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Silverthorne council looks to piggyback on CDOT expansion

The Silverthorne Town Council cleared the way Tuesday night for an expansion of the CDOT maintenance facility on Adams Avenue by unanimously gave preliminary approval to two requests, one for annexation and another for a zoning change.

A memo from town planner Lina Maria Lesmes briefly describes the scope of the project, saying CDOT intends to build a new 25-bay vehicle storage facility with a wash bay, a storage shed for sand and magnesium chloride, and offices on the property at 1198 S. Adams Ave.

According to CDOT, “the move would improve cooperation between the maintenance and engineering branches of CDOT Region 3,” which covers much of northwestern and north central Colorado, including some of the Rocky Mountains’ most treacherous thoroughfares.



During discussions, the council kicked around some ideas concerning how the town might piggyback on the expansion to secure other improvements on town properties near the facility.

“It would be great to see that take place at the same time,” said Eddie O’Brien, who serves on the town’s Economic Development Advisory Committee, after the council asked for comments. “It’s funny how a simple opportunity like this could make a big impact on the community of Silverthorne — and Dillon and Frisco.”



Currently, CDOT uses the building for vehicle storage, sand and magnesium chloride tank storage and above-ground fuel tanks. Three engineers also work out of the Silverthorne location.

However, CDOT is limited in what it can do there, according to the memo, as the building draws water from a well and is attached to a septic tank. That prevents CDOT workers from washing fleet vehicles on-site or constructing new buildings on the property, according to the memo.

The annexation of the property would allow CDOT to tap into the town’s sewer and water services, while the zoning change would move the property into C-2 Heavy Commercial, allowing for such uses as auto repair and maintenance, professional offices, warehousing and distributing, and light manufacturing at the site.

Proposals must pass on second reading before they can become law. Additionally, CDOT would still have to gain site approval from the town council before beginning construction on the new facility.

In other business

• Council heard a passionate plea from Joel Rivera, the new principal of Silverthorne Elementary, during public comments. Rivera came to the meeting with his two daughters in tow, and he talked about his new job, exciting developments he sees taking shape in Silverthorne and how he hopes to change public perception of the elementary school.

Rivera also asked the council to consider including the school and its students in upcoming town projects however they might see fit. “Let me know how the school can get involved,” he said. “If you need 300 kids to put their handprints on a sign, let me know.”

Rivera accepted the job after serving as the principal of Summit Middle School in Frisco. On Tuesday, he applauded his new school, its teachers and said he aims to reverse losses in the student body, where families are choosing to send their students to Dillon Valley, Summit Cove and Frisco, instead of Silverthorne.

“I want to know what we can do … to bring those kids back because (Silverthorne Elementary) is a beautiful place,” he said. “It’s the best building in the district by far. … These teachers are amazing. … I’m just excited that my name is attached to Silverthorne, and I’d like to help out.”

In response to Rivera’s comments, Mayor Bruce Butler said he believes the middle school’s loss will be the elementary school’s gain, and Councilwoman JoAnne Nadalin encouraged Rivera to take advantage of what she sees as a wealth of volunteerism in Silverthorne.

• Council agreed to switch the Silverthorne Pavilion’s liquor license from a tavern liquor license to a lodging and entertainment liquor license. According to a memo from Town Clerk Michele Miller, the new license is a better representation of the type of business conducted at the pavilion.

• Council awarded a $156,000 contract to Columbine Hills Concrete of Silverthorne to repave Willowbrook Road.


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