The mountain area’s newspaper since 1958
WEEK OF APRIL 24, 2025
VOLUME 66 | ISSUE 23
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Evergreen Lake dam on tap for repairs State-required projects will ensure compliance with water rights and safety of dam BY JANE REUTER JREUTER@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
Elk Creek Fire board candidates participated in a debate sponsored by the Canyon Courier at West Jefferson Middle School April 15. From left, Michael PHOTO BY JANE REUTER Bartlett, Al Leo, Kathleen Noonan, moderator and Canyon Courier editor Eric Heinz, Tom Seymour and Todd Wagner.
Elk Creek Fire candidates share views on issues during candidates’ forum Five people are running for two seats on what has often been a conflict-ridden board BY JANE REUTER JREUTER@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
Five candidates running for two open seats on the Elk Creek Fire board participated in an April 15 candidates’ forum, answering questions on the hot topic of unification as well as volunteer recruitment, work-
ing with the firefighters’ union and other timely questions. The Canyon Courier sponsored the event at Conifer’s West Jefferson Middle School, which was moderated by editor Eric Heinz. My Mountain Town owner Sharon Trilk also recorded the forum, which is viewable on the My Mountain Town YouTube
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Redesigned EFR Volunteer program see gains in firefighter training. P2
channel.. Michael Bartlett, Al Leo, Kathleen Noonan, Thomas Seymour and Todd Wagner are running for the board. Leo and Noonan are endorsed by the Elk Creek Firefighters Local 4710. Board president Greg Pixley and director Melissa Baker are term-limited and will step
SEE DAM REPAIRS, P7
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
down. The board has undergone years of controversy during its efforts to merge the district with neighboring North Fork and Inter-Canyon fire districts. The latest effort at unification is stalled as Elk Creek board member
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Evergreen Lake’s nearly 100-year-old dam needs some TLC and repairs to ensure it meets state requirements, and the Evergreen Metro District is working with various agencies to ensure it gets both. Projects to address those issues will happen in the coming weeks and months. “It’s certainly a staple in the community, and we want to maintain that,” said Jason Stawski, general manager of the Evergreen Metro District. A valve that operates the dam’s outlet works has been inoperable for years. “That’s why water has almost always flowed over the spillway,” Stawski said. “Most dams operate where the spillway acts only as an emergency for when heavy rain-
SEE FORUM, P18
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