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A PEEK AFTER PEAK Remember the spectacular colors that painted Carbondale, before the leaves’ final fall? It is a colorful memory as the seasons change and winter begins to sneak in. All is not lost, however, as The Sopris Sun gives you one last peek … at the peak.

Photos and text by Jane Bachrach

Volume 15, Number 41 | November 16 - November 22, 2023

OPINION

Volver a lo esencial

By Triny Rochin

Translated by Vanessa Porras Recently, in this space we have known the inspiring stories of members of the community. This time, the story is not about one person but about a group of approximately 80 to 100 immigrants coming from Venezuela.

This group arrived quietly to the Roaring Fork Valley, more specifically to Carbondale, apparently before July of this year, but their story did not begin there.

For the past several decades, tens of thousands of people from Central and South America have migrated to the United States for a variety of reasons ranging from a bad economy, violence, insecurity, lack of job and educational opportunities in our home countries, resulting in a growing humanitarian crisis.

One country that has been particularly affected is Venezuela, which is why every day more and more Venezuelans are fleeing their country in search of better living conditions.

Although each migrant has his or her unique story and the particular decision to migrate is personal, Venezuelans, influenced by a combination of factors the nation is currently facing, have been migrating in large groups. One such group came to live in this small valley.

LETTERS CKF in NYC

The Chris Klug Foundation (CKF) recently had the honor to be a part of the 52nd TCS New York City Marathon. We were so grateful to be one of over 500 charity partners, with 13 runners completing the race. We also participated in the Expo, where we had the opportunity to speak with the 140,000 plus attendees about the importance of organ, eye and tissue donation.

We would like to express our extreme gratitude and appreciation for our 13 runners, including our nine Colorado locals: Rocio De La Cruz, Charlie Singer, Charles Lucarelli, Sarah Cole, May Selby, Christy Mahon, Jason Anderson, Max Rispoli, Jill Canning and Erica Rasmussen. We were honored to be joined by 1K12M (1 Kidney 12 Marathons) athletes, Hilary Baude and Matt Cavanaugh, as well as living liver recipient and 2023 CKF Bounce Back Give Back award winner, Dave Galbenski.

We want to recognize and thank our sponsors, Aspen Meadows Resort, for supporting our team, and rabbit for providing the team kits.

The NYC Marathon is an incredible experience. Watching 51,000 plus runners be supported by five boroughs worth of cheering spectators is the uplifting human success story we all

A call for solidarity

They have faced many adversities to get here, their desire is to settle in this place, all in the hope of a better future. Until a few days ago, these new neighbors went unnoticed as they tried to survive.

This is a phenomenon that has not been seen here before, and the local authorities were definitely not prepared to receive and house all of these people.

Fortunately, the organization Voces Unidas de las Montañas took the initiative to gather the group, and to appoint representatives among them in order to learn what their needs are so that, with the help of different local organizations and the whole community, we can help our new neighbors.

In the short term, the basic needs are having access to shelter, bathrooms, showers and laundry. They also need water, food (ready to eat since they do not have access to a stove), adequate clothing for the cold, hygiene products, work and many are in need of medical attention.

I would like to take this time to invite the community to be hospitable to our new neighbors, some of whom have expressed having experienced discrimination and negative treatment.

Unhoused people are already stigmatized, but when they are Latinos they are doubly affected, making their condition even more difficult. This is an excellent opportunity to leave racial discrimination behind, to put aside cultural differences, to be empathetic and show compassion.

It may be out of reach for many of us to be able to help with housing or jobs, but there are very practical things we can all do, especially those of us who live in Carbondale and come across them

somewhere public.

Here are some ideas of things we can all certainly do. If it's not in your power to cook for a large group, perhaps you can pick up the tab for one of them at the gas station or convenience store. Buying someone a sandwich or a drink is a small act that can make a big impact on someone else's life.

There are such small, practical things we can all do, like looking people in the eye, giving them a smile, or a greeting, that costs us nothing and can be very pleasing to the recipient.

Engaging in conversation is another way to make a difference. Listening to their stories or offering a word of encouragement. We can also give them information about what life is like in the Valley, how public transportation works, or how and where to access medical services or any information from local organizations or social services we have available. By doing this we can help them adapt more quickly to this place and lessen the difficulties they face.

In addition, of course, you can help by making donations and volunteering with the organizations that are supporting them.

Each person and situation is unique, let us remember that it is important that we continue to be a community that stands in solidarity with those in need, that shows empathy and respect, that is sensitive to the situation that unhoused people face.

“The measure of a society is how it treats its weakest members.” Mahatma Gandhi If you are interested in helping you can go to the Voces Unidas website, www.vocesunidas.org

need right now. Over 130 countries and all 50 states were represented! Every year, we are inspired by the stories we hear from racers. This year’s tales included: a senior runner who had an appointment to be an altruistic kidney donor following the race; a runner who proudly wore a QR code to help her kidney recipient find a second kidney; and those of our own runners, including living kidney donors, Baude and Cavanaugh, who are on a mission to complete 12 marathons each this year in honor of living donation, and Galbenski, who celebrated 10 years from his diagnosis by running his first marathon back since receiving a lifesaving liver from his living donor, Mark, in 2019.

We are awestruck by the amazing capacity of people and so honored to see how much good is still out there.

Chris Klug Foundation

open while trustees and staff droned on about town budgets and liquor license approvals, wondering how I was going to make any of this interesting or relevant to my readers when I got back to the newsroom facing deadline pressure.

If only those meetings had been as confrontational and volatile as the Big Cherry get-togethers in “The Minutes.” The vast majority of the play revolved around occasionally hilarious agenda items, like a martial arts smackdown at the town’s annual festival and a fountain and statue in the town square.

Then, a dark cloud passed over the proceedings as the town fathers came to grips with a typically sordid tale of how white Europeans have conducted genocide against the Native Americans since they infested this continent in 1492.

I’ve been exposed to a lot of this lately. I’ve been watching the Ken Burns’ documentary, “The American Buffalo,” where the white invaders, using their rifles and horses, slaughtered the nearly 60 million bison that roamed the American prairies in 1800 to the point where they were almost extinct in less than a century.

Burns showed pictures of mountains of rotting carcasses.

All the whites used from the dead

‘The Minutes’

I expected to be able to relate to Tracy Letts’ “The Minutes,” now running at Carbondale’s Thunder River Theatre. The play is about a small-town board of trustees meeting.

My experience as a staff writer for the Glenwood Post, covering Rifle, Silt and New Castle, and my involvement in town matters here in Carbondale, had me prepared.

I recall struggling to keep my eyes

2 • THE SOPRIS SUN • soprissun.com • November 16 - November 22, 2023

continues on page 18

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

Our Underwriters and Nonprofit Partners!

Amélie Ogilby, a local Carbondalian and senior at Colorado Rocky Mountain School, and her family were all smiles as she participated in National Signing Day on Wednesday, Nov. 1 for a spot on the Division 1 University of California Santa Barbara swim team. Ogilby will compete at Junior Nationals for the second time in December. Congratulations Amélie! Photo by Will Sardinsky

So it begins…

RJ Paddywacks Cool Bricks Studio White River Books Alpine Animal Hospital

Nonprofit Partners

Wilderness Workshop 5point Film Festival Basalt Library Aspen Strong Carbondale Rotary Colorado Animal Rescue Carbondale Arts Carbondale Chamber of Commerce Interested in becoming an Underwriter or Nonprofit Partner in 2023? Email Todd@ soprissun.com or call 970-987-9866

Christmas tree cutting season begins Friday, Nov. 16 on the White River National Forest. Permits can be purchased for $12.50 online at www. recreation.gov or for $10 at district offices, beginning Thursday, Nov. 15.

Fourth graders are eligible for a free permit at www.everykidoutdoors. gov. All trees must be for personal use and there is a limit of five permits per person.

5Point youth grants

Each year, 5Point Film awards three grants of up to $2000 to help students achieve their dreams. The Dream Project is open to high school students from Aspen to Parachute. Projects should align with the “5 Points” of the 5Point FIlm Festival: purpose, respect, commitment, humility and balance. The deadline for applications is midnight Friday, Dec. 1. Selected students will be notified by Dec. 6. Applicants must have parental approval.

Application information is at www.bit. ly/5PointDreamProject

Carbondale Arts update

Attention designers, dancers, and models! The Green is the New Black Fashion Extravaganza, scheduled for March 7-9, 2024, is accepting designer applications until Nov. 30. Open model auditions are Sunday, Dec. 17 at The

Launchpad from 6-9pm. In addition, Carbondale Arts is commissioning five murals and three sculptures for the public art park next to a storage unit building on Hwy 133. Individuals or teams of artists, designers, muralists and sculptors are encouraged to apply until Jan. 22. More details on these opportunities are at www. carbondalearts.com

CPW Equity Board

Colorado Parks and Wildlife seeks four board members for the Outdoor Equity Grant Program (OEGP). The OEGP was created in 2021 to increase access to Colorado state parks and outdoor spaces for underserved youth and their families by reducing barriers. The Board needs one person experienced in, and personally impacted, by racial justice issues, one experienced with conservation issues and two youths from communities impacted by the OEGP. The application deadline is Dec. 1. Details at cpw.state. co.us/Outdoor-Equity-Fund.aspx

Milagro Ranch protected

Sarah and Felix Tornare placed their 87-acre Milagro Ranch on Missouri Heights into a conservation easement earlier this month, ensuring a ranching and wildlife habitat legacy long into the future. The Aspen Daily News reported that the couple worked with Aspen Valley Land Trust and closed the deal on Nov. 6.

