August 7, 2020 | Winter Park Times

census: update page 3

RAU: The Trails Reporter page 12

Vol. 4, No. 4 August 7, 2020

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W EEKEND FORECAST PAGE 19

Mostly sunny all weekend. Friday, Saturday and Sunday will be beautiful. Highs in the low to mid 70’s. Outdoor recreation, trails and greenspace are important to your mental well-being. Get out and enjoy your weekend!

The tiny birds with giant hearts are headed south soon, Page 10 Cover Photo by Tori Lee Jackson

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WinterParkTimes.com

August 7, 2020

Municipal Beat: Fraser Board of Trustees

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he Fraser Board of Trustees held a Special Meeting on July 7 to discuss Ordinance 479, an Emergency Ordinance requiring Face Coverings during the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency.

At the Board’s request at their July 1 meeting, staff had drafted the ordinance in support of local businesses and for public safety.

The Board unanimously approved the Ordinance, with several changes to the draft language to clarify when the Emergency has passed and expanded the exceptions to include those seated at beverage and dining establishments and indoor businesses/meeting rooms where social distancing is provided and while seated.

Kona Ice Mobile Vending At their meeting on July 15, the trustees reviewed a request from Karl Vogelbacher, owner of the local Kona Ice franchise, Kona Ice of Peaks & Valleys. Vogelbacher had submitted an application to provide curbside delivery of pre-ordered and onsite shaved ice across the Town of Fraser, set up at Town Parks, fishing ponds and in front of local businesses, with written approval from business owners.

Vogelbacher explained the business to be self-contained, within the truck, and some activity would include travel through local neighborhoods in the oldfashioned “ice cream truck” style.

The trustees approved the requested 2020 Mobile and Transient Vending permit unanimously.

De-Gallagher Ballot Question Paul Wisor, of Garfield & Hecht PC, presented an overview of a Gallagher Stabilization Ballot Question.

Background: The Gallagher Amendment was adopted in 1982 in response to ongoing concern about ever-increasing residential property taxes. The Gallagher Amendment divides the state’s total property tax burden between residential and nonresidential property. Gallagher requires that 45% of the total amount of state property tax collected must come from residential property and the remaining 55% must come from commercial property. Gallagher goes on to provide the assessment rate for commercial properties is permanently fixed at 29%.

Given the assessment rate for commercial properties is set at 29%, the General Assembly must set the residential assessment rate (the “RAR”) every odd year in order to maintain the

45%/55% allocation between residential and commercial taxes mandated by Gallagher. In 1982, the RAR was at 21%, but due to significant growth in the residential real estate market in the last forty years, the RAR has decreased significantly over time, and the RAR was most recently set at 7.15% in 2019.

Impact: As a general matter, an individual’s property tax bill, and the amount ultimately received by the Town, is calculated using the following formula: Property Tax = (Market Value of Property) x (RAR) x (Town of Fraser Mill Levy).

The Town of Fraser is only able to control one of these factors, the mill levy, but, even control of this factor is limited by Art. X, Section 20 of the Colorado Constitution (“TABOR”).

In good economic times, increased residential property values should result in an increase in property tax revenues to the Town; however, because increases in residential property values have historically outpaced increases in commercial property values in Colorado, the RAR has decreased. As a result, any significant increase in revenues that could be realized by the Town is diminished or otherwise eliminated.

2021 Reassessment: As required by Gallagher, the General Assembly will again set the RAR in 2021.

As is traditionally the case, several weeks ago, the State Property Tax Administrator released an estimate of the RAR for 2021. Given the robust residential real estate market over the last two years, it is currently estimated the 2021 RAR will be set 5.88%, an 18% decrease from the RAR set in 2019. It is estimated this decrease in the RAR would result in a $50,000 decrease in Town revenues.

Statewide Ballot Question: Over the last several years many special districts, including special districts in the Fraser Valley, whose budgets are disproportionately dependent on property tax revenues have asked voters for permission to “de-Gallagherize.”

That is, they have asked for permission for their mill levies to fluctuate so that the effective RAR is 7.15%, no matter the level at which the General Assembly sets the RAR pursuant to Gallagher.

Taking note of this trend, a significant number of lawmakers, business leaders and community members from both

sides of the political aisle have come to the conclusion that Gallagher has outlived its usefulness. As such, the General Assembly voted to refer a ballot question to the voters in November 2020 asking to repeal Gallagher. Were the repeal to occur, the state would then be able to set assessment rates for both residential and commercial properties at any level they deemed fit in the future.

Proposed Town Ballot Question: The 2021 RAR presents a significant challenge to the Town under current law. The outcome of the statewide ballot question is murky at best, so relief from Gallagher is not guaranteed. As such, the Town could follow the lead of other special districts, and ask Fraser residents to essentially freeze the RAR at its current level of 7.15%, which would require a ballot question be placed before voters at the November 2020 election.

Upon conclusion of Wisor’s presentation, the board directed Wisor to continue to work with the Grand County Attorney on the ballot language and bring it back to the next meeting.

Repeal and Reenactment of Motor Vehicle and Traffic Code At the August 5 meeting, Fraser Winter Park Police Chief Glen Trainor presented Ordinance 480, an ordinance designed to update the Town’s Motor Vehicle and Traffic Codes to align with the State of Colorado’s Code. Trainor explained the changes would ease and simplify the department’s administrative management of the code. The trustees approved Ordinance 480 unanimously.

Gallagher Stabilization Ballot Question Town Manager Jeff Durbin presented a Memo from Paul Wisor, which included suggested Ballot Language crafted in consultation with the Grand County Attorney. Durbin told the trustees they did not need to approve the language that evening, indicating Town Clerk Antoinette McVeigh would need to work

on an IGA with the county to conduct the election.

“If the ballot question passes at the statewide level, this will be irrelevant,” said Trustee Ryan Barwick. Durbin confirmed the observation was correct.

“I think we should move forward,” said Trustee Katie Soles.

The board approved moving forward with the de-Gallagher ballot question.

Grand Valley Ranches and USFS Land Exchange During the meeting, the trustees approved a letter of support to District Ranger Shoshana Cooper for a Land Exchange proposal between Grand Valley Ranches and the US Forest Service.

The letter read, “While we understand that the public review process has not been initiated, we felt it important to share our support for consideration of this proposal. The private lands above Devil’s Thumb Ranch have significant recreational and environmental values which should be preserved. Federal ownership of these lands would protect public values and make available to the community a wide range of beneficial activities including hunting, fishing, biking, and cross-country skiing. The exceptional wildlife, wetland, fen values would also be better protected in federal ownership.

It is also noted that the lands to be exchanged to Grand County Ranches are squarely in the development path and are a logical place for future growth to occur. While such development may occur sometime into the future, it makes sense to include this area in future growth scenarios for the Town of Winter Park and Grand County. Based on our discussion, it is our understanding that public trails that are proposed for Roam and Rendezvous may be extended up into the 540-acre parcel which would provide additional open space and recreation benefits for the community. Having additional public trails and open space would provide significant benefits to the community.”

Fraser Board of Trustee meetings are held the first and third Wednesday of each month at 6 pm at Town Hall. The meetings are open to the public. To learn more, visit frasercolorado.com.

August 7, 2020

WinterParkTimes.com

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Census 2020 Update

Buying & Selling Real Estate/Kitchen & Bath Remodeling

Colorado’s self-response rate is 66.3% overall. In Grand County, only 26.6% of residents have responded to the US Census thus far.

Response rate by town: • Fraser: 27.8% (36.2% responded in 2010) • Granby: 33.4% (42.4% responded in 2010) • Grand Lake: 16.5% (21.7% responded in 2010) • Hot Sulphur Springs: 57.5% (67.6% responded in 2010) • Kremmling: 55.3% (65.2% responded in 2010) • Winter Park: 13.4% (15.2% responded in 2010)

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Counting every person in your household, including children, means about $1500 per year in federal funds to the county for every person counted.

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Originally slated to end in July, the census was extended to October 31 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Enumerators have been visiting households across the county since June in an effort to collect accurate census data and Non-Response Follow Up (NRFU) began on July 30.

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On Monday, August 3, US Census Bureau Director Steven Dillingham announced the decision to shorten field data collection to end by September 30.

This means we have a little less than two months to provide important data that will serve our county for the next ten years.

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he clock is ticking to get an accurate count of current residents across the USA via the US Census 2020.

The numbers collected will determine amounts of federal funding for many services, schools, roads and transportation, to be allocated proportionally to the population in a given area.

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Second homeowners are also requested to respond to the census, even if the total number in residence for less than six months is zero. By responding this serves to negate the property and removes it from the NRFU.

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It has never been more important for every household to respond to the census. You can respond in-person, when the enumerator visits your home, by mail, online and by phone. To learn more, visit 2020census.gov.

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WinterParkTimes.com

August 7, 2020

A Taste of Fraser Valley History

H

Bruce Barwick

Before Cars and Route 40

ave you ever driven Paschal (President of HFI) County Road 5, mayand Kent Wehmeyer & Steve be to go to the Pole Creek Watts (board members) Golf Course or just to avoid organized this important Route 40 traffic? If so, you project. Fortunately, grant have probably noticed an funding, donations and inold Barn being rebuilt and kind support were sufficient a sign letting you know to rebuild the Ford Barn an old, historic Stageover the last few years. coach Hotel is going to be Next week, August 10, there rebuilt next to it. Well, will be a ground-breaking the rebuilding starts this ceremony to start rebuilding Monday, August 10, with a the 4 Bar 4 Stagecoach Hotel ground-breaking ceremony to its original design. The at 9:30.

Barn is now complete, and The story and people attendees will be invited to behind this old stagecoach look around.

Hotel is most interesting In attendance will also be and brings to life little McQueary family members, known history of Grand including Rob McQueary County. To understand the (the great, great grandson of importance of this StageDick McQueary) and his two coach Hotel and its locasons, Alex and Traver who McQueary’s Ranch. Original Ford Barn. Part of the 320 Acre parcel homesteaded by Dick and Jessie McQueary in 1895. Later named the 4 Bar 4 Ranch. tion let me give you some helped with this project. historical background.

Also attending will be Aeryn Photo courtesy of the Fraser Historic The chief character of this Donnelly, HFI’s special events growth and development of Grand County, the question story is Dick McQueary who led the effort to build the manager. Stop by and ask them any questions about to many was how to remember this history and help first road through Rocky Mountain National Park. But this very special project and how the 4 Bar 4 Stagevisitors and residents enjoy it. Turns out that question coach Hotel, 4 Bar 4 road and Ford Barn have added to another important Fraser Valley road that McQueary was answered by an energetic and resourceful group the rich history of our valley. built is County Road 5 (also known to locals as the 4 now known as Historic Fraser, Inc (HFI). More about Bar 4 road). This six-mile stretch of road led travelers them in a bit. out of Fraser and towards Granby and Grand Lake and First, some basic history. In 1895, Dick and it ran right through McQueary’s ranch.

Jessie McQueary built the Stagecoach Hotel on In 1895, Dick and his wife Jessie homesteaded the the 4 Bar 4/CR 5 road with family quarters and 320-acre ranch just outside Fraser and named it the 4 boarding rooms. The 4 Bar 4 Stagecoach Hotel Bar 4 Ranch. Before Route 40 was developed the 4 Bar hosted many a traveler on their way to Grand 4 road was the only way to drive north out of Fraser.

