CHERRY CREEK SHOPPING CENTER HAS A NEW OWNER

Simon Property Group, the largest mall operator in the U.S. and the owner of Colorado Mills in Lakewood and Denver Premium Outlets in Thornton, announced Monday it had made a $3.6 billion deal to take an 80 percent interest in Taubman Centers Inc., the developer, owner and operator of the Cherry Creek Shopping Center. Cherry Creek is the only Taubman property in Colorado and the Taubman family will retain a 20 percent ownership stake in the Cherry Creek Shopping Center.

DENVER CITY COUNCIL REPEALS BAN ON PIT BULLS

The Denver City Council Monday repealed the city's 30-year old ban on pit bulls by a vote of 7-4. The ban was imposed in 1989 after several attacks by pit bulls. The council replaced the ban with a system of "probation" for licensing pit bulls. After initial licensing, the animal will have a three year period of "probation." If there are no attacks, fighting or other issues with the dog, the restrictions on the license will be removed and the dog will be licensed like any other breed.

PRESIDENT TRUMP PROPOSES $4.8 TRILLION BUDGET

President Donald Trump Monday released his proposed $4.8 trillion budget for fiscal year 2021, which will begin October 1. The plan would increase defense spending 0.3 percent to $740.5 billion and lower non-defense spending by 5 percent to $590 billion. NASA would increase 12 percent next year. The budget of the Dept. of Veterans Affairs would rise 13 percent next year, and the Department of Homeland Security’s 3 percent. The National Nuclear Security Administration’s budget would get a 19 percent boost. The Environmental Protection Agency budget would be slashed by 26 percent.

MAKE YOUR HANGING LAKE RESERVATIONS NOW FOR PEAK SEASON

Last year, H20 Ventures, a joint venture between Glenwood Adventure Co., Adventure Office and Peak 1 Express, initiated the shuttle service to Hanging Lake on May 1. Visitors also had to purchase a $12 permit in order to hike to Hanging Lake during the peak season May 1 to Oct. 31. The $12 fee included the shuttle service to Hanging Lake. This year, the reservation service for the peak season went into effect on Feb. 1. In 2019, June and July averaged over 500 hikers a day, just short of the 615-person-a-day limit.

CPW TO HOLD MEETINGS ON MOUNTAIN LION MANAGEMENT PLAN

Colorado Parks and Wildlife is updating its mountain lion management plan for western Colorado. The CPW plan envisions increasing the number of mountain lion hunting licenses to reduce the number of the big cats in the game management units surrounding Basalt, Carbondale, Glenwood Springs, the Fryingpan Valley to the Maroon Bells, Gypsum and Eagle, Edwards and Avon. CPW will hold a series of public meetings to provide information and receive questions on the plan. There will be a meeting Wednesday, Feb. 12, on the plan at the Glenwood Recreation Center.

MESA COUNTY: STEADY GROWTH, BUT STILL HAS CONCERNS

Officials of Mesa County are pleased with the continued growth factors in the county, including sales tax revenues, building permits and the fall in the number of foreclosures. However, there still remain concerns over the ongoing slowdown in gas and oil development. Mesa County Administrator Pete Baier said the county remains "cautiously optimistic" but "watching out." The unemployment rate in the county is down to 3.1 percent from 4.9 percent a year earlier, which is close to full employment.

BAYFIELD STUDENTS GET PRACTICAL AND PROFITABLE WITH TINY HOME PROJECT

For the past two years, students at Bayfield High School have been building a tiny home and now the home, which was entirely designed and built by the students, is going up for sale. The 200-square-foot tiny home matched the curriculum of Career and Technical Education, but also offered students the opportunity to participate in the national Home Builders Institute Pre-Apprenticeship Certificate Training. Students designed it in the architectural design class, and they built it in the construction processes class. Students learned about framing concepts, permit and code requirements, job safety, electrical and plumbing systems, and some eco-friendly materials.

PLANNING TO GET MARRIED? THESE PLACES ARE WEDDING-FRIENDLY

The wedding industry is big business, a $78 billion business. The average couple will spend $38,000 on their wedding. WalletHub looked at 180 U.S. cities to compare how "wedding friendly" they were across 27 key indicators of wedding-friendliness, ranging from average wedding cost to venues and event spaces per capita to hotel availability:

1. Orlando, Fla.
2. Las Vegas, Nev.
3. El Paso, Texas
4. Atlanta. Ga.
5. Miami, Fla.
6. Tampa, Fla.
7. Tulsa, Okla.
8. Boise, Idaho
9. Las Cruces, N.M.
10. Austin, Texas

STEAMBOAT UNPLUGGED FEB 13

Join Partners on Thursday, Feb. 13, 5 to 9 p.m., for a private acoustic performance by four amazing musical artists playing at the 2020 Steamboat Winter WonderGrass festival. The night will feature a musical journey weaving the history of bluegrass through old-time music, bluegrass, country, newgrass, jam grass and beyond. Performed by some of the nation's best pickers; Tyler Grant (U.S. Flatpicking Champion), Andy Thorn (Leftover Salmon), guitar virtuoso Jon Stickley, and Scotty Stoughton (Bonfire Dub and WWG founder). Guests and musicians will enjoy tasty creations from one of Steamboat’s own culinary geniuses, made right in the kitchen during the early evening. Wine will be flowing as will the good vibes as the musicians perform their favorite sets for a small audience of music fans. For more information, call 970-879-6141 or visit the link below.

