With less than two months until Election Day, four people have announced their candidacy for a spot on Gunnison’s City Council this November.
Four seats are open, so an almost entirely new council will be introduced in the new year. In December, the terms of Mayor Diego Plata, Pro-tem Mallory Logan and Councilor Boe Freeburn are set to expire.
Gunnison’s local Subway, at 134 E. Tomichi Ave., closed for renovations nearly a month ago, with a paper sign taped to the door that read: “Temporarily Subway A6
Councilor Jim Miles resigned this August for personal reasons, almost a year and a half before his term expired in 2025. Logan was term-limited, while Freeburn decided he did not want to run for re-election. The term for Councilor Jim Gelwicks, the only member not up for re-election this fall, does not expire until the end of 2025.
Marisela BallesterosCelestino, Diego Plata, Matt Schwartz and Scott Frazier have announced they will be running for city council this fall. Loren Ahonen withdrew his nomination petition.
Although the number of candidates equals the number of seats, the city will still hold
Candidates A8
People seeking mental health services will soon have one more resource at the Gunnison Valley Hospital. Thanks to a recent state grant, the hospital is bringing on another behavioral health specialist to bolster service in its Family Medicine Clinic.
In recent years, mental health services have become a focal point for institutions around the
valley. The hospital opened its Behavioral Health Department in 2021 to meet this growing demand, and in just two years the department has grown substantially. The new therapist will bolster the clinic’s team, which now has over 20 health professionals, by providing in-house mental health care for those who might just be coming in for a basic check-up.
Weeks ago, the Colorado Department of Health Care Policy and Financing awarded $29 million across the state to improve access to mental health, substance use prevention and primary care services. The hospital will receive just over $177,000 over five years, which the Gunnison Valley Health Foundation has to
GVH A7
As the breeze of summer makes way for the chill of fall, summer hikers are replaced by fall hunters and Western students return. The ebb and flow of visitors in the valley has taken its course and we now look internally to our permanent community. Our upcoming election for Councilmembers offers an opportunity to reflect upon the City’s commitment to its Strategic Priority of Economic Prosperity. A few key partners have been essential to helping the City strengthen and increase economic resiliency and diversity.
See story on B1
The City of Gunnison will turn off city ditches on Friday, Sept. 15. The City has 25 miles of irrigation ditches and the ditch water rights run from May 15 through Sept. 15.
At approximately 10:30 a.m. on Monday, Sept. 11, National Park Service (NPS) law enforcement received a 911 call that a rock climber had sustained a fall on the Great White Wall climbing route on the North Rim of the Black Canyon. The Black Canyon Search and Rescue (SAR) team and the Western Colorado University SAR team responded.
The teams descended the arduous Long Draw hiking route, dropping 1,800 feet into the canyon. The team then rock climbed 300 feet up to the unconscious patient’s location and lowered them to the canyon’s bottom. A Colorado Army National Guard helicopter flew the patient out at approximately 7:25 p.m. The patient was ultimately flown to Saint Mary’s hospital in Grand Junction to address major trauma injuries. No further information was available by press time.
Joni Reynolds, assistant county manager for Health and Human Services has been designated by the Gunnison County Commissioners to serve on Colorado Counties, Inc. (CCI) Legislative Committee to vote on legislative priorities in 2024.
Gunnison County has one vote for every issue. Reynolds will represent Health and Human Services and County Commissioner Jonathan Houck will represent the county for all other legislative issues, including land use and water. County representatives will vote on CCI’s priorities, while CCI will go on to sponsor bills in the legislative session.
The City has a longstanding partnership with the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT), and has received multiple funding awards from CDOT over the last three years. One of the most impactful awards for increasing commerce activity in the Central Business District funded improvements to IOOF Park. In 2020/21, the City received $42,600 from CDOT to install a permanent stage, overhead lighting, and artistic installations that welcome the community into the space. These improvements have revived IOOF Park and made it a space for new events like Mid-Week on Main Street and the upcoming Hispanic Heritage Celebration on Saturday, September 16 from 4-8pm. Traditional community events like the Farmers Market and the Gunni Growler still bring us downtown together.
Another partnership the City has fostered to support economic prosperity is with the Department of Local Affairs (DOLA). In 2021, the City initiated a collaboration with DOLA’s Rural Economic Development Initiative and the ICELab to distribute $215,000 to five local businesses. Grant recipients were 5B’s BBQ, Agave, ID Sculpture, Mario’s, and Salon 144. The Rural Economic Development Initiative Grant was designed to support communities in creating jobs locally and building resilient and diversified economies.
A new partnership the City has initiated to further economic prosperity of residents is in collaboration with the Gunnison Country Chamber of Commerce, Gunnison County Multicultural Resource Services, Hispanic Affairs Project, Inmigrantos Unidos de Gunnison, ICELab@Western, Western’s MBA program, and the Rocky Mountain MicroFinance Institute (RMMFI). The RMMFI’s mission aims to provide detailed support for entrepreneurs to enhance their entrepreneurial spirits. This includes access to comprehensive business education. This multi-agency collaboration started in late 2022 when 15 Spanish-speaking entrepreneurs were accepted into the RMMFI’s “Idea Lab.” The “Idea Lab” participants were guided through a four-week program to create a structured business plan. Those who completed the first phase of the program presented at a Pitch Night to a panel of business and community leaders.
The first-place winner of the RMMFI Pitch Night was Natalia Linares with her business Gunnison Doulas. She won a $200 voucher in Gunni Bucks to assist her with the business. Natalia said, “My personal experience in the RMMFI course was one of the best, and the information that they shared with us was so valuable and I have put this into practice in my business in the present day. The quality of the staff, teachers, volunteers and all of the people behind this project were very important, and winning first place was a challenge and a goal that I set for myself, since I am very passionate about what I have created and what I hope to give back in help to our community and especially our Hispanic community.”
The second-place winners and creators of Magik Klean LLP, Jorge Luis Vargas Mosquera and Roberto Gonzalez shared, “We never imagined as immigrants having so much support from Gunnison County to achieve business success in the United States. Today we are very proud entrepreneurs who never imagined achieving a goal as important as this one that allows us to continue dreaming every day.” The organizations working with the RMMFI and emerging entrepreneurs hope to find the resources to fund two more business development stages for Spanish-speaking entrepreneurs.
It takes all of us participating to have a strong, healthy and resilient economy. The pandemic highlighted how fostering innovative entrepreneurs and supporting diverse business owners enables our community to be more resilient in the future. As we continue to act on our Strategic Priority of Economic Prosperity, we see that Gunnison is strongest when we work together, support each other, shop and eat locally, and frequent local businesses. State and local partnerships help give us the lift we need at times to grow and expand, but it is the continual support we give to each other and our businesses that allows our community to thrive.
Spacious 5 bdrm/3 bath home positioned on one acre across from Hartman Rocks features 2,366sf with hardwood floors, RV parking, 2 car attached garage, plus an oversized 2 car detached garage with upstairs storage. 49 Columbine Road; $795,000.
GORGEOUS 2800sf home at the end of the Ohio Creek valley sits on 40 acres with Carbon Creek running through the acreage. Custom home & garage offer in-floor heat, 3 bdrms/3 bath, south facing windows with incredible views and a 4 car garage with work space & a walkin cooler. 3750 County Road 737;$2,500,000.
RICHARDSON SQUARE CONDO offered for those 55 and over. Nicely appointed 725sf end unit features 2 bedrooms & a full bath, stackable washer & dryer, carport and individual storage cabinet. 228 W. Georgia Ave.; $295,000.
IN-TOWN HOME on 5 City lots is 2 bdrm/2 bath with large windows for passive solar, two inviting patios, metal roof, sprinkler system & detached 2 car garage with separate workshop & bunkroom. 205 N. 11th St.; $795,000.
in the
yard on over
with
acres. Just
fish cleaning station in the garage. Bunk house above the garage sleeps 6 in the 2 bdrms & half bath. 33000 State Highway 149; $385,000.
miles from Ohio City, 1 bdrm/1 bath, bordered by national forest, built in 1994 with well & septic. 1,008 square feet with generator and shed too. 3491 County Road 771; $635,000.
FULLY REMODELED home has a large master bedroom, full bath & open living & dining room with spacious kitchen. Updated electric, large windows for passive solar, mud room & storage shed for your outdoor gear. 95 George Bailey Dr #23; $75,000.
CAMPING SITE 38 acre parcel with 360 degree views of Colorado’s beauty across from the Dillon Pinnacles at Blue Mesa Reservoir. Bordered by thousands of acres of public lands for exploring, mountain biking, horseback riding, UTVing, boating and fishing. 12503 County Road 26; $55,000.
R-3 LOTS Purchase R-3 lots & finish the West End Townhomes for a spec option, rental investment or employee housing. City approved site plans allow for two more duplex units. Water & sewer taps are already installed. Centrally located near the schools & RTA bus stop. 817 W. Denver Ave.; $297,000.
HISTORIC BASSICK MINE in Ohio City has produced Gold & Silver on the over 50 acres of 5 mining claims. Property includes a 3 bdrm/2 bath house with huge attached garage & is fronted by 300 feet of Gold Creek. 5498 County Road 771; $2,500,000.
“We counted the number of blown tubes and chains and general body parts that we’ve broken on our way.”
— Eli Weitzman, Crested Butte ski guide
Judith Helen Lochnikar, 83, of Gunnison sadly left us on Sept. 6, 2023 following a long illness.
Judy was born on a ranch on May 14, 1940 near Leadville, Colorado. She moved to Gunnison in 1958 after graduating high school in Leadville and married John Lochnikar on July 23, 1960. They resided in Gunnison for the past 65 years.
Judy worked in many businesses in Gunnison and owned Gunnison Floral for several years. She was active for many years at St. Peter’s Catholic Church, the Elks Lodge, bowling leagues and bridge and pinochle clubs. Judy loved the outdoors, fishing, camping, bingo, her cat, Blackie and especially, her family. She was a friend to everyone she encountered.
She is survived by her husband, John, son Dan (Faith), daughter, Becky Spritzer (Jake), granddaughters, Tiffany Marlow and Brandi McAnarney (Jeff), great-grandchildren, Blayke and Booker, brother, Ken Arnold (Peggy), many “grand dogs” and her cat, Blackie. She is predeceased by her parents, Glen and Raydean Arnold, and sisters, Jody Dean and Sally Smith.
Graveside services were held on Sept. 12, 2023 in Gunnison and followed by a celebration of life reception at the Gunnison Elks Lodge. She will be dearly missed by all.
Gerald Lee “Jerry” Bohnsack passed away peacefully of natural causes on Sept. 1, 2023 at the age of 92 in Colorado Springs, Colorado.
Born on May 27, 1931 in Tacoma, Washington, Gerald spent his childhood growing up in Marshalltown, Iowa and graduated from Marshalltown High School in 1949. He continued his education starting at Dennison College but then transferred to the University of Iowa. He graduated in 1953 with a bachelor’s degree in education, specializing in English, speech, and drama.
In the fall of 1953, he accepted a teaching assignment in Argo, Illinois. There, he met the love of his life, Marion Francis LaRocco, and the couple wed on Sept. 4th, 1954. This union brought forth five children, Kim, Shari, Mark, Chris and Jim. They dedicated their entire lives to their children, teaching and supporting them in every endeavor.
In 1963, the couple decided to move out west to Gunnison. It is there that he would teach English at Ruland Jr. High School and watch all of his children graduate from Gunnison High School. He and Marion never missed an event and drove thousands of miles following their kids in sporting and school-sponsored events.
In the early 1980s, with their children now adults, they moved to Aurora, Colorado
where Jerry retired from teaching at Our Lady Of Fatima Catholic School in 2001. After retirement, he and Marion traveled the country, visiting their children and grandchildren and enjoying the beauty of the country. Finally in 2010, they settled down in Colorado Springs to be close to family.
Jerry is preceded in death by his father, Harold Bohnsack, mother, Aina Brewster, stepfather, Howard Brewster, stepmother, Arlene Bohnsack and sister, Brenda Walkup. He is survived by his loving wife of 69 years, Marion, daughters, Kim Dwyer (John) and Shari Rusler (Dean), sons, Mark (Shannon), Chris and Jim (Tracey), 13 grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren and one great-great-granddaughter. He is also survived by a brother, Marlin McCreary, sisters, Ardele Downy and Beth Ann Mack, brother-in-law, Jim Walkup and cousins, Gary Lukehart (Pat) and Larry Lukehart. A memorial service for Jerry will be announced at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you consider making a donation to WomenPartnering.com, founded by the Sisters of St. Francis.
A celebration of life for Troy E. Templeton will take place on Sept. 16 from 1-3 p.m. at Sargents School House in Sargents, Colorado.
Life-long Gunnison resident Marie Spencer passed away on Aug. 10, 2023. Services for Marie will be held on Sept. 16 at 10 a.m. at St. Peter’s Catholic Church. A reception will follow at Parish Hall.
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LETTERS
12th Book Bus season thanks
Editor:
After our 12th Book Bus season — the best ever! — we want to thank the community for supporting grants, special events and the hundreds of eager readers. Our grantors include: Gunnison Watershed School District, Community Foundation of the Gunnison Valley, Gunnison Rotary, Gunnison Car Club, Gunnison Valley PTA, Friends of the Library and so many businesses and individuals who donated cash and books. You know who you are.
Thanks to the PTA for school supplies. Special thanks to the Book Bus crew: Cecilia, Jackie, Maria and Trudy. This wouldn’t happen without you.
Rita Merrigan Gunnison
I Bar clarification
Editor:
I would like to clear up any possible confusion about the ownership of I Bar Ranch because of the Sept. 7 I Bar drug bust story. It refers to Bryan Wickenhauser as the I Bar owner. Bryan owns the I Bar operating business, but Gunnison Valley Properties, LLC owns the property, including improvements, which are leased to Bryan.
Dick Bratton GunnisonCancer fundraiser thanks
WOTUS concern and hope
Editor:
Wetlands and our high mountain streams store and move water throughout our valley for the benefit of all of us. Cwelich and Nania, quoted in the Sept. 7 Gunnison Country Times article about the waters of the U.S. (WOTUS) and the SCOTUS decision, are rightly concerned about the loss of protection of these wetlands in our valley. I would like to add a few points to the discussion.
Since at least 1988, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has actively regulated impacts to WOTUS and wetlands in this valley. However, over time, regulation of types of wetlands and drainages, and connections to navigable waters has changed based on Supreme Court cases and appeals by the states. Having worked in wetlands since 1988 in the valley, I’ve had to adapt to the permutations of regulatory changes. Colorado has not typically regulated wetlands without a surface water connection ("isolated” wetlands or ephemeral streams) to WOTUS.
However, for the most part I have found a surface water connection between wetlands and WOTUS in our high mountain valleys. For example, in Irwin, one can find wetlands and streams with water and a bed, bank and scour line that flow to Coal Creek, which flow to the Slate River, on to the Gunnison River and then to Colorado River, which is considered a navigable water and regulated under the Clean Water Act.
In addition, we have acres and acres of irrigated meadows, which act to store water and produce high quality hay, and if you ever have had the chance to walk through one, you will note that they act in the best of ways as a wet meadow benefiting wildlife, plants and us.
Lynn Cudlip GunnisonDanger to school diversity
Editor:
Here's an interesting phenomenon relating to our school board candidates: From observing the political signage in town, the Republicans are running independently of each other, and the Democrats are running as one big melded block, like in "vote Democrat only, because they're all Democrats."
Here's another winner created by our mainstream media (meant to cover anything considered "right wing" by them).
I'm using it because I believe that political parties have no business being in our schools. That media winner is: "It's a danger to our democracy."
And not only that, it's also a danger to the diversity in the administration of those schools.
Jon Matuszczak GunnisonNot a good example
Editor:
station sits fairly close to the W Cafe and this was a place of convenience for all involved to hold this event.
Are they assuming Gunnison County as a whole is a partisan group? Mr. Dix stating in last week's letter to the editor that the fact Mr. Stu Asay was at the forum makes him the organizer is a far reach. Mr. Dix was in attendance and the same could be said about him.
I personally am disgusted with the attacks and the arrogant manner of the letters to the editor and also outside of the paper. This is not a good example for our children.
Janet Fennern GunnisonEditor:
I’m going to go out on a limb and speculate that the woman who was observed throwing rocks onto the dirt road that cyclists in last weekend’s Gunni Grinder event were traveling is the same one who essentially flipped the bird to my wife and I as we were coming back from a quick camping trip along a nearby public roadway. She had accomplices who removed and disturbed course markings, drove aggressively in big trucks and otherwise attempted to hijack the third year event which brought more than 170 enthusiasts to our community to enjoy our abundant and scenic gravel grinding terrain.
2023
Letters to the editor must be 500 words or less. We favor local topics and discourage argumentative letters addressed to particular people. If you reference data, please include sources for fact-checking.
