The Drop is Open!

The Town of Fraser’s Pay-As-You-Throw Trash and Recycling facility, The Drop, will remain open during normal business hours on Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday from 10 am-7 pm. For more information, visit the Town’s website at frasercolorado.com.

2020 Census Underway

The 2020 Census began on March 15. Since the census invitation to participate cannot be delivered to a PO Box, census employees will hand-deliver it to residents in Grand County that receive their mail at a PO Box. Once delivered, you can respond by mail, by phone or online.

The more people that are counted in Grand County, the more funding the State of Colorado, Grand County and individual municipalities are likely to receive. Even seasonal workers can be counted as residents which make up a large portion of the population in the county. 

All census takers can be verified via an official identification badge or by calling the Denver regional office at (800) 852-6159. For more information, visit colorado.gov/colorado-census-2020.

2020 Census job opportunities

The 2020 US Census is still looking for people in Grand County to help with the count. Learn more and apply at 2020census.gov/en/jobs.

Fraser Winter Park Police Report

February was once again a busy month for the Fraser Winter Park Police Department (FWPPD). A total of 425 calls for service were responded to, with 146 calls in Fraser, 263 calls in Winter Park and 16 calls occurring in areas outside the two towns. This compares to 373 calls in February 2019.

Our police department issued a total of 32 traffic citations during February including 11 citations for parking violations. This included 8 arrests for DUI and/or other criminal traffic violations. The police department also investigated 23 vehicle crashes.

A total of 100 incident reports were completed in February.

Fraser Street Report

With the lower snowfall recently, street operators have been able to focus on potholes around town using over 1,000 lbs of pothole mix to keep our roads in good condition. Public Works staff is also working to remove snow and ice as needed to allow proper drainage and ensure that water is moving in the right direction during these warmer months.

Other ongoing work includes vehicle maintenance, sign repairs throughout town, and planning for upcoming summer projects.

Current Closures

  • EGSD/WGSD: Closed from 3/16 – 4/5
  • Mountain Valley Christian: Closed from 3/16 – 4/5
  • Winter Park Christian: Closed from 3/16 – 4/5
  • Grand Park Community Rec Center: Closed from 3/16 – 4/5
  • Devil’s Thumb Ranch: Closed through May 22nd
  • The Foundry Cinema & Bowl: Closed through April 5th
  • Winter Park Resort: Closed
  • Granby Ranch: Closed
  • Grand Lake Center: Closed
  • Granby Rec District: Closed
  • 9News Health Fairs Granby/Kremmiling: Canceled
  • Grand County Library District: Closed
  • City Market: Reduced Hours to 7am-8 pm
  • Fireside Market: Open 7am-9pm
  • Safeway: Open 6am-11 pm
  • Grand County Municipal Court: Canceled for 3/19
  • Snow Mountain Ranch: Closed through 4/6
  • Grand County DMV: Closed (Services available online)
  • Grand County Government Buildings and Facilities: Closed to the Public
  • Fraser, Granby, Grand Lake, Hot Sulphur Springs and Winter Park Town Hall buildings and facilities: Closed to the Public

Seating at Bars, Restaurants: Closed 

On Monday, Colorado Governor Jared Polis ordered the closure of dine-in services at restaurants and bars throughout the state as he continues efforts to slow the spread of the coronavirus. He also ordered gyms, casinos and theaters to close. The order, effective immediately, allows restaurants to continue to serve meals for delivery or carry-out, but not for in-person dining. Polis said it would last for at least 30 days.

Some of the local restaurants are offering Carryout/Takeout/Delivery. Call ahead or visit their website to view offers.

Outdoor Safety Education and COVID-19

The Colorado Search and Rescue Association (CSAR) offers the following:

Please choose conservative objectives that are less likely to result in having an impact on SAR and emergency services. Colorado SAR teams are prepared and ready to respond but could become overloaded if the number of calls increases and the number of available responders decreases.

Prior to heading out, check to see if your intended trailhead and destination is open.

Advise someone where you are going, your intended route, when you will be back, the description of your vehicle, your cellphone number, the equipment you intend to carry, whether you have a known exposure to sick people, and how you’ve been feeling. Update your contact if your plans change.

Have a fallback, non-electronic means of navigating and know how to use it.

Consider avoiding all avalanche terrain, especially as a solo traveler. This includes in-bounds areas as ski patrols may not be controlling for avalanches.

Avoid or be very cautious when attempting higher-risk activities or very remote activities. Accidents stemming from these types of activities may require extensive resources.

A List of COVID-19 prevention and containment practices can be found on the CDC or CDPHE websites. Many of the personal practices listed can be applied while in the Colorado outdoors.

Spring in the Colorado Rockies often means dramatically changing weather; prepare for it.

Expect ice, snow, and mud. Wear traction devices on ice, float on snow with snowshoes or skis, and wear waterproof shoes or plan to get muddy. Do not widen trails or make new ones.

Monitor your condition and don’t forget that responsible outdoor adventurers constantly monitor their bodies for the effects of hydration and altitude.

Remember your 10 essentials. Be prepared for big drops in temperature, shifts in weather conditions, and potentially longer SAR response times.

Grand Lake Response Site Closes

Grand County Public Health, in cooperation with Middle Park Health and Grand Lake Fire, is suspending “drive up” testing processes located outside of the Grand Lake Center. The Middle Park Health Family Practice Clinic located in the Grand Lake Center will remain open and patients can call providers at that location for guidance on COVID-19 and any other communicable diseases. If you are concerned about your symptoms, please call your primary care provider for guidance. Your health care professional will work with county and state public health departments and the CDC to determine if you need to be tested for COVID-19.

If you do not have a primary care physician, call your nearest healthcare facility. With the one positive COVID-19 test result received by the County today, we must increase our vigilance and follow the procedures set forth by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE). This includes guidelines that may suspend “drive-up” testing sites, such as inclement weather.  The top priority of the Grand County COVID-19 Response Team is the safety of our first responders and the community. Up-to-date information can be found at CO.GRAND.CO.US. For specific questions regarding the Team’s response please call 970-725-3803 or email jic@co.grand.co.us. For a recorded message in English and Spanish regarding COVID-19, call 970-725-3755.

Colorado River District’s State of the Rivers postponed

District will host State of the River webinar exploring issues in West Slope water on June 10.

The Colorado River District is postponing its spring State of the River educational events across the West Slope to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus. The District will host a webinar exploring our water supply and issues impacting West Slope water in June.

 “Our job is to protect West Slope communities, and the best way to do that right now is to postpone our State of the River events,” said Andy Mueller, general manager of the Colorado River District.

Typically hosted in April and May, State of the River events explore water issues in river basins across 13 West Slope communities. The Colorado River District is working with its partners to explore later dates and other options to host State of the River events while still protecting public health.

The District will host a webinar addressing climate, water supply and other issues affecting every Western Colorado river basin at noon Wednesday, June 10. Watch for registration information and more details about the webinar at coloradoriverdistrict.org.

The District’s headquarters in Glenwood Springs will also be closed until at least March 27, and District employees are working remotely.

River District staff are still working to protect West Slope water, and we’re still working to bring important information to West Slope residents about the water we all rely on,” Mueller said. “However, we want to do that while minimizing the spread of the virus. We hope you’ll join us to learn more about these issues online in June or in-person when it is safer to do so.”