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una nueva publicación semanal con noticias Volume 13, Number 45 | Dec. 16-22 2021 locales en español.
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The Colorado Media Project recently hosted a fellowship to strengthen water reporting across Colorado. They chose a cohort of 10 journalists from around the state to build skills covering this complex and important topic — including The Sopris Sun's own Olivia Emmer, who says, "You can barely scratch the surface of understanding the West's water in six months, but this fellowship was a great kick start on the subject." Photo by Will Grandbois By Olivia Emmer Sopris Sun Correspondent
Editor’s note: Water supply, climate change and the Colorado River seem to be in the news constantly. The West’s major reservoirs have reached record lows and scientists have released discouraging forecasts for future supplies. This article seeks to provide local context for these headlines by reviewing the state of the Crystal River watershed, the rules that govern the use of its water and some perspectives from people who rely on it. This article was reported as part of the Colorado Media Project 2021 Water Journalism Fellowship.
Relying on a wild river
Reflections from the Crystal watershed In the spring of 2018, Matt Shmigelsky’s showerhead ran dry mid-suds. After some sleuthing, he and neighbors in his subdivision of 10 houses realized the problem wasn’t an aging pipe or malfunctioning pump. Their well, permitted 50 years ago and reliable until that point, had gone dry. For about 10 days, he and fellow residents of Carbondale’s Crystal
View Heights Filing 1 subdivision went without water in their taps while they hurried to drill a new, deeper well. “It was really eye opening, just how much we rely on it. It's so funny — even days after [it ran dry], you’d still go to the faucet and turn it on out of habit. It's just ingrained in your mind that you have water,” Shmigelsky says.
Just a few months later, he and his neighbors received notice from the Colorado Division of Water Resources (DWR) that their 1971 right to use Crystal River water was “out of priority.” In Colorado, water rights are tied to a date, with older, or “senior,” rights getting first dibs. Water rights holders on the downstream Ella Ditch weren't getting enough water out of the
Crystal River to fulfill their 1902 water right. Those holders asked the state to enforce their senior right. This typically means shutting off junior water use upstream. This “call” on the Crystal River revealed that some taps in the towns of Carbondale and Marble and at least five subdivisions didn’t have plans in place to back up their junior water use in a shortage. DWR did not prohibit the nearly 200 impacted homes from using water, but informed them that their access to water during future shortages depends on creating an “augmentation plan.”
The newspaper in your hands costs $2.00 to create. Advertising does NOT cover the full cost. The Sopris Sun is a nonprofit enterprise that helps budding journalists gain experience, provides employment and freelance opportunities to local writers, photographers and artists. We also produce a weekly publication in Spanish. Please help us to continue to provide quality independent media by donating today. Mail checks to P.O. Box 399, Carbondale, CO 81623, scan the QR code or donate at SorprisSun.com/donate.
Continued on page 18
OPINION
Sun Signs
By Whitney Will There was one time, a few years ago, when I had a religious experience over pasta. I was invited to the soft opening of Free Range in Basalt, and Flip Wise, the chef at the time, had invited the local farmers. The chitarra pasta arrived, and after the first bite — ripe with fennel-laced tomato sauce — I nearly wept. I was stunned and delighted that normal ingredients, woven together in such a symphony of flavor, affected a complete ontological reset, and once again I was charmed with the state of this absurd world. I have had similar experiences with peaches, but it has been a while. I think this is true for many of us, though your particular
Venus retrograde renews joy brand of ecstatic rapture might not be food-related. Nearly two years into the pandemic, and the social and political state of disarray, the predictable increments of time seem to get smaller and smaller until I am hardly confident that the plans I make in the morning will last through the afternoon. Delight in this earthly realm is hard to come by these days. Astrologically, the planet that represents pleasure is Venus. If you’ve looked into the west during the evening you’ve probably seen her — in her full diamond-in-the-sky evening star splendor. She is about as far away from the sun as she gets (called her “greatest elongation”), and due to station retrograde on Dec. 19, thus beginning her journey of renewal into the heart of the sun and re-emergence as the morning star this spring. Her current position as the evening star is the “crone” form of Venus. In this phase, earthly pleasures of the flesh may be hard to come by, as Venus preaches a more spiritual bent toward meaning-making and gratitude for what has been. It is a time of letting go and understanding, the final phase in a cycle of desire that
began in June of 2020. Venus retrogrades occur every 19 months, when the planet passes between the sun and Earth. The physical proximity and respective speeds create the illusion that Venus is moving backward, like when you pass a car moving slower than you — for a moment they appear to move backward. We can sit on our high horses and cuddle with our physics knowledge and slough it off, but I invite you to go outside and watch it as it happens. Go out nightly to look for her; over the next several months, she will fade from the bright evening star, disappear into the sun and reemerge in the east as the morning star. If we lean into the archetypal metaphor offered, we find a personal invitation toward a few months of release and renewal. This holiday season is about reassessing our values. It is about bidding final adieu to old attachments and outgrown relational dynamics. Venus will be
Executive Director
Todd Chamberlin 970-510-0246 • adsales@soprissun.com
Editor
Raleigh Burleigh 970-510-3003 • news@soprissun.com
Contributing Editor James Steindler
Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons
retrograde from Dec. 19 through Jan. 29. Release your old self as you release the complicated year we have all been through. When we release what is tired and worn out, surrender that which has lost meaning for us, we acquire spaciousness and the ability to be present, curious and engaged. We are opened to the full breadth of our experience and allow ourselves to be moved into reverie by a dish of wellmade pasta. Whitney Will is a professional astrologer, writer and teacher. For courses and readings: Visit www. starhearthastrology.com
LETTERS Faith and Science Given the current science skepticism from some religious and political groups, the cartoon on Dec. 2 which portrayed division between faith and science is understandable. But, a conflict between faith and science is mostly unnecessary. The cartoon combined the Christmas narrative found in the Gospels of Matthew and Luke about shepherds and the star announcing the birth of Jesus. It pitted a shepherd (person of faith) against an astronomer who used a telescope to discover that the star was actually a comet or planetary alignment. But the observation and scientific interpretation of natural phenomena does not exclude other meanings. The “star” over Bethlehem could indeed have been caused by a natural celestial event, yet also have a greater purpose. Scientific discoveries reveal increasingly grander marvels — complexity and immensity that would imply a designer who is intelligent. Recent examples of design are the mRNA COVID vaccines that were the product of years of genetic research by some of the most brilliant minds in the world. If it takes that much intelligence to understand RNA and apply this knowledge to create a lifesaving vaccine, wouldn’t this also indicate an intelligent origin of RNA? If so, a conflict between faith and science is not necessary. Ironically, the cartoon also portrays those who use religious and political ideologies to castigate the “scientist.” But the news of the baby born in Bethlehem was first announced to those who were outside religious and
political dogmas of the time — shepherds at the bottom of the social ladder, and Magi (probably astronomers from Persia) who were of a completely different race and religion than the Jewish baby. Israel’s religious and political leaders were the outsiders. Through this event, God showed that His offer of redemption and restoration was available for all to consider — peasant shepherds, foreigners, scientists and the rest of us. There is no distinction. He invites everyone by all means, supernatural or natural, to consider the Messiah born in a humble stable. Doug Stewart Carbondale
Yard waste or valuable resource? All throughout Carbondale history, ranchers and farmers have been composting nutrient-rich leaves and brush to build healthy soil, and covering potato patches with leaves and manure during winter months. My thanks to Carbondale Public Works and the Carbondale Environmental Board for yet another successful, and convenient, yard waste recycling event for Town citizens. About seven years ago, Town staff and E-board members reached out to local farmers and ranchers to establish a Leaves for Local Farms diversion program. According to 2021 event data from Town staff, approximately 380 cubic yards (23,500 pounds) of leaves and 300 cubic yards (38,100 pounds) of branches were diverted from the landfill to local farms. This is about 43 metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions saved, or the annual energy
usage of five single-family houses. A more tangible visual of 680 cubic yards is one football field with a 5-inch layer of leaves and branches. If backyard or curbside composting are not feasible options, thanks for taking the time to bring your bags to Town Hall to turn yard waste into yard resources. The soil that you are helping to build very well might feed your carrots at next summer's farmers market. Jason White Carbondale
Requesting help Has anyone read and can you debunk “The Real Anthony Fauci” by Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.? The book is full of footnotes and appears to be well researched. My trust in the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, the National Institutes of Health and the medical community in general is destroyed. As a taxpayer who has funded these organizations, I’m scared. And I’m not so sure that I can finish the book. It feels like waking up and living in a nightmare. I sincerely want factual counter arguments, no smearing. Deanna Janckila Carbondale
Dusting
Mid-morning flurries Wind-borne snow settles slowly Just a trace by noon JM Jesse Glenwood Springs
The views expressed in opinion pieces do not necessarily reflect those of The Sopris Sun. The community is invited to submit letters up to 500 words to news@soprissun.com. Longer columns are considered on a case-by-case basis. The deadline for submission is noon on Monday. 2 • THE SOPRIS SUN • soprissun.com • Dec. 16-22, 2021
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'It ain’t dying I’m talkin’ about — it’s living' By Paula Mayer Sopris Sun Correspondent
On Monday night, Dec. 6, a group gathered at the Third Street Center to watch Tim Wilson’s 2008 documentary “Griefwalker.” The evening was hosted by Rita Marsh of The Center for Human Flourishing (formerly Davi Nikent) and Akaljeet Khalsa, a local practitioner of the healing arts, who recently completed the Conscious Death Coach and Sacred Passage End-of-Life Doula certifications offered by the Conscious Dying Institute in Boulder. “Griefwalker” documents the work of theologian and social worker Stephen Jenkinson, of Toronto, whose mission is “to change the way we die — to turn the act of dying from denial and resistance into an essential part of life.” Anyone who doesn’t plan on dying can stop reading now, the rest of this article won’t pertain to you… When was the last time you spoke with someone about death? Generally, these conversations can feel pretty loaded, as the impetus for having them is often a change in one’s health, a crisis, or
sudden, unexpected death. Under these circumstances, the dominant emotions can be sadness, anger, fear and grief. What if these conversations took place under different circumstances, having more to do with exploring one’s core values than mourning loss? These are the conversations that Akaljeet shares with people in her practice as a death doula. “I invite people into a conversation about life, gently gazing through the lens of death.” Akaljeet states that, in five to six sessions of working one-on-one, she takes you through conversations that explore each of the five pillars of life — physical, mental, emotional, spiritual and practical. “We take a deep dive into the value systems we live by. At the end, you discover you can be more present, live more fully, because you identify that what is important to you at the end of life is important to you right now.” Where does our love of life come from? Stephen Jenkinson theorizes, “The circle of your love of life exists because it ends.” It may take some time to wrap your head around this,
especially if you’ve experienced deep grief before. Jenkinson continues, “Grief is not a feeling, it’s a skill. Not as something that happens to you; not as a thing to be endured. It is not a coping strategy. It is a willingness to be engaged by deeply unwelcome things about which you know.” Death is not a secret that is sprung on us at the last minute. We all know that dying is an inevitable part of living. As the end of a life becomes apparent, we have all wished for just a few more moments with a loved one. What would we do with that extra, precious time? What would we say? Feel? Experience? Change? During the upcoming holidays, many of us will spend time with family and friends. For some, it might be the first family gathering since the pandemic. Consider asking your dad, or brother, or fourteen-year-old daughter: What’s important to you? What do you really care about? What have you always dreamed of doing? Visit www.akaljeet.com for more information and to contact Akaljeet Khalsa. Call 970-379-5620 for The Center for Human Flourishing.
Above: "Dying is a bridge... a literal crossing over, from this life in this body, to what lies beyond." - Akaljeet Khalsa, death doula Left: Rita Marsh explains the integral health model, the guiding light at The Center for Human Flourishing. Photos by Paula Mayer
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THE SOPRIS SUN • Your weekly community connector • Dec. 16-22, 2021 • 3
SCUTTLEBUTT Letters to Santa
Civic service
Need to let Santa know how good you’ve been this year? What about that perfect gift? The Carbondale Recreation and Community Center has installed a special mailbox with express delivery to the North Pole, open through Dec. 20. Be sure to sign your name and address so Santa can write back
Nomination petitions for the Carbondale Board of Trustees will be available beginning Jan. 4. The mayor’s seat and three seats, each with four-year terms, will be on the April 5 ballot. Nomination petitions will be available to be picked up at Town Hall for three weeks during regular business hours. Interested candidates must be at least 18 years of age, a citizen of the United States and must have resided in Carbondale for at least one consecutive year prior to the date of the election.
