Love endures
Love is in the air! This month, we celebrate the enduring power of love to overcome any obstacle. So often, romantic love gets the focus, but what about the stories of how love can carry us through difficult times, challenges and all that life has to throw at us?
The following story is from VOICES Radio Hour’s Feb. 14 episode on KDNK at 6pm, featuring stories of love overcoming all things. Visit voicesrfv.org/voices-radio-hour to listen to the full episode and all previous “VOICES Radio Hour” episodes.
Carolyn and I met at Victoria’s Coffee Shop in Aspen in October of 2013. The attraction was instantaneous. Palpable. Mutual. As the hours slipped by, I asked if I could scoot her stool closer to mine. Our knees touching. Electric.
Afterwards I talked about the date with my bestie and showed him the selfie we had taken. He was like, “You guys look pretty couply.”
“She is just six months out of a 20-year marriage. I’m just happy to have my turn,” I replied.
He looked at me sideways and repeated, “You guys look pretty couply.” Sometimes our friends see our lives more clearly than we do.
consciousness and crossed the rainbow bridge eight days later, myself and her best friend, Kristin Case, by her side. It has been seven months and two days, and I still cannot comprehend these words.
OPINION
It is a true blessing that the last words between Carolyn and me, just seconds before the accident, were about how much we love each other and how lucky we are. It has been a privilege to honor Carolyn’s memory in words, monuments, ceremonies and songs.
VOICES
RADIO HOUR
By Gary Gleason
Turns out Carolyn and I were cut from the same cloth, on so many levels. Our love of music. Our love of travel. Our love of adventure. Our love of time in nature. Our need for personal space. Our ideas about money. Our ideas about spirituality. Our childlike demeanor. The love we felt for our children. The challenges we faced in our first marriages. Even what foods we liked and hated. It was kind of spooky sometimes, honestly.
It was no time at all before Carolyn’s things filled my closets, and her laughter filled my halls. For the next 11 years, we were inseparable — initially with her tagging along on all my business trips, so I would not have to be away from her for more than a few hours. Later, the two of us traveled some 40 countries, navigating dozens of multi-day river trips, moving to Maui for a time, writing an amazing spirituality book, playing together in her band, mentoring our kids and building a huge circle of friends.
Last summer, Carolyn and I were riding our townie bikes to meet friends for the Fourth of July parade when someone opened their car door without looking. Carolyn never regained
LETTERS
Protect public media
My wife and I are regular listeners to Carbondale’s KDNK Community Access Radio via streaming here in Lincoln, Nebraska. Streaming enables us to enjoy KDNK, your local community radio station that is a gift for us all.
I spent my 45-year working career in commercial and public broadcast media. We recently received a disturbing email from KDNK. It talks of Washington politics — threats of the government defunding and dissolving the public media infrastructure. That structure includes KDNK. Do not take these threats lightly.
Community stations like KDNK are NOT controlled by the government. They are independent: free to breathe and think for themselves. They are guided by a board made up of your community residents. And, for the most part, they are funded by a lot of you, good Sopris Sun readers.
Some people in Congress want to cut funding for public radio and television. They wield this authority based on their individual beliefs, not the will of the people. They think public broadcasting entities should be curtailed, even punished for their objectivity. They think public broadcasters should narrow their frame of reference to non-objective concepts of what listeners should hear — not what they need or want to hear. The traditional way of threatening these freedoms is to defund them.
She continues to lay across my path astonishing “signs” of her continued presence in the ethers. But damn…
After the accident our house remained a museum — her photos, her things, a constant reminder. The time came to make space for a new life, unwanted and unasked for, but at my door just the same. Life has a way of asserting itself, regardless of our acceptance.
I held a “dress party” for her dear friends, that they may continue to enjoy her many hats and handbags and shoes and outfits. Those few things I kept are now in the office closet so I can “visit but not live there,” so to speak.
I have found that grief is an onion. It gives purpose, peeling the layers back to find the deeper you. But like an onion, the process makes you cry. So much resistance. I came to realize that I was grieving several deaths simultaneously: all that light and joy that was Carolyn; who I was with her; who we were together; and all the special moments, places and inside-jokes we shared. Each of these a death of its own. Each a forced renaissance. I have learned that we bend and flex for our partner in ways we don’t even recognize. And now the tree of my soul springs back in its most authentic, natural expression… similar but different from any previous me. Hard to recognize my inner landscape. As I rejoin the world, bit by bit, I sometimes struggle to embrace the mystery and to remain present. But I am excited to embody this deep work in all my relationships, including with the next love of my life… who, as far as I know, I have yet to meet. Or, perhaps, have already met but do not yet recognize. Life is so weird!
Turns out that while love persists forever, tomorrow is never promised. So my bidding to you, on this day of love, is to be here now and be not afraid to show your love to those you cherish.
Some are even going as far as to skew facts, obliterate public opinion and publicly punish dissenters. Politicians promise to curtail the funding to drive stations into submission. This concept contradicts the guarantee of free speech in our nation.
Carrying out these threats will fuel the movement toward autocracy and non-representative government. We must fight and defeat this, if the democratic lifestyle which Western Slope residents love is to survive.
Think about this with me for a moment.
There are few causes more “local” and people-serving than community radio. With its continuous attention to local needs and instant information-sharing capability, KDNK has the communication tools and knows how to use them. If it ignored Western Slope needs, it would not only be killing its purpose, but would lose the support of you — the people who created it!
This threat to withhold public assistance shuns the will of the People. Its perpetrators must be made to understand the facts and figures of why public broadcasting is a national imperative, a local treasure, an essential resource in times of emergencies and a basic element of our freedoms.
Concerned?
You can wield substantial influence on this issue by contacting your senators and representatives and making your thoughts known. This can go a long way to assure the tenets of Democracy and free speech are
upheld. Your House member is Jeff Hurd (202-225-4676) and your senators are John Hickenlooper (202-224-5941) and Michael Bennet (202-224-5852). You can also sign the Protect Local Public Media petition found at www.protectmypublicmedia.org
There are few tenets as strong as the will of community radio broadcasters in telling the real story of the present and helping find the best paths to the future. Please, do what you can. Now. Or a fragile freedom may evaporate on the air.
John Cutler Lincoln, Nebraska
What is happening?
Do you get confused by all of the White House multiple news blasts daily? Is that the intention, to keep us so confused that we don’t really know what is happening? Trump wants Gaza? Is Trump assuming that since the U.S. paid for the bombs to destroy Hamas and the Palestinian land and people now he gets to take over Palestine as an American colony? For oil? For more Trump golf courses? Is Trump’s plan to send generations of American youth to fight Hamas and the rest of Palestine in order to “own” Palestinians and their land?
Trump’s plan to strip the Education department ties in to this goal: keep American youth uneducated so they will accept the role of being colonizers in the Arab
Editor Raleigh Burleigh 970-510-3003 news@soprissun.com
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El Jebel improvement
Midvalley residents are invited to a stakeholder meeting to review and discuss reconstruction of the south side of the El Jebel Road and Highway 82 intersection. The meeting will take place on Tuesday, Feb. 18, from 3 to 7pm at the Eagle County Building, 0020 Eagle County Drive, in El Jebel. Any questions concerning the meeting can be directed to Rickie Davies at richard.davies@eaglecounty.us or 970-328-3567.
River otters
An Aspen Valley Land Trust newsletter reported that a family of river otters (excellent indicators of healthy ecosystems) was spotted on wildlife cameras at Coffman Ranch. “Otters rely on intact riparian vegetation, complex river systems with dynamic riverbanks, and healthy fish populations,” the news release explained.
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Sisu
Despite the big melt, Ski for Sisu, Mount Sopris Nordic Council’s annual Spring Gulch fundraiser, went off without a hitch! More than 100 skiers of all ages and levels gathered at the Marion Lot to ski as many kilometers as possible. Olympian Hailey Swirbul (who took her first-ever cross-country ski at Spring Gulch) was among at least four skiers who surpassed 50 kilometers on that beautiful Sunday morning. Together, everyone raised over $25,000 to help maintain the trails.
Youth in Nature
Roaring Fork Outdoor Volunteers is accepting applications for its Youth in Nature paid high school internship program until April 4. This year-long program provides $1,500 and supplies, gear and transportation to 10 to 12 students from Parachute to Aspen to learn hands-on about trail restoration, avalanche safety, connecting with nature and more. The program begins with orientation in June followed by a fourday hut trip in July. Find more info at www.rfov.org/yin
Garfield County immigration
A news release from the Garfield County Sheriff’s Office detailed the county’s sanctuary policies, explaining that the commissioners declared Garfield a non-sanctuary county in March of 2024 partially “to address a national organization that wrongfully lists on their website Garfield County, and specifically the Sheriff’s Office, as sanctuary organizations.” According to Sheriff Lou Vallario, “I work with all law enforcement agencies, from local to international, to the degree I legally can.” He goes on to say that “the Colorado Legislature has enacted several laws limiting my ability to work with ICE [Immigration and Customs Enforcement].” Because immigration falls under civil law, rather than criminal law, “I do not, nor do any Colorado state and local law enforcement officers, have federal immigration authority,” Vallario said. However, if ICE agents review the county’s public jail logs and express interest in detaining someone, Garfield County will notify them when that person is to be released. “Regardless, I cannot unnecessarily delay anyone’s release and must comply with the six hour rule” requiring an inmate not being held on criminal charges to be released within six hours. Moreover, a civil arrest can’t be enforced while a subject is in or around a courthouse for a court proceeding, Vallario explained. Lastly, “I will support any other law enforcement agency when requested, as an ‘agency assist’ for the best interest of public safety,” Vallario said. “There are no laws preventing me from supporting another law enforcement agency and I will always do so when asked.”
Hickenlooper responds
In response to reports of ICE arrests and activity across Denver and Aurora, Senator John Hickenlooper stated, “Reports that ICE was blocking school buses picking up kids and preventing families from leaving their homes are deeply troubling.” He continued, “We want criminals off of our streets. Securing our border doesn’t require targeting children and families who have committed no crimes.”
Safe Streets Survey
The City of Glenwood Springs’ 2024 Safe Streets Survey is soliciting responses through March 7 at www.GWSsafetysurvey.com — this is part of a greater Community Safety Action Plan process with pop-up events on Feb. 13 at the 27th Street Park and Ride from 3:30 to 5:30pm and Glenwood Springs High School from 6:30 to 8:30pm. Community meetings are also scheduled at the Glenwood Springs Middle School for West Glenwood on Feb. 24 from 6 to 8pm and downtown neighborhoods on March 4 from 5 to 7pm. A Midland corridor meeting will take place at the Community Center on March 5 from 4 to 6pm.
Beginner pilates
Alexandra Jerkunica is now offering “Beginner Mat Pilates” at The Launchpad on Thursdays from 8 to 9am for six weeks beginning Feb. 13. RSVP required at 970-379-2187 or movefromyourcenter@gmail.com
Shortlisted
Sopris Sun cartoonist Larry Day was shortlisted for the 2025 Communication Arts annual illustration competition for his July 4 artwork depicting the U.S. Supreme Court disassembling an American flag. Check it out on Day’s personal/professional Instagram account: @larry.day56
They say it’s your birthday!
Folks celebrating another trip around the sun this week include: Amy Rota (Feb. 13); Camille Backman, Winnie Crampton-Steindler, Deatra Glock, Gabriela Mejia and Andrea Stewart (Feb. 14); Richard Allen, Jesse Hill, Jennifer Moss, Scott Levine, Dave Plumb and Megan Tackett (Feb. 15); Cody Lee, Luby Lubrant, Tristan Mead, Jen Moss, Jessie Murillo and Dale Will (Feb. 16); Emma Scher and Jade Wimberley (Feb. 17); Sarah Emily Murray (Feb. 18).
Crystal River Elementary School continues its annual winter tradition of teaching all students to cross-country ski and ice skate.
Photo by Sue Rollyson
Lift-Up faces rising demand, declining donations,
leadership gaps
ROMINA CABRERA
Sopris Sun Contributor
Grappling with a triad of challenges, from surging demand and declining donations (putting crippling pressure on finances) to critical leadership gaps, Lift-Up is appealing for increased support from the communities it is committed to serving in Roaring Fork Valley.
Lift-Up sounded the alarm during an online press conference on Jan. 29, stating they need more help to ensure the local nonprofit can sustain its operations and continue helping the individuals and households who have come to rely on the organization for food.
