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in thegroove…

Local dancers including Caitlin Evans (left) joined AJ Winkler (right) and others from Ormao Dance Company, based in Colorado Springs, for OUTSIDE/IN 2.0 at TACAW on July 19. The event was organized by Aspen Dance Connection, a nonprofit dedicated to bringing original and world dance to the Valley since 1978. Choreographer Jan Johnson played with responding to nature for the outdoor portion, then presented Ormao Dance Company show excerpts on the stage inside. Carbondalians will showcase their own outdoor grooves all weekend at Mountain Fair.

Photo by Raleigh Burleigh

Dreaming small to try a new form OPINION

Natalia Snider is a certified dream practitioner living in Carbondale. She works with people’s dreams and imaginations to facilitate self-healing. Every month, she analyzes someone’s dream in The Sopris Sun. Anyone can submit a dream for personal analysis or inclusion in this column by visiting: www.dreamhealings.com

Nikki’s dream

I had a dream that I shrunk down to an inch tall. I was in my room and everything was big. Then my mom came in and she couldn’t see me. I started trying to speak to her and she couldn’t hear me and she almost stepped on me. It made me feel really nervous that I couldn’t tell her where I was. Then I had the dream again another night but this time I was in a doctor’s office and the doctor freaked out because I shrunk and she kicked me away. She was barefoot. Both times when I woke up I felt nervous or like I had just had anxiety all night.

Interpretation

DREAM WELL

By Natalia Snider

This is a dream of the challenges of changing your form. In your dream you shrink to a size where you are not seen or heard. Who you are changes from what was your “normal” to this new and different you. A “new you” is emerging, and you are testing her in the safety of your dream realm and how she will interact with the world when she appears. The anxiety you feel is the uncertainty of how you feel about this new possible you, and how she will be perceived.

Your mother is the first to see you in your new form, but she can’t see nor hear you. Your dream is telling you that you do not feel seen or heard by those closest to you, or that you are afraid you will not be seen or heard when you take on this new form. As well, it is showing you how small you feel when this happens. But remember that in the safety of your dream realm, you get the opportunity to experience what you do not want, so that you know without a doubt what you do want.

In the second dream you shrink in a doctor’s office. This is symbolic of you wanting to see how a professional would respond to your new form. The dream is telling you that you are searching for validation as to why you are not being seen nor heard. You are looking for a reason for this change of form. The doctor is scared by this new you and kicks you away in fear. What’s incredibly important here is that you mention the doctor is barefoot. This symbolizes that she is vulnerable. Her partial nakedness in a place of business is telling of her reaction not being one of hate or judgment but one coming from a more vulnerable childlike place of fear of the unknown. In this way

LETTERS

Southern hospitality

My friend and I met Raleigh a couple of weeks ago in the delightful little town of Redstone. I wanted to share with you how much my friend, Jodi, and I enjoyed meeting you and Gina. Jodi and I were college roommates over 40 years ago and have remained good friends throughout all of life’s ups and downs. We love to travel together, not only to explore new territory, but to meet new people.

People like you and Gina are one of the reasons we are passionate about traveling! You were welcoming and kind. You shared your photos of the marble-carving event. We learned that marble is softer than we expected. You personally delivered to us (and signed) copies of your paper. Gina asked us what Southern hospitality meant. SHE (and you) is/are the definition of Southern hospitality! Her breakfast burrito was already more than we could handle. Still, she piled on Rainier cherries, a homemade cinnamon roll AND popcorn to go (because crunching on the road will keep us awake).

your dream is asking you not to be angry with her naivety.

It’s not fun to have dreams that are overbearing and riddled with anxiety, yet dreams such as these are capsules of information coming to us in the safest place for us to learn them. In our dream realms we can learn, relearn, act, play and reorganize our lives to see what fits best. We can discover what our fears truly are and how to overcome them. This dream, even though it may not feel like it, is a gift of insight. It is an opportunity to play out these scenarios in this new form — this new you — that your subconscious is bringing to light. It is also a place to take back your voice and to be seen in this new form, or even to change your form again entirely.

In a meditative state I suggest calling the dream forward, remembering all the details you can in this active imagination exercise. Then, this part is the most important, release the limitations of your imagination. Redream each scene with the highest version of yourself rewriting the dream, imprinting new feelings in each new scene.

Try joy — see what it feels like to explore a giant world in a micro body. Try empowerment with a booming voice, glowing body, morphing shapes. Try different perspectives — see through your mother’s or the doctor’s eyes, learning what they may have to teach you. Try kindness and fill your dream realm with love. This is your place of creation and play. Try freedom — release your beliefs and definitions of your world, test which path feels divinely perfect and set that in motion.

Remember, bring back only that which serves you from this meditation leaving everything else in the safe capsule of your dream realm.

Our road trip from Louisiana through Colorado, New Mexico and Texas was delightful and included the Great Sand Dunes, Palo Duro Canyon, Hayes Falls, Earthship homes, a fantastic Mexican dinner in an 18th century adobe home, the Rio Grand Canyon, leaving our marks at the Slug Bug Ranch, visits to a couple of fantastic hot springs resorts and more beautiful countryside and sky views than I can count. Still, with all of that, you and Gina remain one of the highlights of this trip! Thank you for making memories with us!

If either of you are ever in the Baton Rouge/New Orleans area, you can count on a homemade gumbo or jambalaya and a personal chauffeur and tour guide(s) to the French Quarter!

Cheli Saucier

Baton Rouge, Louisiana

Re: Bison

A recent Sopris Sun article included a claim that “A recent study in Romania showed that a herd of 170 bison can offset the annual carbon dioxide

emissions from 43,000 gasoline-burning cars.” This seems vastly exaggerated. A quick search finds this is in a press release about a study which was not peer-reviewed and a few more details are provided. The bison are grazing 20 square miles, supposedly “drawing down” 54,000 tons of carbon annually. That’s five tons per acre or about ten times more “drawing down” than realistic estimates of carbon removal from most forms of regenerative agriculture. Even the www.wildideabuffalo.com site claims one ton/acre of carbon sequestration due to buffalo grazing.

Also, it seems they don’t drive much in Romania; the typical American car emits five tons per year, not one and a quarter.

A solar farm covering an acre offsets about 200-300 tons of CO2 per acre so it has over 100x more effectiveness per land area. The CO2 emitted in the manufacture of these systems is paid back in under a year.

I buy food from local “regenerative agriculture” operations. They create

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SCUTTLEBUTT

Twin Acres denied

Eagle County commissioners Tuesday unanimously denied an application for a special use permit for Twin Acres Riding and Boarding Stables in Missouri Heights. The unanimous decision was based on the size and density of the proposed commercial operation, which would have included a new 7,860-square-foot boarding stable and a 20,000-square-foot covered riding arena using the footprint of an existing building. Indoor and outdoor stables were planned to house up to 45 horses. Some neighbors and eventually the Eagle County Commissioners said that the operation was too big for 20 acres.

Daniel’s Hill parking

The White River National Forest Service is seeking public comments regarding a proposed parking area at Daniel’s Hill. As proposed, the lot would accommodate up to 15 vehicles and provide enough space for vehicles with trailers to turn around. “This proposal will help address residents’ concerns about congestion, safety and environmental damage from people parking illegally along the road,” said Jennifer Schuller, Aspen-Sopris deputy district ranger. “This is one of the recommendations from the stakeholder group formed by the Town of Marble, Gunnison County and the White River National Forest to look at management of the Lead King Loop and surrounding area.” The Forest Service will host a public open house at the Marble Fire Station on Aug. 13 from 5 to 7pm. Comments are due Aug. 21 and can be made at www.fs.usda.gov/ project/whiteriver/?project=65794

5 Point grant

The second $20,000 Wading for Change BIPOC Filmmakers grant — offered in collaboration between 5 Point Film Festival, Fat Tire and Mountains of Color Film Festival — was split between two recipients: David Yousling, a first time filmmaker, for his project — “Beyond The Saddles” — and Mallory Duncan, a 5 Point Flagship Festival alumni, for his second film — “Night Writers.” The Wading for Change grant came into being last year after a group of BIPOC filmmakers collectively made their first film together, which happened to have the same title, “Wading for Change.”

Air quality funding

The State of Colorado was awarded a $129 million grant from the Environmental Protection Agency to further the state’s efforts to improve air quality and cut down on greenhouse gas emissions. The funds will be used to expand methane monitoring, invest in methane capture initiatives, provide incentives for large commercial buildings to decarbonize and for the new Local Government Climate Action Accelerator program meant to support local governments in adopting and implementing climate friendly policies.

Zebra mussels

Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) released a statement on July 16 noting the discovery and confirmation of zebra mussel veligers, the microscopic precursor to the invasive species, from two samples taken from the Colorado River upstream of the Grand Valley Water Users Canal diversion. No adult zebra mussels have been discovered. The presence of zebra mussels can negatively impact native fish populations and water infrastructure. Female zebra mussels can produce up to 1,000,000 eggs and grown offspring attach themselves to surfaces and are very difficult to remove. “CPW strongly

encourages anyone boating, floating, paddling or fishing in the Colorado River to clean, drain and dry their vessels and equipment,” the press release concluded.

Teaching incentive

For its third year, the Colorado Department of Education invites aspiring educators to apply for up to $10,000 in financial assistance for educator preparation program fees. “The Educator Recruitment and Retention program provides direct support for qualified individuals interested in teaching in a shortage area and who can commit to working in that area for three years,” the press release explained. High shortage areas include: special education, math, science, early childhood education and schools in rural areas. Successful applicants must commit to serve in a relevant capacity for three years. For eligibility requirements and to apply, visit www.tinyurl.com/5n785bh7

Harris endorsed

The Colorado Democratic Party “overwhelmingly voted to endorse Vice President Kamala Harris for president, winning over 95% of the State Central Committee’s voting members’ support for her candidacy,” a July 23 press release stated. Other members of the Democratic Party, including Senators John Hickenlooper and Michael Bennet, Governor Jared Polis and Third Congressional District candidate Adam Frisch, applauded President Joe Biden’s decision to withdraw from the race. “For more than 50 years in public service, President Biden has always put the country before any personal concern or ambitions,” Hickenlooper stated. “His presidency — and career — will be remembered alongside Roosevelt’s and Johnson’s for its scale, magnitude and lasting impact on American society.”