Railroad Holiday Express For the first time, the Leadville, Colorado & Southern Railroad is extending its season into winter and offering a holiday lights train ride. This snowy glide through the Arkansas River Valley is offered twice per day through Jan. 8, except on Christmas and Christmas Eve. Learn more at www.leadvillerailroad.com
Stewardship On Dec. 9, Great Outdoors Colorado (GOCO) awarded Roaring Fork Outdoor Volunteers (RFOV) $298,490 to address growing stewardship needs in the Roaring Fork Valley. This is the largest single grant in RFOV’s 26-year history and part of GOCO’s stewardship impact program, allocating lottery proceeds toward the improvement of ecological and recreational amenities. The grant will help RFOV to hire four new staff members and purchase a vehicle to support project participation, among other initiatives.
interest, beginning in February, reports the Kentucky Higher Education Assistance Authority, a national nonprofit. More info can be found at www.studentaid.gov
Quashing rumors
CHSAA accolades Following their state victory, Roaring Fork High School’s soccer team received numerous honors from the Colorado High School Activities Association (CHSAA). Nick Forbes was named 3A Coach of the Year, senior Ross Barlow earned the illustrious designation of 3A Player of the Year. Additionally, four Rams were placed on CHSAA’s 3A First Team: Ross Barlow, Emiliano Magana, Jose Mercado and Carlos Perez Rios.
Cowboy Up! The 12th annual Cowboy Up benefit (August 2021) shattered previous attendance and fundraising records, raising over $31,000 for Smiling Goat Ranch! “In six years of our equine-assisted therapy program, we’ve helped hundreds of children and adults,” said Smiling Goat Ranch
Satank’s first-ever holiday market featured crafts from neighborhood artists, a truck full of free clothing and live entertainment. Notice Sopris Sun cartoonist Brian Colley (left), making a saw sing in his new robe, gleaned from the giveaway. Photo by Bailey Haines
Executive Director Sheryl Barto. “And we’ve made a vow never to let fees hinder healing. All of our program needs — including animal feed and care, supplies and handlers — come from donations and grants.”
Aim high! Roaring Fork High School and Carbondale Middle School archery clubs are raising funds to purchase equipment. Currently, the programs have enough gear for 10 students to participate. They’d like to double that number so each school can have its own set! Learn more about how to support at www.bit.ly/CdaleArchery
Taking off The Federal Aviation Administration awarded the Rifle Garfield County Airport a $59,000 grant, provided through the American Rescue Plan Act, to assist airports with operations. “The grant will be used for employee expenses,” said Brian Condie, the airport director. The grant offer was approved by the Board of County Commissioners.
Student loan repayment Borrowers who were able to pause their federal student loan repayment over the past 18 months will need to resume making payments soon, with
False information was circulating about Valley View Hospital not admitting unvaccinated patients. For clarification, we reached out. “That rumor is unequivocally false,” affirmed Chief Medical Officer Dr. David Brooks. “We care for all patients, regardless of COVID-19 vaccine status. If people feel that has not been the case with their care at Valley View, I ask that they reach out to my colleague, Stacey Gavrell, with our community relations team, at 970-384-6620.”
They say it’s your birthday Folks celebrating another trip around the sun this week include: Deborah Anderson, JR Burton and Tamarah Howard (Dec. 16); Aiden Knaus and Cooper Marshall (Dec. 17); Kathy Ezra, Daisy Tena and Ralph Wanner (Dec. 18); Shirley Bowen and Frances Lewis (Dec. 19); Don Butterfield, Linnea Fong, Terry Glasenap, Kenzie Hill, Beatriz Soto, Tyler Thompson, Prema Trettin and Travis Wilson (Dec. 20); Paula Fothergill, Tommy Sweeney and Robin Waters (Dec. 21); Jessica Hardin, Carolyn Jackson and Jerry Pluger (Dec. 22).
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Call to Schedule a Tour: 970-440-2628 | SoprisLodge.com | 295 Rio Grande Ave., Carbondale 4 • THE SOPRIS SUN • soprissun.com • Dec. 16-22, 2021
Long COVID and its treatment By Ken Pletcher Sopris Sun Correspondent
Among the more distinctive — and troubling — features of COVID-19 is the persistence of symptoms after individuals have recovered from the initial novel coronavirus infection. Formally called post-acute sequelae of SARS CoV-2, the condition has become more commonly known as “long COVID” or “long-haul COVID”; patients suffering from it are often called “long-haulers.” The Centers for Disease and Prevention uses the term “postCOVID conditions,” which refers to a variety of “new, returning, or ongoing health problems” (including some such as multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children not discussed in this article) that last four or more weeks after the onset of COVID-19. Regardless of which name is used, individuals with long COVID can experience a wide variety of symptoms. At least 20 have been identified. Some of the most common reported are shortness of breath, chest pain, elevated heart rate (palpitations), fatigue and continued loss of smell and “brain fog” (i.e., confusion and problems with concentration and memory). Others range from headaches and earaches (including hearing loss) to
rashes and hair loss. In addition to lung damage, other organs (e.g., the heart and kidneys) can be affected by COVID-19 and long COVID. It is not yet known what causes long COVID, but current theories include residual damage to organs by the body’s immune system, persistence of some of the virus in the body and an exaggerated response by the body’s immune system to the virus. Diagnosing long COVID relies largely on a patient’s experience with COVID-19 (i.e., what symptoms they experienced while sick), physical and psychological tests that can identify known long COVID symptoms and, if necessary, diagnostic tests (e.g., x-rays and electrocardiograms). Awareness that patients seemed to have persistent symptoms after they were thought to be over the initial infection came not long after the first COVID-19 cases were reported in late 2019. However, because of the newness of long COVID, there is no prognosis yet on the duration or severity of symptoms. Some longhaulers recover within weeks, while for others their conditions last for months. As we now enter the third year of the pandemic, researchers and health care workers will be able to gather more information on long COVID and its persistence. Jenny Queen, a physician’s assistant at Valley View Hospital’s
Lung Center, told The Sopris Sun that those who were severely ill with COVID — in the hospital and often on ventilators — require “many weeks to recover, and they often have permanent lung damage.” However, she and the other Lung Center members, pulmonologist Dr. Suresh M. Khilhnani and physician’s assistants Eleanor Haring and Jaime Ball, were seeing that those with mild to moderate COVID cases (generally not needing much, if any, hospitalization) were also experiencing persistent symptoms. “This was in late winter, after the big spike in cases.” Early this year, Queen and her colleagues set up a long COVID clinic in the Lung Center, which Queen said was to be “interdisciplinary with primarycare physicians and specialists to try and coordinate treatment” for long COVID patients. She continued, “We thought it would be helpful for patients to have a safe place for care to treat what we can treat,” though conceding, “There are not a lot of treatment options.” The center runs the clinic once a month, but, Queen noted, “If a patient contacts the office, we will try to get them in to see us.” As for treatment, “We try to use steroids to decrease symptoms, but once the lungs are damaged, there’s not much we can do.”
Jenny Queen is a physician's assistant in the Lung Center at Valley View Hospital. She and her colleagues operate a clinic there to treat long COVID patients. Courtesy photo The clinic also offers a pulmonary rehabilitation program at the Lung Center involving physical exercises (e.g., strength and stamina training) and breathing techniques (such as yoga breathing). Queen cautioned that, “Recovery is very, very slow … there is no pill.” But, she added, “Time is a good healer, and the majority of patients typically feel better after about six months.” Not surprisingly, she noted that “We’re a little overwhelmed right now. We had a very busy 2021,” anticipating that 2022 would be as well. She went on to say, “We are lucky to have this level of expertise in this valley,” noting that Dr. Khilhnani is the only pulmonologist
in the region. And, indeed, we are, from primary care for COVID patients at Valley View to post-illness rehabilitative programs, such as what the Lung Center offers. However, she reiterated — as do the great majority of healthcare workers — “I want to say that the best way to prevent COVID is to get vaccinated.” In July 2021, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services designated long COVID as a disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act. Additional information can be found at www.bit.ly/CDCpostCOVID and www.bit.ly/ LongCOVIDADA
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THE SOPRIS SUN • Your weekly community connector • Dec. 16-22, 2021 • 5
BASALT REPORT
‘AA’ rating kicks off bond sales, net zero gets a boost By Dyana Z. Furmansky Sopris Sun Correspondent
At Basalt Town Council’s final meeting of the year, Dec. 14, Town Manager Ryan Mahoney reported that Standard & Poor’s global rating of ‘AA stable’ “was very successful,” and provided independent affirmation of Basalt’s fiscal policies over the last few years. The updated rating came just ahead of the town’s issuance of $17.6 million in general obligation bonds for Basalt Forward 2030, which just went up for sale. The money raised will finance affordable housing, photovoltaic installations and energy efficiency programs and Midland Avenue’s landscape improvements. Mahoney said that Basalt will also apply for grants to supplement the new revenue. With the bond issuance done, 2022’s nearly $50 million budget decided and no multi-million dollar developments dominating the docket, council members were able to listen to presentations on a variety of comparatively small-ticket items. The most consequential item heard, for which no vote was required, was from the Basalt Green
Team Green Code Committee, headed by Basalt Senior Planner Sara Nadolny. She and committee members Amanda Poindexter, of Full Circle Construction, and CORE Community Sustainability Manager Phi Filerman, spoke about major building code changes that take effect in 2022, when the town adopts the 2021 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC). According to the Green Team’s Road Map to Net Zero Development, presented at the meeting, net zero is “a building that annually produces as much energy as it consumes for heating, cooling, water heating and basic electrical loads, including lighting, plug loads and fans.” A zero energy building will have no natural gas infrastructure by 2031 under the IECC code, and allelectric batteries — not fossil fuels — will provide backup energy in the event of power failures. Nadolny said that buildings in Basalt “remain the largest contributor to greenhouse gas emissions,” at 62% of the total. Transportation comes in second, she said, at 23%. Under the new IECC code, 25% of energy must come from renewable
sources in 2022 for new commercial buildings. In residences, electric panels and breaker sizings must accommodate future electrification conversions, said Poindexter. Councilor Ryan Slack asked if there had been any “pushback” from contractors because of how sweeping the changes are. Basalt Chief Building Official Mitch Miller responded that “for the most part, contractors are accepting the move,” and there will be public hearings as well as educational outreach to explain what’s going on, and why. Poindexter said she’s “been shocked by the acceptance” in the construction sector. What may make the transition smoother, if not simpler, is that zero energy requirements will be pretty much the same throughout the Roaring Fork Valley; all county and city building departments in the area are adopting the IECC code this year. That each municipality is requiring such a major shift at the same time is “pretty unusual,” she said. In other business, the council approved a resolution authorizing $25,000 for the design of an Early Childhood Facility on Sopris Meadows PUD Parcel 2. The
This graphic will be painted large on a wall (measuring 10 feet 6 inches by 13 feet 6 inches) at Free Range Kitchen's new location at Basalt River Park. Courtesy image Town engineering staff chose Land+Shelter Architecture and Alan Ford Architects for the work. Councilor Bill Infante voted against the resolution. He said he thought the Basalt Early Childhood Coalition should consider other sites for the new center. The council also voted to postpone its approval of a new fermented malt beverage license for the Willits General Store. Four Dogs Fine Wine & Spirits Manager Robbie BellaSmuts protested the granting of the new license because it could reduce sales at his store next to Whole Foods. Councilor Elyse Hottel said it might be necessary to “hold a broader discussion” on how many liquor stores Basalt needs. Mayor Bill Kane
ToWN of CarboNdalE
said he was puzzled by “the concept of what a needs assessment is when it comes to buying alcoholic beverages,” and said he was inclined to approve the new license at the next public council meeting. Councilor Glenn Drummond voted against granting the postponement. The council gave resounding approval to the proposed wall mural of a combination Scottish Highlander/Texas Longhorn cow at Free Range Restaurant’s new Basalt River Park home, where council members had gone for the ribbon cutting prior to the meeting. Council approval for the mural was deemed necessary by Basalt’s Technical Review Committee, which regulates signage, because of its large size.