“What we’re communicating out is we’re raising the alarms that if this trend is going to continue, we are going to need the community to support us in a bigger way than what we have [needed] historically,” said John Dougherty, head of Human Service Innovations — a consulting agency that was engaged by Lift-Up to oversee its organizational and management transitions.
A “reduction in programming services” has already been approved by the Lift-Up board of directors, alongside implementing
strategies to decrease expenses and costs, geared toward maintaining long-term sustainability.
The organization, which has provided food and other assistance to residents since 1982, assured that its food distributing services will continue in all its communities from Parachute to Aspen, even if changes are implemented in operations.
“That will continue to happen, and it may look different over time as we identify efficiencies and opportunities to improve that distribution,” Dougherty added, “but we will continue to collect, warehouse, transport and distribute food.”
Dougherty described Lift-Up’s current situation as “a tsunami,” with a spiking increase in demand not seen in the past four decades. There has been a fivefold increase in demand for services in the Roaring Fork Valley in the past three years, from around 38,304 individuals and households served in 2021 up to 188,060 last year.
Dougherty noted that the upward trajectory in demand began during the COVID pandemic era, and it has not reversed but climbed steeper in recent years.
The organization said the trend is unlikely to change as
households face increased expenses related to inflation plus the overall rise in the basic costs of living in the Valley, especially for housing and healthcare.
“The simple answer is, we don’t have any reason to believe it’s not going to continue. We have been on a solid trajectory upward for three years in a row, and the costs are not getting better,” Dougherty said. “It’s getting harder and harder. People’s budgets are getting tighter and tighter.”
“There is no shortage of need,” affirmed Jess Hedden, serving as interim director of programs.
While demand has skyrocketed, donations are down by a quarter in the past two years from a high of $873,000 in 2022, down to
$814,000 in 2023 and substantially declining to $634,000 in 2024. This reflects a global downward trend in philanthropic giving.
Lift-Up said it was looking to implement a decrease in programs that were implemented during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic but are less urgent now as it focuses on key services. The organization may also need to grapple with the trickle down effects of President Donald Trump’s culling of Federal financing for social programs, even if it does not directly receive federal support. Dougherty said that Food Bank of the Rockies, which does receive federal funding, is a major supplier of food for Lift-Up.
Lift-Up will continue to rely on partnerships with other
organizations, especially a grocery rescue program that supplies 90% of what is redistributed to communities, as well as relationships with local farmers for its farm-to-food program.
One primary operational issue is gaps in leadership positions as three top employees left the organization for “unrelated reasons” in the past year, including former executive director Ivan Jackson who stepped down before the end of 2024. Lift-Up has not provided a timeline on filling the positions.
Dougherty informed that the organization asked for at least six months to identify what key roles would need to be replaced or how these positions may be restructured to ensure efficiency.
“I don’t anticipate this structure changing significantly, but we will be looking at efficiencies before we make those recommendations and they begin recruiting,” he said.
The board has committed to three key initiatives moving forward in light of the challenges. It has already tapped Dougherty’s agency to support throughout the leadership transition period. Working alongside Dougherty and Hedden, Elyse Hottel stepped in as interim director of operations. LiftUp’s programs and services will be evaluated “from top to bottom” to
continued on page 5
Lift-Up volunteers set up for Monday’s food distribution in Carbondale at the Third Street Center. Photo by Romina Cabrera
Wildfire preparedness top of mind in Colorado emergency management
ANNALISE GRUETER
Sopris Sun Correspondent
Western Colorado communities are working to establish proactive emergency management plans conducive with the arid landscape. In recent years, significant wildfires have changed the conversation around both forest management and the risk fires pose to communities. In-town residents have seen fire breaks cut into the brush and forests on hillsides near their neighborhoods. Emergency managers for counties and cities have been progressively collaborating on ways to educate the public and establish evacuation plans and resources.
In late January, the Carbondale and Rural Fire Protection District (CRFPD) hosted an emergency preparedness meeting at its fire station. Around 30 citizens attended the meeting to learn about emergency alert apps, evacuation order procedures and road closure processes during wildfires. All of these steps are crucial during active emergencies, when easy-to-follow systems can make a world of difference.
urgent need for this work,” he said. “The Wildfire Ready Action Plan provides a powerful tool to proactively address wildfire risks to keep our communities safe.”
The action plan focuses on both precautionary fire mitigation steps and post-fire actions to reduce risk of mudslides, flooding and other secondary disasters. According to MCWC, participating agencies consider the action plan as an early milestone in long-term work to minimize wildfire damage to infrastructure and better adapt to an unpredictable climate.
The full 366-page plan is thorough with concise guidance for preventative action, and includes specific sections for tributary watersheds along the I-70 corridor west of Glenwood Springs.
The Wildfire Ready Action Plan provides a powerful tool to proactively address wildfire risks to keep our communities safe.
- Doug Winter, Middle Colorado Watershed Council
Much emergency preparation occurs in advance, before active and pressing threats. Local leaders have been working on these aspects as well. On Jan. 27, the Middle Colorado Watershed Council (MCWC) released its new Wildfire Ready Action Plan to the public. Over 30 agencies were involved in the action plan, which has been in development for several years in response to Colorado’s devastating wildfires. MCWC Board President Doug Winter spoke to the importance and timeliness of the plan.
“This is a major milestone in our efforts to strengthen regional resilience against wildfires and their aftermath. The recent wildfires in Southern California highlight the
A major step regional stakeholders have been discussing is the coordination of emergency warning systems.
Many of the communities in the Roaring Fork Valley and I-70 corridor currently use different, non-compatible or redundant phone alert systems.
Emergency planners are discussing how to align these applications. They are also discussing offline means to provide people with easy-to-find contact information, such as fridge magnets.
Another priority is advanced planning for evacuating non-driving residents, including noting where those community members live.
When CRWC launched the action plan, they also announced next steps. This year, they intend to hire an education and outreach coordinator. That position will be responsible for managing local mitigation work, such as establishing fuel breaks and fire gaps through vegetation reduction within neighborhoods. That coordinator will help implement the Wildfire Ready Action Plan on a local level.
In the Roaring Fork Valley, CRFPD is working with the Red Cross and Sopris Lodge Senior Living on additional emergency preparedness informational sessions. The next event will be in April, with the exact date to be announced, at Sopris Lodge in Carbondale. The organizers plan to make a recording of that meeting available for residents unable to be there in person. Remember, the best preparation for emergencies is establishing a simple evacuation plan ahead of time and taking preventative measures to protect your neighborhood.
For more on the Wildfire Ready Action Plan, and to review the document, visit www.midcowatershed.org/ wrap For online resources about wildfire mitigation and developing a home emergency evacuation plan, visit www.carbondalefire.org/community-education. The CRFPD web page includes guidance on how to plan a mitigation burn with fire agency oversight, educational resources for adults and children and detailed safety tips for both wildfires and floods. Roaring Fork Fire Rescue’s website (www.roaringforkfire. gov) has convenient lists of relevant emergency phone numbers in the area and quicklinks to Pitkin, Eagle and Garfield County emergency alerts.
LIFT-UP
from page 4
identify opportunities to improve efficiency. Lastly, the board said it is committing to remain transparent and upfront with its community of volunteers and patrons during the transition. Human Service Innovations is now working with Lift-Up to craft a short- and long-term financial plan.
“We’re working closely with the board to understand what that means and how we can improve efficiencies and effectiveness and navigate this transition and put strong leadership in place so that we can continue to meet the needs of the community,” Dougherty concluded.
To stay engaged with Lift-Up and donate, visit www.liftup.org
Prioritize Your Heart, We Are Here to Support You
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Rebecca Laird, MD, MPH Board Certified in Internal Medicine and Cardiovascular Disease
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CABIN WINETASTINFEVERG
Thursday Feb 20th 5-8pm Thompson Barn at RVR
FOOD PROVIDED BY:
Plosky’s Deli
Himalayan Cuisine
La Raza
Honey Butter
Garcias
Peppinos
Itzy Bitz Catering
City Market Bakery
El Dorado Mocktails
16th Birthday Celebration
Scratching the surface at the Mid-Continent Limestone Quarry
JAMES STEINDLER
Contributing Editor
The Mid-Continent Limestone Quarry on federal land outside of Glenwood Springs has operated since 1982 and is governed by the 1872 Mining Law. The reigning 19th century law permits companies to mine on federal lands without having to pay royalties back to the people, so long as the mineral being mined is deemed of critical use and intended for a qualifying end purpose. The law, signed by President Ulysses S. Grant, was intended to promote western expansion.
“Limestone falls under that category for very specific applications” said Jeff Peterson with Glenwood Springs Citizens Alliance, a local watchdog group over the Mid-Continent Quarry. “But … end use matters. The justification for that is that you can’t go mine an intrinsically valuable material, like a lump of gold, and then use it as a paperweight. It needs to be used for that intrinsic purpose.”
The intrinsic purpose for extracted limestone powder from the quarry in 1982 was meant for coal mines and used to suppress methane, which could otherwise more easily combust.
After it had been closed for several years, in 2016, Rocky Mountain Industrials bought the quarry from a company called CalX Minerals. Since then, according to Peterson, the mine has produced minerals for “common variety” purposes, such as for construction materials like aggregate boulders or gravel, “which doesn’t utilize those intrinsic properties of limestone.”
The GSCA was created in 2018 as a fully-volunteer watchdog group prompted by the mine’s proposed expansion from 15 acres to 447 acres that same year. GSCA has been relentless in its mission to hold RMI and the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) accountable, challenging the latter to ensure RMI is following the law.
The BLM conducted an evaluation of RMI’s 44 mining claims, undergoing a determination of common varieties (DCV) study. That final DCV report determined that the Mid-Continent Quarry did have composites deemed suitable for Federal Aviation Administration runways, which qualifies as “locatable” (critical) use under the 1872 Mining Law. However, to Peterson’s knowledge, RMI
has not proven its marketability — another requirement.
Other materials RMI has been selling were determined to be of common variety, which requires a material sales contract in adherence to the 1947 Materials Act. Compared to acquiring a permit under the 1872 Mining Law, obtaining a material sales contract comes with more red tape, including an National Environmental Policy Act process. “That takes into account the economy, the community and other factors,” Peterson added.
A Jan. 3 letter from the Department of Interior (DOI) to RMI noted that through the DCV study it was determined that the company had indeed been selling for common variety use.
“Following the completion of a DCV report and additional opportunities for RMI to provide information, the DOI has determined that RMI’s mining operations at Mid-Continent Quarry include mineral materials extraction not covered by the General Mining Law,” BLM Public Affairs Officer Heather Marsh wrote in a statement to The Sun.
“Future mining proposals for Mid-Continent Quarry that include mineral
materials will require a mineral materials contract,” continued Marsh, adding that “Mineral extraction and sale under the General Mining Law must meet the standard [outlined in 43 Code of Federal Regulations 3830.12(b)] and be supported by evidence of market entry.”
“Our interpretation is that … they’re not allowed to sell anything under their 1872 Mining Law permit unless they can show marketability for the FAA runway product,” said Peterson. “And that they would need to get a materials sales contract if they want to produce any common variety material.”
The Jan. 3 letter also required RMI to pay royalties from an escrow account for the common
variety product that had been extracted since 2019. According to Marsh, the company made the payment on Jan. 31. Simultaneously, RMI submitted a modification to their plan of operations to the federal agency.
Operations at the mine have ceased, but that is likely due to RMI not filing for an exemption (which it typically has) under Garfield County’s special use permit which restricts production during the winter months to protect wildlife passage.
GSCA noted that some equipment has been removed from the mining site. But BLM relayed to The Sun that it has not requested or required RMI to remove any equipment.
continued on page 19
Rocky Mountain Industrials employees appeared to be removing equipment from the Mid-Continent Limestone Quarry on Jan.17. Photo courtesy of Heather McGregor, Glenwood Springs Citizens Alliance
Roaring Fork Valley ATTORNEY CHALLENGE
Alpine Legal Services would like to thank the following attorneys and law firms who collectively donated over $26,000 and contributed over $200,000 in pro bono hours to support free civil legal aid for survivors of abuse, older adults, low income residents, and at-risk children from Parachute to Aspen.
We also want to thank the 9th Judicial District Bar Association and Pitkin County Bar Association for their annual support.
