Jason Taylor, R.I.P.: Boulder Artist Killed in Keystone Skiing Accident

Some good news: This year, there have been far fewer ski area deaths in Colorado than during several recent years. By February 8 of 2012, for example, eleven people had died on Colorado slopes. In contrast, we've only published a single post this season about a ski area death prior...

By Michael Roberts

February 18, 2016

Westword Supports Public Media

Today only, 50% of your one-time gift to Westword will be donated to our friends at PBS12. Make a gift of any amount, and help strengthen independent media across Colorado. We’re $2,800 away from our summer campaign goal, with just 3 days left!

Contribute Now

Progress to goal

$17,000

$14,200

Audio By Carbonatix

[
          {
            "name": "GPT - Billboard - Slot Inline - Content - Labeled - No Desktop",
            "component": "23668565",
            "insertPoint": "2",
            "requiredCountToDisplay": "2"
          },{
            "name": "STN Player - Float - Mobile Only ",
            "component": "23853568",
            "insertPoint": "2",
            "requiredCountToDisplay": "2"
          },{
            "name": "Editor Picks",
            "component": "17242653",
            "insertPoint": "4",
            "requiredCountToDisplay": "1"
          },{
            "name": "Inline Links",
            "component": "18838239",
            "insertPoint": "8th",
            "startingPoint": 8,
            "requiredCountToDisplay": "7",
            "maxInsertions": 25
          },{
            "name": "GPT - 2x Rectangles Desktop, Tower on Mobile - Labeled",
            "component": "24956856",
            "insertPoint": "8th",
            "startingPoint": 8,
            "requiredCountToDisplay": "7",
            "maxInsertions": 25 
          
          },{
            "name": "Inline Links",
            "component": "18838239",
            "insertPoint": "8th",
            "startingPoint": 12,
            "requiredCountToDisplay": "11",
            "maxInsertions": 25
          },{
            "name": "GPT - Leaderboard to Tower - Slot Auto-select - Labeled",
            "component": "17676724",
            "insertPoint": "8th",
            "startingPoint": 12,
            "requiredCountToDisplay": "11",
            "maxInsertions": 25
          }
        ]

Some good news: This year, there have been far fewer ski area deaths in Colorado than during several recent years.

By February 8 of 2012, for example, eleven people had died on Colorado slopes.

In contrast, we've only published a single item this season about a ski-area death prior to today: Logan Salviano died at Vail last month.

But that's small consolation to those in the circle of Jason Taylor, known to his friends as Jay, who lost his life during an accident at Keystone Resort.

The news has been slow in getting out. Although the Boulder Daily Camera's piece about Taylor is brand-new, he actually passed away on January 20 and has already been laid to rest in Manchester-By-the-Sea, Massachusetts, where his parents live.

According to the Camera, Taylor, who worked as a glass artist in Boulder and enjoyed a slew of outdoor activities in addition to skiing, died after colliding with a tree on Elk Run, a popular spot not far from Wapiti Peak.

The following video depicts Elk Run at Outback and the North Bowl at Wapiti Peak.

We send our sincere condolences to the friends, family and loved ones of Jason Taylor.

In addition, we offer our hope that the casualty figures at Colorado ski resorts continue to shrink to the point where posts like this one become obsolete.

Michael Roberts began his career with Westword in 1990 as music editor. In 1999, he took on a new role, full-time media reporter, as author of a column called The Message. In 2008, he became the lead writer for Westword's news blog, The Latest Word, a position he held until January 2023. Michael continues to freelance for Westword, covering everything from business to sports and the media; he also contributes to Jazziz, a national music magazine. He holds a bachelor's degree from what is now Colorado Mesa University and master's degrees from the University of California, Los Angeles, and Northwestern University.

A message from Michael Roberts: If you value independent journalism, please consider making a contribution to support our continued coverage of essential stories and to investigate issues that matter.

Support Today