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Volume 15, Number 37 | October 19-25, 2023

Securing the fate of a free-flowing Crystal River

By Raleigh Burleigh Sopris Sun Editor Few would disagree that the Crystal River is a treasure worthy of protecting. This undammed, wild river is boasted for its scenic beauty, sustaining local agriculture, residences, recreational opportunities and wildlife habitat.

The river has faced previous threats, including two dam attempts, one of which would have flooded Redstone. In 2013, the Colorado River District gave up conditional water rights for those dams after being sued by Pitkin County and other groups.

Under the federal Wild and Scenic Act of 1968, the Crystal River was found eligible for that designation by the U.S. Forest Service in 2002. It would confer legislated protection, customized to honor private lands and existing water rights.

Previous efforts to acquire this designation failed to gain the support of some Marble residents and Gunnison County.

In 2021, as reported by Aspen Journalism, “Pitkin County Healthy Rivers granted $35,000 to Carbondale-based environmental conservation group Wilderness Workshop to start a public outreach and education campaign, with the goal of laying a foundation of grassroots support for the [Wild and Scenic] effort.”

The Crystal River Wild and Scenic Collaborative was formed in 2022 to carry the process forward. This group later morphed into the Crystal River Wild & Scenic and Other Alternatives Committee in order to include perspectives which oppose federal intervention.

A preliminary meeting this past April in Marble attracted more than 140 attendees from which a steering committee was formed “to discuss what they heard from the broader community and prepare presentations on management options for a second community summit,” stated a press release at the time. continues on page 5 The community is welcome to meet the Crystal River Wild & Scenic and Other Alternatives Committee and weigh in on the process, Oct. 26 at Roaring Fork High School.

Photo courtesy of EcoFlight

OPINION

On the MAP

We got our first family car, a blue Nash Statesman, early in 1948. It was a luxury we mostly used on weekends.

On Sunday evenings, my father parked it in front of our Manhattan apartment building, where it stayed the week. After school, I often played stickball on the street where the Statesman waited for us.

When I left New York (NY) in 1964, it might take hours to find a parking space within a half of a mile from home. Half-hour searches were routine and Dad couldn’t leave the car parked for more than a day, because street-sweeping regulations required daily movement. Shopping trips meant depositing shoppers at stores while drivers cruised. Dinner parties required drivers to drop off their passengers, park the car anywhere they could, and traverse significant distances on foot (or even by taxi) to rejoin the party. Going home reversed that process, after which came the nightly routine of looking for that coveted overnight parking space.

Thus, 18 years after admiring the Statesman from my bedroom window all week, private automobiles in NY, or any large city, while still prestigious, involved considerable expense, responsibility and inconvenience — and stickball in the streets was history. People like my father, who wanted to stay in the city and also loved their cars, adjusted and did what they had to. Fast forward six more decades, Dad is long gone and NY is poised to require a $23 fee just for driving into or through the gridlocked city. Locally, Glenwood’s rush hour creep has become an

inevitable inconvenience, and little Carbondale, whose streets were paved less than 50 years ago, is developing a Mobility and Access Plan (MAP).

Times keep changing, don’t they?

Carbondale’s MAP process comes just as the national debate about America’s automobile love affair, turned addiction, is raising a new question: Who owns America’s streets? Back when I played stickball alongside the resting Statesman, streets were multi-purpose. They were for getting from A to B, of course, but they were also for stickball, impromptu forums, markets, festivals, trash disposal, storage, resting, everyday socializing and more. As we shaped our post-WWII world, we gradually squeezed out non-motorized uses. Increasingly, motorists (which includes most of us) began believing that streets belonged only to them (us?), and that nonmotorized uses are something to be grudgingly tolerated as long as they didn’t much inconvenience the cars going from A to B. Recently though, motorists are increasingly being challenged by pedestrians, bikers, skaters, diners and even people who just want to hang out. Streets are, after all, nothing more than publicly owned real estate and people are beginning to question the way that real estate is currently allocated.

Carbondale saw this conflict during public hearings about improving Eighth Street when neighborhood residents demanded that on-street parking remain untouched. It’s an interesting view. Our vehicles are private property. Is the public obligated to provide storage for our private property? Trustees avoided the issue by focusing on the cost of various alternatives and choosing a more inexpensive design that conveniently left 95% of parking spaces untouched.

After our Covid summer, suggestions to periodically close parts of Main Street to automobiles were met by plaintive cries from merchants afraid to lose business if customers couldn’t drive to their businesses’

The people

Public input vital

Mature Content Ron Kokish

LETTERS

A big thank you to the town council members who signed the letter to U.S. Forest Service Superintendent Scott Fitzwilliams. As elected representatives, you considered all the input, listened to each and every point of view, and then took a stand for the majority in town. Good on ya!

Meanwhile, the USFS ignored their own NEPA policy and turned their back to Main Street (literally and figuratively). They made the mistake of ignoring the public at the local level, but there is still time for collaboration before we take ‘em to court…

Nothing cries democracy like, “the people vs. the United States of America.”

Jeannie Perry, Satank

In June, Garfield County sent out a Notice of Valuation to property owners. The increase in valuation was as shocking as was the estimate of 2023 property tax. In many cases, it was more than double.

Valuations are only one piece of the property tax formula. Mill levies are set by your elected officials and are the basis for determining your taxes. Colorado Mountain College and Garfield County have said that they will reduce their mill levies to offset the valuation increases in order to keep their taxes at 2022 levels. Be sure to thank those elected officials.

Other elected government representatives must be encouraged to follow that lead and adjust their

2 • THE SOPRIS SUN • soprissun.com • October 19-25, 2023

front doors. Should commerce be prioritized over people wanting to rest, play, dine and socialize in the downtown core? And what evidence is there that a de-motorized core would reduce rather than enhance commerce there?

Last week, I talked with Artspace consultants about reducing parking requirements for new developments in favor of more badly needed housing in the Town Center Development.

“Unlikely,” they said, because trustees don’t want to stress nearby businesses by making parking more difficult.

Carbondalians espouse laudable sustainability intentions but, to date, have been reluctant to endure inconvenience or take risks on behalf of their espoused beliefs.

Reducing energy consumption by moving away from motorized personal vehicles is national policy.

If Carbondale is serious about building a sustainable future, we can reduce parking requirements for new developments to allow for more badly needed affordable homes. We can levy hefty taxes on each automobile registered within the town. We can require private vehicles to pay for short and long-term storage on public streets. We can lower speed limits and regularly fine violators. We can add a dedicated mill levy and/or sales tax and use our added revenue for improved infrastructure — beginning with a comprehensive minibus system for people to easily get from any place to any place else in town, sans private automobiles. In short, we can quickly become very unfriendly to cars and very friendly to non-motorized users of our public real estate and, unlike NY, we can do it now before it’s too late to do much good.

The MAP process offers Carbondale a unique opportunity to lead the region and even the country.

But seizing our opportunity means risking our comforts and our shortterm economic well-being. Do you have the courage? Do I? We’ll find out in a few months, when the draft version of the MAP is ready for public scrutiny and public comment.

Mature Content is a monthly featured column from Age-Friendly Carbondale.

mill levies down to keep our tax bills manageable. Local governments are currently working on 2023 budgets.

Now is the time to give your feedback on proposed spending and mill levies.

Your elected officials need to know your thoughts if you want property taxes to resemble 2022 amounts. Do this before mill levies are set. Write to them. Attend budget meetings and/or public hearings. Your input is critical.

The public rarely attends budget meetings or hearings. Taxing entities should not get a tax windfall just because valuations skyrocketed.

The reduced mill levies shown below are for the governments that serve southeast Garfield County.

These numbers would keep 2023 continued on page 26

Editor Raleigh Burleigh 970-510-3003 news@soprissun.com Sol del Valle Editor Vanessa Porras Contributing & Digital Editor James Steindler Editorial Designer Hattie Rensberry Advertising Designer Emily Blong Delivery Frederic Kischbaum Bartlett Hank van Berlo Proofreader Lee Beck Executive Director Todd Chamberlin 970-510-0246 adsales@soprissun.com Board Members / Mesa Directiva board@soprissun.com Klaus Kocher • Kay Clarke Lee Beck • Donna Dayton Eric Smith • Roger Berliner Elizabeth Phillips • Jessi Rochel Andrew Travers • Anna Huntington

The Sopris Sun Board meets at 6:30 p.m. on second Thursdays at the Third Street Center.

The Sopris Sun, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation with a mission to inform, inspire and build community by fostering diverse and independent journalism.

Donations are fully tax deductible.

Sincerest thanks to our Honorary Publishers for their annual commitment of $1,000+ Lee Beck & John Stickney Kay Brunnier • Frances Dudley Michelle & Ed Buchman Sue Edelstein & Bill Spence Deborah & Shane Evans Greg & Kathy Feinsinger Gary & Jill Knaus • Eric Smith Peter and Mike Gilbert Carly & Frosty Merriott James Noyes • Megan Tackett Patti & George Stranahan Anne Sullivan & John Colson Elizabeth Wysong • Alpine Bank Emily & George Bohmfalk Kathy & Carter Barger Sandy & Paul Chamberlin Karen & Roger Berliner Gretchen Greenwood & Lee Mulcahy Donna & Ken Riley

Legacy Givers for including us in their final wishes.

Mary Lilly

Donate by mail or online: P.O. Box 399 Carbondale, CO 81623 520 S. Third Street #26-B 970-510-3003 soprissun.com/Donate The Sopris Sun, Inc. is a proud member of the Carbondale Creative District

SCUTTLEBUTT

What's the word on the street? Let us know at news@soprissun.com

Bilingual election coverage Our Underwriters and Nonprofit Partners!

Fryingpan flow

Aspen Public Radio published an elections guide on its website, www. aspenpublicradio.org, and provided a Spanish translated version that is now posted on The Sopris Sun’s website. Visit www.bit.ly/APREnglishguide for the guide in English and www.bit.ly/APREspañol for the guide in Spanish.

There is a volunteer fishing closure in place for what’s known as the “toilet bowl” on the Fryingpan River while the City of Aspen performs annual maintenance of the hydroelectric plant on the dam at Ruedi Reservoir. Maintenance started on Oct. 16 and is expected to take about a week to be completed.

The short and voluntary closure is intended to protect fish that will be under extra stress with decreased flows to the toilet bowl during the maintenance period. Signs will be temporarily posted informing the public of the voluntary closure.

Herald in peril

The Rio Blanco Herald, a weekly newspaper based in Meeker, alerted its readers on Oct. 13 that — after its worst month ever for advertising in September — the Herald could fold as soon as Oct. 26 without community support. “We will be letting our only full-time reporter go,” announced Caitlin and Niki Turner, the mother-daughter team managing and editing the 138-year-old community newspaper. “We are cutting the number of papers we print and distribute to the bone; we are cutting every other extraneous expense we can think of, including our own paychecks; as a last resort, we’ll try cutting the print edition entirely and go digitalonly.” Learn more about the plight at www. theheraldtimes.com

Antisemitism Proclamation RJ Paddywacks Cool Bricks Studio White River Books Alpine Animal Hospital

Nonprofit Partners

In response to escalating antisemitism, Governor Jared Polis issued a proclamation on behalf of the state on Oct. 13 celebrating the contributions made by Jewish friends and neighbors and condemning hate. Read the proclamation at www.bit.ly/COantisemitism

Educator of the Year

Wilderness Workshop 5point Film Festival Basalt Library Aspen Strong Carbondale Rotary Colorado Animal Rescue Carbondale Arts Carbondale Chamber of Commerce

Autumn Rivera, an educator at Glenwood Springs Middle School named “2022 Colorado Teacher of the Year,” was presented with the “2023 Association for Middle Level Education (AMLE) Educator of the Year Award” on Oct. 12. “Autumn is so deserving of this honor,” said Stephanie Simpson, CEO of AMLE. “She embodies the middle school philosophy and is exactly the type of teacher that young adolescents need and deserve.”

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

Pre-licensure BSN

For the first time, Colorado Mountain College (CMC) will offer a pre-licensure Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program beginning in the fall of 2024.

Currently, CMC offers an Associate of Applied Science in Nursing, or ADN degree,

Working To gether For Pets A nd Their Peo ple 2801 Glenwood S CR 114 prings, CO (970)947-9 173

Mt. Blue Sky Wilderness Journalist Andrew Travers holds the 2023 Julie J. Boucher Community Honor Roll Award on Saturday, Oct. 14 at the Colorado Association of Libraries annual awards ceremony in Loveland.

The award, administered by the state association's Intellectual Freedom Committee, recognizes an individual or group in Colorado not directly affiliated with libraries who promote intellectual freedom. It went to Travers, a Sopris Sun board member, for his efforts as editor of the Aspen Times to publish work censored by the paper's owners and for speaking out against obstruction of free speech.

Photo courtesy of Dodie Owens, Colorado Association of Libraries

and a Registered Nurse to BSN program which provides a pathway for registered nurses with an associate degree to earn a bachelor’s degree. CMC will phase out the ADN program by the spring of 2025.

Deer attack

On Friday, Oct. 13, Colorado Parks and Wildlife responded to a report that a mule deer buck had attacked a woman at Rio Grande Park in Aspen. After interviewing the victim and witnesses it was determined that the deer had become accustomed to human presence and “lacked the natural fear that wildlife should have toward humans,” according to a press release. CPW personnel captured the suspected deer and observed such behaviors as reported, referring to its demeanor as “extremely aggressive.” The deer was euthanized in the interest of public safety.

Following the U.S. Board of Geographic Names’ decision to officially rename Mount Evans to Mount Blue Sky, U.S. Senators John Hickenlooper and Michael Bennet, along with Representatives Joe Neguse and Brittany Petterson, introduced a bill to change the name of the Mount Evans Wilderness area to Mount Blue Sky Wilderness.

Congress must authorize a name change for the wilderness area. The bill will go in front of the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources’ Subcommittee on Public Lands, Forests and Mining on Wednesday, October 25. Mount Evans Wilderness area is named after the second territorial Governor of Colorado, John Evans, who is said to have paved the way for the Sand Creek Massacre in 1864, according to a press release.

They say it’s your birthday!

Folks celebrating another trip around the sun this week include: Hannah Condon (Oct. 19); Gabe Alcala (Oct. 20); Heidi Hendricks and Caitlin Kinney (Oct. 21); Lisa Quint and Adam Ting (Oct. 22); JoAnna Caldwell, Babbu Cheema, Anderson Cole, Tamara Haynes-Norton (Oct. 23); Jeremy Cerise, Dave Kodama, Mary Kenyon, Olivia Savard, Ron Speaker and Alicia Zeringue (Oct. 24); Liesl Bellack, Crystal Beltz, Bill Dunn and Jocelyn Murray (Oct. 25).

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Programs Coming Soon at Basalt Regional Library RJ Paddywacks

400 E Valley Rd. # I/J

Next to City Market in El Jebel

970.963.1700 rjpaddywacks.com

Family Movie Night

Fri, Sept. 22, 5-7PM Celebrate Library Card Sign Up Month with a family movie night full of popcorn and treats!

We will be doing library card sign-ups before the movie!

Frida Kahlo and Her Talent Frida Kahlo y su talento

Sat, Sept. 23, 10AM-1PM Create colorful hearts and listen to stories about Frida Kahlo and her artistic talent.

Crea corazones de colores y escucha historias sobre Frida Kahlo y su talento artístico.

The full schedule of events can be found at basaltlibrary.org/events-calendar 14 Midland Avenue | Basalt Colorado 81621 | 970.927.4311 | basaltlibrary.org

THE SOPRIS SUN • Your weekly community connector • October 19-25, 2023 • 3

Youth DJs set to takeover KDNK on Oct. 21

By James Steindler Contributing Editor

It’s that time of year, folks, when the spooky, creepy crawly adolescents and teenagers of Andy Zanca Youth Empowerment Program (AZYEP) take over the airwaves for an entire cycle. That’s right, AZYEP’s 24-Hour Takeover starts Oct. 21 at 4pm and goes to the same time the next day. It all takes place on KDNK Community Access Radio’s airwaves.

While it’s 10 days shy of All Hallows Eve, the AZYEP kids will be lurking around the station in costume and watching scary movies in the KDNK classroom between sets.

“The kids asked for a costume party and Halloween movies, so that's what we are going to give them,” Executive Director Aimee Yllanes told The Sopris Sun. Each DJ plays for one hour, but don’t worry they won’t be there ALL night; previously recorded shows will fill the 1-6am slots. Some kids love the classics, like Queen, while others will introduce tracks you never knew existed. It’s an eclectic mix, with a few repeats, and all served up from local young people.

The 24-Hour Takeover kicked off in 2021, so this is the third year KDNK has made space for the next generation to express themselves for an entire day of radio. The event started as a fundraiser for the organization under Beth

Wysong, who moved on from her role as executive director earlier this year.