Andrew Atkins
Anna Belinski **
Stephanie Bergner
Aaron Berne
Caroline T. Bess
Kristin Bohman
Christopher D. Bryan
Jason Buckley
Alejandra Rico Bustillos*
Kursten Canada
Haley Carmer
Cassie Coleman**
Jeff Conklin
Thomas De Napoli
Jeanne Doremus
Diana Ettlinger*
Michael Fairhurst
Alan Feldman
James Fosnaught
Michael Fox
Leah Gallant
Elaine Gerson
Karl Hanlon
Mark Hamilton
Susan Hartnett
Amelia G. Hastings*
Mack Henderson
Karen Herrling
Wendy Huber
Ben Johnston
Alexis Katsiaficas**
William Kaufman
Tracy Kinsella
B. Jospeh Krabacher
Chris LaCroix
Marcella Larsen
John Lassalette
Trent Lauridson
Jason Legg
Dave Lenyo
Thomas Lindberg
Allison Mahoney
John Mallonee
Jordan Matthews*
David McConaughy
Jill McConaughy
Georgina Melbye
Tony Mendez
Amanda Miller
Mackenzie Morgan*
Mackenzie Morris
Eric Musselman
Sarah Neiley
Avery S. Nelson
James Neu
Peter Nichols
Kelcey Nichols
Claire Noone
Justin Nyberg
Susan O’Bryan-Kinney
Joo Park
Fred Peirce
Brooke Peterson
Richard Peterson-Cremer
Ken Ransford
Diana Ray
Hunter Ross
Emma Ross
Susan Ryan
Ed Sands
Eric Sandoval
Michael Sawyer
D. Shackelford Shipp
Emily Simeone
David Smith
Jennifer M. Smith
Rebecca Taylor
Matthew Trinidad
Piper W. Turner
David Valleau
Danielle Van Arsdale
Lucas Van Arsdale*
Kathryn Wentzel
Jennifer Wherry**
Charles Willman
Joslyn V. Wood
William Wright
Contributing Law Firms: Kalamaya Goscha
Karp Neu Hanlon
Kilmer Lane Newman
Garfield & Hecht
JVAM Law Firm
Taft/Sherman & Howard
Towards Justice
Wood Pearce Nelson
Wright Law Aspen, LLP
‘Typewriter heaven’ holds steadfast in Glenwood Springs
ROMINA CABRERA Sopris Sun Correspondent
Tucked away in one of the alleyways of Glenwood Springs is a “typewriter heaven,” where hundreds of machines are refurbished by one of the few remaining typewriter specialists in the state, or even the country, and his 57-year old cockatoo, JJ.
Darwin Raymond of Raymond’s Office Machines and Supplies goes through countless typewriters every year, spending hours and hours taking them apart and overhauling to make them as good as new.
He’s giving old typewriters a new lease on life, one character at a time.
His customers come from all over — Wyoming to California to Ohio and all of the way across the pond in Europe, including from Crimea, Germany, England and even the Czech Republic. The shop is home to countless typewriters, but Raymond’s personal favorite? The Olympia Brewington SG1 model from the late 1950s.
“It is the best typewriter that’s ever been made. In quality, ease of use and the features it has. It has more features than any of them in the day. It’s my very favorite,” Raymond said as he showed off the typewriter.
This model houses a 36-inch carriage, one of the biggest for manual typewriters ever made. Raymond’s was discovered in
his father’s old shed six years ago, and comes with an interesting story. It was bought by a dairy businessman named Hank Williams who had to have forms filled out which only the biggest cartridge could carry.
“I don’t know how it got back to my dads old shed. I found it six years ago. That’s when I completely refurbished it,” he said.
Right next to the biggest typewriter is what Raymond called the “littlest” portable typewriter made: the Bennet, made in the early 1910s.
All of these were carefully dismantled, cleaned, lubricated and parts replaced if needed, as Raymond makes sure it is returned to factory specifications. Raymond sources his rubbers, for instance, from a specialty shop in New York, but, often, he even hand makes the missing parts himself.
Raymond’s grandfather, Veron, started a printing business in Aspen over a century ago, and that would eventually evolve into the Raymond Office Machines and Supplies shop we know today. The Aspen shop went to Raymond’s dad and namesake before they moved it to a location in Glenwood Springs, just a few blocks away from where the current shop stands.
Darwin Sr. inherited the printing company, sold typewriters and office machines, but alas was not able to fix them.
Then came along Dawin Jr., who learned firsthand from travelling repairmen how to fix typewriters. It would become a passion that would consume him for decades to come.
“Ever since I was a small boy, I gravitated towards mechanical stuff,” he recalled. “Real early, I remember, all I wanted was an old typewriter to take apart. I didn’t fix it. I just took it apart. That’s what I wanted for my birthday. I didn’t want anything else.”
Raymond has seen the rise and fall of many office supplies throughout the decades, from typewriters to bulky printers. However, there has been quite a resurgence in interest for typewriters in recent years. That keeps Raymond busy, from selling typewriters on Ebay to repairing countless machines every year.
The once-utilitarian tool
‘Bloomsday’
MYKI JONES
Arts Correspondent
of journalists and administrators, among other professions in times past, has become of keen interest among today’s younger generation. Raymond speculated this may be attributed to screen fatigue experienced by many individuals.
“They are getting tired with their iPads and phones. They love the feel of the typewriter,” he shared. “I’m getting quite a few for the younger people that are enthralled with the typewriter.”
While interest in the machines themselves is increasing, Raymond lamented that there aren’t enough people willing to take the time to learn the specialty craft of repairing and refurbishing typewriters.
Each refurbishment is a labor of love. One won’t make a fortune doing the craft, with numerous hours left unbilled so as to figure
out unique challenges each typewriter brings. Raymond said he remains uncertain what the future of the craft or the shop will be. He ended on a relatively sad note, recognizing that JJ, the staff cockatoo, might well outlive him (cockatoos can live up to 90 years in human years). But he assured readers that he will keep going as long as he can.
He is fully aware of his part in helping preserve a piece of history, and excellently at that. It’s a legacy he wants to be remembered for.
“I love what I do so much that it’s not a challenge. It’s a labor of love [what] I do … There’s always something. I’m always learning.”
For more on Raymond’s Office Machines and Supplies, visit www.raymondsofficemachinesandsupplies.com
explores the ‘what if?’
On Feb. 7, Sopris Theatre Company (STC) debuted its third show of the season, “Bloomsday,” by Steven Deitz. This bittersweet story of two whirlwind lovers takes place in Dublin, Ireland — both in the present and 35 years before.
The lovers, Robbie and Caithleen, or Robert and Cait, met one another 35 years ago on a Bloomsday tour led by Cait. Bloomsday is celebrated in Dublin every year on June 16 as a commemoration and celebration of James Joyce, as his book, “Ulysses,” takes place on June 16, 1904. Fans of the novel flock there every year to walk and visit the same places the characters in the book did. The book, like the play, explores the mosaic of nature and the outcomes of the choices we make, or avoid.
According to the dramaturgy, written by Ciara Morrison, “These same themes are explored as the characters wrestle with their memories, choices and regrets — just as Joyce’s characters did over a century ago.”
Throughout the show, Caithleen and Robbie encounter the older versions of themselves and each other, who each offer words of warning and glimpses into their futures following the day they spent together.
The lovers are portrayed by four actors. One acting duo, Scott Elmore (Robbie) and Pax Wilde (Caithleen), play the lovers when they first met and were young, impulsive, scared and, yet, hopeful. The same two characters, 35 years apart, are portrayed by STC veteran Michael Banks and Morgan Walsh.
Opening night was met with a small, cozy and intimate audience, which was captivated by the show’s witty and
clever humor and left pondering lessons related to life, love and grief. The sage characters interact with the younger versions of themselves, and one another in the present.
Each character in this show is relatable. Audiences may find themselves internalizing Robert’s messages of letting go, empathizing with Cait’s nostalgic outlook on love and grief, Caithleen’s urge for adventure or Robbie’s desperation to make sense of all that is happening in his life — even if it scares the hell out of him.
If you have ever been in love, had your heart broken or found yourself questioning life choices, and wondered if you could have changed the outcomes of certain things, this play will strike a chord. It will break you open and touch your soul, as it did with this reporter.
Touching more on the element of grief in this story, audiences will witness each version of the lovers not only asking themselves “What if?” when it comes to one another and the love they shared, but how they may have shown their love for others who were no longer in their lives. The show poses a sort of thought process around grief, wherein the griever imagines the person they are honoring in a place where they were once most happy and content.
This show is for lovers. It is for grievers. It is for anyone who needs a lesson in letting go without having to forget the love and life that was.
“Bloomsday” runs through Feb. 16, with show times at 7pm on Feb.14 and 15 and a matinee on Feb.16 at 2pm. For tickets, visit www.tinyurl.com/BloomsdayCMC or call the box office at 970-947-8177
Darwin Raymond Jr. and his 57-year old Moluccan cockatoo, JJ, at their typewriter heaven in Glenwood Springs.
Photo by Romina Cabrera
Morgan Walsh (Cait) and Pax Wilde (Caithleen) play the the same character, but 35 years apart, in Sopris Theatre Company’s production of “Bloomsday.” Courtesy photo
The Art Base presents ‘Imagenes de Nepantla’ by Tony Ortega
MYKI JONES Arts Correspondent
The newest exhibition at The Art Base in Basalt, “Imagenes de Nepantla,” debuted on Feb. 7. This showcase, created in collaboration with multi-medium, Denver-based artist Tony Ortega, explores the Nahuatl word and concept of “nepantla.” The word describes a state of “in-betweenness” which holds great significance in Chicano and Mexican art and reflects the cultural hybridity of people from these communities navigating identities. The exhibition will run until March 14.
Ortega found himself in this collaboration with The Art Base after his friend, Gayle Embrey, a filmmaker local to Carbondale, worked with him on a Carbondale Arts exhibition, “Identidad y Libertad,” back in 2021. They, alongside Claudia Bernardi, Fanel Reyes, and José Lopez, explored themes and issues around identity and freedom for Latinx people.
“She told me about The Art Base and I went to go visit the space and saw one of the exhibitions, and I thought to myself how interested I’d be in showing my work there,” Ortega told The Sopris Sun.
There will be a bilingual walkthrough of the showcase with Ortega on Feb. 14 from 5 to 7pm. The following day, there will be Café con Leche, a casual conversation event with Ortega, from 11am to 1pm. He said he looks forward to audiences not only seeing the work but also taking away a new perspective.
“I hope they’ll walk away with a
better understanding of my culture and perspective of that space in-between,” Ortega stated. “Hopefully, they’ll walk away with a deeper understanding of their fellow Hispanos in the Valley. When I have done exhibits such as this, I’ve seen comment books from local Latinos who would comment on the work and how they see themselves, their culture and their families in it. I hope they see themselves and that people unfamiliar with the space in-between get a better feel. I think that’s very universal,” Ortega stated.
In addition to being an artist for over 40 years, Ortega holds an MFA in drawing and painting from the University of Colorado and is a professor of fine and performing arts at Regis University. He devised “Imagenes de Nepantla” while on a sabbatical, drawing inspiration from his experiences of existing in different cultures, specifically between city life in Denver and his parents’ agrarian hometowns in New Mexico.
“I was mostly raised by my grandmother, and I would go back and forth between Denver and Pecos and Colonias, New Mexico,” Ortega shared. “I would spend my summers there, and it was very agrarian. Spanish was spoken a lot and the food we ate was very Mexican with American influence.”
He continued, “Going back and forth physically between Colorado and New Mexico informed me of being in that space in-between, and it
informed the art I create surrounding identity and culture.”
One piece from this exhibition Ortega is particularly proud to display is a woodblock print on Mexican bark paper titled “Bonampak Cholo,” depicting a cholo, or a hip youth, with a priest against Mayan hieroglyphics, blending ancient cultural influences with an idea of modern Hispanic culture.
“To me, this piece represents nepantla by showing the in-between of being American and Mexican of Indigenous descent. The piece overlaps history by blending pre-colonial elements with the contemporary. I’m especially proud of this one, and it’ll be the first piece you see as you walk into the gallery,” Ortega said.
Additionally, Ortega will host a children’s art workshop on March 15-16. During the workshop, participants will make alebrijes, a Mexican folk art craft where artists sculpt brightly-colored creatures. Using recycled materials, Ortega will create a paper mache version of these alebrijes.
