GVP works to keep project viable
Abby Harrison Times Staff Writer
All those who put money into Gunnison Rising had a chance to meet in bankruptcy court at the start of the month to question owners about the
OPINION: Is there a mental health crisis in the ag community?, A4
COMMUNITY: Halloween costumes through the ages, B1
SPORTS: GHS softball falls in heartbreaker, B6
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Bella Biondini Times Editor
Reduced spring snow and rain falling in the West explain years of missing water in the Colorado River Basin, according to new research with a genesis in the East River corridor above Crested Butte.
Generating water supply forecasts is a tricky task. The local water district has put a great deal of energy and money toward annual snow survey flights in the valley’s major drainages — an effort to create a more accurate picture of exactly how much water will be
available when the snow melts. Understanding how spring precipitation influences runoff later in the year may also help reduce forecast errors. For example, if it’s dry in May, the landscape not only lacks moisture from the sky, but may also see less snowmelt enter the river system later in the year.
“The difference is you need to update the prediction more dramatically than you would think from the precipitation alone,” said Jessica Lundquist, one of the lead scientists on study. She is based at the University of Washington.
The Upper Colorado River Basin, where the Gunnison Valley is located, produces approximately 90% of the water that flows through the Colorado River — a resource that more than 40 million people rely on for drinking water, hydropower, recreation and development. Much of this water originates
high in the Rocky Mountains as snowfall, which then melts in the springtime and refills the reservoirs and rivers downstream.
“It’s [water] on a journey from the snowpack into the soil and plants and back into the atmosphere.”
Ian Breckheimer RMBL scientist
Winter snowpack levels have the largest influence on water supply forecasts, used to guide
reservoir operations and manage irrigation for the upcoming year. But it is not uncommon for forecasts to be inaccurate, especially in the spring, when weather is variable. For example, the average margin of error at Taylor Reservoir in May is 14%. This is the equivalent of 11,000 acre-feet of water (an acre-foot of water is the amount of water it takes to cover an acre of land one foot deep). At Blue Mesa Reservoir, in some years, the error has been up to a fourth of its volume, nearly a quarter million acre-feet.
“If you take the error in each one of those reservoirs and add it up, that's a lot, I think, within one state, or one West Slope community,” said Sonja Chavez, general manager at the Upper Gunnison River Water Conservancy District.
To add to water supply forecast errors, during periods of drought, the amount of water
“I’ve always loved artists who have worked at this huge scale… it creates a space for us to change how we think and how we want to be.”
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Paige Stewart, artist
October and November are full of seasons: leaf peeping, pumpkin spice, football, hunting and for many organizations, including the City of Gunnison, budget season. The City’s budget, like your own household, determines where the City will invest its resources for the coming year. The development of the budget is directed by Council’s adopted Strategic Framework (May 2024). The Strategic Framework outlines the City’s aspiration, purpose, and values and identifies imperatives and associated actions that guide the organization through all its work, budget, and resource allocation.
The public forum for the selection of a new Gunnison police chief, scheduled for tonight, Thursday Oct. 24, has been canceled. Two days prior, one of the finalists, James Lewis, withdrew “due to personal matters beyond his control,” City Manager Amanda Wilson told the Times in an email.
“To ensure a thorough process, we have canceled tomorrow’s public forum and are beginning the recruitment process over,” Wilson said. “The Chief of Police role is a critical leadership position in our community and it’s essential that we maintain a selection process with more than one finalist.”
She is hopeful to reschedule the public forum before the end of the year. The timing will depend on the applications received. The job announcement will be reposted by next week.
During a regular meeting on Oct. 22, city council gave its final approval on a code update following the passage of Senate Bill 24-131 earlier this year.
The law prohibits firearms in any municipal building where a government body is making decisions, such as City Hall. But the existing city code allowed concealed carry. Council decided to opt out of the new legislation, a choice permitted by the bill, with a slight modification that prevents concealed carry when court is in session. Gunnison County Commissioners, along with Montrose, Moffat, Delta and Douglas counties, have also opted out of the legislation.
The FY 2025 Proposed Budget represents forecasted revenue and a clear spending plan for January 1 through December 31, 2025. In 2024, the City’s annual budget is approximately $46 million. The revenue to support that budget is generated from a variety of sources, including sales and use taxes (29%), charges for services like sewer, water, and electric (38%), fines (0.1%), permit fees and license fees (0.3%). The City’s budget includes 17 distinct funds, each with revenues to support the anticipated expenditures. The FY 2025 Proposed Budget includes a conservative 1% increase in sales tax revenue from FY 2024 and commits to having financial and human resources aligned closely with strategic imperatives. Additionally, providing the community with core services and safe, reliable utilities are of the utmost importance and figure heavily in the budget.
In addition to financing core services, City Council also looks for avenues to fund strategic imperatives and priorities. Imperatives and priorities were adopted by Council based on continuing feedback from residents, businesses, and stakeholders at public meetings, outreach at City projects and events, direct communications, and the biannual community survey. The Proposed 2025 Budget articulates the imperatives intended to address principal issues facing the City. It is a responsible and responsive plan that serves as a policy document, operations guide, financial plan, and communication device.
The Proposed Budget begins with the City Manager’s narrative budget message. These eight pages outline a high-level summary of important points within the lines of budget. As a letter to Council, this digestible format presents a perspective of the budget that is clear, concise, and informative. Having a broad understanding of what and how the budget entails spending in FY 2025 enables our elected officials and community to see where revenue and spending are going.
To read the budget message, and the complete Proposed Budget if desired, visit gunnisonco.gov/Budget.
The 2025 Strategic Imperatives provide the framework for Council’s priorities. The five imperatives are:
Housing Affordability Refine policies and enhance partnerships to increase housing attainability and affordability.
Economic Prosperity
Implement vibrancy initiatives and embark on a clear strategy that effectively supports new and existing businesses.
Infrastructure Resilience Invest in deferred maintenance of public infrastructure to meet the critical needs of today and tomorrow.
Organizational Performance
Strengthen the sustainability of the organization and foster a culture consistent with our shared values.
Public Engagement
Promote an engaged community environment where people feel welcomed, informed, and heard.
Do you think Council is missing something? Want to learn more? Now is the time to reach out. During October and November, the City Council meets to consider input from the public and revises the Staff Proposed Budget with changes they deem necessary. The proposed budget is available to the public. It can be viewed online or in-person at City Hall. The input from the community during the refinement and final adoption of the 2025 Budget is an important time for community engagement. To participate in the budget process, take time to view the proposed budget, share comments either in writing or in person, and follow the progress of City Council changes to the 2025 Staff Proposed Budget. Have questions? Reach out to your elected officials or contact the City’s Finance Director Ben Cowan at bcowan@gunnisonco.gov.
The first formal opportunity for input, a public hearing, is scheduled on Tuesday, November 5, 2024, at 5:30pm in Council Chambers at City Hall, 201 W. Virginia Avenue. This meeting can be attended in person or remotely. Written comment for the record may be submitted to the City Clerk by email to eboucher@gunnisonco.gov or by hard copy delivered to the City Clerk’s Office at City Hall. Additional formal opportunities for public input are scheduled for Tuesday, November 12 and Tuesday, December 3 at 5:30 p.m.
See the documents online: Complete Proposed Budget gunnisonco.gov/Budget City Council Strategic Framework gunnisonco.gov/StrategicFramework
Polly Spann, 90, passed away peacefully on Oct. 17, 2024, surrounded by her family in her hometown of Gunnison, Colorado.
Polly was born in Gunnison on April 6, 1934, to Ralph and Majorie (Peck) Porter. She was a 1951 graduate of Gunnison High School. Polly Porter married Lee Spann on March 1, 1953, where she dedicated her life to supporting her family and their ranching operation. She could ride a horse and irrigate a meadow with the best of them. Her forte was great cooking, especially for the Spann Ranches crew.
Eliana Giselle Lobatos Aguilar
Eliana Giselle Lobatoes Aguilar was born on August 23 at 5:26 to parents Rita Aguilar Camarena and Peregrino Lobatos Lobatos of Gunnison. She has an older brother, Alex Alveiro. Her grandparents are Eugenio Aguilar de la Cruz Clemencia Camarena de la Cruz, Alejandro Lobatos Lucas and Cecilia Lobatos López all of Nayarit Mexico.
Eliana Giselle Lobatoes Aguilar nació el 23 de agosto a las 5:26 de padres Rita Aguilar Camarena y Peregrino Lobatos Lobatos de Gunnison. Tiene un hermano mayor, Alex Alveiro. Sus abuelos son Eugenio Aguilar de la Cruz, Clemencia Camarena de la Cruz, Alejandro Lobatos Lucas y Cecilia Lobatos López todos de Nayarit México.
Polly was gifted with a sensational soprano voice filled with power and a rich tone. She shared this gift of song at church, in local theater and countless community events.
Polly was a dedicated member of her PEO chapter and Gunnison Valley Cattlewomen.
Polly is survived by her loving husband of 71 years, Lee Spann. Together, Lee and Polly have four children: Ken Spann (Val), Sandy Ankenman (Greg), Susan Rivale (Bill) and Jan Washburn (Doug); 10 grandchildren: Laura Spann, Andy Spann (Megan), Colton Vogler, Autumn Fuhrman (John), Lacey Ankenman (Eric), Abbey Ankenman, Katelynn Rivale (Michael), Nathan Rivale (Erin), Catherine Washburn, and Porter Washburn; and eight great-grandchildren: Jonah, Parker, Layne, Lyndee, Levi, Dakota, Nathan and Wyatt.
Polly was preceded in death by her brothers, Bob and Jack.
Polly was remembered in a celebration of life on Tuesday, Oct. 22, 2024, at 1 p.m. at the Community Church of Gunnison, followed by a grave-
Silas William Kaetz was born Aug. 13 to Tim Kaetz and Meredith Casciato of Gunnison. He has an older brother, Calvin Kaetz, who is 2 years old. His Grandparents are Arnold and Melanie Casciato of Monument, Colorado and Kit and Susan Kaetz of Londonderry, New Hampshire.
side service and a reception at the Fred Field Center multi-purpose building. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in honor of Polly to the Gunnison Pioneer Museum or the Gunnison County Stockgrowers Association.
James Wayne Trujillo was born on April 17, 1948 and passed away Sept. 10, 2024. He was preceded in death by his parents Paul James and Lucy Trujillo. He is survived by his sisters Joann Hays and Pauline Toevs, nephews Eric Mill, Danny Miller, Heath Noxon and many friends. Some considered him a brother and their children called him Uncle Wayne. There will be a celebration of life on Oct. 31 from 4-8 p.m. at the St. Peter’s Catholic Church parish hall in Gunnison. (This is a correction as the time of the celebration was previously announced as 2-4 p.m.)
Callaghan Lorraine Reed was born at 12:22 p.m. on August 12 to Kit and Haydyn Reed of Gunnison. She weighed 6 lbs. 10 oz. and measured 19.5 inches in length. She has an older brother, Kall Reed who is 2 ½ years old. Her Grandparents are Steve and Kirstie Pike of Gunnison and Kit and Jayne Reed also of Gunnison.
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I know I’m not alone in feeling that the 2024 election is unlike any other I’ve ever experienced. For the first time in my lifetime, we are asked to choose between starkly different cultural and political movements. That has cast a harsh light on the thinly disguised political monoculture we’ve been living within. Instead of dutifully casting a vote this year because, “citizenship,” we get to make a choice that involves actual diversity in core issues, values and vision for the future of the nation.
On one hand, it’s sad that I’ve gone nearly five decades as a registered voter without feeling able to say that. Shouldn’t it have been that way all along? Isn’t genuine opposition politics to be expected in a society that values and safeguards authentic representative government and freedom of expression?
But, as important as those questions are — alongside
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the immediate matter of who will win this election, up and down the ticket — I’d like to suggest that they are not the most important. If we restrict ourselves to thinking of this moment as a binary choice between this or that, left or right, up or down, then we will miss the real opportunity in front of us. Rather than focusing solely on who we want our leaders to be, we have the chance to ask a much deeper question with greater potential for real change: who we want to be, period.
