RTD RETURNING TO "NORMAL," NO MORE FREE RIDES

RTD will begin the return to its normal operations in July, ending the free rides on RTD buses and trains, along with rear-door boarding. RTD suspended the collection of fares and instituted rear-door entry on April 5 in response to the increase in cases of COVID-19. The measures were instituted to reduce contact between passengers and drivers as much as possible. Beginning July 1, riders will be asked to pay for their ride with a ticket, a pass or cash. RTD’s Mobile Tickets app, which allows for contactless payment, will be available for purchases starting that day.

DENVER ZOO TO REOPEN THIS WEEK

The Denver Zoo will reopen this week, with Wednesday and Thursday open to members only and open on Friday to the public. The Denver Zoo has been closed since March 17 due to concerns over the COVID 19 pandemic. All guests over the age of 3 will be required to wear face coverings. In addition to the face covering requirement, the Zoo will have these safe measures in place: all tickets must be reserved and purchased online at the zoo's website; tickets will not be available for purchase at the zoo; admissions will be limited; hand-washing stations have been installed across the grounds of the zoo.

LONGEST PERIOD OF ECONOMIC GROWTH ENDED IN FEBRUARY

As determined by the National Bureau of Economic Research, the U.S. officially entered a recession in February, marking the end of the 128-month expansion that was the longest on record, dating back to 1854. How long the recession will last is in question, however, as the stock markets all advanced over the past four days. The S&P 500 closed Monday at a positive level for the year and the Nasdaq Composite index hit a record level on Monday. Employers added 2.5 million jobs last month, the most in a single month on records dating back to 1948.

WHEELER OPERA HOUSE GETS MAKEOVER DURING SHUTDOWN

The COVID-19 pandemic caused the city of Aspen to shut down the Wheeler Opera House and with the prospect of not having any live performances at the historic opera house for the rest of the year, city officials decided to go forward with an extensive exterior maintenance project. The work involves erecting scaffolding around the building and having masonry crews repair bricks and sandstone on the 130-year-old building. Much of the work will take place in late August and September and is expected to be completed by December.

ROARING FORK SCHOOL DISTRICT LOOKING AT ALTERNATIVES FOR OPENING IN THE FALL

Officials of the Roaring Fork School District have created a "Back to School 2020 Roadmap," which outlines three possible scenarios for classroom operations when the school year begins again in August. The alternatives are designed to meet varying levels of the health risk due to the coronavirus. The district will make a decision in late July. The first option, if the health risk is low is a full return to classroom learning. The mid-level risk scenario involves a "hybrid learning" model, with classroom numbers limited to 10 and staggered schedules, with independent online learning programs for older students. The high risk situation is a return to online learning with buildings closed.

RAIN AIDS FIREFIGHTERS IN KNOCKING DOWN LOCAL WILDFIRES

Firefighting crews are "winding down" operations at several wildfires in Mesa County that were ignited by lightning Friday. Combined the Hunter, Little Book Cliff and Sieber fires burned several thousand acres. However, heavy rain that started Friday night eased the threat as more than an inch of rain, for example, was recorded near the Sieber Fire 20 miles west of Grand Junction in the McInnis Canyon National Conservation Area. The Sieber Fire burned 1,100 acres. The Hunter Fire, 12 miles north of Grand Junction in the Little Book Cliffs, burned 734 acres. The Little Book Cliff Fire, seven miles northwest of Grand Junction, burned 169 acres.

TOWN OF VAIL, VR, DEVELOPER LOOKING FOR ALTERNATIVE TO BOOTH HEIGHTS

Since the beginning of the year, officials of the town of Vail have been working with Vail Resorts and Triumph Development, the land owner and developer respectively of the Booth Heights project in East Vail to find an alternative to building townhomes and apartments on the 23.3-acre parcel. The alternative is focused on finding a site for locating at least as much workforce housing as provided in the Booth Heights proposal and it would have to be ready by the winter of 2022.