“The AZYEP’s 24-Hour Takeover is a remarkable event with a dual purpose,” expressed Yllanes. “First and foremost, it's about empowering youth voices by providing them with a platform to share their ideas, develop skills, and inspire positive change within our communities.”

“At the same time, it's a vital fundraising event,” she added. “You see, all our programs are offered free of charge to kids from Aspen to Parachute.

By participating in the 24-Hour Takeover, you not only get to witness the incredible talents and passions of our youth, but also support our mission of providing these programs without cost.”

The event's fundraising goal this year is $24,000, and, as of Wednesday, Oct. 18, reached $10,329.

So, what’s not to love? Listen to good tunes from a plethora of genres each suiting a particular youth DJ’s taste, and if you feel inclined support AZYEP’s mission to “empower youth from diverse backgrounds to express themselves, build self-confidence, and develop leadership skills through community broadcasting.”

People can support by simply donating to AZYEP by sponsoring a specific youth DJ spinning licks during the takeover. Visit www. fundraiser.support/AZYEP for a list of DJs and to donate.

Voices of the Crystal The Crystal is our lifeline up here.

It’s been an important element to the Redstone Inn, to our hospitality, our heritage tourism, and our entertainment. This is one of the important places in time that should not change.”

Deborah Strom

Former General Manager, Redstone Inn

learn more CrystalWild.org

4 • THE SOPRIS SUN • soprissun.com • October 19-25, 2023

(Left to right) Gracie Westphal, Parker Wilson (DJ Snow) and Charlie Hippensteel (DJ Montgomery) jam out during last year’s 24 Hour Takeover. Courtesy photo

People can also bid on items in the silent auction, hosted at the same website above, with items from local businesses — from a two night stay at the historic Redstone Inn to two 5Point Film Festival VIP passes, and lots in between. The silent auction closes on Oct. 23 at 5pm.

It’s not easy to coordinate all of this each year, the AZYEP staff have been hard at work to make it happen, and so have its youth interns and DJs. “The students choose the content of their shows and our staff helps facilitate everything that goes along with taking over the airwaves, from the food and supervision to the fundraising,” said Yllanes. “In addition, we could not do this event without the support of KDNK who turns over the airwaves to the kids for 24 hours.”

“The 24 Hour Takeover is my favorite event at AZYEP,” said longtime youth DJ Mountain Maes.

“I love to see DJs and mentors all coming together to create 24-hours of excellent youth radio.” Maes will be playing the latest live show, starting at 12am sharp on Oct. 22.

“It's an opportunity to celebrate our youth while ensuring they have access to these invaluable opportunities,” concluded Yllanes. “We invite you to listen to this exciting event and make a positive impact on our community!”

The annual occurrence embodies youth empowerment, what AZYEP stands for, so tune in and consider supporting the program. Visit www.fundraiser.support/AZYEP for more information.

Crystal River committee hosts community summit, Oct. 26 continued from cover

According to Michael Gorman, a member of the steering committee and campaign manager for Wilderness Workshop, “there is consensus on a desire to see the river protected and no dams or diversions on the main stem,” despite the diversity of opinions on the committee. It is composed of representatives of the Town of Marble, Pitkin and Gunnison counties and the Colorado River District, as well as 25 locals, plus ex-officio members from Rep. Boebert’s office, Senator Bennet’s office, the U.S. Forest Service and the Colorado Water Conservation Board.

Striving for consensus, the committee is not limiting its scope to Wild and Scenic designation, but exploring “other alternatives” which may achieve a similar effect by different means.

The following protective measures have been identified as options: Outstanding Waters designation — This designation, established as part of the federal Clean Water Act, can be awarded to streams with high water quality and exceptional recreational or ecological attributes to protect the water quality from future degradation.

No action with 1041 regulations — Existing 1041 powers allow local governments to identify, designate and regulate areas and activities of state interest through a local permitting process.

Other localized protection and restoration options — Local options could include a combination of conservation easements, recreational access projects, restoration, water conservation projects and management work.

Instream flows and recreational in-channel diversions — State-level permanent and temporary instream flow and/or Recreational In-Channel Diversion water rights would likely be junior water rights, but can’t be taken away once established.

Local management and intergovernmental

EcoFlight, an environmental advocacy nonprofit that gives organizers, politicians, educators and others a bird’s eye view, has offered to fly all of the steering committee members over the Crystal River drainage for a new perspective on what’s at stake. Courtesy photo

agreements — Water rights holders would enter into a mutual agreement that would require high barriers, such as consensus, to change agreedupon river management which could include actions in times of drought.

National conservation area / special management area — This form of protection is currently being pursued to protect the Dolores River.

Wild and Scenic designation — A federal protection which is customized according to local interests and has a durability that causes some to question how local control may be regained if necessary.

The community is invited to learn more about each option at a public forum on Oct. 26 at Roaring Fork High School (2270 Highway 133), from 5 to 8:30pm. The 3.5-hour agenda includes a brief

presentation and discussion on every approach, beginning with the first four listed above and concluding with the final three, as well as open house sessions with stations for all options. Dinner will be provided and no registration is necessary.

After the summit, the steering committee will discuss feedback and come up with a recommendation that could include one or more options. According to Gorman, the pressure is not so much political as based on climate and water crises. “While there’s not a current threat, there’s nothing explicitly preventing [a dam or diversion] from happening further down the road,” he told The Sopris Sun. The Crystal Valley Echo is hosting related materials on its website, including committee meeting minutes and informative webinars: www. thecrystalvalleyecho.com/wild-scenic-stakeholder

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THE SOPRIS SUN • Your weekly community connector • October 19-25, 2023 • 5

GarCo commissioners hear Cottonwood Pass improvements proposals

By Ken Pletcher Sopris Sun Correspondent At its Sept. 18 board meeting, Garfield County commissioners received a preview of a draft report by the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) Region 3 staff on suggested safety improvements to Cottonwood Pass, the rural county road that links Gypsum in Eagle County with CO Highway 82 in the Roaring Fork Valley. The draft report, the Cottonwood Pass Concept Design, lists 14 locations — eight in Garfield and six in Eagle — that have been identified by both counties and CDOT as areas for improvements.

Impetus for the study, begun in June 2022, was prompted in part by periods of dramatic increases in traffic on the road as motorists on I-70 sought alternative routes during closures of the interstate in Glenwood Canyon — especially the extensive ones during the summer of 2021. Another factor appears to have been increased federal interest, notably the introduction by U.S. Rep. Lauren Boebert (CD3) in April 2022 of a bill (ultimately unsuccessful) to “conduct a study on the significant improvements and potential alternatives” to I-70 when the canyon is closed that was focused largely on Cottonwood Pass.

Karen Berdoulay, CDOT Region 3 program engineer and project manager for the report, gave a presentation to the board that focused specifically on the eight locations in Garfield. She had given a similar report to the Eagle County commissioners on the six locations there the week before.

Five of the eight identified slight modifications to smooth curves, widen the road and improve sight lines; two included adding guard rails where there were steep drop-offs. The other three involved realignments of intersections along Catherine Store Road: at Cattle Creek Road, Paradise Drive and Hwy 82.

The Cattle Creek Road project, with two proposed options, was estimated as the most expensive of the eight: about $3 million (option 1) or a little over half of that (option 2). The impetus there was to reduce southbound driver confusion as to which road to take; Catherine Store Road has been designated by the Garfield commissioners as the preferred route from the pass to Hwy. 82.

The draft report stated, reasserted by Berdoulay in her presentation, that the pass “is not an endorsed detour route for Interstate 70 traffic in the event of a Glenwood Canyon closure [but] is a vital connection for local residents” traveling between Gypsum and the Valley. Thus, the focus of the study, while based on improving driver safety, also stated as “core values”: respect for the corridor’s current character; minimal impact on nearby wildlife habitat; and feedback throughout the process from residents and other “core stakeholders” along the route.

Opposition to the plan

In a conversation with The Sopris Sun, Karen Moculeski, president of Keep Missouri Heights Rural (KMOHR), voiced KMOHR’s opposition to the plan. The chief concerns were that any improvements to the road would invite motorists to speed even more than they do now, and that not enough emphasis was being placed on it remaining a road primarily for local use.

When asked, Moculeski did concede that “locals probably speed more” than those using it as an alternative to I-70. But, she said, “If everybody obeyed the speed limits, there wouldn’t be a problem.” Commenting on instances when CDOT proposed two options for some of the locations (especially in Eagle County), she noted that there was “no third option: do nothing.” She added that instead of spending money on Cottonwood Pass, it could be used to further “harden” the canyon against debris slides that close the road.

Next steps

At the conclusion of Berdoulay’s presentation, the commissioners’ brief response was summed up by Tom Jankovsky: “Our priority here is to support Eagle County

Photo by Will Sardinsky

on Blue Hill. Until that happens, Cottonwood Pass remains as it is today. The first improvements need to happen in Eagle County.”

Indeed, Eagle County has decided to go ahead with improvements to the Blue Hill section, the most dangerous portion of the road and the most expensive and one taking the longest to fix. Because the road is maintained by the two counties, they must pay for any improvements. CDOT, however, has offered to help Eagle secure funding, notably federal grants. Elise Thatcher, CDOT’s communications manager for Region 3, told The Sun that although they were not successful on one proposal, “CDOT also submitted two more grant applications with funding defined for Cottonwood Pass [and] is hoping to hear the results by early 2024.”

When Thatcher was asked for further comments on the draft concept design report, she said that CDOT was “holding on doing an interview” until the final report was released “sometime this fall.”

The full draft report can be viewed at www.bit.ly/CottonwoodPassDraft

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CMC’s Common Reader Program inspires understanding through literature

By London Lyle Sopris Sun Intern

Colorado Mountain College (CMC) is hosting award winning author Benjamin Alire Sáenz at eight different CMC communities, from Oct. 23-27, to discuss his book, “Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe.” The book is CMC’s current common reader.

Locally, Sáenz will be present for a common reader talk and book signing at 6pm on Oct. 27 at the Spring Valley campus (3000 County Road 114, Glenwood Springs).

Although Sáenz’s book was originally published in 2012, it has recently been generating quite a bit of buzz, as the cinematic adaptation, “Ari and Dante,” was just released in theaters on Sept. 8. One of the film’s producers, Lin-Manuel Miranda of “Hamilton,” gives the film a bit of star power as well.

The young adult novel follows two Hispanic teenage boys, Ari and Dante, growing up in El Paso, Texas in the ‘80s. It explores their relationship to the world around them, their sexuality, gender roles, race and class struggle, and friendship. Sáenz himself came out as gay in his fifties, and has written extensively on sexuality.

In some schools, “Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe,” is one of many “banned” books, possibly due to its LGBTQ+ context. In comparison, CMC, albeit a collegiate institution, recently added a page on their website (www. coloradomtn.edu/student-services/lgbtq) full of resources for the LGBTQ+ community.

The Common Reader Program has a committee of 18 people, from 11 campuses, who come together to select books that they feel best serve the community.

“The mission of this program is to select a book representative of what our community needs to talk about. The committee felt not only a need to address

these issues through a book, but also to provide resources … through the resource guide that we’ve created. We’re always looking for ways to give back,” said Jane Szucs, an assistant dean of instruction at CMC who coordinates the Common Reader Program.

In fact, “We worked with YouthZone in Glenwood, with one of their youth advocates who works with an LGBTQ+ group in the Valley,” continued Szucs. “So, we were able to give books to that youth group, and direct them to our resource page. Knowledge is power!”

The Common Reader Program, which is open to everyone in the community, was first launched in 2007. As our world has changed, so has the program.

The selected book is offered in alternative formats, including audio books and e-books. The student demographic has also shifted, Szucs explained.

“I think the program has really transformed.

Last year, we were recognized as a Hispanic serving institution because 25% of our students identify as such. So it’s been kind of a process of evolution and growth for CMC, and really a result of our president, Carrie Hauser, and chief operating officer, Matt Gianneschi, and our executive leadership looking at our data and demographics, and asking, ‘Who aren’t we reaching? How do we reach them? And, How do we provide the resources and support for everyone to succeed at CMC?’ That’s what Common Reader does.”

Copies of “Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe,” can be found at local bookstores, through CMC’s virtual library and the Libby app, found at www.library.coloradomtn.edu/ reader, at CMC Spring Valley and in public libraries.

Additionally submissions for the CMC’s Art and Creative Writing Contest are due on Nov. 10. The contest is open to all community members, and six winners will be selected — three in the art category and

The award-winning "Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe" is CMC's Common Reader for fall 2023. Author Benjamin Alire Sáenz will give talks at eight CMC locations in October.

three in the creative writing category — and recognized on CMC’s Common Reader webpage. The theme is “Portraits of Discovery: Identity, Rights and Love.”

More information on the contest and the Common Reader Program can be found at www.bit.ly/CMCcommonreader

THE SOPRIS SUN • Your weekly community connector • October 19-25, 2023 • 7

GARFIELD COUNTY REPORT

Commissioners delay appointment of library board candidate amid public controversy

By James Steindler Contributing Editor Editor’s note: It was incorrectly stated in last week’s Garfield Report that the Garfield County commissioners have a final say in appointing someone to the library board. The library board can still appoint someone despite disapproval from the commissioners.

But, there’s more to the story…

Garfield County Public Library District (GCLPD) Executive Director Jamie LaRue attended the Monday, Oct. 16 regular Garfield County Board of Commissioners meeting alongside Hanah Arauza, who was recently selected by the GCPLD board of trustees to fill a vacancy.

Arauza initially appeared last week in front of the commissioners, but her appointment hearing was continued, in a motion from Commissioner Tom Jankovsky, in light of Commissioner Mike Samson’s absence at the time.

LaRue conveyed to the commissioners that the vacancy was posted to the library’s website from Aug. 28 to Sept. 27, as well as in two local newspapers. Arauza’s application was received on Sept. 5.

Jankovsky started out the conversation, stating that he moved to

continue the hearing because he didn’t want Arauza to be at a disadvantage, knowing he would vote to disapprove her appointment. However, he said that it’s his understanding that the library board can still appoint Arauza despite a “no” from the commissioners.

He acknowledged that he has not read the books in question, but has been shown images by a group that opposes the books being on the shelves as is, which he considered “not only pornographic, but … sadistic, masochistic, pedophilic.”

Jankovksy claimed that he spoke with a school counselor from Roaring Fork School District who said students who had previously dressed up as Manga characters for Halloween later displayed “inappropriate behavior.” He did not clarify if the circumstance arose from the same Manga series in question.

Mike Samson spoke next, and acknowledged that Arauza’s husband, Steven Arauza, is running against him for the commissioner seat in the 2024 election. “That has nothing to do with what’s going to happen here today, but in full disclosure that’s good to know,” he stated.

“I’ve lived here all my life … basically,” he stated. “Garfield County is changing, there’s no doubt about it. There are more, for lack of a better word, more

progressive people in our county then there were 50 years ago.”

“I would hope that our library board and our staff would exercise good judgment when it comes to making materials available to children,” Samson stated. He then went on to describe what he’s seen from the books as “filth, garbage, sickening things.”

“To be honest with you, I don’t even think adults should be looking at stuff like that … Why even have that?” he added.

Arauza clarified that when she addressed the issues last week, she was speaking on behalf of herself, as an individual and as a parent, not a representative. “I said, as myself …

I’m comfortable with monitoring my own children.” Adding that as a board member, she would not be going in with a personal agenda, but rather an intent to listen to different parts of the community and experts, then make decisions. “I’d be responding to the needs of the community. I’d be representing my town of Rifle,” she said.

“I don’t have an agenda on this one topic, and there’s also a much broader set of responsibilities to a trustee than the current issue of the books,” Arauza continued. “Not to diminish that this is extremely important to the community, but there are other things to consider

John Martin, portrait by Larry Day

as well. The library is trying to pass their budget for 2024 … things like that deserve input from a resident of Rifle. I want to be on this board so that I can fulfill all of those responsibilities, and I would be disappointed if this entire appointment was boiled down to an issue of a few books that are not appropriate for children.”

Despite Arauza’s final point, Commissioner Samson said he’d like to wait until after the Freedom to Read: Community Forum, held by the library district at the Ute Theatre in Rifle on Wednesday evening in regard to the Manga books, to make a decision about her appointment.

Chairman John Martin chimed in.

“The folks that have angst, are asking not to censor it, not to remove, but only to reestablish location. Do you [Arauza] have a commitment to at least ask that question of the board?” Martin noted that 1200 people signed a petition to have the library relocate the books. continues on page 22

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RFSD school board candidates define themselves in forums

By Jeanne Souldern Sopris Sun Correspondent

During any election campaign, you will find how candidates will work to define themselves differently from their opponents. The current Roaring Fork School District (RFSD) school board election is no exception.

The RFSD school board races are between Betsy After and Alan Kokish, seeking the District B seat, while Phillip Bogart and Lindsay DeFrates are running for the District C seat.

Only one candidate, incumbent District D board member Jasmin Ramirez, is running unopposed.