We will not print letters from candidates for public office.
Email letters to editor@gunnisontimes.com or send to 218 N. Wisconsin St., Gunnison, CO 81230. Include your full name, address and a phone number — for our internal use only.
The deadline is Tuesday at 12 p.m. Letters may be edited for grammar, clarity or length.
Editor: I want to send out a huge thank you to everyone that put on, helped out and donated to the F**k Cancer Love Camo, On the Hunt for a Cure Fundraiser that was set up for me on Aug. 19. I'm so incredibly humbled by the generosity and love of this community.
A special thank you to Danny and Kerri LeFevre of The Dive and Marios, Bryan Wickenhauser of the I Bar Ranch, Mikaela Turner and my wife Leasy, all of whom planned this event and set it up. Thank you to the DJs, Ron Earl for emceeing and everyone who showed up to run the 5k, play volleyball and bid on the awesome auction items donated by so many amazing businesses here in Gunnison.
For those who were unable to attend the event and inquired how they might donate or help out, Mikaela set up a gofundme at gofund.me/cdc190b3. Cancer sucks, but it's a little less daunting to face it when an amazing community has your back.
Erika Buscovick GunnisonThough the concern that “isolated” wetlands and ephemeral drainages will not be protected with the recent Supreme Court decision is real, there is hope. Gunnison County supports protection of wetlands and waterways through the Land Use Resolution and the Onsite Wastewater Treatment System regs with established buffers from construction and wastewater treatment systems.
In addition, it appears the Colorado Department of Public Health and Enviornment will be formulating dredge and fill state policies. I practiced in Indiana where they implemented a very strong state program protecting isolated wetlands and streams with a watershed of a certain size. Coordination between state agencies and the Corps was difficult, but doable. This is possible for Colorado, but will take time and money and people in the field.
In the meantime, we should continue to educate ourselves about the importance of all wetlands and streams in our mountain valleys — how they store water and how they move water downstream. Those who wish to build in a wetland or in a high mountain stream must think about what they are doing to the quantity and quality of the water in those wetlands and high mountain streams.
It was sad to see that the candidates running a slate chose not to show up to the school board candidate forum on Tuesday, Aug. 29. Hopefully they see how the community wants to hear from them and will show up to the next one on Sept. 14 at the Fred Field Center. Members of a group of concerned Gunnison County citizens scheduled three forums for the school board candidates, and the first one was held at the W Cafe. It was also broadcast on 98.3 KEJJ.
Only Lisa Henry, Greg Kruthaupt and Cori Dobson were present to respond to questions. The group then asked the community to submit questions for the next forums. The other three candidates decided that it's not important to share their responses and plans for the school board positions they are running for. This slate of candidates stated in a letter submitted to the concerned citizens group that they would not be participating in the forum because they claimed it to be partisan.
The fact that the slate candidates decided not to attend this forum to show the public their involvement with the community and their concern for the community's choices in this election is concerning. The slate decided that the W Cafe is a partisan location, however it was chosen because the radio
The sentiment seems to be this: I live here. You don’t. Stay out.
If I had to guess, these were nearby residents who proudly fly the Gadsden Flag on their private property. Whatever. I have a reminder for you, whoever you and your cohorts are: Public land doesn’t just belong to you. It belongs to all of us. I have just as much right to legally and responsibly enjoy it as you, as does a weekend visitor from Austin or Albuquerque.
And continue enjoying it we will. Because this land is our land, too.
Chris Dickey GunnisonThroughout his life, Jim Miles grew a beard strictly during hunting season, until it started to gray. With a hearty laugh and a beard, he became like Gunnison’s modern Santa Claus, an image he had already spent years growing into. If he knew of a resident that needed help, he was there — buying presents for children as Christmas neared, helping his tenants with rent and fighting fires as a member of the local volunteer fire department.
Following a lifetime of service to the community, friends and strangers alike, Miles, a Gunnison native, long-time resident and city councilor, is taking a step back to care for himself. Councilor Miles served at his last council meeting at the end of August, where his colleagues recognized him for his long-standing service and contributions to the City of Gunnison.
“Jim understood that Gunnison must evolve economically to remain vibrant, sustainable and resilient, and demonstrated support of the ICELab and of local homegrown businesses,” said Councilor Jim Gelwicks during a regular meeting on Aug. 22. “Jim will always be remembered as one who so unselfishly served, protected, loved and proudly represented the city of Gunnison and all of its residents.”
Miles spent six years on the city council. He previously served as vice mayor of the city with a focus on renovating Gunnison’s aging public infrastructure and promoting the often unseen work of the Public Works Department. But Miles’ reach into the community stretched much further than his work with the city.
For almost four decades, Miles protected Gunnison residents as a firefighter for the Gunnison Volunteer Fire Department. He served as fire chief from January 1982 to December 2018 and was the department’s longest-serving chief. During his tenure, Miles worked alongside former Fire Marshall Dennis Spritzer.
Before Miles joined the department, the local firefighters ran on a shoestring budget. He pushed the city to hire two paid employees and helped grow Gunnison’s firefighter pension fund.
Fire Marshal Hugo Ferchau went on too many calls with Miles to remember, from wildland and building fires to car wrecks. In 2003, an arsonist ran around the valley lighting
everything on fire — cars in town, dumpsters and porches. Some took, while others didn’t, but Miles was there for all of them.
Ferchau described Miles’ excitement to work, and as someone who always took immediate command of a scene. Miles would arrive at the fire, grab tools and start working side by side with the crew, even though he often was just supposed to supervise.
after some post-Thanksgiving Christmas shopping. He feared his pipes would burst, but only had one electric heater on hand. Coblentz called Miles for help. By the time he returned home, he found Miles under the floorboards of his double-wide trailer.
“He said, ‘I just couldn't stand the thought of you freezing to death underneath the house and me not being there to help.’” he said. “That's the kind of guy is.”
This is just one of Mile’s countless charitable acts within the Gunnison community, many of which no one knows about except the receiver — help in a pinch, utility bills and rent paid and gifts under the Christmas tree.
Miles purchased the Holden Village mobile home park in Gunnison from his father years ago, and has acted as more than just a landlord. If tenants couldn’t pay rent, he spotted them for a month. Some paid him back, and others didn’t. Some would leave a mess when they moved on, and he’d clean it up and continue on. He’s driven a tenant to the hospital in Denver in the middle of the night and looked after a Six Points client that lives at the park.
“[The assignments] were pretty vague,” Ferchau said. “I’d say, ‘What do you need, chief?’ ‘Well go put the fire out,’ he said. It would usually be something a little more excited like ‘Somebody's got to go put out this damn fire!’ Or I show up and there's a kid upstairs. ‘Go get him,’ he said. I always felt like there was trust there and he was willing to let me do my job.”
Miles experienced a great deal of tragedy in his life. He lost his brother, Billy, in the school bus wreck on Monarch Pass that killed nine more people than 50 years ago. Both of his parents have passed, as well as his wife, to cancer.
“He has got more cause to be bitter than any human being I’ve ever met, but he never has been,” said Kevin Coblentz, the owner of the local KC barbershop and a life-long friend of Miles.
More than 20 years ago, Coblentz came home to a frozen house late at night, right
After a serious case of COVID, Miles’ health declined. He recently moved to Florida, where the climate is milder, with his partner, Heidi. According to Heidi’s mother, Audrey Miller, the pair purchased a home on Cloud Nine Road, where they will stay during the winters.
He plans to come back home to Gunnison in the summers when the warmth returns. It is unlikely he’ll want to miss the rush and excitement of the annual Cattlemen's Days Rodeo — an event he has always cherished.
“He says, ‘Well I’m on cloud nine.’ And he sure is,” Miller said.
(Bella Biondini can be contacted at 970.641.1414 or bella@ gunnisontimes.com.)
“Jim will always be remembered as one who so unselfishly served, protected, loved and proudly represented the city of Gunnison and all of its residents.”
Jim Gelwick Gunnison City CouncilJim Miles (Courtesy Gunnison Volunteer Fire Department)
closed for remodel assessment and equipment evaluation.”
Despite the quick closure, former Subway employees say that it was a long time coming, alleging years of neglect on the building and business equipment. The closure follows three months of management turnover, reports of hazardous working conditions and equipment left in disrepair for so long that employees became concerned about food safety. Concerned with the slew of issues, the restaurant’s general manager temporarily closed the store and then quit. Less than two weeks later, the owner closed it indefinitely.
“We are closed for a pending remodel as the sign states,” said building and Subway franchise owner Jim Cagle in an email to the Times . “I am working with my architect as we speak. We will be working on a demo in the next few weeks.”
The Gunnison location is owned by Jim and Liz Cagle, Grand Junction-based business developers who own a number of Subway franchises around the Western Slope. The pair purchased the building in 2003 for around $420,000.
Sitting on the major Hwy. 50 thoroughfare, the Subway was a popular spot, and during the summer season, weekly sales could exceed $20,000, said former general manager Carly Johann. The workload, combined with frequent shortstaffing, made it difficult to take mandated breaks, especially as throngs of people spilled through the door at lunch.
In the final two months before the Subway closed, general management changed three times. Johann, general manager from 2020-23, worked for the Cagle’s for 13 years at various locations around the Western Slope. Johann was fired on June 14, and a day later, Jess Willis was hired to replace her. Willis only stayed for a month and a half before quitting and yielding the role to Alyssia Soto.
Johann, who was born and raised in the Gunnison Valley, started working for the local Subway when she was just 18. She relocated to Grand Junction for nearly a decade to manage stores there, but returned to the Gunnison location in 2020 after her superiors wanted to improve the overall management of the store.
“They thought maybe somebody that was from here, a local, would be able to run it,” she said.
During her three years at the Subway, Johann said she made various requests to Cagle to replace old equipment, get permanent repairs done on the plumbing and electrical system and hire more employees. If those requests were answered, repairs were often temporary, with promises of a larger renovation down the line, she said.
“It was getting old and torn up, and just falling apart, really,” Johann said. “ [The renovation] was something that really needed to happen, especially being such a busy location.”
The building was originally built in 1945, but the county property assessor’s office lists its effective year as 1990; the effective year built captures the last major renovation that brought it up to standard with buildings put up around that time. In 2003, the building underwent another major ren-
ovation, this time from an old gas station into its semi-final state as a Subway and frozen yogurt shop, TCBY. The City of Gunnison received the last renovation plans in 2007 and 2008 to remove the frozen yogurt shop and add a storage area, and nothing since.
Before she was let go, Johann said she warned upper management about the impending summer and said the air conditioning unit needed to be fixed before temperatures soared. But she never got a reply, she said.
After Johann was fired, Willis was brought on as the new general manager. But Willis was only at the location for a little over a month and half before she made the decision to temporarily close it down so repairs could be made, and then quit.
“You don't care about your employees if you don't fix a simple thing like air conditioning in the middle of summer when we're working at around [high] temperatures … It's just not acceptable,” Willis said.
Willis is ServSafe certified in the state of Colorado, a designation that means the person has been trained in food safety procedures. In her brief stint at the Subway, Willis said she witnessed a number of concerning trends. The building frequently registered 84-93 degrees inside the building, she said. Although the building had an air conditioning unit, it rarely worked, according to former employee Rue Barron. Employees had to walk away from the line to cool down. Food coolers, the bain (a refrigerated cooler for perishable foods) went down constantly and she regularly recorded lunch meat reaching unsafe temperatures on the prep line, Willis said.
Angelo Lujan worked at the Gunnison location for 2 years. They said when the bain stopped working, employees put ice underneath just to try to keep the lunchmeat cool. Erica Bramlett, who had worked in the food service industry since she was 16, started working at Subway this past winter and stayed only two months. When she “flipped” the vegetables — putting the oldest on top and the newest on bottom — she said she ended up throwing them out half the time.
“We do our part as employees to make sure it's dated and it's in the walk-in, but I'm assuming just because it couldn't keep things to temp, it just got super out of control,” Bramlett said.
Willis closed the store and quit on July 28. Days later, a representative from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) called her on Aug. 1, asking about air conditioning, heat and food safety. The Times put in a records request with OSHA for any incident reports filed in the last six months, but has yet to verify if these records exist and/ or receive them.
Gunnison County is required by state law to send a local health inspector to the over 200 retail food permits held in county limits. This visit happens at least once every two years, but up to three times a year depending on the type of restaurant, said Gunnison County Consumer Protection Specialist Nicole Stone. Each time inspectors go into a food establishment, they are only seeing a “snapshot” of those operations, she said.
The Gunnison Subway was inspected once a year for at least the last four years, accord-
ing to health inspection records obtained by the Times . From 2020 to 2023, the establishment passed inspection, but not without issue.
For the last four years, Subway has not had a certified food protection manager, an individual who has received training to manage safe food preparation. This was noted as a repeated offense. Stone declined to comment on whether or not Subway was mandated to have one.
The 2023 report details that at the time of the inspection, employees did not have adequate hand washing sinks, and some food was not adequately cooled. The report also noted the dishwashing sink was broken, leading to high concentrations of the ammonia sanitizing solution.
“Closures are typically done when there is the presence of one or several high risk or imminent health hazards,” Stone said. “In this case, that result was a passing inspection. So we didn't have any of that at the time.”
When an inspector marks something as out of compliance during the visit, it doesn’t necessarily trigger a reinspection, she said, and some things can be corrected on site. Stone said Gunnison County was not involved in Subway’s closure.
“Due to new equipment timing and the contractor, it is too early to comment on an opening date,” Cagle said.
match at 10%.
With the influx of funding, GVH is hiring a licensed clinical social worker at the Family Medicine Clinic, the hospital’s primary care center. The professional will be tasked with providing counseling, referrals and keeping track of patients as they move through the hospital system.
GVH used to have a behavioral health specialist in primary care, and that person was seeing about 20 people a week. When they left the job in 2019, GVH had a hard time refilling the position during the pandemic. And as that position sat empty, the need for those services skyrocketed, said Foundation Executive Director Jenny Birnie.
“We were seeing a huge uptick in behavioral health patients, and a lot of them were coming to the emergency room because there was nowhere else to go … and we really didn't want them in the emergency room, because it's not the most appropriate place when you're experiencing a mental health crisis,” Birnie said.
Currently, the family medicine clinic gives each patient who comes in a Social Determinants of Health test to better capture emotional or physical distress that might not be immediately obvious. These surveys capture information, but don’t provide a clear next step. An in-house mental health provider can fill the gap, Birnie said.
“A lot of times, they'll come up with basic needs issues. They might need housing, they might
need food or they might be in a situation where they have depression,” she said. “So when we do those screenings, it's great to have somebody located on-site that they can do a warm handoff to.”
That person will join the GVH Behavioral Health Department, which opened just two years ago. In the hospital's own health survey conducted every three years, the top request was repeatedly for mental health and substance abuse prevention services, Birnie said. Already, it has grown to accommodate 25 full- and part-time employees.
The hospital has sent these people all around the valley.
The four-person mobile crisis team travels around the county, and there’s an employee in the county jail, clinicians working on Western Colorado University’s campus and GVH-funded therapists in the Gunnison Watershed School District.
“We have more and more people coming through our doors that not only have physical health challenges, but also mental health and substance abuse issues … we knew we needed to do something,” Birnie said.
A focus on Spanish-speakers
The position is especially important in rural communities, and even more so for the Spanish-speaking community. Although the new role is not yet filled, administrators are trying to bring on more bilingual staff, Birnie said.
GVH has been trying for years to add bilingual employees, especially for the clinicians working in the school district. The hospital currently has one
Spanish-speaking therapist in Crested Butte and one Spanishspeaking peer support specialist. This year, the Foundation received a grant to hire a bilingual patient navigator, a role now filled by longtime local and community organizer Cinthia Saenz.
Saenz has been in her role for only six months, but she said she is busier than ever. People call her with all sorts of needs, from navigating the winding hallways of the hospital to filling out insurance paperwork to simply needing a familiar face when communicating with doctors.
After 20 years in Gunnison, Saenz has had to confront nearly every challenge that her fellow Spanish-speakers and immigrants may have faced, she said, a track record that now allows her to help neighbors and friends.
“We are helping our community feel safe to come into the hospital. Being an immigrant, it's hard. I remember when we just moved here, we were scared to go to the hospital … We are there to support you. I think we are going to see more numbers going up with our Latino community here in this hospital,” Saenz said.
In 2024, the Foundation is looking to expand patient navigation services, Birnie said. For Saenz, numbers are the answer. She’d like to see a bilingual employee in each department, or a larger staff of bilingual patient navigators that can continue to build the hospital’s ability to help the valley’s Spanish-speakers.
(Abby Harrison can be contacted at 970.641.1414 or abby@ gunnisontimes.com.)
0.9% APR1
an election to determine the length of each councilor’s term. The two candidates who receive the highest number of votes each receive a four-year term, while the rest serve for two. This allows for some overlap between council members, ensuring that there is never an entirely new board and that knowledge can be passed down.
