Gunnison Country Times, September 28, 2023

INSIDE TODAY

NEWS: Q&A with school board candidates, A13,14

COMMUNITY: Locals trace lasting friendship to Mentors, B1

District’s 2023 report card shows growth, but similar challenges

Merrigan starts as new ELL teacher

Abby Harrison Times Staff Writer

SPORTS: GHS volleyball packs the house, B6

OBITUARIES A2,3

OPINION A4,5

CLASSIFIEDS A15-A18

SPORTS B6

ONLINE GUNNISONTIMES.COM

Revised

forest

plan

nears the finish line

Local leaders disappointed with failure to incorporate GPLI

Bella Biondini Times Editor

Soon, the Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison (GMUG) National Forests will be managed under a new forest plan after going without a major revision for 40 years.

The draft plan is over 400 pages long and includes an exceedingly large associated maps and documents —

Forest plan A6

Whetstone design inches along

CB council takes step toward utility connection

The Gunnison Watershed School District received its annual “report card” two weeks ago from the Colorado Department of Education (CDE), which uses test scores to measure how well the District and its students are doing compared to their peers around the state.

CDE gives out these reports, called Preliminary Performance Frameworks, each year to

every school and district in the state. This year, the District retained its accredited status with a score 65.2 out of 100, slightly higher than last year’s score of 64.8. But it continues to struggle with achievement among its most vulnerable student groups. As the District welcomes more multilingual learners (formerly called English-language learners) and students with disabilities each year, its capacity to see them perform well on tests lags.

Superintendent Leslie Nichols gave the school board a breakdown of the District’s rating at a regular meeting on Sept. 11. These reports use state-man-

Report card A9

Abby Harrison Times Staff Writer

Planning for Gunnison

County’s largest and most ambitious affordable housing project, Whetstone, has steadily proceeded all year. Recently, community members had the chance to weigh in on more detailed design decisions for the 240-unit development just south of Crested Butte.

Whetstone is located just a mile and a half south of the Town of Crested Butte off Hwy. 135. The county purchased the 15-acre parcel in 2019 with a vision that it would offer hundreds of stable, affordable hous-

ing units for locals to rent. After a sketch plan was approved earlier this year, the Whetstone Community project team (composed of hired builders and consultants) held an invite-only design charrette on Sept. 14 and 15 to gather locals’ feedback on details like apartment layout, storage opportunities and shared community spaces.

While the project recently received conditional approval from the Town of Crested Butte to extend its utilities, the county has yet to prove that a connection to Whetstone will not harm the towns’ current users. The county has not issued any debt to finance the over $100 million project, and if interest rates remain high, project managers could face significant financing issues down the road. If all goes as expected, the county will submit a preliminary plan this Whetstone A8

TRAIL WORK TUESDAY: Volunteers and Gunnison Trails crew members spent the late afternoon of Sept. 26 cutting new trail on a hillside near Signal Peak, east of Gunnison. The crew has been working on this section for weeks, and hopes to get most finished before the ground freezes. For more, see B9. (Photo by Abby Harrison)

QUOTE of the week

OBITUARIES

Victor Eugene Pierson

Charles Buddy Rumburg

for a farm kid, so he and Marie moved back home to Cortez in 2000 to renew old acquaintances.

Arthur Lynn Majors

A celebration of life service for longtime Gunnison and Lamar, Colorado resident Victor Eugene Pierson, affectionately known to his family and friends as “Vic”, was held on Aug. 30, 2023 in Lamar, with a luncheon gathering that followed.

BRIEFS

CB to CB South trail survey open

Gunnison County is collecting input on the preferred trail alignment for the developing Crested Butte to Crested Butte South Trail project. The survey will be open through Oct. 8 and is available at gunnisoncounty. org/1048/Crested-Butte-toCrested-Butte-South-mul.

The following trails have seasonal motorized closures to provide fall wildlife security areas and quality hunting opportunities.

Rosebud Trail #423 and Cement Mountain #553 are closed to motorized use Oct. 1 to June 15. Calf Creek Plateau #458 and Cannibal Plateau #464 are closed to motorized use Oct. 1 to June 30.

$6 million available for local food retailers and farmers

Small food retailers and family farmers can apply for grants of up to $50,000 to expand access to healthy food in low income and underserved areas of the state. The Colorado Department of Agriculture, which oversees the Small Food Business Recovery & Resilience Grant, started accepting applications this week.

Small grocery stores, corner stores, carnicerias, farmers markets, Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) programs may be eligible for the grant. The money can be used to cover the cost of equipment, operating expenses, storage or display shelving and more.

The first round of grants opened on Sept. 27 and applications will be accepted until Nov. 7. A second round is scheduled for early 2024. Up to $6 million will be distributed.

More information about the grant and upcoming informational sessions can be found at ag.colorado.gov/CFAgrant.

Charles Buddy Rumburg passed away on July 31, 2023 in Cortez, CO following a 10-year battle with Alzheimer’s at the age of 91. He was the son of Joseph Clyde Rumburg and Grace Elaine (Worrell) and was born on Dec. 12, 1931 in Welch, West Virginia. In early 1932, the family moved to Mancos, Colorado, where they ran a sawmill and raised livestock in the hills. They moved to Cortez in 1940 so the kids could go to high school. On July 8, 1953, Bud married Marie Charles. To that union three boys were born.

He loved the challenge of research and compared it to “a child playing in a sandbox”. He also loved to share his knowledge and experiences with others. His life-long passions were never far from his mind: family, science, natural resources, the people who manage those resources and, finally, Southwest Colorado. His profession and avocations were one and the same.

Those who knew him well will remember him as a great husband, father, brother, uncle and colleague. Those who merely crossed paths with him will remember him as a good friend.

This obituary is a reminder of how thoughtful, organized and well-planned Bud was. Though he began failing mentally some 10 years ago, the majority of this article was written by him prior to that for use when the time came.

Arthur Lynn Majors, age 73, of Gunnison and formerly of Elgin, Texas, peacefully passed into the arms of his Lord in Heaven, on Sept. 12, 2023. Surrounded by his beloved family, Arthur's spirit left this world with gentle grace.

Victor is preceded in death by his parents and brother, Paul Douglas Pierson. He issurvived by his daughters, Nattiel (Brennan) Fontaine of Denver and Erika (Alex) Aguilera of Gunnison, son, Kaden Pierson of Loveland, sisters, Kay Lynn (Fred) Hefley of Walsh and Carol Anne Grasmick of Lamar and brothers, Gary (Shelly) Pierson of Gunnison and Randal (Susan) Pierson of Olathe, Kansas.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Gunnison Food Pantry located at 321C N. Main St. in Gunnison.

He received his Bachelor's degree from Colorado State University and then attended Rutgers University where he received his PHD in farm crops in 1958. Agriculture research took the family to Burns, Oregon, where he worked at the Squaw Butte Experiment Station for Oregon State University and the Agricultural Research Service. He taught his boys how to hunt, fish and be self-sufficient.

He is survived by Marie, his loving wife of 70 years, sons Larry (Kim), Les (Nancy) and Scot (Christila), grandchildren, Lindsey, Jerry and Brian and several great-grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his parents, brother, Joseph and sister, Marietta Benge. Cremation has taken place and a quiet family service will be held at a future point in time where his wishes for final dispersal will be completed. Please direct any memorial considerations toward the Alzheimer’s Association at alz. org.

Now, may the gates of Heaven open to accept him that he may spend eternity in the arms of his Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, whole once more, where “He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever.” Rev. 21:4.

Arthur was born in Elgin, Texas on Nov. 6, 1949. He entered this world as a twin son to Jonell and Neal Majors. From an early age, it was clear that Arthur possessed exceptional athletic ability alongside his twin brother. For four straight years, they became legendary figures on the football field of Elgin High School. Their combined talents mesmerized the town as they displayed the true spirit of competition and sportsmanship. Arthur's skill didn't stop at football; he also excelled as a catcher for the Elgin High School baseball team.

Dedicated to serving his country and protecting its values, Arthur joined the Marine Corps Reserve. For six honorable years, he dedicated himself to serving his country. After completing basic training, he returned home to Elgin.

Inspired by a desire to learn and create with his hands, Arthur sought training from his uncle to learn the art of metal fabrication and machining.

His uncle shared his knowledge with him and as they worked together, they built a

audrie Townsend

Broker/Owner (970) 209-6208

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MAKE AN OFFER 3 bdrm/2 bath, ranch level home with a walkout basement. Open kitchen & dining area with a pellet stove. Property has an attached oversized 2 car garage. Over 1,800sf with great southern views of Sawtooth Mountain & W Mountain. No HOA or covenants. 851 County Road 18; $399,000.

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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.

PROPERTY POTENTIAL Here’s your chance to purchase R-3 lots & finish the West End Townhomes for a spec option, rental investment or employee housing. City approved site plans allow for two more duplex units. Water & sewer taps are already installed. Centrally located near the schools & RTA bus stop. 817 W. Denver Ave.; $297,000.

People’s Choice Award for Best Realtor 2021 & 2022

“Whether they choose to go to school beyond high school or work, I want Gunnison to be a place they come to learn.”

— Rita Merrigan, School district newcomer teacher and integrationist

See

In 1970, he became the Superintendent of the Mountain Meadow Research Center in Gunnison, in cooperation with CSU. In 1977, he accepted a position with the Cooperative State Research Service, U. S. Department of Agriculture, in Washington, D.C. and remained there until his retirement in 1992. Following his retirement from Washington D.C., he became the Executive Vice President of the Society for Range Management in Denver and served in that position until 1997. But, the big city was not

After graduating from high school, Arthur continued his education at Blinn Junior College for two years. There, he continued to pursue his passion for football while striving for academic success.

strong relationship. Utilizing his newfound skills and driven by entrepreneurial spirit, Arthur and his uncle opened a local machine shop. For over 20 years, their machine shop thrived. Their dedication and precision allowed them to design and fabricate custom parts for esteemed companies such as Motorola and Tracor. Arthur's talented commitment to his work shone through every project.

In 1995, Arthur moved his family to Colorado, where they embarked on their Rocky Mountain adventures. He loved his stress-free job at CBMR for years, never tiring of the commute to work and the views in-between. He built a home filled with warmth and happiness for his loved ones, and it brought him immense joy to share his love of the mountains with family and friends. Arthur was known for taking them on hair-raising 4x4 adventures, exploring the rugged terrain by horseback and ATV. Hunting and fishing remained important activities in his life, Arthur merely shifted his focus from bass and deer to trout and elk. After retiring, Arthur and his wife, Kita, embraced a nomadic lifestyle. They hit the road in their own 18-wheeler, traversing every corner of the lower 48 states. Arthur had always enjoyed traveling and he con -

BIRTHS

tinued to do so until his last days, always on the go.

Arthur was not only an adventurer but also an exceptional craftsman. His talent for woodworking produced stunning works of art such as bowls, tables, lamps, shelves, benches, gun racks and light fixtures. He possessed an artistic spirit much like that of his mother: resourceful, creative, and always seeking new challenges. When one hobby became mundane for him, Arthur just embarked on a new endeavor.

In his later years, he developed a passion for shed hunting, selling them on Etsy. When the snowy winters made this impossible, he turned to selling antiques and collectibles in the same way. He became a fixture at local estate and garage sales in the valley.

Arthur's reunion with his late father, twin brother and grandparents in Heaven surely marked a glorious day. May they find eternal peace together in the presence of our Lord.

Arthur leaves behind a legacy of love and devotion. He leaves behind his loving and devoted wife of 44 years, Kita Majors, his mother, Jonell Majors, sister, Kay and her husband, Tommy Valenta, sister-in-law, Dorothy Brown, brother-in-law, Scott Mitchell and his wife Kaylynn, his two daughters, Codie and her husband Tommy Prinz and

Amanda Majors-Frymire, his son, Clint Majors and his wife Heather and nine cherished grandchildren, as well as two great-grandchildren.

Arthur's memory will also be cherished by numerous extended family members and dear friends. Arthur will forever remain in our hearts as a man who lived his life to the fullest. May his adventurous spirit inspire us to embrace every moment with love and enthusiasm.

While Arthur's professional accomplishments were significant, it is his kind heart and unwavering devotion that will be cherished most by those who knew him. Arthur poured love into everything he did, leaving an indelible mark on the lives he touched. He leaves behind a legacy of strength, perseverance and love. Though our hearts ache with his departure, we take solace in knowing that he is reunited with his brother and we will all meet again in Heaven.

Arthur's initial services will be in his hometown of Elgin, where he will be laid to rest next to his twin. A memorial service in Gunnison will be announced at a later date.

Harper Tibbett was born to Hannah and Kyle Tibbett of Ohio City on Sept. 1, 2023 at 9:04 a.m. She weighed 6 lbs., 14 oz. at birth and measured 19.5 inches in length at birth. We’re so glad to be your parents, Harper! We can’t wait to go on many adventures with you!

Otto Manoah Bear Shank was born to Ceara Smith and Parker Shank of Ohio City on Sept. 14, 2023 at 11:29 p.m. He weighed 7 lbs., 11 oz. and measured 21 inches in length at birth. He is welcomed by his brother, Caleb Zuehlke, age 14, grandparents Richard Shank and Jenny and Steve Smith of Gunnison and great-grandmother, Geri Meredith of Austin, Colorado.

Israel Sanchez Ruiz was born on Sept. 20, 2023 to Ana Flavia Ruiz and Israel Alesandro Sanchez of Gunnison. He is welcomed by his grandparents, Marco Ruiz and Ana Repetto of Lima, Peru, Juan Sanchez and Evelia Sepulveda of Tepic, Nayarit, Mexico and greatgrandparents, Juliana Solorzano and Gregorio Repetto of Lima and Faustina Alvarado and Alfredo Sepulveda of Tepic.

Harper Tibbett

Otto Manoah Bear Shank

Israel Sanchez Ruiz

970.641.1414

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THE GUNNISON COUNTRY TIMES (ISSN 0892-1113) is published weekly by Alan Wartes Media LLC., 218 N. Wisconsin St., Gunnison, Colorado 81230. Periodical postage paid at Gunnison, Colorado. POSTMASTER:

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OPINION

GUEST COMMENTARY

What we can do about climate change

the county’s major taxpayers. Now, they are one of Colorado’s greatest greenhouse gas sources.

Luke Danielson Special to the

Times

Last week’s Climate March in Gunnison showed there is widespread concern in our community about climate change and its impacts.

Large parts of our land mass will suffer unprecedented drought. There will be more powerful storms. Millions of people who find themselves unable to live where they are will seek to migrate to places where they may not be welcomed. Food grown in an atmosphere with higher carbon levels has lower nutritional value.

The greatest obstacle to action is the perception that there is nothing we can really do locally to help stave off disaster. This perception is very wrong. There is an agenda of important local tasks that we can and must take on, now.

Gunnison County is one of Colorado’s major sources of greenhouse emissions. There is a history of large-scale coal mining in Crested Butte and the North Fork. These mines, of which only one is now operating, are intense methane emitters, even after they have closed down. For years, they have been

LETTERS

2023

Beauty is not enough

Editor:

As a Gunnison High School science teacher, I am both deeply concerned and wildly inspired after the School Board Candidate Forum on Sept. 19.