Lake. The Stagecoach Hotel was also a stop on This stretch of road starts near the ball fields just outthe Georgetown Stage Line. Once the railroad side Fraser and ends 6 miles north. If you look closely, came through in 1905 the stagecoach was you will see that the road signs still call it the 4 Bar 4 largely eliminated but the Hotel stayed open road while noting it is also CR 5. until 1912.

The 4 Bar 4 road (also referred to as the Georgetown In 1912 the hotel and barn began its second Stage Line) is historic not only because it was the first life as the first automobile agency site in Grand road into Grand County from Berthoud Pass, but also County. Final assembly of Ford’s Model T car because it was an integral part of the nation’s first was performed in the barn and then stored on highway from Washington D.C. to San Francisco and the 2nd floor until the car was delivered to its later part of the transcontinental auto trail in America. new owners. The dealership survived only 5 Given the significance of the 4 Bar 4 road in the years before the ranch returned to its roots as a The McQueary Family in the later years with Dick on the right. cattle farm.

Photo courtesy of the Fraser Historic

The 4 Bar 4 Barn as it stands today.

Photo & Story by Bruce Barwick

Enter the good folks of the Historic Fraser, Inc. (HFI). Understanding that history is best remembered and honored with physical structures, HFI started out to rebuild the deteriorating 4 Bar 4 Stagecoach Hotel and Ford Barn.

With the assistance and support of many organizations and individuals (i.e., the History Colorado State Historical Fund; the Grand Foundation, Gates Family and Peter Grant Foundations; Dave Lively (founder of Historic Fraser); various McQueary family members; local businesses and others), the HFI team of Rhonda

This project is a timely reminder of the value of remembering history in the Fraser Valley. It seems that some people want to rewrite history today and in doing so use it for whatever political purpose they may have in mind. But as the sign at the Ford Barn states, “Plan for the Future, Honor the Past”, the past is best used to understand what it took to build this country, how and who made it actually happen, and keep those lessons in mind as we continue to build the future.

For more information please visit www.savethe4Bar4.org

Please send any comments to me at bebarwick@gmail.com.

W inter Par k Town C ouncil T

he meeting on Tuesday, July 7, saw the council immediately enter into an Executive Session for discussion and consideration of details pertaining to the future gondola project.

Fitness in the Park Event Permit Following the Executive Session, Town Clerk Dani Jardee presented a Special Event Permit and Public Hearing for Fitness in the Park. The event takes place on Sundays through the summer at the Rendezvous Event Center from 9 am - 10 am. Hearing no public comment and with all documents in order, council unanimously approved the Special Event Permit.

Surplus Equipment to Auction Public Works Director Gerry Vernon told the council that a number of older vehicles and equipment were no longer in use. He explained that, in years past, they had put the outdated equipment up for auction to the local community. Vernon proposed this next round be managed by Purple Wave Auction of Manhattan, KS. He told council a larger audience could result in higher prices, and the auctioneer’s cost is 10% of the sales.

Councilor Art Ferrari asked, “With our potential reduction in capital spending, are we sure there’s no use for these vehicles?”

“We took a hard evaluation,” said Vernon. “Most approach 20 years old.

We do have a back-up plow truck, but there’s a newer version 2-3 yrs old.”

Vernon said some of the equipment had sat, unused, at the incinerator center for quite some time. “It’s time to move them out,” he said, adding, “we can also save on insurance by not having them in our inventory.”

Council approved Resolution 1781 unanimously.

Mountain Parks Electric Easement Request Vernon next introduced Resolution 1782, a resolution dedicating permanent easements to MPE. He explained that, in order to get power to the new facility, an overhead line will have to be installed from Winter Park Drive, over the river near the shop and existing trail. This would require a 120’ wide permanent easement for the overhead portion. The power will then go underground to a transformer located near the middle of the property, requiring a 20’ wide permanent easement. Power would be distributed to the building from the transformer.

Council approved Resolution 1782 unanimously.

Rendezvous at Winter Park amends Final Development Plan Community Development Director James Shockey presented the first reading of Ordinance 539 to council.

Rendezvous Colorado LLC had requested to amend the original Plan, approved in 2008, to update and bring their development standards to better align with their current products, which require a smaller footprint. As a result, single-family homes in the development would be reduced from 7,000 square feet(s.f.) to smaller sizes ranging from 5,000 to 1,250 s.f. The amendment also outlines reduced setbacks to accommodate the

smaller lot sizes.

Shockey had requested clarification from the applicant on building height, stating 40 feet is allowed for townhome products and multi-family units are permitted at 50 feet. Other concerns expressed included small setback footage and snow removal.

Council approved the first reading and requested the developer be present at the second reading to answer outstanding questions regarding the amendment.

Economic Nexus Finance Director Lizbeth Lemley presented the first reading of Ordinance 540 which would amend sections 3-2-5 and 3-2-6 of the Town’s Code to define economic nexus and update methods for collection and remittance of sales tax.

The ordinance was drafted in response to the Colorado Municipal League (CML) and its economic nexus and marketplace facilitator model ordinance project. CML is urging the Town, as one of 72 home rule municipalities collecting its own sales tax, to adopt the ordinance and to begin using a Colorado Department of Revenue state portal (commonly referred to as “SUTS”) to collect Town sales tax.

Doing both will impose Town sales tax on internet transactions while also providing businesses with a single point of remittance for state and Town sales tax.

Council approved the ordinance on first reading. A public hearing and second reading was set to take place on Tuesday, July 21 and the ordinance was approved at that time.

Local Disaster Emergency extended Town Manager Keith Riesberg explained that the Town had declared a disaster in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic on March 24, 2020. The declaration established protocols and allowed the Town opportunity to establish new regulations and guidelines for staff in order to respond to the emergency. Resolution 1783 would continue the declaration through a period of one year, through March 23, 2021.

Council approved the resolution unanimously.

Face Coverings required Town staff and members of council had been receiving requests and concerns from community members on the number of people not wearing face masks.

With the safety of residents and visitors in mind, the council unanimously approved Ordinance 541, an emergency ordinance requiring face coverings during the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency.

The Ordinance took effect immediately and requires a face covering to be worn when entering and while inside a place of business open to the public; and, in other public indoor or outdoor places where social distancing (6 feet or more of separation) from others not of the person’s household.

See Winter Park, page 17

August 7, 2020

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August 7, 2020

We’re on the road to nowhere

ow that I’ve had a smallish RV for almost three years I have some real insights on what it’s like to hit the road and/or depend on a vehicle for Steve Skinner shelter. I have a 2004 Chevy Express conversion that is about 12 feet tall and 18 feet long. It has a garage door and storage in the back so they call that a toy hauler. I call it the Escape Pod. When I started looking for a Pod I had some requirements in mind.

I had to consider that I might need to join the more than one million Americans said to be living full time in an RV. I’m sure the one million person statistic does not count the brave souls and determined humans making a go of it in small, cramped, undependable American sedans.

Since it might be the only thing standing between me and living under the Bridge on the Fraser River in Tabernash I needed a few comforts.

It had to drive (no trailer), it had to be tall enough to stand in, it had to have a toilet and shower. Anything else would be extra.

I studied the culture online.Most of the folks you see making online videos and living the life are white and apparently have endless money and massive luxurious land yachts.

(Their complaints tend to be lousy internet service and water pressure issues at the RV parks.)

I would not own a giant land fortress even if I did have the money.

What some might not realize is that campers the size of a bus (and all RVs) take a lot of maintenance.

Expensive maintenance.

Plumbing. Poop. Electrical systems.

Engines. Brakes. Water filtration.

Tires, transmissions and tie rods.

Cleaning. Vacuuming. Laundry. Home entertainment systems. Kitchens.

Waste tanks.

Look at any storage facility in the USA that accommodates RVs.

They are packed with the flashy husks of broken dreams and shelved ambitions. RVs sit in storage for years. Storing one costs at least $100 per month for a spot outside, or you can rent a heated, inside storage unit for an average of $230 per month in Colorado. Someone is making some bank in Tabernash. That storage unit is crowded with millions of dollars worth of wasted space on wheels.

If you store an RV outside it must be winterized. RVs literally dissolve in the sun if you leave them outside long enough. Mice and other rodents love RVs. Look around the neighborhood. How many RVs do you see sitting there in the yard, a colossal waste of money and resources? Purchasing an RV is like purchasing an exercise bike. Or a boat. Or a cabin on the lake. It’s a ball and chain for some. And a grim, daily reminder of a ticket to paradise that didn’t get redeemed often enough.

If you are one of those nine million American households who go out in your RV an average three times per year I applaud some of you. Seems like there are plenty of us out there.

The most obvious ones are massive buses or trailers. Or buses with trailers driven by wealthy senior citizens looking for something to do.

Gas gobblers.

RVs are often trailing cars, jeeps or other canisters full of toys that would not fit in the RV itself. The bigger the RV, the more likely you are to need to tow another vehicle to get around after you park the bus. Unless you grew up in a city driving a bus, you may not be qualified to drive a bus towing a car around the mean streets of America.

If civilization lasts long enough to look back, historians are going to laugh at the luxury RV movement in our country. It’s out of control.

I like to boondock, without the advent of hookups, internets, electricity or cable TV. I like it quiet.

But many folks who head out to the lake for the weekend or park in remote places near others feel the need to run a generator for the air conditioner, television set, outdoor

speaker system and refrigerator.

So many tend to bring their bad habits out to exotic sites. Shitting in the woods. Fireworks. Generators.

Guns. Loud music. Trash. The list goes on.

If you are seriously considering an RV think about going small like many of the millennial RVers out there driving those fancy Mercedes vans that get good mileage and can go off road but still cost upwards of $150,000. Just don’t let it rot in the yard. Better yet, rent one every time you want to go out for a year and see how often you go.

And now I’m on the road.

It was hard to do but I drove past the sign reading, “World’s Biggest Golf Tee.” Sure I’d like to see it and yes I have a place in mind where I’d like to see it deeply installed but I don’t have that luxury. I had already passed the “Horseshoe Pitching Hall of Fame,” which was also a difficult decision.

If it wasn’t for the pandemic I would have stopped and lingered over Uncle Billy’s golden horseshoes or his Bud Lite cooler which would on display with his lucky shorts. And the golf tee along with the “World’s Biggest Mailbox” would have lured me off I-70 if I hadn’t been closing in on my destination.

When you are crossing this great big country with a small dog in a small RV you have to choose your attractions wisely. There’s so much to see on the way to a lakeside cabin in Maine.

Despite mankind’s best efforts the most gratifying and memorable experiences are provided by water, trees, sunshine and rain.

I forgot about rain until I drove into a storm cell in Missouri.

The rain in the plains is f#$+ing insane! Visibility went from miles to millimeters in a matter of a few seconds. I’m a pretty good driver but I was clutching the wheel like an Indy Car driver coming into the last turn with the pack hot on my heels. After 15 minutes it was all over and the world returned.

And Kansas? Kansas is the real land

of lakes and me and Chooch found ourselves on the shore of a big man made one. We took a spin on the stand up paddle board, braving wind and waves caused by power boats and wave runners. After making it back safely to shore we decided to take a little dip.

