New Heeney Tour on YouTube

I've updated my tour of Heeney Colorado. It's a small community in the shadow of the Gore Range and on the shores of the Green Mountain Reservoir. Located at the far northern end of Summit County, Colorado. A wonderful spot for outdoor activities and to get away from the crowds.
Here's a list of some of the local highlights
Hiking Eagles Nest Wilderness area.
Camping, over 10 primitive campgrounds around the reservoir.
Fishing in the Blue River, the reservoir or at Cataract Lake a natural glacial lake.
Wind surf on Green Mountain Reservoir.
Water-ski Green Mountain Reservoir.
Jet-ski Green Mountain Reservoir.
Hang glide from the Blue Ridge above Green Mountain Reservoir.


Heeney is a small community of about 120 full time residents. In the summer the population swells, many of the homes are occupied during the summer. The businesses are orientated to the summer resort.

Heeney Marina is open in the summer. Their web site is www.heeneymarina.com.

The Green Mountain Reservoir is used for water storage. When full the elevation is 7950, here is a link to a state web site with information on current levels.

Green Mountain Inn restaurant and bar is currently closed.

You can get ice, some supplies and liquor at, Master Bait and Tackle.

Melody Lodge is a small convenience store and cabins located where the Blue River runs into the Green Mountain Reservoir.

Heeney listings update

I just listed a newer home in Heeney. It has two bedrooms, a loft, den and game room and 1 3/4 bath. Great views and a garage, built in 2006 and I don't think I've seen a home with such nice finishes. Priced at $399,000. More info on my web site and below is the YouTube video.

Local Wildlife

There's a eagle's nest on the shores of the Green Mountain Reservoir. It's fun to watch through the season, from when the eagle is sitting there in the middle of a snow storm in April to autumn when the immature eagles are hanging out in the branches of the tree. I took this picture this week. A neighbor was fishing off shore and could see two chicks (is that what baby eagles are called?) being fed in the nest.




Yesterday I was driving through Rocky Mountain National Park and came across this "Men's Club" of elk. Gosh it great to be in Colorado!

Spring Time at Green Mountain Reservoir

The ice is off Green Mountain Reservoir! Finally we have a real sign of spring after 15 inches of snow on April 29th. Don Abbott at Heeney Marina has the gates open if he is around to inspect the boats (I’ve already seen one out there), the official opening date for the Marina is May 15th. Sounds like fishing has been pretty good from the bank too.

The forest service has published their plan for the improvements. Here’s a link. They will not be putting in the electric power or water wells. They will be putting in host sites, adding and moving camp sites, making highway 9 improvements and putting in a boat ramp at Cow Creek South campground.

Proposed changes at Green Mountain Reservoir

Last fall the forest service issued a plan to build a marina on the east side of Green Mountain Reservoir at Cow Creek South campground. That along with improving some campgrounds, adding water, dump station, boat storage, and other items would be paid for with a 1.3 million dollar stimulus grant.

Now the forest service as issued a draft environmental analysis of the project. You can see it at this link.

There is also a public meeting in Heeney at the community center (7000 County Road 30) on Thursday, April 8th at 5:30PM.

They are taking comments until April 15th.

Heeney and Blue Valley Acres Market Update

If you are willing to drive north of Silverthorne about 30 miles to Blue Valley Acres (which is just into Grand County) or 25 miles north to Heeney on the Green Mountain Reservoir you can get a lot more for your money.

Right now there are five homes for sale in Blue Valley Acres. The lowest price is a three bedroom home for $213,000 and the highest $390,000. In the last year four homes have sold per the Summit County MLS. The most expensive sold for $272,000.

Vacant lots in Blue Valley Acres are a comparative bargain too. There are thirteen lots on the market. The prices range from $39,900 to $189,000. In the last year two lots sold per the Summit County mls, the highest price being $75,000. You can find out more about Blue Valley Acres on my web site.

In the Heeney/Green Mountain Reservoir area (24 miles north of Silverthorne) there are four homes for sale. I have two listed, one is an A-frame with fantastic views for $255,000 and the one is just listed – 2 bedroom cabin on almost 3 acres for $399,000. Follow the links to property info. There is a building site for sale at $99,500.