LETTERS POLICY

Letters to the editor must be 500 words or less. We favor local topics and discourage argumentative letters addressed to particular people. If you reference data, please include sources for fact-checking.

We will not print letters from candidates for public office.

Email letters to editor@gunnisontimes.com or send to 218 N. Wisconsin St., Gunnison, CO 81230. Include your full name, address and a phone number — for our internal use only.

The deadline is Tuesday at 12 p.m. Letters may be edited for grammar, clarity or length.

At one of these sites, the methane is captured and used to generate electricity, and to power the grid that includes the Aspen ski area. But only a small portion of the methane is being captured. Gunnison County has an electric utility, Gunnison County Electric Association. We have a ski area at Crested Butte. Why can’t we do something similar here in Gunnison County? Where is the leadership?

There are millions of dead and dying trees on our national forest land. These are a visible consequence of climate change. They also represent an enormous stock of carbon that has been sequestered and kept out of the atmosphere. All too often this carbon winds up being emitted back into the atmosphere, as the U.S. Forest Service ignites its massive burn piles. The trees that died from the effects of climate change become a contributor to even more climate change. The solution is to use these dead trees to produce biochar, which can be used to reclaim some of our numerous abandoned mine sites, and enhance soil quality on ranch lands, providing carbon offsets against some of our other emissions. Does the Forest Service have a plan for biochar? If so, what is it?

Our housing stock includes some shamefully energy inefficient units, things like old uninsulated garages and dwellings with plastic sheets and duct

tape instead of real windows. Fuel to heat these rentals is a considerable source of greenhouse emissions and a huge expense to some of our low income residents. Other towns have rental codes with some real teeth that put some obligations on landlords to increase the energy efficiency of their properties. This also reduces the energy bills of the part of our population that has the hardest time making ends meet. Where are we on a rental code that pushed for faster and better energy efficiency improvements and lower utility bills?

The new FedEx facility that is a part of the Gunnison Rising development should — instead of being run off portable electrical generators — become a 100% renewable facility, with onsite storage.

Gunnison has a lower penetration of individual commercial and home solar systems than most similar towns in our region. Our city’s policies have the effect of discouraging solar use when we should be trying to find incentives to encourage it. These policies must be changed.

Composting and recycling are an important part of what we can do locally to reduce emissions. As a former leader of a major recycling organization, I can say that one of the keys to success in these endeavors is volume. The greater the volume, the more leverage we have in the marketplace. This is even more important when we are small communities a long way from the end users of recycled materials.

Instead of building volume,

we have reduced it by fragmenting our programs. In a county of around 20,000 residents we have over half a dozen small programs: the Gunnison County program, the Crested Butte program, a Mt. Crested Butte program, and a Western Colorado University program. WalMart and City Market have their own programs. All of these need to be part of one coordinated effort, with higher volume, if they are to succeed.

Our outdoor recreation industry, from skiing to hunting to summer tourism, is a massive source of emissions from transportation, both from air transport and road transportation. One way to confront this would be a local effort to offset the emissions from air transport. United Airlines could help. Our ranching community can show the way to sequester increased amounts of carbon in ranchland.

We can also shift part of road transportation to electric vehicles. On the Hwy. 285 and Hwy. 50 corridor from Denver all the way to Montrose, Gunnison is the only significant town without a DC fast charger, which we need to make electric vehicles work better. Gunnison is last, when it could have been first. We need local leadership. If our current leaders cannot or will not do these things, new leaders will have to emerge. The stakes are just too high to tolerate excuses and inaction.

(Luke Danielson is president and co-founder of the Gunnisonbased Sustainable Development Strategies Group.)

I am lucky to live in this valley, but it infuriates me that advertising the beauty of our community is suggested as a recruitment and retention strategy. I am grateful for the much deserved raises that Gunnison County Education Association (GCEA) has negotiated over the past several years, but they are not enough to attract and retain qualified educators to fill the 60% vacancies expected due to retirement attrition in the next three to five years.

It distresses me that the same candidate who claims to talk to a lot of teachers has ignored any communication from the union, which represents over 70% of District teachers. This same candidate sent emails encouraging teachers to leave GCEA, despite claiming at the forum that teachers have enough representation with GCEA and the district.

Candidates made references to occasions that occurred well over a decade ago about bullying, out of control schools and students and lack of student educational options and opportunities. Why is this even brought up when our staffing and leadership has changed significantly even in the past five years?

As teachers, we are committed to our students, our public education system and maintaining a healthy relationship with our district and our school board. We will continue, collectively, to bargain and negotiate with the state to fully fund Colorado’s public schools, increase teacher salaries (currently 49th in the U.S.) and per pupil funding (currently 50th in the U.S.)

In 2023, Gunnison is the sixth most expensive place to live in the state and our local teacher salaries are less than Colorado state average. That doesn’t bode well for teacher recruitment and retention, no matter how pretty it is here. The proposal to have students build teacher housing (though a great CTE

idea that we should absolutely develop — no pun intended) requires a lot more than “getting back to the basics of teaching math, reading and writing.”

I am grateful to Anne, Jody and Mark for their dedication, passion and compassion. They each have much needed expertise — a librarian, an educator and researcher and a finance expert. They demonstrated a clear focus on students and an understanding of district policies, state laws and regulations, local issues (including housing), the role of teachers and the value of relationships.

I am confident that Anne, Jody and Mark will work with the district to effectively implement comprehensive recruitment and retention strategies, put pressure on the state to properly fund education, support teachers in developing state of the art curriculums and opportunities for students and uphold the highest standards for student literacy, media use and social interactions.

Team Watershed is doing great things: increasing graduation rates, increasing techni -

cal training, helping English Language Learners meet expectations and more. Anne, Jody and Mark have my vote as we continue to expand opportunities for all current students and secure them for future students.

Krystal Brown Gunnison

Follow the cow pies

Editor:

If you want to know where the heads of Laurie Gery and Joe Dix are, it’s a simple instruction. Let’s drag the field for clarification on one item.

A few weeks ago, a school board candidate forum was at the “W.” Ms. Gery and Mr. Dix were apparently in attendance to later smear the event with vigor. I was bemused to think they believed I had a hand in its organizing.

Here are facts those two failed to convey. The radio station owner needed a medical procedure, and it was painful for him to set up. I simply volunteered to assist with

the microphones and related equipment. So much for Democrat empathy. It was important for the program to air on time, so the minions too afraid to appear in person could listen.

Stu Asay Gunnison County

Some relevant points not addressed

Editor:

I attended the forum put on by the League of Women Voters last week at the Gunnison County Library. I would like to compliment the audiences, along with the League and the candidates for a very respectful and insightful program.

However, due to the nature of the forum and the time constraints placed on the candidates, very relevant points were not addressed. For example, when asked if the candidates would support taking taxpayer money from public schools to support private schools, Cori Dobson indicated support for such a measure.

What was not discussed is that some private schools do not do standardized testing, and have little accountability. They are also selective in terms of whom they admit. In the case of public schools, any student who shows up at the door — no matter race, creed or color, whether they have physical or mental handicaps, poor or rich, on the spectrum or sexual orientation — will be admitted, issues dealt with and they will be educated. So, is it reasonable to take funding from what are already impoverished public schools to support private schools?

Another area that deserved further discussion was the question regarding standardized testing. It appeared to me that some of the candidates seemed not to understand the critical importance of this kind of test, and diminished its importance. I remember that Lisa Henry made the comment that the test does not jive with what is taught in the classrooms.

The Colorado state test, CMAS, is a measure of student performance on the state standards. One way for a school district to evaluate its performance, and for students and parents to know where they stand educationally, is to compare their scores with a large sample from around the state and nation.

I don’t know how many people noticed it, but by the time Dr. Coleman pointed out the importance of this kind of testing and the consequences that occur when parents opt their children out of the test, she had reached her time limit. Unfortunately, she was unable to explain that when a student opts out, that score is measured as a zero. A few scores of zero will skew the overall average. The consequence is the overall performance of the district might be better than indicated by the test.

Another question asked the candidates to comment on where they stand with regard to indoctrination versus educa-

tion. Of course, all of the candidates were opposed to indoctrination. However, let’s be clear. When school boards override established curriculum and ban books based on their personal biases, we have the precursors of indoctrination.

Charles Welch Gunnison

On school finance and standardized testing

Editor: Thanks to the League of Women Voters for hosting the forum and to KBUT for archiving the broadcast. Two items got my attention: RE1J finance and standardized testing.

RE1J’s assessed value per student ratio is better than a lot of districts. What is needed is a consistent, random outside audit of the district’s books to ensure the money is being spent correctly.

More pay or a stipend won’t solve the problem of teacher housing. That’s not the school board’s mission. The planning process is cumbersome and time consuming (according to people who’ve dealt with it).

Without a policy controlling short-term rentals, there will always be a shortage of housing no matter how much is built. Communities are made up of residents, not residences. Something our elected officials need to face up to.

Standardized testing — A kinda, sort of, sometimes way of comparing different school districts’ quality. As the candidates all agreed. Tracking each individual student’s progress through the grades would be more useful. ‘I want to take’ courses such as art, music, woodworking or ag related topics are a measure of enthusiasm, but improvement in the boring ‘why do I’ classes such as English, math, science or history is a better metric of a student’s growth and the quality of their education.

My high school education was painful for all concerned, not just me. But it was successful.

Go talk to the candidates. Ask questions they may not like. Listen to their answers and think about whether you agree. Most importantly trust your gut.

Peter Caloger Gunnison

Vote in the school board election

Editor:

Please vote on or before Nov. 7. Register and check your registration on Vote411.org/ Colorado.

The most important vote on the ballot is for Gunnison Watershed School District (GWSD) school board. I have had the pleasure of speaking with all six of the candidates. Three are running as a slate (Jody Coleman, Anne Brookhart and Mark VanderVeer). The other three (Cori Dobson, Lisa Henry and Greg Kruthaupt) are running independently.

I endorse the three candi -

dates running independently.

I feel confident that Greg, Lisa and Cori will listen carefully to the parents and taxpayers when it comes to the important issues that concern the GWSD. Cori, Lisa and Greg will act to represent the entire GWSD without outside influences.

I want to dispel the stories being told about Cori, Greg and Lisa. They support age-appropriate media in the schools, not “book banning.” They support unity in the valley, not divisiveness. Cori, Greg and Lisa are strong supporters of public education and the GWSD. The only divisive statements I have heard in this campaign are from the supporters of the slate of three and from Anne in her remarks at the slate’s meet and greet on Sept. 18 and again in the forum on Sept. 19.

Cori, Greg and Lisa support safe schools and will work to improve academics. They want to bring better communication and transparency in the GWSD. They have been more accessible than the slate, holding town halls and coffees every other week. Greg previously served in multiple education positions in the GWSD (principal and curriculum director). Lisa raised three children in the GWSD. Cori is a paralegal and was educated in the Colorado public school system.

Anne, the only incumbent running, is a member of the American Library Association (ALA). She refused to say to me whether she supports the ALA president’s statement that the ALA president is a Marxist and that the ALA president wants to “advance a public agenda that puts organizing for justice at the center of library work.” Please ask Anne about her ALA membership.

In my opinion, Anne is not a good choice to serve on the school board. During her years on the board Anne voted for an unpopular bully policy, served during a time that academic performance suffered, supported masking of GWSD students and voted for every initiative supported by the superintendent.

If you want an independent school board, better communication, more transparency and serious work to improve academics in the GWSD, vote for Cori Dobson, Greg Kruthaupt and Lisa Henry.

Rebecca White Crested Butte

Forest plan

from

a collection designed to guide the forest management, use and protection for a period of at least 15 years. It attempts to balance multiple uses on the national forest from timber sales to the growing demand for outdoor recreation. The Forest Service, for the first time in history, is also creating more protections for some of the area’s pristine rivers and attempting to mitigate the growing pressure climate change places on the landscape.

The project was a colossal task for the public land management agency. At more than 3.2 million acres, the GMUG is the largest national forest in the Rocky Mountain Region — criss-crossed by 3,000 miles of trails, four scenic byways and 10 wilderness areas. Forest Service officials published the existing forest plan in 1983, and it has since been amended five times.

After publishing a draft in 2021, the U.S. Forest Service received roughly 9,000 comments from organizations and individuals across the Western Slope. During the planning process, the agency explored multiple alternatives, and spent almost a year tweaking those alternatives and changing the plan’s direction. Finally, in late August, the Forest Service published the revised plan and final environmental impact statement.

GPLI ‘dismissed’

Although the plan incorporates updated science and mapping technology, numerous local organizations are unhappy with the details within the preferred alternative the Forest

Service chose. Many believe the revision placed an undue emphasis on timber production on the Western Slope and failed to incorporate a widelysupported community conservation proposal called the Gunnison Public Lands Initiative (GPLI).

GPLI is the result of more than a decade of discussions between different local groups, with interests ranging from ranching and water resources to motorized recreation and conservation. The proposal, although central to Gunnison County, received support from surrounding counties and provided the Forest Service with a heavily-vetted vision of the future of public lands in and around the Gunnison Valley.

“I feel the Forest Service did a really short shrift and did not dig into it in a way that was meaningful, nor did they take the time to understand it at the level of detail in which we proposed it,” County Commissioner Jonathan Houck, who was heavily involved in the development of the initiative, told the Times County Commissioner Laura Puckett Daniels agreed.

“[The people of Gunnison County] might not be forestry experts or fire experts, but they have good first hand knowledge of how the forest is used,” Puckett Daniels said during a regular commissioners meeting in September. “The Gunnison Public Lands Initiative worked very hard to pull these recommendations together and to see them mostly dismissed out of hand is really disheartening.”

The release of the proposed forest plan revision initiated a 60-day objection period. During this time, members of the public or organizations that submitted comments before the

plan’s release are permitted to file an objection on the same topic. The deadline is Oct. 30. Afterward, the Forest Service has 90 days to come up with a plan to respond to or resolve those objections. A final record of decision is expected in the spring of 2024.

communities that live on the national forest and the existing conditions on the ground.

Staley has been the team lead since the revision process began in 2018.

“The preferred alternative, we think best represents the values the public has,” Staley said. “[Those values] range from maximum preservation with much more wilderness and much less timber harvest, to another perspective that really embraces ‘multiple use’ where there is a lot of active fuels management and supports the timber industry as viable in this corner of the world.”

New wilderness additions

While Western Slope residents and community-supported proposals such as GPLI recommended more than 300,000 acres of new wilderness, the revision only names an additional 46,000 acres. These community proposals would amount to an almost 60% increase to what is already designated, creating areas where it is difficult to manage fuels, Staley said.

want to focus on fuel treatments near the wildland urban interface. But there is a need at times to manage fuel breaks that are further into the backcountry and to restore fire on the landscape.”

Instead, the agency’s preferred alternative would recommend an 8% increase in wilderness across the forest. New wilderness designations in and near the Gunnison Basin include additions to the existing West Elk, Fossil Ridge, Uncompahgre and La Garita wildernesses.

Areas suitable for timber production

The revised forest plan’s preferred alternative has labeled 26% or 772,000 acres of the GMUG as “suitable for timber production,” a figure that is a 60% increase from the approximate 470,000 outlined in the 1991 plan amendment. According to Staley, the proposed acreage is a “coarse map” across the 1.5 million acres the agency is left with outside of designated wilderness and roadless areas.