The truth is, we are not onlookers passively viewing the current drama like movie-goers in a darkened theater. The story “out there” directly reflects what is true “in here” — meaning the sum of what we the people value, believe in and are willing to sacrifice to embody and achieve. By the time corruption and decay become visible among our leaders and in our institutions of power, their roots are already well established in the attitudes and behaviors of society in general. We can’t expect the fruit to be healthier than the vine.
For instance, if I were to list a few qualities I’d like to see in a political candidate — or at work in the machinery of society — I’d include things like integrity, truthfulness, virtue, fairness and loyalty, just to get started.
But can I honestly say that these are things the rest of us value and consistently practice? Not really. “Bad actors” can only succeed where there is a market — or at least silent tolerance — for what they have to sell. That’s true of would-be dictators as well as drug cartels and sex traffickers.
It’s true that there are lots of decent people in the world, but we can’t ignore the image of ourselves reflected in our entertainment and news media, social media platforms, crime rates and our tolerance for abusive behaviors, especially where children are concerned.
This election, in my opinion, holds out the opportunity to examine all of that in ourselves and consider the foundation of our society, not just who lives in the penthouses. It’s the chance to ponder what it would take to be a beautiful nation, not just a “great” one. Beauty is not simply defined by appearance or some artsy aesthetic, but is the summation of what I’ve been talking about: the effect and manifestation of wholeness and wholesomeness.
Author John O’Donohue wrote, “In a sense, all the contemporary crises can be reduced to a crisis about the nature of beauty. This perspective offers us new possibilities. In parched terrains new wells are to be discovered. When we
address the difficulty in terms of the call to beauty, new invitations come alive. Perhaps, for the first time, we gain a clear view of how much ugliness we endure and allow.”
I agree and appreciate that he didn’t end that last sentence with the word endure, which might cast us as victims, but included the idea that we also “allow” the ugliness to continue by what we approve of, tolerate and even participate in.
In my opinion, this is the line of thinking that leads out of the political and cultural weeds we are currently in. For my part, I would also add that beauty — that state of being in which all things are in a balanced relationship with everything else — is most readily found in faith in God.
What happens next in the life and history of our nation depends on our seeing beyond the binary choice between two candidates or two parties to the much more ancient and fundamental decision that we can only make in ourselves, one at a time: will we choose good or evil?
(Alan Wartes can be contacted at 970.641.1414 or publisher@gunnisontimes.com.)
Hannah Cranor-Kersting Special to the Times
This is a tough question to ask, and even tougher to consider when it involves your friends, family and neighbors. But it’s a reality many of us in agriculture face every day.
If you haven’t had the chance to watch “Legacy,” a film produced in partnership with the Colorado Farm Bureau and the Colorado Department of Agriculture, I highly encourage you to do so. Recently, Gunnison County CSU Extension and Gunnison Valley Health (GVH) had the opportunity to share this powerful film with our community.
After the screening, a panel
discussion featuring Kirsten Wulfsberg, a licensed professional counselor who works with the CSU Extension Office and the Colorado AgrAbility Project; Bryon Dillon of the GVH Mobile Crisis Service; Andy Spann with the Gunnison County Stockgrowers’ Association; and Lucy Waldo with the Gunnison Valley Cattlewomen, delved deeper into the mental health challenges faced in the Gunnison Valley and the resources available to combat them.
As a producer, “Legacy” resonated deeply with me. The film addresses an issue that’s not often talked about: the mental health struggles of ranchers. A couple of years ago, I opened up about my own challenges as a producer, and truth be told, those struggles are still very real today.
My husband and I recently took our honeymoon to Puerto Rico. While we were away, it felt like everything that could go wrong at the ranch did. The cattle ran out of feed and kept
breaking out of the pasture. It was immensely difficult to be thousands of miles away and unable to manage the issues. It got to the point that my dad and some incredible neighbors had to step in and move our cattle home for us. It was humbling. But it reminded me of the strength of our community. When you make the call and ask for help, friends and neighbors show up without hesitation. Reflecting on that experience and on “Legacy,” I couldn’t help but ask myself, ‘Why is it so easy to call for help with our cattle, but so hard to ask for help when it comes to our mental health?’ Why do we find it so hard to admit that we’re overwhelmed, or that we might need to let something go? Why does reaching out for help with our mental health feel more difficult than ranching?
“Legacy” addresses this head on. Tony Hass of the Walking Y Ranch, a rancher featured in the film, touches on the pressure many of us feel to keep the family ranch going. “Why can’t you
make it work?” he asks, pointing out a common mindset. “Dad made it through the Dirty Thirties.” As a third-generation rancher, that question really struck a chord with me. I often feel the weight of that expectation. There’s a constant pressure to keep everything afloat, and it can be very overwhelming.
The film also explores how many of the challenges we face — market fluctuations, weather, politics — are beyond our control. But the impact of those stressors can be profound. Marc Arnusch of Marc Arnusch Farms shares how farming often comes at the cost of family time, a trade-off many of us know all too well. “We farm in windows, and those windows open and close quickly and sometimes that comes at the sacrifice of family.”
Hass explained the situation further. As ranchers and farmers, we feel a deep-seated commitment to the land and what we are producing. As ranchers, we are committed to leaving the
land in better shape than they found it.
“There is so much of a drive to be able to maintain the land at all costs,” said Chad Reznicek, a behavioral health specialist with the Colorado AgrAbility Project. “It pushes people to take tremendous risks.” Chad explains that this is also known as the agrarian imperative. This drive is admirable, but pushes us to take dangerous risks and sacrifice our well-being contributing to the crisis that we are facing today.
The panel following the film offered practical strategies for managing these pressures. Wulfsberg, who also appears in “Legacy,” suggests breaking things down into categories: what you have control over, what you have some control over and what you have no control over.
This simple framework can provide some clarity when things feel chaotic. She points out that we tend to put our energy toward things we can't control, which is tiring and frustrating. This exercise can help you allocate your energy where it is helpful: focus on the things you have control over.
Why such stark difference between proposals
Editor:
My company, Gatesco, Inc., has responded to multiple requests for proposals (RFPs) issued to add critical workforce housing supply in Gunnison County. We put forward a proposal for the Whetstone project in 2023. Back in 2017, after Brush Creek stalled, we moved forward with Paintbrush Apartments, in the City of Gunnison. Paintbrush reserves nearly 80% of the units for residents earning 120% or less of area median income (AMI) with nearly 40% of units at or below 80% of AMI. Residents must be employed in Gunnison County. We invested $19 million for Paintbrush ($275 per square foot, or $250,000 per unit). We own and manage about 10,000 units located in the Houston area.
Gunnison County is proposing to own and operate Whetstone at $137 million for 252 units at $543,650 per unit — double the per-unit cost of Paintbrush. Furthermore, only 40% of the units are designated for residents earning 120% of AMI or less. Half of the units will be market-rate, and 20% of the units come with no local employment or residency requirement. Rental rates will range from $2,000 for a one-bedroom to $3,500 for a three-bedroom. Current rents at Paintbrush start at $900 for a one-bedroom and $2,200 for a three-bedroom. We believe that higher paying career opportunities are generally in the City of Gunnison rather than Crested Butte with notable employers such as the Gunnison Valley Hospital, Western State University and Gunnison County.
For $80 million, Gatesco proposes to build and own at a cost of $317,000 per unit. Rents would start at $1,255 for a onebedroom and $2,600 for a three-
Our panelists also highlighted several resources available for those struggling.
If you or someone you know is in crisis, don’t hesitate to reach out. You can call 1.844.493.TALK (8255) or text TALK to 38255.
The Colorado Agricultural Addiction and Mental Health Program offers vouchers for free counseling sessions to agricultural producers. These can be accessed via their website, campforhealth.org. This organization gives you access to licensed therapists who can assist you with anything you are struggling with.
Another great resource is the Farm Aid Hotline at 1.800.327.6243. Farm Aid can help with anything from succession planning, direct marketing assistance, farm stress and much more.
The AgriStress Hotline can also be utilized by calling or texting 1.833.897.2474. When you call or text, you will be connected with an agriculture specific crisis intervention specialist who is ready to listen, provide emotional support or provide you with resources.
If you’re looking for a more casual way to connect, local
bedroom; 40% of units will be at 80% of AMI or less, 35% at 120% of AMI or less and the remaining 25% between 120170% of AMI. All units would come with a Gunnison County employment requirement. We will pay both property taxes and tap fees, unlike the current proposal. Why is there such a stark difference between these two proposals?
The current $137 million Whetstone proposal was shaped by input from stakeholders and citizens who were not made aware of the economic costs involved in building and maintaining workforce housing in Gunnison County. The result is a project that risks becoming a financial burden for Gunnison County as the owner.
Our proposal is based on three crucial economic data points to consider:
1. The current rents by unit types at Paintbrush.
2. The income levels and employment details of the 115 people who live at Paintbrush.
3. Statistics from the Minneapolis Federal Reserve, which publishes Gunnison County job statistics, show that 64% of the 9,792 jobs pay $50,000 or less annually.
As currently proposed, Whetstone needs above market rental rates and will struggle to remain viable without additional subsidies. If financed through county bonds, the taxpayers will need to cover the shortfalls. It could negatively affect Gunnison County's credit rating and limit the county's ability to fund other critical initiatives. In the next installment, we will analyze this possibility in greater detail.
Gary W. Gates, Jr. Gatesco, Inc.
producers can stop by the CSU Extension office on Fridays for free coffee sponsored by AgWell and the Rocky Mountain Farmers Union. It’s a chance to catch up with friends and neighbors and take a well-deserved break from your morning chores. For me, one of the biggest takeaways from the film is that it is okay to reach out for help. Just like we call a mechanic for our tractor, we can ask for support with our mental health. We don’t have to do this alone. I also ask those of you reading this to take the time (45 minutes to be exact) and watch the “Legacy” film. It is a powerful and eye-opening film that sheds light on an issue too important to ignore.
If you have any questions or need help accessing any of these resources, please call our office at 970.641.1260 or swing by anytime. We are located at 275 S. Spruce St., and we are happy to help walk you through any of these resources.
(Hannah Cranor-Kersting is a third-generation Gunnison rancher.)
Carefully review health plan options
Editor:
I’m writing in response to a recent letter published in the Crested Butte News by Mike Rupp of Pitkin, where he shared his experience at Gunnison Valley Health (GVH) and the challenges he faced with his Medicare Advantage plan.
I’m incredibly grateful to work alongside a skilled and compassionate team of doctors, nurses, technicians and support staff. It’s deeply rewarding to see how their efforts positively impact the lives of our community members every day.
Mike’s letter also raised an important issue — his experience navigating his Medicare Advantage plan. I’d like to expand on this, as it’s crucial for our community to understand the potential challenges of Medicare Advantage plans. While the decision is entirely yours, having all the facts can help you make the best choice. Medicare Advantage plans, also known as “Medicare Part C,” offer an alternative way to receive Medicare benefits through private insurance companies instead of directly from the federal government. Some plans provide additional benefits, such as limited dental and vision coverage, but there are important factors to consider before choosing one.
Here are some key considerations about Medicare Advantage plans:
• Prior approval processes: These plans may require approval before you can receive treatments your doctor recommends, potentially delaying your care. Or they might refuse coverage for care that regular Medicare would cover.
• Specialist referrals: Often,
project’s finances. Owner Gunnison Valley Properties (GVP) is still early in the bankruptcy process, but is considering raising more money, or selling parcels of land to free up cash, which would allow managers to restart on-site construction work and settle the project’s debts.
GVP filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy on Aug. 29 in the Colorado District of United States Bankruptcy Court. Chapter 11 allows investors to keep their company whole and continue fundraising while the court sorts out the company’s finances. A creditor meeting is a required part of the bankruptcy process, and also gives the Office of the U.S. Trustee, responsible for overseeing bankruptcy cases, a chance to gather more information.
GVP’s owners and managers Byron Chrisman and Dick Bratton appeared, as did Jeff Prosapio. Prosapio owns the real estate development firm FiveFour Company, contracted to manage Gunnison Rising. Together, the trio oversees the
Water from A1
in rivers and streams throughout the region in some years has been substantially lower than expected. For example, in 2021, snowpack levels near the region’s headwaters were almost normal, but the amount of water that flowed into the Colorado River’s tributaries was only 30% of average.
