Gunnison Country Times, May 30, 2024

Little Blue to wrap up with bridge opening in July

Kebler Pass to open

Friday

Bella Biondini Times Editor

Construction crews plan to coordinate the completion date of the Little Blue Creek Canyon project — now a year and a half over schedule — with the partial reopening of Blue Mesa Reservoir’s middle bridge.

Little Blue A6

NEWS: Meet the GCEA board candidates, A8

COMMUNITY: Traditional textiles in Gunnison, B1

SPORTS: Seven Western athletes named All-American, B6

OBITUARIES A2

OPINION A4

CLASSIFIEDS A15-A18 SPORTS B6

County considers road funding measure, STR regulations

Both planned for end of 2025

Abby Harrison Times Staff Writer

Gunnison County is setting timelines for its yearslong intention to ask voters to support a ballot question for road and bridge maintenance and commit to formal licensing rules for short-term rentals (STR). The county’s most recent strategic plan draft states that both will be done by the end of next year.

The county’s strategic plan, a

document that guides how its three county commissioners create policy, is updated every two years. County staff will provide feedback over the coming months before commissioners adopt the new version by the end of 2024. Commissioners reviewed a draft during a work session on May 14. Since the last revision, staff added new goals: committing to STR licensing procedures, completing a master plan for transportation, development and infrastructure that stretches from Gunnison to Mt. Crested Butte and updating its land

County plan A3

Western’s summer conferences bring thousands into valley

Revenue from events surpasses $1 million

Bella Biondini Times Editor

The Gunnison Valley’s short summer months are filled with pulses of visitors who travel to the valley to attend events like the Growler mountain bike race, the Crested Butte Wildflower Festival and the Cattlemen's Days Rodeo. During this time of year, sales

tax collections spike and business booms downtown.

School's out for college students attending Western Colorado University, but its campus stays lively, and its dorms full, in June and July. Gunnison lacks a conference center that can cater to thousands of visitors, so Western has become a high-demand venue for summer athletic camps and other events. In the coming months, the university will attract close to 16,000 people on top of the valley’s regular flow of summertime tourists.

In 2023, Western crested $1 million in revenue from

Conferences A6

PHOTOS: Gunnison

COTTONWOOD CRUISERS: Cyclists had the road all to themselves as they wound up to the top of the Continental Divide during the annual Cottonwood Classic on May 23. Near the crest of the pass, bikers pedaled through a recently-plowed snow tunnel that was nearly 15 feet tall. For more, see A10. (Photo by Bella Biondini)

“I wanted what my animals produced to be meaningful. Their fiber is a gift.”

— Maya Conn, goat rancher

See story on B1

CBMR bike park opens next weekend

Mountain bikers can return to Crested Butte Mountain Resort on June 8. It will be open daily through Labor Day and then Saturdays and Sundays through Sept. 29. Twilight Hours will be held on Friday, June 28 and every Friday in July for hikers and bikers. During Twilight Hours, Red Lady Express spins until 7 p.m.

Bikers can now explore the mountain via e-bike. For the first time ever, Class 1 e-bikes are permitted on Red Lady Express bike haul. Sharpshooter, the resort’s new biking trail, is entering its second season. The intermediate trail splits off from Downtime and leads to the base of Red Lady Express, with several small-to-medium sized jumps along the way.

The CBMR Summer Race Series Presented by Fox Racing returns on Twilight Fridays. Competitors can test their downhill mountain biking skills on a different course each week.

City appoints new board members

On Tuesday, May 28, the City of Gunnison made new appointments to its Parks and Recreation and Senior Center advisory committees, as well as the Planning and Zoning Commission and Zoning Board of Adjustments and Appeals. Councilors appointed Amanda Baseler and Kristi Murtaugh to the Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee. The seven-member board helps manage parks and recreation facilities, programs and services. Betsy Holena, Karen Spence and Judy Gazzoli joined the Senior Center Advisory Committee.

Council reappointed Travis Scheefer for another five-year term on the Planning and Zoning Commission, which helps make land use decisions within city limits. Joey Ventimiglia and Tyler Stribling will each serve three-year terms on the Zoning Board of Adjustments and Appeals.

David “Dave” Dan Dunn of Ridgway, Colorado was born in the Gunnison County hospital on Dec. 27, 1946 to William Henry and Martha A. Hutchison Dunn and died on May 2, 2024 of a cerebral hemorrhage. He

was 77 years old. A celebration of life will be held on June 1, 2024 at Circle 3 Cowboy Fellowship, 62885 LaSalle Road, Montrose, Colorado.

Growing up on a ranch in Powderhorn, Dave was responsible for milking five cows before school and after school. In the summertime, he helped hay on the family ranch, and used teams of horses to run the equipment. He loved ranch life and when the ranch sold, he was very sad. In later years, he visited the ranch often with his family.

After graduating from Gunnison High School in 1965, Dave joined the U.S. Navy. He would go three times on an aircraft carrier to Vietnam. After those three tours, he spent one

Clear the path

year in-country in Da Nang, Vietnam. Dave spent 11 years in the navy. He was an aviation ordnance.

In 1972, Dave married Carol Gray of Gunnison. On Aug. 19, 2024, they would have celebrated 52 years of marriage.

After getting out of the navy, Dave worked on various ranches in Gunnison, Woody Creek and Hotchkiss, Colorado. He also did some custom haying. Dave then worked for CDOT in Ouray County as a heavy equipment operator. He retired from CDOT after 20 years and continued helping hay on ranches in the Ridgway area. He was a resident of Ridgway for 41 years.

David is survived by his wife, Carol, of the family home. He is also survived by his sons,

Bryce Dunn (Angelena) of Chesapeake, Virginia and Brandon Dunn (Jenny) of Coaldale, Colorado, four grandchildren, Colten Dunn, Justin Dunn, Kinsley Dunn and Sophia Dunn, as well as numerous nieces and nephews. He also has two sisters, Virginia Pearl of Medford, Oregon and Dorothy Wieben of Silt, Colorado. He is preceded in death by his parents, a sister who died at age 12 and brothers, Frank Dunn and William “Bill” Dunn.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Welcome Home Alliance for Veterans, 4 Hillcrest Plaza Way, Montrose, Colorado 81401.

Gunnison County 4-H leaders Tessa Helme, Garet Johnson, Morrill Griffith and Donner Tevis cleared debris from trails at Mill Creek on May 20 in preparation for the first annual Brett Redden Memorial Trail Ride on June 9. During the ride, participants travel through Mill Creek on horseback to collect playing cards from designated stations. The rider who collects the highest value poker hand by the end of the day wins a prize. This will mark the eighth year of 4-H trail rides. Registration for the event will be from 9-10 a.m. at the Mill Creek Trailhead on June 9.

David Dan Dunn

(Courtesy Hannah Cranor-Kersting)

use codes to make it easier to build affordable housing. The additions could put the county ahead of development along the Hwy. 135 corridor, as pressure to build grows and the community faces urban sprawl.

Road data for voters

At the start of 2024, Gunnison County Public Works brought on a consultant to inventory the county’s roads and bridges, many of which are in more remote areas and are not regularly maintained. That survey will give Public Works the data it needs to draft a ballot question in 2025. If voters approve, it will create a sustainable revenue stream for road maintenance. By state statute, road and bridge can’t receive money from the county’s general fund.

“The numbers are going to be outrageous ... They have some public input opportunities to help shape those priorities.”

Matthew Birnie Gunnison County Manager

“Don't ask without data,” Commissioner Jonathan Houck said. “Don't say we need more money. [Instead], here's what is needed and why.”

The county’s consultant, Montrose-based KLJ, is inspecting county roads and each of the county’s 44 bridges. Most were last replaced in the 1980s and only a few are in need of critical repairs, said Assistant County Manager for Public Works Martin Schmidt. KLJ is about three quarters done with the inventory, he told the Times. KLJ has a digital “windshield

assessment” tool that uses artificial intelligence to determine which feature on a road is in most need of repairs — signs, painted lines, guardrails, water damage or cracking. The consultants use that data to prioritize repairs and determine the overall cost to the county to complete them.

“The numbers are going to be outrageous … They have some public input opportunities to help shape those priorities,” County Manager Matthew Birnie said.

Public Works will compile those costs and determine how many years the repairs will take, Schmidt said. KLJ will submit the report by the end of May. The goal is to start a public engagement campaign before the end of the year and draft the ballot question by the fall of 2025.

The future of the Hwy. 135 corridor

As interest in building encroaches on the edge of the city’s boundaries, along the Hwy. 135 corridor and in more remote parts of the Gunnison Valley, the county is setting guardrails on its land use rules. The draft states that the city and county will continue working together on the north Gunnison area master plan with the goal of completing it by year’s end. This is happening in tandem with the city’s three-mile plan.

The draft also calls for a corridor-wide plan, which will address transportation, commercial development and utility extensions, from Gunnison all the way to Mt. Crested Butte. These plans will shape the character of the valley for years to come by laying out public transportation expansions and mapping utility connections for future building. Ideally, the corridor-wide plan will be done by April of 2025, said Assistant County Manager for Community and Economic Development Cathie Pagano.

The draft also calls for possible changes to the county’s land use code, which staff hope will facilitate more affordable housing in the future. The county already set a goal of 300 new affordable housing units by 2030. Once Whetstone and Sawtooth are complete, the county will hit that number.

The draft also includes a commitment to STR regula -

tions. Neither the county, nor the City of Gunnison have committed to STR licensing policies, unlike Crested Butte and Mt. Crested Butte. Commissioners felt limited by a lack of data. Licensing policies could help the county track STRs and control where, and how quickly, they propagate in the valley.

Going for “full on” STR regulation, such as limiting the number of units or requiring inspections, won’t be possible by the end of 2024, Birnie said. But something simpler, like requiring a tax ID on a listing, might be.

“ I [am interested in] better data on these … Our lack of insight into some of these listings limits some of our ability to use some of the tools available,” Birnie said.

Commissioner Liz Smith said regulation might be a proactive way to ensure the county has a tool if STR’s become unsafe for the public or are breaking building codes. The county is currently involved in both a lawsuit and land use code appeal process for a short-term rental up Washington Gulch. The lawsuit is over the property’s independent sewer treatment system, and the appeals process over the county’s claim that the STR might require a commercial, rather than residential, permit.

“Whatever we can do to give us the tool, to remove a license when there is a potentially dangerous or dangerous or hazardous situation that we learn about would be helpful,” Smith said.

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

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LETTERS

Democracy demands journalism

Editor:

OPINION

I commend Gunnison County Public Library Executive Director Drew Brookhart for recently bringing together editors and publishers of our two valley newspapers, along with representatives from KBUT radio and the Colorado Sun, for what was termed a “community conversation,” titled “Democracy Demands Journalism.” The events included a lunchtime “Voter Voices” roundtable with the Sun’s political reporter, Sandra Fish. The evening forum, moderated by Western’s Toni Todd, asked those mentioned for their views on covering the news and candidates in an election year.

The lunchtime Voter Voices roundtable was a wide-ranging discussion on state and national elections affecting Gunnison County, including Colorado House and Senate elections, national House and Senate elections and the presidential election. Ms. Fish demonstrated a near-encyclopedic knowledge of these races and the people running in them.

There were a half-dozen locals attending. I reckon this would have been a great opportunity for others who often write on these subjects to participate in the roundtable. The evening forum was much better attended. Indeed, the room was full. Perhaps some of the aforementioned were there.

Cycling culture alive and well

Editor:

How many years has it been now that we’ve had a paved Cottonwood Pass … seven?

There were many motivations behind that massive and expensive project. While cycling was nowhere near the top of that list, creating a world-class road riding experience is undoubtedly one of paving’s side effects.

It’s funny though. It was generally assumed that Cottonwood, and by extension the Gunnison Valley, would become a go-to for the big road cycling tours that used to crisscross the mountainous portions of our great state. That hasn’t materialized.

I’m told that the Bike Tour of Colorado is no more, and that this year’s Ride the Rockies was canceled due to lack of participants. Could it be that as Colorado’s population continues to soar, and our roads become more crowded and inevitably more dangerous, that the popularity of road cycling is waning? Perhaps.

integrating renewables into the electric grid.

Frank led the team that helped to build Crested Butte’s initial Climate Action Plan in 2019. Frank knows this industry. He knows GCEA and Tri-State Generation and Transmission (Tri-State), GCEA’s wholesale energy provider. This is some pertinent experience that Frank will bring to the board room.

Frank has a very measured and thoughtful approach to problem solving. He has a tremendous amount of experience in this industry and has demonstrated this resolve as a core member with Gunnison County Climate Crisis Coalition (GVC3) for several years, advising the group on practical means to approach solutions to local greenhouse gas emissions. He has attended many GCEA board meetings, and Tri-State reform group (two) meetings. He has also participated in GCEA’s Climate Action Coalition since its inception, approximately five years ago.

in environmental management and experience leading local energy cost and climate programs makes her well-equipped to address these challenges head-on and serve as your representative on the board.

Expanding options for GCEA families is an area of focus for Shannon. She is enthusiastic about initiatives like the Electrify and Save On-Bill Repayment Program, which helps families make energy upgrades by using long-term savings to offset upfront costs. Shannon is passionate about bringing these opportunities directly to GCEA families and making it easier for them to save on energy bills.

2024

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.

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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.

Most interesting to me in the evening forum were the significant differences in the way our two valley newspapers report on candidates and legislation and handle readers’ letters. In the case of candidates and legislation, one newspaper reports and has no hesitation in endorsing or withholding endorsements, with explanations in either case.

