Reflecting Beauty
Big pockets of vibrant aspen leaves could be spotted around Beaver Lake in Marble on Sept. 22. Look for colors at 8,000 feet to peak in
Photo by Lynn “Jake” Burton
The River of No Return
My beautiful summer of moderate temps, ample moisture and smoke-free skies got spicier with a phone call from a friend. Their rafting permit on the Main Salmon River in Western Idaho was canceled last year due to a large forest fire. Their permit was honored this summer, and one party could not make the trip so we were invited!
The Main Salmon River is truly iconic. It is one of America’s greatest freshwater fisheries and it is the longest undammed river in the United States, at 425 miles. It is the longest sockeye salmon run in North America, and over 50% of all Pacific chinook salmon used to spawn in the Salmon River until erosion from timber harvesting devasted that. The Salmon Canyon is the second deepest canyon in America next to the debated Hell’s Canyon, Idaho and Kings Canyon, California, and is substantially deeper than the Grand Canyon. Enough superlatives? There’s more!
OPINION
CVEPA VIEWS
By John Armstrong
On Aug. 23, 1805, Merriweather Lewis and William Clark’s historic exploration started down the Salmon River on their quest for a water route across North America. After several days Clark and Shoshone guide Swooping Eagle turned around in failure, citing a tumultuous river. The river soon became known as the River of No Return.
The 1,000 mile drive from here is no small feat, but the rewards are bountiful. When we launched on our six-day, 81-mile float trip we were instructed not to camp for the first 10 miles. Hillsides were verdant with waist high undergrowth just two years after the Elkhorn Fire. Myriad 65 feet tall charcoal spires punctuated the slopes presenting risk of blowdown timber.
The Main Salmon is Class III, but the half dozen Class IV rapids challenged my skill in the oars. My comfort level was bolstered by the tutelage of Ben and Thor, both highly skilled boat men. The trip was a family affair with three generations represented.
The next day, we were instructed not to get out of our boats for the next 10 miles. The risk was soon evident as the valley flanks were dappled with spot fires from river to ridge! The forest is primarily Ponderosa Pine, which are colloquially referred to as Yellow Pine. As we rounded the bend, a flaming 70-foot Ponderosa was shedding blazing branches from its crown.
Our next camp was a perfect bay with a granite monolith in the middle. Just as we turned in for the night the storm rolled in. The real Thor fired continuous salvos of crashing bolts into the ridges and sent one very close to our camp for effect. It rained hard for some time. Then, in the darkness, we heard a large rockslide tumble down the ridge across the river. This display of rogue lightning is probably indicative of why Idaho burns every summer.
How man interacts with such raw, stunning and often savage resources is something I wanted to learn more about. We are gifted with something as rich and alive as the Salmon River and we must rise to responsible stewardship. In 1980, Congress designated the Frank Church (named for the beloved Idaho legislator and conservationist) River of No Return Wilderness Area. It is the largest contiguous wilderness in the Lower 48 and, at 3.3 million acres, it is also the largest roadless area.
The 81 miles of river we descended was designated a Wild and Scenic River, also in 1980, and is part scenic and part recreation by definition. Do not think there was never a threat of a dam!
We were instructed to yield and pull off to the riverside to allow high powered jet boats to navigate these wild rapids. Yes, specially designed for the Salmon these boats service the numerous river lodges up and down the river on this Wild and Scenic section. Congress recognized this historical use, which is protected under the Salmon River’s Wild and Scenic designation. Permits control the use of the boats, just as they control the whitewater floating use. Twenty-six grass airstrips, sometimes as close as 100 meters to the river, are also a common historical use on the Salmon Rivers. STOL (short take off and landing) planes and skilled pilots supply the camps, deliver mail and shuttle guests into this massive wilderness area.
How can these uses be compatible with Wild and Scenic designation? Every designation is tailored for the unique character, attributes and constraints of each river. A wide Alaskan river’s protections would certainly not fit a small, steep, populated river in Western Colorado. We would not lease our beloved house or ranch to someone, or place protective covenants on our river, without fine tuning such an agreement to every detail. I maintain that the only thing worse than “too much government” is the private sector running unbridled. The River of No Return Wilderness and River are icons at the peak of a system designed to preserve God given resources for everyone, of every class, in perpetuity.
Can Wild and Scenic designation of the Crystal River benefit everyone while protecting our personal rights? Educate yourself now with thoughtful research and by reaching out to your neighbor.
To learn more about the Crystal Valley Environmental Protection Association (CVEPA) and how to support our mission, visit www.cvepa.org
LETTERS
GarCo endorsements
It’s a dramatically pivotal election year both nationally and locally. Locally, I will be voting for two county commissioners who will not be partisan, who will not have their own agenda, who will represent and listen to their constituents in their districts despite differences on issues and party lines. I will vote to honor the newly passed SB24-216 Colorado law to protect our libraries regarding book banning. I will vote for candidates who respect the Garfield County Public Library District (GCPLD) Board of Trustees to do their jobs rather than disrespect and undermine them. Last week, GCPLD Board President Adrian Rippy-Sheehy was named Outstanding Library Trustee of the Year by the Colorado Association of Libraries. How amazing is that?
I will be voting for the two candidates who will be strong leaders, welcome diversity and bring very long needed changes to the office of county commissioners. Caitlin Carey and Steven Arauza have my vote!
Amy Krakow Carbondale
Vote for Samson
I am writing this letter in favor of Mike Samson’s reelection bid for Garfield County Commissioner. Mike is one of the three Garfield commissioners who are responsible for the county having $86 million in the bank, making GARCO one of the five most financially healthy counties in the country (out of 3,244).
Mike’s focus is on protecting our water, our environment and our public lands. Mike also understands we need sensible immigration policies.
Mike is accountable and is a non-partisan listener who understands that the government serves people — not policies. I urge you to vote for Mike Samson for GarCo commissioner.
Lori Andrews Carbondale
Unfit and unhinged
JD Vance, Donald Trump’s running mate for vice president, once stated, “Mr. Trump is unfit for our nation’s highest office,” in an op-ed published by the New York Times in 2016. Apparently, Sen. Vance has changed his mind on Trump’s fitness to serve as president. But I think his original appraisal was correct. There are countless reasons not to vote for Donald Trump, but it essentially boils down to this: he tried to prevent the peaceful transfer of presidential power for the first time in our nation’s modern history because he refused to accept the results of a free and fair election that he lost. In my opinion, Trump’s incitement of the Jan. 6, 2021 insurrection and siege of the Capitol, plus additional plots in a failed coup to remain in office by trying to overturn the results of the 2020 election is tantamount to treason and makes him ineligible to ever hold any position of power in the United States again. Maybe I’m an old school kind of patriot, but I think attempting to overthrow the government in order to stay in power is disqualifying as far as being a candidate to seek the office of president again. Full stop. End of story.
Vote Harris/Walz to preserve democracy and move America forward. Put Trump, who Vance once said, might be “America’s Hitler,” in America’s rearview mirror.
JM Jesse Glenwood Springs
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SCUTTLEBUTT
Bring yer tractor
Did you know? This year’s Potato Day parade, Oct. 5 at 10:30am, will include a special award category for vintage tractors, horses and farm animals. Better yet, parade entries for this category (as well as youth, schools and nonprofits) are free! The deadline to participate is Oct 4. Find the application at www.bit.ly/PotatoParade or contact tkallassy@gcpld.org with questions.
A hungry bear cub found its way into Aspen Middle School cafeteria on Monday morning. Students and staff were directed to the Aspen High School gym while Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) and the Pitkin County Sheriff’s Department responded, sedating and relocating the cub. According to CPW, the cub entered the school on Sunday with its mother and sibling. Security camera footage shows two bears leaving, while this one stayed behind. It was determined healthy enough to survive without its mother.
Energy codes open house
Have something to say regarding Carbondale’s clean energy future? The Town will host an open house presenting proposed changes to the Residential Efficient Building Code, as well as adoption of the 2021 International Energy Conservation Code, on Sept. 30 from 4:30 to 6pm at Town Hall. The chief building official and consultants will be present to answer questions and gather input. For more information, contact Aaron Kuhns at 970-510-1211 or akuhns@carbondale.net
Sunlight lift
The Forest Service is inviting public comments regarding a proposal from Sunlight Mountain Resort to replace its 58-year-old Primo Chairlift. The ‘60s-era chairlift has a capacity to carry 1,200 people per hour and the new lift could carry 1,500 per hour. The new lift would follow the same path as the old, which is primarily on public land. Sunlight operates on under a special use permit. Public comment is a component of the compulsory environmental impact assessment. If approved, work to swap the lifts would commence in the summer of 2025. Comments will be most helpful if submitted by Oct. 17. To share a comment, visit www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=66413
State of the Arts
The Carbondale Creative District is hosting its Second Annual Roaring Fork Valley State of the Arts Symposium at
TACAW on Thursday, Oct. 10. Panelists will include David Holland from Westaf, Teresa Booth Brown from the Aspen Art Museum, David Ratner from Colorado Business Committee for the Arts, municipal leaders from Glenwood Springs, Carbondale, Basalt and Aspen, Dave Goe from Grand Junction Creates, Greg Williams from Backbone Media and more. Lunch and refreshments are included with tickets, available at www.tacaw.org
Helping Mitch and Lori
Valley locals Mitch and Lori Knotts were involved in a two-vehicle crash on Highway 82 on Friday, Sept. 13. Friends and family set up an Alpine Bank account, the Mitch and Lori Knotts Benefit Account, as well as a GoFundMe page, Support Mitch and Lori’s Healing Journey (www.gofund.me/ f151eada), to help pay for medical bills. Alpine Bank donations can be made in person at any branch, or checks made out to Mitch and Lori Knotts can be mailed to: Alpine Bank, 600 E. Hopkins, Aspen, CO 81611, attention Erin Earley.
Speedy Shafer
El Jebel resident Vaughn Shafer, 62, set the world record for fastest man on a motorized skateboard Friday, Sept. 20 at the Western Slope Colorado Dragway. Shafer broke his own world record on a custom motorized
skateboard with a 300 cc engine from a KTM motorcycle. His top speed was 82.46 mph.
Veterinary accolades
On Sept. 5, at the Colorado Veterinary Medical Association conference, Henry Kagerer, DVM and the late Stewart “Randy” Vanderhurst, DVM were recognized for their work with Colorado Mountain College’s veterinary technician program with the statewide Distinguished Service Award. “Their legacy lives on through the many veterinary professionals they trained, mentored and inspired,” concluded a press release.
They say it’s your birthday! Folks celebrating another trip around the sun this week include: Martin Calkins, Carolyn Cipperly, Teka Israel, Klaus Kocher, Kate Phillips, Kenya Pinela, Matt Rader, Mimi Schlumberger and Leonard Zanni (Sept. 26); Susan Cheney, Kate Comer, Peggy DeVilbiss, Linda Fleming, Renee Ramge, and Jason White (Sept. 27); Madeleine Dameron Dahl, Andrew McMichael, Dave Reed, Kristin Stewart, Felicia “Flash” Trevor and Pam Kaiser Williams (Sept. 28); Steve Jundt (Sept. 30); Wes Engstrom, Mark Grice, Heather Hicks, Blake Lockard, Daisy Salinas, and Mike Waski (Oct. 1); Ray Alexander, Josh Behrman, Tracy Kallassy, Bill Rice, Meddi Shaw, Megan Webber and Renee West (Oct. 2).
So apropos, Mt. Sopris donned a fresh coat of snow on the equinox, Sept. 22. After a strong storm Saturday, the clouds lifted to reveal autumn had indeed fallen. Congratulations to Cil Klamper, the first to predict snow on Sept. 22 this year. Susy Ellison was the next to make that guess, followed by Rita Marsh and Alessandra Suchodolski. Photo by Jane Bachrach
Carbondale celebrates 115th Annual Potato Days
JEANNE SOULDERN
Sopris Sun Correspondent
The 115th annual Potato Days will be celebrated under the banner of “Mr. McClure Goes to Hollywood,” referring to Thomas “Mack” McClure, the inventor of the Red McClure potato, and the 1949 Hollywood Western “Red Stallion in the Rockies,” which was filmed in this area.
When Hollywood came a-callin’ Potato Day festivities kick off on Thursday, Oct. 3, at 7pm at the Carbondale Library with a screening of “Red Stallion in the Rockies” in honor of the 75th anniversary of its filming in this literal neck of the woods.
The plot: A red stallion, once a circus trick horse, causes trouble, leading two ex-performers to protect him from angry ranchers. In a climactic scene, the stallion has a fight scene with an elk. The studio reported that the elk’s left antler was missing, so a plastic prosthetic was fashioned to replace it.
Upon its release, a syndicated film reviewer referred to the storyline as “thin and transparent that is off-set by the grandeur of the mountain scenery,” which was “well presented in cinecolor,” a less expensive two-color process compared to the more prevalently used technicolor processing.
The film will be screened in the 80-seat community room, and free popcorn will be available for filmgoers.
It started with a ‘do-si-do’
On Friday, Oct. 4 at 6pm, the Carbondale Recreation and Community Center
hosts a “Good Old-Fashioned Barn Dance.”
