Construction Underway on Largest Single Family Home in Breckenridge

Groundbreaking began March 19 on what will be the largest single-family home ever built in Breckenridge. The Bennett Residence, a 15,000-square-foot custom home designed by Michael F. Gallagher Architect and built by Double Diamond Property & Construction Services, is being built in the Shock Hill neighborhood.

“This is an incredible home and a great economic boost for the town of Breckenridge,” said Michael Gallagher, the architect for the project. “There aren't many projects of this size and scope being built these days, so it's particularly gratifying to see the economic impact this project will have. Permits and other fees are over $45,000 alone. The owner, Mr. Bennett, seriously considered building in several different resort areas but he liked Breckenridge's proximity to Denver and the access to the Breckenridge Nordic Center right out his door. We're very happy he is able to build his dream vacation home here.”

Gallagher and builder Arnie Surdyk of Double Diamond Property & Construction Services of Breckenridge estimate that they will hire over 20 subcontractors and approximately 100-150 construction workers. They plan to work with as many Summit County companies as possible. The home will take at least 20 months to complete.

“The owner is very enthusiastic about hiring local workers and using Colorado materials whenever possible,” said Gallagher. “All of the cabinets are being fabricated in Leadville by Cutting Edge Woodworking. Our stone and wood flooring is being sourced through Telluride Stone Company. We hope to buy most of our construction materials in Colorado.”

About the home

 

The showcase custom home is being built on a site of just over an acre, with a building envelope of 11,000 square feet. “Getting a home of this size, with a two-lane bowling alley and large garage to fit the allowable building envelope was quite challenging,” Gallagher said. “The home is basically a three-story home, but technically there are seven different levels, with five bedrooms and eight baths. The rooms are rather large and the entertainment facilities are quite generous. There is the bowling alley, an audiophile listening room with a projection screen TV and lounge area around the fireplace. There is also a game room that includes pool, foosball, shuffleboard, poker, a bar and a wine cellar. All of the bedroom suites are as large as master suites in most homes in Breckenridge.”

Other features of the home include an elevator, a separate catering kitchen, both downhill and Nordic ski rooms, a private library, a drying closet, hot tub, sauna, steam room and three laundry facilities.

The home features an oversized three-car garage and an outdoor living room with a fireplace and grilling kitchen, plus numerous open patios and covered decks.

“With a home of this size, it is important to keep everything feeling connected and keep some areas intimate. We worked very hard to make sure the design feels like a home and feels comfortable for the owner, his family and guests. The design was inspired by the grand lodges of the western national parks as well as Adirondack camps.

“We worked very closely with the town of Breckenridge to minimize the environmental impacts a home of this size will have,” continued Gallagher. “For example, the site will have 11 geothermal wells, each 400 feet deep, which will be used to heat the home. The home will have the very best insulation and the most efficient mechanical products available today.

“It's an exciting project for myself and for the Town of Breckenridge,” Gallagher said. “We hope this will spur other projects in Summit County and breathe some life into the construction industry.”

Courtesy Summit Daily News

Good News in the Real Estate Market

For the first time in 18 months, home prices in February rose higher. With a median price of $171,881, prices in the 53 cities surveyed by the RE/MAX National Housing Report rose by 1.1% over February 2011. Home sales were even higher, up 8.7% from one year ago. With a positive sales trend of 8 straight months above the previous year, it’s looking like 2012 will witness a very strong home-selling season. As a result of reduced foreclosure activity, inventory continued a downward trend for the 20thstraight month, 22.4% lower than the housing inventory in February 2011. Consumer sentiment appears to be rising, and record low mortgage rates coupled with favorable home prices are attracting homebuyers and investors who don’t want to miss a historic opportunity.

"All the data is pointing to a very active spring and summer selling season this year, which is great news for a recovering housing market."said Margaret Kelly, CEO of RE/MAX, LLC. "As sales numbers have trended higher for several months, we have been anticipating a turnaround in home prices, and it looks like it’s finally starting."

Home Prices Start to Rise, Sales Trend Higher: Housing Recovery Underway
TRANSACTIONS–YEAR-OVER-YEAR CHANGE

Home Sales in February were 8.7% higher than sales in February 2011. This was the 8thstraight month year-to-year sales have risen. February home sales were also 8.1% higher than sales in January. Of the 53 metro areas included in the survey, 45 saw increases over February last year and an impressive 26 metro areas saw double-digit jumps, including: Albuquerque, NM +46.6%, Providence, RI +36.7%, Raleigh, NC +33.8%, Boston, MA +30.5% and Chicago, IL +27.5%.

The Median Sales Price of homes sold in February was $171,881. This price represents a 1.4% increase from January, and a 1.1% rise from the median price seen in February 2011. February is the first time in 18 months that the year-to-year home price has increased. Of the 53 metro areas included in the February survey, 24 experienced price increases from February 2011, including: Miami, FL +20.5%, Orlando, FL +15.8%, Phoenix, AZ +12.5%, Tampa, FL +11.1%, St. Louis, MO +9.8% and Detroit, MI +8.9%. 

DAYS ON MARKET–AVERAGEOF 53 METRO AREAS

The average Days on Market for properties sold in February was 103, the same as for the month of January, and the same average seen in February 2011. Only two months in the last 12 months saw a Days on Market average below 90: July and September both reported 88. Days on Market is the number of days between first being listed in an MLS and when a sales contract is signed.

In the month of February, the average inventory of homes-for-sale in the 53 surveyed metro areas dropped 0.8% from January and also dropped 22.4% from February 2011. Month-to month inventories have now fallen for 20 consecutive months. Given the current rate of sales, and the size of the active inventory, the resulting Months Supply is 6.6 months, a drop from the 7.3 month supply seen in January, and significantly lower than the 9.3 month supply reported in February 2011. Months Supply is the number of months it would take to clear a market’s active inventory at the current rate of sales. A six-month supply is considered a balanced market between buyers and sellers.

Wild Colorado: Tracking tracks in the snow

A set of tracks zigzags across the slope below the chairlift, seemingly random and haphazard.
They backtrack on themselves, seem to cover little to no ground and are dotted here and there with snow disturbances, like something was digging or just stuck its head in the snow.


These are likely fox tracks, says Dan Eberle, the youth coordinator at Friends of the Dillon Ranger District, a nonprofit that works on the ground alongside the Forest Service. The organization coordinates volunteers to do trail work and education that Forest Service officials aren't able to do due to funding priorities.

They look lost, Eberle said about the fox tracks. But they're really listening and smelling for subnivean creatures such as mice and voles that rely on winter snow cover for survival. Such creatures move under the snow, where, when it's deep enough, it remains a constant 32 degrees regardless of the temperature above snow. Subnivean is the term used to describe the zone just under the snow from the Latin for under (sub) and snow (nives).


Fox and owls can hear their prey through the snow and pounce from above, said Eberle.


Those are the variable holes amidst the tracks.

When you see disturbances in the snow, that's where fox jump in and pound through the snow. Sometimes they stumble on a nest, Eberle said.

Different tracks, different stories

Fox are less aggressive hunters than the more elusive ermine, a type of short-tailed weasel that storms nests of critters and demolishes them, Eberle said. He's once spotted the white weasel with its black tail only once, but it was early in the morning as he trekked to the top of Keystone's snowy slopes before the resort opened. Rarely, if ever, has Eberle come across the ermine's tracks.


Different tracks tell different stories, said Eberle, who partners with Daniel Rudolf on Fridays at Keystone Resort to guide visitors and locals on an hour-long, free interpretive tour of Summit County's snowy environment.


For instance, a pine squirrel doesn't like to stay on the ground long, so its tracks are quick, running from tree to tree.


Typically, snowshoe hare prints are tucked close to trees, which they use for cover.


As prey, both animals look to their various habitats for safety when they're not out foraging for food. Sometimes, a predator's tracks can run alongside its prey, which tells the story of a hunt and possibly a kill.


