Colorado: Smart energy management helps Summit School District realize substantial savings

Posted on May 10, 2013 by Bob Berwyn

‘Energy Navigator’ tracks use, guides active management of heating, cooling and lighting systems

Smart computer-guided energy management is helping the Summit School district save big bucks.

Computer-guided energy management is helping the Summit School district save big bucks.

By Cameron M. Burns

Through a combination of energy efficiency and actively managing energy use, the Summit School District is on track to save more than $100,000 in energy costs this year.

In fact, after investigating the operation of lighting and HVAC equipment at Summit High School in the summer of 2012 with a new energy-management system called the Colorado Energy Navigator, Summit School District facilities manager Woody Bates and his staff were able to cut energy use by more than $50,000 during the three-month June-to-August 2012 period compared to the same period in 2011.

The energy-saving techniques they used are now being replicated across the district. Data compiled by Carbondale-based Clean Energy Economy for the Region show that, eduring the first three months of the school year, (Sept. to Nov.) energy savings across the district totaled about $24,000 compared to the prior year. (more…)

Filed under: Colorado, energy, Environment, Summit County Colorado, Summit County news | Tagged: , , , , , , | Leave a Comment »

Colorado: Forest Service finalizes plan to protect bats

Posted on May 2, 2013 by Bob Berwyn
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White-nose syndrome is spreading outward from the Northeast. Graphic courtesy whitenosesyndrome.org.

White River National Forest keeps a few caves closed permanently, requires cave registration and decontamination

*Click here for more Summit Voice coverage of white-nose syndrome

By Bob Berwyn

FRISCO — The White River National Forest is well-known for its many ski areas and stunning high-elevation wilderness areas, but the forest is also a Rocky Mountain stronghold for bats. And with a deadly disease poised to move into the region, resource managers are taking steps to try and protect the flying mammals with a new cave access policy.

Based on a regional study completed a few weeks ago, WRNF supervisor Scott Fitzwilliams has decided to keep several caves with biologically significant populations closed all year, and other caves may be closed seasonally. Year-round closures are to be enacted on ranger districts if white-nose syndrome is documented within 250 miles. The regional policy and supporting documents are online at this Forest Service website. (more…)

Filed under: biodiversity, Colorado, endangered species, Environment, Summit County Colorado, Summit County news | Tagged: , , , , , | 1 Comment »

Colorado: No doubt, still a drought

Posted on May 1, 2013 by Bob Berwyn

Annual State of the River meetings will update residents on water planning

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Receding waters of Dillon Reservoir leave big swaths of shoreline exposed.

By Summit Voice

FRISCO — While spring snowfall has brought some relief to small parts of Colorado, the majority of the state is still gripped by one of the worst droughts on record. The southeastern plains and the southwest mountains in particular have experienced a string of dry years, leaving soil moisture well below normal.

Statewide reservoir storage is also near historic low levels, and even with decent spring runoff in a few river basins, water managers will be scrambling to try and refill key s like Dillon and Green Mountain reservoirs. (more…)

Filed under: climate and weather, Colorado, Drought, Environment, rivers, Summit County Colorado, Summit County news, water | Tagged: , , , , , | 2 Comments »

Summit Voice: Week in review and most-viewed stories

Posted on April 29, 2013 by Bob Berwyn
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Will the federal government tolerate marijuana legalization?

FRISCO — Cycling and wrangling over marijuana legalization are both popular topics in Colorado these days, which is reflected by this week’s list of most-viewed stories. Third on the list, surprisingly to me, was a somewhat wonk-oriented story about a conservation bill introduced in Congress — but maybe it shouldn’t be a surprise, since anything that involves bipartisan compromise in Washington, D.C. these days is truly newsworthy.

Two of the Summit Voice photo essays also managed to crack the top-10 list, including some sweet shots of our big spring snowstorm, and, of course, a pair of stories about the deadly Loveland Pass slide were also in the mix. Click “Read More” to see the list, as well as a roundup of headlines. (more…)

Filed under: Summit County Colorado, Environment, Summit County news, climate and weather, Colorado, Drought, Arctic | Tagged: , , , , | 1 Comment »

Colorado: Forest Service revamps fees for bikepath events

Posted on April 27, 2013 by Bob Berwyn

Policy change enables agency to charge per-person fees

The 2012 Colorado Cyclist Copper Triangle, a cycling tour in Lake, Summit, and Eagle Counties, and based in Copper Mountain, Colorado, on Saturday, Aug. 4, 2012. Photo Steve Peterson

Cyclists cruise the Summit County recpath on Forest Service land during the 2012 Colorado Cyclist Copper Triangle, a cycling tour in Lake, Summit, and Eagle Counties based at Copper Mountain, Colorado. Photo courtesy Steve Peterson/Copper Triangle.

By Bob Berwyn

SUMMIT COUNTY — The White River National Forest has revamped its fee structure for special events using local bike paths that cross national forest lands. Under the changes, organizers of cycling events like the Copper Triangle will pay a graduated per-person fee ranging from $1 per person, up to $2 per person for larger events.

The new fees, authorized under a local special use amendment, will affect special events using three specific bike paths: Vail Pass, Glenwood Canyon and the recpath system around Dillon Reservoir in Summit County, according to WRNF supervisor Scott Fitzwilliams. (more…)

Filed under: biking, Colorado, economy, events, recreation, Summit County Colorado, Summit County news, US Forest Service, White River National Forest | Tagged: , , , , , , , | Leave a Comment »

Summit County plans large-scale wildfire training exercise

Posted on April 26, 2013 by Bob Berwyn

Evacuation and communications seen as critical elements in emergency response

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Summit County emergency responders along U.S. Highway 6 during a June, 2011 fire in Keystone Gulch, Colorado. Bob Berwyn photo.

