Gunnison Country Times Feb. 9, 2023

Thursday, February 9, 2023

Colo. River states seek solution for shrinking

water supply

Reclamation initiates process to revise shortage guidelines in Lower Basin

Bella Biondini Times Editor

At the end of January, six of the seven Colorado River Basin states reached a consensus on criteria to help protect storage levels at Lake Powell and Lake Mead as the two reservoirs slowly dry up.

Like rock climbing, but cooler

State gas prices among highest in country

Front Range refinery temporarily closes doors and disrupts supply chain

Abby Harrison Times Staff Writer

Over the last six weeks, unusually high gas prices have gripped the Gunnison Valley, as residents have been paying nearly $1 per gallon over 2022 averages, which had remained fairly stable over the last year. Colorado residents were hit with the steep price uptick in

January due to the temporary closure of the state’s only crude oil refinery, located on the Front Range.

Colorado currently has the fourth highest gas prices in the country, according to the American Automobile Association (AAA). As of Feb. 7, AAA reported average gas prices in Colorado nearly 50 cents higher than national averages, trailing only California, Nevada and Washington. The northwest counties — Moffat, Rio Blanco, Garfield and Routt — are seeing the highest prices in the state, sitting between $4.10 and $4.40 per gallon.

The price hikes resulted from a refinery shut-down on the front range. Suncor, in

River A6 Gas A6

Western trustees approve tuition increase for 23/24 school year

University cost still below state averages

Abby Harrison Times Staff Writer

The Western Colorado University Board of Trustees approved tuition and fees increases for the 2023-2024 school year at a board meeting on Feb. 3 in Denver. Shifting enrollment demographics, inconsistent appropriations from the state and persistent

inflation have put stress on the university’s budget.

Trustees approved increases across the board: 2.8% for resident tuition, 4.1% for non-resident tuition, 2% in mandatory fees and 4% in on campus room and board. Collectively, these changes represent about $470

to residents, and a little over $1,000 for non-residents. Even with the increases, the university remains slightly below 22/23 state-wide tuition averages for residents and several thousand below for non-residents.

Incoming students to the

A motorist pumps gas at the City Market gas station, where prices hit $3.99 per gallon on Feb. 7 for regular gasoline.

Abby Harrison

Bella Biondini

Ice climbers of all ages gathered in Lake City for the annual ice climbing festival on Saturday, Feb. 4. Competitions in men’s and women’s top rope, lead and adaptive were held at the ice park’s Beer Garden wall. A reception and taco dinner followed at the Moseley Arts Center. For more photos, see B7.

QUOTE of the week

—Fay Vader

See story on B1

BRIEFS

County receives CDOT grant for multimodal trail

Gunnison County has received a $125,000 grant from the Colorado Department of Transportation for the Crested Butte to Crested Butte South multimodal trail. The award will be used for the planning process, which is expected to start this winter.

Gunnison County staff have interviewed consulting firms to support the planning process and expect to select a consultant in the coming weeks.

The trail is decades in the making, and would stretch seven miles from the Town of Crested Butte to Crested Butte South along Hwy. 135.

Hospital purchases Lazy K units

Gunnison Valley Hospital has purchased a fourplex in the City of Gunnison’s affordable housing development, Lazy K.

Th e units include three twobedroom units and one threebedroom unit. The units were restricted at 140% of the area median income before the city made the restrictions more flexible for businesses interested in purchasing. The hospital’s units can now be offered to employees at any income level.

The Lazy K purchase moves GVH’s housing inventory to a total of 30 units: 17 owned and 13 leased. The majority of the leases are through Paintbrush Apartments.

Corrections

A letter to the editor last week from Randy Clark should have included the following editor’s note: This letter is reprinted here after being sent to the Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commission.

The article titled “National grocery merger creates local uncertainty” in the Feb. 1 edition of Times incorrectly reported the name Bill Bennett as Phil Bennett.

The article titled “County seeks solution to broadband holdup” in a Feb. 1 edition of the Times reported that the restrictions CDOT has with private companies mean local governments would have to purchase right-of-way. In reality, local governments would have to lease fiber from those companies.

The Times apologizes for any confusion.

Syracuse University one year and was called up and volunteered for the 10th Mountain Division (1943-1945).

He attended boot camp at Camp Wheeler, Georgia then was off to Camp Hale, Tennessee Pass, Colorado and Camp Swift, Texas. Next stop was Italy.

Crosby was born in Cape May, New Jersey to Oliver Perry-Smith and Agnes Adolph Perry-Smith. Crosby had three older brothers, Oliver PerrySmith Jr., Truxton and Dixon, all of whom have preceded him in death. Th e family lived in Anglesea, Stone Harbor, and Gladstone before settling in Lake Placid, New York. He graduated from Lake Placid High School in June 1942.

Crosby began skiing and ski jumping at the age of 5. He was jumping the Olympic Hill in Lake Placid at the age of 10. At 14, he won the U.S. Ski Jumping Championships in the 18-year-old class. At 17, he won the Maine State Championships with the hill record in 1942. From 1942-1943, Crosby attended Syracuse University, winning New York State Intercollegiate Jumping and Combined. He enlisted in the Reserve Corp at

BIRTH Dallas Duy Pham

Crosby served with distinction in the Headquarters Company of the 2nd Battalion of the 86th Mountain Infantry Regiment — specializing in demolitions. While in Italy he was in the Po Valley, on Riva Ridge, Mount Belvedere and on Lake Garda as WWII ended. He was awarded the Soldier's Medal, Bronze Star and Medal of Champaign from the Brazilian government.

He competed with the Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club from 1946-1950 while he was a student at Western State College in Gunnison, Colorado. While attending WSC, now Western Colorado University, he competed in cross country, special jumping and combined. He raced four-way, slalom, downhill, cross country and jumping. He was a founding member of Western State College Ski Team and he received a bachelor’s degree in business. He was a four-time winner of the Southern Rocky Mountain Ski Association. In 1952 he was a member of the U.S. Olympic Ski Jumping Team in Oslo, Norway.

Crosby then served from 1951-1957 with the Federal Civil Service (GS-11) as a

Dallas Duy Pham was born to happy parents Summer Stevenson Pham and Dom Duy Pham of Arvada, Colorado at 8:34 a.m. on Aug. 8, 2022. He weighed 5 lbs. 10 oz. and measured 18” at birth.

Grandparents are Jack and Jerralyn

technical advisor to the military in Summer and Winter Mountaineering at Ft. Carson. He trained Special Forces, Rangers, paratroopers and regimental combat teams on their way to Korea. He returned to Steamboat with his wife Winona and his daughters Clarinda and Robin for two short years, managing Howelsen Hill and its Ski Programs, coaching and operations. In the summer he managed, operated and taught swimming at the Old Town Hot Springs. Many of the families of children he coached remain in the valley, and he has gotten to know their children, grandchildren and a few great grandchildren.

The years from 1960-1970 were spent in Sacramento, California working for Acacia Mutual Life Insurance. The 1960 Olympics were held at Squaw Valley, California and Crosby served as chief of ski jumping hill. He returned to Denver in 1970, still working for Acacia, but was quickly put back on the jumping hills at Winter Park (1970-1985).

Crosby received the Halstead Trophy for Outstanding Contribution to the sport of skiing in Colorado in 1982. In 1992 he was inducted into the Colorado Ski Hall of Fame and, in 1996, the Western State College Sports Hall of Fame. In 2012 he was inducted into the National Ski Jumping Hall of Fame.

Crosby spent many of his retired years in Ouray, Colorado skiing, hiking, swim-

Stevenson of Gunnison, Hai Pham and Thuong Nguyen of Lakewood, Colorado, great grandparents are Quang Pham (bà cô) and Nghiep Pham (ông cô) of Lakewood. Aunts and Uncles include Aunt Nevada Stevenson of Lakewood, Uncle Johnny Pham of Westminster and Aunt Vo Pham of Lakewood.

ming and soaking at the Ouray Pool, that he worked and managed at during summers while at WSC. He loved getting together with his life-long friend and WSC teammate, Thor Groswold, at Telluride. The last run of the day, usually non-stop, was “See Forever!”

Also while in Ouray, at age 70, he began painting landscapes with the direction and love of Janet Carlile, professor of art at Brooklyn College, New York. Crosby was always up for new challenges. He did quite well.

Crosby went back to Steamboat in 2014. He loved skiing with family and friends until the age of 95.

He leaves behind his daughter, Clarinda Spees and her partner Terry Patterson of Twin Falls, Idaho. Her children, Oliver (Alanna) Spees, Tanner (Alex) Spees, Heidi SpeesKnauss (Cody) all of Grand Junction, Colorado. Daughter Robin Allen (Tod) and children, Anya Allen Bryan (Josh), Thomas Allen and Kristopher Allen all of Steamboat Springs. Crosby had five great grandchildren, Hiro and Cora Spees, Jackson Spees, John Crosby and Annabelle Bryan.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club in his name.

MOVE-IN

4 BDRM/2 BATH 1920sf home and a fully remodeled basement with 2 car detached garage conveniently located near the new library & trail system. Includes a cozy great room & bonus room for storage or crafts. Easy to show! 108 Irwin Street; $649,000. NEW LISTING Prepare to move into this comfortable log home nestled along Gold Creek on 1.69 acres with a large detached garage. Classy interior in this 2 bdrm/2 bath, over 1600sf home with vaulted ceiling & woodstove. Metal roof, updated kitchen & newer appliances. 106 Miners Ave.; $795,000.

MAKE AN OFFER 3 bdrm/2 bath, ranch level home with a walkout basement. Open kitchen & dining area with a pellet stove. Property has an attached oversized 2 car garage. Over 1,800sf with great southern views of Sawtooth Mountain & covenants. 851 County Road 18; $435,000.

WELCOME HOME 3 bdrm/2 bath, 1,824sf home with main floor office or guest area.

Custom owner designed with Douglas fir handrail, window & baseboard trim, maple kitchen cabinets, large southern windows for passive solar & stained concrete floors downstairs. 210 S. Boulevard; $675,000.

NEW LISTING Fantastic opportunity to run your business out of this 2535sf shop with two 14 foot garage door openings, as well as an 8 foot garage door, ¾ bath & a ½ bath and 665sf of office space. Fully fenced & secure yard for electrical updates, new garage doors & new forced air heaters. 555 S. 10th St.; $900,000.

PRICE REDUCTION 3 bdrm/ 2 bath home with large yard, detached garage & additional cabin. Large living room & open kitchen, plenty of storage for your toys. Zoned R-3 on 6 city lots. 502 S. 11th; $585,000.

COZY CABIN

Over 1,900sf log cabin on 35 acres features 2 bedrooms, an open living room & kitchen with custom made oak cabinets, Upstairs loft includes additional beds for guests & the woodstove keeps the cabin warm. Well in place & solar panels for electricity.

3 HOMES TOTAL Investment opportunity in town where each home is 2 bdrm/1 bath, tenants pay utilities, $5,400 income per month. Location near the airport and fairgrounds. 314 S. 12th St; $1,200,000.

DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITY your chance to purchase R-3 lots & finish the West End Townhomes for a spec option, rental investment or employee housing. City approved site plans allow for two more duplex units. Water & sewer taps are already installed. Centrally located near the schools & RTA bus stop. 817 W. Denver Ave.; $350,000.

OHIO CITY Opportunity knocks at Sportsmans Resort! Year-round access location, mature trees, positioned on 1.28 acres, would make a great retreat or base camp. Ride Cumberland Pass over to Taylor Reservoir for the day. 116 County Road 771; $499,900.

(Courtesy of John Russell, Steamboat Pilot & Today. Submitted to the Times by Dick Bratton.)

READY 3 bdrm/2 bath, ranch style home with fully fenced yard, covered porch & attached 2 car garage. Interior was recently painted, house is 1,344sf & the garage is 630sf. The yard features aspens & evergreens. 102 S. 8th St; $495,000.

I was a cowboy. I mean, I was a real cowboy …

Rady School of Computer Science and Engineering

face a steeper change, with a 48.1% increase in tuition from just under $7,000 to just over $10,000 for resident students. Non-residents are looking at a 17.6% increase in tuition from just under $19,000 to a little over $22,000. Rady tuition increases will only affect firsttime, new students unlike other tuition increases which go in effect for all enrolled students.

Although the board approved the 48% increase for incoming Rady students, legislative approval is required before it goes into effect — as it is above a 4% cap on resident tuition Gov. Jared Polis requested from the Joint Budget Committee. Factoring in these increases, the program is still less expensive than four years at Colorado University Boulder for both resident and non-resident students.

Constrained budgets

Over the last two decades, Colorado universities have seen a shift from primarily state-supported funding to tuition-supported funding. In 2001, public universities were mostly funded by state dollars, with a 70/30 split of general fund support versus institutional tuition. That ratio has since flipped to about a 40/60 split in 2020, with universities paying the lion's share of operating costs. The story has generally been the same at Western, except for this year, as the institution is relying slightly more on state funding than tuition, said Western’s Chief Financial Officer Ian Higgins.

But state funding is volatile, he said. Western has traditionally relied on the state's appropriations to keep education affordable for Colorado residents, but the amount the state will allocate is never guaranteed.

“Our two fundamental revenue sources, we don't control,” President Brad Baca said in the meeting. “We don't know what our state appropriation is going to be, and we don't know what kind of authority we're going to have on tuition. It is so frustrating.”

On Nov. 1, 2022, Polis submitted his budget request to the legislature for all state departments, including $69 million

for the Department of Higher Education, which funds public universities. But for the second year in a row, universities across the state felt the governor’s ask wasn’t enough to cover core costs. Months later, on Jan. 9, 2023, 15 university leaders made a collective request for $144 million to the Joint Budget Committee.

ment and marketing at Western. Enrollment is becoming more “polar,” she said, with more high-capacity income students, more limited income students and fewer in the middle.

Students at a lower end, like first generation and low-income students in the rural West, are becoming more cost sensitive, Taylor said. In addition, rural student matriculation in the state continues to lag behind other student demographics. Overall, young people are choosing to pursue higher education less and less. Since the start of the pandemic, universities around the nation have seen a drop in applications for financial aid, a metric that helps predict enrollment.

Those who do choose school are going out-of-state in higher and higher numbers, Taylor said. Students that were staying close to home during lockdown are beginning to once again venture far from home, increasing the market share for larger institutions. Those same universities are offering more competitive tuition and fees, creating more options for prospective students.

In the meantime, decreasing allocations from the state has forced the university to meet needs through other mechanisms, like raising student fees and fundraising. Higgins estimated that approximately $42 million spent on capital projects since 2007 were eligible for state funding, but didn't actually receive any. This has increased Western’s debt load and made it harder for the university to address the nearly $7.5 million of deferred maintenance projects and program and salary updates, such as IT replacement needs, a backlog of academic equipment and facility-controlled maintenance like roofs, road and parking.

If the legislature denies the governor's request, the administration will likely have to return to the board for a larger increase in tuition and fees.

A shifting student body

Another primary driver for the cost increases is changing demographics, said Leslie Taylor, vice president of enroll-

“Sticker price continues to be a big factor in student and family decisions,” Taylor said. “It's not simply the bottom line that students are paying, but the value that they feel that they're getting for that bottom line.”

How many non-resident students choose to enroll plays a bigger part, Taylor said. Those students tend to have higher economic capacities, which is “positive and negative,” she said. If those students choose Western, they have the capacity to pay for school, but it’s more likely they may not come to Western with increasing competition around the state, especially universities on the Front Range.

Western students continue to face the challenge, like most other residential universities, of being responsible for room and board, with a two-year live-oncampus requirement. And even after that, those students must find housing in a community grappling with an affordable housing crisis.

“That will continue to be a challenge for us over the next 10 years,” Taylor said.

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

Sticker price continues to be a big factor in student and family decisions. It’s not simply the bottom line that students are paying, but the value that they feel that they’re getting.

Leslie Taylor Vice President of Enrollment and Marketing at Western Colorado University

OPINION

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Staff Writer Abby Harrison abby@gunnisontimes.com

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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

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LETTERS

Yes in my backyard

Editor:

Building housing to reflect our community values of inclusiveness, appreciation of diversity and promotion of social equity is a worthy goal to support all who live in our valley. I say “yes in my backyard!” Count me in as a YIMBY.

Stable, decent and attainable housing is important for individuals and families to not just survive, but thrive. Affordable, liveable neighborhoods with green space, close to transportation, schools and shopping create more relaxed people who get to know one another, and who have time to participate socially and culturally. Taxpayer and grant dollars are well spent on making people’s lives better.

Larger buildings may be better suited close to Hwy. 135, with smaller buildings housing

families with children further from the highway. Thanks for engaging with the community for input.

Susan Kerns Crested Butte

Thanks to Buff’s

Editor:

Buff’s Collision Specialists, owned and operated by Dan Buffington, is a credit to our community.

Not only does Dan provide the best vehicle body work that anyone could expect anywhere, when Dan becomes aware of a community need, if he can, he helps to satisfy it in a lowkey way — with no fanfare.

But then one would expect that. Dan retired from Gunnison Volunteer Fire Department. If you need vehicle

bodywork, go to Buff ’s Collision Specialists. You will be treated fairly, honestly and with friendship. You can trust Dan. He’s a friend to our community.

Joe Dix Gunnison

Take a deep breath

Editor:

On Feb. 6, I experienced a very disturbing event at the Love’s quick stop on Hwy. 50 in Gunnison. To the person gassing up in a white pickup. I write this letter in hope to help all folks in these disturbing hard times.

