ASPEN, Colorado — State highway crews hope to open Independence Pass for the season by May 30.

Colorado Department of Transportation spokeswoman Stacey Stegman says if the weather improves and avalanche-control work is successful, the highway between Aspen and Leadville could be opened earlier. But bad weather could delay the opening.

Colorado Highway 82 reaches 12,095 feet over Independence Pass.

NEW CASTLE, Colorado — The town of New Castle has extended the deadline for citizens to submit letters of interest in serving on Town Council.

To serve on council, one must be a U.S. citizen, a registered voter, at least 18 years of age, and a resident of the town of New Castle for at least one year.

Council meets in regular session the first and third Tuesdays of each month, at 7 p.m. The person appointed would serve until April 2012.

Submit letters of interest by May 15 to New Castle Town Clerk Lisa Cain to Town Hall, 450 W. Main St.; mail to P. O. Box 90, New Castle, CO 81647; fax to (970) 984-2716; or e-mail to Lisa@newcastlecolorado.org.