They say it’s your birthday!

Folks celebrating another trip around the sun this week include: Adrienne Ackerman, Robert Moore and Frank Norwood (July 25); Meredith Ogilby, Alison Osius, Fran Page and Jesse Steindler (July 26); Franz Alderfer and Vince Savage (July 27); Tom Baker and Brent Moss (July 28); Owen O’Farrell, A.O. Forbes, Randi Garcia, Sarah Kemme, Liz Phillips, Jake Spaulding, Greg Tonozzi and Jess Worley

BasalT SUMMER Music

Japanese guitarist Hiroya Tsukamoto was spotted jamming with Carbondale’s Mateo Sandate at the Carbondale Library on Friday morning last week, following Tsukamoto’s concert at the Third Street Center the night before. Photo by Raleigh Burleigh

Mixed feelings for mixed-use trail along the Crystal River

Made up of 10 sections, the Carbondale to Crested Butte trail

WILL BUZZERD Sopris Sun Correspondent

On June 28, 2024, the White River National Forest released their final Decision Notice authorizing the construction of a seven-mile, multi-use trail from Redstone to McClure Pass, which would become a part of the larger 83-mile Carbondale to Crested Butte trail.

While exciting to overnight cyclists and thruhikers looking for safer passage up the Crystal River than the shoulder of Highway 133, the proposed trail has been criticized for the duration of its planning process and continues to receive critiques by some organizations.

In spring of 2023, the trail received 20 objection letters primarily critiquing the Environmental Assessment process for the trail. The Environmental Assessment was criticized as taking a “piecemeal” approach, which only considered the environmental impacts of a seven-mile section of the trail as opposed to considering its impacts as part of a larger proposed trail network.

After negotiating with parties including Wilderness Workshop, Roaring Fork Audubon (RFA) and the Colorado Sierra Club, several concessions have been made. Importantly, the entire trail will be subject to a comprehensive impact assessment should any future segment be constructed, and construction will be halted during bird breeding season.

After withdrawing formal objections, RFA and the Sierra Club continue to criticize the plan. Representatives of the two organizations have drafted a joint letter outlining their formal opinion on the plan. After reviewing the concessions, the letter lists the significant concerns the organizations still hold:

• Inadequate wildlife surveys: Initial surveys by the environmental consultant and the U.S. Forest Service failed to include avian species and did not consider the broader impacts of habitat fragmentation on other native wildlife including elk, mule deer, black bear and others. The disregard for scientific evidence is troubling, particularly given that many bird species in the area are declining and of conservation concern.

• Ignored scientific insights: The failure to account for cumulative impacts undermines the integrity of environmental stewardship. Recreational trails have been shown to negatively affect breeding birds, many of which are already in decline. North America has lost over a third of its bird populations (3 billion birds) in the last 40 years — a crisis that the proposed trail could exacerbate.

• Limited protections: The promise to save a small patch of habitat, while beneficial, is insufficient. Viable alternatives to trail construction through natural, intact habitats exist, and these trail alternatives have not been chosen by [Pitkin] County. The priority for “user experience” over ecological sustainability is disappointing and undermines the ecological integrity of the Crystal Valley. While the letter supports protecting elk, it also argues on behalf of 45 bird species which will not be protected by the current plan. The letter also calls upon the local community to prioritize conservation of our natural resources and reiterates the organizations’ commitment to protecting our remaining wildlands against

Commercial inventory remains scarce in Carbondale

RALEIGH BURLEIGH

Sopris Sun Editor

Following our annual tradition of pounding pavement and counting the number of commercial spaces in Carbondale, noting which are vacant, The Sopris Sun found 93% of the inventory is currently occupied in 2024. This is the third highest percentage since we began the count in 2017, trailing just behind last year. The slightly higher record came in 2019 before COVID disrupted business as usual.

The Dinkel Building is looking better than ever with a new remodel and four apparently unoccupied suites upstairs. Strange Imports, after 12 years on Main Street, is moving fully online (www. strangeimports.com) in the next few months. Although Steven Colby hoped to take over the lease from Dave Dixon to continue the business, he was unable to secure a long term lease. Time will tell if other staple Dinkel tenants pull up their stakes.

Nearby, Azalea’s Flowers & Gifts has opened in the High Q building, formerly Miser’s Mercantile, and is accessed via 3rd Street. Sol del Valle featured the new business last week and Raquel Rivera, who owns it with her husband, Rodrigo Lopez, said that the beauty of flowers for her is that, although they wilt, the feeling of receiving an unexpected detail will remain forever present in a person’s mind and heart. The shop is open from 11am to

7pm every day and will deliver bouquets from Aspen to Parachute.

The Pour House remains closed with a sign in the window citing “circumstances beyond my control.” The iconic restaurant and pub did renew its liquor license back in April and The Sopris Sun was told its owner intends to reopen eventually with the right management team in place. It appears from the window that someone has at least been watering the plants.

Along Highway 133, the dilapidated strip mall was purchased on June 13 and its few remaining tenants removed, including the Mi Lindo Nayarit food truck. An early rendering of the project, currently under review, lives on the Town’s “Story Map” (www. tinyurl.com/CdalePlanningStoryMap) along with this description: “Proposing to demolish existing structure and construct a 4,150-square-foot restaurant space.”

Heading South on 133, 10,000 square feet of commercial space connected to Hayden Place remains available. Interested parties are directed to contact Gabe Molnar at 970-366-0379. In conversation with The Sopris Sun, Molnar observed that it’s hard for retail to survive, but “there’s more demand for higher quality office space.”

This has been seen over at the Third Street Center, a nonprofit hub, where office spaces are immediately filled, often with tenants playing musical chairs.

Asked to elaborate, Molnar wrote, “The increase in remote work/working from home had and continues to have a

notable impact on the overall national/ regional office market. … Carbondale has limited commercial inventory, of which most is owner-occupied and not for-lease, and even less high-quality/newer office space. This lack of inventory, along with the increased number of professionals that have relocated here over the past several years, has meant that most office spaces have stayed full even with many folks maybe also having their own small home office setup.”

Other available spaces we noticed were on the third story of the building on Weant Boulevard that houses

La Raza (580 Main Street), a few spaces in La Fontana Plaza and land for sale surrounding Carbondale Marketplace, aka the new City Market. The old City Market, meanwhile, remains empty with the lights on for four years now. Efforts by Lift-Up to convert the 45,000-square-foot space into a regional food hub and distribution center did not bear fruit. That building is owned by The Kroenke Group as well as the one directly south which is fully occupied with thriving businesses.

Have any observations you’d like to share? Contact us at news@soprissun.com

Novedades Ilusion and a few other tenants at 520 Highway 133 have vacated the property which is destined for demolition. The new owner is scheduled to present his plan to Planning & Zoning on Aug. 22. Photo by Raleigh Burleigh

Fastest couple above 14,000 feet set another record

ANNALISE GRUETER

Sopris Sun Correspondent

Can you imagine hiking over 300 miles and 140,000 feet in under two weeks? For an avid hiker that distance and gain is a full summer and autumn worth of weekend outings. For Andrea Sansone and Andrew Hamilton it’s another stitch in the fabric of their romance.

The morning of July 15, the pair passed a generally insignificant point on the Chasm Lake trail in Rocky Mountain National Park. For them, however, it was a finish line. After crossing two records: the fastest time for a co-ed pair to summit all of Colorado’s 14,000-foot peaks (14ers) and the fastest woman to do so. They hiked, climbed and jogged up and down nearly five dozen peaks in 12 days, six hours and 43 minutes.

Hamilton and Sansone are no strangers to extreme endurance. Hamilton set the standing fastest known time (FKT) for all of the state’s 14ers nine years ago, completing the 54 ranked and four unranked peaks in nine days, 21 hours and 51 minutes. Just two years ago, Sansone set the record for the most 14ers summited in 24 hours, topping 12 peaks within that time. She also holds the female record for most laps on the Manitou Incline in 24 hours at 19 laps in 23 hours and 36 minutes.

Both have completed the ultra-challenge called “Nolan’s 14” multiple times tagging all but one of the Sawatch Range 14ers in under 60 hours — that’s just shy of 100 miles and more than 40,000 feet of vertical gain up and down 14 of Colorado’s 14ers. Sansone has held the women’s FKT for Nolan’s 14 since 2022, completing it in 45 hours and 52 minutes. On more than one occasion after wrapping up Nolan’s 14, the duo headed 25 miles north to summit Mount of the Holy Cross just for fun.

Hamilton was the first person to summit all of the 14ers in a single calendar winter, at 84 days and 14 hours between December 2017 and March 2018. That record fell just last year to Chris Fisher who managed the feat in 72 days and 12 hours spanning January to March 2023.

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For this most recent undertaking, Sansone and Hamilton enlisted the support of a dozen friends and family. Some served as drivers shuttling the athletes from trailhead to trailhead. Others, like Sansone’s sisters, provided intermittent spa services bathing the record-setters with wet wipes and coaxing tension and lactic acid out of their calves and hips. Laura Hamilton, Andrew’s older sister, managed dishes for the pair who are both vegetarians

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and prefer high-calorie “real food,” compared to highly processed race foods, when possible. Even with a full support team, this effort was tremendous.

“We started very aggressively with our goals and projected splits leaving little room for transition times and rest,” Sansone explained. “When we realized we weren’t going to hit those times we pulled ourselves from the depths of hell and continued.”

