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About realvail Writers
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David O. Williams
David O. Williams: The O. Report

David O. Williams

The O. Report

realvail local since: June 21, 1991

David O. Williams was hired by the owner of the Vail Daily while standing around a keg of beer in the parking lot of Arapahoe Basin Ski Area in the spring of 1991. Sports editor morphed into ski editor, then city editor, before Williams launched the competing Daily Trail in 1998.

When the Vail Daily bought the Trail in 2003, Williams struck out on his own as a freelancer. An occassional columnist for the Rocky Mountain News in Denver, Williams’ work has appeared in the New York Times, Chicago Tribune, Denver Post, Rocky Mountain News, Aspen Daily News, L.A. Weekly, Powder Magazine, Skiing Magazine, 5280 and United Hemispheres.

Williams is a founding member of the Vail-based Millennium Society, which funds a number of local charities. He and his wife Kristin, a Battle Mountain High School graduate and true Vail local, live in West Vail with their three boys, Nick, Max and Rennick.

Kristin Kenney Williams, a former journalist, is Vail Resorts' director of public affairs for Eagle County. RealVail is independent of Vail Resorts from an editorial and financial standpoint.

David O. Williams's Blog: The O. Report...

 

Articles by David O. Williams
 Headline  Section  Post Date
Garfield County commish race a study in conflicting interests on the Western Slope Real News Nov 10, 2008
Former Western Slope congressman McInnis predicts Dem dominance will doom the energy boom Real Biz Nov 7, 2008
Anatomy of a meltdown: how Bob Schaffer lost Colorado's U.S. Senate race to Mark Udall Real News Nov 7, 2008
Can skiing, hiking, hunting and fishing coexist with Colorado's booming energy industry? Real News Nov 2, 2008
Kissing your sister: Beaver Creek enjoys love-fest with Austrian resort of Lech-Zurs Real Travel Nov 2, 2008
Seasonal recreation, culture guide to Vail, Beaver Creek Resort Guides Nov 1, 2008
Polis congressional opponent Starin questions global warming Real News Oct 30, 2008
McInnis predicts he could have taken out Udall, blames far right wing of state GOP Real News Oct 28, 2008
High-country energy debate: not all small-town mayors are power-mad Real Biz Oct 26, 2008
Wall Street woes undermine GOP's 'drill, baby, drill' campaign push Real News Oct 26, 2008
Vail's Vonn finishes top 10 in World Cup GS opener; Park City's Ligety third Real Sport Oct 26, 2008
Remembering the Vail fires 10 years later; green movement still feeling the heat Real News Oct 19, 2008
Udall promises to keep pushing for oil-shale leasing ban Real Biz Oct 19, 2008
Palin polar-bear pin peeves some in the environmental community Real Rhetoric Oct 19, 2008
New poll finds Coloradans favor roadless preservation over energy development Real News Oct 12, 2008
Palin makes more drilling in Alaska part of presidential campaign rhetoric Real Biz Oct 12, 2008
Palin, pushing for ANWR drilling, 'pals' around with oil-and-gas front groups Real News Oct 5, 2008
Removal of ban on oil-shale leasing sets off environmental alarm bells on Western Slope Real Biz Oct 5, 2008
Pro domestic-drilling group equates environmentalists to terrorists Real Biz Sep 30, 2008
Schaffer spins energy debate in waning days of Senate race after ignoring issue early on Real News Sep 30, 2008
Big oil and gas pumps $10.3 million - most ever raised - into anti-Amendment-58 campaign Real Biz Sep 25, 2008
Vail ski luminaries, former VP Mondale remember the late Bill 'Sarge' Brown Real Lives Sep 25, 2008
'Hand Cut' ski film connects modern backcountry ethic to mountain-man past Real A&E Sep 25, 2008
Lawmakers wrangle over gas taxes with dueling ballot initiatives Real News Sep 21, 2008
Roadless rule flies under radar en route to controversial approval Real Biz Sep 17, 2008
