News

June 22 — Issued a verbal warning to an OHV off route. Extinguished three fires in violation of fire bans. Met some suspicious minors up to no good and took them back to their visiting parents. Issued a verbal warning for too many occupants of an OHV. Issued four verbal warnings for speeding, one for failure to yield, one for expired license plates, and another to an OHV where prohibited. Issued Mr. Joseph, of Alito, Texas, a summons driving under revocation while speeding. Ambulance assist.

For the first time in the train’s history, the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad hasn’t run passenger trips to Silverton this summer – and won’t for the remainder of the 2020 season. “COVID significantly impacted our whole operation and has driven decisions on how we operate, and we’re not able to run a single train to Silverton this year,” said John Harper, general manager of American Heritage Railways, which owns the D&SNG.

Silverton collects $111,000 in June A first glimpse of summer tax revenue indicates Silverton may finish the year in better financial shape than expected, despite the COVID-19 pandemic and a trainless season. The town collected $90,106 in sales tax for the month of June, reflecting a 14 percent decrease compared to the same month last year.

Silverton Mountain and Purgatory Resort owners both have expressed interest in partnering with the town of Silverton to develop the Kendall Mountain ski area and give the local winter economy a boost. Earlier this year, the town’s Kendall Mountain Recreation Area Master Plan Committee called for potential partners and received five responses, including from Silverton Mountain Ski Area and Mountain Capital Partners, which owns several southwestern ski areas, including Purgatory.

The Environmental Protection Agency has unveiled its preferred alternative for the Bonita Peak Mining District Superfund Site, that would involve a huge repository at the Mayflower Tailings ponds, operated for more than 100 years

On Tuesday, the Silverton Public School Board of Education approved the district’s COVID-19 safety plan to reopen Aug. 31 for the 2020-21 school year.