IDAHO SPRINGS, Colo.—Ground has been broken along Interstate 70 in the foothills west of Denver for a Colorado Mountain Rescue History Center.
Once the building is finished by early next year, reported the Clear Creek Courant, more than 30 teams from throughout Colorado will bring their documents to be preserved at the history centre. Organizers plan to work with graduate students and preservation experts from Denver-area museums and libraries to archive and catalogue everything.
"The first (Colorado-based mountain rescue) team started in 1947, and some of the founders of these teams are still alive," explained Paul "Woody" Woodward, the field director for the Evergreen-based Alpine Rescue Team. It's among the largest of Colorado's 30-plus rescue teams. "We want, before they're gone, to be able to get their history from them—whether that's interviews or video, or collecting artifacts in their garages."
The museum was inspired by the Colorado Ski and Snowboard Museum in Vail and the American Mountaineering Center in Golden. The budget for this initial archives-heavy enterprise has been set at US$500,000. Later, said Woodward, the museum can shift attention to creating exhibits.
Alterra Mountain Co. will have 14 ski areas in stable
DENVER, Colo.—Alterra Mountain Co. has plans to buy another ski area, its 14th in North America. The latest acquisition target is Crystal Mountain, located on the flanks of Mount Rainier about two hours from Seattle, Wash. The mountain has one gondola and 10 lifts, with a vertical drop of 945 metres feet. Alterra said in a press release that it expects to close the sale later this year.
Accident or something else, pond-skimming verdict no joke
FRISCO, Colo.—A 27-year-old skier has pleaded guilty to reckless endangerment because of an accident that occurred at the pond-skimming event at Copper Mountain Resort in April.
The individual flew off the pond-skim course and into the crowd, breaking a woman's collarbone and injuring several others.
The Summit Daily News reported that it's unclear whether the man tried to jump across the crowd. Witnesses said he had declared that intent earlier that morning while holding a drink. However, one witness identified as the man's girlfriend said he was joking.
Aspen residents cut water use
ASPEN, Colo.—Told they needed to cut back on water use, Aspen residents complied. The Aspen Daily News reported that customers cut overall use by 12 per cent in August.
"I think the community really did respond to the mandatory restrictions," said Margaret Medellin, utilities portfolio manager.
In mid-August, the city council approved water restrictions in response to continued dry conditions. Through August, the town has received 30 per cent less precipitation for the year than is average.
