Eagle Outside Festival

If you’re looking for a good time this weekend, head to Eagle Ranch for the Eagle Outside Festival, which, according to the website, is all about “bikes and brews, boards and bands, bunny-hoppin’, yoga-posin'” and a little bit of “mountain town mayhem.”

It’s been a long winter and now that summer is here, check out the bike demos and competitions – some serious, some not so serious – that will be happening in and around town. Eagle’s motto is “Discover New Terrain” and you literally can try something new since Eagle boasts 100 miles of trails. There will be plenty of vendors on hand to let you try the latest and greatest in bike technology on trails just a short pedal away from downtown Eagle Ranch.

“The Eagle Outside Festival validates a sense of community. So many of the businesses and restaurants and vendors have leaned in for this, and the crowd supports it, too. It reinforces that community feeling,” said Mike McCormack of Uncommon Communications, the organizer of the event.

The schedule is full of events for the whole family, like bike-in movies, kids’ bike fitting and the Strider race. For those wanting to improve their mountain bike riding abilities, check out the skills and technical clinics offered. And if you’re up for plain old silliness, try the pajama/onesie fun run or the Colorado Squirt Gun Championships.

Want to do some shopping? Prana will be hosting its sample sale. There is also a Veloswap and gear sale. Restaurants will have specials like backyard barbeque on the tiki deck at Boneyard and 7 Hermits will have brunch from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Live music is sprinkled throughout the event and there’s yoga in the park on Sunday.

Check out eagleoutsidefestival.com for more details and the entire schedule.

Michael Franti & Spearhead

The announcements have been rolling out week after week and you can feel the excitement building for concerts returning to the Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater. This week, Michael Franti & Spearhead take the stage at The Amp and it kicks off a four-day tour for the band.

Last summer marked the first in 33 years in which musician and activist Michael Franti wasn’t able to go on tour and perform for his fans across the globe. Dubbed the “Good Day For A Good Day Weekend,” Franti and Spearhead will also welcome Satsang to the stage.

Franti has played in Vail many times before and after a global pandemic, he’s the right person for the job to instill hope in people. The globally recognized musician, humanitarian, activist and award-winning filmmaker is revered for his high-energy live shows, inspiring music, devotion to health and wellness, worldwide philanthropic efforts and the power of optimism.

AEG Presents and the Vail Valley Foundation are bringing this performance to the iconic Ford Amphitheater on Friday with doors opening at 6:30 p.m. for a 7:30 p.m. show. At press time, tickets were still available at grfavail.com. Lawn general admission seats are $65 and pavilion general admission seats are $89.50. For more details go to grfavail.com.

More Live Music

SunsetLIVE!

After enjoying a day in Nottingham Park or a weekend of fun on the trails, rivers or golf courses, wind down at the town of Avon’s SunsetLIVE! concert series. The Terrace at the Avon Performance Pavilion is the place to be on Sunday nights for casual musical performances by local Eagle County musicians.

If you are not familiar with the Terrace, this is the back side, or west side of the big stage at Nottingham Park. This is a great place to watch a sunset and hear great music while lounging on your SUP board or paddleboat in the lake, on the north shore beach or south lawn of the Pavilion. Or bring a lawn chair and picnic basket and sit right on The Terrace. Inclement weather caused the cancellation of the first concert of the season with Kevin Danzig last Sunday, but here’s the line up for the next couple of Sundays.

• 6/6: Jubilingo
• 6/13: Johnny Schleper Trio
• 6/20: Burnsville Blues Band

Keep in mind that you may no longer park on the North Frontage Road, so the use of public transportation is encouraged as well as walking or riding a bike to the park. You will find free street parking available, including West Beaver Creek Boulevard and Lake Street, as well as at the Avon Recreation Center and Avon Elementary School parking lots. You may bring your own alcohol in designated areas only. Check avon.org for more information.

