and purchasing positions from the mountains to the Front Range at the end of the ski season.
The company, which owns Keystone and Breckenridge ski areas, notified the employees on Feb. 16 that their positions will be moved to the corporate headquarters in Broomfield, just outside of Boulder. Employees who agree to the move will begin working at their new location on June 2, at the same rate of pay. Those who decide to stay in Summit County will complete their last day of work on June 1.
Vail Resorts spokeswoman Kelly Ladyga said stationing the positions in Broomfield rather than at Keystone, “just made more sense from a business standpoint.”
“After really considering it very carefully, we saw it critical to move those accounting and purchasing functions to be with the rest of accounting down here,” Ladyga said.
The affected employees are mostly entry-level and junior-level accountants and purchasers who serve companywide functions. Most supervisory positions in those departments are already located at the company's Front Range offices.
According to Ladyga, the move will allow for greater oversight, efficiency and collaboration. She also said the company is more easily able to fill accounting vacancies with qualified candidates in the Front Range than in Summit County.
Many of the affected employees toured the Broomfield offices earlier this week. Vail Resorts will provide a relocation benefit to help with moving expenses.
The company, which owns Keystone and Breckenridge ski areas, notified the employees on Feb. 16 that their positions will be moved to the corporate headquarters in Broomfield, just outside of Boulder. Employees who agree to the move will begin working at their new location on June 2, at the same rate of pay. Those who decide to stay in Summit County will complete their last day of work on June 1.
Vail Resorts spokeswoman Kelly Ladyga said stationing the positions in Broomfield rather than at Keystone, “just made more sense from a business standpoint.”
“After really considering it very carefully, we saw it critical to move those accounting and purchasing functions to be with the rest of accounting down here,” Ladyga said.
The affected employees are mostly entry-level and junior-level accountants and purchasers who serve companywide functions. Most supervisory positions in those departments are already located at the company's Front Range offices.
According to Ladyga, the move will allow for greater oversight, efficiency and collaboration. She also said the company is more easily able to fill accounting vacancies with qualified candidates in the Front Range than in Summit County.
Many of the affected employees toured the Broomfield offices earlier this week. Vail Resorts will provide a relocation benefit to help with moving expenses.
Friday, February 12, 2010
Lowe's Home Improvement Store for Silverthorne?
Lowe's Home Improvement Warehouse was preliminarily approved by Silverthorne Town Council recently. The proposed store and attached garden center would be located on the corner of Wildernest Road and Buffalo Mountain Drive and and would total 138,000 square feet.
It will sit on 11.2 acres at the site of a former auto dealership.
Lowe's must address engineering issues (a retaining wall needs to be built to stabalize a steep incline behind the building that's prone to slides), architectural issues (like a light-colored roof, and a large, boxy building with no visual breaks), traffic issues (entrance sizes and vehicle congestion), visual problems (outdoor displays and landscaping), wetland and water questions, and other code issues.
Lowe's representative Ted Anderson said the corporation would address all design concerns made by town staff and council, and work with the town to make the plan acceptable.
Anderson said he hopes for the new Lowe's to be open within a year.
It will sit on 11.2 acres at the site of a former auto dealership.
Lowe's must address engineering issues (a retaining wall needs to be built to stabalize a steep incline behind the building that's prone to slides), architectural issues (like a light-colored roof, and a large, boxy building with no visual breaks), traffic issues (entrance sizes and vehicle congestion), visual problems (outdoor displays and landscaping), wetland and water questions, and other code issues.
Lowe's representative Ted Anderson said the corporation would address all design concerns made by town staff and council, and work with the town to make the plan acceptable.
Anderson said he hopes for the new Lowe's to be open within a year.
Friday, October 30, 2009
Breckenridge Ski Area Opens November 12
With all the recent snow Colorado has received things are looking good for the ski season.
Breckenridge will open on November 12.
Loveland ski area won the annual contest for the first ski area to open (a few weeks ago) and A-Basin wasn't far behind - opening just 3 days later.
Breckenridge will open on November 12.
Loveland ski area won the annual contest for the first ski area to open (a few weeks ago) and A-Basin wasn't far behind - opening just 3 days later.
Tuesday, September 08, 2009
New Affordable Housing Project in Breckenridge
The Summit Combined Housing Authority and Mercy Housing Colorado have announced unit pricing for Valley Brook Neighborhood — a new affordable housing development in Breckenridge. The long-anticipated Valley Brook development is located at 1100 Airport Road, between Upper Blue Elementary School and the Breckenridge Police Department.
The town is supporting the project with both a donation of the land on Airport Road and a cash contribution to help cover the costs of construction.
The town will be making a final decision on the project in September or October and if approved for a fall start, the first phase of the 42 townhomes are expected to be available for closing in May 2010, with the final phase being completed in early 2011.
The neighborhood will eventually include a playground and common recreational area. Recent improvements to the nearby recreation path, which include the addition of a new bridge over the river, will make the neighborhood easily accessible to the network of paths.
The town is supporting the project with both a donation of the land on Airport Road and a cash contribution to help cover the costs of construction.
The town will be making a final decision on the project in September or October and if approved for a fall start, the first phase of the 42 townhomes are expected to be available for closing in May 2010, with the final phase being completed in early 2011.
The neighborhood will eventually include a playground and common recreational area. Recent improvements to the nearby recreation path, which include the addition of a new bridge over the river, will make the neighborhood easily accessible to the network of paths.
Tuesday, September 01, 2009
Interstate 70 Discussion Continues
The Rocky Mountain Rail Authority held a meeting late last week to discuss its final version of a report that details the cost of building and operating rail lines along the I-70 corridor, as well as a Front Range line, paralleling I-25.
The report includes schematic drawings of the system, including stops at Keystone and Frisco. The study focuses on proven technologies that could be ready for operation by 2020.
According to the draft version of the report, the east-west line from DIA to the Eagle County airport would cost about $15 billion. The north-south Fort Collins to Pueblo line would cost another $5 billion.
As always, the biggest question mark is finding the money, but the rail authority board makes the case that the rail lines would enhance Colorado's overall transportation network at a time of rising oil prices and growing congestion. About 80 percent of the funding would have to come from federal sources, with the rest generated from a combination of state, local and private funds. In particular, the rail authority is looking to the federal government for infrastructure grants, citing the importance of the I-70 corridor as an “economic engine” for Colorado.
The report includes schematic drawings of the system, including stops at Keystone and Frisco. The study focuses on proven technologies that could be ready for operation by 2020.
According to the draft version of the report, the east-west line from DIA to the Eagle County airport would cost about $15 billion. The north-south Fort Collins to Pueblo line would cost another $5 billion.
As always, the biggest question mark is finding the money, but the rail authority board makes the case that the rail lines would enhance Colorado's overall transportation network at a time of rising oil prices and growing congestion. About 80 percent of the funding would have to come from federal sources, with the rest generated from a combination of state, local and private funds. In particular, the rail authority is looking to the federal government for infrastructure grants, citing the importance of the I-70 corridor as an “economic engine” for Colorado.
Monday, June 15, 2009
Copper Mt. Stables to Remain Open
Copper Stables will be able to continue operating this year, after earlier concerns that a redevelopment project at Copper Mountain's base area might affect the popular trail-riding operation.
Copper Mountain last week submitted an application to the county for the horse staging area at Union Creek. The resort master plan allows for that use in the area, so the county will be able to approve the operation with an internal staff review without planning commission hearings, according to planning director Jim Curnutte.
As part of an extensive base-area plan, Copper will tear down the existing stables and create a wetlands on the site. The project will compensate for the loss of wetlands nearby as the resort expands parking in the Union Creek area. More parking at Union Creek is an important piece of the resort's goal of providing better service to families and beginning skiers.
Under the county permit, the wetlands project is required as part of the parking lot expansion.Stables operator
Leslie Miller, of Copper Stables, said several weeks ago she was having a hard time finding a new spot for the staging area.
Her horses will be quartered in a corral in the Corn parking lot, along Highway 91, but the staging area at Union Creek will enable her wranglers and customers to easily access the trails at the other end of the resort.
For information about Copper Mountain Stables, call (970) 968-2232.
Copper Mountain last week submitted an application to the county for the horse staging area at Union Creek. The resort master plan allows for that use in the area, so the county will be able to approve the operation with an internal staff review without planning commission hearings, according to planning director Jim Curnutte.
As part of an extensive base-area plan, Copper will tear down the existing stables and create a wetlands on the site. The project will compensate for the loss of wetlands nearby as the resort expands parking in the Union Creek area. More parking at Union Creek is an important piece of the resort's goal of providing better service to families and beginning skiers.
Under the county permit, the wetlands project is required as part of the parking lot expansion.Stables operator
Leslie Miller, of Copper Stables, said several weeks ago she was having a hard time finding a new spot for the staging area.
Her horses will be quartered in a corral in the Corn parking lot, along Highway 91, but the staging area at Union Creek will enable her wranglers and customers to easily access the trails at the other end of the resort.
For information about Copper Mountain Stables, call (970) 968-2232.
Monday, June 01, 2009
Mountain Outfitters Hosts "Gear Drive"
Mountain Outfitters in Breckenridge is set to host a gear drive on June 13 to benefit a community foundation — Homeless Gear.
The gear drive starts at 9 a.m. at 112 S. Ridge St.
The foundation collects unwanted outdoor gear such as packs, sleeping bags and tents and distributes items to people without permanent shelters.
Outdoor vendors, including Black Diamond, Big Agnes, Mountain Hardwear and Osprey, will preview new tents and sleeping bags at the event.
One percent of all sales at Mountain Outfitters will go to 1% for the Planet — an alliance of businesses financially committed to creating a healthy planet.
Everyone who donates items will also be entered into a raffle to win a new tent and sleeping bag. The drawing is scheduled for 5 p.m.
The gear drive starts at 9 a.m. at 112 S. Ridge St.
The foundation collects unwanted outdoor gear such as packs, sleeping bags and tents and distributes items to people without permanent shelters.
Outdoor vendors, including Black Diamond, Big Agnes, Mountain Hardwear and Osprey, will preview new tents and sleeping bags at the event.
One percent of all sales at Mountain Outfitters will go to 1% for the Planet — an alliance of businesses financially committed to creating a healthy planet.
Everyone who donates items will also be entered into a raffle to win a new tent and sleeping bag. The drawing is scheduled for 5 p.m.
Sunday, May 31, 2009
Peak 8 Fun Park to Re-Open this Summer
The Breckenridge Peak 8 Fun Park is returning this summer with the alpine SuperSlide, mountain biking and SuperPutt slated to open June 19.
Because of construction continuing at the Peak 8 base area, parking will be available at the gondola lots — with buses providing transport.
The park was closed last year for the construction.
This year it is to be open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Activities also include a climbing wall, trampoline, rides on Colorado SuperChair and gemstone panning.
Bergenhof’s Alpine BBQ and Sevens are to open daily for lunch and dinner beginning Monday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Because of construction continuing at the Peak 8 base area, parking will be available at the gondola lots — with buses providing transport.
The park was closed last year for the construction.
This year it is to be open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Activities also include a climbing wall, trampoline, rides on Colorado SuperChair and gemstone panning.
Bergenhof’s Alpine BBQ and Sevens are to open daily for lunch and dinner beginning Monday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Saturday, May 30, 2009
Summit High School to get Synthetic Turf
Groundbreaking for a new synthetic turf field at Summit High School’s Tiger Stadium is set for Monday — after a year of fundraising about $610,000 from local governments, businesses and residents.
“It’s going to be a real awesome asset for Summit County,” said Tom Looby of the turf steering committee.
“So many people have contributed to the effort. It’s just amazing.”
The field and a running track are to be ready for fall semester as part of phase I.
Summit School District kicked in an extra $200,000 toward the track's completion.
