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Alpine Fax
Billie | 2 December 2005
Friday, December 02, 2005
CHAIRLIFT ADS GET GREEN LIGHT
The Washington, D.C. office of the U.S. Forest Services issued an interim directive saying that ads for products and services are acceptable inside a building and other “interior spaces” operated by concessionaires or permit holders, like the Aspen Skiing Co., on national forests. The directive defined the safety bars of chairlifts as an interior space. That means ads are allowed on chairlifts as long as they are on the safety bars facing riders and not hanging off the back of the lift. Public comment will be taken through March 27 before a final decision.
-Aspen Times, 12.02.05
GARCO UNEMPLOYMENT RATE
The Garfield County unemployment rate was 3.2% in October, dropping from 3.4% in September 2005 and 3.8% in October 2004, reaching a low surpassed by only five other Colorado counties, Rio Blanco, Yuma, Sedgwick, Hinsdale and Cheyenne. In Garfield County, out of a labor force of 29,841 people, 955 residents were without jobs in October.
-GS Post Independent, 12.02.05
GJ HOUSING PRICES
Home prices in Grand Junction have jumped more than 10% in the past year, rising almost twice as fast as the state average. Grand Junction home prices were the fastest-growing among seven metro areas in Colorado. Colorado’s statewide average increased only 5.55% during the one-year period, the 45th slowest growth rate in the nation.
-GJ Daily Sentinel, 12.01.05
MESA COUNTY WAGES
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the median income in Mesa County jumped 2.7% or $1,000 in 2003 to $37,053, slightly greater than the increase statewide of 2.5%. Mesa County’s median income was higher than that of 12 states. The census figures also show Mesa County with 11.1% of all residents in poverty.
-GJ Daily Sentinel, 12.01.05
MONTROSE INCOME INCREASE
Montrose County residents saw a steady income increase in the five year period to 2003, with median household income increasing from $33,659 to $38,398, an increase of 14.1%. During the same period, the number of people below the poverty level in Montrose County grew from 4,157 to 4,486, although their percentage of the county’s overall population shrunk from 13.2% to 12.3%.
-Montrose Daily Press, 12.01.05
SAN MIGUEL COUNTY BUDGET
When the San Miguel County staff and Board of County Commissioners meet Dec. 16, the 2006 budget, approximately $20 million, will be ready to approve. Logging requests this year are more than 20 area nonprofits that vie for about $76,000 earmarked for such programs and services. Anticipated grants total $2.5 million for 2006. The county is projecting a $1.73 million increase in property taxes based on assessed valuations of $743,524,210.
-Telluride Daily Planet, 12.02.05
MORE OIL & GAS INSPECTORS NEEDED
The state’s oil and gas commission, already having trouble finding enough inspectors to fills its current staff, says it needs nine more employees to keep up with the drilling boom. Colorado will see a record 5,500 drilling permit applications this year, with roughly 130 in La Plata County, which recently created a new position to handle gas permits. Right now, the state has enough inspectors to examine every well in the state an average of once every 3.5 years.
-Durango Herald, 12.01.05
APARTMENT NUMBERS & RENT ARE UP
Vacancy rates in Durango increased slightly, from 4.2% in February to 4.9% in September, while the median rent, rose from $736 to $772 during the same period. Another trend: One-bedroom apartments cost more than two-bedroom apartments with one bathroom, the cause attributed to students looking for single-bedroom apartments in Durango.
-Durango Herald, 12.01.05
REAL ESTATE OVER $2 BILLION
Real estate sales in the Vail Valley through October were $2.21 billion, just shy of the amount for all of last year, $2.22 billion. Sales for the month were $258.6 million, up from $199.4 million in October last year. Year-to-dates sales are up 28% compared to this time last year. The highest number of transactions, 45, was in Gypsum. There were 33 in Eagle, and 30 in Avon.
-Vail Daily, 12.01.05
MINING-LAND PLAN
Colorado Counties, Inc. is opposing a congressional proposal to let mining companies buy public land, fearing it could lead to widespread rural development. Aspen Skiing Co., this week, became the first ski resort company to oppose the measure, citing fears it would damage pristine landscapes. The legislation would allow mining companies to purchase public land, ending an 11-year moratorium on such “patents” but critics say the measure is so loosely worded that it would allow real estate speculators to purchase public land.
-Denver Post, 12.02.05
XCEL MOVES TO REDUCE CHARGES
Late Thursday, Xcel Energy made a filing that means the utility would collect $162 million less than planned from its electricity customers in 2006. The proposed savings come from falling natural gas prices in the wholesale market. Xcel buys natural gas to fuel its gas-fired power plants and passes the cost on to customers. Xcel will also offer rebates to customers who install solar panels at their homes and businesses.
-Rocky Mountain News, 12.02.05
UNITED TO PAY DENVER BACK TAXES
United Airlines agreed to pay $21.6 million in back taxes to the city of Denver, knocking down another hurdle in the carrier’s three-year march through bankruptcy. The agreement clears up Denver’s tax claims against United from July 2000 through June 2004. The airline will pay $9.1 million in 2002 property taxes, and $12.5 million in outstanding sales, use and occupancy taxes.
-Rocky Mountain News, 12.02.05
SKIERS & BOARDERS DELIRIOUS WITH GLEE
According to a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Grand Junction, the Vail area can expect to see snow increase Friday, with heavy accumulation continuing in the night, with a possible total of one to two feet of new snow. Snow is expected every day next week.
-Vail Daily, 12.01.05
MOUNT WERNER SNOW RECORD
The 83 inches of snow that fell at mid-mountain on Mount Werner in Steamboat Springs established a November record for the Steamboat Ski Area. Ski area officials announced Thursday they would open more terrain Saturday, hoping to open most of the mountain’s almost 3,000 acres by Dec. 10. The recent snow was enough to prompt a film crew from Warren Miller entertainment to head to Steamboat this week. More snow is predicted for the weekend, and Mount Werner could receive between one and two feet of new snow.
-Steamboat Pilot, 12.02.05
VNA RECEIVES GRANT
The Visiting Nurse Association in Steamboat Springs received a $200,000 grant this week supporting the organization’s plans to improve seniors’ quality of life. The Daniels Fund in Denver awarded the grant to VNA’s aging well program, while the Anschutz Family Foundation also pledged support for those efforts with a $7,500 grant.
-Steamboat Pilot, 12.02.05
COPPER’S HALFPIPE TO OPEN
Copper Mountain has had its snowiest November in 22 years, and its second snowiest November ever. The resort is opening its Main Vein Superpipe today, the first superpipe to open for the season in North America, creating a huge draw for Olympians, who will be training there through Dec. 9.
-Summit Daily News, 12.01.05
ONE EVERY 10 SECONDS
The U.S. population has reached 297.7 million, with an average net gain of one person every 10 seconds:
-There is one birth every 7 seconds;
-One death every 14 seconds;
-One international immigrant (net gain) every 26 seconds
-USA Today, 11.29.05
XMAS SHOPPING
Where holiday shoppers plan to buy:
Discount store, 71%
Department store, 59%
Specialty store, 47%
Grocery store, 47%
Online, 43%
-USA Today, 11.29.05
