Gunnison Country Times Mar. 9, 2023

Girl Scouts corner cookie market

The edge of affordability

High interest rates and market boom puts pressure on Lazy K project

Bella Biondini Times Editor

Shadow boxes filled with tiny, hand-painted figurines of Dungeons and Dragons characters hung in Don Lansford’s new living room. They were hidden away in boxes before he moved to Lazy K because there just wasn’t space. Even though the home isn’t much larger than his previous place at the Holden Village mobile home park, it feels that much bigger, he said.

“I don’t feel like Gandalf in a hobbit house, I’ve got room for stuff now,” Lansford said. “It just feels more like a home.”

Lansford moved to the Gunnison Valley to attend Western State College in 1996, and has rented for the past two decades. He always dreamed of buying a house, but struggled to save up for a down payment, as home prices crawled upward.

He had begun to consider leaving the valley when he stumbled across the City of Gunnison’s first affordable housing development, Lazy K.

Gunnison schools to lose two principals

Seefried heads to Front Range, Hanks to start new district role

Abby Harrison Times Staff Writer

Gunnison Middle School

Principal Andy Hanks and Gunnison Elementary School

Principal Michael Seefried will both depart from their positions next fall, leaving the Gunnison

Watershed School District with two important vacancies to fi ll for the 2023-2024 school year.

Superintendent Leslie Nichols said the district will look to hire internally before expanding the search to non-district employees.

“I think we have some fantastic talent of young leaders rising in our district … It’s hard to know how any hiring process will unfold, but I am hopeful that we'll have some strong internal candidates,” Nichols

Andy Hanks will start as a special administrator in the fall of 2023. continued on A10

County hires cheatgrass coordinator

Treatment workshop marks start of busy mitigation season

Bella Biondini Times Editor

With funding secured and a new cheatgrass coordinator in place, county leaders are taking steps to build awareness and slow the spread of the invasive weed’s expanding range in the Gunnison Basin.

Approximately 40 community members gathered at the Fred Field Center on March 1 for a free cheatgrass treatment workshop designed to help landowners understand the impacts of the noxious weed. Although not the first of its kind, this workshop was the first event organized by Petar Simic, Gunnison

County’s new cheatgrass and habitat restoration coordinator. The event was hosted by Gunnison County in partnership with the Gunnison Conservation District and the Bird Conservancy of the Rockies. The all-day workshop covered a wide range of topics Cheatgrass A8

Abby Harrison

Virginia Murdza and Ember Reign Arnold, two Brownies in Troop 15070, sold all varieties of Girl Scout cookies at the front of Ace Hardware in Gunnison on March 2. The girls kept tabs on the number of boxes sold, and stored their earnings in empty cookie boxes. Those passing by couldn’t help but stop and buy at least a few boxes from the young businesswomen.

COMMENTARY: Cheers to the women of the Gunnison Valley, A4

QUOTE of the week

You either go for it and suck it up with a higher monthly payment for hopefully a short amount of time, or you miss the lottery, and you miss your chance.

— Eric Robbins Lazy K resident

CITY OF GUNNISON PROJECT FUNDING

In an effort to increase awareness of the City’s budget and create more transparency regarding how the City’s funding is generated and allocated, the City of Gunnison would like to share some information about where the money to fund a few recent projects within City limits came from.

but also utilized grants totaling over $1.6 million from the State of Colorado and the Valley Housing Fund.

Projects supported by the General Fund

See story on A1, A6-A7

BRIEFS

Little Blue road closures resume

Construction and roadway closures at the U.S. Hwy. 50 Little Blue Creek Canyon Improvement Project resumed on Monday, March 6 and will stay in place throughout the spring and summer.

Traffic impacts through July 2023 include alternating, oneway lane daytime closures on Mondays from 8:30 a.m to 7:30 p.m. and 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., Tuesday through Friday. Full roadway closures will occur through the night Monday through Thursday, 7:30 p.m. to 6:30 a.m. Hwy. 50 will open to two-way traffic with no delays from Friday at 5:30 p.m. to Monday at 8:30 a.m.

Estimated delay times during roadway opening windows are 35 minutes up to one hour.

BLM moves to new office

The Bureau of Land Management Gunnison Field Office will close its West Spencer Avenue offices permanently on Thursday, March 9. The agency will reopen its doors to the public at its new location at 2500 East New York Ave. on March 16, with regular business hours from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

The BLM’s new building is located at Gunnison Rising, adjacent to the FedEx building east of town. While limited staff will be available during the move, the public can reach the field office’s remote front desk at 970.642.4940.

Colorado 2023-24 fishing licenses now available

The 2023-2024 fishing season is officially here. Coloradans and visitors can purchase fi shing licenses online, by phone at 1.800.244.5613, at the local Colorado Parks and Wildlife offi ce at 300 W. New York Ave. or from authorized sales agents statewide.

The 2023-2024 fishing licenses are valid March 1, 2023 through March 31, 2024.

The City’s annual budget is approximately $38 million. The revenue to support that budget is generated from a variety of sources, including sales and use taxes (27%), charges for services like sewer, water, and electric (42%), fines (0.1%), permit fees and license fees (0.2%). The City’s budget includes 17 distinct funds, each with revenues to support the anticipated expenditures. Many funds are legally required to be used for certain projects or services. For example, fees and taxes collected from marijuana licensing and sales can only be used for health care, health education, substance abuse prevention and treatment programs, and law enforcement.

The City’s General Fund makes up about 28% of the total budget, and accounts for resources that are not legally required to be allocated into a fund for a specific use. Most of this funding is distributed for services like public safety, parks, general government administration, support of community based organizations, and infrastructure maintenance. After those costs are covered, the Council has approximately $500,000 to advance its strategic priorities.

Although the General Fund provides limited amounts of funding for discretionary projects, the City often supplements the cost of those projects with grants. For example, the City contributed $534,428 over three years for the Lazy K Affordable Housing Project,

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About a half of 1% of the General Fund has been used to award public service and economic development grants. In 2023, the City awarded public service grants to many local recipients including the Gunnison Food Pantry, Mentors, GVAWL, Habitat for Humanity, and Tough Enough to Wear Pink. Public service grants are intended to support services or programs that are not offered otherwise through the City. The City also awarded a handful of economic development grants to support events like Cattlemen’s Days, the I-Bar Ranch Summer Concert Series, the Holiday Greenback Exchange that return a matching amount of revenue to the City. Economic development grants help fund new business development, creating higher paying jobs and economic resiliency.

Projects supported by grants or other funding

The new Lazy K Park located in West Gunnison was not paid for by the General Fund. Grants from Great Outdoors Colorado, the Gunnison County Metropolitan Recreation District, other organizations, and the Restricted Park Funds covered the costs of the park.

$350,000Great Outdoors Colorado Grant

$30,235Met Rec District Developed Recreation Grant and matching funds, $5,000

$10,000Gunnison Home Association

$5,025ID Sculpture in-kind match $7,100Summit Recreation in-kind match $388,754City’s other recreation improvements fund. Funded by a $0.01 sales tax implemented in 2007

The City consistently looks for external funding for projects and programs that are beneficial to the community with no or little additional cost to local taxpayers. For example, the renovations at IOOF park, a goal of the Gunnison Valley Vibrancy Project, partially was funded by a grant from the State of Colorado’s Department of Transportation (CDOT) with the remainder paid for with restricted Parks and Rec funding.

The City was also awarded $250,000 in grant funding through the State of Colorado’s Rural Economic Development Initiative (REDI) grant program, which was distributed to local businesses. Recipients of these grants included 5Bs BBQ and ID Sculpture. No funds from the City’s General Fund were used for any of these projects.

Other recent projects within City limits

While the City would love to take credit for recent additions such as the new Gunnison County Library at 1 Quartz Street and the mural at IOOF park, neither of these were City projects. The library is a County facility that is not under the operating or financial authority of the City. The mural at IOOF was funded by $67,000 from the Tourism and Prosperity Project (TAPP). The City acknowledged these projects, but it did not provide any funding for them.

If you have additional questions or interest in the City’s budget, go to www. gunnisonco.gov/budget or contact Finance Director Ben Cowan at bcowan@gunnisonco.gov.

GREAT IN-TOWN 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.

MAKE AN OFFER Views from the main floor & upstairs of this 2,304 square foot, 4 bdrm/2 bath, two story home on 6.8 acres overlooking the Ohio Creek Valley & Horse River Ranches. Partially fenced with loafing shed for your horses. Unobstructed views of Carbon Peak & the Anthracites to the north.

174 Tiama Trail; $1,400,000.

NICE PITKIN HOME 3 bedroom/2 bath home with woodstove, large open kitchen, laundry room & work shed in Pitkin. Built in 2012, great condition, tile entryway, tucked away in the trees. 832 River Street; $479,000.

Fantastic opportunity to run

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 & W Mountain. No HOA or covenants. 851 County Road 18; $435,000.

COZY 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. Seasonal pond and sold partially furnished. Lot 1 Stratman Subdivision; $425,000.

40 ACRE PARCEL close to the city limits of Gunnison. Features include two permitted commercial wells, southern exposure making for possible solar arrays and green energy with endless development possibilities. Crest View Drive; $3,000,000.

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.

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.

MOVE-IN 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.

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.

VERY NICE LOT in the town of White Pine about an hour from Gunnison. This is a great location to build your dream cabin or park your RV. 9900 County Road 888; $25,000.

Donald Ruwald was born in Chicago, Illinois on Aug. 31, 1936. He lived in the Gunnison Valley for 20 years. He attended Valparaiso University in Indiana for five years, at which time he worked for United Airlines and retired from the company after 20 years.

In 1995 he married the love of his life, the woman he chased for six years, Cynthia. In 2003, they moved to Gunnison to work with the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). He worked security at the airport for 10 years and at Walmart as a cashier for five years.

His passions included photography, jewelry, making, jeeping and picnics in the mountains, being with his grandchildren, coloring, reading and watching the mighty Cubs play baseball!

He is survived by his wife, Cynthia, and stepchildren Darci (Bill) Facer and Sonny (Sheila) Freeman. Also nine grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

As a result of a stroke, Don passed away peacefully at 11:30 a.m. on Feb. 28, 2023. He was deeply loved and will be missed by all who knew him.

A celebration of life and faith will be held at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints 810 N. 11th St. on March 11. The viewing will be at 12:30-1:30 p.m. and the services will be at 2 p.m.

Ruth “Scottie” Lippitt Willey, aged 94, deceased in peace, Feb. 11, 2023. She is preceded in passing by her husband Bob, on Nov. 11, 2011, and survived by a number of nieces and nephews including Alex Lippitt (Elizabeth), David Bock (Rachel), Susie Bock, Katie Bock Rosa (Angelo) and close family friend Cecilia Gray (Frank).

Scottie was born Ruth Hutchinson Lippitt in North Kingstown, Rhode Island on May 11, 1928. She was educated in Wickford, Rhode Island through grade school and then at the Lincoln School in Providence, Rhode Island graduating in 1946. She graduated from Wellesley College four years later and served as a docent at the Peabody Museum of Natural History for two years. She became one of the first women to receive a PhD in Biology from Harvard University in 1956, the same year she married Bob Willey.

They received their first teaching appointments at Ripon College in Ripon, Wisconsin until they received permanent teaching/research positions in the Biology Department at the University of Illinois Chicago where they worked from 1965 until Scottie’s retirement in 1995. During this time Scottie taught both biology and pre-medical students and wrote a book on electron microscopy, along with numerous research publications. In 1996, they moved to Gunnison, Colorado.

Scottie began her most important life’s work starting in 1958 at The Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory (RMBL) in Gothic, Colorado, which eventually named a laboratory building in her and Bob’s honor and recognized both of them with RMBL’s Lifetime Service Award in 2012. Scottie is remembered in particular for her research at, and preservation of, the Mexican Cut and rare plant species found in wetlands in Colorado. Scottie was selected to serve on the Colorado Natural Areas Council from 1995–1999 after her successful work to preserve Colorado Natural Areas for decades.

Scottie is known for an incident when a bulldozer arrived to dig a road through the Mexican Cut, shortly after Th e Nature Conservancy had purchased the property, making it a preserve. Scottie climbed up and stood on the shovel until the bulldozer turned around and left. The wetlands in the Mexican Cut were not disturbed.

Her research led her to many places including work further south in Cathedral near Powderhorn. Bob and Scottie purchased a ranch in Cathedral which served as a home base for much of their research.

Scottie eventually created a conservation easement, held by Colorado Open Lands, and donated the ranch to RMBL which uses it for research to this day.

Scottie was very active in her retirement, focusing on photography and her beloved annual calendars, prized by family, friends and colleagues. For a few years she wintered in Oak Park, Illinois, which was blessed with her talents in a photography club and in the James Russell Lowell Society. Back in Colorado she taught fly fishing and a love of the mountains and waters of Colorado to friends, her many nephews and nieces, and grand nephews and nieces.

She will be remembered in a memorial gathering at RMBL in July.

BIBLE GEMS

GOD WANTS ALL TO BE SAVED AND...

“God...desires all men to be saved and to come to knowledge of Truth. For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself a ransom...”

First Timothy 2:4-6

Selected and provided by Gene Siemer

Donald Ruwald

Ruth Lippitt Willey

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COMMENTARY

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Cheers to the women of the Gunnison Valley

After a push up an unnecessarily steep skin track (a signature of Crested Butte), I stood at the top, looking down into the belly of one of Mount Baldy’s bowls. Slightly out of breath and trying desperately to swallow my fear, I realized it was one of the steepest things I had probably ever skied and it was far too late to turn around.

I fumbled through the transition, trying to keep up with the boys who had become my ski partners for the afternoon. My boyfriend was more than 1,000 feet below, near the valley floor. When he said he wasn’t feeling well before the final push up the skin track, all eyes turned to me. He insisted I ski the bowl without him, and off I went with his roommates — all much more experienced skiers than I. Faced with the decision on whether to chicken out, I knew I was too stubborn to refuse.

Now I was here, feeling very much alone. Per usual, I was the only woman in the group. Whether I continued my march up to the top just to prove a point or because I actually wanted to ski the line, I was unsure. After watching the effortless turns of his roommate, it was my turn to drop.

I can assure you my line wasn’t nearly as graceful. When I got to the bottom, I dusted the snow off of myself with as much

LETTERS

Socialism or safety net

Editor:

Bella Biondini Times Editor

dignity as I could muster. Although the tides are slowly shifting, as women in the outdoors we are often the minority and often expected to struggle or fail. I have often found myself in a sea of men, whether I am skiing, rock or ice climbing and mountaineering. At times, I have felt incapable, scared and begrudgingly out of place. I know (or hope) I’m not alone. The constant need to feel as if you have to prove yourself just because you are a woman in the outdoors is exhausting. Even outdoor clothing and gear “made for women” can frequently be form fitting for no reason and uncomfortable. And get used to not having real pockets. It can also happen in the workplace. I once walked into an office to interview a source and he remarked “oh, are you the intern?”

As the oldest sister of two,

I didn’t really have anyone to immediately look up to. Instead I drew my inspiration from books, movies and television. I marveled at the bravery of Amelia Earhart, the mark left on the scientific world by Jane Goodall and the grace of Simone Biles on the Olympic world stage.

But often it just felt out of reach. And here I was, cheeks flushed pink with embarrassment as I cursed my inability to do perfect kick turns or a proper hand jam, always trailing behind my partners.

While some of the most daring people in the outdoors I know are men, the grittiest — by far — are women, and I don’t have to look much further than the Gunnison Valley to see that. Following International Women’s Day on March 8, I want to thank all of the women of the Gunnison Valley for pushing the limit and being role models within our community.

I have learned so much from you. Women belong in STEM, education, raft guiding, at the crag, on the wrestling mat, in politics, you name it — and the list goes on. I hope it continues to, from Alexis Taylor’s blooming floral business, to local artisan Ellen Patten’s endless creativity through woodworking. I agree that sawdust is women’s glitter and so is sweat, and the

dirt that collects under our fingernails.

To the rodeo queens of Cattlemen’s Days and Gunnison County Stockgrowers’ Association President Hannah (Cranor) Kersting for being a voice for women in agriculture, and Sonja Chavez’s expertise in all things water at the Upper Gunnison River Water Conservancy. To the Gunnison High School girls wrestling team as it continues to break into a historically male dominated sport. To the small but mighty group of women who volunteer on the Western Mountain Rescue team and help keep us safe in the backcountry. For those of you who don’t know, the Times’ editorial, sales and production teams are all led by women — and what a stunning group of ladies they are. To my best friend Ally, who taught me that “no friends on a powder day” is a patriarchal construct, how to backpack in the desert, laugh at bad weather and that there’s no real reason to shave my legs.

Cheers to you and all the women of the Gunnison Valley, there’s no one else I’d rather work, play and dream alongside.

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

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The right wing has consistently discussed the political term “socialism” in a pejorative manner, and has done so for years. Surely there is a more productive way to discuss this issue.

According to the Merriam Webster Dictionary, the word socialism is defined as “any of various economic and political theories advocating collective or governmental ownership and administration of the means of production and distribution of goods.”

The U.S. government clearly does not control the means of production and distribution of goods. So called “socialist” programs in the U.S. are more accurately viewed as government programs to support the social safety net.