MST3K LIVE IN DURANGO FEB. 13

Mystery Science Theater 3000 Live – the “live” version of the popular comedy television series – comes to the Community Concert Hall at Fort Lewis College, Thursday, Feb. 13, at 7:30 p.m. The Great Cheesy Movie Circus Tour will be the final tour for the show’s creator Joel Hodgson (better known as the red jumpsuit-clad Joel Robinson in the series). The Great Cheesy Movie Circus Tour features never-before-screened films including, No Retreat, No Surrender and Circus of Horrors, with host Hodgson accompanied by his movie riffing robots, Tom Servo, Crow and Gypsy. Together they tackle these two films with their irreverent, rapid-fire comedy and sarcasm. Tickets are available online at www.durangoconcerts.com, by phone at 970-247-7657, or in person at the Ticket Office inside the Durango Welcome Center at 8th St. and Main Ave.

ROCKY MOUNTAIN OYSTER FRY 4-H BENEFIT

The Eagle County 4-H Program and a committee of amazing volunteers are teaming up to produce the annual Rocky Mountain Oyster Fry 4-H benefit. This event, on Saturday, March 21, at the Eagle River Center in Eagle, will feature a delicious dinner, open bar, silent and live auctions, family entertainment (petting zoo, mechanical bull, bouncy castle, STEM Energy Trailer), and the Back Road Roots Band. Proceeds from the event will go to fund local 4-H Scholarships, awards at County Fair and local 4-H Club support. Doors open at 5 p.m. Admission is $20 for adults, $10 for youth and seniors, kids under 5 are free. To learn more, visit the link below.

LUNCH AND LEARN IN DURANGO AT THE SUSTAINABLE BUSINESS HUB

The Sustainable Business Hub in Durango is offering a Lunch & Learn series on marketing and sustainability. The first installment takes place Thursday, Feb. 27, from noon to 12:50 p.m., and is entitled "Brand on Purpose." The event takes place at the Durango Smiley Building Studio 12. Bring your spork, glass jar, and bento box full of your favorite lunch and get ready to network and learn helpful DIY tools to grow your social audience, customer base, market share, and your triple bottom line! Change your business for good. For tickets, visit the link below. For more information, call 970-903-3241.

WESTERN COLORADO CELEBRATES NATIONAL 2-1-1 DAY

Today, Western Colorado’s Information & Referral Service, 2-1-1 observes “National 2-1-1 Day” in Mesa County. 2-1-1 is a confidential, easy-to-remember, multi-lingual phone number that connects Colorado residents to essential, non-emergency community information and services. These services include: healthcare, rent and utility assistance, food and shelter, job training, transportation, childcare, senior care, veteran services and more. Callers are answered by live, highly-trained Resource Navigators who will match them to the best and closest resource in their community. Western Colorado 2-1-1 covers the counties of Archuleta, Delta, Dolores, Eagle, Garfield, Gunnison, La Plata, Lake, Hinsdale, Ouray, Mesa, Montezuma, Montrose, Pitkin, San Miguel, and San Juan. Community members seeking assistance can also access information at wc211.org. For more information, visit the link below.

DNS AND SJMA HAVE MERGED

The San Juan Mountains Association and Durango Nature Studies are uniting to create a model outdoor education program that inspires and empowers the next generation of conservationists in Southwest Colorado. The combined education program will serve youth from preschool through university as well as adults of all ages. DNS’s education programs, including camps and school programs will remain in place but will operate under the SJMA banner. New youth programs, family programs and community programs will be enhanced to provide participants with a broader array of opportunities. To learn more, visit the link below.

SANDY TREAT ROTARY BOWL-A-THON ON FEB. 25 IN EAGLE

The fifth annual Edwards Rotary Club Bowl-a-Thon takes place Tuesday, Feb. 25, 5:30 to 8 p.m., at Back Bowl in Eagle. To start a team or sponsor, please contact Jeff Koch at jkoch@vail.net or 970-376-6845. All donated funds go to the Rotary High School Scholarship account. For more information, visit the link below.

10TH MOUNTAIN VAIL LEGACY WEEKEND

Vail Legacy Days will be celebrated Feb. 14-17. There will be a 10th Mountain Legacy Parade as well as historic ski tours of the mountain and a celebration for the 75th anniversary of Riva Ridge. For more information and a complete schedule, click on the link below.

VISIT DURANGO BOARD SEEKS NEW MEMBER TO REPRESENT RETAIL SECTOR

The Visit Durango Board of Directors is currently accepting applications to fill one vacant seat representing the tourism retail sector. The board is seeking a qualified, passionate individual to help fulfill its mission and contribute to the continued success of destination marketing for the region. Applications are available online and in person at the Durango Welcome Center on Main Avenue. Interested parties should submit a completed application and resume to Rachel Brown at director@durango.org no later than Feb. 29, 2020. Visit Durango’s mission is to promote visitation to Durango and La Plata County, drive economic impact and support a positive visitor experience. Please visit the link below to learn more.

BASALT AREA FREE LEGAL CLINIC FEB. 13

A free Legal Clinic is hosted by the Basalt Regional Library for Eagle County, and nearby areas of Garfield and Pitkin County. Upcoming dates include Thursday, Feb. 13, 4 to 5 p.m. Walk-ins are welcome and everyone will be helped on a first-come, first-served basis. To learn more, contact Veterans Service Officer Pat Hammon at 970-328-9674.