Vail, CO
Home MenuPARTNERSHIPS: FORWARD, TOGETHER
Partnerships, both big and small, were vital to Vail's successes in 2024. Collaborations across the town, region and state resulted in the creation of new local housing opportunities; the kick-off of a community-driven planning process for a new base area; protections for critical wildlife habitat; and the preservation of the safe, clean and welcoming environment so highly valued by the town's residents and guests. The actions of the Vail Town Council, town staff and community partners working together are highlighted in this annual report.
Town Council Strategic Plan
In May of 2024, the Vail Town Council adopted a five-year strategic plan to ensure real and meaningful results for residents, businesses and guests. It addresses the most important issues identified in surveys, plans and community conversations and provides a framework to align both human and financial resources to address our community’s most important issues.
PROGRESS WITH OUR PARTNERS
Timber Ridge Village Groundbreaking
The Town of Vail and Triumph Development brought the community together to celebrate the groundbreaking of the new Timber Ridge Village at a ceremony in October of 2024. The redeveloped Timber Ridge will include 58 studios, 90 one-bedrooms, 79 two-bedrooms, 67 three-bedrooms and 8 four-bedrooms, for a total of 302 homes. The development is deed-restricted, requiring that every home be occupied as a primary residence by at least one full-time employee of an Eagle County business.
Geothermal Energy Grant Award
The Town of Vail was awarded a $250,000 grant from the Colorado Energy Office through their Geothermal Energy Grant Program to pursue design of geothermal energy network. Governor Polis recognized the project with a visit to Vail in July of 2024. A geothermal energy network will help the Town meet its climate action goals which include a 50% reduction in emissions by 2030 and an 80% reduction by 2050. The funding will advance a design for a geothermal energy network, which will connect sources of waste thermal energy to geothermal boreholes and a distribution system that can heat and cool buildings, and even provide snow-melting for town streets and sidewalks.
17th Annual Vail Winterfest - Visages
Presented by Vail’s Art in Public Places Program, Winterfest continues to be a beloved and anticipated free and family-friendly public art installation in the community. Using between 90 to100 blocks of ice weighing approximately 300 pounds each, the 2024 “Visages” installation evoked the topic of thought. It received a large volume of impressions, engagement and interaction on social media including a post by University of Colorado Head Coach Deion Sanders.
Regional E-Bike Share Program Accelerates
Shift Bike, the regional electric bike share program, saw a 74% increase in ridership from 2023 to 2024 with the same system size of 155 e-bikes and 33 stations in place. This reduced 46,896 pounds of greenhouse gas emissions which is the equivalent of removing five gas-powered vehicles from the road for one year. The Shift Bike program is intended to encourage and create a culture of bike commuting rather than driving single occupancy vehicles.
The Community Cleans Up
After a several year hiatus, the town brought back its clean up event in May, and invited the community to help with a little spring cleaning of the streets, neighborhoods and parks of Vail. Approximately 360 pounds of dog poop and 5,000 pounds of trash were collected. Students and teachers from Red Sandstone Elementary and Vail Mountain School showed up in force. In addition, a sizeable contingent from Vail Mountain participated, so in June members of the Vail Town Council and town staff reciprocated by joining Vail Mountain staff for their annual mountain clean-up. The events highlighted the entire community’s commitment to preserving Vail’s natural beauty.
Booth Creek Fuels Reduction Project
Significant progress was made in the planning and layout for the Booth Creek fuels reduction project, with implementation of fuels reduction near Bighorn Creek underway in 2024 to be completed in 2025. Additional work will begin in 2025 adjacent to the Booth Creek trailhead and several units in the Spraddle Creek drainage. More than 300 acres of fuels are ready for treatment.
Adoption of the Go Vail 2045 Mobility &
Transportation Master Plan
Adopted by the Vail Town Council in July of 2024, the Go Vail 2045 Master Plan was a two-year process in which community input was sought for all transportation modes, parking, traffic calming, loading and delivery and special events. It provides a vision for the next 20 years to enhance mobility and transportation throughout the Town of Vail.