Rescue at Grizzly Creek

On Saturday, Nov. 11, a climber on a multi-pitch Grizzly Creek climb called “Mudflap Girl” was injured after falling about 40 feet. The Glenwood Springs Fire Department reported that the injured person was about 500 feet up the 700foot climb. Search and rescue teams from Garfield County, Vail and Aspen coordinated with the High Altitude Army National Guard Aviation Training Site team to help the climber and his partner off of the rock. A single rescuer was lowered from a helicopter and then hoisted up to the hovering craft with the two climbers.

The entire operation took four and a half hours. The climbers were flown to the Glenwood Springs airport and transported by ambulance to Valley View Hospital.

Winter closures

Maroon Creek and Castle Creek Roads are closed for the season until May 15, 2024.

They say it’s your birthday!

Folks celebrating another trip around the sun this week include: Colin Bashant, Thomas Cerise, Katie Hankinson and Robin Tolan (Nov. 17); Larry Smith and Erin Patricia (Nov. 18); Rowynn Anthes, Kelsey Clapper and Heather Lafferty (Nov. 19); Mike Metheny and Rosie Sweeney (Nov. 20); Crystal Tapp (Nov. 21); Karen Barbee, Lindsay Hentschel, Maria Mork and MinTze Wu (Nov. 22).

Your Mid-Valley Real Estate Expert Professionally Representing You with 16 Years of Experience

Programs Coming Soon at Basalt Regional Library

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970.319.5757 • hilary@hilaryporterfield.com • roaringfork-homes.com ©2023 Engel & Völkers. All rights reserved. Each brokerage is independently owned and operated.

Pancake Art: Cook & Compete Thurs, Nov. 16, 4-5:30PM Have your PANcake and eat it too! Learn how to create your own pancake art that tastes as good as it looks in an after-school snack competition!

Grades 5+.

Music at the Library: A Piano Recital with Amanda Gessler Fri, Nov. 17, 5:30-6:30PM A solo piano recital presented

by Aspen-based pianist Amanda Gessler, performing Sonatas by Ludwig van Beethoven, Marianna Von Auenbrugg, and more.

14 Midland Avenue | Basalt Colorado 81621 | 970.927.4311 | basaltlibrary.org

THE SOPRIS SUN • Your weekly community connector • November 16 - November 22, 2023 • 3

Reality of Venezuelan refugee crisis settles in Carbondale It’s widely known by now that migrants from Venezuela are arriving by the day to the Valley, and more specifically Carbondale.

The Sopris Sun delivers this report to fill in some of the cracks of an already heavily publicized issue.

Some background

For about 10 years there has been an ongoing migration from Venezuela. Many readers likely recall the international coverage of mass protests that were forcibly quelled by then Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez, and later his successor, Nicolás Maduro. Maduro is still in power after his reelection in 2018, the legitimacy of which divided the country, with the military remaining favorable to him. The economy succumbed to strict foreign currency laws and sanctions from international governments, including the United States.

“Since 2005, the United States has imposed sanctions on Venezuelan individuals and entities that have engaged in criminal, antidemocratic, and/or corrupt actions,” reads a report from the Congressional Research Service, updated on Nov. 1. “The Trump Administration expanded the scope of U.S. sanctions … Despite those sanctions, which were associated with an economic collapse that has led 7.7 million Venezuelans to flee the country,

Maduro consolidated power.”

According to the Colorado Sun, in Denver about 5,500, of the nearly 26,000 Venezuelan migrants who arrived there, still reside in the city.

Carbondale’s arrivals

Here in Carbondale, by press time, it’s estimated that more than 100 have arrived and are without housing. About 50 are staying in a makeshift shelter in town that can accommodate 60 at most.

Voces would rather that the specific location not be publicized for security reasons. “Our organization receives lots of messages, including threats,” Voces Unidas President Alex Sanchez told The Sopris Sun, “and the topic of immigration is a very toxic issue, especially in Garfield County.”

The stay will certainly be quick as the facility does not have adequate resources for their bare necessities, namely showers and kitchen space. Therefore, the question is, where will they go next?

It’s a problem no one was expecting locally, but the community has put its best foot forward to learn as it goes.

On Saturday, Nov. 4, Voces, along with State Representative Elizabeth Velasco, met the displaced people where many were staying, under and around the Veterans’ Bridge on Highway 133. Voces helped organize a leadership committee from within the group, consisting of nine members and

4 • THE SOPRIS SUN • soprissun.com • November 16 - November 22, 2023

The leadership committee meets with town representatives.

Photo courtesy of Voces Unidas

alternates, then coordinated meetings between the committee and the town of Carbondale. Fifteen area nonprofits also rallied to provide immediate essentials.

Sanchez relayed that he learned from the unhoused group that the police had allegedly been coming twice a day “to remove them from the parking lot.”

Later, the leadership committee met with the Carbondale Police Department (CPD) and town staff. Voces was grateful that CPD suspended enforcement of the town’s camping ban at that time.

“We started making contact with a few of our new neighbors about three weeks ago,” CPD Chief Kirk Wilson told The Sopris Sun. “At first, it was maybe 10-15 people,” but that number grew rapidly.

“We have agreed to temporarily not enforce the camping ordinance in town,” Wilson confirmed. “We are

planning to have a meeting where Officer Lazo and Officer Mendoza [both bilingual] will inform them of some of the issues that may affect their day to day lives … like trespass, how to get a driver’s license and register vehicles, the need for car insurance and other related ordinances and laws.”

Immediately, the town is helping to look for better shelter options, and is reaching out for support from neighboring jurisdictions and philanthropic organizations.

Community member Sarah Johnson shared an email she sent to her Church’s parish, suggesting that churches could be better equipped to serve as temporary, but longer-term, shelters.

Voces has identified at least six child arrivals, who have been temporarily housed.

Housing crisis

People, of course, consider the impact on the housing crisis the region is already undergoing. There isn’t any excess capacity, Carbondale Trustee Colin Laird expressed. He added that that is not unique, and that Denver is overwhelmed as well.

He noted the work Carbondale (along with the West Mountain Regional Housing Coalition) has done to address housing needs, but recognized that much more has yet to be done.

“There is no concern that we are going to lose our focus on this,” he assured, when it comes to housing in general. “But, this is an immediate need, especially considering it’s winter,” referring to the current situation as a humanitarian issue.

Learning along the way

Laird reflected on how the Valley has been somewhat insulated from national and international pressures, for instance, how the financial crisis hit here later than the rest of the country. He added that it was COVID that made people realize how connected we are to the larger world. “This is another reminder about how connected we are,” he stated.

The region has a lot to learn from this experience, he continued, and — acknowledging that it could likely continue — can set itself up to be better prepared in the future.

“We hope that we as a region, as the Roaring Fork Valley, start to

think about longer-term processes and how to respond to these needs,” added Sanchez. “Because, as we have seen in Denver and Aurora, this can increase in scale pretty quick.”

Boots-on-the-ground

Irene Wittrock, with Voces, is working as the boots-on-the-ground makeshift shelter coordinator. She has not had a break. On Tuesday, Nov. 14, in an interview, she said that 20 more people arrived from Denver the night before. She noted that among the arrivals, capacity concerns are clear.

Cots lined the large room and everyone was chipping in to prepare for a meeting that evening.

Agenda items for the meeting included setting some ground rules, such as a 10pm curfew, and asking the newcomers not to tell their friends and families in Denver, or elsewhere, to come to Carbondale.

Wittrock said that they feel safe in the makeshift shelter, but added, “This week they can stay here, next week we don’t know.”

Brief profiles

Asdrubal Alvarodo, 29, serves on the leadership committee. He is from Calabozo, Guarico in Venezuela.

He studied engineering at a public university associated with the armed forces. After an extremely long and arduous journey, he crossed the U.S. border at El Paso in June. He was not trying to be deceitful and

Photo by Klaus Kocher

went straight to the authorities, who transported him to a prison in New Mexico where he was held for three months. Before he was released he had to prove a “credible fear” of returning to Venezuela in order to stay in the U.S. His family is still in Venezuela and he hopes to support them from afar.

Libia Guzman is from Maracay, Aragua and identifies with the LGBTQ+ community. She said it took her one year to get to the U.S. after leaving Venezuela. She and her

life partner, who are raising three children together, secured housing for their family in Aspen, but only for two weeks. She said that life in Venezuela is especially hard for gay citizens, and she is in search of “another life.”