Lookout Lobby Bar Terrace

Check out the live music on Thursdays and Saturdays at the Lookout Lobby Bar Terrace at The Westin Riverfront Resort & Spa from 5 to 8 p.m. from now until Sept. 4. The Lookout Lobby Bar has become a local’s favorite for live music with its large windows and iconic views of Beaver Creek. Having the music out on the Terrace not only allows those in the Lookout Lobby Bar to enjoy the music but the sounds will also spill over to the pool area below. Look for jazz music on Sunday mornings happening soon. Call the hotel for more details: 970-790-5500 or go to westinriverfront.com.

Shakedown Bar Reopens

The Shakedown Bar in Vail Village will be re-opening to the public on Friday but there are some changes coming. The Shakedown will be implementing a new membership-based program throughout the summer that will be in full effect by Nov. 1. At that point, it will become the Shakedown Music and Ski Club. Its goal is to create an intimate music experience for artists and listeners alike. Learn more by going to Shakedown Bar’s Facebook page.

Minturn Downriver Dash

Tuesday wrapped up the third whitewater race of the season in the Vail Whitewater Race Series and Vail Rec District decided to add another competition in Minturn on Saturday. The new Minturn Downriver Dash is open to kayakers and R2 raft teams.

Kayak racers start at 4 p.m. and raft teams start at 5 p.m. The race format will be a single-run time trial and starts at the Boneyard Open Space south of town and finishes at the Minturn Saloon. Spectators are welcome to watch and cheer the competitors on.

Racers should park at the finish in the Town of Minturn municipal lot adjacent to the Turntable. The Vail Rec District will provide shuttles to the start for racers and gear.

Cost: $35/kayak, $50/2-person raft if registered by June 1; $45/kayak, $60/2-person raft if registered after June 1. The entry fee includes shuttle, raffle prizes, food and beer at the post-race party. Sign up at vailrec.com/register.

Imagination Station

With students getting out of school you may be looking for fun activities to do with the kids. The Vail Recreation District’s Imagination Station reopens on Monday after an extended closure due to COVID-19.

Whether the kids want to construct your own whirlybird and fly it, build with metal construction materials on the magnet table or experiment with a chaotic pendulum, it’s fun mixed with learning at Imagination Station. The sessions fly by as kids explore with the water table, have fun with the coin funnel and experience imaginative play in the playhouse with animal and baby props. Extra art activities that are available for purchase include pottery painting, mosaic making, wooden toy building and canvas painting.

Summer reservations can be made for a two-hour session, Monday through Friday, from 9 to 11 a.m., 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and 2 to 4 p.m. The Imagination Station will close for cleaning and disinfection between sessions.

Reserve a time slot by choosing Imagination Station at vailrec.com/register. Time slots will be limited to no more than two groups, meaning your group and one other group will have the space to yourselves. Cost is $50 for a group of 10 or less (up to eight children; two adults are required for four or more children).

Want to save a little cash? Buy an annual membership at vailrec.com/register for $100 and get 50% off all reservations for the year. The membership pays for itself in four visits. For more information, call 970-479-2292 or email community@vailrec.com.

Gypsum and Eagle have halted underground boring work that is part of Comcast’s fiber-optic project in the wake of a natural gas explosion on Sept. 17 that claimed the life of a Gypsum resident last week.

“We think that after an accident of this magnitude, it is only reasonable to put things on pause and to do our best to assess how the project is being conducted,” said Gypsum Town Manager Jeremy Rietmann in a Tuesday morning interview.

“We know there is just a shattering in the confidence of underground excavation right now,” Rietmann said. “We don’t have the answers yet. It is all under investigation.”

Eagle Public Works Director Bryon McGinnis said the town contacted Comcast on Sept. 17, immediately after the accident, to halt directional boring in the neighboring community. “To their credit, they had pulled all of their crews already,” he said.

Eagle County Sheriff’s Office, with assistance from the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Colorado Department of Fire Prevention, is conducting the accident investigation. According to investigator Aaron Velheer with the Eagle County Sheriff’s Office, that work is ongoing. Additionally, Eagle County Coroner Kara Bettis has yet to release the name of the woman killed in the accident.