The “missing water” stumped water managers, and over the winter of 2022-23, a group of researchers in Gothic set out to solve the mystery. The team focused on unraveling a process called sublimation, in which snow skips the liquid phase entirely and is transformed into a vapor. The instrumentation was stationed in an alpine field just outside of the Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory (RMBL) in Gothic.
At the time, this phenomenon and its role in the water cycle was not well understood by scientists, who believed it could be responsible for anywhere between 10-90% of snow loss. After processing the data, the team, led by Lundquist, narrowed this window down to 10-30%.
“[The snow] was actually just blowing around,” Lundquist said. “It looked like the snow would disappear, but it just moved from one spot to another.”
Using clues from their dataset, the researchers started searching elsewhere for missing water. Lead Daniel Hogan, who was also a part of the sublimation study, surveyed historic streamflow records starting in the 1960s up to 2020. He collected data from roughly 20 snow-dominated watersheds across Wyoming, Utah, Colorado, Arizona and New Mexico. Portions of these states
project. The Times requested a statement from GVP’s legal team, but did not receive a reply by press time.
So far, the owners have considered a slate of options for its bankruptcy plan, including debtor-in-possession financing, special lending for companies in bankruptcy and selling parts of the project, said GVP lawyer Andrew Johnson at the Oct. 2 hearing.
“At this point, everything is on the table,” Johnson said. “The debtor believes there's significant equity in the property, in addition to Tomichi Materials, as well as the ranch property. Right now, we're trying to figure out how to turn that into dollars for the benefit of the estate.”
Several of Gunnison Rising’s parcels remain listed, but there are no sales pending, Prosapio said. The company is entertaining offers, through its broker Bluebird Real Estate, for an 87-acre ranch between Hwy. 50 and Tomichi Creek. The property is owned by GVP, but is not formally within Gunnison Rising boundaries. Bluebird listed it in May of 2023 for $2.9 million.
Four parcels within the project’s first phase, its “government campus,” remain listed
encompass the Upper Colorado River Basin.
According to Hogan’s study, since 2000, spring precipitation has decreased, on average, by 14% in the unregulated headwaters basins — those that flow naturally with no dams or diversions above the river gauge. The study included the East River Basin near Crested Butte and the Taylor River Basin in eastern Gunnison County. Drier springs also correlated with earlier snowmelt, sunnier skies and higher temperatures, reducing the amount of water available later in the summer.
This also speeds up evapotranspiration, the loss of water from the soil and the leaves of plants. If it’s not snowing or raining in the spring, plants will begin to take up available water much earlier, preventing some of the melted snow from reaching the river.
“They [plants] keep going throughout the summer, and don't stop,” Lundquist said. “They just pull water from deeper in the system.”
But it’s incredibly hard to measure exactly how much water plants consume, she said.
To try and get a better idea, the team is looking at hyperspectral and thermal imagery of the Gunnison Basin. While a regular camera can only capture red, green and blue, hyperspectral sensors, mounted on an airplane, can break up light into more than 400 bands of color.
The result, a high resolution neon image, can help scientists infer how much water is inside a tree’s canopy and leaves, and the amount of photosynthesis occurring.
A thermal camera also allows scientists to track how water moves from leaves into the air. Just like a person sweats when it’s hot outside, cooling the surface of the skin, some -
on the Gunnison Rising website, each for about $333,000 an acre. Despite the legal hurdles and financial setbacks, phase one infrastructure is about 85% complete, he said. Phase one includes the already-built Bureau of Land Management and FedEx buildings.
GVP recently met with a national marketing firm which will help owners expand sales at Gunnison Rising, or pieces of it, to a wider audience. And, prior to filing for bankruptcy, GVP was in the final steps of negotiating a contract for a “significant portion” of the residential area north of the highway where there are no buildings yet, Prosapio said.
“That's been paused, but we believe we can potentially move forward on that with the blessing and guidance of the court,” he said.
GVP filed for bankruptcy just a week before it was set to appear in court with one of its former contractors, Dietrich Dirtwork. Dietrich is not only claiming to have a valid lien on the property, but that it’s owed over $4 million for previous onsite work. Chrisman stated that one of the creditors' lawyers urged GVP to file for bankruptcy, but it ended up being the
“better decision” as the company’s trial with Dietrich was set to start in a matter of weeks.
“We thought that we would probably be incurring somewhere in the range of $200,000 in legal fees, and there was no cash to pay those legal fees,” Chrisman said.
On the day GVP filed, it listed about $70,000 in cash in a Bank of Oklahoma account. Since then, the company “paid a few bills” and that number has fallen to just about $2,700, Chrisman said. Since the company filed, it intends to amend a number of claims it admitted so far. This includes GVP’s interest in Tomichi Materials (previously stated in filings to be 94%) adding creditors, adjusting amounts owed to Prosapio’s FiveFour Company and, notably, the value of all GVP’s real property.
In the case of Gunnison Rising, nearly all of its proclaimed value is stated in land.
GVP’s only income, according to bankruptcy filings, was just over $800,000 in 2023, and from the start of the year to filing for bankruptcy in late August of 2024, just over $33,000. That revenue is partially from rents the company collects from its lease with I Bar Ranch and rent from a large metal building on GVP’s ranch property.
The bulk of GVP’s cash flow comes from its interest in Tomichi Materials. The prior year, it collected over $800,000 from its ownership interest, and earnings from Tomichi Materials. Chrisman expects that once taxes are filed in the new year, 2024 earnings will not exceed $600,000.
The company also has to file a monthly operating report, and submit quarterly fees to the U.S. Office of the Trustee. The final financing plan must ultimately be approved by the court, and the project’s creditors.
(Abby Harrison can be contacted at 970.641.1414 or abby@ gunnisontimes.com.)
As long as the value of GVP’s land exceeds the company’s debts, it should be able to pay its creditors back. At the time of filing, the company reported $87 million in real property with total liabilities of just over $42 million. In the hearing Oct. 2, Prosapio stated that the actual value is likely just under $80 million. That value was last calculated by an appraiser in September 2023, he said.
The Colorado River and its tributaries — including the East River watershed in Crested Butte — provide water for hydropower, irrigation and drinking water in seven U.S. states and Mexico. (Mark Stone/University of Washington)
thing similar happens to plants when they transpire water, said RMBL research scientist Ian Breckheimer, an expert in this kind of imagery. He is working with the snow team to analyze hyperspectral data and collect thermal images using a drone.
“It's [water] on a journey from the snowpack into the soil and
plants and back into the atmosphere … If you have a really sensitive thermal camera like we do, that allows us to get a first order picture of how much water is moving,” Breckheimer said.
This study will continue next summer when additional hyperspectral flights are run
over the basin.
(Bella Biondini can be contacted at 970.641.1414 or bella@ gunnisontimes.com.)
Abby Harrison Times Staff Writer
The 7th Judicial District, which contains Gunnison County, inched closer to selecting a new district attorney (DA) last week when the Republican Party’s Vacancy Committee selected Anna Cooling as its nominee. Cooling, a Montrosebased attorney, will now take DA Seth Ryan’s place on the ballot this November.
Ryan announced his resignation last month, citing high turnover, caseloads and the toll of his physical and mental well-being. He was running unopposed, and announced his resignation after ballots were certified. So, he will still appear on voters’ ballots this fall but all votes cast for him will count toward Cooling. The Secretary of State’s office has been notified of Cooling’s nomination, but ultimately, each county’s clerk’s office is responsible for informing voters of the change. The GOP’s nomination committee included representatives from the district’s six
Anna Cooling continued on A8
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.
Hours: Monday - Friday, 12pm (noon) - 6pm (970) 901-5129
Cash or check ONLY onsite, cannot accept credit card. Punch cards available onsite or at City Hall | 10 punches-$75 Full rates and materials at gunnisonco.gov/TreeDump
Property Owner Maintenance Reminders Trees should be trimmed 3' behind curb and 12' high Trees and bushes should be cut away from road signs Corner should have 30' of clear sight in both directions
counties (Gunnison, Montrose, Delta, Ouray, San Miguel and Hinsdale) and elected officials from the Republican General Assembly who live within district boundaries. Gunnisonbased Assistant District Attorney Jessica Waggoner was also considered for the role.
To be eligible, the candidate has to be registered with the party, in this case, Republican. According to publicly-available voter profiles, Cooling switched her affiliation to Republican in August 2023. Waggoner did so on Sept. 26, 2024, three days after Ryan announced his resignation.
Cooling, a Colorado native, is currently a partner at Fleming, Lowenberg & Cooling in Montrose, a firm that handles bankruptcy, divorce, business transactions, estates and criminal defense across the Western Slope. She practices mostly in family law, and has served as a deputy district attorney (DDA) in the 7th for over seven years. Cooling also taught incoming law enforcement officers at Technical College of the Rockies’ Law Enforcement Academy for more than 15 years.
“One of my first commitments stepping into this role is meeting with every law enforcement agency in the 7th Judicial District’s counties, and asking them, ‘What problems do you see?’ … Because the bottom line is, police officers are risking their lives for community members, and I believe part of a DA job is honoring their work,” she said Cooling said her goal has always been to serve as the DA, and the time was right when Ryan announced his resignation. Upon taking office, the Montrose attorney will face the same slate of issues that contributed to Ryan’s resignation: high turnover and caseloads in a mentally and physically taxing job.
The revolving wheel of staff shortages may start as early as law school, Cooling said. According to Ryan, the office has had few, or no, applicants from the University of Colorado or the University of Denver in recent years. To fill vacancies, the district has had to recruit out-of-state attorneys.
But the task can be daunting, she said, as the Colorado bar
exam is notoriously one of the most challenging in the nation, she said. And, all licensed attorneys within the state must pass Colorado’s bar. In recent years, the office has been forced to hire attorneys directly out of law school, who have yet to pass the bar. If they don’t pass — as has been the case in recent years — the office has to let them go, Ryan told the Times
And for most incoming workers to western Colorado, the cost of living is a continual hurdle. Ryan requested a 3% increase in wages and salaries for all staff in his 2025 budget request to the district’s six counties, an effort to keep qualified staff in the office.
In the months leading up to Ryan’s resignation, three deputy district attorneys (DDA) left the Montrose office, leaving the already short-staffed district in a tighter spot. The district is set to interview three possible candidates before the start of 2025, but recent years have shown there’s no guarantees.
Gov. Jared Polis’ office is responsible for appointing Ryan’s replacement to fulfill the rest of his term, before Cooling steps in at the start of the year. The governor’s panel includes current and former district attorneys in Colorado, such as former Gov. Bill Ritter, former 7th DA Dan Hotsenpiller and Polis’ chief legal counsel Kara Veitch, among others. The panel began interviews last week, and will soon make a recommendation to Polis, who will finalize the selection.
Eric Maruyama, a spokesperson for Gov. Polis’ office declined to comment on whether or not the committee is considering Cooling. If Polis doesn’t appoint a replacement before Ryan resigns on Oct. 31, the Attorney General’s Office will take over.
For now, Cooling is reaching out to law enforcement, county commissioners and other attorneys in the 7th to get a sense of what can be done about the labor shortages, she said. She will honor her last commitments in private practice, before transitioning out of Fleming, Lowenberg & Cooling to her new role as DA in January of 2025.
(Abby Harrison can be contacted at 970.641.1414 or abby@ gunnisontimes.com.)
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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 $610,000 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.
The Gunnison Valley Animal Welfare League (GVAWL) hosted its annual “GFALL” fundraiser and auction at the Gunnison Elks Lodge on Oct. 19. GFALL is the organization's largest fundraiser event. Families played giant versions of the card game, Uno, and checkers, posed for fall-themed photos and got whimsical face paintings. Community members filled up on tacos and dessert before browsing auction items, including naming rights to GVAWL kitten and puppy litters. Throughout the evening, dancers skipped around a circle of numbered markers for the chance to win baked goods in a cake walk competition. All proceeds from the event benefit GVAWL.
Medicare Advantage plans require a referral from a primary care doctor to see a specialist, which can complicate timely access to the care you need.