The ultimate $1.25 million goal — anticipated for completion next year — includes a synthetic practice field and bleachers.
“It’s going to be a real awesome asset for Summit County,” said Tom Looby of the turf steering committee.
“So many people have contributed to the effort. It’s just amazing.”
The field and a running track are to be ready for fall semester as part of phase I.
Summit School District kicked in an extra $200,000 toward the track's completion.
The ultimate $1.25 million goal — anticipated for completion next year — includes a synthetic practice field and bleachers.
Friday, May 29, 2009
Spring has Arrived in Breckenridge
The aspen trees are almost all leafed out, the Blue River is running high and the Breckenridge Golf Club opened a few days ago.
Yes, spring is finally here.
It's a great time to plan a trip to Breckenridge and invest in some property.
Yes, spring is finally here.
It's a great time to plan a trip to Breckenridge and invest in some property.
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Home Depot for Silverthorne?
Home Depot has submitted a building plan that Silverthorne’s planning staff.
The building plan gained staff approval Friday for a 100,000 square-foot store just south of Interstate 70 near the outlet stores at the base of the Dillon Dam.
The approval is conditional — Home Depot must address nine issues, including previous concerns about wetlands impacts and traffic.
The design will be reviewed by the planning commission.
“The most recent version of the Home Depot plan is, for the most part, consistent with town standards,” said Mark Leidal, Silverthorne’s community development director.
“The next step is to review the proposal with the planning commission and town council.”
The building plan gained staff approval Friday for a 100,000 square-foot store just south of Interstate 70 near the outlet stores at the base of the Dillon Dam.
The approval is conditional — Home Depot must address nine issues, including previous concerns about wetlands impacts and traffic.
The design will be reviewed by the planning commission.
“The most recent version of the Home Depot plan is, for the most part, consistent with town standards,” said Mark Leidal, Silverthorne’s community development director.
“The next step is to review the proposal with the planning commission and town council.”
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Open House Signs in Breckenridge
There may soon be more “open house” signs in Breckenridge, the result of a compromise the town and local real estate companies have been working on for several months.
TheTown Council voted unanimously Tuesday to approve on first reading changes to the sign code to include allowing up to three directional signs leading prospective buyers to an open house.
The proposed changes to the sign code include restrictions on a sign’s design, location and times of display.
Existing code allows only for one “open-house” sign on the property.
But properties can be difficult to find among the curving roads without directional signs on main intersections.
If approved at the next town meeting, March 24, the sign-code legislation would sunset — or expire — in one year.
TheTown Council voted unanimously Tuesday to approve on first reading changes to the sign code to include allowing up to three directional signs leading prospective buyers to an open house.
The proposed changes to the sign code include restrictions on a sign’s design, location and times of display.
Existing code allows only for one “open-house” sign on the property.
But properties can be difficult to find among the curving roads without directional signs on main intersections.
If approved at the next town meeting, March 24, the sign-code legislation would sunset — or expire — in one year.
Sunday, March 08, 2009
Dillon Hires New Town Planner
Bev Kaiser, was recently hired to fill the Dillon’s town planner vacancy. She will begin work on March 16.
“It’s a beautiful community, and I’m quite familiar with it,” Kaiser said of Dillon.
Kaiser has been town planner in Buena Vista, Colorado since 2007.
“We advertised for the position and received between 80 and 90 applications,” said Devin Granbery, Dillon’s town manager.
“We then did interviews with the top three or four.
”Kaiser, who used to be a Breckenridge resident, worked with Granbery when they both were employed by the Town of Silverton.“Beverly stood out,” Granbery said.
“She’s very well qualified for the position. ... She’s going to help move our planning efforts forward.”Kaiser has both mountain town and Front Range experience. She’s worked in Silverton, the upper Arkansas Valley, Durango, Reno, Westminster and she’s taught planning at the college level.
“It’s a beautiful community, and I’m quite familiar with it,” Kaiser said of Dillon.
Kaiser has been town planner in Buena Vista, Colorado since 2007.
“We advertised for the position and received between 80 and 90 applications,” said Devin Granbery, Dillon’s town manager.
“We then did interviews with the top three or four.
”Kaiser, who used to be a Breckenridge resident, worked with Granbery when they both were employed by the Town of Silverton.“Beverly stood out,” Granbery said.
“She’s very well qualified for the position. ... She’s going to help move our planning efforts forward.”Kaiser has both mountain town and Front Range experience. She’s worked in Silverton, the upper Arkansas Valley, Durango, Reno, Westminster and she’s taught planning at the college level.
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Frisco - Open Space or Affordable Housing?
Frisco residents will now decide whether affordable-housing development occurs on the Peak One parcel, after a petition was submitted to the town to require a vote before selling, subdividing or leasing town-owned parcels larger than five acres.
The Friends of Frisco Open Space group began circulating the petition in late September, touting the protection of open space in a town that is fast-approaching build out.
Although only 255 validated signatures were needed, the group collected some 428 signatures to place the issue on a mail-in ballot for the April 28 election.
The Friends of Frisco Open Space group began circulating the petition in late September, touting the protection of open space in a town that is fast-approaching build out.
Although only 255 validated signatures were needed, the group collected some 428 signatures to place the issue on a mail-in ballot for the April 28 election.
Monday, February 09, 2009
30-foot Firebreak Around your House?
Homeowners here would have to create 30-foot firebreaks around their houses clear of trees and brush under a wildfire-protection ordinance being proposed by town officials.
The efforts are intended to prevent spread of fire and allow for safe evacuation for residents and safe access for firefighters.
Town staff members and the Red, White and Blue Fire Protection District are working with the Colorado State Forest Service to develop a map designating the areas covered by the ordinance.
Areas south of County Road 450 (which begins at the 7-Eleven off Colorado 9) such as the lower Warrior’s Mark and Shock Hill subdivisions likely will be among the first affected by the proposed ordinance, which would take effect this summer.
The rest of the areas within town limits will be included in the next three to four years. The fire district will conduct inspections, and property owners would required to comply within a year.
A $45 permit will be required before tree-cutting occurs. If the proposal is adopted, the first round of certified letters alerting property owners of the requirements likely would be sent this spring, Scott said.
A draft of the ordinance indicates that defensible spaces should not be created through clear cutting, but the firebreak “shall generally be created by all flammable and combustible vegetation” within the 30-foot zone.
You can visit www.firewise.org for preventative landscaping plans and suggested vegetation.
The efforts are intended to prevent spread of fire and allow for safe evacuation for residents and safe access for firefighters.
Town staff members and the Red, White and Blue Fire Protection District are working with the Colorado State Forest Service to develop a map designating the areas covered by the ordinance.
Areas south of County Road 450 (which begins at the 7-Eleven off Colorado 9) such as the lower Warrior’s Mark and Shock Hill subdivisions likely will be among the first affected by the proposed ordinance, which would take effect this summer.
The rest of the areas within town limits will be included in the next three to four years. The fire district will conduct inspections, and property owners would required to comply within a year.
A $45 permit will be required before tree-cutting occurs. If the proposal is adopted, the first round of certified letters alerting property owners of the requirements likely would be sent this spring, Scott said.
A draft of the ordinance indicates that defensible spaces should not be created through clear cutting, but the firebreak “shall generally be created by all flammable and combustible vegetation” within the 30-foot zone.
You can visit www.firewise.org for preventative landscaping plans and suggested vegetation.
Saturday, February 07, 2009
New Restaurants and Retail in Dillon
Though the new Walgreens building on Dillon Ridge Road still stands empty, the Qdoba restaurant is on track to open in an adjacent space by the end of this month.
A new Smashburger, a retro-style burger joint from Denver, also will begin operation in the same building by April or May.
“They’re (Smashburger) on a fast track,” said Devin Granbery, Dillon’s town manager.
Granbery still doesn’t know when Walgreens will open its doors, but he predicts it to be at the end of March or early April.
“We’ve heard that they working to get open this spring,” Granbery added. “Walgreens is not communicating though. They’ll probably call us a week before and tell us when.”
Three tenant spaces are still available in Qdoba’s building. Developers and the town are working to get them leased.
A new Smashburger, a retro-style burger joint from Denver, also will begin operation in the same building by April or May.
“They’re (Smashburger) on a fast track,” said Devin Granbery, Dillon’s town manager.
Granbery still doesn’t know when Walgreens will open its doors, but he predicts it to be at the end of March or early April.
“We’ve heard that they working to get open this spring,” Granbery added. “Walgreens is not communicating though. They’ll probably call us a week before and tell us when.”
Three tenant spaces are still available in Qdoba’s building. Developers and the town are working to get them leased.
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Team Cannada/Yukon Wins Snow Sculpture Contest
Team Canada/Yukon won the 19th annual Budweiser International Snow Sculpture Championships this past weekend with a stunning snow statue of Native American elders dancing around an intricately carved totem pole.
Without power tools, internal support structures or coloring agents, the five-member team turned the giant block of snow into an image of swirling blankets and fearsome animal masks, besting 15 teams from nine countries.
The sculpture’s story is pertinent to Donald Watt, the winning team’s leader, because his own grandfather passed down carving knowledge to his father, who then gave the skills to Watt.
“We’ve been doing this for dozens of years as a team,” added Watt. “Conditions weren’t favorable but not impossible to work with.”
The winning team is currently on a world tour — they’re participating in contests in China, the United States and Canada this season.
Without power tools, internal support structures or coloring agents, the five-member team turned the giant block of snow into an image of swirling blankets and fearsome animal masks, besting 15 teams from nine countries.
The sculpture’s story is pertinent to Donald Watt, the winning team’s leader, because his own grandfather passed down carving knowledge to his father, who then gave the skills to Watt.
“We’ve been doing this for dozens of years as a team,” added Watt. “Conditions weren’t favorable but not impossible to work with.”
The winning team is currently on a world tour — they’re participating in contests in China, the United States and Canada this season.
Friday, January 09, 2009
Annual Snow Sculpture Contest
It’s that time of year again, freezing cold temperatures, the start of a New Year and the Budweiser International Snow Sculpture Championships.
The Championship kicks off on Tuesday, Jan. 20 at 11 a.m. with our shotgun start.
After 65 hours of sculpting, artists will put down their chisels at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 24.
Volunteers! This great event only happens because of the amazing volunteers that come and help every year. We are in need of snow stompers (Jan. 13-15), merchandise sales, technical assistants, dining help, people’s choice attendants and more.
If you are interested in coming to help volunteer starting Jan. 13 through Feb. 1, please e-mail Michelle Gehr, Chief of Volunteers at michelleg@townofbreckenridge.com or call (970) 547-3100.
Friday, January 02, 2009
Breckenridge's Ullr Fest Starts this Sunday
Breckenridge will celerbrate its 150th anniversary this year.
A year full of celebrations honoring Breckenridge’s 150th birthday kicks off Sunday with the 46th annual Ullr Fest.
The winter festival — themed “Ullr, the Snow Miner” this year — spans a week full of stimulating activities including a bonfire, a parade and plenty of friendly competition.
“The Ullr parade has always attracted thousands of people, so we’re hoping that this year is just as successful as the previous years,” said Breckenridge Resort Chamber spokeswoman Carly Grimes. The average parade attendance is about 12,000, and jumped to about 14,000 the year MTV was in town, she said.
The Travel Channel, with host Samantha Brown, is planning to attend this year.
Thursday, December 25, 2008
Frisco Historic Park Receives Grant
The Colorado Historical Fund recently awarded Frisco Historic Park and Museum $33,580 to help evaluate the condition of the park’s 14 small buildings that date back to the 1800s.
“This project will focus on maintaining the community’s historic assets, namely the outstanding collection of buildings at the historic park,” said museum manager Simone Belz.