Often, Eberle finds it interesting to point out that snowshoe hare tracks represent movement in the opposite direction from which they appear. The larger hind legs land in front of the smaller front legs, he said. It's intuitive to think the larger hind legs would be behind the front legs, and that fools fellow creatures as well as humans.


Their tracks send mixed signals and deceive predators, Eberle said. It's not something they do on purpose, obviously, but said it's a type of biological confusion that's part of the natural environment.


Deer and elk tracks aren't as common in the High Country in winter, because the large game animals typically migrate to lower elevations where food supply is more prevalent. Otherwise, they're burning more energy than they're taking in, looking for food, Eberle said. Moose tracks could be more common, but it's not likely to see them at the ski resort, as they're more solitary creatures that live near wetter drainages.


It's easy to see some tracks from the chairlift, but Eberle and Rudolf's Ski With a Ranger Program and similar programs at Copper Mountain and Breckenridge Ski Resort get skiers to slow down and take a look in tree islands for tracks elsewhere on the mountain. Sometimes, animals and humans look to the same lines for travel, too. Skiers who pop into the trees often come across animal tracks that run the length of the line they're looking to ride.


Though feline and canine tracks aren't common at the resort, Eberle noted their major differences for those hiking or traveling in the backcountry: Feline claws can retract while canine claws don't.


So, if one comes across a large, roundish, fist-sized print without claw marks, it's likely a mountain lion's track. A smaller print with claws that's longer rather than wider, and more oval-shaped could be a coyote or a domestic dog.


Take a minute next time you're out and look around you just might stumble across an animal's tale in the snow.

More info:

Learn more about animal tracks in winter through Friends of the Dillon Ranger District's Ski With a Ranger program, which runs at 11 a.m. Fridays at Keystone Resort, Breckenridge Ski Resort and Copper Mountain.


Call (970) 262-3449 (970) 262-3449 , email info@fdrd.org or visit www.fdrd.org for more information on the tours.


Friends of the Dillon Ranger District also offers similar interpretive tours in summer, which can showcase an entirely different realm of High Country wildlife. Look to the website for the upcoming schedule.

Courtesy Summit Daily News

Breckenridge architect wins multiple awards at Parade of Homes

The Stafford residence, a 5,000-square-foot home in Breckenridge designed by local architect Michael F. Gallagher, recently won eight awards in the Summit County Builder's Association Parade of Homes.

The house won Best Overall Home for the entire contest, regardless of square footage.

In the 5,001-6,000 square feet category, it earned first place in Exterior Design and Elevation, Best Kitchen, Best Master Bedroom Suite and Best Home. In addition, Alan Evans of Elevation Building Group took first place in Builder Concept and Workmanship for his construction work on the home and NorthPoint Design won first place in their category for both Interior Furnishings and Interior Finishes.

The 2011 Parade of Homes featured 18 multi-family and remodeled homes throughout Summit County.

Gallagher said although his name is on the awards, “it's really a group effort.”

“Much of the credit goes to the builder, his subcontractors and suppliers, and the clients,” he said. “This would not be possible without great clients.”

Situated high atop a ridge overlooking the Breckenridge Golf Club, the views from the four-bedroom, five-bathroom home extend to the entire Ten Mile Range.

“Every room has a fantastic view,” Gallagher said. “I designed the home to take advantage of what the site offered.”

Gallagher worked closely with the owners to design a home on the steep lot that feels completely level and accessible. There's an open-floor plan, and the entire living quarters are on one level, with upper floors designed to accommodate guests, children and future grandchildren. Adjacent homes are virtually invisible from every room in the home.

“Everything that the owners need in their retirement home is on one level — that required creativity to overcome the topography of the site,” Gallagher said.

Courtesy Summit Daily News

Using shoulders looked to for another I-70 fix

Local and state highway officials returned from a trip to Minnesota last week armed with a new, and surprisingly simple idea to help ease weekend congestion on Interstate 70: Use the shoulders.

Highway shoulder space has been successfully transformed into an extra lane of travel to help increase traffic flow on Interstate 94 between Minneapolis and St. Paul, a concept officials say might work on I-70.

“We're excited,” Colorado Department of Transportation engineer Peter Kozinski. “It's a way of using the pavement we have.”

A hard shoulder lane on I-70 would run from the U.S. 40/Empire Junction to the Twin Tunnels, where an eastbound three-laning project is already funded and in the works, and would be used only during peak traffic times to help maximize capacity.

But the concept would require additional research, an environmental process and an estimated $30 million to implement. CDOT is far from giving it the green light.

“What we need to do is then carry on conversations with the locals and see what it really means,” Kozinski said. “It's not something we're walking away from at this point, but it's also not something we're just going to charge into blindly.”

Though CDOT is beginning to discuss the concept with locals and look at early feasibility research, a hard shoulder lane is not something drivers are likely to see by this summer, or even next summer, Kozinski said.



Not a zipper lane
The hard-shoulder concept, officials say, is not a zipper lane.

The controversial zipper lane idea would have reverted a westbound lane to be used for eastbound traffic during peak travel times, posing safety risks and impacting westbound traffic.

A shoulder lane would have no impact on the opposite side of the highway. With some re-striping, it would allow traffic to use the space on the outside of the highway during heavy traffic times.

The Federal Highway Administration paid for CDOT officials as well as Summit County Commissioner Dan Gibbs and Clear Creek County commissioners to travel to Minnesota last week to observe the hard-shoulder lane system first hand.

“I'm sold on it,” Gibbs said this week after returning to Summit County. “In my opinion, that's a real early-action item. That's something that could happen.”

A 12-foot shoulder is considered ideal to allow emergency vehicles to bypass traffic to respond to accidents.

The hard shoulder lane as it is implemented in Minnesota, however, preserves 3 feet of bypass space, which, Gibbs said, still turns out to be enough.

“Folks do their best to get out of the way as quickly as possible,” Gibbs said. “It might increase the timeframe for emergency services to get to someone by a couple minutes, but it's not a huge gap. It's minimal.”

In Colorado, highway shoulders are also used for snow storage when CDOT is plowing the roads. Kozinski said the shoulder lane wouldn't be operational during heavy winter storms.

Though CDOT director Don Hunt has warned Coloradans to be prepared for tolling to be a part of new highway capacity projects in the future, the transportation department hasn't had any discussions on whether a shoulder lane on I-70 would be tolled, according to Kozinski.

“That's a much larger conversation,” he said. “We really haven't given that any thought at this point in time.”

Congestion-priced tolling is used on hard shoulder lanes in Minnesota, with higher prices during peak hours to encourage drivers to travel during off-peak times.

Courtesy Summit Daily News

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Google Takes to the Slopes of Breckenridge

Instead of a figure walking, there's a little skier in the lower right corner of the Google Maps page, in street view mode.

Google has added the slopes of Breckenridge Ski Resort to its Street View special collections, a page that includes world landmarks, business highlights and parks of the world. They say Arapahoe Basin, Keystone and Beaver Creek will also be included in the collection.

The idea is to enable browsers to “tour some of the world's most beautiful ski terrain right from your browser,” according to a press release. “Whether you're planning your annual trip to your favorite resort or hunting for a new adventure, Street View can transport you to your desired destination.”

Current resorts on the docket include: several locations at Whistler/Blackcomb, the Gold Coast Face at Squaw Valley and Four O'Clock run at Breckenridge, as well as Deer Valley and Crystal Mountain in Washington.

All snow view imagery was captured by the Street View snowmobile, which made its debut two years ago at the Winter Olympics in Vancouver. The growing gallery of special street view collections takes browsers from the snow to the beach to city life.

Courtesy Summit Daily News

Breckenridge Snow Sculpting Championsips

Remember when you were a kid, and traipsing through the snow and shaping it into snowmen or igloos or sofas made you feel like a fantastical wizard?

Even if you missed that kind of experience, it's not too late to soak up some of the magic at the 22nd annual International Snow Sculpture Championships. Already, volunteers have spent days stomping down 3- to 4-foot layers of snow, until they created 23 packed snow blocks measuring 10x10x12 feet and weighing 20 tons.

