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White River National Forest teams up with Glenwood Springs Visitor Center

Anna Gauldin
Post Independent Intern

GLENWOOD SPRINGS — For roughly the next six months, White River National Forest’s visitor information services will be located at the Glenwood Springs Chamber Resort Association/Colorado Mountain College visitor center at 802 Grand Ave.

The arrangement is a result of a heating, ventilation and air conditioning renovation taking place at the forest’s Supervisor’s Office, which required the entire staff to relocate beginning July 1.

“They’re dealing with a historic building, and they’ll have to do a lot of carrying out of walls and putting new vents in, so the best answer was to relocate everyone while they’re doing that,” said Bill Kight, public affairs official for the forest.



According to Kight, staff members have been relocated to a number of locations during the renovation, including the ranger district offices in Rifle, Eagle and Carbondale and the Forest Service Engineering Office on Midland Avenue in Glenwood Springs. A number of employees will also be telecommuting.

As for the visitor information services, a member of the forest’s staff will be on hand during the visitor center’s weekday business hours to answer questions and provide information about the national forest.



“We didn’t want to have a disruption in our service to the visiting public, so this is the best possible solution,” Kight said. “It’s a good partnership, to have someone there to answer visitors’ questions about the White River National Forest and help them have a more enjoyable stay.”

Marianne Virgili, the president and CEO of the GSCRA, said the partnership is an added bonus to the visitor center.

“We are delighted with this expanded partnership,” Virgili said. “This means that, in addition to comprehensive college, vacation, business and relocation information, our visitors can learn about all the national forest has to offer in our area.”

Kight explained that for Forest Service permits and other needs, the forest representative at the visitor center can direct individuals to the proper Ranger District Office, with locations in Rifle, Meeker, Eagle, Minturn, Dillon, Aspen and Carbondale.

The CMC/GSCRA visitor center is open from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. weekdays year-round. Summer season weekend hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., but there will be no forest staff available during weekend hours.


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