Avon
Colorado
Town Of Avon
To provide leadership, service, and regulations necessary to promote a quality life style for Avon Residents, a positive economic climate for the business community, and a quality experience for the guest.
History
The Town of Avon is located in the stunning Rocky Mountains of Colorado along the scenic Eagle River. The town serves as a gateway to the world-class Beaver Creek Resort and is eight miles west of world-famous Vail. It is a home rule municipality in Eagle County, with the county seat located 20 miles to the west in the Town of Eagle. The early Eagle River Valley, including the area that was to become Avon, was first inhabited by the Utes. These great Native American horsemen spent winters in the mild climate to the west and returned to, in their language, “the shining mountains”, each summer to hunt mule deer, elk and the great buffalo.
The earliest Anglo-Americans visiting the area were probably hearty Mountain Men trapping beaver to supply fur for city folks' fashionable top hats. In 1845 a dashing adventurer, John Charles Fremont, led his California-bound expedition down the Eagle River through present day Avon and caught what they called a “buffalo fish,” probably a mountain white fish or a very old cutthroat trout, at a riverside camp called “William's Fishery”. The famous Hayden Survey party came to the Eagle Valley in 1873 noting impressive geology near present day Minturn and Squaw Creek, near present day Cordillera.
Settlers arrived in the early 1880's, including George A. Townsend who "took up a homestead" of 160 acres, the legal limit, and built a house at the confluence of the Eagle River and Beaver Creek. Mr. Townsend is said to have fancied the name Avondale for the area. At some point, Avon became its official name. Early pioneers, including Townsend, grew hay and raised cattle to feed hungry miners in nearby Red Cliff. Metcalf and Oscar Traer rode together to Central City to witness each other's paperwork “proving up” their respective claims under the federal Homestead Act. Homesteaders also worked together to dig essential irrigation ditches, sometimes using dynamite and a horse-drawn scoop called a fresno, some of which still supply irrigating water to Avon today. As early as July 4, 1891, the Eagle County Times reported “Eagle County is a good place to visit, a better place to settle in, and the best place in the state for capitalseeking investment.”
In the 1920’s head lettuce was the crop of choice in Avon and neighboring Beaver Creek and Bachelor Gulch. Box cars stood at the Avon Depot, loaded with ice from the Minturn ice house (the ice had been cut the preceding winter at Pando up near Tennessee Pass) and readied for freshly cut lettuce heads delivered in crates by farmers and their ranch hands including wives. These refrigerated railcars shipped Avon crops as far as the east coast providing fresh lettuce weeks after the nation's standard lettuce harvest was gone. Through the years Avon land produced cattle, hay, potatoes, peas, oats and, starting in the 1940's, sheep. By this time most of Avon's homesteading families were long gone but descendents of William Nottingham had stayed on and owned and operated nearly all of the land called Avon. By 1972 Vail had become one of the top destination ski resorts in the country and pressure mounted “down valley” in Avon for ranch land to be developed.
One branch of the Nottingham family sold its controlling interest in the land to Benchmark Companies and the Town of Avon was incorporated on February 24, 1978. The new town was comprised of the land in present day central and western Avon including the area that soon became Nottingham Park. After ten years, in 1988, Avon had a permanent population of 1,500 people. Another branch of the Nottinghams sold its land to companies owned by developer Magnus Lindholm, the area encompassing present day eastern Avon and the northern hillside. Residents continued to move to Avon and, in 1998, Avon was home to over 3,000 residents. As of 2003, Avon's population had doubled to 6,727 people living in 2,317 households.
