For almost four decades, Bill Reis dreamed of making an elk fly. Last week, he did it.
The Battle Mountain Trading Post in Minturn is now home to a life-size bull elk, standing majestically on the front of the building.
The 550-pound bronze statue by artist Jim Gilmore, titled “Headed for High Country,” has been part of the vision of Reis and his former partner Scott Skillman for the better part of four decades.
Reis contacted Gilmore, then hired engineer and local welder Tim Perkins to figure it out. They came up with a platform system that would hold 750 pounds forever.
“He looks spectacular. It’s a dream come true,” Reis said, looking up at the monarch elk on the front of his Minturn building, three decades later.
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