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One in a million By James Steindler Contributing Editor
Young Turner Fautsko was born and raised in Glenwood Springs. He dons a contagious smile anyone in his periphery is sure to catch. Already in his short time on earth, Turner has touched the hearts of many. He’s a typical kid who attends public school, likes country music and whose mom is convinced he was a drummer in his past life. Atypical to Turner’s story is that he lives with a rare condition called KIF1A Associated Neurological Disorder (KAND), a genetic ailment he was born with (back in 2009) but only officially diagnosed with in 2017. Originally, “He had more of a global diagnosis of cerebral palsy,” explained Turner’s mother, Jen Fautsko, “until we got the actual exome sequencing done.” There are only about 400 documented KAND cases worldwide, and it is likely “severely” underdiagnosed, she added. On top of being a rarity, there are several variants, each with fluctuating degrees of implications.
Volume 14, Number 21 | June 30 - July 6, 2022
Photo by Charles Engelbert
Remarkably, Turner has a friend a few years younger who also lives with KAND. Additionally, his family met the founder of KIF1A.org, whose daughter lives with the condition. Until recently, Turner could only walk when fastened to his physical therapist with an Upsee body harness. Besides that, “He’s always used a wheelchair,” Jen said, rolling in his first at the age of three. Years ago, Jen jumped (literally) at the opportunity to meet Amanda Boxtel, the founder of Bridging Bionics, after noticing Boxtel out front of her photography studio in Basalt at the time. Since then, Turner has participated in physical therapy with the organization, which meets its mission daily “to provide access to affordable and ongoing physical therapy and advanced technology for all individuals with neurological mobility challenges.” About three years ago, Jen saw a video of someone using a Trexo, an upward mobility device that makes walking possible for someone like Turner — without having to be attached to another person. Despite there only being roughly 150 children equipped with a Trexo, Jen was determined to acquire one for her son. Bridging Bionics facilitated a fundraising campaign for Turner and, sure enough, the community rallied. Before Jen knew it, what once was an elusive dream came within reach. The family couldn’t contain their gratitude. On Thursday, June 23, they held an “appreciation walk” where nearly 200 people walked over the Grand Avenue Bridge in Glenwood Springs, with Turner leading the way. “It was amazing. It was just so amazing; so much energy, joy and happiness — I’m still on a high from it,” Jen said. With community by his side, Turner took the most steps he’s ever taken solo — 615, to be precise — and also broke his speed record at 45 steps per minute. While mom and dad need to help Turner into the Trexo, once he’s fastened he can explore his surroundings like never before. “He loves it. He absolutely loves it,” Jen said endearingly. “We are so, so grateful.”
OPINION
CVEPA
By John Armstrong
At this time, 39 years ago, “federal officials scrambled to avoid one of the most dramatic dam failures in history.” Glen Canyon Dam was bursting at the seams with water and rock blasting out around its foundation while crews raced to install a rampart of plywood sheets across the top of the dam. This near catastrophe was precipitated by the 1983 El Niño, the largest such event on record. Western reservoirs were full beyond capacity. The incredible backstory researched in Kevin Fedarko’s book “The Emerald Mile” is a resource and account not to be missed. That winter and spring, the West experienced massive snowfall and tremendous moisture. That spring, I filled my cooler with snow from a remaining snow bank along the Marble road… on June 4! Local rivers ran huge and flooding was pervasive. It is almost hard to believe that this is the same Colorado River. It is not the same climate. Climatologists declare this drought the worst in well over 1,000 years according to tree rings. Other sources show prior drought river levels a third of current levels, before the 40
LETTERS
The Critically Thirsty West " With Lake Powell hovering at around 30% volume and Lake Mead at record lows, the entire Colorado River system is in danger of crashing."
million people now having some dependence on the Colorado River system. Last week, “U.S. Bureau of Reclamation Commissioner Touton said that 2 to 4 million acre feet of (water) conservation was needed just to protect critical reservoir levels in 2023.” What uncanny timing for the Carbondale State of the Rivers networking session Thursday evening hosted by the Colorado River District (CRD) at the Third Street Center. Their meeting serendipitously coincided with the federal agency’s announcement at the Boulder water law summit that if the seven western states don’t act quickly to protect the Colorado River water resources system, then the federal government has the “responsibility and the authority to take action.” The CRD, funded by a property tax within 15 western Colorado counties, has the mission to safeguard “all the waters of the Colorado River to which the state is entitled.” The CRD fights to keep our water
Calling all veterans On the Fourth of July, as we Americans celebrate our country’s independence and freedoms, we should remember the men and women who serve and have served in our military. They, some at great cost, served to protect us and defend the freedoms we enjoy. Our U.S. veterans will be honored at several parades around the Valley this holiday. If you served, join in and receive the communities’ appreciation. If you are on the sideline, show your appreciation as they pass. Aspen's Fourth of July parade invites all U.S. military veterans to join our group, Tribute to Our Veterans. Meet at 10 a.m. on Main Street, Paepcke Park in Aspen. Call Sally at 970-9488278 for details. Rides are available. We hope to see you there! Happy Fourth of July! Hugh Roberts USAF Vietnam
Support for CRMPI
on the western slope of Colorado to ensure water for drinking and agriculture, fish and wildlife. CRD’s domain encompasses the entire watershed of the upper Colorado River. They own two reservoirs and represent numerous other water interests. The Crystal Valley Environmental Protection Association is grateful to CRD for reaching out to our valley and including numerous other local and regional groups to present. There is optimism that so many entities can come together with a common goal. The question is not when, the crisis is now. With Lake Powell hovering at around 30% volume and Lake Mead at record lows, the entire Colorado River system is in danger of crashing. This system of water impoundment was once lauded as the most ambitious and successful project ever watering a desert ecosystem. The benefits to agriculture and industry, to housing, recreation and retirement have been remarkable. There
Mountain to visit Jerome Ostenkowski and his Forest Garden Greenhouse, part of the Central Rocky Mountain Permaculture Institute (CRMPI). What a joy to see pomegranate trees and grapevines growing alongside tomatoes and kale while treading along a plywood walkway atop a miniature worm farm, all on a hillside at 7,200 feet. Jerome has been teaching permaculture and enlightening Valley gardeners at least since I moved here in the late ‘90s. I have bought a peach tree he grafted onto hearty siberian rootstock, listened to him talk eloquently and passionately about the benefits of the herb spilanthes and seen the multitude of local gardeners who cut their teeth up at his greenhouses. Unfortunately, all this is now in jeopardy as Jerome is being cited as out of compliance with Eagle County regulations. Apparently, the site is not zoned for educational or agricultural purposes, and operations will be halted unless a special use permit is approved. I can’t claim to understand the nuances of the permitting process, but I sincerely believe that CRMPI has sowed nothing but organic seeds, innovative gardening principles and continued good will throughout
As a long-time Valley resident and avid gardener, I finally made the trek up Basalt 2 • THE SOPRIS SUN • soprissun.com • June 30 - July 6, 2022
is disproportionate use between the Upper Basin and Lower Basin states. but there is a pervasive missing component to this equation. Conservation! It is at the very least encouraging to hear Bureau of Reclamation Commissioner Touton iterate the “Big C” in the national arena. Federal, state and local governments need to work together with the private sector now in the best interest of national health and security. Two weeks ago, while river levels started to drop quickly, we heard KDNK’s Steve Cole announce “...but the Crystal River is still holding” at a higher level. My wife turned to me and said that the Crystal River is our only river, undammed, that represents a water volume not altered by dam or diversion. We are not going to dam our way out of this predicament, nor will it be quick or painless. Wild and Scenic designation is not a panacea for these ills, but could prevent the damming of one of the last free flowing rivers in the state. The Wild and Scenic Rivers Act clearly spells out the scope of action (www.rivers.gov). Each designation is individually written to address the unique qualities of its river, but protection of the free flowing water and private property and water rights are its keystone. To learn more about the Crystal Valley Environmental Protection Association and to support its mission, visit www.cvepa.org
the Valley, and I can’t see why anyone would think halting this program, which has existed for 30 years, would be a benefit to the community. So I, and Jerome, encourage you to come to the public hearing at the Eagle County Courthouse in El Jebel on Thursday, July 7th at 2:30 to voice your support for Jerome and gardeners everywhere. David Teitler Carbondale
Re: spewing lies Last week’s letter from David Butler of Carbondale accused me of "spewing lies about Lauren Boebert." He claimed “she has not introduced legislation to reduce the age to buy guns (read the Congressional record).” Okay, David, not sure why you can’t read it yourself, but here you go: “HR 2890, cosponsored by Lauren Boebert, 4/28/2021: To reduce from 21 years of age to 18 years of age the minimum age at which a person may obtain a handgun from a Federal firearms licensee.” She even brags on her homepage, “I cosponsored the SAFER Voter Act to lower the continued on page 22
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Commercial inventory shows business is booming By Raleigh Burleigh Sopris Sun Editor In 2017, Sopris Sun reporter John Colson began an annual tradition by which to measure economic trends in Carbondale. Noting a lack of data in regards to the town’s commercial inventory, he set out to establish a baseline with an “admittedly informal, unscientific and quite possibly incomplete survey of the different nodes of retail and commercial activity.” The tradition was carried through the pandemic and in 2022 shows a rate of unoccupied spaces nearly as low as in 2019. Clipboard in hand, Sopris Sun reporters cruised Main Street, Highway 133 (including Nieslanik Avenue, 12th Street, ET Plaza, Industry Place and West Main), Village Road and Buggy Circle, Cowen Drive, Dolores Way and the Third Street Center. Without distinguishing between rental and tenant-owned spaces, and treating multiple adjacent vacant units as a single space, our rough count approximated 368 commercial spaces, 92.6% of which are occupied. The highest rate of occupancy according to our count was in 2019, with nearly 94% of spaces occupied. Last year, as businesses emerged from the pandemic, the count showed 88.81%. If anything, the data suggests demand for commercial space, to which Lynn Kirchner of Amoré Real
Estate can attest. “Rents over the past year rose 10% on base rent, based on the current CPI [Consumer Price Index],” she said. “As far as buying and selling, stuff that’s sold is going for a lot higher than it was four years ago.” In 2017, Kirchner reported relatively high commercial rents between $22 and $30 per square foot per year. Nowadays, she puts the low end around $25 and the high end closer to $50 per square foot per year in Carbondale. The Sun’s landlord, the Third Street Center is all filled up, with dibs called on the former home of Senior Matters, said Colin Laird, executive director of the nonprofit hub. As noted by a reporter assisting with the count, establishing accurate numbers for businesses along Merrill Avenue, referred to as “Downtown North” in the draft Comprehensive Plan update, is difficult. According to Briston Peterson, one of the principals of the LLC that owns those properties, some 40 businesses currently operate there. By “peripheral observation,” our reporter counted maybe eight. “However, I think there are probably a lot of small entities in the deep recesses of the property,” he said. Indeed, the vacancies are few, with City Market’s former building the most glaring. The Aspen Times reported last week that conversations are underway between LIFT-UP and the 45,000-square-foot supermarket
space’s owner to possibly convert it into a regional food hub and distribution center. Less visible trends are also underway. For example, Dri Liechti, owner of Craft Coffeehouse (689 Main Street), subleases her space to other entrepreneurs. Additionally, Sweet Cream Dreams now operates on weekends out of Craft’s building and is among other entities, like Shepherd Breads, renting the commercial kitchen. Craft also supports local artisans as an outlet for their goods. “I’m a firm, firm believer in collaboration,” Liechti told The Sopris Sun. While helping Craft afford the rent, the model fulfills her vision for a “little community center” where everything from yoga on the patio to specialty dinners with guest chefs can occur. In addition to several new businesses, like Plosky’s and New York Pizza, the past year saw some established businesses transitioning into larger spaces with Independence Run & Hike moving to Carbondale Marketplace and Mana Foods skirting over to the Red Rock Plaza. The former restaurant space that housed Atina, meanwhile, has seemingly been absorbed by Sopris Liquor & Wine. While the lack of available commercial space speaks to a thriving economy, business owners face many challenges, including a general lack of labor and rising costs. Andrea Stewart, executive director of the Chamber
Neither unoccupied nor in operation, Pollinator Chocolate is renovating a space in the Red Rock Plaza for a sweet treat in the not-too-distant future. In this photo, Mark Burrows reviews his blueprint for the space. Catch the scoop in a future edition of The Sopris Sun. Photo by Raleigh Burleigh
of Commerce, said they’ve noticed larger offices being divided up into smaller office spaces in correlation with unemployment rates. Despite the “help wanted” signs, the local workforce is evidently bigger than it's ever been, Jessica Valand of the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment told the audience at a "State of the State" business briefing hosted by local chambers of commerce on June 21. According to Valand, there are simply more jobs than available workers. Also impacting businesses is the
congestion of traffic. In particular, it is exceedingly difficult for pedestrians to cross Highway 133. With more development ahead for the Crystal River Marketplace properties, pressure is mounting for the town to install a second roundabout. The Builders FirstSource project, approved in June of 2020, has submitted a building permit, and is yet to break ground. To stay in the know about incoming construction, keep an eye on tinyurl.com/ CdalePlanningStoryMap
ELECTION RESULTS
RESULTADO DE LAS ELECCIONES
By James Steindler, Contributing Editor
Traducción por Crystal Mariscal
Primary election results are in. Following is a list of outcomes for the contested seats decided by Garfield County voters. Joe O’Dea outdid Ron Hanks by a margin of roughly 10% and will challenge incumbent Michael Bennet, who ran unopposed as a Democrat, for the U.S. Senate seat. Adam Frisch won the Democratic primary for U.S. Congressional District 3 and will challenge incumbent Republican Lauren Boebert, who overcame Republican Don Coram in the primary. Republican Heidi Ganahl won the gubernatorial primary against Greg Lopez and will challenge incumbent Governor Jared Polis who ran unopposed on the Democratic ticket. Pam Anderson won the Republican primary for Colorado Secretary of State seat and will challenge incumbent Jena Griswold, who ran unopposed on the Democratic ticket. Elizabeth Velasco won the Democratic primary for Colorado House District 57 against challenger Cole Buerger. Republican incumbent Perry Will ran unopposed. Voter turnout was 28.29%.
