Rocky Mountain Voice

The Aspen Times

Search-and-rescue costs soar as state weighs new fee increase
The Aspen Times, Approved, State

Search-and-rescue costs soar as state weighs new fee increase

By Ali Longwell | The Aspen Times While Colorado’s backcountry search-and-rescue missions have increased significantly in the past few decades, statewide funding for the volunteer-staffed programs across the state has struggled to keep up with the growth.  A proposed fee increase before the Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commission next week aims to rectify this. As contemplated, it would increase a $0.25 surcharge — applied to most Parks and Wildlife licenses and registrations, including hunting and fishing licenses, as well as boat and off-highway vehicle permits — to $1.25 to bring it in line with inflation and the program’s needs today.  The growth of Colorado’s backcountry search-and-rescue programs   Colorado’s first formal mountain rescue team was c...
Study warns that short-term rentals are pricing out local residents
The Aspen Times, Approved, State

Study warns that short-term rentals are pricing out local residents

By Robert Tann | The Aspen Times Home prices in Colorado’s mountain resort communities have skyrocketed over the past 13 years, with a new report further detailing the erosion of affordability for working residents.  A study released on Wednesday by the Colorado-based think tank Common Sense Institute shows home prices in seven Western Slope counties — Eagle, Garfield, Grand, Pitkin, Routt, San Miguel and Summit — have more than doubled or, in some cases, tripled since 2012.  The Common Sense Institute researches and promotes free-enterprise economic policy and bills itself as “nonpartisan.” Several of its board members, however, have ties to the Republican Party, and the organization has accepted funds from the conservative advocacy group Advance Colorado. The study bases...
Wolverines Set for Reintroduction in to Aspen Mountains Despite Public Concerns
Local, Approved, The Aspen Times

Wolverines Set for Reintroduction in to Aspen Mountains Despite Public Concerns

By River Stingray | The Aspen Times The Aspen area has been included in one of three general release zones for the reintroduction of wolverines into the state, according to preliminary information from Colorado Parks and Wildlife’s developing plan. The “central zone” will cover Aspen to Gunnison. The other two general release zones that have been identified are the “northern zone,” including the areas near Rocky Mountain National Park, and the “southern zone,” including the San Juans between Montrose and Durango. “Colorado is especially well suited to help address (wolverine) conservation concerns,” said Colorado State University graduate student Kaitlyn Reed at one of the many virtual educational events she’s been running as a project partner with CSU’s Center for Human Carnivore...

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