Silverthorne draws future plans around arts initiative

#Silverthorne Colorado

Courtesy of the town of Silverthorne

Summit Daily News Link

Silverthorne’s future is not just about new businesses and construction. Moving forward, the town is betting big on public art.

During last Wednesday’s meeting, town council voted to adopt an arts and culture strategic plan that will set a foundation for future projects in the town.

From the grand flourishes, such as a large mural on the side of the planned Lake Dillon Theatre Company, to tiny details, such as artfully made bike racks, the plan encourages Silverthorne to incorporate art into all of their developments.

“If you install art without talking to community and seeing what art means to them, your success is going to be very limited,” recreation and culture director Joanne Cook said. “We want to make sure we do something that makes sense for us.”

The town approached 23.4-Degrees, a policy facilitation and mediation company, to survey the town on their concept of art and a fresh downtown for Silverthorne. Several themes stemmed from those conversations, including multicultural art and pieces that are both accessible and interactive.

For example, the town installed an exhibit in October, with residents writing responses to the phrase “Before I die, I want to …” on a large chalkboard outside of the pavilion.

“That’s what makes people excited, when it feels accessible, like something they can participate in,” Cook said. “We’re brainstorming how we can add components that are very authentic to our community.”

The plan has spurred several new ideas, from ways to incorporate the Lake Dillon Theatre into the plan to smaller, monthly concerts hosted at the pavilion. However, it is also intended to encourage the addition of art to events that have already been established, such as the town’s annual Twilight Family Skate at the end of January.

“It became very clear, very quickly that art on display in a municipality is only one piece of what art means,” she added.

LIVING ART

The plan was met with enthusiasm from both councilmembers and residents during the Jan. 13 town council meeting.

“You have a community who is hungry for this; who is ready to participate in this,” Terry Craig, a board member with Summit School district commented during the meeting. “You should be very proud of that.”

Now that the plan has passed, the town will be able to move forward toward a series of 15 goals, as well as working out the logistics of establishing an arts and culture advisory committee.

Some of the more concrete goals include hosting a grand opening of the new Lake Dillon Theatre Company downtown and partnering with the company on future projects. While the discussion about art began in 2012, before the partnership with the theater was formed, it has grown to be an integral piece of the art initiative and Silverthorne’s downtown plan.

“The theatre is a pretty significant investment,” Silverthorne Pavillion and marketing coordinator Blair McGary said. “We’re making sure we get that right and that it is tied into the art plan.”

Another key focus of the plan is to recognize and celebrate the many cultures housed within the town. While the town already hosts its annual “Celebrations Around the World” event at the pavilion, the plan would seek to expand upon those resources.

“I think the impression is we need to do that more,” Janesse Brewer, a principal with 23.4-Degrees said. “Some of that is just building off the success or identity of Silverthorne. …They wanted anything moving forward to enhance or honor the multiculturalism and diversity of the Silverthorne community.”

The plan will also be reflected in the construction of the community itself, as the town core sees new development between the theatre, a new condominium complex and a brewery — all within blocks of each other. Art will be emphasized within this downtown area, with the hope of it blossoming out to the edges of town.

“It’s thinking about how to be intentional about art and culture in all the things they regularly do,” she said. “Crosswalks, signage — thinking about all of those things with an intentional art focus.”

In the long-term, she hoped the town would be able to receive designation as a Colorado Creative District, both giving Silverthorne recognition and access to state resources for maintaining arts programs.

For now, Brewers’ work is done, with the plan approved by the town. One of the next steps will be to form an arts and culture advisory committee comprised of Silverthorne residents.

“I’m really proud of the fact that all of the plans we’re working on aren’t in silence. They’re really starting to fit together — hand and glove,” Silverthorne Mayor Bruce Butler said. “I think it’s just great to see that come together.”

Courtesy of the Summit Daily News.

Summit County envisions $70 million plan for Frisco's County Commons

#Summit County Colorado

Summit Daily News Link

Ben Trollinger / btrollinger@summitdaily.com

Summit County government released a master plan for the County Commons property on Monday, Jan. 18, setting a 20-year course for continued development of the 130-acre campus in Frisco along Highway 9.

The multi-phase project will furnish essential upgrades and additions to several facilities on the 130-acre parcel, county-owned lot that houses a wide array of local services and agencies. Among many others, included in the multitude of organizations: St. Anthony Summit Medical Center and the adjacent Medical Office Building, Summit Stage, the Summit County Community and Senior Center, 911 Dispatch, Search & Rescue, the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT), the Main Branch Library and animal control.

