Time Machine: 30 years ago, Vail residents vote to ban assault rifles in town

Vail Trail/Vail Daily archive
30 years ago
Feb. 7, 1995
Voters in Vail upheld an ordinance from the Town Council which restricted the sale and possession of assault weapons in town.
The special election was the result of a petition drive by local residents who wanted to see an earlier decision, made by the town council in September of 1994, overturned.
“When council refused to overturn the ban, it was scheduled for a special election in accordance with the town charter,” the Vail Trail reported.
The ban called out 51 different types of assault weapons and was upheld by a narrow margin, with 357 Vail voters in favor of the ban and 331 against.

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40 years ago
Feb. 8, 1985
The Vail town manager was in the process of proposing a resolution to request the creation of a nuclear-free zone on Interstate 70 after hearing a proposal from Paul Crawford, a Glenwood Springs poet and activist.
Crawford presented a petition with 500 signatures, saying a plan to allow thousands of trucks carrying deadly loads of spent nuclear fuel on I-70 could be devastating to the area if a spill were to occur.
Twenty-four nuclear shipments had already been recorded passing through the state, Crawford said, and while Moab was ranked as No. 4 on the list of potential end-use sites, Crawford claimed that it was being considered as the primary choice.
“Moab wants it, (Crawford) said, along with the 2,000 jobs it would bring and various improvements,” the Vail Trail reported.
50 years ago
Feb. 7, 1975
A re-review of the proposed Beaver Creek ski area was ordered by the chief of the U.S. Forest Service, the Vail Trail reported.
“The order from Washington. D.C. follows a request made last week by Democratic Senator Gary Hart of Colorado,” the Trail reported. “Hart asked for a reappraisal of the decision to designate the area a winter sports site announced by Colorado’s Chief Forester W.J. Lucas on January 24.”
60 years ago
Feb. 4, 1965
A 33-year-old man employed on the Homestake water diversion project near Red Cliff was killed in an avalanche while working on the tunnels that send water to the Front Range.
Dave Hemphill, an employee of Berco, Inc., was working with five other men on three tunnels at Homesake Lake, according to the state mine inspector. As he emerged from Coyote Tunnel No. 3, the slide engulfed him before he could escape back into the tunnel, the Eagle Valley Enterprise reported.
70 years ago
Feb. 3, 1955
The Homestake Trout Club was seeking $84,300 from the federal government for damages resulting from the U.S. Army’s winter maneuvers at Camp Hale, the Eagle Valley Enterprise reported.
“The club charges that 5,000 troops destroyed trees, buildings and fences during maneuvers Nov. 1953 to April 30, 1954 near Camp Hale,” the Enterprise reported. “2,000 trees are alleged to have been damaged, 1,000 cut down, 1,500 feet of wire fence and a cabin on the ground destroyed. The claim stated the army failed to obtain permission to use the private property and that signs were ripped down and destroyed.”
80 years ago
Feb. 2, 1945
George Carlow, a gunner instructor at San Diego, had a few hours stopover in Eagle, which he spent with his mother, the Eagle Valley Enterprise reported.
“Carlow stayed over Saturday, leaving Sunday for Denver, where he reported to the Rocky Mountain Arsenal for six days training in chemical warfare,” the Enterprise reported. “Upon his return to the coast, he will instruct navy men in that phase of warfare.”
90 years ago
Feb. 8, 1935
A Colorado game warden visited Eagle, saying the feeding of deer and elk from area farmers’ hay stacks was costing the department much money and causing the wardens lots of trouble.
“Within the past few days the department has had to pay out $1,000 in this district alone to farmers whose hay has been eaten or destroyed by deer and elk,” the Eagle Valley Enterprise reported. “The animals not only eat the hay, but by climbing on top of the stacks ruin as much as they consume.”
Town dogs from Glenwood had taken to hunting and killing the deer wintering in Glenwood Canyon, and game wardens were watching the area and had shot a few of the dogs.
“But it is very hard to catch them when hunting and the worst offenders are still at large,” the Enterprise reported. “It is now planned to use poison in an effort to get the deer-slaying canines.”