There have been three public candidate forums. One was held in Carbondale on Oct. 3, the second in Glenwood Springs on Oct. 9, and the final at the Basalt Regional Library on Oct. 17.

In the three forums, Ramirez appeared relaxed when answering questions. Some of that may be because she is running unopposed and has four years of experience as a board member.

With that said, Ramirez is the only candidate in the position of getting public feedback about how the community thinks she, as a current board member, is doing at her job.

“I have engaged with students in our community and heard their concerns. And, I also have talked to parents and have heard their concerns. I've talked to teachers, and I've heard their concerns,” Ramirez stated during her closing remarks on Oct. 17. “Yes, there's obviously room to grow because it is our job to ensure that kids are graduating successfully from our schools, that they have a great experience, that their parents feel like they're engaged and that the teachers feel supported.”

Their differences on the issues showed in After’s opening remarks at the Oct. 17 forum. “Last week, at a similar forum, my opponent [Kokish] said that this election is a referendum on one issue, and he might say the same thing this evening and use his time here to focus on the health curriculum. I disagree with the characterization that this election is about a single issue and, rather, think it's a decision on who will help govern a complex system that touches every corner of the Valley,” she said. “There are dozens of issues that the board has to consider at any one time.”

She then listed 12 issues within the school board’s purview, including

The RFSD candidates (left to right): Betsy After, Alan Kokish, Phillip Bogart, Lindsay Defrates and Jasmin Ramirez. Photo by Jeanne Souldern.

achievement gaps, teacher housing and executive leadership, to name a few.

Immediately following After’s statement, Kokish delivered some remarks. “There's one issue Betsy and I disagree about, and that's the controversial gender studies-sex curriculum. She supports it. I support its intent, but, unfortunately, the curriculum is clumsy at best and will possibly do more harm than good.”

While a candidate’s stance on various issues is important in any election, relevant life or work experience and leadership style are other factors voters might consider.

DeFrates cites her six years as a language arts teacher at Carbondale Middle School, and her current job as a public relations professional with the Colorado River District, as credentials that would inform her tenure as an RFSD school board member in matters of teacher-student relationships, collective-bargaining

negotiations with teachers or how the district can best communicate proposed policy changes to students, families and community members.

Bogart references his work in the hospitality and lodging industry for over 18 years, and “leading people towards goal achievements in order to ensure the success of my company.” He highlighted his job duties which included overseeing budgets and monthly financials. In his closing remarks on Oct. 17, he said, “I think I would bring a lot of what I do in the private sector as options for us to consider in the public sector.”

Ballots for the Nov. 7 election were mailed to registered voters earlier this week. If you have not received a ballot, you can check your voter registration status online at www.bit.ly/BallotStatus2023 If you need to register to vote, go to www.GoVoteColorado.gov

Let’s Get You

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Health Insurance Enrollment Events November 5 November 12 November 19 December 3 December 17 January 14

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Glenwood Library, 9am – 1pm Edwards Integrated Health Center, 9am – 1pm Third Street Center / La Clinica del Pueblo, 9am – 1pm Rifle Library, 9am – 1pm Third Street Center / La Clinica del Pueblo, 9am – 1pm Glenwood Library, 9am – 1pm

Mountain Family Health Centers is a certified assistance site for Connect For Health Colorado. Cover ALL Coloradans expands access to health insurance for all – including those without documentation and DACA recipients.

Call: 833-273-6627 or 970-945-2840 to schedule an appointment Email: EnrollmentHelp@mountainfamily.org

Se Habla Español.

THE SOPRIS SUN • Your weekly community connector • October 19-25, 2023 • 9

CARBONDALE HAND WOVEN BASKETS Learn the basics of basket weaving while creating a functional “Bean Pot” basket with wire handles.

Wed-Thurs, 9am-1pm, 10/25-10/26 DRAWING WITH SOFT PASTELS Create drawings while learning about drawing techniques, value and structure, and color theory.

Thursdays, 6-8:30pm, 10/26-12/7 BEGINNING SCULPTURE Learn how to think and design in 3-D, or “in-the-round” and create 2 sculptures for your home/garden.

Fri/Sat, 10am-3pm, 10/27-11/4 MORE SWING DANCE Expand your dance moves with Charleston, Lindy Hop (West Coast) basics.

Wed.s, 6:30-8:30pm, 11/8-12/6 SEED SAVING Techniques to save seeds and money on veggies and flowers.

Wednesday, 6-7:30pm, 11/1 FELTED BAG WORKSHOP Join Jill Scher to make a unique felted bag with dyed wool and the option to embellish. Create a piece of wearable art to keep or gift.

Sat/Sun, 9am-3pm, 11/11-11/12

REGISTER TODAY!

COMMUNITY CALENDAR Visit soprissun.com to submit events

OPEN PAINTING STUDIO Bring work from previous classes or home to complete, or start something new in our studio space.

A teacher will be available to advise and support, or guide you fun assignments if needed.

Tuesdays, 1:30-8:30pm, 11/14-12/5 SKETCHBOOK WORKSHOP Discover a world that will energize, revive, and bring creative joy to your life. This workshop will explore different approaches to developing sketchbooks, growing our creative selves, and gaining confidence in your artistic ability.

Tuesdays, 9am-12pm, 11/14-12/5 VEGETABLE GARDENING 101 The time to start thinking about next year’s garden is now. This class gives you all the basics you need to know to grow and enjoy your own food from spring to fall.

Wednesday, 6-7:30pm, 11/15 CARBONDALE STUDENT ART SHOW AND CELEBRATION! Save the date and join us to honor our students and the artwork that is being created at the Carbondale CMC campus!

Tuesday, 6-8pm, 12/12

FOR MORE INFO AND TO REGISTER...

coloradomtn.edu/community-education Carbondale Lappala Center • 690 Colorado Ave • 963-2172

High Country Sinfonia’s latest concert, “Con Dolce Espressione”, is this weekend, Oct. 19-22. Members of this volunteer orchestra will perform works by Kaija Saariaho, Gustav Mahler and Johann Sebastian Bach, with highly-acclaimed soprano Beth Noble joined by tenor Katie Hone-Wiltgen and bass David Parker to sing Bach’s “Coffee Cantata” in English. Flautist Shelley Warren accompanies “Dolce Tormento” by Finnish composer Kaija Saariaho. And Gustav Mahler’s lyrical “Adagietto” will display the deep study of Camille Backman. Catch the show: Oct. 19, 7pm at St. Vincent Catholic Church in Basalt (250 Midland Ave); Oct. 21, 7pm at the Glenwood Vaudeville Revue; Oct. 22, 4pm at the Christ Episcopal Church in Aspen (536 West North Street). Admission is free with a suggested donation of $20. Rehearsal photo by Raleigh Burleigh

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 19

OSTEOPOROSIS Dr. Susan Inscore and Valley View Hospital’s Bone Health and Fracture Prevention Team present at Sopris Lodge at 2pm. To RSVP, call 970-456-6871 or visit www.soprislodge.com/events BOOK CLUB The Third Thursday Book Club discusses “Dinner with Ruth” by Nina Totenberg at the Carbondale Library at 2pm.

BRIDGE Join fellow Bridge players at the Basalt Library at 4pm.

WALDORF EDUCATION Waldorf educator Nancy Blanning presents “Outdated or Innovative: Exploring Waldorf Education” at the Waldorf School on the Roaring Fork at 5pm. Visit www. waldorfschoolrf.com/calendar for details and to register.

BREAD BAKE Bring your dough to the Carbondale Community Oven (behind the Third Street Center) by 5:30pm sharp. Baking takes about 45 minutes, then share your bread or take it home for dinner!

PUBLIC COMMENT 101 Wilderness Workshop, Defiende Nuestra Tierra and Western Colorado Alliance lead a workshop about how to write a public comment, with a focus on a new Bureau of Land Management land management draft plan, at the Glenwood Springs Library at 6pm. Register at www.bit. ly/PublicComment101 CRYSTAL THEATRE The Crystal Theatre in Carbondale shows “Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour” tonight at 6:30pm and tomorrow, Saturday and Sunday at 6pm.

10 • THE SOPRIS SUN • soprissun.com • October 19-25, 2023

TAYLOR ASHTON Steve’s Guitars presents Brooklynbased Canadian songwriter Taylor Ashton performing at 8pm.

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 20

HEALTH FAIR Aspen Valley Hospital hosts a health fair, where discounted lab testing will be available, today and tomorrow at Aspen Valley Hospital, and Sunday, Oct. 22 at the Eagle County Community Center in El Jebel. Hours are 8-11:30am each day. To book an appointment, visit www.bit.ly/AVHhealthfair ENGLISH LESSONS Valley Settlement provides free English lessons at the Basalt Library from 9am to 12:30pm. Visit www. valleysettlement.org for more info.

TEATRO EN ESPAÑOL VOICES presents “Nuestras Voces: Teatro en Español” tonight and tomorrow at 7pm and Sunday at 4pm at TACAW. This original theater project features local Spanish-speaking artists and will be subtitled in English.

LIBRARY EXHIBIT Catch the opening reception for the “Art in the Stacks,” an exhibit of 50 works by members of the Glenwood Springs Art Guild, at the Glenwood Springs Library at 5pm. The exhibit will be on display through Dec. 4.

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 21 RFV YARN CLUB The Roaring Fork Yarn Club meets at Sopris Park at 9am.

SWAP IT LIKE IT’S HOT The Basalt Library hosts its annual Swap it Like it’s Hot clothing swap from 10am to 3pm.

MOTHER MARY Eaden Shantay leads a welcome blessing ceremony at the True Nature Peace Garden, consecrating its newest statue, Mother Mary, at 10:30am.

Shantay invites people tomorrow at 4pm for a community meditation.

Visit www.truenaturehealingarts. com for more info.

KRISTI NICHOLLS Celebrate the life of Kristi Nicholls with family and friends at Carbondale’s Ramey-Harvey Park (adjacent to Crystal Meadows Senior Housing) at 1pm.

ON HER TERMS Age-Friendly Carbondale presents a film with Kristi Nicholls explaining her choice for medically-assisted dying at the Carbondale Library at 2pm.

MEET & GREET Garfield County District 2 commissioner candidate Caitlin Carey hosts a meet and greet at Carbondale Beer Works at 4pm.

JAN & JD Local singer-songwriters, JD Martin and Jan Garrett, perform at the Third Street Center at 6pm Visit www. bit.ly/JanJDconcert for tickets.

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 22

PRINCESS WARRIORS The Princess Warrior Series, open to 7th and 8th grade girls seeking to empower themselves — individually and collectively — kicks off at 13 Moons Ranch today at 2pm. The four-part series takes place each consecutive Sunday.

Registration and more info at www.bit.ly/PrincessWarriors

MONDAY, OCTOBER 23

EIA OPEN HOURS English In Action hosts open tutoring hours for English language learners at the Basalt Library at 6pm.

PLANT POTLUCK The Center for Human Flourishing hosts its Community Potluck for Plant Based Whole Food Enthusiasts and Friends at the Third Street Center at 6:30pm.

Questions? Email info@tcfhf.org

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 24

RAISING A READER Bring your young ones, 0-5 years old, to storytime at the Basalt Library at 10:30am.

YARN GROUP Yarn enthusiasts convene at the Basalt Libray to stitch together and share their projects at the Basalt Library at 5pm.

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 25 EIA TUTOR ORIENTATION Discover what it takes to become a volunteer tutor with English In Action at its office (33 Gillespie in El Jebel) today from 9am to noon. Visit www. englishinaction.org for more info.

BALLOT DISCUSSION The Basalt Library hosts “Let’s Talk About It: 2023 Ballot Issues” at noon.

BOEBERT OFFICE HOURS Congresswoman Lauren Boebert will host a mobile office hour at the Rifle Library, study room #4, from 2-3pm.

VIDEO GAMES Play video games and meet new friends at the Basalt Library at 2:30pm. This is intended for kids 7+.

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 26

SPANISH STORYTIME Children up to 6 years old are invited to practice their Spanish during Spanish Storytime at the Basalt Library at 10:30am. More info at www.basaltlibrary.org CRYSTAL RIVER SUMMIT The Crystal River Wild & Scenic and Other Alternatives Committee is hosting a lively and informative community summit (with dinner) at Roaring Fork High School at 5pm. Registration is not required.

DEMS HAPPY HOUR Garfield County Democrats host happy hour at the Marble Distillery in Carbondale at 5pm.

SCOOBY-DOO SoL Theatre Company and Sopris Soarers present “ScoobyDoo Where are you!” at the Community Hall at the Third Street Center tonight, tomorrow and Saturday night at 6pm. There will be a dance party after the show on Saturday. Tickets at www.bit.ly/Scooby-DooinCdale DRESS REHEARSAL CoMotion Dance Company invites folks to a dress rehearsal of “Illuminate: Light on the Undergrowth” tonight at 7:45pm. Tickets at www.bit.ly/ CoMotionDanceRehearsal

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 27

INDOOR BABY GYM Bring your babies, 0-3 years old, to the Basalt Library for its Indoor Baby Gym hour at 10:30am.

MEET THE AUTHOR Author Benjamin Alire Sáenz will give speak at the CMC Aspen Campus on Oct. 27 at noon and at the Spring Valley Campus at 6pm.

There is a livestream option for the latter. Visit www.coloradomtn. edu/commonreader for more info.

MARIO KART The Basalt Library hosts a Mario Kart tournament for kids in fifth grad and up at 3pm. More infor at www.basaltlibrary.org SPOOKY CLAY SLAY Carbondale Clay Center hosts a costume party where attendees also learn how to make a clay Jack-OLantern at 6pm. This is a 21+ event.

More info at www.carbondaleclay. org ACT PRODUCTION Aspen Community Theatre presents “Once Upon a Mattress'' at the Wheeler Opera House tonight, Oct. 28, Nov. 3 and Nov. 4 at 7pm, and matinees on Oct. 29 and Nov. 5 at 2pm. Tickets at www.bit.ly/ACTProduction COMOTION DANCE In celebration of their 10th anniversary, CoMotion Dance Company presents “Illuminate: Light on the Undergrowth” tonight and tomorrow night at 7:30pm at the Launchpad.

We are delighted to offer you, our community, the opportunity to take advantage of low-cost blood tests. By Appointment Only.

Online aspenhospital.org/health-fair, or by phone 1.800.217.5866 Monday – Friday, 9:00 am – 4:00 pm

October 20 & 21

October 22

Aspen Valley Hospital 0401 Castle Creek Road

Eagle County Community Center 20 Eagle County Dr, El Jebel

ASPEN

EL JEBEL

All appointments 8:00 - 11:30 am

Lab Tests Offered

• HealthScreen w/CBC - $75 (Fasting Required)

• hsCardio CRP - $40 • Hemoglobin A1C & EAG - $40 • PSA, Total - $45

• Vitamin D - $50 • T3, Free - $30 (New!) • T4, Free - $30 (New!) • CBC (Complete Blood Count) $30 (New!)

Crystal River

Community Summit ROARING FORK HIGH SCHOOL, CARBONDALE | 5-8:30 PM

HALLOWEEN PARTY Mugsy Fay and Basick VVitch perform at Marble Distillery in Carbondale from 8pm to midnight in celebration of Halloween. There will also be tarot readings, a costume contest and free Narcan available.

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 28

CARING CONNECTIONS Dede Osborn leads a three-part series “Caring Connections: Nurturing Minds and Hearts, Navigating Together,” today, Nov. 11 and Dec. 2, 10-11:30am, at the Third Street Center. Courtney Gabriel, owner of Roaring Fork Home Care, is today’s special guest. Email dede.osbborn@ gmail.com for more info.

LEGION HALLOWEEN The American Legion hosts its Halloween Party, 21+, from 5-10pm.

For more info, call 970-963-2381

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 29

ECSTATIC DANCE 13 Moons Ranch (6334 Highway 133) hosts another Ecstatic Dance at 6pm. Email alyahowe@ me.com for more info.

THURSDAY

OCT 26 FREE & OPEN

TO THE PUBLIC

Please join the Crystal River Wild & Scenic and Alternatives Feasibility Collaborative Steering Committee to hear about the range of opportunities to protect the Crystal River. Please come and share your thoughts about the future of the Crystal River. Dinner provided

learn more www.thecrystalvalleyecho.com/wild-scenic-stakeholder

THE SOPRIS SUN • Your weekly community connector • October 19-25, 2023 • 11

Basalt, Roaring Fork cross it up for XC program success

By John Stroud Sopris Sun Correspondent

Two student bodies are better than one when it comes to fielding the Basalt High School co-ed cross country team, but in the end it’s all for one, one for all.

That’s also pretty much how team cross country running works.

As with a few other Colorado High School Activities Association-sanctioned sports, like track and field, swimming, tennis, skiing, wrestling and golf, cross country is as much an individual endeavor as it is a team sport.

The more successful the individuals are on the team, the better the team when it comes to scoring at meets.