Vail's state Senate district at the epicenter of the oil-and-gas debate Real News Sep 17, 2008
Colorado roadless areas under attack in final months of Bush administration, conservationists say Real News Sep 12, 2008
GOP lawmakers taking energy pledge put forth by shadowy Western Skies 'nonprofit' Real News Sep 12, 2008
Underground adventures a year-round attraction even in the high country Real Travel Sep 8, 2008
GOP ‘nonprofit’ backed by big oil money looks to sway state Senate races Real News Sep 5, 2008
Video: Iraq Veterans Against the War stage protest Real News Aug 28, 2008
Bird porn among eccentricities at Denver Dem Convention Real News Aug 28, 2008
Palast: One out of five Colorado voters purged from voter registration Real News Aug 27, 2008
Former Alabama Gov. Don Siegelman uses DNC platform to call out Karl Rove Real News Aug 26, 2008
Colorado at epicenter of national energy debate Real News Aug 26, 2008
Super delegate and local entrepreneur Debbie Marquez traces roots of her activism to California Real Lives Aug 23, 2008
At Vail water conference, Schaffer, Udall chide presidential hopeful McCain for water comments Real News Aug 23, 2008
Top state political operatives spar over attack ads at Vail water confab Real News Aug 23, 2008
Children's Garden of Learning , a truly great Vail preschool, sees some rare openings Real Kids Aug 23, 2008
Adding injury to injury in an orthopedic oasis Real Rhetoric Aug 22, 2008
Coping with critters on Vail Valley golf courses Real Sport Aug 22, 2008
Ski-resort work-visa crisis stymies Vail, puts lives in flux around the globe Real News Aug 11, 2008
Lionshead garage developer eyes hockey arena, team in the Vail Valley Real Sport Aug 7, 2008
Vail Valley construction boom comes with high cost; contractors ducking comp for injured workers Real Biz Aug 7, 2008
GOP Senate candidate Schaffer tells Vail Valley backers immigration reform 'decades away' Real News Aug 7, 2008
Udall tries to better define ski-area recreation options Real Biz Jul 28, 2008
Kids can learn valuable life lessons on Colorado’s high peaks Real Kids Jul 27, 2008
Attack ad targets Polis for 'conservative ideas' on education Real News Jul 25, 2008
Security officials, Beaver Creek residents debate ski country terrorism threat Real News Jul 24, 2008
Speaker speculation: Dem Rep. Bernie Buescher could be the next head of the state House Real News Jul 21, 2008
Great White Shark Greg Norman swims in former glory at British Open Real Lives Jul 18, 2008
Vail Resorts, Forest Service launch aggressive plan to deal with aftermath of beetle epidemic Real Biz Jul 17, 2008
Salazar says ski-resort work visas stalled by immigration debate deadlock Real News Jul 13, 2008
Skyrocketing fuel costs putting squeeze on beetle-kill mitigation in Vail Real News Jul 9, 2008
Vail-area congressional candidate Fitz-Gerald questions opponent's fiscal restraint Real News Jul 9, 2008
Moderate Republicans say Buckleys should come clean about conservative blog EagleCountyTimes.com Real News Jul 7, 2008
May sees second lowest monthly total of Vail Valley real estate sales since 1996 Real Estate Jul 5, 2008
Vail Resorts, Forest Service officials kick off 'veg management' planning to battle beetles Real News Jul 5, 2008
Litany of Vail Valley tragedies underscores debate over personal responsibility in the wilderness Real Rhetoric Jul 1, 2008
Fuel load guarantees Vail wildfire will be like Yellowstone with houses Real News Jul 1, 2008
Funds for Vail Pass wildlife bridge run down by weak economy Real News Jun 24, 2008
Boulderite Polis has Vail ties; wants to represent resort valley in Congress Real News Jun 22, 2008
A closer look at state House race for Vail's district Real News Jun 17, 2008
Assessing Vail’s next presidential prospects Real Rhetoric Jun 17, 2008
Experts say federal funds for mountain rail to Vail likely tough to come by Real Biz Jun 15, 2008
