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Your Evening News - December 16th, 2014

Aspen Airport Widening Plan Approved

A plan to reconfigure the airfield at the Aspen Airport cleared its latest hurdle today as the Board of Pitkin County Commissioners gave initial approval to an “Airport Layout Plan.”

The County will send the preferred plan to the Federal Aviation Administration, which is requiring the airport to make safety improvements. As most of the commercial aircraft that serve the airport are being phased out their replacements have longer wingspans. So modifications, like a wider runway is needed.

The county commissioners supported a plan that proposes relocating a portion of Owl Creek Road and using about three acres of City open space. County Manager John Peacock says the plan meets FAA safety requirements and most citizens who weighed in, supported it.

“Based on that feedback, we believe “Alternative 8A,” both for the technical reasons and from the feedback we’ve received from the public is the best alternative to submit.”

The project will undergo an environmental assessment. That will look how the project might impact the natural environment and the resort economy. The preferred alternative has a $132 million price tag. County officials say the FAA will pay the lion’s share.

Rifle Area Crash Kills One

The Colorado State Patrol says a single vehicle crash this morning lead to the death of the driver on I-70 just east of Rifle. Investigators say the crash occurred just before 8:30am near mile marker 92 on eastbound I-70. That’s when a 2005 Ford Ranger left the road on a slight curve… crossed the grassy median, entered the westbound lanes, rolled over two and half times, and landed on its roof on the shoulder of the road. The driver is listed as a 60 year old Rifle area resident. She was transported to Grand River Hospital where she died. Her name has not been released pending notification of family. The cause of the crash is still under investigation.

Aspen Reviewing Mark Hunt Lodging Plan

Aspen officials are reviewing a building proposal by Chicago developer Mark Hunt this evening. The Planning and Zoning Commission will consider a list of requested exceptions. The project is called Base 1 and would replace businesses on Cooper Street across from City Market. Requested exceptions include eliminating required affordable housing and waiving impact fees, as well as other others. Base 1 would be very similar to another Aspen development proposed by Hunt. Both will go before City Council early next year.

Ski Area Owner Gets Fines, Community Service

There’s a resolution to an unusual case against a ski area owner in Colorado. The U.S. Attorney’s office had charged operator of Wolf Creek Ski Area for doing avalanche related work this spring.

Owner and operator Davey Pitcher hired a commercial helicopter service to do avalanche and search and rescue training this spring. That was on Forest Service land in southwest Colorado. The Forest Service investigated and US Attorney’s office filed charges earlier this year. Pitcher pleaded guilty and appeared in court this morning. Jeff Dorschner is with the US Attorney’s office and describes the sentence.

“Five years of supervised probation with 500 hours of community service. He is to spend that time working for the local sheriff or the Forest Service.”

There was also a $5,000 fine. The U.S. Attorney’s office says there have not been similar cases in recent memory.

 

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