The other newspaper reports, but chooses to pass no opinion on candidates or legislation. In the case of readers’ letters, one newspaper takes a broader view and generally prints most letters, complete and unedited, letting writers have their say. The other newspaper takes a narrower view and may selectively print letters, limiting their length, sometimes editing them for content.

This Gunnison County Public Library event was an exemplary opportunity for us to gain insight from statewide and local influential news outlets on how they cover and report on issues and events that inform what we know, what they think and perhaps most importantly, what we think!

Joe Dix Gunnison

But thanks to the efforts of the Gunnison Nordic Club and the cooperation of Gunnison County’s Public Works Department, Cottonwood still beckons to those who like to quietly work their legs and lungs while soaking up some of the most spectacular scenery imaginable. Last Thursday’s Cottonwood Classic was another splendid affair of a community coming together to enjoy our mountainous home. (And for one day a year the Harvard City Coffee Shop serves up the best mocha on the planet.)

No sooner were the skinny tires hung back up in the garage than the mountain bikes descended on Gunnison and Hartman Rocks for another edition of the Growler. Downtown’s trees were blooming, the distant peaks still coated in white and hundreds of sweat-stained fat tire fans happily congregated downtown to enjoy some tunes, suds, grub and each other.

Cycling culture runs rich and deep in the Gunnison Valley. Thankfully, it’s a part of our present and not just the past.

Here’s a toast to all who keep the traditions alive!

Chris Dickey Gunnison

Stern is electric!

Editor:

Please join me in voting for Frank Stern for the Gunnison Country Electric Association (GCEA) at-large Board of Directors’ position. We need the perspective of an experienced engineer on the GCEA Board.

Frank Stern has spent most of his professional career in the electric utility industry consulting in various engineering and technical capacities, including a very significant portion of it

Frank is equipped to steady the boat during some potential rough (financial) waters with United Energy’s (and others) exodus from Tri-State. In a time of rising costs to live in the valley, Frank also has good ideas to help contain energy costs, while also delivering high percentages of renewable energy.

Please cast your vote for Frank by June 18. Ballots are being mailed to GCEA members (rate payers) and can be returned by mail as well. Voting can also take place at the GCEA’s annual meeting on June 18 before 6 p.m.

Jeff Delaney Crested Butte

Let Shannon Hessler represent you

Editor:

Voting has begun for Gunnison County Electric Association’s (GCEA) District 7 seat on the Board of Directors. Every GCEA member can vote in this election, and I encourage you to vote for Shannon Hessler to represent you in the boardroom.

With a background in environmental engineering, education, town planning and community development, Shannon brings a wealth of experience and a fresh perspective to the board. As a candidate, Shannon is dedicated to advancing initiatives that prioritize cleaner, cheaper and more reliable energy solutions for the community. Shannon’s deep roots in rural Colorado have shaped her understanding of the importance of providing solutions that cater to the specific challenges faced by GCEA members. She recognizes first-hand the need to reduce costs, make informed decisions for the community and increase resilience in the face of an unstable climate. Shannon’s background

As your representative, Shannon is deeply committed to the future of mountain communities like Gunnison County. Her track record of collaboration and community engagement makes her a strong candidate for the GCEA board. Meet Shannon in person at the meet the candidates event on May 30 at GCEA headquarters. Vote for her to help shape a cleaner, more affordable and reliable energy future for Gunnison County.

Sarah Gross Gunnison

Join me in voting for Frank

Editor:

Frank Stern is a candidate for the Gunnison County Electric Association (GCEA) Board of Directors. In addition to his impressive credentials, he is a team player, has innovative and creative ideas and a strong work ethic.

I serve on the board of Elk Mountains Backcountry Alliance with Frank and have appreciated his insight and ability to take complicated data and break it down so it’s easily understood and meaningful. GCEA is a complicated organization. GCEA would greatly benefit from having someone serve on the board who has over 30 years of experience in the electric utility industry with a focus on clean energy programs, wholesale energy markets, asset valuation and financial restructuring.

Hope you will join me in voting for Frank Stern for the GCEA board position.

Hall Crested Butte

Maureen

Gunnison residents commemorated fallen soldiers during a Memorial Day service at the Gunnison Cemetery on May 27. Attendees sang the national anthem and shared prayers before a wreath ceremony. Gunnison High School Principal Jim Woytek was this year’s speaker. American Legion Post 54 hosted the event.

(Photos by Bella Biondini)

Little Blue

During a public briefing in Montrose on Wednesday, May 22, Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) officials said that all crews were aiming for the Fourth of July. The $40 million safety improvement project began in April of 2021 and includes the realignment and widening of what is considered a dangerous and narrow section of Hwy. 50 between Gunnison and Montrose.

“They said their goal — knowing our goal — is to get construction done … We know how hard this [the bridge closure] is and we know how closely this dovetails with the Little Blue Canyon project,” CDOT Executive Director Shoshana Lew said in a story published in the Montrose Daily Press on May 23. “The confluence of these events is really hard.”

The project is now down to its final stages. Crews have finished rock blasting and the remain -

Conferences from

its summer camp programming for the first time. This year is expected to be even busier. While the department could squeeze in another event or two, campus is nearly booked up for the summer, said Deputy Director of Athletics Greg Hinze. Western’s athletic department started managing the event schedule three years ago. Roughly 80% of the schedule caters to athletic camps.

“The goal when we took over was to fill every bed for every

ing work is smaller tasks such as paving and installing guardrails. Lew said the state is confident the work will be finished by the time CDOT allows limited traffic over the middle bridge this summer. The agency shut down the bridge on April 18 after discovering several cracks in the steel frame, cutting off the Gunnison Valley from the western side of the state.

“It’s [work] that can be done in a few weeks, not a few months,” Lew said. “And we’re going to try to hold them to it.”

Until July, drivers traveling along Hwy. 50 between Montrose and Gunnison will face two traffic delays: the first in Little Blue Creek Canyon and the second on County Road 26. This is the local detour around the Blue Mesa bridge closure. As of May 20, the CR 26 detour, led by a pilot car, has seven open time slots in each direction with an exception of Wednesdays (no midday crossing).

Residents at the meeting worried that delays could span

day it's available during the summer,” Hinze said. “We are not quite there but we're close.”

Each summer, outside organizations use the university as a home base for a variety of camps and events. Participants are put up in on-campus dorms and eat meals at the cafeteria.

Sports groups utilize field and gym space, while academic programs, such as teaching, music and art workshops, gather in classrooms and auditoriums. Some group counts may be as small as 15, while Western’s annual football camp attracts 1,600 athletes. In addition to generating

hours. Lew said she expected much shorter wait times this summer in the canyon since much of the work is complete. According to the project website, delays will vary due depending on traffic.

The Little Blue Creek Canyon project began its final construction season on May 13. The road is open to single-lane, alternating traffic, 8 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. No weekend work is planned. The road is open with no delays from 6:30 p.m. on Friday to 8 a.m. on Monday. For more information, visit us50info. com/.

Kebler Pass

According to Assistant County Manager for Public Works Martin Schmidt, Kebler Pass — which provides access between Crested Butte and Paonia — will open on Friday, May 31 at 4 p.m. Public Works attempted to clear the pass by Memorial Day weekend, but continuous snow and rain over the past few weeks put crews behind.

extra revenue during a time of year that would otherwise be quiet on campus, Western’s summer conferences also act as a recruitment tool. The Rocky Mountain Wrestling camp alone brings in 2,000 athletes from 12 states. Wrestlers return home with merchandise and T-shirts branded with Western’s signature red “W.” And even if athletes don’t sign on to sports teams with Western, there’s a chance they attend just because they enjoyed their time at camp, Hinze said. Their summertime visits are also linked to a boost in social media posts about Western.

“It's been one step forward, two steps back trying to get it done,” Schmidt said. “This is why we usually allow Kebler to naturally melt out. There’s such a varied climate between Crested Butte and Paonia Reservoir.”

It is rare for Kebler Pass to open before Memorial Day. Travel officials tried to open it early this year so it could serve as another detour around the bridge closure. Crews typically plow the road open and let it dry before allowing traffic through. Public Works then smooths the road and replaces culverts while flaggers moderate traffic. At the start of the season, travelers usually encounter wait times of up to 40 minutes.

But this year, the county is finishing all of this work on Kebler beforehand so there are no expected delays. While the county likely lost a week’s worth of time due to weather delays, assistance from CDOT, Montrose County and the Town of Crested Butte are helping crews expedite the remainder of the work.

“This is advertising we couldn’t pay for … They're going back to their communities and they're spreading the Western message by word of mouth,” Hinze said. Since Western’s athletic department took over the program, the number of participants has almost doubled as the summer schedule grew. This year, the department expects to bring in just over 8,000 people from when the university’s first campers arrive on June 2, and the last checks-out on July 27.

Large athletic camps are allhands-on-deck. Hinze pulls from a pool of student ath -

“What we’re giving people is a ready-to-use road,” Schmidt said.

CDOT will start working on road improvements along County Road 25 starting next week, he said. The road runs parallel to CR 26 and is being considered as another possible local detour. Because the dirt road is steep and has some extremely tight corners, the agency plans to put up safety signs to warn drivers.

An engineering study showed the longest vehicle that can safely navigate the turns is 50 feet. If the road is opened to public traffic, it would also be controlled by a pilot car or a flagger. The road remains barricaded at this time.

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

letes that stay in the valley for practice and training. A team of 25-30 student workers help manage things like meals, laundry and check-ins.

Western officials are working on a study with CU Boulder’s School of Business that will show the economic impact the university’s conference schedule has on the wider Gunnison Valley community. While participants usually stay, and often eat, on campus, their parents and family members fill hotels, dine in town and enjoy the valley’s trails and campgrounds.

continued on A7

Athletes gather at Western’s annual Rocky Mountain Wrestling Camp in 2023. (Courtesy Greg Hinze/Western Colorado University)

ley’s trails and campgrounds. If they haven’t visited or heard of the Gunnison Valley before, they are likely to come back, Hinze said.

And it’s rare that campers spend all of their time on campus. Some go whitewater rafting and rent mountain bikes. Hoards of campers will walk to nearby McDonald’s and Arby’s for lunch, stock up on snacks at City Market and order pizza. And when more than 200 camp-

ers are in town for the weekend, the financial boost they bring into the valley adds up.

The closure of the middle bridge over Blue Mesa Reservoir has already resulted in a slew of vacation cancellations and reduced traffic from the western side of the state. It’s too early to fully understand how the bridge shutdown will affect summer tourism, but the campers will come to the valley regardless, said Gunnison Country Chamber of Commerce Director Celeste Helminski.

“It’s all a piece of what we see as normal summer traffic … From the Chamber and business community’s perspective, we're grateful that Western does all this hard work to bring all these different camps and people to our part of the world,” Helminski said.

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

STAND OUT IN A MOUNTAIN CROWD! Signs • Vehicle Decals & Wraps

Store front signs and lettering

Screenprinting • Embroidery

Promotional Products • Stickers

Banners • CANVAS PHOTO WRAPS

Removal, pruning, dead wooding and shaping of trees. Now available stump grinding! Fully Insured.

Adult Fitness Spin Class for People with Parkinson’s (or other neuro-degenerative diseases)

Beginning June 6

• Thursdays @ 9:30am in Senior Center

• Instructor: Molly Mugglestone • Open to ages 18 & up

Senior Fitness “Dance to the groove” Class

Beginning June 7

• Choreographed aerobic movement class to music for active older adults (age 55 & up)

• Fridays @ 9am in the Gym

• Instructor: Lois Krause

Costs*: Rec Center membership* or drop-in/punch card fee. (Some exceptions apply!)

Western Colorado University’s swim camp goes whitewater rafting last summer. continued

GCEA: Meet the board candidates

Abby Harrison Times Staff Writer

This year, four candidates are running for a seat on the Gunnison County Electric Association (GCEA) Board of Directors. GCEA is a nonprofit energy co-op that serves Gunnison County. The board is responsible for shaping the nonprofit’s energy priorities, rate structures and keeping the energy grid functional as Gunnison Valley residents face rate increases and climate change.

Frank Stern, Shannon Hessler and Edward Howard are running to represent District 7, an “at large” district covering the co-op’s entire service area. The race for District 6, which is the Tomichi Creek area east of the City of Gunnison to the Continental Divide, is uncontested and will be filled by Polly Oberosler. The Times interviewed each candidate about renewable energy, the role of its power supplier Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association and more.

Every co-op member can vote for a candidate in each district. Ballots have been mailed out and must be returned by June 18. Electronic voting via the SmartHub app opened on May 20 and will close at 11:59 p.m. on June 16. Members can also vote in-person at GCEA headquarters from 5-6 p.m. on June 18. Results will be announced by June 20.

(Editor’s note: These conversations have been edited for length and clarity.)

Are co-op members looking at a future of unending rate increases? If so, what can GCEA do to combat that pattern?

Hessler: The primary thing that we can be working toward to stabilize rates is increasing the amount of renewable energy in our portfolio. Renewables aren't subject to as much volatility as fossil fuels. However, some of the rate increases are just the cost of keeping power on and keeping everything reliable for health and human safety. GCEA and Tri-State are [already] helping finance and provide rebates for energy efficiency projects and at-home solar projects.