Whether you love it or have never tried it, there’ll be contra dancing with music by the Wooden Nickel String Band, and Helle Hill calling, from 6 to 8:15pm. Then, Roaring Fork Valley-based funk, soul and reggae band, The Confluents, will perform from 9 to 11pm.
Potato Day is about celebrating the harvest and recognizing the new generation of farmers and their contributions to the Roaring Fork Valley. [Much of] the event serves as a fundraiser for the Carbondale Historical Society, honoring the town’s agricultural heritage and its evolving future.
- Kade Gianinetti
Carbondale’s Director of Parks and Recreation, Eric Brendlinger, said of the music offerings, “It’s a fun way to mix the old and new.”
The cost is $20 for adults and $10 for kids ages 12 and under. Doors open for food and libations at 5:30pm.
Pancakes, parades and potatoes
The Carbondale Rotary Club hosts a pancake breakfast Saturday, Oct. 5 from 8:30 to 10:30am at Chacos Park (4th and Main Street). Costs are $10 for pancakes and $15 for potato pancakes.
The “Tater Trot” 1-Mile Fun Run, hosted by Ross Montessori School, starts at 9am, with registration beginning at 8am at Chacos Park. Marty the Marmot will join participants who are encouraged to dress in potato or Hollywood costumes. Top runners win a sack of potatoes. More information is at www.rossmontessori.org
The Farmers’ Market runs from 9am to 3pm at Sopris Park, offering fresh produce, local artisan booths and cottage food. The ever-popular free cowboy coffee will be brewed in the historical copper cauldron. The Roaring Fork High School Boosters will sell cold drinks and desserts, while KDNK Community Access Radio will host its annual record sale with scads of vinyl for the discerning audiophile.
The Potato Day Parade begins at 10:30am. Entries will be judged on theme, originality and crowd appeal, with prizes awarded for best youth float and vintage tractor. The commercial category winner receives a traveling trophy. The parade starts at Second and Main Street, turning left onto 7th Street and ending at Sopris Park.
Business entries cost $40; youth, school and non-profit floats are free. Youth are encouraged to join in with decorated bikes and scooters. Bring your majestic horse or shiny tractor and strut your stuff
in the parade — we’d love to have you join the fun. Applications are available at www.carbondalerec.com/event/potato-day The deadline to apply for a float is Friday, Oct. 4 at 4pm.
The Spudtacular Spike Ball Tournament will be held at the Sopris Park volleyball courts from 11am to 2pm. Cost is $50 per two-person team. Pre-register at www.carbondalerec.com or by emailing wtempest@carbondaleco.net
A free-to-enter Largest Home-Grown Potato Contest will take place at 11am. Show off your biggest garden-grown tater by bringing it to the main stage, labeled with your name, number and email to earn bragging rights and a prize.
McClure makes his mark
McClure, who emigrated from County Donegal, Ireland, first worked as a miner in Leadville and later moved to the Catherine-Carbondale area.
After many grafting experiments, McClure developed his unique potato variety in the early 1900s, specifically bred for its adaptability to Colorado’s high altitude and arid growing conditions. The “Red” became popular for its disease resistance, high yield and excellent storage qualities, making it a favorite for potato growers in the region.
An Oct. 22, 1959, article in The Eagle Valley Enterprise titled “McClure Spuds Originated on West Slope” said of the Red McClure, “... A potato was developed which became popular because of its
continued on page 5
mealy whiteness inside its red jacket — of a size meeting the housewife’s fancy … This luscious spud, to gain nationwide recognition, first saw the light of day at Catherine, Colo., near the Eagle-Garfield county line, some years back.”
A bounty of local goodness
Kade Gianinetti, who is coordinating this year’s Potato Day feast, is excited to use locally sourced ingredients for the barbecue and baked potato lunch, which will be served from 11:15am to 1:30pm (or when food runs out).
The Nieslanik family provides the beef, while Gianinetti’s father, Mark, and other local farms supply the potatoes. Coleslaw is made with vegetables from several local farms, and the corn-on-the-cob is Olathe sweet corn. Baked beans will be prepared from scratch using organic local beans.
Additionally, the festival will, for the first time, offer alcohol, featuring local producers like Mountain Heart Brewing, Aquila Cellars and Woody Creek Distillery. A special age 21-and-up area will serve wine, beer and cocktails.
The meal costs $20 per adult and $15 for children under 12.
The Queen Bees (from 11:30am to 1pm) and Sweet Jessup and the Dirty Buckets (from 1:15 to 3pm) will perform live music at the gazebo. At 1pm, winners of the parade and largest potato contest will be announced, followed by traditional Potato Day kids’ games at the Carbondale Historical Society booth.
Sunday Funday
A youth gymkhana, organized by the Sopris Gymkhana Club, will be held on Sunday, Oct. 6, 10am to 2pm, at the rodeo grounds on County Road 100. Open to spectators and competitors of all ages, the event promotes good horsemanship and friendly competition. For details, email Sydney Linfossi at soprisgymkhanaclub@gmail.com
On Sunday, 11am to 2pm, join the “Party in the Pasture” at Coffman Ranch with the Aspen Valley Land Trust. Entry for adults is pay-what-you-can, and free for kids 12 and under. Enjoy food, live music and conservation-based activities. Tickets are available at www.AVLT.org
“Potato Day is about celebrating the harvest and recognizing the new generation of farmers and their contributions to the Roaring Fork Valley. [Much of] the event serves as a fundraiser for the Carbondale Historical Society, honoring the town’s agricultural heritage and its evolving future,” concluded Gianinetti.
October 9, 2024 at 2:30–5:00PM At the CMC Morgridge Basalt Room 22860 Two Rivers Road, Unit 202, Basalt, CO including as past Assistant Attorney General for Alaska.
Eagle-Lion Films studio distributed this image encouraging theaters screening the film to promote it by offering a coloring contest. Courtesy of Carbondale Historical Society
Community enthusiasm encourages Aspen Daily News membership model
ANNALISE GRUETER
Sopris Sun Correspondent
“I believe independent local newspapers are the last bastion in communication,” declared David Cook, longtime publisher and co-owner of the Aspen Daily News. He and Director of Development Megan Tackett introduced a membership model as an option for readers to support the paper just five weeks ago. Based on the community response, locals agree. Cook and Tackett expressed gratitude, relief and excitement in discussing the reception of the move thus far.
“We’ve had 270 members sign up in five weeks,” shared Tackett. “I have been so overwhelmed by the positive feedback we’ve received.” Both Cook and Tackett have nearly two decades of roots within Roaring Fork Valley journalism. Cook’s experience tilts mostly toward publishing and producing print and television media, while Tackett’s background is more on-the-ground journalism. She was one of the early part-time staff reporters for The Sopris Sun and hosted multiple KDNK radio shows from 2017 to 2019. While she stepped away from the journalism world in 2023, she returned to the Daily News in May this year, in large
part to support Cook’s vision for protecting and incubating independent journalism.
Membership models aren’t new in journalism, but the addition is something Cook and other Daily News leadership have been evaluating for years. Public radio stations have used membership models for a long time; who hasn’t listened to pledge drive solicitation between music programming or audio reporting? For newspapers, though, this option is a rising alternative to tiered paywalls or replacing local flavor with syndicated content.
To Cook, either of the latter options sound untenable. “Adsupported media has been going away, the writing has been on the wall for a while now,” he said, referring to changes in the speed of news cycles with the spread of digital media and the decline of print. But restricting content isn’t the answer, in Cook’s view. “News should be accessible to everyone in a community, not blocked by a pay gate.”
A few years ago, Cook reached out to contacts with the Seattle Times about its nonprofit reporting and membership model. He asked himself, “How can I localize this, how can I make this part of our model?” He spent years
gathering information and input from other community-centric publishers, all the while “watching the horror stories of news centers collapsing and hedge fund buyouts, and increasing news deserts in the United States.”
Tackett reiterated the thorough consideration. “Cook does his research. He doesn’t do anything without a lot of thought and intention.” In fact, she said, “what brought me back [to the Aspen Daily News] was the clarity of vision for exploring the potential” of voluntary membership contributions.
Even with all that preparation and coaching from other independent publishers, they had to take the leap to find out how a membership model would resonate with the community. The response since the announcement has been encouraging. “The level of gratitude and enthusiasm from the community has been heartwarming,” said Cook.
To Tackett, the way readers have rallied in support “has been incredibly validating.” She sees the response as indication that “we’ve all realized that even in our bubble, journalism is still fragile and must be protected and nourished.” Public endorsements of the model have been
especially heartening, because they are voluntary and unsolicited. “I’ve heard lots of positive feedback in passing,” Tackett said, “but the letters to the editor have been especially touching given the extra time and effort it takes people to share their thoughts that way.”
Daily News leadership expected more community questions than they have received in response to the announcement. “I anticipated more questions about us not being a 501(c)(3),” explained Tackett. Aspen Daily News is not converting to a nonprofit, which some papers have done when shifting to a membership model. Daily
News membership donations go directly to the paper’s new Journalism Fund, which is fiscally associated with the Tiny News Collective. This makes contributions tax deductible and means that this budget supplements already-covered operating costs; it puts journalistic flesh onto the essential operations skeleton. The membership model is based on a monthly donation commitment, similar to public radio membership pledging. The tiers for memberships hearken back to Aspen’s mining days, 130 to 150 years ago. Prospectors pledge between $1-14 per month, or $12-168
Aspen Daily News editions are now being printed at the Colorado Mountain News Media press in Gypsum. Courtesy photo continued on page 23
Arauza: ‘It’s really important that we have authentic Latino representation’
AMY HADDEN MARSH Sopris Sun Correspondent
This Sopris Sun interview with Garfield County District 3 commissioner candidate Steven Arauza has been edited for length and clarity. A subsequent interview with incumbent Mike Samson is slated for next week’s paper.
Why are you running for Garfield County commissioner for District 3?
Steven Arauza: The short version is because I believe that Garfield County needs to have more authentic representation reflective of the population in our community.
The working people in Garfield County have been facing increasing economic pressures that I think have not been represented adequately over the past four terms. That leads us to a position where, as we’ve seen with the [NBC News] Homebuyer Index, Garfield County is one of the most difficult counties in the country to buy a home.
In addition to my day job, I am an officer, executive board member and steward for Colorado WINS Local 1876 (Colorado Workers for Innovative and New Solutions). We have two parent unions — the Service Employees International Union and the American Federation of Teachers.
We desperately need the kind of leadership in local government to advocate for the needs of our community workforce who predominantly live in District 3 and drive as far as Aspen, Eagle County
or Mesa County to serve economies and communities throughout the region.
I don’t think we’ve ever had a Latino on the board of county commissioners, and yet we make up over 30% of the population in this county. We are in difficult situations in terms of local and national politics, so it’s really important that we have authentic Latino representation.
My background in oil and gas regulation and my history of service to the state’s Environmental Justice Advisory Board offer technical expertise that is essential in Garfield County and particularly in District 3.
What have been the board’s two best decisions in the past four years? How were these decisions in the best interest of Garfield County?
I would say number one, hands down, the Shoshone decision to support the effort
to acquire water rights. We’re competing with very powerful interests on the Front Range. It’s really important that, regardless of where we fall along the political spectrum, folks acknowledge the importance of that water to keep our communities healthy, to support our economies as well as communities down the river.
I support the [county’s] commitment of [$150,000] to the Habitat for Humanity development to secure one unit for a county worker. It’s an acknowledgment of the difficulties of acquiring homeownership here, of the importance of affordable housing accessibility and the need to support folks who work for the county.
What were two decisions in the past four years that you would say were not in the interest of Garfield County?
The decision to take over and politicize the appointment of trustees to the Garfield County Public Library Board concerns me. We’re continuing to see the ramifications of that hostile takeover of the library board. There are folks who work in the library system who are actively targeted by extreme, hyper-partisan cyberbullying. So for the Board of County Commissioners to effectively compromise the integrity of leadership there, to encourage supporters to engage in very hostile, dehumanizing rhetoric, attacking folks for the sin of just being servants to their community, I think is still playing out.
When this board [approved] a resolution that library employees not issue controversial material to minors, they’re
really directing library staff and volunteers to police what people are checking out, to profile people on the basis of their ages, to perhaps make a determination on material that [the commissioners] themselves are not familiar with. If I’d been working behind the library counter when that resolution was issued, I’d suddenly be concerned for my job. I would question everything that folks are checking out, including the self-checkout system.
The second thing has been another decision to politicize the entire county — mostly scapegoating our Latino and migrant communities. This started with the non-sanctuary resolution that was drafted by Commissioner [Mike] Samson. I took issue with the language, painting migrants with racist, harmful stereotypes of promoting disease and crime in our communities — rhetoric that’s being echoed in [this year’s] presidential debate. We’ve never had Latino representation on this board of county commissioners. If we had authentic representation on the board, that language would have been challenged. All [Latinos] became subject to scrutiny with the passage of the resolution. But joining Douglas County and the pursuit of bringing Immigration and Customs Enforcement back into Garfield County is a threat still hanging out there.