A four-month process began this past August with contracting Denver-based RNL Design, a multi-disciplinary design and engineering firm, to assist with the project, and included input from the public and nearby residents in Ophir Mountain Village and Bill’s Ranch last October; the county has its long overdue blueprint for the area. No master plan previously existed despite record population increases in the 1970s and doubling in size between 1990 and 2000.

“We had some general ideas of what we wanted to do,” said Scott Vargo, assistant county manager, “but there wasn’t a good, comprehensive plan, some of that due to unanticipated growth. This is fantastic that we’ve now got that, this strategic plan or road map moving forward.”

Outside of the $120,000 consultant fee paid to RNL, the cost of the entire scheduled two-decades-long concept is estimated at $68.6 million, which is a total based on 2017 dollars, meaning it does not include increases due to inflation. The total projection from the report comprises more than half that amount of money dedicated to aims for a second Medical Office Building, which could be as far out as 2035, while $33 million would go toward the primary focus of the overall project — expansion and improvement to the Light Industrial Campus facilities.

“On the face of it, that’s a very large number,” said Vargo, “but that will not be 100-percent funded through county government. We’ll aggressively seek funds from various public-private partnerships and other funding sources. The county expenditure will not approach the numbers reflected in the report.”

Before any ground can be broken, the county must first complete a full-site survey, which it hopes to complete by the end of the upcoming summer. From there, the space’s Planned Unit Development (PUD), last revised in March 2008, will require modification, with it coming a full public comment period.

After that, there’s the possibility of construction beginning in 2017, though it’s more likely to start in 2018. Then as part of the initial phase of the plan as it’s currently proposed, a road alignment on Peak One Drive, as suggested by RNL Design, will be undertaken in order to make the route safer as well as create added acreage for the Light Industrial Campus.

“An ‘S’ curve is not an ideal configuration for that road,” said Vargo. “We were thinking about how to expand the campus and we were very excited when we got word it can be realigned, also providing much more safety to the public, or a large Summit Stage bus, or an ambulance to the hospital.”

Also within phase one, the county would construct a new sand/salt building. Neighbors to the operation — where snow plows go to load up on materials to treat the local roadways throughout winter and at all hours — voiced particular concern over the noise- and light-intensive facility; the new plan would move it as far as possible away from Ophir Mountain Village and Bill’s Ranch residents. Additional noise-reducing screens and natural landscaping would also be installed.

A new transit building is also baked into the long-term plan. Through the years, manufacturers of the Summit Stage buses have elongated the vehicles, on top of the added bike racks, to the extent that the current size of each bus does not allow for them to be parked back-to-back in a single bay as they once had. So a new facility would be erected and then, during Phase II, the old structure re-allocated for both Road & Bridge and Facilities Management needs.

In all, the implementation of each project slated for the Light Industrial Construction zone is calculated to take between three and five years, including construction of new sheriff’s office, search and rescue and water rescue buildings, and demolition of existing structures, as well as the current road and bridge facility. That does not include other projects along the way such as expansion of spaces like the library, community and senior center, animal control and development of a second Medical Office Building.

“This is a 20-year plan, not something that’s going to finish up in two or three,” concluded Vargo. “We’re trying to think long term about what the community’s demands are going to be in the decades to come and be good stewards of residents’ support of county government and services.”

For a look at the entire Summit County Commons Facilities Master Plan Report, visit:http://summitcountyco.gov/DocumentCenter/View/13342.

Courtesy of the Summit Daily News.

Pets available for adoption

#Summit County Colorado.

Summit Daily News Link

Michael Yearout Photography

Summit County Animal Shelter can be reached at 970.668-3230.

Cats:

