Because every town needs a park, a library and a newspaper
Carbondale’s weekly
community connector
Volume 12, Number 21 | July 2 - July 8, 2020
LIVE & LET LIVE
Lizzy Plotkin and Natalie Spears were among an array of buskers in Willits for "Wednesday Night Live." The ongoing event features performances from musicians, poets, comedians, magicians and more from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. weekly through Aug. 19. Photo by Mark Burrows
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Aspen. Basalt. Carbondale.
OPINION
WILL CALL By Will Grandbois
Whatever the creepy recorded voices at City Market say, it doesn’t feel like we’re all in this together anymore. That’s not necessarily a criticism, just the impression that comes with seeing some people out in large groups and others still cooped up at home. And while I don’t know what precautions might be under the surface when I see a dozen people at the park or eight cars at a campsite, I do know some folks who simply haven’t seen their parents or grandchildren in months. Of course, both groups are going to blame the other for this state of affairs. I’ve seen the disdain some of those pushing for normalcy have for the fear that keeps people socially isolating. I’ve heard the insinuation that the high risk demographics are holding everyone else — and the economy — back. I’m also sure that the cautious feel betrayed by the neighbors who won’t tolerate a little inconvenience to keep everyone safer. And I’m guessing that even
Let’s all mind the gap
some folks who are on the fence are sick of having to remind the recalcitrant of the rules. Now, under most circumstances, I’d do my best to remain objective and treat these two camps equally. I take the ethics of my role seriously to an almost annoying degree. But there’s no staying out of a worldwide pandemic. Each and every person involved with the paper is impacted, and they all have different experiences and perspectives which hopefully helps balance our coverage. And if I can’t separate myself from my own experience, I can at least be upfront about it. Back in March, it seemed like everyone around me was sick: my mom, my dad, even my cat. None of them ever tested positive for COVID-19, but the symptoms were uncanny and the fear was very real. For almost a week, I was the sole caregiver for my autistic brother — himself high-risk, but healthy. While trying to get a newspaper out at the same time wasn’t exactly easy, it probably distracted me from dwelling on the potential loss of all my loved ones. They’re all okay. I was lucky. And by contrast, the months since have felt like smooth sailing. Sure, I missed my spring pilgrimages to Utah and chafed under the 10-mile rule. I wish I could shop at the Near New, dine at the Pour House and catch a movie at the Crystal Theatre. It’s incredibly awkward seeing friends at a distance and not being comfortable inviting them inside, even to use the bathroom. And
while I appreciate the service, I’m not at all fond of having a stranger take the risk of going to the grocery store for me. But by and large, the restrictions — state and selfimposed — have been far preferable to the worry and guilt I’d experience by putting the people I care about at risk. And it’s becoming increasingly clear that the virus can have profound and lasting impacts on young people, too. I’m lucky enough to be able to work remotely, have my family at hand, and I’m not missing out on any major life events. It’s not that I can’t complain, I just probably shouldn’t. Instead, in between bouts of anxiety, I’m trying to take Judith Ritschard’s advice and acknowledge all the good mixed in with the bad and the weird. I have never been closer to my brother. I’ve reconnected with friends I’d lost touch with and built a real relationship with someone who was previously just an acquaintance. I’ve had an unusual number of outdoor adventures, albeit close to home, and barely ever have to wear shoes (which is more than a fair trade for wearing a mask, in my book). Meanwhile, The Sopris Sun (knock on wood) continues to enjoy the support of the community, both in donations and advertising. Watching the Post Independent cut days and distribution, I’m incredibly grateful to have 20 pages to work with this week — allowing, among other things, this column, Pages of the Past and the pieces from High Country News and
Aspen Journalism. I appreciate all of our supporters and readers, regardless of whether I agree with them or not. And I want everyone in our community to feel represented in these pages. We’re actually in need of a new conservative columnist (email news@soprissun.com to apply). If the town or county takes a true turn toward authoritarianism — the minor inconveniences required so far are well within their legal scope — rest assured that we’ll hold them accountable. If the police crack down on peaceful demonstrations, we’ll report it. And if those same protests become a vector for disease, we’ll report that, too. I will also continue to accept letters that are critical of public policy, including the mask ordinance. Per established policy, however, I will not print anything that encourages readers to disregard the regulations. We’re here to build community, not foment discord — barring serious injustice or risk to public safety, anyway. The Long Hot Summer of ‘67 was also the Summer of Love. We’re facing a similar dichotomy, and while it seems like an obvious choice, I’m actually not eager for either digging in and clashing over our disagreements or tuning out and staying in my safe, happy bubble. Let’s think back to the semblance of unity we had back in March and look for a third option of mutual support and common solutions. I still think we can both be safe and be well.
LETTERS Gray response Dear Editor: Annette Roberts Gray claims the president's not keeping us safe. Says we shouldn't have so high a percentage of covid cases. The reason we have 26 percent of covid cases is three fold. One is that covid19 testing has increased exponentially. Next that 26 percent relies on data from such open and honest regimes like China, Russia, North Korea, Iran etc. Also we count all deaths where the virus is present. Even if terminal cancer, diabetes, car crash. There's not much news about who really fails the safety test. No news of Cuomo sending COVID-19 patients to nursing homes and killing thousands of seniors. No mention of 114 shootings and 14 murders in Chicago last weekend. No
word of 900 police injured in Seattle, Minneapolis, Atlanta, LA,Chicago. Not a word about NY's 400 percent crime increase. Do you know why, Annette? Because this anarchy is all taking place in cities and states controlled by Democrats for decades. And the Dems lap dog media is blind and deaf to anything not anti-Trump. Wake up! Bruno Kirchenwitz Rifle
Boogie for buddies Dear Editor: As a member of the Board of Directors for the Buddy Program, I want to encourage everyone to join us these next two weeks and participate in our annual Boogie’s Buddy Race and our online auction! I’ve been fortunate to have a little Buddy for more than
four years. We’ve had so many wonderful experiences during this time and have learned so much from each other. Register for the race by going to Buddyprogram.org and run or walk from wherever you are at any time between now and 7/4! We will award $50 gift card prizes for the following categories: best costume, best pic of your pet participating, participate from a location the farthest from Aspen, participate in the most unique run (think mountaintops and beaches), best selfie, and best do it yourself bib. Post and tag us on social media, or email to ali@buddyprogram.org to be eligible to win! Facebook: @ buddyprogramrfv Instagram: @thebuddyprogram and use hashtags for the race: #BuddyRun2020 and #BoogiesBuddyRace
Starting Saturday, July 4, the Buddy Program will launch an online auction with amazing items that span jewelry, art and one of a kind experiences, including a ski day with Alex Ferreira! Register to bid at buddyprogram.org. Email ali@ buddyprogram.org or call 9202130 with any questions! Not a runner and don’t need to buy anything?! Your support in the form of a donation supports youth in our community through mentoring! Donate today at buddyprogram.org Your involvement and generosity in supporting the Buddy Program is even more important today as our community faces this global pandemic together. Jeanne Walker The Buddy Program Continued on page 18
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 • July 2 - July 8, 2020
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Jim Calaway, Honorary Chair Kay Brunnier Scott Gilbert – Habitat for Humanity RFV Bob Young – Alpine Bank Peter Gilbert Umbrella Roofing, Inc. Bill Spence and Sue Edelstein Greg and Kathy Feinsinger Carolyn Nelson Jim Noyes True Nature Healing Arts Nicolette Toussaint Jill and Gary Knaus Megan Tackett Ken & Donna Riley Michelle & Ed Buchman CoVenture Lee Beck and John Stickney Shane Evans
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Donate by mail or online. P.O. Box 399 Carbondale, CO 81623 520 S. Third Street #32 970-510-3003 www.soprissun.com Editor Will Grandbois • 970-510-0540 news@soprissun.com Advertising Todd Chamberlin • 970-510-0246 adsales@soprissun.com Graphic Designer: Ylice Golden Reporter: Roberta McGowan Delivery: Tom Sands Proofreader: Lee Beck Current Board Members Raleigh Burleigh, President Marilyn Murphy, Vice President Linda Criswell, Secretary Klaus Kocher, Treasurer Kay Clarke • Carol Craven Megan Tackett • Gayle Wells Donna Dayton The Sopris Sun Board meets at 6:30 p.m. on second Mondays at the Third Street Center. Contact board@soprissun.com to reach them. Founding Board Members Allyn Harvey • Becky Young Colin Laird • Barbara New • Elizabeth Phillips Peggy DeVilbiss • Russ Criswell
The Sopris Sun, Inc. is a proud member of the Carbondale Creative District The Sopris Sun, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation. Donations to The Sun are fully tax deductible.
