1 year ago: Timeline still ‘up in the air’ for reopening of Dillon Dam Road after rockslide

Summit County officials say crews are working to stabilize Dillon Dam Road after a rockslide on March 31, 2024, caused it to close. Summit County Road and Bridge Department officials believe this slide could be the largest one seen on the road in the last 30 years. 

— From the April 3 2024, edition of the Summit Daily News

5 years ago: Virtual prom and graduation considered for Summit High students

Two weeks after Gov. Jared Polis said it is “increasingly unlikely” students will return to their classrooms this spring due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Summit High School seniors received updates about plans for upcoming events such as prom and graduation. Moments after Polis announced on April 1, 2020, that he’s extending the suspension of in-person learning through April 30, Summit High senior class President Christina Koetteritz shared what she and school senate members learned in a video conference with administrators. She said there are discussions about having a virtual prom, which was originally scheduled for later in April at the Silverthorne Pavilion and added that the possibility of a virtual graduation also was discussed. 

— From the April 2, 2020, edition of the Summit Daily News

10 years ago: County settles public access dispute near Quandary Peak with land purchase

Summit County has reached a settlement with a private landowner that will allow continued public access on a disputed road near Quandary Peak. Though the deal isn’t finalized, the county will buy about 1.7 acres of land owned by Greg McCallum north of Monte Cristo Mine Road. The Summit County Board of County Commissioners approved a division March 24, 2015, of McCallum’s 6-acre property to create the 1.7-acre parcel and a 4.3-acre parcel McCallum will retain. McCallum started a controversy a few years earlier after he told hikers and skiers to stay off part of the road that cuts through his property. He argued the road was private, though the county and the Forest Service deemed the road public.

— From the March 31, 2015, edition of the Summit Daily News

15 years ago: Montezuma home burns to the ground as fire hydrants fail

A Montezuma home burned to the ground April 1, 2010, as a failing fire hydrant system caused firefighters to haul more than 10,000 gallons of water to battle the blaze. The residence at 5314 Montezuma Road belonged to Noah Landwehr and Carly Griffith, who had lived there with their 1-year-old son. None of the residents were at home when the fire broke out. A call went out at 10:52 p.m. Thursday and firefighters quickly arrived to find “heavy smoke” coming out “all the seams.” Lake Dillon Fire-Rescue firefighters tried several hydrants, but found there was no water available. The creek feeding the hydrant system was frozen solid. Water tenders with a 1,500-gallon capacity were trucked 5.5 miles between Keystone and Montezuma.

— From the April 3, 2010, edition of the Summit Daily News

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30 years ago: No injuries reported after empty gondola knocked from cable at Keystone

Twenty passengers were evacuated from the Outpost Gondola at Keystone Resort March 31, 1995, after a snowcat collided with an empty cabin and knocked it from the cable, resort officials said. The snowcat was grooming the Prospector run below the gondola when a towed implement, called a “powdermaker,” apparently made contact with the gondola cabin, causing it to swing, hit the upper terminal building and drop off the cable. Keystone Ski Patrol spent approximately two hours evacuating 20 passengers who were aboard the gondola. About 75 guests and employees were taken down by snowcat from the restaurants atop North Peak.

— From the April 2, 1995, edition of the Summit Daily News

125 years ago: Man claims self defense after killing fellow lumberjack with an axe

Sam Copner surrendered himself to authorities in Breckenridge April 1, 1900, shortly after he had killed Phil Willich with an axe on Bald Mountain. Copner and Willich had been bunking together and chopping wood on Bald Mountain for the paper mills in Denver. Copner claims that Willich threatened him during an argument and came at him over a log with his hand on his axe when Copner struck him on the head and ran to their stable hoping to find help before he came into town. Coroner Arbogast proceeded to the bloody scene to retrieve the body, and it is reported that Willich was found lying on his back with part of a 6-foot cross-cut saw lying across his thighs, as if he had been walking while holding the handle when he received the death blow. A jury was empaneled to determine the probable cause of death on April 2, and found that the killing was felonious. Copner has been held for trial.

— From the April 7, 1900, edition of the Summit County Journal