are Highway 133 and Eighth Street. There is a plan to connect Merrill Avenue to 133. There is also a plan to connect 133 over around Third Street. That’s about it.
I was thinking about Carbondale’s growing traffic problems. Seems like the situation is getting exponentially worse. I’m reminded of the phrase of putting 10 pounds of something in a five-pound bag. Now, a lot of towns are surrounded by empty space, like on the Front Range. They just keep expanding with more streets as they need them. Not gonna happen here.
Carbondale has a river to the north and the west. Part of the east side is a drop off, while the other part is a steep hill. There is some open space to the south that is sworn to stay as it is. So, the streets we have in the town are pretty much all we will ever have.
The only street that goes all the way east to west is Main Street. Sopris Avenue goes to Snowmass Drive. The fully north-south streets
I got to thinking why a few Carbondale streets were concrete. I did some research. It was kind of an accident.
Back in 1981, the low bidder on the streets had just got a concrete plant and offered to do the job in concrete rather than asphalt. The Board of Town Trustees agreed, mainly because the concrete would last a long time. Right about that. This was for Main Street, Weant Blvd, north Eighth Street and part of Sopris Avenue.
Another significant factor is that these concrete streets would be getting a lot of traffic. They are “collector” streets that are designed to take all the “local” neighborhood traffic to the “arterials.” Highway 133 is most likely an “arterial,” as it allows the town population access to other places including to four-lane Highway 82. Main Street is a “street” in the sense that it is also a public space.
I found that our concrete streets were all designed with just one concrete sidewalk, four feet wide. Eighth Street was made wider for parking
Feb. 15 was National School Resource Officer (SRO) Appreciation Day, and the Roaring Fork School District would like to thank our amazing SROs: Alicia Hampton in Glenwood Springs, Paul Lazo in Carbondale and Jason Hegberg in Basalt. Our SROs not only provide critical support services for our schools, but work hard every day to foster authentic relationships with our students.
We are fortunate as a school district to have great partnerships with our local law enforcement agencies and our three SROs are a big reason why. Their many positive contributions include ensuring physical safety and educating the entire school community on safety topics and needs.
If you see an SRO, please help us thank them for their positive impact on our students, schools and communities. From all of us in the Roaring Fork Schools, thank you for all you do to support our schools and help keep them safe.
Jesús Rodríguez, RFSD Superintendent Jeff Gatlin, RFSD Chief Operating Officeron two sides because it is in a residential neighborhood. As overall traffic on our streets increases, these collector streets will need to step up and take more vehicles in and out of town.
So I have to scratch my head when I see the town making north Eighth Street narrower. Apparently, some folks thought the traffic there was moving too fast. The town is also adding “curb extensions” as “pinch points” to cause traffic to travel slower. The street is posted for 20mph. The reconstruction job is being done in two stages. Last summer, a new six-foot-wide sidewalk along with “pinch points” and dry wells for drainage were installed. This summer, they plan to rip out the original existing fourfoot sidewalk and add the other features. I just walked the length of the original sidewalk, and it is just fine. Two ladies were taking an afternoon stroll and I stepped aside for them to come by. A couple was out with a stroller on the new sidewalk across the street. A bicyclist rode up the street.
I heard that a bicycle lane was originally proposed but the residents held out to keep all the parking. They will still lose a few spaces for the pinch points. Right now, there are
In response to the passage of Ballot Issue 1A in 2022, Eagle County is establishing a new “Advertising and Marketing Local Tourism Citizen Panel.” Panel members provide their time, knowledge and expertise to support investments in the community through advertising and marketing local tourism. The board of county commissioners will select a panel of five members to administer the tourism dollars. To qualify, applicants must be full-time residents of Eagle County and have experience in the tourism industry. Once selected, the panel members will establish bylaws and will meet at least annually to administer the dollars (expected to be $300,000 in 2023). Applications are due no later than Friday, March 3, and can be submitted by visiting www. eaglecounty.us/countycommissioners/ boardsandcommissions For more information or to obtain a hard copy of the application, contact Abby Dallmann at 970-328-8611.
Justin Patrick Eagle CountyLet’s all be extreme
I’m a democratic socialist with a conundrum. I tend to agree with centrists/ moderates like President Biden who say we
few cars in the parking lanes and a bicyclist can easily ride in the parking lane to avoid cars. I worry that the pinch points will force the bicycles closer to the cars at these narrower places.
Looking a little into the future, the town wants to develop the lots that used to be the Bonanza Trailer Park, and the owners of the lightindustrial property north of downtown are making noises to develop. That is going to add greatly to the downtown traffic with more going to Eighth Street. Adding to this is the town’s desire to encourage people to add accessory dwelling units to their homes, while putting more families on existing lots wherever possible.
Taking this all together, I just wonder if tearing out a pretty good sidewalk and making the driving lanes narrower fits with the additional traffic we can expect on Eighth Street. With our now regular backups on Highway 133 going north, won’t people be using Eighth Street to get to Highway 82 from Main Street?
And all this begs a larger question, that is: how many more people do we really want in this town? And all the cars that come with them?
must move away from today’s destructive divisiveness by embracing the middle. Words like extremist and radical are thrown around by both parties and from different ends of the political spectrum to describe those at the other end. Since I’m a devout independent, I don’t care whether my ideas align with either political party, but it does concern me that some see my positions as radical left.
The Green New Deal, Medicare for All and balancing the budget by increasing taxes on big corporations and wealthy individuals all make perfect sense to me, but I realize these ideas are anathema to the right wing.
Elements of the Green New Deal can be found in the inappropriately named Inflation Reduction Act. That same legislation puts a cap on insulin prices, a step toward Medicare for All, and Biden has made it clear his method of reducing the deficit includes having rich companies and people pay their fair share.
Maybe that’s how it works. Yesterday’s extremism is today’s mainstream. That’s how we make progress and avoid gridlock. Archconservative Barry Goldwater said, “Extremism in defense of liberty is no vice (and) moderation in pursuit of justice is no virtue.”
Fred Malo Jr. Carbondale
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The 25th annual Dandelion Day is May 13! All artists are invited to submit artwork for this year’s theme — Bonedale Bees! The winning design will be selected by the Carbondale Environmental Board and printed on all t-shirts and posters. Handmade entries are due at Town Hall and digital entries to dandelionday81623@gmail.com by March 15. Buzz buzz!
Cripple Creek Backcountry and Basalt Bike and Ski (BBS), two of the Valley’s beloved outdoor retailers are merging.
“Through our partnership with BBS, we acquire key brands such as Specialized, Giant, Yeti, Santa Cruz, Pivot, Cervelo and Pinarello, but also over 100 years of combined bike service experience,” wrote Cripple Creek in a press release.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency will host a virtual listening session on March 8 from 6 to 8pm for Colorado, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah, Wyoming and 28 tribal nations regarding per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances: manufactured chemicals known to break down slowly and accumulate in people, animals and the environment. Register online at pfascommunityengagement. org/register
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Interested in becoming an Underwriter or Nonprofit Partner in 2023? Email Todd@ soprissun.com or call 970-987-9866
Roaring Fork Outdoor Volunteers and the Aspen Community Foundation are offering a year-long paid opportunity for high school students from Aspen to Parachute. Students will explore the outdoors, develop hands-on skills, embark on a multi-day hut trip and earn $1,500 for participating. Learn more at www.rfov.org/yin
Colorado Mountain College is offering a new course — Strategies Behind Writing and Finishing Your Book. In eight consecutive sessions, published author Edith Lynn Hornik-Beer will help you turn a work in progress into a finished book, then market it to publishers and readers. Support will also be offered for starting a book. Classes start March 1 and continue on Wednesdays from 6 to 7:30pm via Zoom. Register online at communityeducation.coloradomtn.edu
A Garfield County program that provides financial aid for home energy-efficiency upgrades is back with a new rebate schedule. Anyone interested should enroll as soon as possible, because funds are limited and there is a waitlist of applicants carried over from 2022. More information and enrollment is at the Garfield Clean Energy website: www. garfieldcleanenergy.org/ reenergize
On Saturday, Feb. 25 at high noon, 350 Roaring Fork will lead a protest at Centennial Park in Glenwood Springs to demand the reversal of a decision by the U.S. Forest Service and Surface Transportation Board for a stretch of railroad from the Uinta Basin oil fields to the Union Pacific line along the Colorado River.
Defiance Thrift Store awarded $55,000 in grants to five nonprofits on Feb. 10: Advocate Safehouse Project, Great Expectations, Lift-Up, Mountain Valley Developmental Services and River Bridge Regional Center. “When you bring your
donations to Defiance, the resulting sales help us provide these grants in a true giveback capacity,” stated board member Sandy Swanson. The store is located at 2412 South Glen Avenue in Glenwood Springs and is open Tuesday to Saturday, from 10am to 4pm.
The Colorado Court of Appeals affirmed a Garfield County District Court ruling that Rocky Mountain Industrials (RMI) violated conditions of its special use permit at the Mid-Continent Mine. In its appeal, RMI argued that a condition within the county’s special use permit, which imposes a wintertime operating restriction — in order to protect big-game wildlife — was moot due to the Bureau of Land Management’s waiver of the same stipulation in
2018. However, the threejudge court of appeals panel affirmed the district court’s decision that the wintertime protection is appropriate. “The restriction serves a reasonable environmental purpose, is not absolute and is temporary in effect,” the appellate decision reads.
They say it’s your birthday!
Folks celebrating another trip around the sun this week include: David Ackerman, Sophia Clark and Rachael Schultz (Feb. 23); Quentin Farris, Toni Gross, Nuria Moya, Steve Skinner and Kyle Watts (Feb. 24); Barb Bush, Dottie Daniels, Dorsey Moore and Marty Rynearson (Feb. 26); Jeremy Dwiggins, Gaby Mata Serafin and Sara Tymczyszyn (Feb. 27); Junior Ortega (Feb. 28); Emma Duke and Robert Weinhold (March 1).