American political picture could shape 2018 Colorado Olympic bid Real Sport Jun 11, 2008
Vail-area congressional candidate Shafroth says ending wars will free up funds Real News Jun 11, 2008
Mountain McPapers slurp up competition from Vail to Aspen Real Biz Jun 9, 2008
Are truckers the biggest problem on Vail Pass, Interstate 70 corridor? Real News Jun 6, 2008
SkiEO: Vail chief makes jump from Wall Street to Pearl Street Real Lives Jun 1, 2008
Landlocked in the Vail Valley means always looking for a sand fix Real Travel Jun 1, 2008
Kids help revive passion for past Vail mountain-biking ‘glory’ Real Kids Jun 1, 2008
Former Vail Chamber director Ferry to run Hasan campaign Real News May 28, 2008
Frequent Vail visitor Jerry Springer talks trash TV, political ambitions with realvail.com Real Lives May 21, 2008
Parents of boy sued in Beaver Creek ski accident look to change law Real News May 20, 2008
Pricey congressional race comes into focus following assembly in Denver Real News May 12, 2008
Eagle County steps in to hold down housing prices despite plummeting market nationwide Real Estate May 7, 2008
Ski towns struggle with labor crunch as immigrant crackdown continues Real News May 5, 2008
Raids by ICE agents have some Vail Valley residents on edge Real News May 1, 2008
Can Euro-style ski trains better connect Vail to Denver? Real News Apr 30, 2008
Marquez wants fellow superdelegates to declare their candidate Real News Apr 30, 2008
A memorable Memorial Day duathlon Real Kids Apr 30, 2008
On edge: skiing with Phil Mickelson at Beaver Creek Real Lives Apr 27, 2008
I-70 toll derailed as mountain train gets a boost Real News Apr 25, 2008
Tree IVs inject controversy into battle over beetle kill Real News Apr 25, 2008
I-70 toll-gate debate raises stakes for mountain rail proponents Real News Apr 22, 2008
Should the Eagle County Airport re-brand as Vail International? Real Biz Apr 19, 2008
Carbondale an ominous early start to mountain wildfire season Real News Apr 18, 2008
County's high-end home sales still strong, but overall market lagging Real Estate Apr 16, 2008
Colorado ski towns look to Utah for cautionary beetle-kill tale Real News Apr 14, 2008
Ferry steps down as Vail Chamber director following 'riff-raff' comment Real Biz Apr 14, 2008
Moseley mute grabs some Olympic glory on memory lane Real Sport Apr 12, 2008
Ferry 'riff-raff' comments spark firestorm of controversy statewide Real Biz Apr 11, 2008
Epic Pass could cause epic headaches for Vail, critics say Real Biz Apr 8, 2008
Eagle County Republicans look to recapture former glory Real News Apr 7, 2008
Aviation pioneer Fossett remembered at Beaver Creek service Real Lives Mar 21, 2008
Spring break rocks the Rockies: a sampling of sizzling ski-town events Real A&E Mar 20, 2008
Vail's Vonn races into record books Real Sport Mar 11, 2008
Vail hopes to battle beetles chemically Real Biz Mar 2, 2008
Vails Vonn clinches World Cup downhill title Real Sport Feb 22, 2008
Scot Schmidt: still limiting his exposure after all these years Real Lives Feb 22, 2008
What does it take to be dubbed a 'longtime local'? Real Rhetoric Feb 21, 2008
Smokey on skis a hit with the kids Real Kids Feb 21, 2008
Eagle County woman gets 8 years for vehicular homicide Real News Feb 14, 2008
High-end mountain real estate still selling at record clip Real Estate Feb 13, 2008
Miller vs. Mahre: debating all-time ski-racing greatness Real Sport Feb 3, 2008
East Vail Chutes likely to remain open Real News Jan 28, 2008
Labor 'crisis' drives Timber Ridge project Real Biz Jan 28, 2008
The reverse commute: second homes in the city Real Estate Jan 26, 2008
Dr. Richard Steadman: an active legacy Real Lives Jan 22, 2008
Longtime Vail local returns to run the mountain Real Biz Jan 22, 2008
Miller breaks Mahre's U.S. World Cup victory mark Real Sport Jan 20, 2008
