This Week: 3 ~ Fiction Notice 5 ~ Trustee Candidates 9 ~ Buttigieg & RFTA 16 & 17 ~ Guest Opinions
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ON YOUR MARK, GET SET, PUZZLE!
On Sunday Feb. 27, 23 four-person teams gathered on the indoor basketball court at the Carbondale Rec Center to compete in the first-ever Puzzle & Pie Night. First Place was taken by a team called, incidentally, Best Team Ever, completing their puzzle in one hour, 16 minutes and 57 seconds. Major sponsors were Portrait Puzzles, who custom made and donated puzzles to the event, ANB Bank and New York Pizza. Photos by Paula Mayer
Sun
Volume 14, Number 4| Mar. 3 - Mar. 9, 2022
OPINION Live a great story
Ps & Qs By Jeannie Perry Last year, my husband and I made new friends. At our age, this is kind of a big deal; these days we hardly go anywhere new, much less talk to people who we don’t already know. Becca and Todd managed the Homestead at River Valley Ranch, and we instantly liked both of them. Todd because he made martinis just like us, with only two ingredients: cold vodka and good olives. Becca because it was impossible to not feel joy whenever she was around. She had a smile that covered her whole face, and she was ever present, always engaged in the topic at hand and excited to talk about it. Two weeks ago, Becca died. The world is worse without her because she lived a great story full of joy and love. These are Todd’s words of goodbye: Heart broken… never in a
million years did I plan for you not to be here. Your physical and emotional journey was so extremely difficult, and I believed everything was going to be ok. You were going to get that liver, recover, get rid of the cancer, and we were going to spend all our days rejoicing in your miracle health recovery. You were the once-in-alifetime person who would get a liver transplant despite having cancer. You were approved to be the exception! Instead, this advanced liver disease caused detours of pneumonia, candidiasis, kidney failure and brain-swelling. When the doctors told me you would probably never wake up, I thought to myself, she has to. We have too many wonderful adventures ahead! As I got into a sober mind of your condition, I realized that you wouldn’t want to wake back up to this nightmare. When I asked the doctors, ‘In the absolute best-case scenario, will she be able to get a liver transplant?’ their sobering response was, ‘No. Her condition continues to worsen. Her kidneys are now failing, and she would be on dialysis the rest of her life. Her brain is swelling, causing a coma. We have been
"How can a person who has been through such struggles in life do it with such grace and dignity?" able to manipulate some of the blood levels with meds, but they continue to worsen every day.’ When I asked, ‘What quality of life can she look forward to?’ The answer was self-evident. ‘She can be kept alive in a vegetative state, but eventually her liver disease will continue to cause her other organs to fail. The medicines are maxed out and she’s not getting better. The next steps are dialysis to help get rid of the toxins in her body. She’s way too sick to survive a minor surgery, liver transplant is not even an option. If it were even possible to wake her up from the coma, her reality would be so cruel, physically and emotionally.’ I know now you had made your choice to go before your intubation. I sent you pictures of all our adventures to calm
LETTERS From the heart In February, my heart got broken so I had a stent put in it! Once more, I played “Beat The Reaper” and won. I want to thank and praise ALL the medical and staff people at Roaring Fork Family Practice and, especially, Valley View Hospital. In what was obviously a stressful situation, I was treated with kindness and empathy by everyone I encountered at the hospital. I spent two nights in the Acute Care Ward and had the stent put in on Saturday — a pretty fascinating process, I might add. I had more nurses, doctors and staff help me than I can name. Every one of them exhibited their humanity and caring. I still can’t believe that they had just been through two years of THE PLAGUE and all the peopleinsanity of it, and were like it never happened! The experience has warmed the cockles of my heart in more ways than one! Wick Moses, Carbondale
Yes trail For eons, animals and people gracefully walked ancient trails through the Crystal Valley. Until the 1860s, when Colorado became a territory of the United States, the Crystal Valley was pristine habitat for a rich variety of flora and fauna, including humans. Nuche [the Ute] traveled the game trails over undivided, unowned land. Europeans churned the trails into wagon tracks. By 1881, when the original people
you down last Tuesday night while you were so scared with the breathing mask on. I did it to calm you down and for you to know I was with you. Little did I know those pics would be the last things you saw. Our God is so thoughtful, caring, and merciful. Your heart stopped at 4:37 p.m. this afternoon. Your pain ended. Your body gave up the fight. Your spirit lives on. You are GOLD!! Everyone that met you knew it. What does she have that I want? How can a person who has been through such struggles in life do it with such grace and dignity? How are you not jaded? You defied medical reason for many years and continued to through the end. Your story inspired some of the best doctors in this state to make exceptions to all the rules! We all were hoping to bring you home, healthy and thriving, to continue to inspire us to live our best lives. Your body didn’t make it. You made me a better person. You made everyone you met a better person. Not because of what you did, but because of who you are, and will continue to be. I love you, Stew. I miss you, but I know you will never be far away. Rebecca Nickoley July 8, 1987 - Feb. 18, 2022 Continued on page 18
were moved off the land, local governments of the new state of Colorado invested heavily in infrastructure and the Nuche paths evolved into graded highways. Always, there was a gracious route for man and animal to walk, along the entire valley, over McClure, “The Lowest Pass,” west out of the Central Rockies. But today, that is not possible. Fences abound, circling private and public property. Highway 133, driveways, rivers, ditches and cliff topography box the valley in. It is impossible to traverse graciously on foot, or even at all in places. The 7 Oaks Bridge is where safe human foot traffic comes to a halt. The first portion of the trail was a gift to humanity, first proposed and rough platted in 1992, then in 2003 with a $50,000 study for an alignment, entirely on public lands. The closing up of passage through the valley, long obvious, made it vital for beast and man that flow be restored or turn cancerous… In 2012, the first 5.3-mile segment was built by Garfield County, Pitkin County and Carbondale. It is possible that before 2025, construction could start on the top seven-mile section. The Redstone to McClure section is the perfect next part of the project. Once completed, it will afford a perch to look ahead with a solid goal to reach behind. Bears Gulch has a clean route, above the highway where the cliffs and river make it difficult to follow 133. Bears Gulch, aka Bunker Hill above Hays Creek Falls, offers a low impact, lovely route on the old Rock Creek Wagon Road, built by
James Bogan. It will enhance the ability of wildlife and people to move upstream. The alternative, along the river, is prohibitively expensive and ecologically destructive. You can help by letting your support for the trail be known to the Forest Service, Pitkin County commissioners and Crystal Caucus members. John Hoffmann, Carbondale
No trail The problem with the proposed Redstone to McClure Pass trail, and the entire trail as a whole, is that no wildlife studies have been conducted to get baseline statistics on population numbers, breakdown by gender and age, etc. So, the experts and officials are all speculating the impacts instead of following science. There was a very timely article in The Aspen Times on Thurs., Feb. 24 titled "Study highlights recreational trail impacts to wildlife habitat." The study quantifies the elk habitat loss and compression in 120,000 acres east of Steamboat Springs. Organizers of the study say it was initiated after the Roaring Fork Valley and the Eagle Valley elk herds experienced a 50% reduction from 1999 to 2015. The study shows a significant loss and fragmentation of elk habitat. The full study can be found on the Keep Routt Wild website, under the "Experts & Studies" tab, then "Wildlife Studies." Melissa Waters, Carbondale
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 • Mar. 3 - Mar. 9, 2022
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Work in Progress: Taking a page for fiction By Sonja LeDuc Nom de plume In the beginning — which must be the three liveliest words ever strung together in an opening sentence in the entire history of literature — The Sopris Sun wanted to publish the work of local creative writers. We tried before. As anyone who creates something from nothing knows, it takes more than one attempt. We are going to try again. No pressure, but the literary page we are calling “Work in Progress” depends on you, the creative writer. The title, “Work in Progress,” expresses the idea that The Sopris Sun is finding its way in this venture along with the creative writers who join the ride. We invite authors who want to have their words read even before they are polished to perfection. Work in Progress focuses on a moment in the creative process. Criticism is withheld. Novelists, short story writers, poets, writers of haiku and seekers of truth in words can participate. Bring out the self-published novels and manuscripts stashed in a drawer. Parade these darlings before The Sun’s gentle readers. If a writer is concerned that readers won’t be gentle enough, they can feel free to adopt that age-old protection, that impenetrable veil of mystery, the nom de plume. Local artists, crafters and musicians have many venues to publicly showcase the stuff of their imagination and skill, while creative writers have limited opportunity to do so. Most writers are invisible until their published novel is proclaimed a blockbuster. This seems too narrow a definition for success. The Sopris Sun’s nonprofit status calls upon the organization to serve needs that are not met by other entities. One need in Carbondale is a published space for creative writers to be read. Our mission
statement, “to inform, inspire and build community by fostering diverse and independent journalism” is our permit to provide this space. The newspaper regrets that it is not able to pay creative writers. However, self-published authors whose work is published can mention their books and blogs at no cost. And, depending on how this experiment in community literary sharing goes, we expect there are charitable foundations we can apply to for funding someday. But that’s getting ahead of this story. The Sopris Sun will not publish novels in consecutive installments the way all Charles Dickens’ were. We intend, however, to publish short stories in installments. It’s rare these days for a print newspaper to publish original fiction and poetry. Since we will also accept original submissions of previously unpublished illustrations and cartoons, Work in Progress is a modest homage to The New Yorker, the most famous literary weekly in America. To that note, the magazine’s founder, Harold Ross, was born in an impoverished prospector’s cabin in Aspen in 1892 and lived in the Roaring Fork Valley with his family until he was eight years old. His father scraped by, moving from one rugged Colorado mining town to the next. Ross was reportedly embarrassed by his Rocky Mountain schooling in reading and writing and later taught himself from grammar books and dictionaries. We chose April 21 for the Work in Progress launch date because it is the week of William Shakespeare’s birthday. It seems fitting since this date, and the bard himself, might be fictitious. Scheduling almost two months out also gives us time to cache an inventory of literary works, and for you to replenish it. There is time to start, by sitting still in what Philip Roth called “the deeply uneventful business” of writing.
Work in Progress Submissions: Fiction, short stories and poetry of up to 800 words can be accepted. We can also publish excerpts of up to 800 words from a single long work, such as a novel. Writers of all ages are welcome. Submit works to fiction@soprissun.com
THE SOPRIS SUN • Your weekly community connector • Mar. 3 - Mar. 9, 2022 • 3
SCUTTLEBUTT
What's the word on the street? Let us know at news@soprissun.com
Candidate forum
Nonprofit grants
The Garfield County Board of County Commissioners approved $26,500 in first-quarter discretionary grants for nonprofits, awarding community radio KSUN $5,000; West Elk Trails $3,000; New Castle Trails $1,000; Roaring Fork Leadership $5,000; GlenX Career Expo $2,500; YouthEntity $5,000; and Roaring Fork Outdoor Volunteers $5,000. Additionally, the board approved $20,000 to Coventure to support economic resiliency.
