New volunteer initiative to educate trail users in Grand County

Concerns about the impact of the increasing popularity of Grand County’s public lands have spurred the creation of a volunteer ambassador program to promote trail etiquette and sustainability. Winter Park leaders has partnered with the Headwaters Trails Alliance and the US Forest Service to create the program, which will be a subcommittee of the countywide Grand Places 2050 initiative to plan for land and resource management. The goal is to launch the program by Memorial Day weekend. “We view this as one of the best and most economic ways to prevent forest fires and facilitate education,” Winter Park Mayor Nick Kutrumbos said. Read full story here.
Trends with Benefits: Remote Work
information from this article from Vail Daily article, 4/12/2021

On April 22, the celebration of Earth Day turned 51, and those 51 years have certainly seen many environmental accomplishments. The formation of the Environmental Protection Agency, saving the ozone layer from destruction and the evolution of the solar panel are just a few. But, you don’t have to invent new technology or write game changing legislation to protect the environment. As we enter into a new half-century of saving the planet amidst a pandemic, one of the most effective methods we can employ to protect Mother Earth this Earth Day is a simple one and one that many of us are already well-versed in: remote work.

The largest and most obvious benefit is remote work reduces transportation emissions. If Eagle County residents don’t use their cars to get to work just two times per week, we can eliminate almost 73,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions from our atmosphere each year, reducing our community-wide emissions by 10%. Read full article here.
After 168 days closed, Granby Guest Ranch C Lazy U welcomed its first visitors on April 1 since the fire

Lining the winding gravel road into C Lazy U the scorched patches of landscape dotted with blackened trees, from where the East Troublesome Fire burned in October, are now starting to show new signs of life just in time for guests. After 168 days closed, Granby’s guest ranch welcomed its first visitors on April 1 since the fire. C Lazy U closed on Oct. 15, before the East Troublesome Fire caused the ranch to evacuate, and, shortly after, moved their herd of over 200 horses to safety. Then, on Oct. 21, the fire exploded across roughly 16 miles of Grand County, including through the heart of C Lazy U. The ranch lost a number of buildings, including eight member homes, a workforce housing unit and its historic 99-year-old barn, while several others were damaged. The fire also provides the unique opportunity to educate guests about land stewardship and natural cycles that keep the forest healthy. The ranch is planning to compile an archive of information about how the ranch survived.
Eagle County Regional Airport to offer daily non-stop flights to major hub cities this summer

Eagle County Regional Airport (EGE) and the EGE Air Alliance are pleased to announce increased service beginning this summer. “Eagle County Regional Airport is a vital component of our community and our local economy,” said Chris Romer, President and CEO of Vail Valley Partnership. “Expanded service to Dallas and new service to the hub markets of Chicago and Atlanta during the summer season not only benefits our tourism economy, but it is a huge benefit to our local residents. EGE is our community’s airport, and it has never been as accessible to our residents as it will be this summer." For EGE’s complete flight schedule, visit www.flyvail.com.
Northwest Colorado Council of Governments
Economic Development District | www.nwccog.org/edd