And, since its founding by coach Ron Lund in 2004, the Basalt program has combined student-athletes from both Basalt High and Roaring Fork High School in Carbondale to help boost its numbers.

Lund’s daughter, Amy Rollins, was a sophomore member of that 2004 team, and for 10 years now has been the team’s assistant coach. She’s also the BHS Track and Field coach.

“I’m still friends with some of the people I met from Roaring Fork, so it’s really special to be able to form those relationships with people you might not cross paths with otherwise,” Rollins said. “It’s mostly about the friendships, but it also strengthens the team.”

Coach Lund said it changes from year to year, but this season a majority of the girls on the team are from Roaring Fork, while the boys team is made up of all Basalt students.

“We’ve always had somebody representing Roaring Fork,” Lund said. “It’s just good to see that there’s no animosity, and it doesn’t matter what school you’re from.”

Last season, then-Roaring Fork senior Misha Logan helped the Basalt boys qualify for the 3A

State Championships as a team, placing 12th at the 3A Regionals behind then-freshman Towler Scott (fourth) and junior Owen Lambert (seventh). Basalt took second as a team.

Now a senior and sophomore, respectively, Lambert and Scott both hope to qualify for state individually at the 3A Regional meet in Denver (Oct. 19).

“It was pretty amazing to be able to have that team experience last year, and have seven boys go and run at state,” Lambert said while awaiting results to be posted at the finish line for the Oct. 10 Rifle Invitational XC meet.

“Having as many as 10 more people really helps with team morale, and it’s just nice to have that extra support,” he said.

Roaring Fork junior Isabella Moon and sophomore Caroline Cole agree.

“We’re so much more successful than we would be if we were separate teams,” Moon said after last week’s race. “It’s so much fun. We get all glammed before the races with glitter, and everyone is just so fun. We love it.”

Added Cole, “This way, you get to be part of two schools, and it’s fun to watch everyone interact like that.”

Ready for Regionals

Scott led the pack for about half of the 5-kilometer race at Rifle, before Summit’s Jay McDonald and Carter Niemkiewicz edged past him, and Grand Junction’s Albert Booth nipped him at the finish line.

Still, Scott said it was a good tune-up for the Regional meet and a good gauge of where he is compared to the 3A competition. He was the top 3A finisher in the Rifle race with a time of 17 minutes, 27.7 seconds.

His top time at a Colorado meet this year was 17:17.3, but his season best came at a meet in

Coach Ron Lund gives course directions to the Basalt High School girls team at the start of the Rifle XC Invitational on Oct. 10 at Rifle Creek Golf Course, as assistant coach Amy Rollins, left, looks on.

Photo by John Stroud

Irvine, California, on Sept. 15, where he ran the 5K course in 16:20.7.

Regarding his race at Rifle, “I saw the seeds before the race, and that the two Summit runners were up there. So, I was just trying to see if I could stay up in the front and make this my race.”

That’s the mindset he’s taking to Regionals, which features a different mix of teams than the Basalt program is used to. Re-classification of schools after last season lumped Basalt, Coal Ridge and Aspen in with several Front Range schools for regionals. Meet time is 11 am Thursday at Fehringer Ranch Park in Denver.

The Basalt girls will be looking to qualify for state as a team, after six top-25 finishes at the Rifle meet last week, led by Moon in eighth (21:16.2), Morgan Fink in 13th (21:51.1), Cole in 17th (22:17.6), Addison Raymond in 22nd (23:30.5), Juniper Anderson in 24th (23:40.7) and Ana Cabrera in 25th (23:41.2).

Rams soccer back on track after pair of league wins

By John Stroud Sopris Sun Correspondent

Roaring Fork High School boys soccer worked its way back into the mix for a possible 3A Western Slope League title with two league wins this past week over Aspen, 3-1, and Basalt, 4-1.

Tuesday night’s match at Basalt was a big one, with both the Rams and the Longhorns vying for all-important positioning in the state rankings Roaring Fork senior Jake Barlow obliterates the heading into the postseason.

Basalt defense en route to his second goal of the Roaring Fork emerged the night Tuesday, Oct. 17 at the Longhorns' field. The victor with the exciting 4-1 win Rams went on to win 4-1. Photo by John Stroud behind two goals from senior Jake Barlow and one each from fellow seniors Josh Hernandez and Jose Canas.

The Rams held a 2-0 advantage after Barlow scored the only first-half goal, then used some fancy footwork a third of the way through the second to get past the defense and push one past Longhorns goalie Eric Palomares.

Basalt’s only goal came about 10 minutes later when a roller got past Rams keeper Noel Richardson and the other defenders and barely made it into the net.

Hernandez then scored on a misplay by Palomares, and Canas connected from the left side for the final tally.

The win moves the Rams to 8-3-2 overall and 6-1-1 in the league behind Vail Mountain, at 9-4-1 and 5-1-1. Vail travels to play Delta (6-6-2, 2-3-2) on Thursday, and a loss or tie for the Gore Rangers would likely give the league title to Roaring Fork based on record, head coach Nick Forbes said after Tuesday’s win.

“What we don’t know is how the ties factor into that,” Forbes said. With no overtime this season due to a Colorado High School Activities Association rules change, league play resulted in 14 ties total through Tuesday.

After a pair of losses to 4A teams earlier this month, Forbes said his team made the necessary adjustments and has been working on finishing shot opportunities that translate to goals.

“We’re still working on converting off pressure, possession and good passing, and turning that into more goals,” Forbes said after the Basalt win. “Even today, we

12 • THE SOPRIS SUN • soprissun.com • October 19-25, 2023

probably should have had three or four more than we did, so we still have to work this week on making sure we finish, and not just shoot.”

Against Aspen on Oct. 12, the Rams got two goals in the first, and the teams traded goals in the second.

Roaring Fork, which holds the No. 6 spot in the state’s 3A power rankings, closes out the regular season with a pair of home games this week, against 1-13 Moffat County at 6pm Thursday, Oct. 19, and versus cross-town rival CRMS (0-10) for senior night at 6pm Friday.

Basalt (6-5-3, 2-3-2), ranked No. 16, finishes at Aspen at 11am Saturday.

Volleyball falls to Aspen

The Roaring Fork volleyball team dropped to 7-13 overall and 1-5 in 3A Western Slope League play with a 3-1 loss at Aspen on Tuesday (18-25, 25-17, 16-25, 15-25).

Senior Ruby Denning had 10 kills on the night, and sophomores Nikki Tardif and Yakelin Hernandez recorded eight and seven kills, respectively.

Denning also had 20 digs to lead the team in that category, while junior Carley Crownhart had four aces from the serving line.

On Saturday, the Rams played at the Basalt volleyball tournament, winning one game and losing three. Games scores and stats are as follows: Lost 2-1 to Conifer (25-17, 23-25, 9-15) Kills: Tardif and sophomore Tahia Swanton, six each Aces: Junior Erica Crownhart, four Blocks: Tardif, two Digs: E. Crownhart, 15 Won 2-1 over Centaurus (20-25, 25-22, 15-6) Kills: Tardif and Swanton, six each Aces: E. Crownhart, four Blocks: Tardif, two Digs: E. Crownhart, 15 Lost 2-0 to Battle Mountain (13-25, 15-25) Kills: Denning, three Aces: E. Crownhart, two Blocks: Swanton, one Digs: E. Crownhart and C. Crownhart, five each Lost 2-1 to Basalt (16-25, 25-18, 10-15) Kills: Denning, 11; Tardif, seven Aces: Denning and C. Crownhart, two each Digs: E. Crownhart, 10; C. Crownhart, five

Sol del el

Conectando comunidades desde 2021

Valle

Volumen 2, Número 34 | 19-25 de octubre de 2023

La Agenda Política Latina de Colorado 2023 pone énfasis en los votantes rurales

Por Hector Salas-Gallegos El Sol del Valle

Voces Unidas de las Montañas y la Organización de Colorado para la Oportunidad Latina y los Derechos Reproductivos (COLOR por sus siglas en inglés) acaban de presentar su tercera Agenda Política Latina de Colorado (CLPA por sus siglas en inglés). Lanzada en 2021, la CLPA es una iniciativa de investigación pública estatal y no partidista dirigida conjuntamente por estas organizaciones, sirviendo como un informe anual que captura las experiencias y preocupaciones de la segunda población más grande de Colorado, las latinas y latinos.

La CLPA realizó una exhaustiva encuesta a 1,600 votantes latinos registrados en Colorado, centrándose en sus prioridades en cuestiones, preferencias de políticas y valores políticos. Esta encuesta tuvo lugar del 1 al 27 de julio de 2023 y se impartio tanto en inglés como en español.

Dusti Gurule, presidenta y directora ejecutiva de COLOR, enfatizó la importancia histórica de esta investigación, afirmando, "Esta es la muestra más grande de investigación sobre latinos en la historia de nuestro estado. El nivel de innovación aquí es notable, proporcionando a nuestra delegación congresional valiosos conocimientos sobre las realidades de nuestra comunidad en el estado”.

Voces Unidas y COLOR hicieron un esfuerzo deliberado para elevar las voces de Colorado rural en su encuesta. En el informe, se encuestó a 496 votantes latinos de Western Colorado, una cifra similar a la densamente poblada región metropolitana de Denver.

"Lo hicimos a propósito”, dijo Gurule. "Porque queremos llevar las voces de todos en nuestro estado, pero también evaluar cuáles son esas sutilezas para poder comunicar a los tomadores de decisiones que las políticas que proponen no impacten de manera desproporcionada a las voces que normalmente no han escuchado". ¿Qué dijeron las voces del Oeste de Colorado?

Las cuestiones económicas dominaron abrumadoramente la lista de preocupaciones, ya que los latinos las clasificaron entre las seis principales prioridades tanto para los funcionarios estatales como federales en 2023. Calificaron el aumento del costo de vida como su principal preocupación para abordar tanto para los funcionarios estatales (40%) como federales (38%), seguido de cerca por la mejora de los salarios y los ingresos (30% estatales, 32% federales).

Por primera vez, la CLPA midió las opiniones sobre políticas de inmigración. Notablemente, el 80% de los encuestados estuvieron de acuerdo en que el gobierno federal debería tomar medidas más sustanciales para ayudar a los inmigrantes indocumentados "que han vivido, trabajado y pagado sus impuestos en los Estados Unidos durante la mayor parte de sus vidas". Además, los latinos expresaron un apoyo abrumador a la legislación del Congreso que proporciona un camino a la ciudadanía para los trabajadores agrícolas (77%) y los Dreamers / beneficiarios de DACA (73%).

"Nuestra comunidad está prestando atención", dijo Gurule. "También ven las sutilezas de lo local, estatal y federal, y dónde se toman esas decisiones políticas, especialmente en torno a la inmigración,

Una reunión latina en el valle Roaring Fork en 1994. Foto del archivo del Valley Journal

y eso es algo en lo que nuestra delegación congresional en el Congreso o nuestro presidente debe hacer algo al respecto".

El 27 de septiembre, estas experiencias de latinos del Oeste de Colorado se encontraron en los pasillos del Congreso cuando los presidentes y directores ejecutivos de Voces Unidas y COLOR presentaron los hallazgos de la CPLA en una sesión informativa en el Capitolio copatrocinada por los senadores de Colorado Michael Bennet y John Hickenlooper en Washington, DC. "A medida que nuestro trabajo continúa expandiéndose, tenemos la intención de regresar a Washington D.C. con más frecuencia para participar en conversaciones políticas más profundas y asegurarnos de que las voces de los latinos rurales de Colorado sean escuchadas durante todo el proceso de toma de decisiones", dijo Alex Sánchez, presidente y director ejecutivo de Voces Unidas en un blog publicado por la organización.

El énfasis en las voces rurales, especialmente las del oeste, es algo nuevo para muchos. Sin embargo, el Oeste es un paisaje multifacético y los sentimientos latinos aquí se extienden mucho más allá de la base electoral. Gurule reconoce que la CPLA puede que no abarque completamente todas las voces dentro de las comunidades latinas. Los jóvenes latinos y los residentes indocumentados de Colorado, en particular, tienen una influencia significativa en la formación de la cultura y la visión política latina.

Reconociendo esto, COLOR y Voces Unidas consideran la CPLA como parte integral de un proceso más amplio de conectar a los

funcionarios electos con las personas a las que representan y luego con las políticas que promulgan. Durante años, estas dos organizaciones han facilitado reuniones comunitarias, llevado a cabo sesiones de escucha, presentado programas de radio, escrito artículos de opinión y liderado iniciativas de organización, todo en busca de fomentar un diálogo y una representación significativos.

"Queremos asegurarnos de estar escuchando a la comunidad y de llevar sus necesidades a donde deben llegar, ya sea a nivel local, estatal o nacional", dijo Gurule.

COLOR y Voces Unidas esperan continuar su trabajo para amplificar las voces latinas a medida que las organizaciones avanzan.

Un evento importante que materializa estos esfuerzos es el Día de la Abogacía Latina, un día en el que estas organizaciones ayudan a coordinar a los latinos de todo el estado para que se involucren directamente con sus representantes bajo la cúpula del Capitolio Estatal de Colorado.

Gurule tiene un mensaje para todas las personas de todo el estado que estén interesadas en involucrarse, "No tienes que ser un votante latino para tener voz en lo que sucede o para relacionarte con organizaciones que trabajan en este tipo de temas. [...] Siempre hay un tema en el que la gente puede participar y no tienes que ser votante para venir al Capitolio con nosotros en marzo para conocer a tus representantes estatales".

OPINIÓN

VOICES Radio Hour Por Art Williams

Mi latinidad es una de negridad, es de mi historia borrada por conquistadores, y sonidos de cañones de piratas.

Mi latinidad es de marisoles y flores del espíritu santo, con cada lágrima de lluvia una historia de tierra perdida. Mi latinidad es mestizaje: cuentos de curanderas transmitido por himnos y salmos.

Cuando pienso en las historias que se han perdido pienso en los ojos dulces de mis abuelas, pienso en las travesías y recorridos de sus pies agotados que se vencen al tiempo. Oigo el sonido de flautas al recolectar el tenor de las voces de Luzmila y Xenia, matriarcas de luz, y canto en mi corazón a las memorias que se pierden con la memoria que desvanece con cada día

La Busqueda

que pasa. ¿Quién cantará las canciones de nuestros ancianos? ¿Quién se recordará de los días antes de pantallas, y celulares, los días en el campo, empijamados en el rocío de la mañana, en noches alumbradas por la hoguera campestre? Me pregunto, ¿A quien suplico yo, con estas meditaciones que me roban al aire de mis pulmones?

Me preguntó una vez mi mamá, “¿cómo se siente poder cantar?” Su ternura me rompio el corazon – esa voz tierna y fuerte que me susurro por tantos años, cómo podría yo encapsular la libertad del alma a juntar el canto con la luz de los cielos? Me dejó una cicatriz de amor en el pecho pensando en cómo los gobiernos terrenales, los conflictos y guerras, la corrupción nos han robado el hogar. Mamita, el cantar, es como regresar a una tierra desconocida, como un ser extraterrestre, y al aterrizar ver que las flores, los árboles, y los pájaros del cielo te saludan como hermana. El cantar es sentir el fuego en las venas después de una noche desarropada de invierno, es despertar a lo infinito que se transmite por generaciones en bailes, en abrazos, en cenas calurosas

que sonríen al ser recordado.

Mi latinidad es una búsqueda. Yo, afortunado, hijo de Carmen y Omar Williams que nací en una tierra extranjera sigo en búsqueda de las tradiciones perdidas al tiempo. Yo honro a mi familia con mi canto, con mi jugar, con mis lágrimas. Bendigo con cada paso de mis pies los sacrificios hechos por mi, negociaciones y migraciones decididas antes que el mundo conociera mi nombre. En este momento uso mi voz para bendecir a la memoria de un amado difunto, el patriarca, mi querido abuelo Florencio Martinez – Pipo.

Yo te escribí esta poesía la noche antes que falleciste.

Nunca tuve la oportunidad de cantar mis lágrimas a ti, pero levanto tu nombre y tu memoria en este momento, que tú sigas la búsqueda de paz, liberado de dolor — Us Estimo. dicen los Catalanes.

Yo – Te Estimo..

Tierno, ¿no?

No decir – te quiero, “I want you” Ni – te deseo.

14 • el Sol del Valle • soprissun.com/espanol/ • 19-25 de octubre de 2023

No es, te necesito, para mi, o sea Acercarte a “ti” mas a “mí.”

No eres tú – cómo deseo que seas, mi [pues] ideal “tú.”

– Sentirte, con ojos cerrados, al respirar | profundamente – Saludar la luz solar, al partir mis ojos la oscuridad Como rozan, rayos del mismo sol —tan gentil— Contra tus cachetes. Al transponer el misterio de tu periferia Bendicen la vista de tu forma.

