Community advocacy group Protect Our GarCo Libraries gathered with supporters in Centennial Park in Glenwood Springs on Saturday, Oct. 19. Aside from a reading of “The Lorax” by Dr. Seuss and a costume contest, attendees were there on serious business. After meeting in the park, participants marched to the county administration building to post a petition on its front door calling for the rescission of Resolution 2024-12. The resolution, passed by the county commissioners in March, solidified the commission’s control of library board member appointments.
Over 1,300 community members have signed the petition.
Photos by Lou Gall Youth Correspondent
Extra, EXTRA: An exciting step forward for our community and local journalism
As executive director of The Sopris Sun, I am thrilled to share exceptional news. We have been selected as a Press Forward grant recipient from a highly competitive national pool of more than 950 for-profit and nonprofit news media organizations, recognizing our commitment to quality journalism and community service. In a time when local news is more vital — and more endangered — than ever, being part of this inaugural cohort of 205 newsrooms across the nation is not just an honor; it’s a powerful testament to the impact we’re making together, right here in the Roaring Fork and Colorado River valleys — from Parachute to Aspen.
Since our founding in 2009 as one of the country’s first nonprofit community newspapers, we have dedicated ourselves to delivering journalism that informs and empowers you, our readers. The whole-hearted, generous support of our community has always been critical to our success. We have created a space where diverse voices and creativity can flourish. For this, our coverage has received dozens of awards from the Colorado Press Association, reflecting the hard work of our talented team and the significance of our mission.
budget of just two years ago!
OPINION
These grants together represent less than 10% of our needed revenue over the next year. The long-term health of The Sopris Sun depends on local support. As we navigate the evolving landscape of local journalism, including collaborations with other media, I invite you to help us reimagine what a diverse communityrun newsroom can achieve. Every contribution — whether it’s a donation, sponsorship, advertising or volunteering — helps us uphold our commitment to community-centric journalism.
Imagine a future where every resident has free access to reliable, engaging information; where diverse stories are celebrated; where education and empowerment thrive. With your support, we are well on our way to making this vision a reality. Your generosity will enable us to continue illuminating the stories that matter, ensuring our community remains informed and connected, regardless of age or language.
EXECUTIVE
NOTE
By Todd Chamberlin
With this grant from Press Forward, alongside recent grants from the Aspen Community Foundation, the Western Colorado Community Foundation/Colby’s Fund and the Rose Community Foundation, we have a unique opportunity to elevate our mission further. These grants represent collective belief in our purpose.
Importantly, regional and national funders invest in The Sopris Sun because our community does. Your contributions demonstrate our community value to national and state funders. Combined, this support empowers us to address critical information gaps and enhance initiatives like our Spanish-language equity program, Sol del Valle, and our Youth News Bureau education project, born of the education void left by the disappearance of journalism classes in local schools. To sustain this momentum, we need your continued support.
With two newspapers and a youth education program now under our stewardship, our annual budget exceeds $900,000 — roughly $18,000 per week — in 2025, which is double our annual
LETTERS
IN RETROSPECT: Last week’s report, “One year after unhoused newcomers influx, regional response coalescing,” left out an important quote by Mayor Ben Bohmfalk. The following paragraph was added to the online version:
“What became clear to us last year is that our small Carbondale municipal government and staff are not equipped to be the lead provider of services. We don’t ever want to find ourselves in that position again,” Bohmfalk said. “What we want to do is help people access services through groups like the Valley Alliance to End Homelessness.”
Halloween thanks
Here is a great big spooky “thank you” to the Missouri Heights Pumpkin Goblin(s) for keeping the Halloween spirit alive and well. We all love seeing all the pumpkins in all the places.
Davis Farrar & Family Missouri Heights
Re: Peace
A recent article in The Sopris Sun recounts a conversation between reps from Ceasefire Now RFV and the local Jewish community. Several congenial follow-up meetings were held. It seemed from the reporting that most were glad about the experience. I attended a couple of meetings
These momentous grants are more than financial aid; they are crucial to our journey together. Starting Nov. 1, several matching grants will be unlocked, matching every dollar you donate up to $40,000, as we strive to reach $100,000 or 12% of our annual budget with local donations by year’s-end.
This is a chance to enhance your support for your local nonprofit newsroom and help us create a stronger, more engaged community. I invite you to consider making a donation today, whether as a one-time gift or as a recurring monthly contribution at www.coloradogives.org/donate/TheSoprisSun
If you’re interested in sponsorship or affordable advertising opportunities, please reach out to me directly at Todd@soprissun.com
Thank you for being part of this journey with us and for your unwavering support of The Sopris Sun. Together, we are building something truly unique and making a lasting impact! Your support will keep local journalism alive and empower us to serve you and our community meaningfully for years to come. Let’s stand united to ensure our voices are heard, our stories celebrated, and our community thrives!
at local city councils where requests were made for an official statement requesting a ceasefire in Gaza. Glenwood agreed. The others did not. One reason for declining was the probability that such a letter would create “division.” It would and it did.
The problem with having such conversations is the two sides do not start from an even point. Here is a thought experiment. Imagine now that in Israel every public building and most residential ones are in ruins. There is no shelter. Imagine there is not enough food, water, medicine. The Israeli people are starving, dehydrated, and people are sick in every way. Imagine there are 200,000 dead and almost half are children. Everyone is trapped inside the borders, but the people are forced to move every few days. Planes are bombing, drones are hunting and killing, and rockets are screaming in. Plus tanks and infantry. Foreign humanitarian aid workers get blasted and shot by the thousands. Trucks carrying food, medicine and injured people are blown up.
A recent survey of the Israeli people from Pew revealed that 19% of Isralis believe their country’s military response has gone too far; 39% say it’s “been about right” and 34% say it’s “not gone far enough.” The remaining 7% responded with “don’t know.”
I suspect few people in the U.S. know that the 1947 U.N. agreement that created Israel out of the place known as Palestine
also called for a new smaller state of Palestine next to Israel. That never happened. And that is the exact reason that Hamas attacked on Oct. 7, 2023.
So, how can this situation be fixed?
Patrick Hunter Carbondale
Hurricane relief
Hurricane Helene first made landfall on the evening of Sept. 26 in the Big Bend area of Florida Gulf Coast as a Category 4. Its largest impact was in the southern Appalachians, creating a 500-mile path of destruction. Water flooding inland 500 miles is unheard of in this area. It’s being referred to as a 500-year flood, meaning only two events like it have occurred in the past 1,000 years. Basically, what that translates to is that nobody has seen a storm like this, with water coming that far inland into the mountains in this lifetime.
Helene blindsided everyone on all fronts. Consider that for hundreds of years people in Appalachians have not had to board up their windows for typical storm alerts. Multiple entire hollers with populations in the hundreds washed away and were buried in massive mudslides. The hills and valleys channeled water into a more confined area, adding to that the downhill force of the water. In addition, the large amounts of quartz and granite in that area
on page 15
Editor Raleigh Burleigh 970-510-3003
news@soprissun.com
Contributing & Digital Editor
James Steindler
Sol del Valle Editora Bianca Godina bianca@soprissun.com
Lead Editorial Designer Terri Ritchie
Advertising Designer Emily Blong
Delivery Frederic Kischbaum
Hank van Berlo
Proofreaders
Lee Beck
Tracy Kallassy
Ken Pletcher
Hank van Berlo
Executive Director
Todd Chamberlin 970-510-0246
adsales@soprissun.com
Board Members / Mesa Directiva board@soprissun.com
Klaus Kocher • Kay Clarke
Donna Dayton • Eric Smith
Roger Berliner • Elizabeth Phillips
Jessi Rochel • Andrew Travers
Anna Huntington • Michael Perez
Loren Jenkins
The Sopris Sun Board meets at 6pm on second Thursdays at the Third Street Center.
The Sopris Sun, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation with a mission to inform, inspire and build community by fostering diverse and independent journalism. Donations are fully tax deductible.
Sincerest thanks to our Honorary Publishers for their annual commitment of $1,000+
Lee Beck & John Stickney
Kay Brunnier
Frances Dudley
Michelle & Ed Buchman
Sue Edelstein & Bill Spence
Deborah & Shane Evans
Greg & Kathy Feinsinger
Gary & Jill Knaus
Eric Smith
Peter and Mike Gilbert
Patti & George Stranahan
Elizabeth Wysong
Alpine Bank
Emily & George Bohmfalk
Kathy & Carter Barger
Sandy & Paul Chamberlin
Karen & Roger Berliner
Donna & Ken Riley
Gayle & Dick Wells
Legacy Givers for including us in their final wishes. Mary Lilly
Donate by mail or online: P.O. Box 399
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520 S. Third Street #26-B 970-510-3003
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SCUTTLEBUTT
If you haven’t already received a mail-in ballot, it’s high time to follow up or make a plan to vote in person. People can register to vote, or update their voter registration, online (www.GoVoteColorado. gov) through Oct. 28 and still receive a mailed ballot. Oct. 28, however, is also the last day it’s recommended to return ballots by mail. Beginning Oct. 29, voters should return their ballots to a designated dropbox or voting center. The Colorado ballot may seem daunting this year, with lots of propositions and candidates. Choosing not to vote on a particular issue or race does not nullify the rest of your ballot. However, voters are eligible to vote on every race/issue that appears on their ballot — for instance, residents of Garfield County District 2 can also vote in the District 3 race and vice-versa. For a list of Garfield County voting centers open through election day and other essential voter information, visit www.garfieldcounty.com/clerk-recorder/elections
No trick
The Carbondale Historical Society will be handing out full-sized candy bars from 6 to 7pm (or while supplies last) on Halloween at the Thompson House (301 Lewies Lane).
Dig in!
A community gardening workday and workshop takes place this Saturday, Oct. 26, from 9am to noon at the Goodseed Garden in Carbondale, 110 Snowmass Drive. Coffee, water and treats will be offered to volunteers and visitors. All current and future gardeners are invited to help put the garden to bed for the winter. Reserve one of the 85 plots for just $25 for the season and start planning and prepping now for 2025. Wear gloves and garden shoes and come ready to help out and learn together. For more info, visit www.facebook.com/
TheGoodSeed
Sports support
Roaring Fork Schools (RFSD) has reinstated its Sports Lifetime Pass for retirees. This pass provides free admission to all non-tournament sporting events at all RFSD schools for retired staff members who worked in the district for at least 15 years. Retired teachers Mary Leslie (who taught 28 years in Basalt schools) and Ann Stewart (who taught 29 years in
Basalt schools) recommended the reinstatement of the pass to district leaders this summer. To obtain the Lifetime Pass, retirees can contact the RFSD Human Resources Department.
Photo contest
Roaring Fork Conservancy’s 19th annual Roaring Fork Watershed Photo Contest is underway! This year’s contest has two categories: scenic local rivers in 1. winter/ fall and 2. summer/spring. Awards will be given for the best professional photo and the best amateur photo in each category, plus people’s choice. Find contest rules and submission guidelines at www.roaringfork. org/education-and-outreach
Resource directory
The West Mountain Regional Health Alliance is creating a 2025 Resource Guide focused on free, low-cost and reduced-cost community resources in Pitkin, Garfield and Eagle counties, encompassing all community services ranging from food to volunteer opportunities, youth, homelessness and more. To review, add or update resources, visit westmountainhealthalliance.org/resources
Aspen leash laws
The City of Aspen has updated its municipal code regarding dog leash regulations
“to reflect modern practices.” The changes allow for supervised off-leash play in most city parks and open spaces with the following guidelines: a supervisor must remain within 150 feet and actively attentive; a suitable leash must be handy, allowing for quick restraint if necessary; off-leash dogs are not allowed to enter trails, playgrounds, wetland habitats or artificial turf areas; dogs must avoid areas where an event is active; off-leash play is prohibited entirely at Yellow Brick Park and the John Denver Sanctuary, and restricted at Herron Park to between dusk and 9am.
