As membership dwindles, Gunnison Valley’s last lodge will close
Bella Biondini Times Editor
The cold creeping in behind him, Dan McDonough flicked on the lights in the Gunnison Pioneer Museum
Masons A6
NEWS: Youth Nordic skiing takes off, A12
COMMUNITY: Sisterhood of the seams, B1
SPORTS: Uhrig leads GHS wrestling, B4
A2
A4
A15-A17
B4
Abby Harrison Times Staff Writer
For the second time in the last several years, the Palisades Apartments have nearly sold, only for the deal to fall through.
In early November, the property went under contract with private buyers out of Colorado Springs. But a new state law — enacted just a month before — halted the process and allowed a local government or housing authority to intervene and make an offer. Just over a month later,
both the private buyers and the Gunnison Valley Regional Housing Authority withdrew as possible buyers.
The Palisades Apartments, located on North Colorado Street, offer 60 affordable housing units. Rental rates are controlled by the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), and are some of the lowest in the Gunnison Valley. HUD controls rents at the Palisades through a “Section 8” housing choice voucher program. Section 8 vouchers cap rents at 30% of the tenant’s “adjusted” income, which considers factors like disabilities or dependents.
In general, Section 8 contracts are unique in that HUD
Palisades A6
Abby Harrison Times Staff Writer
Timewise, the Gunnison Watershed School District’s $120 million bond project is just about at the halfway point. Through cold snaps and feet of snow, construction crews continue to demolish the old, and build the new at schools up and down the valley.
The school board received the final construction update of the year from its owner’s representative, Artaic Group, at a board meeting on Dec. 16. In the last month, construction crews have run into weather-
related issues at Crested Butte Community School (CBCS). And, the most recent plans for athletic field space at Gunnison Community School now include an all-weather track.
Good news for track stars
The school district’s running stars will soon have eight lanes of all-weather home track to practice and compete on, as designs for the Gunnison Community School’s outdoor field space now include an all-weather, eight-lane rubber surface track. This means that the district would be able to host state-wide middle and high school track competitions. However, the design team was only able to include the track
Schools A3
“I like
— Addy Cadenhead
See story on A12
Winter logging operations continue near Tincup
On Dec. 18, the Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison (GMUG) National Forests Gunnison Ranger District announced winter log hauling in the Tincup area for the Slaughterhouse timber sale. Logging operations will continue throughout the winter, weather permitting.
The Slaughterhouse timber sale is a key part of the Taylor Park vegetation management project, aimed at limiting the spread of the mountain pine beetle and lowering the fire danger around Tincup’s residential areas. For public safety, the GMUG will prohibit public use on the plowed portion of Forest Service roads #765 and #764.
Visitors should pay close attention to all road traffic signs and exercise extreme caution when traveling near the area. Log truck hauling is restricted to Monday through Friday, and will not occur on holidays. For more information, contact 970.641.0471.
GCEA approves 4.5% rate increase
On Dec. 18, the Gunnison County Electric Association (GCEA) Board of Directors approved a 4.5% overall rate increase for 2025, set to take effect on Jan. 1. This increase applies to all rate classes and will be distributed across the monthly service availability charge, demand charge (for large power and industrial accounts) and the energy (or kWh) charge.
The average monthly residential member bill will increase $6.02 based on an average of 688 kWh per month of usage. The monthly service availability fee will increase by $2.00 for most residential and commercial accounts.
The proposed rate increase is driven by the need to replace aging infrastructure as well as increased labor, material and support service costs. To smooth the impact on members, the board approved the use of deferred revenue to cover 34% of increased expenses in the 2025 budget. The rest will be recovered by the 4.5% increase to rates.
Sonja Pluess
On Dec. 20, 2024, Sonja Pluess of Edgerton, WI passed away peacefully at Cedar Crest Health Center in Janesville, WI. She was born on April 15, 1935, to Alton Maurice and Dorothy (Decker) Hagen, and was later adopted by Dr. Thomas and Elsie Pluess.
Sonja’s schooling included Edgerton High School, a bachelor’s degree from Beloit College where she was a Tallman Scholar and a master’s degree from Western State College, CO. Sonja was a music teacher and band director in Durand, IL, Gunnison, CO and Fort Morgan, CO. She was a substitute teacher for 20 years in Edgerton, WI. She loved music and played many instruments. She loved and touched many people in the bands she played in including the Palmyra Eagle Community Band, First Brigade Band of Wisconsin and Blessed
Band. She was also involved as an adjudicator for band contests and had membership in many professional organizations. The highlight of her career was being recognized by the Al and Gladys Wright Award from the American School Band Directors Association (ASBDA) — an organization she was highly involved in since 1974.
Sonja was an incredible woman who, in 1970, built an original log cabin (no nails) in Canada, where she spent her summers fishing and loving the outdoors. She loved her poodles including Lucy, who survives her. Sonja is survived by her sister, Judy Todd of Kennewick, WA and her sister-in-law Bethel Hagen of Sioux Falls, SD along with several nieces and nephews.
She was predeceased by her parents, siblings, Dr. Bruce Hagen, Dr. David (Lois) Hagen, Doris (Norbert) Hoff, Alton (Lois) Hagen and Barbara (Berwyn) Gunderson.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Sonja’s name to Hope Lutheran Church of Milton, WI or Valley of the Kings of Sharon, WI. Special thanks to her beloved niece, Gayle Lovejoy, neighbors George and Chris Wellenkotter, friends Kathy Klein and Wayne Craig.
A memorial service will be held at 12 p.m. on Tuesday,
For this month’s Gunnison County Library Crafternoon event, attendees created miniature wool hat ornaments on Dec. 19. The creatives joined colorful strands of yarn together as they shared their holiday plans.
Jan. 7, 2025, at Hope Lutheran Church in Milton, WI. Pastor John Swanson will officiate. Visitation will be from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Jan. 7, at the church. Private interment will be at Milton Lawns Memorial Park in Janesville.
Sally Duck, a 39-year resident died at her home on Tobin Lane on the Upper Gunnison Dec. 16 following a stroke.
Born July 7, 1931 in Rochester, New York to Charles and Maragret Shaw Brayer, Sally graduated from Fairport High School and received her education from the University of Rockport, a New York state college. She taught elementary school at Rochester, continuing her career briefly in Jefferson County near Denver after moving to Colorado.
Sally and her husband, John Duck, an employee of Firestone
Tire Company, moved to Gunnison in 1985. Mr. Duck succumbed to cancer the next year.
Sally enjoyed everything about the Gunnison Country, fishing and camping in her Chevy Blazer pop-up camper; social interests stressed ways to benefit the community, such as memberships in the American Legion Auxiliary, Gunnison County Pioneer Museum and Historical Society, Gunnison Elks Ladies (its current secretary) and PEO, Chapter H.K. Especially important was Good Samaritan Episcopal Church. When the church ran the Opportunity Shop, providing quality merchandise at low rates for the financially disadvantaged, she was one of the volunteers.
Sally was predeceased by five brothers and one sister. She is survived by a sister, Lois Tubbs; a niece, Carol McKeever, both residents of New York; two sisters-in-law, Judy Brayer, Lakeland, Florida; Barbara Brayer, Ontario, New York; and other extended family.
Graveside services will be held at the Gunnison Cemetery on Monday, Dec. 30 at 11 a.m. Pastor Laura Osborne is officiating.
in the renovation budget by removing any synthetic fields from GCS.
Initially, Artaic believed the district could not afford to put in a track along with the two renovated field spaces at GCS. But after hearing from community groups that a track was important, the team worked to fit one into the budget. Designs now include two natural grass fields, one encircled by a track. The field with the track is a bit smaller, but both would be competition-certified with the Colorado High School Athletic Association (CHSA), said Artaic Project Manager John Usery.
“Talking to Kevin Mickelson and Abby McDonald, and all the movers and shakers in your athletics department, [revealed that] synthetic turf field isn't as needed down here as it is up in Crested Butte. They really feel that the track would add a whole lot more value,” Artaic Project Manager Matt Prinster said.
The total cost of the project is about $1.6 million, about $100,000 less than the previous design that included synthetic turf. Current designs feature a high jump and long jump pit, field area for shot put and discus, and comply with CHSA regulation. The plans don’t include bleachers, bathrooms or concession stands, but retains the space to include those in the future.
For years, the school has used track and field space at Western Colorado University’s Rady Field and the Mountaineer Bowl for meets and practice. But rental rates have increased considerably, said Superintendent Leslie Nichols. In addition, access has become “more difficult” on the indoor track and the Mountaineer Bowl since it was renovated.
“It used to be, ‘Hey, can we show up?’ And it was no big deal. Now it really has to be scheduled and paid for, and all that's great. It's still an incredible asset and we will maintain our strong partnership with Western,” Nichols said. “But giving this district —truly generations [of students] — all of these site improvements, our
programs [will have] such a firm footing.”
After the school board approved the consideration of synthetic turf, FCI started a bidding process for turf at CBCS, and has selected a company to work with. The team will review product data to ensure no PFAs are used in the materials, and the “infill” is not crumbed rubber but another non-toxic material.
Winter construction woes
As part of the construction project, crews exposed an interior wall next to the CBCS library. However, they did not insulate the wall and as a result, water pipes froze and broke during a recent stretch of subzero temperatures. The first broke in a corridor next to the exposed wall. Ten days later, another water line broke at the “elbow” which caused even more water to rush into the CBCS library
The first break did not impact any school activities, but the second break forced the district to close the library for five days. The water damaged some books, and one staff member lost a personal laptop. Since the breaks, the walls have been insulated and crews have checked on nearby mechanical systems to make sure they’re running smoothly.