Many organizations plan to file objections including High Country Conservation Advocates, American Whitewater and Gunnison County — with specific concerns around the failure to incorporate GPLI and the outsized emphasis on timber harvest, particularly in the Gunnison National Forest.

But for Forest Planner Sam Staley, alternative B, the agency’s final selection, reflects both the varied values held by the

Almost 20% of the forest within the GMUG is already designated wilderness, which are unfragmented backcountry areas that are sought after by those who desire solitude on their public lands. Another 30% are labeled as “Colorado roadless.” Land with these designations, which encompass almost half of the forest, have tight restrictions on development, prescribed burns and other fuels treatments and tree cutting.

“We really thought hard about that trade-off with the increasing likelihood of more severe wildfires, and their impacts on watersheds and our water quality,” she said. “We

“If you're concerned about timber harvest, the plan’s terms and numbers may be alarming,” she said. “But the reality is, this is a starting point. When we get to future projects that the public comments on and we get actual boots on the ground to see what the resource concerns and constraints are, much of that falls away.”

Often, the Forest Service doesn’t know if an area is actually suitable for commercial logging until forest managers are on the ground. At that point, the percentage of trees actually harvested may drop given an area’s existing conditions, she said. As a result, the Forest Service harvests less than 1% of the forest’s

The Uncompahgre Wilderness in July. (Photo by Bella Biondini)

“The Gunnison Public Lands Initiative worked very hard to pull these recommendations together and to see them mostly dismissed out of hand is really disheartening.”

Laura Puckett Daniels Gunnison County Commissioner

A1

suitable production zone per year, Staley said.

Since the adoption of the old forest plan, the agency has gained access to improved data, allowing it to fill in holes on a largely outdated map. The current National Forest Service planning policy also includes areas that may not be saleable, a change in rules from when the GMUG signed the old forest plan.

For Gunnison County attorney Matt Hoyt, who is helping the commissioners draft an objection, the plan “unfairly put its thumb on the scale” in favor of logging operations. Statistics show that recreation and agricultural operations are the valley’s primary economic drivers, which create thousands of jobs, he said. This is not the case for the local timber industry.

“We believe that there was much unnecessary and improper emphasis on timber being an economic driver of the national forest, but that is just not the case,” Hoyt said.

Recreation, a ‘consumptive’ use

The GMUG, along with most of the Gunnison Valley’s public lands, is experiencing increasing recreation use with no signs of slowing down. Staley said the agency has made a switch to start viewing recreation as a “consumptive” use, not unlike timber harvest and grazing.

“It has impacts,” she said. “We took a hard look at the areas where we need to hold the line on an appropriate amount of trails so we can retain functional wildlife habitat — these new limits would apply to nearly 28% of the forest. That's a big deal.”

Within the revision, the

Forest Service identified areas for focused recreation management — enhancing infrastructure and concentrating trail development in areas that are already busy. These have been labeled as “recreation emphasis areas” and include and resemble areas such as Lake Irwin, the Taylor Canyon corridor and Snodgrass Mountain. The plan flags areas that may be suitable for a high level of development such as handicap accessible trails, paved parking lots and designated campgrounds.

“In the middle of the wilderness, I would expect to see almost no evidence of human hands, whereas in Taylor Canyon, I probably need a restroom and an informational map so I can recreate the right way in that area,” said Assistant Forest Planner Jonathan Tucker. “It is a feeling of what you get while you're out there. It's almost inevitable and our plan defines it.”

The zones in alternative B, which range from primitive wilderness and wildlife management areas to those rich in motorized and non-motorized recreation opportunities, reflect what is already found on the ground today, Staley said.

Wild and Scenic rivers

For the first time in the GMUG’s history, the Forest Service included an eligibility study for Wild and Scenic rivers and streams. The plan determines that 113 miles of free-flowing rivers and streams have “outstandingly remarkable values” and are eligible per the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act for heighted protections that bar future development.

Over half of the miles deemed eligible fall in the

Gunnison District, exciting news for water managers in the valley. But the report felt like “two steps forward and one step back,” said Kestrel Kunz, a stewardship coordinator for American Whitewater.

After a high volume of public comments advocating for the Lower Taylor River between the draft and the final, the Forest Service decided to add it to the list, as well as a small portion of the East River behind Mt. Crested Butte.

At the same time, other segments were removed such as West Soap Creek and West Elk Creek, both tributaries of Blue Mesa Reservoir as well as a large section of Roubideau Creek on the Uncompahgre Plateau. In the coming weeks, American Whitewater plans to review the Forest Service’s justification for removing these segments from the list.

In addition to the lower Taylor, eligible sections in the Gunnion Valley include Cement, Coal and Quartz creeks, Oh-Be-Joyful Creek and its tributaries and the East River, among others. The Forest Service has recognized these segments for its outstanding qualities, whether it is scenery, recreation, geology and fisheries.

“It's an important tool to be able to acknowledge and protect the rivers that are still outstanding and wild out there and across the country,” Kunz said.

To learn more about the draft revised forest plan, or view the associated maps, visit fs.usda. gov/main/gmug/landmanagement/planning.

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

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winter before issuing any debt or breaking ground on utilities in late 2024.

Building heights and storage areas

The county’s goal is that all of the units will be deed-restricted — exceeding the county’s Land Use Resolution stipulation that only 40% must be to be labeled an affordable housing development. A sketch plan, approved at the start of 2023 includes multiple building styles; triplexes, townhomes, walk up flats and apartments.

Since the Gunnison County Planning Commission approved the sketch plan earlier this year, nothing substantial has changed with the overall design, said Assistant County Manager for Operations and Sustainability John Cattles. As architects started to lay out floor plans, they found they may be able to fit a few more housing units in and buildings could be moved around to provide more space for snow storage. Apartment sizes were also altered to create more storage for recreation equipment.

“They're doing a great job trying to fit as many outdoor amenities into the space and trying to pack in as much housing as possible,” said charette attendee Lindsey Freeburn. “We talked a lot about having different types of bike racks for different types of activities — maybe there's a shared locker for storage inside or space for mountain bikes that people don't want sitting out in the rain or the snow.”

These sorts of granular details are anything but inane for Erica Nelson, fly fishing guide and co-founder of racial equity and inclusion consulting firm REAL Consulting. Design components like snow storage, path design and parking all bear down on residents who may not be ablebodied.

“When I think about affordable housing through an equitable lens, it's not only looking for a short-term solution, it's looking at what's sustainable seven generations from now. Thinking about our impact on not only who is already in our community, but who is coming through in the future,” Nelson said.

The design slots higherdensity development near the highway and peters out as it extends west towards the East River. Further, all ADA accessible units are currently clustered on one level in one building. These sorts of decisions offer a visual depiction of inequity, Nelson said. While she supports Whetstone’s overall mission, she hopes designers will consider equity seriously as the design evolves.

A pressure point at the last public hearing was a threestory apartment building proposed along Hwy. 135, slated to be the tallest in the development. Some thought the building, meant to offer up to 100 units, would spoil the longunobstructed views along the highway corridor while others believed the height would insulate the rest of the develop-

ment from adjacent traffic. In response, architects offered a two-story option and an adjusted design that used the berm along the highway to make it appear like a one-story building from the road.

Planners have also heard that the community wants Whetstone to offer a self-contained living experience, with more trails, gathering spaces and even an irrigated lawn that could be used as a soccer field. In the last two years, the concept of livability has run through most planning that involved the public, Cattles said. As the most recent charette, stability surfaced as the primary focus of what makes a space liveable.

“We're hearing stability. Not just for me, but for my friends and neighbors,” he said. “And when we asked what that means, they said, ‘our rents aren't going to increase dramatically year over year, and the house isn't going to get sold out from under us.’”

But each added amenity represents an additional cost to the county, so the design process is punctuated with trade-offs, said affordable housing and community engagement consultant Willa Williford. To keep rents as low as possible, the county needs to keep the cost to build low. Planners must also defend against creeping cost increases while creating a rental-dominant housing project that still offers year-over-year stability.

“There's always tension between the must-haves and the nice-to-haves and the cost and the technical constraints,” Williford said.

Step forward for utility connection

Last week, the Crested Butte Town Council approved, by a 5-0 vote, an intergovernmental agreement (IGA) that will facilitate the water and sewer utility extension from the town to Whetstone. While the county could try and set up onsite wastewater treatment and connect to wells, that process would have drawn the timeline out significantly and may have caused the county to miss critical grant opportunities. A lack

of utility connection to the town would have “killed the project,” Cattles said.

For months, the town and the county were caught in a back and forth hinging on a feasibility study the town asked for, to assure the utility demands of the development wouldn’t put the town’s own infrastructure at risk.

“The challenge is that their code was built on the assumption that maybe once in a while they might extend utilities to a single family home,” Cattles said “This was just something the code really wasn't built to deal with.”

The county asked the town for assurances that if the county spent the supposed millions to compile a feasibility study, the town would approve the utility connection. Instead, the town offered “conditional approval,” and the new IGA laid out requirements that the extension ultimately not cost the town or utility users money.

The town could also consider annexation in the future, but council has signaled that the utility connection must unfold smoothly before they would consider further land use decisions. Crested Butte resident Tiff Simpson, who bought a

deed-restricted house in 2020 after several runs through the lottery, said annexation is a clear next step.

“The people who are going to live there are going to work in this community and if they can't vote in town, to me that's just a huge missed opportunity,” she said. “I think it's so strange that people in Riverland, Riverbend and CB South — those people who work in our community — don't get to have a say.”

Financing Whetstone

The project is currently budgeted at $126 million, but that number is likely to change, Cattles said. As a publiclyowned project, the county isn’t looking to turn a profit — simply to cover the debt service each year, he said. Back in April, the county received a $10 million dollar grant from the Colorado Department of Local Affairs (DOLA) for horizontal infrastructure like roads, water, sewer, electric and sidewalks, estimated to cover just over 60% of the total infrastructure cost. The county will cover the remaining cost by issuing bonds.

“Interest rates are a huge threat. That’s probably our biggest risk at this point. If munici-

pal bond rates continue to rise, we probably can't finance this project,” Cattles said.

Just over a month ago, developers at Gunnison Rising announced they’d been crippled by high interest rates and as a result, temporarily run out of money. Cattles said not only is Whetstone a smaller project (Gunnison Rising projects nearly 1,700 single-family homes at build-out), but it offers investors a lower risk profile. The county will bring on a consultant in the next year to analyze the market capacity and decide how long it would take the county to fill the units.

The county will issue taxexempt bonds, which will significantly lower its cost to borrow money. Tax rebates built into federal funding for energyefficient designs, like ground source heat pumps, will offer some relief, Cattles said. The goal is to start issuing bonds next summer and break ground on infrastructure before the ground freezes.

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

Andy Kadlec, executive director of the Gunnison Valley Housing Authority, and Chris Lopez, the Colorado Housing and Finance Authority community relationship manager, survey the Whetstone parcel. (Courtesy Willa Williford)

Charette participants look over updated designs of the development and offer their input on sticky notes.

dated testing to measure student achievement and growth. Third through eighth graders use a test called Colorado Measures of Academic Success, ninth and 10th graders have the PSAT and 11th graders take the SAT. All of those tests include an English language arts and math section and were collected between April and March of this year.

The report looks at three broad categories: academic achievement, academic growth and postsecondary and workforce readiness. Elementary and high school students met state criteria at a higher rate than middle schoolers did. Overall, middle schoolers across the District did not satisfy state expectations in the math or English language arts growth category, or the math achievement category.

Overall, the dropout rate remains low at 0.8% and the graduation rate sits at 97.3%, the same as last year. The District exceeded state standards in graduating minority students and free and reduced lunch eligible students.

As the data relies on testing, the report also measures overall testing participation. Although the District remained compliant with state standards, it clocked low overall participation. In 2023, about 90 students were excused from testing — a right afforded to all parents in Colorado. But all districts have seen participation suffer since COVID, Nichols said.

The reasons for test excusals vary, from parents who feel testing is not a positive experience for their child, some had experiences where the child performed poorly and some refused on principle. Nichols said she is still trying to “get to the heart” of what has some families hesitating.

“Those one-on-one conversations can really help folks know how useful this data is for us to be better at our jobs, as much as it can be individually informative … Maybe if people can see that the bigger picture benefits their school, their teacher, as a whole, they might change their mind,” she said.

Different year, same struggle

Above all else, scores among multilingual learners, free and reduced lunch, students with disabilities and minority student groups have continued to suffer the most. In elementary and middle school achievement, these student groups primarily range from the first to 10th percentile — meaning they perform better on math and English language arts testing than only 1-10% of their Colorado peers in

flourish in their other classrooms, like history and math.

“A child who is learning two languages in a classroom, they have to think twice. Twice as much energy goes through their brain to hear it, think it, translate it, come up with an answer, come back to you with another language … It's so much more work. [We have to] acknowledge the growth, the challenges they face and the successes that they have,” Merrigan said.

Testing is only one way to measure success, Nichols said. Especially when all students across the state, regardless of their status as ELL learners or students with disabilities, are subject to the same level of testing per grade level. Only a small percentage, 1-2%, of students are eligible for specialized testing, but they must have severe disabilities.

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Hiring all shifts

the same category.

The District has been flooded with ELL students in the last several years. Since 2017, the number of students who don’t understand, speak, read or write in English has nearly tripled from approximately 30 students during the 2017-18 school year, to more than 90 in 2022. At the end of last year, the District's Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Education (CDLE) Team, tasked with ensuring ELL students get equal learning opportunities, implored the board for more support as their demand of their jobs ballooned.

“The influx of newcomer students with little to no English is unprecedented in this District, we have not seen numbers like this ever,” Nichols told the Times

To chip away at the problem, the District hired former elementary ELL teacher Rita Merrigan in January of this year as a newcomer teacher and integrationist on the CLDE team. Merrigan came out of retirement to re-enter the classroom and teach English to the District's multilingual students. Merrigan teaches these students English in her classroom so they can

A task force was assembled in the legislature this year to see if there’s room to expand how Colorado administrators measure the success of public schools. Metrics like school climate, safety and overall sense of belonging — immeasurable on standardized tests — may bear more heavily in the future, she said.

This year, the District will bring on learning coaches for teachers and they also have the chance to take Spanish classes through Western Colorado University. Administrators are also working on a District-wide common math curriculum, which will allow teachers to not only share resources more easily as they design lessons, but share data. While the impact of Merrigan’s work will not be captured in its entirety until at least next year’s test scores, Nichols said she’s hopeful it is already moving the needle in the right direction.

“I want to lift them up and bring them into knowing English and being able to thrive in our culture,” Merrigan said. “Whether they choose to go to school beyond high school or work, I want Gunnison to be a place they come to learn.”

For additional information about the district’s rating, visit cde.state.co.us/accountability.

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

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“[We have to] acknowledge the growth, the challenges they face and the successes that they have.”

Rita Merrigan Newcomer teacher

Monarch Mountain releases expansion plan details

Open house at Gunnison library on Oct. 5

Bella Biondini Times Editor

On Sept. 22, Monarch Mountain ski resort aired details to the public on its longawaited expansion into “No Name Basin,” an area situated just behind the resort’s existing boundaries.

