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Local News Briefs

Glenwood Springs, CO Colorado

GLENWOOD SPRINGS – Motorists traveling Highway 82 through south Glenwood Springs should expect traffic delays for the next week or so as a result of the Colorado Department of Transportation’s resurfacing project.

There will be single-lane closures in both directions, primarily from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. during the construction. However, there will be no traffic interference during peak commuter times, upvalley from 6:30-9 a.m., and downvalley from 3:30-6 p.m., according to CDOT.

The current work zone begins where the recent concrete resurfacing ended earlier this year. The latest project involves milling (grinding up the top layer of asphalt), an asphalt overlay and striping on a one-plus mile section of Highway 82 (South Glen Avenue) from 23rd Street south to the city limits.



For more information and traffic updates, contact project manager Sean Thomas of Grand River Construction, (970) 618-8329.

ASPEN – The Environment Foundation, Aspen Skiing Co.’s employee-run nonprofit charity, is now accepting grant applications for projects that improve or protect the Roaring Fork Valley’s environment.



The application deadline for the fall cycle is Nov. 1, at 4:30 p.m.

The foundation supports projects that promote environmental education and research; seek to reduce the impacts of climate change; foster responsible stewardship of our natural resources; protect our mountain ecosystems; and preserve and create opportunities for outdoor recreation.

Eligible recipients may be private or nonprofit organizations, government agencies or individuals.

The Environment Foundation is a partnership between Aspen Skiing Co.’s employees, the Aspen Community Foundation and the Aspen Skiing Co. Family Fund.

More than 1,800 employees contribute to the foundation annually.

Applicants can request an electronic grant application, eligibility guidelines or more information from Matthew Hamilton at mhamilton@aspensnowmass.com. Completed applications should be e-mailed to Hamilton.

CARBONDALE – Once again, the ditches will be shut off for the season on Oct. 15. The town does anticipate the ditches will be operational again on April 15, 2011.

The low flow condition in the Crystal River this year pre-empted a call by the Colorado Water Conservation Board to reduce diversion amounts throughout the Crystal River basin, from Avalanche Creek to the Fish Hatchery for minimum stream flow, according to Jon Nell Loux-Reeds with the town. This reduced the depth of the irrigation ditches throughout town.

The town is recommending that users of the system make appropriate adjustment for the low water conditions. If you have questions please call the town Utility Department at 963-3140.

Four entities with jurisdiction over the Rio Grande Trail between Aspen and Glenwood Springs are continuing to research the issue of allowing electric-assist bicycles on the route.

Pitkin County, the Roaring Fork Transportation Authority and cities of Aspen and Glenwood Springs all maintain parts of the trail. The use of e-bikes – a hybrid between an electric-powered bicycle and a pedal bike – became an issue this summer when a business began renting them in Aspen. The trail was posted as off-limits to the bikes at the trail entrance near the Aspen post office.

The bicycles offer an electric boost to the rider, but must be pedaled to operate.

There are questions about whether an agency that received federal funds – for transit in general or construction of the trail in particular – must allow the bikes, Pitkin County commissioners were told Tuesday. Staffers hope to have an answer, and a recommendation, by late October, said John Armstrong, county open space and trails ranger.

The goal, he said, is one policy that will be in place throughout the length of the trail, but Commissioner Jack Hatfield suggested he’d be OK with the county having its own prohibition, even if the bikes are allowed on the trail outside the county’s boundary.

“I don’t think they’re what we want on our trails – that’s only my opinion,” he said.

The bikes are seeing use in some communities by commuters, Commissioner Rachel Richards countered.

“There’s a lot of aspects to it we don’t know,” she said. “We have an aging population, and we’re trying to get people out of their cars.”

Commissioner Patti Kay-Clapper suggested the towns of Basalt and Carbondale be asked what they think about use of the bikes on the trail, as well.


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