A Granby woman was arrested after she allegedly pointed a loaded handgun at two men in the parking lot of a Winter Park motel.

Around 6 p.m. June 25, Fraser Winter Park Police responded to a call about a woman pointing a firearm at two men in the motel’s parking lot. According to the arrest affidavit, the motel owners told police which room the woman was in and officers found Shirley Siebenthal, 47, in the room. 

When police her asked what happened, Siebenthal reportedly told officers that two men were parked in a van outside the motel playing loud music and being disorderly, so she confronted them.

According to the affidavit, Siebenthal admitted she pointed her Ruger SP101 at the two men during the argument. She also allegedly admitted to knocking off the hood ornament on their van.

The affidavit says the handgun was loaded, but remained in its holster when Siebenthal brandished the firearm. The report estimates damage to the van at $100.

When police entered Siebenthal’s room to take her handgun, the affidavit says, the officer found marijuana paraphernalia and open bottles of alcohol. Siebenthal allegedly told police she smoked marijuana and drank wine about 20 minutes before to the incident.

According to the affidavit, Siebenthal’s breathalyzer test showed a blood-alcohol content of .026.

Siebenthal was charged with felony menacing, prohibited use of weapons and criminal mischief. She is scheduled to appear in court at 9 a.m. July 13.

The Fourth of July weekend ended on a mostly mellow note in the Fraser Valley.

After a busy Saturday responding to calls about hurt recreators, fireworks complaints and intoxicated drivers, Fraser Winter Park Police Department had few calls during the day Sunday.

In an effort to encourage people to celebrate the holiday weekend safely, public health officials were reminding people to wear masks, socially distance and spend time outside under the state’s Safer at Home guidelines.

Compared to last year, FWPPD officers responded to almost exactly the same number of calls over the Fourth of July weekend, though Chief Glen Trainor said the night shift saw a significant spike in the number of illegal fireworks complaints.

“It seemed to me, just anecdotally, that there were a lot more people in the county,” Trainor said. “The thing I noticed this year, as opposed to last, is just the amount of illegal fireworks that were being shot off was way more than what we’re used to seeing.”

Calls about illegal fireworks weren’t exclusive to the Fraser Valley, as Grand County dispatchers fielded one report after another across Kremmling, Granby and Grand Lake.

On Sunday, the Sky-Hi News rode along with FWPPD Officer Malchow as he closed out the holiday weekend.

Despite heavy traffic on the roads, there were few calls in the area, so Malchow decided to patrol popular spots in Winter Park and Fraser, as well as local neighborhoods.

“(The patrol route) is based on what traffic looks like, what calls we get, if there have been recent complaints and staffing,” explained Malchow, who’s been an officer for 11 years. “On weekends, I do more neighborhood patrols because people are out so we can interact and they can bring up issues.”

On Saturday, Malchow responded along with Grand County Search and Rescue and Grand County EMS to two injured bikers in separate incidents. 

The first happened around 9:45 a.m., when a 55-year-old man crashed on Leland Creek trail. Around 1 p.m., a 62-year-old woman hurt her leg and arm while biking Yankee Doodle Trail. 

Other than those calls, Malchow helped handle a few medical calls while traffic concerns filled out the early half of his weekend.

With a calmer day on Sunday, Malchow followed up on some recent complaints, including reports of people ignoring the Water Board Road closure in the Lakota neighborhood and the Vasquez Road closure, but he didn’t find any issues.

Though he didn’t find any illegal activity, Malchow helped to direct some unaware recreators who were turning around from the Water Board Road closure to trailheads via County Road 80.

Later, Malchow parked at Winter Park Resort and walked around the base area, chatting with staff and the clinic about the weekend.

He also patrolled neighborhoods in Winter Park and Fraser, keeping an eye out for speeding and waving to passing joggers, families and dog walkers.

“I look for reckless activity or anything that could become a problem so that I can try to deter issues,” Malchow said. “It’s like having your head on a swivel constantly.”

Around 2:30 p.m., a man called dispatch asking to file a report about an alleged assault Friday night in Fraser. Malchow met the man at the police department in Winter Park and took a statement from him.

Speaking with the man, Malchow learned the other person involved in the incident reported it Friday evening to one of his colleagues, and the man had been arrested then. 

Malchow explained that with an officer already investigating the incident, he would add a supplemental report with the man’s statement to the existing casework.

After taking the statement, Malchow headed back out to US Highway 40 to loop through the towns one more time before the end of his shift. 

