Vail's I-70 rush hour traffic, both east and west bound, has become a common problem in the summer and winter seasons, with major shut-downs in the winter and huge weekend delays throughout the year.  CDOT has tried slowing and metering traffic through the Eisenhower Tunnel to no avail.  Currently, CDOT is widening the Twin Tunnels at Idaho Springs but that will not bring any relief to areas west of the Eisenhower Tunnel.  Widening I-70 to Vail is presently cost prohibitive and, in the view of many, the wrong solution.  Creating even more traffic by an expanded roadway will only increase environmental pressure and noise pollution in Vail where Interstate noise levels already exceed national standards. 

For years, proponents of high-speed rail have touted that as the solution but, even if feasible, there is no funding for it.  At the present, it is not possible to predict the amount of time it will take to make the drive between Vail and Denver on Interstate 70.  According to traffic projections, delays on I-70 will likely become worse.  Town leaders have taken steps to address the problem but much more is needed.  The Town draft plan recommends mitigation strategies to reduce the impact of I-70, but traffic congestion is not one of the issues to be addressed.  While Vail cannot compel CDOT to take any specific action, I-70 congestion should be a major focus of Vail's action plan and the Town should pursue every avenue of redress, including pushing the issue to the national level. 

Anecdotally, it seems that collisions, near misses, out-of-control skiers and boarders, and concerns about safety on the mountain are on the rise.  The same is true about mountain congestion in general.  While there are inherent risks in skiing, one of those risks should not be getting knocked down by inattentive or out-of-control skiers or boarders.  The increase in danger may be a result of ever increasing pass sales which lure people to Vail Mountain, and, the lack of any effective limit on the number of patrons on any given day.  While VRI on-mountain enforcement and punitive measures are up, VRI does not release details on how much is due to guest safety issues versus other infractions, such as skiing out of bounds.  In response to an inquiry by the Association, VRI did, however, state that the "vast majority" was due to "speeding/recklessness."  

The legal battle over the redevelopment of the Vail Golf Course Clubhouse may be nearing an end. The District Court just ruled in favor of the Town on all issues.  Barring an appeal or petition drive to hold an initiative election, the way is now clear for the Town to proceed with a redevelopment plan that includes commercial event space, something that is anticipated in the draft Council focus report.  While the legal battle may be winding down, controversy over the use of the Clubhouse still rages.  The Vail Homeowners Association suggests that now might be the time to come to a sensible, workable solution that respects the principle of "good neighborliness" and it urges all parties to try to do so.

Truck Deliveries and Trash Removal should be removed from the streets and conducted in existing underground landing and delivery terminals. Photographer - anonymous

The draft focus plan calls for "review" of the Town's loading and delivery strategy.  This is an issue that has been studied to death.  The Homeowners Association believes it is past time for the Town to reduce on-street truck deliveries and trash removal service in Vail Village by coupling these services together in a symbiotic relationship.  Vail Resorts has offered to Village businesses and the Town, use of its high-capacity recycling facilities in the large Mountain Plaza loading and delivery terminal.  While the Town has said it does not want to be involved in the trash hauling business, one of the investments it could make, is to provide, on a lease basis, a fleet of electric delivery carts, to be staged from the VRI Mountain Plaza terminal.  The carts could be used by trash and delivery companies to both transfer supplies in, as well as take out recyclables, from the Vail Village businesses they service.

This could present an even more favorable and lasting environmental stewardship image to the community's global visitors during the World Championship by taking the long delayed step to remove the visual blight, congestion and engine exhaust air pollution resulting from on-street truck traffic in the pedestrian areas of Vail Village.  The Town of Vail has already caused private developers to expend millions of dollars in building enclosed trucking terminals; it needs to do its part to see that these terminals are used for their intended quality-of-life and environmental sustainability purposes.

Typical of well-intentioned recycling in Vail. Should it be criminalized?

Increasing recycling volumes in Vail is a worthy and important goal. VHA has urged caution and more time for consideration of the issues raised by the proposed ordinance because, while the Town has been working on the ordinance for over a year, many questions have yet to be resolved. Businesses are concerned about the impact of having to acquire and provide space for additional containers. Residents are also concerned about the costs, for both the containers and additional service, and the possible "criminalization" of conduct through fines that could be up to $999 and/or incarceration not to exceed 180 days. Also of concern is whether these requirements will result in more in-town trips, thereby compounding congestion in commercial areas during permitted delivery hours.  

Still to be worked out are: the specifics of a "hardship" exception for businesses which are unable to comply with the new regulations, the enforcement in hotels and condo complexes where property managers and owners could be held responsible for the non-compliant actions of renters and guests, the wildlife-proofing of containers, and, the long-term availability of central collection locations.  

The Homeowners Association has urged the Town Council that, before adopting any ordinance, it makes clear how the ordinance will work, at what cost and how it will be enforced. In that connection, VHA has suggested that the Town should prepare a "Frequently Asked Questions and Answers" handout. An ordinance that is not understood, punitive, expensive or unenforceable is not appropriate and could undermine the intent, especially if it contains unfunded mandates, like the cost of the containers or increases in service rates. Such an ordinance could cause a backlash which may set back the effort to make environmental improvements. 

Organizers report that their plans are falling into place for the upcoming World Alpine Championship to be held in Vail and Beaver Creek in February of 2015.  International television exposure is one of the key factors counted on for an after-event boost in international tourism.  In preparation for the event, the Town of Vail is creating incentives by waving building permit fees for businesses to freshen up the appearance of their storefronts and interiors.