April 15th at the Third Street Center Dinner, Storytelling, and Music by the Magic Beans www.kdnk.org for tickets and info
On Jan. 27, a year after receiving comments on a draft environmental assessment, the White River National Forest (WRNF) published its final environmental assessment and draft decision notice for the Redstone to McClure Pass Trail. This seven-mile section of the 83-mile Carbondale to Crested Butte Trail Plan, adopted by Pitkin County in 2018, was determined to be of “no significant impact” on its own.
From now through March 12, people who previously submitted specific written comments — or otherwise have a perspective based on new information arising after previous comment opportunities — can object to that decision which would authorize Pitkin County Open Space and Trails (PCOST) to construct and maintain a naturalsurface, non-motorized, multiuse recreational trail with seasonal wildlife closures south of Hayes Falls.
The seven-mile trail would first follow “the shoulder of Highway 133 for about two miles between Redstone and Hayes Falls” then “a historic wagon road, a section of the highway and the Old McClure Pass Road for about 4.3 miles; and a new trail corridor to reach the McClure Pass summit.” Because five of the seven miles would traverse federal land, the Aspen-Sopris Ranger District was required to complete an environmental review under the
National Environmental Policy Act.
“This connection is critical,” Gary Tennenbaum, director of PCOST, told The Sopris Sun at an open house hosted at the Third Street Center on Feb. 15. Not only will the trail make the area accessible for long-distance hiking, biking and equestrian use, he explained, it will connect subdivisions south of Redstone with a safe alternative to driving.
Additionally, Tennenbaum told The Sopris Sun that the areas in question have been monitored with trail cameras and see year-round human traffic. PCOST would oversee a seasonal closure south of Hayes Falls to protect wildlife, from Dec. 1 through April 30, with a forest protection officer to enforce it. The closure would be extended to June 30 if elk calving activity is identified.
As reported in the environmental assessment, two historic decommissioned roads that the trail would follow, Bears Gulch and Old McClure Pass, currently see unmanaged recreational use in all seasons. A trail camera set at the southern portion of Rock Creek Wagon Trail recorded an average of 1,245 passes per year by hikers, runners, skiers and snowshoers, 536 by dogs, 9 by bikes and 20 by equestrians. Out-and-back users were counted twice.
New infrastructure accompanying the trail would include a parking area at the base of McClure Pass, a bridge crossing Huntsman Gulch and a pedestrian underpass at Highway
133 near the summit. Dogs would not be required to be on-lease and e-bikes would be prohibited south of Hayes Falls. “Disturbed areas would be monitored for noxious weeds, and treated if needed, for at least three years following construction,” according to the document.
Following WRNF’s publication of the final environmental assessment and draft decision notice, conservation advocacy nonprofit Wilderness Workshop wrote in a press release, “Forest Services fails to holistically
consider cumulative impacts of recreation,” stating, “Friday’s announcement did not result in joyful cheers around the Workshop office — instead, it was sighs of frustration...”
Wilderness Workshop has pushed for an environmental impact statement that considers the full Carbondale to Crested Butte Trail, rather than any single segment.
“This is an 83-mile trail that the Forest Service has failed to comprehensively evaluate,” the press release continued. “No single trail
continued on page 14
By Will Buzzerd Sopris Sun Correspondent
As of the new year, the Spring Gulch Trail System has opened six new kilometers (3.7 miles) of highelevation, cross-country skiing trails, with the intention of extending both early and late seasons. The expansion is a large step in a pattern of development meant to keep up with increasing popularity at the amenity, southeast of Carbondale.
Operated by the Mount Sopris Nordic Council (MSNC), Spring Gulch has served as a venue for locals and guests alike to enjoy consistently groomed trails in a beautiful, natural environment. The trails are located entirely on private property for the sole purpose of cross-country skiing thanks to the generosity of Crystal River Ranch and the North Thompson Cattlemen’s Association. Far beyond the modern asphalt of Carbondale, Spring Gulch’s mixed groves of aspen and piñon, sparse fencing for cattle and views of Mt. Sopris all make for an old-time Western atmosphere for winter trekking.
However, as the last decade revealed a pattern of diminishing winter snowpack in the area, MSNC decided that measures had to be taken in order to ensure that Spring Gulch could continue its success in the face of continual climate change. In 2022, the council worked with the Cattlemen’s Association to break ground to the north and west of previously existing trails.
Near the Marion Gulch hiking paths, these new trails are higher in elevation and more protected from the sun, ideally skiable both earlier in the winter and later into the spring. “The aspects are primarily north and on a snow-covered ridge,” said MSNC Vice President Elliot Norquist. “This area has been thoroughly studied, and quite a bit of work has been done.”
The trails’ difficulty is generally blue with some hillier sections of black, and while paper maps are not yet available for these new areas, there are maps posted at their trailheads and more information is located online on the Spring Gulch website.
As of yet, these new areas can only be accessed through the existing trails, but MSNC has announced its intention to construct a parking lot nearby Marion so they can be accessed directly. This direct access will come in handy if the new trails live up to their intended purpose when the lower-elevation paths melt beyond usability. For now, the Spring Gulch website stated that they hope for the new parking lot to be usable by the 2023/24 ski season.
However, Norquist stated in an interview that the permit acquisition process from Garfield County has been complicated, so a completion date is indefinite. Additionally, since Spring Gulch operates primarily on ranching land, construction has to pause in some summer months to make way for herds of cattle. Until the second lot is complete, when the warmer season rolls around and the lower trails melt, dedicated skiers will have to make do with muddy boots.
“People will just have to hike and bushwhack their way up there,” said Norquist. “That’s been the historical thing.”
The new parking lot is also simply intended to keep up with increasing demand. “The first lot [located off County Road 108] was enlarged a couple years ago, but it’s already been filling up. On weekends, the real challenge can be finding a spot!” Norquist laughed.
Overall, increasing popularity has meant increased development at Spring Gulch. A solar-powered electric trail groomer was recently gifted by Pitkin County Open Space and Trails to ensure high-quality trails for increased usage, but it doesn’t yet have a place to be stored. For that reason, the equipment shed will need to be expanded to keep the machine safe from
the elements, and that project will be worked on contemporaneously with the parking lot.
Impressively, most of Spring Gulch’s development and operations have been funded through private donations. “The people of this community just love Spring Gulch,” Norquist said. “Our private contributors are phenomenal.” The costs are also paid partially through grants from Pitkin Country, but in Norquist’s words, “We’ve done great on funding, but the bills are gonna get bigger as the ambition gets bigger.” And, as nearby Carbondale rapidly expands, the future might hold even more changes to the beloved trail system.
For those interested in testing out the new trails, the Spring Gulch Trail System is located west of Carbondale on C county Road 108. A restroom is the only provided facility, and usage is technically free to the public, though donations are solicited at the base of the trail network. Grooming reports, maps and membership information can be found online at www. springgulch.org
By Jeanne Souldern Sopris Sun Correspondent
At the Roaring Fork School District (RFSD) Board of Education meeting on Feb. 8, Stacey Park, RFSD chief academic officer, presented the Roaring Fork School’s “Learning Acceleration Plan.”
Park’s presentation cover memo states, “Some of this work has already begun, while some of it will require additional resources in order to launch. The additional resources will be partially funded by the $2.6 million at-risk funding from [Colorado Department of Education] that we received in the spring 2022, as well as by grant funding and more efficient use of existing school budgets.”
In the spring of 2022, district leadership identified three priorities for the year: developing a comprehensive, district-wide Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) plan, strengthening Tier 1 social-emotional learning (SEL) instruction across content areas and strengthening the school culture and climate.
Last summer and fall, significant disparities were seen in student achievement and growth, especially among student subgroups.
As work began last fall on the district’s Unified Improvement Plan (UIP), the learning acceleration plan, part of the UIP, was being developed
with input from school leaders and the instructional team to explore and remedy the root causes of the academic achievement gap.
To give a more precise definition of MTSS and SEL: MTSS is a collaborative, evidence- and prevention-based approach to individual student learning needs that helps educators proactively identify and provide support through academic and behavioral strategies. MTSS implementation aims to improve outcomes for all students.
The universal (Tier 1) SEL curriculum helps foster positive environments where students feel safe and supported and achieve a sense of belonging through learning about self-awareness, self-control and interpersonal skills vital for school and life success.
In his Feb. 22 column in the Post Independent, Superintendent Dr. Jesús Rodríguez clarified proposed staffing changes. He said some existing part-time positions would move to full-time status for those working in English Language Development (ELD) or as math and literacy coaches and other interventionists. The plan would potentially add new positions, such as a dean of student culture.
The proposed district-level staff additions include a principal supervisor, administrative support for the district’s instructional team and a student experience/culture lead.
The plan lays out major improvement strategies, including:
Ensuring that all students have access to and authentically engage with rigorous, grade-level content; Focusing coaching and professional development to strengthen instruction; Developing and implementing a progress monitoring system that includes support and intervention for all students who need additional and different opportunities to learn; and, A special emphasis on strengthening support for emerging bilingual students.
Complete implementation of the plan would take several budget cycles. Currently, the learning acceleration plan is a proposal for consideration.
However, Nathan Markham, RFSD chief of finance, will present a detailed budget proposal for board approval at the next regularlyscheduled meeting on March 1 at 6:15pm at the district offices, 400 Sopris Avenue in Carbondale.
On Wednesday, Feb. 22, RFSD placed schools on “secure action” status, with the exception of Glenwood Springs High School, which was temporarily placed on lockdown. The situation arose due to an unconfirmed report of a shooting at Aspen Elementary School.
Aspen schools were placed on lockdown and law enforcement went through each school and determined there was no real threat. “‘Secure action’ is called when there is a threat or hazard outside of the school building,” explains a press release from RFSD. “During ‘secure,’ all students and staff are brought into the secure building and all exterior doors are locked.”
