Gunnison Country Times, January 16, 2025

of all levels will race down the hill. For more, see A9. (Photo by Mariel Wiley)

PHOTOS: Moonlight ski at VanTuyl, A14

COMMUNITY: How to train a Zamboni, B1

SPORTS: Cowboy basketball survives Bruins, B4

A2

A4

A11-A13

B4

Proposed Starview development near CB South draws criticism

NIMBY or not?

Abby Harrison Times Staff Writer

The community’s perennial dispute over the “right” balance between new development and rural character was on display last month during a meeting for a proposed housing project near Crested Butte South. Starview is in nascent stages of development, but has already proven controversial for many of its neighbors.

Starview is planned for a parcel off Hwy. 135, just south of the road that leads into CB

South, Cement Creek Road. The owners, Oklahoma-based HGC Holdings LLC, purchased the lot in 2019 for $2.5 million. HGC is looking to subdivide the 96-acre parcel into 129 residential lots, which could house hundreds of people. The homes are intended to be various sizes and designs, including some that are deed-restricted. For comparison, the planned Whetstone neighborhood to the north will add 252 residential units on just 15 acres. At least 70 people showed up in person to critique the project at a Dec. 21 Gunnison County

Crowding causes hunters to reconsider unlimited elk tag sales

Gunnison Wildlife Association launches survey

Bella Biondini Times Editor

As the Gunnison County backcountry becomes more congested, elk hunters have begun to ask themselves: Is it worth more to be guaranteed a hunt each year, or to enter a lottery system, which is likely to offer a better wilderness experience?

Limiting the number of bull licenses, or “tags,” available for the northern portion of the Gunnison Basin has been

a recurring point of discussion among hunters, outfitters and ranchers. Hunter crowding, paired with the rising pressure on elk herds from habitat loss and an unpredictable climate, has reignited the conversation locally and at the state level.

According to wildlife experts, capping the number of tags Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) doles out each season would allow the agency to more precisely manage elk population numbers, and spread hunters across the landscape. But limiting licenses also reduces the revenue brought in from the sportsmen and women that helps prop up the economies of rural towns like Gunnison.

Over the past couple of years, the nonprofit Gunnison Wildlife Association (GWA) has strongly supported limiting elk9hunting

A LITTLE HELP FROM FRIENDS: Gunnison Middle School principal Lance Betts helps Amina Farid onto the Poma ski lift at Cranor Hill on Jan. 11. Cranor opened to the public on Jan. 3, and while the snow still lingers, skiers and snowboarders

The Gunnison Wildlife Association hosted an open house about elk tag license limits at the Gunnison County Library on Jan. 9. (Photo by Mariel Wiley) Hunting A5

“I

like to think we’re ecologically

conscious in this valley, but sometimes I think we just go after the

— Kevin Chedd

BRIEFS

County signs off on maximum price for Whetstone

Right before the new year, Gunnison County signed a guaranteed maximum price (GMP) for its income-restricted housing project Whetstone.

Whetstone is a 252-unit, income restricted project just south of Crested Butte. Project managers are now preparing to issue bonds, after a long year of contention with the community over the project’s affordability.

The final GMP is just over $127 million. It includes all bonds, insurance, overhead and financial closing expenses. That figure may change slightly, but only if the closing expenses vary significantly. The bond agreements require the developer and contractors to account for lost rent if construction is delayed and units cannot be rented out.

Western selects Fading West for housing project

Western Colorado University’s Board of Trustees discussed its new housing project at a December board meeting. Vice President for Finance and Administration Ian Higgins shared updates on the $12 million project, located on the east side of campus near the Aspinall-Wilson building. The project is expected to have roughly 30 units. This project is in addition to the 16 units Western is leasing in the Lazy K subdivision for shorter-term housing.

Western selected Fading West Construction, a modular building company in Buena Vista. A request for building proposals was posted online in August of 2024. Four firms were interviewed for the project, and in October, but Western chose Fading West. It is also the contractor working on Gunnison County’s Sawtooth project. Higgins told the board he could move forward with financing once final cost estimates are complete.

Albert Campbell

Albert (AL) Campbell Jr. of Bryan, Texas passed away on December 15, 2024, after battling invasive skin cancer for several years. Al is survived by his wife Claire and sons Blaine (Marci) of Madison Wisconsin; Flint (Carol) of Arnold Kansas; Kyle (Bun) of Montgomery Texas; daughter Robin (deceased) and husband Perry Henman of Ellis, Kansas; cousins Jeanne Boudreau of Parker, Colorado, Norman Creel of Rapid City, South Dakota; 10 grandchildren and 15 great grandchildren.

Al was born on July 16, 1932, in the hospital in Grand Junction, Colorado to Albert Beryl Campbell and Rossie Roberta Richardson. His early years were in Grand Junction and Eagle, Colorado where his father was in the lumber business. Al spent summers with his Campbell grandparents on a ranch in Paonia, Colorado.

In 1942, Al’s father took a job in sales with Ralston Purina and the family moved to Denver and then to St. Louis. Al was involved in athletics and marching band during his school years. He played several instruments, the trombone being his favorite. While in high school, Al worked each summer at various ranches in Colorado. He graduated from Southwest High School in St. Louis in June 1950. He had an interest in agriculture and immediately became a ranch hand at a ranch owned by Oklahoma Panhandle University.

The Korean war started in June of 1950, and in September Al left Oklahoma for St. Louis where

he became a certified auto and diesel mechanic. Meanwhile, he joined the Missouri Army Air National Guard. His unit was activated in 1951 and became part of the regular Air Force. His unit was sent to Vermont and shortly afterward, the Air Force issued a need for mechanical personnel. Al volunteered and was sent to Korea where he served for one year. He ended active duty in 1953 with an honorable discharge in January of 1954.

Al’s academic career started with the help of the GI Bill in the summer of 1953 when he enrolled at Fort Hays State University in Kansas where he earned the BS in business administration. Later he earned a masters degree from Western State College in Gunnison and a doctorate in education from Arizona State University in 1970. He accumulated academic credits along the way from Claremont Graduate University in California, Florida State, Texas A&M and Sam Houston State University.

Al’s first job following college was manager of the Gunnison chamber of commerce. This was followed by his becoming partowner of the Western Furniture and Appliance, Moving and Storage in Gunnison. His temporary and part-time positions included Justice of The Peace and Police Magistrate, U.S. Forest Service, asphalt paving sales, and owner of Al’s Automotive Maintenance and Repair Co. Al was part owner and operator of the Riverside Hotel in Hot Sulphur Springs, Colorado. Meanwhile, he was supported by a beautiful family, his wife Pat, daughter Robin and sons Blaine and Flint.

Al earned teaching certificates in both academic and vocational education. He taught high school in Carlsbad, New Mexico and both secondary and junior college at New Mexico Military Institute in Roswell. While in Roswell, another son, Kyle, was added to his wonderful family.

Later he was an instructor of automotive technology in the Texas prison system. He was a college instructor in educa -

tion at Arizona State University and Western State College and finally an associate professor of adult and occupational education at Kansas State University and Texas A&M. He was president of the National Commission for Adult Basic Education, secretary-treasurer of the Corrections Education Association and Adult and Continuing Education.

In 1979, Al, his new wife Claire and son Kyle moved to a ranch in Robertson County after converting a hay barn into a comfortable home that they occupied for 40 years. Ranching was a part time job for Al until he retired from professional teaching in 1990. Always interested in organizational activities, retirement allowed Al to join the Texas Silver Haired Legislature where he served for 27 years. He was elected to all the TSHL officer positions except speaker and was selected for the exclusive “emeritus” status.

Al taught AARP driver safety classes for 25 years and was a member of the AARP State Executive Council. Al also served the Area Agency on Aging and was chairman of the advisory council for 24 years. He was sheriff of the Westerns Club in Bryan, Texas and active in the Texas Retired Teachers Association as local officer and member of the state board of directors. He was active in civic organizations during retirement including Lions Club, Senior Expo, and Hearne Chamber of Commerce. In addition, he qualified as a heavy equipment operator through Texas A&M extension with a specialty in motor graders. Al was a member of both VFW and American Legion.

Al and his wife Claire enjoyed traveling and they participated in 52 Road Scholar programs, 14 of them being international. Claire was a professional storyteller and they both worked several years at the Texas Renaissance Festival where Al managed a food booth. For the final eight years, Claire and Al shared an apartment at the Carriage Inn in Bryan, Texas.

In retrospect, Al often reminded us that it was the support,

encouragement and love provided by his first wife (Pat) and second wife (Claire) and four children along with a model for life and sense of security from his parents and help from family and many good friends that made it possible for him to have a wonderful life full of love, happiness, opportunity, contribution and experience.

Please share your condolences and memories by contacting Memorial Funeral Chapel: memorialfuneralchapelbryan. com. Instead of flowers, please plant a memorial tree by contacting the Arbor Day Foundation. The burial will be at the Bethlehem Cemetery, Paonia, Colorado.

Terry Piloni

On Dec. 12, 2024, Terry Piloni, passed away peacefully at St. Mary’s Hospital at the age of 72, surrounded by his kids and grandkids.

Terry was born in Gunnison on Jan. 8, 1952 to loving parents, John and June Piloni. He spent his childhood in Gunnison, before going on to graduate from Gunnison High School in 1970. Terry spent time in his life living, apart from Gunnison, in Three Forks, Montana, as well as Moriarty, New Mexico and Loma, Colorado. He enjoyed spending quality time with his son, Joe, fishing, hunting, floating the river with his family, as well as being a father and grandfather to his two children and grandchildren.

Terry leaves behind a twin sister, Twyla Piloni, of Three Forks, a son, Joe (Kitti) Piloni, of Loma, Colorado, a daughter, Melissa Piloni, of Scottsdale, Arizona, two grandchildren, Justin Piloni, and Kristalyn Piloni, as well as a sister-in-law, Susan Piloni, of Gunnison, along with nieces and nephews.

Terry is preceded in death by his parents, John and June Piloni, as well as his three brothers, Bill, Bob and Jim Piloni.

A stroll with art and heart

Residents were out and about on Main Street for the first Art Walk of the year on Jan. 11. At the Gunnison Arts Center, visitors explored the new Smithsonian Institution exhibition called “Crossroads: Rural Change in America.” At the Gunnison Gallery, patrons dined on appetizers and browsed the gallery’s wide selection of art.

Gems from the BiBle A NEW YEAR’S BLESSING The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you;  the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace. ~Numbers 6:24-26 (NIV)

(Photo by Mariel Wiley)

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Los Angeles is a wake-up call for the West

After fierce winds whipped fire out of brush-covered hills on Jan. 7, entire Los Angeles neighborhoods burned down. Within a few days, over 12,000 homes and businesses had been destroyed as flames ringed the city. And it’s not over yet.

