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Volume 12, Number 25 | July 30 - August 4, 2020
The next generation
Even as the old guard of Carbondale police are moving on, a young, fresh crew of officers are taking up the town's traditions, including wearing tie-dye on Mountain Fair weekend. Photo by Laurel Smith
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Aspen. Basalt. Carbondale.
OPINION
SEEKING HIGHER GROUND By Nicolette Toussaint
Every Roaring Fork Valley town (except Carbondale) has at some point changed its name: Glenwood Springs was once Defiance. Basalt was Aspen Junction. Aspen was Ute City. What’s in a name, usually, is history. Which is usually written by the victors, then revisited as times change. As they are now. Across the nation and here in Colorado, the names they are a-changin’. It seems odd to me that Carbondale, home to CLEER and CORE, as well as multiple solar companies, still bears a name that brings to mind its coal mining past. (Bonedale, a frequent nickname, feels a bit calcified to me.) It also seems odd that our iconic 12,953-foot mountain should be named for a gold-seeker who left Denver in 1860, traveled to where Breckenridge is today, then followed the Eagle River to the Roaring Fork Valley. His band saw Mt. Sopris, but they didn’t climb it. The first recorded summit belonged to the 1873 Hayden Survey Party.
Pitkin, Breckenridge, Carbondale — what’s in a name? What’s odder still is the fact that the former “Ute City” is oxymoronically located in Pitkin County — a county named for Colorado Governor Frederick Walker Pitkin, a politician who campaigned on a theme of "The Utes Must Go!" I’m not the first to wonder about this. The Aspen Times published a story about the name back in 2017. In it, Roland McCook, a great-great-grandson of Ute Chief Ouray, said that Pitkin’s name “represents all of the turmoil and the removal of the Utes.” McCook’s ancestors had been visiting the Roaring Fork Valley for more than 800 years. They had been awarded much of the Western Slope by the “Kit Carson” treaty in 1868, but by the 1870s, silver prospectors had begun swarming here, into the Utes’ Shining Mountains. The Utes resisted, burning Crystal River Valley cabin in 1872 and forcing the miners to flee. In 1879, prospectors Henry B. Gillespie established the mining camp of Ute City. That was at a time when Governor Pitkin was urging miners to move east across the Continental Divide to avoid Ute conflict. Of course, the miners stayed, rechristening Ute City as Aspen in 1880. By then, an uprising of White River Utes had killed Indian Agent Nathan Meeker and 10 male employees. A Western Slope war
quickly followed; 13 army and militia and at least 19 Ute warriors were killed. Governor Pitkin fanned the flames, not only offering to have Colorado militia help federal troops drive off the White River Utes, but also punishing other Utes, some as far away as Silverton. Less than a year later, whites exiled all but one band of Utes from the entire state. I don’t know whether Pitkin is on the list of the 14 name-change controversies that the Colorado Geographic Naming Advisory Board (CGNAB) is charged with investigating. Prompted by renewed public interest in removing symbols of racism, Governor Jared Polis convened the 15-member CGNAB in early July. The CGNAB is tasked with working with the US Board on Geographic Names and making official recommendations to the Governor. Highest on the CGNAB’s list (literally) is 14,130-foot Mount Evans; it was named after a territorial governor who was forced to resign because of his role in the Sand Creek Massacre of 1864. Also on the CGNAB’s list are two mountains bearing names used as racial slurs: Redskin and Squaw Mountains. Breckenridge will probably escape scrutiny by grace of a vowel swap. In 1859, settlers named the town for Vice President John C. Breckinridge. (This may have been a political ploy to ensure that the town got a post office, a necessity to
ensure survival in those days.) But in 1861, John Breckinridge abandoned his US Senate seat to join the Confederacy. Angry Unionists in his namesake Colorado mountain town changed the town's name to its current spelling of Breckenridge in protest. (A Kentuckian and a slave owner, Breckinridge was later appointed Confederate secretary of war.) Now, what if we were to reconsider Carbondale? I wouldn’t recommend a public naming contest. That’s how, in 1993, Steamboat Springs wound up with “The James Brown Soul Center of the Universe Bridge” over the Yampa River. Considering how much vinegar I use to de-mineralize my glassware, and considering how much I have had to amend my garden’s soil, I sometimes think the place should be called Alkali Flats. That’s truthful and non-political, but somehow lacks cachet. Considering how joyously the Lipps Inc. song is played at Mountain Fair, maybe it should be Funkytown? Then again, maybe we could keep the “dale” part and honor the town’s commitment to green energy by calling it Sunnydale. There isn’t a town with that name in Colorado, just a fictional one in California. It’s home to Buffy the Vampire slayer. Carbondale might just be funky enough to embrace that.
donors have suspended or redirected their funding. YouthZone is facing a substantial gap to our annual budget; $20,000 would allow us to provide oneon-one service to approximately 10 clients and their families from Aspen to Parachute. A $2,000 donation will support one youth through a six-month YouthZone program. We have already raised $5,000 toward that goal from Brook and Dave Portman and Snowmass Chapel. The remaining $15,000 can be met with a gift of just $50 from 300 supporters. The easiest way to help is through the Go Fund Me campaign — gf.me/u/ygn4wk — set up by Amy Fetterhoff. We gratefully accept donations by check: YouthZone, 413 Ninth St., Glenwood Springs, CO 81601. You can also visit youthzone.com/give/
donation-form to donate online. Contact Carol Wolff, Development Director at cwolff@youthzone.com for more information. Thank you for changing lives. Lori Mueller, Executive Director YouthZone
name says it is. Its mission is to counteract misleading advertising by the food industry, and it publishes the Nutrition Action Health Letter monthly. A recent issue contained a piece about researchers who analyzed 14 randomized controlled trials that “pitted coconut oil against nontropical vegetable oils like soybean, canola, and olive.” Coconut oil raised LDL 11 points compared to the other oils. Furthermore, there was no evidence that coconut oil lowers body weight, body fat, blood sugar, or inflammation—claims that coconut promoters make. The piece points out that biologically, coconut oil “acts more like a long-chain saturated fat.” (Note that for optimal cholesterol levels and health, it’s best to avoid all added oils). Dr. Greg Feinsinger Carbondale
LETTERS Take the challenge Dear Editor: YouthZone is committed to providing the same level of services to our youth from Aspen to Parachute, but we are experiencing unparalleled losses in funding with the Covid-19 impact on the economy. We are reaching out to our community to help us make up some of the immediate shortfall. Like so many non-profits, the pandemic has significantly affected YouthZone’s funding. Only 8 percent of client fees cover our budgeted expenses, the remaining support comes from state and local funding, foundations, business sponsorships and individual donations. Government funding sources that have provided annual support have been drastically reduced or cut entirely in 2020, while private foundations and
Coconut oil is unhealthy Dear Editor: Medical scientists have concerns about coconut products other than coconut water, because they contain over 90 percent harmful saturated fat, which among other things causes the liver to make more LDL (bad cholesterol). Many alternative health providers promote these products, claiming that coconut’s main fat, lauric acid, is beneficial because it’s a “medium chain fat. The evidencebased Center For Science In The Public Interest is exactly what the