After more than a decade of preparation, and two full summers of survey work and consultations, Monarch is entering the final phase of its development plan — a long-term vision for the resort as visitation continues to rise. Monarch is proposing to increase its size by nearly 50%, growing from approximately 770 acres to 1,150. This would include 62 new acres of groomed trails and 75 acres of glades.

If the project is approved, the expansion would give visitors the chance to ski on two national forests that straddle the Continental Divide — PikeSan Isabel National Forests and Cimmaron and Comanche National Grasslands (on which on Monarch now sits) and the Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests. Monarch general manager and chief operating officer Randy Stroud said Monarch is nearly done with its portion of the work on the proposal, and from here on it will fall into thehands of its partner, the U.S.

Forest Service.

“We’ve had a lot of positive responses already,” Stroud. “There’s so much pent up excitement because [season pass holders] wanted this 10 years ago.”

First opened to the public in 1939, Monarch leases the land the ski resort sits on under a special use permit with the Forest Service. The Gunnison and Salida ranger districts are preparing an environmental assessment to review the proposed No Name Basin project.

Last week, the project entered a 30-day public comment period, which will be followed by two open houses in Poncha Springs and Gunnison. In addition to the results of the assessment, the feedback collected will be used to guide the Forest Service decision to accept all or part of the proposal.

The Forest Service is responding to an application submitted by Monarch to implement one of the final portions of its 2011 master development plan — a snapshot of the resort’s existing infrastructure and conceptual plans of what its management team wanted to build in the future.

Over the past decade, visitation at the small, privately owned resort has grown by 30%. Monarch has already invested close to $20 million in infrastructure upgrades to accommodate increasing visitation and to prepare for the project’s launch. Monarch has added expanded parking, more snowcats and loaders for plowing and grooming and upgraded its wastewater management

(Photo by Jacob Spetzler)

facility. The resort was ready to present more concrete plans to the Forest Service in 2020, but the pandemic put progress on pause until late in 2021.

Stroud estimated that the No Name Basin expansion will cost the resort at least $5 million. The project includes the construction of a new 2,700-footlong fixed grip chairlift that can carry up to four skiers per chair, a permanent access road for maintenance and a realignment of 700 feet of the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail. A warming hut and restroom will be built adjacent to the bottom of the new chairlift.

Skiers and riders will be able to gain access to No Name Basin from the Breezeway and Panorama lifts. Many of the new runs will be tailored to intermediate skiers and riders, with long, cruisy groomers, and a few steeper pitches in the glades, said Scott Pressly, vice president of mountain operations.

“[It’s] primarily intermediate skiing back there, which is our bread and butter,” Pressly said. “That's really what a lot of guests are looking for here.”

According to Forest Service project leader Don Dressler, the agency expects to have a final

decision by the spring of 2024. Afterward, it will likely take two summers for Monarch to build, develop trails and install the new lift in No Name Basin.

“After thinking about this project for a decade or more, we've gone to great strides to really try to do it right,” Pressly said. “We want to take care of the forest and our backyard here … We're looking forward to hearing what people have to say and engaging with the community. We are excited to be at this step where we feel like we're actually taking some big steps forward.”

The first open house will be held on Oct. 4 at the Chaffee County Fairgrounds and Event Center in Poncha Springs and at the Gunnison County Public Library in Gunnison on Oct. 5 from 6-8 p.m. To learn more about the No Name Basin expansion, visit fs.usda.gov/ project/?project=61373.

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

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Historic Pitkin Assay Office is part of this 3 lot, multi use parcel, located on Main St., Pitkin with 3 bedrooms, 1 1/2 bath, fenced in front yard, detached garage and large gazebo for enjoying the days and evenings. Beautiful large pine trees adorn the front yard and an open front porch to sit on and relax.

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832 River Street, Pitkin. Nestled in the trees with great views. A sweet home/ cabin, 3 bd/2 ba open and spacious. Lovely large kitchen, spacious living room and nice laundry room area with good sized bedrooms $449,000. MLS #805730

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1203 Van Tuyl Circle, MLS #805249, $769,000, 4-Bedroom 3.25 Bathrooms 1766 sqft built in 2017. This quaint contemporary single 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.

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Faith, family and freedom

Politically-minded locals gathered on the evening of Sept. 23 at Fred Field Western Heritage Center to hear from Greg Lopez, former gubernatorial candidate, and school board candidates Lisa Henry, Greg Kruthaupt and Cori Dobson. Lopez spoke about the importance of school board elections, garnering Latino support and keeping traditional family values central in life and politics.

(Photos by Abby Harrison)

Q&A with Greg Kruthaupt

Students at risk: ‘That’s a sword in my heart’

Alan Wartes Times Publisher

(Publisher’s note: This is part of a series of conversations with candidates for the Gunnison Watershed School District board. The Q&A has been edited for length and clarity. Listen to the unabridged conversation on Think Radio by following the link below.)

You’ve said you’re concerned about the level of conflict surrounding education these days. What’s different about that now, enough to cause you to run for a seat on the school board?

I think probably the biggest reason is when I read in the newspaper about students suicide, and I read some of the testimony of the counselors and the parents and staff, that there's lots of students really at risk. And that’s a sword in my heart, because we can avoid that. We did that at the middle school with that Taylor challenge and with the advisory program where every student had one teacher that they kind of stayed with for their two years. But they chose those teachers, and those kids became so close with those teachers, it was almost like one of their own children. I was so proud, I don't think there was a member of our staff that didn't treat those students like their own child.

What do you think can be done now to improve current conditions?

I think what the board can and should do is change governance — the governance of the schools — because right now what's happening is really contributing to the level of conflict. It's fueling the fires, if you will. When I was a principal, or superintendent, or even a teacher, you solved problems at the lowest level. If a parent was frustrated with you, or a student, you solved it, you took it as a teacher and you solved it. The last thing you wanted was a parent to go to the principal. Then as principal, if a parent came to you, you solved that problem right now. You don't just send it to the superintendent. For example, on CRT, the conversation should have been wherever the first accusation was. The principal should be telling the superintendent, ‘I’ve got some parents that are disagreeing on this issue,’ or the teacher should have said, ‘Hey, wait a minute, we can’t just open the door and start teach-

ing this [if it’s not in the curriculum].’ It should have been handled at that level. [At a board meeting everybody leaves] probably more upset and entrenched. It’s governance. Let the principals do their job, it’s what they’re paid for.

Describe in more detail what you mean by governance.

I am concerned about children, and I care about children. I don't want their education hijacked, or their teachers to feel pressure to do things that haven't been established in a very thoughtful, deliberate way without the participation of teachers and input. You just can't have these things show up. I believe that board policy — and that's the responsibility of a board member — has to be followed, and any question has to be referenced to board policy. I mean, that's got to be a discipline. We can't just willy-nilly see what we can get past without somebody being upset. Right now, if somebody's upset, they're chastised, they're looked down upon. I believe in having an adult conversation and doing what's right. And we can agree on what's right, and treat people with dignity and respect, because that's what was a parameter on our strategic plan. Everyone will be treated with dignity and respect. And there'll be direct, open, honest communication.

Why do you believe you are the right person for a seat on the school board?

I have a background [in education], everything from serving as a project manager for construction of a new gymnasium, elementary school. Curriculum, discipline, team building, con-

sensus building, so that's my candidacy. I just know that the members of the board, the superintendent and her staff are committed to what they're doing, but they're just not sure how to make it work better. I believe I can contribute to that. We need to make this election nonpartisan. Because the two ladies that are running who are accused of being Republican, just like I am … when I arrived in Gunnison, people didn't say, ‘Are you Democrat or Republican?’ That's not the question. The question is, what do you have to offer that's going to help the board follow policy and bring the community together. Somebody's got a finance background, somebody's got a superintendents background — that doesn't qualify us, vote on who's going to be there and who's going to bring our community together and bring about change. We have to change the way our schools are governed. And we have to do more for the wellness of our students and for their academic achievement. What's measured is improved.

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

Greg Kruthaupt

THIS WEEK AT THE MUSEUM

“Summons Comes to Henry F. Lake”

Q&A with Jody Coleman

Alan Wartes Times Publisher

Submitted by Larry McDonald

So many of our early pioneer families left lasting legacies here in our valley, and the Lake family certainly did as well. It was the September 5, 1919, edition of the Gunnison News Champion that carried the headline shown above announcing the passing of Henry F. Lake at 9:30 p.m. at his home the night before. Born in Michigan back in 1843, Henry did some farming before enlisting as a private in the Michigan Infantry in August of 1862 where he was continually promoted, finding himself in command of his company as a 4th sergeant at the Battle of Chickamauga when all of the higher-ranking officers had been killed or wounded. The entire regiment was soon captured, and he spent the rest of the war in a number of prisons before being paroled in March of 1865.

Henry returned to farming in Michigan after the war, but in 1876 followed his brother George, a construction engineer on the Atchison Topeka & Santa Fe railroad, to Kansas, before arriving in Colorado later that same year. In the spring of 1877, he and a few other prospectors joined some freight wagon teams heading to the mining excitement in the San Miguel country where they surveyed and platted the town of Columbia, which would later become Telluride. Not finding much success in that region, he took the Saguache road to Gunnison in the spring of 1879, where he found but two buildings within its limits, one being the county clerk’s office with a dirt roof.

Henry settled at White Pine, where he continued mining and prospecting, and is credited with

founding the famous mining camp of North Star, located just a few miles up the road. In 1894 he sold his holdings and took up permanent residence in Gunnison where he became engaged in the real estate and insurance business and many civic endeavors. Some of these included two terms as county coroner, clerk of the Woodmen of the World Camp No. 39, and member of the Odd Fellows, Improved Order of the Redmen, and Grand Army of the Republic organizations.

And it is our Lake School here in town that was named in honor of Henry’s son, Henry Jr., who continued the family legacy, being involved in local journalism for over 50 years, along with promoting better education and highways, Western Slope water rights, and so much more. Henry Jr’s son, Rial, would then carry the torch, becoming a partner and editor of the News-Champion in 1935, and until the death of his father and sale of the paper in 1948. He then took a temporary job at Western State College that became a 25-year career. His civic involvement included serving as mayor and on city council, director and president of public schools, chamber of commerce, Rotary Club, Community Church and an avid promoter of skiing, Club 20, the Masonic Lodge, Young at Heart, and water conservancy issues.

It is the many progressive pioneers who arrived in our valley so long ago that made our “neck of the woods” what it is today. And we encourage you to visit the museum this week for more intriguing pioneer history before we close for the 2023 season on Sunday, October 1.

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!

(Publisher’s note: This is part of a series of conversations with candidates for the Gunnison Watershed School District board. The Q&A has been edited for length and clarity. Listen to the unabridged conversation on Think Radio by following the link below.)

You’ve described American public education as a “messy journey.” What challenges do you think come with that territory?

I like that word, ‘challenges.’ I think we have a lot of concern in this valley about kids not being able to count change back or not reading appropriately. If we look longitudinally at our test scores, that has always been a challenge for one reason or another in math and reading scores. In analyzing the data, it's one data point, looking at test scores, and we can wave our arms and have a heart attack about this data point. But when we see the same pattern over years, we've got a concern here, we need to look into this, let's dig into the weeds. Why are we not performing? But we also have to consider our demographics. We have students from other countries attending school here, we have students with limited English skills, with limited abilities to be in school, and we have students whose parents don't want them to take these tests. People need to be educated about where the scores come from, and how to infer. When people say, ‘Research says … ”, I think that's so incorrect. You know, we infer, we make inferences, we think it leads us to believe this, we'll make an educated decision, based on that guess.

Pending further information?

Absolutely. And probably the best information is teacher driven assessments, what the teacher does, puts into the gradebook, with the exception of, ‘You get 10 points for putting on a book cover.’ Those things don't assess your intelligence, and we’ve got to get away from that. And hopefully, teachers don't do that anymore. But I think, having time. I always wanted time to just teach and grade my papers. I hear, and I think, teachers need that.

If you're elected to the school board, what ideas do you have for making a difference in teachers’ lives and how they work?

First of all, I’d like to take a deep breath and listen. I just want to listen. What do you have on your plate that I need to be aware of? I need to hear from teachers, I need to hear from parents. We cannot do education without the teamwork of teachers and parents, we got to come together the whole valley. And and there's no we and they, I just did not grow up that way. So I would listen first and then look at data and infer, not make a statement. I would look at the reasons from the administration’s point of view for decisions that are being made, for example, for use of time. I really want to listen to parents who don't have any way to pick up their kid at 3:30 on early Wednesdays. Is there a solution we can come to? I don't have the answers, but I want to know. There's so many bright people and people with great ideas, we need to just listen.

People seem especially angry these days. What do you hope to do to try to bring those people together and make that team that you talked about? I would remind them of who we are, in this valley. We just had a fire up Mill Creek, and in a heartbeat, we all got our pickups and horse trailers and raced up there to bring down the cattle and the horses, the entire valley offered and that is the Gunnison Valley way. And so I would say … ‘When you make these sweeping generalizations that something is a crisis in our school district, let's dig into the weeds. Who is doing what to what kid, let's get to this, if this is happening, we’ve got to fix this.’

Why do you believe you are the right person for a seat on the school board?

I don't search for leadership. I feel like I'm a servant to the public. And if there's an issue or problem that I think I can assist with, I'm going to offer my abilities to help. I had to retire early because of a medical issue ... I immediately was in the hospital in Denver for months, with less than a 20% chance of survival. So I've met my maker, and I don't know why I'm here. I'm grateful for every breath I take. Tears come to my eyes just speaking to people, because I'm so happy to be able to be speaking and listening to them. Just sharing music with them, lifeguarding and talking to all these older people that come up and kind of paddle through the water. I just love talking to them and lifting their day. I don't know why I'm here, but I think the timing is that there is a polemic consternation in our nation, and maybe in our valley, and I think I can offer a very kind, loving professional approach to problem solving.

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

‘Take a deep breath and listen’

Jody Coleman

LISTINGS TODAY

Classifieds

BUILDING SUPPLIES

SKI LOCKER RENTALS: Tired of carrying your frozen ski boots and heavy skis to the base area? Skip the hassle this year and rent a ski locker in the newly renovated Axtel Locker Room, adjacent to the Silver Queen chairlift. Contact 970-349-2773 or Alex@ toadpropertymanagement.com for details.

CARS & TRUCKS

2018 GOLF SPORTSWAGON: 37,000 miles, 4WD manual, $17,000. 719-4279591.

EMPLOYMENT

641.1414 gunnisontimes.com

SCAN TO PLACE AN AD

CLASSIFIEDS

EMPLOYMENT A15 REAL ESTATE A16

RENTALS A16

LEGALS

NOTICES A16

COMMUNITY

CROSSWORD A16

GUNNISON WATERSHED SCHOOL DISTRICT

See GWSD website for details gunnisonschools.net

Gunnison Watershed School District believes that students thrive when they are connected to something bigger than themselves. That’s why we create learning experiences that spark curiosity, helping students discover who they are and how to make a difference in the world around them. As they excel in academics, athletics and the arts, students find the confidence to pursue any opportunity in life. Our team is “Driven to be the Difference!”

HOURLY OPPORTUNITIES

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

EC ELECTRIC IS SEEKING

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

WESTERN COLORADO UNIVERSITY

seeks applicants for the Accounts Payable Analyst position. 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.