The photos of smoldering neighborhoods and distraught residents are horrific and shocking. Could they also presage the kind of wildfire that might overtake Durango, a town of about 20,000 in southwestern Colorado?

It’s a question worth asking. Local fire experts say Los Angeles and Durango are similar in topography. Durango doesn’t experience the hurricane-force Santa Ana winds that pushed the LA fires, but it does often have sustained winds of 30 mph and gusts over 40 mph, which can vault burning embers great distances.

Perhaps more importantly, the big city and the town share the same pattern of development.

Angelenos have long coveted proximity to wooded canyons for their homes. Durango residents crave the same access to nature, pushing housing into canyons. In both places, million-dollar homes have been built among flammable trees.

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wildfires. In 2002, the 73,000acre Missionary Ridge Fire torched 46 structures. The town suffered another blow in 2018 when wildfire ringed the town, burning 54,130 acres.

Randy Black, Durango Fire Protection District fire chief, is quick to point out that not one structure was lost in 2018, thanks to a coordinated effort by local and state crews.

Other similarities include lax regulations that fail to dissuade wildland builders. Then there’s the question of storing enough water and having sufficient water pressure to fight blazes. Los Angeles ran out of water fast because attacks on simultaneous fires quickly drew down supplies.

Durango uses around 4 million gallons daily and has two weeks of storage in its Terminal Reservoir. But if the city ran a dozen or more high-flow hydrants, water pressure would plummet in days. Here’s a suggestion: Prioritize building the $11-million-dollar, 36-inch proposed water line from Lake Nighthorse, a nearby reservoir, to the city system. This would boost the raw water storage to four months.

Durango has a history of large

“We got lucky,” he said. “If the June 2018 fire happened later in the season, resources wouldn’t have been available.”

Also key were carefully forged relationships among regional firefighting resources, Black said, along with extensive planning. One hundred eighty employees and volunteers staff the Durango Fire District, which covers both the city and a 325-square-mile swath of the county. Black said they focus on what he calls the most important aspect of firefighting — mitigation meant to keep wildland fires from starting in the first place.

That means working to create fire breaks between wildlands and urban areas, and removing fuels within the urban core. The town participates by thinning wooded areas on its perimeter,

‘Life is fine without a

Editor: High Country Conservation Advocates would like to thank everyone who came out for the Red Lady Reveal party at the Crested Butte Museum. We especially thank the museum board and staff for highlighting the significance of the 47-year mine fight and successful outcome in the new exhibit called “Saving Red Lady.” As the vintage sticker says, “Life is fine

and federal agencies manage both thinning and controlled burns.

Another similarity between Los Angeles and Durango is that both share difficulty in getting fire insurance. Some insurers have pulled out of California entirely. When the Durango Fire District built its new intown firehouse last year, no one would insure the structure at first, Black said. Colorado insurance companies had just weathered 10 years of property losses to wildland fire, and they were loath to take chances.

Colorado’s new, state-backed Fair Plan offers a last resort for home insurance, but it’s barebones coverage of homes worth up to $750,000. With building costs in Durango now estimated to be $500 to $700 per square foot, losing a 2,000-square-foot home to wildfire means rebuilding a much smaller house.

I’ve talked to many wildland fire experts about how towns can fight these multiple, destructive blazes. Their suggestions boil down to three basics:

• First, make building requirements stringent for any home proposed in wildlands.

• Second, get residents involved. The Durango Fire

without a mine,” and it will remain so for future generations. This exhibit illustrates the lengthy process and celebrates the ultimate resolution.

If you missed the reveal party, please visit the museum at your earliest convenience. Bring your

District offers homeowners free assessments of fire risk, and advises the creation of three zones around a house: Remove anything flammable within five feet, include a turnaround big enough for fire vehicles and allow only widely-spaced trees and mown grass out to 100 feet.

• A third step is “hardening” existing structures with fireproof building materials. Black, who built his own house, said he chose cement siding and a metal roof.

If homeowners take these steps, insurers say, they stand a better chance of keeping their insurance policies. Twenty four people have lost their lives in the Los Angeles fires as of January 12. Their deaths are a wakeup call to everyone living in the West.

(Dave Marston is the publisher of Writers on the Range, writersontherange.org, an independent nonprofit dedicated to lively discussion about the West. He lives in Durango, Colorado.)

family and friends to view the new exhibit that shows that our community’s perseverance was thoroughly worth it.

Dave Marston Writers on the Range

mine’

Sue Navy High Country Conservation Advocates

A controlled BLM burn near Durango in May 2023. (Courtesy Dave Marston)

tags. License sales in the southern portion of the county have already been limited through a lottery system for more than a decade. Past attempts to limit elk tags in the north were unsuccessful, partly due to the opposition from the local business community. At the time, the valley’s businesses were more reliant on the influx of hunters to sustain themselves during the fall shoulder seasons, GWA secretary Will Shoemaker told the Times

But elk limited licensing in the Gunnison Basin is up for debate once again. A few years ago, GWA started hearing from its supporters that hunter crowding was a significant concern, particularly during the second and third over-the-counter rifle seasons. During this time, CPW sells an unlimited number of licenses for specific areas, including units in the northern portion of the basin.

GWA, with support from CPW wildlife biologists, hosted an open house at the Gunnison County Library on Jan. 9 to gather feedback on limited licensing from local hunters, guides and business owners. GWA plans to use the results of a survey to direct its advocacy efforts in coming years, Shoemaker told the Times. It will remain live at gunnisonwildlife.org until Jan. 31.

“It's been a difficult topic locally, and even among the GWA board there's been caution and concern about whether entirely limited licensing in the Gunnison Basin is actually what's best,” Shoemaker said during the meeting.

Managing elk populations in unlimited units can be a challenge for CPW. The wildlife agency never knows exactly how many hunters will purchase tags, and in turn has no control over how many bulls are killed in these areas. And even though unlimited license sales contribute millions to CPW’s budget each year, surveys show that hunters are growing more "dissatisfied" with their experiences in these units.

Colorado’s huntable areas are broken down into areas called “game management units,” (GMUs) and help residents and visitors decide where they’d like to hunt. The majority of Gunnison County is encompassed by GMUs 54, 55 and 551, which include portions of the Maroon Bells and West Elk wildernesses, Taylor Park and Monarch Pass.

Depending on the unit and season, hunting licenses are sold in two different ways: overthe-counter in an unlimited number, or through a limited, annual lottery system. Elk tags in Gunnison’s northern units are sold over-the-counter, while units in the southern portion of the county (66 and 67) are limited. For a limited unit, CPW typically sells a few hundred bull tags. In an over-the-counter unit, this number can rise into the thousands.

Statewide hunting regulations are determined by the Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commission,

which consists of citizens appointed by the governor. Mule deer, pronghorn and moose hunting license sales are already entirely limited, while it can vary for elk depending on the unit. Over-the-counter licenses are only available for bulls and not cows, since females ultimately control the size of a herd.

Hunter numbers have been a major driver of Colorado big game hunting regulations for many years. According to data from CPW, license numbers for the second and third rifle seasons have remained fairly stable over the past five years. But this could change. After the popularity of bow hunting went “through the roof” over the past couple of decades, CPW started to limit archery licenses for elk.

CPW Southwest Region Senior Wildlife Biologist Jamin Grigg said this may cause more hunters to instead seek permits during the rifle seasons.

Anybody that wants a license can get one in over-the-counter units, so they provide a lot of opportunity for those who just want to get out and hunt, Grigg said. But in these areas, hunters are more likely to encounter fellow humans than large bulls.

“There's more and more hunters coming in, and this is a bigger and bigger issue,” Grigg said during the meeting.

Roger Cesario, who sits on CPW’s Southwest Region Sportspersons Roundable, said he has noticed growth within the local hunting community as the county’s population incrementally rose. On top of this, the increasing demands of the recreation industry and development of the Western Slope mean wildlife managers need the ability to adapt policies to the “ever-changing landscape,” he said. Technology may also be part of the problem. Mapping platforms like Google Earth and onX Backcountry have made it easier for hunters to familiarize themselves with an area site unseen — meaning more people than ever are venturing into the woods in hopes of capturing a trophy bull each fall.

“Elk license sales have supported the state of Colorado and CPW as an agency for a number of years,” Cesario said. “It’s a limited resource with unlimited pressure … I don't think elk can continue to support this state in that manner perpetually.”

A question of opportunity

The hunting community remains split on the issue. In a 2023 big game survey issued to both resident and nonresident hunters in Gunnison’s northern units, roughly half said they wanted to hunt elk as “often as possible,” even if it meant fewer bulls. The other half said they preferred to have the opportunity to hunt larger, more mature animals, even if they hunted less often.

Early results from the GWA survey administered at the library show that Gunnison hunters favored limited elk licensing throughout the entire Gunnison Basin. Most desired “more precise management of populations” and “higher-quality hunting experiences.” But the respondents also acknowledged the drawbacks.

If elk tag sales are limited, some may lose the opportunity to hunt locally every year. It also has the potential to impact revenue, both for CPW which uses tag sales for conservation work, and for local businesses, who rely on hunters to fill their restaurants, hotels and shops each fall. The concept has already been tested in Gunnison County’s southern units, which overlap with Hinsdale County.

Seth Withrow, a hunting outfitter in Lake City, said cabins and restaurants that used to accommodate hundreds of hunters in the fall now close earlier in the season. But the lands outside of Lake City remain secluded and rich in elk, offering his clients a more “quality hunting experience,” he said.

Art Metcalf, who rents out cabins to hunters in northern Gunnison County, agreed that although the business impacts should be considered, even his guests have said “there’s just too many people.”

“Personally I'm invested enough in hunting that I'd rather see a cabin sit empty during those weeks than see the pattern of overcrowding continue,” Metcalf said.

(Bella Biondini can be contacted at 970.641.1414 or bella@gunnisontimes.com.)

Bull elk license sales in the northern portion of the Gunnison Basin remain unlimited during second and third rifle seasons. (Courtesy Wayne D. Lewis/Colorado Parks and Wildlife)

Planning Commission meeting, according to reporting in the Crested Butte News. Many expressed concern for the density of development, the visual character of the Hwy. 135 corridor and the pressure Starview might place on already-limited resources in Crested Butte and CB South.

“This project is not going to change our valley. This is going to allow for the opportunity of homeownership through increased inventory,” project representative Gary Hureski during the December meeting. Hureski is also a real estate agent with Sotheby’s International. “Are we going to solve the housing issues the valley faces? No. Are we going to help? Yes.”