“They’ll build an armature with recycled materials and paper mache, then paint and embellish them with patterns. The kids will walk away not only learning the process of making art but also walking away with this thing they’ve created. I look forward to that,” Ortega stated.
The Art Base gallery hours are Tuesday to Saturday, 11am to 5pm. For more information, visit www.theartbase.org or call (970)-927-4123.
February 15-17, 2025
The Aspen Institute
Aspen, CO
• Enhance your leadership skills.
• Strengthen your ability to problem-solve and think critically.
• Engage in civil dialogue.
• Bonus: looks great on college applications!
• For ages 15-17, $195, includes all readings and light refreshments. Scholarships available.
We don't charge for obits
The death of a loved one costs enough. The Sopris Sun is happy to publish local obituaries of a reasonable length, including a picture, for free.
Email news@soprissun.com to submit one or for more information.
“Mexican Gothic” hand-colored etching by Tony Ortega
Kevin Fedarko compels audience to get involved
ANNALISE GRUETER
Sopris Sun Correspondent
The second 2025 Aspen Winter Words event sold out weeks in advance, and it wasn’t a surprise. The Feb. 5 event at The Arts Campus at Willits (TACAW) featured outdoor writer Kevin Fedarko. His second narrative about the Grand Canyon, “A Walk in the Park,” came out in May 2024 and, just a few weeks ago, won the Andrew Carnegie Medal for Excellence in Nonfiction.
Fedarko’s best-selling work is especially popular in the Roaring Fork Valley, as the third starring character in “A Walk in the Park” (after the Canyon and Fedarko himself), is local photographer and journalist Pete McBride. Fedarko and McBride have collaborated on multiple projects over the years. “A Walk in the Park” is a 500-page account of the excursion the duo undertook almost a decade ago to commemorate the National Park Service’s centennial. In the early phases of writing the book, Fedarko spent a month in the Valley as a 2018 Aspen Summer Words writer in residence.
At TACAW, Fedarko was interviewed by another friend, local filmmaker and artist Daniel Shaw. Shaw set a comfortable, laughter-filled tone from the start as the pair discussed writing and outdoor stewardship. Early on, Fedarko expressed immense gratitude to the Roaring Fork Valley community for its support in his writing. When the topic turned to him and his actual craft, he squirmed a bit — deflecting compliments and declaring his discomfort for writing in first person singular.
Fedarko held the audience’s rapt attention when advocating for the value of wild spaces and their stewardship. He stated, “Although these lands are handed to us intact by those who came before us, they’re handed to us with a question: What will we do to protect them?”
Fedarko moved to the American West from industrial Pittsburgh, and he spent part of the evening reminding the audience not to take the wilds of the Rockies for granted. He hopes his work will inspire younger generations to get outside and act to protect wild spaces and parks.
BLACK HISTORY MONTH: Tommie Smith
LARRY DAY
Sopris Sun Correspondent
For February, Black History Month, Sopris Sun illus trator Larry Day will highlight an influential African American each week, accompanied by an illustration.
It was Oct. 16, 1968, in Mexico City. Before a crowd of 50,000 United States runner Tommie Smith stood on the Olympic podium accepting the gold medal for the 200-meter dash, setting a new world record. Australian Peter Norman won the silver and American John Carlos won the bronze, coming in 3/10 of a second behind Smith. At Norman’s suggestion, both Smith and Carlos wore badges representing the Olympic Project for Human Rights, an organization to which Smith and Carlos belonged.
For 80 long seconds, Smith and Carlos bowed heads and raised their black gloved fists in a protest for human rights while the National Anthem played. The protest got them both expelled from the Olym pics, thus missing the 400m and the 100m races.
Afterwards, the three medal winners were scorned by the public and the media. But Smith never lost his drive. He became the track and field coach at Santa Monica College for 27 years and continues to be a sought-after speaker. He received 11 world records, was inducted into numerous sports halls of fame and received The Arthur Ashe Award for Courage as well as the Courage of Conscience Award from the Peace Abbey Foundation for his dedication to athletics, education and human rights.
Smith’s life was portrayed in a 2022 graphic novel, “Victory. Stand! Raising My Fist for Justice.”
“Those fists in the air were dedicated to everyone at home, back in the projects in Chicago, Oakland, and Detroit, to everyone in the boroughs of Queens and Brooklyn, to all of the brothers and sisters, fathers and mothers in Birmingham, Atlanta, Dallas, Houston, St. Louis, New Orleans, to everyone struggling, working their fingers to the bone on farms across America, to everyone holding out hope that things will get better ... that was for you, from John and me. We had to be seen because we were not being heard.” - Tommie Smith
NATURALIST NIGHTS
CALENDAR
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 13
NONFICTION BOOK CLUB
The Carbondale Library hosts a monthly nonfiction book club based around a theme rather than a specific book. This month’s theme is “the arts” and the group meets from 2 to 3:30pm.
BANNED BOOK CLUB
Basalt Library’s Banned Book Club chats about “Looking for Alaska” by John Green from 4 to 5pm.
UNDERSTANDING LONELINESS
The Aspen Chapel Gallery presents J.W. Freiberg, author of “The Loneliness Trilogy,” on the impacts of loneliness in our valley at 5:30pm. Find tickets for the live stream or in-person talk at www.aspenchapel.org
BREATHWORK & BUBBLY
Kula Yoga on Main invites guests for some musically-accompanied breathwork, followed by champagne and bon-bons from 6 to 7:30pm. More info at www.kulayogaonmain.com
CRYSTAL THEATRE
Catch “Sing Sing” at the Crystal Theatre tonight at 7pm. “I’m Still Here” opens tomorrow and continues Saturday, Wednesday and Thursday at 7pm. Sunday’s show is at 5pm.
CRASH TEST DUMMIES
Canadian alternative rock band Crash Test Dummies perform at TACAW at 8pm. Come early for Supper Club, catered by Epicure Catering, at 6pm. Tickets at www.tacaw.org
GWS HISTORY
Angela Parkison, author of “Hope and Hot Water: Glenwood Springs from 1878 to 1891,” discusses the town’s early days in the Community Room of the Glenwood Library at 6:30pm.
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 14
We all lost a treasured ally in Sustainable Agriculture this week.
On behalf of Mana Foods and the 60 local vendors we support, we would like to commemorate the memory of Casey Piscura, Founder of Seed Peace. Thank you for your years of Passion and Service and May we all keep ‘Planting your Seeds.’ Seeds.’
Support Local Food and Those Who Work for it.
NATIONAL DONOR DAY
The Chris Klug Foundation celebrates National Donor Day with its second annual Sip N Save Campaign where coffee shops around the country will engage in education about the importance of organ, eye and tissue donations. Find the list of participating locations at www.chrisklugfoundation.org/ national-donor-day
BIKE TO WORK
The City of Aspen celebrates Winter Bike to Work Day, aiming to encourage cycling and walking as alternative modes of transportation, with free food and drinks and prizes for helmetclad cyclists at Paepcke Park from 7:30 to 9:30am.
VALENTINES
Basalt Library invites children to stop by and make some Valentines for friends and family from 4 to 5pm. This bilingual workshop will teach loving phrases in Spanish and English.
VALENTINE BREATHWORK
Davis Cowles leads a Valentines Day breathwork session, “Heart Spark,” from 5 to 7pm at True Nature. Register at www.truenaturehealingarts.com
VOICES RADIO HOUR
‘BLOOMSDAY’
Sopris Theatre Company performs “Bloomsday” at the New Space Theatre (CMC Spring Valley) tonight and tomorrow at 7pm and Sunday at 2pm.
‘TINY BEAUTIFUL THINGS’
Thunder River Theatre Company’s production of “Tiny Beautiful Things” opens tonight at 7:30pm. The show runs through March 2. Find tickets at www.thunderrivertheatre.com
SONGWRITERS AT TACAW
Singer-songwriters John Craigie and Glen Phillips perform at TACAW at 8pm. Tickets at www.tacaw.org
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 15
‘HEAVEN’
Aspen Art Museum and Aspen One present “Heaven,” a ski-in, ski-out exhibit by LA-based artist Alex Israel, hosted at Ruthie’s cabin on Aspen Mountain today through Feb. 23, and returning March 7 to 16. For more, visit www.aspensnowmass.com/visit/events
UPLIFT
HeadQuarters partners with Roaring Fork CrossFit for a free monthly training that benefits the mind and body from 9 to 10:15am. Register online at www.headq.org/support/events
NATURE’S VOICE
The Aspen Chapel welcomes Earth Law Center for a presentation about law and spiritual ecology from 9:30 to 11am. This will include the 1,000-yearold eco-fable: “The Animals’ Lawsuit Against Humanity,” a story that spans numerous religious traditions.
SEED SAVING
Join Growing Empowerment for a community seed-saving workshop at Eagle Crest Nursery in El Jebel from 10am to noon. Participants will learn about the fermentation and screening methods before moving to a greenhouse for hands-on experience screening and packaging seeds for Lift-Up clients.
HEARTS & HANDS
True Nature offers a workshop teaching partner massage for health and connection from 4 to 6pm. Tickets at www.truenaturehealingarts.com
ASCENDIGO BLUE
Ascendigo
Autism Services hosts its signature fundraising gala, Ascendigo Blue Aspen, featuring keynote speaker Temple Grandin, from 6 to 11pm. Tickets and more info at www.ascendigo.org/blue
EMBER GLOW
DanceAspen presents “Ember Glow,” an evening of transformative dance, at the Wheeler Opera House tonight and tomorrow at 7:30pm. Tickets at www.aspenshowtix.com
STARLIGHT AND PINE
Steve’s Guitars presents Starlight and Pine performing at 8pm. Tickets at www.stevesguitars.net
PARTYGRASS
Pixie and the Partygrass Boys perform at TACAW at 8pm. Tickets at www.tacaw.org
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 16
ANA
MANA FOODS
This month’s episode of VOICES Radio Hour, “Love Overcomes,” airs on KDNK Community Access Radio at 6pm.
THE RIVER I LOVE
Write a love poem or song for that special river in your life and learn from a “Rights of Nature” lawyer at Aspen Shakti (535 E Hyman Ave #105, Aspen) from 7 to 9pm. RSVP for free at www. givebutter.com/RiverLove
SENIOR SKI DAY
Aspen One and Pitkin County Senior Services invite seniors for a day on the slopes, including breakfast, scenic gondola rides, skiing and a raffle giveaway. Basecamp is at the Sundeck on Aspen Mountain. For more info, email ljohns@aspen.com
COMPASSION & CHAOS
A Spiritual Center presents Carmen Iacino on how to use compassion to deal with the chaos in Room 31 at the Third Street Center from 10 to 11:30am.
POETS & WRITERS
Do you love to write? Enjoy the company of other wordsmiths at the Carbondale Library from 3:30 to 5pm on the third Sunday of each month through May.
SCHOOLED
The Carbondale Historical Society presents a panel of current and former educators at the Third Street Center at 6:30pm.
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 17
PRESIDENTS’ DAY
Many government offices and banks will be closed today in honor of Presidents’ Day.
LIBRARIES CLOSURE
All six Garfield County Libraries will be closed today as staff “complete large tasks and training within the buildings.”
GOLDEN MEDITATION
Lisa McKenzie leads “Golden Light Meditation” at the Third Street Center from 6:30 to 8pm. Register at www. thecenterforhumanflourishing.org
MOJOHAND AND FAY
Mugsy Fay performs with Mojohand at Steve’s Guitars at 8pm. Tickets at www.stevesguitars.net
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 18
WHITE RIVER PERMITS
Set an alarm! Permits for popular areas of the White River National Forest, including overnight permits for Conundrum Hot Springs, the Four Pass Loop and Capitol Lake, will open at 8am at www.recreation.gov
TABLETOP GAMES
Basalt Library invites teens to play tabletop games from 4 to 6pm.
DRAWING CLUB
Join the Roaring Fork Drawing Club for a session at Aspenglow Books in Glenwood Springs beginning at 6:30pm.