Howard: Unfortunately, I think that there are going to have to be future rate increases. A lot of the reason for that is the cost of materials and supplies. When we go to the grocery store, everything costs more, and we have to be able to pass those costs along … TriState is at least 50% of the cost, just the purchase of power. We already know that they're going to [increase] their prices. So I think that's just an unfortunate reality. What we can do about it is continue to encourage all of the members to save as much electricity as possible, because that helps keep our costs down. If we can keep our costs down, [we can also] implement new cost-saving things like heat pumps.

Stern: Recently, there have been rate increases. I do not necessarily expect it to be yearly going forward. To combat the trend, we need to make best use of cost effective, clean energy sources. And make sure that Tri-State maintains its credit rating or increases it for the level it’s at. The recent downgrades are contributing to its long term costs. When credit ratings go down, the interest rates on the bonds that are acquired go up.

Oberosler: They will definitely increase … Even if we did our own thing, it's not going to be cost effective because we'd have to hire people to monitor solar, or something that we might put in here. Not to mention the land cost is ridiculous. There’s very few options for putting in things like that. I would expect that the rates will increase like everything else. We do everything we can to keep rates down because this is a co-op and members are the most important part of it.

Should the co-op continue to push toward renewable energy projects? Is TriState Energy Generation and Transmission a good partner for GCEA in coming years?

Hessler: Tri-State has a responsible energy plan that states that 50% of their electricity will come from clean sources by 2025, and then 70% clean sources in 2030. Because we're a small co-op, we need to continue to work with Tri-State to achieve those goals. And then focusing on renewable projects here in the valley like Taylor

Park Hydro and the Oh By Joyful solar array in Crested Butte. Once those projects are online and we're closer to that generation cap, that is something that we as a co-op, if this is what our members want, could continue to put pressure on Tri-State to increase our generation cap … Renewables also have a more stabilized cost, then they're not subjected to that volatility, and it can be more secure and create more independence if we have a diversity in our grid.

Howard: Yes, I think we need to consider it at all times. I think it's a responsible way. I think we have to balance that with maintaining the reliability of the grid. GCEA is kind of small, and as far as the number of members, we have a very large area to distribute to. So when we think about GCEA, trying to do it on its own, that's going to be a little bit difficult. Tri-State is definitely pushing forward to try to do more renewable energy. They have the economies of scale to do it much better than we can. So I would continue to encourage Tri-State in this direction.

Stern: Yes, I do think TriState should continue to increase its renewable share. It has committed to do so in a strategic plan. And I think TriState is now a good partner. I think it was five years ago. It was committed to coal back then but Tri-State has made an impressive course correction. It is making excellent progress toward achieving its goals, which are an 80% reduction in CO2 emissions and a 70% clean energy share by 2030 … There's significant economies of scale with electric generation, so trying to do things on a local level is likely to be much more expensive.

Oberosler: It’s difficult for us to do it ourselves. We could possibly buy or lease some space in other areas and pipe it in here, but I honestly believe that Tri-State is a good leader. This whole thing is kind of like turning an aircraft carrier around in a bathtub, but I think it's more than obvious that we need to take care of our planet. I really believe that Tri-State has our best interests. They are the co-op of the co-op. They aren't a for-profit unit any more than we are. I am just really afraid that people are going to try to push all of these co-ops into private

industry and then you have zero control.

Are you seeing any promising energy policies or projects around the Mountain West that could be applicable in Gunnison County?

Hessler: One project that's local to the Gunnison Valley that I think is excellent is run through the [Gunnison Valley Regional] Housing Authority. That's the GV-HEAT program, that does energy efficiency retrofits for our deed restricted units. That program is really important in helping maintain quality of life for people that are in deed restricted houses, so they're not having to pay a huge chunk of their income every month into their electric bill … There's a lot of health and human safety benefits from having electricity in your home, and then having electricity as our energy source coming from more clean energy sources … In Gunnison County and across Colorado, like our lowest income brackets are always paying a much higher percentage of their wages on their energy bills, whether that's from electricity and indoor gas.

Howard: Driving down to Grand Junction a while back, before the bridge went out, I did see that DMEA [Delta-Montrose Electric Association] has a solar project, which I don't know a lot of specifics about. The issue that I have with Gunnison doing that up here is that we don't really have the area or the topography, in my opinion, to do that. One area that I would like to look at exploring a little bit further is the geothermal type of heating or generation of electricity. But I know, visiting with some people that are involved in that, it's a little difficult to get the infrastructure to transmit that to the grid here in the county. I'd like to explore all these things but we're kind of limited, a lot of it's by topography, what I consider the natural beauty of the country around here.

Stern: I think there's some different rate designs that could be used that would encourage customers to use less energy during peak periods. They do have that time-of-use rate right now, but I think there's additional improvements that could be made and additional types of rate designs that might make

sense for GCEA to to send the right signals to customers about when electricity is the most valuable and expensive … It would be higher during the times of peak when electricity is most expensive to GCEA and lower at other times. So that's likely to be lower in the summertime and higher in the winters, since that’s when it's peaking.

Oberosler: The only thing that comes to mind for me would be a methane plant, that you would have to get buy-in from people willing to haul their manure or their table scraps to make a giant composter that produces power. There's a small town, I think, in eastern Colorado that I read about several years ago. They have a methane plant and it supplies power for a lot of that town … I think that's a possibility, but it could be all blue sky and I’m dreaming, too.

“We do everything we can to keep rates down because this is a co-op and members are the most important part of it.”

Polly Oberosler District 6 candidate

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

(Photos courtesy Logann Long/GCEA)

Frank Stern

Edward Howard

Shannon Hessler Polly Oberosler

Fabulous florals

(Photos by Mariel Wiley)

Cruising up Cottonwood

Clad in sportswear, 195 cyclists made their annual journey up Cottonwood Pass on Thursday, May 23 during the annual Cottonwood Classic. Bikers had the road all to themselves during the 2,656-foot climb to the top of the still-snowy Continental Divide. The Harvard City Coffee Shop, only open one day a year, served coffee and hot chocolate at the 5-mile mark. The Gunnison Nordic Club hosted the biking event.

(Photos by Bella Biondini)

County cuts back commercial fees at Shady Island

Annual permit cost reduced from $500 to $75

Bella Biondini Times Editor

After receiving pushback from a number of the valley’s fishing and raft guide companies, Gunnison County has significantly reduced the cost of commercial passes at Shady Island River Park.

“We need our users to feel like they're contributing to the maintenance of the site,” Assistant County Manager for operations and sustainability John Cattles said during a county commissioners meeting in May. “We take responsibility for this, and I probably overreached on the first draft. I think we're getting the right size now.”

The park, just north of town along the Gunnison River, opened in 2021. The county purchased the property with the intent to build an alternative to the overrun, yet undeveloped, North Bridge boat launch almost directly across Hwy. 135. Access at Shady Island has been free the last three years, but the county planned to put access fees in place once all of the the parking lot and restrooms were finished.

Under the new fee structure, guide companies would be charged more than triple for an annual permit compared to private boaters. These costs were approved by county commissioners and went into effect at the beginning of May. But shortly after, a meeting with a group of eight local businesses revealed that the business models of rafting and fishing guides didn’t work exactly the way county staff had imagined.

“We misunderstood how some of these businesses actually operated,” Cattles said during a county commissioner meeting. “We had an idea that they were more vertically integrated under one commercial leader or outfitter, and it’s a lot

more of a loose configuration.”

Under the original proposal, an annual commercial pass cost $500 and included a reserved parking space labeled with the business name. If a guide service had three vehicles loaded with rafts and customers parked at Shady Island at once, it would need three $500 passes. The county planned to allow the permits to be switched between different cars.

But fishing outfitters typically hire independent contractors to guide customers, and a large number of guides may use their own boats and vehicles for trips — making it difficult for guides to share a pass. This means outfitters would likely have to pay thousands of dollars in fees to launch at Shady Island, depending on how many guides they employ. Some worried the high fees would drive boat traffic back to the North Bridge or crowded put-ins elsewhere — undermining the reason the county built Shady Island in the first place.

While the raft companies will no longer receive a dedicated parking spot, the adjusted, $75 fee creates more flexibility, Cattles said. Some may only guide once a year, while others float between different outfitters. Their chosen location each day is also a moving target depending on water, weather and the clients they are guiding, he said.

In an email to the Times, Dirk Schumacher, Three Rivers outfitter manager and co-owner, said the business is content with where the fee schedule landed and will require its guides to buy the pass if they choose to use the boat launch at Shady Island.

“We also feel like the commissioners and Mr. Cattles did the right thing by listening to our feedback and adjusting the fee schedule accordingly,” he said.

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

use on any other premises.

Please visit holycross.com/rates to view the proposed changes to the HCE Electric Service Tariffs, Rules andcRegulations in detail. If you have questions, would like to comment, or file a formal complaint about the proposed changes, please fill out the online form located at holycross.com/rates by June 23.

The Shady Island River Park, which opened in 2021, has a boat launch, parking lot and restrooms, and will eventually have a campground. (Photo by Mariel Wiley)

Golf teams took to the Dos Rios greens for the fourth annual Living Journeys Golf Tournament on May 18. Living Journeys, which offers cancer support and community to Gunnison residents, will celebrate its 25th anniversary with a soiree, auction and summit hike on July 25 and 26 in Crested Butte.

Avid readers and writers mingled with esteemed authors over the weekend during the Mountain Words Literary Festival in Crested Butte from May 23 to 26. Festival-goers enjoyed live readings and theater, panel discussions and workshops that touched on the many methods of storytelling.

(Photo by Mariel Wiley)

(Courtesy Kirsten Hausman)

Nania takes over at Coldharbour Institute

A learning laboratory for youth

Bella Biondini Times Editor

With an upcoming capital campaign and new leadership, Gunnison’s Coldharbour Institute is preparing to extend its reach into the community by putting the land and learning first.

The nonprofit welcomes students, professionals and community members to its 340-acre ranch just east of Gunnison for educational programs and research projects. Much of the property, which consists of wetlands, rangeland and a historic homestead, is under a conservation easement. In the coming years, Coldharbour is drafting plans for a new visitor center, museum and more.

Julie Nania, formerly with High Country Conservation Advocates (HCCA), moved into the executive director role in April. Nania, originally from eastern Washington, came to Colorado to attend law school at CU Boulder. Over the last decade, she has led the fight to permanently protect the Red Lady in Crested Butte from the threat of mining, as well as water quality throughout the Gunnison Basin. The Times sat down with Nania to learn more about her vision for Coldharbour as it builds a greater presence in the community.

(Editor’s note: This conversation has been edited for length and clarity.)

When did you decide you were ready to move on from HCCA?

With the successful culmination of Red Lady that we're coming up on, it seemed like the right time to transition into something new. I think the next iteration of HCCA is going to be more focused around the forest plan revisions and public lands. It is something that I care about, but it was a good time for me to hand that over to the next program leader.

Why Coldharbour? How does your background fold into your new position?

I've known about Coldharbour tangentially because Butch Clark took me out there to talk to me about water quality at Tomichi Creek about a decade ago when I first showed up in the valley. And over the years, I had a fellow that we were the community sponsor for so I'd worked on the headgate out there.

But what I'd like to do with this new chapter is work with the next generation of resource professionals. Coldharbour is

this incredible nexus of education and research. I see a lot of opportunity in helping that grow and become this robust learning laboratory where people can get on-the-ground experience, and also work on different regenerative practices.

For those who aren't familiar, what are some of those regenerative practices?

We have an incredible equitable solar program. Rich [Stromberg] has figured out a way — with his cohorts — to repurpose and recycle donated solar panels and use those for low-income folks or other nonprofits to help make renewable energy more affordable. It's this cool combination of reusing things before they hit the landfill, but also making [solar] accessible.

We also have three active [ag] producers on the property. We work with Parker Pastures, Calder Farms and Mountain Roots and try to cultivate practices where food production can be a bit more gentle on the land, and even help to improve land health.

But Coldharbour’s strength is the opportunities for education and research. It's connecting with the students at Western Colorado University with the Master of Environmental Management program, or community members that are interested in practicing or hosting workshops on some of these different elements.

Coldharbour is preparing for a capital campaign, can you tell me more about the scope?

We're investing in the homestead site. That's one of the things that we're looking to get off the ground immediately. I'm also excited about a wetland restoration plan. It’s been developed with students, Trout Unlimited and Natural Resources Conservation Service, with input from Fish and Wildlife Service. It’s this incredible plan to help restore the functioning of our conserved wetlands.

When we talk about the homestead, it's got multiple

(Courtesy Julie Nania)

uses. We have grazing, community food gardens and it's used for different trainings and workshops. But we also have approximately 240 acres of conserved wetlands. In the near future, I'm excited to have the ability to work with our partners to restore these lands.

There's a lot of historical impacts on that property. There’s two old railroads that used to run through that land and Hwy. 50 is causing the straightening of Tomichi Creek. Holistic, regenerative land management is really restoring and protecting the health of those ecological assets. We'd like to implement that, not this summer, but the following summer. We're working to get the funding and partners in place to pursue that right now. We’ve got about three miles of Tomichi Creek. That’s a huge chunk of a beautiful and hard-working stream.

Where on the priority list is the visitor center and classroom space?

That's some years off. What we're building is ultimately providing that basic infrastructure, and then focusing on the health of the land. That's where we'd like to spend that time in the near-term.

Coldharbour is trying to have a greater presence in the community, with a focus on public and youth education. Why the shift in this direction? Coldharbour is a learning laboratory. When you work with youth, you are able to start having conversations about the importance of our landscapes, water and soil health. You're also able to bring them into these tracts of land management and the different ways that we can interact with and be kinder to our landscapes. If you can expose high schoolers or younger kids to these careers or areas of interest, it better sets them up for becoming the next round of stewards.

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

Water world

Gunnison Elementary School students spent the day learning about water ecosystems during a “Water Day” for fourth graders on May 24. Student groups rotated between stations with different water-themed science experiments. Each activity involved hands-on demonstrations or games to learn about water erosion and ecosystems.

Faith Directory

Bethany Church

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

Two services at 9 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. FREE lunch for college students following the 10:30 a.m. service gunnisonbethany.com

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

Check out our website for updates! Or download our app on the App Store by searching, Gunnison Bethany.

B'nai Butte Congregation

PO Box 2537 Crested, Butte CO 81224 305-803-3648 bnaibutte.org

Friday, May 31, 7-8:30 p.m., Shabbat services/dessert potluck

June 1, 10:30 a.m. - 12 p.m., Kibbitz with the Rabbi, Rumors in CB

June 1, 4-5:30 p.m., Torah on Tap, Tully’s in CB South (upstairs)

June 1, 6-8 p.m., end of Shabbat/Havdalah services & potluck

June 3, 5-9 p.m., Secret Stash Restaurant Night

Spiritual Leader: Rabbi Mark Kula is available for you at RabbiMarkKula@gmail.com

Go to website for location and more details.

New Song Christian Fellowship

77 Ute Lane • 970-641-5034

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

Sunday 10 a.m. / Wednesday 7 p.m. newsonggunnison.net

Community Church of Gunnison

107 N. Iowa • 970-641- 0925

Pastor Larry Nelson

Sunday Morning Worship 9:30 a.m.

Weekend Services 9:30 a.m.

Nursery & Age-Graded Ministry

Weekly Student Ministry

Weekly Adult LifeGroups

Office Hours: Mon-Thurs, 9-4

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

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

Transforming Lives • Building Community

First Baptist Church

120 N. Pine St. • 970-641-2240

Pastor Jonathan Jones

SUNDAY

Sunday School at 10 a.m.

Sunday Morning Worship at 11 a.m.

Sunday Evening Service at 6 p.m. (during school year)

WEDNESDAY (during school year)

Truth Trackers Kids Club at 6:30 p.m.

Youth Group for Teens at 7:30 p.m. firstbaptistgunnison.org.

Gunnison

Congregational Church

United Church of Christ

317 N. Main St. • 970-641-3203

Open and Affirming

Whole Earth · Just Peace

Sunday, 10 a.m.

Casual, Relaxed, “Come As You Are” Worship gunnisonucc.org

Trinity Baptist Church

523 N. Pine St. • 970-641-1813

Senior Pastor - Joe Ricks

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

Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church

711 N. Main • 970-641-1860

Senior Pastor Robert Carabotta Assoc. Pastor Jacob With Childrens Sunday School – Sunday 9 a.m.

Adult Sunday School – Sunday 9 a.m. Divine Service of the Word – Sunday 10 a.m.

The Good Samaritan Episcopal Church

307 W. Virginia Ave. • 970-641-0429

Rev. Laura Osborne, Vicar First Sunday of each month –11 a.m. Holy Eucharist, Rite II

Alternating at Good Samaritan and All Saints in the Mountains

Check our websites for location

Second Sunday-Fifth Sunday –9 a.m. Holy Eucharist, Rite II Children’s Sunday school –2nd and 4th Sundays, monthly Office hours: M-TH 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Taize – 1st Wednesday, monthly - 7 p.m. goodsamaritangunnison.org

Visit our partnership church: All Saints in the Mountains, Crested Butte Meeting Second-Fifth Sundays at 5 p.m., Holy Eucharist, Rite II 403 Maroon Ave, Crested Butte

Visit our website for location of 11 a.m. Holy Eucharist, First Sunday of each month allsaintsinthemountains.org

Church in the Barn 8007 County Road 887 Waunita Hot Springs Ranch • 970-641-8741 Sundays, 10:30 a.m. Non Denominational Come as you are.

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 mcmchurch.org

St. Peter’s Catholic Church 300 N. Wisconsin • 970-641-0808 Fr. Andres Ayala-Santiago gunnisoncatholic.org crestedbuttecatholic.org or call the Parish Office.

St. Peter’s - Gunnison Sat 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. at 4 p.m.

Church of Christ

600 E. Virginia • 970-641-1588

Sunday Morning Bible Class: 9:30 a.m.

Sunday Morning Worship: 10:30 a.m.

Sunday Evening Worship: 6 p.m.

Wednesday Night Bible Class: 7 p.m.

(Photos by Mariel Wiley)

GUNNISON COUNTY EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES

Public Health Nurse II –

Substance Abuse Prevention Juvenile Services: 20 hours/ week, hourly rate range from $33.79-$41.08 plus partial benefits.

Patrol Deputy Sheriff: Full-time, 40 hours/week, the annual salary range is from $70,288-$99,422 plus full benefits.

Detention Deputy Sheriff: Full-time, 40 hours/week, the annual salary range is from $63,162-$89,344 plus full benefits.

Heavy Equipment Operator I: Full-time, 40 hours/week, hourly rate from $22.91-$26.08 plus full benefits.

212 WEST HIGHWAY 50 GUNNISON, CO 81230

EXCITING JOB OPPORTUNITY AT LAKE SCHOOL:

We will have job openings for Educational Assistant positions for the 2024-25 school year. Lake School follows the GWSD school calendar. Duties and responsibilities include but are not limited to the following:

• Provide direct educational assistance to Preschool Kindergarten students.

• Contribute to our mission to provide a safe, caring and rich environment for our students and families.

• Collaborate with the lead teacher on weekly curriculum plans.

• Participate in professional development activities.

Qualifications for this position include early childhood experience (preferred but not required), early childhood credentials or willingness to obtain. Wage will be dependent on experience ($18.63-$34.55) and all positions come with a benefit package. This role also provides the opportunity for professional growth, including support for obtaining teaching qualifications and certificates. If you are interested in joining our enthusiastic team, please submit a cover letter, application, application oath, current resume and three letters of reference dated within two years. Applications can be found on the district website, gunnisonschools. net under the employment tab. Email PDF attachments to jklingsmith@ gunniosnschools.net.

gratuity. Employee benefits include complimentary golf and employee discounts. For more information or to submit a resume, please visit theclubatcrestedbutte.com or email jobs@ clubatcrestedbutte.com.

LUNA BAKERY is hiring for a baking position. Experience preferred. Pay starts at $20 hour, but opportunity to grow with the business. Part-time to start and closer to full-time during the summer, weekends off. Contact Deven, 970-231-3247.

Technician Clerk and Recorder: 40 hours/ week, hourly rate range from $21.82-$24.85 plus full benefits.

Administrative Assistant –Permitting/Job Costing Public Works: Full-time, 40 hours/ week, hourly pay range from $27.03-$30.77 plus full benefits.

Seasonal Public Works: Guaranteed 40 hours/week, hourly rate range from $20.58-$23.43 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.

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

4 DAY WORK WEEK M-TH

Positions Available - Tire/ Oil service Technician, Certified Technician, Service Advisor/ Sales

Call or text 970-596-9999 for more information. PRECISIONAUTO.NET

EXPERIENCED CARPENTERS NEEDED in Crested Butte. Local Crested Butte-born, residential construction company, growing regional, excellent pay. Text/call 970-5961131.

LITTLE RED SCHOOLHOUSE is seeking a long-term, full-time, qualified early childhood teacher to join our fantastic team. Very competitive pay, benefits and perks offered all the time. This is a super rewarding career and a fabulous group of families and teachers. Please email interest letter and resumé to Jessica at lilredschoolhouse1@ gmail.com.

THE TOWN OF CRESTED BUTTE is hiring a finance and administrative assistant to provide services and functions critical to the day-to-day operation of the town. This includes accounting, human resources, purchasing, contracting, IT support, budgeting and communications. The finance and administrative assistant is responsible for daily financial tasks including but not limited to administration of the sales tax and business license process, cash receipting, departmental customer service and file and records maintenance. Starting hourly range is $25.48-$31.12 and includes 100% employer-paid health, dental and vision benefits for employee and dependents. The full job description, benefits and application are available on the town’s website at townofcrestedbutte.com. To apply, submit an application via email to jobs@crestedbutteco.gov. The Town of Crested Butte is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

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

UNASE AL EQUIPO DE HARMELS EN ALMONT: Buscamos camaristas con experiencia pero capacitaremos a la persona

weeks paid vacation, employer contribution to retirement plan (5% automatic mandatory employer matching with 1-3% optional additional matching), employer provided uniforms and a seasonal ski pass. Full job description is available at mcbwsd.com. Please submit cover letter and resume to Mt. Crested Butte Water and Sanitation District, PO Box 5740, Mt. Crested Butte, CO 81225 or email info@mcbwsd.com. Position is open until filled. MCBWSD is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

ROCKY MOUNTAIN TREES AND LANDSCAPING now hiring for our 40th summer season. Come join a team that’s deeply rooted in the Gunnison Valley. Visit rockymountaintrees.com/employment/ to view available positions.

POWERSTOP is hiring cooks. Cooking experience a must. Pay based on experience but the minimum would be guaranteed $20/ hr after tips earned. The yearly average is between $25-$28 per hour. Kitchen manager position is also available. Please drop resume at Powerstop, 905 N. Main St. Attn: Sean.

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.

adecuada. El pago comienza en $16/hr; salario mas alto con experiencia. Posibilidad de alojamiento en el lugar. Llame al 970641-1740 o envie su curriculum por correo eletronico a jointheteam@harmels.com.

SEEKING WET MEADOWS RESTORATION

PROGRAM COORDINATOR: Upper Gunnison River Water Conservancy District seeks Wet Meadows Restoration Program coordinator in Gunnison. Responsibilities include program coordination, project and crew scheduling, overseeing monitoring and research, writing funding proposals and providing education and outreach. Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience required. Application deadline is May 31. Visit ugrwcd.org for complete details.

ACC MOUNTAIN WEST is hiring heavy equipment operators, CDL drivers and laborers for the US 285 and Highway 9 project. Hourly wages from $20-$35 and great benefits. ACC MW is a drug-free work environment (including marijuana), Equal Opportunity Employer and we participate in E-Verify. Apply at accbuilt.com. For more information, call 303-795-2582.

MOUNTAIN EXPRESS SHOP

TECHNICIAN: JOIN OUR TEAM. Mountain Express is looking to recruit a shop technician for immediately available shifts. Applicant required to hold a CDL class BP-2 with no air brake restrictions, or we will pay for you to obtain one. Starting wage is $22.60/hr. Health insurance is available based on hours worked. Ski locker benefit. Shop technicians are responsible for daily fueling and cleaning of fleet vehicles and other related tasks at the direction of the shop supervisor. Please contact Leah Petito at lpetito@mtnexp.org to apply. For a complete job description, visit mtnexp.org. EOE.

THE ELEVATION HOTEL TEAM IS GROWING: We are adding team members in the front office, engineering and food and beverage. Bell Captain, $20/hr + tips, Bell Person, $17/hr + tips, Night Auditor, $21/hr, Night Audit Supervisor, $22/hr, Guest Service Agent, $20.25/hr, Front Desk Supervisor, $22/hr, Engineer I, II, III, $21-$24/hr, Restaurant Manager, $55-60k/ yr, Restaurant Supervisor, $21/hr + tips, Bartender, $17/hr + tips, Server, $15/hr + tips. 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. Questions can be directed to elustig@ elevationresort.com.

WATER TREATMENT FACILITY

FOREMAN: The Mt. Crested Butte Water and Sanitation District is accepting applications for a full-time Water Treatment Facility Foreman 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 treatment operations, employee supervision, construction and electrical/mechanical/ maintenance repair. A State of Colorado Water B and Distribution 3 license or the ability to obtain such within one (1) year is mandatory (training for certifications provided). Operators are required to take on-call responsibility including select weekends and holidays. A valid Colorado driver’s license is required. Starting salary is $74,200-$91,000 DOQ. Excellent benefits package, including 100% employer-paid premium family health, dental, vision and life insurance, 12 paid holiday days, two

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.

PINNACLE ORTHOPEDICS is hiring an office manager for our Crested Butte and Gunnison locations. Responsibilities include various organizational and administrative tasks, patient and staff support, inventory management and coordination with external resources. Come join our dynamic team. $28+/hr commensurate with experience. Send resume to office@ pinnacleorthocolorado.com.

MOUNTAIN EXPRESS DRIVER: JOIN OUR TEAM. PAID CDL TRAINING. Mountain Express is looking to recruit drivers for immediately available shifts. We will offer CDL training at an outside CDL training agency, as well as a sign-on bonus. Starting wage is $22.60/hr. Health insurance is available based on hours worked. Ski locker benefit. Drivers are responsible for safe transport and friendly assistance of passengers on our bus route. Please contact Leah Petito at lpetito@mtnexp.org to apply and for a complete job description, visit mtnexp.org. EOE.

or full-time, $19.93 -$24/hour. Tenderfoot will support professional development to earn credentials for this position. Benefits include flexible scheduling, a supportive team, paid time off, free child care while working and continuing education. Email tfootdirector@ gmail.com or call 970-642-1949 for more information. EOE.

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.

ASSISTANT OPERATIONS MANAGER for PR Property Management. Full-time, year-round, starting now. Insurance reimbursement, IRA, ski pass. $28/hour DOE. Valid driver’s license and experience required. Please email prpropertyoffice@ gmail.com or call 970-349-6281.

PROPERTY MANAGEMENT ASSISTANT:

The right candidate would be reliable and experienced in property cleaning with attention to detail. Cleaning will be short term rentals, private homes and condo associations. Some snow removal and lawn care required. General maintenance and repair skills would be a plus. Weekend on-call availability for owners and short term rental guests is a must with two midweek days off. Free employee housing, 600 square foot studio apartment available for the right candidate after an evaluation period. Housing is job-attached. On top of the free housing, an hourly wage will be provided. Candidate must be an effective communicator. We only work with the best and always expect and provide 5 star service. Hours per week vary depending on season but the expectation is full-time work. Raises, bonuses and ski pass can be provided for an exceptional employee. Please email resume to info@highviewpropertymanagement.com.

FACILITIES MANAGER: Crested Yeti Property Management is hiring for a facilities manager/maintenance manager. Full-time, year-round salaried position. Benefits include IRA match, ski pass, PTO and paid fuel. Duties include driving a bobcat for snow removal and general maintenance and minor repairs. Send resume to Hop@CrestedYeti. com.

EXPERIENCED BOOKKEEPERS

NEEDED in Gunnison and Crested Butte. Part and full-time. Requires extensive knowledge of QB Desktop and/or Online. Hourly rate $30hr+ DOE. Please email gunnisonvalleybookkeeper@gmail.com.

THE CRESTED BUTTE FIRE PROTECTION

DISTRICT is looking for a fleet and facilities manager to ensure our emergency equipment, vehicles, stations and housing units are maintained and ready to serve our community. If you have automotive repair, general maintenance, communications and organizational skills, we want you on our team. Starting pay is $29.28-$34.86 per hour DOQ. Benefits include health, vision and dental insurance, 457-retirement plan with employer match, sick, vacation, family leave programs and annual ski pass. Visit cbfpd.org and click “Join Us” for additional information and application materials.

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.

ELEVEN IS SEEKING A TEAM-ORIENTED AND FLEXIBLE HOUSEKEEPER to ensure application of the highest Eleven standards for cleanliness of guest rooms and common areas for all Eleven properties in Colorado. This position will work with the housekeeping and lodge teams to complete daily and checkout cleans for all guest rooms according to Eleven standards, and accommodating guest schedules. This position requires proficiency with English and an understanding of Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) procedures, as well as ability to work flexible hours. The ideal candidate will have a strong understanding of the needs of a hospitality company with high standards of excellence and the ability to succeed and maintain a positive attitude in a fast-paced, dynamic environment and adapt quickly to ever-changing needs of a growing company. This full-time, summer seasonal position starts at $22/hour. The summer season runs May through Oct. For more information and to apply, please visit elevenexperience.com/careers.

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

DO YOU LIKE VARIETY? HELPING PEOPLE? WORKING WITH AN AWESOME TEAM? Join our caring and supportive practice as a dental assistant. No experience preferred. Happy to train anyone open to learning new skills and who enjoys helping people. Full time, year round, competitive pay and benefits, lots of room for growth. Shoot us an email with your cover letter and resume to amy@crestedbuttedentist.com.

BARISTAS: Hiring for the summer season. Mochas Coffeehouse and Bakery in Gunnison is seeking baristas to join our team. Must be able to complete all aspects of the job as an equal member of the team in a positive and fun work environment. Hourly pay plus tips and shift meals. Drop your resume off or fill out an application at Mochas, 710 N. Main St.

EXPERIENCED LEAD CARPENTERS

NEEDED in Crested Butte. Local Crested Butte-born, residential construction company, growing regional, excellent pay. Text/call 512-947-7797.

INNOVATIVE PROGRAMS

ADMINISTRATOR, WESTERN

COLORADO UNIVERSITY: WCU invites applications for this full-time position in the Education Department. This position will oversee the administration of the Adult Degree Completion + Teacher Licensure (ADC + TL) pathway and the Teacher Institute (TI) program. This position will guide students in ADC + TL to fulfill their academic plan, help licensed teachers pursue their professional goals in the TI program and provide success initiatives which retain students in both programs. In addition to the administrative and advising functions, this position will promote innovation and growth across existing programs and new initiatives. Salary range is $48,000-$52,000 with benefits. To view the full job announcement and apply, visit western.edu/jobs and click on “View Careers” (AA/EOE).

LOCAL EVENT COMPANY SET-UP CREW: Work outside this summer. Event and tent set up, full and part-time hours available, $25/ hr. Dishwasher: part-time, flexible schedule, $25/hr. Please contact via phone or email for a complete job description. 970-596-2145. operations@alpengloweventsco.com.

DISTRIBUTION MANAGER: Mountain Roots is seeking a company leader to

manage procurement, distribution, customer service and logistics for our farm and food relief operations and manage regional food hub partnerships. Starts at $25/hr, moving to salary as we grow. mountainrootsfoodproject. org/join-our-team.

THE GUNNISON BANK AND TRUST is seeking applications for an assistant to the CFO. This is a full-time position that will be responsible for supporting the financial department of the bank. This includes, but is not limited to, the handling of transactions, month-end closing tasks, financial statement preparation, internal/external audit preparations, year-end close-outs, budget preparations, risk calculating and reporting and other job-related duties as assigned. This position will support general accounting, accounts payable and payroll. Applicant should have a thorough understanding of accounting principles. Essential duties and responsibilities: monitors and maintains the general ledger, performs account analysis and reconciliation of balance sheet accounts and all subsidiary ledgers at month end, compiling and analyzing financial information for month-end reporting, including welldocumented journal entries for approval to ensure financial records are accurate, resolving accounting discrepancies, yearend closing tasks, fixed asset accounting; investment accounting, monitoring cash balances daily. Assist other departments and bank officers as needed. Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from employees and/or customers. High level of oral and written communication skills, attention to detail, ability to organize work and set priorities to meet deadlines, be an effective team member. Ability to plan, initiate and complete work assignments with a minimum of direction. Comprehensive knowledge of use of financial, worksheet and word-processing software, including Excel and Word. Recognition as a CPA is a highly desirable qualification, with a minimum of four years of progressively responsible experience in accounting. Competitive and comprehensive benefits package includes 401(k), medical insurance, vision insurance, life insurance and disability insurance (ST and LT), paid time off, holiday pay and wellness benefits. Monthly salary range: $4,875-$6,250 DOE. Please email resume to apply@gunnison.bank.

COME JOIN THE HARMELS TEAM IN ALMONT: We are looking for housekeepers with experience but will train the right person. Pay starts at $16/hour; higher wage with experience. Onsite housing possible. Call 970-641-1740, or email resume to jointheteam@harmels.com.

NOTICE

C-KARS AUTO AND TRUCK REPAIR IS FOR SALE: Owner wants to retire. 970-6414060.

REAL ESTATE

1,500 SQ. FT. RETAIL/OFFICE SPACE

AVAILABLE in the Gunnison Meadows Mall next to City Market. Address: 722 N. Main. $22/ft. NNN = $2,750/month. For more information, call Jordon Ringel, 817-7336947 or visit GunnisonMeadows.com.

Legals

NOTICE OF BUDGET

NOTICE OF BUDGET

Notice is hereby given that a proposed budget has been submitted to the Board of Education of Gunnison Watershed School District for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2024 and has been filed in the office of the Superintendent where it is available for public inspection. A Public Hearing is scheduled June 10, 2024 at 5:30pm. Such proposed budget will be considered for adoption at a meeting of the Board of Education of said District at 800 N. Boulevard on Monday, June 24, 2024. Any person paying school taxes in said district may at any time prior to the final adoption of the budget file or register his/her objections thereto.

Board of Education

Dated: May 21, 2024

Gunnison Watershed School District RE1J Mandy Roberts, Board Secretary Gunnison Country Times Gunnison, Colorado Publication dates of May 23, 30 2024

13483

NOTICE OF ELECTION

PUBLIC NOTICE OF STATE OF COLORADO PRIMARY GUNNISON, COLORADO TUESDAY, JUNE 25th, 2024

PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to law, an Election will be held in Gunnison County, in the State of Colorado, on Tuesday, June 25th, 2024.

The Election will be conducted as a Mail Ballot Election. The Gunnison County Clerk and Recorder, Kathy Simillion, is the Designated Election Official for Gunnison County.

Voter Service and Polling Centers (VSPC)

Voter Service and Polling Centers will provide the following services: Ballot Drop-Off, Voter Registration & Updates, Replacement Ballots, and Electronic & ADA Compliant Voting. The VSPC’s will be open per the below schedules.

The Blackstock Government Center VSPC is located in the parking lot located at 221 N. Wisconsin St, Gunnison. Hours of operation as follows:

June 17th – June 21st, 2024 (M-F) – 8:00 AM until 5:00 PM

June 22nd, 2024 (Sat) – 7:00 AM until 11:00 AM

June 24th, 2024 (Mon) – 8:00 AM until 5:00 PM

June 25th, 2024 (ELECTION DAY) – 7:00 AM until 7:00 PM

The Queen of All Saint’s Parish Hall VSPC located in Crested Butte at 405 Sopris Avenue, will be open the following dates and times:

June 21st, 2024 (Fri) – 8:00 AM until 4:00 PM

June 24th, 2024 (Mon) – 8:00 AM until 4:00 PM

June 25th, 2024 (ELECTION DAY) – 7:00 AM until 7:00 PM 24 Hour Secure Dropbox 24/7

Kathy Simillion, Gunnison County

and Recorder Gunnison Country

Gunnison, Colorado Publication date of May 30, 2024 13491

NOTICE OF INTENT TO

DISPOSE

NOTICE OF INTENT TO DISPOSE of personal property (vehicles) belonging to Jessie Schoonover (deceased).

Anyone having a legitimate claim to any of the following needs to contact me. Tim Ross, 970-641-1525.

24’ camping trailer, Skyline Nomad, can’t find year or VIN#.

16’ cab and chassis of an ‘85 Fleetwood motor home. Has motor. VIN: 8591. Palomino pop-up camper trailer. Year unknown. Top caved in. VIN: 1840

12 x 34 portable cabin, single axel. Manuf., model and year unknown.

‘86 Honda Accord. Flat tire and ignition is pulled. Regis., VIN: 1032.

‘69 (?) Mustang. Has glass, no engine. 289 (parts only) SF07DQ4124.

2000 DODGE 4 x 4 pickup w/winch. (I have keys.) VIN: RB7HF13YX111R9416 (?) Hard to read.

34’ Carriage camp trailer. Can’t find year or VIN#.

20’ Ideal camp trailer. Can’t find year or VIN#.

28’ Owenframe semi-trailer. 3 axel. Can’t find year or VIN#

33’ very old house trailer. Decrepit. Can’t find year, manuf. or VIN#.

2000 Chevy Silverado pickup. (Probably belongs to M. Runge.) VIN: 22095.

6 x 6 raft trailer. Probably homemade. Can’t find year, manuf., or VIN#.

Gunnison Country Times

Gunnison, Colorado

Publication dates of May 23, 30, 2024 13489

NOTICE OF NAME CHANGE

PUBLIC NOTICE OF PETITION FOR CHANGE OF NAME

County Court, Gunnison Colorado

200 E. Virginia Ave.

Gunnison, Colorado 81230

In the Matter of the Petition of: Bailey Elizabeth Zapp

Case Number 24C26

Public Notice is given on May 16, 2024 that a Petition of a Change of Name of an Adult has been filed with the Gunnison Court.

The Petition requests that the name of Bailey Elizabeth Zapp be changed to Bailey Elizabeth Hungerie

by /s/

Kate Cook

Clerk of Court/Deputy Clerk

Gunnison Country Times

Gunnison, Colorado

Publication dates of May 23, 30, June 6 2024 13422

PUBLIC HEARING

NOTICE OF HEARING

STATE OF SOUTH DAKOTA

COUNTY OF CUSTER

IN CIRCUIT COURT

SEVENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT

Dated this 13th day of May 2024.

CLAYBORNE, LOOS & SABERS, LLP /s/ Hollie L. Smith

Hollie L. Smith

Attorney for Petitioner 2834 Jackson Boulevard P.O. Box 9129

Rapid City, SD 57709-9129

(605) 721-1517

Gunnison Country Times

Gunnison, Colorado Publication dates of May 16, 23, 30, June 6, 2024 13365

PUBLIC NOTICE

NOTICE OF AUCTION

This is to advise that household and personal property belonging to the following:

Adam Lee, Unit C38 at Gunnison Secure Storage located at 1018 Hwy 135 will be sold to the highest bidder at Gunnison Secure Storage on Friday, May 31st 2024 at 10:00 AM to satisfy the owner’s lien for rent in accordance with Title 38. PROPERTY - REAL AND PERSONAL LIENS Article 21.5. Self-Service Storage Facility Liens. All contents sold “as is” and by unit only. Seller neither warrants title to any items sold and does not make any express or implied warranties to any item sold. We reserve the right to refuse any and all bids.

Gunnison Country Times Gunnison, Colorado Publication date of May 23, 30 2024 13393

REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL

REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL FOR SAGUACHE COUNTY COURT FACILITIES FEASABILITY STUDY

REQUIREMENTS – Responses due by June 10,2024 at 3PM

Delivery of 4 original copies either by USPS or hand delivered in a sealed envelope to:

Wendi Maez

PO Box 100

505 3rd Street

Saguache, CO 81149

All official communication with Candidates and questions regarding this RFP will be via email to the Wendi Maez at wmaez@ saguachecounty-co.gov.

No inquiries will be accepted after the clarification deadline as indicated in the project schedule.

All Candidate inquiries will be responded to at the same time which will be after the “Clarification Deadline”. Candidates should not rely on any other statements, either oral or written, that alter any specification or other term or condition of the RFP during the open solicitation period. Candidates should not contact any team member, or any individual associated with the Owner or Saguache County regarding this RFP or this project except to schedule an optional site visit.

RFP Schedule

RFP Available, May 1, 2024

Optional Site Visit, By apt with all

RFP Clarification Deadline, May 28, 2024

RFP Clarification Responses, May 31, 2024

RFP Responses Due, June 10, 2024

Interview Invitations Sent, June 12, 2024

Interviews, June 25, 2024

Selections Made and Candidates Notified, July 3, 2024

Contract Negotiations/discussion -

Complete, July 9, 2024

Notice to Proceed Given to Successful

Firm, July 16, 2024

Study to begin , July 17, 2024

Study completion and submittal date, October 1, 2024

Report submitted and reviewed by BOCC, October 8, 2024

Report accepted and approved, October 15, 2024

II. Background Saguache County has outgrown the current

qualifications. In addition, please include the cost of the study. Refer to the first page of this document for the address and manner of submitting your information.

V. Schedule – See RFP Schedule

It is expected that the selected firm has the current capabilities and capacity to complete the project by the date listed in the project schedule. Provide a detailed schedule, including milestones, from the notice to proceed date the completion of the study, modifications or alterations, including deviations from the estimated schedule set forth in the RFP Schedule.

Gunnison Country Times

Gunnison, Colorado Publication dates of May 2, 9, 16, 23, 30, 2024

13178

Gunnison Watershed School District RE1-J is seeking Request For Proposals for Contracted Services for Custodial Services for Crested Butte Community School, Gunnison Community School, Gunnison High School (including the Pathways Building) and Lake School. Proposals can be for one or a combination of all sites. Please call Paul Morgan at 970-641-7780 for project details. Proposals are due to the Facilities office, located at 822 West Ohio by 10:00 a.m. on June 13, 2024, where they will be publicly read. Contract will begin July 1, 2024. Certificate of Liability and proof of Workers Compensation must accompany the proposal.

Gunnison Country Times Gunnison, Colorado Publication dates of May 23, 30, 2024 13490

SUMMONS

SUMMONS BY PUBLICATION DISTRICT COURT, GUNNISON COUNTY, COLORADO

200 E. Virginia Avenue, Gunnison CO 81230

Telephone: 970-642-8300

Plaintiff: Cimarron Canal & Reservoir Company v. Defendants: Cimarron and Uncompahgre Valley Canal and Reservoir Company (a

response to the complaint in writing within 35 days after the date of the last publication, judgment by default may be rendered against you by the court for the relief demanded in the complaint without further notice. This is an action to adjudicate that Plaintiff is the owner of the following real property: 1. That property conveyed by deed recorded July 20, 1931 at Book 236, Page 553, Gunnison County Records, described as follows: Beginning at a point on the West Bank of the Cimarron Canal whence the East quarter-corner of Section 5 Township 46 North Range 6 West

Agriculture Story

&

Reporting Best Feature Photograph - 1st

Best Feature Photograph -2nd

Best Photography Portfolio

Best Advertising Campaign

Best Feature Story - 2nd

Best Feature Story - 1st

Best Sports Photograph - 1st

Best Sport Photograph - 2nd

Best Informational Graphic - 1st

Best Informational Graphic - 2nd Best News Story

Best Cover Design - 1st Best Cover Design - 2nd

Best Page Design - 1st

Best Page Design - 2nd

Best Sports/Sports Event Story - 1st

Best Sports/Sports Event Story - 2nd

Best News Photograph

Best Advertising Special Section

Best Classified Page(s) or Section(s) - 1st

Best Classified Page(s)/Section(s) - 2nd Best News Media/House Ad Promotion - 1st

Best News Media/House Ad Promo - 2nd

Lights & Sirens

CITY OF GUNNISON POLICE REPORT

MAY 20

VIOLATION OF PROTECTION

ORDER: CRIMINAL ORDER — 1010 W. VIRGINIA AVE.

CRIMINAL TRESPASS - MUNICIPAL — 221 N. WISCONSIN ST.

THEFT: INTENDS TO PERMANENTLY DEPRIVE — 401 N. WISCONSIN ST. FRAUD - INFORMATION/WIRE — 401 S. 14TH ST.

JUVENILE PROBLEM — IRWIN ST. PROPERTY - LOST — 800 E. TOMICHI AVE

MAY 21

ANIMAL - RUNNING AT LARGEMUNICIPAL — 216 W. RUBY AVE.

ANIMAL - RUNNING AT LARGEMUNICIPAL — C.R. 49 AGENCY ASSIST — 411 E. TOMICHI AVE.

MAY 22

ANIMAL - RUNNING AT LARGEMUNICIPAL — 608 W. NEW YORK AVE.

CRIMINAL MISCHIEF - DAMAGE TO PROPERTY 205 S. WISCONSIN ST.

JUVENILE PROBLEM - RUNAWAY — ESCALANTE DR. ACCIDENT - HIT AND RUN — 1000 N. MAIN ST. VIOLATION OF PROTECTION ORDER: CRIMINAL ORDER — 503 N. SPRUCE ST. ACCIDENT — 700 N. 14TH ST.

THEFT: INTENDS TO PERMANENTLY DEPRIVE — 112 S. MAIN ST. INFORMATION — 1198 N. MAIN ST.

MAY 23

CRIMINAL ATTEMPT - SEX ASSAULT NUISANCE CODE VIOLATION — 614 W. GUNNISON AVE. DISORDERLY CONDUCT: THREATEN/ABUSE ANOTHER IN PUBLIC — 308 E. RUBY AVE.

MAY 24

WARRANT SERVICE - OTHER JURISDICTION — 323 S. COLORADO ST. WEAPONS VIOLATION - POSS./ PREVIOUS OFFENDER — 100 S. BOULEVARD ST. HARASSMENT: GESTURE/LANGUAGE IN PUBLIC — 720 N. MAIN ST. WELFARE ASSIST — W. VIRGINIA AVE. WARRANT SERVICE — 700 W. DENVER AVE.

MAY 25

DRIVING WHILE ABILITY IMPAIRED - ALCOHOL — 700 N. MAIN ST.

MAY 26

ANIMAL - VICIOUS/DANGEROUS - MUNICIPAL — 933 W. DENVER AVE. CRIMINAL TRESPASS - MUNICIPAL — C.R. 13

MAY 27

BURGLARY: SECOND DEGREE — 614 W. GUNNISON AVE. TRAFFIC - DUR - HABITUAL OF-

FENDER — 38000 W. HWY. 50 DOMESTIC VIOLENCE — 600 N. COLORADO ST.

GUNNISON COUNTY SHERIFF’S REPORT

MAY 21

-Civil paper service

-911 hang-up call - mistake

-Missing person report takenparty did arrive home safely

-Deputies took one person into custody on an in-county warrant

MAY 22

-Missing person report/overdueHinsdale sheriff deputies located subject stuck on County Road 30

-Criminal mischief at McClure

Campground - follow-up with U.S. Forest Service

-Deputies took one person into custody on an in-county warrant

MAY 23

-Trespassing report - civil issues on land and water rights

MAY 24

-Deputies took one person into custody for violation of protection order x5

MAY 25

-Possible trespass report - under investigation

-Agency assist to the Gunnison Police Department with a disorderly subject at a local business

-Deputies seized a motorcycle license plate that was canceled on a vehicle that had been sold to a rental vehicle company

MAY 26

-Somerset/Marble deputies responded to a property dispute and possible road block or barricades on roadway

-Deputies assisted the Colorado State Patrol for a single-vehicle accident on Highway 114

-Somerset/Marble deputies took a possible harassment call - under investigation

-Deputies took an information report concerning the selling of land/ property - under investigation

-Deputies were notified of a found dog at one of the local campgrounds and took it to the Gunnison Valley Animal Welfare League. It was picked up the next day by its owner.

-Deputies issued a citation for speeding and no proof of insurance

MAY 27

-Deputies met with a party who found two dogs on County Road 26 and took them to GVAWL, where they were picked up by their owner

-Deputies were contacted by another person who found a yellow lab with a collar but no tags and took him to GVAWL. This dog was picked up by its owners.

-Somerset/Marble deputies were advised of some suspicious activity at Paonia State Park May

Care designed for ... THE UNEXPECTED

At Gunnison Valley Health we have the services you need to handle an unexpected injury or illness.

MOUNTAIN CLINIC

THE MOUNTAIN CLINIC IS THE ONLY STATE LICENSED EMERGENCY CENTER AND CERTIFIED URGENT CARE PROVIDER ON THE MOUNTAIN | OPENING ON JUNE 8, 2024!

MOUNTAIN CLINIC | 970-349-0321 12 SNOWMASS RD., AXTELL 100, MT. CRESTED BUTTE

URGENT CARE CLINIC

Offering convenient care for minor injuries and illnesses that can’t wait for a doctor’s appointment.

NO APPOINTMENT NECESSARY | OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK

URGENT CARE | 970-648-7105 707 NORTH IOWA ST. | GUNNISON

PRIMARY CARE

With family medicine, internal medicine and pediatric care, we can help you be healthy and well.

ANNUAL PHYSICALS | WELLNESS EXAMS | VACCINES & FLU SHOTS

GUNNISON | 970-642-8413

707 N. IOWA | GUNNISON

EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT

WCU CAMPUS | 970-943-2707 104 TOMICHI HALL | GUNNISON

CRESTED BUTTE | 970-642-8413 305 S. 6TH | CRESTED BUTTE

Our Emergency Department (ED) is a fully-staffed eight bed ED which provides emergency care 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. We have a team approach and direct access to a higher level of care for your emergent needs.

CARE BY BOARD CERTIFIED EMERGENCY PHYSICIANS | ACUTE STROKE READY HOSPITAL

EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT 711 N. TAYLOR | GUNNISON

A ranch of their own

Gunnison local preserves textile traditions

Mariel Wiley Times Photo Editor

During Gunnison’s frigid winters, staying warm is no small feat. Locals and visitors alike bundle up in base layers and puffy jackets made of synthetic fibers to keep the chill out. Although these man-made materials provide some temperature regulation, they can’t compare to the potent warmth that natural textiles like cashmere and wool provide. And those natural fibers are produced by animals that live right here in the Gunnison Valley.

Maya Conn is keeping ancient textile traditions alive, through her herd of nine cashmere goats and five Jacob’s sheep. She keeps them at Ann Bertschy’s former Cashmere Goat Ranch just north of town, where they produce hair and wool that can be transformed into warm garments. Conn has been caring for the animals since she was 11. Since graduating from Gunnison High

School this month, she is exploring a potential career in the textile trade. But a change in the ranch’s ownership this past winter has required her to relocate the herd by June 30.

Conn, along with two other women who keep their goats on the property, Lynn McDermand and Annie Schoenmakers, are searching for a new long-term home for their animals. Goats differ from cattle in that they eat and fully digest noxious weeds like thistle and woody shrub plants. They’re smaller than cows, and require more thorough fencing and a structure to protect them from predators and the elements each night. The herd needs three to five acres of pasture land with access to fresh water.

“[Maya] really wants to carry on the legacy that Ann Bertschy started with the Cashmere Ranch, and she wants to continue ranching to see if this is a future for her,” Conn’s mother Holly said. “The next generation isn’t always connected [to ranching] by family bonds. But they’re out there, and it’s up to us as a community to make those connections.”

A potential career

For Conn, managing the herd presents a possible lifelong career, and a deep bond with the animals that has spanned years. Conn acquired her first goat, April, when she was 11. Now, she cares for a herd of nine cashmere goats, three of which are babies, or “kids.”

This spring was Conn’s first year guiding the mother goats through the entire breeding and birthing process on her own. She recently rescued five Jacob’s sheep from Coldharbor Ranch, bringing the total number of animals under her care to 14.

Conn lives in town, but visits the ranch multiple times a week to feed and clean up after the goats and sheep. But perhaps the most important aspect of the time she spends with the animals is the mutual companionship they offer each other. Conn considers the goats to be her “best friends,” and said that their comforting presence in her life helped her through the woes of teenagehood.

The benefits go both ways, as Conn’s interaction with the animals over the years has helped them become comfort-

PHOTOS:

SPORTS: RMD softball takes down The 99ers, B7

Maya Conn sits on a platform surrounded by two mother goats and their three kids. (Photos by Mariel Wiley)

Conn, Erin Miller and Schaetzie Engel stand behind the pile of wool shorn from one of Conn’s sheep.

GUNNISON

able around people. When Conn first acquired the Jacob’s sheep last year, they were skittish and would bolt to the other side of the pen whenever she tried to approach them, she said.

During a visit earlier this month, they watched attentively as Conn entered their pen. Her months of patient socializing paid off as they flocked to her side to accept treats. On the other side of a long red barn, the goats reacted similarly to Conn’s presence. They accepted dandelions and gentle pets as the three young kids hopped energetically around Conn’s legs.

For years, the cashmere goat ranch served as a hub for 4-H youth and community members to spend time with goats and learn how to care for them. During its heyday, the ranch housed over 300 cashmere goats. Nearly 60 teens in the 4-H program were assigned to care for individual or groups of animals for years, learning about feeding, immunizing and breeding practices.

