Aug. 11, 1974 – Rick Trujillo not only won the Pikes Peak annual marathon but he won it for the second year in a row, and broke his own record in doing so. Rick covered the tough 28.6 mile marathon in 3.36:40, shaving over three minutes from his 1973 record. There was pride, and the desire to show community appreciation for his accomplishments. A word-of-mouth campaign got about 35 fans of all ages assembled in front of his home, with cowbells, pans, other noisemakers and signs, to surprise him with a “welcome home” celebration as he drove up. The Colorado Springs Gazette Telegraph reported he galloped across the finish line “face contorted in pain and body weak and dehydrated,” gasping for water. Within minutes, he was walking around, accepting congratulations, posing for pictures and talking to spectators. His nearest competition didn’t show up for nearly 26 more minutes. “I don’t really consider this a true marathon because of the terrain,” he said. “I just call it a mountain run.”
Aug. 16, 1984 – Ten people were injured on Aug. 11 around noon when the 1978 Chevrolet Blazer in which they were all riding went off the left edge of a stretch of the Yankee Boy Basin road about seven miles from Ouray. The vehicle went 21 feet down into a gully and came to rest on its side, according to the Colorado State Patrol. Both Ouray County ambulances responded to the accident. According to William Doll, one of the EMTs assisting, the large ambulance went first and went as far toward the accident scene as it could. Its crew then caught a ride with another vehicle and took equipment up to the scene of the accident. The four-wheel-drive ambulance carried three of the victims back to the large ambulance, then went back to the scene for more victims. All were taken to Montrose Memorial Hospital. The state patrol reported that the injuries included sprains, cuts, bruises, strains and a possible fractured nose and a broken jaw.
Aug. 18, 1994 – Progress on the proposed drainage project for Fifth, Sixth and Seventh avenues in Ouray has temporarily slowed while the city looks for the best way to proceed with the work after receiving just one bid and at a cost which was more than had been anticipated for the job. According to Mayor Pat Donovan and City Administrator David Vince, that bid was over budget and over the engineer’s estimate by about 13%. Council did not disclose the name of the bidder or the amount bid during Monday’s regular meeting, however. Donovan outlined the possible ways the city could proceed with a partial project within the budget, including doing a complete job but limiting the area or doing just a portion of the work over the entire prescribed area. After some discussion those councilmen present indicated a preference for a complete job in just certain areas with the three intersections on Main Street getting initial attention due to the concern for better conditions for pedestrians, especially in the winter.
Aug, 13, 2004 – A horrific Jeep rollover accident on Imogene Pass Road Aug. 7 claimed the lives of a couple from Colorado Springs. The accident was the second two-fatality vehicle plunge near the top of a local pass in the past two weeks. In both cases, the vehicles involved were privately owned, not rentals. Two boys were seriously hurt in the accident, in which Daniel Gluklick, 50, and Jeanine Gluklick, 47, died. The Gluklicks’ son, Cole, 11, and family friend, Ian Nordstrom, 7, were injured. Both boys were evacuated from the scene by a flight-for-life helicopter to St. Mary’s Hospital in Grand Junction. In addition to Cole, the couple is survived by two daughters, Corinne, 18, and Chloe, 15. On August 9, Cole was listed in critical condition and Ian was in serious but stable condition. The 1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee was traveling in a northbound direction, from Telluride, when the tragic accident occurred. Ouray County Sheriff Junior Mattivi said the driver had pulled over onto a steep embankment to let an oncoming vehicle pass. As the vehicle turned back onto the road, it may have hit a large rock or dropped into a hole. The accident scene was measured by laser to find that the SUV had fallen over 1,300 feet. All four passengers were ejected from the vehicle. The accident, and suggestions to improve safety on the Imogene Pass Road were discussed at the Board of County Commissioners meeting. It was suggested that the road become one-way, from Telluride. “I don’t know if it would be any safer,” said Mattivi. “It’s hard to say at this point.”
Aug. 14, 2014
With six hopefuls applying for the two city council vacancies, the new members will be appointed on Aug. 18. This will be the second time this year and the third time since last summer that the council has had to fill vacancies on the board. The positions are open due to the resignations of John Ferguson and Richard Kersen. Council hopefuls include real estate broker Carl Cockle, entrepreneur Eli Doose, business owner Dee Hilton, Ice Park manager Kevin Koprek, hotel owner Chad Leaver and attorney Paul Sunderland, all of whom have submitted letters of interest. With two seats open, there’s no clear process outlined in the city’s Home Rule Charter on how to fill vacancies. Article 2-5-C states that vacancies “shall be filled by the affirmative vote of a majority of the remaining council members” and the person appointed “shall serve until the appointed term concludes.”
– Compiled by Chloe Kiparsky
