First 50 Vail’s 1962-2012  {the making of a town} Jack Affleck Affleck Jack Vail’s First 50

It’s not every day that one has the op- As this retrospective of the last 50 portunity and privilege to be part of the years makes evident, leadership in Vail creation of a new town, let alone to help hasn’t always been easy. Being bold and midwife a place that, in the span of a few taking risks is no sure path to popularity. decades, would be recognized around But an inspection of the community’s the globe as one of the world’s premier defining moments reveals a pattern. ski areas and mountain communities. Actions that can now be seen as What started as a dream in the eyes of visionary, ahead of their time, required Pete Seibert and Earl Eaton to build an commitment and resolve on the part of internationally acclaimed ski resort soon elected leaders, the municipal staff and compelled the need to create a next gen- the citizens. eration municipal government capable of New challenges will present them- providing basic — and ever expanding selves during the next 50 years, and new and demanding — community services leaders will emerge. Their successes and such as police, fire, public works, art and visions will be built on the remarkable symposia, parks and open space, trans- history that is celebrated in the pages portation, libraries and environmental that follow. protections to a growing array of local residents and international guests and Stan Zemler visitors alike. Vail Town Manager To mark and celebrate Vail’s first 50 2003-current years, the town staff has called upon community historians to help capture an accurate and compelling narrative of the origins, dreams and decadal evolution of the Town of Vail, a town that shaped not only snow moguls but served as the formative life-shaping experience of many, if not all, who — citizen or visitor — have had the sublime experience at being at elevation in body and spirit.

Terry Minger Vail Town Manager 1970-1979

Contributors Vail’s First 50 is a project of the Town of Vail in consultation with Doris Bailey, Diana Donovan, Ford Frick, Jim Lamont, Bob McLaurin, Randy Milhoan, Terry Minger, Bob Parker, Glenn Porzak, Rod Slifer, Tom Steinberg and Susie Tjossem. Special thanks to Colorado Municipal League, Colorado Ski & Snowboard Museum, Eagle River Water & Sanitation District, Vail Daily, Vail Homeowners Association, Vail Mountain School, Vail Recreation District, Vail Religious Foundation, Vail Resorts, Vail Symposium, Vail Valley Foundation and Vail Valley Medical Center. Written and edited by Suzanne Silverthorn and Allen Best. Photos from the collections of Jack Affleck, Barry Stott, Peter Runyon, Robert C. Bishop and Vail’s Colorado Ski & Snowboard Museum. Design by Carrie Calvin.

A retrospective  1962 1963 1964

Vail Water and two chairlifts, three legends Billy Kidd, Ski Club Vail formed Colorado Sports Illustrated Sanitation District lodges (Lodge at Jimmie Huega, Joan so Vail can host allows real estate trumpets Vail in formed. Vail, Vail Village Inn, Hannah, Bill Marolt sanctioned ski races. ownership called Nov. 23 issue, Vail Country Day Night Latch), two and Buddy Werner. Official opening condominium. Soon, “Never in the history School opens with shops, (Vail Blanche 55,000 skiers ceremony for Vail condos are built in of U.S. skiing has four students (named and Vail Ski Rentals) recorded during first Mountain held on Vail, first in state. a bare mountain Vail Mountain School a gas station and a season with $5 lift Jan. 19 with Gov. Vail Religious leaped in such a in 1973). telephone party line. tickets. John Love presiding. Foundation created. short time into the Earl Eaton, “The Finder,” and Pete Seibert, Vail Mountain U.S. Alpine Ski Team Vail Fire Protection Annual Jazz Party four-star category “The Founder,” of Vail Mountain. opens for skiing Training Camp comes District formed. begins. of ski resorts.” with one gondola, to Vail with future

Schooling Before Skiing

Vail Country Day School, now known as the Vail Mountain School,’62 was opened even before the ski lifts began running. The first class, held Oct. 15, 1962, consisted of a handful of students gathered around the Seibert din- ing table. Following its second year, the school’s trustees were already exploring expansion options, noting, “A school is the most important factor to future inves- tors, businesses, employees and custom- Vital Necessities ers.” VMS has since blossomed into a K-12 college preparatory school with a Building a ski town from scratch campus that serves nearly 350 students demanded more than lifts and from Eagle and Summit counties. trails.’62 Indoor running water, wastewater A second school for Vail was construct- treatment, fire trucks and fuel were also ed after townspeople convinced the Eagle needed. To get this done, Vail’s creators County School Board to float a bond started a propane company and organized issue. Red Sandstone Elementary opened special tax districts for critical services. in 1977 and was built on land provided by The first was Vail Water and Sanitation the town. The importance of Red Sand- District, which was set up in 1962, just a stone as a community anchor has been few months before the ski area opened. put to the test in recent years as the school Later, as the community expanded, five district has contemplated closure of the additional water districts were formed. school to reduce costs.

Creation of the Vail Fire Protection Barry Stott District in 1963 enabled purchases of equipment for use by volunteer firefight- ers and construction of a two-bay fire- Books Came Early, house. Eventually, more fire districts were And a Library Later formed, followed by a wave of consolida- tion in water and fire services in the 1970s Not long after the ski area opened, and ‘80s. Holy Cross, the electric co-op, Vail had a library. It was by no was also pivotal in the start-up, taking on means’64 conventional. After interest was risk to build out miles of power lines after shown by Betty Seibert, wife of Pete, Public Service Company declined to be the Colorado State Library loaned 600 involved. If distinctly lacking glamour, books, which were kept for public use at all of this was critical to the success of the Vali-hi Books ‘n Things, a shop in the new ski town. Plaza Building on Bridge Street owned by Fran Moretti. When expansion of the shop’s merchandise required removal of the books, space was found first above the Vail Mountain new firehouse and then, in 1972, in the

{the nineteen sixties} new municipal building, with help from Friends of Vail Public Library. In 1982, Opening Day voters approved a $3 million bond issue December 15, for construction of an earthen-topped Barry Stott library designed by Pam Hopkins, which opened July 4, 1983. Newly remodeled, In securing the permit to construct lifts and trails on federal land, Pete Seibert and his partners were required 1962 to raise more than $1 million to demonstrate the project’s viability. Stock shares of $10,000 each were offered the library hosted a grand reopening cel- to 100 limited partners. This included four life-time ski passes. There was also an option to buy a lot for $100 if ebration in 2013. the building was constructed within two years. Above, homes on Willow Place are among the new residences.

 Vail’s First 50 1962-2012 1965

Giant Steps Lift Christiania at Vail Vail hosts 10th (#1) installed in Vail rooms from $8 Mountain Division Village. per person nightly Reunion launching Vail Resort Associa- (double occupancy), summer convention tion formed, headed 4-bunk Night Latch business. by Gaynor Miller. dormitory room $106 Tours over Vail Lift tickets $6 per weekly. Village offered for day. 42 Ski School Vail Country Day $10 per person in instructors headed School Annual Bell bubble-front

by Morrie Shepard. Rummage Sale helicopter. Barry Stott fund-raiser begins.

Tending to Vail’s The famous bend in Bridge Street and the overall pedestrian layout Medical Needs of Vail Village has become a textbook example of master planning.