The Sopris Sun is proud to host a candidate forum for the Carbondale Board of Town Trustees, in partnership with KDNK, on Wednesday, March 16 from 6 to 8 p.m. Join inperson at Town Hall, online, or by tuning into KDNK. If you have any question suggestions, please email them to news@ soprissun.com with "candidate forum" in the subject line.
Bear activity Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) reports a 28% decrease in sightings and conflicts with bears in 2021 compared with reports over the previous two years. CPW attributes the drop in human-bear conflicts to “good monsoonal summer moisture,” assisting the grasses, berries, fruits and nuts that comprise a bear’s natural diet.
Immigration tips Have questions regarding your or a loved one's immigration status? On Monday, March 7 at 6:30 p.m., Garfield County Public Library District, in partnership with Alpine Legal Services and Smith Immigration, will hold an online informational session regarding DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals), TPS (Temporary Protective Status) and asylum eligibility requirements and tips on how to navigate the processes for each. Attendees can listen and participate in either Spanish or English. For more information and to register for this event, visit www.gcpld.org/rights
ReEnergize Garfield County Garfield County is backing Clean Energy Economy for the Region (CLEER) with $150,000 to help residents earning less than 120% the area median income ($105,960 for a family of four) with home energy upgrades. Depending on income, your family may receive up to 100% the cost of recommended energy measures like insulation, air sealing, window replacement, heating/cooling system upgrade and LED lighting. For details, visit www.garfieldcleanenergy.org/ reenergize or call 970-704-9200.
South Bridge
U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg, along with Colorado’s U.S. Senators Michael Bennet and John Hickenlooper, visited Glenwood Springs on Friday, Feb. 25. The gentlemen were here to assess the progress and work that still needs to be done on I-70 in the Glenwood Canyon. They also got the chance to jump on an eco-friendly RFTA bus and speak with local Latino representatives including director of Protégete for Conservation Colorado, Beatriz Soto. “Latinos must be an integral part in elevating local transportation issues and helping craft solutions and identifying opportunities,” Soto told The Sopris Sun. As Soto explained to Secretary Buttigieg, “We need transportation solutions where housing and economic growth are at the center to achieve a just society that will not only have a smaller carbon footprint, but will uplift the working class of our community.” Photo by James Steindler (See page 9 for a photo of Soto with Secretary Buttigieg)
Exhibit at the Capitol The Colorado State Capitol is seeking artwork for an exhibit honoring Colorado's 146 years as a state. Works by Colorado artists depicting places in Colorado should be submitted by April 1 at www.bit.ly/Coloradart
4 • THE SOPRIS SUN • soprissun.com • Mar. 3 - Mar. 9, 2022
Glenwood Springs City Council is poised to discuss the municipal airport and South Bridge Project, establishing a new connection between Highway 82 and neighborhoods on the southern end of Midland Avenue, on March 17. Persons unable to attend in-person may submit comments online at www.cogs.us/341/Airport until 8:30 p.m. on Thursday, March 3. There you will also find relevant materials and a link to the related listening session held on Feb. 24.
Marble avalanche An avalanche above Marble Quarry Road on Feb. 25 claimed the life of a 27-year-old man and his two dogs, Kenai and Bea. Nathaniel Smith, of Colorado Springs, was snowshoeing to a cabin along with three friends when the avalanche broke loose. Members of the West Elk Search and Rescue team, Carbondale emergency services and Colorado Avalanche responded to this incident.
They say it’s your birthday! Folks celebrating another trip around the sun this week include: Barbe Chambliss and Bella Frisbie (March 3); Kurt Trede, Jr. (March 4); Matthew Bennett, Kelly Field, Amy Hadden Marsh and Meg Plumb (March 5); Gwen Garcelon and Bobby Mason (March 6); Carol Fabian and Diane Johnson (March 7); Greg Meredith, Gracie Oliphant, Karen Tafejian, Sidney Thomas and Jordan Tribble (March 8).
Meet the trustee candidates
On April 5, Carbondale residents will have elected three candidates to serve four-year terms on the Board of Town Trustees. Additionally, current trustee Ben Bohmfalk is running unopposed for the mayoral seat. Materials submitted by the nine candidates have been edited for length. Learn more about each one at the forum hosted by The Sopris Sun and KDNK on March 16 at Town Hall from 6 to 8 p.m. The forum will also be live broadcast and streamed on YouTube.
Erica Sparhawk (incumbent) I was born and raised in Carbondale, graduated from Roaring Fork High School and first ventured into the wider world by attending Colorado State University. I traveled and worked in South America before taking a job in Montana with the Northern Plains Resource Council, a nonprofit that fights to protect land and water from the impacts of coal bed methane Courtesy photo development. In 2009, I moved back to Carbondale with my husband and daughter to be closer to family and work at Clean Energy Economy for the Region (CLEER), where I’ve spent 12 years promoting energy efficiency and alternative energy in the area. In January 2022, I became the CEO of a new company founded with my brother, Forrest Fulker, and long-time friend, Jake DeWolfe. My work on the Climate Action Tax ballot initiative in 2016 and experience with local governments supported by CLEER compelled me to apply for appointment to an open seat on the Board of Town Trustees. After being appointed in February 2017, I went on to win the election in 2018 for my first full term as a trustee. I find rejuvenation coaching soccer, hiking, mountain biking and going on river trips with family and friends.
Why are you running?
We need to continue to tackle the big issues by protecting the climate, identifying ways to add more affordable housing units within and around town limits and fighting to keep Carbondale the funky, welcoming place we all love. Growing up in Carbondale and now raising my daughters here, I bring an important perspective to the board. A lot of the best ideas come from our community members, and I appreciate the opportunity to work with them to find solutions. It's important for the town to look for innovation and creativity when tackling tough issues, and that we listen to our residents and the expertise they bring.
Luis Yllanes (incumbent) I was born in Miami, but raised in Lima, Peru, before returning to Miami when I was seven years old. I attended college at Rochester Institute of Technology, where I earned a BFA in Fine Art Photography. My career began at the Miami Art Museum (now the Perez Art Museum). I also served as an adjunct professor at Florida Photo by Summers International University. Twelve years Moore ago, I moved to the Roaring Fork Valley to work at the Aspen Art Museum, where I was promoted up through the organization and most recently was their chief operating officer. Late last year, I was hired to lead 5Point Film Festival as its new executive director. Since moving to the Valley, I have volunteered with various organizations including KDNK, English in Action and Carbondale Arts. I was appointed to the Board of Town Trustees in August 2017 and was subsequently elected to a four-year term in April 2018. In my free time, I enjoy snowboarding, stand-up paddleboarding, surfing and gardening. I currently reside in Carbondale with my wife and two children.
Why are you running?
I am running for re-election because this is the best community I have ever lived in. I know that may sound simplistic, but it is truly how I feel about this town. While
it may not be perfect, and there are a myriad of issues and challenges ahead, it’s amazing to see how passionate the community members are in their pursuit of wanting the best for Carbondale. Having had the honor of serving one term, I have a better understanding of how local government operates and where I can truly serve the residents of the town in the best way possible. The recent donation of land to the town inspires me to want to serve a second term, to assure that we leave a legacy of diversity and equity to keep the spirit of Carbondale alive for years to come.
when we come together, as a community, no challenge is too big for us to tackle… so long as we tackle it together. I would be honored to continue working for Carbondale’s land, water and people as a trustee. If elected, I commit to working with all community members to find unique solutions that bring us together.
Colin Laird
Chris Hassig I moved to Carbondale in 1991 at age four and have a picture of my grandfather on top of Pyramid Peak from 1937. I share my grandfather’s love of the Elk Mountains — in flower, foliage or snow. I’m extremely privileged to call Carbondale and these mountains home and to feel such rooted gratitude toward a place and community. I have Courtesy photo made a living as an artist here for the last ten years and have always looked for ways to engage with and contribute to our amazing community, whether that’s at First Fridays, through Dandelion Days, Mountain Fairs and Potato Days, at KDNK Community Radio — where I currently serve as the board’s vice president — or at S.A.W. (Studio for Arts + Works), where I currently have a studio. I hold a BA in Architecture and Environmental Studies from Middlebury College in Vermont and have long had a passion for sustainable, human-centered design. I will bring knowledge, resourcefulness, humility and deliberation to the role of representing the people of Carbondale as we work together as a community to ensure a resilient future.
Why are you running?
I care deeply about the unique character of Carbondale and feel called to meet this moment for our community. I have a long-term perspective on our town's development history, governance and culture. I am realistic about what the town can do with a limited budget, but I believe that the prime challenges of our time — climate change, corporate predation and social discord — become reality at the local level and require both a more visionary and practical response. I look forward to helping the town protect our environment and core values, addressing problems that affect our vulnerable community members and expanding upon the foundation of creativity and diversity that give our town its unique and wonderful identity. We have threats and opportunities before us — how the town responds and takes initiative is important to our long-term resilience.
Zane Kessler I am best known in Carbondale for my work as executive director of the Thompson Divide Coalition, where we advocated on behalf of local ranchers, environmentalists and recreational users to protect the Thompson Divide area near Carbondale. I now work as the Photo by Siri Raitto director of government relations for the Colorado River District, “to Photography protect West Slope rivers and keep our water on the Western Slope.” I have nearly 20 years of experience working with boards and commissions on local, state and federal policy issues, including seven years as a United States Senate staffer, where I managed policy and outreach initiatives in the agriculture, infrastructure, energy and natural resource arenas. My wife, Lucy, and I can often be found chasing our toddler around Sopris Park or enjoying a drink on Main Street after a mountain bike ride.
Courtesy photo
I’ve been a Carbondale resident since 1999, raised two kids here and engaged in many community and regional initiatives throughout the years. These include: affordable housing and transportation, coaching soccer, serving as a planning and zoning commissioner for Garfield County, co-founding The Sopris Sun and cofounding the Third Street Center.
Why are you running?