Refer to the Carbondale Report on page 7 for coverage of the town trustees related discussion at their regular meeting on Tuesday, Nov. 15.

For those who wish to learn more about how to help the unhoused individuals, visit www.vocesunidas.org

THE SOPRIS SUN • Your weekly community connector • November 16 - November 22, 2023 • 5

BASALT REPORT

Contracts signed for 2024 Midland construction

By Will Buzzerd Sopris Sun Correspondent This week, the Basalt town council convened to discuss fun, festive plans for this year’s holiday season as well as a successful value engineering effort for Midland’s reconstruction in 2024.

During the opening period for public comment, two citizens came to the stand to offer their opinions on the potential Black Mountain development plan at the Jadwin parcel on Emma Road. One citizen called the development plan a net-negative for the valley community, both from a sustainability and character standpoint. Notably, the Jadwin development will be formally discussed at a public hearing on Nov. 28, during which the applicant will not only answer questions from council, but citizens will be able to offer additional comments.

Town Manager Ryan Mahoney announced that the annual holiday tree lighting will be held Dec. 1 at Triangle Park in Willitts. Another will be held on Dec. 8 at the new River Park in Old Town Basalt. Mr. and Mrs. Claus will be paying a visit to both events, and at the River Park, popular summer concert performer A Band Called Alexis will be returning to the bandshell for some holiday music. This year, the town will have both a petting zoo and a holiday

movie-themed tree decorating contest.

More details can be found on Basalt’s website. Additionally, a menorah lighting will be held on Dec. 7 in Triangle Park.

The first in a series of three presentations was this year’s third quarter financial report. So far, sales taxes constitute approximately twothirds of general fund revenue, with property taxes being the second highest source at about 16%. Public works and parks projects have made up 29% of this year’s general fund expenses, with the police department and administrative expenses each constituting approximately 20%.

Financial Manager Doug Pattison noted that revenue from sales tax and building permits was down, but currently actual revenue to date of approx. $8.06 million makes up 78.7% of this year’s planned budget of $10.24 million, and there is still the fourth quarter for additional revenue to come in. Expenditures are comparatively lower at an actual value of $6.79 million out of a budgeted $11.82 million – about 57.4% of the year’s budget. Pattison stated that, at the current rate of expenditure and revenue, the former is unlikely to exceed the latter and the two values should break even by the end of the year.

Courtesy image

Next up, Planning Director Michelle Thibeault presented a grant opportunity for development of affordable housing and a childcare facility at Sopris Meadows, recommending that the town apply to Tier 1 of the Colorado Department of Local Affairs’ More Housing Now program. Tier 1 grants require either a 10% or $20,000 match requirement, but Eagle County has already pledged $10,000 of this match requirement if the town is awarded the grant.

Coming up on council actions, the town approved a special event activity permit for the operation of a food truck, Estilo Salvadoreño, at 122 Basalt Center Circle. Estilo Salvadoreño will be offering quick, affordable, and authentic Salvadorian cuisine from Nov. 15 to Feb. 15.

After that, the Town approved a pair of contracts regarding the construction and landscaping of Phase II of the Midland Avenue Streetscape Project. This summer the town put Phase II of construction out to bid,

Pitkin County Cares

initially seeing an estimate of $11.2 million. However, after a lengthy value engineering process, the bid has been reduced to about $6.5 million, including both construction, landscaping and furnishings. This $4.7m reduction was possible through material changes and redesigning pedestrian pathways.

Two streetscape construction contracts were approved. The first was a $7.2 million construction contract with Stutsman-Gerbaz. The construction on its own is priced at $5.97 million, but an additional $1.2 million contingency cost has been added to the contract.

The second contract for $252,690 was signed with Rocky Mountain Custom landscapes, Inc. for Phase II landscaping.

In the last few minutes of the meeting, the council approved the installation of underground electrical lines at Lions Park just outside of town hall, and an amendment of the 2023 budget restating sources of revenue, predominantly interest income and sales tax.

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6 • THE SOPRIS SUN • soprissun.com • November 16 - November 22, 2023

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CARBONDALE REPORT

Migrant crisis briefing; Town Center, Aquatics Center projects at ‘critical juncture’

By John Stroud Sopris Sun Correspondent

An update on the emerging crisis involving a large group of Venezuelan refugees who’ve landed in Carbondale led off the regular Tuesday board of trustees meeting. Six of the seven board members were present, with Luis Yllanes absent.

Following approval of the consent agenda, including finalizing an agreement for the Little Blue Preschool expansion, and a few comments from the public and trustees, Mayor Ben Bohmfalk and Town Manager Lauren Gister updated the board regarding what’s now believed to be more than 100 unhoused migrants who have been camped near Carbondale’s Highway 133 entrance for the past several weeks.

Since news of the Carbondale arrival (via Denver) of numerous refugees broke last month, the advocacy group Voces Unidas has been working with the town and other entities to line up temporary shelter and other assistance.

What started as a “couple dozen” migrants who began coming to Carbondale over the summer and into the fall seeking work, has now grown to between 100110 people, Gister reported.

The group is mostly made up of young men who have recently fled the economic and political strife in Venezuela, and have been given asylum status in the U.S. Some families with young children have been part of the group at times, Gister said.

Bohmfalk summed up other trustee sentiments in speaking to the town’s willingness to lend a hand, at least for the short term. But he noted that Carbondale alone can’t bear the burden for the long term, especially given the existing housing crisis that’s already

impacting the Roaring Fork Valley.

“We don’t want to become so accommodating that we become known as the place to go,” Bohmfalk said.

“But we also don’t want to be so cruel that people are freezing outside at night.”

He noted that the situation could be turned into a positive, as many of the migrants are skilled workers who could help with ongoing labor shortages.

For a complete report on this evolving story, see page 4 of this issue.

Students of the Month were recognized at the Nov. 14 meeting. (Left to right) Jade Morey and Evalynn Evans from Ross Montessori, and Liviani Vasquez Vega and Emma Ruiz Perez from Crystal River Elementary.

Photo by John Stroud

Projects update

Moving on to a long list of action items that were on Tuesday’s agenda, trustees gave direction on two major projects that are at a “critical juncture,” in Mayor Bohmfalk’s words.

Those include first phase development options for the Town Center project in downtown, and next steps in planning for the new municipal Aquatics Center.

Andrew Michaelson of Artspace Projects, Inc., gave an update on a recommended Town Center design that will be sent to the Colorado Housing Finance Authority in hopes of obtaining low-income tax credits for the affordable live-work housing project.

Trustees agreed to a 39-unit first phase development along the Sixth Street side of the property, wrapping east along the alley with a mixed-used building fronting the Promenade walkway. A Nov. 21 trustees work session with Artspace representatives will focus on design details.

Trustees also grappled with the reality that replacement of the municipal pool will cost far more than the $8 million in financing that town voters approved in the spring 2022 election.

I'm just waiting until you say the magic word…

Tre a t s !

Even the original master plan concept would cost upwards of $9.6 million now, and to include all of the amenities that have since been discussed, it would exceed $13 million, Andi Korber of Land + Shelter Architects reported to the board.

Trustees settled on a top-end budget of $11.6 million, which would entail an additional capital campaign and possible use of town reserves in order to make up the gap. It also will mean some give and take in the final design, project consultants advised.

As planned, the project involves separate lap and recreation pools, a hot tub and renovation of the existing building for changing rooms and to house mechanical equipment, with solar panels to power the all-electric pool heating system.

Other items of note from Tuesday’s meeting included:

• Direction from trustees to find $180,000 in the budget to fund a town microtransit service for at least six months, as a feeder to the RFTA bus system. continues on page 19

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COMMUNITY CALENDAR Visit soprissun.com to submit events

Winterfaire A Family Celebration of Winter!

Saturday Dec 2nd 11am-3pm * Family crafts * *Unique shopping * * Food & treats * * Puppet play * *Enchanted story * & much more!

Hosted @ Waldorf School on the Roaring Fork 16543 Hwy 82 Carbondale

Original artwork by @roaringforkchalkart

&

Winterfaire Store Open House!

Thursday November 30th 5-8pm

Adult Only festive holiday shopping experience! Live music music, food & beautiful handmade giftss from over a dozen local vendors!

More info & presale tickets for Saturday Dec 2 @ waldorfschoolrf.com waldorfschoolrf

"Dance Lessons"

by Aaron Brown

Sunil Mehrotra writes, “We are entangled with everything around us in a cosmic tango. Every atom in every cell in our body is entangled with atoms in other bodies and objects in the universe. The dance is fluid, the movement continuous, the partners (atoms) changing positions at every opportunity. The dance is endless and the music never stops.” In this service, we will talk about the value of seeing life as a dance and discuss some of the literal dance lessons Aaron has received that have been some of the more profound helpers in his own journey through life and relationships.