They say it’s your birthday! Folks celebrating another trip around the sun this week include: Jeremy Cerise, Dave Kodama, Mary Kenyon, Olivia Savard, Ron Speaker and Alicia Zeringue (Oct. 24); Liesl Bellack, Crystal Beltz, Bill Dunn and Jocelyn Murray (Oct. 25); John Runne (Oct. 26); Chip Brotzman, Julie Lang, Katrina Nelson, Annette Roberts-Gray, Kay Schaefer and Ellen Stapenhorst (Oct. 27); Kaden Kirk and Gina Murdoch (Oct. 28); Zachary Cashin, Chase Fenton, Katee Peach, Daniela Rivera, Lisa Ruoff, Trinity Stebleton and Nicole Zugschwerdt (Oct. 29); Lowry Camp, Brendan Cochran, Andrea Harris, Gracyn Overstreet, Claudia Pawl and Trent Reeds (Oct. 30).
Kathy Sgambati poses with Wonder Woman outside The Launchpad, reminding everyone to vote by Tuesday, Nov. 5. Courtesy photo
Curbside recycling progress report
KEN PLETCHER
Sopris Sun Correspondent
It has been five years since Carbondale contracted Mountain Waste & Recycling to be the single-service hauler for the town’s trash and residential recycling. The Sopris Sun wanted to see, especially, how the singlestream curbside recycling program was going and sat down recently with Kevin Schorzman, Carbondale’s Public Works director. We also reached out to Doug Goldsmith, the regional sales manager at Mountain Waste.
The general impression is quite positive. Schorzman said, “I think it is going well from an overall perspective. Specific to recycling, that’s probably the one thing we have the least issue with.” He noted that the biggest problem, overstuffed cans with lids open, “got under control when we started using more stickers for warnings, versus driving by and just taking pictures.”
Goldsmith was also upbeat about recycling here, saying, “Carbondale has certainly embraced recycling … [and] has taken the program to heart.” Schorzman did note that the residential recycling program
is not optional — i.e., everyone is required to have a can — adding, “There’s no advantage to not using it,” since residents pay for it anyway.
He clarified, however, that the program does not include commercial properties or residential buildings of about eight units or more. “We, as a town, cannot implement a program like we have for residential curbside recycling at a commercial level. And that’s based on state law.”
Nonetheless, the Town is doing a pretty good job of diverting recyclables out of trash that goes to the dump. Schorzman shared that the amount diverted varies between 25% and 30% by weight, adding, “Sometimes it’s seasonal, and other times it just fluctuates.” Goldsmith reported that for the third quarter of 2024, ending in September, the figure was 27.69%. That compares to an overall state rate of about 16%.
Left out of that total, however, are the tons of compostable materials that are collected separately by EverGreen ZeroWaste and are not included in the total weight of material disposed of by households. Nor, for that
matter, does it take into account any of the leaves and other yard waste that are collected in town in summer and fall that otherwise might go into the trash. Schorzman noted that “the 25 to 30 [value] is at the low end of the reality” of waste diverted from the landfill, an observation corroborated by Goldsmith.
Both Schorzman and Goldsmith stressed that contamination of the recyclables is not a significant issue in Carbondale.
Goldsmith said that plastic bags were the “main culprit” contaminating loads: “If you bag your recycling, like beverage cans, and put them in the bin, that’s contamination.” He mentioned that if a truckload is more than 20% contaminated, it will be diverted to the landfill, but that “we’ve never gotten to there.” The worst that has happened, he said, was that a handful of loads incurred extra fees for a much lower level of contamination.
On the topic of what becomes of the recycling, both men explained that trucks bring collected materials to the old Mid-Continent shed along County Road 100. There, it is offloaded and reloaded into trailers that take the materials to recycling processing centers along the Front Range.
Schorzman commented, “When you’re looking at things
like the transport costs from here to the Front Range, the weight has a lot to do with it.” He noted that glass, “one of the heaviest, truly recyclable items,” constitutes much of that weight. He mulled the difficult ecological tradeoff between “haul[ing] this heavy load over two passes and burn[ing] the fuel that it takes to get there” versus leaving the glass here to be buried in the landfill (though, not advocating that). He lamented the fact that there is no processing facility for glass on the
Western Slope.
On the question of what might be improved, Schorzman said that if residents understand better what is really recyclable, it would keep more materials out of trash that could be recycled and, conversely, keep materials out of recycling that ultimately will end up in the landfill. Goldsmith added, “We will continue with education on how to recycle right,” noting, “As long as we keep doing what we’re doing, the program will succeed.”
Recycling information is available on the Town of Carbondale website at www.carbondalegov.org/departments/utilities/trash. php and on Mountain Waste’s website at www.mountainwaste. com/services/residential/residential-recycling (including a link to a detailed, downloadable list of what can and cannot be recycled).
“They won’t pick it up. The lid won’t close.”
Carbondale tree update
ANNALISE GRUETER
Sopris Sun Correspondent
Carbondale has been recognized as a “Tree City” for three decades. The designation through the Arbor Day Foundation means a lot of things, including that Carbondalians care about the flora within town limits, which can require careful evaluation and planning.
In 1994, the Board of Trustees approved the formation of the Tree Board in response to a citizen movement for such an institution. According to longtime member Daniel Bullock, “The Tree Board advises on trees in the public right-of-way, parks, other public spaces and on development applications that require trees as set forth by the [Unified Development Code] and Town tree ordinance.” The group works in an advisory capacity to optimize tree planning and maintenance in Carbondale.
Though the vast majority of trees are introduced ornamental species rather than native ones, the Tree Board works closely with Town Arborist Carl Meinecke to balance planting species that do well in the arid environment and urban spaces. Planting trees helps “enhance our urban forest and enhance the enjoyment of our town,” Bullock told The Sopris Sun.
The Tree Board provides a number of services for Carbondale, including planting events each year, guiding tree-centric educational walkabouts, hosting info
year, the Tree Board receives enough interest to schedule more tree walks and add more members to its board.
Meinecke emphasized that “Communication with many organizations [is] a must” when addressing tree health, such as the threat of the Emerald Ash Borer starting in 2023. He collaborates with the Colorado State Forest Service as well as other arborists and tree-care companies.
Bullock noted that individual citizens play a big role in tree stewardship, too. “Donations by individuals, groups and the memorial tree program have contributed to the planting of trees,” he explained. “The Kay Brunnier Fund has helped plant over 200 trees.”
Meinecke shared that countless details are considered when planting trees, particularly in town. It starts with location. Meinecke detailed that “A healthy environment for a tree [requires] good soil, adequate water, sunlight and space to grow below and above ground.” The latter is important when choosing a type of tree with an aim to make it thrive without disrupting surrounding infrastructure. “A common phrase used by arborists is ‘right tree in the right place,’” he quipped.
Meinecke recommends using tree wrap to protect saplings from sunscald and frost cracks given the widely variable weather in the Valley, and fencing to protect trees from foraging wildlife.
“It’s good to consider the benefits that our greater tree canopy provides us,” Meinecke continued. “A tree’s shade and the process of evapotranspiration help to cool our urban environment, as well as clean our air.” He can always use volunteer help with the Town’s tree inventory, updates to which help Meinecke with future planning. The Town’s current inventory, as well as those of other jurisdictions, can be viewed at www.cotreeview.com
cycle for our urban forest to create new opportunities for future trees as well as reduce risk,” Meinecke explained. “An old urban tree may become a risk to its surroundings as it ages.”
Looking out for …
Next spring, Meinecke will plant some 30 trees in areas where ash trees were removed in response to the invasive Emerald Ash Borer. Most of the trees will be coming from the Colorado Tree Coalition. Some ash trees remain standing and Meinecke is prioritizing treatment of those trees, which he considers likely to be healthy enough to withstand the threat of the beetle. He will be speaking at the 31st Western Colorado Community Forestry Conference in Montrose next Wednesday, Oct. 30 about the Emerald Ash Borer in Carbondale.
Local boxelder trees are, likewise, in a precarious position. Other regional arborists have informed Meinecke of boxelders with verticillium wilt, a fungal disease that damages a tree’s vascular system. Symptoms include yellowing and browning of foliage, then death of branches and the possible eventual death of the tree.
Bullock is not just concerned about the here and now. “I feel it’s important for the citizens of Carbondale to understand that while the Tree Board is advising on immediate projects concerning trees in Carbondale, that
With the arrival of the emerald ash borer to Carbondale, many street tree grates have turned up empty as ash trees are preemptively removed. Photo by Raleigh Burleigh
Glenwood Springs voters are deciding in the Nov. 5 election whether to not only extend, but also increase a dedicated sales tax from a ½ cent to 1 cent on every dollar spent in the city for future street improvements.
New to the tax funding mix with the measure would be a dedicated portion of the tax (25%) to pay for the simultaneous repair and/or replacement of the subsurface water, wastewater and electric utility infrastructure whenever a street gets torn up for reconstruction.
Ballot Measure 2A that’s before City of Glenwood Springs voters seeks to extend the streets tax for another 20 years, until 2044. The proposed increase would generate an estimated $5 million in 2025, according to the ballot proposal.
Unlike Carbondale and other neighboring municipalities, Glenwood Springs does not dedicate a portion of its general fund tax revenues for streets, aside from the wages paid to streets department workers.
Instead, the money for street repairs, maintenance and reconstruction comes from the dedicated streets tax that was last extended by voters and increased
from ¼ to ½ cent in 2005.
The tax measure is being supported by Community on the Move, a political action committee of the Glenwood Springs Chamber Resort Association.
It is opposed by a vocal group of residents who say that the City has enough money in its existing budget, including from other previously approved taxes, to pay for new streets and utilities.
“The need for improved, maintained and rebuilt streets in Glenwood Springs is undeniable,”
Mike McCallum, chairman of Community on the Move, wrote in a pro 2A column that appeared in the Sept. 23 Glenwood Springs Post Independent.
“Addressing the underlying infrastructure at the same time just makes sense to reduce redundant costs and construction impacts for residents,” McCallum wrote.
Otherwise, that money would have to come from an increase in utility rates, with no guarantee that it could be done at the same time as the street work, he said.
A sales tax also allows the burden to be shared by visitors to Glenwood Springs and residents of neighboring communities who shop in Glenwood, and who use the city’s streets and utilities, McCallum said.
If approved, the sales tax collected by the city of Glenwood Springs would increase from 3.7% to 4.2%, for a total sales tax rate of 9.1% including state and other local taxes.
“The obvious benefit of this measure is distributing the increasing costs of maintaining and improving our roads and infrastructure more fairly — especially by sharing some of the burden with those who use our roads but do not pay water or electric bills,” McCallum wrote.