Multiple school districts in Colorado also reported that “swatting” calls were made to their schools the same morning. A “swatting” call is when a false report is made to police with the intention of bringing a large police presence to a specified area.
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Following the Glenwood Springs City Council’s approval of the city’s hotel/ motel conversion ordinance in July 2022, some former hospitality complexes will inevitably, and before long, be converted to long-term housing options.
In fact, the Roaring Fork Transportation Authority (RFTA) is slated to collect on the opportunity on behalf of its employees.
In November 2022, RFTA closed on the former Rodeway Inn property, at 52039 Highway 6 and 24 in Glenwood Springs. If all goes well, according to RFTA’s Chief Executive Officer Dan Blankenship, employees of the transportation service should be able to begin moving into the building sometime this fall.
The former West Glenwood motel is made up of 42 units and one caretaker’s quarters.
Blankinship said that he anticipates all 42
units will be occupied by RFTA employees. At the end of 2022, RFTA employed approximately 375 employees — ranging from full-time, seasonal and part-time. Blankenship noted that the organization may have added 10 to 20 employees since then but, “It’s a bit of a moving target,” he relayed to The Sopris Sun.
“The majority of the units will be occupied by RFTA bus operators, since they represent the largest segment of the workforce,” stated Blankenship. He included that many RFTA operators are recruited from outside the area and therefore require housing once they’re hired on.
The 42 units at the Rodeway Inn are standard-sized motel accommodations, “similar to studio apartments,” Blankenship explained. Each will be equipped with a bedroom and living area, a kitchenette and a bathroom.
“Currently, the units are being redesigned for the renovation required to
bring them up to current city codes, such as installing kitchenettes and a fire suppression system,” he added. “Once the design is completed, a contractor will be retained to renovate the facility.”
Once the red tape is cut, the intention is to rent the units at below market value to its tenants. “Although, the exact monthly rent has not as of yet been determined,” Blankenship acknowledged. RFTA does not expect to sell any of the units to its employees or anyone else. Although, Blankenship did say, “We do not anticipate — but can’t rule out at this time — subleasing any of the units to other governmental employees,” down the road. This mostly depends on the state of the housing market, though. Should the market improve and become more stable, RFTA may not require all of the units for its own employees at that point. “However,” he continued, “we do not anticipate that will be the case for the foreseeable future.”
RFTA currently leases
several other living spaces in the Valley for employee housing. “For example, RFTA leases 25 units from The Residence on Grand Avenue in Glenwood Springs [formerly the Caravan Inn],” continued Blankenship.
He added that “When the renovation is completed on the Rodeway Inn facility, these employees [currently at The Residence] will be transferred to the newly renovated facility.”
Furthermore, he added that “It is anticipated that the balance of the units [at the Rodeway Inn] will be filled by employees currently residing in other units RFTA is leasing in Aspen and
No decision was made at the Garfield County commissioners meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 21, about the 41-acre Fussner Minor Subdivision proposed for the old Ascendigo property, 4.7 miles northeast of Carbondale and south of County Road 102 on Missouri Heights. Concerns from the neighbors were much the same — wildfire response, water, the condition of Harmony Lane and the size, height and location of the homes.
A resident named Kim (many of those speaking did not give their last names) expressed concern that the Carbondale and Rural Fire Protection District had signed off on the application, satisfied that Station 85 is close by. But, she claimed, Fire Station 85 is not staffed. “I’ve been there four times and can never get a live body to answer the door,” she said, adding that Station 85 did not respond to a small fire that broke out last summer. “So that fire station is a zero factor in safety for anyone who lives up here,” she said. “We can't even count on it to save a kitty.”
Kim went on to say that water availability is unreliable due to the reservoir system and whether and when ranchers down the line place a call. “We do not have any control over what we
get and when we get it,” she said. “So that's not a resource to be counted on in any way.” Her sentiments about the size and location of the proposed homes and the problems with Harmony Lane were echoed by several other residents.
By the end of the nearly two and a half hour public hearing, commissioners had also received 70 pages of new exhibits. Amidst much paper shuffling — 70 pages for each commissioner in a specific order — the board decided to continue the hearing until Monday, Feb. 27, at 1pm to allow time for everyone to read the new material.
The morning session was equally packed with funding grants, including $67,500 to YouthZone (YZ) after an impressive presentation by Development Director Carol Wolff and Executive Director Jami Hayes. Wolff told commissioners that needs for youth are increasing and cited how behaviors that carry high legal charges have changed over the years. “[Local youth] used to distribute drugs,” she explained. “Now, we’re seeing attempted homicide and homicide.” Marijuana and alcohol abuse, vaping and nicotine use and assault/petty theft are the top court ticket referrals for youth.
The good news is that YZ’s diversion programs at $2,150 per client for three to six months are cheaper than state
detention facilities, which run $66,000 per client for six months. And, the organization’s success rate is through the roof. Wolff said that 97% of kids that work with YZ do not reoffend. “And, there is 100% completion of our diversion program,” she added.
Other fulfilled funding requests included $5,000 each for the Rifle Rendezvous, LoVa Trail, Ambleside School, Roaring Fork Leadership, KSUN Radio and YouthEntity; and $2,500 each for Colorado Mountain College’s non-traditional scholarships and West Elk Trails. Parachute’s Valley Senior Center received $7,500. Commissioners did not fund the Middle Colorado Wildfire collaboration. “It is not an established entity,” they said. The Board also approved $150,000 in additional funds for road sand.
Commissioners approved comments to the Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commission’s draft plan for wolf reintroduction. Mike Samson made it clear that he is against wolf reintroduction, that it is “foolish” and a waste of time, energy and money. “This will cause great damage to livestock and wildlife,” he exclaimed. Discussion ensued about the “10(j) Rule” which must be in place before wolves are set free in the state in order to allow lethal control as a management option.
Snowmass Village.”
Overall, it’s not a small investment for RFTA. The organization paid $4.88 million for the purchase. In addition, the renovation costs could be more than $3 million alone, but, as Blankenship noted, RFTA will not know the actual cost for the facelift until the design is completed and the project is put out to bid. Those who are familiar with that stretch of Highway 6 and 24 in Glenwood Springs, know that motel signs have lined it for decades. The absence of the Rodeway Inn sign may signify a shifting trend.
The board listened to updates on Cottonwood Pass from Deputy County Manager Bentley Henderson, the Bureau of Land Management’s greater sage grouse conservation logistics from County Manager Fred Jarman and the 2023 county Health Care Task Force. They approved the consent agenda, including an intergovernmental agreement with Roaring Fork Transportation Authority for $550,000 for Grand Hogback commuter service. County attorney Heather Beattie explained how the Colorado Court of Appeals ruled in favor of Garfield County's winter mining restrictions at Rocky Mountain Industrial’s limestone quarry above Glenwood Springs.
And, Mike Samson and John Martin reported on their recent trip to the National Association of Counties conference in Washington, DC. Samson stated, for the benefit of The Sopris Sun, that they indeed met with Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) about energy issues.
• Open to Students from Aspen to Parachute, ages 13 through 18
• $1,800 Scholarship Prizes for each Performance Category (vocal, instrumental, dance and theatrical)
• Audition Application Website: gwskiwanistalentshow.org
• Nominations close March 1
• Successful Applicants for Audition will be Notified by March 10
IMPORTANT DATES
Audition: Thursday, March 23, 2023
Dress Rehearsal: Thursday, April 13, 2023
Show: Friday, April 14, 2023, Glenwood High School
Thank You to Our Event Sponsors!
PILATES BLEND
A full-body workout that targets specific muscles while engaging the entire body. Improve balance, muscle coordination, strength, and stability. Appropriate for all levels.
Mon/Wed, 12-12:50pm, 3/6-4/26
TENSION AND TRAUMA
RELEASING EXERCISES
Release deep muscular stress, tension, and trauma; calm the nervous system, and return balance.
Sundays, 10am-11:30am, 3/19-4/9
BEGINNING SCULPTURE
Learn how to design in 3-D, from sketches into a maquette, and complete sculptures while learning the tools to create special effects.
Mondays, 10am-1pm, 3/20-4/24
EXPLORATIONS IN MIXED
WATER MEDIA
Working with watercolor, acrylic, casein, and gouache to see how they work togehter - emphasis on design and creative process,
Mondays, 2-5pm, 3/20-4/24
FIND YOUR CREATIVE SPARK
Expand your creativity, and cultivate curiosity with therapeutic art techniques. No prior art experience necessaryand all supplies provided.
Mondays, 6-8pm, 3/20-4/24
NATIVE AMERICAN LITERATURE
Highlights themes of historical context, reservation life, and current cultural conflict through the writings of well-known Native American authors of various tribes.
Mondays, 6-8pm, 3/20-4/24
ADAPTABLE YOGA FOR SENIORS
Learn a simple yoga practice that builds flexibility and balance, promotes ease, protects you from injuries, and reduces chronic pain.
Tuesdays, 9:30-10:30am, 3/21-4/11
PAINTING FOR FUN
Paint in any medium in this fun class with guided projects and free painting time. Meet other painters and see what is possible.
Tuesdays, 9am-12pm, 3/21-4/25
UKRAINIAN EGG DECORATING
Decorate eggs with beautiful colored patterns using beeswax resist in Eastern European tradition with Jill Scher.
Saturday, 10am-3pm, 4/1
INTRO TO HERBALISM
Learn about the 5 herbal actions and flavors, and how food and herbs help us to live more in balance. An introduction to bioregional herbalism with Sheehan Meagher.
