PET “RESORT” KENNEL GETS FINAL APPROVAL FROM GLENWOOD CITY COUNCIL
Glenwood Springs—The plans for a new dog and cat kennel in south Glenwood Springs were upheld last night by the city council. The council’s 5 to 1 vote to affirm the Planning and Zoning Commission’s approval of “Dog Holliday’s Pet Resort” came after a lengthy hearing. The kennel will be in the old Western Petroleum office next to Rivers Restaurant on South Grand Avenue. Several homeowners filed an appeal asking the council to overturn the P and Z approval. Attorney Charlie Willman represents the concerned residents who believe the area is better suited for homes not commercial operations. They were also worried about smells and noise from barking dogs, however the owners, Dr. Lori Pohm and her husband Bob Thorsen assured everyone with their experience and knowledge of animals, they would be good neighbors. The two have owned and operated All Dogs and Cats Animal Hospital in Glenwood Springs for 10 years. The council’s approval came with several conditions as well as the right to revoke the special use permit if the new kennel becomes a problem.
ROARING FORK WATERSHED LEVELS STEADY
Glenwood Springs—The recent warming trend has sped up the snow melt in the back country and rivers in the Roaring Fork watershed are flowing higher than a week ago. According to the latest streamflow reports from the Roaring Fork Conservancy, rivers are now flowing between 77% and 95% of average. In addition, the Boustead and Twin Lakes Tunnels have increased water diversion to reservoirs on the front range. Currently, the Colorado River at Glenwood Springs is flowing slightly below the mean at just under 10 thousand cubic feet per second.
MORE BAD NEWS FOR COLORADO’S COAL INDUSTRY
Somerset—The last operating coal mine in Colorado’s North Fork Valley is laying off about a quarter of its workers because of declining demand. Arch Coal, which filed for bankruptcy reorganization in January, announced Thursday that it was cutting 80 jobs at its West Elk Mine near Somerset. The news follows the permanent closure of Oxbow Mining’s Elk Creek Mine and multiple rounds of layoffs at Bowie Resource Partners’ Bowie No. 2, which has been idled. The Paonia town administrator, Jane Berry, says the community deeply feels the impact of the layoffs at each mine. West Elk was the most productive coal mine in Colorado last year, producing more than 5 million tons. However, that was down by more than a million tons from 2014.