Correction: Last week's story on the Worsminister Dog Show included a number of errors, mostly confusing elements of this year's event with the original KDNK fundraiser. Visit soprissun.com for a corrected version. Also, it's worth noting that the photo that accompanied the Pour House story was several years old. Additionally, a story in the July 2 edition had a typo in the ALS hotline; the correct number is 230-3935. 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 30 - August 4, 2020
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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 • Lee Beck Megan Tackett • Gayle Wells Donna Dayton • Terri Ritchie 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
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‘Anticipate the worst and hope for the best’ Virtual roundtable discusses a tumultuous season for agriculture
By Isabel Hicks Special to The Sopris Sun On Tuesday, Colorado Department of Agriculture’s Colorado Proud held a virtual roundtable to discuss the challenges local agriculture faces this growing season: peach freeze, pandemic, and drought. The discussion featured four panelists from various sectors of the agricultural scene and a moderator. Kelli Hepler, the president of the Colorado Agritourism Association, detailed the pandemic’s impacts on the state’s agritourism business. “We’re seeing a lot of virtual tour types of things taking place,” Hepler said. “We’re seeing a shift in how [people] want to market their business, how they’re going to talk to people. It’s been kind of eye opening for them. They’ve been real creative and watching each other, and they’re working together a little more.” Hepler noted some of the creative virtual tours that have taken place recently, such as wine tastings, lavender bunching parties, and even a marinara making class. “That gets your product still in the mind of individuals,” she said. “Those virtual tours can translate into direct sales, kind of like a little wishbook.” Josh Niernberg is the executive chef and owner
Apricots may be ripe and ready for gleaning in Glenwood Springs, but commercial operations have had a hard year. Courtesy photo of Bin 707 Foodbar, Tacoparty, and Bin Burger in Grand Junction, restaurants that aim to source all their food locally. He discussed the changes that were made to his businesses due to coronavirus. “From the beginning... the most important thing was to try and keep all of our staff on,” Niernberg said. “[We changed] our menus to something we could do for take out and delivery. ... [and] we did a couple different versions of meal kits.” Niernberg noted that “without some of the quick-acting implementation of liquoring licensing laws we’ve seen in the state, we would have been dead in the water months
ago.” When coronavirus hit, he said that his restaurants’ net sales dropped from about $60,000 to $20,000 overnight. Another panelist was Bruce Talbott, the manager of Talbott Farm in Palisade. He detailed the adverse effects the April peach freeze had on his crops this season. “We hate to freeze out. We have about 15 percent of our crop, and that’s the hardest we’ve been hit since 1999,” Talbott said. “When we are not a reliable supplier to Kroger, to Safeway, to Walmart... they [have to] go elsewhere. Fortunately, Colorado has a strong enough reputation that I think we
can build those things back, but still.” Talbott noted he was glad the pandemic hit in March as opposed to the middle of the summer. “If it had happened July 15, [that’s] right when we’re all hands on deck,” he said. Spacing people out to effectively social distance means that “they’re running at a fraction of the speed they normally run… Anytime you affect efficiency, there’s going to be a bloodbath.” Kate Greenberg, the Colorado Commissioner of Agriculture, also spoke at the roundtable. “A lot of our work throughout COVID... [has been] to keep consumers engaged with Colorado agriculture, [and] keep folks connected with their producers and the products that are grown, raised, and processed here,” said Greenberg. “Maybe one of the hardest moments was when I reported about the freeze, in the early days, and had to tell people that we might not have a peach crop this year,” she said. “Watch[ing] the faces just drop, and the hearts sink—I think folks really do have a connection. We built that brand, we celebrate that brand, and we want to keep building on that momentum.” Greenberg said the biggest question that remains is to what extent the demand for local food will persist after covid. “We’re looking to firm up that demand. ...Capitaliz[ing] on this excitement and investing in local food systems... remains a really big opportunity for us.” To support Colorado agriculture in these challenging times, people should go to coloradoproud.com to connect with local producers.
UpRoot feeds the needy and limits bear encounters And you can help By Isabel Hicks Sopris Sun Correspondent 62,326 servings gleaned. 617 community volunteer hours. $50,802 of surplus food—and that’s just on the Western Slope. These are the numbers that showcase the work of the threeyear-old nonprofit UpRoot as the organization continues to grow across the state. UpRoot works to reduce the amount of agricultural surplus in Colorado. Started in 2017 by Carbondalian Ciara Low and her colleague on the Front Range, David Laskarzewski, UpRoot offers free gleaning services to farmers and homeowners alike. Gleaning is the act of gathering the remaining produce after the initial harvest. UpRoot donates the produce they glean on the Western Slope to the Lift Up food pantry. “One of the things that I love about gleaning is that it’s pairing an existing resource with an existing need,” Low said. “The reason we got started was realizing that food pantries are often lacking fresh produce. Meanwhile, there is surplus produce in backyards and on farms that isn’t getting to people. Marrying those two resources is one of the most amazing things about gleaning.” In addition to providing food to the neediest members of our community, UpRoot’s work aims to reduce bear visits to the Town.
“For the sake of bears, we really want to limit those interactions [with humans],” Low said. “Always in the valley there are bears euthanized each year. As climate change affects our seasons, and there’s less reliable food for them in the high country, bears are continually going to come into town and interact with humans and be looking for food. Making sure that there’s not fruit around attracting them feels like a pretty important way to keep bears safe,” she continued. Low urges Carbondalians who wish to avoid a bear encounter in their backyard to register their farms and fruit trees for a glean at no cost. People can also register to volunteer to glean — visit uprootcolorado.org for either. “Some homeowners... like to invite their friends around and be very involved in the glean, and others will say yep, I’ll be at work but just come around the back and harvest the fruit and take it away. So there’s really no obligation to be involved,” Low said. “We always offer the homeowner some of the fruit we glean, and we encourage volunteers to take a bag home for themselves and their families.” UpRoot is following standard CDC guidelines to ensure the safety of their volunteers. Each glean has a hand-washing station, a mask requirement, and a limited number of people so everyone can social distance throughout the glean. It is also encouraged for people to sign up as a household to volunteer. “I guess this isn’t surprising, but we’ve had more volunteer interest [this year]... than normal,” Low said.
