Glenwood Springs Opens Tennis and Pickleball Courts, Skate and Whitewater Parks
The City of Glenwood Springs has opened public tennis and pickleball courts, the skate park and the whitewater park under Safer-at-Home guidelines. The city said those facilities will be closed if people do not adhere to specific regulations, which can be found here.
Colorado Releases Latest Unemployment Data
Thursday, May 7 - The Colorado Department of Labor and Employment said more than 41,000 unemployemnt claims were filed in the week between April 26 and May 2. That is part of 419,547 total unemployment claims over the past seven weeks. For the most recent week of data, the top three industries producing unemployment claims were "accommodation and food services," "retail trade" and "healthcare and food services."
RFTA Services To Increase on Sunday, May 10
Wednesday, May 6 - The Roaring Fork Transportation Authority announced Wednesday service increases will begin Sunday, May 10. Officials said in a press release they are seeing higher passenger demand and will need more buses for passengers to continue social distancing will riding.
Changes to services include:
- BRT service will be reintroduced at 2o minute headways starting at 4:34 a.m. up valley and 6:15 a.m. down valley and ending at 4:37 p.m. up valley and 6:18 p.m. down valley
- Local Valley buses will run until 10:00 p.m. up valley and 12:15 a.m. down valley. Local buses will run every half-hour between 5:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. up valley and 6:15 a.m. to 11:15 p.m. down valley.
- Hogback services will have two additional morning trips from Rifle and one additional trip to New Castle from Glenwood Springs midday.
- Ride Glenwood will resume to normal hours and schedules.
- Service to Snowmass Village from Brush Creek Park and Ride will be every half-hour from 6:15 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. then once an hour until 12:30 a.m.
All RFTA passengers are still required to wear face coverings.
City Of Aspen Announces Mask Distribution Site
Wednesday, May 6 - The City of Aspen will hand out free face coverings at city hall beginning Thursday, May 7 between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m.
There will be a two masks per person limit. The masks can be picked up at the main entrance of city hall in downtown Aspen on Galena Street at the clerk's office window. The window will be open weekdays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. while supplies last.
Pitkin County Announces Plan To Ease Stay-at-Home Restrictions
Tuesday, May 5 - Pitkin County officials today announced a plan to ease current stay-at-home restrictions starting May 9. This will bring the county closer in alignment to the state's Safer-at-Home order. Amendments to the order were proposed by the Medical Advisory Team of Aspen Valley Hospital and approved by the Pitkin County Board of Public Health.
Many Stay-at-Home guidelines will stay in place, but groups of up to 10 will be allowed to gather and more businesses and offices will be allowed to reopen.
Piktin County's Roadmap to Reopening plan can be viewed here, and business owners can find the county's safety checklist herefor guidance on reopening. Pitkin County officials will be hosting two virtual town halls to answer local business owners' concerns about reopening on Wednesday, May 6 from 2 to 4 p.m. and Friday, May 8 from 10 to 11 a.m. on Zoom. Participants can log in by dialing the access code 827 3256 6964. They can also call in to the meeting by dialing 1-669-900-6833.
Garfield County Offices Remain Closed To Walk-In Traffic
Monday, May 4 – During Colorado’s “Safer at Home” phase of the COVID-19 response, the Garfield County Clerk and Recorder’s, Treasurer’s and Assessor’s offices in the Garfield County Courthouse in Glenwood Springs are still closed to walk-in traffic. Services through these offices are still being provided online and over the phone.
The Garfield County Clerk and Recorder’s Office is available through online, email, fax, regular mail and phone transactions. Customers can call 970-384-3700 or 970-625-0882 with questions or for assistance. Also, please visit the clerk’s home page on the county website, www.garfield-county.com, for additional information about services available for motor vehicle, vital records, recording, elections, marriage licenses, liquor licenses and clerk to the board needs.
The Garfield County Treasurer’s Office continues to accept property tax payments online and in the drop box at the courthouse. Customers may call (970) 945-6382 for assistance, and the office staff can look at needed services on a case-by-case basis. There are no scheduled foreclosures in May.
Throughout May, the Garfield County Assessor’s Office is working with property owners who disagree with the value or classification of their properties. The assessor’s office is offering many options for interaction with its staff at this time, though is not accepting “in-person” property value appeals. Please submit property value appeals via United States Postal Service (USPS) mail, fax, email or our online appeal option. The assessor's office is also offering virtual meetings with an appraiser. If you would like to have a video or phone conference with an appraiser, or for more information, visit the assessor’s page on the Garfield County website, or call (970) 945-9134.
Glenwood Springs Cancels 2020 Spring Clean Up, Offers Landfill Vouchers
Monday, May 4 –The City of Glenwood Springs has cancelled Spring Clean Up for 2020 in order to limit employee-resident interactions to slow the potential spread of COVID-19.
Residents can receive a voucher for one free personal pick-up size load at the landfill to assist with normal Spring Clean Up items. Vouchers are available to Glenwood Springs residents only.
Residents who would like a voucher can email their name and address to SpringCleanup@cogs.us or call 970-384-6449. The voucher will be mailed to the address and resident identified. The vouchers will be accepted until July 1, 2020, an extension of the original June 1 deadline that is on the pre-printed vouchers.
Garfield County Discourages In-Person Yard Sales, Reminds Businesses To Fill Out Reopening Plan
Monday, May 4 - Garfield County Public Health is encouraging residents to consider having an online yard sale instead of an in-person one this spring. The Health Department discourages in person yard sales.
Officials also want to remind residents that the Colorado Executive Order and Public Health Orders tell Coloradans to recreate within 10 miles of their homes. This state trails locator app can help people locate hiking and biking trails close to them.
Re-opening Garfield County Businesses must complete an online form before May 4, detailing plans to maintain social distancing and a clean work environment while reopening to the public. More information can be found at 970-625-5200 or publichealthinfo@garfield-county.com
State Labor Department to Hold Virtual Town Halls About Unemployment
Sunday, May 2 - The Colorado Department of Labor and Employment will hold two virtual town halls on Monday, May 4 about the state's unemployment insurance program.
Topics to be covered include gig workers and claims for those that are self-employed, tips for filing, and returning to work and benefits. Discussions can be viewed here at 9:10 a.m. in English, and at 11:30 a.m. in Spanish.
Skico to Announce New Pass Details Next Week
Sunday, May 2 - The Aspen Skiing Company plans to unveil pass prices next week that include credits to make up for this year's shortened winter season due to COVID-19, and an enhanced refund policy. There had been talks to reopen Aspen Highlands this spring, but Governor Polis announced an order closing all ski resorts until May 23 on Friday. Skico plans to release ticketing and pass prices next week.