Live in-person service. Live music by Jimmy Byrne.

Sunday, November 19th, 10am at Two Rivers Unitarian Universalist Community Room @ Third Street Center in Carbondale or via Zoom Join Zoom Meeting - https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82605258305 Meeting ID: 826 0525 8305 - Passcode: chalice

On the second and third Sundays of each month, Aaron Brown will be speaking in-person at Third truu.org Street Center. Aaron Brown received his Master’s in Theological Studies from Iliff School of Theology. He develops coaching and leadership programs for a global consulting firm and has spoken intermittently over the last 12 years at TRUU. He is the father of two teenagers, one who recently started college, the other in 10th grade. He is delighted and honored to be joining the congregation this year as a guest speaker.

8 • THE SOPRIS SUN • soprissun.com • November 16 - November 22, 2023

Carbondale Arts members are invited to a sneak peek of the annual holiday market, Deck the Walls, at the Launchpad from 4-7pm on Nov. 16. Nonmembers are invited to opening day on Nov. 17 from noon to 7pm. Courtesy photo

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 16

TOOL CLEANING Earn some community service hours or just volunteer for the heck of it by cleaning and sharpening tools for Roaring Fork Outdoor Volunteers at the Third Street center from 10am to 6pm. A 3pm lunch will be provided. Register at www. rfov.org EAGLE COMMISSIONERS Catch at least one of the Eagle County commissioners during office hours at the Basalt Library from 11am to 2pm.

BOOK CLUB The Third Thursday Book Club discusses "The Perfect Wife" by J.P. Delaney at 2pm at the Carbondale Library.

BRIDGE Bridge players compete and trade tips at the Basalt Library at 4pm.

DECK THE WALLS Carbondale Arts members are invited to a sneak peek of the annual holiday market, Deck the Walls, at the Launchpad from 4-7pm.

Nonmembers are invited to opening day on Nov. 17 from noon to 7pm.

PANCAKE ART Fifth graders and up learn how to use pancake batter and food coloring to create edible creations at the Basalt Library at 4pm. More info at www.basaltlibrary.org DEATH CAFE The third Death Cafe Discussion Group, hosted by end-of-life Doula Lisa Kohlhepp and the Aspen Psychedelics Resource Center, takes place at Explore Booksellers at 4pm.

CRYSTAL THEATRE The Crystal Theatre shows “Killers of the Flower Moon” tonight at 5:30pm.

“The Holdovers” screens tomorrow through Tuesday, Nov. 21 at 7pm, with the exception of Sunday, Nov. 19 when it will screen at 5pm.

WOMEN’S AA The Meeting Place in Carbondale (981 Cowen Drive) hosts a women’s group AA session at 7pm every Thursday. For a list of regular recovery meetings, visit www. meetingplacecarbondale.org

TRANSFORM Join Michelle Hyken, master energy practitioner, for an evening of energy release and vibrational enhancement at the Third Street Center. Register at www.tcf hf.org

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 17

ENGLISH CLASS Valley Settlement hosts an ESL class at the Basalt Library 9am to 12:30pm every Friday. Register at www.valleysettlement.org or by calling 970-963-0851.

FILM LUNCHEON Aspen Film hosts a luncheon at Alpina in Aspen from 11am to 3pm.

Fifteen percent of lunch proceeds goes to Aspen Film. Reserve a plate at www.bit.ly/AspenFilmLunch RABBI PERSPECTIVE The Pitkin County Republicans host Rabbi Mendel Mintz, the founder and leader of the Jewish Community Center of Aspen, who shares his perspectives on the Israel-Hamas War at noon at the Snowmass Club. Email f kwallison@me.com to register.

CHOPIN AT THE LIBRARY Kevin Kaukl performs Frédéric Chopin’s poetic, romantic and virtuosic music for solo piano at the Basalt Library at 5:30pm.

SOUND JOURNEY Immerse yourself in the healing vibrations of sounds by Dr. Zachary Cashin at True Nature at 6:30pm. Register at www. truenaturehealingarts.com WOMEN’S SKI FILM TACAW screens “Advice for Girls: An All-Women Ski Film” at 7:30pm.

Tickets at www.tacaw.org

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 18 TEA TIME True Nature hosts a ceremonial tea sit with Madelyn Soldner Sullivan at 9am. Register at www. truenaturehealingarts.com YARN CLUB The Roaring Fork Yarn Club convenes at Sopris Park at 10am.

EVENING W�JAN & JD Awarding-winning singer-songwriters JD Martin and Jan Garrett play an intimate show in the Round Room at the Third Street Center at 6pm. Tickets at www.tcfhf.org COMEDY SHOWCASE Spend the evening with the best of the Valley’s growing standup comedy scene at TACAW at 8pm.

Tickets at www.tacaw.org

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 19

ZIPFIT ZipFit is selling last season’s inventory to the ski community in the Roaring Fork Valley on Sunday, Nov. 19 from 1-4pm at Mountain Heart Brewery in Carbondale KDNK AT EL DORADO DJ Mamabird gets down with a live and in-person acid jazz and down tempo set at El Dorado at 3pm. Check it out in-person, or turn your radio on.

YOGA NIDRA Alya Howe leads “Fall Away: A Deep Autumnal Dive into Yoga Nidra” at Kula Yoga on Main at 4:30pm.

Register at www.kulayogaonmain.com

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 20

KIDS�GIVING Rocky Mountain Kid Clubs offers childcare today through Wednesday, Nov. 22 from 8:30am to 4pm each day. Registration and more info at www.rockymtnkidclubs.org PLANT�BASED POTLUCK The Center for Human Flourishing hosts a plant-based community potluck at the Third Street Center at 6:30pm. Email info@ tcfhf.org for more info.

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 21

BABY & ME STORYTIME Carbondale Branch Library hosts its first Baby & Me Storytime at 10:15am.

Babies 1 year or less and their parents are welcome. The event continues

every Tuesday at the same time and place. More info at www.gcpld.org YARN GROUP Yarn enthusiasts convene at the Basalt Library at 5pm.

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 23

THANKSGIVING Happy Turkey Day! Most government and public spaces will be closed today and tomorrow.

THANK YOGA Cari Eisenson leads “Thanksgiving Day Gratitude Flow” at Kula Yoga on Main at 9am. Register at www.kulayogaonmain.com

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 25

GRAND ILLUMINATION Redstone holds its Annual Grand Illumination! Join Santa for a walk down the Boulevard, starting from Propaganda Pie at 4:30pm, to the “larger-than-life” bonfire at the lower parking lot of the Redstone Inn.

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 26

KDNK AT EL DORADO DJ Luis Raul brings a cinematically driven western psychedelic set to El Dorado at 3pm. Check it out inperson, or turn your radio on.

ECSTATIC DANCE Alya Howe and DJ Alejandra Rico guide the Ecstatic Dance at 13 Moons Ranch south of Carbondale at 6pm.

Email alyahowe@me.com or call 970-309-2582 with questions.

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 27

EIA OPEN HOURS English in Action holds open English tutoring hours at the Basalt Library at 6pm. Call 970-963-9200.

MICRODOSING The Western Colorado Mycological Association is hosting an expert panel for the public to ask questions about microdosing at the Carbondale Library at 7pm. www.wcmycoassociation.org

Saint Mary of the Crown Catholic Church in Carbondale

42nd Annual ELK DINNER and Country Store

Saturday, November 18, 2023 Elk Dinner Served from 4:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Donation: Adults $15.00 5 to 12 and Seniors $10.00 395 White Hill Road, Carbondale, Colorado (970) 704-0820 Para informacion en Espanol llame a Kary Lara (970) 366-6608

Youngsters are invited to make an assortment of clay gifts to give this holiday season, from magical mugs to delightful decorative ornaments and more. The workshop, hosted at the Glenwood Springs Community Art Center, includes time on the pottery wheel, glazing and firing. Children, ages 6-11, are invited from 9am to 1:30pm on Nov. 20, 21, and 22. Children, 12-16, are invited the same days but from 2:30-5:30pm.

Registration and more info at www.bit.ly/glenwoodrec-arts Courtesy photo

THE SOPRIS SUN • Your weekly community connector • November 16 - November 22, 2023 • 9

SECURITY

SAVINGS

INDEPENDENCE

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More than 4 out of 10 Coloradans don’t have a retirement savings account from work.

Saving just a little now can make a big difference later.

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Visit ColoradoSecureSavings.com or call 1-844-692-1073

10 • THE SOPRIS SUN • soprissun.com • November 16 - November 22, 2023

$

Sol del el

Conectando comunidades desde 2021

Valle

Volumen 2, Número 38 | 16 de noviembre - 22 de noviembre de 2023

La comunidad de Carbondale se une para ayudar a 80 inmigrantes venezolanos que duermen bajo un puente prometido. Una organización sin fines de lucro encuestó a los migrantes la semana pasada y varios de ellos dijeron que habían experimentado un robo de salario. "Tienes que quedarte callado y aceptar lo poco que te dan, por necesidad", dijo Colina.