Tuesday, 15 of the best international snow sculpting teams will begin transforming the blocks into amazing fine art pieces in an event cofounder Rob Neyland terms both sport and passion.

“A lot of these teams bring their charismatic color to the event,” Neyland said. “It's important, because at the end of the day, snow sculpting is a performing art; it is a living art form that is performed on the public stage. It is a cross between art and theater. The energy they bring in manifesting their own country's spirit is a big part of the process.”

And it's a process the public has the privilege to take in throughout the week, as people wander among the blocks, watching sculptors use only hand tools — some of which they've literally invented — to uncover the beauty frozen within the blocks.

“The truly wondrous thing to behold is the living process of the sculpture, which very few people experience,” Neyland said. And he's right: Most people view sculptures after they're finished; they don't sit onsite as an artist welds metal or chips away wood or bronze. “Rarely do you get the opportunity to see monumental sculpture being done.”



Kings (and queens) of the mountain
This year particularly stands out in the minds' of organizers because it brings together more teams who have won medals in snow sculpting than any other year, including Team China and Team Canada-Yukon, said Rachel Zerowin, spokesperson for Breckenridge Resort Chamber.

Neyland calls it the “distilled cream of the cream of the cream.”

In selecting 15 of the 32 entrants this year, judges evaluated the quality of design, looking for striking, dramatic and “doable” ideas (with snow, without any supporting materials); a team's pedigree (how many snow sculpting competitions it has attended and how it placed); and the perceived likelihood that members would show up, because in the past, teams from certain countries have told officials two days before the competition they couldn't get visas or plane tickets, Neyland said.

In addition to selecting teams with great track records, Breck officials also strive to bring in new artists.

This year, judges saw more entries than usual, said Vanessa Agee, Riverwalk and events manager. She attributes the high number to Breckenridge's reputation and call-outs. In the past 22 years, Breck's competition has become one of the premiere international snow sculpting competitions, moving from “who's that? to being one of the notches that you need on your belt,” Neyland said, adding that there are approximately 10 first-rate international competitions: about three in Canada, four in Europe, one in Japan, one in China and one in Breckenridge.

In addition to bringing in fresh teams internationally, locally, Neyland and crew have been cultivating snow artists through the Snowflake Challenge, which began in 2008. Team Breckenridge captain Keith Martin came directly through the Snowflake Challenge; after winning it two years in a row, Neyland brought him on board; this will be Martin's second year with Team Breckenridge, which also includes veteran Tom Day, previous Snowflake Challenge competitor Tim West, and Margo Jerkovitz and Betty Richter.

Other United States teams include Team Alaska and Team Wisconsin. Two teams cross boarders. One is Team Greece/USA — Idaho, and the other is Team Australia/USA. Australian Noah Davis started the latter, but he lives in Carbondale, so last year, most of his team members, except his American wife, came from Australia. This year, a few of his mates couldn't make the overseas trip, so Agee recommended a sculptor, and Davis invited another Carbondale buddy to join, resulting in a team mix of three Australians and two Americans.

Three teams hail from Canada (Ontario, Québec and Yukon), and other international teams are traveling from: Catalonia, (Spain), China, Finland, Germany, Baltic (Latvia-Estonia), Mexico and Switzerland.



The luxury at Breck
In 2008, the championship began providing a 59 percent travel stipend, making it easier for artists to attend. Breckenridge also has gained a solid reputation as a cushy place to compete, due to all the benefits competitors receive.

“We really roll out the welcome mat as a community,” Agee said, pointing out that it's not just a town and Breckenridge Resort Chamber event.

Restaurant owners provide free meals for team members on Wednesday night, one sponsor provides massages, and Breckenridge Ski Resort gives lift tickets, and, of course, makes the snow, which is a very big deal: Clean, machine-made, foot-packed snow provides the best medium in which to sculpt. Agee said some competitions scoop their snow from parking lots, which literally results in blocks with cigarette butts, dog waste and other debris.

“We notice the caliber of teams and designs and quality of sculpting has really gone up (every year),” Agee said.

Last year, organizers made the event more comfortable for viewers, as well, by adding leather sofas in the Riverwalk Center and LED lighting. This year, Cadillac has joined Budweiser as a main sponsor; Budweiser is the title sponsor, while Cadillac is the presenting sponsor. The extra support allowed staff to purchase even more leather sofas and install electricity in the Riverwalk parking lot, eliminating the need for loud, messy diesel towers. They also added LED uplighting, which creates more shadows, and thus depth, than just downlighting can.

“In my mind, this is certainly a great art festival for all to enjoy, and it's a very accessible art form,” Agee said, explaining that not everybody is going to be able to go to an art museum and appreciate the pieces, but snow sculptures are fun and easy to enjoy.

Budweiser and Cadillac both have custom, full-size snow sculptures in the Blue River Plaza (and one at Beaver Run). Neyland will be one of the artists creating the gateway sculpture, as he was last year — a role he enjoys because he's not tied to competition rules that limit the number of participants, so he can let friends help sculpt.

Meanwhile, the team he helped form — Breckenridge — from a passion of playing with snow back in the late 1960s and early 1970s to pay homage to Ullr, will create a technically challenging piece, mainly due to the need for suspension, as it builds a carousel.

Courtesy of Summit Daily News

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Arts and entertainment events in Summit County for January

Free dinner to check out square dance club

The Timberline Toppers Square Dance Club will be offering lessons to beginners, starting Jan. 24. Square dancing is fun, and is great exercise for the mind and body. The lessons will be given on Tuesday and Thursday evenings at 7 p.m. for those who would like to learn this active and social pursuit.

To give those who are curious a chance to try square dancing, the Timberline Toppers will be having a dinner dance party on Jan. 17. At 5:30 p.m., there will be a chili dinner, then at 6:30 a top square dance caller will give everyone a free introduction to square dancing. This will allow those who are unsure about what square dancing is a no obligation opportunity to give it a try.

The Timberline Toppers is the largest square dance club in Colorado, with over 100 members. They dance to modern music and wear modern dress. The dance calls have been standardized and are the same worldwide. Many of the members dance with clubs around the nation when they are visiting other parts of the country. They have found it to be a great way to meet people wherever they are.

To reserve a place at this Jan. 17 dinner dance, call Dave Bittner at (970) 390-1604 or email him at timberline@davebittner.com.

Friends of the Libraries Present ‘The Wizard of Oz and Other Strange Talks of the American West'

You've probably seen “The Wizard of Oz” many times, maybe even read the book, but it turns out that it's a lot more than a great children's story filled with lovable critters, music and color. Rick Hague will give you another side of the story at the first Friends of the Libraries slide show and talk this winter.

Find out what Hague has learned about American history in his talk presented by the Friends of Summit County Libraries at 7 p.m. today in the Blue River Room of the North Branch Library, 651 Center Circle in Silverthorne.

“There is another side of the story of Oz because the film is really a story within a story,” Hague said. “Join me on the yellow brick road, and we'll take a journey into one of the most difficult, contentious and awe-inspiring periods of American history. Our journey even passes through Summit County.”

Join Hague for this free talk (donations accepted) tonight. The Friends of the Libraries presents these talks as part of its fundraising efforts to help the libraries purchase books and other supplies. For more information, call (970) 468-5887.

Summit County's ‘Dream Machine' winter casting call for kids 5-16

“Dream Machine is a local children's musical drama group that strives to develop self-confidence, stage presence, speaking skills and vocal performance through community productions.

This season's musical journey back in time in search of “The Secret of America's Greatness” teaches powerful lessons that will instill thankfulness for the tremendous blessings God has bestowed upon America.

Rehearsals begin the week of Jan. 15th with performances the end of March. For more information contact: Nancie Read at nanread@gmail.com or (785) 409-9180.

Talk on Tibetan murders

In 2006, Himalayan mountain climbers on Cho Oyu witnessed a murder. Tibetan refugees passing their base camp came under fire by the Chinese Border Patrol. Professional mountaineer guide, Luis Benitez, was there and emailed his account to the world. His decision cost him his career and profoundly affected his life. Join Benitez as he explains the complicated world of mountaineering, politics and human self-preservation 7-8:30 p.m. Monday, Jan. 23 at the Colorado Mountain College's Paul & Eileen Finkel Auditorium, 107 Denison Placer Road, Breckenridge. Admission is $10; pre-registration is recommended (use class #65720). (970) 453-6757.