PICHU, 1 year 5 months, Domestic Shorthair mix, calico, spayed female

MACHU, 1 year 5 months, Domestic Shorthair mix, calico, spayed female

CURTIS, 2 years, Domestic Mediumhair mix, white and brown, neutered male

FREDRICK, 5 years, Domestic Shorthair mix, gray, neutered male

POOKIE, 11 years, Domestic Shorthair mix, tortie, spayed female

SEVEN, 8 years, Domestic Mediumhair mix, white and black, spayed female

LUKA, 6 years, Domestic Shorthair mix, gray and white, spayed female

MITTENS, 1 year 6 months, Domestic Shorthair mix, black and white, spayed female

PEDRO, 5 years, Domestic Shorthair mix, orange and white, neutered male

STUART, 2 years, Domestic Shorthair mix, gray tab, neutered male

VADAR, 1 year 6 months, Domestic Mediumhair mix, black and white, neutered male

BONITA, 3 years, Domestic Shorthair mix, brown tiger and white, spayed female

CANALA, 1 year 6 months, Domestic Shorthair mix, brown tabby, spayed female

SPOOKY, 10 years, Maine Coon, bl tabby and brown, spayed female

NIKITA, 6 years, Domestic Shorthair mix, black, spayed female

NOLA, 4 years, Domestic Shorthair mix, orng tabby, spayed female

Dogs:

TEDDY, 8 years, Golden Retriever and Australian Shepherd mix, black and tan, spayed female

CORONA, 8 years, Siberian Husky mix, red and white, neutered male

HOSS, 3 years, Labrador Retriever mix, black and white, neutered male

ROCCO, 4 years, French Bulldog mix, white and brindle, neutered male

TINY, 2 years, Great Dane and Labrador Retriever mix, tan and brindle, spayed female

SADIE, 6 months, Labrador Retriever mix, tan and brindle, spayed female

SARAH, 6 months, Labrador Retriever mix, tan and brindle, spayed female

SAMMY, 6 months, Labrador Retriever mix, tan and brindle, neutered male

GINGER, 1 year 7 months, Pit Bull Terrier and Labrador Retriever mix, chocolate, spayed female

ANNA, 1 year, Border Collie and Australian Cattle Dog mix, red and white, spayed female

BUSTER, 1 year, Dachshund, brown, neutered male

LYLAH, 3 years, Boxer and Pit Bull Terrier mix, brown and white, spayed female

CABBY, 5 years, Border Collie and Australian Cattle Dog mix, black and tricolor, neutered male

BARON, 1 year 6 months, Miniature Pinscher, black and tan, neutered male

MIKEY, 1 year, Labrador Retriever and German Shepherd Dog mix, black, neutered male

MAX, 2 years, American Bulldog and Australian Cattle Dog mix, white and brindle, neutered male

ECHO, 1 year 8 months, German Shepherd Dog mix, black, neutered male

DANTE, 10 months, Queensland Heeler and Border Collie mix, black and white, neutered male

Courtesy of the Summit Daily News.

Suspicion over federal wolf plan spreads to Colorado, Utah

#Colorado

Summit Daily News Link

Suspicion over federal plans to restore endangered Mexican gray wolves in the Southwest has spread to Colorado and Utah, where ranchers and officials are fiercely resisting any attempt to import the predators.

About 110 Mexican gray wolves — a smaller subspecies of the gray wolf — now roam a portion of Arizona and New Mexico, nearly two decades after the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service released 11 wolves there to restart a population that had nearly vanished.

The agency hopes to complete a comprehensive recovery plan for the Mexican wolf in 2017, and officials say they’ve made no decision about releasing them in Colorado or Utah.

But neither state is waiting. Their governors joined Arizona and New Mexico’s executives in November to accuse the Fish and Wildlife Service of using flawed science and biased experts. They demanded that no Mexican wolves be released outside the southern parts of Arizona and New Mexico.

Wildlife commissioners in Utah and Colorado also spoke out against releasing Mexican wolves in their states — the Utah Wildlife Board in December and the Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commission last Wednesday.

The Fish and Wildlife Service defended the experts and the process.

Mexican wolves have been contentious in Arizona and New Mexico for years. New Mexico officials are resisting proposals to release more wolves. Arizona state lawmakers tried but failed to allow ranchers to kill federally-protected wolves in self-defense.

Environmental groups, meanwhile, are pushing for the release of more captive-bred wolves to bolster the population in those states.

In Colorado and Utah, opponents argue that wolves would inflict costly and cruel losses on cattle and sheep and decimate big game herds that support the lucrative hunting industry. They also say Mexican wolves aren’t native to their states and bringing them in could taint the gene pool if they bred with gray wolves roaming down from the northern Rockies.

“We don’t need to introduce another large predatory carnivore to the state,” Colorado Wool Growers Association director Bonnie Brown told the Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commission last week. Mountain lions are already killing pets in urban areas bordering open country.

Wolf advocates say the fears are overblown, and that Mexican wolves need more ranges to avoid extinction. Parts of Colorado and Utah would be ideal for wolves, said Jonathan Proctor of Defenders of Wildlife, and he argued that both states are within the wolves’ historical range.