‘COUNTERPOINT’
Pianist Conrad Tao and dancer Caleb Teicher perform at the Wheeler Opera House at 7pm. Tickets at www.aspenshowtix.com
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 19
NATURALIST NIGHT
The third Naturalist Night of the season explores “Wildland Recreation and Ecological Disturbance: Recreation and Public Land Management Implications for Western Colorado,” presented
by Utah University professor Christopher Monz at the Third Street Center from 6 to 7pm. Register at www.wildernessworkshop.org
‘SHE SINGS’
The Wheeler Opera House presents “She Sings: A Soaring Musical” at 7:30pm. Tickets at www.aspenshowtix.com
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 20
SNOTEL
Roaring Fork Conservancy invites you to learn about winter snowpack by touring a SNOTEL site on McClure Pass from 9:30am to 12:30pm. Register at www.roaringfork.org/events
BOOK CLUB
Carbondale Library’s Third Thursday Book Club discusses “The Lost Girls of Willowbrook” by Ellen Marie Wiseman from 2 to 3:30pm.
PET SAFETY
Journey Home Animal Care Center presents on pet safety education at Saddleback RV Park in Battlement Mesa from 2 to 4pm.
PAPER WEAVING
The Basalt Library offers a workshop for children ages 5 to 10 designing Kente cloth, inspired by the Ashanti people of Ghana, from 4 to 5pm.
ANDERSON RANCH
Anderson Ranch in Snowmass Village hosts a lecture with visiting artist Nacho Carbonell at 4:30pm.
HEALTHY JOURNEY
Aspen Valley Hospital Foundation presents an educational evening at the Aspen Meadows Campus (845 Meadows Road) with speakers including Dr. Rick Klausner delivering the keynote address on the science of aging. It begins with a cocktail reception at 5pm. Tickets at www.tinyurl.com/ HealthyJourneyAVH
PAUL REISER
Comedian, actor, writer, musician, Paul Reiser performs at the Wheeler Opera House at 7pm. Tickets at www.aspenshowtix.com
COMEDY NIGHT
Steve’s Guitars hosts another comedy night, this time with Beth Brandon, Jordan Lowe, Layla Goldberg, Diego Gonzales and Miller Ford, at 8pm. Tickets at www.stevesguitars.net
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 21
COLIN CLOUD
The Wheeler Opera House presents world-renowned mentalist Colin Cloud and his critically-acclaimed show “Mastermind” at 7pm. Find tickets at www.aspenshowtix.com
ONGOING EVENTS
LINE DANCING
Learn to line dance at the Carbondale Community School from 5:30 to 6:30 every Wednesday.
ASK A LAWYER
Alpine Legal Services offers a hotline clinic on Wednesdays from 5 to 7pm. Call 970-368-2246 and visit alpinelegalservices.org for the schedule of dates by legal topic.
CANCER CARE
The Calaway-Young Cancer Center at Valley View Hospital offers yoga for cancer patients, survivors and caregivers at 9:15am on Thursdays. Then, the Walk and Talk cancer support group meets at 11am at the chapel in the cancer center.
GERI-FIT
The Carbondale Library hosts an older-adult fitness class every Thursday through Feb. 27 at 12:15pm. Call 970-625-5282 ext. 3084 to register.
ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS
The Meeting Place in Carbondale (981 Cowen Drive) offers “Hole in the Donut AA,” Monday through Saturday at 6:45am, plus “Daily Reprieve” at noon on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Find a full schedule at www.meetingplacecarbondale.org
AIKIDO
Crystal River Aikikai offers aikido training at 13 Moons Ranch for adults and teens on Mondays from 5:30 to 6:30pm and Wednesdays from 6:30 to 7:30pm. Kids classes are on Mondays from 4 to 5pm and Wednesdays from 4 to 5pm. Get your first class for free with an RSVP at www.crystalriveraikikai.com
ENGLISH IN ACTION
Volunteer English tutors and
COMMUNITY CLASSES in Carbondale
DRAWING REALITY
developing learners meet for informal conversational practice at the Carbondale Library every Monday at 6:30pm. Interested in becoming a tutor? Email angela@englishinaction.org or call 970-963-9200.
MONDAY MEDITATION
Roaring Fork Insight guides a weekly meditation group meeting at the Third Street Center (Room 31) from 7 to 8:30pm.
BIKE PROJECT
The Carbondale Bike Project Shop helps people repair their bicycles on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 2 to 6pm and Sundays from noon to 6pm on the east side of Third Street Center.
SENIOR LUNCH
Every Wednesday at noon, Garfield County Senior Programs provides a nutritious meal for seniors at The Orchard. To reserve a place at the table, call 970-665-0041.
COSECHA TEXTILES
Textile enthusiasts are invited to a monthly workshop at Cosecha Textiles (95 Red Dog Road) every first Wednesday from 4 to 9pm. Register at www.cosechatextiles.com
CLUB DE ESPAÑOL
Practice Spanish and enjoy specials at Bodegón in Carbondale every Wednesday from 5 to 7pm.
UNDER THE SUN
Join Sopris Sun correspondents and guests for “Everything Under The Sun,” airing every Thursday on KDNK at 4pm.
COFFEE WITH THE MAYOR
Carbondale Mayor Ben Bohmfalk posts up at Bonfire every Friday from 8 to 9am, and everyone is welcome to stop by to chat.
FRUIT TREES & SHRUBS
Pruning, Grafting & Tools Starts this Saturday
This 3-day workshop with Vanessa Harmony will cover tool selection and sharpening, fruit tree and shrub pruning, scion wood collection, and propagation by grafting.
Saturdays 12-4pm, 2/15, 3/15 & 4/12 in Basalt
*CREDIT CLASSES
*LOCAL ARTS NOW - ASPEN Thurs, 5:10-8:10pm, 3/6-5/1
Learn how to draw using 1-point perspective in this fun class. Tuesdays, 1-4:30pm, 2/25-3/4
SCULPTURE
Learn 3-D design, materials and processes to create sculptures. Thursdays, 1-5pm, 3/13-5/1
INTRO TO BUSINESS OF ART
Learn to create business plans, market and show your art.
Mondays, 5-7pm, 3/17-4/21
AIKIDO (Try it for Free 3/18-3/20)
A non-violent way to re-direct, neutralize, or avoid an attack . Tues/Thurs, 1-4:30pm, 3/18-5/8
*WATERCOLOR - ASPEN Wed, 5:10-8:45pm, 3/26-4/30
*EMT REFRESHER - CARBONDALE 9am-5pm, 2/28-3/14
*CPR FOR PROF. - CARBONDALE 8:30am-5pm, 3/26
*FIRST AID & CPR - CARBONDALE 8:30am-5pm, 3/27
*WILDERNESS FIRST RESPONDER - SV 8:00am-5pm, 4/14-4/27
* Senior Tuition Discount applies. Contact your local campus for information and registration.
“The Breath of Life,” a photographic series that portrays handmade clay figures from Mexico in the 19th and early 20th centuries, remains on display at the Carbondale Clay Center through Feb. 21. Photo by Will Sardinsky
Riverview’s daily student news broadcast bonds bilingual school community
JOHN STROUD Sopris Sun Correspondent
EDITOR’S NOTE: Only the first names of some of the students mentioned in this story are being used at the request of Riverview School.
A family trip to visit the nation’s capital of Washington, D.C. didn’t deter seventh grader Lois Brooks from being part of the daily student newscast at Riverview School on Feb. 6. Her friends and fellow Riverview Morning Announcements news team members quickly got her on a phone video chat so that she could read her usual opening and closing segments via video broadcast to all of the classrooms in the school.
It happened to be National Frozen Yogurt Day, “A perfect excuse to enjoy a delicious and refreshing treat!,” Brooks proclaimed before handing things over to Abner for an announcement in Spanish.
“Hoy es el Día Nacional del Optimismo, un gran recordatoria para ver el lado positivo y enfocarnos en lo bueno de la vida,” Abner shared, or, “Today is National Optimism Day, a great reminder to look on the bright side and focus on the good things in life.”
Elizabeth, Daniel and Alex then gave the morning sports report.
Big day there, as the surprise NBA trade of Luka Doncic from the Dallas Mavericks to the LA Lakers was top of mind on the national front, while Elizabeth reported on the Riverview Ospreys girls basketball team.
Penelope, Donna, Tatum and Elizabeth closed things out with the day’s weather, the school lunch menu, school birthday wishes and a riddle, before Brooks signed off.
It’s all part of the morning routine at Riverview School, a pre-K through eighth grade dual language school of the Roaring Fork School District located south of Glenwood Springs near the Ironbridge neighborhood.
STEM teacher Joe Hook facilitates the brief, student-led news broadcast, which began last school year. It’s a way to
promote school unity and celebrate bilingualism, he said.
“We alternate the announcements between Spanish and English, so it’s a fun way to learn both languages,” he said.
The news broadcast began last school year with only a handful of students, and has grown this school year to include a news team of about a dozen middle school students, grades six through eight.
“We just thought it would be a good way to start the morning off for the whole school, doing something that was very informative about things going on in the school, and throughout the country and the world,” Hook said.
“It’s important to share useful information, like what they’re having for lunch, and celebrating birthdays,” he continued. “The kids always get excited to hear whose birthday it is.”
If there isn’t a student or staff birthday on a given day, they’ll celebrate a celebrity birthday.
“Earlier this week it was Rosa Parks’ birthday, so we had a little segment about her,” Hook said.
They’ve also begun incorporating a breathing exercise for the student body to participate in before the news gets rolling.
“We talk a lot about norms, so it’s a good way to get them all prepared for the day and what the expectations are,” he said.
Brooks has become a bit of a celebrity herself as she navigates the hallways, and it’s apparent the younger students look up to her.
“I first got involved when we started doing mixed crews, with sixth, seventh and eighth grade, instead of just sixth,” Brooks said. “It was a great way to do things with the whole middle school, like student council and yearbook.”
When she was in fifth grade, she and her classmates were interviewed about what crew they would like to be in when they got to sixth grade. Morning announcements was one of the choices.
“I thought that would be a cool experience, and it was a great way to become a public speaker,” she said. “And it’s just a fun thing to do.”
Penelope is in charge of finding out the weather forecast
for the day and sharing that with the students.
“It’s good to know what it’s going to be like outside for recess before everybody else knows,” she said, admitting though that the forecast isn’t always accurate.
Peyton Watson, a sixth grader, is an alternate on the newscast and often gets to use the clapperboard to indicate when the news team is live.
“It’s just fun to come in here and spend time with my friends in the morning and talk to them before we go to class,” she said.
Abner likes being able to share information in Spanish.
“We have a large Hispanic community here, and a lot mostly speak Spanish so it’s good to help them understand what’s in the news today,” Abner said.
Added Alexander, “It’s also just something to look forward to every morning.”
The video broadcast airs throughout the building while students are finishing their breakfast.
“It’s a shining example of how we elevate student voices and give them a platform to showcase their leadership,” Riverview Principal Adam Volek said. “This initiative is a testament to the power of student agency, and it also highlights the superpower of being bilingual.”
From left behind the news desk, Tatum, Lyda and Elizabeth give the Riverview School morning news broadcast, while Lois joins via video with Elizabeth’s helping hand, and Harper navigates the computer camera. The daily newscast is presented in a mix of English and Spanish. Photo by John Stroud
Rams roll on with impressive league basketball wins
JOHN STROUD Sopris Sun Correspondent
A stinger loss for the Roaring Fork High School boys basketball team against former league rival Coal Ridge on the Titans’ home court Feb. 4 served as extra motivation for the 3A Western Slope League-leading Rams.
Down 32-19 at halftime against the Titans — who now play in the 4A league — the Rams staged a comeback, outscoring Coal Ridge 34-22 over the final 16 minutes of play, falling just short of the upset win, 54-53.
Still, it was a huge confidence booster for a Roaring Fork team that remains undefeated atop the 3A league standings at 9-0 (14-5 overall and ranked 16th in the state after a 61-46 win at Meeker Tuesday night).
“Everyone is doing their part for the team,” head coach Jason Kreiling said. “We have everyone contributing. Even the guys who don’t fill the stat sheet know their role.”
Decisive wins ensued at home in Carbondale over Olathe on Friday, 77-44, and against Gunnison on Saturday, 70-41. The wins gave the edge to the Rams over the second-place Grand Valley Cardinals (9-10, 8-2), who come to town this Saturday, Feb. 15, for a game that could determine the league title.
Senior Sam Brennan had one of his best games of the season against Olathe, scoring 13 points to complement junior Lucas Carballeira’s 16 points. Junior Kiko Pena had 11 points and 17 rebounds.
