Colorado Extreme is growing and, to meet increased demand for its free youth-hockey programming, so are its facilities on County Road 100 east of Carbondale. Eventually, Colorado Extreme intends to develop an indoor permanent rink. The most recent temporary land use change permit, approved by Garfield County in mid-February, is a bridge to that end.
The Garfield County Commissioners approved the request with conditions. “The proposal includes a second [temporary] full-sized hockey rink with supporting facilities, a long-span structure with either indoor turf or a multi-sport training area, a canopied warming hut, ADA-accessible viewing area and spectator facilities for special events,” a county press release stated.
Colorado Extreme received two previous approvals — in 2022 for its initial rink and 2023 for a smaller training rink and increased infrastructure, including traffic-safety modifications.
At the time of the previous proposals the parcel size was 35 acres, but an additional 34 neighboring acres, west of the original lot, have been purchased since for a total of 69 acres. The actual area for the facility is right at 4.4 acres, up by 2.43 acres. The natural hillsides south of the facility will remain preserved under the proposal.
The most recent approval includes an 11,000 square-foot, tent-like, long-span structure on the eastern parcel, with turf instead of ice, that can be used during the summer as well as the winter when there is inclement weather. The 2023 training rink will be expanded to a full-size rink and relocated onto the new lot.
In terms of lighting, according to designer Jason Jaynes with DHM Design, new construction will apply lessons learned based on previous neighborhood feedback. Lighting was adjusted last season based on that feedback to help prevent light pollution and visibility from neighboring homes and County Road 100. No new reports have been received since those improvements, at least that Jaynes was aware of.
Colorado Extreme founder Sheldon Wolitski said that the inclusion of the indoor turf was a result of community feedback, and added that he is not aware of any similar structure in the Valley. He foresees other community athletic clubs, like soccer or lacrosse, being able to use the turf in the winter months when it’s not being used by Colorado Extreme.
There is a projected maximum of 145 daily participants on the site in the winter; summer events are projected at an average of 20 daily participants. There will be 107 total parking spaces available — up from 71 parking spaces, currently.
“Garfield County Community Development staff recommended approval of the proposal with conditions, including board review and approval of any future non-hockey-related sports programming, such as soccer or lacrosse, at the site,” the county press release continued. “Any special event with more than 350 people that lasts more than eight hours would require an additional land-use change permit.”
“Colorado Extreme’s goal is to use this temporary phase as [a] transition towards the planning and development of a permanent facility while ensuring that the current children’s programming will not lapse during the 2024-2025 season,” Colorado Extreme’s recent land use application indicated. A future permanent structure would likely be located at the site of the long-span structure.
A permanent structure will trigger various requirements, such as for water and wastewater, that have been waived for the temporary facility. The site currently includes heated bathrooms serviced by a third-party provider that are not plumbed.
Colorado Extreme continues to expand, with the nonprofit organization upping their programming next season to include 14U teams. The organization initially offered up to 10U, then 12U. By 2027, Wolitski said that Colorado Extreme plans to launch the first AAA 13U team in the Valley. “We’ll be making history there,” he stated. The goal is to open the permanent indoor facility in September of 2027, Wolitski added. A permanent facility would add significant programming, including the potential for a junior Colorado Extreme hockey team. Wolitski is striving to keep up with current participants who would otherwise age out of the programming.
According to Colorado Extreme Chief of Staff Luke Robitaille, there are about 800 kids participating, but that is inclusive of the programming offered in Rifle and Craig where Colorado Extreme uses public facilities, such as the Rifle Fairgrounds.