Tuesday, 5-7pm, 4/4
Leadville’s 75th Ski Joring and Crystal Carnival Weekend is March 3-5 with events, races, music and other winter fun. Find details at www.leadvilletwinlakes.com/ skijoring. Can’t make it over the hill in-person? Visit Leadville Ski Joring on Facebook for streaming. Courtesy photo by Mark LaRowe Photography
THURSDAY, FEB. 23
CODING CLUB
Students in grades seven to 10 are invited to learn coding with the Aspen Science Center at the Carbondale Library from 4 to 5pm. For details, contact bcasagrande@ aspensciencecenter.org
FOOT CARE
Garfield County Public Libraries and Senior Matters present “The Importance of Foot and Ankle Care” with Dr. Noel Armstrong, online at 4pm. Register at www.bit.ly/Feb23FootCare
COMMUNITY ACUPUNCTURE
Dr. Michelle doles out acupuncture treatments in a group setting in the Kiva at True Nature Healing Arts from 4 to 6pm. Walk-ins are welcome, but registered patrons are given priority. Register at www. truenaturehealingarts.com/events
BINGO IN REDSTONE
The Redstone Inn Bar and Grill hosts Bingo Night at 6:30pm.
HOMETOWN SCIENCE
The Aspen Science Center kicks off its Hometown Science speaker series at the Third Street Center at 6:30pm with Sarah Johnson of Wild Rose Education discussing her 2022 trip to the Arctic.
TRTC
“You Can’t Take It with You” continues at the Thunder River Theatre tonight, Feb. 24, 25, March 2, 3 and 4 at 7:30pm and Feb. 26 and March 5 at 2pm. Tickets at www.thunderrivertheatre.com
ASPEN LAUGH FEST
The Aspen Laugh Festival continues with comic Becky Robinson opening for Pete Lee at the Wheeler at 7:30pm. Ivan Decker and Ryan Hamilton perform Feb. 24 at 7:30pm and Ron Funches closes out the festival on Feb. 25 at 7:30pm. Tickets at www.aspenshowtix.com
FRIDAY, FEB. 24
MOUNTAINFILM ON TOUR
Mountainfilm on Tour presents “Indomitable Spirit: Stories of Impact” at the Basalt Library, with dinner at 5pm and the film at 6pm. Visit www. basaltlibrary.org for more info.
RUMOR HAS IT...
Rumors performs during Friday
Afternoon Club at the Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park at 5pm.
SACRED SOUND
Dr. Zachary Cashin leads a Sacred
Sound Journey in the Kiva at True Nature Healing Arts, 6:30 to 8pm. Visit www.truenaturehealingarts. com/events for more info.
CRYSTAL THEATRE
“Living” opens at the Crystal Theatre and continues Feb. 25, 26, March 1 and March 2 at 7pm. The Sunday, Feb. 26, showing is at 5pm. “A Man Called Otto” shows on Feb. 24 at 4:15pm and “Women Talking” returns Feb. 25 at 4:45pm.
MARTIN SEXTON
Martin Sexton performs at TACAW at 8pm. Find tickets at www.tacaw.org
SATURDAY, FEB. 25
WILDLIFE WALK AND TALK
Wilderness Workshop and Defiende Nuestra Tierra guide a bilingual tour of Garfield Creek State Wildlife Area from 10am to 2pm. Visit www. wildernessworkshop.org/events for more info and to register.
HEALING WITH ANCESTORS
Carol Shure leads a systemic family constellation workshop at the Third Street Center from 10am to 4pm. Visit www.carolshure.com/events for more info and to register.
UINTA PROTEST
350 Roaring Fork leads a protest against the Uinta Basin Railway at Centennial Park in Glenwood Springs at noon.
FLASHMOB ON THE SLOPES
The Bonedale Flashmob will groove at The Collective at Snowmass Base Village at 4pm. The performance will benefit Challenge Aspen.
MILLENIUM MANIA
The Roaring Divas are back with a drag show at TACAW at 8pm celebrating the top hits of the early 2000s. Tickets at www.tacaw.org
SUNDAY, FEB. 26
MAKE MOVE MAGIC
Mellie Test leads an interconnected body and energy workshop in the Kiva at True Nature Healing Arts at 10am. Visit www.truenaturehealingarts.com/ events for more info and to register.
AMERICAN LOVE STORY
Aspen Film presents “Hopper: An American Love Story” at the Isis Theatre at 3pm. Details at www.aspenfilm.org
MONDAY, FEB. 27
NAVIGATING SOCIAL MEDIA
Mike Jones, former chief executive officer of MySpace, discusses social
media, the effects it has on kids and tips to help parents navigate their child’s usage at the Waldorf School at 6pm. Visit www.bit.ly/MikeJonesParentTalk to register for this event.
VEGAN POTLUCK
The Center for Human Flourishing hosts a plant-based potluck at the Third Street Center from 6:30 to 8pm.
IMPROV WORKSHOP
Consensual Improv guides a fourweek long improv workshop on Mondays from 6:30 to 8:30pm at TACAW. To register, email cassidywilley@gmail.com
THE MERCHANT OF VENICE
Colorado Shakespeare Festival’s Violence Prevention Program performs an abridged version of “The Merchant of Venice” at TACAW at 7pm, followed by a discussion led by the actors. Visit www. tacaw.org for tickets and more info.
TUESDAY, FEB. 28
CORSETS TO HARNESSES
Ruthie Brown and Kim Levin present “Corsets to Harnesses: A Reflection of Women’s Climbing History” at The Collective in Snowmass at 7pm as part of the Aspen Center for Environmental Studies’ free Wild Perspectives series.
STILL LIFE PAINTING
The Art Base and AspenOUT invites LGBTQIA+ folx to paint with libations from 6 to 8pm. Register at www.theartbase.org
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 1
BOOK CLUB
The Basalt Library hosts an informal book club to discuss any and all books at noon.
READ THROUGH
Valley actors read excerpts from high school students’ plays, written with the help of the Theater Masters Aspiring Playwrights Program, at the Basalt Library at 5pm. Visit www. basaltlibrary.org for more info.
LIVING WITH BEARS
Garfield County Libraries, the town of New Castle and Colorado Parks & Wildlife host three conversations, March 1, 22 and April 19, about coexisting with bears at the New Castle Community Center at 6pm.
DYING ASSISTANCE
Dr. Shane Liberman joins Akaljeet, a conscious-dying coach, to discuss medical assistance in dying and how it works in Colorado at the Third Street Center at 6:30pm. Register by emailing info@tcfhf.org
SOOTHING SOUNDS
Laura Kirk and Bonte Lane host “An Invitation to Walking Meditation, Vibrations and Sound to Soothe the Soul” at the Third Street Center at 6:30pm.
CHASING THE LINE
In honor of the AUDI Ajax Cup, Aspen Film screens “Chasing the Line” at the Isis Theatre at 7pm. Tickets at www.aspenfilm.org
BLUEGRASS
Dave Simonett and Dave Carroll of Trampled by Turtles perform a duo show at the Wheeler at 7:30pm. Tickets at www.aspenshowtix.com
STEVE’S GUITARS
Walter Salas-Humara of The Silos performs at Steve’s Guitars at 8pm. Tickets at www.stevesguitars.net
THURSDAY, MARCH 2
MUSIC, MOVEMENT AND PUPPETS
Ms. Holly and friends lead families and their young children through a musical movement activity at the Basalt Library from 10:30 to 11am.
LIBRARY TRAINING
Learn how to make the most of the resources offered by the Basalt Library at 5pm. This is a bilingual opportunity.
BANFF FILMS
The Banff Centre Mountain Film and Book Festival presents a show at the Wheeler at 7pm. Tickets at www.aspenshowtix.com
TENSION�TRAUMA RELEASE
Jacquie Wheeler facilitates Tension/ Trauma Release Exercises at the Third Street Center at 7:15pm tonight, March 9 and March 23 and at 3:30pm on March 4. Learn more at www.traumaprevention.com and register by emailing info@tcfhf. First responders may attend for free.
FRIDAY, MARCH 3
BINGO NIGHT
Honey Butter hosts a barbecue buffet and bingo every Friday from 6 to 8pm.
SATURDAY, MARCH 4
BREATHWORK
Lisa Wilson and Nick Nicholson teach Neo-Shamanic Breathwork at the Third Street Center from 9am to 6pm. To sign up, text Lisa at 970-274-6726.
ART BASE GRAB AND GO
Every first Saturday, middle and high school students can pick up a “take and create” kit, put together by The Art Base, at the Basalt Library between 10am to noon.
CRAFTY KIDS
Every first and third Saturday through May, Carbondale Arts brings a local artist to the Carbondale Library to guide kindergarten through third graders — and their accompanying adults — in creating a craft project. To register or for more info, call 970-963-2889.
SOUL WISDOM
True Nature hosts a workshop for women guided by Meghan Gilroy from 1 to 3pm. Tickets at www. truenaturehealingarts.com
LUNAFEST
Advocate Safehouse Project presents films by and about women at the Ute Theater in Rifle at 6pm, and on March 11 at the Hotel Colorado in Glenwood Springs at 4 and 7pm. There will also be virtual viewing options; learn more at www.advocatesafehouseproject.org
SUNDAY, MARCH 5
SHANKALPA SHAKTI
True Nature leads a workshop for building confidence and achieving goals, led by Alya Howe, from 10am to 12:30pm. Tickets at www. truenaturehealingarts.com
ECSTATIC DANCE
Alya Howe guides a full moon ecstatic dance at 13 Moons Ranch, 6334 Highway 133, from 6 to 8pm. Registration is not necessary.
MONDAY, MARCH 6
MEET THE AUTHOR
Carbondale Library hosts Linda Romero Criswell, author of “Watermelon Snow,” at 2pm to talk about her book based on a fictional town with many similarities to Carbondale.
PASTEL WORKSHOP
Doug Graybeal begins a fourpart introductory pastel drawing workshop at the Basalt Library at 5pm. The workshop continues each following Monday, with the exception of March 13. Visit www. basaltlibrary.org for more info.