1. To create more affordable housing at the local and regional levels. 2. To ensure the ongoing livability of Carbondale. New development needs to be done as wisely and sustainably as possible to preserve the quality and livability of our unique community. 3. To increase the resilience of our community. We need to be doing much more to improve our resilience and plan ahead on issues such as drought, wildfire, climate and the economy. Learn more www.colinlairdforcarbondaletrustee.org
Frosty Merriott My wife, Carly, and I moved here with our four-year-old daughter, Shiloh, in 1998 from Silverthorne. Shiloh attended Roaring Fork High School and is now a nurse in Denver and worked two years at St. Anthony’s during the COVID crisis. My wife is the office manager for J. Frost Merriott CPA, which is now in its 24th year of operation. We attend the Orchard Courtesy photo Church. Having always been a community activist, my first public service was on Carbondale’s Environmental Board in 1998. I later served on the first elected River Valley Ranch Executive Board and was appointed to the Planning and Zoning Commission for four years while serving on the Carbondale Economic Roadmap Group. I was elected (not appointed) to the Board of Town Trustees in 2008 to complete a vacant two-year term. I was later elected two more times, serving until 2018, when I was term limited. I am currently a member of the Carbondale Chamber of Commerce Executive Board and the Town Environmental Board.
Why are you running?
I want to keep Carbondale the special, even spiritual place it is. My concern is that we are overburdening our infrastructure and we are not providing housing for our key workforce. I believe that every policeman, fireman, teacher, town employee and City Market employee who works here should be able to afford to live here. I’d also like to see the Climate Action Plan and Environmental Bill of Rights factor more substantially into development decisions with a focus on sustainable growth. Also, there needs to be someone on the board with financial expertise to match the wit of developers. Let’s continue to work to keep Carbondale the special place it is, and not a Willits 2.0.
Colin Quinn
I moved to Carbondale with my family in 2016 to be closer to my wife's family in Basalt. Previously, we lived in Mozambique for almost three years. I was working with the U.S. Agency for International Development to help coastal communities prepare for climate change. We were excited Why are you running? to move back to Colorado and become I have had the pleasure of visiting all of Colorado’s part of the Carbondale community. 64 counties over the course of my career and I’ve never Courtesy photo Professionally, I lead the Climate Change found a community like Carbondale. My wife and I often Team for the Africa Bureau for the U.S. Agency for International remind ourselves how privileged and blessed we are to Development. In Carbondale, I have served as chair of the town’s be raising a family in such an amazing place. But we also Environmental Board since 2017 and, through volunteer work, recognize that maintaining a community takes work. helped establish the Mountain West Climate Services Partnership Carbondale is also facing many significant challenges with the Aspen Global Change Institute. I received a PhD in plant that we will need to address in the coming years. My work ecology from Colorado State University and an undergraduate running the Thompson Divide Coalition taught me that Continued on page 6 THE SOPRIS SUN • Your weekly community connector • Mar. 3 - Mar. 9, 2022 • 5
I'm just waiting until you say the magic word…
Tre a t s !
Meet the trustee candidates
Continued from page 5
degree in biology from the University of Canterbury in New Zealand. I enjoy traveling with my wife, Erin, and have had the opportunity to live in several great places and countries, such as Fort Collins, Austin, Texas, Washington, D.C., Mozambique, Panama and New Zealand. I enjoy time with Erin, our two kids, Wyatt and Ruth, the local recreation and lifestyle offered in the Roaring Fork Valley and our town’s uniqueness and strong sense of community.
Why are you running?
I want to make sure that as Carbondale grows and changes it keeps the small town character that makes it special. I don’t want to look back in ten years and not recognize where we live. We must have a community where the people who work here can thrive and afford to live here. This means evaluating development and change to fit the characteristics and values of Carbondale. We also need to be prepared for climate change and natural disasters. Lastly, we live in a multicultural town, with people from many backgrounds living and thriving. This makes our town a vibrant and a great place to live. We need to have the gender, age and cultural makeup of our town represented on decision-making bodies, as entrepreneurs and in leadership positions.
Jess Robison
Photo by Katie J. Photography
I was raised in the Roaring Fork Valley and attended public school in Basalt from Kindergarten through 12th grade and then went on to the Front Range to earn a Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology. After college, I returned to the Valley and settled in Carbondale with my family. I am a Carbondale homeowner and business owner, raising two children with my spouse. I have spent many years volunteering for local organizations and have over a decade of board experience — municipal advisory boards, HOA boards and preschool boards. I am a Roaring Fork Leadership graduate and am active in our community. I own a local construction consulting and general contracting business and am passionate about how to solve development and land use challenges. Carbondale is my home and this community holds my heart.
Why are you running?
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I am running for local public office because I want to serve my community. I also want to show my children what it looks like to step up into positions that aren’t always easy. I believe that the political discourse, locally and nationally, has shifted in the last decade to one that breeds division. My hope is to encourage a political narrative in our town that fosters engagement, moderation, equity and inclusion. I have watched politicians pack up their personal agendas and sell them to the public in order to get elected. This doesn’t make sense to me. I believe that our democracy was built on a foundation of public service, rather than personal agenda. My goal is to be a conduit from the public that I serve, to the government that serves them. I want to hear what Carbondale residents hope for in their community.
Ben Bohmfalk (mayoral candidate) I am a lifelong educator and public servant who is ready to lead Carbondale as your next mayor. I moved to Carbondale with my wife, Megan, in 2002 to start our teaching careers in local public schools. We immediately knew we had found a place to call home, and we thrive on the deep sense of community we have built here. In almost 20 years as a Roaring Fork Schools teacher and instructional leader, I’ve honed my skills in facilitation, listening, leading and learning. I’ve served as chairman of the Carbondale Planning and Zoning Commission, mayor pro tem and trustee. I spend my free time playing music with friends, skiing with my 14-year-old son and enjoying Carbondale’s events, Photo by Brent Moss trails, rivers and local businesses with my family.
Why are you running?
For Information & Reservations call 970-945-0667 • yampahspa.com Spa Open 9-9 Salon 9-7 • Just One Block East of the Hot Springs Pool
484 Mesa Verde Avenue | Carbondale NO HOA! The only undeveloped lot in this area of Carbondale. Only a couple of undeveloped lots remain in the Carbondale core. Don’t miss this opportunity to build your dream home adjacent to the 33-acre Nature Preserve/Park. Walk out your back yard and enjoy the trails, and walk to all the restaurants and shops on Main Street. Incredible eastern views provide morning light and amazing sunset views across the valley to Basalt Mountain. An abundance of mature trees allows you to keep a sense of privacy, or trim the existing vegetation to take full advantage of the view. Topographic Survey and Soils Study completed. BONUS: No Home Owners Association Dues!
I'm running because I care deeply about Carbondale's future and I believe I have the experience, temperament and skillset to bring people together to build on our strengths and address our challenges for the next four years. I’m proud of the progress we’ve made in the six years I’ve served on the Board of Town Trustees, and I look forward to continuing our work toward a more sustainable and equitable future. The role of the mayor is less about my policy agenda and more about my commitment to a fair and inclusive public process that will lead to good policy outcomes for the town as a whole. The best decisions are made when every voice is heard and every idea is considered. I will do everything I can to ensure that our entire community can be informed about and involved in the decisions we make over the next four years. We will continue to enhance our communications strategies and get creative in how we engage the public. I will lead public meetings with an open mind and respect for all points of view. In 2022, Carbondale has an historic opportunity to build on its strengths and address its challenges. The Comprehensive Plan Update will give us clear guidance on specific strategies we can implement now. Town revenues are still modest compared to other communities in the valley, but are stronger than ever, enabling us to do things we were unable to do before. The Town Center land donation and new state funding for affordable housing provides the means to do something concrete about housing. With a relatively new town manager, mayor, and chief of police, we have leaders open to new ideas with a drive to make progress toward our goals. As mayor, I will seize on these opportunities so we can look back at this moment and be proud of what we accomplished together, as a community. You can find out more about me and my positions on specific issues at www.benbohmfalk.com
0.42 Acres | $525,000
Jason Hodges cbmasonmorse.com
Broker Associate 843.367.5101 jhodges@masonmorse.com
6 • THE SOPRIS SUN • soprissun.com • Mar. 3 - Mar. 9, 2022
Have a question you'd like to ask the candidates? Send it to news@soprissun.com with "candidate forum" in the subject line. Then, tune in or show up for the event on March 16 at Town Hall from 6 to 8 p.m.
Snow day, schmo day! By Jeanne Souldern Sopris Sun Correspondent
Audit passes The annual audited financial statements for the year (ending June 30, 2021) were presented by Paul Backes, a representative of the district’s audit firm, McMahan & Associates. Chief Financial Officer Nathan Markham was also onhand for questions. “If you’re sitting on the board and you’re governing this 60-plus million dollar organization, what I can tell you is the financial information you’re getting is accurate, it's reasonable, prudent planning. Well-done, and I don’t say that lightly. I
photography • film • video 360° virtual tours
CoolBrickStudios.com
86 S 3rd St. Carbondale, Colorado
world-class multimedia studio
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Inclement weather on Feb. 23 caused the school board meeting, originally scheduled to be held in person at RFSD's Carbondale offices, to be pushed back into the Zoomverse — a location many of us would just as soon leave behind. Illustration by youth journalist Sofie Koski
have lots of districts that don’t get that report,” Backes noted.
Superintendent search Board Member Natalie Torres shared that in-person focus groups are underway with community members and hiring consultants from Hazard, Young and Attea Associates to find the district’s next superintendent. Board Member Kenny Teitler introduced a community survey with questions like, “What are the qualities and characteristics we want in our next superintendent?” The survey also asks questions specific to RFSD including, “How important is it that the next superintendent be fluent in Spanish?” Teitler said that community survey links are available, in Spanish and English, on the RFSD website. Board President Kathryn Kuhlenberg emphasized the importance of community participation, saying, “We need help from everyone to make it successful.” In-person community town halls were held in Glenwood Springs on March 1 and in Carbondale on March 2. A third meeting will be held on March 3 at Basalt High School, beginning at 6 p.m. Zoom meetings will be held on March 8 (English only) and March 9 (Spanish only). All meetings are open to the public. Inperson meetings will be conducted in English and Spanish and food will be provided. Kelsy Been, the district’s public information officer, said they will house all superintendent search information, including a timeline, under one webpage (available at www.bit.ly/RFSDsearch). Before the three-hour meeting adjourned, board member Jasmin Ramirez asked that one subject be placed on a future meeting agenda. She said, “I know right now, especially in the community, there’s a lot of conversation around bullying happening in schools. I would like to know more about the process that is taking place in our schools when bullying has been reported, and if there’s a policy attached with that.” Kuhlenberg said the board would address the topic during a future meeting.