Against Gunnison, it was Carballeira and Pena again leading the way with 18 points each, while sophomore Quentin Galbraith had 13.
Game time Saturday against Grand Valley is 4pm.
Lady Rams hang tough to beat Gunnison
After dispatching Olathe 74-20 at home on Friday night, the Roaring Fork girls basketball team found themselves in a tight one against Gunnison on Saturday afternoon.
The score tied with a little over 5 minutes to play in the game, the Rams tapped into the home court energy and found a way, emerging with the 54-46 victory.
“These girls are tougher than the back wall of the shooting gallery, and they will continue to prove it to everyone the rest of the way,” head coach Mike Vidakovich said of his team, which now stands at 19-1 overall and is ranked 10th in the state among 3A teams after a 66-52 win at Meeker Tuesday night.
At 10-1 in the Western Slope League, they only have undefeated Cedaredge standing in their way of a league title, with a big game at Cedaredge coming up on Feb. 21.
Against Olathe, sophomore Riley Bevington led with 24 points, eight rebounds and nine steals. Senior Carley Crownhart had 17 points and six steals, and junior Nikki Tardif had 12 rebounds.
Against Gunnison, Bevington had 14 points and five steals. Tardif and senior Erica Crownhart each had 12 points, including two three-pointers from Crownhart.
The final home game of the season for the Lady Rams is this Saturday at 2:30pm against Grand Valley. The Crownharts, along with seniors Maddie Anderson, Lexy Sanchez and Aberdeen Kennedy will be honored.
“I will certainly miss the seniors,” Vidakovich said. “They have been great leaders and they are a big part of the success of this program.”
Four Basalt wrestlers qualify for state Wrestling at the 3A Regionals last Friday and Saturday, the Basalt High School boys wrestling team qualified two individuals for the Colorado State Wrestling Championships this coming weekend in Denver.
At 150 pounds, Luca Del Cid took third place with a 14-7 decision over Ben Morfitt of Delta in the third-place match to earn his way to state. In the quarterfinals, Del Cid defeated Morfitt by technical fall, 18-2 in 3 minutes, 51 seconds. He lost the semifinal match to Rifle’s Blake Shaffer by fall in 5:35.
Also qualifying for the Basalt boys was Herberth Requeno at 175 pounds. He claimed the fourth and final qualifying spot after dropping the third-place match to Grand Valley’s Camden Neil due to a medical forfeit.
Finishing out of state qualifying for the Longhorns were Roaney Requeno, sixth place at 126 pounds, Bronze Urfrig, sixth place at 138 pounds, and Drake Cornett, seventh place at 165 pounds.
The Basalt girls wrestled in the 4A Regionals, also on Friday and Saturday last week.
Roselynne Bernal-Rodriguez won the 145-pound class with a technical win over Montezuma-Cortez’s Aubrey Rutherford. Bernal-Rodriguez won her semifinal match by fall in 5:07 over Meeker’s Abigail Amick.
Emely Mejia-Garcia qualified at 100 pounds. She took second place after winning the semifinal match over West Grand’s Heaven Vail by 11-5 decision, then losing the championship match to Soroco’s Addi Whaley by major decision.
Nikki Tardif drives to the rim, drawing a defensive charge during the process at last week’s game against Olathe.
Photo by Kai Kanzer
BASALT REPORT
Town continues conversation on short-term rental fee
WILL BUZZERD
Sopris Sun Correspondent
This week, Basalt Town Council convened to discuss potential park and public space projects as well as a potential regulatory fee for short-term rentals which has become a subject of criticism from Basalt residents.
Parks update
Prior to the meeting, Basalt Parks, Open Space and Trails (POST) held a public session to discuss its five-year Capital Improvement Plan.
The most recent POST Master Plan was adopted in 2013 and, since then, many of its milestones have been achieved with projects such as the new Basalt River Park, and its bus stop and bandshell, and the Arbaney Park Playground. In order to update POST’s guiding documents, the Town contracted 110%, a financial firm specializing in parks, to create a report of Basalt’s current park finances to inform POST’s future projects. The POST team is currently reviewing this report and its recommendations in order to draft a fiveyear Capital Improvement Plan, which is expected to be presented to council by fall.
Representatives from Crown Mountain Park Recreation District presented an update on its current projects. At the moment, Crown Mountain is nearing the end of a two-year process amending its planned unit development (PUD) in order to allow for new facilities and improvements.
One such Improvement is to install a trampoline from Aspen Valley Ski Club meant for athletic training. Crown Mountain received this trampoline two years ago, but due to restrictions in the current PUD, the trampoline has been gathering dust in a garage. Crown Mountain also has money in its budget this year to install artificial turf in order to provide young athletes with field space through the winter.
The team at Crown Mountain is looking for private partners and donors to help fund even more expansive changes in the future, such as more turf, or even indoor facilities, to accommodate rapid growth in the Valley and increase public access to year-round recreation.
Short-term fee
The hottest action item of the night was a public hearing and second reading of Ordinance No. 3 of 2025, which would establish a new $2,532 per bedroom annual regulatory fee for operating short term rentals (STRs). While Basalt already charges a $460 annual cost for STR licensing and inspection, it does not levy additional regulatory fees.
The Town of Basalt is considering levying additional fees to potentially slow the increasing quantity of STRs, help close the housing affordability gap and to help fund affordable housing.
The Town contracted financial planning consultant Economic and Planning Systems (EPS) to conduct an analysis of the financial impact of STRs in order to calculate a potential regulatory fee. The fee, $2,532 per bedroom annually, is 50% of the maximum according to the EPS report.
However, exemptions are available for the regulatory fee. Those applying for an exemption would have to prove that the property being rented is their primary residence and is not rented out for more than 60 days annually.
Many citizens came to the podium to offer comments and criticisms for the potential fee. Multiple people criticized the EPS report for not accounting for potential impacts of the regulatory fee on STR operators, as well as an apparent lack of data concerning the quantity and cost of STRs operating locally.
Citizens also criticized the flat regulatory fee because it might have an inconsistent impact on those who rent more affordable units, arguing fees should be proportional to the cost of a rental. Additionally, some argued that the exemptions should be broadened, as some citizens rely on revenue from STRs in order to be Basalt residents.
While the councilors argued for the implementation of some regulatory measures, they also agreed more data and information needs to be aggregated to create a more effective and equitable regulatory system.
Council unanimously agreed to postpone the ordinance and hold an additional reading and public hearing on April 8.
Glenwood Springs launches Employer-Based Rental Assistance
KATE PHILLIPS Sopris Sun Correspondent
The City of Glenwood Springs is taking an innovative approach to address the Roaring Fork Valley’s ever-mounting housing crisis, as it recently launched its Employer-Based Rental Assistance pilot program. In short, the program will provide one year of critical rental assistance to cost burdened employees who live and work in Glenwood Springs. Ultimately, the initiative seeks to reduce the workforce housing stressors, increase employee retention and help maintain a robust local economy.
“The housing crunch that we are experiencing is becoming existential to the community’s identity,” said Kevin Rayes, housing development manager for the City of Glenwood Springs. “I think this program helps provide some level of realtime and immediate support for folks who want to make a life here, but can’t make ends meet.”
For the City of Glenwood Springs, the pilot program is seen as a partnership between Glenwood Springs employers and the City. Per the program’s criteria, both parties must equally contribute up to $500 toward rental assistance. For example, if an employer provides their employee a $200 housing stipend, the City will match this amount resulting in $400 of monthly rental assistance. However, since this program is aimed to support vulnerable employees within Glenwood Springs, certain qualifications must be met.
Specifically, an employer can apply on behalf of their employee if they own or manage a business that has a physical location within city limits, conducts business regularly and has the means to match financial assistance for one year. Qualified employees include those who have been employed by the business for at least one year, work a minimum average of 32 hours per week, already reside within city limits or have been pre-approved for a rental dwelling. They must be considered cost burdened — spending more than 30% of their income on rent, a standard recognized by the National Low Income Housing Coalition.
Citing daycare closures, long grocery lines and RFTA service cutbacks, Rayes said vital services are struggling because employees lack stable housing. Ideally, the pilot program will offer some relief for employees and help them stay longer in the RFV and keep businesses operating.
“Whether or not you are cost-burdened, this affects everybody,” he elaborated. “Our goal is to support the folks who make our economy run on a daily basis.”
In 2022, Glenwood Springs residents understood the critical need for workforce housing and voted to pass ballot measure 2C. The measure proposed a 2.5% accommodations tax for visitors and lodgers staying in Glenwood Springs hotels, motels, short-term rentals or other accommodations to establish the Workforce Housing Fund. The City estimated this tax would generate $1.7 million each year to help fund housing. Rental assistance funding comes on the heels of 2C’s approval.
“The Workforce Housing Advisory Board is the group of local volunteers who are passionate about housing and they are the ones who spearheaded this initiative,” said Rayes. “A lot of credit goes to them for being willing to try something new and innovative. I am not aware of another government in Colorado that has done something like this. There are a few nonprofits providing assistance, but for a municipal government to come up with something like this is pretty amazing. A lot of communities are looking to us to see how this unfolds.”
Alongside the rental assistance pilot program, Glenwood Springs Public Information Officer Bryana Starbuck said that the City is using a dynamic approach to address the multifaceted complexities of the housing crisis. Currently, renters can apply for deed-restricted rentals and housing choice vouchers, whereas potential homeowners can take advantage of the new down payment assistance program that helps buyers obtain housing with a low interest down payment loan. Additionally, the City has partnered with West Mountain Regional Housing Coalition’s Good Deeds program that assists with a down payment in exchange for a deed restriction. Rayes added that new programming will continue to roll out throughout the year.
“A lot of this comes down to quality of life and community,” said Starbuck. “We want people to live fuller lives in the Valley, and to do more than work and maybe sleep. We want them to participate in local government, volunteer, spend more time with their kids and be with friends to create this rich social fabric that makes Glenwood so special.”
Glenwood Springs employers have until Feb. 14 to apply for the Employer-Based Rental Assistance pilot program. To apply, visit cogs.us/841/ Employer-Based-Rental-Assistance
To learn more about the City of Glenwood Springs’ dynamic housing programs, visit www.cogs.us/839/Housing
After years of standing vacant, demolition of the old Clark’s Market is underway to make room for the Basalt Center Circle housing development. Photo courtesy of Lieutenant Aaron Munch, Basalt Police Department
The City of Glenwood Springs is committed to helping cost-burdened families live and thrive in the Roaring Fork Valley. Their Employer-Based Rental Assistance pilot program is accepting applications through Feb. 14. Photo by Kate Phillips
Town Manager Lauren Gister bids farewell
RALEIGH BURLEIGH
Sopris Sun Editor
Carbondale’s Board of Trustees regular meeting on Feb. 11 concluded with an executive session “for the purpose of the town manager’s annual performance review.” Early the next morning, an official Town of Carbondale press release was sent from Town Manager Lauren Gister stating: “After careful consideration and reflection, I have decided that it is time for me to retire as Carbondale’s town manager.” Gister’s final day of work will be in early June, the press release noted. “This decision has been a difficult one, as my time in Carbondale has been an incredibly rewarding and fulfilling chapter in my life.” Her tenure as Carbondale’s town manager began three years ago in January of 2022.
Prior to the executive session, the contents of which are not public, the trustees — all of whom were present — worked through a fairly standard agenda.
First off, two items were pulled from the consent agenda for further discussion. Other consent agenda items included accounts payable as well as a memo detailing meeting procedures and notification protocols. Trustee Jess Robison wished to voice disapproval for required inspections for new short-term rental licenses. Otherwise, the shortterm rental ordinance revisions passed with support from the other trustees.
An update on ongoing projects and the implementation matrix was also pulled from the consent agenda. Trustee Ross Kribbs wished for it to be memorialized that the pool project should draw from the Town’s dedicated recreation tax over the general fund as much as possible. “Our priority as a board going forward is Highway 133,” he declared. Gister assured the discussion by trustees will be documented in meeting minutes. Trustee Colin Laird then praised staff for the number of projects they are working through and
asked they be tied to long-term plans online so the general public understands all that’s being done.
“This community is doing an awful lot,” he said. “The more we can share that, the better.”
