Briefs: I-70 group has new leaders

How will the skiers and snowboarders of the future get to the resorts along I-70? Well, a group advocating mass transit has chosen new leaders.

The Interstate 70 Mountain Transportation Corridor Coalition, a group of mountain county and town governments, has named Frisco Town Manager Michael Penny chairman and Eagle County Commissioner Peter Runyon vice chairman for 2007

“The I-70 mountain corridor coalition isn’t only about local concerns but, indeed, is more about preserving the quality of life for all of Colorado,” Runyon said. “Our mountain recreation should never be denied because of avoidable gridlock on the interstate.”

Last year, the group added members from the private sector, including Vail Resorts, Intrawest Corporation, Gart Companies, Vail Valley Chamber and Tourism Bureau and Summit County Chamber of Commerce, the coalition’s director, Flo Raitano, said.

This year, the group plans to meet with various community groups to talk about its ideas for I-70 transit.

The group is working parallel to the Colorado Department of Transportation, which is currently planning for the future of I-70 and is expected to finalize a report by the end of the year. Adding lanes to certain stretches of the freeway is likely to be a part of the agency’s plan.

For more information on the I-70 Coalition, call Raitano at (970)393-2394 or go to www.i-70coalition.org.

Vail adds SUV to hybrid fleet

VAIL — Vail has replaced one of its full-size SUVs with a Toyota Highlander hybrid, with a fuel rating of 31 miles per gallon in the city and 27 on the highway. It is the town’s fourth hybrid vehicle.

The town has two Toyota Priuses, which are used by the Community Development and Transit departments, and a diesel-electric bus, currently in operation on Vail’s in-town route.

The town has been replacing its older vehicles with smaller cars or more fuel efficient, low emissions vehicles, said Kris Friel, a town spokeswoman.