Breckenridge aims at parking scofflaws

Posted on December 16, 2011 by Bob Berwyn

Resort town to use high-tech monitoring to enforce parking regs

The Breckenridge Police Department will use a new computer system to monitor parking on busy shopping streets.

By Summit Voice

SUMMIT COUNTY — After watching local residents and workers trying to skirt downtown parking regulations, the Breckenridge Police Department will start using a  a license plate recognition  system to monitor and enforce time restricted parking.

“For years, we have watched employees play games with our parking enforcement officers; they shuffle their car a few feet or wipe the chalk off the tire in an effort to avoid detection,” said Chief Rick Holman.

“This is not about writing more tickets. Our goal has always been to gain compliance with our time restricted rules. Time-restricted parking spaces need to be available for our guests and should not be used for extended periods by business owners and employees,” he said. (more…)

Filed under: Breckenridge, Colorado, Summit County Colorado, Summit County news | Tagged: , , , , | 5 Comments »

Breckenridge will host pro cycling challenge again

Posted on December 8, 2011 by Bob Berwyn

Stage 5, from Breck to Colorado Springs, scheduled for Aug. 25

Ivan Basso, Andy Schleck, Tom Peterson and Laurens Ten Dam, the breakaway leaders, are caught by the peloton just as they race down Park Avenue towards the finish line on Main Street. PHOTO BY JENNEY COBERLY.

By Summit Voice

SUMMIT COUNTY — The 2012 USA Pro Cycling Challenge will traverse Colorado starting in the spectacular San Juans with an Aug. 20 stage from Durango to Telluride and conclude once again with a final time trial stage in Denver — but not before once again stopping in Breckenridge.

The fifth stage of the race will start Aug. 24 in Breckenridge as the racers head over the Continental Divide to a finish in Colorado Springs.

“We are thrilled to continue our partnership with the USA Pro Cycling Challenge in 2012,” said Breckenridge Mayor John Warner. “Breckenridge played a prominent role in the inaugural 2011 race and the excitement and energy generated by the event is something we want to continue to build upon.” (more…)

Filed under: Colorado, Summit County Colorado, Summit County news | Tagged: , , , | 1 Comment »

U.S. Border Patrol detains fugitive Breckenridge attorney Scoop Daniel, wanted on charges of felony theft

Posted on December 8, 2011 by Bob Berwyn

Royal "Scoop" Daniel.

Daniel absconded in 2007, allegedly with up to $1 million pilfered from clients’ real estate deals

By Summit Voice

SUMMIT COUNTY — A prominent Breckenridge lawyer who disappeared in 2007 has been detained in San Diego after trying to enter the U.S. from Mexico.

The U.S. Border Patrol contacted local law enforcement agencies Wednesday, Dec. 7 to confirm an active arrest warrant for Royal “Scoop” Daniel.

According to a press release from the Breckenridge Police Department, Daniel was taken into custody and is currently being held in the San Diego County Jail. Daniel is awaiting an extradition hearing, which is expected to occur Dec. 8.

Daniel vanished under mysterious circumstances in April 2007, allegedly with up to $1 million that he was managing for clients as part of his role in various real estate deals.

His disappearance was at first treated as a missing-persons case, but after a criminal investigation, a warrant for his arrest was issued on charges of felony theft.

The Breckenridge Police Department has an investigator in San Diego who has confirmed the individual being held is Daniel and is following up on the investigation.

Filed under: Colorado, Crime, Summit County Colorado, Summit County news | Tagged: , , , , | 1 Comment »

Breckenridge: Town blasts newspaper for ‘misleading’ story

Posted on November 11, 2011 by Bob Berwyn

Breckenridge, Colorado, viewed from the overlook on Ski Hill Road.

‘Tax hike’ headline spurred angry phone calls from residents; 2012 tax bills will go down after mill rate adjustment

By Bob Berwyn

SUMMIT COUNTY — Breckenridge officials took the unusual step of issuing a press release to correct information in a Nov. 9 Summit Daily New story originally headlined “Revenue dip has Breckenridge eyeing tax hike.”

In the online version, the newspaper used this headline: “Breckenridge gives initial green light on mill rate increase.”

After the story appeared, town officials started receiving phone calls from residents and property owners concerned about a possible tax hike, said town communication director Kim Dykstra-DiLallo. The town issued the statement to make it clear to residents and property owners that the council is not proposing a tax increase, which under Colorado law, can only occur with voter approval. (more…)

Filed under: Colorado, Summit County Colorado, Summit County news | Tagged: , , , , | 9 Comments »

Breckenridge goes solar in a big way

Posted on September 21, 2011 by Bob Berwyn

Breckenridge hopes to generate 10 percent of its municipal electricity consumption from several new solar arrays coming online at town facilities.

Renewable energy a big part of town’s long-term sustainability plan

By Summit Voice

SUMMIT COUNTY — A new array of solar panels in Breckenridge will generate 10 percent of the town’s municipal electricity consumption, officials said Tuesday after flipping a ceremonial switch to turn the system on.

Installed at seven locations, the combined arrays will save the town more than $900,000 in the next 20 years and offset about 18,000 metric tons of CO2 emissions. Installations are complete on the town’s ice rink, rec center and vehicle maintenance shop, and work is under way to finish arrays at several other town facilities.

“Adopting renewable energy as part of our long term strategic SustainableBreck Plan is right in line with the priorities of the Town of Breckenridge, Mayor John Warner said during the ceremony. Warner was joined by Greg Bohan of Renewable Social Benefit Funds, Eric Westerhoff of Innovative Energy, and Breckenridge Town Councilmember Jennifer McAtamney. (more…)

Filed under: Colorado, energy, Environment, renewable energy, Summit County Colorado, Summit County news | Tagged: , , , , | 14 Comments »

Breckenridge wins kudos for bike-friendly policies

Posted on September 16, 2011 by Bob Berwyn

Cycling organization upgrades town’s status from Silver to Gold

Breckenridge, Colorado.