Tick tock — the Covid-19 clock keeps moving By Roberta McGowan Sopris Sun Staff After over four months of shut downs and stay at home orders, the virus certainly hasn’t run out of gas. And the Fourth of July weekend won’t be like it was in 2019. The governor’s office just announced that Garfield County will not move into the next Protect Our Neighbors phase as cases are on the upswing with 35 confirmed cases in the last 14 days. One criteria for moving into the next phase is a steady or declining virus presence of 15 or less cases in a 14 day period. The only variance already approved and still in place permits restaurants, houses of worship, fitness facilities and gyms to increase capacities. In order to achieve six feet distancing the limit is 50 percent of the posted occupancy code with a minimum 28 square feet per person. This capacity cannot exceed 175 people gathered in a confined indoor space at any given time. Public Health officials cautioned the variance could be rescinded if 60 cases are confirmed within a 14 day period. In addition, the department reported that one quarter of all county cases diagnosed since June 15 were in the 20 to 59 age range. Overall, the Roaring Fork Valley has also seen an uptick in the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases to date. Numbers are just statistics, but when the virus strikes closer to home… … Like for one parent in the mid-valley: “My 21-year old son got a call from a
friend who had been hanging out with a group of buddies. One of those pals tested positive and eventually the virus came even closer to home. My son's infection was confirmed as well,” said one local father, who asked not to be identified. “It’s a shame,” the dad said, “Many young people think because they’re healthy and believe they will only have mild symptoms. They often don't realize they can bring the bug home and infect older family members, who may suffer more severe consequences.” White House Pizza has also been hit hard by COVID-19 after first one, then two more employees were confirmed as positive. General Manager Jake Behlow then quickly closed the restaurant on July 25th, and all employees went into the mandatory two week quarantine. So far, none of the other staff tested positive. “It’s been the toughest week in my career,” Behlow sighed. “We plan to reopen Thursday, July 9,” Behlow announced and asked the public to check whitehousepizza.com regularly for updates. Basalt Chief of Police Greg Knott also keeps a close eye on valley statistics, noting that most of the new cases were located in mid valley unincorporated areas. He said people are generally observing local ordinances,“Just about everyone is being very compliant — business owners as well as residents.” But, what should people do if they run into a situation where businesses are not following the rules concerning face coverings,
Testing rates at Valley View and Grand River hospitals vary week to week, but the ratio of positive tests is increasing. social distancing or disinfecting? Not a simple question or answer. Knott encouraged people to discuss what is or is not going on and try not to be confrontational. “That approach depends on each person’s comfort level,” Knott stressed. “If that doesn’t work,” he explained, “It may be appropriate to contact local law enforcement or Eagle, Pitkin and Garfield Health Departments.” Both Carbondale and Basalt have passed a local public health order which required all persons to wear face coverings when entering a business open to the public, in such other public indoor or outdoor places where people can’t maintain safe social distancing from others not of their own households.
Also important is the order that businesses open to the public cannot permit entry by those not in compliance with public health orders. Exceptions are for those under two years old, people who have existing health conditions that could be impaird by a mask, those working in a professional office who do not interact with the public, people dining out, those exercising in a gym plus persons exempted under a special permitted event activity. Penalties for not following the order range from a maximum of $50 for a first offense to a fine not to exceed more than $200 for a second offense. Each county in the valley has similar rules. Please check the public health department’s website for more details.
Ahora es ley en Carbondale usar una máscara en público
It’s Now The Law in Carbondale to wear a Mask in Public.
EL CUBRE BOCAS QUE USO TE PROTEGE A TI;
THE MASK I WEAR PROTECTS YOU;
EL CUBRE BOCAS QUE TU USAS ME PROTEGE A MI
THE MASK YOU WEAR PROTECTS ME For more information about the Town of Carbondale’s ordinance requiring that people utilize face coverings within the Town of Carbondale during the COVID-19 Pandemic while inside places of business at locations where public contact is likely, visit: carbondalegov.org
Para obtener más información sobre la nueva ley de la ciudad de Carbondale que requiere que las personas utilicen cubre bocas dentro de la ciudad de Carbondale durante la pandemia covid-19 mientras estén dentro de los negocios y en lugares donde es probable que haya contacto público, visite: carbondalegov.org
THE SOPRIS SUN • Carbondale’s weekly community connector • July 2 - July 8, 2020 • 3
SCUTTLEBUTT Can’t stop the music A couple of decades ago, Steve Standiford created a music fest that only booked local acts. It began as the Mountain Music Fair, led into several Music & Lobster Fests and ultimately became the Sopris Music Festival. This year, the acts will set up a stage in the vacant lot across from Peppino's and make the music happen to passersby — with no one inside the fence besides the musicians, Steve and the livestreaming crew. The set runs from 6 to 8 p.m. First Friday, July 3 with Wes Engstrom , Feeding Giants and Let Them Roar.
In a flash Carbondale Arts presents “The Flash Card Project”, a group show curated by local artist Wewer Keohane, who sent invitations to 75 artists to accept a randomly chosen flash
card from her as inspiration to create artwork, and as a prompt to examine their time of isolation during the pandemic. The exhibition will be open to the public beginning First Friday, July 3, and will be on display through July 31 at the R2 Gallery.
Fire doesn’t work Garfield County, the Bureau of Land Management and White River National Forest are implementing Stage 1 Fire Restrictions, which prohibit fires outside of developed areas. It’s been hot, dry, and unseasonably windy with 15 Red Flag warnings — more than what we typically see over an entire year. The National Weather Service is forecasting above average temperatures and dry conditions with no relief from rain anytime soon.
Twice as kind In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Roaring Fork Schools are offering two options for kindergarten registration this year: parents of rising kindergarten students can enroll their student online between July 1-24 or in-person on July 24. To register a student online, parents must first complete an intent-to-enroll form available online at forms.gle/ mMJJoaHo26v8WDYw5 (English) or forms.gle/f YZnmw4gYwrvNmCv7 (Spanish) — or contact Olga Villaseñor (bilingual in English and Spanish) at 384-6004.
Take some time From July 2-6, the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT), Colorado State Patrol and local law enforcement agencies will
make a particular point of preventing impaired drivers from endangering themselves and others on the road. CDOT is also introducing a new campaign to encourage the use of smartphone breathalyzers. So far in 2020, of the 215 fatalities on Colorado roads, 66 have involved an impaired driver. During last year’s Fourth of July enforcement period, 311 DUI arrests were made.
When you’ve got to choose… With a record-breaking 1,577,347 ballots returned in the state primary, it appears that former Governor John Hickenlooper topped Andrew Romanoff to face incumbent Republican Cory Gardner in the race to represent Colorado in the U.S. Senate. Shooter’s Grill owner
Lauren Boebert upset incumbent 3rd Congressional District Representative Scott Tipton, with Diane Mitsch Bush topping the Democrats. Glenwood Springs attorney Karl Hanlon defeated Arn Menconi to challenge Bob Rankin for State Senate District 8.
They say it’s your birthday Folks celebrating another trip around the sun this week include: Staci Dickerson, Jeanie Chestnutt, Dean Harding and Laurie Loeb (July 2); Luke Turner, Dani Ott, Addy Moss, Sissy Sutro, Maggie Jones, Tony Mendez, Cindy Sadlowski and Katie Jones (July 3); Rachel Cooper, Dominic Molinari and Brad Geddes (July 4); Chris Wurtsmith, H Mavis Fitzgerald, Herb Feinzig and Adele Moss (July 5); Nannette Weinhold, Teri Bruna and David Clark (July 6) and Melanie Finàn (July 8).
Recently, the Roaring Fork Pickleball Association celebrated the opening of the new courts at North Face Park this weekend. Photo by Jane Bachrach The Arts Campus at Willits broke ground on the planned Contemporary Performing ATS Center. Photo by Roberta McGowan
Natural disasters don’t stop because of the global pandemic. Be prepared with an emergency evacuation and sheltering plan. Sign up for emergency alerts at PitkinAlert.org Make a plan in advance and practice it Know your evacuation routes Leave early Have a 72 hour emergency go bag Remember to take your masks and sanitizers
Get help preparing your plan at Ready.gov/make a plan 4 • THE SOPRIS SUN • soprissun.com • July 2 - July 8, 2020
Local historian retires — a second time By James Steindler Sopris Sun Correspondent Darrell Munsell initially moved to the Crystal Valley with his wife, Jane, in 1997 to retire, but he quickly caught the research bug and has expanded knowledge of local history tenfold. Munsell grew up in Hays, Kansas and graduated from Fort Hays State University with BA and MA degrees — with a stint with the Marine Corps. in between. Subsequently, he enrolled in a Doctoral program at the University of Kansas where he specialized in modern British history. “I was very fortunate to go to England and do a lot of primary research which I thoroughly enjoyed,” Munsell said. He then worked as a professor at West Texas A&M. When he learned about John Osgood, the founder of Redstone, and the historical figure enticed Munsell to keep digging. He intended to write an article about Osgood’s “Industrial Paternalism” and “how he applied that philosophy to the building of his model industrial village in Redstone.” Inevitably it turned into his first book, “From Redstone to Ludlow.” Munsell discovered that Osgood was not a guiltless character. In fact, he had his hand in orchestrating the Ludlow Massacre of 1914.
