Blue River Monthly News & Updates - Colorado.gov
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Blue River Monthly News & Updates
Greetings!
Below is the latest Blue River News. We hope you enjoy it.
Mission Statement
“The Town of Blue River endeavors to nurture our serene mountain community by conserving our
natural residential environment, promoting unity with our neighbors and surroundings, channeling
the voice of our residents, and enhancing the quality of life of all.”
Visit our website
Upcoming Meetings/Announcements
Planning & Zoning Commission
Tuesday April 10, 2018 6:00 p.m.
Town Board of Trustees
Tuesday, April 24, 2018, 6:00 p.m.
Blue River Citizen Advisory Committee
Wednesday, April 11, 2018, 6:00 p.m.
*All meeting agendas, minutes, packets and recordings are available our website a week prior to the
meeting.
A complete list of Town meetings, socials, events, news, financials and more are available on our website
at www.colorado.gov/townofblueriver. Also follow us on Facebook for the latest and greatest in Blue
River.
Mayor Notes
"Hello Neighbors,
2018 has not been a great snow year, and I am sure
we have all noticed it while on the mountain
(though secretly loving how easy shoveling has
been) and been disappointed in the lack of powder
days, and the increase in core shots to our gear. As
of my composition of this note, we stand just shy
of 200 inches, with just under 4 weeks left in the
ski season. The last sub 300 inch year I remember
was 2010, where we received 220 inches.
As disappointing as this is to us who enjoy mountain
activities, the real disappointment comes in the
spring and summer when the low snowpack leaves
us early, and wildfires become a much higher risk
in July and August. This year we are on track for a
dry summer, and the potential for fires could be
significant. I believe peak 2 got the attention of our
County recently, and we must all pitch in to
ensure that type of scenario is mitigated as much as
possible in Blue River.
We can all take steps to reduce the wildfire risk to
our Town, and to our homes, with very little
effort. In addition, below are some great resources
for assistance from the County and RWB that will
assist in fire mitigation efforts each of you can
carry out this spring at your homes. I strongly urge
each of you to take all precautions possible, and
ensure that a peak 2 fire never happen in Blue
River.
Red, White & Blue 970-453-2474
Summit County Wildfire Council
970-668-4140
Elections 2018
Toby Babich
Ballots have been mailed. All
ballots must be received by
7:00 p.m. Tuesday, April 3rd Mark Fossett
to be counted.
Please either drop off at Blue River
Town Hall or take your stamped
ballot to the counter at the Post
Office. Do Not place in the mail
after Tuesday, 3/27/18 as it may not Tom Schmidt
arrive in time.
For more information about the candidates, check
out our website at
www.colorado.gov/townofblueriver.
Mayor
Two-Year Term
(Vote for not more than ONE)
Ted Pilling
____ Toby Babich
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Three, Four- Year Terms; One, Two-Year Term
(Vote for not more than FOUR)
____ Mark Fossett
Ken Robertson
____ Thomas Schmidt
____ Ted Pilling
____ Ken Robertson
____ Ned Esber
____ Kelly Finley
Ned Esber
____ Barbara Schmidt
____ Dan Cleary
Kelly Finley
Barbara Schmidt
Dan Cleary
Wildfire Defensible Space
Living in the mountains and forest is the dream and
why many consider their homes here the perfect
retreat. While living in the mountains allows for
peace and tranquility, it does come with it's own set
of hazards.
With the lack of snow this winter season, it's time
to look and prepare for a possible dry season and
ensure that our mountain retreats are ready. The
best way to protect homes in the mountains is to
create a strong defensible space. While it may not
prevent a wildfire, it will help create a barrier for
your home.
A defensible space zone should extend at least 120
feet around your home. Remove as many trees and
shrubs as possible within 30 feet of the house. In
the rest of the zone, thin trees so that there is a 10
foot gap from tree branch to tree branch. On steep
slopes, increase the size of the defensible space
zone.-Courtesy of the Summit County Disaster
Preparedness Guide.