These include Medicare, Medicaid, the Affordable Care Act, food for children in school, food stamps for needy families and help for homeless people. Even police and fire departments are programs run by state and local governments.

Are these programs unproductive, bad or evil? Yet, they have been conflated with socialism and attacked unmer-

cifully as the same entity. Since safety net programs to aid less fortunate people are not “socialism,” why are they vilified by the right?

Concerns, which are more in the realm of excuses than logical reasons, are often put forward. People on the political right eschew giving money away to less fortunate Americans, although they don’t mind giving large tax breaks to wealthier people and to giant corporations like big oil in a time of increasing climate concerns.

Their stated reasoning is that these poorer people just want handouts. Perhaps some wealthy people simply don’t want to part with their money by paying more in taxes. Additionally, by using the defiled term “socialism,” the right can scare people who might otherwise back social support policies that benefit them.

If we as a country want to be compassionate and provide a basic, secure lifestyle for all American people, it would be wise to reconsider how we view socialism and have an honest debate about safety net programs.

Laird Cagan, Mary Poole Crested Butte

Plan for reintroducing wolves is deeply flawed

Editor:

What is missing are plans to reintroduce wolves into all 13 Colorado counties that voted overwhelmingly in support of wolf reintroduction. These counties have thousands of acres that already successfully support other predators they have learned to coexist with.

The rest of the 41 Colorado counties, by vote, are not in favor of reintroduction.

I would think by rejecting the wolf reintroduction recent ballot question, the remaining 41 Colorado counties are also not in favor of their taxpayer involvement in paying for the program. The current Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) wolf reintroduction imposes unimaginable current and future hardship on innocent Colorado livestock ranchers who already have enough necessary and productive things for their livestock operations to occupy their time.

The ranching business is a tough one in the best of times, and currently includes many negative economic factors beyond control of the livestock industry or individual ranchers. Adding to the negative econom-

ic factors, reintroducing wolves may indeed force some ranchers into bankruptcy. I cannot imagine the insurance industry will overlook the additional risks involved in livestock production given the questionable nature of fully documenting wolf kills by CPW agents necessary for reimbursement by the reintroduction program.

The recent rejection by CPW agents for wolf kill payment for the Meeker-area rancher who lost 22 cattle calves in a mass killing event certainly amplifies the uncertain economic risk going forward.

Wolves were once eliminated due to their problematic behavior, and they do migrate into other areas. I don’t think we need them reintroduced. Interested parties should contact either your Colorado legislators or CPW Acting Director Heather Disney Dugan.

Randy Dannemann Hotchkiss

LETTERS

MetRec wants to hear from you

Editor:

Thanks to voter support of ballot issues in 2018 and 2022, MetRec’s future ability to support regional recreation solutions is looking bright.

In 2023, MetRec’s Recreation Grant Program can fund over $500,000 in grants — double its recreation grant funds in 2022, and a vast improvement over the zero recreation funding available between 2013- 2015.

With the increased funding, MetRec has been working with our community’s stakeholders to redesign its recreation grant funding program. It has combined its previous grant programs into three funding purposes: capital construction, non-profit operations support and community collaboration.

MetRec will present its 2023 Recreation Grant Program at a work session on March 15, 2023, at 5 p.m. at the Town of Crested Butte Council Chambers. The board will also present a draft of its second strategic recreation needs assessment survey and discuss the need for a regional recreation master plan to help guide MetRec’s strategic planning and funding decisions.

Recreation plays a vital role in the lives of our citizens. And we all know it’s a big reason people move here and visit our communities. MetRec has been evolving over the last six years to better fulfill its vision for promoting vital recreation opportunities. The recent change in its recreation funding ability is a big step in its journey to better serve our citizens.

But it’s not big enough to solve all the recreation issues alone. We would love to hear your voice to help it prioritize its aims and partnerships.

Derrick Nehrenberg MetRec

Thank you for your care

Editor:

Thank you to the good Samaritans that were first onsite at an automobile accident on Hwy. 135, last Thursday, March 2. I was the driver of the Audi that hit black ice and am still not sure what happened. Your unparalleled first aid, safety, communication and demeanor were impressive and kept me calm. I am also thankful to all the emergency responders and Gunnison Valley Health’s ER staff for my care.

Joellen Fonken Gunnison

Flowing free for future generations

Editor:

I would like to thank the Gunnison County Commissioners and the Marble Town Council for their commitment to the upcoming Crystal River Wild and Scenic stakeholder collaborative. Only a very small percentage

of rivers in the U.S. are eligible for the Wild and Scenic designation. The Crystal was chosen for its historic, cultural, recreational and geologic values; its fish and wildlife properties; and its natural unspoiled beauty.

Wild and Scenic status would ensure the greatest level of protection against dams and the very real threat of water being diverted out of our local watershed. It would preserve water quality and keep the Crystal River flowing free for future generations.

I’m grateful to The Wild and Scenic Feasibility Collaborative for selecting highly experienced professional mediators to facilitate the process and engage with the community. I believe the stakeholder committee will provide a valuable forum for addressing the specific concerns of residents and informing the public of the finer points of the designation.

I encourage fellow Gunnison County and Crystal Valley residents to participate in the process by voicing your support or concerns in the upcoming meetings or surveys. By sitting down together we can work toward solutions for the river we all love.

Teri Havens Marble

Tribes. Which one do you belong to?

Editor:

There's a tribe which believes in freedom. It's connected by an umbilical cord to personal responsibility, and the first cannot survive without the second. Then there's another tribe that relies on following governmental dogma without question.

Some of us have observed these governmental peddlers of nonsensical dictates hypocritically flaunt the very orders they have inflicted upon the rest of us. But many people still obediently followed the Pied Piper who self-righteously called himself "science."

A while back, we had the publisher of this very paper have the boldness to pen commentary concerning COVID, and why we should move on from it. He faced several tribal rebuttals from writers sputtering outrage and disappointment with his opinion.

Now that the actual "truth" about the virus' origins, along with the questionable effectiveness of masks and social distancing, appears to be finally arising from the blizzard of misconceptions espoused from the government and unthinkingly supported by the media, have we learned anything positive?

Have we learned that listening to others can be an important asset towards enriching our humanity? That overall censorship, humiliation and threats directed towards those we disagree with may not be the best way of conducting ourselves as human beings? That lockdowns, the specific shuttering of businesses (shockingly including churches) and firing talented people from their jobs was not

such a bright idea after all? Or do we just descend into self-centered tribal smugness and act like nothing happened so it can all happen again? I hope not.

Jon Matuszczak Gunnison

Successful band bingo

Editor:

Thank you to everyone who supported the middle school and high school band bingo on March 3. The evening was a success thanks to those who purchased tickets, and the businesses that donated items for door prizes and the silent auction.

Thank you to John Roberts Motor Works, Treads ‘N’ Threads, GVO, Coffee Trader, Paper Clip, Money Goats, Marios, the Dive, Gene Taylors, i-repair, All Sports Replay, Rocky Mountain Rose, Tractor Supply, Abracadabra and Miller Furniture for their donations. And, thank you to City Market for allowing us to sell tickets a week ago in their entryway.

Keith Koepsel Gunnison

A heart for the seniors of the Gunnison Valley

Editor:

The Gunnison Home Association (GHA) would like to announce that it has given $51,000 in grant money to the Gunnison community in 2023. Recipients of this grant money include: Gunnison Senior Meals, GVH Hospice, Gunnison Arts Center, American Legion, Gunnison Country Food Pantry, Gunnison Valley Animal Welfare League, Willows Assisted Living Facility, Six Points and Mountain Roots Food Project.

The GHA is a group of volunteer board members with a heart for seniors that live in the Gunnison Valley. The mission of the GHA is to provide living units for seniors in the valley and to provide funding for ancillary activities that positively impact the lives of seniors in the community.

Each year, the GHA accepts grant requests for funding from primarily nonprofit organizations that contribute to the lives of seniors in the Gunnison community. The GHA will once again be accepting grant applications in September of 2023.

Don Crosby

Bill Knowles

Sharon Mills

Rogene McKiernan

Linda Rees

Polly Oberosler

Debbie McVey

Gunnison

“The availability of places that I could afford were far and few between until I saw this Lazy K project come up,” Lansford said. “And that was a blessing.”

In December of 2021, Lansford selected a winning ticket during the first Lazy K lottery — securing a home long before interest rates spiked in the fall of last year. But other potential first-time homebuyers in search of putting down roots in Gunnison weren’t so lucky.

Who is the missing middle?

With home prices at Lazy K starting at a little under $300,000 and stretching up to $407,000, stacked on top of high mortgage rates, many locals wondered who exactly Lazy K was built to serve. While some finally have the keys to a house of their own, others are faced with painful monthly payments, and are barred from building equity by deed restrictions.

Although other affordable housing developments are scattered throughout the valley, Lazy K is the first project the City of Gunnison has built. The majority of the homes at the site, which is located directly across from the Gunnison Valley Health Senior Care Center in west Gunnison, are restricted to locals at certain income levels. Deed restrictions range from between 80% to 140% of Gunnison County’s area median income (AMI), which is slightly above $62,000.

The income range was designed to target the “missing middle” — those who make too little to purchase on the open market, but too much to qualify for low-income housing — but many still found themselves on the outskirts of the parameters created.

Madeline Thomas was born and raised in the valley and presently works for the Town of Crested Butte. She participated in the first lottery, but was selected as an alternate. It wasn’t until she chose a home during the second lottery that she really began crunching numbers and eventually backed out of the purchase.

“My biggest frustration is that I feel like they sold this idea to me by saying that I could afford it when at the end of the day, I really can’t,” Thomas said. “I just really want to know who these are for.”

For many, the regular market seemed to be moving further out of reach, even for professionals such as nurses, teachers and government and construction workers — a group that wants something “more permanent” in the valley, Th omas said.

“I just really thought that the Lazy K was sold as a solution for that, and I don't feel like in execution that that is accurate,” she said.

Between 2019 and 2021, the median price of a single-family home in the City of Gunnison rose from approximately $300,000 to almost $500,000, according to data from the Colorado Real Estate Network.

To the north, average home

prices in the once-affordable Crested Butte South exceeded $1 million, while the Town of Crested Butte rose to about $2 million.

With some Lazy K homes at the top of the price range at $400,000, they teeter on the lower end of Gunnion’s regular market. Local business owner Arly Landry called Lazy K “such a magnificent, expensive failure,” and one that was too influenced by huge surges in the real estate market.

“It’s not actually affordable housing … It was an easy thing to walk away from,” Landry said. She was also selected in the first lottery.

The restrictions at Lazy K are not just limited to an individual or pair’s income. Units cannot be short-term leased or serve as a second home. They also place a 2% cap on how much the home can appreciate in value each year. Although the cap ensures the homes remain affordable in perpetuity, it limits the amount of equity homeowners can build over time.

“It's taking advantage of really vulnerable people who aren't going to build any equity in these properties,” Landry said.

The majority of deed-restricted single-family homes in Gunnison County, fall between 800-1,400 square feet of living space. In straight dollars, an unrestricted house in Gunnison

with a market value of $200,000 in 2012 would have been worth more than $400,000 by 2020, depending on its location — appreciating in value by more than 100%, said William Spicer, communication manager at the Gunnison County Assessor's Office. During the same period, a deed restricted home with a 2% price cap. would have only risen by approximately $32,000.

“The truth is, you wouldn’t even come close to keeping up with inflation at 2% a year and you'd actually be losing money, because your house will be worth even less in material terms.” Spicer said. With the addition of inter-

said Interim City Manager and Finance Director Ben Cowan.

Th e city received a $1.3 million state grant, requiring the construction of at least 26 units at 80% AMI units and making the project possible. The city offered the land to local developer John Stock for free to further reduce the cost of construction. For every three deed-restricted lots filled, Stock would receive one home to sell on the free market.

“Then the rest of it was just a matter of math,” Cowan said. “How can we get as many affordable units in there? But you're using the free markets to offset t hat, so at the end of the day, John can make some money on it, because he's not going to do it for free.”

The deal was settled long before high interest rates squeezed portions of the real estate market. While the city filled most of the 80% units, many of those for residents at 120-140% were a more challenging sell.

In an effort to solve the problem, the city loosened the deed restrictions to make Lazy K more attractive to employers — allowing business entities who purchased to lease to employees at any income level, and boosting the amount of density allowed to squeeze a few more units into the subdivision.

est rates for a 30-year mortgage still hovering right under 7%, purchasing a home at Lazy K is even more of a balancing act for local workers. Agustina Hein, a landscape architect, moved into a Lazy K home, her first, barely a month ago. The home, which she purchased for $268,000, was affordable at first glance. But add high interest rates and an only 2% appreciation rate, “it’s a pretty tight gain,” she said.

As a whole, Lazy K is not an investment, it’s an expense, she said. According to mortgage companies, Hein said, she can “afford” Lazy K, but she’s spending 50% of her income on the monthly payment.

“I think people are like, oh, congratulations, you won,” she said. “I won the opportunity to spend a lot of money. I won the opportunity to stay here, but I didn't win a great real estate game. People know that, but I think it's maybe even tighter and harsher than imagined.”

‘A matter of math’

City staff purchased the Lazy K property in 2015 without housing in mind. But the condition of the housing market across Colorado’s resort towns has forced municipalities into the housing business, like it, or not.

“We don't want to be doing it at all, honestly, but it's just a reality we're dealing with,”

The higher priced lots have sold slowly, with all but two of the units constructed that are not yet under contract. Gunnison Valley Health and the Gunnison Valley Rural Transportation Authority have purchased units to lease to employees with the hope that additional housing will help relieve staff shortages. In total, 43% of the completed units have been purchased or are under contract by a business entity. The rest have sold to individuals.

Anytime a housing project is done, it is similar to constructing a speculative home — filled with unforeseen variables that could change based on the market pressures, Cowan said.

“If the market isn't there to make sales, then all of a sudden you have these huge costs,” said. “It's not just eating into your profit like it would for a developer, you literally are paying money into a project that you're not getting anything out of.”

Cowan has watched the housing market slowly slip away from locals in neighboring resort towns for decades, and as it finally arrives in the Gunnison Valley he is hopeful to learn from others. But even as other communities make progress, a lot of questions still remain unanswered.

“If you have workforce housing that the employers own, what happens when you terminate their employment?” Cowan said. “Do you kick them out of their house? What happens when they retire?”

Investing in the community Construction at Lazy K has happened quickly, new buildings surfacing seemingly overnight. Five cabins, which were on the property before the city’s

My biggest frustration is that I feel like they sold this idea to me by saying that I could afford it when at the end of the day, I really can’t.

Madeline Thomas Lazy K applicant

Agustina Hein drinks tea at her kitchen table. She is still getting settled into her new home at Lazy K.

New homes near completion at Lazy K earlier this winter.

Bella Biondini

purchase, were renovated and show signs of new habituation — cars and bikes parked under the carports and hanging flower baskets in the springtime. Slowly, it is becoming a neighborhood as locals fi nd a place to land.

While Stock agreed the instability of the mortgage market has made it more difficult for some within the community to purchase, he said he is also realistic about the “real market.”

“I think they're affordable, but I also see it from the other side. I paid $49,000 for my first house, so it's ridiculous that any of us are paying what we're paying for houses,” Stock said.

As for the deed restrictions, locals have to accept the fact that they aren’t going to be flipping houses, he said.

“We’ve just turned into such a culture of people buying houses and then moving in two years and buying something bigger and bigger, and bigger … Somewhere along the line, it's about having a home and not about making money,” Stock said.

With the timing of the December lottery, Crested Butte ski patroller Eric Robbins said despite interest rates he didn’t really have a choice on whether to wait for another opportunity to own a home. For him, it was just unfortunate timing.

“You either go for it and suck it up with a higher monthly payment for hopefully a short amount of time, or you miss the lottery, and you miss your chance,” Robbins said.

Buying was always just out of reach for Robbins and his girlfriend, who works at Gunnison Valley Health. He moved to the valley to attend Western 20 years ago, but by the time he started thinking about housing, jobs weren’t paying enough.

Lazy K was Robbins’ chance to move out of the tiny apartment he leased at Anthracite Place, another affordable housing development in Crested Butte. He carefully weighed

the pros and cons of the deed restriction.

“It's there to serve a purpose for people like us,” he said. “It keeps things affordable and gives the working class in the valley an attainable ownership opportunity … we're not going to make any money if we go to sell it, but it was just a compromise, I guess that was made. It's not the worst thing in the world. I think just having your own place is the most important part.”

After a recent change in leadership, the Gunnison Valley Regional Housing Authority has a limited role in the development of Lazy K. In the future, Executive Director Andy Kadlec said the organization aims to be a more active party, “pushing hard on high levels of affordability.”

Following unprecedented demand and growth in value within the local housing market, it puts Lazy K in a tough spot, Kadlec said. Although it may not be perfect, he said there’s a lot of interest from the city and county to find more resources for larger affordable housing projects in the works such as Whetstone, Sawtooth and Gunnison Rising.

“But a lot of those market conditions are just really diffi cult to control and predict — especially in Gunnison, where you're kind of on that edge of affordability,” Kadlec said.

As she finished unpacking boxes, Hein said Lazy K, although far from her dream home, gives her a feeling of stability and permanency for the first time in the valley.