Vail’s medical services have long Fitzhugh Scott been traced to John D. Murchi- Early Planning Principles son,’65 one of the ski company’s original Adopted in Town Codes investors, who had a skiing accident

Peter Runyon Before Vail became a town, the original investment group in 1964. Because there was no place to relied on resident architect Fitzhugh Scott, along with builder receive medical care in Vail, apart from Originally 9 holes, Vail’s first golf course was Dick Hauserman and Fritz Benedict, a seasoned architect what he received from the ski patrol and a built in 1966 at the base of Golden Peak. from Aspen, to design their new ski village with a European primitive clinic in the Red Lion build- influence. Included was Scott’s insistence that Bridge Street be ing, he was taken to Aspen to be treated Taking a Swing curved to create curiosity about what lies ahead. Their work by long-time friend, Dr. Robert Oden has become a textbook example of master planning. who agreed to help with Vail’s emerging at Summer Diversity As members of the architectural committee, the trio carefully medical needs. The idea for a year-round resort guided the design themes used to create Vail’s first commercial At the start of the 1965 ski season, the emerged rapidly among Vail’s brain buildings and residences. two men created the Vail Clinic Inc., trust.’66 With a growing number of lodges, As each piece of ground was sold and platted, covenants housing it in the Mill Creek Court Build- shops and restaurants already in place, the were placed on the property to establish uses. These ing and hiring Dr. Tom Steinberg as the next logical scenario was to draw visitors designations included mixed commercial and residential town community’s first full-time physician. during the summer to defray the costs of centers, apartment/condominium areas and single family/ The clinic moved to a newly-constructed operation and fulfill a loan requirement duplex residences as well as open space and recreation areas. building on West Meadow Drive in 1967. by the Small Business Administration. The covenants also addressed the suitability and quality of The next step was to build a hospital. Vail’s summer convention business got building materials and the impact on neighboring properties, Murchison, as president of the board, set its start in 1965 when it hosted the 10th making certain that no improvement will be “so similar or up a foundation to achieve that goal, and Mountain Division Reunion. dissimilar to others in the vicinity that values, monetary or in 1969, a retired executive who moved In 1966, the Vail Metropolitan aesthetic, will be impaired.” to Vail full-time in 1965, Gordon Brittan, Recreation District was formed with The covenants became a masterful planning doctrine for agreed to serve as chairman of the cam- Dick Hauserman, Bob Parker, Ted Vail and were used as the basis for the town’s first zoning paign to raise $770,000 for construction. Kindel, Pete Seibert and Warren Pulis ordinances in 1969. In 1979, a wing to the medical clinic serving as its first board of directors. The was completed, and gradually the clinic paperwork filed with the court described expanded to accommodate obstetrics, the district’s intent to construct a golf general surgery and orthopaedics. In its course, tennis courts and fishing stream first year as a full-service hospital in 1980, improvements, along with horseback the Vail Valley Medical Center had 350 riding stables and a swimming pool. surgical operations performed and 25 Prior to the district’s formation, a 9- full-time physicians on staff. There were hole golf course had been constructed in 65 babies born that year, too. the “meadows east of town” at the base of Golden Peak by Vail Associates. In 1969 an additional 9 holes were constructed under the direction of Ben Krueger, the recreation district’s manager. Two years earlier, Vail’s first tennis court was built near Golden Peak. Shortly after, formalized ice skating was introduced on a flooded tennis court, and by the end of the 1960s, a Nordic track was in use. An old time melodrama, written Left to right: Mayor Ted Kindel, Dr. Tom Steinberg and Bob Parker of Vail Associates are pictured in front of the and produced by John Dobson, provided new medical clinic on West Meadow Drive. additional entertainment.

A retrospective  1965 1966 1967 1968

Vail Trail newspaper new Covered Bridge ski calendar, designed Vail surpasses Winter Vail Metropolitan Golden Peak opens First snowmaking founded by George Building. to fill the off-year Park and Aspen Recreation District with fixed grip double systems installed at Knox, Sr. One-year Dr. Tom Steinberg gap between FIS and to become state’s formed. chairlift and poma lift. Golden Peak. subscriptions offered hired as Vail’s first Olympic competition. busiest ski area, with Vail Associates, Half the town’s School District for $5. full-time doctor and In anticipation of the 205,459 skier days, a Ltd. dissolves, streets paved for the forms Vail’s first Landmarks emerge opens a small clinic. races, the ski trail is 30 percent gain. transfers assets to first time. public school, K-6, with construction First international named International Vail Golf Course Vail Associates, Inc., One-lane Forest absorbing Vail of Clock Tower alpine ski races (now called Lindsey’s opens (9 holes). with stock options. Service bridge on Country Day School Building and foot held in Vail, the in honor of 2010 Vail Players’ Annual Vail voters approve Vail Road widened students. Classes bridge enclosure most important Olympic medalist Melodrama starts. incorporation of the to 2-lanes. held in Vail Clinic to match name of competition on the Lindsey Vonn). Town of Vail. building.

TOWN OF VAIL LOGO After using a variation of the familiar “V” created by Dick Hauserman, a new town logo was developed depicting the Gore Range. It was sketched by Town Manager Terry Minger to give the town its own identity.

Getting Down Influencing the to Business Route of I-70 We (Town Vail After incorporation, the first Vail has always attracted people Becomes Council) had ’66 election held on Nov. 8, 1966, ’68 with environmental sympathies. to write all seated the town’s first mayor, Ted Kindel, They love mountains and the natural a Town and six town trustees: Pete Seibert, Mitch environment. Those sympathies became the rules and Hoyt, John Dobson, Harry Willett, evident in a dispute about the route for In the beginning, Pete Seibert regulations Larry Burdick and Joe Langmaid. Hoyt Interstate 70. State highway engineers and his investment partners were later resigned and John Donovan was wanted to build the highway directly too’66 focused on the monumental task of to make a town appointed in his place. from Silverthorne to Vail, a savings of 10 developing a ski resort and its ancillary function. We The first meeting over which Mayor miles as compared to the route over Vail components to give much thought to Kindel presided was used to establish an Pass. The road was to follow Gore Creek creating a town. They weren’t even sure argued about organizational structure. The agenda to a tunnel under what became known as one was needed. As ski operations tasted everything, included appointment of Blake Lynch Red Buffalo Pass, but marooning a chunk success, Seibert, then general manager as interim town recorder, adoption of of the Gore Range-Eagles Nest Primitive of Vail Associates, came to a different including speed Robert’s Rules of Order, establishing the Area and sullying the adjacent natural conclusion. Could others pay for snow- limits, but day and time for regular meetings, plus lands. Some within Vail favored the plowing, maintaining the parking lots, ordinances to create the positions of town shorter route to expedite business. policing and the many other services it worked. recorder, town treasurer, town attorney, Opposition was headed by several needed in a resort? It was time to incor- police magistrate, town coordinator and 10th Mountain veterans, including Bob porate, but how? town marshal. Parker, the vice president of marketing Seibert and his team learned that the A 5-member Planning Commission for Vail Associates, and environmentalists new community had too few property and the Local Licensing Authority (liquor William Bird Mounsey and Merrill John Donovan owners to qualify as a town. To reach board) were also created. Taxes, too, were Hastings. They maintained that shorter Town Council Member the minimum, Vail Associates devised a established at that first meeting, including would be more expensive, because of 1967-1980 solution by selling two steep lots above a 2 percent ski lift tax and a 2 percent tunneling costs and the safety problems the sewer plant on West Forest Road to sales tax on lodging, restaurants and bars, posed by rockslides and 25 avalanche 20 couples, including Dick and Doris retail sales of personal paths alone between Vail and the spine of Bailey. Dick, an architect, had been property and retail the Gore Range, and also argued for the hired by Fitzhugh Scott, while Doris liquor stores, plus an need to protect remaining wilderness. worked for the Vail Resort Association. agreement to accept In 1968, Secretary of Agriculture With enough qualified voters now applications for utility Orville Freeman, in whose department confirmed, the election to incorporate as franchises. The the U.S. Forest Service was administered, {the nineteen sixties} the Town of Vail was held on Aug. 23, town’s first budget denied a permit due to intrusion into 1966. Approval was granted, 43-19. The was also adopted, the primitive area. In 1976, with the two lots were sold back to Vail Associ- including $104,415 support of part-time resident President ates, as had been the original agreement. for operating Gerald Ford, the tract was designated by The Baileys and the other partners expenditures and Congress as the Eagles Nest Wilderness. enjoyed a tidy profit while also helping $24,710 for capital The I-70 route over Vail Pass was birth a new town. projects. completed in 1978. Vail Village view from northeast, spring 1967.