A subsequent “no on 2A” column in the Post Independent, penned by Glenwood Springs residents Zac Parsons and Gary Vick on Sept. 27, claims the city could come up with $3.7 million per year for streets and utilities using existing revenue streams.
The city has benefitted from increased sales tax revenues in recent years under the existing tax, they wrote.
The city could also redirect funds from the city’s separate Acquisitions and Improvements (A&I) fund that’s being used for various beautification projects and that’s being banked for the future South Bridge connection to Highway 82 south of city limits, Parsons and Vick claim.
“For years, council after council prioritized projects like a festival area, north landing (6th Street), city-wide beautification, land purchases, park and alley improvements and other non-critical expenditures,” they wrote. “We have a beautiful town with first class amenities, but it has come at the price of neglected roads.”
A similar measure to extend and increase the sales tax collected for streets was rejected by voters in 2019.
“Since then, the City has completed or begun over 25 street projects without a tax increase,” Parsons and Vick wrote. “We can continue on this path.”
City officials and 2A proponents, however, have noted that the A&I tax was extended
by voters in 2015, and bonding authority approved in a separate ballot question that year to pay for specific projects.
That includes the work currently underway along 6th Street and the so-called “North Landing” parcel, where the old Grand Avenue Bridge used to connect to 6th Street/Highway 6&24, and which will become a new public park and events venue. Funding from the A&I tax has also gone to Midland Avenue and 27th Street improvements, and future funding for the South Bridge project.
Ballots for the Nov. 5 election were mailed out to all registered voters earlier this month, and must be completed and returned by 7pm on Election Day.
Work is currently underway on the 6th Street beautification and North Landing park project in Glenwood Springs — a project being paid for with a combination of the City’s Acquisitions and Improvements and Downtown Development Authority funds, and a Colorado Department of Transportation grant. Photo by John Stroud
GARFIELD COUNTY REPORT
Commissioners opt in on Prop 123
JAMES STEINDLER
Contributing Editor
Garfield County Assessor Jim Yellico
introduced the first topic of note at Monday’s board meeting. In May, oil and gas operator Caerus Piceance, LLC filed a “Petition for Refund of Omitted Taxes Assessed for Tax Year 2018 (Production Year 2017).” This followed a 2023 county audit that identified an omitted production value, on which Caerus later paid taxes. “They paid $820,755.40 before interest,” said Yellico. That money was distributed to the various taxing entities in January.
Caerus had identified an “accounting difference” for the property, according to Yellico. “We collected $820,000 and shouldn’t have collected that much, so we’re having to give them [$145,846.52] back,” he stated. “That’s the first time in 13 years that there’s been an abatement on the audit amount.” He added that it wasn’t so much of a mistake as a difference in accounting processes. “Their tax agent found a different process that we agree with, so our audits … moving forward will do this new accounting process.”
“These are big dollars,” said Commissioner Tom Jankovsky. “I just want to note how important the oil and gas industry is to the operation of our county. I mean, this is just a small piece of what Caerus pays in property tax.”
The commissioners unanimously approved the abatement.
Prop 123
The commission held a public work session for the latter part of the day to address whether or not to opt into Colorado Proposition 123, approved by voters in 2022, in order to be eligible for state tax dollars earmarked for affordable housing projects. The deadline to apply for funding for 2025-2026 is Nov. 1. The program is administered by the Colorado Department of Local Affairs (DOLA). The impetus was the formation
opment Corporation, a nonprofit which purchased the park in 2022 with the intent of selling it back to the residents.
Gabriella Jimenez, a Three-Mile resident and the secretary on the board of the Three Mile Community Park, along with other residents, expressed that this potential funding would be critical.
Director of Community Development Glenn Hartmann acknowledged “the very minimal downside, which is a commitment to create more units. But if that commitment isn’t met, basi-
allocations.” The commitment is to have a 3% increase in affordable housing for each year the county is enrolled. Currently, that equates to approximately 30 to 40 units, according to Hartmann.
A sticking point was whether conversion housing, rather than new developments, would count toward the quota. Chairman John Martin pointed out that the statute only specifies “development.”
“I know that is a little bit of a gray area,” acknowledged DOLA representative Ashley Weesner. “He was correct in stating that it is new construction” that is defined in the statute. “However, there are conversion of units as well that can happen,” she assured, and added that there is work ahead to better define the statute.
The commissioners approved filing a commitment to participate in Proposition 123.
In other news …
Two-thirds of the board approved a memorandum of understanding with Habitat for Humanity for a shared unit at Habitat’s recently purchased apartment building in West Glenwood. The board had already committed $150,000 toward the unit to be used for employee housing. Martin opposed the motion.
The commission also got to pick out playground equipment for 1102 Grand Avenue in Glenwood Springs, adjacent to
Trustees consider police/rec budgets
RALEIGH BURLEIGH
Sopris Sun Editor
All trustees were present for a relatively short regular meeting on Oct. 22. It began with liquor license renewals and accounts payable unanimously approved in the consent agenda.
Two residents spoke up during the time allotted for general comments. The first insisted that non-compliance of state and municipal laws for “years and years” is affecting safety and quality of life in Carbondale. Laurie Loeb said the police department should take a more active role in educating people, giving warnings and enforcing laws like fully stopping at stop signs, obeying speed limits, not using phones while driving or cycling, not idling vehicles and removing snow and slush and other obstacles from public sidewalks in front of homes.
The second speaker expressed concern about the intersection of Main Street and Hendrick Drive, where two infamous transformer boxes block the line of sight for cars leaving the Carbondale Marketplace complex.
“That whole area remains a concern. Not just that intersection, but that entire area,” Trustee Ross Kribbs responded. “I’d like to know what the plans are there.”
Town Manager Lauren Gister explained that the developer is “ready to go back to work” after securing updated building permits for the four buildings surrounding the currently inaccessible futsal court.
Mayor Ben Bohmfalk stated that the Town can implement a four-way stop at that sketchy intersection as soon as it’s determined necessary, which may address the safety hazard.
Gister also announced that Patrick Thibault, an employee of the Broomfield city and county clerk and recorder office, will be Carbondale’s next municipal clerk beginning Nov. 1. He will have several weeks of overlap with outgoing clerk Jessica Markham who is moving out of state.
The rest of the meeting was dedicated to budget updates from the police department and the parks and recreation department.
Police Chief Kirk Wilson shared several priorities, including the purchase of three electric patrol cars ($247,335) and installing a charging station with eight ports for the police and two additional ones for public use ($75,000). Other priorities were continuing a partnership with the Aspen Hope Center to have mental health experts available when responding to delicate situations (costing $90,000) and an increase in funds for towing services (from $5,000 to $7,000) to account for the dwindling number
of nearby companies. Wilson also advocated for increasing the training budget (up to $50,000) which involves sending new officers through the Colorado Law Enforcement Training Academy Certificate program. He said recruiting “lateral” police from downvalley is “incredibly difficult” because of the cost of housing. The cost of equipment has gone up with current tasers being phased out for “smart” models that track usage data.
Trustee Erica Sparhawk advocated for bringing officer wellness funds, introduced last year, back up to $3,000 — noting the item had dropped to $2,000. “I do appreciate that,” said Wilson.
In response to Loeb’s comment at the meeting’s start, Wilson said, “I certainly agree with the fact we could use an additional code enforcement officer,” noting the current officer has spent an inordinate amount of time on bear-related issues since August. “What you will see is fee increases coming out in November,” he continued, explaining that drafts of new codes will be sent to the Town’s attorney which should make enforcement easier. Regarding ice on sidewalks, “It’s always helpful when people call or email,” letting the police know about problem spots, he said. Wilson explained that Carbondale’s style is generally lenient, first offering conversations when violations occur. “We don’t want to be an organization that goes out and fixes everything with a ticket,” he said.
Eric Brendlinger, director of the Parks and Recreation Department, broke his budget into four categories: admin, parks, the Recreation Center and programming. He touched on highlights from a detailed memo, like the digitization of paper records for the Hillcrest Cemetery, redoing the irrigation at the Thompson Park so it is not eroding the historic house’s foundation, installing a shade structure for a picnic table at the Gateway RV Park, maintaining the Recreation Center which is now paid off and a myriad of other details like annual events, signage for the Riverfront Park and ADA-accessible water fountains.
“You’ve got a heck of a lot on your plate and boy do we appreciate all you are doing,” Trustee Colin Laird acknowledged.
Sparhawk requested that the installation of piñata poles at Sopris Park and Miners Park be added to the budget, a suggestion made years ago by the budding Latino Advisory Board.
The full budget for 2025 will be reviewed on Nov. 12, along with community grant requests. On Dec. 10 there will be a public hearing and setting of the mill levy rate for property taxes before the budget is officially approved.
During the period for public comment at Tuesday’s Basalt Town Council meeting, citizens voiced their concerns about the high frequency of bear confrontations this season and, as a result, bear fatalities.
Daniela Kohl, founder of the Roaring Fork Valley Bear Coalition, advised council to spread the word on bear safety measures especially coming up on Halloween. According to Kohl, pumpkins are prime food for bears so citizens should be advised to bring their jack-o-lanterns inside at night.
Aaron Munch with the Basalt Police Department stated that the agency has responded to 62 bear calls. Of those calls, 27 were due to trash violations. Munch stated that approximately half of those trash violations resulted in warnings, and court summonses are only issued to repeat offenders.
Councilor Ryan Slack acknowledged these concerns and stated that, especially since this year has been particularly bad for bear encounters, the Town will consider more stringent regulations on trash disposal and storage to prevent confrontations in the future.
YouthZone
The youth diversion and advocacy nonprofit, YouthZone, came to the table this week to present their annual update on work in Basalt. YouthZone works across eleven regional communities to foster positive development for teens — specializing in intervention, prevention and volunteerism.
Last year, YouthZone performed 70 assessments for teens in Basalt – which included teens who may not be Basalt residents, but attend Basalt schools or otherwise are members of the community. Like many other communities, the most frequently filed juvenile criminal charges in Basalt have been alcohol and marijuana related. Deputy Development Director Ali Naaseh-Shahry noted that, in the last year, YouthZone has noticed an increase in both incident rates and risk levels. She noted that often young clients struggle with multiple issues simultaneously, from drug use to difficulty socializing, mental health issues and school performance.
On the other hand, YouthZone was proud to report that 93% of its clients did not reoffend during their time with the diversion program. Town attorney Jeff Conklin chimed that he has seen but a few repeat teen offenders who have worked with YouthZone.
Wildlife crossings
Cecily DeAngelo, executive director of the wildlife advocacy nonprofit Roaring Fork Safe Passages (RFSP), presented a study on wildlife-vehicle collisions (WVCs) and possible mitigation strategies. After a study examining high-collision sections of Highway 82 and Highway 133, RFSP has identified a section of 82 near Emma Road as a priority area for construction of a wildlife crossing.
The section of road between El Jebel and Basalt sees an average of 6.1 WVCs per mile, per year — one of the highest rates out of all sections studied. RFSP has also prioritized this section because of the feasibility for the construction of a wildlife crossing system..
Not only would the construction of wildlife crossings on this section of road reduce collisions, but it would also help to safely connect a deer and elk migration corridor identified by Colorado Parks and Wildlife.
Across the Roaring Fork Watershed study area, WVCs cost an estimated $5.2 million annually, which includes the value of the wildlife killed. However, that may be a conservative estimate as WVCs often go unreported.