The West needs wolves to help restore balance to the environment, he said.

“It’s we humans who have eradicated all the wolves from the West,” Proctor said. “It’s our responsibility to bring this animal back.”

Wolves have long been deeply divisive subject in the region. They were hunted, trapped or driven out of many areas by the end of the last century and were regarded as a menace to largely defenseless sheep and cattle. But they also became a symbol for the environmental movement, a noble if fearsome avatar of the wild.

Courtesy of the Summit Daily News.

Today's top five things to do in Summit County

#Summit County Colorado

Summit Daily News Link

Photographing 2-D and 3-D Artwork with Kia Neill

Breckenridge, Jan. 17

1 p.m., Old Masonic Hall, Main Studio, 136 S Main St. This workshop will cover basic lighting, background and composition guidelines when photographing 2 & 3-dimesnional artworks. Students should have a basic understanding of how to operate their camera. Digital camera preferred. $35. (970) 453 3364.

The Motet at Warren Station

Keystone, Jan. 17

8:30 p.m., Warren Station Center for the Arts, River Run at Keystone. The Motet is a world-class ensemble who whip audiences into a whirlwind using complex layers of rhythm, melody and soul. Doors at 8:30 p.m., show at 9:15 p.m. Advanced tickets are $22, day of tickets are $25 per person – if available, two night tickets are $39 per person. Tickets can be purchased atwww.warrenstation.com

Beginner Fencing Drop In

Breckenridge, Jan. 17

6:15 p.m. Breckenridge Recreation Center, 880 Airport Road. 8 years and older. This introductory class teaches participants the basics and fundamentals of fencing. Participants are responsible for securing their own equipment. $5 per class. (970) 547-4321.

Father Dyer Community Dinner

Breckenridge , Jan. 17

6 p.m., 310 Wellington Road. Free community dinner every Sunday.

To view a full listing of today’s events visit http://www.summitdaily.com/Entertainment/Calendar/

Courtesy of the Summit Daily News.

Ullr Fest parade takes over Main Street Breckenridge

#Breckenridge Colorado

Jenise Jensen / Special to the Daily

Summit Daily News Link

As part of Ullr Fest, Breckenridge’s celebration of the Norse god of snow, the Breckenridge Distillery broke the record for world’s longest shot ski with a 1,301-foot ski. The 2016 ski beat the previous record of 1,250 feet set in Breckenridge in 2015. Also that evening, Star Wars themes ruled the 53rd annual Ullr Fest parade, which also included pirates, fat bikes, a ski jump and plenty of faux-fur bikinis.

The four-day festival pays homage to Ullr, in hopes of bringing additional snowfall to Breckenridge and the surrounding peaks. Festivities include one of the world’s wildest parades, the inaugural Ullr Ice Plunge, a town bonfire, wacky Ullympic competitions and more. Events continue through Saturday, Jan. 16; visit UllrFest.com to learn more. The 53rd annual Ullr Fest parade winners are as follows:

First Place ($500) – Blue Sage Spa Laser Hair Removal sponsored by Chewbacca: Unanimously, the choreographed dancers dressed as Princess Leia and Chewbacca stole the show. Lots of costumed characters, great props and all the effort put into the ongoing dance routine brought Blue Sage to the top.

Second Place ($300) – Three Decades of Getting Rad (Mountain Outfitters): Ahead of third place by just one vote, Mountain Outfitters staff showed their dedication to snow sports (and float-building) with a ski jump float, complete with skiers taking turns hitting the hill.

Third Place ($200) – Ullr Wars (Breckenridge Grand Vacations): Known for going all out, Breckenridge Grand Vacations built the float version of an X-Wing Starfighter.

Courtesy of the Summit Daily News.

Breckenridge hosts Extreme Weather Town Hall

#Breckenridge, Colorado

Summit Daily News Link

In the wake of a destructive end to 2015, with floods, tornados and droughts across the country, Breckenridge is hosting an Extreme Weather Town Hall as part of the annual Glen Gerberg Weather and Climate Summit.

Wednesday’s panel discussion will be moderated by the Weather Channel’s Jim Cantore and will be open to the public at the DoubleTree Hotel on a first-come, first-served basis.

“We added this public event because we wanted locals or visitors to get exposure to the people who are coming to present to meteorologists,” Breckenridge Ski Resort public relations manager Kristen Petitt Stewart said. “It’s an opportunity to get close and ask climatologists questions.”