I live next to Love’s Gunnison quick stop. I got out of my car and heard this man yelling and threatening a young child in a vehicle. It broke my heart.

I was not sure what the young person had done, but I knew there was no reason for the outrage and threats that the person driving the vehicle could be demonstrating. It was rage, stress and overwhelming life.

Please let’s all take a deep breath, get help and do not threaten others. I grew up in an abusive parental life. My life was full of love, but dealing with a hard life full of abusive parental stress.

Please take a deep breath, seek counseling, seek training, feel passion for what is a hard life. We all need love, care and help! Take a deep breath and think before you blow. Give deep love for all of us going through hard times.

Locals test air quality at North Fork gas wells

Citizens seek state intervention for leaks

Abby Harrison Times Staff Writer

(Editor’s Note: This is the first of a two-part series. The second part will appear in next week’s paper.)

In theory, monitoring air quality for the more than 150 active and inactive natural gas wells in Gunnison County should be the job of state regulators. But according to some people in the North Fork Valley, the reality is that reporting is often left up to producers themselves, creating “loopholes” that have led to lack of oversight and de-prioritization of community evidence. Concerns over state regulation have inspired a citizens’ effort to close the loopholes with monitoring of their own, visiting well sites to keep producers — and the state — compliant with the law.

Split jurisdiction

The oil and gas industry in Colorado is regulated by two state agencies, the Colorado Oil and Gas Commission (COGCC) and the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE). The commission is responsible for permitting and operations on the physical sites and subsurface, and the department of public health and environment oversees air quality regu-

At a Gunnison Energy LLC well site, a separator sits in the background with a tank holding produced water in the foreground. The well head is not visible in the image. The separator does what it sounds like, and separates out gas, destined for the market, from liquids or solids generated during production. The machines combust some excess gas during the process of separation, through the stack on the top. When Klooster points the FLIR camera at a separator, he’s looking for emissions that are just venting into the atmosphere rather than being burned off, indicating the combustion mechanism may have malfunctioned.

lation and compliance. Simply put, whatever comprises a well pad on or in the ground is commission territory and whatever comes out or off of the equipment, into the atmosphere, is CDPHE territory.

Natasha Leger, executive director of Citizens for a Healthy Community, a North Fork-based nonprofit working to protect the valley from impacts of oil and gas development, has been visiting well sites in Gunnison County for years to check for leaks. Where one set of rules ends, another begins, she said, and compliance may be lost in translation.

“It’s two different agencies, with two different responses and two different levels of public information,” she said.

Both agencies lay out legally enforceable regulation for these sites. The COGCC is mandated to respond to every complaint filed on wells within 48 hours, and the commission’s Community Relations Supervisor Megan Castle told the Times that the agency sends out a compliance inspector to 47 well sites in the county every year.

Operators need permits from the commission to drill a well, and when a complaint is filed

to the division, it spurs a visit from a state compliance inspector, to investigate and assess the potential issue, Castle said.

But for each element on the facility that is producing air pollution, like flares, tank batteries and separators, separate permits may be required through the Air Pollution Control Division (Division), the regulatory arm of the CDPHE. A complicating factor is that air permits are only required for well sites that have calculated air emissions to be above a certain threshold; in Gunnison County

Lora Schmillen Gunnison

Andrew Klooster

continued from A4

that level is two tons per year for most emissions, compared to much lower thresholds on the front range where ozone is a more significant issue.

For smaller, non-permitted wells in Gunnison County, the division may have less enforceable oversight. There are still some reporting requirements and operators accountable to the same regulations, Jennifer Morris, interim program manager for the oil and gas program at the division, told the Times But those reports are often left to the operator, calling into question, for Leger, their integrity or sufficiency.

Regulatory standards for smaller wells include Lead Detection and Repair, or LDAR. All wells, regardless of permit status, need to be inspected at least once annually and the division requires operators to submit monthly records as part of the emissions monitoring plan. But when complaints are filed, operators conduct their own inspections and report findings back to the division, meaning resolutions are dependent on what those operators report, Leger said.

Morris confi rmed that emissions estimates and measurements are gathered by operators, but added that the division’s “highly trained” inspectors look over the data, and will decide whether or not an independent visit is required.

“There is no bright line as to when we make that decision to go out to the facility, there's a number of different factors that we have to consider,” Morris said.

Leger said this creates a “dependency” on the oil and gas industry that puts people at risk. When Leger files complaints, she does so to both agencies to ensure that at least one will respond.

“What we found in these cases is that, if we hadn't monitored that well, would they have found the leaks on their own? And you know, I just don't know the answer to that,” she said.

Canaries in the coal mine

Reasons for citizen concern over leaks are manifold, but are mostly centered on worsening greenhouse gas emissions, and local warming, in the valley. The COGCC heard a rule-making petition in December of 2022, which outlined the danger of “cumulative impacts” posed to the Western Slope. The petition included data that suggested the Western Slope is warming nearly twice as fast as the national average.

That’s not all. These small leaks don’t amount to nothing for human health, said Andrew Klooster, certified optical gas imaging thermographer and Colorado field advocate at Earthworks, a national nonprofit that supports companies living in extractive landscapes. Klooster has visited well sites with Leger, using a special camera that visualizes gaseous emissions to detect leaks.

“Ultimately, even a small leak can be potentially impactful from a health standpoint if there are humans around, which is why when we can get closer to facilities, we always have to be a little careful,” he said.

Enough exposure to some of these volatile organic compounds, like benzene, can have an acute impact of irritation but in the long-term and in high enough quantities, can be carcinogenic. Hydrogen sulfide can also occur at these sites, which has more severe impacts, including death, if the exposure is sufficient.

Last summer, Klooster used the camera to gather evidence of high concentrations of hydrogen sulfide at an oil and gas facility just north of Fort Collins that led to the temporary closure of the site.

Leger said the only time the center received local health complaints was during the development of the Trail Gulch well pad, a part of the nowdefunct North Fork Mancos Master Development Plan. She said there were a number of people in Somerset who expressed respiratory, muscle and nerve complaints.

“That remoteness and then accessibility may make the kind of public health concerns a little bit less, but it doesn't change the fact that you potentially have dangerous emissions occurring,” she said.

A stricter era

A solution for regulatory gaps could lie in a 2019 piece of legislation, SB-181, which effectively overhauled the mission of the commission, said COGCC Commissioner — and former Gunnison County Commissioner John Messner. The new law represented a significant reversal for the state legislature, which had long kept regulation of the industry closely in-hand. The law made the permitting process more comprehensive and allowed local governments to regulate future oil and gas development within their jurisdictions, including imposing stricter restrictions than the commission.

But as of now, Gunnison County has not adopted the stricter state regulations and is not able to retroactively apply them to permits issued before 2019, Cathie Pagano, assistant county manager for Community and Economic Development, said. Most of that is due to staffing limitations, she said, and that permitting in the county has slowed down in the last few years.

Over the last two weeks, the commission held listening sessions to gather feedback from community members worried about cumulative impacts of oil and gas drilling. Both Leger and Klooster attended a session to reiterate their concerns.

“Oil and gas development does not occur in a vacuum. We already recognized this in Colorado as we have passed many new protective rules over the last few years,” Klooster said in a Feb. 6 listening session. “Accounting for cumulative impacts is long overdue.”

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

Gas well 10-90-33 in Gunnison County is owned by Gunnison Energy LLC. Klooster has visited and filed complaints for the site twice, once in May 2022 and again in August 2022. The well head is not visible in the image, but the tank is pictured on the right side, surrounded by a dirt containment berm, meant to contain physical leaks or spills. At gas drilling sites, tanks usually store produced water, a byproduct of drilling that typically includes salts from dissolution of the rock and chemicals added during the drilling and fracking process, including hydrocarbons.

Andrew Klooster

Commerce City, closed at the end of December due to what a company statement called “extreme and record-setting weather,” following a late December cold snap. When the refinery attempted to restart operations, a pair of fires broke out and damaged equipment. The statement did not reference the fires, which injured two employees, as a reason for the closure. The refinery is expected

to re-open in late March, Loa Esquilin Garcia, senior communications advisor at Suncor, told the Times

The Suncor facility in Commerce City is the only refinery in the state and the largest in the Rocky Mountain Region, processing approximately 98,000 barrels of crude oil per day, according to the company website. Colorado is a net importer of gasoline, meaning it doesn’t produce enough gas within the state border to meet demand. All of the gasoline refined for “end-market”

sale in the state — about 3540% — is produced by Suncor, and the rest is imported from neighboring states. So when Suncor went down, so did nearly 40% of the state’s gas supply.

In response to risks posed to the fuel supply chain, Gov. Jared Polis activated the State Emergency Operations Plan, an action that essentially enables state agencies to coordinate response and mitigation efforts. Polis called for out-of-state refineries and fuel transportation companies to pitch in supply. The order also suspended

CDOT regulations to allow truck drivers to carry heavier fuel loads on highways and work more hours. Last week, on Jan. 30, Polis extended the order, citing continued difficulties in the supply chain and creeping prices.

High prices may persist into early fall, said Grier Bailey, executive director of the Colorado Wyoming Petroleum Marketers Association, an organization that represents independent petroleum marketers in the gasoline wholesale and retail industry.

Bailey said part of the reason prices are so high, especially in western counties, is that Commerce City is the primary supplier for the rail terminal in Grand Junction, where trucks gather to transport fuel across the Western Slope. The terminal in Grand Junction is the only one on the Western Slope, Bailey said, so trucks that traditionally fuel up there are now driving all the way to Denver.

“The remaining supply, because Suncor is down, has

On Jan. 30, all of the Colorado River states — Arizona, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah and Wyoming — excluding California, submitted a proposal to the Bureau of Reclamation that outlines ways to address the declining health of the Colorado River. Th e system supplies water to more than 40 million people, irrigates five million acres of farmland and provides hydropower to seven states and portions of Mexico, but it is slowly failing.

The current guidelines used to set and manage shortages in the Lower Basin states of Arizona, California and Nevada are not set to expire until 2026. But as reservoir levels dwindle, Reclamation has begun the process of analyzing the environmental impact of larger and more immediate cuts to protect the Colorado River system. While the consensus is not a formal agreement, it provides an approach for Reclamation to consider when it decides what reservoir levels will trigger water cuts downstream.

More than two decades of prolonged drought throughout much of the Southwest has prompted an early and temporary modification to shortage guidelines that were set in place in 2007. Water levels at both Lake Powell and Lake Mead, the two largest reservoirs in the U.S., sank to record lows last year.

“Th e current combined storage of Powell and Mead is lower than it was in 1963 when Lake Powell was initially filling,” Reclamation water manager Dan Bunk said during a public webinar in November. “The Colorado River system is in a very dire condition.”

In June 2022, Bureau of Reclamation Commissioner Camille Calimlim Touton warned that water users along the Colorado River must cut their usage by 2-4 million acre feet in 2023, with 60 days to negotiate a plan to close the gap. But the deadline came and went without a basin-wide agreement and no action from the U.S. Department of the Interior.

In November, the Secretary of the Interior directed Reclamation to prepare a “supplemental environmental impact statement” or SEIS, rather than waiting for the guideline’s expiration date — which was still more than three years

away. The temporary revision needed would alter the operations of Glen Canyon Dam above Lake Powell and Hoover Dam above Lake Mead in 2023 and 2024 and perhaps beyond to address the impacts of another potentially dry winter along the Colorado River.

The failure to come up with a solution in time comes with what Touton called “unacceptable risks” to routine operations at the dams. If the reservoirs are allowed to reach “deadpool,” water will no longer be able to pass through the dams — ultimately cutting off the faucet for millions of downstream users.

The consensus submitted by the six states on Jan. 30 proposes reduced releases from Lake Powell and Lake Mead to protect critical infrastructure, and more than 1.5 million in shortages in Lower Basin states and Mexico. It also contemplates voluntary conservation measures in the Upper Division states of Colorado, New Mexico, Utah and Wyoming, together with additional releases from Flaming Gorge Reservoir.

California, which is allotted more water per year than the Upper Basin states consumed all together in 2021, submitted its own proposal. The number of basin states needed to reach a “consensus” has not yet been defined by Reclamation.

“We can only save the Colorado River system if we act together,” Upper Colorado River Commissioner Becky Mitchell said in a press release.

“Th e CBMA (Consensus-Based Modeling Alternative) approach appropriately distributes the

burden across the Basin and provides safeguards for the Tribes, water users, and environmental values in the Upper Basin.”

‘Who’s using all the water?’

Water use by basin has been historically uneven, but dry conditions along the Colorado River have continued to reduce the amount of water available for all users. While each basin is entitled to 7.5 million acre-feet per year under the 1922 compact, only the Lower receives that much. And its use has been steadily increasing.

At the same time, approximately 1.5 million acre-feet is lost to evaporation or in transit as it travels to large desert cities

like Phoenix and Las Vegas. The Lower Basin gets to keep this bonus, and its total allocation is not charged with the losses.

Although Lower Basin users can pull more from large buckets of water upstream like Lake Powell in times of drought, those located at the headwaters of the Colorado River take their shortages directly from Mother Nature. Since 2019, use in the Upper Basin has declined by 22.5%, according to data from the Colorado Water Conservation Board.

Th e Upper Basin states have consistently argued that the source of the problem is overconsumption downstream, said John McClow, general counsel for the Upper Gunnison River Water Conservancy District. During the same time period that use in the Upper Basin declined, use in the Lower Basin increased by 7% — equivalent to approximately 638,000 acre-feet or twice the current content of Blue Mesa Reservoir.

“Who's using all the water? It isn't us,” McClow said. “But we have no choice. We can't decide how much we're consuming. We can only consume what melts into the rivers.”

Reclamation received more than 200 letters of comment from across the region in response to its push to develop an impact statement for near-term changes to reservoir operations. This included the Gunnison County Commissioners, who acknowledged the “disproportionate burden of water conservation efforts,” and the Upper Gunnison River Water

Conservancy District.

“Upper Gunnison Basin water users have had twenty years of experience living with climate change and longterm drought as we have no large upstream storage buckets, therefore, we respectfully urge the Secretary to work with Lower Basin States to do the same,” the Upper Gunnison letter reads.

The consensus agreement does not address any shortages from the Upper Basin because there isn’t a legal method to enforce them. The consensus instead includes actions already outlined in a drought response operations agreement and voluntary water conservation programs.

Emergency releases that sent a total of 661,000 acre-feet so far from reservoirs in the Upper Basin to maintain water levels at Lake Powell were part of the drought agreement signed in 2019. This included releases from Blue Mesa Reservoir, which has still not fully recovered. As of Feb. 7, the reservoir sat at 36% of capacity.

Reclamation has committed $125 million to a voluntary consumption reduction program in the Upper Basin through a partnership with the Upper Colorado River Commission. The Commission will select projects for implementation beginning in 2023 — reimbursing selected water users per acre-foot of water saved for the greater system. Exactly how many users will participate is unknown.

There’s agreement that the Upper and Lower Basin states must work collectively to address the risk in the Colorado River system, said Executive Director Chuck Cullom.

“There's also recognition that the Upper Basin activities are only effective if there's companion action in the lower basin,” Cullom said.

A draft SEIS is expected sometime this spring, followed by a public comment period. The final Record of Decision will be presented in late summer of 2023, allowing changes to become eff ective as soon as this year.

This will only guide reservoir operations during the interim period between 2023 and 2026. A separate process will be initiated to revise the original 2007 guidelines.

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

Who’s using all the water? It isn’t us. But we have no choice. We can’t decide how much we’re consuming. We can only consume what melts into the rivers.

John McClow Upper Gunnison River Water Conservancy District

Bella Biondini

continued on A7

Blue Mesa Reservoir is approximately 36% full.

Gas prices at the City Market gas station were $3.99 per gallon on Feb. 7 for regular gasoline, nearly fifty cents above current national averages.

Must finance with GM Financial. Some customers may not qualify. Length of contract limited. Not available with lease and some other offers. Take new retail delivery by 1/31/23.

continued from A6

been under increased demand, because other people are trying to pull products from those supply points in order to cover the gap,” he said.

Even as suppliers like Sinclair, Chevron, HollyFrontier, Philips and Valero pump more fuel into the market, truckers are waiting longer at terminals for the same amount of fuel. The snowy season hasn’t helped, he added, as road closures have caused significant delays across the board.

Bailey said he expects high prices to persist through the summer. When Suncor returns to full production, the Denver Metro North area will be entering the summertime months of stricter emissions limits meant to reduce air pollution. When suppliers start using this more eco-friendly summertime gas blend, the supply chain for regular gas will be constrained even more in the Western Slope.

January and February are low-volume months for fuel consumption, he said, and sales typically fall off during the colder seasons.

“If this happened during the summer months, especially with our environmental fuel blends specifications [on the Front Range], prices would be completely out of control,” Bailey said.

No pump is exempt from supply chain disruption. Gunnison Auto and Performance Owner and Lead Mechanic Brian Oliver said he gets most of his gas from Suncor, and his other suppliers continue to report shortages across the board. Even though being an unbranded gas shop allows him to price

Grier Bailey Executive Director of the Colorado Wyoming Petroleum Marketers Association

in a morepcompetitive market, he said he’s started buying fuel from Kansas to fill the gap. One component of their winter diesel mix, made from mixing two different diesel gases, is “outrageously expensive,” and hard to acquire right now, he said.

“At the end of the day, we need to have fuel in Gunnison,” he said. “So you have to get fuel in our tanks, and if we have to get fuel in our tanks, we have to pull it from wherever we have to pull it from.”