“I feel like I can actually start investing in this community,” Hein said. “For a while there, I was, like, well, I don't know if I'm going to leave or if I'm going to be able to find a place next.”

“As a young professional with all my ideas, I won't stay here if I can't live here, and I almost didn't,” she said.

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

continued from A6

Don Lansford stands on his porch at Lazy K.

Don Lansford sits in his living room with his Dungeons and Dragons miniatures.

Bella Biondini

EASE THE FINANCIAL BURDEN OF CANCER

Stop by the senior resource office every Wednesday for assistance in applying for SNAP, Medicare, LEAP, Health First Colorado and other community programs.

Also introducing to the community is Mom’s Meals, a a meal delivery program that supports low income individuals 60 years and older who may struggle to buy groceries or cook. Mom’s Meals can deliver up to 10 nutritious meals every two weeks!

For more information or to sign up, contact the Senior Resource Office at 970-641-3244 or stop in between 9-12:00pm, every Wednesday

220 N SPRUCE, GUNNISON

2023 Recreation Grant Program Public Work Session

to help mitigate the spread — starting with cheatgrass identification and its ecology and moving to the options available to treat the invasive grass.

Hiring a coordinator gives Gunnison County the additional capacity it needs to continue to treat cheatgrass across agency, county and property lines. Backed by community support, and with more funding on the way, the treatment workshop was just the beginning of what’s in store for the remainder of the year, including more educational events as well as significant cross-boundary treatments in Cochetopa Canyon and on private lands.

Although the level of cheatgrass infestation with the Gunnison Basin is mild compared to other areas of the West, Simic — who was hired as a contractor in the fall of 2022 — hopes to raise more awareness within the community, while leading coordinated efforts to treat private and public lands.

The potential that cheatgrass has to take over native landscapes, such as the Gunnison Valley’s sagebrush ecosystem, is “frightening,” Simic said. He began his natural resource career in Battle Mountain, Nevada where cheatgrass has taken over thousands of acres. It has burned many times over, preventing the sagebrush from regenerating.

“It’s devastated communities, it truly has — not just ecologically but socially and economically. There's a long heritage of livestock grazing in these communities, and they can't graze these areas anymore, and people fall into hopelessness … It's important that we create these coordinated efforts here early on in the Gunnison Basin,” Simic said.

Gunnison County recently received $150,000 for treating cheatgrass solely on private land through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. Simic will help distribute the funding as the snow begins to melt, putting the grant dollars toward seeding, herbicide applications and other noxious weed treatments. Simic is actively setting up consultations for the spring and summer season, working with interested landowners to

where the cheatgrass is, helping with the treatment process or monitoring the results.

After serving on the Gunnison Basin Sage-Grouse Strategic Committee, County Commissioner Liz Smith has consistently pushed for a cheatgrass coordinator.

“One of the best things that we can do for the sage-grouse habitat, but also for the health of our landscape was to address this pervasive and quickly spreading noxious weed,” Smith said. “We have an opportunity because we have not been overtaken the way that some of the other basins have.”

The coordinator position, one of the first of its kind in Colorado, is funded by pooled resources from numerous local agencies including the Bureau of Land Management, the Gunnison County Stockgrowers’ Association, the Upper Gunnison River Water Conservancy District, Western Colorado University and Siska-dee.

Gunnison County has agreed to pay for up to half of Simic’s salary and has secured enough funding to support the position for the next three years. Numerous organizations within the valley also sent in letters of support for the position.

Cheatgrass has become so pervasive in some parts of Colorado that the state has not deemed it worthwhile to try and

eradicate or treat it over some of the other noxious weeds. Because of this, there really isn't any kind of structure or system that outlines how counties can coordinate treatments across multiple jurisdictions and the boundaries of private and public land, Smith said.

“It is messy,” Smith said. “And what tends to happen in the absence of this type of stakeholder or a coordinator position is that you'll have spots that are treated in isolation,” she said.

With Simic finally onboard, Smith said she believes successful treatments will continue with ongoing support from the community. With more federal funding packages on the way, she expects the momentum to pick up.

“What I love about this particular type of work is that it's not partisan,” Smith said. “There is an issue that we all see, and we are working together to address it. Whether it's the vitality of the sage-grouse or the ability to address some fire concerns, I think there's many reasons that you have so many people who are saying this is important for us to do right now.”

For more information, or to set up a consultation, email Petar Simic at happyhabitatsgunnison@gmail.com or call 248.881.6982.

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

A free cheatgrass treatment workshop was held at Fred Field Center on March 1. Abby Harrison

Petar Simic speaks at the cheatgrass workshop.

Cheatgrass from A1

Local pet services (and puppies) on display

The Fred Field Center hosted the Gunnison Valley Pet Expo on Saturday, March 4. Booths advertised everything from dog portraits to cat grooming, while a donkey gave rides to smiling young ones. Friendly dogs were also welcome.

LISTED — INDOOR GROW FACILITY

This 6,080 sq. ft. building was custom built as a state of the art Cannabis growing facility and produced premier products for the past 8 years. It would also make an incredible organic year-round vegetable, floral or other growing facility. Other uses are allowed per the rules and regs of Gold Basin Industrial Park. Incredible HVAC system for heat, ventilation and cooling allows you to regulate temperatures. High quality commercial electrical and plumbing. operation with monitoring system and it is also plumbed for CO2. Electrical has 2600 amps and is in commercial conduit. Building has 4 large growing rooms equipped with electrical, water and drainage vault area, airlock entry to a kitchen and bathroom area with a private can be set up and growing in a matter of a few days. Very reasonable land lease with Gunnison County and the 2.1 acres has lots of room to expand. Lease has another 10 plus years left on it and Lessee may extend the lease term for an additional 20 years.

Call Matt to set up your appointment $1,195,000.

Matt Robbins, CRS, GRI

Monarch Realty, Inc. 970-596-0715 l matt@monarchrlty.com

told the Times

Both leaders have served the district well over the years, Nichols said, highlighting Seefried’s guidance and communication through the pandemic and Hanks’ warm and inviting leadership during his 19-year tenure.

Seefried will resign at the end of the 2023 school year after serving three years as elementary school principal. He and his wife Kimberly, a special education teacher in Crested Butte, will move to the Front Range to care for his mother, who recently moved back to the states from South Africa. He secured a job as a principal, but has yet to announce the exact location.

“I will miss Gunnison very much. It’s a wonderful community to be part of and get to know people. I have friends here and a lot of memories that I'll cherish,” Seafried said.

Hanks will move from his leadership role at Gunnison Middle School to become a special administrator, a new position in the district that’s been nearly three years in the making, Nichols said. The new role is meant to help the district with teacher retention by offering stronger professional development.

“I'm just really excited to wrap up this chapter of my journey in education and thank all of the people that I have been able to work with,” Hanks said. “It's very humbling.”

He is most looking forward to being back in the classroom to support teachers he has worked with for years.

“I think just having some one-on-one time to help teachers and administrators focus is so big, the jobs are so big,” he said. “It's about helping them set goals, working on how to achieve those goals and then supporting them to get it done.”

A new position in the district

Martineau felt there was not adequate discussion with teachers or with the district's union, Gunnison County Education Association, about the position. On Sunday, he received an email from the union Co-Presidents Matt Porter and Sierra Cucinelli — supported by 10 or 12 other teachers — raising concerns. The gist of the email, he said, was that hiring a temporary coach may not be the right way to address the district’s most important needs.

the district needing more support.

“It might be that we have a veteran teacher who has taught their social studies World War Two unit the same way for 15 years, and they're over it, and they want to do something different, but they don't quite know what to do,” Nichols said. “Or it could be a first year teacher who's in tears after school every day, because classroom management is making them crazy. A coach can help with that.”

Treasurer Dave Taylor said he understood Martineau’s timing concerns but that the decision ultimately comes down to the superintendent, who has to make broad decisions for the district. Nichols said she’s met with the union several times in the last week in reference to the concerns, but noted Martineau’s interest in having decisions brought to the board sooner.

“We can't run a school district with having to run every decision by our employee base,” Taylor said. “I respect the comments we got from the union … [but] one of my responses to their worries is that we're addressing those concerns at many meetings.”

BUY OF THE WEEK

Not all board members supported creating the new position when it came up for a vote in the March 6 meeting. The motion passed, but President Tyler Martineau voted in opposition.

"Gunnison County Education Association was approached by many staff members with questions and concerns about the new one-year position. Our concern was that there is a need for student-facing positions, rather than one with limited student contact,” Cucinelli said in a statement to the Times. “I'm troubled by this, but not about whether it's a good idea or not,” Martineau said during the board meeting. “Initially, when I read [about the position], I thought this is a great idea, and I think Andy is the perfect guy to do the job,” he said. “But why is the union coming to us at the eleventh hour, why is the union finding out about this at the eleventh hour?”

The district has been working for three years to add a coaching position, Nichols said. A year and half ago, Innovative Learning Specialist Katie Gallagher built a coaching collaborative, and the group made progress but eventually came to

Taylor referenced the acquisition of a full-time English Language Learners (ELL) intake coordinator and more counselors in the district as examples of hearing teachers’ concerns.

Ultimately, Cucinelli said their concerns were addressed at the meeting.

“We are grateful to the school board for having a thorough discussion that addressed many of our questions around the position,” she concluded in the statement. “We feel that our voice was heard, our questions answered, and we look forward to collaborating with Andy Hanks in this role."

The district posted the job vacancies internally on March 7 and, depending on the response, the positions will be posted externally at a later date.

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

Fantastic summer home in the Town of Pitkin features 3 bedrooms/2 full baths with cozy woodstove in the living room, large open kitchen, laundry room and work shed. Tucked away in the trees, with easy access

I think just having

Andy Hanks

Gunnison Middle School Principal

Solis sentenced to 42 years

Rascon family ‘devastated’ by second-degree murder plea

Abby Harrison Times Staff Writer

Jorge Solis, 24, was sentenced to 42 years in prison on March 3, 2023 in Gunnison County Court. The sentence followed a plea agreement that District Attorney Jessica Waggoner negotiated with Solis’ public defender, Kori Keil Zapletal, in early February. Solis appeared in court on March 3 alongside his attorney to hear the sentence.

In the spring of 2021, Solis was arrested in Mesa County and charged with the murder of 22-year-old Ana Rascon. Rascon’s body was found in a home in the Arrowhead subdivision west of Gunnison on March 7, 2021. Solis initially pleaded not guilty to the first slate of charges in December 2021 — murder in the first degree, criminal attempt to commit first degree arson and first degree criminal trespass. He eventually pleaded guilty to murder in the second degree in February of 2023 in exchange for the dismissal of all other charges.

Over 20 members of the Rascon family and friends gath-

ered in court to hear the sentence read aloud. Rascon’s mother, Anabel Avalos, appeared via Zoom. She currently lives in Mexico. Family members expressed dissatisfaction with the 42 year sentence, saying it was not enough for the damage he caused. The family had sought a fi rst-degree murder charge or a jury trial.

“Those 42 years does not give [Ana’s] kids closure,” Ana’s cousin Lupita Lopez told the Times “We're all very, very devastated about it because he gets to breathe again, to eat, to sleep — there's still plenty of life left for him. But those kids will always have to remember what happened to their mama.”

Waggoner stated during sentencing that in the course of her career, she had not seen a crime “so violent, so senseless and so brutal.” She added she felt the sentence was appropriate as it is a “finality,” and “guaranteed outcome that requires Solis to say he is guilty for what he’s done,” but acknowledged that the justice system “cannot heal hearts.”

Solis is still being held in the Gunnison County Detention Center, awaiting transport to a Colorado Department of Corrections facility.

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

PRICE REDUCED 1,099,000

C. 940-389-9910 kelseyloftis@gmail.com

26 Meadowlark Trail $1,099,000 MLS 792288. Built 2022 4bed 3bath 2471 sqft.

26 Meadowlark Trail is the newest home within highly coveted North Elk Meadows subdivision. This custom home is meticulously built and designed from solid cedar including the exterior siding with rock accent. Large foyer with vaulted 18 feet ceilings, a large 8 x 24 back deck, solid wood front door, abundant windows throughout the home giving natural light and views of Carbon Peak, Red Mountain, Flat Top and SignalPeak. This property has an open kitchen with 9 ft ceilings throughout the main level.

302 C Van Tuyl Circle - $392,000 - 2 bed/1.5 bath Townhome located in the Van Tuyl Townhomes. This unit is a well kept, 2 story townhome with all appliances included and completely fenced front yard. Great location that is centrally located in town and close to Van Tuyl trails, grocery store and shops and blocks from the bus stop. Call for a showing today!

Lazy K, Gunnison’s newest subdivision has several units still available for purchase by individuals or institutions/businesses! MORE UNITS COMING THIS SPRING. We have 2 units at 80% AMI units meaning if you make less than $50k-$70k/year depending on household size, you may qualify to purchase this new 2 bedroom/1.5 bath unit at $268,271! Applications to determine your eligibility can be found at GVRHA.org. To arrange a viewing or questions about the property, please contact Gunnison Real Estate & Rentals.

1205 Van Tuyl Circle, .15 acre of lot $160,000 MLS#798496

Only vacant lot in Van Tuyl subdivision close to newly constructed bike trail park with pavilion on site. Char Park and Van Tuyl Trails are walking distance. Van Tuyl subdivision consist of single family homes, townhomes close to a niche community of renters, home owners and second home owners with options to build your dream home or an investment. R1 zoning for residential development on a .14 of an acre, the seller has plans and drawings that this property.

1207 Van Tuyl Circle, 3 bed 2.5 bath, 1628 sqft $710,000 MLS#798505

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.

In honor of International Women's Day, March 8th, and Women's History Month, March, we celebrate women in the Gunnison workforce with a sampling of women at work across town.

We thank all women who work in so many occupations in our Valley. YOU ARE APPRECIATED.

Propane customers report slow service and high prices

Complaints against AmeriGas prompt state response

Abby Harrison Times Staff Writer

For months, residents around the state have reported issues receiving refills from national propane company AmeriGas, leaving some Coloradans without heat during the coldest months of the year. In response, Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser issued a letter to AmeriGas in late February pressing the company to respond to the complaints and mitigate the failures to deliver.

In the Gunnison Valley, AmeriGas refills have not yet become as dire as in neighboring counties, where persistent shortages have led to lack of heat and power at some homes for days on end. Most Gunnison residents within city limits are on natural gas lines, so the majority of propane tanks are in unincorporated parts of the county. But the pandemic-era closure of the local office to walk-ins and company-wide driver shortages have complicated the service for many in the valley.

Despite the general challenge of servicing over nearly 3,000 square miles of county land, local delivery drivers in Gunnison are hustling to meet demand, said Bill Sage, a Crested Butte property manager. The driver servicing Sage’s properties has been working overtime to fill the over a hundred tanks.

“[The drivers] are saving our butts in this county,” Sage said. “We’re [getting propane] because of the drivers, not because of the corporation.”

He attributes any difficulty getting re fi lls to losing walk-in ability at the local office, citing the small-town mantra that it’s real relationships between people that make a diff erence, especially in his line of work.

“I know that's the way of the world, everything is getting automated,” he said. “But living in a small town, like we do, you're supposed to have these connections and know the person. That's just how that's part of living here.”

AmeriGas spokesperson

Brilynn Johnson wrote in a statement to the Times that the office is fully operational, just closed to walk-in traffi c since the pandemic began.

She added that any service disruptions in the area are due to driver shortages and “tougherthan-normal” winter conditions. Johnson added that the company is bringing on seven additional drivers in the valley to meet the community’s needs.

“We recognize that our customers depend on propane for heating their homes and cooking their food. We are committed to ensuring that tanks are filled timely. To those where we have fallen short, we offer our deepest apology,” the statement read.

Complicating the matter is the fact that Colorado law prohibits refills by companies that do not own the tank, keeping customers tied to their original providers, even if service lapses. On Jan. 3, the Colorado Division of Oil and Public Safety announced a new policy that allows customers to have tanks owned by one company to be filled by a diff erent company, if they’re in dire straits.

Local architect and AmeriGas customer Jody Reeser had issues getting her tanks re fi lled months ago, but also noticed that prices crept up to almost twice what other providers were charging.

In the fall of 2022, the company let the tank get lower than usual, down to about 16% before it was filled. She then received an invoice over $1,200, double what she paid the previous winter. After speaking with other AmeriGas customers, she realized AmeriGas was charging locals nearly $4 a gallon, significantly higher than their competitors. She pushed back, and the company eventually off ered a $200 refund.

She also noted the closure of the local office to walk-ins as a real issue.

“It's national, within the last five years,” Reeser said. “You used to be able to call the people in the local office, but they've changed that. Th ey even keep the curtains drawn and everything, you can't get a hold of anyone local easily.”

The attorney general’s letter states that AmeriGas had until March 1 to reply to the Department of Law, outlining how the company plans to remedy the situation and protect their customers. Gunnison residents who are having an issue refilling their propane tanks can file a formal complaint at complaints.coag. gov/s/contact-us.

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

Winter Special Oil Change

March 2023 Chamber News You Can Use

INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY 2023: Why is this occasion celebrated on March 8?

International Women’s Day is an occasion to laud women’s achievements in every sector.

As women began agitating for better pay, voting rights and a host of other issues, the 20th century saw a number of women’s marches in different parts of the world. In the United States, 15,000 women marched through New York City in 1908, demanding National Women’s Day was celebrated on February 28 by the Socialist Party of America.