"No venimos aquí a buscar problemas. Venimos a buscar un futuro, a trabajar".

Los migrantes dijeron que están ganando dinero, y muchos utilizaron sus primeros ingresos para comprar autos. Durmieron bajo el puente sobre cajas de cartón y en tiendas de campaña hasta que pudieron trabajar las horas suficientes para comprar sus autos. Colina pagó $1,800 dólares por una camioneta, que es donde duerme con la calefacción encendida.

"Empezamos a trabajar y cada uno empezó a comprarse su propio auto para dormir dentro, porque el frío era horrible, horrible", explica.

Por Samuel Bernal y Jennifer Brown The Colorado Sun Traducción por Dolores Duarte Ellos eran policías, cocineros y campesinos antes de huir de la inestabilidad política y la violencia en su país de origen, con la esperanza de empezar de nuevo en los Estados Unidos.

Ahora, a medida que el otoño da paso al invierno en las montañas de Colorado, el grupo de unos 80 venezolanos se refugia en tiendas de campaña y autos cerca de un puente sobre el río Roaring Fork, en Carbondale.

La mayoría de los inmigrantes llegaron a Denver en los últimos meses en autobuses procedentes de la frontera entre Texas y México, y después, por recomendación, compraron vehículos baratos o encontraron quien les llevara a Carbondale porque habían escuchado que en las montañas había trabajo mejor pagado. El grupo que empezó a reunirse este verano ha crecido desde entonces hasta alcanzar las 80 personas, con unos 25 autos que han estado estacionados bajo el Highway 133 cerca de un embarcadero y junto a árboles que pierden sus últimas hojas.

La semana pasada, cuando empezó a nevar y las temperaturas bajaron hasta los diez grados, funcionarios locales y trabajadores sin fines de lucro intervinieron para ayudar. Pero en el valle de Roaring Fork, los recursos para vivienda son escasos. Grupos sin fines de lucro y funcionarios del vecino condado de Pitkin, donde se encuentra Aspen, empezaron a reunirse con los dirigentes del condado de Garfield para ayudar a Carbondale, una ciudad de 6,500 habitantes situada a unos 30 millas valle abajo desde Aspen.

"Realmente no tenemos mucha disponibilidad de viviendas, no tenemos viviendas para la gente que ya está aquí", dijo Francie Jacober, comisionada del condado de Pitkin.

Jacober escuchó hablar por primera vez de los venezolanos bajo el puente cuando un vecino le pidió abrigos, gorros y guantes para llevar a los inmigrantes.

"Fue entonces cuando empecé a llamar y nadie había oído hablar de esta situación", dijo. "¿Cómo puede haber tanta gente viviendo bajo el puente y que nadie lo sepa? Algunos llevan allí desde julio".

Los venezolanos que dormían en tiendas de campaña bajo el puente y en sus autos, con las calefacciones encendidas, fueron invitados la semana pasada a colocar sus cobijas y colchonetas de camping en el suelo en un espacio de reuniones utilizado para actos comunitarios. Aproximadamente la mitad de ellos han estado durmiendo bajo techo, mientras que el resto permanecía en sus autos, ya sea en el estacionamiento del centro o junto al río.

Jacober trajo cena tres noches seguidas: enormes ollas de chili con arroz, estofado de carne de res y cordero, y burritos de carne de res. El condado de Pitkin donó 50 catres, de los que se había abastecido el año pasado después de que los gobernadores de Texas y Florida enviaran inmigrantes a Martha's Vineyard y otras comunidades pudientes. Les preocupaba que Aspen fuera la siguiente.

Por ahora, los venezolanos de Carbondale se mantienen abrigados por la noche en la sala comunitaria del Third Street Center, un centro para organizaciones sin fines de lucro. Los responsables de la comunidad tienen previsto instalar baños portátiles

El 10 de noviembre, Francie Jacober, miembro de la comunidad de Carbondale y Presidenta de la Junta de Comisionados del Condado de Pitkin, sirve casuelas de la cena que cocinó para los migrantes en un refugio improvisado. Foto de Will Sardinsky

en el estacionamiento del Third Street, que hasta ahora no ha fijado un límite para el número de noches que albergará a los inmigrantes.

"El mundo ha venido a nuestro pequeño valle", afirmó Colin Laird, director ejecutivo del Third Street Center y administrador municipal de Carbondale.

"Todo el mundo quiere hacer lo correcto y esperamos poder hacerlo”.

"Denver es mucho más grande y cuenta con muchos más recursos, y están en dificultades. No parece haber un plan realmente bueno y coherente para este tipo de cosas. No va a desaparecer, así que tenemos que empezar a planificar cómo ampliarlo más allá de ayudar a la gente que se muda bajo nuestro puente".

Cada mañana, antes del amanecer, muchos de los inmigrantes se reúnen en el estacionamiento de un comercio latino, con la esperanza de que les ofrezcan una jornada de trabajo. Unos cuantos han trabajado de jardineros en alguna mansión de Aspen. Otros trabajan en la construcción. Jacober contrató a una persona para trabajar en el restaurante de su hijo.

Luis Alejandro Díaz, quien fue policía estatal en Venezuela, dijo a The Colorado Sun que ha estado consiguiendo trabajos temporales en la construcción. Él y otros venezolanos esperaron el fin de semana pasado en el estacionamiento de García's, un comercio que vende platillos latinoamericanos para el desayuno y abarrotes. Usualmente son contratados antes de las 10 de la mañana, si es que lo consiguen.

Díaz dijo que ha solicitado un permiso de trabajo a través del gobierno federal, como parte del proceso de solicitud del "estatus de protección temporal" que el presidente Joe Biden aprobó para los venezolanos en septiembre. "Con trabajo estable, resuelves lo demás", dijo Díaz en español. "Resuelves tu techo, tu comida".

Díaz dijo que ya ha podido enviar varios cientos de dólares a su familia. "Tengo mucho compromiso porque ahora mismo tengo un hermano que dejé allí muy grave, mi madre enferma, mis hijos", dijo.

Alejandro Colina, también entre los hombres que buscaban trabajo el fin de semana pasado, dijo que personas se habían aprovechado de algunos del grupo ya que les pagaban menos de lo que les habían

Refugio temporal mientras cae la nieve en un edificio de una organización sin fines de lucro

Carbondale no tiene albergue para personas sin hogar, y el más cercano, en Aspen, tiene 12 camas más seis plazas para capacidad extra, todas ellas llenas.

También hay lista de espera.

Desde la pandemia, el condado de Pitkin ha podido acomodar a 27 personas sin hogar y darles alojamiento.

La lista de espera, sin embargo, tiene 29 nombres.

Alex Sánchez, director general del grupo de defensa sin fines de lucro Voces Unidas de las Montañas, instó a la comunidad de Roaring Fork a encontrar rápidamente un lugar más permanente para que los venezolanos se resguarden del frío, sugiriendo que quizás Carbondale podría alquilar el supermercado vacío de City Market. Voces es una de las cerca de 20 organizaciones sin fines de lucro del valle de Roaring Fork que trabajan ahora con los inmigrantes, quienes han elegido un comité de alrededor de 10 entre ellos para hablar en las reuniones con los líderes locales.

El valle de Roaring Fork debería pensar en los venezolanos como nuevos vecinos, dijo.

"Deberíamos tratar a este grupo de recién llegados como trataríamos a 80 blancos que encontramos debajo de un puente", dijo Sánchez. "La necesidad más inmediata ahora mismo es refugio. No vivienda, un refugio".

Voces entrevistó al grupo la semana pasada y obtuvo 54 respuestas. Tres cuartas partes son hombres, y la mayoría tienen entre 20 y 30 años. Al principio, había tres niños en el puente, pero los niños y su madre fueron acogidos por una iglesia durante unos días antes de regresar a Denver, donde podrían acceder a más recursos para ayudarles a establecerse con vivienda y asistencia alimentaria, dijo Sánchez.

La mayoría de los venezolanos llegaron a Colorado antes de finales de julio, y muchos compraron autos económicos en Denver o en las montañas.

Sánchez dijo que sus trabajadores contaron más de 25 autos estacionados junto al río, muchos de ellos sin matrícula vehicular o seguro y conductores sin licencia de manejo.

Alrededor de tres cuartas partes del grupo dijeron que dormían en sus autos, mientras que otros dormían en tiendas de campaña antes de que se les ofreciera espacio en la sala de reuniones de la comunidad, según la encuesta de Voces.

Para leer el artículo completo visite www. soprissun.com/espanol

OPINIÓN

Volver a lo esencial Por Triny Rochin

Recientemente en este espacio hemos conocido las inspiradoras historias de miembros de nuestra comunidad; en esta ocasión la historia no se trata de una persona sino de un grupo de aproximadamente ochenta a cien inmigrantes provenientes en su mayoría de Venezuela.

Este grupo llegó silenciosamente al valle de Roaring Fork, más específicamente a Carbondale al parecer antes de julio del presente año, pero su historia no empezó ahí.

