1 year ago: Revamped North Branch Library reopens after being closed for over a year

The Summit County North Branch Library in Silverthorne reopened on Feb. 22 after being closed since July 2022 for a monthslong renovation that expanded its footprint and amenities. The revamped building, located alongside the Blue River near Rainbow Park, now boasts an additional 3,000 square feet of space. It includes a dedicated space for teenagers, new work and study offices, a fireplace and outdoor patio seating. The renovation also brings floor-to-ceiling windows to better connect guests with mountain views, a separated childrens’ room and expanded offices for library staff. 

— From the Feb. 26, 2024 edition of the Summit Daily News

5 years ago: Windy winter storm shuts down Summit Stage for first time in years

While the snowfall on Feb. 25, 2020, wasn’t quite as bad as the Feb. 7 storm — which largely shut down the area’s major thoroughfares, disturbed ski area operations and required an emergency shelter for stranded motorists — swirling winds did create dangerous whiteout conditions for drivers and shutting down the county bus system. Early that morning, Summit County officials sent out an alert warning residents that the Summit Stage bus system was closed due to extreme weather — for the first time in several years. Breckenridge Free Ride services also briefly shut down because of the weather. Though the Free Ride sometimes suspends service at nights when it’s dark and snowing, officials said it’s been years since the last daytime stoppage.

— From the Feb. 25, 2020 edition of the Summit Daily News

10 years ago: Dog recovering from surgery after suspected shooting in Blue River

On Feb. 23, 2015, Carolina Sky returned from work and let 4-year-old Australian cattle dog mix, Sydney, out to play on the couple’s unfenced, 1.8-acre property about a mile south of Goose Pasture Tarn. Her husband pulled into the driveway about five minutes later and found the dog lying motionless in the snow, with a wound on its back, near the ribcage. The eventually took Sydney to Park County Animal Hospital, where the veterinarian found a metallic foreign object in several X-rays, but could not remove it. The Skys reported the incident to the Blue River marshal, who referred them to the Breckenridge Police Department and Summit County Sheriff’s Office.

— From the March 1, 2015 edition of the Summit Daily News

15 years ago: Summit County state senator sponsors bill to improve I-70 flow

State Sen. Dan Gibbs aimed to improve Interstate 70 mountain traffic flow by keeping large commercial trucks out of the fast lane on steeper grades. He sponsored a bill that would require vehicles weighing more than 26,000 pounds to stay out of the left lane on grades of 6% or more. The new law would affect uphill and downhill traffic on Floyd Hill, Georgetown Hill, areas near the Eisenhower Tunnel and Vail Pass. (The bill passed and went into effect June 30, 2010.)

— From the Feb. 24, 2010 edition of the Summit Daily News

30 years ago: Copper Mountain previews new bowl with snowcat tours

Skiers can now venture into Copper Mountain Resort’s new Copper Bowl, where about 700 acres of advanced terrain await them. The bowl is scheduled to open officially in the 1995-96 season after a lift is installed, but as of February 1995, skiers were allowed to experience it on snowcat tours late in the 1994-95 season. With a top elevation of 12,300 feet, Copper Bowl resembles a horseshoe bowl on the south face of Union Peak and the north face of Tucker Mountain. There is an almost 1.200-foot vertical drop to the base area, offering advanced intermediate and expert skiing. Resort officials plan to install two lifts in the bowl with construction possibly beginning summer 1995. The addition of terrain made Copper Mountain the largest ski area in Summit County.

— From the Feb. 24, 1995 edition of the Summit Daily News

125 years ago: Kokomo man badly burned in basement explosion

Al Warner, one of J. W. Dowd’s employees, was badly burned in an explosion in the Dowd cellar Feb. 27, 1900, in Kokomo. Warner was cleaning and readjusting the acetylene gas generator and using a candle to provide light for the operation — he drew the light too near the generator and a terrific explosion followed. Warner had his head in the open machine and the only damage from the accident was caused to himself. His checks, neck, hands and arms were badly burned, and all the hair of his head was singed off. With the application of proper remedies, he expects to be out ere long.

— From the March 3, 1900 edition of the Summit County Journal