“It wasn’t a highlight at the time,” Sansone laughed after being asked what the highlights were, but “at Mount Massive we told our crew there was no chance we were going to be going on.”

Encouragement from their videographer persuaded them to press on at the time toward the second-highest peak in the state — the 33rd on their list.

“Before we knew it, we were on top of Massive,” she continued, at 14,427 feet. For the rest of the time their mantra was: “One more peak, and then one more peak.”

“Another highlight for Andrea was when her sisters showed up,” added Hamilton.” They really stepped up” and made a huge difference in boosting the pair’s morale.

For now, Hamilton and Sansone are focused on their recovery, which takes some time after such an exertion. The couple has been taking short daily hikes to stay mobile.

“You can’t just completely stop cold turkey or your body will rebel,” Hamilton shared. “You’ll wake up the next day and none of your tendons are going to work and your body will be swollen.”

“We still have nightmares every night that we have more mountains to climb,” Sansone conceded. But it’s only a matter of time before the two will be back in the high alpine tundra.

If you are a fan of the extreme endurance world keep an eye on these two. You can follow their endeavors on Instagram or Facebook (@A2summit) or via their website, www.a2summit.com

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Andrea Sansone and Andrew Hamilton on the slopes of Mount Massive, peak number 33 on day seven. Courtesy photo

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Young Barracuda makes a big splash

JAMES STEINDLER Contributing Editor

Henry Sanders is 11 years old and attends Ross Montessori. He and his family moved from Charlottesville, Virginia before he entered first grade at Ross. He’s been swimming with Team Sopris ever since arriving.

It wasn’t until his mom, Ellen Sanders, pulled up the state and national rankings that they realized his knack for the sport. In April, ahead of his 11th birthday, he was ranked first across the states of Colorado, New Mexico, Utah and Wyoming in several swim categories. He ranked in the top 10 in the West for several strokes and even nationwide for few.

He recalls an early meet in Virginia when his brother told him that if he moved his arms faster he would go faster. Henry estimated that he dropped 30 seconds off his time following his big brother’s advice.

Henry is a sprinter, or short-distance swimmer. His favorite stroke is the butterfly “because that’s what I’m best at.” He also particularly excels at backstroke and the individual medley.

The young Barracuda (Team Sopris’ mascot) sang the praises of his coaches, Bob Branden, Steve Vanderhoof and Kelley Cullen. “I’m really lucky to have [these] coaches,” he stated. “They really motivate me and make it really fun.” Even when Branden can’t make it for one of Henry’s meets, he keeps in touch, coaching from afar and sending some funny trivia questions, such as, “Which U.S. President had an encounter with Bigfoot?”

Henry swims for Team Sopris but gets to spend time with other swimmers from across the country a few times a year during meets, discovering the community that comes through the sport. He leaves any ego off of the pool deck cheering on his teammates and friends he’s met along the way, including his buddy Asher who swims for the Montrose Marlins who “really pushes me and I push him,” relayed Henry.

He practices four to five times a week on average, which picks up to five or six times ahead of a meet. Over the summer, Amélie Ogilby, a prodigy swimmer herself who signed on to attend and swim for University of Santa Barbara, picks Henry up in Carbondale to make it to the Glenwood Springs Community Center pool before 6am. “Amélie likes to get there really early,” sighed Henry with a smile.

don’t really

one stroke at the recent Western Slope Championships. Colorado forms a team each year, Team Colorado, made up of the best swimmers in the state based on their rankings. At 9 years old, Henry was brought on as an alternate and at 10 he was officially on the state team. His goal is to make the team this year and next for the 11-12 division.

anything else. You’re just focused on your lane.

- Henry Sanders

Just before his 11th birthday, when he’d be moved up to a 11-12 age division, he competed in California where “there were thousands of kids,” his mom said, and “national age group records were broken,” added dad, Dave Sanders. A few of the 15-16 competitors even qualified for the Olympic trials.

Henry placed first in each of his swims at state, with the exception of the 100 meter freestyle which he placed second in. His buddy Miles placed first, which, of course, still made Henry happy. Despite now being on the other end of the age scale, he, once again, placed first for all but

further development. The entire letter will be sent to their 900 members, as well as printed in the Crystal Valley Echo on Aug. 1.

The official planning document for the trail from Pitkin County states that the trail will not endanger current efforts to designate the Crystal River as Wild and Scenic, and argues that the current plan “would only further support and bolster the status” of the corridor by improving its recreational values. However, the Crystal River Caucus wrote that potential negative wildlife impacts do not support claims of cumulative benefits.

The Crystal Valley Environmental Protection Agency (CVEPA) also drafted a letter in 2023 “adamantly recommending” that commercial use of the trail be prohibited, fearing that outfitters will shuttle mountain bikers up and down the pass.

However, CVEPA Board President John Armstrong stated that, because sections of the trail will be constructed on preexisting decommissioned roads — including the old Bunker Hill and McClure Pass roads — his organization is optimistic that habitat destruction resulting from trail construction will be minimal and CVEPA remains impressed with the trail’s current respect for riparian habitat and elk populations.

In addition, Armstrong supported the increased safety for those traveling up and down the Crystal River Valley and theorized that the trail may help foster a sense of community along the river corridor.

When he is in the water, Henry is focused. “What I mainly think about is what’s coming next and what I’m going to do,” he shared. And there’s a lot to think about, from counting strokes to keep track of where you are to preparing for the next turn off of the pool wall. “When you’re on the start blocks and in the water, you’re just zoned in,” he continued. “You don’t really hear anything else. You’re just focused on your lane.”

The family is looking forward to the renovation of the John M. Fleet pool in Carbondale and is hoping it will provide six outdoor lanes so Team Sopris can practice there in the summer, and possibly host some local meets.

Henry plans to swim for the Glenwood Demons when he enters high school, for a college after that and the Olympic trials just may be in his future.

Team Sopris will hold tryouts on Sept. 3 if you know someone who is interested in joining the team. Visit www.teamsopris.org for more information.

As populations increase, Pitkin County stated that the trail will continue to support the local recreation economy, which accounts for nearly a third of direct employment in the county, and will contribute to the economic health of the Crystal River Valley.

Henry Sanders took home several medals after a big swim meet in California earlier this year. Courtesy photo

THANK YOU!

A deeply heartfelt thank you to Mark Fischer and his crew of incredible chefs - Philip Kendzior, Mark Hardin, Mitch Holdsworth, David Eisenson, Scott Dickerson, Antonio Martinez, Beth Johnson, John Little and The Pullman for donating their time and skills to prepare and serve all of the food during this event.

Thank you to Klint Wheeler and his amazing bartending team - Vanessa Harmony, Amber ‘Stormy’ Kennedy, and Tucker Eldridge.

Thank you to Alleghany Meadows & Sam Harvey for your time and talent in creating all of the dessert plates that went home with each guest.

Thank you to our MC Katherine Roberts who kept our night running smoothly and to our DJ Luis Yllanes for maintaining the atmosphere.

Thank you to our lovely Midsummer Night’s Dream performers from TRTC - Emily Henley, Jack Trembath, Bostyn Elswick, Joshua Adamson, Genevieve Vickers, and to director James O’Hagan-Murphy and creative director Missy Moore.

Thank you to Carrie Vickers, Stacy Everson and all of the ethereal fairies and aerialists from Sopris Soarers & Mt Cirque Entertainment!

CCC is so grateful to all of the generous artists and businesses who donated to our silent auction: Stanley Bell, Frank McGuirk, Molly Altman, Alleghany Meadows, Cate Tallmadge, Lori Dresner, Sara Ransford, Mila Rossi, Brad Reed Nelson, James Surls, Larry Cohen, Gabby Gawreluk, Steven Colby, Michael Wisner, Ishara Sweeney, Tania Dibbs, Kris Cox, Avalanche Ranch, River Valley Ranch Golf Club, Iron Bridge Golf Club, TACAW, and Thunder River Theatre.

Thank you to our event sponsors and partners!

A huge thank you to the CCY design team - Will Young, Katie Bauer, Todd Kennedy, and Nicole Kinsler, and to Gavin Brooks of 2Forks Ventures.

A very special thanks to CCC’s special events committee who organized Clay & Moonlight - Susan Muenchen our committee chair, Ashley Banegas, Ann Harris, Katie Johnson, Nicole Kinsler, Mary Beth Minion, Cate Tallmadge, Agneta Wettergren, and the CCC Staff.

A huge thank you to our event volunteers for helping with setup, serving during the event, clean up, and so much more. To Louis Puracchio, our Volunteer Coordinator, to Michael Logan, Dyana Furmansky, Greg & Lisa Brunson, Susan Christman, Christine Noret Wardle, Daniel Benavent, Madison Greiner, Michelle Reger, Noah Pollack, Henriett Michel, Ginny Beesley, Jen Hempel, Leslie Johnson, Annette Roberts-Gray, Jodi Henderson, Jack Lauer, Jamie Evans, Kala Kluender, Mason Hohstadt, Josh Reed, Lara Funke, Claire Green, Rebecca Binion, and Leslie Pinaire.

And last, but certainly not least, thank you to all of our attendees!! To every single person who raised their paddle in support of CCC, won an item at the silent auction, and sat at the tables with us during the event - THANK YOU!

We are excited for the future of CCC, and with a community as generous and enthusiastic about the arts as this one, we have no doubt that we can make it a reality. Cheers to Clay & Moonlight, and to the Carbondale Clay Center!

Mark Fischer alleghany meadows sam harvey

PitCo Community Read features Isabella

Hammad’s prize-winning novel

JEANNE SOULDERN

Sopris Sun Correspondent

The 2024 Aspen Words Literary Prize winner, “Enter Ghost” by novelist Isabella Hammad, is set to captivate local readers through the Pitkin County Community Read program, presented by Aspen Words and the Pitkin County Library.