ENGLISH IN ACTION
English in Action hosts an open English tutoring session at the Basalt Library at 6pm.
In any sport, it is no easy task to beat a team three times in a single season. In order to progress to the next round of the 3A Western Slope district tournament, the Roaring Fork Rams had no choice but to make it three victories in a row over the Olathe Pirates in Carbondale on Tuesday evening. A month prior, the Rams cruised to a 54-30 victory over Olathe at home, but on Feb. 10 in Olathe, the Rams escaped with a much less comfortable 45-35 win.
The Rams came out of the gates strong, winning the opening tip-off and getting the ball straight to River Byrne, who drove to the basket, drew a few defenders, then kicked it out to Noel Richardson, who drained a wide open three-point shot. Byrne and Richardson continued to find each other and score, but good work by Diego Loya, Gabriel Serson and Ryan Metheny in the paint gave Roaring Fork a healthy 17-8 lead to end a first quarter in which every Roaring Fork starter scored.
In the second quarter, the Rams offense continued to score, but on the other side of the court, Olathe began to find their shooting rhythm. The Pirates could not get a foothold in the paint, but freshman Isaiah Gordon and junior Miguel Lara kept Olathe in the game with their long distance shooting. Eddie Hernandez came off the bench midway through the quarter for his first game time since suffering from a stomach bug last week, and though his passing was off the pace, he finished off a signature transition move with a lay-up just before halftime to make the score 36-23.
Despite their double digit lead, Coach Jason Krieling was clearly not happy with his team’s
defensive efforts in the first half. “We always seem to have one quarter of a let down,” he said after the game. “If we are going to win games, we have to show up every quarter and take care of things, and take some pride in playing defense.” His team came out in the second half with a point to prove. Defensively, the Rams put the Pirates under constant pressure, forced turnovers, held on to key rebounds and limited Gordon and Lara’s open shooting opportunities.
By the end of the third quarter, Roaring Fork held a 21-point lead, and they were far from done.
Having given up 18 points in a frantic final quarter during their last game against Olathe on Feb. 10, the Rams knew they needed to focus on finishing this game strong. Byrne led the line offensively, scoring 8 of his 25 points in the game’s final stanza. The game ended 66-39, in favor of Roaring Fork.
As the Rams look ahead to their second-round matchup with the Meeker Cowboys on Friday in Grand Junction, Coach Krieling will be relieved to have a full roster at his disposal after a few rough weeks for his team, health-wise. “I was definitely exhausted this week,” said Byrne, in reference to his health, “but I feel 100% now.” Hernandez, usually a starter, contributed 15 points off the bench after battling a stomach bug last week, and looks ready to get back to his best.
On paper, Richardson’s 12 points might seem modest, but his overall performance was astounding. It was his decisive long-range shooting that got the Rams out to an early lead, and his tidy alley-oop finish in the second quarter that got the crowd on its feet. Defensively he led the Rams with four steals, and he demonstrated his willingness to put his body on the line as he drew a charge, sending the Roaring Fork bench into a frenzy in the process. Richardson’s eye for a pass was also evident, as he linked up twice with Ryan Metheny for easy buckets, once on a cross court pass through traffic, and the other on a classic pick-and-roll move.
Now on a five-game winning streak, the Rams (15-5) will travel to Grand Junction on Friday afternoon to play Meeker (13-7) for a spot in the district tournament final. After narrowly losing out on a League title to Cedaredge due to a tiebreaker that took both teams’ overall records into account, the Rams will want another chance to face the Bruins on a neutral court.
Eran las 5 de la tarde un sábado, me faltaba poco para terminar mi turno. Había respondido a varias llamadas de servicio durante el día y estaba un poco cansado. Mi uniforme pesa entre 30 a 40 libras y cargarlo por doce horas es agotador. De pronto escuché una llamada de servicio por el radio de mi patrulla, “sujeto con ideación suicida”. Como es de costumbre, yo respondo en la radio con mi número de oficial y digo “403”.
La operadora continúa, “403, tenemos un sujeto con ideación suicida en cierta dirección. Está armado con un cuchillo y amenazando con quitarse la vida. El sujeto ha dicho que si llega la policía los atacara y se matará”. Veo en mi computadora que su esposa e hijos están en la casa con él. Es complicado tomar la decisión de responder con urgencia cuando el sujeto indica que tu mera presencia será causa de una tragedia.
Encendí mi luces y sirena y empecé a conducir rápido hacia la dirección indicada. Comencé a sentir como la patrulla aceleraba y al mismo tiempo el latido de mi corazón. Comencé a armar un plan para estar preparado cuando llegara a la escena. ¿Que voy hacer si el sujeto se comienza hacer daño?, ¿Que voy hacer si me intenta atacar a mi o a su familia?, ¿Cómo me acerco a la casa sin empeorar la situación?
Cuando llégo al el área, me doy cuenta que es un edificio con varios apartamentos. Tengo conmigo a tres oficiales más. Inmediatamente le pido a un oficial que llame a la persona que hizo el reporte- era la esposa del sujeto en crisis. Les pedimos que salgan del apartamento por su seguridad. Mientras el oficial hablaba con ella, la puerta del apartamento se abrió y tres personas salieron y se acercaron a nosotros, pero la esposa se negó a salir.
En el tiempo desde la llamada de servicio, hemos rodeado el lugar sin ser vistos. Tengo un oficial con un arma menos letal lista, un arma de fuego, y un arma eléctrica. Durante este tiempo el sujeto no ha dejado el cuchillo e insiste en hacerse daño. Ahora viene la decisión más crítica, hacer contacto con el sujeto y arriesgar que se haga o nos haga daño. Decido hacer contacto y en grupo nos acercamos a la puerta preparados
para una confrontación. Mientras nos acercamos, podemos escuchar que está discutiendo con su mujer. Cada oficial tiene un arma, y el arma que me toca emplear a mi son mis palabras.
Abro la puerta y lo veo, inmediatamente se debe convertir algo más que un sujeto, un ser humano al que llamaremos John. Desde su ángulo, John no podía ver a los otros oficiales armados detrás de mí. Yo con las manos vacías me arme de compasión por él y empecé a dialogar con él. “Hola, me llamo Carlos y estoy aquí para ayudarte. ¿Cómo te llamas?” Su respuesta inmediata fue decirme que no lo podía ayudar y me pedía que me fuera.
John seguía armado con un cuchillo de cocina de 10 pulgadas. Mi enfoque era verlo como persona más allá de la amenaza y crear una relación durante su momento de crisis. Poco a poco se empezó a abrir. Me dijo que sentía que no valía la pena vivir. Que no le hallaba sentido a la vida. Me contó todas sus razones y yo solo pensaba que si estuviera yo en la misma situación, tal vez me sentiría igual.
Solo después de 45 minutos de charla con John, yo detrás de la puerta y él en su cocina, es que le púde pedir que bajara el cuchillo para poder entrar y hablar más con él. John, aún vacilando, accedió y bajó el cuchillo.
Al final pudimos entrar a su casa, se desahogó, lloró, se enojó, pero al final aceptó ayuda. Llegó un terapeuta y colaboramos juntos. La llamada al final duró casi cuatro horas para tener resolución, pero fue exitosa.
Después del suceso, no hubo prensa o videos virales. Nadie en la comunidad, fuera de los involucrados supo lo que pasó. Miles de oficiales cada día trabajan duro para tener resultados exitosos, pero la mayoría de las veces nadie se da cuenta. Así como hay oficiales que cometen errores graves, hay miles que hacen bien su trabajo.
Te exhorto a que conozcas más a oficiales locales y experimentes el trabajo que hacen para entender mejor sus decisiones en diversas situaciones. En todos los departamentos de policía se ofrece un programa llamado, “Ride Along” donde puedes pasear en la patrulla con los oficiales. Utiliza este programa para que puedas apreciar la perspectiva desde la patrulla.
Volumen 1, Número 51 | 23 de febrero de 2023 - 1 de marzo de 2023
Por Angelica Breña
Recuerdo muy bien que hace algunos años una de las mujeres latinas con las que inicié una amistad me invitó a bailar salsa en un lugar por El Jebel. Con un guiño pícaro acompañado de una sonrisa encantadora, me dijo, “tráete a tu blanquitoque yo llevaré al mío”. Se refería a mi esposo, pues les había contado que era inglés y se le dificultaba bailar salsa. Después de varios bailongos y tertulias descubrí que no era raro encontrar latinas– “morenitas”- que estábamos emparejadas con anglosajones o europeos.
En honor al día del amor, me di a la tarea de formular una encuesta a parejas mixtas para conocer las peripecias, obstáculos e incluso dificultades que han
experimentado al pertenecer a diferentes culturas, tradiciones y decidir emprender un sendero juntos.
Somos latinas y ellos anglosajones o europeos que vivimos en este valle desde hace algunos años. Las edades varían entre los 30 y 70 años. Las preguntas fueron sencillas y giraron alrededor de:
¿Qué fue lo que más te atrajo de la otra cultura de tu pareja?, ¿Cuáles sorpresas agradables y extrañezas descubriste a la hora de convivir?, ¿Qué dificultades hubo con la comunidad del cónyuge cuando anunciaron que eran pareja?, ¿Se conocieron aquí o decidieron vivir aquí en el valle?, ¿Planean seguir aquí?
A ellas les gustó que ellos, los anglosajones o europeos, fueran honestos, claros en sus intenciones y comunicaciones. Subrayaron el pragmatismo con el que resuelven la vida diaria así como la clara distribución de las tareas y responsabilidades en el hogar. Les fascina que ellos cocinen y las sorprendan con
sus platillos gourmet- esto último fue de los europeos.
A todas las encuestadas les encantó el espíritu de aventura y curiosidad para explorar la naturaleza que nos rodea. Muy importante, que ellos fueran muy activos en los deportes, y en actividades al aire libre, que les infundan ese gusto a las parejas y familias por salir a otros paisajes y estar fuera de la zona de confort.