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

If this happened during the summer months, especially with our environmental fuel blends specifications [on the Front Range], prices would be completely out of control.

Abby Harrison

A8 • NEWS • Thursday, February 9, 2023 Gunnison Country Times

Blister Summit returns to

To: Chris

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Bella Biondini Time Editor

The Blister Summit, one of the only consumer-focused gear test and demo events, is returning for its third year, Feb. 12-16, in Mt. Crested Butte. The annual event has steadily grown since its launch in 2021 — bringing product designers, pro athletes and skiers and riders of all skill levels into the same space to test and talk about the latest gear.

Blister founder Jonathan Ellsworth’s mission is to show the good, bad, the great and the ugly about the outdoor gear many use on a daily basis, basing his investigations in Crested Butte. At the Blister Summit, participants can test gear out for themselves on the slopes, ask questions and interact directly with those at the heart of the industry.

After attending conventional trade shows for years, Ellsworth said the summit struck him as something that was “badly needed” in snowsports. During the event, attendees can test and demo brand new products — “making it less of a segregated space where we have industry manufacturers over here, and the actual buying public over there,” Ellsworth said.

“That’s the combination that was compelling to me,” he said.

Ellsworth held the first Blister Summit in the midst of the pandemic, so the event started out relatively small. Over the last two years, it has continued to grow, steadily attracting more brands from across the globe to the slopes of Crested Butte Mountain Resort and the surrounding backcountry playgrounds.

Blister Summit 2023 will host representatives from more than 30 brands, including Atomic, Dynafit, Blizzard, Nordic, Ortovox, Salomon, K2, Volkl and more. With a rapidly expanding scope and size, the summit, which previously centered only on skis, is also intro-

ducing snowboarding and splitboarding for the first time.

Attendees will be able to demo gear during the day at the resort, sampling the industry’s newest skis, boards, bindings and boots on the snow. Panel sessions will follow in the evenings, facilitating conversation with some of the “sharpest and most influential” people in the industry, he said.

After a day on the mountain, attendees can engage with sessions on ski and boot design, a professional athlete panel focused on their early days and how they’ve watched the industry shift over their careers and binding technology. Blister has also partnered with Irwin Guides to offer morning and afternoon backcountry outings for all skill levels, giving participants a safe way to try out touring and avalanche safety equipment.

Ellsworth encouraged anyone already passionate or curious about skiing and snowboarding to attend the summit, even intermediate skiers and riders. The summit is the optimal place for those new to the sport to figure out what they like, while experts have a chance to get on brand new gear that likely won’t be available to the general public until this fall, he said.

“It will be a real crashcourse education,” he said. “For many people who aren't that advanced, it's kind of unfamiliar territory that a different board, or a different pair of skis will actually feel extremely different. They might not be able to articulate their preferences right now when it comes to skis, or boots, but you have them.”

While the Gunnison Valley has no shortage of skiers and

riders who share enthusiasm for the slopes, the Blister Summit is also a way for engineering students at Western Colorado University to interact directly with the evolving outdoor industry.

At the beginning of 2022, Blister initiated a new partnership with Western Colorado University and the CU Boulder Engineering program — launching Blister Labs, Western’s first outdoor industry engineering emphasis. On Feb. 14, the students and faculty from the Rady School will host a panel on some of the more complex ski tests students have been conducting.

The summit is another platform for students to share the work they’ve done both in the classroom and out in the field, said Jeni Blacklock, director of the Western-CU Boulder Partnership program.

“Everyone's really excited … There's a lot of interest and technical advancements in the outdoor industry engineering field,” Blacklock said. “It’s been an incredible experience to be one of the first to explore it and to launch a program around outdoor industry engineering technology, tackling some of the questions that industries have about the gear that we use every day.”

Half-priced tickets are available for all Gunnison Valley residents and Western students, bringing the cost down to $200 for the four-and-a-half-day event. To register, visit blisterreview.com. The discount code is Locals50.

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

Taylor Ahearn

Blister founder Jonathan Ellsworth speaks at a past summit.

Vandenbusche records sealed

Charges dismissed and guilty plea withdrawn in deferred judgment

Abby Harrison Times Staff Writer

On Tuesday morning, Feb. 7, Gunnison County Court

Judge Ashley M. Burgemeister granted a motion from former Western Professor Duane Vandenbusche to seal court records related to criminal charges brought against him last year. Burgemeister has 28 days to deliver the order to local police and the Colorado Bureau of Investigation, but she said she would send the order sameday.

In August 2021, Vandenbusche, 85, was charged with third-degree assault, a class-one misdemeanor, and harassment for hitting a person, a class-three misdemeanor, after a female Western employee reported to police that he slapped her multiple times and spoke to her in an inappropriate manner, with a witness present.

In December 2021, Vandenbusche pleaded guilty

BUY

to reduced charges in exchange for a “deferred” judgment and sentence. In Colorado, a deferred sentence means a guilty plea can be withdrawn and charges dismissed after a specified period of time, so long as the sentencing judge approves the plea and all conditions of sentencing have been met. For Vandenbusche, that included 12 months of unsupervised probation, 48 hours of useful community service, completion of a sexual harassment class and payment of court costs, less than $250.

According to court records, in January 2023 Vandenbusche presented documents to the court verifying that all conditions had been met. Charges were dismissed, and his guilty plea withdrawn.

However, a completed deferred judgment alone does not expunge a person’s criminal record. To do that, one must petition the court to “seal” the records. In Colorado, sealed records are generally hidden from public view and limited from being used in certain legal statements, but those records can still be used in court and, under certain circumstances, can be unsealed at a later time.

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

City reopens job posting for search

began Monday

Bella Biondini Times Editor

The City of Gunnison reopened its job listing for its vacant city manager position on Feb. 6, restarting its search process for a new leader.

The city’s final candidate, Brian Berger, withdrew his application for Gunnison’s manager position at the end of January, less than a week after city council directed staff to begin negotiating a contract with him. Berger presently serves as the town administrator, treasurer and clerk for the Town of Poncha Springs, just east of Monarch Pass. He declined the offer in a letter shared with the city, citing “current family dynamics” as his reason for halting the process.

City council decided to reopen the job posting for the city manager position during a closed session on Feb. 3, seeking a fresh pool of candidates. Staff will continue to work with a recruitment service called Columbia Ltd to fill the position, which has been empty since the end of October.

Happy Valentine’s Day Come

Finance Director Ben Cowan has been serving as the interim manager.

To attract more candidates, council decided to adjust the salary range from $170,000$210,000 to $190-225,000, depending on the qualifications of the selected candidate. The application will also explicitly state that transitional housing is available at the Lazy K affordable housing development for the incoming city manager if needed. Th is was not available during the first round of the search.

The job listing will remain open for approximately five weeks. According to Gunnison Mayor Diego Plata, council hopes to have a new group of finalists by the end of March. Interviews will follow shortly after at the start of April.

“I feel primarily proud and grateful of staff for keeping the organization running without any major hiccups,” Plata said.

“With that in mind, we also are very hopeful that this next go around will be more successful so that we can take some of the pressure off directors, Ben and just staff in general.”

970.641.1414 or bella@ gunnisontimes.com.)

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Lazy K, Gunnison’s newest subdivision has several units still available for purchase by individuals or institutions/businesses! MORE UNITS COMING THIS SPRING.

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This hidden gem, single family home within the Van Tuyl Subdivision consists of 3 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms, approximately 1628 sqft. with a detached one car garage with a carport. Updated, move in ready, high ceiling, recessed lights, and open kitchen with an island separating the kitchen from the living room, pellet stove. The abundant natural light from the makes this home appealing and speculator. The other two bedrooms are upstairs with a 3/4 of a bathroom that consists of a walk-in shower with modern touches located in-between inviting, and intriguing home with a master suite downstairs with its own entrance and mini fridge/microwave section. The modern walk-in tiled shower and glass door is an impeccable touch. The storage space in the utility room is fully utilized with shelving and cabinets with front loading washer/dryer easily accessible. It's a must see property that's very inviting worth calling your agent today.

(Bella Biondini can be contacted at

Former city manager finalist Brian Berger speaks at a community forum in January.

Bella Biondini

Late night rock and roll

Fathers and daughters bust a move

Mothers of Preschoolers hosted the annual Daddy

dance at Webster Hall on Saturday night, Feb.

Aside from boogying down, an array of sweet treats were available for all on the dance floor.

Jacob Spetzler

Lake City hit with day-long power outage

brought from Montrose

An unplanned power outage in the Lake City area on Monday, Feb. 6, 2023 affected approximately 1,900 Gunnison County Electric Association (GCEA) members and knocked out power to homes and businesses for almost 28 hours. The outage started at 1:06 a.m. due to a T1 circuit switcher opening at the substation. Power was restored to all affected GCEA members by 4:55 a.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 7.

Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association, which owns and maintains the substation, contacted GCEA immediately when the circuit switcher failed and GCEA crews were dispatched shortly after. Efforts to energize the circuit switcher failed, and Tri-State got to work organizing a plan to move a mobile substation from Montrose to Lake City while simultaneously looking for parts to repair the damaged equipment.

By mid-morning on Feb. 6, GCEA was able to restore power to the three-phase line through Lake City to Henson Creek, providing power to critical infrastructure such as the medical center, Lake City Community School and the Armory. Meanwhile, Tri-State worked with CDOT to obtain permits and clearance to move the mobile substation along Hwy. 50. This involved closing the highway to all traffic and providing escorts for the large semi-truck trailer to pull the equipment through Little Blue

February 2023 Chamber News You Can Use

AMORE - The Italian word for “love”

e mobile substation arrived in Lake City just after 4

The GCEA line crew met the Tri-State crew around 4:30 p.m. to begin the process of setting the mobile substation into position and hooking up the equipment to the Lake City infrastructure. Because the mobile substation had traveled a significant distance, lengthy processes and checks were required to ensure the equipment was safe and ready for use.

Once the equipment was verified, personnel began transferring load onto the mobile substation. Crews were located in different locations throughout the Lake City area to switch load from the SKITO Substation in Gunnison and transfer that load onto the mobile substation in Lake City. This configuration required taking some outages for a short period of time and then restoring them to a new source of feed. Crews continued to rotate through the morning until service was restored to all GCEA members aff ected. After service was determined to be all restored at 4:55 a.m., crews continued to check on all members to ensure power was on.

GCEA CEO Mike McBride was pleased with the teamwork and unified approach of the Tri-State team to safely restore power.

“Our ability to restore power to remote parts of our service territory such as Lake City in such an unusual circumstance is a great example of the dedication of GCEA’s linemen and support staff, as well as the value of our relationship with Tri-State” , McBride said.

(Source: Gunnison County Electric Association.)

“When the moon hits your eye like a big pizza pie, that’s amore.” Songwriters: Harry Warren, Jack Brooks.

February is about love notes. Leaving a valentine on someone’s front porch, baking heart shape cookies, sharing chocolates, sharing hugs….

My love note to my community is simple. We have the best of the best right here. We have the best restaurants, best retails, best services, best coffee shops, best art galleries and artists, best mechanics, best salons, best sport stores, best liquor retailers, best bike shops, best medical providers, best floral, best bakers, best musicians, best schools, best hiking, best allaround recreation, best construction folks, best realtors, best newspapers and media. I don’t mean to miss anyone – YOU, Gunnison community, are the BEST.

has to offer. My message for February is just this. Everyone, keep on supporting all we have here.

SIGNIFICANCE OF SHOPPING LOCAL

When you shop local, you’re making a personal investment in our neighborhood and Money is kept in the community because locally-owned businesses often purchase from other local businesses, service providers, and more. Purchasing local helps grow other businesses as well as our tax base.

Whether you realize it or not, when YOU shop local YOU are individually stimulating the local economy with your support and in turn, helping shape our community’s unique character and personality.

Next week you will see red and pink hearts hanging in the Gunnison Main Street trees. The Gunnison Resiliency Project, shared out hearts for folks to handwrite their message of Why I Love My Community. Take time to wander Main Street and other locations where we have dropped some by to read the whys. We all LOVE our community. That’s Amore!

–

Celeste

& the Gunnison Country Chamber of Commerce

Courtesy

O-Be-Joyful sKi

rAcEs

CRANOR SKI HILL MONDAY, FEBRUARY 20 TH

Registration begins at 9:30 am

Races begin at 10:30 am

You may register prior to the event at the Gunnison Community Center

fReE fOr kIdS FrEe HoT DoGs FoRAlL

An informed consent form must be signed by a parent or guardian prior to participation.

Volunteers are greatly appreciated — please call Faith at 970-641-8420 to volunteer

Winter concert series

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Sold out shows pack Bar 47 at Almont Resort

Bella Biondini Times Editor

The live-music scene at the Almont Resort, located just north of Gunnison, has experienced a revival this winter, hosting sold out shows in partnership with I Bar Ranch.

The 2023 Snowdance Winter Concert Series launched during the first week of December with the local favorite Easy Jim and has yet to slow down, filling Almont’s Bar 47 to the brim almost every weekend. The music has brought some life back to Almont, which usually quiets with the arrival of the winter season — bringing Gunnison Valley residents together outside of the ski slopes.

“It's just been such a cool thing for the community,” said I Bar Ranch General Manager and Director of Development Katie Lewinger. “It’s really creating some vibrancy, especially on the southern end.”

In 2021, the Almont Resort, previously owned by Harold Seiff, sold to Mark Walter, a billionaire investor who has been buying up property around the Gunnison Valley, for $6.3 million. Modest renovations to the bar space and stage area this year followed the management changeover to better accommodate live music. The new owners have also added a Nordic ski track and an ice rink to the property.

The idea for a winter concert series began with Lewinger’s desire to host Easy Jim at a birthday party for herself and a friend at the resort. After the show, she wanted to go bigger and realized that all of I Bar’s sound equipment sits dormant from October to the beginning of April — putting Gunnison’s active summer music scene on pause.

The Snowdance Winter Concert Series was born almost overnight with help from Almont Resort Manager Dane Gomez and Seiff. The Almont Resort closed for two weeks in the middle of November to do some

simple renovations in the bar area to prepare for the series. I Bar brought in some of its equipment and built out the stage to suit them for the winter, while the Almont crew put in new lights and hardwood floors. They also built a formal coat check and added a late night snack menu for concert goers.

“We'd always had plans of renovating that bar space, it needed some love,” Gomez said.

The team started small with Easy Jim as it tried to gauge the community’s interest and was “slapped in the face” with the first wave of people, Gomez said. The venue’s capacity is capped at approximately 350 people and the last three shows have been sold out as they invited larger names like Floodgate Operators to bring their sound to the Almont.

Along with some out-of-town names, the winter concert series has also been a stage for local bands. Country singer Evelyn Roper has lived near Almont for her entire life, her music a large part of the Almont Resort and its history. She returned in late December, performing for a “branding party” where local ranchers were invited to brand the walls of the bar.

Although it was the night before Christmas Eve, almost 100 residents attended, representing multiple generations of the valley’s ranching families. Roper said it was a “magical” evening.

“It did my heart good … It reminded me and showed me

how wonderful this community is,” Roper said.

Gomez said the Almont Resort is also looking beyond live music as it searches for creative ways to welcome everyone to Almont.

This winter the resort added a dog-friendly Nordic track in partnership with Gunnison Nordic as well as a free ice rink. In the future, Gomez is hopeful to host more events and community partners.

“I think the Almont has always suffered from its proximity to town,” Gomez said. “Why not just ride up to CB? Why come down valley? We're trying to make an argument that right in the middle is best.”

The winter concert series will continue well into the springtime with performances from the reggae band Green Budha, Steve 'N' Seagulls and the Colorado-grown Buffalo Commons. Lewinger said the series is likely to return next winter season after I Bar closes its doors and the snow arrives.

“It’s really come together beautifully, and it’s fun.” Lewinger said. “When you have something that works. It really shows you that there was a void in the community for it … The spirit and vibrancy that lives in that building is back.”

To learn more or purchase tickets, visit thealmontresort. com.

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

Mackenzie Bode

Taylor Ahearn

A crowd cheers during a performance from Floodgate Operators.

A scene from branding night.

Q&A with Chad Reich

Newly-hired executive director of High Country Conservation Advocates

Abby Harrison Times Staff Writer

High Country Conservation Advocates’ (HCCA) welcomed a new executive director, Chad Reich, to their team last week. Reich spent nearly 20 years in nonprofit and journalism roles in the valley, focusing on issues related to extractive industries and public lands. The Times sat down with Reich to hear more about what led him to the position and what may lie ahead for the organization. This conversation has been edited for length and clarity.

What led you to the organization from a background in journalism and media, and what has prepared you to take on this role of policy leadership?

I come from a background of public affairs and hard news journalism at KBUT. I realized that most of my stories I produced while I was in Ohio at graduate school all involved extraction, public land management, citizen initiatives fighting for clean air and water and the work of conservation groups. I'm really passionate about this type of work. I've always reported on it and told stories about it. So, I think getting to join the fight on the front lines is really the next logical step for me. I'm excited to be able to bring storytelling into our mix and bolstering our outward communication to help explain what we do, and why it's important.

How do you and the organization plan to bring the work with Mt. Emmons to the finish line?