Price reduction on Heeney Cabin

Here's a picture taken this fall of Green Mountain Reservoir from the deck of this cabin. This two bedroom A frame can be your recreation headquarters, located just a block from the Marina on Green Mountain Reservoir, it is the perfect spot if you enjoy fishing, water and jet skiing, boating, hiking and skiing. The cabin has an open floor plan with one bedroom on the main floor, a loft and on the lower level a walk out basement with a couple more rooms. The price is now $265,000. You can see more pictures and info on my web site at http://www.coloradodreams.com/94happylanding.htm

Green Mountain Reservoir Improvement Plan

I did attend the open house at the forest service yesterday and got all the information I could. Now the Forest Service does have information at: http://www.fs.fed.us/r2/whiteriver/projects/green-mountain-reservoir/ These maps are huge files - If I can figure out a way to make they more reader friendly, I'll post it here. Here's a pdf file of the paperwork I picked up plus the feedback form. They what input by September 18th.

Voice your opinion about changes at Green Mountain Reservoir

Last week I received a letter from the forest service with some idea on the changes they want to make at Green Mountain Reservoir. Below is the letter:


Date: August 24, 2009


Dear Interested Party,
The Dillon Ranger District is seeking public comment on proposed improvements to several recreation facilities at Green Mountain Reservoir.

As you may already be aware, GMR was recently designated as at a very high risk for the introduction of non-native mussels (Aquatic Nuisance Species, or ANS) by the Division of Wildlife. Some management changes have been already been implemented to reduce the chances of accidental introduction of these species including the elimination of general shoreline boat launching. Unfortunately, the current launch facilities are inadequate to handle the volume of use in an efficient manner and improvements are needed. The District also wishes to continue improvement of several of the camping areas over the next five to seven years.

The proposed actions include highway safety improvements and construction of a new marina and larger launch and parking facilities at Cow Creek South. These actions would allow for more efficient inspection and decontamination facilities for addressing ANS, extend the operating season above what the two current launch points are capable of and increase the boat docking and storage capacity on the reservoir. Proposed improvements also include the addition of up to 40 total sites within Cow Creek South, Cow Creek North and McDonald Flats, as well as road construction and general resurfacing in these three sites. Further proposed is host site construction in Prairie Point and Cow Creek South and providing potable water, electrical power and a dump station at Cow Creek South.

A public open house is scheduled for Thursday, September 3rd from 4:00 PM to 6:30 PM at the Dillon Ranger Station in Silverthorne. District staff will be on hand to share information about what is being proposed and to receive comments. Public input will be used to identify issues and develop alternatives to the above proposal.

Comments would be most helpful if received by September 18, 2009. Written comment should be addressed to Jan Cutts, District Ranger, Dillon Ranger District, P.O. Box 620, Dillon, CO 80498; (970) 468-7735 (fax); or by submitting an email to: wrnf_scoping_comments@fs.fed.us. Please include: (1) Your name, address, telephone number, organization represented, if any; (2) Name of this proposal on which the comment is being submitted, Green Mountain Reservoir Improvement Planning Project; and (3) Specific facts and supporting reasons for your concerns. Notification of the official comment period will be mailed to those people who have submitted comments to this proposal and to those who request notification.

If you need any further information about the project you may call Rich Doak at 970-945-3267 or me at 970-468-5400. Maps of the project area are available at the Dillon Ranger District as well as on the White River National Forest website at http://www.fs.fed.us/r2/whiteriver/.
Thank you for your interest in the management of your public lands. I look forward to hearing from you.

Sincerely,
JAN CUTTS
District Ranger

I can only find general Green Mountain Reservoir maps on the web site. I'm hoping there will be more information at the open house.

Some of my concerns are:
Highway turn lane
Electricity - are they bringing it in- how much will it cost and will it be worth it?
What about the Marina in Heeney?
What services will be available at Cow Creek (store, etc - what will Summit County have to say about that?)
Where are these extra campsites going to be.