 Vail’s First 50 1962-2012 1969

Gerald and Betty Vail Interfaith between the two Ford enjoy first family Chapel dedicated. base-area pods, vacation in Vail. Television comes Vail Village and Upper Eagle Valley to Vail. Lionshead. Sanitation District Lionshead base area 24-hour police formed. and Gondola No. 2 coverage begins. First major fire open. First full-time paid

damages Covered Barry Stott Shuttle service fire chief hired. Bridge Store. launched by Vail Game Creek Sally Warren, Vail’s one-millionth skier, Associates to Bowl opens. receives Head skis and a key to the town Barry Stott from Pete Seibert, April 6, 1968. View of new Lionshead ski base. transport skiers

Citizen Participation Topics Early Reflection of Community Parks Ahoy! Vail Transit Born

While the first meeting Vail’s first park had rather humble In November 1969, well before of the Town of Vail beginnings. Despite concerns that Vail’s transit system became one Board of Trustees began “hippies”’69 and other undesirables might of’69 the largest free systems in the country, with the formality and camp there, the town selected a small Vail Associates introduced a pair of repur- structure of a business piece of ground next to the Vorlaufer posed school buses to transport skiers for meeting, it wasn’t until on the east side of the Village for its first free between Golden Peak and Lionshead, citizen participation was called that the color and undertaking. Part of its appeal was the which had just opened. The purpose was character of Vail became property’s access to Gore Creek. Built to make it easy to move between the two immediately evident. in 1969, the pocket park was an instant gondolas and the two village centers. When the audience was success and included the first use of stone The town soon joined as a partner in

Peter Runyon asked to suggest the walls. That use of stone walls has since the operations and with much fanfare types of nuisances that been replicated as part of Vail’s vernacular. introduced a prototype vehicle in 1973 should be regulated by Once known as Vorlaufer Park, the with arrival of the Ginkelvan, a mini-bus ordinance, suggestions property was later named Roger Staub specially designed to navigate in pedes- Officiating in the groundbreaking ceremonies for the Vail from the floor included: Interfaith Chapel in 1968 are (left to right), Father Tom Stone, Park, to honor the early ski school direc- trian areas and originally commissioned Cissy Dobson, Mayor John Dobson and the Rev. Don Simonton. • Control of dogs. tor who had died in a hang-guiding ac- by New York Mayor John Lindsay for use cident. Also in 1969, the famous plantings in Midtown Manhattan. • Public intoxication. of summer flowers began. While the bright orange Ginkelvan A Sanctuary for Vail’s next park was much bolder than wasn’t pursued as a permanent solution • Discharge of the first and has remained a favorite for in Vail, primarily due to its small size, Many Faiths firearms within the corporate limits. children throughout the decades. The its design features were revolutionary Religious services were initially imaginative Pirateship Park was con- with a floor height just 13 inches from held in a variety of unlikely loca- • Skidoos, motorcycles, structed in 1972 on property that was the ground, not unlike the low-floor tions,’68 including the Casino nightclub, etc. eventually donated to the town by Vail buses used today to transport passengers where some of the attendees happened to Associates. Council members fondly re- between Golden Peak and Lionshead. • Adequate toilet be holdovers from the night before. After call the criticism they received from skep- Mayor Lindsay, meanwhile, became a fre- facilities for the public. identifying the need for a more sophisti- tics who thought the $10,000 construc- quent visitor of cated place of worship, the Vail Religious • Adequate public tion cost was excessive. The park is now Vail, serving Foundation was formed in 1963 to study telephones (with a considered a creative masterpiece for its as the keynote establishment of a permanent chapel. suggestion that the Vail use of natural materials and has served as speaker for Following a two-year, $100,000 fund Trail newspaper publish a model for the town’s other playgrounds. the first Vail drive headed by Rod Slifer, the real estate locations of all public Symposium. telephones). broker, and Mayor John Dobson and his wife, Cissy, groundbreaking for the Vail • That the music from Chapel occurred in September 1968 on a the public address Barry Stott beautiful site along Gore Creek donated system be curtailed at a reasonable hour at night. by Vail Associates. It was dedicated in Vail’s free bus system November 1969. Looking back, Slifer says made its debut during • Litter in the streets. he appealed to some of the more notori- Thanksgiving weekend in 1969 to shuttle ous donors by noting they might find an Excerpt from Nov. 12, 1966, skiers between Golden easier path to Heaven if they participated Meeting Minutes. Peak and Lionshead. in the campaign. Later, the Ginkelvan, (above) was used as a Today, the Vail Interfaith Chapel is prototype vehicle. An one of the few community chapels in the open-air tram was also country that is home to multiple faiths experimented with before the town settled while maintaining their individual de- on larger buses. nominational affiliations and services. Barry Stott

A retrospective  1970 1971 1972 1973 1974

Fourth of July Pa- Town of Vail mu- Vail Symposium Marathon runner Vail police begin Gerald R. Ford rade offers horseback nicipal offices move begins. Frank Shorter trains using patrol cars becomes 38th Home Rule rides from Mahaney’s from Mill Creek Denver selected at high-altitude in made by Saab as U.S. President. Vail and a Bigger Stables in East Vail Court Building to as host city for 1976 Vail and wins gold part of vehicle-testing becomes Winter Tool Chest for anyone wanting to new facility on South Winter Olympics, medal at Summer program. White House. join parade route. Frontage Road. with Vail/future Olympic Games in Community leaders Eagle-Piney Water Vail Post Office Beaver Creek Munich, Germany. recognized that their Protection Associa- relocates to municipal possible venues. Colorado voters fast-growing resort tion formed to fight site after outgrowing Summervail Art reject bringing town was unlike most water diversions. storefront locations. Workshop begins. Winter Olympic towns in Colorado, and Games to Denver. they needed as many legal tools as possible to ensure delivery of a high-quality experience for visitors, real-estate buyers and residents. In particular, they needed the additional sales tax revenues that would be possible if, under Defining How Colorado law, Vail a Community became a home-rule municipality. In April Will Grow 1972, voters elected a By the late 1960s and early ‘70s, 9-member Home Rule Vail was growing at an alarming Charter Commission. Environmentalist rate.’73 New construction was increasing Robert Redford Chaired by Gerry by as much as 25 percent annually. (left) was the White, commissioners Vail Symposium’s Community leaders decided their new Doris Bailey, John keynote speaker in town had reached a crisis. The solution, 1974. He would later Donovan, John Dobson, they decided, was to create an aggressive collaborate with Vail Tom Steinberg, Merv Town Manager Terry course of action to remedy the problems Lapin, Hans Weibel, Minger (center) to caused by rapid growth. form an environ- Jen Wright and David In 1973, a six-page planning document mental problem- Gorsuch (replaced by solving organization was adopted that identified a forward- Jim Slevin) convened based in Utah. Also thinking master plan vision that pictured is Colleen often during the continues to define the community Kline (right), Vail’s summer and, with help town clerk. today. Known simply as “The Vail Plan,” from Town Manager its components include an emphasis on Terry Minger, drafted pedestrian connections and many of the a self-governance other qualities for which Vail is known. document to provide Implementation included: an enduring framework Significant down-zoning and for protecting the reductions in building height. integrity of the town. Rigorous design standards and Think Globally, Act Locally: procedures to ensure architectural and Submitted to voters, landscape compatibility within Vail. The Vail Symposium they approved Creation of a transportation hub the charter in a If athleticism was Vail’s principal forte, the to provide centralized parking, landslide, 90-17, community showed a new side to its personality transit and visitor information services. on Sept.12, 1972. beginning’71 in 1971 with the first Vail Symposium. The Strict time management restrictions inspiration of Mayor John Dobson and Town Manager for loading and delivery activities Terry Minger, the intellectually stimulating discussions in Vail Village, especially during peak quickly became a celebrated gathering that drew up to pedestrian times. 1,500 people. Many of the early symposia participants Extensive network of bicycling and described and celebrated mountain communities as walking trails throughout town. the last best hope to escape from the urban center and Emphasis on open space acquisition reconnect with the natural world. and landscape beautification to reduce In the 1973 symposium, French microbiologist, impacts of sprawl. Town of Vail Flag experimental pathologist and humanist René Dubos The upper blue represents the blue Development of a major community coined a phrase still heard frequently today – “think Colorado sky. White middle represents park-cultural center at Ford Park. globally, act locally.” Another memorable year was 1975, Vail’s white powder snow. Dark green The Vail Plan was accomplished by