Beginning in September 1913, miners, at the suggestion of the United Mine Workers of America, staged a strike by setting up a tent colony and refusing to work through the winter. On April 20, 1914, at the order of the Colorado Governor, who was essentially directed by Osgood and Montgomery Bowers who both had interests in the mining industry, the Colorado National Guard and Miners’ Guard used machine guns to fire on the tent colony. After the gunning, “They burnt the tents down and underneath one of the tents the next day they discovered the bodies of two women and eleven children who had suffocated during the fire,” Munsell said. “Osgood was largely a forgotten man in Colorado,” he said, “the Ludlow Massacre was pushed under the rug; it wasn’t taught in the schools — it was too major of an embarrassment.” The blame was pushed on John D. Rockefeller, the owner of the Colorado Fuel and Iron Co.— one of the leading companies that opposed the union — and, “Osgood went under the radar.” Still, he seemed to learn a lesson. When he created the industrial town of Redstone he adhered to a new socialindustrial policy: welfare capitalism. Essentially, Osgood learned that the best way to prevent strikes was, “to treat
the workers a little better.” Munsell wanted to reacquaint people with Osgood, who he considers was an enigmatic man, “and I think I was able to do that,” he adds. Later, he focused his studies on the history of environmental activism in the Crystal Valley — namely the formation and efficacy of the Crystal Valley Environmental Protection Association (CVEPA). This was the basis for his book “Protecting a Valley and Saving a River.” In the ‘70s a small group of residents from Marble and the town of Crystal formed CVEPA in response to a proposal to build a ski area in Marble. The organization successfully thwarted the development of a ski resort. The organization grew its membership and, “One issue they pursued for decades was the West Divide Project,” said Munsell.The West Divide project was sponsored by the government, the West Divide Water Conservation Board and the Colorado River District who wanted to dam the Crystal River. Initially proposed in 1957, it was not until 2011 that the project was abandoned. “This group played such an important role in preserving the Crystal River and protecting the Valley,” said Munsell, “I thought it was fascinating to show how a small
Darrell Munsell smiles for the camera next to the historical jailhouse. Photo by Beth White group without money can do big things.” Munsell became the President of the Redstone Historical Society in 2000 and was an instrumental player in the fight to preserve the Redstone Castle. Eventually, they were able to obtain conservation easements for the castle. Munsell believes the castle is even more secure now under the current owners who are “interested in historical preservation.”
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Later, he got involved with Mt. Sopris Historical Society (currently the Carbondale Historical Society) and teamed up with Susanna Reid to get the Thompson House in Carbondale on the national historic places registry. Munsell hopes that historians will continue to build on what he’s started and maybe even put together a comprehensive historical text of the area. He and his wife are returning to Canyon, Texas.
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‘There are not many places still like this’ Effort to conserve Coffman Ranch takes big step forward By Isabel Hicks Special to The Sopris Sun Major headway was made in the effort to conserve the Coffman Ranch last month when Great Outdoors Colorado (GOCO) awarded a $2.5 million grant to Aspen Valley Land Trust (AVLT) to help purchase and conserve the 141-acre property. This grant marks a significant step in an otherwise unfinished race. The project needs a total of $8.5 million to conserve and steward the land. The purchase price of $6.5 million is a discounted amount, as Rex and Jo Coffman donated over $1 million in land value to AVLT. The additional $2 million is needed to take care of the property and manage a portion of soon-tobe community accessible land, a project that is still in the works.
Suzanne Stephens, executive director of AVLT, said that though most of the land will remain agricultural, they plan to “provide some additional public benefits… It’s a little early for me to say what that’s going to be exactly, but we definitely want to provide a space for the community... [and] public access to the river.” AVLT has raised about $4.5 million for the project so far, though only the GOCO grant is official right now. Pitkin County has pledged to donate $2 million to put land in a conservation easement, but the donation still has to go through an appropriations process. Discussions with Garfield County and Carbondale about financial contributions are currently in the works. The Coffman Ranch property lies between Catherine Store Road and the Roaring Fork River, and is only two miles from downtown Carbondale. The ranchland is brimming with ecological value. “It’s a really special habitat, because you just don’t find that much land along rivers and streams anymore that hasn’t been
significantly altered by human activity,” said Stephens. “There's about 35 acres of wetlands; there’s beaver ponds and springs; we have seen sandhill cranes out there, bald eagles, blue herons, [and] there’s a resident deer herd.” “From a natural resource angle it’s pretty second to none,” Stephens said. She cited the ranch’s deep fertile soils, river access, flatness, and senior water rights. “There’s really nothing that it doesn’t have.” On rare occasions does AVLT purchase land outright; rather, they conserve open space though donated easements. “This parcel is just so extraordinary that we kind of had to look at it differently,” said Stephens. In fact, the Coffman Ranch is the most expensive land deal AVLT has been involved in to date. AVLT dipped their toe into conservation of the ranch in 2003, when 38 acres on one end of the property were put into an easement. “We’ve always had the dream of helping to protect the rest of the ranch,” said Stephens. “The more we talked about it [with the Coffmans],
The Coffman Ranch seen from the air. Courtesy photo the more excited we got.” citing the endangered species of The Coffmans have stewarded orchid found on the ranch. “It the ranch for around 65 years. was fun because the biologist They worked hard to improve the [Sarah Marshall] who came out land and ensure its agricultural from CSU and did the survey of productivity. the property had never seen [the “There’s something to do orchid] in person before,” said every day on a ranch if you Stephens. “She was part of what want to. You’re never done,” prompted us to do this deal... Rex Coffman told the Post having biologists out there and Independent in 2015. “After having them go, ‘oh my gosh, this being here for 57 years, I still find place is really unique and it’s in things to improve on.” really good shape’...there are not The Coffmans have always many parcels of land that are still wanted to conserve their land like this.” and protect it from development. Stephens estimates the land “This plan with AVLT is like a deal will close sometime next year. dream come true for us,” they said “We’ve got another year’s work in a news release announcing the to do before any of this comes planned purchase. to fruition,” she said. “If we can Stephens said that Colorado acquire it and conserve and help biologists are incredibly excited to make it a community asset, we about this conservation project, just consider that a win-win.”