Aspen, and everyone else was from Carbondale.” In addition to gleaning, UpRoot has pioneered other initiatives to reduce agricultural surplus in Colorado. One example is the two-year-old Farm to Food Pantry program, in which UpRoot purchases food from farmers at market price to donate to food pantries. “We believe it’s really important to value the nutrition in food that is grown locally,” Low said. “This program uses up-front contracts with farms, so we pay them at the front end of the season, kind of like a CSA model, and then they commit to Volunteers display the bounty of a morning glean at Rock Bottom Ranch: 123 growing a certain amount for us based pounds of salad greens in two hours! Courtesy photo on that price.” Low also noted the work her “I think that’s because number one, little plastic bags, and I think we got 15 colleague on the Front Range is doing people are more interested in local of those bags.” to reduce surplus. food security right now, having seen Leas said she felt very safe COVID“This will be the third year of a the supermarkets with shelves that are wise at the glean. pilot mobile farm workforce program. low. People are paying more attention “They had us sign a waiver; they Across the state and across the country, to what’s grown locally. I think another even were like you need to read a lot of surplus is left on farms simply thing is people are also keen to... get this before you sign it. It was pretty because farmers don’t have the labor outside and have an activity.” detailed... [it said] these are the rules Christina Leas is a Carbondalian you have to follow, otherwise you can’t to harvest it,” she said. “The base of the who participated in her first glean last glean with us.” Everyone followed the initiative is...to provide farmers with Thursday. The glean was at a private distancing rules and kept their mask an on call workforce...for the time that they really need a lot of hands.” home and consisted of five volunteers. on, she said. Perhaps a silver lining of the “They had a cherry tree in their Leas said she would love to coronavirus is the amount of interest in front yard. ...The family had already volunteer with UpRoot again. harvested a lot, they said, and made a “It was a really great way to meet UpRoot this summer. “I’m actually hoping that we’re bunch of pies out of them already, and people, especially during COVID going to glean more this year than we they didn’t need any more because times. I appreciated that, making new it was a pretty big tree,” she said. “We friends … Everyone came separately, did last year based on the interest we’re were there [for] an hour and half, and and I’d say it was a young 20 to seeing,” Low said. “We’re having more then we ran out of cherries that we young-30 crowd. They were all from people [than ever] register their fruit could reach. We were filling up these the valley. One guy came down from trees.” THE SOPRIS SUN • Carbondale’s weekly community connector • July 30 - August 4, 2020 • 3
SCUTTLEBUTT Rock on Carbondale rockhound Mark Luttrell will be at the Marble Gallery (620 W Park St.) from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Aug. 1. As the guest artist, he’ll show off his jewelry and rock specimens from all over the state and beyond!
during this strange and trying time, they left the parameters wide open and let the choreographers build upon the themes that call to them uniquely. A socially-distant debut is slated for 7 to 8:30 p.m. Aug. 14 — seating is limited, so visit danceinitiative.org to save your spot.
Take a seat
Find balance
A pair of benches were installed under a shady tree near Heritage Park thanks to the cooperation of CAFCI, Parks and Rec Department, Building Department, Life Care Centers, residents and two generous donors. The spot was selected because it’s wheelchair accessible, with the benches arranged to encourage conversation at the same time.
Or be square The Art Base is still presenting its 10x10 Name Unseen Silent Auction, featuring more than 100 artworks from regional artists. This highly-anticipated annual event will be on exhibit in the Charles J. Wyly Gallery from July 31 through Aug. 16, and can be viewed in person or online (www.theartbase.org).
Care to dance? To support the creation of dance in our community while theaters are dark and audiences are sparse, Dance Initiative has commissioned Alya Howe, Katrina Toews, Sam Stableford, and Sopris Soarers to create new work this summer. With the goal of stimulating the creative process
True Nature Healing Arts has a wide array of events beginning in the next month. Catch Outdoor Yoga with Colleen Bishop at 5 p.m. on Thursdays starting July 30, Stretch and Restore Yoga with Joanne Nevias at 4 p.m. Sundays and Tuesdays beginning Aug. 4, Strong Yoga with Alya Howe at 8:45 a.m. and 6 p.m. Wednesdays starting Aug. 5, Earth Ways Yoga with Kate Mulheron at 4 p.m. Wednesdays starting Aug. 5, Outdoor Myofascial Release Yoga with Lindsay Herlinger at 5 p.m. Wednesdays starting Aug. 5, Flow Yoga with Jennifer Lane at 8:45 a.m. Thursdays starting Aug. 6, Invigorate Yoga with Sana Wells at noon Fridays starting Aug. 7, a new Flow Yoga Series with Kerrie Schur at 10:30 a.m. Saturdays starting Aug. 8, Outdoor Tai Chi with Martin Finkelstein at 9 a.m. Thursdays starting Aug. 13 and Outdoor Flow Yoga with Jen Campbell at 5 p.m. Tuesdays starting Aug. 18. Visit truenaturehealingarts.com for registration and more information.
Head, heart, hands, health All in-person events have been canceled at this year’s Garfield County Fair and Rodeo, but interested buyers can still participate
in the livestock sale and help reward the local 4-H kids for their hard work in raising various livestock and other animals, including beef, pork, lamb, goat, rabbits and poultry. Participating youth created videos of themselves with their animals to be judged — visit garfieldcountyfair.com to see their hard work!
They say it’s your birthday Folks celebrating another trip around the sun this week include: Debbie Bruell, Cheryl Loggins and Nancy Barnett (July 31); Sarah Uhl and Anibal Guevera (Aug. 1); Justin Patrick, Maciej Mrotek and Jeff Dahl (Aug. 2); Gavin Dahl (Aug. 3); Jay Leavitt (Aug. 4); Rosie McSwain, Cilla Dickinson and Shiloh Merriott (Aug. 5).
Multipass The Roaring Fork Transportation Authority (RFTA) will resume front door boarding starting Sunday, Aug. 1, and all riders will be required to pay the normal fares upon boarding regional commuter buses. To speed up boarding and to limit interactions with bus operators, RFTA will be going cashless. In order to board a bus, riders must have in hand a Stored Value Card, a 30-Day Zone Pass or a RFTA Seasonal Zone Pass.
Above water The Colorado Alliance for Environmental Education has awarded the Youth Water Leadership Program with the 2020 Innovative EE Program Award for exemplary and effective environmental education. The Carbondale-based, studentdriven education experience is intended to increase watershed literacy and management knowledge. The culminating event in the Roaring Fork Watershed is the Healthy Rivers Youth Water Summit and now the program is expanding to reach high school youth across the Upper Colorado River Basin. Visit youthwaterleadership.org for more information.
Worst in Show at Worstminster Dog Show in Carbondale goes to Pancho who didn’t do anything. Good boy, Pancho! Photo by Amy Hadden Marsh
AUG SPEAKER
Looking to have fun and give back? Come join us at Rotary every Wednesday at 7a.m. online via Zoom! Guest Speaker Kelsy Been Public Information Officer, Roaring Fork School District August 5, 2020
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Jimmy Dykann, with a song and history in his heart By Roberta McGowan Sopris Sun Staff Slowly sipping his coffee, well known Roaring Fork Valley entertainer Jimmy Dykann talked to The Sun about his music, his career and his legacy. Dykann has an upcoming streaming performance set for Zoom on Sunday, Aug. 2, at 5 p.m. Contact jdykann@yahoo.com for details. Q: Please describe your musical journey. A: I started out in Southern California, but the lure of the Aspen music scene won out, and I moved here in 1972. Austin also called me for a long time, but now I’m here in Basalt to stay. Q: What draws you to music? A. It’s a universal language. When I was 16, I first performed at an open mic night at an L.A. club called Troubadour. At my first gig here I was 19 and was a folkie, solo, songwriter type. That was it! Q: What musical greats have you worked with here? A. Quite a list including Jimmy Buffet, John Prine, Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, John Denver, Muddy Waters and Jerry Jeff Walker. Locally, I’ve played with Bobby Mason, the Fender Benders. Plus I have performed as a member of the Jimmy Dykann Band, Cheap Feels Blues Band, Starwood Band, many others and now my signature group, Night Plane, formed in 1982. We played with just about everybody that came through in the
‘70s and ‘80s. Q: And you were part of the Double Diamond Band? A: Yes, I played guitar, mandolin and piano. Plus I did vocals. Also in the band were Hayden Gregg on guitar, mandolin, harmonica and vocals, John Zajicek performing bass vocals and Rob Leventhal, known for drums, cajon, percussion, guitar, harmonica and vocals. We play classic and new country music and country rock. For years we were the house band at the T-Lazy-7 Ranch and performed at its 2019 80th anniversary celebration. Q: What venues have you played? A: Probably most of them in the valley, from Glenwood Caverns to the Lions Park, Ritz Carlton, Steve’s Guitars, Aspen Deaf Camp, the Aspen Institute, Chaparral Ranch, Snowmass Village, the old Timbermill at Snowmass, Basalt Sunday Market, Marble Distilling and anywhere anyone will have us. Q: If you could only pick one, would your preference be, writing songs or performing? A: I’d have to think about that a bit, but I enjoy the exercise of songwriting. I have a studio at home, so I have a lot of time to work on my music. Q: Besides playing music, what do you enjoy the most? A: Learning about our local history. Especially here, where it is so fascinating. You could call me a bit of a history buff. Q: How has COVID-19 affected your career?
