Time Machine: 30 years ago, new mining activity prospected in East Vail

30 years ago

Sept. 6, 1996

The Rock Hard Mining Co. of Texas staked six mining claims covering 240 acres in Eagle County, including land near residential areas of East Vail, the Vail Trail reported.

The claims, which were made under the 1872 federal mining law, prompted concern from local residents and officials.

Quoting Eagle County Attorney Jim Fritze, the Trail reported that Rock Hard would need county approval before any extraction can take place.

“If Rock Hard makes plans for mineral extraction on the Forest Service land, the county ‘will start looking into the situation,'” Fritze said.

Support Local Journalism

Donate

“Those who own mining claims have the legal right to stake their claim and recover mineral samples for analysis,” the Trail reported. “Russ Forrest, environmental planner for the town, said the town ‘adamantly opposes any mining activity,’ and that he too would await any word of operation plans from Rock Hard.”

40 years ago

Sept. 12, 1986

Vail Police Chief Kurt Ufkes was stepping down to take a job as a road deputy with the Pitkin County Sheriff’s Department, the Vail Trail reported.

“Ufkes says he doesn’t view his new job as a step down,” the Trail reported.

Quoting Ufkes, the Trail reported that some might think it strange that one who worked so hard to get to the top would go to the bottom.

“But I don’t think I’m going to the bottom of the ladder,” Ufkes said. “I’m moving to another ladder.”

Ufkes’ decision to move was also prompted by the fact that a Vail property he had been managing and living in was recently sold, and the owner purchased a 70-acre ranch near Aspen.

“He wanted Ufkes to move to Aspen to continue managing his property,” the Trail reported.

70 years ago

Sept. 9, 1956

Hunters were set to enjoy a good season, said Gilbert N. Hunter, game manager for the Colorado Game and Fish Department.

“Hunter attributes the bright prospects for big game hunting this fall to four factors,” the Eagle Valley Enterprise reported. “To the fact that Colorado has had its fourth successive mild winter with below-normal loss of game animals; to an excellent crop of deer and antelope fawn and elk calves; to a general good condition of the range and to exceptionally liberal deer seasons approved by the commission for this fall in which deer may be taken under multiple license regulations in all of western Colorado.”

120 years ago

Sept. 6, 1906

More double-track rail line was set to be established in Eagle County on the Denver & Rio Grande line from an area 2 miles east of the Minturn to Red Cliff section of track, the Eagle County Blade reported.

“The engineering corps that established this grade has moved to Pando where the work of establishing the grade for a double track from that place to Tennessee Pass has begun,” the Eagle County Blade reported. “This will leave a gap of single track from Red Cliff to Pando, but it is without doubt the intention of the company to ultimately double track this portion also, making a double track from Minturn to Tennessee Pass.”