Annual Report Wins Savvy Award
The Town of Vail’s 2023 Annual Report: Commitment to Community won a Silver Circle Award from the City-County Communications & Marketing Association, a national organization that has recognized the best in government communications with the Savvy Award program for more than 30 years. The town’s focus on caring for community members, preserving Vail’s unique environment and providing transparent access to information were highlighted in the publication.
West Lionshead Master Plan Kick Off &
Resolution for Booth Heights
On Oct. 1, 2024, the Town of Vail, Vail Resorts and East West Partners announced a partnership to develop the West Lionshead area into a fourth base village at Vail Mountain. The new base village, planned in the location formerly designated for the Ever Vail project, is anticipated to feature access to the resort’s 5,317 acres of snowsports terrain, plus new lodging, restaurants, boutiques, and skier services, as well as community benefits such as workforce housing, public spaces, transit and parking. The agreement put to rest a years-long dispute over the parcel known as Booth Heights in East Vail, with Vail Resorts dismissing its appeal of the Town of Vail’s condemnation of the property.
Live Music Sets the Stage for the Vail Vibe
Reimagined major music events took place throughout Vail in 2024 with the John Summit concert at Ford Park in February, Après at the Amp featuring Bob Moses, Sofi Tucker and more in April, and Tiesto at Ford Park in conjunction with the 2024 Birds of Prey World Cup in December. Each event included additional music activations on the mountain and in town. With these offerings, Vail reemerged as a fan favorite for Vail Après, including DJ sets on the mountain, outdoor concerts featuring major headliners, and a cool trendy vibe.
Leave No Trace Spotlight
The Town of Vail Welcome Centers partnered with the U.S. Forest Service to receive the prestigious Leave No Trace Spotlight, a national recognition awarded through a competitive nomination process. As a Spotlight site, we hosted three days of immersive programming in collaboration with Leave No Trace staff. These events showcased Vail’s dedication to protecting natural areas while inviting new audiences to join our conservation efforts. Together, we emphasized quality over quantity, delivering impactful programs that built momentum around local sustainability initiatives.
Improved Bug Populations in Gore Creek
In 2024, Town of Vail learned that Gore Creek had achieved the highest aquatic insect population metrics yet recorded when the creek was sampled in late 2023. Gore Creek still fails to meet state standards for aquatic life, but recent data shows progress toward the goal of fully restoring aquatic macroinvertebrate populations in Vail’s main waterway. Aquatic insects are the foundation of the food chain and one of the best indicators of overall creek health. Healthy insect populations feed healthy populations of higher order animals like trout and songbirds. A healthy creek is key to a healthy ecosystem and contributes to a vibrant recreation economy in Vail.
Successful Safety Plan for Fourth of July
The Fourth of July in Vail is a hallmark celebration, but in recent years, disruptive behavior from unsupervised minors, many traveling from the Front Range, has overshadowed the festivities. To address this, the Vail Police Department took a proactive approach, meeting with Denver schools ahead of the holiday to set clear expectations for students and parents and to emphasize zero tolerance for underage drinking, drug use and property damage. On July 4, Vail officers were joined by regional law enforcement and maintained a strong presence throughout the town to create a safe and enjoyable environment for all. They sent a clear message that safety and accountability are top priorities. Citations issued in 2024 set the tone for fewer violations and a smoother celebration in the future.
New Electric Buses Now in Service
Vail Transit received six new battery electric buses in 2024 to help transport its over 2.8 million passengers during the year. The town now has 10 of the low floor buses, which have an increased battery capacity of 686kw compared to the previous generation’s 440kw and allows them to operate on most of Vail Transit's routes, including East Vail and West Vail. The town was awarded over $3.5 million for the six buses. Another $600,000 was awarded for infrastructure and the accompanying new bus chargers from Chargepoint at the town's bus barn, which is powered by renewable energy and allows the new buses to be charged overnight. The funds came from a combination of state and federal grants, with the town contributing approximately $2.6 million for the buses and about $100,000 for the chargers.