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Collaboration, compromise could mitigate housing crisis By James Steindler Sopris Sun Correspondent News agencies across the world, from the BBC to The New York Times, have reported that the United States is likely to see an “avalanche of evictions” in the coming months. Will this national crisis permeate the figurative bubble cloaking the Roaring Fork Valley? According to experts, like the coronavirus, it is unlikely we’ll be immune entirely. Colorado’s moratorium on evictions expired June 13. Governor Jared Polis since increased the length of time required between a notice of eviction being given and when a landlord can file a complaint in the courts from 10 days to 30 days minimum. Alpine Legal Services (ALS) has assisted those who cannot afford private counsel in civil cases for about thirty years. Many of the files that come through its office are eviction related. That number has expectedly risen since March. While in 2019 housing disputes made up 8 percent of ALS’s case load, since March of this year it’s increased to 21 percent. Jennifer Wherry is the Executive Director at ALS. In her mind, “When we talk about public health, housing is a big
part of that discussion — if not the biggest.” While the Governor encourages people to stay home, her office prepares to assist those in jeopardy of losing theirs. The cost of housing has long been a struggle for many in Garfield County and now,“ With unemployment going from 2 percent to 13 percent in the course of a few months it’s really presenting itself,” says Wherry. Wherry also understands the immense stress that comes with litigation and wholeheartedly believes in the efficacy of mediation. Mediation is an alternative to heading straight into litigating a civil dispute. Through a grant provided by Aspen Community Foundation’s 2020 Rescue Fund, ALS is offering free mediation sessions between landlords and tenants affected by COVID-19. Experienced mediators from Aspen to Parachute agreed to accept the reduced rate paid for by this grant. Anyone who is interested can call the hotline at 239-3935 from 9 a.m. to noon and 1 to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday to get set up with a mediator. Wherry has not seen a drastic surge in eviction court filings since Colorado’s moratorium expired but expects that county courts will start to see more filings
While unemployment spikes, ALS sees a parallel trend as housing dispute cases mount in its office. after July 14 — 30 days from the time the moratorium was lifted. However, she is hopeful that tenants and landlords will take a stab at mediation before entering into an inevitably arduous court proceeding.“Before they’re getting themselves involved in contested litigation we want people to first think about starting a conversation,” she says. ALS partnered with Carbondale Emergency Task Force (CETF) and Mountain Voices Project (MVP) to conduct outreach with, and collaboration between, landlords, tenants and lenders. Throughout this outreach process it has become apparent
that there is much concern among tenants and landlords in the valley about being able to sustain their dependence on one another. MVP is a broad-based community organization comprised of 29 educational, nonprofit and religious institutions from Aspen to Parachute. ALS is its newest member. “There is no one size fits all for this recovery,” Wherry says, “Everyone will have to work together and we’ll need all the creative solutions we can get.” One such solution according to Wherry is MVP’s Housing Fund. For those who participate, a fund created by MVP pays a
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third of a tenant’s rent for up to three months; with another third to be paid by the tenant and the final third being forgiven by the landlord. “It may not work for everyone but it’s one way to stretch housing dollars much further,” Wherry says. On June 15, MVP leaders requested that Garfield County contribute $500,000 to the fund. The Garfield County Board of County Commissioners tabled the proposal and before further discussion would like to see a financial commitment from Pitkin County and more collaboration between MVP and existing aid agencies such as Catholic Charities and The River Center. To Wherry, the MVP fund could be used as another tool for aid agencies to, “Keep in their tool belt,” and recommend to some of their clients. Another component often raised is that undocumented individuals do not qualify for some traditional sources of aid and often are too fearful to begin the process. Wherry sees this as a time to, “Productively have a conversation with all leaders in our community about how to help everyone, not just those that can provide the documentation needed to access traditional economic assistance. That’s where we are,” she says.
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THE SOPRIS SUN • Carbondale’s weekly community connector • July 2 - July 8, 2020 • 7
Is the academic world changing? By Roberta McGowan Sopris Sun Staff What does the future of higher education look like? Especially in light of the COVID-19 pandemic coupled with nationwide protests against systemic racism? The Aspen Institute has strived to answer those questions with a recent online presentations “The Future of Higher Education: How Universities are Responding to COVID-19.” The discussion was the first of 11 scheduled for both the 2020 Hurst Lecture and McCloskey Speaker Series. The powerhouse roundtable included three leaders of the country’s major universities: Janet Napolitano, president of the University of California, Dr. Kristina M. Johnson, chancellor of The State University of New York and Dr. Julio Frenk, president of the University of Miami. Aspen Institute Chief Executive Officer Dan Porterfield served as moderator. In a wide ranging format, topics included how scientific research can impact and hinder the pandemic and how each institution is responding to the killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis. Academic health and medical centers, Porterfield said, are playing a major role in combating the virus. Miami’s Frenk reminded everyone, “We
have to be mindful to get ahead of the game and make the safety of frontline medical professionals our top priority.” And California’s Napolitano added, “One of the greatest things for me to observe was the hard work of doctors and nurses.” However, she cautioned, “Our state is surging again in the number of virus cases. The government needs to slow the process of re-opening.” The financial challenges for each institution cannot be overstated. According to Napolitano, the California university system expects to lose $800 million. She remarked, “We need to better communicate with the federal government to help more with research support.” Johnson reported, “Scientists are trying to figure out how better to understand the virus and how to prevent testing false negatives or false positives. Research will get us to the other side of the pandemic.” She expressed pride that the university has shown “the ability to bring people together and focus on important problems.” The discussion then switched to racial inequality. Porterfield began by referring to the police killing of George Floyd as a moment of reckoning. He stressed, “We need to respond to the question, ‘what can we do?’” ”We need to weed out the troublemakers,” Johnson concurred. And responding to
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AND MORE ONLINE CLASSES... *www.coloradomtn.edu/community-education Carbondale Lappala Center • 690 Colorado Ave • 963-2172 8 • THE SOPRIS SUN • soprissun.com • July 2 - July 8, 2020
the question, “How can we defeat racial inequality?” she said, “We need to diversify our faculty.” Frenk explained, “We are a community which is outward facing and works hard to find the causes of racism. Our goal is to help illuminate the problems and set an example.” He noted in the university’s region, “We face the challenge of finding Black faculty and students.” Napolitano said the University of California has its own police force and “We want to make sure it’s a 21st century operation.” “Let’s never forget the eight minutes and 40 seconds Floyd suffered before dying,” said Napolitano. She implored, “Let this not be just an episode. There’s so much more we need to do.” The Aspen Institute has earned a reputation for gathering diverse, nonpartisan
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Past Ideas Festivals brought people together in person — but the virtual approach may actually prove more egalitarian. Courtesy photo thought leaders, creatives, scholars and members of the public to address some of the world’s most complex problems. But, as stated on the website, the goal of these convenings is to have an impact beyond the conference room. They are designed to provoke, further, and improve actions taken in the real world. All speaker series events will be virtual and are free. Registration is required for all events and can be accessed on the institute’s web site. All events will take place virtually on Zoom. Registration is required for all events and can be accessed here on the institute’s web site. Event details are subject to change. For more information on the Aspen Community Programs virtual events which are open to the public visit aspeninstitute.org/community or call 544-7970.
Looking to have fun and give back? Come join us at Rotary every Wednesday at 7 a.m. at the Carbondale Fire Station Guest Speaker Glen Jammaron President, Alpine Bank Glenwood Springs July 8, 2020
Guest Speakers Frank McSwain Jeff Kelley Riverstone Real Estate July 15, 2020
All are welcome! RSVP to Ed Queenan (401) 465-4276 queenan.edward@gmail.com
SAVE THE DATE!
Town Clean-up & Waste Diversion Day
August 1st, 8a.m.-2p.m. 4th & Colorado parking lot. Items accepted include general household waste, appliances, e-waste, tires, yard waste, metal, mattresses and light bulbs, batteries, and refrigerators. Hazardous waste will not be accepted. Check the Town website and the Public Works Facebook page for more updates.
One, two and a three — strike up the band
By Roberta McGowan Sopris Sun Staff
“Music gives a soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination and life to everything.” So spoke the ancient Greek philosopher Plato over 2000 years ago. Today, music is firmly ingrained in the Roaring Fork Valley culture with much of the credit going to the Aspen Music Festival and Schoof (AMFS) with important assistance from volunteers. The classical music festival was founded in 1949 by Walter and Elizabeth Paepcke. It’s still a performance magnet attracting people from around the world. Meet AMFS volunteer Sylvia Wendrow, who has lived in Missouri Heights for over 20 years and has been involved with the festival’s dinner program since 2008, initially helped by her late husband James D Sturgill, also known as J.D. “I just enjoy meeting people through the development department and the student services office,” Wendrow said. “Music has always been a major part of my life,” Wendrow recalled, “From playing piano and clarinet in local bands, to musical theatre
20th Annual
and more recently singing for the past 14 years with the Aspen Choral Society.
Wendrow graduated from the University of Michigan, where she majored in speech language and pathology. As a volunteer, she has been running the student dinner outreach program. This project, Wendrow explained, brings together students and donors who invite them to an evening meal, mostly in their own homes. “Last year,” Wendrow noted, “We organized 16 such get-togethers.” The COVID-19 pandemic quashed 2020 plans to have live in-person concerts and individual performances. Instead, AMFS organized a not insignificant lineup of virtual performances. “We’re so sad it has to be that way,” Woodrow mused but pointed out the many virtual performances already scheduled for the summer season. AMFS has planned more than 30 concerts in the abbreviated calendar which will be kicked off Saturday, July 4, with the annual holiday concert, at 4 p.m. with Lawrence Isaacson, Aspen Festival Band, Thomas Hooten and Eric McConnell. Events will include fresh, new recitals, teaching insights, panel
discussions, seminars and a live tribute to Music Director Robert Spano on the occasion of his 10th year with the AMFS. All online performances are free and are listed on the festival’s website (aspenmusicfestival.com).