Los resultados de las elecciones primarias ya están disponibles. A continuación: una lista de los resultados de los puestos en disputa decididos por los votantes del condado de Garfield. Joe O'Dea superó a Ron Hanks por un margen de aproximadamente el 10% y desafiará al actual titular Michael Bennet, quien se postuló sin oposición como demócrata, por el puesto en el Senado de los Estados Unidos. Adam Frisch ganó las primarias demócratas para el Distrito 3 del Congreso de Estados Unidos y desafiará a la actual titular republicana Lauren Boebert, quien superó al republicano Don Coram en las primarias. La republicana Heidi Ganahl ganó las primarias para gobernador contra Greg Lopez y desafiará al actual gobernador Jared Polis, quien se postuló sin oposición en la candidatura demócrata. Pam Anderson ganó las primarias republicanas para el puesto de Secretaria de Estado de Colorado y desafiará a la actual titular Jena Griswold, quien se postuló sin oposición en la candidatura demócrata. Elizabeth Velasco ganó las primarias demócratas por el Distrito 57 de la Cámara de Representantes de Colorado contra el retador Cole Buerger. El titular republicano Perry Will se presentó sin oposición. El 28.29% de votantes registrados en Colorado participaron en esta elección.
THE SOPRIS SUN • Your weekly community connector • June 30 - July 6, 2022 • 3
SCUTTLEBUTT ASPEN VALLEY PRIMARY CARE ASPEN VALLEY HOSPITAL
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Slip slidin’
High Country Volunteers
The Colorado Department of Transportation closed Interstate 70 in both directions through the Glenwood Canyon on Monday, June 27 in response to a flash flood warning issued by the National Weather Service at 6:20 p.m. The interstate reopened around 8:30 p.m. Motorists planning to travel through the canyon are advised to pay close attention to weather forecasts and have a back-up plan in the event of safety closures.
High Country Volunteers has launched a new website to match residents of Garfield and Pitkin counties with volunteer opportunities. Their new website, www.highcountryvolunteers. org, will list hundreds of volunteer needs posted by local nonprofits. “The goal is to fuel the spirit of volunteerism across the region,” states a press release.
For whom the Bells toll
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Aspen Valley Primary Care offers a full complement of services for adults, children and infants in two convenient locations near you. Aspen | Basalt
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Virtual visits available
Aspen Valley Hospital Aspen Valley Hospital
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Valley 970.279.4111Aspen Hospital Clinics
Pitkin County, the city of Aspen, the White River National Forest, Roaring Fork Transportation Authority, Aspen Skiing Company and the Aspen chamber are in the initial stages of developing a comprehensive plan “to sustainably provide for and manage recreation at the iconic Maroon Bells Scenic Area.” An introductory virtual meeting is scheduled for Thursday, June 30, from 5 to 6:30 p.m. If you are interested in attending, RSVP by emailing Hoamy.Tran@dot.gov; questions can be directed to Benjamin.Rasmussen@dot.gov
Aspen Valley Hospital Clinics
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Regional agencies conducted an active shooter drill on the morning of Wednesday, June 29. “While we hope such an incident will never occur, it is something for which we are actively preparing and training,” stated Josh Anderson, Valley View emergency manager. Participants included the Carbondale & Rural Fire Protection District, CareFlight of the Rockies, the Garfield County Sheriff ’s Office, Glenwood Springs Police Department and Grand River Health, among others. The exercise took place at Grand Valley High School, with an additional active shooter scenario staged at Valley View Hospital, to test reaction time, equipment operation, interagency coordination and support.
Cease fire On June 20, the GarCo commissioners unanimously agreed to extend the fireworks ban in unincorporated Garfield County. The commissioners were advised that severe drought conditions and low snowpack have resulted in a high degree of fire danger. While the board already issued a fireworks ban in April, this time they closed a loophole which typically allows for the sale, purchase and use of fireworks from May 31 through July 5. In short, the ban is in place through April 2023 with no exceptions.
Resource management The Bureau of Land Management is seeking public input on the preparation of a Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement for the Grand Junction Field Office and Colorado River Valley Field Office resource management plans. The supplemental document “is being completed in response to a court decision on the Colorado River Valley plan and will consider an expanded range of alternatives for oil and gas management throughout the land managed by the two field offices,” states a press release. Additionally, “The BLM will also reanalyze climate impacts to include post-production greenhouse gas emissions.” The public has until July 23 to submit comments at go.usa.gov/xtrgf — where you will find information about virtual public meetings on July 12 and 13.
They say it’s your birthday! Folks celebrating another trip around the sun this week include: Erin Rigney and John Stickney (June 30); Cory Feldman, John Matchael, Jax Moss and Kyle Obuhanick (July 1); Staci Dickerson, Jeanie Chestnutt, Giana Grossman-Loiola, Dean Harding, Bruce Kirk and Laurie Loeb (July 2); Katie Jones, Maggie Jones, Tony Mendez, Dani Ott, Cindy Sadlowski, Sissy Sutro and Luke Turner (July 3); Trevor Allen, Rachel Cooper, Brad Geddes and Dominic Molinari (July 4); Herb Feinzig, Mavis Fitzgerald, Adele Moss, Fiona Obuhanick, Conor Ward and Chris Wurtsmith (July 5); Teri Bruna, David Clark and Nannette Weinhold (July 6).
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4 • THE SOPRIS SUN • soprissun.com • June 30 - June 6, 2022
In the wake of the Supreme Court decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, people across the country partook in a “Bans Off Our Bodies” protest on Sunday, June 26. The rallies, organized by Planned Parenthood, have taken place since May when the country was alerted that the court was revisiting the case which, 50 years ago, set a precedent that women would have the right to choose. Locally, the march occurred in Aspen. Photo by Ayana Brown
Finding community — for family, work and home
By Jeanne Souldern Sopris Sun Correspondent
Interviewing Lindsay Hentschel, what comes through is her endearing sense of humor and her love for her community. Going into her 20th year with the Roaring Fork School District (RFSD), Hentschel will step into an assistant principal role at Glenwood Springs High School (GSHS) alongside Assistant Principal Gayla Rowe next year. On May 31, GSHS Principal Paul Freeman announced that she would assume the position vacated by Assistant Principal Pat Engle, who, this spring, announced plans to step down. Hentschel’s roles with RFSD have included being a teacher, instructional facilitator, counselor, professional development coordinator and, in the 2021-22 school year, a counselor at GSHS. The oldest of four children, she was born in Connecticut and moved to the Fort Collins area in middle school. Her parents and a brother are still there, and last year, one of her sisters moved to Carbondale. Hentschel and her husband, Hadley, who teaches science at Roaring Fork High School (RFHS), met while attending college. In 2003, one of Hadley’s college friends, a RFHS
graduate, was offered a job at Basalt Middle School. When the friend heard about the RFHS science teacher opening, he called Hadley and told him to apply. Their drive to Carbondale for interviews was a bit of a rocky start, Hentschel shared. “There had been a rock slide, so we had to go up some pass in the middle of the night to come to interview, and I said to my husband, ‘Where are you taking me?!’” she recalled with a big laugh. As a first-year teacher, she taught seventh-grade language arts at Carbondale Middle School, and after four years there, she taught English, journalism and creative writing at RFHS. While at RFHS, Hentschel helped foster the return of the student newspaper, The Rampage, first published as an insert in the Valley Journal and continued with the Journal’s transition to The Sopris Sun. Teaching journalism, Hentschel worked with former and current Sopris Sun editors. “We restarted the student newspaper, but I credit Will Grandbois because he knew what he was doing,” she said with a laugh. “And then Raleigh Burleigh was one of my students and was running the paper for a while,” Hentschel shared. While teaching at RFHS, she and her husband worked on an
international adoption and traveled to Haiti multiple times a year. In 2013, they brought their boys, ages four and six, home. During that time, she worked as an instructional coach at the district offices, working with first-time and new district teachers, and was also in charge of professional development for all teachers. Later, she developed curriculums in K-8 language arts, middle school science and high school math, which were adopted by the district. In March 2020, she earned a graduate certificate in restorative practices from the Pennsylvania-based International Institute for Restorative Practices. Hentschel explained, “a big part of restorative practices is ownership — the idea that we move forward by acknowledging and owning our stories — and then thinking about, how do we do better together and how do we repair the harm caused?” Before the 2021-22 school year, GSHS’s Freeman asked Hentschel to consider working as a guidance counselor, noting that her studies in restorative practices, with a focus on narrative therapy, would make a great addition to their team. “I was interested in doing more relational work and getting into more leadership roles,” she said. Hentschel noted the burgeoning
“I think some of what I bring, that's a bit different, is that I've worked across so many schools [in the district] that I have a diverse network and a different perspective that can be beneficial,” Hentschel said. Photo by Jeanne Souldern
number of students within RFSD. GSHS, the district’s largest school, has over 1,000 students and 100 teachers and staff, a dramatic change since her arrival to the Valley 20 years ago. She credits Freeman and Rowe’s years of experience, saying they “have managed this huge growth over time. I feel very fortunate to get to learn from them.” She agreed that the district, as a whole, has principals that work well together. “It’s a solid team. I've seen it for years, from the district office level. They can call on one another, and they
now
support each other.” Hentschel added, “I want to help build community because schools are one of the largest social institutions in the Valley. Glenwood has deep traditions, and we can continue to build upon them. It’s where families come together.” After living in Carbondale for almost 20 years, she understands the strength of community. She said, “When we moved here, I didn't know where we were moving to, but that's what has kept us here.”
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Feds demand unprecedented cuts to Colorado River water use
By Olivia Emmer, Sopris Sun correspondent Sopris Sun correspondent Olivia Emmer interviewed KUNC’s Water and Environment Reporter covering the Colorado River Basin, Alex Hager, about the Bureau of Reclamation’s recent demand to users of Colorado River water. The interview has been edited for length and clarity.
Would you briefly summarize the recent edict from the federal government to users of the Colorado River ? The federal government said we need to conserve 2 to 4 million acre feet (maf ), which is a ton of water. For context, the state of Colorado uses just north of 2 maf each year. The seven states that make up the Colorado River Basin — Arizona, California, Colorado, New Mexico, Nevada, Utah and Wyoming — have a 60-day timeline to put together a plan to conserve that much water. Is there a precedent for this type of demand? There is certainly precedent for this type of demand, but it is unprecedented in quantity.
As drought and demand diminish Lake Powell, the water level is in danger of dropping below the penstocks in Glen Canyon Dam that send water into the power plant. The Bureau of Reclamation, which manages the dam, fears not only loss of hydropower, but damage to the turbines and other infrastructure. April 14, 2022 photo courtesy of Ecoflight, a Colorado-based nonprofit that educates for thoughtful resource management using overflights in small aircraft
Does the Bureau of Reclamation have the authority to decide how water is conserved if the states can’t come up with a plan by the end of the summer? It’s disputed. Some of the states believe that their water rights are legally protected and the federal government will not be able to follow through on that threat. There are other people who think that it is viable and likely that the federal government will be able to come in and do that. This demand will test both the states’ ability to collaborate and the federal government’s authority.
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Carbondale’s Creative Stroll Main Street in the heart of Carbonda District and enjoy a wide range of local arts, galleries, shopping, award-winning restaurants & spirits, face painting, and the 22nd Annual Mt. Sopris Music Fest (4th Street Plaza stage) which kicks off at 5:30pm. Lineup includes: Jim Hawkins Dan Sheridan Wes & Jay Engstrom Mateo Sandate and Sweet Root Matt Johnson Band Red Hill Rollers NO ALCOHOL WWW.CARBONDALE.COM/FIRST-FRIDAY PC: Renee Ramge Photography
6 • THE SOPRIS SUN • soprissun.com • June 30 - June 6, 2022
Why are Lake Powell and Lake Mead so important? Any reservoir anywhere, from Ruedi all the way down to Lake Powell, is a way for humans to account for the fact that water does not come in steady batches when it's delivered by mother nature. Some years are really wet and some years are really dry. In the Colorado River Basin there is a sprawling network of manmade infrastructure that allows people to space out when they get water, and to deliver it to the places where it's needed, regardless of the weather. Lake Powell and Lake Mead are the two largest reservoirs in the country. They are the biggest and most important pieces of insurance against dry years. After more than two decades of drought, they're really sapped and they're approaching the point where they might dip below their ability to generate hydropower. What we're seeing here is a lot of demand for water in the face of a shrinking supply. There is less and less water in the system each year because human-driven climate change is making it hotter and drier. Who represents Colorado in negotiations like this? Colorado is represented by the Colorado Water Conservation Board, a state-run and statefunded agency.