NEWS
dEar SaNTa: It’s time to let Santa know what’s on your mind (and your holiday list). Write a letter or draw a picture and drop it off at Santa’s Mailbox at the Carbondale Recreation and Community Center from December 1-December 20. Leave your name and address and Santa will write back! avoid frozEN liNES: To avoid water service lines freezing, turn one faucet on with a pencil-thin stream of water to prevent frozen pipes. Please contact the Utility office if you have taken this action to apply an adjustment to your account, 970-510-1350.
CalliNg all loCal arTiSTS: All local artists are encouraged to apply for the 2022-2023 Art Around Town Show sponsored by the Town of Carbondale Public Arts Commission. Submission details and a free online application are available at callforentry.org until February 7, 2022. Call 970-510-1325 for more information. KEEp ThE grEaSE ouT: The Carbondale Utility Department would like to remind residents to place grease, cooking oils, and fats in a receptable that can be thrown away in the trash. Pouring grease down the drain backs up sewer lines and should be avoided.
Views included with every meal. (970) 963-6597 homesteadcarbondale.com 6 • THE SOPRIS SUN • soprissun.com • Dec. 16-22, 2021
board of TruSTEE NomiNaTioNS opEN iN JaNuary: Nomination petitions for the Mayor’s seat and three Board of Trustee seats (all four-year terms) will be available beginning January 4, 2022. Qualifications: All candidates must be a qualified elector of the Town, a citizen of the United States, at least 18 years of age, and must have resided in the Town of Carbondale for one consecutive year immediately prior to the date of the election. Petitions must be returned to the town clerk no later than 5:00 p.m. on Monday, January 24, 2022. The Town of Carbondale is a non-partisan body of local government, therefore, there is no party affiliation designation. SidEWalK SNoW rEmoval: Owners or occupants of any property in Town are responsible for clearing the snow and ice from sidewalks along their property (including sidewalks on both sides of corner lots.) Businesses need to have the sidewalks cleared within 4 hours after the precipitation stops. Residents need to have the sidewalks cleared within 24 hours after precipitation stops. Thank you for keeping our sidewalks safe.
970-963-2733 • carbondalegov.org
CARBONDALE REPORT
Trustees commit new pool to April vote… and more!
By Raleigh Burleigh Sopris Sun Editor
The Board of Town Trustees tackled a full agenda at their Dec. 14 meeting. During “trustee comments,” Trustee Ben Bohmfalk mentioned that the town’s Bike, Pedestrian & Trails Commission fell short of a quorum at their last meeting. He took the opportunity to encourage community members to join a town board. Trustee Lani Kitching thanked the police department for allowing officer Paul Lazo to join the Garfield County Latino Community Committee. Kitching also announced that she herself joined the Colorado Wildlife Council as a representative for state municipalities. Mayor Dan Richardson highlighted a new initiative by the Roaring Fork Transportation Authority (RFTA), allocating $3 million toward a new grant program to fund first-and-last-mile solutions, independent of RFTA’s partnership with the bikeshare nonprofit WeCycle. Planning Director Janet Buck and lab technician Fred Siroteck were both honored for their dedicated work as town staff. Trustees heard a liquor license application by David Eisenson and Mark Hardin for Plosky’s, “a New York-style Jewish deli coming soon,” explained Eisenson. Located at 1201 Main Street, the new building next to the roundabout, the deli is anticipated to open in March. “As an East Coast transplant,” said Eisenson, “it’s something that I’ve always felt was missing in Carbondale. And, as much as I love this town, I really love sandwiches. And a really good bagel.” With no last-minute changes, trustees adopted
Mayor Dan Richardson delivers a “COVID fist bump” to Natalie, one of the students of the month. Town meetings are now fully back in-person, but you can still participate virtualy via Zoom. Screenshot the 2022 budget. It plans for $11.3 million in general fund expenditures and maintains approximately $7.46 million in reserves (65.9% of the town’s annual operational costs). According to the packet, sales tax collections, the town’s major revenue source, show an estimated year-over-year increase of 21.6% to finish 2021. This is due in significant part to the new City Market and “permit and associated development fees” for new construction. Upcoming big expenditures include cyber security upgrades financed by federal COVID relief funds. Major capital projects are a property acquisition to expand the public works yard, improvements to Eighth Street and continued engineering work for a second roundabout on Highway 133. There will also be grant-funded work along the Crystal River at Riverfront Park, including access for wheelchairs. Additionally, after years of planning and engineering, a micro hydro project with a pump back system will be installed on the Nettle Creek waterline. In its fifth year of a six-year
plan to adjust water usage fees, the town approved a 5% increase in wastewater and potable water service fees. The complete budget, along with a comprehensive summary, is available in the packet for the Dec. 14 meeting on the town’s website. Next, trustees heard from Clean Energy Economy for the Region (CLEER), contracted to assist with the town’s climate action plan. In keeping with the International Energy Conservation Code, the town aims for all commercial buildings to be net zero by 2030. CLEER brought into perspective how efforts by local energy providers Xcel Energy and Holy Cross Energy will de facto advance the town toward its sustainability goals. The greatest hurdle will be eliminating the usage of natural gas. CLEER is exploring the possibility of establishing an “Ecoblock district,” near the Third Street Center, retrofitting infrastructure in residential buildings to set a precedent. “This is one heck of a lot of work,” praised Kitching. “Thank you for doing this for us and for the environment, moreso.”
Satank resident Pat Hunter, who had tuned in online to encourage more funding for environmental initiatives, was also impressed. “Tackling buildings is going to be tough,” he admitted, “but it’s something we have to focus on and make happen.” The Town’s Parks and Recreation Department, with assistance from consultant Hilltop Securities, presented a plan for financing a new aquatics facility with an annual debt service of $504,000, should voters approve it in the April election. The facility, with two pools and four lap lanes, is estimated to cost at least $7 million and likely more. However, this can mostly be financed with the existing half-cent tax that funds the Parks and Recreation Department. To bridge the gap without a tax increase, Bohmfalk reiterated his suggestion to utilize unallocated nicotine tax revenue. Other suggestions included sponsorships, naming rights, grants and general fundraising. Last, but not least, Chief Kirk Wilson met with the trustees to discuss community policing. Wilson remains committed to fulfilling the pillars outlined by the President’s Task Force on 21st Century Policing. Recently, Carbondale Police Department officers catalogued instances of force to develop a new training program. Resident Richard Vottero had inquired about community policing during the public comment period at the meeting’s start. He was pleased to learn about the proactive measures being taken. Trustees suggested Chief Wilson reach out to The Sopris Sun with an update, and have it translated into Spanish. We welcome it, Chief.
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THE SOPRIS SUN • Your weekly community connector • Dec. 16-22, 2021 • 7
8 • THE SOPRIS SUN • soprissun.com • Dec. 16-22, 2021
Two Rivers Community School applies for RFSD membership By Jeanne Souldern Sopris Sun Correspondent
It was a full house, with standing room only, at the in-person Dec. 8 regular meeting of the Roaring Fork School District (RFSD) Board of Education at the district’s Carbondale office. Over 60 people, including Two Rivers Community School (TRCS) parents, teachers and students, were in attendance to support TRCS’s application to become a district-authorized charter school. TRCS, currently chartered under the Colorado Charter School Institute, is a kindergarten through eighth grade charter school located in Glenwood Springs with an enrollment, according to its application, of about 420 students. Superintendent Rob Stein explained that, if approved, TRCS would surrender governance authority over the school to the RFSD board. Stein said a charter school application is typically submitted for a “hypothetical” school not yet in operation. However, TRCS, founded in 2014, has been operating for seven years, so “there is a bit more of a track record” on which to base a decision. Stein explained that, in accordance with state law, there are three main factors to consider: 1) educational programming, 2) sufficient student enrollment and 3) a viable and sustainable financial model. TRCS’s head of school, Jamie Nims, addressed the board with a PowerPoint presentation and by answering questions about TRCS.
Kenny Teitler and Kathryn Kuhlenberg turn the page to a new chapter as the most recently elected RFSD board members. Photo by James Steindler If approved, TRCS could receive an additional $2,800 in funding per student, per year. “Our students and our teachers deserve the resources,” Nims explained, which would become available as a districtauthorized school. Along with the application and other supporting documents, a four-page memo, authored by Stein and RFSD Public Information Officer Kelsy Been, stated, in closing, “School districts cannot deny a charter application based on concerns about losing student enrollment or per-pupil funding.” The board will vote on the application at their regularly-scheduled meeting on Jan. 12.
New board members At a special meeting held via Zoom on Nov. 29, newly-elected RFSD board members Kathryn Kuhlenberg and Kenny Teitler were sworn in. Kuhlenberg was selected as board president, Jasmin Ramirez as vice president and Natalie Torres as the secretary/treasurer. Kuhlenberg understands the work involved by jumping in as board president. “I knew when I agreed to do it that it was going to be a fair amount of work upfront, and there was going to be some ramp-up. It’s been great so far. Everybody’s been super supportive,” she said. In conversation with The Sopris Sun, Teitler and Kuhlenberg both said they appreciated
witnessing the enthusiastic support for TRCS joining their district at the Dec. 8 meeting. “I think it is great when the community supports its schools, and it was evident from the crowd that was there that Two Rivers has great support for their programming and their school. It is nice to know that people are passionate and excited about their schooling choice,” Teitler said. When it comes to board business, they understand the need to hit the ground running and said the RFSD leadership team and administrative staff have been helping to facilitate that process. Teitler shared, “There's a lot of protocols and language to learn to do the job, so that is a lot of new learning for me. The educational part I feel better adapted to — having spent many years in the district as a teacher. The lingo and speech around educational programming hasn't been as steep of a learning curve for me.” Kuhlenberg said, “Kelsy [Been] has been great. She's really patient and has given me what I need so that I can catch up on the institutional knowledge side of things, just by knowing what's been done in the past.” Both shared that they are looking forward to continuing the board’s work in supporting students, parents, teachers and staff. “I think there's a lot of excitement and energy. I'm really excited to be at the helm and see where that leads because it's a great group of people, and everyone brings unique experiences and perspectives. I feel like we can be of great service to the district — how that works and how that looks moving forward is something that I'm excited for,” Kuhlenberg said.
THE SOPRIS SUN • Your weekly community connector • Dec. 16-22, 2021 • 9
Scratching the surface of Crystal Valley politics By James Steindler Contributing Editor
The Crystal Valley may be a small part of the world, but its issues carry great significance, and passionate participants reverberate down through the Valley to Carbondale and beyond. The prized corner of the world counts on a community primed for solutions. The serene river and mountainous landscape — not to mention the Crystal Mill — entice visitors from here to Timbuktu, sometimes to snap an “Instagram selfie” and leave (too often with a trace). Environmental organizations, such as the Crystal Valley Environmental Protection Association (CVEPA), have made it their mission to protect the land and the river. Such groups continuously work to quell the impacts of human activity in the Valley. One dilemna currently at the forefront of the political mix is that of the Lead King Loop (LKL) — a Forest Service route which has seen an extensive increase in traffic in the past decade. Off-highway-vehicle (OHV) users make up the most significant portion of that increase. The subject of OHV use has been a hot item on local governments’ agendas, particularly those of Marble and Gunnison County. While there is undeniably an economic benefit to increased tourism, many participants see the need to balance that payoff with prudent management. One stakeholder is Ryan Vinciguerra, the mayor of Marble and part-owner of Slow Groovin’ BBQ — a staple restaurant in the town. Vinciguerra was not available to comment in time for this story. Working Togethe r For Pets And The ir People 2801 CR 11 Glenwoo d Springs 4 , C.A.R.E. h (970)947- CO 9173 as 7 dog
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Back in 2018, the LKL Steering Committee was formed to confront growing OHV use. That committee is made up of representatives from several agencies, including the town of Marble, Gunnison County, the Forest Service and Colorado Parks and Wildlife. Since the formation of the steering committee, there has been limited progress. Gunnison County committed to dispatch a deputy more regularly to the area, and the Forest Service has likewise increased its presence on the loop. Still, comprehensive solutions, such as instituting a permit system, have been elusive. Recently, organizers have begun to pursue another approach. The Center for Public Lands at Western Colorado University is facilitating “listening sessions” where the public is invited to lend their thoughts. The first listening session took place on Dec. 8 at the Marble Firehouse. In sub-groups, attendees came up with a list of terms which they felt were pertinent to the issue. Later, the working group is expected to synthesize the terms to analyze the public’s varying perspectives and where some sentiments may intersect. The facilitators already had a list of terms to start out the session, these included: respect, quiet, parking access, enforcement of rules, soil health, wildlife habitat, space for all users, education for recreationists, cultural heritage, trail maintenance, public access and water quality. Following the listening session, the organizers will write a memo to the working group and include the rest of the terms that were thought of on Dec. 8. The working group is due to meet for a “stakeholder workshop” before the end of the
year. Additional public listening sessions will be held after the start of the year, followed by another stakeholder meeting. Chris Cox grew up spending the summers with his grandmother who lived near Crystal City — a ghost town today, east of Marble. He is now looking to develop land he owns in the area as part of the Treasure Mountain Ranch (TMR) resort. The developer intends for the resort to be 100% carbon free — hydro- and possibly solar-powered. While an application has yet to be submitted to Gunnison County for the project, the neighbors in Marble already have plenty to say about it. Cox and his partner on the project, Stuart Gillespie, made an appearance at the Dec. 9 CVEPA board meeting at the Carbondale Library. Cox said he attends such meetings because he wants to be transparent and quash any myths about the project. While most attendees at the public meeting
were prone to listen and ask questions, others were not. One spectator plainly stated to Cox, “We don’t want you here.” According to Gillespie, the project would take five years to complete, with four cabins built each year. The developer duo further stated that they intend to mill their own lumber for the cabins. They also plan to guide ski trips on Forest Service lands, which will require a special-use permit. Gunnison County issued a “Notice of Violation and Stop Work Order” to TMR on Nov. 1 due to unpermitted improvements made to old roads on the developer’s property. According to the county’s director of community and economic development, Cathie Pagano, the violation is still outstanding and “the county does not process permits for an applicant while there is an outstanding violation.” According to Gillespie, they are planning on submitting the major-impact land-use change application to Gunnison County in 2022.
