Top 5 most-read stories last week
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Stories in this list received the most page views on aspentimes.com from July 27-August 3:
1. Colorado readies for Aug. 1 implementation of semiautomatic firearms law
Starting Aug. 1, Coloradans will face new requirements when purchasing certain semiautomatic firearms.
The new law was created by legislators last year and established new training and permit requirements for anyone purchasing certain semiautomatic firearms, including AK- and AR-style rifles.
Under the new law, individuals interested in buying a specified semiautomatic firearm must first complete an online application, which will be sent to their local county sheriff’s office. Colorado Parks and Wildlife — which was tasked with building some of the law’s administrative and training elements — opened up the application on July 27.
— Ali Longwell
2. Large-scale bat infestation reported in Aspen’s Hunter Creek Building 3
Hunter Creek Building 3 has experienced a large infestation of bats that has left a number of residents on a rabies exposure protocol.
On the night of Tuesday, July 22, Susan Capiel observed a bat in the living room of the apartment she and her husband live in. After waking her husband up to remove it, she witnessed another one fly into the second bedroom/office where she was still awake, around midnight. Upon entering the bedroom to wake her husband up a second time, she saw a third bat flying above him.
“It’s been a nightmare,” she said, “and we have to live with it the rest of the summer.”
— River Stingray
The Colorado Department of Transportation says it has finished moving mountains — literally — as part of a $900 million project to rebuild an 8-mile section of Interstate 70 to improve safety and travel times.
Over the past three years, crews working on the Floyd Hill project have removed more than 765,500 tons — equal to the weight of 30 Statues of Liberty — of rock from the mountainside, according to the transportation department.
At a news conference on Wednesday, July 29, state officials announced that the “substantial completion” of rock blasting operations marks the halfway point of the multiyear project — and the conclusion of one of the project’s most disruptive phases.
— Ryan Spencer
4. Community continues to clash with U.S. Forest Service over proposed development at Sweetwater Lake
A steady soundtrack of honking horns and cheers accompanied several dozen community members Thursday evening as they gathered along Lundgren Boulevard in Gypsum, waving neon yellow signs and protesting the U.S. Forest Service’s development proposals for Sweetwater Lake.
Less than 300 feet away, staff from the White River National Forest were hosting an open house at the Gypsum Town Hall to answer questions and share the development options for the buildings and recreation amenities proposed in its draft environmental impact statement. The Forest Service is accepting written public comments on the draft through Sept. 23.
Sweetwater Lake is a small, 846-acre site nestled into a remote corner of Garfield County — accessible via Eagle County 11.7 miles west of Colorado River Road — offering limited options for horseback riding, fishing, hiking and camping.
— Ali Longwell
5. Historic Lift 1A removal begins this week
Construction on Lift 1A is beginning this week, with removal of the chairs and haul rope scheduled first.
Skiers and snowboarders had the opportunity this past winter to ride the historic lift for the last time. The removal of Lift 1A is part of the larger Chalet Alpina project, which will transform the Shadow Mountain side of Aspen Mountain into a resort of timeshares, residences, restaurants, retail and additional amenities, with a separate Aman destination hotel by Miami’s OKO Group, a Lift 1A replacement and the rehabilitation of several historic buildings.
Aspen’s Community Development Director Ben Anderson previously told The Aspen Times that, “it is undeniable that this side of the face of Aspen Mountain will be fundamentally changed and the construction process will be very impactful.”
— River Stingray
Large-scale bat infestation reported in Aspen’s Hunter Creek Building 3
Hunter Creek Building 3 has experienced a large infestation of bats that has left a number of residents on a rabies exposure protocol.