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Tag: breckenridge

  • Powdr planning to sell Colorado’s Eldora Mountain Resort in coming weeks

    Powdr planning to sell Colorado’s Eldora Mountain Resort in coming weeks

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    Powdr Corp., which owns multiple ski resorts in the U.S. and Canada, is selling Vermont’s Killington Resort and Pico Mountain, the largest mountain resort in New England, to a group of local passholders, the company said Thursday.

    Powdr also said it plans to list three other resorts for sale in the coming weeks: Eldora, in Colorado; Mt. Bachelor, in Oregon; and SilverStar, in British Columbia.

    The Salt Lake City-based company will keep Copper Mountain, in Colorado, and Snowbird in Utah, she said. It aims to balance its ski business with its two concession contracts in the National Parks and operations of Woodward camps and mountain centers, spokesperson Stacey Hutchinson said by email.

    Killington said the purchase by local investors represents “a commitment to keeping Killington and Pico in the hands of those who know and love it.” The new owners will focus on capital investment, community engagement and sustainability, the resort said.

    Powdr bought Killington in 2007. The ski area for years has been one of the stops on the FIS Alpine Ski World Cup tour. Powdr will retain a minority ownership stake and have a seat on the board of directors, it said.

    “We will miss the entire team there but cannot wait to see the amazing things that lie ahead,” Hutchinson said. “The new owners, who are locals with a deep love for the mountain, share our commitment to the resort’s long-term success.”

    Killington said its grateful for Powdr’s stewardship over the years, with improvements to infrastructure, snowmaking capabilities, and year-round growth.

    “We believe that local ownership will allow us to be even more responsive to the needs and desires of our community and guests,” said Mike Solimano, Killington’s president and general manager.

    Killington and Pico will remain on the popular Ikon ski pass, Killington said. There will be no changes to the leadership or management, it said.

    Powdr previously owned Alpine Meadows, now called Palisades Tahoe, in California, from 1994 to 2007; Lee Canyon, in Las Vegas, from 2003 to 2023; and Park City Mountain in Park City, from 1994 to 2014, according to Hutchinson.

    Denver 7+ Colorado News Latest Headlines | August 22, 11am

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    The Associated Press

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  • Denver chef named best restaurateur in the nation by James Beard

    Denver chef named best restaurateur in the nation by James Beard

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    Two Colorado chefs and restaurateurs struck gold at the “Oscars” of the food industry on Monday, taking home top awards from the James Beard Foundation.

    Chef Kelly Whitaker and partner, Erika Whitaker, co-founders of Id Est Hospitality Group, earned the award for Outstanding Restaurateur among five finalists from around the country. Id Est boasts award-winning restaurants like Michelin-starred The Wolf’s Tailor and BRUTØ in Denver and Basta in Boulder, as well as the newish Hey Kiddo in Denver.

    Matt Vawter, owner of Rootstalk in Breckenridge, won the title for Best Chef in the Mountain Region — which includes Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Utah and Wyoming — out of five finalists, including Denver’s chef Penelope Wong, co-owner of Yuan Wonton in Park Hill.

    Owner Kelly Whitaker is pictured at The Wolf’s Tailor on Thursday, Sept. 26, 2019. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver Post)

    “What a moment, holy crap…,” Erica Whitaker said in her acceptance speech. “When we founded Id Est, our daughter was a year old, and now we’re just 10 days shy of her 16th birthday, and she’s here tonight…”

    “…We own seven restaurants, but we also have engaged in so many different conversations around our food supply systems and been food advocates,” Kelly Whitaker added. “All these things are possible: to have restaurants, to have a family and to get involved.

    “This year alone, we’ve contracted and built with farmers over 200 acres of regenerative land, we’re growing grains and milling flour. This isn’t just applicable to our tasting-menu restaurants, it’s applicable to a pizza or a sandwich,” he continued.

    Kelly Whitaker was previously nominated as a 2020 James Beard Award semifinalist for Best Mountain Chef for Wolf’s Tailor and was also an Outstanding Restaurateur semifinalist in 2023.  “We don’t particularly chase these awards, but we definitely chase the platform this brings, and for that, we know that this is a responsibility,” he said. “I have more sense of fight now more than ever.”