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KARAOKE
Sunday, December 19 at 10:00am Third Street Center- Carbondale, Colorado
7:00-9:00 Drink Specials!
Come celebrate the shortest day of the year and the return of the light as TRUU’s Winter Solstice Celebration returns to Third Street Center in Carbondale. As in past years, this child-and-family-friendly event will feature live music, a bonfire, a wreath burning and wishes ceremony, a pagan tribute to the cardinal directions, and a spiral dance. In this dance, every member of the gathering passes face-to-face with every other member as the line of celebrants spirals in to mark the dying of the old year, then out again to open to the new year. We will have our outdoor spiral dance, bonfire, and snacks and warm beverages on the south side of Third Street Center. The event is free of charge and members of the public are welcome.
THURSDAYS
FOOTBALL
SEASON SPECIALS EVERY DAY Burger, Fries and a Beer $15 Any Large Pizza and a Pitcher of Coors $30
Carbondale
A conglomerate of professionals from various local environmental groups recently took a tour of methane flaring and electric-generating facilities near Somerset. A similar operation has been proposed for the old Coal Basin mine near Redstone which continues to emit methane into the atmosphere. Photo by James Steindler
NFL Sunday Ticket!
10 • THE SOPRIS SUN • soprissun.com • Dec. 16-22, 2021
Note: Our in-person services are available to fully vaccinated people. Our services are also available online. Email truu.office@gmail.com for more information.
Sunday Services at 10am at 520 S. 3rd Street Carbondale CO
ON YOUR RETIREMENT We appreciate all the energy and talent you’ve shared with Carbondale and the surrounding community.
Dave Ritchie
• Over four decades of Architecture: 32 in the Roaring Fork Valley, including 14 with David Ritchie & Associates and 15 at Poss Architecture + Planning and Interior Design. • Community involvement serving on boards and committees including: 16 years with Carbondale Soccer Club (President, Coach, Field and Coaching Development Coordinator), Carbondale Historic Preservation Committee, Carbondale Parks and Recreation Board and always ready to lend a helping hand.
From the Ritchie family and your friends at
THANK YOU FOR YOUR HARD WORK, DEDICATION, TALENT AND COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
THE SOPRIS SUN • Your weekly community connector • Dec. 16-22, 2021 • 11
COMMUNITY CALENDAR
Visit soprissun.com to submit events.
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 16 HOLIDAY HAPPY HOURS
True Nature welcomes you to sip and shop with live music every Thursday in December from 6 to 8 p.m. INDIGENOUS WISDOM
The Center for Human Flourishing presents a panel about heart/mind wisdom and the global dilemma of self-destruction at the Third Street Center at 6:30 p.m.
CABARET SPECIAL
5Point Film premieres three new films online at 8 p.m. For access, donate any amount at www.5pointfilm.org
Thunder River Theatre Company presents a cabaret with Beth Malone and special guests at 7:30 p.m. More info at www.thunderrivertheatre.com
5POINT
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 17 STORY CRAFTING
Glenwood Springs Library offers a free writing workshop for adults at 10 a.m. LIVE MUSIC
Kyle Jones serenades at the Carbondale Library at 5 p.m. SOUND JOURNEY
Dr. Zachary Cashin leads a sound healing journey at the Third Street Center at 7 p.m. Tickets at www.davinikent.com CRYSTAL THEATRE
“The Rescue” opens at The Crystal Theatre and continues through Monday at 7:30 p.m. except on Sunday at 5 p.m. “Being The Ricardos” also shows on Dec. 17 at 4:45 p.m.
COMEDY SHOW
Marble Distillery in Carbondale hosts comedian Ben Kronberg at 8 p.m. Tickets at www.bit.ly/MarbleComedy DRUNKEN POETS
The Drunken Poets, a local four-piece acoustic/ electric band, performs at The Contemporary in Willits at 8 p.m. Tickets at www.tacaw.org
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 19 AA GROUP
The Meeting Place in Carbondale (981 Cowen Drive) begins offering “Hole in the Donut,” a new alcoholics anonymous group meeting on Sundays at 6:45 a.m. SPIRAL DANCE
True Nature offers a full moon aromatherapy ceremony at 6 p.m. Tickets are at www. truenaturehealingarts.com
The Two Rivers Unitarian Universalist church revives their winter solstice tradition in place of the regular Sunday service. Vaccinated children and adults are welcome to join the “pagan invocation,” bonfire and spiral dance beginning at 10 a.m.
Author Craig Childs presents a multimedia performance at The Paradise Theatre in Paonia at 7:30 p.m. Masks are encouraged for the Friday show. Vaccination and masks are required for the Saturday show. For tickets, visit: www.bit.ly/DarkNight2021
Aspen Center for Environmental Studies hosts photographer Pete McBride at the Wheeler Opera House for a special presentation about his newest book, “Seeing Silence: The Beauty of the World’s Most Quiet Places.” The show starts at 6 p.m., find tickets at www.aspennature.org
The Josefina Mendez Quintet plays current jazz renditions of Christmas classics at The Contemporary in Willits at 8 p.m. Tickets are at: www.tacaw.org
Chelsea Bennett leads a full moon ceremony at the Third Street Center at 6:30 p.m. Sign up at www.chelseabennetthealing.com/events
FULL MOON
DARK NIGHT
HOLIDAY JAZZ
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 18 COAT DRIVE
The Roaring Fork Valley “Care with a Coat” drive returns with four drop-off locations: the Jewish Community Center in Aspen, Hollyann in Willts, Independence Run & Hike in Carbondale and YouthZone in Glenwood Springs. Gently-worn and laundered winter coats will be collected through Monday to give to local people in need.
SEEING SILENCE
FULL MOON BREATHWORK
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 21 TAKE & CREATE
Basalt Library offers DIY LED wooden ornament kits for pick-up, while supplies last, beginning at 10 a.m. STORYTIME
Young ones and their parents are invited to storytime at the Glenwood Springs Library on Tuesdays at 10:30 a.m. More information is at www.gcpld.org
WINTER MARKET
DARKEST DAY
In addition to Deck the Walls, Carbondale Arts hosts a pop-up farmers’ market at The Launchpad on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (with a performance by Kindred Spirits at 3 p.m.) and on Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Masks are required for all people inside The Launchpad.
SOLSTICE CELEBRATION
LIBRARY REINDEER
Noel Productions brings a real reindeer to the Carbondale Library at 2 p.m. SOPRIS SOARERS
The Sopris Soarers Adult Troupe performs “Countdown to Christmas” at the Third Street Center at 3 and 6:30 p.m. Tickets are at www.soprissoarers.com BOUND PATH
Chicago-based artist Adam Grossi signs books at The Art Base from 3 to 5 p.m. Grossi’s show, called “Bound Path,” is on display through Feb. 5. The gallery is open Tuesday through Sunday, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. ADVOCACY & APRES
Wilderness Workshop hosts an informative happy hour at Sunlight Mountain Resort’s base lodge from 4 to 6 p.m. The event is free, but registration is requested at www.wildernessworkshop.org SOLSTICE CELEBRATION
12 • THE SOPRIS SUN • soprissun.com • Dec. 16-22, 2021
Art by Adam Grossi
True Nature hosts Dance Initiative for a performance in the Peace Garden at 4 p.m. More info at www.truenaturehealingarts.com
True Nature hosts a solstice ceremony at 12:30 p.m. More info at www. truenaturehealingarts.com Basalt Library invites families to enjoy outdoor activities, hot soup and a seasonal celebration of the return to longer days. The fun begins at 5 p.m.
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 22 LIBRARY CONCERT
Oran Mor performs Scottish and Irish music at the Carbondale Library at 6 p.m. The concert is free and open to all.
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 23 STORYTIME
Children and their parents are invited to storytime at the Carbondale Library on Thursdays at 10:30 a.m. More information is at www.gcpld.org
WAY FURTHER OUT FASHION SHOW
Carbondale Arts announced with heavy hearts that the Green is the New Black Fashion Extravaganza will not occur in March of 2022. “We can’t bear the thought of working so hard and then having to shut down on opening night because someone in the cast has COVID,” explained Amy Kimberly.
Sol del el
Conectando comunidades
Valle
A este su agrpadec nu e o y o e m o vo p par s ro y a ecto .
Volumen 1, Número 42 | 16-22 de diciembre de 2021
Ayudando a las truchas en Canyon Creek Foto y artículo por Olivia Emmer Traducción por Dolores Duarte
Cuando se construyó la alcantarilla en los años 70, los planificadores sabían que sería un problema para los peces. La alcantarilla consta de dos canales, cada uno de 10 pies de ancho y 300 pies de largo. Pasa por debajo de la interestatal 70 al oeste de Glenwood Springs, conectando el arroyo Canyon Creek en su tramo final antes de unirse al río Colorado. Canyon Creek es de un tamaño similar al de Grizzly Creek. El arroyo natural tiene una pendiente moderada, rocas grandes y muchas zonas de áreas con guijarros, un buen hábitat para las truchas. Pero, durante unos 50 años, la alcantarilla ha impedido, aunque no del todo, el desove de las truchas. Construido para transportar flujos por 100 años, el tubo rectangular de concreto fluye con gran velocidad durante los desagües
de primavera, pero apenas tiene unos centímetros de profundidad de agua en otoño. Esto crea problemas para la trucha marrón durante los caudales bajos, ya que le cuesta nadar por la alcantarilla. La trucha arco iris desova en primavera y también se ve afectada, ya que la velocidad del caudal impide a algunas pasar. Durante el desove, cientos de truchas se amontonan en el estanque bajo la alcantarilla. La desembocadura del arroyo tiene vedada la pesca en primavera y otoño para proteger a estos peces en reproducción. Para solucionar el problema, el ingeniero del proyecto modeló diferentes características para el fondo de la alcantarilla con el fin de determinar cómo simultáneamente aminorar los flujos y hacerlos más profundos. El mejor modelo requería una combinación de semiesferas y deflectores que crearan un flujo de agua menos directo y ayudarán a que el agua se acumulara.
