September 2004 |
| Breckenridge
News A lot of press has been coming out lately about topics of interest to people who live and visit places like Breckenridge, small towns and small towns dependant on tourism especially. There is a book out called “The New Urbanism” by Peter Katz, which I haven’t read, but apparently deals with small towns loosing their identity to big chains and malls. Others write about how Rocky Mountain towns may all be following the path of Aspen where the town is almost exclusively second home owners and the locals are far from local, living up to a hundred miles away down the valley where the housing is affordable on something less than a corporate CEO’s salary. So why do I love Breckenridge and Summit County so much? Because this is not just a playground for celebrities, although we have a few, it’s a community of people who live here, love here and finish their lives here. They start businesses, raise families and sometimes their kids love it here so much they raise their kids here too. People are involved in what goes on in the schools, the government and are aware of national issues that affect our local quality of life. All this takes place in a small town atmosphere where people help their neighbors through tough times. We can thank the foresight of the area governments for setting up numerous affordable and purchase assistance programs that benefit both the developer and the locals. What about Mr. Katz’s ideas on identity loss? He suggests the small towns can retain what is important by making the big companies fit into the downtown structure instead of making the Main Street view that of a parking lot with a mall in the distance. The Main Street core should be shop windows right on the sidewalk with residential or office space upstairs. This is a great concept and I hope it catches on because I obviously love the Main Street atmosphere. Guess what? Breckenridge has been doing this for thirty years. Wendy’s left because they were denied a drive-up window on Main Street, but other chains like Pizza Hut and Bubba Gump’s have integrated themselves comfortably into the local scene. . In a sidebar Intrawest has had it’s ups and downs lately. The Summit County commissioners squelched their plans to double the size of Copper Mountain. The commissioners were unsatisfied that the density was desirable or the already large problems of traffic and parking had been addressed. On the up side for the company the plans to build 650,000 square feet of residential space and 64,000 of commercial to create a new Snowmass Village was approved. Many of the locals believe this development is a ridiculous size and will outstrip demand for many years to come. They fear the resort will lose its identity, sound familiar? Although Intrawest created highly successful villages in Mt. Tremblant and Whistler we saw how their ambition gave Keystone way too much-too fast, much to the chagrin of owners who bought units new but had to sell well below what they paid. Similar complaints have come from another Intrawest project, Mammoth, California, and we will be watching Winter Park to see how things go there after the excitement of new development wears off. One of the biggest complaints from Mammoth was the surge in prices for older units that forced out the locals while no new local housing was being developed. They say the town has lost its character. Thank God I chose Breckenridge. Results from an independent survey commissioned by the Breckenridge Resort Chamber showed winter tourists ranked Breckenridge's friendly atmosphere the resort's No. 1 asset. The survey also showed Breckenridge tourists are getting older, participating in more activities than just skiing and are shopping and dining out more. More information on everything going on this summer is at: http://thealtitudenews.com/Schedule.html, as well as: http://www.bestoftherockies.com. |
| SNOW
NEWS… COMING SOON TO A SKI TOWN NEAR YOU! The last day of summer brought heavy, wet snow to the state, with about six inches in Breckenridge, nearly 17 inches of snow recorded northeast of Steamboat Springs and a foot on Rabbit Ears Pass. The overall statewide average of water stored in reservoirs through August was 78%, a 107% increase over last year at this time, according to the Natural Resources Conservation Service. Climate experts indicate a mild El Niño is developing in the Pacific Ocean, meaning there is potential for a normal or wet year. The cold weather brought snowmaking to Summit County ski areas, with Arapahoe Basin and Copper Mountain firing up their snowmaking guns on September 23 rd and Loveland Ski Area began snowmaking that Friday. A-Basin and Loveland are in their annual battle to open first, with A-Basin working for an Oct. 22 opening. Planned opening dates for the 2004/2005 season: ~Breckenridge; November 12th ~Keystone; November 12th ~Vail; November 19th ~Beaver Creek; November 20th Breckenridge recently announced its intention to build a lift to the top of Peak 8, which would service the extreme terrain from the summits of Peaks 7 and 8. It would unload at 12,840 feet elevation making it the highest lift in North America. The lift will be low capacity to minimize wind resistance but will be high speed, whisking skiers up 900 