Spring is in the air, but area kids are still upset about the lack of snow this winter. “The sledding absolutely SUCKED this year”, exclaimed 9 year old Stapleton resident Luke Carman. “I mean really, where was all the precip?’ added younger sister (7), Riley Carman. They have a point. Due to very low levels of precipitation along the Front Range, and specifically the Stapleton neighborhood, there were only a few days that were deemed conducive for the popular outdoor winter activity. There has been record-low snowfall in Denver this year. Kids estimate that this year there “has been really not a lot of snow” as compared to last years “lots, and lots of snow.” That’s a big difference. Luke and Riley’s Dad, Keith Carman shared the sentiments of many area children. “It was dry as a bone down here. I bailed on buying a ski pass as I thought we would spend a lot more time sledding.” Fundraising has already begun for a cloud-seeding project to enhance snow conditions for next season. Because of the urgency of the situation, money has been transferred from the new school to begin construction on several sledding improvements including valet sled services, a base lodge and a high speed chair lift. These projects are scheduled to be completed by November 2011, pushing the school opening to 2017. Winter wasn’t all bad for kids, as they did receive two cancellations due to cold weather, plus their usual 14 sick days, 12 weeks vacation, all major U.S. Holidays, and three personal days. After the sledding improvements are made, maybe we will finally have a community worthy of them growing up in.]]>