Los deflectores se parecen a los topes comunes para neumáticos en los estacionamientos. En este caso, el contratista moldeó más de 300 semiesferas y más de 20 deflectores. Ambas formas se moldearon en concreto fuera de la obra, y luego se pegaron con una lechada al suelo de la alcantarilla. Scott Schreiber, el ingeniero del proyecto, de Wright Water Engineers, dice que el modelo utilizado para este proyecto es una tecnología de vanguardia en el tema del tránsito para peces. Según los documentos de presentación, las nuevas características deberían reducir las velocidades máximas a más de la mitad y aumentar la profundidad mínima de unas cuantas pulgadas a aproximadamente un pie. Si las truchas no pueden acceder a un afluente para desovar, lo harán cerca de su confluencia o en el río Colorado. Pero, como explica Kendall Bakich, biólogo acuático
de Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW), las truchas se desenvuelven mejor con grava grande y limpia para desovar. Gran parte del río Colorado tiene sedimentos finos, exacerbados localmente por los flujos de escombros del incendio de Grizzly Creek. Además, los arroyos más empinados y turbulentos oxigenan mejor los huevos. Richard Van Gytenbeek, de Trout Unlimited, afirma: "Lo que hacemos es empezar por el fondo de estos arroyos e ir subiendo por ellos. Cada vez que lo hacemos, abrimos más y más hábitat de desove y crianza". En este caso, el impedimento era una alcantarilla de carretera, pero Van Gytenbeek dice que las estructuras de riego son una barrera más común. Según explica, los numerosos arroyos que se desprenden de Flat Tops y desembocan en el río Colorado tienen mucha capacidad desaprovechada como hábitat de desove y cría de peces. Si se puede
mejorar el paso de algunos de estos arroyos, lo ve como un beneficio para el medio ambiente y la recreación. "Es realmente estupendo poder contar con ese tipo de capacidad de reproducción natural que abastece a un río de cauce principal que tiene tanto acceso público". La modernización de la alcantarilla es el resultado de tres años de planificación por parte de los socios: Trout Unlimited, Wright Water Engineers, CPW y el Departamento de Transporte de Colorado (CDOT). Dado que la alcantarilla es una infraestructura de carretera, el apoyo y el permiso del CDOT fueron fundamentales. Se trata de una inversión de 250,000 dólares financiada por la Junta de Conservación del Agua de Colorado, el Servicio de Pesca y Vida Silvestre, el Distrito del Río Colorado, donantes de Trout Unlimited, la Fundación de la Trucha y el Salmón y contribuciones en especie.
SALUD
Desde La Clínica
by Dra. Maria Judith Alvarez Los niños en promedio contraen de siete a 10 infecciones del aparato respiratorio superior al año, generalmente complicadas por infecciones de oído. Para entender cómo potencializar (aumentar) el sistema inmunológico de su niño, primero debe tener un entendimiento básico de cómo funciona el sistema inmunológico. En el libro “Comer para no morir'', el Dr. Greger sostiene que “la primera línea de defensa contra intrusos son las barreras de superficie física”, como la piel, la mucosa de las membranas que recubren su boca, su nariz y la capa de células que recubren los intestinos. La
Aumentando el sistema inmune de jóvenes segunda línea de defensa son los glóbulos blancos que atacan a los virus y bacterias. Se llaman neutrófilos. Los linfocitos B son otro tipo de glóbulos blancos que generan anticuerpos y localizan patógenos a modo de “bombas inteligentes” y “células asesinas naturales que terminan la vida de sus células si están infectadas con un virus o se han vuelto cancerígenas”.
¿Qué factores aumentan el sistema inmunitario de su niño? •
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Las secreciones vaginales que obtiene el bebe durante el parto natural colonizan los intestinos con bacteria "buena" que ayuda a combatir infecciones. Amamantarlo hasta los 2 años. Inmunizaciones. En niños más grandes, un sueño adecuado, reducción de estrés, actividad física. Comer frutas y vegetales. Evitar el uso de antibióticos innecesarios.
me tus o C " egetales y v es d e u p o lueg r. a g u j a r i sal "
Algunos ejemplos de como al consumir frutas y verduras mejora la función del sistema inmunológico son los siguientes: el poner una gota de col rizada a los glóbulos blancos en una placa de Petri en el laboratorio incrementa la producción de anticuerpos. Frutas de color intenso como las bayas (zarzamoras, moras azules, fresas, frambuesas) aumentan el numero de las celulas asesinas naturales. Los vegetales crucíferos como el brócoli, coliflor, repollitos de bruselas y repollo poseen compuestos que potencian las defensas intestinales. Los hongos (champiñones) aumentan los niveles de anticuerpos IgA (Inmunoglobulina A) en la sangre. El microbioma intestinal (flora intestinal) consiste en millones de millones de bacterias y tienen un impacto en varios aspectos de nuestra salud, incluida la inmunidad. Los tan llamados probióticos, como la fibra, alimentan la promoción de bacterias en nuestro microbioma intestinal. Podemos encontrar probióticos en productos vegetales, pero no en los productos animales. Los antibióticos, generan que
las bacterias en nuestro cuerpo se vuelvan resistentes a ellos mismos si son tomados sin una prescripción médica (sin receta). Además, hacen que nuestro microbioma intestinal pase de fomentar la salud a fomentar la enfermedad. Estos efectos secundarios de los antibióticos reducen el sistema inmunológico. El Dr. Joel Fuhrman es uno de los gigantes en nutrición basada en plantas. Escribió el libro “DiseaseProof Your Child”. En este, menciona que los niños consumen menos del 2% de alimentos vegetales como frutas y verduras en su dieta, y que “niños pequeños entre un y dos años no consumen frutas y verduras en absoluto”. Su madre hacía bien en decirle “come tus vegetales y luego puedes salir a jugar”.
EL PUEBLO DE caRBoNDaLE
Donaciones por correo o en línea P.O. Box 399 Carbondale, CO 81623 970-510-3003 www.soprissun.com Executive Director Todd Chamberlin • 970-510-0246 adsales@soprissun.com Editor Raleigh Burleigh • 970-510-3003 news@soprissun.com Traductoras: Jacquelinne Castro y Dolores Duarte Distribucion: Frederic Stevie Miembros de la Mesa Directiva Klaus Kocher • Kay Clarke Lee Beck • Megan Tackett Gayle Wells • Donna Dayton Terri Ritchie • Vanessa Porras Eric Smith • Larry Day The Sopris Sun, Inc. Es un miembro orgulloso del Distrito Creativo de Carbondale The Sopris Sun, Inc. es una 501(c) (3) organización benéfica sin fines de lucro. Contribuciones financieras son deducibles de impuestos. ¡ESCRÍBENOS! Para contribuir ideas y contenido al Sol del Valle, escribiéndonos a: sol@soprissun.com Para comprar espacio publicitario en español, inglés, o ambos, mándanos un correo electrónico a:
adsales@soprissun.com También se puede contactarnos llamando a 970-510-3003.
Noticias
¡Dona! Apoya a The Sopris Sun Como una organización 501c3 sin fines de lucro, The Sopris Sun no existiría sin la ayuda de nuestros lectores y amigues.
QuERiDo saNta: Es hora de decirle a Santa lo que tienes en mente (y en tu lista de deseos para las fiestas). Escribe una carta o haz un dibujo y envíalo a través del buzón de correspondencia de Santa en el Centro Recreativo y Comunitario de Carbondale, del 1o. al 20 de diciembre. ¡Asegúrate de incluir tu nombre y domicilio para que Santa pueda responder!
The Sun es más que un periódico — es nuestro conector de comunidad. La publicidad cubre solo una porción del costo de producción de la versión impresa y la mantención del sitio web, pero no la enchilada completa.
coNvocatoRia paRa toDos Los aRtista LocaLEs: Todos los artistas locales son invitados a presentar una solicitud para la exhibición Art Around Town 2022-2023, patrocinada por la Comisión de Artes Públicas de la Municipalidad de Carbondale. La solicitud electrónica gratuita, al igual que los detalles para participar, se encuentran disponibles en callforentry.org hasta el 7 de febrero del 2022. Llame al 970-510-1325 para obtener más información.
En el 2020, tuvimos más de 300 donantes individuos donando cantidades pequeñas de $5 hasta una donación de $2,000. En cada publicación y en el sitio web, publicamos fuentes y donantes que nos ofrecen más de $1,000 anuales.
soprissun.com/donate
P.O. Box 399, Carbondale, CO 81623
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For Information & Reservations call 970-945-0667 • yampahspa.com Spa Open 9-9 Salon Open 9-7 • One Block East of the Hot Springs Pool 14 • el Sol del Valle • soprissun.com/espanol/ • 16-22 de diciembre de 2021
MaNtENga Las gRasas fuERa DE Las tuBERías: El Departamento de Utilidades de Carbondale desea recordarle a los residentes que coloquen la grasa, los aceites de cocina y la manteca en un envase que pueda ser desechado en la basura. Desechar la grasa por las tuberías puede obstruir las líneas del drenaje y debe evitarse. Las NoMiNacioNEs paRa La JuNta DiREctiva DE caRBoNDaLE coMENzaRáN a REciBiRsE EN ENERo: Las solicitudes para el cargo de alcalde de la municipalidad y tres plazas dentro de la Junta Directiva de Carbondale (cada candidatura por un un término de 4 años) estarán disponibles comenzando el 4 de enero del 2022. Requisitos: Todo candidato deben ser un votante registrado en Carbondale, ciudadano de los Estados Unidos, tener por lo menos 18 años de edad y haber residido en Carbondale por un año consecutivo inmediatamente previo al día de las elecciones. Las solicitudes deben ser entregadas en la oficina de la secretaria municipal antes de las 5:00 p.m. del lunes 24 de enero del 2022. La Municipalidad de Carbondale es una administración gubernamental no-partidista, de manera que no existen nominaciones con base en una afiliación política. REtiRE La NiEvE DE Las acERas: Los dueños u ocupantes de cualquier propiedad en Carbondale son responsables de retirar la nieve y el hielo de las aceras a lo largo de su propiedad (incluyendo ambas aceras en los costados de las propiedades ubicadas en esquinas). Los negocios deben tener sus aceras libres de nieve en las primeras 4 horas a partir de que la precipitación haya cesado. Los residentes deben tener sus aceras libres de nieve en las primeras 24 horas a partir de que la precipitación haya cesado. Gracias por mantener nuestras aceras despejadas.
970-963-2733 • carbondalegov.org
CHISME DE PUEBLO Expreso ferroviario
¡Aspira más!
Por primera vez, el ferrocarril de Leadville, Colorado & Southern Railroad está extendiendo su temporada en el invierno y está ofreciendo paseos en tren festivos. Este paseo a través del Arkansas River Valley es ofrecido dos veces al día hasta el 8 de enero, excepto en Navidad y la víspera de Navidad. Para saber más, visite: www.leadvillerailroad.com
Los clubs de arquería de Roaring Fork High School y Carbondale Middle School están recaudando fondos para comprar nuevos equipos. Actualmente, los programas tienen suficiente equipo para que 10 estudiantes puedan participar. ¡Les gustaría doblar ese número para que cada escuela pueda tener su propio equipo! Para saber más de cómo ayudar, visite: ww.bit.ly/ CdaleArchery
Servicio cívico Las peticiones de nominación para la junta directiva de Carbondale estarán disponibles comenzando el 4 de enero. El puesto de alcalde y otros tres puestos, cada uno por un periodo de cuatro años, estarán en la papeleta de votación del 5 de abril. Peticiones de nominaciones estarán disponibles para recoger en el ayuntamiento durante tres semanas durante las horas de trabajo. Los candidatos interesados deben ser al menos 18 años de edad, ciudadanos de los Estados Unidos y deben haber vivido en Carbondale por al menos un año consecutivo antes de la fecha de votación.
Estrellas del fútbol Tras su victoria, el equipo de fútbol de Roaring Fork High School recibió varios honores de parte de Colorado High School Activities Association (CHSAA). Nick Forbes fue nombrado entrenador del año 3A, el estudiante Ross Barlow consiguió la designación ilustre de jugador del año 3A. Adicionalmente, cuatro de los miembros fueron colocados en el primer equipo 3A de CHSAA: Ross Barlow, Emiliano Magana, Jose Mercado y Carlos Perez Rios.
Anulando rumores
Estudiantes de Colorado Rocky Mountain School visitaron a Crystal River Elementary School para contar cuentos en español a jóvenes del segundo grado. Foto de Sue Rollyson
Préstamos estudiantiles Prestatarios que fueron capaces de interrumpir los pagos de préstamos estudiantiles durante los últimos 18 meses tendrán que continuar con sus pagos pronto, con intereses, comenzando en febrero, reporta el Kentucky Higher Education Assistance Authority, una organización sin fines de lucro nacional. Para más información, visite: www.studentaid.gov
¡Andale, vaquero! El 12vo beneficio anual Cowboy Up (agosto 2021) rompió récords de asistencia, recaudando más de $31,000 para el Smiling Goat Ranch. “En seis años de nuestro programa de terapia basada en equinos, hemos logrado ayudar a cientos de niños y adultos”,
dijo la directora ejecutiva de Smailing Goat Ranch, Sheryl Barto. “Y hemos hecho un voto en nunca dejar que los costos impidan el proceso de curación. Todas las necesidades de nuestro programa — incluyendo alimento y cuidado animal, suministros y entrenadores — vienen de donaciones y subsidios.
