Skiing

On today's show, Shirley Tipton and Jim Salan from the Aspen Elks Lodge on the lodge's volunteer efforts with the Disabled Veterans Winter Sports Clinic.

Also, Rob St. Mary with Laura Thielen and George Eldred from Aspen Film on this year's Shortsfest, April 7-12th.

This week, Snowmass Village is hosting a police skiing competition. The North American Police Ski and Snowboard Championships is an international gathering. Officers from Europe and North America are battling it out on the slopes. 

The Aspen Skiing Company is getting involved in the legal fight for marriage equality. The company is one of hundreds of businesses urging the US Supreme Court to embrace same-sex marriage. 

Welcome to Valley Roundup, a review of the top news stories in the valley in the past week.

Aspen lost another longtime local in avalanche. And this week marks the first anniversary of the murder of Aspen native Nancy Pfister.

Municipal elections are coming up in Glenwood Springs and Aspen. This year, it’s all mail-in. But in Aspen, you can still vote in a traditional way at two polling places.

Meanwhile, Aspen City Council is countering a citizen ballot measure on development limitations. Will it just confuse voters more?

The annual Black Ski Summit wraps up on Saturday in Snowmass Village. The week-long event is celebrating its 42nd year.

The event has its roots in Snowmass Village. The National Brotherhood of Skiers started in the early 1970’s when African Americans on the ski slopes were a rarity and black ski clubs an exception.

The White River National Forest has moved one step closer to approving several winter enhancements on public land at the Snowmass ski area.

The Aspen Skiing Company proposed the projects and the Forest Service began an environmental review in August. They include a replacement and realignment of the 35-year-old High Alpine chairlift, additional snowmaking on the Green Cabin run and trail and glade construction projects. The Skiing Company wants to provide gladed terrain for non-expert skiers.

CMC Holds Local Associates Level Tuition to Zero Increase

Tuition for locals will be the same at Colorado Mountain College this academic year. The board of trustees approved a zero increase on associate-degree-level courses for those who live in the district. Those who are in-state but out of district will be an extra $6.50 per credit hour at the associates-degree level while residents of Chaffee, Grand and Jackson Counties will pay $6 extra per credit hour. The biggest increase comes for those paying out-of-state tuition, who will see a $56 per credit hour increase. A news release from CMC says the school remains one of the most affordable in the state. At the same time, the board of trustees are expected to work over the next few months on comprehensive and strategic plans to improve student access and achievement through changes to the school’s financial aid programs.

The head of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency told a small crowd in Aspen Thursday that action on climate change is needed now. Administrator Gina McCarthy timed her visit with the Winter X Games, to reach a younger crowd.

McCarthy’s visit was in conjunction with Protect Our Winters, a climate change advocacy group led by snow sports athletes. Standing next to the ski gondola, McCarthy emphasized how action on climate change is critical to economies like Aspen’s.

Welcome to Valley Roundup, a review of the top news stories in the valley in the past week.

The lodging review continues in Aspen and for the city council, this week, it was a mixed bag.

Meanwhile, the city employees reviewing those plans are looking for a new home of their own.

A proposed pot growing operation faces the NIMBY wrath in Silt.

Do we love the Maroon Bells too much and is that a problem?

Should Garfield County voters have the chance to vote for commissioners by district instead of at large?

Aspen and Glenwood Springs are going all mail balloting this spring

And what’s the lowdown on uphilling? That’s a conference coming on that topic.

Welcome to Valley Roundup, a review of the top news stories in the valley in the past week.

This week the White River National Forest released an oil and gas plan. But, does that settle the matter on drilling in the Thompson Divide?

The City of Aspen continues to refine a new lodging incentives ordinance. At the same time, the council is asking the city management to give them better information.

The State of Colorado is not messing around when it comes to regulations and medical pot shops.

Could Aspen’s Little Annie’s return from the grave… again?

RFSD Keeps Sirko & Stein Under New Contact Plan

The Roaring Fork School District will have the same Superintendent for the next few years. The Board of Education decided to extend the contract for Diana Sirko as well as current Assistant Superintendent and Chief Academic Officer Rob Stein. But there’s a twist. Once Sirko is done, Stein will take the reins as Superintendent for three years. Board President Daniel Biggs explains the reason for the unusual arrangement.

“We wanted to have this strong leadership team continue the great work that they’ve begun. We have so much ahead of us.”

Superintendent Diana Sirko echoed that description of keeping together an All-Star team.

“It was an atypical situation from the beginning, and I think the forward thinking of the board allows us to move forward and to assure Dr. Stein that he won’t be waiting forever in the wings, so to speak.”

Stein had been hired as Superintendent in 2012 but stepped down because of a family emergency. Sirko filled the position in Stein’s absence and has continued on following his return. 

Winternational Comes to Aspen

Aspen Skiing Company is hosting two world cup races this weekend. Starting tomorrow, some of the top skiers in the world will battle their way down Aspen Mountain.

For the first time since 2012, Ajax is hosting the slalom and giant slalom races. Aspen Skiing Company has moved public access one street over... and rearranged the main viewing area... in hopes of improving safety and making spectating more fun.  The TV audience is also important. Jeff Hanle is with Ski Co.

The 2014 Audi FIS Ski World Cup at the Nature Valley Aspen Winternational is this weekend.

The events take place on Aspen Mountain.

Here's an explanation and rundown from the official site:

The world’s fastest women skiers will once again take Aspen Mountain by storm over Thanksgiving weekend. Spectators near and far are invited to the base of Lift 1A on Aspen Mountain to enjoy prime viewing of the finish line from the grandstands. Live television coverage by NBC and NBC Sports will capture the excitement that embodies World Cup racing. The weekend includes the first Bud Light Hi-Fi Concert Series of the season. Both events are FREE and open to the public!

Sunlight Opens Early for Ski Season 

Sunlight Mountain will be officially open for turns today. The area just outside Glenwood Springs is dropping  ropes early.

Sunlight was planning on opening next week, but decided to get going sooner thanks to Mother Nature’s generous amounts of snow. Jennie Spillane is Marketing Manager.

Ski Co and the 2015 Season

With the lifts already cranking on Aspen Mountain and a scheduled opening day Thursday at Snowmass, the Aspen Skiing Company is positive about the season ahead.

The Aspen Skiing Company is opening new terrain and new family amenities on three of its four mountains. Buttermilk may see the most change with a reconfigured base area, a remodeled Inn at Aspen and a new children’s center called “Hideout.” Mike Kaplan is President and CEO of the Skiing Company.

Drilling to Begin on the Roan Plateau 

The Bureau of Land Management, environmentalists, and the energy industry reached an agreement on Friday regarding a proposal to drill for oil and gas on the Roan Plateau near Rifle.

The Carbondale-based Wilderness Workshop was one of the ten conservation and sportsmens’ groups involved in the lawsuit. On Friday they released a statement saying they’re extremely pleased with the outcome.

Carbondale and Rural Fire Protection District Money Matters