I thought that all dogs knew how to swim. I was wrong about that. I got in the water and encouraged my little 25 pound shelter mutt to swim out. He did. Doggystyle. Cute. His little legs propelled him along and things we going swimmingly. But then I started wading to shore and encouraged him to follow. I watched in horror as he rolled over like a sea cucumber, the stubby legs paddling air and the belly in the up position.

I grabbed him just before he went under looking for Davie Jones’ locker.

In Indiana we stopped at Lieber State Park. It was quiet and foggy and moist. Moss was growing on everything from the trees to the picnic tables. The trees created a dense thicket with a canopy 70 feet up. Ash, maple, willow, red pines. It was like an American rainforest not all that far from the world’s most famous oval asphalt.

Rain had fallen recently and the tress shed droplets when the breeze came up. I made rice on the stove and just gazed into the gathering dusk. As darkness fell bright embers began to swim in my vision. I’ve seen tracers before but this was different.

Fireflies danced all about us as we watched nature’s Netflix display. I was thinking that it must be a lot of work lighting up while flying around.

What remarkable skill.

Kind of like penetrating a storm cell in Ohio while you are driving 70 on I-70 surrounded by 18-wheelers in a hurry to bring truckloads of plastic crap to American consumers. Now that’s work.

Steve Skinner is on the road where he has noticed that there is a MacDonald’s on every exit as you head east on I-70. Reach him at nigel@sopris.net.

A V I RU S T H AT N E E D S A L I M E W E D G E A N D U M B R E L L A F O RC E S O U R H A N D

A MON T HLY EDI T ION IS BORN :

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ure this pandemic, that is COVID-19, has overwhelmed many and devastated businesses across the globe. However, we all have always fought and stood for the greater cause. We ask for opinions and I would like to thank each and everyone of you for your candid remarks, comments and creative ideas regarding our newspaper. Through your input and ideas we realized the importance of hyperlocal

Serving the Fraser Valley and Grand County “We live it. We get it. Let’s talk.”

THE FIRS T FRIDAY PAPER

media outlets that carry an independent voice for the community. We started this publication to share all the great stories about the Fraser River Valley. We have put our heart and soul into our publication and although we are massaging our business model, we have decided to keep the Winter Park Times alive through this viral time.

We have decided to produce a monthly edition; The

Editor & Publisher/Michael Turner mturner@winterparktimes.com For Advertising contact us: sales@winterparktimes.com Editorial Board Chair/Drew Munro dmunro@winterparktimes.com Journalist & Reporter/ Casey Malon cmalon@winterparktimes.com

First Friday Edition will come out the first Friday of each month. We want these editions to be a robust, in depth look at our community. A great community paper is driven by its readers. We want a newspaper chock full of snippets of our lifestyle, celebrations, news, and events. If you have something to share please contact us.

FirstFriday@winterparktimes.com

Contributors

Steve Skinner, Columnist Felicia Muftic, Columnist John DiGirolamo, Right Stuff Eric Sandstrom, Life Bruce Barwick, Man About Town Diana Lynn Rau, Trails Report Tallie Gray, GC Library District

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Letters may be emailed to: editor@ winterparktimes.com or submitted online under the “letters” link. Letters should be 600 words or less and include the author’s name, address and telephone number for verification purposes.

August 7, 2020

WinterParkTimes.com

Page 7

Turning a peaceful protest into something else

W

e recently watched President Donald Trump’s attempt to demonstrate what a great, strong leader he is by bringing his brand of law and order to Democratic-run cities. He also delivered messages he did not intend.

He also showed he could turn mostly peaceful demonstrators into mostly violent ones. When he sent federal agents into Portland, Oregon, who were dressed for battle in Afghanistan, the unintended consequences of his actions created a cause that reached beyond racial demonstrations and protests. He has now made combatting “autocracy” a more publicly burning matter that affects all lives, not just black ones.

Before our very eyes on the TV and social media, we saw heavily armed uniformed military types dressed for anticipating or provoking violence, attempting to frighten unarmed protestors into submission. Instead of bringing calm by forceful suppression, the reaction to the “agents” increased the level of violence and the size of the demonstrations. We got a taste of what Trump’s second term would look like as he promoted dominating the streets and suppressing protests. What was once a criticism of Trump’s autocratic tendencies, a dry “political science” argument that the public was not able

The Right Stuff ...

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he Smithsonian and the National Museum of African American History and Culture (NMAAHC) wanted to foster a discussion of race, equality and inclusion. So, they published a chart to summarize the “Aspects and Assumptions” of Whiteness & White Culture. The chart detailed ways in which “white people and their traditions, attitudes and ways of life have been normalized over time and are now considered standard practice in the U.S.” The premise of the NMAAHC is that the “white culture” is dominant in this country and this dominance forces other cultures \values to be seen as inferior. Hence, the root of “white privilege”. I didn’t know there was a “white culture”, so let’s explore a sample of it together.

Rugged Individualism: “Self-reliance and independence and autonomy highly valued”. I was brought up on the notion that when you become an adult, you should be able to take care of yourself. Do non-white people believe being self-reliance is a bad thing? I know plenty of non-white people who are self-sufficient and independent and I don’t think they are a rarity.

Maybe this is more of an “American value”, rather than solely a white attitude.

Family Structure: “The nuclear family of father, mother and children is ideal”. Being a single parent is difficult. The born out of wedlock rates are >70% for blacks,

to touch, feel, or see, was now right in front of our eyes Trump chose one of the whitest cities in America, Portland to show how he would dominate the streets and put down protestors, tear-gassing and clubbing both peaceful and violent, white or black, moms and veterans.

Initially, only media friendly to him covered the story and their film footage was turned into campaign ads. A few days later mainstream media began covering civil rights abuses they saw.

The Trump administration used the federal agents outfitted for war.to do much more than just protect federal real estate. Trump looked like he was using dictator’s thugs to foment street violence so he could show how he could fix civil unrest he himself helped provoke. What he did accomplish instead was to show how easy it was to turn mostly peaceful demonstrators into mostly violent ones by using an aggressive force untrained, unrestrained, and unsuited for the task of calming angry waters. Ignoring any constraints of civil rights laws, federal agents were “reportedly pulling protestors into unmarked vehicles” and firing rubber bullets into crowds of protestors per a Forbes reporter. Even those not near or even threatening the federal property the agents were

supposed to protect were spirited away to be interrogated . One protestor wielding a boom box message amplifier lifted over his head was shot with a rubber bullet, fracturing his skull.

For days Trump ignored state and local officials’ requests to withdraw his forces because they were making a bad situation worse. July 31 the battle geared federal agents were withdrawn after negotiation with state and local officials and Trump’s favorable polling numbers continued to sink.

What we saw in Portland was not my mother’s, father’s, or our founder’s version of democracy. It is the opposite, an autocracy. The way most modern autocrats gain power is the use of fear and force and abusing the power they had been given by voters. The history of autocrats from the left or right is to take the power away from people, convincing them to delay elections on some pretext as Trump just attempted, refusing to honor election results as Trump has threatened he would, and using suppression and intimidation as he just demonstrated he could use in Portland.

It does not have to be this way. The alternative is supporting the small d democracy, the kind we have had for the past 240 years.

Protestant Work Ethic: “Hard work is the key to success and if you didn’t succeed, you didn’t work hard enough”. Has someone ever told you, Life is Hard? Guess what, it is! Hard work and cultivating your natural talents will lead to success 99% of the time, even if you aren’t Protestant! Don’t blame the “system” and don’t view yourself as a victim. Corporate America is so “woke”, that they are bending over backwards to help minorities succeed. How about being self-reliant and create your own good luck?

I bet it will work.

Status, Power and Authority: “Respect Authority” This is a “white culture” tradition? Respect your parents, teachers and the police?

Shame on you and your white privilege for perpetuating this tradition!

Wait, many of the rioters were white and weren’t showing any respect for authority, so it sounds like this one isn’t really part of the

white culture. The NMAAHC should be happy about that.

Future Orientation: John DiGirolamo “Plan for the future and delay gratification”. Sounds like good advice to me that has no association with a skin color.

Justice: “Based on English Common Law and intent counts”.

Historically and legally that’s true, but I can’t figure out how this is a “white culture”.

Communication: “The King’s English rules”. Is it too much to ask to have a common language and common grammar for the U.S.?

Doesn’t a common language assist in melting the pot? Is the NMAAHC suggesting that we should have different languages and minorities shouldn’t learn proper English?

This will help minorities to succeed, how exactly? This will help race relations, how exactly?

I’m sure you are pleased with your tax dollars at work. Apparently this didn’t get the discussion it was looking for, and the chart was removed from the website, but there is plenty of talk about White Fragility, so there’s always that to read up on. want to chat ? yahoo.com

For more visit www.mufticforumblog. blogspot.com

Story of Kindness

whiteness and white culture so is the NMAAHC wanting us to believe that it isn’t a problem? Of course it is a problem. Every study shows that a child’s chances for a successful and happy life are higher with both a father and mother in the home. It is not a guarantee, but it’s simple common sense. Of course children of single parents can live productive and happy lives, but which scenario gives you a better chance? You know the answer and the NMAAHC is doing a disservice to people of all races for sweeping the issue under the rug.

It calls for allegiance to the rule of law instead of being forced to obey the rule by a person. In small d democracies, the laws should be written by a freely Felicia Muftic elected representative government and upheld by an independent judiciary. A small d democracy protects freedom of the press, the right to peacefully assemble to present grievances, an orderly transition of power. All of those concepts the President has challenged including stacking the judiciary, and favoring friendly media while denying critics access as punishment. The only obstacle standing between democracy and autocracy is words on a piece of paper, the Constitution, The only sure power left to defend the Constitution and to continue it as we have known it in practice still lies in the hands of the voters in 2020.

jadigirolamo@

We want to share our story of kindness and concern the chef and staff of Paellas Restaurant demonstrated on Saturday, 7/25. We stopped by the restaurant Saturday mid-afternoon requesting CO Park to Park Cycling Challenge finish line directions and the staff recognized we needed assistance for mild hypothermia. When we stopped in the restaurant after descending on our bikes from Berthoud Pass to Winter Park in the rain, we instantly exhibited uncontrollable shivering, fumbling fingers, and difficulty concentrating. The staff came to our rescue – offering us towels, dry clothing, and hot tea to reverse the mild hypothermia. Once our symptoms subsided, chef Neil, drove us and our bikes to our nearby rental property. We can never say enough to thank Neil and the staff for their kindness and generosity to complete strangers and empathy for our situation.

We are forever indebted to them and our story is an amazing reminder we, as a society, should look out for one another. Later that evening,we returned for dinner and had an amazing, delicious, and creative meal with attentive service. Paellas Restaurant is a business locals and visitors should patronize for the food, dining experience, and the amazing staff who represent the ideals of a mountain community.

Trish Heisdorffer, Frisco Colorado

WINTER PARK TIMES Coronavirus (Covid-19) FIRST FRIDAY’S Our next publication is: September 4th, 2020 Thank you for your understanding.

We appreciate your donations and support.

Help protect your friends, family and community. Wear a mask and wash up.

Stay Safe and Stay Healthy!

Page 8

WinterParkTimes.com

August 7, 2020

Valley Briefing US 34 bridge replacement complete The Colorado Department of Transportation has completed the bridge replacement project on US Highway 34 located south of Grand Lake at Mile Point 12. Construction was completed on July 28.

