Louden’s death still under investigation by officials

After a second body was found in the course of a week, Boulder police released additional information about Mark Louden’s death.

Louden, former editor of Steamboat Today, was found Sept. 16 in a wooded area near his home. Boulder police told the Daily Camera on Wednesday that Louden was found hanging.

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The Boulder County coroner was still investigating to determine Louden’s official cause of death. They were also investigating the death of another man found Tuesday hanging near Moorhead Boulevard in Boulder, the Daily Camera reported.

Officials said they do not suspect foul play or see any connection between the two deaths.

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Village Drive sidewalk to undergo construction project

The city of Steamboat Springs and Duckels Construction will begin work on the Village Drive Sidewalk connection from Walton Creek Road to the Sunray Village Sidewalk starting today.

The project is located on the east side of Village Drive adjacent to Meadowlark Condominiums. Some single-lane closures on the northbound lane may be expected sporadically throughout construction.

Once complete, the 1/8-mile long sidewalk will connect the base area to a large number of residential homes and condominiums. Matt Eggen, city public works engineer, said the project “is part of the city’s ongoing effort to link key sidewalks to offer a more walkable community and to promote alternative modes of transportation, health and safety and overall quality of life in Steamboat Springs.”

Work is expected to be completed Nov. 13, weather permitting. The overall construction cost is roughly $130,000.

2015 season of giving underway with United Way

Routt County United Way has kicked off its 2015 season of giving and will hold its first September $20K Day today at Yampa Valley Bank. There will be a free taco bar, gelato from Ciao Gelato and live music with Brian Harvey from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

On the same day last year, the local United Way was able to raise more than $46,000 with the help of generous contributions by the community and Yampa Valley Bank’s donation match of up to $10,000, which the bank will be doing again this year.

All money Routt County United Way raises in Routt County stays in Routt County, directly helping local residents, agencies and programs. Donations can be made in person at Yampa Valley Bank or the Routt County United Way office, 443 Oak St. in Steamboat Springs, by texting “Community” to 91999, calling 970-879-5605 or online at routtcountyunitedway.org/donate2015.

Oak Creek residents to experience power outage

Oak Creek residents will experience two scheduled power outages at 10 a.m. Monday, Sept. 28 and at 3 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 1. Both outages will last from 10 to 30 minutes. Western Area Power Association will be doing cross arm repair, and the town of Oak Creek will be conducting substation maintenance at the same time. For more information, call Oak Creek Public Works at 970-736-2459.

Readers invited to Eclipse Watch Party on Sunday

An Eclipse Watch Party, hosted by astronomer Jimmy Westlake, Colorado Mountain College’s SKY Club and Steamboat Today, will be held Sunday, Sept. 27, at CMC’s Alpine campus.

The indoor program will begin at 6:30 p.m. in the Allbright Family Auditorium. Westlake, who writes the popular “Celestial News” column for Steamboat Today and the Craig Daily Press, will present a program titled “Shadows in Space” about eclipses. Afterward, visitors will go outside onto the deck and patio, where the rising moon will already be in partial eclipse over the mountain. Viewing will be available from totality at 8:13 p.m. to the very end of the eclipse at 10:23 p.m.

The event is free and open to the public. Light refreshments will be served.

Program provides insight into reuse of older buildings

Senior director of Preservation Green Lab at the National Trust for Historic Preservation Jim Linberg will be in Steamboat Springs from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 29 at the Bud Werner Memorial Library for a free program focused on how reusing existing buildings can be easier and how to qualify the environmental value of building reuse.

Lindberg will be speaking as part of the local Talking Green education program. His talk is presented by Yampa Valley Sustainability Council and Historic Routt County.

The Seattle-based nonprofit Green Lab advances research explores the value that older buildings bring to their communities and pioneers policy solutions that make it easier to reuse and green older and historic buildings. Some Green Lab projects include energy efficiency for small main street businesses, outcome-based energy codes, partnerships for building reuse and reusing rather than demolishing old buildings.

Visit yvsc.org/talkinggreen for more information.