Noticias

• Airport Expansion Draws Eyes of Deep Creek Homeowners
• G is for Government Previews Telluride Town Council
• Capitol Conversation Talks Gun Regulation

---

Airport Expansion Draws Eyes of Deep Creek Homeowners

The Telluride Regional Airport is set to expand with new hangars, parking, and taxiways. As approved in the 2016 and 2024 Airport Master plans, these expansions will accommodate increased air traffic for private and commercial jets, as well as provide additional short- and long-term parking.

Although the plans for expansion were included in the master plans, the San Miguel County Planning Commission heard an application regarding a wetlands permit during its regular meeting on March 13.

Telluride Regional Airport, which has been in service since the mid-1980s, underwent a significant runway expansion in 2009. This first expansion required nine compensatory wetlands mitigation ponds on the south side of the airport. The $50 million project drew criticism from local community members, including a coalition named Citizens for a Safe, Small, Quiet Telluride Airport.

Wetland engineers identified 1.5 acres of wetlands on the new 35-acre parcel slated for development. Planning department staff presented wetlands plans for the new development. Planning Commissioner Hallie Simpson commented:

“From my perspective, especially with wetland number two, the way the road is going to be used by aircraft, and we know there’s jet fuel involved and everything with a mere 21-foot buffer around that wetland, that doesn’t seem to align really at all with the intent of our land-use code surrounding wetlands,” Simpson said. “And so, from my perspective, I would not want to approve as is without additional wetland mitigations.”

As per the land-use code, a 100-foot buffer between development and wetlands is required. Commissioners passed a motion to continue the discussion at their May meeting, with direction to better identify the buffer zone boundaries and potential improvements, and to determine whether additional wetlands mitigation is warranted.

While outside the purview of the wetlands permitting process, commissioners heard comments from residents of Deep Creek Mesa, many of whom shared concerns about the use of the airport’s south-side dirt road, which they say has always been a temporary road.

Dirk DePagter, a resident, said: “You know I’m sympathetic to trying to get this temporary use to expire, however, any future uses, including the storing of car wrecks—which nobody can tell me is beneficial to airport safety operations—should cease. Any uses south of the runway, other than access via that road for temporary emergency uses and temporary airport uses, should stop taking place very shortly. This has been going on too long.”

Nick Farkouh, president of the Meadows and Deep Creek Mesa Homeowners Association, shared similar concerns about the dirt road, which is currently used by the Town of Mountain Village for equipment and extra parking.

“Beyond just talking about the leases, which are a big deal, and limiting those leases, I think we all look at, well, TOMV is leasing this, and are their uses truly a benefit to the community? Are they truly in harmony with the local community as the master plan calls for? And I would argue pretty solidly no. Are we going to allow use for the Four Seasons Hotel as something that benefits a community when it impacts the existing community?” Farkouh said.

Farkouh also provided comments on behalf of the homeowners association, saying the expansion “is perplexing at the need for growth in our regional airport that benefits only a select few.”

Commissioners noted that many decisions regarding the airport expansion, including the temporary road use, are not subject to public comment. Commissioner Josselin Lifton expressed interest in including a more public process for the planned expansion.

“Given that it’s not appropriate for us to make much of what the neighbors have expressed concern about part of this wetlands review permit, as far as I can tell, I would at least speak up for the possibility of a public process prior to the review,” Lifton said.

The Telluride Regional Airport is known as the highest airport in North America, serving private and commercial flights daily with an average of 26 flights per day.

---

G is for Government Previews Telluride Town Council

The Telluride Town Council will meet Tuesday to discuss facility planning and the youth hangout. This week on G is for Government, Councilmember Geneva Shaunette shares what to expect.

Story begins at 5:13.

---

Capitol Conversation Talks Gun Regulation

Strict gun regulation and changes to Colorado labor laws are working their way through the state’s General Assembly. In this installment of Capitol Conversation, statehouse reporter Lucas Brady Woods shares the latest.

Story begins at 9:52.

---

Telski Celebrates Closing Weekend

Believe it or not, Closing Weekend is nearly upon us, and there are several on-mountain festivities scheduled for the final weeks of the ski season.

On Saturday, March 22, the One-to-One Mentoring Program will host the Cardboard Sled Derby. Dozens of young people will race down the slopes in hand-made cardboard sleds, competing for glory in speed or creativity. The derby begins at 10:30 a.m. on the Comp Slope near the base of Chair 4.

The second annual Bank Robbery Banked Slalom race will take place on Sunday, March 30, followed by the Telluride World Synchro Championships on Friday, April 4, and Saturday, April 5.

Closing Weekend kicks off Saturday, April 5, with Joint Point performing at the base of Chair 4 from 2 to 6 p.m., alongside the popular Hanorama Jamma rail jam, which begins at 3:30 p.m.

On Closing Day, Sunday, April 7, Gorrono Ranch will host the Bikini Slalom competition, featuring prizes for Best Individual Costume, Best Group Costume, the Community Team Slalom, and the Kid’s Slalom. Registration begins at 10 a.m., with the competition starting at 1 p.m.

Additional activities include beach volleyball, cornhole, and music, starting at noon.

The Telluride Mountain Village Owners Association will also present a Purple Party: A Tribute to the Music of Prince, featuring members of The Motet and Magic Beans. The family-friendly, purple-themed party will begin at 3 p.m. in Heritage Plaza.

---

Backcountry Chat to Highlight First Descents and Ski Legends of the San Juan Mountains

For thousands of years, people have explored the tallest peaks and lowest valleys of the San Juan Mountains. This week, Telluride’s Backcountry Chat will focus on some of the first descents and grand adventures in the region, featuring visionary ski legends from the 1980s.

Backcountry Chats are a collaboration between the Peter Inglis Avalanche Education Fund, the Telluride Mountain Club, Mountain Trip, Telluride Mountain Guides, San Juan Outdoor Adventures, and Telluride Helitrax.

The March Backcountry Chat will take place at the Wilkinson Public Library on Thursday, March 20, at 6 p.m.

---

St. Patrick’s Day Celebrations and Parades Held Across the Region

Monday is St. Patrick’s Day, and celebrations and parades took place over the weekend across the region.

In Boulder, one of the shortest parades stretched along the length of a single city block.

For Rocky Mountain Community Radio, Maeve Conran reports.

Story begins at 16:20.