It's really complex, there are so many moving parts. Luckily, we have a wonderful expert in the house, Julie Nania, who is our Red Lady director … The first thing we have to do is negotiate a mutually acceptable settlement with Mt. Emmons Mining Company regarding water rights. We want to leave enough water up on the mountain so the mining company can clean up the site, but we also want to return it to the watershed, specifically the Coal Creek and the Slate River. We see that as a mutually beneficial agreement, where the mining company has enough water to perform their activities and as much water as possible is returned to the public and the wildlife in the watershed. The next thing we want to do is help shepherd the land exchange to a place where we can execute conservation easements, which will prohibit mining on private

lands on Mt. Emmons. We do that by working with other partners in the conservation community to explain why this was beneficial to the public, while still getting it across the finish line.

How do you see the organization evolving, if at all, outside its original charter? Do you have ideas for the organization it is not currently pursuing?

What's interesting about HCCA that a lot of folks don't know is that most of our work is not with Red Lady, it's really just one component of what we do, albeit it has been our crown jewel for 46 years. For example, we're ramping up our stewardship program with Gunnison sage-grouse habitat. Many hundreds of hours have been put into the Gunnison public lands initiative, and we support more wilderness like the GPLI does. Recently, we've been looking at ways to keep water in several backcountry streams that tend to dry up late in the summer and early fall.

We always have an eye on public lands projects on the Western Slope that our regional partners are often engaged in, such as oil and gas in the North Fork or up at Thompson Divide.

More than anything, we're here to ensure the responsible management of all public lands and Gunnison County, so even when the Red Lady ship is finally brought to shore, we still have a lot of work to do.

We will absolutely adapt to the needs of the natural world if and when the opportunity presents itself. There's a wonderland of mountains, forests and sage, all owned by the American people here in Gunnison County, and we'll be here to protect the land and water and wildlife habitat going forward.

HCCA hosts a number of community service events each year. How does community involvement play into the preservation of the valley’s public lands?

We're definitely stepping up our stewardship program, especially around Gunnison sage-grouse habitat restoration, as well as larger products such as the wet meadow restoration program. And a lot of this is on public lands on the south end of the valley. The nature of this work requires a lot of volunteers, and luckily, it's low tech, we use hands to build structures that slow or stop erosion. When we restore damaged landscapes to as close to their original condition as possible, before humans altered the landscape, we not only improve habitat but we help fight climate change. Volunteers in the valley who work on these projects can be really proud of their contributions.

HCCA is currently in a number of lawsuits. Do you see litigation continuing as a primary tool for the organization to achieve its goals?

HCCA represents the environmental interests of the Gunnison Valley. Our first approach is collaboration. We try to work with local stakeholders and other organizations, as well as state and federal agencies, before we go to court — a perfect example being Red Lady. We think of litigation as a last resort when we can't resolve things through collaboration. We'll stay focused on collaboration. But we do have the tools if we need it. And I think it's important to point out that 95% of our work does not involve litigation.

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

Courtesy Chad Reich

Backroad racing

Crested Butte Nordic hosted the 36th annual Alley Loop nordic race over the weekend. This year’s event included a fat bike race on the Red Lady Loop for the first time and prizes were given for the best-decorated bike. In the morning, skiers competed in 10k, 21k and 42k races. Costumes, bacon and beer followed in the afternoon for the family friendly 5k, 3k and 1k events.

Jacob Spetzler

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE • SEXUAL ASSAULT • HUMAN TRAFFICKING

DID YOU KNOW?

PROJECT HOPE SUPPORTS SURVIVORS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, SEXUAL ASSAULT AND HUMAN TRAFFICKING.

IF YOU OR ANYONE YOU KNOW IS EXPERIENCING ABUSE, PLEASE CONTACT US 24/7

Jacob Spetzler

URGE YOUR LEGISLATORS TO VOTE NO on HB23-1118

Gunnison and Crested Butte / Mt. Crested Butte Chambers join coalition to oppose HB23-1118

& hurt those it intends to help. It is the

es, social service providers, public & private schools, healthcare providers & others…” Colorado Chamber of Commerce

EMPLOYERS POSSIBLY IMPACTED BY THIS LEGISLATION:

PUBLIC AND PRIVATE EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS

SOCIAL SERVICES & HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS

FOOD SERVICE CONTRACTORS

FURNITURE RETAILERS

CATERERS

PAINT & WALLPAPER RETAILERS

MOBILE FOOD SERVICES

HARDWARE RETAILERS

DRINKING PLACES (ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES)

FLOOR COVERING RETAILERS

FULL-SERVICE RESTAURANTS

WINDOW TREATMENT RETAILERS

LIMITED-SERVICE RESTAURANTS

BUILDING MATERIAL RETAILERS

CAFETERIAS, GRILL BUFFETS, AND BUFFETS

OUTDOOR POWER EQUIPMENT RETAILERS

SNACK AND NON-ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE BARS

HOME FURNISHING RETAILERS

REGIONAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT & LOCAL

CHAMBERS OPPOSED TO HB 1118:

ADAMS COUNTY REGIONAL ECONOMIC PARTNERSHIP

ALAMOSA COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

AURORA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

BUENA VISTA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

CASTLE ROCK CHAMBER

CHERRY CREEK CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

COLORADO RIVER VALLEY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

HEALTHCARE & TOURISM OPPOSED TO HB 1118:

COLORADO ASSOC. FOR VITICULTURE & ENOLOGY

HEALTHONE

TOURISM INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION

VISIT DENVER

ANY QUESTIONS CONTACT EITHER CHAMBER

DOG, CAT AND OTHER ANIMAL FOOD MANUFACTURERS

NURSERY, GARDEN & FARM RETAILERS

WET CORN MILLING AND STARCH MANUFACTURERS

ELECTRONIC & APPLIANCE RETAILERS

CAR DEALERS & RECREATIONAL VEHICLE DEALERS

SUPERMARKETS & GROCERY RETAILERS

FRUIT & VEGETABLE RETAILERS

DEPARTMENT STORES

MEAT & SEAFOOD RETAILERS

SEWING, NEEDLEWORK RETAILERS

BAKED GOODS RETAILERS

MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS & SUPPLY RETAILERS

BEER, WINE & LIQUOR RETAILERS

WAREHOUSE CLUBS & SUPERCENTERS

VENDING MACHINE OPERATORS

FLORISTS

BOAT, MOTORCYCLE, ATV & MOTOR VEHICLE DEALERS

BOOK RETAILERS & NEWS DEALERS

AUTO PARTS DEALERS

PHARMACIES AND DRUG RETAILERS

TIRE DEALERS

COLORADO SPRINGS CHAMBER & EDC

CRAIG CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

DOUGLAS COUNTY BUSINESS ASSOCIATION

DURANGO CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

FORT COLLINS AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

GOLDEN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

GLENWOOD SPRINGS CHAMBER RESORT ASSOCIATION

GREATER BRIGHTON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND TOURISM BUREAU

GREATER PUEBLO CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

COSMETICS, BEAUTY & PERFUME RETAILERS

CONFECTIONARY & NUT & ALL SPECIALTY FOOD RETAILERS

OFFICE SUPPLIES AND STATIONERY RETAILERS

HOME CENTERS

FOOD (HEALTH) SUPPLEMENT RETAILERS

GIFT, NOVELTY, AND SOUVENIR RETAILERS

USED MERCHANDISE RETAILERS

HEALTH & PERSONAL CARE RETAILERS

OPTICAL GOODS RETAILERS

HOBBY, TOY & GAME RETAILERS

GASOLINE STATIONS & CONVENIENCE STORES

PET AND PET SUPPLIES RETAILERS

HEALTH AND PERSONAL CARE RETAILERS

MANUFACTURED MOBILE HOME DEALERS

CLOTHING & ACCESSORIES RETAILERS

FUEL DEALERS

SHOE & JEWELRY RETAILERS

TOBACCO & SMOKING SUPPLY RETAILERS

LUGGAGE & LEATHER GOODS RETAILERS

SPORTING GOODS RETAILERS

GREATER WOODLAND PARK CHAMBER

GREELEY AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

GUNNISON COUNTRY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

LOVELAND CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

NORTHERN COLORADO LEGISLATIVE ALLIANCE

NORTHWEST DOUGLAS COUNTY CHAMBER & EDC

VAIL VALLEY PARTNERSHIP

WEST CHAMBER (JEFFERSON COUNTY)

WESTMINSTER CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

STATEWIDE BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS OPPOSED TO HB 1118:

COLORADO CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

COLORADO COMPETITIVE COUNCIL

COLORADO CONCERN

DENVER METRO CHAMBER

NATIONAL FEDERATION OF INDEPENDENT BUSINESSES (NFIB)

GUNNISON CHAMBER BOARD OF DIRECTORS

CRESTED BUTTE / MT.CRESTED BUTTE CHAMBER & VISITOR CENTERS

Classifieds EMPLOYMENT

THE CLUB AT CRESTED BUTTE is hiring a HR administrative assistant. This is a parttime year-round position, starting pay $24$26/hr. depending on experience. Employee benefits include employee discounts and ski storage at the base area. For more information or to submit a resume, please email: jobs@clubatcrestedbutte.com.

CRESTED BUTTE BURGER COMPANY is hiring cooks and cashiers for the winter season: flexible schedule available, starting pay $16-$18/hr. + gratuity. For more information or to submit a resume, please email: crestedbutteburgerco@gmail.com.

BUILD CUSTOM HOMES IN CRESTED

BUTTE: Ridgeline Builders is looking for motivated carpenters and apprentices to frame, install exterior siding and interior trim work. Good pay with benefits for long term employees. Call Kevin at 970-275-8124.

BIG AL’S BICYCLE HEAVEN IS HIRING FOR THE SPRING AND SUMMER

SEASON: Experienced bike mechanic. Must have shop experience and a positive attitude. FT and PT. Mechanics Apprentice Want to learn? Get your foot in the door as a bike assembler / rental mechanic. FT and PT. Sales Staff. Love bike stuff, Crested Butte and know how to talk to people? Join our team of sales super stars. FT & PT All positions start as soon as March 6. Must start by June 1 and commit through Sept. 5. Competitive pay, seasonal bonuses, employee discounts and a fun place to work. Email resume to info@bigalsbicycleheaven. com or apply on-line at bigalsbicycleheaven. com.

THE CLUB AT CRESTED BUTTE is hiring front desk attendants: part-time/full-time positions available, starting pay $16-$18/ hr. Employee benefits include employee discounts and ski storage at the base area. For more information or to submit a resume, please email: jobs@clubatcrestedbutte.com.

SPECTRUM IS HIRING FEILD

TECHNICIANS IN GUNNISON:

As a field technician you will resolve cable and internet issues, and install Spectrum’s high-performing cable, TV, Internet and Voice products throughout your community.

As you drive from location to location, you will build relationships with a diverse-base of customers and deliver technical solutions. This is a career that grows with you and the knowledge you gain will take you far.

Job Perks: Receive a company vehicle, tools, professional uniform and personal protective equipment to do your best and stay safe.

Dynamic Growth: Progress through a defined career path, or move into roles like supervisor, manager or director.

Competitive Pay: Generous starting salary, plus pay increases as you advance.

If you’re looking for a hands-on career opportunity that allows you to work face-toface with the people directly impacted by your work, consider joining our team. For the complete job description, visit us at jobs. spectrum.com Field Technician – Gunnison, CO.

LOCAL EXCAVATION COMPANY looking for laborers and operators. General knowledge of construction preferred. Must be a hard worker. Will train the right people. Please send resume to awearthworkskyle@ outlook.com.

SOFTWARE DEVELOPER (PYTHON): Join our team to create warehouse automation solutions from our ski-in, ski-out office in Mt. Crested Butte. We are building hybridcloud containerized applications to move products faster and more efficiently using robots. If you have Python skills and want to be part of a growing team in the mountains, send resume to Chris Ladoulis at Slate River Systems (SRSI) at cladoulis@gosrsi.com. See seetheraft.com.

BLIND FAITH CUSTOM WINDOW FASHIONS is hoping to find an administrative support/customer relations teammate. This full-time role will oversee that the support is provided to ensure efficient operation of the office. Supports staff through a variety of tasks related to organization and communication. You will be responsible for time sensitive scheduling and effectively communicate via phone and email ensuring that all communication is delivered with high quality and in a timely manner.

Responsibilities will include but aren’t limited to: answering phone calls and scheduling appointments, reply to email, return phone calls and greet and assist visitors to the showroom, shipping, receiving and organization of inventory (including staying on top of digital communication about the orders/order process), submit and reconcile invoices all while resolving scheduling conflicts and providing polite professional communication. Please email: admin@ blindfaithcb.com or call Kelly: 850-855-8838.

NO EXPERIENCE? NO WORRIES:

We provide on-the-job training. The Town of Crested Butte is looking for a Public Works maintenance worker/heavy equipment operator to fill an open position.

Qualifications: Colorado Commercial Drivers License (CDL) or ability to obtain one within thirty (30) days of the date of employment.

This is a full-time position with benefits.

Starting pay is $40,000 – $57,000 DOQ.

Benefits include fully subsidized medical, dental and vision insurance for employees and dependents. Paid holidays, vacation time, sick time, disability insurance, life insurance and retirement are also position benefits. The full job description is available on the Town’s website at townofcrestedbutte. com. Please submit an application to the Town of Crested Butte via email at jobs@ crestedbutte-co.gov. The position is open until filled. The Town of Crested Butte is an Equal Opportunity Employer. (1/20/135).

GUNNISON WATERSHED SCHOOL DISTRICT

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. And 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” library EA-GCS

Math Intervention Teacher-CBSS Supervision EA-CBCS Special Education EA- CBSS Food Service-CBCS and GCS Bus Drivers Substitute Teachers

Coaching:

CBHS Assistant Track Coach CBHS Asst. Lacrosse coach

Coaching: CBHS Assistant Track Coach CBHS Asst. Lacrosse coach

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

GUNNISON COUNTY EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES

*Housing is held for Gunnison County employees and may be available for you to rent*

Recycling Technician Public Works: Full-time, 40 hours/week, hourly rate range from $21.72 to $30.72 plus full benefits.

Patrol Deputy Sheriff: Full-time, 40 hours/week, monthly salary range from $4,989 to $7,057 plus full benefits.

Family Planning Nurse Practitioner/Physician’s Assistant HHS: Part-time, 6 hours every other week, hourly rate range from $38.15 to $53.96 plus full benefits.

IT System Administrator: Full-time, 40 hours/week, starting monthly salary range from $6,613 to $9,354, plus full benefits.

Public Health Nurse II: Family Planning Coordinator HHS: Parttime, 30 hours/week, hourly rate range from $32.03 to $45.31 plus full benefits.

Public Health Nurse II: Child Care Health Consultant HHS: Part-time, 6 hours/week, hourly rate range from $32.03 to $45.31.

Patrol Deputy (Marble and Somerset Area) Sheriff: Full-time, 40 hours/week, monthly salary range from $4,989 to $7,057 plus full benefits. Work in the Marble and Somerset area.

Detention Deputy Sheriff: Fulltime, 40 hours/week, monthly salary range from $4,229 to $5,982 plus full benefits. Only work 14 days a month.

Heavy Equipment Operator I Public Works: Full-time, 40 hours/ week, starting hourly rate $21.72 to $30.72 depending on experience, full benefits.

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

COLORADO STATE UNIVERSITY - OFFICE OF ENGAGEMENT AND EXTENSION Extension director and agent, Agriculture/4-H Youth Development, Gunnison and Hinsdale Counties. The individual works with a local county Extension team and as a local CSU representative. Working with the community to ensure educational needs are met by Extension services and serving as a knowledge resource person in agriculture and natural resources ( 4-H, hay production, livestock, horticulture, and small acreage).

Completed Bachelor’s degree with the requirement to complete a master’s within five years.

To view the job vacancy announcement and apply, click link jobs.colostate.edu/ postings/120529. For full consideration, all materials must be RECEIVED no later than 11:59 p.m. Mountain Time on Feb. 19, 2023.

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 multi-task, 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 $18.00. 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.

LOOKING FOR A HYGIENIST for progressive, mercury-safe dental office in Crested Butte. We have cool lasers and bright sunny operatories to work in. Prefer full-time, but part-time availability would be considered. Full benefits included. Please send resume to info@ intergrativedentistrycolorado.com.

DAVID GROSS GENERAL CONTRACTORS is seeking finish carpenters at top pay. We offer ski passes, 401k, profit sharing, paid vacation and potential health insurance benefits. No subcontractors please. Call DG at 970-901-1798.

EC ELECTRIC IS SEEKING

Pledge

III.

CITY OF GUNNISON EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES

City Manager Full-time: $190,000$225,000/yr. Working at the direction of the City Council, the City Manager is the city’s chief administrative officer, responsible for day-to-day administration and all her or his duties set forth in the City Charter. Transitional housing is available.

Law Enforcement Victim Advocate Full-time: $49,400$58,000/yr. - $23.75-$27.88/hr. Provides Law Enforcement Victim Advocate Services for Gunnison County as a cooperative effort between the Gunnison Police Department, Gunnison Sheriff’s Department, Crested Butte Marshals Office and Mt Crested Butte Police Department. These services include direct contact with persons covered by the Colorado Victim’s Rights Act to include written communications, phone contact and personal contact either in an office setting or at the scene.

Electric Lineman Full-time: $74,800-$87,900/yr. - $35.96$42.26/hr. Performs technical and manual work in the installation, maintenance and repair of electrical distribution systems for the City.

Police Officer Full-time: $62,200$84,000/yr. - $29.90-$40.38/hr. Performs technical, professional and administrative duties related to maintaining the security of the City, protecting constitutional guarantees of all persons, protecting life and property, preserving public peace and order, preventing, solving and detecting crimes, facilitating the safe movement of people and vehicles and other emergency services as needed. POST Certification not required. The City will pay for the Police Academy if needed and pay a cadet wage while attending the Academy. Includes a $5,000 signing bonus.

