1. Steamboat 72-year-old takes 2nd in division at Leadville 100, adding to his accolades

For the 12th time in his mountain bike racing career, Steamboat Springs resident Daniel Smilkstein took to the start line of the Leadville Trail 100 on Aug. 13. 

Smilkstein finished the 100-mile race in 11 hours and 34 minutes, earning second place in the men’s 70+ division and his seventh career divisional podium. 

---

---

2. Owners hoping to make True North Adventure Lodge something special

Chapman “Chappy” Geer and Coleman Holloway were born and raised in Steamboat Springs, and they have returned to their roots to pursue a dream of creating something special in the place where they grew up.

---

---

Geer purchased a two-story log building at 61066 Colorado Road 129 in the Hahns Peak Village in 2020, and he went about turning it into the True North Adventure Lodge. Coleman joined Geer this summer to help create the TNTBar.

3. Pacaso, which sells shares of luxury single-family homes, debuts in Steamboat

The company’s aim is to combine up to eight buyers into one home instead of buyers purchasing up to eight second homes in the community. Bruchey notes that second homes through the Pacaso model may sit unused for less time than a second home owned by a single family or entity.

The most challenging part of the company’s home purchases in other Colorado communities since October 2021 in Aspen, Breckenridge, Telluride and Vail has been “making sure people understand the facts of our co-ownership business model,” Bruchey said.

4. Judge denies motion in lawsuit against the city over short-term rental tax

On Monday, Aug. 22, Routt County District Judge Michael O’Hara rejected a motion in a lawsuit against the City of Steamboat Springs seeking an immediate injunction to allow a local petition to proceed.

The decision was a setback in a local group’s efforts to call a referendum on City Council’s decision to put a new 9% tax on short-term rentals up to voters on the November ballot.

5. New business looks to bring a little flavor to Oak Creek

For more than three decades, Sascha Stanger traveled the world in search of good food. Now, the longtime food importer is ready to share his experience with Oak Creek, Routt County and all of Colorado with Sascha’s Gourmet Goods.

“It has been a dream of his since we have been together, which is over 19 years,” said Brooke Stanger, Sascha’s wife. “He’s been talking about doing something like this since we’ve been together, and he has talked off and on for all those years, and probably before that. To actually see his dream come to life has been wonderful for me because it’s his passion.”

6. Tasting room opens doors; distiller hopes Steamboat has thirst for his spirits

The location houses the packed column reflux still that is the heart of Routt Distillery’s production facility, which will specialize in gin, vodka and single malt whiskey. It also includes a 600-square-foot tasting room with an outside deck and a conference room upstairs, which is available for rent and can be used by nonprofits.

7. Rerouting only paved portion of Continental Divide Trail in Colorado is continued challenge

Lovers of the Continental Divide Trail (CDT) usually “through hike” across Routt County past Dumont Lake and Rabbit Ears Pass going northbound in July or southbound in August, said Dan Carter, trail and lands conservation program manager for the Continental Divide Trail Coalition. Northbound hikers number an estimated 400, and southbound hikers about 600, Carter said, plus many other people hike or bike only sections of the CDT in Routt County.

8. Steamboat man dies while hiking on Mica Basin trail

A 72-year-old Steamboat man died while hiking on the Mica Basin trail in North Routt on Friday, Aug. 12. 

9. Steamboat man shoots bear that broke into his downtown home

Around 2 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 13, Ken Mauldin heard his German shepherd barking and his wife, Kelly, screaming.

He rushed out of his room after hearing the scream. A bear was at the top of the stairs of their Steamboat Springs home, looking at Mauldin from about 10 feet away.

10. Granby has ‘Fittest Man on Earth’

How the owner of Stand Firm CrossFit ousts the competition and makes people love pain