The commission held several meetings on Staview over the last year, during which the design evolved. Starview is in the first of three phases of development with the county, or the “sketch plan,” which is conceptual and gives the commission and the public the chance to review the broad strokes of the project and make changes before the applicant spends tens of thousands on engineering plans.

When HGC first submitted an application in 2022, it proposed subdividing the parcel into 76 residential lots with no deedrestricted housing. In the last year, with input from the commission, HGC revised the plan to subdivide the land further, to now offer 84 single family lots, 40 multi-family units and 12 commercial units — some with residences above. The single

family homes will range from 1,600 to 2,500 square feet.

Starview includes a “higher density” area with 44 units, none of which will be permitted for short-term rentals. This is intended to keep the "investor" out, Hureski said. These units will range from 800 to 1,400 square feet. Half of the units will have a deed restriction for the local workforce, and the rest (without a restriction) will be smaller and more affordable than the rest of the homes. HGC is working with the Gunnison Valley Regional Housing Authority to fine-tune the deed restrictions.

Early proposals for these restrictions include setting aside units for the local workforce, or using income caps. So far, the proposed area median income (AMIs) ranges between 120-220% AMI. For a two-person household in Gunnison County, that is from just over $98,000 to around $180,000. Some criticized the AMIs in the meeting, claiming those ranges aren’t affordable for wage workers and young professionals.

County Commissioner Liz Smith reminded the room that the valley struggles to retain higher earning professionals, like doctors and lawyers, because they can’t afford to buy homes for their families. Hureski also pointed out that at the time of the December meeting, no single-family homes were for sale in CB South. The high-density is intended to provide some relief for the “missing middle,” he said.

The proposal includes berms for noise buffering for future residents and viewshed protection for highway drivers. Starview developers also plan to use light fixtures designed

to reduce nighttime light pollution. Members of the public, including the project’s neighbors in CB South, implored the commission to consider how Starview might change the “viewshed” that originally drew people to buy homes in the area.

Margaret Lorber and her family have owned a cabin adjacent to the Starview site since the late 50s. She said the family understands the need for affordable housing, but requested Starview be scaled down to preserve their cherished views of the Slate River Valley, composed of open elk range and ranchland.

“We're thinking that [scaling down] might not be a burden to the developer so we could continue to enjoy the peace and serenity of the surroundings,” Lorber told the commission. “We're now at the point where grandchildren and great grandchildren are involved.”

The county does not have guidelines controlling “viewsheds” or how far new development has to be set back from the highway in its land use code. The closest is the 2005 Gunnison County comprehensive corridor plan. But it is simply a guiding document, not an enforceable standard in the county’s codes, said Assistant County Manager for Community and Economic Development Cathie Pagano. The county is preparing to update the corridor plan in coming years, leading some to believe that Starview, if approved, will set a hard-line precedent for future developers.

“Whatever neighborhood context you prove here, you're going to see every single future developer demand that type

of density between CB South and Crested Butte,” said lawyer Aaron Huckstep on behalf of Hunter Family Real Estate Ltd, the parcel’s eastern neighbor.

Starview is surrounded by national forest, as well as nearby conservation easements held by the Crested Butte Land Trust. Former Land Trust board member Jim Starr added that, at the time, the board paid for those easements to preserve the unobstructed views.

HGC included a gas station in its plans to accommodate the future growth of the area, said project engineer Norman Whitehead. The gas station is located at the corner of the lot to minimize traffic through the subdivision. Still, CB South residents worried it would draw more traffic into the area and isn’t in line with the valley’s climate goals. Commission member Eric Phillips suggested HGC explore EV charging as an addition.

Over 50% percent of Starview will be set aside for open space, including some “pocket parks,” smaller parks no larger than a few lots, playgrounds, pavilions and trails. The development would be managed by its own homeowners association (HOA), which will dictate how the open space is used. The trail system in Starview does not offer access to the East River or connect the development to CB South. However, it could connect to the Crested Butte to Crested Butte South trail if it's ever built.

Rural Transportation Authority (RTA) and Colorado Department of Transportation officials have said they would like to see a roundabout at the intersection of Hwy. 135 and Cement Creek Road. That high-

way renovation project, and several others along Hwy. 135 — including one at the entrance to Whetstone — will be financed by the $15 million Gunnison County received from the federal government for road safety in late 2024.

Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) has requested HGC address impacts like increased use of nearby public lands, Codi Prior, CPW district wildlife manager, wrote in a July 2024 letter. Starview is also in the midst of an important elk migration corridor and more traffic on Hwy. 135 will result in habitat fragmentation and more wildlife-vehicle collisions, Prior wrote. For 35-year Gunnison resident Kevin Chedd, HGC has not sufficiently addressed wildlife concerns.

“I like to think we're ecologically conscious in this valley, but sometimes I think we just go after the mighty dollar,” Chedd said.

Limits of development

Many residents who showed up to the December meeting owned homes or land directly adjacent to the project. Some felt Starview would create competition for CB South rather than add amenities that benefit all. Resources are already stretched thin for the existing community, like years-long waitlists for daycare, traffic congestion and empty grocery stores running out of supplies, attendees stated.

“A soccer field is a quarter mile down the road. Unnecessary. A gas station? A quarter mile down the road. Unnecessary. A liquor store? A quarter mile down the road.

continued on A7

Unnecessary,” said Alpenglow Rentals owner and CB South resident Craig Geipel. “Do we really need Crested Butte South 2.0 or can we just add to what we already have?”

Starview intends to offer commercial lots that could be used for office, studio and retail spaces, but some worried this would harm existing business owners. Sean Hartigan, owner of Red Mountain Liquors in CB South, said a grocery or convenience store selling liquor would be devastating.

“This would kill me. This would definitely bury me,” Hartigan said. “Why in the world would you come into CB South for a beer if you can get one right off the highway?”

HGC’s commercial area pales in size compared to CB South’s, and is intended to be its companion, not a competitor, Hureski said. All the commercial spaces in Starview are less than 1,000 square feet, making them more suited for “startup” businesses, Whitehead said. And, HGC added the commercial aspect at the suggestion of the planning commission.

Almont Three Rivers Resort owner Mark Schumacher said he supports most aspects of the development as it will expand housing options in the valley on private dollars, but agreed the commercial lots were unnecessary.

“The people that we're losing in the county, it's not the seasonal workers that come in, service workers, not the ski bums. It's not those. It's the ones that you try to pay more money and keep them in your business. They get married, they have

families and then they want to buy a house … I think this development could serve that

“A gas station? A quarter mile down the road. Unnecessary. A liquor store? A quarter mile down the road. Unnecessary. Do we really need Crested Butte South 2.0 or can we just add to what we already have?”

Craig Geipel

CB South resident

purpose,” he said.

In a revised application submitted in 2024, HGC argued that the project is compatible with community character as it slots development next to CB South, avoiding “leapfrog development,” that creates the sprawl so many want to avoid. Commission member Fred Niederer explained that he suggested higher density in a previous meeting due to its proximity to water and wastewater services.

The developer is working with the Crested Butte South Metropolitan District for waste-

water treatment and water service, and plans to drill several new wells. Early water studies show there is enough water available, with surplus, to benefit CB South through redundancy, said HGC attorney Mike Dawson.

Patrick Wallace, an 18-year resident of CB South, urged the commission to consider waiting on an updated Hwy. 135 corridor plan, or a guaranteed roundabout, before approving the project. The Cement Creek Road intersection is already dangerous, and the county should have more clarity on how Starview might tie in with RTA before and after the roundabout, he said.

If the planning commission approves the sketch plan, HGC will move into the preliminary plan and submit traffic studies, detailed water and wastewater plans and more. The public can offer additional comments at the Feb. 6 meeting in the Gunnison County Courthouse.

“I appreciate the need for affordable housing, but this is not the place for that,” said Doug Duryea, a realtor in the county for over two decades. “This out-of-state development company needs to be environmentally and culturally sensitive to our valley. This isn't the land on which to make their millions.”

(Abby Harrison can be contacted at 970.641.1414 or abby@ gunnisontimes.com.)

The City Center

Your local government’s weekly community ad. Have questions? Call us at (970) 641-8080.

City Council Meetings gunnisonco gov/CouncilMeetings

2nd & 4th Tuesday of each month.

City Hall, 201 W. Virginia Ave., 5:30pm. Meetings typically last 2.5 hours, stay as long or as little as you like. All people and languages are welcome.

Agendas available online the Friday before meetings at gunnisonco.gov/CouncilMeetings

City Council Regular Session Meetings, 2025

January - 14 and 28

February - 11 and 25

March - 11 and 25

April - 8 and 22

May - 13 and 27

June - 10 and 24

July - 8 and 22

August - 12 and 26

September - 9 and 23

October - 14 and 28

November - To be scheduled due to the holiday calendar

December - 9 Note:

Bruce

‘Barometer’ Bartleson Special to the Times

The above title is the title of an interesting report sent out by Russ Schumacher, the Colorado state climatologist. What he is referring to is not so much that Gunnison is cold, we already know that. The recent month of December was exceptionally warm throughout Colorado, and we still stayed “stubbornly,” record-breakingly cold.

As Schumacher points out, for the majority of December, most of the state was 3-9 degrees warmer than average. For the week of December 15-21 “it’s even more stark: almost the entire state in a deep red of warmth, with Gunnison again in a cold purple.”

According to the official Gunnison County Electric Association weather station for the first 20 days of December we were 13 degrees colder than average. We didn’t get a day above freezing until Dec. 26. We’ve never had a December without a high above freezing before, and we set record lows on Nov. 30 and Dec. 1.

The long-term average high December temperature is 29.7 degrees, but this year it was 20.3 degrees. The long-term average temperature was 13.5 degrees, compared to this year’s 6.5 degrees. The coldest December we ever had was in 1928 with an average monthly temperature of 1.1 degrees. We had three days in a row of 45-below temperatures that year at Christmas.

Okay, why is Gunnison so cold, and why this year? First, this year is relatively easy to explain. We had this big dump of snow on the day before Thanksgiving. Reliable witnesses in town tell me it start-

ed snowing at 2 a.m. Then it snowed hard all day, accumulating to about 10 inches in most of town. Furthermore, there was enough snow to cover all the grass and low-lying vegetation throughout the area.

Albedo is the fraction of incoming solar energy that a surface reflects to the atmosphere and dissipates into space. Snow, of course, reflects a large part of that energy back to the atmosphere, whereas black surfaces ,like asphalt streets, absorb most of the energy and reflect very little. Grass reflects less than 20% of solar radiation, and hence warms the ground.