The Sopris Sun corresponded with Adrienne Brodeur, Aspen Words’ executive director, to discuss the merits of the award-winning novel and the broader role of literature in community engagement.

Born into a Palestinian emigrant family, the 32-yearold Hammad grew up in London and attended Oxford University where she studied English. She did a grad uate fellowship in literature at Harvard and earned an MFA in Creative Writing at New York University.

Brodeur noted that Hammad’s voice stands out in today’s literary landscape.

“Isabella Hammad has a sophisticated way of blending personal narratives with broader political contexts. In her novels ‘The Parisian,’ [Hammad’s 2019 debut novel] and ‘Enter Ghost,’ she explores themes of diaspora, displacement and identity by examining the intersection of individual lives and larger political real ities,” she said.

Published in 2023, “Enter Ghost” won this year’s Royal Society of Literature (RSL) Encore Award given to the best second novel published in the United Kingdom. The book was also shortlisted for several prestigious literary awards in 2024, including the

FAITH TO FEAR NOT

in this world. It discards the idea of hell–the idea that a uni verse could ever be designed that was so ghastly as to include a place of eternal torture. It encourages us to consider that whatever hell we experience is human-made, is part of this world–not waiting to terrorize us after it. It calls us to recog nize that–in the end–all will be well and that we are all worthy. Join us for a journey into the faith that is our inheritance and that is calling especially urgently to us now. Jessica Smith will be leading her first musical program for TRUU, sharing an

service. Live music by Jessica Smith.

Mosey on down and enjoy dining, live music, shopping & more on Rodeo Thursdays in Carbondale.

Drink Specials Food Promos

Entertainment

Park in town and ride the free shuttle to and from the rodeo: #1. The Orchard #2. Fourth and Colorado

See what‘s goin’ on

THURSDAY, JULY 25

GLOWING ART

Basalt Library invites middle and high school students to use glow-in-thedark paint while rocking out to fun tunes from 1 to 2:30pm. Registration is required at www.basaltlibrary.org

‘LEGALLY BLONDE’

Theatre Aspen presents “Legally Blonde” at the Hurst Theatre at 4pm and 8pm. This is the final weekend to catch this show. Find tickets at www.theatreaspen.org

GUITAR MUSIC

Rodrigo Arreguin performs at The Homestead in River Valley Ranch from 5 to 7pm.

POTTERY DEMO

Ceramicist Michael Wisner explains his process of selecting, digging and creating clay from the land, forming hand-coiled pots, low-temperature firings and developing fine finishes without glaze at the Ann Korologos Gallery in Basalt from 5 to 7pm.

CHAMBER MUSIC

Aspen Music Festival and School students perform at the Basalt Library at 5:30pm.

WILD WEST RODEO

The Carbondale Wild West Rodeo continues every Thursday through Aug. 22 with a free shuttle to the Gus Darien Riding Arena from both The Orchard and 4th and Colorado (across from Town Hall) between 6 and 10pm. Gates open at 5pm, slack is at 5:45pm and

Historic marble mill site tours

Saturdays at 9 a.m. through July

Meet at the Marble Museum at 412 W. Main Street. Adults $ 20, seniors $ 10, kids 12 and under free.

Participants are invited

Kimberley Perrin to the nearby quarry parking lot following the mill tour. For more information, first served, and is limited to

The Marble Museum

MOUNTAIN FAIR

Carbondale’s 53rd Annual Mountain Fair takes over Sopris Park all weekend with live music, artist booths and fun competitions. The event welcomes all ages and is free. The annual drum circle kicks it off at 4pm. For the music schedule and other details check out the official program inside this week’s paper.

WHISKEY STOMP

Whiskey Stomp plays a free concert at Triangle Park in Willits at 5:30pm.

FRESH APPLES

Steve’s Guitars presents Fresh Apples at 8pm. Tickets at www.stevesguitars.net

SATURDAY, JULY 27

FOR THE BIRDS

Aspen Summer of Birds hosts events up and down the Valley today through tomorrow, from bird walks to educational talks and live musical performances. It begins at Coffman Ranch with birding at 7am. Visit www.audubon.org/events/aspensummer-birds-2024 for a list of events.

FIDDLE TUNE

Doc Rolland teaches a fiddle tune workshop at Steve’s Guitars from 1 to 3pm. Register online at www.stevesguitars.net

TRIPTIDES

Triptides perform at El Dorado for a Mountain Fair after-party beginning at 10pm.

MONDAY, JULY 29

BOOK FAIR

Danielle Klein guides “Mountain Joy: A Summer Sound Journey” at 6pm www.truenaturehealingarts.com

Independence Run & Hike leads a weekly group run on Thursdays departing from the store’s location, next to the Carbondale City Market, at 6:30pm.

Theatre Aspen Education presents “Xanadu,” the story of Kira, a Greek muse, who descends from Mount Olympus to Venice Beach in 1980 to inspire a struggling artist to start the first roller disco. The show is at the Aspen District Theater at 7pm. For tick-

TACAW screens “Nothing’s For Free: The History of Freeride Mountain

The Crystal Theatre screens “Thelma” at 7:30 tonight, July 31 and Aug. 1.

Carbondale Library hosts storytime for young children and their accompanying

The Vitalant Bloodmobile stops by Sopris Lodge in Carbondale for a blood drive from 10:30 to 2pm. To register,

The Carbondale Library offers “TGIF! Tween Time” from 2 to 4pm. Ages 8 to 13 are welcome to stop by. This week’s

The Basalt Library hosts an end-of-summer Scholastic Book Fair where summer reading challenge book bucks can be traded for more books! Cash and cards will also be accepted.

STORYTIME

Theatre Aspen Education presents “Storytime!” at the Hurst Theatre from 10:30 to 11:30am.

IN STITCHES

The In Stitches Knitting Club meets at the Carbondale Library at 1:30pm.

EL PLACER DE LEER

Angélica Breña guides a Spanishlanguage literature club for people learning the language at the Basalt Library from 5 to 6:30pm.

PLANT PRUNING

Colorado Mountain College hosts Basalt arborist Chris Beiser for a lecture and practical demonstration highlighting the “natural” style of pruning trees from 4 to 8pm at the new Morgridge Commons classroom in Basalt, 22860 Two River Road.

MEDITATION

Roaring Fork Insight offers Monday Night Meditation at 13 Moons Ranch from 7 to 8:30pm.

CRUZ CONTRERAS

Cruz Contreras of The Black Lillies performs an intimate show at Steve’s Guitars at 8pm. Tickets at www.stevesguitars.net

TUESDAY, JULY 30

GIRLS WHO CODE

Basalt Library partners with Girls Who Code to teach students of all genders the basics of coding from 3:45 to 4:45pm.

AI FOR NATURE

The Aspen Global Change Institute and Aspen Center for Environmental Studies present “AI for Nature: From Science to Impact” at Hallam Lake and online at 6pm.For details, visit www.bit. ly/Ai-for-biodiversity

on Friday,

paint,” described gallery director Sue Edmonds. The exhibition will remain on display through July 31.

WEDNESDAY, JULY 31

BASALT MUSIC

Sitting on Strings opens for Futurebirds at Basalt River Park beginning at 5:30pm

GLENWOOD MUSIC

Bell Creek Band and Johnny & The Mongrels perform “swamp funk” in Two Rivers Park in Glenwood Springs beginning at 6:30pm.

TEEN LOCK-IN

Ever wanted to spend a night at the library? Basalt Library concludes its Summer Reading Program with a first-ever Library Lock-In for teens with video games, movies, snacks, laser tag and more. The fun begins at 6:30pm and the event will cap at 15 students. Learn more at twww. basaltlibrary.org/events-calendar

THURSDAY, AUGUST 1

BILINGUAL PUPPET SHOW

Basalt Library presents Livier Cruz Guerrero with a puppet show about environmental issues facing our world today from 10:30 to 11:30am.

CMC OFFICE HOURS

Colorado Mountain College offers open office hours with an advisor on GED, ESL and digital literacy resources from 4:20 to 5:30pm at the Basalt Library. For more info, call 970-236-0451.

GUITAR ENSEMBLE

Young local musicians taught by Mateo Sandate perform at Carbondale Library from 5 to 6pm.

LIBRARY RESOURCES

Basalt Library teaches about how to access all its resources in Spanish and English at 5pm.

MEN’S GROUP

HeadQuarters provides a space for men to “gather sincerely with other men, to express the fullness of their experience and to witness other men doing the same” from 6 to 7:30pm. This offering is free and open to all male-identifying persons 18 and older.

Community Classes in Carbondale

RESCHEDULED PLANT PRUNING TECHNIQUES WITH CHRIS BEISER IN BASALT

Learn the “natural” style of pruning trees - timing, technique, different plants and styles. Monday, 5-8pm, 7/29

KNIT A STUFFED ANIMAL

Learn or review basic knitting techniques while creating your own adorable stuffed animal. Thursdays, 6-8pm, 7/25-8/15

APOCALYPSE 101

Practical knowledge and skills to survive local disasters, or a national/global catastrophe. Saturday, 10am-1pm, 8/3

MORE SWING DANCE LINDY HOP

Build on the basics with Lindy Hop and expand your dance knowledge and confidence. Wed., 6:30-8:30pm, 7/31-8/21

MEMOIR WRITING WORKSHOP

Explore memoir writing and learn how a turn a touchstone event into a great narrative. Mondays, 6-8pm, 8/26-10/7

INTRO TO SOMATIC YOGA

Gentle movements that heal pain, release tension and facilitate ease of movement. Mondays, 9-10am, 9/9-9/23

Art Workshops in Aspen

FRIDAY, AUGUST 2

NATURE JOURNALING

The Carbondale Library invites naturalists to practice journaling with words and drawings every First Friday from 1 to 2:30pm.

