Serving you, homeowners in the Telluride Valley, with insights highlighting the abundant happenings and hidden surprises of this wonderfully remote mountain community which we call our year-round home
FESITVAL ALERT! The 36th Annual Bluegrass Festival is less than four (4) weeks away! June 18th-21st. Get your tickets, your sunscreen, lawn chairs, Town of Telluride access (parking pass), sun hat and cool shades ready now!NEWS FROM THE FRONTLINES: DUST STORM covers Colorado snow pack, cars, decks and homes in red dust carried over from Utah…………
April 2009- image of a 36-hour dust storm located in the Canyonlands District National approx 2 hours south west of Telluride
Thick dust sweeps east out of the border region between China and Mongolia on April 17, 2006. The storm blankets the coast as it moves out over the Yellow Sea toward Korea. Dust from storms like this can make its way as far as the United States. Red dust particles settle onto the world snow packs which in turn significantly increases the rate of snow melt contributing to global warming. Copious amounts of red dust recently settled in the local area- see below
Hello, Happy Springtime!Unsightliness on your decks, patios and spa covers….. Cause of concern for homeowners because it could get tracked into your house!
This past April a significant and sustained wind storm system ripped thru the surrounding SW region of the U.S. affecting not only Coloradoans but also populations in the other three neighboring states as well. Many deserts lay in the nearby four corner area, i.e.; Moab, UT (2 hrs W), Arizona (2.5 hours SW), New Mexico (3 hours SW). As the windy weather moved over the region it picked up dust particles and later deposited it- everywhere including on your decks and property in Telluride.
SITUATION: After the storm had passed thru the region tales began to trickle in from family and friends of foiled outdoor activities such as trying to paddle a raft on the Colorado River in the Grand Canyon with sustained winds. Another story comes from a local family of having to abandon a family camping trip in Moab, Utah because of the severity of the radical and inclement weather. All the while high in the mountains of Telluride it had been raining, and then snowing, then blowing till one could not tell what was up or down! Desert red sand was lifted off the nearby deserts deposited into our valleys and the entire region! See related USGS article below. When the system passed the snow on the ski hills had turned red, the rivers were running red and the asphalt driveways were red as well. We had several homeowners coming in that week and we took care to sweep the entries off for their arrival. It has really been something! We want you to know that there is “red soot “(dirt/dust actually) covering everything from the front entry, spa covers, BBQ covers, entry stone stairwells and so on. What is even more noticeable is that the red dirt that fell from the sky along with the raging rain storms has “stuck” to the windows! Dirty windows in the springtime are nothing unusual but red, sticky dirty windows with real DIRT on them is awful! It is truly a phenomenon and not a nice one at that!
Each spring some red dirt does get deposited here- but never to this extreme. See related Aspen Times article below. One would hope and pray that a good, strong rain will wash away the storm tracks. That did not happen and we just want you to understand when and how the exteriors got so filthy. Also, when the clan arrives to your home the chance of the red dirt getting inside on your carpeting will swell exponentially. NOTE: on occasion we have power washed decks and patios for homeowners that value that appearance – this spring we are actually recommending it! Kastle Keepers just recently purchased a power washer and we have been busy cleaning decks, sides of houses and driveways. It definitely spruces the places up. KK has been charging $40 per hour. Let us know if you would like us to “spruce” up your place and we will get it scheduled! This spring cleanup is in a different league all together. We wanted to give you a heads up about what your doorstep might present like.
ACTION PLAN: Cleaning up the wood decks, patios and so on will entail a laborer and a power washer rental/machine and a few hours to a half-a-day of work per home. Depending on the size of the exterior decking/flat surfaces to be dealt with we can project a $120-$500 range of washing down to be done. Most homes have had a window cleaning bill previously thus the billing would be similar there. Of course it is entirely up to you whether or not the red dirt gets washed up. A bid for powerwashing areas could be summoned up and emailed/faxed to your attention should you see fit. Yours truly- the Team at Kastle Keepers, LLC
For news reports regarding the recent dust storm of 2009 click here.
Coloradans take note of red dust affect http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=5415308 Interesting photos and related story pertaining to red dirt and it’s impact on global warming, regional snowpack and the economy
ROOM-BY-ROOM: a behind the scenes benefit of working with us, a homegrown, small scale operation where “Caretaking” the property is the overriding priority at all times -Aside from dealing with the aftermath of bizarre mountain weather the guys have been diligently tackling car details, hot tub water flips and cleanouts one-by-one, house-by-house as the spring progresses into summertime. Scheduled maintenance checklists have been created and sent out to homeowners for their review and approval in anticipation of the upcoming busy season. *These reports are streamlined because how we operate is based on low employee
turnover and personal service from a small crew of individuals. Bids have been discussed, whittled down and procured on-site for various upgrades, improvements and repairs at the properties. 