Some points of discussion include the reasoning behind weather extremes, prevention and ways to make communities more resilient.

“It’s about understanding how extreme weather may impact our individual lives, whether we live here or in Dallas,” Petitt Stewart said. “(Cantore) is passionate about understanding how extreme weather and climate might impact the lives of his viewers and getting that out front.”

The panel will bring weather experts from across the country, including three from Colorado. Phil Klotzbach — a research scientist at Colorado State University’s Department of Atmospheric Science who studies tropical cyclones — plans to share the history of hurricanes, what’s happened this last year and predictions for 2016.

“There’s the fact that we have a hurricane in January,” he said. “You have to be ready to change on the fly when it comes to hurricanes.”

With an El Nino winter, the Atlantic has been relatively quiet, but that might change in the future. Storms in the west Pacific, on the other hand, can carry into northern latitudes, changing weather patterns as far inland as Colorado.

“If you’re in the ski business, you kind of become a weather geek by default,” he laughed.

TAKING THE CONVERSATION TO SUMMIT

While the Climate Summit has been going on for 30 years, this is just Breckenridge’s fifth year hosting. Attendees spend the morning in classes with climate experts and spend the afternoon on the slopes throughout the week.

The added education can be used by broadcasters toward their American Meteorological Society certification, while the location showcases Breckenridge in the midst of the ski season.

“It helps these guys become better forecasters, and have better understanding of what’s going on in their home markets,” Petitt Stewart said. “Hosting this conference has turned me into a bigger weather geek — (there’re) a lot of us.”

Rachel Zerowin, public relations director for the Breckenridge Resort Chamber, said the town and the resort have worked together to host the weeklong summit.

“One of the things we’re so excited about is it allows the opportunity for meteorologists to do live shots,” she said. “It’s a great opportunity for us to showcase this to the community and host this great event the ski resort has brought to Breckenridge.”

While the full, weeklong summit is not open to the public, it can be watched live athttp://www.stormcenter.com/wxcsummit/. The Extreme Weather Town Hall will take place on Wednesday, Jan. 20 from 6-7 p.m. in the Columbine room at the DoubleTree by Hilton, Breckenridge.

Seating is limited, so make plans to arrive at least 30 minutes prior to the event. Free parking is available in the Beaver Run Lot.

Courtesy of the Summit Daily News.

Copper Mountain plan includes alpine coaster, trails, winter upgrades

#Copper Mountain Colorado

Summit Daily News Link

Additional summer activities and winter improvements may soon be coming to Copper Mountain Resort, the resort announced at a small, informal gathering on Tuesday night, Jan. 12.

Specifically, Copper, owned by Park City, Utah-based Powdr Corporation, is proposing adding snowmaking capabilities on Collage and a blue run between the Super Bee and American Eagle lifts. That’s in addition to another proposed mountain bike trail, also between Super Bee and Eagle, and an alpine coaster on the west side of the American Flyer lift.

“One of our goals with summer improvements and summer activities is to really improve the commercial economy here at Copper,” said Gary Rodgers, the resort’s president and general manager. “What we’re showing today isn’t just everything we have planned for summer, but it’s what we’re proposing in the short term on the mountain.”

The proposal is permitted under 2011’s Ski Area Recreational Opportunities Enhancement Act, sponsored by then-U.S. Sen. Mark Udall (D-CO) and signed by President Obama, giving the go-ahead to existing ski resorts nationwide already operating on federal lands to pursue summer recreation activities. The law updated the National Forest Ski Permit Act of 1986, which limited mountain recreation to only alpine and Nordic skiing.

The proposal is an update to Copper Mountain’s master development plan, which it submitted to the U.S. Forest Service in January 2011 and was accepted that May. The resort intentionally left summer operations unaddressed while the 2011 legislation was being finalized and is now ready to begin proposing upgrades with these initial three projects.

“We really think all three have tremendous benefits for guests, summer and winter, at the resort,” Rodgers explained. “All three of these have been well thought out and really do enhance the overall resort experience.”

The next phase of the process is the formal release of a scoping notice to members of the public in the next week or two by the Forest Service to gain feedback ahead of its official environmental analysis. Recipients of the letter will have 30 days to respond by mail or email to inform the research portion of Forest Service’s study.

In essence, the Forest Service is asking the public if they have any concerns over the proposed projects. There will be other opportunities for public comment during the analysis process, which typically takes about 12 months and, among others, includes studies of such items as soil, water and wildlife impact.