What is the most important issue in the county that either has not been addressed or inadequately addressed?
The biggest pressure we face is economic pressure on the workforce, retirees and
Donation Information
We will be accepting donations of gently used clothing and accessories from October 1st-18th
The first 40 people that donate will receive an exclusive first access ticket to shop the swap from 9-10AM before the swap opens to the public. Estaremos aceptando donativos de ropa ligeramente usada y accesorios, del 1 al 18 de octubre. Las primeras 40 personas que hagan un donativo recibirán un boleto exclusivo de acceso para hacer sus compras de las 9 a las 10 am, antes de que las puertas del intercambio abran al público.
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•and more! Professionally Representing You with 16 Years of Experience
Steven Arauza
Ross Montessori expands free hot lunch to five days a week
JOHN STROUD Sopris Sun Correspondent
Ross Montessori School in Carbondale is now offering free hot lunch to all its students five days a week, thanks to a collaborative effort involving multiple local, state and even national partners.
Prior to the current school year, Ross had lunch catered from various restaurants around town two days a week. That worked great for the first 19 years of the school’s existence, but on a limited scale, school officials said.
Two years ago, Ross’s health office and assessment manager, Rachael Bergeson, began preparing hot lunches herself to bring in on Fridays, adding a third day to the program.
But that still left families with the only option being to pack a lunch for their children on the other two days of the school week.
This year, Ross secured a grant from the Colorado League of Charter Schools (CLCS) and took advantage of the state’s new Healthy School Meals for All program that was approved by voters in 2022, working with the Roaring Fork School District (RFSD) to expand free hot lunch service to five days a week.
Ross is not part of the school district, operating as a charter school under the Colorado Charter School Institute. But when the
Roaring Fork Schools opted into the state’s meals-for-all program, it had the capacity to include Ross.
Now, every school day, lunches are prepared at nearby Roaring Fork High School in coordination with RFSD Director of Nutrition Services Octavio Maese. Bergeson’s team picks up the meals and brings them to Ross to serve to their students who have elected during the morning count to eat hot lunch that day — plus a few extras in case someone forgets.
“It has been a lot of work to make this happen … but I just feel like it’s so worth it,” said Bergeson, who underwent special training to become the school’s official hot lunch manager.
“I see the reward every single day in the kids,” she said, adding that her own daughter, who is a student at Ross, often asks, “What’s for lunch today?”
“She just loves the option of having hot lunch and knows there will be good food.” It’s become a popular choice among students and families in general, Bergeson said.
With the three-day program last year, Ross served, on average, about 70 students on the days lunch was provided. This year, that number has grown to 100 students, or about half of the school’s enrollment.
Head of School Sonya Hemmen
said she is impressed with the quality of the food now being provided by the school district’s meals program.
“It’s all healthy, made from scratch, with fresh fruit and nice portions. We’re pretty happy with it,” she said.
On given days, there’s even a lunch salad option, such as a chef salad or chicken caesar salad.
“It’s a pretty substantial lunch in itself, and I’m surprised at the number of students that get them,” Bergeson said.
The CLCS grant to Ross came from a larger $50,000 Rural
Charter School Food Project grant award from the Gates Family Foundation. The pilot program aims to serve 1,200 students in rural charter schools across the state, with the possibility of expanding with additional grant funding in the future, said Rainey Wikstrom, school wellness director for CLCS.
The program at Ross has even expanded employment opportunities for area adults who have developmental disabilities.
When the Safeway grocery store closed in Glenwood Springs in 2019, Hemmen reached out to
Mountain Valley Developmental Services (MVDS) employment manager Crystal Hunt to ask what would happen to the many MVDS clients who had worked at the store.
“I said, ‘Well, we would love to employ them here at Ross,’” Hemmen said.
What was three days of work a week for the rotation of MVDS workers who come to Ross is now five.
“I just think it’s a really big benefit for our students to see inclusion at all levels, especially when it involves grown-ups,” Hemmen said.
Not only do the MVDS clients perform duties like preparing and serving the meals, and cleanup after lunch period, they have become part of the Ross community, participating in holiday celebrations and other activities with the students.
“It’s exactly what we wanted,” Hemmen said. “It’s just a good partnership.”
In order to qualify to receive the school district meals under the state’s free meals program, Ross does have to track those students whose families qualify for free or reduced lunch based on income. The meals are still free for all students, but the number of qualifying students is used for state reimbursement purposes.
10/3-11/7 at Carbondale Campus
SKI CONDITIONING
Create bracelets and chains using wire, hand tools, and connection techniques. Wed, 5/10-9:20pm, 11/16-12/4 at Carbondale Campus
Monday/Wednesday, 5:25-6:45pm, 9/30-12/04 at Aspen Campus
WILDERNESS FIRST RESPONDER
Wed/Thurs/Fri/Sat/Sun, 8am-6pm, 11/6-11/10 at Aspen Campus
Senior Tuition Discount applies to these classes.
ADULT BEGINNER BALLET
Classical ballet at the barre and center work in a fun and positive learning environment. Tues, 9-10am, 10/1-11/19
SOMATIC YOGA
Gentle movements that heal pain, release tension and anxiety, and facilitate ease. Mondays, 9-10am, 10/7-12/9
BEGINNING SWINCE DANCE
BEGINNING SWING DANCE
Learn the basics of Jitterbug, and be ready for your next party, wedding, or other social dance. Wed, 6-8pm, 10/9-10/30
SCULPTURE
Learn how to think and design in 3-D to create sculpture and be prepared for future sculpting. Mon, 5-8pm, 10/14-11/18
Ross Montessori School students, seated from left, Max Guzman, Ben Robison and Nyssa Germann, enjoy hot lunch as other students line up for theirs. Ross now offers hot lunch five days a week, thanks to a state League of Charter Schools grant and a partnership with the Roaring Fork School District. Photo by John Stroud
Sopris alabaster mine to resume operations
RALEIGH BURLEIGH
Sopris Sun Editor
“This mountain has a lot of secrets to give up still,” Robert Congdon remarked, approaching the entrance to Mystic Eagle Quarry with his canine companion, ZuZu. After ceasing operations in 2003 to resolve legal disputes, the mine is slowly returning to action behind large tan metal doors, tucked uphill of a cabin visible from Avalanche Creek Road, less than a mile off Highway 133.
Mystic Eagle Quarry, also known as White Banks Mine and Freedom Eagle Quarry, has been in a years-long process to resume extracting alabaster from a vein on the south side of Mt. Sopris. Previously, the mine opened seasonally for nearly a decade beginning in 1992. After being leased to Elbram Stone Company, the operation failed to secure permission for a year-round plan of operation that, according to the Crystal Valley Environmental Protection Association (CVEPA), would have allowed “up to 10 tractor shipments per day, with up to 500 pallets stored onsite weighing 4,000 pounds each.”
In 2015, Congdon received tentative approval to resume work with limited winter operations. However, in 2019, he was forced to remove his equipment from inside the mine. When the legal dust settled out of court in 2021, with Congdon filing a lawsuit against the Forest Service claiming he still holds a valid permit, Mystic Eagle Quarry began to see the light.
“That’s a long tortured past,” explained Congdon. “We’ve sort of been in limp-mode.” Mystic Eagle Quarry now has permission from the Forest Service to work through the winters until 2035.
He estimates this vein of multicolored alabaster and a parallel vein of brown and black marble could produce sculpture-quality blocks for hundreds of years.
We’re going to be very transparent, -Robert Congdon
CVEPA fought the proposal, citing impacts on neighbors, including residents of the Swiss Village subdivision, as well as the local bighorn sheep herd which winters between Filoha Meadows and Avalanche Creek. The Forest Service withheld approval of Elbram’s plan of operations, finding it inconsistent with winter closures to protect the sheep.
During the winters, production will be slowed to three truck trips per day for only two days a week, limited between 11am and 3pm, White River National Forest District Ranger Kevin Warner explained. During the summer months, more ample work will be allowed, along with camping for employees. Initially, Congdon expects to have five to six people working, all underground. Eventually, the team could expand to as many as 15 workers, he said, split between two shifts. Because underground conditions don’t change when night falls, he envisions having workers there 24/7, mining and maintaining the equipment.
Congdon is a former coal miner and well-known rock
hound. He moved to the Roaring Fork Valley from New York at age 18 with his wife in 1978. With a baby on the way, he overcame his claustrophobia to work in the coal mines. It was dangerous and unpleasant work and he much prefers digging for other stones.
“When I got out here, I knew I was home,” said Congdon, who was born in Massachusetts.
One day, in 1982, while working at the coal mines, he came across a small outcrop of alabaster while walking near Avalanche Creek. Using a hammer and chisel, he removed a piece weighing around 200 pounds. This was purchased by a sculptor friend and carved into a river otter. At the time, Congdon had no idea what he had stumbled upon. “It took years and years to figure out the extent of this whole thing,” he said. Studies by geologists determined that the vein is around 250 feet thick, three-quarters of a mile wide and 1,600 feet deep.
With the help of a mule named Dolly, who was faithfully fed donuts, Congdon began pulling out more pieces to sell. “My love of life is finding rocks,” he said. By 1991, Congdon found enough demand for the alabaster and rare black marble to attract investors. The first plan of operations was approved in 1993 and he got to work, producing mostly between 1998 and 2003. He’s made use of the General Mining Law of 1872, “the most underutilized law for the working man,” Congdon said. Now, he’s elated to return to the work, assuring locals the impacts will be minimal. “I think we need more small, environmentally-friendly operations,” he said. With the invention of expanding cement, the use of dynamite is obsolete. And with most of the operation occurring inside the mine, noise impacts will be limited to shipping trucks and a fan exchanging air with the outside. Already, Congdon has brought one Pitkin County commissioner to tour the place, and he plans to invite them all, as well as Carbondale representatives. “We’re going to be very
transparent,” he said. According to Pitkin County, Congdon’s special use permit approved in 1998 was issued for a 25-year duration and expired in 2022. Warner stipulated that Mystic Eagle Quarry must “obtain all other required local, state and federal permits and comply with all local, state and federal laws and regulations” before resuming work.
Congdon doesn’t anticipate ramping up until the spring. “So much has to happen between now and then,” he said. “I don’t want to be up here in the wintertime when we’re not ready for it.”
For now, he’s doing sampling and preparing the machinery.
At the forefront of Congdon’s dream is art. His friend, Jeremy Russell, hopes to soon return to finish a giant eagle carved directly into a wall inside the mine. With a 55-foot wingspan, “The Cost of Freedom” took Russell eight years to progress this far — and he’s determined to finish the piece.
Russell, now living in Grand Junction, suffered a bad car accident in 1996 which broke his back, took his right leg and erased 13 years of memory. Because of the accident, Russell couldn’t serve as a soldier, “so this gave me a way to serve my country,” he explained. He began carving the eagle in 2000. “I don’t know how I was doing what I was doing,” he said. “I was completely outside my body,” unable to see a foot past the dust. When he stepped back, he was amazed.
“It’s really not me carving, it’s a spiritual thing,” he said.
Alabaster is a soft stone composed of calcium sulfate, a gem-quality gypsum. It has been used for thousands of years in art and architecture and is revered for its translucent qualities and ease of carving. This vein was formed around 34 million years ago, when the magma which uplifted Mt. Sopris interacted with layers of the Eagle Valley Evaporite, heating up the sedimentary rock without fully metamorphosing it.
Congdon said residual dust produced will be made available as an organic soil conditioner to
local farms, such as the Central Rocky Mountain Permaculture Institute. Alabaster also has industrial and architectural uses.
Mystic Eagle Quarry, however, will focus on small-scale mining for artistic purposes. Each pound will cost between 50 cents and a dollar, Congdon said, estimating 50 million tons of alabaster inside the mountain, and even more black and brown marble.
He would eventually like to host a seasonal artist colony, similar to the MARBLE/marble Stone Carving Symposium. He cited places in Italy where they have mined alabaster for hundreds of years and the communities that formed around that.
“This isn’t about the money, this is about a legacy and my grandkids running this. It’s a family operation,” Congdon explained. “Everybody thinks they have to have billions of dollars to be comfortable. I’m comfortable with much less than that. It’s about the doing. I think society has become too infatuated with money. I don’t want to rip anything out of here; it’s home.”
Inside the mine, he envisions creating rooms for offices, tool sheds and artist studios, as well as an amphitheater. He’d like to commission relief carvings on the walls depicting the history of the Roaring Fork Valley, including dinosaurs.
“It’s all out-of-the-box thinking,” he said, “but that’s how history is made.”
Eventually, the mine may be open to the public, but it’ll take creative permitting. For now, it’s not a possibility. The Mine Safety and Health Administration has strict requirements, so the mine would have to be shut down to allow for visits. Congdon hopes to eventually install a secondary entryway further down the road, perhaps a decade in the future. This would allow them to block off a section of the mine and allow people inside without halting operations.
“I wake up every morning with a smile on my face. I’m here and I get to still do it,” he concluded.”