Comedy tonight

The Carriage House Early Learning Center funniest fundraiser is the perfect way to pay homage to Ullr. The Norse God of snow is obviously in a bad mood and the Carriage House and Breckenridge Resort Chamber feel the cure is a good ole belly laugh.

Tonight the Carriage House brings two famous comedians to the mountains for a fun filled night of laughter. Phil Palisoul and Eugene Kenny will perform at Beaver Run Resort for one night only. Tickets are $35 and are available by calling (970) 453-6423. Doors open at 7 p.m., and the show starts at 8.

Headliner Palisoul has appeared on the “Tonight Show,” “Last Comic Standing” and “Premium Blend” but is famous for using his self-deprecating humor to poke fun at some of life's harsher truths. Opening for Palisoul is Denver Comedy Works regular Eugene Kenny. Known for his work on the Black Entertainment Channel, Kenny has performed with Robert Townsend, Larry the Cable Guy and Dave Chappelle.

The show will be hosted by KSMT's Scotty Bondo. The show contains adult content and is not recommend for children under 16. For more details or to purchase advance tickets call (970) 453-6423.

Miner's Ball and Annual Wine Tasting

Celebrate Valentine's Day early on Feb. 11 from 4-11 p.m. at the National Mining Hall of Fame and Museum's 25th Silver Anniversary Celebration at the Miner's Ball and Annual Wine Tasting. Wear your Victorian finest and sample a variety of wines while you tour the museum, then enjoy an elegant three-course meal. Afterwards join in the fun on the dance floor or one of the card games. Don't forget to take a souvenir home from the silent auction. All proceeds from this special fundraising event go toward the NMHFM to support its mission of telling the story of mining, its people, and its importance to the American public.

Tickets must be purchased in advance by calling (719) 486-1229. The cost is $80 per ticket, $600 for a table of eight, or $750 for a table of 10.

‘The Book of Mormon' comes to Denver

The producers of the national tour of “The Book of Mormon,” winner of nine Tony Awards including Best Musical, and Denver Center Attractions announce that single tickets will go on sale Jan. 22 at 10 a.m. Tickets start at $35 and will be available at denvercenter.org, by phone or at the Denver Center Ticket Office; limit six tickets per order. “The Book of Mormon” will play a strictly limited, three-week engagement at the Ellie Caulkins Opera House Aug. 14 to Sept. 2.

“The Book of Mormon” features book, music and lyrics by Trey Parker, Robert Lopez and Matt Stone. Parker and Stone are the four-time Emmy Award-winning creators of the landmark animated series, “South Park.” Tony Award-winner Lopez is co-creator of the long-running hit musical comedy, Avenue Q. The musical is choreographed by Tony Award-winner Casey Nicholaw and is directed by Nicholaw and Parker.

To charge by phone, call Denver Center Ticket Services at (303) 893-4100. Buy online at www.denvercenter.org.

Courtesy Summit Daily News

Snowboarding's Beginnings: Jake Burton's original maple-wood boards

Many kids in the 1960s grew up riding a Snurfer in the winter months — after all, Sherman Poppen's invention sold thousands of boards — including Jake Burton. Although he was a talented skier, attended the University of Colorado and hoped to join the ski team before a collarbone fracture, Jake pursued his love for riding single-plank devices.

Upon graduating from New York University in 1977, Jake worked in the financial world for a few months before quitting his job to create Burton Boards. By the 1977-'78 season, he was building homemade snowboard prototypes out of a barn in Londonderry, Vt. Constructed of laminated maple wood, the Burton Backhill was born.

Jake visited shops all over Vermont that winter, marketing his prototype, but he had a similar experience to Winterstick's flop at the 1977 trade shows: No one was very interested. After selling just 300 boards during that season, Jake returned to Vermont in 1979 with a new model known as The Backyard and sold 700 boards — a huge improvement. Regular and goofy stances, as well as binding adjustments (no tools necessary!) were available. Burton had a bright future.

Jake widened the boards, added a urethane base, began signing team riders, and moved Burton to Manchester, Vermont during the 1980s. Over the next few years, Jake competed at snowboarding contests (including the first-ever contest at Ski Cooper in 1981), showing off his groundbreaking products and innovative equipment, including soft boots, metal edges, P-tex bases, highbacks and bindings. The first snowboarding outerwear gear was introduced and Burton expanded internationally — all while campaigning to have ski resorts open lifts to snowboarders. By 1996, 95 percent of ski resorts had opened their doors.

Throughout the 1990s, Jake and Burton Snowboards continued to push snowboarding to the forefront of winter sports by continuing the pursuit of establishing it as a vital part of the Colorado and international market. In 1995, Jake and wife Donna founded the Chill program, which works to “build the self esteem of undeserved youth through board sports.” The program exposes kids, who wouldn't normally have access to these opportunities, to snowboarding.

In 1998, snowboarding premieres at the Winter Olympics and Burton riders captured bronze and gold medals in the halfpipe, including Colorado native Shannon Dunn.

Jake was inducted into the Colorado Ski & Snowboard Hall of Fame in 2010, recognized for his rich history in the establishment and development of snowboarding in the state. Some of Jake's early snowboard creations are on display at the new snowboard exhibit at the Colorado Ski & Snowboard Museum. Several pieces are visible, including the wooden board Jake brought to the first Snurfer competition, generously on loan from Brooke Long.

Jake and Burton Snowboards continue to contribute to Colorado snowboarding by investing personally, sponsoring riders and events, and continuing local research and development.

Sources included:

Off the Chain: An Insider's History of Snowboarding by Ross Rebagliati

“Snowboarding: It's Older Than You Think,” by Paul J. MacArthur, Skiing Heritage Journal, March 2009

 

Courtesy Summit Daily News

National Snowshoe Championship comes to Summit County

Farmer's Korner will be the site of the 2012 National Snowshoe Championship, the nation's premier race of its kind, Feb. 24-26 — and like most of other things Summit County hosts, it will be the highest ever.

The event, which rotates from year to year through five regions — Northeast, Midwest, Rocky Mountains, West Coast and Alaska — always attracts some of the country's most talented endurance athletes, many of whom use snowshoeing as a way to stay in shape over the winter season.

The race will anoint national champions for each gender in various age groups, as well as overall national champions, which would be the day's fastest snowshoers for men and women (20 and up), boys and girls (19 and under). Those athletes will then have an opportunity to compete at the world championship.

Race director Darren Brungardt has been busy coordinating with the school district and the U.S. Forest Service to organize the race on the Iron Springs Open Space behind the school. He has also been organizing lodging for competitors, dining and partying events to take place in Frisco. Meanwhile, the United States Snowshoe Association will handle most of the on-course operations.

One key component to any National Snowshoe Championship is a healthy amount of snow, which we currently do not have.

Brungardt is optimistic that Summit will have the required 16 inches before the race; however, backup plans include the Frisco Nordic Center or Gold Run Nordic Center in Breckenridge, facilities that would be both suitable for the race and large enough to handle the influx of racers.

However, the backup venues won't be able to provide the backcountry terrain typical for the event. Proper snowshoe races consist of 1/3 groomed, 1/3 packed snow and 1/3 off-trail, unpacked terrain, and the Farmer's Korner venue provides all those things.

“When we looked at venues, the high school is a great place to have it because we have all those different options over there,” Brungardt said. “I know it'll work out. We still have two months to go before the event happens. We only need about 16 inches of snow, and hopefully we get that between now and then.”

Brungardt also said Summit County was selected based on the accessible location, strong local transportation and other fun things to do in the area.

Colorado racers, who usually represent well at the event regardless, will have a strong advantage this year with the championship being held at the highest altitude in its history. One guy to look out for is Vail's Josiah Middaugh, a four-time national champion.