The US 34 Bridge Replacement project began in April 2019 to replace a structurally deficient bridge over the Colorado River. The beginning of the project included constructing a temporary bridge for traffic, to allow work to install the new bridge. After a winter shut down, crews continued work, which included completing asphalt paving, detour removal, restoration, as well as improving grading, drainage, and paving.

Road construction projects In Winter Park, please be aware of several projects that will cause trail or road closures: • A portion of Leland Creek Trail is closed at its connection to Kings Crossing; • The Fraser River Trail is closed until August 11; • Part of Ski Idlewild Road will be closed soon in the Rendezvous development area; • CDOT is planning improvements to crosswalks parallel to Hwy 40 – details are pending but work is scheduled to start in August.

In Fraser, ongoing and upcoming road closures are as follows: • Intermittent full and partial road closure on CR 8 July 20 to early August; • Full road closure on Eisenhower Drive from US 40 to Fraser River Beer Company beginning early August to August 14; • CR 72 from US 40 to John’s Drive beginning mid-August to midSeptember.

GLAHS Community Picnic canceled After many efforts to try to make it work, the Grand Lake Area Historical Society (GLAHS) are disappointed to report the cancelation of their Community Picnic Dinner scheduled for August 16th. “We just couldn’t make it safe for guests and volunteers.

Thank you for your understanding,” said Historical Society President Jim Cervenka. To learn more, visit grandlakehistory.org.

Grand Classic returns The annual golf tournament is back to help benefit the Grand Foundation and the Fraser Valley Recreation District (FVMRD) Youth Programs and you are invited to join us for this well rounded two-day golf tournament. The FVMRD has teamed up with the Grand Foundation to increase our tournament offerings. This two-day tournament will showcase two extraordinary courses in

Grand County: Pole Creek Golf Club and Grand Elk Golf Club on Friday, August 28th and Saturday, August 29th. A virtual awards ceremony will take place immediately following play on Saturday, August 29.

Your support of this tournament will provide enhanced benefits to both the FVMRD and the Grand Foundation by improving local programs and services offered to visitors, second homeowners and residents. Your generosity does make a difference in Grand County. For more information and to register, visit grandfoundation.com.

BLAST 2020 Golf Tournament

Middle Park Medical Foundation will host its 1st annual Golf Tournament on Thursday, September 3 at Pole Creek Golf Club in Tabernash. The goal of the 4-person, shotgun start scramble is to raise money to build an oncology/ infusion treatment center at Middle Park Health’s Granby location. There will be six on-course contests, as well as two contests outside of play that include a putting contest and a $100k shootout just after tournament play ends.

For more information and to register, visit middleparkhealth.org.

PRC Walk for Life

All are invited to be a part of the 2nd Annual Walk For Life and support the ministry of the Pregnancy Resource Connection (PRC). Begin fundraising and take part in the event on Saturday, September 5th at the Middle Park Fair Grounds in Kremmling. An option to do a virtual walk or run instead is also available. Have fun by taking pictures or a video for those sponsoring you! To register for the 5K run or 2-mile Family Walk, visit walkforlifeprcgrand.com. If you would like to be a sponsor for this event, please contact PRC at (970) 8873617.

Grand Lake Regatta is this weekend

The Grand Lake Yacht Clubs annual regatta week where they host a number of special events and boat races they race for cups. The Grand Prize is the Lipton Cup in honor of Sir Thomas J. Lipton, a British tea merchant and yachtsman extraordinaire that first sponsored the stirling silver cup back in 1913. If you are interested in more information about the regatta please contact Amy Blair at 720-278-1425 or ablair@libertyglobal.com You can also check out grandlakeyachtclub.com/ History to learn more about the world’s highest registered yacht club.

Don’t Feed the Bears Bears enjoy spending time in Winter Park’s outdoors just as much as you do!

They get hungry like you too…but they look for food from scraps or trash left outdoors. Please pick up litter and make sure that all trash containers, dumpsters, etc. are secured. Also avoid putting out your trash until the morning of your scheduled pick-up day.

D

August 7, 2020

Embracing Your Fears

ue to the tumultuous state of our planet, people are forced to change career paths, businesses are on the brink of collapse and almost everyone is facing some sort of economic struggle. Now since I am only 20, I can’t say that I understand how scary it is to not know if you will be able to provide for your family, or if you will lose your business but, I have faced fear before. I have had my life upended several times, and I too am facing the great unknown; my future.

During the last two years, I have been trying to embrace things that make me afraid instead of letting them rule me. One of my dearest friends in high school was from the Netherlands and decided to take a year off after High School to go see her family and travel around Europe. She offhandedly invited me to join and I realized that this was a turning point to decide what kind of person I want to be.

Going to a new continent by yourself is a fairly scary concept, and I am not sure exactly what led up to my inevitable decision but, I had a flight booked for two months to Amsterdam within the week. My time in Europe was great, my friend and I traveled to the Netherlands, Belgium, Spain, and France together, but I was feeling a bit like a freeloader so I decided to go to Germany on my own. It was wild and honestly terrifying, but the freedom of knowing that I could handle situations by myself in a country where I didn’t speak the language was truly enlightening. It inspired me to go to London by myself as well. Now by no means is solo travel easy, the very first thing that happened to me in Germany was getting screamed at in german while trying to order a cup of coffee, but the good far outweighs the bad.

Once I got back to the States I realized how many opportunities I had probably wasted because I was afraid, and I decided to do my best

to no longer let fear rule me.

That next summer I decided to book a ticket for two months in Japan. The only plan I made for myself was where I was going to stay for my first couple of days. It was absolutely terrifying, but also the most magical experience I have ever had. I spent my whole time in Japan in hostels talking to people to find out what they enjoyed and what were the best places to visit on my journey. Of course, I came with a few things I wanted to make sure to see while in Japan, but all of the best things I did were either with, or suggestions from strangers.

It made me realize one key thing about life, everyone wants to be your friend, you might not know it yet and they might not know it yet, but humanity is about connection and kindness. It is what brings out the best in people, and if you put positivity and effort out into the world forming new and beautiful connections is easy. I think that is why the world is in such a state of turmoil right now, though we all know that self-isolation is for our safety zone, connection with others is what makes us human and being disconnected is making us all go a little mad. Every adult I ever tell about my adventures always says that they wish they were brave enough to do what I did or they wish they traveled like I had when they were younger.

But the thing is that it is never too late to let go of the fears you let rule your life. The one thing that always stuck with me about facing fear is that being brave isn’t reserved for the virtuous and mighty, you can’t be brave unless you are already afraid. So in this terrifying time, let’s all try to face the future bravely together.

Abi Turner

WinterParkTimes.com

Page 9

Letter to the Editor A

re you aware of the violence that is ongoing in our big cities? You may not hear much about it from your news sources. You may not hear much about it from Social Media/ Big Tech. You certainly won’t hear anything about it from the Democrat candidates! Yet it is real, menacing and frightening.

“Protests” regularly turn into riots, burning/destroying vehicles, businesses, government buildings and churches. The Democrats who run those big cities are doing their best to ignore or deny the violence. They “de-fund” police while requiring police protection of their own homes. They have directed the police to “stand down” at the riots. They have released criminals from jail. The murders in those big cities are rising rapidly - no wonder? Their virus death numbers are thru the roof. You can get pot but can’t go to church.

Have you heard what Obama said at Lewis’ funeral? “We witnessed with our own eyes police officers kneeling on the necks of Black Americans.” Wrong, one evil cop - not plural. He also said; “- - - we can witness our federal government sending

agents to use tear gas and batons against peaceful demonstrators.”

Another lie. They were used only against the rioters who deserved it. He used “democracy “ and “true democracy” several times.

Just in case your media doesn’t tell you, we have a Republic not a “Democracy”. In case your government education didn’t tell you, Ben Franklin, when asked what kind of government did you give us? Answered - “A REPUBLIC, IF YOU CAN KEEP IT”. What does a “true democracy” mean? It means dumping the republic in favor of his version of “democracy”. He blasted voter ID laws - apparently he wants non-citizens to be able to vote! All this at a funeral - I didn’t think we were allowed to have funerals? No mention of Martin Luther King’s peaceful demonstrations.

If you aren’t aware of such horse puckey, maybe you should spend some time listening to/ watching alternative news sources. Let us keep our Republic.

Frank Watts Winter Park Highlands

SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL NEWSPAPER AND OUR ADVERTISERS.

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WinterParkTimes.com

August 7, 2020

COVER STORY

Hummingbirds Special to the Winter Park Times

A hummingbird’s maximum forward flight speed is 30 must admit, we went through more than a few miles per hour. These pounds of sugar over the years enjoying the birds can reach up feeding frenzy of one of the smallest birds on the to 60 miles per hour planet. As a young raft guide we use to tell stories of in a dive, and humthe hummingbirds hitch hiking on the backs of Canamingbirds have many dian Geese headed south for the winter but in fact that adaptations for unique tale is far from truth. Although it made a great discusflight. sion floating the lakes of the Upper Colorado, the tiny Hummingbirds lay birds embark on quite a different journey as they make the smallest eggs of their way back to Central America and a climate better all birds. Their eggs suited for their metaboilism. measure less than 1/2 Although hummingbird migration is not well docuinch long but may mented by large numbers of banding records, we do represent as much know a few facts, and we can draw logical inferences photographer byron hetzler as 10 percent of the about some of the migratory patterns and unknown mother’s weight at the Ruby-throated Hummingbird filling and fueling before a 1000 mile journey. areas. Here are some fun facts about the Hummming- time the eggs are laid. A A hummingbird can lick 10-15 times per second while birds. hummingbird egg is smaller than a jelly bean! feeding.

There are more than 325 unique hummingbird species A hummingbird must consume approximately 1/2 of Hummingbirds digest natural sucrose - the sugar in the world. Only eight species regularly breed in the its weight in sugar daily, and the average hummingbird found in floral nectar - in 20 minutes with 97 percent United States, though up to two dozen species may visit feeds 5-8 times per hour. In addition to nectar, these the country or be reported as regular vagrants. The rest birds also eat many small insects and spiders, and may efficiency for converting the sugar into energy.

Many hummingbird species, including Anna’s, blackof the hummingbirds are primarily tropical species and also sip tree sap or juice from broken fruits. chinned, Allen’s, Costa’s, rufous, calliope and broaddo not regularly migrate. They are found in Central and A hummingbird’s wings beat between 50 tailed hummingbirds, can breed together to create South America as well as throughout the Caribbean. and 200 flaps per second depending on the hybrid species. This is one factor that makes identifying A hummingbird’s brilliant throat color is not caused direction of flight, the purpose of their flight hummingbirds very challenging. by feather pigmentation, but rather by iridescence in and the surrounding air conditions.

The peak fall migration period for humthe arrangement of the feathers. Light level, moisture, An average hummingbird’s heart rate is more than mingbirds is from mid-July through angle of viewing, wear and tear and other factors all 1,200 beats per minute. In comparison, a human’s August or early September, dependinfluence just how bright and colorful the throat may average heart rate is only 60-100 beats per mining on the route and the exact appear. ute at rest.

