Colorado sets record with 12.6 million ski visits
DENVER – Colorado ski resorts set a visitation record last season. The state’s 25 ski areas logged 12.6 million visits, a 10 percent jump over last year.
The record was attributed to strong snowfall in the Rockies, along with a California drought that steered skiers to Colorado.
Colorado Ski County USA said the visitation record came despite “sensationalized media hype” about marijuana. While the drug is now legal for recreational use in Colorado, it’s off-limits on the slopes, most of which are on federal land.
Visitation was up across all categories, with the number of out-of-state skiers growing alongside international visitors and pass-wielding locals. While California skiers have long ranked as a top market for Colorado resorts, the drought there fueled a double-digit percentage increase in Californians on Colorado ski slopes this season.
The resort towns of Vail, Aspen, Breckenridge and Telluride posted record sales-tax revenue for the ski season.
School taxpayers getting a $335,927 refund
GRAND JUNCTION – Property owners in one western Colorado school district will see tax reductions because of a state error. That’s because the Mesa County district had been miscalculating mill levy rates for three years.
The (Grand Junction) Daily Sentinel reports that taxpayers in School District 51 are getting refunds totaling $335,927.
The newspaper says that the refund won’t amount to much per household, just $1.56 per $100,000 of value.
The district’s plan is to make the refund in one lump sum by lowering their mill levy rate this December. That means district taxpayers will get their money back by getting charged less on taxes to be paid in 2015.
FireWise offers rebate on wood chippers
FireWise of Southwest Colorado is offering a Chipper Rental Rebate Program for residents needing to reduce slash from wildfire fuels mitigation on private land. The program, which began May 1, 2104, is open to all residents in La Plata, Montezuma, Archuleta, Dolores, and San Juan Counties.
It will reimburse residents the lesser of $100/day or 50% of the chipper rental cost or a mitigation company providing the chipping services. Homeowners associations that sponsor a neighborhood chipping day can receive the lesser of $250/day or 50% of the chipper rental cost.
The program is offered on a first come, first serve basis and will run until Oct. 31, 2014 unless funds are expended sooner. Rebate forms are available in local equipment rental shops and on-line at www.southwestcoloradofires.org. For more information call Pam at 970-385-8909 or e-mail southwestcoloradofirewise@gmail.com.
Padilla Law relocating Durango office
Padilla Law, P.C. is relocating to 150 E. Ninth St., Suite 100, Durango in the Colorado Heritage Plaza.
The phone number for Padilla Law, P.C. will remain 970-764-4547.
Padilla Law, P.C. is a family-owned law firm consisting of partners Beth and Paul Padilla. Both attorneys are licensed in Colorado and New Mexico. Beth and Paul Padilla are residents of Montezuma County and often represent clients in Montezuma County courts.
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