The Colorado River Compact divided water from the Colorado River equally between the Upper Basin states of Colorado, New Mexico, Utah and Wyoming (7.5 maf/year) and Lower Basin states of Arizona, California and Nevada (7.5 maf/year). What more can you tell us? When we make decisions about who gets to use water from the Colorado River and where, the ground rules are defined in the Colorado River Compact. However, because it was written 100 years ago, and the amount of water and the number of people in this region have both changed drastically, it makes it very difficult to operate and share the water as it's needed today. The Colorado River Compact built a system called "prior appropriation." Essentially, if you got the water rights first, you are the one who has the priority to use them. It is not based on whether your use is more important, it is based on whether your use was first. Given that agriculture is the major user of water in the Basin, are experts saying what they think the role of agricultural water rights will be in this conservation plan? It is very likely that a lot of the water that makes up that 2 to 4 maf of conserved water is going to come from agriculture. Between 70 and 80 percent of the water in
7 • THE SOPRIS SUN • soprissun.com • June 30 - June 6, 2022
the Colorado River Basin is going to agriculture. A lot of people are saying that simply because it makes up such a large volume of water and because there just isn't that much water left to conserve from cities, it might be the first thing to go. Cities like to brag that they are using the same total volume of water as they used in the ‘70s, despite having grown by hundreds of thousands of people. So if agricultural water use is curtailed, do experts have any idea what will happen to the cost and availability of food? That is one of the big questions here. A lot of decisions about how to manage water in the West have been made so there are not these sprawling, rippling effects to the economy, to consumer goods and to the way that people have come to expect to live their lives. Now the attitude is starting to change, and people are starting to see very real possibilities that the price of consumer goods and that certain aspects of lifestyle are going to have to change because the water situation has gotten so drastic. When you say “aspects of lifestyle” do you mean, for example, eating fresh lettuce in January? I think that one is on the table, but perhaps a bit further out. I think much more immediately, places that still have lush green
grassy lawns are probably going to go away. It is not hard to imagine that down the road, there will have to be substantial changes to the availability of fresh produce and our diets if the water situation keeps heading in the direction it is, which all science indicates it will. The Bureau is trying to protect Lake Powell and Lake Mead, but long term, is there a scenario in which one of them is given up? Yes. It is still a little bit of an outsider theory, but there are some not-crazy people who are saying we should start imagining a future without Lake Powell. One reason that Lake Powell exists is because the Colorado Compact says the Upper Basin has delivery obligations to the Lower Basin. So, every year, the Upper Basin has to make sure that a specified amount of water flows from Lake Powell to Lake Mead. Lake Powell is the Upper Basin's way of assuring that they have enough to send down. A common refrain is that the Upper Basin uses less water than its compact allowance, but the Lower Basin uses more, and therefore the burden for water conservation is on the Lower Basin states. Can you comment? There's a ton of finger pointing when it comes to water use. The
Upper Basin likes to remind people that they have to take reductions every year to make sure that they send all of their required water down. They argue that they are using less and that is a mentality that has been core to their messaging up until now. It will be interesting to see if they can keep saying things like that as the water situation forces some really tough questions about who gets to use what, where. In the context of this particular decision, it's possible that Colorado and the whole Upper Basin will try and call the feds’ bluff and say look, you don't have the authority to force conservation on us and all of the conservation has to come from the Lower Basin, but again, we'll see when we have more details about this plan if they even decide to play ball. Anything else to add? This problem is not going to go away. For a long time people said, we will make these plans if the hydrology doesn't turn around, if the water doesn't come back. I've talked to a lot of climate scientists and there's no good reason to believe that the water will come back. This is bad and getting worse. These conversations about who gets to use water are going to have to happen because the water is not going to come back.
Critical habitat designation for lynx reconsidered in Colorado
By Kate Phillips Sopris Sun Correspondent
On April 25, Wilderness Workshop (WW) and WildEarth Guardians, a national nonprofit, secured a legal agreement with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) that directed the agency to once again reevaluate critical habitat for the Canada lynx. The agreement was approved by the District Court of Montana, and the USFWS has until Nov. 21, 2024 to submit its revision; at that time the proposal will be open for public comment followed by a final revision in 2025. “This is a victory for the Southern Rockies and for people who care about lynx in the Southern Rockies,” said Peter Hart, legal director at WW. “Colorado has iconic wildlife and lynx is at the top of the list.” The agreement is part of a lengthy dispute between conservationists and the USFWS, detailing nearly two decades of negligence by the USFWS to act on designating critical habitat for the lynx. According to Hart, the groups filed their most recent lawsuit in 2020 compelling the USFWS “to reevaluate their critical habitat designation [from a] 2016 court order.” The order directed the agency to include the southern Rocky Mountain range, which comprises south-central Wyoming, parts of Colorado and north-central New Mexico. “[The USFWS] waited a long time before they even started their critical habitat designation process and their recovery plan process,” said Hart. “Both of those things are required by the Endangered Species Act (ESA).” In early 2000, the Canada lynx was listed as a threatened species under the ESA. According to the USFWS, when a species is listed as endangered or threatened, the federal government is required to designate areas, or critical habitat, that contain physical or biological features deemed necessary to the conservation of that species. Once established, these areas are to be protected by the federal government from damage and destruction. However, shortly after the lynx was listed as threatened,
The Canada lynx thrives in Colorado’s snowy, high-alpine terrain. The public can extend its critical habitat by commenting on the federal government’s revised designation. USFWS courtesy photo by Dash Feierabend
the USFWS “due to budgetary concerns ... deferred critical habitat designation,” with the promise to reevaluate “as soon as feasible, considering ... workload priorities,” according to 2016 court documents. When the USFWS failed to follow through, conservation groups filed a lawsuit, but the agency neglected to act and, for nearly six years, the lynx went without critical habitat protections. In 2006, a revised proposal was submitted, but it was quickly “faced with questions about the integrity of scientific information used and whether the decision made was consistent with the appropriate legal standards,” the court documents stated. After conservationists brought two more lawsuits, the USFWS reevaluated and included “approximately 39,000
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square miles of critical habitat over five units in Maine, Minnesota, Montana, Wyoming, Idaho and Washington” but once again ignored accurate data and concluded that the lynx population in Colorado was not self-sustaining. “I think there is a good deal of science suggesting it is a very important swath of habitat for the lynx,” Hart said. “The state says their population is increasing and they’re doing pretty well. That speaks to the value of Colorado’s high country as lynx habitat.” Colorado’s native lynx population nearly died out in the 1970s due to trapping, poisoning and destruction of its natural habitat; but, when it was reintroduced to Colorado in 1999, the creature thrived in the state’s high-alpine areas with an abundance of snowshoe hare, its primary prey. “[The lynx is] a very unique species that’s well adapted to very snowy, high-elevation climates,” Hart said. “They inhabit areas that are generally hard to get to, and they are uniquely well-adapted to navigate those areas.” He continued, “The times you’re likely to see lynx is when you’re backcountry skiing high, high up in the mountains, a long way away from folks.” Noting the effects that climate change, wildfires and human development will have on lynx habitat, Hart said it is imperative that the Southern Rockies is protected with support from the public. “It’s important for the public to know there’s an opportunity for them to engage with the USFWS and advocate for the protection of lynx habitat,” Hart said. “We have an opportunity to look at everything considered and make sure they are not leaving anything out, and to push them in the direction that we would like them to go.” Ultimately, the USFWS has “broad discretion, but they do have an obligation to look at the best available science,” he added. “People in Colorado support lynx protection and I think they see lynx as an important part of our natural ecosystem,” Hart continued. “I think they’d like to see it remain and restored to its natural population. Protecting that habitat those animals depend upon is the most important part.” Visit www.wildernessworkshop.org/join-us/ to become a Wilderness Workshop member and to receive email alerts for the lynx’s critical habitat public comment period.
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El Jebel, Colorado 970-963-1700 RJPaddywacks.com THE SOPRIS SUN • Your weekly community connector • June 30 - July 6, 2022 • 8
Thompson Divide protection reaches ‘high-water mark’ in Senate committee
By Dyana Z. Furmansky Sopris Sun Correspondent
The handmade-looking and weather-beaten “Unified for Thompson Divide” yard signs that popped up more than a decade ago won’t be coming down quite yet. But in May, the first vote ever taken by the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee on the Colorado Outdoor Recreation Economy (CORE) bill that includes protection for the 220,000-acre Thompson Divide, signified progress. CORE’s mark-up in the committee, as this stage in the legislative process is called, is its “high-water mark,” says Wilderness Workshop (WW) Executive Director Will Roush. “It is certainly meaningful,” adds Kate Oehl, a staff member for Colorado Senator Michael Bennet who introduced the CORE bill in the Senate in 2019 and co-sponsors it with Colorado Senator John Hickenlooper. A bill’s markup is when all disagreements are hammered out of it and is essential before it can be cleanly brought to the Senate floor for a vote. The CORE bill, however, will remain in the Senate committee; its 10-10 tie vote along party lines keeps it from moving on. The bill, sponsored in the House by District 2 Congressman Joe Neguse, passed the House four times as part of larger legislative packages. It may take a similar strategy to pass CORE in the Senate, according to legislative experts. The bill includes the Thompson Divide Withdrawal and Protection component that would permanently withdraw future oil and gas leasing on the Thompson Divide near Carbondale and Glenwood Springs. Roush says the Thompson Divide is one of the largest roadless areas left in the state. It covers grazing allotments, much of the two municipalities’ watersheds, and the headwaters of East Divide Creek above Silt. The Thompson portion of the CORE bill preserves existing landowner and leaseholder rights and provides an option for leaseholders to swap their Thompson leases for ones someplace else, Roush explains. The Thompson Divide Withdrawal would
also allow leasing of excess methane from nearby coal mines as an energy source. The entire CORE bill protects four separate areas of federal lands totaling 400,000 acres. District 3 Congresswoman Lauren Boebert’s website reports that 63% of the CORE bill’s acreage lies within her district. She repeatedly voted against it. Although CORE would ensure continuity for a variety of natural resource users, its main purpose is to safeguard the outdoor recreation economic base. The bill would designate about 73,000 acres as wilderness, none of which would be in the Thompson Divide. Carbondale’s communal passion for the Thompson Divide’s protection predates the current bill by about 15 years, as those old “Unified” yard signs attest. During the George W. Bush administration, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) granted about 80 new leases for drilling with far less public notification than required and dispensing with the process set forth in the National Environmental Protection Act. One approved lease for drilling is beneath Sunlight Mountain Ski Resort. “It was a lease before you look frenzy,” says Roush. In 2009, Wilderness Workshop won its suit against the BLM for illegally issuing most of the leases. Since 2016, much of the Divide has been administratively closed to future oil and gas leasing for about 20 years. These leases could be renewed, however, unless Congress makes the federal mineral withdrawals permanent. For Stacey Bernot, Carbondale’s mayor from 2010 to 2014, the Thompson Divide issue exemplifies another high-water mark. This would be for civic — as well as civil — engagement and governmental accord that has withstood today’s divisive politics. “Living through that, being part of it, we were in a special time,” she says. “It was respectful. Words were authentic. People who opposed the leases didn’t ask for too much,” she says. “We cooperated with one another to get things done.” Unified, Bernot says, still describes the opposition to drilling on the Thompson Divide. The spate of oil and gas leasing roused the broadest community concern for public land that rancher Bill Fales has ever seen. Concerns of ranchers, hikers, hunters, anglers, mountain bikers,
Not all Thompson Divide recreationists are human, as evidenced by Tucker and Bree. Photo by John S. Williams
local energy companies and elected officials, shaped the ad hoc Thompson Divide Coalition. “You couldn’t have gotten that much support for apple pie,” says Fales. Public meetings were standing room only, with people spilling outside in winter. “At one packed town hall I was scheduled to speak at, I’d had to help a premature calf get born right before I showed up. I remember I smelled fairly ripe,” says Fales. When Carbondale held a parade to show support for ending oil and gas drilling, “every ranch in the valley had a tractor in it.” Even with the CORE bill’s Senate committee markup, Fales is “not optimistic” that the Senate will pass it when it comes to the floor. “I think that the Congress and Senate are totally broken,” he says. “The Republicans in the Senate are not willing to give Bennet a victory so that he can get credit for it in an election year.”
THE SOPRIS SUN • Your weekly community connector • June 30 - July 6, 2022 • 9
COMMUNITY CALENDAR
Visit soprissun.com to submit events
SNOWMASS ART FESTIVAL JULY
2-4
11AM-7PM
BASE VILLAGE LAWN
Stroll Snowmass Base Village to browse and buy art from Colorado artists, including painting, sculpture, photography, ceramics, glass, wood, and more.
FREE!