Worse, because we didn’t get melting, all we had was sublimation. This is the direct passage of snow from a solid state to the vapor state (which is very slow and inefficient), so we kept all this snow on the ground. It’s still mostly there and you get the idea.

But that isn’t the whole story. Our topography is such that Gunnison lies in an almost closed basin with four or five drainages coming in from the surrounding high mountains. This is sometimes called a “frost basin.” Taylor Park is a good example.

Since cold air is heavier than warm air, we get the gravity drainage of cold air, which then pools in the Gunnison Basin. For many years, a few other weather watchers and geeks, and I have speculated that because we also had a bottleneck just west of town in the narrow Gunnison Canyon, this is a major cause of the cold pool forming. But I’m not so sure anymore.

There are other places in Colorado and the Mountain West where we have a similar situation and they’re not as cold as Gunnison. Our neighbor to the east, Salida, has a very similar topographic setup at nearly the same elevation. It is practically in the tropics compared to

The departure from normal temperatures across Colorado during the week of December

Gunnison.

The impressive Arkansas canyon starts just east of Salida. Granted, only two major drainages come into town from the high mountains, but that should be sufficient to cool the place down.

Perhaps the difference lies in the fact that the Arkansas Valley is highly subject to strong winds from the Sawatch Range,

also found along the northern Front Range from Boulder to Ft. Collins. These winds stir things up and literally blow the cold air away. In conclusion, I’m not sure!

(Bruce Bartleson is a retired emeritus professor of geology at Western Colorado University. He spends most of his time now watching the weather.)

Carving it up at Cranor

Skiers and snowboarders sped downhill beneath snowy skies at the Cranor Ski Hill on Jan. 11. Others kicked up their feet and sipped hot drinks at the lodge. Cranor opened to the public on Jan. 3, and will remain open as long as the snowpack persists. Skiing is free on Wednesdays from 1-4 p.m. through Feb. 15, made possible by a sponsorship from the Crested Butte Snowsports Association. The tow lift is open Saturdays and Sundays from 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. for day- and season-pass holders.

to the bathrooms, while the master bedroom boasts its own oasis with a reading nook or small office space. The 2-car detached garage features 8-foot doors and 10-foot ceilings inside, providing ample space for your vehicles and storage needs. The extra space above the garage, accessible via exterior stairs, presents exciting opportunities. Whether you need additional storage or dream of an ADU (Accessory Dwelling Unit), the potential is yours to explore with City of Gunnison approval. Don’t miss the chance to make this new construction your forever home. Contact us now to schedule a viewing and witness the epitome of contemporary living!

TBD W Denver Ave. MLS# 816647 $599,000

Spectacular 2.5 acre level lot located in Gunnison’s new subdivision Elk Ranch. This parcel is located just outside City limits on the west side of town and seller has it set up to be built on immediately. Lot has a well permit already in place along with the required approval for well from the Upper Gunnison Water Conservancy District which can be transferred at closing. Buyer of lot may also pay for tap fees to hook into the City water and sewer main that will be extended north by City this fall. There is a shared road/driveway into the subdivision and it will be completed by this fall as well. Lot has been surveyed and a building envelope has been established for a single family residence but other dwellings such as barns/sheds etc. will be allowed. Come enjoy some country living with incredible views of mountains up Ohio Valley and the Palisades while being so close to town.

457 Ute Dr. (Arrowhead) MLS# 820145 $40,000 Beautiful, secluded 1 acre lot located on the north edge of the Arrowhead subdivision off of the main road. Bring your RV or plan to build your private mountain retreat on this sloped, nicely treed lot with plenty of wildflowers and wildlife to be seen. This subdivision is quaint community located on the Alpine Plateau Road and has quick access to the Arrowhead Lodge where you can enjoy food and drink on their outdoor patio along with occasional

Mt. Emmons milestones

High Country Conservation Advocates (HCCA) and the Crested Butte Museum invited the public to attend a “Red Lady Reveal” party on Jan. 10. The crowd perused a brand-new exhibit at the CB Museum depicting the nonprofit's 47-year campaign to protect Mt. Emmons from the threat of a large-scale mine. The exhibit features photographs and a timeline of the preservation effort.

Commissioners, new assessor sworn in

Alexandra Cohen was appointed as the next Gunnison County assessor at a special meeting on Jan. 14. Cohen has worked in the Assessor’s Office under former assessor Kristy McFarland since early 2011, and was promoted to deputy assessor of appraisal in 2023. Over the years, she’s worked through seven reappraisals and done multiple field inspections, sales verification, permit tracking, boundary line adjustments, abatements and property valuations. Jonathan Houck and Liz Smith were both sworn in for another term as a Gunnison County commissioner. Houck is serving his fourth term, and Smith her second. Houck yielded the board chair role to commissioner Laura Puckett Daniels, and re-appointed Smith as vice-chair. Smith will continue to represent the county at the state legislature.

(Courtesy Jonathan Houck)

(Courtesy High Country Conservation Advocates)

GUNNISON WATERSHED SCHOOL DISTRICT

See GWSD website for details gunnisonschools.net

Gunnison Watershed School District believes that students thrive when they are connected to something bigger than themselves. That’s why we create learning experiences that spark curiosity, helping students discover who they are and how to make a difference in the world around them. As they excel in academics, athletics and the arts, students find the confidence to pursue any opportunity in life. Our team is “Driven to be the Difference!”

HOURLY OPPORTUNITIES

Administrative Assistant to the Superintendent CBCS - Health Assistant CBES - Permanent Substitute

CBES - Half-time SPED Educational Assistant Bus Drivers Food Service

Substitute teachers

PROFESSIONAL OPPORTUNITIES

Director of Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment

Early Childhood Special Education- Child Find Coordinator SPED Teacher - GHS

Band Teacher - GHS and GMS

Social Studies Teacher - GHS

PE/Health Teacher - CBSS

COACHING

GHS - Assistant Girls’ Basketball Coach (C team)

GHS - Girls’ Diving/ Asst. Swimming coach

GHS - Head Football Coach

GHS - Cross Country Coach

CBHS - Assistant Track & Field coach

Please contact: Superintendent’s Office JoAnn Klingsmith 800 N. Boulevard 970-641-7760 jklingsmith@ gunnisonschools.net

or evenings and weekends. Resumes to be in a sealed envelope attention Sean. Drop off at Powerstop. PART-TIME EVENT MANAGER: Living Journeys, a local non-profit providing community cancer support, is seeking a part-time Event Manager to join our team. In this role, you’ll plan and execute meaningful events that help drive our mission forward and engage our community.

If you are organized, creative, and passionate about making a difference, we’d love to hear from you. Experience in event coordination, great communication and a knack for bringing people together are a must.

This flexible part-time position offers a competitive pay. To learn more, visit livingjourneys.org. To apply, please email your resume, cover letter, and three references to info@livingjourneys.org by January 30, 2025.

LITTLE RED SCHOOLHOUSE is hiring one more amazing teacher to complete our team!

Looking for someone who truly loves working with kids, is patient and kind, has a flexible schedule, is hardworking and reliable, and a team player! This position is part to full time and has some time with infants and toddlers and some time with 3-4 year olds. Come be a part of this rewarding career with awesome

GUNNISON COUNTY EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES

Patrol Deputy Sheriff: Full-Time, 40 hours/week, the annual salary range is from $72,397.26 to $102,405.83 plus full benefits.

Take home vehicle & uniform allowance provided by the Sheriff’s Office.

Detention Deputy

Sheriff: Full-Time, 40 hours/week, the annual salary range is from $65,056.55 to $92,022.40 plus full benefits.

Uniform allowance provided by the Sheriff’s Office.

Heavy Equipment Operator

Public Works: Full-Time, 40 hours/ week, hourly range from $23.60 to $31.69 plus full benefits.

Shop Technician

Public Works: Full-Time, 40 hours/ week, hourly range from $26.51 to $35.61 plus full benefits.

Public Trustee Specialist

Treasurer: 40 hours/week, hourly range is from $23.60 to $28.69, depending on experience, plus full benefits.

HR Coordinator

HR: 40 hours/week, hourly range is from $27.84 to $33.84, depending on experience, plus full benefits.

Bilingual Juvenile Case Manager

Juvenile Services: 40 hours/ week, hourly range is from $31.28 to $35.61, depending on experience, plus full benefits.

For more information, including complete job descriptions, required qualifications and application instructions, please visit GunnisonCounty.org/jobs.

GUNNISON VALLEY HEALTH IS HIRING:

Cook, Senior Care: FT - $18 - $22/hour DOE

Certified Nurse Aide, Senior Care: FT - Uncertified

$18.50 - $19.55/hour

EVS Tech/Housekeeper: FT - $18 - $20/hour DOE

Medical Assistantuncertified OR certified$18 - 24.40/hour DOE

Benefits Eligibility: Medical, dental, vision, health care FSA, and dependent care FSA: All active employees working 40 or more hours per pay period are eligible for benefits on the first of the month following date of hire. PRN staff are not initially eligible for benefits.

Please visit our website for more in-depth position descriptions, specific qualification requirements and to apply online at gunnisonvalleyhealth.org/careers or call HR for questions 970-6411456. (PRN = as needed). All offers of employment are contingent upon the successful completion of a negative 10 panel drug screen test, criminal background check, reference checks, infection prevention procedures (TB test, Flu Shot, immunization records, etc.), physical capacity profile and acknowledgement of policies.

pay, benefits and a stable year round full time job. Please submit resume via email to Jessica at lilredschoolhouse1@gmail.com

THE TOWN OF CRESTED BUTTE seeks applicants for a Planner I to join the Community Development team. The Planner I works closely with all the Community Development divisions, multiple Town departments, the Board of Zoning and Architectural Review (BOZAR), the Town Council, regional partners within the Gunnison Valley, and the Crested Butte Community. The Planner I assists/leads some smaller case review and processing of development applications to BOZAR. The Planner I assists in the development and amendment of long-range plans and regulations that guide the growth and development of Crested Butte. The Planner assists some case work for the housing division. The Planner I is a communication resource for the Community Development Department assisting crafting and distributing in public notices; creating and distributing the advertisement of community events; crats and distributes the Department’s new letters; other media to raise public awareness, and performs related work as assigned. This year-round position includes an excellent benefits package with 100% employer paid

WESTERN COLORADO UNIVERSITY

seeks applicants for a full-time Structural Trades I position.

Starting pay is $20.71 per hour. Western’s benefit package includes PERA retirement, insurance plans (with employer contributions to medical/dental/vision), employee and dependent tuition benefits, paid vacation, paid sick leave, and 11 paid holidays per year. Employees receive basic life insurance and disability insurance at no cost. Employee wellness programs and professional development trainings are available for free!

