San Miguel County Energy Code

Starting sometime in 2023…

2018 ERI 61-PV or 56+PV

A maximum design score of 61 without including offsetting means through onsite renewable energy.

OR
A maximum design score of 56 that includes offsetting means through onsite renewable energy.

https://www.sanmiguelcountyco.gov/157/Building

 

CHAPTER 11 ENERGY EFFICIENCY
N1101.13 (R401.2) Compliance. Amend Section to read: Projects shall comply with one of the following:
1. Sections N1101.14 through N1104.
2. Section N1105 and the provisions of Sections N1101.14 through N1104 indicated as “Mandatory.”
3. The energy rating index (ERI) approach in Section N1106. Projects shall provide a preliminary design in
which one of the two are modeled:
• A maximum design score of 61 without including offsetting means through onsite renewable energy.
• A maximum design score of 56 that includes offsetting means through onsite renewable energy.
N1101.13.1 (R401.2.1) Required ERI approach. All of the following are required to comply with N1101.13, item
3. Floor area calculations for purposes of this section shall be defined as the floor area within the
inside perimeter of the exterior walls of the building under consideration, exclusive of vent shafts
and courts, without deduction for corridors, stairways, ramps, closets, the thickness of interior walls,
columns or other features, attached garages, and crawlspaces 6 feet 4 inches in height or greater,
measured from grade/floor to bottom of joist/floor assembly above:
1. New single‐family dwellings whose floor area is 3,600 square feet or greater.
2. New two‐family dwellings whose aggregate floor area is 4,000 square feet or greater.
3. New townhomes.
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N1101.15 (R401.4) Renewable Energy Mitigation Program (Mandatory). Add Section N1101.15 (R401.4) to read: San
Miguel County’s Renewable Energy Mitigation Program (REMP) is designed to help offset the effects of outdoor
energy consumption that contribute to the effects of greenhouse gas emissions. The provisions of REMP shall be
applied as follows:
N1101.15.1 (R401.4.1) Scope. Energy used to power hydronic snowmelt systems, factory‐built and site‐built
spas located on the exterior, pools located on the exterior, and heated garages for all new residences,
accessory structures, commercial facilities, alterations, and additions shall be mitigated through REMP
and shall comply with N1101.15.1 through.
N1101.15.1.1 (R401.4.1.1) Snowmelt. All snowmelt anywhere on the property shall be offset by REMP.
All snow melt systems shall be equipped with both moisture and temperature sensors to control
operation per the IECC and IRC. Hydronic snow melt systems shall have a minimum of R‐15
insulation on the non‐snow melt side.
Exceptions:
1. Single-family development: 200 square feet of exempt hydronic snow melt shall be
allowed without mitigation located only on the main drive and/or code required exit
walkways, decks, stairs and landings.
2. Multi-family, mixed use, accessory use, and commercial development: 100 square feet
plus 25 square feet per dwelling unit of exempt hydronic snow melt shall be allowed
without mitigation located only on the main drive(s) decks, amenity areas and/or code
required exit walkways, stairs and landings.
3. Two-family residences and townhomes: 50 square foot of exempt per dwelling unit
hydronic snowmelt shall be allowed without mitigation located only on the main drive
and/or code required exit walkways, decks stairs and landings.
Definition of Exempt Snow-Melt Area: Tubing installed to melt snow on a surface
intended to remove snow from the walkable or drivable area shall be measured by the
size of the entire potentially snow‐melted area. For example, if a 10 ft. x 20 ft. deck only
has perimeter snow melt tubing, the entire area shall be counted toward the snow melt
exemption.
N1101.15.1.2 (R401.4.1.2) Spas. All spas located on the exterior of a building shall be offset by REMP.
Exterior heated spas must comply with the currently adopted Energy Codes.
N1101.15.1.3 (R401.4.1.3) Exterior Pools. All pools located on the exterior of a building shall be offset
by REMP. Exterior heated swimming pools must comply with the currently adopted Energy
Codes.
N1101.15.1.4 (R401.4.1.4) Heated Garages. All heated garages shall be offset by REMP. Heated garages
must comply with the currently adopted Energy Codes. All heated exterior garage portal doors
shall have a minimum R‐value of R‐18. The blower door test required as per IRC Section
N1102.4.1.2 and IECC Section R402.4.1.2 shall apply only to the homes habitable space and the
air sealing for the garage shall be visually inspected.
N1101.15.2 (R401.4.2) Energy Use Calculation. The total exterior energy use that must be mitigated with
renewable energy or payment made as a payment in‐lieu as allowed in these regulations will be
calculated by the owner/agent and verified by the County Building Official using the San Miguel County
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REMP Worksheet (“Worksheet”). The Worksheet is attached at end of IRC amendments as Appendix Z
and a fillable version can also be found at www.sanmiguelcountyco.gov/building. The Worksheet
calculations were developed using the standard amount of energy used by the exterior systems and
adjusted for local climatic conditions as calculated by Resource Engineering Group (2013). The