The Red, White and Blue Fire District will provide
a free assessment of your property with
recommendations for defensible space. Tree
removal permits are required by the Town of Blue
River but are FREE for the creation of defensible
space. The Town of Blue River also offers a grant
program with assistance in creating your defensible
space.
2018 Defensible
Space Grant
The Town of Blue River and Beetlekill Tree Guys
are once again partnering with the assistance of a
Summit County Wildfire Council grant to provide
residents with an opportunity to provide wildfire
mitigation services to residents of Blue River.
The Hazardous Fuels Reduction Grant through the
Summit County Wildfire Council will lower the
out-of-pocket expense to Blue River residents by
50%. A defensible space evaluation is conducted in
cooperation with the Red, White & Blue Fire
District. Beetlekill Tree Guys are involved from
start to finish to ensure a seamless process for the
homeowner.
Deadline for this year's grant participation is May
1st. To sign up, contact Christian Nelson at 970-
458-3632.
Prepare For Wildfire
Actions to Consider BEFORE a Wildfire
Protect your home:
Assemble a disaster supply kit and make a
family communication plan.
Replace attic and soffit vents with smaller
opening screens to keep burning embers
from entering the home. Consider
enclosing or screening areas below decks to
keep burning embers from these areas.
Keep household items on hand that can be
used as fire tools: rake, axe, hand or chain
saw, bucket and shovel.
Wooden roofing is the number one cause of
home loss during an ember shower from a
wildfire.
Annually mow grass within 30 feet of the
house and prune all dead branches from
trees in the defensible space zone.
Regularly clean your roof, gutters and
chimney.
Ask the power company to clear branches
from power lines.
Stack firewood at least 100 feet away and
uphill from your home.
Contact the fire district serving your area
and have them conduct a defensible space
survey of your property.
Wildlife in Blue River
Bears and other wildlife are part
of our mountain community.
Bears are awake and they are hungry. Never Feed Bears!
It’s illegal and you will be fined. You are responsible for doing
all you can to prevent conflicts with bears. If a bear gets food
from you, it’s like to behave more aggressively toward the Supervise Children!
next person it meets. DON’T Black bears are active both day and
night, and have a keen sense of
REWARD A BEAR FOR ASSOCIATING WITH
smell. Eating food outside and wearing
PEOPLE!
clothes soiled with food will attract
bears. Bears learn quickly that food is
Store Garbage Properly! often associated with human
Keep garbage in a clean, locked bear-proof container and activity. Instruct your children on what
building. DO NOT PUT TRASH OUTSIDE UNTIL to do if they encounter a bear!
DAY OF PICK UP! Please also do not overfill your
trash can. Even if set out the morning of, birds and Bears Can Only Be Moved Once!
A second capture means the bear must
other animals get into the trash prior to pick up. Don’t
be killed. Capturing and moving will
contribute to resident bears becoming “Garbage” Bears! A
not correct the bear’s behavior. In all
mama and two cubs were killed on Hwy 9 in 2015 while likelihood, another bear will move in
crossing the highway to get food from containers left outside. and develop the same problem behavior
Blue River Town Code 7-6-130 Residential refuse disposal: if the attractants are not
Residents unable to keep their refuse container inside the eliminated. Learn to live responsibly
home, garage, building or shed shall store their refuse in a with wildlife. Remember, a trash or
wildlife resistant refuse container enclosure approved by the handout bear is a dead bear!
Town Marshal. All containers that receive refuse edible by
The Division of Wildlife has a free
wildlife must be secured inside the home, garage, building or
brochure called “Living with
shed. Finally, any refuse container enclosure shall be attached
Wildlife...in Bear Country,” which
to an existing structure, which structure must first be
provides useful information about
reviewed and approved by the Board of Trustees. bears. Also the DOW has information
Residents, tenants, renters, lessors or occupiers of property on companies that manufacture bear-
within the Town with curbside pickup shall place their refuse proof trashcans. Call your Division of
containers at the curb only on the day of pickup. After pickup, Wildlife at 970-725-6200
the containers must be re-secured inside the home, garage, Please share this information will all
building or shed by your guests and visitors!
6:00 p.m. Please see fine schedule on page 8.