Part-Time Openings: Cranor Hill Ski Patrolup to $23.53/hr. Law Enforcement Victim Advocateup to $25.44/hr.

The City of Gunnison offers a competitive benefit package including 75% of medical, dental and vision premiums paid for the employee and their dependents, 5% of gross wages in a retirement plan, 3 weeks of vacation (increasing based on the years of service), 12 paid holidays and 12 days of sick leave per year.

For more information, including complete job descriptions, benefit packages, required job qualifications and application instructions, please visit GunnisonCO.gov/HR

PRECISION AUTOMOTIVE IS HIRING

Are you a skilled automotive technician who is compassionate about quality service and want to work for an employer that values your skills. Precision Automotive is interviewing for master and apprentice positions.

Give Steve a call at 970-641-4040 for pay and benefits info, all inquiries confidential.

LOCAL WELDING AND FABRICATION

SHOP looking for fabricators. Knowledge of general construction preferred. Welding experience preferred. Quick learner, hard worker a must. Please send resume to krobbins2011@hotmail.com.

ARE YOU TIRED OF WORKING MULTIPLE

JOBS TO MAKE IT IN THE VALLEY? Iron Horse is looking for the right individual to join our expanding property care team. This individual is responsible for property inspections, inventories, and the overall quality and presentation of vacation rentals in our luxury inventory. You will work hand in hand with our maintenance, housekeeping and reservation teams to ensure that our guests experience vacation perfection. Pay starts at $22 per hour plus a company car, health insurance, on-call pay, paid vacation, ski or health and wellness pass, 5 day work week and more. If you are detail oriented, organized, punctual and only want the best, then submit your resume to steve@ ironhorsecb.com and qualified applicants will be contacted for an interview. Clean driving record is required. No phone calls please.

LOADER OPERATORS NEEDED ASAP

IN CB: Very high pay for qualified people. Willing to train the right person. Ski pass and end of season bonus. Call Jean at 970-2758731.

THE TOWN OF CRESTED BUTTE seeks applicants for a building inspector and efficiency coordinator position to join the Community Development team. The building inspector and efficiency coordinator performs a variety of commercial, industrial, and residential building and safety inspections of new and existing properties for compliance with Town adopted regulations and building codes and coordinates building efficiency and renewable energy programs for the Community Development Department’s responsibilities to the Town of Crested Butte’s Climate Action Plan. This yearround position includes an excellent benefits package with 100% employer paid employee and dependent health, dental, vision, life insurance and matching contributions to a retirement plan after one year of employment.

Starting salary is $50,958 – $60,585 DOQ.

Full job description is available on the Town’s website at townofcrestedbutte. com. Please submit an application, cover letter and resume via email to HR at jobs@ crestedbutte-co.gov. The position is open until filled. The Town of Crested Butte is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

PALISADES AFFORDABLE HOUSING COMMUNITY

Palisades Apartment is currently accepting applications for our waiting list. Our 2 Bedroom Low income Apartment Community is Income based. You must meet restrictions

Our Newly renovated 2 bedroom apartments are a must see. Apply in person at 600 N. Colorado in Gunnison. We are a no Smoking property.

For further information please contact us at 970-641-5429 or palisadesmanager@ silva-markham.com

LOCATION FOR LEASE: North main street office, retail, brewery or restaurant. 1600 to 2200 sq. ft. Call 970-596-9999.

*Visitors who wish to address the Board, please make known at the beginning of the meeting via Zoom or if in-person, please complete the public participation form.

1. Bond Project update-Todd Snidow, Stifel Financial

2. Artaic Group Introduction- Sarah Lara and Chris Guarino

VI. Administrative Action Summaries

A. Superintendent Summary - Dr. Nichols

1. Successful Students

2. Strong Employee

3. Engaged Community

4. Healthy Finances

• Second Quarter Financial update-Tia Mills, Business Manager

5. Functional Facilities

VII. Action Items

A. Consent Grouping

Note: Items under the consent grouping 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 clarified or even removed from the grouping for separate consideration. The Superintendent recommends approval of the following:

1. Board of Education Minutes

a. January 23, 2023 Regular Meeting/Amended Budget

2. Finance Approve for payment, as presented by the Business Manager, warrants as indicated:

a. General Account #42031-42143

b. Payroll Direct Deposit #5476455151

FOR SALE: 1996 Shult Mobile Home 76’ X 16’. 3 bedroom 2 bath. At Twin Pines Mobile Home Park.

Foundation- Mrs. Mick Gunnison Memorial Scholarship- Mrs. Roberts Health Insurance Committee- Mr. Taylor

XI. Forthcoming Agendas/ Meeting Dates and Times

a. Monday, February 27, 2023 Work

Session@5:30pm Gunnison

b. Monday, March 6, 2023

Regular meeting@5:30pm CB

c. Monday, March 27, 2023 Work

Session@5:50pm Gunnison

d. Monday, April 10, 2023

Regular meeting@5:30pm Gunnison

e. Monday, April 24, 2023 Work

Session@5:30pm CB

XII. Adjournment

Gunnison Country Times Gunnison, Colorado.

Publication date of February 9, 2023

7765

CALL FOR NOMINATIONS

A CALL FOR NOMINATIONS

§1-13.5-501, 1-13.5-1102(3), 32-1-905(2), C.R.S.

TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN, and, particularly, to the electors of the North Fork Ambulance Health Service District of Delta, Montrose and Gunnison Counties, Colorado.

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that an election will be held on the 2nd day of May, 2023, between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. At that time, 2 directors will be elected to serve 4-year terms. Eligible electors of the North Fork Ambulance Health Service District interested in serving on the board of directors may obtain a Self-Nomination and Acceptance form from the District

Designated Election Official (DEO): Kathy Steckel, DEO 110 East Hotchkiss Ave., Hotchkiss, CO 81419 970-872-9111

The Office of the DEO is open by appointment by calling 970-872-9111.

BRAND

Legals

AGENDA

Regular Meeting February 13, 2023 5:30pm Crested Butte Community School Library

This meeting will be conducted in person and by distance using the video conferencing platform ZOOM Webinar. Please check the GWSD website for further instructions.

3. Personnel*

1. Gwen Koepsel-Finance Assistant-GCS

2. Tracie Wise-SPED EA-GHS

3. Jillian Vasquez-ELL EA-GHS

4. Cassandra Troy-Resignation-Language Arts-CBSS (end of 2022-23)

5. Stacey Ackerson-Resignation-Food Service-GHS

4. Correspondence

B. New Business

1. Delegation of Authority to Executive Committee for Bond Project Resolution ACTION ITEM

2.Present2023-2024SchoolCalendarrecommendation

C. Old Business ACTION ITEM

1. Second Reading of policy:

a. BE-School Board Meetings

VIII. Comments from the public *Visitors who wish to address the Board, please make known via Zoom or if in-person, please complete the public participation form.

IX. Items introduced by Board Members a.

X. Board Committee assignments for the 2022-23 school year District Accountability CommitteeMrs. Roberts School Accountability Committees- Mr. Martineau, Mrs. Mick, Mrs. Brookhart Gunnison County Education Association Negotiations- Mr. Taylor Gunnison County Education Association 3X3- Mr. Martineau Fund 26- Mrs. Mick Gunnison Valley Community

The deadline to submit a Self-Nomination and Acceptance is close of business on February 24, 2023.

Affidavit of Intent To Be A Write-In-Candidate forms must be submitted to the office of the designated election official by the close of business on Monday, February 27, 2023. NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN, an application for an absentee ballot shall be filed with the designated election official no later than the close of business on the Tuesday preceding the election, April 25, 2023.

Kathy Steckel Designated Election Official Gunnison Country Times Gunnison, Colorado.

Publication dates of February 2 and 9, 2023 7466

NOTICE OF NAME CHANGE

PUBLIC NOTICE OF PETITION FOR CHANGE OF NAME

Public Notice is given on January 17, 2023 that a Petition for a Change of Name of an Adult has been filed with the Gunnison County, Colorado Court.

The Petition requests that the name of Kaden Brady Koksma be changed to Kaden Brady Light

Clerk of Court Cirenda Fry

Abba __, Israeli politician

Long ridge of gravel and sediment

1. Fiddler crabs

2. Discount

3. Partner to “flows”

4. Ethnic group of Laos

5. Beloved “Seinfeld” character 6 .Book of tickets

7. The last name of “Hermione”

8. Type of TV package 9. Helps to heal

CROSSWORD

ANSWERS FOR PREVIOUS WEEK

/s/ Susan K. Piloni Clerk of Court/Deputy Clerk

Gunnison Country Times Gunnison, Colorado

Publication dates of January 26 and February 2, 9, 2023

7477

Gunnison Country Times Gunnison, Colorado.

Publication dates of February 9, 16, 23, March 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 and April 6, 13, 2023.

7719

NOTICE OF NAME CHANGE

PUBLIC NOTICE OF PETITION FOR CHANGE OF NAME

Public Notice is given on January 31, 2023 that a Petition for a Change of Name of an Adult has been filed with the Gunnison County, Colorado Court.

The Petition requests that the name of Erica Marie Kinias be changed to Erica Marie Nunn-Kinias

Cirenda S. Fry Clerk of Court/Deputy Clerk /s/ Cirenda S. Fry

Gunnison Country Times Gunnison, Colorado.

Publication dates of February 9, 16 and 23, 2023

7769

PUBLIC NOTICE

Saguache County Sales Tax Grants now available:

The Saguache County Board of Commissioners will be taking Grant Applications for Saguache County Sales Tax Grants until 3:00PM, Friday, February 17, 2023.

To be eligible grant applications must be for either: Emergency Services/Public Health and Safety; Youth and Senior programs, projects, or organizations; or Renewable Energy projects/Business Opportunities and Job Creation.

Grant applications are available on our website at saguachecounty.colorado.gov

- use “sales tax grant applicationform5” or you can contact the Saguache County Administration office at 719-655-2231 to request a copy of the grant application.

Gunnison Country Times Gunnison, Colorado.

Publication dates of January 5, 12, 19, 26 and February 2, 9, 16, 2023

PUBLIC NOTICE

ATTENTION GRADUATING HIGH SCHOOL SENIORS

The Saguache County Board of County Commissioners are accepting scholarship applications for graduating seniors who will be graduating high school in 2023.

Commissioners will be awarding graduating seniors’ college scholarships that will be paid through the Marijuana Excise Tax funds.

Scholarships may be used at a trade school, college or university but you must reside in Saguache County to apply and possibly receive scholarship funds.

Applications are due by April 14, 2023 and are available through our website at www. saguachecounty.colorado.gov to download the application or by contacting Wendi Maez at 719-655-2231 or by email at wmaez@ saguachecounty-co.gov.

7315

PUBLIC NOTICE

AT&T Mobility, LLC is proposing to replace an existing 25-foot tall tower array telecommunications structure with a proposed 75-foot tall monopole telecommunications structure located off BLM Road 3070, Gunnison, Gunnison County, Colorado (N38° 31’ 40.0”; W106° 54’ 17.6”). The pole is anticipated to utilize FAA Style A (red lights and paint) lighting. Any interested party may request further environmental review of the proposed action under the FCC’s National Environmental Policy Act rules, 47 CFR §1.1307, by notifying the FCC of the specific reasons that the action may have a significant impact on the quality of the human environment. This request must only raise environmental

concerns and can be filed online using the FCC pleadings system at www.fcc.gov or mailed to FCC Requests for Environmental Review, Attn: Ramon Williams, 445 12th Street SW, Washington, DC 20554 within 30 days of the date that notice of this proposed action is published on the FCC’s website. Refer to File No. A1237666 when submitting the request and to view the specific information about the proposed action. X0811 AAD

Gunnison Country Times Gunnison, Colorado.

Publication date of February 9, 2023

7720

Faith Directory

BETHANY CHURCH

909 N Wisconsin St. (behind Powerstop) • 641-2144

Two services at 9 & 10:30 am

Visit our website for more information - gunnisonbethany.com

9 am: Family Service with nursery & children’s church

10:30 am: Western Student Service with FREE lunch for college students following

PUBLIC NOTICE

MEETING NOTICE

Upper Gunnison River Water Conservancy

District

Board of Directors Meeting

Monday, February 27, 2023

5:30 PM

The Board of Directors of the Upper Gunnison River Water Conservancy District (UGRWCD) will conduct a regular board meeting on Monday, February 27, 2023 at 5:30 PM at the UGRWCD Offices, 210 W. Spencer Ave., St. B, Gunnison, CO 81230 and via Zoom video/teleconferencing.

If you plan to attend the meeting via Zoom video/teleconferencing, please call the District at (970)641-6065 for the Zoom registration link. A meeting agenda will be posted at the District Office and on the website prior to the meeting.

Gunnison Country Times Gunnison, Colorado.

Publication date of February 9, 2023

7731

Check out our website for updates!

Or download our app on the App Store by searching, Gunnison Bethany

B'NAI BUTTE CONGREGATION www.bnaibutte.org

Jewish communities of Crested Butte, Gunnison and the East River Valley in Colorado PO Box 2537 Crested, Butte CO 81224 bnaibutte@gmail.com

Spiritual Leader: Rabbi Mark Kula; available for you at RabbiMarkKula@gmail.com (305) 803-3648

CHURCH OF CHRIST

600 E. Virginia • 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.

COMMUNITY CHURCH OF GUNNISON

107 N. Iowa • 641- 0925

Pastor Larry Nelson

Sunday Morning Worship 9:30 a.m.

Nursery & Age-Graded Ministry

Weekly Student Ministry | Weekly Adult LifeGroups

Office Hours: Mon-Thurs, 9:00-4:00

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

Virginia at N. Pine St. • 641-2240

Pastor Jonathan Jones

9:30 A.M. Share & Prayer Fellowship / 10 A.M. Sunday School Classes

11 A.M. Morning Worship Service / 6 P.M. Evening Service

Wednesday 7 PM - Children's Patch Club / Gunnison Bible Institute Thursday 7 PM - College & Career Christian Fellowship www.firstbaptistgunnison.org.

THE GOOD SAMARITAN EPISCOPAL CHURCH

307 W. Virginia Ave. • 641-0429

Rev. Laura Osborne, Vicar

Sunday Morning Holy Eucharist, Rite II 9 a.m.

Children's Sunday school 9 a.m. - 9:40 a.m. | Office Hours: M-Th 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. www.goodsamaritangunnison.com

Visit our partnership church: All Saints in the Mountains, Crested Butte Holy Eucharist, Rite II, Sunday 5 p.m.

Union Congregational Church, 407 Maroon Ave., Crested Butte.

GUNNISON CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH

United Church of Christ

Open and Affirming · Whole Earth · Just Peace Sunday, 10:00 a.m.

Casual, Relaxed, “Come As You Are” Worship www.gunnisonucc.org • 317 N. Main St. • 970-641-3203

GRACE COVENANT CHURCH GUNNISON

Meeting at the Historic 8th St School House

101 N. 8th St. Gunnison

Reformed, Confessional & committed to Expository preaching Sundays 10:00 a.m. Thursdays 1:00 p.m. Women's Bible Study gracegunnison.com

MT CALVARY LUTHERAN CHURCH

711 N. Main • 641-1860

Bible Study and Sunday School at 9:00 a.m. on Sundays Church Service at 10:00 a.m. on Sundays

Pastor Robert Carabotta, Pastor Jacob With

ROCKY MOUNTAIN CHRISTIAN MINISTRIES

1040 Highway 135 (1/4 mile N. of Spencer Ave.)

Sunday Morning Worship 9:30am

Nursery and Children’s ministry through Middle School “Remedy” Worship Nights Small Group Ministries www.rmcmchurch.org - 641-0158

ST. PETER’S CATHOLIC CHURCH

300 N. Wisconsin • 641-0808 • Fr. Andres Ayala-Santiago (www.gunnisoncatholic.org | www.crestedbuttecatholic.org) or call the Parish Office. St. Peter's - Gunnison Sat 8:30 am, 5 pm & Sun 10:30 am, 12:00 pm (Spanish) Mass

First Sunday of every month bilingual Mass at 11am Queen of All Saints - Crested Butte, 401 Sopris Sun 8:30am Mass St. Rose of Lima - Lake City Communion Service, Sat 4:00pm

TRINITY BAPTIST CHURCH

523 N. Pine St. • 641-1813

Senior Pastor - Michael McVey

Sunday Service 9:30 a.m. Adult Bible Study 8:00 AM www.trinitybaptistsgunnison.com

LIGHTS&SIRENS

CITY OF GUNNISON POLICE REPORT

FEBRUARY 2

CRIMINAL TRESPASS: FIRST

DEGREE - RESIDENCE —

800 N. COLORADO ST.

DISTURBING THE PEACE —

1314 W. TOMICHI AVE.

VIOLATION OF PROTECTION

ORDER: CRIMINAL ORDER — 600

N. COLORADO ST.

CRIMINAL TRESPASS: SECOND

DEGREE - COMMON AREA — 600

N. COLORADO ST.

FEBRUARY 3

OBSTRUCTING A PEACE

OFFICER/FIREFIGHTER/EMS —

HARASSMENT:

31

COMMUNICATIONS —

309 N. 3RD ST.

DISTURBING THE PEACE —

432 PAINTBRUSH AVE.

TOBACCO VIOLATION -

UNLAWFUL POSSESSION RE1J

— 1099 N. 11TH ST.