Hummingbirds cannot walk or hop, though their feet At rest, a hummingbird takes an average of 250 can be used to scoot sideways while they are perched. breaths per minute. Their breathing pace will increase These birds have evolved smaller feet to be lighter for when they are in flight. species. more efficient flying. They will use their feet for itching The rufous hummingbird has the longest migraSpecies that nest further north and preening, however! tion of any hummingbird species. These humgenerally begin migration earlier.

The calliope hummingbird is the smallest bird species mers fly more than 3,000 miles from their Despite their small size, hummingin North America and measures just 3 inches long. The nesting grounds in Alaska and Canada to birds are one of the most aggressive bee hummingbird is the smallest hummingbird species their winter habitat in Mexico. bird species. They will regularly attack in the world and measures 2.25 inches long. It is only The ruby-throated hummingbird flies 500 jays, crows and hawks that infringe on found in Cuba. miles nonstop across the Gulf of Mexico their territory. Backyard birders often Hummingbirds have 1,000-1,500 feathers, the fewest during both its spring and fall migrations. It is a have one dominant hummingbird that number of feathers of any bird species in the world. myth, however, that these tiny birds “ride” on the back guards all the feeders, chasing intruders Not only do they not need as many feathers because of of other birds during migration - they fly this distance away. their tiny size, but fewer feathers also keeps them more completely on their own.

The bill of the aptly named sword-billed humminglightweight for easier Depending on the species, bird, found in the Andes Mountains, can reach up to 4 flight. habitat conditions, predators inches long, and it can be so heavy that the birds may The average ruand other factors, including perch holding their bills straight up. These birds hold by-throated humthreats to hummingbirds, the record for the longest bill relative to overall body mingbird weighs 3 the average lifespan of a wild size of any bird in the world. grams. In comparihummingbird is 3-12 years.

Hummingbirds are native species of the New World son, a nickel weighs Hummingbirds have no and are not found outside of the Western Hemisphere 4.5 grams. It would sense of smell but have very except in a few zoos or aviaries. There are no humtake more than 150 keen eyesight. mingbirds found in Europe, Africa, Asia, Australia or ruby-throated humHummingbirds do not suck Antarctica. mingbirds to weigh nectar through their long Hummingbird Eggs and Nest one pound. bills, they lick it with fringed, forked Sources Roughly 25-30 tongues. Capillary action along the www.TheSpruce.com percent of a hummingbird’s weight is in its pectoral fringe of their tongue helps draw nectar up into their www.birding.about.com muscles. These are the broad chest muscles principally throats so they can swallow.

Thank you Melissa Mayntz for the fun facts! responsible for flight.

I

BY MICHAEL TURNER

August 7, 2020

WinterParkTimes.com

Page 11

letter to the community

Grow Up and Wear the $&%# Mask

By Eric Sandstrom

T

he other morning at the dentist’s office, a dental hygienist cleaned my teeth with a tiny metal pickaxe.

She wore a tiny headlamp to see inside the cave of my mouth, a facemask and a transparent shield over her face. I removed my mask so she could begin her work.

person.

Another thing about my trip to the dentist’s office. The minute I checked in, an office worker pointed a gun-like thermometer at my forehead to make sure I didn’t have a fever, which is a symptom of Covid-19. (The thermometer read 98.1.)

Such tools of the trade are now routine for dental hygienists like Mackenzie.

She’s one of the healthcare professionals I’ve come to trust since this pandemic began. Trust is crucial. What we don’t want is someone who exhibits a lack of concern for our well-being, especially as we lie horizontal in a chair feeling kind of vulnerable, as the hygienist carefully probes and scrapes with that miniature pickax.

If I’d had a fever and carried the virus, my presence in that dentist’s office would have potentially threatened the health of everyone there.

My own teeth have seen better days, which means that Mackenzie has her work cut out for her the minute my jaws open wide. There’s more silver inside there than a Coke machine.

Now, about that mask. With a pandemic shaking up our world these days like a snow globe full of virus, she protects her patients and herself. She didn’t complain about having to wear a mask or a shield, nor did I mind having to wear one into the office prior to my appointment.

So I ask those of you who whine about wearing masks, what is that you don’t get?

Do you whine about wearing sun glasses or ski gloves or hiking boots for protection against the elements? If you did, people would say you were a born fool.

Now with the state of Colorado telling people to mask up in public places, a few so-called patriots are whining about being violated. “I have my Constitutional rights!”

Sure you do. You do until your irresponsible behavior threatens the well-being of the rest of us.

You can ignore the evidence. Exercise your right to be stupid. But it’s not only about you, knucklehead. Infectious disease experts have an arsenal of scientific evidence showing that masks prevent the spread of Covid-19 from person to

To be sure, I could have shouted at this office staffer with the thermometer, “Put that thing down. My body temperature is none of your business. You’re infringing on my Constitutional rights.”

I opted not to say that, however. (When I go through airport screening, I also don’t object to a TSA body scan. Nothing to hide here or even there.)

Had I objected to having my temperature measured, the dentist probably would have ordered me politely to leave his office immediately.

He would not want me putting him, his staff and patients at risk. He’d have every right to do so. He’d probably be thinking, “Don’t let the door hit you in the ass.”

What an outrageous scene. I would have shown everybody just how patriotic I am, and in the process, proven once again that you can’t fix stupid.

The more I think about the situation, the clearer things become. Maybe there’s a connection between the Constitution and the pursuit of life, liberty and the right to go maskless after all.

The next time I end up on a hospital gurney in an operating room, I’ll snicker at the surgeon and nurses wearing masks before they cut into me.

I

am inspired and motivated by how our community has come together to help neighbors and businesses get through the tough times imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic. We have adapted to a new normal of take-out food, gathering in small groups, and wearing a mask anytime we are out of the house.

It is because of this work that we have been able to reopen many parts of Winter Park and welcome back visitors.

However, we are not out of the woods yet. Due to the recent increase in cases as more people travel in and out of the area, Grand County has received a “high disease” designation. While many other places, such as Denver, also have this designation, it should not be taken lightly. This means that we need to keep taking precautions to limit the spread of COVID-19. Please continue to wear masks when in public buildings and when you are enjoying the outdoors if social distancing between people is not possible. Follow any directions that businesses provide when patronizing them. Wash your hands as frequently as possible.

All of us at the Town of Winter Park have our sights set on preparing for the winter season. Our economy relies on the tourism dollars brought during ski-season and closing down during that time could be devastating to businesses and the local workforce. We do not want to see that happen and need to take measures to ensure we maintain our “open” status.

Now, how do we make this happen on a governmental level? We saw the local mask mandate, along with those ordered by Fraser and Grand Lake, as an essential step to make health in Winter Park a priority. We also continue to work closely with Grand County and

other local partners to monitor and mitigate the situation. Grand County recently received funding from the State to hire additional contact tracers and testing equipment to provide additional support to the Health Department. This will allow them to respond to outbreaks in a timely, targeted manner that will prevent the need for widespread closures. Locally we are working with Winter Park Resort and the Winter Park and Fraser Chamber to preserve our brand as a welcoming community and explore new ways to share and disseminate information quickly.

We are excited about these new prospects and keep exploring other technologies to help us understand the spread of the virus. This includes the possibility of partnering with Grand County and other towns to use methods such as routine testing of wastewater influent to pinpoint and monitor COVID-19. I know the Town of Winter Park and my fellow Council Members are very willing to look into any options that will ensure our health and stabilize our economy.

COVID-19 is still very much part of our daily reality, and we need to keep the proactive work going.

With fall and winter quickly approaching, we want to make sure our community has the precautions and initiatives in place for these busy months. Anything we can do now will help us get back to normal more quickly.

Sincerely,

Mayor Nick Kutrumbos

Don’t they know when their rights are being violated?

grand county fiShing rePort

I’ve seen the light. It’s a slippery slope.

Today, our government says we all must wear masks. What’s next? Body bags?

G

rand Lake: fishing is still slow as high temperatures and fishing pressure have made the bite tough. Lake trout are hanging in 30 to 60 feet of water.

Small jigs tipped with sucker meat worked slow on the bottom have produced most of the lakers. The best chance for rainbows and browns is at first light until the sun hits the water. After the sun hits the water throwing some bait in 10 to 20 feet of water has produced a few fish. Guide Sam Hochevar Lake Granby- Rainbows and browns are getting tough from the bank. A few are being caught early and late in the day.

Trollers are catching a few rainbows using minnow style baits over deep water.

Lake trout are continuing their migration to deeper water and getting a little pickier on what they are willing to eat.

Small grubs, spoons tipped with sucker meat are still catching a few each day.

The Fishing with Bernie team has been guiding in Grand county for over 25 years. For more info please check out his collection of media outlets.

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WinterParkTimes.com

August 7, 2020

Mountain Lifestyle

Fraser Mural Festival

The annual favorite returns in a new socially distanced format featuring 20 top artists from across the region.

An artist eye for something different this weekend.

Photo amd Story by Michael Turner

get people outside.”

T

he weekend of August 7-8, the Town of Fraser and its local businesses will play host to the 2020 Fraser Mountain Mural Walk.

The second annual event will look much different from last year’s festival, where the artists created their 8’ x 8’ murals on the site of the future Center for Creative Arts in Frodo.

Instead, to keep the public and the artists safe during the pandemic, twenty mural artists from across the region will be dispersed around town at local businesses located along US 40, and the public is encouraged to take a walk to see the artists’ work, cast a vote for your favorites and bid on the murals, which will be available immediately following the event.

Sarah Wieck, Marketing and Development Manager for the Town of Fraser, said, “We have created an awesome walking festival. We want people to get outdoors and enjoy some fresh air.” This year’s event is going to bring people to the business core for the town and Wieck said, “We have a nice layout. We are hoping it will drive people into our local business,” adding, “I am looking forward to this event. I think it will highlight the town and

The information center for the event is going to be staged at the site of the future home of the Fraser Center for the Creative Arts in the downtown area affectionately called FRODO. There will be an information booth and several artists, and you can also put your mark on the Chaos Painting located in the park. Wieck said, “The route through town will allow people to bounce back and forth to find the 20 murals.”

You can check in at each mural, similar to a scavenger hunt and register to win prizes.

The artists will begin painting at 9 am on Friday and the murals will be completed by Saturday afternoon at 4 pm.

Participating Artists: • Hector Palacios - Denver • Tess Fuqua - Denver • Echo Zoyiopoulos & Michelle Mitchell Fraser • Monica McFarlin - Granby • Cori Anderson - Winter Park • Clinton Reynolds - Denver • Jason T Graves & Remington Robinson Boulder • Ryan Sasso & Christina Senac - Winter Park • Sean & Ana Yarbrough - Fraser • Alko / Corinne Szymczak / Trujillo - Denver • Eagle Flame - Denver • Philip Newsome - Evergreen • Eric Weatherford - Decatur, IL • Jim Salazar - Abilene, TX

• • • • • •

Ux Sepia - Denver Robert Carbajal - Denver Phyllis Anderson - Winter Park Trisha Bellefeuille - Hot Sulphur Springs The Designosaur - Denver Walter Macias - Denver

The Mural Auction will go live on the handbid app on Thursday and closes at 1 pm on Sunday, August 9th. The proceeds from winning bids will be split 50/50 between the artist and the Fraser Center for Creative Arts 501(c)3. This is a key fundraiser for the future Center, envisioned to provide a Work/Create/ Live space for artisans.