Some years later, as World War I gained momentum, International Women’s Day began to be seen as a way to mark opposition to the global conflict. Then, came the Russian Revolution.

Women in Russia went on a strike for “Bread and Peace” on the last Sunday in February ( March 8 in the Gregorian calendar). The protests were later joined by people from different classes and grew into a mass movement against Russia’s involvement in the war and the autocratic rule of Tsar Nicholas II. Four days after the initial strike, Nicholas II abdicated.

Since then, International Women’s Day began to be observed on 8 March all over the

Not just around the globe but right here. The Gunnison Country Chamber of Commerce sends out a cheer of acknowledgement; elevating, celebrating and amplifying the visibility and achievements of our county women. Look around, thank them all for their contributions.

We are grateful for our Gunnison Chamber women leaders in business, community efforts and in our valley workforce on International Women’s Day and every day.

– CELESTE & THE GUNNISON COUNTRY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

ATTENTION

COUNTY ROAD 734/ SLATE RIVER USERS

Effective March 21, 2023 County Road 734 (Slate River Road) will be under a 15-ton weight restriction from the intersection of CR 734 and CR 317 (Gothic Road) to the end of winter maintenance at the CR 734 trailhead, to protect the road from resource damage. The weight restriction will be lifted when conditions allow. Please contact Gunnison County Public Works Department at 970-641-0044 with any questions.

ATTENTION

COUNTY ROAD 38/ GOLD BASIN USERS

Effective March 21, 2023 County Road 38 (Gold Basin Road) will be closed at the gate just past the shooting range to protect the road from resource damage. Property owners beyond the gate will be given access upon proof of ownership. There will also be a ten (10) ton weight limit during this closure. The closure will be lifted when conditions allow or May 15, 2023.

Please contact Gunnison County Public Works Department at 970-641-0044 with any questions.

NOTICE OF GUNNISON COUNTY, BLM, AND USFS 2023 SPRING SEASONAL ROAD CLOSURES

Gunnison County, the BLM, and the U.S. Forest Service will be closing roads to all motor vehicles to protect Gunnison sage-grouse during their mating season and to prevent road damage during the wet spring conditions. The cooperation of the public is required to successfully implement these road closures.

The following County roads will be closed from March 15 through May 15. In the vicinity of Gunnison, closed roads include: Airport Road (W Mountain); CR #51B, Sun Park, just past intersection with Overlook Drive; and CR #72, Tomichi Heights, closure at BLM boundary. North of Hwy 50 and east of Gunnison, closed roads include: CR #743, Lost Canyon, at existing winter closure gate; and CR #60, North Parlin Flats Road, gate off Quartz Creek Road. South of Hwy 50 and east of Gunnison, closed roads include: CR #42, Six Mile Lane at existing gate on BLM boundary; CR#43, South Parlin Flats with a gate on the west end off HWY 114 near mile marker 7 and on the north end approx. 0.4 mi S of HWY 50; and CR #62, Razor Creek at BLM boundary. Closed roads south of Hwy 50 and west of Gunnison include: CR #32, McCabe Lane, at cattle guard past Moncrief Ranch; CR #61, Pole Creek road; CR #26, Sapinero Mesa with a gate at current winter closure gates at HWY 50 N end and HWY 149 S end; and CR #25, Pine Creek with a gate at HWY 50 N end and on S end past Blue Mesa Estates. North of Hwy 50 and west of Gunnison, closed routes include: CR #7, Miller Lane; and CR #818 with a gate at Wiley Lane at private/ BLM boundary on S end and a gate at intersection with Mill Creek Road.

All U.S. Forest Service roads within the Flat Top Mountain area are closed from January 1 through June 15: FS #829, Henkel Rd. at CR 730; FS #860, Smokey Bear Rd. at HWY135; FS #862; FS #863;

Spayghetti and No-Balls dinner raises money

The Gunnison Valley Animal Welfare League hosted the annual Spayghetti and No-Balls dinner at the Palisades Restaurant on Tuesday, March 3. Proceeds from the ticket sales went towards the league’s efforts to provide love, shelter and care to the valley’s homeless animals. Tickets included a spaghetti meal and an entry for a door prize, with desserts available by donation.

FS #955; and FS #603 along Alkali Creek. The seasonal closure for Flat Top is extended to June 15 to provide additional protections for nesting Gunnison sage-grouse.

U.S. Forest Service, Almont Triangle area: FS #810 at HWY 135 and CR 813. The Forest Service has a Special Order seasonal closure in effect for the Almont Triangle prohibiting all forms of public use from December 1 to April 30 due to the importance of the area to Gunnison sage-grouse and as critical winter range to elk, deer, and bighorn sheep.

The BLM has motorized area closures across much of the Basin from March 15-May 15. The following is a partial list of main roads within the closure area:

There are two new gates in 2023, BLM #3074 and #3075, that are on the west side of HWY 114. Other gates include:

BLM 3037b3 Willow Creek; BLM #3038, Kezar Basin Road; BLM #3038 Nine Mile Hill west of HWY 149; BLM # 3042 east of HWY 149; BLM #3067 Stubbs Gulch access at Gold Basin shooting area; BLM #3096 off south end of CR#44; BLM #3076e South Parlin Flats access road off HWY 114 near mile-marker 5; BLM #3094 Tomichi Dome road; BLM #3162 Krueger Ranch road; BLM #3185 Poverty Gulch road off Doyleville Cutoff road; Roads off CR#44 accessing Woods Gulch area; BLM #3107 Cabin Creek road at HWY 50; BLM #3106 Dry Gulch road at HWY 50; BLM #3106 Sewell Rim Road at HWY 50; BLM #3147 Powerline east of HWY 149; BLM #3185 Camp Kettle Gulch road off HWY 114; BLM 3072a2 access to Powerline Road to the west off Hwy 114; BLM #3233 Haystack Gulch; BLM #3211e off HWY 50 east of Gunnison (Signal Peak area); BLM #3226b1 accessing McIntosh Mountain Loop from Antelope Hills subdivision; BLM #3545 the Backdoor Road; BLM

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#3550 Hartman Rocks Powerline Road east of South Beaver Creek; BLM #3550 Hartman Rocks Powerline Road west access; BLM #3580 Hartman Rocks roads south of the powerline; and BLM #3580 off Gold Basin Road.

Roads in the Hartman Rocks area north of the Powerline Rd may be closed in the event of winter conditions and ski trail reopen when the roads dry out.

The Signal Peak area also has mechanized and human closures in addition to motorized closures. Signal Peak near the ridge is closed to all human use March 15th to May 15th. Affected trails include: The Ridge, Rasta information, please obtain maps at the

Copies of the closure list and maps are available at Gunnison County Public Works, 195 Basin Park Drive; Colorado York; Bureau of Land Management

Colorado, Gunnison, Colorado. The

These closures apply to all motorized vehicles. Do not park at the closures in a manner that blocks access through the closure gates. For additional information call Gunnison County Public Works at 641-0044; BLM at 642-4940; or the U.S Forest Service at 641-0471

Tables begin to fill up as the Gunnison Valley Animal Welfare League’s annual Spayghetti and No-Balls dinner at Palisades Restaurant gets underway.

Seniors wrap up season of snowshoeing

Over the weekend, the Gunnison Senior Center hosted the last of its guided snowshoe excursions. The crew went on several particularly memorable hikes over the winter including an avalanche safety outing led by the Crested Butte Avalanche Center and a snowshoe to Gothic for lunch with billy barr.

Mariel Wiley

Elizabeth Gillis

Volunteers (from left to right) Jessica Dusbabek, Josephine Wishard and Geoff Berg ready on the sidelines for their temporary wait staff roles.

Classifieds EMPLOYMENT

ALL WEATHER EARTHWORKS is looking for laborers and operators. General knowledge of construction preferred. Must be a hard worker. Will train the right people. Pay will be discussed in interview. Please send resume to awearthworkskyle@outlook. com.

LEAD CARPENTER WANTED: KD Custom Builders. PAY D.O.E. Call 975-275-6969.

LOOKING TO GET ROOTED THIS SUMMER? Connect with nature, planting and caring for perennial gardens throughout the valley. Laborer/Gardener positions available May 1-Oct. 31. Experience preferred but will train. Small company, good wages. Horizonfinegardens@gmail.com or 970-275-1020.

MAIL CENTER MANAGER: Western Colorado University invites applications for the full-time position of mail center manager. The position reports to the Associate Vice President of Campus Operations and Construction.

Responsibilities: The Mail Center Manager is responsible for ensuring the smooth and orderly flow of mail during the processing and delivery of all incoming and outgoing mail for Western Colorado University. The Mail Center processes mail 5 days a week year round for Western Colorado University. Mail includes all US Postal, Federal Express, United Parcel, UPS, along with all inter-office letters and packages.

The Mail Center Manger is responsible for the creation and implementation of policies and procedures to facilitate a smooth running mail service for all of campus. The manager is responsible for ensuring outgoing mail is in compliance with USPS regulations and maintains a secure environment for processing and storage of all mail and packages. This includes recording, tracking of all accountable mail and preparing all bulk mail packages for university departments. This position is responsible for supervision, hiring, training, daily work assignments, safety and preparing work schedules for the Mail Center work study students.

Minimum Qualifications: Bachelor’s degree. Computing skills, including Windows, Word, Excel, E-mail, Workday and Internet browsers. Ability to plan and evaluate. Excellent Communication, and leadership skills required.

Preferred Qualifications: Prior work experience in mail services a plus, communications and higher education work environment experience preferred.

Compensation: $47,000 – $50,000 annual base salary depending on qualifications. Western offers an excellent benefits package including shared premiums for a comprehensive health insurance plan, dental insurance, retirement plan, life insurance and other insurance options. After one year of employment, Western provides free tuition for dependents enrolled full time in undergraduate programs for up to four years.

Application Procedure: Apply online at Western.edu/jobs. Required attachments for online application include letter of application addressed to Sherry Ford, AVP of Campus Operations and Construction, resume, transcripts and contact information for three references. Contact the AVP of Campus Operations and Construction with position questions at sford@western.edu. Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until a successful candidate is hired.

Note: If a degree is required, official transcripts (unopened or delivered directly to HR) are required upon hire; copies/scans submitted during application will not serve the purpose of official transcripts upon hire.

Additional Information on Western and Gunnison/Crested Butte

Western Colorado University is a public institution with an enrollment of ~3,700 graduate and undergraduate students, the majority of which reside on the campus and in the community. With average class sizes of 17 students, faculty and staff share a strong commitment to inclusivity and personalized, immersive education. They are student-oriented, collegial, enthusiastic, and engaged in the campus and community. Western is committed to continual growth in regard to diversity, equity, and inclusivity and promotes participation in DEI initiatives from students, faculty, staff, and the community. Please see our diversity statement, and our DEI Committee charge.

The University is located in Gunnison, Colorado, a rural community 200 miles

southwest of Denver and the gateway to Crested Butte, a world class ski community.

K-12 students are served by the awardwinning Gunnison Watershed School District. Both communities value the arts, quality of life, community-based wrap around services for children and adults and continued personal growth and learning opportunities.

At an elevation of 7,700 feet in the southern Rocky Mountains, the Gunnison Valley provides exceptional year-round outdoor recreational and cultural opportunities including summer arts and music festivals, mountain biking, skiing, kayak/rafting, rock climbing, hiking and camping all within minutes of the campus

Visit western.edu to learn more about the university. An Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability/vets.

SUMMER OUTDOOR PROGRAM

MANAGER: Mountain Roots is hiring a full time manager for summer outdoor education youth programs. Planning/prep in May and evaluation in Sept. could be part time; full time June, July, Aug. $25-$28/hr. DOE. mountainrootsfoodproject.org/join-our-team.

K.R. WELDING AND FABRICATION is looking for fabricators. Knowledge of general construction preferred. Welding experience preferred. Quick learner, hard worker a must. Pay will be discussed in interview. Please send resume to krobbins2011@hotmail.com.

THE MOUNT CRESTED BUTTE WATER

SANITATION DISTRICT is accepting applications for a full-time water operator position to be part of a team environment focused on operation of the water plant and distribution system for Mt. Crested Butte. Important qualifications include a combination of construction, field operations and electrical/mechanical/maintenance repair. A State of Colorado Water and/or Distribution license or the ability to obtain such within one (1) year is mandatory (training for certifications provided). Operators are required to take on-call responsibility including select weekends and holidays. A valid Colorado driver’s license is required. Starting salary is $44,500 to $51,500 for entry level. $58,000 to $75,000 salary available for operators with experience and appropriate State licenses. Excellent benefits package including 100% employer paid premium family health, dental, vision and life insurance, 12 paid holiday days, two weeks paid vacation, employer contribution to retirement plan (5% automatic mandatory employer matching with 1-3% optional additional matching), employer provided uniforms and a seasonal ski pass. Full job description is available at mcbwsd.com. Please submit cover letter and resume to Mt. Crested Butte Water and Sanitation District, PO Box 5740, Mt. Crested Butte, CO 81225 or email info@mcbwsd.com. Position is open until filled. MCBWSD is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

WATER SYSTEM OPERATOR I – IV(LEAD)

z; The Town of Crested Butte Water Division is seeking a dedicated and customer service orientated individual for the full-time position of Water System Operator I – IV (LEAD).

*Entry Level applicants are encouraged to apply. Sponsorship for licensing and certification through CDPHE will be provided by the Town of Crested Butte. Placement in the Water System Operator position is based on organizational needs and candidate qualifications. (See general placement information).

Water System Operator IV (LEAD) placement requires possession of a current Colorado Class B Water Certification, Colorado Class

2 Distribution Certification, current backflow prevention certification and a minimum of 3+ years related experience or approved equivalent combination of education and experience. Water System Operator III placement requires possession of a current Colorado Class B Water Certification, Colorado Class

2 Distribution Certification, and a minimum of 2+ years related experience or approved equivalent combination of education and experience. Water System Operator II placement requires possession of a current Colorado Class C Water Certification, Colorado Class

1 Distribution Certification, and a minimum of 1+ years related experience or approved equivalent combination of education and experience.

Water System Operator I placement requires possession of a current Colorado Class

D Water Certification, Colorado Class 1 Distribution Certification, and a minimum of 6 months to 1 year of related experience or approved equivalent combination of education and experience. Salary

$67,088.52 – $80,319.38 ($32.25 - $38.61)

Enjoy Industry Leading Benefits Liberal paid vacation starting at time of hire, paid sick leave, 13 paid holidays per year. 100% medical, dental, vision, employer paid premiums for employee, and dependents.

Employer paid Health Reimbursement

Account (HRA) to offset medical, dental, and vision out of pocket costs.

Employer paid life insurance, long-term disability, and on-call premium pay. Competitive employer matching contributions to 401(a) retirement plans, in addition to individual 457b retirement plan.

Full job description is available on the Town’s website townofcrestedbutte.com. Please email application to jobs@crestedbutte-co.

gov or mail to the Town of Crested Butte, Attn: Human Resources, PO Box 39, Crested Butte, CO 81224. Position open until filled. The Town of Crested Butte is an Equal Opportunity Employer. AA/EOE.

WESTERN COLORADO UNIVERSITY

ATHLETICS DEPARTMENT is seeking a camp director for their state-licensed Junior Mountaineers Summer Camp. This camp takes place on Western’s campus, is designed for youth ages 5-12, and focuses on athletics/physical activities and STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, math). This summer seasonal position runs from May 22-August 16 (dates could be flexible for the right candidate). Starting pay is $25 per hour. Full job description can be found online at western.edu/jobs. Questions? Call 970-943-2109 or email bhare@western.edu.

VALLEY HOUSING FUND DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR: Are you passionate about local affordable housing in the Gunnison Valley? Put your communication and marketing skills to work and become part of the solution. The Valley Housing Fund seeks a development director to assist in planning and executing VHF’s annual and multi-year fundraising, communication and marketing strategy, as well as to serve as a strategic thought partner to assist in growing the nonprofit to serve the needs of our community.

Candidates must have working knowledge of technology including graphic and website design, be comfortable with donor outreach and brand development, possess excellent written and verbal communication skills, and be available to plan and attend events and fundraising activities throughout the year. Salary $55,000-$65,000 DOE, $5,000 Annual Benefit Stipend, Merit-based Bonus Structure, 15 personal days + 10 federal holidays of PTO. For a full list of qualifications and requirements, visit vhfund.org/jobs.

BLIND FAITH CUSTOM WINDOW FASHIONS is looking for an incredible showroom teammate and installer to join our team. This is a full-time (4.5 days) position. We will need this person to be able to install manual, motorized and wireless shades and blinds in high end residential homes and condos, accurately measure windows and doors for future installation and be able to load/unload products. Excellent customer service, follow through on customer service situations, the ability to use a computer, communicate via email and make phone calls is a must. This team member will also need to have: a Valid Colorado Driver’s License, flexibility (adjust on the fly according to schedule and appointments), respect for co-workers and clients while being dependable and punctual. This is an hourly, plus commission position and a company paid ski pass is provided. Please send a resume or request for an interview to admin@blindfaithcb.com or call Kelly 850-855-8838.

ALPINE MECHANICAL is hiring a journeyman plumber. Competitive wages. Call Bill at 970-209-0381.