Movies in the Mountains
The new “Movies in the Mountains” series was a collaboration between the Vail Public Library and the Town of Vail’s Economic Development Department. The library’s backyard served as the perfect spot for families to bring a picnic or enjoy popcorn and watch a movie together. More than 50 people attended each of the two events.
Swabbing the Decks at Pirateship Park
Vail’s cherished Pirateship Park received a much-needed refresh in the spring of 2024, including the replacement of wood decks, installation of a new ladder to the crow’s nest, the addition of a new climber, sidewalk repair and new coat of repaint for the entire structure.
STRONG FINANCES ARE FOUNDATIONAL
Across all town funds, total revenues for 2024 were $127 million. Excluding one-time grants and project reimbursements, revenues totaled $114.5 million, an increase of $7.6 million compared to 2023.
Total expenditures across all funds amounted to $153.6 million. Of this, 43% or $69.9 million was allocated to municipal services, while 56% or $85.7 million was invested in capital projects. The remaining 1% covered debt service payments.
Town expenditures exceeded revenues by $26.6 million due to investments in capital projects, specifically the redevelopment of Timber Ridge and the acquisition of Booth Heights.
Sales Tax Collections
Sales tax accounts for 38% of the town’s total revenues. In 2024, the town’s 4% general sales tax collections totaled $42.2 million, reflecting a 0.8% increase over the previous year reflecting a continued normalization in visitation.
The winter months of January though April saw a slight decline of 0.7%, primarily because Easter fell in March instead of April, shifting visitation patterns. In contrast, the summer season was strong, with collections reflecting an increase of 2.7% year-over-year. Going into the 2023/2024 ski season including November and December, sales tax collection experienced a slight increase of 0.9% compared to the prior year.
For comparison, inflation as measured by the Consumer Price Index was 2.9% for the 12-month period ending in December 2024.
Investment in Community Housing
During the 2021 election, Town of Vail voters passed a ballot initiative to collect a 0.5% housing sales tax. The town began collecting that tax in January of 2022 and in total has collected a total of $15.1 million over three years. These funds have been utilized to help fund several housing projects, including the redevelopment of Timber Ridge, as well as land acquisitions for future workforce housing. Since 2021, the town has invested $78.6 million in community housing projects, programs and initiatives and has committed an additional $34.4 million within the 2025 budget. During 2024, the town invested $37.8 million utilizing the housing sales tax, financing, public-private partnerships, and general fund sales tax dollars.
Reserves
Town reserves remain healthy at a projected $145.5 million at the end of 2024, down 39% or $28.7 million from $139.4 million in 2023. The Town Council has strategically used the financial strength of town reserves to cash finance capital projects where appropriate and utilize reserves toward the purchase of Booth Heights at $19.8 million as well as the town’s contribution to the re-development of Timber Ridge of $40 million.
This strategy is projected to continue for the next several years, with reserves funding the following large projects:
- Redevelopment of Dobson Arena, estimated at over $55 million to be repaid by the Vail Reinvestment Authority by 2030
- Purchase of $25.5 million of units at the new Timber Ridge Village for community rentals
- A cash contribution toward the West Middle Creek housing project of $10 million, expected to be financed by housing revenue bonds and town certificates of participation
- $2.8 million in parking structure structural maintenance and improvements
- A new transit stop at the newly redeveloped Timber Ridge at $1.9 million
- Partnership with Habitat for Humanity for zero-interest home purchasing options at Timber Ridge of $2 million
- Land acquisition of a parcel in East Vail for future housing of $2.4 million
ADDITIONAL ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Town Plans for Dobson Arena Remodel and West Middle Creek Housing
The town finalized plans and received development approvals in 2024 for a significant remodel of Dobson Arena and 268 new homes for locals at the West Middle Creek property. The approximately $55 million investment in Dobson will be paid for by Tax Increment Financing (TIF) funds collected by the Vail Reinvestment Authority. The Town Council is carefully considering how to best use the town’s strong financial position to pay for West Middle Creek, which is currently anticipated to cost approximately $164 million. Together with the redevelopment of Timber Ridge Village already underway, the projects would represent the three largest capital projects undertaken by the town in its history.
