Keeping Breck Beautiful

 "Starting on October 15, 2013 a fee of ten cents ($.10) will be charged for each disposable plastic and paper bag used by customers at all retail and grocery stores within the Town of Breckenridge. This fee is intended to encourage the use of reusable bags and dissuade the use of disposable bags, thereby furthering the Town’s sustainability efforts. Customers who use reusable bags at checkout will not be charged the $.10 per bag fee. Fee revenues are used to promote the use of reusable bags".  -Sustainable Breck
 

  The $.10 Bag Fee was adopted in 2011 with the main goal to reduce the use of disposable, single use, bags in town.  While we all understand the importance of helping our environment, do you think the Town of Breckenridge has chosen to implement the correct effort?  It's easy for a local to look at this new fee and see how it will play into their everyday life, but how it will affect our visitors is yet to be seen.  Unfortunately, at this time, there seems to be many 'silver linings' when it comes to charging this fee.  For example, the produce bags in the grocery store have no fee associated with them, but the checkout bags do.  Another example: a piece of jewelry is placed in one bag and therefore exempts the customer from the fee, but a baseball in that same bag would make that bag subject to the $.10 fee.  There are several more exemptions and regulations that exempt certain items from this fee.  You can view that list here.

     Consumers, visitors, and locals are not the only people affected by the bag fee ordinance.  Local business owners have to delve deep into the ordinance to ensure they are under compliance with the Town's fee.  A few examples of issues that store owners must understand are they cannot pay the fee for their customer, and unless the store owner distributes a bag that is 2.25 ml or thicker, their bags they will place retail items in are subject to the fee.  Plus they have to track bag sales, as well as sales that qualify the bags from being exempt.  The ordinance has so many loop holes that each business must understand every aspect and take into account any rules that apply to their business.

     What efforts are being made by business owners, the Town of Breckenridge and other companies to educate individuals and make sure visitors understand WHY there is a fee?  Most businesses throughout town have placed educational signage in their stores that help explain what the goal of this program is. Business owners have evaluated what bags they have in their store and how many they are giving out.  There have been Town of Breckenridge reusable bags created for convenience of visitors.  We at Ski Country Resorts are fortunate to be a "sustainable partner", therefore having reusable bags to pass out to our customers at no charge.  All in all, this is an effort to help reduce waste within our community.  That mind set may be carried into other towns, states and possibly countries.  Change starts in one place, and when embraced can spread easily and make for a positive outcome.  Help us keep Breck beautiful; read the literature on this ordinance and don't forget to bring your reusable bags to Breck!

Fall in LOVE with Fall

What is your Fall view?  Maybe you live somewhere like Mexico, Florida or Arizona where the seasons change but the temperature seems to be the only indication.  Maybe you live somewhere else in Colorado, Alaska, or Maine where the leaves still change colors and the temperatures fluctuates like Breckenridge.  However, do you get this view? It is possible get one similar, but trust us when we say there is no better place to fall in love with Fall, then in Breckenridge, Colorado.

Local retailers are placing inventory on sale to make room for the Winter gear, the restaurants are trying new menu items to prepare the exquisite dishes for the Winter crowd and lodging companies are offering deals that can't be beat.  Take us at Ski Country Resorts for example; for the entire month of October up to opening Day for ski season we are offering 50% off your last night when you stay two or more nights!  That means you can already take our low prices at $99/night, plus enjoy that 50% off special to spend two nights in Breck for less than $200! Now if that isn't a reason by itself to LOVE Fall in Breck, here is another. Local boutique store Hand & Glove is currently offering the  newest fall fashions from hip, daily wear gloves to distinctive sweaters, tunics and jackets.  Plus, their sale rack is loaded with beautiful fashions at 40% off.  So, now that the obvious reasons are stated as to why Breckenridge will make you fall in love with Fall, let us paint a picture of the not so obvious reasons.

Glowing trees radiating yellow, orange and red mixed with the freshest air will entice the senses and force you to spend time outdoors.  Bring the family and go for a hike to reconnect and spend quality time together.  Spend a few days with a special someone or good friend to make memories that last a lifetime.  You can't ski or ride the alpine slide, but you can still hike, bike, walk, talk, shop and stay in Breckenridge.  It is hard to believe there is a more beautiful place than here in the heart of Autumn.
The first step to your quick getaway this Fall is to call 800-633-8388 and book the perfect vacation rental to start your perfect vacation. We will help you with the rest!

Hand and Glove
306 S Main Street
www.handandglove.com
970-453-0200

Ski Country Resorts
213 N Main Street
www.skicountry.com
800-633-8388