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.

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:

Tree Dump Gatekeeper - up to $23.24/hr.

Special Events/Project Assistant - up to $23.24/hr.

Parking Attendant - up 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

EC ELECTRIC IS SEEKING

Journeyman & Residential Wireman for projects in the Gunnison and Crested Butte areas. Must have a valid Colorado driver’s license and pass a pre-employment drug screen. Top pay & Benefits. Send resumes to info@ec-electric. com or call 970-641-0195

www.ec-electric.com/careers

Colorado

Operator

-

$67,653.82 ($26.58 - $32.52) Water System Operator IV (LEAD) -

GUNNISON VALLEY HEALTH

Gunnison Valley Health is hiring. Please note This is not a complete list of all our open jobs - you can view all open positions at our website, jobs.gunnisonvalleyhealth.org

Home Health, C.N.A.FT $18.00 - $23.40/hr. DOE

Cook - Senior Services or Hospital, FT $18 - $23.40/DOE

HousekeeperFT $17.00 – $19.40/hour DOE

Medical Assistant (non-certified)FT, $18.17 - $21.81/hr DOE

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

Please visit our website for more indepth position descriptions, specific qualification requirements and to apply online gunnisonvalleyhealth. org/careers/, or call HR for questions 970-641-1456. (PRN = as needed). All offers of employment are contingent upon the successful completion of a negative 10 panel drug screen test, criminal background check, reference checks, infection prevention procedures (TB test, Flu Shot, immunization records, etc.), physical capacity profile and acknowledgement of policies.

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”

Newcomer Teacher and Integration Specialist

Library EA-GCS

Math Intervention Teacher-CBSS

Supervision EA-CBCS

Special Education EA- CBSS

Permanent Substitute-CBSS

Food Service-CBCS and GCS Bus Drivers Substitute Teachers

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*

Caseworker I – Education

Juvenile Services: 30 hours/ week with varied hours during the academic year and summer, hourly rate range from $28.78 to $40.71 plus full benefits.

Seasonal Noxious Weed Program Technician Public Works:

Seasonal, 40 hours/week, hourly rate range from $21.72 to $30.72.

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

ELEVEN EXPERIENCE is seeking hospitality and culinary/chef professionals for our Colorado properties, Scarp Ridge Lodge and Taylor River Lodge. Based in Crested Butte, we are a global adventure travel company that provides unparalleled experiences for our guests as well as an exciting work culture for staff. We currently have openings on both the culinary team and lodge staff team. Full-time, part-time, seasonal and year-round positions available.

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.

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

Applicants must be dedicated team players who thrive in a fast-paced work environment, have strong communication skills and are eager to contribute to a growing company. Pay starting at $20/hour or more based on experience. Benefits include a generous tip pool, end of season ski pass bonus and retail discounts. Housing options available for the 2023 summer season. For more information on current openings and to apply, please visit elevenexperience.com/careers/. ** $500

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.

sign-on bonus will be given to lodge staff positions that come on board for the summer season**

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.

REQUEST FOR CLEANING SERVICE

PROPOSALS: Please provide cleaning services proposals based on the attached list of cleaning duties and to include the following:

-Pricing for cleaning services shown in either a per visit or per month format.

-Ability to commit to a one-year contract for cleaning services.

-Ability to perform cleaning services on weekends.

-Preferences in utilizing GCEA supplied cleaning supplies.

-Office cleaning experience.

-Professional references.

WEEKEND CLEAN: Contractors (4 to 5 hours per week)

-Empty all trash receptacles and wastebaskets in all common areas, replace liners.

-Contractor not responsible for emptying common area recycling bins.

-Vacuum all carpeted flooring in downstairs common areas throughout the building and vacuum the lobby stairwell.

-Sweep and mop all tile and laminate flooring throughout all downstairs common areas, including the back stairwell near the east doorway.

-Restock paper supplies in all bathrooms except upstairs.

-Clean all 8 bathrooms throughout the downstairs of the building, warehouse, and hindquarters.

-Wipe down baseboards in common areas as needed.

-Dust picture frames, tables, bookcases, furniture, etc., in common areas as needed.

-Clean downstairs Member Services Specialist’s windows and countertops.

-Dust/wipe down lobby table, surfaces, and

34. Normal or sound powers of mind 35. The academic world 36. Crustacean 37. Currency 38. Pastoral

couches. -Clean and sanitize downstairs water fountain.

-Clean downstairs showers. Dust/wipe down exposed baseboards in downstairs hallways as needed.

-Clean glass doors in foyer and interior entrance door and the glass doors to each side of the hallway entrances.

-Clean the outside of the interior glass windows by office doors.

-Spot clean downstairs walls and doors, removing marks as needed. Wipe down downstairs door frames as needed.

-Clean front and back stairwell rails with disinfectant.

-Dust and refill hand sanitizer dispenser’s downstairs.

Contractors may occasionally be asked to alter cleaning schedule dependent on events held at headquarters. Contactor is expected to utilize GCEA provided cleaning supplies and to notify GCEA point of contact when new cleaning supplies may need to be ordered.

OTHER RESPONSIBILITIES:

Ensure that Safety Data Sheets are provided for all cleaning products used. If any supplies are transferred into other containers, contractors must ensure that said containers are properly labeled, per OSHA.

All proposals should be submitted to me via email (mfeier@gcea.coop) by March 13 at 5 p.m. Questions should be sent to mfeier@ gcea.coop.

GUNNISON LIQUOR (The Ghost) is currently looking for part time help. Nights and weekends a must. Stop by with a resume! 603 West Tomichi Ave., Gunnison.

DOS RIOS GOLF CLUB: Opening April 1. Now hiring for the following positions. AM/PM Bartenders, servers, outdoor services and line cooks.

Doing on site interviews every Thursday, through Saturday from 3-6 p.m.

Official start date March 28.

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).

IRWIN GUIDES is seeking a Full-time, seasonal office/sales assistant. The position will be responsible for assisting the Irwin Guides administrator with day-to-day operations included but not limited to data entry, completing and filing paperwork, interacting with guests face-to-face or via phone/email, booking trips and assisting with walk-in traffic and retail inquires/purchases. A strong candidate will have knowledge of the outdoor industry and local activities, strong administrative skills, effective communication, both oral and written, is detail-oriented, responsive to delegation, and comfortable working independently and in a fast paced team environment. During the operational seasons this position will be required to work some early mornings and late afternoons, at least one weekend day per week, and some holidays as necessary. Qualified candidates should send a cover letter and resume to jobs@

elevenexperience.com. This is a winter seasonal position starting at $18 - $20 a hour depending on experience and qualifications.

DIRECTOR OF YOUTH EDUCATION:

Mountain Roots seeks a full time professional to provide leadership, coordination, and strategic development of our district-wide year-round youth programs, focused on environmental and nutrition education. Includes direct teaching, guiding program growth, and training/management of our 3-5 person program staff. $50K w/ benefits. mountainrootsfoodproject.org/join-our-team.

CRESTED BUTTE BURGER COMPANY is hiring cooks and cashiers. Flexible schedule available. Starting pay is $16-$18/ hr. plus gratuities. For more information or to submit a resume, please email: crestedbutteburgerco@gmail.com.

WAREHOUSE/STOREKEEPER:

Gunnison County Electric Association, Inc. is currently seeking applications for a warehouse/storekeeper. This is a full-time position that will be reporting to the Gunnison Headquarters location. This position is responsible for maintaining warehouse to ensure proper and adequate distribution equipment is available to meet association’s needs for construction and maintenance of distribution equipment. Complete purchasing, receiving and record keeping needed to run the warehouse effectively and efficiently. The wage for a warehouse/ storekeeper is between $61,318 - $81,765 annually. Actual compensation offer to candidate may vary outside of the posted hiring range based upon work experience, education, and/or skill level. Applicable overtime pay may apply occasionally or when needed. Upon meeting eligibility requirements this position offers health care benefits, retirement benefits, paid time off and paid scheduled holidays. To see the complete job description and to learn how to apply please visit our website at www.gcea. coop, About tab, Careers. Job will remain open until filled.

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.

CROSSWORD

ANSWERS FOR

THE CLUB AT CRESTED BUTTE IS HIRING THE FOLLOWING POSITIONS: Housekeeping: flexible schedule available, starting pay $18-$20/hr. Prep/Line Cooks: part-time/full-time positions available, starting pay $20-$25/hr.+ Gratuity. Employee benefits include complimentary golf rounds, employee discounts and ski storage at the base area. For more information or to submit a resume, please email jobs@ clubatcrestedbutte.com.

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.

RECREATION AND CONSERVATION

RANGER: The recreation and conservation ranger will provide recreational users with information about safe and sustainable outdoor recreation, will assist Crested Butte Land Trust staff with maintenance and improvements on conserved open spaces and recreation sites and will conduct and compile surveys of recreational users. The recreation and conservation ranger will possess a diplomatic and engaging character, will enjoy communicating with land users with diverse points of view and will be comfortable working outdoors in variable weather conditions. The position entails walking long distances and standing for long periods of time in natural areas on a daily basis and will require regular physical labor, for example trail building, fence repair, and noxious weed control. This is a seasonal (appx. May 31-August 15) full-time (40 hours/week) position based in Crested Butte, Colorado reporting to CBLT Stewardship staff. For more information about the Crested Butte Land Trust, please visit cblandtrust.org. A cover letter and resume must be submitted to hiring@ cblandtrust.org by April 1, 2023.

The Crested Butte Land Trust is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran or disability status. Pay rate: $20-22/hour.

OFFICE MANAGER POSITION: The Catholic Churches in the Gunnison and Crested Butte area are looking for an experienced office manager. The ideal candidate will demonstrate professionalism, a positive attitude, maintain confidentiality, and have strong interpersonal and organizational skills. Experience with bookkeeping, publisher and Microsoft windows is preferred but not required. This is a full-time position and offers a competitive wage, paid holidays, vacation and benefits. For questions call: 970-641-0808. Send resumes to stpeters@gunnisoncatholic.org.

ELECTRICAL ENGINEER POSITION: Gunnison County Electric Association, Inc. is currently seeking applications for an electrical engineer position. This is a full-time position that will be reporting to the Gunnison Headquarters location. This position is responsible for the design, coordination, overcurrent protection, voltage regulation, load balancing, planning and troubleshooting of the cooperative’s electric power distribution system. This position will assist other departments using, configuring, and maintaining AMI, SCADA, GIS, OMS, and Billing systems. The wage for an electrical engineer is between $87,568$116,750 annually. Actual compensation offer to candidate may vary outside of the posted hiring range based upon work experience, education, and/or skill level. Applicable overtime pay may apply occasionally or when needed. Upon meeting eligibility requirements this position offers health care benefits, retirement benefits, paid time off and paid scheduled holidays. To see the complete job description and to learn how to apply please visit our website at gcea.coop, About tab, Careers. Job will remain opened until filled.

RANCHING

BULLS FOR SALE: Black Gelbvieh yearling bulls ready to work for you! Range raised, low birth wt, easy fleshing, Polled and low PAP scores. John Hawks 970-596-4292.

REAL ESTATE

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

Legals

NOTICE OF INTENT TO DISPOSE

NOTICE OF INTENT TO DISPOSE:

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

All property will be sold or disposed of, unless claimed and/or all rent and fees paid

Gunnison Country Times Gunnison, Colorado.

Publication dates of March 9, 15, 2023

8080

PUBLIC NOTICE

MEETING NOTICE

Upper Gunnison River Water Conservancy

District Board of Directors Meeting

Monday, March 27, 2023 5:30 PM

NOTICE OF NAME CHANGE

PUBLIC NOTICE OF PETITION FOR CHANGE OF NAME

Public Notice is given on February 24, 2023 that a Petition for a Change of Name of a Minor Child has been filed with the Gunnison County, Colorado Court.

The Petition requests that the name of Celine Baz be changed to Celine Baz Zeferino

Cirenda S. Fry Clerk of Court/Deputy Clerk

/s/ Cirenda S. Fry

Gunnison Country Times Gunnison, Colorado.

Publication dates of March 2, 9 and 16, 2023

7937

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

Please call the District at (970)641-6065 to get the Zoom link login. A meeting agenda will be posted at the District Office prior to the meeting.

Gunnison Country Times Gunnison, Colorado.

Publication date of March 9, 2023

8055

ORDINANCE

ORDINANCE NO. 3, SERIES 2023:

AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF GUNNISON, COLORADO, ESTABLISHING UTILITY AVAILABILITY OF SERVICE FEES. A full copy of the ordinance can be found on the City of Gunnison’s website at www. gunnisonco.gov in the City Council e-packet information or at the City Clerk’s Office in City Hall, 201 West Virginia Avenue in Gunnison or by calling 970.641.8140.

Gunnison Country Times Gunnison, Colorado.

Publication date of March 9, 2023

8034

PUBLIC NOTICE

NOTICE OF CANCELLATION

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN by the Gunnison County Fire Protection District, Gunnison County, Colorado, that at the close of business on the sixty-third day before the election, there were not more candidates for director than offices to be filled, including candidates filing affidavits of intent to be write-in candidates; therefore, the election to be held on May 2, 2023 is hereby canceled pursuant to section 1-13.5-513(6) C.R.S.

The following candidates are hereby declared elected for 4-year terms:

Dennis Spritzer

Paul Morgan Walter Cranor

Gunnison Country Times Gunnison, Colorado.

Publication date of March 9, 2023

8089

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.

Gunnison Country Times Gunnison, Colorado.

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

7719

REQUEST FOR BIDS

INVITATION TO BID

CDOT Project Number: SAR C350-001

Location: Crestone, Colorado

CDOT Project Code: 23034 Name: Crestone Safe Routes to School Project

Separate sealed BIDS for the Crestone Safe Routes to School Project will be received by Saguache County, Colorado at the office of Davis Engineering Service, Inc. located at 1314 Eleventh Street, P.O. Box 1840, Alamosa, Colorado 81101, until 2:00 P.M. local time on March 23, 2023, and then at said office publicly opened and read aloud.

The project consists of the following: constructing ±3,196 linear feet of concrete multi-use pathway with associated curb, gutter, curb ramps, asphalt paving, asphalt patching, Aggregate Base Course Class 6 placement, excavation, embankment, removal work, traffic control, traffic signage, public information services, pavement markings, surface drainage, ditching, best management practices of erosion control measures, and trail side landscaping including topsoil, conditioning, seeding, and mulching.

PUBLIC NOTICE

NOTICE OF CANCELLATION AND CERTIFIED STATEMENT OF RESULTS

§1-13.5-513(6), 32-1-104, 1-11-103(3)

C.R.S.

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN by the North Fork Ambulance Health Service District, Delta County, Colorado, that at the close of business on the sixty-third day before the election, there were not more candidates for director than offices to be filled, including candidates filing affidavits of intent to be write-in candidates; therefore, the election to be held on May 2, 2023 is hereby canceled pursuant to section 1-13.5-513(6) C.R.S.

The following candidates are hereby declared elected:

Bonnie Eisenberg, 4 year term until May 2027

David R. Kreutz, 4 year term until May 2027

Kathryn A. Steckel, DEO

Contact Person for the District: Kathryn A. Steckel

Telephone Number of the District: 970-8729111

Address of the District: 110 E. Hotchkiss Ave., Hotchkiss, CO 81419

District Email: ksteckel@nfems.com

Gunnison Country Times Gunnison, Colorado.

Publication date of March 9, 2023

8074

The Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) sets the goals for Underutilized Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (UDBEs) in participation for a part of the work of this Contract. The goal for participation in this Contract by certified DBEs who have been determined to be underutilized has been established at 4%. The On-The-Job Training (OJT) goal for the project is 0 hours

CDOT Form 606 – Anti-Collusion Affidavit and CDOT Form 1414 – Anticipated DBE Participation Plan (all included in Appendix A) must be submitted by all bidders with their bids. If these forms are not submitted, the bid is considered non responsive and shall be rejected. CDOT Form 85 – Contractor’s Proposal, (also in Appendix A) shall be submitted with the bidder indicating whether the fuel cost adjustment shall apply to the contract. If the bidder fails to indicate a choice or fails to submit Form 85, the fuel cost adjustment will not apply to the Contract.

Please refer to SECTION II, Information to Bidders of the CONTRACT DOCUMENTS for more information on the required Bid Documents.

The provisions of Form Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) 1273 apply to all work performed under the CONTRACT and are to be included in all subcontracts. Please refer to APPENDIX D: Colorado Department of Transportation Standard Special Provisions of the CONTRACT DOCUMENTS for more information. This project includes funding by CDOT administered FHWA grants; therefore, the Davis Bacon Wages will apply.

Saguache County, in accordance with the provisions of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act

of 1964 (78 Stat. 252, 42 US.C. §§2000d to 2000d-4) and the Regulations, hereby notifies all bidders that it will affirmatively ensure that any Contract entered into pursuant to this advertisement, disadvantaged business enterprises will be afforded full and fair opportunity to submit bids in response to this invitation and will not be discriminated against on the grounds of race, color, or national origin in consideration for an award. An EEO-1 Report must be submitted to the Joint Reporting Committee if the Contractor and subcontractors meet the eligibility requirements (29 CFR 1602.7). For additional information regarding these federal requirements, please refer to: http://www.eeoc.gov/employers/eeo1survey/ faq.cfm

Copies of the CONTRACT DOCUMENTS and PLANS may be obtained on or after February 27, 2023, at the office of Davis Engineering Service, Inc. located at the address mentioned above, upon payment of $85.00 for each set. No refund will be made for returned copies.