“What I like the most about this job … is every day is different,” he said. “There’s no routine or normal … Yesterday, I was a hiker, a medic, and today, I’m a detective.”

The Church of the Eternal Hills in Tabernash plans to begin construction in July on a new youth and community center being considered for multiple uses.

According to a news release, the church is working on Project 2020, which will transform its unfinished basement into a teen center, after-school program space or non-profit meeting space, among other possible ideas.

“Project 2020 involves the completion of the currently unfinished basement into purpose-driven, multi-use space for use by youth, young families, adults and seniors,” the release said. 

Construction of the youth and community space is expected to be completed by the end of the year.

Following the build-out of the basement space, Church of the Eternal Hills plans to expand and upgrade its preschool in 2023.

With the expansion of the school, the church hopes to offer additional community, counseling and adult education space.

Church of the Eternal Hills has contracted with Munn Architecture and Chillcoots for the project.

Grand County’s real estate transactions from June 28 to July 4 were worth more than $27.2 million combined.

• Fraser Crossing-Founders Pointe Condominium Unit 4663 – Kelly and Robert Kinder Jr to Robert K Kinder Jr Revocable Trust and Kelly Frances Kinder Revocable Trust, $500

• Zephyr Mountain Lodge Condo Bldg 1 & 2 Unit 2306 – Steven and Jennifer Hale to Steven Hale Trust and Jennifer Hale Trust, $500

• Granby Ranch Filing 1, Lot 16, GT 16 – Todd and Leslie Truax to Becky and Ryan McCreight, $630,000

• Grandview Villas Unit 107 – Ernest Bjorkman and Susan Woodley Bjorkman to Mark Hense, $285,000

• Winter Park Ranch 3^rd Filing Lot 58, Block 1 – Richard and James Jones to Ronald and Julie Yoshimura, $699,900

• Aspen Meadows Condominiums Unit 303, Bldg F – Michael and Clothilde Carroll to Kelsey Erwin, $310,000

• Homestead Hills Subd Filing #2, Lot 19 – Peter A Bachhuber Trust to Stephen Lewis and Brandy Gray Lewis, $959,000

• Granby Block 10, Lots 27,28,29,30,31 – Kenton and Rebecca Johnson to Richard Jones and Kimberly Fiore, $676,900

• SilverCreek Condominiums Mountainside Unit 19 – Phillip and Bridgette Zerr to Robert and Maureen Keller, $265,000

• Iron Horse Building C, Condo Unit 3043 – Angela and Brian Chesher to Robert Smetana and Shawn Donnelly, $235,000

• Kicking Horse Lodges Unit 304, Bldg 1- Stacy Koscinski to Jerry and Juanita Hayashi, $345,000

• Elk Creek at Grand Park Filing No 4, Lot 40 – CaseyMueller Trust to Stuart and Mindy Rifkin, $847,000

• Kremmling Country Addition Lot 17, Block 5 – Bruce and Judy Claxton to Mark and Linda Janssen, $289,000

• Triple H Subdivision Lot 16 – Scott Myers to Alexandra Scholtz and Nathan Bash, $335,000

• Colorado Anglers Club #1, Lot 4, Block 7 – David and Sara Hickam to Scott and Lauren Brave, $40,000

• Cairns Addition to Grand Lake Lots 27,28 – Robert and Timothy Thompson to Pineeyrie LLC, $500

• Mountainside at SilverCreek  C U 100 Timeshare 100611 – Margo Burrows, Amy Hood, Lisa Sackett and Kim Bodo to Mountainside SilverCreek Timeshare Association, $500

• Indian Peaks Bldg B, Condo Unit 302, Week 3 – Jeffrey and Amber Aguirre to Indian Peaks Interval Owners Association, $500

• Aspen Meadows Condominiums Unit 305, Bldg B; Aspen Meadows Condominiums Bldg B, Garage Unit 30 – Lyn and Roy Drake to Andrew Stark, $319,000

• Lake Kove Subdivision Unit 5, TRT 2 – Tonahutu Partners LLC to Thomas and Catherine Burns, $990,000

• Elk Creek at Grand Park Filing No 1, Unit B 201, Lots 1,2 – Elk Creek Multifamily LLC to Gabe and Kimberly Godell, $419,435

• Moose Run Sub & Outright Exemption Lot 16 Partial Legal – See Document/Includes Water Rights – Bradley Fawcett to Edward and Deborah Guiducci $300,000

• Leland Creek Sub Lot 41 – Carrie Ferguson to Stephen and Brenda Peterson, $1,799,900

• Elk Court Cabins Lot 5 – Terra West LLC to Philip Walsh and Heather Pruitt, $815,000