“It’s pretty involved,” said Shelly Grail Braudis, mountain sports administrator for the Dillon Ranger District. “There’s no magic timeline with NEPA — National Environmental Policy Act — analysis, it just depends on what we’re analyzing and the level of impact.”

Grail Braudis did note, however, that the Forest Service has been working with Copper on preparing the proposal since the past summer. That provides its resource specialists a chance to begin to study on dry ground ahead of snowfall, so they can work on the analysis during the winter months, as well as know what will be pitched to the public ahead of time.

“We talk with ski areas quite a bit before because there’s a lot of fine-tuning of proposals before the public process begins, so we can get them pretty dialed in,” she said. “We would hate to throw a project out to the public we’re not familiar with.”

The additional snowmaking operation would cost a minimum of $1 million to increase the number of guns and other updates to the system in order to ideally provide an earlier opening each ski season to this terrain. With more man-made snow, it could also offer more chances to groom the area, on top of the potential of opening the Super Bee pod sooner in the season.

Supplementary mountain biking trails come at much less expense and are part of a much larger system of trails Copper envisions long term per the master development plan update. This lone addition, for now, connects prior trails but will not be of the extreme variety.

“This is just the first of many trails that we hope to be doing in the future,” said Rodgers. “We really want to create a very family-friendly network of trails on the mountain. We don’t envision …getting into the gravity mountain biking scene that you might see at Winter Park or Keystone. We don’t see that as part of our business model.”

The alpine coaster, estimated to be a multi-million-dollar undertaking, will likely grab the most attention of the three, as it is the one to have the most perceivable visual impact. Rodgers noted it is practically silent and a self-contained apparatus, but, of the proposed projects, those in the audience voiced the most concern over the coaster and how it might affect existing trails and runs.

Though engineering plans have yet to be finalized, if completed as designed — with a track length of 5,800 feet, a descent of 3,950 feet, and vertical drop of 430 feet — it would be the longest coaster of its kind in North America. Rodgers did not believe the raised platform attraction, which would operate during both the summer and winter (weather pending), would impact much, if any, of the present experience. One exception would be on Loverly, a green run just east of American Flyer, where skiers and snowboarders would, as plans currently dictate, proceed under a bridge crossing.

Copper has partnered with the Aquatic Development Group (ADG) for the coaster project. The amusement-ride builder completed one for another of the Powdr Corp.’s properties, Killington Ski Resort in Vermont. Powdr also owns resorts in California, Utah, Oregon and Nevada. If the public comment and environmental studies prove fruitful, Copper could receive approval on the three projects as early as fall of this year, and then begin construction and installation by the summer of 2017.

Courtesy of the Summit Daily News.

Ullr Fest takes over Breckenridge this week

#Breckenridge Colorado

Summit Daily News Link

Daniel Dunn / Breckenridge Tourism Office

John Gregory has attended every Ullr Fest since moving to Summit County 33 years ago. Like many locals, he cherishes the 53-year-old town of Breckenridge tradition of celebrating the god of winter for his gift of snow. His wife, Susan, has been to almost as many herself, only sacrificing attendance to partake in parent-teacher conferences when her children were still in school. The town has rewarded their Ullr spirit and commitment to the community by honoring them with Ullr King and Queen status this year after a nomination by their employees at Gregory Door and Window. Ullr Fest will commence with four days of festivities on Wednesday, Jan. 13.

A TIME HONORED-TRADITION

With more than three decades of festivals under his belt, John said that the tradition hasn’t changed all that much over the years.

“It’s a little bigger and a little more grand, but the attitude is exactly the same,” he said.

The party started back in 1963, and, although Susan agrees with John that the attitude hasn’t changed much, she said it’s slightly tamer, as women aren’t allowed to be topless these days.

Breckenridge locals lobbied the town council to start “Ullr Dag” more than five decades ago, forming traditions throughout the years that continue to this day. One tradition that started at Ullr Fest, the snow sculpting competition, was so popular that it is now its own event — the Budweiser International Snow Sculpture Championships — which takes place later this month.

“One of the things that I love about this event is that Ullr Fest is so organic and unique to Breckenridge,” said Rachel Zerowin with the Breckenridge Tourism Office. “It’s really the community, the creativity with the floats and their willingness to hang out all week in Viking horns that makes this event so special. It started with the founders of the ski resort in a very natural way, and the community has just carried that tradition on, and I think that’s one of the things that makes Ullr Fest so special.”