A mandatory pre-bid conference and inspection trip for prospective Bidders will be held at the Crestone Charter School, 330 East Lime Avenue, Crestone, CO 81131, at 2:00 P.M. local time on March 13, 2023. For questions contact Davis Engineering Service, Inc. at (970)-264-5055 ext. 105.

Date: February 23, 2023

Gunnison Country Times Gunnison, Colorado. Publication dates of February 23 and March 2, 9, 16, 2023 7908

REQUEST FOR BIDS

Gunnison Watershed School District RE1-J is seeking Request For Proposals for Contracted Services for a Food Service Management Company for all its kitchens in the District (Crested Butte, Gunnison Community School and Gunnison High School). Proposals must be for all sites. Please call Kristen Osborn at 970-641-7770 for project details. Proposals are due to the Administrative Office, Lake School 800 North Boulevard Street by 4:00PM on April 17, 2023 where they will be publically read. Contract will begin July 1, 2023. Certificate of Liability and proof of Workers Compensation must accompany the proposal.

Don't SELL them. Tell them a great STORY.

Name that plow

The City of Gunnison recently held a naming contest for seven snowplows. The community voted on the winning names, which included Blizzard Wizzard, Snow Beast, Pow Plow, Oscar the Plowch and Gunni Thaw Enforcement.

Lights & Sirens

CITY OF GUNNISON

POLICE REPORT

FEBRUARY 27

CRIMINAL NEGLIGENCE TOWARD

AN AT-RISK-PERSON — CITY OF GUNNISON

CRIMINAL EXTORTION - THREAT TO INJURE REPUTATION —

N. 11TH ST.

HARASSMENT — PAINTBRUSH AVE. PROPERTY - FOUND —

910 W. BIDWELL AVE.

CRIMINAL TRESPASS: FIRST

DEGREE - VEHICLE — TYLER LN.

FEBRUARY 28

FAILURE TO APPEAR - POLICE

DEPT CHARGE —

200 E. VIRGINIA AVE.

FRAUD — N. BOULEVARD ST.

JUVENILE PROBLEM —

N. 11TH ST.

ACCIDENT — E. DENVER AVE.

MARCH 1

FAILURE TO APPEAR - POLICE

DEPT CHARGE —

200 E. VIRGINIA AVE.

MUNICIPAL CODE VIOLATION —

303 N. 10TH ST.

MUNICIPAL CODE VIOLATION —

308 S. 11TH ST.

THEFT: INTENDS TO

PERMANENTLY DEPRIVE — 900

N. MAIN ST.

PROPERTY - FOUND — 711 N.

TAYLOR ST.

DEATH INVESTIGATION — N.

SPRUCE ST.

WELFARE ASSIST — S. 12TH ST.

MARCH 2

THEFT - UNDER $100.00

MUNICIPAL — 900 N. MAIN ST.

PROPERTY WATCH —

ANIMAL - RUNNING AT LARGE -

MUNICIPAL — 300 S. 14TH ST.

MUNICIPAL CODE VIOLATION —

310 W. TOMICHI AVE.

MARCH 3

DISTURBING THE PEACE — 600

N. COLORADO ST.

DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE

- ALCOHOL — 226 N. MAIN ST.

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE —

N. MAIN ST.

MARCH 4

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE —

GEORGIA AVE.

VIOLATION OF PROTECTION

ORDER: CRIMINAL ORDER — 403 E. TOMICHI AVE. ACCIDENT — 800 W. SAN JUAN AVE.

ANIMAL - RUNNING AT LARGEMUNICIPAL — 98 BASIN PARK DR.

CRIMINAL MISCHIEF - DAMAGE TO PROPERTY — S. 14TH ST.

ANIMAL - RUNNING AT LARGEMUNICIPAL — 117 CHIPETA CT. ALARM — 119 S. MAIN ST.

MARCH 5

AGENCY ASSIST — E. HWY. 50

GUNNISON COUNTY SHERIFF’S REPORT

FEBRUARY 28

-North end deputies took a theft report in Marble

-Deputies arrested one person for an in-county warrant

-Deputies took a lost or stolen license plate report

-Deputies assisted the Colorado State Patrol with a one vehicle crash

-Deputies issued a warning and proof of service to a person for driving when license is canceled/ denied and for weaving

-Deputies arrested one person for an in-county warrant

-Deputies responded to a family dispute

MARCH 1

-Deputies responded to a parking complaint where a vehicle was a hazard to snow plow operations

-Deputies responded to dispatch an injured deer on east Hwy. 50

-Deputies assisted the National Park Service with a vehicle slide off with no injuries

-Deputies responded to a residential burglar alarm

-Courthouse deputies assisted the Gunnison Police Department with a felony warrant arrest

-Deputies were notified of a dog at large near County Road 48 but were unable to locate it

-Deputies assisted the Montrose County Jail with a victim notification for the release of an inmate

Courtesy

Friday afternoon pickup

A team of 6 year olds faced off against the 8 year olds in a pickup soccer game at the Gunnison Rec Center on March 3.

continued from A19

MARCH 2

-Deputies assisted Gunnison County Road and Bridge by contacting someone who needed to move their vehicle for plowing

-Deputies contacted a driver and issued a written warning for passing in a no-passing zone

-Deputies issued a summons for driving while revoked-habitual traffic offender

-Deputies assisted the Colorado State Patrol with a rollover crash

-Deputies responded and issued a verbal warning regarding harassment

-Deputies located a person and their children on a welfare check

-North end deputies assisted with a family dispute

-Deputies came across and dispatched two injured deer on the highway

-Deputies assisted the Gunnison Police Department with finding a person with a felony warrant

MARCH 3

-Deputies responded again to another harassing call north of town

-Deputies arrested someone for an in-county warrant

-Deputies went to Iola to try and locate a found license plate left in a snow bank, but the plate was gone already

-Deputies placed one person under arrest for a violation of protection order

-Deputies issued a proof of service to someone driving while their license is suspended

-Deputies assisted the Gunnison Police Department with an assault where the suspect ran from police officers

MARCH 4

-Deputies did a welfare check north of Gunnison

-Deputies had to dispatch an injured deer in the road on Hwy. 50

-Deputies arrested one individual for violation of protection order and unlawful possession of a controlled substance

-Deputies took a lost property report – a ski

-Deputies were requested to do a welfare check on an individual that appears to not have been home in a while.

-Deputies responded to a burglary alarm call

MARCH 5

-Deputies took one person into custody for driving under the influence of drugs

-Deputies assisted Emergency Medical Services with an unresponsive but breathing patient

-Deputies received a dropped call where a snowmobiler needed assistance – on recall the snowmobiler said a person had stopped by and they were good now

-Deputies assisted the Colorado State Patrol with a crash possible driving under the influence

MARCH 6

-Deputies responded for a possible suicidal subject

-Deputies assisted the Hinsdale county Sheriff’s office with a welfare check

-Deputies took a harassment report

-Deputies assisted the Colorado State Patrol with a one vehicle crash

“The nurse and assistant nu rse a nd assista nt explained and asked expla ined a nd asked permission before they perm ission before they did anything. did a nyth ing Excellent service.” Excellent serv ice.”

Jacob Spetzler

Hooked on ice

Local women try ice fishing for the first time

Six women gathered at the Dry Creek parking lot early last Sunday morning, bundled in several layers, hats and gloves to fight the early morning chill. They walked down a snowpacked boat ramp and onto the frozen north shore of Blue Mesa Reservoir with a single, and simple, mission: to catch a fish.

The outing, organized by

Gunnison Valley Women’s Network, brought women from both ends of the valley together to try ice fishing for the first time. The network is the brainchild of Erin Croke, who founded the group nearly seven years ago to meet new people and make business connections. Croke found it difficult to make friends when she first moved to the valley, especially without the “mom connection” to meet fellow parents at school events. She decid-

ed to take matters into her own hands, and with just a few keystrokes on Facebook, the group came to life.

“We’re always trying to find new things to do,” Croke said.

“This was a fun new adventure.”

The group meets once a month for business networking nights, and fills the time in between with adventures around the valley, from wine tastings to

GUNNISON COUNTRY TIMES • THURSDAY, MARCH 9, 2023

Abby Harrison Times Staff Writer

Abby Harrison Hooked B2

Stacy Shultz sits patiently by the ice hole, waiting for a nibble.John Kesler bobs the lure so the fisher can see how movement looks on the fish finder.

Erin Croke caught the first two fish of the morning.

FaithDirectory

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 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

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

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

TRINITY BAPTIST CHURCH

523 N. Pine St. • 641-1813

Hooked from B1

rafting trips. Ice fishing came onto the radar when Hope Howard, who runs a women’s fishing group, came to an event and suggested a future outing.

Events like this help make the sport more accessible, Howard said, opening the male-dominated sport to more women. She recalled seeing only 10 to 15 women at a recent ice fishing tournament, compared to nearly 150 men. Taking newcomers fishing is also about reducing the financial barrier to entry, as an initial setup can cost thousands of dollars.

Crested Butte-based hairdresser and first-time ice fisher Ashley Toothman joined the network months ago. She grew up fishing with her family in Oklahoma, so the event brought back cherished memories from her midwest upbringing.

“It's definitely something that I grew up doing that I miss doing. I'm hoping to get my little boy into it this summer,” she said.

Sabrina Arbona has been involved with the group for just over a year, but ice fishing was her first formal outing. She was excited by the opportunity to get outside in the winter and do something active instead of her normal trail walks around Western Colorado University. For all in the group, ice fish-

ing was a new endeavor— each woman sitting patiently by the 8-inch ice hole for the first time. On Blue Mesa, the women were fishing mostly for trout — browns, rainbows, lake — but also some perch and if they were lucky, salmon. The group settled on a large shallow area of the reservoir, considered good morning angling as the fish are often trolling the bottom of the reservoir for food. John Kesler, the owner of Gunnison’s Elevation Angling, provided guidance.

As soon as the bags hit the ground, Kesler started drilling cores in the ice with a batterypowered auger, its revolving blades chewing through nearly two feet of ice in less than 10 seconds. Once the hole was drilled, Kesler instructed the women how to move their lines to attract the fish.

He soon cracked out the “fish finder,” a sonar device that measures re fl ected sound waves to locate fish underwater. On the LCD screen, participants could not only see the reservoir bottom, but their bobbing lure and any nearby fish.

The morning wore on and the sun ate away at the ice beneath the women’s feet. Soon enough, the baritone groaning of melting ice reverberated across the Mesa, prompting some women to check in with Kesler that the ice was, in fact, thick enough to stand on.

Ice fishing requires a mea-

sure of patience. Once the chairs are unfolded and beers cracked open, there’s not much to do other than gently bob the line and wait for a fish to come along. But upon feeling the slightest tension in the line, the slightly-meditative practice gives way to shrieks of excitement and one grand, “over-thehead” gesture, as the fisherwoman jerks the rod upward to hook the fish.

Croke caught the first two fish of the morning, chalking her success up to her “here fishy fishy,” mantra. Less than an hour later, network member Stacey Shultz felt the tug and, with the guidance of Kesler, yanked a nearly 12-inch, flailing rainbow trout from the ice. As it was her first-ever ice fishing catch, Shultz held the fish up for the iconic proof-of-catch photo. For Howard, the group continues to offer exciting adventures year-round.

“I've been here for five and a half years and I still love just meeting people and making friends and finding different and new connections,” she said. Those interested in the group can find the event schedule on the website, at gunnisonvalleywn.com or email Croke at gunnisonvalleywn@gmail.com.

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

Abby Harrison

John Kesler drills into over 2 feet of ice with a battery-powered auger.

The group gathered on the north shore of Blue Mesa Reservoir.

Winter 2022/23

In case you didn’t know it, winter is over. We have now entered spring (or what passes for spring in Gunnison). So, let’s look at how this winter stacked up with long- and short-term trends.

But first, I want to point out what an unusual month

February 2023 was. Despite a rather mild December, January and February, 2023 had the coldest average temperature (5.8 degrees) in 39 years. It was the driest February in 21 years (with only 0.28 inches in snowwater equivalent) and had the lowest snowfall in 25 years (3.2 inches).

Our official winter average temperature in 2022-2023 was 10.2 degrees, compared to our long term average of 12.6. The average high was 25, and the average low temperature was 4.7 degrees below zero. As of March 6, we, in Gunnison, only have a combined total of 28.3 inches of snowfall for the 20222023 snow season, so we will

have a hard time reaching our “new normal” of 40 inches compared to the last 30 years.

Now, as to some long-term comparisons: In the winter season of 1994-1995, the average temperature was 18.2 degrees, a total of 8 degrees warmer than this year. Theaverage high was 33 degrees and the average low was 3.7 degrees above zero.

In 2007-2008, the winter season averaged 4.8 degrees, the highs averaged 19.3 degrees, and the lows averaged 9.6 degrees below zero and there was over 100 inches of snow. That was a winter!

But wait, there’s even a colder one! The winter of 1965-1966 had an average temperature of 3.2 degrees, and had 39 days in a row of overnight low temperatures below zero.

January, 1966 was the coldest in history, with an average temperature of 3.6 degrees below zero and the “warmest” overnight low was 12 below. We even had a 27 below on March 5, the record low for that day. Yet, despite that, and contrary to folklore, there was only one day that stayed below zero all day. So, it could be a lot worse. (Temperatures cited were measured at the West Ruby Weather Underground station. Official temperatures are kept at the Gunnison County Electric Association, west of Gunnison.)

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

When uncertainty strikes — do what you can

actions in physical danger than in fiancial uncertainty.

Boyd Pederson

Special to the Times

Did 2022 feel diffeent for you fiancially? It did to me. Gas and grocery prices. Interest rates. A down year in financial markets. Making ends meet. Whatever challenge it brought you, it seems we all saw some sort of impact on our fiances in 2022.

As humans, we want to take action when uncertainties pop up. But, what do we do when there are so many uncertainties hitting us at one time? Centuries ago we huddled in caves. In the Old West, we “circled the wagons.” When we’re stressed or scared, we tend to take action, because action or movement gives a feeling of safety. Call it our fight or flght instinct.

It is easy to see how taking action — for example, circling the wagons to protect against outside physical threats — makes a lot of sense. The apprehension we feel when trying something new is a form of self-preservation to talk yourself out of some potential risk. Thin about skiing Headwall for the first time; singing or playing a musical performance in front of a crowd. Thefear or nervousness we feel is our brain warning us of danger.

It is easier to see the right

When uncertainty surrounds our personal fiances, our defensive actions may take many forms — taking cash out of the bank; selling your investments; buying gold, bitcoin, Girl Scout cookies — whatever resource that we believe will give us comfort in the moment.

We take action to assert control, especially when so much feels outside of our control. With the complexity of today’s world, our perception of control feels smaller than it once did. Retirement and long term fiancial decisions are relatively new human innovations in the last 100 years, and our fight or flght biology doesn’t work well with long term planning.

With this in mind, I share some helpful actions to focus on when uncertainty is spurring us to take action.

Take inventory. Where does your money go? When I was an auditor, we would verify what business owners had “in inventory” at the end of the year to see whether their financial statements matched what they physically held in the store. Every year, I do the same with our household monthly and annual spending. Whether you use a list on paper, an app, a spreadsheet or annual credit card summary, it’s important to look at where your money goes. I always find surprises when I take inventory.

Use trackable spending.

When we were in debt elimination mode, we used the timeless cash envelope system. It works!

That’s true for tracking where your money goes and for reduc-

ing spending. (I didn’t believe it either, but I was wrong.) We use a credit card now for convenience. If I’m carrying cash and not using an envelope system, I find the cash disappears. With a credit card, I see all monthly expenses, and I can pay them all with one payment. Important: we pay the balance every month. Don’t use a credit card if you can’t do the same. Create an emergency fund. We have an auto-deposit into savings of $25 per month. It was set up when we opened our bank accounts to avoid bank fees. That auto-deposit has created an emergency fund over time with little effort. The account is our overdraft protection for our checking account, and once or twice per year, it saves our bacon when a surprise expense hits our account.

Review expenses. Having turned 50 recently, I’m not looking forward to any of the “over 50” medical expenses, but I was able to find some budget relief by changing my medical plan options. Also, check your monthly subscriptions. They seem to multiply every year whether in use or not!

Uncertainty is normally outside of our control. Our response to uncertainty must focus on the actions we can control. The challenge is to make our actions reduce stress now, and create more stability for our future.

(Boyd along with his wife, Sharalee, share a passion for fiancial literacy, and have been blessed to raise three children in the Gunnison Valley over the last two decades.)

Includes most winter boots, many coats, lots

The BLM Gunnison Field Office is closing gates on BLM roads in the Gunnison Basin as part of the annual closure from March 15-May 15 to protect Gunnison sage-grouse during their mating and nesting season. The closures are in coordination with Gunnison County, Gunnison Ranger District, and Colorado Parks and Wildlife. The gates will reopen on May 15.

For specific information on closures on BLM lands, contact the Gunnison Field Office at (970) 642-4940.