• Network adequacy (Limited provider access): Medicare Advantage plans typically have more restricted networks of doctors and hospitals, which could limit your ability to see preferred providers or those you’ve used for years.
At GVH, we’ve seen these challenges firsthand. Many patients have faced delays or denials when seeking approval for necessary services. And in some cases, those denials may leave you responsible for the cost. Even when we appeal, we frequently encounter hurdles. In many instances, we believe that services might have been more easily approved under traditional Medicare.
During this Medicare open enrollment period, I encourage you to carefully review your options. While a Medicare Advantage plan may seem attractive at first glance, it could end up costing more or making it harder for you to access care. Taking the time to thoroughly review your coverage options and consider your anticipated health care needs is well worth the effort to ensure you choose the best plan for you.
Our goal in sharing this information is to help you make an informed decision and avoid unnecessary delays or denials in your care. Ultimately, each Medicare member must choose the coverage that best suits their needs. For unbiased advice, I encourage you to contact the Colorado Division of Insurance’s State Health Insurance Assistance Program at 1.888.696.7213 or visit the official Medicare website at www.medicare.gov. As always, our commitment remains to the health and well-being of our patients and the entire Gunnison Valley community.
Jason Amrich Gunnison Valley Health
Editor:
I went to see the Western Theater Company's show, “Love,” last week. It was amazing! If you need a break from the dismal news cycle and to put some joy in your life, this show is for you. The show is about a small town coming together to support one another (sound familiar?). I brought my 2- and 5-year-olds, and they haven't stopped talking about it since. Thanks to Heather and Steven for bringing such high quality productions to this community
time after time, and the Western students that put on a great show. This weekend is your last chance to catch the show on Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Get your tickets here at westerntheatrecompany.squarespace. com/.
Katya Schloesser Gunnison
Good luck to marching band
Editor: Congratulations to the Gunnison High School marching band for qualifying for the State Marching Finals. Probably a few folks realize the great amount of drills, rehearsing, memorizing, performance and personal commitment needed to produce a winning product. This is necessary as a single, out-of-step, wrong note or wrong turn results in a point deduction for the entire group. Good luck!
Bob Koepsel Gunnison
Gunnison City Council celebrated the completion of the Ohio Avenue multimodal project with a ribbon cutting on Oct. 16. The project, designed to create a safer route from campus to downtown, is a collaboration between the city and Western Colorado University. After cutting the ribbon, the group took a stroll down the newly expanded sidewalk.
for you and your family as well as their horses or 4-H projects. The 2BR, 2bath round log home also has a bonus loft 3rd BR or rumpus room. There is a new metal roof and very comfortable features such as a big woodstove, and spacious kitchen, dining, and living rooms. Exposed log purlins and a vaulted pine T&G ceilings accent the roomy open floor design. A front porch and deck area is perfect for your morning coffee or evening wildlife watches. Outside you have 75+ acres to call your own and it is bordered on 3 sides by public land to assure your privacy. The 50’x80’ barn has a large and open middle to park equipment or house livestock as well as a plant starting side and an insulated cool storage side. There is a separate shop and large 3 bay open-faced shed for tractors, hay or supplies. The current owner added sturdy minimal maintenance pipe livestock pens with a center alley for easy access for watering, feeding or sorting.
$879,000 Call Matt to see it.
Families gathered at the Gunnison County Library for a morning of spooky stories on Oct. 19. Kids got into the Halloween spirit with costumes of fantastical creatures and real-world idols. After reading a few stories, the little dragons, unicorns and firefighters sang nursery rhymes together.
The Gunnison High School marching band hit the road last weekend to compete at the Regional Marching Competition in Grand Junction. After a stellar performance, the Cowboy marching band is state-bound for the first time since 2018. The students will travel to Pueblo for their final competition on Oct. 28. Their final home performance will be during the last GHS football game at 1 p.m. on Nov. 1. Their Disney-themed show includes hit songs from popular movies “Tarzan,” “The Jungle Book” and “Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest.”
Alliy Sahagun Special to the Times
Choosing to install solar can be a challenging process. This article is the first in a threepart series aimed at educating Gunnison County Electric Association (GCEA) members about how solar energy ties into the electrical grid, as well as the financial considerations to keep in mind when penciling out a solar investment.
Solar electric energy has been available for decades, but residential and small commercial installations only became common after federal tax credits were introduced in 2005. The federal government is currently offering a 30% tax credit for new solar installations (inclusive of materials and labor), and many homeowners and small businesses may now be seriously considering the possibility of generating their own electricity via rooftop or ground mounted solar arrays.
Accordingly, solar development companies and solar advertising has become widespread and is growing. Ad campaigns to “reduce your electric bill to zero” and “provide your home with 100% clean energy” are very enticing, and solar may be a great choice for many homeowners. However, solar’s true potential and actual limitations should be clearly understood before homeowners and businesses make significant financial investments in individual “net-metered” solar electric systems.
Net-metering is a billing mechanism created by the Colorado legislature to provide a financial incentive to consumers who may wish to install grid attached solar sys -
tems. Net-metering is also the industry term commonly used for individual solar-electric systems that both generate electricity for consumption in individual homes and businesses and, when conditions are right, inject unconsumed electricity back into the electric grid.
Where your energy comes from
When the sun is shining, photovoltaic panels provide energy for immediate consumption. Whenever a solar system is producing more energy than is being consumed, the local grid provides the means to move excess generation to other local electricity users.
After dark, when it is cloudy, when solar panels are covered by snow or when a home or business is consuming more electricity than their solar system is able to produce in real time, the electric utility provider’s electric grid becomes the energy provider. If a home or business has a battery storage system, reliance on the grid can be reduced, but likely not eliminated.
Like traditional consumers, net-metered solar consumers rely on electricity from a mix of sources for their power supply when the sun is not shining — even if the net-metered solar consumers have a net-zero home. GCEA and other electric utilities provide the necessary “backup” supply of electricity when solar arrays are not producing.
Being tied to GCEA’s service means when residents want power, the system is equipped to instantaneously handle the demand on the electric grid. GCEA, in turn, relies on Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association to generate and transmit power to the local area through GCEA distribution lines.
When the sun comes up, the
snow has melted or the clouds have passed, net-metered solar systems will begin producing power again. Using electricity during this time means GCEA members are consuming the electrons produced by their solar arrays and using 100% clean energy produced by the sun. If a GCEA member uses more electricity than their array is producing in real time, they are using electricity from the grid to supplement their needs.
But what happens when netmetered homes or businesses do not consume as much as their solar arrays produce? What happens to the excess power generated? In the next article, GCEA will share how net-metered consumers are compensated for any unused energy.
For more information about solar, visit gcea.coop and go to GCEA’s “Solar Opportunities” page.
(GCEA is a member-owned, not-for-profit electric cooperative, that delivers electricity to homes and businesses throughout Gunnison County, Hinsdale County and parts of Saguache County.)
1. Sunlight hits solar panels, creating electricity
2. Some solar power is used in your home
3. Excess power is sent to grid
4. When sun isn’t out, you buy electricity from GCEA
5. Your monthly bill equals the kWh consumed minus kWh your system produced
Hi , I am Kathleen Curry, candidate for the Colorado State House, District 58. I am running because I care deeply about the West Slope and want our voice to be heard in Denver
I have a background in water management, and my family ranches in Gunnison
I served three terms in the State House from 20052010 and have raised my family on the West Slope We are outnumbered at the state Capitol, so it is critical that whoever we send has the experience and leadership qualities to get things done.
It really isn’t about red and blue – it is about effectively protecting our values and quality of life.
I would be honored to get your vote this November
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
CBES - Permanent Substitute
CBES - Half-time SPED
Educational Assistant Special Education Educational Assistant-Achievement Center Bus Drivers Food Service Substitute teachers
PROFESSIONAL OPPORTUNITIES
District School Psychologist
GHS - SPED Teacher
COACHING
GHS - Assistant Girls’
Basketball Coach (C team)
GHS - Girls’ Diving/ Asst. Swimming coach
GHS - Head Climbing Coach
Please contact: Superintendent’s Office JoAnn Klingsmith 800 N. Boulevard 970-641-7760 jklingsmith@ gunnisonschools.net
EXPERIENCED LEAD CARPENTERS NEEDED in Crested Butte. Local Crested Butte-born, residential construction company, growing regional, excellent pay. Text/call 512-947-7797.
EXPERIENCED CARPENTERS NEEDED in Crested Butte. Local Crested Butte-born, residential construction company, growing regional, excellent pay. Text/call 970-5961131.
ELEVEN SEEKS A GLOBAL HUMAN RESOURCES ADMINISTRATOR to own all on-boarding, off-boarding, payroll, benefits, and HRIS processing functions for all Eleven locations across the globe. This role is responsible for managing global payroll and time-tracking systems, and will be the company’s subject matter expert on global on-boarding, off-boarding, payroll, benefits, and HRIS administration. This position requires 1+ years experience processing payroll, as well as high ethical standards and strong communication skills. The ideal candidate will have 1+ years experience processing global payroll. This full time, year round position starts at $60,000 - $65,000 annually, depending on experience and qualifications. For more information and to apply please visit elevenexperience.com/ careers/.
BUS OPERATIONS MANAGER: The Gunnison Valley RTA is seeking a detail oriented experienced professional with clear and effective written and verbal communication skills to provide expertise and assistance overseeing the operations of the GVRTA Commuter Bus and Senior Transportation services. The chosen contractor will work closely with the GVRTA Executive Director and will be the liaison between the GVRTA and the private sector contractors. In addition to managing GVRTA facilities and overseeing partnerships, the Bus Operations Manager will be the point
Patrol Deputy Sheriff: Full-Time, 40 hours/week, the annual salary range is from $70,288 to $99,422 plus full benefits.
Heavy Equipment Operator
Public Works: Full-Time, 40 hours/ week, hourly range from $22.91 to $30.77 plus full benefits.
Juvenile Services Facilitator
Juvenile Services: Full-Time, 40 hours/week, hourly pay range is $27.03 - $30.36 plus full benefits. Bilingual - English and Spanish Speaking (Required)
Family Support Manager
Juvenile Services: Full-Time, 40 hours/week, monthly pay rate is $6,581.00 plus full benefits.
Family Support Partner
Juvenile Services: Part-Time, 20 hours/week. Starting hourly pay rate is $21.82. plus partial benefits.
Deputy Emergency Manager/ Emergency Preparedness and Response Coordinator Emergency Management: FullTime, 40 hours/week, monthly pay range is $6,209 to $7,070 plus full benefits.
Administrative Assistant –Permitting/Job Costing
Public Works: Full-Time, 40 hours/week, hourly pay range from $27.03 to $30.77 plus full benefits.
Parents As Teachers - Parent Educator
HHS: 20 hours/week, hourly pay range from $27.03 to $30.77, depending on experience, plus partial benefits.
Juvenile Diversion Case Manager and Colorado Youth Detention Continuum (CYDC) Officer
Juvenile Services: 20 hours/ week, hourly pay range from $31.88 to $38.75, depending on experience, plus partial benefits.
Shop Technician I
Public Works: Full-Time, 40 hours/ week, hourly range from $25.74 to $29.31 plus full benefits
Public Health Nurse II – Nurse
Family Partnership HHS: 40 hours/week, hourly pay range from $33.79 to $38.48, depending on experience plus full benefits.
For more information, including complete job descriptions, required qualifications and application instructions, please visit GunnisonCounty.org/jobs.
person for handling GVRTA customer service and provide input for planning future services.
The GVRTA is budgeting approximately $6,500 per month for the first year of the contract and will be accepting letters of interest until 5pm on October 29th. Email gvrtaops@gmail.com for a full description and instructions.
LOVE THE GUNNISON VALLEY?
Want to make a difference? Community Foundation of the Gunnison Valley is hiring an Administrative Coordinator to coordinate office activities and operations, provide clerical and administrative support to staff, and work closely with the board, donors, and community to uphold our purpose and values while fulfilling our vision, mission, and objectives. Salary range is $50,000-58,000 and benefits are provided. Visit cfgv.org/ about-the-cfgv/employment to learn more or apply.