A walking map and platform to vote and bid is available at frasermountainmuralfest.com.

August 7, 2020

WinterParkTimes.com

Page 13

Local restaurants operating on a thin margin

M

any Colorado restaurants have closed. The ones still open aren’t sure how long they can weather coronavirus.

State data shows that even though restaurants have recovered some since April, the industry is still down thousands of jobs. More than 2,500 establishments have shut down since March.

In Winter Park most are struggling to survive. Creative thinking has allowed some owners to keep their doors open with a hope for the future when we can get back to some normalcy.

On any given summer night, the Winter Park Pub is packed with people enjoying a cold beverage and pub fare. The Winter Park Pub is a local hangout featuring Live Music, Great Pizza, a Taco Bar on Tuesday’s and arguably the Best Burgers in the Universe. Owner Jeff Williams and his partner have struggled to stay open with heavy restrictions on their seating capacity. “We have had some ups and downs during the pandemic shut down but we really started to bounce back this summer.” said Williams. “People want to get out and mingle.”

The Pub has an outdoor patio area with ample space to make guests feel comfortable and Williams said they had started to recover some of their losses when Governor Polis put a 10p.m. curfew on bars.

The mandate was another hit to

Jeff Williams and staff at the Winter Park Pub provide a safe socially distanced enviornment for their guests.

businesses like the Pub. “That makes it very difficult for our bottom line”, said Williams With the coronavirus pandemic, there are no more normal summer nights at the Pub and they are not alone. Continued statewide safety measures limit seating to only 50 people indoors making it difficult for most restaurants to cover their overhead. And the hits keep coming. There’s winter months to think about when it’s not so nice to sit outdoors. And after reducing staffing to accommodate just takeout and delivery orders early in the pandemic, rehiring workers has not been easy, said Williams.

As the pandemic drags on, many businesses have outlasted federal financial relief and initial enthusiasm to adapt to a stayat-home way of life. Recovery appears further away than many restaurants believe they can hold on. The restaurant industry already had a reputation as a challenging market with low margins and high turnover. The latest survey by the Colorado Restaurant Association found that 56% of restaurant members fear that if coronavirus conditions don’t improve, they’ll permanently close within a few months. Williams said, “We are lucky and qualified for some loans that helped bridge the gap.” The Pub is just one longtime local hangout pinching pennies to keep the doors open.

According to the latest data from

the state’s Department of Revenue, the number of food and drinking establishments filing sales tax returns dropped 19.3% between March and May, to 10,604. That indicates that about 2,500 have either closed temporarily or for good. (April saw a larger drop due to the one-month sales tax extension that let businesses delay payments until May 20.)

If capacity restrictions continue, which is likely until a COVID-19 vaccine is approved, thousands of jobs won’t be returning anytime soon according to a Colorado Department of Labor report. Restaurants are currently reporting that their staff is about 63% of what it was last year at this time. The report estimates that across the industry, we’ve lost at least 87,000 jobs in our state.

In June, the state’s Department of Labor and Employment estimated that there were 66,400 fewer jobs in the accommodation and food services sector than a year ago. The number of jobs had increased in May and June as restaurants were allowed to partially reopen to in-person dining. But with 227,100

Photo Michael Turner

people employed in this category as of June, that’s 23% less than June 2019.

If you are thinking about getting out for a cold beverage or burger.

Stop in and grab a nice table on the patio at the Winter Park Pub or your favorite local hangout. Our local dollars will make a difference for owners facing an uncertain future.

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August 7, 2020

GRAND COUNTY TRAILS REPORT

by Diana Lynn Rau

I

t seems the city folk have found out our secret – we are naturally distanced in Grand County. I have hiked or biked trails at the YMCA and seen virtually no one. I have gone across Main Street at Granby Ranch and met only 2 or 3 people. The Fraser to Granby Trail from the YMCA to Tabernash has been the busiest – two people here, one person there, three kids together. In Grand County, we have space to spread out, especially in the face of required masks and social distancing. In the stores or on the trails, the people I have seen have generally been respecting the rights of others. These mask and distancing requirements are meant to keep you safe from others who may be unwitting carriers or keep them safe from you who also might be asymptomatic. We all have a right to be safe. So, if you feel sick or are coughing, stay home away from others.

The access we have in our everyday lives to the open forests and spaces is unparalleled. This open environment allows germs and bacteria to be dispersed such that their effect is minimal.

That doesn’t mean closely following a hard-breathing biker who is laboring up a steep trail. Please allow space when moving with others so bacteria can dissipate whether moving rapidly or even just walking.

When in confined spaces, allow more distance or filter your breathing with a mask. Remember, your space ends where someone else’s space begins.

Some of the popular trails currently closed to the public are parts of the Fraser River Trail and the Fraser-to-Granby Trail. The Town of Winter Park is doing construction work rebuilding their Town Shop. The Fraser River Trail is blocked only at this point until approximately August 11. You can access the trail from the Winter Park Resort to the Shop facility area or from Beavers up to the underpass before the Town Shop.

can also find delightful reports on recent accomplishments like the replacement last weekend of the two old bridges on the Strawberry Creek Trail. The pictures show the work involved. Posts also thank individuals and small groups of people volunteering to help with projects.

The reports on trail works in progress allow people to decide when they want to experience a new area like the East Shore Trail in Rocky Mountain National Park. Over ten years in planning alone, this was a cooperative project giving access from Forest Service land onto National Parks land to bicycles, I think a first in the Nation! Go into the Green Ridge Campground to the Double A Barn and take the bridge across the Colorado River heading left on the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail. This phased restoration, first the Double A Barn (currently used for weddings and celebrations), then the Bridge across the Colorado River and connection into the National Scenic Trail have been the focus for years of National Public Lands Days and crews from US Forest Service, National Parks Service and Headwaters Trails Alliance creating a continuous trail along the lakeside like none other in Grand County! It is a must do for any family or individual rider.

Make the Headwaters Trails Alliance Facebook page a GO TO for current conditions and trail reports.

These are YOUR trails and HTA is doing a great job maintaining those trails, rerouting when needed for sustainability, and connecting out and back trails to make loops. Report problem you see. Let your County Commissioners know you appreciate the work and, if you have the time, sign up to volunteer on a trail in your favorite area.

Or adopt-a-trail and help regularly to maintain it. The satisfaction of having “your” trail is immense!

The section of the Fraser-to-Granby trail from the Fraser ballfields to Hidden River in Tabernash, now a popular commuting route, is closed thru at least Labor Day for gas line installation. Try the section from Tabernash at Cty Rd 5221 to the YMCA and then thru Tim’s Tunnel to the Granby Ranch section. You can continue on to Granby if you like.

To find the current issues on Grand County trails or just current conditions, go to Headwaters Trails Alliance Facebook page.

Beside doing a fantastic job of repairing known problems, HTA is doing a great job of reporting those current conditions including trail closures, concerns and cautions. This pinned post is HTA crews work with Terra Firma Forestry in June 2020. usually the first posted item. You Photo courtesy of Headwaters Trails Alliance

August 7, 2020

Digital Resources @GCLD in 2020

By Tallie Gray, director of Library Resources

The world has seen a lot of changes in 2020, and Grand County Library District (GCLD) has been no exception.

Grand County Library District’s (GCLD) physical collection of books, DVDs, magazines, and physical objects were inaccessible during our stay-at-home orders, but use of our online resources soared to the stars.

GCLD added the New York Times as a new online resource to our eBooks & Learning Tools page in May. Patrons were thrilled to access this resource for breaking news, reviews and opinions, business, sports, travel, books, education and more.

Online Denver Post views peaked in April, with patrons clamoring to read Colorado news and national headlines.

March of 2020 saw more than five times the number of GCLD patrons than in 2019. NewsBank, Inc., the provider of GCLD’s subscription to the online Denver Post, added a useful banner for reliable COVID-19 announcements, news, information and links to “Hot Topics” and “Special Reports.”

For those needing a break from the 24/7 news reports, people explored courses using Creativebug and Universal Class. “Daily Painting Challenge: 31 Flowers to Paint” and “Building a Creative Brand” were the top Creativebug classes. Universal Class reported “Assertiveness Training” and “American Heroes and Villains” as the most viewed classes.

Some patrons took advantage of time at home to research genealogy using My Heritage, with usage more than doubling from February to March and doubling again in April.

Additional funding for OverDrive eBooks and audiobooks was designated as the average cost is close to four times the cost of a physical book and need to be re-purchased after a year or two. In 2020, GCLD patrons checked out over

4,000 more OverDrive books from January through June than during the same time frame in 2019. This equates to an expenditure of approximately $6,500 over the projected line item budget.

In May, Erin Fisher, Director of Vintage, formerly Alpine Area Agency on Aging, contacted GCLD to see if extra funding for low vision equipment would be useful during COVID-19. ABSOLUTELY! GCLD was fortunate to receive $1,500 to use towards our OverDrive collection as eBooks and audiobooks meet the requirements of low vision equipment.

What titles were popular in Grand County during a pandemic stay-at-home order? Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone (37 checkouts), Long Range: Joe Pickett Series, Book 20 (23), and American Dirt (20) were the top three.

Now that GCLD branches are open for curbside pick-up, check out our newest children’s collection, Read-Alongs, physical books with built-in audio. We purchased 70 titles with a $3,000 Bessie Minor Swift Grant awarded to the Friends of GCLD. This is a diverse collection, with classic titles such as Blueberries for Sal to contemporary favorites like Big Nate or Flat Stanley to the youth version of the autobiography, Malala. Reluctant and beginner readers, English Language Learners, those with Dyslexia, reading challenges, or anyone wanting to try reading at a higher Lexile should explore this collection. Visit gcld.org and click on the browse category, “GCLD Read-Along Books” to explore all available titles.

GCLD’s mission is “linking people to boundless opportunities.” Enjoy all that GCLD has to offer!

Stage 1 Fire Restrictions in effect O

n July 15, Grand County implemented Stage 1 Fire Restrictions.

Increasingly dry conditions warranted the effort to prevent human-caused wildfires by imposing restrictions on activities known to be high risk, primarily smoking and campfires.

Stage 1 restrictions allow open fires in developed campgrounds and picnic areas with permanently constructed fire grates and charcoal grills; fires contained within liquid or gas fueled stoves, lanterns or heating devices, approved wood pellet grills and stoves; and, open fires at private residences within permanent or portable outdoor fireplaces, fire pits, chimineas and grills.

Stage 1 restrictions do not allow building, maintaining, attending or using an open fire outside of a developed recreation site (NO dispersed campfires in the forest or on public lands); smoking, except within an enclosed vehicle or building, a developed campground or picnic area or while stopped in an area of at least 6’ diameter that is barren of all combustible materials; operating a chainsaw without a USDA or SAE approved spark-arresting device; and, welding or operating torches with open flame, except in an area of at least 10’ in diameter barren of all combustible materials.

For the latest updates and more information, call (970) 725-3852.