En temas espinosos o tabúes, ellos se expresaron abiertamente, y esta apertura propicia una liberación en ellas para reinventarse con menos presión social. A preguntas directas, ellos esperan un sí o un no. Recordemos lo que dijo el conocido escritor mexicano Carlos Monsiváis, los latinos somos barrocos hasta en el hablar, enredamos las oraciones, nos andamos por las ramas, adornamos demasiado y es difícil saber lo que realmente queremos y eso ocasiona una dificultad para quienes el español no es su lengua nativa.
Curiosamente, una de las latinas encuestadas comentó que fue más bien una
La muerte de un ser querido nos cuesta bastante. The Sopris Sun se complace en publicar obituarios locales de un tamaño razonable, incluida una foto, de forma gratuita.
Envie un correo electrónico a news@soprissun.com para enviar un obituario o para más información.
persona de su comunidad latina la que juzgó y discriminó su relación con un hombre de otra raza y cultura. El racismo es una semilla que existe en todos los seres humanos, hay que estar atentos a no dejarla crecer.
En cuanto a ellos, lo que más les atrajo de sus “morenitas” fueron los lazos familiares que van de la mano con tradiciones y costumbres. Las frecuentes celebraciones que dan ocasión a una fiesta. La sempiterna música y ritmos que acompañamos, con silbidos, bailes, tarareadas y risas. La colorida y rica historia y cultura que tiene cada país o región en Latinoamérica.
Casi todas han inyectado un entusiasmo enjundioso a las tradiciones americanas como el Thanksgiving, 4 de julio, Superbowl, etc. La alegría de vivir en las latinas es un imán para los “blanquitos”. Uno de los encuestados dijo, “Además, de todo lo que he dicho, su sonrisa puede iluminar la habitación”.
Otra respuesta digna de comentar fue que desde que está con su latina querida, él ha incrementado y trabajado
continua en pagina 13
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el Sol del Valle agradece por su apoyo a:
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Finalmente, después de casi un año planeando una exhibición de arte, la semana pasada, 16 de febrero, fue la apertura del show: “And Everything In Between”, Y todo entremedio. La exhibición fue organizada por Red Brick Center for the Arts en Aspen y acompañándome a exhibir sus obras estuvieron los artistas, Justin Squier, Teal Wilson y Brenda Peters.
La apertura fue todo un éxito. Amigos y miembros de la comunidad de Aspen y el resto del valle viajaron para ver nuestras obras. Los pasillos de ladrillo estaban llenos con gente observando de cerca lo que habíamos creado. Hubo aquellos que buscaban a los artistas para preguntarnos el por qué, de lo que habíamos creado y hubo quienes hacían sus propias inferencias.
¿Por qué crear arte? Esta pregunta la hemos explorado
en columnas pasadas, pero últimamente es una pregunta que me he estado haciendo a mi misma. A pesar de una apertura exitosa y sentir el apoyo y el amor de mis amigos y seres queridos, también me sentí agotada. Sentí el tipo de agotamiento que te impide sentir ningún tipo de satisfacción, como si hubiera sobrevivido el arduo labor de crear.
En mi bolsillo cargo conmigo un cuaderno donde tomó apuntes y escribo ideas que luego puedo desarrollar más. Uno de esos apuntes decía, “Hacer arte en aras de producir es como decir algo en aras de hablar.” Estoy cansada. Me he agotado creando arte en aras de producción y no de creatividad.
Es redundante decir que vivimos en un mundo que gira más rápido de lo que lo hacía hace tiempo atrás. Eso ya lo sabemos. Pero a pesar de ya saberlo y sentirnos abrumados por ello, somos como las ratas corriendo en la rueda sin poder parar. Compartimos el mismo miedo de que si paramos, nos quedaremos atrás.
De cierta forma, las redes sociales han creado una ansiedad a crear en aras de producción, pero tal vez eso comenzó desde la revolución industrial. “Content creators”, creadores de contenido, son
Traducción por Jacquelinne Castro
Diseños lindos
¡La 25a celebración anual del Día del diente de león es el 13 de mayo! Todos los artistas están invitados a entregar una pieza de arte para el tema de este año – Abejas de Bondale! El diseño ganador será seleccionado por la Junta Ambiental de Carbondale y será impreso en todas las camisetas y carteles. Los trabajos hechos a mano deben entregarse al Ayuntamiento y los digitales a dandelionday81623@ gmail.com antes del 15 de marzo. ¡Buzz buzz!
Protesta
El sábado 25 de febrero a mediodía, 350 Roaring Fork, conducirá una protesta en Centennial Park en Glenwood Springs en demanda a la anulación de la decisión hecha por el Servicio Forestal y la Junta de Transportación de Superficie para una extensión de ferrocarril desde el yacimiento petrolífero de Uinta Basin hasta la línea de Union Pacific a lo largo del río Colorado.
Cripple Creek Backcountry y Basalt Bike and Ski (BBS por sus siglas en inglés), dos de las tiendas de accesorios al aire libre se unirán. “Por medio de nuestra asociación con BBS, no solamente adquiriremos marcas esenciales así como Specialized, Giant, Yeti, Santa Cruz, Pivot, Cervelo y Pinarello, sino que también más de 100 años combinados de experiencia en servicio de bicicletas”, escribió Cripple Creek en un comunicado de prensa,
Educación al aire libre
Roaring Fork Outdoor Volunteers y Aspen
personas cuyo trabajo depende de la producción en las redes sociales. Si dejas de crear, dejas de ser relevante, la gente se olvida de ti y de cierta forma, dejas de existir. Como las redes sociales son una herramienta de mercadotecnia, muchos artistas se encuentran atrapados en esta telaraña.
En septiembre del año pasado escribí una columna titulada, “Tu creatividad está sufriendo y tu teléfono es el culpable”, en ella detalle el efecto de las redes sociales en la creatividad. Después de haberlo escrito me sentí un poco hipócrita porque mi propia creatividad era afectada por aquello que había condenado. Así que decidí hacer el experimento de dejarlo y probar si realmente dejaría de existir.
En el tiempo que he estado sin ello, sueño despierta un poquito más. Mi cuaderno se ha convertido en un apéndice donde escribo garabatos y cosas sin sentido. Muchas de ellas son tonterías, pero algunas ideas con potencial de ser algo más. Tengo más tiempo de observar mis alrededores y sentirme inspirada por lo que veo.
La creatividad es como una semilla, necesita tierra fértil. En la agricultura, hay ciclos donde las semillas se cambian y también temporadas donde no se siembra para darle a la tierra
tiempo para recuperarse. No se puede sembrar el mismo cultivo año tras año porque después de un tiempo los nutrientes necesarios para que las semillas germinen se agotaran a tal grado que simplemente no habrá cosecha y la tierra se hará esteril.
Me he dado cuenta que tan difícil es decir, “no”, especialmente a aquello que viene disfrazado como una oportunidad. Como artistas, siento que siempre hemos estado deseosos de que alguien reconozca nuestro talento, que alguien nos dé la oportunidad de exhibir nuestro trabajo. Así que nos matamos trabajando, diciendo “si” a cada migaja de oportunidad que se nos presenta aunque el trabajo que algún día nos llegó a inspirar ahora sea un labor que solo produce frustración e insatisfacción. A veces, tenemos que mirar la cosecha de nuestro cultivo y determinar si nuestra tierra es lo suficientemente fértil para la próxima temporada. Durante la apertura, me pare enfrente de mis cuadros y presientí que mis semillas no germinaran si no atiendo la tierra en la que las siembro. Así que no me retiro del arte, nunca podría aunque quisiera, pero me retiro de la creación en aras de producción. Iré contra el grano de lo que se espera en esta sociedad de alta prisa, me bajaré de la rueda y miraré como todos me dejan atrás mientras yo germinó mis ideas.
Community Foundation están ofreciendo una oportunidad de un año entero completamente pagado para estudiantes de escuela secundaria desde Aspen hasta Parachute. Los estudiantes explorarán el aire libre, desarrollarán habilidades prácticas, embarcarán en un viaje de varios días y recibirán $1,500 por participar. Para saber más visite www.rfov.org/yin
Publica tu libro
Colorado Mountain College está ofreciendo un nuevo curso – Estrategias detrás de Escribir y Terminar su Libro. En seis sesiones consecutivas, la autora publicada Edith Lynn Hornik-Beer le ayudará a convertir su trabajo en proceso a un libro publicado. Las clases comienzan el 1 de marzo y continuarán los miércoles de 6 p.m. a 7:30 p.m. por medio de Zoom. Inscribase en línea en community-education. coloradomtn.edu
La Agencia de Protección Ambiental de los Estados Unidos organizará una sesión auditiva el 8 de marzo de 6 p.m. a 8 p.m. para Colorado, Montana, Carolina del Norte, Dakota del Sur, Utah Wyoming y 28 naciones tribales con respecto a las sustancias perfluoroalquiladas y polifluoroalquiladas: productos químicos fabricados conocidos por descomponerse lentamente y acumularse en las personas, animales y el ambiente. Inscríbase en línea en pfascommunityengagement.org/register
El programa del condado de Garfield que proporciona ayuda financiera para mejorar la eficiencia energética en el hogar ha regresado con un nuevo horario de reembolso. Las personas interesadas deben
en su empatía y respeto hacia las personas no consideradas blancas. Mi mayor sorpresa al hacer este ejercicio fue descubrir que todos los encuestados estaban muy enamorados de su otra mitad. Sí, fue el amor en su vertiente de aceptación y respeto lo que resaltó en cada una de sus respuestas, y no me refiero a que tanto se quieren sino cómo y de qué manera se quieren. Independientemente de que exista diversidad en las tradiciones y costumbres, de que sea muy diferente la forma de expresar sentimientos y emociones; ese amor cuida y está atento al crecimiento y desarrollo de la otra persona. Me atrevo a decir que ser “blanquito o morenita” es irrelevante en una empresa tan importante como ser una pareja comprometida, o formar un matrimonio. Me quedo con la consigna de ponerle más sabor y color a la mesa diaria, subirle el volumen a la música y decir, “sí” a las diferencias y oportunidades para crecer juntos.
inscribirse lo más pronto posible, porque los fondos son limitados y hay una lista de espera para solicitantes del 2022. Para más información e inscripciones visite el sitio web de Garfield Clean Energy: www. garfieldcleanenergy.org/reenergize
La tienda de segunda mano Defiance premio $55,000 en subvenciones a cinco organizaciones sin fines de lucro el 10 de febrero: Advocate Safehouse Project, Great Regional Expentacion, Lift-Up, Mountain Valley Developmental Services y River Bridge Regional Center. “Cuando traen sus donaciones a Defiance, las ventas resultantes nos ayudan a proporcionar estas subvenciones en una verdadera capacidad de devolución”, dijo el miembro de la junta Sandy Swanson. La tienda está ubicada en 2412 South Glen Avenue en Glenwood Springs y está abierta de martes a sábado de 10 a.m. a 4 p.m.