Still, DeAngelo acknowledged that costs for these crossings can be prohibitive. According to her estimates, a culvert for deer can range from $4-7 million, and small-scale overpasses can range from $8-12 million. She added that wildlife mitigation projects are gaining attention from the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT). The goal of RFSP is to create a coalition of local governments, nonprofits and philanthropists to attract CDOT’s attention and financial support.
DeAngelo stated that the Town of Basalt could help the project best by both providing funding and by regularly participating in stakeholder meetings. Mayor David Knight agreed on the importance of mitigating collisions along the section of 82 and responded that Town staff would look into supporting RFSP’s efforts.
Fourteen adults, two children, one reporter and three Town officials showed up for the Latino Advisory Board open house on Oct. 16. Tacos and enchiladas were served, as well as delicious cupcakes, and five people applied to join the group, which was officially created by a resolution two years ago but struggled to gain momentum. Trustee Christina Montemayor led the charge along with Public Information Officer Anna Ramirez.
Photo by Raleigh Burleigh
2025 budget talks continue
ANNALISE GRUETER
Sopris Sun Correspondent
The Oct. 10 Roaring Fork Transportation Authority (RFTA) board of directors meeting focused on the 2025 proposed budget and strategic planning. Before heading into the agenda, Vice Chair Greg Poschman and others commented on the significant upvalley traffic they noticed while traveling downvalley for the meeting in Carbondale. Others noted that daily traffic extends onto I-70 at the Glenwood Springs exit. There was a consensus that RFTA services are highly needed.
Poschman and the rest of the board honored departing Chair Shelley Kaup. Kaup, who, likewise, recently resigned from her position on Glenwood Springs City Council, introduced Councilor Erin Zalinski as the new RFTA board representative from the municipality.
Pitkin County Commissioner Kelly McNicholas Kury proposed a resolution in support of Ballot Issue 1A. The county’s ballot item aims to create a property tax increase to help fund additional affordable housing.
If passed, the cost increase would be roughly $10 a month for homeowners and $36 a month for commercial property
owners. As proposed, the funds collected from the tax would be used to create 250 new housing units over 10 years.
The Pitkin County commissioners have identified two priorities: to house critical workforce — such as public safety workers, transit operators and teachers — and to preserve the county’s rural character. In regard to the latter, new affordable housing would be established close to public transit routes to help cut down on traffic. The RFTA board formalized its support for the ballot measure by unanimously passing Resolution 2024-17.
Budget Manager David Carle presented the second iteration of the 2025 proposed budget. Costs for various construction projects, such as the Iron Mountain Place housing project, are projected to increase operating costs. Estimated revenue for 2025 is $91.7 million, on top of an additional $18.2 million available in other financing. Projected 2025 expenditures amount to $103.1 million, leaving a net revenue of $6.8 million.
The RFTA budget committee anticipates a 12% increase in insurance premiums next year. However, that has been reduced from a projected 16%
increase listed in the first draft of the budget.
The latest draft anticipates a 10% decrease in funding from Garfield County for the Hogback bus route. RFTA forecasts a $212,000 shortfall in 2025. The finance team recommended covering the gap so that services do not have to be reduced. Hogback services have seen the greatest increase in ridership. Projections indicate that a reduction in service would exacerbate traffic and negatively affect the community.
The drafted budget did not include $78 million for various strategic initiatives. Those anticipated budgetary expenditures include housing and bike-sharing, the latter being covered under the First and Last Mile Mobility (FLMM) program. A third draft of the 2025 budget will refine these items and be presented in November.
Chief Operations Officer David Pesnichak provided an in-depth presentation of four different options for the FLMM fund. Projections do not factor in the potential for additional partners, such as the Town of New Castle. Staff recommended Option C — a prioritized grant program that
would provide funding in full for three years and then partial funding that would decrease by 10% each year as FLMM solutions become more established in partner communities. While the budget team recommended Option C, the board was hesitant to adopt a resolution and opted to form a subcommittee, instead, that will look into
Seniors’ Resource Fair
This FREE event features community partners and organizations providing valuable information about programs and services for older adults. Receive complimentary blood pressure checks and take part in a silent auction benefiting the Alzheimer’s Association.
available options in more detail. CEO Kurt Ravenschlag noted that in early October, RFTA formally received an award from the Federal Transit Administration for its work in reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The honor was announced in April but the trophy presentation just occurred at the TRANSform Conference in Anaheim, California.
Participants
• Alzheimer’s Association
• Carbondale & Rural Fire Protection District
• Carbondale Recreation and Community Center
• Colorado Animal Rescue
• Death Doula – Akaljeet Khalsa
• Dr. Lieberman – Valley View Hospital Palliative Care
• Eagle County Healthy Aging
• Elise Anderson – Financial Advisor, Merrill Lynch
• Garfield County Senior Services
• Heritage Park
• Home Care and Hospice of the Valley
• Pitkin County Senior Services
• Roaring Fork Home Care
• Sopris Lodge at Carbondale Senior Living
• Valley Meals
• ValleyOrtho
• Whitcomb Terrace
• and more…!
Senator Michael Bennett was among attendees at the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the long-anticipated opening of the 27th Street underpass in Glenwood Springs on Tuesday, Oct. 15. Photo by James Steindler
Resurgent Aspen upends Roaring Fork volleyball; football earns a win at Olathe
JOHN STROUD
Sopris Sun Correspondent
Roaring Fork High School’s girls volleyball team was unable to continue its run of recent success against Aspen on the home court Tuesday night, dropping a tight 3-2 match.
Coming into the night having won six of their last seven games, the Rams (9-11 overall, 4-4 in 3A Western Slope League play) came out flat, dropping the first set 16-25 before earning 25-20 and 25-19 wins in the second and third sets.
The match essentially came down to the fourth set, where the Rams opened strong, taking a 7-2 lead and holding the edge until the Skiers tied it at 12-12.
A back-and-forth dual ensued, with the Rams battling back from a 24-21 deficit behind some scrappy play and a monster kill from junior Yaki Hernandez to tie it at 24-all.
The Skiers earned the final two points to close it out, though, and Roaring Fork couldn’t quite regroup, falling behind early in the tiebreaker set and ultimately losing 15-10.
Hernandez finished with an unofficial tally of nine kills for the match, while junior Nikki Tardif had 10. Freshman Clover Hansen had seven kills and was in on multiple blocks alongside Tardif and senior Liz Fullerton.
In other action this past week, the Rams swept Olathe on the road 3-0 (25-18, 25-17, 25-17), before going 2-1 at a weekend tournament at Battle Mountain; defeating Soroco and Aspen by scores of 2-1 and 2-0, before falling to the host Huskies 2-0.
Football
Roaring Fork’s football team improved to 3-4 overall and picked up its first 1A Western Slope League win (now 1-2) last Friday night at Olathe. The Rams defeated the Pirates 33-12.
A big third quarter saw the Rams score 20 unanswered points after Olathe had pulled to within one point, 13-12, at halftime.
A position switch between senior Hunter Noll, who returned to action following a knee injury the prior week, and junior Kenny Riley, proved fruitful.
Noll moved to the quarterback position, while Riley lined up at wide receiver. It’s a combination Rams head coach Scott Noll (Hunter’s dad) said he expects to stay with, as it resulted in a big passing touchdown for the duo, a 30-yard strike from Hunter to Riley in the third quarter to make it 33-12.
Earlier in the game, the Noll brothers, Hunter and junior Ben, connected for a 4-yard touchdown completion to put the Rams on the scoreboard in the first quarter.
Junior Donny Read picked up 122 yards rushing on 14 carries, and junior AJ McDermott rushed for 36 yards, including a 15-yard touchdown scramble in the first quarter.
The Rams’ other touchdown came in the third quarter when junior Elli Norris intercepted an Olathe pass and returned it 60 yards for the score.
Tough defense had a huge impact on the outcome for the Rams. Senior Balaram Kiss recorded 13 total tackles (six solo and seven assisted), and Read was in on 11 tackles (six solo, five assists). McDermott also had a
For the second year in a row, Colorado Rocky Mountain School (CRMS) took the 1st place D1 spot at the State Mountain Bike Championships last weekend at Colorado Mountain College. According to coach Matt Norrdin, the Oyster Bike Team took on high schools ten times larger than CRMS, and “the competition was fierce, the course was fast, crashes were frequent, and the margin of victory was razor-thin, highlighting just how critical every rider’s effort was to the team’s success.” Special recognition went to the following racers who placed in the top five in the state: senior Canyon Cherney, 4th Place Varsity Boys; junior Lucas Berry, 5th Place Varsity Boys; junior Hazel Lazar, 4th Place Varsity Girls; junior Finn McDermott, 2nd Place Junior Varsity Boys; and sophomore Drew O’Keefe, 3rd Place Junior Varsity Boys. Courtesy photo
fumble recovery for the Rams.
Win out over the next two weeks, and the Rams could find themselves in the state playoffs. The top 16 teams for 1A are in. Roaring Fork is currently ranked 25th.
The schedule takes the Rams on the road to play Cedaredge (4-3, 1-2) on Friday, Oct. 25. They bring it home for senior night against North Fork on Friday, Nov. 1 (7pm kickoff).
Of note, the Basalt High School football team remains undefeated and ranked No. 1 in the state among Class 2A teams at 7-0, and is in the driver’s seat for another West League title at 3-0. The Longhorns defeated Moffat County 48-7 last week, and are at Middle Park this Friday before closing out at home against Aspen on Nov. 1 (7pm kickoff).
Soccer
Roaring Fork’s boys soccer team, coming into the week ranked third among 3A teams in the state, fell at 4A Montrose 4-3 in a non-league game on Tuesday night.
The Rams have won the 3A Western Slope League title by virtue of Vail Mountain suffering losses to Aspen and Rifle last week.
Now 8-3-2 overall, 5-0-1 league, the Rams host Vail Mountain this Thursday, Oct. 24, and close out
the regular season with senior night on Friday against cross-town rivals CRMS. Varsity game time is 6pm both nights at Rams Field.
Mountain biking
Colorado Rocky Mountain School won the Division 1 state mountain biking championship on Sunday, Oct. 20, as teams from CRMS and Roaring Fork High School competed at the Colorado High School Cycling League Championships at the Spring Valley CMC campus.
In the varsity boys race, CRMS
senior Canyon Cherney was fourth overall in the three-lap race with a time of 1 hour, 11 minutes and 21.82 seconds. CRMS senior Lucas Berry was close behind in fifth in 1:11:43.4, and Roaring Fork junior Quinn Carpenter was 14th in 1:14. In the varsity girls race, CRMS junior Hazel Lazar was fourth in 1:27.
Roaring Fork also had top-25 finishers in Saturday’s JV and freshman boys races. Senior Emerson Kennedy was 24th in the two-lap JV race (53:32.8), and freshman Levi Friday was 14th in his race (54:44.8).
Roaring Fork played fierce against Aspen on Oct. 22, ultimately succumbing to the skiers in tight 3-2 match.
Photo by Sue Rollyson
Tuesday’s volleyball game was “Pink Out” for Breast Cancer Awareness Month, also recognizing other cancer patients. The proceeds from the gate went to help Sean Braudis (third from the left), a senior football player being treated for lymphoma. Photo by Sue Rollyson
TRTC brings ‘“Ghostlight’” to life
MYKI JONES Arts Correspondent
From Oct. 25 until Oct. 31, Thunder River Theatre Company (TRTC) will present the immersive theater experience of “Ghostlight” by Michael Duran. This truncated run will have 13 total performances of monodramas with multiple showings per night, each running about 90 minutes. The production will utilize spaces in the theater that audiences have never before had the chance to visit, such as — cue the spooky music — the basement.