After an initial assessment, the museum will develop a plan to ensure that the buildings in the park stay in pristine condition for future generations.
The Town of Frisco already set aside $25,000 of matching funds for any future renovations at the museum, resulting in a total amount of $58,580 for the project.
Now that the money has been put on the table, the museum plans to hire an architecture firm to evaluate the buildings in the park and develop a comprehensive preservation plan.
“This project will focus on maintaining the community’s historic assets, namely the outstanding collection of buildings at the historic park,” said museum manager Simone Belz.
After an initial assessment, the museum will develop a plan to ensure that the buildings in the park stay in pristine condition for future generations.
The Town of Frisco already set aside $25,000 of matching funds for any future renovations at the museum, resulting in a total amount of $58,580 for the project.
Now that the money has been put on the table, the museum plans to hire an architecture firm to evaluate the buildings in the park and develop a comprehensive preservation plan.
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
X GAmes in Breckenridge?
Crews are working non-stop to prepare for the largest skiing and snowboarding event in Breckenridge Ski Resort history.
The Dew Tour events kick off today with qualifying rounds; competition begins Thursday.
“Here at this resort, this is the first time we’ve done an event of this magnitude,” said Nick Smith, competition department manager. "
“This is on the scale of X Games, as opposed to events we’ve done in the past where we’ve been focused singularly on one thing. We’re branching out and biting off more.”
The events include skiing and snowboarding by some of the biggest names in the business — including Olympic medallists Shaun White and Gretchen Bleiler — on slopestyle and halfpipe features.
It’s the first live winter-sports event to be broadcast from Breckenridge in 15 years and will be the first of the high-definition era, Smith said.
The Dew Tour events kick off today with qualifying rounds; competition begins Thursday.
“Here at this resort, this is the first time we’ve done an event of this magnitude,” said Nick Smith, competition department manager. "
“This is on the scale of X Games, as opposed to events we’ve done in the past where we’ve been focused singularly on one thing. We’re branching out and biting off more.”
The events include skiing and snowboarding by some of the biggest names in the business — including Olympic medallists Shaun White and Gretchen Bleiler — on slopestyle and halfpipe features.
It’s the first live winter-sports event to be broadcast from Breckenridge in 15 years and will be the first of the high-definition era, Smith said.
Wednesday, November 05, 2008
Ski areas that open this week include: Breckenridge, Keystone and Copper Mt. will open this Friday, Nov. 7.
Loveland and Arapahoe Basin have been operating for a couple of weeks.
The big news at Keystone is the upgraded River Run gondola, with a relocated base terminal closer to the village and a midway unloading station. A ribbon-cutting is planned for 8:30 a.m. on Friday and the mountain will open for skiing at 9 a.m.
Breckenridge will open the Colorado SuperChair on Peak 8 at 9 a.m. with top-to-bottom skiing on Springmeier. The traditional opening-day pancake breakfast is scheduled for 8:30 a.m. to about 10:30 a.m. on the deck of the Bergenhof.
In years past, the resort traditionally has opened on Peak 9 first.“Opening Peak 8 first this year gives our mountain operations team every advantage to prepare the mountain and venue for our largest event ever, the AST Winter Dew Tour,” said Breckenridge spokeswoman Kristen Pettit.
The Dec. 18-21 event features freeskiing and snowboarding with live coverage on NBC and additional coverage s on the USA network and MTV and MTV2.
Loveland and Arapahoe Basin have been operating for a couple of weeks.
The big news at Keystone is the upgraded River Run gondola, with a relocated base terminal closer to the village and a midway unloading station. A ribbon-cutting is planned for 8:30 a.m. on Friday and the mountain will open for skiing at 9 a.m.
Breckenridge will open the Colorado SuperChair on Peak 8 at 9 a.m. with top-to-bottom skiing on Springmeier. The traditional opening-day pancake breakfast is scheduled for 8:30 a.m. to about 10:30 a.m. on the deck of the Bergenhof.
In years past, the resort traditionally has opened on Peak 9 first.“Opening Peak 8 first this year gives our mountain operations team every advantage to prepare the mountain and venue for our largest event ever, the AST Winter Dew Tour,” said Breckenridge spokeswoman Kristen Pettit.
The Dec. 18-21 event features freeskiing and snowboarding with live coverage on NBC and additional coverage s on the USA network and MTV and MTV2.
Monday, November 03, 2008
After a long drought, local anglers may once again soon be hooking rainbow trout in the Blue River.
Hoping to rebuild wild populations of the popular game fish, the Colorado Division of Wildlife this week planted about 20,000 trout at three different spots along the Lower Blue north of Silverthorne.
“We’re hoping to see some decent survival,” said aquatic biologist Jon Ewert, after watching thousands of the five-inch trout splash from a hatchery truck into the chilly water below Dillon Dam.
The Blue River was once a stronghold for rainbow trout. Anglers who remember the good old days tell stories of three-pounders jumping acrobatically out of the water at the end of a taut line and flaunting their speckle sides against a brilliant Colorado sky. But whirling disease, a crippling ailment carried by a parasitic worm, wiped out rainbow trout across the state after the spores accidentally were introduced to the state in a shipment of fish from an Idaho hatchery in the late 1980s.
Ten years later, the fishery was decimated.Since then, Colorado Division of Wildlife biologists have been working to breed a strain of rainbows that’s resistant to the disease and maintains some of the desirable fighting fish qualities of the Colorado River rainbows.
The Hofer strain, named for a German breed of trout that evolved with genetic resistance, show promise. Lab tests and experimental releases in the Colorado River show that the fish can survive and even reproduce in the presence of the disease. We'll see - next summer.
Hoping to rebuild wild populations of the popular game fish, the Colorado Division of Wildlife this week planted about 20,000 trout at three different spots along the Lower Blue north of Silverthorne.
“We’re hoping to see some decent survival,” said aquatic biologist Jon Ewert, after watching thousands of the five-inch trout splash from a hatchery truck into the chilly water below Dillon Dam.
The Blue River was once a stronghold for rainbow trout. Anglers who remember the good old days tell stories of three-pounders jumping acrobatically out of the water at the end of a taut line and flaunting their speckle sides against a brilliant Colorado sky. But whirling disease, a crippling ailment carried by a parasitic worm, wiped out rainbow trout across the state after the spores accidentally were introduced to the state in a shipment of fish from an Idaho hatchery in the late 1980s.
Ten years later, the fishery was decimated.Since then, Colorado Division of Wildlife biologists have been working to breed a strain of rainbows that’s resistant to the disease and maintains some of the desirable fighting fish qualities of the Colorado River rainbows.
The Hofer strain, named for a German breed of trout that evolved with genetic resistance, show promise. Lab tests and experimental releases in the Colorado River show that the fish can survive and even reproduce in the presence of the disease. We'll see - next summer.
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Dynamite Found in Frisco
A crew of contractors on Wednesday alerted authorities to the discovery of six sticks of dynamite next to a 102-year-old shed in Frisco, prompting a small-scale evacuation and bomb-squad response.
The workers were moving a pile of logs on Tuesday when they uncovered a bundle of cylindrical sticks wrapped in newspapers dating back to 1926, according to Lake Dillon Fire-Rescue spokesman Brandon Williams.
Given Summit County’s rich mining history, it is not uncommon to come across sticks of dynamite that were once used to excavate hillsides.
The workers were moving a pile of logs on Tuesday when they uncovered a bundle of cylindrical sticks wrapped in newspapers dating back to 1926, according to Lake Dillon Fire-Rescue spokesman Brandon Williams.
Given Summit County’s rich mining history, it is not uncommon to come across sticks of dynamite that were once used to excavate hillsides.
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
A-Basin an Loveland Ski Areas Tie for Opening First
No sooner than A-Basin officials announced that they would be opening this morning at 8:30 a.m., Loveland ski area announced the same thing.
“It was a gentleman’s agreement between the two GM’s, so, we are basically calling it a tie,”
A-Basin spokeswoman Leigh Hierholzer said.Loveland will open its Chair 1 lift and one run, linking Catwalk, Mambo and Home Run. It is offering an 18-inch base with tree-to-tree coverage.
“It’s very exciting to be the first place in the country to open and get the chairlifts running,” said Dustin Schaefer, the group-sales coordinator for Loveland.
“We are going to offer some great early-season skiing and snowboarding. There is no need to bring out rock skis. You can bring good skis out.
”The cold temperatures over the past few days allowed Loveland to run its snowmaking guns around the clock, Schaefer said, matching A-Basin flake for flake.
Loveland’s hours will be 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., and the cost for a pass will be $44 for adults and $21 for children ages 6-14.
A-Basin will open its intermediate High Noon run and part of the High Divide terrain park. Costs for A-Basin tickets will be $49 for adults, $44 for youths ages 15-19 and $25 for children ages 6-14.
“It was a gentleman’s agreement between the two GM’s, so, we are basically calling it a tie,”
A-Basin spokeswoman Leigh Hierholzer said.Loveland will open its Chair 1 lift and one run, linking Catwalk, Mambo and Home Run. It is offering an 18-inch base with tree-to-tree coverage.
“It’s very exciting to be the first place in the country to open and get the chairlifts running,” said Dustin Schaefer, the group-sales coordinator for Loveland.
“We are going to offer some great early-season skiing and snowboarding. There is no need to bring out rock skis. You can bring good skis out.
”The cold temperatures over the past few days allowed Loveland to run its snowmaking guns around the clock, Schaefer said, matching A-Basin flake for flake.
Loveland’s hours will be 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., and the cost for a pass will be $44 for adults and $21 for children ages 6-14.
A-Basin will open its intermediate High Noon run and part of the High Divide terrain park. Costs for A-Basin tickets will be $49 for adults, $44 for youths ages 15-19 and $25 for children ages 6-14.
Wednesday, October 08, 2008
Arapahoe Basin Making Snow
The temperatures dropped Monday night and Arapahoe Basin started making snow for the first time this season at 11:30 p.m.
All eighteen snow guns ran from midway to the base area until 8:00 Tuesday morning.
The race is on to be the first ski area open in North America.A-Basin has held the title for the past two years.
All eighteen snow guns ran from midway to the base area until 8:00 Tuesday morning.
The race is on to be the first ski area open in North America.A-Basin has held the title for the past two years.
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
August Real Estate at a Glance
Transactions are on pace to decline for a second consecutive year. Price, however, continues to increase, albeit at a slower rate than from 2006-2007.
These figures do not reflect September, which is usually the highest-volume month.
Overall, Summit County retains a strong housing market despite the national economic crisis.Here are some August highlights from the real estate world:
- August 2008 has the highest transaction activity that Summit County has seen all year.- The August Gross Residential Volume (new construction and resales) average prices for single family, mulit-family and vacant land continue to surpass the entire years of 2006 and 2007 average prices.
- The Market Analysis by Area YTD eight months reflects an average transaction price for all 19 areas of $563,291 and last August YTD eight months it was $365,500.
- The month of August 2008 shows a 50% decrease from the month of August 2007 in monetary volume. The month of August 2008 indicates a 49% decrease in number of transactions compared to the month of August 2007. However, month to date (eight months of 2008) monetary volume shows a 31% decrease (8 months in 2007). We are showing a 40% decrease (eight months to date) in 2008 with number of transactions in 2007 (8 months to date in 2007).
-103 Residential Improved Units sold for $1 million and over in 2008 (eight months) and 124 Residential Improved Units sold for $1M and over in 2007 (8 months)
- The Percentage Gross figures are very similar for both years with $1M and over transactions in Summit County YTD.
-100% Cash transactions in Summit County continue to be very steady — 39% of real estate closings were cash transactions at the time of closing in August 2008.
These figures do not reflect September, which is usually the highest-volume month.