A: It’s been slow, but I'm still playing at a variety of venues. Now I play mostly at private parties Q: And you have a family here, correct? A. My wife Marguerite and I have been married nearly 50 years, and we have three great kids, Amanda, Russell and Eric and a grandson Lyon. Q: Tell us about your record albums. A: Night Plane’s first album was recorded in Los Angeles in 1982. We recorded another in the ‘90s in New York. Our 2003 album “Colorado History in Song” includes three true stories including “Widow Collins” from Rifle who homesteaded for 30 years as a widow with two sons. As a fiddle player, Collins would share her music with the local townspeople. “Rags to Riches” describes many miners' swift rises to fame and fortune.” And “Lady Bountiful is about the 1906 woman who was known for her generosity, especially helping kids at Christmas time.” Q: And your latest with “Night Plane?” A: In 2019, we released “Knockin” under the Daddy Kool recording label. It’s available on Amazon, Apple Music and Pandora. Q: What have been your favorite musical experiences? A: John Belushi heard the band at a bar gig in Basalt and asked if he could record my song Road Damage with his band The Blues Brothers. Later that night, Bill Murray sat in with the band and did his famous "lounge singer" act to the delight
Jimmy Dykann, one of the valley's legendary entertainers, brings people together with his songwriting and music. Photo by Roberta McGowan of the packed house. We also played for his 30th birthday bash that year. Q: Overall, how would you describe your musical career in the valley? A: I've been able to meet and play with many of my musical heroes, and many of them live or have lived right here in the Roaring Fork Valley. So many of our local musicians are world class players! It's been a pleasure to have worked and recorded with many of them.
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THE SOPRIS SUN • Carbondale’s weekly community connector • July 30 - August 4, 2020 • 5
How local theatre troupes are managing
By James Steindler Sopris Sun Correspondent
A striking side of theatre is its history; or rather its omnipresence throughout human existence — at least what’s recorded of it. In and of itself, a theatre's cannon can be a colorful tool to learn about history, as its purpose over time has served to emulate the human condition. It has survived disease and bloodshed before and experts generally agree it is sure to persist as long as there are cognitive and emotional beings living on earth. Being as it may, it is inevitable during this time that all theatres will suffer and many will drop the curtain for good. Locally theatres are enduring struggle but remain hopeful that they too will get to the other side of this and perhaps perform pieces in the future that will reflect this important period in history.
Sopris Theatre Co. (STC) Sopris Theatre Company, of Colorado Mountain College (CMC), will have a ‘20-’21 season, assures Theatre Operations Manager Brad Moore. Whether the actors take their places for the top of the show in their living rooms or on stage, the show will go on. Yes, it’s possible, for the first show at least, that the actors will perform virtually from home. STC is planning to open with a production of “Kaleidoscope” by Ray Bradbury in October. Because each of the characters in this piece are floating separately through space it’s feasible for the Brad Moore of STC stands actors to use a makeshift adjacent to the ghost light on the set piece from home as a stage of the New Space Theatre. personal space-pod. Superstitionists claim the ghost As the season light is to accommodate the spirits progresses and the state of the past still living in the of the virus permits, STC theatre but in this sense serves as a is looking at works that beacon of continuity. would involve person to person interactions. “We’ve been working on putting together pieces that have a small cast, that can be staged with physical distancing in mind and don’t have huge technical requirements so we don’t have to have a crew of ten people working in close proximity,” says Moore. He also explains how attaining the rights to do a performance in front of a live audience is very different from getting the rights to stream or record a production.
“We’re working with the license holders to secure the rights in such a way that we can be flexible in how we present it,” he said. Moore is preparing to take cautionary measures come rehearsal time — including having actors wear face shields while gauging “distanced staging.” Moore also feels strongly that the audience must feel safe to have a successful show. “We don’t want to try and do anything where we’re going to invite somebody in here and they don’t feel comfortable,” he says, “so we have to have our plan very set.”
Thunder River Theatre Co. (TRTC) TRTC served as a beacon of hope for the community amid the dark confusion initially brought on by COVID-19. When Carbondalians figured First Fridays were a bust, TRTC rose to the occasion providing their own live stream platform as the means of gathering the community virtually. Corey Simpson remains Furthermore, TRTC cautiously hopeful for the future mounted a production of and prepares to be creatively “The Pink Unicorn” by flexible for the future. Recently, Elise Forier Edie which Production Designer Sean had several showings in Jeffries won the Colorado June — all online. Theatre Guild Henry Award for TRTC’s Artistic Outstanding Lighting Design Director Corey Simpson for TRTC’s production of ‘View wants the community to From the Bridge’. know that TRTC is here for them as they have been there for TRTC. “We have a mission that we believe in for the community and that does not stop because of covid,” he states, “which is part of why we went online for some of our programming.” “As time goes on it’s just a big question mark,” Simpson states, “so for the first time since I started here we’re not announcing the full season ahead of time. “It’s a nerve racking time for all theatres,” he says, “and fortunately while we’re going to take a significant hit to our reserves I hope we will be able to make it through the next year okay.” Like STC, whose space is provided by the college, TRTC does not have to worry about paying rent or mortgage payments because the building is owned outright. However, TRTC was forced to cut its budget by a third, “almost immediately,” states Simpson, “we did have to lay off one of our four employees which was really sad and difficult for us.” “Long term if we keep having trouble with covid who knows what happens to us on the staff but Thunder River is here to stay which is great,” Simpson modestly states.
Defiance Community Players (DCP)
Chip Wells with DCP, based out of Glenwood Springs, says the acting troupe decided to halt operations for the time being and wait out the storm. While they tossed around ideas such as showing recordings of past performances, they were Chip Wells of DCP looks forward to worried about acquiring when her troupe will come together the licensing to do so again, which she says may take patience but believes is imminent. legitimately. “Everyone is part of Defiance because it is their passion; it’s not their job — nobody gets paid — it serves their passion,” she proudly says. According to Wells this is why they will rise again when the time is right. Wells has a background in theatre education and she and the rest of the board consider a pillar of their program. Fortunately, DCP was able to disperse its 2020 annual scholarship to three high school seniors from the Roaring Fork School District. Each recipient received $1000 to further their creative aspirations. Wells consoles thespians saying, “We will be back, because the ghost light is burning; we will be back when it is safe to be back.”