“I definitely think the Colorado racers will be at an advantage,” said Brungardt. “We had them in Utah a couple years ago and (Middaugh) won that race pretty easily, beat a guy from New York who was highly touted to win the title. I think it was held at about 5,000 feet, and that was considered a big deal.”

Locals are encouraged to qualify at one of three regional races, the first of which is on Saturday in Silverthorne at the Swift Skedaddle Snowshoe Adventure. The top 10 overall finishers and top three in each age group will earn a start at the national race.

Other qualifiers include the Colorado State Championships in Leadville at the end of the month and the Love Me Tender race at the high school, which will serve as a precursor to the championship, on Feb. 11.

The whole operation is aided by sponsors on both the national and local levels, so businesses interested in getting involved should contact Brungardt at (970) 227-9452.

Courtesy Summit Daily News

Copper Mountain: Union Creek quad performs better than expected

Copper's new Union Creek High-Speed Quad has been in operation since mid-December, and so far, it's performing beyond resort officials' expectations.

The lift replaced the slower High Point double chair, which served Copper since 1976 and hauled people up the mountain in about 10-12 minutes. Now, with two queues feeding the lift, four seats on each chair, and a 5-minute, 22-second ride, the well-used advanced-beginner West Village area sees far less congestion.

“It's worked out even better than expected,” Copper marketing director Pete Woods said.

It's the closest lift to shuttle service, a fact that was often previously ignored by guests, largely because the hassled lift service voided the shuttle's convenience.

Now, though, people have figured it out, and Woods said he's seeing traffic head to West Village to take advantage of the area's beginner terrain (it's where the ski and ride school is based) and to take laps on the Woodward at Copper Central Park terrain park (which links up directly with the lift).

Woods said intermediate skiers and riders are also accessing “great” terrain off the lift previously left empty due to circulation problems at the base. That alleviates some of the pressure from other areas of the mountain, such as the Timberline lift, which can get congested with skiers wanting to do quick laps on one chair.

“This moves so many more people,” Woods said of the Union Creek chairlift. “People are surprised and amazed at how fast that lift is, because High Point was not.”

Beyond benefiting the holiday guest and local visitors who want to ski that side of Copper Mountain, the Union Creek quad should facilitate boardercross training that's been ongoing at Copper for several years — and help the mountain better host the USASA Nationals in spring.

Guests benefit from other changes

This summer, Copper also invested in other West Village improvements, such as an outdoor sitting and eating area off the Union Creek cafeteria.

“It's an entirely new layout for the learning area,” Woods said of the face-lift. The smallest Magic Carpet lifts are closest to the deck so parents and guardians can relax and watch the youngsters learn. The meet-up and drop-off area is “just steps away” from the deck, which helps draw down the ski school hassle for parents.

Courtesy Summit Daily News

Crowds pack Summit County for Christmas, New Year's

With the national economy on a slow path to stabilization, crowds of vacationers came surging back to Summit County, packing the resorts, restaurants and roads over the holidays.

As the busiest week of the year draws to a close, initial numbers and reports indicate tourist visits between Christmas and New Year's were at least on par, and possibly up from last year despite the lack of snow.

The number of incoming cars from the Eisenhower Tunnel this weekend surged from last year's numbers. More than 23,000 vehicles passed through the tunnel on Interstate 70 westbound Friday, up by nearly 5,000 vehicles from Dec. 30, 2010.

Almost 19,000 vehicles were counted heading westbound through the tunnel on Thursday and westbound counts on Saturday had exceeded 4,000 vehicles by noon.

Lodging occupancy in Breckenridge was expected to hit 75-85 percent between Christmas and New Year's, and room rentals between Dec. 27 and Jan. 1 are on track to be flat or up from last year, according to the most recent numbers provided by the Breckenridge Resort Chamber. Final numbers will not be available until January.

“The really encouraging sign is that we appear to be on a path to growth, despite below-average snow …” said Breckenridge Resort Managers president Toby Babich, who heads up the Breckenridge Lodging Association. “This holiday season again demonstrated the loyalty of our destination visitor seeking the Breckenridge holiday experience.”

Those in the ski and hospitality industry countywide had similar positive reports following the holiday week.

“It's been busy,” Keystone Resort spokeswoman Laura Parquette said. “The village has been bustling.”

Restaurants also reported an increase in business this week from holidays in the past. Some chalked the increase up to the lack of snow, which they said might have encouraged people to spend less time on the slopes and more in restaurants.

“I think it was almost busier than normal,” Dillon Dam Brewery general manager George Blincoe said of the Christmas to New Year week. “I wish we had better snow, but I think people know we have more vertical than Nebraska or Kansas ski areas, so they're here. And we're glad they are.”

Courtesy Summit Daily News

EpicMix photo sharing widespread

 As of early last week, Vail Resorts claimed that just under 40 percent of skiers and snowboarders at its resorts had activated EpicMix accounts, generating more than 280,000 posts on Facebook and Twitter — that's more social posts already than in the entire 2010-11 season.

The reason for the success is attributed to the new photograph addition to EpicMix, allowing skiers and snowboarders to get a photo taken that is quickly uploaded to that person's EpicMix account.

Visitors and local residents alike can be seen stopping for a photograph when they might have otherwise just kept on skiing. One reason is that it's free.

“It's awesome,” said Lyall Gorenstein, from New York. “What better way to describe it — free — because not much in Vail is free.”

Gorenstein had three Epic Mix photos taken with his family and plans to pick the best one and frame it for what he calls his wall of shame, which features nothing but ski photos. Vail Resorts offers a higher resolution version of the photos for $19.95, while the digital lower resolution versions are free.

For those that use social media, the photographs are a great way to share images with friends almost instantly. The Epic Mix photographer scans each person's pass before taking the photo, and that's how the photo automatically uploads to that person's EpicMix account. Once the photo is there, you can post it to Facebook or Twitter, or you can arrange your Epic Mix settings to do that for you automatically.

Local professional skier Drew Rouse said the new photo feature isn't for him, but he has seen his friends “go crazy with it.”

“The tourists I talk to at work love it,” Rouse said. “I would say that Vail Resorts has a big hit with the public.”

And that was the point all along. When Vail Resorts CEO Rob Katz announced the new photography component of Epic Mix in August, he knew it would be hugely valuable for the company as a marketing tool.

“If you think about social media, and especially for resorts and vacation destinations, word of mouth always comes up as the No. 1 reason why people choose (a destination) — not that marketing and other things don't help, they do — but word of mouth is so strong and powerful,” Katz said. “... Photo sharing is the fastest growing area in social media. We want people to take these photos and show them to other people.”

For some visitors, the new system will take some getting used to. Ben Barrocas, from South Florida, said he'll give it a shot but said he misses the Sharp Shooter photographers.

Vail Resorts replaced the Sharp Shooters, a company it contracted out to take on-mountain souvenir photographs, with its own EpicMix photographers this year, but Barrocas said the EpicMix photographers are harder to find.

“On top on one of the lifts, near Buffalo's, there was nobody to be found,” he said. “I didn't find that many photographers — only found one today. The Sharp Shooters were visible — they were everywhere.”

Vail Resorts hired about 200 photographers total for all six resorts — Vail, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge, Keystone, Heavenly and Northstar. The Epic Mix mobile application and website debuted last season, which brought the resort a lot of buzz in the social media world.

The photo addition, however, seems to be surpassing all the buzz created in 2010-11. With more than 280,000 Facebook and Twitter posts as of Dec. 13, and with Facebook's estimate that each user has an average of 130 friends, Vail Resorts estimates that Epic Mix has already generated more than 36 million social impressions.

Vail Ski and Snowboard instructor Stacey Burns said she sees EpicMix photos being uploaded to her friends' Facebook accounts every day.

“I like it, I think it's fun,” Burns said. “I don't have to bust my phone out on the lift to take a picture anymore.”

Local resident Nathan Malone said because it's free, how could anyone not use it?

“It certainly seems that skiers are engaging more with social media, too,” Malone said, via the Vail Daily's Facebook page. “That kind of advertising is priceless for (Vail Resorts).”