WINE & DINE

The Chris Klug Foundation (CKF) hosts Wine & Dine at the Snowmass Club from 5 to 10pm. This fundraiser will help CKF continue to educate and inspire individuals to register as organ, eye and tissue donors. TKF award winners will be celebrated, a threecourse meal served with an open bar and champagne toast and it all ends with a dance party. Tickets at www. chrisklugfoundation.org

JAZZ

Chris Bank plays jazz at Triangle Park in Willits at 5:30pm.

JERRY PLUGER

Join family and friends of Jerry Pluger for a celebration of life at the Third Street Center from 6 to 8pm.

‘COME FROM AWAY’

Theatre Aspen’s “Come From Away” opens tonight at 7:30pm and continues through Aug. 24. The story celebrates Gander, Newfoundland, a town that received 38 diverted planes and 7,000 stranded passengers on Sept. 11, 2001. Tickets at www.theatreaspen.org

THE DEAD ROOTS

Celebrate First Friday with The Dead Roots performing at Steve’s Guitars at 8pm. Tickets at www.stevesguitars.net

TRACE BUNDY

TACAW presents intentionally-acclaimed guitar virtuoso Trace Bundy at 8pm. Tickets at www.tacaw.org

ARTCRUSH

DJ Alexandra Richards performs the Aspen Art Museum ArtCrush after-party at the base of Buttermilk from 9:30pm to midnight. Tickets at www.bit.ly/ ArtCrushParty

Oregon-based painter Amy Lay performed a live painting demonstration

July 19, ahead of the opening reception for “What Lies Beneath” at the Ann Korologos Gallery in Basalt. Lay and local artist Andy Taylor “paint with an instinct that brings mood, movement and light to their work, showing the ‘bones’ of their illustration through unique applications of oil

Photo by Raleigh Burleigh

SB 24-189 expands protections of transgender community

LONDON LYLE Sopris Sun Intern

Colorado Senate Bill 24-189 was enacted on July 1 and adds protections for transgender and gender expressive individuals under a preexisting law that already does the same for Coloradans based on sexual orientation.

“The act adds transgender identity to the classes identified in bias-motivated crimes and harassment,” reads the bill’s summary. Furthermore, “The act redefines sexual orientation for purposes of bias-motivated crimes as a person’s orientation toward sexual or emotional attraction and the behavior or social affiliation that may result from the attraction.”

FBI data has shown an increase in hate crimes against transgender people in recent years. Colorado has been a pioneer state when it comes to LGBTQ+ rights and protections and is sometimes even referred to as a sanctuary state in regard to transgender individuals seeking affirming healthcare.

“Colorado has been a national leader when it comes to advancing equality and protections for our LGBTQ+ neighbors,” said Colorado Senator Chris Hansen, a sponsor of SB 24-189. “This bill will help protect Coloradans from violence or harassment based on their gender identity or gender expression, and will help ensure perpetrators of bias-motivated crimes are held accountable for their actions.”

People who commit a bias-motivated crime will have associated consequences.

According to Colorado Senator Rhonda Fields, another sponsor, it was no surprise that the bill, in fact, had bipartisan support.

“It’s a simple one-page bill but we added in specific language to identify transgender and nonbinary identities because they were missing,” Fields reiterated.

The new bill codifies those terms as they relate to bias-motivated crimes within

Colorado’s criminal statutes. While the bill won’t result in any retroactive convictions, it can help future victims.

If a person classified under a protected class is a victim of a bias-motivated crime, they can report it to the police who are obligated to investigate to determine if the case merits relevant charges. If so, the prosecutor would then pursue the case as a biased-motivated crime.

Oftentimes, mandatory reporters will

bring such accusations to light. Mandatory reporters in Colorado are defined as professionals who work with young people, seniors, people with disabilities or those who are part of a protected class under state law. Healthcare professionals, professors and counselors are examples of mandatory reporters.

Mandatory reporters are trained to report any kind of harassment, sexual assault, hate crimes, etcetera, but are not obligated to investigate cases themselves. Rather, that’s when law enforcement would step in.

Of course, there are other ways in which such accusations can reach a courtroom, including self-reporting.

“A mandated reporter, a parent, a neighbor or an individual themselves can report … a hate crime based [on] … gender identity,” explained Fields. “Ultimately how it’s going to be monitored and implemented is through the voice of the people.”

“Trial proceedings — appearing in front of a judge and jury — is disruptive, of course, to the survivor [but] it could also derail someone’s future knowing they were charged with a hate-motivated crime,” Fields concluded. “So I think it’s the right thing to do … A lot of things need to be updated because of the times.”

To review the SB 24-189, visit www.leg.colorado.gov/bills/sb24-189

Colorado voters to decide on anti-trophy hunting measure

LONDON LYLE

Sopris Sun Intern

Volunteers with the Colorado-based group Cats Aren’t Trophies Coalition (CATs) delivered 188,000 signatures from registered voters backing Initiative 91 to the Secretary of State’s office this month, exceeding the required 124,238 signatures needed to secure the measure’s spot on the November ballot.

If passed, the initiative would establish as a class one misdemeanor the intentional killing, wounding, pursuing, entrapping, discharging or releasing of a deadly weapon at mountain lions, lynx and bobcats. Fines and hunting license suspension are also potential consequences of such conduct. There are, however, exceptions to this rule for the protection of human life, property and livestock.

There has been much debate around what constitutes “trophy hunting,” but Samantha Miller, campaign manager at CATs, put it plainly: “No one has mountain lion meat in their freezer. There are a lot of ethical hunters who hunt deer and elk that support this campaign. No one’s hunting lions for their meat, and they certainly aren’t eating bobcats either. These cats are trapped for their pelts and the pelts are sold at a fur auction each year.”

To the group’s credit, the Secretary of State signed off on their ballot description, which included trophy hunting.

“This is animal cruelty that’s allowed to continue to our wildlife, and I think every Coloradan knows that this isn’t really hunting. It’s a trophy exercise for heads and coats and nothing more than that,” Miller said.

But the group has not been without pushback, and the opposition has been loud. While Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) released a statement saying they would adopt a neutral stance on the matter, hunting groups like Coloradans for Responsible Wildlife Management argue that the initiative is misleading in its usage of the phrase “trophy hunting,” and that the initiative’s implementation is irresponsible to wildlife regulation.

Some have gone as far as to call CATs “animal rights extremists” and “anti-hunters” and to question whether this could lead down a slippery slope of banning hunting altogether.

Miller said this is nonsense. They are not against ethical hunting and she pointed out numerous times that the initiative would allow for lethal force if necessary. “There’s absolutely no scientific evidence that trophy hunting and trapping is necessary for mountain lion and bobcat management. There’s no scientific evidence at all that trophy hunting and trapping reduces conflict,” she added.

In fact, there appears to be evidence to the contrary: a new study published this month by Jim Keen, a former U.S. Department of Agriculture scientist and former faculty member at the University of Nebraska, found that most conflicts can be managed by non-lethal means.

The study found mountain lions to be self-regulating, which calls into question the need for hunting as a means of population control.

A handful of other states have already implemented more regulations surrounding trophy hunting than Colorado, including Montana, Washington and California. Washington has long had restrictions on the use of hounds (dogs) for hunting, and on July 19, the Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission voted to approve amended cougar hunting rules that will “reign in unsustainable cougar killing.”

California has had a ban on trophy hunting of mountain lions similar to Initiative 91 for 50 years. According to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, mountain lion populations have remained stable, and increased sightings and reports of mountain lion activity are likely due to an increase in social media usage and home security cameras that pick up sightings.

In Montana, there are caps on the number of female lions allowed to be killed — the annual percentage of mountain lions killed in Montana that are female must remain below 30%. In Colorado, around half of all mountain lions killed are female. Without regulation, this inevitably orphans cubs.

While the fate of the bill is yet to be seen, proponents are excited for the possibilities to come. Citing emerging evidence on mountain lions’ unique ability to select for chronic wasting disease, a common affliction in Colorado that proves fatal to deer, elk and moose, Miller added, “Mountain lions do a huge service to keep our elk and deer herds healthy, and [Initiative 91] really enables these cats to do the service at their best ability, while still empowering CPW to manage mountain lions for their benefit to ecosystems.”

Ballot measure would enshrine reproductive freedom in Colorado’s constitution

JEANNE

SOULDERN Sopris Sun Correspondent

One ballot question, the Colorado Right to Abortion and Health Insurance Coverage Initiative (Proposed Initiative 89), will be decided by Colorado voters in the Nov. 5 election. If approved, it would elevate abortion rights from a statutory level to being enshrined in Colorado’s constitution.

A bit of history

In 1984, Colorado voters narrowly passed a constitutional amendment (50.39% in favor, 49.61% opposed) that barred the use of public funds for abortion services, thereby restricting taxpayer dollars from covering abortion costs under public insurance plans and affecting state and local government employees.

The Reproductive Health Equity Act (RHEA), passed by the Colorado legislature in April 2022, guaranteed the right to reproductive health care, including abortion. It affirmed an individual’s right to use or refuse contraception and to continue or terminate a pregnancy without government interference.

The U.S. Supreme Court’s June 2022 ruling in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization overturned Roe v. Wade, determining that there is no federal constitutional right to abortion, effectively returning abortion policy decisions to the states.

In 2023, the passage of Colorado Senate Bill 23-189 (SB23-189) permitted Medicaid funds to be used for abortions, expanding access for low-income women.

Support for Initiative 89

Coloradans for Protecting Reproductive Freedom (CPRF) is supporting the ballot measure to establish a constitutional right to abortion in Colorado.

Erika Gulija, the coalition’s spokesperson, argues that this initiative would dismantle long-standing barriers that hinder access to essential reproductive healthcare services.

“Despite our coalition’s long history of defeating abortion bans at the ballot box and expanding access through the legislative process, barriers to care still remain,” Gulija asserted. She emphasized that Colorado’s current constitutional prohibition prevents public employees and individuals from having public insurance coverage, including Medicare, a legacy from the 1984 constitutional amendment.