{the nineteen seventies} represents the evergreen forests when President Gerald Ford attended, along with New surrounding Vail. Gold laurel wreath a first-of-its kind public participation York Mayor John Lindsay, Colorado Gov. Richard Lamm represents excellence and achievements. process that engaged the entire and Stewart Udall, the former Secretary of the Interior. The Vail “V” is symbolic of the surrounding community, including the Town Council, mountains and valleys. This flag was Today, the symposium continues to stimulate community designed by Dale McCall, who headed the in authoring the plan’s goals. It is enrichment through its multi-faceted programs. Vail Resort Association. profound in its scope and timelessness.

 Vail’s First 50 1962-2012 1975 1976 1977 1979

Vail Nature Center Colorado Ski four and injuring Town Council Voters reject Red Sandstone 1 percent real opens in former Museum founded; eight. The accident Resolution names annexation of West Elementary School estate transfer tax Antholz Ranch house opens in 1977 in ultimately causes Antholz Ranch Vail after approving opens. for purchase of at Ford Park. former Mountain Pete Seibert to lose property as Gerald Bighorn and Lions First Annual Jerry open space and Julie Cunningham, Bell building at his job when the R. Ford Park in Ridge annexations Ford Invitational Golf development and 24-year-old ski Vail Road and East company, threatened appreciation of earlier in decade. Tournament held. maintenance of parks school employee, Meadow Drive. by litigation, is sold President Ford’s Voters approve Jack Nicklaus wins and trails levied disappears. Serial Tragedy strikes to Harry Bass. contributions to $1.8 million bond for event and $10,000 in by Town Council killer Ted Bundy later when two gondola community. Dobson Ice Arena, prize money, which ordinance. confesses to her cars in Lionshead fall which opens in 1979. is returned for future Street mail delivery murder. to the ground, killing tournaments. begins.

President Gerald Ford addresses a Bus Service Vail Symposium Outlying bus service began gathering in 1975. in November 1974 following a one-month trial when routes were extended to the Sandstone and Bighorn neighborhoods. Hourly service was provided at a The Price to Pay for cost of 35 cents per rider Voters Boldly Agree with the town underwrit- to Parks, Parking Covered Parking ing half the cost. Vail has Parking was a problem in Vail Vail’s first bond issues were put from the beginning. Vehicles before voters in 1973 with two chaotically’74 parked most anywhere and bold’73 undertakings that have helped always everywhere. Soon, the charming alpine define the community. A bond totaling village intended for pedestrians was be- $5.5 million for construction of a 1,000- been a ing overrun by cars and delivery trucks. space underground parking garage in Vail Town leaders determined that the Village was handily approved, 207-31, first step toward a permanent park- as the community took a daring step place of ing solution would be to build the Vail toward a carless village. During the same RETT = Open Village parking garage on land acquired election, a $3 million bond to acquire the heart from Vail Associates. They had the $5.5 Space Purchases 39 acres of land was overwhelmingly million in bonds, but also expected to approved by a vote of 229-8, beginning Throughout much of the 1970s, defray operating costs with proceeds Vail’s pursuit of open space. as well as the community voted to support from year-round parking fees. By a similar margin, voters that day various’79 taxes as well as numerous bond However, when the parking garage increased the town sales tax from 3 issues to help build amenities and provide the hill. opened in December 1974, the Town percent to 4 percent, earmarking half community services. In addition, the Council was already hearing complaints the revenues to pay for the two projects. town was able to gain hundreds of that the published rates were too high. The town’s acquisition of the Antholz acres of open space through negotiation Following the first winter season Ranch preempted construction of some with large land owners, including Vail of paid parking, the town adjusted its 200 condominiums on the property. Terry Minger Associates and the Pulis family. Yet business model and parking became free Following the election, the town Town Manager the town’s growing needs surpassed its during the summers thereafter. The condemned the land, which later became 1970-1979 expanding means. In 1978, voters were town’s initial parking goal was com- Ford Park. asked to approve a 1 percent real estate pleted in 1981 with the opening of the transfer tax (RETT) to be used for “open Lionshead parking garage following space, recreational or park purposes, or approval of a second construction bond employee housing.” By a margin of 69 totaling $7 million. to 101, voters for the first time in Vail’s Today, the parking issue continues to history said no to a new tax. create lively debate in the Town Council After much debate, the Town Council

Robert C. Bishop chambers with opinions divided on the decided to enact the tax without a public appropriate mix of free and paid public vote and refined its use by eliminating parking. the earlier reference to employee housing. Approved in July 1979, RETT 1974-75 Parking Center Rates was considered to be one of the most First Hour – No Charge courageous acts ever undertaken by a Vail 1-3 Hours - $1.00 town council. Since then, 50 percent of town-owned 3-6 Hours - $1.50 land (1,100 acres) has been set aside as 6-10 Hours - $2.00 open space, including more than 400 Ski Season Pass - $175 acres of town-owned parks and nearly 17 (Nov. 15-April 15) miles of bike and pedestrian trails. No Annual Pass - $250 other resort community in the U.S. has a Town leaders quickly acknowledged that a managed parking program Expires November 1975 larger percentage of open space. would be needed to preserve Vail’s pedestrian emphasis. Source: Vail Trail, Sept. 30, 1974

A retrospective  1980 1981 1982

Vail Valley Medical First use of real Vail Valley Founda- with construction Debut of Davos Center becomes full- estate transfer tax tion, the non-profit, of Snow Central Dash mountain bike service hospital. fund enacted with charitable organiza- main control facility race and Vail Hill- Beaver Creek acquisition of $3.9 tion, is founded by and mountain’s first Climb running race. opens for skiing. million Elmore par- Vail Associates. major water storage St. Moritz, Switzer- Vail Invitational cel, renamed John F. Lionshead Parking pond. land, becomes sister Figure Skating Donovan Park. Structure opens. Vail Fire Protection city. Challenge premieres. Town imposes brief Vail Daily newspa- District dissolves David Lokey West Vail and moratorium on new per established. and becomes town Sister Cities banners. Intermountain development. Snowmaking ca- department. annexed. pabilities expanded

Firefighter training.