Western’s benefit package includes a retirement plan, generous employer contributions to medical/dental insurance, employee and dependent tuition benefits, paid vacation, paid sick leave and paid holidays. Employees receive basic life insurance and disability insurance at no cost. Employee wellness programs are available for FREE.

To view the full job announcement(s) and apply, visit western.edu/jobs and click on “View Careers” (AA/ EOE).

CRESTED BUTTE LAND TRUST is hiring a full time conservation manager. Reporting to the executive director, the focus of the conservation manager is to work with private landowners, municipalities, state and federal land managers to acquire and conserve priority lands using a suite of land protection tools in the Gunnison Valley. The conservation manager works closely with the stewardship director to monitor and maintain the Crested Butte Land Trust’s existing portfolio of conservation assets. Applicants should have experience developing relationships with landowners and land managers, natural resource management and grant writing. Previous conservation experience is preferred. A proven ability to excel in a small team environment is a must. Annual salary will start between $50-60K DOE. Benefits include medical, paid time off and retirement. Crested Butte Land Trust is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Email cover letter and resume to jake@cblandtrust.org.

THE TOWN OF CRESTED BUTTE is looking for a public works maintenance worker/heavy equipment operator to fill an open position.

JOHN ROBERTS MOTOR WORKS SEEKS COLLISON CENTER TECHNICIANS AND AUTOMOTIVE CENTER TECHNICIANS.

Competitive pay, 401K, insurance, paid vacations. 40 hour work week.

Apply at John Roberts Motor Works.

4 DAY WORK WEEK

M-TH (4x10)

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

GUNNISON COUNTY EMPLOYMENT

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

Caseworker I

HHS: 40 hours/week, monthly salary range from $4,989-$6,065, plus full benefits.

GCSAPP Prevention Specialist II

Juvenile Services: 19 hours/week, hourly rate range from $28.78$34.99, plus partial benefits.

Recycling Technician/Landfill Operator Public Works: 40 hours/week, hourly rate range from $21.72$24.72, plus full benefits.

Public Health Nurse II – Child Care Health Consultant HHS: 6 hours/ week, hourly rate range from $32.03$36.47, plus partial benefits.

Public Health Nurse II – Substance Abuse Prevention, Juvenile Services: 20 hours/week, hourly rate range from $32.03-$38.94, plus partial 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.

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.

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.

Qualifications: Colorado Commercial Drivers License (CDL) or ability to obtain one within thirty (30) days of date of employment. Experience driving loaders, rollers, backhoes and other heavy equipment required. This is a full-time position with benefits. Starting pay is $47,220-$57,500 DOQ. Benefits include fully subsidized medical, dental and vision insurance. Paid holidays, vacation time, sick time, disability insurance. Life insurance and retirement are also position benefits. Full job description is available on the town’s website at townofcrestedbutte.com. Please submit application via email to jobs@crestedbutteco.gov. Position is open until filled. The Town of Crested Butte is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

IRWING GUIDES IS SEEKING OFFICE/ SALES ASSOCIATES, SEASONAL, FULL AND PART-TIME: The position will be responsible for assisting the Irwin Guides administrator with day-to-day operations including, but not limited to, data entry, completing and filing paperwork, interacting with guests face-to-face or via phone/ email, booking trips and assisting with walk-in traffic and retail inquires/purchases.

A strong candidate will have knowledge of the outdoor industry and local activities, strong administrative skills, effective communication, both oral and written, and is

detail-oriented, responsive to delegation and comfortable working both independently and in a fast-paced team environment. During the operational seasons this position will be required to work some early mornings and late afternoons, at least one weekend day per week and some holidays as necessary. This is a winter seasonal position starting at $19-$22 per hour depending on experience and qualifications. For more information and to apply, please visit elevenexperience.com/ careers/.

THE ELEVATION HOTEL AND SPA and José Crested Butte are hiring for the winter season. The following roles are available to high quality candidates: night auditor $21/hour, bellperson $17/hour + tips, guest service agent $20.25/hour, front desk supervisor $22/hr, lead server $19/hr + tips, bartender $17/hour + tips, barback $16/hour + tips, server $15/hour + tips, barista $15/ hr + tips, host $18/hour + tips, cook $19/ hour, dishwasher/steward $17/hour, room attendant $18/hour, engineer 1-3 $21 - $24/ hour. Full-time team members are eligible for full benefits including medical, dental, vision, PTO, 401k, gym membership, room night discounts and housing. For details and to apply, please visit highgate.com/careers.

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.

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 days a month.

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

THE TOWN OF MT. CRESTED BUTTE is hiring a maintenance worker: Maintenance duties vary from season to season and will include but are not limited to snow shoveling, plowing of the Mt. Crested Butte roads and various parking lots, maintaining town equipment and vehicles, emptying trash cans, repairing fence lines, building maintenance, road maintenance including sweeping, flagging, filling potholes, maintaining the town’s ditches and culverts. Class B commercial driver’s license or the ability to obtain one is required for this position. This position is subject to preemployment and random drug testing as per federal law regarding the Class B commercial driver’s license. Starting pay range is $48,590-$56,436 for entry level and up to $65,311 for highly accredited, qualified and experienced applicants.

This position is full-time, year-round. The Town offers a generous benefits package: full health, vision and dental insurance premiums paid for you and your immediately family, paid life insurance, retirement plan through PERA, 12 paid holidays, generous vacation time, wellness program, Aflac and more. All positions require a clean, sevenyear driving record.

For the full job description and more information please visit mtcb.colorado. gov/employment. To apply for a position please email your resume, cover letter and three references to Tiffany O’Connell at toconnell@mtcb.colorado.gov.

THE TOWN OF CRESTED BUTTE seeks applicants for a planning technician to join the community development team. The planning technician is responsible for a wide variety of administrative and clerical duties to support the activities, operations, methods and processes of the community development department. This year-round position includes an excellent benefits package with 100% employer paid health, dental, vision, life insurance and contribution to retirement plan after one year of employment. Starting salary is $47,221-$57,507 DOQ. Full job description is available on the town’s website at townofcrestedbutte.com/jobs.

Please submit application, cover letter, and resume via email to jobs@crestedbutte-co. gov. Position is open until filled. The Town of Crested Butte is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

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.

ID SCULPTURE IS HIRING:

Interested in making the world’s best playgrounds, climbing boulders and interactive art? ID Sculpture designs and manufactures climbing boulders, playground sculptures and fine art sculptures for parks, schools and public spaces across the country. We use a combination of technology and traditional methods to create unique interactive environments.

IDS provides secure, year-round indoor and outdoor work in a unique fabrication environment with opportunity for travel and room for advancement. We offer benefits including PTO, healthcare and retirement. ID Sculpture is an equal opportunity employer.

We are currently seeking:

Production Assistant(s): Ideal candidates possess a positive attitude, good work ethic and are eager to learn. Applicants must have physical strength, hand-eye coordination, and endurance. Initial responsibilities are to provide general labor and assist artists, fabricators and shipping departments as needed. Compensation is $20-$25 per hr. depending on prior construction experience and/or aptitude.

Project Fabricator(s): The ideal candidate for this position has construction trades experience, welding experience, the ability to work well with a team and a positive attitude.

Initial responsibilities are to fabricate various components for standard and custom products. Compensation is $23-$30 per hr. depending on prior construction experience and/or aptitude.

Project Sculptor(s): The ideal candidate for this position has a passion for creating works of art, ability to work well with a team, fastidious attention to detail, a positive attitude, experience sculpting concrete, rock climbing, course setting and construction trades experience. Initial responsibilities are hands on sculpting of foam, concrete, and epoxy. Compensation is $24.50-$55.00 per hr. depending on familiarity with IDS process, prior experience, employment references and body of work.

To apply for this unique opportunity, please provide a resumé, cover letter and references to hello@idsculpture.com with the position of interest in the subject line, or drop off your resume at 591 S. Boulevard St. Gunnison, CO 81230.

Learn more about what we do at idsculpture. 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

WESTERN COLORADO UNIVERSITY invites applications for the full-time position of Mountain Sports Coordinator. The Mountain Sports program exists to augment the Western experience for over 100 athletes participating in the seven competitive teams. Duties include supporting administrative function, recruiting, fundraising, alumni communication, media and marketing and oversight of student staff. The position reports to the Assistant Director of Campus Recreation: Mountain Sports (ADCR –MS) and works closely with the Mountain Sports coaches to support the development of Mountain Sports athletes. View the full job announcement and apply at western.edu/ jobs.

ICLEAN IN CRESTED BUTTE is looking for cleaners. Pay DOE. Please call 970-3312417. Buscamos limpiadores. Por favor, comuníquese con IClean a 970-331-2417. Para trabajar en Crested Butte.

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.

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.

PINNACLE ORTHOPEDICS is seeking a FT medical assistant to join our team. Duties include clinical documentation, x-rays, medical supply inventory management and casting/splinting. Good organization and computer skills while working in a fast-paced environment are important. Position is for both our Crested Butte and Gunnison offices. $22-$24/hr DOE. Please send resume to office@pinnacleorthocolorado.com.

THE TOWN OF CRESTED BUTTE seeks applicants for a planner I or planner II (seeking most qualified) to join the community development team. The planner I/ II assists with the processing of development applications to BOZAR, the development and amendment of long-range plans and regulations and supports case work for the housing division. This year-round position includes an excellent benefits package with 100% employer paid health, dental, vision, life insurance and contribution to retirement plan after one year of employment. Starting salary is $50,529-$61,146 for planner I or $55,297-$67,653 for planner II DOQ. Full job descriptions are available on the town’s website at townofcrestedbutte.com/jobs. Please submit application, cover letter, and resume via email to jobs@crestedbutte-co. gov. Position is open until filled. The Town of Crested Butte is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

CREW MEMBER: JMJK LLC. Multiple openings in Gunnison, CO. Perform duties which combine taking orders, preparing, and serving foods and beverages. Full-time position. Wage at least $17/hr. To apply, go to bit.ly/3sHUbyb.

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.

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.

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.

ELEVEN EXPERIENCE is seeking candidates for our snowcat driver position for our cat skiing operation at Irwin. This position requires the ability to work in an alpine environment with high physical demands and long days. The role is guest-facing and requires not only safe equipment operation but also a level of hospitality and interaction with clientele. Snowcat operating experience preferred, heavy equipment operating experience a plus. We’re looking for a hard-working team player with attention to detail, good communication skills and a strong desire to provide a superior guest experience. Marker certification, CPR/First Aid, and ability to ride a snowmobile preferred, training provided for otherwise qualified applicants. Professional appearance a must. Clean motor vehicle record mandatory. Please send resume and cover letter to jobs@elevenexperience.com. More information about our company can be found at irwinguides.com and elevenexperience. com. The winter seasonal position starts at $180-$200 per day plus tips, depending on experience and qualifications.

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.

WILD RIVER BUILDERS IS HIRING

CARPENTERS: Lead, journeyman and apprentice. We are a small company that works hard and appreciates our employees. Competitive wages with regular pay raise opportunities, signing bonus after three months, transportation from Gunnison or mileage reimbursement, retirement match, paid days off and more. Apply at Wildriverbuilders.com/careers or contact Evan, 970-596-2897.

THE ELEVATION HOTEL AND SPA and José Crested Butte have exciting leadership opportunities available: Restaurant manager at José, $60k-$70k/year and guest services manager, $50k-$55k/year. Our team enjoys career advancement opportunities and full-time team members are eligible for full benefits including medical, dental, vision, PTO, 401k, gym membership, room night discounts and housing. For details and to apply, please visit highgate.com/careers.

REAL ESTATE

PRIME OFFICE SPACE on Main St. Five private offices. Client waiting/conference room, reception desk, 12 paved parking spaces. Call or text 970-596-9999 for more info.

HOME FOR SALE: 1700 sq. ft. 2020 build. Very accessible single story home in great west Gunnison location. For further details enter 600 Carbon Court, Gunnison, CO into Zillow search and/or contact terravistalimited@gmail.com, 970-497-9113.

www

WANTED

SEEKING TWO RIDING/PACK HORSES for 2nd rifle season. I have all other gear needed, just looking for the horses and bridles. 2nd Elk season unit 55. Oct. 27-Nov. 6. $1,500. Please call 970-349-6281.

Colorado Statewide

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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.

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AMERIGLIDE

PORTABLE OXYGEN

Portable Oxygen Concentrator May be Covered by Medicare! Reclaim independence and mobility with the compact design and long-lasting battery of Inogen One. Free Information Kit! Call: 844-823-0293

Legals

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

Michael E. Hinman, Deceased

Case Number 2023 PR 30040

All persons having claims against the abovenamed estate are required to present them to the Personal Representative or to the District Court of Gunnison County, Colorado on or before January 31st, 2023, or the claims may be forever barred.

Douglas P. Robinson

Personal Representative

c/o Kathleen L. Fogo, P.C. Attorney for Personal Representative

P.O. Box 7200, Gunnison, CO 81230 Gunnison Country Times Gunnison, Colorado

Publication dates of Sept. 28, Oct. 5, 12

10847

PUBLIC HEARING

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

CONCERNING ADOPTION OF THE 2021 EDITIONS OF THE “INTERNATIONAL BUILDING CODE”, “INTERNATIONAL RESIDENTIAL CODE”, “INTERNATIONAL ENERGY CONSERVATION CODE”, “INTERNATIONAL MECHANICAL CODE”, “INTERNATIONAL FUEL GAS CODE”, “INTERNATIONAL EXISTING BUILDING CODE”, AND THE “COLORADO MODEL ELECTRIC READY AND SOLAR READY CODE”, WITH AMENDMENTS; AND AMENDMENTS TO THE “INTERNATIONAL WILDLAND-URBAN INTERFACE CODE”, 2021 EDITION

HEARING DATE, TIME AND LOCATION:

The Gunnison County Board of Commissioners on November 7, 2023 at 11:00 a.m. in the Commissioners Meeting Room, 200 E Virginia Ave, Gunnison, Colorado, will hear public comment concerning adoption of the 2021 editions of the “International Building Code”, “International Residential Code”, “International Energy Conservation Code”, “International Mechanical Code”, “International Fuel Gas Code”, “International Existing Building Code”, and the “Colorado Model Electric Ready and Solar Ready

Bethany Church

909 N Wisconsin St. (behind Powerstop) • 970-641-2144

Code”, with amendments; and amendments to the “International Wildland-Urban Interface Code”, 2021 edition, for use in the unincorporated areas of Gunnison County.

PUBLIC PARTICIPATION: The public is invited to submit verbal or written comments at the hearing, or to submit written comments by email: bocc@gunnisoncounty.org and planning@gunnisoncounty.org and letter (Gunnison County Board of Commissioners, 200 E. Virginia, Gunnison, CO 81230 or Community Development, 221 N. Wisconsin, Suite D, Gunnison, CO 81230), so long as they are received by 5 p.m. the afternoon before the date of the meeting so that they may be submitted for the public record during the hearing.

Additional information may be obtained by calling the Community Development Department at 970-641-0360, or by email at: planning@gunnisoncounty.org

ADA ACCOMMODATIONS: Anyone needing special accommodations as determined by the American Disabilities Act may contact the Administration Office at 970641-0248 prior to the day of the hearing.

