Vail Public Safety Measures return for New Years Eve

(Vail)—New Year's Eve in Vail will include two public safety components, plus adjustments in bus service, as part of an overall campaign to create a safe and fun atmosphere for residents and guests. The public safety measures include a townwide curfew which will be enacted from 10:30 p.m. on Dec. 31 to 5 a.m. Jan. 1 for those 17 and under unless accompanied by a parent or guardian or returning from work or an event. During the same six-and-a-half-hour curfew period, a special event district will be established in the heart of Vail's pedestrian village. The district will be accessible to anyone 21 or older, or accompanied by a parent or guardian.

Adjustments in bus service also will take place to reduce last-minute crowding and to allow for effective service for those returning home. Both Vail Transit and ECO Regional Transit will temporarily suspend inbound and outbound bus service in Vail between 10 p.m. and midnight on New Year's Eve. Free outbound service by both carriers will resume at midnight with the last ECO bus leaving the Vail Transportation Center at 2 a.m. In addition, Vail will provide n-town shuttle service every 15 minutes between the Vail Village and LionsHead parking structures from 10:30 p.m. to 2:30 a.m. Regular in-town service will resume at 6:30 a.m. New Year’s Day.

The Town of Vail first implemented the public safety measures during the 2001 Fourth of July and New Year's Eve holidays to reduce crowding and underage drinking in Vail Village. In addition to the annual measures, the Gore Range DUI Task Force will be patrolling in the Vail area on New Year’s Eve. Those who plan to consume alcohol are encouraged to plan ahead and take the bus, or arrange for a designated driver or an alternative ride home. For exceptional circumstances, vehicles may be left overnight in the parking structures, compliments of the Town of Vail. Vehicles must be retrieved by 11 a.m. the next day by using an overnight parking authorization receipt available from the Visitor Information Centers, which open at 9 a.m.

Entertainment options for New Year’s Eve include the Vail Mountain Torchlight Ski Down at 6:15 p.m. from Golden Peak, immediately followed by a free fireworks show. The event is free and open to the public. Then from 7:30 to 10 p.m., the Arrabelle at Vail Square will host Vail First Night Family Event with ice skating, children’s activities and entertainment. Attendees are invited to watch the Ball Drop in Time Square on the big screen in a family-friendly, non-alcoholic atmosphere. Adventure Ride at Eagle’s Nest on Vail Mountain will be open from 2 to 9 p.m. with snowmobiling (kids only), tubing, ski biking, bungee trampoline and snowshoeing. Call 754-8245 for more information. Also, most restaurants and bars are taking bookings for New Year's Eve celebrations. Call 476-4790 for details.

For more information on Vail’s public safety measures, contact the Vail Police Department at 479-2210.