“Patrons are going to have an opportunity to not only see the black box completely reimagined, but they’re going to have a chance to see what I refer to as the heart of the theater, which is the basement,” Missy Moore, executive director of TRTC and director of “Ghostlight,” told us.
A “ghostlight,” when speaking in theater terms, is an electric light that is kept running when a theater space is unoccupied to keep the stage lit for those coming and going out of the space; whether living or otherwise.
This show is based on the playwright’s personal paranormal experiences working in now defunct theaters throughout Colorado, including the Bonfils-Lowenstein Theatre in Denver, which is now the Tattered Cover book store, Loretto Heights College for the Performing Arts, and the Steamboat Depot Art Center. Duran took the stories
of those conjurings and wrote these stories based on people who work in the theater industry.
“You’ve got the stage manager’s tale, the director’s tale, the costumer’s tale, the actor’s tale. It’s people who have a career in the theater who experienced these hauntings. These ghost stories are not for the faint of heart. Fair warning — they are a little spooky. This is a play that is an immersive experience designed to frighten,” Moore stated.
She continued, “If you’re easy to scare, or don’t like scare tactics, we’re really leaning into that in the execution of this story. So be mindful, if you don’t like to get spooked. This is probably not the play for you.”
When asked what her goal for audiences was for this show, Moore said that it’s to “scare the bejesus out of people,” but to also shine a light on the history of the defunct theaters that inspired the show’s creation.
“One thing that I hope that they keep in the back of their head is these hauntings actually happened to Michael Duran in defunct theaters in Colorado. The dramatization of it is very exciting, but the actual hauntings themselves are rather terrifying. It goes to show you that theaters have a rich history,” Moore said.
She explained further that TRTC is not recommending anyone under the age of 15 attend this performance due to the scary and potentially upsetting nature of the stories.
The cast consists of Brittany Crooke as The Scenic Painter, debut TRTC actor Em Smith as The Stage Manager, James O’Hagan Murphy as The Actor, Mike Monroney as The Director, Libby Rife as The Professor, and Travis Dean Wilson as The Costume Designer.
The rehearsal process has been tight since the show is on a short run. Moore said it has been going smoothly nonetheless, as all the actors and crew involved studied their materials deeply before beginning rehearsals.
“Because I knew it was going to be such a complicated rehearsal process, I asked that they come in mostly memorized. At our first read-through, our group of six actors were about 90 to 95% off the book, which can be a little difficult. It has been a fun little challenge,” Moore stated.
“Ghostlight” is also TRTC’s first stab at specialized Halloween programming, which is something that Moore said that she is excited to do more of in the future.
“Historically, or at least since I’ve been here, we haven’t done anything around the Halloween season. We’re usually in rehearsal for a second show. I’ve done a lot of imagining about when we offer our shows, and I would love to continue to have Halloween or late fall-feeling shows moving forward into future seasons,” she said.
Tickets for ‘Ghostlight’ are available at www.thunderrivertheatre.com
Libby Rife portrays The Professor in TRTC’s production of “Ghostlight.” Courtesy photo by The Social Affect
All members of our community Garfield County deserves a new generation of leaders! Perry Will voted against protecting access to contraception and abortion in Colorado.
Steven Arauza and Caitlin Carey will fight for:
Affordable housing
Reproductive freedom
Clean air and water
Our libraries and the freedom to read
CALENDAR
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 24
STREET ART
The Glenwood Springs Arts Council presents colorful art from Cuba and Haiti curated by Tim Tonozzi, on display at the 216 6th Street gallery from Thursday through Sunday from 2 to 6pm through Nov. 9.
WALDORF CURRICULUM
Take a “deep dive” into Waldorf School on the Roaring Fork’s first grade curriculum from 3:30 to 4:30pm in the first grade classroom at 16543 Highway 82. More info at www.waldorfschoolrf.com
HOCUS POCUS
SoL Theatre presents “It’s Just a Bunch of Hocus Pocus” tonight, tomorrow and Saturday at the Third Street Center at 6pm. Saturday’s show will end with a dance party. Tickets at soltheatrecompany.simpletix.com
ONIYA INTRODUCTION
Mike Samson has ignored state funds for affordable housing.
Educators and parents are invited to learn about “Oniya Re-Generation” — a curriculum for kindergarten through fourth grade — with live music, nourishing food, meditation, breathwork and a slideshow at the Old Thompson Barn in River Valley Ranch from 5 to 7pm.
‘SACRED CINEMA’
As part of its “Sacred Cinema” series, the Aspen Chapel screens “Holy Smoke” at 6:15pm for free. This is an adults-only event. More info at www.aspenchapel.org
SOUND JOURNEY
Zachary and Krista Cashin take participants on a sound journey at True Nature at 6:30pm. Tickets at www.truenaturehealingarts.com
MUSIC AT HEATHER’S
Singer-songwriter, keyboardist Tim Veazey performs with bassist and vocalist Helen Highwater at Heather’s Savory Pies from 6:30 to 9:30pm.
CRYSTAL THEATRE
The Crystal Theatre screens “White Bird” at 7:30pm tonight. Then, buckle in for “Saturday Night,” a feature film detailing the 90 minutes leading up to the airing of the first Saturday Night Live episode, at 7:30pm Oct. 25, 26, 30 and 31, and 5pm on Sunday, Oct. 27.
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 25
MEDICARE 101
Aurora McCarroll of Passage Insurance helps guide eligible seniors, 65 and up, in navigating Medicare at the Carbondale Library from 3 to 4pm. Register by emailing aurora@passageinsurance.com or calling 970-355-3505.
‘SHE-BOP’
8am - 6pm (Walk-Ins Only) 9am - 2pm 9am - 2pm 9am
Glenwood Springs Library
Avon,
Glenwood Springs Library
Glenwood
‘INTO THE FOLD’
Aspen Collective hosts a 6pm opening for its inaugural guest-curated exhibit. The Harvey Preston Gallery presents “Into the Fold,” featuring works by Valley artists Savanna LaBauve and Lindsey Yeager.
SWEET JESSUP
Sweet Jessup and the Dirty Buckets return to Mountain Heart Brewing (1831 Dolores Way) for another Spooky Saw Halloween bash from 7 to 9:30pm. Costume contest, spooky tunes and great beer!
COSTUME BALL
The Hotel Colorado hosts a 21+ Halloween party with a costume contest and music by DJ Star, from 7 to 11pm. Tickets at www.hotelcolorado.com
‘THE SWEETEST SWING’
Sopris Theatre Company at Colorado Mountain College’s Spring Valley Campus concludes its run of “The Sweetest Swing in Baseball” this weekend — tonight and tomorrow at 7pm and Sunday at 2pm. Tickets at www.tinyurl.com/SweetestSwing
CONSENSUAL IMPROV
Catch Consensual Improv performing a “spooktacular” Halloween show at the Vault at the Wheeler Opera House at 7:30pm. Tickets at www.wheeleroperahouse.com
KASSA OVERALL
TACAW presents Kassa Overall performing jazz-hip-hop at 8pm. Tickets at www.tacaw.org
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 26
VET TECH OPEN HOUSE
Colorado Mountain College’s vet tech farm hosts a Halloween-themed, familyfriendly open house from 10am to 2pm at 3000 County Road 114.
‘FIESTA DE TAMALES’
English In Action invites families to its “Fiesta de Tamales” fundraising event, replete with food and fun, at The Orchard from 4 to 7pm. More info at www.englishinaction.org
FLASHMOB
Don’t miss a “thrilling” performance by Bonedale Flashmob at Chacos Park today at 4pm. Donations will be accepted for the Carbondale Education Foundation.
5 POINT FUNDRAISER
Join 5 Point Film at Spring Creeks Ranch at 5pm for fine food, cocktails, music and revelry, all supporting 5 Point Film’s year-round programming, educational initiatives and filmmaker grant programs. Tickets at www.bit.ly/5PointField
JOHN MICHEL
Young instrumentalists and vocalists, 10-18, are invited to participate in “SheBop: Young Women in Jazz,” a two-day workshop hosted at Carbondale Middle School and organized by Jazz Aspen Snowmass. Practice starts this evening and continues all day tomorrow, culminating in a live performance at 7pm tomorrow night. Register to participate at www.jazzaspensnowmass.org/events
GHOSTLIGHT
Thunder River Theatre Company presents “Ghostlight” at 6, 8 and 10pm tonight, Saturday, Sunday, Oct. 30 and Oct. 31. Tickets at www.thunderrivertheatre.com
SPOOKY CLAY SLAY
The Carbondale Clay Center hosts Spooky Clay Slay, from 6 to 8pm, when participants create their own clay candle votives and enjoy libations and good company. Come in costume because there is a contest! Register at www.carbondaleclay.org
John Michel of the John Oates Band and Brother’s Keeper performs at Heather’s Savory Pies from 6:30 to 9:30pm.
HALLOWEEN BASH
TACAW hosts a Halloween party with a costume contest (and prizes) and a performance by Joe Hertler & The Rainbow Seekers beginning at 8:30pm.
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 27
FARM FIT
Windwalkers hosts Farm Fit, a series of team competitions combining fitness and farm-life, at its Missouri Heights location (1030 CR 102) from 9am to noon. Participants and spectators are encouraged to come in costume as there will be a contest. Register to participate at www.tinyurl.com/WWFarmFit
Community Classes in Carbondale
CHARACTER DESIGN
HUMAN LIBRARY
Experience a different life perspective through conversation at the Glenwood Springs Library between 10am and 1pm. You’ll have the opportunity to sit with three of six unique individuals. Registration is required for this free event presented in partnership with the Aspen Institute and At Our Honest. Visit www.gcpld.org for more information.
PUMPKIN CARVING
The Meeting Place (981 Cowen Drive, Carbondale) hosts a pumpkin carving party from 3 to 5pm. BYO-pumpkin!
‘WALKING GRANDMA HOME’
Author Nancy Bo Flood presents her picture book, “Walking Grandma Home: A story of grief, hope, and healing,” intended to help children understand and process emotions surrounding the death of a loved one, from 3:30 to 5pm at the Third Street Center. More info at www.bit.ly/WGHFlood
DANCE PARTY
Dance Initiative hosts a family-friendly Halloween dance party fundraiser with special performances at TACAW at 5:30pm. Tickets at www.danceinitiative.org/store/p/thriller
MONDAY, OCTOBER 28
POTLUCK AND FILM
The Center for Human Flourishing hosts a plant-based potluck and screening of “What the Health” at the Third Street Center. More info at www.thecenterforhumanflourishing.org
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 29
ALTAR MAKING
Artists from Denver and the ArizonaMexico border teach the history of Day of the Dead while guiding an altar making workshop, today from 2 to 6pm and tomorrow from 2 to 4pm at the Glenwood Springs Library. An altar at the library will remain on display through Nov. 1. Call 970-945-5958 for more info.