To view the full job announcement and apply, visit western.edu/jobs and click on “View Careers” (AA/EOE).

or implied. To place a bid please drop it by in person or mail to 417 S. 10th street

health, dental, vision, life insurance, and contribution to retirement plan after one year of employment. Starting salary is $61,000 to $85,406 annually, DOQ. Full job description is available on the Town’s website at www. townofcrestedbutte.com/jobs. Please submit application, cover letter, and resume via email to jobs@crestedbutte-co.gov. Position is open until filled. The Town of Crested Butte is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

SNOW SHOVELER NEEDED FOR THE WINTER SEASON: $24/hour, full time. Email office@prproperty.com or call 970349-6281. Valid driver’s license required.

WESTERN COLORADO UNIVERSITY seeks a Graduate Academic Records Specialist to handle tasks and projects supporting graduate student registration, enrollment, records management, and related academic processes and events. If you excel at managing complex information, ensuring accuracy, and working collaboratively to make a meaningful impact, this is your opportunity! Learn more and apply at www.Western.edu/jobs.

JUDICIAL CLERK 1: The Gunnison Combined Court is seeking applications to fill a 0.5 FTE (20 hours per week) position of a Judicial Clerk I. The position is responsible for technical clerical work in the processing of court cases and customer service. Applications shall be filed electronically. To apply go to coloradojudicial.gov the Careers/Career Opportunities tab and follow the instructions to apply for this position. Applications must be filed electronically on or before 1/16/2025.

THE TOWN OF CRESTED BUTTE seeks applicants for a Human Resources Technician to join the Finance & Administrative Services team. The HR Tech provides advanced office support to various Human Resources functions including, but not limited to the following specialized areas: recruitment, compensation, benefits administration, confidential data management and general administration; provides information and assistance to staff and the public; coordinates Human Resources related events and activities; provide clerical duties, as required, assists with projects and special assignments as requested by professional and management staff; and performs related work as assigned. This year-round position includes an excellent benefits package with 100% employer paid health, dental, vision, life insurance, and contribution to retirement plan after one year of employment. Starting salary is $29.33 – $35.19 per hour DOQ. Full range of pay grade extends to $41.06 per hour. Full job description is available on the Town’s website at www.townofcrestedbutte. com. Please submit application, cover letter, and resume via email to jobs@crestedbutteco.gov. Position is open until filled. The Town of Crested Butte is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

NOTICE

THE GUNNISON COUNTY FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT is selling a 2009 Chevy Silverado 1500. This vehicle was used for fire protection since its purchase in 2009. The vehicle currently has 103,390 miles and is on a salvage title in the district’s name. Seeking the best silent offer bid with

REAL ESTATE

campus and town. Nonsmoking, no parties, and no pets. All utilities included. $1,250 per month. Call 970-765-7786. Good references required.

MAIN STREET GUNNISON: 3BR/1BA W/D gas fireplace. Dogs allowed. $2,500. mtohomes@gmail.com. 235 N MAIN has artist spaces available off frontage street. 1 large, 2 smaller studios starting at $750. Liska 847-769-7800. OFFICE SPACE FOR RENT: 307 N Main Street, Gunnison, CO second floor office space, approximately 330 square feet, available January 15, 2025, $525/ month includes utilities (electric/garbage collection). Please call 970-642-4655 to request a viewing appointment.

Valley’s

Legals

NOTICE OF HEARING

BEFORE THE ENERGY AND CARBON MANAGEMENT COMMISSION OF THE STATE OF COLORADO

NOTICE OF HEARING

Gunnison Energy LLC (Operator No. 10515)

(“Applicant”) filed an Application with the Commission for a Rule 502.a Variance of Commission Rules 1003.b and 1004.a relating to the DGU Federal 1289 Location (Facility ID 324485), located in the belowdescribed lands (the “Application Lands”).

This Notice was sent to you because the Applicant believes you may be an interested party in the Application Lands.

APPLICATION LANDS

Township 12 South, Range 89 West, 6th P.M. Section 18: NE¼SE¼

DATE, TIME, AND LOCATION OF HEARING

(Subject to change)

The Commission will hold a hearing on the above-referenced docket number at the following date, time, and location:

Date: March 12, 2025

Time: 9 a.m.

Location: Virtual Hearing with Remote Access via Zoom

To participate, navigate to https://ecmc.state.

co.us/#/home and locate the Zoom meeting link on the left side of the webpage

Energy and Carbon Management Commission

1120 Lincoln Street, Suite 801 Denver, CO 80203

PETITIONS

DEADLINE FOR PETITIONS BY AFFECTED PERSONS: February 10, 2025

Any interested party who wishes to participate formally must file a written petition with the Commission no later than the deadline provided above. Please see Commission Rule 507 at https://ecmc. state.co.us/#/home, under “Regulation,” then select “Rules.” Please note that, under Commission Rule 510.l, the deadline for petitions may only be continued for good cause, even if the hearing is continued beyond the date that is stated above.

Pursuant to Commission Rule 507, if you do not file a proper petition, the Commission will not know that you wish to formally participate in this matter and the date and time of the hearing may change without additional notice to you. Parties wishing to file a petition must register online at https://oitco.hylandcloud. com/DNRCOGExternalAccess/Account/ Login.aspx and select “Request Access to Site.” Please refer to the ECMC “eFiling Users Guidebook” at https://ecmc.state. co.us/documents/reg/Hearings/External_ EfilingSystemGuidebook_2023_FINAL.pdf for more information. Under Commission Rule 508, if no petition is filed, the Application may be approved administratively without a formal hearing.

Any Affected Person who files a petition must be able to participate in a prehearing conference during the week of February 10, 2025, if a prehearing conference is requested by the Applicant or by any person who has filed a petition.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

For more information, you may review the Application, which was sent to you with this Notice. You may also contact the Applicant at the phone number or email address listed below.

In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, if any party requires special accommodations as a result of a disability for this hearing, please contact Margaret Humecki before the hearing at DNR_ ECMC_Hearings_Unit@state.co.us and arrangements will be made.

ENERGY AND CARBON MANAGEMENT

COMMISSION OF THE STATE OF COLORADO

/s/ By

Elias J. Thomas, Commission Secretary

Dated: January 7, 2025

Gunnison Energy LLC

c/o Attorneys for Applicant

Michael T. Jewell

Kristin Knetzer

Jewell Jimmerson Natural Resources Law

27905 Meadow Drive, Unit 11

Evergreen, CO 80439

303-519-6619

mjewell@jjnrlaw.com

kknetzer@jjnrlaw.com

Gunnison Country Times

Gunnison, Colorado

Publication date of January 9, 2025 15965

NOTICE OF INTENT TO DISPOSE

NOTICE OF INTENT TO DISPOSE:

To the following parties that have their personal property stored at Plotts Mini Storage, LLC, 312 W. Hwy 50, Gunnison, CO, 81230:

All property will be sold or disposed of, unless claimed and/or all rent and fees paid prior to January 20, 2025

Unit 114 - MATTHEW DIETMAN

Unit 324 - RITA SERRANO DIAZ

Gunnison Country Times Gunnison, Colorado Publication dates of January 9 and 16, 2025

15909

NOTICE OF NAME CHANGE

PUBLIC NOTICE OF PETITION FOR CHANGE OF NAME

Public Notice is given on December 30, 2024 that a Petition for a Change of Name of an Adult has been filed with the Gunnison Combined Court.

The Petition requests that the name of GRACELYN CASSIDY ROBERTS be changed to GRACELYN CASSIDY BURNETT

Joy Case Clerk of Court /s/ Joy Case

Gunnison Country Times

Gunnison, Colorado

Publication dates of January 9, 16 and 23, 2025

15925

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

Estate of David Klauser, Deceased, Case Number 24PR25

All persons having claims against the above named estate are required to present them to the personal representative or to District Court of Gunnison County on or before May 16, 2025, or the claims may be forever barred.

Markus Klauser PO Box 2252 Crested Butte CO 81224-2252

Gunnison Country Times Gunnison, Colorado Publication dates of January 16, 23 and 30, 2025

15944

PUBLIC NOTICE

MEETING NOTICE

Upper Gunnison River Water Conservancy District

Board of Directors Meeting Monday, January 27, 2025. 5:30 PM

The Board of Directors of the Upper Gunnison River Water Conservancy District (UGRWCD) will conduct a regular board meeting on Monday, January 27, 2025 at 5:30 PM at the UGRWCD Offices, 210 W. Spencer Ave., Suite A, Gunnison, CO 81230 and via Zoom video/teleconferencing. For questions or Zoom login information, please contact the District at (970)641-6065.

Gunnison Country Times Gunnison, Colorado Publication dates of January 9 and 16, 2025

15919

PUBLIC NOTICE

Saguache County Board of Commissioners Seeks Saguache County Planning Commission Members

Saguache County Board of Commissioners are seeking members and alternates from: Town of Saguache surrounding area –alternate La Garita/Center area – member and alternate Town of Center and surrounding area –alternate Cochetopa/Sargents area – alternate Moffat and surrounding area – alternate Hooper and surrounding area – member and alternate Villa Grove and surrounding area – alternate At Large for All of Saguache County –alternate Crestone and surrounding area – alternate The representative must be a property owner or property manager and reside in the area they are interested in representing. Regular member terms are for three years, and the alternate terms are for one year.

Saguache County Planning Commission meets on the last Thursday of each month in the Road and Bridge meeting room. The Planning Commission may also have work sessions throughout each month to work on the Saguache County Master Plan and different items.

Saguache County Planning Commission members and alternates are paid $100 for every regular meeting they attend, plus mileage reimbursement.

If you are interested, please send a brief letter of interest stating qualifications and interest to: Saguache County Land Use, Attn: Amber Wilson, PO Box 326, Saguache, CO 81149 prior to Friday, January 15th, 2025. All applicants will be interviewed by the Board of County Commissioners. Should you have any questions please call Amber Wilson a555t 719-655-2321.

Gunnison Country Times

Gunnison, Colorado Publication dates of December 26, 2024 and January 2, 9 and 16, 2025 15871

PUBLIC NOTICE

PUBLIC NOTICE STATE OF COLORADO

Colorado Inactive Mine Reclamation Program

The State of Colorado, Division of Reclamation, Mining and Safety (DRMS), Inactive Mine Reclamation Program (IMRP) is preparing to develop a project in Gunnison County. The Gold Creek Project site includes twelve mines that were identified as potentially hazardous. The mine features will be safeguarded by backfill, grates, corrugated steel pipe, rock bulkheads and polyurethane foam closures. Bat access will be provided to features showing potential for use by bats.