SPEAKERS
While Feb. 23 was a snow day for Roaring Fork School District (RFSD) students, the business of the Board of Education went forward. Their regularly-scheduled meeting, originally slated to be in-person at the district’s offices in Carbondale was, due to weather, held instead via Zoom. The board’s work session, scheduled for 2:30 to 5:30 p.m. that day, was canceled and will be rescheduled. Carbondale Community School (CCS), a K-8 public charter school in operation since 1996, is applying for a five-year charter renewal with RFSD. As required, CCS’s annual update and progress report were submitted for board review. Sam Richings-Germain, CCS principal, gave the presentation, which included student demographics and school goals. Michael Hayes, executive director of Compass, the Woody Creek-based nonprofit educational organization that oversees CCS and the Aspen Community School in the Aspen School District, was also present for questions. CCS’s website states that, “CCS provides a balanced, integrated curriculum that encourages inquisitive, independent and self-motivated learners, incorporating strong academic skills woven into project-based learning opportunities.” Currently, with an enrollment of 135 students, they propose “for financial sustainability reasons” to increase enrollment to a maximum of 155 students. Richings-Germain requested CCS employees have “proportional inclusion” in existing and future RFSD teacher housing. Under the proposal, charter school participation, in the staff housing program, would begin with the development of new units which are targeted for fall 2023. At that time, charter schools would have access to a proportion of the total units, based on student enrollment, which currently stands at 8% of the district’s overall enrollment. Richings-Germain said that CCS continues to work on their diversity action plan to achieve a student population more reflective of the district's demographics. “We still trail behind the district in matching the demographics of our community,” she admitted. Richings-Germain explained that the public has some misconceptions about who can attend CCS, given their charter school status. “We want people to know we are a tuition-free, public school, and we are open to all students,” she reiterated.
Cool Brick Studios
Looking to have fun and give back? Join us at Rotary every Wednesday at 7a.m. at the Carbondale Fire Station! Visit rotarycarbondale.org for details.
All are welcome!
March 9, 2022 Ski Day with Snowmass Rotary March 16, 2022 Guest Speaker Sam Johnston, Bryce Jacobson Business Culture
RSVP to Rick Carlson (970) 948-9650 • riccarlson@gmail.com
is launching a fiction section, “Work in Progress,” to highlight our community’s creativity. From poetry, short stories to illustrations; we want to see it all. Submit your completed drafts or works in progress to fiction@soprissun.com THE SOPRIS SUN • Your weekly community connector • Mar. 3 - Mar. 9, 2022 • 7
` CARBONDALE CAMPUS
REGISTER TODAY!
Teacher: Connie Hendrix
Connie is a professional artist and teacher who lives in Marble. Her work has received national recognition in numerous publications, shows and awards and is in public and private collections across the US. Connie loves helping students find their own creative design process.
EXPLORATIONS IN MIXED WATER MEDIA
Emphasis on design and process. FSSuM 9:30a-1:30p 5/6-5/9
Visit soprissun.com to submit events
THURSDAY, MARCH 3 MANGA CLUB The Carbondale Library invites teens to drop in for an hour devoted to discussing and creating manga series beginning at 4:30 p.m. GROUP RUN Independence Run and Hike leads a weekly group run on Thursdays departing from the store at 6 p.m. NARCOTICS ANONYMOUS The Meeting Place in Carbondale (981 Cowen Drive) offers a 12step meeting at 8:30 p.m.
BEGINNING SCULPTURE
Learn to think and design in 3-D. Thursday mornings 3/24-4/28
COMMUNITY CALENDAR
Teacher: Lisa Goddard
Inspired by the teachings of Suzuki Roshi and Ajahn Chah, Lisa received training through Spirit Rock Meditation Center, Green Gulch Farm Zen Center, Jack Kornfield and Tara Brach, Zen Hospice Project Mindful Schools and the Sati Center for Buddhist Studies. She is a Certified Mindfulness Facilitator through UCLA’s Semel Institute for Neuroscience & Human Behavior, and a member of the International Mindfulness Teachers Association.
ROOTS OF MINDFULNESS
Unpack the 2,600 year-old roots of the modern mindfulness movement. Tuesday mornings 3/29-5/3
FOR MORE INFO AND TO REGISTER...
coloradomtn.edu/community-education
Carbondale Lappala Center • 690 Colorado Ave • 963-2172
FRIDAY, MARCH 4 BABY GYM Basalt Library welcomes children, ages three and younger, and their guardians to get out the “winter wiggles” from 10 to 11 a.m. on Fridays. WRITING WORKSHOP The Glenwood Springs Library hosts a facilitated workshop for adults interested in sharing their personal stories through the written word. “You Story, Your Life” is from 10 a.m. to noon on the first and third Friday of each month. LOCAL ART A reception for the Glenwood Springs Art Guild’s new exhibit takes place at the Glenwood Library at 5 p.m. The locally made works will be on display through April 3. R2 GALLERY Carbondale Arts presents two new exhibits: “My Birthday Party” by Marilyn Lowey and “I except it: I accept it” by Simon Klein. Both artists will speak at the opening at The Launchpad at 5:15 p.m. CLAY CENTER RECEPTION The Carbondale Clay Center hosts a reception for “Movers and Shakers,” an exhibit of works made by artists who have helped shape the Clay Center over the years, at 6 p.m. CRYSTAL THEATRE “Death on the Nile” screens at the Crystal Theatre March 4, 5 and 7 at 7:30 p.m. and March 6 at 5 p.m. “Licorice Pizza” will show on March 4 at 4:45 p.m.
TEEN WRITING HOUR Teens are invited to write whatever interests them and then share with their peers, every first and third Monday at 4:15 p.m. at the Carbondale Library.
TUESDAY, MARCH 8 TAKE & CREATE Take home a comic book kit courtesy of Basalt Library. Available while supplies last, inquire at the front desk starting at 10 a.m. TAX ASSISTANCE High Country RSVP (Retired Senior Volunteer Program) will help seniors, veterans, people with disabilities and persons earning less than $60,000 per year to prepare and e-file simple federal and state income taxes for free! Schedule an appointment at the Basalt Library (slots available from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.) by calling 970-384-8740. LET’S TALK VACCINES Basalt Library hosts author and illustrator R Alan Brooks to discuss his book about vaccine science: “It Ain’t New.” Brooks is a professor at Regis University and produces a weekly comic strip called “What’d I Miss” for the Colorado Sun. Registration is required at www.basaltlibrary.org
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 9 GOOGLE TOOLS Learn how to drive traffic to your website using “search engine optimization” at the Basalt Library from 10 to 11 a.m. Registration is required at www.basaltlibrary.org
SATURDAY, MARCH 5
NATURALIST NIGHTS Join Wilderness Workshop at the Third Street Center for an update from the Bird Conservancy of the Rockies at 6 p.m. The presentation will also be streamed and repeated on March 10 with the Aspen Center for Environmental Studies at Hallam Lake in Aspen.
TAI CHI Basalt Library welcomes Jake Carroll of Wandering Monk Tai Chi to lead a weekly program on Saturdays at 9 a.m. LUNA FEST Films by women and about women will be screened at the Hotel Colorado at 2:30 p.m. and again at 5 p.m. for this year’s Luna Fest. A virtual viewing option is also available. Visit www.lunafest.org for tickets and more info. COMEDY SHOW Canadian comedian Jon Dore does standup at The Contemporary in Willits at 8 p.m. For tickets, visit www.tacaw.org
MONDAY, MARCH 7
8 • THE SOPRIS SUN • soprissun.com • Mar. 3 - Mar. 9, 2022
MAC MONDAY Learn to use iMovie, a video-editing software, at the Basalt Library at 1:30 p.m. Registration is required at www.basaltlibrary.org
DANCE ASPEN Dance Aspen performs “Elevated” at the Wheeler Opera House on March 4 and 5 at 7:30 p.m. Ticket are available at www.bit.ly/elevatedatwheeler
KULA YOGA Kula Yoga on Main will resume classes in its new location, 1201 Main Street in Carbondale, with a 9 a.m. class. Register at www.bit.ly/kulayoga
PC: Lewis Cooper Photography
Recipients of the prestigious First Team All State recognition, RFHS soccer stars: (left to right) Ross Barlow (3A Player of the Year), Giancarlo Perez Rios, Emi Magana and Junior Mercado. Photo by Sue Rollyson
KNOW YOUR RIGHTS Join Garfield County Libraries, Smith Immigration and Alpine Legal Services for a virtual presentation on immigration law at 6:30 p.m. For registration, visit www.gcpld. org/rights
TIME TO TALK Aspen Strong offers a virtual mental health support group from 6 to 7 p.m. Sign up at www.tinyurl.com/7u36ndly
THURSDAY, MARCH 10 STORYTIME Take home a book starring Froggy at the conclusion of this storytime event for young children at the Carbondale Library at 10:30 a.m. LEGAL CLINIC Basalt Library hosts volunteer attorneys to assist with legal matters one-on-one from 2 to 5 p.m. Sign up for a 15-minute slot by calling 970-927-4311 or by emailing info@basaltlibrary.org LIBRARY CHAT Basalt Library Executive Director Amy Shipley invites the public to join her for a library update, with wine, tea and treats, from 6 to 7 p.m.
