This weekend is a great time to try fishing in Colorado​​​​​​​​​!

The fish are starting to bite at waters all around the state. To give everyone an opportunity to get out and get some hits, Colorado Parks and Wildlife is inviting anglers of all ages to participate in its annual Free Fishing Weekend on June 2nd & 3rd. The free fishing weekend is a great w​ay to get outside with family and friends and take adva​​ntag​e of Colorado’s extensive opportunities to fish for a myriad of cold and warm water fish species​​.​ For more information, visit: cpw.state.co.us

Granby Chamber moves to new location

The Granby Chamber of Commerce completed their move to their new offices at 516 E Agate Avenue in Granby and opened to visitors on Memorial Day. The new location offers greater access and visibility, and allows for more interactive event management. The chamber will host “Friday Nights at the Lot” on-site beginning June 1 through August 24, starting at 5 pm. For information, visit: granbychamber.com

Winter Park approves sale of Visitor’s Center building

During the May 15 Town Council meeting, the council unanimously approved Ordinance 511, the sale of 78841 US Hwy 40 to Rendezvous Colorado. The approval allows the Town to move forward with the sale closing, set for June 24th. The building is currently occupied by the Winter Park Fraser Chamber of Commerce and no date has yet been set for a move. Terry Stanford, with Rendezvous, assured the council there would be a minimum 60-day notice given when redevelopment of the property begins and the tenants need to move out. Stanford went on to say they are looking at two options for the property: one would be to expand and remodel the existing building, or, if that option does not work out, they’ll look at a total tear down and rebuild.

Alan Parsons Live Project plays Levitt Pavilion on June 2nd

PJ Olsson, critically-acclaimed recording artist and Grand County business owner/resident, is the Front Man for The Alan Parsons Live Project – Eye in the Sky 35th Anniversary Tour at the Levitt Pavilion Denver on June 2nd from 6:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. Tickets: levittdenver.org

Not surprising! P.J. Olsson’s recent to-do list includes playing the lead role of Pink in a theatrical presentation of Pink Floyd’s “The Wall” in Buenos Aires; land Grammy Nomination for his engineering work on Parsons’ last release “A Valid Path”; co-owner/creator of Eagle Wind Sound, a prolific ‘destination’ recording studio in Winter Park, CO, where he and co-owner Tony Rosacci focus on developing/producing new talent; and, prep as the front for the Alan Parsons Live Project.

Granby opens 4th of July Parade Registration

The Town of Granby has released their schedule of events for this year’s 4th of July celebration. School groups, civic groups, local businesses, car clubs and local organizations are encouraged to register for the mountain-style “Back to the Beach”-themed parade. To register, visit: cognitoforms.com. You can find the full line-up and list of activities at: granbychamber.com.

Hazardous tree removal resumes on Strawberry Road near Tabernash

The Bureau of Land Management urges the public to be aware of the hazardous tree removal and timber salvage work on-going along Strawberry Road (BLM Road 2751) north of Tabernash this summer.

“Before heading up Strawberry Road this summer, people should be aware of the high amount of activity and use caution,” said Acting BLM Kremmling Field Manager Hunter Seim. “The most visible work along Strawberry Road will be hazardous tree removal. While the work may create some inconvenience this summer, it is an important step to keep the road open for the long-term.”

Like much of Grand County, the Strawberry area has significant beetle-killed trees. Crews will be working to remove the hundreds of standing dead trees that could eventually fall across the road.

“We also have contractors working in this area to salvage beetle-killed trees through timber sales as part of BLM Colorado’s Bark Beetle Strategic Plan,” Seim said. “Although these salvage sales can involve areas farther from roads, heavy machinery and logging trucks will be using Strawberry Road throughout the summer as well.”

The felled trees from the roadside work will be available for public firewood in specific, signed areas. Firewood permits are required and available at the Kremmling Field Office, 2103 Park Ave. in Kremmling. For more information, call (970) 724-3000.