/s/ Crystal Lambert Building and Environmental Health Official Gunnison Country Times Gunnison, Colorado

Publication date of Sept. 28, 2023

10888

Two services at 9 a.m. and 10:30 a.m.

FREE lunch for college students following the 10:30 a.m. service gunnisonbethany.com

9 a.m.: Family Service with nursery & children’s church

Check out our website for updates!

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

B'nai Butte 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.

Monday, September 25, 2023: Yom Kippur services/Shacharit to begin at 10am followed by discussion-The book of Jonah 6:30 p.m.: Yizkor Service, 7:00pm: Ne’ila Service 7:30 p.m.: Break the fast potluckpls 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.

Faith Directory

New Song

Christian Fellowship

77 Ute Lane • 970-641-5034

A Christ Centered Gospel Sharing Community where we want to be part of a community who encourage and support one another in our spiritual journey.

Sunday 10 a.m. / Wednesday 7 p.m. 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, 9-4

For more info: ccgunnison.com or email info@ccgunnison.com

Join us in-person, listen to our broadcast on 98.3 FM, or view online stream on YouTube

Transforming Lives • Building Community

First Baptist Church

120 N. Pine St. • 970-641-2240

Pastor Jonathan Jones

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 p.m. - Children's Patch Club

Gunnison Bible Institute

Thursday 7 p.m. - 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 9:30 a.m. 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 a.m., 6:30 p.m. & Sun 10:30 a.m., 12 p.m. (Spanish) Mass

First Sunday of every month bilingual Mass 11 a.m.

Queen of All Saints - Crested Butte, 401 Sopris Sun 8:30 a.m. Mass St. Rose of Lima - Lake City Mass Service, Sat 4 p.m.

Trinity Baptist Church

523 N. Pine St. • 970-641-1813

Senior Pastor - Joe Ricks

Sunday Service 9:30 a.m.

Adult Bible Study 8 a.m.

www.trinitybaptistsgunnison.com

Lights & Sirens

CITY OF GUNNISON POLICE REPORT

SEPT 18

AGENCY ASSIST — F.S. 770

ACCIDENT - HIT AND RUN — 400

N. PITKIN ST.

CRIMINAL MISCHIEF —1498 W.

TOMICHI AVE.

ACCIDENT — 200 E. DENVER AVE.

TRAFFIC - DUS — 112 W. SPEN -

CER AVE.

INFORMATION – 910 W. BIDWELL

AVE.

PROPERTY - FOUND — 100 N.

WISCONSIN ST.

HARASSMENT: STRIKE, SHOVE,

KICK — W. TOMICHI AVE.

JUVENILE PROBLEM — 800 W.

OHIO AVE.

ALARM — 232 W. TOMICHI AVE.

SEPT 19

HARASSMENT: COMMUNICA -

TIONS — N. PITKIN ST.

CIVIL PROBLEM — 500 ESCALAN-

TE DR.

PROPERTY - FOUND

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE — PAINT-

BRUSH AVE.

CRIMINAL MISCHIEF — 1200 W.

HWY. 50

SEPT 20

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

— E. TOMICHI AVE.

VIOLATION OF PROTECTION

ORDER: CRIMINAL ORDER — 412

E. TOMICHI AVE.

CRIMINAL MISCHIEF - DAMAGE

TO PROPERTY — 215 S. 12TH ST.

TRAFFIC - FAIL TO YIELD ROW TO

PEDESTRIAN IN CROSSWALK

— 711 W. RIO GRANDE AVE.

AGENCY ASSIST — HWY. 135

PROPERTY - FOUND — 200 W.

TOMICHI AVE.

WELFARE ASSIST — E. TOMICHI

AVE.

ADMIN - UNASSIGNED INCIDENT

DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE

- ALCOHOL — 400 E. TOMICHI

AVE.

SEPT 21

WARRANT SERVICE - OTHER JU

RISDICTION — 800 W. GEORGIA

AVE.

PROPERTY - FOUND — 100 S.

COLORADO ST.

CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE -

MARIJUANA POSSESSION

— 1099 N. 11TH ST.

PROPERTY - FOUND — 1099 N.

11TH ST.

THEFT - UNDER $100 MUNICIPAL

— 803 E. TOMICHI AVE.

PROPERTY - LOST — 910 E.

TOMICHI AVE.

ANIMAL: RUNNING AT LARGE IN PUBLIC — 800 W. RIO GRANDE AVE.

SEPT 22

ACCIDENT - HIT AND RUN — 221

S. WISCONSIN ST.

ACCIDENT — N. 14TH ST.

PROPERTY - FOUND — 1000 W.

VIRGINIA AVE.

SEPT 23

CRIMINAL TRESPASS: SECOND

DEGREE - VEHICLE — 275 S.

SPRUCE ST.

HARASSMENT: FOLLOWING — 100 E. VIRGINIA AVE.

WELFARE ASSIST — 200 E. SPENCER AVE.

ACCIDENT — 213 W. TOMICHI AVE.

SEPT 24

THEFT: INTENDS TO PERMANENTLY DEPRIVE — E. TOMICHI AVE.

HARASSMENT: MUNICIPAL — 910 E. TOMICHI AVE.

CRIMINAL MISCHIEF — 1313 W. OHIO AVE.

ABANDONED VEHICLE — 500 N.

14TH ST.

ABANDONED VEHICLE — 400 S.

9TH ST.

PROPERTY - FOUND — 910 W. BIDWELL AVE.

GUNNISON COUNTY SHERIFF’S REPORT

SEPT 15

-Welfare check

-Parking complaints in Somersetno illegal parking was seen by the deputy who patrolled there last Friday

-Stolen e-bike on Sept. 8 at intersection of County Road 12 - it fell off of a vehicle and it appears taken from that location

-Neighbor dispute

-Deputies arrested one person for violation of protection order, operating an uninsured vehicle, driving the vehicle when revoked, habitual offender, driving without registration and operating vehicle with expired plates

-Barking dog complaint

SEPT 16

-Another barking dog complaintdifferent area

-Menacing report - unfounded

-Information report - welfare

-Burglary alarm

-Search and Rescue assist to Saguache County - stood down -Lost wallet

-Agency assist to the Gunnison Police Department with a vehicle crash

-Agency assist to an out-of-state police department with a person harassing someone in another state

-Agency assist to the GPD with a search warrant for a person with felony warrants

SEPT 17

-Agency assist to the GPD with a welfare check

-Agency assist to the GPD with a burglar alarm call

-Information report - camping

SEPT 18

-Fraud and deceit report - under investigation

-Information report - welfare check

-Motorist assist

-Information report - possible abandoned vehicle - parked in the wrong direction with expired plates

- contacted owner

-Information report

-Harassment complaint from the North end of the county

-Information report regarding a cow by a logging truck

-Gunnison County Sheriff's Office's Special Response Team was deployed to an active domestic where one person was arrested

SEPT 19

-Found property - black Samsung cell phone found on the Blue Mesa continued A20

Point Trail

-Driving complaint on a group of sports cars who were given a warning

-Accidental activation for search and rescue

-Deputies took one person into custody for an outstanding warrant and for a protection order violation

-Found property -partial box of ammo found at the Beaver Creek State Wildlife Area

SEPT 20

-Deputies arrested one person on an in-county and out-of-county warrant

-Accident report

-Driving under the influence of alcohol arrest

-Deputies arrested one person for burglary, criminal mischief and theft

-Litter report

SEPT 21

-Welfare check

-Information report on a wanted person

-Found property report - life vest

-Lost property report - sunglasses

-Lost property - wallet

POLICE REPORT

In the early morning hours of Sept. 20, 2023, members of the Gunnison County Sheriff's Office assisted by the Mesa County Sheriff's Office with their Bearcat armored rescue vehicle enacted a plan to contact and arrest 41-year-old Jonathan D. Paris at 90 Eagles Rest Drive in the Cimarron area of Gunnison County. An outstanding parole warrant out of Texas had been issued for this suspect as well as a domestic violence warrant out of Gunnison County and a search warrant for the residence that was approved prior to this operation.

The Texas warrant was highlighted “Armed and Dangerous.”

The GCSO gleaned information about his whereabouts due to a report that was made. This report stated that the suspect was very suicidal and being very aggressive. Intoxicated or high on methamphetamine, he allegedly stated that he would not go back to prison and would shoot anyone that tried to come and get him. Jonathan D. Paris was successfully taken into custody without incident at approximately 10:30 a.m. on Sept. 20. The sheriff’s office would like to thank the MCSO for the needed assistance in this matter.

DIRECT ACCESS TESTING AT GUNNISON VALLEY HEALTH

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.

A parade of Western professors, students and locals marched down Main Street on Sept. 21 during a climate march hosted by the Gunnison Valley Climate Crisis Coalition. Some held cardboard signs, while others waved blue flags printed with planet earth. The parade began outside Six Points and ended at IOOF Park with live music and a presentation from Western Assistant Professor of Environment and Sustainability Ricardo VazquezPerales.

FOR

COLONOSCOPY PROGRAM AT

A SCREENING COLONOSCOPY IS RECOMMENDED FOR EVERYONE OVER 45 YEARS OLD EVEN IF YOU DO NOT HAVE ANY SYMPTOMS.

There are two ways for individuals to access screening colonoscopies; a referral from their primary care provider or through a self-referral on the Gunnison Valley Health website.

Call 970-641-3927 for more information.

‘No more coal, no more oil, keep your carbon in the soil’

(Photos by Alex McCrindle)

From mentors to mothers

Local women trace lasting friendship to Gunnison Valley Mentors

Alex McCrindle

Times Sports Editor

Gunnison Valley Mentors (GVM) has a long history of pairing adults with children in need of a little guidance and companionship. Sometimes, as the years pass, those relationships outgrow the roles assigned to mentor and mentee and become full-fledged friendships. Megan Jelinek and Lexi Lozano-Barber are living proof.

On a recent morning, the pair strolled along the paths of CharMar Park on a cool, autumn day. Walking through the cottonwood leaf-covered sidewalk, they pushed their almost 2-year-old toddlers towards the playground. Together, they swung the children back and forth on the swingset, debriefing the week.

This fall marks 13 years of friendship. Their relationship sprouted when 14-yearold Lozano-Barber moved to Gunnison as a foster child and Jelinek was assigned to be her mentor at Gunnison Valley Mentors.

Throughout the years, Jelinek has been a guiding presence in Lozano-Barber’s life, helping her navigate the challenges of

growing up in a turbulent foster home environment, to now, raising her first child.

Lozano-Barber entered the foster care system at 7 years old. At 12, she underwent a failed adoption, and moved in with Tom and Jan Barber, who worked at an institute for Reactive Attachment Disorder (RAD) in Denver. RAD is a condition that prevents children from developing healthy bonds with caretakers, often adopted or foster families.

Just before her 14th birthday, the Barbers moved to Gunnison and established a foster house. Lozano-Barber has called the Gunnison Valley home ever since.

“When I look back on it, I Mentors, B2

Megan Jelinek (left) and Lexi Lozano-Barber (right) walk with their toddlers at CharMar Park. (Photos by Alex McCrindle)

Jelinek and Lozano-Barber pose after completing the 2018 Sage Burner 5K.

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.

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Mentors from B1

was a really chaotic kid,” Lozano-Barber said. “I was a foster kid, who failed an adoption, and I felt unwanted and unloved. Then, I was the new kid at the high school in this small town without a stable childhood.”

Within the first months of her move to Gunnison, Lozano-Barber was matched with Jelinek at Gunnison Valley Mentors. They began grabbing coffee and going on occasional walks, attempting to break the ice and get to know each other.

“I wasn’t a big talker and was really shy at first, because I didn’t trust people as easily as others,” Lozano-Barber said. “But Megan was always really sweet. She always asked questions, and genuinely wanted to know more about me. She would initiate conversations, and I began to really appreciate our time together.”

Winters and summers passed, and a budding mentorship slowly turned into an authentic friendship. The two went climbing and rafting with other mentor pairs, even driving down to New Mexico for a weekend — marking the first time LozanoBarber was on a trip without parental guidance. The two tackled drivers education tests, set up checking accounts and submitted job applications and scholarship forms.

“We prioritized our friendship and different life skills at first, but what’s really interesting is we’ve maintained our mentorship as adults,” Jelinek said. “When Lexi turned 18, we just stopped calling each other mentor and mentee, and now I think we’ll just be friends forever.”

The friendship truly blossomed when they both became pregnant in 2021 and gave birth just a day apart. Jelinek, who is

now a mother of four, guided Lozano-Barber through pregnancy from start to finish.

“Megan was there for me throughout the entire process,” Lozano-Barber said. “I didn’t know what I was doing, and was really nervous about becoming a mom. But I knew I could confide in Megan, she had so many resources and a lot of experience. It meant a lot, and made things so much easier.”

After aging out of the foster program in Gunnison, LozanoBarber was hired as a relief provider for Tom and Jan Barber’s foster house. She works directly with children with RAD, and gives back to the program that raised her. The Barber house takes in adopted and foster children from all over the world, with the goal of returning to their families. Lozano-Barber said she enjoys working with the kids because of her similar background.

"I want to teach them that they are loved and cared for by both their adopted families and us,” she said. “I hope to instill a mindset that values gratitude in the moment, focusing on the positives like having a roof over their head, food in their bellies and people who truly care about them."

Even though Lozano-Barber has now stepped into a youth empowerment role herself, she still makes time to catch up with her former mentor. Every week, the friends can be seen strolling the pathways at CharMar park. For more information or to enquire about volunteer opportunities, visit gunnisonmentors. com.

(Alex McCrindle can be contacted at 970.641.1414 or alex@ gunnisontimes.com.)

Local artist finds revival in plein-air painting at home and on the road

Bella Biondini Times Editor

When she steps outside to paint, Betsy Menand faces a blank canvas and an everchanging subject matter. She works quickly, but with ease, capturing the light as it hits canyon walls in bright blocks of color, or the reflection of a river with sweeps of blue. When she puts the paints away and goes inside, her work is done.

Over the past couple of years, Menand, a local artist, reentered her art career, driven by what she described as the plein-air painting movement. En plein air, which is a French phrase that means “in the open air,” is a painting technique where artists start and finish a painting outdoors — using direct observation to recreate the landscapes before them in real time.

In 2009, Menand and her family moved to Ohio City, tucked into the hills just east of Gunnison, from Flagstaff, Arizona. Prior to her move to Colorado, she attended the Grand Canyon’s Celebration of Art (CoA) each year, an annual event that invites artists to paint en plein air for a week on the Grand Canyon’s South Rim. Entry into CoA is competitive, and only 25 artists from across the country are invited to participate.

The finished paintings are then entered into a four-month sale and exhibition online and at the Historic Kolb Studio on the edge of the South Rim, near the start of the popular Bright Angel trail. Money from art sales supports the Grand Canyon Conservancy and a dedicated art venue at the park.

An artist herself, Menand wanted to participate. She applied in January of 2020 and got accepted. This September marked Menand’s fourth year at CoA, and the nerves have since faded. Last week, she returned to the rim as a veteran artist, selling three pieces on opening night.