MORE FUN AT GOSNOWMASS.COM
` CARBONDALE CAMPUS PILATES FOR MOM AND BABY
A fun, stress-free pilates class where mothers exercise with their babies, and meet other moms in the community. Class provides an all body workout while focusing on specific post natal pelvic floor, and core strengthening exercises. Friday mornings, 7/15-8/25
MICROSOFT EXCEL SPREADSHEETS
Start with the basics and learn more advanced skills each week. Topics include formatting, printing, formulas and functions, charting, and tables. Students will learn Excel tricks that they never knew before! Tuesday evenings, 7/26-8/30
INTERMEDIATE PAINTING
Whether your preference is watercolor, oil paints, acrylics, pastels or some other medium, this is a fun class in a welcoming environment with an instructor that can guide you in your preferred medium when needed. Tuesday mornings, 7/26-8/30
REGISTER ONLINE
KILN GLASS CRASH COURSE
A series of five, hands-on classes with Linda Halloran. Students will learn Kiln Glass skills and concepts, and create their own unique functional items in glass. Saturday/Sunday afternoons, 8/6-8/20 - register by 7/31
FALL SEMESTER:
REGISTRATION OPENS 7/11
LOCAL MEDICINAL & EDIBLE PLANT WALK
Get to know the medicinal and edible plants that occupy our sidewalks, trails, and parks in Carbondale. Learn how to ID the plants as well as how to use as food and medicine. Friday 8/12 or Sunday 8/14
SILENT WRITING
Explore writing strategies and silently write your own pieces while soaking in the collective energy and inspiration of the writing group. Whether you’re a seasoned writer or a dabbler, all are welcome! Tuesday afternoons 8/23-10/22
FOR MORE INFO AND TO REGISTER...
coloradomtn.edu/community-education
Carbondale Lappala Center • 690 Colorado Ave • 963-2172 10 • THE SOPRIS SUN • soprissun.com • June 30 - July 6, 2022
The Carbondale Clay Center will welcome artists Carla Martinez and Diego Valles to showcase their Mata Ortiz pottery tradition from Chihuahua, Mexico. “Love, Clay & Resilience” will be on display from July 16 to Aug. 13 with a weekend workshop on July 16-17 (registration at www.carbondaleclay.org). Courtesy photo
THURSDAY, JUNE 30 MAROON BELLS Join a virtual meeting about the Maroon Bells Comprehensive Recreation Management Plan from 5 to 6:30 p.m. by emailing Hoamy.Tran@dot.gov JAZZ STRAIGHT AHEAD Basalt Library presents the Wayne Wilkinson Trio for a blend of straight ahead and traditional jazz at 5:30 p.m. The show is free, but registration is required. More at www.basaltlibrary.org LIVE MUSIC Rodrigo Arreguín plays at Heather’s in Basalt at 6:30 p.m. FANTASTIC FUNGI The Center for Human Flourishing, together with Akaljeet, a conscious death coach, show the documentary “Fantastic Fungi” at the Third Street Center at 7 p.m. No RSVP needed, donations appreciated. CRYSTAL THEATRE The Crystal Theatre shows “Elvis” each evening through July 7 at 7:30 p.m. except the Sunday show (captioned) is at 5 p.m. and the theater is closed Monday-Tuesday. YOUTH THEATER SoL Theatre presents “Little Shop of Horrors” at the Thunder River Theatre Company building each evening through Saturday at 7:30 p.m. The production is rated PG for adult humor, language and some violence. LATIN JAZZ Josefina Mendez is joined by Walter Gorra, Gonzalo Teppa and Alejandro Castaño for a performance at The Arts Campus at Willits at 8 p.m. Tickets at www.tacaw.org
FIRST FRIDAY, JULY 1 ART OPENING The Art Base presents “Go Forth” by Teal Wilson and Wally Graham with an
opening reception from 5 to 7 p.m. The exhibit will continue through July 29. SOPRIS MUSIC FEST Local musicians perform at Carbondale’s Fourth Street Plaza from 5 to 9:30 p.m. GARDEN CONCERT Lizzy Plotkin and Natalie Spears perform at True Nature in the Peace Garden at 6 p.m. The concert will also be live broadcast on KDNK. More at www.truenaturehealingarts.com MUSIC AT HEATHER’S Chris Bank and Mark Johnson perform at Heather’s in Basalt at 6:30 p.m. CRAFT COFFEEHOUSE The Red Hill Rollers kick off open mic night at Craft in Carbondale at 7p.m. with a special Peruvean dish served beginning at 6 p.m.
SATURDAY, JULY 2 LIVE MUSIC Feeding Giants plays at Heather’s in Basalt at 6:30 p.m. BIRDS OF PLAY Birds of Play performs at Steve’s Guitars at 8 p.m. HUSBANDS The Arts Campus at Willits presents an evening of landlocked beach pop with the band Husbands at 8 p.m. The concert is free with registration at www.tacaw.org STARGAZING The Aspen Science Center invites astronomers of all ages to use a variety of telescopes and other technology to stargaze at the top of Independence Pass from 9 to 11 p.m. Tickets at www.bit.ly/ASCstars
MONDAY, JULY 4 FOURTH OF JULY Carbondale’s old-fashioned kids parade
begins down Main Street at 10:30 a.m. followed by music and ice cream in the park and festivities at the pool. Aspen’s parade cruises downtown at 11 a.m. Redstone’s annual Fourth of July celebration — the only parade you get to see twice — is scheduled for noon. Glenwood Springs will celebrate at Two Rivers Park beginning at 4:30 p.m. with music at 6 p.m. CALLE ARTISTICA The city of Aspen co-hosts a free street party in partnership with the Aspen Art Museum from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
TUESDAY, JULY 5 TAKE AND CREATE Pick up a “Gratitude and Junk Art Journal” kit at Basalt Library anytime between 10 a.m. and 7 p.m. More info is at www.basaltlibrary.org RAPTOR FAIR The Aspen Center for Environmental Studies hosts their Ninth Annual Raptor Fair, free at Hallam Lake, from 3 to 5 p.m. Info and registration at www.aspennature.org
NICK WATERHOUSE The Arts Campus at Willits presents Nick Waterhouse performing with an eight-piece band at 8 p.m. The concert is free with registration at www.tacaw.org
SATURDAY, JULY 9 STEWARDSHIP WEEKEND Backcountry Hunters and Anglers and Wilderness Workshop spend the weekend improving wildlife habitat on the Roan Plateau. Meals and beverages will be covered and camping gear can be arranged. To RSVP, visit www.bit.ly/RoanStewards
SUNDAY, JULY 10 PUBLISHER 101 Learn to make business cards, newsletters and more using Microsoft Publisher at Basalt Library from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. Registration and more info is at www.basaltlibrary.org SUNDAY CONCERT The Cruz Contreras Band performs in Sopris Park from 3 to 7 p.m.
MONEY ENERGY Author Sarah McCrum delivers an online presentation about changing the paradigm of people’s relationship to money. Registration and more info at www.bit.ly/Moneyenergy
RISE UP GALA Bridging Bionics Foundation hosts a fundraiser at the Hotel Jerome in Aspen at 6 p.m. with a performance by celebrity dancers Aron Anderson and Jasmine Takàcs. Tickets at www.bit.ly/BBriseup
WEDNESDAY, JULY 6
TUESDAY, JULY 12
BOOK CLUB Basalt Library hosts an informal book club, where not one particular book, but several will be discussed among fellow bookworms from noon to 2 p.m. More info at www.basaltlibrary.org SPEAKER SERIES The Aspen Institute hosts Representative Joe Neguse in conversation with Washington Post correspondent Jacqueline Alemany at Paepcke Auditorium at 5 p.m. For tickets, visit www.aspeninstitute.org/community NIA DANCE Steve Alldredge leads a Nia Dancing workshop starting at 5:30 p.m. More info at www.basaltlibrary.org THE DELTAZ The Deltaz perform at Heather’s in Basalt at 6:30 p.m. ART FILM Aspen Film screens “Crimes of the Future” by director David Cronenberg at the Isis Theatre in Aspen at 7:30 p.m. Tickets at www.bit.ly/AspenFutureCrimes REGENERATION TALK The Center for Human Flourishing and Gwen Garcelon present “Regeneration: Grief and Restoring Wholeness for the Work Ahead” at the Third Street Center at 7 p.m. Part two of the event will occur at 7th Elder on Canyon Creek on the afternoon of July 10. Tickets at www.bit.ly/Garcelon
FURTHER OUT THURSDAY, JULY 7
STEM BBQ The Aspen Science Center invites families to enjoy tasty food, fun activities and a presentation by a physicist at the Aspen Center for Physics in Aspen at 5 p.m. Tickets at www.bit.ly/ASCBBQ FIRE OF LOVE 5Point initiates a summer film series with “Fire of Love”, the story of a French couple exploring volcanoes, at The Arts Campus at Willits at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are at www.tacaw.org
FRIDAY, JULY 8 SUPREME COURT The Aspen Institute hosts Professor Neal Katyal and author Ruth Marcus discussing the Supreme Court at the Greenwald Pavilion at 4 p.m. For tickets, visit www.aspeninstitute.org/community GHOSTS OF THE TABOR The historic Tabor Opera House in Leadville presents an immersive performance with LuneAseas tonight and tomorrow at 7 p.m.
MAKE BELIEVE BAND Will Parker and the Make Believe Band perform original songs at Basalt Library at 10 a.m. More info is at www.basaltlibrary.org
WEDNESDAY, JULY 13 LIVE MUSIC Valle Musico plays at Heather’s in Basalt at 6:30 p.m. STEVE’S GUITARS Giulia Millanta performs at Steve’s Guitars at 8 p.m.
THURSDAY, JULY 14 LEGAL CLINIC Basalt Regional Library hosts a free legal clinic for parties without an attorney from 2 to 5 p.m. To sign up, call 970-927-4311. CARTOON TALK The Aspen Institute hosts Emma Aleen, The New Yorker’s cartoon editor, and art critic Ben Davis on the changing nature of cartoons in America at Paepcke Auditorium at 5 p.m. For tickets, visit www.aspeninstitute.org/community FULL MOON DANCE Alya Howe guides ecstatic dance at 13 Moons, south of Carbondale along Highway 133, from 6 to 8 p.m. No registration is necessary, for details contact AlyaHowe@me.com
ONGOING
FARMERS MARKETS Downtown farmers markets are in full swing. Glenwood Springs’s market is on Tuesdays from 4 to 8 p.m., Carbondale's is on Wednesdays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Aspen’s is on Saturdays from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Basalt’s is on Sundays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. BIKE PROJECT The Carbondale Bike Project Shop helps people repair their bicycles on Tuesdays from 2 to 6 p.m. and Thursdays and Sundays from noon to 6 p.m. at the Third Street Center. COMMUNITY CHOIR The Carbondale Community Choir meets at Sopris Park on the first and third Tuesday of each month from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. UNDER THE SUN Join Sopris Sun correspondents and guests for Everything Under The Sun, airing every Thursday on KDNK at 4 p.m. WILD WEST RODEO Carbondale’s summer rodeo series continues at the Gus Darien Arena every Thursday through August 18. Gates open at 5:30 p.m. with slack at 6 p.m. and grand entry at 7:30 p.m.
THE SOPRIS SUN • Your weekly community connector • June 30 - July 6, 2022 • 11
GUEST
OPINION By Marlo Bowman
Being part of the LGBTQIA+ community in the Roaring Fork Valley has had both its highs and lows. There have been times that helped me embrace my identity, while other instances have torn me down. It’s been roughly three years since I came to terms with my own sexuality. Through that time, I have learned lots about what it really means to “stand out.” Having to tell my family, friends and — through this column — many, many more has been an ever-growing challenge. Expansive support in schools really helped me feel proud of my identity. Connecting with Basalt High School’s (BHS) Gender and Sexuality Alliance Network (GSAN) provided a safe space to be myself. Senior year, I took on a leadership role in the GSAN to do my part in maintaining this
The purpose of Pride healthy environment — one that was vital along my journey toward acceptance — knowing I was not alone. Becoming more open about my identity also shed light on harassment that still exists. Peers have told me stories about being called by their deadname (a transgender person’s birthname) hurtfully, getting slurs thrown at them, constantly being misgendered and more. There were many grown-ups who tried to correct the bullying but, frankly, some did not. One example was a 2021 senior prank which included the tearing down of Pride flags displayed in the school library. With this came a lot of heartache within our GSAN. The rascal students were asked to write an apology by email, but ultimately it came off as insincere. For what it’s worth, it did reinforce GSAN members' readiness to stand up for themselves. This past fall, I had a rather hurtful first-hand run-in with homophobia during an annual homecoming parade. Our GSAN created a fabulous float, complete with a rainbow balloon arch, that stood tall and proud. But, as the parade was getting set up, some students on one of the sports teams decided to chuck hard candy at us and call us names.
Although there was an attempt to call them out for their harsh words, in this case, the students never issued an apology. It was just another day. This was not the first time that a GSAN was targeted and, unfortunately, it won’t be the last. These are but two experiences of countless interactions that LGBTQIA+ youth have in and outside of school. But with the negative, comes many positives. The Carbondale Pride parade and Glenwood Springs Pride event have been two of the most memorable of such experiences. Attending my first Pride event in the valley where I grew up was empowering. Seeing and meeting other members and allies made me feel accepted and loved. Everyone from youth to older folks participated. It was a reminder that generations of people in the LGBTQIA+ community have lived through the continuous stages of progress right here at home. It was heartwarming to see our community come together and celebrate their similarities and, more importantly, their differences. During both events, I got to feel and witness the love first-hand. Because of the internet and my friends, I always knew there were parts of the world that lifted up the LGBTQIA+ community, but it was so much more meaningful experiencing that in-person among
Spirits and bubbles floated at Bethel Plaza during the Glenwood Springs Pride Festival on Friday, June 24. Photo by Amy Hadden Marsh
my community. Making history by being part of Glenwoods Springs’ first-ever Pride event added even more excitement. It also helped that there was a killer drag show involved. Watching the Valley participate in these events is arguably the most effective show of support for our LGBTQIA+ youth. The introduction of the Love Notes Project gave the community an opportunity to share their everlasting support for local youth as well. Hearing the voices of fellow LGBTQIA+ people and allies means more than some might know, because the reality
is that many young people are still ostracized after coming out. My personal experiences are but a glimpse of many. Being a gay youth in this community is more intimidating than some might realize. The fear that comes with the possibility of being unaccepted and unloved because of something that is innately a part of you is very real. With Pride month coming to an end, I reflect on how proud I am of our community and the strides it takes to become more inclusive. Just remember that we exist outside the month of June.