    Vawter, in his speech, thanked the James Beard Foundation for “recognizing what we do in our small little mountain community in Breckenridge. I started cooking when I was 14 years old to help my parents pay rent, and I never looked back.”

    After working with Denver restaurateur Alex Seidel — another highly decorated James Beard award winner — at Fruition and Mercantile Dining & Provision, Vawter opened Rootstalk in late 2020 in a remodeled home from the 1800s. The restaurant, at 207 N. Main St., focuses on providing “elevated, everyday dining” with seasonal ingredients from local farmers and ranchers, homemade pasta, and a seven-course tasting menu.

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    Lily O'Neill

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  • Pet Store Retail Ordinances Gain Momentum in Colorado

    Pet Store Retail Ordinances Gain Momentum in Colorado

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    City by city, Harley’s Dream is working with Colorado communities to say NO to puppy mills!

    Press Release
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    updated: Dec 15, 2019


    BERTHOUD, Colo., December 15, 2019 (Newswire.com)
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     ​​​​​​​​​It started this summer in Berthoud, CO when Harley’s Dream proposed an ordinance to the town council, banning the sale of puppies and kittens in pet stores. The ordinance, with the overwhelming support of Berthoud Mayor William Karspeck, was unanimously passed.

    With the precedent set, similar ordinances have been proposed and passed this year by lawyer and Harley’s Hero, Joyce Cohen – in Breckenridge, Frisco, Dillon, and Eagle CO with the support of Harley’s Dream, as well as from the Humane Society of the United States – Colorado. All of these communities joined the more than 300+ jurisdictions across the country who have successfully passed this humane ordinance, emphatically saying no to puppy mills. Although none of these Colorado communities had pet stores that sold dogs or cats, they have taken proactive steps to ensure their communities remain humane in the future. And the Colorado momentum continues as there are more ordinances in progress.

    City by city, this effort is paving the way for a state-wide law. The “Puppy Mill Bill” is legislation that would ban the retail sales of puppies and kittens in pet stores throughout Colorado. The bill, which will be introduced in early 2020, will be sponsored by State Representative Monica Duran with the support of animal advocate, First Gentleman Marlon Reis.

    A majority of puppies sold in pet stores are born in commercial breeding facilities, also known as puppy mills. These mills are commonly inhumane, overcrowded and unsanitary. Puppies and kittens born in mills do not receive adequate veterinary care, exercise, socialization or human contact. The parent dogs exist in these environments while their puppies get wholesaled out to the unsuspecting public via pet stores across the country.

    According to Rudi Taylor, founder of Harley’s Dream, “We hope that other jurisdictions continue to follow Berthoud’s lead and adopt this humane ordinance. There is no downside. The ordinance doesn’t impact responsible breeders, and the vast majority of pet supply stores have already shunned the cruel pet wholesaling industries, no longer selling dogs and cats. Instead, these businesses have adopted a successful and humane business model, selling only pet supplies and services and helping shelters and rescue organizations with adoptions of animals in need. It’s a win for the communities, for businesses, and most especially, for our canine companions who deserve better than life in a cage. We believe that if the public knew the truth about where pet store puppies come from, pet stores selling puppies sourced from puppy mills would no longer exist. There is growing momentum in Colorado communities and across the country as the public becomes aware of the pet store/puppy mill connection. The general public is proving they support measures to ensure the humane treatment of our companion animals.”

    About Harley
    Harley was a one-eyed Chihuahua who spent his first 10 years living in a cage in a puppy mill. His sole purpose was to produce puppies to be sold in pet stores.  Harley’s eye was lost because his cage was cleaned with a power-washer, with him in it. After being rescued, Harley began his triumphant journey. His efforts as a “spokes-dog” against puppy mills earned him the top honor as American Humane’s “Hero Dog of the Year.” Harley had been on the Today Show, HuffpostLIVE, Hallmark Channel’s Home and Family Show and numerous news segments. He also had the opportunity to testify during a congressional caucus on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C.  Sadly, Harley passed away in March 2016, but his legacy lives on … his mission will continue until puppy mills no longer exist. Harley inspired so many people to do great things, and he continues to be the face and voice for the hundreds of thousands of dogs suffering in puppy mills today.

    Learn more at www.harleysdream.org.

    Source: Harley’s Dream

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