Velheer said the Colorado Public Utilities Commission has contacted the sheriff’s office regarding its own accident investigation. “I am certain there will be other entities that will be looking into this as well,” Velheer said. “This happened in an instant and it will take a while for us to compile everything we have.”

‘Indefinite hold’

On Monday evening, the town of Gypsum issued an official statement noting “Thursday’s (Sept. 17) natural gas accident was a tragedy for the entire community of Gypsum. None more so than the family directly affected, who suffered an unbearable loss. Our hearts go out to this family and they will need our community’s love, affection and support going forward.” 

 The statement noted that many residents are experiencing stress and anxiety in the aftermath of the accident.

“Please know that the town of Gypsum has put the fiber project on an indefinite hold for now,” the statement says.

Boring work on Eagle’s municipal broadband project has also been halted, McGinnis said, pending information from the Gypsum investigation.

The Gypsum statement notes that the town plans to convene all of the project partners and take whatever time is necessary to assess the current operational procedures. 

“This was a horrible loss for all of those impacted in this community, and we offer our sincere condolences to the deceased’s family and loved ones,” said Comcast in a written statement on Tuesday. “Comcast will provide support to local community organizations, and we will continue working with the town and providing support as needed as this investigation progresses.”

Protocols and safeguards

“Time will be spent evaluating what additional protocols and safeguards can be established to ensure the safety of the project and our residents when it eventually resumes,” noted the Gypsum statement. “Once that operational plan is developed, the town will host a public meeting to share this plan before the project continues.”

Rietmann noted that while the Comcast project is happening in Gypsum, it is not a town project. Gypsum has a signed franchise agreement with Comcast which gives the company the ability to install infrastructure in the town’s rights-of-way.

“Any of the safety regulations are not unique to this project,” Rietmann said.

Prior to mobilizing for underground utility work, Comcast was required to call 811 to have other utility line locations called out on the site. SEFNCO Communications Inc. is the Comcast subcontractor responsible for the underground drilling for the fiber project.

SEFNCO employed another company, Tactical Drilling, which was at work at the site of the explosion on Sept. 17. According to a spokesperson for SEFNCO, Tactical Drilling had submitted its locate requests through the 811 system as required by Colorado regulation. The drilling company said Black Hills Energy responded and marked its distribution lines on Aug. 3 and Aug. 26 “according to publically available dig tickets viewable online.”

One of the issues now in question is whether the natural gas line locations were clearly identified at the Chatfield property. When contacted for comment, Black Hills Energy responded with a press release initially distributed on Sept. 19. That statement includes a timeline of what happened prior to the explosion and a special notation that early reports of another leak were incorrect.

“As far as the town has been made aware, it was a single strike that caused a horrible outcome, but it is nothing that is systemic throughout the community,” said Rietmann.

Rietmann said Black Hills has informed the town that it has tested its system for other possible line breaches and found no other issues.

“If residents are concerned about previous trenching and boring work around the town, they should not have concerns about the work that has been previously done. Those lines have been pressure tested and they know the lines in Chatfield Corners are sound now,” Rietmann said.

Retrieval operations

Gypsum officials advised residents that on Sept 22, Comcast’s subcontractors were authorized to retrieve any equipment present in neighborhoods around town and complete activities that do not involve boring or trenching. This work will likely continue through the end of this week.

Rietmann also noted that Black Hills Energy is currently working to complete a transmission pipeline replacement project that began mid-May and is expected to be completed in October.

“The project does not require any boring, and is simply replacing pipe and tying it in to existing infrastructure,” he said.

The project includes three locations along US Highway 6:

• On Sept. 22, crews anticipated completion of tie-in work on the existing excavations in front of Costco. 
• On Sept. 23, tie-in work is anticipated to be completed for United Ready Mix and National Guard locations. 
• At Collett Corner, ongoing work will continue throughout the month of October.  