THE ADAPTIVE SPORTS CENTER is seeking a Program Coordinator to help the organization continue to grow and thrive. Work for a local non-profit that provides therapeutic adventure-based programming for people with disabilities, their friends and family members.
Join a fast-paced, professional team in a state-of-the-art facility in the Crested Butte Mountain Resort base area. The ASC has been rated Outside Magazine’s 50 Best Places To Work many years in a row. The Program Coordinator is responsible for facilitating programs, supervising volunteers and seasonal staff, record-keeping, scheduling, database management, and other key aspects of program coordination for the Adaptive Sports Center (ASC). The Program Coordinator provides and sets the stage for outstanding customer service for clients and coordinates many critical aspects of programming, including public engagement. This position is full time, year-round, and non-exempt. The starting salary range for this position is $22.14 - $24.52 an hour. This is a 12 month equivalency range of $46,000$51,000. It includes a competitive benefits package including 401(k), Paid Time Off and Holidays, Health Insurance Reimbursement, Season Pass, Ski/Equipment Locker, Professional Licenses/Certification Reimbursements [estimated annual benefit value of an additional $12,135. Desired start date of Nov.18 or until the position is filled.
To apply, submit a letter of interest, resume, and references to Elizabeth Philbin, Assistant Program Director at elizabeth@adaptivesports.org and Chris Read, Program Director at cread@
Equipment Operator Full-Time: $59,500-$69,900/yr. Operates a variety of City-owned heavy equipment, vehicles and tools in the construction and maintenance of City streets and alleys, curbs and gutters, sidewalks, traffic/street signage and other City infrastructure and services. Drives garbage and recycling trucks with hydraulic lifts on a rotational basis with other team members along designated routes.
Electric Lineman Full-Time: $77,300-$90,800/yr. Performs technical and manual work in the installation, maintenance, and repair of electrical distribution systems for the City.
The City of Gunnison offers a competitive benefit package, including 75% of medical, dental and vision premiums paid for the employee and their dependents, 5% of gross wages in a retirement plan, 3 weeks of vacation (increasing based on the years of service), 13 paid holidays and 12 days of sick leave per year.
For more information, including complete job descriptions, benefit packages, required job qualifications and application instructions, please visit GunnisonCO.gov/HR.
adaptivesports.org.
Subject Line: “Program Coordinator”. Email is currently the best way to reach us. The Adaptive Sports Center is an inclusive organization and an Equal Opportunity Employer. More information: adaptivesports. org/about-us/careers.
THE MT CRESTED BUTTE WATER AND SANITATION DISTRICT is accepting applications for a full-time Wastewater Operator to be part of a team environment focused on the operations of the wastewater plant and collection system for Mt. Crested Butte. Qualifications for the position include construction experience, the ability to work outdoors, prepare and analyze lab responsibilities, and experience with electrical, mechanical and maintenance repairs. A State of Colorado Collections and/or Wastewater license or the ability to obtain such within one (1) year is mandatory (training for certifications provided). Operators will be required to take on-call responsibility including select weekends and holidays. A valid Colorado driver’s license is required, and a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) is preferred at hiring or the ability to obtain such within one (1) year is required. Starting salary is $53,100 to $59,500 for entry level. $58,000 to $75,000 salary available for operators/electricians with experience and appropriate state licenses. Excellent benefits package including 100% employer paid premium family health, dental, and life insurance, 12 paid holiday days, two weeks paid vacation, paid sick leave, paid personal leave, employer contribution to retirement plan (5% automatic mandatory employer matching with 1-3% optional additional matching), employer provided uniforms, and a wellness benefit/ski pass. Full job description is available at www.mcbwsd. com. Please submit cover letter and resume to Mt. Crested Butte Water and Sanitation District, PO Box 5740, Mt. Crested Butte, CO 81225, or email info@mcbwsd.com. Position is open until filled. MCBWSD is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
POWERSTOP is looking for head cook. Pay is $50,000 minimum, position also offers paid time off and health insurance reimbursement. Pay is based on 40 hours a week. Applications must be able to work mornings or evenings and weekends. Resumes to be in a sealed envelope attention Sean. Drop off at Powerstop.
THE ADAPTIVE SPORTS CENTER is seeking a Logistics Coordinator to help the organization continue to grow and thrive. Work for a local non-profit that provides therapeutic adventure-based programming for people with disabilities, their friends and family members. Join a fast-paced,
professional team in a state-of-the-art facility in the Crested Butte Mountain Resort base area. The Logistics Coordinator assists the Logistics Manager with coordinating many responsibilities, including but not limited to supervision for seasonal interns, handles various travel and logistical details in all aspects of Visiting Group and Open Enrollment Camps, and works closely with the daily operations staff. In addition, the Logistics Coordinator occasionally leads or assists with adaptive field-based activities. This position has numerous front-line and interactive responsibilities with industry partners, staff, volunteers, and participants and must represent all mission-based aspects of the ASC exceptionally well. This position requires sound planning skills, problem-solving, teamwork, diligent attention to detail, creativity, and the ability to work through fluid variables that are inherent in working with our visiting participant base and group travel. A CTRS is preferred but not required.
This is a 12-month year-round and nonexempt position. Compensation is based on experience with the starting salary range $46,000 - $51,000, an hourly equivalent of $22.14 - $24.52, plus a competitive benefits package including 401(k), Paid Time Off and Holidays, Health Insurance Reimbursement, Season Pass, Ski/Equipment Locker, Professional Licenses/Certification Reimbursements. The estimated annual benefit value of an additional $12,135. The desired start date is December 15, 2024, or until the position is filled. To apply, submit a letter of interest, resume, and references to Chris Read, Program Director, at cread@adaptivesports.org and Richard Paylor, Logistics Manager, at richard@adaptivesports.org. Subject Line: “Logistics Coordinator”. Please, no phone calls. The Adaptive Sports Center is an inclusive organization and an Equal Opportunity Employer. More information: adaptivesports. org/about-us/careers
THE ADAPTIVE SPORTS CENTER is seeking a Program Coordinator to help the organization continue to grow and thrive. Work for a local non-profit that provides therapeutic adventure-based programming for people with disabilities, their friends and family members. Join a fast-paced, professional team in a state-of-the-art facility in the Crested Butte Mountain Resort base area. The
The
facilitating programs, supervising volunteers and seasonal staff, record-keeping, scheduling, database management, and other key aspects of program coordination for the Adaptive Sports Center (ASC). The Program Coordinator provides and sets the stage for outstanding customer service for clients and coordinates many critical aspects of programming, including public engagement. This position is full time, year-round, and non-exempt. The starting salary range for this position is $22.14 - $24.52 an hour. This is a 12 month equivalency range of $46,000-$51,000. It includes a competitive benefits package including 401(k), Paid Time Off and Holidays, Health Insurance Reimbursement, Season Pass, Ski/Equipment Locker, Professional Licenses/Certification Reimbursements
[estimated annual benefit value of an additional $12,135. Desired start date of November 18th or until the position is filled.
To apply, submit a letter of interest, resume, and references to Elizabeth Philbin, Assistant Program Director at elizabeth@adaptivesports.org and Chris Read, Program Director at cread@adaptivesports.org.
Subject Line: “Program Coordinator”. Email is currently the best way to reach us. The Adaptive Sports Center is an inclusive organization and an Equal Opportunity Employer. More information: adaptivesports.org/aboutus/careers.
WINTER SNOW REMOVAL TECHNICIAN
NEEDED:. Bobcat experience required. Contact Dylan 970-901-5820 or Dylan@rockymountaintrees.com. Visit rockymountaintrees.com/employment/ for full job description.
CAPITAL PROJECTS SUPERVISOR JOB
POSTING: The Mt. Crested Butte Water and Sanitation District is accepting applications for a capital projects supervisor. Under the general direction of the district manager, this full-time position is responsible for professional level oversight on all phases of capital expenditure construction projects for the district. Desired skills and experience include a successful record of delivering projects on schedule and within budget, strong project management skills, effective communication skills, both written and verbal, and a passion for water and wastewater construction projects. Important qualifications include a combination of experience and education with a desired Bachelor of Science degree in construction management, a PMP certification and/or a PE license in the state of Colorado. A valid Colorado driver’s license is required. Starting salary is $90,000-$130,000 DOQ. Excellent benefits package, including 100% employer-
paid premium family health, dental, vision and life insurance, 12 paid holiday days, paid sick leave, paid personal leave, two weeks paid vacation, employer contribution to retirement plan (5% automatic mandatory employer matching with 1-3% optional additional matching), employer provided uniforms and a wellness benefit/ski pass. Full job description is available at mcbwsd. com. Please submit cover letter and resume to Mt. Crested Butte Water and Sanitation District, P.O. Box 5740, Mt. Crested Butte, CO 81225 or email info@mcbwsd.com. Position is open until filled. MCBWSD is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
RENTAL: Private room/bath in private home. All amenities included. Blocks from town, campus, and the bus line. Looking for a professional. No smoking, no pets. Reference. $500/month. 970-963-7200. MODERN OFFICE/SHOWROOM SPACE available for rent immediately. 264sqft.
Shari Sullivan-Marshall, Director of Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment
Gunnison Country Times
Gunnison, Colorado Publication date of October 17 and 24, 2024 15194
NOTICE OF BUDGET HEARING
GUNNISON CEMETERY DISTRICT #1
Notice is hereby given that a proposed budget has been submitted to the Board of Directors of the Gunnison Cemetery District #1 for the ensuing year of 2025; a copy of such proposed budget has been filed in the office of the Gunnison Cemetery District #1, 118 N. Wisconsin, where the same is open for public inspection; such proposed budget will be considered at a Public Hearing at the Gunnison Cemetery District #1 office at 118 N. Wisconsin on November 20, 2024 at 9:00 A.M. Any interested elector of the Gunnison Cemetery District #1 may inspect the proposed budget and file or register any objections thereto at any time prior to the final adoption of the budget.
Gunnison Country Times
Gunnison, Colorado Publication date of October 24, 2024
15319
GUNNISON COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE
DATE: Tuesday, December 10, 2024
PLACE: Board of County Commissioners’ Meeting Room at the Gunnison County Courthouse
200 E. Virginia Avenue Gunnison, CO 81230 (REMOTE)
5:30 pm Public Hearing; Proposed 2025 Gunnison County Budget
• Adjourn
IMPORTANT: The proposed budget is available for inspection in the Gunnison County Finance Office located at 200 E. Virginia Avenue, Gunnison, CO 81230. The proposed budget is also available on the Gunnison County website at: http://www. gunnisoncounty.org/budget. Any elector may inspect the budget and file objections at any time prior to the final adoption of the budget scheduled to take place on Friday, December 13, 2024.
Gunnison Country Times Gunnison, Colorado Publication dates of October 24, 2024
15335
CITY OF GUNNISON NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING ON PROPOSED 2025 CITY BUDGET
TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN:
at the City Finance Director’s Office in City Hall and on the City website www. gunnisonco.gov/StaffProposedBudget2025 on October 15, 2024. Written comments on the Proposed 2025 City Budget may be submitted prior to the public hearing to: City Clerk, P.O. Box 239, Gunnison, CO 81230, hand delivered to City Hall, Office of the City Clerk, 201 W. Virginia Avenue, Gunnison, CO, or e-mailed to the City Clerk at eboucher@gunnisonco.gov
Any interested person may submit written comments to the City Clerk regarding the proposed budget prior to the final adoption of the budget by City Council.
Published in the Gunnison Country Times October 24, 2024, and October 31, 2024.
/s/ Erica Boucher, City Clerk
Gunnison Country Times
Gunnison, Colorado
Publication date of October 24 and 31, 2024
15344
Notice is hereby given to the following parties that their personal items stored at Discount Self Storage, 1825 N. Hwy 135, Gunnison, CO will be sold or disposed of unless claimed prior to October 24, 2024:
Unit L126 – Dennis Hetherington
Date of Redemption: October 24, 2024
Gunnison Country Times Gunnison, Colorado Publication dates of October 17 and 24, 2024
15254
NOTICE TO CREDITORS
Estate of Robert Daniel Whitesides, Deceased Case Number 24PR22
All persons having claims against the above named estate are required to present them to the personal representative or to the District Court of Gunnison, County, Colorado on or before February 10, 2025 or the claims may be forever barred.