FREE admission to Emily Warner Field Aviation Museum

Every Friday and Saturday in June, from 11am – 2 pm, visit the on-airport, family-friendly community aviation museum with WWII, Charles Lindbergh, Emily Warner, and Airport Pioneers educational exhibits. 1023 CR 610, Granby (former Rocky Mountain Airways airline terminal at Granby/Grand County Airport). For information: (970) 887-2101

Former Aspen Ski Instructor claims rights to Ikon name

Cary Thompson, a former Aspen instructor, has issued cease-and-desist notices to Aspen Ski Company and Alterra for their use of the word “Ikon”, which he claims infringes upon his own brand.

Thompson owns Ride in Harmony Athletics, a Colorado ski and snowboard instructing program, and claims he holds the rights to “icon” and any derivative through a federal trademark obtained in 2012. Thompson plans to crowdsource funding for legal fees to battle the mega resort.

Alterra legally trademarked the term “Ikon” with the federal government in November 2017 and has since countered with a cease-and-desist letter of its own.

Lions Club awards MPHS Scholarships

The Fraser River Valley Lions Club’s has a longstanding, 34-year tradition of providing college scholarships to outstanding Grand County high school graduates. Bob Boynton and Deb Buhayar of the Fraser River Valley Lions Club handed out 6 scholarships totaling $13,500 at Middle Park High School’s annual Awards Night on May 30th.  

This year’s recipients were: Nicholas Lawrence and Abigail Turner ($4,000 scholarships at $1,000 per year for 4 years); Kiera Barr and Darby Howard ($2,000 scholarships at $1,000 per year for 2 years) to attend Community College/Trade School); Genevieve Newcomer-Neeson (Barbara Nissen Memorial Science Scholarship, 1-year, $500); and Madison DeCicco (Mary Ann Radkowski Memorial Community Service Scholarship, 1-year, $1,000).  Lions’ multi-year scholarships carry the names of recently deceased members of the local Lions Club to recognize their many contributions to our Lions Club and community; this year one of the 4-year scholarships bore the name of Chuck Campbell.

The Fraser River Valley Lions Club has awarded scholarships totaling more than $278,000 to local high school graduates in over three decades.   Scholarship winners apply through the Middle Park High School Counseling Office and a Lions Club committee reviews all applications. The Lions Club thanks the school counselors for their assistance in the scholarship process.  According to Bob Boynton, Chair of the Scholarship Committee, “This is one of Lions Club’s most important ways we help our community. We are proud to invest in the future of our youth. It’s a pleasure to review the applications from so many outstanding students.”

Volunteer Opportunities

Trout Unlimited Willow Planting Project

Volunteers will be planting willows along Ranch Creek on June 2-3. Ranch Creek is a tributary to the Fraser and could really use the help. Volunteer sign up at: gomeeting123.com/tusignup/signup.asp

Headwaters Trails Alliance and the BLM celebrate National Trails Day

Work on the enhancement of the Trails System in the Phases area in off of Strawberry Road in Tabernash on Saturday, June 2. HTA needs up to 25 volunteers to help enhance the Salad Bowl Trail. There will be numerous trail maintenance opportunities including clearing branches and vegetation from the corridor, improving drainages through muddy sections on the trail, and enhancing the trail tread with rocks, and berms. This project will be a part of a management plan for the area enhancing the opportunities for hiking and biking, while increasing the sustainability of the trails. Lunch provided by Wild Horse Catering and beer afterward from Hideaway Park Brewery. (970) 726-1013

Ride the Rockies Tour

Grand County hosts three legs of this year’s Ride the Rockies bicycle tour, and volunteers are needed to help out with a variety of tasks while they’re here. Below is volunteer information for each host community:

Grand Lake hosts the Ride the Rockies tour on June 13th & 14th. To volunteer, contact the Grand Lake Chamber of Commerce: (970) 627-3402.

Winter Park/Fraser hosts the Ride the Rockies tour on June 14th & 15th. To volunteer, contact Megan Ledin: (970) 887-3111 ext. 3, or email: megan@grandfoundation.com

Blues from the Top

Grand County Blues Society’s annual summer event is coming up on June 23rd-24th at Hideaway Park in Winter Park and volunteers are needed to help out prior to, on days of, and, after the event. BENEFITS: Half Day Shift: Enjoy rest of show day of shift, plus t-shirt; and, Full Day Shift: Ticket for another festival day, meal, drink ticket, plus t-shirt. Visit grandblues.org for more information.