Cartas a Santa ¿Quieres dejarle saber a Santa que te has portado bien este año? ¿O de tu regalo perfecto? El Carbondale Recreation and Community Center ha instalado un buzón especial con envíos rápidos al Polo Norte, abierto hasta el 20 de diciembre. ¡Asegúrate de escribir tu nombre y tu dirección para que Santa te pueda escribir de regreso!
Información falsa ha estado circulando acerca de Valley View Hospital no admitiendo a pacientes no vacunados. Para obtener clarificación, nos comuniquemos con ellos. “El rumor es inequívocamente falso”, afirmó el director médico Dr. David Brooks. “Nosotros atendemos a nuestros pacientes, sin importar el estatus de vacuna del COVID-19. Si hay personas que sienten que ese no es el caso con sus cuidados en Valley View, les pido que se comuniquen con mi colega, Stacy Gavrell, con nuestro equipo de relaciones comunitarias al 970384-6620”.
Despegando La Administración de Aviación Federal otorgó al aeropuerto de Rifle del condado de Garfield un subsidio de $59,000, proporcionado a través del American Rescue Plan Act, para poder ayudar a los aeropuertos con operaciones. “El subsidio será usado para gastos de empleados,” dijo Brian Condle, el director del aeropuerto. La oferta de subsidios fue aprobada por la junta de comisionados de Colorado.
el Sol del Valle • Conector de comunidad • 16-22 de diciembre de 2021 • 15
We want to thank & congratulate the following local nonprofits for participating in a 21-hour, 7-week intensive course on the critical importance of Anti-Racism, Equity and Cultural Humility, and the Impacts on our Valley.
Aspen Center for Environmental Studies (ACES) Aspen Valley Land Trust Aspen Youth Center Buddy Program Carbondale Arts Family Resource Center of the RFSD Family Visitor Programs Food Bank of the Rockies LIFT-UP
MANAUS Mountain Family Health Centers Response Roaring Fork Conservancy Roaring Fork Outdoor Volunteers Stepping Stones Two Rivers Community School Valley Settlement Wilderness Workshop
Literacy Outreach
YouthEntity
“The Equity Action Project was a worthy investment of staff and board members’ time. It helped elevate discussions we were having as an organization and gave us actionable steps to move those discussions forward. We were grateful for the opportunity to participate.” - Lindsay Lofaro, executive director of the Buddy Program
The Equity Action Project at Manaus encourages you to support organizations that actively seek to become more equitable.
If your organization is curious to learn more or participate in a future cohort of the EAP, please reach out!
MANAUS.ORG/EQUITY 16 • el Sol del Valle • soprissun.com/espanol/ • 16-22 de diciembre de 2021
It's not just you — the holidays impact mental wellness By Josie Sanchez Sopris Sun Correspondent
Mount Sopris glows with the softness of snow. The town is enveloped in whiteness, and iridescent lights illuminate Main Street at night. Laughter erupts as loved ones come together in celebration. Homes are adorned with Christmas trees, wreaths and green and red decor. There is nothing but love and carefree energy in the air. This is how people tend to think of the holiday season. Yet, for some, the holidays are not so jolly. In a survey conducted by the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), America’s largest nonprofit dedicated to mental health, 57% of people experienced “unrealistic expectations” placed on them by the holidays. Of the same group surveyed, 63% experienced the feeling of “too much pressure” and 55% recalled past moments in which they felt happier. Brian Madrigal, a college student at Colorado Mountain College,
understands why people may have these feelings during the holidays. He says, “As a college student, I have to juggle finals, homework, my job, relatives and friends. Sometimes it feels like I can’t catch a break. It's like I have to be a good student, employee, son and all these other things — all at once! It definitely gets to be overwhelming.” Diana Montoya, a senior at Roaring Fork High School, agrees. She adds “I feel like we underestimate the stress that the holidays put on people. I try to stay relaxed but I still find myself feeling more irritated during the holidays. I love my family and being together but sometimes I just want time to be myself away from all the noise.” Like Madrigal and Montoya, many find themselves feeling stressed out during the holidays. According to Colorado Primary Healthcare, based in Denver, stress can have a range of effects on a person's health. When a person is stressed, the body utilizes
their sympathetic nervous system. This increases a person’s heartbeat and essentially puts them in “fight or flight” mode. Momentary stress doesn’t have long-lasting effects, but if a person is constantly under duress it can lead to health complications including depression, anxiety, cardiovascular disease and high blood pressure. This makes it vital for people to find good
THE NEAR NEW STORE Last chance to Holiday Shop Dec. 16, 17, 18, and 22, 23 • 10-4
coping mechanisms for stress during the holidays. Madrigal deals with stress by “making jokes.” He says, “I’m like the Chandler Bing of my family. Being able to make others laugh always makes me feel better, regardless of how stressed I am.” Montoya, on the other hand, deals with stress differently. She says, “When I get really stressed, I find a way to step away from the situation.
Sometimes that's sitting in my room for a while, or going for a walk. This way, I can reflect and I can say to myself, ‘your family is here, your friends are here and — despite everything being crazy — there is so much love around me here.’” To deal with stress, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends, “Eat healthy, exercise, get plenty of sleep and give yourself a break if you feel stressed out.”
Additionally, “Talk with people you trust about your concerns and how you are feeling. Share your problems and how you are feeling and coping with a parent, friend, counselor, doctor, or pastor.” Although the holidays aren't a jolly time for everyone, people can find ways to take care so that, like Montoya, they feel that “there is so much love around me here.”
Larry Day TESTIMONIAL As an outsider from the Chicago area, one of the first things that surprised me about this town was this independent, non-profit newspaper stuffed inside bright yellow boxes around town. Carbondale is the size of a couple of Chicago blocks but there’s one thing these two cities have in common: a love and robust richness of local news from sports, city hall, entertainment and everything in-between. It’s filled with news written by local journalists and not a smidge of canned news. This is a non-profit that treats local news of Carbondale and the valley with respect and a strong reliable voice. The Sopris Sun’s mission statement sums it up: “To inform, inspire and build community by fostering diverse and independent journalism.” The Sopris Sun, a non-profit named after a mountain.
Reopening January 5 for regular hours 10-4 Wednesdays through Saturdays
The RFV’s reader-supported weekly
Please do not bring donations December 24 to Jan 4. ~ Thank you from volunteers 302 Main Street, Carbondale | 970.963.0340
Un periódico semanal en español
THE SOPRIS SUN • Your weekly community connector • Dec. 16-22, 2021 • 17
Wild River from page 1 Such a plan substitutes the amount of water they are using during a call from higher up in the watershed. In terms of flow, Shmigelsky and other junior water-rights holders affected by the 2018 Ella Ditch call need to be able to provide for peak water replacement in July, with just over 0.5 cubic feet per second (cfs). One cubic foot is about the size of a basketball. Despite his fraught access, Shmigelsky’s property is flanked by water. It sits a few hundred feet west of the Crystal River at an elevation of almost 6,500 feet. About 30 yards behind his house runs the Sweet Jessup Canal, which moves water out of the Crystal River and traverses north to irrigate ranchlands west of Carbondale. According to documents with the Division of Water Resources, Shmigelsky’s subdivision’s well was decreed at 0.222 cfs. In comparison, the Sweet Jessup Canal — one of the major agricultural diversions on the Crystal River — has rights to divert about 75 cfs. “We're diverting so little water but yet we have to find the solution, and we have to pay for the solution,” Shmigelsky says of augmentation planning. “The older water rights have so much authority and everybody else is sort of left hanging.”
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18 • THE SOPRIS SUN • soprissun.com • Dec. 16-22, 2021
The Crystal River begins in Gunnison County’s Elk Mountains and runs approximately 40 miles, passing through Pitkin County to its confluence with the Roaring Fork River in Garfield County. It is in the Upper Colorado River Basin, a watershed that spans parts of Colorado, New Mexico, Utah and Wyoming that provides, on average, 90% of the Colorado River’s annual flow. The year Shmigelsky’s tap ran dry was one of the driest on record for the basin. Locally, 2018 was marked by higher than average temperatures, unusually light and infrequent summer monsoon rains and smaller, earlier than average peak flows. The Lake Christine Fire raged nearby and, in some stretches, the Crystal’s flow dropped to ankle-deep. That 2018 call by the Ella Ditch was the first-ever local, senior call on the Crystal River, which supports agriculture on about 4,800 acres of irrigated land in the Crystal and Roaring Fork river valleys. Many of the area’s most senior water rights are tied to this agriculture. The call drew attention to the growing threat of water scarcity that looms both in this area and throughout the West, and the need for planning to support people, protect the environment and minimize conflict. In 2016, the Roaring Fork Conservancy (RFC) — a nonprofit that educates about and advocates for the local watershed — released the Crystal River Management Plan. This blueprint for balancing competing water needs was the result of years of effort by towns, ranchers, environmental groups, water managers, federal and state agencies and scientists — all seeking to identify management strategies that would protect existing water uses, improve ecological health and respect historic agricultural use.
Cold Mountain Ranch Bill Fales has been raising cattle in Carbondale since he arrived in 1973. He has experienced droughts in the last five
decades, but used to think the idea of the Crystal River running dry was laughable. “But now…” he says, “It's not so far-fetched anymore to say that the river is going dry.” Fales’ ranch has ample senior rights to water on three ditches, which he typically uses May through October to grow hay and pasture. Not just concerned with his operation’s bottom line, Fales also thinks about his carbon footprint and how his management of land and water affects local wildlife. “I used to be pretty smug,” admits Fales. “I thought, ‘I'll still be standing out here with my shovel, irrigating my alfalfa, and the guys in Denver will turn on the faucet to brush their teeth and nothing will come out.’” These days, he suspects that water scarcity is going to dramatically change the way water is used in the future. As growing cities and towns search for more water, it’s not hard to imagine a future in which more water transitions from agricultural use to municipal use. Currently, more than 80% of Colorado’s water is used by agriculture. Cold Mountain Ranch has been in Fales’ wife Marj’s family since 1924. Their ranch, and others like it, helped shape the character of Carbondale. Fales says, “We run our cows right through Carbondale and 99% of the people [we encounter] say 'Oh it’s the best thing ever, we love it.'” The community seems to value the jobs, local food and verdant landscape that the area’s ranches provide. But, at the same time, some community members look askance — especially in drought years — at the large amount of water flowing in the ditches, and not in the river.
Water for the river’s sake In the late summer of dry years, sections of the last several miles of the Crystal River can have so little water that “it would be hard to keep the fish wet,” says Heather Lewin, director of science and policy at RFC. It wasn’t until the environmental movement started in the 1970s that rivers themselves were given water rights to support ecosystems. The lower Crystal River has a 100 cfs summer “instream flow” water right from 1975, a right that is fairly low in the pecking order, given that some of the agricultural rights in the area are almost 100 years older. In the driest part of the river in 2018, instream flows got as low as 4 cfs — just 4% of the water right intended to protect the natural environment. The 2016 Crystal River Management Plan concluded that the status quo is endangering the river’s ecosystem below the large irrigation diversions. The plan determined that reducing diversions by 5% to 18%, depending on drought severity, would meaningfully reduce risk to the ecosystem. But, in very dry years ranches may not be able to afford to give up any water. Many of the ranches along the Crystal River are cow-calf operations that have to feed animals for multiple years, and therefore can’t afford to suddenly grow less hay or pasture in a dry year. Even if they can conserve water, some water rights owners fear the degradation of their water rights, citing the adage, “use it or lose it.” Continued on page 19
commercial and residential developments recently completed or under construction. While the town plans for increasing demand, it’s also trying to improve system efficiency to reduce environmental impact. For example, efficiency improvements are being made on one of the town’s ditches, the Weaver Ditch. As part of a larger restoration project, the town will be upgrading it with an automated headgate — which they hope will make the diversion more efficient by responding more quickly to changes in supply and demand. The improvement is part of a larger restoration project in partnership with the RFC. That project also aims to improve the stream channel in a particularly beleaguered stretch so that instead of flowing wide and low, the river can flow deep and narrow, even in dry years, which is good for fish.
