July 2007

Breckenridge,

GENUINE ROCKY MOUNTAIN NEWS

One of the newest topics for visitors to town to indulge in is the Artists in Residency program. The Tin Shop is a restored historic building located in the Arts District behind the Barney Ford Museum on E. Washington St. The studio functions as living quarters for visiting artists as well as a showcase studio and public participation workshop. Some of the topics demonstrated this summer include fresco art, cyanotypes and collage, hand bookbinding and landscape painting and photography. More information is at: http://www.townofbreckenridge.com/

The 27 th Annual Breckenridge Festival of Film will be the 7 th -10 th this month. Long known as an event that premiers cutting edge films and a unique array of independent films, this year will be no different. NBC-TV star Jeffery Lyons will be master of ceremonies as well as moderator for discussion forums. To purchase a full festival pass or check out the schedule go to: http://www.breckfilmfest.com

Another big announcement pushing Breckenridge to the forefront of the arts world, a massive response from the private sector has allowed the town to commit to making the Riverwalk Performing Arts Center a permanent structure. That’s right, when the Madonna Dome comes down this fall it will be for the last time. By May of 2008 the new venue will play host to a much classier group of performers than has been possible in the past. Additionally there will be a new type of entertainment available to our winter visitors. Experts in acoustics have been hired to insure the new structure is sound perfect. A call went out and over $600,000 was raised in less than twelve weeks to jump-start the project.

The Breckenridge Heritage Alliance is proud to announce its inaugural season of tours and interpretive events. The new emphasis on promoting and sharing our unique history has come to fruition. New tours and museums as well as the old favorites are available for longer hours and more days than ever. One of the new sites will be the Red, White and Blue Fire Museum located next to the station at N. Main St. Also, the inaugural Kingdom Days will emphasize history June 16-17. For more information on the Alliance call 970-453-4493.

Breckenridge has arrived as the next big thing in Colorado real estate. Phase one, the Peak 7 Crystal Peak Lodge, of the new Peaks at Breckenridge development basically sold out in three months at previously unheard of prices. The next phase should be out about the end of this year or spring '08. More info at: http://www.breckfilmfest.com Forget Vail and Aspen, where $1.5 million buys you a tiny condo, come to Breckenridge and find a luxury home nestled in a friendly town with the most consistent snow on earth. This is becoming THE place to retire for those who want to stay active in their best years.

See www.RetireRockyMountainStyle.com for information on social life and amenities available to you. 

See: http://www.rockymountaindreamhome.com/Breckenridge.html

More good info can be found at: http://www.BestoftheRockies.com

ALL THE GOOD NEWS…

Approximately 50% of the people who work in Breckenridge commute from outside of town. This is typical of the towns in Summit County. Breckenridge is working diligently on the problem by committing funds and cooperating with local builders to provide local housing opportunities. One advantage the town has is it owns some large tracts of land that it will designate for locals’ homes. The goal for the town is to provide 500 new units with construction beginning next year.

The lynx are making a strong comeback in the state. Since 1999 216 lynx were transplanted from Canada and released into the San Juan Mountains. About 135 are thought to be alive but better yet in ’05 41% of the females were having litters. Although no dens have been found in the White River National Forest about forty lynx call this area home. Because of the large extent of high alpine virgin forest experts believe it won’t be long before we see breeding pairs.

The 2007 version of Ride the Rockies will begin and end in Frisco just down the street from our new Keller Williams office. The ride starts on June 16 with a celebration coinciding with the BBQ challenge on Main St. Frisco. The ride will proceed to Steamboat, Glenwood, over Independence Pass to Twin Lakes and Leadville. Now in its 22nd year the ride is capped at 2000 participants. The $315 entry includes camping, showers and a host of support systems. Sorry, registration is closed for this year but if you want to participate in the future go to www.RideTheRockies.com.

School News

Superintendent Millie Hamner will be around for a while longer. The school board recently renewed her contract for two more years. She is said to have brought clarity and vision to her position and the mission of the district. Millie came on after a controversial and expensive removal of the previous superintendent after just a few months and righted the ship. She is credited with creating a great relationship with staff and the community as a whole.

The girl's Rugby Club made it to the second round of the national tourna ment in Milwaukee last month. That placed them eigth in the nation. 

Check out our schools at: http://summit.k12.co.us/

Some record runoffs are expected in our local waterways. Call now to get in on some of the best white water in recent years. The Lower Blue below Dillon Dam is expected to top 1800 cubic feet per second for the first time in over a decade. Ten Mile Creek from Copper to Frisco will be open for limited rafting for the first time this century and the Arkansas is expected to stay above 1500cfs for weeks. Depending on rainfall the Arkansas could top 2000 several times.  To check flows anywhere in the state anytime go to: http://mountainbuzz.com/

Melted snow is the most controversial subject in this part of the world. The Division of Water Resources is in the process of cracking down big time on excessive well water use. A normal well permit will allow you to use water within your walls for personal use. Any landscaping, hot tubs or washing the car is a violation and the DWR is threatening to revoke well permits and remove the landscaping of violators. The solution is to buy augmentation rights that will allow these additional uses. The problem is that if you use water outside your permitted use you are taking it from the people downstream that own the rights to it.

Think snow, always!

Contact Tom if you need tips on where to stay, eat or play.

This should probably be under ultimate investment opportunities but you gotta know that one of the hottest things in Rocky Mountain Real Estate is happening in Buena Vista. A place of mild climate and the highest collection of peaks in the 48, this place is really known for its white water on the Arkansas River. Cashing in on this superb asset is the new South Main project. The area will feature a water park naturally as well as 300 homes, townhomes, condos above businesses and a thriving commercial core. The community will be based on the concepts of New Urbanism, where walking takes priority over driving.

Independence Pass has regained its designation as part of the Top of The Rockies Scenic Byway. You can now drive from Vail to Aspen along a byway, over 120 miles, on what I believe is the most beautiful highway in America. A group from Aspen called the Independence Pass Foundation, whose focus is to restore the alpine environment on the Pass, took it upon themselves to get the designation restored.

Keep checking back for more fun events at the Nordic Lodge. Expect a grand opening party for Memorial Day and a Harvest Festival in September to celebrate the fall colors and the great food at the end of summer.  www.TwinLakesNordicLodge.com