Creation of Destination Marketing Organization
A new structure for the activities of the Tourism and Economic Development Department was created and adopted in 2024. Under the strategic direction of the Vail Local Marketing District, Discover Vail is dedicated to promoting Vail as a premier year-round destination. Through innovative marketing strategies, special event promotion, and community engagement, Discover Vail enhances the town’s economic vitality while preserving its unique character and world-class visitor experience. By fostering sustainable tourism growth, Discover Vail ensures that Vail remains a vibrant and welcoming mountain destination for travelers from around the world.
Town Increases Social Media Reach
The Town of Vail maintains a robust social media presence, increasing its impressions by 19% to 1.55 million in 2024 as well as increasing engagement by 38% on the town's main Facebook and Instagram accounts. The Communications Department kicked off a new content series in 2024, the Town Council preview videos, as a way to make our elected officials more familiar to community members. Council members hosted 20 videos over the course of the year with over 50,000 impressions on Instagram and 5,700 on Facebook.New Community Housing Zone Districts
The Vail Town Council formed three community housing zone districts early in 2024 to streamline the entitlement process and incentivize more private development of local’s housing in Vail. In June, the effort paid off with the rezoning of an East Vail property, making the 0.7-acre lot the first to join the town’s Community Housing - 1 (CH-1) zone district. As described in the ordinance creating it, the CH-1 district is “intended to provide adequate sites for employee housing which, because of the nature and characteristics of employee housing, cannot be adequately regulated by the development standards prescribed for other residential zone districts. This zone district allows flexibility to provide for the critical need for housing to serve local citizens and businesses, and to provide for the public welfare.”
Updated Construction Codes Adopted
In October of 2024, the Vail Town Council approved the adoption of the 2024 editions of the International Building Code, International Residential Code, International Fire Code, International Energy Conservation Code, International Plumbing Code, International Fuel Gas Code, International Mechanical Code, International Existing Building Code, and the 2023 Edition of the National Electrical Code, with amendments. The codes became applicable to all permits submitted to the town on or after Jan. 1, 2025. Of particular note, included in the new fire code are provisions related to lithium-ion battery charging as well as installation and maintenance of fixed lithium-ion stored energy systems. Prior to the adoption of the new code, stakeholder outreach was conducted with bike rental businesses to ensure that they were prepared for new safety requirements for charging devices such as e-bikes and e-scooters.
Gore Valley Trail Interpretive Installation Complete
The Town of Vail completed the Gore Valley Trail Interpretive Installation in 2024, which includes a series of eight interactive exhibits along the recreation path to engage trail users using viewing scopes, sculptures, words and imagery. The installation is intended to raise awareness and help educate the community on creek health and restoration. The exhibits are spread across over six miles of the trail.
CELEBRATIONS, RETIREMENTS AND NEW LEADERS
Community Celebrates Dr. Jack Eck as the 2024 Vail Trailblazer Award Winner
In recognition of his pioneering contributions to the safety and health of Vail’s residents and guests, Dr. Jack Eck was named the 2024 Town of Vail Trailblazer Award recipient by the Vail Town Council. His tenure as one of Vail’s first physicians started in 1971, and in the late 1970s he became the first Medical Advisor for the Vail Ski Patrol, establishing the basic medical criteria for patrollers. Since that time, Dr. Eck has come to be known as a tireless advocate for comprehensive healthcare options for the entire community.
High Praise for Vail’s Emergency Responders
The dedication and selfless sacrifices of Eagle County emergency responders was celebrated in October at the annual “Night of Excellence” with recognition of the highest level of service to the community.