CoA marked the rebirth and revival of Menand’s art career. Since then, she has found inspiration close to home from the Crested Butte-based artist Shaun Horne — frequently seen painting in front of the North Valley’s most iconic locations. This August, he hosted a Plein Air Invitational, which hosted Menand and a collection of local and traveling artists and art collectors. The event netted $325,000 in artwork sales.

Menand has also found fulfillment on the road. This year alone, she will have attended

‘In the open air’

six events similar to CoA, all designed to support trail maintenance and education programs in parks and places she travels. She visited Estes Park, spent a week along Oregon’s Hood River and will travel to Colorado National Monument before the end of the month.

“You’re giving back to these places you love,” she said.

Since she started embracing plein-air painting, Menand’s style has evolved. She works with giant, soft pastels, and smears bright colors into the natural patterns that exist in nature.

When Menand paints at events, she likes to position herself off of the main trail. But an audience often still finds her. Using colorful pastel strokes to capture their attention, she said it's difficult for her not to make connections with viewers as she works.

“It’s slightly like a magic thing you’re doing,” she said. “You can’t quite understand how you're able to do it, and then you do it.”

Compared to studio painting, the greatest thing about plein air is unmatched time management skills, she said. In her studio, she would adjust details for months, the work always seemingly unfinished. But with plein air, there’s a defined start and finish.

“You're sitting in front of this incredible scene, and are trying to capture the light, shapes and the colors. Then you go home. If you want to fiddle with it there, then you're just looking at the small picture on your phone. It's not the same experience … I'm creating a drawing of this canyon or mountain in front of me. It’s an immediate thing, and not meant to be perfect.”

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

Paradise Divide, Crested Butte created in pastel on toned paper. (Courtesy Betsy Menand)

Menand draws along Brush Creek Road during the Crested Butte Plein Air Invitational in June of 2023.

SAVE MONEY AND INCREASE COMFORT

G U N N I S O N V A L L E Y S E N I O R S C A L E N D A R

Mountaineer football book signings

Former Gunnison resident and Western alum John Randall will sign copies of his new book “High and Mighty” on Sept. 29 from 3:30-5 p.m. at the WCU Bookstore, from 7-8:15 p.m. at the W lighting party in the Paul M. Rady building on campus, from 8:30-9:45 p.m. at the Aspinal-Wilson Center and on Sept. 30 from 11 a.m.-12:15 p.m. in the Paul Wright Gymnasium parking lot. The book details the history of Western’s Mountaineer football team.

Pioneer Museum closing weekend

The Pioneer Museum invites Western alumni and locals to visit this weekend before they close for the season on Oct. 1. The museum is open from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. daily with intriguing local history on display throughout the campus. Admission is $15 for ages 13+, $5 for ages 6-12 and free for ages 5 and under.

Sacred feminine circle

Creative directory

The Gunnison Valley is getting a creative directory, one place online to search through all of the existing artists and artisans in our community. The website is now set up to take submissions of creatives at gcbcreativedirectory.com.

Logo design competition

The Gunnison Creative District is putting out a call for a paid logo design competition. You can find a link to the requirements and submission process at gunnisoncreativedistrict.org.

Creative District survey

The Gunnison Creative District needs your input to clarify where they as a nonprofit can best support our community and get aligned with its creative needs. Take 10 minutes for their survey at gunnisoncreativedistrict.org.

Art exhibition

Ongoing Senior Services

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

SENIOR CENTER PROGRAMS

• Sept. 28: HIKE – Special Kay’s Fall Leaf-Peeping Hike. Location TBD, rated Easy. RSVP required.

All women in the Gunnison Valley are welcome to come build new connections and deepen their spiritual practices on Oct. 3 at 7 p.m. in the back room of the Union Congregational Church at 403 Maroon Ave. in Crested Butte.

Marching band fundraiser

• Oct. 3: HIKE – Cottonwood North. Rated Easy +. RSVP Required.

• Oct. 4 (1 pm): Book Club. October’s book “The Night Watchman” by Louise Erdrich. Call Judy for more info: 973-584-4987.

• Oct. 5: Last Hike of the Season! Pass Creek Trail – for Fall color. Rated Easy. 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

• March 30: Salisbury steak, mashed potatoes, corn, rolls, fruit, dessert

Regular Activities: Mondays – Bridge @ 1 pm; Tuesdays – Mahjong @ 10 am & Canasta @ 2 pm; Wednesdays – Book Club @ 1 pm on 1st Weds. of month; Thursdays – Bridge @ 1 pm; Fridays – Art Club @ 12:30 pm & Mahjong @ 1 pm

• 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.

Senior Shopping Hours:

FITNESS @ THE REC CENTER – Sign up at the Rec Center front desk!

The Gunnison High School Marching Band will provide a full concession stand for the GHS homecoming football game on Oct. 6th beginning at 6 p.m. The stand will feature meal deals, munchies, baked goods, sweet treats and beverages. All proceeds will support the band.

"Odyssey" by Allison Sinkewich, a series of crossstitch stills from the film "2001: A Space Odyssey" by Stanley Kubrick, is running from nowNov. 30th. An artist talk with Allison will take place on Oct. 14 from 4-6 p.m. at the Paige Stewart Studio Gallery. The gallery is open on Fridays from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. or by appointment at paige-stewart.com/visit.

• City Market – Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays (7AM – 8AM)

Mondays & Wednesdays in the Gym

• Silver Sneakers Boom Muscle @ 9:30 am

• Safeway – Tuesdays & Thursdays (7AM – 9AM)

• Silver Sneakers Classic @ 10:15 am

• Walmart – Tuesdays (6AM – 7AM)

The coolest thing made in Colorado

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

Self-reporting Form: www.gunnisoncounty.org /covid19.

Mondays, Wednesdays & Fridays @ 11:30 am. $5.00 per meals. Advanced orders appreciate (24 hours). Pick-ups between 11 – 11:15 am (advanced orders only).

ORDER MEALS: 970-641-8272

MENU: (all meals come with dessert!)

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., Oct. 2: Chicken Shepherd’s Pie, salad, Jello with fruit, homemade rolls

•Weds., Oct. 4: Salisbury Steak, mashed potatoes, green beans, cottage cheese with fruit, homemade bread

Gunnison’s Kent Viles and Dobrato Resophonic Guitars have been nominated for the Colorado Chamber’s Coolest Thing Made in Colorado competition. The finalists were chosen by an independent selection committee, which reviewed each nomination. They will be honored at the Colorado Chamber’s annual meeting luncheon in October, where the Coolest Thing winner and runner-up will be announced. Voting is open at coolestthingcolorado.com/peoples-choice.

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

•Fri., Oct. 6: Pork Roast, roasted potatoes & squash, homemade rolls, fruit

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).

Please practice social isolation. Remain 6 feet or more from others when needing to be out, but staying at home if at all possible

ONGOING SERVICES

Gunnison Country Food Pantry – Mondays (1 – 4 pm), Wednesdays (1 – 7 pm), Thursdays for 60+ (10 am – 2 pm). Contact: 970-641-4156, Located on the SW Corner of Main St. & Ohio Ave.

GVH Senior Bus: 7 days a week, 9 am – 4 pm. Call in advance! 970-596-6700.

Crested Butte Senior Bus: Monday thru Friday, 9 am – 4 pm 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.

The Gunnison Senior Center & Community Recreation Center is closed until April 30th.

(Photo by Jacob Spetzler)

A history of the "W"

‘The Biggest Mountain Letter in the World’

David Primus Special to the Times

(Editor’s note: This is based on a letter written by Western State College, now Western Colorado University, Dean John C. Johnson, published in The Top of the World on May 4, 1948 and reprinted by the WSC Vet's Club in 1961.)

Dean Johnson arrived at the Colorado State Normal School in 1915. Inspired by the big "C" at the University of California, Berkeley, he suggested to students that they build an "N" on Smelter Hill just east of campus, which they did one Saturday morning.

On March 30, 1923, 100 years ago, the Colorado State Normal School became a four-year institution and was renamed Western State College. The "N" would no longer do, and Dean Johnson had an idea — why not build a huge "W" on nearby Tenderfoot Mountain? He and four students went to the football field (then located on the ground occupied by today's Mountaineer Field House), looked up at Tenderfoot Mountain and chose a likely spot. Grabbing some bed sheets from home, they climbed Tenderfoot Mountain, crossing a flooded Tomichi Creek to do so.

Walking through the woods on their way, they pushed over four dead evergreen trees and carried them to the site. They propped them up with rocks and tied the sheets to them. Their plans were to build the "W" 300 feet by 300 feet.

Returning to the football field, they discovered the letter was

Coming Up

too short, squishing the "W." Hiking up again, they added 100 feet to the length, and went back to the football field. Now it looked right! A few days later they returned to the site with thousands of feet of string and carefully staked out both sides of the four lines that make up the "W." Each line was 16 feet wide and 400 feet long.

Western's President Samuel Quigley decreed a holiday on May 2, 1923. Classes were canceled and most of the students and a few faculty hiked up the mountain to build the "W." This proved to be quite an undertaking. They carried hundreds of heavy, flat rocks from the sides of the mountain, placing them inside the string outlines. Satisfied, they returned to campus to admire their work. It looked great, if a bit hard to see because the rocks blended into the mountainside.

This was soon fixed by whitewashing the "W." There was no road to the top, so the upperclassmen decreed the freshman men should carry the required ton of lime up the mountain in 100 pound sacks. While this was occurring, the upperclassmen and faculty members carried dead trees from the woods of Tenderfoot to near the "W." There they built several large fires to melt snow in water containers borrowed from home. After mixing in the lime, the whitewash was passed from person to person and "Official Splashers" applied it to the rocks. Whitewashing the "W" became an annual tradition on the annual college holiday on May 2. After they were done, they had a picnic lunch near the "W" provided by the college.

The "N" was later converted to a "G" by Gunnison High School students — the high school was then in the south end of today's Taylor Hall. The

SEPTEMBER 28 AT 6PM

"G" is still there; you can see it up close from the Contour Trail. After completing the "W," Western believed their letter was at least twice as large as the next largest letter in the world. Of course, other colleges and universities disputed that claim. In 1932, rectangular blocks were added to the top of the outside lines of the "W," resulting in dimensions of 320 feet by 420 feet. This looked better, and some say it was to ensure the "W" was the largest letter in existence. In 1948, Brigham Young University's student newspaper published a picture of the university's "Y" with the caption, "The Biggest Mountain Letter in the World." Western students and faculty sprang into action, researching the documented size and calculating the area of both letters in square feet. The "W" was 25,560 sq. ft., while the "Y" was only 24,205 square feet. Therefore the "W" was more than 1000 square feet larger. Western breathed a sign of relief!

The annual lighting of the "W" at homecoming began shortly after its construction, and continues today. To do this, cotton is soaked in diesel fuel for several days. It is then brought to the top of the mountain and students place the clumps of cotton along each leg of the "W." After that is done, they line up along the letter, each holding burning torches of cotton. On cue, they light the clumps of cotton and it comes alive for everyone in town.

Don't miss the lighting of the "W" for Western's 2023 homecoming the evening of Friday, Sept. 29.

Please join us for a movie viewing to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month! Popcorn, candy and drinks will be provided. Movies will be shown in Spanish with English subtitles.

¡Únase a nosotros para un festival de cine a celebrar el Mes de la Herencia Hispana! ¡Todos están invitados a unirse y disfrutar de estas excelentes películas! Se proporcionarán palomitas, dulces y bebidas. Las películas se presentarán en español con subtítulos en inglés. Todas las películas empiezan a las 6.

SCREENING: Living is Easy with Eyes

Closed \ Vivir es fácil con ojos cerrados (PG-13)

Gunnison Library

Getting

• Joint and spinal pain relief

•

•

•

•

(David Primus is a Gunnisonbased writer and historian.)

An early photo of the “W” from the 1920s. Note the top rectangles have not yet been added and the sagebrush profile of the Indian face. (Courtesy Judith Allen Farrell)

GHS volleyball packs the gym

Cowboys suffer first loss of the season

Alex

McCrindle Times Sports Editor

The GHS gymnasium pulsed with noise as the undefeated Cowboys volleyball team clashed with the also perfect Delta Panthers, who also have a perfect record, on Tuesday night, Sept. 26.

Despite three nail-biting sets, the Panthers nudged ahead of the Cowboys and took home a 3-0 victory. The sour defeat handed GHS its first loss of the season, dropping its overall record to 10-1 and 4-1 in the 3A Western Slope League.

“This is some of the best volleyball we’ve played this year, we just haven’t seen a team with that level of talent yet,” said Head Coach Lindsay Hart. “We did a good job of holding our Addie

Cowboys fall to Spartan late winner

Aguilar’s equalizer unable to inspire victory

Alex McCrindle Times Sports Editor

The GHS soccer team suffered an unfortunate, last-minute loss against Salida on Sept. 21, falling 2-1 at home. The Cowboys rued missed chances despite dominating possession and creating a number of attacking opportunities. The defeat drops the boys to a 3-4 overall record and 1-1 in the 3A Western Slope League.

“It was a frustrating game,” said Head Coach Susan Powers. “We played well, but absolutely could not capitalize in front of goal. We also made a couple key errors, so that’s what we’re focusing on now, moving forward toward the second half of

the season.”

Against the Salida Spartans, the score stood 0-0 deep into the second half. The Cowboys fed senior striker Henry Hubbard, who held up play and distributed to midfielders Angel Morales and Cristian Aguilar.

Alonso Garcia had the best chance of the game late in the first half, but sent a half-volley over the crossbar.

Salida opened the score with 20 minutes left in the game. After a controversial foul outside of the penalty box, a direct kick deflected through the GHS wall and found the back of the net. The Spartans took a 1-0 lead.

The Cowboys immediately increased their pace following the goal and put pressure on the Salida defenders with intricate passing into the attacking third.

With four minutes left on the clock, Aguilar arrived late into the box and laced a ball into the top corner, tying the game 1-1. The Cowboys celebrated briefly,

but continued intense pressure to push for a late winner.

In the last minute, the Spartans’ counterattack proved fruitful when a late cross found the net to secure a 2-1 victory.

The defeat drops the Cowboys to a losing record for the first time this season, clouding the chances of state qualification.

“The boys are aware of where we are with the goal of making state,” Powers said. “We have every skill that we need on this team, but sometimes lack intensity and we need to play better together. We’re still completely in the running for state, but I’m a ‘One game at a time’ coach. We have some really tough games coming up.”

The Cowboys traveled to Crested Butte on Sept. 26 to face the 8-1-1 Titans. Scores were not available by press time. Next, GHS will host Coal Ridge on Sept. 29 in a vital league matchup.

Freymoyer, Rose Kowal and Aubrey Welfelt celebrate a point. (Photos by Alex McCrindle)

(Alex McCrindle can be contacted at 970.641.1414 or alex@ gunnisontimes.com.)

Henry Hubbard shields the ball and attempts to find a teammate. (Photo by Alex McCrindle)

Volleyball, B8

Gunnison Valley riders shine in Leadville

GHS finishes second at mountain bike race

Lisa Wishard Special to the Times

On Sept. 23, the Gunnison High School mountain bike team stampeded into Leadville and raced in the 2023 Cloud City Challenge at Colorado Mountain College.

