4:08
The snow is melting, the days are getting longer, and skis are getting shelved in favor of hiking boots and mountain bikes. But in some parts of the Roaring Fork Valley, hikers and bikers will have to wait a little longer to venture out on certain trails.
Those trails are closed to protect herds of elk, which rely on low-elevation open spaces for their survival around this time of year. Closures keep people and their pets from spooking elk and pushing them away from pivotal grazing areas.
Wintertime survival at more than a mile above sea level is no small feat for animals. When things get cold, finding food is a challenge.
Courtesy of Aspen Valley Hospital
It’s no secret that the Roaring Fork Valley’s three counties are interconnected and frequented by seasonal visitors, and those factors show up in the latest COVID-19 vaccine data. In the four months since vaccine rollout began in the area, more than 40% of all doses administered in Pitkin County went to people who reside outside of the County – and health officials say that is by design.
Carly Senst, Pitkin County’s vaccine coordinator, said two groups of non-residents are driving that trend. The first is the county’s workforce. About half of people working in Pitkin County reside downvalley in Eagle and Garfield counties. Many people qualified and arranged appointments for vaccines through their place of employment.
The Art Base is set to open in its new building next month. The community art center bought it last year for $1.7 million. Photo Olive and West
With saws whirring and hammers banging nearby, on a recent walk-through of the Art Base’s soon-to-open, new two-story home in downtown Basalt, the community art center’s director said she has seen an outpouring of support for the nonprofit in recent months as it launched an ambitious fundraising campaign to pay for its new building and fund its post-pandemic future.
“I was blown away by the response,” said Art Base executive director Skye Skinner. “It was like magic.”
Today
Mostly sunny in the morning then becoming cloudy with periods of rain later in the day. High near 55F. Winds N at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 90%..
Tonight
Snow in the evening will give way to lingering snow showers overnight. Low 19F. Winds N at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of snow 100%. Snow accumulating 1 to 3 inches. Winds could occasionally gust over 40 mph. Updated: April 19, 2021 @ 12:55 am
courtesy photos
Scott T Stark
Scott T Stark
Photo courtesy of city of Steamboat Springs
The Gazette file
Today
Cloudy with rain and snow this evening, light snow overnight. Low 19F. Winds NNE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of snow 100%. 3 to 5 inches of snow expected..
Tonight
Cloudy with rain and snow this evening, light snow overnight. Low 19F. Winds NNE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of snow 100%. 3 to 5 inches of snow expected. Updated: April 19, 2021 @ 4:20 pm
courtesy photos
Scott T Stark
Scott T Stark
Photo courtesy of city of Steamboat Springs
The Gazette file