Currently, 14 states have total abortion bans. With the potential threats of repeal, coming from legislative actions, legal challenges or shifts in political power, Gulija emphasized the importance of codifying abortion rights in the state constitution. “We must remove barriers to care in Colorado and anchor abortion rights in the

state constitution so a future legislature cannot repeal them,” she said.

Gulija outlined a comprehensive strategy to mobilize voters, employing door-to-door canvassing, community outreach and digital campaigns to highlight the personal stories of those affected by current restrictions. “Voters likely know someone who can’t get the care they need in Colorado,” she said.

Opposition to Initiative 89

Brittany Vessely, a board member of Pro-Life Colorado and the director of the Colorado Catholic Conference, raised concerns about Initiative 89, arguing that the measure allows for unrestricted elective abortions. She also highlighted that the initiative would remove the 1984 constitutional amendment prohibiting taxpayer dollars from subsidizing abortions, which she underscored “goes far beyond Roe v. Wade.”

Pro-Life Colorado, a coalition of more than 50 pro-life organizations, including pregnancy resource centers, was formed in 2022 in response to the passage of RHEA.

Vessely explained that Initiative 89 would allow the Colorado legislature to allocate state general revenue funds directly for abortions and potentially include services for out-of-state women. She pointed out that only four states — California, Massachusetts, New York and Oregon — currently allow for taxpayer-subsidized abortion.

“Oregon, just last year, allocated $15 million annually for abortions for out-of-state women. It comes straight out of the general revenue fund. That’s taxpayer dollars, and that’s not clear in the current language of Initiative 89,” she explained.

Currently, SB23-189 allows Medicaid funds to be used for abortions in Colorado, allowing low-income women access to abortion. “The talking point that there are women who are excluded from getting abortions in Colorado and the need to have a direct tax subsidy through the general revenue fund is a moot point given the current status of SB23-189,” Vessely stated.

Colorado voters will decide

As Colorado prepares for a decision in November, the stakes are clear: Gulija believes that anchoring abortion rights in the state constitution is imperative to safeguard against future legislative challenges that could revoke those rights. Conversely, Vessely and Pro-Life Colorado coalition members view the measure as a threat to the sanctity of life and a strain on taxpayer funds. The outcome of this ballot measure will shape the future of reproductive rights in Colorado.

Board of Adjustments reactivated, pool naming rights reconsidered, Town Center reworked

Sopris Sun Editor

All trustees were present at the regular meeting on July 23 with the exception of Ross Kribbs. The consent agenda was unanimously approved and included a sales tax report (24.8% increase compared to year-to-date 2023), a special event liquor license for Roaring Fork Youth Orchestra’s Bach to Bluegrass fundraiser on Aug. 23, a liquor license renewal for the Painted Pig, appointment of Sarah Jane Johnson and reappointment of Quinn Donnelly and Jane Hendricks to the Environmental Board and accounts payable.

During general public comments, a couple took to the podium and aired their grievances surrounding the denial of a permit for their home remodel.

Town Planner Jared Barnes responded that the Town has not received a formal application appealing the decision which was

BASALT REPORT

based on exceeding the amount of impervious surface a project is allowed. Mayor Ben Bohmfalk directed staff follow up and assured that trustees would be appointing members to the Board of Adjustments later that night.

But first, trustees gave updates from the commissions they serve on. Among some highlights, Riverfront Park is experiencing a surge of noxious weeds after a restoration project disturbed the soil, Erica Sparhawk stated; the Chamber of Commerce predicts 18,000 people coming to Carbondale for Mountain Fair, Christina Montemayor noted; and the trustees will have a strategic planning retreat and training on Tuesday, Aug. 6, Bohmfalk confirmed.

Town Manager Lauren Gister updated the trustees on the Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP) contract for the remainder of the pool project after a partialGMP was approved two weeks

Basalt Center Circle apartments go condo

WILL BUZZERD

Sopris Sun Correspondent

Conversations about affordable housing took center stage during this week’s Town Council meeting, beginning with a presentation by the Basalt Regional Library and culminating with a contentious second hearing concerning the new apartment complex coming to downtown Basalt.

Basalt Regional Library

At the start of the meeting, Amy Shipley, executive director of the Basalt Regional Library, presented a strategic plan update for the library, as well as reports from a community listening tour.

The Basalt Regional Library strategic plan received its last update in 2016. This year, the library staff is taking a community-centered approach to its strategy and interviewed over 50 community members. In their research, library staff found that the most pressing needs were the most basic ones: housing, transportation, healthcare, livable wages, along with what Shipley called a “desire to not become like Aspen,” meaning concerns over wealth disparity and the inability for people to live and work in the same place.

“None of the people I talked to are averse to change,” said Shipley. “They all realize that growth in our area is a reality. They just want some semblance of a livable community to

previous. “I suspect it will be another couple of weeks,” she said, suggesting that value engineering the masonry “is the issue at this point.” Gister is also working diligently to terminate the master association tied to the Town Center properties.

Action items

Moving along, the Board of Adjustments officially became active again after its remaining members’ terms had expired in January 2023. Russ Criswell, Jeff Dickinson, Mike Metheny and Mitch Haas were appointed to give that board a quorum, allowing it to review variance requests and appeals of land use decisions. Three seats, including two alternates, remain open.

Assistant Public Works Director Scott Wenning then presented “the most exciting project you’re going to hear about all day.” Carbondale’s Wastewater Treatment Facility

be protected from unrestrained growth and increasing wealth disparity.”

Now that the library has finished gathering data, their next step is to analyze those findings, select certain initiatives as areas of focus and draft a strategic plan before the end of the year.

Basalt Center Circle

A public hearing and second reading was held for an application to condominiumize the apartment buildings planned for Basalt Center Circle, where the old Clark’s Market currently sits empty.

The applicant, BCC Basalt LLC, received approval in winter of 2022 to build 65 residential units with a grocery store on the ground floor located at the intersection of Two Rivers Road and Midland Avenue. In the 2022 approvals, the applicant intended to maintain ownership of the units as rentals, with 17 being deed-restricted. The applicant now requested to condominiumize the rental units, and sell those initially deed-restricted units to employers to rent to their employees.

During this application’s first reading on July 9, BCC Basalt met with pushback from Town Council members, especially Ryan Slack who was the sole councilor to vote against a second hearing. During this meeting, the application met with similar resistance.

After two years as Carbondale’s finance director, Christy Chicoine is moving on to serve as Roaring Fork Schools’ chief financial officer. She was praised at the July 23 meeting for “swift positive shifts” and strategic moves leaving Carbondale in a better financial position than before. Courtesy photo

digester building was built in 1973 and “after decades of moisture that cinder block building has started to crumble away,” he explained. The aforementioned project includes replacing the blocks and resurfacing and recoating the interior and exterior of the building while installing new pipes to make the work possible. Not addressing this project could compromise sanitation services.

After putting the project out to bid, Excavation Services was selected. This is a local company currently working on the Town’s Nettle Creek Hydroelectric Project. Their bid came in at

$710,761, which was $372,516 less than the only other bid. The initial budget for this project was $300,000, however the scope of work increased. Still, the Wastewater Fund was projected to carry a $5.3 million reserve at the end of 2024.

“Seems pretty straightforward,” remarked Trustee Colin Laird. “We gotta do it.” Approval was unanimous.

John Fleet no more

The meeting proceeded with the official renaming of Carbondale’s municipal pool. The building now being demolished was named after John M. Fleet, elected mayor in 1974. It was constructed in 1978 and 1979. Following a specific process with public notices and a 45-day comment period, the Parks and Recreation Commission voted unanimously on “Carbondale Aquatics Center” as the new name. The Board of Trustees were less unanimous.

According to Trustee Chris Hassig, the new moniker is “kinda bougie and obnoxious.” He advocated for keeping naming rights available in exchange for a big donation to help fund the project’s completion and/or the inclusion of features currently outside the budget. Jess Robison, Sparhawk and Montemayor

continued on page 15

The applicant stated that the change in the ownership program does not change the project’s goals, and the request is prompted by changes in financial markets.

Several citizens offered comment on the proposal, with half voicing their concerns over the density that the project would create and the other half supporting the development and its potential to add vibrancy to downtown Basalt.

Councilor Slack reiterated his consternation. “This was approved as a rental building. That was very substantial in what we went through.”

Councilor Angèle Duprè-Burchart stated that, in accordance with her platform when she ran for a seat, she wants to see the project completed. However, she seconded Slack’s concern over the disparity between renting and ownership.

In response to a question by DuprèBurchart, the applicant stated that, should their request be denied, the project would be stalled for a year.

Councilor Hannah Berman voiced a concern regarding a part of the request to adjust the deed-restricted affordable housing mix by changing a one-bedroom apartment into a studio. “Everyone is telling all of us we need more affordable housing, and I don’t feel comfortable reducing that part, but the rest of it I’m comfortable with,” she said.

Other councilors in support of the request agreed that the change in ownership would not affect the project’s goals of providing affordable housing, and cited the necessity for any housing at all.

The request was approved by a 6-1 vote, with Slack dissenting.

RALEIGH BURLEIGH

The former site of Clark’s Market and BLT, 140 Basalt Center Circle, was approved in 2022 for 65 rental apartment units. However, after contentious discussion, the units are now slated to be condominiums. Photo by Ana Buzzerd

CMC speaks to president hire

JAMES STEINDLER

Contributing Editor

Colorado Mountain College (CMC) hired Matt Gianneschi, Ph.D. as its new president in April of this year. CMC spoke with The Sopris Sun and addressed some concerns about the brevity of the process.

The college is a public higher education institution “recognized as part of the state system of higher education and gets some state funding,” explained Peg Portscheller, CMC board president. “But … we are funded mostly through property taxes.”

Agreeing that CMC is beholden to its taxpayers, Portscheller said it’s a responsibility they take very seriously. Being a public institution, board agendas and minutes are posted online. Gianneschi was hired during a special meeting on April 15, although those minutes are rather short and vague.

