Snowmass In Brief: Snowmass Deja Vu; bear-proof curbside container program
Snowmass Sun
Snowmass Déjà Vu debuts this weekend
For one day only, be transported back to a time and place where the beers were cold, and the chili was hot! This summer, the event organizers behind Snowmass Rendezvous debut Snowmass Déjà Vu, an homage to the classic Snowmass Craft Beer and Chili Pepper & Brew festivals from years past, with tributes to the original Snowmass Rendezvous (which takes place in Snowmass every June).
On Saturday, Aug. 26 from 1-5 p.m., Denver-based Two Parts is throwing a retro-inspired party, complete with free-flowing beers, engaging activations, and a chili cook-off between a half dozen of Snowmass’ staple restaurants. Expect a summer day full of tastings from favorite Colorado breweries from the Roaring Fork Valley and beyond, complete with chili and tunes. For more information, go to gosnowmass.com/event/snowmass-deja-vu.
Snowmass receives grant for bear-proof containers
Gov. Jared Polis and Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) announced the 2023 funding recipients of the Human-Bear Conflict Reduction Community Grant. This grant program provides funding for local communities, municipalities, businesses, and non-profit organizations working to create innovative ways to reduce human-bear conflict and keep communities safe.
Snowmass Village received $57,500, which will fund the Bear-Proof Curbside Container Program. The program will build off previous successful improvements in the area and support Snowmass Village to replace all curbside trash cans with bear-resistant cans.
Human-bear conflict has existed in Snowmass Village since the town began to develop as a ski resort in the late 1960s and early 1970s. With continued development, population growth, and a constant flow of newcomers to the mountains came increased conflict as bears began to habituate to unsecured human food sources.
Through implementing waste management ordinances and enforcement, outreach and education, and bear-resistant communal dumpster infrastructure, the town has been successful in reducing the number of bear conflicts within the community. However, there are still occasions where bears target residential trash cans placed outside for collection or enter homes and vehicles and find unsecured garbage. Replacing all curbside trash cans with bear-resistant cans will enable the Snowmass Village to address a historical weakness in these management efforts and significantly reduce remaining human-bear conflicts.
CPW offers printable resources and encourages residents to share these materials and talk to neighbors about being Bear Aware. CPW asks all residents and visitors to help save Colorado’s bears by being actively bear-aware throughout the year. Bear conflicts and bear euthanization is most often traced back to human behavior. It is all of our responsibility to help minimize risks to humans and bears alike by being mindful of our impacts.
Snowmass Rotary community grant presentation
The Snowmass Rotary Club is giving grants totaling over $75,000 to 28 not-for-profit organizations in the valley. A presentation of these grant dollars will be at the meeting scheduled on Aug. 30 from 7:15 a.m. – 8:30 a.m.
The funds were generated from the 2022 Wine Festival.
The 2023 Wine Festival is on Saturday, Sept. 16, and the weekend event begins with a wine dinner at the Viceroy on Friday, Sept. 15. Tickets are available online for both events.
Town service schedule for Labor Day
Town of Snowmass Village administrative offices will be closed on Monday, Sept. 4, 2023, in observance of the Labor Day holiday. Please be aware of the JAS Labor Day Experience and construction project detours throughout the weekend. Motorists traveling to Snowmass Village should be aware of the detour route on Highline and Owl Creek Roads due to JAS and the construction closure.
A temporary, single-lane access road will be available to access the Melton Ranch, Horse Ranch, the Crossings, Rodeo Place, and Coffey Place neighborhoods during the road closures for Labor Day weekend. There will be no JAS access through this route and traffic control will be in place.
The Recreation Center will be closed early on Friday, Sept. 1, closed on Sept. 2 & 3, and re-open for its regular schedule on Labor Day. The Village Shuttle will offer increased service to accommodate JAS throughout the weekend in addition to its full summer schedule.
Police services are always available via dispatch by calling 970-923-5330 or by picking up the front door phone if on-site at Town Hall. Solid waste operations will continue as normal.
For events and activities, please visit gosnowmass.com. Project information can be viewed at tosv.com/405/Town-Projects-Initiatives.
Share a drink with Town Council
Town Council invites all residents to join them for Share a Drink with Council at Jus Café Snowmass (Base Village) on Aug. 28 from 9:30-10:30 a.m.
This new, monthly engagement event is held on the fourth Monday of each month. These engagement opportunities allow the public to share a cup of coffee, a cold beer, or whatever their drink of choice is with their elected body. Share a thought, ask a question, or enjoy the company at Share a Drink with Council.
The Town of Snowmass Village invites all members of the community to engage with their local government. Public involvement and engagement are key priorities for the Town and are critical components of the public process. Public participation in government processes is an essential way for the city to convey important information, open avenues of communication with stakeholders, and promote a transparent, equitable form of government.
More information online at tosv.com/533/Public-Engagement.
Lower Kearns Rd. culvert repair project
Construction will begin mid-August to repair the failed culvert immediately downhill from Lower Kearns Road. Design is currently in development. Construction will be broken into two phases to minimize traffic impacts on the community.
In late June 2023, the culvert below Brush Creek Road failed in the vicinity of lower Kearns Rd. This failure produced a large sinkhole in the area. The town implemented an emergency stabilization of the sinkhole to ensure public safety and decrease future damage to the surrounding infrastructure.
This reconstruction project will provide a permanent replacement of the culvert and roadway in the affected area.
The first construction phase of the project will start in mid-August and go into mid-November. Phase 1 of construction will include the replacement of the failed section of the culvert (northern portion) and roadway reconstruction. Two-way traffic on Brush Creek Road will remain with a re-alignment. The exact configuration of lower Kearns Road is still to be determined, but the traffic patterns will be affected on lower Kearns Road, as well.
The schedule for Phase 2 of construction is still to be determined but will include the replacement of the southern section of the culvert below Brush Creek Road. Additional information will be shared as it becomes available.