Sol del el
Conectando comunidades desde 2021
Valle
Volumen 2, Número 1 |3 de mar. - 9 de mar. de 2022
Secretario de transporte de Estados Unidos aborda el RFTA
Beatriz Soto, la directora de Protégete, un programa de Conservation Colorado, con el secretario Buttigieg. Soto le dijo al Sol del Valle: "Los latinos deben ser una parte integral para elevar los problemas de transporte local y ayudar a crear soluciones e identificar oportunidades". Soto le compartió al secretario Buttigieg que a nivel local, las familias latinas están siendo desplazadas de los parques de casas móviles "en nombre del embellecimiento de las comunidades". Además, le explicó al secretario , "nuestra fuerza laboral continúa siendo empujada hacia el oeste, agregando gases de efecto invernadero y horas de viaje: un gran deterioro para las familias latinas y el medio ambiente". Foto de James Steindler
Por James Steindler Traducción por Dolores Duarte La ciudad de Glenwood Springs y el valle de Roaring Fork dieron la bienvenida a un miembro del gabinete presidencial estadounidense el viernes 25 de febrero. El secretario de transporte Pete Buttigieg tuvo la oportunidad de subirse a un autobús del Roaring Fork Transportation Authority (RFTA) desde sus instalaciones de mantenimiento cerca de Glenwood Meadows para hacer un recorrido por la zona. Según el comunicado de prensa, Buttigieg estuvo en Colorado para "hacer énfasis en cómo la ley de infraestructura bipartidista del presidente Biden — con sus inversiones históricas en carreteras, puentes, tránsito, carga de vehículos eléctricos y más — ayudará a estados como Colorado a desarrollar proyectos importantes que alivien la congestión, fortalezcan la cadena de suministro, creen puestos de trabajo y reduzcan los costos para los estadounidenses". Antes de subir a uno de los autobuses ecológicos del RFTA, Buttigieg convivió con los representantes locales, mientras los curiosos y medios de comunicación se aglomeraban en el lugar. Buttigieg estuvo acompañado por los senadores estadounidenses John
Hickenlooper y Michael Bennet (ambos representantes de Colorado). Antes de embarcar, el alcalde de Glenwood Springs, Jonathan Godes, se dirigió a la multitud, y remarcó que RFTA es la mayor agencia de transporte rural del país. El alcalde también agradeció a Buttigieg y a la directora ejecutiva del Departamento de Transporte de Colorado (CDOT), Shoshana Lew, su trabajo y apoyo financiero para la limpieza y reconstrucción de la Interestatal 70, "la línea de vida del estado", como él la llamó. Alex Sánchez, presidente y director general de Voces Unidas de las Montañas y Voces Unidas Action Fund, dos organizaciones regionales de defensa de los latinos, estuvo también presente y tuvo la oportunidad de viajar en el autobús con el secretario y los dos senadores. Sánchez dijo a The Sopris Sun que recalcó al secretario que "las inversiones en infraestructura y transporte deben servir mejor a los residentes que viven en los más de 70 parques de casas móviles en la región central de las montañas", y que "a menudo, las paradas u opciones de tránsito no son convenientes para nuestros viajeros de clase trabajadora". Sánchez retomó una cuestión planteada por el alcalde Godes, al afirmar que la crisis de vivienda
se está convirtiendo en una crisis de transporte. Sánchez lo expresó así: "También le hice a entender [a Buttigieg] que la vivienda no es accesible en la región y que las familias trabajadoras, la columna vertebral de nuestras comunidades, viven cada vez más lejos de las infraestructuras del centro". El aumento en la distancia entre el trabajo y el hogar requiere una opción de transporte segura. El Director ejecutivo de Voces Unidas también mencionó que, según los datos que la organización ha recabado, a los latinos de las regiones de la montaña central y de la ladera occidental les gustaría ver "mejoras y ampliación en el transporte público, más que a los latinos de otras partes del estado". El secretario Buttigieg dijo a The Sopris Sun acerca de su experiencia al viajar en un autobús de RFTA y algunos detalles de una conversación que sostuvo con un estudiante del Colorado Mountain College que frecuentemente usa el RFTA. "Hablé con un estudiante llamado David que realmente cuenta con esto para poder llegar a diferentes sitios del campus que forma parte de sus estudios en el sistema de college comunitario. Habló de ello como algo absolutamente vital para ser capaz de seguir sus estudios, tener el poder de contar con la frecuencia". Buttigieg destacó que la frecuencia es
importante para que la gente cuente con el servicio de transporte para cumplir con sus rutinas diarias. "A veces nuestras conversaciones sobre las infraestructuras de transporte se centran demasiado en los activos y no lo suficiente en las personas, pero la razón por la que estamos haciendo todo esto es para ayudar a la gente a seguir con sus vidas". Volviendo a David, Buttigieg resumió: "Mencionó que, al haber un sistema confiable, puede centrarse más en sus estudios reales y menos en cómo desplazarse físicamente; eso es exactamente lo que estamos intentando hacer". Para concluir, el secretario elogió a RFTA por hacer un esfuerzo en adelantarse a la crisis climática invirtiendo en vehículos híbridoseléctricos y reduciendo la congestión del tráfico. "Una reflexión más amplia sobre RFTA, además de ver lo que están haciendo para tratar de ayudar a la gente a gestionar el costo de la vivienda en esta zona", comenzó Buttigieg, "me llamó la atención el hecho de que para esta comunidad que está del lado empresarial del cambio climático, también están tratando de estar al frente del cambio climático con autobuses eléctricos y de bajas emisiones en sus instalaciones que van a ayudarles a ser parte de la solución".
¡Feliz cumpleaños al Sol del Valle!
OPINION
Otra Perspectiva
Crystal Mariscal "hay mucho todavía por hacer, pero hemos avanzado y creado puentes entre comunidades que no serán tan fáciles de derribar."
En estos días celebramos el nacimiento del Sol del Valle, y un año de éxito. Lo que parecía un sueño descabellado y sin valor, hoy se levanta con cuerpo y con sueños. Un año de planeación, esfuerzo, cambios, pero sobre todo de victoria, ya que pese a todas las adversidades, el Sol salió para el Valle, y así se quedará. Alcanzará desde Aspen hasta Parachute, tendrá más escritores y columnistas, y anuncios, todo con el propósito de hacer lo que solo un peridioco local, popular y comunitario puede hacer: comunicar. Este mes tengo el honor de presentarme de nuevo ante ustedes, mis queridos y fieles lectores, ya no solo como una columnista más, sino como alguien que estará tomando el rol de editora del Sol del Valle. Esta es la primera de las muchas sorpresas que este año trae. Ahora no solo estaremos bajo The Sopris Sun, sino también se extiende al Aspen Daily News (ADN por sus siglas en inglés). Le pregunté a Raleigh Burleigh, el creador de este sueño, “¿Qué esperas con esta nueva colaboración?” Su repuesta: “Más que nada, espero que mejore el alcance de información local que tiene impacto
para todas las comunidades que habitan este valle. Ojalá que también nos dé los recursos para emplear a más gente para guiar el Sol del Valle. Mientras que formula su propio carácter, sé que serán los periódicos anglos traduciendo contenido desde el Sol del Valle para informar a lectores que no hablan español”. Él es culpable de que yo esté enamorada de este proyecto y con el corazón lleno de esperanza. Chileno de corazón y latino — porque lo hemos adoptado — ha mostrado su gran amor a la comunidad latina. Entre otras preguntas que yo le hacía, “¿Qué significa el Sol del Valle para ti?” “Fue algo creado desde el corazón”, contestó, “y me alegra mucho ver su éxito”. Confío en que el éxito seguirá, ya que nuestros columnistas actuales seguirán. Esquina Legal, la Clínica del Pueblo, Al No Artista, podrán seguir leyendo la excelente información que traen para ustedes. Este mes agregamos nuevos temas, con nuevos columnistas. ¡Bienvenidos al Sol del Valle! Iliana Renteria y su columna sobre salud mental, con técnicas y explicaciones como solo ella sabe hacerlo. Triny Rochin y su sabiduría en cuanto a temas familiares, todo visto desde los
valores y el rol tan importante que juega una familia en la comunidad. Y claro, a mi querido compadre, ni más ni menos que al famoso Sargento Carlos Cornejo, quien nos ayudará a entender desde cómo trabajan las leyes hasta cómo proteger a nuestros hijos de sus propios teléfonos. ¡No se quería perder ni una sola edición! Si hay algo que quisiera compartir en el Chisme del Pueblo, envíenos un correo electrónico a Sol@SoprisSun.com, o un mensaje por medio de la página de Facebook. Y si todavía no nos ha dado un “like”, ¡hágalo! Así se mantendrá informado de todo lo que está pasando, no solo en la comunidad latina, sino en todo el valle. Si es dueño de un negocio y quiere atraer más clientes, recuerde que contamos con un departamento de ventas, que le ayudarán de principio a fin, desde creando su anuncio y ajustándose a su presupuesto. Incluso si le gustaría que en su negocio se repartiera el periodico, también déjenos saber, poco a poco vamos viendo nuevas localidades con el periodico, y el buen sabor de boca que deja ver a los comensales leyendo el peridoco mientras esperan su comida ¡no tiene precio! Megan Tackett, quien es la editora de Aspen Daily News, al igual que Burleigh y yo, anhelamos que el Sol del Valle sea un Sol que sale para todos. Que se adapte a las
10 • el Sol del Valle • soprissun.com/espanol/ • 3 de mar. - 9 de mar. de 2022
necesidades de nuestros lectores, soñamos en eventualmente tener más actividad en redes sociales y otros medios. En el Sol, no queremos que ustedes batallen por llegar a las noticias, y andar “correteando” al Sol, sino que así como el sol en el cielo sale para todos, así de igual manera este Sol de información, recursos y columnas llegue hasta su vecindario. Y del festejo del cumpleaños, paso a compartir lo que yo veo del Sol en los próximos años. Nuevas generaciones tocando las puertas y tomando el liderazgo de nuestro valle, y pese a eso el periodico en nuestro valle sigue sin pasar de moda. Después de décadas haciendo y peleando cambios, me siento contenta de poder pasar la antorcha a la siguiente generación y decir: hay mucho todavía por hacer, pero hemos avanzado y creado puentes entre comunidades que no serán tan fáciles de derribar. Y al final, como siempre digo, mi punto de vista lo cuento desde donde estoy parada, y lo que veo a mi alrededor, eso no significa que menosprecie tu opinión, al contrario, gracias por compartirlo, ya que ahora puedo entender más del tema. Y a ti, que quizás tengas una manera de pensar diferente, te invito a este espacio, a compartir “Otra Perspectiva” quien también seguirá presente en el Sol del Valle. “No estoy de acuerdo con lo que dices, pero defenderé con mi vida tu derecho a decirlo" —Voltaire.
Donaciones por correo o en línea P.O. Box 399 Carbondale, CO 81623 970-510-3003 www.soprissun.com Editor Raleigh Burleigh • 970-510-3003 news@soprissun.com Executive Director Todd Chamberlin • 970-510-0246 adsales@soprissun.com Directore Artístico Hattie Rensberry Diseñadora de anuncios Alyssa Ohnmacht Traductoras Jacquelinne Castro y Dolores Duarte Distribucion Frederic Kischbaum Miembros de la Mesa Directiva Klaus Kocher • Kay Clarke Lee Beck • Megan Tackett Gayle Wells • Donna Dayton Terri Ritchie • Eric Smith el Sol del Valle agradece por su apoyo a: MANUAS, FirstBank y Alpine Bank The Sopris Sun, Inc. es una 501(c)(3) organización benéfica sin fines de lucro. Contribuciones financieras son deducibles de impuestos. ¡ESCRÍBENOS! Para contribuir ideas y contenido al Sol del Valle, escribiéndonos a: sol@soprissun.com Para comprar espacio publicitario en español, inglés, o ambos, mándanos un correo electrónico a:
adsales@soprissun.com
También se puede contactarnos llamando a 970-510-3003.
