1 year ago: Ski train will have cheaper tickets, expanded service for 2024-25 season

Tickets for the train between Denver and Winter Park will now cost as little as $38, down from the previous cheapest-possible ticket, which cost $58, after a Nov. 4, 2024, announcement from Gov. Jared Polis. The train will also run five days a week, from Thursdays through Mondays, beginning Jan. 9 and ending March 31. The service was also expanded to include a stop in Fraser. The ticket prices will be subsidized by revenue from a new $3 per-day fee on rental cars, imposed by the Colorado legislature earlier this year. 

— From the Nov. 6, 2024, edition of Sky-Hi News

5 years ago: Hundreds of Grand County homes destroyed in East Troublesome Fire

After breaking out on Oct. 14, 2020, and racing across Grand County’s landscape, officials estimate that the East Troublesome Fire has destroyed around 500 structures as of Nov. 2, though the damage assessment was ongoing. No buildings were lost or damaged within the town of Grand Lake proper, but the areas west and north of town were hard hit. Officials estimated about 4,000 people were evacuated from the U.S. Highway 34 and Colorado Highway 125 corridors. A couple from Grand Lake, Lyle and Marilyn Hileman, died in the fire. (Ultimately 555 structures, including 366 homes, were destroyed by the fire.)

— From the Nov. 4, 2020, edition of Sky-Hi News

30 years ago: Winter Park Resort breaks tradition, opens early for 1995-96 season

Winter Park Resort stunned the experts, shunned its conservative image and puts its stake on a new year by deciding to open five days early, at 8:30 am on Nov. 11, 1995, instead of the 15th as originally scheduled. With storms expected and a natural snow base already on the ground, a snowboard-ready Winter Park Resort discarded its scheduled opening day for the first time in the resort’s 55-year history. This marked the earliest opening ever for Winter Park at the time. Lift ticket prices are $25 for adults, $17 for children and seniors, and $18 for Powder Express Pass members.

— From the Nov. 9, 1995, edition of Sky-Hi News

50 years ago: Colorado Public Utilities Commission OKs rate hikes for phone customers

In late October 1975, Mountain Bell was granted permission by the Colorado Public Utilities Commission to increase monthly telephone rates, charge for directory assistance and raise local payphone rates to 20 cents, according to the company’s local manager. There are the major portions of an $11.4 million revenue hike, the manager said. Under the directory assistance charging plan, customers will be allowed five free calls to the service each month, with two numbers available per call. After the allowance, each additional call will cost 20 cents. Payphone rates will increase to 20 cents as conversions are made to provide “dial tone first.” This service allows customers to make calls to the operator and 911 where available, without depositing any coins.

— From the Nov. 6, 1975, edition of Middle Park Times

90 years ago: Crew escapes unscathed after east-bound freight train crashes at Rollinsville

No one was injured after a heavily loaded freight train got out of control and crashed on Nov. 5, 1935. Engineer Clarence Ohrns was at the controls and set the brakes shortly after the train pulled out of the east portal of the Moffat Tunnel. He quickly realized the brakes were not going to hold the heavy train and gave the whistle for the crew to jump, which all were able to do before the train gathered too much speed. The train raced nearly 7 miles, gaining speed before it jumped the track at Rollinsville, wrecking two coal bins and dumping 30 car loads of coal — it’s estimated that the train attained a speed of 65 mph before it crashed. Work trains quickly rushed to the scene and the track was cleared, allowing the west-bound passenger train typically due at Hot Sulphur Springs by 7 p.m. to arrive around 11 p.m.

— From the Nov. 7, 1935, edition of Middle Park Times

Sky-Hi News is working to digitize Grand County newspaper archives and make them available to the public for free. Support the project at SkyHiNews.com/donate.