STEAMBOAT RESORT TO HAVE LIMITED OPENING FOR THE SUMMER JUNE 26

The Steamboat Ski & Resort Corp. Monday announced Steamboat Resort will open for limited summer operations on weekends on Friday, June 26. The resort will not open the Steamboat Bike Park, due to limited staff and resources. Summer operations will include the Outlaw Mountain Coaster, the Maverick mini golf course, gondola rides, the Steamboat Mercantile and Timber & Torch Grill at the base and the Oasis Sun Deck at Thunderhead Lodge. Activities will run from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and the Steamboat Gondola will run from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. every Friday, Saturday and Sunday through Labor Day, Monday, Sept. 7.

BRECK LAUNCHES WALKABLE MAIN ON FRIDAY

On Thursday afternoon, Main Street in Breckenridge will close to motorized traffic and on Friday the town of Breckenridge will launch what the Breckenridge Tourism Office is calling Walkable Main. There will be no motorized traffic allowed on Main Street for about eight weeks, and more than 25 restaurants and retail establishments will have shopping and service outside. The closure includes a full closing between Watson and Jefferson avenues, with a partial closure extending south to 400 S. Main.

LAS VEGAS: "WHAT HAPPENS HERE…?"

Yes, some casinos, hotels and resorts have opened in Las Vegas. Tourism authorities now say, "What happens here, only happens here," instead of "What happens here, stays here." Some other changes:

• Free parking is back…for self-parking. Free parking was a hallmark of Las Vegas until 2016
• At hotel check-in, you will get your temperature checked, some casinos will also check your temperature when you enter
• Numbers are limited at the tables: three players at blackjack tables; four at roulette and poker and six at craps
• Dealers and employees are required to wear masks, some casinos require gamblers to wear masks
• Free drinks still abound on the floors of casinos
• You still can smoke inside casinos, although it is difficult when wearing a mask
• Things that haven't change: there still are hefty "resort" fees; Las Vegas casinos still charge $7.99 to $8.99 to withdraw money from an ATM

CALAWAY GIVE-BACK CONTINUES GIVING TRADITION

The Calaway Give-Back, an annual donation collection that supports local non-profits, is taking place again this June, in honor of philanthropist and humanitarian Jim Calaway’s birthday month. Throughout the month of June, Calaway Give-Back collection boxes will be in strategic locations from Basalt to Rifle. Donations of key food items is encouraged including boxed macaroni and cheese, ramen, beans, rice, pasta, hamburger and/or tuna helper, flour, Bisquick, sugar, cereal and oatmeal. Key canned items are tuna and chicken, fruit and veggies, soup, chili, stews, pasta sauce and boxed juice. Peanut butter, an excellent source of protein, is always appreciated. Food Drive hosts are as follows:

• Carbondale: Sopris Liquors, Third Street Center, The Pour House, River Valley Ranch
• Glenwood Springs: Cooper Wine & Spirits, Trailhead Chiropractic
• Rifle: Rifle Fairgrounds (10 a.m. to 4 p.m.)

Financial donations are encouraged and appreciated as every donation makes a difference to those in need. For more information including additional food drive locations, please visit the link below.

JESSE BECKIUS/CASEY OWENS VETERANS RESOURCE CENTER IS EXPANDING

Due to continued growth, the Jesse Beckius/Casey Owens Veterans Resource Center is expanding its office at 803 Colorado Ave. in Glenwood Springs. The organization has been given the Brown Law office suite as well as the basement below. CASA and The Veterans Service Officer will join the center in this exciting expansion. The Western Slope Veterans Coalition (501c3) are reaching out to residents and/or businesses in the Roaring Fork and Eagle Valley’s that may be remodeling and are able to donate computers, newer televisions, recliners, and lounge chairs. If you have any of these items available for donation please contact us at wsveteranscoalition@gmail.com. Monetary donations are appreciated and can be made by visiting the link below.