Recent News
Town of Avon Newsletter : March 2023
Click Here to View the Information About Town of Avon Newsletter : March 2023
Read More »Town Of Avon - Daylight Saving Time Begins Sunday, March 12, 2023
A Message from the Fire Marshal's Office Change your clocks and change your batteries! Sunday, March 12, 2023 Daylight Saving Time begins. On Saturday evening, set your clocks ahead one hour and “Spring forward.” Remember to check…
Read More »Town Of Avon - Medicare Savings Program Information And Assistance
Click Here To View About the Town Of Avon - Medicare Savings Program Information And Assistance
Read More »Town Of Avon - FY 2023/2024 Budget Process
The process to prepare the FY 2023/2024 budget that will take effect on July 1, 2023 is well underway. Key dates leading to the budget referendum are noted below. -The Board of Finance Public Hearing regarding the proposed FY 2023/2024 budget will…
Read More »Town Of Avon Newsletter - February 2023
FEBRUARY 2023 Fireworks lit up the winter sky in Avon on January 14. | Los fuegos artificiales iluminaron el cielo invernal en Avon el 14 de enero. ‘La Zona’ Planning Project Ready for Community Feedback Open House on Monday, February…
Read More »Town Of Avon - Avon Launches Educational Effort to Help Community with New Recycling Mandates
On September 27, 2022, the Avon Town Council passed Ordinance 22-13, which will require universal recycling for all residents, commercial entities and visitors in Avon starting on November 1, 2023. The ordinance requires all multi-family and…
Read More »Town Of Avon Is Accepting Special Event Food Vendors For 2023
Avon, CO – 2023 is here and the Town of Avon has summer on the brain with another vibrant season of events planned. To complement the events, Avon is seeking food vendors to serve their hungry guests this summer. “We are seeking…
Read More »Town Of Avon News - Town of Avon is Seeking Special Event Volunteers for the 2023 Season
Town of Avon is Seeking Special Event Volunteers for the 2023 Season The Town of Avon is preparing for another fun filled summer event season and is looking for volunteers to join the 2023 special event volunteer team. If you are friendly, love…
Read More »Town Of Avon News - No Plastic Bags in Avon
Avon’s local ordinance is not impacted by recent changes to Colorado law Avon, CO – Recent changes to Colorado law do not impact Avon’s plastic bag ban and $0.10 paper bag fee. Businesses in Avon are subject to the Avon…
Read More »Town Of Avon : Los Lonely Boys to Headline Salute to the USA on July 3 in Avon
Avon, CO – The 37th annual Salute to the USA on Monday, July 3rd in Harry A. Nottingham Park proudly announces Grammy Award Winning Los Lonely Boys headlining Avon’s signature event. Gates open at 5:00 p.m. for the free annual…
Read More »Town Of Avon News - Avon Seeks Community to Serve on Cultural, Arts, and Special Events Committee
Avon Seeks Community Members to Serve on Cultural, Arts, and Special Events Committee Applications will be accepted through January 18th Avon, CO – The Town of Avon is seeking community members to join the Cultural, Arts and Special…
Read More »Town of Avon Newsletter : January 2023
Save the date! Fireworks in Avon on Saturday, January 14 Time: 5:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. 5:30 p.m.: Free Hot Cocoa and Peppermint Schnapps at the Avon Performance Pavilion (while supplies last) 6:00 p.m.: Fireworks Begin Location: Harry A.…
Read More »Town Of Avon Special Event Impact Notice
TOWN OF AVON SPECIAL EVENT IMPACT NOTICE Fireworks in Avon Public transportation is the easiest way to access Harry A. Nottingham Park for Fireworks in Avon Date(s): January 14 Hours of Event: 5:30 - 7:00 p.m. Location: Harry A. Nottingham…
Read More »Town Of Avon Transit Offers Free Tipsy Taxi Shuttle Service On New Year’s Eve
Ringing in 2023 in Avon? Take advantage of Avon Transit’s free Tipsy Taxi service on New Year’s Eve, offering passengers a free ride home within Town limits between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m. Look for a white, 12-passenger van with the Avon…
Read More »Town Of Avon News - Free Christmas Tree Recycling Offered to Avon Residents
Free Christmas Tree Recycling Offered to Avon Residents Town of Avon residents may leave their undecorated Christmas tree curbside for pick up and recycling by Avon Public Operations Department Avon, CO – The Town of Avon will offer curbside…
Read More »Town Of Avon News - AVFD Firehouse Holiday Decorating Winner!
AVFD Firehouse Holiday Decorating Winner! Thank you to everyone who participated in our First Annual Firehouse Decorating Contest! We received lots of donations and votes - thank you neighbors! Congratulations to Company 4 (Huckleberry Hill)!…
Read More »Town Of Avon Seeks Community To Serve On Cultural, Arts, And Special Events Committee
Avon Seeks Community Members to Serve on Cultural, Arts, and Special Events Committee Applications will be accepted through January 18th Avon, CO – The Town of Avon is seeking community members to join the Cultural, Arts and Special…
Read More »Town Of Avon News - US 6 Safety and Mobility Improvement Project
US 6 Safety and Mobility Improvement Project Open House on Thursday, December 22 The Town of Avon, Eagle County, and CDOT are working on a project to address safety and mobility concerns on US 6 due to the lack of pedestrian crossings. There are…
Read More »Town Of Avon News : Don’t Crowd the Plow
Avon, CO – Winter is here! Avon snowplow operators want to remind everyone to drive and walk safely around Town. The plows are very large and often operate in poor weather conditions where visibility may be hampered. We’re in a…
Read More »Town Of Avon News - Avon Seeking Artists for Third Annual Art Around Avon Program
Avon Seeking Artists for Third Annual Art Around Avon Program The Town of Avon released two separate and distinct Call For Sculpture Artists / Request for Proposals (“RFP”) for multiple artists to apply for the third annual Art…
Read More »Fireworks in Avon Over Martin Luther King Holiday Weekend
The Town of Avon launching famous fireworks display Avon, CO – The Town of Avon will be launching the fireworks originally scheduled for Salute to the USA on July 3 over the Martin Luther King holiday weekend. Mark your calendars for…
Read More »Town of Avon Newsletter - December 2022
Winter is here! Ice Skating on Nottingham Lake Stay Tuned! Weather permitting, the Town of Avon plans to offer ice skating on Nottingham Lake for the 2022-2023 Winter season. Check AvonRec.org for updates. West Avon Preserve Seasonal Trail…
Read More »