Glenwood Springs’ first-ever Pride event went off without a hitch. Community representatives spoke about the significance of Pride and the Roaring Fork Divas gave a stellar performance for a crowd of proud LGBTQIA+ community members and allies of all ages. Photos by Amy Hadden Marsh
12 • THE SOPRIS SUN • soprissun.com • June 30 - June 6, 2022
Sol del el
Conectando comunidades desde 2021
Colorado Youth Mariachi Program fue invitado para un desempeño especial durante Festival Las Americás en Carbondale el día 25 de junio. Foto de Klaus Kocher
Valle
Volumen 2, Número 18 | 30 de junio - 6 de julio, de 2022
Por Marlo Bowman Traducción por Dolores Duarte El 26 de mayo, el desafío Orbeez de TikTok llegó al Valle de Roaring Fork. El desafío reta a los jóvenes a utilizar pistolas de aire o "blasters" para disparar a transeúntes inocentes con balines de gel. En un caso local, estudiantes de high school pasaron por el parque Miners, y al menos uno de ellos, disparó a niños más pequeños con los blasters de gel. Inmediatamente después se produjo un incidente similar en el centro de Carbondale. Afortunadamente, un profesor estaba con los niños en el parque Miners y atendió a los heridos. Los agentes Paul Lazo y Ciara Chacon llegaron rápidamente al lugar y comenzaron a investigar. No fue necesaria más asistencia médica. Los dos vehículos supuestamente implicados fueron rastreados hasta la High School Roaring Fork (RFHS), donde la policía vio pistolas de aire y geles Orbeez. Los jóvenes fueron identificados y llevados a la oficina principal de RFHS. Posteriormente se determinó que el sedán asociado al incidente fue el único vehículo que llevaba un pasajero que realmente disparó en el parque público; y que los menores del otro vehículo no dispararon a los transeúntes. El menor acusado recibió seis cargos por amenaza y agresión en tercer grado. Conversando con Kirk Wilson, jefe del departamento de policía
Orbeez, cómo un juguete puede convertirse en un arma
de Carbondale, The Sopris Sun preguntó cómo está afectando al Valle el desafío Orbeez. "Por lo general, lo que sucede es que los jóvenes se sorprenden unos a otros y dispararan a los que participan en esto", comenzó Wilson. "No creo que eso sea una buena idea. Pero, ir y disparar a un grupo de niños — claramente en una excursión — es completamente inaceptable". Aunque un menor sí fue acusado, los efectos en los niños y sus familias aún perduran. "Hubo niños que no tenían ni idea de lo que les había pasado y otros que por un momento — cinco segundos, quizá una fracción de segundo — pensaron que les habían disparado con un arma de verdad", dijo Wilson. Con el desafío Orbeez circulando por TikTok, se ha hecho evidente que los jóvenes pueden ser fácilmente influenciados por los creadores en línea. Aunque TikTok ha tomado medidas para eliminar los videos y los hashtags asociados a estos ataques, el contenido sigue filtrándose por las grietas del internet. Los niños pueden verse gravemente afectados por estos incidentes, especialmente en una nación que sufre tiroteos en las escuelas con demasiada frecuencia.
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 Editora Contribuyente Crystal Mariscal Directore Artístico Hattie Rensberry Diseñadora de anuncios Alyssa Ohnmacht Traductoras Jacquelinne Castro y Dolores Duarte
El jefe de la policía de Carbondale, Kirk Wilson (izquierda) con el oficial James Kuhlman. Foto de Marlo Bowman
Al respecto, Wilson declaró: "Nos tomamos muy en serio que estos niños fueron traumatizados: son víctimas". No es la primera vez que el desafío tiene lugar en el Valle. Brody Bowman, un estudiante de la high school de Glenwood, ha experimentado esta tendencia. "No fueron súper dolorosos, pero tampoco se sintieron bien", describió Bowman. La experiencia de Bowman tuvo lugar en abril, mientras regresaba a la escuela después del almuerzo, recibió golpes en la oreja, el costado y el tobillo. Tanto él como un amigo no habían participado en el reto,
pero aún así fueron atacados. Puede que muchos jóvenes recuerden un reto similar que circuló por TikTok el pasado otoño, conocido como "Devious Licks". Ese desafío animaba a los estudiantes a cometer actos de vandalismo en sus escuelas y fue sólo el comienzo de los desafíos de TikTok que llegaban e incitaban al daño en el Valle. Si eres testigo de algo relacionado con el desafío Orbeez, ponte en contacto con tu departamento de policía local y denuncia el incidente. Nota del editor: Brody Bowman es un familiar de la reportera Marlo Bowman.
Distribucion Frederic Kischbaum Executive Director Todd Chamberlin • 970-510-0246 adsales@soprissun.com Miembros de la Mesa Directiva Klaus Kocher • Kay Clarke Lee Beck • Megan Tackett Gayle Wells • Donna Dayton Terri Ritchie • Eric Smith • Roger Berliner 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:
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14 • EL SOL DEL VALLE • soprissun.com/espanol/ • 30 de junio - 6 de julio de 2022
Corriendo en contra del estigma Por Crystal Mariscal Editora Contribuyente
La semana pasada, el Safe and Abundant Nutrition Alliance (SANA por sus siglas en inglés) realizó su primera carrera para crear conciencia acerca de la inseguridad alimentaria en nuestro valle, utilizando las frases: “hagamos la diferencia”, “no tengas miedo”, “pide ayuda” y “el hambre no tiene que ser un secreto”. A pesar de ser el mismo día que la Feria de la Fresa en Glenwood Springs retomó su desfile después de la pandemia, contaron con 59 participantes que caminaron y corrieron en el evento. “Para mi punto de vista, en los eventos que yo he participado de caminatas y carreras, nunca había visto tantos latinos participando”, compartió Soira Ceja, una de las coordinadoras de SANA. “¡Fue una caminata-carrera gratis! Aparte de eso, aquí en esta área yo no había escuchado de una caminatacarrera para desestigmatizar el hambre”, comentó Brenda Kaiser, otra coordinadora de SANA. En el periodo de Abril del 2021 a Marzo del 2022, SANA ha servido a un total de 51,833 personas en las distribuciones de El Jebel, Glenwood Springs y Rifle en colaboración con el Food Bank of the Rockies (Banco de Comida de los Rockies). Segun sus estadísticas, 57.3% eran mujeres y 42.7% hombres; de los cuales el 52.51% eran adultos, 21.2% no compartieron su edad, 15.6% eran jóvenes, 5.62% niños y 5.07% adultos mayores. Hubo una variada diversidad de origen etnico: el 67.5% eran personas multiracial, 16.2% personas de origen latinoamericano, 6% dijo “no saber”, 3.96% personas de origen africano, 3.19% personas de origen asiatico y 3.15% personas indígenas. Un total de 1,133,928.75 libras de comida fue repartida a familias en necesidad en el Valle. “Aparte de dar a conocer esta campana, también se dio a conocer más a la coalición, y que más organizaciones en el Valle se dieran cuenta del trabajo que hemos estado haciendo en estos dos años”, compartió Maria Judith Alvarez, la tercera
coordinadora del equipo. Pero ¿quién ganó? “Todos fueron ganadores, no era una competencia, era una caminata y el que gustaba correr lo hizo — que fue la mayoría. Vi a muchos niños corriendo con sus mamas, trajo mucha alegría a mi corazón”, agregó Kaiser. Había diferentes premios, por parte de los patrocinadores, así que hubo varios participantes que recibieron un premio. Organizaciones no lucrativas, mesas con información, patrocinadores y lo que se podría presumir como la caminata-carrera con más participantes latinos en el Valle — dejó un claro mensaje: una comunidad unida puede reducir el estigma y crear conciencia. “Queríamos dejar saber a las personas que todos pasamos por situaciones complicadas o difíciles en algunos momentos de nuestra vida, y que las personas que son fuertes y valientes piden ayuda y sobreviven ya que estas situaciones no son para siempre” añadió Alvarez. “Es un llamado a recapitular el Espíritu que eleva la preocupación por el prójimo, a un compañerismo total y este llamado en realidad a un amor universal e incondicional para todos los hombres más allá de la propia tribu, raza, clase — este amor visto como un principio unificador de la vida”. Kaiser, Ceja y Alvarez entienden que hay mucho todavía por hacer. Es por eso que comparten algunos eventos para ayudar a las personas que puedan tener una necesidad. Cada mes presentan un invitado, dependiendo de las conversaciones o lo que ellas desean conocer, aprender o sobre cual necesitan información. Escuchan a la comunidad acerca de su inquietudes, dudas o las cosas importantes que están pasando en sus vidas, y invitan que todo el mundo participe. El próximo miércoles, 6 de julio, habrá entretenimiento sobre los derechos civiles y seguridad alimentaria. “Estaremos celebrando el día de los voluntarios pronto. Estén al pendiente de nuestra página de Facebook” avisó Alvarez, “ y recuerden que los sitios de distribución son lugares seguros donde las personas pueden sentirse bienvenidas y que estamos ahí para ayudarles”.
Personas de todas las edades participaron en la caminata-carrera de SANA el 18 de junio. Fotos de cortesía
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15 • EL SOL DEL VALLE • soprissun.com/espanol/ • 30 de junio - 6 de julio de 2022
Para aprender más: K AT I E L A N G E N H U I Z E N
970-319-5233
CHISME DEL PUEBLO Traducción por Jacquelinne Castro
Se busca La biblioteca de Basalt está buscando a alguien bilingüe para conectar la biblioteca con personas hispanohablantes en nuestra área para servir mejor a nuestra comunidad. Este puesto crea, implementa y evalúa eventos, oportunidades de capacitación y programas de entretenimiento para hispanohablantes en nuestra comunidad. También gestiona proyectos y presupuestos asociados. Para más informacion, visite basaltlibrary.org/ jobs
Entrenamiento entre agencias Agencias regionales han conducido un simulacro de tiroteo activo en la mañana del miércoles 29 de junio. “Aunque esperamos que ningún incidente ocurra, esto es algo en lo que nos preparamos y entrenamos activamente,” dijo Josh Anderson, administrador de emergencias de Valley View. Los participantes incluyeron el Distrito de Protección Contra Incendios Rurales y de Carbondale, CareFlight of the Rockies, la oficina del alguacil del condado de Garfield, el departamento de policía de Glenwood Springs y Grand River Health, entre otros. El ejercicio tomó lugar en Grand Valley High School, con un escenario adicional de tiroteo activo escenificado en Valley View Hospital, para probar el tiempo de reacción, operación del equipo, coordinación entre agencias y el apoyo.
Cañón de Glenwood
Calle Artística
El Departamento de Transporte de Colorado cerró la interestatal 70 en ambas direcciones en el cañón de Glenwood el lunes 27 de junio en respuesta a un aviso de inundación emitido por el Servicio Meteorológico Nacional a las 6:20 p.m. La interestatal reabrió alrededor de las 8:30 p.m. Los motoristas que estén planeando viajar a través del cañón son aconsejados en poner atención al pronóstico del tiempo y que tengan un plan de respaldo en el evento que un cierre de seguridad ocurra.
El pueblo de Aspen ayudará a organizar una fiesta en las calles en asociación con el Museo de Arte de Aspen desde las 10 a.m. hasta las 2 p.m. el 4 de julio.
Desfiles del 4 de julio El desfile de Carbondale comenzará en la calle principal a las 10:30 a.m. seguido por música y helado en el parque y festividades en la piscina. El desfile de Aspen navegará por el centro a las 11 a.m. La celebración del 4 de julio en Redstone — el único desfile que puedes ver dos veces — está programado a mediodía. Glenwood Springs celebrará en Two Rivers comenzando a las 4:30 p.m. con música a las 6 p.m.
Voluntarios High Country Volunteers ha lanzado un nuevo sitio web para emparejar a los residentes de los condados de Garfield y Pitkin con oportunidades de voluntariado. Su sitio web, www. highcountryvolunteers.org, tendrá una lista de cientos de voluntarios necesitados por organizaciones sin fines de lucro locales. “La meta es estimular el espíritu del voluntariado a través de la región”, dijo un comunicado de prensa.
Alto al fuego El 20 de junio, comisionados del condado de Garfield acordaron extender la prohibición de fuegos artificiales en zonas no incorporadas del condado de Garfield. El comisionado fue aconsejado de las condiciones de severa sequía y el bajo manto de nieve, los cuales han resultado en altos grados de peligro de incendios. Aunque la junta ya había emitido una prohibición de fuegos artificiales en abril, esta vez cerraron la escapatoria que normalmente permite la venta, compra y uso de fuegos artificiales del 31 de marzo al 5 de julio. En pocas palabras, la prohibición sigue en efecto hasta abril del 2023 sin excepciones.