Hudson Reed Ensemble (HRE) HRE, based out of Basalt, was set to perform their annual “Shakespeare in the Park” event in June but decided on canceling the live performance, which, this year, was to be Shakespeare’s “Macbeth.” Kent Reed, founder and artistic director, was not ready to give up on the endeavor altogether; so he Kent Reed of HRE dabbles in film turned to the magic of film as a means to continue creating but as an outlet. will continue to burn the figurative “Because the live ghost light knowing that live assemblage of audiences is theatre will return. risky business these days, we began thinking a film production of ‘Macbeth’ might be the way to go,” says Reed. Because Shakespeare’s works are public domain, licensing rights are not at issue. Reed is directing the piece and the cast and crew have been shooting scenes when they can. Visit hudsonreedensemble.org for a preview of the film. He expects that the film may bring in even more viewers than a live production would. The film is set to be released in late October. Each of these theatres shares a tenacity to think ahead and yet be flexible for what parameters the future may entail. “We will be back,” says Moore, “theatre has persisted for thousands of years and it will be back.”.
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6 • THE SOPRIS SUN • soprissun.com • July 30 - August 4, 2020
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A thousand points of light, Carbondale-style By Tom Mercer Sopris Sun Correspondent In 1988, George H.W. Bush likened America’s clubs and volunteer organizations to “a thousand points of light.” The Roaring Fork Valley continues to benefit from the activities of such organizations, as well as many 501(c)3 non-profit organizations that exist in the immediate area. In combination, they strengthen and enrich our lives. But how are they doing under the stress of the current pandemic? I have chosen to take a look at just a handful of local nonprofit operations to see how they have responded to the impact that COVID-19 has had on their programs, and it is clear that creativity, flexibility and ingenuity have contributed to their continuing success in a huge way. Former Colorado State Senator Gail Schwartz took the reigns as permanent Director of Habitat for Humanity – Roaring Fork in March, 2020, and she has wasted no time in continuing the organization’s mission, despite the obvious challenges presented by COVID-19. Within a short time of Schwartz’s becoming the permanent director of the organization she was forced to close Habitat for Humanity - Roaring Fork’s ReStore for a period of six weeks and redesign all operations — all of this in the midst of Habitat’s ongoing Basalt Vista project which, when completed, will provide affordable housing for both qualifying Pitkin County employees and Roaring Fork School District teachers and their families. Go to habitatroaringfork.org/ basalt-vista for more information. Then, on April 2, with the Basalt Vista project half-completed, Pitkin County halted all construction in response to the pandemic, though it has since resumed. The Habitat for Humanity ReStore, located on Highway 82 between Carbondale and Glenwood Springs, has now reopened and follows all required
The Mindful Life Program is just one of many local nonprofits trying to figure out how to keep its mission alive. state and local safety precautions. The ReStore offers pick-up and delivery services — visit facebook. com/ReStoreRoaringFork for more information. The Way of Compassion Dharma Center is located in The Third Street Center in Carbondale. Aaron Taylor, the Director, remarked that “Upheavals are an opportunity for growth,” and goes on to offer that it helps to be “nimble and flexible.” Granted, seeing the current pandemic as an opportunity for growth may be a challenging prospect for most, but ticket sales for the Way of Compassion’s virtual, online-only film festival have been strong, with tickets selling from New York to California. The Way of Compassion’s virtual Third Annual Film Festival will be available for viewing online Aug. 7, 8 and 9. See compassionff2020.eventive.org for tickets and information. Way of Compassion also offers bicycle tune-ups and repairs, and Taylor reports that their bicycle maintenance and repair business has been very successful. Appointments are booked well into the month of August. Way of Compassion recommends a donation of $10 an hour for tune-ups or repairs, plus the cost of parts. Donations of bicycles are welcome, and donors will receive donation receipts for bicycles or parts.
Its Way of Compassion festival goes online Aug. 7-9 — visit compassionfest.world for tickets and info. Courtesy photos The Mid Valley Church congregation held their services at the Third Street Center until the COVID-19 pandemic occurred. Lead Pastor Lance Norton, who many know as the original proprietor of the Blue Spruce Coffee shop in Carbondale’s Third Street Center, reports that his congregation’s move to virtual services online has been very successful. He says that church service attendance is consistent and that members have adapted well to the change. Visit midvalley.church for more information. Valley Settlement began their
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operations in the Roaring Fork Valley as a project of the Manaus Fund. Valley Settlement’s original mission was a response to the challenge of identifying and addressing the needs of the fastgrowing, low-wage immigrant community in the Valley. Programs were designed and implemented to answer those needs, and today, the organization serves hundreds of families with services focused on health, education and personal development. While Valley Settlement’s core mission remains unchanged, the current pandemic has necessitated certain adjustments in Valley Settlement’s operations. An April, 2020 assessment of client needs during the COVID-19 pandemic revealed, in part, the
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following: 87 percent of client households reported having lost work, and 50% of client households reported concerns about food security Valley Settlement’s “Little Bus” mobile preschools are a rare sight these days, as classes are being conducted online due to COVID-19 concerns. Likewise, other programs at Valley Settlement are also operating online. These include “Learning With Love,” “Family Friends and Neighbors,” “Lifelong Learning”, and the
ALMA programs. The Parent Mentor Program, which provides Spanish-speaking mentors in local classrooms for Latino students, has temporarily suspended operations due to the school closures necessitated by the COVID-19 virus. Last, but not least, Lift-Up continues to offer support services via seven food pantries located between Aspen and Parachute. Their Carbondale food pantry is located at 520 S. Third St. in Carbondale’s Third Street Center. Although the pantry doors are closed due to the current pandemic, Lift-Up has scheduled drive-through (or walkup) free food distribution dates for individuals or families experiencing food insecurity. In Carbondale, pre-packed emergency food bags may be picked up in the Third Street Center parking lot on the following dates and times: 5 to 7 p.m. Aug. 3, 2 to 4 p.m. Aug. 10, 5 to 7 pm. Aug. 17, and 2 to 4 p.m. Aug. 24 — all at no cost. Debbie Patrick, Lift-Up’s Marketing and Development Director, reports that the organization distributes 400 emergency food bags between Carbondale and Parachute on a weekly basis and noted that there has been an upsurge in need during the past week. Debbie also said that Lift-Up needs more volunteers. Contact Lift-Up at 4562804 or email Debbie at debbie@ promotionalconcepts.net if you want to help out. Author’s note: If this small sampling of our community experience indicates anything, it may be that, given the right reason or motivation, we might all be able to adapt to virtual interaction with friends, family, educators, and members of our community. I, for one, had a wonderful online birthday party this year. There were no hugs, but the six of us laughed and had a genuinely good time “together.”
