VAIL — The U.S. ski resort industry started with a bunch of mustachioed dudes focused on uphill transportation. Sixty-plus years later, resort skiing has transformed from an operation into an experience, with attention paid to safety, snow grooming, speedy lifts, lessons, food and fewer hassles. The evolution of skiing can be attributed to a more […]
Outdoors
Posted inBusiness, Crime and Courts, News, Outdoors
Judge: Federal government’s lawsuit against Durango railroad over 2018 wildfire should proceed
By Jonathan Romeo, The Durango Herald DURANGO — In what could be a major blow to the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad, a federal judge has recommended that a district court throw out the train’s motion to dismiss a lawsuit in which the U.S. government is seeking $25 million for fighting the 416 Fire. […]
Posted inBusiness, Coloradans, Crime and Courts, Education, Energy, Environment, Growth, Health, News, Outdoors, Politics and Government, Technology, Uncategorized
These 9 themes helped define Colorado in 2019. Here are the stories that illuminated them.
Imagine, for a moment, that you have been given an assignment to record for posterity the words that defined Colorado in 2019. What would you choose? Simmered down to its essence, what was this past year in our state really about? These stories were largely culled from The Sunriser, our three-days-a-week newsletter rounding up the […]
Posted inNews, Outdoors
Colorado’s first seasonal avalanche death illustrates how many fatal slides happen during lower danger levels
Colorado’s avalanche safety experts say the state’s first snow slide death of the season was a prime example of how often backcountry users are killed when danger levels are forecast to be at their lowest levels. Nearly 40% of fatal avalanches in Colorado occur during moderately dangerous conditions, according to the Colorado Avalanche Information Center. […]
Posted inNews, Outdoors
Colorado is the most dangerous state for avalanches, with death toll far surpassing other states
By Sawyer D’Argonne, The Summit Daily FRISCO — Colorado again retained its macabre status as the country’s most dangerous state for avalanches, according data collected by the Colorado Avalanche Information Center. Since at least 1950, the amount of avalanche deaths in Colorado have far surpassed that of any other state, and the most recent avalanche […]
Posted inBusiness, Coloradans, Environment, Outdoors, Water
Old mining shacks are becoming backcountry ski huts in Colorado’s high country
ALMA — As the skiers approached a century-old mining shack in a clearing, views of the wind-ravaged slopes below London Mountain and Mosquito Peak emerged through the trees. “Anyone see anything that concerns them?” asked ski guide and avalanche educator Abe Pacharz, waiting for someone to point out recent avalanches on the flanks of the […]
Posted inBusiness, Coloradans, Crime and Courts, Education, Energy, Environment, Growth, Health, News, Outdoors, Politics and Government, Technology, Transportation, Wildfire
The 25 most read Colorado Sun stories of 2019
These are the 25 Colorado Sun stories that received the most readership in 2019. They touch on a wide variety of issues and topic areas, from reporter Jason Blevins’ investigation into Backcountry.com, to a look at production of Neil Young’s new album and persistent coverage of Colorado’s deadly 2018-19 avalanche season. Backcountry.com sues anyone who […]
Posted inNews, Outdoors, Politics and Government
As ski pass wars heat up, U.S. Forest Service curtails public ski area land fee disclosures
By Scott Condon, The Aspen Times ASPEN — Public oversight of the ski industry has become a casualty of the battle between Vail Resorts and Alterra Mountain Co. As the competition between the ski companies has heated up, the amount of information the U.S. Forest Service will share about ski areas’ use of public lands […]
Posted inNews, Outdoors
Colorado rafting team poised for second attempt at breaking speed record down Grand Canyon
In January 2017, the U.S. Men’s Whitewater Rafting Team’s speed-record dream died in the Colorado River’s stout Lava Falls rapid. They had been rowing for more than 20 hours and were on pace to set a record for the fastest descent of the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon when their customized cataraft failed in […]
Posted inEnvironment, News, Outdoors, Politics and Government
Sports betting won’t generate any money for Colorado’s water needs in first year, new analysis says
When Colorado voters OK’d Proposition DD last month, they were told sports betting would deliver millions in tax revenue toward solving the state’s water problems. But a new analysis from the Polis administration shows that likely won’t happen in the first full year of wagering. The Division of Gaming expects sports betting, which starts in […]