Bruce ‘Barometer’ Bartleson Special to the Times

Monday, March 13 at 9 am Library Yoga

Thursday, March 16 at 6 pm

Qigong with Heidi Magnus

PEOPLE & HAPPENINGS

Farm and Garden Slam Poetry

Join the Gunnison Valley Producers' Guild for the Farm and Garden Slam Poetry event — a fun-filled evening of farm and garden poems on March 25 at 6:30 p.m. at the Gunnison Arts Center. Learn about local farms and meet your farmers. Share your poem on stage and win prizes by dressing like a farmer. Register at gvpg.org for this free event.

Six Points Book Club celebration

It’s the first birthday of the Six Points Book Club. Come celebrate at the Gunnison Library March 11 from 3-4 p.m.

Dementia caregiver support group

Crested Butte Mountain Resort Donation Day

Every year, CBMR hosts Donation Day to benefit an organization in the Gunnison Valley. This year, on March 14, we are excited to raise money once again for the Mountain Roots Food Project. Mountain Roots helps address food insecurities in the Gunnison Valley through various food assistance and education programs. They will be collecting donations near Red Lady Express in the base area from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Individual donations are matched up to a guaranteed total $2,500 from the EpicPromise Foundation. Donations can be made with cash, check or Venmo and credit card donations can be made online at mountainrootsfoodproject.org. For more information visit skicb.com/ blog.

SCREAMVI(R)

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.

“Silent Sky” at the CB Mountain Theatre

This play explores a woman's place in society during a time of immense scientific discovery. A wonderful mix of math and music, “Silent Sky” and its characters change the way we understand both the heavens and Earth. Show Dates are March 10, 11 and 12. The doors open at 6:30 p.m. for the show at 7 p.m. Contact the CB Mountain Theatre for more information and tickets.

Eating disorder recovery

This support group welcomes all adults (18+) in recovery from an eating disorder. Join us on the first Tuesday of each month from 5:45-6:45 p.m. at the Gunnison Library. Our goal is to provide support and encouragement during ED recovery. For questions contact Katherine Melland edrecoverygunni@ gmail.com.

Equity Book Club

The Equity Book Club will meet March 15 at the Coffee Trader in Gunnison from 3-4 p.m. We will be discussing “As A Woman.” The next book we will be reading is “The Myth of Normal – Trauma, Illness and Healing in a Toxic Culture” by Dr. Gabor Mate. If you are interested in attending, please fill out the form at this link so we can order the appropriate number of books: forms.gle/ Bhmmxz3aDRaiq8Hk8

Colorectal cancer awareness month

In honor of colorectal cancer awareness month, Gunnison Valley Health and Living Journeys are coming together to raise awareness about the importance of cancer screening and early detection. To kick things off the two organizations are hosting Straight Talk: Colorectal Cancer on March 9, tonight, at 5:30 p.m. at the Center for the Arts in Crested Butte.

League of Women Voters of the Gunnison Valley

“All About Civility” by Pam Montgomery is the program for the March 14 meeting of League of Women Voters of the Gunnison Valley. It will be at 11:30 a.m. at Gunnison Library, 1 Quartz Street. Montgomery will share some insights on communication from her 40-year career in nonprofit administration. This LWVGV meeting is in-person only and may include some audience participation. The public is invited to attend. For more information go to lwvgunnison. org.

Gunnison Rotary grants

The Rotary Club of Gunnison invites proposals from charitable organizations in the Gunnison Valley for grant support. In 2023, Rotary is looking to support programs that serve our children from birth to high school graduation in a way that “helps foster the general well-being of our youth and our community.” Organizations interested in applying for a grant must be a 501(c)(3) tax exempt or another type of charitable organization. The deadline for receipt of completed applications is April 13 at noon. Email Pam Montgomery at pgmflower@gunnison. com to request the guidelines and application forms or call 970.901.9950.

VETERANS’ VOICE

‘We train the way we would fight in combat’

Local veteran shares stories of service

Pete Dunda Special to the Times

I appreciate the opportunity to relay to the Gunnison community several memories of two experiences (happy and sad) that happened during my 24 years in the U.S. Air force, from 1961 to 1985.

Early in my military career, I flew the F-101 Voodoo fighter for North American Air Defense Command (NORAD). I was stationed at Glasgow Air Force Base with the 13th Fighter Interceptor Squadron (FIS) at Glasgow, Montana.

After two years with the 13 th FIS, I was transferred to the 62 nd FIS at K.I. Sawyer AFB in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. After two years with the 62nd, I didn’t think that they could send me farther north, but they did! I was very fortunate to receive an assignment as an exchange pilot with the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) also flying the F-101. I was assigned to the 409 th All Weather Fighter Squadron at CAF Base Comox, located on Vancouver Island, British Columbia.

All fighter squadrons in NORAD were required to have two aircraft on five-minute alert and two on one-hour alert. When the alarm bell sounds to scramble the two aircraft on fi ve-minute alert, that means they had to be airborne in fi ve minutes. Th e scrambles were initiated by the squadron commander at his discretion, and he could call them at any time. More than 90% of the time, the scrambles were conducted during hours other than the middle of the night and were in support of training exercises.

I was a captain at the time and I had volunteered to pull

fi ve-minute alert on Christmas Eve in 1970. (The younger guys in the squadron who didn’t have children usually pulled alert on holidays). It was 4:17 a.m. when the alarm sounded. There’s nothing more invigorating than to awake out of a sound sleep and take off in under 5 minutes. I was cursing the squadron commander under my breath as I ran down to my aircraft. Surely, he wouldn’t conduct a “practice scramble” on Christmas?

Well, this wasn’t a practice. Th is turned out to be the real thing that was initiated by NORAD headquarters in Colorado Springs. We were vectored north off the Alaska Coast to intercept a Russian bomber, code named the “BEAR.” Our procedure was to try to get close enough to take a picture and/or get the tail number, which we did. We also exchanged Christmas “pleasantries” by giving each other the international fi nger salute.

I think that the Russians were just probing on the boundary of international waters, trying to force NORAD to scramble aircraft on Christmas Day.

In 1976, I was a major, and I checked out in the F-4 Phantom fighter. I was assigned to the 8th Tactical Fighter Wing, Kunsan Air Base, Republic of South Korea. During a routine night training mission (air-toair dogfight) the mission was abruptly ended and all aircraft were ordered to return to base. In the mission debr iefing room, we were told that there had been a mid-air collision between two F-4s and there were no survivors.

I figured that the event might be on the evening news in the states and that my wife and parents would try hard to fi nd out the names of the aircrews that were involved. In those days, cell phones didn’t exist, so you couldn’t just make a direct call home. You had to call from the command center. The call then had to be rout-

ed through multiple phone patches which normally didn’t work. As a last resort, my wife called a Canadian colonel, who I flew with during my tour at CAF base, Comox. He was the aide for the Canadian general, Vice Commander of NORAD. He was able to get the informa-

tion back to my wife that I was not involved in the mid-air collision.

After losing four good friends and fellow aircrew, we all adjourned to the Kunsan Officers Club to toast our lost comrades. We have to train the way we would fight in combat.

Night training missions for air to air combat is inherently dangerous.

(Pete Dunda is a longtime resident of the Gunnison Valley and retired U.S. Air Force Lt. Colonel.)

Pete Dunda Courtesy

Ways to encourage kids to play sports

Times Staff Report

Participating in youth sports is a great way to keep children healthy and socially engaged. Sports are one way to help kids be physically active most days of the week. And if the fields filled with players across neighborhoods are any indication, many children still respond to the call of various youth leagues and teams.

Still, overall participation in youth sports is down from where it was a decade ago. The Aspen Institute, through its Project Play initiative, reviewed research from the Sports & Fitness Industry Association and found that, in 2018, the most recent year for data, only 38% of kids between the ages of 6 and 12 played sports that year, which was

down from 45% in 2008. There are some eye-opening reasons behind why some children may be less inclined to join in, and those reasons also offer insight into how this issue can be overcome.

• Cost: The Aspen Institute found the average cost per year for sports participation per child and per sport was around $695. Ice hockey and field hockey were two of the most costly sports to play. ESPN reports that low-income families are half as likely to play sports as children from homes with higher incomes, simply because of cost.

Children who want to participate can look for recreational leagues or school-subsidized programs that may require little to no cost for participa-

tion. Equipment donation and swaps are some additional ways that participants can keep their spending down.

• Fun factor: Certain kids are opting out of sports not because of bad behavior by the players, but by the poor behavior of parents on the sidelines. Heckling, putting undue pressure on children and getting into arguments with coaches and officials has unfortunately become a new norm at youth sporting events. The young players are the ones losing out when they feel anxious about playing. Being a good sport as a parent is very easy. Only saying positive things on the sidelines or remaining silent is key. Parents should resist the urge to coach (unless they are

the coaches), and let those in charge do their jobs. Parents can stop critiquing their children’s play and avoid pointing out who on the team did better or worse.

• Distractions: Before the advent of the internet and social media, sports teams were the single best way to come together with friends to hang out and have a good time. Now kids don’t even have to leave their homes to engage with others. The pandemic compounded issues of children being relegated to home rather than socializing and getting exercise. Parents can help by governing device usage and strictly monitoring screen time. This may help children be more inclined to once again join sports teams or other clubs and activities.

• Safety: No player wants to get sidelined by an injury that requires them to sit out a game or the entire season. Making safety a priority in youth sports can guard against unnecessary injuries. Johns Hopkins Medicine says about 30 million children and teens participate in youth sports in the U.S., and around 3.5 million injuries occur annually. Contact sports and those that involve hitting or throwing balls typically have higher injury rates. Wearing the correct gear, taking breaks in hot weather, adhering to age limits and the rules of the game, and other safety steps can help cut down on youth sports injuries.

For students and for the community

The Gunnison High School SkillsUSA club coached Megan Wells’s second grade class through a small woodshop project in February. Five GHS juniors comprise the club — President Taylor Grosse, Vice President Stepahnie Harvey, Secretary Kailyn Japuntich and Treasurer Grace Ricks. Earlier this year, as a fundraiser, the club created and sold custom cutting boards, coasters and candle holders at the local Sugar Plum Festival. The club also constructed and donated wooden crates to the Gunnison Country Food Pantry.

Courtesy

An extreme athlete with extraordinary art

During March, Gunnison Gallery is featuring “Powerful Visual Expressions of an addicted Ski Mountaineer,” a collection of artwork created by Art Burrows of Snowmass Village.

Art's work is created during his almost-daily skiing or mountain biking adventures within the mountains of Colorado and beyond. His expressive images tell a compelling visual story of decades of adventures throughout North America, while work is sought after by collectors around the world.

Burrows started skiing with his family when he was only 5 years old. By the time he was 8, it was clear he would never leave the mountains. An early mountain biker, he was there in the embryonic beginnings of the Pearl Pass Race to Crested Butte for many years, navigating through the golden aspen groves at high speeds.

As one of the top telemark ski racers in the world during the '70s and '80s, he won two world championships — one in Norway and one in the

United States — and is considered one of the pioneers of the rebirth of telemark skiing. He designed the first successful high-performance telemark boots, the Scarpa Terminator and T2, for Black Diamond and Scarpa. His designs are still used by competitors racing in current FIS Telemark World Cup events.

His creative vision depends on eight cameras, ranging from an iPhone to a 50-megapixel ultra-high resolution Canon. Burrows refers to his style as “digital expressionism” and said he is influenced by the brilliant colors of painters in the Fauvism movement of the early 20th century.

Burrows attended University of Northern Colorado before studying drawing, painting and history in Florence, Italy.

Burrows’ design, photography, graphic work and product design has garnered awards from the Denver Advertising Federation, the Banff Mountain Film and Book Festival and the Banff Center for Culture in Canada. He is also the co-author and designer of the book “Fifty Classic Ski Descents of North America.”

We offer medical care, treatment and rehabilitation plans for professional athletes, recreational athletes and everyone in between.

Anne Michel Special to the Times

Art Burrows

Jacob Spetzler

Gunni golfers find strength in potential

Unusual preseason ahead as Dos Rios defrosts

Alex

McCrindle Times Sports Intern

High school athletics is defined by the cycle of a student athlete — from potential and growth to leadership and ultimately graduation. In the case of the GHS girls golf team, the squad appears to be in the midst of a rebound after losing a vital leader in captain and two-time state qualifier Riley Murphy.

Despite Murphy’s departure, the Cowboys welcomed eight freshmen to the team this spring alongside two returning sophomores — making it safe to say the Gunnison golfers show strong potential.

This season, junior Allie Schwartz and senior Blue Noble will step into leadership positions, Head Coach Kevin Mickelson said. Both golfers have experience battling against the region's toughest opponents, and are positioned to guide an inexperienced roster towards the state competition. Last spring, Schwartz qualified for state as a sophomore, while Noble narrowly missed out on state qualification in a sudden-death regional playoff round.

Mickelson said the team hopes to fill the shoes of previous players and grow the program following the influx of younger golfers.

“Blue and Allie will lead the way this year,” Mickelson said. “Th en we have an entire range of underclassmen that look to fi ll those top-fi ve spots by the end of the year.”

The GHS golfers are scheduled to begin practice on March 21, however, there is a large hurdle awaiting the team in the next few weeks: the remnants of an especially snowy winter in Gunnison.

The Dos Rios golf course is still in the process of defrost-

ing as the season slowly turns. The girls will practice putting on carpet, hitting wiffle balls in the high school gymnasium and praying the groundhog was wrong this year until the course opens.

“We are at the mercy of Mother Nature,” Mickelson said.

“After spring break we’ll begin winter drills, but we are really excited to start hitting balls.”

The Cowboys will begin competitive play in a shotgun-style tournament in Eagle on March 28 before heading to Montrose for a two-day tournament on April 4 and 5 at the Black Canyon

and Cobble Creek golf courses. Although this spring presents a less-than-ideal preseason, the GHS golfers have set high goals for their overall performance this spring.

“We just want to be playing our best at the end of May,” Mickelson said. “We want

Seniors

Blue Noble

Sam Brown

Elaina Dillard

Juniors

Allie Schwartz

Ryann Nordberg

Dakota Shagun

Josephine Wishard

Cristina Ivars

Sophomores

Amara Lock

Maddie Vollendorf

Freshman

Kamryn Noble

Janey Mugglestone

Aiden Tomlin

Elizabeth Klingsmith

Anastasia Harvey

London Shafter

Zoey Wilkinson

Kaylee Vincent

everyone to get better. But when it comes to competition, we like to stick our noses right in it and compete.”

(Alex McCrindle can be contacted at 970.641.1414.)

2023 GOLF ROSTER

2023 GOLF SCHEDULE

Jacob Spetzler

Cowboy baseball dreams big

Senior leadership aims to establish a winning team culture

Alex McCrindle Times Sports Intern

During the 2022 season GHS baseball team finished seventh in their division, and this year a solid senior class aims to turn the program around. Leadership roles now rest on current seniors Justus Williams, Rocky Marchitelli, Duke Sloan, Ty Taramarcaz, and Wade Johnson following the graduation of four key players. Head Coach Tom Percival continues to set high standards for his upperclassmen.

“We have five seniors coming back, and the majority of them have a lot of varsity experience,” Percival said. “We’re looking for them to step up and be leaders, they have big shoes to fill.”

The 2023 season is set to have a fast and furious beginning, with an immediate first game scheduled for March 10 in Monte Vista, followed by a tournament in Delta on March 18 and 19. Despite a dense and quickly approaching schedule, the team must wait for its facilities to defrost and dry out. In the meantime, Percival continues to train his team using the resources that are available. While the field melts, he’s putting the boys through parking-lot ground ball and pop-fly practice.

“Spring in Western Colorado has us battling snow, rain and bad weather,” Percival said. “We’re very flexible with what we do in preparation. Sometimes we play home games in Montrose or Delta, and we’ve had the team out shoveling snow in years prior.”

The Gunnison High School baseball facilities have been plowed by Paul Morgan, the

Gunnison Watershed School District's transportation director — leaving the majority of the field dry, but with ice-hockey style berms along the sides. The team aims to play its first home games in Gunnison after spring break if the weather cooperates.

Percival said his overall hope for the Cowboys is play-off qualification this season with the ultimate goal of a state championship in the near future.

“Of course we have goals to get into the playoffs and hopefully win a state title, but all we can do now is take things day by day,” Percival said. “We play in a really tough league and consistency is the goal.”

The Cowboys baseball team is set to face off at Monte Vista in a non-league matchup on March 10 to kickstart the season, followed by a game in Buena Vista on March 21.

(Alex McCrindle can be contacted at 970.641.1414.)