The final virtual performance is set for Sunday, Aug. 23 featuring Augustin Hadelich on violin and piano. According to Alan Fletcher, president and chief executive officer, Aspen Music Festival and School, “We want to stay in touch with our audiences, faculty, artists and donors.” By doing a virtual season, Fletcher explained, “We are also able to reach people who otherwise couldn’t be here — a new audience.” “We are hoping to break even,” he added, “Plus, we have attracted 100 new donors” through this outreach. Artists will live stream their performances from local and distant places including Harris Hall, Aspen, San Diego, Seattle and pre-recorded from Switzerland. The AMFS ongoing programs for local students will continue with registration for the school year AfterWorks programs (beginning
Artists, faculty and students often travel here from around the globe, but not as many will do so in 2020. Courtesy photo
Longtime AMFS volunteer Silvia Wendrow enjoys gardening almost as much as classical music. Photo by Roberta McGowan
strings, lead guitar and Maroon Bel Canto choirs) will begin in August. Summer information for 2021 and registration for education and community summer programming will be on the website in late winter.
lessons program will take place on the AMFS Bucksbaum Campus (225 Music School Rd. in Aspen) and begin on or after the start of the 2020 AMFS season on July 16. No teachers will be assigned to students until the AMFS students arrive on campus and are ready to begin teaching (approximately July 13). All lessons need to be completed by 9 p.m. on Aug. 23.
Plus, many local music teachers are now teaching virtually, as are lots of past Passes and Lessons Scholarship programs (P.A.L.S.) teachers (and some students who had been accepted to attend the AMFS this summer and teach within P.A.L.S.). Private lessons through the festival
For details contact Katie Hone Wiltgen, director of education and community programming, at khonewiltgen@aspenmusic.org or call 205-5055 .
Mount Sopris Music Fest July 3, 2020 at 6 to 8:30pm
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to the Carbondale Creative District
Work in Progress Mural by Stanley Bell and Chris Erickson Image by Lewis Cooper
Shop, Dine, Adventure, Create. Carbondale Mask Ordinance: Mandatory wearing of masks or facial coverings in public spaces including stores, restaurants, and the Wednesday Farmer’s Market. Please practice social distancing and frequent handwashing. Ordenan de máscaras en Carbondale: Uso obligatorio de máscaras o cubiertas faciales en espacios públicos incluyendo tiendas, restaurantes, y el mercado de los miércoles ‘Farmer's Market’. Por favor, practica el distanciamiento social y el lavado frecuente de manos. www.carbondalecreativedistrict.com 10 • THE SOPRIS SUN • soprissun.com • July 2 - July 8, 2020
| www.carbondale.com
A self-guided tour of dance By Tom Mercer Special to The Sopris Sun Megan Janssen describes her education as a strange, winding path that includes an Associate’s Degree in Architecture, certificates in sustainable design, and a Bachelor’s Degree in creative writing from Southern Oregon University in Ashland, Oregon. Her interests are diverse, but her focus is currently locked in on the art of dance right here in Carbondale. As is the case with many current local residents, Megan took a somewhat circuitous route here. She grew up dancing in her hometown of Ashland, Oregon, then moved to San Francisco, California, where she became a member of Alayo Dance Company, an Afro-Cuban Modern Dance performance group. Following her move to Carbondale, she worked at Trail Runner Magazine, and eventually joined Carbondale’s CoMotion Dance Company in 2018, while volunteering at Dance Initiative. A non-profit dedicated to the art and creation of dance through education, collaboration and presentation, Dance Initiative is located at The Launchpad in Carbondale. In January of this year, Megan assumed the position of Executive Director of Dance
Initiative, formerly held by Peter Gilbert. I asked Megan what she considered to be the one thing about the art of dance that sets it apart from all other performance arts. She replied that “Dance is the body’s expression of the human experience. It’s ephemeral — it’s happening in the moment, and then it’s gone. You can’t stand and look at it like a painting on the wall.” Dance Initiative currently offers artistic residencies to artists from other areas of the country and world, and the group Konverjdans from New York will be the next dance group to share their artistic talents with Carbondale and the Roaring Fork Valley, July 5-11. Dance Initiative and Konverjdans are taking excessive measures to ensure a safe residency, including two-week quarantine for Konverjdans before arrival, isolated lodging, daily temperature checks before and after arrival, and limited contact with Carbondale residents and businesses (Megan will be retrieving coffee and running errands for the group while they’re here). When asked how Konverjdans became aware of the residency program in Carbondale, Megan offered that the program has become pretty well known in dance circles, particularly in New
York. Dance Initiative plans to offer Carbondale a self-guided Tour of Dance from 6 – 8:30 p.m. on July 10. Megan’s imagination and ingenuity have combined to create a unique event designed to keep Valley residents safe while enjoying live performance. The Tour of Dance will feature four different stops around Carbondale, each with a different dance performance group. The Performances include Sopris Soarers (photo by Mark Burrows) and Konverjdans groups will include Sopris Soarers, (courtesy photo). Alya Howe, CoMotion Dance Company, and Konverjdans (the current Artists in Residence). THE LINEUP The audience for the Tour of Dance will be small groups made Sopris Soarers – Ranging in age from 5 to 43, the aerialist dancers will offer a family friendly show. up of five to 15 people. Each group will be assigned a schedule Alya Howe – Alya will read a text to accompany a solo dance performance. and route for viewing the dance CoMotion Dance Company – Dana Ganssle Ellis will lead this collaborative creation performances, which will allow featuring Contemporary Modern dance. for comfortable social distancing. Konverjdans (Artists in Residency) – Three core dancers will perform Contemporary Viewers will make their way to Ballet, accompanied by a local musician. each venue by foot, bicycle or via their own car. The total length of the route is estimated at one mile. TICKETS Chairs will be available at each 6 to 8:30 p.m. July 10 location. Seats will be six feet apart and face coverings are required at Adults and older kids are $15, kids 3-7 are $6, and younger ones are free. all times. Make reservations at megan@danceinitiative.org or(415) 200-7008. When asked about the possibility of bad weather on the Bandanas will be supplied to ticket holders (with contactless delivery). The bandana face day of the performance, Megan covering will serve as your ticket for attending the event, so don’t forget it! Photography will be allowed. replied that “The Show Will Go On.” Come prepared for sun, wind, A livestream will also be available. Contact Megan for information. or rain to guarantee your comfort.
THE SOPRIS SUN • Carbondale’s weekly community connector • July 2 - July 8, 2020 • 11
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Colorado State Engineer Kevin Rein speaks at an event at Colorado Mesa University in Grand Junction. At Rein’s direction, the oldest water rights on the Western Slope will be left off of the 2020 abandonment list. Photo by Brent Gardner-Smith/Aspen Journalism.
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For the second time, the state’s top water cop has directed the Western Slope’s oldest and most valuable water rights to be left off the once-a-decade abandonment list. That means hundreds of these mostly irrigation water rights have been granted immunity — even though they are no longer being used — from the threat of “use it or lose it,” further enshrining them in the state’s system of water administration and dealing a blow to the validity of the well-known adage. Every 10 years, engineers and water commissioners from the Colorado Division of Water Resources review every water right — through diversion records and site visits — to see whether it has been used at some point in the previous decade. If it hasn’t, it could end up on the decennial abandonment list, which is scheduled to come out in July. But a November 2018 email from state engineer Kevin Rein to all four Western Slope division engineers instructs them to not include pre-compact rights on the abandonment list. That includes all the water rights in the Yampa/White/Green, Colorado, Gunnison and San Juan/Dolores river basins. “Since the nature of the pre-compact water rights is unique in Colorado when it comes to administration of the Colorado River Compact, and in recognition of the fact that the value of the rights could benefit all water users in Colorado, as opposed to only the owner of the water right, I will ask that you direct your staff to do no further investigation of pre-compact water rights and to not include them in the Division Engineers Proposed Abandonment list for 2020,” the email reads. A primary job of the state and division engineers is to administer Colorado’s system of prior appropriation, in which the older the water right, the more powerful it is. Rein said he talked with major water providers and managers along the Front Range and on the Western Slope before making the decision, but he would not say which ones or anything about the nature of those conversations. Former state engineer Dick Wolfe issued a similar directive regarding the 2010 abandonment list, meaning Colorado’s water rights that date to before June 25, 1929 — when Congress ratified the Colorado River Compact — have enjoyed an extra level of
protection from state-led abandonment for two decades. “We need to allow for the fact that if those water rights are abandoned and taken off the tabulation, then that amount of water is no longer available to Colorado,” Rein said. But what exactly the value of unused, pre-compact water rights could have to all Colorado water users remains unclear. Post-compact water rights, meaning those after June 25, 1929, are still eligible for the abandonment list. According to Rein, the decision to include water rights on an abandonment list is an administrative one and he has statutory authority to revise the list.
