Snowmass to pursue new color for rodeo bleachers

The shiny metallic Snowmass Rodeo bleachers could see a makeover in the near future.

While discussing various potential improvements to the entrance to Snowmass, Snowmass Town Council agreed in Monday’s council meeting to explore a “powder coating” on the metal bleachers in an effort to make them less obtrusive. 

“It takes it from looking just very utilitarian and makes it a little more purposeful,” Council Member Tom Fridstein said of the color change. “And it tones it down.”

Council has not yet approved a color change, but hopes to meet at the rodeo bleachers to discuss potential colors next week with Jim Kehoe, principal at KEO studioworks, an architecture firm.

Kehoe presented various shades of green, grays, browns, and taupes in the Monday meeting, and budgeted $60,000 for the color change. 

Snowmass council is also exploring a series of other changes to the entry way. They discussed constructing a decorative entry feature, like a metal sculpture of a mountain, flower, or skier, in the Brush Creek Road median on the Snowmass Village side of the rodeo roundabout. 

They also discussed constructing a gate at the entrance to the Rodeo Lot. 

Council members hoped both the gate and the entry feature would contribute to a clear arrival experience. As the Rodeo Lot currently does not have a gate, some council members felt the view towards Snowmass is overshadowed by the visibility of the unobstructed lot.

“I’d like to direct our attention that way to feel that the arrival experience is cohesive,” Council Member Britta Gustafson said of redirecting visitor’s attention towards Snowmass.

Kehoe estimated the gate and entry feature would cost $225,000, according to town documents. 

Council also explored various fencing improvements to the area separating the Rodeo Lot from the rodeo grounds, as well as improvements to the fencing and entryway separating the rodeo grounds from the Town Park Station Lot, to the west of the grounds. Additionally, they discussed adding trees between Brush Creek Road and the Rodeo Lot. 

KEO estimated the complete list of improvements would cost $874,380, including the entryway improvements, bleacher and fencing improvements, and vegetative additions to the Brush Creek Road corridor, but nothing was approved in the Monday council meeting, and council has not yet committed to include the estimated cost in the town budget.

Skyler Stark-Ragsdale can be reached at 970-429-9152 or email him at sstark-ragsdale@aspentimes.com.