Que antes de ti, no existía el tiempo Y al verte, tal como si de primera, Cantan las estrellas [canto fugaz] como entonaron Aquella vez | Como aquella tal vez.

Al considerar cada parte colocada En el “tú” – el ti que llamo tal – Siento en mi pecho débil, ardiente, que es [Verdaderamente] “Amar” – Es el “yo” que soy y “tú” que eres, sin defecto alguno, porque eres como eres

El “ti” que sin error eres, Y porque se que eres – de arriba, por dentro, y al rev[er] és eres – Es que te querré hasta que ya no eres, Y tal vez seré yo el que ya no seré Porque de tal manera si no respirare será decir Que “yo” ya no soy, y “tu” ya no eres, mas “eras.”

– El “yo” con que el tiempo se ha tornado en “fui” – Y siendo que has “sido” pensarlo no puedo (ni podré y no quiero) Recordar aquel o algún tiempo sin ti.

Mira, que he escuchado, y ya he entendido, la buyita Que escucho [pues]; la que oía Cuando en tímida luz de alta mañana te veía, y Sonaba, el “hola,” “que tal,” y “buen dia” – En el momento que recuerde aquel tiempo Respiraré profundamente y reiré…

Ni aunque fuera un dicho, o una profecía Ciertamente será que “sería”…

Por el oír tu aliento y escuchar tu bebida Estar cerca de ti, lo podía.

OPINIÓN

Volver a lo Esencial Por Triny Rochin

Con tan solo unas maletas, sus tres hijos y muchos deseos de iniciar una nueva vida, Carmen Jacinto llegó al valle de Roaring Fork en plena recesión en el año 2009.

Nacida en la ciudad de México Distrito Federal, Carmen y sus padres viajaron a San Fernando California para establecerse ahí cuando tenía apenas quince años. En esa ciudad, Carmen se graduó de la escuela secundaria y además lo hizo con honores, al respecto ella relata “era un tiempo bien difícil, la escuela era enorme, eran miles de estudiantes, había muchas pandillas, y yo no me sentía de aquí, de verdad no sé cómo logré graduarme”.

Gracias a que obtuvo una beca, Carmen pudo

Una mujer resiliente

ir al colegio, aunque aproximadamente un año después se vio en la necesidad de abandonarlo, para trabajar de tiempo completo primero como mesera y más tarde como gerente de la cafetería de un parque de diversiones.

Entonces Carmen conoció al que más tarde se convertiría en su esposo y padre de sus hijos. Tras años de dificultades matrimoniales, Carmen decidió separarse de su esposo y poco tiempo después se mudó a Carbondale, Colorado, a donde sus padres también se habían mudado unos meses antes; y así con la ayuda de ellos, Carmen iniciaría una nueva jornada llena de esperanza.

Siendo una mujer con grandes capacidades, con el estatus migratorio correcto y que domina el inglés, Carmen no tardó en encontrar trabajo, (en el que por cierto catorce años después aún permanece), como gerente general de una gasolinera muy conocida en Basalt Colorado.

Viviendo junto a sus padres quienes le ayudaban con sus tres niños, Carmen se dedicó a trabajar incansablemente y con mucho amor para sostener económicamente a sus hijos y

CHISME DEL PUEBLO Traducción por Dolores Duarte

Cobertura electoral bilingüe

La Radio Pública de Aspen publicó una guía electoral en su página web, www.aspenpublicradio. org, y proporciona una versión traducida al español que ahora se publica en la página web de The Sopris Sun/El Sol del Valle. Visite www.bit.ly/ APREnglishguide para la guía en inglés y www.bit. ly/APREspañol para la guía en español.

El Heraldo en peligro

El Rio Blanco Herald, un periódico semanal con sede en Meeker, alertó a sus lectores el 13 de octubre de que - en septiembre tras su peor mes en cuanto a publicidad - sin el apoyo de la comunidad el Herald podría terminar de operar tan pronto como el 26 de octubre. "Vamos a despedir a nuestro único reportero de tiempo completo", anunciaron Caitlin y Niki Turner, el equipo de madre e hija que dirige y edita este periódico comunitario de 138 años de antigüedad. "Estamos reduciendo al mínimo el número de periódicos que imprimimos y distribuimos; estamos recortando todos los gastos superfluos que se nos ocurren, incluidos nuestros propios sueldos; como último recurso, intentaremos suprimir por completo la edición impresa y quedarnos solo en digital". Conozca más sobre esta difícil situación en www.theheraldtimes.com

Proclamación contra el antisemitismo

En respuesta a la escalada de antisemitismo, el gobernador Jared Polis emitió una proclamación en nombre del estado el 13 de octubre celebrando las

ayudar a sus padres.

Respecto a sus primeros años en la gasolinera Carmen nos contó “En aquellos tiempos solo había burritos congelados para los clientes que pasaban por gasolina y un café cada mañana, y yo vi a mi clientela y empecé a buscar lo que les gustaría” entonces Carmen fue implementando nuevas cosas en la cafetería de la tienda con tal éxito que hoy en día las ventas de comida superan por mucho a las ventas incluso de la misma gasolina.

Muchas personas de este valle que viajan a Aspen a trabajar cada día, pasan por la gasolinera y pueden comprar deliciosas pupusas, tamales y muchas otras comidas ricas que nos encantan tanto a los clientes latinos tanto como a los anglos. Carmen comenta que de alguna manera ha encontrado su realización a través de lo que hace. Además de tener un equipo de trabajo al que ella considera una familia, Carmen ama hacer conexión con los clientes, al hablar con ella su rostro se ilumina y se puede ver que de verdad disfruta su trabajo.

En esa tienda de conveniencia Carmen no solo encontró su realización laboralmente hablando, ahí también encontró al

amor de su vida, a Gregorio un joven serio, dedicado a su trabajo, con quien contrajo matrimonio y eventualmente nació su cuarta hija, la pequeña Camila. Un poco más tarde, Carmen y Gregorio iniciaron un proceso legal para arreglar el estatus migratorio de su ahora esposo.

La pareja tenía mucha fe y total seguridad de que todo saldría bien ya que Goyo (como todos llaman a Gregorio con cariño) tenía un récord limpio, ni siquiera tenía una multa de tráfico. Sin embargo, fueron notificados por su abogado que la decisión de migración para Goyo fue diez años de “castigo” en México. “Ese día se nos abrió la tierra, lloramos mucho, mirábamos a nuestra niña y sólo llorábamos, no lo podíamos creer”.

Siete años han pasado, han sido tiempos muy difíciles para todos. Goyo está en su estado natal en México. Carmen y Camila viajan una vez al año para pasar tiempo con él, aunque ahora mismo por cuestión económica llevan dos años sin visitarlo. “Ha habido momentos de dolor y ¿por qué no decirlo? de depresión, momentos donde pareciera que la familia se desintegra por la separación” dijo Carmen con un nudo en la garganta.

Sin embargo, ella misma

se anima y dice, “Los años pasan rápido y solo faltan tres años más para que mi familia pueda estar junta otra vez”. Las dificultades de estar separados como familia abarcan todas las esferas de la vida, Carmen nos relató cómo aun el desempeño escolar de Camila se ha visto afectado por la separación de su padre.

El sueño americano ha sido como una pesadilla para Carmen y Goyo y muy larga por cierto. En este momento ellos solo desean que estos próximos años pasen pronto y que esta situación se arregle para poder reunirse. Mientras tanto, ella disfruta de su familia, sus padres, hijos, nietos y también de trabajo donde, a la vez que da lo mejor de sí cada día, recibe tantas muestras de amor de la comunidad. Carmen es una mujer resiliente, que ha sabido sobreponerse de las situaciones difíciles que la vida le ha dado, siempre con la mejor actitud y con una sonrisa.

Gracias Carmen por compartirnos tu historia, celebramos tus éxitos y deseamos que pronto la situación con esposo haya pasado y estén juntos y felices nuevamente.

Si tú o alguna persona que conozcas tiene una historia que quiera compartir, me encantaría entrevistarte.

Escribeme a rochintirni@gmail.com

contribuciones hechas por amigos y vecinos judíos y condenando el odio. Lea la proclamación en www. bit.ly/COantisemitism

Educadora del año

Autumn Rivera, una educadora de Glenwood Springs Middle School nombrada "Maestra del Año de Colorado 2022", recibió el reconocimiento "Premio al Educador del Año 2023 de la Asociación para la Educación de Nivel Medio (AMLE por sus siglas en inglés) " el 12 de octubre. "Autumn es muy merecedora de este honor", dijo Stephanie Simpson, directora ejecutiva de AMLE. "Ella personifica la filosofía de la escuela media y es exactamente el tipo de maestro que los jóvenes adolescentes necesitan y merecen".

Pre-licenciatura BSN

Por primera vez, Colorado Mountain College (CMC) ofrecerá un programa de Licenciatura en Ciencias en Enfermería (BSN por sus siglas en inglés) a partir del otoño de 2024. En la actualidad, CMC ofrece un Asociado de Ciencias Aplicadas en Enfermería, o un grado ADN, y un Enfermero/a Registrado/a a programa BSN que proporciona una vía para enfermería registrada con un grado de asociado para obtener un título de licenciatura. El CMC eliminará gradualmente el programa ADN en la primavera de 2025.

Ataque de ciervo

El viernes 13 de octubre, el Departamento de Parques y Vida Silvestre de Colorado (CPW por sus siglas en inglés) respondió a un reporte en el que un ciervo mulo macho había atacado a una mujer en el parque Río Grande de Aspen. Tras hablar con

“Sincronías” parte 45, Leonardo Occhipinti

la víctima y los testigos, se determinó que el ciervo se había acostumbrado a la presencia humana y "carecía del miedo natural al que la fauna silvestre debería tener hacia los humanos", según un comunicado de prensa. El personal de CPW capturó al ciervo sospechoso y observó los comportamientos denunciados, refiriéndose a su comportamiento como "extremadamente agresivo". El ciervo fue eutanizado por razones de seguridad pública.

el Sol del Valle • Conector de comunidad • 19-25 de octubre de 2023 • 15

Propuesta HH: Lo que necesita saber acerca del plan de ayuda fiscal sobre bienes inmuebles en Colorado

Por Jesse Paul The Colorado Sun Traducción por Dolores Duarte

calculan multiplicando la tasa de evaluación estatal por el valor de una propiedad determinado por un evaluador del condado. Posteriormente, esa cifra se multiplica por el tipo de gravamen local.

Los impuestos sobre bienes inmuebles no están aumentando en Colorado porque la tasa de evaluación en todo el estado está aumentando o porque los gobiernos locales están aumentando sus tasas fiscales. Están subiendo porque los valores de las viviendas han aumentado en una media del 40% en todo el estado desde 2021, siendo esta la última vez que fueron evaluados.

Así es como la ayuda fiscal bajo la Propuesta HH funcionaría para los propietarios de viviendas: La tasa de evaluación residencial se reduciría al 6.7% de 6.765% en 2023, para los impuestos adeudados en 2024, un recorte de aproximadamente el 1%. La tasa se mantendría en 6.7%, reducida de 6.976% en 2024 para los impuestos adeudados en 2025, y persistiría hasta el año fiscal 2032.

Nota: Si la Propuesta HH fracasa, la tasa de evaluación residencial subiría al 7.15% a partir del año fiscal 2025, una vez que expire una medida de ayuda fiscal a la propiedad aprobada por la legislatura en 2022.

Además de los recortes en la tasa de evaluación, los propietarios podrían eximir de impuestos los primeros $50,000 dólares del valor de su vivienda en el año fiscal 2023. Esa exención disminuiría a $40,000 dólares en el ejercicio fiscal 2024. La exención se mantendría al menos hasta el ejercicio fiscal de 2032, salvo en el caso de segundas o posteriores viviendas unifamiliares, como las propiedades de alquiler o vacacionales, que dejarían de tener derecho a ese beneficio para los impuestos adeudados a partir de 2026.

Los propietarios que deseen reclamar la exención de $40,000 dólares después de 2026 tendrían que dar

El valor de la propiedad en Colorado aumentó considerablemente durante la pandemia, causando un alza en la deuda de impuestos sobre bienes inmuebles del próximo año.

La Propuesta HH mitigaría esos elevados impuestos inmobiliarios en Colorado al menos por los siguientes 10 años. También haría crecer el presupuesto estatal, pondría nuevos límites al gasto de los gobiernos locales y modificaría la forma en que se distribuyen los reembolsos a los contribuyentes.

En resumen, la Propuesta HH limitaría el aumento de los impuestos sobre la propiedad de los habitantes de Colorado cada año en cientos de millones de dólares, si no es que, en más de 1 billón.

Pero con el tiempo, los habitantes de Colorado podrían obtener menos billones en reembolsos de impuestos a medida que el gobierno estatal redirige esos dólares a las escuelas y otras agencias locales.

Esto es lo que necesita saber sobre la Propuesta HH para emitir su voto sobre ella: Cuál sería la ayuda fiscal a los bienes inmuebles La Propuesta HH no reduciría los impuestos sobre bienes inmuebles de los habitantes de Colorado por debajo de lo que pagan actualmente. Simplemente limitaría el aumento de los impuestos sobre bienes inmuebles a partir del año fiscal 2023 para lo que se debe en 2024 y continuaría esa reducción hasta por lo menos el año fiscal 2032.

Para entender cómo funcionaría la Propuesta HH, es importante entender cómo se calculan los impuestos sobre bienes inmuebles en Colorado.

Los impuestos sobre bienes inmuebles de Colorado, que se recaudan a nivel local y financian servicios como escuelas, departamentos de bomberos y parques, se

fe ante los evaluadores de su condado de que se trata de su residencia principal. Mentir sobre si su casa es su residencia principal sería un delito menor Clase 2 castigado con una pena de cárcel de hasta 120 días y / o una multa de hasta $750 dólares.

Es difícil generalizar sobre cuánto un propietario individual se ahorraría con la Propuesta HH. Esto se debe a que las tasas de gravamen varían enormemente de una ciudad a otra, e incluso de un vecindario a otro, dependiendo de cómo está establecido cada uno de los más de 3,000 distritos locales del estado.

La tasa media de gravamen del estado es de unas 70 tasas de gravamen, por lo que si usted no sabe su tasa de gravamen - se puede buscar en el sitio web del evaluador de su condado - se puede utilizar ese número para tener una idea de lo que sería su ahorro.

Así es como funcionaría la Propuesta HH para las propiedades no residenciales: Para las propiedades comerciales, la tasa de evaluación se reduciría al 27.85% hasta 2026, de una tasa del 27.9% después de que una reducción de $30,000 dólares del valor está exento de impuestos.

(Si la Propuesta HH fracasa, la tasa se restablecerá al 29% en 2024 y la exención de $30,000 dólares desaparecerá). En virtud de la Propuesta HH, la tasa se mantendrá en 27.85% hasta 2026 y bajará al 27.65% en 2027 y a 26.9% en 2029. Si se produce un aumento suficientemente sustancial del valor de las propiedades, esa tasa se reduciría al 25.9% a partir de 2031.

En el caso de propiedades agrícolas y propiedades utilizadas para energías renovables, la tasa de evaluación se reduciría del 29% al 26.4% hasta el ejercicio fiscal 2032. Para las propiedades que entran en ambas clasificaciones, como las utilizadas para agrivoltaica, la tasa se reduciría al 21.9%.

(La agrivoltaica es el uso de la tierra tanto para la agricultura como para la producción de electricidad a partir de energía solar).

Personal legislativo no partidista estima que las tasas de evaluación más bajas y las exenciones de valor continua en pagina 16

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reducirían los impuestos sobre bienes inmuebles en todo el estado por un acumulativo de $400 millones en 2024, $960 millones en 2025 y a más de $1 billón en 2026.

La exención para la vivienda de la tercera edad podría ser trasladable Conforme a la Propuesta HH, la exención para la vivienda de la tercera edad podría ser transferida a partir de 2025 si alguien mayor de 65 años que recibe o recibió el beneficio se muda o se ha mudado.

La exención permite a las personas de 65 años o más que han sido propietarias de su residencia principal durante al menos 10 años eximir de impuestos el 50% del valor de su vivienda hasta $100,000 dólares. Pero actualmente, la exención se pierde si alguien que reclama la exención se muda de una propiedad en la que ha vivido durante una década o más, por ejemplo, a una vivienda más pequeña.

La exención de $100,000 dólares se sumaría a las demás exenciones ofrecidas bajo la Propuesta HH. La disposición sobre veracidad fiscal de la Propuesta HH La propuesta también impediría a muchas autoridades fiscales locales recaudar cada año más impuestos sobre bienes inmuebles por encima de la tasa de inflación sin llevar a cabo una audiencia pública y aprobar una ordenanza o resolución.

Los distritos fiscales locales que no anulen el límite deberán reducir temporalmente su tasa de gravamen o devolver a los

contribuyentes los ingresos recaudados por encima del límite.