New council members will be sworn in at the first meeting in December. Unlike the Town of Crested Butte, the City of Gunnison does not permit voters to choose its mayor. During this council session, members will appoint the mayor through a secret ballot. Plata has served as mayor since 2022.
Below are the four candidates vying for empty seats on city council. In the coming weeks, the Times will sit down with each candidate to learn more about why they chose to run for council and what they hope to accomplish in office.
(Bella Biondini can be contacted at 970.641.1414 or bella@gunnisontimes.com.)
Diego Plata (current mayor)
Plata was born in Merida, Venezuela and moved to the United States when he was 9 years old. He came to Gunnison to attend Western’s Masters of Environmental Management program. He currently works as a corporate sustainability analyst with an engineering company called Stantec. Outside of work, he is passionate about the community and dedicates most of his free time to city council responsibilities.
Ballesteros-Celestino is a Cora Gunnison native raised by immigrant parents. She attended Gunnison High School and graduated from Western Colorado University in 2020 with a degree in business administration and Spanish. She has been serving the Gunnison Valley as a hairstylist for seven years and is a victim advocate and assistant director at Project Hope.
Schwartz and his wife, Amy, moved to Gunnison in September of 2001. His professional career has included managing the Gunnison Family Vision Center and consulting for the optometric industry. He has been a member of the Gunnison Chamber and West Elk Hockey association boards and spent many years coaching youth hockey. Schwartz was also a co-chair of the committee that proposed and passed the ballot measure to build the pool, ice rink and trails. Schwartz was elected to city council in 2015 and served one term. He is a current member of the Gunnison County Planning Commission.
Frazier has lived in Gunnison for 36 years. He attended Western from 198792, studying political science, sociology and business. Frazier has served on the Gunnison board of adjustment and appeals, in addition to numerous terms on the Gunnison Valley Mentors and Western’s athletic association boards. He is the owner of the Palisades Restaurant and has been with the business for over 20 years.
As a part of the weekend's kick-off events for Welcoming Week, community members gathered for an inter-congregational potluck at Legion Park on Sunday, Sept. 10. Organized by the Gunnison Cultural Connection, Welcoming Week promotes inclusivity and diversity through a series of community-building events. The potluck brought together bilingual, faith-based groups to share food and listen to music from the Emanuel Church band.
The City of Gunnison wrapped up its Music Cruise and Mid-Week on Main Street series on Tuesday, Sept. 12 by combining the two events into one huge party. The band Cora del Nayar Brasil played at IOOF Park while the music cruise wound its way through Gunnison. The Western Colorado University Jazz Band played on the mobile stage. The cruise concluded at the park with an extended set from the Western Steel Drum Band.
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After three days lost in the wilderness near Vulcan, Colorado, a 77-year-old woman was found alive by rescue crews on Sept. 5. Her rescue is the result of a multi-agency operation led by locals from the Western Colorado University Mountain Rescue Team.
On Sunday, Sept. 3 at 7:30 p.m., Mountain Rescue was contacted by the Saguache County Sheriff's Office about a missing woman who had disappeared from a cabin south of Powderhorn. Responders believed the woman was suffering from a dementia-related event, causing her to leave her family and wander off.
Mountain Rescue’s Mission Coordinator Andrew Gioffredi was dispatched with a team of 12 volunteers, and the team arrived on site at 10:30 p.m. The situation was immediately deemed critical due to the woman’s age, physical health and the high-elevation conditions, so rescuers began the search that night. At 2 a.m., Mountain Rescue Director of Operations Ryan White took over Gioffredi’s team.
“We generally don’t search at night unless the situation is urgent,” White said. “We’re trying to eliminate possible areas
where the person could be, and that’s really hard to do at night and in the woods. In pitch black, we could be standing right next to someone and not notice it.”
On the morning of Sept. 4, search and rescue (SAR) teams from Crested Butte and Saguache joined the effort, using Starlink technology to map out the area and generate a plan. Neighbors from the surrounding area also began searching, and one reported hearing yelling from a ridge near the Vulcan town site. A team was relocated to the ridge and scanned the houses and roadsides with no success.
Former Gunnison County Sheriff Rick Besecker, who currently works part-time for the Saguache Sheriff's Office, conducted “rest of the world searches.” He made calls to the Gunnison, Delta and Montrose hospitals to check if the missing person was picked up by a car and transported for medical help. The woman’s former residences were also checked.
On the evening of Sept. 4, a dog team from Fort Collins joined the operation alongside a helicopter from Reach Air Medical Services. The helicopter soon spotted a reflection near the ridgeline where the yell was heard the day prior. Western volunteers, exhausted after three days of searching, called for assistance at 4 a.m. on Sept. 5.
“After three days, we were low on energy and needed a team to come out and search with a fresh lens,” White said. “We had created our own opinions and biases, and that influenced our
search and could have led to a negative outcome.”
A mission coordinator from Aspen SAR, 10 more responders from Chaffee County SAR and an additional dog team reinforced the operation. By midday on Tuesday, Sept. 5, the new coordinators dispatched a dog team to search the ridgeline near the Vulcan town site, where both the yelling and reflection had been reported.
At 2:30 p.m. the woman was found alive by a dog, tucked underneath a log in the gully below the ridge. She was airlifted for immediate medical attention and treated for symptoms of dehydration and hypothermia. Besecker spoke with the patient’s husband on Sept. 12, who said recovery is going especially well.
“She’s back at it, feisty as ever, and doing well,” Besecker said.
While debriefing the rescue, Saguache SAR Team Leader David Frees said the operational command from Mountain Rescue allowed the search to begin promptly.
“Western is a very wellrounded team, not only do they do technical rescue, but Ryan [White] and his team are also well trained in lost person behavior and how to set up a search,” Frees said. “We called in resources from all over the state. It can be difficult as an incident coordinator to keep everything organized. Having that multi-agency coordination was a valuable benefit.”
(Alex McCrindle can be contacted at 970.641.1414 or alex@ gunnisontimes.com.)
The price of land, homes and everything in between has remained high in the Gunnison Valley. The combined value — which includes agricultural, commercial, residential and more — hit $13 billion this year, while the total assessed value exceeded $1 billion for the first time in Gunnison County history.
“For the previous two years, we've seen the sales come in substantially higher and higher. So we knew the values were going up,” said Gunnison County Assessor Kristy McFarland.
The total assessed value is used by assesors to calculate property taxes; those rates are set by the Colorado legislature. Actual value is the amount the property is worth in real time and those values are based on the current real estate market.
property values in the county increased an average of 53% and vacant land an average of 47%.
Of the over 3,200 square miles in the county, nearly half of the appeals came out of a ten-mile radius in the North Valley. Nearly 900 of 1,800 appeals submitted to the office came from Crested Butte, Mt. Crested Butte, Skyland and Crested Butte South.
Neighboring counties had similar increases in value, seeing the most value inflation in vacant and residential lots. But some were hit harder, McFarland said.
Residential land in Pitkin County increased 92%, and vacant land 70%, according to a 2023 valuations map put together by Colorado State Demography Office. Vacant land in Ouray County increased 99% and in Chaffee County, 105%.
Compared to other resort counties, Gunnsion has the fewest number of appeals per number of parcels, she said. Counties that have a large number of property owners that don’t live locally have an even bigger challenge, McFarland said. In Gunnison County, over half of the appeals submitted came from out-of-county mailing addresses. Almost 650 also came from out-of-state mailing addresses, and of those, 340 were from Texas.
“If you're in town and you see the papers, you're seeing the real estate listings and you have a good idea of what's going on,” she said. “But if you live in another state, where the value increases aren't the same as they are here in Gunnison County, you want to know why.”
The assessor’s office will not finalize total assessed values until November, when taxing entities like the Gunnison County Fire Protection District and Gunnison Watershed School District get their final numbers for projected 2024 tax income.
After recovering from the housing market crash of 2008 — property values have steadily increased. But 2023 saw accelerated growth, jumping from $829,000,000 to $1,197,000,000 in just two years.
The county received just under 1,800 appeals this year, the highest number since the ‘08 housing market crash. Of those appeals, the office ended up adjusting 566. The uptick was unsurprising, as average property values in all categories increased, some more than others. Residential
Gunnison County is currently in an extended appeal period, which gives assessors more time to visit the property and talk to property owners. Property owners have until Sept. 15 to file with the County Board of Equalization (CBOE) and hearings typically go through October.
(Abby Harrison can be contacted at 970.641.1414 or abby@gunnisontimes.com.)
“If you live in another state, where the value increases aren’t the same as they are here in Gunnison County, you want to know why.”
Kristy McFarland Gunnison County Assessor
Top of The World Garden Club awarded the home of Kim Gailey and Mike George at 313 S. Main St. with Yard of the Week. “We purchased our home in 1992,” the pair wrote. “At that time, the landscaping consisted of a lawn, a honeysuckle hedge, a bittersweet vine, a clump of native chokecherry bushes, an aging golden willow tree and a few perennial flowers. The character of the garden has changed over the years as the original trees succumbed to age giving the backyard more sun while the Aspen trees have matured to shade the front yard. In the early years, we focused on restoring our circa 1913 house, but did install a sprinkler system and amended and replaced soil in the flower beds. We love our garden and while we still use annual flowers for their season-long color, we’ve expanded our flower beds and added many perennials including roses, delphiniums, lilies, clematis and columbines. Mike is the garden architect and focuses on hardscaping, while Kim enjoys working with the plants. A privacy fence surrounds the enclosed back patio garden where a gazebo and a variety of pots planted with annual flowers are accented by a fountain and mythical statues. We have worked on the yard for over 30 years, but we continue to make changes and suspect that we will never be satisfied enough to say we are finished. Our yard has given us a peaceful place of refuge in a crazy world.”
1203 Van Tuyl Circle, MLS #805249, $784,000, 4-Bedroom 3.25 Bathrooms 1766
2017. This
family home is surrounded by magnificent views of the Palisades in the quiet neighborhood of Van Tuyl Village. This 4-bedroom 3.25-bathroom property, a primary bedroom with full bathroom on the ground floor and half bedroom by the utility room that is easily accessible by guests and friends when entertaining. The living room is equipped with a pellet stove, moving into an open kitchen area with granite countertops, a deep sink and dining area nearby. The upstairs consists of a second primary bedroom with 3/4 bathroom and two large bedrooms with a full bathroom in the hallway. The natural sunlight from the expansive windows throughout the property provides views and sun exposure. The huge fenced in front yard will enable you to garden and play with your pet(s) and/or entertain your family and friends during the beautiful sunny summers in Gunnison. The irrigation ditch is available during spring/summer/fall months to water the yard and provide you with ambient noise to enjoy during the pleasant Gunnison evenings. Call the listing agent for further questions and to schedule a showing.
613 W New York, MLS #804709, $857,000, 4 houses located on W. New York Ave. in a growing area of town. The 4 houses contain 5 units that have been rented for many years. Theproperties have excellent rental history and good cash flow. New water lines installed last year and sewer lines in 2 small houses on 12th have been replaced in the last 5 years along with new roofs for these 2 houses in the last 4 years. The small house at 613 W New York had a new heater and refrigerator installed this past winter. All units currently have leases in place so an investor can start cash flowing the property immediately. Property is older and in need of some deferred maintenance but is being sold “as is” at this price. This property includes the addresses: 202 S. 12th, 206 S 12th, 613 W New York and 615 W New York.
216 Lochleven Lane, MLS #804508, $$990,000, 3-Bedroom 2-Bathroom 1,988 sqft, built in 1985, and with1.056 acres with attached car garage. Well built home situated in the beautiful little Homestead Subdivision in Almont. Sit on your large front deck and revel in the views up the East River Valley. Located just 10 min from Gunnison and 20 min from CB, you are centrally located to enjoy the activities the area has to offer from world class fishing, rafting and hiking to snowmobiling and skiing. This 2 story home has its main living area on the top floor with a large open kitchen/ dining living room area with a wood stove that keeps the top floor nice and warm. This area is a great space to gather and entertain as you take in the views surrounding the property. The property also has a sunroom that can be accessed from the second level or has 2 separate entrances from the exterior. There is a 1 car oversized attached garage and located next to the garage is a very large storage room/closet for all of your storage needs. The home has a lot of deck area on the outside for outdoor entertaining or to casually relax and take in the many different views. Almont is a quaint small town with 2 restaurants/bars located within minutes from the property. There is a free bus that runs up and down the valley from Gunnison to CB with a stop located in Almont.
459 Fairway Lane MLS #806172 $850,00 4-bedroom 3-bathroom 2291sqft. built in 1979
This contemporary quaint rustic house is within a profoundly well known subdivision, Dos Rios III. Close vicinity to the back 9 of the Dos Rios Golf Course. On a .46 of an acre, has 4-bedrooms and 3-bathrooms, the house features hardwood/tile floors, kitchen fully equipped with stainless appliances, kitchen cabinets and an open concept living room with a wood burning stove and second living room or/an office has a pellet stove. On the first floor you have a half bathroom that is easily accessible. On the second floor the master suite has an oversized bedroom with a full bathroom and a walk-in closet with a sliding barn door. The other full bathroom is down the hallway between the other two oversized bedrooms. The enormous backyard has a shed and plenty of sun exposure to plant/seed flowers, play with your pets and have get-togethers with friends. The two car garage is attached to the house and is very spacious and heated by a wood burning stove. There is sufficient amount of parking in the driveway and along the east side of the house. This home is magnificent so don’t miss out and schedule a showing by contacting the agent.
413 W New York MLS #805945 2125 sqft 1 bathroom Commercial Retail $525,000
Perfect Opportunity to Move a Business and/or a Start a New Business with great past history of tenants using the retail storefront i.e for nail/salon, daycare, mechanical auto body, pet/animal feed and accessories-retail and granite-retail/distribution to name a few. The property consists of about 1500 sqft of retail space with storefront access to New York and a half bathroom that is easily accessible for staff and customers to use. An added bonus is having an attached garage with about 625 sqft with an overhead garage bay. The garage could be a storage facility or part of business operations. The property has 5 parking spaces and close to Safeway and the new location of 5 Bs. A growing and upcoming neighborhood. Don’t miss this opportunity contact the listing agent to schedule a showing.
Home Together Veterinary Services’ senior spotlight this week is shared by two cuties from the same household: Tina and Antosh (Tosh). Tosh is a 12-year-old Rocky Mountain dingo. He spent his young life romping around the Gunnison Valley but he is now thoroughly enjoying retirement, taking leisurely scent tours among the wildflowers. Tosh was diagnosed with a nasal tumor in 2021 and received radiation treatment. Now over a year out, he is living his best old man life. He loves food and making sure the floors are clean. When Tosh met 11-year-old husky mix, Tina, at Oh Be Dogful Rescue and Sanctuary, it was love at first sight. When Tina first joined the pack she was incredibly fearful and a flight risk. With some time, love and patience, she blossomed into an adventurous mountain woman. Tina now has an inoperable oral tumor and is undergoing treatment to keep her pain-free and happy. Despite her swollen eye and snorting, Tina is still raging and taking advantage of each day. She loves hunting, belly rubs and talking with her favorite people. She is a constant reminder that having love and the freedom to be yourself is key to growth.
Don't SELL them. Tell them a great STORY.
(Courtesy Top O’ The World Garden Club)
sqft built in
quaint contemporary single
Abby Harrison Times Staff Writer
It’s 4 a.m. and Rachel Coleman is in her “golden hours,” the cherished morning ritual of gingerly icing the final few cinnamon rolls with a soft cream cheese icing at her kitchen counter. She moves over to pull pies out of the oven, the sugary fruit filling still bubbling with heat. It’s quiet, but for the clack of pans hitting the counter. She’s surrounded by speed racks and whiteboards enumerating the exact times she’s started to let her dough rise.
At 7 a.m Coleman drives over to MetaSpace, a large studio offering space for creatives, at 901 W. Tomichi. There, she lays out her goods on a white table and waits for the many pastrylovers of the Gunnison Valley to assemble for their morning fix. Coleman offers these sweet treats under Base Camp Bakery, a new pop-up and pre-order pastry business. Whether it's graham cracker cookies with a tangy lime icing, a green chili mango jam sitting on a shortbread cookie or a maple-pecan cinnamon roll to usher in the turning leaves — each offer-
ing has a unique addition that makes it her own.
“A cookie is a cookie, right? But a cookie can be so much more, depending on what you want to put into it. I can start with a foundation, and then I can just build my way up,” she said.
Coleman went to pastry school in Boulder in 2013, where everyday for nine months she studied the fundamentals of French baking. For the next decade, Coleman sustained her passion by baking for friends and family. With the birth of her son Jack in September of 2022, she knew she needed to be at home with him, she said. To bring in extra income and fill the long days of childcare, she began baking for more in the community.