*We know our clienteles dislikes and preferences by heart. On-site walk-thru with attention to exteriors, problem zones has been executed and any changes, areas in need of attention noted directly to you, the homeowner. Luckily our teams of caretakers are intimately familiar with your home and its nuances thus catching problems before they arise are simple and straightforward. It is no mistake that we are organized as a small and effective team of professionals versus a smorgasbord of in-office rental agents/off-site middle managers and random cleaners who cycle thru your home. The same guy that walks thru on a weekly routine house check also will be the one that performs the seasonal oversight walk (more detailed and complex review) of the property. This report in turn will be discussed in detail with Lee and Trevor or be performed by Lee and Trevor on site. Doesn’t that make the most sense and bang for your buck and peace of mind?
ABOUT TOWN: The AHH HA School continues to offer an ever growing list of options for the artist as well as the intellectual morning and afternoon opportunities available for visitors on a sign-up and walk-in basis. So if you have someone and you are not certain of how they will be entertained while visiting, check out the arts school. www.ahhaa.org The Telluride Gallery of Fine Art on Main Street publishes an artist reception calendar that can be easily viewed on a monthly basis when you feel the need to get beyond these canyon walls. www.telluridegallery.com The Wilkinson Library is of course just fantastic- especially the Colorado Room focusing on the states rich and complex history. www.telluridelibrary.org 
The restaurant scene has remained the same with few notable changes and new comers. In the quaint town of Telluride there are the top tier establishments such as; New Sheridan Chop House, Rustico and Honga’s leading the way for service, menu and wine selections and ambiance. Closely followed by, the Blue Point Bar & Grill (three cheese mac & cheese!), the Cosmo (tuna entrée-ahhh), La Marmotte (wonderful reds and sweet atmosphere) and the Excelsior Café (‘the scene’). Restaurant 9545 in the Mountain Village continues to be the place of choice there and the Capella has three venues to tempt the palate. We so enjoyed the Suede Bar during the ski season just steps away from skiing. In the summer months, Capella’s Onyx doors open to the outside, offering guests fresh mountain air to accompany their meal. For delectable, superior quality deli-style to-go fare we cannot overemphasize the quality and selection that greets each of us at the Aemono in-town deli every week. Just ask us and we will get you placed onto their email calendar updates. Aemono: 728-4748, www.aemonofinefoods.com we thrive and cruise up the trails of these high altitude mountains on our daily servings of their tuna bowls, Greek salads and natural chip/drink assortment. The coffee and the service is good so why bother cooking every night when there is Aemono take-out! Custom menus are available per request. Dogs: there have been updates and changes to the leash laws here – so be aware and mindful of them because the fines just became more expensive.It Just Takes One Bad Dog To Ruin All That Wonderful FREEDOM they had- No more dog day afternoons for Fido and Fluffers… dogs at large at the core of T’ride’s Dog problems...
If an unlicensed, in-town dog and its owner are charged with an infraction, then in addition to paying a fine for the infraction, the owner has to get the dog licensed.
• Owners can only “hitch” their dogs (tie them up at a bench, for example) for two hours maximum.
A dog and its human companion must have a means to pick up poop at all times
• Dog owners will be prohibited from exercising their dog by having it run alongside, in front of or behind a motorized vehicle in town.A $500 bond must be posted prior to the release of an impounded vicious dog in addition to payment of impound fees.
• Dogs on private property must either be confined to a building or vehicle or be on the real property.• Fines have been increased in some cases. For example, a display of license has gone from $25 to $50, and disobeying the leash law will cost people $50 instead of $25. In
addition, there is a 20 percent surcharge on all fines. If you are feeling anxious and albeit a little guilty about leaving the dog to go ski or hike all day ask us about dog sitters!
BE BEAR AWARE. It is that season again, the bears are searching for food in trash dumpsters, unlocked doors and even open windows are targeted by them in their search. After two offenses a caught bear is euthanatized on the third strike. JOIN US! We can help one another do the right thing by taking steps to avoid attracting our beautiful bears. Trash out only on the morning of your trash day/Don’t leave food in your cars/clean BBQ/lock doors/close windows/Coordinate with KK about having us bring your post departure trash out to the curbside. Be proactive and report negligent neighborhood trash/large dumpster offenders to the town marshals. The main culprits of delinquent trash keeping are the construction site dumpsters (we have a few of those around town) and irresponsible renters/owners of your average poly cart. Report your neighbors if you see that they don’t bring their ploy cart in after the pickup morning or have trash laying about repeatedly (dogs or bears). A FED BEAR IS A DEAD BEAR!!