Wesley Whitesides
Personal Representative of the Estate of Robert Daniels Whitesides 416 1/2 Alamo St. Grand Junction, CO 81504
Gunnison Country Times Gunnison, Colorado
Publication dates of October 10, 17 and 24 2024
15115
NOTICE TO CREDITORS
Todd Cook Personal Representative c/o Kathleen L. Fogo, P.C.
Attorney for Personal Representative
P.O. Box 7200, Gunnison, CO 81230
Gunnison Country Times
Gunnison, Colorado Publication dates of October 24, 31 and November 7, 2024 15343
NOTICE TO CREDITORS
NOTICE TO CREDITORS
Franklin E. Oberosler, a/k/a Franklin Eugene Oberosler, Franklin Oberosler, and Frank Oberosler, Deceased Case Number 2024PR30028
All persons having claims against the abovenamed estate are required to present them to the Personal Representative or to the District Court of Gunnison County, Colorado by February 10, 2025, or the claims may be forever barred.
David Oberosler, Personal Representative c/o Law Office of Robert M. O’Hayre, LLC P.O. Box 179 Gunnison, CO 81230
Gunnison Country Times Gunnison, Colorado Publication dates October 10, 17 and 24, 2024 15173
NOTICE
NOTICE TO CREDITORS
JOE PRINCE WAGGONER A/K/A JOE P. WAGGONER Deceased Case Number 2024PR30030
All persons having claims against the abovenamed estate are required to present them to the Personal Representative or to the District Court of Gunnison County, Colorado by February 16, 2025, or the claims may be forever barred.
Bradley J. Frigon, Esq. #27883 Law Office of Bradley J. Frigon, LLC P O Box 271631 Littleton, CO 80127 (720) 200-4025
Gunnison Country Times Gunnison, Colorado Publication dates October 17, 24 and 31, 2024 15221
Work Sessions do not allow for public comment.
Work Session discussion items: • Gunnison Wednesday Enrichment Program Laura Parker, Gunnison Enrichment Coordinator Parent Conferences Jim Woytek, GHS Principal Sally Hensley, CBES Principal District Wide Assessment Report
PLEASE TAKE NOTE, that a public hearing will be held at the hour of 5:30 P.M. on Tuesday, the 5th day of November, 2024, in the City Council Chambers, Gunnison Municipal Building, 201 West Virginia Avenue, Gunnison, Colorado, on the Proposed 2025 City Budget.
In the Matter of the Estate of: Douglas A. Kennedy, also known as Douglas Kennedy and Doug A. Kennedy Deceased Case Number: 2024PR30031
AT WHICH TIME AND PLACE you may attend and give testimony, if you so desire. Copies of the Proposed Budget are available
All persons having claims against the abovenamed estate are required to present them to the Personal Representative or to the District Court of Gunnison County, Colorado on or before February 25, 2025, or the claims may be forever barred.
City of Gunnison NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN: PLEASE TAKE NOTE THAT, pursuant to Sections 6.7 and 7.2 of the Land Development Code of the City of Gunnison, Colorado, a public hearing will be held at the hour of 7:00 PM on the 9th day of October, 2024, in the City Council Chambers, Gunnison Municipal Building, 201 West Virginia Avenue, Gunnison, Colorado on the merits of Conditional Use Application CU 24-4 submitted by David Kinard and Hector Beltran, for outdoor storage, outdoor sales, and landscape nursery used for a stone and landscape construction business, within the Commercial zone district. The real property for which the conditional
use is sought is legally described as follows:
Lot 1, Gunnison Secure Storage Subdivision, Reception No. 649865, City and County of Gunnison, State of Colorado.
More commonly known as 1012 State Highway 135, Gunnison, Colorado.
AT WHICH TIME AND PLACE you may attend and give testimony, if you so desire.
CITY OF GUNNISON PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION
The public may attend Public Hearings and Regular and Special Sessions in person or remotely. To attend the meeting remotely go to: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84139364560? pwd=b1pqM3cxTnlYMFovbDl0L21DWVRS UT09
/s/Andie Ruggera, Senior Planner
Gunnison Country Times
Gunnison, Colorado
Publication date of October 24, 2024 15342
Environmental At Large The Gunnison Basin Roundtable is seeking applicants to represent environmental interests and shall be selected from nominees submitted by one or more regionally, statewide, or nationally recognized environmental conservation organizations that have operated in Colorado for at least five years. The selected Member will serve the balance of a five-year term (current term expires
November 2025). Candidate should have a background or interest in environmental water resources management. The Gunnison Basin Roundtable meets bimonthly in the Montrose/Delta area. Please submit letters of interest to Wendell Koontz at wkoontz@ deltacountyco.gov and Kathleen Curry at kathleencurry@montrose.net. Deadline for submittal is Thursday November 7, 2024. Roundtable will consider applicants at their next meeting on November 18, 2024.
Gunnison Country Times
Gunnison, Colorado Publication dates of October 17 and 24, 2024 15266
Saguache County Land Use is soliciting 3rd party reviews for our 1041 proposals to provide insight and expert advice from firms that are expert in environmental impact studies, as well as other matters of State interest contained in the Saguache County 1041 Regulations. This shall include, but not be limited to, review of the Saguache County 1041 Regulation for analysis of matters of State interest contained therein to include whether sufficient information has been provided by applicants for a complete analysis of all matters of State interest. RFP Responses are due by November 22, 2024, at 3:00 PM (Mountain Time). The proposal will include being a project manager for 1041 applications, both on-site and off-site collaborations with Saguache
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.
Faith 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
County, Management and Review Prep, Review of Application, Additional Reviews for the Application, Lead Agency Referrals, Staff Report Preparation, Hearing Preparation and Attendance. Please direct your questions to Amber Wilson, Land Use Administrator at atorrez@saguachecountyco.gov or 719-655-2321. Businesses with expertise in environmental impact studies for large projects are encouraged to respond. Gunnison Country Times Gunnison, Colorado Publication dates of October 17, 24, 31 and November 7, 2024 15271
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.
Last week, a line of cars trundled alongside the raceways at the Roaring Judy Fish Hatchery during the annual Colorado Parks and Wildlife kokanee salmon giveaway. Colorado fishing license-holders packed into vehicles to receive their allotment. Some salmon species, including the kokanee, die after spawning. The CPW hosts this giveaway each year right after spawning season to ensure that the fish don’t go to waste. More giveaway dates are scheduled for Oct. 25, Nov. 1 and Nov. 8. Attendees should be in line by 9 a.m. to receive fish. A valid Colorado fishing license is required. Up to four youth may receive kokanee if accompanied by a license-holding adult. Southern Ute and Ute Mountain Ute tribal members may show a Tribal ID card, Brunot fishing license or a state fishing license to receive fish.
CHILD ABUSE: INJURY OR THREAT OF INJURY — W. DENVER AVE.
OCTOBER 11
ACCIDENT — 113 W. TOMICHI
GUNNISON COUNTY
OCTOBER 15
- Trespassing report in Pitkin
OCTOBER 12
OCTOBER 16
- Criminal mischief in Marble
OCTOBER 17
- Deputies took one person into custody for an in-county misdemeanor warrant
OCTOBER 13
ACCIDENT - HIT & RUN — 716 ANDREW LN.
ACCIDENT — 200 E. TOMICHI AVE. WELFARE ASSIST — W. TOMICHI AVE.
OCTOBER 14
PROPERTY - LOST — 820 N. MAIN ST.
OCTOBER 15
ANIMAL:RUNNING AT LARGE PUBLIC PLACES — 501 E.
AVE.
— 880 N. MAIN ST.
— 125 N. MAIN ST.
OCTOBER 16
ALCOHOL VIOLATION - UNDERAGE POSSESSION/CONSUMPTION — 1000 N. MAIN ST.
JUVENILE PROBLEM — S. 14TH ST. VIOLATION OF PROTECTION ORDER: CRIMINAL ORDER — 221 S. 12TH ST. TRAFFIC - DUR (AGGRAVATED) — W. RUBY AVE.
OCTOBER 17
FRAUD — 900 N. MAIN ST. AGENCY ASSIST — 900 W. VIRGINIA AVE.
TRAFFIC - DUS — 300 N. MAIN ST.
OCTOBER 18
THEFT - UNDER $100.00 MUNICIPAL — 705 W. GEORGIA AVE. ACCIDENT — 100 N. MAIN ST. MUNICIPAL CODE VIOLATION — 109 N. 7TH ST. ADMIN - UNASSIGNED INCIDENT — 500 ESCALANTE DR. CONTROLLED SUBSTANCEPURCHASE/OBTAIN MARIJUANA UNDER 21 — 1198 N. MAIN ST.
OCTOBER 19
DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE - ALCOHOL — 1100 W. TOMICHI AVE.
DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE - ALCOHOL — 500 W. DENVER
AVE.
WELFARE ASSIST — E. TOMICHI
AVE.
ACCIDENT — 880 N. MAIN ST. WELFARE ASSIST — N. BOULEVARD ST.
CRIMINAL TRESPASS - MUNICIPAL — 512 N. 12TH ST.
OCTOBER 20
ACCIDENT - HIT & RUN — 900 N. MAIN ST.
- Deputies took another person into custody for an in-county felony warrant
- Deputies arrested one person on a violation of protection order
- A nice, non-aggressive male black and white collie mix was found last Thursday night and brought to the Gunnison Valley Animal Welfare League and given food and water by deputies
OCTOBER 18
- A possible abandoned trailer was reported and ultimately towed at the owner’s expense
- Deputies responded to a domestic in progress and took one person into custody for domestic violence, 3rd degree assault, child abuse and protection order violation
OCTOBER 19
- A miniature, female greyhound wearing a purple sweatshirt was found and brought to the Gunnison Valley Animal Welfare league and given food and water
- Somerset deputies issued a summons for expired license plates
- Trespass issue at one of the closed for-the-season camp areas up Taylor Canyon. The people on the property were contacted, took their tent down and left
OCTOBER 20
- Deputies assisted the Gunnison Police Department with a person possibly having some mental health issues- mobile crisis was utilized
- Deputies responded to a family dispute
- Fraud report where someone posing as an employer with a similar email but not exact- had a coworker buy gift cards for employees and send him (impersonator) the information
Dr. Amanda Hill cares for the health of your child at every stage of development from birth through 18 years of age.
Family Medicine Clinic | 970-642-8413
Pediatric speech and occupational therapy to help you support the success of your child.
Rehabilitation & Athletic Medicine | 970-641-7248
EAR, NOSE & THROAT (ENT)
From routine check-ups to surgical procedures, Dr. Bentz and his team are equipped to handle a wide range of issues to improve your overall health and quality of life.
Specialty Clinic | 970-641-3927
BEHAVIORAL HEALTH
Free, individual counseling with licensed and experienced clinicians who are embedded in the Gunnison and Crested Butte schools.
Behavioral Health | 970-648-7128
Dr. Amanda Hill, MD, FAAP
At Gunnison Valley Health we have the expertise to keep our youngest community members healthy.
At Gunnison Valley Health, we are proud to be a comprehensive, community-driven healthcare system serving Gunnison County and beyond. With over 80 years of experience, our network of services spans everything from family medicine and orthopedics to rehabilitation, behavioral health and senior care.
Our mission remains centered on building a healthier, stronger community. Our dedicated team of healthcare professionals combines medical expertise with heartfelt care, ensuring you receive the right treatment at the right time, close to home. Whether it's preventive care, chronic disease management or emergency services, Gunnison Valley Health is here to support you every step of the way.
At Gunnison Valley Health, we care for you—because we are you. Together, we’re creating a healthier future for our community.
Mariel Wiley Times Photo Editor
Last week, a host of fantastical creatures and characters ran through the halls of Gunnison Elementary School (GES). A cloaked ghoul chased after a witch, the pair giggling as they darted past. Nearby, Spiderman donned his signature mask.
In preparation for Halloween, the Gunnison Parent Teacher Association (PTA) hosted a costume swap at the elementary school on Oct. 18. Throughout the evening, parents and students stopped by to peruse racks of costumes. After finding a favorite, they took it home, free of charge. This event marked the debut of what PTA members hope to make an annual event.