La corte de apelaciones de Colorado afirmó una decisión del distrito de corte del condado de Garfield que Rocky Mountain Industrials (RMI por sus siglas en inglés) violó las condiciones de su permiso de uso especial en Mid-Continent Mine. En su apelación, RMI argumento que la condición dentro del permiso de uso especial del condado, el cual impone restricciones de operaciones en el invierno – con el fin de proteger la vida silvestre de caza mayor – era discutible debido a la excepción de la Oficina de Administración de Tierras de la misma estipulación en el 2018. Sin embargo, el tribunal de apelación afirmó la decisión del distrito que la protección de invierno es apropiada. “La restricción sirve un propósito ambiental razonable, no es absoluto y es temporal”, declaró la decisión de apelación.
News literacy is the ability to recognize the standards of fact-based news in order to trust, share and act on accurate information. In a Digital Age where information spreads like wildfire, it is becoming more challenging than ever to separate fact from fiction. Anyone has the ability to create and share information, whether true or false. News literacy teaches about the importance of a free press in our democracy, while also demonstrating how to decipher credible information to determine what is trustworthy.
The Digital Age poses four major threats to the functioning of a democracy:
1. The constant, overwhelming flow of information we receive daily makes it difficult to determine what is fact or fiction.
2. The creation of new, widespread platforms leads to more ways for misinformation to be published in a way that makes it look like it is coming from a credible source.
3. The desire for information to be distributed as fast as possible results in more room for inaccuracy and increases the chance that information shared will be wrong.
4. New algorithms have made it so that much of the information we see reinforces our preexisting beliefs rather than opening us up to alternative perspectives.
Residents of Carbondale are fortunate to have The Sopris Sun as a source of credible information. However, the closure of hundreds of local newspapers in neighboring rural communities has led to the creation of “news deserts” in places
with smaller populations, leaving individuals to struggle for access to credible news sources and causing vulnerability to misinformation. According to the 2022 State of Local News Report published by Northwestern University, more than one-fifth of the U.S. population, 70 million people, are currently living in news deserts. For this reason, it is now more critical than ever for individuals to assess their news literacy skills and build habits to determine what is true and credible.
A healthy society can only exist if the public is well-informed. If we can’t agree on a set of basic facts, we are unable to make knowledgeable decisions that are for the betterment of our democracy. Although it is impossible for the sharing of misinformation to be eliminated, our society can begin to build habits that fight the spread.
The News Literacy Project invites readers of The Sopris Sun to be part of the movement and “Think Before You Share” by answering the following questions to evaluate the credibility of a claim:
1. Is the information I am sharing authentic?
2. Has it been posted or confirmed by a credible source?
3. Is there evidence that proves the claim?
4. Is the context accurate?
5. Is it based on solid reasoning?
A new generation of news-literate individuals who demand credible, accurate information will not only amend the foundations of journalism but will also reshape the standards of a healthy democracy. For more information, visit www.newslit.org, follow @thinkb4ushare on Instagram or connect with the ThinkB4UShare group on Facebook.
Crystal Trail continued from page 4
can be held responsible for the declines in wildlife populations or other impacts — and yet collectively our trail systems and recreation uses are undeniably impactful to wildlife and ecosystems.”
One section of the environmental assessment does consider cumulative impacts, stating plainly: “the Forest Service considers the [Carbondale to Crested Butte] Trail concept to be a reasonably foreseeable future action.” As described in the plan approved by Pitkin County (www.bit.ly/CCBTplan), this would be implemented in phases “from 2018 to 2040 and beyond.”
However, according to the environmental assessment, “Pitkin County currently has no plans, studies or dedicated funding to begin implementation of any … segments north of Redstone,” and, “since no specific trail route is currently proposed, the sitespecific resource impacts … are unknown at this time.”
Nonetheless, according to WRNF’s draft decision notice, “none of the actions included in the proposed action would create significant impacts alone or when considered with other actions.”
To learn more, visit www.bit.ly/RedstonetoMcClure
Hamilton Pevec
premiered his latest film — "Azurescens: Through a Blue Lens" — at the third annual Fungi Film Festival, hosted in Portland, Oregon, on Dec. 8, 2022. Locals had the opportunity to view the film, which has since earned many major awards, at a locallyhosted fungi film festival on Dec. 20, 2022.
The documentary has won such awards as “Most Edutaining” at the premier festival and “Best Documentary-Short” at the 8 & HalFilm Awards, and is an official selection for the American Golden Picture International Film Festival, 8 & HalFilm festival in Rome, Italy, and the Nature Without Borders International Film Festival.
“Azurescens” is the first part of a series that Pevec is currently working on, which follows the anecdotal stories of mushroom hunters and users as well as the importance of respectful relationships within the study of mycology. The first film focuses on a specific strain of psychedelic mushrooms, Psilocybe azurescens, which are found only along a small, undisclosed area of the North American West Coast.
Psilocybin mushrooms, also known as magic mushrooms, have been a growing public topic in recent years due to several places in the United States decriminalizing their possession and use, including Colorado, as well as medical studies weighing the benefits and risks of their use for medicinal and recreational purposes.
Pevec sat down with The Sopris Sun to discuss his film's production process, his
relationship and connection to mycology and what is next for the film and himself.
While discussing the contents of the film, which has a total runtime of 32 minutes, Pevec stated that because Psilocybe is a “big genus,” his documentary short is merely a “snapshot.”
“In order to do something comprehensive, you would need 30 hours to get into it. It could be a multiseason series to cover all the interesting things about psychedelic mushrooms … but the best thing about being acknowledged on the festival circuit is it legitimizes the effort that you put into [the film] on a level that is more exclusive than the internet. Part of that legitimization is that you're in the company of other legitimate filmmakers,” Pevec stated.
He also discussed the film’s production, sharing that the idea for the film came to him when he heard about this unique mushroom,
which at the time he knew little about. He learned that it was considered the most potent magic mushroom found in nature, and that it was a type of right of passage for mushroom hunters to go and look for it.
“All of those things were very enticing to me,” he said. “So the reason I filmed it was because I was planning to go out to California like I do every year, to hunt mushrooms in November, go for Thanksgiving, my brother's birthday, and because it was off-season, I can go there and get another whole season of mushroom hunting in.
“So my brother said, ‘Hey, my friend is planning a trip to hunt azzies, do you want to come along?’ And I said, ‘Hell yeah. Can I film it?’ He said, ‘Yep,’ and I was like, ‘Okay, this is it!’”
Pevec stated that the road trip he took with his brother to the West Coast became the primary photography for
the film, and that it was “an opportunity that he could not miss” to help viewers understand the complex network of relationships that surround this particular mushroom.
"I have a unique data set from doing documentary work, collecting data and anecdotes from all different kinds of people using the medicine for all different reasons," he said.
As for what's next, Pevec has already done a majority of shooting and principal photography for the next installment of his series, which will focus on matsutake mushrooms, the only valuecontrolled mushroom on the Japanese market. Another part of the series, which will come later, will focus on the agarikon mushroom, a rare and “precious” medicinal mushroom that grows on old Douglas fir trees and is considered one of the most potent antivirals known to science.
"Azurescens: Through a Blue Lens" has won multiple awards and honors thus far on the festival circuit. Courtesy graphic
When asked how he views the storytelling of these fungi and those who use them for medicinal and ceremonial purposes, Pevec told The Sopris Sun, “I'm just thrilled to have the privilege to tell these stories of healing. Not only are they compelling narratives, but they also have this greater social impact, because if someone suffers from something that there is no treatment for and then discovers that there is a treatment, it can affect people's lives.”
"Azurescens: Through a Blue Lens" is still on the film festival circuit. While Pevec says that his film won't be free for public viewing for a while, it is currently available to rent or purchase on Vimeo at vimeo.com/ ondemand/azziefilm
By Luke Wander Sopris Sun Contributor
Editor’s Note: This review contains minor plot spoilers
Whenever the doorbell rings at the Sycamore house, you can be sure that the person who did the ringing is not the person you expect. Yet, no matter who comes a calling, or for what purpose, they will be welcomed, introduced to all, and lastly, invited to make themselves at home. This is, simply, who the Sycamores are; they welcome friends and strangers alike into their home. Visitors might stay for dinner, or they might stay for years.
If you find yourself lucky enough to get your hands on a ticket to the Thunder River Theater Company (TRTC) production of “You Can’t Take It With You” — playing now through March 3 — you will become well acquainted with the Sycamores. You’ll stay for dinner, and you, too, might wish you could stay for years.
Director Missy Moore has made skillful use of the local talent pool to knit together her own bubbly, bizarre and brilliant iteration of the Sycamore family, or to the sticklers among us, the Vanderhof-Sycamore-Carmichael family.
