Latest news with #FatTire
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Fruita businesses reflect on Mike the Headless Chicken Festival
FRUITA, Colo. (KREX) – On Saturday, Fruita was the place to be with 'Mike, the Headless Chicken Festival.' And as a result for the local businesses in the area, there was a positive impact. Tori Miner, the general manager at Bestslope Coffee Company, states, 'You get a lot of people. […] We get a lot of tourists or mountain bikers, and then kind of going to summer it goes back to like the festivals and then a lot of locals. But not too far down the street is Reckless Brewery, which just opened its doors back in December. Russell Klase, the owner of Reckless Brewery, states, 'It being our first one, we didn't really know what to expect. So it was great. We were sold, selling out of things by Friday night. Saturday night we were already halfway out of brisket.' As any other business owner, Klase believes that's one of the best feelings from a customer is the return and joy of coming back to that one spot that makes you smile. Even if it is the first impression, being exposed to the festival for the first time. 'I think they're happy to see a new place coming in and seem to like what we're doing,' Klase said. Miner states, 'But we've had people come back a lot. they come through like once for like a festival, whether it's like Mike the Headless or Fat Tire. They're here to mountain bike and then they'll end up coming back later in the year, because they came because of that special event.' Klase explains, 'Yeah, can't wait for the next one now. I mean, we're already gearing up for Fruita Fall Fest. Whatever we can do to prepare for that one, as that's for this next really kind of big festival. But yeah, we're excited.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
CBS News
26-04-2025
- Sport
- CBS News
Northern Colorado ballot measure could suddenly pump the brakes on proposed bike park
Four years after Fort Collins residents overwhelmingly voted to block the former Hughes Stadium property from being developed into housing, the future of the property may once again be up for the voters to decide. This comes after there has been a disagreement over what the word "recreation" meant in the original ballot measure. CBS In 2021 voters in Fort Collins agreed to purchase the Hughes Stadium property from Colorado State University. As part of the ballot measure then, it was written into law that the property would be used for, "...parks, recreation and open lands, natural areas, and wildlife rescue and education." Since then the property has become a popular destination for visitors to enjoy trails by walking, jogging or biking them. And there is also a frisbee golf course and sledding hill. However, the Fort Collins Bike Park Collective has seen a growing demand for a bike park that can accommodate cyclists of all backgrounds and experience levels. "Bicycling is at the heart of this city, it is what we are about," said Kenny Bearden, executive director of Overland Mountain Bike Park Association and advocate for a new bike park in Fort Collins. "It is really at the heart of what this city is about." Few may argue that Fort Collins is a cycling community. Every year one of the largest cycling gatherings in the world, Tour de Fat, takes place in the Northern Colorado city. And, the iconic "Fat Tire" beer is even originally brewed in the city. However, there are two dueling sides as to whether or not a portion of the Hughes Stadium property is the best place for a bike park for the region. The nearest bike park of such scale and opportunity is located in Boulder County, which forces many to have to drive a longer distance to enjoy such a feature. Fort Collins does have some bike parks, but they are often overcrowded and limited toward younger cyclists with fewer challenges. The Fort Collins Bike Park Collective has been growing in size, with many saying there is no better place for such a bike park than the Hughes Stadium property, especially given its natural topography. However, those with an organization called Planning Action to Transform Hughes Sustainably, or "PATHS," argue the 2021 ballot measure didn't intend to include a bike park as part of the "recreation" included in the ballot's wording. "There seems to be some confusion among some of the council members as to the language that was in there and the intent of the ballot language," said Melissa Rosas, an organizer with PATHS. Rosas and PATHS said they understood the original intent of the 2021 initiative to mean walking, jogging and cycling paths, a frisbee golf course, a sledding hill and other lighter use activities. Otherwise, they hoped the property would be left as open space and natural areas for wildlife humans. Because of the effort to build a bike park in a portion of the property, PATHS is now offering two new ballot propositions to voters. One would push for an amendment to the original ballot during a special election, the other would address their concerns during a general election vote. Either way, PATHS is hoping to amend the city's law to replace "...parks, recreation and open lands, natural areas, and wildlife rescue and education," simply with three words, "A natural area." "We feel having it as a natural area is the most unifying and equitable use because you can still ride your bike in a natural area. You can walk in a natural area. You can jog in a natural area," Rosas said. "Frisbee golf could be allowed in this area." Rosas, and fellow organizer Mary Alice Grant, also said native tribes would also be allowed to use the entirety of the property for sweat lodges and more while in temporary structures. However, some have raised concerns that PATHS and their supporters are trying to circumvent a city initiative that is already underway, one which is already addressing the future of the property and whether or not a bike park would be allowed. For months now the City of Fort Collins has been conducting what they call a civic assembly. It has been reported that more than $100,000 was spent to conduct the assembly. The assembly consists of many factors and actions, including a survey that was offered for the community to take. Following the survey a group of delegates not only reviewed the data but also conducted listening sessions with people who had opinions on whether or not to build a bike park on the Hughes property. The end goal is for delegates from the civic assembly to then make a recommendation to Fort Collins City Council on what action should be taken. However, the final decision would ultimately be left to council. If PATHS collects enough signatures to get new amendments on the ballot, their efforts could possibly skip over the results of the civic assembly and block the Fort Collins Bike Park Collective's efforts to build a bike park on the property. "It is frustrating. It is discouraging," Bearden said. "The city created this process for the community to give input. Because it is a community space." Bearden said he felt the efforts by PATHS to push the decision onto a ballot rid of the community's efforts to have a larger discussion around making the property something that can accommodate all. "We are looking for a collaborative approach," Bearden said. "The civic assembly process is designed to hear from the community, the ballot measure is not. It is a specific measure that people get to vote yes or no on. But, not get to provide input to the city at the level they get to with the civic assembly process." When asked if the ballot amendment effort circumvented the civic assembly process, Rosas countered by saying she felt the civic assembly circumvented to 2021 vote. Those who support a portion of the property being developed into a bike park noted that the land used to be a college football stadium, filled with thousands of cars and even more people many days a year. That level of activity was taking place on the property less than a decade ago, and had been for several decades prior. Their proposal for a bike park would result in a portion of the property being redesigned to better accommodate mountain biking, which supporters say is significantly less of a nuisance than a football game. PATHS has to collect more than 5,000 signatures to get their new effort on a ballot. In the meantime, Grant said their organization is in support of there being a bike park. However, she says they won't let that be on the Hughes property. "We would love for people to have a bike park. Just not here," Grant said.
Yahoo
16-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Long-standing Portland bike shop to close its doors
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — A Northwest Portland staple for biking enthusiasts is officially closing up shop after more than 40 years in business. Late Saturday night, made the announcement that they are set to shut their doors at the end of May. Brand new Portland wine spa featured on TIME's list of World's Greatest Places The store has been a go-to spot for new and seasoned mountain bikers alike to get their gear and, starting Tuesday, they're offering some deep discounts on the last of their inventory. They will offer 20% off all 2025 bikes, 30-50% off all parts and accessories as well as discounts of up to 50% off on older model bikes. Any appointments or orders made through the shop will be available until they close for good, they said. Portlanders to leaders: Tax the rich, invest locally 'It's been an amazing run, and we're going out holding our heads high,' Fat Tire said in an Instagram post. 'Thanks for being a part of our community here at the Fat Tire Farm! We'll see you out on the trail!' KOIN 6 News reached out to Fat Tire Farms to see if their Hood River rental location will also be closed. This story will be updated when we hear back. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