Por las últimas décadas, decenas de miles de personas de centro y Sudamérica han emigrado a los Estados Unidos por diversas razones que van desde la mala economía, violencia, inseguridad, falta de oportunidades tanto

para dejar de lado las Un llamado a la solidaridad étnica, diferencias culturales, para

laborales como educativas en nuestros países de origen, lo cual ha resultado en una crisis humanitaria que va en aumento.

Un país que se ha visto afectado de manera especial es Venezuela, es por eso por lo que cada día más y más venezolanos están prácticamente huyendo de su país en busca de mejorar sus condiciones de vida.

Aunque cada migrante tiene su historia única y la decisión particular de emigrar es individual; los venezolanos, influenciados por una combinación de factores que la nación actualmente enfrenta, han estado emigrando en grandes grupos. Uno de estos grupos llegó a vivir a este pequeño valle. Muchas son las adversidades que enfrentaron para llegar hasta aquí, su deseo es establecerse en este lugar, todo con la esperanza de un futuro mejor. Hasta hace unos días estos nuevos vecinos pasaron inadvertidos mientras trataban de sobrevivir.

Este es un fenómeno que no se había visto antes aquí y definitivamente las autoridades locales no estaban preparadas para recibir y albergar a todas estas

CHISME DEL PUEBLO Traducción por Jacquelinne Castro

Y así comienza

La temporada de tala de árboles navideños comienza este viernes 16 de noviembre en el Bosque Nacional White River. Los permisos pueden ser comprados por $12.50 en línea en www.recreation.gov o por $10 en las oficinas del distrito, comenzando el jueves 15 de noviembre. Los estudiantes de cuarto grado son elegibles para un permiso gratis en www.everykidoutdoors.gov. Todos los árboles deben ser para uso personal y hay un límite de cinco permisos por persona.

Subvenciones juveniles de 5Point

Cada año, 5Point Film premia subvenciones de hasta $2000 para ayudar a los estudiantes a alcanzar sus sueños. El proyecto “The Dream” está abierto para los estudiantes de secundaria de Aspen a Parachute. Los proyectos deben alinearse con los “5 Puntos” del Festival de Cine 5Point: propósito, respetó, compromiso, humanidad y balance. La fecha límite para las inscripciones es a medianoche el viernes 1 de diciembre. Los estudiantes seleccionados serán notificados el 6 de diciembre.

Los solicitantes deben tener aprobación paternal.

Información sobre las inscripciones está disponible en www.bit.ly/5PointDreamProject

Actualización de Carbondale Arts

¡Atención diseñadores, bailarines y modelos! El espectaculo de moda, El verde es el nuevo negro (Green is the New Black), prorgamado del 7 al 9 de marzo del 2024, está aceptando inscripciones de diseñadores hasta el 30 de noviembre. Las audiciones abiertas para modelos son el domingo 17 de diciembre en The Launchpad de 6 a 9 p.m. Adicionalmente, Carbondale Arts está comisionando cinco murales y tres esculturas para el parque de arte público al lado del edificio de unidades de almacenamiento en

personas. Afortunadamente, la organización Voces Unidas de las Montañas tomó la iniciativa de reunir al grupo, y de nombrar entre ellos a representantes con el fin de conocer sus necesidades para poder con la ayuda de diferentes organizaciones locales y de toda la comunidad, ayudar a nuestros nuevos vecinos.

A corto plazo las necesidades básicas son tener acceso a un albergue, baños, regaderas, lavandería. También necesitan agua, comida lista para comer ya que no tienen acceso a cocinar, ropa adecuada para el frío, productos higiénicos, trabajo, además muchos de ellos necesitan atención médica urgente.

Me gustaría aprovechar este espacio para invitar a la comunidad a ser hospitalarios con nuestros nuevos vecinos, algunos de ellos han expresado haber recibido discriminación y un trato negativo.

Las personas sin hogar son de por sí estigmatizadas, pero cuando además son latinos son doblemente afectados, esto hace que su condición sea aún más difícil. Esta es una excelente oportunidad para dejar atrás la discriminación

ser empáticos y mostrar compasión.

Tal vez está fuera del alcance de muchos de nosotros poder ayudar con vivienda o trabajo, pero hay cosas muy prácticas que todos podemos hacer, especialmente los que vivimos en Carbondale y nos los encontramos en algún lugar público.

Estas son algunas ideas cosas que seguramente todos podemos hacer. Si no está en su posibilidad cocinar para un grupo grande, tal vez puede pagar la cuenta de alguno de ellos en la gasolinera o la tienda. Invitarle un sándwich o una bebida a alguien es un acto pequeño que puede hacer un gran impacto en la vida de otra persona.

Hay cosas tan pequeñas y prácticas que todos podemos hacer, como mirar a las personas a los ojos, regalarles una sonrisa, o un saludo, eso no nos cuesta nada y puede ser muy grato para quien lo recibe.

Entablar una conversación es otra forma de marcar una diferencia. Escuchar sus historias, ofrecerles una palabra de aliento. También podemos darles información acerca de cómo es la vida en el valle, de cómo funciona el transporte

público, o de cómo y dónde tener acceso a servicios médicos o cualquier información de organizaciones locales o de los servicios sociales que tenemos disponibles. Haciendo esto podemos ayudarlos a adaptarse más rápidamente a este lugar y aminorar las dificultades que enfrentan.

Además, claro está, se puede ayudar haciendo donaciones y ofrecerse como voluntario en las organizaciones que les están brindando apoyo.

Cada persona y situación son únicas, recordemos que es importante que sigamos siendo una comunidad que se solidariza con las personas que nos necesitan, que muestra empatía y respeto, que es sensible a la situación que las personas sin hogar enfrentan. ¡La verdadera fuerza de una comunidad radica en su capacidad de comprender y cuidar a los más vulnerables!

Mahatma Gandhi Si usted está interesado en colaborar puede ir al sitio web de Voces Unidas de las Montañas y hacer clic en el enlace para conocer las formas de ayudar. www.vocesunidas. org/post/how-to-help-theunhoused-latino-group-incarbondale

la carretera 133. Se les invita a individuos o equipos de artistas, diseñadores, muralistas y escultores a inscribirse antes del 22 de enero. Para más detalles en estas oportunidades, visite www.carbondalearts.com

Junta de equidad CPW

Los Parques y Vida Silvestre de Colorado (CPW por sus siglas en inglés) está buscando a cuatro miembros para la junta del Programa de Subvenciones de Equidad al Aire Libre (OEGP por sus siglas en inglés). El OEGP fue creado en el 2021 para incrementar el acceso a parques y espacios estatales en Colorado para la juventud de pocos recursos y sus familias para reducir barreras.

La Junta necesita una persona experimentada, y personalmente impactada, en problemas de justicia racial, una persona experimentada con problemas de conservación y dos jóvenes de comunidades impactadas por el OEGP. La fecha límite para las inscripciones es el 1 de diciembre. Para más detalles, visite cpw.state.co.us/Outdoor-Equity-Fund.aspx

Rancho Milagro protegido

Sarah y Felix Tomare colocaron su Rancho Milagro de 87 acres en Missouri Heights a una servidumbre ecológica a principios de este mes, asegurando un legado de ganadería y hábitat de vida silvestre para el futuro. The Aspen Daily News reportó que la pareja trabajó con Aspen Valley Land Trust y cerraron el trato el 6 de noviembre.

Rescate en Grizzly Creek

El sábado 11 de noviembre, un montañero de una trepada de paso múltiple en Grizzly Creek llamada “Mudflap Girl” fue lastimado después de caer 40 pies.

El Departamento de Bomberos de Glenwood Springs reportó que la persona lesionada estaba alrededor de 500 pies en la subida de 700 pies. Los equipos de búsqueda y rescate del condado de Garfield, Vail y Aspen coordinaron con el Equipo del Sitio de

12 • el Sol del Valle • soprissun.com/espanol/ • 16 de noviembre - 22 de noviembre de 2023

"Sincronías" parte 49, por Leonardo Occhipinti

Entrenamiento de Aviación de la Guardia Nacional del Ejército de Gran Altitud para ayudar al montañero y a su acompañante fuera de la roca. Un rescatista fue ascendido de un helicóptero y luego izado a la nave con los dos montañeros. La operación completa tomó alrededor de cuatro horas y media. Los montañistas fueron llevados al aeropuerto de Glenwood Springs y transportados por ambulancia a Valley View Hospital.

Cierres de invierno

Las calles de Maroon Creek y Castle Creek están cerradas por la temporada hasta el 15 de mayo del 2024.

OPINIÓN

Desde La Clinica Por Maria Judith Alvarez Quiroz

¿Sabías que la diabetes afecta a millones de personas en todo el mundo, y su prevalencia sigue en aumento?