DateTeamOpponentLocation

Friday, March 10VarsityMonte VistaGunnison High School

Friday, March 17VarsityKent DenverNorth Fork High School Varsity Pagosa SpringsCedaredge High School

Saturday, March 18 Varsity Bayfield Montrose High School

Tuesday, March 21 Varsity Buena VistaBuena Vista High School

JV Buena Vista Buena Vista High School

Thursday, March 23Varsity DoubleheaderCoal Ridge Gunnison High School

Tuesday, March 28 Varsity Salida Gunnison High School

JV Salida Gunnison High School

Saturday, April 1Varsity DoubleheaderCentauri High SchoolGunnison High School

Tuesday, April 4 Varsity Alamosa Alamosa High School

JV Alamosa Alamosa High School

Thursday, April 6JV Doubleheader Delta Delta High School

Thursday, April 13JV Doubleheader Buena VistaBuena Vista High School

Saturday, April 15 Varsity Olathe Gunnison High School

JV Olathe Gunnison High School

Tuesday, April 18Varsity Doubleheader Delta Delta High School

Saturday, April 22 Varsity Basalt Basalt High School

Monday, April 24JV Doubleheader Delta Gunnison High School

Tuesday, April 25Varsity DoubleheaderNorth Fork High School Gunnison High School

Thursday, April 27JV Doubleheader Delta TBD

Saturday, April 29 Varsity Aspen Gunnison High School

JV Aspen Gunnison High School

Tuesday, May 2 Varsity Roaring ForkRoaring Fork High School

JV Roaring Fork Roaring Fork High School

Thursday, May 4JV Doubleheader Buena Vista Gunnison High School

Tuesday, May 9 Varsity CedaredgeCedaredge High School

JV Cedaredge Cedaredge High School

Friday, May 12Varsity DoubleheaderDelta High School TBD

2023 BASEBALL SCHEDULE

Gunnison

Country Times

Low on experience, but high on enthusiasm

Track and field to overcome obstacles in pursuit of success

Jacob Spetzler

and Sports Editor

The GHS track and field program grows and shrinks from year to year, but this season the Cowboys are on the upswing. Though the upperclassmen groups are small — consisting of five seniors and eight juniors — the sophomore and freshman squads show growth with a whopping 31 athletes between the two classes.

The growth in track and field may have to do with the team’s recent success at the state competition. Melita Ferchau won a state championship in discus in 2022 after a season of breaking school records. Two years ago Kelita Baroumbay, now a Western track athlete, earned a state championship in the triple jump.

Head Coach Stacey Mickelson said she looks forward to seeing what her relatively young and enthusiastic team can do this season. At the top of the list are the long distance runners — Madelyn Stice in the individual 3200-meter run and the 4x800 team. Stice notched a 12th-place finish last year at state, and earned top results in the fall during the cross country season.

Mickelson said there’s a crew of juniors who will also bring their cross country skills and fitness to bear: Julian Ryter, Spencer Hays, Noah Pederson and Luke Ebott.

As for the jumpers, sophomore Angela Hines leads the way for the Cowboys following a ninth-place finish at the state tournament in the high jump when she was only a freshman.

She will be joined by fellow sophomores and triple jumpers Sienna Gomez and Eden Williams.

With the number of par-

Seniors

Nicholas Ferraro

Cael Medina

Jaime Perez-Rosa

Lydia Boardman

Lydia Frazier

Juniors

Rowen Downum

Luke Ebott

Spencer Hays

Noah Pederson

Julian Ryter

Izabella Hartzell

Justine Mowery

Megan Vanderveer

Sophomores

Wolfgang Anderson

Noah Froelich

Tyler Hill

Garret Maclennon

Shane Mensing

Arno Mortensen

Lee Brunsting

Kathryn Frey

Nella Gardner

Sienna gomez

Angela Hindes

Kristen Isham

Samantha Jones

Jemma Petrie

Catalina Schwab

Zia Schwab

Madelyn Stice

Eden Williams

Freshman

Cooper Boardman

Gabe Perez Rosa

Penn Sleighthoalm

Eduardo Sandrez

Andrianna Baird

Kelsey Brockschmidt

Ashlyn Cowen

Kim Isham

Rose Kowal

Aubriel Loken

Lily O’Connell

Caroline Sudderth

Aubrey Welfelt

ticipants as high as they are, Mickelson said they will have enough athletes to compete in almost every event. She highlighted senior Cael Medina as a sprinter and sophomore Shane Mensing as a discus and shot put thrower.

The team will spend the beginning of the season finding ways to train. The big challenge, as always, is Gunnison’s fickle spring weather as well as the ongoing renovations at

2023 Track & Field Schedule: Varsity Spring

Saturday, March 25 Meet9 a.m. North Fork High School North Fork High School

Friday, March 31Meet 9 a.m.Sangre De Cristo Sangre De Cristo High School

Friday, April 7Meet9 a.m.Pueblo CountyCSU Pueblo

Saturday, April 15Meet TBDDel Norte Del Norte High School

Friday, April 21Meet 9 a.m.Coal Ridge Coal Ridge High School

Saturday, April 29Meet 9 a.m.Harrison TBA

Friday, May 5 League Meet 10 a.m.Grand Junction Ralph Stocker Stadium

Saturday, May 6Meet10 a.m.Grand Junction Ralph Stocker Stadium

Friday, May 12Meet 5 p.m.Pueblo West TBD

Friday, May 19State MeetTBD TBAJeffco Stadium

Saturday, May 20State MeetTBD TBAJeffco Stadium

Sunday, May 21State Meet TBD TBA Jeffco Stadium

Western’s Mountaineer Bowl — the only outdoor track in the valley. In the meantime, Mickelson said the university has made the indoor track at the Mountaineer Field House available to the team for up to three days a week. Gunnison School District Transportation Director Paul Morgan also plowed a circle into the snow laden footbal field.

“We can do some intervals and work out there,” Mickelson

said. “We'll just get creative in how we do things this year.”

As the team gets its running legs back in shape, the first few meets will be spent reshuffling and finding where the freshmen are most competitive, Mickelson said. To aid in the endeavor, she’s joined by three assistant coaches. Blake Davis, who runs for Western, is in charge of the distance kids while Tom Kattnig leads the throwers. Lindsey Hart, the GHS

volleyball coach, also joined the team last season as a sprinter and hurdle coach.

The Cowboys will compete in the first meet of the season after spring break on Saturday, March 25 at North Fork High School.

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

SUPPORTING ALL ATHLETES IN THE GUNNISON VALLEY

From sports physicals, wellness visits and urgent care, to orthopedics, concussion treatment, rehab and athletic medicine and everything in between, our team of skilled professionals have your healthcare covered.

PROUDLY

Photo

2023 TRACK AND FIELD ROSTER

Jacob Spetzler

Titans lacrosse to field a varsity team

Rosters fill as probationary period reaches halfway point

Jacob Spetzler Photo and Sports Editor

The Crested Butte Titans lacrosse team is heading into its third year as a high school program and despite its relative youth, it now boasts a total of 36 players. Crested Butte is also heading into the second half of its four-year probationary period which means it will finally field a varsity team.

Not only has the program’s depth continued to grow, this particular season’s roster boasts a large number of upperclassmen. Last season only one athlete — captain Kody Bodine — represented the senior class, but this year 10 athletes will graduate at the end of the season.

“We have a lot of guys with at least three years [of high school lacrosse experience],” said Head Coach Buck Seling. “And some of these guys played the youth program as well.”

Despite some late season injuries, Bodine was a presence on the field as an attacker and replacing him will be no easy task.

NameGrad. Year

Otter Billingsley2023

Fraser Birnie2025

Brock Colvin2023

Wyatt Cook2026

Kason Cox2023

Cy Davis2024

Riley Davis2024

Rowan Dishmon2025

Max Dukeman2026

Gavin Fischer2024

Ace Gaither2023

Blue Gardner2025

Marin Gardner2025

Liam Hadley2026

Brenden Hartigan2023

Luke Hartigan2026

AJ Hegeman2026

But Seling said a few rising seniors may be up for the challenge.

“Frasier Birnie is only a sophomore, but he is really focused,” Seling said.

Seling said he also expects a strong season from midfielder Riley Davis. On defense, Seling said he feels particularly solid. He’s tapped senior Otter Billingsely and juniors Weston Miller and Ty Pulliam as defensive starters.

Aside from a growing team, five assistant coaches have come on board as well. In years prior, only Seling coached.

“That's going to be a big help,” Seling said. “We can

Merrick Jeffery2026

Mario Ladoulis2026

Luca Loperfido2023

Tanner Maltby2025

Brody Marquart2026

Levi Mason2025

Luca Meyer2025

Weston Miller2024

Hayden Moran2026

Jack Pierson2024

Ty Pulliam2024

Finn Ramsey2023

Vinny Sciortino2026

Jordan Silva2025

Jack Smolen2025

Trey Smolen2024

Luke Walton2026

Jake White2026

break [the players] down by skill position areas — attacking, midfielder, goalie and defense — and have coaches working with those groups individually. We did that already this week, and it's just a pleasure to see all these kids are

getting a lot more reps.”

The Titans will practice and play on Gunnison Middle School’s dry field during the early season. If the snow melts in time, the team will move back to Crested Butte.

As the season begins to take off, Seling said he plans to focus on training the younger athletes on offense and defense styles that are signature to the Titans. Although the team’s 10 incoming freshman have middle school experience, playing at the high school level will require an adjustment, he said. Opponents are often larger, and the game moves more quickly.

The Titan’s first games are scheduled for this Saturday, March 11, at the Dawson School in Boulder. Varsity will face Dawson at 10 a.m. and JV will play Green Mountain at the same location immediately after.

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

Saturday, March 11Varsity Game10 a.m.Dawson Dawson School

JV Game12 p.m.Green MountainDawson School

Tuesday, March 14Varsity Game4 p.m.Grand Junction Canyon View Park, Grand Junction

Saturday, March 18JV Game11 a.m.AspenAspen High School Varsity Game1 p.m.AspenAspen High School

Tuesday, March 21Varsity Game3:30 p.m.Telluride Gunnison Middle School

JV Game5 p.m.Telluride Gunnison Middle School

Saturday, March 25JV Game12:30 p.m.Montrose Montrose High School Varsity Game11 p.m.Montrose Montrose High School

Tuesday, Mar 28Varsity GameTBDDurango Durango High School

Friday, March 31Varsity Game4 p.m.Telluride Telluride High School

JV Game5:30 p.m.TellurideTelluride High School

Tuesday, April 4 Varsity Game4 p.m.Fruita MonumentTBD

Saturday, April 8Varsity Game1 p.m.The Vanguard SchoolTBD

Tuesday, April 11Varsity Game4 p.m.DurangoTBD

JV Game5:30 p.m.DurangoTBD

Thursday, April 13Varsity Game4 p.m.MontroseTBD

JV Game5 p.m.MontroseTBD

Tuesday, April 25Varsity Game4 p.m.Grand JunctionTBD

Wednesday, April 26Varsity Game4 p.m.Fruita Monument Canyon View Park, Grand Junction

JV Game5:30 p.m.Fruita Monument Canyon View Park, Grand Junction

Tuesday, May 2 Varsity Game4 p.m.MontroseTBA

JV Game5:30 p.m.Montrose TBA

Friday, May 5Varsity Game1 p.m.Middle Park Crested Butte Community High School

2023 LACROSSE SCHEDULE

2023 LACROSSE ROSTER

Jacob Spetzler

B14 • ROUNDUP • Thursday, March 9, 2023 Gunnison Country Times

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Habitat

Jacob Spetzler Photo and Sports Editor

The GHS girls varsity basketball team wrapped up a historic season last Friday, March 3 — falling 81-45 in the first round of the regional tournament to the St. Mary’s Pirates. The game puts the Cowboys final 2023 record at 12-11, which is the first winning record and the first time the team has seen a lengthy postseason in years.

to win — earning a spot in the final eight teams playing for the state championship.

The Pirates established an early lead during the first quarter of Friday’s game and then solidified it in the third. Despite the score differential, the Cowboys continued to battle through all four quarters. Sienna Gomez was the game’s biggest scorer, putting up 18 points over the course of the game. Kylee McDougal was close behind with 15, while Lily Wild contributed nine and Ava Stewart sank a 3-pointer in the third.

a lot of turnovers. Still, despite the turnovers, we scored almost 50 points.”

The good news is the pressure of the game is certain to pay off on the court in seasons to come. None of the Cowboys’ starters were seniors — one junior and four sophomores — so all five have a lot more high school basketball to come.

“We looked young on Friday and that’s because we were,” Terry said. “It bodes really well that we’re young and have a lot of great experience going forward.”

In the scope of recent girls basketball seasons, Terry thinks the success might signify a turning point in the program in general.

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The Cowboys qualified for the regional tournament by winning the fi rst round of the district tournament two weeks ago against Cedaredge 39-30. The team lost its next two rounds of districts last weekend, Feb. 24 and 25, and entered the regional tournament as the No. 26 seed. St. Mary’s entered as No. 7 and have since continued

Head Coach Chad Terry said he felt nothing but pride after the game, but acknowledged a couple places where the Pirates just came out stronger. It was the first time any of the Cowboys had experienced such high stakes in a competition and he said that had an effect on their confidence.

“We just played really timid,” he said. “We weren’t so aggressive. Maybe it was the nerves of playing at regionals, but we just didn’t pass the ball as well as we usually do. [The Pirates] are a team that presses so there were

“If you want to reflect on the season, we had a lot of success and I’m super happy with the growth and the building we’ve had,” he said. “In a couple short years we’ve really made tremendous progress and I'm super proud of all the kids.”

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

Abby Harrison

The Regulators take Southwest Cup

West Elk Hockey hosted its annual Southwest Cup hockey tournament March 3-5 at the Jorgensen Ice Rink. After three days of some of the Gunnison Valley’s fastest paced hockey, the Regulators won the championship 4-1 over the Golden Pints.

Upcoming eventS

• March 22 (12:45pm): Effective Communication Strategies for Living with Alzheimer’s & Dementia. All community members welcome! Explore how communication changes when someone is living with dementia, learn how to interpret behavioral and verbal communication, and identify strategies to help you communicate and connect. Presenter: Woo Bandel of the Alzheimer’s Association. Light snacks provided - RSVP requested.

• NEW Survey for Older Adults in the Gunnison Valley - We want to hear from you about your perception of your mental and behavioral health! And ways you have been, or are currently looking for, supporting your wellbeing. Hard copy surveys in English are at the Gunnison Senior Center, or request delivery of surveys. Surveys gunnisonco.gov. (Online and Spanish language surveys will be posted soon!)

• Tech Time Individual Appointments: Call to make an appointment for tech questions

FITNESS at THE REC CENTER -

SIGN UP AT THE REC CENTER FRONT DESK!

Mondays & Wednesdays in the Gym

Tuesdays in the Leisure Pool: 10 a.m. Splash Class in March

SENIOR MEALS -

NEXT WEEK’S MENU:

• Mon., Mar. 6: Salisbury Steak, mashed potatoes, peas, carrot & raisin salad, homemade rolls

• Weds., Mar. 8: Baked Chicken, cheesy potatoes, spinach, homemade bread

• Fri., Mar. 10: Chef’s Salad, bread sticks, fruit

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

ALL SENIOR CENTER PROGRAM INFO & RSVPS: EGILLIS@GUNNISONCO.GOV OR 970-641-8272.

Weekly Happenings

Monday

• Computer Use

• Bridge Wednesday

• Book Club

st Wednesday) Thursday

• Bridge Friday

• Art Club

• Mahjong

How to live with a high blood pressure diagnosis

Times Staff Report

Hypertension, a condition marked by abnormally high blood pressure, is more common than many people may recognize. A 2021 report from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services indicated that nearly half of adults in the U.S., or roughly 116 million people, have the condition.

Despite its prevalence, hypertension is not normal, nor is it something to take lightly. In fact, the American Heart Association (AHA) notes that, if left undetected or uncontrolled, hypertension can lead to an assortment of serious, and potentially deadly, conditions including heart attack, stroke, heart failure and kidney disease. Since the threat posed by high blood pressure is so significant, it’s imperative that individuals know what to do upon being diagnosed with hypertension. Here are four tips:

• Eat a healthy, low-salt diet. A diet that’s rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, low-fat dairy products, skinless poultry and fi sh, nuts and legumes and non-tropical vegetable oils ensures people are getting ample nutrition from healthy sources. The DASH

(Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) eating plan is designed specifically to help people manage their blood pressure and emphasizes limiting salt, red meat and foods with added sugars, including sweets and sugary beverages. It’s important that all people, and especially those with high blood pressure, limit their salt intake, as sodium is known to increase blood pressure.

• Avoid excessive alcohol consumption . The AHA notes that drinking too much can raise blood pressure. In addition, despite what popular misconceptions may suggest, there is no evidence to suggest that red wine consumption is good for heart health. Like other alcoholic beverages, red wine should be consumed in moderation, if at all. The AHA urges individuals to limit their alcohol intake to no more than two drinks per day for men and no one more than one drink per day for women.

• Exercise regularly . Routine exercise benefits the heart in myriad ways, including helping people control high blood pressure. Individuals recently diagnosed with high blood pressure who are unaccustomed to

physical activity should work with their physicians and a personal trainer to design an exercise regimen that’s within their abilities. As their bodies get used to increased physical activity, people can then work with the same individuals to tweak their routines so they can keep making progress toward their fitness goals. Routine exercise also helps to reduce stress, which the AHA notes is another step people with hypertension should take to lower their blood pressure.

• Shed extra weight. Each of these strategies can help people shed extra weight, which is another step the AHA recommends for people with high blood pressure. Losing as few as 10 pounds. can help to manage high blood pressure. Maintaining a healthy weight also reduces strain on the heart, thus lowering the risk for high blood pressure and the conditions that can arise from it. More than 1.2 billion people across the globe are currently living with high blood pressure. Taking steps to reduce hypertension is a great way to promote long-term health and overcome this often silent killer.