Editor’s note: This story has been updated to clarify the ballot initiatives as they appear in the Colorado Ballot Information Booklet.

Stories in this list received the most page views on SummitDaily.com in the past week.

1. ‘This will decimate the craft beverage industry,’ local liquor store owner says; Soon, Colorado voters will decide if they can buy Chardonnay with their gas and groceries

A trio of ballot measures slated for this November could increase the accessibility of alcohol to shoppers in Colorado.

If passed by voters, ballot initiatives 125, 126 and 124 would, respectively, allow grocery stores and gas stations with beer licenses to sell wine starting March 1, allow third party distributors to deliver alcohol to homes and allow retail liquor chains to open more than one location, gradually increasing until an unlimited number of liquor licenses are allowed per retailer in 2037.

Initiative 124 aims “to create a more level playing field” among alcohol sellers, according to its language, but a Summit County local liquor store owner feels otherwise.

Locals Liquors owner and Silverthorne Town Council member Chris Carran said small liquor stores like hers will only be hurt by the ballot measures along with craft breweries.

— Luke Vidic

2. Hickenlooper offers support to Colorado resort communities following migrant relocation to Martha’s Vineyard

Martha’s Vineyard was recently the target of what some are calling a political stunt on immigration, and that has left some Colorado officials worried.

On Sept. 14, the popular resort island off the coast of Massachusetts unexpectedly received two planeloads of about 50 migrants. The migrants were sent by the Florida governor’s office from San Antonio to Martha’s Vineyard.

Colorado Sen. John Hickenlooper reportedly warned Colorado mountain towns to prepare for the possibility that migrants could be relocated to Colorado.

— Eili Wright

3. Vail Resorts: Your phone will soon be your ticket to the slopes

Vail Resorts announced Wednesday, Sept. 28, its plans for a future without physical lift tickets and passes with new technology that will allow guests to store their pass or lift ticket directly on their phone.

The new feature will be tested during the upcoming North American winter season, and is expected to roll out to guests in the 2023-24 season.

Once launched, guests will no longer need to wait in line at the ticket window if they need to purchase, pick up, or reprint their pass or lift ticket. The company said the technology will also reduce waste from printing plastic cards and RFID chips and support Vail Resorts’ Commitment to Zero sustainability promise. 

— Vail Daily

4. Presales of condominiums begin for the Fourth Street North mixed-use project in Silverthorne

A mixed-use project that will add commercial spaces and housing in downtown Silverthorne has a new name now that development is beginning to ramp up. 

Presales of condominiums being built in Phase 1 have begun, and the project, which was approved in April under the title Forth Street North, now sports a new official name: In.habitance.

The 4-acre development will bring 72 new residences to the west side of Colorado Highway 9, between Fourth and Sixth streets.

— Eili Wright

5. Why Colorado’s Western Slope likely remains Lauren Boebert country, despite a string of controversies

In northwest Colorado, where the mountains and foothills give way to rocky mesas, signs and banners pledging support to U.S. Rep. Lauren Boebert’s reelection campaign dot the landscape alongside the sagebrush and lichen.

Those signs aren’t limited to front lawns or gateway signs for farms and ranches. They’re plastered inside windows of downtown auto parts stores, embroidery shops and western boutiques, next to life-sized cutouts of Jesus and American flags.

This is Boebert country.

— The Denver Post