Worksheet will be updated regularly according to market fluctuations and may be amended by
resolution.
N1101.15.2.1 (R401.4.2.1) Renewable Energy Credit Calculation. Mitigation of outdoor energy use may
be achieved by onsite renewable energy systems approved by the Building Official. The payment
in lieu shall be calculated using the Worksheet.
N1101.15.2.1.1 (R401.4.2.1.1) Alternative technology. As new technology or other offsite
renewable energy projects develop, they may also be considered as approved mitigation
systems by the Building Official.
N1101.15.2.1.2 (R401.4.2.1.2) Combination of measures. If the amount of renewable energy
capable of being produced onsite by one system is not sufficient to mitigate exterior
energy use as outlined, a combination of renewable energy methods may be used as
approved by the Building Official.
N1101.15.2.2 (R401.4.2.2) Payment in-lieu. If preferred by the property owner, the owner may make a
one‐time payment to San Miguel County in‐lieu of providing onsite mitigation by a County
approved renewable energy system. San Miguel County may also accept partial payment in lieu
from the affected property owner when only partial onsite mitigation of exterior energy use
occurs. The owner shall make payment prior to receiving the building permit. The payment in‐
lieu shall be calculated using the Worksheet.
N1101.15.2.2.1 (R401.4.2.2.1) Appropriation of Funds. All REMP payments in lieu received by
the County shall be deposited into a separate fund called the “San Miguel County Energy
Fund” (Fund). All monies deposited into such Fund shall be used solely within San
Miguel County for the purposes of:
1. funding capital expenses associated with purchase, installation, and/or construction
of renewable energy or energy conservation facilities;
2. and/or funding projects that help to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions.
The Board of County Commissioners shall approve expenditures from the Fund after
receiving recommendations from the County staff and the County Manager.
N1101.15.3 (R401.4.3) Approved Renewable Energy Systems. All renewable energy systems proposed as a
means of exterior energy use mitigation must be approved in advance by the Building Official. An
engineering analysis may be required for calculating the renewable energy mitigation credit produced
by an onsite or offsite system. Review of the system by a County engineering consultant, if needed, will
be at the expense of the owner.
N1101.15.3.1 (R401.4.3.1) Perpetuity of onsite mitigation. Onsite renewable energy systems provided
to mitigate exterior energy are required to be maintained and operated for the lifetime of the
structure, through a written agreement with the property owner and a covenant on the
property.
N1101.15.3.2 (R401.4.3.2) Off-site Mitigation. Off‐site renewable mitigation shall only be approved by
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the Building Official if, through a written agreement:
1. the system is legally tied to the property using exterior energy use with the inability to
transfer to another property;
2. the County, at any time, can verify through audits that the offsite renewable energy
system continues to provide renewable energy as provided for herein, with no
restrictions on the County’s ability to accessrenewable energy utility information.
N1102.1 (R402.1) General (Prescriptive). Amend “Exceptions” Item 2 as follows:
Exceptions:
2. Log homes designed in accordance with ICC-400 with glazing to floor area ratio of 18% or less and
passing air leakage test demonstrating 3ACH 50 or less.
N1103.9 (R403.9) Snow melt system controls (Mandatory). Amend Section to read: Snow‐ and ice‐melting systems,
supplied through energy service to the building, shall include automatic controls capable of shutting off the
system when precipitation is not falling, and an automatic control that will allow shutoff when the outdoor
temperature is greater than 40°F (4.8°C).
N1103.13 (R403.13) Outdoor heating equipment (Mandatory). Add Section to read: All outdoor space heating
equipment supplied through energy service to the building such as, but not limited to, fire pits, heaters,
fireplaces, etc., shall be equipped with 60‐minute automatic shutoff timers.
N1106.3 (R406.3) Energy rating index. Amend Section to read: The Energy Rating Index (ERI) shall be
determined in accordance with RESNET/ICC 301. [STRIKE ERI reference design ventilation rate Equation
11-1].
N1106.4 (R406.4) ERI-based compliance. Compliance based on an ERI analysis requires that the rated design be
shown to have an ERI less than or equal to the appropriate value indicated in Table N1106.4 when
compared to the ERI reference design.
TABLE N1106.4 (R406.4) MAXIMUM ENERGY RATING INDEX. Amend Table as follows:
TABLE N1106.4 (R406.4) MAXIMUM ENERGY RATING INDEX
CLIMATE ZONE ENERGY RATING INDEXa
6 61 without onsite renewable energy in model;
56 with onsite renewable energy in model
[STRIKE footnote a]
N1107.2 (R501.2) Existing buildings. Except as specified in this chapter or by other locally enforced law, ordinance,
resolution, or code, this code shall not be used to require the removal, alteration or abandonment of, nor prevent
the continued use and maintenance of, an existing building or building system lawfully in existence at the time of
adoption of this code.

