City addresses immigration amidst community fear
Colorado law grants extra protections
Bella Biondini Times Editor
While the City of Gunnison has limited authority when it comes to federal immigration policies, city officials are taking extra steps to reduce the spread of misinformation.
Proposed Trump administration policy changes have incited fear within the country’s immigrant communities. According to national reporting this week, President Donald Trump plans to take at least 10 actions related to immigration, including
escalating the deportation of migrants who entered the U.S. illegally, and an attempt to end birthright citizenship. Fearing the possibility of family separations, a number of Gunnison residents have asked the city what kind of immigration enforcement they should expect within the valley.
According to Raquel LaneArellano of the Colorado Immigrant Rights Coalition (CIRC), the state has some of the strongest immigrant protection laws in the nation, many passed after the first Trump administration. But with federal policy in a state of flux, many Colorado residents fear the prospect of mass deportation. Some concerns have been
Immigration A6
NEWS: CPW releases more wolves on Western Slope, A11
COMMUNITY: A rural state of mind, B1
SPORTS: GHS underclassmen qualify for state swim meet, B4
OBITUARIES A3
OPINION A4
CLASSIFIEDS A15-A17
SPORTS B4
School District now certified
‘heart safe’
First in state to designate all its schools
Abby Harrison Times Staff Writer
Were an athlete or spectator to collapse at a sporting event within the Gunnison Watershed School District (GWSD), a coach or member of a new medical response team is trained to deliver chest compressions within minutes. Soon after, an AED is onsite and if used quickly, will prolong the victim’s chance of survival. This rapid response is made possible by the district’s recent
certification as “heart safe.” The title represents years of preparation and planning to train select district staff in each school for severe medical emergencies.
Teachers also now have faster access to automated external defibrillators, or AEDS, medical devices that deliver an electric shock to return the heart to a normal rhythm.
Each school also has a designated medical emergency response team. These teams are trained in CPR, first aid and also how to coordinate staff and students when emergencies — more serious than the usual lost teeth and scraped elbows — occur.
Heart safe A5
Native American remains still at Western
Process slow, but ongoing
Abby Harrison Times Staff Writer
The remains of many Native American people still sit behind locked doors at Western Colorado University — over a year after the school received federal money to return them to a tribe in the region.
Western started the process of returning those remains, known as “repatriation,” in 2023, but was stymied by slow communication with various tribes across the Mountain West. Western is one of several public universities, such as Fort Lewis College and
the University of Colorado Denver, that have disclosed having remains, according to a ProPublica database. This month, David Hyde, Western lecturer and director of the C.T. Hurst Museum, plans to meet with a tribal representative to have the remains returned.
“It's frustrating,” Hyde said. “I really want to move the project forward.”
Western has a number of skulls, mandibles and other partial remains of at least 25 Native American people in the basement of the C.T. Hurst Museum. It is named the “Peterson Collection,” after the Western graduate who dropped the remains off in 1946 on behalf of his brother, believed
Repatriation A6
SUPER SKATERS: Sisters Aria and Enid Kisling lean on each other for balance during a Disney-themed Skate to Lights event at Jorgensen Ice Rink on Jan. 17. For more, see A14. (Photo by Mariel Wiley)
“We in the Gunnison Valley are constantly experiencing growing pains, and this allows us an opportunity to think about where we’re going.”
— Jeff Erwin, GAC gallery coordinator See story on B1
BRIEFS
Canada selected as county finance director
Gunnison County hired Ana Canada, its current deputy chief financial officer, to serve as its new finance director. Canada was named as interim after former director Perry Solheim resigned in the wake of a budget audit last fall. The audit indicated that the county had failed to reconcile some 2023 financial statements in a timely manner. Her salary is set at just over $144,000.
County makes Planning Commission, STOR appointments
Gunnison County Commissioners appointed community members to several county boards at a regular meeting on Jan. 21. This included the Environmental Health Board and the Region 10 Board, among others. To the planning commission, the county reappointed Julie Baca, Bill Barvitski and Fred Niederer for threeyear terms, and appointed Sean Patrick and Catherine McBreen as alternates for one-year terms. Fourteen people applied to the Sustainable Tourism and Outdoor Recreation (STOR) Committee, and there are no alternates. Commissioners reappointed Jeremy Johndrow, Jake Jones, Tim Kugler and Chris Parmeter for two-year terms.
Hwy. 50 emergency order rescinded
Gunnison County officially rescinded the emergency order it put in place following the closure of the Hwy. 50 middle bridge in April of 2024. The local disaster emergency mobilized more financial resources for the county, and allowed it to close portions of the road to protect public safety. The bridge closed in late April of 2024 following the discovery of cracks in the structure’s steel. Following nearly eight months of intermittent closures and construction, the bridge reopened fully to traffic in mid-November.
LAND DEVELOPMENT CODE (LDC) UPDATE
When residents in Gunnison are asked, “What is Gunnison’s most critical need?” there is a high probability that the answer would be, “Housing! We need more housing, affordable/workforce housing.” In 2021 and 2023, City residents who responded to the Community Survey reported that the availability of workforce/affordable housing in the region is one of our more serious or most critical problems, 77% in 2021 and 81% in 2023. Gunnison strives to support sustainable growth and development patterns, workforce housing availability, and removal of potential barriers to workforce housing development to maintain our community’s ongoing resiliency.
We know that the lack of affordable housing in our community is an issue that will not be resolved without intentional focus; therefore, City Council adopted Housing Affordability as one of its five Strategic Imperatives and Actions. As an Imperative, the City has prioritized creating, strengthening and organizing future developments by updating and refining policies. This work includes planning discussions that consider strategies to support housing choice, short and long-term infrastructure needs, and multi-modal transportation.
Refining regulations by updating land use codes to reduce barriers and increase housing availability is one area where the City can directly address housing needs. The City’s Community Development team has spent the last nine months strategically working with the Planning and Zoning Commission, housing and development groups, residents, and consulting firm Kendig Keast Collaborative to examine, analyze, and put forth suggestions to update the Land Development Code (LDC).
Currently, the City operates under the 2014 Land Development Code. This is a unified code; a single document containing zoning, land use and development standards, along with a systematic set of review procedures for building and development within the city limits. By examining, adjusting, and updating the Land Development Code (2014), the City strives to achieve the following broad goals:
• Reflect the aspirations, purposes, values, and imperatives of the City’s recently adopted Strategic Framework (2024).
• Reconfigure zoning districts to achieve 2030 Comprehensive Plan goals regarding density, infill development, compact development, and housing affordability.
• Enhance regulations to promote housing affordability and attainability.
• Streamline and reorganize use categories, use tables, and use standards with current best practices.
• Improve upon existing design and development standards for predictability and flexibility.
• Incorporate environmental methods to achieve energy, water and housing goals.
• Improve administrative procedures.
• Align the LDC Update with DOLA’s Strong Communities grant criteria regarding housing.
The update to the LDC is funded in part through a $40,000 Department of Local Affairs (DOLA) Strong Communities Grant Program intended to help communities develop affordable housing strategies.
Housing insecurity affects every aspect of our community. In order for our city to accommodate the increased need for affordable/workforce housing, we need to develop strategies that allow people to live and work in Gunnison while balancing the character of our neighborhoods; encouraging multimodal transportation; preserving open spaces; and creating access to recreation and commercial businesses that enhance our economic vibrancy.
This is our chance to establish and outline how we want the City to look and function in the upcoming years. Come and be a part of it. To learn more about the LDC Update or to engage with the staff, attend our next open house meeting on January 29 at the Gunnison Public Library, 1 Quartz Street. There are two sessions: 11:30am-1:30pm or 4:00pm6:00pm. Interpretation services are available at the evening session.
Current Land Development Code at gunnisonco.gov/LDC Strategic Framework at gunnisonco.gov/StrategicFramework
stop by City Hall at 201 W. Virginia Avenue Call 970.641.8080 || www.gunnisonco.gov
Eugene Glen Siemer
Dr. Eugene Glen Siemer, long-time Salida resident, passed away on Monday, Jan. 6, 2025 at Heart of The Rockies Regional Medical Center in Salida. Gene was born Jan. 3, 1926 in Mt. Healthy, Ohio to Carl G. and Gladys (Manahan) Siemer and had his 99th birthday while in the hospital.
Gene graduated from Mt. Healthy High School (Ohio) in June 1944. He served in the U.S. Army in World War II (19451946) as a radio operator and radio repairman. His mother died while he was in the Army. Upon discharge, Gene moved to Fort Collins, Colorado to attend Colorado A&M College on the GI Bill.
Gene met Bettie Moul in Fort Collins in late 1947, and they married in December 1949. He earned his bachelor’s degree in agronomy from Colorado A&M in June 1950.
Gene and Bettie attended Columbia Bible College (now Columbia International University) in Columbia, South Carolina for missionary Bible training from 1950 to 1953; they hoped to serve as missionaries to Africa. Although ultimately unable to serve as missionaries as they had planned, Gene and Bettie retained a lifelong interest in and love for foreign missions.
Gene earned a master’s degree in field crops from Colorado State University in Aug. 1961 and a PhD in agronomy from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in June 1964.
Following his graduation, he began work as an agronomist for the Colorado State University Agricultural Experiment Station in Grand Junction, Colorado.
In 1968, Gene took a oneyear sabbatical to work for
the UT-AEC Agricultural Research Laboratory in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, researching the effects of radiation on plants, in conjunction with the Department of Energy’s Oak Ridge Site.
Gene returned to work for CSU Agricultural Experiment Station, Mountain Meadow Research Center in Gunnison, Colorado, in the fall of 1969 and worked there until his retirement in 1994. Gene’s work for CSU, both in Grand Junction and Gunnison, focused on working with ranchers throughout the state to improve hay yields.
In later years, Gene also worked as a research consultant for the Denver Water Board, working to determine how much water could rightfully be sold from a number of ranches in South Park for use on the Front Range of Colorado.
Gene received the following awards in recognition of his service to Colorado agriculture and soil conservation: Gunnison Soil Conservation District (1991) — Outstanding Cooperator Award, for outstanding accomplishments in the conservation of soil, water and related resources; Colorado Chapter, Soil & Water Conservation Society (Nov. 1991) — for outstanding contributions toward increasing the knowledge of intermountain meadow ecosystems and organization of the 3rd Intermountain Meadow Symposium; USDA Soil Conservation Service (Mar. 1993) — for leadership in research, demonstration of effective pasture and hayland management techniques, and cooperative efforts with USDASCS throughout Colorado; Colorado Hay and Forage Assoc. (1993) — for years of service and valuable contributions to the industry; Advisory Committee to the Mountain Meadow Research Center (1994) — for countless years of undying dedication and perseverance to the Mountain Meadow Research Center Program (1962-1994); Colorado Hay and Forage Assoc. (1996) — Outstanding Member Award for many years of service to the industry.
Gene and Bettie moved to
Salida in 1993 from Gunnison, Colorado. Gene was a member of the Temple Baptist Church, where he enjoyed teaching Sunday School Bible classes. Gene’s hobbies were geology and traveling to see and learn about new places.
Gene was preceded in death by his parents, wife Bettie, and brothers Carl Roland Siemer and John “Jack” Siemer. He is survived by sons Daniel (Lana) Siemer of Schererville, Indiana, and David (Annette) Siemer of Box Elder, South Dakota, daughter Kathleen (John) Stadum of Spokane, Washington, and by grandchildren Ruth Siemer, Glen (Kristi) Siemer, Amanda (Danny) Seim, Rebecca (Ben) Hoeft, Jennifer (Ryan) Benzschawel, Katie Siemer, Jeremiah (Brittni) Boeckman, Tamara Boeckman, Sarah (Cody) Schell, Rachel Boeckman, and 10 great-grandchildren.
Funeral services were held on Friday, Jan. 17, 2025 at Temple Baptist Church in Salida. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made through Lewis and Glenn Funeral Home to either Columbia International University or Temple Baptist Church. Online condolences can be sent to the family at lewisandglenn.com. Arrangements are with Lewis and Glenn Funeral Home.