THEFT: INTENDS TO

PERMANENTLY DEPRIVE —

500 E. GOTHIC AVE.

CIVIL PROBLEM —

910 W. BIDWELL AVE.

DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE

- DRUGS — 158.5 E. HWY. 50

FEBRUARY 1

CRIMINAL TRESPASS: FIRST

DEGREE - VEHICLE —

401 N. COLORADO ST.

HARASSMENT: STRIKE SHOVE,

KICK — 412 E. TOMICHI AVE.

HARASSMENT: MUNICIPAL —

1313 W. OHIO AVE.

INSALATA – 8.95

910 E. TOMICHI AVE.

ACCIDENT - HIT & RUN —

100 N. LOVELAND ST.

ACCIDENT — 880 N. MAIN ST.

WELFARE ASSIST —

910 E. TOMICHI AVE.

WELFARE ASSIST — N. PINE ST.

FEBRUARY 4

DISORDERLY CONDUCTCOARSE OR OFFENSIVE —

720 N. COLORADO ST.

NUISANCE CODE VIOLATION —

600 N. MAIN ST.

WELFARE ASSIST —

821 W. TOMICHI AVE.

FEBRUARY 5

HARASSMENT — 1313 W. OHIO AVE.

DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE - ALCOHOL —

300 N. WISCONSIN ST.

continued on A24

CHICORY MELA: radicchio / frisée / apple / pistachio / goat cheese / apple pear vinaigrette

RUCOLA INSALATA: arugula / roasted squash / dried cranberry / sunflower seed / olive oil / balsamic vinegar

ANTIPASTI – 9.95

GNOCCO FRITTO: fried Italian dough / prosciutto / genoa salami / fresh mozzarella / fresh basil / balsamic fig glaze

PARMIGIANO DI ZUCA: breaded & fried squash / San Marzano tomato / fresh mozzarella / fresh basil

GRUYERE AND HAZELNUT DIP: roasted red pepper / gruyere / roasted hazelnut

SFORMATO DI CAROTE: steamed carrot pudding / smoked walnut / fresh sage / parmigiano fonduta

TORTELLINI SOUP: ricotta filled tortellini / vegetable soup

PRIMI – 17.95

LASAGNA VERDE: spinach pasta sheets / ricotta / sausage / beef / marinara / mozzarella

AGNOLOTTI CAROTA: beet and carrot ravioli / sage / toasted hazelnut / brown butter / beet greens / carrot greens

Help Protect the one’s we Love with Life Insurance AND Support a Local Organization Project Hope of the Gunnison Valley which helps Protect

For every person who gets a Life Insurance QUOTE through my agency we will donate $25 00 per person, to Project Hope! If you move forward with the POLICY we will donate an additional $25.00 towards it, and AMFAM will donate $50.00 on top which could be $100.00 per person!!

Come by or give the office a call at 970-641-3481, or Email us at broschinskyagency@amfam com to receive a quote for a very important policy that helps your loved ones, and in turn supports our communities resources!

Note: Quotes

WILD MUSHROOM TRIANGOLI: triangle ravioli / leek and mushroom puree / fried leeks / wild mushrooms / white truffle cream sauce / parmigiano reggiano

UOVO RAVIOLO: ricotta / egg yolk / pancetta / sage / brown butter sauce / parmigiano reggiano

TAGLIATELLE GAMBERO: shrimp / shallots / tomato / pea pods / white wine / cream / perorino romano

RIGATONI BOLOGNESE: lamb / pancetta / carrot / onion / garlic / red wine / cream / tomato basil / grana padano

SPAGHETTI CARBONARA: pancetta / egg / parmigiano reggiano / pecorino romano / black pepper

IL FORMAGGIO RAVIOLI: ricotta ravioli / marinara / parmigiano reggiano

continued from A7

GUNNISON COUNTY SHERIFF’S REPORT

JANUARY 31

-Deputies assisted the Gunnison Police Department with a search warrant

-North end deputies assisted the Colorado State Patrol with a traffic accident

FEBRUARY 1

-Welfare check on a broke down semi

-Deputies took a harassment report in Somerset- under investigation

-Deputies assisted the Gunnison Police Department with a domestic and warrant arrest

-Deputies made a traffic stop for speeding and took one person into custody for a warrant

FEBRUARY 2

-North end deputies responded to a family dispute

-Deputies issued a citation for driving a vehicle while driver’s license is revoked

-Search and rescue for stuck cross country skier at Old Monarch pass

-Deputies assisted the Colorado State Patrol with a truck versus elk accident

FEBRUARY 3

-North end deputies received a report of an abandoned vehicle in a no parking area where public works piles snow

-North end deputies took a report of animals being shot illegally in

that area and opened a report with the Colorado Parks and Wildlife as well as with us

-North end deputies responded to a civil standby in Somerset

FEBRUARY 4

-Deputies patrolling northbound in Gunnison located a dog at large but found the owners

-Deputies took a report of a stolen vehicle in Somerset. The vehicle stolen had plates belonging to another vehicle and was not registered. This case is under investigation

-Deputies issued a citation for driving a motor vehicle when license is under revocation

-Deputies arrested one person for burglary and criminal mischief

-Deputies were called for a disorderly person at a local business

FEBRUARY 5

-Deputies took one person into custody for harassment and domestic violence

-Deputies issued citations for dogs running at large after previous citations and complaints on the same dogs

FEBRUARY 6

-Deputies responded to a residence where a person showed up and was not making any sense

-Deputies were given a found wallet on roadway of Candlelight Lane

-Deputies responded to a duress alarm

-Deputies took a report of a dog on Hwy. 114 that was hit and killed by a black SUV- who didn’t stop. The dog had an electronic invisible fence collar on

Jacob Spetzler

BORN TO RIDE

‘Cowboy’ Fay Vader turns 90 on Valentine’s Day

Mara Taylor-Heine Special to the Times

Longtime Gunnison resident Fay Vader will celebrate her 90th birthday this Valentine’s Day. Vader was born the youngest of 11 children to Jeff and Helen Phelps of Powderhorn.

“They looked at me and said, no more,” Vader said with a laugh.

When Vader was young, her family moved to their Gunnison ranch. She spent her childhood mostly outside, she said, helping her family with outdoor ranch duties such as running teams of horses in order to gather hay and pitch the hay into stacks. On Saturdays, she helped her mother clean the house and wash clothes.

Vader went to school in Gunnison. Today, she lives across the street from the former Pine Street School, where she attended kindergarten through sixth grade. Her house is where the students came for hot lunch. It also held the principal’s office.

“Yeah, I’m living in the principal’s office right now!” she said.

At age 18, Vader married Harry Vader, whose family owned a ranch east of Gunnison.

“We used to have these old country dances,” Vader said. “On the river down there. And every Saturday night, you went to a country dance. I mean, you did no matter what, and that’s where I met Harry.”

When she married, she moved to her new family’s ranch. She had three children, Henry, known as “Dusty,” Thomas and Scott. Vader has outlived her husband and all but one of her children — Thomas,

of Gunnison, a retired rancher who now works as a farrier and leather craftsman.

“I worked outside most of the time driving horses and haying,” she said, recalling her years on the Vader Ranch. “We drove teams of horses. We didn’t have a tractor.”

She also worked as a range rider, managing and herding cows with the help of her horse and three dingo cattle dogs named Salt, Pepper and Coke. As a range rider, she was sometimes on her own and away for weeks at a time, spending nights in a camper.

“I was a cowboy,” Vader said. “I mean,

I was a real cowboy … Of course, I’d take care of my own and my neighbors and everything, but I would get calls from Montrose and Salida. And I’d trailer over there and ride ... And I rode here most of the time, Powderhorn, and some in Montrose and some in Salida.”

Vader was also a regular on the rodeo circuit, as a trick rider. One of her tricks was the “death drag,” riding a horse crossways while lying on her back, head inverted and pressed against one side of the horse, legs draped over the other side, one leg kicked high.

“Dumber than dishwater,” Vader replied when asked to repeat the name of the trick.

She also worked as a stunt rider for the movies, including “The Cariboo Trail” and “The Searchers,” after being recruited by Edward L. Marin, the director of “The Cariboo Trail.”

“Of course, I was dressed in Levis and cowboy boots, and … he came up to me, and said ‘Well, can you ride a horse?’ And it was the day after I had just finished trick riding at the rodeo, and I said, ‘Well, yeah, kind of!’”

While working on “The Cariboo Trail,” Vader stayed in a cabin in Powderhorn for a couple of weeks. The double for Randolph Scott, the movie’s male lead, looked just like him, she said. There was one problem, however: The double was afraid of horses.

“I had to ride the horse every morning and make sure he wouldn’t buck and help the guy get on,” she said. “You never saw this double (riding) a horse or anything. It was all still, ‘cause he was terrified.”

Beyond ranching, Vader ran a cleaning business for over 16 years. She also volunteered as a hospice worker, 4-H leader and rodeo club leader.

“I spent a lot of time trying to teach kids about horses,” Vader said, remembering her years volunteering for the rodeo club. “There are a lot of things I know absolutely nothing about, but horses aren’t one of them.”

(Mara Taylor-Heine can be contacted at mara@gunnisontimes.com.)

Vader worked as a stunt rider on the 1950 film, "The Cariboo Trail."

Is Gunnison or Crested Butte colder? B2 AGRICULTURE: Making microbial magic, B3 SPORTS: GHS basketball faces off against Cedaredge at home, B8

GUNNISON COUNTRY TIMES • THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2023 Courtesy

Gunnison vs. Crested Butte (part two)

Gunnison vs. Crested Butte Temperatures (F)

Bruce ‘Barometer’ Bartleson Special to the Times

I thought some of you might be interested in this longstanding argument around here: “Which town is colder, Gunnison or Crested Butte (not the ski area)?”

Why are you not surprised when I tell you it’s complicated and depends on when you’re talking about and for how long?

Check out the table below and you can see that I’ve taken the standard 30 year intervals that climatologists do to distinguish “weather” from climate and compared them as to temperatures. Some interesting observations can be made.

Crested Butte has always

* Crested Butte records start in 1910 – Gunnison Temperatures start in 1894 (but records are incomplete until 1900)

** Winter includes December, January and February only

been colder in regards to annual mean temperature. Even if the Gunnison winter is colder, Crested Butte is cooler for the entire year due to their lower summer temperatures.

The warmest spell in history was from 1930-1960. No

surprise there — that period includes the infamous Dust Bowl years. This was a widespread regional affair, although not global.

We’ve swapped places as far as winter temperatures are concerned, with Gunnison being

colder until about 1960 and then Crested Butte shows colder winters, although in the longterm, Gunnison is still colder.

Snowfall is no contest! The Town of Crested Butte averages about 200 inches per year and Gunnison used to aver-

age around 50 inches, but that has been closer to 40 inches in recent years.

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

ALL COLORADO HONOR BAND, COLORADO BRASS BAND WESTERN SYMPHONIC BAND

WITH

Gunnison Fire Department Benefit AND

DR. TOM DAVOREN

DR. BRETT KEATINGDR. BEN JUSTIS

DR. DARKSON MAGRINELLI

Dr. Tom Davoren — Guest Conductor - All-Colorado Honor Band & Western Symphonic Band

Dr. Darkson Magrinelli — Guest Soloist with the Symphonic Band

Dr. Brett Keating — Director of Bands Western, Conductor Colorado Brass Band

Dr. Ben Justis Composer –Percussion Artist, Steel Band & Drum Line Director

Making microbial magic

Coldharbour conference highlights soil health

Susan Wyman

Special to the Times

How does Western Slope soil compare to California agricultural soil?

Local farmers saw the difference at the Western Slope Soil Health, Food and Farm Forum in Montrose last weekend — bringing world-renowned soil health researchers together to explain the benefits of microbes in the soil. Comparing samples of Western Slope soil to a California soil, farmers were able to see the stark difference that cultivating microbes can make.

Gunnison was well-represented at the conference. Local writer George Sibley presented information on Upper Colorado River water availability, while Chloe Parker shared steps for success in ranch-to-table direct marketing. Callie Koch took part in the conference on behalf of the Region 10 Small Business Administration and recognized that farmers and ranchers face significant financial challenges due to rising feed costs, fuel prices and market pressures.

The Gunnison Valley’s own Coldharbour Institute sponsored and hosted the event — using the conference, and workshops, to show how regenerative agriculture can benefit soils, restore environments and help ranchers become more profitable.

It turns out that farmers can use few or no artificial “fertilizer salts,” such as ammonium nitrate, phosphate, magnesium and sulfate. Just as salt kills a snail, these harsh chemical fertilizers kill the symbiotic organisms that would help feed plants naturally.

Instead growers can make mature natural composts on a large scale to feed the soil. The resulting plants are taller, healthier, free of pesticides and herbicides and are much more nutritious for humans.

Producers are using these mature compost extracts on hundred- and thousand-acre farms and ranches. Cover crops and using animals on the land can also increase micro-

bial activity on large acreages.

Parker Pastures uses rotational grazing to restore pasture in the Gunnison Valley.

Speaking of pasture — what did we learn from looking through a microscope at a “meadow pasture” soil from Carol Parker’s ranch, a local compost and a freshly-plowed California agricultural soil? The difference was astonishing. Speaker Zach Wright prepared slides under a microscope and projected them onto a movie screen. The compost at Carol Parker’s meadow contained thousands of moving bacteria and many fungal hyphae, amoebae, ciliates and flagellates. As Wright explained, each bacteria is like a little bag of fertilizer, full of nitrogen and carbon. The higher-order microbes are needed to “open” the bags of fertilizer (by eating the bacteria). But the soil sample from a California field contained almost no bacteria and mostly mineral grains. The lack of life was disheartening to see. These soils require constant application of synthetic fertilizers to produce vegetables.

Many Gunnison locals already use compost and compost teas to increase the microbial activity in their soils. But we can do more to build soil health. After the conference, both Gunnison Gardens and Mountain Roots were inspired to build their own Johnson-Su bioreactors.

David Johnson explained how to build the bioreactor, a no-turn composting system to produce a mature, fungally-dominated compost. On large operations, the compost is extracted, diluted and injected into a furrow in the soil, often following a no-till drill.

The benefits of living soil are not limited to farms and ranches. Backyard gardeners can also create healthy living soils through composting, compost teas, vermiculture and extracts. Composting in the winter can be challenging. Pick up a paper next week for tips on how to compost in the winter and create your own living soils.

Dr. Augustine Lee, Dr. Andrew Salim & Dr. Kenneth Anderson

(Susan Wyman is the President of the Gunnison Valley Producers’ Guild, owner of Gunnison Gardens and has been farming in the Valley for over a decade.)

Luanne Tyrrell

The Western Colorado Soil Health Food and Farm Forum planning committee poses for a photo with Colorado Commissioner of Agriculture Kate Greenberg last weekend.

Western’s ‘Hamlet’ takes a different approach

John Mark Sibley Special to the Times

The Western Theatre Company will perform its own rendition of Shakespeare’s “Hamlet” Feb. 9-11 at the Taylor Hall Studio Theatre — marking the start of its spring season. The play is directed by Western’s Steven Cole Hughes and stars Max Logan as Hamlet.

This rendition of Hamlet presents an opportunity for Western’s relatively small theater program to show off its strength, by embracing a more minimalistic approach — telling a 400-year-old story in a way that people haven't

yet seen. It is Hughes' intent to not allow the use of minimal resources to constrain the creative process, but to add to a fresh take on such a wellknown narrative. With such an approach they hope to bring a new sense of excitement to the audience, he said.

"We are always looking for ways to bring plays to life, whether it's a classic text or a new original play," Hughes said.

The performances will take place at the Taylor Hall Studio Theater. This means the audience will be wrapped around the performing space allowing each individual a unique perspective on the events unfold-

ing. With actors performing in such close proximity, the play becomes a more intimate experience for everyone in attendance.

Hughes hired a fight coordinator from Denver to design fight choreography that is also minimalist. Hughes chose wooden Filipino escrima sticks for their simplified look, but also the freedom of movement that gives the actors.

"I knew that I wanted to use this kind of combat because I had done it once before, and I knew that I wanted the whole production to have this simple, unified feel," Hughes said.

"I thought that style of combat would fit in with the overall

look and feel of the play."

The cast is full of theater veterans, from on and off campus. As Hamlet, Logan brings out the strong will and impending action one attributes to the character.

"A director said to me once a long time ago that you should never enter into a production of Hamlet unless you know who your Hamlet is going to be," Hughes said. "I had seen him do a couple of things last year and thought he'd be really

Courtesy

great for this role, and I'm so thrilled with his progress."

The play will run Feb. 9-11 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $5 for students and $10 for adults and can be purchased at westerntheatrecompany.com or at the door. Free student matinees will be held Feb. 14 at 1:15 p.m. and Feb. 15 at 2 p.m.

(John Mark Sibley can be contacted at 970.641.1414.))

Gunnison Country Shopper hits the big five-oh

AlanWartes Times Publisher

When Gary Rogers purchased the Gunnison Country Shopper in 1983, it was just 10 years old, having been founded in 1973 by Ann Dagget and Mike Callihan. Rogers was excited to fulfill a lifelong dream of owning his own business and leave behind his job at the AMAX Mine wastewater treatment plant in Crested Butte. He wanted to take control of his own destiny, the way most small business owners do.

What he didn’t fully realize then was how stewarding the Shopper would link his future to the destinies of so

many others — a whole community, in fact. For the next 38 years, publishing the Shopper , along with eventual co-owner Joellen Fonken, was part “business” and part community service project. Weekly pages became a mirror where residents of the Gunnison Valley, young and old, might see themselves in the reflection.