Remove attractions! Like pet food, seed and liquid bird
feeders, spilled birdseed, barbecue grills and compost
piles. Clean up areas where food has been spilled. Keep pets
inside your home or in an enclosed kennel at night. Bears will
continue to return to the area until attractants have been
cleaned up and/or removed.
Photo by: Phil Ca rlisle
Goose Pasture Tarn
Spring is in the air and the ice on the Tarn has
started to melt.
The Town of Breckenridge will be starting work
on a second water plant on the north-end of
Breckenridge this summer. The project is
scheduled to take approximately two years. In
order to relieve the pressure on the Tarn Dam,
water levels will continue to remain low in the
Tarn until the second plant is complete. At that
time, work to repair the Tarn Dam will begin and is
estimated to take two years and $30 million to fix.
As updates are received, we will continue to pass
information onto the residents.
Resident Permits/Stickers
In an effort to ensure those using the Tarn are
Blue River residents and better regulate the use,
the Blue River Trustees are implementing a
revised policy for the Tarn. Blue River residents
will be required to have resident stickers on their
vehicles parked at the Tarn. While stickers have
been available in the past, this will now be a
requirement. Two stickers per household will be
provided.
For those that do not drive down to the Tarn,
resident passes will be available. These are now
available at Blue River Town Hall during business
hours. A drivers license will be required.
Rules for full-time renters have not changed. If
you rent your home to renters 60 or more
consecutive days, you may fill out the Tarn
Resident Agreement and provide a copy of the
lease listing those renting the home to assign your
rights to your renters. Renter stickers are also
available at Town Hall. Use of the Tarn is not
available to short-term/vacation renters.
Boat permits are available once again for $20. Each
vessel (boat, kayak, paddle board) being used on the
Tarn is required to be registered. Permits expire on
12/31/2018.
Additional information and rules for the Tarn are
available on the Town website.
Blue River Lodging Rules/Regulations
& Information
Blue River has regulations pertaining to the short-
term rental of homes in the Town of Blue River.
Homeowners must register their homes and in
addition to sales tax (8.875%), homeowners must
remit a 3.4% Lodging Tax to the Town of Blue
River. Since 2013, over 110 homes have been
registered with the Town of Blue River.
Lodging Licensing is $200 for the first year and $75 Once you are registered, you may pay your taxes
monthly or quarterly. Tax forms may be remitted
annually after that. You may download a
on the Town website. Please include your
registration form from our website, or you may
registration number when submitting.
simply fill out and submit your form directly from
the website. Payonline
You may now register your short term rental and
Below is the breakdown of required taxes to be pay your lodging taxes on the Blue River Website
paid: for a convenience fee. Simply go to
12.275% www.colorado.gov/townofblueriver and click
2.9% State Sales on the Lodging Taxes/Registration tab. You will be
2.0% Summit County Sales required to fill out an online form and then click on
.75% Transit Tax the PAY ONLINE button to pay.
.725% Special District
3.4% Blue River lodging tax;
If paying Lodging Taxes, you will be required to
2.50% Town of Blue River tax.
provide your License number. If you do not know
your number, please contact Town Hall at 970-
8.75% is remitted to the Colorado Department of 547-0545 or email meddy.blueriver@gmail.com.
Revenue. The remaining 3.4% is remitted directly The sales taxes to the State of Colorado (8.75%)
to the Town of Blue River. must still be remitted directly to the State. All
Lodging information is available at
**Please note that if you rent through Airbnb, www.colorado.gov/townofblueriver under Lodging
they will only pay the 8.875% to the State of Taxes/Registration.
Colorado. Homeowners are responsible for
remitting the additional 3.4% to the Town.** Keep Your Guest Informed
Below are some
friendly reminders for you while visiting our mountain
community. You can find more
information on our website at
www.colorado.gov/townofblueriver.
Speed limits on all Blue River residential
roads is 15 mph.
Please do not place trash outside prior to pick
up day.
There is no parking on Town roads.
Fishing at the Goose Pasture Tarn is
restricted to residents of Blue River.
Quiet hours are 10 p.m.-7 a.m.