Eric Peterson
After almost two years, Eric lost his valiant battle with cancer. He passed away peacefully at home with his wife Cathy holding his hand. Cathy and Eric shared 35 years of traveling, camping, fishing, nordic skiing and following their love of tennis.
He and Cathy met in 1990.
continued on A8
970.641.1414
© 2025 Gunnison Country Times
Publisher/Owner Alan Wartes publisher@gunnisontimes.com
Editor Bella Biondini bella@gunnisontimes.com
Staff Writer Abby Harrison abby@gunnisontimes.com
Photo Editor Mariel Wiley mariel@gunnisontimes.com
Sports Editor Alex McCrindle alex@gunnisontimes.com
Advertising Manager Steve Nunn steve@gunnisontimes.com
Advertising Assistant Bobbie Corn bobbie@gunnisontimes.com
Production Manager Issa Forrest issa@gunnisontimes.com
THE GUNNISON COUNTRY TIMES (ISSN 0892-1113) is published weekly by Alan Wartes Media LLC., 218 N. Wisconsin St., Gunnison, Colorado 81230. Periodical postage paid at Gunnison, Colorado. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: The Gunnison Country Times, 218 N. Wisconsin, Gunnison, CO 81230-0240
Hours: 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. Monday through Friday
GUEST COMMENTARY
A community worth hanging onto
Mike Ritchey Special to the Times
Two spectacular events took place last week that emphasized the importance of “community.”
First, our city council opened its chambers on Tuesday evening to those of us in danger of deportation and those of us interested in helping them avoid it.
Second, on Thursday, in the remodeled Gunnison Arts Center, the crowd packed into the Blue Box Theater was treated to readings from locals regarding their love for Gunnison and reasons for staying, excerpted from the Gunnison Valley Journal. On both nights, we were ambushed by a hail of emotions: laughing and crying and eventually smiling, nodding to one another, “Yes! See? This is the reason we struggle through sub-zero winters, working two jobs and still in danger of starving. We love Gunnison. And whatever it takes, we are not leaving.”
Included in the packed house on Tuesday were maybe 15 immigrants, longtime members
LETTERS
Letter to superintendent with no response
Editor:
LETTERS POLICY
Letters to the editor must be 500 words or less. We favor local topics and discourage argumentative letters addressed to particular people. If you reference data, please include sources for fact-checking.
We will not print letters from candidates for public office.
Email letters to editor@gunnisontimes.com or send to 218 N. Wisconsin St., Gunnison, CO 81230. Include your full name, address and a phone number — for our internal use only.
The deadline is Tuesday at 12 p.m. Letters may be edited for grammar, clarity or length.
of the community; families in work clothes, braving the worst kinds of fear to see what if any hope might be available. Our city manager, Amanda Wilson, hosted the meeting, often assuring us that the city is answerable to state law, not federal. That unless the state changes the rules, the federales who might come knocking have no jurisdiction without a judgesigned warrant. The city, she said, is dedicated to protecting its citizens. She added that the stance taken by the city and its words and promises “also hold for the county,” which had no representative present.
Every word spoken by Wilson or Detective Sgt. Chris Danos, representing our police department, was immediately translated by Ricardo Esqueda, community and policy liaison for the city. Danos looked the worried people in the eye and promised to shield them, swore the police would not fold beneath the stamping of heavy boots, the dreaded “Knock! Knock! Knocking!”
The idea that some members of our community are right this minute in life-altering danger of having their lives torn asunder, their children ripped from their parents, would seem preposterous, were it not becoming so normal. The entire process is evil, no better word for it. And there is a thing about evil: if enough of it takes place long
enough it becomes expected, a regular occurrence going without need of mention. But determined citizens among us know better. They are meeting, instructing those under threat to be sure all family members have phone numbers of people waiting to help them.
Imagine! Three little children, say, come home from school and find no mother, father, no grandparent? Plus, there is no message, lying there on the table. They have to be ready. I applaud our city manager, Chris Danos and the council. I know they will stand as tall as possible. We must stand with them. It will not be easy.
On Thursday, still reeling from that council session, I found Amanda Wilson again, host of Maryo Ewell’s outstanding production featuring community members whose thoughts and beliefs, and hits and misses are right now featured in this year’s edition of the Valley Journal. All the planning, wrestling the logistics and hard work paid off in magnificent fashion! Thank you, Maryo.
Amanda was again excellent, and so were the readings from writers, some complete strangers to me, while others were friends and neighbors. Afterward, jostling one another in the lobby, happiness was the dominant emotion, feeling lucky ran through the crowd rowdy and rampant.
Oh, brother! Life has a way of too often throwing no-hitters. But we take our turn in the box, digging in, squinting, looking for the high hard one, going to take it downtown like a rocket! We must be stickers, not quitters. We must look out for one another and stand tall for our valley. As we are rocked this way and that by fears of losing neighbors, recognizing the danger of families being destroyed and ruined — as we are befuddled, even paranoid, facing the mystery of “what do the wealthy investors moving here and buying property after property have in store for us” — well, yes, things have been a tad topsyturvy.
The whole up-and-down perilous moment reminds me of the great film “Wait Until Dark.” The blind Audrey Hepburn is terrorized by the all-in-black Alan Arkin, who, promising a terrible ending if Hepburn proved difficult, says (and “sinister” does not do his delivery justice): “I’m used to it, topsy-turvy. Thing is, it’s always me topsy, you turvy.”
But after last week, Alan Arkin, I’m not so sure you know to whom you’re talking.
(Mike Ritchey is a former publisher of the Gunnison Country Times.)
This letter was sent to Leslie Nichols, as well as the school board, a week ago and I still have not received a response of any kind. We deserve better from our school administration.
“Good morning Leslie, I am writing you to voice my displeasure with your decision to cancel summer experience in Gunnison, this year. I consider this to be a significant failure of your office and the GWSD administration. There are many, many families who rely on this resource to help alleviate financial and scheduling burdens during the summer break. Afterall, we have very few options in Gunnison (I should hope you are aware of this).
This has always been offered since my kids have been in school and I see it as a great opportunity for the kids to continue educational learning and social interaction during the break. I do understand that you have ongoing construction that is the basis of your decision. However, you have had well over a year to plan for this inconvenience. Yet, you have been so concerned with the
construction project and early release Wednesday surveys that you have failed the parents of your students in a major way.
For you to tell me that you and your staff could not come up with a viable alternative tells me that you are not committed to helping the families of Gunnison. The Rec Center only got word of this last week. You mean to tell me that you couldn’t even let them know at a sooner date? Now they are scrambling to come up with more programs to offset your failure.
There needs to be some accountability in this administration. You have continued to walk over the families of Gunnison with zero regard for our opinions and our tax dollars that pay your salary. Please respond, in-kind, with a reasonable explanation for your failure, not just construction. If you have come up with any alternatives, I would like to know what those are, sooner than later.
Please understand that this is not an acceptable outcome at this point. Your administration needs to do better for the parents of your students. Afterall, we are the reason you have the jobs and the pay that you have. To sweep our concerns
under the rug is a blatant abuse of power and an irresponsible decision on your part. You work hard for the well-being of our kids so why don’t you do the same for the parents of those kids and the tax dollars/fees that we contribute? We are the ones working full-time jobs and making sure our kids have the best opportunities in life, in a town that already has many obstacles to overcome. We would love it if you showed the same commitment to us to help better the education of the entire district. I know there are many well-educated members in your office. Coming up with an alternative should have been paramount and should not be, all that, difficult in our small town. Please show us some support and do better for us!”
Brett Adkins Gunnison
This is a real issue
Editor:
I would just like to give a “kudos” to Cloe Parker for her email sent to customers on Dec. 30 in regards to human trafficking — informing us of the hor-
rific event happening every 68 seconds in our country and for being bold enough to talk about this subject. Here is part of her message:
“This may be the most important email I write in 2024. Warning, this email might be hard to read. But please read it. It’s heavy, it’s uncomfortable and honestly, you might be tempted to close it. But please, don’t. This matters.
Every 68 seconds, a parent's worst nightmare becomes reality — a child goes missing. For most of us, it feels like something that only happens in movies or faraway places. But the truth? It’s happening right here, every single day.
Let’s get real for a second. Human trafficking generates over $150 billion globally every year — yes, that’s with a “B.” And a significant portion of that comes from the U.S. market. It’s reported in all 50 states, with hotspots like California, Texas, Florida, and New York leading the way. Here’s the part that’s hardest to stomach:
• Most victims are trafficked by someone they know — a family member, friend or someone they trusted.
• Social media has become one of the biggest tools traffickers use to lure and groom victims.
• Despite growing awareness, fewer than 1% of traffickers ever face legal consequences.
I know this email is heavy, but this is something I refuse to stay silent about. It’s time
to bring light to the darkness. That’s why I’m reaching out to you. We can’t pretend this problem doesn’t exist. We can’t just hope it goes away. What we can do is take action — together. We must protect our children. Every 68 seconds, a child goes missing. It’s time to find them.”
This is a real issue and we all need to be diligent and recognize that there are people every-
where who think nothing of taking a child. It’s big money. We may be blessed to live in a small community, but we are not immune. Please take heed and be alert of your surroundings, talk with your children and especially protect the innocent.
Carmen Pankratz Gunnison
“Resuscitating somebody who collapses is much more than a one person job, and that's why we have a team of people responding,” District Nurse Sherilyn Skokan told the school board during a regular meeting on Jan. 13.
Each school also has a medical emergency response plan in place, drafted in collaboration with the Children’s Hospital Colorado. It accounts for community partners that might also be involved, such as local law enforcement, the Gunnison Regional 911 Center and Gunnison Valley Health Paramedics. The plan includes response to hemorrhage events (like Stop The Bleed training) and overdoses, in that case by having Narcan available and training teachers to use it.
The response teams drilled over the last year to grow familiar with the choreography of an emergency, allowing them to avoid guesswork and panic that arises from seeing a student bleeding or unconscious, Skokan said. The team’s drills systematized who calls 911, who gives chest compressions and who guides first responders to the scene.
worked with dispatch and paramedics showed up to the building — mimicking the steps taken during an actual emergency. The teams are made of district employees who aren’t tied to groups of students throughout the day, like teachers and teaching aides, giving them more flexibility to respond at any time, Skokan said.
The district purchased four additional AEDs, which run upwards of $5,000 each, in the past couple years. That includes two portable units available for athletic events, acquired with support of the Crested Butte and Gunnison school booster clubs. There are now 10 AEDs throughout the district, which ostensibly, means one is available within 3 minutes of a person's time of collapse, Skokan told the board.
All coaches in the Colorado High School Activities Association are certified in CPR, and aware of where the AEDs are located. The portable AEDs are on-site for high-contact athletic competitions, like football or soccer. Athletic trainers use their discretion in bringing portable AEDs to other sporting events. Additionally, as part of the district’s health education curriculum, ninth grade students are trained in hands-only CPR and know where the building’s AEDs are located.
can double or triple someone's chance of survival from a cardiac arrest, according to the American Heart Association. Usually, there are no prior warning signs when somebody's at risk for a sudden cardiac arrest, Skokan told the board. And, survival rates decrease 7-10% each minute that slips by without an AED or use of chest compressions.
GWSD is the first district in the state to certify all schools within its boundaries, according to Skokan. The certification is administered by Project ADAM Colorado, with help from the Children's Hospital Colorado.
ADAM is both an acronym for “Automated Defibrillators in Adam’s Memory” and the name of a Wisconsin high school student, Adam Lemel, who collapsed during a basketball game of cardiac arrest and died soon after.
The certification also protects the hundreds of community members, parents and relatives who filter through the buildings each day for sporting events or meetings, Skokan added.
“We're not just here to respond to a kid cardiac event,” she told the Times. “It could be a staff member or a visitor, or an athlete on a visiting team. We're ready to respond in anybody's emergency.”