The course was a 6.2-mile loop through a sea of golden aspens, with 620 feet of climbing per lap. Riders competed across two laps, while varsity athletes rode three. The team finished second for Division Two teams. Crested Butte Devo finished first in Division Three.

The JV boys raced hard and early, starting the day with a

frosty warm-up that saw strong finishes from Liam Tullous (1:04:36), Rowen Downum (1:07:43), Porter Houck (1:115:05) and Raiden Janelle (1:36:39).

Freshman phenom Owen Frazier (59:33) crushed the field, finishing first with a 2:07 lead over second-place finisher Temple Roberston from Crested Butte. Fellow freshman riders Kyle Mason (1:02:19) missed the podium by a mere 15 seconds.

Carbon Kruthaupt (1:10:55) and Bruce Lafoe (1:15:26) both brought the heat for the Cowboys.

"Great weather, felt fast, it was pretty good," Frazier said.

The girls landed solid points and secured the team's second-place podium spot. On the JV side, Olivia Neyman (1:15:29), Abby Cattles (1:17:03), Josephine Wishard (1:19:35) and Megan VanderVeer

(1:21:28) all had excellent races. As did sophomore girls Ava Baer (1:16:55), Emily Cattles (1:22:47), Aya Hausdoerffer (1:28:21) and June Ebbot (1:28:25). Schwartz, team captain, (1:49:09) cracked the top10 in the stacked varsity girls field and led the team in points with her stellar finish.

New sophomore rider Collin Bloomer (1:15:26) started 64th and passed a staggering 35 other riders to finish 29th. For complete results visit my.raceresult.com/263113. Next up is the last race of the year, the Haymaker Classic on Oct. 8 in Eagle, followed by the state championship in Glenwood Springs, Oct. 21-22.

Dominance on the diamond

The Cowboy softball team handed Aspen a staggering 15-0 mercy rule in back-to-back games on Sept. 26. Thanks to the hard hitting of Maddie Vollendorf and Kylee McDougal, GHS closed out the doubleheader in style. The win takes the Cowboys to a 9-8-1 overall record and 6-3 in the 3A Western Slope League. The girls will travel to Florence on Sept. 30 to face the 0-17 Huskies, before returning home on Oct. 3 to take on the 5-11

Bruins in a league matchup.

(Lisa Wishard is a parent and proud supporter of the GHS mountain biking team.)

Owen Frazier takes the top spot on the podium for freshman boys race. Temple Robertson from Crested Butte Devo took second. (Courtesy Lisa Wishard)

Cedaredge

Senior Mallory Kowal awaits the pitch. (Photos by Alex McCrindle) The Cowboys infield meets ahead of the second inning.

Volleyball

from B6

own, and can take a lot of learning lessons from the night.”

The Panthers opened the evening with a dominant first set, winning 25-11. The Cowboys, used to coming from behind, slowly grew into the game thanks to important digs from libero Lily Wild. Rose Kowal led the Cowboys in blocks, changing the momentum from the beginning of the second set.

The rowdy GHS student section put tangible pressure on the traveling Panthers team, and the girls took a 10-5 lead. Despite dropping a few key points, consistent setting from Ania Bryniarsky and powerful hitting from Amara Lock extended the lead to 15-10. But the Panthers didn’t slow down. Delta took a 19-18 lead and continued on to win the second set 25-22.

“We stopped communicating and weren’t on the same page at the end of our sets tonight, so that’s definitely something to work on,” Hart said. “But, I have

GMS takes on Cedaredge

SPORTS BRIEFS

GHS football shuts out Coal Ridge

The Cowboys returned to action with a massive, 40-0 victory away to Coal Ridge on Sept. 22. The win moves GHS to a 5-1 overall record, and 0-1 in the 1A Western Slope League. Following a bye week, GHS will host the 3-1 Cedaredge Bruins at 7 p.m. on Oct. 6 in its second league matchup of the season.

Mountaineer football wins fourth

Western Colorado University football kept its winning streak alive, opening the season 4-0 for the first time since 2021.

The Mountaineers defeated the Chadron State Eagles 35-17 in Nebraska on Sept. 23 to conclude their latest road trip. The Mountaineers will return home to face Colorado Mesa University on Sept. 30 at 1 p.m.

Western soccer falls at home

The Mountaineers women's soccer squad lost 2-0 to the University of Colorado, Colorado Springs on Sept. 24. The loss drops the team to a 0-5-2 overall record, and 0-1 in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference. The girls face a massive test on Sept. 28 when local rivals Adams State University visit for a conference matchup.

to give it up to Lily and Aubriel [Loken], our defensive specialists who worked tirelessly to keep the ball in play.”

In the third set, the Cowboys opened with a fiery energy, and gained a lead from the beginning. Similar to the second set, the GHS lead slowly dwindled despite the best efforts of defenders Sienna Gomez and Loken. The set ended 25-23 for the Panthers, handing the Cowboys a hard fought, first loss of the season.

Next up, GHS will travel to Center High School on Sept. 30 to face the 3-7 Vikings, before taking on the 7-5 Olathe Pirates away on Oct. 3.

(Alex McCrindle can be contacted at 970.641.1414 or alex@ gunnisontimes.com.)

Volleyball swept by Colorado Christian

The Western Colorado University volleyball team lost 3-0 to the Colorado Christian Cougars in Lakewood on Sept. 23. Despite a hardfought third set, and eight kills from Seyun Park, the Mountaineers couldn’t find relief. The squad will now head to Grand Junction to compete against Colorado Mesa and Westminster for the sec -

ond time in two weeks. The Mountaineers will face the Mavericks on Thursday, Sept. 28 at 6 p.m. and the Griffins on Friday, Sept. 29 at 6 p.m.

The Gunnison Middle School Mustangs took on Cedaredge at home on Sept. 21. The seventh grade team tied 0-0, while the eighth graders fell 22-2 at home.

(Photos by Alex McCrindle)

Trail work on a Tuesday

Gunnison Trails is winding down a long summer season of trail maintenance. The crew held its second-to-last community trail work Tuesday event on Sept. 27, inviting locals to join in the blazing of a new bench-cut trail near Signal Peak. After a long afternoon of manual labor, volunteers gathered for bratwursts and beer, sponsored by Pinnacle Orthopedics.

Choice Pass Sign Up Nights

(Photos by Abby Harrison)

¡INFÓRMATE! en español

Welcoming Week comes to Gunnison for second year

Community gathers in recognition of cultural diversity

Laura Cardozo Special to the Times

(Translated by Ricardo Esqueda)

The Gunnison community anticipated the arrival of Welcoming Week, an event that took place from Sept. 8-16, for the second consecutive year , and it brought together the different cultures of the valley.

This project was made possible thanks to the team work of different local entities that united under the same objective to promote projects of inclusion and prosperity. This committee works together under the name of Gunnison Cultural Connection in coordination with Welcoming America — a national non-profit organization that seeks to promote

inclusive communities.

In 2022, Gunnison was one of 10 communities chosen to benefit from the Rural Welcoming Initiative. Following the program, the city prepared to host Welcoming Week to celebrate, highlight and recognize the community’s diverse cultures.

According to event leaders, Welcoming Week promotes a sense of belonging. It is a space where all the residents of the city, whether locals or from different places of origin, with a different language, sexual orientation or religion, can come together to strengthen the values of a community that is sensible, respectful and capable of recognizing the conditions of all members.

This year, the community had the opportunity to come together and share in a number of important in-person events. In these spaces they discussed different themes such as civic participation, economic development, education and equitable access, and highlighted the personal experiences of the participants.

The City of Gunnison’s community outreach liaison Ricardo Esqueda highlighted the participation of residents at the Safe Communities event where police officials, first responders and victim advocates had a space to talk with the community about their roles and deepen their relationships with residents.

The Gunnison Cultural Connection team believed the success of Welcoming Week is due in part to the commitment of local organizations. Bluebird, Gunnison Valley Health, Western Colorado University, D'Luna Mexican Store and many others offered their support.

According to Yazmín Molina, this year not only had a greater presence at the events, but there was also a greater desire to participate and support the activities. For example, on Saturday, Sept. 16, a crowd paraded through the streets of Gunnison during the Diversity Walk and then united again at a Hispanic Heritage celebration at IOOF Park.

It was an opportunity that allowed different entrepreneurs from the city to offer and share crafts and typical foods from their places of origin. The event also offered a space where the local talents in dance and song could perform.

Treicy Ganen, one of the participants, expressed how excited she was to have a space where she felt represented with the food and music of her country.

The second year of Welcoming Week came to a

Semana de bienvenida

consecutivo y reunió a las diferentes culturas del valle.

Laura Cardozo

Especial para los Times

La comunidad de Gunnison esperó la llegada de septiembre para darse cita en la "semana de bienvenida", un evento que se desarrolló del 8 al 16 del presente mes, por segundo año

Este proyecto que se desarrolla desde el 2022, fue posible gracias al trabajo en equipo de diferentes entidades locales que se integraron bajo el objetivo de promover proyectos de inclusión y prosperidad. Este comité actualmente trabaja unido con el nombre de Conexión Cultural de Gunnison, en coordinación con Welcoming America. Una organización nacional sin ánimo de lucro que busca promover comunidades inclusivas.

¿Cómo llega welcoming America a Gunnison?

De acuerdo con Ricardo

Esqueda, la ciudad participó para obtener un cupo en uno de los programas que ofrece Welcoming America. Fue así como en 2022, Gunnison fue una de las 10 comunidades elegidas para beneficiarse de la iniciativa de bienvenida rural.

En este sentido la ciudad se preparó para realizar la "semana de bienvenida", cuyo objetivo es celebrar, visibilizar y reconocer las diversas culturas presentes en el valle.

¿Por qué es importante para la comunidad la "semana de bienvenida"?

Según los líderes del evento, la semana de bienvenida fomen-

ta el sentido de pertenencia. Es un espacio donde todos los residentes de la ciudad ya sean locales, de diferente lugar de origen, con diferente idioma, orientación sexual o religión se reúnen para fortalecer los valores de una comunidad sensible, respetuosa y capaz de reconocer las condiciones de sus miembros.

En esta versión de la "semana de bienvenida", la comunidad tuvo la oportunidad de coincidir y compartir en un importante número de eventos presenciales. Donde pudieron debatir temas como participación civil, desarrollo

close after more than a week of smiles, music and dance, and pride in representing different countries and customs. It is anticipated that next year more local agencies will be motivated to participate in the creation of a more equitable society in Gunnison.

económico, educación, acceso adquisitivo, así como también dar a conocer experiencias personales de los participantes.

Ricardo Esqueda, destaca de esta semana la participación de los residentes en el evento de comunidades seguras donde oficiales de policía, primeros auxilios, defensoría pública, entre otros. Tuvieron un espacio para hablar con la comunidad sobre sus funciones, pero sobre todo para estrechar su relación con los ciudadanos.

(Se puede contactar Laura Cardozo por 970.641.1414.)

(Laura Cardozo can be contacted at 970.641.1414.)

(Photo by Jacob Spetzler)

Un reconocimiento a nuestra diversidad cultural

¿Conoces el valor de tu casa? Posiblemente es más alto de lo que crees.

Outer space, stitched

Vivid, cross-stitched scenes from the iconic movie, “2001: A Space Odyssey” adorned the walls of the South 9th Street Studio on the evening of Sept. 22, where local artist Allison Sinkewich held an opening reception for her art show “Odyssey.” Locals gathered to admire the work, which took Sinkewich years — and thousands of hours — to complete.

MUCHAS GRACIAS!

La Conexión Cultural de Gunnison quisiera extender nuestra más sincera gratitud a todas lasorganizaciones del Valle que se unieron para hacer que la Semana de Bienvenida 2023 fuera un éxito. LaConexión Cultural de Gunnison, compuesta por representantes de la Ciudad de Gunnison, el Condado de Gunnison, los Servicios de Recursos Multiculturales del Condado de Gunnison, el Proyecto de AsuntosHispanos, la Fundación Comunitaria del Valle de Gunnison, e Inmigrantes Unidos de Gunnison, está másque agradecida a nuestros importantes colaboradores que invirtieron tiempo, energía y patrocinio ennuestras iniciativas que tuvieron una semana de duración. Una agenda apretada de 8 días no es tarea fácil,pero con la ayuda de otros en nuestra comunidad conectada, mostrando el sentido Acogedor en el Valle de Gunnison fue un esfuerzo exitoso. Deseamos agradecer específicamente a:

Celeste Helminski y la Cámara de Comercio de Gunnison Country.

El Distrito de Artes Creativos de Gunnison.

Jenny Birnie y la Fundación de Gunnison Valley Health.

La Universidad de Western Colorado y el programa de Salud Comunitaria Rural, una Maestria de Ciencias de Comportamiento, (MBS, por sus siglas en inglés).

El Proyecto de Resiliencia por el Crucero Musical final de la temporada.

El Distrito Escolar de Gunnison Watershed por compartir información en la noche de la Educación.

La Autoridad Regional de Viviendas del Valle de Gunnison y GV HEAT por su panel informativo y patrocinio.

La Despensa de Alimentos del Condado de Gunnison por su presencia y apoyo para nuestra comunidad.

La Biblioteca Pública de Gunnison por su asociación y la Muestra de Arte Infantil por Songbird Schoolhouse,

Tenderfoot, y la Escuela de Wonderland Nature.

Los departamentos de Primeros Auxilios y el Personal de Emergencias que se presentaron por su comunidad en nuestra noche de puertas abiertas. Gracias a los Policías de Gunnison, la Oficial de Recursos Escolares, Defensora Especial de Víctimas, El Departamento de Bomberos de Gunnison/Distrito de Protección contra Incendios, Despacho Regional de Gunnison, Paramédicos de Gunnison Valley Health/ Servicios de Emergencias Médicas (EMS), Patrulla Estatal del Estado de Colorado Sgt. Joshua Boden, y el Equipo de Rescate de las Montañas del Oeste (SAR).

Los patrocinadores Tienda Mexicana D’Luna, Bet Egelhoff de Bienes Raices de Bluebird, la Iglesia Congregacional de Gunnison, y la Coalición de Salud Comunitaria del Condado de Gunnison.

Los voluntarios que participaron para ser un par de manos adicionales para toda la preparación y luego el desmontaje de nuestros eventos.

Los vendedores y las actas de entretenimiento que crearon un día increíble para nuestra Celebración de la Herencia Hispana.

USTEDES-¡PARTICIPANTES DE LA COMUNIDAD!

El objetivo de Gunnison Cultural Connection para la Semana de Bienvenida es que los residentes de todas las culturas se sientan bienvenidos, celebrados, vistos y reconocidos en nuestra comunidad diversa mediante la construcción de conexiones culturales que aumenten el sentido de pertenencia para todos. Tratamos de aumentar los esfuerzos que han existido a largo plazo para conectar y unir a diversas poblaciones en nuestra comunidad, para fortalecer nuestras conexiones, la fundación, y la determinación de seguir promoviendo la equidad y la justicia a través de elementos de acción.

A coming of age celebration

Genesis Mendez celebrated her 15th birthday with a quinceañera on Saturday, Sept. 23 at the Western Heritage Fred Field Center. The evening’s festivities included food, music and dancing.

(Photos by Abby Harrison)

(Photos by Dakota Sahagun)

(Photos by Clara Trezise and Dakota Sahagun)