Trary Maddalone plays Mrs. Penelope “Penny” Sycamore, the
family’s matriarch and creative rock, alongside fellow TRTC veteran Christopher Weatley as her boyishly curious husband, Paul Sycamore. Penny and Paul don’t seem to have what might be conventionally recognized as jobs, but they remain busy writing plays, painting portraits, making firecrackers, raising kittens, playing with model ships and leading the family in all-too-revealing word association games.
Cassidy Willey and Gerald DeLisser play Essie and Ed Carmichael, a couple devoted to producing homemade candies, playing the xylophone, practicing ballet, running a miniature printing press and throwing lusty glances at each other across the room.
Grandpa Vanderhof, played by the irrepressible Bob Moore, sits atop the family tree, overseeing the operation, ensuring that joy is found at every opportunity, be it in a commencement address, a well-tossed dart, a cageful of snakes or a bit of incidental tax evasion.
Sophia Kai Higbie plays Alice Sycamore, the youngest and, significantly, the only member of her family who appears to have a job. Alice loves her family dearly, but seems to have a more realistic approach to the outside world than any of them.
Pound for pound, the Sycamores possess quite enough personality on their own, but they play the part of host with such warmth that around
them revolves an unending buffet of old friends and guests. There’s a pyrotechnically gifted male model, an inebriated actress with a perfectly imperfect sense of timing and even a combustible Russian ballet master who challenges strangers to wrestling matches and rubs elbows with the Czar’s relatives. In these roles, William LeDent, Allison Whitfield and Owen O’Farrell wring the absurdity out of each and every line, stage direction and prop available. Waiting upon the Sycamores, as well as their guests, is Rheba, the patient and able servant, played by Gabrielle Bailes, and her mischievous but devoted boyfriend Donald, played by Micha Schoepe.
Individually, the Sycamores and their friends are unquestionably odd. Together, they whir in a collective expression of joy.
Conflict arrives, belatedly, in the form of a suitor for Alice. Tony Kirby, played by the brash Elijah Pettet, comes from a family that, on the surface, seems to find joy in too much hard work and displays of wealth. Despite his background, from the moment he enters the Sycamore
house, Tony seems likely to catch the Sycamore silly bug. Alice can’t help but be pleased, but she knows that Mr. and Mrs. Kirby, played by Lee Sullivan and TRTC newcomer Toddy Walters, will not be so easily swayed.
So, what happens when the freight train of frivolity that is the Sycamore family meets the puritanically workoriented Kirby family? The answer: a dinner party unlike any you’ve ever attended. Ties will be loosened, dates will be swapped, menus will be changed, brows will be furrowed, uncomfortable truths will be revealed and, of course, doorbells will be rung.
Against the backdrop of the late 1930s, the moral climax of the play strikes a surprisingly reminiscent chord here in 2023. In the wake of economic disaster and in the face of impending international doom, should we put our heads down and work our way out of trouble? Or should we spend our time doing what makes us happy, and share that joy with those we love?
to our fiction section, “Work in Progress,” to highlight our community’s
Share your works in progress with readers by emailing illustrations, creative writings and poetry to fiction@soprissun.com
Comparte tus proyectos creativos aún en proceso con nuestros lectores. Puedes enviarnos un correo electrónico con tus ilustraciones, creaciones literarias y poesía a fiction@soprissun.com
Ben Franklin was a printer, an inventor and a wit
He loved discussing issues in a tavern where he'd sit
With eleven friends, his “junto,” to moralize and sip "A penny saved is a penny earned!" Ben never left a tip
Begun in 1727, they met each Friday night
Until the tavern staff suggested Ben go fly a kite
Note: Ben called his group of friends his "junto."
By Nancy McAtaveyThe last January rays, too weak to reach the forest floor, set the treetops on fire. Since early morning, this murder of crows has circled my house…first to the back yard, then to the bare maples that line the street. They sit silently, still. Then one caw, another and another. One flap and then black wings beat their way into the forest. All is quiet again. Until now, at the coming of dusk. They rise up again and just as quickly land at the forest’s edge. One caw, a hundred caws. A noise gathering around one black, still shape.
How is a raven different from a crow? Photo by Nancy McAtavey The Crows
Carbondale
The drive isn’t what it used to be
A recent Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) study showed there were 745 traffic deaths in Colorado last year. For every fatality there are five serious injuries. Working together we can change this course. Thanks for your involvement in making a difference.
Frequently drivers talk about road conditions of the past, bemoaning that “It takes so much longer now to get from here to there”.
And, with good reasons. First, Garfield county’s population has more than doubled from approximately 30,000 in 1990 to over 62,000 in 2021. Second, the majority of housing is a distance from services and places of work, making most everybody car dependent.
What is there to do? There is only one thing we can do: change our minds. The drive we used to know is long gone.
1) Allow realistic timing for travel, considering information that is available -- population size, work/school rhythms, weather, events, road closures, accidents, etcetera.
2) Try a different mode of transportation such as RFTA, carpooling, biking or walking.
3) Plan trips that incorporate multiple stops and minimize time on the road.
4) Erase the word “hurry” from consciousness the moment we take the wheel. It simply sets us up for frustration and irritation with our driving reality. How we drive today makes a difference. Take A Minute, think about it and Slow Down in Towns.
Diane Reynolds Take a Minute/Slow Down in TownWhen the people speak, I listen. And we — you and me, are the people.
As the executive director of the nonprofit Glenwood Springs Historical Society and Frontier Museum, the will of the people is important to me. Everything we do is open for review by the people of our community, a community we serve to the best of our ability.
In 1991, the people of Glenwood Springs voted to preserve and steward the area’s rich heritage through the Acquisitions and Improvements (A&I) tax, a ¾-cent sales tax, 70% of which is paid by visitors to the town. Before the tax sunsetted in 2018, the people voted to extend it for 30 more years and increased the amount of taxation to one cent.
The A&I tax was originally intended to fund history at a minimum of 2% of its total annual collections. For 2021 collections, that figure represents $120,000.
The Glenwood Springs Historical Society has been stuck at $60,000 in annual funding from the city of Glenwood Springs for the past five years. To continue to serve the people and maintain our outreach and museum operations, the organization requires an increase in the annual funding amount to $120,000.
If you support history and its continued stewardship in Glenwood Springs, please write a letter or email of support to City Clerk Ryan Muse at ryan.muse@cogs.us for dissemination to the city council. Or you can make a short one-minute video and send it to Chelsea.self.photography@ gmail.com
For helpful background and facts, visit www. glenwoodhistory.com/citycouncilpresentation
Bill Kight Glenwood Springs Historical Society
Carbondale is not age-friendly in the winters. The stretch of clear dry sidewalk behind me and ahead of me is inaccessible because of the 14-foot icy alley or driveway one must cross to connect them. Who is responsible for clearing driveways and alleys of snow and ice? If no one, can that be corrected?
Some sidewalks have depressions which retain water during the day and turn to ice overnight: the north side of Village, near the east side of Gianinetti Park; the east side of North Fourth Street north of Señor Taco/ Axkawa adjacent to a parking lot (wide depression, difficult to bypass); North Eighth Street, east side, from the Rio Grande Trail to Merrill (also, in summer the new "manhole cover" in the sidewalk sits continually under water); North Eighth Street, east side, south of the Rio Grande crossing for about 15 feet of puddle; the base of steps at Steve's Guitars toward Fourth, as well as toward the alley.
Some residents need to be informed, or enforced as well. Again: east side of North Eighth Street near Cleveland; west side of South Fourth Street. And those are just the ones where I'd like to walk!
J. Coursey CarbondaleLetter policy: The Sopris Sun welcomes local letters to the editor. Letters of 500 words or less stand a better chance of being printed. Letters exclusive to The Sopris Sun (not appearing in other papers) are particularly welcome. We reserve the right to edit letters for length and content. Please include your name and place of residence. Letters are due to news@soprissun.com by noon on the Monday before we go to print.
ORDINANCE NO. 1
Series of 2023
AN ORDINANCE OF THE TOWN OF CARBONDALE, COLORDO, IMPOSING A TAX OF SIX PERCENT UPON SHORT-TERM RENTALS
NOTICE: This Ordinance was introduced, read, and adopted at a regular meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Town of Carbondale, Colorado, on January 24, 2023.
This Ordinance shall take effect thirty (30) days after publication of this notice. The full text of said Ordinance is available to the public at www.carbondalegov.org or at the office of the Town Clerk, 511 Colorado Avenue, Carbondale, Colorado, during normal business hours.
THE TOWN OF CARBONDALE
ORDINANCE NO. 2
Series of 2023
AN ORDINANCE OF THE TOWN OF CARBONDALE, COLORADO AMENDING ARTICLE 7 OF CHAPTER 7 of THE CARBONDALE REVISED MUNICIPAL CODE REGARDING CARRYOUT BAG REGULATIONS.
NOTICE: This Ordinance was introduced, read, and adopted at a regular meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Town of Carbondale, Colorado, on February 14, 2023.
This Ordinance shall take effect thirty (30) days after publication of this notice. The full text of said Ordinance is available to the public at www.carbondalegov.org or at the office of the Town Clerk, 511 Colorado Avenue, Carbondale, Colorado, during normal business hours.
THE TOWN OF CARBONDALE
Hats off to John Nieslanik
Parking was scarce on White Hill Tuesday, Feb. 21, as friends, family and admirers of John Nieslanik converged to honor his life and passing. So many folks attended the funeral that St. Mary of the Crown had to run a video feed to a room downstairs for the hundreds of people to be able to watch the services.
Although many came dressed in regular street attire, most were dressed in boots and chaps and cowboy hats, which is just the way John would have dressed for a friend or family member's funeral.
Photos and text by Jane Bachrach
Jake Zamansky