Colorado River Compact A major fear of Colorado water managers is what’s known as a “compact call.” If the upper basin states — Colorado, Utah, Wyoming and New Mexico — don’t deliver the required 75 million acre-feet of water over 10 years as specified in the Colorado River Compact to the lower basin states — California, Nevada and Arizona — it could lead to a compact call. This scenario, which looms larger each year with the increasing effects of drought and climate change on an over-allocated river, could trigger involuntary cutbacks for Colorado water users. But water rights that had been perfected before the compact was ratified are exempt from these cutbacks. And now the state is adding unused, pre-compact water rights to this exempt category. In Colorado, many of these oldest water rights belong to Western Slope agriculture. Like moving a pawn early in a chess match, it is unclear exactly how this directive from Rein could help Colorado in the future. Nobody really knows whether or how a compact call (or negotiations among states to avoid one) might play out. Therefore, no one can say exactly what value these pre-compact water rights have to Colorado. Water experts and managers throughout the upper and lower basin were reluctant to talk about the issue and gave diplomatic responses to questions about the sensitive political issue of interstate compact compliance. “I don’t know the answer,” Rein said. “I think there’s general agreement that these water rights may have value in a compact-call scenario. I don’t know because of the complexities of it.” Some water experts say preserving these pre-compact water rights, even though they aren’t being used, could give Colorado stronger footing in potential negotiations with lower basin states by propping up Colorado’s consumptive-use tally on paper. “I would say it’s a conservative approach and it might help in your negotiations with other states,” said Doug Kemper, executive director of the Colorado Water Congress. “You would be making the argument that we have this portfolio of water rights, these are still on the books. But again, you’re trying to forecast how a negotiation might proceed, and I think to meaningfully comment on that would be almost impossible right now.” Preserving these irrigation water rights also means they would be available to transfer to other users in the future, such as Front Range water providers — whose water rights are mostly post-1929 and therefore vulnerable to cutbacks under a compact call — as the state continues to urbanize. Continued on page 13
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Twenty-seven water rights on Coal Creek near Redstone, which were associated with the now-defunct Mid-Continent mine, were placed on the 2011 revised abandonment list. By a directive from the state engineer, the state's oldest water rights are protected from ending up on the 2020 abandonment list, which comes out next month. Photo by Heather Sackett/Aspen Journalism.
Water from page 12 In a prepared statement, Denver Water CEO Jim Lochhead said the water provider, which supplies water to 1.4 million people, “is supportive of the state’s efforts to protect Colorado’s pre-compact rights. This approach will benefit and help provide additional security for Colorado River water users on the West Slope and Front Range.” Reagan Waskom, director of the Colorado Water Center at Colorado State University, agreed that hanging onto those pre-compact water rights could be in the state’s best interest. “The idea of holding as many of those pre-compact rights in place makes sense from a purely Colorado-centric point of view,” said Waskom. “We still don’t know what a compact call or curtailment would look like, so we are going to stay as conservative and protective as we can.” The Colorado River Water Conservation District is in favor of Rein’s directive, according to general counsel Peter Fleming. The Glenwood Springs-based River District works to protect water rights on the Western Slope, which often means advocating for agriculture interests. But Fleming brings up an interesting point: The value of water rights in Colorado is based on them being used. If these water rights still exist on paper but haven’t been used in a decade — in some cases, two decades — what is their value? “There’s this notion that pre-compact water rights are sacrosanct and very important, and that’s true if they have continued to be used and historically consumed,” Fleming said. “But you don’t just make water available by saying these rights that haven’t been used for X number of years still exist. So, I guess I would say it’s a risk-avoidance strategy, but it’s an unproven strategy.”
Abandonment Rein’s directive also helps debunk the adage “use it or lose it.” While the pre-compact rights are not being used, they also are no longer in danger of being lost. The threat of the state taking away a water right has now disappeared for Western Slope pre-compact irrigation rights. The often-misunderstood tenet “use it or lose it” is embodied by the abandonment
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process. Some water users believe that if they don’t divert the full amount they are entitled to — even if they don’t always need that much — the state will take it away and it will be available to another water user. But the concept is much more nuanced than that. Colorado water law says abandonment is “the termination of a water right in whole or OPEN in part as a result of the intent of the owner MON-FRI 9am-6:30pm thereof to discontinue permanently the use of all or a part of the water available.” SAT – SUN 10am-5pm Just not using the water will not lead to Next to City Market, EL Jebel abandonment; there must be an intent to abandon the right. For a water user to keep their water right, they must put the water to “beneficial use,” which in the case of irrigation water means growing crops. If the water has not been used for 10 years — meaning there are no diversion records and the local water commissioner does not see evidence of water use on their site visits — division engineers could presume that the water right has been abandoned. They put it on the state’s initial abandonment list, which is updated every 10 years and published in local newspapers. Water-right holders then have one year to file an objection to their listing in writing with the division engineer. “We don’t like close calls, so if they diverted the water 11 years ago, we are going to think, ‘Eh, I don’t know,’ because we are talking about somebody’s property right,” said Alan Martellaro, Division Engineer for Water Division 5. After working through the objections with water-right holders, the division engineer publishes the revised abandonment list. If a water-right holder still protests their placement on the list, they can go to water court to argue that they did not intend to abandon the water right. For the 2010 Division 5 abandonment list, Martellaro said the pre-compact rights comprised easily half the list before Wolfe instructed division engineers to take them off. The 2011 revised Division 5 abandonment list included about 75 water rights, one-third of which were related to Certified Public Accountant the now-defunct Mid-Continent mine on Coal Creek near Redstone. CALL 970-704-1101 OR EMAIL: frosty@frostycpa.com The 2020 abandonment list is expected to come out 1101 Village Road LLA2 • Carbondale, Colorado 81623 in July. THE SOPRIS SUN • Carbondale’s weekly community connector • July 2 - July 8, 2020 • 13
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LIKE MILLIONS OF AMERICANS, Paul Kemper lost his job in early April. Unlike many of his fellow citizens, though, he was not overly worried about food, even as canned goods raced from the shelves and flour became as precious as white gold. Kemper, 26, of Bozeman, Montana, is a hunter, and the “four deer and half an elk” that pack his meat freezer provide peace of mind after his sudden loss of income. “Even when I was working, my grocery bills were low,” he said on the phone in mid-April. “I hadn’t bought red meat in three years. Now, at a time when I’m trying to figure out the next step and what’s coming, I can rest assured that my basic needs are met in terms of food.” For Kemper, whose job had been in digital marketing, the social distancing requirement meant “staying away from folks by looking for turkeys” on the rolling prairie and wooded river bottoms of eastern Montana. The state’s turkey season opened in the second week of April, and he preferred hunting to sitting on his couch binge-watching Tiger King, the garish, captivating Netflix documentary about the world of big-cat breeders that became a quarantine hit. “Not to be holier-thanthou,” he said with a laugh. “I definitely watched Tiger King.” Kemper embodies one of the myriad ways that the COVID-19 epidemic and its attendant fallout — social, economic, political — have impacted hunting and angling culture and industry across the Western U.S. It’s a mosaic of consequences, from individual eating habits to state budgets. While hunters like Kemper take comfort in their meat freezers, state park and wildlife officials and professional outfitters hope against hope that travel restrictions will have eased by fall, when big game season brings out-of-state hunters and their crucial revenue. Meanwhile, in the Pacific Northwest, tribal nations are seeing a reinforced understanding of the importance of their subsistence fishing rights, as the spring salmon begin to run upriver to spawn. Willie Frank, a member of the Nisqually Indian Tribe in
Washington who sits on the tribal council, said self-sufficient food access was one of the first things he brought up when the social distancing began. “I knew that if we couldn’t get to the grocery store, or we got to the point where people couldn’t leave their houses, we’d still have our ceremonial fisheries,” he said. “It’s a good wakeup call for not just the tribe, but for everyone — the way we rely on Safeway and Fred Meyers.” SPRING IS NOT a major hunting season; wild turkeys, bears in some states and small mammals are the only animals available, and they’re not the sort of large game to rely on for food during an economic crisis. Even so, the COVID-19 pandemic appears to have sparked an increased interest in hunting and meat access. Land Tawney, president of Backcountry Hunters and Anglers, said that he’s heard “over and over” from his organization’s members that “people are thinking about where they get their food and how they get their food.” What this means for big game season remains unclear. In Colorado, the application period for elk and deer licenses opened in late February and closed in early April — a stretch that overlapped with the rise and crescendo of the coronavirus panic. Dan Zadra, an employee of Colorado Parks and Wildlife, said that he and his colleagues assumed the number would be down compared to previous years. For most of March, that looked to be the case. Then, in the first week of April, Zadra said the “phone started ringing off the hook,” and the number of applications spiked. Ultimately, Colorado saw an increase in big game license applications for 2020. Several factors are at play here, including recent policy changes in how the state licenses hunters and the healthy economy pre-coronavirus. As for the early April call surge, “maybe part of it’s that people were sitting on their couches and didn’t have much to do,” Zadra said. But a renewed desire to secure one’s own food could account for some of it, he added. According to Zadra, many of the calls about licenses came from out-of-state residents, who wanted to know whether travel restrictions would be lifted by the Continued on page 15
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14 • THE SOPRIS SUN • soprissun.com • July 2 - July 8, 2020
While hunters are experiencing more food security in times of uncertain supply due to COVID-19, outfitters and states will see travel restrictions affect their income come fall. Luna Anna Archey/High Country News
We Need Your Help ...
