Duplex deal leaves Romero conflicted

by Curtis Wackerle, Aspen Daily News Staff Writer
Aspen City Councilman Dwayne Romero must recuse himself from deliberations on the Aspen Walk residential project tonight because he is under contract to purchase property in the neighborhood.

Over the course of the last month or so, Romero has been in negotiations to purchase as an investment a Park Avenue duplex, but only entered into a “hard contract” to purchase the property two weeks ago, he said.

Another Black Sunday?

by David Frey, Aspen Daily News Correspondent
Building throughout the valley is slowing. Projects have stalled. Home sales are staggering. Prices are dropping. Foreclosures are rising.

The country’s economic woes are playing out in the Roaring Fork Valley. Although the region seems to be doing better than many places in the country, it is not immune from the financial meltdown. In some ways, the impacts here could be heightened.

Two-hour shuffle enters final months

by Curtis Wackerle, Aspen Daily News Staff Writer
Enjoy the two-hour shuffle while you still can, because times are changing in the world of Aspen parking.

It’s not quite time for the wake yet, but the city’s move to squash the practice of moving local workers’ cars around the residential zones just off the downtown core every two hours to avoid parking fees goes into effect Feb. 2.

High school students descend on college fair

by Catherine Lutz, Aspen Daily News Staff Writer
Colorado Gov. Bill Ritter told a gymnasium full of high school students yesterday that “investing in education is the most important decision you can make.”

But most of the juniors and seniors attending the fourth annual Western Slope College Fair at Aspen High School on Sunday seemed to know that already. Rarely were the booths of the 180 participating colleges and universities not swarmed with students asking questions, picking up literature and trying to learn more to make a better informed decision that would affect the rest of their lives.

Local hockey players defeat NHL alumni

by Kai Beech, Aspen Daily News Staff Writer
The best hockey players in the Aspen area teamed up and faced off against former NHL greats on Saturday night in the Lewis Ice Arena. In front of an excited crowd and hockey Hall-of-Famer Bobby Hull, the local boys did their hometown proud, defeating the Detroit Red Wings Alumni team 7-3.

Aspen hockey players Matt Merritt and Yale Lewis recorded two goals apiece as the Leafs defeated a Detroit team whose players have combined for 11 Stanley Cup titles.

Inside the ring

by Kai Beech, Roaring Sports Staff Writer
The popularity of organizations like Ultimate FIghting Championship, World Extreme Cage FIghting and Elite XC have caused a resurgence of interest in the world of mixed martial arts.  So this week Roaring Sports decided to investigate some of the valley's most intriguing fighters. And the athletes might just surprise you.

WHO WOULD'VE KNOWN?

The Race to Open First

by Jakob Moe, Roaring Sports Guest Writer
The first snows have dusted Independence Pass and the Maroon Bells, sure indicators that summer - and fall - is fading. For many October is a month to lament; the height of autumn off-season when it's too cold to indulge in typical summertime recreation and still more than a month away from the lifts opening at Ajax or Snowmass. Yet for the skiing and snowboarding communities just a few passes away, October marks the official beginning of the ski season in Colorado - a time to rejoice in the return of those activities for which most vacation (and live) in the mountain communities in Colorado. For two ski areas, the rush is not a pre-Thanksgiving day push, but a pre-Halloween dash to claim bragging rights to be the first Colorado ski area to open. Such is the case for two Colorado ski areas, Arapahoe Basin and Loveland, situated on either side of the Continental Divide just minutes outside Silverthorne.

Lofty snowmaking makes for October skiing

The Daring Dozen

by Kai Beech, Roaring Sports Staff Writer
Sparkling like a human disco ball 2,000 feet above the city of Rifle, local pro skier Ted Davenport gave his friends high fives and fist pounds as he prepared for the group's first B.A.S.E. jump of the day off a remote section of the Roan Cliffs they dubbed the "W Hotel."   

"Ted, you look like a European rock star," teased fellow jumper Jesse Hall.

Hang time: Bailout Fever: Catch it at a Nationalized Football League Stadium Near You

by Corby Anderson, Roaring Sports Columnist
"Oh, look what you've done
You've made a fool of everyone