 

Link to Colorado Energy Conservation Code Hub for; Aspen, Basalt, Carbondale, Eagle County, Pitkin County, Town of Snowmass Village and the Town of Mountain Village

Getting to Zero

Confluence Architecture was instrumental in turning an old 1970 energy hog home into a an efficient, low energy use residence.   The project qualified for $12,000 in  grants from CORE and $7,092 in rebates from Holy Cross Energy.      The home is fully electric and uses air-source heat pumps for heating and cooling.  It is projected to be net-zero. Confluence was responsible for planning, architecture and energy modeling on this home.

Before

           

 

After

      

Snowmass Village Energy Code Requirements

Town of Snowmass Village Community Development website here…

2015 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) and REOP adoption…

Ordinance No. 2 2011  adoption…

Town of Snowmass Village CFA Maximum
Tier I 1000-3000 HERS 75
Tier II 3001-5000 HERS 70
Tier III 5001-10000 HERS 65
Tier IV 10000+ HERS 60

Link to Colorado Energy Conservation Code Hub for; Aspen, Basalt, Carbondale, Eagle County, Pitkin County, Town of Telluride and the Town of Mountain Village

Town of Mountain Village Energy Code

As of May 16th 2024…

2021 International Energy Conservation Code

Special provisions for exterior energy use.

Permit fee discounts available for nonexistent or offset exterior energy uses.

Link to Town website and adoption language…

CFA TOMV yes snowmelt no snowmelt
< 3600 Tier I prescriptive prescriptive
3601-7000 Tier II 2021 HERS 60 2021 HERS 60
7001-13000 Tier III 2021 HERS 55 2021 HERS 60
13001+ Tier IV 2021 HERS 50 2021 HERS 60

 

Mechanical rooms and unconditioned space in new construction in the Town of Mountain Village

As a policy we are allowing for mechanical rooms, and unconditioned garages to be exempted from habitable HERS calculations with the following criteria;

  • No heating of any type will be permitted in these locations
  • Exterior envelope insulation requirements shall be met for ALL walls, ceilings and floors (per the HERS design), with a designed thermal break at floors, including concrete (Check with your engineer as this may cause problems with structural slabs).
  • Doors to these rooms shall be fully gasketed
  • At least one, or a minimum of 25% of the walls shall be directly adjacent to the exterior of the structure.

As you are aware, our CDC and the 2018 IECC do not specifically provide for the installation of PV systems to offset HERS ratings in a residential application. The allowance above will hopefully provide for an easier time of meeting the HERS requirements of the Town, and meets prescriptive requirements. In the future, if one of your raters can provide additional information to review that will support the PV to HERS tradeoff, we are available to review.