If you have any questions regarding this project contact Jeff Litteral, at DRMS, 1313 Sherman Street, Room 215, Denver, CO, 80203, 970-216-1330, by February 28, 2025.

The Colorado Inactive Mine Reclamation Program mitigates hazards and environmental problems associated with past mining activities. The program is funded by Federal grant money made available to the State of Colorado through the U.S. Department of Interior, Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement. Projects must meet eligibility requirements as outlined in the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 — Public Law 95-87.

Gunnison Country Times Gunnison, Colorado.

Publication date of January 16, 2025 15963

MEETING NOTICE

MEETING NOTICE

Upper Gunnison River Water Conservancy District WATER ACTIVITY ENTERPRISE MEETING

Monday, January 27, 2025, Immediately Following Regular Board Meet (approx. 7:45 PM)

The Board of Directors of the Upper Gunnison River Water Conservancy District (UGRWCD) will conduct a regular semi-annual meeting of the Water Activity Enterprise on Monday, January 27, 2025 at approximately 7:45 PM at the UGRWCD Offices, 210 W. Spencer Ave., Suite A, Gunnison, CO 81230 and via Zoom video/teleconferencing. This meeting will immediately follow the UGRWCD Board Meeting scheduled at 5:30 PM on Monday, January 27, 2025. For questions or Zoom login information, please contact the District at (970)641-6065.

Gunnison Country Times Gunnison, Colorado Publication dates of January 9 and 16, 2025 15920

NOTICE OF AUCTION

NOTICE OF AUCTION

This is to advise that household and personal property belonging to the following:

Jon De Epps unit 10

Chris Jakubauskas unit 23

Clark Foundation unit 106 Haley Shaffer unit 9 Brian Sutphin unit 109 at 410 Secure Storage located at 410 South 10th Street in Gunnison, CO; will be sold to the highest bidder at 410 Secure Storage on Friday, January 24th, 2025 at 10:00 AM to satisfy the owner’s lien for rent in accordance with Title 38. PROPERTY -REAL AND PERSONAL LIENS Article 21.5. SelfService Storage Facility Liens. All contents sold “as is” and by unit only. Seller neither warrants title to any items sold and does not make any express or implied warranties to any items sold. We reserve the right to refuse any and all bids.

Gunnison Country Times Gunnison, Colorado Publication dates of January 9 and 16, 2025 15913

REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL

NOTICE OF REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS FOR TRANSIT OPERATOR AND MAINTENANCE SERVICES PROVIDER IN GUNNISON COUNTY, COLORADO ISSUED BY THE GUNNISON VALLEY TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Gunnison Valley Transportation Authority (GVRTA) is issuing a Request for Proposals (RFP #2025-01). This RFP and related documents will be available at 8:30 AM on January 17, 2025.

Firms desirous of securing a copy of the RFP and bid package documents may do so by contacting Scott Truex at struex@ gunnisonvalleyrta.org or 970-275-0111. Responses are due on May 23, 2025 at 5:00 PM Mountain Time and responses must conform to and be responsive to the RFP.

This Request for Proposals is for a contractor to run all aspects (including vehicle maintenance) of GVRTA’s Commuter Bus service which provides a public transit system along the Highway 135 corridor using GVRTA vehicles between Gunnison and Mt. CB. The GVRTA operates 365 days each year and provides free (no fee) Commuter Bus transportation to the general public between the City of Gunnison and the towns of Crested Butte and Mt. Crested Butte. The approximately 32-mile one-way

trip loops through the City of Gunnison to pick up and drop off passengers and stops at the major intersections along Hwy 135 with a stop at the Crested Butte South (CB South) subdivision in both directions.

GVRTA will host a meeting intended to orient potential Proposers to the RFP and the GVRTA system. Participation in this RFP Overview and Question and Answer Session is strongly encouraged. This meeting will take place on Zoom on February 4, 2025 at 1:00 PM Mountain Time.

Questions regarding the RFP and documents are to be directed to Scott Truex struex@gunnisonvalleyrta.org

DATED THIS January 16, 2025

GUNNISON VALLEY TRANSPORATION AUTHORITY BY: Scott Truex, Executive Director struex@gunnisonvalleyrta.org or 970-2750111

Gunnison Country Times Gunnison, Colorado.

Publication dates of January 16 and 23, 2025 15977

www.gunnisontimes.com

Nordic at night

Dozens of Nordic skiers departed from the Gunnison County Library long after sunset for a moonlight ski around the VanTuyl trail. The athletes followed twinkling lights set out to illuminate the trail. After their excursion, the group returned to the library to warm up and enjoy refreshments. The Gunnison Nordic Club organized the event.

Faith Directory

Bethany Church

909 N Wisconsin St.

(behind Powerstop) • 970-641-2144

Two services at 9 a.m. and 10:30 a.m.

FREE lunch for college students following the 10:30 a.m. service gunnisonbethany.com

9 a.m.: Family Service with nursery & children’s church

Check out our website for updates! Or download our app on the App Store by searching, Gunnison Bethany.

B'nai Butte Jewish Congregation

PO Box 2537 Crested Butte, CO 81224 305-803-3648 bnaibutte@gmail.com

Serving the Jewish communities of Crested Butte, Gunnison and surrounging areas.

Spititual leader: Rabbi Mark Kula is available for you at RabbiMarkKula@gmail.com bnaibutte.org

New Song Christian Fellowship

77 Ute Lane • 970-641-5034

A Christ Centered Gospel Sharing Community where we want to be part of a community who encourage and support one another in our spiritual journey.

Sunday 10 a.m. / Wednesday 7 p.m. newsonggunnison.net

Community Church of Gunnison

107 N. Iowa • 970-641- 0925

Pastor Larry Nelson

Sunday Morning Worship 9:30 a.m.

Weekend Services 9:30 a.m.

Nursery & Age-Graded Ministry

Weekly Student Ministry

Weekly Adult LifeGroups

Office Hours: Mon-Thurs, 9-4

For more info: ccgunnison.com or email info@ccgunnison.com

Join us in-person, listen to our broadcast on 98.3 FM, or view online stream on YouTube

Transforming Lives • Building Community

First Baptist Church

120 N. Pine St. • 970-641-2240

Pastor Jonathan Jones

SUNDAY

Sunday School at 10 a.m.

Sunday Morning Worship at 11 a.m.

Sunday Evening Service at 6 p.m. (during school year) WEDNESDAY (during school year)

Truth Trackers Kids Club at 6:30 p.m.

Youth Group for Teens at 7:30 p.m. firstbaptistgunnison.org.

Gunnison

Congregational Church

United Church of Christ

317 N. Main St. • 970-641-3203

Open and Affirming Whole Earth · Just Peace Sunday, 10 a.m. Casual, Relaxed, “Come As You Are” Worship gunnisonucc.org

Trinity Baptist Church

523 N. Pine St. • 970-641-1813

Senior Pastor - Joe Ricks Sunday Service 9:30 a.m. Adult Bible Study 8 a.m. trinitybaptistsgunnison.com

Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church

711 N. Main • 970-641-1860

Senior Pastor Robert Carabotta Assoc. Pastor Jacob With Childrens Sunday School – Sunday 9 a.m.

Adult Sunday School – Sunday 9 a.m.

Divine Service of the Word – Sunday 10 a.m.

St. Peter’s Catholic Church

300 N. Wisconsin • 970-641-0808 Fr. Andres Ayala-Santiago gunnisoncatholic.org crestedbuttecatholic.org or call the Parish Office.

St. Peter’s - Gunnison Sat 5 p.m. & Sun 10:30 a.m., 12 p.m. (Spanish) Mass First Sunday of every month bilingual Mass 11 a.m.

Queen of All Saints - Crested Butte, 401 Sopris Sun 8:30 a.m. Mass St. Rose of Lima - Lake City Communion Service, Sun. at 10 a.m.

The Good Samaritan Episcopal Church

307 W. Virginia Ave. • 970-641-0429

Rev. Laura Osborne, Vicar First Sunday of each month –11 a.m. Holy Eucharist, Rite II Alternating at Good Samaritan and All Saints in the Mountains

Check our websites for location Second Sunday-Fifth Sunday –9 a.m. Holy Eucharist, Rite II

Children’s Sunday school –2nd and 4th Sundays, monthly Office hours: M-TH 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. Taize – 1st Wednesday, monthly - 7 p.m. goodsamaritangunnison.org

Visit our partnership church: All Saints in the Mountains, Crested Butte Meeting Second-Fifth Sundays at 5 p.m., Holy Eucharist, Rite II

403 Maroon Ave, Crested Butte Visit our website for location of 11 a.m. Holy Eucharist, First Sunday of each month allsaintsinthemountains.org

Church in the Barn 8007 County Road 887 Waunita Hot Springs Ranch • 970-641-8741 Sundays, 10:30 a.m. Non Denominational Come as you are.

Church of Christ

600 E. Virginia • 970-641-1588

Sunday Morning Bible Class: 9:30 a.m.

Sunday Morning Worship: 10:30 a.m.

Sunday Evening Worship: 6 p.m.

Wednesday Night Bible Class: 7 p.m.

(Photos by Mariel Wiley)

Lights & Sirens

GUNNISON COUNTY SHERIFF’S REPORT

JANUARY 6

JANUARY 7

- Information report- stolen vehicle license plates - Criminal mischief report - theft

JANUARY 8

FIRST DEGREE - VEHICLE — 600 N. COLORADO ST.

JANUARY 7

ANIMAL: RUNNING AT LARGE IN PUBLIC — 222 S. 7TH ST. HARASSMENT: REPEATED COMMUNICATIONS — 417 PAINT-

BRUSH AVE.

FRAUD — N. BOULEVARD ST.

ACCIDENT - HIT & RUN — 900 N. MAIN ST. CIVIL PROBLEM — 910 W. BIDWELL AVE.

TRAFFIC - DISPLAYED EXPIRED NUMBER PLATES — W. RIO GRANDE

JANUARY 8

THEFT: INTENDS TO PERMANENTLY DEPRIVE — 708 N. WISCONSIN ST.

PROPERTY - FOUND — 100 N. COLORADO ST.

ACCIDENT - HIT & RUN — 880 N. MAIN ST.

JANUARY 9

FORGERY — N. MAIN ST.

HARASSMENT: STRIKE SHOVE, KICK — W. NEW YORK AVE.

TRAFFIC - NPOI — 100 S. SPRUCE

ST.

ACCIDENT — 601 N. TAYLOR ST.

ADMIN - UNASSIGNED INCIDENT — 601 N. TAYLOR ST.