Está modelado de acuerdo a un sistema similar de Utah.

Los distritos escolares, que representan la mayor parte de la factura del impuesto sobre bienes inmuebles de los habitantes de Colorado, y las jurisdicciones autónomas estarían exentos del límite.

Compensación de los recortes a expensas de los reembolsos TABOR Para compensar los recortes, la Propuesta HH aumentaría el límite de la Declaración de Derechos del Contribuyente estatal sobre el crecimiento y el gasto público, que se calcula en función del crecimiento anual de la población e inflación, en un adicional punto porcentual cada año.

Puede que no parezca mucho, pero se espera que el punto porcentual adicional permita al gobierno estatal gastar $2.2 billones de dólares más en el año fiscal 2031-32. Se espera que el crecimiento del tope TABOR sugerido en la Propuesta HH permita al estado quedarse con $170 millones de dólares adicionales en el año fiscal actual, que inició el 1 de julio, y $360 millones de dólares en el próximo año fiscal.

Dado que todo el dinero recaudado por encima del límite debe ser reembolsado a los contribuyentes, el cambio reduciría la cantidad de dinero disponible para reembolsos en los años en que se supere el límite.

También puede impedir que se supere el límite, lo que supondría que no habría devoluciones.

Los ingresos adicionales que se

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obtendrían aumentando el tope se distribuirían entre las administraciones locales, principalmente en escuelas, para compensar todo o parte del dinero que habrían recibido si la Propuesta HH no hubiera frenado el aumento de los impuestos sobre bienes inmuebles en todo el estado.

Así es como se distribuiría el dinero: Las escuelas serían reembolsadas por todos los ingresos perdidos debido a las reducciones en la Propuesta HH. Los departamentos de ambulancias, bomberos y salud recibirían un reembolso completo por sus reducciones de ingresos hasta que los valores catastrales de sus zonas aumentarán más de un 20% por encima de los niveles de 2022. Una vez alcanzado ese umbral, el estado sólo reembolsará la mitad del financiamiento perdido.

El resto de los departamentos locales financiados con impuestos sobre bienes inmuebles recibirían un reembolso completo hasta que los valores catastrales de su zona aumentarán más de un 20% por encima de sus niveles de 2022, momento en que se detendrían los reembolsos del estado.

(En 2023, sin embargo, todos los departamentos recibirán el reembolso de las reducciones del impuesto sobre bienes inmuebles adoptadas por separado por la legislatura en 2022, incluso si sus valores de propiedad crecen más de un 20%).

Los gobiernos de los condados con más de 300,000 habitantes sólo recibirán un reembolso parcial, a menos que el valor catastral de sus zonas aumente por menos de un 10%.

Si hay dinero excedente una vez efectuados los pagos a las escuelas y distritos locales, se enviará al fondo estatal de educación para que sirva como fondo de reserva en caso de una futura recesión económica. Sin embargo, si el tope TABOR no se supera en un año determinado lo suficiente como para cubrir los gastos de las escuelas, los demás departamentos afectados por la ayuda de la Propuesta HH quedarían excluidos de los reembolsos.

Se espera que el tope TABOR se exceda en más de lo suficiente para cubrir los reembolsos en al menos los próximos tres años fiscales.

Incluso con los reembolsos, el personal legislativo no partidista estima que la Propuesta HH costará a los distritos locales al menos $240 millones de dólares en 2024, $510 millones de dólares en 2025 y $650 millones de dólares en 2026.

Por último, la Propuesta HH reservaría hasta $20 millones de dólares cada año para un programa estatal de ayuda a los arrendatarios.

Esos dólares se destinarían a ayudar a los arrendatarios a hacer frente a cualquier aumento de impuestos sobre bienes inmuebles que sus propietarios les transfieran.

La Propuesta HH afectaría tus reembolsos TABOR de otra manera De ser aprobada la Propuesta HH, se activaría un proyecto de ley que los legisladores estatales aprobaron en las últimas horas de la sesión legislativa de 2023 para cambiar la forma en que se distribuyen los reembolsos TABOR el próximo año por los más de $3 billones en ingresos por encima del límite de

TABOR recaudados durante el año fiscal 2022-23, el cual terminó el 30 de junio.

Bajo el sistema estándar, los reembolsos se distribuyen sobre la base de seis niveles de ingresos, en el que los de mayores ingresos reciben reembolsos más grandes (alrededor de $1,850 para los declarantes individuales en los niveles superiores) y los ingresos más bajos que reciben menos (alrededor de $580 para los declarantes individuales en los niveles más bajos). Sin embargo, si se aprueba la Propuesta HH, todos los contribuyentes de Colorado recibirían cheques de 832 dólares durante un año, independientemente de sus ingresos.

Las cantidades se duplican para los declarantes conjuntos. Las sumas exactas aún podrían cambiar ligeramente dependiendo de los métodos de contabilidad del estado para los ingresos fiscales recaudados en el año fiscal 2022-23, que terminó el 30 de junio y en el que se basan los reembolsos TABOR. Los cheques serán enviados el próximo año después de que la gente presente sus declaraciones de impuestos 2023.

Si usted gana $99,000 o menos – el cual es el 62% de los contribuyentes de Colorado - su reembolso TABOR será mayor si se aprueba la Propuesta HH. Si usted gana más de $99,000, su reembolso será mucho menor. Los cheques se enviarán en abril después de que las personas presenten sus declaración de impuestos de 2023. ¿La Propuesta HH realmente me ahorrará dinero?

El impacto exacto en su bolsillo depende de cuánto dinero gana, si usted es dueño de una casa, cuánto vale esa casa y donde vive usted.

También depende de si sus autoridades fiscales locales votan a favor de superar el nuevo tope inflacionista de los ingresos por impuestos sobre bienes inmuebles. Otros distritos locales pueden recortar temporalmente las tasas de gravamen para proporcionar un alivio fiscal adicional.

Si usted es un ciudadano adinerado y propietario de una vivienda, la iniciativa puede costarle mucho más dinero en su primer año. Esto se debe a que mientras los impuestos de su propiedad disminuirían, la cantidad de reembolso TABOR que recibirá en 2024 se reduciría.

Si usted está en el nivel superior y es un declarante conjunto - ganando más de $278,000, que es el 7% de los contribuyentes de Colorado - esa reducción de los reembolsos TABOR será de unos $2,000. La ayuda fiscal sobre bienes inmuebles que reciba durante los 10 años de la medida, junto con la reducción a largo plazo en los reembolsos TABOR porque el tope TABOR está siendo elevado, puede no compensar esa pérdida inicial.

Si usted es un coloradense que gana $99,000 o menos y no es dueño de una casa, obtendrá un mayor reembolso TABOR bajo la Propuesta HH en el primer año que la medida entre en vigor.

Dicho esto, sus reembolsos se reducirán en los próximos nueve años. ¿Qué sucederá cuando pasen los 10 años?

La propuesta HH expira a los 10 continua en pagina 18

el Sol del Valle • Conector de comunidad • 19-25 de octubre de 2023 • 17

de pagina 17

años, pero el poder legislativo puede prorrogarla indefinidamente con el voto de una mayoría simple. ¿Quién apoya y quién se opone a la medida por votación?

La Propuesta HH fue colocada en la boleta electoral por el Proyecto de Ley del Senado 303, legislación que fue redactada por los demócratas en la legislatura con el aporte de la oficina del gobernador Jared Polis. Los republicanos en la casa de representantes lucharon contra el proyecto de ley, argumentando que cualquier ayuda fiscal sobre bienes inmuebles no debe estar vinculada a ningún cambio TABOR. Property Tax Relief Now es el grupo que apoya la Propuesta HH. Había recaudado más de $1.1 millones hasta el 27 de septiembre, gran parte de ello proveniente de un grupo educativo y un sindicato nacional de maestros.

Education Reform Now Advocacy Inc. ha dado $300,000 dólares a Property Tax Relief Now, mientras que la National Education Association, un sindicato nacional de profesores, ha dado al comité $200,000 dólares. La Asociación de Educación de Colorado, el mayor sindicato de profesores del estado, ha donado $50,000 dólares.

Boldly Forward Colorado, una organización sin fines de lucro asociada a Polis, ha dado casi $70,000 a Property Tax Relief Now, mientras que Gary Advocacy LLC, un grupo filantrópico local, ha dado $250,000. El comité también ha recibido $100,000 del filántropo y donante demócrata de Colorado Pat Stryker y $60,000 de Sixteen Thirty Fund, una organización

nacional político liberal sin fines de lucro .

El Colorado Sun se refiere a Sixteen Thirty Fund y Education Reform Now Advocacy como grupos de dinero negro porque, como organizaciones políticas sin fines de lucro, no tienen que revelar el nombre de sus donantes.

No on HH es el grupo con bolsillos más grandes que lucha contra la medida electoral. Hasta el 27 de septiembre había recaudado más de $1.5 millones de dólares. Casi todo su dinero ha venido de dos organizaciones políticas conservadoras sin fines de lucro - también conocidos como grupos de dinero negro.

Advance Colorado Action ha donado $1 millón de dólares a No on HH, mientras que Defend Colorado ha dado $500,000 dólares al comité.

La filial en Colorado de Americans for Prosperity, un grupo conservador nacional de dinero negro, creó un comité para luchar contra la Propuesta HH que ha gastado más de $200,000 dólares en la lucha contra la medida hasta el momento.

A la medida se oponen la Colorado Municipal League, Colorado Counties, Inc. y la Special District Association of Colorado, la cual representa gobiernos locales de todo el estado, así como la Asociación de Agentes Inmobiliarios de Colorado y la filial estatal de la Federación Nacional de Empresas Independientes.

La Propuesta HH cuenta con el apoyo de AARP Colorado, la Asociación de Juntas Escolares de Colorado, los Bomberos Profesionales de Colorado y Colorado Concern, una organización sin fines de lucro formada por directores ejecutivos del estado.

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LAS ENTRADAS CUESTAN UN DONATIVO CON LA OPCIÓN DE PAGAR LO QUE SE PUEDA

18 • el Sol del Valle • soprissun.com/espanol/ • 19-25 de octubre de 2023

CMC Distrito 2 única contienda disputada a la junta

Por Rich Allen Aspen Daily News Traducción por Dolores Duarte

De los cuatro puestos a elección en la Junta Administrativa del Colorado Mountain College (CMC) este noviembre, sólo uno es disputado: Distrito 2, que abarca los límites del Distrito Escolar Roaring Fork (RFSD por sus siglas en inglés), conocido como el Este del Condado de Garfield entre los siete totales.

El actual titular Marianne Virgili de Carbondale se enfrenta a un aspirante de Glenwood Springs, David Use, un ingeniero de petrolero "semi-retirado" quien actualmente enseña genealogía en CMC en calidad de adjunto.

La elección es general, lo que significa que los escaños se votarán en todo el distrito especial CMC, pero un candidato debe residir en el distrito en el cual está participando.

Kerry Buhler se presenta sin oposición de Silverthorne para sustituir a Patricia Theobald en el condado de Summit, Bob Kuusinen no tiene oposición para la reelección en el condado de Routt, y Gloria Perez se presenta sin oposición para sustituir a Bob Hartzell en el condado de Lake.

Ambos candidatos al Distrito 2 hablaron con Aspen Daily News sobre sus prioridades en caso de ganar la elección, y lo que aportarían a la mesa de la junta del CMC. Marianne Virgili Virgili, antes de unirse a la junta de CMC, fue directora ejecutiva de la Glenwood Springs Chamber Resort Association, sirviendo durante más de 30 años. Fue elegida en 2019, obteniendo más del 54% de los votos con 6,303 papeletas emitidas contra su oponente Mary Nelle Axelson.

Virgili cree que de ser reelegida comenzará a trabajar inmediatamente para una junta que ganó un premio de liderazgo en enero de la Asociación de Juntas de Gobierno de Universidades y Colegios por su trabajo en la recaudación de fondos para viviendas accesibles, la expansión de académicos en campos de alta demanda, como la enfermería, y la defensa de políticas públicas. "(En 2019) Pensé que me había estado preparando para este puesto en la junta durante 30 años, pero había mucho que no sabía porque es una institución muy compleja con todos los campus a los que servimos, todos los programas que ofrecemos", dijo Virgili por teléfono. "Creo que esa experiencia me ayudará a entrar. Ayudé a desarrollar con el resto de los miembros del consejo y la comunidad el plan estratégico para el futuro. Hemos logrado muchos de esos objetivos, pero me gustaría ver muchos de ellos completados".

Virgili dijo que su prioridad número uno si es reelegida sería el acceso continuo para los estudiantes. Elogió el trabajo realizado en la inscripción concurrente - permitiendo a los estudiantes de bachillerato tomar clases que cuentan para créditos universitarios - no sólo como un camino para un mayor acceso a la universidad, pero

para la creación de conciencia y la educación sobre CMC en los estudiantes más jóvenes a medida que se preparan para la vida universitaria. También dijo que ha sido una vía para llegar a la comunidad latina.

Parte del debate sobre el acceso, añadió, es otra cuestión a la que quiere dar prioridad: la vivienda, no sólo para los estudiantes, sino también para el personal.

"Creo que los dos problemas que nos afectan, que afectan a todos, son el tiempo y el dinero, y ni siquiera tanto el dinero, sino recursos como la vivienda", dijo Virgili. "Esos son los retos a los que nos enfrentamos para atraer a profesores y personal administrativo. Atraemos a gente y es muy difícil para ellos encontrar un lugar donde vivir o uno que puedan permitirse, así que tenemos que ser realmente más conscientes desde el punto de vista social".

Virgili dijo que, especialmente en RFSD, donde la mayoría de los estudiantes K-12 son latinos, CMC ha continuado trabajando para llegar a esos estudiantes. La universidad obtuvo el estatus de Institución de Servicio Hispano en 2021 con una población estudiantil que era al menos una cuarta parte latina, frente al 13% en 2013, según el sitio web de CMC. "Una cosa que es importante es exponer a los estudiantes temprano a CMC", dijo Virgili. "Los estudiantes solían tener que viajar a Spring Valley o Blake Center o al campus Aspen Business Center, ahora traemos la facultad a ellos. ...creo que lo estamos consiguiendo, hemos progresado mucho, pero siempre queda más por hacer".

Virgili puede ser contactada para preguntas sobre su campaña en mvirgili@coloradomtn.edu.

David Use Use admitió que se presentó antes de que Virgili anunciara su intención de postularse a la reelección, temiendo que el escaño quedara vacante. Aún así, incluso con un competidor en la contienda, dijo, "participaré".

"Me importa mucho CMC", dijo Use. "Entré en la carrera porque me importa mucho CMC y lo fácil hubiera sido echarme atrás cuando Virgili [decidió volver a presentarse]. Ando ahí -y vamos a hacerlo de nuevo- yendo puerta por puerta, haciéndolo de la forma más difícil. ... Estoy participando. Me he visto obligado a buscar la razón por la cual yo sería la mejor opción".

Use cree que su experiencia en procesos y logística le diferencia del resto de la junta. Dijo que gran parte de su experiencia profesional en ingeniería petrolera, principalmente con Chevron, implicaba elaboración de presupuestos, planificación, evaluación de riesgos y análisis de decisiones.

Cree que puede aportar una perspectiva a los aspectos técnicos de la seguridad y la continuidad de las operaciones, ya que gran parte de la junta tiene más experiencia en educación y organizaciones sin fines de lucro.

"Es una oportunidad para ampliar la continua en pagina 19

de pagina 18

base de experiencia como grupo asesor", afirma Use. "Uno pensaría que se desea tener más diversidad de experiencias.

Están haciendo un gran trabajo, sólo creo que podría ayudar a hacerlo aún mejor".

Dijo que una de sus prioridades mayores es la preparación ante emergencias, especialmente en caso de incendios forestales. Después de que una propiedad de su familia en California pasara de "bosque a pradera" por un incendio, Use dijo que no pudo encontrar ningún "plan específico escrito... que abordara una evacuación rápida", en caso de un incendio como el de Lanai, Hawái, en agosto o Paradise, California, en 2018.

"Spring Valley y todo están bastante aislados. Si tomaras a los Estados Unidos y miraras todas las universidades y escuelas que están asentadas en pequeñas comunidades rurales en áreas boscosas, estoy seguro de que el riesgo comienza, estadísticamente, a subir", dijo Use. "Creo que es un área en la que me gustaría ver más trabajo, porque todo el CMC está en las montañas, en zonas rurales".

CMC dijo que cada campus tiene planes de respuesta de emergencia, incluyendo para la evacuación del campus, incluso para los escenarios que implican incendios forestales.

Sin embargo, Use no tendría acceso a estos planes hasta o al menos que fuera elegido; no están a disposición del público.

Use también dijo que le gustaría averiguar por qué los consejos -no sólo la junta administrativa de CMC, sino también las juntas escolares locales- están observando una percibida reticencia de voluntarios y candidatos.

