The Breckenridge Town Council honored four police officers for life-saving and exceptional service at their January 27 meeting before unanimously approving a pedestrian pathway project that will eliminate 26 parking spaces from the Wellington Lot. The Blue River Pathways project phase will create safer pedestrian access from South Gondola parking to Main Street through a 23-foot wide sidewalk with crosswalks, ADA ramps, lighting and landscaping. Council members also received news of a $200,000 state grant for Northern Ute artist Chelsea Kaiah to create an 8-9 foot yucca plant sculpture near the Blue River by August. Assistant Chief Garrison Green presented life-saving awards to Officers Callum Schneider and Gabrella Bachman for December and January emergency responses, while Officer Cory Olsen received a service commendation and Sergeant Esteban Ortega earned recognition for placing a homeless community member in long-term assisted living care. Mayor Kelly Owens proclaimed February as Black History Month, and tourism officials reported lodging occupancy down to 68% compared to 74% last year due to weather conditions.
Life-Saving Recognition
Officer Callum Schneider responded to a December 27 incident where a male patient was run over by his own vehicle, immediately applying a tourniquet in what became the first use of the Whole Blood Program in Summit County. Officer Gabrella Bachman performed CPR for more than five minutes during a January 10 cardiac arrest call at the Village Hotel before the patient’s successful revival.
Officer Cory Olsen received a commendation for coordinating resources during the December 27 incident. Sergeant Esteban Ortega earned an Excellence in Problem-Solving Award for securing assisted living placement for a homeless community member, including providing transportation for the 4.5-hour drive to La Junta.
Wellington Lot Pedestrian Connection
The council unanimously approved the Sawmill/Wellington lot pedestrian connection project after the Planning Commission recommended approval 7-0. The project will remove 26 parking spaces from the Wellington Lot, leaving 19 spaces remaining.
Mayor Owens noted a drone photo clearly showed pedestrians stranded in the parking lot area. The project earned six policy points for enhancing pedestrian circulation and supporting the council’s “More Boots & Bikes, Less Cars” initiative.
Public Art Installation
Tamara Nuzzaci Park from Brec Create announced Northern Ute artist Chelsea Kaiah’s selection for a permanent public art installation funded by a $200,000 state grant. The sculpture will be installed in the Alpine Garden near the Blue River with completion required by August as part of Colorado’s 150-250 state celebration initiative.
Kaiah recently attended the Breckenridge History Smithsonian exhibit opening with Mountain Ute Tribal Elder Mark Wing, who noted the lack of Ute acknowledgment in Breckenridge.
Tourism Updates
Council Member Dick Carleton reported tourism lodging occupancy at 68% compared to 74% last year, with weather impacting numbers down 8.4% for MLK weekend. International Snow Sculpture Championships continue with a team from Ukraine participating this year. Skier destination bookings have pushed to March, which could produce a strong rebound.
Public Comment
Residents addressed concerns about rising prices, ride-share regulation and trail access during public comment. A Vail employee requested a minimum wage increase to $28 per hour. David Hirschhorn, owner of 453 Taxi, complained about unlicensed drivers using shuttle stops and requested regulation requiring local drivers pay $250 permits while out-of-area drivers pay $1,000. Another resident praised the new water usage monitoring app that alerted him to a running toilet consuming 1,200 gallons.
Other Business
The council approved Resolution No. 2 authorizing the town manager to execute open space acquisitions that meet budget requirements and Open Space Plan criteria.
The Social Equity Advisory Commission awarded nine mini-grants averaging $2,300 each last year and planned Black History Month events including a February 19 culinary class honoring Barney Ford.
Town Manager Shannon Haynes announced she and Mayor Owens will attend the CAST conference through Thursday, with the legislative committee beginning meetings and providing updates in council packets.
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