Glenwood Springs—Opponents of the Grand Avenue Bridge replacement project far outnumbered supporters during a public hearing Wednesday night at Glenwood Springs Elementary School. About a third of the 100 people in attendance took the microphone took their allotted three minutes of floor time, (some took more) to criticize not only the project itself but the Colorado Department of Transportation’s environmental assessment process. Most opponents are calling for the bridge to be repaired and upgraded and demanding a bypass to Highway 82 for a long term solution. C-DOT officials say the 60 million dollars set aside for the project are from the Bridge Enterprise Fund and by state law can only be used for that purpose. Public comments are due December 1st.
ASPEN (AP) – Aspen Mountain ski resort plans to open Saturday, five days ahead of schedule. A storm dropped up to 28 inches of snow on the slopes last week, allowing operators to move the opening date up from Nov. 27. The snowstorm also helped with preparations for women’s World Cup races at Aspen Mountain Nov. 29-30.
PUEBLO (AP) – The Colorado State Fair is considering installing ticket sales machines at some gates for the 2015 event. General Manager Chris Wiseman proposed the machines to the Fair Board of Authority yesterday. Fair officials also said they plan an economic impact study to measure the benefits of the fair and other events held at the fairgrounds.
OMAHA, Neb. (AP) – The three states crossed by the Republican River have agreed on a new approach to managing water in the disputed basin. Officials in Colorado, Nebraska and Kansas say the agreements on how the river’s water will be managed this year and next year show they are taking a more cooperative approach. Nebraska is entitled to 49 percent of the water, Kansas gets 40 percent and Colorado gets 11 percent.
GREELEY, Colo. (AP) – The president of Aims Community College is retiring after 12 years on the job. Marilynn “Marsi” Liddell is stepping down June 30. Liddell is the second-longest-serving president in the college’s history.