Overall, Summit County retains a strong housing market despite the national economic crisis.Here are some August highlights from the real estate world:
- August 2008 has the highest transaction activity that Summit County has seen all year.- The August Gross Residential Volume (new construction and resales) average prices for single family, mulit-family and vacant land continue to surpass the entire years of 2006 and 2007 average prices.
- The Market Analysis by Area YTD eight months reflects an average transaction price for all 19 areas of $563,291 and last August YTD eight months it was $365,500.
- The month of August 2008 shows a 50% decrease from the month of August 2007 in monetary volume. The month of August 2008 indicates a 49% decrease in number of transactions compared to the month of August 2007. However, month to date (eight months of 2008) monetary volume shows a 31% decrease (8 months in 2007). We are showing a 40% decrease (eight months to date) in 2008 with number of transactions in 2007 (8 months to date in 2007).
-103 Residential Improved Units sold for $1 million and over in 2008 (eight months) and 124 Residential Improved Units sold for $1M and over in 2007 (8 months)
- The Percentage Gross figures are very similar for both years with $1M and over transactions in Summit County YTD.
-100% Cash transactions in Summit County continue to be very steady — 39% of real estate closings were cash transactions at the time of closing in August 2008.
Sunday, August 17, 2008
Copper Mountain Approves Plan
Summit County commissioners recently approved a plan to re-distribute about 420 units of previously approved, unbuilt density at Copper Mountain, focusing development in the core of the resort.
Copper Mt. officials said the redevelopment will breathe new life into the resort's base area by building a critical mass of beds and commercial activity with the addition of new residential units and a condo-hotel on the site of the Chapel parking lot.
The approved amendment to the resort's planned-unit development — a site-specific master plan — is a scaled-down version of several previously denied proposals. The earlier versions included significant new density that was unacceptable to the county.
“We're very pleased with the approval we received for the PUD amendment today,” said Copper president and chief operating officer Gary Rodgers, thanking the commissioners, as well as county and resort planners for all the hard work on the project.
Copper Mt. officials said the redevelopment will breathe new life into the resort's base area by building a critical mass of beds and commercial activity with the addition of new residential units and a condo-hotel on the site of the Chapel parking lot.
The approved amendment to the resort's planned-unit development — a site-specific master plan — is a scaled-down version of several previously denied proposals. The earlier versions included significant new density that was unacceptable to the county.
“We're very pleased with the approval we received for the PUD amendment today,” said Copper president and chief operating officer Gary Rodgers, thanking the commissioners, as well as county and resort planners for all the hard work on the project.
Monday, August 11, 2008
County Adds Open Space
The county has finalized a $350,000 acquisition of a parcel of land along a half-mile of Green Mountain Reservoir shoreline (north of Breckenridge), eliminating the potential for development and protecting wildlife habitat and view corridors.
“Development on this site would have been highly visible from Highway 9 and almost any point on the reservoir,” said Brian Lorch, director of Summit County Open Space and Trails.
“With this site in public ownership, we can work with the U.S. Forest Service to manage the whole area for public benefit.”
The McDonald Flats property also provides habitat for rare non-game wildlife species and big game.
“This is another key piece in protecting the heritage of the Lower Blue Basin," said Summit County Commissioner Tom Long.
“We feel fortunate that the Knorr Ranch family members, who have ranched in the valley for generations, worked with us to protect their legacy.”
The county's Open Space Advisory Council will take public input to develop a management plan for the property.
“Development on this site would have been highly visible from Highway 9 and almost any point on the reservoir,” said Brian Lorch, director of Summit County Open Space and Trails.
“With this site in public ownership, we can work with the U.S. Forest Service to manage the whole area for public benefit.”
The McDonald Flats property also provides habitat for rare non-game wildlife species and big game.
“This is another key piece in protecting the heritage of the Lower Blue Basin," said Summit County Commissioner Tom Long.
“We feel fortunate that the Knorr Ranch family members, who have ranched in the valley for generations, worked with us to protect their legacy.”
The county's Open Space Advisory Council will take public input to develop a management plan for the property.
Sunday, August 03, 2008
Dillon Reservoir Hosts Races
The Dillon Reservoir was flooded with sail boats yesterday afternoon, as the Alpine Bank Dillon Open kicked off.
The 86 boats were divided into 10 fleets. One-design keelboat fleets — similar type of boats that race against each other without a handicap — include Etchells, J22, J24 , J80, Ensigns, Santana 20, Stars and Ultimate 20s.
A separate fleet, labeled the PHRF, allows dissimilar boats to race against one another and be scored with a handicap system based on the estimated speed of each boat. The J24 fleet was the largest with 12 boats. The dinghy sailboat fleet, called Lasers, was raced on a separate course also on the reservoir.
Participants and boats came from Texas, Georgia, New Mexico and South Dakota. Some bring their own boats, but with the cost of gas, the number of boats towed in from out of town has declined. Some crews were sailing with local skippers that they may or may not have met before, while others manage to borrow or charter a boat and bring their entire crew.
The 86 boats were divided into 10 fleets. One-design keelboat fleets — similar type of boats that race against each other without a handicap — include Etchells, J22, J24 , J80, Ensigns, Santana 20, Stars and Ultimate 20s.
A separate fleet, labeled the PHRF, allows dissimilar boats to race against one another and be scored with a handicap system based on the estimated speed of each boat. The J24 fleet was the largest with 12 boats. The dinghy sailboat fleet, called Lasers, was raced on a separate course also on the reservoir.
Participants and boats came from Texas, Georgia, New Mexico and South Dakota. Some bring their own boats, but with the cost of gas, the number of boats towed in from out of town has declined. Some crews were sailing with local skippers that they may or may not have met before, while others manage to borrow or charter a boat and bring their entire crew.
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Friends of Breckenridge Trails
2008 volunteer events for the Friends of Breckenridge Trails are as follows:
Peabody Middle Flume Trail Connection - June 14 and July 14
Cucumber Weed Pull - June 28 and August 2
Pulling for Colorado - July 12
Nightmare on Baldy - July 19 and 20.
B-Line Trail Construction - August 16.
For more information contact scottr@townofbreckenridge.com or 970-547-3155
Peabody Middle Flume Trail Connection - June 14 and July 14
Cucumber Weed Pull - June 28 and August 2
Pulling for Colorado - July 12
Nightmare on Baldy - July 19 and 20.
B-Line Trail Construction - August 16.
For more information contact scottr@townofbreckenridge.com or 970-547-3155
Wednesday, May 07, 2008
Golf Course Openings
Summit County golf courses anticipate opening near Memorial Day as lingering snow continues to melt.
At the Breckenridge Golf Club, the greens of the Bear, Beaver and Elk nines are uncovered but “so much snow” remains on the courses, said head golf professional Erroll Miller.
Miller said crews are raking, vacuuming and “getting bunkers back into shape” as the club hopes to open the courses May 24. Last year they opened before Memorial Day.
The Raven Golf Club at Three Peaks superintendent Trevor Broersma said snow pushed back the course’s typical May 15 opening date now estimated for May 23.
The Keystone Ranch Golf Course is scheduled to open June 6 and the River Course at Keystone is planned for May 23, according to the Keystone Resort Web site at keystone.snow.com/info/courses.
At Copper Creek Golf Club, snowblowers are at work toward a potential opening the first week in June. “We always shoot for early June; we haven’t released an opening date yet,” said Copper Creek public relations manager Lauren Pelletreau. She said golf at 9,600 feet is not an exact science, as much depends on the weather. The National Weather Service predicts slight chances of snow or rain countywide the rest of this week.
At the Breckenridge Golf Club, the greens of the Bear, Beaver and Elk nines are uncovered but “so much snow” remains on the courses, said head golf professional Erroll Miller.
Miller said crews are raking, vacuuming and “getting bunkers back into shape” as the club hopes to open the courses May 24. Last year they opened before Memorial Day.
The Raven Golf Club at Three Peaks superintendent Trevor Broersma said snow pushed back the course’s typical May 15 opening date now estimated for May 23.
The Keystone Ranch Golf Course is scheduled to open June 6 and the River Course at Keystone is planned for May 23, according to the Keystone Resort Web site at keystone.snow.com/info/courses.
At Copper Creek Golf Club, snowblowers are at work toward a potential opening the first week in June. “We always shoot for early June; we haven’t released an opening date yet,” said Copper Creek public relations manager Lauren Pelletreau. She said golf at 9,600 feet is not an exact science, as much depends on the weather. The National Weather Service predicts slight chances of snow or rain countywide the rest of this week.
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
Keystone Plans
Vail Resort executives will present their latest plans for Keystone at a meeting of the Keystone Citizens League tomorrow.
The meeting is open to the public and will be an opportunity to learn about the redevelopment of the Mountain House base and the new gondola being built at River Run this summer.
“This is the most exciting time for Keystone since Ralston started talking about River Run,” said Amir Pambechy, president of the Keystone Citizens League. “Until now, we've been on the back burner, now we're in the spotlight.”
The meeting is open to the public and will be an opportunity to learn about the redevelopment of the Mountain House base and the new gondola being built at River Run this summer.
“This is the most exciting time for Keystone since Ralston started talking about River Run,” said Amir Pambechy, president of the Keystone Citizens League. “Until now, we've been on the back burner, now we're in the spotlight.”
Sunday, March 02, 2008
Breckenridge Gold Run Nordic Center
An experimental Nordic trail loop at the Breckenridge Gold Run Nordic Center may soon become a more permanent addition to the Town of Breckenridge.
For the past two seasons, temporary permission, through Summit County and U.S. Forest Service, was given to groom the experimental trail that starts at the Jessie Mill site, goes up to the Preston town site and loops using Turnpike, Draw and Extension Mill routes.
Town staff is working on a Gold Run Nordic Center Master Development Plan through the forest service to continue the loop as well as look at future expansion.
A feasibility assessment of extending Nordic trails from the existing Gold Run Nordic Center into areas of the Golden Horseshoe began and was recently completed. According to a memo summary of the findings, the Golden Horseshoe is an “exceptional” location to expand operations.
Town staff will be pursuing a conditional use permit to proceed with phase one of the Nordic expansion.
For the past two seasons, temporary permission, through Summit County and U.S. Forest Service, was given to groom the experimental trail that starts at the Jessie Mill site, goes up to the Preston town site and loops using Turnpike, Draw and Extension Mill routes.
Town staff is working on a Gold Run Nordic Center Master Development Plan through the forest service to continue the loop as well as look at future expansion.
A feasibility assessment of extending Nordic trails from the existing Gold Run Nordic Center into areas of the Golden Horseshoe began and was recently completed. According to a memo summary of the findings, the Golden Horseshoe is an “exceptional” location to expand operations.
Town staff will be pursuing a conditional use permit to proceed with phase one of the Nordic expansion.
Friday, February 29, 2008
Limiting Offices on Brecekenridge Main Street Debate Continues
After gathering community feedback about limiting ground floor office space on Main Street, Breckenridge Town council members decided they needed to take a deeper look at the concerns and all possibilities.
Town staff recently provided information from a recent public open house on the topic to the council.
The three options the council is exploring include prohibiting new offices, allowing new offices separated by a set distance, or taking no action.
With all options, current office uses could remain that way even if sold.
Discussions about limiting office space on Main Street first arose more than a year ago out of concern for the area’s vitality. And while everyone who attended the community open house agreed they wanted to maintain vitality, the most favorable option from those who attended was taking no action, Mark Truckey, assistant director of community development, told the council.
Town staff recently provided information from a recent public open house on the topic to the council.
The three options the council is exploring include prohibiting new offices, allowing new offices separated by a set distance, or taking no action.
With all options, current office uses could remain that way even if sold.
Discussions about limiting office space on Main Street first arose more than a year ago out of concern for the area’s vitality. And while everyone who attended the community open house agreed they wanted to maintain vitality, the most favorable option from those who attended was taking no action, Mark Truckey, assistant director of community development, told the council.