“We had some stuff that we didn't oversee very well in that situation,” said FCI Constructors Project Manager Marc Litzen. “And we're very regretful for that disruption that was caused in the school.”
Before the pipes froze, crew members were checking temperatures at least twice a day
and even stayed overnight during some of the colder spells to ensure things ran smoothly, Litzen said.
The renovation project is also addressing deferred maintenance at each school, like the HVAC systems which provide heat and cooling to the buildings. When the pipes burst, those old heating units were not working as designed, Nichols said.
FCI is working with insurers to get the unexpected water issues covered. FCI stated that taxpayers will not be responsible for any additional costs and FCI will cover all remediation, Usery said. This means that the cost to fix the issue will come out of the millions of bond dollars the district set aside in contingency funds, meant to account for unexpected changes in construction or design.
“It's clear that things that Crested Butte have are being managed in a really solid way right now, since these happened and communication is top shelf,” Nichols said. “I feel like I can trust what's happening there and that this isn't going to happen again.”
(Abby Harrison can be contacted at 970.641.1414 or abby@ gunnisontimes.com.)
But know this, that if the master of the
had known what hour the thief would
he would have watched and not allowed his house to be broken into. Therefore, you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.
~Matthew 24:43-44 (NKJV)
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I‘m old enough to remember a time when kids planned their lives at Christmas time around the TV schedule. People born after 1990 or so will not understand that, but it’s true.
When I was a kid, our beloved Christmas shows were available once a year — and only once — on one of three stations. No YouTube, no downloading to watch later, no DVDs, for that matter. You watched what came through the aerial antenna on the roof, at the time it was broadcast, or not at all. To miss a program meant waiting a whole year for another chance.
You get it. The stakes were high. We watched the TV listings in the paper every week, searching for the golden words: “Frosty the Snowman;” “Rudolf the Red-Nosed
This is outrageous
Editor: It is Friday, Dec. 20, and this is the wheelchair access ramp to our post office in Gunnison. It hasn’t snowed in weeks, this is a federal facility, and there is no access to a large portion of our community.
Is this even legal? I’m asking for the sweet woman that could not access the building in her power wheelchair, trying to mail holiday packages. This is outrageous.
*(Andrews shared a photo depicting the snow-covered ramp with the Times.)
Erica
Andrews Gunnison
Editor:
The Gunnison County commissioners had planned to issue a $125 million general revenue bond for the Whetstone project at their Dec. 17 meeting, according to a blurb in the Crested Butte News which also reported the decision was postponed until January.
Since any shortfall of "revenue" from Whetstone rents will have to come from county taxes (general revenue), should not the voters have a say before such a bond is issued?
Jim Gazzoli
Gunnison
Reindeer;” “How the Grinch Stole Christmas;” “The Little Drummer Boy.” And then we drew big red circles around those half-hour blocks of precious time.
The real prize, for me at least, was “A Charlie Brown Christmas.” I liked the music — that Schroeder could play! — and the very idea of a bunch of kids putting on a play together without any adults getting in the way. I liked Snoopy’s attitude as much as I disliked Lucy’s. If I’m honest, I identified with Charlie Brown and his quest to do something — anything — right for a change.
But, even as a boy, I was captivated every year when Linus walked out on the stage, in the midst of all the story’s familiar chaos and drama, to calmly remind everyone what the real story was about: “Glad tidings of great joy,” and “Unto you a child is born.” “Peace on Earth and goodwill toward men.” This was the long-awaited fulfillment of God’s ancient promise — that people walking in darkness would see a great light, and they would never be the same.
Perhaps it was hearing that story in a child’s voice, rather
We need all the facts, not fear
Editor:
Mr. Arell’s article in the letters to the editor on Nov. 28 was quite alarming. Even if what he stated was true, is the Green New Deal a case of doing all the wrong things for all the right reasons?
He stated, "I remain a climate optimist confident that established pathways (Green New Deal) exist to decarbonize the planet by 2050.” He hopes to decarbonize the planet? Big mistake. If that happens, what will happen to all plant life (food) that takes in carbon dioxide and expels oxygen. Facts, not fear, should rule the day. The Green New Deal proposes to turn 250 million acres of federal land into solar farms.
Electric Vehicles are 30% heavier than gas-powered vehicles. EV tires are currently about 20-30% more expensive. They need to be replaced after about 10,000 miles. The batteries, if needed to be replaced today, would be between $5,000 - $20,000. They last from 8-12 years unless you regularly use your electric vehicle. What! Certain car manufacturers are reconsidering whether they want to continue making these cars because they are losing money on them and the demand has gone down. Many EVs are still on the road today. The rest made it home.
So, then what? We have 250 million acres of solar panels
than booming from a pulpit, that made it so accessible, so easy to understand. All these years later, after a long and winding journey, I still see the love and hope in it.
This Christmas, I realize we are more in need of those things than ever. Chaos and drama have never been, in my lifetime, quite this shrill. Apparent threats to “peace on Earth” keep multiplying. Where can comfort be found? Certainly not in the deafening noise pouring out of the legacy news media and entertainment. Doubly definitely not in anything that government has to offer.
Where then? Maybe an answer lies in this season that we celebrate every year, but with less and less awareness about why.
Even for those who aren’t Christian, the imagery and symbolism in the story of Christmas must be intriguing. God in the form of a helpless child, just like us? Hated for who he was, but offering his love anyway? Giving hope that our lives need not be — and were never intended to be — a long stint as slaves to materialistic fate? Sounds pretty good.
There is no doubt that, so far, humans have generally failed to put all this into practice at scale. For evidence of that, we need only refer back to the aforementioned chaos and drama. But should that mean that the message is not true, or the possibility of getting it right is a mirage? At its core, the “light” that Christmas introduced lies in the simple truth that love and mercy will change the world, starting with each of us, if we choose them. Fear, hatred and violence can do that too. What those paths have in common is the phrase, “if we choose them.” That’s why, this year, I am happy to say “Merry Christmas” to everyone I meet, and not simply “Happy Holidays.” It keeps the choice about which road I’ll take fresh in my mind.
(Alan Wartes can be contacted at 970.641.1414 or publisher@gunnisontimes.com.)
with no purpose. How will 250 million acres of solar panels just in the United States, then multiplied by the whole planet, affect the environment? Will solar panels be the cause of global warming in the great irony of all-time?
There was an alternative idea mentioned that our cars could be powered with hydrogen energy. They use hydrogen and liquid oxygen to send rockets into space. The only by-product is ice and water. If we keep getting this bad idea shoved down our throats, we are not able to pursue a better course. Three point five trillion per year until 2035 is our obligation under the Green New (raw) Deal.
We need to work together toward a better solution, where we retain the carbon dioxide that is so necessary, and part of the plan from the beginning for plant life to exist. Just a thought. Is the earth more verdant as a result of the greenhouse gas emissions? We need the whole truth, not just half a truth. The oceans, which cover 71% of the earth, produce most of our oxygen through microscopic marine plants called phytoplankton, which uses photosynthesis to convert carbon dioxide and sunlight into oxygen, releasing the oxygen into the atmosphere. Simultaneously the ocean absorbs carbon dioxide from the air by dissolving it directly into the water. That is the plan.
We are losing on average 2 minutes per day of sunlight.
Should we fear that we will eventually be left in total darkness? There is another truth out there on the subject that is a counterbalance to the first truth mentioned.
We need all the facts, not fear. The Green New Deal is not the answer. It could be, in fact, the problem.
Pam Randall Gunnison
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Christmas tunes swelled in the Gunnison High School auditorium during a band and choir concert on Dec. 17. During the show, the band performed a special medley of Christmas tunes in which the students were queued by director Keith Koepsel to flip, mid-stanza, to the next song in their sheet music.
On Thursday, Dec. 19, the City of Gunnison hosted a public forum at the Western University Center Ballroom to aid in the selection of a new Gunnison police chief. The two finalists, Sam Costello of Olympia, Washington, and Philip Lukens, who formerly worked in Alliance, Nebraska, were asked questions about how they would promote street safety, why they wanted to lead the Gunnison Police Department and their philosophies on community collaboration.
exhibit. He sat in the large wooden chair on the east side of the room as the Master Masons that came before him had done for more than a century. Their portraits now hang on the museum walls, and the polished furniture, handcrafted in the 1800s, shined as if no time had passed.
Freemasons, its members commonly referred to as “Masons,” belong to one of the oldest secret societies in the world. The fraternal group, composed of men who serve each other and their communities in different ways, has had a presence in the Gunnison Valley since the 1870s. The local chapter has prided itself in offering scholarships to graduating high school students and lending an unseen hand to locals. The lodge’s reach has extended as far as Crested Butte and Lake City.
Each Masonic lodge, a local chapter of the fraternity, is led by a master who organizes monthly meetings. Masters usually only serve for one year, but McDonough has stepped in many times over the past decade as membership at the Gunnison Valley Masonic Lodge declined. Now that the chapter’s lodge has been sold and its furniture, altar, faded photographs and historical items moved to the museum, McDonough will be the last to lead.
The Gunnison Valley Lodge #39 has slowly begun to disperse as its members aged, and will likely merge with a neighboring chapter. The remaining local members wanted to honor the history and dedication of the Masons that came long before them with a gift to the community that will continue to give long after they’re gone.