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August 7, 2020

R M R T CANCELS FALL SHOW

Letter to the community Dear Friends of Rocky Mountain Rep, The 2020 Season for our theatre continues to take unexpected and unfortunate turns. A few short months ago we wrote to all of you to sadly announce that we would be canceling our summer season due to the worldwide pandemic that was just beginning to unfold. When we wrote that note and made that decision we were hopeful and optimistic that we would be able to go forward with our Fall Show—Ring of Fire. We are certain that you are well aware that as a country our situation with the pandemic has not improved and by many measures has gotten worse. It is again with deep sadness that we write to let you know that RMRT is now forced to cancel our Fall production, just as we did with our Summer productions back in April.

There are many reasons why RMRT has come to this decision—public safety, the safety of our performers and staff, financial responsibility for our organization, among other details.

Our Board of Trustees, along with our artistic staff and office staff have all unanimously decided that it is in our best interest to cancel this production and look forward to a time at some point in the future when we can all safely gather together in the theatre, as producers and performers of the art of theatre, and as patrons and consumers of the art.

Since the cancellation of our summer season, we have been overwhelmed with the showing of love and support for our organization. Your generosity of spirit, as well as your financial support, has been extremely appreciated. It

is wonderful to know and feel your support as we endure this difficult time.

Just as we offered several months ago, for those of you who have already purchased tickets for our production of Ring of Fire, we’d like to present you with several options: If you would consider converting your purchase into a donation to Rocky Mountain Rep, please know that it would be greatly appreciated, and will help RMRT to continue into 2021. If you’re willing to donate all or a portion of your ticket purchase, please send an email with your request and your purchase information to: donations@ rockymountainrep.com.

If you would prefer to convert your purchase into credit for ticket purchases next season, please send an email with your request and your purchase information to: 2021credit@ rockymountainrep.com.

If you would like a refund, please send an email with your request and your purchase information to: refunds@ rockymountainrep.com.

And, as we mentioned before, we ask for your patience as our staff processes all of your requests. We have a small staff, and it will take time for us to process your requests. We will absolutely respond to your request, but it may take us a while to get to you. We hope you’ll understand.

Looking forward to the time when we can greet each other in our theatre again.

Sincerely yours, Michael Querio Executive Artistic Director

Michael Querio, Executive Artistic Director Opening 2015

Photo by Michael TURNER

August 7, 2020

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MUNICAPAL BE AT: Winter Park WP, continued from page 5 Find Your Flow Yoga Special Event Permit At the July 21 meeting, council approved a Special Event Permit for Find Your Flow on the Fraser Yoga.

The event is held at Confluence Park on Mondays at 5:45 pm and Wednesdays at 8:30 am through the month of September and is limited to a maximum of 10 participants per session. 10% of the proceeds will be donated to Headwaters Trails Alliance.

The Smokehouse changes hands Acting as the Local Liquor Licensing Authority, a public hearing was conducted for the transfer of the Hotel and Restaurant Liquor License from Michael Patrick, Smokehouse BBQ, to Ryan Singleton and Matthew Newkirk, Pigs on the Wing LLC. No comments were received during the hearing and the transfer was approved unanimously.

Amendment to Rendezvous at Winter Park Final Development Plan At the second reading on Ordinance 539, Shockey presented a revised table of changes included in the requested amendment. Rendezvous Colorado LLC representative Jeff Vogel presented an overview of the original 2008 plan and clarified design of the bridge and culvert on the Fraser River. Several citizens had expressed concern with trail connectivity and closings to which Shockey explained trails would remain open during construction, but access would change. He confirmed town staff was working with the developer to ensure adequate signage would be in place.

Hearing no further comments, the council approved Ordinance 539 unanimously.

Roam Project rock crushing project approved

Right-of-Way easement granted to MPE Mountain Parks Electric had requested a 20’ wide easement from Rendezvous Sales Center and new Chamber of Commeerce office downtown.

Photo by Michael TURNER the Town to install underground electric along Ski Idlewild Road (north of Rendezvous Way and south of Rendezvous East Mountain Filing 7). The easement is required to provide electric service to the Rendezvous at Winter 2020-2021 Council Priorities Park Filing 1 project and also provide a loop in their As a follow up to the council’s June 26 retreat, Riesberg system for redundancy. Council approved the request presented a list of items identified as the council’s top via Resolution 1793. priorities.

Rock Crushing Operations at Roam Mountain States Snowcats, Inc had submitted a Special Use Permit application on behalf of the Roam development and Fraser River Development Company LLC. The applicant requests to operate rock crushing on the Roam property from September 8 through October 2, 2020. The purpose is to reduce the size of existing rock on the property for use as structural fill in the development.

Notice had been provided to adjacent landowners and no comments had been received. Staff recommended approval with a number of conditions including a firm end date of October 2, operations only during regular business hours from 8 am - 5 pm, Monday through Friday, operation only during appropriate site and environmental conditions, dust mitigation, removal or storage of excess material, screening and securing of state permits.

Council approved the Special Use Permit in Resolution 1794.

For 2020-2021, Winter Park Town Council set the following objectives and priorities:

Davlin appointed to Chamber Board With the retirement of Councilor Jim Myers, council appointed Councilor Mike Davlin to fill his position as Town representative on the Winter Park & Fraser Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors.

Winter Park Town Council meets the first and third Tuesday of each month at 5:30 pm at Town Hall. The meetings are open to the public. To learn more, visit wpgov.com.

Photo by Michael TURNER

IGA with Colorado Department of Revenue In conjunction with the approval of Ordinance 540, Finance Director Lemley presented an Intergovernmental Agreement with CDOR to participate in the state’s single-user taxpayer system. Resolution 1784 was approved unanimously.

Development Activity Council reviewed and approved a number of filings during the July 21 meeting. Northwoods at Lakota Park subdivision Preliminary Plat was approved with conditions via Resolution 1787; the Reserve at Lakota Park subdivision Preliminary Plat was approved with conditions in Resolution 1788; and, Lake Trail Townhomes Final Plat was approved with conditions in Resolution 1789. Development Improvements Agreements for Rendezvous Colorado LLC filing one, phase one and for a portion of Ski Idlewild Road that includes the Fraser River Crossing (Resolutions 1785 & 1786) were approved with conditions, and another, for 560 Lake Trail LLC was approved in Resolution 1790.

The Town entered into a cost-sharing agreement with Rendezvous Colorado LLC for construction of infrastructure along Ski Idlewild Road via Resolution 1790.

Mountain Moon Yoga Special Event Permit Another outdoor event, to be held at Confluence Park on Tuesdays at 5:30 pm; Wednesdays at 6 pm; Thursdays at 6 pm; and Saturdays at 9:30 am (weather dependent) was approved by council unanimously at the August 4 meeting.

De-Gallagher adjustment measure headed to ballot With residential mill levy amounts continuing to trend downward per the Gallagher Amendment to the State Constitution, Town Manager Keith Riesberg proposed a measure that would serve to stabilize revenues by allowing the town flexibility in setting the mill levy rate to continue to receive the same amount of revenue as is currently received, thus avoiding a further downward spiral. Similar to the ballot measure passed last year for East Grand Fire Protection District No. 4, the Town is seeking similar revenue protection. Riesberg told council that Grand County and the Town of Fraser are also anticipated to seek similar protections, and other towns are reviewing the prospect.

Council approved Resolution 1796, calling for a Special Election on the November 3 ballot and approved an IGA with Grand County to conduct the Coordinated Election.

1.

Coordinated response to COVID-19 impacts – short-term needs and long-term effects 2. Advance housing projects within Winter Park and Fraser Valley 3. Increase Winter Park’s year-round population = be in line w/ the vision statement 4. Pursue infrastructure improvement plans (broadband & community connectivity through transit, trails, train) and address negative impacts where infrastructure is lacking (Vasquez Road dispersed camping issues) 5. Improve communication and relationship building w/ Town’s strategic partners 6. Update the Town’s marketing/special events strategy and direction for the Chamber of Commerce 7. Form an economic development committee 8. Continue planning efforts for the downtown/resort connection (gondola) 9. Financial planning and stabilization – diversification of revenues, development of planning models 10. Environmental sustainability initiatives 11. Update zoning code and development regulations

Wear a damn mask people!

Photo by Michael TURNER

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August 7, 2020

Grand County

Board of County Commissioners

T

he Grand County Board of County Commissioners continue to work through budget impacts resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. At their August 4th meeting, Finance Director Curtis Lange presented an updated 2020 budget.

Using an estimated $583,503 in reimbursement of CARES Act funds, Lange projected revenue losses of about $2.3 million for 2020. Noting the losses reflect conservative numbers (cutting expected lodging tax and permit fees by 50%), the $2.3 million is a “worse case” scenario.

Since the pandemic emergency was declared in March 2020, the county has spent an unbudgeted amount of $447,452 through August 5. With monthly expenses estimated at $68K, Lange projects they’ll have spent $583,503 by September 30.

In pre-budget 2021 planning, the commissioners and County Manager Kate McIntire have asked department heads to shave 5% off their budgets to address the projected loss in revenues and impact to the county budget.

IMT transitioning to Public Health The county’s Incident Management Team (IMT), established to address the coronavirus pandemic emergency, has begun transition to the Public Health Department. Grand County Emergency Manager Kat Conrad has taken the lead in the transition.

County Public Health Director Brene Belew-Ladue reported the county cases of COVID-19 had gone down, reducing the status from Red to Yellow. She added that the state had moved to yellow this week as well.

Grand County currently has a total of 44 confirmed cases of COVID-19. One resident is currently hospitalized, 13 are under Quarantine/Isolation due to possible exposure and no deaths have been attributed to the virus. Last week, the Coroner’s Office confirmed the cause of a deceased resident’s death was caused by a condition other than COVID-19. Commissioner Merrit Linke asked Belew-Ladue to assist in removing the erroneous “1 dead due to COVID” Grand County reporting from state data.

As a top priority, Belew-Ladue said she has been working with both school systems on their re-opening, meeting weekly and more often, as necessary, to discuss plans. West Grand Schools plan a “soft opening” on August 24, and East Grand Schools will open for 2-day testing

on August 26.

Commissioner Rich Cimino stated, “East Grand teachers are returning to the classroom on August 17. We have 13 days until we have teachers in the building, in a very enclosed environment. I appreciate that being your focus.”

Cimino also asked whether students that choose online training would be able to attend Physical Education and supplemental activities. Belew-Ladue said probably not, that it would defeat the purpose of the option. She explained that there was still much for them to work through, prior to opening. Ensuring adequate testing for students and staff is a critical component to safely opening the schools.

Blight hearings engage property owners in cleanup The commissioners heard two Blight Hearings on Tuesday. Dennis and Kathy Johnson, owners of acreage adjacent to the intersection of US 40 and CR 5, and Chris Bergquist, owner of acreage south of the Johnson’s which borders the Fairways at Pole Creek.

The Johnson’s have a history of Blight complaints and violations going back to the early 2000’s, and Bergquist was first sent a Notice of Violation in 2010.

Site photos presented by staff of the properties showed junk vehicles and equipment, lumber, refuse, including a pile of tires.

Both properties have outright exemptions, allowing for operation of a lumber pole yard. Johnson indicated much of the wood debris was attributed to the operation. He added that the equipment on the property does run and is for sale.

“I don’t consider it junk. Any sawmill, you’re going to see wood scrap,” said Johnson.

The commissioners grappled with the definition of “Blight” and reviewed the language included in the County’s Blight Ordinance.

Commissioner Chair Kris Manguso noted that determining Blight can be subjective. She added that Johnson’s property looked better than it had in prior years.

