No boom on Smuggler

It appears that my supposition the other day was spot on . . .

No boom on Smuggler

ASPEN — Because of current fire bans, the traditional 6 a.m. July Fourth cannon blast on Smuggler Mountain didn't happen this year.

Chris Preusch, president of New Smuggler Mining Co., said he talked with area fire officials in the run-up to the holiday and at the last minute decided not to set off the early morning blast.

"When we rock the snot out of Aspen, then every amateur pyrotechnician decides it's OK," Preusch said. "It's kind of like leading the way ... giving the green light."

Preusch said it would have been safe to fire the cannon, but it sets a bad example, and Preusch did not want to add to the worries of area officials.

"Given the way the summer's going and with the fire ban, we're finding it's better to be a better citizen of the community," Preusch said.

And while it's not the first July Fourth the cannon has gone silent, Preusch said it's been five or six years.

Former Smuggler Mine owner Stefan Albouy had the four-barrel steel cannon forged in Denver to commemorate the U.S. Bicentennial in 1976, Preusch said. Albouy began the practice to maintain the long-standing miner's tradition of blowing up powder kegs to celebrate the holiday. (Charles Agar)