In April, the group sold the Masonic Lodge, located at 120 North Iowa St. for $950,000, according to the Gunnison County Assessor’s website. An anonymous donor later offered the building to Western Colorado University.
Over the last few weeks, the Masons handed out checks totaling roughly $450,000 to more than dozen local organizations: Crested Butte and Gunnison Emergency Medical Services, American Legion Post 54, the Gunnison Country Food Pantry, Living Journeys, Project Hope and the Ohio City and Pitkin fire departments, among others. Those same organizations will receive an annual gift from a new permanent endowment at the Community Foundation of the Gunnison Valley. Between the checks and the endowment, the Mason’s total donation to the valley nears $1 million.
“We're the last Masons stand-
gives the subsidy directly to the property owners, covering the difference between the federal agency’s “fair market rent” calculations and tenant’s income-based rents. For this reason, these contracts serve as consistent, guaranteed income
ing in the Gunnison community,” McDonough said. “And having gone back to the 1800s till right now, that's a lot to be very proud of. For it to come to an absolute end is just hard to imagine.”
According to the historical records that hang on the walls of the Pioneer Museum display, the early settlers of the Gunnison Country brought Masonry to the valley with them. Crystal Lake Lodge #34, the first lodge in the area and only the second on the Western Slope, was chartered in 1878. The Gunnison Lodge followed in 1881. The Gunnison Masons met in an old stone building where the present lodge still stands.
Other lodges, including Crested Butte #58 (which would later merge with the Gunnison chapter in the late 1990s), were chartered in the county, including one in Pitkin, Tincup and Marble. All have disappeared. After carrying on family tradition, passed from grandfather, to father to son, only five active local members remain. Roughly 33 others exist, but have since left Colorado.
With no young men in the lodge, McDonough said he attributes the fall of the chapter to the decline of face-to-face socialization and the exodus of young adults from the valley. Many of the Masons are also aging and have no one to share their traditions with.
“We’ve had wonderful young men come into the lodge, and as time rolls along they become a Mason and the next thing we know they’re gone … They have to
for an owner. Their profit may be reduced by the amount of money the owners sink back into the property in repairs and maintenance.
Prospective buyers Laurel Bahe and Stuart Sloat had the property under contract for $4 million, according to the purchase and sale contract. Bahe considered the property a “good investment,” she wrote in a statement of the Times . Both have
pick themselves and perhaps their new lady and children up, and they go somewhere else where they can buy a house, have a job and live their lives,” McDonough said. “Who gets stuck with zero? We do.”
While his hair has since turned white, and the knuckles of his hands knobby from decades spent on the ranch, Lee Spann smiled when he recalled a time when the Freemason’s presence in the valley thrived. Spann, now in his nineties, has been a mason for 72 years and served as a master in 1961.
Lodge meetings, which occurred on the second and fourth Tuesdays of almost every month, were an occasion not to be missed. Ranchers would travel for many miles on horseback, from as far as Powerhorn and Sargents, to join meetings. When Spann’s father, Virgil, and his grandfather, Lang, made their journey east through the valley and into town, they had to harness their horses, hook up the buggy and cross two rivers, even in the dead of winter, he said.
“We lose perspective of the dedication of our pioneers,” Spann said. “It was, in my time, an honor to be asked to be a Mason. It still is.”
Roughly 25 members would attend regular meetings, and new men would join the Masons for their own “self betterment,” Spann said. During a time when TV and telephones didn’t exist, it was also a social event as much as anything else, he said. Gunnison’s community leaders belonged to the
owned a variety of rental properties for decades, and have worked with Section 8 tenants and local housing authorities. Bahe terminated the contract because the terms of the sale required time consuming and costly steps prior to the date that GVRHA was required to make a decision. It didn’t make sense to complete those requirements when there was a chance the housing authority would move
Masons and the lodge was a place to share stories, experience and friendship. Visitors were also welcome, and some Masons would travel across the country to visit other chapters.
“They would come from all over the place … Because, by cracky, it was lodge night!” McDonough said.
Later on, the Masons began to give out scholarships to firstyear college students. The chapter would also go on to sponsor year-round youth programs and extend scholarships to students who wanted to attend trade schools. As many as 10 students received scholarships each year.
The Masons also helped numerous community organizations get projects done.
Facing the reality that their chapter might phase out, the Gunnison Masons wanted to preserve their storied history. For months, McDonough, Spann, Jim McDermott, Ed Ware and Kenneth Ashwood had challenging conversations about what to do with the proceeds from the sale of their lodge. This month, the Masons handed out some of the largest checks ever just in time for Christmas.
The Masons delivered each check in person. Some meetings took multiple phone calls to set up, as a number of organizations were unfamiliar with the group. Many of the recipients were shocked when a check — which in some cases came from a stranger they had never met — was placed in their hands.
McDermott, whose family has
in and make an offer, she wrote.
The new law, House Bill 24-1175, does not require reimbursement for any expenses the original purchaser undertakes to get the property under contract.
This means that a private buyer could spend thousands getting a contract in order, only to lose the property at the last minute to an entity like the housing authority. Despite the change in plans, she commended the current man -
spent more than 100 years serving in volunteer fire departments around the county, had to call two or three times to capture the Pitkin and Ohio City volunteer fire department’s interest in meeting with him. McDonough didn’t know the name of the American Legion Post 54 commander, but quickly obtained his number and cold called. John Nelson, although busy, agreed to meet McDonough in the Western Lumber parking lot for 15 minutes.
When Nelson arrived, he crawled into McDonough’s pickup truck. After a couple of minutes of polite conversation about the cold weather, he handed Nelson an envelope. It contained more than twice the Post’s annual budget.
“I could hardly believe it … I was completely shocked and dumbfounded,” Nelson said.
The remainder of the proceeds from the building sale established Gunnison Valley Masonic Lodge Charitable Fund at the Community Foundation. Each year, the foundation will make small distributions based on interest earnings to those same organizations, said Executive Director Lauren Kugler.
The new Pioneer Museum exhibition, built this year, will also ensure the Masons’ work in the valley is not forgotten. The chairs and benches are empty, but the room is set up as if the Masons are due to arrive for their Tuesday evening meeting at any moment.
(Bella Biondini can be contacted at 970.641.1414 or bella@gunnisontimes.com.)
agement team at the Palisades for working to make the place not just a basic shelter, but a “pleasant place to live.”
The new law gives local governments or housing authorities a shot at making a purchase offer on deed-restricted, multifamily properties with five or more units before it is sold to a private owner. Its supporters have
argued that it will help preserve Colorado’s existing affordable housing stock.
In a public meeting, and later in executive session, the housing authority board weighed the pros and cons of making an offer and acquiring the property. Many board members were hesitant to step in, referencing the housing authority’s recent high workload and understaffing. And, were the housing authority to have stepped in, the terms of the new law would have required it to match Bahe and Sloat’s $4 million offer.
The board considered how vulnerable the property might be to redevelopment. But the spectre of losing the Palisades as housing for Gunnison’s lower-income families anytime soon was lifted when Bahe revealed in a city council meeting that the HUD contract does not expire until 2039.
The board met in executive session on Nov. 20 and chose to pass on the property. In the last six months, the housing authority has focused on building internal capacity: hiring staff and reworking internal processes to make programs run more smoothly, Executive Director Melissa LaMonica told the Times. This work will enable the organization to take advantage of opportunities like this in the future, she said.
“A lot of the conversation was about, ‘Are we at risk of losing
this housing for the current residents?’ And I think the answer was no,” LaMonica said. “I think the second question was, ‘Are we able to take this on at this time?’ I think that was the larger concern.”
“A lot of the conversation was about, ‘are we at risk of losing this housing?’”
Melissa LaMonica Housing Authority
The organization is gearing up to manage at least three new affordable housing projects in the coming years, including the second phase of Sawtooth in Gunnison, and Paradise Park and Mineral Point in Crested Butte. The housing authority has hired another property manager, bringing the team to two people, to help manage the influx. The county and housing authority have had “minimal” conversation about whether or not the agency will also manage the 250-unit Whetstone project, she said.
For LaMonica, it’s too early to say just how the law will shape
the state’s income-restricted housing market, but she added it could create a more affordable way for local jurisdictions to get involved.
“It's a great opportunity for housing authorities or jurisdictions to preserve affordable housing largely in the lowerincome ranges, where I don't think we'll ever be able to build at a rate that supports those rents,” LaMonica said.
However, Sloat told the Times earlier this fall that he feels the law will damage the private market for multifamily affordable housing projects, allowing local governments to take over a deal after a private investor spent the time and money to negotiate with the owner. The National Apartment Association took the same stance in a 2023 press release, before the law passed:
“Colorado’s right of first refusal legislation will not create any new affordable units or relieve the pressure of limited housing supply,” the release stated. “Instead, it will stymie real estate transactions and discourage investment in new multifamily housing.”
(Abby Harrison can be contacted at 970.641.1414 or abby@ gunnisontimes.com.)
Macy Vinther’s Broadway Bound prodigies performed an original holiday play titled “A Christmas Twist” for an audience at the Gunnison Arts Center’s Black Box Theater on Dec. 17. The young thespians transformed into Santa’s elves, who were on a mission to save the spirit of Christmas.
testament to modern design and quality craftsmanship. As you step inside, you’re greeted by an open and inviting kitchen-dining area, adorned with cherry cabinets and equipped with state-of-the-art stainless steel appliances. The tiled shower and bathtub add a touch of luxury to the bathrooms, while the master bedroom boasts its own oasis with a reading nook or small office space. The 2-car detached garage features 8-foot doors and 10-foot ceilings inside, providing ample space for your vehicles and storage needs. The extra space above the garage, accessible via exterior stairs, presents exciting opportunities. Whether you need additional storage or dream of an ADU (Accessory Dwelling Unit), the potential is yours to explore with City of Gunnison approval. Don’t miss the chance to make this new construction your forever home. Contact us now to schedule a viewing and witness the epitome of contemporary living!
