While US communities lose local news coverage, we continue to have a local news source because of your fine paper. Understanding the news is income challenged, we know holding onto experienced reporters and covering all local governments is tough.

I do hope you might restart coverage of Fraser Town government. In the Aug. 23 issue cover story on the Mill Ave. Apartments the story stated these units are in Fraser. In fact, the complex is in unincorporated Grand County. As a former trustee, current chair of the planning commission and as a 50-year county resident, I have always supported inclusion of high density neighborhoods in incorporated communities. 

I did help organize a special election where voters agreed the annexation agreement for this property was too heavily weighted in the developer’s favor, rejecting the town board decision. I do believe this project, along with proposed surrounding development with a possible 1200 units, should be in Fraser.

Another inaccuracy was found in an Aspen Journalism story in the Aug. 18 issue. This was a sad anti-beaver sentiment from the Colorado State Engineer, who mistakenly believe beaver ponds constitute a consumptive use of water – supposedly due to evaporative loss. In fact, beaver ponds and the wetlands they support offer increase groundwater recharge, which has the beneficial effect of stabilizing base flows to streams. Wetlands act as “sponges”, helping absorb floods and releasing water during droughts.

I am President of the Upper Colorado Watershed Environment Team. UCWET believes in improving Grand County’s water resource, including through the restoration of beaver dams and riparian areas.

Andy Miller
Fraser