(Abby Harrison can be contacted at 970.641.1414 or abby@ gunnisontimes.com.) Heart
“You're always going to have those nerves,” said Gunnison Community School Health Aide Angel Hartzell. Hartzell is on the Gunnison Community School emergency response team. “Everybody could still have some adrenaline and shock running through their bodies at that point. But the more you practice or have these drills, the better equipped everybody is to handle it.”
During a drill last year, team members actually called 911,
In her four years with the district, Skokan has not seen a serious medical trauma — like a hemorrhage or cardiac arrest — but cardiac arrest remains the primary cause of death in student athletes across the county, she said. Cardiac arrest in younger people is most common from a blow to the chest or someone having an inborn error in the body’s electrical system.
CPR and the use of an AED
The new medical emergency response team at Gunnison Community School. (Courtesy Sherilyn Skokan)
stoked by social media, and others by life experience. And in rural areas like the Western Slope, immigrants typically have access to far fewer resources, such as legal services or nonprofit support, compared to their urban neighbors on the Front Range.
“In Colorado, our landscape and our protections have dramatically improved,” LaneArellano said. “The vocal support and the shift in the country has moved away from being with the immigrant community by and large, and I think that's frightening folks.”
Through initiatives like Rural Welcoming Week, the city has labeled itself as a “welcoming” community, and continually recognizes the contributions of immigrants to the overall health and wellbeing of the Gunnison Valley. But since the 2024 election was decided, a number of Gunnison residents have reached out to city leaders for more information about Colorado’s immigration policies. During a regular city council meeting on Jan. 14, city staff, alongside the Gunnison Police Department, provided clarity on its limited role.
Residents were encouraged to ask questions during the standing-room-only meeting in City Hall. The conversation lasted more than an hour, and was streamed live and then posted on the city’s Facebook page.
“We’re not really in a position to comment on what’s happening at the national level,” City Manager Amanda Wilson told the Times after the meeting. “But the overarching concern [among residents] is the fear of the unknown.”
The open discussion, conducted in English and Spanish, was the first of many, Wilson said. The city plans to host a series of educational sessions and trainings, called a “community academy,” in the coming months. Local group Inmigrantes Unidos de Gunnison will host a public meeting on Feb. 7 to ask the community exactly what type of information would be helpful heading into the new year.
The authority of local law enforcement agencies, such as the Gunnison Police Department and the Gunnison County Sheriff’s Office, is
Repatriation
to have been a looter in the Durango area. These remains and funerary objects, like pottery, arrived at Western in cardboard produce boxes and have now sat there for nearly 80 years.
“Western is deeply committed to honoring and respecting the cultural heritage of the individuals whose remains we have here on campus,” President Brad Baca wrote in a statement to the Times . “We understand that they have profound cultural and spiritual significance to the
restricted by state and federal laws. Because immigration policy is handled by the federal agency, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), the city and county do not directly participate in enforcement. Colorado law also states that the federal government (for example ICE) does not have the authority to command state or local law enforcement officers to enforce or administer its programs.
Currently, the sheriff’s office is required to notify federal immigration officers when they have taken an undocumented person into custody. ICE may then send a document asking the sheriff to hold the person for their immigration status, called an immigration detainer. But it’s not a legal warrant, Gunnison County Sheriff Adam Murdie told the Times . At this point in time, a Colorado police officer may only arrest someone on a criminal warrant that has been signed by a judge, and not based solely on their immigration status.
Murdie said Colorado's stance on immigration is strong and will likely prevent any immediate changes to state law.
“It's going to be status quo until Colorado changes the way they do business, which I don't foresee in the near future,” Murdie said.
In recent years, Colorado lawmakers have taken steps to curb how much help local law enforcement officers can give federal immigration officials. In 2019, House Bill 1124 started to delineate between local law enforcement’s role with public safety and ICE’s role with federal immigration enforcement. It prohibited Colorado law enforcement officials from holding or, “detaining,” someone in jail beyond their original sentence solely based on their immigration status.
Another bill, passed in 2023, ended contracts that allowed Colorado jails to rent bed space to ICE. Only two Colorado counties, Moffat and Teller, had ongoing agreements with the federal agency. According to CIRC, these laws help keep communities safe, as residents — regardless of their citizen status — are more likely to reach out to local law enforcement and report crimes without fear of family separation.
“These laws do give us a lot of hope … When Trump was first elected we were nowhere
tribes they belong to, and we hope that by returning them to their rightful resting place, we can take one small step toward rectifying a historical wrong.”
Anthropology professor Mark Stiger attempted to repatriate those remains in the 90s, and sent out hundreds of letters to federally-recognized tribes with no success, Hyde said. In 2023, Hyde reinstated the process and mailed nearly 70 letters to tribes in the Four Corners region. He received four replies: the Southern Utes, the Navajo Nation, the Hopi Tribe and the Pueblo of Zia of north-central New Mexico. In the fall of 2023, the univer-
near the level of protection we managed to get to today,” LaneArellano said. “It took decades of organizing and community work, immigrants sharing their stories and speaking out.”
While Colorado’s position is clear, new immigration laws are already being proposed at the national level. During the city council meeting, Marketa Zubkova expressed worry that things may change quickly. She is a community advocate for the Hispanic Affairs Project and the newly formed Juntos Por Gunnison.
“[I do hope that] our local community will stay safe, and there will be no cooperation with ICE,” Zubkova told the city.
On Tuesday morning, Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser announced that he and a coalition of state attorneys general would challenge a White House executive order ending birthright citizenship. But the Laken Riley Act, which would require the mandatory detention of undocumented individuals if they have been charged, accused or arrested for burglary and other theft-related crimes, may be one of the first immigration bills President Trump signs into law.
The law’s supporters hope the legislation helps reduce crime, following the murder of 22-year-old nursing student Laken Riley, for whom the law is named. According to reporting in Colorado Newsline, immigration authorities say the perpetrator entered the U.S. illegally and had been previously charged with other crimes.
While some Democrats voted in support of the bill, Colorado Sens. Michael Bennet and John Hickenlooper both opposed the legislation.
“Immigration reform is long overdue in this country and should build on individual rights, not strip them,” Bennet said in a press release on Jan. 15. “This legislation in its current form burdens families, local economies, courts and law enforcement without any support for the existing challenges they face.”
Rep. Lauren Boebert, who formerly represented the Western Slope in U.S. Congressional District 3, voted in favor of the bill when it was introduced in 2024.
“The American people are being subjected to an illegal alien crime wave caused by the left’s open-border and sanctu-
sity received an $81,000 grant from Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), meant to help faculty start consulting with tribal representatives. NAGPRA, a 90s era federal law managed by the National Park Service, requires institutions that receive federal funding to return Native American human remains, and funerary and sacred objects to tribal descendants. However, Western’s deadlines for spending the money and returning the remains are self-imposed, Hyde said
Once Western received the grant, Hyde and members of Western’s executive cabinet
ary city policies that have resulted in the preventable deaths of victims like Laken Riley,” she said in a statement.
Community academy
The Gunnison Police Department’s upcoming educational sessions are designed to reduce some of the negative feelings residents can associate with law enforcement agencies. In the past, the city has hosted a demonstration that showed residents what to do if and when an officer pulls them over. That is not always the result of traffic violations, and could be a courtesy stop to let a driver know a headlight is out, for example. It’s another way to show the community that police officers are “here to help,” Detective Chris Danos said.
Creating these relationships — ones where residents feel comfortable calling 911, reporting a crime or asking a police
planned to start visiting tribal representatives in the spring of 2024. But that timeline has “blown up,” Hyde said, after receiving little to no response from the four tribes. Since then, the only correspondence Hyde said he’s received is from the Pueblo of Zia.
Hyde has communicated with Ulysses Reid, the tribal historic preservation officer (THPO) for Pueblo of Zia, and plans to restart the process this month. These officers, recognized by the federal government, direct programs approved by the Park Service, such as repatriation.
officer for assistance — is even more important for the valley’s newcomers, said Ricardo Esqueda, community and policy liaison for the city.
“Newcomers to the community can be coming from an entirely different dynamic where there is use of force and violence in their community, and corruption,” Esqueda said. “We are trying to work to establish that positive relationship for people, because they [police officers] are here to protect our community.”
For more information on the upcoming input sessions and community training, visit gunnisonco.gov/.
(Bella Biondini can be contacted at 970.641.1414 or bella@ gunnisontimes.com.)
“It’s a long process, working with requirements of NAGPRA regulations and working with tribal nations to participate in the repatriation effort,” Reid wrote in an email to the Times The in-person meetings are a first step in the consultation process, and meant to allow the THPOs to review Western’s inventory. Then, the tribal representatives would travel to Western to see the collection in person. While the type of pottery can give Western a sense of the Tribal affiliation or the timeline of when the objects were buried, there’s a lower chance for absolute certainty without
On Jan. 14, City Manager Amanda Wilson and Gunnison Police Department Detective Chris Danos gave a presentation on immigration. (Courtesy City of Gunnison Facebook page)
consultation, Hyde said.
“In other words, is this vessel something that would have been placed with an individual in a grave? Is it a funerary object? Is it a sacred object, or is it perhaps more utilitarian?” Hyde said. “We may not know, that’s cultural knowledge they may have that we don't.”
In the decades since NAGPRA compelled Native American tribes to examine and possibly receive remains, research and news reports have revealed the burden it has become for many tribes. The emotional difficulty of examining ancestors’ bones can be compounded by the knowledge that those remains
might not belong to that tribe. Institutions around the county reported making the remains of more than 4,700 Native Americans available for return to the Pueblo of Zia, according to the ProPublica database. That figure doesn’t include the 25,000 funerary objects the tribe might also be eligible to reclaim, mostly from Colorado and New Mexico. In 2020, that included transporting remains across the Atlantic Ocean from Finland to their original homeland in Mesa Verde National Park.
In addition, navigating the bureaucracy of NAGPRA can be burdensome, coupled with the other part of the law that deals with grave protection, Hyde
said. This means that when new development or excavation unearths Native American remains, the developers have to stop progress and contact tribes for a consultation. In many cases, they also have to consult before development begins.
“There are so many projects … That could be why we haven't heard back from these other three [Tribes], they're overwhelmed as well,” Hyde said.
(Abby Harrison can be contacted at 970.641.1414 or abby@ gunnisontimes.com.)
The City Center
Your local government’s weekly community ad. (970) 641-8080
“The City Center” Runs Every Week! We want to know How often do you look at or read the ad?
Do you seek out the ad or come across it and stop?
Does “The City Center” help you hear about and understand City news and announcements?
What version of “The City Center” do you read?
(In-print, on social media, shown by someone else, other )
Do you know when and where City Council meetings happen because of “The City Center”?
What do you wish was announced in “The City Center” that you have not seen or heard about?
How likely are you to keep looking for and reading “The City Center”?
Respond to the Communications Assistant: Digital Survey at gunnisonco.gov/CityCenter (970) 641-8141 or eyoung@gunnisonco.gov
Stop by the City Hall Clerk’s Office to share!
Genesis 1:1
In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.
Isaiah 45:12
I have made the earth, and created man upon it: I, even my hands, have stretched out the heavens, And all their host have I commanded.
God has created earth for man and provided everything we need upon it.
Proverbs 3:6
continued from A6
Native American remains have been stored in Western’s C.T. Hurst Museum for nearly eight decades. (Photo by Mariel Wiley)
•SundaySushiNight•
In 1991 they purchased the last affordable Crested Butte house. After major improvements, such as putting a foundation under it, Eric was proud of making their historic 1800 mining cabin a cozy home.
He was a fixture in Crested Butte in “Green,” his 1976 Ford Pickup. He was a pitcher for the local ball team, The Snakes, a dedicated tele skier, an all-season grill master and had a love of music with a huge collection on vinyl and CDs.
For 19 years Eric worked in maintenance at the Gunnison post office and the old Center for the Arts. He also surveyed mining claims, did carpentry, property management and finally started his own repair and maintenance business for local homeowners and friends. Eric was drafted and when he returned from Vietnam in 1969 he joined his old “nick name” friends from New Jersey living in “the Crater” in Gunnison, aka “Johnny’s Bait Farm.” He was known as Hurricane, aka Hurk. Eric later moved to Crested Butte with several of those friends where he made many more lifelong friends. All stayed by him until the day he died.