Courtesy Summit Daily News

Summit County Year in Review: October-December 2011

Max Dercum, A-Basin and Keystone co-founder, dies at 98

Co-founder of two of Summit County's four ski resorts and local legend Max Dercum died Sept. 30 just days shy of his 99th birthday.

Dercum passed away at a retirement home in Evergreen, where he died of natural causes.

The champion skier, former forestry professor and visionary, along with his wife, Edna, was among a group of seven who started Arapahoe Basin in 1946 and was the driving force behind the founding of Keystone Resort in the early 1970s.

Woman killed in collision with moose near Frisco

A 31-year-old woman from New Castle was killed the night of Oct. 2 when the vehicle she was in struck a cow moose on Interstate 70 near Frisco.

The moose was killed in the accident, Colorado Parks and Wildlife spokesman Mike Porras said, adding that the meat was donated per protocol. Tishe Marie Quintana was the passenger in the vehicle. The driver was taken to Denver Health Medical Center and was released with minor injuries, according to Colorado State Patrol trooper Nate Reid.

On Sept. 25, a young bull moose was hit and killed in a traffic collision in nearly the same spot, though it was on the eastbound side of I-70. The car was totaled but there were no injuries. There have been six moose killed along Summit County's roads this year, including the two along I-70.

Others have been hit on Highway 9 both north and south of Silverthorne.

Dirt bikers seek Tenderfoot terrain near Dillon

October became a big month for off-road motorcycle riders on Oct. 11, as the Forest Service initiated the evaluation process for the Tenderfoot Mountain Motorcycle Trails System, which could add nearly 30 miles of trail on Tenderfoot Mountain to the recently revised White River National Forest travel management plan.

Due to an oversight in the travel management plan process, 15 to 20 miles of existing trails on Tenderfoot Mountain weren't inventoried along with the roads and the rest of the travelways in the White River National Forest and therefore weren't considered for inclusion, Dillon Ranger District recreation staff officer Ken Waugh said.

Now, he's working with Summit County Off-Road Riders (SCORR) to design an approved trail system in the area.

CDOT gives I-70 pacing green light for 2012

The Colorado Department of Transportation plans to implement a pacing program, intended to keep traffic moving smoothly, on eastbound Interstate 70 on peak Sundays next year, officials announced Oct. 18.

In a Sept. 25 test of the program — also known as rolling speed harmonization — traffic slowed from 60 mph down to approximately 30 mph when the test ended near Empire Junction.

CDOT and local law-enforcement agencies will pace traffic primarily on Sundays from 1 p.m. until approximately 5 or 6 p.m. as needed.

During rolling speed harmonization, law-enforcement vehicles pull in front of traffic with emergency lights activated and lead cars at a steady speed through a specific stretch of highway.

A new middle school for Summit County?

A new private middle school is being developed as an educational option for Summit School District families.

The idea is to start with grades 6-8 before expanding one grade each year to include grades 6-12 within five years. Roughly a dozen people are working on details ranging from admissions and enrollment to curriculum and accreditation to tuition and tuition assistance.

The Peak School's lead organizer, Chris Renner, said creating the school has nothing to do with current issues in the school district — such as contention about equal access, multiple initiatives being implemented at once and more.

$60 million approved for Twin Tunnels widening

The $60 million widening of the eastbound Twin Tunnels near Idaho Springs is a go, after members of the Colorado Transportation Commission approved a plan to fund the project along with several others Oct. 20.

The budget supplement approved by a unanimous vote distributes $222 million in found dollars statewide, furnishing Summit County's CDOT region 1 with $76 million for the Twin Tunnels project, surface treatment work and other regional priorities.

Crackdown coming on booze, tobacco sales to kids in Summit County

For the first time in years, tobacco and alcohol compliance checks are happening in Summit County.

The initiative, which started in November, is a collaboration between local law enforcement and the Summit Prevention Alliance in an effort to prevent local retailers from selling such products to minors.

“We're pretty confident (selling to youth) is actually taking place — it's not unlike anywhere else,” Summit County undersheriff Derek Woodman said. “We know that's an ongoing issue and it has not been really monitored over the past few years. It's time for us to re-educate the retail market and make sure we get everybody in compliance.”

Student-led equal access petition submitted to Summit School Board

Eighth-grader Jackie Myers was among eight students to stand before the Summit School District Board of Education during the Oct. 25 meeting to present more than 2,000 signatures agreeing with a petition against equal access.

Equal access is an instructional method implemented school-wide at Summit Middle School and in some classes at Summit High School that puts students of all learning levels in the same classroom to be taught high-level curriculum. Teachers then divide students into ability levels to work together on the material and form assessments by ability. The practice is in contrast to the traditional model — where honors and other high-achieving students are taught separately.

“The majority of honors students feel we are being cheated out of the education we could have without equal access,” Myers read to board members. The Summit Honors Alliance letter stated that assignments are average, curriculum is explained repeatedly and non-honors students seek to use honors students as a source for answers, which they say is distracting.

Voters shut down DA's bid for a third term

Summit County voters shut down District Attorney Mark Hurlbert's bid for a term-limit extension to three terms, with 60 percent voting no on ballot question 1A.

In Eagle, Lake and Summit combined, close to 66 percent of voters opposed extending term limits for the district attorney.

“I'm disappointed, but also I appreciate that (the question) got to a vote,” Hurlbert said. “Part of being a prosecutor is the will of the people, whether it's a jury or in politics. I always defer to the will of the people, and I'm glad we got this to a vote.”

With the Nov. 1 electorate decision, Hurlbert will be term-limited in 2012 and will leave office in January of 2013.

Summit School Board incumbent ousted; new board takes shape

Election results showed a close race for the four vacant seats on the Summit School District Board of Education.

Incumbents Alison Casias and Erin Young and newcomers Dave Miller and Sue Wilcox won seats on the new board, while incumbent Brad Piehl trailed in early results and lost in the final results, totaling 17.9 percent of the vote.

Frisco, Breck voters give pot tax the thumbs up

More than 70 percent of voters in both Frisco and Breckenridge supported ballot questions proposing 5 percent excise taxes on the sale of medical marijuana.

Both towns said the taxes were needed to help offset the administrative, legal and enforcement costs brought on by the centers and the still-changing regulations on medical marijuana coming down from the state and federal levels.

The taxes will go into effect in January.

Outlets at Silverthorne working to attract more stores

Despite the departure of a few big-name stores and a vacancy rate of 22 percent, the Outlets at Silverthorne is slowly recovering from the economic downturn and stepping up its game to attract more “quality brand names” to the center.

Outlet sales and foot traffic are up within the past year, and sales tax revenue for the town was up 1.38 percent in November, even with the store closings.

Today, the outlets make up 35 percent of the town's total sales tax revenues.

Dillon's town manager leaves for Front Range post

After four-and-a-half years in the town's top post, Dillon Town Manager Devin Granbery is moving on.

Granbery recently accepted a position as city manager of Sheridan, a role he stepped into Dec. 5. His last day with Dillon was Dec. 2.

“I'm definitely going to miss Dillon, and I'm really going to miss working with the great Town of Dillon staff. They're one of the best staffs I've ever worked with.” Granbery said prior to his departure. “It's bittersweet, but at the same time, I'm excited at the opportunity in Sheridan.”

Summit County wins lawsuit against same-sex couple

After only a few hours of deliberation, a seven-member jury ruled in favor of the Summit County government Nov. 10 in a discrimination lawsuit brought by a same-sex couple, who claimed officials delayed the construction of their house ultimately causing foreclosure.

Hazel and Rodgers accused specific county officials of treating them differently from straight couples in similar situations when resolving problems that arose with the installation of the septic system in the couple's house and with the damage of surrounding wetlands.

The county claimed there had been no discrimination, but that the plaintiffs were inexperienced homebuilders who got themselves into a mess they could not afford to get out of.