FUN AND WHIMSY IN But is it Art? PUBLIC PLACES Pursuit of a Year- The town’s public art Round Economy Claes Oldenburg’s collection, now totaling 42 works, has evolved Some things never change. One During the ‘80s we saw Fishing Pole since the Oldenburg of the early citizen advisory days. Through In planning for a sculpture for committees’87 convened by Vail’s first a shift from economic generous donations, Lionshead, Vail officials cast far mayor was to consider “a pressing dependence on commissioned work to’83 secure the work of Claes Oldenburg, problem facing Vail” — the need for a and the outdoor public who had been making a name for himself convention-type facility. A study to build neighboring states art displays within from New York City to Los Angeles with one in Ford Park was met with resistance to a broader reach private developments, his enigmatic sculptures of often ordinary by those who had other ideas. public art dots the Vail objects and actions. Sizing up the set- By the 1980s, interest in a conference for guests from the landscape. Artists have ting in Vail, he returned with a model of center surfaced again. As before, there East and West coasts, been commissioned a giant fishing pole, to rise 62 feet above were many beds for rent, but not many to integrate creative Gore Creek, the pole and the line arcing customers for long stretches of the year. In plus internationally. In designs into such 160 feet and yielding an orange 55-gallon 1987, a proposal for a convention center partnership with Vail ordinary objects as “tin can.” called Congress Hall was submitted to handrails, manhole Some Vail residents were offended. One voters. Sponsors of the proposal said Resorts, we began covers, grates, fences called it “sacrilegious” to the stream. “If the conference center would even out pursuing the 1989 World and playgrounds. we need an orange fishing pole to be no- Vail’s economy. Voters weren’t sold. The The town’s public art ticed, that’s sad,” said a council member. measure was defeated. Ski Championships and collection includes Mayor Rod Slifer favored the sculpture, About the same time, a proposal went improving our services work that ranges from predicting it would “shower prestige” on forward to build a $5.5 million aquatic sculptures to murals, Vail. He philosophically noted that the center in Ford Park. Proponents said for guests and locals. and from paintings sculpture had already served a purpose in it would be a year-round attraction, We also completed to environmental getting people interested in public art. Ev- compatible with ski vacations but installations. eryone had become an expert, it seemed. available at other times of the year. the public library and A playful interpretation of Oldenburg’s It, also, was rejected by the expanded the free fishing pole even appeared at Dowd Junc- community when voters turned tion. it down, 992 to 199, during an bus system. The ski In the end, the town politely passed on election in 1990. company and the town Oldenburg’s sculpture, and he took his But the desire to level the $10,000 commission and left. Today, a economy remained. In 1993, had common goals to model of Oldenburg’s proposed installa- a second attempt to build a make Vail better! {the nineteen eighties} tion is displayed in the Vail Public Library. conference center also failed. Donated to the town by the Rosenquist Then in 2002, taxes to support family, it is signed by the artist and in- The stone pavers on Wall Street in Vail construction of a conference Village were created by artist Carolyn scribed “for Vail.” Ironically, this model center were approved, but voters said no Braaksma. These engraved images are Rod Slifer has become one of the more valuable clever riddles and word puzzles that to additional taxes for operations. Will Mayor works of art in the town’s collection. identify ski slopes, gardens, landmarks the idea reemerge? Time will tell. and symbols of Vail. 1977-1985 2003-2007

10 Vail’s First 50 1962-2012 1983 1984 1985 1987 1988 1989

Vail Public Library Mudslides/rockfalls George Gillett buys Gerald R. Ford Betty Ford Alpine World Alpine Ski Vail Recreation building dedicated. cause extensive Vail Associates, ex- Amphitheater opens Gardens established Championships District begins feasi- Voters approve property damage pands focus on guest in Ford Park. as highest botanical come to Vail, only bility discussions for $1.6 million bond at Snowberry and services, completes Annexation of East garden in U.S. second champion- par 3 golf course at for reconstruction Booth Creek. Town installation of four Intermountain. Snowboarders ships held outside Booth Falls. Project of Lionshead adopts building re- high-speed quad lifts. Voters defeat $16 welcomed on Vail Europe. Tamara ends five years later pedestrian mall. strictions in geologi- Students on Vail million Congress Mountain. McKinney wins gold when revenue bond American Ski cally sensitive areas. International Hockey Hall . China Bowl opens. and bronze. election fails. Classic begins. Colorado Mountain Team make first trip Bravo! Colorado College campus to China with Merv (Music Festival) opens at Cascade. Lapin. founded.

The Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater was completed in 1987. Ski World After a $9 million reconstruction in Spotlight 2001, the facility is Wilderness and being upgraded again Focuses with terracing of the Water Battles lawn seating and new on Vail restrooms at the east The 1980s brought additional end of the venue. environmental attention to the Vail The eyes of the world turned area.’88 After the end of mining almost a toward Vail during two defin- decade before, the final residents of Gil- ing’89 weeks in 1989 when the community Vail on Wheels Dann Coffey man, the company town located about six hosted the World Alpine Ski Champi- International miles from Vail, were evicted in 1985. By onships under the guidance of the Vail then, state officials had begun negotiating cycling was a major Valley Foundation and the scrutiny of the Vail’s Cultural Jewel cleanup of mine tailings, which were pol- attraction during FIS (International Ski Federation). luting the Eagle River. the 1980s when the It had been nearly 40 years since the Vail’s cultural offerings blossomed Dependent upon recreation, includ- Coors International prestigious event was hosted on Ameri- in 1987 when the Gerald R. Ford ing fishing in local waters, Vail had a Bicycling Classic can soil, and more than 1,200 volunteers Amphitheater’87 and its 1,260 covered seats direct stake in the outcome, even if its came to town. The welcomed athletes and coaches from a and 1,300 lawn seats opened. Success Gore Creek, which had been named a Vail Village Criterium record 42 nations. Despite heavy snowfall hadn’t come easily, however. Fundraising Gold Medal trout fishery by the Colorado and the Vail Pass and frigid temperatures that stayed below of $6 million had stalled until the Vail Wildlife Commission, was unaffected. Time Trial Stage zero for one race, Vail and Beaver Creek Valley Foundation stepped in, raising the At great length, river clean up began and drew thousands of demonstrated to the ski racing world it final $2.2 million needed to complete the continues to be monitored today. knew how to stage a good show. The spectators during outdoor performing arts theater. In doing Vail also had an interest in protecting millions of television sets across Europe its nearly 10-year so, the foundation became owner and local waters from diversion. Front Range and elsewhere also took note of what operator of the facility and was given a cities – Denver, Aurora and Colorado run and was the a major resort Vail had become and its long-term lease of the land by the town. Springs – owned extensive water rights inspiration for Vail’s abundant powder. The June opening was attended by its in and around Vail, including the Eagles pursuit of additional In successive years, international visi- namesake, the 38th president, and Mrs. Nest and Holy Cross Wilderness areas. cycling competitions, tors spiked, and then Vail did it again, Ford, both of them enthusiastic supporters The Congressional law creating Holy including the UCI hosting the races in 1999, the first time of Vail. Willie Nelson performed the first Cross Wilderness in 1980 specified that World Mountain in history the event had returned to the summer and the Hot Summer Nights the designation did not preclude the abil- Bike Championships same site within a concert series was launched along with the ity of Colorado Springs and Aurora to in 1994 and 2001, 10-year span. The first free Patriotic Concert performed by divert water from inside the wilderness. and the USA Pro skiing championships the Colorado Symphony. The two cities set out to do just that, Challenge in 2011, will make a third The Bravo! Vail Valley Music expanding their existing Homestake appearance at Vail/ which returns to Festival held its first performance at the water supply, by a complex set of tunnels Beaver Creek Vail in 2013. amphitheater in 1988. That same year, and canals. Many Vail residents joined an in 2015. the park gained another dimension with opposition group, the Holy Cross Wilder- establishment of the Betty Ford Alpine ness Defense Fund, and the local water Gardens, the highest botanical gardens in district also became an active adversary. Sports File the world. In 1988 Eagle County commissioners Above: Yet another milestone was notched denied the necessary permits on environ- World Alpine Championship in 1989. The Bolshoi Academy of mental grounds. Court challenges and ceremonies. Moscow had expected to perform ballet procedural issues delayed the outcome, Left: Crowds elsewhere in the United States. That but local interests in the Homestake II converge on Vail during the Coors opportunity vanished, and Vail leapt at the case prevailed. No additional water left Bicycle Classic in opportunity to host, thus beginning the Eagle County. 1984. Vail International Dance Festival. Formed Nearly two decades later, water flow- in 1981, the Vail Valley Foundation was ing in local streams was further secured crucial in this and other efforts to broaden through the cooperative effort of local Vail’s performing arts. and Front Range water providers. Courtesy of Michael Aisner

