Stage 1 Fire Restrictions in effect

On July 15, Grand County implemented Stage 1 Fire Restrictions. Increasingly dry conditions warranted the effort to prevent human-caused wildfires by imposing restrictions on activities known to be high risk, primarily smoking and campfires.

Stage 1 restrictions allow open fires in developed campgrounds and picnic areas with permanently constructed fire grates and charcoal grills; fires contained within liquid or gas fueled stoves, lanterns or heating devices, approved wood pellet grills and stoves; and, open fires at private residences within permanent or portable outdoor fireplaces, fire pits, chimineas and grills.

Stage 1 restrictions do not allow building, maintaining, attending or using an open fire outside of a developed recreation site (NO dispersed campfires in the forest or on public lands); smoking, except within an enclosed vehicle or building, a developed campground or picnic area or while stopped in an area of at least 6’ diameter that is barren of all combustible materials; operating a chainsaw without a USDA or SAE approved spark-arresting device; and, welding or operating torches with open flame, except in an area of at least 10’ in diameter barren of all combustible materials.

For the latest updates and more information, call (970) 725-3852.

US 34 bridge replacement project complete

The Colorado Department of Transportation has completed the bridge replacement project on US Highway 34 located south of Grand Lake at Mile Point 12. Construction was completed on July 28. 

The US 34 Bridge Replacement project began in April 2019 to replace a structurally deficient bridge over the Colorado River. The beginning of the project included constructing a temporary bridge for traffic, to allow work to install the new bridge. After a winter shut down, crews continued work, which included completing asphalt paving, detour removal, restoration, as well as improving grading, drainage, and paving.

Current and upcoming road construction projects

In Winter Park, please be aware of several projects that will cause trail or road closures:

  • A portion of Leland Creek Trail is closed at its connection to Kings Crossing;
  • The Fraser River Trail is closed until August 11;
  • Part of Ski Idlewild Road will be closed soon in the Rendezvous development area;
  • CDOT is planning improvements to crosswalks parallel to Hwy 40 – details are pending but work is scheduled to start in August.

In Fraser, ongoing and upcoming road closures are as follows: 

  • Intermittent full and partial road closure on CR 8 July 20 to early August; 
  • Full road closure on Eisenhower Drive from US 40 to Fraser River Beer Company beginning early August to August 14; 
  • CR 72 from US 40 to John’s Drive beginning mid-August to mid-September. 

GCHA offers Vamonde Virtual Tours

Looking for a great way to brush up on local history? Grand County Historical Association (GCHA) has created several virtual tours that you are welcome to take part in. You can find tours from the book ‘Go Grand’ by Kristi Martens, as well as the quilt squares of Grand County. To access the tours, visit grandcountyhistory.org.

GCHA museums are open: Cozens Ranch Museum, Fraser: Wed-Sun, 10am-4pm; Heritage Park, Kremmling: Fri & Sat, 10am-4pm; and, Pioneer Village Museum, Hot Sulphur Springs: Wed-Sun, 10am-4pm

To learn more, email shanna@grandcountyhistory.org or call (970) 725-3939.

GLAHS Community Picnic canceled

After many efforts to try to make it work, the Grand Lake Area Historical Society (GLAHS) are disappointed to report the cancelation of their Community Picnic Dinner scheduled for August 16th. “We just couldn’t make it safe for guests and volunteers. Thank you for your understanding,” said Historical Society President Jim Cervenka. To learn more, visit grandlakehistory.org.

21st annual Grand Classic returns

The annual golf tournament is back to help benefit the Grand Foundation and the Fraser Valley Recreation District (FVMRD) Youth Programs and you are invited to join us for this well rounded two-day golf tournament. The FVMRD has teamed up with the Grand Foundation to increase our tournament offerings. This two-day tournament will showcase two extraordinary courses in Grand County: Pole Creek Golf Club and Grand Elk Golf Club on Friday, August 28th and Saturday, August 29th. A virtual awards ceremony will take place immediately following play on Saturday, August 29.

Your support of this tournament will provide enhanced benefits to both the FVMRD and the Grand Foundation by improving local programs and services offered to visitors, second homeowners and residents. Your generosity does make a difference in Grand County. For more information and to register, visit grandfoundation.com.

BLAST 2020 Golf Tournament

Middle Park Medical Foundation will host its 1st annual Golf Tournament on Thursday, September 3 at Pole Creek Golf Club in Tabernash. The goal of the 4-person, shotgun start scramble is to raise money to build an oncology/infusion treatment center at Middle Park Health’s Granby location. There will be six on-course contests, as well as two contests outside of play that include a putting contest and a $100k shootout just after tournament play ends.

For more information and to register, visit middleparkhealth.org.

PRC Walk for Life

All are invited to be a part of the 2nd Annual Walk For Life and support the ministry of the Pregnancy Resource Connection (PRC). Begin fundraising and take part in the event on Saturday, September 5th at the Middle Park Fair Grounds in Kremmling. An option to do a virtual walk or run instead is also available. Have fun by taking pictures or a video for those sponsoring you! To register for the 5K run or 2-mile Family Walk, visit walkforlifeprcgrand.com. If you would like to be a sponsor for this event, please contact PRC at (970) 887-3617.

Grand Lake Regatta is this weekend
The Grand Lake Yacht Clubs annual regatta week where they host a number of special events and boat races they race for cups. The Grand Prize is the Lipton Cup in honor of  Sir Thomas J. Lipton, a British tea merchant and yachtsman extraordinaire that first sponsored the stirling silver cup back in 1913.  If you are interested in more information about the regatta please contact Amy Blair at 720-278-1425 or ablair@libertyglobal.com You can also check out grandlakeyachtclub.com/History to learn more about the world’s highest registered yacht club.

Don’t Feed the Bears
Bears enjoy spending time in Winter Park’s outdoors just as much as you do! They get hungry like you too…but they look for food from scraps or trash left outdoors.  Please pick up litter and make sure that all trash containers, dumpsters, etc. are secured. Also avoid putting out your trash until the morning of your scheduled pick-up day.