ASSAULT: SECOND DEGREESTRANGULATION

- Information report – relinquished firearm

- Warrant arrest – out of county

JANUARY 9

- Agency assist report to colorado state patrol – vehicle crash

- Information report – paper service

- Information report – harassment

- Information report – fraud

- Information report – civil standby

- Agency assist report to Colorado state patrol – cover officer

JANUARY 10

- Information report – direct sentence

- Agency assist report to Loveland police department – warrant - Warrant arrest – in county

- Warrant arrest – in county

JANUARY 11

- Agency assist report to colorado state patrol – vehicle crash

- Information report – welfare check

JANUARY 12

- Information report – suicidal subject

JANUARY 13

- Possible domestic violence report

Development

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HOW TO TRAIN YOUR

Behind the scenes at the Jorgensen Ice Rink

Alex McCrindle Times Sports Editor

The Crested Butte Titans hockey team marched into the Jorgensen Ice Rink locker room on Friday, Jan. 10 after a two-goal second period. The merriment continued into intermission, as children, fueled by hot chocolate and ramen cups, awaited the arrival of the Zamboni.

Like a scene from Gladiator, the Coliseum-like garage door creaked open. But instead of revealing man-eating tigers, an ice-resurfacing machine, more commonly known as a Zamboni, rolled out onto the

rink. High school students and children pressed hands against the glass, hoping for a coveted fistbump from the driver.

Seated high in the saddle was Zamboni driver and skating coach Katelynn DeGroot. She pushed a button and the machine let out a bellowing honk to the youthful cheers. By now, the Zamboni had transformed the churned up sea of ice into a pristine, glassy sheet. The stage was set for three more Titan goals, and a 5-2 home victory.

DeGroot and other Jorgensen Zamboni drivers spend the majority of their time out of the limelight, fixing cracks and keeping up with hectic skate schedules. But on rare occasions, the drivers take center stage, and clean the ice to the hoots of high school kids or rowdy college crowds. It is all part of keeping skaters

of all ages occupied throughout the frigid months.

A Zamboni works by scraping and removing a thin layer of ice with a blade. An auger spins and collects the snow in the body of the machine, while cold water flushes the ice clean of debris. Then, like a massive squeegee, the machine’s “conditioner” spreads a thin layer of warm water that refreezes into a smooth surface. Once full of slush, a Zamboni opens like a dump truck, and disposes the waste water into a large trough.

“I’ve made it a point to learn everything that encompasses the sport of skating,” DeGroot said. “I’ve been driving Zambonis off-and-on for five years now, but it’s still really cool to me. I hope it never loses that appeal.”

Despite the childhood

2025 HOMES AND GARDENS is

Katelynn DeGroot takes the “Zam” for a spin before the Titans game. (Photos by Mariel Wiley)

Driver Isaac Rosasco coils a hose in a hidden garage.

Zamboni B2

Zamboni

whimsy attached to an iceskating tractor, the Zamboni’s inner workings are surprisingly complex. Jorgensen driver Issac Rosasco said there are correct, and incorrect ways to operate one. Each driver at Jorgensen undergoes roughly 24 hours of behind-the-wheel training before being granted independence — almost entirely because of the risk of botching a rink.

“I’ve been driving Zambonis off-andon for five years now, but it’s still really cool to me. I hope it never loses that appeal.”

Katelyn DeGroot

Zamboni driver

If the machine overfills with slush, the augers will jam and forcefully shut down the machine. Drivers run the risk of stranding themselves, mid-rink, on a broken-down Zamboni and leaving scattered snow piles in their wake. Additionally, if the metal blade is held onto the ice for too long, it will burrow into the rink and freeze, locking the machine into the ice and cutting deep trench marks.

Even still, the Zamboni seemed to reach out and choose

DeGroot, ushering her into its veil of mystery. Growing up in Iowa as a self-proclaimed “rink rat,” DeGroot dedicated her early years to figure skating. At 14, she started teaching lessons, renting skates and sharpening blades at her local rink.

When management changed, she informed her new boss, “I do everything around here except drive the Zamboni,” to which the new manager coyly replied, “For now.” DeGroot has been at the helm of the machine ever since, and continued driving after she moved to Gunnison two years ago.

Outside of the Zamboni drivers, Jorgensen Facility Manager Andy Eflin and his maintenance crew weather freezing temperatures to make repairs and service equipment. The indoor rink at Jorgensen incorporates a refrigeration system in the concrete underneath the ice. However, the outdoor rink, often used for competitive hockey matches, is completely reliant on outdoor temperatures.

The outdoor ice warms in the day, and freezes at night, causing minor “explosions” as the ice expands and contracts. Eflin and his team dedicate hours to filling the imperfections before hockey practices each evening.

After the high school students filtered out of Jorgensen on Friday night, Eflin, DeGroot and the staff mentally prepared for a hectic tournament weekend. U10 hockey teams from across the state flooded in, and played on both indoor and outdoor rinks. The Zambonis would be making their laps all weekend long.

(Alex McCrindle can be contacted at 970.641.1414 or alex@ gunnisontimes.com.)

The resurfaced ice glistens after a pass from the Zamboni.

DeGroot checks the Zamboni’s conditioner before the pregame lap. The hockey goals are moved out onto the ice after resurfacing.

The machines board brush helps clean cracks and imperfections in the ice.

2025 calving clinic

The Gunnison County CSU Extension Office is excited to announce the 2025 calving clinic, a hands-on, informative event designed to equip ranchers and livestock caretakers with essential knowledge and practical skills for a successful calving season.

This full-day event will take place on Feb. 3 at the Gunnison County Public Library from 8:30 a.m.-3 p.m.

Gunnison Valley Journal

On Jan. 16, there will be readings and music from the Gunnison Valley Journal at the Gunnison Arts Center. Doors open, bar available and powerpoint of all of the photography and art begins at 5:15 p.m., readings and music 5:45. This is a free event.

2025 Borealis Fat Bike Worlds

The Borealis Fat Bike Worlds are set to return to Crested Butte from Jan. 24 to 26 for the

GUNNISON ARTS CENTER BRIEFS

Baking Series: white chocolate cranberry tarts

Join us Jan. 24 from 5:30-8:30 p.m. for a baking class with Ashley Dennis learning how to make white chocolate cranberry tarts! Perfect for ages 8+.

Boss Ross

Join us Jan. 25 from 6-9 p.m to unleash your inner artist in our Boss Ross painting class led by the talented Sarah Sharsmith. In this beginner-friendly session, you'll learn how to create a serene winter landscape inspired by the iconic techniques of Bob Ross. Ages 8+

CB CENTER FOR THE ARTS BRIEFS

Wine Seminar: sparkling winemaking techniques

As part of our extended programming from the Crested Butte Wine + Food Festival, we’re bringing a fun twist to gathering at the Center for the Arts on Jan. 16 from 6-8 p.m. Learn how sparkling wines are crafted in this engaging class. We’ll explore the different methods used to create bubbles, from traditional to modern approaches, while discussing regions, styles, and flavor profiles. Enjoy lively conversations on what sets sparkling wines apart, and of course, a tasting to compare techniques—because one glass is never enough to appreciate the magic of sparkling wine! The cost is $50 to attend.

Après Jazz: Domi Edson Trio

Cap off a great day on the slopes or join us after work on Jan. 21 at 5 p.m. for some casual jazz in the Kinder-Padon Gallery at the Center for the Arts! On January 21, we’re excited to welcome the Domi Edson Trio, a Denver-based piano trio focused on catchy melodies, infectious swing, and joyful ensemble interplay. This is a free event.

Workshop series: grantwriting

The Crested Butte Creative District is excited to present our first CB Creates Workshop on Jan. 22 from 5:30-6:30 p.m.

Maryo Ewell, former executive director of the Gunnison Art Center and former member of multiple state and local granting organizations will share her experience with grantwriting to help creative professionals understand how to fund their projects using grants. This free, hour-long class is designed for anyone who is trying to make a living as a creative professional in the Gunnison Valley.

Beer dinner: Bruhaus + Irwin Brewing

Join the CB Wine + Food Festival and Bruhaus on Jan. 25 from 6-9 p.m. for a lively beer dinner featuring Irwin Brewing Co. Enjoy a thoughtfully crafted prix fixe menu, each course perfectly paired with Irwin Brewing’s distinctive beers. It’s a deliciously fun evening celebrating creative flavors and local craft brewing at its finest! The cost is $95.

10th anniversary. This celebration, themed "Return to the Roots," promises a weekend filled with competitive racing, social gatherings and live entertainment. Registration for Fat Bike Worlds is $165, which includes race registration; welcome party on Friday, awards party and concert on Saturday, group ride on Sunday and a swag bag for the first 250 registrants. Schedules, course information, lodging options and registration can be found on the Fat Bike Worlds website.

The Clay Lab: wheel work

Join Kit Wijkowski for 3 weeks from Jan. 30-Feb. 13 at 4-5:15 p.m. for a hands-on pottery adventure! Kids will learn the basics of wheel throwing, including centering, shaping and creating unique pieces to take home. Ages 7+

Ten Years Gone

Join us as CBMBA & the Center present Ten Years Gone in celebration of the Fat Bike World Championship on Jan. 25. Ten Years Gone is a Denverbased tribute band that brings the iconic sound and electrifying energy of Led Zeppelin to life. With meticulous attention to detail and a passion for rock ‘n’ roll, they deliver unforgettable performances that honor the legendary band’s legacy. The doors open at 6 p.m. the awards are at 7 p.m. and the show starts at 8 p.m. The cost is $30.

The Heart of Bukaty

American Artist John Bukaty shares his story about moving through his failures to follow his dreams on Jan. 29 starting at 6:30 p.m. John presents a moving visual story of overcoming trauma, recovering spirit and serving art told through multimedia and live painting. Generously underwritten by the Blake Hawk Family and Gunnison Valley Health Foundation. Donations accepted.

Cowboy basketball fends off Bruins

Richter, Anderson propel GHS past league rivals

Alex McCrindle Times Sports Editor

The GHS boys basketball team dazzled the home crowd with a gritty league win against Cedaredge on Jan. 10.

Crucial baskets from seniors Tyler Richter and Wolfgang Anderson fought off a late Bruins comeback to secure the 63-59 Cowboy win. The victory moved GHS to a 5-4 overall record, which maintained a 4-0 start in the 3A Western Slope League.

“It all came down to our chemistry,” Anderson said. “It’s a game of runs, but we were

Western victorious in defensive battle

Schmidt leads Mountaineer basketball from the paint

Gregg Petcoff Special to the Times

Despite being held below their season scoring average, the Western women’s basketball team clawed out a 52-49 Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC) over New Mexico Highlights at home on Jan. 11. The victory stretched the team’s conference win streak to four games.