En el artículo del mes pasado compartí mi experiencia personal con la prediabetes y cómo con la ayuda del Dr. Feinsinger, mis niveles de A1C disminuyeron de 5.7 a 5.4. Así que estoy más que convencida del poder que tiene el comer saludable para cuidar la salud; y de cómo esta enfermedad podemos evitarla y revertirla. ¡El poder está en nuestras manos!

Este mes de Noviembre se Celebra El Día Mundial de la Diabetes (DMD) que fue creado en 1991 por la Organización Mundial de la Salud y la Federación Internacional de la Diabetes en respuesta al aumento de la

Desenmascarando la Diabetes

preocupación por la creciente amenaza para la salud que representa esta enfermedad.

Así que se celebra cada año el 14 de noviembre, aniversario del nacimiento de Sir Frederick Banting, quien descubrió la insulina junto con Charles Best en 1922.

Hay dos tipos de diabetes, vamos a comprender un poco más: La diabetes tipo 1 representa el cinco por ciento de los casos de diabetes en los EE. UU. Es una enfermedad autoinmune en la que el sistema inmunológico del sujeto se vuelve rebelde y ataca al sistema productor de insulina, las células beta en el páncreas. El tipo 1 puede tener un componente genético y no está relacionado con el estilo de vida. La diabetes tipo 2 representa el 95 por ciento de la diabetes en los EE.UU., y es claramente una enfermedad del estilo de vida. Esta columna trata principalmente sobre la diabetes tipo 2.

Lo que muchos diabéticos (y muchos proveedores, incluidos educadores en diabetes) no saben es que la diabetes tipo 2 es reversible mediante cambios en el estilo de vida si se detecta a tiempo.

La glucosa es la principal fuente de energía para todas las células de nuestro cuerpo. Para una buena salud, los niveles de glucosa en sangre deben mantenerse dentro

de ciertos parámetros, y cuando no lo hacen el resultado es la diabetes.

Las células beta del páncreas secretan insulina según sea necesario para mantener los niveles de glucosa bajo control. Como dice el Dr. Michael Greger, la insulina es, "la llave que abre las puertas de las células para permitir la entrada de glucosa".

La grasa en las células de nuestros músculos, órganos y otros tejidos, "pega las cerraduras", impidiendo que la glucosa ingrese a las células, una condición llamada resistencia a la insulina (IR) lo cual pasa cuando hay sobrepeso o grasa alrededor de nuestra cintura.

Los niveles de azúcar en sangre aumentan y estos niveles anormales dañan las arterias grandes y pequeñas, lo que contribuye a las complicaciones por ejemplo, daño ocular, enfermedades cardiovasculares, y la neuropatía diabética. Para intentar superar la resistencia a la insulina, el páncreas produce cada vez más insulina y finalmente, se desgasta y algunas de las células beta mueren. ¿Qué podemos hacer para revertir la diabetes?

• En primer lugar, detectar la en una etapa temprana, antes de que se produzcan complicaciones y se destruyan las células beta.

• Consumir una dieta 100% basada en plantas, alimentos no

procesados, sin sal, azúcar ni aceite añadido.

• Consumir diariamente una variedad de verduras, frutas, cereales integrales, nueces, semillas y legumbres (frijoles, lentejas, garbanzos, guisantes partidos), todos los cuales ayudan a alcanzar y mantener el peso corporal ideal y tienen propiedades para combatir la diabetes.

• Haga al menos 30 minutos de ejercicio aeróbico al día y muévase con frecuencia el resto del día.

Este plan no sólo revertirá la diabetes en sí, sino que también puede revertir varias complicaciones de la diabetes.

“Es gratificante permitir que los pacientes dejen de tomar medicamentos para la diabetes, incluida la insulina”, dice el Dr. Feinsinger. Nuestro sistema médico debe centrarse menos en el manejo de enfermedades con píldoras y procedimientos y más en la prevención y reversión de enfermedades mediante cambios en el estilo de vida.

Si deseas una consulta médica gratis para detectar a tiempo no solo diabetes si no cualquier otra enfermedad no dudes en llamar al 970-948-1072.

el Sol del Valle • Conector de comunidad • 16 de noviembre - 22 de noviembre de 2023 • 13

GARCO REPORT

NW Colorado elk herd status, Flying M PUD grounded, more library contention

By Amy Hadden Marsh Sopris Sun Correspondent

The Garfield County commissioners (BOCC) met for more than eight hours on Monday, Nov. 13, with only 20 minutes for lunch. The morning agenda included discretionary grant awards and new requests, approval of a private airplane hangar project at the Garfield County Airport, rate increases at the county landfill and a Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) update on northwestern Colorado elk herds. Two public hearings in the afternoon about the Flying M Ranch PUD and Garfield County Public Library District (GCPLD) issues began at noon and ended just after 5pm. More than 60 people filled the meeting room in the afternoon to comment on either the PUD or the library issues.

CPW terrestrial biologist Julie Mao reported on four Colorado elk herds, or what CPW calls data analysis units (DAUs), that overlap in Garfield County: E-6 (White River), E-14 (Grand Mesa), E-15 (Avalanche Creek), and E-16 (Frying Pan River). Mao’s short ungulate history lesson included the fact that elk were once over hunted in the Valley and subsequently reintroduced a century ago. “These elk were brought in from Yellowstone and released up in Hunter Creek,” she explained.

CPW’s current objective for elk population numbers is to maintain the status quo. Mao emphasized that the animals are stressed by habitat fragmentation caused by drought, recreation, and energy and housing

development. She said that oil and gas activity and solar farms cause habitat loss and fragmentation.

“Because [solar farms] need to be fenced off, for elk, and other wildlife larger than a mouse or rabbit, those areas are effectively a complete loss of habitat,” she explained. Exurban housing development has increased, which means more humans encroaching on what was once the dominion of the wapiti.

Outdoor recreation has also changed wildlife habitat. “Given that the landscape is pretty carved up with roads and trails, that highlights the importance of things like seasonal closures to minimize impacts on animals when they’re at their most vulnerable during winter and calving times,” said Mao. Calf recruitment — the ability for young to survive their first year — has declined as has the cow/calf ratio.

Mao said that in the ‘80s, the cow/calf ratio was 60 calves per 100 cows. Now, in the Avalanche Creek and Frying Pan herds, that ratio is 30/100.

Mao stated that development in elk winter range is having a detrimental effect on the ungulates since most of the lower elevation land in these DAUs is private.

Too many hunters or “hunter crowding” has been a problem during archery season on the Grand Mesa.

CPW has been cutting back antler-less and cow tags in efforts to increase those populations. The agency is also in the midst of conducting a multi-year study on cow/ calf ratios.

Commissioner Mike Samson expressed dismay about dwindling herds and the added burden of wolf reintroduction. ”I think that highlights the importance of preserving and trying to maintain the integrity of what's remaining of the habitat,” he said.

Flying M Ranch

Speaking of development, the BOCC voted to deny the Flying M Ranch PUD. The project would have added 144 townhomes and eight single-family homes to the county’s housing market but Samson

¡Hagamos que esté cubierto!

"It's just the elk winter range." and Commission Chair John Martin voted it down.

Commissioner Tom Jankovsky, who lives near the proposed development, cast the only favorable vote, stating that he thought it was a huge mistake on the board’s part to deny the application and reminding Samson about the upcoming election year.

In a daring move that he said would no doubt make headlines, Martin stated, “We have too many people within this area and the doors need to close.” He added, “It’s either die, get out of the way and let the world take over, or put your stick in the ground and say ‘no more.’”

He compared Glenwood Springs to more populated areas in the state. “We are now Breckenridge or Aurora, because I see the same buildings in Aurora as I do in Glenwood Springs,” he said. “I don’t want to see that anymore.”

Library

The afternoon session also saw continued contention around GCPLD issues. First, the BOCC continues on page 19

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THE SOPRIS SUN • Your weekly community connector • November 16 - November 22, 2023 • 14

RFTA signs on with West Mountain Regional Housing Coalition

By John Stroud Sopris Sun Correspondent

The governing board for the Roaring Fork Transportation Authority (RFTA) will become an official dues-paying member of the West Mountain Regional Housing Coalition.

The intergovernmental board that represents RFTA member governments from Aspen to New Castle agreed unanimously at its Nov. 9 meeting in Carbondale to join the housing coalition for $20,000 a year.

Most of RFTA’s member governments are already coalition members, including Aspen, Snowmass Village, Pitkin County, Eagle County, Basalt, Carbondale and Glenwood Springs.

However, with a RFTA employee housing needs survey in process and a report on those findings expected next month, members agreed to wait before committing to help fund a mortgage buy down program that is being pursued by the coalition.

The housing coalition itself was established in recent years following the completion of the Greater Roaring Fork Regional Housing Study in 2019. That study projected a shortfall of

more than 6,800 housing units by 2027 to meet the area’s housing needs across the pay spectrum — from less than 60% to 160% of the area median income.

The coalition is now organized as its own 501(c) (3) nonprofit, and just recently hired its first part time programs director, April Long, founding coalition board member and former Carbondale trustee Heather Henry said during last week’s RFTA meeting.