TBD W Denver Ave. MLS# 816647 $599,000 Spectacular 2.5 acre level lot located in Gunnison’s new subdivision Elk Ranch. This parcel is located just outside City limits on the west side of town and seller has it set up to be built on immediately. Lot has a well permit already in place along with the required approval for well from the Upper Gunnison Water Conservancy District which can be transferred at closing. Buyer of lot may also pay for tap fees to hook into the City water and sewer main that will be extended north by City this fall. There is a shared road/driveway into the subdivision and it will be completed by this fall as well. Lot has been surveyed and a building envelope has been established for a single family residence but other dwellings such as barns/sheds etc. will be allowed. Come enjoy some country living with incredible views of mountains up Ohio Valley and the Palisades while being so close to town.
16 Irwin St. MLS# 817525 $625,000 6 bedroom/3 bath updated brick home located in Palisades subdivision. This home has 2 kitchens and separate living spaces and the downstairs has its own entrance from the back of house. The breezeway from the house to the 2 car oversized garage is fully enclosed and is great space for entertaining or storage. Close to schools and new Gunnison Library. This is great starter home that can produce supplemental income!
Bella Biondini Times Editor
2 Ridge Lane MLS# 817530 $330,000 2
At the start of December, Pete Rice took over the City of Gunnison’s Public Works Department.
replace the Castle Creek Bridge, which serves as the main entryway to Aspen.
During his time with the City of Aspen, Rice said he learned to develop projects that fit the community’s needs. He said he hopes to bring that mindset to Gunnison’s ongoing projects, including the multi-million dollar water plant.
“Rather than focusing on the specifics of the design of the plant, which is, of course, what an engineer wants to do, what I'm focused more on is the process and the community input that led up to this point … It's amazing, especially in a smaller city, the impact of these projects,” Rice said.
Rice will fill in the role of David Gardner, who retired in November. As the head of public works, Rice will become one of the leads on the city’s ongoing water treatment plant project — the largest, and most expensive in recent history. He will also help the city prepare to expand its electrical capacity and evaluate Gunnison’s aging town ditch system. Because of his background in engineering, and transportation and construction management, City Manager Amanda Wilson believed Rice was the right fit for the job.
“[His experience] is huge because we have some pretty big development projects in the pipeline,” Wilson said.
Rice, a Colorado native, worked as a consultant for an engineering firm for 18 years before he moved into municipal government. Rice worked for the City of Aspen for almost a decade, starting as a project manager in the engineering department. He later became the transportation and parking director, and oversaw projects along the Hwy. 82 corridor. Before his departure, Rice launched a parking and transportation master plan and helped the city prepare to
Moving to Gunnison from the Roaring Fork Valley, Rice is familiar with the struggles the valley is experiencing with housing affordability. While Aspen can afford to build its own housing projects, Rice said he supported Gunnison’s recent stance on the issue: to give private developers the utility systems they need to build quickly.
“This community is still in the ‘We need to build it phase,’ of a mountain community, and I think it's really important to support that as much as we can through utilities,” Rice said.
When he’s not at work, Rice spends his time making oil paintings, some of which he plans to hang on the walls of his new office. He also enjoys skiing and mountain biking, and has visited the valley many times over the years to explore Hartman Rocks, and boat on Blue Mesa Reservoir.
(Bella Biondini can be contacted at 970.641.1414 or
Joelle Ashley Special to the Times
Blake Clifton, a leading orthopedic surgeon and sports medicine specialist at Gunnison Valley Orthopedics, will accompany the U.S. Women’s Alpine Ski Team to Slovenia for the FIS Alpine Ski World Cup in January.
Clifton’s involvement with the U.S. Ski Team spans over eight years, during which he has traveled the globe to provide expert care to some of the world’s celebrated athletes, including Ted Ligety, Lindsey Vonn and Mikaela Shiffrin. As Shiffrin nears a historic milestone with 99 World Cup victories, there is anticipation she could achieve her 100th win in Kranjska Gora, Slovenia if she recovers from a current injury in time to compete.
“Working with the U.S. Ski Team is both a privilege and a responsibility,” Clifton said. “The opportunity to care for athletes at this level challenges me to stay on the cutting edge of orthopedic and sports medicine. These experiences allow me to bring advanced techniques and knowledge back to the Gunnison Valley, where I can provide the same highquality care to our local athletes and community members.”
The FIS Alpine Ski World Cup in Kranjska Gora is one of the most prestigious events in the
sport, showcasing top athletes from around the world. Clifton’s continued involvement with the U.S. Ski Team not only supports their success but also reflects Gunnison Valley Orthopedics’ commitment to excellence.
Clifton’s hands-on experience treating injuries under high-pressure conditions, as well as his involvement in the treatment and recovery of world-class athletes, enhances his ability to care for patients of all backgrounds. From Olympic competitors to recreational skiers and local weekend warriors, his expertise ensures every patient has access to personalized, top-tier care.
“Dr. Clifton’s dedication to the U.S. Ski Team underscores the world-class expertise available right here in the Gunnison Valley,” said Jason Amrich, CEO of Gunnison Valley Health.
(Joelle Ashley is the marketing and communications director for Gunnison Valley Health.)
FIRST PLACE PEOPLE’S CHOICE -Six Points 1160 N Main St
SECOND PLACE PEOPLE’S CHOICE -Gunnison Jerky Co. 235 N. Main St
THIRD PLACE PEOPLE’S CHOICE -Farmers Insurance 234 N. Main St THE
RANDOM DRAWING -- Leila Calkins
The skier's stomach dropped at the sight of the steep line. Their ski tips scraped to the edge of the cat track, and the mind became fuzzy while looking out over the mountainous expanse. But amidst the sweat-inducing self dialogue, giggling children cruised in from above.
“Cool if we drop in?” one asks.
Seconds later, a procession of Crested Butte kids, wearing Kinco mittens and “Knucklehead” stickers, ripped past and plunged into the abyss.
It’s moments like this that have shaped the Gunnison Valley’s reputation as a winter sports nursery. When days get shorter and temperatures plummet, local organizations rally together to keep kids active. This winter, the Crested Butte Nordic Center and the ski program at Gunnisonbased Pathways enrolled more little students than ever, and continued to introduce little rippers to the slopes for the first time.
“In a cold climate, it’s so important for kids to get outside, to get energy out of their systems and spend time with friends right after school,” said Nordic Center coach Eleanor Skinner. “I have to remind myself that, even if the kids only want to throw snowballs around, they’re still outside and moving. That’s my basic-level goal.”
The Gunnison Watershed School District’s Pathways Program allows students to pursue classes in nontraditional settings, such as on a powdery ski run at Crested Butte Mountain Resort (CBMR). At Gunnison High School, over 30 students have enrolled in the downhill program this year, and will visit the resort throughout the winter to refine their skills on skis and snowboards.
Gunnison kids can work their way up to eventually compete with youth teams at CBMR, and the competitive team at the Nordic Center. But for many, it’s a chance to practice the basics in a positive learning environment.
“I’m most proud of the number of students we have that have never skied before,” said Pathways School Counselor Austin Gibney. “Our program at the high school isn’t just for kids who have grown up skiing, but for newcomers as well.”
At the Nordic Center, almost 50 athletes flooded onto the developmental (devo) team this season, while more train on the competitive teams. After school let out on Tuesday, Dec.
17, North Valley kids traded in their textbooks for skinny skis for weekly practice. The locker room was ablaze with energy as parents ushered their children in and helped strap their boots on. The devo team athletes, aged 10-15, clipped into their bindings in a flash, and lined up outside to begin agility training.
With the sun already on its descent, the skiers raced against each other and the dwindling daylight. They started by skiing laps with poles lifted overhead, a drill that helps them focus solely on their skis, fine-tuning their gliding and movement techniques.
Leading the drills was devo team Head Coach Skinner. As a Western Colorado University graduate and former athlete on the Mountaineer Nordic team, Skinner called out instructions and encouragement as the little ones skated past.
She divided the team into three groups, all named after world cup teams. The youngest group, “Team Norway,” are all under 10 years old and focus on the basics while playing games like “capture the flag” and “sharks and minnows.”
Despite skiing under the Norwegian banner, 9-year-old Addy Cadenhead is a big fan of American Nordic athlete Jessie Diggens. Cadenhead trained with only one pole, due to a pink cast on her wrist. Still, the Team Norway member chased her teammates up the hills, and zipped down to the encouragement of her coaches.
“I like glitter, and I like going
really fast, both uphill and downhill,” Cadenhead said. “I’ve written a Google slide presentation about Nordic skiing, and really like my coaches.”
The 10 and 11 year olds also embodied Scandinavian culture, and are named after the technically-advanced Swedish National Team. The “Swedes” work to improve on their step turns, while the older, top dogs “Team Germany” prepare for a future on the Nordic Center competitive team.
