The Aspen Times

Penry dropping out of Colorado governor's race Steven K. Paulson The Associated Press Aspen, CO Colorado DENVER - Republican state Sen. Josh Penry said Tuesday he is dropping out of Colorado's gubernatorial race in a decision that he believes will give the GOP a better chance of unseating Democratic Gov. Bill Ritter next year. In an interview with The Associated Press, Penry said Tuesday he was ... Full Story »

Denver judge overturns medical pot ruling The Associated Press Aspen, CO Colorado DENVER - A Denver judge has overturned a state health board ruling that narrowed the definition of who can supply medical marijuana. Denver District Court Judge Larry Naves said Tuesday that the order adopted by the health board on Nov. 3 is "invalid and void." A state health department official said she doesn't ... Full Story »

Medical pot ruling makes its way to Denver court The Associated Press Aspen, CO Colorado DENVER - A Denver judge will hear arguments on whether to block a state health board ruling that narrowed the definition of who can supply medical marijuana. The hearing was called for by medical marijuana advocates who say the state health board's decision last week was made with little notice of the vote ... Full Story »

CMC wants to offer bachelor's degrees John Stroud Glenwood Springs correspondent Aspen, CO Colorado GLENWOOD SPRINGS - Colorado Mountain College's board of trustees voted unanimously Monday to seek state legislative approval to offer a limited number of four-year, baccalaureate degrees. "This would allow the residents living in our 12,000-square-mile service area to have access to an affordable ... Full Story »

Highway 82 wildlife work nears completion John Stroud Glenwood Springs correspondent Aspen, CO Colorado CARBONDALE - Just as work on a series of wildlife safety improvements along Highway 82 between Glenwood Springs and Carbondale are nearing completion, a local advocate for further protections will have the ear of Rep. Kathleen Curry later this week. "We will be meeting with Rep. Curry in ... Full Story »

Vail murder suspect held without bail Edward Stoner Vail correspondent Aspen, CO Colorado VAIL, Colo. - The Vail resident who police say shot and killed a Carbondale man at the Sandbar on Saturday night will be held without bond, a judge ruled Monday. Richard "Rossi" Moreau, 63, did not speak during the five minutes he appeared before Judge Katharine T. Sullivan in a hearing at the Eagle ... Full Story »

Should Vail Valley 'focus on tourism'? Scott N. Miller Vail correspondent Aspen, CO Colorado VAIL, Colo. - With the Vail-area real estate and construction slumping, some valley residents say a renewed focus on tourism will give the valley's economy a spark. But what would that focus look like? Rich tenBraak doesn't believe in silver bullets. But tenBraak, the director of the Vail Chamber ... Full Story »

Aron Ralston's insight helping form Boyle's '127 Hours' Stewart Oksenhorn The Aspen Times Aspen, CO Colorado ASPEN - When Aron Ralston first met Danny Boyle, in Utrecht, the Netherlands, in 2006, Boyle was not yet the Academy Award-winning director of "Slumdog Millionaire." Still, Ralston came away from the meeting impressed with the British filmmaker. What struck Ralston was the work Boyle was ... Full Story »

Harmony missing at Aspen Music Festival Stewart Oksenhorn The Aspen Times Aspen, CO Colorado ASPEN - The Aspen Music Festival and School appears to be on the verge of reinstating Alan Fletcher as the organization's president and CEO, after he was abruptly ousted in mid-October. But the reunion, which had not been finalized as of Monday evening, is not a completely happy one. Those supporting ... Full Story »

Discounts needed to spur Aspen home sales Scott Condon The Aspen Times Aspen, CO Colorado ASPEN - The recession has brought "unprecedented" discounts on real estate prices in Aspen, according to veteran brokers. Single-family home sales prices are about 30 percent off their peak asking price from earlier this decade, while condominium prices are down about 20 percent, according to Brent Waldron ... Full Story »

First-degree murder charge likely in Vail shooting case Edward Stoner Vail correspondent Aspen, CO Colorado EAGLE - The man who allegedly shot and killed a Carbondale resident at a Vail bar on Saturday night will be held without bond, a judge ruled Monday. Richard "Rossi" Moreau, 63, of Vail did not speak during the five minutes he appeared before Judge Katharine T. Sullivan in a hearing at the ... Full Story »

Garfield County withholds FRAC Act support John Colson Glenwood Springs correspondent Aspen, CO Colorado GLENWOOD SPRINGS - Despite evidence of significant sentiment to the contrary among the electorate, two Garfield County commissioners voted this week to oppose federal legislation which would put the oil and gas industry partly under the control of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency ... Full Story »