Robert Congdon and his mining partner, ZuZu. Photo by Raleigh Burleigh
Left: Jeremy Russell looks forward to returning to his opus maestro, “The Cost of Freedom.” Russell is now missing both his legs and will rely on adaptive equipment and potentially assistant artists to complete the project.
Photos by Raleigh Burleigh
Top: Robert Congdon points to a floor plan mapping out artist studios, an amphitheater and other aspirational improvements inside the mine.
When it rains, it pours
Photos and text by Jane Bachrach
... but that didn’t seem to dampen anybody’s spirits last Saturday evening when, for the first time, WindWalkers held their signature event at their Missouri Heights ranch.
By about 4pm last Saturday, Sept. 21, the stage was beautifully set in the outdoor area for cocktails and lawn games. The indoor arena was set up for dinner, a silent auction and dancing to the tunes of a local band, Highway 82. Guests were due to start arriving at 5pm.
Plans quickly changed at about 4:30pm when the deluge began. Mother Nature shed so many tears that numerous mud puddles quickly formed all over the property. Volunteers had to race to move everything to the indoor arena. They also had to create some makeshift bridges to put over the water obstacles so that folks could make it to the party without sinking into the mud.
Despite the challenges, the event was a success.
THRILL THE WORLD CARBONDALE 2024
A Worldwide Synchronized Dance Event Saturday, October 26, 2024 at 4 p.m. At Main & 4th in Carbondale
To Join Thrill the World call (970) 379 2187.
Rehearsals begin Thursday, October 3 ( 4-5pm) At the Carbondale Branch Library. Cost : $15 per person.
Celebrating community and uniting humanity through dance. Event proceeds go to: www.bonedaleballet.com / (970) 379 -2187
October 5th 2024
All are welcome to enter a float. This year we would love to get the farmers involved please bring your best decorated piece of farm equipement! Parade entries will be judged on relevance to theme, originality, workmanship and crowd appeal.
Follow the colors: A guide to leaf-peeping
JESS PETERSON Sopris Sun Correspondent
The exit of summer and entrance of fall is punctuated by the bright reds, oranges and yellows that wash over the trees at the change of seasons. As the colors begin to appear, a race against the clock starts for those who wish to see as many fall colors as possible before the leaves fall.
Adam McCurdy, the forest and climate director at Aspen Center for Environmental Studies (ACES), provided some scientific insight behind the dramatic leafy art shows we get to experience every fall.
“The process of leaves turning in the fall is [called] leaf senescence,” McCurdy informed The Sopris Sun. “Senescence is the final stage of leaf development when chloroplasts are broken down and their nutrients are remobilized to other [parts of a tree].”
In simpler terms, according to www.SciJinks.gov, an online publication for kids created by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association, the trees and their leaves sense the changing of seasons and recognize the need to prepare for winter. As the trees detect shorter days and colder temperatures, the website states that leaves will stop the production of chlorophyll, the food needed for
photosynthesis, which causes the green color to fade. Once this occurs, reds, oranges and yellows begin to seep in.
“Leaves contain other pigments but they’re overwhelmed by the chlorophyll. Once the chloroplasts and chlorophyll they contain are broken down the remaining pigments are visible,” said McCurdy. “These pigments are primarily carotenoids (yellow and orange colors) and anthocyanins (red and purple colors) giving leaves the yellow, orange and red colors we see in the fall.”
McCurdy added that predictions of when leaves will turn are made by two factors: length of the day and temperature. Higher elevations and north-facing slopes with colder temperatures earlier in the season tend to be where the trees change first. But, because we live in the mountains where unpredictable weather abounds, these indicators aren’t always foolproof when seeking out leaves.
“Mountainous terrain has complex weather, and microclimates — small areas where the climate differs from the surrounding area — are common and are not often captured by weather stations or observations,” McCurdy noted. “For predicting the timing of change in these areas, local knowledge is important.”
In time for leaf-peeping season, Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) put together a list of suggestions for those planning to chase the colors. A press release stated the importance of visitors to Colorado’s parks being respectful of the outdoors to help preserve the natural beauty so people can continue visiting and leaf-peeping for generations to come.
FIVE TIPS FROM CPW
Know before you go: Have a backup plan when visiting trails or parks — large crowds and limited parking may redirect you to a different area. Stick to trails: Most Colorado locals know and abide by this rule, but the temptation to go astray for the perfect photo-op can sneak up on you. Following this tip will also minimize your injury, and protect trailside plants and wildlife.
“Leaves” it as you find it: Park in designated locations, avoid stacking rocks as that can cause trail erosion and do not carve into trees or break branches.
Keep wildlife wild: Know what to do if you should encounter wildlife — particularly by not approaching or feeding them. Share our trails and parks: Be kind and considerate to others visiting.
Todd Farrow, the park manager at Golden Gate Canyon State Park, reinforced these suggestions in a quote, noting that how we go about exploring in outdoor spaces matters.
“Conservation starts small, but all of our proactive steps to leave a state park better than we found it, adds up in a meaningful way,” Farrow stated. “No matter where you plan to explore this fall, please respect our natural resources, park staff, volunteers
and fellow recreationists.”
If you’re looking to get as much leaf peeping in as possible this season, McCurdy encouraged traveling both near and far to catch the colors while they’re still around.
“Try to visit a lot of different places; you’ll find different watersheds have very different timing,” said McCurdy. “Visiting different areas will help you see the full variety our amazing forests have to offer.”
Yellow leaves announce the arrival of fall alongside Catherine Store Road outside of Carbondale. Photo by Jess Peterson
We are delighted to offer you, our community, the opportunity to take advantage of low-cost blood tests
Online aspenhospital.org/health-fair, or by phone 1.800.217.5866
Monday–Friday, 9 am–4 pm
Appointments still available in El Jebel!
October 19
EL JEBEL
Eagle County Community Center 20 Eagle County Drive
By appointment only 8-11:30 am
Lab Tests Offered
• HealthScreen w/CBC – $79 Includes CBC, CMP, Ferritin, Iron Panel, Lipid Panel, TSH and Uric Acid (Fasting Required)
• hsCardio CRP – $42
• Hemoglobin A1C & EAG – $44
• PSA, Total – $47
• Vitamin D – $54
• T3, Free – $32
• T4, Free – $32
• CBC (Complete Blood Count) – $32
is accepting donations for the winter
Come see us at our
We are accepting:
CALENDAR
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 26
AFTERBURN
The Aspen Center for Environmental Studies teaches about post-fire ecosystem recovery at Hunter Creek from 1 to 5pm. More at www.aspennature.org
FOOD AND CLIMATE
Coffman Ranch hosts a panel discussion, “The Role of Food in Climate Solutions,” along with a ranch tour and local refreshments and appetizers from 4:30 to 7:30pm. Tickets at www.mtnbio. org/coffman-food
ELECTIONS FORUM
Each of the candidates from Colorado Senate District 5, House District 57, Garfield County District 2 and Garfield County District 3 races participate in an election forum at Glenwood Springs City Hall from 6 to 8pm. More info at www.glenwoodchamber. com/issues-answers A link for virtual attendance, with Spanish translation available, will be posted to the website prior to the forum.
MURAL OPENING
Bodegón in Carbondale unveils a new mural and welcomes artist Gabriela Mejia at 6pm.
VICTORIA PENNOCK
Victoria Pennock performs music at Tiny Pine Bistro in Carbondale at 6pm.
KDNK FILM
KDNK hosts a movie night at the Crystal Theatre showing “20 Feet from Stardom” at 7pm — costumes encouraged! Tickets at www.bit.ly/KDNKSept26
WILD AND SCENIC FILMS
The Middle Colorado Watershed Council’s annual Wild and Scenic Film Festival kicks off at the Vaudeville Revue in Glenwood Springs at 7pm. Tomorrow’s showing at the Ute Theater in Rifle also begins at 7pm. Doors open at 6pm both nights. Tickets at www. midcowatershed.org/filmfest
REPUBLICAN TRAINING
Garfield County Republicans host a phone-banking volunteer training at the Glenwood Springs Library Meeting Room from 7 to 9pm.
THUNDER RIVER THEATRE
Thunder River Theatre Company’s production of “What the Constitution Means to Me” concludes this weekend with 7:30pm showings tonight through Saturday and a 2pm Sunday matinee. Tickets at www.thunderrivertheatre.com
STEVE’S GUITARS
Martha Scanlan and Jon Neufeld perform with Harper Powell at Steve’s Guitars at 8pm. Tickets at www.stevesguitars.net
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 27
STORYTIME
The Carbondale Library offers storytime for young children and their accompanying adults from 10:30 to 11am.
FIRSTBANK FIESTA
FirstBank in Glenwood Springs hosts a gathering — complete with food, music and accessible banking information — celebrating Hispanic heritage, from 3:30 to 5:30pm.
STEPPING STONES
Stepping Stones celebrates its 10th anniversary with a fundraiser at 1010 Garfield Avenue at 5pm. Tickets at www.steppingstonesrfv.org/fundraiser
‘BEETLEJUICE BEETLEJUICE’
“Beetlejuice Beetlejuice’ shows at the Crystal Theatre tonight, Saturday, Sept. 28 and Thursday, Oct. 3 at 7:30pm. Catch a 5pm showing on Sunday, Sept. 29.
SUNSQUABI
Josh Teed and Heady Hooligan open for Sunsquabi at TACAW at 8pm. Tickets at www.tacaw.org
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 28
CARING FOR VETERANS
From about 9am to 2pm, the American Legion Post 100’s Ladies Auxiliary unit hosts a flea-market style yard sale, including goods from the Satank Country Store, and is collecting donated goods (such as winter wear, travel-size toiletries and dog food) for the Western Slope Veterans Coalition. The bar will be open and it’s sure to be a good time.
HONORING GRIEF
Sheri Gaynor and a Pathfinders grief therapist offer the opportunity to process loss with a Wind Walkers horse partner from 9:30am to 12:30pm. To learn more, call 970-618-0561.
ALTERNATIVE PHOTOGRAPHY
Deb Shannan guides a cyanotypes (a historic printing process) workshop at The Art Base today and tomorrow from 10am to 3pm. Register at www.theartbase.org
‘EARTH WAYS YOGA’
Kate Mulheron and Jay Kraemer guide “Earth Ways Yoga: Fall Harvest Circle” at True Nature at 4pm. Register at www.truenaturehealingarts.com
CLIMATE FILM
350 Roaring Fork is screening the sixth and final film in a series of climate-related documentaries at the Carbondale Library at 4:30. The topics will be hopefulness, activism, politics and climate change.
HISTORY & MUSIC
The Aspen Historical Society brings the Boulder-based Ars Nova Singers choir to the Aspen Community Church. A historical lecture about area churches starts at 6pm and the choir takes the stage at 6:45pm. Tickets at www.tinyurl.com/AspenChoir
TAARKA
Steve’s Guitars presents Taarka, “a modern spin on Gypsy and Eastern European folk music” at 8pm. Tickets at www.stevesguitars.net
LOS LOBOS
TACAW celebrates its third anniversary with Los Lobos performing at 8pm. Tickets at www.tacaw.org
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 29
AYURVEDIC RESET
True Nature cofounder Deva Shantay guides a weeklong seasonal reset. Register at www.truenaturehealingarts.com
MAMA RETREAT
Kerrie Schur guides a prenatal and postpartum wellness retreat at True Nature from 10am to 4pm. Register at www.truenaturehealingarts.com
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 30
DRAWING HORSES
Amy Fulstone teaches how understanding the anatomy and motion of horses can help draw the majestic creatures at The Art Base on Oct. 1 and 8 from 1 to 3pm. Register at www.theartbase.org IN STITCHES
Join a knitting and crocheting group at the Carbondale Library every Monday at 1:30pm. All ability levels are welcome. AIKIDO
Crystal River Aikikai has expanded its schedule. Adults and teens are now welcome to train at 13 Moons Ranch on Wednesdays from 6:30 to 7:30pm in addition to Mondays from 5:30 to
“I see you laughed your tail off, too.”
6:30pm. Kids can train from 4 to 5pm on Wednesdays and Mondays and all dojo members ages 10 and up are invited to informal open mat time from 5 to 6:30pm on Wednesdays. Find more info at https://www.crystalriveraikikai.com
BASALT MT. MITIGATION
The Town of Basalt and partnered agencies present phases of a project intended to promote forest health, restore wildlife habitat and reduce wildfire fuels on areas of Basalt Mountain at the Basalt Library at 6pm. For more info, visit www.basalt.net/forestry
INSIGHT MEDITATION
Roaring Fork Insight hosts a donation-based meditation group at the Third Street Center (Room 31) from 7 to 8:30pm.
FRÄNDER
FRÄNDER performs modern Swedish folk music at Steve’s Guitars at 8pm. Tickets at www.stevesguitars.net
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 1
BABY & ME
The Carbondale Library hosts a special storytime for children under 1 year old, introducing babies and caregivers to practices designed to give them a headstart on early literacy. This will include baby yoga, music, sign language, tummy time and flash cards, Tuesdays at 9:30am.