• Base Camp 9200 Second Replat Unit C 2, Bldg C – Christopher and Sarah Bock to Joshua and Susan Alban, $1,325,000

• Himebaughs 1^st Addition Hot Sulphur Springs B1-B2, N2 B3-B4, Block 1, Lots 25,26,27,28,29 – Vicki Hinchcliffe and Brad Bailey to Drew and Valerie Christensen, $431,500

• Elk Creek Village Filing 1 TH Unit 9, Bldg 3 – Katlynn Kidd to Kristen Chua, $447,000

• Ridge Subdivision Lot 2 – Ralph and Christie Hanses to Brian Ruden, $1,375,000

• Shorewood Subdivision Lot 10, Block 3 – Peggy Lenahan to Matthew and Kimberly Moyle, $534,000

• Iron Horse Bldg C, Condo Unit 3103 – Zachary and Suzanna Street to Marc and Kristen Rongaus, $299,500

• Pole Creek Preserve Lot 6 Partial Legal – See Document – Tri-State Generation Transmission Association Inc to Brent and Jamie Guetz, $350,000

• Columbine Lake Lot 46, Block 3 – Norman and Carrie Edson to Gregory and Nicole Croy, $455,000

• North Sunnyside Addn to Grand Lake Lot 23 – Vicky Harriman to Rick and Jacqueline Watkins, $525,000

• Meadow Ridge Lodges Court 24, Unit 12 – Tanana Rossing to Jason and Autumn Hayes, $322,500

• Village at Wildlhorse Grand Elk Ranch & Club Lot E 36 – Kristofer and Cynthia Hogan to Randall Dennis, $47,000

• Wildacres Subd Amended 2^nd Flg, Lot 34, Block 1 – 2434-44 SCS LLC to Heather Lyons, $82,450

• Pine Beach Subdivision Block 4, Lots 9,10 – FrancWest LLC to Scott & Francesca Parker, $145,000

• Powderhaus Townhomes Lot A – Altitude Ventures Inc to David and Victoria White, $356,000

• SEC 5 TWP 3N R 75W Partial Legal – See Document – Jane Kemp, Richard McQueary and Heather Lyons to 12 County Road 667 LLC, $2,850,000

• Summit at SilverCreek Bldg 2, Unit 2305 – Gerald Hahn to Benjamin and Gwendolyn Herbert, $257,000

• Ridge Elk Creek Subdivision Block 2, Lots 1,2 – Thomas Stanley to Jason and Kim Monden, $149,000

• North Sunnyside Addn to Grand Lake Lot 24 – Michael and Nancy Long to John and Laura Svejcar, $676,520

• Hi Country Haus Bldg 12, Unit 9 – Michael and Marci Sannes to Stephen and Leslie Layman, $232,000

• East Mountain Filing 9, Lot 30, Unit 30G – Roxane and Scott Swanson to Two Bluejays LLC, $500

• Kicking Horse Lodges Unit 101, Bldg 6 – Jered and Marianna Whatcott to Tonna Farinha, $255,000

• SilverCrest Condo Unit 102, Bldg C – Marc and Margaret Flink to Chad and Mandy Meyer, $365,000

• East Mountain Filing 6, Lot 125 – Lone Star Lodge LLC to Larry and Susan Steffen, $790,000

• Zephyr Mountain Lodge Condo Bldg 1 & 2, Unit 2412 – Catherine Dunne to William and Kathryn Heissenbuttel, $365,000

• Granby Ranch Filing 1, Lot 1, Lot GT1 – Paul D Snyder Trust Agreement and Karen E Snyder Trust Agreement to Neal and Chelsea Gilmour, $600,000

• Lofty Pines Subdivision Block 3 – Russell Wilmont to Lambrecht Sons LLC, $127,500

• Innsbruck-Val Moritz Subdivision Lot 27, Block 15 – Dianne Wettersten to Thomas and Stephanie Wickman, $44,750

• Columbine Lake Lot 12, Block 8 – Patrick and Elaine McCarthy to Russell D Lear Living Trust and Sandra J Hosler Living Trust, $86,600

• SEC 7 TWP 2N R 81W Partial Legal – See Document; Lots 3,4 TWP 2N R 81W Partial Legal – See Documents – Glenda Hill to Next Valley LLC, $1,900,000

• SEC 24 TWP 4N R 76W Partial Legal – See Document – Donna Lyons to Rector Family LLLP, $1,000,000

• Granby Block 3, Lots 3,4 – Lazy Moose LLC to Zat Properties LLC, $325,000

In Granby, the town’s Fourth of July parade was canceled, but a small group of self-described patriots assembled along Agate Avenue on Saturday before a drive-by at noon, organized largely on social media. The numbers were a far cry from the shoulder to shoulder spectators that typically turn out for the town’s parade, but for many of the people who lined main street Saturday, the tradition was too important to let go.