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
Keystone/Breckenridge Land Swap Moving Forward
The proposed swap of private land in the old Chihuahua town site along Peru Creek, near Keystone, involving the U.S. Forest Service and the Town of Breckenridge won’t encounter any substantive opposition from Summit County, commissioners indicated at their recent work session.
Forest Service land specialist Paul Semmer presented the board of commissioners with the particulars of the swap, which will allow his agency to acquire about 40 acres of undeveloped land from Keystone-area developer Gary Miller, who owns the Chihuahua site along with several partners, in exchange for Dercum Dash, a little more than 20 valuable acres directly east of the River Run Gondola in Keystone.
The proposed swap also includes two parcels of Forest Service land in Breckenridge: the “Wedge,” about 42 acres in Cucumber Gulch, and the “Claimjumper,” about 10 acres along Airport Road.
If the swap goes as planned, the Town of Breckenridge will buy both parcels, with the intention of maintaining the Wedge as open space and developing at least a portion of the Claimjumper as affordable housing. Semmer emphasized that years of planning have already gone into the swap proposal, and the commissioners agreed.
Forest Service land specialist Paul Semmer presented the board of commissioners with the particulars of the swap, which will allow his agency to acquire about 40 acres of undeveloped land from Keystone-area developer Gary Miller, who owns the Chihuahua site along with several partners, in exchange for Dercum Dash, a little more than 20 valuable acres directly east of the River Run Gondola in Keystone.
The proposed swap also includes two parcels of Forest Service land in Breckenridge: the “Wedge,” about 42 acres in Cucumber Gulch, and the “Claimjumper,” about 10 acres along Airport Road.
If the swap goes as planned, the Town of Breckenridge will buy both parcels, with the intention of maintaining the Wedge as open space and developing at least a portion of the Claimjumper as affordable housing. Semmer emphasized that years of planning have already gone into the swap proposal, and the commissioners agreed.
Thursday, February 14, 2008
Highway 9 Improvements on Tap for this Summer
The improvements will widen the road by adding two additional lanes, a raised median, as well as a curb and gutter system.
The new road will also include a school zone in front of Summit High School.
"The construction is going to be broken into three phases," said Angelo Mancina with Zak Dirt construction. "Traffic should move pretty easily during construction but we have to have room to do our work."
The first phase of construction will add a traffic lane to the east side of the road while working on adjacent side streets. Next traffic will be split down the middle and construction crews will install a raised median and drainage pipes. Lastly, construction crews will move to the west side of the road and, if everything goes according to plan, construction should be completed by November.
The total budget for the new expansion is $5.35 million.
The new construction project is just one of the phases involved in the ongoing road expansion that will run from Breckenridge to Frisco. Other projects currently in the design process will continue the expansion of Highway 9 from Valley Brook Road, to Coyne Valley Road, Coyne Valley Road to Tiger Road, and Tiger Road to Agape Church.
The new road will also include a school zone in front of Summit High School.
"The construction is going to be broken into three phases," said Angelo Mancina with Zak Dirt construction. "Traffic should move pretty easily during construction but we have to have room to do our work."
The first phase of construction will add a traffic lane to the east side of the road while working on adjacent side streets. Next traffic will be split down the middle and construction crews will install a raised median and drainage pipes. Lastly, construction crews will move to the west side of the road and, if everything goes according to plan, construction should be completed by November.
The total budget for the new expansion is $5.35 million.
The new construction project is just one of the phases involved in the ongoing road expansion that will run from Breckenridge to Frisco. Other projects currently in the design process will continue the expansion of Highway 9 from Valley Brook Road, to Coyne Valley Road, Coyne Valley Road to Tiger Road, and Tiger Road to Agape Church.
Monday, February 11, 2008
Keystone Mountain House Re-development
Building heights, employee housing and parking were listed as key issues during a recent review of a Vail Resorts proposal to redevelop the Mountain House base area at Keystone.
Similar proposals by Copper Mountain and Vail Resorts have met similar questions from the Board of County Commissioners, who recently gave its first look at the Keystone's proposal to amend development plans for the Mountain House.
Commissioner Thomas Davidson, who previously worked for Vail Resorts at Keystone, said the neighborhood needs updating, but still has questions about the plan. Davidson said the upcoming discussions should give the county and the resort a chance to work on critical countywide issues like employee housing.
Similar proposals by Copper Mountain and Vail Resorts have met similar questions from the Board of County Commissioners, who recently gave its first look at the Keystone's proposal to amend development plans for the Mountain House.
Commissioner Thomas Davidson, who previously worked for Vail Resorts at Keystone, said the neighborhood needs updating, but still has questions about the plan. Davidson said the upcoming discussions should give the county and the resort a chance to work on critical countywide issues like employee housing.
Friday, February 08, 2008
Limit Office Space in Downtown Breckenridge?
The public is invited to an open house discussion about the possibility of restricting the location of new offices in the downtown commercial area of Breckenridge.Breckenridge
The Town Council has discussed the topic occasionally throughout the past year with mixed opinions and is looking for community input.
The idea would be that restricting office uses would ensure Main Street vitality by retaining pedestrian-friendly commercial uses such as retail shops and restaurants.
The open house will be held from 5:30 to 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 20, in the Council Chambers of Breckenridge Town Hall. There, the public will be able to share their thoughts about a series of options.
For more information, contact Mark Truckey in the Breckenridge Community Development Department at (970) 453-3184 or markt@townofbreckenridge.com.
The Town Council has discussed the topic occasionally throughout the past year with mixed opinions and is looking for community input.
The idea would be that restricting office uses would ensure Main Street vitality by retaining pedestrian-friendly commercial uses such as retail shops and restaurants.
The open house will be held from 5:30 to 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 20, in the Council Chambers of Breckenridge Town Hall. There, the public will be able to share their thoughts about a series of options.
For more information, contact Mark Truckey in the Breckenridge Community Development Department at (970) 453-3184 or markt@townofbreckenridge.com.
Monday, January 21, 2008
Breckenridge Heritage Alliance Appoints Director
The Breckenridge Heritage Alliance has named a new executive director.
- Linda Kay Peterson. Ms. Peterson has worked with the Summit Historical Society as a volunteer and tour coordinator and will continue to volunteer for the organization as secretary, while she takes on the lead of the Breckenridge Heritage Alliance.
She's been working with the Alliance since its inception in February of 2007.
The Breckenridge Heritage Alliance promotes heritage tourism in the town through offering tours at and maintaining the local historic sites, along with events like Kingdom Days and outreach programs.
In the year ahead, Peterson said the organization is working with the Breckenridge Arts District to restore historic buildings into art workshop space, along with the National Repertory Orchestra to incorporate history into their concerts.
Breckenridge will celebrate its 150th birthday next year.
- Linda Kay Peterson. Ms. Peterson has worked with the Summit Historical Society as a volunteer and tour coordinator and will continue to volunteer for the organization as secretary, while she takes on the lead of the Breckenridge Heritage Alliance.
She's been working with the Alliance since its inception in February of 2007.
The Breckenridge Heritage Alliance promotes heritage tourism in the town through offering tours at and maintaining the local historic sites, along with events like Kingdom Days and outreach programs.
In the year ahead, Peterson said the organization is working with the Breckenridge Arts District to restore historic buildings into art workshop space, along with the National Repertory Orchestra to incorporate history into their concerts.
Breckenridge will celebrate its 150th birthday next year.
Sunday, January 20, 2008
Old Dillon Reservoir to be Expanded?
The U.S. Forest Service will soon begin a formal review of plans to enlarge Old Dillon Reservoir.
The proposal to increase the reservoir’s surface area from 10 acres to about 16 acres has been in the works for several years.
Pending completion of the Forest Service analysis, work could start on the ground in 2009, said County Commissioner Tom Long.
The project is a partnership between Dillon, Silverthorne and Summit County. Long said all those entities could benefit from an increase in capacity.
Right now, the reservoir, built in the 1930s, holds about 46 acres feet (and acre foot equals about 326,000 gallons).
As envisioned, that capacity would increase to more than 200 acre feet, Long said.
“It’s a strategic spot ... it would be valuable water,” Long said.
The project could be developed at a cost of about $40,000 per acre foot. For the sake of comparison, Long said water from Clinton Gulch reservoir costs about $35,000 per acre foot.
The proposal to increase the reservoir’s surface area from 10 acres to about 16 acres has been in the works for several years.
Pending completion of the Forest Service analysis, work could start on the ground in 2009, said County Commissioner Tom Long.
The project is a partnership between Dillon, Silverthorne and Summit County. Long said all those entities could benefit from an increase in capacity.
Right now, the reservoir, built in the 1930s, holds about 46 acres feet (and acre foot equals about 326,000 gallons).
As envisioned, that capacity would increase to more than 200 acre feet, Long said.
“It’s a strategic spot ... it would be valuable water,” Long said.
The project could be developed at a cost of about $40,000 per acre foot. For the sake of comparison, Long said water from Clinton Gulch reservoir costs about $35,000 per acre foot.
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
Land Swap In Progress
The U.S. Forest Service has formally launched the public process of a land swap in the county. The trade involves several federal parcels, including the Dercum Dash property just east of the River Run Gondola. That parcel has preliminary zoning approval for 24 single-family homes, subject to completion of the land exchange.
The other National Forest lands that would go to private ownership are the Claimjumper and Wedge parcels near the town of Breckenridge. Breckenridge wants to use the lower part of the land, along Airport Road, to expand its affordable housing supply. The upper part would be managed as open space.
The Wedge parcel is a key piece of open space near Cucumber Gulch that will help preserve habitat connectivity from the wetlands in the gulch to nearby upland forest areas.
The key private tract in the deal is the Chihuahua town site along Peru Creek. Keystone-area developer Gary Miller owns the town site along with several partners. He has been trying to trade it for the federal owned Dercum Dash parcel for several years.
In a prepared statement announcing the exchange, the Forest Service said acquisition of the Chihuahua town site is the primary purpose of the deal. The parcel has a diversity of habitats, high quality wetlands and is also a key piece of land for recreation in the Snake River Basin. The Forest Service also cited Chihuahua’s historical significance as a motivation for the trade, with federal ownership “enhancing management” of the parcel and consolidating federal land ownership patterns in the area.
The other National Forest lands that would go to private ownership are the Claimjumper and Wedge parcels near the town of Breckenridge. Breckenridge wants to use the lower part of the land, along Airport Road, to expand its affordable housing supply. The upper part would be managed as open space.
The Wedge parcel is a key piece of open space near Cucumber Gulch that will help preserve habitat connectivity from the wetlands in the gulch to nearby upland forest areas.
The key private tract in the deal is the Chihuahua town site along Peru Creek. Keystone-area developer Gary Miller owns the town site along with several partners. He has been trying to trade it for the federal owned Dercum Dash parcel for several years.
In a prepared statement announcing the exchange, the Forest Service said acquisition of the Chihuahua town site is the primary purpose of the deal. The parcel has a diversity of habitats, high quality wetlands and is also a key piece of land for recreation in the Snake River Basin. The Forest Service also cited Chihuahua’s historical significance as a motivation for the trade, with federal ownership “enhancing management” of the parcel and consolidating federal land ownership patterns in the area.
Monday, January 14, 2008
Summit School District's Water Rights
The Summit School Distict is considering selling water rights it owns near Summit High School.
The district owns 21.87 acre feet and .9928 cfs of the Blue Danube Ditch No. 2 water rights.
While the value has not recently been assessed, about 10 years ago these rights were worth about $220,000, school officials said.
Selling is an option that has been discussed for several years.
And after looking into whether the rights would be more cost effective to use as irrigation for the fields at the high school, it was determined that it is less expensive to purchase the water needed from Breckenridge, said Karen Strakbein, assistant superintendent of business services for the district.
