GUEST OPINION

By Elizabeth Key

Lately, I have nightmares of swimming through snow, my omniscient yoga instructor's voice guiding me to take deep, cleansing breaths as my mind spools and the wind whips through my permeable lungs. I wake up gasping. My first thought is, I survived the night; I’m alive. Dying in your sleep has been lauded as the way to go, but I would prefer to be an octogenarian when that occurs. Frankly, I have a lot more adulting to do.

A couple of months ago, I would have died in my sleep if I had neglected to replace the smoke detectors and carbon monoxide alarms when I moved into my new home. I was searing meat for dinner when the first alarm started blaring. Logically, I responded by removing the batteries and cracking the door for the smoke to escape. Food, water and shelter are essential for survival, but I didn’t realize that my house was being hotboxed by a deadly gas, out to smother me. It wasn’t until the second alarm went off that I grabbed my dog, kicked my cat outside, exited the house and called 911. Carbon monoxide is the leading cause of poisoning death in the United States.

Letters

Protect the Crystal

I am encouraged to see that Gunnison and Pitkin counties, the Town of Marble and the River District are convening a stakeholder process that will look at permanent protection for the Crystal River. Interested and impacted citizens can now participate in the process to accomplish this, starting with a kickoff meeting in the Marble firehouse on Thursday, April 27 at 5pm. I’ve been a longtime supporter of a Wild and Scenic designation for the Crystal and see that as our best chance for keeping the river as it is — free-flowing, undammed and with no out-of-drainage diversions. I’ve spoken with Crystal Valley residents over the years, many of whom support a Wild and Scenic designation for the Crystal, and some who have questions about what that would mean for their property, their water or their future. One thing is clear: we all love the Crystal River and want to keep it as it is.

It’s going to take all of us coming together to listen to each other’s concerns and questions, and seek answers together. The upcoming collaborative process being led by our local communities will be an opportunity for us to listen to each other and learn how we can work together for the benefit of the Crystal River and future generations. I spent my earlier years roaming the Fryingpan valley and I’ve seen all too well what can happen

Over the copious winter, a cornice of snow had developed on the eve of my roof, sporting an abundance of fanglike icicles. I felt relieved when my metal roof released the condensed snow with a satisfying jolt that shook the house.

I was unaware that the fifteen feet of snow piled on the side of my house was blocking my boiler vent. When the fire department arrived, the CO levels in my home were hazardous. They turned off my gas boiler, rendering me without heat or hot water on the frigid winter night. I built a big fire, piled on the comforters, and surrounded myself with my CO alarms before bed.

Pablo Herr, public educator with the Carbondale & Rural Fire Protection District, warns that carbon monoxide “will sneak up on you. You want to make sure you have a carbon monoxide alarm on every floor of your home, including the basement. You want to have these detectors within 10 feet of each bedroom door.” The garage is one of the most common areas of CO poisoning events, and having a CO detector near the garage door can save a life.

Carbon monoxide is virtually undetectable for humans. “It is tasteless, odorless, colorless, gaseous,” Herr said. Produced by the incomplete combustion of fuel, this deadly gas can be the byproduct of everyday amenities such as gas ranges, fireplaces, camping stoves, propane heaters, charcoal grills and automobiles. It is vital to inspect gas appliances for blackening. If the blue flame has turned into an orange flicker, it is a sign that the fuel is not burning completely. Ensure your fireplaces are to a river if there isn’t a community organized and united against out-ofbasin diversions and river-wide dams. Protecting the Crystal River from dams and out-of-valley diversions is not only important for our generation but for generations decades into the future, where the demands for water will continue to intensify.

Chuck Downey, Redstone

A story from Wick

Many KDNK staff recollections were recorded in the station’s newsletter through the years. Here is a story from the late Wick Moses, KDNK’s first station manager, and early supporter and organizer. “One of my most vivid memories of the early days on the air involved the antenna, as the antenna company sent us an antenna that was designed to work in a very dry climate. The spring of 1983 was extremely wet. We discovered that when it rained, the antenna reflected back into the transmitter, so whenever it looked like weather was coming, I would climb up the tower with garbage bags and put them over the elements. I did this one time when there was a lightning storm headed our way. That’s how I got my permanently curly hair. The antenna company sent us new elements, although we did manage to fry the transmitter, which then had to go back to the factory. We operated off the exciter (10 watts) while the venting correctly and soot is not falling from the chimney.

Herr explained, “The scientific story is that the carbon monoxide binds to hemoglobin. It makes the hemoglobin molecules less able to bind to oxygen. Because of this, the oxygen transports from the blood and the release of the bound oxygen in the tissues is decreased. Then the tissue starts getting damaged from local hypoxia.”

Children, pets, pregnant women and people with coronary artery disease are especially susceptible to CO poisoning. Herr mentioned that heavy smokers can tolerate higher CO levels in their bodies and can even be unknowingly experiencing a poisoning event. Organs with a high oxygen content, like the heart and brain, are especially sensitive to hypoxia. The CO alarm is the most effective way of monitoring this fatal gas.

Herr said, “Nowadays, there are these great [CO alarms] that have 10-year lithium batteries, and they will give you a little alert when they are running low on juice.” He still suggests checking your smoke detectors and CO alarms every daylight savings time change. He said, “Your first defense is going to be early alert. Get a CO detector. If you don’t have one, you can contact me.”

I haunted my friends and family when I relayed that I could have perished in my sleep. After much shoveling and some springtime thaw, my anxiety is starting to subside. I saw my first crocus yesterday and exclaimed, “I survived winter!” To which my friend responded, “Yeah, just barely.” transmitter was fixed.”