I'm glad to see the forest service looking at the issues, rather than ignoring Green Mountain Reservoir. If you have a chance come to the open house and give them your input.

Silverthorne Market Update

Here’s what’s going on in the Silverthorne real estate market. In general Silverthorne and the Wildernest area are where you will get the most for your money in Summit County. The lowest price for a condo is $1139,900, it's a studio unit in Riverbend Condos. Right now 158 condos and townhomes are currently for sale in Silverthorne including Wildernest (above Silverthorne to the west). Prices go up to $779,000 for a new three bedroom townhome. Fourteen are pending and 109 have sold last year. Those prices ranged from $110,000 for a studio condo up to $590,000 for a three bedroom townhome built in 1999.

This year the market for single family homes and half duplexes has slowed down; what a great buyer’s opportunity with lower interest rates and lots of choices. There are 190 homes and half duplexes for sale in the Silverthorne area. The prices on homes range from $285,000 to $3,995,000, seven are pending. Seventy-eight homes have sold in the last year, prices from $295,000 to $2,550,000.

If you are willing to drive north of Silverthorne about 30 miles to Blue Valley Acres which is just into Grand County you can get a lot more for your money. Right now there are eight homes for sale in Blue Valley Acres. Prices start at $227,500. and go up to $399,999.

In the Heeney/Green Mountain Reservoir area (24 miles north of Silverthorne) there are eight properties for sale, from a small one bedroom cabin on two lots for $179,000 to a 5 bedroom home just steps from the lake for $570,000. I have a couple neat cabins for $295,000 and $395,000. Here’s a link to that property info. After years of virtually nothing for sale now it the most I’ve ever seen at one time.

You have many options in building sites in Silverthorne. Prices run from $190,000 for a quarter of an acre north in Fox Valley at the Raven and go up to $619,000 for over an acre in the Three Peaks subdivision. About 10 miles north of Silverthorne up Boulder Creek is almost half an acre for $119,900. If you are looking for larger acreage the lowest price is $349,900 for 20 acres up to 1.5 million for 40 acres in Pioneer Creek Ranch. There are small ranches north of Silverthorne “down the Blue” starting at $849,000 for a 5 bedroom home on 22 acres. Around the Green Mountain Reservoir, there is a 20 acre lot for $599,900 and 314 acres up Cataract Creek Road for $3,375,000.

Every week I put together a list of everything for sale - I'll send it to you if you would like. You can also search the Summit County MLS from my web site.

Heeney Tour

Hey, I finally got the YouTube Heeney Tour together.

Silverthorne and Wildernest Market Update

Here’s what’s going on in the Silverthorne real estate market. In general Silverthorne and the Wildernest area are where you will get the most for your money in Summit County. The lowest price for a condo is $144,900, it's a studio unit in Riverbend Condos. Right now 136 condos and townhomes are currently for sale in Silverthorne including Wildernest (above Silverthorne to the west). Prices go up to $779,000 for a new three bedroom townhome. Twelve are pending and 116 have sold last year. Those prices ranged from $135,000 for a studio condo up to $672,000 for a four bedroom townhome built in 2001.

This year the market for single family homes and half duplexes has slowed down; there are some signs of an increase in activity. There are 157 homes and half duplexes for sale in the Silverthorne area. The prices on homes range from $299,000 to $3,975,000, five are pending. Eighty-four have sold in the last year, prices from $300,000 to $3,975,000.

If you are willing to drive north of Silverthorne about 30 miles to Blue Valley Acres which is just into Grand County you can get a lot more for your money. Right now there are eight homes for sale in Blue Valley Acres. Prices start at $245,000. In the Heeney/Green Mountain Reservoir area (24 miles north of Silverthorne) I have a couple neat cabins for $295,000 and $395,000. Here’s a link to that property info.

