VAIL: SCHOOL CLOSURES THREATENED
Two schools with dwindling attendance rates may have to shut their
doors, the Vail Daily reported. The schools, Meadow Mountain Elementary
School and Minturn Middle School, both have less than 200 students as
more families move downvalley to the Eagle and Gypsum areas. While
fewer students means less cost upfront, programs such as physical
education and band suffer, ultimately creating an inefficient and
costly system.
TELLURIDE: SETS SKIER RECORDS
Telluride Ski Resort saw 450,739 skier days during its 2007-08 season,
an increase of 5.5 percent, or 24,000 more riders, from the prior
season. The new record is partially attributed to a 12 percent increase
in season pass use, and only a slight increase in destination visitors,
the Telluride Daily Planet reported.
STEAMBOAT SPRINGS: DIGGING DOWN FOR OIL
Interests in rights to mineral exploration are increasing in Routt
County, officials said, as gas prices continue to climb and companies
are looking more diligently for oil sources, the Steamboat Springs
Pilot & Today reported. There could be 200 million barrels of oil —
enough to meet U.S. demands for 10 days — underground between Steamboat
and Hayden. One well in the North Routt area consistently produces
between 5,000 and 7,000 barrels of oil each month.