The district owns 21.87 acre feet and .9928 cfs of the Blue Danube Ditch No. 2 water rights.
While the value has not recently been assessed, about 10 years ago these rights were worth about $220,000, school officials said.
Selling is an option that has been discussed for several years.
And after looking into whether the rights would be more cost effective to use as irrigation for the fields at the high school, it was determined that it is less expensive to purchase the water needed from Breckenridge, said Karen Strakbein, assistant superintendent of business services for the district.
Monday, January 07, 2008
Breckenridge Peak 6 Meeting Postponed
An open house to present plans for new lifts and trails on Peak 6 at Breckenridge will not be held January 9 as previously announced by the U.S. Forest Service.
No new date for the meeting and the start of the formal Forest Service review process has been announced yet.
The Forest Service is set to begin evaluating a ski area proposal to add 450 acres of traditional downhill and hike-to skiing accessed by a single lift on Peak 6.
According to a press release issued last month, the agency will do a full-blown Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), the highest level of environmental review, for the project.
Although the formal public involvement process has not yet started, pending notification in the Federal Register, the Forest Service said it will include any public comments already received as part of the review.
No new date for the meeting and the start of the formal Forest Service review process has been announced yet.
The Forest Service is set to begin evaluating a ski area proposal to add 450 acres of traditional downhill and hike-to skiing accessed by a single lift on Peak 6.
According to a press release issued last month, the agency will do a full-blown Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), the highest level of environmental review, for the project.
Although the formal public involvement process has not yet started, pending notification in the Federal Register, the Forest Service said it will include any public comments already received as part of the review.
Tuesday, January 01, 2008
Breckenridge's Ullr Fest
Breckenridge's annual Ullr Fest will take place this January 6-11.
Throughout the week of this annual winter festival, both visitors and locals pay homage to the mythical Norse god of snow, Ullr-and every year he rewards the historic town and world-class ski resort with nearly 300 inches of powder.
In return, Breckenridge throws Ullr the biggest party of the year, with the help of presenting sponsor, Bud Light.
Events include an Ullr skating party, bonfire, dating game, Ullympics, comedy night and the famous Ullr Fest Parade down Main Street.
The 45th Annual Ullr Fest is produced by the Breckenridge Resort Chamber.
Call Carly Grimes at 877-593-5260 or visit http://www.gobreck.com/ for the latest event details and lodging information.
Monday, December 17, 2007
Two Easy Things to do to Prevent Frozen Pipes
Thousands of families have one or more rooms in their homes ruined and their lives disrupted each winter by water pipes freezing and breaking, warns the nation's largest insurer of homes, State Farm Insurance.
According to the Institute for Business and Home Safety, claim payments by all insurance companies over the past decade for these kinds of losses have exceeded $4 billion.
When the outside temperature drops below 20 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 6 degrees Celsius), water pipes in homes with little or no insulation are likely to freeze and break. In fact, a one-eighth inch (3-millimeter) crack in a pipe can spew out more than 250 gallons of water a day, destroying floors, furniture, appliances and personal items.
Homeowners can avoid frozen pipes by having adequate insulation where pipes run along outside walls, floors and ceilings. They can disconnect outside garden hoses, wrap exposed pipes with insulating sleeves or tape, and seal foundation cracks that let arctic air freeze pipes in crawlspaces.
Additionally, there are two simple tasks homeowners can do in about two minutes that can help protect pipes and homes when a severe freeze is predicted: open cabinet doors to allow heat to get to piping under sinks and vanities near exterior walls, and run a small trickle of water at vulnerable cold and hot faucets.
According to the Institute for Business and Home Safety, claim payments by all insurance companies over the past decade for these kinds of losses have exceeded $4 billion.
When the outside temperature drops below 20 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 6 degrees Celsius), water pipes in homes with little or no insulation are likely to freeze and break. In fact, a one-eighth inch (3-millimeter) crack in a pipe can spew out more than 250 gallons of water a day, destroying floors, furniture, appliances and personal items.
Homeowners can avoid frozen pipes by having adequate insulation where pipes run along outside walls, floors and ceilings. They can disconnect outside garden hoses, wrap exposed pipes with insulating sleeves or tape, and seal foundation cracks that let arctic air freeze pipes in crawlspaces.
Additionally, there are two simple tasks homeowners can do in about two minutes that can help protect pipes and homes when a severe freeze is predicted: open cabinet doors to allow heat to get to piping under sinks and vanities near exterior walls, and run a small trickle of water at vulnerable cold and hot faucets.
Tuesday, December 11, 2007
Eagle County Water Deal Could Affect Summit County
A recent deal between Denver Water and Eagle County won't have any immediate effect on reservoir operations and trans-divide diversions in Summit County.
But the agreement could increase the pressure to export more water from Summit County in the long run - or it could provide impetus for an overall settlement that balances West Slope and Front Range interests.
"Anytime something like that happens, it puts a bigger bulls eye on Summit and Grand County," said County Commissioner Tom Long. "It's just a matter of time before they Denver Water) look to start maximizing and exercising their water rights here," Long said.
Under the agreement, Denver Water relinquished long-held rights to water from streams flowing out of the Eagles Nest Wilderness, on the Eagle County side of the Gore Range, including the Upper Eagle River, the Piney River and Turkey Creek.
Plans for developing that water included a pipeline through the Gore Range to North Tenmile Creek and into Dillon Reservoir, for export to the Front Range via the Roberts Tunnel.
But the agreement could increase the pressure to export more water from Summit County in the long run - or it could provide impetus for an overall settlement that balances West Slope and Front Range interests.
"Anytime something like that happens, it puts a bigger bulls eye on Summit and Grand County," said County Commissioner Tom Long. "It's just a matter of time before they Denver Water) look to start maximizing and exercising their water rights here," Long said.
Under the agreement, Denver Water relinquished long-held rights to water from streams flowing out of the Eagles Nest Wilderness, on the Eagle County side of the Gore Range, including the Upper Eagle River, the Piney River and Turkey Creek.
Plans for developing that water included a pipeline through the Gore Range to North Tenmile Creek and into Dillon Reservoir, for export to the Front Range via the Roberts Tunnel.
Friday, November 30, 2007
Silverthorne Annexes More Land
The Silverthorne Town Council annexed another small portion of South Maryland Creek Ranch on Wednesday adding 61 more acres to the 355 that was included into the Town two years ago.
Ranch owner Tom Everist is developing a high-end subdivision on a portion of his ranch on the northern end of town.
He requested the second annexation in May in order to create 12 additional home sites, but still stay within the ranch’s rural residential density of one home per five acres.
With Wednesday’s approval, the subdivision will now include 82 single-family lots and one caretaker unit spread over 416 acres. The ranch development will also include a 61-acre meadow, a 120-acre nature preserve, a 50-acre private lake area and a 20-acre town park.
Ranch owner Tom Everist is developing a high-end subdivision on a portion of his ranch on the northern end of town.
He requested the second annexation in May in order to create 12 additional home sites, but still stay within the ranch’s rural residential density of one home per five acres.
With Wednesday’s approval, the subdivision will now include 82 single-family lots and one caretaker unit spread over 416 acres. The ranch development will also include a 61-acre meadow, a 120-acre nature preserve, a 50-acre private lake area and a 20-acre town park.
Thursday, November 29, 2007
Breckenridge Increases Mill Levy
With a 5-2 vote, Breckenridge Town Council passed the second reading of a ordinance that sets the Town’s 2008 mill levy at 7.52 mills, an increase of 1.45 mills from 2007.
The increase will go to pay the debt related to Breckenridge Recreation Center and Stephen C. West Ice Arena.
As a result, money will be freed up from other funds so the Town can continue to work on its vision plan for a sustainable community, council members said.
A mill is $1 per $1,000 of assessed property value.
The increase will go to pay the debt related to Breckenridge Recreation Center and Stephen C. West Ice Arena.
As a result, money will be freed up from other funds so the Town can continue to work on its vision plan for a sustainable community, council members said.
A mill is $1 per $1,000 of assessed property value.
Tuesday, November 27, 2007
Silverthorne to Underground Utility Lines
Residents of Silverthorne’s older neighborhoods have asked the Town, for years, to underground unsightly utility lines.
The Town is offering to subsidize the high-priced project at $4,000 per lot.
The Silverthorne Town Council cemented its commitment this month by passing a resolution outlining the terms of its contribution. The money would come from $225,000 the Town set aside in next year’s budget for neighborhood improvements.
That same money has been earmarked in the 2009 and 2010 budgets.
The Town’s contribution will likely be about one-third to one-half of the overall cost per lot for undergrounding, said Silverthorne public works director Bill Linfield.
Citizens would only be eligible for the money if their neighborhood petitions the Town to form a special improvement district to pay for the rest of the project.
The Town is offering to subsidize the high-priced project at $4,000 per lot.
The Silverthorne Town Council cemented its commitment this month by passing a resolution outlining the terms of its contribution. The money would come from $225,000 the Town set aside in next year’s budget for neighborhood improvements.
That same money has been earmarked in the 2009 and 2010 budgets.
The Town’s contribution will likely be about one-third to one-half of the overall cost per lot for undergrounding, said Silverthorne public works director Bill Linfield.
Citizens would only be eligible for the money if their neighborhood petitions the Town to form a special improvement district to pay for the rest of the project.
Monday, November 19, 2007
Frisco Museum Undergoing Evaluation
The Frisco Historic Park and Museum is one of 111 museums around the country that will go through an in-depth assessment by the American Association of Museums (AAM) and the Institute of Museum and Library Services. Those organizations use a guided self-study process and on-site consultations with museum professionals to evaluate its current practices and establish priorities to achieve professional museum standards.
The idea is to help the Frisco museum plan how to best and most effectively serve the community."We welcome these museums into a process of self-reflection and improvement and congratulate them on their commitment to field-wide excellence," said Ford W. Bell, President of AAM. "Our nation's museums are already high performing and strong organizations.
The Frisco Historic Park and Museum is open to the public Tuesday through Saturday: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sundays 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.; Closed Mondays. A self-guided tour of 12 original historic buildings lets visitors explore the park at their own pace. Admission is free, however donations are appreciated.
The idea is to help the Frisco museum plan how to best and most effectively serve the community."We welcome these museums into a process of self-reflection and improvement and congratulate them on their commitment to field-wide excellence," said Ford W. Bell, President of AAM. "Our nation's museums are already high performing and strong organizations.
The Frisco Historic Park and Museum is open to the public Tuesday through Saturday: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sundays 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.; Closed Mondays. A self-guided tour of 12 original historic buildings lets visitors explore the park at their own pace. Admission is free, however donations are appreciated.
Saturday, November 17, 2007
Backcountry Huts Open for the Season
Francies's Cabin, Janet's Cabin, Ken's Cabin and the Section House all will open for the season on November 21.
These are backcountry huts, availabe for rent for an overnight stay. Accesable by snowshoe or backcountry skis.
For more information call 970-453-8583 or log onto www.summithuts.org
These are backcountry huts, availabe for rent for an overnight stay. Accesable by snowshoe or backcountry skis.
For more information call 970-453-8583 or log onto www.summithuts.org
Saturday, November 03, 2007
Dog Park Discussions
The Town of Breckenridge will hold a public comment meeting next Tuesday on the future uses of Carter Park. The meeting will be held in the Council Chambers at Breckenridge Town Hall.
Throughout the past several months, residents have met with Town staff regarding the current seasonal dog park plan at Carter Park. Out of those discussions, they arrived at two options for a permanent dog park. Now, the Town is seeking input regarding each plan at the meeting from 5 to 6:30 p.m. Tuesday.