In decades past, kids threw together handmade costumes for little to no cost. Editions of the Times between 1980 and 2000 are flooded with black-andwhite photographs of kids wearing hand-crafted costumes. By combining hand-painted cardboard with creative styling, the kids transformed items already
in their household into fantastical ensembles.
But modern consumer culture can make parents feel like they need to buy new, pre-made costumes every year. This can quickly become costly, and resources like the PTA’s new costume drive and swap event can help relieve that burden.
Misty Castillo, a GES mom and PTA volunteer, had noticed that old costumes were piling up in her son’s closet. She spent some time thinking of ways to give each of these costumes a second life, eventually landing on the idea of an annual costume swap at the school. She pitched the idea during a PTA meeting earlier this month.
Once Castillo shared her idea with the group, the members came together to track down costumes as Halloween quickly approached. They combed the racks at Six Points Thrift Store and purchased a few new costumes from Walmart to add to the costumes collected from their own children’s closets.
While some parents opt to donate used costumes to local thrift and consignment stores, there’s no guarantee that the outfits will be reused. Other families can’t afford to spare the extra cash it takes to dress up their kids each October, even with reduced second hand prices.
“It got me thinking how we could do it better, as a community, and doing things for people that might not be able to afford to buy shiny new Star Wars costumes,” Castillo said.
For the latter half of the 20th century, kids gravitated toward dressing as creatures from traditional folk tales, such as ghosts, witches and ghouls.
Photographs featured in lateOctober editions of the Times between the 1980s and early 2000s depict kids wearing simple, handmade attire.
In one photo spread from 1980, a group of kids dressed as clowns showcase a host of homemade costumes. Whimsical face paint transforms their faces into character. Their circus-chic outfits consist of paper hats, balloons and neckties undoubtedly borrowed from their fathers’ closets.
Another image from 1981 depicts a young boy testing out a hand-painted rabbit mask.
“Young Travis here, decided to get in some early practice for this Saturday’s trick-or-treating,” the caption read. “Although no one else was ready with the treats, Travis now has a pretty good idea of where the good catches will be.”
As the century waned and pop-culture took hold, trick-ortreaters increasingly yearned to
Costumes B2
embody their favorite film characters or celebrities, such as the Ninja Turtles or Bob Ross. The sale of Halloween costumes has exploded over recent decades, and despite its rural location, Gunnison is not immune to the modern costume-consumption atmosphere.
“Even if just one person comes and gets a costume, that was the goal, That’s worth it.”
Misty Castillo
PTA volunteer
In today’s Marvel-inundated society, superhero costumes are coveted. Gunnison PTA member Kristi Remkus consulted with the experts (her tween children) to learn that witches, characters from popular video game Fortnite and the personified emotion-characters from Pixar’s “Inside Out 2” are also hot commodities.
What was once a tradition of handmade outfits is now a multi-billion dollar industry, according to the National Retail Federation. The NRF expects Americans to spend around $3.8 billion on Halloween costumes this year alone.
Individual kids' costumes are priced anywhere between $15 to more than $100 at Walmart and Amazon. The costs quickly add up for parents with multiple chil-
dren, who sometimes request multiple costumes each for different Halloween events. Fastgrowing kids often can’t fit into last year’s kit, and parents often end up with an ever-growing pile of costumes that their kids won’t wear again. But the PTA’s annual costume swap offers a new home for costumes that can be reworn, year after year.
Although the PTA wasn’t able to secure donations from local businesses this time due to short notice, the group plans to reach out to more businesses next year. Castillo also expects the PTA’s collection to grow as more families contribute to the colorful costume collection.
The PTA’s new stockpile of costumes also ensures that no kids are left out of GES’ annual costume parade, serving as a backup plan for kids who want
to participate in the spooky festivities.
“Even if just one person comes and gets a costume, that was the goal,” Castillo said. “That’s worth it.”
The GES costume parade will take place during the school day on Oct. 31. Parents can contact gunnisonvalleypta@gmail.com for more information about free costumes for kids or to donate used costumes.
(Mariel Wiley can be contacted at 970.641.1414 or mariel@ gunnisontimes.com.)
Bella Biondini Times Editor
I took off my shoes and crawled into the curious oblong structure on my hands and knees, the velvet door closing behind me. Once inside, I laid down on my back in the darkness. As my eyes adjusted, my surroundings glowed a soft red from the light outside. I had entered a giant womb, an experimental textile sculpture created by Gunnison artist Paige Stewart.
She reminded me that we all come from a long line of wombs, from mother, to grandmother, to great-grandmother. They serve as our portal into this world, and in return, we are shaped by this person, she said. Guiding me through a mediation, Stewart asked me to imagine my own mother, and notice any feelings of appreciation, as well as any strain in our relationship, past or present. She asked me to consider the ways we have changed over the years as we moved through life, both together and apart.
The invisible strings that tie us to our mothers may be more difficult for some to untangle than others. Every day, I try to overcome the things that my mother may have unintentionally handed down to me. It’s the chronic anxiety disorder I am still learning how to live with, or the depression that strikes suddenly, as if someone had pulled a rug out from under my feet. It is the impulse to withdraw when it feels like my life is spiraling out of control, and the recurring insomnia that leaves
hollows under my eyes. I am afraid that one day I will look in the mirror and see her, instead of myself.
As my mind wandered, I felt an almost animal-like, or instinctual sense of longing to be close to my mother. I hadn’t seen her in almost a year, and we typically exist with more than a thousand miles between us. Even though more time passes between every visit, I can easily imagine the long silver hair that drapes over her shoulders and the permanent wrinkles around her eyes and mouth from smiling.
For years, I blamed her for things that were out of her control — more twisted strings between her and my grandmother, a relationship I fear I will never fully understand. As I’ve gotten older, I want to learn how to forgive, even if the process is painful.
I closed my eyes, my chest tight. When I opened them, I was still in this strange, almost alien landscape adorned with beautiful fabrics. The art forced me to be present in this space and my brain flashed around like a bird in a cage. I had no choice but to feel, even if just for a moment.
After I emerged from the sculpture, we sat cross-legged on the floor and over tea, talked about the weight of some of the things we may carry with us, unbeknownst to others: childhood or sexual trauma, eating and mental health disorders, infertility, mother wounds, pregnancy loss and the feeling that love is conditional. I left her studio feeling much less alone.
The exhibition, titled “Re-wombing,” is an opportunity to revisit the sometimes painful, but also powerful parts of womanhood: What is it like being a woman in this world? What is your monthly cycle like? What do you wish to change about your relationship with your mother?
Because I am also a painter, I enjoy featuring the work of the Gunnison Valley’s artist community in the newspaper. But I had never encountered art like this, even though I had known about Stewart’s installation for months prior. My visit to Santa Fe’s Meow Wolf, a production company that creates largescale immersive art installations at various locations around the West, was the closest thing that came to mind. Meow Wolf is a place that evokes a playful sense of wonder. It's possible to transport to a new dimension by squeezing through the door of a washing machine, climbing to the top of a treehouse or steering a spaceship.
While Stewart’s sculpture made me examine my relationships, rather than imagine fantastical versions, both experiences temporarily shifted my reality. This is part of the effect immersive art is designed to have on its audience.
“I've always loved artists who have worked at this huge scale, and I think it's because we stop being in the reality that we understand … If the rules are different in this big [art]work, it creates a space for us to change how we think and how we want to be,” Stewart said.
Through a series of small group workshops in conjunction with the installation, Stewart invites local women to come together and use art to heal. Stewart encouraged me, on that brief Thursday afternoon visit in September, to reimagine, forgive and recreate. The challenge has stuck with me.
The exhibition is open through the end of December at 723 S. 9th Street Suite 2 in Gunnison. To view the event calendar, visit paige-stewart. com/re-wombing.
(Bella Biondini can be contacted at 970.641.1414 or bella@ gunnisontimes.com.)
The Western Theatre Company welcomed audiences to its first show of the season on Oct. 17. “LOVE,” written by Finegan Kruckemeyer and directed by Heather Hughes, follows the journey of a young boy as he sets out to discover the things his neighbors hold dear. Unlike most productions, LOVE encourages interactions from its younger audience members, rather than requiring them to watch in silence.
Creatives strung together fabric candies to make Halloween-themed garlands during the monthly Crafternoon session at the Gunnison County Library on Oct. 17.
Free coats and more
The Gunnison Rotary Club sponsors a free coat closet on the west side of the Gunnison Country Food Pantry building at 114 S. 14th St. Feel free to take a coat or leave a gently used coat of any size.
GriefShare
Are you grieving the loss of a family member or friend? Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church in Gunnison will host a 13-week, scripture-based support group on a schedule that will accommodate all participants. Email Rod Morrill at rodmorrill2@ gmail.com for more information and to register.
The community dance production, Move The Butte, will take place on Feb. 20-22, 2025 at the Crested Butte Center for The Arts. Anyone interested in dancing in MTB can sign up using the “Call for Dancers” form at movethebutte.com. The page is live until Nov. 1. Adults over the age of 18 are welcome, no dance experience necessary. Email movethebutte@gmail. com for more information.
The Ohio City Volunteer Fire Department’s annual hunter’s dinner will take place Oct. 28 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at the City Hall on CR 76. A Bill Wolford hunting knife will be raffled off, $1 a ticket. The cost of the spaghetti dinner is by donation ($10 or more suggested). FD t-shirts, ball caps and stickers will be available for sale. Cash or checks only please.
Block 1 (winter) classes start Oct. 28 for both youth and adults at the Crested Butte School of Dance. Many youth classes will perform in The Nutcracker [Rated CB], scheduled for Dec. 13-14. Block 2 for adults will include ongoing dance classes, as well as many Move the Butte rehearsal classes. These will perform in Move the Butte, scheduled for Feb. 20-22, 2025. New classes for Block 2 include high school belly dance and adult belly dance.
Join us Tuesdays Nov. 5-Dec. 16 from 4-5:30 p.m. for "Broadway Bound". In this class budding performers ages 8-13 will explore the exciting world of live theater in a fun, supportive, and engaging learning environment. Students will develop foundational theatrical skills such as healthy vocal projection, confidence, how to move meaningfully to music, and what it means to collaborate with fellow actors. "Broadway Bound" will culminate in a final showcase performance for parents and loved ones on Dec. 16 from 5-5:30 p.m.
Every Tuesday Nov. 5-Dec. 17 from 6-7 p.m. develop core strength, superb balance, and healthy flexibility in "Strengthen & Lengthen". All levels are welcome whether you're new to fitness or you're a seasoned mover, "Strengthen & Lengthen" is the fun, effective, and grace-filled movement class you've been looking for. Benefit from the accountability, energizing community and trainer expertise uniquely available in a group fitness class. Geared towards ages 16+.
On Oct. 25 at 7 p.m., Firebird Theatre and the Center for the Arts are proud to present an outrageously fun screening of the 1975 cult classic, “Rocky Horror Picture Show!” Featuring an interactive shadow cast starring some of Crested Butte’s hottest talent, this night of absolute pleasure encourages unbridled audience participation. Get rowdy and let’s do the Time Warp again. 18+ unless accompanied by an adult. The cost is $35.
The Dean's List is coming to Crested Butte for the second time on Nov. 2 at 7 p.m. with a full set of ski and snowboard films. TDL organization stands to support action sports filmmakers and athletes by touring the best in amateur and profes-
The 35th Headwaters Conference — "Generational Resiliency: Agriculture in the Gunnison Basin" — will take place Oct. 25-26 at Western Colorado University. Western and Coldharbour Institute have teamed up with local producers to host a discussion on the future of agriculture in our valley and beyond. For more information visit western.edu/school-environmentsustainability/35th-headwatersconference.
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Learn the basics of handbuilding, surface design and glazing while making holiday keepsakes. Ages 6-13. Three Wednesdays: Nov. 6, 13 and 20 from 2:15 - 3:30 p.m.