Important Phone Numbers
Town Hall-(970) 547-0545, Open Tuesday-
Friday, 7:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m.
Emergency-911
Non-emergency or after hours assistance- (970)
668-8600
Dogs are to remain on leash.
Join Summit County Alert for latest alerts for
roads and the area:
http://www.co.summit.co.us/1149/Summit-
County-Alert;
also check out www.cotrip.org.
Submitting Code Complaints
Often times, issues arise outside Town Hall
business hours. The Town of Blue River staff are
here to ensure a good quality of life for all and to
ensure the Town Codes are enforced.
If you notice a potential violation and would like to
submit a complaint, please go to the Town website
at www.colorado.gov/townofblueriver. On the
Home page there is a links section. Click on Citizen
Services. Follow the instructions to file a
Ahmet Susic, Blue River Marshal complaint. This will be directed to the staff and
bluerivermarshal@gmail.com handled in a timely manner. Also new on the
970-485-0105
website is the Marshal's Office tab. Take time to
review the information to work to keep our
Trash & Parking community safe.
As spring approaches and the snow continues to If you notice something suspicious or are in need of
fall, a reminder that trash cans may not be placed police assistance, dial 911 and an officer will be
curbside prior to pickup day. This includes the dispatched to you. The Town Marshal is here to
night before. Please ensure your renters, and protect and serve the community. Please feel free
guests are informed of these regulations. to reach out if there is a non-emergency issue. The
Marshals may be reached at
There is NO parking on any Town roads. This will
bluerivermarshal@gmail.com or
be strictly enforced during the winter months due bluerivercode@gmail.com
to snow removal. Due to the increase in resident
complaints, additional patrols will be conducted at
the trail heads. Vehicles parked on the road will be
ticketed.
FREE Home Address Signs! The Red, White and Blue Fire District received a grant to assist in making sure all homes have 911 addresses. The house numbers are vital to assisting fire and emergency personnel in locating your home in an emergency. Per the Blue River Municipal Code, 911 addresses are REQUIRED on all homes in Blue River. Red, White and Blue Fire District provides FREE reflective address signs to residents of Blue River. To have a firefighter come install numbers at your home, please email: mitigation@rwbfire.org. Spring Cleaning Spring is here and so is the melt and spring clean up. Please take time to clean up your properties including trash and dog "treats." Blue River is partnering with all the towns and county this year in a spring clean up. Date for the clean up is Saturday, May
19th. There will be a dumpster at Town Hall. Volunteers are needed to assist with highway and town clean up. Trash bags, donuts and coffee will be provided. Look for more information to come. Broadband Opt-Out Background: Senate Bill 05-152 (SB 152) passed the Colorado Legislature in 2005, prohibiting local governments from involvement in any partnership, funding, provision, or other activities related to local broadband, telecom service, or infrastructure without a successful “opt out” vote from citizens. Local governments have no franchise or regulatory powers over broadband (internet) service. A number of the most rural and isolated communities in the state have played an active role in broadband solutions for their communities since “opting out” of SB 152. This memo provides brief case studies of some of those efforts. Without a successful “opt out” vote, it could be argued that local jurisdictions are in violation of the law by such innocent acts as providing free public WiFi, or offering an incentive to a carrier/provider to provide expanded broadband service to a business district. Summit County, Breckenridge, Silverthorne and Dillon have all successful passed the opt-out vote. Frisco will be voting on the
opt-out in April. As a group, the towns and the county are working together on options.
Northwest Colorado Council of Governments (NWCCOG) Position
While private Internet Service Providers (ISPs or “providers”) own extensive infrastructure across
Colorado, throughout much of the NWCCOG region many rural communities have no service at all
while in other cases, providers have failed to provide ubiquitous, high-quality broadband service
even in the most densely populated mountain communities. In fact, in more than a few cases, a
national service provider’s own fiber passes by a municipality without serving that community!
Across NWCCOG region, we have observed that the “missing link” to broadband service is far from an insurmountable
challenge.