WHAT’S ON THE SCHEDULE

Although some traditions have come and gone, the parade is a mainstay and is considered by many the highlight of the week. A combination of businesses and individuals come together to create floats to carry partygoers down the parade route. There are some that participate in the parade year-after-year.

“You gotta love the guy in the pink one-piece who always comes out with the ‘pray for snow’ sign,” Zerowin said.

On Wednesday, Ullr Fest begins with the Breck Ascent Series mountain ski race, and, at 6:30 p.m., John and Susan will be crowned at the Riverwalk Center before the Breck’s Got Talent event.

On Thursday, the Fat Bike Eliminator — new this year — will showcase the sport that is rising in popularity.

“I think fat biking in Breckenridge is something that there’s always been a set of people who have been into,” Zerowin said. “What’s great about the community is that we’ve made it really open and accessible — from Breck Bike Guides to the opening of trails at the Gold Run Nordic Center. It’s not something that just a few hardcore people do — it’s really become an accessible activity. So what’s nice about the Eliminator is there is a chance for people before the parade … to see these bikes in action. It’s an invite-only event, so it’s people who can ride their bicycles really fast.”

On Friday night, at the Ullr Bike event, there will be a race at the Gold Run Nordic Center and also a chance to demo a fat bike for free.

Right before the parade, Breckenridge Distillery will attempt to break the record of longest shotski again. Last year, the shotski had 777 participants, spanning 1,250 feet down Main Street. To participate in the shotski, register for $5 at the Riverwalk Center starting at noon, with proceeds benefitting the Breckenridge Mountain Rotary.

After the parade, a bonfire will be held from 5-7 p.m. The tradition of a bonfire returns after going away for a few years, and Ullr royalty, John and Susan, said it is one of their favorite events other than the parade. They enjoy getting together with other locals after the parade and warming up by the fire. Although John can’t remember exact temperatures of the coldest Ullr Fest he’s attended, “I can remember girls in bikinis turning pretty purple.”

New this year, the Ullr Ice Plunge will take place Friday, Jan. 15, for those brave enough to jump into the icy waters of Maggie Pond. Registration for this event is free, and participants will receive a free hot lunch provided by Quandary Grill. There will also be a heated changing room and a hot tub, provided by Affordable Mountain Hot Tubs, open to anyone willing to accept the challenge.

“We wanted to mix a chilly New Year’s tradition with the fun atmosphere of Breckenridge, and the Ullr Ice Plunge was born,” said Breckenridge Tourism Office events manager Gavin Dalgliesh. “The timing, the vibe, the temperatures — everything about Ullr Fest seemed like a great fit for this new event, and it gives us some new action for Friday.”

The Ullympics are back on Saturday, and registration is free to participate in group ski racing, a ski boot relay and more.

One of the longest-standing events in the town, Ullr Fest brings four days worth of entertainment.

“It is Breckenridge’s version of a town-wide snow dance, so at the heart of it, we are really just trying to show a little love to Ullr, who we hope will bring more snow to slopes of Breckenridge.”

Courtesy of the Summit Daily News.

Frisco's Peak One neighborhood sold out before completion

#Frisco Colorado.

Elise Reuter / ereuter@summitdaily.com

Summit Daily News Link

Nearly a decade in the making, Frisco’s Peak One neighborhood finally reached completion this winter. The workforce-housing neighborhood sold out long before the final home was built, with all 69 units pre-sold in 2014.

“There’s obviously a huge demand for these homes,” Brynn Grey marketing and operations director Kate Clement said. “People are still — to this day — calling about availability.”

The development was formed through a public-private partnership between the town, developer Brynn Grey Partners, LTD and the Summit County Housing Authority. Local architect Matt Stais and Boulder-based Wolff Lyon architects created a design, while local engineer Jim Lenzotti assisted with water and civil engineering.

“My office was brought in to help make the design more appropriate for locals in Summit County,” Stais said. “My focus was also in sustainability.”

The project broke ground in June of 2010, with each home constructed to meet GreenStar energy certification. A park, small garden beds, walkways and a gazebo were also incorporated into the design.

Clement said the neighborhood houses several local families, with 16 kids on one street.

“It’s so great to come home and go sledding with the neighbors,” Clement, a mother of two, said. “It turns into a little playground after school.”

The two-, three- and four-bedroom homes also house young professionals, some of whom are purchasing their first property. She said empty nesters looking to move to the mountains also sought out the neighborhood. Some of the occupants include Summit Medical Center employees, local police and small business owners in Frisco.