You have many options in building sites in Silverthorne. Prices run from $190,000 for a quarter of an acre north in Fox Valley at the Raven and go up to $619,000 for over an acre in the Three Peaks subdivision. If you are looking for acreage north of Silverthorne the lowest price is $349,900 for 20 acres up to 2.2 million for 70 acres in Shadow Creek Ranch. There are small ranches north of Silverthorne “down the Blue” between 1.8 and 5.25 million. Around the Green Mountain Reservoir, there is a 20 acre lot for $599,900 and 314 acres up Cataract Creek Road for $3,375,000.

Every week I put together a list of everything for sale - I'll send it to you if you would like. You can also search the Summit County MLS from my web site.

Green Mountain Resesrvoir level coming UP!

As I was driving into work today I noticed a big difference in the shore line. Last night was really warm - a lot of snow is melting. On the state web site I can see that in the last 10 days the reservoir has been coming up about a foot a day! You can keep track yourself at http://www.dwr.state.co.us/SurfaceWater/Default.aspx scroll down to Green Mountain Reservoir and then get station. Pretty interesting.

Mussels Cause Changes at Green Mountain Reservoir

Ken Waugh of the Forest Service issued this press release about boating on the Green Mountain Reservoir. Hopefully by Memorial Day the inspections will be in place.

Silverthorne, CO (April 28, 2009) Green Mountain Reservoir was recently designated as a high risk body of water for the introduction of Aquatic Nuisance Species (ANS), specifically Zebra Mussels and Quagga Mussels by the Colorado Division of Wildlife. Once introduced into a body of
water, these pests are capable of multiplying quickly and causing millions of dollars in damage to water management structures, boats and permanently changing native fisheries. Evidence of these non-native pests has already been found in lakes near Granby and a few other locations around the state. In an effort to keep these mussels from being accidentally introduced into additional lakes, the Division of Wildlife is requiring boat inspections prior to launch in many
locations, including Lake Dillon.

The Forest Service is supporting the Division of Wildlife’s efforts to prevent further spread of these pests. At Green Mountain, management changes are needed to implement an effective prevention program.

“Currently, boaters have the luxury of launching boats along the entire shoreline at Willows, Cow Creek North, and Cow Creek South campgrounds,” says Jan Cutts, District Ranger on the Dillon Ranger District. “Access must be narrowed down to limited locations to inspect and treat, if necessary, boats before entering the Lake”.

Effective immediately, vehicle access to the lake bed will be closed. Vehicle access will be available above the high water line once traffic controls are in place. No trailered watercraft will be allowed on the reservoir until Watercraft Inspection and Disinfection (WID) stations
can be established. It is hoped that the WID facilities and staffing will be operating by Memorial Day weekend. “We understand that this will alter the manner in which some visitors have used Green Mountain in the past and hope they understand that these actions are necessary
to protect this wonderful place for them to continue using into the future.”

Additional information can be obtained by contacting the Dillon Ranger District office at 970-468-5400.

Keats has a YouTube Video!!

On Monday I was walking along the shores of the Green Mountain Reservoir and found the ice breaking up. The ice was large toothpick shards rubbing against each other and being pushed up on the shore. Now will be the best time of year for fishing (I'm told).

A real sign of Spring

Here's a picture of a big crack in the ice on Green Mountain Reservoir. Now, that's a real sign of Spring in Heeney. The lake will probably be ice free by this time next week - and that's the best time for fishing.

Lake Dillon probably has a few weeks before it is thawed. In fact the Rotary Club has an annual Lake Dillon Ice Melt contest to guess when a flotation device hits the water. They sell tickets and raise money for scholarships for Summit County students. They also elect royalty at a $1.00 at vote. Here's a link to the web site at http://www.dillonicemelt.com

New listing in Heeney

Here's a picture of the living area and the summer view, you can see more pictures on my web site at http://www.coloradodreams.com/94happylanding.htm. This mountain cabin is a perfect spot for a vacation hideaway. Fishing, boating, water and jet skiing, and hiking right out the door. Located just a block from the Marina in Heeney on the Green Mountain Reservoir. Great floorplan for family and friends with one small bedroom on the main floor, a loft upstairs and a couple more rooms in the walk out basement. Priced at $295,000.