The young skiers traversed the expansive trails at the Nordic Center, and dipped in and out of groomed aspen stands. Every few laps, the Western cross country squad whizzed past to the amazement of the younger athletes. As the sun dropped below the West Elk mountains, the kids gathered for a game of “ski ball,” a blend of soccer and Nordic skiing. Then, the coaches illuminated the trail with headlamps, and like a line of ducklings, the groups skidded down the trails and back to the parking lot.
(Alex McCrindle can be contacted at 970.641.1414 or alex@ gunnisontimes.com.)
Seth Mensing Special to the Times
Laughter echoed through the halls of Gunnison’s Senior Care Center as the first cohort of students in Western Colorado University’s new Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) program practiced feeding a “client” — a role played by a fellow student.
While the first class of Western’s CNA students has fun during practice, they know the work they’re preparing for is quite serious. The 10-week training program equips them to care for a client’s daily needs, such as feeding, bathing and taking medication. After the program, they’ll be ready to meet a growing need in healthcare.
The CNA program is now up and running, thanks to Opportunity Now grants totaling more than $1.5 million from the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT). The office is using the grant program to increase the number of healthcare providers, specifically nurses, throughout the state. Western’s program is focused on training nurses to work in rural areas where broad expertise is necessary, and specialization is rare.
For eight of the 10 weeks, students alternate between a skills lab, held in either a classroom or a hospital room at the Senior Care Center, and studying from a textbook, where they learn the basics of anatomy, relevant legal issues and documentation.
“They also need to understand logic,” said Emily McMahill, director of Western’s Center for Rural Mountain Allied Health. “The CNA is the nurses’ right-hand person, so they do need to be able to identify when something is wrong, and that requires a certain level of medical knowledge.”
Soon, Western will expand the program to include an
accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree, which will take approximately 18 months to complete, along with a traditional four-year BSN option.
The goal of a layered approach is to train new CNAs for rapid deployment in the workforce while allowing CNAs who are currently working in the Gunnison Valley to continue their education without leaving. Departing health care professionals would only exacerbate existing staffing shortages.
Administrators and faculty are working to find someone to lead the new program, which will be available to students in fall 2025. Meanwhile, the next generation of aspiring CNAs is preparing to take their certification exam later this year.
To pass the final exam, students — including those from the Gunnison Watershed School District’s vocational Pathways Program and others enrolled at the university — must learn 23 skills, from feeding and bathing to checking blood pressure and safely performing the Heimlich maneuver on clients in distress. Each skill can have 10 to 20 steps.
After graduation, the students will enter a job market in dire need of new graduates. Data suggests Colorado will need about 54,000 health professionals, like CNAs, by 2026. That’s about the time some of the first graduates of Western’s new nursing program will be ready to step in and help.
(Seth Mensing is the media and communications manager at Western Colorado University.)
happy trails cheers to the new year!
Bella Biondini Times Editor
After years of fundraising, unexpected construction surprises and rolling closures, renovation at the Gunnison Arts Center (GAC) will soon come to an end in early 2025.
The arts center launched a $3.8 million capital campaign called “Framing Our Future” in 2019, the organization’s first major fundraising push in more than two decades. While the renovation project has stayed mostly on schedule, the project came in over budget. The GAC board and staff must fill in the gaps by the end of January.
Crews are now teasing out the last bugs in the theater’s sound and lighting systems and putting finishing touches on renovation work that’s been done around the building. The arts center will be fully open five days a week, after more than a year of fluctuating hours adapted around the noisy construction schedule.
“The community is recognizing that we're open and is excited to get into the spaces,” said arts center board treasurer Erik Niemeyer.
While most of the work is now complete, the renovation team ran into a number of obstacles
during construction — illustrating just how challenging it is to bring a historic, 142-year-old building up to modern standards, Niemeyer said. He switched on the light in the basement, and pointed to areas where the foundation had buckled and was later reinforced with steel beams.
When construction crews tore up the main floor of the arts center in 2023 and saw its deteriorating condition, they knew it would set them back, said Executive Director Alysa VandenHeuvel. This discovery, along with inflated supply costs from the pandemic and under-budgeting for the theater’s audio and visual equipment, means the arts center is now facing a $200,000 shortfall. The board must pay its final invoices next month.
To fill the financial gap, the arts center created an ad hoc committee that has been fundraising within the community. Since the discovery of the foundation’s condition, the committee has raised almost $50,000 in the last year. Their work will continue through the new year on the heels of an arts center membership drive. The board, alongside GAC staff, also sought grants from entities like the State Historic Preservation Fund and the Gates Family Foundation. It is also considering loans.
“[We have] a good team,” Niemeyer said. “We just have to see if we can deliver in the timeline that we need to pay the final
invoice.”
Construction crews wrapped up the fourth and final phase of renovations this year with the reopening of the main gallery and the theater. This fall, the arts center also welcomed VandenHeuvel, marking the fourth leadership change in two years. VandenHeuvel worked at the GAC for eight years up until 2020.
Due to its age, the building was slowly buckling under its own weight, unbeknownst to the community members, artists and staff that filtered in and out of the building each day. Under the floor boards, crews found rotting structural joints and a crumbling foundation. The eastern wall, which helps support the second floor, was also starting to bulge.
The building has since been stabilized, and crews found a way to repurpose the old historical timber. Some of the original wood flooring and siding were used as accent pieces, while the sliding door between the theater and the main gallery were made from salvaged support beams. The arts center also kept a door from Frederick Zugelder’s original, 1882 design. Zugelder was a local master stonemason.
Down the hall, the interior walls of the renovated theater, which has been moved to the north side of the building, are now a deep navy blue. The color warranted the renaming of the
space: the Blue Box Theater. The former theater had only basic lighting and sound capabilities, as opposed to the renovated space, which has a new projector and screen, and advanced technology for future productions. More than five miles of wiring run through the renovated section of the building.
But the audio-visual and sound equipment for the theater was more expensive than the board budgeted for, Niemeyer said. After buildout, the cost was well over $500,000. GAC staff are still designing a rod and curtain system that will be movable so the space can be used for concerts and larger events.
While the Blue Box has since
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.
Dec. 13, 5:30-7 p.m.: Interfaith Shabbatluck service/dinner/event in Gunnison, pls bring a dish/drink to share.
Dec. 14, 10:30 a.m.-12 noon: “Kibbitz with the Rabbi” at the Daily Dose in CB- new location
Dec. 14: Mt CB Night of Lights, menorah lighting
Dec. 15, 11a.m.- 12 noon; Today’s Torah, in CB South
Spititual leader: Rabbi Mark Kula is available for you at RabbiMarkKula@gmail.com bnaibutte.org
New Song Christian Fellowship
77 Ute Lane • 970-641-5034
A Christ Centered Gospel Sharing Community where we want to be part of a community who encourage and support one another in our spiritual journey.
Sunday 10 a.m. / Wednesday 7 p.m. newsonggunnison.net
Community Church of Gunnison
107 N. Iowa • 970-641- 0925
Pastor Larry Nelson
Sunday Morning Worship 9:30 a.m.
Weekend Services 9:30 a.m.
Nursery & Age-Graded Ministry
Weekly Student Ministry
Weekly Adult LifeGroups
Office Hours: Mon-Thurs, 9-4
For more info: ccgunnison.com or email info@ccgunnison.com
Join us in-person, listen to our broadcast on 98.3 FM, or view online stream on YouTube
Transforming Lives • Building Community
First Baptist Church
120 N. Pine St. • 970-641-2240
Pastor Jonathan Jones
SUNDAY
Sunday School at 10 a.m.
Sunday Morning Worship at 11 a.m.
Sunday Evening Service at 6 p.m. (during school year)
WEDNESDAY (during school year)
Truth Trackers Kids Club at 6:30 p.m.
Youth Group for Teens at 7:30 p.m. firstbaptistgunnison.org.
Gunnison
Congregational Church
United Church of Christ
317 N. Main St. • 970-641-3203
Open and Affirming Whole Earth · Just Peace Sunday, 10 a.m. Casual, Relaxed, “Come As You Are” Worship gunnisonucc.org
Trinity Baptist Church 523 N. Pine St. • 970-641-1813
Senior Pastor - Joe Ricks Sunday Service 9:30 a.m. Adult Bible Study 8 a.m. trinitybaptistsgunnison.com
Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church 711 N. Main • 970-641-1860
Senior Pastor Robert Carabotta Assoc. Pastor Jacob With
Childrens Sunday School – Sunday 9 a.m.
Adult Sunday School – Sunday 9 a.m.
Divine Service of the Word – Sunday 10 a.m.
St. Peter’s Catholic Church
300 N. Wisconsin • 970-641-0808 Fr. Andres Ayala-Santiago gunnisoncatholic.org crestedbuttecatholic.org or call the Parish Office.
St. Peter’s - Gunnison Sat 5 p.m. & Sun 10:30 a.m., 12 p.m. (Spanish) Mass First Sunday of every month bilingual Mass 11 a.m.
Queen of All Saints - Crested Butte, 401 Sopris Sun 8:30 a.m. Mass
St. Rose of Lima - Lake City
Communion Service, Sun. at 10 a.m.
reopened, the first formal theater production it will host is the annual Sonnofagunn play at the end of February. In the new year, the arts center will also host films once a month, along with a “Moonlight” concert series during the off season, January through May. This will be paired with its usual Sundays@6 production during the summer months.
(Bella Biondini can be contacted at 970.641.1414 or bella@gunnisontimes.com.)