The CMC board is only in charge of hiring for one position. “Boards of higher education institutions have a responsibility to hire and evaluate the performance of their CEO [president]. Beyond that, we don’t hire,” Portscheller explained.

local community leaders inquiring about what qualities CMC’s future leader should possess. It accrued over 400 responses, with many, according to Portscheller, advocating that Gianneschi assume the role.

Gianneschi, from his letter of interest to his afternoon-long interview, thoroughly impressed the board, shared Portscheller. They voted unanimously to appoint Gianneschi. “Had that not gone as well as it did, we would have moved to an external search,” she assured.

Portscheller said that there were a few other inquiries about the vacancy, but Gianneschi was the only person to actually apply. Applications were open from March 27 to April 5.

She noted that many other higher education institutions hire internally.

Had that not gone as well as it did, we would have moved to an external search,

-CMC

Additionally, if done right, she said, external searches cost hundreds of thousands dollars. “Honestly, why spend taxpayers money in that way, or state dollars in that way, if you don’t have to?” she queried.

Board President Peg Portscheller

CMC has a policy that requires an internal search be conducted before expanding to an external one for the position. After developing a job description that encapsulated what the board wanted in a candidate, it was posted internally, which, she reiterated, “We’re allowed to do by law.”

Following President Carrie Hauser’s announcement that she would be moving on, a survey went out in Spanish and English to college employees and

Meet Matt Gianneschi grew up on the east side of Denver and attended public schools there. He went on to the University of Denver (DU) for his bachelor’s and master’s degrees and got his Ph.D. in higher education finance from the University of Arizona, minoring in economics and political science. He currently lives in Basalt.

“My entire career has been centered around higher education in one way or another,” he told The Sopris Sun. “Both of my parents worked in higher education … so I was literally raised on college

From the Mountain Fair slideshow 40 years ago — the origins of Camp Bonedale at Mountain Fair aren’t shrouded in mystery. This much is known: Camp Bonedale seems to have first appeared in the early 1980s. Original camper Dru Handy told The Sopris Sun, “It used to be the place where we’d have a cooler of beer and all meet up and have as much fun as possible.” Handy, who owns Dru Handy Custom Painting, said Camp Bonedale is pretty much defunct, although “I still have the sign.” He added, “It’s time for the younger generation to take over.”

campuses.” After graduating from DU, he worked as an admissions counselor there. “I used to recruit students. I traveled to every small town in Colorado … and got to know Colorado really well.”

That first job led him to become one of the original directors of the Daniels Fund, “which was then the largest college access program in the Western United States,” Gianneschi stated. His work there revolved around preparing first-generation and low-income students for college.

He went on to become the chief academic officer for the State of Colorado during Governor Bill Owens’ administration. After Owens termed out, incoming Governor Bill Ritter appointed Gianneschi as his senior education advisor. With Owens being a one-term governor, Gianneschi went on to work as the vice president of student affairs at the Community College of Aurora.

He was ringed into serving the state again under Governor John Hickenlooper, when then Lieutenant Governor Joe Garcia asked Gianneschi to return as the deputy executive director of the Department of Education.

Photo by Lynn “Jake” Burton

One thing Gianneschi is particularly proud of from that time was being a part of the state’s concurrent enrollment legislation, of which he was the primary author. “Prior to that legislation there were fewer than 5,000 students in the entire

CARBONDALE REPORT

agreed that it may be worth the tradeoff, while Bohmfalk maintained, “I don’t feel like this is the key that unlocks the solution to all our problems.”

A renaming motion — leaving open the possibility for another renaming if a major donor were interested — carried 4-2 with Hassig and Robison voting “no.”

Town Center

After a review of the budget calendar with outgoing finance director Christy Chicoine, the board received an update on the Town’s affordable housing development project.

In a nutshell, the project team returned with feedback from the Colorado Housing and Finance Authority (CHFA) on their denial of Town Center this round for low income housing tax credit financing. Andrew Michaelson with Artspace noted this was to be expected and relayed thoughts in preparation for applying again

state participating in concurrent enrollment and today … we have nearly 60,000 students in the state benefiting from concurrent enrollment.” He noted that over 40% of students at CMC are concurrent enrollment students.

He worked alongside his predecessor, Hauser, since he started at CMC. “We worked hand-in-glove for the better part of a decade,” he stated. During his time as chief operating officer, Gianneschi assumed the duties of president in Hauser’s absence — a procedural measure passed by the board.

“I’ve always assumed that at some point in my career I would attempt to become a president,” he shared. “I didn’t know if it would be at CMC or another institution.” In 2017, he was a part of the first cohort of the Aspen Institute’s Presidential Fellowship, co-led by Stanford University, where 40 people trained to become the next generation of college presidents.

Gianneschi has had the opportunity to participate in several presidential searches, including over a year ago for a position out of state for which he applied but ultimately withdrew from.

He showed up to his interview with the CMC board in a suit and tie. The challenge, he said, was presenting himself not just as the chief operating officer they knew, but a capable and deserving candidate for the presidential position.

from page 14

in February 2025.

Essentially, CHFA was dissuaded in part by the complexity of the project with commercial space and eight units for people not income qualified. The proposal was to separate Phase 1 of Town Center into two projects and seek CHFA financing for the portion that borders 6th Street with a few additional housing units and more complete mix for income qualification. The southeast portion of the project would be financed separately and potentially include housing units for purchase.

Trustees reiterated their desire to consider requiring less parking for the project and reflect that in the code. “If you can get some more units and maybe guide us in terms of what we want to do next with our code, I think that’d be immensely helpful,” said Laird, emphasizing that previous attempts to develop the downtown parcels ran up against Town rules.

CMC President Matt Gianneschi makes pancakes for students during finals week last semester at the Spring Valley campus. Courtesy photo

‘The worst the bear would do is kill me’

CONTENT WARNING: This column discusses sexual abuse

A

deeper look at the ‘Man vs. Bear’ hypothetical

Imagine this: Would you rather be alone in the woods with a bear or a man you don’t know? This hypothetical question has ignited a fiery debate across social media platforms for several months. The responses, particularly from women, have stirred up outrage, confusion and overwhelming agreement, making it a hot-button topic that’s hard to ignore.

GUEST OPINION

By Myki Jones

Though its origins are unknown, the most viral example of the question came from a TikTok video posted by the account Screenshot HQ on April 10, 2024. In the video, a correspondent interviewed eight women with one question: “Would you rather be stuck in the forest with a man or a bear?” Out of these eight interviewees, only one woman chose the man.

But why the bear? Aren’t bears predators? Won’t the bear attack you? Couldn’t a bear kill you if it was provoked or angry enough? Hungry enough? What person in their right mind would choose to be stuck with an animal capable of such destruction?

According to bear attack statistics from BearVault, a company that makes bear canisters for backpacking trips, there have been only 180 fatal human/bear encounters in the United States since 1784. On the other hand, according to the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN), an American is sexually assaulted every 68 seconds. Breaking that down further and focusing on primarily women and fem-presenting individuals, that is roughly 463,634 victims aged 12 or older every year. In that same umbrella of atrocities, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime reported that roughly 47,000 women and girls were killed by either close family members or intimate partners in 2020 worldwide.

One throughline of the debate called to the forefront is that there are arguably fates worse than death. The question brought forth an overwhelming amount of women and fem-presenting people, and even a handful of queer men, who shared their reasoning for choosing the bear through vulnerable sentiments about the traumas they experienced by men and masc-presenting people throughout their lives.

In a new trend on TikTok specifically, users pick an audio while text appears on the screen detailing their reasons for choosing the bear. One user, @cece, read a compilation of these texts aloud:

“If I survive the bear attack, I won’t have to see the bear at family reunions,” one stated.

“The worst thing the bear can do is kill me,” another shared. “The bear doesn’t get enjoyment out of it,” one wrote. “No one will say that I liked the bear attack.” One of the most sobering sentiments shared in this compilation read, “The bear sees me as a person.”

I have lived in Colorado for the majority of my life. I

multiple benefits, but some boosters are making excessive claims about its impacts on greenhouse gas emissions. They are stating or implying that this can substitute for deploying “industrial” renewables, batteries, heat pumps, etc., and avoid any need for nasty extraction or materials. IMHO, that’s a fantasy.

Fred Porter Carbondale

Digging Sweet Jessup

That Oklahoma summer of 1971, or 1972, I toiled at Caston Lumber pounding together prefab trusses for houses; hot, sweaty, boring work.

This scenario, looked at through a societal lens, could be a great conversation starter to help men reflect on problematic behaviors instilled in them through generations of systemic misogyny.

was raised in Kremmling, dubbed “The Outdoorsman’s Paradise” due to an economy driven by outdoor activities, with hunting being one of the most popular. I have been close to bears since childhood, behind the safety of closed doors and, harrowingly enough, in-person, mere yards from where I stood at my family’s cabin tucked away in the hills.

On May 8 of this year, I was staying with friends who had a mama bear in their yard, which attacked, killed and ate one of their pet ducks. As I helped pick up parts of the duck that were left behind, I couldn’t help but think about this debate happening online, even as my eyes anxiously darted around the trees and bushes for any signs of the animal.

I have my own deep-seated lived experiences that contribute to my thoughts surrounding the debate. Events and even traumas involving men have had me reflecting on and empathizing with the nuanced life events and shared experience of being a woman shaping an overwhelming amount of people’s choosing the bear in this hypothetical scenario.

The “Man vs. Bear” debate, as dark as it has gotten, is not meant to demonize men, however. This scenario, looked at through a societal lens, could be a great conversation starter to help men reflect on problematic behaviors instilled in them through generations of systemic misogyny. It could even be a jumping off point for dismantling behaviors of toxic masculinity.