Mary Ann Bartelli
Mary Ann Bartelli, 96, of Frontenac, Kansas passed away peacefully at the Arma Health and Rehabilitation Center in Arma, Kansas on Jan. 11, 2025.
Mary Ann was born Sept. 9, 1928 in Crested Butte, Colorado to Martin (Mike) and Leeda “Lilly” Yetzbacher Spritzer.
From Colorado, her parents moved to Emporia, Kansas and then to Frontenac where she became a lifelong resident. Her mother died when she was 9 years old. After moving to Frontenac, her father married Julia Vacca, where he eventually owned and operated The Frontenac Bakery.
Mary Ann graduated from St. Mary's High School, in Pittsburg, Kansas in 1946. She married Danny Bartelli on Aug. 8, 1948 at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church, in Frontenac. She had worked at Francis Fly Company (Pittsburg), The Kress Store, J.C. Penneys and finally at The Frontenac Bakery until she retired.
She was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Frontenac, the American Legion Auxiliary in Arma, the Eagles Auxiliary in West Mineral and the S.N.P.J. Lodge #225 in Arma. Mary Ann was an avid bowler of 50 years and loved sewing, knitting, crocheting and various other crafts and loved music and dancing. She was also a Den Mother for Cub Scouts in Pittsburg. She is survived by her three sons, Bruce (Donna) Bartelli of Frontenac, Danny Bartelli of Gunnison, Colorado and Bart Bartelli of Winfield, Kansas, five grandchildren and seven great grandchildren. She is preceded in death by her parents, an infant son, Jeffery Bartelli, and grandson, Dalton Bartelli and her brother Michael Spritzer.
The family requests no flowers, but contributions can be made to the Frontenac Sacred Heart Catholic Church Alter Society.
A trio in tune
Music lovers gathered for an evening of jazz at the Crested Butte Center for the Arts on Jan. 21. The Denverbased Domi Edson Trio put on a lively show during the first of three, free-admission “Après Jazz” evening concerts at the center. Earlier in the day, the trio stopped by the Crested Butte Community Schools to play some tunes with the high school jazz band. The ragtime revelry will return to the Center on Feb. 18 and March 18.
(Photos by Mariel Wiley)
A dinner, a stranger and an unexpected check
Businessman donates
$400,000 to sober living home
Abby Harrison Times Staff Writer
In early September, three couples — two that were locals, one just visiting — gathered at Garlic Mike’s. Over steak and pasta, the group connected on the anguishes of parenthood: the loss of a child or the pain of watching one struggle.
Weeks later, one of the locals, Mary Beth Kelley, picked up a letter in the mail from one of her dinner companions, containing a $400,000 check. The money was slated for Kelley’s nonprofit, Gunnison Sanctuary Housing, specifically to pay off the remaining debt on Gunnison’s only sober living home. With the mortgage settled, the board can now focus on opening another home for women and their children.
“God is blessing something that people are willing to step out in faith and do,” Kelley said. “I think God rewards that.”
Kelley and her husband Scott, alongside community partners in substance use recovery, opened Gunnison’s first sober living home at the start of 2024. The home is located in the northwest corner of town, and offers a supportive environment for those seeking sobriety from drugs and alcohol. The house is managed by Oxford House, a sober living organization with locations throughout the Western Slope.
While tenancy at the home has fluctuated in its first year, the board kept renovating the space. In the final months of 2024, the nonprofit — with help from the Gunnison Community Foundation’s new crowdsourcing platform — added a much-needed third bathroom. They also kept fundraising, in hopes of paying off the house and setting aside rent revenue for another sober
living home for women.
Before the donation, the Sanctuary board applied for numerous grants to pay off the loan on the current home, but kept hearing that grantors don’t shell out for debt reduction, Kelley said. Even if they could raise money for a downpayment on a new home for women and kids, the board was not interested in taking out another loan, which would have put the nonprofit in nearly $1 million in debt.
The mysterious visitors in question are Greg and Kay Potter. Greg is in the concrete business in Dallas. The Potters don’t own a second home in Crested Butte, and were simply visiting for a vacation, Kelley said. They met up for dinner through mutual friends, and were soon sharing stories of their professional lives and parenthood.
Greg later expressed to Kelley that he wanted to help the nonprofit in some way. Many phone calls and emails later, he cut the check and sent it northbound to Gunnison.
“He seemed to have a really good heart,” Kelley said. “He [told me], ‘You know, we give a lot of money to our church. I've scattered money around to different charities as they touch my heart … In my lifetime, I just want to do one big thing. I can't explain any better than that.’”
Kelley recalled the nail-biting week when her business partner Edward Howard was out of town, and the sizable check sat in his office before Kelley could deposit it. She called her banker at Gunnison Bank and Trust the same day she deposited the check, directing him “if it clears, pay the loan off immediately,” she said. The check cleared, and the debt was paid.
Since the donation, the board has lowered rent for current sober living tenants. The house is not fully occupied, but Kelley expects it to fill in coming months. Once the current home is back to capacity, the board will begin fundraising for a down payment on a women’s house.
(Abby Harrison can be contacted at 970.641.1414 or abby@gunnisontimes.com.)
Former Oxford House outreach worker Phil Bohannon helps move furniture into the sober living home at the start of 2024. Bohannon is still working in the recovery space, now as a peer support specialist with Gunnison Valley Health. (Photo by Abby Harrison)
property is a 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.
457 Ute Dr. (Arrowhead) MLS# 820145 $40,000
Beautiful, secluded 1 acre lot located on the north edge of the Arrowhead subdivision off of the main road. Bring your RV or plan to build your private mountain retreat on this sloped, nicely treed lot with plenty of wildflowers and wildlife to be seen. This subdivision is quaint community located on the Alpine Plateau Road and has quick access to the Arrowhead Lodge where you can enjoy food and drink on their outdoor patio along with occasional live music. Come discover what living in the Rockies is all about!
Equipment failure causes Mt. Crested
Butte power outage
On Friday, January 17, GCEA experienced a power outage affecting approximately 2,300 members in the Mt. Crested Butte area. The outage was caused by an equipment failure located near the Mt. Crested Butte Wastewater Treatment Plant.
The outage began at approximately 10:29 am when a switchgear unit failed, de-energizing the circuits feeding all of Mt. Crested Butte, and cutting off power for several hours. A switchgear is a critical part of the electric distribution system which protects electrical circuits and provides a means of disconnection. Once the failed unit was identified and isolated, crews moved the electric load onto another switchgear and began restoring power one section of the mountain at a time. Meanwhile, a new switchgear was moved from GCEA’s Gunnison headquarters to replace the damaged unit. Crews initiated another planned outage affecting 139 members along Crystal, Castle and Hunter Hill Roads at approximately 6:45 pm to replace the failed switchgear. During the planned outage, a switching issue caused an unintended outage affecting the entire mountain again
for about five minutes. Crews quickly identified the problem and restored the system to normal operations around 7:15 pm. When the power went out, some GCEA members experienced difficulty calling in to report the outage. GCEA partners with Gunnison Regional Dispatch to take calls after hours and when lines are maxed out due to heavy call volume, calls cannot go through. Once GCEA staff realized the magnitude of the outage, phones were rolled back to GCEA offices and staff members began assisting callers.
To aid in outage communication, GCEA strongly encourages its members to sign up for the SmartHub app which allows outages to be reported from a mobile device. SmartHub users may also elect to receive outage notifications via phone or text message to confirm when an outage is affecting their electric service.
GCEA appreciates the support and understanding of all those affected by this outage and apologizes for the interrupted service.
(Source: Gunnison County Electric Association.)
Brisk bread
Dilly Deli co-owner Rachel Branham put her fresh sourdough loaves on display on Jan. 21. Baking sourdough bread at elevation can be tricky, as the lower air pressure impacts the fermentation, dough hydration and leavening process. Bakers make precise tweaks to traditional recipes to produce the crowd-pleasing, hearty loaves at high altitude.
(Courtesy Mike Ritchey)
CPW releases 15 new wolves in second year of program
Members of Copper Creek Pack also released in Pitkin, Eagle counties
Chase Woodruff Colorado Newsline
Colorado wildlife officials announced Sunday that they had released a total of 20 gray wolves into the wild over the past eight days, marking the second year of operations for the state’s voter-mandated reintroduction program.
The released wolves included 15 animals captured and relocated from the Canadian province of British Columbia, along with five members of the Copper Creek Pack, which had been held in captivity for months following a series of livestock killings that characterized the program’s turbulent first year.
“This binational effort was conducted by a professional team of experts from two jurisdictions,” Colorado Parks and Wildlife Director Jeff Davis said in a statement. “From the veterinarians and biologists to the helicopter pilots and wildlife officers, this team worked together to ensure a safe and successful outcome for this year’s capture and release efforts that also prioritized the health and safety of staff and animals.”
The wolves were released in Pitkin and Eagle counties over the course of several days between Jan. 12 and 18. Details of the operations were kept under wraps, the agency said, because of the “security needs
of our staff and the animals.”
“Unfortunately, staff safety was threatened as CPW offices were watched and threatening social media posts and phone calls were received,” said the agency’s press release, which also noted that two of the 10 wolves released in the program’s first year of operations have been illegally shot.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is investigating the illegal killing of one wolf, an adult male known as 2309-OR, which belonged to the Copper Creek Pack. A second reintroduced wolf, known as 2307-OR, died in Grand County as a result of a fight with another wolf, but a USFWS necropsy also found the animal had an “old, healed gunshot wound to its rear leg.”
The Copper Creek Pack, consisting of the state’s first mating pair of reintroduced wolves, was rounded up by wildlife agents beginning in August, following the loss of at least 17 cattle and nine sheep in and around Grand County. Several days after its capture, 2309-OR died from what USFWS agents later identified as complications from a gunshot wound.
Colorado voters narrowly approved a ballot measure in 2020 mandating the reintroduction of gray wolves in the name of restoring ecological balance, along with measures to compensate ranchers for animals lost to wolf predation. But the controversy over the Copper Creek Pack fueled longstanding concerns from livestock producers about the losses they’ll incur as a result of the restoration. A formal petition to pause the program, filed by a coalition of 26 livestock associations and other agricultural interest groups last year, was rejected by the Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commission earlier this month.
The pack’s adult female and four pups have been held
in a secure location since September, and their release alongside the 15 wolves sourced from Canada gives them the “best chance for survival,” CPW officials said.
All the imported wolves were given veterinary care and vaccinations during relocation operations, and come from a large, established British Columbian wolf population estimated at between 5,300 to 11,600 animals. CPW officials said that the relocated wolves come from a region that doesn’t “overlap with areas where livestock are present,” which should help minimize the chance of chronic livestock predation in Colorado.
The state’s formal reintroduction plan, approved in 2023, calls for winter releases of 10 to 15 wolves annually in the program’s first three to five years, with an initial target of a stable population of at least 50 animals within the state.
“As restoration efforts continue, CPW is committed to working with livestock owners, communities, state agencies and all partners to reduce the likelihood of wolf-livestock conflict,” Davis said. “Our goal is to keep ranchers ranching, while at the same time restoring a healthy, sustainable population of gray wolves to Colorado as mandated.”
(Chase Woodruff is a senior reporter for Colorado Newsline. His beats include the environment, money in politics, and the economy. Colorado Newsline is part of States Newsroom, the nation’s largest state-focused nonprofit news organization. Read the full story at coloradonewsline.com)
Crested Butte Avalanche Center launches
Beacon Guidebooks
expands reach of ATES scale
Bella Biondini Times Editor
Over the course of the last year, avalanche forecasters and safety experts have rolled out a number of new tools local skiers and snowboarders can use to make more informed decisions in the backcountry.
The rising ease of access to consequential mountain terrain and the popularity of backcountry sports has meant that more people than ever are exposing themselves to avalanche risk each winter. And among Mountain West states, the most avalanche fatalities have occurred in Colorado due to its consistently unstable snowpack.