A retrospective 11 1990 1991 1993 1994 1995

Expansion of Vail Vail Homeowners Voters defeat sales UCI World Mountain Managed growth Vail voters defeat Roundabouts: Village parking Association formed. tax increases to fund Bike Championships agreement approved plan to construct A structure completed State demographer performing arts and held in Vail. between Town of Vail cemetery on upper Revolutionary with addition of 400 confirms 73 percent conference center. In Construction of $3.5 and Vail Associates. bench of Donovan Idea spaces. of homes in Vail same election, voters million addition to Eagle County voters Park. During same In-bounds terrain owned by part-time approve “de-Brucing” Police Department approve sales tax for special election, In 1995 Vail’s park opens on Vail residents. question. completed. regional transporta- voters approve roundabouts at Mountain. Voters separate mil tion and trails. assault weapons ban. Main Vail were Vail Tennis Center levy for Vail Parks and the first of their opens. Recreation District kind to be built from Town of Vail. at an interstate interchange in the U.S. Cost: $2.8 million.

Traffic lights were the most obvious congestion remedy, but the community quickly dismissed Inspired by the past, the lights as inappropriate – our goal was to ensure the much too urban ongoing success of Vail: and out of character. regional transportation, Prior to the continued commitment roundabouts, Vail had spent Growth Pact to open space, Blue Sky $80,000 annually Precedes New Basin, roundabouts and to manually direct Kicking the Habit, traffic during busy Ski Terrain affordable housing for sale times. Still, cars Cleaning the Air during Christmas Today’s Blue Sky Basin represents to locals. Partnerships and week sometimes For years, a crackling fire at the so much more than its 645 acres unwaivering determination backed up 30 end of the day had been part of the of’95 gladed skiing. Once known as Cat- minutes or more. mystique’91 of a ski vacation in Vail — until egory III, the mountain’s newest terrain turned into rewarding, the Environmental Protection Agency is the crowning achievement embedded sustainable outcomes. Following the came calling. Vail, the community that in an historic managed growth agree- success at Main cherished the natural environment, was a ment between the Town of Vail and Vail Vail, the community polluter in the eyes of the federal govern- Associates. enthusiastically ment. The popularity of wood-burning Approved unanimously by the Town Peggy Osterfoss endorsed fireplaces had caused the air particulate Council in April 1995, the agreement Mayor roundabouts as the traffic solution levels to exceed acceptable standards. On identifies a series of actions used to bal- 1991-1995 for West Vail. busy weekends, smoke sometimes created ance peak and non-peak periods. Included Construction was a lid above the valley floor. is the ability to increase the mountain’s completed in In 1980 during the Presidents Day early season carrying capacity 1997 at a cost of weekend, the town initiated a “smokeless via Blue Sky Basin as well $6.1 million. weekend” campaign to bring attention to as a “manage to” number the problem of smoke from open-hearth of skiers on Vail Mountain Today, roundabouts fireplaces. The campaign became an an- at one time of 19,900. The are an accepted nual event for more than a decade while town’s carrying capacity was engineering the town worked to address the valley’s also increased with con- solution in the poor air quality. struction of the Main Vail U.S., which now has A pivotal turning point occurred in roundabouts, which were more than 3,000. August 1991, when the Town Council partially funded by Vail voted 7-0 to ban installation of wood- Associates. The review of burning fireplaces while allowing new Category III was exhaustive, cleaner-burning wood stoves or natural and the expansion vigorously gas fireplaces that aesthetically mimicked opposed by some within Vail. the old-fashioned fireplaces. Conversions Arson fires on Vail Moun- of existing fireplaces were given incen- tain in October 1998, later {the nineteen nineties}

tives. The combination of carrots and determined to be the work Jack Affleck sticks worked. Within a few years, Vail’s of out-of-state animal-rights After a four-and-a-half year review process, brown cloud had disappeared and the air cells, were the largest act of eco-terrorism Blue Sky Basin opened on Jan. 6, 2000. quality met federal standards. To this day, in U.S. history — and brought a fractured the town waives permit fees on wood community together, united in its resolve fireplace conversions. to overcome adversity.

12 Vail’s First 50 1962-2012 1996 1997 1998 1999

Vail voters approve Vail Commons Housing Policy West Vail round- Adoption of Lions- Renovations made charter amendment deed-restricted, Planner staff position abouts added. head Redevelopment to Slifer Square, requiring vote of for-sale housing de- created by Town Free After 3 pilot Master Plan serves as Village Transportation electorate to change velopment (53 units) of Vail. parking program framework for future Center, Seibert Circle. use or dispose of des- approved in West Eagle Bahn Gondola launched. redevelopment. Vail hosts ignated open space. Vail. Development replaces original Apollo Partners, Local water provid- World Alpine Ski also includes grocery Lionshead Gondola. owner of Vail Associ- ers develop Eagle Championships. store and 18 rental Adventure Ridge ates since 1992, ex- Park Reservoir for Vail voters approve employee housing opens on Vail pands, goes public and snowmaking and 1.4% lodging tax. units. Mountain. delivers new name: community water Vail Resorts, Inc. needs.

all in good humor Filmmaker Warren Miller, a part-time resident of Vail, had once chastised town leaders for Vail Commons: their decision to build roundabouts. The good- Living in Vail humored columnist changed his tune following A Turning Point construction, admitting he was wrong, as • Since 1996, the town illustrated in his “eating crow” cartoon. From the outset, finding a job in has helped more than Vail was easy. The challenge was 175 local employees finding’95 a place to live. Over time, couch purchase homes within surfing and car camping became a rite Vail’s boundaries. of passage for many young workers. The municipal government had long under- • The Buzzard Park units, stood the dilemma and in 1978 asked located on the grounds voters to consider creation of a real estate of the Public Works transfer tax to be used for employee hous- complex north of the golf ing as well as open space and recreational course, have provided or park purposes. The measure failed. the resources needed to The conclusion: leave housing to the reduce seasonal overtime private sector. costs and provide a By 1995, with studies showing an steady staff for the town’s alarming gap between an employee’s seasonal operations. income and the cost of housing, Mayor Lodging Tax Peggy Osterfoss and the Town Council • Eagle River Water Elevates Summer courageously stood before the com- & Sanitation District The monumental munity and expanded the role of gov- found that proximity Marketing ernment. The town government, they counts when employees successes of Vail insisted, must deliver employee housing, a need to respond to Summer business got a big boost crucial component of the local economy. after-hours emergencies. on Nov. 2, 1999, when Vail’s Commons and The 6.6-acre Vail Commons property, The town partnered with electorate’99 approved a 1.4 percent lodging acquired by the town in 1993, became the ERWSD to provide 18 tax for summer and shoulder season the town’s other battleground for the new housing policy. for-sale units centrally marketing. The vote was 827 to 233. Plans for a mixed use development on located in Vail. Priority While the tax had initially been housing programs the site stirred community emotions and was given to critical structured to include Avon and Beaver prompted petitions signed by hundreds of employees, such as Creek, a Vail-only tax was pursued have allowed for residents opposed to the project. emergency responders. when the other players withdrew Despite the uprising support. Today, the Vail more families and and threatened litiga- Local Marketing District tion, the Town Council Board, which is comprised individuals to live in stayed the course and of the Vail Town Council, voted 7-0 in September determines how the the town full-time, 1995, to move forward estimated $2 million in with construction of 53 annual tax collections are and many, like myself, for-sale homes, 18 rental to be spent with guidance units, a daycare center by a panel of appointed have become very and a full-service gro- marketing experts. Since cery store in partnership 2000, the tax has generated civically involved. with City Market. The more than $24 million for development eventually summer marketing, which gained acceptance by the has resulted in Vail being the community and served leader in the mountain resort Kim Newbury as a catalyst for addi- industry with year-round Employee housing owner since 1996 tional housing projects branding and marketing Town Council Member, 2003-2011 to be completed later in efforts domestically and Vail Local Housing Authority the decade. internationally. Member, 2001 – current Cartoonist Don Sidle’s humor appeared regularly in the Vail Trail newspaper during the 1990s.