The Good Samaritan Episcopal Church
307 W. Virginia Ave. • 970-641-0429
Rev. Laura Osborne, Vicar
First Sunday of each month –11 a.m. Holy Eucharist, Rite II
Alternating at Good Samaritan and All Saints in the Mountains
Check our websites for location Second Sunday-Fifth Sunday –9 a.m. Holy Eucharist, Rite II
Children’s Sunday school –2nd and 4th Sundays, monthly Office hours: M-TH 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. Taize – 1st Wednesday, monthly - 7 p.m. goodsamaritangunnison.org
Visit our partnership church: All Saints in the Mountains, Crested Butte Meeting Second-Fifth Sundays at 5 p.m., Holy Eucharist, Rite II 403 Maroon Ave, Crested Butte
Visit our website for location of 11 a.m. Holy Eucharist, First Sunday of each month allsaintsinthemountains.org
Church in the Barn 8007 County Road 887 Waunita Hot Springs Ranch • 970-641-8741 Sundays, 10:30 a.m. Non Denominational Come as you are.
Church of Christ 600 E. Virginia • 970-641-1588
See GWSD website for details gunnisonschools.net
Gunnison Watershed School District believes that students thrive when they are connected to something bigger than themselves. That’s why we create learning experiences that spark curiosity, helping students discover who they are and how to make a difference in the world around them. As they excel in academics, athletics and the arts, students find the confidence to pursue any opportunity in life. Our team is “Driven to be the Difference!”
HOURLY OPPORTUNITIES
Administrative Assistant to the Superintendent CBCS - Health Assistant CBES - Permanent Substitute CBES - Half-time SPED
Educational Assistant Bus Drivers Food Service
Substitute teachers
PROFESSIONAL OPPORTUNITIES
Early Childhood Special
Education- Child Find Coordinator Director of Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment
GHS - SPED Teacher
COACHING
GHS - Assistant Girls’
Basketball Coach (C team)
GHS - Girls’ Diving/ Asst. Swimming coach Please contact: Superintendent’s Office JoAnn Klingsmith 800 N. Boulevard 970-641-7760 jklingsmith@ gunnisonschools.net
Part-Time Openings Lifeguards: $23-$29.33/hr.
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.
Patrol Deputy
Sheriff: Full-Time, 40 hours/week, the annual salary range is from $72,397.26 to $102,405.83 plus full benefits.
Take home vehicle & uniform allowance provided by the Sheriff’s Office.
Detention Deputy
Sheriff: Full-Time, 40 hours/week, the annual salary range is from $65,056.55 to $92,022.40 plus full benefits.
Uniform allowance provided by the Sheriff’s Office.
Heavy Equipment Operator
Public Works: Full-Time, 40 hours/ week, hourly range from $23.60 to $31.69 plus full benefits.
Shop Technician
Public Works: Full-Time, 40 hours/ week, hourly range from $26.51 to $35.61 plus full benefits.
Health Educator – Health Services Intern
HHS: The hourly range is from $25.01 to $28.48, depending on experience plus partial benefits.
Public Trustee Specialist
Treasurer: 40 hours/week, hourly range is from $23.60 to $28.69, depending on experience, plus full benefits.
HR Coordinator
HR: 40 hours/week, hourly range is from $27.84 to $33.84, depending on experience, plus full benefits.
Bilingual Juvenile Case Manager
Juvenile Services: 40 hours/ week, hourly range is from $31.28 to $35.61, depending on experience, plus full benefits.
For more information, including complete job descriptions, required qualifications and application instructions, please visit GunnisonCounty.org/jobs.
of development applications to BOZAR. The Planner I assists in the development and amendment of long-range plans and regulations that guide the growth and development of Crested Butte. The Planner assists some case work for the housing division. The Planner I is a communication resource for the Community Development Department assisting crafting and distributing in public notices; creating and distributing the advertisement of community events; crats and distributes the Department’s new letters; other media to raise public awareness, and performs related work as assigned. This year-round position includes an excellent benefits package with 100% employer paid health, dental, vision, life insurance, and contribution to retirement plan after one year of employment. Starting salary is $61,000 to $85,406 annually, DOQ. Full job description is available on the Town’s website at www. townofcrestedbutte.com/jobs. Please submit application, cover letter, and resume via email to jobs@crestedbutte-co.gov. Position is open until filled. The Town of Crested Butte is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
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 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
Position is open until filled. MCBWSD is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
WESTERN COLORADO UNIVERSITY
is hiring a Donor Relations Coordinator to join the Development Team. This role is responsible for developing and implementing strategies to engage, steward, and grow relationships with donors to the WCU Foundation. This role oversees annual stewardship plans, donor recognition events, and the creation of electronic and printed stewardship communications. The Coordinator collaborates with the WCU Financial Aid Office and scholarship committees to manage the WCU Foundation scholarship program and leads the optimization of the Blackbaud’s Award Management platform. This position manages a small portfolio of annual scholarship donors, ensuring their gifts are solicited, stewarded, and renewed annually.
The Coordinator ensures compliance and consistency in gift documentation processes for the WCU Foundation. Salary range is $50,000-$56,000. To view full job announcement and apply, visit western.edu/ jobs and click “view careers”.
ELEVEN is seeking a team oriented and flexible Housekeeper to ensure application of the highest Eleven standards for cleanliness of guest rooms and common areas for all Eleven properties in Colorado. This position will work with the housekeeping and lodge teams to complete daily and checkout cleans for all guest rooms according to Eleven standards, and accommodating guest schedules. This position requires proficiency with English and an understanding of Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) procedures, as well as ability to work flexible hours. The ideal candidate will have a strong understanding of the needs of a hospitality company with high standards of excellence, and the ability to succeed and maintain a positive in a fast-paced, dynamic environment and adapt quickly to everchanging needs of a growing company. This full time, year round starts at $24/hour. For more information and to apply, please visit elevenexperience.com/careers/.
LITTLE RED SCHOOLHOUSE is hiring one more amazing teacher to complete our team! Looking for someone who truly loves working with kids, is patient and kind, has a flexible schedule, is hardworking and reliable, and a team player! This position is part to full time and has some time with infants and toddlers and some time with 3-4 year olds. Come be a part of this rewarding career with awesome pay, benefits and a stable year round full time job. Please submit resume via email to Jessica at lilredschoolhouse1@gmail.com
WESTERN COLORADO UNIVERSITY seeks a Graduate Academic Records Specialist to handle tasks and projects supporting graduate student registration, enrollment, records management, and related academic processes and events. If you excel at managing complex information, ensuring accuracy, and working collaboratively to make a meaningful impact, this is your opportunity! Learn more and apply at www.Western.edu/jobs.
SEASONAL YOUTH PROGRAMS
INSTRUCTORS: Are you passionate about working with youth and the outdoors? The Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory seeks enthusiastic nature and science educators to teach summer day camps for K-2nd and 3rd5th students in Gothic and the surrounding region for the 2025 season. Positions start June 2nd. The summer season runs until Aug. 1st, with opportunities for full and parttime work teaching fall school programs from Aug. to mid-Oct. Pay rate is $20-$24/per hour depending on experience. *Housing not provided. For the full job description and to apply visit: rmbl.org/about-us/jobs/.
DAVID GROSS GENERAL CONTRACTOR is looking for a licensed person to drive trash dumpsters and do general labor. Full-time. Please call David 970-901-1798.
ICLEAN IN CRESTED BUTTE is looking for cleaners. Pay DOE. Please call 970-3312417. Buscamos limpiadores para trabajar en Crested Butte. Por favor, comuníquese con IClean al 970-331-2417.
HOUSE FOR RENT: 3bed farmhouse, nicely appointed. Available Jan.1, 2025. $1,750/ month. Contact Greg at 303-902-6337. NOW LEASING: Paradise Park Workforce Rentals in Crested Butte! Nine energyefficient units, including one ADA-accessible unit for local workforce applicants. Lottery tickets are determined by longevity in the local workforce. Apply by Dec. 31 at crestedbutteco.gov/workforcehousingprojects.
MODERN 3 BEDROOM 2.5 BATH for rent in town of Gunnison. Prefer lease through May 31, 2025 Call/Text/Email Ryan Jordi 970596-1906 ryan@tavarealestate.com.
THE TOWN OF CRESTED BUTTE seeks applicants for a Human Resources Technician to join the Finance & Administrative Services team. The HR Tech provides advanced office support to various Human Resources functions including, but not limited to the following specialized areas: recruitment, compensation, benefits administration, confidential data management and general administration; provides information and assistance to staff and the public; coordinates Human Resources related events and activities; provide clerical duties, as required, assists with projects and special assignments as requested by professional and management staff; and performs related work as assigned. This year-round position includes an excellent benefits package with 100% employer paid health, dental, vision, life insurance, and contribution to retirement plan after one year of employment. Starting salary is $29.33 – $35.19 per hour DOQ. Full range of pay grade extends to $41.06 per hour. Full job description is available on the Town’s website at www.townofcrestedbutte. com. Please submit application, cover letter, and resume via email to jobs@crestedbutteco.gov. Position is open until filled. The Town of Crested Butte is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
PUBLIC NOTICE OF PETITION FOR CHANGE OF NAME
Public Notice is given on December 18, 2024 that a Petition for a Change of Name of an Adult has been filed with the Gunnison Combined Courts.
The Petition requests that the name of ELISE ALLEGRA YOUNG be changed to ELISE ALLEGRA GARCIA
Joy Case Clerk of Court
/s/ Joy Case
Gunnison Country Times
Gunnison, Colorado
Publication dates of December 26, 2024 and January 2, 16, 2025
15872
PUBLIC NOTICE OF PETITION FOR CHANGE OF NAME
Public Notice is given on December 11, 2024 that a Petition for a Change of Name of an Adult has been filed with the Gunnison County, Colorado Court.
