Tim Belinski Shares His Basalt Tips and Tricks

In Basalt, the best thing to do is get outdoors. From hikes to bikes, make sure to keep your eyes peeled for our furry friends.

This midvalley mountain town delivers on everything arts, adventure and angling.

Looking for the perfect mountain town to fulfill your dream of a rustic, fishing-filled vacation? Look no further than Basalt, the midvalley area’s response to the glitz and glamour of its neighboring towns. Founded as a railroad junction during the silver rush, the town’s humble roots shine through in its contemporary lifestyle.

Nothing can be written about Basalt without mention of the town’s fishing scene. Home to 36 miles of anglers paradise, the Fryingpan River offers trout in such abundance that even the most novice fisher would be hard-pressed to not come home with a meal. The downtown area offers a wide variety of angler shops to any fisher looking to improve his or her skills with the advice of some of Basalt’s seasoned pros.

To top it all off, Basalt’s lineup of extraordinary cuisine and culture scenes continues to grow in the downtown area. A gem of the arts community, The Art Base serves as a cultural and social hub for the town’s residents and tourists alike while simultaneously promoting the valley’s talented artists, while galleries like the Ann Korologos Gallery boast an eclectic collection of art and exhibits.

Although the outside world has begun to creep into the town, Basalt’s history and heart remain intact with the breathtaking mountain views and traditional mining-style buildings.

Whether you’re spending the day on the river or strolling downtown, Basalt invites locals and tourists alike to celebrate the town. Come see what the midvalley really has to offer. What you find might surprise you.

Basalt Insider: Tim Belinski, President, IND Ventures, LLC

As president of IND Ventures, Tim Belinksi works on creating real estate solutions—especially in places that are in need of a little spark. In his hometown, Belinski has put his Midas touch on projects like Basalt River Park, Willits Town Center and Aspen’s Obermeyer Place. As for how he became interested in the business? “I’m drawn to working on puzzles that are created when there’s a problem that needs attention, and fixing it involves building something while dealing with the business side of the equation,” explains Belinski. “The ‘fix’ for real estate quandaries involves design, architecture, finance and construction—it’s actually a 3D puzzle because community consensus and other stakeholders need to buy in as well. My business background is in accounting and finance as a CPA and CFO, and my love for buildings and architecture started early—I began as an architecture student in college.”

What do you love most about working in Basalt?

I love that it’s a community with pride, depth of character, real history and talented people who really care.

Is there anything new or upcoming for IND Ventures that you would like to buzz?

Downtown Basalt is my favorite place in the valley. It deserves a better front door, an improved first impression, which we are working on—it’s a vision of a new neighborhood-minded grocery that brings with it many ways to gather people and provide food.

Favorite place to dine around town?

In the winter everybody should try an igloo dinner at Free Range Kitchen. As for summer, stroll downtown or Willits, just enjoy the vibe, and drop in to any of the many excellent restaurants.

What’s a locals favorite way to beat stress?

Two things: chugging up the Arbaney Kittle Trail. It kicks your butt while giving you the reward of a dramatic Sopris view through the narrow canyon, plus provides an awesome overlook of the Fryingpan River Valley when you top out. Also, dropping the raft into the Roaring Fork for an evening float. You reengage with nature immediately.

What local fall activity are you most excited for?

Autumn colors and a burst of energy to enjoy what’s left of warm weather hikes, bike rides and getting on the river! Here’s a true small-town fall experience—check out a fall high school football game.

Anything else about this town that visitors should know?

Basalt is maturing and shouldn’t be regarded as a bedroom community to Aspen. As an example, The Art Base and TACAW are two community arts groups that have worked hard to establish new home base facilities in the past year and are really hitting their strides. The town can really be proud of how it’s been able to fill in missing pieces of a vibrant and successful community while retaining its charm and character.