I will keep my answer to the question to myself and am happy to share it later when the timing is right.

from page 2

133, Dangerous as Designed: The fixes

By Age-Friendly Carbondale

The first eight columns in this series reported the results of Age-Friendly Carbondale’s year of work on State Highway 133 inside town limits. We reviewed many previous studies and reports, spent four months listening to residents and eight months analyzing over 4,000 responses from more than 500 individuals. Last week’s column, the ninth in this series, concluded that inside Carbondale, 133 has become a “stroad” — a thoroughfare that is expected to simultaneously be a “road,” efficiently and safely getting people from one place to another, and a “street,” a place where people reside, access goods and services, recreate and accumulate wealth. A stroad, while serving both functions, serves neither well. Our stroad, we wrote, should be redesigned and rebuilt as a street.

Three synergistic features lead to the “stroad” designation. There are too few pedestrian crossings, many existing crossings are not as safe as they should be and, most importantly, motorized traffic moves too fast. Here, concluding our series and based on our analyses in the first nine parts, are Age-Friendly Carbondale’s recommendations for recreating State Highway 133 inside town boundaries. These recommendations align with the U.S. Department of Transportation’s “National Roadway Safety Strategy” and are cited in Colorado’s Vulnerable Users Safety Assessment.

Highest Priority

• Rename the thoroughfare “Carbondale Boulevard.” Install billboards or banners spanning the boulevard, welcoming people to Carbondale Boulevard at the north and south entrances.

• Add signalized, raised crosswalks with refuge islands at City Market, Dolores Way, Ross Montessori. Raise existing crosswalks. Upgrade the existing crosswalk at Hendrick Drive. Make all crosswalks high intensity, i.e. flashing lights placed overhead for better visibility, flashing red rather than yellow, and an auditory signal for reassuring pedestrians in the crosswalk.

• Construct a single-lane roundabout with pedestrian crossing at Industry Way. (planned, date uncertain)

• Calm traffic with sidewalk bulb-outs near all pedestrian crossings. Place additional landscaping and artwork between the bulb-outs.

• Add a refuge island at Cowen Drive. (scheduled for 2024)

• Install flashing red right-turn arrows in rightturn lanes at Hendrick (southbound) and Village Road (northbound).

Second Priority

• Reconfigure the Main Street roundabout to single lane.

One of the worst jobs I ever had. Looking back though, it might not have been so hot and sweaty save for all that hair on my head. Anyway, an Oklahoma group named the Medicine Park All Boy Derelict Band helped me survive. There were five guys with hair as long as mine. They played blues, rock and country. Today they might be called Americana. They were contemporaries of The Ozark Mountain Dare Devils and my favorite local band of all time. Until now.

I think I’ve seen the Dirty Buckets exactly once, maybe twice. I don’t

know how to describe their sound — maybe unique Americana. Their lineup consists of: Morgan Williams (guitar/banjo/tiny piano/vocals), Deborah Colley (vocals/penny whistle/train whistle/vibraslap/ timbre drum/slapstick/axe), Brian Colley (fiddle/vocals/saw/accordion/ukulele), Brad Swart (trumpet/ harmonica/vocals), Ashton Taufer (upright bass/vocals) and Alex Reginelli (dirty buckets/wine bottle/ washboard/child’s camping chair).

Williams writes most of the songs, with Colley and Taufer also contributing, including one about tequila

• Add extensive wayfinding, indicating that drivers are inside a thriving town.

• Improve street lighting at pedestrian crossings as needed, e.g. Hendrick.

• Add a sidewalk on the south side of Village Road from Buggy Circle to Carbondale Boulevard.

• Mark a Bike Box on the east side of Village Road.

• Complete the sidewalk along the south side of Cowen to Carbondale Boulevard.

Finally, we want to thank the many people who helped us compile this report and especially the residents who provided its substance. We promised them that we would not let this report sit idle alongside previous documents, but would continue working to see its recommendations become reality. We intend to honor that promise.

Art by Sofie Koski

Share your works in progress with readers by emailing illustrations, creative writings and poetry to fiction@soprissun.com

Why did the mountain lion ...?

By Illene Pevec Carbondale

Why did the Mountain Lion climb up on our roof ?

Did it want a better view of Sopris from up high?

Or was it seeking solace?

Solace from what?

Our presence in its territory?

Or was it just curious about us?

Did it want to listen to us breathing below in our beds or talking in our kitchen?

Was it stalking a raccoon or some other night creature?

Did it climb up the blue spruce and use the shelter of its branches?

Or did it shimmy up the aspen that offered no branch interference?

Why did the Mountain Lion poop on our roof?

Was this its first visit or is it a frequent night visitor?

Did it want to say, “I’m king here. Don’t forget that.” It left a big message.

And now at night as I lie in bed, my window open and only a screen between me and outside, I listen very carefully for any new message it might bring.

Who will be the G.O.A.T?

The Animal Writes Face-off competition is under way and August 10th is the deadline to vote for your favorite animal face!

See the Face-off entries in the summer issue of Animal Writes, located in the Animal Writes newspaper box in front of the Village Smithy. It is also on the Sopris Sun website, under the heading “More from the Sopris Sun”. Or, use the QR code.

Voting instructions and contestants are on Pages 4 and 5 of Animal Writes.

Comparte tus proyectos creativos aún en proceso con nuestros lectores. Puedes enviarnos un correo electrónico con tus ilustraciones, creaciones literarias y poesía a fiction@soprissun.com

The Sopris Sun wishes everyone a fun and safe Mountain Fair. Carbondale Arts graciously provided this photo captured by Mark Burrows at the 2017 fair.

and one in which Deborah bawks like a chicken. The only cover I’ve heard them do is “Enjoy Yourself (It’s later than you think)” from the 1950s.

Sweet Jessup and the Dirty Buckets kick off Mountain Fair on July 26. See you there. Lynn “Jake” Burton Glenwood Springs

Bikers, get with the program

I’m an enthusiastic biker. I ride my bike just about anywhere in town when I don’t have to haul large amounts of packages. Biking is good exercise and — along with walking, public transportation, and buying an electric vehicle (EV) — it’s an important solution to reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the transportation sector.

It’s encouraging to see more and more bicycles on the streets of Carbondale. We haven’t achieved the level of China in the late 20 th century yet and it doesn’t look like we’ll equal them in EV proliferation, either. Currently, cheap, efficient EV’s are produced and driven at record levels in China and they’re not allowed in this country due to protec-

However, not all bikers in Carbondale are following the rules or using good sense. Bikes aren’t supposed to be ridden on sidewalks. In the absence of a bike path, bikes should ride on the far right-hand side of the street. I must admit, I’d be reluctant to tell a child to take their bike out into a street.

On the bike paths, bikers are supposed to call out “on your left” when they pass a pedestrian or another bike. Few do. County Road 109 northwest of town has bike paths stretching beyond Iron Bridge. Many bikers ignore them and ride in the road. CR 109 is narrow so giving the bike three feet clearance as the law requires can be difficult without

Fred Malo Jr. Carbondale

From July 8 to 12, the Aspen Science Center (ASC) held an exciting “Fire Science Camp.” Campers (age 10-13) learned about the components of fire, the behavior of fire, various fire fighting techniques, tools and equipment, Wildland fire and vehicle

The week was quite successful and, on behalf of the ASC, we would like to thank and acknowledge the Aspen Fire Department, Roaring Fork Fire Rescue and Carbondale & Rural Fire Protection District for their enthusiastic support.

In addition, Kevin Smiddy of Aspen Luxury Limo donated vans and drivers to shuttle our campers to the different fire stations in the Valley.

Each of these departments offered their expertise and experience to help these young people understand the complex topic of fire and the challenges that firefighters encounter. Every single employee at each station worked to make this week a success. It was extremely gratifying to witness such community involvement and cooperation.

Remember to thank a firefighter!

Mark Munger, El Jebel Wabs Walbert, Aspen Fire Science Camp Instructors

The Carbondale Clay Center (CCC) board of directors would like to express our sincere gratitude to everyone who attended and generously supported our first-ever gala, Clay & Moonlight. Your contributions have been instrumental in raising critical funding and awareness for the variety of offerings CCC provides to the Roaring Fork

We are immensely thankful to the numerous artists who donated to our silent auction and our business sponsors — including Alpine Bank, Reese Henry, McClain Inc. and Umbrella Roofing — and Spring Creeks Ranch for providing the beautiful venue.

Special thanks go to Mark Fischer for serving delicious dishes, Alleghany Meadows and Sam Harvey for crafting beautiful dessert plates for guests to take home and to Thunder River Theatre and Mt. Cirque for their fabulous performances!

Lastly, a huge thank you to our dedicated and mighty staff, led by Executive Director Angela Bruno, our amazing volunteers and our special events committee chair, Susan Muenchen, who made this “sold out” event a reality.

For 27 years, CCC has played a pivotal role in the Roaring Fork Valley arts scene by offering adult and youth ceramic classes, master class workshops, outreach programs throughout our Valley, artist lectures, numerous free community events, a community maker studio space and rotating gallery exhibitions. We couldn’t do what we do without the support of the community. Thank you!

To learn more about the Carbondale Clay Center, please visit our website at www.carbondaleclay.org

Board of Directors

Carbondale Clay Center

LETTERS POLICY: The Sopris Sun welcomes local letters to the editor. Shorter letters stand a better chance of being printed. Letters exclusive to The Sopris Sun (not appearing in other papers) are particularly welcome. Please cite your facts and include your name and place of residence or association. Letters are due to news@soprissun.com by noon on the Monday before we go to print.

CASE CLOSED

Ten young investigators (ages 9-12) gained some new skills at Aspen Science Center’s inaugural Crime Scene Science Camp the week of July 15. From identifying blood types to handwriting analysis to crime scene etiquette (don’t touch a thing!) participants were led through lab exercises and mock scenarios, ultimately solving some mildly gruesome mysteries.

Photos by Raleigh Burleigh

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