The Lift Transit winter routes begin November 11

Winter weekday transit service begins Monday, November 11. That means all winter routes will be in service to get you around town and to the Resort. Don’t forget to download the Lift Rider app to find your bus in real-time. 

The Lift has made a number of improvements to their website this fall. The new site has more rider information and easy-to-read route schedules to help you plan your trip. theliftwp.com

Winter Park Resort Opens for 80th Season

80 years of history, and Winter Park is making this milestone year memorable by opening earlier than any other season. A line of over 100 skiers and riders braved the chilly morning on November 2nd to be part of the historic event, celebrating the beginning of Winter Park Resort’s 2019-2020 winter season.

Thanks to the efforts of the Resort’s snowmaking team and the continued return on investment of a $4 Million snowmaking system, more terrain was opened than originally anticipated, including the Gemini Lift and Larry Sale. 

33rd annual Progressive Dinner – tickets on sale now

On Wednesday evening, December 4th, the community is invited to participate in the Friends of the Grand County Library’s 33rd annual Progressive Dinner fundraiser. Participants will enjoy a four-course meal and wine on two unique tours. Walking route diners meet at Cooper Creek Square by the outdoor fire pit by 5:10 pm, and Bus route diners meet on Lion’s Gate Drive behind Winter Park Town Hall (check in 5 pm; bus leaves 5:10 pm). For more information and to buy tickets, visit friendsofgrandcountylibrary.org.

Granby Rec offers rides to Teen Night Out November 14th

If you’re in 6th grade or higher, join the Granby Recreation Department for a ride to Teen Night at the Foundry in Fraser on Thursday, November 14! Meet at the Granby Community Building at 8 pm before heading to the Foundry for a fun time bowling. Pick up will be at 11 pm at the Community Building (event is from 8:30 – 10:30). The cost is $15 per child and includes transportation and bowling at the Foundry. Pre-registration is required. Call the Granby Rec Department at (970) 887-3961 to sign up.  

GCHA annual meeting and dinner

GCHA is pleased to announce the guest speaker for our 2019 Annual Meeting and Dinner. Jason Hanson, Chief Creative Officer and Director of Interpretation and Research at History Colorado will be presenting “The First Draft: Colorado History Over a Few Beers”.

This popular beverage has had a significant role in shaping Colorado’s history. Learn more about it on Saturday, November 9 at the Promise Building at Snow Mountain Ranch. Hor d’oeuvres and a sampling of beers from local breweries will be served at 6:00pm, and dinner begins at 6:30pm, with the presentation following.

To purchase tickets, please call (970) 725-3939, visit Pioneer Village Museum in Hot Sulphur Springs or Cozens Ranch Museum in Fraser or go online at www.grandcountyhistory.org.  

Moffat Road Railroad Museum is open!

After exhaustive efforts by the Museum director and dedicated volunteers, Granby’s Moffat Road Railroad Museum is now open Fridays and Saturdays, from 10 am – 5 pm, and Sundays from noon – 4 pm. After Thanksgiving, the museum’s popular Christmas Train exhibit will be open five days a week through January 5th. To learn more about this local treasure, visit moffatroadrailroadmuseum.org

Responsible Alcohol Vendor Classes

Winter Park /  Fraser Police department is hosting a Responsible Alcohol Vendors training class on the second Tuesday of each month this winter. Participants will receive a certification equivalent to the TIPS training course.  The class is 2 hours and for more information contact Officer Jeff Malchow at 970-722-7779 or jmalchow@wpgov.com

What is curling?

If you’ve been curious about the sport of curling, come out to the Fraser Valley Ice Box Ice Rink on Tuesday night, November 12th, at 7 pm for a free introduction to this popular sport. Email Dan@FraserValleyRec.org for more information.

First Fraser Solar Project Completed

Mountain Parks Electric, Inc. has completed their first large solar project in the Fraser Valley. The 1

megawatt system is comprised of 3600 solar panels that can power up to 300 homes in the Fraser

Valley and will be activated during the first week of November. The panels were installed on an axis tracking system that allows the panels to move and follow the sun for maximum generation. The system also serves as the first utility scale solar system on Mountain Parks Electric’s grid adding an additional 1% renewable energy to the energy provided. The project was made possible with an agreement with Grand County for a 25 year lease on the five-acre parcel.

Mountain Parks Electric hosted a ribbon cutting ceremony on November 7th to celebrate the completion of the system. The ceremony was followed by a community toast event at The Foundry where attendees enjoyed free brats and a pint of “Megawatt Ale” provided by the Fraser River Beer Company.

The events were a great opportunity to show support for this initiative and learn how the Fraser Valley will benefit from this solar project and future renewable energy projects to come. The Town of Fraser and other stakeholders have been working with Mountain Parks Electric for a long time to encourage renewable energy generation to help lower our carbon footprint, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and inspire environmental stewardship to other communities. 

Turn Lane at Snow Mountain Ranch

After several recent accidents on US 40 on Red Dirt Hill, a group of concerned citizens are stepping up efforts to remedy at least one of the major problem areas. County Commissioner Rich Cimino has been an advocate for decreasing the overall speed of traffic from 65mph to 55mph from Homestead Hills to Tabernash. One of the major concerns has been the speed limits on that section of highway, an area that is fast becoming a congested residential zone. 

A recent letter to the county commissioners and petition is circulating to create a turn lane in the eastbound direction coming up Red Dirt Hill from Granby at Snow Mountain Ranch. This spot has been the scene of at least one fatal accident in the last two years. 

CDOT is gathering information related to motor vehicle incidents in the area to assist the county commissioners with their decision on whether to request a formal traffic study. A formal traffic study would dictate the future speed limit in that stretch of roadway, based upon CDOT findings. 

At Monday’s BOCC meeting, the commissioners discussed alternatives to a turn lane in the narrow stretch. The access road from the west could serve as a one-way entrance to Snow Mountain Ranch, reducing traffic congestion at the entrance, but would require added maintenance and snow removal by Road & Bridge. The commissioners agreed to wait for the results of the CDOT report to determine next steps.

Safeway supports Veterans with 10% Discount 

The Safeway store in Fraser will offer a 10% discount on groceries to all active duty, reserve and retired military personnel November 11‐17th, and will continue to offer a 10% discount on the first Saturday of every month beginning December 5th. 

“Offering a 10% discount to veterans and active duty military men and women is the least we can do to thank them for their service and sacrifices. Supporting our veterans is something our employees and customers care deeply about and we are committed to this effort year‐round,” said Susan Morris, president of the Denver Division of Albertsons Safeway.    

Safeway stores are also conducting an in‐store fundraiser through November 15th to benefit local veterans with career training, stress counseling, social activities and rehabilitation programs. Last year, $63,739 was generously donated to benefit organizations such as the Vail Veterans Program, Project Return 2 Work and Volunteers of America’s Homeless Female Veteran’s Program.

The fine print: A military or veterans ID is required to get the 10% discount, which applies to all grocery items purchased, with the following exclusions: prescriptions, alcohol, tobacco, fluid dairy, bus passes, ski tickets, gift cards, money orders, lottery tickets, postage and fuel.