CHISME DEL PUEBLO Servicios de emergencia del 911
Exhibición en el capitolio
El Miércoles 9 de Marzo en las oficinas de los Comisionados en Glenwood Springs (108 8th St Suite 101) el Comité de la Comunidad Latina del Condado de Garfield estarán hablando sobre el sistema de llamadas de emergencia al 911 y la necesidad de tener personal que hable español. La cena comienza a las 6:30 p.m. y todo es bilingüe.
El capitolio del estado de Colorado está buscando obras de arte para una exhibición honrando los 146 años como estado de Colorado. Obras de arte por artistas de Colorado representando lugares en colorado deben ser entregadas antes del 1 de abril a www. bit.ly/Coloradart
Club de lectura
Actividad de osos Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) reporta una disminución del 28% de avistamientos y conflictos con los osos en el 2021 comparado con los reportes de hace dos años. CPW atribuye la disminución entre los osos y los humanos debido a la “buena humedad del verano”, ayudando a los pastos, bayas, frutas y nueces que conforman la dieta natural de los osos.
Consejos de imigracion ¿Tiene preguntas acerca del estado de imigracion de usted o algún ser querido? El lunes 7 de marzo a las 6:30 p.m. el distrito de bibliotecas públicas del condado de Garfield, en asociación con Alpine Legal Services y Smith Immigration, llevará a cabo una sesión informativa en línea acerca de DACA (Acción Diferida para los Llegados en la Infancia), TPS (Estatus de Protección Temporal) y requisitos para la elegibilidad de asilo además de consejos en cómo navegar el proceso de cada una de estas categorías. Las personas que asistan pueden escuchar y participar en inglés o en español. Para más información e inscripcion para este evento, visite www.gcpld.org/ rights
Subsidios La junta de comisionados del condado de Garfield aprobó $26,500 en subvenciones discrecionales del primer trimestre para organizaciones sin fines de lucro, premiando a la radio comunitaria KSUN con $5,000; West Elk Trails con $3,000; New Castle Trails con $1,000; Roaring Fork Leadership con $5,000; GlenX Career Expo con $2,500; YouthEntity con $5,000; y Roaring Fork Outdoor Volunteers con $5,000. Adicionalmente, la junta aprobó $20,000 para Coventure para ayudar a la resiliencia económica.
La biblioteca pública de Basalt ofrecerá un club de lectura con discusión comenzando el 6 de marzo de 3 p.m. a 4 p.m. El libro de este mes es Alquimista de Paulo Coelho y una cantidad limitada de libros gratuitos estarán disponibles en la recepción de la biblioteca. Para más información, visite www.basaltlibrary.org/events-calendar. html
ReEnergizar Garfield El condado de Garfield está apoyando a Clean Energy Economy for the Region (CLEER) con $150,000 para ayudar a los residentes que hacen menos del 120% del ingreso medio del área ($105,960 para una familia de cuatro) con actualizaciones de energía. Dependiendo del ingreso, su familia podría recibir hasta el 100% del costo de medidas de energía recomendadas como aislamiento, sellado de aire, reemplazo de ventanas, actualizaciones de sistemas de calefacción y enfriamiento y también iluminación LED. Para más detalles, visite www.garfieldcleanenergy.org/reenergize o llame al 970-704-9200.
Puente sur El consulado de la ciudad de Glenwood Springs está listo para discutir acerca del aeropuerto municipal y el proyecto del puente sur, estableciendo una nueva conexión entre la carretera 82 y vecindarios en la parte sur al final de la avenida Midland. Esta discusión se dará a cabo el 17 de marzo. Las personas que no puedan asistir en persona pueden entregar comentarios en línea en www.cogs.us/341/Airport hasta las 8:30 p.m. el jueves 3 de marzo. Ahí también se puede encontrar materiales relevantes y un enlace relacionado con la sesión del 24 de febrero.
Foro de candidatos The Sopris Sun está muy orgulloso de presentar un foro de candidatos para el consejo de administradores del pueblo de Carbondale, en asociación con KDNK, el miércoles 16 de marzo de las 6 p.m. hasta las 8 p.m. Participe en persona en el ayuntamiento, en línea o por la radio en KDNK. Si tiene alguna pregunta sugerida, por favor envíe un correo electrónico a news@soprissun.com con “foro de candidatos” como tema de asunto.
Avalancha en Marble Una avalancha arriba de la carretera Marble Quarry el 25 de febrero se cobró la vida de un hombre de 27 años de edad y sus dos perros, Kenai y Bea. Nathaniel Smith, de Colorado Springs, caminaba hacia una cabina junto con tres amigos cuando la avalancha se desató. Miembros del equipo de rescate West Elk Search, servicios de emergencia de Carbondale y Colorado Avalanche respondieron a este incidente.
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El Pueblo de Carbondale
INFORMACIÓN
Remueve la Nieve de las Aceras
¡Mantenga nuestras aceras seguras durante el invierno! RETIRE EL HIELO Y LA NIEVE
1127 School Street 1127 • Glenwood Springs, CO 81601 School Street 1127 School Street • Glenwood Springs, CO 81601
1127 School Street • Springs, Glenwood CO 8 Glenwood CO Springs, 81601
Conozca sus responsabilidades de Remover la Nieve: Es responsabilidad de los dueños u ocupantes de cualquier propiedad en el pueblo de remover la nieve y el hielo en las aceras que rodean su propiedad (incluyendo las aceras de los terrenos ubicados en esquinas).
Límite de tiempo: Los negocios deben tener las aceras limpias entre las primeras 4 horas despues de que la precipitación haya parado. Los residentes deben tener sus aceras limpias en las primeras 24 horas despues de que la precipitación haya paraado. ¡Limpie su acera! ¡Mantenga en Carbondale ! to n movimie
Visite la página web de la Municipalidad de Carbondale o su perfil en Facebook para obtener actualizaciones.
Para mass información, contacte al Departamento de Policias de Carbondale: 970-963-22662
This community ad space provided by Cool Brick Studios
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el Sol del Valle • Conector de comunidad • 3 de mar. - 9 de mar. de 2022 • 11
The RFV’s reader-supported weekly
Un periódico semanal en español
We’re Double Celebrating!
It’s the First Anniversary for el Sol del Valle! El Sol del Valle has ALSO expanded into the Aspen Daily News AND has become a stand alone newspaper! Watch for it each Thursday!
Thank you Alpine Bank and Manaus for starting a
Matching Fund for $50,000 to hire a new Latina Editor—Crystal Mariscal, and to hire more Spanish Language Freelancers to create unique local content for el Sol del Valle and The Sopris Sun!
To join in the celebration, please make a tax deductible donation today! Online at: soprissun.kindful.com Or mail a check to The Sopris Sun, PO Box 399, Carbondale, Colorado 81623
Thank you!
The Sopris Sun is a 501c3 Nonprofit Community Newspaper. Our mission is to inform, inspire and build community by fostering diverse and independent journalism. 12 • THE SOPRIS SUN • soprissun.com • Mar. 3 - Mar. 9, 2022
A transplant’s tale from Florida-land Tom in K ey
By Tom Mercer Florida Correspondent
West
Last autumn, my partner and I said goodbye to Carbondale. We packed our belongings into a rental trailer and began the long drive to Florida. We left Carbondale at 3 a.m. Glenwood Canyon had just been cleared of fallen rock and the pavement was still a broken mess, but there was virtually no traffic on I-70. Before the sun rose that morning, we discovered that you can’t safely haul a full trailer behind a Jeep any faster than 55 mph. To do otherwise, would risk total disaster. We were forced to modify our intended travel schedule before we even cleared Glenwood Canyon. We had spent hours planning our trip. We compared the possible routes and booked all of our hotel rooms prior to leaving Colorado. But, due to our reduced top speed, our daily drive time had to be extended to 10 hours rather than the eight we had originally planned for. So, we drove on, passing through Colorado, Kansas, Missouri, Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee and Georgia. Finally, we crossed the Florida state line. We were exhausted. Although we had no mechanical problems with the Jeep, COVID kept things interesting by forcing the closure of many restaurants along our planned route. At one large hotel in Illinois, the only food that was available consisted of cups of dehydrated macaroni and cheese from the hotel’s snack selection. Despite some minor surprises, after five days on the road, we pulled into Delray Beach, Florida, unloaded our belongings and returned the rented trailer. Since our arrival in Delray Beach, I have been learning a lot about Florida. My prior visits had been by air to tourist destinations, but there is a completely different state between Key West and Disney World. Florida is populated by good people who are not all wearing mouse ears and singing Jimmy Buffet songs. We have a number of good friends nearby that we have known for years and they have helped us learn more about all that is available in our new hometown. Nearly every kind of cuisine is available and the seafood is delicious!
ey R l e D
The Ocean
As for unexpected challenges accompanying our move, relearning to drive “Florida-style” has been difficult. The pace of traffic is much faster than in Colorado and Florida drivers are not shy about using their car’s horn. Where posted speed limits exist, drivers only consider them a suggestion. Many “local streets” are three lanes wide in each direction. I was surprised by the sheer number of gated communities that exist in the area. These communities typically have many recreational options for residents and most have guards at their entrances. Acclimating to Florida’s climate has been a bit of a challenge. While my son in Carbondale was shoveling snow off his roof, the temperature in Delray Beach reached 85 degrees. Santa Claus wears shorts when he comes to town. I look at some of the clothes hanging in my closet and think, “Why did I bring that?” The flora and fauna around my new home are also quite different. Gone are the deer, squirrels and magpies. They have been replaced by unfamiliar plants, exotic birds, and scores of small lizards that hide in the roots of the palm trees outside our bedroom window. When we first arrived in Delray Beach, I didn’t recognize any of the birds in our neighborhood — none of them! I had to do a bit of research to learn their names. One of the more interesting avian neighbors walked by our house yesterday. I had no clue what the bird was, so I looked him up and discovered that it was actually a duck. I know that sounds crazy, but this bird does not resemble any duck I have ever seen. Locate a color photograph of a Muscovy Duck and you’ll see what I mean. Another new neighbor of ours is a large iguana who I have named Spot. Spot warms himself in the sun in our backyard almost every day. I briefly considered trying to become Spot’s human friend and thought we might be destined to become buddies. I imagined that I could put a leash on Spot and take him out for walks. I gave up on that idea when I read that iguanas are fast and have razor-sharp teeth. I since dropped the idea of becoming friendly with Spot. A Florida friend recently suggested that I consider riding the bike trail in Alligator Alley. The name seemed a little suspicious, so I pulled Alligator Alley up on the Internet. I immediately found a photo of a large alligator blocking a bike path not more than 20 feet from the closest bicycle rider. I hope she made it past the gator. Well, this is Florida, folks. And, as I recall, they even have gators in the water at Disney World. I guess it’s only fair to remember that they were here first and I am just a newcomer.