TEX Airport- A Reminder: The Telluride Regional Airport remains CLOSED throughout the summer and into the early winter season as major runway improvements are intensely underway and are on schedule for their November 2009 completion. Fly by for a visit and witness the giant sand box they have created full of real life sized Tonka toys! The entire runway is being ripped out and replaced to create greater safety for our clients. Not surprisingly the TOT has been forced to slim down their capital improvements budget and operating expenses to the tune of $2.3 million. Historically the RETT (real estate transfer tax) generates $387,000 annually.
The finance dept head projects a 75% reduction in that revenue source for 2009. RETT is a major source of funds for the town’s capital fund. Everything from flower boxes, staff positions to water runoff mitigation has been trimmed of any extra fat or eliminated from the budgets entirely. As the town garnished a grant from the state ($600K+) for the replacement of the main street water line this summer’s project was approved. Phase one of the $1 million project requires that the old water line underneath Main Street be ripped out and replaced. A reflection of the budget tightening is evident when one considers that the town will not be replacing the asphalt opting rather to simply apply a patch over the torn up sections. The sidewalks will also be patched to remain in a functional state. BTW You can call the town and offer to sponsor a flower basket or flower box, 728-3071. The TMV budget has undergone severe cuts as well although not as deep as the TOT however.
In March of 2009, $1.5 was trimmed from the TMV budget and the town’s manager expects that in 2009 thru 2010 the delivery of basic services within the municipality will be reduced; i.e.: gondola operating hours, Dial-A-Ride operations, maintenance items and job growth for instance. For more direct insight into operation of the TMVHOA please view this link: www.mountain-village.co.us media releases. IMPORTANT Note: the 15-year Master Plan is ready for review and comment before the mid-June consideration/approval.
Calendar:
Friday, May 22, 2009
Gondola Opens for summer Season Free public transportation that links Telluride and Mountain Village in a scenic 13-minute ride.
Friday, May 22, 2009 - Monday, May 25, 2009
Mountainfilm in Telluride Filmmakers, artists and outdoor enthusiasts celebrate mountains, culture and the environment with films, presentations and a symposium that will focus on “food” as this year’s theme.
970.728.4123
Thursday, May 28, 2009 - Saturday, May 30, 2009
Family Theater Join the Sheridan Arts Foundation and Squidshow Theatre for a night of family fun with a show performed by adults for kids. Sheridan Opera House, time TBA. 970.728.6363
Sunday, May 31, 2009
Telluride Dance Academy RecitalDancers of all ages from the Telluride Dance Academy perform at the Palm Theatre, 3 p.m. 970.728.9065
For a bigger picture of this summer’s calendar visit our all inclusive webpage, click on Telluride Info www.telluriderealestateguide.com
We hope to see you and your family soon here in Telluride as the valleys brighten up and are teeming with a fresh shade of spring green. Your house is all ready and we hope that we delivered our product; “To Take The Anxiety Out Of Coming Home”. The guys have the homes turn-key, ready and waiting with new fresh water in the hot tubs, irrigation systems are functioning and construction projects/repairs are well underway. As soon as the snow melted (early this year) we got to work thatching the lawns (raking), aerating (punching holes for new growth), cleanup of beds (hauling) and watering your green spaces. Give us a call should you have any questions/concerns or insights about what else you might want done. And further please consider having your windows cleaned and your decks at least washed off so that your improved grounds are as pretty as your surroundings! We anticipate that the window washers will get booked up early. As always now is the time to consider whether you want to attend September’s Telluride Film Festival- an internationally acclaimed event and Jazz Festival occurring in early June. Also the ski season passes go on sale with ‘early bird’ prices thru the early summer. Winter skis and snowboards are all on sale this season- so if you were considering an upgrade give Trevor, an aficionado, a ring. The Kastle Retreats, LLC side of our operations continues to grow and beckon inquires from interested parties www.telluriderealestateguide.com the real estate market news is that action has stymied, in general owners have not dropped their prices in any segment of the market and sales are comatose for the time being. Several isolated big deals have occurred late in the winter into the early spring reflecting the purchase depth that some of the new ‘Telluriders’ command. There are deals in each segment of the market but they are not brimming over the top.Below is the latest Telluride Association of Realtors Market update.
To read entire article please click on the link for more information. http://www.telluriderealtors.net/documents/MarketUpdtYIR.pdf