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THE SOPRIS SUN • Carbondale’s weekly community connector • July 30 - August 4, 2020 • 7
Traveling fair
8 • THE SOPRIS SUN • soprissun.com • July 30 - August 4, 2020
Usually confined to Sopris Park, Mountain Fair took place almost everywhere else this year (though yoga kept its usual location). A flatbed truck replaced the main stage, bringing the opening blessing and drum circle and a wide array of musical acts all over town — with some added help from KDNK — supplemented by stationary shows at Steve's Guitars and Thompson House. The arts still found an outlet on the lawn at the Launchpad and in distanced booths on a vacant lot, and there was even a sort of wood splitting competition. Most of all, the spirit survived, spawning experiences outside of the official fair schedule, like a body-positive bike ride. Photos by Mark Burrows THE SOPRIS SUN • Carbondale’s weekly community connector • July 30 - August 4, 2020 • 9
River District will ask voters for tax increase By Heather Sackett Aspen Journalism
The Colorado River Water Conservation District will ask voters this November to approve a property-tax increase that would double its budget, from about $4 million to $8 million. After a lengthy discussion at Tuesday’s regular quarterly meeting, River District board members voted to move ahead with a ballot question asking voters to raise its property taxes from a quarter-mill to a half-mill. That works out to 50 cents per $1,000 of assessed value. One mill is the equivalent of $1 per $1,000 of assessed value. According to numbers provided by the River District, the mill levy would increase per year to $40.28 from $18.93 for Pitkin County’s median home value, which at $1.13 million is the highest in the district. The district in April had put off making a decision on moving forward with a ballot question until July due to concerns about asking voters for more money during the economic crisis caused by COVID-19. Officials were comfortable moving forward,
however, after recent polling showed continued support for the measure. According to the resolution approving the ballot language, the money will be used for fighting to keep water on the Western Slope; protecting adequate water supplies for Western Slope farmers and ranchers; protecting sustainable drinking-water supplies; and protecting fish, wildlife and recreation by maintaining river levels and water quality. “This is one of the most consequential decisions the district has made in some time,” said board president Dave Merritt, who represents Garfield County. “This is going to be really important to the future of the River District to take us into the next era.” The district has seen its revenue stream decline in recent years due to shrinking tax revenue from the fossil-fuel industry and lower residential assessments as a result of the state’s Gallagher and Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights amendments. As a result, the district has reduced its staff by four positions, suspended a grant program and reduced its vehicle fleet. The district got more specific
in the spring about what it would do with the money in a fiscal implementation plan. About 86 percent would go toward water projects backed by local communities and basin roundtables. Examples could include environmentally focused projects such as forest restoration on the Yampa River, infrastructure projects such as rehabilitation for the Grand Valley Roller Dam, and dam and reservoir projects such as the White River Storage Project. The district would not use the money to create new staff positions. The Glenwood Springs-based River District, which was created in 1937 to protect and develop water supplies in western Colorado, spans 15 counties: Grand, Summit, Eagle, Pitkin, Rio Blanco, Routt, Moffat, Garfield, Mesa, Delta, Montrose, Ouray, Gunnison, Hinsdale and Saguache. Pitkin County’s representative, County Attorney John Ely, was the lone “no” vote for the ballot measure. He said the fiscal implementation plan should include a promise that the River District will work with local elected officials on water projects, especially since River
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District board members would be the ones allocating project funding — and they are not elected to their positions. “Having that type of commitment in the plan, I think that would go a long way in allaying that type of a concern,” Ely said. The River District added the language Ely requested to the fiscal implementation plan, however, Ely had wanted the resolution board members passed to tie the ballot language directly to the commitment to work with local officials outlined in the plan. At the suggestion of some agriculture-dependent counties, including Mesa County, River District General Manager Andy Mueller added language to the ballot question that says
the district will not utilize the additional funds for paying to fallow irrigated agriculture. Montrose County representative Marc Catlin pushed to go a step further, suggesting that the definition of fallowing include permanent programs, as well as voluntary, temporary and compensated programs. The state of Colorado is currently looking into a program that could pay irrigators on a voluntary, temporary and compensated basis to fallow fields in order to leave more water in the river. “I think we ought to tie it to this ballot because 10 years from now, somebody might have a completely different idea of what fallowing might mean,” Catlin said. But other directors cautioned Continued on page 11
TOWN CLEAN-UP & WASTE DIVERSION DAY AUGUST 1ST, 8AM-2PM Mountain Waste: General household trash (furniture/old General Household Waste Fees: wood/fencing, etc.) Pick-up load – Carbondale residents $10 Yard waste, tree branches and other Non-residents $25 organic materials Pick-up load with trailer – residents $20 Metals Non-residents $35 Textiles (must be in bags for recycling) Mattresses ($10/mattress recycling) Check or cash accepted only.
Items for Recycling & Fees: CORRecycling: Electronic Waste - up to 3 tv’s, CRT monitors and copiers plus unlimited smaller items. FREE for Carbondale residents, after 19,000 lb. and Non-residents $.35/lb. Items accepted: TVs, monitors, printers, microwaves, laptops, copiers, hard drive destruction. https://correcycling.com/ Located in the parking lot behind Town Hall Brite Ideas Bulb Recycling: Batteries (car/phone/ all batteries), light bulbs (fluorescents/CLF/ HID/UV lamps/neon signs/PCB ballasts/mercury thermostats), freon refrigerators. http://www.coloradobulbrecycling.com/ Located in the parking lot behind Town Hall JLM Tires: the first 100 tires up to 18” w/o rims FREE for Carbondale residents. 8 free tires per customer. $8 per tire after the limit. Located in the parking lot at 4th & Colorado
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Fishing on the Roaring Fork River. he Colorado River Water Conservation District, which advocates keeping water on the Western Slope, will ask voters for a tax increase in November. Photo by Tom Mercer
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10 • THE SOPRIS SUN • soprissun.com • July 30 - August 4, 2020
River from page 10 against getting too wordy in the question, which could confuse voters, especially since a recent survey found strong support for a more simply stated proposal. “I would just be happier if we kept this closer to what was polled and simpler,” said Martha Whitmore, who represents Ouray County. The River District hired Lori Weigel from Arvada-based consultant New Bridge Strategy for another round of voter polling, which surveyed 600 district residents between June 25 and July 2. If the election were held tomorrow, 63 percent of those surveyed said they would definitely vote in favor of a tax increase. “That 63 percent is really the critical number there,” Weigel said. “It’s pretty rare that we see support levels this high.” The district had previously found similarly high levels of support — 65 percent — when Weigel surveyed voters in mid-March. Some board members worried that because the survey coincided with the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, the results would no longer be valid. But survey results this time around showed continued support for a tax increase. “I think we can have a great deal of confidence in this data,” Weigel said. “(Support) has not shifted significantly. Water is something that is important to people. Water is sort of a constant.”