"Sé que no estoy arreglando ese problema, pero creo que tiene que haber alguna manera de comunicarse mejor o arreglar ese proceso de animar a los candidatos y a los buenos candidatos a entrar en estas listas", dijo Use. En cuanto a la vivienda, Use abogó por un enfoque equilibrado, afirmando que "no se puede alojar a todo el mundo" debido al número de estudiantes que se desplazan al campus, "lo que reduce enormemente el costo para el estudiante", en términos de tasas por residencia pagadas a la escuela.

Dijo que para CMC es "complejo" priorizar la búsqueda de formas de crear trabajadores que permanezcan en sus comunidades locales, y que le gustaría ver los datos, expresando su preocupación por que algunos de los oficios que se enseñan no conduzcan a unos ingresos viables.

"Están formando a mecánicos de automóviles, pero ¿se dan cuenta esos mecánicos de automóviles de que no pueden permitirse una vivienda aquí y acaban mudándose a Front Range, donde quizá puedan encontrar una vivienda accesible?". dijo Use. En cuanto a llegar a la comunidad latina, dijo que le gustaría comunicarse directamente con esas poblaciones para averiguar por qué la gente no está considerando CMC. Use dijo que está acostumbrado a días de 12 horas y siente que está listo para comprometerse con el puesto tanto como sea posible.

Puede ser contactado en david.use. for.cmc.trustee@gmail.com

CMC District 2 only contested board race

By Rich Allen Aspen Daily News

Of the four seats up for election on the Colorado Mountain College (CMC) Board of Trustees this November, only one is contested: District 2, encompassing the Roaring Fork School District (RFSD) boundaries, known as East Garfield County among the seven total.

Incumbent Marianne Virgili from Carbondale faces a challenger from Glenwood Springs, David Use, a “semi-retired” petroleum engineer who now teaches genealogy at CMC in an adjunct capacity.

The election is at-large, meaning that seats will be voted for across the CMC special district, but a candidate must reside in the district in which they’re running.

Kerry Buhler is running unopposed out of Silverthorne to replace Patricia Theobald in Summit County, Bob Kuusinen is uncontested for reelection in Routt County, and Gloria Perez is running unopposed to replace Bob Hartzell in Lake County.

Both candidates for District 2 spoke with Aspen Daily News about their priorities, should they win the election, and what they’d bring to the table of the CMC board.

Marianne Virgili

Virgili, before joining the CMC board, was the CEO of the Glenwood Springs Chamber Resort Association, serving for more than 30 years. She was elected in 2019, garnering over 54% of the vote with 6,303 ballots cast against opponent Mary Nelle Axelson.

Virgili believes that she will be able to hit the ground running if reelected to a board that won a leadership award in January from the Association of Governing Boards of Universities and Colleges for its work on affordable housing fundraising, expanding academics in high-demand fields, like nursing, and advocating for public policy. “(In 2019) I thought I had been preparing for this board seat for 30 years, but there was so much I didn’t know because it is a very complex institution with all the campuses we serve, all the programs we offer,” Virgili said via phone. “I think that experience will help me going in. I helped to develop with the rest of the board members and the community the strategic plan for the future. We’ve accomplished a lot of those goals but I like to see a lot of them completed.”

Virgili said her number one priority if reelected would be continued access for students. She praised the work done on concurrent enrollment — allowing high school students to take classes that count toward college credit — not only as a path for increased access to college, but for building awareness and education about CMC in younger students as they prepare for postsecondary life. She also said it’s been an avenue to reach the Latino community.

Part of the access discussion, she added, was another issue she wants to prioritize: housing, not just for students

Marianne Virgili, courtesy photo David Use, courtesy photo

but also for staff.

“I think the two issues that affect us, affect everyone, are time and money — and not even money, but resources like housing,” Virgili said. “Those are the challenges we face in attracting faculty and administrative staff. We attract people and it’s very difficult for them to find a place to live or one they can afford, so we’re having to really become more socially conscious.”

Virgili said that especially in RFSD where the majority of K-12 students are Latino, CMC has continued work to do on reaching those students.

The college earned Hispanic-Serving Institution status in 2021 with a student population that was at least one-quarter Latino, up from 13% in 2013, according to the CMC website.

“One thing that’s important is exposing the students early to CMC,” Virgili said. “The students used to have to travel to Spring Valley or Blake Center or the Aspen Business Center campus, now we bring the faculty to them. … I think we are getting there, we’ve made a lot of progress, but there’s always more to be done.”

Virgili can be reached for questions about her campaign at mvirgili@ coloradomtn.edu.

David Use

Use admitted that he signed up to run before Virgili had announced her intention to seek reelection, fearing that the seat would go unfilled. Still, even with a competitor in the race, he said, “I’m in.”

“I care about CMC,” Use said. “I entered the race because I care about CMC and the easy thing to do would’ve been to back out when Virgili [decided to run again]. I’m out there — and we’re going to do it again — walking door to door, doing it the hard way. … I am in. It just forced me to really try to find why I will be a better choice.”

For Use, he believes he differentiates himself from the board with his background in processes and logistics.

He said a lot of his career experience in petroleum engineering, mainly with Chevron, involved budgeting, planning, risk assessment and decision analysis.

He believed that he could bring a perspective to technical aspects of safety and continuity of operations, saying much of the board has more experience in education and nonprofits.

“It’s just an opportunity to get that broader experience base as an advisory group,” Use said. “You would think that you would want to have more diversity of experience. They’re doing a great job,

I just think that I could help do even better.”

He said one of his biggest priorities was emergency preparedness, especially in the case of wildfires. After a property of his family’s in California went from “forest to meadow” from a fire, Use said that he couldn’t find any “specific plans written out … that addresses quick evacuation,” in the event of a fire like that of Hawaii, in August or Paradise, California, in 2018.

“Spring Valley and everything are pretty isolated. If you took the United States and looked at all the colleges and schools that are sitting in small, rural communities in forested areas, I’m sure the risk starts, statistically, going up,” Use said. “I think that’s an area where I’d like to see more work because all of CMC is up in the mountains in rural areas.”

CMC said that each campus has emergency response plans including for campus evacuation, including for scenarios involving wildfires. However, Use would not have access to these plans until or unless he were elected; they are not available for public viewing.

Use also said that he’d like to figure out why boards — not just CMC’s board of trustees, but also local school boards — are seeing a perceived reluctance of volunteers and candidates.

“I know I’m not fixing that problem, but I think there’s got to be some way of communicating better or fixing that process of encouraging candidates and good candidates to get on these slates,” Use said.

On housing, Use touted a balanced approach, saying you “can’t house everybody” because of the number of students commuting to campus, “which greatly reduces the cost to the student,” in terms of boarding fees paid to the school.

He said that CMC prioritizing finding ways to create workers who stay in their local communities is “complex” and that he’d like to see the data, expressing concerns that some of the trades being taught may not lead to a feasible income.

“They’re training auto mechanics right, but do those auto mechanics realize that they can’t afford housing here and then wind up going to the Front Range, where maybe they can find affordable housing?” Use said.

On reaching the Latino community, he said he would want to communicate directly with those populations to find out why people aren’t considering CMC. Use said he’s used to 12-hour days and feels he is ready to commit to the role as much as possible.

He can be reached at david.use.for. cmc.trustee@gmail.com

THE SOPRIS SUN • Your weekly community connector • October 19-25, 2023 • 19

Proposition HH: What you need to know about the Colorado property tax relief plan

By Jesse Paul The Colorado Sun Property values across Colorado rose sharply during the pandemic, causing a spike in how much property taxes are owed next year.

Proposition HH would blunt those rising property taxes in Colorado for at least the next 10 years. It would also grow the state budget, place new limits on local government spending and rework how taxpayer refunds are distributed.

All told, Proposition HH would limit the increase in Coloradans’ property taxes each year by hundreds of millions of dollars, if not more than $1 billion.

But over time, Coloradans could get billions less in tax refunds as the state government redirects those dollars to schools and other local agencies.

Here’s what you need to know about Prop. HH to cast your vote on the measure: What the property tax relief would be Proposition HH would not lower Coloradans’ property taxes below what they currently pay. It would simply limit the increase in property taxes starting in the 2023 tax year for what’s owed in 2024 and continue that relief through at least the 2032 tax year.

To understand how Proposition HH would work, it’s important to understand how property taxes are tallied in Colorado.

Colorado property taxes, which are collected on the local level and fund services like schools, fire districts and parks, are calculated by multiplying the statewide assessment rate by the value of a property as determined by a county assessor. That number is then multiplied by the local mill levy rate.

Property taxes aren’t rising in Colorado because the statewide assessment rate is rising or because local governments are increasing their mills. They’re going up because home values have risen by a median of 40% statewide since 2021, the last time they were assessed.

Here’s how the relief under Proposition HH would work for homeowners: The residential assessment rate would be reduced to 6.7% from 6.765% in 2023, for taxes owed in 2024, a roughly 1% cut. The rate would remain at 6.7%, down from 6.976% in 2024 for taxes owed in 2025, and persist through the 2032 tax year.

Note: If Proposition HH fails, the residential assessment rate would go up to 7.15% starting in tax year 2025 once a separate property tax relief measure passed by the legislature in 2022 expires.

In addition to the assessment rate cuts, homeowners would get to exempt the first $50,000 of their home’s value from taxation in the 2023 tax year. That

exemption would drop to $40,000 for the 2024 tax year. The break would persist until at least the 2032 tax year, except for people’s second or subsequent single-family homes, like rental or vacation properties, which would stop being eligible for that benefit for taxes owed in 2026 and beyond.

Homeowners who want to claim the $40,000 exemption after 2026 would have to attest to their county assessors that it’s their primary residence. Lying about whether your home is your primary residence would be a Class 2 misdemeanor punishable by a jail sentence of up to 120 days and/or a fine of up to $750.

It’s difficult to generalize how much any individual homeowner would save under Proposition HH. That’s because mill levy rates vary wildly from city to city, and even neighborhood to neighborhood, depending on how each of the state’s 3,000-plus local districts are drawn.

The average statewide mill levy rate is about 70 mills, so if you don’t know your mill levy rate — you can look it up on your county assessor’s website — you can use that number to get an idea of what your savings would be.

Here’s how Proposition HH would work for nonresidential property: For commercial properties, the assessment rate would be reduced to 27.85% through 2026, down from a rate

of 27.9% after a $30,000 reduction in value is exempted from taxation.

(If Proposition HH fails, the rate will be restored to 29% in 2024 and the $30,000 exemption will go away.)

Under Proposition HH, the rate will remain at 27.85% through 2026 and drop to 27.65% in 2027 and to 26.9% in 2029. If there is a substantial enough increase in property values, that rate would be reduced to 25.9% starting in 2031.

For agricultural properties and properties used for renewable energy, the assessment rate would be reduced to 26.4% from 29% through the 2032 tax year. For properties that fall under both classifications, such as those used for agrivoltaics, the rate would be cut to 21.9%. (Agrivoltaics is the use of land for both agriculture and solar energy production.)

Nonpartisan legislative staff estimates that the lower assessment rates and value exemptions would reduce property taxes statewide by a cumulative $400 million 2024, $960 million in 2025 and more than $1 billion in 2026.

Senior homestead exemption would become portable Under Proposition HH, the senior homestead exemption could be transferred starting in 2025 if someone over 65 who receives or received the benefit moves or has moved.

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The exemption lets people 65 and older who have owned their primary residence for at least 10 years exempt 50% of their home’s value up to $100,000 from taxation. But currently, the exemption is forfeited if someone who claims the break moves out of a property they’ve lived in for a decade or more, such as to downsize.

The $100,000 exemption would be in addition to the other exemptions offered under Proposition HH. The truth-in-taxation provision in Proposition HH The proposal would also prevent many local taxing authorities from collecting more property tax revenue each year above the rate of inflation without holding a public hearing and passing an ordinance or resolution.

Local taxing districts that don’t override the limit must temporarily lower their mill levy rate or refund taxpayers any revenue collected over the limit.

It’s modeled after a similar system in Utah.

School districts, which account for the majority of Coloradans’ property tax bill, and home-rule jurisdictions would be exempt from the limit.

Making up for the cuts at the expense of TABOR refunds To account for the cuts, Proposition HH would increase the state’s Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights cap on government growth and spending, which is calculated by annual growth in population and inflation, by an extra 1 percentage point each year.

That may not sound like a lot, but

the extra percentage point is expected to allow the state government to spend an extra $2.2 billion in the 2031-32 fiscal year. The TABOR cap growth proposed under Proposition HH is expected to let the state keep an additional $170 million in the current fiscal year, which began July 1, and $360 million in the next fiscal year.

Since any money collected over the cap must be refunded to taxpayers, the change would reduce the amount of money available for refunds in years in which the cap is exceeded. It also may prevent the cap from being exceeded altogether, meaning no refunds at all.

The extra revenue made available by increasing the cap would be distributed to local governments, mainly schools, to make up for all or some of the money they would have received had Proposition HH not blunted the increase in property taxes across the state.

Here’s how the dollars would be distributed: Schools would be reimbursed for all of the revenue lost due to the reductions in Proposition HH. Ambulance, fire and health districts would be completely reimbursed for their revenue reductions until their area assessed property values rise more than 20% above their 2022 levels. After that threshold is reached, the state will only reimburse half of their lost funding.

All other local districts funded by property taxes would be completely reimbursed until their area assessed

property values rise more than 20% above their 2022 levels, when the repayments from the state stop. (In 2023, however, all districts will receive reimbursement for separate property tax reductions adopted by the legislature in 2022 even if their property values grow by more than 20%.)

County governments with more than 300,000 people will only get partial backfill unless their areas assessed property values grow by less than 10%.

If there’s money left over after the payments to schools and local districts are made, it would be sent to the state education fund to serve as a rainy day pool of money in case of a future economic downturn. If the TABOR cap isn’t exceeded in a given year enough to backfill schools,

however, the other districts affected by the Proposition HH relief would be cut out of the reimbursements.

The TABOR cap is expected to be exceeded by more than enough to cover the reimbursements in at least the next three fiscal years.

Even with the reimbursements, Proposition HH is estimated by nonpartisan legislative staff to cost local districts at least $240 million in 2024, $510 million in 2025, and $650 million in 2026.

Finally, Proposition HH would eventually set aside up to $20 million each year to go toward a state renter relief program. Those dollars would be directed toward helping renters contend with any property tax continues on page 22

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Proposition HH

Garfield County report continued from page 21

increases their landlords pass on to them.

Proposition HH would affect your TABOR refunds in another way If Proposition HH passes, it would trigger a bill state lawmakers passed in the final hours of the 2023 legislative session changing how TABOR refunds are distributed next year for the $3 billion-plus in revenue above the TABOR cap collected during the 2022-23 fiscal year, which ended June 30.

Under the default system, refunds are distributed based on six income tiers, with higher earners receiving bigger refunds (about $1,850 for single filers in the top tiers) and lower earners getting less (about $580 for single filers in the lowest tiers). If Proposition HH passes, however, every Colorado taxpayer would receive checks of $832 for one year, regardless of their income.

The amounts are doubled for joint tax filers. The exact sums could still shift slightly depending on the state’s accounting methods for tax revenue collected in the 2022-23 fiscal year, which ended June 30 and on which the TABOR refunds are based. The checks will be sent out next year after people file their 2023 tax returns.

If you make $99,000 or less — which is 62% of Colorado taxpayers — your TABOR refund will be larger if Proposition HH passes. If you make more than $99,000, your refund will be much smaller. The checks are set to be mailed out in April after people file their 2023 tax returns.

This story originally appeared in The Colorado Sun. Find the complete article, with a calculator to determine your potential savings based on your personal property information, at www.coloradosun.com

Arauza replied, “I think it’s absolutely reasonable to consider that in a discussion on the board.”

Legal

The county attorney, Heather Beattie, said that the most recent GCPLD bylaws she could find are from 2011 and 2012. LaRue stated he believed those were the most current, but that he would double check.

Martin confirmed with counsel that the county commissioners get to “review and officially appoint [library board trustees], but [don’t] necessarily have to. The library board selects their committee.

They’re independent and stand by themselves.”

Counsel added that if the commissioners do not act within 60 days, according to state statute, it would be considered a ratification of the appointment.

Most notably, however, Martin inquired if, according to the bylaws, the commissioners could remove a member (or members) of the library board who refuse to do as requested by the commissioners.

Counsel pressed the chairman for clarification. “Hypothetically speaking, you’re asking Mrs. Arauza to commit to something … and if she does not follow through with that commitment, can you then remove her under the bylaws?

Is that the question?”

continued from page 8

“Correct,” replied Martin.

“There is a provision in the bylaws that allows the removal of trustees for very specific actions, willful misconduct, negligence of duty — those two actions specifically,” Beattie answered.

Motions made

Commissioner Samson made his motion to continue the appointment hearing to Nov. 6, which was unanimously approved.

