Aspen Aims to Save Water
The City of Aspen is looking into how it can save water in the future. The Water Department this week released the latest draft of a water efficiency plan.
The plan is being updated as part of the City’s involvement in a Valley-wide collaboration with water providers in Snowmass Village, Basalt, Carbondale and Glenwood Springs. The collaborative effort is called the Roaring Fork Watershed Regional Plan.
In the City’s individual plan it looks at future water demands for treated water, should the town’s population grow. It also examines the impact of climate change on water resources. The report suggests focusing on outdoor water efficiency in the future.
The City has been working to reduce the amount of treated water it uses through setting water efficiency goals. The latest plan builds on the work already done. The City is taking public comment on the draft plan until February 27th.
Crystal Palace Revue says “Farewell” Tomorrow
A decades old tradition in Aspen is coming to an end. Tomorrow will see the last performances of the Crystal Palace Revue. The vast majority of those performing worked at the Crystal Palace dinner theater in downtown Aspen from the 1960s through the late 2000s. After the iconic business sold, performances have continued during the holiday season. Nina Gabianelli oversees the Crystal Palace Players and explains busy schedules and other commitments make it time to move on.
“We don’t want to just slap something together, and have people not have a positive memory of the crystal palace. We want to make sure that what you remember is what we did best.”
Like in years past, tomorrow evening’s programs will feature satire including politics and the environment and will be held at the Wheeler Opera House.
Garfield County to Monitor Glenwood Springs Air Quality
New air quality data could be on the horizon for Glenwood Springs. Garfield County is looking at moving air monitoring equipment from Battlement Mesa to a location in Glenwood.
Glenwood hasn’t been monitored for several years and the idea is to better understand how clean the air is at the intersection of the Roaring Fork and Colorado Rivers. It’s also get baseline data before construction for a new Grand Avenue Bridge begins. Josh Williams is Environmental Health Manager for Garfield County.
“It’s mainly to determine what’s in the air, determine quantities, any pollutants in the air, and then also to compare existing conditions versus over time.”
That’s to catch any growing sources of pollution in the County. Williams says the plan is not to get data in order to specifically compare to pollution before and after a new Grand Avenue Bridge is put in place.
Construction Ban in Aspen for the Holiday
No construction is allowed in Aspen tomorrow, and for many businesses it’s off limits for the next week. The City’s Engineering Department is reminding contractors that exterior work is not allowed in what’s called the Central Resort Area. That includes much of the businesses and commercial areas in town. Interior work is allowed there with a permit.
For other, mostly residential parts of town, construction is allowed again starting Friday and continuing through New Year’s Eve day. Contractors are restricted again throughout Aspen on New Year’s Day.
No Snow on Roads, Please!
Pitkin County is asking residents not to shovel snow onto county roads. It’s a problem that comes up every winter and it’s dangerous for drivers because putting snow out onto a county road can cause an accident.
When the snow piles up, it can be difficult to find a place to put it. Some residents toss their snow onto county roads. That is illegal. Director of Public Works Brian Pettet says it’s a fundamental safety issue.
“If they push a wet ridge of snow into the road and it freezes, it can push a snow plow into oncoming traffic, it can push the snow plow into the ditch, it can also be an obstacle for traffic, as well.”
Pettet says the County works to educate homeowners first. But, his department has issued warning letters and fines in the past. Public Works oversees snowplowing on county roads.
New Salvation Army Office in Glenwood
The Glenwood Springs Salvation Army is getting new digs. The organization’s regional office purchased new space after local workers had been using a temporary location in the basement of the Masonic Lodge. The Post Independent reports it was a foreclosure sale… and that having a new space may allow the Salvation Army help more people, rather than spending time on looking for a new office.