Cerámica Mata Ortiz El Carbondale Clay Center le da la bienvenida a los artistas Diego Valles y Carla Martinez para mostrar su tradición de cerámica Mata Ortiz de Chihuahua, México. “Amor, Cerámica y Fortaleza” estará en exhibición desde el 16 de julio hasta el 13 de agosto con un taller durante el fin de semana del 16 al 17 de julio. (inscripciones en www. carbondaleclay.org ).
Aspen Santa Fe Ballet hizo una demonstracción de baile folclórico durante Festival Las Americás en Carbondale el día 25 de junio. Foto de Klaus Kocher
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EL SOL DEL VALLE • Conector de comunidad • 30 de junio - 6 de julio de 2022 • 16
By Jeanne Souldern Sopris Sun Correspondent The results of the 2022 Teaching and Learning Conditions in Colorado (TLCC) survey, administered this spring through the Colorado Department of Education (CDE) and released in May, are being analyzed by school administrators across the state. According to the CDE website, “TLCC is a statewide, confidential survey intended to support school, district and state improvement planning, as well as research and policy.” The statewide collaborative includes partners such as the Colorado Education Association, Colorado Education Initiative and the Governor's Office — to name just a few. For the first time, in addition to educators, educational support professionals were eligible to participate in the survey. The survey did not include questions about teacher pay. Aimee Brockman, who completed her first year as the Crystal River Elementary School (CRES) principal, said survey results reflected “how we were handling things at the district and school levels throughout the challenging pandemic years; including opening our schools last year to in-person learning.” The TLCC survey, Brockman said, is one of the tools that she and Kendall Reiley, CRES’s new assistant
Survey results reveal overall satisfaction among RFSD educators
The RFSD has marginally outdone the state’s average TLCC score since 2018. Graph by James Steindler
principal, use in addition to regularly sharing staff feedback with their leadership team. “The survey is a super important mechanism that reveals some unknowns, and you need to have something to find out what you don’t know,” Brockman explained. “That is important to me as a new leader, for sure.” Brockman agreed that while survey results “are just data,” they are only beneficial when you respond by making appropriate changes.
“[There’s] been a lot of transitions, and it was the first year of Kendall and I working together,” Brockman stated. “Now that we have a year of experience, I’m looking forward to some of the systems we’ve built running smoothly and not taking so much energy to plan and execute.” She added that she looks forward to working another year with the same partner. Megan Baiardo, principal of Roaring Fork High School (RFHS), said she will review the survey results
with staff this fall. RFHS survey scores have risen compared to scores from 2018 and 2022. Baiardo teamed up with Cora Carballeira, who just completed her first year as the RFHS assistant principal. “Overall, staff says it [RFHS] is a good place to work. New teachers felt very well supported this year. That was a huge celebration for us because I feel that Cora and I had a fairly large number of new teachers,
and we were [also] new,” Baiardo shared. She added, “First, I got so lucky with Cora as my assistant principal. She brings such a high level of organization...I think the two of us have created a vision together of a long-term plan. I'm really proud of that. Overall, we were largely successful in our first year together.” Survey participation rates for CRES and RFHS were high (90% and 98%, respectively). In RFSD as a whole, 452 of a possible 498 respondents completed the survey. The survey was administered in partnership with the Colorado Education Association (the state’s teachers union) to encourage participation. RFSD results showed that 92% of teachers would recommend their school as a good place to work and 92% would recommend their school as a good place for students to learn; compared to 85% and 89%, respectively, statewide. The Roaring Fork schools had an overall TLCC favorability rating of 80%, compared to the Colorado average of 76% among educators. In fact, the district outperformed the state in 10 of 11 survey categories. Statewide TLCC survey results, which include results by school districts and individual schools, are available online at tlcc-2022-reports. cedu.io
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CARBONDALE REPORT
Trustees roll ahead with WE-cycle
By Raleigh Burleigh Sopris Sun Editor When the Roaring Fork Transportation Authority (RFTA) presented on initiating a bike share program in Carbondale in November 2021, the cost-benefit ratio was unconvincing in the light of more apparent needs, such as an expanded circulator service. By contrast, RFTA and WE-cycle came before the trustees on June 28 with “a screaming deal for the town of Carbondale,” in the words of Mayor Ben Bohmfalk. WE-cycle, a nonprofit that began in Aspen in 2013, is now in a public-private partnership with RFTA and operates bike share programs in El Jebel, Willits, Basalt and Snowmass Village, as well as Aspen. Mirte Mallory, co-founder and executive director of WE-cycle, made clear that their program is not intended for tourists. Rather, WEcycle provides connectivity between park and ride stations and other places without the use of a car. “For those who own bikes,” her presentation explained, “bike share does not replace the use of a personal bike but rather adds another bike option to one’s bike fleet.” The average ride time for WE-cycle commuters is 10 minutes, with an average distance of one mile. Riding longer than 30
minutes is disincentivized through heavy fees ($5 per minute for e-bikes). For reasons of liability, ridership is restricted to persons over the age of 16. Carbondale’s initial investment, including capital equipment and six months of service, would approximate $213,000, whereas RFTA, WE-cycle and the Elected Officials Transportation Committee would contribute $884,924. Additionally, “to help defray its share,” stated RFTA CEO Dan Blankenship, Carbondale would be eligible to apply for RFTA First/Last Mile Mobility (FLM) reserve funding that could cover up to 50% of its 2023 cost. As noted by Bohmfalk, that’s close to a 90/10 split on a $1.1 million investment: “a good deal for the people of Carbondale.” By 2024, with capital equipment purchased, the cost to Carbondale would drop to an estimated $129,661 increasing by 3% each year, and the town would remain eligible to apply for FLM funding for two additional years. Regarding the FLM funds, “the message I’ve heard from fellow [RFTA] board members is that they want to see the money spent,” said Bohmfalk, Carbondale’s representative to that board. So far, he added, Basalt is the only municipality that has asked for a grant. “I feel like funding is going to be easy to achieve.” Should Carbondale pursue an expanded
circulator service instead, those costs would mostly be absorbed by the town. “Glenwood Springs and Aspen utilize local funding mechanisms to pay RFTA for their internal circulator services,” Blankenship explained. “From an equity standpoint, any additional costs of circulator services within Carbondale would need to be funded by the town and/or state and federal grants.” He estimated a cost of $800,000, not including capital. “Circulators are, by their nature, very expensive,” he added. By popular demand, the circulator now stops at City Market, in addition to the roundabout, pool, rec center and park and ride. It does not, however, service any stops south of the roundabout. For context, Town Manager Lauren Gister explained how Basalt’s Downtowner shuttle service is different from a circulator. The Downtowner is a private company, contracted to operate eight months of the year, in mornings and evenings on weekdays and all day on weekends. For this service, Basalt pays $400,000 per year and received FLM funds. During public comments, Sue Zislis said that WE-cycle seems like a fabulous service for people that bike, “but there’s so many people that can’t bike,” including kids under the age of 16 that would be excluded. She urged trustees to consider a connector bus, possibly smaller than the current circulator, to serve more of the town. Ron Kokish, representing the Carbondale Age-Friendly Community Initiative, advised that trustees wait for a master transportation plan to be finalized before investing in bike share.
WE-cycle presented to the trustees at the Third Street Center's Community Hall, while primary election ballots were being counted at Town Hall. Photo by Raleigh Burleigh
“I had reservations about We-cycle several years ago,” remarked trustee Marty Silverstein. “I see it now as just one part of our overall mobility needs, with money for a consultant going to address other mobility needs.” Given the possibility of bringing down town’s costs with in-kind donations, such as WE-cycle office space, he said, “this has come down to what I consider a reasonable financial level, at least for the first three years.” Trustee Chris Hassig expressed concern for a sudden influx of bicyclists and while supporting moving ahead with bike share desired to see safety measures in place, particularly at the Village Road intersection where the park and ride meets Highway 133. With support of all present board members, trustee Colin Laird was absent, Carbondale came a step closer to having a bike share program beginning in June 2023.
BASALT REPORT
Councilors dream up care center in Willits
By Dyana Z. Furmansky Sopris Sun Correspondent The necessary quorum of four out of seven Basalt town councilors were present at Tuesday night’s regular meeting and dispatched their agenda in an hour. Mayor pro tem Ryan Slack filled in for Mayor Bill Kane, who was absent. Three conceptual designs by Land+Shelter in Carbondale and Denver-based Alan Ford Architects were presented for the child development center on Parcel 2E next to The Arts Campus at Willits (TACAW). Basalt Town Engineer Catherine Christoff told council members that the schematics were submitted at this stage to get “initial council feedback,” and no action was necessary. The first option is for a one-story early childhood education center (ECE) with seven classrooms for infants, toddlers, preschoolers and an after-school program for elementary
age children, said Land+Shelter owner Andrea Korber. She estimated its cost would be $9.5 million. It would not include any staff housing. The second option is a two-story ECE with seven classrooms and a detached two-story building for four housing units. The cost would be $12 million. Option three is a one-story building with eight classrooms and three housing units for a cost of $13.2 million. Depending on which design is chosen, the ECE would be able to care for between 143 and 155 children, five days a week. An important element in all three schematics would be “bringing flora and fauna into the school, to connect indoor and outdoor spaces,” said Korber. Alan Ford told the council that if option two or three are chosen to provide staff housing, these could be phased in later. The timeline for this “very large project,” is two to three years, according to Blue Lake Preschool Executive Director Michelle Oger, who would
PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSION
& BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT
Open seats on the Town of Carbondale Planning & Zoning Commission and Board of Adjustment. Contact John Leybourne 970.510.1212. Applications may be found at www.carbondalegov.org or at Town Hall. Applications are due by July 1, 2022 at 5 pm. 18 • THE SOPRIS SUN • soprissun.com • June 30 - June 6, 2022
run the Willits ECE. Oger said that she prefers the first option because it would be a good fit for the adjacent residential neighborhood, and is less daunting from a cost standpoint. She said that the capital campaign would seek state grants and private donors in the Roaring Fork Valley who understand how important ECE is in preparing children for kindergarten. Councilor Ryan Slack advised that Oger “keep all three options open,” because the three councilors who were missing would want to weigh in. “I am absolutely thrilled we are having this conversation,” said councilor Dieter Schindler. Building a mid-valley ECE has been on Basalt Town Council’s to-do list since 2006. With the project at the conceptual planning stage, “there is hope on the horizon,” he said. In other business, Town Council unanimously approved a motion to decline participating in the Colorado Paid Family Medical Leave Insurance Program (FAMLI). FAMLI was approved by
Colorado voters in the November 2020 election to give employees 12 weeks of paid leave for pregnancy, childbirth, serious illness or family emergencies. Municipalities could opt in or out of the program after giving employees a chance to decide if they wanted to participate. The costsharing program would subtract .45% from their gross biweekly wage, said Basalt Finance Director Christie Chicoine. She said that after notifying town employees she hadn’t heard back from any; at Tuesday’s public hearing portion no employees spoke. Basalt Town Attorney Jeff Conklin said that most municipalities have opted out of FAMLI because they already provide adequate coverage. Councilors interviewed and appointed Charlie Eckart and Mike Steiner to the Basalt Green Team. Councilors also recognized Green Team member Gerry Terwilliger’s many years of environmentally-minded service to Basalt and presented him with a certificate, followed by a standing ovation.
PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a Public Hearing will be held before the Planning & Zoning Commission for the purpose of considering an Annexation and Rezoning request. The application is to rezone the property from a PUD (County) to Open Space (Town) to fulfill an Intergovernmental Agreement commitment with Garfield County recorded at Recordation Number 938977. The property is located at the intersection of Highway 133 and Highway 82 (Parcel #2393-284-00023). It is a 25.950 acre parcel along the north side of the Highway 82 and Highway 133 intersection. It is legally described as follows: See attached The applicant/owner is Town of Carbondale. Said Public Hearing will be held at the Carbondale Town Hall, 511 Colorado Avenue, Carbondale, CO at 7:00 p.m. on July 28, 2022. You may also participate via Zoom. The Zoom link will be available on the July 28th P&Z meeting agenda. Or you may request a Zoom invitation from jleybourne@ carbondaleco.net If you would like to submit comments regarding this application, email your comments or letter to msikes@carbondaleco.net by 3:00 pm on July 28, 2022. This email or letter will be entered into the record. Copies of the proposed application are available on the Town’s website at www.carbondalegov.org. Please contact msikes@carbondaleco.net if you are unable to view the application on the Town’s website and would like to request an alternate method of review. A Parcel of land situated within a portion that property described in the document recorded as Reception No. 907792 of the Garfield County records and within a portion Colorado Department of Transportation Highway No. 82 ROW per Project No. C 0821-091; said Parcel of land being located in Lot 7, 8, 9 and 21 of Section 28, Township 7 South, Range 88 West of the Sixth Principal Meridian and is further described as follows: Beginning at a point on the Northerly right-of-way of Colorado Department of Transportation Highway No. 82 Project No. C 0821-091 whence a found 3.25” 1986 B.L.M. Aluminum Cap monumenting the Northwest corner of the John Kelso Claim ( Northwest corner of said Lot 7) bears N.13°55’16”.E a distance of 849.86 feet; thence S.47°46’57”.E a distance of 196.24 feet; thence S.09°11’06”.W a distance of 77.42 feet; thence N.84°37’21”.W a distance of 161.47 feet to a point being 1 foot northerly of an existing fence; thence the following eight (8) courses one foot northerly of an existing fence: 1) N.87°02’15”.W a distance of 80.20 feet; 2) N.73°13’00”.W a distance of 31.29 feet; 3) N.83°35’25”.W a distance of 119.62 feet; 4) N.81°38’11”.W a distance of 84.78 feet; 5) S.86°53’55”.W a distance of 19.76 feet; 6) N.81°13’49”.W a distance of 165.40 feet; 7) N.67°41’13”.W a distance of 253.53 feet; 8) N.72°54’00”.W a distance of 69.76 feet to a point on the Northerly right-of-way of said Highway 82; thence the following four (4) courses along said right-of-way: 1) 170.20 feet along a non-tangent curve to the right having a radius of 1760.10 feet and a central angle of 05°32’26” (chord bears N.70°07’47”.W, a distance of 170.14 feet); 2) N.60°21’09”.W a distance of 288.32 feet; 3) N.62°45’15”.W a distance of 149.95 feet 4) N.61°55’48”.W a distance of 324.64 feet to a point on the North-South ¼ line and west line of said Lot 21 of said Section 28, said point also being the Southwest corner of said property; thence the following seven (7) courses along the boundary of said property: 1) N.01°15’25”.E along said North-South ¼ line a distance of 241.21 feet to the Center ¼ corner of said Section 28; 2) S. 89°14’35”.E along the East-West ¼ line of said Section 28 a distance of 1856.57 feet, to the Southwest corner of said Lot 7; 3) N.00°28’09”. W along the westerly line of said Lot 7 a distance of 199.71 feet to the Northwest corner of said Lot 7; 4) N.88°28’22”.E along the northerly line of said Lot 7 a distance of 154.32 feet to a point on the westerly line of County Road No. 107 right-of-way as recorded in Book 673 at Page 648 of the Garfield County records; 5) leaving said northerly line S.04°40’55”.E along said westerly line a distance of 60.20 feet; 6) continuing along said westerly line S.25°33’55”.E a distance of 137.53 feet; 7) continuing along said westerly line S.31°11’05”.W a distance of 74.60 feet; thence leaving said westerly line 80.28 feet along a non-tangent curve to the left having a radius of 247.00 feet and a central angle of 18°37’19” (chord bears S.42°24’08”.W, a distance of 79.93 feet); thence 10.41 feet along a reverse curve to the right having a radius of 100.00 feet and a central angle of 05°57’46” (chord bears S.36°04’21”.W, a distance of 10.40 feet); thence 36.69 feet along a reverse curve to the left having a radius of 150.00 feet and a central angle of 14°00’59” (chord bears S.32°02’45”.W, a distance of 36.60 feet); thence 63.94 feet along a reverse curve to the right having a radius of 58.00 feet and a central angle of 63°09’38” (chord bears S.56°37’05”.W, a distance of 60.75 feet); thence 14.56 feet along a reverse curve to the left having a radius of 50.00 feet and a central angle of 16°40’52” (chord bears S.79°51’27”.W, a distance of 14.51 feet); thence S.71°31’01”.W a distance of 76.25 feet; thence 69.02 along a curve to the left having a radius of 304.00 feet and a central angle of 13°00’30” (chord bears S.65°00’46”.W, a distance of 68.87); thence 27.44 feet along a reverse curve to the right having a radius of 100.00 feet and a central angle of 15°43’26” (chord bears S.66°22’15”.W, a distance of 27.36 feet); thence 175.11 feet along a reverse curve to the left having a radius of 150.00 feet and a central angle of 66°53’10” (chord bears S.40°47’23”.W, a distance of 165.33 feet); thence S.07°20’48”.W a distance of 28.86 feet; thence 157.36 feet along a curve to the left having a radius of 340.00 feet and a central angle of 26°31’07” (chord bears S.05°54’45”.E, a distance of 155.96 feet); thence 75.24 feet along a reverse curve to the right having a radius of 290.00 feet and a central angle of 14°51’52” (chord bears S.11°44’23”.E, a distance of 75.02 feet) to the point of beginning. Said Parcel of land containing 1,130,384 square feet or 25.950 acres, more or less. County of Garfield State of Colorado
PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Board of Trustees of the Town of Carbondale has adopted a Resolution initiating annexation and rezoning proceedings for a 25.950 acre parcel located in Garfield County, Colorado (“Red Hill property”). A Public Hearing will be held before the Board of Trustees for the purpose of finding and determining whether the Red Hill property meets the applicable requirements of Colorado law and is considered eligible for annexation and rezoning. The applicant is the Town of Carbondale. The property owners are the Town of Carbondale and Colorado Department of Transportation (“CDOT”). The Town of Carbondale acquired the Red Hill property in 2020. After acquisition, the Town of Carbondale did extensive trail work on Red Hill, including improvements to the lower and upper parking lots adjacent to Highway 82. In 2020, Garfield County and the Town of Carbondale entered into an agreement which requires that the Town of Carbondale annex the newly-acquired Red Hill property, including the portion of CDOT right-of-way necessary to encompass the portions of the lower parking area, the portions of the connecting road between the lower and upper parking areas, and the portions of County Road 107 up to and including the entrance to the parking lot access (approximately 200 feet north of Highway 82) which are located within the CDOT right-of-way. The total annexation area would be 25.950 acres. The portion of property in the CDOT right-of-way is 1.541 acres. The property is legally described as follows: A Parcel of land situated within a portion that property described in the document recorded as Reception No. 907792 of the Garfield County records and within a portion Colorado Department of Transportation Highway No. 82 ROW per Project No. C 0821-091; said Parcel of land being located in Lot 7, 8, 9 and 21 of Section 28, Township 7 South, Range 88 West of the Sixth Principal Meridian and is further described as follows: Beginning at a point on the Northerly right-of-way of Colorado Department of Transportation Highway No. 82 Project No. C 0821-091 whence a found 3.25” 1986 B.L.M. Aluminum Cap monumenting the Northwest corner of the John Kelso Claim ( Northwest corner of said Lot 7) bears N.13°55’16”.E a distance of 849.86 feet; thence S.47°46’57”.E a distance of 196.24 feet; thence S.09°11’06”.W a distance of 77.42 feet; thence N.84°37’21”.W a distance of 161.47 feet to a point being 1 foot northerly of an existing fence; thence the following eight (8) courses one foot northerly of an existing fence: 1) N.87°02’15”.W a distance of 80.20 feet; 2) N.73°13’00”.W a distance of 31.29 feet; 3) N.83°35’25”.W a distance of 119.62 feet; 4) N.81°38’11”.W a distance of 84.78 feet; 5) S.86°53’55”.W a distance of 19.76 feet; 6) N.81°13’49”.W a distance of 165.40 feet; 7) N.67°41’13”.W a distance of 253.53 feet; 8) N.72°54’00”.W a distance of 69.76 feet to a point on the Northerly right-of-way of said Highway 82; thence the following four (4) courses along said right-of-way: 1) 170.20 feet along a non-tangent curve to the right having a radius of 1760.10 feet and a central angle of 05°32’26” (chord bears N.70°07’47”.W, a distance of 170.14 feet); 2) N.60°21’09”.W a distance of 288.32 feet; 3) N.62°45’15”.W a distance of 149.95 feet; 4) N.61°55’48”.W a distance of 324.64 feet to a point on the North-South ¼ line and west line of said Lot 21 of said Section 28, said point also being the Southwest corner of said property; thence the following seven (7) courses along the boundary of said property: 1) N.01°15’25”.E along said North-South ¼ line a distance of 241.21 feet to the Center ¼ corner of said Section 28; 2) S. 89°14’35”.E along the East-West ¼ line of said Section 28 a distance of 1856.57 feet, to the Southwest corner of said Lot 7; 3) N.00°28’09”. W along the westerly line of said Lot 7 a distance of 199.71 feet to the Northwest corner of said Lot 7; 4) N.88°28’22”.E along the northerly line of said Lot 7 a distance of 154.32 feet to a point on the westerly line of County Road No. 107 right-of-way as recorded in Book 673 at Page 648 of the Garfield County records; 5) leaving said northerly line S.04°40’55”.E along said westerly line a distance of 60.20 feet; 6) continuing along said westerly line S.25°33’55”.E a distance of 137.53 feet; 7) continuing along said westerly line S.31°11’05”.W a distance of 74.60 feet; thence leaving said westerly line 80.28 feet along a non-tangent curve to the left having a radius of 247.00 feet and a central angle of 18°37’19” (chord bears S.42°24’08”.W, a distance of 79.93 feet); thence 10.41 feet along a reverse curve to the right having a radius of 100.00 feet and a central angle of 05°57’46” (chord bears S.36°04’21”.W, a distance of 10.40 feet); thence 36.69 feet along a reverse curve to the left having a radius of 150.00 feet and a central angle of 14°00’59” (chord bears S.32°02’45”.W, a distance of 36.60 feet); thence 63.94 feet along a reverse curve to the right having a radius of 58.00 feet and a central angle of 63°09’38” (chord bears S.56°37’05”.W, a distance of 60.75 feet); thence 14.56 feet along a reverse curve to the left having a radius of 50.00 feet and a central angle of 16°40’52” (chord bears S.79°51’27”.W, a distance of 14.51 feet); thence S.71°31’01”.W a distance of 76.25 feet; thence 69.02 along a curve to the left having a radius of 304.00 feet and a central angle of 13°00’30” (chord bears S.65°00’46”.W, a distance of 68.87); thence 27.44 feet along a reverse curve to the right having a radius of 100.00 feet and a central angle of 15°43’26” (chord bears S.66°22’15”.W, a distance of 27.36 feet); thence 175.11 feet along a reverse curve to the left having a radius of 150.00 feet and a central angle of 66°53’10” (chord bears S.40°47’23”.W, a distance of 165.33 feet); thence S.07°20’48”.W a distance of 28.86 feet; thence 157.36 feet along a curve to the left having a radius of 340.00 feet and a central angle of 26°31’07” (chord bears S.05°54’45”.E, a distance of 155.96 feet); thence 75.24 feet along a reverse curve to the right having a radius of 290.00 feet and a central angle of 14°51’52” (chord bears S.11°44’23”.E, a distance of 75.02 feet) to the point of beginning. Said Parcel of land containing 1,130,384 square feet or 25.950 acres, more or less. County of Garfield State of Colorado The proposal is to rezone the property from the Red Hill PUD (Garfield County zoning) to Open Space (Town zoning). Said Public Hearing will be held at the Carbondale Town Hall, 511 Colorado Avenue, Carbondale, CO at 6:00 p.m. on August 9, 2022. Copies of the proposed application are on file in the Planning Department office, Town Hall, 511 Colorado Avenue, Carbondale, CO and may be examined by interested persons during regular working hours, 8:00 a.m. through 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. The application may also be reviewed on the Town’s website at www.carbondalegov.org
THE SOPRIS SUN • Your weekly community connector • June 30 - July 6, 2022 • 19
BOOK REVIEW
‘Woman of Light’ surfaces Denver’s complex legacy
4TH OF JULY, 2022 ASPEN, COLORADO
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By Izzy Stringham Special to The Sopris Sun Kali Fajardo-Anstine's new full-length novel, “Woman of Light”, is especially delightful for those who live in Colorado. The story centers around Luz Lopez and her extended family living in 1930s Denver. Having come from the Lost Territory, now the area that encompasses Southern Colorado, New Mexico and the Mexican border, Luz is living somewhat in the shadows. Born to an Indigenous mother and white father, and abandoned by them with her brother, her opportunities in Denver are severely limited due to her mixed-race status. She lives with an aunt, reading tea leaves, working as a laundress and then as an assistant, always hoping for more and struggling against the headwind of racism and bigotry that was a part of daily life in the 1930s. The novel is told in several sections. There are viewpoints from the present in Luz's life, sections on the past — her mother and grandparents’ stories and struggles — and, eventually, the novel lines up the events in their lives that lead to the current story Luz is living. These connections are celebrated and essential, giving the work so much depth and texture. It is striking how decisions made by someone in the past consistently have a direct effect on the line of people who come 20 • THE SOPRIS SUN • soprissun.com • June 30 - June 6, 2022
after them, and that our collective connection to ancestry is rich and deep. This universal theme weaves through much of “Woman of Light”; there are the ancestors that live within us, and they set us on our paths. Fajardo-Anstine's prose and description of the era, especially Denver in the 1930s, is sweeping and lush. Sentence after sentence is so perfectly rendered to evoke the time, the emotion, the history of a city that doesn't get much attention in historical novels. The truth of the times is not ignored; labor strikes, wrongful death, bigotry, Klan marches and lack of opportunity have their place. The endless hard work of immigrants, as well as non-white residents who had been displaced from the area of their ancestry, to rise above the struggle of just surviving is another theme explored in depth. Luz, her brother, aunt and her best friend embody so much of what is essential in community. Their love and support in the face of bad decisions, their loss, their fight to survive in a world that doesn't want them, make for an emotional and satisfying read. “Woman of Light” is one to savor and keep close, a gorgeous depiction of Colorado and the love of generations of family. Copies of “Woman of Light” are available at White River Books in downtown Carbondale.
