Alpine Media Screens

Alpine Media Screens

New at the Jane

Winter Park Resort has teamed up with Centennial startup Alpine Media Technology to place information screens on the restraining bars of five chairs located on Mary Jane’s Super Gauge Express chairlift.    

The screens, which are mute and roughly the size of an iPad, will provide real-time information on terrain openings, weather updates, and I-70 traffic info from CDOT.  The screens will also include a digital trail map, safety tips, and news on upcoming Winter Park Resort events.  The technology is the first of its kind in the ski industry worldwide and utilizes a revolutionary system that recharges the screens as the chair passes through the lift terminal at the base of the mountain.  

Sitzmark South Phase II Begins Construction

After receiving approval from the Town of Winter Park’s Planning Commission last week, construction has begun on Phase II of the Sitzmark South project, buildings G&H, which will be located on the east side of Highway 40 in downtown Winter Park. The project is currently in the process of placing a very large tent structure over the work site, thus eliminating many of the weather-related delays typically experienced during winter. The tent is anticipated to be in place for about four months.

Winter Park Town Council reviews ROAM Final Development Plan

At the December 19 Winter Park Town Council Meeting, Jeff Vogel, with Planning and Landscape Architecture Firm, Vogel and Associates, presented the ROAM Final Development Plan to the Council. ROAM is the new brand for the property located just south of town, where Beaver’s Lodge sits now.

ROAM lies just to the south of the town and they plan to highlight the location as a gateway to the town, as well as to Arapaho National Forest and the Rendezvous Arrow Project to the east. Vogel walked the group through several maps and renderings describing the intended layout of the 172 acre property. These included an extensive trail system, making use of the lower lying and relatively flat landscape. Their goal is to create multigenerational access to the trails and walking paths. Vogel stated that “preservation of wetlands and riparian environments is very important to the project.” He described the northwest segment of the property to be a mixed use, more “downtown/urban” styled area, with both commercial and residential structures planned. The Plan pursues extending both Vasquez Creek Road and Ski Idlewild Rd, maximizing existing infrastructure and promoting town walkability. To the south and east, it will be more passive, with wetlands and a more rural, natural setting. Roads and bridges will be constructed to access residential sites as well as connect with the Rendezvous Arrow project to the east. This connection will provide an alternate route through town.   

The parcel of land across Highway 40 to the west is mostly designated as wetland, but they want it included in the final plan for future development opportunities such as possible wind or solar farms, understanding any future plans would require the Town’s approval.

The existing structures on the property have been evaluated with East Grand Fire District and they have determined it is not viable to maintain the lodges as they are. Wanting to be respectful of  property’s heritage, they are exploring ways to integrate features of the lodges into the new community. Ideas include utilizing timber in site park structures and repurposing the fireplace, architectural features and other elements of the existing structures.

The zoning density, as proposed, would consist of 1,076 residential units, 400 lodging units and 72,000 square feet of commercial space.

The annexation request has been continued to the January 2, 2018 Town Council meeting, when there is a Public Comment period. The Council will continue their review of the request after public comments are received.

Lawsuit filed against Granby Ranch

The family of Kelly Huber, the woman killed after falling from the Quick Draw Express lift last December, filed a lawsuit in federal court last week. The suit cites resort negligence of the lift’s operation and is seeking an undisclosed amount. In May, the state investigation found that a malfunction of the lift’s electronic drive could have caused the accident. The lift’s drive has since been replaced, passing both state inspection and licensure requirements.

Colorado Parks and Wildlife announces new agency-wide integrated purchasing system

DENVER – Colorado Parks and Wildlife is pleased to announce the arrival of a new integrated purchasing system, which will serve as a one-stop shop for all CPW products, including hunting and fishing licenses, campsite reservations, OHV and snowmobile permits, and more.

The transition to the new purchasing system will begin January 1, 2018. During this time, we will have a period of several days when all CPW purchases will be unavailable. The changeover to the new system will cause a temporary shut down of purchasing services at all CPW offices, parks, licensing agents, online and phone sales. Hunters may reach out to a regional or area office if you run into licensing issues.

“We are thrilled to roll out this updated purchasing system, which will provide a more streamlined experience for every CPW customer,” said Bob Broscheid, Director of Colorado Parks and Wildlife. “But we do want to acknowledge the small downside of this brief system blackout for purchases while we implement these upgrades.”

During the changeover to our new system, customers will not be able to make any purchases online or at our offices, parks or sales agencies. All purchases will be impacted, including:

  • ​All camping, cabin and yurt reservations
  • Online hunter education, including mountain lion exams
  • Hunting reservation system
  • All license purchases (Including waterfowl stamps)
  • Habitat stamps
  • Online park passes
  • All registration renewals
  • Online retail orders
  • Online license purchases

“We really want to get the word out for customers to plan ahead and be aware that this brief transitional period is coming,” said Broscheid.

CPW suggests that customers prepare now by taking the following steps:

Plan ahead, buy ahead: Customers are urged to plan ahead and buy ahead for courses, licenses, reservations or gifts that can be purchased or reserved in advance. If you are a camping customer planning to camp in the next 6 months, book your reservations now. If you are an established mountain lion hunter in Colorado and know exactly when you plan to hunt, purchase your winter 2017-2018 license before December 31, 2017.

Create a new CID: CPW strongly recommends that any hunter that has never hunted or fished in Colorado create a customer identification number (CID) in our system in advance of this system update. This will ensure a smooth transition into the new system. New hunters are able to create an account and receive a CID during business hours by calling any CPW office or the main telephone number, 303-297-1192.

Prepare for new account requirements: Please ensure every customer in your family or group, including children, have a separate and valid email address. Each individual making a purchase, including youth licenses, will need an individual account in the system.

For a full list of Frequently Asked Questions and to learn more about what the new integrated purchasing system means for you, visit cpw.state.co.us/cpwshop.

Xcel Energy submits proposal for 2018 Rate Adjustment

With over 24,000 miles of natural gas pipeline in Colorado, Xcel Energy has submitted a proposal to the Colorado Public Utilities Commission for a Pipeline System Integrity Adjustment (PSIA) rider. If approved, a typical residential natural gas customer’s bill would increase about 1.89%, or, about $.85 per month, based on average monthly usage of 64 therms of natural gas. A small business customer would see an increase of about $3.89 per month, based on 291 therms of average monthly usage.

The increase will help to fund the assessment and replacement of high-pressure, natural gas pipelines, and, take steps to meet existing and new federal requirements. Older pipelines throughout the state would also be replaced, and, pay for the installation of protection to reduce the risk of damage to above ground equipment, such as gas meters. You can find out more about the rider by logging on to: xcelenergy.com/company/rates_and_regulations

MARY JANE ALE HOUSE
http://www.westword.com/restaurants/new-belgium-brews-mary-jane-ale-becomes-official-winter-park-craft-brewer-6046315

“No Pain, No Jane” isn’t quite the motto of the Mary Jane Ale House. Avoid the pain, and conveniently grab a drink with your lunch from Moffat Market. Or, just drop by for Après and grab a seat at the bar. This corner bar is tucked back from the food court, making it the perfect spot for a quick stop to unwind or a hang out after another day of chasing powder.

Easily stop by and pick up a draft or can of a locally crafted brew. Or, try a variety of specialty drinks for chillin’ out or warming up, like a Margarita or an Irish Coffee. Most importantly though, treat yourself to a New Belgium’s Mary Jane Ale, it pairs best with sore quads.