Continued from page 18
Use it or lose it The state’s water laws require water be put to “beneficial use” and can regard water rights as “abandoned” if they aren’t being used. But, as the head of the region’s DWR office, James Heath, says, water rights holders “don’t have to divert their full water right every single day that they’re in priority.” According to a report by the Colorado Water Institute, “conservation actions do not typically contribute to an abandonment determination.” Even so, some rights holders remain nervous about reducing their diversions, even temporarily. “You have to have somebody [conserve] and show that it works and then have it hold up in water court. And water courts are a very expensive prospect when your operation is already strained,” RFC’s Lewin says. In 2018, Rancher Bill Fales entered into an agreement with the Colorado Water Trust (CWT) that would pay him to shift when he takes water from the river, in order to leave that water in the river when it most needed it. But during that agreement’s threeyear term, it was either too wet or too dry to try the plan laid out by the contract. In 2018, flows in the river were so low that even if Fales had temporarily diverted less water, it wouldn’t have had a meaningful impact on the river’s ecosystem. In 2019, there was already enough water in the river. In 2020, the irrigation season was so hot and dry that the ranch couldn’t afford to give up the amount of water in the agreement. “It's hard for the rancher to give up any water when the flows are very low,” Lewin says. “If you could clearly show that you couldn't compromise your water right and you were able to involve more water rights holders in the process, then it might be easier for 10 people to give one cfs than one person to give 10 cfs.” CWT is currently working on a new agreement that can account for drier years and changing climatic conditions, as well as the economic needs of its agricultural partners. The Crystal River valley has a history of neighbors working collaboratively to manage water when the river was low. But as demand grows and supply shrinks, it gets harder to rely on hand-shake agreements. Every Colorado watershed above the confluence of the Gunnison and Colorado rivers in Grand Junction has been considered “over-appropriated” since the 1980s — there are more claims to water than water available. Despite that, demand continues to rise due to population growth. Demand also increases when temperatures are warmer than average, leading to greater irrigation needs during the growing season. Warmer, drier falls and springs can also lengthen the irrigation season. Meanwhile, supply is trending downward. Those same warm, dry weather conditions draw moisture out of the soil, leaving a thirsty sponge that soaks up snowmelt, keeping it from the river. Even in winters with average snowpack, warmer than average spring and early summer temperatures mean that snow melts faster and earlier, extending the duration of late summer low flows. One way of responding to dwindling supply is to switch from flood irrigation to sprinkler irrigation. But it’s not a simple decision. Some ranchers, like Fales, prefer flood irrigation because it has less overhead
A freestone river
Above: Low flow on the Crystal River through Carbondale, September 2021. Photo by Sue Rollyson Below: Snow in the country — just visible at the top of the frame — feeds extensive irrigated ranchlands on the valley floor. Photo courtesy of EcoFlight
and relies on gravity, not electricity. When a rancher flood irrigates, more water is applied to the land than the crop can take up. The extra water eventually rejoins the river, either through a tail ditch or by soaking through the soil. In some cases, a ranch may switch to sprinklers but continue diverting their historical amount of water. DWR’s Heath explains that this is allowed if that volume of water is necessary to carry the water through the ditch, but that over-diverting is considered waste. “It’s still a misconception out there on ‘use it or lose it’ and it’s one that probably won’t ever go away, because it gets talked about at the coffee shops and it’s hard to break that mistrust and misunderstanding.”
It’s not just agriculture Irrigation for ranches isn’t the only major use of water from the Crystal River Valley. Nearly 30% of the surface water diversion rights in the watershed support golf courses, parks, gardens and landscaping for the
area’s major subdivisions and the town of Carbondale. The town of Carbondale provides treated water and “raw” ditch water. The treated water system is supplied by Nettle Creek and wells off of the Crystal and Roaring Fork rivers. Carbondale’s ditches come off the Crystal River and wind through the town’s tree-lined streets to be pumped directly into yards and gardens. Throughout the irrigation season, the town diverts an average of 19 cfs. Having a separate system for irrigation saves the town and its customers money, because the ditch water doesn’t need to be treated. But, an unmetered raw water system may not encourage conservation. Carbondale has water rights going as far back as 1884, and municipal water reports indicate that the town is confident it can continue providing water as the population grows — a town of Carbondale water document projects the town’s population will grow to approximately 11,100 by 2035. Signs of that growth are visible, with several large
David “DJ” Johnson owns Crystal Fly Shop in Carbondale. His affection for the “freestone,” aka undammed Crystal River is apparent. Johnson says that a freeflowing river offers a less predictable fishing experience than a tailwater river like the Fryingpan, but that’s part of its charm. “[The Crystal River] is there to be explored. If you get the inkling, go explore it! If you want someone to tell you what rock to stand on, go fish the Fryingpan,” he says. The headwaters of the Crystal River are high-altitude, wild places, and the consensus is that most of the upper reaches of the river have healthy ecosystems. The environmental concerns mount closer to town, where the drying impact of the diversions is greatest. “In 2018 the river was a trickle going through town,” says Johnson. “Then, they turned off the ditches and literally within one to two weeks, some of my guys were catching fair amounts of fish right here in town. So that is encouraging; that Mother Nature will find ways to heal herself still. And let’s hope that continues.” Some communities choose to buffer themselves from year-to-year water variability with reservoirs, a solution the local community has long eschewed. A coalition has recently emerged to resume the pursuit of Wild & Scenic designation for the river above its major diversions. Wild & Scenic is a federal designation that protects free-flowing rivers and is made through U.S. congressional action. Currently, the only Wild & Scenic river in the state is the Cache la Poudre. Conservationists support the designation as a way to protect the Crystal River from being dammed or having water siphoned out of the watershed and into neighboring basins.
No silver bullet Despite these trends, Carbondale residents who rely on municipal water are in good shape. The town has fairly ample, senior water rights and water law is deferential to municipalities and their obligation to provide for and plan on growth. Historic ranches may face challenges due to warming temperatures and other economic factors, but their water rights are also likely to continue shaping water use in the area. The short straw may be dealt to subdivisions and others with junior water rights that will nee creative, robust augmentation plans to keep their showers running. And the river itself ? It will need persistent advocates to pursue the solutions that keep water in the river, even in extremely dry years.
THE SOPRIS SUN • Your weekly community connector • Dec. 16-22, 2021 • 19
Winter farmer’s market provides local delights By Jeanne Souldern Sopris Sun Correspondent
Carbondale Art’s annual Deck the Walls Artisan Market will also feature a winter farmer’s market this year, on Dec. 18 (from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.) and Dec. 19 (from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.) at The Launchpad. Alongside the work of 55 local artisans filling the Deck the Walls boutique with unique holiday gifts, the farmer’s market will provide some local culinary pizzazz for your holiday dinner table. Carbondale Arts’ Staci Dickerson organized the 10 food vendors and diligently oversees the operation of all Deck the Walls festivities (which run through Dec. 24). The farmer’s market, in its fourth year, will include pies (sweet and savory), cakes, cookies, European holiday breads such as kifla (a horn-shaped pastry) and Christmas stollen (a German fruit and nut bread), homemade pastas, chais, chutneys, fresh sourdough breads, meats, mushroom tinctures and homemade dog treats. Sunshine & Moons owner and pastry chef Sarah Niebler said the natural and organic baker will have assorted cookie boxes, minipie boxes (each containing four mini-pies), sweetbreads, wrapped caramels, biscotti, coconut macaroons, cashew caramel turtles and take-and-bake savory rosemary chicken pot pies for purchase. Sunshine & Moons is located in Glenwood Springs at 2550 Highway 82, and sells pastries
Deck the Walls offers an ongoing array of local gifts, and there's always more to see — particularly during the winter farmer's market on Dec. 18 and 19. Photo by Will Grandbois year, both in the number of vendor artisans and in the volume of sales,” Dickerson shared. Dickerson said sales have increased each year, even in 2020, when COVID-19 restrictions limited the number of shoppers in the store at any one time. Dickerson attributes those steady increases to “the word is getting out that this is a great place to buy handmade gifts. People, I think, are really intentional about their purchases.” Another incentive for shoppers is that 70% of each purchase goes directly back to the artist, Dickerson explained. The remaining 30% goes to offset the market’s operational costs and to further Carbondale Arts’ education programming. Dickerson also noted there are no supply
chain issues here. “We aren't dependent on shipping. I can call an artist if they run out of something or somebody wants something special,” she shared. The mix of artisans changes each year. “We also have new people all the time. There's usually 25% or 30% of the vendors that are new every single year.” There’s no need to stress about preparing your holiday feast when, as Dickerson said, “A local culinary artist can do the work for you.” For more information about Deck the Walls and the winter farmer’s market, visit: www.carbondalearts.com. Disclaimer: Jeanne Souldern also works parttime in Carbondale Arts’ Artique Gift Shop.
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at their Deja Brew and Sunshine Too location, which opened in July at 11th Street and Grand Avenue. Niebler said they also make gift baskets and take custom orders at their Highway 82 shop. Mollie Shipman of Dooley Creek Farm informed The Sopris Sun that they will be at the farmer’s market on Saturday only. They will have a variety of holiday beef bundles, some with ground beef, a steak sampler, or a family pack with various beef cuts. At the farmer’s market, you can either purchase the meats to-go or arrange for home delivery at a later date. Dooley Creek Farm, located about eight miles south of Carbondale, is a 100-acre property, with about 25 acres used as pasture land for beef cattle. Last year, they started a meat CSA delivering a mix of grass-fed pork, chicken and beef, to members’ doorsteps once a month. They will have CSA memberships available for sign-up at the market. Shipman said people are also welcome to visit the farm or pick up purchases there. Deliveries are available, Shipman said, “at 40 miles [radius from the farm], but occasionally we go even as far as Silt.” She appreciates the opportunity to participate and get the word out about their operation. Plus, she added, proceeds from the market sales “go right back to the people that live here.” In its 10th year, Deck the Walls is a festive showcase for local artisans to sell their wares. Its popularity with local shoppers has “grown every
y a d i l Ho
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20 • THE SOPRIS SUN • soprissun.com • Dec. 16-22, 2021
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El Jebel, Colorado 970-963-1700 RJPaddywacks.com THE SOPRIS SUN • Your weekly community connector • Dec. 16-22, 2021 • 21
CARBONDALE CLAY CENTER enriching lives through the ceramic arts
Saturday, Dec 18: 10am-4pm Sunday, Dec 19: 11am-3pm
Kids Only Holiday Sale
WHERE KIDDOS CAN PURCHASE CERAMICS ON A PIGGY BANK BUDGET! DECEMBER 10TH-18TH 10TH-18TH TUES-SAT TUES-SAT 10-5 10-5 DECEMBER
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Treats & Tinctures Chai & Chutney Pies & Cakes Holiday Breads & More! Our Holiday 50+ Artist Market
continues through Dec 24, 7 days a week!
More info at CarbondaleArts.com
SIP, SHOP + CONNECT Healthy Holiday Happy Hours at True Nature Healing Arts Join us at True Nature Healing Arts every Thursday in December for after-hours shopping specials, cafe offerings, and LIVE MUSIC! Sip, shop, and connect with our community. Boutique specialists will be on hand to explain the ethics behind our collection of consciously curated gifts. We want you to feel good about what you are supporting and bringing in this season while treating your loved ones.
THURSDAYS IN DECEMBER 6-8PM DECEMBER 2ND, 9TH, 16TH, 23RD, 30TH 22 • THE SOPRIS SUN • soprissun.com • Dec. 16-22, 2021
SoL Theatre returns to the stage with a holiday classic
By Myki Jones Sopris Sun Correspondent
The Stage of Life Theatre Company (SoL Theatre) recently presented “Christmas Carol: A Ghost Story,” an adaptation by Jerry R. Montoya of the Charles Dickens classic. This was the nonprofit youth theater company’s first live performance since March of 2020, just before the COVID-19 lockdowns went into place. Although SoL Theatre took a long hiatus from live performances, they continued to actively produce shows by other means. This included nine radio plays aired by KDNK and four films, one of which is an original piece produced in partnership with Thunder River Theatre Company (“Woody and Dumpling and the Journey Back to Normal,” archived on YouTube at: bit.ly/TRTCSoL). SoL Theatre also hosted numerous camps throughout their 18 months spent off-stage due to the pandemic. It was with great excitement that the children returned to live performance with this adaptation of “A Christmas Carol,” one of the most widely-recognized and cherished holiday stories. For theater enthusiasts, it is always fun to see how a particular company brings to life this story’s unforgettable characters, particularly Ebeneezer Scrooge and the three ghosts that come to haunt him. The show, as it has been performed onstage and in film, is whimsical, magical, dramatic and altogether heartwarming, with the main character traveling through time to learn life lessons. The cast and crew at SoL Theatre did a wonderful job with their portrayal. The
Elizabeth Marcus portrayed the Ghost of Christmas Present in SoL Theatre's recent production of "Christmas Carol: A Ghost Story" adapted by Jerry Montoya. Courtesy photo children actors carried themselves with grace and engaged the audience in their performance. For example, cast members got everyone to sing together a rendition of the classic carol “We Wish You a Merry Christmas.” Jennifer Johnson, SoL Theatre executive director and the director of the show, said that the process of putting “A Christmas Carol” together was rewarding but also required some extra work, given the amount of time they spent off-stage.