A WILD RIDE
Wilderness Workshop invites you to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the passage of the Wilderness Act with a live storytelling event at TACAW from 7 to 8:30pm. Tickets at www.wildernessworkshop.org
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 30
DRAWING CLUB
The Roaring Fork Drawing Club meets at Mountain Heart’s Basalt location (132 Midland Avenue) at 6:30pm.
‘WITCHES OF EASTWICK’
AspenFilm screens “The Witches of Eastwick” at the Isis Theatre in Aspen at 6:30pm.
BEN SOLLEE
Kentucky cellist and composer Ben Sollee performs at TACAW at 8pm. Tickets at www.tacaw.org
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 31
SPOOKY OPEN HOUSE
Hailie Mickley, Carbondale’s new State Farm agent, hosts a Halloween Open House at her office (590 Hwy 133) from 1 to 3:30pm.
NOVEL WRITING
Aspiring novelists are invited to participate in a series of events to help them complete the NaNoWriMo (www. nanowrimo.org) challenge this and every Thursday from 5 to 7pm — except Thanksgiving — through Dec. 5 at the Glenwood Springs Library. More info at www.gcpld.org
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 1
BREAD OF THE DEAD
Make and bake bread at the Community Oven behind the Third Street Center at 10am in celebration of the Day of the Dead. Call 970-963-2889 for more info.
DAY OF THE DEAD
Carbondale hosts its 20th Celebration of Day of the Dead, starting with facepainting and hot chocolate at the Carbondale Library from 4 to 6pm. The annual procession, led by Aspen Santa Fe Ballet Folklórico, begins from the Third Street Center at 6pm and finishes at 4th and Main Street where the celebration continues with performances by Folklórico, Mezcla Socials Dance and Roaring Fork Youth Orchestra.
RESOURCE FAIR
Sopris Lodge presents its second annual Seniors’ Resource Fair from 11am to 1pm at the Carbondale Fire Station (300 Meadowood Drive). The free event features community partners and organizations providing valuable information about programs and services for older adults. No RSVP necessary!
NATURE JOURNALING
Adults who wish to explore, observe and creatively document nature are invited to join a group of novice and experienced sketch book artists at the Carbondale Library from 1 to 2:30pm
FREE MUSIC
Catch Chris Bank and Hap Harriman performing at Heather’s in Basalt from 6:30 to 9:30pm.
Design and draw distinctive characters for comics, stories and even video games. High School students welcome. La maestra se habla español. Wed, 2-6pm, 10/30-12/11
FELTED HAT WORKSHOP WITH JILL SCHER
Create your own unique hat with felting techniques. Embellish your hat to make it a one-of-a kind artwork to keep or gift. Sat/Sun, 10am-3pm, 10/26-10/27
YOGALATES
Yoga and pilates to support your spine and improve strength, balance, and stability with lots of stretching. Mon/Wed, 1-1:50pm, 10/28-12/18
QUICKBOOKS PRO I (WINDOWS)
The first of a 3-part seriesfrom basics to more advanced. This class has been added to allow for more students. Monday, 9am-4pm, 11/4
SPANISH FLUENCY FOR TRAVEL AND HOLIDAYS
A fun way to learn Spanish that builds and understanding of Spanish speakers, and the confidence to respond. Thursdays, 6-8pm, 11/7-12/19
To Register for Community Classes
For the fourth year in a row, Aspen Dance Connection brought John “Mr. Tap” Williams to the Roaring Fork Valley. He performed together with Karen Kent and Travis Andrews for local students on Oct. 18 and Oct. 19, inviting the kids as well as their teachers to learn some fancy footwork. Photo by Raleigh Burleigh
Colorado’s moose boom leaves an impact
KATE PHILLIPS Sopris Sun Correspondent
On a brisk summer morning, many moons ago, I awoke to the sudden pelting of pebbles on my sleeping bag. Rubbing sleep from my eyes, I rolled over to see my friend pointing wildly across the meadow. Tracking her silent gesture, I witnessed a stunning display of wildlife: two great Alces alces shirasi, the Shiras moose, slowly picking their way across the dewey alpine meadow. As we snuggled deeper into our bags, I was overcome with joy to have simply observed the moment.
Moose encounters are on the rise in Colorado, leading to questions about their origins, ecosystem stability and safety. Interestingly, moose are not native to Colorado. In 1978, 24 moose were transplanted to Colorado from Utah and Wyoming.
“Historical records dating back to the 1850s indicate that moose wandered into northern Colorado from Wyoming,” said Rachael Gonzales, Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) northwest region public information officer. “But [they] were transient and never established a stable breeding population.”
In the 1950s, Colorado wildlife officials considered moose introduction for “hunting opportunities,” according to the National Park Service website. Formal discussions began nearly a decade later between the former Colorado Division of Wildlife (now CPW), U.S. Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, National Park Service, local ranchers and the general public. Concerns were raised regarding winter foraging competition between elk, mule deer and moose, but aerial observations of Utah moose easily navigating deeper snow showed that they ultimately wintered in different areas. It was decided: Colorado’s remote North Park region near Walden in the Routt National Forest would be an ideal habitat for the large ungulate.
As expected, the original 24 moose thrived in northern Colorado. The area was essentially unoccupied, rich in the moose’s ideal diet of willow, fir and aspen, and natural predators, such as the wolf and grizzly bear, were absent.
In a 1988 Division of Wildlife report, entitled “Colorado Moose: Reintroduction and Management” and written by wildlife biologists
André Duvall and the late Gene Schoonfield, it was found that by 1980, the cows had a twinning rate of 17% and averaged 95 calves per 100 cows. This birthing rate showed transplant success, and since “the public enjoys observing moose in the wild,” multiple Colorado counties expressed interest in moose introduction.
As the population soared, hunting was identified as the primary solution for population management once “the moose reached a verifiable 100 animals.” That number was achieved in 1985, and five licenses to hunt mature bulls were issued for Colorado residents during November, avoiding the rut.
Over the next four decades 235 more moose arrived in Colorado, including Garfield County, resulting in a current-day statewide population of around 3,000. In the Roaring Fork and Crystal River valleys, Gonzales said the local population is in alignment with the state’s growth trajectory and estimated that moose have increased three-fold over the past 20 years.
The human variable
Migrating from Grand Mesa and originating from a Utah transplant, local moose are categorized
as the Shiras subspecies. The Shiras is the smallest moose, but still enormous. Bulls can range up to nine and a half feet long, six feet at the shoulder, and over 1,000 pounds. Top running speeds have been recorded at 35 miles per hour, making them a formidable opponent in a footrace.
Moose prefer to occupy dense forests near lakes and marshes where willow, their favored food source, is abundant. However, in the arid Southern Rockies, wetlands represent only about 2-3% of the landscape, raising concerns about over-browsing, explained Delia Malone, vicechair of Roaring Fork Audubon and ecologist with the Colorado Natural Heritage Program.
“Moose introduction did not take into account the inappropriateness of the Southern Rockies,” said Malone. “Willow vegetation is critical for critters like beavers, who are important factors in maintaining and growing our wetlands, which so many riparian bird species absolutely rely on for their lives.”
In the Kawuneeche Valley of Rocky Mountain National Park, rigorous, long-term research has shown that as the moose population increases, critical vegetation declines. The moose are thriving and eating up to 60 pounds of vegetation daily. Without natural predators, Malone said moose face “bottom-up control” — a natural
continued on page 15
Moose are spectacular to view, but as a non-native species to Colorado, they present a unique challenge for maintaining the Valley’s fragile ecosystem. Photo by Sue Rollyson
phenomena where an animal depletes its food source and is thus forced out or dies. Ongoing efforts for vegetation restoration are underway, but overconsumption leaves bare soil vulnerable to the warming climate, making it difficult for regrowth.
“Moose [introduction is] an additional component of why and how we have thrown natural systems out of balance,” said Malone. “To put our natural world back into balance, we need to be aware of the complexity and the value of all of the components of a natural ecosystem.”
She added, “In this particular case that means restoring our large carnivores, including wolves, to ecologically effective populations.”
Increasing moose numbers also means an increase in the potential for moose-human conflict. Off-leash dogs and moose interactions often have poor outcomes since moose instinctively react to dogs as they would a wolf. Moose are extremely territorial and will defend their area by either standing their ground or charging. If you encounter a moose, try to find an alternate route or allow the moose to leave the area. Signs of aggression, such as ears back, raised hairs and snout licking, mean you are too close. If the moose charges, run fast and hide behind a large object.
Moose populations are growing faster in Colorado than any of the other lower 48 states. Brought to a fragile ecosystem for the sake of human pleasure, the introduction’s impact is proving to be significant. Without human interference it is possible moose would have made it here eventually, but it would have been on their own terms and, possibly, in the natural order.
LETTERS
do not absorb water.
I joined a group called “2024 Hurricane & Tropical Storm Updates” on Facebook. I saw post after post of people begging for rescue and help. That’s how I got connected to Steven Lambert a few weeks ago. He made a post asking for livestock feed at 2am, his time. I had just seen a post of volunteers loading their truck with feed heading out. I connected them on Messenger. That began my journey with calling, reaching out and making connections. I don’t know to this day whom he actually got the feed from. The past weeks have been a complete blur.
Steven Lambert is part of the primary grassroots Search and Rescue Disaster Relief Team in Swannanoa I’ve been focused on helping. As a 20-year EMT and fireman, he has extensive experience in disaster relief. He is local to North Carolina and arrived intending to help for a few days when the storm first hit. He set up in a parking lot behind a church, sleeping in the back of his U-Haul. Quickly gaining the trust of locals, a team of around 70 Appalachians was formed. Sleeping in tents and campers in the parking lot, Steven organized a way to feed them up to three times a day and provide coffee. He organized a vet onsite to treat animals and began running up to 40 rescue missions a day. Although still performing recoveries, they have simultaneously moved into the rebuilding phase and are setting up volunteer-run medical clinics.
It’s been a challenge to raise funds to support these grassroot teams’ efforts because people understandably need to trust where their donations are going.
Restoration Church has an established 501(c)(3) and is funding his efforts. Donation links are on the “Restoration Church Disaster Relief” Facebook page. I can’t convey how many people you would be reaching with your support. Truly, I want to explain the magnitude and how these resilient, proud Appalachians need us.
Karen Etheredge Carbondale
Deja vu
“It’s deja vu all over again,” -Yogi Berra
It’s uncanny how history can repeat itself, especially when a new generation doesn’t recognize that history is in replay mode.
In the late 1930s a convicted criminal promised his nation, during a time of runaway inflation, that he would restore his people to their former greatness. His promise included getting rid of those citizens that he did not think were the true members of the “master” race.
The end result of his rhetoric and policies was wholesale genocide and a horrible war that destroyed most of Europe and much of Russia; and also brought about the death of millions of his own nation’s civilians, soldiers, pilots, and sailors, as well as the total destruction of his cities and country.
I hope that all Americans, despite their differences on various controversial issues, will be aware of the frightening
Budget woes
Once again, our three aging county commissioners have a budget deficit ($12.5 million according to an Oct. 9 Post Independent article) as oil and gas revenues continue to decline. Given that our three county commissioners are earning $104,567 to $109,374 each, one would hope they would have had the foresight to diversify away from a major budget line item of oil and gas income which has been declining since 2003! Now the local nonprofits that address the issues of Garfield County may see grants cut 10% due to the shortsightedness of our current commissioners.