Tom Friedrich, Nisqually Tribe salmon biologist, sorts a large chinook at the tribe’s Kalama Creek Hatchery. The tribe gave away more than 300 fish filets in early March. Courtesy of the Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission
Hunting from page 14
fall. These restrictions hindered Colorado hunting and angling travel this spring for residents and non-residents alike, while states like Wyoming and Montana limited turkey and fishing licenses to in-state residents. Washington took a harder line, suspending all spring hunting and fishing seasons — a controversial decision, as the Spokane Spokesman-Review reported. Currently, states are allowing out-ofstate license applications for the fall big game season, but it’s easy to imagine that any sort of second outbreak or persistently high infection rate could cause the travel bans to slam back into place. Zadra could offer no certainty, which angered some callers. “Some people were nice and some people were not,” he said. Like many other Western states, Colorado’s parks and conservation agencies rely on permit purchases — especially from out-of-state hunters, who pay higher fees. In recent years, hunting and angling payments have accounted for about 70 percent of Colorado’s wildlife agency annual revenue. Any restriction on big game season would be a blow not only to agency budgets, but also to hunting and fishing outfitters like Adam Gall of Hotchkiss. A former high school science teacher, Gall makes the bulk of his annual income from guiding river trips in the Gunnison Gorge Wilderness and elk hunts on the Uncompahgre Plateau. In general, he said, virus shutdowns have allowed “people to spend more time on public lands and waters,” though with schools closed, he has been devoting most of his own time to his two young daughters. Non-Coloradans comprise most of Gall’s clients, and he fears a business decline, whether due to formal travel restrictions or residual hesitancy following the virus’s spring spread. It’s difficult, he added, to report lost income when a prospective client cancels a trip. “It’s a legitimate source of anxiety right now that hunters we have booked will cancel,” he said. “I’m fearful that that’s going to be coming down the pipe this summer, but I don’t have any way to prepare for it. And that late in the season, it’ll be hard to fill those slots.” TALK TO HUNTERS and anglers for long, and they often mention the pleasure that comes from sharing whatever they catch or shoot. Kemper, the Montana hunter, called sharing food with friends
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Please consider sponsoring “one of (his) favorite things.” For tribes in ads for local nonprofits. the Pacific Northwest, the capacity to share You can even underwrite a promotion for a struggling meat was an important part of the early Paying it forward beloved local business. Since the beginning of the response to the coronavirus. Willie Frank year, generous underwriters said the Nisqually tribal council gave away have sponsored over Best of all, you can make a Exponential giving $18,000 in free advertising difference in our community more than 300 fish filets in early March. to critical nonprofits such as When individuals and without breaking your Shawn Yannity, chairman of fisheries Lift-Up, National Alliance on companies underwrite wallet, because we provide Mental Illness, Carbondale adverting for nonprofits for the Stillaguamish Tribe of Indians of advertisements starting at Homeless Assistance and in The Sun, they help not as little as $25 a week. Washington, described a similar dynamic. others. To them, we would just one charity, but also like to express our gratitude. allow the newspaper to “As soon as the pandemic hit,” he said, Call Todd to chip in! From our staff, freelancers, provide employment to the Todd Chamberlin “we started getting calls from members: and all the folks who people who work to bring 970-987-9866 have been helped by these you quality reporting each ‘Hey, do you have any elk meat or fish left organizations, we wish to week. These generous adsales@soprissun.com over in the community bank?’ ” Because every town needs a park, a library and a newspaper. Like many Northwest tribes, the Nisqually and Stillaguamish hold treaty rights for subsistence, commercial and ceremonial fishing and have comanagement authority of the fisheries. Frank said that, if food access had become dire due to the pandemic, he and others were prepared to use the subsistence fisheries to feed the community. When the Nisqually fishing season opens in August, the catch will go to replacing the meat stores depleted in March. “If we need fish, if elders need fish, all we need is one net, and we can get fish,” Frank said. Frank’s father, Billie Frank Jr., was an iconic figure in the so-called Fish Wars of the 1960s and 1970s, when Indigenous fishermen engaged in civil disobedience by practicing their treaty-held fishing rights. He was arrested more than 50 times for fishing on the Nisqually River. Today, Frank hopes recent events help his long-held goal of creating a sovereign food program — not just fishing, but also root and berry foraging, clam and geoduck harvesting, and elk hunting. Yannity wants something similar. Chinook salmon levels have been in decline for decades, due to habitat loss, commercial overfishing and other factors. The Stillaguamish tribe’s chinook salmon 2020 fishing quota is only 30 fish, and the catch limits make it hard, he said, to promote interest in subsistence fishing practices. But due to the food-security fears spawned by COVID-19, Yannity described a surge of interest in hunting, fishing and meat curing classes. “People are really interested in putting fish away because of this pandemic.” This story was originally published at High Country News (hcn.org) on April 29. THE SOPRIS SUN • Carbondale’s weekly community connector • July 2 - July 8, 2020 • 15
Local leaders of color call for change By Emily Bruell Special to The Sopris Sun As Black Lives Matter protests sweep the nation, local activists of color are challenging our own community to reflect on the police discrimination and violence that goes on in our backyard, as well. For architect and Basalt High School graduate Beatriz Soto, who split her time growing up between Mexico and the US, there are “two versions” of the Roaring Fork Valley. There’s “the version of the privileged,” a “touristy town where you get to bike all day… secluded from (the racism and police brutality) that happen in the rest of the country.” And then there’s the version experienced by an “other demographic in our community” — a group of people “that is harassed, that is feared, that is in poverty, that has a totally different relationship with our systems,” including local police. Alex Sánchez, co-founder of the leadership, advocacy, and civic engagement nonprofit Voces Unidas, feels similarly. “I have had people call us ‘illegals’ to my face,” he says. “I have met two high school students who were beaten by racists at Chili’s in Glenwood. I have been stopped by three Carbondale police vehicles at the same time for still having a front dealer license plate on my new car… We live in a valley where 30 percent of the community have been kept without access to opportunities, in low wage jobs, without representation and without a voice at decision-making tables.” All of these examples, Sánchez notes, happened in the past 12 months. Soto, activist and mother of a 9-year-old boy, says this reality “really scares me. Latino kids are
racially profiled and treated differently… (My son) one day will become an adult. And I know that he’s not going to get the same grace that the police and the justice system give a white male.” Sánchez concurs. He recalls a time at just 15 years old, trying to help interpret between his cousin and a non-Spanish speaking Carbondale police officer, when the officer “threw me to the ground and called me ‘Mr. Attitude.’” Future Carbondale Police Chief and current Lt. Kirk Wilson told the Sun he recognizes the existence of implicit bias — unconscious attitudes or stereotypes that impact people’s perceptions and actions — but hopes and believes that he and others in the Carbondale Police Department do not “consciously” allow such biases to influence the decisions they make. Despite concerns around racial profiling, Soto says she still hopes local police can come to fill a “community building” role in the valley. A major issue inhibiting this in her view, however, is the lack of clarity around the relationship between the police and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). There have been local cases, she says, “where a victim of domestic violence calls the police, and that woman gets deported.” As a result, undocumented people in dangerous situations commonly “endure the pain and the abuse” rather than call the police. Lt. Wilson readily acknowledges that as a police department, “we haven't had the best history with our Latino community; we've made some mistakes.” Still, he says, the department is working hard to remedy this. Carbondale police are currently banned from sharing any information about residents with ICE, except in cases where ICE has presented the
department with a criminal warrant — signed by a judge — for the individual in question. “I'm not interested in somebody's (immigration) status,” he states. “If you're a victim of a crime, if you've been taken advantage of, if I can give you advice...then that's what we're here for.” The Garfield County Jail similarly prohibits collaboration with ICE except in the case of a signed criminal warrant, but the Garfield County Sheriff ’s Department has no publicly disclosed policy regarding communication with ICE. Soto says that while clarifying this information for the public and building a trusting relationship between the police and the Latino community are both important, it’s also vital to look critically at our society “not just through the lens of police.” Breaking down racist inequalities in a community, she says, also requires a process of questioning the sources of local crime: “It's related to our school system, it's related to our social system, to our cultural system… If everything is really looked at on a broader scale, we'll start to realize it’s the effects of a sickness, which is racism in our institutions, we will need less policing.” “Every system that exists in our communities was built by the dominant community in power,” Sánchez points out. “And (it) continues to serve those for whom it was created to serve, leaving people of color behind.” At the same time, Soto believes that change isn’t out of reach: “I think if we're honest with ourselves,” she says of the Roaring Fork Valley community as a whole, “and we look at things boldly and with humility, we're going to start listening. And we're going to start changing things.” To Soto, this kind of transformation is not
Signs of changing times are all over town, from the chalkboard by the library (photo by Marc Bruell) to an informational booth out on Main Street (photo by Mark Burrows). only possible, it’s necessary. “If we’re not talking about this… if we don’t start working on it today, the next time something like a pandemic happens, we are not going to be prepared. We’re not going to be able to communicate properly. We’re not going to trust each other. We’re not going to trust our police department, and that hurts everybody."