This month, the Shopper reaches the ripe old age of 50 — and I’m honored to be today’s publisher, steward and keeper of the flame. Saying “Happy Birthday” to the venerable publication is a wish that goes out to everyone who calls this place home. It’s the heartfelt hope for many more years of vibrant community life.

“I was never a good salesman,” Rogers said. “It was one of the best experiences of my life meeting all those people. I’d just go in and chat and enjoy their company. That’s where our ads would come from.”

Classified ads were — and are — an extension of those conversations as well.

“Then there were the free ads and all the crazy stuff that people would put in,” Rogers said. “I mean, you could get the pulse of the town from those free ads, and what people were selling and how they were selling things.”

Making all that possible was anything but easy. Before computers came along, Rogers and his staff routinely left the Shopper office well after midnight on production day every week. In those days, the paper was typeset by hand and physically assembled on “flats.” Once completed, Rogers would load the pages up and drive over Monarch Pass to the printers and wait until he could return with bundles of papers.

Then came the fun of sorting them for delivery by a small army of local kids.

“The kids were great,” Rogers said. “There were two or three that worked for us all

the way through high school and saved their money to go to college.”

The past 50 years have seen a lot of challenges come and go, and the Shopper has weathered them all, sometimes barely. The biggest of those is still ongoing: Facebook Marketplace. For good or ill, the internet has changed how and where those community conversations take place.

And yet, the Shopper remains as a place where our elders can find out what’s on the menu at the Senior Center this week; where kids can find activities like puzzles and coloring contests; where a lost wallet can find its way home; the perfect job listing might inspire someone to apply; a sofa with lots of life left can find a new family; mental health resources become a little easier to find. The list could go on forever, because the human story never ends.

With that in mind, we’re taking the opportunity to give

the paper a birthday makeover — with fresh content to provide new reasons to pick it up each week. That will include a new section that features poetry submissions from local writers; the weekly horoscope; recipes; and a lot more.

So, Happy Birthday, Gunnison Country Shopper ! Here’s to another 50 years and more — because that’s also a wish for a strong and healthy Gunnison Valley community long after we’re all gone.

(Alan Wartes can be contacted at 970.641.1414 or publisher@gunnisontimes.com.)

SCAN TO CHECK OUT THE SHOPPER, IT’S FREE!

PEOPLE & HAPPENINGS

Dementia caregiver support group

The Colorado Chapter of the Alzheimer's Association will be holding a caregiver support group the first Wednesday of every month at the Gunnison County Library. The support group will help develop a support system and learn about community resources as well as exchange practical information on challenges and solutions. For more information contact Mary Mahoney at 970.596.5667 or taktser8@gmail.com.

Alzheimer’s and dementia education series

Join us on Feb. 22 from 12:45-1:45 p.m. at the Gunnison Senior Center for “Understanding Alzheimer's and Dementia,” brought to you by the Alzheimer’s Association Colorado Chapter. For more information or to register contact Elizabeth Gillis at 970.641.8272 or egillis@gunnisonco.gov. These classes are free to the public.

Food Pantry fundraiser

The National Honor Society (NHS) and the Student Leadership Council (SLC) will host a volleyball game Feb. 9 at 6:30 p.m. between the staff of Gunnison High School and the Gunnison Community School. The entry fee for supporters is one non-perishable item or $2 that will be donated to the Gunnison Country Food Pantry. This used to be a Gunnison School tradition before the pandemic. NHS and SLC are excited to get back to the old activities and bring together both schools. The entire community is invited.

African arts programs

Community classes for all ages and abilities are happening in Jones Studio at the Center for the Arts. Come experience cultural traditions from Guinea, West Africa. Dance classes are accompanied by live musicians and taught by Fara Tolno and friends. For tickets and more information visit kissidugu.org and to buy tickets visit crestedbuttearts.org.

Crested Butte Ski Patrol fundraiser

Please save the date, Feb. 18, for this year’s CBSP Community Fundraiser at the Center for the Arts, in Crested Butte. Will it be a “Wall to Wall” party or will we need to adjust some attitudes? Only time will tell ... But one thing we do know is that this is a great thing for the community and it will be a fun night you won’t want to miss.

League of Women Voters meeting

League of Women Voters of the Gunnison Valley will host community leader Arden Anderson as guest speaker at the next meeting on Feb. 14 at 11:30 a.m. at the Gunnison Library.

Besides his volunteer work throughout the valley Anderson has a special interest in bird populations that has taken him to 50 countries and all seven continents. His program will discuss climate change and effects on bird populations. The event is open to the public.

Gunnison High School Leadership fundraiser

Sixty-five percent of teenagers and young girls in the Dominican Republic have experienced sexual violence. Mariposa DR is a nonprofit organization that creates sustainable solutions to end gen-

erational poverty, impact gender inequality and promote women’s rights in the Dominican Republic by educating and empowering girls. Our goal as high school students in Leadership 101 is to raise as much money as possible. Please donate to this link. Thank you for your support. mariposadrfoundation.org/support-aprogram. For more information contact Atalaya Hausdoerffer at 970.596.1584 or skiatalaya@ gmail.com.

Cheatgrass treatment workshop

Learn how to identify cheatgrass, why cheatgrass is ecologically important and how to treat it. This workshop will be full of information, local examples of treatments and collaboration and resources for landowners who want to restore their lands. Please join us from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. on March 1 at the Fred Field Center “cement room.”

Please RSVP to Petar Simic at happyhabitatsgunnison@gmail. com or 248.881.6982. Lunch will be provided to registered participants.

Gunnison Basin sagegrouse meeting

The next meeting of the Gunnison Basin Sage-Grouse Strategic Committee will be Feb. 15. at 10 a.m. via Zoom or in the Planning Commission meeting room at the Blackstock Government Center. Following the meeting, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will host a Gunnison Sage-Grouse Recovery Implementation Strategy workshop from 1-3 p.m. at the Gunnison Public Library at 1 Quartz Street, also available virtually. For more updated information, including the most recent agenda and access to the virtual meeting, please visit gunnisoncounty. org.

Singing from the heart

Beerhunter played another installment of the I Bar Ranch’s Snowdance Winter Concert series at the Almont Resort on Feb. 4. After the band left the stage, the rookies were given a chance to test their vocal cords with karaoke. The crowd went wild.

Jacob Spetzler

GUNNISON ARTS CENTER BRIEFS

Mixed media crafts — family friendly

Join us Feb. 16 from 4:30-6 p.m. for an evening filled with mixed media crafts for your whole family. Everyone will create a one of a kind painting using a variety of materials. Instructor Deirdre Covert will walk you through each application process as you layer your painting. Light appetizers and non-alcoholic drinks will be provided (open bar will also be available).

The cost is $30 per person or $100 for a group of four.

Mixed media and margaritas

On Feb. 16 from 6-9 p.m. explore the exciting world of mixed media while enjoying margaritas and tasty snacks. Learn how to create a fun and unique piece of art using easy collage and mixed media techniques. You will work on canvas using newspaper, gesso, acrylics, stamps and stencils, mod podge and colored paper. The instructor is Deirdre Covert and the cost is $45 per person or $140 for a group of four.

SonofaGunn Presents: The Greatest and Best Play in the World

The 33rd annual SonofaGunn is back in the Black Box Theater on Feb. 23-25 and March 2-4. This

will be the last SonofaGunn in the original Black Box Theater.

This year's production follows a small town community writer's group as they attempt to write the greatest and best play in the world. This night of laughter will be one for the Gunnison books. Tickets are $20 Thursday Nights and $25 for Friday and Saturday nights. Doors open at 7 p.m. and curtain is at 7:30 p.m.

Galentines and wine

On Feb. 13 from 5:30-8:30 p.m. come hang out with some gal pals and practice wheel throwing to make a wine cup for future lady hangouts. The instructor is Abra Karbin and the cost is $72 for non-members and $62 for members.

Adults intro to hand building

If you don’t want to commit to a multi-week class, this is the hand building class for you! In this class on Feb. 20 from 5:308:30 p.m. students will get introduced to hand building to shape their own masterpiece. Students with a range of abilities are welcome. Registration fee includes clay, tools, slip, glaze, kiln firing and instruction. The instructor is Rachel Cottingham and the cost is $72 for non-members and $62 for members.

CB CENTER FOR THE ARTS BRIEFS

Path to Dependency

Join us for the opening reception of Chad Reich’s “Path to Dependency” a photoshoot which focuses on energy and pollutive industries in rural areas. Show runs February 10 – March 3. The opening reception will be Feb. 10 from 5-7 p.m.

Kissidugu performances

Join us Feb. 10 -11 at 7 p.m. for this highly anticipated, not-tomiss West African Arts theater production that blends storytelling through music, dance, acrobatics and more. World renown artist and choreographer Fara Tolno brings his magic to a show that will transport, inspire and mesmerize audiences of all ages. The cost is $25-$35.

Uncorked wine tasting series

Love may have been invented before rosé, but only just. Rosé is one of the oldest wines made, dating back to 600 BCE. Produced in the same manner as red wine with less contact with the grape’s skins creates the distinctive and delectable light pink shades. Bring your lover Feb. 13 from 5:30-7 p.m. and give them rosés for Valentine’s day. The cost is $49.

Monthly knitting circle

Meet and mingle over a shared love of knitting Feb. 13 from 5-6:30 p.m. Join us monthly for a casual knitting circle. Bring an existing project, share patterns, and learn from other knitters while sipping warm beverages. All ages welcome. Pay what you can.

Valentine’s Day poetry and wine

Join us Feb. 14 at 7 p.m. for an evening of wine, chocolate and some of the very best class and contemporary romantic poetry. Read by professional actors, get in the mood this Valentine’s Day. Tickets include a flight of four wines from Buckel Family Wine, a selection of handcrafted gourmet chocolate specially curated by the Chocolate Enthusiast, and readers: Steven Cole Hughes, Heather Hughes and a surprise special guest. The cost is $45 for individuals and $80 for couples.

Second City comedy Swipes Right Tour

On Feb. 16 at 7 p.m. it’s love at first laugh with The Second City. Bring your partner, lover, significant other, spouse, friend with benefits, friend with extra benefits, platonic BFF or your spectacularly single self to The Second City Swipes Right: An Incomplete Guide to The Ultimate Date Night, the brand-new experience you’ve been aching for. The cost is $35$55. Box office and gallery hours are Monday-Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The Center no longer requires proof of vaccination or a negative COVID test for entry into our facility, except as required by artists or talent presenting at the Center. We will continue to monitor the COVID situation closely and make adjustments to our policies as needed to ensure the safety of our community and staff The Center retains the discretion to refuse entry to participants that demonstrate COVID-like symptoms.

Lake City on ice (tools)

Gunnison

If

The Lake City Ice Park hosted its 17th annual ice climbing festival on Saturday, Feb. 4. Climbers competed in men’s and women’s top rope, lead and adaptive at the towering Beer Garden wall. All entry fees and donations will benefit ice park operations.

Boys varsity basketball battles, but falls

Jacob Spetzler Photo and Sports Editor

The GHS boys varsity basketball team played three times last week, utimately losing, in a series of close games. On Feb. 3, the Cowboys lost 61-58 against North Fork, before falling to 60-54 to Grand Valley on the road. On Tuesday night, Feb. 7, Gunnison hosted Cedaredge. The final score read 60-43, but the game was nothing short of a battle. The Cowboys only began to truly put points on the board in the second quarter, but an

11-point lead from the Bruins in the first had already set the stage. Cedaredge led 34-18 at the half. The Cowboys readjusted and outscored the Bruins by five in the third quarter. In the fourth, the tide reversed, and Cedaredge surged ahead. The three games moved the Cowboys’ season record at 3-12 overall, and 1-8 for the league. This weekend marks Gunnison’s last home games of the season. Gunnison will host Meeker on Friday, Feb. 10, at 7 p.m. before playing Roaring Fork on Saturday at 2

Heat at the free-throw line Cowboys

Cowboys go two for three for the week

Jacob Spetzler

Photo and Sports Editor

The GHS girls varsity basketball team won two out of three last week, relying heavily on beyond the arc shooting and free throws to earn the wins.

The Cowboys kicked it off with a win, beating North Fork on the road 33-28 on Friday, Feb. 3. The following night, in another away game, the team fell 46-22 to Grand Valley. In the last match up on Tuesday night, Gunnison topped Cedaredge in a revenge home game, 44-33. The string of games brought the Cowboys’ overall season record to an even 8-8, and 5-6 in the league.

The North Fork game on Friday was evenly matched. It took until the second quarter for either team to begin putting points on the board. Gunnison put up 12 in the first half to eight for North Fork. That small three point lead held through the entire second half.

In the third, both teams scored 10 points. Ava Stewart sank two 3-pointers. In the fourth, the Cowboys scored 11 to North Fork’s 10.

On Saturday, the Cowboys fell to Grand Valley due primarily to a hot first quarter from the Fighting Cardinals, setting the tone

for the rest of the game. Grand Valley put up 15 points to start, and then fi ve points in the second quarter. Gunnison struggled to score, but Stewart still managed to put in two 3-pointers over the course of the game. McDougal helped with one from the paint, and four successful free throws.

Tuesday night’s game against the

eye

state

Cedaredge Bruins came almost entirely down to the Cowboys’ incredible performance at the free throw line in the fi nal quarter. Last week, Gunnison fell 51-33 to the Bruins, adding an air of vengeance to the win.

It stayed close throughout the first quarter, which ended 9-8 for the Bruins. But Stewart caught fire beyond the arc in the second, putting up three 3-pointers. With help from Sienna Gomez and Yaslin Hernandez, the Cowboys put up 16 points for the quarter for a 24-18 lead at the break.

The Cowboys continued to score in the third quarter. Lily Wild and McDougal also got in on the action, each contributing two points. But it was the fourth quarter where the Cowboys‘ shooting really shined.

With a 34-23 lead, the Bruins attempted to slow the course of the game with a series of fouls, hoping the Cowboys would have trouble at the free throw line. Instead, Lily Wild was successful on five of her six attempts and Stewart put up four out of five free throws.

This weekend is the last chance to catch the Cowboys at home this season. Gunnison will host Meeker on Friday, Feb. 10, at 5:30 p.m. before facing off against Roaring Fork on Saturday at 12:30 p.m.

(Jacob Spetzler can be contacted at 970.641.1414 or jacob@gunnisontimes.com.)

meet League championship sees diving excellence and narrow swim margins

Alex McCrindle Times Sports Intern

On Feb. 3, the GHS swim and dive team traveled to Grand Junction to compete in the Western Slope League Championship. Competing against larger, 4A schools like Durango and Grand Junction, the small but mighty Cowboy swimmers finished fourth out of eleven with a collective 270 points.

With the state championships looming on the horizon, the continued on B9

Jacob Spetzler

Justice Williams shoots during Tuesday’s game agains the Cedaredge Bruins.

Ava Stewart shoots one of many successful free throws.

Cowboys put together a promising performance. Individually, the team made podium appearances, time improvements and qualifying times.

Madelyn Stice led the way for the Cowboys, finishing second in the 200-meter freestyle. The breaststroke duo of Jemma Petrie and Samantha Jones strengthened the team’s score with a fourth and fifth-place fi nish in the 100-meter breaststroke. Petrie improved by 1.18 seconds and Jones by 1.24 seconds.

Head Coach Tami Maciejko said she was impressed with the performances.

“Considering we’re mostly freshmen and sophomores, a fourth-place finish is really cool,” Maciejko said. Alongside the swimmers, the

GHS divers contributed heavily to the overall team score. Currently ranked No. 1 in the 3A division, Kaitlyn Japuntich landed a first-place victory in the one-meter dive. Zia Schwab and Abby Cattles also had successful scores, with Schwab finishing in third place, and Cattles in fifth. All three divers sit in solid spots in the state rankings for the 3A division — Japuntich in No. 1, Schwab at No. 10 and Cattles at No. 15.

In a sport that comes down the smallest of time differences, the Western Slope League Championship was filled with a number of narrow margins.

A few individuals missed the state qualification by only seconds. Emily Cattles missed qualifying for the 100-meter breaststroke by only two seconds, after taking 2.60 sec-

onds off her overall career best. Morgan Greenhalgh, who switched from wrestling to swimming this season, came within seconds in the 100-meter butterfly. Freshman Aiden Tomlin also missed qualification in the 500 freestyle by three seconds.

Maciejko was optimistic even after these near-misses and said she encourages the girls to embrace the close results as a learning experience.

“Three seconds off a six-minute race is next to nothing,” said Maciejko. “I have to give major kudos to Aiden, and that was after she had already swam a 200 free.”

The Cowboys will compete next at the 2023 3A state championships this upcoming weekend on Feb. 10 and 11 in Thorton. Maciejko said she is

still deciding which athletes will travel to the meet, but she anticipates the majority of the GHS swim and dive team will participate. The qualifiers will

take place on Friday morning, followed by finals on Saturday.

(Alex McCrindle can be contacted at 970.641.1414.)

Titans extend winning streak despite recent injuries

Dramatic scoring against Rampart

Alex McCrindle Times Sports Intern

The Crested Butte Titans hockey team continued to triumph with a 9-0 victory on the road to Rampart on Saturday, Feb. 4. As a non-conference battle, the win extends the Titans overall record to 12-2-1, while the team sits at No. 3 in the 4A Mountain Conference with a record of 5-1.