In an effort to keep skiers safe, the Crested Butte Avalanche Center (CBAC) has continued to expand its forecasting platform in the North Valley. In Gunnison, Beacon Guidebooks founder Andy Sovick is creating maps that will help members of the outdoor community better understand their risk long before they click into their skis.
In December, on the heels of a revamped public avalanche observation page, CBAC released a new free app called “Avy.” The app was developed and funded during the winter of 2023-24 by the Northwest Avalanche Center (NWAC), which covers Washington and parts of Oregon. As one of the largest centers in the United States, it has a consistent donor base and the capacity to take on multi-year projects.
Since the app was launched, seven other forecasting centers have joined the platform, including Crested Butte. The partnerships allow the centers to split costs and add more resources to the app over time.
While its website is still the go-to place for daily forecasts, the app functions offline — a useful tool when skiers don’t
have cell service. With Avy, users can also submit avalanche observations from the field. Skiers can take photos of an avalanche, fill out a brief form — similar to what they would do on a computer after a ski tour — and submit. It will automatically upload when they return to cell service. One of the goals is to encourage more observations from the public, said lead CBAC avalanche forecaster Zach Guy.
“I know people are busy when they get home. They want to have a beer, go pick up the kids from school or whatever it is,” he said. “So you can do that [submit observations] really quickly while you're out in the field.”
Last winter, CBAC also launched a new observation page. It now has a color-coded map that makes it easy to visualize where others have seen avalanches and other signs of snow instability. For example, skiers headed out to the Slate River can see the pinned locations of the recent avalanches in the area. Users can adjust the time frame, and view avalanche patterns over the course of a couple of days, a week or for the entire season.
“There’s just a ton of great ways to view the data that we're out there collecting every day,” Guy said.
How dangerous is the terrain?
It can be difficult to talk about avalanche conditions in a printed ski guidebook because the snow changes every day, Sovick said. As his Gunnison-based publishing company, Beacon Guidebooks, grew and began creating guidebooks for zones across the country, Sovick struggled to find a way to universally talk about avalanche risk. Each zone had a different snowpack and climate.
When an author in Seattle told Sovick about the avalanche terrain exposure scale (ATES), Sovick knew it was the answer to the problem he faced. ATES can be compared to the whitewater rapids classification system, which labels river runs on a scale of one to five. Class one is the easiest, and class five are
larger, with more dangerous features along the water.
“No matter what river you're going on, that objective scale gives you an idea of what the hazard is going to be, regardless of conditions,” Sovick said. “That's what we've been missing in the avalanche world.”
The ATES scale originated in Canada more than two decades ago when a group of students and teachers died in an avalanche. The group had not known they were at risk and the Canadian government responded with the intent of preventing similar accidents. Avalanche scientists, mountain guides and researchers came together to create a new way of measuring avalanche exposure.
The ATES scale shows a mountain’s capability of producing an avalanche, regardless of the snowpack and weather. It divides mountain slopes into three categories: simple, challenging and complex. For example, if a slope is flat, forested and far away from overhead slopes, it is unlikely an avalanche will occur, regardless of how much snow falls. This slope would be labeled as simple. The opposite is true for a steep bowl with no trees, where avoiding an avalanche path would be
difficult or impossible. This ski zone would likely carry the tag of challenging, or complex.
The rubric that avalanche experts use also takes into account how many avalanches occurred there in known history, and how large they were. Run-out zones, or how far an avalanche can travel in the worst case scenario, are also factored in.
The ATES scale has not been widely used in the United States until recently. Last year, Crested Butte became the first area with an ATES-rated avalanche center forecast zone through a partnership with onX Backcountry. onX is a GPS navigation mapping system designed for hiking, backcountry skiing, mountain biking and climbing. The new Crested Butte map (available on the CBAC website) corresponds with Beacon Guidebooks’ backcountry skiing guide for the area.
So far, Beacon Guidebooks has rated more than 3,000 backcountry ski routes across the country. Sovick rates zones with the help of local guides and forecasters who are extremely familiar with the area. Sovick spends months poring over maps, and goes through multiple drafts before the final
product is published. The less familiar he is with the area, the slower the process.
What began as a side project for Sovick, has turned into a large part of his career. Four years ago, Sovick began adding all of Beacon Guidebooks’ ski routes and descriptions to the onX platform. What started out as a big idea to add the ATES scale to all of the terrain in the app, has slowly come to fruition. Sovick now works full-time with onX. He is using computer algorithms and a team of engineers to help him do the same work he was doing by hand for his guidebooks — allowing him to cover larger landscapes more quickly. So far, the ATES scale has been applied to 29 regions around the country.
“The whole goal at the end of the day is to give people one more tool to stay out of an accident … this is not like the silver bullet of staying safe in the avalanche in avalanche terrain, it's one more tool to use to increase your margin of safety,” Sovick said.
(Bella Biondini can be contacted at 970.641.1414 or bella@ gunnisontimes.com.)
The ATES scale shows a mountain’s capability of producing an avalanche, regardless of the snowpack and weather. It divides mountain slopes into three categories: simple (green), challenging (blue) and complex (black). (Courtesy Crested Butte Avalanche Center, onX Backcountry)
A great Gunnison gathering
The community came together at the Gunnison Arts Center (GAC) to celebrate the release of a new volume of the Gunnison Valley Journal on Jan. 16. The crowd danced along to live banjo music by Dave Pinkerton and reminisced on valley living with a slideshow of local photography. The event was put on in cooperation with the current “Crossroads: Change in Rural America” exhibition at the GAC. This 12th edition of the journal compiles written and visual art by valley residents that encapsulates life on the Western Slope.
if you’d like to get an ad into the homes and gardens contact Steve nunn or bobbie cOrn by NOON 2/14 at admanager@gunnisontimes.com OR 970.641.1414
Land Development Code Open House
We want your input! The City
(Photos by Jacob Spetzler)
When you wish upon a skate
Families took to the ice for a Disney-themed Skate to Lights event at the Jorgensen Ice Rink on Jan. 17. The skaters twizzled and twirled to hits from classic Disney films, including “Frozen,” “Moana” and “The Little Mermaid.” The next Skate to Lights event will take place on Jan. 24 with a Beatles theme.
Faith Directory
Bethany Church
909 N Wisconsin St.
(behind Powerstop) • 970-641-2144
Two services at 9 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. FREE lunch for college students following the 10:30 a.m. service gunnisonbethany.com
9 a.m.: Family Service with nursery & children’s church
Check out our website for updates! Or download our app on the App Store by searching, Gunnison Bethany.
B'nai Butte Jewish Congregation
PO Box 2537 Crested Butte, CO 81224 305-803-3648 bnaibutte@gmail.com
Serving the Jewish communities of Crested Butte, Gunnison and surrounging areas.
Spititual leader: Rabbi Mark Kula is available for you at RabbiMarkKula@gmail.com bnaibutte.org
New Song Christian Fellowship
77 Ute Lane • 970-641-5034
A Christ Centered Gospel Sharing Community where we want to be part of a community who encourage and support one another in our spiritual journey.
Sunday 10 a.m. / Wednesday 7 p.m. newsonggunnison.net
Community Church of Gunnison
107 N. Iowa • 970-641- 0925
Pastor Larry Nelson
Sunday Morning Worship 9:30 a.m.
Weekend Services 9:30 a.m.
Nursery & Age-Graded Ministry
Weekly Student Ministry
Weekly Adult LifeGroups
Office Hours: Mon-Thurs, 9-4
For more info: ccgunnison.com or email info@ccgunnison.com
Join us in-person, listen to our broadcast on 98.3 FM, or view online stream on YouTube
Transforming Lives • Building Community
First Baptist Church
120 N. Pine St. • 970-641-2240
Pastor Jonathan Jones
SUNDAY Sunday School at 10 a.m.
Sunday Morning Worship at 11 a.m.
Sunday Evening Service at 6 p.m. (during school year)
WEDNESDAY (during school year)
Truth Trackers Kids Club at 6:30 p.m.
Youth Group for Teens at 7:30 p.m. firstbaptistgunnison.org.
Gunnison
Congregational Church
United Church of Christ
317 N. Main St. • 970-641-3203
Open and Affirming
Whole Earth · Just Peace Sunday, 10 a.m. Casual, Relaxed, “Come As You Are” Worship gunnisonucc.org
Trinity Baptist Church
523 N. Pine St. • 970-641-1813
Senior Pastor - Joe Ricks Sunday Service 9:30 a.m. Adult Bible Study 8 a.m. trinitybaptistsgunnison.com
Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church
711 N. Main • 970-641-1860
Senior Pastor Robert Carabotta Assoc. Pastor Jacob With Childrens Sunday School – Sunday 9 a.m.
Adult Sunday School – Sunday 9 a.m. Divine Service of the Word – Sunday 10 a.m.
St. Peter’s Catholic Church
300 N. Wisconsin • 970-641-0808 Fr. Andres Ayala-Santiago gunnisoncatholic.org crestedbuttecatholic.org or call the Parish Office.
St. Peter’s - Gunnison Sat 5 p.m. & Sun 10:30 a.m., 12 p.m. (Spanish) Mass First Sunday of every month bilingual Mass 11 a.m.
Queen of All Saints - Crested Butte, 401 Sopris Sun 8:30 a.m. Mass St. Rose of Lima - Lake City Communion Service, Sun. at 10 a.m.
The Good Samaritan Episcopal Church
307 W. Virginia Ave. • 970-641-0429
Rev. Laura Osborne, Vicar
First Sunday of each month –11 a.m. Holy Eucharist, Rite II
Alternating at Good Samaritan and All Saints in the Mountains
Check our websites for location Second Sunday-Fifth Sunday –9 a.m. Holy Eucharist, Rite II
Children’s Sunday school –2nd and 4th Sundays, monthly Office hours: M-TH 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Taize – 1st Wednesday, monthly - 7 p.m. goodsamaritangunnison.org
Visit our partnership church: All Saints in the Mountains, Crested Butte
Meeting Second-Fifth Sundays at 5 p.m., Holy Eucharist, Rite II 403 Maroon Ave, Crested Butte Visit our website for location of 11 a.m. Holy Eucharist, First Sunday of each month allsaintsinthemountains.org
Church in the Barn 8007 County Road 887
Waunita Hot Springs Ranch • 970-641-8741
Sundays, 10:30 a.m. Non Denominational Come as you are.
Church of Christ
600 E. Virginia • 970-641-1588
Sunday Morning Bible Class: 9:30 a.m.
Sunday Morning Worship: 10:30 a.m.
Sunday Evening Worship: 6 p.m.
Wednesday Night Bible Class: 7 p.m.
(Photos by Mariel Wiley)
GUNNISON WATERSHED SCHOOL DISTRICT
See GWSD website for details gunnisonschools.net
Gunnison Watershed School District believes that students thrive when they are connected to something bigger than themselves. That’s why we create learning experiences that spark curiosity, helping students discover who they are and how to make a difference in the world around them. As they excel in academics, athletics and the arts, students find the confidence to pursue any opportunity in life. Our team is “Driven to be the Difference!”
HOURLY OPPORTUNITIES
CBCS - Health Assistant Bus Drivers Food Service
Substitute teachers
PROFESSIONAL OPPORTUNITIES
SPED Teacher - GHS Band Teacher - GHS and GMS Social Studies Teacher - GHS
COACHING
GHS - Assistant Girls’ Basketball Coach (C team) GHS - Girls’ Diving/ Asst. Swimming coach
GHS - Head Football Coach
GHS - Cross Country Coach CBHS - Assistant Track & Field coach
Please contact: Superintendent’s Office JoAnn Klingsmith 800 N. Boulevard 970-641-7760 jklingsmith@ gunnisonschools.net
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.
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.
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
THE CLUB AT CRESTED BUTTE is hiring a part-time seasonal Front Desk Attendant ($18-$22/hr.) weekend availability required. Employee perks include discounts and ski storage at the base area. For more information or to apply please visit theclubatcrestedbutte.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,
GUNNISON COUNTY EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES
Patrol Deputy
Sheriff: Full-Time, 40 hours/week, the annual salary range is from $72,397.26 to $102,405.83 plus full benefits.
