2015 Year in Review
Staff Photo |
January
The Grand County Board of Commissioners approves six marijuana licenses for a new facility in Tabernash. The commissioners grant IgadI Ltd. licenses for cultivation and sales for both retail and medical marijuana, as well as licenses for manufacturing both retail and medical marijuana-infused products.
Brigid Irish makes her first District Court appearance for stealing money from the county.
Brett Schroetlin is sworn in as County Sheriff.
Kris Manguso is sworn in a County Commissioner
Winter Park Resort celebrates its 75th Birthday
The Summit County DA’s office investigates Grand County Commissioner James Newberry on mileage charges and the investigation into his actions begins.
The Grand County Board of Commissioners votes unanimously to grant a retail marijuana infused products manufacturer license to a marijuana products to RM Concepts in Tabernash.
February
Grand County Attorney Anthony “Jack” DiCola resigns. His last day will be July 1.
March
The National Park Service announces that mountain biking will have no significant effect on a 2-mile stretch of the East Shore Trail near Grand Lake and allows mountain biking on that section of the trail. This is the first and only trail that allows mountain biking within Rocky Mountain National Park, though cycling is permitted on roads within the park.
Grand County begins live audio streaming of board of county commissioners meetings on March 24. The meetings are available via Grand County’s website, co.grand.co.us.
MPHS Athletic Director and head football coach Adam Bright announces that the school has signed a three-year contract with Adidas making the sports clothing manufacturer the official team sponsor of Middle Park High School.
Nik Seemann , a 17-year-old skier from Winter Park takes first place at the 2015 Freestyle Junior National Aerial Championships on Wednesday, March 18 in Park City, Utah. He completes a quadruple twisting triple back flip, a trick he’s never done in a competition and only done once in practice. He is the youngest skier to ever land the trick on snow.
Students in an eighth-grade English class at East Grand Middle School receive new school-issued Chromebook laptop computers. They are now able to electronically submit assignments to their teacher, Lynn Bellatty, who reads, grades, and provides feedback — all without printing one piece of paper.
APRIL
Birk Irving, 15 of Winter Park places third in half pipe at FIS Junior World ski championship in Italy.
Winter Park Resort’s Trestle Bike Park is voted top bike park in the Rocky Mountains.
Bob Singley is inducted into the Colorado Ski and Snowboard Hall of Fame.
MAY
The body of missing hunter Richard Kothanek is found on Strawberry Creek. Kothanek went missing while hunting in the Meadow Creek Reservoir area in mid-November 2014.
Murdoch’s signs a lease for the former ALCO retail space.
The town of Winter Park approves development for two Sitzmark properties paving the way for a major development in downtown Winter Park.
Newberry faces additional mileage allegations and issues a public apology after it is discovered he double-charges Grand County over a four-year period.
Town of Grand Lake buys former elementary school building.
Grand County Search and Rescue evacuate a 46-year-old male injured in an avalanche near Current Creek on Berthoud Pass.
Grand County Search and Rescue help Brad Bylund of Littleton off Mount Flora above Berthoud Pass in whiteout conditions.
Grand County Board of Commissioners Chairman Merrit Linke rejects call by a local citizens group to terminate County Manager Lurline Underbrink Curran.
JUNE
DNA confirms a wolf was killed near Kremmling.
Blues from the Top takes over Winter Park with music and entertainment.
Alan Hassler starts work as the new Grand County Attorney
July
The Grand County Sheriff’s Office announces new boat patrol training in response to the tragic drowning of Chris Mullinex of Grand Lake.
A lost hiker is found near Monarch Lake by Grand County Search and Rescue.
August
County Manager Lurline Underbrink Curran resigns
Byers Canyon fire burns approximately 640 acres.
September
Entrance fees into RMNP increase to $30
Sheriff Brett Schroetlin shoots a suspect in a liquor store burglary. Schroetlin is later cleared by a Grand Jury.
A camper kills a bear near Vasquez Creek in Winter Park
Henderson Mine & Mill announces about 70 jobs to be cuts.
October
Grand County’s affordable housing shortage is a problem with deep roots, a long history and an uncertain future. The crisis hit home this year as winter workers flooded the county, especially the Fraser Valley. With no quick fixes, this issue will continue to make headlines through 2016.
November
Former Winter Park Resort President Jerry Groswold passes away after complications from pneumonia at the age of 84.He is remembered as a titan in the ski industry and one of the most important figures in the sport’s history in Colorado.
Long-time Grand County resident John Work is named Pioneer of the Year at the Winter Park-Fraser Chamber of Commerce’s annual banquet.
Henderson Mill and Mine Complexes announces an additional round of layoffs at their facilities in Grand and Clear Creek counties. A total of approximately 130 jobs are expected to be cut from the two facilities.
Jane Tollett replaces James Newberry as the Grand County Commissioner for District 1.
Former Grand County Commissioner James Newberry pleads no contest to one count of embezzlement of public property, a class five felony.
Officials from Rocky Mountain National Park announce a record breaking year in attendance to the park; approximately half a million more visitor than 2014.
December
One of Grand County’s most high profile legal sagas began drawing to a close with Brigid Irish pleading guilty to multiple felony charges and one misdemeanor charge. Sentencing begins in 2016.
Dashing Thru the Snow loses two horses from their company when they are hit by a train in Fraser.
Hidden cameras were found in a rental home near the Red Dirt Hill area of Grand County. The investigation is on-going.
A company registered to entrepreneur Bob Fanch purchases the Beaver Village Lodge and its adjoining property in Winter Park for around $10,000,000. Fanch co-owns Devil’s Thumb Ranch Resort & Spa and is involved in the development of the two Sitzmark properties in downtown Winter Park.
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