Giving more than just lip service to skier safety week Real Rhetoric Jan 17, 2008
Runner from Sudan gets second shot with surgery in Vail Real Sport Jan 12, 2008
Jensen will be missed, but all is not lost Real Rhetoric Jan 9, 2008
Multi-home trend supplanting second home ownership Real Estate Jan 9, 2008
Former Vail execs, managers lead Asian ski boom Real News Jan 5, 2008
The best and worst of the Vail Valley in 2007 Real Rhetoric Jan 3, 2008
New gondolas up and running at Beaver Creek Real News Dec 21, 2007
Chasing the bluebird Real Travel Dec 15, 2007
Some say it's high time to ditch High Noon Real Biz Dec 12, 2007
From stretch pants to riches Real Lives Dec 11, 2007
Sen. Salazar says future of skiing hinges on minority participation Real News Dec 11, 2007
Thomas Wolfe was wrong: you can go home again Real Rhetoric Dec 11, 2007
Retro Monarch Mountain shows an untamed side Real Travel Dec 10, 2007
Vonn fourth in Aspen downhill despite powdery conditions Real Sport Dec 9, 2007
By any other name, Vonn is still a champion Real Sport Dec 6, 2007
Austrians dominate Birds of Prey super-G Real Sport Dec 3, 2007
Ligety ties for fourth in GS won by Albrecht Real Sport Dec 2, 2007
Austrian Walchhofer wins Birds of Prey downhill Real Sport Nov 30, 2007
Miller fourth in Birds of Prey combined event Real Sport Nov 29, 2007
Miller, former teammates take his independence in stride Real Sport Nov 29, 2007
Miller or Maier: who owns the Birds of Prey? Real Sport Nov 28, 2007
The great Christmas tree hunt Real Kids Nov 28, 2007
Raising young ski-racing fans Real Kids Nov 27, 2007
‘N Sync with Ford Focus Real Biz Nov 20, 2007
Birds of Prey World Cup races still on track Real Sport Nov 18, 2007
Life on the run Real Estate Nov 17, 2007
Construction tax a nice surprise for new Vail Town Council Real News Nov 7, 2007
Vail’s Lindsey Vonn says healed knee is ready for World Cup season Real Sport Oct 26, 2007
Risk a relative thing in Colorado's high country Real Rhetoric Oct 24, 2007
Ski industry hopes to hit grand slam with World Series Real Biz Oct 24, 2007
Silverton Mountain: a long haul, but worth the journey Real Travel Oct 22, 2007
King George: Gillett a lasting local icon Real Lives Oct 21, 2007
Loveland loses race to be first, but opens with quality early-season conditions Real Sport Oct 19, 2007
Timber Ridge top concern for Vail Chamber Real Estate Oct 18, 2007
Hiker fortunate to keep toes, life Real News Oct 17, 2007
Vail council approves Lionshead development agreement Real Estate Sep 18, 2007
Menconi recall petition apparently falls short Real News Sep 18, 2007
Menconi recall bid stirs more bad political blood in Eagle County Real News Sep 17, 2007
Redevelopment concerns shape Vail Town Council debate Real News Sep 7, 2007
Debate starts to rage over Vail’s proposed construction tax Real News Sep 5, 2007
Vail Resorts battles to buy Canyons in Utah Real Biz Sep 4, 2007
Multi-dimensional man: Edwards' Walt Horton Real A&E Aug 4, 2007
‘Extremely peaceful, extremely high’ Real Biz Aug 4, 2007
The ripple effects of redevelopment Real Estate Jun 16, 2007
New kid on the block Real Estate Jun 15, 2007
Going for the trifecta Real News May 1, 2007
Busting a few ski-town, Vail Valley myths Real Rhetoric Apr 15, 2007
Remote and rowdy: heli-skiing Nevada's Ruby Mountains Real Travel Apr 3, 2007
Vail: world-class criminals only, please Real Rhetoric Mar 20, 2007
Tree hugging? Try tree bashing Real Sport Mar 11, 2007
The Alps vs The Rockies Real Travel Mar 10, 2007
Canyons a hidden gem on Park City side of the Wasatch Real Travel Jan 14, 2007
The Vail Valley: forever Ford country Real Rhetoric Jan 3, 2007
Beaver Creek alpine slide sparks legal brouhaha Real News Nov 21, 2006
Pine beetles gnawing nerves of ski industry Real Biz Nov 10, 2006
Nasty smear tactics mar ski-town politics Real News Oct 25, 2006
Beaver Creek Lodge: redefining slope-side luxury, amenities Real Lodging Oct 21, 2006
