Drones over Central Colorado?
Residents of Central Colorado may be seeing more air traffic in the form of drones, the unmanned aircrafts used by the U.S. military for surveillance and weapons deployment.
In late February, officials from Lake and Chaffee County met with John Huguley, a representative of a state group which wants to apply to the Federal Aviation Administration to allow Colorado to test drones in commercial U.S. airspace.
The FAA is looking for six states to test drone “integration,” according to Chaffee County Commissioner Dennis Giese, who assisted in organizing the meeting. Proponents of the drones cite potential economic benefits for the region, including lodging and meals for those coming to the area to do the testing. Some locals are not quite convinced and see the drones as an invasion of privacy, as well as having potential safety issues.
“The intent of these test sites is the integration of the unmanned (aircraft systems) with the manned ones (not to spy on people),” Huguley was quoted as saying in The Mountain Mail.
The FAA plans to announce its choices for the six test states in mid-December 2013.
Construction Worries Locals
Scheduled construction on the old railroad bridge at U.S. Highways 24/285 near Johnson Village is stirring up the citizenry. The Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) plans to replace the aging structure with a new bridge with improved guardrails and wider shoulders. The bridge over the Union Pacific railroad line was built in 1937. Local business owners fear the loss of revenue due to traffic delays.
CDOT estimates the daily usage of the bridge to be about 7,200 vehicles. The entire population of Chaffee County is around 18,000. County Commissioner Frank Holman concedes that the county has no authority over CDOT.
Trail to Honor Zebulon Pike
Work is set to begin on a trail dedicated to Zebulon Pike and his 1806 expedition through the Upper Arkansas headwaters region.
Friends of Pike intend to take an existing section of the Cottonwood Trail near Buena Vista and install interpretive signs, a stone bench and split rail fencing, according to The Chaffee County Times.
On a related note, Sen. Michael Bennet has reintroduced legislation to begin a feasibility study into designating Pike’s Trail as a National Historic Trail.
A New Route Up Columbia
Speaking of trails, the Salida Ranger District of the U.S.F.S. is soliciting public comments on a proposal to reroute a trail up Mount Columbia in the Collegiate Peaks. Comments can be submitted to Brett at 719-530-3953 or by email to bbeasley@fs.fed.us.
Au Revoir to Reservoir
Antero Reservoir in southeastern Park County is set to be drained beginning in April, and all recreation there will end. The reservoir is owned by Denver Water and is being drained to save water that would otherwise be lost to evaporation.
Nearly 4,000 acre-feet of water will be relocated to the Eleven Mile Reservoir near Lake George.
Orpheum Theater in Trouble
The historic Orpheum Theater in downtown Buena Vista may possibly shut its doors if the non-profit group who operates it can’t come up with the $322,000 needed to keep it running for the next three years.
Issues of restrooms and the stairwell are some of the problems limiting the theater’s growth. The Orpheum Theater non profit was originally formed in 1997.
To donate to the theater, visit orpheumbv.org/Donate-to-Orpheum.
Shorts …
• The Weather Channel began broadcasting its new reality show, “Prospectors,” on March 26, featuring the Busse family of Chaffee County, who spend about half the year living and working their mining claim on Mount Antero.
• Alli Melton has been hired as the new public lands director for the High Country Citizens’ Alliance.
• A boat ramp is being considered by Lake County commissioners at Mount Elbert Forebay Reservoir.
• Western State Colorado University is dropping their brand new logo after it was panned by students, faculty and others. They hope a new logo will be more in line with their “Western heritage.”
•Cameron Ham, a Custer County High School senior, became the first Bobcat wrestler to win a state title in 18 years this past February.
“Notable Quotes”
“Are your guns safe? I don’t know if ultimately they will be safe. I know that I will not be coming after your firearms, nor will my appointees.” – Gunnison County Sheriff Rick Besecker, speaking at a ‘gun-rights’ rally at WSCU. – Gunnison Country Times, March 7, 2013.
“It appears to be true … Apparently, there was a party at the fire station. It seemed to be a private party.” – Custer County Sheriff Fred Jobe, speaking about an incident where a few volunteer firefighters allegedly took a firetruck on a joyride after drinking. – Wet Mountain Tribune, March 21, 2013.
“There is an underlying theme to all of this and it is called Agenda 21. That is the plan. You guys are being very successful of making a frontier and ghost towns of our towns, as you implement a United Nations agenda.” – Barbara Hulet of Delta, at a USFS meeting held at Pitkin Town Hall in regard to proposed route closures on federal lands. – Gunnison Country Times, March 7, 2013.
“Sometimes I can be the guy to stir up the hornet’s nest. I don’t mind being that guy.” – Buena Vista resident Mark Arnold, who discovered last summer that Chaffee County voting ballots could be traced to individual voters. – The Chaffee County Times, March 21, 2013.