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A father’s dream fulfilled By Bryan Whiting Glenwood Springs “Your gear is already in your tent. You’ve got 15 minutes to grab your fly rods and get wadered up. We’re going fishing for silvers.” That’s all it took. With those magic words from Jeff, our guide, my sons, Eric (16) and Jason (14), were at a full sprint. Thirty minutes earlier, after flying over hundreds of small lakes and creeks the color of bad coffee, we glimpsed at our destination: the crystal-clear Kanektok River. It appeared much like a vision in a dream. After landing on a somewhat level spot between the river and the ocean, we were no more than five steps off the plane when an Alaska West guide introduced himself with, “I’m Jeff, and you must be the Whitings. Jump in my boat. Camp is 20 minutes.” Our minds and eyes were awash with Alaska. The river which seemed to be 10 feet below tundra level; the dense green vegetation on the bank opposite every gravel bar; the casual glance of the bear as we disturbed his quiet salmon lunch; the movement of the boat as it wound its way upriver; and the fish. The river was full of fish. Everywhere we looked we could see salmon resting against the bank, swimming upriver or moving away from the boat — everywhere. I had not expected our fishing to begin until the next day, but it was approaching 2:30 in the afternoon as Eric and Jason, fly rods in hand, bolted from their tent for Jeff ’s jet boat. They were hollering “Hurry up, Dad,” as Jeff started the motor. Five minutes back downriver we were approaching Joe’s Bar, a 400-yard stretch of curving gravel around which the Kanektok created a deep flowing run. Jeff had already tied two-inch pink streamers with silver lead eyes on the boys’ eight-weights as they had waited for their old man. Consequently, they were halfway out of the boat as we coasted to a stop. “Jason, you go upstream; Eric, you go down. Cast across to the edge of the current, mend once to let it sink, strip as fast as you can,” were Jeff ’s instructions. I took a deep breath. It was true. After years of dreaming, planning, trying to figure out how to make it happen, our boys were fishing in Alaska. Jeff was selecting a fly for me as I watched Eric make his second cast. Eric’s strike and shriek of joy occurred simultaneously, followed by the sight of our first silver salmon as it cleared the gentle current by three feet. As Jeff laid down my rod, grabbed the net and headed toward Eric, I couldn’t help but smile and give thanks. A father’s dream had come true. After releasing Eric’s silver, Jeff was walking back to continue with my fly when, “Got one,” echoed from the other side of the boat as Jason’s rod bent at a ridiculous angle. After dutifully netting Jason’s silver, Jeff was again returning when we both noticed Eric in full sprint as the line screamed off his reel. Jeff tossed me a fly on the way by. “You better tie this on yourself if you want to fish today.”
The next three hours we fought, caught, landed and lost more silver salmon than I had envisioned we would during our entire trip. Neither pictures nor Saturday morning fishing shows, not to mention my words, do justice to the silver salmon. Their aerial gyrations and dashing runs are more frequent and powerful than one can imagine, let alone anticipate. Our many years of catching trout were not adequate preparation for the strength of 12 pounds of silver salmon. At 6 p.m. we were back at camp. As we changed out of our waders in preparation for our first dinner in Alaska, Jason could only comment, “Dad, can you believe we have six more days of this?” At 7 a.m. the next morning, Jeff announced, “We’re going wake fishing.” Downstream, a mile up from the ocean, the “wake” was created as the next wave of incoming silvers came around the corner of Church Bells bar and continued upstream in two feet of water. With a floating pink popper fly now attached to his line, Jeff instructed Jason, “Four feet past and four feet in front of the first wake. Now, strip like crazy.” Much to our amazement the wake, of at least a dozen silvers, turned and followed. Jason’s difficulty was maintaining self-control until the open mouth of the lead silver engulfed the fly. “Eric, run downstream and intercept the next wake,” was Jeff ’s next command as he moved to net Jason’s fish. We spent the morning rotating down and then back up the gravel bar intercepting, casting, laughing and catching silvers. It was approaching 1 p.m. when Jeff administered the coup de grâce to Jason’s silver. “No sandwiches today guys. We’re grilling fresh salmon. As we thanked him for our sumptuous lunch at Cafe’ Streamside, Jeff issued the orders for the afternoon. “Back in the boat boys, we’re heading upriver.” Nine miles above camp, each run, gravel riffle and side channel held king, chum and sockeye salmon that had entered the river in June and the first half of July. Now, the second week of August, they were spawning, dying or dead; no longer in prime condition to catch or eat. They were, however, perfect for attracting “leopard” rainbows, appropriately named because black spots cover every inch, including their eyes. A wide, bright red stripe made them easily visible as they sat behind spawning salmon gulping down eggs. These unique “leopards” didn’t waste their time with insects. They were on an all-protein diet of eggs and salmon flesh, punctuated by the occasional mouse. I was “nymphing” a bead egg imitation behind two Kings spawning in the current. Eric was 50 yards below doing the same behind at least 30 sockeyes spawning in a flat. We took turns netting 18–20-inch rainbows. Having replaced the bead egg with a floating mouse fly, Jason and Jeff were upstream kneeling in a foot of water opposite a snag-filled grassy bank. “Cast up and on the grass, pull it off, mend downstream and swim it” were Jeff ’s instructions. In ever elevating octaves Jason’s, “Here he comes,” announced anticipated success. Jeff ’s next words told Eric and I all we needed to know. “We’ll have better luck if you wait to strike
"Rad!" until he actually hits your mouse.” Over the next two hours we worked a half mile upriver as we shared Jason’s experience. As our mice would “swim” the subsequent rainbow attacks were so swift and visual as to make “exciting” an understatement. Many times, it was a race between two or three rainbows to see who would get to our mouse first. Our heartbeats were gradually returning to normal when Jeff began changing our mouse flies to three-inch concoctions of white, pink and a tinge of brown. His response to our quizzical expressions was “18-inchers eat eggs; the beasts eat flesh.” The “30-inchers” lurked in the deepwater drop-offs where they felt more secure from the ever-present raptors. The current was their conveyor belt for chunk after chunk of decaying salmon. One broad-jumped a four-foot snag and was gone. Another tail walked for 10 seconds before landing on the leader. Lost fish, but images we will never lose. We did land a few that were so stuffed with protein as to be nearly as heavy as the silvers of the morning. Go to Alaska. Take someone special with you not only for unforgettable fishing but to create special memories. I cannot put a price tag on the smiles of my sons as each new day brought new adventures. Even now a new smile is generated as our trip reemerges in everyday conversation or memory as we remember fulfilling a father’s Alaska dream.
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THE SOPRIS SUN • Your weekly community connector • June 30 - July 6, 2022 • 21
LETTERS
continued from page 2
legal gun-purchasing age to 18.” One wonders why this should make any of us feel SAFER. So, David, when you say, “stop spewing the lies about Lauren Boebert,” maybe YOU should stop spewing the lies about Lauren Boebert. She does not, as you claim, "stand for all of Colorado." She has steadfastly supported Trump and his stolen-election lies. Her culpability in the Jan. 6 insurrection which nearly cost us our democracy is indisputable. Her “representation” of our district has been insipid, appalling and ineffectual. Vote her out. Annette Roberts-Gray Carbondale
Right-wing America The Supreme Court decisions are not what you think they are. Guns, God, gays and abortions are just tools to an end. We are looking at a pure power play. The elites that have been calling the shots in the U.S. for years are now consolidating their power. This latest chaos is all about running the tables in the next two elections. Welcome to right-wing America. The “Brown Shirts” are all over the land threatening anyone who tries to object. Elections are being rigged in state after state with gerrymandering and rules barring voters. State officials are being authorized to literally throw out the vote and insert whatever they want. Schools are having books thrown out and being bullied to remove all minority history. In the world’s most prolific gun culture, still more weapons will be spread throughout to keep the population in constant fear. Many of our elected officials, as the hearings are showing, are utterly corrupt and lie about everything. The Supreme Court is now fully captured after years of manipulation to install the current six complete frauds. Look to a host of right-wing groups like the Federalist Society, ALEC, the Freedom Caucus and the Heritage Foundation. What is more telling than a monumental Supreme Court building with a flight of enormous empty steps that is completely guarded by concrete barriers and an unscalable fence? This is not a court for the people. Former Justice Antonin Scalia blatantly lied about the Second Amendment. Any third grader could tell you this was about “militias.” That is just basic sentence structure. “Originalism” and “textualism” are completely fabricated pseudo judicial theories. These are “make it all up” theories. These are theories to claim anything they want. We have 27 Amendments. The Constitution was not frozen. “Rights” of people exist to help us live together in meaningful and rewarding ways. The world has changed. No one knew this better than the founders who knew their past well and could imagine the changes and challenges that were ahead. As Franklin said: “We have a Republic, if we can keep it.” Can we? Patrick Hunter Carbondale
2021 Judiciary Act Right now, the right to abortion care is at risk because of a deliberate, decades-long takeover of the Supreme Court by powerful right-wing extremists. We’re seeing the culmination of this takeover as the Court just overturned Roe v. Wade, the landmark ruling that made abortion access a constitutional right. This opens the door for states to outlaw abortion and take us back to a time when women were forced to go through with an unwanted pregnancy, potentially endangering their health and hurting their ability to provide for their families. But it’s possible to undo this damage. The Judiciary Act would add four seats, restoring balance to the Supreme Court. It’s the solution that recent polling showed is supported by the majority of Americans, and it’s what we need to move away from partisan rulings that dismantle our rights and freedoms. And it’s been done before. In fact, Congress has changed the size of the Supreme Court seven times already in our nation’s history. It’s time to do it again. I’m urging Congress to pass the Judiciary Act of 2021 to ensure we protect our fundamental freedoms and restore balance to our courts now. I demand autonomy over my body. What rights will the SCOTUS take away from men? Oh right, nothing. If they care so much about babies, why is our healthcare system so messed up? Why do they vote nay when infants need formula? If babies matter so much to SCOTUS, the GOP, right-wing conservatives, why are they dying at the hands of their blood money from the NRA? These people don’t care about women and the children after they’re born. It’s about control over our bodies and indoctrinating us into their beliefs. Katrina McAlpine New Castle Working Togethe r For Pets And The ir People 2801 CR 11 Glenwoo d Springs 4 , C.A.R.E. h (970)947- CO 9173 as 10 do g
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PARTING SHOT
The distant rumble of thunder and cumulonimbus-shaded skies are welcome omens of needed rain wetting the mountain flowers and keeping the creeks flowing strong. In times of historic drought, we are reminded by rainbows to thank the visiting monsoons for blessing both our land and skies with the vibrant colors left by precious, life-giving water. Photo by Mark Burrows
Somethings Have Always Been Worth The Drive!
FICTION!
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July’s Monthly Special
WINDSHIE REPAIR 289 MAIN STREET | (970) 963-2826 | CARBONDALEAH@GMAIL.COM AUTO GLA REPLACEM WINDSHIELD
Cooling Cucumber Body Masque Private Mineral Bath, Back, and a pass to our Historic Vapor Caves. “It’s a Spa Day” $126
For Information & Reservations call 970-945-0667 • yampahspa.com Open Daily 9am - 9pm • Just One Block East of the Hot Springs Pool
SPEAKERS
REPAIR & AUTO GLASS REPLACEMENTMo
970-963-3891
Looking to have fun and give back?
970-963-3891
Join us at Rotary every Wednesday at 7a.m. at the Carbondale Fire Station! Visit rotarycarbondale.org for details.
Mobile Service Available
bil Servic Availab
Locally Owned by David Zamansky
Locally owned byby Jake Zamansky Locally Owned David Zamansky
500 Buggy Circle, Carbondale, C 500 Buggy Circle, Carbondale, CO
All are welcome!
Adverteyes in The Sun
July 6, 2022 Rachel Brown Member Spotlight
We deliver 4,000 newspapers every Thursday to 125 locations from Rifle to Glenwood Springs to Aspen to Redstone. For more info contact Todd Chamberlin: adsales@soprissun.com or 970-510-0246
July 29, 2022 Frank Nadall Carbondale & Rural Fire Protection Dist.
RSVP to Rick Carlson (970) 948-9650 • riccarlson@gmail.com
Goose by Larry Day
THE SOPRIS SUN • Your weekly community connector • June 30 - July 6, 2022 • 23
º
It’s Time to Advertise Your Business in the 51st Annual 2022 Mountain Fair Program!
AD RATES
PREMIUM FULL PAGE (6.75” x 9.34”) (Limited to 4 advertisers)
$1,095 Non-Profit $900
FULL PAGE
(6.75” x 9.34”)
$995 Non-Profit $800
HALF PAGE
(3.30” x 9.34” or 6.75” x 4.55”)
$500 Non-Profit $400
1/4 PAGE
(3.30” x 4.50”)
$375 Non-Profit $300
1/8 PAGE
(3.30” x 2.20”)
$250 Non-Profit $200
BACK PAGE
(6.75” x 9.634”)
$1195 Non-Profit $995
PROGRAM DISTRIBUTION
Inserted in The Sopris Sun, Thursday, July 28 Given directly to Mountain Fair guests Available online at www.soprissun.com
PRODUCED BY AND
24 • THE SOPRIS SUN • soprissun.com • June 30 - June 6, 2022
AD SPACE RESERVATION DEADLINE Friday, July 8th by noon CAMERA-READY DEADLINE Monday, July 11 by noon AD SPEC DETAILS
Camera Ready Ads need to be PDF ONLY at 300 DPI, CMYK US Web Coated (SWOP) V2, exported to standard PDF/X-1a:2001] with no marks, and no bleeds. Design services available at no charge.
CONTACT Todd Chamberlin fairguide@soprissun.com 970-510-0246