Improving Broadband is a vital Economic Development activity: Business and residential service must deliver the reliability,
speed, and costs that communities need for communication, education and economic diversity. It is difficult to make money
downtown when the credit card machine is off line. The State of Colorado Demographer, Elizabeth Garner, has seen a correlation
between broadband service availability and economic development. Most local governments recognize that in today’s world, a lack
of reliable, robust broadband has a limiting effect on economic development, tourism and creates a significant competitiveness
disadvantage to rural and mountain communities. More and more business activities and services – like parking stations
connected to remote pay apps in Breckenridge—depend on a robust broadband network.
Without Uniform Opt-Out, Regional Efforts are Impaired: Today, nearly every county and
numerous municipal governments in the NWCCOG region and most across Western Colorado are
actively involved at one level or another in enhancing broadband services and infrastructure. One
challenge has been that in many counties, not all towns have opted out, or the county has not opted
out while a number of municipalities have. Even if a County already has opted out, all municipalities
that want to control their broadband destiny must also opt out of SB 152. NWCCOG has supported
efforts by the state legislature to repeal Senate Bill 152, which have not succeeded. It does not appear that any such effort will
likely be passed into law any time soon. Therefore if jurisdictions want the option to be active in controlling their broadband
destiny, the only foreseeable option is to put this question to voters.
The NWCCOG Regional Steering Committee has also tasked the RBC with developing a regional
transport network for redundancy. The eventual network provider for the regional transport
network will offer very competitively priced bandwidth if a network user so desires. In order to
participate in the project, jurisdictions will be required to have opted out.
Opportunities
By putting this to a vote of Blue River voters, if passed, the Town of Blue River will have the opportunity to participate with
the rest of the County and Towns. Without it, Blue River will not be able to be included in any plans moving forward.
November ballot question
A. WITHOUT INCREASING TAXES, SHALL THE TOWN OF FRISCO HAVE THE LEGAL RIGHT TO
PROVIDE HIGH-SPEED INTERNET SERVICES (ADVANCED SERVICES), TELECOMMUNICATIONS
SERVICES AND CABLE TELEVISION SERVICES TO RESIDENTS, BUSINESSES, SCHOOLS, LIBRARIES,
NONPROFIT ENTITIES AND OTHER USERS OF SUCH SERVICES, EITHER DIRECTLY OR
INDIRECTLY WITH PUBLIC OR PRIVATE SECTOR PARTNERS, AS EXPRESSLY PERMITTED BY
COLORADO REVISED STATUTES SECTIONS 29-27-101 THROUGH 29-27-304, ENTITLED
"COMPETITION IN UTILITY AND ENTERTAINMENT SERVICES"?
YES: _________
NO: ________
Submittal Requirements
For Planning & Zoning Review
A $50.00 Application Fee is required for allprojects requiring Planning & Zoning
Commission approval.
Current property survey or I.L.C showing
the footprint of the structure.
Topographic survey and/or soils report
MAY be required. **Ask Public Works
Official prior to submittal.
Plot plan (may be included on survey or
I.L.C.)
Two (2) Sets Architectural Drawings
Drawings must show setbacks &
easements with distances from
eave drip line to
setbacks/easements shown (25’
front & rear; 15’ sides); snow
storage, driveways, landscaping,
any trees to be removed, wetland
delineation (if applicable), well,
septic, future garage (if applicable),
and placement of structure.
Drawings shall include
construction plans with elevations
and exterior finishes.
Indicate drainage for project,
driveway and junction of driveway
with Town road. Culverts and
surface water must be
addressed. Ditch(s) and culvert(s)
must be defined and a minimum of
one (1) load (10-12 tons) of road
base, adjacent to the property may
be required.
Materials Board or Sheet displaying
materials to be used. In cases of additions, if
matching existing, photos of current home.
Where applicable, letter with Subdivision
HOA (Homeowner Association) approval.
John McCormick, Public Works Official
blueriverpublicworks@gmail.com Final Submittal for Permitting
970-485-5193 Current property survey or I.L.C.
Topographic survey and/or soils report
Building In Blue River MAY be required. **Ask Public Works
Official prior to submittal.