Silverthorne: ‘Walkway' definition under contest in Blue River Trail trial

In Day 1 of a two-day trial concerning whether the Town of Silverthorne can build a multi-use trail in its “public walkway” easement across private land, plaintiffs — who are property owners in the Blue River Mesa Subdivision — brought Metro State College linguist Marina Gorlach to the stand Nov. 15.

Much of the day was spent establishing the definition of the term “walkway” as plaintiffs understand it, because the language of Silverthorne's easement through the Blue River Mesa Subdivision states the easement is for the purpose of “installation, use and maintenance of public utility services, drainage services and public walkways.”

Dillon bank robber pleads guilty, gets 10 years

The man who pleaded guilty to robbing Alpine Bank in Dillon in November 2010 was sentenced to 10 years in prison, the minimum mandatory sentence for his crime, District Attorney Mark Hurlbert announced Dec 1.

Lincoln Carpenter, 24, entered a guilty plea to charges of aggravated robbery in September.

He will serve his sentence in a state prison.

Carpenter, originally from Massachusetts, was arrested two days after he entered Alpine Bank in the fall of last year, demanded money from a teller and threatened to use a weapon.

ATM Bandit nabbed in Avon

A man authorities believe to be the so-called ATM Bandit was arrested in Avon Dec. 1 on suspicion of involvement with as many as 35 burglaries over the last two years, police said.

Eric Callaghan, 24, is being held in the Eagle County jail on $100,000 bond while the district attorney's office compiles the charges against him.

“He's looking at a significant amount of jail time,” DA Mark Hurlbert told the Vail Daily.

Callaghan is thought to be the same individual who broke into at least six ATMs in Summit County and several in Eagle County earlier this year, Hurlbert confirmed Saturday. He is suspected of involvement in dozens of burglaries totaling an excess of $100,000 in damages and losses.

Fugitive Breckenridge lawyer Scoop Daniel nabbed in Calif.

Almost five years after he disappeared with more than $500,000 of his clients' money, notorious Breckenridge attorney Royal “Scoop” Daniel III was arrested Dec. 7 as he crossed into the U.S. from Mexico.

Daniel was extradited from San Diego and is being held on a $500,000 bond at the Summit County Jail. He faces eight counts of felony theft and five counts of commercial bribery.

Daniel went missing April 27, 2007 after, it was later discovered, he allegedly bilked clients out of hundreds of thousands of dollars through real estate exchanges, which allowed him to hold large sums of money during property transfers.

Walgreens wall debacle reaches a conclusion in Dillon

The Town of Dillon is being partially reimbursed for its costs associated with fixing the 2010 Walgreens wall failure, which released about 170,000 gallons of water onto Little Beaver Trail below.

Town council voted unanimously Dec. 13 to approve a proposed settlement, in which Dillon is splitting $1.625 million with Walgreens and Pace Dillon, the owners of the property.

The town's take is $623,350, or 78.5 percent of its out-of-pocket expenses related to the incident, which amounted to an estimated $793,258 for staff time, emergency water line installation, road closure expenses, wall installation and legal counsel.

The wall failed in May of 2010 after a push-on joint in an underground water line separated and released about 170,000 gallons of water, spilling onto Dillon Valley's Little Beaver Trail below. The road, one of two entrances to Dillon Valley, was shut down to stabilize the wall and move debris before opening up as one lane. The road closed again earlier this year for reconstruction, which finally finished up a few months ago.

Silverthorne Lowe's opening delayed until summer

Frigid temperatures in Summit County are causing construction projects in Silverthorne, including Lowe's, to be delayed.

Lowe's anticipates pushing back its opening several months to late June or early July, according to spokeswoman Stacey Lentz. The home improvement warehouse was originally slated to open toward the end of January or early February.

“This delay is due to two reasons beyond Lowe's control. The initial construction was delayed due to the pending resolution of the original lawsuit against the town concerning the town's approval of our project,” Lentz said. “The second delay has been weather conditions that make certain construction materials and activities either infeasible or cost prohibitive.”

Breckenridge marks 50 years of skiing Dec. 16

The morning itself may have been similar to Dec. 16 half a century ago, but celebrated skiing pioneer Trygve Berge noticed quite a few changes.

In particular, he was treated like a celebrity. And, as he skied the fresh corduroy he's come to enjoy, he pointed out that the soft, man-made snow churned up by groomers was a commodity not available in 1961.

There were just a handful of Breckenridge celebrities gathered for the “understated” start of Breckenridge Ski Resort's 50th birthday, spokeswoman Kristen Petitt-Stewart said, but it was great to see Berge doing what he's been doing for the last 50 years. He rode the first chair along with his friend Greg Gutzki; Nancy Macy, who rode the first chair in 1961 and still skis four days a week; and Bob Brown, who was born on Dec. 16, 1961 and was granted the wish to ride first chair.

The Breckenridge Ski Resort is celebrating its semi-centennial anniversary by granting birthday wishes, offering giveaways and focusing on the guests this season. The town threw a birthday celebration Dec. 16 complete with fireworks, a concert and a champagne toast to those who have been a part of Breckenridge from the beginning.

New Shuttle Service from Fairplay to Breckenridge

A new private transit service, Blue River Shuttles, is now open for business, providing a long-awaited connection between Fairplay, Alma, Blue River and Breckenridge.

Long-time local and owner Eric Munden said he started the fledgling shuttle business where he saw the greatest need.

“As far as I know, there isn't any sort of shuttle system that does exactly what I do,” Munden said. “I know that Summit County is incredibly easy to get around without a vehicle, but up until now that wasn't the case from Blue River onward. I'm hoping to change that.”

Many people who work in Breckenridge live in Alma or Fairplay and, without a bus service, have to commute by car. Limited parking availability is an ongoing problem in Breckenridge.

The Summit Stage, Summit County's free public bus system, doesn't run any farther south than Breckenridge.

The new shuttle service doesn't eliminate the need for a southern public bus route in Summit County, Blue River officials said. But it does provide a needed service while the Summit Stage transit board and the Town of Blue River are working on the expensive project of a expanding the Stage service.

“(A bus route) is still in our visioning and our long-range plans,” Blue River Mayor Lindsay Backas said. “But for the interim we're thrilled (to have Blue River Shuttles). It's wonderful for the people of the town and the people who are renting out their homes, because up until this point we've had nothing.”

Hoping for tourist business too

This is the first season Blue River Shuttles has been in business. So far, its riders have been primarily employees commuting between Fairplay and Breckenridge, but Munden said he hopes the service will catch on with tourists as well.

“It's designed for employees and tourists,” Munden said. “It might take a season or two, but I think this is going to be a pretty dependable system.”

Currently, the shuttle runs as a “call and demand” service with regular routes. Blue River Shuttles operates two vans and two buses, which depart from Fairplay at 90 minute intervals in the morning, stopping when and where they're requested in Alma, Blue River and finally in Breckenridge. The buses and vans then leave Breckenridge, again at regular intervals, in the afternoon.

In between, the shuttle service runs 24 hours a day on reservations wherever and whenever its customers ask to be picked up and dropped off.

“Currently it's reservation only,” Munden said. “That's because I cover so much ground from Fairplay to Breckenridge. There are so many stops it would take to be convenient that it would take an hour-and-a-half for the route to be complete.”

By working on a reservation-only system, Munden said his route takes a total of about 45 minutes.

A shuttle ride between Fairplay and Breckenridge costs $10 roundtrip for an adult and $8 roundtrip for kids age 15 and younger. Blue River Shuttles offers discounted 10 one-way-trip and 40 one-way-trip punch passes as well as discounts for employees.

More details are available online at www.bluerivershuttles.com.

Deep-sky Gazing at Keystone Science School

Look up at the sky.

Do you wonder the name of that bright celestial object?

How about the Zodiac constellations crossing the sky at 9 p.m.?

Keystone Science School's StarQuest program has been a go-to family adventure for Summit County visitors in summer and winter — and the organization is looking to build its winter participation this year.

“As the new specialty programs coordinator, I'll be largely in charge of our StarQuest program ... our weekly astronomy program open to the community, held on Monday nights throughout the winter (pending weather, of course),” Keystone Science School specialty programs coordinator Audrey Dignan said.

