Pitkin County

Colorado is holding its first presidential primary in 20 years on March 3.

Ballots were mailed to registered voters on Feb. 10. If you are a registered as a Democrat or Republican, you will receive that party's ballot. If you are not registered with a party, you will be sent both party's primary ballots and will be allowed to only return one. 

Novel coronavirus, a respiratory illness, has been making headlines around the world, leading to fears about its spread. Pitkin County health officials say risk of contracting the virus is low, especially for those without a history of travel to areas where it is being spread.

On Wednesday, the Pitkin County Board of Commissioners will consider raising the minimum age to purchase tobacco to 21. Under the new measure, the county would fine retailers $1,000 if they are caught selling to underage people.

Colorado has the highest rate of youth electronic cigarette use in the nation, and use among high schoolers in Pitkin County is among the highest in the state. Now, the county is considering measures to change that.

The Valley Health Alliance is a group of six of the largest employers in the Roaring Fork Valley. They've joined together to lower healthcare costs for employees and their dependents -- currently, about 6,000 people.

As part of their “Charge At Work” initiative, Holy Cross Energy is asking the Pitkin County board of commissioners Tuesday for approval to install four electric vehicle charging ports in Buttermilk’s parking lot.

Numbers from around the Roaring Fork Valley show slightly more than a third of registered voters cast a ballot on election day 2019, according to unofficial counts on Thursday afternoon.

All three counties also delivered among the lowest turnout rates in the state. Out of Colorado’s 64 counties, Pitkin, Eagle and Garfield all posted turnout percentages ranking in the bottom seven.

Pitkin County 911 dispatchers will be among the few in the country, and the first in Colorado, to now be recognized as first responders. 

All Pitkin County emergency dispatchers are trained to give potentially lifesaving instructions over the phone, like CPR, childbirth and bleeding control. In the first six months of 2019, emergency dispatchers in the county have provided medical guidance to over 200 callers. 

Valley residents who work or live in Pitkin County are encouraged to take a mental wellbeing survey to help create the county’s mental health strategic plan. 

About 70 people have taken the survey so far. The survey asks about access to mental health services, what affects mental wellbeing and the mental state of people around them. 

Off-road vehicles like ATVs and dirt bikes have long been banned on public roads in Colorado, but Pitkin County is only starting to enforce the law this summer.

At a meeting Thursday, elected officials will discuss two ways to improve alternative transportation near Aspen.

Results from a valley-wide survey are in, and they show strong support for allowing some e-bikes on paved trails.

This week on Valley Roundup, the debate between Eagle county and Pitkin county rages on, Red Mountain homeowners are proposing to donate open space, Aspen teacher will stay in class amid Denver protests, and we will continue to hear updates about the Castle Creek bridge saga.

In 2017, Eagle, Garfield and Pitkin Counties all earned more than expected from their investment portfolios.

Pitkin County has updated its plans to lessen the impacts of natural disasters, like floods and wildfires.

Colorado’s Secretary of State wants you to make sure the charity receiving your money this holiday season is, indeed, charitable.

Pitkin County Commissioners are set to adopt a climate action plan that details how county departments can reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Electric bikes have cruised to popularity, and local governments are scrambling to keep up. Changes in state laws have left a patchwork of policies, and e-bikers aren’t always sure where they can ride. Elizabeth Stewart-Severy took to the trails to check out the new technology and brings us this report.

Off-highway vehicles, like ATVs, have long been illegal on Pitkin County roads, but the policy hasn’t been enforced. That will change soon.

Pitkin County commissioners are moving forward with a plan to remove loose rocks from the Ute Trail.

Welcome to Valley Roundup. I’m Carolyn Sackariason.

  As wildfires burn across the west and communities regroup after devastating hurricanes in the south, Pitkin County officials discuss how to prepare for and prevent natural disasters.

More changes are happening in the ski industry, and paid parking is coming to Buttermilk.

On Thursday, the board of directors for the Roaring Fork Transportation Authority (RFTA) met to decide on the future of e-bikes on the Rio Grande Trail, the 42-mile trail stretching from Glenwood Springs to Aspen.

On Tuesday, Colorado became the latest state — and the first in the Rocky Mountain region — to commit to fighting climate change.

This week, Pitkin County Commissioners will consider changes to the parking area at Buttermilk.