During trustee updates, Christina Montemayor said that the Latino Advisory Board met on Feb. 3 and discussed transportation, accessibility and the Carbondale Police Department’s stance on neither working with
continued on page 19
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Congratulations to February’s students of the month, from left to right: Harvie Berger, Stella Farris, Liam Arellanes, Emerson Aeschliman and Ian Smith. Photo by Raleigh Burleigh
Whitcomb rrace
Moises Perez-Marttinez arrived a little late but still received a student of the month certificate and handshake from Mayor Ben Bohmfalk. Photo by Raleigh Burleigh
Public and board remain at odds, LaRue suggests building trust
MEGAN WEBBER Sopris Sun Correspondent
Members of the public were widely divided in terms of the opinions they brought to the Garfield County Public Library District’s (GCPLD) Board of Trustees meeting on Thursday, Feb. 6.
After the appointment of board members Stephanie Hirsch and Brit McLin in December, the board’s February meeting was dominated by a push from the public to make swift decisions that would either point toward a more liberal or conservative agenda, and the kind of relationship the board wants to develop with its community members.
It was suggested that a conservative majority would mean that the board might even take steps to fire current GCPLD Executive Director Jamie LaRue over the avail ability of a series of manga books at the libraries that some community members have deemed inappropriate.
“I wish somebody would do something about this instead of grooming children,” John Lepkowski, a Silt resi dent, said. “I think it’s bad for anybody under 17 — I think it’s bad for anybody.”
Lepkowski handed copies of one of the polarizing Manga books to members of the board who wanted to see it, although he refrained from showing it to the cameras in the room in case someone underage would be able to see it.
The book series, “Prison School” by Akira Hiramoto, is set in a Japanese all-girls school that changes its policy to allow the enrollment of five boys and punishes the students’ wrongdoings with a stay in the school’s “prison.” The series includes voyeuristic and masochistic themes, and according to members of the public who spoke at the board meeting, over 1,400 members of the commu nity have signed a petition to remove the books from the
Nuclear waste, hazardous homeless camp, possible detox closure
AMY HADDEN MARSH
Sopris Sun Correspondent
Monday’s Garfield County Commissioners (BOCC) meeting began with a plea to take a fresh look at the land behind Walmart and how it may be a wildfire hazard. Longtime Glenwood Springs resident Rachael Windh approached the BOCC, stating that she thinks something needs to be done to make the area safe.
In 2021, the county spent over $87,000 to remove 60,000 pounds of garbage, hazardous materials and more from the 36-acre site southeast of Walmart that has long been a makeshift homeless camp.
Now residents want authorities to take action again. Rob Pitt, fire marshall for the Glenwood Springs Fire Department, said he visited the place in January and was alarmed at the amount of gas canisters and everything else up there.
“We expect it to be cleaned up and stay clean,” he said. “Unfortunately, it is on those landowners to try and enforce that.” He urged the BOCC to put pressure on the landowners.
Glenwood Springs Mayor Ingrid Wussow added that the city has spent a lot of money on wildfire evacuation plans but she questions prevention efforts. She suggested a work session between the county and the city.
“What are variables that we can collaborate on [to] prevent this from happening rather than making a plan for when it does?” she asked.
Commissioner Tom Jankovsky said the county sheriff has made more citations up there recently and that a fence and more “no trespassing” signs are needed on the property.
Next up, Matt Solomon, Energy Initiative project manager for the Associated Governments of Northwest Colorado (AGNC), talked about AGNC’s efforts to promote a high level nuclear waste repository in NW
“He wants the green slime flavor of the week.”
Colorado. Solomon is a former Eagle County Commissioner, who ran unsuccessfully for Colorado’s Senate District 8 seat in 2022.
At the request of Commissioner Mike Samson, in response to Carbondale resident George Wear’s comments last week asking the BOCC to oppose the repository, Solomon explained that the idea is in outreach mode, that AGNC is gathering public opinion and is not ready to build the waste repository.
Solomon discussed future Colorado energy needs, which could mean small reactors. He prefers the euphemism “spent nuclear fuel” instead of “nuclear waste” mainly because, he said, it can be recycled.
“Countries like France have discovered ways to repurpose and recycle the spent fuel,” he explained. “These new small modular reactors [reuse] this spent fuel so it’s not waste because it’s being repurposed.”
Samson asked, “Is it feasible by [recycling
CARBONDALE REPORT from page 17
spent nuclear fuel] that the harmful radiation is eventually cleansed from that?” Solomon said he didn’t know, and added, “I do know that would really kind of solve the problem.”
According to scientific studies, recycling spent nuclear fuel may reduce the amount of waste that goes into storage but it does not get rid of harmful, long-lived radionuclides. Instead, it separates the plutonium and uranium from the waste. The plutonium can then be used in other reactors or to make nuclear weapons.
Solomon glossed over environmental and public health concerns of the repository in favor of the recycling idea and the potential economic benefits, such as bringing jobs to an area heavily dependent on coal mining. The coal mines in Craig and Hayden are scheduled to close by 2030.
The BOCC discussed House Bill 1040, which would add nuclear energy to the state’s definition of clean energy resources.
nor interfering with Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Chris Hassig commended Carbondale Arts for making winter First Fridays “a little more happening” and gave tribute to Casey Piscura, “a really genuine and righteous person fighting for good in this world” who took his own life on Feb. 2. Hassig called the loss “shocking and devastating.”
Official action items included acceptance of public infrastructure for the Roaring Fork School District’s Meadowood employee housing project along with a security reduction from $290,938 to $29,094. According to Bohmfalk, who works for the school district and recused himself from the vote, there have been some issues with heat pumps and cold units and “it’s good to be a little cautious about these things still.”
Next, trustees received two updates, first from Andrew Michaelson with Artspace about Town Center financing and then with Police Chief Kirk Wilson. The Artspace discussion leaned toward exploring Town Center funding outside the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) program and its restrictions. Hassig floated that diversifying the project into blocks could be advantageous, pursuing LIHTC funding for a portion of the overall project and allowing employers to purchase units on another portion. Michaelson will return in March with new models for higher income limits and rents to help the Town afford to build the project.
Chief Wilson kicked off his update stating, “Thank you for allowing me to come before you … I liken it to prom, there’s nervous anticipation before prom, but once prom starts, it’s just a dance.” He proceeded with detailed descriptions of his department’s organizational chart, scheduling, the gear officers carry, policies for working with other agencies, alert notifications and more. He said that Sergeant Ciara Chacon is working a 12-day straight stint of 12-hour shifts to cover for people on vacation, stating, “It’s just what we do.”
Ahead of the executive session, trustees briefly touched on Carbondale’s summer concert series. According to her research, Gister revealed the Town of Basalt budgets $20,000 per concert and Snowmass Village allocates some $35,000, whereas Carbondale has historically had community concerts at less than $3,500 each including non-municipal funding.
It was decided that Ralph Pitt and Steve Standiford should be empowered to continue the series another year with $6,480 allocated from the Town’s budget and leniency on the number of concerts scheduled. Trustees affirmed they’d prefer to see two concerts with strong marketing over four or five sparsely attended ones. Hassig volunteered his artistic skills toward creating a poster.
Commissioner Perry Will plans to go to Denver on Thursday to testify in favor of the bill.
In other news, the BOCC approved all of the nonprofit funding requests from last week; although the Glenwood Springs Concert Association, West Elk Trails and the Lower Valley Trail Association received only a portion of their requests. All others received the full amount.
The BOCC discussed recent developments at the limestone quarry above Glenwood Springs and how the state Division of Reclamation, Mining and Safety denied mine owner Rocky Mountain Industrials’ request for an 18-acre expansion permit.
County manager Fred Jarman informed the board that they don’t yet have a speaker for the Economic Development Roundtable scheduled for May 15. Samson suggested Elon Musk, “He’d be great, wouldn’t he?” County attorney Heather Beattie brought up a meeting last week with Mind Springs Health, stating that basically the agency does not have any money. Commissioner Jankovsky said Mind Springs wants out of the withdrawal management facility because it’s costing $65,000 a month. “The tough thing for the community is all the funds that we’ve put into this [facility], considerable funds, plus a grant.”
He questioned if the county would have to repay the grant if the building shuts down. Beattie said the county received $700,000 in pass-through funds to Mind Springs in 2022 from the Office of Behavioral Health and that she will check on the agreement.
The BOCC has scheduled a special meeting for Feb. 27 to interview candidates for the Glenwood Springs seat on the library board of trustees. Applications are due by 5pm on Feb. 20.
You can watch all BOCC meetings at the Garfield County website.
RMI from page 7
State decision
The three permitting agencies, BLM, the state and Garfield County, all have designated boundaries of operation inconsistent with each other, explained Peterson. The BLM permit includes 15.9 acres, whereas the state recognizes 38 acres.
The Colorado Division of Reclamation, Mining and Safety (DRMS) confirmed the inconsistency, “which is an uncommon occurrence,” the agency noted in an email to The Sun.
In the midst of everything, on Jan. 29, RMI filed a technical revision request through DRMS to expand the state boundary by 18.1 acres. Once GSCA was aware, it implored the state to deny the technical revision request and require that it be filed as a permit amendment request, which, conversely, requires public input.
The state responded to the request as GSCA had hoped by way of a letter to RMR Aggregates, Inc. (a subsidiary of RMI) on Feb. 7. Essentially it stated that an increase in acreage requires the amendment process. Thus, DRMS denied the technical revision request. Notably, DRMS had been expecting the request to outline plans for rock bolting, due to the rockslide at the quarry in 2023.
“TR-8 [technical revision] requests a modification unrelated to the communications between DRMS and RMR related to rock bolting and the associated financial warranty,” the letter from DRMS read. “While TR-8 asserts that rock bolting may not be necessary long term if additional mining occurs, the Division stands firm that rock bolting is the only feasible option at this time for highwall stabilization.”
The letter further insisted that RMR resolve its plans of operation with BLM and establish “legal right of entry for the proposed affected lands,” before it would consider an amendment proposal.
RMI has not responded to The Sopris Sun’s request for comment.
The ‘Pibe’ of my valley
“Pibe” is a word used to refer to a “kid” in Colombia and other South American countries.
As they say in the movie “Rudo y Cursi” by Carlos Cuarón, “Life is like soccer: everyone wants the ball, but the ball doesn’t want everyone.”
Happiness moves around the same way as that little freckled ball: if you’ve got it, you’ve got to pass it. Hold onto it too long, and sooner or later, you’re going to lose it. Sometimes with style, sometimes with a bit of a rough slide.
It’s clear that pick-up soccer has been a staple in the Roaring Fork Valley for a long time. Pick-up isn’t just soccer; it’s a multicultural meet-up, a space to socialize and get some exercise. It’s all-inclusive. It doesn’t care about gender, age, immigration status, social class or profession. Not even weight or size. Especially weight, for those of us who’ve already passed the 30 mark.
Some of us identify with those “wooden-legs” or “butterfinger” idioms, and no longer run but are the geniuses of the team — using their brains to outplay everyone. Then there are the guys who want to conquer the world with every stride and still dream of going pro.
There, you meet your inner child — the one who still dreams of being Ronaldinho, Messi or Cuauhtémoc every time the ball touches your feet. For many,
it’s the happiest moment of the week. Constructive immaturity.
It’s hard to describe what it feels like to step onto the grass, with the sound of sprinklers and the beautiful view of Mount Sopris. It’s tough to shake off the sound of footsteps on the wood floors of the gyms the schools let us use.
Man, it’s just not the same playing here as it is anywhere else in the world. Here, you’re playing and hiking at the same time. Somehow, you’re making poetry with the ball.
AWEIGH
In winter, you can head to the schools or recreation centers. In the summer, there are leagues at Colorado Mountain College or pick-up games all across the Valley. It’s co-ed, and if you haven’t joined, just ask around at these spots. The only real risk is ending up in a WhatsApp group, getting added to updates about when games are happening and receiving endless soccer memes.
Nothing sets us apart.
We’re all equals on the field. One of these strangers might
just give you a moment of joy, a great conversation or even help you get past something that was weighing on you during the week. You can land a job, make a great friend, bump into your kids’ teacher or get a solid restaurant recommendation. You never lose in this game. And here’s another thought from the movie I mentioned earlier. “They say the first wars of humanity happened between brothers, and later the game was born to avoid them, symbolically mimicking those wars. It’s a shame that nowadays, we confuse war with the game, and the game with war. Especially among brothers.”