Thank you and please contact me with any questions

 

Lars Forsythe

Building Inspector

Building Department

Town of Mountain Village

455 Mountain Village Blvd, Suite A

Mountain Village, CO 81435

O :: 970.369.8246

C :: 970.729.3439

 

Performance HERS changes
Currently the Mountain Village Building Regulations has adopted the 2018 energy code. Per (section 17.7.12.7.i.D) renewable energy sources can be used to lower the HERS score if the Smart Build Program is utilized. Buildings designed with a HERS rating below 50 is the starting threshold to allow the renewable offset. It has come to my attention that RESNET/ICC 301 allows for renewable energy sources to be used to lower the HERS score. In keeping with our commitment to support renewable energy the Mountain Village Building Department has reviewed this document and will allow renewable energy to aid in lowering the HERS score. Effective immediately the Mountain Village Building Department will allow all new residential projects to utilize renewable energy sources to lower the HERS score providing:
(1) All 2018 IECC Residential Mandatory requirements in chapter 4 are utilized.
(2) Depending on the type of construction the minimum requirements of 2018 IECC Tables 402.1.2, 402.1.4 and 402.2.6 are followed prior to the addition of the renewable energy source to assist in the HERS score.
(3) Building Regulations section (17.7.12.D. V.I. A), the onsite renewable energy system will be required to be maintained and operational for the lifetime of the property, through a written agreement with the property owner and a covenant on the property.
Inspection Changes as follows:
The Mountain Village Building Department will require the Performance Rater to perform all the insulation inspections. The Performance Rater will be required to sign off on the pre-drywall inspection prior to drywall being installed as well as any partial inspections. An acceptance email must be sent to the building department for all inspections as well as the final acceptance certificate prior to CO being issued. The Building Department will provide a red line stamp on the reviewed plans stating (3rd party insulation inspection required) to help the contractor be aware of this requirement. The following emails may be utilized for the acceptance reports: larsforsythe@mtnvillage.org and dharrington@mtnvillage.org.
Sincerely Drew Harrington
Chief Building Official
970- 708-7537
970- 369-8251

 

Link to Colorado Energy Conservation Code Hub for; Aspen, Basalt, Carbondale, Eagle County, Pitkin County, Town of Snowmass Village and the Town of Mountain Village

New Home in Aspen Glen Completed

We are excited to showcase a new home we designed in Aspen Glen.  It is a 2500 sf, 3 bedroom home for a young family. The form of the home has 2 axis to respond to a challenging parallelogram lot. The home includes  indoor/outdoor features including an in and out bar window between the kitchen and rear patio. The master bedroom has a wrap around deck with views oriented towards t Mount Sopris.

     

 

A new home for Little Blue Preschool

Confluence Architecture along with local non-profit  Blue Lake Preschool  is honored to announce that after searching  for 5 years they were able to find a permanent location. Last September, Blue Lake Preschool  acquired the  property at 55 N 7th st, which happens to be the former residence of Mary Ferguson, a Carbondale icon. She was born at Spring Gulch in 1906, taught in one room schoolhouses, was a town council member, a volunteer and historian.  We find this connection to be a valuable  continuation of  Mary’s love of teaching.

Construction is now underway on the addition and remodel to to transform this 1950’s ranch home into an energy efficient  healthy and cozy preschool. Some of the energy efficiency  attributes include  addressing air circulation and filtration by utilizing a HRV system with Merv 13 filter, and upgrading  the insulation.  We seek to replace all the flooring with environmentally friendly natural linoleum and will use zero or low VOC paints.

Confluence Architecture has thrown its support behind this worthy project by contributing our professional services of  planning, property analysis, and Architectural services.  Blue Lake Preschool  is seeking funding to assist with construction.  This permanent home will allow Little Blue to increase the number of infant care spaces in Carbondale, a critically underserved demographic. We encourage all to donate to this worthy cause.  Donations can be made at Blue Lake’s website  https://bluelakepreschool.org/donate.

Town of Telluride Energy Conservation Code

Link to adoption language, Article 9…

effective February 18, 2020

Mandatory ERI path

2018 ERI 61 (zone 6)

 

Adopted the 2018 version of the IECC

c) Residential Energy.

(1) Amend Section R401.2 “Compliance” to read:

All new buildings and any building having an addition of 1000 square feet or greater shall comply with Section R406. All other buildings shall comply with one of the following:

The remainder of the section remains unchanged.

