Pubdate: Sun, 02 Mar 2014
Source: Denver Post (CO)
Copyright: 2014 The Denver Post Corp
Contact:  http://www.denverpost.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/122
Author: Kelsey Fowler, Summit Daily News

"SMOKE SHACKS" BACKLASH BILLOWS

Despite Controversy, Vail Resorts Says the Structures Were Razed to 
Prevent Pot Use.

Breckenridge - A swirling storm of social media backlash hit Vail 
Resorts last week as beloved secret structures on ski resort lands 
were destroyed in an effort to prevent marijuana consumption.

A number of structures reportedly associated with prohibited 
marijuana use, and constructed illegally on U.S. Forest Service land, 
have been destroyed during the last few weeks. The structures, often 
known as "smoke shacks," have been destroyed as Vail Resorts and the 
Forest Service are made aware of them. Mountain operations teams and 
USFS officials have destroyed "several" over the last year at Vail, 
Beaver Creek, Keystone and Breckenridge.

On Feb. 14, an "Inside Edition" video showed skiers and riders 
smoking what appeared to be marijuana inside one such structure at 
Breckenridge Ski Resort- a two-story building known as "Leo's." 
Officials destroyed the structure using explosives shortly after the 
video aired. A Facebook page, "Leo's Rebuild Project," has received 
more than 2,300 likes since Feb. 22.

In a prepared statement, Blaise Carrig, president of Vail Resorts' 
Mountain Division, said: "In addition to destroying illegal 
structures where this kind of illegal activity may be taking place, 
we are communicating the legalities around marijuana use with our 
guests and the community."

Public consumption of marijuana is illegal under Colorado law, even 
though the state now allows for retail sales. The four Colorado ski 
resorts operated by Vail Resorts - Vail, Beaver Break, Breckenridge 
and Keystone - all are located on Forest Service land, where 
possession and consumption of marijuana is illegal. Using any ski 
lift, ski slope or trailwhile under the influence of drugs or alcohol 
also is prohibited under the Colorado Ski Safety Act.

In her report to the Breckenridge Town Council on Feb. 25, 
Breckenridge Ski Resort executive vice president and chief operating 
officer Pat Campbell said she heard about the video after the fact, 
and "Inside Edition" did not follow normal media protocols for 
filming on the mountain.

Russ Pecoraro, Vail Resorts spokesman, said the company is taking a 
"zero tolerance" approach to skiing or riding under the influence. 
The consequences of being caught smoking marijuana include the 
suspension of skiing and riding privileges. On the Breckenridge Ski 
Resort Facebook page, the company responded to comments questioning 
the decision to tear down Leo's.

"Ski Patrol has worked over the past decade to take down smoke shacks 
as they've become more dangerous, or elicited more illegal activity. 
With the 'Inside Edition' report, Leo's wasmoved to the top of the 
list," the resort wrote.

Bill Kight, USFS public affairs officer, said he was not previously 
aware of Leo's. It was taken care of, he said, as soon as it was reported.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom