Hospital seeks half a million from city for new EMS station
Council to consider request this fall during budgeting
Abby Harrison Times Staff Writer
Last week, Gunnison Valley Health (GVH) requested $500,000 from the City of Gunnison to help pay for its new EMS station. The $12 million facility is designed to improve response times and offer paramedics more space to train
NEWS: City traffic calming program off to slow start, A10
COMMUNITY: CB summit hike celebrates 25 years, B1
SPORTS: Gymnastics competes at state, B8
A3
A4
A14-A17
B68
Zebra mussels discovered in Colorado River
NPS to install self-serve cleaning stations along Blue Mesa tributaries
Bella Biondini Times Editor
The recent discovery of zebra mussels in the Colorado River has aquatic invasive species managers on high alert across the region. If they were to spread, the mussels could wreak havoc in watersheds like
the Gunnison Basin.
In early July, Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) found zebra mussel veligers in the Colorado River and Government Highline Canal near Grand Junction after routine testing. A veliger is the free-floating, larval stage of the invasive mussel and can only be seen under a microscope. No adult mussels have been found yet.
Zebra mussels, finger-nail sized mollusks, were originally introduced into the Great Lakes region in the late 1980s. Since then, they have spread significantly in the eastern half of the country through the large rivers of the Mississippi River Basin. They have also been found
Spallone, Wesco settle in Gunnison Rising lawsuit
Outstanding
claims against GVP still at least $3.4 million
Abby Harrison Times Staff Writer
Two of the three contractors alleging that Gunnison Rising developers did not pay for construction work settled with the company managing the project, Gunnison Valley Properties (GVP), in mid-July. The agreements resolved nearly $500,000 of the project’s financial liability. Gunnison Rising is a 630-
acre housing and commercial development planned for just east of town. It stretches along both sides of Hwy. 50, and the project’s investors — longtime Gunnison local Dick Bratton and Denver-based real estate lawyer Byron Chrisman — envision it to offer entire neighborhoods, affordable housing units and a business district.
Construction crews broke ground on the site in 2021, laying plumbing equipment and preparing the site for other utilities. But in 2023, GVP ran out of money. Within a matter of months, several local construction companies hired to install utilities and do preliminary road work sued GVP, alleging they were owed millions.
Lawsuit A8
TURN UP THE LIGHTS: The Beastie Boys tribute band, Sabotage, lit up the stage with an electric 90s hip-hop show at the I Bar Ranch on July 26. For more, see A12. (Photo by Mariel Wiley)
EMS station A6
Mussels A6
QUOTE of the week
“Every year of the summit hike, our support for each other is so prevalent, and reaching the peak means so much more than it ever has before.”
— Dana Zobs, Living Journeys founder See story on B1
BRIEFS
Subway reopens this week
The Subway on East Tomichi Avenue reopened at 10 a.m. on July 31.
The store closed at the end of July 2023 and laid off all its workers. Reporting from Times revealed that in the months prior to its closure, employees alleged years of neglect on the building and business equipment.
Spring Creek bridge replacement
The U.S. Forest Service Gunnison Ranger District is reconstructing Spring Creek bridges 3 and 4. These bridges make passage through Spring Creek Canyon possible. Routine inspections revealed structural deficiencies in the two bridges, last reconstructed in the midto-late 90s. The project will begin Aug. 5.
For public safety, Spring Creek Road will be temporarily closed to all traffic during reconstruction. The closure will be in effect from mile markers 4.5 to 6, from the intersection of Spring Creek Road and County Road 744. Rocky Brook road provides access to the Spring Creek Reservoir and trails on the northern side of the closure area. Access to intersecting trails and roads across Spring Creek road will remain open. For more information, contact the Gunnison Ranger District at 970.641.0471.
Request for two new bus art installations
Mountain Express, which runs free public transit for the Town of Crested Butte and the Town of Mt. Crested Butte, is looking for artists to create a public mural installation on two new buses (one small and one large).
Contact Leah Petito at lpetito@mtnexp.org or 970.349.5616 for more information about proposal requirements. Proposals are due by Aug. 30 at 5 p.m. Installation will begin in October.
James ‘Jim’ Cory
James "Jim" Cory passed away suddenly on July 12, 2024 at the age of 65. He is survived by his loving wife Sandy; children Blake (Becca), Brandon (Sarah) Kelly (Tony) and his first grandson on the way, all from Gunnison, Colorado; siblings Mary, Peg (Reid), Sam (Liz), Pat (Debbie), Rose, Mike (Lynn), John (Sandra) and Ginger; along with 27 nieces and nephews and 45 great and great-great nieces and nephews. Jim is preceded in death by his parents Simon and Helen Cory and brother Simon Jr (widow Kathy) all from Springfield, Illinois. He was loved dearly by his mother-in-law Phyllis Hengst from Houston, Texas and sister-in-laws Natalie (Alan) and Charlotte (Eric).
Jim was born Oct. 6, 1958 in Springfield, Illinois. He grew up loving every sport he could play or read about, which stayed with him throughout his life. He graduated from SacredHeart Griffin High School and then worked in the Springfield/ Chicago area for several years until a job offer from the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park brought him to Gunnison in 1999. He worked as a trail crew supervisor and designed/built the Kneeling Camel overlook at the North Rim of the Black Canyon.
In 2003 he met Sandy. They knew they were meant for each other and married soon after. They began a life of wonderful new adventures. He was a restaurant connoisseur, a travel agent, a sportscaster and a movie buff. He was always researching and looking for the
best restaurants to try, beautiful places to travel to, fun pubs and beach bars, good old movies to watch and every sport he could watch on TV, especially his beloved Kansas City Chiefs, St Louis Cardinals and University of Texas Longhorns.
He loved cooking and grilling, but his favorite was smoking any type of meat, including brisket, ribs or turkey. He could do it all, he was the best.
He worked for the airlines at Gunnison-Crested Butte Regional Airport, which opened a whole new world for travel. He and Sandy took advantage of flying standby to Ireland, the Caribbean, and even an overnight trip to Hawaii for a Jimmy Buffet concert.
He was so proud of all of his children and their accomplishments. Jim dearly loved all of his family and friends. He loved laughing, telling stories, sharing all of his ideas, experiences, knowledge of places to go, places to eat and people to see, with everyone. You could always count on him to find an answer to anything you were looking for.
He will be remembered for his wonderful big heart (and incredible brisket). His warm presence was larger than life. He will be missed beyond belief.
“And in the end, it’s not the years in a life, it’s the life in the years” — Abraham Lincoln.
A celebration of life will be held at the Almont Resort on Saturday Aug. 3, from 1-4 p.m. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations to Seconds Save Lives at gvhparamedics. org/donate or GVH Paramedics, 711 N. Taylor St., Gunnison, 81230. Or donate to T2T.org, Tunnel to Towers Foundation, 2361 Hylan Blvd, Staten Island, NY 10306, or the charity of your choice.
Billy Gene Fry
Long-time Pitkin resident, Bill Fry, age 97, of Tulsa, Oklahoma, passed away Tuesday, July 23, 2024, at his
home surrounded by his loving family. Bill is survived by his loving wife, Juanita, his sons and daughters-in-law, Dennis and Deanna Fry, Don and Pamela Fry and his daughter and son-in-law, Patti and Rick Schmigle, as well as his seven grandchildren and one greatgrandson.
Bill and Juanita celebrated their 76th wedding anniversary last Christmas Eve. He retired from Southwestern Bell after 33 years of service and moved with the love of his life to Pitkin, Colorado, for their retirement. They were part-time residents of Pitkin for 40 years until they moved back to Tulsa to be with family. Bill was a World War II veteran, serving in the Merchant Marines on the USS Willamette near Okinawa, Japan.
A Celebration of Life Gathering is pending with Floral Haven Funeral Home in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma. It will be announced as soon as the day and time is available.
Bobby McKee was born in Gunnison on Aug. 30, 1950 to Don McKee and Betty McKee Youmans.
Bobby spent his early years working on the Youmans’ ranch in Powderhorn during the summer. He grew up in Bayfield, Colorado and graduated from Bayfield High School where he had many friends. He was a sergeant in the U.S. Marine Corps in the Vietnam War. He earned a B.A. degree from Mesa State College in Grand Junction,
Colorado. Bobby worked at Grand Junction steel as human resources director. He also worked at Safeway in Gunnison and at Western State College as human resources director.
Bobby was passionate about his music and loved the Denver Broncos. He had a loving heart and beautiful soul, always looking on the bright side of life.
Bobby has a very loving and supportive family and he will be dearly missed by all.
He is survived by his wife, Darlene, Gunnison; daughter Jessica Tuveson (Steve), Texas; step-daughter Cheri Cooper (Mark), Glade Park, Colorado; son Kirk McKee, Grand Junction, Colorado; son Shawn McKee, Gunnison; brother Fred McKee (Julie(, Cedaredge, Colorado; brother Mike McKee (Janelle), Grand Junction; brother Pat McKee (Joan), Gunnison; sister Becky Moore (Jack), Redding, California; and many nieces and nephews.
Many thanks to all the medical professionals that helped him along the path of life. Services will be held on Aug. 30, 2024 at the Gunnison Cemetery with military honors.
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Wild for wildflowers
brushed up on their identification and photography skills during a Crested
Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know. ~Jeremiah 33:3
Selected by Renee Balch & Leta Haverly
• GUNNISON - Enjoy Yard Games and Putt-Putt at Jorgensen Park July 31st from 5-7pm.
• GUNNISON - August 8th at Jorgensen Ice Rink 6-8pm.
FREE COMMUNITY MOVIES
8/2: MADAGASCAR
CB Majestic Theatre at 4:30 and 7:30 p.m.
8/9: THE HUNGER GAMES: BALLAD OF SONGBIRDS AND SNAKES
WCU Theater at 5 and 8 p.m.
• CRESTED BUTTE - August 15th Big Mine Ice Arena in CB 6-8pm.
8/23: KUNG FU PANDA 4
WCU Theater at 6 and 8 p.m
Flower fanatics
Butte Wildflower Festival hike along Baxter’s Gulch trail on
29. The following day, volunteers joined forces with Crested Butte Land Trust and Wildflower Festival staff to remove invasive weeds from native wildflower habitat.
Sports Editor Alex McCrindle alex@gunnisontimes.com
Advertising Manager Steve Nunn steve@gunnisontimes.com
Advertising Assistant Issa Forrest issa@gunnisontimes.com
THE GUNNISON COUNTRY TIMES (ISSN 0892-1113) is published weekly by Alan Wartes Media LLC., 218 N. Wisconsin St., Gunnison, Colorado 81230. Periodical postage paid at Gunnison, Colorado. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: The Gunnison Country Times, 218 N. Wisconsin, Gunnison, CO 81230-0240
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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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Work in the practical world
August arrives today. Around here that means something different than it does elsewhere in the country. For instance, in Texas, where I grew up, the first day of August feels like finally reaching the center of Death Valley on your way to the other side. On foot. Dragging your luggage and an empty canteen. Hooray, sort of.
Not here. Mountain people like us know that it’s as warm right now as it’s likely to get this year, and we can count on one hand the number of weeks left before the first hints of yellow show up in the tops of river bank cottonwoods. Fall has its own charm, for sure, but few of us are looking forward to it just yet.
That’s one reason why these days I spend time every morning and evening in our vegetable garden. I water and weed. I watch green beans grow like little miracles right before my eyes. I don’t want to miss a moment of it.
But the benefit of time in the garden isn’t just about savoring summer while it lasts. I’ve noticed something that is much
LETTERS
Give a little grace
Editor:
You know, this is going to sound like ego and I suppose that to a degree it is. After all, I reckon anyone who writes publicly to a newspaper is exhibiting some ego.
I’m pleased to see that there isn’t quite as much inflammatory writing lately. I wonder if those who write regularly ever have second thoughts about what they’ve written. I do. I wasn’t so proud of my recent letter to our valley newspapers regarding the Gunnison Country Times editorializing. I don’t regret what I wrote, but I could’ve written in a better tone.
Recently, a dear friend leading a gathering I attended asked us to think of our “superpower.”
In cases like this, when I don’t have a ready answer, I try to let my mind go blank (easily done) and let the answer appear.
My answer to their question: compassion. My thought was compassion for one another. When I was young and the subject of politics came up, the adults shared their views gently, always with a smile. Last week,
more important: the fact that the world in the garden doesn’t bear much resemblance to the one I occupy the rest of the day. The soil, the sun, the plants and rain all move at a different pace and according to fundamentally different rules. Specifically, there is nothing at all “virtual” about what happens in the garden. Success or failure depends entirely on actual reality, on processes that can’t be fudged or “reimagined.”
By contrast, in the virtual world that has come to dominate most things about modern life — such as finance, academia, politics, entertainment, news, interpersonal communication and more — it is possible to pretend that certain things are true when they are not. Others can pretend to believe you. Apparently, you can even make a good living at this, since there is nothing in virtual reality to stop you, so long as everyone buys into the game of make believe. Soon, “reality” becomes whatever we say it is. Politicians and TV talking heads spout one demonstrably false thing after another. That’s not a bug, it’s a feature of how virtual world works.
But that’s not how garden world works — a fact that is obvious to anyone who spends any time there. In garden world (let’s call it “practical world”), I can pretend that the plants don’t actually need water and nutrients and room to grow. You can still pretend to believe it. But if we act on that, then come winter we’ll be forced into
the League of Women Voters for the Gunnison Valley showed a film entitled, “Undivide Us.”
Fifty-three people came to see the film and talk about it afterward. During the discussion one woman mentioned that she thought a genuine smile is the best icebreaker. I agree. Nothing beats direct eye contact and a genuine smile.
During the film one fellow mentioned talking with people. That’s something I have been trying to practice for some years. I try to talk with people, not to them. If you don’t already, try that sometime. Talk with people, not to them.
In these politically fraught times, and from now on, along with your direct eye contact and a genuine smile, offer your hand. Consider a gentle touch. Be a friend. Listen to what others have to say. Talk with them. Give a little grace.
I’ll try. I hope you will.
Joe Dix Gunnison
pretending we have enough food to eat. It’s not hard to imagine how that will work out. If we’re honest with ourselves, we’ll notice that this same principle is true in every facet of life. You can meet the perfect someone online, but, if you want a practical relationship, sooner or later you have to be in the same room. Go ahead and design your dream home using the coolest app you can find, but it won’t be worth much until you actually build it, according to the time-tested rules of structural engineering. Reimagine at your own risk.
The idea still holds true when applied to some of the more abstract challenges we face — things like political divisiveness and rancor, for instance. This was confirmed for me last week when I attended the screening of a film called “Undivide Us,” put on by the local League of Women Voters.
Knowing nothing about the movie, I wasn’t sure what to expect. The title seems to be a prayer or a plea to some greater authority to intervene and fix the problem — but I was pleasantly surprised to find the film’s message to be exactly the opposite.
The filmmakers did an excellent job of portraying everything we see and hear in the media — from both sides of our national arguments — as what I’ve described as virtual reality. All the shrill noise, anger and extremist bombast is only what we pretend to believe is true. We are effectively manipulat-
Dangerous roads
Editor:
The corridor between CB South and the Town of Crested Butte is more and more dangerous and sad.
We’ve observed more roadkill than ever before, and there have been so many car accidents in the last two years. We watch these beautiful animals in the fields and then one day they are dead. Our friends and loved ones are in scary and sometimes fatal accidents.
We implore our county officials to make this corridor safer. Wouldn’t it be safer by merely reducing the speed limit to 45 mph between CB South and town?
Brooke Murphy & Tiki Furimsky CB South
A night we’ll never forget
Editor:
I’m writing to share the tremendous success of our recent Summit Soiree and the 25th anniversary Summit Hike held in support of Living Journeys
ed into believing it by powerful forces that stand to gain as a result.
Far from appealing to some equally virtual authority to save us from divisiveness, the producers of “Undivide Us” laid responsibility for that firmly where it belongs — in the minds and hands of individual people. Me and you. They did that by facilitating actual conversations between real people who disagree with each other. Their technique for breaking down barriers is quite powerful. They would challenge me, for example, to engage in the conversation not by explaining why I think the way I do about any number of controversial subjects — but by imagining why you might think differently about those things and saying them out loud. Then you get to say if I got it right. What a simple way to engage our atrophied senses of empathy and compassion.
What does this have to do with growing carrots? Just this: practical solutions to real world problems will always require us to do the actual work, hands on, by the timeless and immutable rules of nature. Want to grow fresh food? Get in the garden. Want to ease our dangerous divisions? Talk (and listen) to each other.
(Alan Wartes can be contacted at 970.641.1414 or publisher@gunnisontimes.com.)
— Gunnison Valley’s local community cancer support organization.
The Summit weekend events brought together hundreds of community members in a heartwarming display of solidarity and generosity. Thanks to the tireless efforts of our dedicated volunteers and the overwhelming support from local businesses, residents and visitors alike, we were able to raise over $400,000 in just one weekend. These funds will directly benefit individuals and families in our community who are facing the challenges of cancer, providing them with muchneeded resources, support and hope.
The soiree and auction, held on Friday night at the Elevation Hotel, was a spectacular evening filled with vibrant energy and generosity. Two hundred people came together to enjoy cocktails and dinner, a live auction, an inaugural Summit award presentation to Emma Coburn and touching stories from cancer survivors in our community and those currently battling this disease. It was a night we’ll never forget. On the following day, the
Alan Wartes Times Publisher
25th annual Summit Hike at Mt. Crested Butte brought together a record number of almost 400 hikers of all ages and abilities in a powerful display of solidarity, support and remembrance. For the first time in history, the event sold out. The camaraderie among participants underscored the strength and resilience of this incredible community.
I’d like to extend my heartfelt thanks to everyone who participated, donated and volunteered their time to make these events a resounding success. Your contributions will make a vital difference in the lives of those impacted by cancer, and help Living Journeys provide essen-
tial services such as support groups, financial assistance and counseling to those in need. Together, we’re fostering a community of care and compassion.
We’re already looking forward to next year's Summit. For those who missed this year's events but would still like to contribute, donations are still being accepted along with an online auction (ends Friday, Aug. 2 at 8 p.m.) at our website livingjourneys.org.
Thank you to everyone who was a part of this incredible weekend. We’re so grateful for your support.
Julie Reid Living Journeys
Trail Work Tuesday
Black Lives Matter said what?
Editor: “We do not live in a dictatorship. Delegates are not oligarchs. Installing Kamala Harris as the Democratic nominee and an unknown vice president without any public voting process would make the modern Democratic Party a party of hypocrites” — Black Lives Matter, July 23, 2024. I couldn’t say it better myself!
Neil Watko Gunnison
Volunteers began building the final section of the South Rim trail at Signal Peak during a work event with Gunnison Trails on July 30. After a long afternoon of labor, the group enjoyed a grilled dinner with a sunset view. The South Rim trail leads up to the top of Signal Mesa, and will eventually connect with the next section of Northwoods, where Gunnison Trails plans to break ground this fall.
(Courtesy Rae Anglen/Gunnison Trails)
EMS funding from
and recover from difficult calls.
City council won’t consider the request until it begins its 2025 budgeting process in October, City Manager Amanda Wilson told the Times . It will have to balance the request with a need for a number of other capital projects, including its new water treatment plant, ADA and accessibility upgrades around town and a future fire station — a project that could cost upward of $20 million.
Hospital CEO Jason Amrich pitched the request to council at a regular meeting on July 23.
“I don't know that we're going to be in a position to contribute that amount or a reduced amount or any amount,” Wilson told the Times. “It's really going to need to be looked at closely through our budgeting process. I think what is weighing on council is that we have a critical need to move forward with our own fire station.”
GVH broke ground on the new EMS station this year, with a goal to finish the building by the fall of 2025. The space will offer the 40-plus member Gunnison Valley Paramedics team expanded sleeping quarters, a communal gathering space and enough room to service ambulances. The building will also offer significant storage and repair space for the crew’s expensive equipment.
“Seconds Save Lives,” GVH’s capital campaign to finance the building, is near completion. It has so far raised $11 million out of its $12 million goal. Gunnison County has contributed $2 million, and the rest has been sourced from individual donors, the hospital and its foundation.
Were the city to support the project, it could stretch payments out over time to reduce the immediate financial burden
Mussels
in Texas, Utah, Nevada and California.
While zebra mussels were previously discovered in a lake in Loma, Colorado, this is the first time they have been detected in the Colorado River. Even though the mussels were discovered downstream, public land managers at Curecanti National Recreation Area are taking extra steps to protect Blue Mesa Reservoir where the invasive species could harm dam infrastructure. This summer, the National Park Service is installing self-serve boat decontamination stations on some of the reservoir’s tributaries as an extra layer of defense.
While the mussels are small, the cost of fighting infestations can be astronomical. It is estimated that mussels, both zebra and quagga mussels (another freshwater invader), cause $1 billion in damages per year to water infrastructure and industries in the United States, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.
on its general fund, Wilson said. And, over the paramedics' 4,400 square mile service area, more than half of the calls occur within city boundaries.
Compared to other municipalities, the city pays little for EMS and fire service relative to what it might cost were it responsible for those services (the city relies on a fire department run by volunteers). Wilson estimated that if the city paid for its own fire department, it would cost at minimum an additional $3.5 million a year. Other cities have dedicated funds or special taxing districts to sustain these services.
“The caliber of EMS that we have, specifically paramedics, in this valley is almost unmatched in my experience — in their training, sophistication and the area that they cover,” Wilson said. “But what's also interesting is that their funding structure is pretty limited.”
GVH is a county-owned hospital, but does not receive any tax revenue for hospital, clinic or EMS operations. Other health systems have special taxing districts or tax support through the counties they are located in. Despite a small number of annual grants, GVH has run its EMS services at a loss each year for over two decades. In 2023, that subsidy was nearly $800,000. That same year, GVH put $1 million into equipment upgrades, ambulance and vehicle purchases.
“What you'll see is that health care is a difficult business, and it's not like GVH is raking in cash hand over fist to support its operations,” Amrich said to councilors.
While the hospital’s overall budgets remain healthy, the financial landscape looking into the future is precarious. From 2021 to 2023, GVH’s expenses have outpaced what revenue and insurance reimbursements can keep up with. At the same time, COVID relief money has
Due to their ability to reproduce quickly, zebra mussels have the potential to take over Colorado’s rivers and reservoirs — posing a risk to agricultural operations, hydropower production and the outdoor recreation economy. The invasive species has been known to colonize pipes, headgates, filters and anything that comes in contact with the water, said Robert Walters, CPW’s Invasive Species Program manager. If unmanaged, zebra mussel infestations can impede the flow of water through these systems.
The mussels also harm the ecological systems of the water bodies they live in. When mussels are filter feeding, they strip essential prey such as plankton and algae from the water. These are sources of food that native fish populations and other invertebrates rely on. While the moving water of the river decreases the possibility a thriving adult mussel population takes hold, it makes it difficult to track the problem.
“This challenging discovery has ecological and economic impacts not only on the Grand
dried up. And, the hospital is replacing equipment, spending money on housing and purchasing land — one-time capital expenses that add up, he said.
“The comment that I've heard since I've come here, that GVH has got a ton of money. Why can't you build a building yourself? Why can't you do that yourself?,” Amrich said. “That piggy bank of money is rapidly decreasing as I spend year over year capital dollars.”
Master facility planning
The hospital is nearing the end of a master facility planning process, meant to catalog GVH’s many properties and lay out how executives can shape its footprint in the valley. GVH owns and leases a number of
Valley but potential statewide impacts as well,” CPW Director Jeff Davis said in a press release on July 16. “CPW is committed to working with all of our partners as we work to better understand the extent of this
buildings and vacant plots around the city, in addition to several in Crested Butte and a clinic stationed at Crested Butte Mountain Resort.
“Can we be in one location?” Amrich said. “It doesn't really help us, as you can imagine, to have multiple different leases, different properties and multiple different services.”
A few of these are zoned commercial, like the old Gunnison Dollar Store building, but sit empty year after year. It’s unlikely GVH will hold onto the Dollar Store and a 1-acre parcel on the north end of the city. Executives are working with Wilson to make sure those parcels are put to good use in the future, generating sales tax revenue for the city, Amrich said.
GVH will let its leases expire
discovery and the next steps in protecting the natural resources and infrastructure.”
On July 1, CPW’s Aquatic Nuisance Species team collected a plankton sample from the Government Highline Canal.
for two athletic medicine and orthopedic offices off Main Street, and consolidate them into one location on Spencer Avenue closer to its main campus. It acquired the Spencer Avenue building at the start of the year from Vail-Summit Orthopaedics & Neurosurgery, and will move its services there and add an ambulatory surgery center.
The most pressing need is a new medical office building, Amrich said. GVH’s consultants recommend that the building be located on a 4-acre parcel on the north end of the city.
(Abby Harrison can be contacted at 970.641.1414 or abby@ gunnisontimes.com.)
The following week, results showed that the sample tested positive for zebra mussel DNA. This designation is given when two or more subsequent sam -
Construction crews hope to complete the project by the fall of 2025. (Courtesy Jennifer Birnie/Gunnison Valley Health)
A zebra mussel veliger discovered by CPW in the Colorado River near Grand Junction after routine testing in early July. A veliger is the mussel’s free-floating, larval stage that can only be seen under a microscope.
(Courtesy Colorado Parks and Wildlife)
pling events detect mussels in a water body.
Samples from two locations in the Colorado River upstream of the Grand Valley Water Users Canal diversion also tested positive. The discovery triggered CPW’s Invasive Species Rapid Response Plan in which the agency increased water sampling in the Colorado River from Glenwood Springs down to the Colorado-Utah border and within the Highline Government Canal.
A female mussel can produce up to a million eggs in a single spawning season. This, combined with their ability to bond to surfaces, makes them a challenge to remove. Eradication has rarely been achieved, Walters said. Methods include pesticide treatments or draining reservoirs. But the mussels’ presence in the river, if they were to spread, complicates the options.
“I wouldn't say it is impossible. It would be extremely difficult undertaking to consider something like eradication in the Colorado River,” he said.
The primary way zebra mussels are spread is through recreational boats. Since 2008, the state has paid for a mandatory boat inspection program to protect Colorado’s waterways from invasive species. It’s primarily targeted at motorized and trailer boats. The state conducts approximately 500,000 boat inspections each year. If the boats are infected, they are decontaminated with hot water.
Now that CPW has found veligers in the Colorado River on a couple of different sam -
pling events, it is trying to locate the source of the infestation and stop the mussels from spreading to other areas. Another large component of the state’s response is education, and teaching boaters how essential it is to clean, dry and drain their equipment between uses,
Walters said.
“If everybody can do their part and take those actions, then we do have great potential to stop these from spreading,” Walters said.
‘A horror show’
The Gunnison watershed is home to three major reservoirs and a series of dams that are part of the Bureau of Reclamation’s Aspinall Unit.
According to Bill Brueggeman, if zebra mussels moved into the area, it could impact the water flow through dam turbines and result in a loss of hydropower. Brueggeman is the aquatic invasive species coordinator and supervisory park ranger for Curecanti National Recreation Area and the Black Canyon of the Gunnison.
Similar to barnacles, mussels will stack up on top of each other and can clog the pipes of drinking water systems, or in Blue Mesa’s case, the large tubes that fire water at dam turbines to turn them.
“Mussels can close a 16-inch pipe in 90 days … Generally speaking, it'd be a horror show if they ever got in here,” he said.
Reclamation relies on CPW and its partners such as the Park Service to protect waterways by inspecting boats, Brueggeman said. The discovery of zebra mussels in the Colorado River accelerated
Curecanti’s timeline to “further protect” the Aspinall Unit.
Although hand-launch boats, such as kayaks, rafts and paddle boards are inspected at Blue Mesa ramps, many small boat launches occur without inspection — either from shore or along the reservoir’s tributaries. But it’s still possible for them to carry invasive species, which can live up to 30 days out of the water, Brueggeman said.
This summer, the Park Service plans to install three self-serve decontamination stations along Blue Mesa’s major tributaries. They will likely be placed at Wilson’s Landing, on the Taylor River and at the confluence near Almont, although the exact locations have yet to be decided. Brueggeman said he expects installation as soon as the end of August. Similar self-serve stations exist along the Green River in Dinosaur National Monument.
Boaters will be able to drive up to the stations, read the instructions and clean their boats before and after launch. The stations are free to use. Most models include an educational kiosk on invasive species.
CPW strongly encourages anyone boating, floating, paddling or fishing in the Colorado River to clean, drain and dry their vessels and equipment, including motorized boats, rafts, paddle boards, kayaks, and fishing gear after exiting the river. To learn more, visit cpw. state.co.us.
(Bella Biondini can be contacted at 970.641.1414 or bella@ gunnisontimes.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 | August 5th* & 19th
*August 5th with Mayor Pro Tem Marisela Ballesteros! 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 | August 6th & 20th
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 | August 8th & 22nd
Lawsuit
from A1
Now three years into construction and with two settlements signed, GVP hopes to get crews back on site as soon as possible, project manager Jeff Prosapio said. Originally, developers wanted to put up the first homes this summer. But it’s been quiet on the property, as GVP was unable to corral enough money to continue work this season. Not only have interest rates remained high since the start of 2024, but the lawsuit is making fundraising more difficult, Prosapio said.
$70,000 of work, while Wesco filed its own claim for just over $400,000.
The settlements follow months of dispute in court, with GVP filing nearly $350,000 in counterclaims, alleging that Spallone did inadequate work on water and sewer and missed key project milestones. GVP then brought Crested Buttebased Dietrich Dirtworks and Construction on to resolve outstanding issues and take over the project, according to court records. But months later in November, Dietrich filed its own claim for unpaid invoices.
“Our goal is to resolve it through settlement and avoid a full-blown trial,” Prosapio said. “And we're committed to that path.”
Construction on pause So far, Gunnison Rising has two occupants: the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) in a new field office, and a FedEx building. The FedEx building was hooked up to permanent power last year, after running on generators for months. The remainder of the property remains vacant.
hiring
Engage with City officials to discuss various projects, ask questions, or share your perspectives.
SATISFYING OUR CUSTOMERS ONE CUP OF COFFEE AT A TIME
• Fresh Baked Pastries
• Breakfast Burritos
• Made to order Breakfast Sandwiches
Stop by to check out our variety of offerings!
ON THE CORNER OF MAIN ST. AND DENVER
OPEN regular hours for july 4th .
7 days a week from 6 am until 4 pm
“The very nature of litigation like this makes it even harder to find agreeable and willing capital, or any kind of debt or new equity,” he said.
GVP and its investors hope to finance the $130 million plus project through private debt and equity, and issuing metro bonds. These types of bonds create a kind of government entity that can place a tax on real estate, spreading out costs and shifting a small portion of large infrastructure projects to future businesses. The timeline for the project, which is estimated to be a third of the size of Gunnison, is at least two decades.
The details of the settlements remain confidential, but GVP and contractors Wesco Distribution and Spallone Construction came to an agreement on the disputed amounts, Prosapio said. Spallone was responsible for early utility and road work and Wesco supplied the project with construction materials. In the summer of 2023, Spallone had claimed the company failed to pay for nearly
GVP and its lawyers are still negotiating with Dietrich to reach a settlement and avoid trial, currently scheduled for this fall. GVP does not dispute that it owes Dietrich $3.4 million for excavation, sewer and water and utility work, Prosapio said. The outstanding debate is over a final amount owed, interest accruing on unpaid invoices and the timeline of these payments. Dietrich’s lawyer, Bruce Rohde, did not respond for comment by press time.
On July 10, Rohde filed a motion for summary judgment in which he asked the court to affirm a breach of contract claim, and affirm that Dietrich is owed $3.8 million. In the motion, Rohde also requested that the court validate Dietrich’s mechanics lien. If the court upholds the lien, which GVP disputes, the developers could be forced to sell portions of the property to pay the bill. In the meantime, unpaid bills have forced owners Stephanie and Rask Dietrich to put up property as collateral and max out credit cards, according to court records.
Painterly pastimes
Next on the list is to finish the offsite power feeds (connecting Gunnison Rising to permanent power) and completing a few “phase one” tasks. Phase one, or the “government campus” is on the south side of Hwy. 50. These items include sidewalks along the curbline of New York Avenue and lane improvements along Hwy. 50, envisioned as the project’s main entrance. Phase two will focus on acres north of the highway near Western Colorado University and include the residential construction.
“We're not necessarily giving up on the season,” Prosapio said. “We’ve got things to get right after. We've got active bids waiting to turn into a contract as soon as we have to do so.”
Trial is currently set in Gunnison District Court from Sept. 23 - Oct. 3.
(Abby Harrison can be contacted at 970.641.1414 or abby@ gunnisontimes.com.)
Lifelong artist Gretchen Barker displayeda collection of her paintings during an inaugural art show at the Senior Care Center on July 16. Barker created each piece in her portfolio with a diverse range of mediums, including oil pastels, oil paint and acrylic paint. She captures scenes both real and imagined, ranging from depictions of mountain valleys to angelic figures posed beside a lion.
by Mariel Wiley)
50 years of Art in the Park
A maze of canopy tents covered Legion Park during the annual Art in the Park market on July 28. Customers browsed through a wide variety of local art including paintings, pottery and textiles. This year marks the 50th anniversary of the event, which is hosted by the Gunnison Branch of the American Association of University Women.
Gunnison 4-H members Leora Wilcox and Graden Wilcox delivered a thank you message to Bank President Chad Zummach of the Gunnison Bank & Trust on July 24. The students thanked the Gunnison Bank & Trust for its continued support of 4-H programs.
(Photos by Maggie Reid)
25.72 Acres Stunning views of Fairview Peak and Green Mountain
Mature trees, improved access road and multiple build-sites
Adjacent to Quartz Creek Properties, but not a part of it- no dues!
$89,900 MLS#793273
1,558 S.F., 3 Bed/2 Bath North Elk Meadows home Attached 2 Car heated Garage
Views of Carbon Peak and the Ohio Valley 480 S.F. detached garage plus separate cool box for your elk.
Lovingly maintained & beautifully landscaped
$1,100,000 MLS#816299
196 LAKE RIDGE DRIVE, CRESTED BUTTE
2,492 S.F., 3 bedrooms & 2 Bathrooms
1.85-acre parcel, potential to build another 7,000 S.F. dwelling 2-car garage, plus a 2,271 S.F. shop, with a BendPak car lift
Additional attached 1 bed / 1 bath apartment.
$3,900,000 MLS#813963
City traffic calming program off to slow start
Five complaints submitted in first six months
Bella Biondini Times Editor
Gunnison’s new traffic safety complaint platform is helping the city make town streets safer for pedestrians — one small step at a time.
The city is working on numerous long-range projects intended to reduce the number of vehicles speeding through the Hwy. 50 and Hwy. 135 corridors. But most are slow moving and require approval from the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT). Over the past few years, residents have made it clear something needed to be done sooner to prevent accidents at Gunnison’s busy intersections.
For example, a resident submitted a complaint about traffic light timing at the intersection of Main Street and Tomichi Avenue. In his response letter, Tusing said he had already brought the issue to CDOT.
Nearly 20 Van Tuyl neighborhood residents joined together to submit a neighborhood request for the installation of a four-way stop sign at Van Tuyl Circle and Sydney Street. The group worried about cars speeding through the neighborhood daily.
“This has become a significant cause of concern, especially given the number of children who play in the area,” the submission reads. “We fear that without intervention, the risk of a serious accident is imminent.”
www.BHHSTodayRealty.com 970.641.0077
Summer Brunch
Sunday, August 18
Noon to 3 pm
137 W. Tomichi Ave., Suite A Gunnison, CO 970.349.1394 315 Sixth St., Crested Butte, CO
Summer Brunch
Us
Until the start of 2024, the city lacked a formal channel for the community to submit inquiries. According to city officials, this made it difficult for staff to focus on specific areas in town that residents felt were unsafe.
In January, the city introduced a “traffic calming” program to quicken its response time to complaints. The online portal, found on the city’s website under the Public Works tab, has forms in English and Spanish and includes the guidelines used to make specific street engineering decisions.
According to Tusing, under industry standards, no additional stop signs were warranted with the existing traffic volumes. But due to the large number of signatures, housing density and access to Hwy. 135, Tusing said he would reach out to the police department and request a speed survey station at the intersection. It found that 85% of the cars passing through stayed within the 25 mph speed limit.
Featuring live music by Amra Tomsic, artists at work, and a silent auction including art and gift baskets.
Featuring live music by Amra Tomsic, artists at work, and a silent auction including art and gift baskets.
Featuring live music by Amra Tomsic artists at work, and a silent auction including art and gift baskets.
$100 per person with proceeds benefiting the Seconds Save Lives campaign for a new station for GVH Paramedics. Help us raise the final funds needed for this vital project!
$100 per person with proceeds benefiting the Seconds Save Lives campaign for a new station for GVH Paramedics. Help us raise the final funds needed for this vital project!
Seating is limited. Get your tickets early.
Seating is limited. Get your tickets early.
contact: Tammy Scott | tscott@gvh-colorado.org | 970.642.8406
$100 per person with proceeds benefiting the Seconds Save Lives campaign for a new station for GVH Paramedics. Help us raise the final funds needed for this vital project!
Seating is limited. Get your tickets early.
contact: Tammy Scott | tscott@gvh-colorado.org | 970.642.8406
Since its launch, the city has received five submissions with topics of concern ranging from run stop signs and speed limit enforcement, to traffic light timings. All were submitted between January and March.
City Engineer Cody Tusing gave an update on the first six months of the traffic calming program at a regular city council meeting on July 23.
Tusing told the Times he hoped to map out the zones the city received more frequent complaints about, showing him where to increase traffic enforcement or target future streets projects. While this is not yet possible due to low participation, the expansion of speed studies in partnership with the Gunnison Police Department this year has been a good starting point.
Many of the submissions resulted in speed studies that have helped Tusing and the police department better understand how traffic “ebbs and flows” throughout the year, he told councilors. The speed studies showed the majority of vehicles were traveling at or below the speed limit in these areas.
Since the program launched, the city has continued to expand traffic counts, which are now readily available on its website. So far, the police department has posted speed studies from more than 40 locations around town including Hwy. 50 and Hwy. 135 with nearly three years of data.
With newfound access to speed records throughout Gunnison, Tusing said he noticed that some areas of town are hotspots for speeding traffic, but have not yet generated any complaints. Some are in school zones, specifically along 11th Street.
“Next on our to do, to take a deeper dive into this … Do we have frequent flyers throughout town, or is it isolated to certain areas?” he said.
contact: Tammy Scott | tscott@gvh-colorado.org 970.642.8406
To submit a complaint, residents can enter their name, address and description of their concern. Neighborhood applications are also available and require signatures from at least three “sponsors,” which can be other residents or a homeowners association. All of the complaints can be viewed on the website along with the city’s responses. While the city did not always have the authority to immediately address the issues, staff reviewed and responded to each complaint within 10 days.
Tusing said he plans to continue to collect data through the end of the year and will present his findings to the city council. As the Ohio Avenue project wraps up, this will inform what kinds of projects the city will pursue next. The speed studies will also be used to build a database that predicts future traffic volume and street functionality problems based on forecasted growth and development within
city limits.
In 2024, the city continued to make small adjustments around town to make its streets more walk and bike friendly. Public Works recently painted a crosswalk and line that says “Stop” at the Gunnison Meadows Mall and Hwy. 135. The city also expanded the use of striped green paint to designate bike lanes, an industry standard in traffic markings. Vegetation removal and the expansion of yellow curbs at street corners (used to prevent parked cars from blocking the view of an intersection) were done to improve driver visibility.
Although it may take some time for the program to receive a steadier stream of complaints, City Manager Amanda Wilson told the Times she expects the platform to gain momentum through word of mouth. Rather
than just reaching out to the police department, clerk’s office or a council member, these one-on-one conversations can be documented and formally responded to. To submit an inquiry on the city’s traffic calming platform, visit gunnisonco.gov/departments/public_works.
(Bella Biondini can be contacted at 970.641.1414 or bella@ gunnisontimes.com.)
A new chapter for NAPA
Courtney and Doug Todd celebrated their new ownership of NAPA Auto Parts in Gunnison with a ribbon cutting ceremony on July 26. Prior to buying the business this year, Courtney worked at NAPA for more than a decade. After the ceremony, the crew grilled burgers and hot dogs to share.
c
jvosburg@mountainoffice.com MountainOffice.com
(Photos by Mariel Wiley)
(Photos by Mariel Wiley)
County redrafts community wildfire protection plan
Final plan expected before 2025 fire season
Bella Biondini Times Editor
Gunnison County is creating a new plan that will help the community become “wildfire ready” and learn to live safely in a region that is becoming more vulnerable to fire.
With the rise of more frequent and destructive wildfires in Colorado and across the West, the county’s 2011 fire protection plan has become outdated. The state’s top-three largest wildfires have occurred in the last four years including the Cameron Peak, East Troublesome and Pine Gulch fires. All burned in 2020, with the fires consuming more than half a million acres.
Following the active 2020 wildfire season, the Gunnison County Emergency Management team organized the Upper Gunnison Shared Stewardship Council. The group, consisting of leaders from local government, public land management agencies, fire protection districts, water utilities, wildlife experts and community members, began updating the Gunnison Valley’s fire response plan that winter. Just three years later, the Lowline Fire broke out north of Gunnison, forcing the county to issue emergency evacuation orders.
The new community wildfire protection plan is years in the making and will be released next summer. Gunnison County is drafting the plan with help from the West Region Wildfire Council and the Colorado Forest Restoration Institute (CFRI), and a $100,000 grant it received late last year. The final product will be more accessible than the 2011 plan and consist of publicly available interactive maps and overlays, rather than hundreds of pages of documents.
The plan will act primarily as a preparation tool, helping the valley get ready for a wildfire long before it starts. Using maps within the plan, firefighters will know which areas to defend and which may benefit from low-intensity fires. It will also outline areas that are at high risk and may need fire mitigation work. This could be anything from prescribed fire in zones that have been impacted by beetle kill, tree thinning near homes in the wildland-urban interface and creating defined evacuation routes.
“Fire has always been a part of Gunnison County, and always will be,” said Brett Wolk, co-director of CFRI, a science-based outreach group at Colorado State University. “[We need] to make sure that’s
understood so we can move forward … How are we going to live with fire instead of wanting to always put it out?”
In addition to taking advantage of the latest fire modeling tools, what makes the new wildfire plan different from the former is the amount of community direction the project team is using to map out high risk areas. The stewardship council looked next door to Chaffee and Lake counties for inspiration, both of which are using a similar community-centric model for fire preparedness. Lake County recently used its plan to quickly respond to the Interlaken Fire south of Leadville, which was reported in June.
The methodology used to outline the areas at high risk of a wildfire in Gunnison County’s 2011 plan strictly focused on burn probability. This time, multiple layers will create a holistic risk assessment map of the valley and the surrounding areas. One layer will include the locations of “highly valued” resources such as homes, water (river gauges and irrigation ditches), wildlife habitat, roads, electrical lines and communication infrastructure and trail systems — places the community wishes to see protected.
The project team is conducting a survey to collect this kind of data. The survey will also gauge how many residents and business owners have created defensive space around their property, and if not, what some of the barriers are. Defensive space is a pre-established buffer around a building designed to slow or stop the progress of a fire.
It will also measure the appetite for wildfire mitigation work, such as prescribed burns in Gunnison County, said Phil Luebbert, with JEO Consulting Group, the consultant that is managing the project. The survey is live and will be available in English and Spanish through the end of August. JEO plans to host
an open house later this year.
“We're not just relying on the outputs of a model,” said Deputy Emergency Manager Lisa Bickford. “We have to provide input as a community.’
The final plan will take into account where the community’s valuable resources and infrastructure is located, how these locations may respond to fire and where fire is likely to occur. The maps will delineate areas of high and low risk by showing how each resource responds to different fire intensities.
For example, some forests that have been impacted by beetle kill may respond positively to a low- to medium-intensity wildfire, while Gunnison sagegrouse populations would likely not. Another layer will show areas where it may be most cost effective for government agencies, public land managers and homeowners to target wildfire mitigation projects.
Once complete, the plan will help emergency managers and fire responders prioritize firefighting resources and personnel when a fire starts. Because it traverses land ownership boundaries, the plan will speed up response times on the ground in times of emergency — giving firefighters a head start when a team comes in from out of county or state and is unfamiliar with the landscape.
“Thinking back to the Lowline Fire here, one of the first questions when the incident management team comes in is ‘What are your values at risk in the area?’ Bickford said. “This will be a great tool to go to immediately.”
To learn more about the plan and keep up to date of the project’s progress, visit gunnisoncounty.org.
(Bella Biondini can be contacted at 970.641.1414 or bella@ gunnisontimes.com.)
GUNNISON WATERSHED SCHOOL DISTRICT
See GWSD website for details gunnisonschools.net
Gunnison Watershed School District believes that students thrive when they are connected to something bigger than themselves. That’s why we create learning experiences that spark curiosity, helping students discover who they are and how to make a difference in the world around them. As they excel in academics, athletics and the arts, students find the confidence to pursue any opportunity in life. Our team is “Driven to be the Difference!”
HOURLY OPPORTUNITIES
CBES - Permanent Substitute
CBES - General Educational Assistant
CBES - Half-time SPED Educational Assistant Special Education EA - Significant Needs Marble Charter School - Teacher
Assistant/Office Manager Bus Drivers Food Service
CBCS - Assistant Building Manager Substitute Teachers
PROFESSIONAL OPPORTUNITIES
District School Psychologist
GHS - Special Education Teacher
GMS - 8th Grade Math Teacher
District - School Wellness Coordinator
GES - Elementary Math Intervention Teacher (one year only)
Public Health Nurse II –Substance Abuse Prevention
HHS: 20 hours/week, hourly pay range from $33.79 to $41.08, plus partial benefits.
Patrol Deputy
Sheriff: Full-Time, 40 hours/week, the annual salary range is from $70,288 to $99,422 plus full benefits.
Heavy Equipment Operator I
Public Works: Full-Time, 40 hours/ week, hourly range from $22.91 to $26.08 plus full benefits.
Building & Environmental Health Inspector and/or Building & Environmental Health Inspector/Plans Examiner
Community Development: FullTime, 40 hours/week, the annual salary range is from $63,162 to $99,422 depending on experience plus full benefits.
Juvenile Services Facilitator II
Juvenile Services: Full-Time, 40 hours/week, hourly pay rate is $30.36, plus full benefits. Bilingual - English and Spanish Speaking (Required)
Family Support Manager
Juvenile Services: Full-Time, 40 hours/week, monthly pay rate is $6,581.00 plus full benefits.
Fairgrounds Facilities Maintenance Assistant
Fairgrounds: Full-Time, 40 hours/ week, annual salary range is from $50,511.00 to $61,406.00, depending on experience, plus full benefits.
Data Analyst II
Assessor: Full-Time, 40 hours/ week, annual salary range is from $63,162.00 to $71,912.00, depending on experience, plus full benefits.
For more information, including complete job descriptions, required qualifications and application instructions, please visit GunnisonCounty.org/jobs.
CITY OF GUNNISON EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES
Police Officer
Full-time, $68,900-$93,100/yr
$33.13-$44.76/hr
Performs technical, professional, and administrative duties related to maintaining the security of the city, protecting constitutional guarantees of all persons, protecting life and property, preserving public peace and order, preventing, solving and detecting crimes, facilitating the safe movement of people and vehicles and other emergency services as needed. POST Certification not required. The city will pay for the police academy if needed and pay a cadet wage of $50,900 while attending the academy. Includes a $15,000 signing bonus. Increased wages over above-listed salary available for working nights. Personal liability insurance paid by the City of Gunnison. Housing is available.
Water/Wastewater Operator
Full-time
Starting Salary Ranges:
Responsible for the operation of the water supply, distribution and storage systems. They also perform maintenance, repairs and construction of water distribution, sewer collection, irrigation and storm drain systems, installations, repairs and testing on all water meters.
Construction Project Manager Full-time, $149,100/yr Up to $71.86/hr
This is a temporary, full-time position that is anticipated to be renewed annually for technical oversight for a 5 to 7 year-long, $50 million multi-phased design and construction program for the city’s water system improvements project.
The City of Gunnison offers a competitive benefit package, including 75% of medical, dental and vision premiums paid for the employee and their dependents, 5% of gross wages in a retirement plan, 3 weeks of vacation (increasing based on the years of service), 13 paid holidays and 12 days of sick leave per year.
For more information, including complete job descriptions, benefit packages, required job qualifications and application instructions, please visit GunnisonCO.gov/HR.
THURSDAY TIMES ROUTE: Deliver the Times to Crested Butte!
Delivery starting time varies between 10pm-12am. 3-4 hrs.
$125 plus $25 for fuel.
To apply please email publisher@gunnisontimes.com call 970-641-1414 or come in the office at 218
have knowledge of the outdoor industry and local activities, strong administrative skills, effective communication, both oral and written, is detail-oriented, responsive to delegation and comfortable working independently and in a fast-paced team environment. During the operational seasons, this position will be required to work some early mornings and late afternoons, at least one weekend day per week, and some holidays as necessary. This is a seasonal position starting at $19-$22 per hour depending on experience and qualifications. For more information and to apply, please visit elevenexperience.com/careers.
COMMUNITY BANKS OF COLORADO
depending on experience, benefits available after one year of employment. Please submit resume to office@spalloneconstruction.com PAVEMENT MAINTENANCE TECHNICIANS WANTED TO JOIN THE SEALCO TEAM: $33+ hourly - $1,800+ weekly potential with performance and safety bonuses. Seeking motivated, hard-working 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.
IRWIN GUIDE IS SEEKING OFFICE/ SALES ASSOCIATES: Seasonal, part-time. The position will be responsible for assisting the Irwin Guides administrator with day-today operations included but not limited to data entry, completing and filing paperwork, interacting with guests faceto-face or via phone/email, booking trips and assisting with walk-in traffic and retail inquires/purchases. A strong candidate will
is currently seeking candidates to fill both a relationship banker ($20/hour) and an associate banker ($18/hour) position in our Gunnison banking center. These are excellent opportunities with a generous benefit package. For position details and to apply, please visit cobnks.com. NBH Bank is an equal opportunity employer.
SPALLONE CONSTRUCTION has immediate openings for dump truck drivers in the Gunnison, Crested Butte area. Experience of 1-3 years required. Must be able to assist laborers performing physical tasks involved in construction activities. Must have a valid drivers license, references required. $28-38/hr depending on experience, benefits available after one year of employment. Please submit resume to office@spalloneconstruction.com.
LITTLE
organized. Office and Marketing experience is helpful. The part time weekly schedule will be finalized in conjunction with our evolving business plan and the applicant’s personal schedule. Please send a cover letter introducing yourself, along with a resume to: RE/MAX Community Brokers, 131 N Main St, Gunnison, CO 81230.
CAPITAL PROJECTS SUPERVISOR JOB
POSTING: The Mt. Crested Butte Water and Sanitation District is accepting applications for a capital projects supervisor. Under the general direction of the district manager, this full-time position is responsible for professional level oversight on all phases of capital expenditure construction projects for the district. Desired skills and experience include a successful record of delivering projects on schedule and within budget, strong project management skills, effective communication skills, both written and verbal, and a passion for water and wastewater construction projects. Important qualifications include a combination of experience and education with a desired Bachelor of Science degree in construction management, a PMP certification and/or a PE license in the state of Colorado. A valid Colorado driver’s license is required. Starting salary is $90,000-$130,000 DOQ. Excellent benefits package, including 100% employerpaid premium family health, dental, vision and life insurance, 12 paid holiday days, paid sick leave, paid personal leave, two weeks paid vacation, employer contribution to retirement plan (5% automatic mandatory employer matching with 1-3% optional additional matching), employer provided uniforms and a wellness benefit/ski pass. Full job description is available at mcbwsd. com. Please submit cover letter and resume to Mt. Crested Butte Water and Sanitation District, P.O. Box 5740, Mt. Crested Butte, CO 81225 or email info@mcbwsd.com. Position is open until filled. MCBWSD is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
PCI - PROFESSIONAL CONTRACTORS INC. is seeking motivated construction workers. Pay Starting at $25 and up, depending on experience. 6 paid holidays and potentially a percentage of IRA Matching to the right individual. Call 970-209-6062.
WESTERN COLORADO UNIVERSITY is taking applications for the position of head freeride ski and snowboard coach. This position is half-time, year-round, and is eligible for an excellent benefits package. To
view the full job announcement and apply, visit western.edu/jobs and click on “View Careers”.
ID SCULPTURE IS HIRING
Interested in making the world’s best playgrounds, climbing boulders and interactive art? ID Sculpture designs and manufactures climbing boulders, playground sculptures and fine art sculptures for parks, schools and public spaces across the country. We use a combination of technology and traditional methods to create unique interactive environments.
IDS provides secure, year-round indoor and outdoor work in a unique fabrication environment with opportunity for travel and room for advancement. We offer benefits including PTO, healthcare and retirement. ID Sculpture is an equal opportunity employer.
We are currently seeking:
Production Assistant(s): Ideal candidates possess a positive attitude, good work ethic and are eager to learn. Applicants must have physical strength, hand-eye coordination, and endurance. Initial responsibilities are to provide general labor and assist artists, fabricators and shipping departments as needed. Compensation is $20-$25 per hr. depending on prior construction experience and/or aptitude.
Project Fabricator(s): The ideal candidate for this position has construction trades experience, welding experience, the ability to work well with a team and a positive attitude. Initial responsibilities are to fabricate various components for standard and custom products. Compensation is $23-$30 per hr. depending on prior construction experience and/or aptitude.
Project Sculptor(s): The ideal candidate for this position has a passion for creating works of art, ability to work well with a team, fastidious attention to detail, a positive attitude, experience sculpting concrete, rock climbing, course setting and construction trades experience. Initial responsibilities are hands on sculpting of foam, concrete, and epoxy. Compensation is $24.50-$55.00 per hr. depending on familiarity with IDS process, prior experience, employment references and body of work.
To apply for this unique opportunity, please provide a resumé, cover letter and references to hello@idsculpture.com with the position of interest in the subject line, or drop off your resume at 591 S. Boulevard St. Gunnison, CO 81230.
Learn more about what we do at idsculpture. com.
THE CLUB AT CRESTED BUTTE is hiring a part-time, seasonal Market Attendant for $16/hr. + gratuity. Must be willing to pick up extra shifts as needed. 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.
THE MT CRESTED BUTTE WATER AND SANITATION DISTRICT is accepting applications for a full-time Wastewater Operator to be part of a team environment focused on the operations of the wastewater plant and collection system for Mt. Crested Butte. Qualifications for the position include construction experience, the ability to work outdoors, prepare and analyze lab responsibilities, and experience with electrical, mechanical and maintenance repairs. A State of Colorado Collections and/or Wastewater license or the ability to obtain such within one (1) year is mandatory (training for certifications provided). Operators will be required to take on-call responsibility including select weekends and holidays. A valid Colorado driver’s license is required, and a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) is preferred at hiring or the ability to obtain such within one (1) year is required. Starting salary is $53,100 to $59,500 for entry level. $58,000 to $75,000 salary available for operators/electricians with experience and appropriate state licenses. Excellent benefits package including 100% employer paid premium family health, dental, and life insurance, 12 paid holiday days, two weeks paid vacation, paid sick leave, paid personal leave, employer contribution to retirement plan (5% automatic mandatory employer matching with 1-3% optional additional matching), employer provided uniforms, and a wellness benefit/ski pass. Full job description is available at www.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 abembenek@mcbwsd. com. Position is open until filled. MCBWSD 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.
GUNNISON LIQUOR (The Ghost) is currently looking for part-time help. Nights and weekends a must. Pay DOE. Stop by with a resume. 603 W. Tomichi Ave., Gunnison.
KALOW ELECTRIC is looking for a reliable electricial apprentice to join our team. The apprentice’s responsibilities include completing all tasks assigned by the master electrician, which may include assisting with installations, troubleshooting, repairs, and calibrations of electrical systems and equipment.
Please contact Bill Kalow 970.596.6832 or email resume to Kalowelectric@gmail.com.
motivation and organization. This position also requires knowledge of ingredients for flavor profiles and basic cooking techniques. The ideal candidate will have a culinary certificate and/or degree and knowledge of cuisine and familiarity with wine pairings. This full-time, seasonal position starts at $25-30/hour plus tips, depending on experience and qualifications. The season runs May-Nov. We also offer opportunities for career growth within our organization. If you are passionate about cooking and thrive in a dynamic kitchen environment, we would love to hear from you. For more information and to apply, please visit elevenexperience. com/careers.
HIRING BAKER: Mochas is looking for a part time Baker. Flexible hours. Starting at $18/ hour. Drop your resume off or fill out an application at Mochas, 710 N Main St. Or email mochasbarista@gmail.com.
THE CLUB AT CRESTED BUTTE is hiring a part-time, year-round Front Desk Attendant for $17 to $22/hr. DOE. Saturday availability required. Must be willing to pick up extra shifts as needed. 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.
EARLY CHILDHOOD LEAD TEACHER: Tenderfoot Child and Family Development Center is seeking lead teacher applicants for the 2024-25 school year, children aged 2-3 years old. Part-time ($19.93/hr) or fulltime ($21.93/hr.) 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.
IRWIN BREWING COMPANY is seeking a business-minded, growth-oriented sales and marketing manager who will play a pivotal role in increasing our brand awareness and expanding our market presence. This position will be responsible for developing and executing strategic sales and marketing initiatives to promote our products and increase sales revenue, and will lead a team of sales and operations staff to execute selfdistribution logistics. This position offers a unique opportunity to combine a passion for craft beer with expertise in sales and marketing to help grow our business, and will be the public face of the IBC by becoming more visible and involved with large account customers and the retail public, engaged at local beer festivals and IBC’s tap room, Public House. This position requires a bachelor’s degree and 5-8 years related experience and/or training, or a relevant combination of education and experience, as well as a valid driver’s license and clean MVR. The ideal candidate will have non-beer alternative beverage production experience. This full-time, year-round position starts at $65,000 annually plus sales commissions, depending on experience and qualifications. For more information and to apply, please visit elevenexperience.com/careers.
JACK’S CABIN ANTIQUES LARGEST ANTIQUES SALE EVER: We have the FINEST and FRESHEST section of antiques in the Valley. Our big barn is FULL of unique finds, rustic art, art assemblage possibilities, dressers, armoires, dining furniture, bed frames, lighting, etc. Aug. 2, 3 & 4. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Yellow House Jacks Cabin Cutoff, 15644 N. State Hwy 135, Almont 81210.
NOTICE
BLUE DOOR STUDIO TOURS:
PUBLIC HOUSE IS SEEKING A MOTIVATED LINE COOK to join the team. This role is directly responsible for all kitchen functions including food, preparation and maintenance of quality standards, sanitation and cleanliness, preparation, plate presentation, portion and cost control. This position will work closely with managers and co-workers to provide excellent service to customers. This position requires 2-plus years cooking experience in a full-service restaurant, problem solving abilities, self
THE GUNNISON VALLEY REGIONAL HOUSING AUTHORITY (GVRHA) is hiring a PT/FT Temporary Office Administrator with the potential to be permanent. Job duties include Quicbooks AP/AR, electronic filing, responding to phone, email and inperson inquiries, loan servicing and general administrative duties as needed. $22-$24/ DOE. Please email hiring@gvrha.org for more information.
GARAGE / YARD SALES
CAMPING/BOATING/SPORTS Garage
Sale on Friday & Saturday, August 2 & 3, at 65 Chekwa Trail, from 8 a.m. - 1 p.m. 970-275-5565.
Legals
INTENT TO DISPOSE
Notice is hereby given to the following party that their personal items stored at Discount Self Storage, 1825 N. Hwy 135 will be sold or disposed of unless claimed prior to August 8th, 2024:
Parking Spot L126 - Dennis Hetherington Date of Redemption: August 8, 2024
Gunnison Country Times
Gunnison, Colorado
Publication dates of July 25, August 1, 2024 14211
NOTICE OF LAND USE CHANGE PERMIT APPROVALS
PUBLIC NOTICE OF A LAND USE
CHANGE APPLICATION LUC-24-00026
CONCERNING A MINOR IMPACT LAND USE CHANGE FOR THE AGGREGATE SQUARE FOOTAGE EXCEEDING 7,000 SQ. FT AT LOT 26, STAR MOUNTIAN RANCH SUBDIVISION
HEARING DATE, TIME AND LOCATION:
The Gunnison County Planning Commission will conduct a public hearing on August 15th at 9:20 a.m. in the meeting room upstairs in the Blackstock Government Center, 221 N. Wisconsin St. in Gunnison and/or by ZOOM meeting. If attending by Zoom please go to the online meetings tab at https://www. gunnisoncounty.org/144/Community-andEconomic-Development for the ZOOM meeting link to hear public comments concerning this land use change permit application.
APPLICANT: The applicants are Dave Redick and Deedee Moore, represented by Jared Wilkinson.
PARCEL LOCATION: The property is located at 397 Star Mountain Dr., Gunnison County, CO. Legally described as Lot 26, Star Mountain Ranch Subdivision. Parcel number 343700001023.
PROPOSAL: The applicant is requesting approval for the construction of a 1,200 sq. ft. horse barn. Currently a 3,444 sq. ft. single family residence with a 2,687 sq. ft. garage exists on the parcel. The addition of
the proposed horse barn puts the aggregate square footage to 7,331 sq. ft, exceeding the maximum aggregate square footage of 7,000 sq. ft. by 331 sq. ft. The proposal is classified as a Minor Impact Project.
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION: The public is invited to submit oral or written comments at the hearing, or to submit written comments by email: planning@gunnisoncounty.org, or by letter (Community Development, 221 N. Wisconsin, Suite D, Gunnison, CO 81230), so long as they are received by 5 p.m. the afternoon before the date of the meeting so that they may be submitted for the public record during the hearing. A copy of the application is available in the Community Development Department, 221 N. Wisconsin, Suite D, Gunnison, CO; additional information may be obtained by calling the Planning Office (970) 641-0360.
ADA ACCOMMODATIONS: Anyone needing special accommodations as determined by the American Disabilities Act may contact the Community Development Department prior to the day of the hearing.
/s/ Sean Pope Planner I
Gunnison Country Times Gunnison, Colorado Publication date of August 1, 2024 14394
NOTICE TO CREDITORS
Kelsey Julia Boleski, Deceased Case Number 24 PR 30015
All persons having claims against the abovenamed estate are required to present them to the Personal Representative or to the District Court of Gunnison County, Colorado on or before November 18, 2024, or the claims may be forever barred.
Michelle Boleski, Personal Representative
c/o Flatiron Legal Advisors, LLC 3393 Iris Ave., Suite 110 Boulder, CO 80301
Gunnison Country Times Gunnison, Colorado Publication dates of July 18, 25, August 1, 2024 14123
NOTICE TO CREDITORS
Estate of James S. Barron aka Jim Barron, James Stanley Barron, James Barron, Deceased
Case Number 2024PR16
All persons having claims against the abovenamed estate are required to present them to the Personal Representative or to the District Court of Gunnison County, Colorado on or before November 18, 2024, or the claims may be forever barred.
Megan R. Mays 33 Churchill Place Dedham, MA 02026
Gunnison Country Times Gunnison, Colorado Publication dates of July 18, 25, August 1, 2024
14128
ORDINANCE
ORDINANCE NO. 4, SERIES 2024: AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF GUNNISON, COLORADO, REPEALING AND REENACTING TITLE 9 PUBLIC WAYS AND PROPERTY, CHAPTER 9.80 EVENTS, OF THE GUNNISON MUNICIPAL CODE
A full copy of the ordinance can be found on the City of Gunnison’s website at www. gunnisonco.gov, in the City Council e-packet information or at the City Clerk’s Office in City Hall, 201 West Virginia Avenue in Gunnison or by calling 970.641.8140.
Gunnison Country Times Gunnison, Colorado Publication date of August 1, 2024 14357
PUBLIC HEARING
CONCERNING LUC-24-00023, A LAND USE CHANGE PERMIT APPLICATION FOR A MINOR IMPACT LAND USE CHANGE FOR A STRUCTURE LARGER THAN 5,000 SQ. FT.
LOCATED ON RANCH 2, WHETSTONE
MOUNTAIN RANCH, COMMONLY KNOWN AS 228 WILLOW LANE, CRESTED BUTTE, CO
HEARING DATE, TIME AND LOCATION:
The Gunnison County Planning Commission will conduct a public hearing on August 15th at 9:00 a.m. in the meeting room upstairs in the Blackstock Government Center, 221 N. Wisconsin St. in Gunnison and/or by ZOOM meeting. If attending by Zoom please go to the online meetings tab at https://www. gunnisoncounty.org/144/Community-andEconomic-Development for the ZOOM meeting link to hear public comments concerning this land use change permit application.
APPLICANT: The applicant is David Levary (228 Willow Lane LLC), represented by Wright Angle Construction and SHM Architects.
PARCEL LOCATION: The property is located at 228 Willow Lane, Crested Butte, CO. Legally described as Ranch 2, Whetstone Mountain Ranch. Parcel No. 3255-000-10-007.
PROPOSAL: The Applicant is proposing a residence over 5,000 square feet. The residence comprises two units: the Main House, 5,935 square feet, including an attached garage of around 837 square feet, and the Casita, 1,052 square feet of residential living space, with a total aggregate living area of 6,987 square feet.. The proposal is classified as a Minor Impact Project, pursuant to LUR Section 6-102:B – Maximum Building Size Larger Than 5,000 sq. ft. And Aggregate Square Footage Larger than 7,000 sq. ft.
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION: The public is invited to submit oral or written comments at the hearing, or to submit written comments by email: planning@gunnisoncounty.org, or by letter (Community Development, 221 N. Wisconsin, Suite D, Gunnison, CO 81230), so long as they are received by 5 p.m. the afternoon before the date of the meeting so that they may be submitted for the public record during the hearing. A copy of the application is available in the Community Development Department, 221 N. Wisconsin, Suite D, Gunnison, CO; additional information may be obtained by calling the Planning Office (970) 641-0360.
ADA ACCOMMODATIONS: Anyone needing special accommodations as determined by the American Disabilities Act may contact the Community Development Department prior to the day of the hearing.
/s/ Rachael Blondy Planner I Gunnison County Community Development Department
Gunnison Country Times Gunnison, Colorado Publication date of August 1, 2024 14396
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@gmail.com
Serving the Jewish communities of Crested Butte, Gunnison and the East River Valley.
Friday, August 2, Lunch with the Rabbi, 12 noon, discussion topic‘Keeping Kosher, Bet You Do!’ at Coffee Trader in Gunnison
Friday August 2, Shabbatluck service in Gunnison, 6 PM - pls bring a dish/drink Saturday, August 3, 9:30 AM, Kibbitz with the Rabbi at Rumors Coffee in CB
Spiritual Leader: Rabbi Mark Kula is available for you at RabbiMarkKula@gmail.com bnaibutte.org
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.
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
Environmental At Large
The Gunnison Basin Roundtable is seeking applicants to represent environmental interests and shall be selected from nominees submitted by one or more regionally, statewide, or nationally recognized environmental conservation organizations that have operated in Colorado for at least five years. The selected Member will serve the balance of a five-year term (current term expires November 2025). Candidate should have a background or interest in environmental water resources management. The Gunnison Basin Roundtable meets bimonthly in the Montrose/Delta area. Please submit letters of interest to Wendell Koontz at wkoontz@ deltacountyco.gov. Deadline for submittal is Friday, August 16, 2024. Roundtable will consider applicants at their next meeting on September 30, 2024.
Gunnison Country Times Gunnison, Colorado Publication dates of July 25, August 1, 2024 14166
Email editor@gunnisontimes.com 970-641-1414
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.
Top O’ the World Garden Club awarded Anne and Jarral Ryter of 905 North 14th with Yard of the Week. The Ryters’ gardens are especially purple this year with lots of delphiniums, bachelor’s buttons, veronica and campanula. Anne hopes to reintroduce a diversity of color next spring. The gardens have evolved over the years. They said it is always fun to note the changes. This year they added four blueberry bushes thanks to Lyda Hardy Schechter.
Top O’ the World Garden Club awarded Cafe Silvestre with Business Yard of the Month. “We are thrilled to receive Garden of the Month,” said Madison Garcia. “At our family-owned and operated restaurant, we are happy to offer large, open doors that lead to our patio seating, grass for playing corn hole and a decorative flower garden out front.”
(Courtesy Nancy Dean/Top O’ the World Garden Club)
(Courtesy Nancy Dean/Top O’ the World Garden Club)
Lights & Sirens
CITY OF GUNNISON POLICE REPORT
JULY 22
WARRANT SERVICE - OTHER JU-
RISDICTION — 1006 W. TOMICHI
AVE.
PROPERTY - FOUND — 711 W. RIO
GRANDE AVE
FRAUD — 600 N. COLORADO ST.
THEFT: INTENDS TO PERMANENTLY DEPRIVE — 219 S. TAYLOR ST.
CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE: UNLAWFUL POSSESSION - EXCEPT MARIJUANA — 200 E. VIRGINIA AVE.
JULY 23
CRIMINAL TRESPASS - MUNICIPAL — 510 S. WISCONSIN ST. DEATH INVESTIGATION — N. SPRUCE ST.
ACTANIMAL - RUNNING AT LARGE - MUNICIPAL — 400 N. 7TH ST.
THEFT: TWO OR MORE THEFTS IN
6 MONTHS — 900 N. MAIN ST.
CIVIL PROBLEM — 800 N. COLORADO ST.
JULY 24
PROPERTY - FOUND — 107 N.
IOWA ST.
WARRANT SERVICE - OTHER JU-
RISDICTION — 322 REED ST.
ASSAULT: THIRD DEGREE - BODILY INJURY — 1006 W. TOMICHI AVE.
HARASSMENT: REPEATED COMMUNICATIONS — 801 SUNNY SLOPE DR. VIOLATION OF PROTECTION ORDER: CRIMINAL ORDER — 806 N. COLORADO ST.
JULY 25
FAILURE TO APPEAR - POLICE DEPT CHARGE — E. VIRGINIA AVE. ANIMAL - VICIOUS / DANGEROUS - MUNICIPAL — 806 N. COLORADO ST. CRIMINAL MISCHIEF — 900 N. MAIN ST. DOMESTIC VIOLENCE — W. DENVER AVE. AGENCY ASSIST — 38000 W. HWY. 50 CIVIL PROBLEM — 7 FLORESTA ST.
JULY 26
BURGLARY: SECOND DEGREE — 700 N. MAIN ST.
TRAFFIC - LEFT SCENE W/OUT
PROVIDING REQ INFO AFTER ACCIDENT — 212 S. 11TH ST. ACCIDENT — 900 N. MAIN ST. ACCIDENT — N. COLORADO ST. JUVENILE PROBLEM — CR 13
JULY 27
BURGLARY: SECOND DEGREE — 1140 N. MAIN ST. INFORMATION — 112 S. SPRUCE ST. CRIMINAL POSSESSION OF A FORGED INSTRUMENT — 623 N. WISCONSIN ST.
THEFT: INTENDS TO PERMANENTLY DEPRIVE — 504 W. NEW YORK AVE.
CRIMINAL TRESPASS: SECOND DEGREE - COMMON AREA — 900 N. MAIN ST. CRIMINAL MISCHIEF — S. WISCONSIN ST. CRIMINAL ATTEMPT — 901 W. NEW YORK AVE.
JULY 28
TRAFFIC - DUS — 100 S. MAIN ST. ANIMAL - RUNNING AT LARGEMUNICIPAL — 503 N. SPRUCE ST. UNSECURE PREMISES
TOMICHI AVE.
GUNNISON COUNTY SHERIFF’S REPORT
JULY 23
- Burglar alarm at Dos Rios -Information report -fraud -Out of county warrant arrest
-Child abuse report- under investi gation
JULY 24
-Information report- 13-year-old hit by air-soft gun-accidental
-Agency assist to the Gunnison Po lice Department with an assault
JULY 25
-Possible missing person report
-Driving under the influence of drugs- arrest
-Search and rescue mission on CR 727
-Information report- dispute
JULY 26
-Information report -missing per son- unfounded no cell service
-Report of bullet fragments hitting someone’s barn on CR 12
-Information report on a suicidal, missing person- located and did not need assistance
-Found Ontario license plate
-Dog at large taken to GVAWL and later picked up by owner
JULY 27
-Agency assist to GPD with a disorderly conduct call
-Search and rescue in Marble
-Menacing call on Doctors Park Trail off CR 742
-Third degree trespassing call
JULY 28
-Agency assist to GPD with a burglary in progress at a local shop
-Lost property reported
-Lost backpack report
-County resolution #2018-30- dog at large report
-Deputies pulled over a suspect in a previous menacing case and arrested one person for a violation of protection order
-Deputies responded to a domestic in progress
JULY 29
-Theft of wallet from car in parking lot reported
-Dog at large taken to GVAWL and later retrieved by owner
-Agency assist to the Colorado State Patrol for a one vehicle accident on CR 76
Specializing in Farm, Ranch, and Recreational Properties
VIEW THESE LISTINGS ON OUR WEBSITE >
WAUNITA PARK RANCH
Gunnison County, Colorado
6,500 +/- total acres
$40,000,000
THE KUIPER RANCH
Jackson County, Colorado
2,040 +/- total acres
$8,400,000
TOMICHI DOME HUNTING RANCH
Gunnison County, Colorado
860 +/- total acres
$5,590,000
DOUBLE HEART RANCH
Gunnison County, Colorado
11,300 +/- deeded acres (+45,000 lease acres)
• 2,500 +/- irrigated acres producing 2,500 tons of hay annually
• Exceptional main lodge, three additional guest homes, five manager’s homes, and quality ranch operating facilities
• Tomichi Creek flows through the property for over 5 miles offering excellent brown and rainbow trout fishing and tremendous wildlife habitat
• Trophy mule deer hunting with landowner preference licenses and general license elk hunting
• Incredible conservation and development potential
$60,000,000
TOMICHI CREEK FARM & RANCH
Gunnison & Saguache County, Colorado
2,360 +/- total acres
$20,000,000
TROUT GARDEN ON TOMICHI CREEK
Saguache County, Colorado
500 +/- total acres
$6,500,000
PLEASANT VIEW RANCH
Gunnison County, Colorado
960 +/- total acres
$4,850,000
NEEDLE CREEK RANCH
Saguache County, Colorado
1,150 +/- total acres
$8,625,000
ELK FLATS ON TOMICHI CREEK
Gunnison & Saguache County, Colorado
440 +/- total acres
$5,720,000
HOT SPRINGS CREEK RANCH
Gunnison County, Colorado
875 +/- total acres
$4,500,000
WE LOOK FORWARD TO EXPLORING HOW WE CAN HELP YOU BUY OR SELL WESTERN PROPERTIES.
LICENSED IN WYOMING, COLORADO, IDAHO, MONTANA, N. DAKOTA, S. DAKOTA, NEBRASKA, ALASKA, UTAH, & CALIFORNIA
ofMountains and Miracles
Living Journeys Summit Hike celebrates 25 years
Alex McCrindle Times Sports Editor
On July 27, a line of hikers, with the names of family members and friends battling cancer pinned to their packs and shirts, winded up talus slopes of Mt. Crested Butte. The group, which consisted of over 400 hikers, laughed and cried together, reminiscing and remembering those they lost. It was the 25th anniversary of the Living Journeys Summit Hike, the largest fundraising event for the local cancer nonprofit.
Crested Butte’s connection to cancer has changed dramatically since 1999. Before the first hike, Living Journeys founder Dana Zobs said cancer was an unspoken subject, making coping difficult and isolating. Over two decades later, the event has
grown into a reflective pilgrimage, promoting conversation and community.
In her early 20s, Zobs discovered the harsh reality of cancer.
While living out her “ski bum” dreams in Crested Butte in the early 90s, her idyllic lifestyle was ripped away when her two grandparents and aunt lost their battles with cancer. The tragedy darkened her world, and she was swept into a season of mourning. Zobs said the most jarring aspect was not having a community to turn to.
“Nobody talked about cancer, or our feelings at that time in Crested Butte, and I felt very alone,” Zobs said.
Without an outlet to express her grief, Zobs signed up for a cycling fundraising trip with the Breast Cancer Fund (BCF), an organization based out of San Francisco. She joined a group of other women living alongside cancer, and biked almost 400 miles, from Fairbanks to Valdez, Alaska.
“I needed an outlet, and other people to connect with that understood my story,” Zobs said. “The group got me back onto my
bike and out of my head. It was incredible to fundraise alongside a strong group of women that were also suffering from cancer in one way or another.”
Once she returned to Crested Butte, the community’s reluctance to talk about cancer spiraled Zobs back into isolation. Inspired by her experience with BCF, she pitched an ambitious idea.
“I told BCF that I could start a mountain climb fundraiser in Crested Butte … They thought I was nuts,” Zobs said. “I told them I had a mountain with a chair lift, emergency vehicles, ski patrol, food service and a whole community of motivated people and they bought in.”
Nowadays, the hike is split into three difficulties. Hikers can start at the base area for an almost 10-mile round trip, or ride the Silver Queen chair lift for a 2-mile out-and-back. Others just enjoy the scenic views from the Queen, and explore at the top of the lift. Upon return to the base area, hikers are welcomed with a catered brunch and live music.
PHOTOS: Music
SPORTS: Mountaineer athlete returns to graduate, B8
GUNNISON COUNTRY TIMES • THURSDAY, AUGUST 1, 2024
Hikers traverse the summit ridgeline on Mount Crested Butte. (Courtesy Trevor Bona)
While some hikers ascended almost 10 miles from the base area, others soaked in the views on the Silver Queen lift.
Gunnison
to try and normalize their lives, whether it was for a kid’s hockey camp, a car payment or a night’s stay in Denver for medical treatment,” Haley said.
Despite having no experience founding or operating a nonprofit, the founders rode the steep learning curve together. Now, 25 years later, Living Journeys consists of 11 board members and three full-time staff. The nonprofit has subsidized over 1,000 therapy sessions, delivers over 2,000 meals a year and continues to support families through financial assistance.
On July 26, the summit hike weekend opened with the first annual Soiree Dinner and Auction, hosting over 200 guests at the Elevation Hotel. The following morning, some hikers completed the 9.9-mile roundtrip from the base area to the rocky summit at 12,168 feet. Others rode the Silver Queen Lift, and then traversed the ridgeline to the top.
Conversation gently echoed throughout the pine trees and many tears were shed. Upon cresting the summit, hikers embraced beneath the prayer flags and overlooked the valley. The Slate River curved south, Gothic Mountain stood like a steeple, and the hikers hugged on the rocky terrace.
“Every year of the summit hike, our support for each other is so prevalent, and reaching the peak means so much more than it ever has before,” Zobs said.
(Alex McCrindle can be contacted at 970.641.1414 or alex@ gunnisontimes.com.)
Climbers arrive on the summit from Guides Ridge, one of Crested Butte’s more technical ridgelines.
BIZ CENTS A gateway to the home
Lost Canyon Garage Doors opens for business
Mariel Wiley Times Photo Editor
Behind every garage door in Gunnison lies a treasure trove of prized belongings. For some, a garage is the perfect solution for storing bulky gear. The space can house a constant rotation of kayaks, bikes, skis or even snowmobiles as the seasons shift. For others, the garage is a memory bank — the perfect place to keep boxes of scribbled art from when the kids were small, or that antique dresser inherited from grandparents.
Despite garages’ role in safeguarding some of homeowners’ most precious possessions, garage door maintenance is often put on the backburner. But Devon Carrillo and Luke Hylton are on a mission to put garages back on the top of Gunnison residents’ to-do lists. With their new business, Lost Canyon Garage Doors, the duo will provide inspections, maintenance and custom garage door installations for valley residents.
“I love seeing how excited people get over a garage door install,” Carrillo said. “I’ve even heard people say, ‘My house finally feels complete.’ It’s fun to turn somebody’s idea into reality and teach them that garage doors are a big part of a house and shouldn’t be overlooked.”
Originally from the Denver area, Hylton and Carrillo have each called Gunnison home for more than a decade. Hylton came to the valley to attend Western Colorado University, and Carrillo, like many, made his way here in pursuit of good skiing.
Neither Hylton nor Carrillo originally planned to work in construction. Hylton studied psychology and English at Western, and Carrillo spent four years selling insurance. They both had stints working at retail and coffee shops around town. Although they enjoyed these jobs in the interim, they felt a pull to find something different, Hylton said.
When an opportunity arose to work for Kooler Garage Doors shortly after the pandemic, they took it. Carrillo received on-thejob training to bolster his existing construction and welding skills from previous jobs. Hylton found his groove in the office with sales and project management.
After Kooler’s recent relocation to Grand Junction, the pair
noticed an opening in the local market and decided to jump on it, Hylton said. With encouragement from their employers, family and friends, they decided to start Lost Canyon Garage Doors.
“It’s a new adventure,” Carrillo said. “It’s not big and scary, but it’s a lot to tackle all at once and a lot of hoops to jump through.”
They’re putting the finishing touches on a new shop space on South 12th Street, which will serve as a storage and office space and a workshop. Carrillo leads most of the hands-on construction, and works with clients to design and build custom wood overlays for garage doors. Each overlay features different wood stain colors, engravings and wood panel placement to create a unique design to fit the client’s vision.
Hylton handles administrative tasks, sales and managing accounts. This brings him back to his favorite aspect of the job: interacting with people, he said.
“There’s so many cool people here,” Hylton said. “It’s fun being able to go out and about and see people’s houses and collaborate with them to bring their ideas to life.”
Although they’re both still working other jobs part-time while they get Lost Canyon off the ground, they’re looking forward to the flexibility that comes with owning and growing their own business. It’s also a great way for them to strengthen their roots in a community they love, Carrillo said.
(Mariel Wiley can be contacted at 970.641.1414 or mariel@ gunnisontimes.com.)
Devon Carrillo and Luke Hylton. (Photo by Mariel Wiley)
A very jolly July
The Gunnison Senior Care Center was awash with Christmas spirit five months early during an art market on July 25. Residents got a head start on shopping for holiday gifts and decor during the Christmas-in-July celebration.
(Photos by Mariel Wiley)
Back to school supply drive
The PTA is holding a back to school supply drive with items from the supply lists provided by the school. You can find the list of items with the boxes at Walmart and the Gunnison County Library. Please feel free to drop your donations off at either location.
GHS band car wash
The Gunnison High School marching band will be having a car wash fundraiser on Friday afternoon, Aug. 9, from 1 to 4:30 p.m. at PowerStop. Come support the band, and get your car or truck clean at the same time. Price is by donation.
Pioneer Museum — Cannibal Week
Visit the Gunnison Pioneer Museum this week to learn more about the intriguing legend of Alfred Packer, the “Colorado Cannibal.” Open daily from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. through September, with admission $15 for ages 13+, $5 for those 6-12, and free for 5 and under. Follow our Facebook page and check out our gunnisonpioneermuseum.com website for more on Mr. Packer!
We the People: The Democracy Cycle
On Aug. 1, in the Taylor Studio Theatre, Western Colorado University presents three short readings that ask: where can we find shelter in these turbulent times? From a mobile home park in Boulder, to a jail cell in Denver, to an unlikely council gathering in Gunnison, the three Democracy Cycle short plays reflect the stories of distinct Colorado communities. Join us for this free event at 6 p.m. for a “community mingle” featuring light appetizers and drinks. Performance at 7 p.m., followed by a discussion at 8:30.
Seeking short play submissions
The Gunnison Valley Theatre Festival is seeking new 5-10 minute plays for its first annual play crawl on Aug. 10. The deadline for submissions is Aug. 1. Plays will be performed at venues around Gunnison. Visit westerntheatrecompany. squarespace.com/gunnisonvalley-theatre-festival for submission guidelines and more information.
Chamber After Hours
The Gunnison County Chamber of Commerce will host Chamber After Hours with live music by Evelyn Roper and Matt Grant and food from Spenny’s Ice Cream and 5B’s BBQ at Cimarron Wealth Management and NuVista Federal Credit Union on Aug. 8 from 5-7 p.m.
Democrat dinner
Gunnison County Democrats will hold its annual Unity Dinner and Fundraiser on Aug. 11 at 4 p.m. at the I Bar Ranch. Enjoy live music and a catered meal. For more information, visit gunnisondemocrats.org.
HCCA hikes
High Country Conservation Advocates (HCCA) invites you to join its HCCA Hikes every Wednesday. View the full season schedule, reserve your spot and find more information at hccacb.org.
Fly fishing lessons
Harmels on the Taylor will offer free fly fishing lessons on select dates throughout the summer. Visit harmels.com or call 708.710.4427 for more information.
CB CENTER FOR THE ARTS BRIEFS
Cosi Fan Tutte
Mozart’s “Così fan tutte” is one of the most dramatic soap operas written in the 1700s. Translated as “Women are like that,” even the title hints at the capricious, tongue-and-cheek plot of this classic. Sung in Italian, with English narration and supertitles. Show is Aug. 3 at 7 p.m. and the cost is $55-$75.
Sir Woman
The rolling funk-soul ensemble began as a solo vehicle for Wild Child/Glorietta vocalist Kelsey Wilson a mere two years ago. Their dynamic and joyful stage show led to quick buzz, with their recorded catalog quickly catching up to the acclaim. The show is Aug. 5 from 5:30-7 p.m. and the cost is free.
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.
CBMT summer benefit concert
Join us on Aug. 2 from 7-11 p.m. at 403 2nd Ave. in Crested Butte for an electrifying evening of music and community support at Crested Butte Mountain Theatre's Benefit Concert featuring the renowned Lakewood Area Band. Our goal is to raise $10,000, which will be matched dollar for dollar, doubling the impact of your contribution. Tickets are limited. Secure your spot and make a matched donation at cbmountaintheatre.org.
Cooking Matters
Mountain Roots is having upcoming Cooking Matters workshops! On Wednesday Aug. 14 or Aug. 28 come join us at the Gunnison Library from 10 a.m.12 a.m. Come strengthen your relationship with healthy food and make some fun recipes! To enroll email uma@mountainrootsfoodproject.org.
A presentation about Macbeth
Want to know more about Shakespeare’s epic tragedy? Firebird Theatre will hold a free humorous and informational presentation called — “If it’s not Scottish, it’s crap!” — to give audience members a head start in anticipation of their upcoming production of “Macbeth.” There are two chances to join in on Aug. 11 — at 3 p.m. at the Gunnison Library, 1 Quartz St., Gunnison; and at 6 p.m. at the Rijks Family Gallery in Crested Butte.
Chamber
showcase
Concertmaster Sean Claire and other Summer Classics musicians bring the music of the Appalachians to the Rockies in this outdoor classical and folk chamber music concert. The show is Aug. 6 from 5:30-7 p.m. and the cost is free.
Midsummer Masterworks
Featuring large works for orchestra and chorus, Midsummer Masterworks brings almost 70 musicians from all over the country together to perform high-quality classical favorites in Crested Butte. Conducted by Steven Aguilo-Arbues, this festivalstyle performance will feature Mozart’s Symphony No. 40, Mendelssohn’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream Overture, and
Beethoven’s Mass in C Op. 86. The show is Aug. 10 at 7 p.m. and the cost is $55-$75.
“Packer Guilty!”
Submitted by Larry
McDonald
It was 138 years ago this week when the second trial of the “Colorado Cannibal”, Alfred Packer, was held here in Gunnison. And while many residents of Colorado are familiar with the basic details of the sordid story, very few know much about all the intricate details of Mr. Packer and his decades-long legacy in our state. There is not enough space in this column to delve too deep into all those details, so we’ll focus on the 3 years he spent behind bars here in our County courthouse under the watchful eye of Sheriff “Doc” Shores and his wife Agnes.
stand trial. During that trial in 1883 he was found guilty and sentenced to be hung before the verdict was overturned and he was hustled to Gunnison in the dark of night to save his neck from those who wanted to take the law into their own hands.
The saga began back in 1873 with Alfred Packer attempting to lead a group of five gold-seekers from Utah to Colorado, and even after Chief Ouray warned them not to attempt to proceed further from his camp near Montrose in February of 1874, they ventured onward. As we know from experience, travelling in the winter in our “neck of the woods” can be a challenge and things quickly went sour for the prospectors as they ran out of food near present day Lake City. We will likely never know the true story of exactly what happened, as Alfred gave three differing confessions, but he was the only one to emerge from the ordeal and he admitted to eating the flesh of his comrades to survive.
With his arrival at the Los Pinos Indian Agency, those who heard him tell his story of survival grew suspicious, and he was held in the jail at Saguache for a brief time before he escaped and was on the run for nine years before being captured in Wyoming and returned to Lake City to
Alfred’s time in Gunnison was fairly uneventful, with him spending time making items that he could sell to raise a little money and Sheriff Shores taking him out for regular “airings”, one of which was for the iconic portrait at Frank Deans “Fotography” studio. After numerous attempts by his attorney to have the case dismissed were denied, his trial on manslaughter charges began on August 1, 1886, with testimony from Alfred and a number of witnesses for the prosecution taking the stand. A verdict of guilty on five counts of manslaughter came down late in the evening of August 4, and just two days later Sheriff Shores accompanied Packer aboard a train to the state penitentiary at Canon City aboard a train where he would spend 16 years of his forty-year sentence before being paroled by Governor Thomas in 1901.
Feast in the Field
A crowd of over 100 people gathered to celebrate the summer harvest and support local hunger relief efforts during Mountain Roots’ Feast in the Field dinner at Red Dog Ranch on July 27. Diners enjoyed true farm-to-table offerings of locally raised meats and fresh fruits and vegetables.
Alfred left a lasting legacy in our valley and our extensive collections include a number of items he made while behind bars, along with the shackles he wore during the trial. His final statement following his sentencing read, “I can’t talk any more now, but I want to thank Sheriff Shores and his wife for their kind treatment of me while I’ve been here. No one could have treated me more kindly.” We invite you to visit the museum soon and learn more about our “Colorado Cannibal”!
MUSEUM OPEN DAILY 9:00 A.M.-5:00 P.M. FROM MAY 15 THROUGH SEPTEMBER 30.
Admission $15 ages 13+, $5 for ages 6-12, Free for 5 and under. Follow us on Facebook for current information and amazing local history!
Gunnison Valley Health provides exceptional care to boost performance and speed up injury recovery for athletes of all ages.
REHABILITATION & ATHLETIC MEDICINE
We offer a diverse range of cutting-edge services to keep you active and well.
HOSPITAL | 970-641-7268
711 N. TAYLOR ST. | GUNNISON
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With family medicine, internal medicine and pediatric care, we can help you be at the top of your game.
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GUNNISON | 970-641-8899
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GUNNISON COUNTRY TIMES • THURSDAY, AUGUST 1, 2024
Gymnasts wrap up season in style
Seven athletes place at state meet
Alex McCrindle Times Sports Editor
After consecutive months of practice and honing new skills, the Gunnison gymnastics team put it all to the test at the state meet July 27-28. Out of the 16 athletes that competed, seven stood on the podium — capping off a season for the team that head coach Sam Denham called “incredibly supportive.”
“The dynamics of this gym have been unreal this year,” Denham said. “All the girls, across different ages, were really good about encouraging each other and helping out the coaches and their teammates.”
Three girls in the advanced, optional categories placed at the state meet in Westminster. Eliza Wickenhauser led the way with a 8.05 second-place score on floor. Carly Ezzel was one of many Gunnison girls that Gymnastics B11
Ross Giles makes triumphant return to Mountaineer Bowl
When Ross Giles first stepped onto the Western Colorado University football field 35 years ago, he had no way of knowing what the next four years would hold. He couldn’t see then that he would play an important part in ushering in a new era in Mountaineer Football.
He didn’t know his mother would get sick in his senior year and that he would have to leave before graduation to help her. And despite the promise he made, Giles had no way of knowing that more than three decades later, he’d return to Western through the Adult Degree Completion (ADC) program and walk across the commencement stage to receive his diploma at age 55.
Originally from Rockland County, New York, Giles did not come to Gunnison with any of that in mind.
“While my departure from school was not part of the plan, Western B11
The 2024 Gunnison Gymnastics team. (Photos by Mariel Wiley)
(Courtesy Western Colorado University)
Seth Mensing Special to the Times
Western takes down Dad Bods
Bods fall 11-8 in six innings
Evan Bjornstad Times Sports Intern
Western triumphed over the Dad Bods after a six-inning co-ed adult softball brawl at Jorgensen Park on July 25.
The game opened with two electric innings, in which both teams scored several runs. Headed into the third inning, Western held a 5-3 lead. But despite the previous energy, each side went cold and scoreless.
The top of the fourth started with two straight outs that immediately piled the pressure onto the upcoming Western batters.
Western scored two runs with the help of significant Dad Bod errors. The Bods lost their steam in the bottom of the fourth, and only scored one run — maintaining a three-run deficit.
Western continued to hold its dominance at the plate in the fifth inning. The batters scored another three runs, capitalized by a two RBI triple to move the score to a daunting 10-4. The bottom of the fifth was slow again for the Dad Bods. The team scored only once, leaving Western with a five-run cushion before heading into the crucial sixth inning.
In the final inning, Western lost its gas at the plate. It scored only once after an RBI single slapped into the left field.
With the score at 11-5 in the bottom of the sixth, the Dad Bods caught fire at the plate. The batters rallied seven total hits and scored three runs from two RBI’s. The once insurmountable Western lead narrowed to six runs.
The Dad Bods entered the seventh with hope of a potential comeback. Despite their best efforts, the batters were unable to spark a late rally. Westerns walked away with an 11-8 victory.
The adult softball league will conclude this month with playoffs.
(Evan Bjornstad can be contacted at 970.641.1414.)
(Photos by Evan Bjornstad)
Stingrays take on Blue Mesa
The Gunnison Stingrays swim team faced one of its most daunting challenges of the season on July 29 — swimming more than a mile across Blue Mesa Reservoir. A group of teammates, parents and community members swam from the Iola boat ramp, across the lake and back. The outdoor adventure was a final test before the Stingrays host the Colorado Seasonal State Championship at the Gunnison Rec Center from Aug. 2-4.
Rainstorm rallies
After an afternoon storm canceled adult beginners tennis, some players stuck around for a pickup game of “skeleton” on July 25. In skeleton, players line up to hit several volleys over the net. If a player’s ball lands out of bounds, that player is now a “skeleton” and must move to the other side of the court. Skeletons attempt to catch tennis balls to be resurrected.
(Photos by Mariel Wiley)
(Courtesy Tami Maciejko)
Gymnastics from
B8
shined on beam last weekend. As the highest ranking gymnast on the team, she travels to a gym in Montrose every week to practice her twisting flips and floor routines. Her hard work paid off when she placed third with an 8.225 on beam. Emma Bogart also finished strong, taking fourth on vault with an 8.1. In the compulsory divisions, Lily McElyea and Kylie Robbins each stood proudly on the second-place podium. McElyea scored an 8.3 on floor, and Robbins finished her summer season off with an 8.425 on the beam. Cece Marquis was hot on their tails with a fourth-place 7.475 on beam. Penny Tidwell was the final placing gymnast for Gunnison, finishing fifth on vault with a 7.6.