“Before I had a baby, it was ‘I just need to work. I need to work and save up and have money.’ But now, my perspective changed, because I need to be with this little guy who needs to grow up … baking gives me that, it fills my heart because I'm passionate about what I do,” she said.
Working under the Cottage Foods Act, Coleman was quickly inundated with demand. What started as Christmas cookie boxes quickly grew into cookie boxes for all occasions. Within months, she was offering tailored pastry packages for any event possible: first day of school, weddings and even Super Bowl-themed cookies with delicately piped 50-yard lines and heart-shaped foot -
balls, white laces and all.
“It grew faster than my feet could keep up with, and I think it's just great that people are responding and learning about me,” she said.
When she’s kneading bread dough or measuring chocolate chips in the early morning hours, the motion is a practiced one, beginning decades ago on her mom’s farm in Iowa. She recalls rolling noodle dough and crafting the lattice work for Thanksgiving pies with her mother, her grandmother and great grandmother.
“All I remember is being there with my grandma, hands in the flour, and then you're taking the eggs and you're breaking them apart and then you're sprin -
kling a little salt … That's where I come from. I come from a long line of bakers,” Coleman said.
In their small hometown of Albia, Iowa, her grandmother started the “Victorian Stroll,” a wintertime cookie delivery service that eventually looped in 56 women who baked over 1,000 cookies a season. Now, Coleman said she’s getting her own chapter in a long family tradition of baking for neighbors. She gets to offer pastries cooked with local eggs, pies with Palisades peaches or bread infused with leeks from the Gunnison Farmers Market.
“In a world that's so uncertain, it is so great to know that I can still pass off my passion to other people and share it with-
out being limited,” she said.
Coleman currently sells at a pop-up market at MetaSpace. For now, these weekly events and pre-orders are keeping her busy, but Coleman is working on getting her manufacturing license, which would allow her to sell to other businesses, and is gearing up to renovate a portion of her home into a commercial kitchen. Years down the line, a brick and mortar could be in the cards, she said.
(Abby Harrison can be contacted at 970.641.1414 or abby@ gunnisontimes.com.)
Freshly-baked cinnamon rolls ready for sale on Sept. 12.
As the shadow of Cattlemen’s Days fades from view and a fall chill returns to Gunnison Valley, young craftsmen, growers and sheep-wranglers can look back on a long and busy summer of 4-H activities.
4-H, the youth development chapter of the Gunnison County CSU Extension Office, reaches all around the valley, from helping young farmers learn to weigh their cattle to testing novel ranching and farming technologies. The Extension Office manages ten 4-H clubs with 150 participants and 50 volunteers. Hannah Cranor, Extension Office director, gave Gunnison County Commissioners a seasonal overview at a regular meeting on Sept. 12.
“There is a huge diversity of things that you are tackling from youth development to family development and land development,” said County Commissioner Laura Puckett Daniels. “It’s impressive how much you guys are managing with a pretty small team.”
Despite the summertime love that 4-H gets each year in June and July, 4-H General Project participants meet all year to keep track of their progress in skills like sewing, cake decorating, leathercraft and model rockets. Those students then present that work to a panel of volunteer judges with the chance at going to the Colorado State Fair.
This year, 24 went to the state fair in Pueblo, many returning with champion and reserve champion placements. A few even traveled to the fair, supported by 4-H, to see their work
adorned with ribbons. The livestock program was especially lucrative this year.
4-H staff work with kids and families all through the process, from deciding to raise and sell an animal to weighing, conducting meat quality assurance workshops and information sessions so kids can learn about different breeds of their goats, cows and pigs. This year, young ranchers made nearly $300,000 at the Junior Livestock Auction. One goat sold for $4,000. Cranor said the Extension Office is working on an economic report that would capture how much
4-H kids spend raising their animals.
“I paid for my college with that money,” she said. “Some kids use it to buy tools for trade school and stuff like that. But for a lot of them, that’s their college fund.”
This year, 4-H kids raised just over $2,300 for the Nadine Henry 4-H Forever Fund, which was matched by the Gunnison County Commissioners. That fund is used to provide scholarships for kids to travel and participate in other events, and this year, was distributed to eight graduating seniors.
A new offering this fall is Juntos 4-H, a program meant to educate families on secondary education. Starting this fall, 4-H will offer family engagement nights, conducted in Spanish, to learn more about the college process, like how to fill out a FAFSA form. Juntos, funded by a $3,000 grant from the Community Foundation of the Gunnison Valley, makes
Gunnison County the second in the state to run this sort of program.
“We're really targeting families. The process can be so confusing, so how do we make it accessible for everyone?” Cranor said.
While 4-H focuses on the young people of the Gunnison Valley, the CSU Extension Office Staff put resources towards issues related to water, fire and wildlife this year. Extension officers were able to assist local fire professionals with the Lowline Fire by coordinating with agricultural producers to protect livestock. Cranor is also supporting producers who are confronting the historic reintroduction of the gray wolf on the Western Slope of Colorado.
“Your connectivity deep in the community is really a strength that you're building all this programming, it's really cool to see the amount of things going on,” said County Commissioner Jonathan Houck.
In addition to regular services like hay, soil, water and mysterious bug testing, Cranor said the Extension Office is looking into newer methods like biochar, a soil amendment made of wood that improves soil fertility and reduces carbon emissions, and virtual fencing, which may allow ranchers to control livestock without physical fences — a promising technology to help mitigate the impact of the coming gray wolf release.
(Abby Harrison can be contacted at 970.641.1414 or abby@ gunnisontimes.com.)
FALL IS IN THE AIR and it’s time to think about winterizing your irrigation system. Toad Properties would love to blow out and winterize your irrigation system this fall. Please call 970-349-2773 or email rob@ toadpropertymanagement.com to set up a date and time that works for you.
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Accounts Payable Analyst (full-time): Responsibilities include providing professional accounting services in AP and other accounting areas, reviewing invoices and reimbursements for compliance with policy, answering campus questions about travel policies and AP procedures and reviewing/interpreting/applying University fiscal rules and relevant IRS rules.
Administrative Assistant II – Art and Music (fulltime): Responsibilities include administrative and clerical operations, budgeting, purchasing, information coordination, scheduling, student worker supervision and building management for the Art and Music Departments on campus.
To view the full job announcement(s) and apply, visit western.edu/jobs and click on “View Careers” (AA/ EOE).
THE ADAPTIVE SPORTS CENTER is seeking adaptive ski and snowboard instructors to facilitate exceptional adaptive sport and recreation activities for the 20232024 winter season. Pay ranges from $2029/hour based on experience. Benefits for full-time seasonal staff include pro-forms, certification and membership dues, exam reimbursement, paid sick days, 5-day stipend and a 401(k) match. More information and the winter application are at adaptivesports. org/about-us/careers. The deadline to apply is Sept. 15.
DAVID CROSS GENERAL CONTRACTOR is hiring for a full-time, salaried office manager position for our fast-paced office environment. Duties include company asset management, obtaining bids and maintaining various insurances, fleet management, procurement for office and project needs, assisting project managers with subcontractor agreements and documents and personal assistance to the owner and general manager. Experience with Google Suite and Quickbooks is preferred. Compensation package includes ski pass, vacation time, paid holidays and health insurance. Please email resumes to david@davidgrossgc.com.
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
*Housing is held for Gunnison County employees and may be available to rent*
Public Health Nurse II – Substance Abuse Prevention, Juvenile Services: 20 hours/week, hourly rate range from $32.03-$38.94, plus partial benefits.
Family Services Supervisor
HHS: 40 hours/week, monthly salary range from $6,238-$7,584, plus full benefits.
Senior Administrative Assistant
Community Development: 40 hours/ week, monthly salary range from $3,990-$4,850, plus full benefits.
Airport Operations Manager
Airport: 40 hours/week, monthly salary range from $6,238-$8,194, plus full benefits.
Summer Seasonal
Public Works: Guaranteed 40 hours/ week, hourly rate range from $15.75$22.28 depending on experience, plus partial benefits. Outdoor work that includes traffic control, fencing, tree and brush removal, trail work, recycling, equipment training and much more, all in a 4-day work week.
Patrol Deputy Sheriff: Full-time, 40 hours/week, monthly salary range from $5,552$7,853 plus full benefits.
Detention Deputy Sheriff: Full-time, 40 hours/week, monthly salary range from $4,989$7,057 plus full benefits. Only work 14
For more information, including complete job descriptions, required qualifications and application instructions, please visit GunnisonCounty.org/ jobs.
PAVEMENT MAINTENANCE
TECHNICIANS WANTED TO JOIN THE SEALCO TEAM: $33+ hourly - $1,800+ weekly potential with performance and safety bonuses. Seeking motivated, hardworking and dependable individuals. No experience necessary. On the job training working outdoors. Paid weekly. Must be capable of lifting 60 pounds. Email resumes to Aaron@sealcoincorporated.com or call 970-641-4260.
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-inhand 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.
HEARTH DESIGN BUILD: Small, local, dynamic firm dedicated to community housing. Seeking passionate and driven individuals. Experience appreciated, not necessary. 802-595-9576, hearthdesignbuild.org, hearthdesignbuild@ gmail.com.
THE MT. CRESTED BUTTE WATER AND 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 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-$51,500 for entry level. $58,000-$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, P.O. Box 5740, Mt. Crested Butte, CO 81225 or email info@mcbwsd.com. Position is open until filled. MCBWSD is an equal opportunity employer.
IRWIN BACKCOUNTRY GUIDES is seeking on-mountain hospitality candidates for our cat skiing operation. Position requires ability to work in an alpine environment with high physical demands and long days. This role is guest-facing and applicants must have a strong desire to provide exceptional hospitality to a high-end clientele while maintaining a professional appearance. The diversity of this role requires experience in both food preparation and mountain operations, as well as a hard-working team player with attention to detail and good communication skills. Marker certification, CPR/First Aid and the ability to operate a snowmobile is preferred. Clean motor vehicle record mandatory. Full-time and part-time winter positions available starting in Nov. Please send resume and cover letter to jobs@elevenexperience.com. More information about our company can be found at irwinguides.com and elevenexperience. com. This is a winter seasonal position starting Nov. 25 through Apr. 15 and starts at $180-$230 per day, plus tips depending on experience and qualifications.
PART-TIME REGISTERED NURSE OR NURSE PRACTITIONER in Crested Butte, CO for Fusion Health and Wellness Clinic. Pay starts at $35/hr and up depending on experience. Must be willing to perform tasks such as IV hydration, vitamin injections, weight loss, blood draws and aesthetics. Will train. Must be a team player. Send your resume to Lisamerck1@gmail.com and call 970-355-9686.
SPALLONE CONSTRUCTION has immediate openings for laborers in the Gunnison, Crested Butte area. Experience required not required, but preferred. Must be able to assist laborer performing physical tasks involved in construction activities. Must have a valid drivers license, references required. $22/hr or higher depending on experience, benefits available after one year of employment. Please submit resume to: office@spalloneconstruction.com.
Competitive pay, 401K, insurance, paid vacations. 40 hour work week. Apply at John Roberts Motor Works.
MICHAEL WEIL CUSTOM HOMES is looking for highly-experienced trim carpenters. Work for one of the premiere builders in Crested Butte. Exceptional pay and work environment. Contact info@ mweilcustomhomes.com.
RANCHING, THE GOOD LIFE: Do you enjoy seeing well-run ranches? Do you like to work? Are you physically fit? Are you motivated to get things done? Do you like to look back upon your accomplishments? Would you be interested in having the satisfaction of being a ranch caretaker? The job would include irrigation, haying, ranch maintenance, a few cattle drives if interested and learning all sorts of new things. Housing would be furnished. Families are welcome. Salary and benefits depend on experience and willingness to work. If these fit, call me at 303-808-5688.
See GWSD website for details gunnisonschools.net
Gunnison Watershed School District believes that students thrive when they are connected to something bigger than themselves. That’s why we create learning experiences that spark curiosity, helping students discover who they are and how to make a difference in the world around them. As they excel in academics, athletics and the arts, students find the confidence to pursue any opportunity in life. Our team is “Driven to be the Difference!”
HOURLY OPPORTUNITIES
Bus Drivers Food Service-CBCS and GCS
Special Needs Educational Assistants
SPED Educational Assistant-GES and GMS
ELL Educational Assistant-CBCS Building Manager-CBCS
Assistant Building Manager-CBCS Lead Custodian-Lake School
Permanent Substitute-CBSS, GHS, GCS Substitute Teachers
PROFESSIONAL OPPORTUNITIES
Counselor-CBES ELL Teacher-GES
COACHING
GHS-Speech and Debate
Please contact: Superintendent’s Office JoAnn Klingsmith 800 N. Boulevard 970-641-7760 jklingsmith@gunnisonschools.net
Please note this is not a complete list of all our open jobs. You can view all open positions at our website at jobs.gunnisonvalleyhealth.org.
Nursing Assistant, Hospital – FT $17–$19.55/hr. DOE
IT/Computer Tech – FT $22.61-$26/hr. DOE
Logistics Specialist, Supply Chain – FT $17-$19.55/hr. DOE Housekeeper – FT $17-$19.55/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.
Please visit our website for more indepth position descriptions, specific qualification requirements and to apply online: gunnisonvalleyhealth.org/careers/ or call HR for questions at 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.
AUTOMOTIVE MASTER TECHNICIAN. If you are curious about how your current job compares to Precision Automotive? EMAIL your resume to precisionauto4040@hotmail.com, call or text Steve at 970-596-9999 ALL INQUIRIES ARE STRICKLY CONFIDENTIAL! Benefits include: PAID VACATION, PAID HOLIDAYS, MEDICAL, DENTAL, MATCHING IRA.
AUTOMOTIVE APPRENTICE Do you love cars? Get your start in the well paid and exciting world of Automotive Repair that could turn into your life passion. Work along side your mentor a Master Certified Technician while completing online modules such as: Electrical, Engine mechanical, Transmission, Drive train, Suspension & Steering, Heating & A/C, Engine Performance and Brakes.
CAR WASH/DETAILER/SHOP MAINTENANCE. Call or text 970-596-9999 for interview.
PRECISIONAUTO.NET
DAVID GROSS GENERAL CONTRACTOR
is seeking a responsible construction trash dump driver with valid license. Duties include driving trash dumpsters to Gunnison landfill.
Additional duties include general labor and job site cleaning. $27.50 per hour, health insurance, ski pass. Please call David at 970-901-1798.
THE CLUB AT CRESTED BUTTE is hiring the following part-time and fulltime seasonal positions: line cooks and dishwasher, $20-$25/hr. + gratuity, general facility maintenance, $18-$20/hr., front desk attendants, $16-$20/hr., greens and maintenance techs, $20-$23/hr. Employee benefits include complimentary golf rounds and employee discounts. For more information or to submit a resume, please visit theclubatcrestedbutte.com or email jobs@clubatcrestedbutte.com.
DO YOU HAVE MAINTENANCE SKILLS?
Are you looking for a full-time, year-round position in the valley with great pay, health insurance, on-call pay, company vehicle, company phone, paid vacation, ski or health and wellness pass, 5 day work week and more? Iron Horse Property Management is adding another position to our maintenance team and we are looking for the right individual to help maintain our luxury homes. We are looking for someone who has a great work ethic, maintenance skills, is punctual and wants to quit having multiple jobs to make it in the valley. If this sounds like you, and you have a clean driving record, then please send your resume to steve@ ironhorsecb.com. Qualified applicants will be contacted for an interview. No phone calls please. Pay DOE.
CAREGIVER: Tom Morton’s family is looking for a caregiver. Position pay: $30 an hour and 5 days a week. Duties include companionship, light housekeeping, errand services and grocery shopping. Email tommy.mortom11@gmail.com for more details.
MOUNTAIN ROOTS FOOD PROJECT is seeking a hydroponic farm assistant in Gunnison. This part-time position, with potential for growth, will assist the farm manager in all aspects of the cultivation of herbs and vegetables. Starting pay rate is $19 per hour. Please send resume with two references and cover letter to collin@ mountainrootsfoodproject.org.
PROGRAM COORDINATOR: Adaptive Sports Center (ASC). Full-time, year-round, non-exempt.
The Adaptive Sports Center is a missionfocused 501-c3 non-profit that provides therapeutic adventure-based programming for people with disabilities, their friends and family members and is located in Mt. Crested Butte, Colorado.
GUNNISON LIQUOR (The Ghost) is currently looking for part-time help. Nights and weekends a must. Stop by with a resume. 603 W. Tomichi Ave., Gunnison.
TOAD PROPERTY MANAGEMENT is seeking a full-time maintenance technician for a large condominium building in Mt. Crested Butte. This position provides housing, competitive pay, ski pass and more. We are seeking a fun, hardworking, detailed-oriented, responsible and experienced individual to join our team. To submit your resume, please go to ToadPropertyManagement.com/ employment or give us a call at 970-3492773.