By Summit Voice

SUMMIT COUNTY — Making Breckenridge bike friendly has been a big priority for the Colorado resort town, and this week, the hard work paid off as the League of American Bicyclists upgraded the town’s bike-friendly status from Silver to Gold.

“The League congratulates Breckenridge and all of our BFC winners for implementing successful, long-term bicycle plans and programs that provide quality of life improvements for their citizens,” said League president Andy Clarke. “Even in tough economic times it is clear that cities are choosing investment in bicycling as a key to building the places people want to live, work and visit.” (more…)

Filed under: Colorado, Summit County Colorado, Summit County news | Tagged: , , , , , | 1 Comment »

Breckenridge firefighter honored by national chiefs group

Posted on September 4, 2011 by Bob Berwyn

Red, White & Blue Captain Ryan Roberts honored at national fire chiefs conference.

Local fire officer honored for dedication and committment

By Summit Voice

BRECKENRIDGE — Red, White & Blue Fire District Captain Ryan Roberts was recognized last week for achieving “Fire Officer” designation at the International Association of Fire Chiefs conference in Atlanta.

In a room packed with about  350 fire chiefs from around the world, Captain Roberts and four other officers from Colorado were praised by the Center for Public Safety Excellence for their dedication to their profession and the people they serve. CPSE is a non-profit organization that helps local public safety agencies around the world streamline and improve the services they provide their communities. (more…)

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

Breckenridge: Citizen sprint racing comes to town

Posted on August 25, 2011 by Bob Berwyn

Aug. 27 races include an ‘Open Cruiser’ category

The streets of Breckenridge, Colorado will be cycling central this weekend.

SUMMIT COUNTY — Cycling enthusiasts visiting the high country for the final stages of the USA Pro Cycling Challenge can test their own mettle in a series of free citizen sprint races on Main Street, Breckenridge while waiting for the world’s top cyclists to roll into town after dueling over Rabbit Ears Pass on their way from Steamboat Springs.

The races will even include a Cruiser Open category, enabling racers to compete both in their own age group and in the open event. Racers must sign a waiver and wear a helmet. (more…)

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

Breckenridge Town Council may ask the U.S. Forest Service to delay Peak 6 approval pending completion of a lynx study

Posted on August 22, 2011 by Bob Berwyn

A map showing one of the alternatives for the proposed Peak 6 expansion at Breckenridge Ski Area. Click for a full-size version.

Town council and Summit County Commissioners will finalize formal comments on controversial ski area expansion proposal

By Bob Berwyn

SUMMIT COUNTY — Based on a draft comment letter to the Forest Service, the Breckenridge Town council is prepared to take a strong stance on the proposed Peak 6 expansion at Breckenridge Ski Area, asking the agency to set a cap on daily skier visits and delay approval of the Peak 6 plan until a ski area lynx study at Silverton Mountain has been completed.

The draft letter is up for discussion at the Aug. 23 town council meeting beginning at about 3:45 p.m. The draft letter also questions whether the Forest Service preferred alternative includes enough legitimate intermediate terrain to accommodate the stated purpose of the expansion, which is to disperse skiers and alleviate crowding on existing terrain.

The council’s position probably won’t satisfy some critics of the Peak 6 proposal, who had hoped that the council would wholly endorse a no-action alternative, included by the Forest Service as a baseline against which to measure the impacts of the other two action alternatives.

As discussed at a council work session two weeks ago, the letter also asks the Forest Service and the ski area to define a daily on-mountain capacity as a target for the ski area not to exceed, and leaves it up to the agency and the resort to figure out how to stay under that cap. (more…)

Filed under: Breckenridge town council, Colorado, endangered species, Environment, Summit County Colorado, Summit County news, US Forest Service, White River National Forest, wildlife | Tagged: , , , , , , , | Leave a Comment »

Breckenridge: Peak 6 comment period winding down

Posted on August 22, 2011 by Bob Berwyn

A flow chart shows the timeline of the Peak 6 decision-making process. Click on the image to see a full-size version.

Long-term ski area growth questions linger

By Bob Berwyn

SUMMIT COUNTY — After two extensions, a public comment period on the proposal to add several hundred acres of new lift-served terrain at Breckenridge is coming to an end Aug 26, and the Peak 6 expansion is no less controversial now than when it was first proposed publicly in 2008.

The public debate about the expansion shows how ski communities in general are divided on ski area growth. There is strong support for the expansion plan from part of the town’s business community, including the Breckenridge Restaurant Association and some other ski-related businesses. Other residents feel strongly that the resort is big enough and that additional growth will undermine quality of life in the community.

Resort leaders say the plan to add new terrain served by a six-seat chair will help disperse skiers and riders across Colorado’s busiest ski area, easing congestion on existing lifts and trails. Critics of the plan say it will attract more visitors, ultimately resulting in even more crowding, both on the mountain and in the town.

There’s still time to get informed about the proposal by visiting the official Peak 6 website, which offers great access to information about the project and links for submitting comments. You can also read background stories on Peak 6 and listen to several town council discussions about the project by visiting the Summit Voice Peak 6 page. (more…)

Filed under: Breckenridge, Breckenridge Peak 6 expansion, Breckenridge Ski Resort, Colorado, Ski Resorts, Summit County Colorado, Summit County news, US Forest Service, White River National Forest | Tagged: , , , , , , , | Leave a Comment »

Next Page »
Follow

Get every new post delivered to your Inbox.

Join 5,552 other followers