Laying a foundation for preservation By Will Grandbois Sopris Sun Staff
The Crystal Mill has a shot at permanent protection, provided a new nonprofit can raise the money to buy the property before it’s sold to the highest bidder. “It’s about preserving something magical,” explained Crystal Mill Foundation President Heather Leigh. “Who doesn’t want to be part of saving the most iconic structure in the state?” In fact, in her experience, most of the Mill’s many visitors think it’s already protected in some way. But while it is on the National Register of Historic Places, the fact that it’s on private property means that a new owner could easily opt to raze the structure to spare themselves the trouble of managing such a major tourist destination. And management is certainly the concern. According to Leigh, an array of organizations and agencies passed up on the project because it was out of their scope or reach. She did have their support in the nearly year-long process of forming a 501c3, however. White River National Forest Supervisor Scott Fitzwilliams was among those to submit letters, noting that since “I am not sure the Forest Service has the resources to properly protect and maintain this iconic structure, a non-profit foundation would be the perfect avenue to insure this site is properly cared for.” In addition to the cost of purchasing the property, the foundation’s $10 million fundraising goal is aimed at structural
improvements and other infrastructure, such as restrooms, public drinking water and improved access. There are also plans to hire professional staff that can act as historic educators and guides to explain the Mill and the area to visitors while also acting as safety managers for the high traffic volume. “The nonprofit has pledged to preserve and protect the mill into the next century,” Leigh noted. “We want the young and the old to be able to enjoy it together.” Nonprofit status will also set the building up for potential future funding from grants and other public projects. But in the race to buy the property before someone else has a chance, the nonprofit will have to rely on broad community support or a few benefactors with deep pockets. “If anyone wants to put up the whole $10 million, we’ll name the mill after them,” Leigh noted. The current name is hardly canonical, as the building was actually a powerhouse for an air compressor used for mining, rather than a mill in the traditional sense. It has been closed since 1917, but has steadily attracted visitors since then, to the increasing concern of its longtime owners. Even on a Monday afternoon, the Crystal Mill gets “It’s just become a wild west thing,” plenty of attention. Photo courtesy of Heather Leigh Leigh said of the crowds that descend on the property every summer. She can understand the appeal, though. “Colorado’s mining history is fading,” Folks can make donations of any size via she said. “This is something that is pretty Paypal at crystalmillfoundation.org or mail a much untouched, and for it to still be standing gives people inspiration and shows check to P.O. Box 27434, Lakewood CO, 80227. them what is possible with determination.”
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THE SOPRIS SUN • Carbondale’s weekly community connector • July 30 - August 4, 2020 • 11
TOWN REPORT SALES TAX collections in July were actually up 2.6 percent from 2019, with sporting goods, retail, automotive, liquor, marijuana and food going strong. Lodging and restaurants are still suffering, with more than a 20 percent reduction in each category. Overall, tax revenues are up 3 percent year over year so far. P&Z met on July 16 and approved Resolution No. 7 of 2020 for a Subdivision Exemption, which combined two lots at 156 and 160 12th Street. The commission also recommended approval of a rezoning application of a parcel from the 711 Main Street Planned Unit Development zone district to the Commercial/ Transitional zone district. A DEMOLITION PERMIT was requested for 234 Main St.— which, due to the building’s history as the original telephone switchboard dating back to 1912, prompted a process to review the possibility of whether it should be protected as a local landmark. A public hearing will be held on Aug. 6 to determine if the building is eligible and if the owners are interested in the designation. If not, the demolition can go ahead. AN ELECTRICAL OUTAGE was planned for early July 29 along West Main Street for line undergrounding. Meanwhile, Sopris Lodge utility work continues, concrete work for the northern extension of Hendrick Drive into the City Market development wrapped up, dry wells were installed along Colorado Avenue and water service line work began on the 1201 Main project. GRAFFITI REMOVAL kept street crews busy, with an estimated total cost of $4,380 — police are investigating the incident as a case of criminal mischief. They also worked on painting abutments, piers and beams on Crystal Bridge Drive and assisted CDOT with traffic control for exploratory drilling on Highway
133 and Crystal Road, performed sign maintenance, hung banners, and set up additional street-side seating areas on Main Street. RED HILL work continued with the new roadway graded, gravel spread on the upper parking area, culverts installed, concrete footings for the wing walls on the box culvert poured and work on conduit for the electrical improvements for the signal beginning. Paving operations on CR-107 are tentatively scheduled for the week of Aug. 10. PHONE SERVICE was partially disrupted at the Police Department for several days before the problem was resolved by a reset. AQUATICS FACILITY planning continues with survey data being compiled for a charette on Aug. 11 and 12 before the whole thing goes before the Parks & Recreation Commission and Trustees in September. PICKLEBALL COURTS at North Face Park are open again following the completion of the irrigation system. GATEWAY RV PARK has 58 reservations with 133 guests booked for July 24-31. So far, the overflow site has been needed 57 percent of the time. THE NEW CLARIFIER at the wastewater treatment plant has been filled and tested with no reported leakage. Meanwhile, the water plants are running with no reported issues, with average water production down to about 1.5 million gallons per day. The area remains in a severe drought condition. NARCAN & FIRST AID were training topics at a pre-Fair police patrol meeting.
Cop Shop From July 10 through 23, Carbondale Police handled 402 calls for service. During that period, officers investigated the following cases of note: FRIDAY July 10 at 5:03 p.m. Police took a report of a stolen vehicle. WEDNESDAY July 15 at 1:58 p.m. Following a car accident at the intersection of Main and Snowmass Avenue, a 28-year-old was arrested for driving under the influence and with a restrained license and released to a sober party. THURSDAY July 16 at 1:21 p.m. Responding to a report of domestic violence, officers observed one parent try to pull a child from another and ended up arresting the 36-year-old on misdemeanors and one felony. SATURDAY July 18 at 9:28 p.m. The owner of a dog that bit a child was summoned to court. SUNDAY July 19 at 12:51 p.m. Warnings were issued to several family remembers after a domestic disturbance report. MONDAY July 20 at 6:53 a.m. Stealing alcohol from City Market earned a 48-year-old a summons. TUESDAY July 21 at 3:41 p.m. Police took a report of a bicycle theft. WEDNESDAY July 22 at 8:42 a.m. Someone broke into a company van and stole multiple personal and company tools.
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Town Clean-up and Waste Diversion Day 8 A.M TO 2 P.M. AUG. 2 Fourth and Colorado / Town Hall $10 per pickup load for residents $25 for non-residents ($10 extra with trailer) Bring proof of address Cash or check only Mountain Waste • General household trash (furniture/old wood/fencing, etc.) • Yard waste, tree branches and other organic materials • Metals • Textiles (must be in bags for recycling) • Mattresses ($10/mattress recycling) CORRecycling Electronic Waste Up to three TVs, CRT monitors and copiers plus unlimited smaller items. Free for residents 35¢ a pound for nonresidents Brite Ideas Bulb Recycling Batteries, light bulbs, refrigerators JLM Tires The first 100 tires up to 18” w/o rims free for residents Eight tires per customer, $8 per tire thereafter Hazardous waste, i.e. oil, paint, cleaning fluids/canisters, car liquids, propane bottles, etc. will not be accepted at this event.