STORAGE UNIT SALE: New merchandise added weekly. 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday. 108 S. 11th, alley side.
SEEKING TWO RIDING/PACK HORSES for 2nd rifle season. I have all other gear needed, just looking for the horses and bridles. 2nd
$1,500. Please call 970-349-6281.
TOAD PROPERTY MANAGEMENT is seeking dynamic individuals to join our property management and maintenance team. Year-round and seasonal maintenance positions available for someone with a strong attention to detail, hard work ethic and passionate about career growth. Maintenance duties are subject, but not limited to, operating our snow cats, shoveling, irrigation, lawn care and general maintenance. Toad offers competitive pay, ski passes and housing. To submit your resume, please go to ToadPropertyManagement. com/employment.
LITTLE RED SCHOOLHOUSE in CB
South is currently hiring an afternoon Pre-K teacher M-F. This is a fantastic opportunity for a rewarding career in teaching with lots of growth potential. Experience a plus, but training and education paid for. Very competitive pay plus a great benefits package. Flexible schedule needed, plus positive mindset, creativity and ability to be quick on your feet. Please inquire with resume and interest letter to Jessica at lilredschoolhouse1@gmail.com.
INTERESTED IN A CAREER WITH BENEFITS? The Crested Butte Bank, a branch of the Gunnison Bank and Trust Company, has an opening for a full-time teller to join the operations side of our growing bank. Applicants should have strong customer service skills, the ability to multitask, and a willingness to learn. GB&T fosters a learning environment where you will gain exposure to multiple areas of the bank with a strong foundation in operations. Pay starting at $18. Robust benefits package includes 401(k), medical insurance, vision insurance, life insurance and disability insurance (ST and LT). Pooled transportation is available. Send resume to abrown@crestedbuttebank. com or lbeda@gunnisonbank.com.
FRITO LAY IS HIRING for a route sales position in Gunnison,CO. Are you looking for a job that doesn’t require sitting at a desk for 8 hours a day? Here’s a fantastic opportunity: the starting salary is $63,000 with a $1,000 sign-on bonus. Work for a wellestablished company offering benefits that work as hard as you do, with industry-leading day one healthcare coverage, savings and investments to support different life stages and continued education opportunities. Visit fritolayemployment.com to apply today.
SPALLONE CONSTRUCTION has immediate openings for dump truck drivers in the Gunnison, Crested Butte area. Experience of 3-5 years required. Must be able to assist laborer performing physical tasks involved in construction activities. Must have a valid drivers license, references required. $25-$38 depending on experience, benefits available after one year of employment. Please submit resume to: office@spalloneconstruction.com.
SERVICE PLUMBER TECHNICIAN:
Timberline Mechanical Contracting is looking for a service technician for troubleshooting and plumbing repair. Plumbing and customer service experience preferred. We offer high pay, paid holidays, paid vacation, health insurance and ski pass. Clean driving record is mandatory.
Timberline Mechanical Contracting Crested Butte, CO. Phone: 970-349-5679. Email info@timberlinemech.com.
TEMPORARY LABORERS NEEDED: Need some cash this off season? The Town of Crested Butte Parks and Recreation Department is hiring temporary laborers for spring prep/cleanup season. Work will begin once the snow is gone from the majority of parks and public areas. Duties include raking, power washing, painting and general cleanup and repairs. Full job description and application available online at townofcrestedbutte.com click on “Careers”. Pay $19/hour. The Town of Crested Butte is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer.
This is a new position to the ASC. The program coordinator is responsible for facilitating programs, supervising volunteers and seasonal staff, scheduling, database management and other key aspects of program coordination for the ASC. Key responsibilities include coordinating individual and family booking process, assisting with volunteer recruitment and management, invoicing, front desk oversight and overall daily operations support. The program coordinator sets the stage for outstanding customer service for clients and coordinates many critical aspects of programming. This position will average two days in the field instructing and three days in the office. At busier times, the program coordinator should expect to be in the office up to 5 days/week.
A minimum of two years of experience developing, coordinating and facilitating outdoor adventure programming, preferably in adaptive sports or similar organization desired. Motivated, organized and able to perform in a fast-paced and dynamic environment is essential. Experience coordinating volunteers, seasonal staff, and/or interns desirable. PSIA/AASI and/ or Adaptive certified and/or certified in key areas of summer-based programs (RCC, AMGA, river/raft guiding, etc.), first aid certification or higher required. Working weekends will be required and working evenings and some holidays should be anticipated.
Compensation range and benefits: The annual starting salary range for this position is $20-$23 an hour plus a competitive benefits package including 401(k), paid time off and holidays, health insurance reimbursement, season pass, ski/equipment locker, professional licenses/certification reimbursements (estimated annual starting benefit value of an additional $10,000). Desired start date Nov. 16 or until the position is filled.
To apply, submit a letter of interest, resume, and references to Elizabeth Philbin, assistant program director, elizabeth@adaptivesports. org, subject line “Program Coordinator”. The Adaptive Sports Center is an inclusive organization and an Equal Opportunity Employer. More information at adaptivesports.org/about-us/careers.
JOIN BRIGHT FUTURES EARLY CHILDHOOD AMERICORPS PROGRAM and serve in an early childcare center in Gunnison. Housing and stipend available, education award and professional development to gain. ECE certification is provided. Contact Kaity at AmeriCorps@ brightfuturesforchildren.org or 970-7285613.
AUCTION: Gunnison Secure Storage, 1018 HWY. 135, will be auctioning unit C39 belonging to Jamie Carter on Sept. 29 at 10 a.m. Contents unknown at this time. Bidding starts shortly after 10 a.m. Call 970-6425080 with questions.
KITTENS: Lita, Zita and Bonita. We are Tortoiseshell kitties, which means we tend to be strong willed, independent and a bit sassy. We are also very affectionate, loving and adore our humans. Lita likes to hang out with her foster mom and watch TV while making biscuits (kneading). Zita loves everybody and everything and purrs when her neck is scratched. Bonita is adventurous and likes to snuggle with humans. We are 19 weeks old, spayed and vaccinated. For more information about 1, 2, or all 3 of us, please call our foster mom, Sherry at 970-209-8437.
ROOM FOR RENT: Taylor Canyon, 3 bed/3 bath house. Professional/student, respectful, mature desired. Dogs. October 1st. $900, all included. Text for info: 802-595-9576.
To place a 25-word COSCAN Network ad in 91 Colorado newspapers for only $300, contact your local newspaper or email Colorado Press Association Network at rtoledo@colopress.net
DIRECTV
DIRECTV Sports Pack 3 Months on us! Watch pro and college sports LIVE, Plus over 40 regional and specialty networks included. NFL, College Football, MLB, NBA, NHL, Golf and more. Some restrictions apply.
Call DIRECTV 1-888-725-0897
AMERIGLIDE
Don't let the stairs limit your mobility! Discover the ideal solution for anyone who struggles on the stairs, is concerned about a fall or wants to regain access to their entire home. Call AmeriGlide today! 1-877-418-1883
PORTABLE OXYGEN
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WILL BE HELD IN THE COMMISSIONER’S ROOM, SAGUACHE COUNTY COURTHOUSE, 501 4TH STREET, SAGUACHE, CO.
WENDI MAEZ SAGUACHE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR
08-25-2023
Gunnison
PUBLIC NOTICE
Homestake Mining Company has filed a notice of completion of reclamation and has requested release of reclamation responsibility for Forest Service lands on its mining permit at
Public comments concerning the appropriateness of the release should be sent in writing within thirty (30) days of this publication to the Division of Reclamation, Mining and Safety (DRMS) office at:
Colorado Division of Reclamation, Mining and Safety Room 215 1001 E. 62nd Avenue Denver, CO 80216
Up your taco ante with homemade tortillas
Tacos are a beloved comfort food. While the true origins of tacos are unknown, they are believed to have originated in Mexico long before the Spanish arrived. Ancient Mexicans made soft, flat corn tortillas and filled them with various ingredients, including cooked organ meats and fish. The process of assembling and devouring a taco is relatively simple, but there are ways to improve the flavor profile of this delicious dish. Certainly you can purchase any number of tortillas from a local supermarket, but for a truly great taco, think about homemade tortillas. Here is a recipe for Tortillas de Maíz, courtesy of King Arthur Baking.
Tortillas de Maíz
Yields 16 5-inch tacos
21⁄2 cups (231 grams) King Arthur
Organic Masa Harina
Pinch salt
12⁄3 cups warm water, about 100 F
1. To make the dough: Weigh your masa harina; or measure it by gently spooning it into a cup, then sweeping off any excess. In a large, shallow mixing bowl, combine the masa harina and salt. Gradually add the warm water, stirring with your hands to make a cohesive dough.
2. Using your hands, mix and knead the dough in the bowl for a minute or so until it is smooth and somewhat firm; it should feel like Play-Doh. If the dough sticks to your hands and feels wet, add more masa harina a teaspoon at a time. If you roll a
Bethany Church
909 N Wisconsin St. (behind Powerstop) • 970-641-2144
Two services at 9am and 10:30am!
piece into a ball and squeeze it and the edges crack, add more water a teaspoon to a tablespoon at a time.
3. To shape the tortillas: Preheat a comal, a cast iron or nonstick pan, or a griddle over medium heat for 5 minutes, or until evenly hot.
4. Cut two round or square pieces of foodsafe plastic — from a plastic produce or zip-top bag — to a size about 1⁄2-inch larger than the diameter of your tortilla press. Set aside.
5. Divide the dough into 16 pieces and roll each piece into a ball. Place the balls on a clean work surface and cover them with plastic or a damp kitchen towel to keep them moist.
6. Working with one ball of dough at a time, sandwich it in the center of two pieces of plastic. Place the plastic-enclosed dough on the bottom plate of a tortilla press. Gently squeeze the handle of the press until the dough is about 1⁄16- to 1⁄8-inch thick and about 5 inches in diameter. To achieve a nicely round tortilla, jiggle the handle of your press just as you near the bottom. You may need to press it a couple of times to get the desired thinness.
7. To cook tortillas: Peel the top piece of plastic and then the bottom piece away from the tortilla. Quickly but gently lay the tortilla on the hot pan. Don’t worry if it isn’t perfectly flat (you’ll get better as you practice), and don’t try to move it, which will cause it to tear.
8. Cook the tortilla until it releases easily from the pan and its color has lightened and become opaque, 30 to 45 seconds; you don’t want the tortilla to brown or become freckled at this point.
9. Using a spatula or your fingers, flip the tortilla and cook it until the bottom edges
start to brown and some freckles appear, 60 to 90 seconds more.
10. Flip the tortilla one more time and cook until it puffs, 10 to 15 seconds. If the tortilla doesn’t puff on its own, gently poke it a few times near the center. Once it puffs, let the tortilla cook for 15 to 20 seconds longer, until full set and soft.
11. Remove the tortilla from the heat and wrap it in a clean kitchen towel, or transfer it to a cloth-lined tortillero.
12. Repeat the pressing and cooking process with the remaining dough.
13. Storage information: Enjoy the tortillas the same day by keeping them wrapped in a kitchen towel or tortillero. Refrigerate leftover tortillas, wrapped in a kitchen towel and sealed in a plastic bag, for to three days, or freeze for two to three months.
14. To reheat tortillas: Preheat a comal, pan or griddle for 5 minutes over medium heat and warm the tortillas for about a minute on each side.
FREE lunch for college students following the 10:30am service gunnisonbethany.com
9 am: Family Service with nursery & children’s church
Check out our website for updates!
Or download our app on the App Store by searching, Gunnison Bethany.
B'nai Butte Congregation
PO Box 2537 Crested, Butte CO 81224 305-803-3648
All High holy Day services will be held at Queen of All Saints Church Parish Hall (401 Sopris Ave), unless noted elsewhere.
Sept. 15: Erev Rosh Hashanah, Services start at 5 p.m. followed by potluck dinner at 6:30 p.m. Pls bring a dish to share.
Sept. 16, Rosh Hashanah hike and services. Meet at the top of the Lower Loop trailhead (Alien Shack) at 10 a.m. and walk to the Lower Loop trail for services. Bring a chair/ blanket/picnic lunch. Tashlich to follow at 1 p.m. We will meet at Rainbow Park if raining.
Sept.17: Second day of Rosh Hashanah: Services start at 9:30 a.m. Pls bring a dish to share for potluck lunch to follow at 11:30 a.m.
Yom Kippur – Sept.24: Kol Nidre services begin at 6:45 p.m.
Sept. 25: Yom Kippur services/Shacharit to begin at 10 a.m. followed by discussion-The book of Jonah 6:30 p.m.: Yizkor Service, 7 p.m.: Ne’ila Service 7:30 p.m.: Break the fast potluck- pls bring a dish/drink to share.
Spiritual Leader: Rabbi Mark Kula; available for you at RabbiMarkKula@gmail.com
(305) 803-3648 www.bnaibutte.org
Church of Christ
600 E. Virginia • 970-641-1588
Sunday Morning Bible Class: 9:30 a.m.
Sunday Morning Worship: 10:30 a.m.
Sunday Evening Worship: 6 p.m.
Wednesday Night Bible Class: 7 p.m.
New Song
Christian Fellowship
77 Ute Lane • 970-641-5034
A Christ Centered Gospel Sharing Community where we want to be part of a community who encourage and support one another in our spiritual journey.
Sunday 10am / Wednesday 7pm www.newsonggunnison.net
Community Church of Gunnison
107 N. Iowa • 970-641- 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 120 N. Pine St. • 970-641-2240
Pastor Jonathan Jones
9:30 A.M. Share & Prayer Fellowship
10 A.M. Sunday School Classes 11 A.M. Morning Worship Service
6 P.M. Evening Service
Wednesday 7 PM - Children's Patch Club
Gunnison Bible Institute
Thursday 7 PM - College & Career Christian Fellowship www.firstbaptistgunnison.org.
The Good Samaritan Episcopal Church
307 W. Virginia Ave. • 970-641-0429
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, 403 Maroon Ave., Crested Butte.
Gunnison
Congregational Church
United Church of Christ
317 N. Main St. • 970-641-3203
Open and Affirming Whole Earth · Just Peace Sunday, 10:00 a.m.
Casual, Relaxed, “Come As You Are” Worship www.gunnisonucc.org
Grace Covenant Church Gunnison
101 N. 8th St. Gunnison
Meeting at the Historic 8th St School House
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 • 970-641-1860
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
The Rising Church
92 C.R. 17 • 970-444-1545 Service times:
Sundays @ 9:30 a.m.,
Men’s and Women’s group, Tuesday @ 6:30 p.m. Rising Gen (youth ministry) Thursdays @ 6 p.m. Gunnisonrising.church for more details!
Rocky Mountain Christian Ministries
1040 Highway 135 (1/4 mile N. of Spencer Ave.) • 970-641-0158
Sunday Morning Worship 9:30am
Nursery and Children’s ministry through Middle School
“Remedy” Worship Nights
Small Group Ministries www.rmcmchurch.org
St. Peter’s Catholic Church 300 N. Wisconsin • 970-641-0808
Fr. Andres Ayala-Santiago
www.gunnisoncatholic.org
www.crestedbuttecatholic.org or call the Parish Office.
St. Peter's - Gunnison Sat 8:30 am, 6:30 pm & Sun 10:30 am, 12:00 pm (Spanish) Mass
First Sunday of every month
bilingual Mass at 11am
Queen of All Saints - Crested Butte, 401 Sopris Sun 8:30am Mass St. Rose of Lima - Lake City Mass Service, Sat 4:00pm
Trinity Baptist Church
523 N. Pine St. • 970-641-1813
Senior Pastor - Joe Ricks
Sunday Service 9:30 a.m.
Adult Bible Study 8:00 AM
www.trinitybaptistsgunnison.com
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* IRAs are tax-deferred accounts.IRAs do not have rates.Only the underlying investments within an IRA may have rates.Based on corporate bond yields to maturity effective xx/xx/xx, subject to availability and price change.Yield and market value may fluctuate ifsold prior to maturity,and the amount received from the sale ofthese securities may be less than the amount originally invested.Some ofthe available issues are callable.Bond values may decline in a rising interest rate environment.Your local Edward Jones Financial Advisor can provide more information about maturity dates and applicable call provisions.Any bonds called prior to maturity would result in reinvestment risk for the bond owner.
* IRAs are tax-deferred accounts.IRAs do not have rates.Only the underlying investments within an IRA may have rates.Based on corporate bond yields to maturity effective xx/xx/xx, subject to availability and price change.Yield and market value may fluctuate ifsold prior to maturity,and the amount received from the sale ofthese securities may be less than the amount originally invested.Some ofthe available issues are callable.Bond values may decline in a rising interest rate environment.Your local Edward Jones Financial Advisor can provide more information about maturity dates and applicable call provisions.Any bonds called prior to maturity would result in reinvestment risk for the bond owner.