Contact Pablo Herr at 970-963-2491 or visit carbondalefire.org for more information, or if you need a carbon monoxide detector.

Lynn “Jake” Burton, Carbondale

Crown vote

Many citizens in the Crown Mountain Recreation District have received in the mail a ballot for the upcoming election for Board of Directors. As the current president of the board, I would ask for your support in voting for me for another term. I would like to continue my work on the board to complete the Master Plan that is currently in process. We have many great opportunities to enhance the size of the park, and I am always available to visit with anyone regarding future plans and visions.

Most importantly, mail your ballot to the Edwards address or bring the ballot personally to the Crown Mountain Clubhouse on election day, May 2, from 7am to 7pm. If you did not receive a ballot and reside in the boundaries, please come vote on May 2.

Thank you for your support and vote.

Leroy Duroux, Basalt

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Run-off begins

According to the Roaring Fork Conservancy, rivers in the Roaring Fork Watershed were flowing at 129-217% of normal for this time of year last week. As the snowpack gives way to warmer temps, it’s important that people and their pets visiting the rivers are careful not to be swept away by strong currents.

Redstone open space

Equine Infectious Anemia

RJ Paddywacks

Cool Bricks Studio

White River Books

Alpine Animal Hospital

Novus Glass

Nonprofit Partners

Wilderness Workshop

5point Film Festival

Basalt Library

Aspen Strong

Carbondale Rotary

Colorado Animal Rescue

Carbondale Arts

Carbondale Chamber of Commerce

Interested in becoming an Underwriter or Nonprofit Partner in 2023? Email Todd@ soprissun.com or call 970-987-9866

Pitkin County Open Space and Trails (OST) is seeking the public's input regarding updates to the 2010 Redstone Parks and Open Space Management Plan and the 2008 Filoha Meadows Nature Preserve Management Plan. Updated management plans will address these OST properties: Elk Park, Redstone Park, the Coke Ovens Open Space, the Drool Open Space, Redstone Boulders Open Space, Sawmill Hill Open Space and the Filoha Meadows Nature Preserve. Visit www. pitkinostprojects.com for more information and the survey link.

RMI decision

The Colorado Court of Appeals upheld a 2021 Garfield County District Court decision that the county has the authority to enforce special use permit conditions on Rocky Mountain Industrials (RMI), regardless of the fact that the company operates the Mid-Continent Quarry on federal land. Following the appellate court’s Feb. 16 opinion, RMI had 14 days to file a petition for a rehearing, which the company forewent. RMI had until March 31 to file a petition of certiorari for review by the Colorado Supreme Court, and having not done that either, the appellate opinion was deemed the final ruling.

The Colorado Department of Agriculture confirmed that a horse residing in Garfield County tested positive for Equine Infectious Anemia (EIA). The horse was euthanized and other horses on the same property are under quarantine for 60 days. The horse was tested due to being illegally transported across state lines, not having been administered an EIA test (also known as a Coggins test). In the U.S. it’s required that a horse test negative for EIA and have a certificate of veterinary inspection before crossing state borders. Visit www.bit.ly/EIAinformation for more information and resources regarding EIA.

Nature Park burn

If you haven’t noticed already, the Carbondale Nature park is closed between 7am and 3:30pm through the week, April 17-21, due to tentative burns, weather permitting. “Burning underbrush is one of the Town’s mitigation techniques for soil health and weed control at the Nature Park and one of the multipronged strategies identified in the Carbondale Integrated Weed Management Plan for 2023,” a press release from the Town stated.

More burns

The Upper Colorado River Interagency Fire Management Unit is planning several prescribed burns on federal lands, including up to 500 acres at Avalanche Creek and up to 2,000 acres at Braderich Creek.

Stepping Stones is hiring

Stepping Stones, an organization that cultivates strong mentoring relationships and community spaces for youth ages 10 to 24, is hiring a full-time Youth Adult Program Coordinator. Applicants are asked to include a cover letter, current resume and three professional references. Visit www.steppingstones. org/employment for more information.

On Friday, April 14, all students at Colorado Rocky Mountain School (CRMS) participated in the annual Scholarship Work Day, assisting with 10 projects at ranches, residences and public trails. The tradition began in the early ‘60s, when a young man from Kenya wished to study at CRMS and fellow students worked at ranches to raise funds to bring him stateside. Now, the day helps support the 47% of CRMS students who receive some form of financial aid to attend the school.

Despite the daunting weather, the girls soccer team showed up in full to help rip out old, dilapidated fencing at Coffman Ranch, land acquired by Aspen Valley Land Trust for the public’s benefit.

Pickleball 101

The Roaring Fork Pickleball Association invites anyone — from “beginners, neverever[ers] and the curious” — interested in learning the basics of the sport. Participants can choose up to two lessons offered on May 1, 3, 8, 10, 22 and 24 starting at either 9:30 or 11am, or May 15 and 17 lessons starting at 9 or 11am. Email nettmarkham@ aol.com to register. For more information, visit www. roaringforkpickleball.org, or visit Roaring Fork Pickleball Association on Facebook.

They say it’s your birthday!

Folks celebrating another trip around the sun this week include: Julie Bomersback, Jack Bergstrom, Jared Carlson, April Clark and Molly Jacober (April 20); Renae Gustine and Shannon Muse (April 21); Sage Dawson, Fred Malo, Kameron Miranda and Mendo Will (April 22); Rosemary Dewers (April 23); Enrique Abarca, Dick Gibson and Holly Tullar (April 24); Hope Sontag and Stephen Shapiro (April 25); Gayle Embrey and Susan Jordan (April 26).