Rietmann added that in mid-October the new line will be tied into the town border station located at Cooley Mesa Road and Valley Road.

“This component of the project will also not involve any boring,” said Rietmann.

Safety tips

As part of its statement, the town of Gypsum included the following safety information: 

• Citizens who have continued questions about the impact of the incident and the safety of their gas service are encouraged to contact Black Hills Energy at 1-888-890-5554.
• Questions about the emergency response should be directed to the Eagle County Sheriff’s Office, Greater Eagle Fire Protection District, Gypsum Fire Protection District and Black Hills Energy.

Because their electric and natural gas service was interrupted for an extended period, the Gypsum has arranged for Chatfield Corners residents to request additional trash pickup for spoiled food from Town of Gypsum Trash Services. The pick-ups could be scheduled either Tuesday or Wednesday and the service is offered free of charge. To make a request, email angela@townofgypsum.com or call 970-524-3121.

The Rube Creek Fire sparked Thursday afternoon north of I-70 in Wolcott. Thanks to a swift air response, first responders gained significant control of the fire within hours. While still 0% contained, the fire was quickly surrounded by fire retardant, Doug Cupp with the Greater Eagle Fire District said on Thursday.

A man in disguise who used a knife or a screwdriver to rob the concession stand at Theatre Aspen on Tuesday night remained at-large Wednesday evening.

However, despite the fact that the man had not yet been caught, pictures released of him Wednesday morning led to numerous tips from the public, and police were following several leads to try and find the robber, Aspen Assistant Police Chief Bill Linn said.

“We made strong advances today,” Linn said Wednesday afternoon. “I’m optimistic we will break the case quickly.”

The bizarre-for-Aspen crime occurred about 9 p.m., and witnesses described the robber as a white male wearing a baseball cap, glasses, a flannel shirt, something covering his hands and a bandana over his face, Linn said.

He declined to say how much money was stolen, and he said no one was injured in the incident. Another source said the robber made off with $250.

“Employees of the concession stand were approached by a man wearing a mask and disguising his identity,” according to an APD news release. “The man demanded money from the cash register. The three employees complied with the demands.

“Officers canvassed the area but were unable to locate the suspect.”

The weapon used was “edged,” though there was some discrepancy over whether it was a knife or a screwdriver, Linn said.

Jed Bernstein, producing director of Theatre Aspen, said the robbery occurred about 10 minutes before intermission of the company’s production of “Guys and Dolls.” The man flashed the weapon, forced a concession stand employee to show him the money in the cash register and fled with $250.

“The first thing to say is that what happened with completely unexpected and scary for everybody,” Bernstein said. “Safety is the number one thing and we take that really seriously.”

The police’s news release linked the armed robbery to two purse snatchings that occurred in recent days in the downtown core.

The first of those happened about 8 p.m. July 3, when a man riding a bicycle grabbed a purse hanging from the back of a chair in the outdoor seating area of Kirby Ice House, 307 S. Mill St., according to the release.

A nearly identical crime occurred just before 8 p.m. Tuesday, when a male bicyclist snatched another purse from the back of a chair, this time at Casa Tua, 403 S. Galena St., and kept riding down the street, the release states.

Three surveillance video photos from Rubey Park accompanied the news release, which came out Wednesday morning. Linn said the man pictured was seen Tuesday at Rubey Park just before the Casa Tua purse snatching. The man generally fits the description of the Casa Tua robber, he said.

On Wednesday afternoon, Aspen police also released a video of the man taken Tuesday night at Rubey Park just before the Casa Tua purse snatching.

“Descriptions gathered from victims and witnesses are consistent enough to suggest (all three incidents) are associated,” according to the second APD news release.

Bernstein praised the three young people on duty at the concession stand and said they kept their heads, gave up the money and were able to continue on and serve beverages to the audience, which was mostly unaware of the robbery, during intermission.

“I’m proud of my staff at the concession stand,” Bernstein said. “They gave up the money and called police.