The Mountaineers entered the game with an average of 64.3 points per game, while the Cowgirls set a rate of 67.5 per game. Neither team reached those figures, in part due to a very cold night for the longrange shooters. Western went 0-for-10 from behind the arc, while Highlands hit just 2 of 14.

Ivey Schmidt led the way for Western with a game-high 20 points. Western held the lead for the majority of the game after a Jayda Maves driving layup in the first quarter lifted the Mountaineers in front, 6-4. Western carried the lead into the halftime break, ahead 25-24.

Highlands came out of the break and grasped the lead with the first 5 points of the third quarter. Consecutive layups from Rachel Cockman and Schmidt drew Western within a point. After a Cowgirl jumper, Schmidt scored 4 to give the team a 35-32 lead.

The Cowgirls battled back from a 9-point deficit halfway through the fourth to take the lead at 49-48 with a minute to play. But Natalie Jojola and Schmidt each dropped pairs of free throw attempts in the final 30 seconds.

Highlands had one last opportunity at the buzzer from a long 3-point attempt by Kapiolani Anitielu. But the shot was off the mark and preserved the win for Western.

Western put its RMAC win streak on the line with a home matchup against Colorado Mesa University on Jan. 14. Scores were not available by press time.

(Gregg Petcoff is the assistant athletics director for communications at Western Colorado University and can be reached at gpetcoff@western.edu.)

Ivey Schmidt charges into the key. (Courtesy Ethan VanMeter/Western Colorado University)

Basketball B6 Tyler Richter celebrates a key bucket. (Photos by Evan Bjornstad)

Cowboy wrestlers star on home turf

The GHS boys and girls wrestling squads defended their home mats at the Gunnison Cowboy Invite at Western Colorado University on Jan. 11. Damyon Funk, Cody Casebolt and Zach Benson led the way for the boys squad on Saturday. The three took first place in the 113, 126 and 132-lbs divisions. Senior Brock Fry came up short in the 132-lbs championship bout to finish second to his Montrose opponent. Freshman Lincoln Hemmert completed an impressive third-place run in the 106-lbs bracket. On the girls front, Roxie Uhrig, Evelyne Cope and Isabelle Crown each finished second, while Brynn Anderson took fifth. The Gunnison grapplers will return to the GHS gymnasium for a home duel against North Fork on Jan. 23 at 6 p.m.

THE CITY OF GUNNISON HAS ARRANGED FOR CHRISTMAS

TREES to be picked up for its refuse customers on Jan. 3, 10 and 24. Please remove all decorations, lights, nails, and place the tree near your normal refuse pick-up area. City refuse customers and Gunnison County residents, may also take trees to the City Tree Dump (137 County Rd. 51) and set them on the left side of the gate.

Please do not block the gate.

JAN. 3RD, 10TH AND 24TH

Isabella Crown completes an escape.

Jose Pelayo eyes down his opponent. (Photos by Mariel Wiley)

able to form together as brothers, stop their runs and take advantage.”

Heading into the rivalry Cedaredge sat 1-5, hungry for its first league win of the season. The Cowboys returned to the court after a lengthy holiday break, but started right where they left off. Early buckets from Burk O’Rourke, Jackson Dalleck and Anderson, alongside an electric defensive pace gave the Cowboys an early advantage. Still, the Bruins proved to be a tough match, and held a 13-12 lead after the first quarter.

“It all came down to our chemistry. It’s a game of runs, but we were able to form together as brothers, stop their runs and take advantage.”

Wolfgang Anderson GHS senior

Anderson’s team-high 20 points led from the front throughout the second period. The senior was instrumental on both ends of the court, and helped the Cowboys surge ahead by double digits. The Cowboys entered the locker room leading 38-26.

The Cowboy attack cooled in the third quarter, and allowed the Bruins to gain a foothold. Cedaredge outscored the

Cowboys by 9 points out of the locker room, forcing a neckand-neck contest into the fourth.

But then Richter stepped up when his team needed him the most. The senior was clinical under the rim, and sank a number of crucial jumpers to keep the Cowboys ahead. Richter finished the night with 15 points, and went 3-for-4 at the free throw line in the dying minutes. With one score separating the sides, a late traveling call against the Bruins gave GHS a final possession. It ended 63-59 for the Cowboys.

“These guys did not let each other fail,” said Head Coach Cristian Aguilar. “It’s that brotherhood piece. We push each other, and make each other better for moments like this. We are a dangerous team, and I’ve always preached that we can do some damage in this league. Our guys now believe that.”

The resilient win propelled the boys into another hotly contested matchup against Olathe on Jan. 11. In similar fashion, GHS edged out the Pirates by a slim margin, moving the team’s winning streak to three. O’Rourke led with 27 points, with 6 coming from behind the arc. The Cowboys will next host Meeker at home on Jan. 18 at 4 p.m.

(Alex McCrindle can be contacted at 970.641.1414 or alex@ gunnisontimes.com.)

Gunnison soccer heats up the desert

A handful of Gunnison footballers traded in their puffy jackets for T-shirts at the Olympic Development Program (ODP) Far West 2025 soccer tournament in Phoenix, Arizona on Jan. 4 and 5. Colorado Mountain Select club players Rio Drendel, David Coop, Jane Barvinski, Zavier Drendel, Eli Coop and Cesar Marmolejo represented Gunnison across five separate teams. Zavier Drendel and Eli Coop of the 2009 boys team, and David Coop of the 2011 boys team finished second.

Wolfgang Anderson rises above the Cedaredge defense.

Zavier Drendel and Eli Coop of the Colorado Mountain Select 2009 team display their second-place medals. (Courtesy Beth Coop)

David Coop and the Colorado Mountain Select 2011 team celebrate second place.

¿Qué enfrenta la comunidad inmigrante con el regreso de Donald Trump?

La comunidad se mantiene unida y con esperanza

Laura Cardozo Special to the Times

Faltando contados días para la toma de posesión del presidente, Donald Trump, quien regresa al poder este enero de 2025 hasta enero de 2029. Aumenta la incertidumbre en la comunidad inmigrante, frente a la promesa de Trump de realizar deportaciones masivas y endurecer las políticas migratorias.

En respuesta al sentir de la ciudadanía, desde el proyecto,

Juntos Por Gunnison, liderado por Marketa Zubkova, en compañía de diferentes organizaciones locales de inmigrantes y derechos humanos. Se han desarrollado diferentes reuniones para escuchar a la comunidad y realizar talleres de conocimiento y apropiación de los derechos civiles amparados en la constitución de Estados Unidos.

Marketa, ha recibido diferentes distinciones por parte de la ciudad en las que se exalta su contribución y esfuerzo para que cada persona pueda hacer de Gunnison su hogar, en un entorno diverso y equitativo.

"Apoyo a la comunidad porque vengo de otro país, mi experiencia personal me permite identificarme con la expe-

riencia de otras personas que han emigrado de otros países. Expresó Marketa, quien es original de República Checa, pero reside en Gunnison hace un poco más de dos décadas.

Le preguntamos a qué se enfrenta la comunidad inmigrante cuando Trump regrese a la Casa Blanca. Su respuesta fue corta y clara, "no sabemos qué va a pasar".

De acuerdo a la opinión de la líder social, se han publicado tantas noticias en contra de la comunidad inmigrante a tal punto de generar preocupación y miedo. Dice que el discurso de Donald Trump, deja espacio para interpretar que los derechos humanos y la justicia social están en riesgo. Frente a esto dice Marketa, "Lo mejor

será prepararnos muy bien".

En este sentido durante los dos últimos meses, diferentes organizaciones locales se han unido para realizar sesiones comunitarias en las que se ha enseñado a los asistentes cómo realizar planes de emergencias en los que sus derechos se puedan ver vulnerados.

Según Marketa, "La comunidad está muy asustada, no solo hay preocupación por parte de quienes no tienen un estatus legal definido. He escuchado a personas que temen perder su permiso de trabajo y personas que ya son residentes, pero no tienen certeza de lo que pueda pasar con la nueva administración".

"La comunidad se siente afectada, aunque no ha pasado

nada". Comentó Marketa, al tiempo que resaltó cómo inmigrantes y anglohablantes han demostrado interés en educarse sobre temas de inmigración, para ayudar a mitigar el temor que ha generado la retórica antiinmigrante del gobierno entrante.

Se espera que en las próximas reuniones se pueda lograr la colaboración de abogados de inmigración que permitan despejar las inquietudes de la comunidad.

"La conexión entre nuestros ciudadanos, genera esperanza". Concluyó la representante del proyecto, Juntos Por Gunnison.

(Laura Cardozo es una escritora independiente que vive en Gunnison Valley.

What is the immigrant community facing with Donald Trump's return?

The community stays together and hopeful

Laura Cardozo Special to the Times

With just a few days left until the inauguration of President Donald Trump, who returns to office this January 2025 until 2029, uncertainty is increasing in the immigrant community, in the face of Trump's promise to carry out mass deportations and tighten immigration policies. In response to feelings of the community members, the

Juntos Por Gunnison project, led by Marketa Zubkova, along with other local immigrant and human rights organizations, have held different meetings to listen to the community and hold workshops on civil rights protected by the United States Constitution.

Marketa has been recognized by the city for her contribution and effort toward ensuring that each person can make Gunnison their home, in a diverse and equitable environment.

"I support the community. Because I come from another country, my personal experience allows me to identify with the experience of other people who have emigrated from other

countries," said Marketa, who is originally from the Czech Republic, but has lived in Gunnison for a little over two decades.

On the subject of what the immigrant community faces when Trump returns to the White House, her answer was short and clear: "We don't know what will happen."

She believes many news stories have been published against the immigrant community, to the point of generating concern and fear. Donald Trump's statements leave room to conclude that human rights and social justice are at risk, she said.

"The best thing will be to prepare ourselves very well," she

said.

In this sense, during the last two months, a number of local organizations have joined together to hold community sessions in which attendees have been taught how to make emergency plans in case their rights may be violated.

According to Marketa, "The community is very scared. Not only are those who do not have a defined legal status concerned, I have heard of people who are afraid of losing their work permit and people who are already residents, but are not sure what might happen with the new administration."

"The community feels affected, even though nothing has

2025 puede ser tu año para comprar o vender casa en Gunnison!

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happened," she said, noting how immigrants and English speakers have shown interest in educating themselves on immigration issues, to help mitigate the fear generated by the anti-immigrant rhetoric of the incoming government.

It is hoped that in the next meetings, immigration lawyers can help clear up the concerns of the community.

"The connection between our citizens generates hope," Marketa said.

(Laura Cardozo is a freelance writer based in the Gunnison Valley.)

(Photos by Mariel Wiley)