By Summit Voice

Register for emergency notifications at www.SCAlert.org.

Follow the Summit County Sheriff’s Department on Twitter.

FRISCO — Next week’s large-scale emergency response test in Summit County will include door-to-door visits by uniformed officials in the Ruby Ranch, Willowbrook Highlands and Ptarmigan Ranch subdivisions, notifying residents about evacuation procedures in case of a wildfire.

The April 30 exercise includes more than 100 local emergency responders and will test the ability of local agencies to respond to a mock scenario revolving around a number of wildfires which spread due to high winds. The Summit County Sheriff’s Office in particular will be testing plans for evacuation and public information. (more…)

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Colorado: USA Pro Challenge route announced

Posted on April 25, 2013 by Bob Berwyn

7-day stage race set for late August

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Stage 2 of the USA Pro Challenge leads from Aspen over Independence Pass to Breckenridge.

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USA Pro Challenge racers will once again visit Breckenridge as part of the seven-day stage race through Colorado.

By Summit Voice

The 2013 USA Pro Challenge features two new host cities and the return of the popular Vail time trial, race organizers said this week, announcing details of seven-day stage race through Colorado (Aug. 19-25).

“The most important thing to us in creating the route for the 2013 USA Pro Challenge was to find a course that would be safe and challenging for the riders, while providing ideal viewing locations for the crowds of spectators,” said Shawn Hunter, CEO of the USA Pro Challenge.

The two new cities, Loveland and Fort Collins, will be featured in the penultimate stage of the race on Aug. 24, when contenders will have to make a move before the final time trial stage in Denver. Stage 6 will start on the plains, but aggressive climbers will have a chance to amp it up when the race heads up Big Thompson Canyon and into Devils Gulch before hitting Estes Park. (more…)

Filed under: biking, Breckenridge, Colorado, recreation, Summit County Colorado, Summit County news | Tagged: , , , , | Leave a Comment »

Forest health task force session features wildfire info

Posted on April 23, 2013 by Bob Berwyn
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Firefighters extinguish a small March 2012 blaze along Montezuma Road, in Summit County, Colorado. Bob Berwyn photo.

Experts to discuss local wildfire conditions

By Summit  Voice

FRISCO — Somewhat battered by decade-long waves of bark beetles, Summit County’s  forests are showing signs of a strong comeback.

In both logged and un-logged areas,young lodgepoles are spurting upward, with growth rates doubling in some areas and new stands of developing aspens on sunnier patches of ground. The regeneration is especially eye-catching in stands that haven’t been logged. With sunlight streaming through the bare branches of beetle-killed pines, a thriving mix of shrubs, berry bushes and grasses carpets the forest floor, proving shelter for new conifer species, including subalpine fir and Englemann spruce.

But the new forest, along with the beetle-killed areas, is still subject to the ever-present threat of wildfires, which are a natural part of lodgepole forest ecology. And since so many Summit County dwellings are on the fringes of those forests, local homes and neighborhoods are also at risk.

Recent spring snows have eased drought conditions, water and wildfire experts say there will still be a chance of fires later this summer, and they want educate local residents about the potential risk to neighborhoods.

This month’s Summit County Forest Health Task Force meeting (April 24, 7-8:30 p.m., at the old Frisco Community Center, 3rd and Granite) will feature talks from  local wildfire experts, including Ross Wilmore and Jeff Berino. (more…)

Filed under: climate and weather, Colorado, forest fires, forests, Summit County Colorado, Summit County news, wildfires | Tagged: , , , , , , | Leave a Comment »

Skiing: A-Basin Enduro set for April 17

Posted on April 11, 2013 by Bob Berwyn

The race is on!

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With on-and-off snow in the forecast the next few days, conditions should be outstanding for the 24th annual Enduro at Arapahoe Basin, Colorado.

FRISCO — One of Summit County’s legendary spring ski events is back for the 24th time at Arapahoe Basin, where iron-legged (and rubber-kneed) skiers will lap the Pallavicini steeps in the April 17 Enduro.

The marathon ski race pits teams of two skiers against some of Colorado’s most challenging terrain, skiing or riding laps on a circuit of 20 designated routes from the top of the Pali lift. Each must be skied in consecutive order for the final run total to count. The record is 72 runs during the 10-hour (7 a.m. to 5 p.m.) event. (more…)

Filed under: Arapahoe Basin, Colorado, Ski Resorts, Summit County Colorado, Summit County news | Tagged: , , , , | Leave a Comment »

Summit County’s recpath near capacity on weekends

Posted on April 5, 2013 by Bob Berwyn
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A new report explores the capacity of Summit County’s popular recpaths.

Report says additional events on busy days could affect safety and enjoyment

By Bob Berwyn

FRISCO — A study by a Durango-based consultant suggests that Summit County’s 55-mile recpath system is nearing capacity on busy summer weekends, especially when casual users share the path with special event participants.

The report also looks at camping, boating and parking at the recreation sites around the reservoir. Read the report here.

The Dillon Dam section of the path alone saw more than 65,000 users in 201o, with more than half of all usage on Saturdays and Sundays, and 70 percent of the usage in June, July and August. In 2010, there were 20 special events on the recpath between mid-July and late August.

“We’re doing all right for now,” said Brad Eckert, with the county’s open space and trails department. The report suggests that more special events could affect the level of service on the recpath. Eckert said data from counters along the path suggest that overall use has been holding steady the past few years, without a clear trend more increased numbers each year. (more…)

Filed under: Colorado, Dillon Reservoir, events, Summit County Colorado, Summit County news | Tagged: , , , , , | Leave a Comment »

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