When the ranch’s partnership with 4-H ended in 2020, Conn decided to strike out on her own, taking responsibility for the animals under her care. Bertschy graciously allowed Conn and several others to keep their animals on the property. As a result, Conn got to keep the hair her goats produced. This sparked an interest in learning how to process the cashmere into luxurious yarn to weave garments.

“I wanted what my animals produced to be meaningful,” Conn said. “Their fiber is a gift.”

Textile traditions

The goats’ and sheep's main job is to “go out and be happy,” Conn said. With small herds like Conn’s, the fiber collection process is done entirely by hand to prioritize the animals’ comfort. Fiber is collected once every spring, when the goats shed their winter coat and the sheep’s coats grow long.

Cashmere goats have a “dual coat” made up of two kinds of hair. The outer coat consists of coarse “guard hair” that the goats keep year-round. Underneath lies a cashmere undercoat that grows in for the winter, which is finer and curlier and almost eight times warmer than wool. Every spring, Conn brushes her goats to collect these fibers, a lowstress process for the animals, who get to stand around eating treats. Each goat produces roughly 9 ounces of cashmere every year.

Jacob’s sheep are a fourhorned heritage breed from England. Most breeds of domestic sheep have been bred over many generations to have hair that grows endlessly, and needs to be shorn each spring. Each Jacob’s sheep, which are a similar size to a golden retriever, accumulates roughly 10 pounds of wool each year.

Since acquiring the sheep, Conn has grown interested in processing wool in addition to

her goats’ cashmere. Earlier this month, sheep shearers from Nerdy Sheep Fiber Works visited the ranch to give Conn’s herd a buzz cut for spring. Conn watched closely as shearers Erin Miller and Schaetzie Engel shaved each of the five Jacob’s sheep, demonstrating how to hold the animal steady as they trimmed the winter coat. Conn asked questions as they worked, taking notes for when she takes on the task solo in the future. Conn then processes the natural fibers. This involves washing the fiber and spinning it into yarn, which can later be knitted into garments. She started practicing spinning with the sheeps’ wool, which is easier to make into yarn than the smooth, slippery cashmere. Conn is also learning to process fibers from her pet Angora rabbit and from alpaca and llama fiber she received from animal rescues. She decided to take a gap

year to learn about the business side of the textile and fiber industry. But in order to do so, she must quickly find a new pasture to relocate her animals.

“I’m not looking for someone to take my animals, because they’re my life,” Conn said. “I’m looking for someone to work with and share this with.”

(Mariel Wiley can be contacted at 970.641.1414 or mariel@ gunnisontimes.com.)

Cashmere goats can have blonde, spotted, gray or black coats.

Conn holds hair collected from one of her goats, April.

BIZ CENTS

Fine dining, family-style

Harmels restaurant to offer breakfast, lunch and dinner

Mariel Wiley Times Photo Editor

After a long summer day spent casting for trout in the river or climbing the walls of the Taylor Canyon, there’s nothing quite like coming home to a comforting meal. Next month, weary recreators won’t have to travel far to get their food fix: Harmels’ Bites & Brews On The Taylor will soon serve three meals a day to cabin guests and walk-ins alike.

For the first time since 2020, Harmels’ restaurant and bar, Bites & Brews, will be open for breakfast, lunch and dinner following a ribbon cutting ceremony on June 5 at 4 p.m. The restaurant will remain open for the summer and fall seasons until Oct. 31. Owners Gabe and Terry Reynolds wanted to revive a tradition of serving family-style meals and to create a welcoming space for all visitors.

“It’s a family-owned business, and most of our family does live and work here,” Savannah Reynolds, Harmels’ events & marketing coordinator, said. Savannah is also Gabe and Terry’s daughter-in-law. “We just really want our guests and members of the community to feel as though they’re dining with us.”

Harmels has been a familyowned business from the beginning. During the Gunnison Valley’s mining era in the 1800s, the property, then known as Elmer’s Ranch, served as a convenient midway point for miners making the trek between Gunnison and Crested Butte. They’d stop at the ranch’s small supply store for the night to rest before continuing their journey through the valley.

Throughout the following century, ownership of the land passed from family to family until eventually landing in Bud Harmel’s hands in 1958. Soon after, Harmel’s daughter and her family, the Roberts, moved to Almont from Canada to help run the ranch. At the time, 19 log cabins dotted the land, all positioned alongside the Taylor River or Spring Creek. Although previous owners had added modern plumbing and electricity, the cabins’ sturdy log exteriors and red roofs remained unchanged.

The Roberts family spent the next several decades developing the ranch into the modern vacation and dining destination

that it remains today. Harmel’s grandson, Steve Roberts, managed the property from 1979 until 2021, when he sold it to the Reynolds family.

Before the Reynolds purchased the property, Roberts had hosted buffet nights that were a popular staple for the community at the time. The Reynolds were determined to revive this tradition, but staffing shortages prevented them from offering the full restaurant service they wanted to provide. The restaurant opened for a brief period last summer with a limited menu.

This year, the family hired a full team, and Bites & Brews will be fully operational next week. The restaurant will offer “warm, comforting meals” such as chicken pot pies and lasagna, Savannah said. Wednesdays through Saturdays, dinners will be served family-style, with a three course offering set for each night of the week, including a prime rib night every Friday. For a fixed price from $25 to $40 per person (depending on the meal), diners can expect an “amuse bouche” appetizer and a salad followed by the entree of the day.

Sundays and Mondays will feature a bar menu with select appetizers, and Tuesdays are designated hamburger nights. Staff will post updated menus for the following week online every Sunday, so visitors can plan their trip around a favorite dish.

As usual, breakfast is included for lodging guests, but will also be open to drop-in diners. A salad bar and rotating soup specials will be available for lunch, in addition to a selection of sandwiches and woodfired pizzas.

In addition to serving hearty fare, the family planned a full schedule of recurring events for community members to attend with family and friends. Local musician Lizzie Plotkin will host an open mic night twice a month on Tuesdays, and a rotating roster of artists will perform live music for dinner guests every Thursday. Crested Butte Power Yoga will guide free yoga by the river classes once a month for those looking to unwind with the soothing sounds of nature. Families can stop by for monthly movie nights beside the Taylor.

For those looking for an opportunity to break into the sport of fly fishing, Harmels’ head fly guide will lead free classes weekly throughout the summer months. Attendees can brush up on their fly tying and casting skills to prepare for upcoming guided fly fishing trips or hitting the river on their own for the first time.

“We want people to know that

we’re open and want to build this place to be a good pillar of the community,” Savannah said. “We want people to enjoy the space that we have.”

(Mariel Wiley can be contacted at 970.641.1414 or mariel@ gunnisontimes.com.)

Rental cabins with red roofs are positioned alongside the Taylor River.

The back deck of Bites & Brews provides ample space for live music and riverside dining.

The Roberts family ran the ranch for nearly 20 years, starting in the 1960s. (Courtesy Savannah Reynolds)

Pedal power

Hundreds of mountain bikers raced down Main Street to kick off the first of several races during the 16th annual Original Growler on May 25 and 26. On Saturday, racers took on the 32-mile Classic Growler course. Sunday featured the Pup 20-mile and the Big Bad 40-mile endurance race. Both days concluded with an awards ceremony and party at Gunnison’s IOOF Park. The Growler is the primary fundraiser for local nonprofit Gunnison Trails.

(Photos by Mariel Wiley)

Ag producers event

Agriculture producers are invited to get a free cup of coffee and a Cake Me Away pastry at the Gunnison County CSU Extension Office, located at 275 S. Spruce St., on May 31 any time after 7 a.m. The office wishes to thank the AgWell Project for making these events possible.

Film premiere

CB State of Mind will screen the documentary film “Feel It All,” followed by a conversation with pro skier Drew Petersen and local filmmaker Jesse Levine on May 31 at 6 p.m. at the Crested Butte Center for the Arts. This is a free event to support mental health awareness in the Gunnison Valley.

Community Heritage Day

The Pioneer Museum will offer free admission to Community Heritage Day on June 1, to celebrate their 60th anniversary season with music, refreshments and special activities. The museum is open daily through September from 9 a.m.-5 p.m., with admission at $15 for ages 13 and up, $5 for ages 6-12 and free for 5 and under. Visit them on Facebook for more information.

Sacred Feminine Circle

The Sacred Feminine Circle will meet on June 4 at 7 p.m. in the back room at 403 Maroon Ave. in Crested Butte. Guest speaker and life coach Carla Fanciullo will speak about her work with chakra energies and lead the group in breath practices to connect with the divine.

Mountain Roots CSA

Join Mountain Roots’ 16-week CSA program. Delivery begins on June 27. Support local farmers and enjoy fresh, organic produce delivered weekly to your doorstep. Sign up at mountainrootsfoodproject.org.

Free Qigong for cancer

In partnership with Tough Enough to Wear Pink, Heidi Magnus will offer free, gentle Qigong for anyone who has been recently diagnosed, currently

in treatment for, or in remission from cancer. Caregivers are welcome. Sessions will take place on Mondays from 4-5 p.m. through June 17 at Sanctuary Somatics, 513 S. Main St. in Gunnison.

Pork producers meeting

The Colorado Pork Producers Council will meet on June 25 at 4 p.m. at the Valley Trading Post Event Center, 23056 U.S. 350 in La Junta, Colorado. A special program and meal will follow at 5:30 p.m. All pork producers, veterinarians, extension agents, swine project collaborators, students, educators, youth and other interested parties are invited to attend.

Volunteers needed

Habitat for Humanity

Gunnison is seeking volunteers on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays from 8 a.m.-12 p.m. and 1-5 p.m. at 211 S. 6th St. in Gunnison. Help with painting, landscaping and basic construction tasks. No experience is necessary. Volunteers get a free t-shirt and lunch on Saturdays. Call 970.641.1245 or visit hfhgunnisonvalley.org for more details.

Rotary grant

The Rotary Club of Gunnison invites proposals from local charitable organizations for grant support, specifically those that serve children from birth to high school graduation. Organizations must be 501(c)(3) tax-exempt or other type of charitable organization. The application deadline is June 3 at noon. Email Pam Montgomery at pgmflower@gunnison.com or call 970.901.9950 for more information and to apply.

GHS reunion

Gunnison High School’s 60-year class reunion will be held on July 12, with dinner at 5Bs BBQ at 5 p.m. For more information, call Bob at 970.596.1556.

Overeaters Anonymous

Overeaters Anonymous meets on Thursdays at 5 p.m. at The Last Resort, 114 Wisconsin St. in downtown Gunnison. this is an open meeting.

CB CENTER FOR THE ARTS BRIEFS

‘Unleashing Pride’ reception

Join the Crested Butte Center for the Arts for the opening reception of “Unleashing Pride,” an LGBTQ+ exhibition, on June 6 at 5 p.m. The exhibit will run from June 6-27. This is a free event to celebrate artists Suzanne Pierson, Sheya McIlrath and Leslie Henslee.

Butte Sessions

Butte Sessions at the CBCA on June 8 at 6 p.m. will feature emerging local bands, performers, painters, jewelers and more. Admission is $20. All proceeds support the Crested Butte Creative District and local creative industry professionals.

The Golden Games

The Golden Gays musical drag troupe returns to the CBCA stage for a musical game show and post-show karaoke party on June 13 at 7 p.m. Tickets are $25 and may be purchased at crestedbuttearts.org

Nature film night

Oh Be Joyful Gallery will screen the award-winning documentary, “Out There: A National Parks Story,” at the CBCA on June 14 at 6 p.m., followed by a discussion with filmmaker Brendan Hall and performance by score composer Elizabeth P.W. Food will be served at 5 p.m. Find more information at crestedbuttearts.org.

Wednesday JUNE 5TH. at 4:30 p.m. 6748 County Rd 742, Almont, CO 81210 Grand Re-Opening of the Bar/Restaurant! Harmels.com

Join the City throughout the Summer!

During the 1st and 3rd weeks of June, July, and August, come ask questions, share thoughts, and have conversation with officials from your City government! Rain or shine, see you there! Pueden conversar también en español.

Mayor Mondays at Mochas

12:00-1:30pm | June 3rd & June 17th

Grab your own coffee or lunch and sit down with Mayor Plata for conversation at Mochas Coffeehouse.

Wednesday Walks with Wilson

12:00-1:30pm | June 5th & June 19th

Meet City Manager Wilson for a lunchtime walk & talk at the Canal Trail across from Kelley Hall lot on Western’s campus.

Thursday Thoughts at IOOF

4:30-6:00pm | June 6th & June 20th

Engage with City officials to discuss various projects, ask questions, or share your perspectives.

JUNE

Mountaineer track and field earns seven All-American honors

Gregg Petcoff Special to the Times

Western Colorado University earned four first-team and three second-team All-American honors at the NCAA Division II Outdoor Track and Field Championships from May 23-25. The Mountaineer women finished in a tie for 29th place in the team standings, while the men tied for 31st.

First-team individual honors are awarded to the top eight competitors in each event, and second-team awards go to those who place ninth through 12th in their events.

Simon Kelati led the way with two first-team honors. The senior raced to a third-place finish in the men’s 1,500-meter run, posting a time of 3:54.73. Kelati added another first-team honor in the men’s 5,000-meter run. His time of 14:48.27 was the seventh fastest in a field of 19 runners.

Ali Aldrich claimed her second consecutive first-team honor in the women’s shot put. She took fifth place with a best throw of 15.40 meters. The Mountaineers’ Leah Taylor ran

to fifth place in the 1,500 meter with a blazing time of 4:23.99, moving her to fifth on Western’s all-time record for that event.

