Keystone Ski Resort, owned by Vail Resorts, Inc., wants Independence Mtn. to their east zoned for downhill lift served skiing (pink).  This would require they develop Jones Gulch, an area clearly motivated by real estate development plans at Parcel, A, B, and the Ski Tip condos.  Jones Gulch contains tremendous old growth (dark green) and mature forest (green); it is a key part of an important and rare forested wildlife corridor, particularly for elk and lynx, over the Continental Divide at Georgia Pass.

Arapahoe Basin’s request for Montezuma Bowl would basically connect A-Basin with Keystone through an Independence Mtn. expansion, completely severing the Jones Gulch / Indepedence Mtn. wildlife corridor.  They have further requested the Beavers within the US6 viewshed.

Finally, this map shows just a few of the ski areas that never came into being (Georgia Pass and Brewery Hill).  All of the “reduction” in ski area acreage that has generated a good deal of hysteria is at such ski areas that never came into being in the first place.

• “We favor the removal of the 1B/8.22 (ski area zoning) prescription from all usch areas currently undeveloped or unpermitted, or areas outside of existing special use permit boundaries.  This includes Adam’s Rib, Coal Basin, Rifle, Brewery Hill, Georgia Pass, and Sunlight Peak.”