SILVERTHORNE - A proposed Lowe's Home Improvement Warehouse cleared a major hurdle late last night, receiving approval on its final site plan from the Silverthorne Planning Commission.
The commission voted four to three in favor of the project, sending it on for consideration by the Silverthorne Town Council. Commissioners Peggy Long, Russ Camp, Derrick Fowler and Stan Katz voted for the approval; commissioners Tom McDonald, Brian Wray and Finton Doyle cast the three nays.
The approval came with several conditions, including a requirement that the store's outside design be more esthetically pleasing and better tailored to a mountain environment. Of particular concern to the commissioners was the roof design, whose flat, beige expanse would be visible from roads and homes above the building.
"I would really like to see a Silverthorne facade to it that makes it fit into our community," Long said. "This is a big improvement to what we saw last Februa

SUMMIT COUNTY - Asphalt supply problems delayed the Swan Mountain Road repaving project, which is to conclude by early afternoon today.
The road is closed to all traffic from Summit Cove (Snake River inlet) to Sapphire Point beginning at roughly 9:30 a.m.
Paving was completed Tuesday, but striping and crosswalks must be painted before the road is reopened.
The project was scheduled to finish Aug. 27, but the asphalt plant in Silverthorne "broke down" one day, and projects with the Colorado Department of Transportation - which get first priority - used up most of the asphalt on two other days, said assistand county manager Thad Noll.
No bicycle traffic is allowed on the road; however, bicyclists are reminded to use the new recpath portion from Summit Cove to Sapphire Point, and Swan Mountain Road from Sapphire Point to Farmers Korner.
The public is urged to use caution while traveling through the project, and can expect grooved pavement conditions,

SILVERTHORNE - The Silverthorne economy in June showed only slight improvements over the same month in 2009, with overall sales tax revenues in the town up by about 2.4 percent.
Consumer retail, which includes Target and OfficeMax, was one of the strongest sectors, posting a 12.1 percent improvement over June 2009. Target finished a remodel in June, potentially contributing to the boost.
Building retail, reflective of overall construction activity, was down by 10.5 percent in June, but the sector saw a smaller drop in June than it has seen in other months this year.
"It's getting closer to flat," Silverthorne finance director Donna Braun said.
Braun said she expects July to be flat or down slightly, compared with the same month in 2009. As for August, she said the town seemed quite busy, but that doesn't mean people were necessarily spending lots of money.
"We're seeing lodging tax up. But I think when it comes to any vacation, everybody i