Every holiday, Summit County has an opportunity to shine in the eyes of tourists, who bring business, and locals who just want to get home. Our snow plow drivers are our front line heroes. What happened Feb. 14?  

Details: Silverthorne locals were en-route to Breckenridge for dinner and to attend Lyle Lovett’s Valentine concert.

With a storm in the county, we left early and experienced road closures. Luckily, the stars aligned and we made it on time for the dinner and concert.

At 10 p.m., we headed home to find Interstate 70 from Frisco to Silverthorne closed. Dillon Dam Road was closed. My trusty Krystal radio info station was not answering. I had no idea what was going on. Cars were parked waiting along the road. Swan Mountain was open toward our side of the county.

The disappointment came when we saw conditions on the only open outlet, Swan Mountain. We didn’t see a snowplow. Why? There was an 18 wheeler in front of us — a precarious position.

The lack of communication other than “road closed” on big, lighted signs was unacceptable. Here’s my idea: a radio station listed on lighted boards that tourists and locals can tune into during snow events with updates on options or updates. For example, giving estimates on when things are expected to reopen. There was no communication.

The situation looked bad with roads being in untreated shape, especially Swan Mountain.

The answer from last year’s Martin Luther King holiday disaster was “nothing more can be done.” Please, devise methods of communication, places of refuge.

Something must be done, or businesses will continue to suffer with fewer tourists to care for — other than disappointed ones. Tourists do have options of resorts to spend their dollars.