Veterans Day observance Wednesday in Aspen Aspen Times staff report Aspen, CO Colorado ASPEN - A Veterans Day observance will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday at the Roaring Fork Valley Veterans Memorial, on the east side of the Pitkin County courthouse at 506 E. Main St., Aspen. Veterans of all wars are encouraged to wear uniforms and/or military memorabilia. State Rep. John Salazar, veteran of the ... Full Story »

Calling all Marines in Aspen Aspen Times staff report Aspen, CO Colorado ASPEN - To celebrate the 234th anniversary of the U.S. Marine Corps, Aspen resident Jim Markalunas invites all Marines and friends to the Aspen Grove Cemetery Tuesday for an 11 a.m. hoisting of the flag. And at noon, participants will gather at the Hickory House for a birthday cake and tankard of ale, according to Markalunas. Full Story »

KSPN helps feed the poor Aspen Times staff report Aspen, CO Colorado KSPN - Radio station KSPN is teaming with the nonprofit Food for the Poor to raise money to feed hungry families and starving children in Haiti. Today, KSPN morning host Sam Scholl will host a representative from Food for the Poor for their fundraising efforts. Sydney Henry of Food for the Poor will be in the studio describing ... Full Story »

Turkey Bingo in Basalt benefits children of South Africa Aspen Times staff report Aspen, CO Colorado BASALT - The Kids to Kids International Club at Basalt High School will host its annual Turkey Bingo night from 6 to 9 Friday at Basalt High School. Adult tickets are $12, kids are $8, families of four are $30, and a family of five is $35. Dinner and dessert are included. All profits will go ... Full Story »

In the saddle: A sweet treat Scott Condon The Aspen Times Aspen, CO Colorado EL JEBEL - If you're thinking of getting out on a skinny-tired bicycle on the Rio Grande Trail in the midvalley during these fleeting days of fall, proceed with caution. It could be hazardous to your health. A friend and I hopped on the Rio Grande at Hooks Lane near Basalt to travel downvalley Saturday for a ride into ... Full Story »

Feature photo Staff Writer Full Story »

Questions surface over Aspen Valley Horse Rescue operation Scott Condon The Aspen Times Aspen, CO Colorado GLENWOOD SPRINGS - A rescue operation that has captured the hearts of horse lovers in the Roaring Fork Valley since late September is now capturing scrutiny from observers who fear the effort is well-intentioned but misguided. Aspen Valley Horse Rescue has purchased and is relocating 127 ... Full Story »

Aspen City Market to be gutted and remodeled Carolyn Sackariason The Aspen Times Aspen, CO Colorado ASPEN - City Market is planning a major remodel in its Aspen grocery store, and when it's completed next year, expect it to be a bit more upscale. Picture gold and brown hues in its interior, as well as a gourmet cheese section, specialty meat and seafood, a deli and fresh sushi made in house. The ... Full Story »

Basalt police chief says he'll resign within a year Scott Condon The Aspen Times Aspen, CO Colorado BASALT - Basalt Police Chief Keith Ikeda has informed the town government he plans to move on. He's just not sure when. "I haven't reached a firm date," Ikeda said. "That's in discussion." He said he could remain on the job for as long as one year. Ikeda has been Basalt's top cop since June 2001 ... Full Story »

Glenwood council approves $81 million budget for 2010 John Gardner Glenwood Springs correspondent Aspen, CO Colorado GLENWOOD SPRINGS - The Glenwood Springs City Council voted unanimously last week to approve an $81 million budget for 2010. According to Glenwood Finance Director Mike Harman, adoption of the budget by law has to take place after the public hearing and before Dec. 15. The council ... Full Story »

'Tough summer' for Glenwood mountaineering shop John Colson Glenwood Springs correspondent Aspen, CO Colorado GLENWOOD SPRINGS - Some business owners around town say the summer of 2009 wasn't all that bad, and a few even say it was good in spite of the recession. But for Carl Moak, co-owner of Summit Canyon Mountaineering, "it was difficult. It was a tough summer." He said business was "down in ... Full Story »

Vail man faces murder charge in death of Carbondale man Edward Stoner Vail correspondent Aspen, CO Colorado VAIL, Colo. - A longtime Vail resident who has been accused of murder in Saturday night's shooting in West Vail will appear in court Monday. Richard "Rossi" Moreau, 63, is scheduled to appear in the Eagle Combined Courts at 11:30 a.m. Police are recommending a charge of first-degree ... Full Story »

Carbondale victim identified in West Vail shooting Edward Stoner Vail correspondent Aspen, CO Colorado VAIL, Colo. - The man who died in a shooting at the Sandbar in West Vail on Saturday night has been identified as Gary Bruce Kitching, 70, of Carbondale. One person was killed and three were injured when gunfire broke out at the bar/restaurant at around 7:30 p.m. The suspect, Richard "Rossi ... Full Story »