Commissioner Jankovsky then made a motion “that pornographic materials not be accessible to children in Garfield County Libraries and that children are not allowed to check out pornographic materials from the Garfield County Libraries; and that’s direction to the library board from the board of county commissioners.”

Counsel pointed out that the question would boil down to, “What is pornography?” She continued, “Clearly people have different views of that … It would be a very difficult thing to prove.”

It would come down to a court case across the street at the Garfield County Courthouse, she concluded.

The latter motion also passed unanimously.

To view the Oct. 16 meeting in its entirety, visit www.garfieldcounty.com/board-commissioners

The Kiwanis Club of Glenwood Springs presented the Kiwanis Legion of Honor Award, the highest award for Kiwanis Club members, to Bill Coleman in recognition of achieving 50 years of community service this October as a member of Kiwanis. Kiwanis International President Bert West, pictured here with Coleman (right), presented the award along with the Glenwood Springs’ Kiwanis Club President Steve Pawlak (not pictured). Courtesy photo

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22 • THE SOPRIS SUN • soprissun.com • October 19-25, 2023

garfield-county.com

Smashing stress

By Jeanne Souldern Sopris Sun Correspondent

Last year, Sopris Sun intern and recent college graduate London Lyle, who, in fact, lives on the Front Range, went with a group of friends to an escape room, which she said “is basically like a puzzle, and you have to find your way out of a room.”

Enjoying that experience, her friends decided the next venture would be to a rage room.

“My friends and I just love doing things like haunted houses, and we had heard of rage rooms.

It sounded like a fun and safe way to channel your energy,” she said.

Their outing was to Super Smash Rooms located in Westminster. Lyle and her friends booked the Massive Mayhem Room, which had glass vases, ceramics, plates and mugs, as well as electronics, such as old TV sets, radios and printers.

Super Smash Room’s Director of Operations, J.J. Loera said proper attire is required, which includes closed-toe shoes, long-sleeved shirts and long-legged pants. You must wear protective gear, which includes eye goggles, ear protection, gloves, motorcycle helmets and coveralls over your clothing.

According to Super Smash Rooms’ website, the number one rule is: “Anyone clearly intoxicated will be refused entry, and no refund will be issued.”

Every participant must sign a liability waiver, and regardless of the package size you purchase, only two people are allowed in a smash room at the same time for safety reasons.

The concept of rage rooms is believed to have originated in Japan in the early 2000s.

Sometimes known as “anger rooms” or “smash rooms,” the space is a controlled environment for

people to release their frustrations by smashing items like dishes and glassware.

The implements for smashing, which they refer to as “weapons of mass destruction,” include sledgehammers, crowbars, mallets, oversized wrenches, hockey sticks and hammers. “But, people’s favorite are baseball bats,” Loera said.

The Super Smash Rooms is under the management of Joyful Journeys Community Enrichment, a nonprofit organization based in Broomfield. Started by Executive Director Tasha VanMarter, Joyful Journeys operates a thrift store, from which some damaged items end up at Super Smash Rooms.

All Super Smash Room profits go back to Joyful Journeys’ programming, like after-school, arts and sports, and financial literacy programs.

Loera noted that he has seen more rage rooms opening on the Front Range “as you see more of them on social media.”

The usual scenario, he said, is “people come in and get rid of some stress and get their rage out for a little bit without having to have any repercussions for breaking lots of things.”

The most popular package is Massive Mayhem, which is one to seven people, where they have an hour to smash as much stuff as they can, Loera shared.

Smash packages range from $30 for a 10-minute Mini-Smash, which includes 10 glass items and one electronic, to a group of up to 30 people for $1,000, where you can smash 280 glass or ceramic items, 67 small electronics like wi-fi routers and alarm clocks, and 13 small furniture items, like doors and cabinets.

They book rooms for families celebrating birthdays and co-workers for corporate events.

Nonprofit organizations can book the facilities for fundraisers and keep the profits.

Children between the ages of 8 and 17 must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.

carbondale arts

De c k the

WA L L S save the dates:

Nov 16. member opening nov 17. public opening

Courtesy photo

The Westminster location recently added two more rooms (for a total of four smash rooms) and an axe-throwing room. They also have a separate Super Splash Room for splashing paints onto 8x10-inch canvases.

When asked how people react to the smash room experience, Loera said, “We’ve definitely seen our fair share of reactions, including people who cheer for one another, But mainly, people are laughing and leaving with smiles on their faces.”

For more information about Super Smash Rooms, go to https://supersmashrooms.com and Joyful Journeys at www.joyfuljourneys.org A rage room should never be considered a replacement for mental health counseling.

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THE SOPRIS SUN • Your weekly community connector • October 19-25, 2023 • 23

At Our Honest shows up for young women of the RFV

By Myki Jones Sopris Sun Correspondent

At Our Honest is a mindfulness and traumainformed organization dedicated to serving the youth of The Roaring Fork Valley through social skills programs, one-on-one sessions and workshops with diverse and collaborative focuses. These strategies are designed to help their clientele develop life skills including: problem-solving, emotional regulation, conflict resolution and self-advocacy.

Founder Erica Lazarus explained that At Our Honest was created after the phrase came up in a conversation with a friend two years ago.

"We were exploring what it might be like to show up as our honest [selves] in the world. The phrase 'at our honest' came about, and it just stuck. I remember, at the time of that conversation, purchasing the website domain under that name, not knowing what I would use it for. Two years later, it's become what it is now,” Lazarus told The Sopris Sun. The organization's upcoming program, The Princess Warrior Series, will be a rite of passage to help seventh and eighth-grade girls “uncover their inner magnificence.” It will begin on Oct. 22, from 2 to 3:30pm at 13 Moons Ranch, south of Carbondale Carbondale. The four-week series will focus on bringing the young participants into a space of intentional connection with their peers while utilizing embodiment, music, movement, writing and reflection practices.

"The program will allow them to have this comprehensive experience of what it's like to be with other young women while tapping into their inner strength and wisdom. At that age, they’re malleable and exploring who they are," Lazarus shared. "Bringing

them into a space with guided ceremony, I would say, allows the mind to open, and it allows our minds to let go of their grip, so that we can experience what wants to come through."

Originally from the East Coast and having lived in the Valley for a little over a year, Lazarus is a licensed social worker who has worked primarily in education. As a social worker, she has worked primarily with youth, aged 10-18, undergoing trauma-informed practices.

"I recognized the need to bring trauma-informed and mindfulness based programming to youth across the Valley, because we live in an area with a wide socioeconomic gap,” she continued. “You've got folks here with access to supportive resources and those who don't. I asked myself, 'How do we engage all of those families to have a more unified community?' That was my gateway for stepping into this."

Lazarus explained that she felt drawn to social work ever since she was young due to her ability to connect with her friends, family and even strangers she encountered. She shared that her parents' friends, in particular, would tell her she would be a great therapist.

"I started recognizing that there must be something I put out, or that I'm able to hold space for people, and they recognize that. So, with some exploration, I realized that social work would be a great way to explore therapy and other ways of serving communities." Lazarus stated. "I believe we're all here to serve in this lifetime. Every one of us is of service to ourselves and to the community. It's our choice and journey to explore what that opening is, what excites us and what makes us."

The Princess Warrior Series came from Lazarus' desire to engage more with teenage girls in the community, something she says has wanted to do for

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24 • THE SOPRIS SUN • soprissun.com • October 19-25, 2023

Erica Lazarus, courtesy photo

a long time. Specifically, she envisions fostering an environment that shows young girls how to embrace and express who they are while navigating the chaos of adolescence.

"I think too many women are raised with so much criticism and critique that self-love is lost. In my opinion, there's nothing more powerful than a woman who is deeply in love with herself,” she exclaimed. She seeks to remind “these young girls that it's possible and we can do that — and we can do that together."

Additionally, Lazarus expressed hope for At Our Honest to continue rolling out four to six week programs not only for middle school girls, but also high school girls and mother-daughter programs to instill intergenerational healing and support.

For more information, visit www.atourhonest.com or email atourhonest@gmail.com

Comparte tus proyectos creativos aún en proceso con nuestros lectores. Puedes enviarnos un correo electrónico con tus ilustraciones, creaciones literarias y poesía a fiction@soprissun.com

Share your works in progress with readers by emailing illustrations, creative writings and poetry to fiction@soprissun.com

Photo by Deborah Williams Autumn Haiku

By Deborah Williams October sedum, Shyly silent all summer, Blushes into bloom.

Falling

By Jampa Carbondale At first I think it is a small yellow bird twirling.

Then hitting the ground, I see it is a lowly leaf finding its own grave.

(Right) It’s a treat! We’re not playing a trick on you.

This is a spooky competition and if you're brave enough to search for and locate the Ghost of Cattle Creek before anybody else, you will win a shoutout on the Works in Progress page of the Sopris Sun. This ghost (it’s a “he”), inhabits a property situated along Cattle Creek Road, also known as CR 113.

He can be seen from the road, so snap a photo of the ghoul before October 31st, 2023 and email it to fiction@soprissun.com Photo and text by Jane Bachrach

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LETTERS

continued from page 2

taxes in this area close to 2022 dollars. If you live elsewhere in Garfield County, the numbers may generally apply to your tax situation and/or could help you make your own calculations.

Tax Authority

2023*

Garfield County

9.8252

Carbondale & Rural Fire

8.313

Basalt Water Conservancy

0.0232

Colorado River Water Conservancy

0.36049

Roaring Fork School District

33.118

Colorado Mountain College

2.8854

Garfield County Public Libraries

1.8003

*2023 Recommended Reduced Mill Levy

Public input to elected officials is vital to their decision-making. The taxes you pay next year can be lower with your input.

Please note these estimates do not factor in the possible effects of Proposition HH. Davis Farrar, Missouri Heights Allyn Harvey, Carbondale

Go Betsy

Our district would be lucky to have someone with Betsy After’s skill set, keen understanding of our community’s unique needs, and fiscal prowess on the Roaring Fork School District Board of Education.

Betsy brings a wealth of experience as a local nonprofit leader with a demonstrated knowledge of fiscal management and working with large, complex budgets. As a mom of two young children currently in the RFSD and a proud local business owner in Carbondale, she shows up for her community by supporting local functions and has served on the board at both the Basalt Regional Library District and Mount Sopris Preschool.

Betsy’s experience with local governance and investment in the community can offer a unique and holistic approach to educational planning that will benefit both the RFSD and RFV. As a board member, Betsy will prioritize responsible, transparent leadership and encourage open communication and increased participation in decision-making by parents. She will also support educators by increasing teacher retention through creative measures and ensure success for all students by tackling the persistent achievement gap between Latino and white students. Both the Roaring Fork Community Education Association and Latinos Unidos have endorsed Betsy.

Ballots start hitting mailboxes this week and I encourage our community to elect Betsy After. She’s invested in the success of our community and I’m confident her leadership will be an asset to our Valley for years to come.

Sincerely, Jen Burn, Carbondale

Vote Lindsay

I have lived in Glenwood Springs nearly all of my 42 years. As a mom of three children in the Roaring Fork School District,

26 • THE SOPRIS SUN • soprissun.com • October 19-25, 2023

and a citizen deeply connected and dedicated to the health and well-being of the children of our community, I am writing in support of Lindsay DeFrates for Roaring Fork School Board: District C. I met Lindsay when we were both in the throes of parenting young children. At the time, she was an eighth-grade teacher at Carbondale Middle School. Of course, anyone, who can not only teach middle school but loves their students while doing so, has my utmost respect. Both of our lives have taken various turns, hers with stints as a full-time parent, freelance writer and, most recently, as the Deputy Director of Public Relations for the Colorado River District. Throughout this time, I have learned a few things about Lindsay.

First, she is incredibly bright. Her ability to see the whole picture and decipher how different pieces of a problem are related is impressive.

Second, and maybe most importantly, she’s curious. Curiosity is a trait I increasingly look for in public servants, as problems are rarely black and white and true understanding of issues takes a person who is willing to really listen and consider all sides.

These days, that’s a tough trait to find and I know she will be thoughtful in this position. Third, she has grit. And this position takes grit. Surviving in our valley as a parent with three small kids, without local family support, is an enormous challenge and she has resilience that will serve her well in this role. Lastly, she cares. She cares deeply about our children, about the human community that we all need to thrive. There is no other reason she is willing to dedicate her time and energy to this task.

She truly embodies one of my favorite sayings, “There is no such thing as other people’s children.” For these reasons, she has my vote for school board, and I encourage you to consider giving her your vote also.

Brandy Drake, Glenwood Springs

Remembering Kristi Nicholls

Kristi Nicholls was in the advanced stages of kidney cancer when, on Oct. 30, 2022, with her family by her side, she proactively ended her life using prescribed medication. Four days before her carefully designed death, Kristi asked Ron Kokish to record a video interview. Join us at the Carbondale Library on Oct. 21 at 2pm, to hear what Kristi Nicholls and the people who knew her want to tell us about dying, one year after Kristi drank lethal medication to hasten her death. A panel discussion will follow Kristi’s video.

Niki Delson, Carbondale

RIP Jill Soffer

We are writing to express our profound sadness about the death of Jill Soffer last week. Jill was an important and passionate supporter continues on page 27

LETTERS

PARTING SHOTS

continued from page 26

of Roaring Fork Audubon and many other local and national environmental organizations. She will be sorely missed.

Her commitment to wildlife, natural landscapes and a host of conservation causes was unmatched. With her and Steve’s guidance, their property on Missouri Heights is a sanctuary for wildlife and a model of thoughtful land management.

Jill’s life was an example of how those with resources can commit to giving back to the natural world without any expectation of reward other than enjoying the beauty of that world as it unfolds every day. We honor her memory and offer our sincere condolences to her partner, Steve, and to her many friends and family. Jill requested that donations in her memory be made to the Sierra Club. Please use this link to the Colorado chapter to donate in her name: www.bit.ly/ JillDonatesSierra Mary Harris & Board of Roaring Fork Audubon

Gratitude

I am writing to express our deepest gratitude and share the resounding success of our recent “Stepping Up for Youth” fundraiser. The evening brought together 160 youth, community members and sponsors to celebrate the impact of Stepping Stones in Carbondale.

We came together to celebrate our collective commitment to empowering youth. The event was a testament to the power of community, and it would not have been possible without the invaluable contributions of many. I am thrilled to share that we exceeded our goal and raised over $17,000! These funds will enable us to continue serving over 350 youth each year, offering supportive mentoring relationships and 32+ hours of free drop-in programming each week. Together, we can empower youth and families to thrive!

This success is a testament to the Permítanos dedication ofencontrar our sponsors,los the passion recursos que necesita. of our attendees, and the shared belief in the potential of our youth. We are truly humbled by the support we received.

We want to extend special thanks to our youth, staff, attendees and sponsors: Alpine Bank, FirstBank, Forum Phi, Glenwood Insurance, Karp Neu Hanlon, Man Plumbing, Reese Henry, Tuesday Foods and Aspen SkiCo. Thank you to each sponsor and attendee for making "Stepping Up for Youth" a resounding success. We look forward to continuing this journey together, forging connections that help every youth flourish. To learn more about our impact, please visit www. steppingstonesrfv.org Kyle Crawley Stepping Stones Letters policy: The Sopris Sun welcomes local letters to the editor. Shorter letters stand a better chance of being printed.

Letters exclusive to The Sopris Sun (not appearing in other papers) are particularly welcome. Please cite your facts and include your name and place of residence or association. Letters are due to news@soprissun.com by noon on the Monday before we go to print.

Sopris on a recent and fabulous fall day in the Roaring Fork and Crystal River valleys. This photo was taken at a marked turnout, about a half mile from the Pitkin County line on Highway 133, by Lynn “Jake” Burton

Pitkin County Cares

Photo of the recent eclipse, by Sue Rollyson Leaf art by Sofie Koski

Let us help you find the resources you need.

Practicing minimal contact check-in.

Pitkin County Human Services:

289 MAIN STREET | (970) 963-2826 | CARBONDALEAH@GMAIL.COM

Community Resources:

pitkincounty.com/humanservices (970) 920-5235

THE SOPRIS SUN • Your weekly community connector • October 19-25, 2023 • 27

Noche Mística

Voices of the Crystal

Where laughter meets mysticism in a comedic extravaganza.

The Crystal is our lifeline up here.

It’s been an important element to the Redstone Inn, to our hospitality, our heritage tourism, and our entertainment. This is one of the important places in time that should not change.”

+ VOICES

presenT

Teatro en espaÑol October 20-22, 2023 | TACAW

Friday, 10/20, 7:00p | Saturday, 10/21, 7:00p Sunday, 10/22, 4:00p Performance is in Spanish with English interpretation and subtitles Underwritten by the Good Works Foundation & Laura Donnelley

Deborah Strom

Former General Manager, Redstone Inn

TICKETS BY DONATION learn more CrystalWild.org

28 • THE SOPRIS SUN • soprissun.com • October 19-25, 2023