FIRST FRIDAY JULY 3: 6-8PM, VIRTUAL EDITION 20th Annual Mt. Sopris Music Fest
EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT
16 • THE SOPRIS SUN • soprissun.com • July 2 - July 8, 2020
PC: RENEE RAMGE PHOTOGRAPHY
Wes Engstrom at 6:00pm Feeding Giants at 6:40pm Let Them Roar at 7:30pm
Live Stream: GrassRoots TV will provide a live stream of this unique, COVID-19 style music fest on www.grassrootstv.org
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OPINION
Ps & Qs
By Jeannie Perry “I’ve never felt safer.” I pulled my mask down and leaned over to yell in my friend’s ear during the
No one should be afraid to walk down the street
#BLM march in Rifle last month. As I said it, there were half a dozen Harleys revving past us as we marched along the sidewalk and police from several municipalities stationed at each intersection. Rifle may only be 40 miles from Carbondale, but it felt like we had traveled to another world. Trump supporters showed up in droves; decked out with black and blue flags, “enough bullshit” banners, and semi-automatic weapons. They lined the other side of the street while the bikers lapped us, speeding ahead to stop in each parking lot and rev their engines, creating clouds of exhaust and hella noise pollution. I loved every minute of it.
George Floyd's last words ... "It's my face man I didn't do nothing serious man please please please, I can't breathe please man please somebody please man I can't breathe I can't breathe please (inaudible)
I honestly felt like we were all there for the same thing, acknowledgement. As I marched along the designated path, I also pulled my mask down to thank the police officers. Their job is simply to protect and serve us all. That’s it. But in a society that does not openly address its “isms” — much less promote de-escalation and collaboration, the police bear the brunt of it. And with such an ignorant racist president, we are all caught in the crossfire. Walking down that sidewalk in Rifle, I looked across the street to see my fellow Americans reacting to a perceived threat: us. A bunch of men and women, young and old, all wearing black shirts and
man can't breathe, my face just get up I can't breathe please, a knee on my neck I can't breathe shit I will I can't move mama mama I can't my knee
marching for justice. How do we continue to let an archaic system segregate us, when in fact, we all want the same things: life, love, and liberty. #BLM protesters do not hate the police; we want accountability across the board. And just because we don’t wear the flag doesn’t mean we don’t respect all it stands for. This country belongs to each one of us, and it is our duty to acknowledge systemic faults and change them. I mean, isn’t that Biker 101? Since when do American outlaws stand up to defend a fat-cat golfer who hides in the swamp? My stepfather, Jose ‘Cande’ Gomez, was a sheriff. He also rode a Harley— which explains why I only felt love when I heard those
my neck I'm through I'm through I'm claustrophobic my stomach hurt my neck hurts everything hurts some water or something please please I can't breathe officer don't kill me
engines roar. I envisaged Cande and his friends riding alongside us as we marched, protecting us and our right to demonstrate in the country we all love to live in. We are marching to bring attention to the corruption and injustice, nothing new there. The legacy of the United States is a struggle for egalitarianism, and it continues today. But the country’s gone so pear-shaped that we think our enemy is the guy on the other side of the pot-holed street, instead of the antiquated wealth-consumed system of paving oppression. A system that we will continue to protest until we bring about equality, because no one should be afraid to walk down the street in America.
they're gonna kill me, man come on man I cannot breathe I cannot breathe they're gonna kill me they're gonna kill me I can't breathe I can't breathe please sir please please please, I can't breathe"
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86 S 3rd St. Carbondale, Colorado THE SOPRIS SUN • Carbondale’s weekly community connector • July 2 - July 8, 2020 • 17
LETTERS Be aware of the risks Dear Carbondale Community: As we enter the Fourth of July Holiday weekend, we each must acknowledge the sobering reality that COVID-19 is on the rise in our community. It’s critical we stay alert and don’t become complacent about the public health practices that have proven to be so successful at keeping our community safe. COVID-19 is not going away: Locally in Carbondale, COVID-19 is on the rise. We see it in our daily numbers. At the time of writing, Carbondale has had 63 residents test positive for COVID-19 tests; Garfield County has 287 cases. What does that mean for reopening? If this upward trend continues, it means everyone is at a greater health risk, our healthcare facilities may be over-burdened and Garfield County’s variance that allows greater local control
Continued from page 2 of health orders will be revoked. Nothing resulting from this trend is good for our local businesses that are already struggling. What should the community do about this? Given this risk, it’s more critical than ever to play your part in stopping the community spread of COVID-19. Wear your face-covering or mask inside public spaces (it’s the law in Carbondale), wash your hands or use hand sanitizer whenever you can, ensure you social distance — stay six feet apart — when around other people, cover coughs and sneezes, and stay home if you are sick. Modify your behavior this holiday weekend: Rethink any plans to be around other people – this may be a good weekend to limit contact with others. If you are going to be around other people-- at a barbeque or camping with a small group, insist that everyone is following common-sense health
guidelines: mask-on, maintaining social distancing, and frequently washing hands. If you are in close contact with someone who has tested positive: you must selfquarantine immediately, for 14 days, and ensure you are symptom-free for 72 hours before you end quarantine. Asymptomatic means that COVID-19 can be invisible in the community: this means the symptoms can be invisible, and the spread is harder to contain. This means wearing a face covering and taking all the public health precautions we can is really important. Remind your kids of these safe behaviors: local and national outbreaks among young people have been on the rise, and we’ve seen this locally in the Roaring Fork Valley. Living with COVID-19 in our community is the new normal: as we know COVID-19 is spreading, we must all remain diligent and
I am so proud to be a supporter of The Sopris Sun. This paper is independent, local, and authentic. What more reason do you need to support it with a donation and continued readership? Onward. Thanks, Gavin Dahl Station Manager, KDNK
SENIOR MATTERS OF CARBONDALE
18 • THE SOPRIS SUN • soprissun.com • July 2 - July 8, 2020
watch for symptoms of COVID-19: these include fatigue, fever, cough, sore throat and shortness of breath. We ask you to Love Local: while we must live with this new reality, we also must forge ahead with safe practices to reopen our town’s small businesses and boost the local economy. We ask you to Love Local; consider shopping locally, and to protect our neighbors by always following public health guidelines. If you aren’t comfortable dining inside, get take-out. If you want to gather with friends and family, bring take-out to an outdoor BBQ or camping or try a virtual happy hour! Looking for a gift ? Consider a local gift certificate. We will emerge from this crisis stronger than when we entered it: together. We are Carbondale Strong. Dan Richardson Mayor of Carbondale
Because every town needs a park, a library and a newspaper.
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PARTING SHOTS
While it's still far from the summer scene heading into First Friday, there's still stuff happening downtown: Marcel Kahhak paints while Pat Fagan plays the euphonium, Bob and Kathy Ezra sell concessions at the Crystal Theatre and Amy Kimberly hides behind the vines outside of Batch. Photos by Mark Burrows
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THE SOPRIS SUN • Carbondale’s weekly community connector • July 2 - July 8, 2020 • 19
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