Florida Beach
"Spot"
rees Mossy T ocal L r e h Anot
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THE SOPRIS SUN • Your weekly community connector • Mar. 3 - Mar. 9, 2022 • 13
Learning lessons and having fun with SoL
By Sofie Koski Youth Correspondent
“Little Women” is a beloved coming of age book written by Louisa May Alcott about family, pain and new beginnings. It follows the March family in Civil War-era New England, and the adventures of sisters Beth, Jo, Amy and Meg, as they grow up. They endure hardships and ultimately a tragic loss, but their strong family ties never fail. Stage of Life Theatre Company (SoL) is adapting this novel into a short play performed by children ages 8-15. “It is such a beautiful story, and was one of my favorite books as a child. I have wanted to do this show for a while and our ten-year anniversary season seemed the perfect timing,” says SoL Executive Director Jennifer Johnson. “When I saw that they [SoL] were doing ‘Little Women,’ I got so excited because it's a great show with great characters and great messages. It just sounded like such a great opportunity to be able to perform this story,” says Isabella Mischke, age 15, who has been doing shows with SoL for about five or six years. “Little Women” is indeed a beautiful story, but it also teaches powerful lessons. Although it’s an older book, it contains timeless messages — like the importance of love in the family, independence and equality;
all of which still apply in our time. “Its message of female empowerment was beyond its time, and is especially relevant in the moment we are living through now,” states Johnson. She adds, “SoL believes in the transformative power of theater in kids' lives, and our mission is building a healthy community and nurturing our youth to the greatest potential through the performing arts.” Adapting this book into a play for children gives SoL a chance to live up to that mission by teaching kids these important lessons and also encouraging creativity through acting. “I really like the characters. I feel like I can relate to them; and the setting and the story is just so warm and cozy. It feels very close to my heart, I guess, and I feel like it's just a powerful story,” Mischke says. SoL has licensed an adaptation from Heuer Publishing by Matt Buchanan. “It is the fourth adaptation I read and was the version that most closely followed the book by Louisa May Alcott, which was important to me,” Johnson says. SoL has modified this adaptation to include the roles of a mother and two sisters who act as narrators throughout the play. This adaptation follows the book closely, but also allows for the audience to really see inside the characters' heads and what they are thinking.
Auditions for "Little Women" attracted many young actors and actresses to SoL's office space. Photo by youth journalist Jaris Elliott
Johnson received so many auditions that it took her two days longer than usual to cast the play. “We had a really wonderfully talented crop of students audition,” she states. In regard to the audition process, Mischke adds her point of view, “You get to meet everybody and get to see who else you’re working with — it's like your first introduction to what this show will actually look like. It's similar for the director, who gets to see how everybody looks together and works together and it
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14 • THE SOPRIS SUN • soprissun.com • Mar. 3 - Mar. 9, 2022
helps them cast the show.” Mischke was cast as John Brooke, Meg's husband, and also as Laurie’s tutor. SoL was founded 10 years ago by Logan Carter and Jennifer Johnson, “in response to the need for affordable theater opportunities for kids in the Roaring Fork Valley,” and has produced 35 mainstage productions, 13 production camps, nine radio shows, two radio films and four fulllength film productions. “Little Women” will be SoL’s first production in its ten-year
anniversary season and its 36th mainstage production overall. They are a nonprofit and all of their funding comes from production tuition, grants, business sponsors and private donations. If you would like to get involved, you can contact Johnson at jennifer@soltheatrecompany.org or you can visit SoL’s website, www. soltheatrecompany.org The production will take place on March 11, 12 and 13 at the Third Street Center in Carbondale. Tickets are available on SoL’s website.
Pour House Meet and Greet Friday, March 11th, 5:30-7pm with Trustee Candidates Chris Hassig, Colin Quinn, and Frosty Merriott
Frosty Merriott CPA Vision, Passion, and Experience • Managed 100 Client CPA Tax/Accounting practice for 25 years • Current Carbondale Chamber Executive Board and Environmental Board Member • Carbondale Trustee 2008-2018 • Carbondale Planning and Zoning 2005-2008 • RVR Executive Board • Carbondale Economic Roadmap Group and Tree Board ACTION ITEMS • Prioritize affordable community housing • Use Climate Action Plan, VCAPS, and Environmental Bill of Rights in development decisions to focus on sustainable growth • Schedule a Work Session with City Market to see how we can help get to the Flagship Mountain Community Sustainable store we all wanted • Work towards reducing traffic and a fire mitigation plan
FA I T H , FA M I LY, A N D F R I E N D S !
KEEP A PMA (Positive Mental Attitude) • FINISH STRONG L O V E C R I T T E R S especially Goldens
Our Town: Mountain Maes, a fifth-generation Carbondalian By Amy Hadden Marsh Sopris Sun Correspondent
You may have heard the dulcet tones of 16-year old Mountain Maes spinning some jazz sides on KDNK last Saturday night. Or perhaps you’ve heard his stories, public affairs shows and music sets on the Andy Zanca Youth Empowerment Program (AZYEP) for almost a decade. Mountain’s dream, to be a tech engineer, emerged from AZYEP or, as he puts it, “AZYEP is where it started and tech is where it’s going.” Here’s more from a recent conversation edited for length and clarity. AHM: Tell us about yourself. MM: I was born in Glenwood Springs at Valley View, but I’m fifth-generation Carbondale. My parents are Ami and Chris Maes. I go to
Roaring Fork High School. I'm a sophomore. That’s going well for me and I think the best part is I still have time for my out-of-school activities. AHM: Talk about your out-of-school activities. MM: It all started at [AZYEP]. I started off as a youth DJ and I thought that was great. It gave me a really good sense of public speaking, like, I could get up in a crowd in front of people and just talk! Then, I started with the Andy Zanca News Team and that’s when I got my hands on audio equipment. I started interviewing people and then I started [digital audio] editing, which I now can do with my eyes closed. Interviewing and recording people really changed the way I look at and talk to people.
AHM: How so? MM: I think it made me ask better questions. Instead of asking pointless questions, asking really deep, intense questions. AHM: It increased your critical thinking skills? MM: Yes, because sometimes you may not have as much time with a guest and you really want to get as much as you can out of just a few questions. I also think an important question I learned was: ‘Is there anything else you’d like to add?’ It’s a universal question and you always get really cool things out of that. AHM: Talk more about your work. MM: Then, I started tech — sound engineering and lighting. I didn’t know how to do much but I was making it work. I would do little one-off events for the school. Someone would call the school and ask for a building rental. If it was the auditorium, I came with it, like, ‘oh look, a child is running your sound,’ but I was doing a really good job. MM: I feel like I really started to take off when I stopped by the KDNK booth at Mountain Fair [in 2017] and I got to go on air with Gavin [Dahl, former KDNK station manager]. It was a ton of fun. We just talked and we were rolling, you know? This youth DJ, running the Mountain Fair broadcast! That’s also where I met this guy named Ralph Pitt, who is really an inspiration to me today. He’s a recording engineer. He can fix anything and is just a really smart guy that I learned 99% of my audio knowledge from. Then, I started doing more live things for KDNK.
Mountain Maes is a familiar face at KDNK and other places where music is shared around Carbondale. Photo by Amy Hadden Marsh
AHM: What kind of live things? MM: I did a broadcast from the classroom
of a middle school dance. I got hired to do the Second Sunday in the Park remote broadcasts. Then, last year, I was the head remote person for Mountain Fair for KDNK. I was out there all weekend, which was great. Now I’m working for GrassRoots TV, doing some of their live-on-location stuff for Steve’s Guitars every Friday night. I’m directing the Town of Basalt government meetings. I'm in charge of designing all the graphics for the [web] stream, putting it on-air on Channel 17 and making sure the camera is pointed at the right person. I’ve also been filming Aspen High School’s hockey games for the last six weeks. I’m Sol Theater’s lighting designer in Carbondale… AHM: Where do you see yourself in five years? MM: Hopefully, I'll have my own production company that I’ve already been starting to grow locally. AHM: If you could have dinner with three people — living or dead — who would you choose? MM: I would like to go back and have more dinners with my great-grandpa, Bob, who passed away this summer. He was just a really great person. I would have liked to talk to him more and record his stories more. Then, Tom Cruise, to talk to him about his acting career and Lin-Manuel Miranda because he has such experience in theater. AHM: Is there anything else you’d like to add? MM: I think we have a great community here in Carbondale. There’s nothing like Carbondale and there’s nothing like the people. I thank you for reaching out to me to do this. I will be extremely honored to be in The Sopris Sun.
Town of Carbondale
INFORMATION
Sidewalk Snow Removal This winter keep our sidewalks safe!
CleAR SNOw & ICe KNOw yOuR SNOw ReMOvAl ReSpONSIbIlITIeS:
Owners or occupants of any property in town are responsible for clearing the snow and ice from sidewalks along their property (including sidewalks on both sides of corner lots.)
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WHEN YOU NEED IT Our After-Hours clinic — conveniently located in Southside Basalt — provides you with a lower-cost option for treating minor illnesses and injuries than a trip to the ER. Scan the QR code for directions and more information.
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Businesses need to have the sidewalks cleared within 4 hours after the precipitation stops. Residents need to have the sidewalks cleared within 24 hours after precipitation stops.
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No appointment necessary, walk-ins welcome! Weekdays: 3:00 pm - 11:00 pm Weekends: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
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visit the Town of Carbondale’s website or Facebook page for any updates.