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CITY OF GUNNISON POLICE REPORT
SEPT. 5
ANIMAL - VICIOUS/DANGER -
OUS - MUNICIPAL — 901 W. NEW YORK AVE.
AT-RISK PERSON - THEFT E.
GEORGIA AVE.
MOTOR VEHICLE THEFT: FIRST DEGREE — 400 E. TOMICHI AVE.
SEPT. 6
WELFARE ASSIST 711 N. COL-
ORADO ST.
DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE - ALCOHOL 600 E. TOMICHI
AVE.
WELFARE ASSIST ESCALANTE
DR.
PROPERTY - FOUND 880 N.
MAIN ST.
ACCIDENT — 880 N. MAIN ST.
SEPT. 7
AGENCY ASSIST — 2388 HWY.
135
DISORDERLY CONDUCT: UTTER-
ANCE/GESTURE/DISPLAY — 600
W. NEW YORK AVE.
INFORMATION — 600 N. COLO -
RADO ST.
DISORDERLY CONDUCT: UTTER-
ANCE/GESTURE/DISPLAY — 909
N. MAIN ST.
SEPT. 8
DISTURBING THE PEACE — 720
N. COLORADO ST.
HARASSMENT: GESTURE/LAN-
GUAGE IN PUBLIC — 900 N. MAIN ST.
SEPT. 9
DISORDERLY CONDUCT -
COARSE OR OFFENSIVE — 312 E.
TOMICHI AVE.
CRIMINAL TRESPASS: FIRST
DEGREE - RESIDENCE — 704 N.
WISCONSIN ST.
ANIMAL TREATMENT: CON -
FINED IN VEHICLE — 880 N. MAIN ST.
ANIMAL - RUNNING AT LARGE -
MUNICIPAL — W. NEW YORK AVE.
PROPERTY - FOUND — 100 S.
WISCONSIN ST.
DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE
- ALCOHOL — 905 N. MAIN ST.
PROPERTY - FOUND — 112 S. SPRUCE ST.
SEPT. 10
WELFARE ASSIST — 600 N. COL-
ORADO ST.
PROPERTY - FOUND — 900 N.
MAIN ST.
ACCIDENT — 400 N. MAIN ST.
THEFT: INTENDS TO PERMA -
NENTLY DEPRIVE — 600 N. COLORADO ST.
GUNNISON COUNTY SHERIFF’S REPORT
SEPT. 1
-Agency assist to the Gunnison Police Department with an arrest
-Trespassing report
-Information report - civil custody questions
-Complaint in Somerset regarding someone selling rocks
-Barking dog complaint
-Loud music complaint
-Deputies responded to a domestic and arrested one person
SEPT. 2
-Second-degree trespassing report
-Possible missing person - found
-Complaint of chickens getting out and kids playing in the street in Somerset
-Ohio City and Pitkin OHV driving complaints
-Older female dog walking on the highway between mile marker 165 and 170, was picked up and brought to Gunnison Valley Animal Welfare League. This dog is grey and white, especially around the eyes - very friendly
-Neighbor dispute in Somerset
-Information report - possible domestic - unfounded
-Information report - possible overdue party
-Possible missing hunter - found
-Possible missing person - will report if no contact
-Gun shots heard while camping
- deputies responded and did not hear any shots at that time
-Criminal mischief report
SEPT. 3
-Parking complaint in Marble
-Trespassing call
-Found wallet in the lobby of the detention center - deputies returned the wallet to the owner
-Deputies had Western Colorado University Mountain Rescue Team deploy to search for a 77-year-old missing woman
SEPT. 4
-Information - welfare check
-Found property - Harley Davidson suitcase
-Possible sex assault - under investigation
-Information - unattended death
-Agency assist to the National Park Service with an in-county warrant arrest
SEPT. 5
-Information - suspicious person/ activity
-Information - missing person
SEPT. 6
-Paper service
-Information - lost property
-Information - dispute
-Search and rescue
-Warrant - out-of-county
-Information - welfare check
-Information - burglary alarm
SEPT. 7
-Information - runaway juvenile
-Information - found property
-County Ordinance 2018-30 - vicious dog
-Agency assist - GPD
-Information - paper service
-Harassment call
-Information - suicidal subject
Convenient access to low-cost laboratory testing.
Direct Access Testing gives you the option to choose selected tests without a clinical provider’s order. Direct Access Testing is an important resource but should not be a substitution for treatment by a medical provider. You should discuss test results with your primary care provider.
Payment for testing is due at the time of service and insurance will not be billed.
Direct Access Testing is available at the hospital laboratory on a walk-in basis, no appointment necessary.
Monday to Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
lwvgunnison.org
LWVGV Hosts Two
Public Candidates’ Forums:
Gunnison
Tues. Sept. 19 @ 6:00 Gunnison Library 1 Quartz Street Moderator: Mayor Diego Plata
Crested Butte
Tues. Sept. 26 @ 6:00
CBMT Mallardi Theatre 403 Second Street
Moderator: Mayor Ian Billick
All candidates are invited to participate. Candidates received questions in advance.
KBUT Community Public Radio 90.3 or 88.7 FM will broadcast live. Recorded audio available after each forum.
The Crested Butte Chamber of Commerce hosted its 25th annual Chili and Beer Festival at the base area of Crested Butte Mountain Resort on Saturday, Sept. 9. Over 20 beer vendors from around Colorado and 22 chili-makers, professional chefs and locals participated in this year's competition. Tickets included all-you-can-sample chili, beer and performances from Black Canyon Ramblers and The Lil Smokies. First-time entrants “Coaches Chili” won the People's Choice Award.
THANK YOU! To everyone in our valley for engaging with the Gunnison Watershed School District board election. Thank you to my campaign donors and volunteers. We have a lot of work ahead and I cannot do it without you! If you want to get involved, please contact me through SS4SB.com.
I URGE YOU TO VOTE! Quality vocational and PreK-12 public education impacts our entire community, and this election is about our collective future. Ballots will be mailed to registered voters the week of October 16 and must be turned in by 7 p.m. Tuesday, 11/7/23. Register to vote at the County Clerk’s office in the Blackstock Building, 221 N. Wisconsin in Gunnison, or at sos.state.co.us/voter.
ABOUT ME: I have served on the school board since 2019. All three of my children are enrolled in GWSD. I have formed strong relationships within the district and understand the current issues facing our schools. I know the role of the board, and have experience with the district’s policies and budget. I continue to advocate for all students to feel welcome, safe, and nurtured at school, and for improved academic achievement and communication. Teachers and administrators should feel confident to practice and refine their areas of expertise. They deserve dedicated support staff (including counselors), and a board they can rely on.
OUR SCHOOL DISTRICT IS VITAL to the success of our children and community. Is there room for improvement? Always. I believe we should work toward improvement in a positive, professional, and productive manner, and with student success always in mind. A vote for me is a vote for student success.
With Gratitude, Anne
Anne Brookhart
Jacob
“Raisenettes” Spetzler
Photo Editor
The Pearl Pass Klunker Tour began on Saturday morning, Sept. 9, as it has every September for the last 45 years, with a peloton of motley cyclists pedaling out towards Pearl Pass in pursuit of glory, adventure and high times. The annual ride was first accomplished in 1976 by a group of 15 Crested Butte locals on townie bikes through pure force of will and determination.
After a group of frat-boy type motorcyclists from Aspen rode into town over Pearl Pass that first summer and wreaked havoc in the Grubstake Saloon, a group of the bar’s regulars, in an act of wild one-upmanship decided that the very next weekend, they would ride their ‘klunkers’ — single speed, steel newspaper boy bikes from the 1940s and 50s — over the pass to the rival ski town to give it a taste of Crested Butte. It took two days, but a legendary story was born.
The original tour turned out to be not only an act of revenge but a defining event in the advent of mountain biking. After a low-turnout year in 1977 due to the majority of the Crested Butte klunkers fighting forest fires, another set of cyclists led by Charlie Kelly from Marin, California, made the trip to join in on the tour, further galvanizing the nascent sport. Gary Fisher also flew in for that year’s tour from New York. Wende Cragg, a mountain bike hall of famer, was part of that original group of Marin riders.
“In 1978, a couple of klunker riders from Marin County, me included, heard of a group of like-minded crazies and decided to investigate the event that changed the face of mountain biking,” Cragg wrote in an email. “This haphazard challenge was a daring, daunting stretch of mostly unrideable mining road and is a rough haul for even the fittest of the fit. Our small contingent ventured east to participate in what was to become the oldest group effort on record. We immediately bonded with the locals and made lifelong friends.”
The intermixing that began with the Marin riders, who showed up that first tour with vastly superior machines com -
pared to the Crested Butte, set the tone of the evolution of mountain biking. Tips, tricks and home-brewed bike designs from the two meccas of the sport were swapped during each tour, setting the groundwork for the future. The ride became a testing ground for the evolution of allterrain bicycles. If they could survive the Pearl Pass road, the reasoning went, they could
be ridden anywhere. But it wasn’t only the bikes that were molded by the hardy terrain.
Generations of mountain biking legends participated in the tour during the early days and have continued to return offand-on ever since. In fact, this year, a group of hall-of-famers — Cragg, Kelly, Jacquie Phelan, and Marc Vendetti — were flown in by a group of mountain history enthusiasts to partici -
pate in this year's race.
After a peak of over 300 participants, the tour did see a drop in popularity during the early 2000s. Fifteen years ago the ride had changed from a two day tour to a one a day out-andback on modern equipment. In 2010, mountain bike fanatics such as Austin Weaver, who has since become involved in loosely organizing the event, Klunker, B2
Eli “Two Flats” Weitzman celebrates at the top of Pearl Pass with a wrench in one hand and a Garmin In-Reach device in the other. (Photos by Jacob Spetzler)Our physical therapists work seamlessly with other healthcare providers to coordinate the strongest possible care and ensure that you are receiving the right treatment at the right time. Utilizing evidence-based practice, our physical therapists can help get you back to enjoying all the activities our mountain valley has to offer.
OUR SPECIALTIES INCLUDE
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• Treatment of Joint & Soft Tissue Injuries
along with his friend Alexander Reshetniak, discovered the race and decided to attempt it the old fashioned way, on a classic single-speed Schwinn, despite the fact that everyone else was on full suspension bikes.
“I got my butt kicked by everybody that year,” Weaver said. “So the next year we decided that we were going to leave a day early and go do the camp out and leave at the same time as everybody else from town and try to beat everybody to the top.”
In 2012, Weaver was joined by Reshetniak in camping. The next year those two became four. In 2016, a crowd arrived from across the country to celebrate the 40th anniversary with some of the original riders flying from Marin.
As the tour has become popular again, the reasons for attending have also diversified. The old legends gather familyreunion style, while klunker fanatics come to see the bikes. A new group of Gunnison Valley locals, who call themselves the Normal Nine, participate on a variety of clunky bikes as the spiritual successors to the original grubstake boys.
KLUNKER from B1
Dinner , which includes a vat of hot meatballs, is served.
Klunker, B3
Weary bikers push up a rocky section near the top of Pearl Pass.
spiritual successors to the original grubstake boys.
This year, 72 cyclists lit out from the Crested Butte Museum. The motley peloton quickly spread thin as problems arose. Tubes popped, bikes sufered mechanical errors, and those on ancient klunkers were forced to re-enact a bicycle version of the Myth of Sisyphus once they encountered terrain that is just fundamentally unrideable without modern equipment. A “safety and gear” vehicle, driven by Matt Hebberd, owner and operator of Rim Tours out of Moab and an early tour participant, zipped ahead to establish camp.
Cyclists arrived over a period of several hours with the final stragglers stumbling in around 5 p.m., greeted by cheers and cold beer. Hebberd, with the help of several others, served up a hot meal of pasta and meatballs, while everyone gathered around the fire to swap stories
and enjoy libations. In the morning, bleary eyed but full of vigor, around 25 people began the second leg of the trek to the pass summit — 2,000 feet of elevation gain over the course of 3 miles — while the rest packed up camp and went back to Crested Butte. At the top of Pearl Pass, those who successfully summited gathered for a group photo as a harsh wind picked up beneath gray, threatening skies. After a brief toast, 18 of those 25 tightened the bolts on their bikes and strapped on helmets for the unrelenting descent into Aspen.
“It's essentially like riding a bike down giant jagged cobblestones at a 25 degree angle,” said Eli ‘Two Flats’ Weitzman, a Crested Butte ski guide, patroller and co-founding member of the Normal Nine, which, this year, actually numbered 16. It took them over eight hours.
By around 4 p.m. the Normal Nine finally made it to the bottom of the Pearl Pass Road in Ashcroft, at the edge of the Raggeds Wilderness, and literally kissed the smooth pavement. A friend of the Nine, Dan
Marmor, was waiting in the parking lot with cold beer. With hands gripping cans, the crew took stock.
“We counted the number of blown tubes and chains and general body parts that we've broken on our way,” Weitzman said. “The amount of blood lost is counted in cuts.”
The stats hovered somewhere around six flat tires, three blown tire walls, two incidents of broken brake cables, two bent derailleurs, two broken chains and five over-the-handlebars crashes. Cuts were too numerous to put a firm number on. After a deep breath, the
crew hit the road to Aspen — eight miles of perfect, smooth asphalt, a welcome respite after the 30 plus miles of rugged rocky trail. As is tradition, the riders, now clad in mostly shredded clothes, bloody elbows and dirt, sped directly to the Jerome Hotel — a high end establishment in the heart of Aspen — to make a scene, Crested Butte-style, drink beer and congratulate each other several times over.
While the entire time is mostly big fun, it’s so much more than a party that goes over a mountain pass, Weitzman said. It’s a spirit and way of life
which follows in the tire tracks of generations of raggedy riders. He hopes the last two years in which he has participated are only the beginning.
“We have a lot of pride in our town and a lot of pride in our community, and we want this to continue to carry on for another 47 years,” he said. “This is one of those things, like the Al Johnson, that we try to keep alive because we love it, and it makes us who we are.”
(Jacob Spetzler can be contacted at 970.641.1414 or jacob@gunnisontimes.com.)
(Photos by Aric Olson)
Veterans who deployed to Iraq, Afghanistan and other combat zones have a special opportunity to enroll directly in Veterans Affairs health care without first applying for VA benefits. If you are a veteran who deployed to a combat zone, but never enrolled in VA health care, and left active duty between Sept. 11, 2001, and Oct. 1, 2013, you are eligible to enroll directly in VA health care. The deadline is 11:59 p.m. local time on Sept. 30, 2023. Visit VA.gov/PACT for more information and to apply.
The National Park Service presents AstroFest 2023 from Sept. 14-16 at Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park. Refer to the park website for details, times and locations of events at nps.gov/blca.
The Gunnison Country Food Pantry is moving and anticipates closure from Sept. 18-22. Staff plan to re-open for regular distribution on Sept. 24. Volunteers are needed to help with the move. Get updates via Facebook, Instagram, or by calling 970.641.4156. Visit gunnisoncountryfoodpantry.org for more info.
The American Association of University Women will meet on Sept. 16 at 10 a.m. at West Tomichi Park in Gunnison. AAUW is a national organization that promotes equity for women and girls through research education and advocacy. Call Bobbi Harper at 970.641.2346 for more information.
The Gunnison Pioneer Museum presents a heritage celebration on Sept. 16 from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. with music, refreshments and a special presentation by Dr. Duane Vandenbusche. Admission is free with donations greatly appreciated. Find more information at gunnisonpioneermuseum.com.
On Sept. 16 at 3 p.m, a short march will begin at the Community Foundation of the Gunnison Valley parking lot on Ruby Ave. It will follow Main Street to IOOF Park to join the Hispanic Heritage Celebration from 4-8 p.m., with music, speakers and food from local vendors. Both events are part of Gunnison’s Welcoming Week.
Join the Crested Butte Museum with local guide and storyteller Glo Cunningham on Sept. 16 from 10 a.m.-12 p.m. as they explore the history of spirits and paranormal activity in Crested Butte on a walking tour. The cost is $30 for museum members and $35 for non-members. Find tickets and more information at the museum at 331 Elk Ave., call 970-3491880 or visit crestedbuttemuseum.com.
The next school board candidate forum will be held on Sept. 14 from 6-8 p.m. at the Fred Field Center in Gunnison. The forum will also be broadcast live on KEJJ 98.3 FM.
The League of Women Voters of the Gunnison Valley will host school board candidate forums on Sept.19 at the Gunnison Library and Sept. 26 at the Mallardi Theatre in Crested Butte. Doors for both events will open at 5:30 p.m. Questions were solicited from the community and selected by the LWVGV School Election Task Force to ensure they apply to all candidates and cover a wide variety of issues and topics. The candidates received these questions in advance. These events are designed to be forums, rather than debates, so candidates can share their vision and policy positions for the school district. The forums will be moderated by the mayors of Gunnison and Crested Butte, respectively, and will begin promptly at 6 p.m. Both will be broadcast live on KBUT at 88.7 FM in Gunnison and 90.3 FM in Crested Butte. Audio recordings will be available at lwvgunnison.org after each event.