“As theater folks like to say, ‘The show must go on.’”

Bernstein was able to rule out one class of people as suspects, however.

“The reviews have been so positive (for “Guys and Dolls”) that I think we can be fairly certain it wasn’t a disgruntled audience member,” he said.

Bernstein and Linn emphasized that the event was unusual and that the Theatre Aspen tent and surrounding area near Rio Grande Park are safe, despite the fact that police had not yet caught the man.

“An armed robbery and a purse snatching?” Linn said. “We’ve never had that here before. It’s surprising.”

Aspen Police Chief Richard Pryor also sought to reassure the community Wednesday.

“We understand these are unusual crimes to occur in Aspen and that members of our community will be concerned,” he said in a second news release. “These appear to be crimes of opportunity …”

The last armed robbery in Aspen occurred in May 2016, when a then-21-year-old local man used a hammer to rob a marijuana dispensary near City Market then fled across country in a stolen SUV.

Anyone who recognizes the man in the photos of the recent robberies can call Aspen Police at 970-920-5400 or text tips to 970-274-4128.

UPDATE: (2:23 p.m.): Vail Pass has re-opened. Please drive safely.

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UPDATE (11:08): I-70 is now closed EB at Vail Pass. Expect delays and use caution in the area.

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UPDATE (10:27): The road is now open, please drive safely.

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Both lanes of I-70 are blocked at the 190 top of Vail Pass due to a road incident. Expect delays and use caution in the area.

Expansive views of New York Mountain and miles of trails that can be used during all seasons await those who call 705 Whiskey Ridge home. This seven-bedroom, nine-bathroom modern residence up West Lake Creek near Edwards sits on approximately 70 acres of terrain surrounded by national forest land.

“This home really caters to the type of family that leads an active lifestyle,” said Tye Stockton with The Stockton Group of LIV Sotheby’s International Realty.

“Imagine snowshoeing in the winter and biking on the trails or fishing and paddleboarding in the pond next to the house in the summer. Then at night, you get to go into this amazing house, sit by the fireplace and take in these views from every direction.”

705 Whiskey Ridge was named the Walden House, a reference to the novel “Walden” by Henry David Thoreau. Of course, the size of this home does not qualify as a cabin, but the theme of the book is what inspired the design and lifestyle of this home.

The Walden House was designed by renowned architect Annabelle Selldorf and is a modern work of art recognized worldwide. The home utilized indigenous materials like beetle-kill pine on the exterior. Other elements include copper shingle siding and hand-stacked Anasazi slivers. The materials were purposefully used to create harmony with the surrounding environment.

Even though it sits on top of Whiskey Ridge, the area the house was built on was relatively flat, allowing for more of a ranch style flow to the 10,515 square-foot home, except for the tower of bedrooms on the southeast corner.

“After a busy day of outdoor activity, your guests can retreat to the guest bedrooms at the ends of the house, which gives them more privacy. Then, the family is in this really cool stack of bedrooms where everybody gets great views. The floor plan is repeated three times until you get to the master on the top. It’s like nothing I have ever seen,” Stockton said.

Although the outdoor activities provide a workout, there is a separate glass-encased cabana-gym and outdoor pool for even more recreation.

Its location provides convenient access to the world-class skiing and snowboarding at Vail and Beaver Creek, the shops and dining in Edwards and a quick drive to the Eagle County Regional Airport.

To learn more please contact Tye Stockton at 970-470-6212 and visit www.waldenhousevail.com.

Vail Mountain has three terrain parks, including a 22-foot super pipe at Golden Peak.

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The Colorado Ski & Snowboard Museum and Hall of Fame is located on the third level of the Vail Village parking structure. Admission is free, with a suggested $3 donation for adults. Sandy Treat, 94, talks about his time at Camp Hale with the 10th Mountain Division each Friday in the museum.

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As Beaver Creek closes for the day on Friday, snow starts to fall atop Centennial Express lift.

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