Winter Park went online with many of it’s Fourth of July events, but had an open-air, socially distant photo booth Saturday at the Rendezvous Event Center’s patriotic Moose giving families and friends free pictures.

At the same time, many people utilized the nearby playgrounds and skate park features, while one woman, Keanu Kuljis, found center stage of the amphitheater the perfect time and place to pray for peace.

In Grand Lake, an afternoon rainstorm pushed many people off the lake and away from the waterfront, into the downtown businesses, and the town remained quite busy for the holiday.

For drivers, Indian Peaks Rental in Tabernash utilized some of its equipment to put up a large life American flag in honor of Independence Day off US Highway 40.

Back in Granby, the Flying Heels Rodeo featured a special appearance by the Westernaires, who displayed their trick riding abilities, in between bull riding, mutton busting and other events with cash payouts. The night ended with a fireworks show, though by that time, the Sky-Hi News was in Kremmling for Fire Up the Cliffs, the town’s annual fireworks show.

There is something called the “knucklehead factor” in the algorithm of public land management. 

While never spoken of publicly, federal land managers talk among themselves about the challenges of dealing not just with visitors who maybe are not aware of rules, but also with the ones who are irresponsible and dangerous. 

And lately, as record-setting numbers of Coloradans flood public lands, the “knucklehead factor” has grown exponentially. That means coals abandoned in fresh fire pits. Shooting in the dark. Pushing OHVs beyond trails. Walking on that log at Hanging Lake. Breaking down gates and just a general disregard for rules, signs and other humans.  

They are in the minority, those knuckleheads. But they are stressing public lands already feeling the pressure of masses urged to look to the “vast, great outdoors” as an escape from the monotony of quarantine and the stress of pandemic. 

“We are seeing normal use patterns multiplied, so we if had bad apples out there they are multiplied now,” says Aaron Mayville, the deputy forest supervisor for the Arapaho-Roosevelt National Forest. 

Read more at ColoradoSun.com.

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Editor’s note: Below is a message to the community from the Grand County COVID-19 Response Team regarding local restrictions and best practices over the holiday weekend.

As we enter the July 4th holiday, we find ourselves asking, “what do we need to know about COVID-19 as we embark on summer activities?”

Of course, we can’t be outside all the time. When escaping the summer heat and mugginess indoors, try for as much ventilation as possible, and continue to observe safe behaviors.

Coming into close contact with infected people who have coughed, sneezed or breathed heavily or talked near you poses the greatest risk, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The risk of catching the virus from close contact is much higher than from touching shared surfaces.

With this in mind, we have put together some Guidance For Common Summer Situations And Activities.

GCPH also wants to remind all residents, businesses, and guests of the Best Practice Protective Measures that are proven deterrents to spreading the disease. We all have a role to play in limiting the spread of this virus and we cannot stress enough the importance of having the entire Grand County community support these important safety efforts.

With the rising COVID-19 rates here and across the country, we are seeing the unfortunate effects of what happens when communities disregard these protective measures. We must all continue to keep flattening the curve and not allow ourselves to become lax. Please stay safe over the holiday weekend and throughout the summer.

● Limit gatherings to small groups, do not congregate

● Anyone showing signs or symptoms of being sick must stay home

● Employers conduct symptom screenings of all employees daily

● Limit, where possible, all high and medium risk interactions

● Practice good personal hygiene (wash hands frequently, cover coughs, do not touch your face)

● Wear face coverings in public areas

● Protect our vulnerable populations like the elderly and people with pre-existing conditions

● Maintain 6-foot distancing from others

● Increase ventilation as much as possible in all facilities

● Frequent sanitation of high touch surfaces

● Use cleaning and sanitizing products that meet EPA standards and CDC requirements

After reporting that a Grand County resident who recently died had tested positive for COVID-19, Grand County Public Health is saying the person’s death was not a result of the coronavirus.

The county health department was notified on June 27 of a resident who had died recently and was confirmed to have COVID-19. The test was performed on the individual after the Grand County Coroner’s Office conducted an autopsy.

According to a Friday night update from the county’s COVID-19 response team, the investigation has determined the cause of death was not due to COVID-19. While the individual did test positive for the virus, the death was not because of the virus, county officials said.

