Imagine Winter Park closer to becoming vision

Winter Park Town Council recently reviewed the “Vision of the Town of Winter Park”, a document that is part of the Imagine Winter Park initiative to update the Town’s Master Plan. The vision, developed through a series of community conversations, represents the aspirational outlook of Winter Park’s development and redevelopment, public services and facilities, and economic development.

The document is organized into four community visions, which are overall statements that describe the desired future of the Town based on shared values. The themes also create the general structure for the updated Town Plan. Several principles are included with each vision, which further elaborate on the future setting, character and opportunities for the Town in the next 10-15 years. The vision and principles will be expanded upon through the formation of goal-level and policy statements in a framework of each theme. The public will be able to review these frameworks in early 2018. Read the full vision at www.wpgov.com/imaginewp.

Additional Workforce Housing
The Town is moving forward with the development of additional workforce housing at the Dimmit II site, located south of Kings Crossing east of the railroad tracks. Groundbreaking is scheduled for June 2018 with a completion date of September 2019. To meet this tight schedule, staff needs to move the project through the design development stage. Council approved a contract with Davis Urban Architects for $295,750 for design and with Big Valley Construction, LLC for a maximum of $19,860 to provide pre-construction services. The 1.12 acre site will include 25, four-bedroom apartments.

Housing Assistance Fund
There’s still time to contribute to the Winter Park Housing Assistance Fund, which aims to help full-time residents successfully live and work in the Winter Park edits. Monies received can be used for rent, move-in assistance, and/or down payment assistance on housing in the Winter Park and Fraser Valley.

Any donations made through Dec. 31 will be doubled through a match from Winter Park Resort and the Town of Winter Park, up to $250,000. Donate today!

Construction begins on the Sitzmark South Phase II Development

With the installation of the large weather-protective “tent” structure over the project expanse on Highway 40 in downtown Winter Park, construction is underway on Phase II of the Sitzmark South development. Also referred to as Hideaway Station, buildings G & H will be a mix of over 10,800 square feet of retail space and 12 two-bedroom residential units. The retail space features glass storefronts on the lower, street level, and, the two-story residential units will average 1,200 square feet.

This component of the project does not include attainable housing units in the plans. The residential units in buildings G & H will be sold at market value, promoting a work/live environment option for retail tenants and prime location to prospective buyers.  Parking will be mixed for use by residential and commercial tenants and customers. Parking can be adjusted, based upon commercial tenant leases, with additional parking available on Highway 40 and the adjacent parking structure. The final phase of the project, Buildings C & D, are slated to offer more attainable housing units, but the plans for this phase have not yet been completed.

Roam Development Public Input

At the next Winter Park Town Council Meeting on January 2, the agenda allows for public comments to be given regarding the Roam Final Development Plan. The Plan relates to the 172 acre parcel just south of town, at the former Beaver’s Lodge property. More information can be found at wpgov.com.

FroDo Plans Discussed

At the Town of Fraser Economic Development Advisory Committee meeting on December 19, concepts for the Fraser Creative Laboratory Plan were presented by Dan Orecchio of DAO Architecture. The building will be located just east of the new Distillery in downtown Fraser and several different designs, from single to multi-level, are up for consideration. The planned complex would provide multi-purpose “create spaces” along with residential units to support a live/work alternative for tenants. The project seeks to maintain an artist in residence program and the Town is focused on making it a true artist’s destination space. Fraser’s art movement continues to draw focus to the community and this project will create a place that further accentuates the Town’s direction.The project cost is estimated to be $2 million, but this number could change, based upon final design of Fraser’s new iconic facility.

The Committee’s next step is to assemble a group of stakeholders to put together a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) and send it out to architectural firms. One of the Committee’s goals is to find a firm that is willing to immerse themselves in the project and align themselves with the Town’s vision. The Committee is hopeful the selection process moves quickly so that the project can get underway soon. You can listen to the meeting audio file here: frasercolorado.com

Open Burning now allowed

The previously dry conditions have improved markedly over the past week and Grand County is now allowing Open Slash Pile Burning with proper permitting. Visit http://co.grand.co.us/142/Open-Burning for permit information and conditions, or, call (970) 887-0745. Always call the Grand County Department of Natural Resources before you burn piles and NEVER leave flames unattended! Small recreational fires do not require a permit.

High Country Avalanche Danger

The recent snowfall has created dangerous avalanche conditions in Colorado’s high country. According to the Colorado Avalanche Information Center (CAIC), they have received reports of over two dozen natural and human-triggered avalanches in the Front Range zone over the last few days. The avalanche danger is categorized as Considerable above, at and below treeline, so extra caution is advised. While natural avalanche activity is slowly waning, it will be very easy to trigger an avalanche on slopes steeper than around 30 degrees. Look for them to be larger on north and east-facing slopes, where the snowpack is deeper and received more recent wind loading. Cracking, collapsing, and recent avalanche activity are all clear signs of dangerous avalanche conditions.

Avalanches can be triggered from a distance or from below, so use extra caution near and below steep slopes. The CAIC warns that avalanches can break in surprising and unpredictable ways, so give yourself a wide buffer around avalanche terrain to account for the uncertainty.

Before you head into the backcountry, visit the CAIC website to view conditions, pack proper avalanche safety equipment and bring a buddy. Be Avalanche Aware and know before you go! Visit kbyg.org for more information.

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

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.

Shout Out to the Holiday Workers!

Our holiday workers are everywhere you look this time of year. They are here to ensure that our guests and visitors experience the very best our valley has to offer. Some are long-time locals and some are from points far away. They’re cooking up breakfast in a restaurant or fitting rental boots in the morning, and, they’re serving aprés martinis at the bar in the afternoon. They’re also getting guests checked into their lodging or driving passengers to and from the airport, and so many other jobs that we don’t have room to list here. Most are probably also going on their 20th straight day of work without a break, giving up their holidays with family and friends to fulfill their duties with a smile.

During this hectic season, when you see one of these fine people, be sure to let them know how much their efforts are appreciated. A little kindness goes a long way!

PARSENN BOWL TO OPEN FRIDAY!

Thanks to 32” of snow in the last seven days, tied for the most in the entire state of Colorado over that period, Winter Park Resort will be opening its popular Parsenn Bowl TerritoryFriday morning.  In the last five days alone, Winter Park has doubled its open skiable acres and now has over 1,100 to enjoy this holiday week.