The Lift Transit system switches to summer schedule
Due to a 90% drop in ridership and overall transit demand, The Lift began summer service on Monday, March 23. Updated maps and schedules are available on The Lift website, including the new extension of fixed-route service through Meadowridge and along the Wapiti/County Road 8 areas on the Summer Black Line. This level of service will continue to provide a transit option for those who need to access groceries, medical facilities, etc.

Back-door boardings have been implemented to maintain appropriate social distancing for drivers. Front door boardings will continue to be available to riders with disabilities and others who may need it.

The Town of Winter Park Transit System does not currently have plans to stop operating the transit service. “We will ONLY stop transit service if we are told to do so by county, state, or federal authorities,” said Transit Manager Michael Koch, adding, “We understand the importance of providing safe and reliable mobility options to our community during this time.”

KFFR Open Discussion Weekdays

Community Radio station, KFFR 88.3 FM, is airing local, regional, state, national and international updates weekdays from 8am-11am. Coverage starts with Democracy Now!, an international news program from New York City, the epicenter of America’s Covid-19 outbreak. Local coverage is hosted by Steve Skinner and Stacy Stein starting at 9am.

Broadcasts include the very latest updates from reliable international sources, press briefings from local and other relevant authorities, recreation information, interviews with local health care professionals and personalities, tips on mental health, cooking and more.

Listeners are encouraged to tune in at 88.3 FM or online at KFFR.org. A podcast of the broadcasts is also available.

Winter Park Resort closes to uphill traffic

On Wednesday, Winter Park Resort closed the entire mountain to uphill skier traffic. The announcement, posted to Facebook on Tuesday, stated, “As fellow mountain and outdoor enthusiasts, we are disappointed to share we will be closing uphill access at the end of day today. While we understand everyone still wants to enjoy the mountains we all love, we have continued to monitor COVID-19 and, in accordance with recommendations from authorities, have determined it is no longer safe to continue uphill access at Winter Park Resort. This is to help further support social distancing guidelines and conserve necessary medical resources for our small community. Thank you all for your understanding at this time and we look forward to welcoming you back to our slopes in the future.” 

“We are making decisions and implementing changes based on the health and safety of our people and community. We don’t have the ability to issue government orders, so we’re doing what we can to discourage people from coming to our community for now,” said a resort representative in response to concerns over excessive crowding on Berthoud Pass last weekend. 

For more information, visit winterparkresort.com.

Anthem Blue Cross TeleHealth Option
To help promote social distancing in an effort to flatten the curve, many health insurance providers are offering subscribers online tools and telehealth options at little or no cost. Anthem Blue Cross, the primary individual and small group insurance option for Grand County, is offering the free Sydney Care mobile app’s new Coronavirus Assessment tool. The tool offers subscribers a quick and easy way to understand symptoms. Once a free oronavirus Assessment is completed, the app can connect the subscriber to a telehealth doctor through a free Virtual Care text session or LiveHealth Online video chat session, if needed.

The telehealth doctor can assess symptoms, help the patient understand whether they’re at risk for COVID-19, and let them know whether they need to visit a local health care provider for COVID-19 testing.
Right now, Anthem subscribers can use LiveHealth Online at no cost through June 14, 2020. Anthem is also currently waiving cost sharing for phone or video telehealth visits with doctors in their plan as well. To find out more, visit anthem.com/coronavirus.

Grand County Sheriff suspends civil process service

On Tuesday, the Grand County Sheriff’s department announced that, due to the current public health and safety circumstances, until further notice, the Grand County Sheriff’s Office is modifying operations as a precaution due to COVID-19. This includes, but is not limited to, the suspension of service of any routine civil process that a private process server could perform. It also includes, but is not limited to, evictions. The Civil Unit will continue to process emergency protection orders and any order issued by the court that specifically requires the Sheriff to execute the process following direction of the 14th Judicial District Court.

Should you require assistance by the Civil Division or have questions regarding specific service needs, please call (970) 725-3343 or email records@co.grand.co.us

State officials discourage open burning during COVID-19 response

Officials from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) urge Coloradans not to engage in open burning activities during the current COVID-19 response.

The COVID-19 virus poses a particular threat to individuals with a history of heart or respiratory illness. Smoke from open burns could put a strain on already vulnerable populations. “Open burning” is any fire outdoors where smoke is released directly into the open air without first passing through a chimney or smokestack. 

“In this challenging time, it’s important that we look out for each other,” said Scott Landes, air quality meteorologist at the Colorado Air Pollution Control Division at CDPHE. “We are strongly urging Coloradans to hold off on open burning while the state responds to the COVID-19 virus. Please be considerate of your neighbors, especially those who are in uniquely vulnerable populations.”

Colorado requires that individuals acquire a permit before engaging in open burning. Details on permit requirements can be found on the department website. State air quality officials will continue to monitor the COVID-19 response and will issue additional guidance or restrictions based on the best available evidence.

Maintain your distance: Order groceries online and pick-up at Fireside Market & Eatery

In just a matter of weeks, a simple trip to the grocery store has become a challenging event in our daily lives. The Fireside Market in downtown Winter Park offers a solution to safely maintaining social distance. 

The Market and Eatery is the only grocer in the valley to offer curbside pickup, allowing you to shop from the comfort of your home and pick-up your items a little while later.

Simply log-on to their website at firesidemkt.com/shop, make your selections and let the store employees do the shopping for you. You can select your pickup time, or wait for an email to tell you when your order is ready. 

The Eatery also offers a variety of menu options available for curbside pick-up, too. Next time you have to make a trip to the grocery store, do the shopping online at Fireside Market.