World Peace Day lecture
Join the Crested Butte Center for the Arts on World Peace Day, Sept. 21., for a discussion on what it means to be a peacemaker in our changing world with Barbe Chambliss, author of “Women Peacemakers: What
The Gunnison Basin SageGrouse Strategic Committee will meet on Sept. 20 at 10 a.m. via Zoom or in the planning commission meeting room at the Blackstock Government Center. For more updated information, including the most recent agenda and access to the virtual meeting, visit gunnisoncounty.org.
The Gunnison Valley Climate Crisis March will take place on Sept. 21 at 5:30 p.m., beginning at Six Points and following Main Street to IOOF Park for a gathering of community non-profits and guest speaker Dr. Ricardo Vazquez-Perales. This event is organized by the Gunnison Valley Climate Crisis Coalition.
Living Journeys hosts free and confidential monthly support groups — open to all Gunnison County residents.
-Caregivers Support Group: 1st Monday of each month.
-Bereavement Support Group: 2nd Monday of each month.
-Cancer Support Group: 1st Thursday and 3rd Monday of each month.
Professional therapists facilitate in-person and zoom meetings, no RSVP necessary. Get details at livingjourneys.org.
The Alzheimer’s and Dementia Caregiver Support Group meets on the first Wednesday of every month from 4:30-5:30 p.m. at the Gunnison County Library. For more information, contact group facilitator Mary at 970.596.5667 or taktser8@gmail. com.
Cada semana, lunes y miércoles. 8-9:30 p.m. 101 N. 8th Street, Gunnison. Si tiene alguna pregunta, por favor póngase en contacto 970.275.2241.
Overeaters Anonymous meets on Thursdays from 11 a.m.-12 p.m. at The Last Resort, 114 Wisconsin Street in downtown Gunnison. This is an open meeting.
We Can Learn From Them.” A book signing will take place at the center from 5-6:30 p.m. with books available from Townie Books. The lecture and workshop will begin at 7 p.m. Tickets are $25 for adults and $10 for students. Find more information at crestedbuttearts.org.
The Cowboy softball team continued its season-long theme of completing comebacks on Sept. 9 against Meeker.. In the home doubleheader, the Cowboys dropped the first game, but returned with a fire in their bellies to win 14-9 in the rematch.
The two games moved the Cowboys to a 6-4-1 overall record, and a 4-2 record in the 3A Western Slope League — just behind the 5-0 Delta Panthers.
Head Coach Leslie DiLorenzo said the team needed to refocus after dropping three games at the beginning of the month.
“We needed to settle in, battle back and keep pushing against Meeker,” DiLorenzo said. “This is the most competitive team I’ve coached in a long time, but we need to relax and have fun.
I told them we can only control what we can control, so let’s not get caught up in the little errors and instead trust each other.”
DiLorenzo highlighted her first baseman Maddie Vollendorf as a central figure in motivating the team and leading from the front.
“Maddie can lead just with her body language,” DiLorenzo said. “She helps the team settle in and get going. She’s confident in herself, and uses her voice to organize the outfield and keep the infield vocal.”
But for the junior captain, the only goal on her mind is to improve before the state tournament in October.
“I’m just looking for my team to power through, come together again, win games and achieve a higher seat at regionals,” Vollendorf said. “At the moment, I’m just focusing on weeks and games at a time.”
On Aug. 31, the Panthers scraped away with a 9-5 victory at Jorgensen, and now sit 5-0 in the league. The Cowboys traveled to Delta to face the topseeded Panthers on Tuesday,
Sept. 12. Scores were not available by press time.
The Cowboy golf team keeps getting better, winning first place at the Montrose Red Hawk Tournament at Black Canyon Golf Course on Sept. 7. Preston Pike shot his best score this season with a 71 marching into the upcoming regional tournament on Sept. 18.
Head Coach Kevin Mickelson said the team’s progress is right on schedule.
“We are right where we want to be heading into regionals next week,” Mickelson said. “The hard part of golf is finding your form. Now we’ve done that, but the really difficult part is maintaining that form. We need to stay crisp, we don’t
want to tinker and if we play the way we did in Montrose, we’ll give regionals a good run.”
At Black Canyon, Pike gained 35 points for the Cowboys with his score of 71. Carson Zummach reeled in 29 points with a 77 on his scorecard.
Sophomore Paden Davis finished third for the team with 24 points. Mason Weitman won 18 points, and Joseph Noble secured nine.
Mickelson said the boys put on a short-game clinic.
“The old saying is ‘you drive for show and putt for dough,’ and all the boys putted really well,” he said. “They are striking the ball exceptionally well, but it's the short game that is making the big difference.”
The team traveled to Devil’s Thumb Golf Course in Delta on Sept. 13 to play a preliminary practice round ahead of the regional tournament. Mickelson said the team will study the
course and gain confidence before the big day.
“We want to find out how our players can attack the course
and play to their strengths, and avoid areas on some holes that could expose our weaknesses,” he said.
The Cowboy cross country crew raced in the 30th Joe I. Vigil XC Invitational at the Cattails Golf Course in Alamosa on Sept. 9 — opening the 2023 season with success across the board. As a team, GHS came in ninth out of 19 schools.
All races were the standard 5K length for high school. Junior Maddie Stice led the charge, earning first in the girls division out of 172 competing athletes with a time of 18:46.36, a full 15 seconds faster than the second placer. That marks a 30 second improvement from last year when she placed fourth in the same event.
“She ran a really smart race,” said Head Coach Lance Betts.
“Just after the 2-mile mark she put a big surge in and
broke away … She put that gap in early so she didn’t have to worry about it coming down to a sprint for the last 100 meters.”
Jemma Petrie placed second best for Gunnison, taking 10th overall with 20:45.69. On the boys side, Spencer Hays took 11th with a time of 17:14.46.
Rowen Downum finished 22nd in the boys and Catalina Schwab finished 16th for the girls. Samantha Jones finished in 22.54.49.
For several Cowboys, the event was their first time competing at the varsity level.
Freshman girls Brooke Terry and Lucy Orgill made their debut with times of 23:26.83 and 24:55.45, respectively.
Betts said his team’s performance was emboldening, in particular due to the number of PRs his athletes put together. Both Hayes and Downum pulled seconds off their best times.
“It was a really solid first meet,” he said. “We didn't taper
at all for any of this, we just ran through it. I was excited to see that they were feeling good.” The Cowboys will host the team’s only home event this coming Saturday, Sept. 16
— the Mountaineer Cowboy Invitational. College and middle school athletes will also compete in races over the course of the day.
(Jacob Spetzler can be contacted at 970.641.1414 or jacob@gunnisontimes.com.)
Western Colorado University continued its dominance against the Lone Star Conference with a 35-27 win over Texas Permian Basin on Sept. 9. For the second week in a row, the Mountaineers got off to a strong start and scored twice in the first quarter. Braeden Hogan recorded Western Colorado's first touchdown of the game with a three-yard run. Andrew Montez secured his first touchdown of the season on a 19-yard pass from quarterback Drew Nash, putting the Mountaineers up 14-0 during the first quarter. The Falcons got on the board late in the first with a field goal, but the Mountaineers responded with a touchdown of their own. Rafael Vargas then kicked his second field goal of the game for Permian Basin, making it a 21-6 game. Mountaineer wide receiver Cole Riters caught an 8-yard pass from Nash to give Western a 28-6 lead. The Mountaineers scored their fourth touchdown of the day in the second half, giving them a 35-13 advantage. The Falcons came back with 14 points of their own to make it 35-27.
Cowboy football rolled into its fourth consecutive victory, beating Monte Vista 48-14 away from home on Sept. 8. The win sends GHS to a 4-0 overall record. Its first league matchup is slated for 7 p.m. on Sept. 15 at home against Buena Vista.
The GHS boys soccer team lost 4-1 to Roaring Fork during its first league game of the season on Sept. 7. The loss drops the Cowboys to a 2-3 overall record and 0-1 record in the 3A Western Slope league. The Cowboys return home to face Salida at 1 p.m on Sept. 21.
The GHS volleyball squad is still undefeated this season after beating Basalt 3-2 on Sept. 9. With a 7-0 overall record, the Cowboys faced off against its sworn rival Crested Butte on Tuesday, Sept. 12. Scores were not available by press time. The girls will play two away games against Moffat County and
Roaring Fork on Sept. 16 and 21, and then return home against Delta on Sept. 26.
Madelyn Stice leads the pack. (Courtesy Lance Betts)
Cole Riters breaks into the end zone for a touchdown. (Photos by Aric Olson)
Andrew Montez carries the ball.
The Mountaineer girls soccer team faced off against the Midwestern State Mustangs on Sept. 10, narrowing losing 2-1. Sophomore midfielder Natsuki Murakami scored her first collegiate goal during first-half action. But the Mustangs rallied with a pair of second-half goals to earn a 2-1 non-conference victory. Next, the Mountaineers head to California for the final two non-conference games on their schedule. The trip begins with a match at Cal Poly Pomona on Sept. 15 and finishes at Cal State Dominguez Hills on Sept. 18.
Junior defender Malia Yang looks to find a pass. (Photo by Aric
Lisa Wishard Special to the Times
The GHS mountain bike team competed in the Spring Valley Scramble at Colorado Mountain College on Sept. 10. Riders competed on a 5.5-mile loop with 646 feet of climbing per lap. Led by team captain Allie Schwartz and coaches Rob Strickland, Eddie Vargas and Jason Janelle, the Cowboys ended the day in second place for Division 2 teams.
“Second place as a team is amazing,” said Head Coach Sierra Cucinelli. “We are so strong together.”
Racing from the freshman boys started off the day. Owen Frazier (55:47) had an incredibly strong race and finished in second place, just 7 seconds behind the first-place finisher Temple Roberston (55:40) from Crested Butte.
Teammates Kyle Mason (59:52) placed seventh, while Carbon Kruthaupt (1:07:09) landed 22nd and Bruce Lafoe (1:08:58) finished 26th. After a few sprinkles and hornet stings, the Cowboys sent their junior varsity sophomore and freshman girls to the line. Juniors Olivia Neyman (1:09:34) and Nora Lee (1:10:27) placed sixth and seventh followed by seniors Abby Cattles (1:13:53), Josephine Wishard (1:16:57) and Megan VanderVeer (1:49:46) — who all landed the
team solid points.
The sophomore girls rode strong with Ava Baer (1:12:02) and Emily Cattles (1:15:48) placing 10th and 13th. Teammates Jacey Jones (1:17:43), Aya Hausdoerffer (1:23:57) and June Ebbott (1:25:38) also roped in solid results.
Schwartz (1:44:33) competed in the varsity girls race, which is three laps instead of two. She finished 10th in the talented field, one that included a world champion track racer and national champion cyclocross racer. Crested Butte rider Finn Veit (1:13:19) placed first for the varsity boys and tied for the fastest lap of the day with his fellow varsity competitor from Colorado Rocky Mountain School, Canyon Cherney, with a lap of 23:43. The Crested Butte team finished first for Division 3 teams.
The last race of the day was JV Boys, who are now riding without Julian Ryter due to a seasonending injury suffered during practice. Liam Tullous (1:00:10), Porter Houck (1:02:26), Rowen Downum (1:03:30) and Raiden Janelle (1:28:00) all placed well and helped lasso the podium spot for the whole team.
“It was such a fun weekend,” said parent Roanne Houck. “The kids did fabulous.”
The Cowboys compete next on Saturday, Sept. 23 in Leadville at the Cloud City Challenge. For complete results visit my.raceresult. com/260913/.
(Lisa Wishard is a parent and proud supporter of the GHS mountain biking team.)
*Our Priceless Personal and Priceless Business checking accounts have no account fees and no strings attached. There are no requirements for you to keep track of to avoid hidden account fees. Those fees do not exist at GB&T. That is not how we roll. Online banking, mobile banking, and bill pay are all included. It’s your money and it is our job to protect it, not spend it. Breathe easy my friends. We have your back with Priceless Checking, remarkable service and great candy.
Abby Harrison Times Staff Writer
Nettie Yeager, just 14 years old, huddled down close to the packed mud of the lake bed. The morning chill nipped at her fingertips, and condensation hung to the ceiling above her. Nearby, an adult moose ambled through the shallow water of the lake, but soon started to move closer, unaware that Nettie was stowed away in a hunting blind just a hundred feet away. The moose came so close that she heard the slow rhythm of its breath and the scrapes of foliage gnashed between its teeth. Her finger hovered over the shutter of her Canon Rebel EOS SL3. She breathed in, out — then took the shot.
The photo that resulted was what many would consider a once-in-lifetime photograph, but for Yeager, it was just another day. The budding photographer, who is entirely self-taught and only three years into the craft, is drawn to the extraordinary yet hidden moments of everyday wildlife — a rosy finch that beats its wings in morning light or a weasel peering over
the lip of a slab of gray granite.
“People are so out of touch with wildlife now that I saw [photography] as my way to show them nature how I see it,” Yeager said. “You'll see a lot of these pictures, and they're really pretty, but they'll go and they'll edit the photos, and they'll bring out the pink and make it neon. I never do any of that. I take it how it is, not how man wants to see it.”
After witnessing a friend using a camera years ago, Yeager’s curiosity was piqued. She was soon using her grandparents’ old cameras so often that her grandfather, whom she calls her “Dumpy,” made a deal that if she started doing photography with 4-H, he'd buy her a nicer one. The deal proved effective. It took her only a week to grasp the basics of photography using manual camera settings.
For Yeager, the life of a photographer is simply her life: long walks around the family’s property in Powderhorn, hours spent crouched in the hunting blind with her Dumpy or the call of the wild that draws her into the treeline or up to one of the property’s seven high alpine lakes. Sometimes she climbs up the hill to one of the photography blinds she built, and lies in wait for swallows that dip over the cliffside.
For months, Yeager sought a photo of the iconic American
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A moose takes a drink of water from a high alpine lake on Yeager’s family property. (Photos by Nettie Yeager)
Yeager uses a pane of glass and a candle to experiment with getting a sun flare in her photo. The activity is a part of her required 4-H photography workbook.
dipper, North America’s only aquatic songbird. When she found one living at a lake on the family’s property, the pursuit began. For a month in the dead of winter, she hiked to the shoreline in hopes of catching the moment the dipper emerged from a break in the ice. Despite light distortion from the reflection of sun on the water and the sheer quickness of the moment, she eventually caught the bird rising from the surface.
“I have never seen a picture where someone was above water, showing the dipper underwater. I've seen underwater cameras, and then going into the water, but I've never seen one where the dipper is under and you're out in the air,” she said. “So I thought I want to be the one who finally gets that unique picture.”
Each click of the shutter is as much science as it is art, Yeager said. The technical skills required to properly expose a photo in harsh light or set the shutter speed to capture the fraction of a second in an animal’s movement are a science. But there’s art, too, captured in the way she chooses to frame a photo, or the feeling it may evoke in her.
“It's also an expression,
because I look at these pictures and I always see a story behind them,” she said.
The story could be the memory of the moment she took the photo, or it could be a story of the animal, a reminder to her viewers that each creature has a personality, whether it be the persistent loyalty of her rescue dog Leo or the “complete dweeb” that is the family’s domesticated mallard Herbie.
This year, she performed so well at the local 4-H competition that she was able to compete at the state level in Pueblo, where she earned Grand Champion in her division. She won with a photo of a northern pygmy owl perched on a piece of wood. Yeager returned many times to the family’s greenhouse, where it perched, for nearly a month to get that final shot. In the end, it was a purpleribbon print.
Yeager has prints for sale in Rocky Mountains Frames and Trophies and, this October, she will be the artist of the month at Gunnison Gallery.
(Abby Harrison can be contacted at 970.641.1414 or abby@ gunnisontimes.com.)
from B10
A northern pygmy owl perched on a piece of wood in Yeager’s greenhouse.
SENIOR MEALS: The Gunnison Senior Center serves meals to community members ages 55 & up Monday, Wednesday & Friday. Costs: $5.00 per person. Meals feature locally raised produce and meats, and home-style cooked food with homemade breads & desserts. Advance orders requested! 970-641-8272
Delivery Assistance Hotline: (970) 641-7959 - assistance with ordering, pick-up and delivery of groceries and prescription medications. This includes deliveries from the Food Bank
• Sept. 13 (12:45PM): Dried Flower Wreath Making. Led by local flower grower, Alexis Taylor. SOLD OUT!! Look for more workshop opportunities soon!
• Sept. 19: HIKE – Beckwith Pass & Dollar Lake. Rated Intermediate (length & elevation gain). RSVP required.
• Sept. 21: Handies Peak hike CANCELLED.
• Sept. 26: HIKE – Copper Lake. Rated Intermediate/Difficult (length & elevation gain). RSVP required.