Incumbent Mike Samson (age 70) and Republican candidate Perry Will (age 69) have voting records that do not reflect what is important to the diverse residents of Garfield County (affordable housing, traffic congestion, women’s health, nonpartisan library trustees, protecting our air, land and water) — see voting records at: www.garcodems.org/ elections#candidates
The first time I heard Mike Samson speak was at the 2021 Garfield County Humanitarian Awards ceremony where the county recognized outstanding citizens. Mr. Samson rambled on for 10 minutes about how great his wife was who was not even a nominee. Not once did Mr. Samson acknowledge the important work done by the nominees. We deserve better from our county commissioners. It is time for Garfield County residents ers that understand the issues facing the county and have the energy and tenacity
FALL OPEN HOUSE
October
Learn
John Riger, a musical legend
TOM MERCER
Sopris Sun Correspondent
Most residents of Carbondale have driven by the Crystal River Fish Hatchery hundreds of times. The hatchery always assures us an abundance of fish in our local streams. But how many Carbondale residents know that the man who managed the hatchery from 1978 to 2008 also provides great musical entertainment for the Roaring Fork Valley?
The former hatchery manager, John Riger, is one of the most uniquely talented musicians in Western Colorado. Some Sopris Sun readers may have enjoyed Riger’s music at the Redstone Inn during the holiday season, where he entertained guests and diners. Others may have seen him perform at community festivals or street fairs. Perhaps you saw Riger in a nightclub or at a friend’s wedding. No matter where you might have heard him play, you doubtlessly recognized his talent.
Riger was born in Clarksville, Tennessee. He said that he “has no musical boundaries,” which generally means that he enjoys playing ALL kinds of music, from rock and roll to jazz — and everything in between. He has performed with some of the best active musicians and has assisted with sound management at many music venues. When asked about his primary musical influences, Riger listed familiar names including Ernie Watts, Walt Smith, Dave Schappert,
Chuck Lamb and many others.
He said, “I love recording music, playing music, teaching music, learning music and studying music.” The list of musicians that he has worked with is enormous, and can be found on his webpage, www.johnriger.com
Asked how he came to live in Carbondale, Riger attributed it to having seen a photograph of Mt. Sopris. The photo did not provide the name or location of the mountain, but Riger knew that it was where he wanted to settle down. He said he traversed the Rocky Mountains from Canada to Mexico looking for the mountain in the picture. When he finally found Mt. Sopris, he was home. Despite this, Riger has since moved over McClure to live in Somerset.
Riger’s current band is “Good Trouble,” and the feedback I have heard is very, very good. The band members are Patrick Amdahl, Devin Jobson, Paul Valentine and John Riger.
Reflection: Queer VOICES broke me open
RALEIGH BURLEIGH Sopris Sun Editor
Sometimes we must be broken open in order to find inner strength. Such was a relatable theme woven throughout seven strangers’ stories in the latest VOICES devised theater project.
The nonprofit VOICES has hit a powerful stride with these twice-a-year devised theater endeavors. They revolve around four themes; so every two years we get to see Women’s VOICES and Queer VOICES, alternating with Sage VOICES and Nuestras VOCES.
For each of these, an ensemble of local people — some without any theater experience — is assembled to create a completely original show derived from the participants’ personal anecdotes. Every actor stars in their own scene, receiving support from the others to bring their story to life. As director Micha Schoepe relayed, the cast of nine began their process with daily reflections and writing prompts to tease forth a scene.
“Many have described our time together as ‘therapy,’” he wrote in the program, “and I’d agree. None of us will come out of this unchanged.”
The magic of sharing this vulnerable work on-stage is that we too, the audience, were afforded an opportunity to break our expectations and mend new pathways of understanding.
This second rendition of Queer VOICES began with two clown-like apparitions portrayed by Delaney Meyers and Olivia Pevec. They doubled as troubadours, enriching the soundscape with the pluck of a banjo and pierce of a violin. Pevec’s singing of an original song brought resonant grief to Molly DeMarr’s story of a devastating miscarriage.
All but one scene was punctuated with heartbreak. As an audience, we witnessed the extra layers of complexity a queer identity can bring to relationships. In a society with rigid (though loosening) standards, the journey to discover our authentic
John Riger, photo by Bill Parish
Valerie Sullan stands in her glory, held by the support of peers. Courtesy photo by Samantha Reese
continued on page 18
Imagine that!
Dolly
Parton’s Imagination Library in Garfield County
When I was a child, my mother did three things that turned me into a reader. First, she signed me up for a library card. Later, she enrolled me in the Landmark series of American biographies for children, aimed at kids 10-15. There were similar series: BobbsMerrill’s “Childhood of Famous Americans,” which ran from the 1930s through the 1960s, had famously orange bindings and were also popular.
Third, and maybe most important, my mother belonged to the Book of the Month club, which resulted in a modest home library.
My mother knew what she was doing. It happens that there’s a lot of research about all of this. I often cite a University of Nevada, Reno study conducted back in 2010. It examined 27 countries over a span of 20 years. The surprising finding was that regardless of parental income or education, just having 500 books in the home was as good as having two parents with Master’s degrees.
Early exposure to literature boosts the developing brain. It grows vocabulary. It builds empathy for others.
On top of that, children that get read to, even if just 30 minutes a day, are statistically more likely to be healthy as children and live longer as adults. They are also less likely to wind up in jail; the most common denominator of the incarcerated is illiteracy. Finally, children who get the habit of literacy are more likely to get more education and to make more money. Together, that’s Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness.
So I’m pleased to announce the Garfield County Public Library District’s new team-up with our longstanding partner in literacy, Raising a Reader Aspen to Parachute.
It all began with Dolly Parton. Back in 1995, she wanted to foster a love of reading among the children of her home county in East Tennessee. So she launched a program funded with her own money. The idea was simple: Any child between the ages of 0-5 could sign up to receive a high quality, age appropriate children’s book every single month. Children got their books in the mail, directly addressed to them, for free. And they got to keep them.
Dolly Parton’s program, now
called the Dolly Parton Imagination Library (DPIL), quickly spread to many states and beyond, including Canada in 2006, the United Kingdom in 2007 and Australia in 2014.
In 2020 DPIL came to Colorado. In our state, a local nonprofit has to agree to handle the logistics — promoting the program, signing kids up and tracking the enrollment. Raising a Reader was eager to expand the program and approached us for help.
The library’s role is also promotional, but we contribute matching funds, too, in the amount of $1.10 per book. I cannot imagine a better use of library funding than to put books in children’s homes.
Today, the DPIL sends more than one million books each month to children around the world, and to 61 of Colorado’s 64 counties, reaching about 23% of eligible children statewide.
The DPIL, now, also offers books in Spanish. Sixteen-percent of books mailed each year are either fully bilingual, in English and Spanish, or have Spanish language content.
The Colorado DPIL website claims that children participating
LITERATE LIFE
By Jamie LaRue Garfield County Public Library District
in DPIL are 30% more likely to start school kindergarten-ready. That dovetails with our own long range plan.
In the words of Raising a Reader Executive Director Suzanne Wheeler-Del Piccolo, “Teaming up with Garfield Public Libraries and Imagination Library Colorado makes early literacy even more exciting by putting great books directly into the hands of children and families from birth to age 5, inspiring and fostering a love of reading at home. Together, we’re helping parents and caregivers create joyful reading routines at home that bring smiles and build the essential early literacy skills kids need to thrive when they start school.”
selves can pit us against family, society and even ourselves, hence the title: “Authentically Versus.” Every participant carried the show with a brave display of vulnerability. Valerie Sullan read aloud from a diary once kept under lock and key, never to be seen. The Sopris Sun’s Myki Jones uncovered the pain she’s experienced in recent years on a journey toward self-love and acceptance. Dave Emig’s story summoned the triumph of a parent allying with their child’s identity. AspenOUT Executive Director Kevin McManamon disclosed the challenges of laws that don’t protect all equally. Blake Novy took us to the big city and back, offering a young person’s perspective on self-discovery. And Anisa Lavender capped it off, laying bare her story of coming to terms with being a lesbian while in a heterosexual marriage. While heartbreak was prominent, messages of resilience carried the show. We got to witness people lean into the direction of their hearts, despite the risks involved, and mutual support among the cast was palpable. Thanks to VOICES, this work is available for anyone to participate in, holding space to allow for courageous expression, thereby building connections and authentic community.
A haunting dream
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
Claire’s dream
In my real (waking) life, I lived in a haunted house in my 20s. I had some spooky encounters with spirits. One night, two other female roommates and I saw a male figure in our bedroom and when we rose from the fright we felt hands on our shoulders, pushing us back down. All of us had this same experience in separate rooms on the same night.
Ever since I left this house, I have had a recurring dream about being back there but with many more levels and I’m trying my hardest to get to the top floor and out. It’s like I need to get to the top floor for some reason, and there are just more and more levels to this house. I keep opening doors and going through corridors, but nothing ends. Everywhere I go, I just find more corridors and doors. Every time, I get so frustrated that I end up waking myself up. When I’m up, I feel really annoyed that I had this dream again and that it was so frustrating. I’ve always thought it was about me being stuck in some way.
Interpretation
Stuck is exactly right, but let’s expand on that. Something from this house made a lasting impression on your subconscious. Or, more accurately, someone.
The house is a place where these spirits are stuck. They cannot move onward for whatever unknown reason. They instead are watching life pass with no ability to change it. Upward, in the dream, is signifying the movement of
OPINION
DREAM WELL
By Natalia Snider
the soul’s progression onward. Upward is where these spirits should have progressed through, but instead they are stuck in this liminal space between dimensions. Your need to go upward to the top floor in the dream is signifying this need for progression to higher dimensions within yourself. At the same time, and in the same space, these spirits are searching for their own upward progression.
Like attracts like. A tuning fork tuned to 528hz for instance when rung will begin to vibrate any other tuning fork tuned to 528hz in close proximity. Your own feelings of being stuck in your life during that time matched the vibratory charge of these spirits’ same feelings of being stuck. This may have created a psychic bonding or energy cord to this place and state of mind. The physical sensation that you had from the haunting of being pushed downward, not being able to get up, is possibly the moment this connection was created — reinforcing the feeling of being stuck in the physical action and connecting deep into your subconscious, creating this recurring dream.
A common theory of haunting spirits is that they have unfinished business and generally this business cannot be done from the spirit side. It must be done from within a physical body in the waking world. A spirit may have wanted to create this cord
to grow through a shared expe rience of you moving upward and onward, like watching a tutorial on how to do it. In this way the spirit can understand and experience this feeling of moving onward, using your momentum like a barnacle on a boat to free themselves.
What does this mean for you? You have a few choices here. You can do the work of moving forward yourself and in that helping this spirit move forward, and then cut the cord. Or you can cut the cord immediately and go on your way solo. If the feeling when you woke up was fear, I would suggest the latter, but as it is not, there is no wrong choice. It’s simply, whatever feels correct for you at this moment.
Whatever you decide I will leave you with an easy cord-cutting meditation. Because this energy cord was created in the dream realm, it allows for easy removal from the dream realm. In a state of calm relaxation before bed or before a nap, call forward this dream. Run through the beginning in detail to pull as much forward from it as possible, then manipulate the outcome.
Become fully in charge of this dream and open the door that lets you out to the rooftop. In this, free yourself from the entrapment of the house. Imagine the house detaching from your body and sinking farther and farther away and fully out of view. Tell the house that you are cutting this energetic cord and imagine just that. Call back your power and visually cut all ties, whatever they may appear as.