The Titans set the tone early, moving to a 3-0 lead during the fi rst period of Saturday’s game against Rampart in Colorado Springs. Blue Gardner opened the scoreboard with an assist from Grady Buckhanan and

soon after, Grady Dietrich doubled the Titans’ lead.

As the first period came to a close, Sam Dukeman scored the Titans’ third with an assist from Reed Harper — sending the team into the second period with a score of 3-0 with 22 shots on goal.

The Titans’ lead only grew larger in the following periods — with three goals and 17 shots recorded in the second period, and another three goals and 15 shots in the third.

Crested Butte finished the game with a resounding score of 9-0, with a conference showdown in Durango approaching at mid-week.

Though the score was enough for the team to walk away with heads held high, Head Coach Billy Watson said he was particularly proud of the resilience shown by his team throughout the season.

“We’ve had four or fi ve guys out almost the whole season, so we’ve had to work really hard to adapt.” Watson said. “We just got Rocky [Marchitelli] back, and then in the last game Brendan Hartigan got injured as well. He’s one of our top defensemen, so the challenges keep coming, but we’ve handled it really well.”

Even with key players out this season, Watson highlighted a few of his players for their positive impact in recent games.

“Our captain Sam Dukeman’s leadership on and off the ice has been really big for us,” Watson said. “Cael Medina has also just been hustling and grinding every game, he’s really stepped up as a senior and leader this year.”

Despite the hurdles, Watson thinks the team is in a good position heading into the fi nal

few weeks of the regular season.

Next up, the boys will head to Durango on Wednesday, Feb. 8 for an in-conference game. Then, on Feb. 15, at 2 p.m., the Titans will play the

regular season’s final home game against Glenwood Springs.

(Alex McCrindle can be contacted at 970.641.1414.)

Cowboys beat Cedaredge in nail biter

The Gunnison High School junior varsity basketball squad overcame Cedaredge during Tuesday night’s home game, though it wasn’t easy. With a minute left on the clock, the small four-point lead Gunnison had established appeared to be in jeopardy when the Cowboys fell into foul trouble. More back and forth led Cedarege to the losing end of a foul call and Evan Bjornstad successfully sank two — sealing a 47-44 win for the Cowboys.

The Titans watch a game from the bench during a home competition two weeks ago.

Jacob Spetzler

Jacob Spetzler

Kailyn Japuntich/GHS Yearbook

Struggles at home

PRIMARY CARE FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY

Gunnison Valley Health’s primary care providers are here to keep you, your family and your loved ones healthy. Whether it’s family medicine, internal medicine or pediatric care, our highly qualified and personable providers are your partners in health.

“There is nowhere else I would rather go for my primary care.”

The GHS girls junior varsity team fell to Cedaredge in a home game on Tuesday evening, Feb. 7. The Cowboys experienced some difficulty connecting passes, which led to a final score of 38-18. Still, Kaylee Vincent and Yaslin Hernandez each scored consistently over the duration of the game.

Jacob Spetzler

MENTAL HEALTH MATTERS: Finding Hope & Mental Wellness

Join writer Luther Kissam V as he provides us with a first-hand experience of his journey with bipolar disorder and finding peace and stability.

Sunday, February 26, 2023

Center for the Arts 606 6th Street Crested Butte, CO 81224

4:30 p.m. - Food and beverages from the Secret Stash

5:00 p.m. - Presentation begins

Hit the high notes

WELCOME TO GUNNISON VALLEY HEALTH DR. AUGUSTINE J. LEE, MD

Gunnison Valley Health is pleased to welcome Dr. Augustine J. Lee as the newest member of the medical staff. Dr. Lee is board certified in general and colon and rectal surgery and brings over twenty years of experience to the health system. Most recently, Dr. Lee worked at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Tampa, Florida where he was named a “Top Doc” by Tampa Magazine in 2022.

WWW.GUNNISONVALLEYHEALTH.ORG

Gunnison High School student Blue Noble sang the national anthem before the high school boys varsity basketball game on Tuesday night, Feb. 7.

Jacob Spetzler

Grapplers perform well in final week of regular season

Narrowly defeat Cañon City

Jacob Spetzler

Photo and Sports Editor

The Cowboy wrestling squads pulled in a series of successes in the final week of competitions before regionals. The string of matches kicked off on Wednesday, Feb. 1 with a varsity boys and girls dual against Cañon City. Gunnison came out on top, 39-33. On Friday afternoon, the girls team traveled to Trinidad for the Lady Panther Wrestling

SPORTS BRIEFS

GHS versus GMS volleyball showdown

On Thursday, Feb. 9th at 6:30 p.m., the GHS Honor Society will host a staff volleyball game between and food drive in the competition gym at GHS. Price of admission is either $2 or a donation of food or a non-perishable item such as pants, shoes or other clothes.

Lady Wolverines begin playoffs at home

The U19 Lady Wolverines hockey team are set to host the first two rounds of the playoffs this Friday

Tournament where the team took fourth overall. The following morning, on Feb. 4, the Cowboys hosted a junior varsity tournament at home.

Against the Cañon City Tigers, Gunnison dominated in the lighter weights, ranging from the 106lb to the 138-lb divisions. Damyon Funk, Cody Casebolt, Talon Kibler, Brock Fry, Royce Uhrig and Miles Harris each won their matches.

Cañon City secured a series of wins from the 144-lb to the 175-lb divisions, tying the score at 27-27 heading into the final weight divisions. Preston Gomez pinned his opponent at the 2:30 mark in the 190-lb division. Kleber Flores

at Jorgensen Ice Rink. At 4:30 p.m. the team will play Durango and if the Wolverines win, they will play Steamboat at 7:30 p.m.

Mountaineer men fall to Eagles

The Western Colorado University men's basketball team got off to a good start early on against the Chadron State College Eagles. The rest of the competition went back and forth until the Eagles offense caught fire in the third quarter — the team putting together an insurmountable lead. The final score was 87-72 for Chadron State.

followed with a pin in the 215-lb division to secure the win. On the girls side, only Louise Blackley won her match, pinning Cañon City’s Danielle Knellinger at 4:30.

On Friday night, in Trinidad, Caroline Sudderth led the way, notching first place in the 120lb division — pinning two opponents en route to victory. Cooper Imel took second place in the 140-lb division.

Two Gunnison wrestlers competed in the 145-lb division: Ava Witzel and Blackley. Blackley beat Witzel in the quarterfinal, but Witzel came back — winning four matches in a row before a rematch against Blackley, which

Mountaineer track and field shines at Mines Winter Classic

The Mountaineer track and field team traveled to Golden over the weekend to compete at the Mines Winter Classic, bringing home both individual and team successes.

For the second time this season, Western Colorado University had a school-record performance with a total of 12 NCAA Division II provisional qualifying marks, while five athletes recorded top10, all-time marks.

For the second time this season, Ali Aldrich broke a school

she won to take third.

At the end of the week, the Gunnison High School gym filled to the brim with junior varsity wrestlers from 11 high schools. The Cowboys took third overall with 92 points, falling behind Montrose with 111, but in front of North Fork with 77.5.

On the individual level, only Malchijah Perez took first place, in the 113-lb division. To win, he beat fellow Gunnison wrestler, Nolan Frymoyer, who took second. Vinny Niccoli, Treyton Gallegos, Tate Taramarcaz, Kenny Gonzales and Preston Gomez all took second. Flores notched a third place spot.

record — which was already hers — by recording a provisional qualifying mark of 14.35m (47feet, one-inch) in the women's shot put. That mark earned her first-place finish in the event, and broke her previous record of 14.19m (46-06.75). Aldrich also competed in the weight throw, where she came in second place with a mark of 17.00m (55-09.25).

Western get back on the road next week. The team will split up to compete at four different meets: the Arizona State University Qualifier Feb. 10-11, the Mankato Meet in Minnesota on Feb. 10, the Husky Classic in Seattle, Washington on Feb.10-

This weekend, the Cowboys will divide up to compete in regional competitions. The girls will travel to Edwards, Colorado to compete at Battle Mountain High School, while the boys will head to Glenwood Springs. The tournament will begin on Friday, Feb. 10 and continue through Sunday, Feb. 12. The top four from each weight class qualify for the state tournament, which will take place at the Ball Arena in Denver next Thursday-Saturday, Feb. 16-18.

(Jacob Spetzler can be contacted at 970.641.1414 or jacob@gunnisontimes.com.)

Wagstaff’s career high leads Mountaineers

to victory

Western Colorado University women’s basketball earned a win on Feb. 2 against Chadron State College — defeating the Eagles 62-54. Emmery Wagstaff scored a career high with 35 total and moved up to fourth all-time in points scored in an individual game.

Mountaineer wrestlers unsaddle the Cowboys

It’s not hard to see the irony in the Mountaineers bucking the visiting New Mexico Highlands University Cowboys 41-7 on Cowboys and Cowgirls Night at Western’s Paul Wright Gym on Feb. 3. On Saturday, the Mountaineers continued to dominate, defeating CSU Pueblo 37-6.

Jacob Spetzler

Jacob Spetzler

11 and the Don Kirby Invite in Albuquerque, New Mexico on Feb. 10-11.

ELDER BEAT

Upcoming eventS

• Feb. 14 (RSVP Required): Snowshoe Hike & Avalanche Class - Washington Gulch. Learn more about avalanche safety while enjoying our beautiful winter mountains! Class provided by Crested Butte Avalanche Center through a grant from Gunnison County Metropolitan Recreation District.

• Feb. 15 (4 p.m.): Gunnison Library Presentation - Exploring Mental & Behavioral Health for Older Adults. Join us at the Gunnison Library to learn about a special research project and ways you can participate in creating positive systems of support for older adults in the Gunnnison Valley.

• Feb. 21 (RSVP Required): Snowshoe Hike - Middle Quartz Creek. Rated Intermediate.

• Feb. 22 (12:45 a.m.): Understanding Alzheimer’s & Dementia. This important workshop will provide information for you and your loved ones about Alzheimer’s and dementia in a safe and supportive environment. All are welcome! Presenter is Woo Bandel, Community Engagement Manager for Western Colorado, Alzheimer’s Association. RSVPs requested for planning purposes.

• Tech Time Individual Appointments: Call to make an appointment for tech questions about your phone, laptop or tablet. 970-641-8272. Times vary.

FITNESS at THE REC CENTER -

Ask how to include all Senior & Adult Fitness classes with your membership!

Mondays & Wednesdays in the Gym

Silver Sneakers Boom Muscle @ 9:30 a.m.

Silver Sneakers Classic @ 10:15 a.m.

Tuesdays & Thursdays in the Senior Center

Silver Sneakers Boom Move @ 9 a.m.

Coming on Feb. 21 - SPLASH Class! 10 a.m. in the Leisure Pool. All levels welcome.

SENIOR MEALS -

NEXT WEEK’S MENU:

• Mon., Feb. 13: Turkey pot pie, frog-eye salad

• Weds., Feb. 15: Brats, potato salad, baked beans, jello

• Fri., Feb. 17: Shepherd’s pie, homemade bread, coleslaw

Mondays, Wednesdays, & Fridays – 11:30 a.m. arrival.

Pick-ups from 11 – 11:15 a.m. $5 per meal.

Advance orders encouraged: 970-641-8272. Homemade desserts with every meal!

AT THE SENIOR CENTER 200 E. SPENCER AVE. ALL SENIOR CENTER PROGRAM INFO & RSVPS: EGILLIS@GUNNISONCO.GOV OR 970-641-8272.

Weekly Happenings

Money management tips for retirees

Times Staff Report

What constitutes a perfect retirement is different for everyone. Some people may imagine spending their golden years fishing their days away, while others may aspire to finally embrace their inner globetrotter. Though individuals’ retirement dreams differ, every retiree will need money, which only underscores the importance of a wise and disciplined approach to money management.

Average life expectancies have risen considerably over the last several decades. According to estimates from the United Nations Population Division, the average life expectancy is slightly more than 79 in the U.S. That is a welcome sign, but it may inspire a little fear among seniors who are concerned that they might outlive their money. No one knows how long they will live, but everyone can embrace a handful of money management strategies to increase the chances that they won’t feel a financial pinch in retirement.

• Study up on the tax implications of withdrawing from your retirement accounts. Every retirement investment vehicle, whether it’s an IRA or a 401(k), has tax implications. Money withdrawn too early may incur tax penalties, and even money withdrawn long past retirement age could

elevate retirees into a new tax bracket that could prove costly. A financial advisor can help retirees determine the tax implications of withdrawing money from their retirement accounts and may even develop a detailed guideline of when withdrawals should be made and how much should be withdrawn in a given year in order to minimize tax liabilities.

• Prioritize your own needs. Though retirees, particularly those with children and grandchildren, may feel an obligation to help their families in difficult financial times, generosity can be very costly for adults who have stopped working. Retirees may or may not have opportunities to generate new income, and even those who do likely won’t make enough to meet their daily financial needs. Given that reality, retirees must prioritize their own financial needs, including their immediate needs and those they will have for the rest of their lives. Though it might be difficult to turn down loved ones’ requests for financial help, retirees must make sure they can pay their bills and maintain a quality of life that won’t jeopardize their long-term health.

• Examine your housing situation. Equity in a home is a feather in the cap of many retirees. Retirees who own their homes and live in locations with high property taxes might be able to

cash in on their equity by selling their homes and downsizing to a smaller home with lower property taxes. If moving is not a consideration, discuss a reverse mortgage with a financial advisor. A trusted financial advisor can highlight the advantages and disadvantages of reverse mortgages, which are a great option for some people to improve their financial well-being in retirement.

• Stick to a budget during retirement. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services reports that roughly 70% of individuals who turn 65 will need long-term care in their lifetimes. That’s just one expense retirees must budget for, and it’s more sizable than some people may recognize. In fact, the Fidelity Retiree Health Care Cost Estimate found that the average retired couple age 65 in 2022 will need roughly $315,000 to cover health care expenses in retirement. And health care costs are just one of many expenses retirees can expect to have. Budgeting and avoiding overspending can ensure retirees have the money they need when they need it.

No one wants to outlive their money in retirement. Various strategies can help retirees effectively manage their money so they can enjoy their golden years without having to worry about their finances.

Like a ghost, the snowy owl glides through the air in soundless flight. This owl is different from most owls because it hunts during the day and at night. Most owls hunt at night. In the arctic region, the summer days and nights are always light. An owl waiting for darkness to hunt would starve before the dark days of winter arrive.

Many animals can blend into their environment. This is called camouflage. There are few trees on the tundra, so the snowy owl’s white plumage blends with the snowy world of the northern arctic.

In the spring, when the snowy owl makes a nest, the snow has started to melt and the brown earth shows through patches of white snow. The female snowy owl’s soft white feathers are streaked with brown so she cannot be seen as she nests on the ground.

The snowy owl is one of the largest owls, with a height of about 27 inches (69 cm) and a wingspan of up to 60 inches (152 cm). Wingspan is the measurement from wing tip to wing tip, when the wings are fully stretched.

How many of the things in this chart could fit into a snowy owl’s wingspan?

Measure 60 inches (152 cm) on the floor. Now lie down with your arms outstretched along the line. Measure your outstretched arms. How do you compare?

Here are three other animals that blend into their habitats, or homes. Can you unscramble their names?

Baby owls are called owlets. Can you help the mother owl find her way home to her owlets?

All owls have excellent sight so that they can spot creatures like mice that run fast along the ground. Owls’ eyes are not the same as human eyes. We move our eyes in their sockets to see from side to side. The owl must turn his head to see in different directions. Owls also have a third eyelid, which protects the eye. It is a milky white eyelid that comes up from the bottom of the eye. Its purpose is to clean and refresh the owl’s eyes. This third eyelid is called a nictitating membrane

The snowy owls need to eat a huge amount each day— enough to equal their own body weight. They don’t chew their food— they just swallow their prey whole, including fur, claws, teeth and bones. Then they spit out a pellet of all the parts they can’t digest.

The snowy owl has round, yellow eyes. Can you find the pair of eyes that match?

that you find.

How many are human eyes?

How many are the eyes of other animals?

What silly things can you find on this owl’s dinner plate?

Fly like an owl.

Stretch your arms wide apart and swoop around outdoors.

Try these exercises to have fun and exercise the owl way! Perch like an owl.

Squat down like you are sitting on a tree branch watching for mice on the ground. Fold your arms into wings with your thumbs in your armpits. How long can you stay in this position?

Hop like an owl.

Start in the perch position.Then hop to the right, hop to the left, n perch position.Then hop hop forward, hop backward Twist and turn.

While sitting in the perched position, turn your head as far to the right as you can. Then turn your head as far left as possible.

SALIDA DERMATOLOGY IS HAPPY TO ANNOUNCE WE WILL BEGIN SEEING PATIENTS AT THE GUNNISON HOSPITAL THE FIRST MONDAY AND TUESDAY OF EACH MONTH STARTING FEBRUARY 2023.

TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT, CALL OUR SALIDA OFFICE AT 719-539-5338.

Local artist Nathan Kubes created an ice sculpture in the planter in front of The Gunnison Arts Center that will stick around until warmer weather returns.

Courtesy

‘Souper Bowl’ Friday

The Gunnison Arts Center (GAC) hosted a First Friday ArtWalk on Feb. 3, welcoming community members in from the cold to peruse this month’s new shows. The “Souper Bowl,” a collection of ceramic bowls thrown by local artists, was on display in the Cafe Gallery. The bowls will be auctioned off on Feb. 10 to support the GAC. Artist Trish Huddleston also showed her photography and oil paintings in the Tredway Gallery

Abby Harrison