A retrospective 13 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005

Fire at Vail Marriott UCI Mountain Bike Voters approve Water rights case John F. Donovan Park Vail Village Arrabelle at Vail causes $21 million World Championships conference center initiated; historic and Pavilion opens, streetscape improve- Square breaks ground. damage, largest return to Vail. tax package. 2007 settlement joining Ford Park as ments with heated, Voters defeat addi- structure fire in Vail Vail Child Care Retro manhole eliminates Denver Vail’s second large- cobbled pavers in- tional taxes for confer- history. Center opens in covers introduced. Water’s right to divert scale community park. stalled to coincide with ence center. Blue Sky Basin West Vail. Vail Reinvestment from Gore Creek. Town acquires 198- redevelopment. Vail Gymnastics opens to skiers and Vail Whitewater Authority created, unit Timber Ridge Middle Creek Village Center opens. snowboarders. Park opens. allows Tax Increment complex to preserve Apartments opens Expansion of Vail Ellefson Park opens Vail Farmers’ Financing to fund property’s deed-re- with 142 rental units. Mountain School in West Vail. Market debuts. Lionshead public stricted employee Vail Memorial Park complete. projects. housing designation. opens.

the arrabelle Vail’s Billion Dollar Renewal began in earnest when the development application for the Arrabelle at Vail Square was approved by the Town Council in April 2004.

From Blight to an Unparalled Sight Drought, Frothy and Fun: Dynamic leadership Fires and Never fully inviting, as compared in our community to Vail Village, Lionshead needed Whitewater Park Bark Beetles a’03 new face and a new body for the 21st has focused on century. An urban renewal authority, the With arrival of the new century, continuing Vail’s Bark beetles have always lurked legal tool that offered the best leverage for Vail set out to shore up its non-ski- success as evidenced in the lodgepole pine forests that financing crucial public improvements, ing’01 economy. One approach was to make blanket’02 the hillsides in and around Vail. also carried the most risk. Gore Creek more of an attraction to by the physical One epidemic flared in the early 1980s. By state law, establishment of the re- kayakers and other boaters. In 2001, some renaissance of our But another epidemic that began in 1996 newal authority required formal designa- 600 cubic yards of rock were used to cre- town. The foresight eventually became monolithic, the result tion of the affected area as “blighted.” ate the Vail Whitewater Park, between of warming temperatures, maturing for- The law defined blighted as underper- the Covered Bridge and the International and fiscal ingenuity ests, and then the severe drought of 2002. forming, which Lionshead was, but public Bridge. of prior generations The dead trees became the catalyst for perception drifts toward seedy warehouse Dissatisfied with results of the initial has allowed for the action. New building regulations adopted districts and skid row apartments. Could design due to Gore Creek’s highly vari- by the town banned wooden shake-shin- Vail withstand the ridicule and possibly able flows, the town created a first-of-a- revitalization of gles in new homes and required flame- sacrifice its world-class reputation by de- kind mechanism. An automated system the Vail brand and resistant shingles on roof replacements. claring Lionshead “blighted?” The town uses air to inflate bladders to various sizes, continued prosperity Also, property owners in forested areas called upon a group of business leaders depending on the daily stream level. The were encouraged to create defensible to help evaluate its prospects. Cautious at system directs water toward the center of during challenging spaces around buildings. first, the business leaders announced their the structure, creating a wave that can be economic times. Most prominently, the town joined support after realizing the blight designa- used for surfing and various other kayak with the Forest Service and Vail Resorts tion would apply exclusively to public tricks. in 2006 to clear dead and diseased trees property, such as inadequate street layout But what good is a whitewater park from adjacent hillsides and gave renewed and inferior utilities. without ample water? To secure rights Andy Daly attention to the town’s evacuation plan. In 2003, the Town Council voted to to the preferred larger flows, the town Mayor From 2006 to 2012, some 10,000 trees create the Vail Reinvestment Authority. joined the Eagle River Water & Sanita- 2011 - current were removed. This allowed incremental taxes result- tion District in a pivotal court case in The compelling need for these mea- ing from the upgrades, estimated at $14 Colorado that resulted in a change in sures was demonstrated by a wildfire that million to $16 million, to be plowed back state law. The new law authorized a broke out on a ridge above Stephens Park into improvements of public property new form of water rights for recreation- in the Intermountain neighborhood in within the Lionshead district. These im- al in-stream flows. 2009. The fire was quickly contained, provements coincided with private sector

{the two thousands} The newly improved Whitewater thanks to rapid response from local and investments, including Arrabelle at Vail Park, opening in 2008, helped elevate regional agencies, but it could have Square, and rehabs and facelifts for many the Teva Whitewater Festival into the been much worse. If major fires in the older lodges. Memories of blight receded Teva Mountain Games, designed to Vail area had been nearly non-existent, as this partnership of public policy and appeal to the growing interest in rock bark beetles and drought served notice private enterprise produced a triumph, climbing and other participatory sports. that they were still possible – and, given a new Lionshead, one that looked and Golf still mattered, but to new genera- enough time, with just the right condi- operated differently, a place where people tions the games were changing. tions, quite probable. wanted to be.

Competitors at Vail’s Whitewater Park.

14 Vail’s First 50 1962-2012 2006 2007 2008 2009 2011 2012

First of 10 hybrid Voters approve con- Holiday-tree Loading and delivery Community Gar- Public ceremony buses added to Vail struction use tax. decorations converted regulations revised to den opens. on Dec. 15 com- Transit fleet. Town requires bear- to energy-efficient include increased use Vail Fire Station memorates opening Vail’s Toby Dawson proof trash containers. LEDs, which use up to of underground deliv- No. 3 opens. of Vail Mountain 50 earns freestyle moguls 80 percent less energy ery bays and limited Voters approve years earlier. bronze at Winter than incandescent. on-street parking. Conference Center Olympics in Turin, Italy. More than 25-miles Groundbreaking for Fund reallocation. of LED lights used Arosa Drive deed- Vail hosts USA Pro to decorate Vail’s restricted duplex on Cycling Challenge roundabouts, plazas town land in West Vail. Time Trial. and other public spaces. Jack Affleck

Voters Affirm Gondola One (#1), replacing the Vista Bahn, opens in Vail Village as Sheika Gramshammer Higher, Bigger leads the opening day celebration. Solaris