The Petition requests that the name of Anyssa Shea Huff be changed to Anyssa Shea Kindschy
Kate cook Clerk of court/Deputy clerk /s/ Kate Cook
Gunnison Country Times
Gunnison, Colorado. Publication dates of December 19, 26 and January 2, 2024. 15805
Notice of Ordinance
The Town of Pitkin Ordinance 7 Series 2024 AN ORDINANCE RELATING TO TOWN OFFICERS, NAMELY COMMISSIONERS, WITHIN THE TOWN OF PITKIN, COLORADO. Adopted and order published on December 16, 2024.
Published by Short Title. For complete copy contact the Town Clerk at: thetownofpitkin@ gmail.com
Gunnison Country Times
Gunnison, Colorado Publication date of December 26, 2024 15835
Saguache County Board of Commissioners Seeks Saguache County Planning Commission Members
Saguache County Board of Commissioners are seeking members and alternates from: Town of Saguache surrounding area –alternate La Garita/Center area – member and alternate Town of Center and surrounding area –alternate Cochetopa/Sargents area – alternate Moffat and surrounding area – alternate Hooper and surrounding area – member and alternate Villa Grove and surrounding area – alternate At Large for All of Saguache County –alternate Crestone and surrounding area – alternate
The representative must be a property owner or property manager and reside in the area they are interested in representing. Regular member terms are for three years, and the
alternate terms are for one year. Saguache County Planning Commission meets on the last Thursday of each month in the Road and Bridge meeting room. The Planning Commission may also have work sessions throughout each month to work on the Saguache County Master Plan and different items.
Saguache County Planning Commission members and alternates are paid $100 for every regular meeting they attend, plus mileage reimbursement. If you are interested, please send a brief letter of interest stating qualifications and interest to: Saguache County Land Use, Attn: Amber Wilson, PO Box 326, Saguache, CO 81149 prior to Friday, January 15th, 2025. All applicants will be interviewed by the Board of County Commissioners. Should you have any questions please call Amber Wilson a555t 719-655-2321.
Gunnison Country Times Gunnison, Colorado Publication dates of December 26, 2024 and January 2, 9 and 16, 2025 15871
Gunnison Valley Regional Housing Authority (GVRHA)
The GVRHA Board of Directors is composed of elected officials and community members who advocate, plan, promote, and provide affordable housing for the entire county-wide community
Community members are appointed to the board by their elected officials and serve a two year term The Board is responsible for setting policies governing the operations of the GVRHA Meetings occur monthly on Thursday afternoons and as needed
Gunnison City Council is looking to appoint an interested city resident to the board at the January 14th, Regular Session
Letters of interest are due to the City Clerk by 5pm on Thursday, January 9th, 2025
Email to eboucher@gunnisonco.gov or deliver to City Hall
CRIMINAL MISCHIEF - DAMAGE TO PROPERTY — 900 N. MAIN ST. ACCIDENT - HIT & RUN — 1500 W. TOMICHI AVE. THEFT - UNDER $100.00 MUNICIPAL — 900 N. MAIN ST.
DECEMBER 20
WARRANT SERVICE - OTHER JURISDICTION — 200 S. WISCONSIN ST.
CONTROLLED SUBSTANCEPOSSESSION MARIJUANA > 6 OZ — 711 W. RIO GRANDE AVE. ADMIN - UNASSIGNED INCIDENT — N. MAIN ST.
ACCIDENT — 100 E. TOMICHI AVE. ACCIDENT — 711 N. TAYLOR ST. AGENCY ASSIST — 2388 HWY. 135
AVE. SEXUAL ASSAULT: NON-CONSENSUAL — W. RIO GRANDE AVE. ABANDONED VEHICLE — 700 W. SAN JUAN AVE. ABANDONED VEHICLE — 700 W. SAN JUAN AVE.
ST.
DECEMBER 18
ANIMAL - RUNNING AT LARGEMUNICIPAL — 600 N. BOULEVARD ST. WARRANT SERVICE - OTHER JURISDICTION — 417 S. 10TH ST.
DECEMBER 19
ACCIDENT - HIT & RUN — 540 ESCALANTE DR.
DISTURBING THE PEACE — 720 N. COLORADO ST.
DECEMBER 21
UNSECURE PREMISES — 102 S. MAIN ST. WELFARE ASSIST — N. BOULEVARD ST. INFORMATION — 720 N. COLORADO ST.
DECEMBER 22
DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE - ALCOHOL — 700 W. TOMICHI AVE.
CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE: UNLAWFUL DISTRIBUTION, MANUFACTURE,SALE- EXCEPT MARIJUANA — 200 SPENCER AVE.
ACCIDENT - HIT & RUN — S. WISCONSIN ST.
O ering convenient care for minor injuries and illnesses that can’t wait for a doctor’s appointment.
Urgent Care | 970-648-7105 707 North Iowa St. Gunnison, CO 81230
Physical, occupational and speech therapy available in Gunnison and Crested Butte.
Rehabilitation & Athletic Medicine | 970-641-7248
Our team of experienced physicians and specialized sta are committed to helping you achieve your best physical health and mobility. In Gunnison & Crested Butte | 970-641-8899
O ering extensive therapies and treatments designed to maximize healing and improve comfort throughout the process.
Specialty Clinic | 970-641-3927
At Gunnison Valley Health we have the services you need to recover from injury and illness.
The only state licensed emergency center and certified urgent care provider on the mountain. Located at the base of the Silver Queen Lift.
Mountain Clinic | 970-641-3927
12 Snowmass Rd., Axtell 100 Mt. Crested Butte, CO 81225
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
Earlier this month, 10 women arrived at the Mt. Cavalry Lutheran Church, just as they’d done every week for the past 20 years. The ladies gathered around a table in the center of the room, a sea of blue fabric scraps before them. Their hands fluttered over the cotton offcuts, deftly framing out the shape of what would soon become a hand-sewn quilt.
The Gunnison Quilting Club, now two decades old, has been a steady source of connection and creativity for women of the Gunnison Valley. Over the years, the ladies have come together for more than just making — indeed, they’re a chosen family.
“Women have a very unique ability to form community,” said
longtime member Rita Bohm.
“You have this common interest, but then you discover that you have other common interests … You just become this sisterhood.”
The group formed shortly after the turn of the century, huddling up inside the now-shuttered E&P Sewing Emporium on Main Street for hours on end each week. When E&P closed in 2005, the group struck a deal with Mt. Cavalry to use the church’s main room for gatherings. Up until the pandemic, meetings swelled to more than 20 regular attendees, but in recent years, the group’s ranks have dropped by more than half.
The club, which also includes sewists, knitters and crocheters (practitioners of any textile arts are welcome), operates “by committee,” Bohm said. The ladies share feedback and pointers on each other’s “UFOs,” or unfinished objects, to help each other work through problems and learn new skills. They have an open-door policy when it comes to sharing their
from B1
lifelong fabric stashes, inviting fellow club members to come shop for much-needed fabric in each other’s closets.
When they’re not working on quilts for their own friends and family, the makers team up to craft cozy items for those in need. When Hurricane Harvey devastated the city of Houston, the ladies packed up a shipment of quilts to keep Texans warm as they recovered from the storm. Closer to home, the club has donated quilts to cancer support organization Gunnison Tough and to new Habitat for Humanity homeowners.
“You have this common interest, but then you discover that you have other common interests … you just become this sisterhood.”
Rita Bohm Quilter
Evidence of quiltmaking, depicted in ancient Egyptian art, dates back over 3,000 years. The practice of quilting had a resurgence in the U.S. in the 1970s, when creatives were seeking ways to connect with their forebearers from the American Revolution. Since then, the practice has become a way for anyone — but most commonly women — entering midlife to dive into a new hobby and form friendships.
Sociologist and former Western Colorado University professor Marybeth Stalp, in her research on modern American quilters, found that the artists find ways to work on their projects wherever they go. They’d bring segments of their work to PTA meetings and soccer games, keeping their hands
busy while they went about their daily lives.
“That focused hand-work is calming, and brings you joy,” Stalp said. “Quilters in my study told me that when they have time to do it [quilting], it makes them a better person.”
Quilting is a decidedly technical and time-consuming practice. Quilters often spend years building up the sewing techniques and geometry skills needed to construct the intricate patterns that make quilts recognizable. A quilter’s work is often so precise and unique that they develop their own signature style, like a fingerprint.
At a quilting club meeting on Dec. 7, the women mused over an unfinished quilt they’d found at Six Points Evaluation and Training, immediately recognizing the handiwork of a former club member. One of the ladies decided to pick up where her friend left off, spending hours sewing stitches alongside the original maker’s work.
For Bohm, new friendships became a lifeline after the loss of her partner several years ago. Her quilting club companions stepped up to help without hesitation, arranging transportation and meals for Bohm and organizing her late husband’s
celebration of life. This instance was just one of many throughout the club’s history, during which members have supported each other through the loss of partners, friends and family.
This support is readily given to each member of the sisterhood, regardless of their longevity in the club. Leslie Kadz joined the group this year after moving to Gunnison to be closer to her adult children and grandchildren. The meetings seemed like a great opportunity for her to make friends and put down roots of her own, she said. Even though Kadz was a newcomer, her years-long passion for quilting helped her form an instant connection with the others.