Go farther and float upward into the sky, taking charge of your direction. Fly wherever you wish, seeing whatever you most desire. Make it fun; make it pleasurable. Allow your imagination to show you joy. Allow yourself to experience freedom.
This is important to create the lasting feeling of freedom from the cut cords to ensure they are gone. When you wake, reestablish this feeling of freedom in
GARCO REPORT
your physical waking body. Now the question remains: Are the other girls who were haunted having a similar recurring dream?
from page 7
Axtell Park and where there used to be a playground. Deputy County Manager Bentley Henderson gave the commissioners nine playground structures to choose from, and the commissioners advised that the Monkey In The Middle structure from Playground Boss, on sale from $33,114 for $16,557, was the best option.
Following input from community group Friends of Axtell Park, the commissioners also suggested installing a swing set with two regular swings and a baby swing. Henderson was directed to address a question as to whether there is enough space in the playground area behind the county building for both the structure and a swingset, and to proceed from there.
What’s on Your Ballot? Thurs, Oct. 24, 11AM-1PM
A presentation and information session on statewide ballot issues on the November 2024 Ballot. This is a non-partisan event and will not promote any position on any measure, although it will cover pro and con positions.
Book Talk: Speed & Scale Mon, Oct. 28, 5:30-6:30PM Talk about themes, questions, and what resonated with you about the book “Speed & Scale” by John Doerr during a discussion facilitated by Mary Fox.
Aspen
Mi Chola
Aspen Valley Hospital
Snowmass Market
The Aspen Store
Box on Hyman Avenue
Pitkin County Library
BASALT
Basalt Quick Lube
Basalt
Glenwood Springs enjoys Latin rhythm and flavor
DANIEL TORRES Sol del Valle
Translation by Bianca Godina
The City of Glenwood Springs wrapped up Hispanic Heritage Month with its celebration of Noche Latina, an event full of fun, music and dancing for all attendees. The party took place on Saturday, Oct. 12, at Bethel Plaza, located under the main bridge in downtown Glenwood Springs. This was the perfect setting for the event, which was held for the third consecutive year and for the second time in the plaza.
The celebration began at 4pm, with activities for children, like coloring and shooting soccer goals for those who wanted to participate.
The versatile band “Son de la Zona” energized the evening, delighting attendees with a variety of Latin rhythms. Among the genres performed were salsa, cumbia, merengue, bachata, vallenato, reggaeton, and even regional Mexican music, offering a musical showcase ranging from Argentina to Mexico.
Gladys Arango, the community liaison coordinator for Glenwood Springs’ Parks and Recreation Department, commented in an interview with Sol del Valle, “We Latinos have joyful hearts, united
by music, which is a language, art, energy and spirit. Music is a mystery that transports us to our most intimate emotions.”
Noche Latina exceeded expectations, with an estimated attendance of between 500 and 600 people throughout the evening. Attendees waved flags, wore traditional attire and wore their favorite team jerseys, representing a diversity of nationalities from the tip of Argentina, across all of Latin America, and reaching the United States.
“We aim for the inclusion of all Latino communities, without excluding anyone. The intention is for this to be their celebration, without political messages or ideologies,” Arango emphasized.
The festive atmosphere and camaraderie, characteristic of the Latino spirit, were reflected in “joy and enthusiasm shared in a healthy way,” Arango highlighted.
The celebration ended with the “Hora Loca,” a high-energy moment in which attendees paraded in circles to a diverse musical repertoire. Without a doubt, the event not only
commemorated the close of Hispanic Heritage Month but also achieved its goal of preserving the cultural roots that remain alive and thrive in the Valley, with the accents, rhythms, worldviews, and traditions characteristic of the more than 30 countries that make up Latin America.
To read this story in Spanish visit www.bit.ly/sdvnochelatina
ProMex
Tutty
Follow Leonardo Occhipinti’s “Nuevo Mundo” in Sol del Valle every week in Spanish.
Youth enjoy a short dance class before the “Hora Loca.” Courtesy photo by Joe Van Wyk
Gladys Arango organized Noche Latina for the City of Glenwood Springs. Courtesy photo by Joe Van Wyk
Young boys play soccer on 7th Street near Bethel Plaza. Courtesy photo by Joe Van Wyk
Share your works in progress with readers by emailing illustrations, creative writings and poetry to fiction@soprissun.com
Letter from Galway
The other day, I texted my sister to send me pictures of the aspen groves changing colors — “ASAP,” I requested. I never did get those photos, but I presume it’s because I woke her up at 6 in the morning. In a flash of homesick ness, I seemed to have forgotten about the 7-hour difference.
As of now, it’s been a month and a half here on the west coast of Ireland since I began work ing on a degree in writing at the University of Galway. Now that some of the newness has worn off, over more than a few pots of tea I’ve considered what it means for me to be here on this familiar, yet foreign, island. Of course, I’ve been taking every opportunity I can to immerse myself, and from what I’ve been told, time and time again, the West is the best.
“Galway is real Ireland,” locals tell me over the foam of a
to put solutions in place. Caitlin Carey and Steven Arauza are today’s leaders that will move Garfield County into a prosperous, inclusive community. Please vote for both candidates by Nov. 5 and invest in the future
Glenwood Springs
Consider
your commissioners
As we cast our votes for county commissioner, it’s easy to be fatalistic. After all, Republicans have controlled the board my entire life (and the same trio for most of my adulthood). So it’s just the status quo, right?
No, their hostile takeover of the library system has raised the stakes. The vote you cast this week will determine policies for the next decade. The Republican candidates have made it clear that they’re comfortable with censorship. They have handed the Democrats the high ground of free speech
Their victory is not a foregone conclusion. The last few elections have been close. We can show them that we’re paying attention and their actions have consequences. Even a lone voice of dissent
candidate Steven Arauza. Both embody the values of hard work, dedication, and a deep commitment to serving working families, making their public service vital to the future of our community.
Representative Velasco is Colorado’s first Mexican-born state representative and the first Latina legislator from the Western Slope. Her inspiring journey began in low-income mobile home parks in the Vail Valley, where she worked multiple jobs to support her education and family. This firsthand experience motivates her to advocate for policies that prioritize affordable housing, language access, community resiliency, and access to clean air and water. Her legislative efforts, like the Water Quality in Mobile Home Parks bill and initiatives for wildfire resiliency, demonstrate her passion for environmental justice and commitment to a healthier, more equitable future for all.
Who do you trust? I trust Perry Will and Mike Samson to be our Garfield County commissioners. They have a proven track record and love this community because they are Colorado natives. I also trust the county commissioners to perform their duty to appoint a New Castle resident for the vacant library board trustee position. I do not trust children to always pick age-appropriate material while at the library. The library has internet controls in place so why not all their materials? There are plenty of hazards that put our children at risk and this is one of them. Commissioner Samson has expressed his concern with the American Library Association because it promotes no censorship for children and was directed by a self-proclaimed Marxist. He is also in favor of having adult materials relocated within the library away from a child’s reach. This would include only materials with warnings such as, “explicit content” and “rated mature.”
The county commissioners have always had the duty to appoint a library board trustee. This year they advertised directly to reach more potential candidates. The library board was only presenting one candidate and it took them months to do so. The library does not need protection from book bans, no one is calling for that, including myself. Yet our children need protection from these materials that include drawings — not words — depicting rape, orgies, torture, demonic characters, drug use and imprisonment. Look for yourself, go to the adult and teen graphic novel section. Anything written by Garth Ennis is extreme. I pray you will join me in voting for Mike Samson and Perry Will.
Trish O’Grady Rifle
Latino leadership
I am writing to express my strong support for two remarkable leaders in our community: State Representative Elizabeth Velasco and county commissioner
Similarly, Steven Arauza offers extensive experience and an important viewpoint in his county commissioner candidacy. He grew up in a single-parent, working-class household, so he understands and centers the real-life challenges faced by working families. His dedication to championing workers’ rights and improving working conditions comes from his personal experiences with food insecurity and childcare challenges. As a parent, I am encouraged by his motivation to build a better future for his young children and to improve the quality of life for all county residents. His commitment to public service and advocacy for our kids, workers, and working families makes him an exceptional candidate for county commissioner.
Both Elizabeth and Steven are committed to ensuring that the needs of our community and our kids are prioritized in their respective roles. Their leadership is not just about addressing immediate issues but about building a foundation for a stronger, more resilient community for generations to come.
Let’s continue to support leaders like Representative Elizabeth Velasco and Steven Arauza, whose public service is essential to shaping a better future for our community and, most significantly, for our kids.
Vote to re-elect Representative Elizabeth Velasco to continue championing for us at the Capitol and vote for Steven Arauza for county commissioner for a more promising future in Garfield County.
Jasmin Ramirez Glenwood Springs
Support for Samson
The best government has always been local government as is certainly the case in Garfield County. This is true because we have elected good public servants over the years. And it is true because we have continued to re-elect the servants who have done excellent work in managing our tax dollars and providing the public services we need and want to the best of their abilities.
Mike Samson is one of these people. For many years he has lived in this county, has taught our children, led our school administrations and has been our solid, honest, fair-minded county commissioner working hard on our behalf. I have known Mike and his family all these years and am proud of the way he has lived and worked for us. Mike has educated himself over these years
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Last Sunday, along County Road 100 (Catherine Store Road), traffic was bumper to bumper as the Nieslanik cows headed for home. After spending their summer vacation on public lands and being looked out for by Range Rider William Steindler and his family, they were moved to their winter digs on the Nieslanik ranch outside of Carbondale. Once their horses were watered and the large herd of cattle were safely tucked into their pastures, the humans were so anxious to leave that they all quickly piled into a truck and headed up to the sorting pens to retrieve their respective horse trailers and get home in time for Sunday Night Football. Photos and text by Jane Bachrach
of change in Garfield County and continues to grow with these changes. He has sat through the tough debates among worthy competing public interests, listening to everyone’s point of view, and has always aimed to find the best balance that serves the greatest number of us. He has made the hard choice for us every time and will continue to do so.
I doubt that anyone else around us has better foresight or broader understanding of the challenges ahead for Garfield County in these complicated and worrisome times. I am comforted to have Mike
leading us because I know and trust his values, virtues, strength and wisdom. I am voting for Mike Samson. Please join me in doing so.
Russell George Rifle
Buerger for District 5
As a lifelong resident of the Roaring Fork Valley and a Carbondale town trustee, I am enthusiastically voting for Cole Buerger for Colorado State Senator for District 5. I have known Cole for years and he has proven himself to be
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thoughtful, principled, policy-minded, and smart. Cole is a fifth generation Coloradan and a small business owner. He understands what it takes to go to Denver and fight for what rural families and businesses need on the Western Slope.
Cole grew up on a ranch near Silt and his family has lived and ranched in this region for generations. As a local kid who also grew up on a ranch up the Fryingpan, I believe that Cole is the only candidate that truly understands the challenges our communities face. He is ready to address the increasing cost
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of living, protect our water and forest health, and support our small businesses, our ag producers, and increase funding for infrastructure and schools. Cole has the support of community leaders across the district — Republican, Democrat, and unaffiliated alike. Cole will work with people from all parties and all walks of life to ensure that District 5 thrives. I hope you will join me and vote for Cole Buerger for State Senate.