(2) Add new Section R402.2.14 “Exterior walls” to read:

R402.2.14 Exterior Walls. Recess step lights are not permitted in exterior building walls except where the required R-value is met for the wall assembly.

(3) Add a sentence to Section R402.4.5 to read:

Recessed can lights are allowed in ceiling-roof assemblies only if the required R-value of insulation can be met between the top of the fixture and the roof decking material.

(4) Amend Table R402.4.1.1 by adding to the Insulation Installation Criteria for the Walls Component:

Wood or Engineered Headers-R-10 wherever possible.

Steel Header – R-10 with insulation provided on both the exterior and/or the interior sides of the steel if possible, to maintain a continuous thermal barrier.

(5) Amend Section R403.5.3 to read:

R403.5.3 Hot water pipe insulation (Mandatory). Insulation for hot water piping with a thermal resistance, R-value, of not less than R-3 shall be applied to the following:

Items 1 through 7 remain unchanged.

8. Hot water line piping shall not be placed in an exterior wall to the extent practical. When not practical as determined by the Building Official, hot water piping may be placed in an exterior wall provided the required insulation R-value of the wall is provided in between the piping and the exterior of the wall.

9. An insulating blanket shall be provided that covers entire water tank fastened with appropriate tape.

(6) Add a last sentence to Section R403.7 to read:

Systems shall be designed by a certified Mechanical Engineer for single family residential structures greater than 2,000 sq. ft. of gross floor area including the basement area.

(7) Amend Section R406.1 to add to the following as the last sentence:

ERI refers to the ERI Home Energy Rating System (HERS) score.

(d) Additional Requirements for Residential and Commercial Buildings.

(1) Cement. All cement used within the Town shall be mixed with western coal fly ash, except such a mix is not required for exterior slabs.
(2) Low Volatile Organic Compounds (“VOC”). The general contractor and the property owner shall sign the Homeowner VOC Awareness Checklist provided by the Town prior to the issuance of a certificate of occupancy for a project.
(3) Energy Star Ratings. Energy Star rated appliances, exhaust fans and light fixtures shall be installed.
(4) Exterior vegetation irrigation systems shall be installed with a moisture sensor and timer to control irrigation.

(5) Pools and Spas (Hot Tubs).

a. Exterior swimming pools are prohibited in Telluride unless otherwise approved by the Planning and Zoning Commission pursuant to the use permitted on review development review process contained in the Telluride Land Use Code.
b. Pools, custom-built hot tubs, or factory-built portable spas shall also meet the Energy Mitigation Program requirements in Section 15-9-40.
c. Pools, custom-built hot tubs, or factory-built portable spas shall be equipped with a vapor-retardant pool cover on or at the water surface. Pools/spas capable of being heated above 90 degrees F must have a pool cover with a minimum insulation value of R-16.
(6) Garage door for heated garages shall have a value of R-18.
(7) Electrical resistance heating in living space is prohibited except for (a) the replacement of an existing system that is not subject to meeting the requirements of the Energy Code as provided in Subsection (c) of this Section; or (b) for heating small spaces less than one hundred (100) square feet.
(8) Mechanical Systems. Roofs shall be designed to not need electric underlayment mat heating unless approved by the Building Official and shall require temperature and moisture sensors.
(9) Snow- and ice-melting systems shall include automatic controls configured to shut off the system when the pavement temperature is above fifty (50) degrees F (ten (10) degrees C) and precipitation is not falling, and an automatic or manual control that is configured to shut off when the outdoor temperature is above forty (40) degrees F (four (4) degrees C). Electric resistance snow/ice melt systems are prohibited except for the heat tracing of gutters and associated downspouts. Snow/ice melt systems (except roof or gutter heat tracing) shall also meet the Energy Mitigation Program requirements in Section 15-9-40.
(10) Construction Waste. All sites shall have at least two (2) lockable bear-proof polycarts for (a) food items and (b) recyclables.

(11) Renewable Energy.One hundred percent (100%) of the building’s electricity use must be provided for with renewable energy, either produced on site or purchased through a Green Power Production Program. Creative alternative options will be considered by the Building Department. (Ord. 1502 §1, 2020)

 

Jump to Energy Conservation Code Hub for; the western slope of Colorado; Aspen, Telluride, Mountain Village, Town of Snowmass Village, Basalt, Carbondale, Pitkin and Eagle County…

 

Colorado Energy Conservation Code Hub

One stop for energy code information on the multiple jurisdictions of the Roaring Fork Valley, Telluride and Mountain Village.