Park Hyatt Beaver Creek gets a bold new look Real Lodging Oct 6, 2006
New Vail Resorts CEO rides winds of change Real Biz Sep 20, 2006
Fun, comfort should drive gear decisions Real Sport Sep 4, 2006
Crossroads a MOPFOM (Money Pit Full of Memories) Real Rhetoric Aug 24, 2006
Vail revels in medal win for 'Awesome' Dawson' Real Lives Aug 3, 2006
Marc Philippon: hip doctor of the stars Real Sport Jun 15, 2006
Heli pilots take on twin demons of heat, height Real News Jun 12, 2006
Alpine alternatives: ice, air, water and poker Real A&E Apr 15, 2006
Fear and loathing in Torino Real Rhetoric Jan 25, 2006
Sarah Will: racing toward a bold new role Real Lives Dec 20, 2005
The edgier side of Aspen Real Sport Dec 15, 2005
Chris Anthony: Warren Miller's 'utility man' Real Lives Oct 14, 2005
Punishment and pampering at 14,000 feet Real Lodging Jul 15, 2005
Billy Mattison: Vail’s consummate raft guide Real Lives Jun 8, 2005
Winter hot air ballooning heats up in the hills Real A&E Jan 5, 2005
A critical mass of critters Real Rhetoric Nov 18, 2004
Dale Chihuly: rhapsody in Electric Blue Real A&E Aug 16, 2004
Patriotic pratfalls in paradise Real Rhetoric Aug 15, 2004
Ravinos legend, spirit lives on in Vail Valley Real Lives Jun 22, 2004
Arn Menconi: bringing powder to the people Real Lives Jun 3, 2004
Blog Entries by David O. Williams
 Headline  Post Date
Vail featured on December cover of SKI Magazine, brought to you by the O. Report and RealVail.com Nov 18, 2008
Vail Daily shutters venerable Vail Trail after more than 40 years Nov 15, 2008
Snow slowly, steadily piling up at Vail, Beaver Creek with 10 days till opening day Nov 12, 2008
What Vail Realtor in their right mind would advocate a boycott of any kind these days? Nov 8, 2008
It's snowing hope in West Vail Nov 5, 2008
Snow-bama: new presidency delivers blast of winter to the Vail Valley Nov 5, 2008
Dems poised to clean up again in Eagle County Nov 4, 2008
Voting easy, breezy in Vail, even though local columnist says don't bother Nov 4, 2008
Winter storm won't hit Colorado, Vail until well after polls close, but could dump a foot of fresh Nov 4, 2008
Vote to save our stashes: Liberal ski-blogging scum for Obama Nov 3, 2008
Announcing the Vail bailout: major marketing push aimed at attracting Front Rangers Oct 31, 2008
Obama touts Thornton school led by Vail educator in 30-minute TV spot Oct 30, 2008
Politically poisonous Stones throwing stones from highly profitable glass houses Oct 28, 2008
Snow cures all: Wall Street woes will pale when the powder piles up Oct 22, 2008
Hasan, other Colorado Muslims 'deeply touched' by Powell on 'Meet the Press' Oct 21, 2008
State Senate candidate Brenner yanks signs off Lindholm's land to protest tax lawsuit Oct 19, 2008
Did former columnist Hasan's ties to Vail Daily, $70,000 in ads, influence paper's endorsement? Oct 17, 2008
Avon tax lawsuit targeting Traer Creek could impact Eagle County election Oct 15, 2008
Silverton sees skiing; A-Basin opens Wednesday; and Georgia's always on McCain's mind Oct 13, 2008
Endorsing weekend snowfall, Stavney for county commissioner Oct 10, 2008
Don't call us crazy: Why RealVail.com feels you should vote for Christine Scanlan Oct 6, 2008
Get to Fiesta's Sunday to help local Dems catch and pass number of registered Republicans Oct 4, 2008
Hasan camp claims to have returned questionable donation Oct 1, 2008
Ali Hasan in hot water over campaign contributions Sep 30, 2008
The presidential politics of skiing: do any of the candidates rip? Sep 29, 2008
Things to do in Vail if McCain-Obama debate is scrapped; drinking games if it's still on Sep 26, 2008
Vilar fraud trial hits home in the Vail Valley as Congress debates $700 billion bailout Sep 24, 2008
Summer about to super collide with winter in ski country as Loveland cranks up snowmaking guns Sep 23, 2008
One of the best local bennies going bites the dust Sep 21, 2008