Someone's in the kitchen with...

…if you’re interested in reading more about the retiring Pitkin County Sheriff Bob Braudis, here is one of the more extensive interviews done recently. It’s with Robert Chalmers of The Independent in London. Chalmers tries to get at what everybody really wants to know: how did Braudis manage to be sheriff and be one of HST's best friend at the same time? The interview includes this exchange:

Braudis: "'Hunter and I developed a protocol, designed to keep me from being compromised. I can't give you the details but it was effective.'"

Chalmers: "'Don't tell me that you had no idea what happened in that kitchen.'"

Braudis: "'I know very well what went on in the kitchen. But I was never compromised by him.'"

Elements in place for postcard weekend

It's a sunshine blue-sky day with a high of 59. Crisp and clean and bright. Should be an even nicer day on Saturday, with sunshine and a high of 67 per the National Weather Service forecast. And just as nice on Sunday. A perfect weekend in the Colorado high country?

Aspen Mountain's misty shawl

It is the kind of day that calls for a wood stove, a book-lined study, a big fleece blanket, a cup of tea, and nowhere to go. It's the kind of day when fabulous ASPEN! is really just a little town tucked up a narrow valley, in a place it probably never should have been built in the first place (right in the meadow next to the river). It's the kind of day where you hope it's snowing up high, cause it is sure raining in town.

Ethereal Tuesday morning on the Burn

The fall weather continues to be generous with snow. Just when it appeared as if “hot and dry” was back home for the off-season, another snow shower snuck in this morning. Clouds were ethereal (def: resembling spirit, impalable; of unearthly delicacy and refinement) over Snowmass at mid-morning, revealing the results of a consistent pattern of little snow storms. Such a pretty morning it was, the sky washed clean and a warm breeze wafting through the valley. Bits of sun and shade dancing through the day. Sorry to get Colorado lyrical on you, but it’s all true. Let’s hope the moisture continues right up to Turkey Day. At least the next few days look wet, as there is a “slight chance” of rain and snow showers in town after midnight Tuesday, again on Wednesday night, and then again on Thursday. More autumn base building underway.

Regular off-season day

Yes, this is a bit more like it. Sure, we've gotten some snow up high, but no one should be deluded into thinking that we're really all that close to ski season. It is just another normal, pleasant off-season day here in the valley, with work being done to get the hill in shape. Nothing wrong with that, especially as it is rare to see a snowflake in town much before Nov. 1, when snowmaking on Aspen Mountain is scheduled to begin. In addition to today's little bulldozing session down the middle of Nell, there is lots of work going on at the base of the mountain, just off the slopes. Roofers are scrambling over the top of the Little Nell, where the snowmelting system is being replaced. And the facade of the North of Nell building is also getting an upgrade. The base area should be looking sharp by ski season, which is still over seven weeks away. Patience, grasshopper, patience...

Sumptuous fall day in the iconic West End, where we're deep into off-season.

It may be freezing at Coors Field, but it is nothing but nice here on the Western Slope.

Loveland snowmaking ops Thursday

Photo courtesy of Colorado Ski Country USA, which reported today that Colorado resorts are taking advantage of the cold temperatures and ideal humidity conditions to make snow." Copper, A-Basin and Loveland are now all making snow and the latest storm dropped either a dusting or a couple of inches. Last year, A-Basin and Loveland both opened on October 15th. "This was the first time Colorado had two resorts open on the same day for the season," CSCUSA says. Copper Mountain is slated to open on November 6th.