She's becoming versed with the delicate, $50,000 reflecting telescope donation. It can be finicky: It's very particular about being “put to bed” in the right alignment, and having the operator know-how to tell it to enhance the view of various celestial objects.

The biggest challenge, Dignan said, is learning what's in the sky in winter. She's more familiar with guiding star-gazing in the summer, which has a completely different night sky.

Nonetheless, Dignan is excited to put her knowledge to the test come early January, when the winter StarQuest program is scheduled to kick off. It runs every Monday evening starting at 8:30 p.m. and costs $20 for adults and $10 for children under 12.

She plans to use the two hours to show off the sky's most unusual objects, and to talk about the science and stories behind the stars and objects passing through the sky all the time.

Like Jupiter. Or the Andromeda Galaxy. Or the Orion Nebula. Explaining (and showing) the differences between red giants, white dwarfs, yellow stars, double stars and more should also be part of several of the lessons.

She's able to use star maps with the naked eye, binoculars and low-powered telescopes to keep participants engaged throughout the program.

“It's very romantic,” Dignan said, implying that it's good for couples on vacation or looking for something different to do. The Keystone Science School is looking to partner with Keystone Ranch's sleigh ride program to do a “drive-by” star program after dinner, which they plan to call “Cosmic Cowboys.”

The StarQuest program can also be catered to children, and it's her duty to make sure the program meets the needs and desires of her participants.

“Families are very excited to be able to look at deep space objects,” said Seth Oglesby, who used to run the StarQuest program, but now serves as Keystone Science School's camps and outreach assistant director.

He said participants are often surprised that they can see the cracks and crevices of the moon, or view Jupiter as closely and clearly as it appears in the telescope.

“They're amazed and they leave happy and appreciative of what we've shown them,” Oglesby said.

“How could you not be excited when you're looking at a galaxy in a high-powered telescope?” Dignan added.

Courtesy Summit Daily News

Breckenridge, Ski Area Working on a Transit Agreement

Four months ahead of the April municipal elections, Breckenridge Town Council members and ski resort executives are still working on a transit agreement that might keep a lift ticket tax question off the ballot.

After several weeks of closed-door meetings, council members involved in the talks with Vail Resorts and Breckenridge Ski Resort (BSR) executives wouldn't say whether the two entities were nearing an agreement.

Breckenridge Mayor John Warner did say that nothing is on the table yet.

If they have not reached an agreement with the resort by the deadline to add to the April ballot, councilmembers said they would move forward with the tax question.

“I think we have the support from the council to put it on the ballot and then let the voters decide,” Councilman Jeffrey Bergeron said. “That's if the ski area and the town can't come to terms.”

The revenue from a lift ticket tax could help fund a coordinated ski area/town bus system in Breckenridge, town officials have said.

But the lift ticket tax — also called an amusement or admissions tax — question seems to be getting mixed reviews from the public, based on the results of an informal Summit Daily poll.

The majority, 56 percent, of the more than 370 respondents to the online survey as of Sunday said they wouldn't vote for a lift ticket tax at all, and only 6 percent said they would support the tax because the town needed the money to improve transit.

Almost 35 percent of respondents said they would vote yes on a lift ticket tax because they thought Vail Resorts should have a tax on its sales as other businesses do.

Close to 15 percent of those who participated in the poll said they didn't think the town needed the lift ticket tax revenue and 40 percent held that it's not the right time to be imposing new taxes on Breck's visitors.

Vail Resorts collects a sales tax on food, merchandise and rentals, but no tax is currently imposed on lift or admission ticket sales in Breckenridge.

The Town of Vail does levy a 4 percent lift ticket tax, which Mayor Andy Daly called “a major revenue source for the town.”

Breckenridge Ski Resort executives have expressed strong opposition to the tax proposal and have made it clear if the question is put on the ballot and approved, the cost will be passed on to their customers.

“Ultimately an amusement tax is not a tax on Breckenridge Ski Resort, but a tax that would be borne by guests and locals alike who ski and ride at Breckenridge,” Vail Resorts spokeswoman Kristin Williams said. “There is a strong anti-tax sentiment across our state and across the country — with intense scrutiny being put on even the hint of a new tax.”

Town officials said many people's support for the tax is “vindictive” against Vail Resorts and said it was possible a citizens' group would put the tax question on the ballot even if the town and the resort reached a transit agreement.

If approved by voters, the tax could be applied to summer fun park revenue, bar and restaurant cover charges, theater tickets, sleigh ride revenue and event ticket sales as well as lift ticket sales.

A 4.5 percent tax would bring in an estimated $2.9 million annually from lift ticket sales alone. No decisions on the size or scope of the tax have been made.

The Vail Daily contributed to the reporting of this story.

The Christmas Bird Count Begins

The Christmas Bird Count has begun.

During the holidays, thousands of bird watchers armed with binoculars, bird guides and checklists get ready to bundle up and head out in search of feathered friends during the 112th annual Christmas Bird Count.

What's been deemed the longest-running citizen science project in American history runs until Jan. 5.

The purpose is for volunteers to identify and tally every bird in their specific route and designated 15-mile-wide circle counted annually. The goal is to get an annual census of which birds — and how many of each species — are using a particular habitat. By repeating the process year after year, wildlife managers are able to document and analyze long term trends in species abundance and health.

“The information gathered by scientists and volunteers is invaluable to determining long-term trends in bird populations,” said John Koshak, a watchable wildlife specialist for Colorado Parks and Wildlife. “Birds are sensitive to changes in the environment. By studying trends, we can determine which bird species are declining and which ones are on the increase.”

According to Leon Bright, membership coordinator for the Arkansas Valley Audubon Society, this year's counters in his area are seeing lots of species, but not as many individuals as in years past. “We documented 127 species at Pueblo Reservoir, which is two short of the all time record. The total number of birds, however, was down.”

Bright said the same trend was observed in the Wet Mountain Valley count near Westcliffe.

“The lower number of birds might be related to the drought conditions,” he said.

According to the Audubon Society, the Christmas Bird Count is a family tradition for their members.

On Christmas Day 1900, the first Christmas Bird Count was done as an alternative to what was known as a “side hunt.” According to the Audubon Society's web page, a “side hunt” was when people formed teams to see which team could shoot the largest bag of feathered and furred wildlife. Recognizing that this kind of intense hunting might have a serious impact on wildlife populations, the national association of the Audubon Society began organizing volunteers to count birds on Christmas Day rather than shoot them.

By tradition, the modern Christmas count takes on the guise of a friendly competition, as groups vie with each other and with history to find more species than their peers did. After a day in the field, often in raw conditions, birders gather to compile their totals and recount the best sightings of the day.

Bright cites two reasons people participate in the Christmas Bird Count.

“They love birds and want to help out as citizen scientists. And they love the camaraderie of being with others,” he said.

The Christmas Count is a way for new and novice birders to learn about bird habits and bird identification skills from experienced birders. Old hands derive satisfaction from knowing that their observations are part of an enormous body of scientific data that's important to bird conservation in Colorado and beyond.

For many birders, the highlight of the day is spotting a species they have never seen and adding it to their life list. Others will marvel to the unpredictable and sometimes dramatic interactions between species like raptors and their prey. A lucky few may see a unique bird or a species never before recorded in their circle.

Give the gift of science this holiday

Avid bird watchers or folks even slightly interested can give the gift of time and viewing skills as a participant in this year's Christmas Bird Count.

There is a specific methodology to the CBC, but everyone can participate. Count volunteers follow specified routes through a designated 15-mile diameter circle, counting every bird they see or hear all day. Each circle is led by a Count Compiler. Beginning birders can join a group that includes at least one experienced birdwatcher.

The CBC tallies species but also counts all birds all day, giving an indication of the total number of birds in the circle that day. If observers live within a CBC circle, they may arrange in advance to count the birds at their feeders and submit those data to their compiler.

To find the posted date of a count near you, or to join a CBC, go to www.audubon.org.