Time Machine: 40 years ago, mudslide rips a home in half as flooding trouble hits Vail area

20 years ago

May 11, 2004

Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant declared himself not guilty of felony sexual assault after being charged in Eagle County, the Washington Post reported.

“State judge Terry Ruckriegle said he is not yet ready to set a date for the trial, because legal and scientific arguments about evidence in the high-profile case are unresolved,” the Post reported. “But Colorado’s speedy trial law says that a trial must start within six months of a plea — that is, by Nov. 11 in Bryant’s case — unless the defendant asks for a delay.”

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While the not-guilty plea did not come as a surprise, an announcement that prosecutors did not plan to introduce any evidence at the trial of other sexual activity by Bryant did come as a surprise to some, the Post reported.

“Prosecutors in rape cases frequently seek to strengthen their case by showing that the defendant was sexually active,” the Post reported. “The absence of such evidence could help Bryant’s legal defense, legal analysts watching the case said, and will also spare him potential embarrassment in a trial that will be covered by cable television networks and seen worldwide.”

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30 years ago

May 20, 1994

The Air Dry Systems plant near Gypsum was burned to the ground, and police believe it was arson, the Vail Trail reported.

No one was injured, but more than $750,000 in losses were suffered.

“In addition to the dollar loss, police say more than a dozen employees may face unemployment, although they were still being paid as full-time employees as of May 16,” the Trail reported. “After a lengthy investigation by Eagle County Sheriffs investigators, Colorado Bureau of Investigation arson investigators, and private arson investigators, it has been determined the blaze was intentionally set. More than 20 items of evidence of arson were collected at the scene.”

40 years ago

May 25, 1984

The National Weather Service issued a flood watch for all streams west of the Continental Divide.

Vail had been hit with numerous mudslides following a massive snow year that set a new snowpack record for the Vail area, according to snow surveys from the U.S. Soil Conservation Service.

“Four mudslides that hit Vail last week appeared to have stabilized this week, but worried town officials are now turning their attention to flood threats,” the Vail Trail reported. “Helicopter flights last Friday still showed a heavy snowpack in the steep valleys on the north of Gore Creek valley.”

The Victor De la Lama residence in Beaver Creek “was literally ripped in half by a huge mudslide,” the Vail Trail reported.

50 years ago

May 23, 1974

A 14-year-old Eagle boy died by suicide, the Eagle Valley Enterprise reported.

The boy was identified as William Frank Humble.

“The boy had reportedly been despondent for several days,” the Enterprise reported.

60 years ago

May 21, 1964

Homestake road from U.S. 24 to Gold Park was set to be improved as the Homestake Reservoir project continued, the Eagle Valley Enterprise reported.

“Eastern Colorado’s raid on this county’s water, through the Homestake project, will have a side benefit to this area in increased recreational areas,” the Enterprise reported.

The Enterprise reported that increased recreational use of the road in recent years showed the need for its improvement.

“The project will improve or create new access to fishing waters and other forest resources in the upper Homestake valley,” the Enterprise reported. “Homestake Reservoir, when completed, will afford better fishing than the old lake. Several new camp grounds are being planned to accommodate the increased number of forest visitors, expected after completion of the project.”

While the upper Homestake Valley above Gold Park was to be closed to the general public during construction, access to Holy Cross City and its vicinity was expected to remain open, the Enterprise reported.

“Homestake Creek may become muddy from time to time,” the Enterprise reported. “However a de-silting pond just below the Homestake Dam site is designed to handle most of the siltation problem. Completion of this phase of the Homestake Project is expected by late 1966.”