I will try to keep this list current.

City of Aspen

Jump to Aspen Colorado’s energy conservation code compliance page…

City of Glenwood Springs

Jump to City of Glenwood Springs, Colorado’s energy conservation code compliance page…

Eagle County

Jump to Eagle County Colorado’s energy conservation code compliance page…

Garfield County

Jump to Garfield County Colorado’s energy conservation code compliance page…

Pitkin County

Jump to Pitkin County’s energy conservation code compliance page…

Town of Basalt

Jump to Basalt Colorado’s energy conservation code compliance page…

Town of Carbondale

Jump to Carbondale Colorado’s energy conservation code compliance page…

Town of Mountain Village

Jump to TOMV energy code compliance page…

Town of New Castle

Jump to TONC energy code compliance page…

Town of Snowmass Village

Jump to TOSV’s energy conservation code compliance page…

Town of Telluride

Jump to Town of Telluride Colorado’s energy conservation code compliance page…

San Miguel County

Jump to San Miguel County’s energy code compliance page…

 

 

 

 

 

Pitkin County, Colorado’s energy code addendum

Updated energy code has been adopted- goes into effect April 27th.

Still waiting to see a final draft of the ordinance.

 

Effective 12-15-2023

  • County-wide cap on home size; 9250 square feet.
  • Some special areas have a smaller cap at 8250 or 5750 sf.

https://pitkincounty.com/1566/Pitkin-County-Code-Updates

Effective 3-13-2024

  • 2021 IECC
  • Title 11.32 adopts an exterior energy budget of 200 Million Btu’s, 6000 sf snowmelt cap
  • Title 11.34 adopts electric ready provisions; homes must be EV ready and must use electric for heating, cooling and water heating, or provide the electrical infrastructure to convert to electric in the future.

https://pitkincounty.com/DocumentCenter/View/32664/2024-Energy-Code

New residential structures of any size:

For permit submittals… Prescriptive, Total UA and the Performance Paths have been deleted. Projects must use the HERS compliance path. Projects must show a HERS of 60 before photovoltaic solar energy is applied, and HERS 30 afterwards.

Additions, remodels, and heated accessory structures:

For remodels and additions exceeding 1000 sf a baseline blower door test must be submitted. This is needed to show that the new construction demonstrates 15% reduction in air leakage. Less than 1000 sf are exempt from infiltration testing requirements.

Option 1:  Prescriptive, demonstrate compliance with Articles 401-404 and the Pitkin County Amended Tables 402.1.2 and 402.1.3 in the Pitkin County Amended 2021 IECC. (this includes modified U-factors of .28 for exterior glazing and .40 for skylights, gas fired furnaces shall meet a minimum 95% AFUE. AC equipment will meet a minimum SEER rating of 16, etc.

Option 2: Alternative compliance if approved by the Chief Building Official. This would most likely include a HERS rating of 53 from table R406.5 in the 2021 IECC, or an above-code program certification like; ENERGY STAR or LEED for Homes.

https://pitkincounty.com/DocumentCenter/View/32664/2024-Energy-Code

Commercial buildings:

Building thermal envelope -2021 IECC prescriptive table or pass a 2021 ComCheck thermal envelope compliance report.

Lighting -Pass a 2021 ComCheck Interior and exterior lighting compliance report.

Mechanical -Pass a 2021 ComCheck mechanical compliance report.

REMP, CREMP & GREMP

Renewable Energy Mitigation Program (REMP) payment option is voluntary. Applicants interested in exterior energy use systems can alternatively choose to produce on-site renewable energy (Section 301) with solar photovoltaics and/or solar hot water, ground-source heat pumps or micro-hydro. Download Pitkin County REMP Calculation Sheet

 

Confluence Architecture & Sustainability can help with REMP calculations and provide all the documentation, modeling, testing and certification required to navigate the code.

Jump to Energy Conservation Code Hub for; the western slope of Colorado; Aspen, Telluride, Mountain Village, Town of Snowmass Village, Basalt, Carbondale, Pitkin and Eagle County…