Basalt debates merits of repealing state property tax measure By Roberta McGowan Sopris Sun Staff
Basalt Town Council is moving closer to supporting the statewide effort to repeal a controversial aspect of the Taxpayer Bill of Rights (TABOR) called the Gallagher Amendment. This part of the state constitution impacts residential tax payments. The amendment, adopted in 1982, required residential property to comprise no more or less than 45 percent of total statewide valuation. The repeal question for voters is slated to be on the statewide November ballot. In 1992 the TABOR amendment passed, restricting revenues for all levels of government (state, local, and special districts). Under TABOR, state and local governments cannot raise tax rates without voter approval and cannot spend excess revenues collected under existing tax rates Mayor Bill Kane explained, “TABOR limited revenues for the residential tax base to 45 percent.” Effectively, he added, due to a complex procedure, residential assessment is at approximately 7.15 percent The Building a Better Colorado (BBCO) non-profit, non-partisan website described itself as “an effort formed in 2015 by a group of Colorado civic leaders with the shared belief that Colorado can be better, “ and stated that “Gallagher is all about taxes. Property taxes pay for local and county services with 50 percent going to K-12 schools.” Building a Better Colorado project manager Reeves Brown said, “Under TABOR, the state has returned more than $2 billion to taxpayers
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rather than using these funds to pay for K-12 education, higher education, transportation, public health services, public safety and other services.” In a column in the Colorado Sun, Dickie Lee Hullinghorst, former Democratic Speaker of the House, defended Gallagher as one of the few state policies that keep housing affordable for the working class and said, repeal is “going to end up hurting the average property owner quite a bit, and business taxes are going to go down.” The council’s resolution, if approved, would specifically support Northwest Colorado Council of Governments efforts to educate the public and encourage Gallagher’s repeal.
Other action At Work Session A, just prior to the council’s regular meeting, members discussed proposed amendments to the Basalt municipal code regarding protection from wildfires. Planning Director Susan Philp explained that the revised code would require new construction and additions to “harden” (make stronger) structures such as using metal roofs and composite decking instead of wood unless fire resistant. The fire mitigation proposal would also address debris, fuel storage and other concerns.. Philp noted Town building codes will take precedence over Homeowners Association (HOA) requirements. Fire Marshall John Mele from the Roaring Fork Fire Rescue Authority said “This is not a new topic. The code changes are in line with the Colorado State Forests Service proposals.”
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He referred back to the 2002 Panorama, the 2008 Road 100 and the 2018 Lake Christine fires,saying the entire town of Basalt is considered a wildfire zone. Mele also reported that a small fire near Arbaney Kittle has been extinguished. As the area is near power lines, he said, the fire may have been started by a spark from the line. Council discussed whether new roofs on existing structures will have to comply. Both the Gallagher repeal and wildfire mitigation code additions are expected to be on the Tuesday Aug. 11 council agenda. Council also approved extending the current face covering ordinance for 90 days and it will be reassessed at the Oct. 27 regular meeting. Basalt Town Attorney Jeff Conklin noted, “If you can’t maintain social distancing, you must wear a mask.” As Mayor Bill Kane explained, “The preponderance of evidence shows that masks do work”
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AspenValleyHospital THE SOPRIS SUN • Carbondale’s weekly community connector • July 30 - August 4, 2020 • 13
Your Big Backyard II By Chromostome
Across 3. Flint and _______, a primitive way to start a fire. 5. How to access Glenwood Caverns. 6. Nickname for Eldorado Canyon. 10. Colorado state flower 11. Joe ______ , former director of the Colorado Outward Bound School. 12. Means of navigating Shoshone Rapids. 15. Source of beef 16. The most common mineral in the earth's crust.
Down 1. Light feature at Garfinkel's gallery. 2. Mass of rocks and sediment carried down and deposited by a glacier, 3. ______ Lily has an edible root. 4. John ________, Garfield County Commissioner. "I hold a master’s degree in the school of hard knocks." 7. Prolific chronicler of the American West. Born in Telluride. 8. There's rumor of a vein somewhere on Rock Creek. 9. Large semiaquatic rodent 13. Riders of the Purple _______, by Zane Grey. The most popular western novel of all time. 14. Mountain _____, held annually in Sopris Park.
Answers: 1. Neon 2. Moraine 3. Steel 4. Martin 5. Gondola 6. Eldo 7. Lavender 8. Gold 9. Muskrat 10. Columbine 11. Nold 12. Raft 13. Sage 14. Fair 15. Cattle 16. Feldspar
14 • THE SOPRIS SUN • soprissun.com • July 30 - August 4, 2020
PARTING SHOTS
A spectacular sunset rainbow last week seemed to be pointing at Mt. Sopris no matter where you were. Photos by Laurel Smith (left) and Sue Rollyson (above)
LEGALS PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a Public Hearing will be held before the Carbondale Board of Trustees for the purpose of considering a Petition for Annexation submitted by Eastwood 133, LLC. The address is 0430 Highway 133 (Parcel #2393284-00-011). It is the 2.602 acre parcel along the west side of Highway 133, just north of the Public Service electrical substation. The property is legally described as follows: A parcel of land situated in Lot 16 of Section 28, Township 7 South, Range 88 West of the Sixth Principal Meridian, being more particularly described as follows: Beginning at a point on the Westerly right-of-way line of Colorado State Highway No. 133, whence the East Quarter corner of said Section 28 bears North 24°43'21" East, 2372.8 feet; thence South 01°16'00" East, 511.89 feet along said Westerly right-of-way line; thence leaving said Westerly rightof-way line along the boundary of that Exception Parcel described in that document recorded as Reception No. 232893 South 88°44'00" West, 195.0 feet; thence continuing along said boundary
South 01°16'00" East, 49.14 feet to a point on the Northeasterly right-of-way line of the Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad; thence leaving said boundary North 33°10'35" West, 47.30 feet along said Northeasterly right-of-way line; thence leaving said Northeasterly right-of-way North 01°16'00" West, 520.88 feet; thence North 88°44'00" East, 220.00 feet to the point of beginning. Containing 2.602 acres more or less. Said Public Hearing will be held at 6:00 p.m. on September 22, 2020. You may watch a live streaming of the meeting on You Tube. Search Town of Carbondale 22, 2020 meeting. Please be aware that you will experience a 15-30 second delay. If you would like to submit comments regarding this application, email your comments or letter to msikes@carbondaleco.net by 3:00 pm on September 22, 2020. This email or letter will be entered into the record. You may also call Mary Sikes at 510-1210 to find an alternative way to submit a letter. If you would like to comment during the meeting, email msikes@carbondaleco.net with your full
name and address by 3:00 pm on September 22, 2020. You will receive instructions on joining the meeting online prior to 6:00 p.m. Also, you may contact msikes@carbondaleco.net to get a phone number to listen to the meeting, however, you will be unable to make comments. Wifi will be available in the lobby of Town Hall and a phone will also be available in the lobby for the public to listen to the meeting. Please email Janet Buck at jbuck@carbondaleco. netor call 970/456-3036 by 3:00 p.m. the date of the public hearing if special accommodations are necessary to participate in the meeting. Copies of the Petition and Annexation Plat are available on the Town's website at www. carbondalegov.org. Please contact msikes@ carbondaleco.net or at 970/510-1210 if you are unable to view the application on the Town's website and would like to request an alternate method of review. Janet Buck Town Planner
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THE SOPRIS SUN • Carbondale’s weekly community connector • July 30 - August 4, 2020 • 15
Want to advertise your business, but fear you might have to shut down? The Sopris Sun is here to help! If you advertise with us and your business is shut down or an event is canceled due to Covid-19 after the paper is published (between Thursday and Wednesday), we will credit you with a new ad when you reopen. No questions asked. Todd Chamberlin Advertising Manager 970-987-9866 adsales@soprissun.com Deadlines, Rates and SpeciďŹ cations: www.soprissun.com/advertise/