feet of vertical in just three minutes. Executives hope this will transform the image of Breckenridge from an intermediate’s mountain to one with an extreme side to rival the best. Because of its complete run being above tree line the environmental impact will be minimal and approval is expected to come quickly. Construction will begin next summer. Over at Keystone, months of waiting are over. The Landon Sawyer Center for freestyle skiing training will be open soon. While insurance issues will hold up its use by international teams, local teams like Team Summit will begin training right away since they carry their own insurance. The indoor facilities are ready with weights, cardio and trampoline training areas. Next summer will see the addition of a pool and ramps to practice inverted aerials safely. Keystone is planning to add a skatepark and BMX facility to attract extremers of all persuasions. |
| WHY
I LIVE HERE… Colorado voters will have a chance to make renewable energy a requirement of our public utility companies next month. An initiative is on the ballot to require our seven biggest companies to provide 10% of our power through renewable sources, such as wind, by the year 2015. Over 114,000 people signed the petition to put this on the ballot and it appears it will pass. Proponents of the initiative say it will help protect clean air and water and reduce drilling in western Colorado and our dependence in foreign oil. The utility companies resent being give an exact percentage saying it will cost consumers up to $1.6 billion. However, an analysis by The Union of Concerned Scientists says the initiative will generate 4000 jobs and nearly $2 billion in capital investment. The late night Summit Stage schedule is working better than expected, or as well as anyone could have hoped. Whether it’s coincidence or by design late night ridership on The Stage has more than tripled over last summer while DUI arrests are down to less than half. Let’s keep up the good work and we will all feel a lot safer if we are driving late at night. The long awaited final leg of the bike path around Lake Dillon is coming close to reality. The 5-mile link will cost almost $12 million and when the money is there the construction will be done. The project has been broken down into four segments. The first segment will run from Summit Cove past the old Lowery Campground and join Swan Mountain Road near the entrance to the Prospect Point Campgrounds. Nearly half the money for the first leg is already in hand and construction could begin this spring. A grant by the Division of Wildlife will allow further work to be done on the Blue River in Silverthorne below Dillon Dam. With flows expected to be low from now on, due to the increasing demand on the water supply by Denver, modifications will be made to improve the fish habitat by building pools and deepening the channel. In recent years the Gold Medal designation has become threatened as the drought and minimal releases by the Denver water board have reduced the size and number of trout in the stream. Recent efforts by the town of Silverthorne have proved successful, so hope remains that further restoration will preserve the quality of the fishing experience in the Blue River. |
| SCHOOL
NEWS… Interim Superintendent Millie Hamner received a standing ovation from the 400+ staff in attendance at the kickoff to the new school year. Her teamwork attitude is an apparent hit as our schools face some major issues in the coming election. They are hoping to get a renewal of the mill levy as well as a bond issue approved by the voters next month. The mill levy is needed to maintain our current high standards of modern education techniques and low student/teacher ratios. The bond issue will fund the construction of a technical/vocational wing at the high school as well as much needed improvements to the older schools in the system. The staff expresses the feeling that they are valued and the work they do is important, they are treated with caring and respect by Ms. Hamner. One of the improvements made this year is a new day care center at the high school. Much of the local day care is overloaded and many others do not start early enough to service students, teachers and staff in the system. Obviously a benefit to employees it is also hoped the center, located right at the high school, will help a few more teen moms to graduate. Also in the plans for the future, the center could be integrated into the vocational school in the areas of early childcare and education. The new Silverthorne Elementary is opening on time and under budget for the school year. The design of the school has been bringing rave reviews from just about everyone. The Governor’s office awarded the school a commendation for its energy efficiency. The energy savings will amount to about $25,000 per year that can be put back into instructional resources. The school is designed to last fifty years or more. |
| TRAVEL