“A neighborhood that’s occupied full time that radiates a lot of local energy,” she said. “We’ve created not just a sense of place but a sense of community.”

PRICING FOR LOCALS

In order to create a neighborhood occupied by locals, both income restrictions and working restrictions were incorporated. For example, to purchase a home, one member of the household is required to work in the county at least 30 hours per week.

Each home has a set three-percent per year maximum appreciation, to keep a home affordable throughout its lifetime. Six houses are set at 80 percent of Summit County’s annual median income (AMI), 35 are set at 100 percent, 17 are set at 120 percent and four at 160 percent. For eight of the homes, there is no income restriction, just the requirement that the owner works in the county. Down payments were also made available through the Summit County Housing Authority.

“People who move to Summit County strive to live here because the price of homes is well over $800,000 for a single-family home,” Clement said.

The market price of a three-bedroom home range from $700,000 to $800,000, she estimated. But in the Peak One neighborhood, it sells for nearly half the price, at $400,000. Peak One prices range from $200,000 to the mid $500,000s.

“For a dual-income family, it’s reasonable and reachable,” she said. “It really sets an example for what workforce housing can be in the mountains.”

THE COST OF AFFORDABILITY

Of course, income-restricted housing is no cheaper than any other form of development and requires public support to be financially viable. In the case of Peak One, Frisco contributed more than 12 acres of undeveloped land to make the project come to fruition.

“What we really did is we purchased the land and donated it toward the project,” town manager Bill Efting said. “We also worked with water taps for the residents.”

Frisco’s former community development director, Jocelyn Mills, helped oversee the project from start to finish. She joined the town shortly after the Peak One parcel was purchased from the U.S. Forest Service in 1998.

While Frisco had originally thought to use the land for a Nordic Center, studies showed that its current location at the peninsula would be a better fit. The idea for a workforce-housing development came forward several years later, when the town saw rising housing costs.

“We were recognizing housing was a big component of that — people fulfilling service jobs, doctors and we wanted them living full-time in Frisco,” Mills said.

Frisco put out an RFP for the property to be developed, forming the public-private partnership leading to a decade of development. While Frisco has some other affordable housing projects, this one provided needed spaces for single-family homes.

“It’s probably as successful as the council envisioned,” Mills said. “It certainly promotes the culture and character of Frisco.”

Courtesy of the Summit Daily News.

Breckenridge's Ullr Fest

#Breckenridge, Colorado.

Summit Daily News Link

Mark Fox | Special to the Daily

WHO IS ULLR?

Was he the founder of No Shave November? Or the first to adorn a hat with horns? Probably not, but Marvel fans can still rejoice! The great Ullr comes from a blended family, according to Norse mythology; he is the son of Sif and stepson to Thor. When it comes to a new daddy, you could do a heck of a lot worse than a demi-god, though I’m sure there were still issues — Ullr leaving skates around the house, the question of whether it’s appropriate to have hammers around small children. You know, the usual stuff.

One way or another, Ullr grew into his own, and grew up to become the Norse god of winter. Some Norse mythologists also credit him as the god of snow and skiing, which was enough to make him a major god in early paganism and in Breckenridge. There’s a legend that Ullr would ski the entire world, coating it with snow each year, as he was the only god who knew how to ski.

It’s possible this old goat has seen the mighty Ullr laying tracks, but in Summit, it’s hard to say for sure. Here you can often find a Viking, or horde of them, gliding down the mountain, maybe even accompanied by a banana and a gorilla. Regardless, each year Breckenridge hosts a festival in January to help welcome the tidings of winter and to honor Ullr.

Ullrfest has occurred in early January every year since 1963, and this year marks no exception.

Vikings, shot-skis, flying fry pans and floats will line the streets of Breck from Jan. 13-16, as a new king and queen reign over the Kingdom.

Call it a silly superstition if you will, but it never hurts to hedge some bets to the snow god. This proves especially important in a place where snow dominates the landscape for at least six months a year and lures visitors from around the world to rip through its powder. So next time you hit the slopes, take a turn for Ullr — and tip your cap to Thor for helping to raise such a fine young god.

Quandary, a wise old mountain goat, has been around Summit County for ages, and has the answers to any question about life, love and laws in the High Country. Have a question for Quandary? Send an email to quandary@summitdaily.com

Courtesy of the Summit Daily News.