Additionally, Grand County Public Health reported on Friday that the department has been notified of another positive test result for COVID-19 in Grand County, which brings the county’s number of positive cases up to 22.

The person’s significant other also has been tested, according to the county, and the test has been sent to the state lab for results. The significant other will also be counted by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment as a “probable” case.

A Grand County breakfast staple for over two decades has opened its latest iteration in Granby, serving up the fresh baked goods and scratch cooking customers will fondly recall.

Fat Cat Cafe, owned by Sally and Gary Hoffman, officially opened at 185 E Agate Ave, Granby in June where, despite the COVID-19 pandemic, it maintains the cheery, cat-obsessed atmosphere the restaurant has been known for.

“Everyone has been so amazing here in Granby,” said Sally Hoffman. “We’ve gotten so much support and we’re so grateful.”

The cafe has been around in Grand County in some form or another, whether it was breakfast buffets on the weekend or a full-service breakfast restaurant, since around 1995.

Previously, the latest version of Fat Cat was in Grand Lake, but when the owner of their building sold, Hoffman said she started looking around the county for a new space. She found the Fat Cat’s new home in Granby and then worked to remake the space to fit the kitschy and welcoming environment. 

The walls are covered in local artists’ work and shelves around the interior hold Hoffman’s handmade jewelry and other knickknacks, all for sale.

Fat Cat’s menu is made up of a mix of Hoffman’s baked goods, made-from-scratch breakfast staples and authentic British plates, including handmade English scones, afternoon tea and scotch eggs. The cafe also serves lunch, including soup, salad and sandwiches, starting at 11 a.m.

“I want my customers to feel like they’re slightly overstuffed, not uncomfortable, just like a fat cat kind of feeling,” she said, adding that though her old cat Snicklefritz made the deciding vote on the cafe’s name, it’s not actually named after him, but rather how Hoffman wants her customers to leave. 

Typically, the cafe also offers a buffet, but due to COVID-19 restrictions, Hoffman is not able to do that. She hopes to bring it back as soon as she can. 

In the meantime, Hoffman works hard to provide her customers the Fat Cat they know and love.

“Everyone gets greeted, there’s a sense of humor, the music’s a little different,” Hoffman said of what makes the cafe unique. “We try to accommodate dietary needs … and I don’t have wifi.”

According to her customers, Hoffman is more than successful at doing so. One diner Thursday morning, Mary Rowden, sang the praises of the cafe.

“I’m so happy that the cafe’s not in Grand Lake anymore, but in Granby, so I can come more often,” Rowden said. 

The Fat Cat Cafe hopes to have a ribbon cutting to celebrate its opening sometime this summer.

Grand County has granted a variance to the Flying Heels Arena for its Fourth of July Rodeo allowing up to 625 people, including staff, security and contestants, to participate in the rodeo this year.

Flying Heels Arena organizer Tish Linke said she’s been working with the county to expand capacity for the annual event in Granby.

Currently, the arena is being limited to 12% of its capacity, or around 325 spectators, which is lower than what the state allows for outdoor gatherings. The capacity of the arena is 2,500.

On its website, the Flying Heels Arena asked interested rodeo participants and spectators to reach out to the county and lobby for an increase in the number of people allowed.

“Swimming pools are allowed up to 50% (capacity),” Linke said of the limits. 

During the rodeo, social distancing will be required on rodeo grounds, and staff and volunteers will be required to wear masks.

A spokesperson for the county’s COVID-19 Response Team said the team worked closely with rodeo organizers for weeks to form a plan that promotes public safety while still allowing the arena to host a community event.

“We understand that this rodeo is important to the community,” said Alexis Kimbrough, COVID-19 response team spokesperson. “Whatever we can do to keep the community safe and also allow these events to happen is our main goal.”

The limit on the number of people will be enforced through traffic control at the rodeo gate by the Grand County Sheriff’s Office, and internal security that will track the number of people inside.

“We have a security team that (the county) made us hire,” Linke explained, adding she’s not sure how many people will want to show up. 

Kimbrough added that ushers will guide people through the various zones of the rodeo, whether that be the stands, concessions, the arena or elsewhere, to help ensure social distancing.

The rodeo gates will open at 5 p.m. for seating with tickets costing $15 for adults and $10 for children. Fireworks will follow the rodeo.

Linke added that since there is a limited capacity on spectators, the rodeo is looking for donations to help cover the cost of the fireworks. Donations can be sent to the Flying Heels Arena, PO Box 405, Granby.