For more information, contact the Carbondale police Department: 970-963-2662
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THE SOPRIS SUN • Your weekly community connector • Mar. 3 - Mar. 9, 2022 • 15
GUEST
OPINION By Alex Menard
It began quietly and slowly, barely noticeable. But, each year the same processional theme was repeated with a faster tempo and more volume. The theme assumed a harsh, incessant, menacing, out of control quality. This is not a music review of Ravel's Bolero, rather the history of ATV use on the Lead King Loop. At some point, the unwanted music triggered enough complaints to warrant consideration of action by the town of Marble, Gunnison County and federal agencies. This took the form of the Lead King Loop (LKL) Committee, which has now met for more than three years. This process will end very soon and may end with nothing having been accomplished. A decision must be made before
Last chance for Lead King Loop
spring and will stand for many years, as the LKL Committee will claim they have gone through the process. The multiple-use policy of the U.S. Forest Service means that all recreation user groups are accommodated and precludes finding some uses incompatible with others. Recently, the Forest Service closed part of Four Mile Road to winter users because of logging operations, but they don't feel that the noise, dust, fumes, aggressive driving, trail erosion, dispersal of wildlife, monopolizing of trailhead parking spaces and trampling of vegetation is incompatible with quieter sorts of recreation. Do not confuse necessary with sufficient policies. A ban on ATVs and trail bikes on the LKL is not a sufficient policy to manage all the problems. But an ATV ban is necessary for successful management. Tom Sobal, of the Quiet Use Coalition, has studied ATV use since the beginning. He says, "Whenever ATV use starts on a trail, other users decrease to zero." The LKL is an exception. Because of the scenic, natural and historic qualities, the LKL
has policies to protect special places. The BLM recognizes Areas of Critical Environmental Concern (ACEC), which are areas of special environmental, recreational or historical value, or areas of heavy impact. Isn't LKL, a special place experiencing high impact, in fact an ACEC? The town of Marble and Gunnison County conditioned their action on a cooperative agreement with the Forest Service. This may preclude any effective solutions. In contrast, Pitkin County recognized its responsibility to protect environmental quality for residents and visitors. They took the initiative and told the Forest Service that they wished to close some county roads to off highway vehicle (OHV) use and received the Forest Service’s cooperation. Problem solved. If the Forest Service does not act, Gunnison County and Marble should step up. Closing County Road 3 (CR3) to OHV use would greatly reduce impacts on the LKL and Marble. There is a proposed parking ordinance within Marble town limits, which would prohibit truck or trailer parking for
"Whenever ATV use starts on a trail, other users decrease to zero." will always draw new visitors, unaware of what they are in for. The Crystal Mill is iconic, which will continue to attract visitors from across the nation. Meanwhile, most quiet use locals have written off the LKL from their trail inventory. The 13 miles of the LKL are traveled in less than an hour on a trail bike and a little more for an ATV. There is no possibility for dispersal; it is the only trail. ATV use is not a good fit here, even if you ignore all their impacts on the environment and other users. Even the very utilitarian agency, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), mainly concerned with mineral extraction and grazing,
OHV unloading. After the April election for town trustees, this may be presented for a vote. This could effectively eliminate OHV use in town and on the LKL by
nonresidents if a similar ordinance is adopted for CR3 by the county. If turned down by the trustees, the ordinance could be put on a special ballot for residents this summer.
This
would
This is the last chance to save the Upper Crystal Valley for quiet enjoyment
and
environmental
quality. I urge you not to wait for a decision, only to be disappointed. Instead contact Gunnison County and the town of Marble now, and urge them to take the initiative. You can tell them if you are not a constituent, but this valley is still your backyard.
Marble: leach@townofmarble.com Gunnison County Commissioners: bocc@gunnisoncounty.org
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greatly
reduce OHV impacts.
CVEPA on Redstone to McClure Trail
was like a “jack-in-the-box!” The "CVEPA elk flew out of the cars and in no supports strict time disappeared into the Placita mountains. Placita is the abandoned enforcement of hamlet of several yellow wildlife protection cabins along Highway 133 above Redstone. It was a coal mining station along the Crystal regulations."
Game wardens and a few locals gathered at the old railroad siding at Placita. Word was out that the Division of Wildlife was going to release elk into the upper Crystal Valley. John Darien remembered that day in the early ‘40s as he recounted the scene to me in the barnyard at Prospect Mountain Ranch one afternoon. Darien spent most of his adult years maintaining the dirt road to Marble and the rocky road to Crystal City from approximately 1960 to 1985. Elk were not common at this time and he didn’t want to miss this sight. These animals were brought to Colorado to propagate the herd that had been rendered extinct by hunters supplying meat to the mining camps. At Placita Siding several open slatted, wooden railroad stock cars sat waiting. Inside the cars were a number of Roosevelt Elk that had been relocated from the Yellowstone area herds. The doors slid open and it
River and San Juan Railroad route to Marble. Placita was also the proposed site of a 301-foot-tall dam in the canyon narrows. The dam would have held half the volume of Ruedi Reservoir. In the ‘70s, the Crystal Valley Environmental Protection Association (CVEPA) successfully opposed this dam (and another dam at Redstone). It wasn’t until 2013 that Redstonian Bill Jochems and Pitkin County succeeded in getting the West Divide Water Conservancy District to relinquish their conditional water rights from 1958. Placita is located along the old wagon road, which was the original route up the Crystal Valley. It also sits at the foot of the old McClure Pass Road. These historic routes are at the heart of the Redstone to McClure Pass Trail, proposed by Pitkin County to the US Forest Service. The Draft Environmental Assessment (EA) is now being considered. The route has cultural and
historical significance to the public. One trail is over one hundred years old and both trails are solid and serviceable. The trail proposal would offer a safe trail experience away from the risk and noise of the highway. Moderate grade walking trails such as this are the exception in the Elk Mountains. The value of these routes and public lands were the subject of a lengthy, in-depth debate at the February CVEPA meeting. The draft EA offered two options: trail development or do nothing. Sadly, rolling the clock back to that day at Placita Siding was not an option. Neither is satisfying every person’s vision for the land. The crux of CVEPA’s discussion was inviting use of the quiet wagon road area to the public. “If you build it they will come.” We are all stunned at the pace of growth in our beloved valley. Enhanced infrastructure of parking lots and signage will bring more users. The “do nothing” option may postpone increased visitation. CVEPA supports staying ahead of the curve, a proactive management approach, believing that an increase in public use is inevitable. Then there is the progeny of the Roosevelt elk from Placita Siding. I walked the trail last week and the evidence of elk winter
Make time for your HEART
Joseph L. Schuller, MD, FHRS
frequency is clear. Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) wants winter closures, and possibly elk calving closures, if the trail is developed. No protective restrictions are currently in place. CVEPA supports strict enforcement of wildlife protection regulations. Everyone is a wildlife advocate, until it comes to making concessions. Pitkin County has offered to pay for Forest Service Forest Protection Officers (FPOs) to patrol the area. (Reference the Feb. 24 Aspen Times Weekly article on FPOs on local public lands). FPOs have the capability and responsibility to enforce winter closures and other regulations on Forest Service lands. The CVEPA Board voted 4-1 to support the draft EA. To avoid any perception of a conflict of interest due to their employment, two board members recused themselves from voting at the February 10 meeting. CVEPA opposes commercial use on the trail; especially bike shuttles to the top of the pass. That does not preclude local bike rentals. CVEPA encourages Pitkin County to work with CDOT to develop bike lanes on Route 133 to give riders seasonal options and to accommodate road bikes, which are not suited for the trail. Trail proponents and opponents are aligned in many
GUEST
OPINION By John Armstrong
ways but reaching a balanced decision that all can support is the challenge. CVEPA believes that everyone deserves a safe route through the valley without a motor vehicle. The proposed trail was the principal route through our valley during much of our recorded history. That does not diminish our responsibility for respectful stewardship of the land.
To learn more about CVEPA and to support our mission visit www.cvepa.org Retail Marijuana| 21 +
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THE SOPRIS SUN • Your weekly community connector • Mar. 3 - Mar. 9, 2022 • 17
LETTERS Neighborly concern
I’m watching wind blow snow off the peaks of Mount Sopris and wondering, does anyone in our blissful valley know what’s really happening to our Canadian neighbors? The only picture I see being painted of the truckers is that they’re disruptive right-wingers who must be stopped by the suspension of all “rule-of-law.” Canadians… really? Freezing bank accounts and killing pets… really? What’s going on here? Now the extreme measures have been lifted and the truckers are gone, but it’s unsettling. And, what’s more, if you haven’t noticed, now even our most reliable, more liberal news sources seem to be in lock-step, all singing the same tunes. Coopted might be the word. To find some truth behind why Trudeau and other world leaders suddenly seem so over-the-top authoritarian, you’ll have to take a deep dive below the constant flow of the mainstream. Lots of eye-popping, jaw-dropping, wellsourced, sci-fi-spy intrigue lurking down there. Like, for instance, how Canada’s dear prime minister is linked to the World Economic Forum which runs an elite training program for global leaders. Riveting stuff in the alternative sphere and discernment is certainly warranted, but please, open your eyes to what’s happening to our friends up north! Being informed about ALL sides of important current events, I believe, is the duty of all good citizens on Planet Earth. Jackie Chenoweth, Carbondale
Juntos podemos
When you imagine a government that works, what is it? When you imagine the ideal person to represent you and everyone in your community, who are they? What would make you believe that your government actually cares about our collective wellbeing?
Continued from page 2 For me, the person I imagine, and in whom I put my wholehearted trust, is Elizabeth Velasco. Elizabeth is running for HD57, a newly redrawn district from Parachute to Aspen. I see myself in Elizabeth: a woman in her 30s, building a life and career in the Roaring Fork Valley. Someone who grew up in the area, and knows it like the back of her hand. Someone for whom family is a top priority. Someone who, like me, cares about the wellbeing of everyone, not just some. I trust Elizabeth Velasco. She’s not a career politician, vying for power and reputation. Elizabeth is a regular person, with incredible drive and skill and resourcefulness, who is deeply connected to diverse groups in our district. She knows our struggles personally and professionally: housing, wages, commutes, healthcare costs, drought, fire. I trust that Elizabeth will prioritize people over profits, people over the special interests that dilute policy solutions so that we, the people, don’t get what we need and deserve. She will fight for the bold solutions required to address our dire social, economic and climate crises at the state level. Elizabeth will represent voices that have never been at the state capitol before. Those voices deserve to have Elizabeth Velasco as HD57’s representative. We all do. Join me to support her! Visit elizabethforcolorado.com. ¡Juntos podemos! Stronger together! Sophia Clark, Carbondale
Invigoration
Bright, bitter cold day A brisk breeze stinging my face Makes me feel alive JM Jesse, Glenwood Springs
18 • THE SOPRIS SUN • soprissun.com • Mar. 3 - Mar. 9, 2022
PARTING SHOT
The Open Sesame Organic Bagel shop welcomed customers on Monday, Feb. 28, the first day of their pop-up location on Sunset Drive, off Willits Lane. The pop-up is available Monday through Saturday, from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Photo by Olivia Emmer
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Ute theater - rifle at 6pm to buy tickets or Learn more, visit
www.advocatesafehouse.org THE SOPRIS SUN • Your weekly community connector • Mar. 3 - Mar. 9, 2022 • 19
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