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Show Sat/Sun/Mon/Tues, April 14-17, 2018 The Park Record Aspen extends Downtowner contract Free ride service once floated for Park City CAROLYN SACKARIASON The Aspen Times ASPEN, Colo. – Aspen City Council approved a one-year contract with The Downtowner, a free transportation service that shuttles people within a defined area of town. The city’s cost to extend the service through next April is $520,370. The city already has spent just over $651,000 for service that began in 2016, when it was first rolled out as a pilot program for the summer. This most recent contract with the Florida-based company includes four one-year options to renew. The Downtowner bid against three other providers in December when the city went out for a request for proposals. While local vendors expressed interest in bidding, none did, according to John Krueger, the city’s transportation director. A city-led committee took the two highest-scoring proposals based on its review criteria and interviewed the companies’ representatives. The Downtowner came out on top, according to a city staff memo to council. The app-based service has seen rapid growth since its arrival to Aspen. It carried nearly 23,000 people from June to December of 2016. In 2017, the first full year of service, the Downtowner shuttled just ANNA STONEHOUSE/THE ASPEN TIMES The city of Aspen, Colorado, has signed the Downtowner rideshare service to a one year contract for about $500,000. The service, once considered for Park City, provides app-based free rides around downtown Aspen. over 47,000 people, according to the memo. Ridership so far this year is up 30 percent over the same time period in 2017. Krueger noted that ridership on the local and valley bus routes is up, as well, and traffic counts decreased slightly in 2017 and so far this year. Council discussed expanding the service area last May when it extended the service through this month. But council members were split on whether to extend the boundaries, so no decision was reached. When the service boundaries were initially set up, some locations were excluded based on input from taxis and other transportation businesses concerned about competition. However, Krueger said the most common customer complaint is people want a larger service area. Councilman Ward Hauenstein said he’s been approached by several residents who live in large complexes like Centennial and Hunter Creek who would like the service extended to their east end neighborhood. He said they’d be more apt to leave the car home to go to the grocery store or do other errands. Krueger said the contract allows for the service area to change in the future. He added that his department also is looking at possible increased bus service in that area of town. Councilman Bert Myrin said he’d like the branding on the side of the vehicles to better reflect that it is part of a larger mass-transit system to eliminate confusion among tourists and others. The Downtowner provides service through five electric cart vehicles, 12 to 15 hours a day, depending on the season. The new contract expands the service to seven vehicles to accommodate the rapid growth and keep wait times under 10 minutes. Some of the petS at NuzzleS & Co. lookiNg for love These animals are available to be seen at the Nuzzles & Co. Adoption Center and Rescue Ranch. Our Adoption Center is open Monday through Friday from noon to 7 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. It is located in the Tanger Outlets in Kimball Junction. Our Rescue Ranch is open Monday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., and closed Sunday. The Rescue Ranch is located at 6466 N. Highview Road in Peoa. Chesley Dolly Petal Walnut Chesley is a 1-year-old cattle dog mix. He really wants to bond but is timid. Chesley is learning how to walk on a leash and loves to play with other dogs. He’s looking for a patient family who can help him gain some confidence and show him how good life can be! Dolly is a 4-year-old Boxer mix. She is a friendly dog who loves to give (and receive!) lots of affection! She gets along with other dogs and could possibly be in a home with cats with proper introduction. She is a big, playful girl who would do well in an active home. Petal is a 14-year-old Poodle who is totally in the golden years of her life. She is great with other dogs and gets along with cats. She’s just happy to sit back and observe all the action! All Petal wants is a comfy place to sleep and a person to make happy! Walnut is a Shepherd mix and is about a year old. He’s a high-energy dog that loves to play and will need lots of exercise. He is working on his training and is a fast learner! He prefers a home without cats, but may do well with another dog with proper introduction. Camry Oro Pepe Taylor Camry is a playful patch tabby Domestic Shorthair. She is about 11 months old. She loves to be around people and will even sit on their shoulders. Camry does well with other playful cats and loves to play with toys. She’s just a happygo-lucky girl! Oro is an orange tabby Domestic Shorthair. He’s just shy of a year old but still has that kitten energy and spunk! He loves to play and chase toys. Oro also likes to snooze in cozy beds and would love a home with sunny windows where he can curl up and relax. Pepe, a 1-year-old Domestic Longhair, is a curious and social cat who is searching high and low for his perfect forever home! He’d love a home with lots of places to explore and fun to be had! Pepe will be a loving and playful companion for years to come! Taylor is a grey and white Domestic Shorthair who is about 4 years old. She is a relaxed andbfriendly cat who enjoys the company of people. She would prefer to be the only pet in her home. Taylor would be very happy in a peaceful and quiet home! WaNted: voluNteerS These Organizations are looking for volunteers. If you would like to include your group in this section, please email information to copyeditor@parkrecord.com. Please limit your entry to no more than 75 words Girl Scouts Be the Girl Scout volunteer she’ll always remember. As a volunteer with a Girl Scout troop, you’ll introduce girls to new experiences that make every day feel like the best day ever. At every turn you’ll be their cheerleader, guide and mentor, helping them develop the skills and confidence that will last long after the meetings are over. For more information, visit http:// www.gsutah.org/en/volunteer-role-model.html or call Heather Smith at 801-716-5109. Guide Dogs for the Blind Guide Dogs for the Blind needs puppy raisers and sitters. Volunteers provide a nurturing, well-rounded, social environment for puppies 8 weeks old to 15 months. Guide Dogs for the Blind supports raisers and sitters with organized weekly training and socialization meetings. Basic equipment and complete veterinary care is provided for the puppies while with their raisers. Meetings are Mondays at 7 p.m. in the Park City/ Heber areas. Contact Stefanie at 435-657-0760 for meeting location or questions; Facebook/SummitGuideDogs, or www. guidedogs.com. Habitat for Humanity of Summit and Wasatch Counties Habitat for Humanity invites you build sustainable, healthy and affordable housing as a ReStore volunteer. Do you love to tinker and fix things? Find treasures? Are you looking for a regular volunteer opportunity that is fun and makes a lasting difference for local families? Immediate opportunities include cashier, merchandising, and customer ambassador roles. For more information call 435-658-1400 or visit habitat-utah.org. Help Eliminate Alzheimer’s The Alzheimer’s Association’s Utah Chapter has many opportunities available for volunteers to raise awareness and promote community events. Areas of particular need are community education, outreach, research, social media, public policy, communications and development. Positions can also be created depending on interest and passion. Many positions are virtual. Please contact Ronnie Daniel, executive director: rdaniel@alz. org. Holy Cross Ministries Holy Cross Ministries has openings for volunteers in both the School Readiness Program (3 to 5-year-olds at St. Mary’s White Pine Canyon, Mondays-Thursdays, 8:15 a.m.-3 p.m.) and in after-school homework help sessions at Parleys Park, Jeremy Ranch and McPolin Elementary programs which run 3-5:30 p.m. Mondays-Thursdays. School Readiness will benefit from persons willing to read and work at small group centers. Please contact Miriam Garcia (mgarcia@hcmutah.org) for more information on the School Readiness Program. Contact Franz Montalvo (fmontalvo@hcmutah.org) for information on the After-School Program. For a full list of volunteer opportunities, visit parkrecord.com/ volunteers B-7 |