What Mother Nature Can’t Destroy

What Mother Nature Can’t Destroy

32 Days. It has been only 32 days since the waters roared down the canyons and into our lives. It feels like a lifetime ago. When I look back at our lives and our community 32 days ago, it is overwhelming to think about the life-shifting events we’ve all had to endure. We all have our individual stories yet they blend together in a complex web of experiences. We’ve gone through something as a community. Mother Nature did her best to tear down everything we built, yet she couldn’t tear apart the fabric of who we are. The Flood It was about 6:00 AM on September 12th when the power went out. My husband was called into work in Boulder and my 8 year old son and I were alone in Pinewood Springs. I had been up all night obsessively watching the news on...

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Access to Pinewood Springs Via Highway 36

Access to Pinewood Springs Via Highway 36

There have been a lot of questions, rumors and confusion about the ability to access Pinewood via vehicles on highway 36. It’s understandable as there are several agencies involved and the communication flow is slow. Resources are stretched with so much destruction. That said, I’m working with the right people with authority so we can get answers to our questions. Included in this effort was a 20-minute phone call with Ashley Mohr, the official CDOT spokeswoman. She wanted you all to know that they are having a meeting tomorrow morning (Tuesday, October 7) to discuss Pinewood and will have more answers after that meeting. They have been focused in so many directions (including the reopening of highway 119) but highway 36 is a big priority. There will...

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Operation Thank You National Guard and CDOT

Operation Thank You National Guard and CDOT

When I read the news that the Utah Guard was on their way to Colorado, I felt an overwhelming sense of hope and gratitude. Hopefully you did too. So maybe it’s time to show our gratitude to the ones doing the very hard work to return us all home! The Colorado National Guard has enlisted the Utah National Guard to help rebuild highway 36. CDOT and our Colorado guard are stretched so thin and have been working non-stop since the floods over three weeks ago. To say “Thanks!” we are working on a few things and could use your help! 1) Working the road blocks and check points is grueling. I spoke with a guardsman earlier today who said anything we can do for these guys would be appreciated more than we realize. He suggested delivering cookies or any...

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IMPORTANT UPDATE: Access to Pinewood Springs via Highway 36 Prohibited

IMPORTANT UPDATE: Access to Pinewood Springs via Highway 36 Prohibited

Lyons, Colorado – Gov. John Hickenlooper announced this afternoon that the State of Colorado has contracted with a Colo. National Guard engineering company to rebuild U.S. 36 between Lyons and Estes Park. Work on the highway has begun from both directions – from the Town of Lyons and the Town of Estes Park – with similar equipment and crews working towards each other. In an effort to expedite construction, all traffic on U.S. 36 west of Lyons is prohibited, effectively immediately. Beginning Monday, all access to Apple Valley Rd will be severely restricted between the hours of 7 a.m. – 6 p.m. The closure applies to vehicular, cycling, and pedestrian traffic. The closures will specifically impact residents of Spring Gulch and Blue Mountain areas. Also,...

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Update: 4-Wheel Drive Access Road Closes Today

Update: 4-Wheel Drive Access Road Closes Today

  All remaining residents who wish to exit via the 4×4 road to Spring Gulch must be at gate 1 by 10:00 AM – After all public vehicles are through, the fire fighters will follow out. From that point on, there will be no controlled exits to ensure safety. Pinewood Springs Firefighter, Randy Craner will be remaining behind for FEMA and construction workers lodging and basic life support or fires with only a few trained personnel. For emergencies, the residents remaining will have to go to Randy’s home at the Little Elk Meadows Lodge so that he can deploy support if needed. This is only until phone lines are re-established and the normal 911 system is available again.

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