BIG FIVE
The Big Five group, hosted at HeadQuarters in Basalt and open to all, discusses mental health at 6pm. The group will reconvene and recap on the last Tuesday of the month to rehash the same topic. Email lindsey@headq.org for more details.
SONGS OF JUSTICE
Alpine Legal Services hosts a fundraiser at TACAW with live music by talented locals from 6 to 8pm.
CHILDCARE 101
FocusedKids commences its fourpart “Fall Coaching Series for Parents, Caregivers and Teachers” over Zoom today and each Tuesday through Oct. 22 from 7 to 8pm. Register at www. focusedkids.org
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 3
‘A WAY OUT’
A Way Out hosts its 2024 Symposium on Substance Abuse and Healing Trauma at TACAW from 8am to 1pm. Reserve a spot at www.tinyurl.com/ AWOSymposium
‘MOON OVER HUMBOLDT’ Journalist and recovering addict Jim Hight will perform dramatic readings, and discuss the themes of recovery and reconciliation, from his new novel, “Moon Over Humboldt,” at The Meeting Place (981 Cowen) at 5pm.
COMMON ROOTS
HeadQuarters in Basalt invites male-identifying folks over the age of
18 to gather sincerely with other men from 6 to 7:30pm. For details, visit www. headq.org/support/events
MOVIE NIGHT
Pregame the Potato Days weekend with some historical cinema! Catch “Red Stallion in the Rockies,” a 1949 Western filmed locally, screening at the Carbondale Library at 7pm. It’s free and open to all!
DEREK FRANK
Steve’s Guitars welcomes Derek Frank’s “70s-inspired funk instrumental jams” with a five-piece group performing at 8pm. Tickets at www.stevesguitars.net
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 4
NATURE JOURNALING
Adults who wish to explore, observe and creatively document nature are invited to join a group of novice and experienced sketch book writers and artists every first Friday from 1 to 2:30pm at the Carbondale Library. Bring your own supplies. For more info, call 970-963-2889.
SAFE PASSAGES BENEFIT
Beth Pratt, who helped raise $90 million to build the world’s largest wildlife crossing over a Los Angeles interstate, will speak during a Roaring Fork Safe Passages benefit at the Gant in Aspen from 4:30 to 6:30pm. RSVP at www.roaringforksafepassages.org
ART OPENING
The Carbondale Arts Gallery hosts a First Friday opening for “Women (Im) Print,” by Katie Browne and Bailey Haines, and “Community Service Print Projects,” by student artists of The Project Shop, from 5 to 7pm.
BARN DANCE
Enjoy an early start to Potato Day with a community contra dance at the Carbondale Rec Center from 6 to 8pm followed by a funk concert by The Confluents from 9 until 11pm. All proceeds will benefit the Carbondale Historical Society.
CONSENSUAL IMPROV
The Consensual Improv troupe performs at TACAW at 8pm. Tickets at www.tacaw.org
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 5
POTATO DAY
Carbondale’s longest-running festival continues with a Carbondale Rotary Club pancake breakfast at Chacos Park from 8:30 to 10:30am, the Ross Montessori Tater Trot race at 9am, a farmers’ market and booths in Sopris Park all day, the parade down Main Street at 10:30am, a spike ball tournament from 11am to 2pm, the traditional community lunch from 11:15am ‘till 1:30pm, live music, a largest potato contest and more. For a full list of this weekend’s events, visit www.tinyurl. com/115PotatoDays
Alpine Animal Hospital
Advertising Enterprises
Aspen SavATree
MEDIA SPONSORS
AVALANCHE CREEK MEMBERS
MANAUS Martin Insurance Group
MBS Associates
Aspen Snowmass Sotheby’s International Real Estate Bank of Colorado Bay Equity Home Loans
Brikor Associates, Inc.
Builders First Source
Carbondale Comfort Inn & Suites
Coldwell Banker Mason Morse Real Estate
Colorado Mountain College
Comcast Business
COMPASS For Lifelong Discovery
Cornerstone Home Lending
CoVenture
Days Inn Carbondale
DHM Design Corporation
DiPaulo Walker, LLC
Double Diamond Moving & Storage
Durgin Electric, LLC
Eastwood Investments, LLC
ECOS Environmental & Disaster Restoration
Element by Westin Basalt Aspen Valley
Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park
Glenwood Hot Springs Resort
Gran Farnum Printing
Heritage Park Care Center
Integrated Mountain Group
Izakaya Carbondale
PRESENTERS
Town of Carbondale:
Ben Bohmfalk & Lauren Gister
Garfield County: Mike Samson & Bentley Henderson
State of Colorado: Dana Hlavac
SPECIAL THANKS
3 B’s Bakery
Alpine Bank
Bonfire Coffee Company
Botany Houseplant Shop
Carly Passchier eXP Realty
Colorado Mountain College
Double Diamond Moving and Storage
FirstBank
Flowers on Main
Mountain Waste & Recycling
Plosky’s Deli
Poster Placement
Promotional Concepts
The Home Group and Concept One Group
The Homestead
Third Street Center
Valley View Hospital
Village Smithy
CARBONDALE CHAMBER STAFF:
- Andrea Stewart
- Heather Beach
- Katie Woltjer
Mitchell and Company
Mountain Pearl Magazine
Osmia Organics
Pacific Sheet Metal, Inc.
Paradise Publishing
Premier Party Rental
Promotional Concepts
Red Hill Animal Health Center
Redstone Inn
Roaring Fork Engineering
Roaring Fork Leadership
Roaring Fork School District
Roaring Fork Transportation Authority
Shear Bliss Dog Spa
Silver Mountain Properties
Sopris Lodge at Carbondale
Spring Pilates, LLC
Sunburst Car Care
Sunlight Mountain Resort
T. Thompson Construction, Inc.
The Fireplace Company, Inc.
The Valley Hopper
Vectra Bank Colorado
Village Smithy Restaurant, Inc.
Waste Management, Inc.
White House Pizza
PANEL
Brendan Matthias, FirstBank
• Emily Zerba, D.O. , Thrive Osteopathy + Direct Primary Care
• Todd Chamberlin & Raleigh Burleigh , The Sopris Sun
Sydney Schalit , MANAUS
• Kiko Peña , Sopris Liquor & Wine
Moderator Steve Skadron
Colorado Mountain College
CHAMBER BOARD
CHAIR: Brendan Matthias, FirstBank
VICE CHAIR/SECRETARY: Ashley Worthington, Valley View Hospital
TREASURER: Garret Jammaron, Alpine Bank
Jamie Abbott , Carbondale Arts
Brion After, Independence Run & Hike
Carly Passchier, eXp Realty
Kiko Peña , Sopris Liquor & Wine
Lauri Rubinstein, Step Into Great
Steve Skadron, Colorado Mountain College
Steve VanDyke, PGA , River Valley Ranch Golf &
The Homestead
TOURISM COUNCIL OF CARBONDALE CHAIR: Erkko Alm, Alpine Bank
TOWN OF CARBONDALE LIAISONS: Jess Robison & Christina Montemayor
Pool progresses, Chester’s continued
RALEIGH BURLEIGH
Sopris Sun Editor
The Board of Trustees tackled another packed agenda Tuesday, Sept. 24, with all in attendance counting Jess Robison who joined via Zoom while traveling. Town Manager Lauren Gister was absent.
The consent agenda was swiftly approved, including accounts payable, meeting minutes, appointment of Kevin Hanian to the Environmental Board, special event liquor licenses and liquor license renewals. Trustee Chris Hassig asked about the Black Nugget’s status given controversy that surfaced the last time its license was up for renewal. Mayor Ben Bohmfalk said he wondered the same and nothing had been reported.
During trustee comments, Colin Laird championed the West Mountain Regional Housing Coalition’s Good Deeds program which helped close on a now deed-restricted house in Glenwood Springs sold to a Valley View nurse. He said three more people are “in the pipeline” for purchasing homes in Glenwood Springs, New Castle and Carbondale.
ANB Bank
The first of several action items was an ordinance approving ANB Bank’s application for a mixeduse project on Highway 133, near City Market. The combined application was approved with a public hearing last October, however the approval ordinance was pulled from a March agenda by the applicant to review the deed-restriction language. This time around, they faced scrutiny from newly-elected trustee Ross Kribbs over a change in the design which has the second story extending an additional foot into the landscape buffer.
Kribbs’ concerns stemmed from setting a precedent that other applicants could make similar requests, rather than reduce the size of their buildings to fit code. The project’s lawyer asserted that this was an “already approved project,” and “we’re here to document the resolution, as well as enter into a [development improvement agreement]” to secure public improvements, including a requested sidewalk realignment for pedestrian traffic flow. He had no update about the fate of the existing ANB Bank building half a mile to the north.
The ordinance and development improvement agreement were approved with Kribbs dissenting.
Chester’s
Next, trustees saw a new application for a restaurant at 522 Highway 133, currently the site of a derelict strip mall. Applicant Chester White and his team seek to demolish the existing building to construct a two-story, 4,100-square-foot building on the triangular property, with a parking lot to the south and green space to the north where it meets the Rio Grande Trail. The proposed building incorporates a repurposed railroad bridge feature paying homage to the trail’s history.
In addition to a variance request and two alternative compliance requests, the applicant asked for the Town to share 50% of the cost of undergrounding power lines, not to exceed $120,000. This money would come from a fund with Xcel Energy dedicated to utility upgrades which currently sits around $240,000, Planning Director Jared Barnes stated.
While the project generally received support, its
location flared concerns about the Dolores Way intersection at Highway 133, where cars rely on a “suicide lane” to turn left during heavy traffic. Several Satank residents commented on the history of Dolores Way, which is now the only access to their neighborhood, as well as the Carbondale Community School and industrial park businesses.
Laird proposed a traffic impact fee proportional to the project, as was done for the new City Market and other developments near the roundabout. This would help fund a second roundabout or other infrastructure like a pedestrian crossing. According to Yancy Nichol with Sopris Engineering, the restaurant would be limited to right-in, right-out if the Town decides to do the same with Dolores Way. However, this new project would theoretically have less of a traffic impact than the existing structure which has multiple commercial spaces and two access points.
The public hearing was continued to Oct. 8 for additional considerations around sharing the costs of undergrounding utilities and also mitigating the traffic concerns. “No one has said they love that old little strip mall,” Bohmfalk assured. “I hope you’re hearing we’re supportive.”
“There’s a little part of me that’s going to miss it,” Hassig admitted.
Community housing
Next, trustees continued their discussion of updating the Town’s Community Housing Inclusionary Requirements. The proposal was to increase the number of accessible units (based on Carbondale’s area median income, www.bit.ly/ CdaleAMI24) to 25% of all residential developments with more than three units, including
new restaurant
rental-only properties. Bohmfalk considered it “one small step in the right direction, rather than a big leap.”
Kribbs felt the lack of pushback from the development community was indicative that they could go further. “I wonder if this is a small step or a shuffle,” he remarked, proposing they increase the requirement to 30% for developments over nine units. Town staff responded that would require additional public noticing and another 30 days, at a minimum.
Laird noted, “90% of free market housing in Carbondale is unaffordable to the average Carbondale household,” adding, “It’s pretty obvious we have a big problem around housing.” He said, “This is an important step. We haven’t changed this [inclusionary housing requirement] in over 20 years. It’s about time.”
Trustees unanimously agreed that this amendment should be approved. “I think we should just move forward with the way it is now and look at a study in the future,” said trustee Jess Robison. “Action is better than waiting for something better.”
Parks and Rec
Lastly, trustees met with the Parks and Rec Department, first
replace the
to consider a grant application with the Land & Water Conservation Fund for improvements at Chacos Park. If received, the grant would require a $800,000 match from the Town toward the park’s $1.6 million redesign. Because $300,000 has already been dedicated to the project, it would entail a $500,000 investment from the 2026 budget. Approval was unanimous. Trustees then received the full guaranteed maximum price for the new pool. A staff memo announced that fundraising efforts have brought in $1.05 million toward the original $1.6 million goal which would achieve the original $11.6 million project budget. The funding gap would be some $470,000 more to include a spa element, and an additional half million or so for the full design with all add-alternates. The Town will know by December the status of two grant applications. With additional contingency funds approved from an existing half-cent sales tax dedicated to Parks and Rec, the full guaranteed maximum price including the spa was approved with a 4-3 split vote. Trustees will decide in December when they approve their 2025 budget whether or not to truly include the spa and other add-alternates.
Sopris Showdown all-ages fun
The Roaring Fork Pickleball Association’s annual Sopris Showdown tournament occured Sept. 20-22. The Association’s youngest member, Ina Stuart, age 10, competed in doubles alongside the legendary Cliff Colia (far-left photo). Her best friend, Maeve Stone, was there to cheer her on (middle-left). Overall, it was a fun day for all 200 competitors and spectators alike, with a $25,000 guesstimated boost to Carbondale’s economy.