Jack Affleck The Solaris development, which Distant No More: replaced Crossroads West Vail Fire Station in Vail Village, made history for After years of study and indecision, its unconventional Town Council members approved approval process. construction’09 of the West Vail Fire Station After failing to get in 2009. As predicted, response times to town council approval, calls vastly improved after Station No. 3 developer Peter Knobel opened in 2011, delivering greater securi- referred the project ty in the community’s western neighbor- Jack Affleck to a public vote, as hoods, particularly given the heightened Gore Creek water protections have permitted by the worries about the risk of wildfires. become a community priority. town charter. At the The need for a station was first identi- Gritty Realty in special election held fied during the West Vail annexation in Gore Creek in July 2006, voters 1980. by a margin of 1,110 Bold Marketing in The 15,000 cubic yards of sand to 467 approved the spread on Interstate 70 each winter higher-rising mix of Ever Vail Ready Face of Recession to’08 give motorists crossing Vail Pass condominiums and traction was not an immediate threat. shops. It was the most for Next Steps When the Great Recession hit But, pebble by pebble, the sand had votes cast in any town Vail in the fourth quarter of 2008, trickled from the highway to the valley election. Also notable Looking to position Vail as a leader one’08 option was to hunker down, trim below, and by 2000 a bizarre, beach-like was the well-organized among mountain resorts for the spending and ride out the storm. Another landscape was evident along Black Gore campaign in support next’12 50 years, the Town Council gave was to be bold. The Town Council Creek. In places, the sand was several feet of the project. A movie Vail Resorts Development Company per- chose the latter, electing to mount a thick and the impacts were disturbing. theater, bowling alley mission to pursue its Ever Vail mixed-use winter marketing campaign, something With support from the town and outdoor ice rink development in December 2012. traditionally left entirely to Vail Resorts government, the Eagle River Water were added as public The pair of enabling votes came after and individual businesses. Following the & Sanitation District and Eagle River benefits in exchange more than 80 public meetings spread endorsement by a citizens group, the Watershed Council began working for deviations from across five years as the community town appropriated $550,000 to fund a with the Colorado Department of underlying zoning. The reviewed plans for the new portal to campaign designed to draw overnight Transportation, the U.S. Forest Service project opened in 2010. Vail Mountain. The gondola terminal, guests from the Front Range. and others to find solutions. Each year, residential and commercial real estate This “Vail All the Love” campaign sand from along the highway was swept and other components represented one of the largest partnerships up, before it could trickle into the valley would be built on a ever undertaken by the lodging, retail below. Also, 58 sediment basins were 13-acre site in West and restaurant sectors. The campaign not installed along the highway in 2008, to Lionshead. The town’s only enabled Vail to retain a leadership trap the sand so it could be removed in conceptual approval is position in lodging and tourism activity summer. All have helped. good for eight years. compared with its resort competitors, but But Gore Creek faces broader threats Ever Vail still requires also served as a catalyst for year-round as the town and its partners work to site-specific plans. brand marketing coordination with Vail reduce impacts to the creek, restore its As now defined, it Resorts. The efforts, along with the natural functions and improve water represents the largest timing of Vail’s real estate renewal, have quality. Unaffected is its status as a Gold redevelopment in the kept the resort in a competitive position. Medal trout stream. town’s history. Ever Vail rendering.

A retrospective 15 Left: Seven of Vail’s 11 mayors pose for an historic photo during Vail’s 50th Anniversary. Shown are, (left to right), Bob Armour, Kent Rose, Rod Slifer, Peggy Osterfoss, Andy Daly, Dick Cleveland and Ludwig Kurz. Below (left to right): View of Gore Range from Vail Village; summer business in Lionshead; ice skating at the Interfaith Chapel; President Ford with Barbara Parker and John and Diana Donovan; and bicycle race in Vail Village. Tom GreenTom Jack Affleck

Vail Town council 1973 1981 1989 1997 2005 members John Dobson, Mayor Rod Slifer, Mayor Kent Rose, Mayor Rob Ford, Mayor Rod Slifer, Mayor 1966 Gerry White, Mayor Pro Tem Bill Wilto, Mayor Pro Tem Tom Steinberg, Mayor Pro Tem Ludwig Kurz, Mayor Pro Tem Farrow Hitt, Mayor Pro Tem Ted Kindel, Mayor John Donovan Chuck Anderson Lynn Fritzlen Bob Armour Kevin Foley Mitch Hoyt, Mayor Pro Tem Kathy Klug Paul Johnston* Jim Gibson Michael Arnett Mark Gordon John Donovan, Mayor Pro Tem* Joe Langmaid Bob Ruder Merv Lapin Kevin Foley Kent Logan Larry Burdick Josef Staufer Hermann Staufer Rob LeVine Michael Jewett Greg Moffet John Dobson Tom Steinberg Ron Todd Peggy Osterfoss Sybill Navas Kim Newbury Joe Langmaid Gail Wahrlich Peter Seibert 1975 1991 1999 2007 Harry Willett John Dobson, Mayor 1983 Peggy Osterfoss, Mayor Ludwig Kurz, Mayor Dick Cleveland, Mayor Josef Staufer, Mayor Pro Tem Rod Slifer, Mayor Merv Lapin, Mayor Pro Tem Sybill Navas, Mayor Pro Tem Andy Daly, Mayor Pro Tem 1968 John Donovan Paul Johnston, Mayor Pro Tem Bob Buckley Diana Donovan Kevin Foley John Dobson, Mayor Bill Heimbach Chuck Anderson Jim Gibson Kevin Foley* Mark Gordon Joe Langmaid, Mayor Pro Tem Kathy Klug Colleen Kline Rob LeVine Rob Ford Farrow Hitt Dick Bailey Bob Ruder Kent Rose Jim Shearer Chuck Ogilby Kim Newbury John Donovan Bill Wilto Hermann Staufer Tom Steinberg Greg Moffet Margaret Rogers John Kaemmer* Gail Wahrlich Rod Slifer Ted Kindel 1977 1993 2009 Peter Seibert Rod Slifer, Mayor 1985 Peggy Osterfoss, Mayor 2001 Dick Cleveland, Mayor Tom Steinberg John Donovan, Mayor Pro Tem Paul Johnston, Mayor Merv Lapin, Mayor Pro Tem Ludwig Kurz, Mayor Kim Newbury, Mayor Pro Tem Bill Heimbach Kent Rose, Mayor Pro Tem Paul Johnston Rod Slifer, Mayor Pro Tem Andy Daly 1970 Scott Hopman* Eric Affeldt Sybill Navas Dick Cleveland Kerry Donovan John Dobson, Mayor Kathleen Klug Dan Corcoran Jim Shearer Diana Donovan Kevin Foley Tom Steinberg, Mayor Pro Tem Paula Palmateer Gordon Pierce Rod Slifer* Bill Jewett Margaret Rogers Chuck Anderson Bob Ruder* John Slevin* Tom Steinberg Greg Moffet Susie Tjossem Dick Bailey Tom Steinberg Hermann Staufer Jan Strauch Chuck Ogilby John Donovan Bill Wilto Gail Wahrlich-Lowenthal 2011 Clay Freeman 1995 2003 Andy Daly, Mayor Gerry White 1979 1987 Bob Armour, Mayor Rod Slifer, Mayor Ludwig Kurz, Mayor Pro Tem Rod Slifer, Mayor Kent Rose, Mayor Sybill Navas, Mayor Pro Tem Dick Cleveland, Mayor Pro Tem Kerry Donovan 1972** Bill Wilto, Mayor Pro Tem John Slevin, Mayor Pro Tem Kevin Foley Diana Donovan Kevin Foley John Dobson, Mayor Bud Benedict* Eric Affeldt Rob Ford Farrow Hitt* Greg Moffet

{town leadership} Ted Kindel, Mayor Pro Tem John Donovan Michael Cacioppo* Michael Jewett Ludwig Kurz Margaret Rogers Tom Steinberg, Mayor Pro Tem* Scott Hopman Merv Lapin Paul Johnston Kent Logan Susie Tjossem Dick Bailey Paul Johnston* Gordon Pierce Ludwig Kurz* Greg Moffet John Donovan Paula Palmateer Tom Steinberg Peggy Osterfoss Kim Newbury Ruotolo Vail Town Managers Joe Langmaid Bob Ruder* Gail Wahrlich-Lowenthal Blake Lynch, 1966-70 Josef Staufer Tom Steinberg Terry Minger, 1970-79 Gerry White Ron Todd Rich Caplan, 1979-84 Ron Phillips, 1984-93 Bob McLaurin, 1993-2003 Stan Zemler, 2003-current

*Elected or appointed mid-term. **Per Town Charter, elections changed from spring to fall, plus staggered terms established.