BLOOD DRIVE IN CARBONDALE JUNE 17

One donation can help as many as four people, and the St. Mary’s Regional Blood Center supplies all hospitals on the Western Slope. The Garfield County Libraries are hosting a St. Mary's Blood Drive on Wednesday, June 17 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Carbondale Branch Library. St. Mary's Bloodmobile staff will be enforcing social distancing during the event, with check-in and registration taking place outside. Masks must be worn at all times. Participants must make an appointment in advance online by visiting the link below and clicking on the event listing.

COMMUNITY CONCERT HALL/ALPINE BANK VIRTUAL CONCERTS @ THE PARK

Alpine Bank of Durango and the Community Concert Hall at Fort Lewis College have teamed up once again to present the free summer “Concerts @ The Park” series “virtually” this year and not in Durango’s Buckley Park, to adhere to health department orders. Concerts from artists’ various virtual stages will be streamed live Thursdays, June 18 and 25, and July 2, 9, 16, 23 and 30. All shows are scheduled to begin at 5:30 p.m. To enjoy the shows, log on to the Community Concert Hall website, www.durangoconcerts.com for a live link. For a complete schedule, visit the link below.

ROCKY MOUNTAIN PBS COLORADO CLASSROOM

Rocky Mountain PBS is partnering with the Colorado Governor’s office, the Colorado Dept. of Education and the Colorado Education Initiative to offer K-3 Read With Me at Home. There is remote learning programming each weekday along with work packets and lesson plans that can be accessed online or can even be printed and mailed to families. The wonderful part of this plan is that the programs are on-air with no internet connection required thereby reaching families without computers or access to high-speed internet. The Colorado Education Association has provided access and a stipend for master teachers who have created the videos and tools for this project. Click on the link below for more information about the project.

YOUTHENTITY PIG ROAST FUNDRAISER

Youthentity empowers young people through financial literacy and career preparedness programs. The organization's financial literacy programs teach kids the basics of finance - such as credit, debt, investment and saving - so that they can understand the concepts that will help shape their futures. Career development programs show kids the job and career possibilities available to them. Youthentity's annual Pig Roast fundraiser is critical to the facilitation of these programs, and this year, it will be held online via Youthentity.org June 24-26. The online fundraiser offers great products such as local art, gift baskets and amazing getaways - all of which help support Youthentity youth programs! To learn more, visit the link below or call 970-376-7574.

SNOWMASS TOWN CLEAN UP GOES VIRTUAL

The Snowmass Town Clean Up is going on now through June 15. Pick your favorite spot in Snowmass Village to pick up litter. Snap a photo of the area, yourself, and any treasures. Upload it to www.TOSV.com/Cleanup to be entered into a virtual prize drawing with prizes from Snowmass Village businesses. Please practice social distancing and limit group sizes to 10 people or less. More rules and information can be found at www.TOSV.com/Cleanup. Please feel free to clean all over Snowmass Village, including your favorite haunts and trails. If you are looking for suggestions, the following areas need a little TLC:

• Cathy Robinson Park and Parking Lot
• Nature Trail
• South Rim Parking Lot and South Rim Connector
• Rodeo Lot
• Melton Trail (Snowmass Center)
• Fanny Hill
• Owl Creek Trail

Winners will be contacted on June 16 and listed on the Town of Snowmass Village website. To learn more, please visit the link below.

WESTERN SLOPE ELECTRIC VEHICLE SALES EVENT

Area auto dealerships are open again, and our Western Slope Electric Vehicle Sales EVent is in full swing through June 15, and maybe longer. Grand Junction and Glenwood Springs dealerships are offering incredible deals on select models. Mountain Chevrolet, Audi Glenwood Springs and Phil Long Honda in Glenwood Springs, and Ed Bozarth Chevrolet-Buick, Red Rock Nissan and Grand West Kia in Grand Junction are offering discounts of up to $11,000 on their most popular EVs. In addition, SunRabbit Clean Transport in Grand Junction is offering deals on pre-owned EVs. To learn more, visit the link below.