After consecutive weekends of travel and countless hours in the Gunnison Rec Center gym, the athletes and coaching staff are looking forward to an extended period of rest. Then, the team of over 30 girls will return to the beams and bars for fall practice.
“It's been such a great season because Gunnison gymnastics proved it was capable of competing as a unit, and working really hard,” Denham said. “Our teams have grown so much, and we’re excited about the future of this program.”
(Alex McCrindle can be contacted at 970.641.1414 or alex@ gunnisontimes.com.)
Western
from B8
it served as a catalyst for selfimprovement,” Giles said. “It became evident to me that, regardless of circumstances, prioritizing integrity and kindness was essential for moving forward with purpose.”
As a student at a junior college in Minnesota, the quality of Giles’ character caught the eye of Monica Brunig, a former recruiter for Western’s football program. She encouraged him to join the Mountaineer squad.
When he arrived in Gunnison, he found the town wasn’t what he was used to, but then, neither was Minnesota. After redshirting his first year, Giles became a key member of the Mountaineers’ special teams. But he joined at a time when the team was struggling to find a winning strategy, with back-to-back three-win seasons.
Finally, in his junior year, surrounded by an experienced and talented group of players, the team achieved a remarkable 10-2 season. The Mountaineers clinched the RMAC Championship and secured a thrilling first-round playoff victory over Carson Newman of Tennessee — the national champion for three of
the previous five years.
The following year, the Mountaineers built on their success and transitioned from the NAIA conference to become a fully-fledged NCAA Division II team. Despite starting the season with a disappointing loss to the University of Northern Colorado, the team won the next nine games and went on to win a second consecutive RMAC championship.
Unfortunately, Giles was about to face his biggest challenges off the field. After returning home to help care for his ailing mother, a cascade of events kept him from finishing his bachelor’s degree for more than 30 years.
After leaving Western, he started a family and went to work as a high school paraprofessional in special education. He learned firsthand how badly the school system needed to change to accommodate his students and their families. But without finishing his degree, he knew he would never be in a position to bring about those changes. So he continued his work and began to coach football and mentor college-bound students, all while pursuing professional training and certifications that would help advance his career.
After a decade, he earned a position as Student
MEETING NOTICE-RTA
The next meeting of the Gunnison Valley Transportation Authority (RTA) will be August 9, 2024 at 8:00 a.m. at the Crested Butte Town Offices. For copies of the Board of Directors meeting packet, please go to gunnisonvalleyrta.com/meetings or call Scott Truex at 970-275-0111. Two or more County Commissioners may attend these meetings.
Achievement Advisor for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in Minnesota. That’s when he realized that he would need to finish his degree.
“I was determined to overcome the obstacles standing in my way and ultimately achieve my educational aspirations,” he said. “I knew that doing so would not only benefit me personally but also set a positive example for my children and future generations while delivering on a promise I made to my parents to finish.”
Giles found Western’s ADC program, but a degree was still more than a year and a half of hard work away. Still, he was determined to persevere through to reach his goal, just like he had years before on the football field.
“Nothing worth having comes easy, no matter what you do,” he said. “Balancing coursework deadlines, work commitments, and family responsibilities demands meticulous planning, adaptability, and self-sacrifice. These qualities are essential in maturing into responsible adults who are committed to giving back to the communities we call home.”
(Seth Mensing is the media and communications manager at Western Colorado University.)
Feeling broken, lonely or hopeless?
We Care Gunny offers 24/7 faith-based support
Tragic, heart-wrenching and senseless are just a few of the words that describe the sudden and inexplicable loss of a loved one to suicide. The Gunnison Valley has experienced way more than our share of this tragic loss, with more suicides reported already this year-todate than all of last year combined — more than five times the national average. What’s going on?
The faith-based community in Gunnison has been watching this growing darkness with a broken heart. Earlier this summer, we got together over lunch at a meeting at the Gunnison Library. The goal of that luncheon was to hear from Sean Dunn with Groundwire.net, an online ministry out of Castle Rock, Colorado. The ministry deals with the brokenness of this generation, and discusses what churches can do. Most of the local pastors and many of the area para-church ministries were in attendance.
Sean quoted some vital statistics from his vast experience on the subject and described a “generation in crisis.” His research has revealed that 83% said that moral truth depends on the circumstances, and only 4% think that moral truth is absolute. They are addicted to social media, with an average of 8.5 social media accounts, where 91% get their news. Nearly half of them feel stressed or anxious “most of,” or “all of” the time.
The primary place they go for help with depression and anxi-
ety is not a therapist, a teacher, a pastor or even a parent. It is TikTok. And 70% of this generation think that the American church is irreverent. An overwhelming majority of this generation is turning to drugs and alcohol to dull the pain, and 90% of substance abuse disorders start during their teenage years. It is an epidemic, built on a foundation of substance abuse. And it has to stop.
“I’ve got a different perspective on the problem,” said Ron Watson, one of the event’s organizers. He has lived in the valley for over 30 years. “I see suicide as a symptom, but the root cause appears to be a generation who has lost their way, as evidenced by their turning to substance abuse, and their cry for help to find purpose and meaning. All of these feelings of brokenness and hopelessness seem to be pervasive in this generation across the county, and it is time for the local church to rise up and offer an alternative”.
The 23 pastors, para-church ministry leaders and residents that attended the luncheon came up with a new idea and approach and We Care GunnyWe Care CB was born. Their vision statement is to “Reach every struggling, lonely, desperate, lost and hopeless person in the Gunnison Valley with the love of Jesus Christ through His Church, and let them know that God sees them and that we care about them individually, about their pain, and about their journey.”
The group has launched two websites, WeCareGunny.com and WeCareCB.com. All of the churches in the valley have come together to address this issue as “The Church.” They are working cooperatively with each other to try and tackle the
Pottery pals
roots of the issue.
People who visit these websites will be offered 24/7 chat access to trained coaches who will chat with them about their problems, introduce them to a faith-based approach and connect them with a Gunnison Valley coordinator who will get them plugged into a local church or ministry for more support. Some of the other groups include Celebrate Recovery, a faithbased approach to drug and alcohol addiction, Lighthouse Pregnancy Center and Young Life, among others.
Also still in the planning phase is a “Hope Fest” on Sunday, Sept. 8, which will be a free, community-wide event, sponsored 100% by local donors. This event will feature uplifting praise music, public testimonials from people in the community who have beat this issue and overcome their despair and a shared meal.
The headliner event will be a talk from Colton and Todd Burpo, the kid from the bestselling book and movie “Heaven Is For Real.” It is a true story of a young boy who has a near death experience when his appendix burst, requiring emergency surgery. The event will include a free showing of the movie at theaters in Gunnison, Crested Butte and Lake City later this summer.
For more information or to volunteer, reach out to Ron Watson at rwatson@watsonadvisors.net or any Gunnison or Crested Butte pastors.
(Source: Gunnison Valley Churches.)
A group gathered at the Gunnison Arts Center for a “clay-date” during a Pop Up Pottery Friends Night Out on July 26. The potters tried their hand at throwing clay on the wheel to create bowls, cups and vases.
(Photo by Mariel Wiley)
A novel art project
Painters turned ordinary bricks into replicas of their favorite books during last month’s Crafternoon at the Gunnison County Library on July 18. The artists recreated the cover and spine designs of favorite childhood books or novels using acrylic paint.
(Photos by Mariel Wiley)
Music on the move
A swarm of cyclists rolled through town accompanied by melodies from Fuerza Cora Brasil Musical during the music cruise on July 30. After their jaunt through Gunnison, the group parked their bikes at IOOF Park for more music to end the evening.
(Photos by Mariel Wiley)
Endangered boreal toad tadpoles released into wild near Creede
Late last month, teams from the Denver Zoo Conservation Alliance and Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) trekked wetlands near Creede to introduce more than 2,200 boreal toad tadpoles officials hope could eventually host an established population of the rare amphibians. This was the second successful breeding and release, including the reintroduction of more than 600 tadpoles in the Gunnison National Forest in 2022.
Consistent propagation of boreal
toads in captivity has been the major missin glink in our conservation.
Daniel Cammack
CPW Biologist
In 2021, Denver Zoo and CPW launched a new initiative aimed at boosting the state’s population of boreal toads — an endangered species in Colorado and New Mexico. Starting with 95 adult toads from CPW’s Native Aquatic Species Restoration Facility in Alamosa, experts from the zoo spent more than six months preparing them for breeding and nurturing their offspring before their release into the wild.
“We’re committed to continuing this effort with CPW for many years to come and doing our part to make sure this important species remains
part of Colorado’s ecosystem for future generations,” said Brian Aucone, chief conservation officer at Denver Zoo Conservation Alliance.
Once common in montane habitats at altitudes between 7,000-12,000 feet in the southern Rocky Mountains, the boreal toad has experienced dramatic population declines over the past two decades. The decline appears to be related to habitat loss and infection from the chytrid fungus. It can infect most of the world’s 7,000 amphibian species and is linked to major population declines and extinctions globally. Wildlife officials estimate there may be as few as 800 wild adult toads left in Colorado.
Denver Zoo has been conserving endangered amphibian species for more than 18 years. In 2018, it became the first zoo in the Northern Hemisphere to successfully breed critically endangered Lake Titicaca frogs. It has since provided more than 250 healthy frogs to zoos and aquariums in the United States and Europe. In 2021, the organization successfully bred critically endangered Panamanian golden frogs.
In 2022, the Denver Zoo and CPW released the first brood — more than 600 tadpoles — to support boreal toads in a remote wetland in the Gunnison National Forest. CPW has devoted significant resources for more than 30 years toward boreal toad research and continues to explore ways to recover the species. CPW researchers are developing methodologies for reintroducing toads in historically occupied habitats, detecting chytrid fungus in the wild, marking and identifying individual toads and improving breeding success in Alamosa.
“Consistent propagation of boreal toads in captivity has
been the major missing link in our conservation efforts,” said Daniel Cammack, southwest region native aquatic species biologist with CPW. “In the past, we relied solely on collecting fertilized eggs from wild populations to grow into tadpoles at the hatchery and stock at translocation sites. Thanks to the zoo’s expertise and hard work, we are able to increase our capacity and get more toads out at more locations.”
It will take many years to bring the species back to a level where it is secure in the southern Rockies. As part of the wild release program, the Denver Zoo launched a community science project where volunteers monitor the species’ high-country habitat to help officials understand the health of current wild populations and determine suitable locations for future reintroduction of toads. For more information, visit DenverZoo.org.
(Source: Colorado Parks and Wildlife.)
CPW’s Rachel Jones holds up a bag of boreal toad tadpoles before stocking on June 20 near Creede. (Courtesy Denver Zoo)
Once common in montane habitats at altitudes between 7,000-12,000 feet in the southern Rocky Mountains, the boreal toad has experienced dramatic population declines over the past two decades.
25 years of community cancer support
Huge thanks to everyone who attended the Summit Soiree and 25th Anniversary Summit Hike. We hosted 600 attendees over the weekend and raised over $400,000 for cancer support!
Tom & Linda Biery The Cohn Family Fremajane Wo lfson
Ellen St Germain
Elevation Hotel & Apa | Gunnison County Electric Association | High Alpine Brewing Co
Peak Property | Pinnacle Orthopedics | Talk of the Town | Julie and Andy McNeill
Kathleen Gentry | The O'Neil Family | The Reamer Family | Altitude Painting Old Town Inn | Crested Butte Bank | Natural Grocer’s | Remote Recreation Safari
Bella Voi Salon | Big-B's | Bliss Chiropractic | Bramble and Bloom | Chopwood Mercantile Core | Crested Butte Property Management | Fischer Sports | Crested Butte Nordic Gemstone Skincare | Jackson's | John Fellows | Kronke Sports Entertainment
Missed the event? You can still join in the online auction until August 2 or donate at www.livingjourneys.org. Your support matters. Blake Hawk Family THANK
Lupine Design | Mountain Spirits Liquors | Mystery Ranch | Nate's Paints | Poppi Soda Scenic River Tours | Stem Floral | Zuni Street Brewing Company
THANK YOU TO OUR VOLUNTEERS!
SUMMIT WEEKEND CO-CHAIRS: Megan Reamer, Eric Larsen, Heather Driggs. HOST COMMITTEE: Sarah & Sean Hartigan, Katie Hubert, Dr. Alexandria Miller, Heidi O’Neil, Patrick & Jordan O’Neill, Kim Raines, Kara Miller, and Laci Wright.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS: Patrick O’Neill (President), Eric Larsen (VP), Megan Reamer (Treasurer), Dr. Alexandria Miller (Secretary), Codie Aljets, Rosemary Catmur, Marlene Crosby, Krista Hildebrandt, Alice Krist, Staci Melby, and Kim Spencer.
WEEKEND VOLUNTEERS: Anne Boettcher, Grace Bogard, Laurie Boscaro, Martha Gubb Clarkson, Hannah Elfenbein, David Esposito, Melissa Essig, Maria Fenerty, Tyus Fisher, Mira Fisher, Robin & Scott Hamilton, Barb Hammond, Patricia Harrington. Jennifer & Anna Hartman, Emerson Kaufmann, Lillian Laird, Aubrey Laird, Paloma Lamar, Charlie Lokken, Mary Martin, Dan Martin, Katie Neben, Talley, Peter & Mason Nichols, Piper O’Neill, Debbie O'Hagan, Sharon Russell, Larry Ryan, Laura Scales, Rich Smith, Colby Smith, Charlotte Steely, Lilian Voegeli, and Nanci Witten.