On Thursday, Kaiya Firor took 12th place in the women’s 400-meter hurdles during the preliminary heats, putting up a time of 1:00.00. On Friday, Eddie Siuda competed in the final of the men’s 3,000-meter steeplechase, having advanced from Thursday’s preliminary heats. Siuda placed ninth in the championship heat with a personal best time of 8:53.17.

Tyler Nord added the final second-team honor for the Mountaineers, taking 10th in the 5,000 meter with a time of 14:57.22 late Saturday afternoon.

Western’s championship weekend also included five other performances. Taylor took 14th in the women’s 5,000 meter, Nord placed 16th in the men’s 1,500 meter, Emma Kjellsen took 16th and Lauren Willson placed 18th in the women’s 1,500 meter and Eireann Donohoe took 19th in the women’s triple jump.

Little sluggers take the field

The Babe Ruth little-leaguers returned to the diamond at Jorgensen Park this week for another action-packed summer. On May 28, the ballplayers practiced their throwing and batting to prepare for the opening game on Thursday, May 30 at 5 p.m.

(Photos by Mariel Wiley)

(Gregg Petcoff is the assistant athletics director for communications at Western Colorado University and can be reached at gpetcoff@western.edu.)

Simon Kelati competes in the 5,000-meter run. (Courtesy David Nguyen)

RMD victorious in adult league opener

‘The 99ers’ come up short

Alex McCrindle Times Sports Editor

RMD Powersports faced off against The 99ers in the opening week of coed adult league softball at Jorgensen Park on May 28. RMD escaped with a 15-12 victory despite a last-gasp comeback from The 99ers.

The 99ers, one of the only teams in the league unaffiliated with a local business, competed with a motley group of skiers, kayakers and mountain bikers. RMD flew out of the dugout, and took an early 4-0 advantage. The 99ers struggled to gain momentum in the opening innings, with a handful of players still sore from the Growler mountain bike races last weekend.

In the top of the third, The 99ers drove a run home and loaded the bases with two outs.

RMD stranded the runners with a vital snag in the outfield to maintain its 4-1 advantage.

RMD then piled on the pressure in the bottom of the third. Two back-to-back singles put runners at the corners, and a sacrifice fly brought two runners home to nudge the score up to 6-1. The inning finished 7-1 for the home team, and the game appeared to be out of reach.

The 99ers pulled two runs back in the top of the fourth.

Local DJ Alex Sturde got a rally

started with a walk. A drive to center field brought Sturde to third, despite accidentally tagging-up and sliding under the third baseman's glove. Two runners reached home to take the game to 7-3. Meg LaHatte, who went over the handlebars at the Growler three days prior, closed the inning with a strikeout, and marched back to the dugout in frustration.

RMD tacked on more runs in the final inning of the game, taking a 15-8 lead after consistent hitting and smart baserunning. Again, the lead seemed insurmountable to The 99ers. Then, the team of Modelofunneling skiers began the impossible. Their bats started to warm up, and a few walks pushed runners into scoring position.

In the final inning of the game, The 99ers reached first on a few generous walks, and knocked-in runs. With two outs on the board, and the lead narrowed to three runs, tension filled both dugouts — even Beans the dugout cat nervously watched from the bleachers. The game came to an end with a ground out to shortstop, crushing The 99ers’ valiant comeback attempt and sealing a 15-12 win for RMD.

Adult league softball will bring white-knuckle drama to Jorgensen Park throughout the summer, with playoffs scheduled for August. (Alex McCrindle can be contacted at 970.641.1414 or alex@ gunnisontimes.com.)

Victory at the net

Purple Powerhouse was named champion of the Adult Volleyball league at the Gunnison Rec Center on May

23. The season came down to a nail-biting finale, as Powerhouse coasted past Axtel in the semi-final, and then Matchblock 20 in the championship.

(Photos by Mariel Wiley)

Meg LaHatte awaits the pitch at home plate. (Courtesy Evan Bjornstad)

Western Colorado University

Junior Mountaineers: Western’s Junior Mountaineers day camp is for ages 5-12 and runs from June 3-Aug. 21 with different themes each week. Kids will explore the library, swim, rock climb, play outdoor games, have fun with science experiments and more. Find more information and register at juniormountaineers. totalcamps.com.

Youth Soccer Camp: Kids aged 5-14 are invited to learn from college coaches at Western’s Youth Soccer Camp from June 24-28. Find more information and register at westerncoloradosoccer. totalcamps.com.

Elite ID Overnight Soccer Camp: This camp is for serious soccer players aged 14-18 or transfer student athletes looking to get Division II exposure and experience collegiate level training sessions at Western from July 12-15. Team discounts for 12 or more players are available. Find more information and register at westerncoloradosoccer. totalcamps.com.

Rady Engineering Academy: Students entering grades 6-9 are welcome. The program runs from 9 a.m.-3 p.m., Tues.-Thurs. with a different theme each week.

June 18-20: Mechanical Engineering, Solids

June 25-27: Mechanical Engineering, Fluids

July 9-11:

Renewable Energy Engineering

July 16-18: Circuits, Electronics and Coding

July 23-25: Outdoor Survival Engineering I

July 30-Aug. 1: Outdoor Survival Engineering II

Small student-to-instructor ratios (1:4) ensure high-quality, hands-on learning, engagement and safety. Students can register for one week, six weeks or anything in-between. Tuition is $100 per week, which includes all materi -

als and take-home projects. Need-based scholarships are available. To register, please email program director Lauren Cooper at lauren.cooper@ colorado.edu or scan the QR code.

Gunnison County Library

Summer reading program: Gunnison County Library’s 2024 Summer Reading Program runs from June 1Aug. 3. This summer's theme is "Adventure Begins at Your Library.” Readers of all ages are encouraged to participate in this 30-day challenge. Track your summer reading in a special reading map (pick-up at the library) and win cool prizes and free books. Participants will be entered to win a grand prize at the end of the program.

Recurring events:

Weekly Story Time

• Gunnison Library: Mon. and Thurs. at 10 a.m.

• Crested Butte Library: Tues. at 10 a.m.

• CB South at Red Mtn. Park: Wed. at 11 a.m. (June 5-Aug. 21)

Weekly Craft Club

Every Wed. in Gunnison and Crested Butte at 2:30 p.m. Teen Gamers Guild Select Fri. in Gunnison at 5 p.m.

Special events:

Family Bilingual Yoga Adventures: June 8, 10:30-11:15 a.m. at Gunnison Library and June 9, 1:30-2:15 p.m. at Crested Butte Library

Foam Party: June 26, 12-1 p.m. at Gunnison Library

Collage Art: July 9, 5-7 p.m. at Gunnison Library with instructor Michael Albert

Your2024 Summer Activities Guide

(Photo by Jacob Spetzler)

(Photo by Mariel Wiley)

Pint-sized Polka: July 16, 4:30-5:15 p.m. at Gunnison Library

MIT Spokes: July 17, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. at Gunnison Library

Free Family Film: “Jumanji” (1995), July 27, 3:45 p.m. at the Majestic Theatre in Crested Butte

Gunnison Arts Center

Youth Hip-Hop Dance Class: Kids aged 6-12 are invited to learn new moves with instructor

Saki Sullivan in this four-week class on Thurs. from 5-6 p.m.

Summer Activities Guide

beginning on June 6. The second session will be held on Tues. from July 11-Aug.1. Register at gunnisonartscenter.org.

Tang Soo Do: Learn the martial art of Tang Soo Do in combined youth and adult classes for ages 7 and up, every other Wed. beginning on June 12 from 5-6:15 p.m. The cost is $30 per class or $115 for all five. Classes will continue through July and Aug. with dates and times to be announced. Register at gunnisonartscenter.org.

Kids Garden Clay: Kids aged 6-12 can learn handbuilding and glazing techniques to make a yard sculpture and birdhouse on Thurs., June 6-20 from 4-5:30

p.m. in the GAC clay studio.

$100 includes all three classes. Register at gunnisonartscenter. org.

Dad and Me Clay: Bring your kids and get creative with clay at this all-ages class on June 15 from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Throw on the wheel and make a hand-built keepsake. Light snacks will be available. The cost is $50 for each dad and kid pair, plus $20 for each additional dad or kid.

Big and Little Art Class: Get creative with your little one while exploring different art forms and mediums in this fourweek class on Sat., June 8-29 and July 11-Aug. 1 from 9:45-10:45

a.m. Wear play clothes and prepare to get messy. This class is best for ages 2-5. One adult must be present during class for every two children registered.

Missoula Children’s Theatre Workshops: “Robin Hood” Ages 6-8: Aug. 12-16, 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Ages 8-17: Aug. 12-16, 10 a.m.-2:30 p.m.

Free all-ages workshops: Tues.-Thurs., 2:45-3:30 p.m.

Special Events: Artwalk Kids Craft Stations: June 7, July 5, Aug. 2, 5-8 p.m.

West African Dance: June 15, 4:30-5:30 p.m.

Solstice Block Party Fundraiser: Free admission for kids. $15 for adults. Live music, interactive art, a sidewalk chalk contest and more. June 15, 2-7 p.m.

Saturday Clay Days: Ages 6-16. June 22, July 13 and 20. 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

Paint Your Own Pottery Dropin: All ages. June 29, July 27, Aug. 17. 10 a.m.-12 p.m.

Little Mondrians: Ages 6-14 will learn to create Mondrian paintings. July 13, 1-3:30 p.m.

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(Photo by Jacob Spetzler)

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Sundays @ 6: Free concert series at Legion Park for everyone, rain or shine! June 16-Aug. 18.

Find more information on events and register for all classes at gunnisonartscenter. org.

Gunnison School District

Middle School Summer Experience: The GMS Summer Experience is available to all incoming 6th graders through outgoing 8th graders. The cost is $25. Free breakfast and lunch is provided. Courses are four days long (Mon-Thurs.), June 3-27 and July 8-18.

To view available courses, see course descriptions and sign up:

1. Go to the gunnisonschools.net.

2. Hover over "Families" and select Summer Experience from the drop down menu.

3. Choose "Gunnison Summer Experience."

4. At the top right corner, select "Middle."

5. Here, you can select many options.

Please direct questions to gmssummer@gunnisonschools.net.

Gunnison Parks and Recreation

Adventure Camp: Adventure Camp meets Mon.-Thurs. from 12-4 p.m. at Jorgensen Indoor Ice Rink. This offering matches with the RE1J Summer Experience program and gives kids aged 6-10 a safe and fun place to explore, learn and play in the afternoon. Session dates are June 10-13, 17-20, 24-27, July 8-11, 15-18 and 22-25.

Gunni Grinder Bike Series: The Gunni Grinder Bike Series is a racing program for kids aged 2-7 on Thurs. in Aug. at the Gunnison BMX track. There will be five race days total, with categories for strider, pedal, and STAYCYC riders. Track practice happens from 4:30-5 p.m. Races start at 5:15 p.m.

For more information on these programs and to register for swim lessons, tennis, kayaking, gymnastics, rock climbing, softball, baseball and class offerings for all ages, visit gunnisonrec.com or call 970-641-8060.

Mountain Roots

Junior Naturalist Camp: Mountain Roots presents a new opportunity for Gunnison 3rd5th graders for the first week of summer. Inspired by the junior ranger program offered by the National Parks Service, kids will complete challenges in citizen science, survival skills, fishing and foraging to earn their

Summer Activities Guide

official Mountain Roots Junior Naturalist Certificate at the end of the week. Camp runs from June 3-7 daily, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Drop off and pick up from the Gunnison Community School garden.

Learn more and register at mountainrootsfoodproject. org/summer-camps. Email kristen@mountainrootsfoodproject.org with questions.

Dos Rios Golf Club

Junior Golf Program: Kids can learn the fundamentals of golf on Tues. and Thurs. from June 4-27 at Dos Rios Golf Club. Ages 6-9 will meet from 9 a.m.-10 a.m. and ages 10-13 from 10 a.m.-11 a.m. The cost is $50 and includes a golf shirt. Register at the Dos Rios golf shop in advance or on day one of the program.

Ripples Wilderness

Ripples Wilderness in Crested Butte offers classes for kids ages 6 and up to discover the beauty and importance of nature and where we fit in it all. Financial aid is available. Sign up for summer programming and find more information at rippleswilderness.com.

Crested Butte School of Dance

The Crested Butte School of Dance presents an incredible lineup of summer dance opportunities for the community.

Block 5 classes (Summer) will run from June 17-July 12 (Session A) and July 22-Aug. 16 (Session B).

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(Photo by Jacob Spetzler)

(Photo by Jacob Spetzler)

(Photo by Mariel Wiley)

Summer Activities Guide

They will offer dance camps for elementary kids on Tues. and Fri., with half-day and full-day options available. Camps include aerial and/ or acrobatics along with other styles of dance. They will also offer a dance camp for preschool kids (ages 3-5) on Wed. mornings and 30 different dance classes for all

ages. Register for a full session or individual drop-in dates for all camps and most classes. Enroll by June 3 to waive the registration fee. (Use promo code Summer2024-100 at checkout.) Visit dancecrestedbutte.org to view schedules, create accounts and register. Contact programs@ dancecrestedbutte.org for more information.

Crested Butte Mountain Theatre

‘Youtheatre Camp’ : Crested Butte Mountain Theatre will hold a theater camp for kids aged 8-14 from July 15-26, ending with a family and friends performance on July 26. For more information and to register, visit cbmountaintheatre.org/education.

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(Photo by Jacob Spetzler)

(Photo by Mariel Wiley)

(Photo by Mariel Wiley)