“This has been a collaborative effort fueled by concerned citizens from the beginning when we came up with the seasonal plan,” Chief of Breckenridge Police Rick Holman said in a press release. “Citizens have told us that the current seasonal plan doesn’t work so we went back to the drawing board with those same citizens and are ready to present some new solutions. With the input that we will gather during the November meeting, we feel confident we will arrive at a plan that meets the community’s needs.”
For more information, contact Holman at (970) 547-3163 or e-mail rickh@townofbreckenridge.com.
Throughout the past several months, residents have met with Town staff regarding the current seasonal dog park plan at Carter Park. Out of those discussions, they arrived at two options for a permanent dog park. Now, the Town is seeking input regarding each plan at the meeting from 5 to 6:30 p.m. Tuesday.
“This has been a collaborative effort fueled by concerned citizens from the beginning when we came up with the seasonal plan,” Chief of Breckenridge Police Rick Holman said in a press release. “Citizens have told us that the current seasonal plan doesn’t work so we went back to the drawing board with those same citizens and are ready to present some new solutions. With the input that we will gather during the November meeting, we feel confident we will arrive at a plan that meets the community’s needs.”
For more information, contact Holman at (970) 547-3163 or e-mail rickh@townofbreckenridge.com.
Thursday, November 01, 2007
Keystone Opens for the Season
Keystone Resort will open for the season a week earlier than anticipated due to October snowfall and favorable snow-making conditions.
The county’s largest ski area will open tomorrow (Friday) with a 12-inch base, according to Keystone communications coordinator Lindsey Fussenegger.
Copper Mountain Resort is also set to open Friday morning.
Keystone will start the season with service on the River Run Gondola delivering skiers and riders to the intermediate Spring Dipper trail. Limited beginner skiing will be available in the designated learning area on top of Dercum Mountain. The Summit Express Chairlift will also be operating, as well as the mid-mountain Montezuma Express.
Skiers and riders will need to download on the gondola or the Summit Express at the day’s end. All skier access and services will be provided in the River Run Village base area.
The A51 Terrain Park will be open, offering 20 rails, boxes, walls and other features.
The mountain will be open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and adult lift tickets cost $59.
Keystone’s season opener festivities continue next week with a special one-day sneak peek of night skiing and riding on Friday, Nov. 9 from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. The resort’s fourth annual 36 Hours of Keystone returns Nov. 30 through Dec. 1. For more information, visit www.keystone.snow.com.
The county’s largest ski area will open tomorrow (Friday) with a 12-inch base, according to Keystone communications coordinator Lindsey Fussenegger.
Copper Mountain Resort is also set to open Friday morning.
Keystone will start the season with service on the River Run Gondola delivering skiers and riders to the intermediate Spring Dipper trail. Limited beginner skiing will be available in the designated learning area on top of Dercum Mountain. The Summit Express Chairlift will also be operating, as well as the mid-mountain Montezuma Express.
Skiers and riders will need to download on the gondola or the Summit Express at the day’s end. All skier access and services will be provided in the River Run Village base area.
The A51 Terrain Park will be open, offering 20 rails, boxes, walls and other features.
The mountain will be open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and adult lift tickets cost $59.
Keystone’s season opener festivities continue next week with a special one-day sneak peek of night skiing and riding on Friday, Nov. 9 from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. The resort’s fourth annual 36 Hours of Keystone returns Nov. 30 through Dec. 1. For more information, visit www.keystone.snow.com.
Monday, October 29, 2007
Blue River to Vote on Tax Increase
Blue River voters will decide on November 6 whether to raise their property taxes by $100,000 per year to pay for road improvements and maintenance and to build a second bridge on Mountain View Drive for emergency access.
If the ballot question passes, the town’s mill levy could be raised up to three mills to a maximum of 15.29 mills.
“This gives us the ability to use some of the money should we need it. That doesn’t mean we’re automatically going to raise it. It’ll be there if we need it,” Blue River Mayor Lindsay Backas said.
The Town of Blue River doesn’t have any commercial businesses, and therefore is not supported by sales tax. Instead, it relies almost solely on property taxes to pay for services for its residents, Backas said.
The town spends a third of its approximately $690,000 budget on public safety, a third on snow removal and plowing and a third on road grading in the summer, leaving little room for larger projects, she said.
One of the town’s priorities is fixing Blue River Road, which needs new culverts, that cost about $250,000. Another is building a new bridge to connect the subdivisions on the east side of the Blue River to Highway 9 to provide a second route for emergency access.
If the ballot question passes, the town’s mill levy could be raised up to three mills to a maximum of 15.29 mills.
“This gives us the ability to use some of the money should we need it. That doesn’t mean we’re automatically going to raise it. It’ll be there if we need it,” Blue River Mayor Lindsay Backas said.
The Town of Blue River doesn’t have any commercial businesses, and therefore is not supported by sales tax. Instead, it relies almost solely on property taxes to pay for services for its residents, Backas said.
The town spends a third of its approximately $690,000 budget on public safety, a third on snow removal and plowing and a third on road grading in the summer, leaving little room for larger projects, she said.
One of the town’s priorities is fixing Blue River Road, which needs new culverts, that cost about $250,000. Another is building a new bridge to connect the subdivisions on the east side of the Blue River to Highway 9 to provide a second route for emergency access.
Saturday, October 27, 2007
Construction of New Roof for River Walk Center Underway
The Riverwalk Center in Breckenridge must have its hardshell cover and sides done before the National Repertory Orchestra musicians show up in early June of 2008, and they’ve hired a construction company with the capability to get it done, Kim DiLallo, director of communications for Breckenridge said.
The town is taking things slow to start to work out the kinks, but DiLallo is confident the facility will be well-utilized.
“It’s important to provide an incredible home for the Breckenridge Music Festival and National Repertory Orchestra, our two anchor tenants. We want to make sure we get it right and good for them first and then fill in programming as we can,” DiLallo said.
At this point, the town is not actively seeking more programming for the winter seasons, instead focusing on use issues for this winter while construction is taking place.
DiLallo said the construction schedule has been worked out to accommodate the International Snow Sculpture Championships which take place in the Riverwalk parking lot for a week in January.
The town is taking things slow to start to work out the kinks, but DiLallo is confident the facility will be well-utilized.
“It’s important to provide an incredible home for the Breckenridge Music Festival and National Repertory Orchestra, our two anchor tenants. We want to make sure we get it right and good for them first and then fill in programming as we can,” DiLallo said.
At this point, the town is not actively seeking more programming for the winter seasons, instead focusing on use issues for this winter while construction is taking place.
DiLallo said the construction schedule has been worked out to accommodate the International Snow Sculpture Championships which take place in the Riverwalk parking lot for a week in January.
Wednesday, October 24, 2007
BOEC Seeks Volunteers
Breckenridge Outdoor Education Center (BOEC) is seeking ski and snowboard volunteers.
Assist on adaptive ski and ride lessons, working with individuals with disabilities and special needs.
Join them for an open house at our Breckenridge ski office on Saturday, Oct. 27, from 6:30-8:30 p.m. in the Village Base Area, Maggie Pond level.
Or, learn more at the Keystone Adaptive Center (a program of the BOEC) on Thursday, Nov. 1 from 6:30-8:30 p.m., Mountain House Base Area, Guest Services Building.
Must be an intermediate level skier or rider; three days/month equals opportunity for a season pass.
For more information contact Jennifer Schappert, Volunteer Coordinator, at (970) 453-5633 or email volunteer@boec.org. Or visit http://www.boec
Assist on adaptive ski and ride lessons, working with individuals with disabilities and special needs.
Join them for an open house at our Breckenridge ski office on Saturday, Oct. 27, from 6:30-8:30 p.m. in the Village Base Area, Maggie Pond level.
Or, learn more at the Keystone Adaptive Center (a program of the BOEC) on Thursday, Nov. 1 from 6:30-8:30 p.m., Mountain House Base Area, Guest Services Building.
Must be an intermediate level skier or rider; three days/month equals opportunity for a season pass.
For more information contact Jennifer Schappert, Volunteer Coordinator, at (970) 453-5633 or email volunteer@boec.org. Or visit http://www.boec
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
Another Sign Winter is Just Around the Corner
Trail Ridge Road across the high tundra of Rocky Mountain National Park closed for the season on Monday.
The road reaches more than 12,000 feet above sea level.
It's the highest continuous paved road in the nation, and winter wind and snow make it impossible to keep open.
Park officials say it closed Monday. The road connects Estes Park on the east with Grand Lake on the west.
The road reaches more than 12,000 feet above sea level.
It's the highest continuous paved road in the nation, and winter wind and snow make it impossible to keep open.
Park officials say it closed Monday. The road connects Estes Park on the east with Grand Lake on the west.
Sunday, October 21, 2007
More Snow Hits Summit County
The latest storm has brought snow, icy and snowpack conditions to most of the roads in Summit County.
Chain restrictions are in effect on US 6 Loveland Pass, Interstate 70 Eisenhower Tunnel Eastbound, Interstate 70 Vail Pass East and Westbound, and Southbound Hwy 9 from Frisco to Hoosier pass.
A winter storm warning is in effect until 6 p.m. this evening as snow will increase in intensity across the mountains this morning and then diminish during the late afternoon hours.
Total accumulations of 6 to 14 inches can be expected.
North winds of 15 to 25 mph gusting above timberline will produce areas of blowing and drifting snow.
Highs today will be in the mid 20's with the wind chill making it feel like single digit temperatures
.As of 5 a.m. this morning, both Arapahoe Basin and Loveland Ski Area reported three inches of new snow.
Chain restrictions are in effect on US 6 Loveland Pass, Interstate 70 Eisenhower Tunnel Eastbound, Interstate 70 Vail Pass East and Westbound, and Southbound Hwy 9 from Frisco to Hoosier pass.
A winter storm warning is in effect until 6 p.m. this evening as snow will increase in intensity across the mountains this morning and then diminish during the late afternoon hours.
Total accumulations of 6 to 14 inches can be expected.
North winds of 15 to 25 mph gusting above timberline will produce areas of blowing and drifting snow.
Highs today will be in the mid 20's with the wind chill making it feel like single digit temperatures
.As of 5 a.m. this morning, both Arapahoe Basin and Loveland Ski Area reported three inches of new snow.
Saturday, October 20, 2007
Two Ski Areas Open, More to Open Soon
Arapahoe Basin, had one run open as of yesterday, the beginner level High Noon, which winds down to the base from the Exhibition Lift.
The High Divide Terrain Park is also open.
A total of 20 acres is open at the hill with an 18 inch base.
Over the pass at Loveland Ski Area, Spillway, the short intermediate trail under Chair 1 opened on Friday, and Lower Richards Run, another intermediate was set to open today, according to Loveland marketing director John Sellers.
That's in addition to the beginner Mambo and Home Run trails that opened on Tuesday, Loveland's first day of the season.
Sellers said that with snow in the forecast Saturday and Sunday, more trails should be opening soon. Loveland also has an 18-inch base.
The other resorts in the area are gearing up for their respective seasons to start. Copper Mountain Resort is next in line, with a scheduled opening date of Nov. 2. Keystone and Breckenridge will follow on Nov. 9.
The High Divide Terrain Park is also open.
A total of 20 acres is open at the hill with an 18 inch base.
Over the pass at Loveland Ski Area, Spillway, the short intermediate trail under Chair 1 opened on Friday, and Lower Richards Run, another intermediate was set to open today, according to Loveland marketing director John Sellers.
That's in addition to the beginner Mambo and Home Run trails that opened on Tuesday, Loveland's first day of the season.
Sellers said that with snow in the forecast Saturday and Sunday, more trails should be opening soon. Loveland also has an 18-inch base.
The other resorts in the area are gearing up for their respective seasons to start. Copper Mountain Resort is next in line, with a scheduled opening date of Nov. 2. Keystone and Breckenridge will follow on Nov. 9.