A
at 522 Highway 133 would
now vacated strip mall which currently encroaches upon the Roaring Fork Transportation Authority’s right-of-way. The restaurant would focus on pedestrian access as a nexus between the Rio Grande and Crystal Valley trails. Courtesy graphic
Photos by Jane Bachrach
RFTA REPORT
September RFTA board report centered around change
ANNALISE GRUETER
Sopris Sun Correspondent
Change was at the heart of the Sept. 12 Roaring Fork Transportation Authority (RFTA) board meeting. The gathering saw celebration of recent successes and grants, recognition of member departures and warnings and considerations of upcoming challenges. After quickly approving minutes from the August meeting, the floor was opened for public comment.
Public and board comments
Patricia Savoy and Ed Cortez of Carbondale, both members of the Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1774, notified the board of their intention to strike. The union and RFTA have been negotiating since May about wages, housing stipends and other contract details. The union feels that negotiations are at an impasse as of early September. If RFTA does not respond with a more palatable offer to the union by the end of the calendar year, the strike will move forward.
Rachel Richards of Aspen asked the RFTA board to provide additional support to the City of Aspen and Pitkin County regarding the entrance to Aspen. As the City moves forward on the topic and applies for a federal environmental impact statement and grant funding, Richards emphasized the influence RFTA has in reaching riders and community members. She asked the board to poll riders further on preferred ways to address traffic and congestion.
During board comments, all in attendance celebrated the grants received from the Colorado Department of Transportation to add 10 new electric buses to the fleet. CEO Kurt Ravenschlag said, “We’ve been very fortunate this past year
in receiving grants to improve infrastructure and vehicles toward meeting our zero emissions goals.” He also noted that “this latest grant will allow RFTA to provide zero emissions service up and down the Valley” and help fund installation of en route charging infrastructure at Rubey Park and in Glenwood Springs. “The majority of the funds we were granted, $10 million, came from the Volkswagen settlement.”
Next, Board Chair Shelley Kaup informed the group that she will be stepping down from board representation and City of Glenwood Springs representation in mid-October after that month’s meeting. This development promises further change and shake-ups, as the board will need to select a new chair and establish additional Glenwood representation.
Attention then turned to RFTA’s former CEO. “We’re not done with you yet, Dan,” quipped Board Vice Chair Greg Poschman, calling recently retired CEO Blankenship to the dais for recognition. Those present spent the next 20 minutes celebrating Blankenship’s work and influence on local transportation with all
acknowledging that “Dan’s influence will be felt at RFTA for years to come.”
Consent agenda and presentations
Consent items were quickly resolved. The board unanimously approved Resolution 2024-14, moving forward with an intergovernmental agreement with CDOT to provide needed maintenance at the 27th Street underpass.
Representatives from the City of Aspen presented updates about the Castle Creek bridge status and process. The Castle Creek bridge condition is over 13 years past the design life and currently ranked as functionally obsolete. Pete Rice explained the five evaluated options for bridge replacement and the entrance to Aspen, with a focus on the preferred alternative.
The top proposal, already approved, has been submitted to the State of Colorado and is the option that gives locals the most control. It would require relocating the historic Berger cabin. The City is not able to withdraw the Record of Decision already submitted to the
state. However, given significant public commentary recently, Aspen City Council is opening the federal process for replacement of the current bridge and to analyze alternative alignments further. The City of Aspen will be polling to understand community sentiment.
RFTA Director of Finance Paul Hamilton then presented the first draft of the 2025 budget. This report included ridership data and projections. The 2022-2025 numbers show a 20% increase in ridership, returning to pre-pandemic levels. Ridership is expected to exceed 5 million in 2025. At the end of the budget presentation, there was a lively discussion about Garfield County contributions to transit funding. Board members foresee potential future issues around Garfield County’s reluctance to contribute more funding toward transit.
To close the presentations, David Pesnichak, mobility coordinator, provided an update on first and last mile mobility services. The board had few comments.
The meeting wrapped with the public hearing and additional information. The board unanimously approved Resolution 2024-15: 2024 Supplemental Budget Appropriation Resolution. The legislation covers sales tax revenues allotment, dedication of the recently awarded CDOT funds to purchasing 10 new electric buses, bikeshare funding and more. Before the public meeting closed, CEO Ravenschlag notified attendees that the Glenwood Springs 27th Street underpass ribbon cutting is slated for Oct. 15.
Agendas, which include minutes, detailed presentation decks and Zoom links for upcoming meetings, are available at www.rfta.com/board-meetings
RFTA looks forward to replacing 10 Valley-wide diesel buses with battery electric buses by 2026. Courtesy photo
An unidentified fisherman enjoys one of the last days of summer on the river. Photo by Tommy Sands
Renowned bassist Derek Frank set to make Steve’s debut
MYKI JONES
Arts and Culture Correspondent
On Thursday, Oct. 3 at 8pm, Los Angeles-based bass player Derek Frank and his band — comprised of guitar ists Joshua Ray Gooch, Brent Mason and Anthony King; keyboardists Carey Frank and Matt Rohde; drummer Randy Cook; and percussionist Demian Arriaga — will perform for their first time at Steve’s Guitars. This visit is but a stop on a tour for Frank’s third studio album, “Origin Story.”
Frank has performed as a bass player in California for some of the biggest names in the industry, includ ing: Took, Shania Twain, Aly & AJ, Gwen Stefani, Kelly Clarkson and Air Supply.
“I’ve received influence and inspi ration from all these people. Seeing how differently every body operates and has a certain skill set.
I’ve learned a lot from them about being an artist myself,” Frank told The Sopris Sun.
Frank, originally from Pittsburgh, was influenced to pursue music from an early age. As a part of the generation that witnessed the birth of MTV, he said that being exposed to so many different kinds of artists, ironically, gave shape to his own future in the music industry.
“Early on, I liked listening to music; but when MTV came out, that’s what did it for
15th, 2024 the Roaring Fork Bridge will be closed until January, 2025. The Roaring Fork Bridge is located along the Rio Grande Trail (RGT) just west of the Carbondale
11.5. The Rio Grande Trail will be closed from mile post
The Roaring Fork Transportation Authority (RFTA) and Meridian Consulting Inc. will be conducting necessary repairs and improvements to the Roaring Fork Bridge. We appreciate your patience, cooperation, and understanding as we work to enhance the bridge, ensuring a smoother and safer trail experience.
Follow All Posted Detours: The established detour route will be along Dolores Way and Satank Road and then across the Satank Bridge for trail users to navigate around the construction zone safely. Please follow all trail closures and detours for your safety and the safety of our workers.
Rams soccer wins at home, falls on the road; football suffers road loss
JOHN STROUD Sopris Sun Correspondent
Roaring Fork High School’s boys soccer team scored a hardfought 3A Western Slope League win at home over Steamboat Springs on Sept. 19, before falling on the road to state-ranked Timnath two days later.
Junior Delano Crooks collected both of the Rams’ goals in the 2-1 win against the Sailors in front of the home fans.
His first came with just over 12 minutes to play in the first half on a pass from senior Emiliano Galindo that found Crooks open on the left side of the box.
The clincher came nine minutes into the second half when Crooks took a slide pass at midfield from senior captain Fernando Rodrigues-Candela and dribbled the ball high over the head of a Steamboat defender, then beat the goalkeeper to the left side to give Roaring Fork a 2-0 edge.
But for an unfortunate ball that skipped off his fingertips in the 79th minute to set up the Sailors’ only goal, the Rams’ junior goalkeeper, Keven Cisneros, was nearly impenetrable, recording 10 saves on the night.
It was an important win over the newest team in the 3A WSL ranks that sets the Rams up for a chance to take the league title, head coach Nick Forbes said.
“Steamboat was a marker for the league,” he said. “They are also a good team, and between some great defensive play, a keeper who was on fire and a little luck, we managed to get a huge league win.”
A chance to grab a win on the road in northern Colorado at Timnath on Saturday went south
for the Rams, as they fell 3-1.
“It was a long journey to a big turf field, and was a really good chance for us to play a good team on a different surface,”
Forbes said. “We had a rough first half waking up off the bus and couldn’t salvage it in the second.”
Roaring Fork’s lone goal was scored by senior Sam Brennan in the second half.
CHSAA’s weekly rankings released on Monday put Roaring Fork at No. 5 among 3A teams.
Next up, the Rams (3-2 overall, 2-0 league) travel to play 5A Grand Junction Central on Friday, and are back home on Saturday versus 4A Summit (varsity game time at 11am).
Football
The Rams dropped to 2-2 on the season with a 13-7 loss at Prospect Ridge Academy on Saturday, Sept. 21. Roaring Fork’s lone score came in the second quarter when junior Donny Read scrambled six yards for a touchdown and junior Eli Norris was good on the extra point kick to tie it at 7-7.
Roaring Fork was unable to answer a second-half touchdown by the Miners.
“We continue to struggle to put together scoring drives,” head coach Scott Noll said. “Our defense did well overall, and that was good to see.”
With a break in the schedule before the homecoming game against Grand Valley on Friday, Oct. 4 (7pm kickoff), Noll said the team has some work to do in practice.
“We are getting healthy now and ramping up for a couple of home games,” he said. “It’s
necessary that we push ourselves and do our best for the second half of the season.”
Girls Volleyball
The Lady Rams volleyball team dropped a 3-0 (25-13, 25-13, 25-16) decision to Coal Ridge at home on Thursday, Sept. 19.
Junior Nikki Tardif had eight kills on the night, and senior Carley Crownhart picked up 18 digs and had 11 assists from the setter position.
Roaring Fork (2-7 overall, 0-2 league) was set to host Olathe on Tuesday night this week before hitting the road to play Aspen on Thursday and Gunnison on Saturday.
Boys Golf
Roaring Fork sophomore Griffin Didier won a multi-team meet at Haymaker Golf Club in Steamboat Springs on Sept. 10 to lead the combined-school Basalt High School squad to the team title.
Griffin birdied the 18th hole to shoot a 4 under par 67.
Sophomore teammate Hudson Arnold tied for second, and senior Jackson Stewart and Brady Luetke tied for fourth.
The Longhorns claimed their seventh team win of the season on Sept. 16 at the Rifle Bears Invitational, earning a low team score of 227 to beat Vail Christian by 11 strokes. Stewart shot a 74 to win it, while Arnold finished tied for third at 76, Didier was fifth at 77, and freshman Parker Strelecki was tied for sixth at 78.
The Longhorns are now preparing for the 3A Regionals, Monday, Sept. 30 at The Snowmass Club, for a chance
to qualify for the state meet in Pueblo Oct. 7-8.
Cross country
The combined-school Basalt High School cross country team was at the prestigious Woodbridge XC Classic in Irvine, California, last weekend — now the largest high school cross country meet in the U.S.
The Lady Longhorns team took second place in the White Varsity A Division, staged at 8:28pm Friday, Sept. 20, the first of two days of back-to-back boys and girls races on a super-fast course at Irvine’s Great Park.
Senior Izzy Moon placed 10th in the race in 18 minutes, 42.9 seconds over the five-kilometer course. Junior Caroline Cole was 18th (19:22.9); junior Addison Raymond, 28th (19:43.9); sophomore Sadie Silcox, 52nd (20:29.7); senior Morgan Fink, 60th (20:41.7); senior Ana Cabrera, 71st (20:57.9); and freshman Kinley
Richmond, 73rd (21:00.9).
In the boys White Varsity A race, Basalt junior Towler Scott was 16th in 15:08.5.
Notably, the event saw a new national record time of 15:20.3 run by senior Rylee Blade from Corona, California, in Saturday’s elite girls race. Senior Owen Powell from Mercer Island, Washington, won the elite boys race in 13:30.3.
Competing at the Glenwood Springs Demon XC Invitational on Saturday, the Colorado Rocky Mountain School girls won the team title, led by freshman Kayla Steele, second (21:10.4). She was followed by freshman Genevieve Vickers, third (22:19.8); freshman Abigail O’Keefe, fifth (22:51.4); senior Ellis Hutchens, sixth (23:35.); and junior Lexi Bier-Moebius, 10th (24:32.5).
CRMS senior Henry O’Hagan took fourth in the boys race (19:22.4) and sophomore Max Peterson was 10th (21:03.9).
Colorado Rocky Mountain School freshman Kayla Steele navigates the Glenwood Springs Demon Invitational cross country course on Saturday, Sept. 21, en route to a second place finish and a team win over host Glenwood High School. Photo by John Stroud
Rams goal keeper Keven Cisneros kept 10 shots on goal out of the net against Steamboat Springs.
Photo by Sue Rollyson
Both goals against Steamboat Springs on Sept. 19 were scored by Delano Crooks, cinching victory. Photo by Sue Rollyson
Irene Stella Huck Staats
September 2, 1922 - September 20, 2024
Irene Stella Huck Staats passed away peacefully on Friday, Sept. 20, with her family at her side. She was 102, and lived a vibrant and joy-filled life with many blessings which she shared graciously.
She was born to Andy Demanski and Stella Boroski in Valier, Illinois. At the age of 16, she moved to Arvada to live with her father and stepmother. She married Gerald Huck on Dec. 14, 1941, and had four children: Gerald, Michael, Allen and Anna Maria.
In 1968, her husband Gerald passed. That summer she temporarily moved to Central City, where she ran the family candy shop, Huck’s Candies, for the summer tourist seasons, until they lost their lease from the Teller House. In 1971 she bought and ran a tourist attraction called The Lost Gold Mine, adding a gift shop to the front of the entrance. At this time, she moved to the house that was next door to the mine.
