Around Your Region

Sarah L. Stewart
April 23, 2008

A safer I-70
Eagle County – Despite an especially difficult winter for travel on Interstate 70, fewer tickets have been issued to truckers who failed to use chains during bad weather.

The number of tickets decreased more than 30 percent from 2006 to 2007, and some hope the trend has continued. Just 40 tickets have been given so far this year, compared to 116 tickets for all of 2007.

In 2006, Eagle County’s former state representative Dan Gibbs, now a state senator, drafted legislation that increased fines from $100 to $500 for truckers who don’t use snow chains and from $500 to $1,000 if they blocked even one lane of the interstate. Gov. Bill Ritter signed the bill last year.

“I’ve been here 12 years and I’ve seen a definite improvement in people pulling over to chain up,” said Cpl. Larry Graves, of the Colorado State Patrol.

Fire danger
Eagle County – If you’re worried about wildfires, it’s time to hope for a long mud season.

“To keep some snow in the mountains would be a really good thing,” said John Willson, deputy chief of operations for the Eagle River Fire Protection District.

Despite heavy snowpack, Eagle County could experience more fires than average this year, fire officials said. If predictions for a warmer than average spring and early summer are correct, fires could be more likely because trees and plants would have less time to absorb moisture.

Already in recent weeks, several wildfires have sparked around the state, including one in southeast Colorado that killed two volunteer firefighters.

Traffic troubles?
Eagle County – Who hasn’t cursed a traffic light that turns red even when no one is coming in the opposing direction?

County residents now have the opportunity to make their complaints heard by more than their own passengers. The county’s traffic survey is weighing drivers’ opinions on the usefulness of speed limits, signs and other traffic control devices.

The survey, which began in October and will continue for six more months, has already gotten suggestions such as increasing the speed limit on Squaw Creek Road at Cordillera to 45 miles per hour and adding a traffic light on Highway 6 in Edwards at the Riverwalk exits.

To voice your opinion, visit www.eaglecounty.us and select the Traffic Control Device Survey link. For more information, call the county’s Engineering Department at (970) 328-3560.

Airport name game
Eagle County – The debate over how — or if — to rename the Eagle County Regional Airport continues.

Representatives from Vail Resorts want to incorporate ‘Vail’ in the new name, such as Vail Airport, Vail International Airport or Vail-Eagle County Airport.

“The world understands ‘Vail.’ There’s no other moniker. It is by far the most recognizable name for this area,” Beaver Creek Resort Executive Director Tony O’Rourke said.

Marketing consultants hired by the county and Vail Resorts say that giving the airport a clear, simple name and identity will help the county and resorts market the destination to travelers.

“There is confusion out there,” said consultant Graham Button. “The traveling public has a bunch of nicknames for it. While there’s an official name, no one uses it.”

County Commissioner Sara Fisher said she does not think a new name is necessary, especially because local residents have an emotional tie to the name ‘Eagle County.’

“Asking people to lose an identity is a difficult thing,” she said. “This deserves some time and opportunity to get more public comment.”

On the trail again
Eagle – Trail season has officially begun on Eagle’s open spaces, but mud could still be a problem for weeks to come.

Mid-December through mid-April closures to protect wintering wildlife have now been lifted off the lands south of Eagle Ranch, but users should avoid muddy spots to prevent trail damage.

“It’s a common sense issue,” said Eagle County Open Space Coordinator Bill Heicher. “If trail users encounter snow and mud, please turn around.”

Drilling restraint
Denver – Lawmakers are trying to strike a balance between environmental and economic interests on the gas-rich Roan Plateau in western Colorado, the Associated Press reported.

Sen. Ken Salazar and congressmen John Salazar and Mark Udall are introducing legislation to protect wildlife and environmentally sensitive areas of the plateau while still allowing energy development there. The Democrats are proposing a measure similar to a plan recommended by Gov. Bill Ritter but rejected by the U.S. Bureau of Land Management. Their proposal would declare about 39,000 acres on the Roan Plateau too environmentally sensitive to allow any disturbance of the surface.