At the helm of the Vail Public Safety Communications Center is Director Marc Wentworth, who earned the Leadership Award for his guidance and management of Eagle County 911 dispatch and emergency communications. The VPSCC received the Unit Citation for Meritorious Service for taking control of an incident involving a possible murder suspect in our community. Over the course of four hours, the center coordinated all radio traffic with five agencies from four counties while simultaneously handling nearly 100 other calls for service.
One of the many calls for service in 2024 was about a life-threatening avalanche. Vail Mountain Rescue Group, Vail Fire & Emergency Services, Eagle County Paramedic Services, Flight for Life, HAATS, and the Vail Public Safety Communications Center worked quickly and with expertise to respond. The teams earned the “Call of the Year” for their rapid response to an avalanche, the incapacitation of a team member, and the ultimate success of the mission in saving the life of an avalanche victim and their dog.
Deputy Chief Ryan Ocepek of Vail Fire & Emergency Services received the Leadership Award for supporting Vail Health’s Emergency Preparedness activities. And in making a difference to our community, the Vail Police Department received the Unit Citation for an impressive team effort in apprehending and bringing to justice thieves who preyed on our community's residents.
In addition to these awards, several emergency responders were recognized with internal commendations during the year. Two VPSCC Dispatchers, Yesenia Ramirez and Mathew Madsen, were individually recognized for guiding 911 callers/bystanders through lifesaving CPR that played a vital role in saving lives.
Active listening and empathy are traits that helped Officer William Smith save a life. He acted quickly, but calmly, when he approached a suicidal person. His training and listening de-escalated the event and prevented them from self-harm. He was presented with the Life Saving Award.
Keeping children safe is just one of the many duties of School Resource Officer Greg Schwartz, who was presented the Meritorious Service Award for his unrivaled commitment to Vail Police Department, the Town of Vail and to Red Stone Elementary, where he is a “beloved member of the school staff.”
Dogged investigation is what Detective Angela Sommer is about. She has investigated high-profile and arduous cases over the last year including armed robberies, auto thefts and burglaries targeting Asian-owned businesses. All the while she continued relentless work on an old homicide case. She was presented with the Meritorious Service Award.
Capping off awards, Officer Mike Bindle was named “Officer of the Year” for his consistent commitment to the community and his demonstration of mission and values of the agency.
Vail Police Welcomes Two New K-9s
The Vail Police Department added two new K-9s to its ranks in February of 2024. German shorthaired pointers Mojo and Crosby are trained as narcotics detection dogs for heroin, methamphetamine, cocaine and fentanyl. Just a few months into their careers, both Mojo and handler Officer Mark Coe and Crosby and handler Sgt. Rebecca Anderson were involved in two large drug busts in the county.
The two new dogs started work following the retirement of police K-9 Echo, whose last day was Feb. 29, 2024.
Housing Director George Ruther Retires; Town Welcomes Jason Dietz
George Ruther, the longtime housing director and former community development director for the Town of Vail, retired in 2024 after 30 years with the town. During his tenure, Ruther was best known for his role in facilitating innovative housing programs and introducing an unconventional approach adopted by the town - declaring resident housing to be a vital piece of Vail’s infrastructure.
In June of 2024, the town welcomed Jason Dietz as its new housing director. Dietz came to Vail from Summit County with extensive public and private sector development experience. Charged with keeping the town’s housing momentum moving, he hit the ground running shepherding in the groundbreaking at Timber Ridge Village.
Change in Leadership at the Vail Public Library
The Town of Vail’s Director of Library Services Lori A. Barnes stepped down from her role at the Vail Public Library in March of 2024. She held the position for just under 17 years. From her first day in 2007, Barnes was committed to elevating the reputation of the library and was one of the first to ensure that the word “public” was added to the library’s official name.Kimberly McNally joined the town as its new library director in August of 2024, bringing with her over 13 years of experience working in public libraries across the country. Her ability to recognize and capitalize on the important role libraries play in supporting communities was highlighted in her selection.