Senior Meals: (970) 641-8272 for advance orders OR (970) 641-2107 for same-day service. Pick-up or delivery only! Meals served Mondays, Wednesdays, & Fridays Please note: all meals, all days are $4 during this time Order in advance if possible! Upcoming menu:
• March 27: Lasagna, green beans, salad, garlic bread, dessert
Regular Activities: Mondays – Bridge @ 1pm; Tuesdays – Mahjong @ 10am & Canasta @ 2pm; Wednesdays – Book Club @ 1pm on 1st Weds. of month; Thursdays – Bridge @ 1pm; Fridays – Art Club @ 12:30pm & Mahjong @ 1pm.
• March 30: Salisbury steak, mashed potatoes, corn, rolls, fruit, dessert
• April 1: Stew, carrot/raisin salad, Mandarin oranges, rolls, dessert
All RSVPs and more info on Senior Center programs: egillis@gunnisonco.gov or 970-6418272.
FITNESS @ THE REC CENTER – Sign up at the Rec Center front desk!
Senior Shopping Hours:
Mondays & Wednesdays in the Gym
Books transport people to different times, provide a sense of escapism and introduce readers to different schools of thought. Individuals may read for pleasure and/or to expand their intellectual horizons.
It’s important to note that reading also may help improve mental and physical health. With so much to gain from reading, now is a great time to embrace those book clubs, resolve to read more and explore how picking up a good book may be just what the doctor ordered.
Increases empathy
Through literary fiction, readers are exposed to the situations, feelings and beliefs of others. This can help a person develop a greater ability to empathize with others, according to Healthiline.
Helps improve sleep
• City Market – Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays (7AM – 8AM)
• Silver Sneakers Boom Muscle @ 9:30am
• Silver Sneakers Classic @ 10:15am
• Safeway – Tuesdays & Thursdays (7AM – 9AM)
• Walmart – Tuesdays (6AM – 7AM)
Tuesdays @ 10AM in the Leisure Pool
• Gunnison Vitamin & Health Food Store – Monday - Saturday (8AM – 9AM)
• Silver Sneakers Splash Class (all levels)
• Clark’s Market (Crested Butte) – Every day (8AM – 9AM)
SENIOR MEALS
Mondays, Wednesdays & Fridays @ 11:30am. $5.00 per meals. Advanced orders appreciate (24 hours). Pick-ups between 11am – 11:15am (advanced orders only).
Immersing yourself in a story requires focus and concentration. According to researchers at the University of Sussex, it took just six minutes of reading for study participants to experience slower heart rates and reduced muscle tension.
Reading is an effective way to wind down and relax before going to bed. It can be a positive nighttime ritual, provided one reads a paper book or utilizes an e-reader that is not backlit, as bright lights from digital devices may hinder sleep quality. In fact, doctors at the Mayo Clinic often suggest reading as part of a regular sleep routine.
Reduces depressive feelings
ORDER MEALS: 970-641-8272
MENU: (all meals come with dessert!)
Self-reporting Form: www.gunnisoncounty.org /covid19. If you have symptoms but are otherwise OK, please fill out the form. If you cannot fill out the form, call the Call Center (970) 641-7660
• Mon., Sept. 18: Pork Tenderloin, roasted fingerling potatoes, Olathe sweet corn, fruit
• Weds., Sept. 20: Friendship Spaghetti Casserole, roasted veggies, homemade garlic bread, salad
• Fri., Sept. 22: Homemade Vegetable Soup, cornbread, salad
Call Center: (970) 641-7660. If you are having symptoms, cannot fill out the online form, or your symptoms are worsening, call the Call Center. DO NOT go to your doctor ’s or the hospital If it is an emergency, call 911
Walk-in & visitors welcome! Homebound adults ages 55 & up eligible for delivery. If you need a ride, call GVH Senior Bus @ 970-596-6700 (call in advance).
Stress is one of the biggest threats to overall health, as the stress hormone cortisol can lead to inflammation in the body that may impede the immune system. Finding ways to reduce stress, including through activities like reading, is a win for anyone who wants to improve his or her health.
Individuals diagnosed with depression may feel isolated and estranged from other people. Books may reduce those feelings by helping a person temporarily escape his or her world into another. Also, books can serve as a common ground through which conversations over shared interests can begin with others.
Reading has many positive health benefits, which is why resolving to read more can be beneficial.
Please practice social isolation. Remain 6 feet or more from others when needing to be out, but staying at home if at all possible.
Gunnison Country Food Pantry – Mondays (1pm – 4pm), Wednesdays (1pm – 7pm), Thursdays for 60+ (10am – 2pm). Contact: 970-641-4156, Located on the SW Corner of Main St. & Ohio Ave.
GVH Senior Bus: 7 days a week, 9am – 4pm. Call in advance! 970-596-6700.
The Gunnison Senior Center & Community Recreation Center is closed until April 30th
Crested Butte Senior Bus: Monday thru Friday, 9am – 4pm. Services Montrose & Grand Junction for medical appointments. Call at least 1 week in advance, or more. 970-275-4768. Gunnison County HHS Senior Resource Office: Call for appointments. 970-641-3244.
According to the 2016 study, “A chapter a day: Association of book reading with longevity,” by Bavishi A, Slade M.D., reading exerts its influence on longevity by strengthening the mind. Reading positively impacts the way the brain creates synapses, optimizing neurological function. It also expands vocabulary, and helps with memory.
A 2014 study published in Neuroreport determined reading involves a complex system of signaling and networking in the brain. As one’s ability to read matures, these networks become stronger and more sophisticated. MRI scans found that brain connectivity increased throughout studied reading periods and for days afterward.
(Source: Metro Creative)
Did you know?
Millions of people across the globe enjoy curling up with a good book. Though entertainment value might be the force behind books’ popularity, the benefits of reading on long-term cognitive health provide another great reason to read. In a 2020 study published in the journal International Psychogeriatrics, researchers reported that people age 64 and older with higher reading frequencies had a reduced risk of cognitive decline.
People embrace vegetarian diets for a multitude of reasons.
As of 2022, around 22% of the world’s population are vegetarians, according to research by Cook Unity. In addition, NSF, a global public health organization, says 88% of food manufacturers expect a surge in plantbased product demand in the years to come.
Making the transition to a vegetarian lifestyle can be made easier by doing it gradually and investigating foods that can substitute for meat in popular recipes. Pretty much anything can be made with plant-based ingredients, including burgers. Here are some plant-based options to include in vegetarian dining.
Mushrooms
Mushrooms can add a meaty taste because they are rich and earthy. Mushrooms also are flavorful and filling. Mushrooms can be the main ingredient in stroganoff or ground up to make burger meat.
Tofu/Tempeh
Tofu is a popular meat substitute. This soy-based protein comes in different firmness levels, and it takes on the flavor of sauces and accompanying ingredients. Tofu can be used in stir-fries, smoothies, tacos, and more. Tempeh is a tofu-like item made from fermented soybeans.
Seitan
People who avoid soy can consider seitan, which is a vital wheat gluten product. It has a texture similar to chicken and takes on seasonings and spices well. Try marinating and grilling seitan as you would other meats.
Beans
Part of the legume family, beans are high in fiber as well as vitamins and minerals. Beans can be used as a substitute for ground meat in chili or quesadillas.
Chickpeas
Another legume, chickpeas offer more protein than many other legumes. They can be added to salads, or whipped into hummus as an alternative to salad dressings and mayonnaise. Chickpeas also can be mashed and formed into balls for falafel, or baked or fried as tasty snacks.
Jackfruit
Fans of pulled pork can give jackfruit a try. This tropical fruit mimics the texture of barbecue. It’s almost impossible to tell the difference when the fruit is slathered in sauce.
Lentils
Lentils are a staple in plantbased diets. They are packed with protein and boast an earthy texture.
Eggplant
Eggplant is versatile and has a rich, meaty flavor profile. It can replace meat in burgers or be mashed into meatballs.
Cauliflower
From crusts to rice substitutes, cauliflower is revolutionizing various normally starchbased dishes. However, when cooked the right way, cauliflower also can be used in lieu of meat in dishes.
If cauliflower piques your interest, consider this recipe for “Cauliflower Picatta,” courtesy of One Green Planet
Cauliflower Picatta
Serves 4
1 head cauliflower, cored Olive oil for cooking
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
2 shallots, finely minced
1 cup sliced mushrooms
1⁄3 cup dry white wine
3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1 to 2 tablespoons capers
4 paper-thin slices lemon
1⁄4 cup minced fresh parsley
2 teaspoons chilled vegan butter (optional)
1. Preheat the oven to 425 F. Place the cauliflower on a cutting board, cored side down and cut it into 1⁄2-inch slices, as if you were cutting a loaf of bread.
2. Arrange the cauliflower slices on a lightly oiled baking pan (you may need more than one) and season with salt and pepper to taste. Drizzle with a little olive oil and roast until tender and nicely browned, about 30 minutes, turning once with a large metal spatula about halfway through. While the cauliflower is roasting, make the sauce.
3. Heat 2 tablespoons of oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the shallot and saute for 3 minutes, then stir in the mushrooms, if using, and cook 2 minutes longer. Add the wine, lemon juice and capers and cook, stirring, until the liquid reduces slightly. Just before serving, add the parsley and lemon slices, then stir in the vegan butter, if using, stirring to melt in the sauce.
4. To serve, arrange the cauliflower on plates and spoon the hot sauce on top. Serve hot.
(Source: Metro Creative)
With the excitement of football season underway, and our local college and high school teams off to a fine start, we decided to look back at the history of the sport in our area. Most of the earliest mentions of football found in our newspapers were reporting on games played on the East Coast between the Ivy League colleges and the inherent dangers of the sport, with the January 16, 1885, White Pine Cone noting that, “The Faculty of Harvard College have placed a bar on inter-collegiate games of football.” The dangers of football were a continual topic for decades, and an article in a December 1899 edition of the Elk Mountain Pilot noted that the game had caused 11 deaths and 67 serious injuries across the country during the past season.
The October 20, 1916, Gunnison News-Champion read, “Closing Stores for Foot Ball Game Next Saturday”, and went on to list about a dozen local merchants that “hereby agree to close our respective stores between the hours of 2:30 and 4 o’clock on Saturday on account of the Gunnison-Alamosa game.” That game with Alamosa ended in a 6-6 tie when a Gunnison punt was blocked and recovered in the end zone, followed the next week by “Gunnison Takes Salida to a Cleaning In Football”, describing their easy 28-0 win. Revenge over that opening tie with Alamosa would soon come as the November 10, News-Champion reported, “The Gunnison football squad returned Tuesday afternoon from one of the most pleasant and successful athletic excursions that the school has ever taken”, winning by a score of 7-2, before heading to Monte Vista for a game to be held on
Monday afternoon. Prior to kickoff, the Gunnison visitors received a splendid greeting, with the Monte Vista students singing their fight song and cheering them on. In front of a large and enthusiastic crowd, Gunnison came away with a 14-0 win, and maybe “divine intervention” played a role in their season with Pastor Robinson at the Presbyterian Church preaching a sermon titled, “Football and Tests of Life”, on November 12, and reserving seats for the “High School coaches and squad”. Whatever it was, the headline read, “Gunnison Smothers Grand Junction in Football”, after their 68-3-win.
“It Was a Famous Victory” declared the headline of the November 24 News-Champion, following a 22-0 win over previously unbeaten Olathe, noting that no opponent had carried the ball across their goal line this season. And with 100 guaranteed tickets already reserved for a special train to Montrose for a final game against them on Thanksgiving Day, Gunnison was awarded a 1-0 forfeit victory when their manager demanded the privilege of running in as many town players as needed, stating, “our backfield is entirely knocked out”, following a recent 33-3 loss to Grand Junction. And so ended “the first undefeated football team in the history of the city and school. This ‘winning’ football team of Western and Southern Colorado was everywhere victorious.”
Our extensive collections include many sports related artifacts including team photos, leather helmets, cleats, and footballs, with many on display in the Paragon Rural School and in the Main Exhibit Building. We hope you join us for our free admission High Country Heritage Day this Saturday, September 16, for more wonderful local history!
MUSEUM OPEN DAILY 9:00 A.M.-5:00 P.M.
FROM MAY 15 THROUGH OCTOBER 1.
Admission $15 ages 13+, $5 for ages 6-12, Free for 5 and under. Follow us on Facebook for current information and amazing local history!
Dad! Dad! I need $49.95 for a cool video game I just saw on a TV commercial!
I really, really, REALLY need that video game, dad!
A is something you must have in order to survive. You need shelter, clothing, food, water and sometimes medicines.
A is something you would like to have, but can live without. A music player, a computer, a television and a bike are wants, not needs.
ometimes it is hard to decide if something is a need or a want. For example, cake is a food, but it is not a need. It’s a want. Which of these following foods are more wants than needs?
Look at each picture. Put a green N on each picture that shows something you need each day. Put a red W on each picture that shows something you might want, but not need.
Standards Link: Economics: Know that goods
The school cafeteria is making students think before they buy a snack. The prices are all written in code!
and so forth until you get to
To figure out what each snack item costs, you must first find out what number goes with each letter in the word. Then, add the numbers that “spell” each word to get the price.
For example:
3¢ + 8¢ + 9¢ + 16¢ + 19¢ = 55¢
You may want $49.95, but what you need is to learn the di erence between wants and needs.
Look
Unscramble this list of words. Hint: They all have something to do with money!
Standards Link: Math: Calculate sums using money.
Four students were asked to list their needs. How many did each student list? Use the clues to complete the chart.
None of the students listed more than five needs.
No one listed the same number of needs.
The total number listed was 13.
Hayley listed three needs.
Dylan listed fewer needs than Hayley.
Kayla listed the most needs.
As the school year kicks off and a new batch of eager teens hit the roads with their new driver's licenses, it's essential to remember that such freedom comes with increased responsibility. Teen driving fatality data in the state shows an alarming trend. This year in Colorado, 55 teen drivers have died on the road, up 77% from this time last year. Also concerning is the number of fatal crashes that involve teen drivers. So far this year 67 roadway fatalities have involved a teen driver, up 56% from this time last year.
Colorado’s Graduated Drivers
Licensing (GDL) laws are specifically designed to help teenagers gain important driving skills gradually while minimizing risks. Since the passage of GDL laws, overall fatal crashes declined significantly for young drivers ages 16-17.
Over the past 20 years, GDL laws have contributed to a near 50% reduction in traffic fatalities involving young drivers. To ensure the safety of these new road users, CDOT offers the following five vital tips every teen driver should keep in mind:
Passenger restrictions
Teens with a new license must follow specific passenger restrictions during their first year on the road: no passengers under 21 for the first six months unless a parent or other
licensed adult driver over 21 is in the vehicle. For the following six months, only one passenger under 21, but some exceptions are allowed for medical emergencies
Always buckle up
Both teen drivers and passengers are legally required to wear seat belts at all times. This simple act can greatly reduce the risk of injury in the event of a crash. Unfortunately, seat belt use is lowest among teen drivers. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the majority of teenagers involved in fatal crashes are unbuckled — in 2019, 45% of teen drivers who died were unbuckled. Even more troubling, when a teen driver involved in a fatal crash was unbuckled, nine out of 10 of the passengers who died were also not wearing their seat belts.
Stay focused and off the phone
Teens under 18 are prohibited from using a cell phone while driving and risk losing their license and getting fined for doing so.
Stick to curfew times
During the first year of driving, teens must adhere to a curfew — refraining from driving between midnight and 5 a.m., unless accompanied by an instructor, parent or legal guardian. Exceptions include driving to and from school or work, medical emergencies and emancipated minors. Curfew laws may vary by location, so it's
important to confirm with local authorities.
Drive sober
New teen drivers should always steer clear of alcohol and drugs when behind the wheel. The maximum blood alcohol concentration allowed is just 0.02%. A person under 21 who drives impaired in Colorado faces either an Underage Drinking and Driving charge, a Driving While Ability Impaired charge or a Driving Under the Influence charge. In 2022, one out of every three traffic deaths on Colorado roads involved an impaired driver.
"By embracing these guidelines, young drivers can confidently embark on their driving journey while staying safe and responsible," said CDOT’s Office of Transportation Safety Director Darrell Lingk. "It's essential for teens and their parents to work together to establish a solid foundation for safe driving habits."
(Source: Colorado Department of Transportation)
teen
The Gunnison Valley Animal Welfare League (GVAWL) hosted its annual yard sale fundraiser on Saturday, Sept. 9. The nonprofit exceeded its fundraising goal of $1,000 before the event ended. GVAWL board members Cayce Steel, Kellie Cheever and Nora Grant managed the name-your-price, cash-only check out. The trio expressed their gratitude to the nearly 20 people who donated belongings over the past three weeks. Due to the success on the first day, GVAWL decided to continue the yard sale into Sunday.
