Local News

Jefferson County Road and Bridge is planning to build a large retaining wall, the size of a small building, at Kerr Gulch Road and Highway 74 in Kittredge. 

The project, which will take 60 days and cost $185,000, is one of the most expensive on the list for construction this year in the mountain area, but has been pushed back to November through January.

The goal is to shore up the bank, which was weakened by flooding in 2013 and further compromised by heavy rains in 2014.

Because of erosion, the Evergreen Park and Recreation District has closed a section of the Evergreen Lake Trail along Highway 74 from Upper Bear Creek Road to the top of the connector bridge near the dam. 

A sign posted on the trail as of May 2 said, "Trail closed due to unsafe conditions." Orange sawhorses, green traffic cones and half a dozen gates have been installed along the walkway.

A gas stove flickers bright orange in the Evergreen Nature Center, where new executive director Colleen Kulesza pulls up a chair as raindrops hit Evergreen Lake outside. Built in the 1930s, the historic warming hut and its lack of central heating or plumbing was just one more inducement for Kulesza.

“Look at this building! It’s gorgeous! Like, I could do that,” she said.

The lodge at Ascent Church was transformed into a thrifty lady’s paradise Saturday with the first Mountain Diva Fashion Swap, hosted by Evergreen Mothers of Preschoolers. To gain access to piles of gently used clothes and accessories, each woman donated $3 and a minimum of five items.

“I donated a lot of accessories and shoes. So, half the purses on the stage are from me,” said Kara Brown, an Evergreen resident who was invited to the swap by friends. “I’m a hand-me-down junkie. So as many hand-me-downs as I can get, I’m good.”