We don’t plan it, we just get carried away by an uncontrollable anxiety that sometimes leads to these debates. I don’t blame those who watch us from afar, we’re kind of obsessed. When we get home, we talk about how “this person couldn’t take the ball from me; how I nutmegged this guy; how they tried to pick a fight but then ran away from my unstoppable strength … I am
the “Pibe” of my valley (alluding to the song by Dr.Kapula, “Pibe de mi Barrio,” which I highly recommend).
Then, we’re sore all week, proud to limp around. Some say at the “after-party” to drink lemonade with turmeric; it’ll help you feel better. Others would say, just stretch it out — a cold beer or a burrito from La García’s will do the trick. In the end, nothing really matters! Recently, a group of Sunday league pro players organized a BBQ on the last day of fall to celebrate the end of the season. Everyone was invited, along with their families. You can really tell when you see families coming together just how much a ball can mean and what it transcends.
It’s a culture that unites us through the ball, but also through friendship and fair play. A street and neighborhood culture, where many of us made a “nutmeg” past poverty or scored a goal against the dangerous feeling of emptiness.
That’s when you realize we’re a multicultural valley, and you can’t help but wonder why there’s so much stupidity in this world. When social cohesion through play was invented so long ago. When sometimes, unity and collective happiness show up in the form of a freckled, round ball.
Photo by Felipe Perez
By Felipe Perez Sol del Valle
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Earthbound
By Katie Brimm
For Casey, and all farmers lost to suicide.
Rootless he leaves The earth bound Now to another Dimension. Gone
Where we cannot follow, cannot Feast upon the earthly delights He has always grown
For us, he bred Tomatoes that survive frost That grow Above six thousand feet
His feet will never touch The ground where His hands Plunged into the rich loam
Whose universe also fed us Its nutrients
Pulled through roots Below us and now in us
The bounty of each past Summer harvest lives In our cells
In our community, we Are made up Of what he grew
And now we are made up of what he left behind:
A fertile darkness where The seeds he planted still live.
A baffling flourish come spring, A future celebration of life.
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Issue Date: 2/3/2025 | Closing Date: 3/7/2025
Non-Mandatory Pre-Bid Conference: 2/12/2025 @ 10:30 AM at Snowmass Dr. & 2nd St. Sealed bids for the construction of the 2nd Street Sanitary Sewer Replacement will be received from invited Bidders by the Town of Carbondale (“OWNER”) at Town Hall, 511 Colorado Ave, Carbondale, CO 81623, until 11:00 AM on March 7th , 2025, at which time the Bids received will be publicly opened and read. The 2 nd Street Sanitary Sewer Replacement project includes the replacement of sanitary sewer pipe along 2nd Street from Snowmass Drive to Capitol Avenue, abandonment of existing pipe, abandonment of four manholes, installation of eight new manholes, and removal and replacement of all affected surface and subsurface material.
Bids will be received for a single prime Contract. Bidding Documents will be provided to prospective Bidders as electronic PDF files. The Issuing Office for the Bidding Documents is Roaring Fork Engineering (RFE), 592 Hwy 133, Carbondale, CO, 81623 (Contact: Maggie McHugh, PE (614) 256-4714, MaggieM@rfeng.biz). Prospective Bidders may examine the Bidding Documents at the Issuing Office on Mondays through Fridays between the hours of 8 AM to 5 PM and may obtain copies of the Bidding Documents from the Issuing Office as described below. Bidding Documents are available as electronic portable document format (PDF) files. Alternatively, printed Bidding Documents may be obtained from the Issuing Office via in-person pick-up, for a nonrefundable charge of $75 per set. Checks for Bidding Documents shall be payable to Roaring Fork Engineering. The date that the Bidding Documents are transmitted by the Issuing Office will be considered the date of receipt of the Bidding Documents. Partial sets of Bidding Documents will not be available from the Issuing Office. Neither Owner nor Engineer will be responsible for full or partial sets of Bidding Documents, including Addenda if any, obtained from sources other than the Issuing Office. A pre-bid conference will be held at 10:30 AM on February 12, 2025. This conference is non-mandatory but highly encouraged. In accordance with the Contract Documents (C-200 Section 5.03) the Contractor is required to conduct a site visit prior to bid submission. That visit can either be at the pre-bid meeting or arranged for another day and time with Town staff present. The pre-bid conference will be at Snowmass Drive and 2nd Street Intersection, where a site walk of the project will take place. A 5% bid security shall be furnished in accordance with the Instructions to Bidders. Bidders shall submit proof of qualifications to perform the Work as described in the Instructions to Bidders.
Casey Piscura walks his fields on a misty morning in 2021. Photo by Will Sardinsky
2nd Street Sanitary Sewer Replacement Project
world. Don’t let them learn any history or science, certainly not critical thinking.
A judge ordered Trump to restore the funding that Congress had already pledged for Medicaid, school lunches, low-income housing subsidies and other essential services. The White House responded, “Any legal challenge against it is nothing more than an attempt to go against the will of the
Really? It’s hard for me to believe that the U.S. has become a nation of mean spir-
Supposedly the president and vice president of the U.S. are Christians, but these so-called Christians have forgotten that Christ’s fundamental teaching was: “Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.” This was not an exclusive statement but an inclusive one. We inhabit one earth together and we have a responsibility to care for one another and the resources our planet gives us with kindness, not prevent the children from eating, the poor from getting medical care. Thank you for being
is that decision makers often fail to realize that their first priority in governance should be what is best for their existing residents. There is no obligation for towns to help people who currently live elsewhere. And, in most cases, developers do not pay enough in fees to cover all the infrastructure that is needed to support their new development. That’s why there is always a shortage of things like child care, affordable housing and affordable health care. Glenwood is even now raising sales tax to rebuild roads. That sales tax hurts lower income people.
Glenwood Springs would be heavily impacted by developments like Spring Valley, Nutrient Farms and the large parcel on Highway 82 south of the old Sopris Restaurant. And there are numerous smaller projects. All of these will produce severe impacts on transportation, schools, local recreation, air quality, water use, taxation, police, fire safety, health care and more. I call it “snowballing.”
As a caretaker at Beyul, I take pride in our team’s work to keep the old Diamond J Ranch open as a four-season destination, as it has been for over a century. The Diamond J has long served as a lodge for outdoorsmen and their families to explore
The 10th Mountain Division trail system runs right through my backyard in the hinterlands of the upper Frying Pan River Valley. As a caretaker, I guide groups on land tours, sharing what Beyul’s little spot under the sun and stars offers the world.
I love sharing Beyul’s heritage. I tell guests that Beyul Retreat sits at the base of Reilly Mountain, named after the family of its early owners. I show them the Longbranch Cabin, where the homestead began. I ask them to imagine the road as a railway and the journey to Beyul as a train ride from Glenwood Springs or Leadville. I invite them to picture the valley before Ruedi Reservoir was cut into its floor, when Thomasville’s original village stood downstream.
We also explore an even older history — the Utes, who danced in ceremony, hunted big game and harvested tobacco from sacred streams. They were true protectors of these mountains. As a Beyul employee and Meredith resident, I honor and respect these lands and am grateful to lay my head in the Sawatch Range each night.
Beyul is not Disneyland; it’s more like Narnia. A place where: military families reconnect, unplugged from Wi-Fi; songwriters craft poetry by fires in a blizzard; first-time yogis find balance on one foot; fathers and sons fry fresh-caught salmon; neighbors cross-country ski in our backyard; newlyweds are showered with golden aspen leaves.
Stop by for a hot cup of joe and see for yourself.
Jeremiah Glascoff Meredith
Community priorities
Communities in the U.S. have a problem. If they are popular, they become a target for developers. Another problem
This is a big country. There is no end of other places for developers to do their thing. Developers are very good at painting their projects in a favorable light. They love to talk about the quality and benefits to the community. But the bottom line is for them to make a profit. Often, like Spring Valley, the developer is even from another state. I think it is time to rethink our priorities.
Patrick Hunter Carbondale
Climate change fund
This will be of interest not only to Colorado homeowners concerned about the risks of wildfires and flooding, but also to all taxpayers. Whether we realize it or not, we are all paying for the impacts of climate change. These costs are large and growing and have effectively become a tax on the public.
For example, the 2013 flooding event along the Front Range by itself caused severe damage to our roadway network and required more than $700 million in emergency repairs. Ongoing climate change will challenge our whole economy, including businesses, farmers, ranchers and city and town budgets with lost income plus additional costs for repairs and mitigation. Right now, taxpayers are on the hook for 100% of the cost from climate damages.
Assistance could be available through a Colorado climate change cost recovery and adaptation fund, as recently proposed by the Colorado Coalition for a Livable Climate.
It would be called the PROTECT (Polluter Responsibility and Opportunity To Ensure Communities Thrive) Act. Such legislation already is the law in New York State and in Vermont, and is being considered elsewhere.
Funding would come from fees assessed on the largest fossil fuel companies doing business in Colorado. It is based on the fairness principle: Those who pollute should help pay for the consequences, including infrastructure repair and improvements and compensation to Coloradans for climate damage.
The text of a PROTECT Act is essentially already written. Governor Polis and state legislators, please start to work on passing such an act.
Chris Hoffman Boulder
REQUEST FOR BIDS
2025 CHIP SEAL PROGRAM
The Town of Carbondale is accepting bids from local qualified contractors to perform work on the 2025 Chip Seal program. Sealed bids will be received until 11:00 am February 27, 2025 , by the Town of Carbondale, 511 Colorado Avenue, Carbondale, Colorado 81623, at which time the bids will be opened and read aloud. Specifications and contract documents can be found on the Town of Carbondale website, or at Town Hall. Work on this project cannot begin prior to May 12, 2025, and must be complete by June 27, 2025. No chip seal work will be allowed on residential roads on Tuesdays as Tuesdays are residential trash and recycling collection days.
The Chip Seal Program consists of applying asphaltic binder and aggregate meeting CDOT No. 8 specifications on approximately 38,940 square yards of street surface. All work shall meet, at a minimum, the Town of Carbondale Chip Seal Surfacing Specifications. A list of the streets scheduled to be chip sealed are included (see Street Listing). The Town has a limited budget for the 2025 Chip Seal program and therefore reserves the right to adjust the quantities to fit within the financial limits of the program based on the bids received. The listed square yard measurements are estimates for bidding purposes only and the final square yardage will be determined at the end of the project.
The successful bidder will be expected to enter into an Agreement for Professional Services with the Town (see attached Agreement). Bids shall be submitted on the bid form attached to the request for proposals.
Mountain Action Indivisible, a new organization, met with a member of U.S. Senator John Hickenlooper’s staff, Janice Stancle, at Dos Gringos on Feb. 6. Those in attendance, numbering close to 100, expressed dismay about how rapidly the federal government is shifting, seemingly without checks and balances. Elon Musk’s appointment to the newly created Department of Government Efficiency was of particular concern. Hickenlooper’s constituents also demanded to know why he voted in favor of confirming Doug Collins, “a Trump loyalist,” to serve as secretary of veteran affairs. “We need you to fight for us,” urged Lori Brandon. “No time for Mr. Nice Guy anymore.” To keep up with Mountain Action Indivisible, visit: www.bit.ly/Mountain-Action
PUBLIC NOTICE
ROARING FORK SCHOOL DISTRICT NOTICE OF FINAL SETTLEMENT
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, pursuant to §38-26-107, C.R.S., that after 10:00 a.m. on February 13th, 2025, final settlement with FCI Constructors (“Contractor”) will be made by the Roaring Fork School District (“District”), for its project located at 205 Meadowood Drive, Carbondale, Colorado, 81623, subject to satisfactory final inspection and acceptance of the Project by the District.
Any person, as defined in C.R.S. 2-4-401(8), that has furnished labor, materials, sustenance, or other supplies used or consumed by such Contractor or its subcontractor in or about the performance of the work on the Project or that has supplied laborers, rental machinery, tools, or equipment to the extent used in the prosecution of the work whose claim therefor has not been paid by the Contractor or subcontractor, at any time up to and including the time of final settlement for the Project, may file a verified statement of the amount due and unpaid on such claim at the Roaring Fork School District Offices located at 400 Sopris Ave, Carbondale, CO 81623.
Failure to file such verified statement of claim prior to final settlement will release the District and its employees and agents from any and all liability for such claim and for making final payment to said Contractor.
s/s
Roaring Fork School District
• First Publication: 01/30/25
• Final Publication: 02/13/25
Photo by Raleigh Burleigh