She retired in 1990 and moved to Battlement Mesa, where she met and married Burton Staats in 1995. Together they lived and enjoyed the amenities of the area until Burt passed in 2008.
In 2009, she moved to Crystal Meadows Senior Housing in Carbondale to be close to her family. In Carbondale she remained very active, quilting, gardening, baking her famous pies and socializing, alongside activities at Saint Mary of the Crown Catholic Church.
In March of 2024, she moved to Sopris Lodge in Carbondale, where she lived comfortably until her passing. She was a very devout Catholic, and especially loved the Rosary.
Irene was preceded in death by her husband, Gerald Huck; son, Gerald; and husband, Burt Staats.
Irene is survived by her daughter-in-law, Joyce Huck; son, Michael Huck (Jan); son, Allen Huck (Judy); daughter, Anna Maria Whalen (Mark).
She is also survived by 13 grandchildren, 24 great-grandchildren and six greatgreat grandchildren.
Irene’s services will be held on Saturday, Sept. 28, at Saint Mary of the Crown Catholic Church, 397 White Hill Road, Carbondale: rosary 9:30am, funeral mass 10am, followed by a reception at 11am.
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Trade In Your Old Gear at the following Seasonal Events:
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in remembrance of Irene to HomeCare & Hospice of the Valley, 823 Grand Ave, Suite 300, Glenwood Springs; Carbondale Senior Housing Corporation, 1250 Hendrick Drive, Carbondale; or Saint Mary of the Crown Altar and Rosary, 397 White Hill Road, Carbondale. Sept. 28 - Roaring Fork Co-Op - 10-2pm
LETTERS
Housing a concern?
Is housing a concern for you? Don’t you want to vote for someone who shares your concern?
The City of Rifle and Habitat For Humanity are collaborating on a wonderful project to create a modular home production facility. The facility will enable Habitat to build more affordable housing here in the county and also serve as a workforce training center to train local high school students in the latest digital construction technology. In 2023, they applied for a federal grant for the project, and asked the county commissioners to provide a letter of support.
The commissioners refused. Commissioner Mike Samson, who is now running for re-election, said he had “mixed feelings” about the project because he prefers single family homes to apartments and condos. “I don’t want somebody living on the other side of the wall of me — above me, below me and to the side of me. I like my house,” he stated at the Feb. 27, 2023 meeting.
This is just one example that shows how out of touch Samson is with his constituents. Who wouldn’t prefer a single family home?! The point is, there
All old equipment will be recycled by:
our
from page 2
are way too many families and essential workers in our county who can’t afford any form of housing.
Steven Arauza understands our housing crisis and wants to help those affected by it. Vote for Steven Arauza and give him the opportunity to bring smart leadership to our Board of County Commissioners.
Wendy Stewart Carbondale
Please vote
Wow! The number of new registered voters is amazing, Thank You! Let’s continue the positive energy on the national level to our local elections. It’s time to give younger and new candidates a chance at the county commissioner level and beyond in Garfield and Pitkin counties. Out with the old in with the new. Our state has changed so much in the last several years: population, demographics, ways tax dollars are generated. Let’s embrace fresh visions instead of the same ole same ole to tackle many issues that the same ole can’t seem to solve. Let’s also have transparency in the political ads and please show a current picture of yourself, not one from many years ago! It’s only continued on page 22
Join our team! The Art Base is a non-profit art center in Basalt, CO, which fosters creative expression in the visual arts for all ages and abilities, through education, exhibitions, and providing opportunities to artists and artisans.
The Community Partner Programs Coordinator will be a friendly and community – centric person who is committed to the success of inclusive educational programming at the Art Base. Under the direction of the Education Programs Manager, the Community Partner Programs Coordinator will be responsible for co-creating and coordinating innovative programming with organizations serving underrepresented groups, aiming to expand art classes and opportunities, making art accessible to all. The Community Partner Programs Coordinator will report to the Education Programs Manager. Hourly salary $26 - $28 with commensurate experience
For sex, see librarian Pursuing our pursuers
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 will analyze 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
Dream
I burned sage before sleeping and I felt reckless before I slept. Then I dreamed I saw a huge black cat and a monkey following me around. I was pursuing them to go away. They would run away once I pursued them but then they would come back again.
Interpretation
Your dream is a perfect example of Carl Jung’s concept of how we are “subliminally absorbing psychic phenomenon” without being conscious that we are doing so. When our subconscious mind wakes up and switches places with our conscious mind in sleep or deep meditation, our subtle reality becomes accessible.
happen within dreams just as we do in waking life, but paying attention to the emotion is information. When we rule out our emotions we take away valuable information regarding a situation, conscious or subconscious.
OPINION
DREAM WELL
By Natalia Snider
Jung says, “The unconscious aspect of any event is revealed to us in dreams where it appears not as a rational thought but as a symbolic image.” Your dream, in this manner, mirrors back to you the subconscious psychic impression of what took place while you were saging your space.
Burning sage is a well known practice to cleanse and purify a space. Waving the sage around in your space to ward off negative energy is represented in your dream as you actively pursue these animals to make them go away. Being reckless before you sleep is an important note to pull out here. Saging a space should make the space feel calm and clean, yet you felt reckless. In your dream, the animals keep coming back. The sage seemed to not have worked.
These two animals are black, signifying possibly shadow beings or energy beings that are unclear to you in their purpose. When something is unknown or not clear in a dream as a symbol, we often see these things as shadowy or dark in a way that is nondescript. However unclear the beings may be, this dream is showing you that two energy beings are in your space: a big cat and a monkey. What is interesting here is that these black animals were following you but not attacking. It sounds more as if they were watching or just existing. As well, it is interesting that these animals are not warded off by the sage. This is indicating the importance and permanence of these figures. To dig deeper into this dream memory we need to understand the feelings you had when encountering these beings. Emotional data gives away just as much of the truth to a story as visuals in any dream. We often overlook our emotional charges that
The feeling of recklessness is then what reveals the answer. This feeling that you are not content is coming from the slight separation of you from your shadow self, from not being in harmony with your duality — your yin and yang. In this dream, your shadow self is visually represented in two different animals, once again showing the disharmony. The big cat with a reserved demeanor opposite that of the monkey’s more expressive one. However, the meaning of the cat and monkey remain personal to you and your relationship with these animals. Yet the dream is showing you that there is shadow work to be done here.
In a calm resting position, find your neutral steady energy. Call forward the big cat, feeling into its energy without it becoming you. Keep the animal’s energy at an observational distance. Then return to neutral. Do the same for the monkey and return to neutral. In the neutral state, acknowledge the differences. Find the common ground between them and feel into why the separation has happened. Find the feeling of recklessness between them because this feeling is the teacher that will lead you to the disharmony. Remember that everything that reveals itself to you is another bit of information. Everything is valid. Be careful not to dismiss the process.
Lastly, write down your next couple dreams or past couple if you have not already. What other aspects of your own psychic world are you picking up on? What is your subconscious trying to show you? Your next couple dreams and even your previous couple dreams may be related to this dream. When we are able to read a week or a full month’s dreams, we can pull out full stories. Visual representations of our subtle realities reveal themselves sometimes as chapters with each dream being a new chapter.
It is worthy to remember that we can dream of anything — there are no boundaries. So then, it is valuable to understand the relevance of what your subconscious has brought forward for you. Every dream is a gift of information and new knowledge, and then it becomes our choice to use this information.
When I was 13, I kissed a girl. Many times. I was feeling pretty good about it until I overheard my mother, a head nurse at the Veterans Administration hospital, mention something to a colleague over the phone about the treatment of venereal disease.
When you wanted to learn about something in those days, long before the internet, you went to the library. In the dictionary, I found out that venereal disease (see syphilis and gonorrhea) was the result of sexual activity.
Kissing, it sure seemed to me, was sexual. Then I looked up syphilis and gonorrhea in the encyclopedia. There were pictures. It was horrifying. It was also a little unclear how you got the diseases.
In something approaching panic, I dove into the card catalog. (This was before computer catalogs, too.) I looked up the logical heading: “Sex.”
And right there on the main card was typed “For Sex: See Librarian.”
I want to make it clear that the library was not offering sexual services. I think the idea was that if you wanted any information about the topic you were supposed to talk to the staff. But there was no way I was going to ask one of the prim ladies at the reference desk if I was coming down with a sexually transmitted disease. I wasn’t going to ask my mother, either.
I know that there are many people who very much like this arrangement. They think, if you just don’t tell the children about sex, or at least make it a little harder to find out about it, the problem goes away!
Is anyone surprised to learn that the teenage pregnancy rate of the time was quite a bit higher than it is today? After 40 years of professional library experience, I’ve learned that the best protection against attempts to sexually exploit children is not ignorance. It is knowledge, often provided by the schools and libraries now under attack. (And they are under attack as never before. See below.)
In much the same way, some folks don’t think we should talk about LGBTQ+ issues, either. But ignorance and bigotry serve predators, not their prey.
I know some people argue that putting information “behind the desk” isn’t censorship. After all, the book is still there. But when you make it harder to find information, the information doesn’t get used — even by the people most in need of it.
Books that get used stick around. We buy extra copies. Books that don’t get used get weeded — removed to make way for things that have a better chance of finding a reader. Putting books out of sight helps get rid of them. That’s the point.
The American Library Association’s Office for Intellectual Freedom (or OIF, where I used to be the executive director) documented 1,247 demands to censor library books and resources in 2023. They report, “The number of titles targeted for censorship surged 65% in 2023 compared to 2022, reaching the highest levels ever documented by OIF in more than 20 years of tracking: 4,240 unique book titles were targeted for removal from schools and libraries. This tops the previous high from 2022, when 2,571 unique titles were targeted for censorship. Titles representing the voices and lived experiences of LGBTQIA+ and BIPOC individuals made up 47% of those targeted in censorship attempts.”
In response, the American Library Association created a website called Unite Against Book Bans (www.uniteagainstbookbans.org). I recommend it. There are loads of tips on how to do everything from seeing what’s being challenged, to how to write a letter to the editor or testify in front of a school board.
On Oct. 19, the Garfield County Public Library District will host a Unite Against Book Bans rally at Centennial Park in Glenwood Springs. The event will run from 11am to noon. Children are welcome — and are in fact encouraged to dress up as their favorite character from a book. There will be prizes.
We’ll also have a few local speakers, but none of us will talk very long. After the costume judging, the event will end with a march to a government office to leave a petition.
Please join us for the celebration of the First Amendment freedom to read.
Jamie LaRue is executive director of the Garfield County Public Library District. His opinions do not necessarily reflect the views of the Library Board of Trustees. Please email comments to jlarue@gcpld.org
By Jamie LaRue
Garfield County Public Library District
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Full edition is available every Friday afternoon on newstands and at businesses from Rifle to Aspen
Anderson Ranch Arts Center conmemora el mes de la conservación hispana con su “Festival del Rancho”
DANIEL TORRES
Sol del Valle
Anderson Ranch Arts Center, ubicado en Snowmass Village, fue el resultado de la fusión entre Center of the Hand, liderado por el ceramista Paul Soldner, el escultor Peter Voulkos y el ebanista Sam Maloof, junto al Center of the Eye, dirigido por la fotógrafa Cherie Hiser, a principios de la década de los 70’s. Desde su fundación Anderson Ranch Arts Center, ha ofrecido cursos, talleres, programas de integración social y de acercamiento al arte, además de eventos que incorporan a las distintas facciones de la comunidad en el valle. Siendo meritorios de distintos premios y reconocimientos como el Premio al Máximo Mérito, que otorga el Consejo de Artes y Humanidades de Colorado y el Premio de Excelencia en las Artes, otorgado a nivel local. Sumándole a esto, el centro destaca por su programa de estudios superiores, sus clases magistrales, talleres con artistas invitados de talla mundial, sus galerías y exposiciones de alumnos y maestros, además de su Programa de Arte Latino. El Programa de Arte Latino, abarca desde talleres impartidos por dos artistas latinos invitados, dirigidos al público en general, pero con énfasis en nuestra comunidad latina. También ofrece talleres dirigidos a educadores hispanohablantes y becas para artistas jóvenes latinos, sumándole a esto la celebración comunitaria con motivo del mes de la herencia hispana. Este año, el “Festival del Rancho”, se realizó la tarde del sábado 21 de septiembre. Los asistentes pudieron disfrutar de música en vivo por Mezcla Socials Dance and Ensemble, tacos, pupusas, tequilas, bailes folklóricos mexicanos a cargo de Aspen Santa Fe Ballet, además del performance de Roaring Fork Divas y las mezclas de Dj Joeli Villa. Todo esto de manera gratuita y completamente bilingüe. “El propósito es hacer un día de celebración para
la comunidad hispana del valle. Qué sepan que existe un nicho para que se puedan nutrir de arte y cultura”, comentó Elsi Rangel, Colaboradora en la Integración Latine de Anderson Ranch, en entrevista para El sol del Valle. A pesar de la constante lluvia y los aires otoñales de las laderas montañosas que rodean Snowmass Village, la asistencia se estimó en un poco más de mil personas. Llenando así el estacionamiento principal de Anderson Ranch y dos secundarios habilitados especialmente para el evento. La pista de baile en el jardín central y la comida en una de las cabañas que fungen como aulas, fueron los lugares más visitados, seguido por las pupusas y la coctelería para adultos.