Plot plan (may be included on survey or
In the Town of Blue River, permits are needed for
I.L.C.)
a variety of items. These include: building
Materials Board or Sheet displaying
permits; staining and re-staining; sheds; materials to be used. In cases of additions, if
landscaping; roofs; interior construction; electrical; matching existing, photos of current home.
and tree removal to name a few. Current Summit County Septic System
Permit (including system plot plan), or
Information on the Building Department is evidence of full payment of tap fees to
available on the Town website. Upper Blue Sanitary District.
Current Colorado Well Permit or evidence
of full payment of tap fees to Timber
How to apply for a Building Permit?
Creek Water District.
Permit and building packet information is available
Current Colorado Department of
on the Town website. It is important to note what is Transportation Highway Access Permit, if
required to obtain a construction permit and what to access to Highway 9 is required.
expect. Below is a list of what is required at each Two (2) Sets STAMPED structural
stage of the building process. drawings bearing Colorado Engineer’s orArchitect’s stamp.
All Planning & Zoning submittals are required two Designation of General Contractor, except
(2) weeks prior to the Planning & Zoning for bona fide homeowner contractor.
Commission Meeting. Planning & Zoning meets For Manufactured Homes the following
additional information is required:
the first Tuesday of each month. For questions,
State of Colorado Division of
contact John McCormick, Public Works Official at
Housing Approved Plans.
970-485-5193 or via email at State of Colorado Division of
blueriverpublicworks@gmail.com. Housing Registered Installer
Certificate.
When applying for a new construction project, take
time to refer to the Architectural Guidelines on the
website. These Guidelines must be followed
whether you are doing a stick build, kit home or
modular.
Website Updates
Upgrades have recently been made to the
Town website.
You may now submit and pay for
your Blue River Business License,
Lodging License/Taxes and Court
Fines online.
Get to know the candidates running
for election under the Elections tab.
Learn all about the Capital
Improvement Plan.
Visit www.colorado.gov/townofblueriver
for all the latest information.
Save on gas and avoid the parking lot fees and shuffle.
Ride the Stage!
Check out the new Winter Schedule with new Blue River Bus
Times!Business License
Any person who engages in or carries on a business or service within the Town limits
of the Town of Blue River must first obtain a business license. The annual fee for a
business license is $50.00. Applications are available on the website at
www.colorado.gov/townofblueriver.
All businesses that sell retail merchandise or provide taxable services are required to
obtain a State of Colorado sales tax license and a Town of Blue River business
license. Sales of tangible personal property for delivery to a destination within the
Town limits by the vendor or an agent for the vendor are also taxable irrespective of
the physical location of the vendor’s place of business.
The Colorado Department of Revenue collects the sales tax on behalf of the Town of
Blue River. Information on registering with the State of Colorado can be found
at www.colorado.gov/cbe/. Use the Colorado Business Registration Form CR100 at
the Colorado Business Express website.
Sales Tax8.875%
As of January 2018, you may now register or renew your business license
online and pay online. Visit www.colorado.gov/townofblueriver and click on
the Business License tab.
High Country Conservation
The High Country Conservation Center’s (HC3)
Energy Smart Colorado program provides Summit
County homeowners with affordable energy audits
that identify places in your home where a little
extra air sealing or insulation could save you a lot of
money on your utility bills. The price for an audit
starts at $99 and increases incrementally depending
on the size of your home – for a limited time, the
Town of Blue River is offering BONUS
GRANTS to residents that receive energy
audits! If you decide to pursue an upgrade after
your audit, HC3 also offers rebates of up to $400 to
help cover the cost. Households at 80% AMI and
under may be eligible for free audits and retrofit
work. For more information, call Cody or Jess
at (970) 668 – 5703, or visit the Energy Smart
Colorado webpage to sign up. Let us help you make
living in your home more comfortable, moreefficient, and more affordable!
WEBSITE | MEETINGS | GOVERNMENT | COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT | CONTACT US
Contact Us
Town Hall Hours
Tuesday-Friday 7:30 a.m.- 5:00 p.m.
Phone: 970-547-0545
Email Us: meddy.blueriver@gmail.com
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