Editor’s note: This article has been updated to fix a typo in the headline “Frisco gets $200,000 grant for bike park at Peninsula Recreation Area.”

1 year ago: Audit finds U.S. Postal Service delivery to Colorado mountain towns lagging

An audit of U.S. Postal Service delivery and customer service found residents of Colorado mountain towns experienced significantly lower on-time performance, especially for package deliveries, than the rest of the state and nation. The audit published Dec. 5, 2023, by the U.S. Postal Service’s Office of Inspector General was initiated after customers, local leaders and lawmakers have called attention to postal issues across the Western Slope in recent years.

— From the Dec. 8, 2023, edition of the Summit Daily News

5 years ago: County officials consider hiring lobbyist to advocate for I-70 improvements

Discussions are ongoing between officials in Summit County and a group called Squire Patton Boggs, a law firm offering to serve as a lobbyist for the county’s interests in state and federal affairs. County Manager Scott Vargo said a representative with the firm approached the county with a proposal in fall 2019, leading to a meeting with town and county officials. County and town officials also have yet to come out with a list of priorities for the group to pursue. Still, Vargo noted there already were general agreements on some topics, including improvements to Exit 203 in Frisco and Exit 205 in Silverthorne, helping local governments meet their sustainability goals, providing better workforce housing initiatives, and better forest health and wildfire mitigation opportunities.

— From the Dec. 13, 2019, edition of the Summit Daily News

10 years ago: Breckenridge Town Council officially bans retail marijuana on Main Street

After six months of heated debate, and overwhelming voter feedback via a non-binding election, the Breckenridge Town Council voted to ban retail marijuana on the town’s Main Street in a 6-1 vote on Dec. 9, 2014. The move will directly impact one business, Breckenridge Cannabis Club, which will not be able to continue operations at its current location. The Council had banned retail sales in 2013, but the store had been grandfathered into the ordinance until its lease expired. (The store relocated to Airport Road in February 2015).

— From the Dec. 11, 2014, edition of the Summit Daily News

15 years ago: Frisco gets $200,000 grant for bike park at Peninsula Recreation Area

Plans are moving forward on an 18-acre bike park as a part of the town’s expanded Peninsula Recreation Area, which will now be aided by a $200,000 grant from the Great Outdoors Colorado Board. The bike park is a part of the expanded recreation area, which will also offer an enlarged skate park, new lodge, jib park and tubing area. Construction on the peninsula project was expected to start in April 2010 and forecast to cost the town $5.5 million.

— From the Dec. 8, 2009, edition of the Summit Daily News

30 years ago: Manhunt for former Summit County resident scaled back after two weeks

After two weeks of unsuccessful searching, Park County officials scaled back the search for William Burkhart to “almost nothing.” Summit County officials, meanwhile, remain open to the idea that Burkhart may show up here, in his old stomping grounds. Burkhart, 39, lived in Summit County for 10 years before moving across the county line in June 1994. He is accused of shooting Park County Sheriff’s Deputy John Hoehler on Nov. 29, 1994. Hoehler, who was wearing a bulletproof vest, was hospitalized with pellet wounds and released Dec. 1.  

“We’re going to operate with our deputies and three or four people from other agencies just to keep track of the area,” said  Park County Undersheriff Kevin Anderson. “He’s been roaming that area of mountains over by Silverheels and Red Hill, all the way over to Frisco, since 1979. It’s rugged territory, and he knows all the nooks and crannies, all the old bear dens, all the old lion dens.”

— From the Dec. 14, 1994, edition of the Summit Daily News

125 years ago: Man shot and killed after dispute over wages turns violent in Kokomo

A dispute over wages has led to the death of Peter Murphy in Kokomo. On the evening of Dec. 13, 1899, Murphy approached his employer Sam Statham and was pressing his claim for money pretty stoutly. A fight started, Statham pulled his gun and shot Murphy in the stomach — he died the next day. Statham gave himself up to Deputy Sheriff Kappus and was taken to jail in Leadville. Murphy had been a resident of Kokomo for about 10 years and was generally well thought of. Statham is a newcomer and now very well known.

— From the Dec. 16, 1899, edition of the Summit County Journal