Both Johnson and Bergquist agreed to work to remove junk vehicles and tires from their property “before the snow flies”.

While a definitive date for cleanup was not set, the commissioners agreed to allow both property owners the opportunity to remove the blight and would revisit on progress later this year.

August 7, 2020

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Colorado Has the 14th Worst Roads in the U.S.

Spring day in Byers Canyon in HotSulphur Springs

B

y forcing many Americans to stay home, COVID-19 created a rare opportunity for states to accelerate much-needed road repairs without interrupting daily commutes. With traffic reduced, departments of transportation across the country went to work fixing bridges, highways, and mass transit systems—many of which were long overdue for repair. According to data from the Federal Highway Administration, 26 percent of major urban roads in the U.S. are in poor condition.

Apart from being unpleasant to drive on, poor roads are linked to worse traffic, reduced safety, and increased vehicle ownership costs. Research from AAA found that potholes alone cost drivers $3 billion a year in vehicle repair costs.

Furthermore, the most recent Urban Mobility Report released by the Texas A&M Transportation Institute found that the average commuter spends 54 hours per year in traffic congestion and suffers a personal cost of $1,080 in time and fuel.

While 2020 will likely be an anomaly, the number of miles traveled on American roads tends to increase each year.

Federal Highway Administration data shows that while rural travel has stayed mostly flat since 2000, travel on urban roads has continued to rise alongside increased urbanization. Even though total state and local spending on roads has likewise gone up, its share of total state and local spending has declined and is insufficient to fund necessary road maintenance in many parts of the country.

Not surprisingly, there is significant regional variation when it comes to road quality—a function of differences in funding, climate, commuting patterns, and other factors. Almost half of all major urban roads in Rhode Island (47.9 percent), California (46.2 percent), and New Jersey (42.4 percent) are in poor condition. On the other hand, less than 10 percent of major urban roads are considered poor in Georgia (6.1 percent),

Photo by Michael TURNER

Tennessee (8.6%), Florida (8.7 percent), Idaho (8.7 percent), and Indiana (9.3 percent). Overall, states in the South tend to have a smaller share of urban roads in poor condition than states in the Northeast and West Coast.

To find which states have the worst roads, researchers at CoPilot analyzed road quality statistics from the Federal Highway Administration. Using the FHA’s International Roughness Index (IRI) data, they ranked each state based on the percentage of road-miles categorized as poor.

The analysis found that in Colorado, 31.6% of all major roads are in poor condition, compared to the national average of 26.4%. Out of all states, Colorado has the 14th worst roads in the U.S. Here is a summary of the data for Colorado:

• • • • • •

Percentage of all major roads in poor condition: 31.6% Interstates and freeways in poor condition: 5.4% Arterials in poor condition: 24.7% Minor arterials in poor condition: 44.9% Daily vehicle-miles per capita: 24.1 Miles of road per 1k people: 4.8

For reference, here are the statistics for the entire United States:

• • • • • •

Percentage of all major roads in poor condition: 26.4% Interstates and freeways in poor condition: 5.8% Arterials in poor condition: 26.4% Minor arterials in poor condition: 34.5% Daily vehicle-miles per capita: 24.9 Miles of road per 1k people: 4.9

For more information, a detailed methodology, and complete results for all states, you can find the original report at www.copilotsearch.com

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August 7, 2020

Grand Volunteers Continue to Support Pandemic Needs

T

he Grand County Outbreak of Kindness continues providing food and running errands for those impacted by the pandemic, and now has an additional mission: to provide masks in response to the statewide mandate to wear masks in public places. The need for both adult and children’s masks has escalated, especially as teachers and children are preparing to return to school classrooms.

The Outbreak of Kindness, a volunteer force more than 200 strong, was formed by community leaders in communication, public health and the faith community in response to the urgent needs created by the pandemic.

Since March, the group has served as both the volunteer arm of the county, as well as providing and delivering weekly food and personal supplies to more than 40 individuals and families impacted by the virus.

Those weekly food deliveries now include children’s and adult masks, handmade or donated by the community for those who need them.

Founders of Outbreak of Kindness recognized the need to combat the pandemic with a local program that could respond quickly to help contain the virus by supporting education, outreach and special needs of those self-isolating at home.

The group has facilitated partnering with the local faith community and public health resources to coordinate a volunteer organization empowering locals to help vulnerable friends and neighbors. One of their partners, the Church of the Eternal Hills had an existing food pantry, which was quickly expanded and supported with donations, as it was one of the immediate needs for folks faced with sudden business closures resulting in job losses.

The Church of the Eternal Hills collaborated with Grand County Rural Health

Network and more than 200 citizen volunteers willing to combat hunger and sudden food insecurity. St. John the Baptist Episcopal Church, Mountain Family Center and many other organizations are supporting the effort to provide supplies on Saturdays for distribution sites in Granby, Kremmling, Hot Sulphur Springs, Tabernash and Grand Lake. Fraser and Winter Park may also receive services by request. Check Facebook-GCoutbreakofkindness or call Outbreak of Kindness at (970) 363-6460 for more information.

Outbreak of Kindness is a flexible program which intends to persevere to meet changing local needs as the weeks of the pandemic endure. Co-founder, Cara McDonald stated, “Our mission is to help contain the virus and support those in need or are in self-isolation or quarantine due to the virus. We anticipate that the need may grow (this winter). Recently Outbreak has expanded its services to tackle the pressing need for masks to comply with the state mandatory mask order.”

Donations are gratefully accepted for shelf stable food, cash and masks and can be dropped off at Church of the Eternal Hills in Tabernash, M-Thu between 10 am and 4 pm. Please call CEH at (970) 887-3603 to ensure that someone will be at the church if you want a receipt for donations. Volunteers are needed each week for shopping, sorting, unloading truck supplies, driving and delivering food handouts. Many contactless positions are also available for volunteers over 60 years of age or those with computer intake skills.

Not for publication: Contact for more information: Pamela Hanson , Tabernash, CO (303) 499-6273 cell, Phanson0158@ gmail.com, P.O.Box 158, Fraser, CO 80442

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August 7, 2020

SUDOKU

“A fresh start will put you on your way.”

Lucky Numbers 2,8, 11, 19, 24, 29

humor mill ...

The standing dead are talking.

BY JEFF R. KING

MEME OF THE WEEK

August 7, 2020

enVirOnS Friday Saturday

Sunday

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THe WeeK aHeaD in THe fraSer Valley

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

PM THUNDER STORMS

Hi 72, Low 52

Hi 72 Low 51

Hi 71 Low 50

Hi 70 Low 49

Hi 69 Low 48

Hi 67, Low 48

Hi 68, Low 49

Sunrise: 6:09 Sunset: 8:09

Sunrise: 6:10 Sunset: 8:08

Sunrise: 6:10 Sunset: 8:07

Sunrise: 6:11 Sunset: 8:05

Sunrise: 6:12 Sunset: 8:04

Sunrise: 6:13 Sunset: 8:03

Sunrise: 6:14 Sunset: 8:01

CHSAA announces 2020-21 athletics and activities calendar On Tuesday, August 4, the Colorado High School Activities Association (CHSAA) announced its 2020-2021 interscholastic athletics and activities calendar, following months of collaboration with Gov. Jared Polis, the CHSAA Resocialization Task Force, the Sports Medicine Advisory Committee, the state’s COVID-19 Response team, the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, and the CHSAA Board of Directors and administrative staff.

“The health and safety of our student participants, coaches, officials and essential personnel, including volunteers is a primary concern for the return of interscholastic athletics and activities,” said CHSAA Commissioner Rhonda Blanford-Green. “We are very grateful for the state, health and educational leaders for their shared commitment of a return to these highly beneficial education programs when it is deemed safe for all school communities.”

Note that the resumption of all activities and athletics are subject to change based upon any changes to national, state or local guidelines.

The 2020-21 season will be played with a modified sport schedule due to the on-going global pandemic, creating four separate sports seasons during the school year.

Following a phone call with Gov. Jared Polis on Tuesday, Blanford-Green and CHSAA received a final response on the plan it submitted to the state’s COVID response team. This includes the clearance for cross country to begin this fall.

Due to the restrictive nature of the current state guidelines, and the ability to follow Colorado Department of Education requirements, all contact sports have been moved to a season which will commence later in the calendar, and allow for playoffs and culminating events without creating new conflicts.

“We would like to thank our member schools and our school communities for their patience as we worked through the many challenges to get to where we are today,” Blanford-Green said.

The modified calendar splits sports into four seasons, concluding in late June: A, B, C and D Dates and plans for non-athletic activities continue to be formulated.

For specific dates and sports seasons, see the calendar below.

Each season is approximately seven weeks from start to finish. Sports will have their regular season competition limits reduced. The postseason for each sport will also be shortened, including the number of state qualifiers.

The following 2020 fall sports will begin as originally scheduled: boys golf began practice on Aug. 3, softball and boys tennis is set to begin on Aug. 10, and cross country on Aug. 12. According to the modified calendar, this is Season A. The remaining traditional fall sports are unable to be played under current state health guidelines.

These sports are field hockey, football, gymnas-

tics, boys soccer, spirit, unified bowling and girls volleyball.

The sports played this fall will all be concluded

by October 17. See the calendar below for specific dates.

In anticipation of data from the state which shows a likely resurgence of COVID-19 cases in late fall, there will be a participation moratorium from Oct. 18, 2020 to Jan. 3, 2021.

Sports in Season B will begin on Jan. 4, and conclude by March 6. These sports include: basketball, ice hockey, skiing, spirit, girls swimming and wrestling.

Season C, which begins on March 1 and concludes with championships by May 1, includes the following sports: field hockey, football, gymnastics, boys soccer, unified bowling and girls volleyball.

“I am very happy we will be having a season,” said Sterling volleyball coach Lisa Schumacher.

“Even though it will be delayed, we will look forward to our season in the spring.”

Due to the specific equipment and safety rules around football, that sport will begin practice on Feb. 22, and conclude on May 8.

“I like that the creation of the seasons doesn’t disrupt any of the traditional season, no create new conflicts between sports,” said West Grand football coach Chris Brown, the state’s all-time winningest football coach. “And by knowing there is a season out there, it should help keep student-athlete academically engaged throughout the year.”

Said Ryan Goddard, the football coach at Pueblo South who is the football chair for the Colorado High School Coaches Association: “Certainly not the decision that we were hoping for but we are really looking forward to providing student-athletes with opportunities to compete in educational based activities in an unprecedented time. Allowing our kids to compete is what’s important, the date on the calendar is secondary.”

Said Dave Logan, the football coach at Cherry Creek who is set to be inducted in the NFHS Hall of Fame: “While I am disappointed we cannot play this fall, I appreciate the fact, given the parameters of engagement, that CHSAA has done everything they can do to allow all of our students in all of our extracurricular activities to have a season in the 2020-21 school year.”

The 2020-21 calendar will conclude with Season D. Sports include: baseball, girls golf, boys and girls lacrosse, girls soccer, girls tennis, boys swimming, track and field and boys volleyball.

This season will begin with practice on April 26, and it concludes with the final championship on June 26.

Specific sport modifications, practice requirements, game requirements and procedures will be communicated by Thursday, including in bulletins that can be found on CHSAANow.com.

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