As Kadz laid out her current work-in-progress for the others to critique during the December meeting, the women shared stories from their past, unraveling their history one thread at a time.
“Brings back memories, doesn’t it, girls?” Kadz said.
(Mariel Wiley can be contacted at 970.641.1414 or mariel@ gunnisontimes.com.)
This Hanukkah, the Rockies will shine even brighter as the Jewish community comes together for its 2nd annual public menorah lighting. The Hanukkah in the Rockies Initiative will return for another year to light the 10-foot-tall menorah outside the Crested Butte Museum on Dec. 29 at 5 p.m. The festivities continue indoors with live music, warm drinks, fun children's crafts and delicious kosher latkes! For more information and to RSVP, visit HanukkahRockies.com.
Elk Creek Visitor Center
The Elk Creek Visitor Center at Curecanti National Recreation Area will be open five days per week from Thursday through Monday starting Jan. 2. The building will be open from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. with a lunch closure from 12-12:30 p.m. Hours and days of operations are subject to change, due to staffing levels. The visitor center will be closed on federal holidays.
polka party
Come to the Christmas polka party with the Pete Dunda Band at the Crested Butte Museum on Dec. 27 from 5-7 p.m. Relive the old time waltzes and polkas that Crested Butte's ethnic old timers danced to in days gone by. Admission is free.
GUNNISON COUNTY IS CURRENTLY ACCEPTING LETTERS OF INTEREST FOR THE COUNTY
The County is announcing the opportunity to express interest in being appointed to carry out the remainder of the current County Assessor’s term due to the Assessor’s resignation, effective January 14, 2025. Interested persons should include information relative to their managerial, supervisory or analytical experience, as well as any background in property appraisal. Interested persons must be a full-time resident of Gunnison County, and political party affiliation will not be a consideration.
Letters of interest will be accepted until Thursday, January 2, 2025 via:
We want your event announcements!
The Gunnison Country Times publishes nonprofit event announcements free of charge.
• Please keep your announcement brief (3 sentences).
• Our deadline for submissions is noon on Tuesdays.
• Please send details to publisher@gunnisontimes.com.
‘Mother Rock’ gallery reception
Join us Dec. 27 from 5-8 p.m. for a reception celebrating nine artists of Crested Butte! Featuring a robust bar menu as well as complimentary house wine or beer. Over time, the nickname “Mother Rock” has been used to describe the iconic peak that reaches out above the small town of Crested Butte. Coming together for this invitational group show, featured artists of Crested Butte are excited to showcase and reflect on what “Mother Rock” means to them through visual art.
Crested Butte Art Walk
Starting at the Center for the Arts take a leisurely stroll through the galleries of Crested Butte on Dec. 27 from 5-8 p.m. to experience the diverse artistic expressions of local artists, and be inspired by these special Art Walk evenings.
Crested Butte Snowsports fundraiser
Mark your calendar for Saturday, Dec. 28 from 6-8:30 p.m. as Crested Butte Snowsports gathers to celebrate the Gunnison Valley and honor Hometown Hero Aaron Blunck. This "Denim & Diamonds" themed event will be an exciting evening of the snowsports community. Heavy appetizers and dessert will be served.
New Years Eve
On Dec. 31 at 9 p.m. dance into 2025 with funk sensations Cool Cool Cool + Eddie Roberts & the Lucky Strokes! Treat yourself to our VIP package options for couples or parties of up to 10 that include a VIP lounge
with special bar selections and small bites as well as an open bar tab for the evening. We even have an open bar option for our general tickets if you want to imbibe all night. The cost is $50+.
Infamous Stringdusters
Join us Jan. 8 at 8 p.m. for The Infamous Stringdusters, a celebrated American progressive bluegrass band known for their virtuosic musicianship, innovative arrangements and genreblending style. The Grammy Award-winning Americana quintet—Andy Falco (guitar), Chris Pandolfi (banjo), Andy Hall (dobro), Jeremy Garrett (fiddle) and Travis Book (double bass)—have musical influences that truly run the gamut, but their common denominator is certainly bluegrass— the sound that has in essence defined the course of their career. The cost is $45+.
sculpture
On Jan. 9 from 5-7 p.m. join artists David Heskin, Joe McGrane and Joshua Graham, for the opening reception of their group show containing mediums of drawing, paint and sculpture. Featuring wooden forms, wax pencil, oil, and acrylic, these artists are excited to showcase their works.
Gunnison County Administration Office Mail: 200 E. Virginia Avenue, Gunnison CO 81230 Email: bocc@gunnisoncounty.org
Interviews will be scheduled to take place on Tuesday, January 7, 2025 and the appointment made on Tuesday, January 14, 2025.
Please provide all contact information with your letter, including an email address. You may request more information by calling (970) 641-7600.
Alex McCrindle Times Sports Editor
The GHS wrestling team found its groove this weekend at tournaments in Grand Junction and Walsenburg, notching four first-place finishes between the boys and girls teams. Now the grapplers will work to maintain their fitness ahead of a multiweek holiday break.
“A lot of our guys are catching their stride, shaking the dust off and wrestling really well,” said Head Coach Mike Seijo. “We’ll go into the break with some confidence, and then have a home tournament to look forward to.”
On Dec. 20 and 21, the girls squad took on 25 rival teams at the Warrior Classic Tournament
Alex McCrindle Times Sports Editor
The GHS boys basketball team headed into the holiday break with mixed results. The Cowboys fell to Centauri on Dec. 20, but bounced back against Alamosa the following day to boost the team’s confidence before Christmas.
The results moved the boys to a 3-4 overall record, and 2-0 in the 3A Western Slope League.
“The boys have been hard at work, and it’s clear we’re on the
playing with great energy and togetherness on both ends of the floor.”
The Cowboys opened the weekend against the undefeated Centauri Falcons. Junior Jake Ebbott led the offense with a team-high 8 points, but the Cowboys still struggled to maintain the Falcons electric pace.
Centauri sealed its seventh straight win, 64-28, over GHS.
Despite the opening defeat, Aguilar praised the team's mindset.
“I don’t know that I’ve had a more mentally tough team,” Aguilar said. “These guys are a resilient group, but we have to stay disciplined and continue to get better everyday.”
The boys returned to the court on Dec. 21 to take on
Peluso led the attack with 18 and 12 points apiece. Guard Jackson Dalleck was also instrumental in navigating through the Moose defense. The senior tacked on 4 points from the field, and made 5-of-7 from the free throw line.
The Cowboys pulled away from the Moose and never looked back. It ended 52-45 for GHS as a neck-and-neck victory to catapult the Cowboys into the long break.
GHS is now faced with a 20-day gap between games. The Cowboys will return to a hot stretch of league matchups. The action begins on Jan. 10 at home against the 1-4 Centauri Falcons, and Jan. 11 away against Olathe.
(Alex McCrindle can be contacted at 970.641.1414 or alex@ gunnisontimes.com.)
The Crested Butte Titans hockey team battled through a difficult league schedule on Dec. 20 and 21, ultimately falling to Battle Mountain and Durango. Luke Hartigan polished off the only Titan goal against Durango, but it proved to be a consolation as Crested Butte fell 8-1. The consecutive losses moved the boys to a 1-7 overall record, and 1-5 in the 4A Mountain League.
in Grand Junction. Sophomore star Roxie Uhrig continued her undefeated season, and extended her record to 15-0. She defeated three grapplers from Buckeye Union, Pagosa Springs and Cañon City, before pinning Julia Borejszo of Eagle Valley in the 140-lbs championship.
Buena Vista High School student Evelyn Cope, who wrestles with the Cowboys during the winter season, also shined in the red and black. The junior boasts a 13-2 record so far this season, and finished second in the 130-lbs bracket.
The boys put together an excellent tally at the Pete and Ina Gomez Invitational in Walsenburg over the weekend.
Senior Damyon Funk broke away in the 113-lbs class, and won by decision in the championship match. Zach Benson also represented the Cowboys on the first-place podium and
maintained his 10-0 record. The sophomore pinned his opponent in the 138-lbs championship match to claim the top spot on Dec. 21.
Cody Casebolt was the third and final first-place victor for the boys, but he had to take down teammate Julian Patrick in the 126-lbs final.
Patrick pinned all three of his opponents earlier in the day, but Casebolt made no mistake against the fellow Cowboy. Still, Patrick walked away with a second-place finish, alongside senior Brock Fry.
The collective scores earned the Cowboys a second-place team finish at the tournament, just shy of the Classical Academy. Now, both the boys and girls will train sporadically throughout the holiday break, and return for a home tournament at Western Colorado University on Jan. 10 and 11.
(Alex McCrindle can be contacted at 970.641.1414 or alex@ gunnisontimes.com.)
No. 4 Gunnison Valley Health (GVH) took down Econolodge-Quality Inn 4-1 in the Fall B League championship hockey game on Dec. 17. GVH goalie Licca Sterrer stood on her head, and only allowed one goal on almost 25 shots. Kevin Krone led GVH with two goals, while Trevor Smith tacked on two assists. Additionally, Ryan Romero and Benjamin Riedel notched a goal apiece to complete the upset.
Holiday festivities abounded at Crested Butte Mountain Resort throughout the month of December. Community members gathered to decorate cookies, take photos with the Snow Queen and Santa Claus and enjoy Menorah and Christmas lights during the annual Light Up the Night event on Dec. 14. During the day, skiers and snowboarders explored the snow-covered mountain.