Take home vehicle & uniform allowance provided by the Sheriff’s Office.
Detention Deputy
Sheriff: Full-Time, 40 hours/week, the annual salary range is from $65,056.55 to $92,022.40 plus full benefits.
Uniform allowance provided by the Sheriff’s Office.
Heavy Equipment Operator
Public Works: Full-Time, 40 hours/ week, hourly range from $23.60 to $31.69 plus full benefits.
Shop Technician
Public Works: Full-Time, 40 hours/ week, hourly range from $26.51 to $35.61 plus full benefits.
Public Trustee Specialist
Treasurer: 40 hours/week, hourly range is from $23.60 to $28.69, depending on experience, plus full benefits.
HR Coordinator
HR: 40 hours/week, hourly range is from $27.84 to $33.84, depending on experience, plus full benefits.
Bilingual Juvenile Case Manager
Juvenile Services: 40 hours/ week, hourly range is from $31.28 to $35.61, depending on experience, plus full benefits.
For more information, including complete job descriptions, required qualifications and application instructions, please visit GunnisonCounty.org/jobs.
Does your basement or crawl space need some attention? Call Thrasher Foundation Repair! A permanent solution for waterproofing, failing foundation, sinking concrete and nasty crawl spaces FREE Inspection & Same Day Estimate $250 off ANY project with code GET250 Call 1-888-717-0104RNET
REAL
To Place a 25-word COSCAN Network ad in 91 Colorado Newspapers for $300
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.
THE TOWN OF CRESTED BUTTE seeks applicants for a Planner I to join the Community Development team. The Planner I works closely with all the Community Development divisions, multiple Town departments, the Board of Zoning and Architectural Review (BOZAR), the Town Council, regional partners within the Gunnison Valley, and the Crested Butte Community. The Planner I assists/leads some smaller case review and processing of development applications to BOZAR. The Planner I assists in the development and amendment of long-range plans and regulations that guide the growth and development of Crested Butte. The Planner assists some case work for the housing division. The Planner I is a communication resource for the Community Development Department assisting crafting and distributing in public notices; creating and distributing the advertisement of community events; crats
and distributes the Department’s new letters; other media to raise public awareness, and performs related work as assigned. This year-round position includes an excellent benefits package with 100% employer paid 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.
INTERESTED IN A CAREER WITH BENEFITS? The Crested Butte Bank, a branch of the Gunnison Bank and Trust Company, has an opening for a full-time teller to join the operations side of our growing bank. Applicants should have strong customer service skills, the ability to multitask, and a willingness to learn. GB&T fosters a learning environment where you will gain exposure to multiple areas of the bank with a strong foundation in operations. Pay starting at $18.50. Robust benefits package includes 401(k), medical insurance, vision insurance, life insurance and disability insurance (ST and LT). Pooled transportation is available. Send resume to abrown@crestedbuttebank. com or lbeda@gunnisonbank.com.
THE CLUB AT CRESTED BUTTE is hiring a Restaurant Manager. This is a full-time year-round position with medical, retirement, and vacation benefits. The annual salary range is $65,000 to $70,000 DOE. For more information or to submit a resume please visit: theclubatcrestedbutte.com.
LITTLE RED SCHOOLHOUSE IN CB SOUTH is hiring a part time teacher! This position is with 4 year olds and there is lots of potential to sub in other classrooms to create a full time position. This is a
•
• Approval of
• Commendations and celebrations (Information, Successful Students, Strong Employees)
Public comment (Information, Engaged Community)
Please use the public participation form, or use the Q&A feature in Zoom, and indicate your name, address, and topic for comment.
Consent agenda (ACTION, All) Items in the consent agenda are considered routine and will be enacted under one motion. There will not be separate discussion of these items prior to the time the board votes unless a Board Member requests an item be removed from the grouping for separate consideration.
Board of Education Minutes
December 16, 2024 Regular meeting Finance: Approve for payment, as presented by the Director of Finance, warrants as indicated: General Account # Last update 1-132025
• Payroll Direct Deposit # Last update 1-13-2025
• Personnel • Annie Beeman-Resignation-5th grade teacher-GCS
Items for information, discussion, and action
GHS Service Projects (Information/ Discussion, Successful Students, Engaged Community)
Jim Woytek, Principal
Amended FY24 Budget Presentation (ACTION,Information/Discussion, Healthy Finances)
• Mrs. Tia Mills, Business Manager
• Consider approval of Adoption FY2024-25 Amended Budget
• Consider approval of 2024-25 Appropriation Resolution
Consider approval of Use of Beginning Fund Balance Resolution
Facilities Improvement Program Update (Information/Discussion, Functional Facilities)
Artaic Group: Chris Guarino, John Usery, Ryan Smelker, Matt Prinster
• Bullying Prevention Report #2 (Information/Discussion, All)
• Dr. Leslie Nichols, Superintendent • Calendar Survey Results (Information/ Discussion, All)
• Dr. Leslie Nichols, Superintendent Draft of 2025-26 District Calendar (Information/Discussion, All)
Dr. Leslie Nichols, Superintendent School Board Policy for Second Reading (ACTION, All)
ACA-Name Change
Other Administrative Report Items(Information, All)
Dr. Leslie Nichols, Superintendent Items introduced by Board Members (Discussion, All)
Board committee reports (Information, All)
• Board/Student Engagement - Dr. Coleman and Mrs. Roberts
• School Board Policy - Mrs. Brookhart
and Dr. Coleman
• Executive Committee for Bond Project
- Mr. Martineau
Superintendent Evaluation- Mrs. Brookhart and Dr. Coleman District Accountability Committee (DAC) - Mrs. Roberts School Accountability Committees (SAC)
GHS - Dr. Coleman
GCS - Mrs. Brookhart
CBCS - Mr. Martineau
• Gunnison County Education
Association Negotiations - Mr. VanderVeer
• Gunnison County Education Association 3x3 - Mr. VanderVeer
Fund 26 - Dr. Coleman
Gunnison Memorial Scholarship - Mrs. Roberts Health Insurance Committee - Mr. VanderVeer
Housing Advisory Committee-Mr. VanderVeer
Gunnison Valley Education Foundation-Dr. Coleman
• Upcoming agenda items and meeting schedule (Information, Engaged Community)
• February 10, 2025
Regular Meeting@5:30pm-CBCS February 24, 2025
Work Session@5:30pm-GUN March 10, 2025 Regular
Meeting@5:30pm-CBCS March 24, 2025 Work
Session@5:30pm-GUN
Adjournment
Gunnison Country Times
Gunnison, Colorado Publication date of January 23. 2025 16019
NOTICE OF NAME CHANGE
PUBLIC NOTICE OF PETITION FOR CHANGE OF NAME
Public Notice is given on December 30, 2024 that a Petition for a Change of Name of an Adult has been filed with the Gunnison Combined Court.
The Petition requests that the name of GRACELYN CASSIDY ROBERTS be changed to GRACELYN CASSIDY BURNETT Joy Case Clerk of Court /s/ Joy Case
Gunnison Country Times Gunnison, Colorado Publication dates of January 9, 16 and 23, 2025 15925
NOTICE TO CREDITORS
NOTICE TO CREDITORS
Estate of David Klauser, Deceased, Case Number 24PR25
All persons having claims against the above named estate are required to present them to the personal representative or to District Court of Gunnison County on or before May 16, 2025, or the claims may be forever barred.
Markus Klauser PO Box 2252
Crested Butte CO 81224-2252
Gunnison Country Times Gunnison, Colorado Publication dates of January 16, 23 and 30, 2025 15944
ORDINANCE
ORDINANCE NO. 1, SERIES 2025: AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF GUNNISON, COLORADO, FOR THE REGULATION OF TRAFFIC WITHIN THE CITY OF GUNNISON, COLORADO; ADOPTING BY REFERENCE THE 2024 EDITION OF THE “MODEL TRAFFIC CODE FOR COLORADO”; REPEALING ALL ORDINANCES IN CONFLICT THEREWITH; AND PROVIDING PENALTIES FOR VIOLATION THEREOF
A full copy of the ordinance can be found on the City of Gunnison’s website at www. gunnisonco.gov, in the City Council e-packet
information or at the City Clerk’s Office in City Hall, 201 West Virginia Avenue in Gunnison or by calling 970.641.8140.
Gunnison Country Times
Gunnison, Colorado Publication date of January 23, 2025 15998
REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL
NOTICE OF REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS FOR TRANSIT OPERATOR AND MAINTENANCE SERVICES PROVIDER IN GUNNISON COUNTY, COLORADO ISSUED BY THE GUNNISON VALLEY TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Gunnison Valley Transportation Authority (GVRTA) is issuing a Request for Proposals (RFP #2025-01). This RFP and related documents will be available at 8:30 AM on January 17, 2025.
Firms desirous of securing a copy of the RFP and bid package documents may do so by contacting Scott Truex at struex@ gunnisonvalleyrta.org or 970-275-0111. Responses are due on May 23, 2025 at 5:00 PM Mountain Time and responses must conform to and be responsive to the RFP.
This Request for Proposals is for a contractor to run all aspects (including vehicle maintenance) of GVRTA’s Commuter Bus service which provides a public transit system along the Highway 135 corridor using GVRTA vehicles between Gunnison and Mt. CB. The GVRTA operates 365
days each year and provides free (no fee) Commuter Bus transportation to the general public between the City of Gunnison and the towns of Crested Butte and Mt. Crested Butte. The approximately 32-mile one-way trip loops through the City of Gunnison to pick up and drop off passengers and stops at the major intersections along Hwy 135 with a stop at the Crested Butte South (CB South) subdivision in both directions.
GVRTA will host a meeting intended to orient potential Proposers to the RFP and the GVRTA system. Participation in this RFP Overview and Question and Answer Session is strongly encouraged. This meeting will take place on Zoom on February 4, 2025 at 1:00 PM Mountain Time.
Questions regarding the RFP and documents are to be directed to Scott Truex struex@gunnisonvalleyrta.org
DATED THIS January 16, 2025
GUNNISON VALLEY TRANSPORATION AUTHORITY
BY: Scott Truex, Executive Director struex@gunnisonvalleyrta.org or 970-2750111
Gunnison Country Times
Gunnison, Colorado. Publication dates of January 16 and 23, 2025
15977
Subzero slopes
OSTEOPOROSIS & BONE HEALTH CLINIC
Osteoporosis is a silent but serious disease that weakens bones and increases the risk of fractures. Our clinic is dedicated to protecting your bone health through early detection, personalized care and specialized treatments.
PERSONALIZED BONE HEALTH PLANS
We create tailored care plans to help reduce fracture risk, promote healing and prevent future injuries. With expert guidance on early detection, lifestyle adjustments and targeted treatment, we are here to support you every step of the way. YOUR BONE
•
•
•
•
Skiers and snowboarders braved the frigid cold to carve up the slopes at Crested Butte Mountain Resort on Jan. 20. A polar vortex swept through the Gunnison Valley Monday evening, bringing with it temperatures more than 25 degrees below zero.
(Photos by Mariel Wiley)
Lights & Sirens
CITY OF GUNNISON POLICE REPORT
JANUARY 13
CRIMINAL TRESPASS - MUNICIPAL — 608 W. NEW YORK AVE.
WELFARE ASSIST — E. TOMICHI
AVE.
PROPERTY - FOUND — 112 S. SPRUCE DR.
PROPERTY - FOUND — 1000 N. MAIN ST.
ANIMAL:WILDLIFE ISSUES — CR 13
ALARM — 909 N. MAIN ST.
THEFT: INTENDS TO PERMANENTLY DEPRIVE — 232 W. TOMICHI AVE.
VIOLATION OF PROTECTION
ORDER: CRIMINAL ORDER — N. COLORADO ST.
JANUARY 14
CRIMINAL TRESPASS - SECOND DEGREE — 901 W. DENVER AVE.