La salsa se bailaba mayormente por los asistentes latinos, donde se lucían los mejores pasos, tanto en pareja como de manera grupal. Las impulsivas percusiones de la salsa que animan las volteretas y el vaivén de los tantos zapatos de niños y personas mayores que no resistieron la música. Los gritos y aplausos entre un tema y otro, dando espacio para que las nuevas parejas entraran en la divertida dinámica. La lluvia comenzo a caer de manera constante cuando el Aspen Santa Fe Ballet sale al escenario, reuniendo a la mayoría de la waudiencia, junto a los padres y familiares de los niños y adolescentes que conforman el grupo. Destacando entre todos ellos a los hijos pequeños de Jose Alfredo Gorta, los cuales
fueron el centro de atención por el resto de la presentación. Los pequeños atuendos de Dahiana y Fabricio, además de su gran sombrero, fueron motivo de admiración y ternura para todos los presentes, siendo la pareja que destacaba entre sus compañeros de baile. “Bailar es su pasión. Si no lo hubiéramos metido al baile con sus compañeros se pone a llorar es lo más devastador para él”, comentó Paco Navarez, director de Aspen Santa Fe Ballet en
Roaring Fork Valley y en Santa Fé, Nuevo México, en entrevista para El Sol del Valle.
El evento continuó con Roaring Fork Divas, presentando una serie de bailes y performance que generaron el desenlace perfecto, arrebatando risas y alegrías, para así pasar a la tornamesa con Dj Joeli Villa, quien amenizó la tarde para los ya pocos asistentes que se quedaron bajo las carpas cubriéndose de la lluvia y protegiéndose del frío por el resto de la tarde.
Follow Leonardo Occhipinti’s “Nuevo Mundo” in Sol del Valle every week in Spanish.
Jose Alfredo Gorta, padre, junto a su esposa e hijos. Los hermanos Gorta son bailarines para el grupo folklórico Aspen Santa Fe Ballet y presentaron en el Festival del Rancho el sábado 21 de septiembre. Foto por Daniel Torres
Share your works in progress with readers by emailing illustrations, creative writings and poetry to fiction@soprissun.com
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
[An excerpt]
By Golda Wolfe
This is an excerpt from an unpublished novel. All rights reserved. No use without permission.
Some 70 years after the winter when Aspen changed, an old man with straight white hair that grazed his collar bones opened his door to a stranger, something he rarely did.
“Randall Johnson?” she had sweetly inquired.
“Please, call me Many Houses,” he said, extending his hand in greeting. “I haven’t been called Randall Johnson for a very long time.”
Many Houses had looked forward to his visitor’s arrival. After ignoring her written requests to meet for three years, he felt it was time. To tell her what she wanted to know. Parts of it, at least. No one had ever shown any interest. And he was very old.
She was a woman in her 30s. Although the old man’s blue-green eyes were clouded with gathering blindness, he discerned that she was plump. And blond. She shifted cautiously between the cranky coils sprung from the upholstered armchair he had directed her to take — as if there’d been a choice of seating. “Careful, that chair can bite,” he had cheerfully warned, as she sat between its jaws. A small recorder rested on her wide thigh, the side table providing too small a surface to hold it, the anticipated cup of cowboy coffee, and the plate of Lorna Doones his Earth Angel had bought for the occasion.
After settling in she introduced her reason for making the trip, and when she observed that her host was ready to proceed, segued into asking him to tell her how he had met Sam Ross and his wife Charlotte Blum.
“I remember the day very well, but let me get to it the way I do,” he said.
“They were on their honeymoon, time you’d think they wanted to be alone. I guess that with all the foreigners in town, Mrs. Ross — Charlotte — was bound to run into people she knew from back home,” he began. “She always insisted I call her
Charlotte. One day Charlotte saw this man named Friedl at the Aspen ski school. Wouldn’t you know? He’d been her ski instructor in St. Anton? That was some coincidence to meet him again, on her honeymoon in Aspen.
“It wasn’t until long after we became really close friends that she told me what Friedl told her had happened . . . To her father.” Many Houses bowed his head and put up his hand to ward off further questions on that subject.
“. . . And then to find out that Professor Ross— Sam— knew Friedl too, from the 10th Mountain. Friedl joined up just so he could teach our troops how to ski. He’d come to the U.S. after escaping from Austria, after the Anschluss, the reunification—”
“Yes, I know what that is,” the listener replied mildly.
The Majestic Malleable stove presided over the space between their chairs, turned to face one another, conversationally. The Majestic was a cast iron contrivance the color of butter and, though it was about 100 years old, it worked as good as it ever had. Many Houses did not have the heart to replace it because the warmth it gave was a happy reminder of the day Charlotte and Sam hauled it back from Grand Junction. Sam complained the whole time. Charlotte loved that monster.
It was a day in June when Many Houses was entertaining his visitor, but the Malleable was stoked because the original log portion of the house where they were talking was bathed in Rocky Mountain springtime cold and gloom.
The stove, which burned wood as well as coal, was multitasking by heating a battered tin coffee pot on one of the electric coil burners it was also equipped with. The pot rattled soothingly.
“Do you cook meals on this stove as well?” she asked.
“Oh, I might look old, but I stay modern. I get a
new stove about every 50 years,” said Many Houses. “The one I cook my supper on is in the kitchen.” He nodded his chin toward a room unseen, around a corner. “In there’s the GE they — she — bought in 1975. I guess I’m almost due for another.”
“Sam Ross knew the guy!” Many Houses said, picking up the thread of the previous conversation. “Seems everybody in the 10th remembered Friedl because he was one of the good ones.” The woman, whose name was Greta Knauss, grimaced. He could not have noticed her expression, it was so slight.
Late Bloomer
By Deborah Holt Williams
The iris and lilies and daisies are done, their flowers have found their freedom.
I wish they’d last. I’m sorry they passed. I’d happily water and weed ‘em.
The days grow gray. Garden colors? Away, just when we really need ‘em.
But wait! In a blink, all summery pink, blooms a welcome clump of sedum!
right to see who we are voting for. Please
Where did your brave ancestors
Unless an American is Native American (about 2.9% of the U.S. population), he or she is descended from immigrants. Where did your family roots originate? I am the lucky descendent of immigrants from many countries: Germany, France, Belgium, Portugal and Brazil. I came to the US as a baby with my American father and my Brazilian mother. How about you?
Would you deny your ancestors the chance this country gave them for work, safety and citizenship? The opportunity that made your life possible? It took courage for all of our ancestors to leave home and cross oceans and/or borders to make new homes and lives for their descendents. My mother had to give up her career as a dentist because her education was in Brazil and not recognized here, but she contributed her talents in many other ways including teaching Spanish for many years at Colorado Mountain College. Immigrants now are the people caring for the elderly and sick as health aids in many nursing facilities. They are changing the beds in most hotel rooms in this Valley and cooking in the restaurants, washing the dishes. They are building the houses, fixing the cars and mowing the lawns. When Ellis Island began in 1892 as the landing point for immigrants coming mostly from the landless poor in Europe, those people became workers sewing clothes, cleaning houses and offices, digging in coal mines and working in the burgeoning industrial revolution in many capacities.The Pevec part of my name comes from Slovenia: coal miners,
Our country is built and enriched by each person who comes and shares their personal talents and labor. Allowing people to get work permits more easily than we do now would decrease stress for these immigrants and the costs to our national budget of immigration workers reviewing the vast paperwork necessary for a person to get permission to work. Welcoming immigrants instead of accusing them of stealing jobs and eating pets would make for a kinder country for us all. Let’s try uniting for mutual respect and kindness in cultural diversity we can all share in and enjoy.
Illène Pevec Carbondale
The economy didn’t work, let’s try immigration
The GOP planned to run on the economy and immigration in 2024. Well, the economy is booming. Inflation is down to 2.5%, low enough for the Republican chairman of the Federal Reserve, Jerome Powell, to cut interest rates by a full half a percent.
Unemployment is at 4.2%. The definition
of full employment is anything below 4.7%. Every economist’s favorite measure, the growth of the gross national product, is humming along at 3%. And the stock market, not the best measure of the health of the economy since only the rich have the extra funds to invest in it, is setting records. This has caused the MAGA men to revise their strategy. Better drill down on immigration. Let’s harp on the repeated claims that undocumented immigrants are bringing crime and drugs into the country. When it comes to crime statistics, I depend on the FBI. They’re not all agents, you know. Many of them sit at a desk and crunch numbers. They’re telling us the crime rate among immigrants is lower than that of citizens. Further, fentanyl isn’t coming into the country with immigrants through the desert, but through legal ports of entry by American citizens or Mexican nationals who have a legal right to be here.
The ticket’s frustration on this issue was revealed when Ohio senator, and vice-presidential candidate, J.D. Vance invented the absurd lie that Haitian immigrants in Springfield, Ohio were eating their neighbors’ pets. Vance has as much as admitted he made it all up, but justified it by saying he needed to make his constituents aware they’re cats and dogs are in danger.
These words have caused quite the kerfuffle in Springfield with bomb threats at schools and public cultural events being canceled. Republican Ohio Governor Mike DeWine has rejected Vance’s fantasy. Closer to home, Aurora’s MAGA Mayor Mike Coffman played a role in starting the rumor that Venezuelan gangs have taken over an apartment building in that city. It could be his attempt to explain why he’s had such a difficult time controlling crime in Aurora. The mayor has gone through seven police chiefs in five years.
Coffman has since backed off on his takeover message and police chief Kevin Barnes said there are Venezuelan gangs in Aurora, but they aren’t in control of anything. Fred Malo Jr. Carbondale
Vote red
Joy and hope are warm, cuddly sentiments but these feelings won’t pay for your groceries, gas or mortgage. Caring and compassion are also heart-warming traits but our unbridled open border empathy has resulted in millions of foreign nationals taking tax dollars away from the poorest of U.S. citizens. Rehabilitation and second chances are audible ideologies but no-bail laws and defund police policies have massively increased violent crime. We had peace through strength, now we seek non-escalation of wars through appeasement. We’ve become reactive rather than proactive, sending signals of weakness across the globe. Please, vote on facts with your brain instead of feelings with your heart. Vote a straight Republican ticket. If you’re better off now than four years ago, you are probably a recent illegal arrival. Bruno Kirchenwitz Rifle
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.
ASPEN DAILY NEWS
from page 6
per year. Silver Seekers, mid-level members, can pledge $15-40 per month. Even the top-tier Smuggler Sentinel membership is less than one-third of a one-dayper-week Aspen Snowmass pass; $41 per month is just $492 per year, and every dollar of that makes a difference for local news.
Given the enthusiastic engagement over the past five weeks, Cook, Tackett and their Daily News colleagues are planning near-term and dreaming long-term how to best implement the Journalism Fund. Cook said, “My dream is to establish a model that is replicable in other communities across the country.”
Tackett, as director of development, is focused on the immediate first. “Accessibility of the website is a big priority,” she said, adding, “I’m developing aspirational budgets for year one and year two for grant applications and larger philanthropic donors.” The community support already received demonstrates value for those bigger applications. Aspen Daily News is also in the process of pursuing B Corp certification as a public company.
To learn more about the Aspen Daily News Journalism Fund, you can visit www. aspendailynews.com/membership
Community support for local journalism has a real impact on the news ecosystem, and is the best way to ensure that discussion of issues remains accessible to the public.
ARAUZA
from page 7
young families. We need pragmatic leadership in the interest of our community, regardless of their political affiliation. It’s the willingness to collaborate across political lines and on a regional scale as well as across levels of government to identify programs and policies that satisfy the needs of our communities.
How do you approach working with someone whose political views differ from yours?
It’s very important [to] acknowledge the need to work together and the pitfalls of a hyper-partisan, two-party system. You’re elected to represent folks throughout the community so the way to work with somebody who you disagree with politically is to meet on that bridge of the desire to serve the community. That’s what I hope to bring to the Board of County Commissioners.
Anything else you’d like to add?
What we’ve seen from my opponent on the non-sanctuary resolution and of bringing politics into the library conversation is this divisiveness, this desire to represent a specific portion of our community, but not to be open to the conversation from others who come from different walks of life. So the choice this November is divisive politics or electing somebody with a history of working across the political spectrum to achieve real accomplishments in the interest of working people.
Colorado Rocky Mountain School’s (CRMS) mountain biking team hit the track this past weekend at Colorado Springs-based Fountain Valley School’s first Lazy B Ranch Rally race. Fifty-one high schools participated. (Left) CRMS senior Logan Hernandez stares down the camera without losing focus. (Bottom-left) Junior Hazel Lazar placed fourth in her division. Go Oysters!
Photos by Isaac Sterling, youth correspondent