“Getting back in the swing of rehearsal, making sure the kids are memorizing their lines, learning their blocking and getting a show up and running — it was a little rickety!” said Johnson. “It’s been really fun, mildly challenging and completely rewarding — but weird.” The theater company strives to cultivate life skills for children and young adults through theatrical training. The ultimate goal, according to their website, is “to
produce the most professional children’s theatre possible.” This is accomplished through mentorship and role modeling by older students, utilizing Montessori teaching methods that Johnson picked up during her time working at Ross Montessori in Carbondale. “Their roles grow as their experiences grow,” explained Johnson. “So, whatever they're ready for next developmentally is what they find themselves in. It’s very rarely based on ‘how talented is this kid,’ and more so ‘are they ready for this challenge and other responsibilities?’” SoL Theatre will celebrate ten years in operation in February of 2022, and Johnson shared some insight as to what audiences, parents and students can expect for the future. This includes, for the first time in almost two years, a whole season of live shows. “We’ve been around for a decade now and it’s been primarily one or two people working here and we’re hoping to change that. We’re hoping to bring in new teachers, voices and management to expand our reach,” stated Johnson. The shows that people can expect to see in the upcoming season are “Little Women,” “Little Shop of Horrors,” “Seussical Jr.,” “The Witches” as a radio play in the fall and “Anni.” Johnson also mentioned that they are hoping to collaborate with Sopris Soarers for a special Halloween or Día de Muertos performance. For more information about SoL Theatre, upcoming productions, enrollment opportunities, to make a donation or for audition information, visit: www. SoLtheatrecompany.org
THE SOPRIS SUN • Your weekly community connector • Dec. 16-22, 2021 • 23
s y a D w o Sn with
Join us this Winter!
All events are free & open to the public | Registration required
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 18
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 20 – BILINGUAL
Sunlight Mountain Resort, Glenwood Springs
Garfield Creek State Wildlife Area, Near New Castle
Advocacy & Apres
Wildlife Walk and Talk
Learn about the importance of seasonal habitat and with Advocacy & Ales is back with a winter twist! Stop by after a day on the slopes and enjoy a drink while learning about ways some luck, watch wintering animals from afar. This is a bilingual event for all ages! to get involved with our work to protect public lands.
SUNDAY, JANUARY 9 – BILINGUAL
Crystal River Snowshoe Daniels Hill, Near Marble
Join us for a snowshoe along the North Fork of the Crystal River and learn about the proposed Wild and Scenic River designation along the Crystal.
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 13 | THURSDAY, JANUARY 14
Naturalist Nights: Winter Speaker Series 3rd Street Center, Carbondale | Hallam Lake, ACES
“Small Mountain Owls,” by Scott Rashid, Colorado Avian Research and Rehabilitation Institute
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 23 | THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 24
Naturalist Nights: Winter Speaker Series 3rd Street Center, Carbondale | Hallam Lake, ACES
“Using Goats for Habitat Restoration on Public Lands” by Hilary Boyd, Bureau of Land Management
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 9 | THURSDAY, MARCH 10
Naturalist Nights: Winter Speaker Series 3rd Street Center, Carbondale | Hallam Lake, ACES
“Three Billion Birds” by Arvind Panjabi, Bird Conservancy of the Rockies
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 26 | THURSDAY, JANUARY 27
SUNDAY, MARCH 13
3rd Street Center, Carbondale | Hallam Lake, ACES
Blodgett Campground, near Red Cliff
Naturalist Nights: Winter Speaker Series
“Soil Carbon in Colorado Agroecosystems: Practice and Promise,” by Dr. Courland Kelly, Colorado State University
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 9 | THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 10
Naturalist Nights: Winter Speaker Series 3rd Street Center, Carbondale | Hallam Lake, ACES Speaker to be announced. Check wildernessworkshop.org/events to find out.
Homestake Valley Snowshoe Join us for a snowshoe along Homestake Creek and learn about efforts to protect the Homestake Valley from future dam building efforts.
SATURDAY, MARCH 26
Advocacy & Apres
Highlands Ski Resort, Aspen
Advocacy & Ales is back with a winter twist! Stop by after a day on the slopes and enjoy a drink while learning about ways to get involved with our work to protect public lands.
Additional events may be added. Scan this QR Code for the latest calendar or to register for any of these events! COVID-19 Protocols are in place for our events to prioritize everyone’s safety.
24 • THE SOPRIS SUN • soprissun.com • Dec. 16-22, 2021
www.wildernessworkshop.org/events
Learn to use — and recognize — the Signal for Help By Myki Jones Sopris Sun Correspondent
The universal Signal for Help, a hand gesture that was created by the Canadian Women’s Foundation (CWF), has been gaining traction across several social media platforms. CWF is a nonprofit that focuses on aiding women, girls and gender-diverse people to escape situations of poverty and violence within the home. The hand gesture was created in April 2020 for persons trapped at home and at risk of being abused. The signal can be used discretely to call for help and has since been adopted by partners and similar organizations globally. It began in response to a sharp increase in reports of domestic violence in 2020, with lockdowns trapping persons inside with their abusers. According to the UN Women, a United Nations organization advocating for gender equality, domestic violence increased by 20% within the first few months of the pandemic, something that the report refers to as a “shadow pandemic.” As reported by Business Insider, posts about this hand gesture started to gain traction in June 2020 on TikTok, a social media platform where users share short video clips grouped by interests. The signal can be performed via video messaging or during in-person interactions. The instructions are simple, a person who needs help raises their palm facing forward. They then tuck their thumb and “trap it” with their remaining fingers. It is believed to be subtle enough to not tip off the abuser. The signal has helped people online and also in-person. The Washington Post reported in
early November that a teenage girl in Kentucky was rescued from a 61-year-old man after using the signal, not on TikTok but in her abductor’s vehicle to communicate with passing cars. In conversation with Advocate Safehouse Project (ASP), a local nonprofit that promotes healthy relationships free from violence, The Sopris Sun was informed that every safety measure has its pros and cons. According to an ASP advocate who requested to remain anonymous due to the nature of their work, “The pro I see is that there is more and more conversation around intimate-partner violence and healthy relationships. We have a 24-hour helpline and our services are free and confidential. Having access to emotional support as folks navigate leaving unhealthy relationships is a key to success.” However, the continued, “A con is that the hand signal is not universal, so not everyone has the training to see the signal as a sign of violence.” Furthermore, “These movements gain popularity via social media, which also means a wider net of people having access to the information, and that may lead to abusers knowing the sign as well.” Said otherwise, once those who perpetrate abuse catch wind of the signal’s meaning, it may no longer be safe to use. “Again, there are pros and cons to the signal gaining traction, the most dangerous being that perpetrators will know it. I would feel most comfortable signaling violence to school counselors, police and hospitals or doctors — they separate folks to ask directly if someone is safe,” explained our source at ASP.
Art by Sofie Koski “They typically have access to information — brochures, cards, and helpline numbers — for domestic violence organizations.” According to the UN Women, one in three women worldwide experience sexual or physical violence in their lifetime, and this violence is often perpetrated by an intimate partner. The National Coalition Against Domestic Violence reveals that, on average, nearly 20 people per minute are physically abused by an intimate partner in The United States alone. According to the same source, one in 15 children will be exposed to intimate partner violence within their homes in their lifetime.
If you or someone you know is facing violence and abuse in the home, know you can always reach out to the following sources… ADVOCATE SAFEHOUSE PROJECT
24-hour Help Line: 970-945-4439 or 970-285-0209 www.advocatesafehouseproject.org NATIONAL DOMESTIC VIOLENCE HOTLINE
800-799-SAFE (7233) or text “START” to 88788 THE COLORADO COALITION AGAINST DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
303-831-9632 www.ccasa.org
THE SOPRIS SUN • Your weekly community connector • Dec. 16-22, 2021 • 25
Christmas reminds us that wonderful things can happen - as long as you believe! My best wishes to you this holiday season. ~ Trudi
Trudi Watkins-Johnson, Broker 970-309-6200 • trudiwj@gmail.com • www.trudiwj.com 0295 Badger Rd., Carbondale, CO 81623
MAD FOR SCIENCE 26 • THE SOPRIS SUN • soprissun.com • Dec. 16-22, 2021
The Aspen Science Center invited Two Rivers Community School students to conduct physics experiments at the Third Street Center on Dec. 7. Activities explored sound vibrations, energy transfer and fluorescence, among other topics. Photo by Will Sardinsky
HELP WANTED
PARTING SHOTS
Housekeeper Reliable and professional housekeeper wanted to take care of general cleaning and earn $20 - $40 an hour easily. Contact: fordr139@gmail.com Lululemon, Aspen Join our one-of-a-kind team! We offer competitive benefits that can support you professionally and personally. Learn more: www.bit.ly/ lululemonAspen The Aspen Science Center The Aspen Science Center is seeking an energetic communicator with excellent interpersonal skills to serve as a part-time STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) Educator. The STEM Educator will be responsible for developing and facilitating fun, hands-on STEM programs for preschool to twelfth grade youth, their caregivers and families. Email dhenderson@ aspensciencecenter.org or call 970-236-2360.
Graphic Designer The Sopris Sun seeks a team player able to meet deadlines and work collaboratively with editorial, advertising and management. Proficiency with Adobe Creative Suite: InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator, Acrobat and InCopy. Newspaper or print publication experience preferred. Website and social media posting experience helpful; bilingual Spanish/ English also helpful. 24-32 hours per week; wage based on experience. Please respond to board@soprissun.com Bilingual Ad Rep The Sopris Sun and el Sol del Valle seek a bilingual advertising representative. This is a parttime position supported by commission. If you would like to earn more money, engage with the community and be part of our talented team, please call 970-510-0246. Help Wanted Ads are FREE. Visit www.soprissun.com/freehelp-wanted-ads/
LEGALS NOTICE TO CREDITORS BY PUBLICATION PURSUANT TO § 15-12-801, C.R.S.
estate are required to present them to the personal representative or to District Court of Garfield County, Colorado on or before April 2, 2022, or claims may be forever barred.
Notice to Creditors John A. Ciucci 629 Saddleback Road Carbondale Colorado 81623,
Estate of Rebecca Lee Ciucci Passed on 9/27/2021 Case Number: 21PR34 All persons having claims against the above named
Published in The Sopris Sun on December 2, 9, 16, and 23, 2021
SERVICE DIRECTORY Practicing minimal contact check-in.
A baaaaaad day for travel Amid dropping temperatures and snow squalls at the west end of Spring Valley on Dec. 15, Jim Bair of Bair Ranch and his crew loaded 970 sheep into four semi trailers and hauled them off to Utah for the winter months.
WINDSHIE REPAIR 289 MAIN STREET | (970) 963-2826 | CARBONDALEAH@GMAIL.COM AUTO GLA REPLACEM WINDSHIELD REPAIR & AUTO GLASS REPLACEMENTMo
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Photos by Paula Mayer
Correction: The Dec. 9 issue misstated when the Sutey Ranch land swap appraisals were made public. They were actually released prior to the final decision, due to a FOIA complain in federal court. THE SOPRIS SUN • Your weekly community connector • Dec. 16-22, 2021 • 27
Help Two or More Nonprofits with Your December Donation Donate to The Sopris Sun in December and we’ll give your favorite local charity an equal amount of free advertising space in The Sopris Sun in 2022. Choose to give a recurring donation and we will provide an equal amount of space each month for your favorite charity. Yes, you can choose a different charity each month, or let us choose one on your behalf! As with all ads in The Sopris Sun the nonprofit also receives complementary ad design and translation services for Spanish ads.
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