AGENCY ASSIST — W. RIO
GRANDE AVE.
ABANDONED VEHICLE — 100 N. COLORADO ST.
ANIMAL - RUNNING AT LARGEMUNICIPAL — 800 W. NEW YORK
AVE.
CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE: UNLAWFUL POSSESSION - EXCEPT MARIJUANA — 221 W. HWY. 50
JANUARY 16
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE — N. TAYLOR ST.
BURGLARY: SECOND DEGREE — 608 W. NEW YORK AVE.
PROPERTY - LOST — 200 E. SPENCER AVE.
ACCIDENT - HIT & RUN — 500 W. TOMICHI AVE.
ACCIDENT — 720 N. MAIN ST. MUNICIPAL CODE VIOLATION — 300 S. 11TH ST.
ANIMAL TREATMENT:FAILED TO PROVIDE FOOD, SHELTER, WATER, CARE — N. 12TH ST. WARRANT SERVICE - OTHER JURISDICTION — 1006 W. TOMICHI AVE.
ASSAULT: SECOND DEGREESTRANGULATION — N. COLORADO ST.
JANUARY 17
DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE - DRUGS — 400 W. HWY 50 ADMIN - UNASSIGNED INCIDENT — W. HWY. 50
JANUARY 18
ACCIDENT — 1010 W. VIRGINIA AVE.
MOTOR VEHICLE THEFT: SECOND DEGREE — 602 W. VIRGINIA AVE.
JANUARY 19
INFORMATION / INVESTIGATIVE REPORT — N. BOULEVARD ST. ANIMAL - RUNNING AT LARGEMUNICIPAL — 401 N. 8TH ST.
JANUARY 20
INFORMATION — E. VIRGINIA AVE.
GUNNISON COUNTY SHERIFF’S REPORT
JANUARY 15
- Information – welfare check
JANUARY 16
- Traffic infraction ticket –speeding - In county warrant arrest
JANUARY 17
- Information report – welfare check
- Information report – vehicle blocking roadway - County ordinance 2018-30 report – dog at large
JANUARY 18
- Violation of protection order arrest
JANUARY 19
- Information report – transport
JANUARY 20
- Information report – possible trespass
Public Work Session:
Wednesday, January 29 5:00PM
Town of Crested Butte Council Chambers 507 Maroon Ave Crested Butte, CO Join us and make your voice heard!
GUNNISON COUNTRY TIMES • THURSDAY, JANUARY 23, 2025
A rural state of mind
Smithsonian Institution exhibit comes to Gunnison
Mariel Wiley Times Photo Editor
Gunnison was a town born at a crossroads. Two centuries ago, trappers, fur traders and miners traversed what would one day become the intersection of Hwy. 50 and Hwy. 135, stopping to share tales from their journeys across the West. Their layovers in town, year after year, were the lifeblood that fed the burgeoning municipality of Gunnison.
Much has changed in the last 200 years; people now use cars and bicycles instead of horse-
drawn buggies. The precious metal and coal mines that once employed thousands now lie dormant, and over time, local workers shifted gears to cater to tourists seeking outdoor adventure.
This gradual progression from small settlement to bustling town has played out in hundreds of rural communities across the country. In an effort to document the successes and growing pains of these “crossroads,” towns the Smithsonian Institution collaborated with state humanities councils to send an exhibition to rural towns across the country.
This month, the Gunnison Arts Center (GAC) hosted this special exhibition.
“Crossroads: Change in Rural America” is composed of visual and audio vignettes from An archival
Smithsonian, B2
late 1800s
135. The building’s
2025 HOMES AND GARDENS
photo from the
depicts the Gunnison Arts Center on the corner of Hwy. 50 and Hwy.
facade remains relatively unchanged to this day. (Courtesy Gunnison Arts Center)
Gunnison Arts Center staff and volunteers assemble freestanding exhibition pieces. (Photos by Mariel Wiley)
small communities similar to Gunnison documenting incremental changes over the past two centuries. Alongside several correlated programs that invite Gunnison residents to reflect on their life in the valley, the exhibition encourages viewers to chart their own future through conversation, writing prompts and art.
One of these partner programs was the release of the 12th Gunnison Valley Journal at the Arts Center last week. Another is “Crackpots, Crackshots & a Cannibal,” a play written and directed by Mike Callihan that will be shown on Feb. 7 and 8. On Feb. 11, a screening of the film “The Five States” will be followed by a community discussion in the GAC Blue Box Theatre.
Gunnison Arts Center Executive Director Alysa VandenHeuvel first applied for GAC to host the exhibit back in 2019. At the time, the Colorado Humanities council was working with Smithsonian to bring the showcase to five rural towns across the state. Not long after the Arts Center’s application was approved, the pandemic put the initiative on hold indefinitely. Late last year, the organizers revamped their efforts to bring the project to life.
“It was exciting to know that we could be on the map … When I started working here again, I was thrilled to know that I could still be a part of this exhibition and see it through to its entirety," VandenHeuvel said.
In early January, Arts Center employees and volunteers spent a full day putting together a complex puzzle of exhibition pieces. Each component came together to create tall, freestanding walls covered in text and photographs. Framed paintings and three-dimensional street signs added texture, while snippets of recorded
interviews and pastoral soundscapes filled the air.
Each segment of the exhibition encouraged visitors to reflect on different aspects of rural life. Memorabilia from schools, churches, civic groups and chambers of commerce served as evidence for the lasting interdependence amongst tight-knit populations.
Flyers, pins and badges chronicled the waves of cultural and economic upheaval that rural towns weathered over the years, including a belt buckle emblazoned with sentiments from the American Agricultural Movement of the 1970s.
“It was exciting to know that we could be on the map … When I started working here again, I was thrilled to know that I could still be a part of this exhibition and see it through to its entirety.”
Alysa VandenHeuvel Gunnison Arts Center
Photographs and paintings depict the power struggle for resource-rich land, as ownership passed back and forth between government entities, farmers and the Native American tribes that had been there for generations prior to colonization. Paintings and photographs recount the steady increase of private and public ownership of land, transforming fertile pastures into agricultural and residential hubs.
The main Crossroads exhibition presents a nation -
al look at rural living. But two exhibits upstairs in the Tredway Gallery, “Heritage and Horizons,” curated by Jeff Erwin, and an interactive “Vision Train” project led by artist Amanda Sage, bring the scope of the showcase back down to Gunnison.
“Heritage and Horizons” features a collection of historic photographs, tintypes and paintings that depict Gunnison through time. Two photographs showcase the Arts Center building more than 100 years ago; its familiar brick facade remains unchanged to this day. Standing below its arching windows on the street are well-dressed travelers beside their horse and buggy.
“Exhibitions that aren’t purely commercial in a town that’s culturally isolated are important because they allow us to see art function as an entry-point for dialogue,” Erwin said. “We in the Gunnison Valley are constantly experiencing growing pains, and this allows us an opportunity to think about where we’re going.”
The “Vision Train” encourages participants to sketch out their ideas for what they hope to see in the Gunnison community. The goal is that people will see their community members’ visualizations and come together to make them reality, Sage said.
“This is the foundational process to get clear on what your role is,” Sage said. “I hope that there’s a deeper sense of belonging ... and how that relates to our responsibilities as individuals and a community in creating a future worth living in for all.”
The Crossroads exhibition will be on display at the Gunnison Arts Center through Feb. 15.
(Mariel Wiley can be contacted at 970.641.1414 or mariel@ gunnisontimes.com.)
Replicas of paintings, including Grand Wood’s famous “American Gothic,” depict scenes of agrarian life.
The exhibition consists of photographs, paintings, audio recordings and physical artifacts from rural towns across the country.
A painting in the “Heritage and Horizons” exhibit in the Tredway Gallery shows a scene from the first Gunnison Arts Center block party in the 1980s.
Sleek black cases filled the ground floor of the Arts Center while the team set up the exhibition.
2025 Borealis Fat Bike Worlds
The Borealis Fat Bike Worlds are set to return to Crested Butte from Jan. 24 to 26 for the 10th anniversary. This celebration, themed "Return to the Roots," promises a weekend filled with competitive racing, social gatherings and live entertainment. Registration for Fat Bike Worlds is $165, which includes race registration, welcome party on Friday, awards party and concert on Saturday, group ride on Sunday and a swag bag for the first 250 registrants. Schedules, course information, lodging options and registration can be found on the Fat Bike Worlds website.
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.
GUNNISON ARTS CENTER BRIEFS
Baking Series: white chocolate cranberry tarts
Join us Jan. 24 from 5:30-8:30 p.m. for a baking class with Ashley Dennis learning how to make white chocolate cranberry tarts! Perfect for ages 8+.
Boss Ross
Join us Jan. 25 from 6-9 p.m to unleash your inner artist in our Boss Ross painting class led by the talented Sarah Sharsmith. In this beginner-friendly ses -
sion, you'll learn how to create a serene winter landscape inspired by the iconic techniques of Bob Ross. Ages 8+
The Clay Lab: wheel work
Join Kit Wijkowski from Jan. 30-Feb. 13 at 4-5:15 p.m. for a hands-on pottery adventure! Kids will learn the basics of wheel throwing, including centering, shaping and creating unique pieces to take home.
Ages 7+
CB CENTER FOR THE ARTS BRIEFS
Beer dinner: Bruhaus + Irwin Brewing
Join the CB Wine + Food Festival and Bruhaus on Jan. 25 from 6-9 p.m. for a lively beer dinner featuring Irwin Brewing Co. Enjoy a thoughtfully crafted prix fixe menu, each course perfectly paired with Irwin Brewing’s distinctive beers. It’s a deliciously fun evening celebrating creative flavors and local craft brewing at its finest! The cost is $95.
Ten Years Gone
Join us as CBMBA & the Center present Ten Years Gone in celebration of the Fat Bike World Championship on Jan. 25. Ten Years Gone is a Denver-based tribute band that brings the iconic sound and electrifying energy of Led Zeppelin to life. With meticu -
lous attention to detail and a passion for rock ‘n’ roll, they deliver unforgettable performances that honor the legendary band’s legacy. The doors open at 6 p.m. the awards are at 7 p.m. and the show starts at 8 p.m. The cost is $30.
The Heart of Bukaty
American Artist John Bukaty shares his story about moving through his failures to follow his dreams on Jan. 29 starting at 6:30 p.m. John presents a moving visual story of overcoming trauma, recovering spirit and serving art told through multimedia and live painting. Generously underwritten by the Blake Hawk Family and Gunnison Valley Health Foundation. Donations accepted.
Professional Development
GUNNISON COUNTRY TIMES • THURSDAY, JANUARY 23, 2025
Uhrig and Casebolt lead the way
Alex McCrindle Times Sports Editor
The GHS boys and girls wrestling teams divided and conquered on Jan. 18. The boys traveled to Florence High School to take on fierce competition at the Mel Smith Invitational. The girls visited Battle Mountain High School in Edwards for the Skyview Invitational.
Despite facing off against tough opposition, the Cowboys claimed podium finishes and bounced back in consolation brackets. The grapplers will return to the GHS gymnasium for a final home duel on Jan. 23 at 6 p.m. Then, the teams’ focus will shift to the regional tournament in Grand Valley on Feb. 7-8.
Underclassmen qualify for state
Alex McCrindle Times Sports Editor
The GHS girls swim team bagged a third-place finish at the hotly contested Grand Junction High School Invite on Jan. 18.
Two podium finishes in relay events and a 35-point performance from senior Jemma Petrie helped the Cowboys pull away from seven rival schools. Now, the girls will increase their mileage and prepare for an upcoming meet in Durango and the looming postseason.
“Most of my freshmen have qualified for state now, and they’ve been swimming out of their league, it’s been awesome,” said Head Coach Tami Maciejko. “I knew we would drop time these last couple of weeks, I just didn’t think it would be that much time.”
Last week, the Cowboys’ strong group of underclassmen secured state qualifying times at the Hornet Invite on Jan. 10.