HALLOWEEN & DAY OF THE DEAD
FRIDAY, NOV. 1 • 6-9 PM AT THE ALMONT RESORT
$10/ADULT $2 SPECIALSDRAFT
LIVE DJ • BONFIRES • FOOD & DRINKS HAY RIDES FAMILY FRIENDLY ACTIVITIES KID & ADULT COSTUME CONTEST WITH PRIZES!
sional film. Join us for a night of gear giveaways, film premiers, and athlete chats. The cost is $15.
Join us Nov. 8 from 5-7 p.m. for the opening reception of our Small Works Show to celebrate the participating artists. Featuring complimentary beer or wine, a bar menu and a chance to mingle with the artists. In conjunction with the local Makers Market, the Kinder Padon Gallery Small Works Show will be the perfect place to start your holiday shopping.
club: Ottolenghi Comfort
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. Join us Nov. 8 from 5-7
p.m. for a collaborative potluck inspired by Ottolenghi Comfort. Pick up a copy at Townie Books or borrow ours, sign up for a dish and bring your creation to share. We’ll handle the table and wine — it’s a fun way to enjoy food, conversation, and inspiration with fellow food lovers! The cost is $25.
On Nov. 15 at 7 p.m., prepare to embark on a thrilling musical odyssey that spans the entire spectrum of Taylor Swift's illustrious career. Taylor Nation, the premier live band sing-along tribute, invites you to join us on a remarkable journey through the eras of Taylor Swift's momentous musical evolution. A portion of the proceeds will benefit the Crested Butte Community School PTA. The cost is $35+.
The City of Gunnison will begin the No Dig Moratorium effective November 20, 2024.
Effective November 20, 2024 no excavation will be allowed in the City right-of-way until further notice. The Moratorium will be lifted when the ground thaws in Spring 2025.
ROW permits for the 2024 season must be submitted to the City no later than November 6 at 5 p.m.
Alex McCrindle Times Sports Editor
The GHS softball season finished with a heartbreaking loss to Resurrection Christian on Oct. 18 in the first round of the playoffs.
Despite battling back from a five-run deficit, the Cowboy offense slowed in the final innings, setting up a Cougars walkoff in the seventh. The defeat eliminated the girls from the playoffs, concluding their season with a 13-11 overall record.
“I’m so proud of these girls for finishing with the win streak, and coming back from the early deficit,” said Head Coach Leslie DiLorenzo. “We had a couple errors, but we didn’t beat ourselves up and just kept battling.”
After a swashbuckling, eightgame winning streak to close out the regular season, the Cowboys entered the playoffs ranked No. 18. The Cougars boasted a 15-8 overall record, earning the No. 15 spot.
On Friday, the Resurrection
Christian offense lit up the diamond straight out of the gate. In the first inning, the Cougars tacked on three runs, and stretched the lead to five in the bottom of the second. The Cowboys eased their way into the matchup, but exploded in the third and fourth innings. A double from Caroline Sudderth and two-run triple from Isabella Crown opened the floodgates.
Then, Kylee McDougal and Maddie Vollendorf added to the attack with a double and RBI.
The highlight of the game came in the top of the fourth, when junior slugger Kaylee Vincent launched a three-run jack to extend the Cowboys’ lead. Heading into the fifth, GHS overcame the slow start, and led 11-5.
The Cougars’ offense rumbled on, and the Cowboys slowed at the plate. Resurrection Christian scored five unanswered runs, and entered the final inning down 11-10. GHS held tightly to the one-run advantage in the bottom of the seventh, but the Cougars were relentless. Resurrection Christian walked it off with a base hit, winning 12-11 at the death.
“We went cold after the third and fourth, and started to
play a little tight defensively,” DiLorenzo said. “Going into the bottom of the seventh only up by one added a lot of pressure, and Resurrection Christian played a really great game.”
It was a devastating way for the GHS season to end. But compared with prior postseason defeats, seniors Vollendorf and McDougal said the 7-inning
thriller was a memorable way to finish their varsity careers.
“I’m so grateful it was a close game and a really fun game, and it was a great way to end my season,” Vollendorf said. “I love these girls, and I’m so proud of the way we played.”
“This group always gave 100% and we had such a strong bond,” McDougal said. “Our
seniors were such strong leaders, and that trickled down to the underclassmen, and we became really connected as a team.”
(Alex McCrindle can be contacted at 970.641.1414 or alex@ gunnisontimes.com.)
Alex McCrindle Times Sports Editor
The Cowboy soccer team found redemption against rivals Telluride on Oct. 19, beating the Miners 4-0 in its last home game of the season. The key league victory moved GHS to a 6-7-1 overall record, and a third-place, 3-2-1 league record.
With only one regular season game remaining against nonleague opponent Delta on Oct. 24, the Cowboys currently sit No. 13 out of 24 headed into the postseason.
“This was the best I’ve seen them play as a team all year,” said Head Coach Susan Powers. “I could name four or five kids who had their best game of the season. We really put all the pieces together.”
Although the team fell to Telluride 5-2 on Oct. 5, the Cowboys bounced back in the home rematch on Saturday. Coach Powers said the narrow Telluride pitch played a significant role in the away defeat. At home, the Cowboys utilized their wider field to beat the Miner press and take advantage on the counterattack.
The midfield pivot of Eli Coop and Owen Powers connected the defense to the attack, helping the Cowboys split the Miners high press. The pair also Soccer B7
contributed heavily in front of goal. Owen Powers bagged a goal, while Coop scored and assisted. Cesar Marmolejo continued his excellent run of form, and created two goals and scored one. Senior Anselmo Ballesteros also added a goal to his name.
"This was the best I’ve seen them play as a team all year. I could name four or five kids who had their best game of the season."
Susan Powers
Head coach
On defense, centerbacks
Tilden Martinez and Zavier Drendel played a “flawless game,” according to Coach Powers. The duo navigated through the opposing press, and earned a clean sheet for their efforts.
The game ended a dominant, 4-0 for the Cowboys. Now, all eyes are on the final matchup against 3A Delta this week. Playoffs are scheduled for early November.
“We’re focusing on our growth, energy and mindset ahead of the postseason,”
Coach Powers said. “We’re right in there with some of the best teams in the state when we play well. Now we just need to find consistency.”
(Alex McCrindle can be contacted at 970.641.1414 or alex@ gunnisontimes.com.)
Grady Buckhanan’s 245 rushing yards and three touchdowns led GHS to its first win of the season on Oct. 18. The Cowboys took down the Pagosa Springs Pirates, 41-25. The victory moves GHS to a 1-6 overall record. The boys will return to action against the 4-3 Bayfield Wolverines away on Oct. 26, and will return home on Nov. 1 for the final game of the season.
Screenprinting • Embroidery
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• Wildlife management is a science. When we alter the management of one species, it affects other wildlife species in the ecosystem. To avoid unintended consequences for people and other species, decisions should be based on science and driven by wildlife professionals.
• The hunting of bobcats and mountain lions needs to be managed by CPW, using ecological principles based on scientific research.
• The current regulated hunting of bobcats and mountain lions by private citizens is part of local communities’ control of impacts by predators to agriculture, pets and human activities in rural areas.
Marlo Fraizer Special to the Times
Twelve GHS mountain bike riders competed at the Colorado High School Cycling League state championships in Glenwood Springs on Oct. 19 and 20.
The weekend began on Saturday with freshman riders Emmitt Aspey and Delaney Olmstead, who delivered solid performances to conclude their first high school race season. Their efforts set a positive tone for the team, and marked the end of a successful debut season.
The JV riders followed with a series of competitive races. Senior and captain Porter Houck, along with Owen Frazier and Colin Bloomer, represented the Cowboys in the JV boys category. It was one of the largest groups, with 155 riders spanning grades ninth through 12th.
Frazier finished 17th in 52:42. At the same time, Porter completed the 11-mile course with a finish in 59:07, which featured flowy singletrack descents, technical switchbacks and climbs through piñon and sagebrush. Bloomer finished shortly after, crossing the line at 1:01:42. On the girls side, Emily Cattles and Atalaya Hausdoerffer placed 58th and 75th, finishing the season strong.
On Sunday, the sophomore boys demonstrated their resilience and determination. Kyle Mason and Caleb Woodward engaged in a competitive battle to determine the points leader in their category for the Cowboys.
The two riders pushed each other to the limit, with Mason making an impressive leap up eleven places to finish 46th. Not
far behind, Woodward surged ahead by 14 spots — crossing the finish line 22 seconds after Mason to secure 51st place. Carbon Kruthaupt also had a strong ride, and all the Sophomore Boys landed in the top 100. Spirits were high as the boys celebrated an exciting race and a well-deserved finish.
The weekend concluded on a poignant note as varsity riders Norah Lee and Olivia Neyman wrapped up their high school mountain biking careers. Their dedication and leadership will have a lasting impact on the Cowboy mountain bike team.
With the 2024 season complete, the team bids a heartfelt farewell to its three graduating seniors, who now embark on the next exciting chapter of their lives. They leave behind a legacy of hard work and passion for the sport.
Gregg Petcoff
Special to the Times
No. 8 Western Colorado University rallied back to a 35-24 win over South Dakota Mines at home on Oct. 19.
After a 3-and-out on his first possession of the third quarter, quarterback Drew Nash finished off his next drive with a 75-yard drive, and touchdown pass to Josiah Ayon. The Western defense held firm on the Hardrockers' ensuing possession, and cut the lead to 10 points.
Nash pushed the offense down the field once again on the next drive, which culminated in an 11-yard touchdown to Ayon. The score moved Western to a 24-21 lead. Nash's legs provided a key play in the drive, as he scrambled for a first down on third and 21.
A 3-and-out for the Mines offense put the ball back in
Western's hot hands. The Mountaineers pushed down the field again, extending the drive with a 17-yard catch by Elias Zarate on third and 7. Nash and Ayon capitalized with a 24-yard touchdown pass.
The Hardrockers found themselves trailing for the first time in the game, 28-24. The team responded with a steady drive that stalled at the Western 25. Connor Taylor lined up for a 42-yard field goal attempt to draw Mines to within a point. But Ricky Freymond blocked his second field goal of the season to maintain the Mountaineers' 4-point advantage.
Sage Yazzie's 8-yard reception on a third and 8 kept Western's next drive rolling. For the fourth time in the second half, Nash and Ayon finished a drive with a touchdown pass, this one a 20-yard lofted toss into the back of the end zone.
The Western defense finished off the win by intercepting a fourth-down pass, as Ethan Sanchez-Maxwell stepped in front of a Mines receiver to put the nail in the coffin.
Ayon finished the afternoon with four touchdowns from six catches and a total of 59 receiv-
Wide receiver Josiah Ayon was awarded the RMAC Offensive Player of the Week award for 59 yards and four touchdowns. (Courtesy Western Colorado University)
ing yards. His efforts over the final 21 minutes of the game earned the junior wide receiver the RMAC’s offensive player of the week award.
Freymond and Cameron Cooper led the Mountaineer defense with 10 and nine total tackles. Freymond, in addition to his blocked field goal, also
earned three sacks and five tackles for loss during the game. Those numbers earned the redshirt junior defensive lineman the RMAC’s defensive player of the week honor.
Western will travel to take on No. 10 Colorado School of Mines on Nov. 2 at 12 p.m. in Golden.
(Gregg Petcoff is the assistant athletics director for communications at Western Colorado University and can be reached at gpetcoff@western.edu.)
A public hearing before the Board of Directors of the Gunnison County Metropolitan Recreation District, a/k/a MetRec, will be held at 6:00 p.m. on October 30, 2024, at the City of Gunnison Council Chambers located at 201 W. Virginia Ave, Gunnison, Colorado for the purpose of considering discontinuation of television and FM translator service by the District.
Public comment will be heard at the hearing or written comment may be submitted to the District’s Executive Director, Derrick Nehrenberg, at derrick@gcmetrec.com or 710 S. 9th St., Gunnison, Colorado 81230, no later than October 30, 2024, at 12:00 p.m.
The Board encourages the public to provide comment as to why the District should or should not discontinue television and FM translator service. The Board will take all comments under advisement and will not take official action on this matter at the October 30, 2024, meeting.
/s/ Cassia Cadenhead President
Public Work Session:
Wednesday, Oct 30th 5:00PM
City of Gunnison Council Chambers 201 West Virginia Ave Gunnison, CO Join