Thursday, October 18, 2007
Chamber Generates Dollars
An evaluation done by the Breckenridge Resort Chamber found the group's marketing efforts in 2006 generated anywhere from $39 million to $63 million in tourist spending in the town, representing at least a 166 percent return on investment for the BRC's budget.
The BRC's efforts to quantify its contributions to the town won general praise from Breckenridge officials, and because of the strong performance the study shows, the group is asking for more than $600,000 in additional funding next year from Breckenridge.
But Town officials are split in both their support for more BRC funding and their reactions to the evaluation's findings.
The BRC's efforts to quantify its contributions to the town won general praise from Breckenridge officials, and because of the strong performance the study shows, the group is asking for more than $600,000 in additional funding next year from Breckenridge.
But Town officials are split in both their support for more BRC funding and their reactions to the evaluation's findings.
Wednesday, October 17, 2007
Home Depot for Silverthorne?
Home Depot has purchased land in Silverthorne and is exploring the possibility of building a store in town, according to Mike Ciletti, a principal with Denver-based Phase Line Strategies, a consulting firm hired by Home Depot to look for alternative store locations to Frisco.
The land, three parcels in total, is located just south of Interstate 70 on S. Adams Avenue near the fairgrounds.
Ciletti said the purchase was a joint venture between the land owners and Home Depot.
Part of the reason the company purchased the land was because of the positive state of the real estate market in Summit County, Ciletti said
All three parcels are already zoned light commercial, and a Home Depot would fall into the use-by-right category, said Silverthorne town manager Kevin Batchelder.
The land, three parcels in total, is located just south of Interstate 70 on S. Adams Avenue near the fairgrounds.
Ciletti said the purchase was a joint venture between the land owners and Home Depot.
Part of the reason the company purchased the land was because of the positive state of the real estate market in Summit County, Ciletti said
All three parcels are already zoned light commercial, and a Home Depot would fall into the use-by-right category, said Silverthorne town manager Kevin Batchelder.
Tuesday, October 16, 2007
Second Ski Area in Colorado Opens for the Season
Loveland Ski Area opened this morning - the second ski area in Colorado (and North America) to open for the 2007/08 season.
An 18 inch base, supplemented by a weekend snowfall that measured 10 inches in my back yard, gave Loveland a great start to the ski/snowboard season.
We will see many more ski areas open in the next few weeks. Tomorrow's forcase is for more snow. It looks as though winter has begun in Colorado.
Friday, October 12, 2007
Summit Foundation Philanthropy Nominations
The Summit Foundation is accepting nominations to honor and recognize outstanding philanthropy in Summit County. This year's event will be held on Friday, Nov. 16, from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Keystone Conference Center.
Deadline for receipt of nominations is noon on Monday, Oct. 15.
Since the inception of the program in 1991, 169 individuals, organizations and businesses have been recognized for their outstanding philanthropic efforts in Summit County.
This year's awards will be presented in recognition of outstanding contributions in nine categories: Outstanding Philanthropist, Outstanding Volunteer, Outstanding Board Member, Outstanding Citizen, Outstanding Youth, Outstanding Professional in a Nonprofit Organization ("seasoned" and "novice"), Outstanding Educator, Outstanding Business and/or Corporation and Outstanding Nonprofit/Community Organization.
Nominations will be accepted for Summit County individuals, organizations and businesses only but may be submitted for more than one nominee in more than one category. You will be notified if your nominee is selected to receive an award.
For more information about making a contribution to the foundation or to obtain Philanthropy Day nomination forms, please contact The Summit Foundation office at (970) 453-5970 or at www.summitfoundation.org, and click on the "About Us" and "Philanthropy Day" tab. Completed nomination forms should be received in the Foundation office, 108 North French Street, (P.O. Box 4000), Breckenridge, no later than noon on Monday, Oct. 15.
Deadline for receipt of nominations is noon on Monday, Oct. 15.
Since the inception of the program in 1991, 169 individuals, organizations and businesses have been recognized for their outstanding philanthropic efforts in Summit County.
This year's awards will be presented in recognition of outstanding contributions in nine categories: Outstanding Philanthropist, Outstanding Volunteer, Outstanding Board Member, Outstanding Citizen, Outstanding Youth, Outstanding Professional in a Nonprofit Organization ("seasoned" and "novice"), Outstanding Educator, Outstanding Business and/or Corporation and Outstanding Nonprofit/Community Organization.
Nominations will be accepted for Summit County individuals, organizations and businesses only but may be submitted for more than one nominee in more than one category. You will be notified if your nominee is selected to receive an award.
For more information about making a contribution to the foundation or to obtain Philanthropy Day nomination forms, please contact The Summit Foundation office at (970) 453-5970 or at www.summitfoundation.org, and click on the "About Us" and "Philanthropy Day" tab. Completed nomination forms should be received in the Foundation office, 108 North French Street, (P.O. Box 4000), Breckenridge, no later than noon on Monday, Oct. 15.
Tuesday, October 09, 2007
Arapahoe Basin Ski Area Opens
Arapahoe Basin ski area officials announce that its opening day for the 2007-2008 ski season will be tomorrow, Wednesday, October 10, 2007. This marks Arapahoe Basin’s earliest opening in its 61 years of operation. Last year the ski area was the first to open in the nation and this year A-Basin continues that trend.
The Exhibition chair will open to the public at 9:00 a.m. Wednesday. Skiers and riders can look forward to an 18-inch base on the intermediate High Noon run and some features in the High Divide terrain park. The will be no beginner skiing at this time.
New this season, A-Basin will introduce Montezuma Bowl, 400 acres of lift served groomed runs, glades, chutes and wide-open bowl skiing. The new expansion is expected to open sometime in late December, snow conditions permitting.
The Exhibition chair will open to the public at 9:00 a.m. Wednesday. Skiers and riders can look forward to an 18-inch base on the intermediate High Noon run and some features in the High Divide terrain park. The will be no beginner skiing at this time.
New this season, A-Basin will introduce Montezuma Bowl, 400 acres of lift served groomed runs, glades, chutes and wide-open bowl skiing. The new expansion is expected to open sometime in late December, snow conditions permitting.
Thursday, October 04, 2007
Silverthorne Updating Height Restrictions
Silverthorne is proposing new height restrictions in different parts of town as part of its comprehensive plan update.T
he height limit for all commercial buildings in Silverthorne is 35 feet, although builders are given some leeway for architectural features.
The new proposal would allow buildings up to 50 feet on either side of Interstate 70, where the La Quinta is already 76 feet and the Day’s Inn reaches 52 feet and around the Summit Place Shopping Center and the Red Village of the Outlets at Silverthorne.
The two hotels are considered legal, non-conforming projects because town records don’t show how their respective heights were approved, according to town planner Mary Devlin.
The height limit would taper down to 45 feet around where the Silverthorne Pavilion is located, as well as the Blue Village of the Outlets at Silverthorne. The east side of the Blue River from Tanglewood Lane down to 6th Street would lower to 40 feet, as well as the commercial area west of Adams Ave. behind the Outlets’ Blue Village.
Most of the other commercial areas would remain at 35 feet and the residential height limit of 25 feet wouldn’t change.
Devlin said the proposed numbers came from the community development department, as well as suggestions from the town council, on where best additional height could be accommodated and still maintain the character of the town.
he height limit for all commercial buildings in Silverthorne is 35 feet, although builders are given some leeway for architectural features.
The new proposal would allow buildings up to 50 feet on either side of Interstate 70, where the La Quinta is already 76 feet and the Day’s Inn reaches 52 feet and around the Summit Place Shopping Center and the Red Village of the Outlets at Silverthorne.
The two hotels are considered legal, non-conforming projects because town records don’t show how their respective heights were approved, according to town planner Mary Devlin.
The height limit would taper down to 45 feet around where the Silverthorne Pavilion is located, as well as the Blue Village of the Outlets at Silverthorne. The east side of the Blue River from Tanglewood Lane down to 6th Street would lower to 40 feet, as well as the commercial area west of Adams Ave. behind the Outlets’ Blue Village.
Most of the other commercial areas would remain at 35 feet and the residential height limit of 25 feet wouldn’t change.
Devlin said the proposed numbers came from the community development department, as well as suggestions from the town council, on where best additional height could be accommodated and still maintain the character of the town.
Tuesday, September 25, 2007
Breckenridge Discusses more Main St. Restrictions
After passing an ordinance restricting residential development on Main Street and some surrounding areas, the Breckenridge Town Council is discussing similar restrictions for office space.
The concern is that offices on Main Street take spaces away from retail businesses, which council members said are the main tourist attraction for downtown.
Town Manager Tim Gagen said real estate offices - by far the most common office use on Main Street - account for about 20 percent of Main Street businesses. Many towns with a similar percentage in retail districts have imposed office development restrictions, he said, because some studies show that at that ratio the prevalence of offices starts to reduce pedestrian draw.
As with the residential ordinance, the council expressed support for a grandfather clause for any office space restriction to protect current businesses.
Recently retired realtor Bob Girvin, who owns an office building on Main Street, said he worries that some spaces will remain vacant if office space is restricted. He'd like to see the Town encourage retail instead of discouraging other uses.
I'm with you Bob, let's encourage retail instead of discouraging other uses.
The concern is that offices on Main Street take spaces away from retail businesses, which council members said are the main tourist attraction for downtown.
Town Manager Tim Gagen said real estate offices - by far the most common office use on Main Street - account for about 20 percent of Main Street businesses. Many towns with a similar percentage in retail districts have imposed office development restrictions, he said, because some studies show that at that ratio the prevalence of offices starts to reduce pedestrian draw.
As with the residential ordinance, the council expressed support for a grandfather clause for any office space restriction to protect current businesses.
Recently retired realtor Bob Girvin, who owns an office building on Main Street, said he worries that some spaces will remain vacant if office space is restricted. He'd like to see the Town encourage retail instead of discouraging other uses.
I'm with you Bob, let's encourage retail instead of discouraging other uses.
Saturday, September 22, 2007
Aspens in their Autumn Glory
The Aspens are in their full Autumn Glory. Just look at the photograph Michael took yesterday near Silverthorne.
Monday, September 17, 2007
Colorado’s favorite annual autumn show is getting good reviews even before it opens.
The aspen leaves are beginning to change color.
The late moisture we have received lately has delayed the change of colors and should make it a spectacular year, says Clare Sinacori, spokeswoman for Colorado State Parks.
But don’t get impatient. “We are pretty darn green, still,” Kyle Patterson of Rocky Mountain National Park told the Greeley Tribune. “There is a little tiny bit of color changing at higher elevations, but it’s not really noticeable yet.”
Next week should be the start of the good viewing with the peak following closely thereafter.
That’s of course if wind doesn’t blown them off, or snow cover them.
The photograph above was taken last year by Michael.
Friday, September 14, 2007
Breckenridge Town Council Supports Child Care
The Breckenridge Town Council continued it's support for more quality childcare options in the town when it approved a grant to aid Breckenridge Montessori at a recent council meeting.
The grant gives the chlidcare provider $32,000 to pay off its mortgage debts and more than $40,000 for salary supplements and scholarships in 2007.
Breckenridge Montessori's grant comes after the council approved similar grants for Little Red Schoolhouse and The Carriage House last month.
Breckenridge events and communication manager Kim DiLallo said the grants fulfill the Town's goals to encourage quality, affordable childcare in the community.
The grant gives the chlidcare provider $32,000 to pay off its mortgage debts and more than $40,000 for salary supplements and scholarships in 2007.
Breckenridge Montessori's grant comes after the council approved similar grants for Little Red Schoolhouse and The Carriage House last month.
Breckenridge events and communication manager Kim DiLallo said the grants fulfill the Town's goals to encourage quality, affordable childcare in the community.
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