Freshman Audrey Meeuwsen booked her ticket for the 100yard backstroke and dropped 12 seconds in the 200 IM to claim a state time. Sophomore Maya Petrie joined her with qualification in the 50 freestyle. Elora Jones also snagged a time in the 500 freestyle, and is still hunting qualification in the 100 backstroke.
The top times at the Hornet Invite propelled the Cowboys into an intimidating lineup in Grand Junction on Jan. 18. The GHS senior class led from the front in both the 200-medley relay and the 400-freestyle relay.
The medley squad of Catalina Schwab, Jemma Petrie, Kathryn Frey and Maya Petrie put together a commanding performance to earn third place in the opening event of the day. Then, Sam Jones, Jemma, Schwab and Frey teamed up for another thirdplace finish in the freestyle relay.
“These guys make my job so much easier, because they don’t hang their heads, or think about the losses,” said Head Coach Mike Seijo. “Weekends like these show the fortitude of our guys, and their willingness to get better.”
In Florence, the GHS boys team faced off against 30 rival high schools. Cody Casebolt opened in flying fashion. The junior pinned his first opponent and won by decision in the next two rounds to advance to the first-place match. Casebolt finished second in the 126lbs bracket after a scrappy defeat. He fell to an 8-3 decision against Uriah Martinez of Alamosa High School. Brock Fry and Zach Benson had similar routes to the podium in Florence. Fry took down his first opponent by technical fall. But the senior was relegated to the consolation bracket after a pin to Dylan Paris of Eaton High School in Wrestling B6
GHS wrestlers fight back at away tournaments Cowboy swim prepares for postseason
Jemma added to the team score with a first-place finish in the 100-yard breaststroke to cash in 20 more points for the Cowboys. The combined tally of 279 points tied GHS for third place, ahead of rivals Fruita and Montrose.
“We’re approaching a couple of really hard weeks,” Maciejko
said. “Tuesday and Thursday morning practices are not optional anymore, and we’ll be swimming almost 9,000 yards at the beginning of the week, and 6,000 yards at the end. I call it ‘Hell week.’”
Following the strong display, the Cowboys will travel to Durango on Jan. 24 and 25.
Then, the girls will compete in the league championship in Grand Junction on Jan. 31 and Feb. 1, ahead of the state championship on Feb. 10-12.
(Alex McCrindle can be contacted at 970.641.1414 or alex@ gunnisontimes.com.)
Audrey Meeuwsen competes in a butterfly event at the home meet on Dec. 14. (Photo by Mariel Wiley)
Damyon Funk duels at the home tournament on Jan. 11. (Photos by Evan Bjornstad)
Western basketball comes back from 20-point deficit
Anderson takes over in final minutes
Drew Dunathan Special to the Times
The Western Colorado University men's basketball team fought back after trailing by 20 to take down the Westminster University Griffins 84-80 on the road on Jan. 16.
Mountaineer freshman Dawlton Grant earned the first bucket of the game, but the Griffins took a 4-2 lead after scoring back-to-back layups. On the next possession, senior Spencer Wright found Kade Juelfs for an open 3-pointer to take a slim advantage. Westminster answered with a bucket, but guard Trey Anderson knocked down a three for an 8-6 edge.
The teams traded points, but the Mountaineers held the lead. A turnaround jumper for junior Ty Buckmon elevated the Mountaineer advantage to 4 points. But the Griffins earned two free-throws, a steal and pull-up jumper to tie the game at 21 apiece.
Westminster took the advantage after knocking down a three with 10 minutes left in the
first half. The Griffins capitalized with a turnaround jump shot to put them up by 9. Junior Andrew Reichart scored for the Mountaineers after a 6-minute drought, but Westminster held its foot firmly to the pedal. The Griffins stretched the lead to 11 with less than 3 minutes left in the half.
Wright drained a floater, and a layup by senior Amar Rivers carved into the Westminster lead. In the final minute, Rivers and sophomore Tyler Halligan traded points with the Griffins to move the score to 46-35 into halftime.
The Griffins accelerated into the second half with a 9-point run. Wright halted the momentum with a 3-pointer, moving the Mountaineers within reach. But still, the Griffins stretched their lead to 20 points.
Anderson and junior Christian Still hit threes, but Westminster moved the score to 63-49 with under 15 minutes to play. The Mountaineers persisted, however, and Rivers bagged a shot behind the arc to move the Mountaineers within 9 points. Senior Nalik Veasley completed a three-point play, followed by a driving layup from Halligan to cut the lead down. Juelfs was fouled twice, and the senior knocked down four to trail 67-63.
With under 5 minutes left in regulation, Anderson knocked down a massive three. The Griffins utilized Mountaineer fouls to go up 77-72. Halligan pulled down an offensive board, and passed it to Rivers for the bucket. The offensive resurgence moved the game to a 2-point margin. The Mountaineers forced the Griffins into a turnover and found Veasley under the net for an open bucket to tie the game at 77-77.
After a Westminster timeout, Anderson drained a three to give Western an 80-77 advantage. The Griffins completed a three-point play, but with less than a minute, Anderson finished around the rim to take a 2-point lead. The Griffins called a timeout, but the team’s last offensive possession fell short. Anderson sank two free throws in the final minutes to seal the 84-80 victory.
The Mountaineers return to conference action at home against Colorado School of Mines on Feb. 6 at 7:30 p.m.
(Drew Dunathan is the assistant athletics communications director at Western Colorado University, and can be reached at ddunathan@western.edu.)
Trey Anderson pulls up for a jump shot. (Courtesy Western Colorado University)
the quarterfinal. Fry rallied in the following three rounds and achieved redemption over Paris in the 132-lbs, third-place match to finish on the podium.
Benson also started hot, but fell to Ethan Deal of Eaton in the quarterfinal. The sophomore then won by technical fall in the fourth round, and pinned two opponents in the fifth round and semifinal to reach the third-place match. It was a rematch against Deal. This time, Benson made no mistake, and won by an 11-0
major decision to take third place.
Senior Damyon Funk also contributed to the Cowboys’ overall score, and took fifth in the 113-lbs bracket. Collectively, the boys placed 13th out of 30 schools.
In Edwards, the GHS girls rose to the occasion against a field of 24 teams. Roxie Uhrig added to her impressive, 23-2 sophomore campaign with a victory in the 140-lbs tournament. Evelyne Cope notched a second-place finish after pinning her opening three opponents. Senior Isabelle Crown also stood on the podium with a fourth-place finish,
while junior Brynn Anderson achieved two key wins in the 100-lbs bracket. The girls finished the day with an eighthplace team finish.
The strong results will catapult the Cowboys into away tournaments in Cañon City and Chatfield on Jan. 25. Both teams will match up against 4A and 5A schools in the final weeks of the regular season, and prepare for a strong postseason run.
(Alex McCrindle can be contacted at 970.641.1414 or alex@ gunnisontimes.com.)
GHS girls basketball takes down Skiers, Cowboys
The GHS girls basketball team bounced back with two crucial league wins on Jan. 17 and 18 at home against the Aspen Skiers and Meeker Cowboys. Seniors Sienna Gomez and Kylee McDougal led the Cowboys with 16 and 15 points apiece against the Skiers. The back-to-back victories moved the girls to a 7-5 overall record, and 5-1 in the 3A Western Slope League. The Cowboys will return home after a long road trip to face northern rival Crested Butte on Feb. 12 at 5:30 p.m.
The Cowboys celebrate against Cedaredge on Jan. 10. (Photos by Mariel Wiley)
Brock Fry eyes down his opponent.
Sienna Gomez hustles back on defense.
Kylee McDougal defends a Cedaredge guard.
Yaslin Hernandez shoots from inside the paint.
Gomez guards the Cowboy basket.
Cowboy basketball stumbles against Meeker
The Cowboys basketball team’s unbeaten run in the 3A Western Slope league came to an end against the Meeker Cowboys on Jan. 18. A 6-point margin separated the Cowboy vs. Cowboy duel, and dealt GHS its first league defeat of the year, ending 54-48. The home loss moved the Cowboys to a 5-6 overall record, and 4-1 in the league. The boys return home to face the 4-3 Crested Butte Titans on Feb. 12 at 7 p.m.
Father Time, Mother Nature and the Children of Earth
Wendy Videlock Special to the Times
My mother’s house is small and charming and contains two grandfather clocks, 11 clocks that hang from the walls and nine table-clocks. I know this because I counted them. Almost all of these clocks are set to chime every 15 minutes. This wreaks havoc on my nervous system, but clearly my mother has a curious relationship to time. She’s arranged her home so that she is ever reminded of its passage. But she’s not alone. I don’t know anyone who doesn’t have a strange relationship with time.
Some people are notoriously late. They often curse the time under their breath and in public. They wonder why time doesn’t adjust to their busy schedules. Their relationship to time feels strained.
Some are always early. They arrive at the party 45 minutes early and want to chat. They whisk through the airport a few hours before their flight. These people don’t seem to mind waiting — so long as they know they’ll eventually be on time. I am married to such a person.
Some people are punctual and arrive at work every morning, or to Sunday brunch precisely on time. Such people might have a healthy relationship with time, but I suspect they are just smooth operators, disciples of time management or perfectly aligned with their circadian rhythm.
Some people live in the past. We all know these kinds of people. Their relationship with time might be one of arrested development. Some people live in the future. They know exactly what’s going to happen in five years, 10 years and in 100 years, and are greatly excited by it. They are either destined for great reward, or certain the end is near.
Still other people are completely oblivious to time. It’s as though time, (one’s own and everyone else’s), is irrelevant to these people. Their relationship to time might be sublime and
child-like — or might be tragic and narcissistic.
Still other people seem to live their lives comfortably in the present moment. They don’t appear driven by the clock, but just happen to be where they need to be at the time they need to be there. For these people, time is a friendly companion, neither distressed or perplexing. What I wouldn’t give to be one of those people!
The mystic poet William Blake is philosophical about the nature of time:
He who binds himself to a joy Does the winged life destroy; But he who kisses joy as it flies Lives in Eternity’s sunrise.
Edna St Vincent Millay takes issue with a common conception about time:
Time does not bring relief; you all have lied Who told me time would ease me of my pain!
Lao Tzu tells us a hard truth: To say I don’t have time is to say I don’t want to
Ovid called time “the devourer of all things.”
Jeanette Winterson said it much more beautifully:
Time, like a flurry of wild rain, shall drift across the plains of our lives.
Some insist time is no more than a human construct, while others live and breathe by the clock. Einstein called time the fourth dimension. Most physicists today agree that time is not universally linear, and that this non-linearity distorts the threedimensional space we observe. It is difficult to wrap one’s head around this, but it makes a strange kind of intuitive sense.
According to the poets, novelists and sages, time is an active metaphorical force. It heals, steals, flies, flows and occasionally freezes or stands still. While time is busy doing all that, we are busy making time, taking our time, saving time, keeping time, wasting time, killing time, biding our time and wondering where the time went.
We humans have been gazing toward the heavens and measuring the passage of time for millennia. Ice-age hunters in Europe 20,000 years ago scratched lines and gouged holes in sticks and bones in
what appears to be a method of counting the days between phases of the moon.
Many cultures have personified and made deities of time. We have invented sundials, obelisks, water clocks, alarm clocks, digital clocks, lunar and solar calendars and spent countless hours trying to understand and accurately measure time. And although we are immersed in, captured in, beholden to and transfixed by time, it remains a mystery to us all.
(Wendy Videlock serves as poet laureate of Western Colorado. She directs several literacy programs across the region, advocating for the arts in public spaces. Reach her at westernslopeword@gmail.com.)
Wolfgang Anderson dribbles past a Cedaredge guard on Jan. 10 (Photos by Evan Bjornstad)
Anderson dribbles past a Cedaredge guard.
Jake Ebbott pulls up for a jumper
Maija Swanson, MD
Jay McMurren, MD
Laura Villanueva, MD Megan Tucker, DO Eric Thorson, MD
Amanda Hill, MD, FAAP
William Gattis, MDBrigid Heckel, FNP
Emily Ferrell, FNP
Kenneth Anderson, DO Kira Kitchens, FNP-C