TIPS… COLORS COME AND COLORS GO… …in fact they fade quickly, so don’t wait, get up here now! My #1 color tour again this year is: From Crested Butte to Glenwood Springs. Plan a full day for this because there is so much to stop and see along the way. Head west out of Crested Butte toward Lake Irwin and Kebler Pass. Lake Irwin is very scenic and worth a stop but don’t stay too long because after you get over the pass you will be under one of the most amazing canopies of aspens you will ever see. The forest floor is lush with vegetation and you can sit and listen to a multitude of streams along the way. As the road heads down the other side the aspens clear out and the valley becomes arid so go ahead and pick up speed. When you get to the intersection of State Highway #133 turn north and head toward McClure Pass and Carbondale. Make haste until you begin up the pass because you will be greeted with infinite photo opportunities here. Somewhere in that sea of aspens is the largest living organism on the planet, although scientists won’t say where. Aspens can grow hundreds of trees from one root so each cluster is really one tree. That is why you see groups of aspens the same color on a hillside. On the way up there are numerous side roads and trails to stretch your legs and over other side of the pass there are many wonderful spots to stop along the stream and relax. When you hit Carbondale you have to make a decision; into the town of Aspen and dinner, perhaps another color tour to the Maroon Bells tomorrow, or to Glenwood Springs for a dip in the best hot springs in the west? #2-West of Gunnison on US50, just as you come to Blue Mesa Reservoir, take a left onto State Highway #149. It winds into the heart of the San Juan Mountains through Lake City and over Slumgullion Pass. The route is spectacular and makes a great multi-day trip whether you camp along the Lake Fork or stay in an historic bed and breakfast in Lake City. This area is known for the legend of Alfred Packer, one of Colorado’s most famous criminals. There will be lots of information on him in Lake City if you are curious. Over the pass and through Creede, you will be following the headwaters of The Rio Grande. The cliffs and deep canyons in this area are as beautiful a spot as you will ever visit. #3-This is my favorite short trip, allow about three to four hours. From Breckenridge take Boreas Pass Road past the ice rink for about thirty miles until you arrive at US285 in Como. From here you can head north to Denver or south to Fairplay and back to Breckenridge. In just a few short miles you will leave civilization and you will be following the old narrow gauge railroad grade up over tree line. This was the railroad that serviced Breckenridge during the mining days. At the top of the pass is an excellent display of interpretive signs and restored ruins for you to learn about the old railroad and its role in keeping Breckenridge alive in the days before the Eisenhower Tunnel. There are some wonderful short hikes from the pass that will give you magnificent views of Summit County, The Continental Divide and South Park. There are some good restaurants in Fairplay for lunch or dinner before returning to Breckenridge. Happy trails. Contact me if you need further tips on where to stay, eat or play. |
| INVESTMENT
OPPORTUNITIES Gov. Bill Owens reported Thursday that state revenues at the end of the fiscal year, June 30, stood at $5.69 billion, 5% higher than in fiscal year 2002-2003 and $130 million more than originally forecast a year ago. Last year, a half a million people climbed at least one of the 54, 14,000-foot peaks in the state. That figure is projected to increase another 10% this year. A survey conducted by the Denver Post from Aug. 12-19 of more than 50 state tourism businesses and executives showed 68% of those surveyed had an increase in visitors this summer, compared with last summer. Real estate sales in Aspen and Pitkin County in July continued on track to set a new record for the year, with the year-to-date sales through July at $803.9 million, a nearly 50% increase over the $538.72 million in sales through July 2003. The current real estate record was set in 2000 at $1.27 billion and this year sales are on track to reach $1.38 billion. What has all this got to do with mountain real estate? Contact me and we can discuss things. |
MARKET
CONDITIONS REPORT Even though the Federal Reserve pushed short-term interest rates higher June 30 for the first time since 2000, the 30-year fixed-rates are below 6% again. Domestic airlines are anticipating record high passenger loads this summer. In June, United and Northwest reported they filled a higher percentage of seats than any month on record and Continental, US Airways, Alaska and Southwest reported the highest levels for any June on record. In June and July 2004, there were 8,300 more passengers using the Eagle County Regional Airport than the corresponding months in 2003. The passenger count through July is 154,000, compared with 140,500 passengers for the same period a year ago, a 9.6% increase. More than 1,103,597 vehicles passed through the Eisenhower Tunnel this July, the highest one month total in history. The Town of Breckenridge sales tax collections for the first five months of the year are up 5.8% from the same period a year ago and accommodations tax revenue for the year-to-date period is up 5.6%. The number of real estate transactions closed through the end of August is 8% higher this year than in 2003. Don’t wait ‘till rates and prices go up further; Contact Me Today! |