“We are a member organization, so it’s different from a community nonprofit in that each of our members have a seat on the board,” Henry explained.

RFTA, which operates the valleywide bus transit system that serves the area from Aspen to Rifle, is no stranger to the housing crisis that impacts just about every public and private sector employer in the region.

Driver shortages have forced the agency to eliminate some of its circulator bus routes and to reduce service schedules.

Like many other large employers, RFTA has also been on the forefront of providing employee housing units, including its purchase several years ago of the 15-unit Parker

Work is under way to convert the former Rodeway Inn in West Glenwood Springs into 42 employee housing units for the Roaring Fork Transportation Authority, to be known as Iron Mountain Place. Photo by John Stroud

House Apartments located at Weant Boulevard and Sopris Avenue in Carbondale.

RFTA also partners with the Aspen Pitkin County Housing Authority to offer several employee units up valley, and more recently the agency acquired the former Rodeway Inn motel in West Glenwood, which is being converted to 42 employee units. It will become known as Iron Mountain Place and is expected to come on line by fall 2024, said Dan Blankenship, RFTA’s long-time CEO. “During COVID, we saw

a lot of people who had been with RFTA for a while lose their housing due to some of the changes in the housing market,” Blankenship said after last week’s meeting. “The available housing inventory shrunk, and at the same time we were having to recruit more people from outside of the area.”

In addition to the Iron Mountain Place project, RFTA leases some units at the newly remodeled Residences on Grand Avenue (formerly the Caravan Inn) in Glenwood Springs.

With all that RFTA has going on on its own to address employee housing, board members were hesitant to get involved in funding the housing coalition’s fledgling buy-down program until more details are known.

The coalition is looking for at least $100,000 from RFTA to help kick-start the program, which is being modeled after a successful buy-down program in Eagle County, Henry said.

“We’re not breaking new ground here, but ours would be very unique in how we do this as a coalition,” she said, adding the coalition hopes to achieve 100% member participation in the program.

It will take a multi-faceted approach to address the housing need, she said, and the buy-down program is just one of many solutions.

“With buy-downs, we will be adding units to the stock of deed-restricted homes in the valley without building any new units,” Henry added.

RFTA board member and Basalt Mayor Bill Kane said he believes buy-downs are ultimately a way to ensure a good mix of affordable rental units and home ownership opportunities. It will take continues on page 19

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TRTC strikes balance between comedy and conscious in ‘The Minutes’

By Luke Wander Sopris Sun Correspondent

Editor’s Note: This review contains plot spoilers At its best, theater is an art form that, in the same breath, provokes delight and debate in equal measure.

So far this season, Thunder River Theater Company (TRTC) has demonstrated mastery in both.

In September, TRTC opened its season with “Rabbit Hole,” a play that probes the lives of the victims of an intensely personal, singular tragedy. By contrast, this month’s production of “The Minutes” examines a much more familiar calamity of a significantly larger scale, but focuses more on its perpetrators than on its victims.

Distilled to its structural core, “The Minutes” depicts a city council meeting in the fictional Middle American town of Big Cherry. For 90 minutes, the council members posture and argue, the mayor presides, and the clerk takes every word down in her notes.

Despite the meeting’s apparent normality, two notable absences alert the audience to the fact that all may not be as it seems. First is the empty chair of one Mr. Carp. Second is the lack of the minutes from the meeting prior.

Erik Sandvold as Mr. Carp in "The Minutes."

Photo by Sam Ferguson

The only council member bothered by these facts is Mr. Peel, played by TRTC newcomer James O’Hagan Murphy. Even for a local politician, Murphy’s Mr. Peel is young and inexperienced, nervously unaware of how impractical his ideals truly are.

The rest of the council members wear varying shades of political savvy, from the stoic traditionalist Ms. Innes, played by Shelly Safir Marolt, to the wellconnected and unapologetic Mr. Assalone, played by Lee Sullivan. Somewhere in the middle of the spectrum is Mr. Oldfield, the council’s oldest and longest serving member, played by TRTC veteran Bob Moore. Moore’s comedic timing is impeccable, and his energy keeps the meeting up tempo from the start.

Kristin Carlson, William LeDent, as well as TRTC debutants Diego Ramses González Sandoval and Michael Banks round out the rest of the council, forming a convincing ensemble equally capable of moments of physical power and eerie subtlety.

Leading the meeting is Mayor Superba, played by an assured and charismatic Mike Monroney. Throughout it all, Ms. Johnson, the town clerk, played by Gabrielle Bailes, is a study in calm, attentive professionalism.

As the meeting moves from an argument over politically correct semantics, to a speech in support of

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the town’s flagship festival, to debates about a costly new construction project, Mr. Peel continues to ask his colleagues about Mr. Carp and the missing minutes. Eventually, his persistence and attention to detail pay off, and the council reveals much more than perhaps Mr. Peel bargained for.

The resulting climactic scene gives the floor to the ever-absent Mr. Carp, played

by Erik Sandvold, whose soliloquy marks the most truthful and grounded moment in the play. Mr. Carp’s words are not only a plea to his fellow council members, but if the audience is truly listening, they pose a series of uncomfortable questions to our society at large.

What do we do with the written record when it reveals ugly truths about the choices we have made and the stories we tell about the past? How do we contend with history when its conclusions paint us in blood?

Can morality exist without honesty? What is the value of comfort in the absence of morality?

The power of that moment is a testament to the direction of Missy Moore and assistant director Emily Henley. In order for Mr. Carp’s speech to make such an impact, Moore and Henley had to work backwards to find the right beats, each of which sets off the next to create a profoundly impactful crescendo. To begin with an argument about a newly vacant parking spot and build to an exposition of the hypocrisies of settler colonialism is no small feat.

The fictional town of Big Cherry is not Carbondale, but enough parallels exist to make “The Minutes” required viewing for our voting public. The conversations that might follow such a play are vital to the moral well-being of our town, our valley, and our country.

TRTC’s production of “The Minutes” has seven performances remaining: Nov. 16, 17, 18, 24, 25 at 7:30pm, and Sundays Nov. 19 and 26 at 2pm. Visit www.thunderrivertheatre.com for tickets.

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The Rise and Fall of the Yule Marble Company: Part 1

By Lynn “Jake” Burton

A full story of the Colorado Yule Marble Company (CYMC) has not been told. The story would tell about the creation of a boom town, construction projects of mammoth proportions and becoming the third largest marble producer in the United States. The story would also tell of Marble town residents running a troublesome newspaper publisher out of town, and more.

The story started in New York City with Col. Channing Meek putting together a corporation in 1904-1905 to develop marble deposits up Yule Creek that were worth hundreds of millions of dollars. After the corporate papers were filed, he secured more than $3 million in financial backing from about a dozen investors to pool with his own money. Meek was widely known for his ability to organize and run companies.

One of the companies he ran, from 1890-1893, was the Colorado Coal & Iron Company. He learned of the marble deposits through his association with coal mine owner John C. Osgood of Redstone.

The story really gets rolling in 1907, with the CYMC starting construction on what later became the world’s largest marble finishing mill, set right alongside the Crystal River in the town of Marble. Here are some CYMC ongoings, among others, from 1905-1910: • With experience in building and managing railroads, Meek extended the end of the Crystal River Railway from Placita to Marble, 7.3 miles, so the company

could transport its products to market.

• The company built dozens of houses for workers on the road into town. Meek built the company office on Main Street, which he described to investors as “nothing fancy.”

• The company built a power plant on Kline Creek and other structures, including a large barn for its horses.

• Meek also rounded up hundreds of skilled and unskilled mill and quarry workers — many of whom were nationals from Italy and other European countries — from around the U.S. (mostly Vermont and Alabama). He attracted them by offering higher wages than they were getting, plus company housing at good rental rates. Alas, the workers’ wages were reduced after they went on strike and lost. Meek also put together a top-notch management team that he recruited from other marble quarry operations, including the Vermont Marble Company.

• Meek continued to woo potential investors through stock offerings.

• One big detail is that Meek got the unprofitable existing quarry up and running again, a task that included the construction of wooden derricks and cranes to move multi-ton blocks of marble to horse drawn wagons below.

CYMC had purchased the quarry about four miles east of town on the west side of Yule Creek, about 1,000 feet higher than the town of Marble, which sits at almost 8,000 feet. The quarry contained white, hard marble which company promotionals said there was an “inexhaustible supply” of, and would last for hundreds of years. The last claim was one of many that the

company’s vice president, Charales Austin Bates, made to potential investors; another being that the demand for marble had been increasing for centuries and would continue to rise.

At first, the company used teams of horses to pull wagons loaded with marble blocks down the steep road to the mill. In short order, the company put the horses out to pasture and brought in a three-wheel Best steam tractor to pull the wagons. By 1910, the company had put down tracks on the road and brought in electric trollies to transport marble blocks to the mill, which, upon completion, would be a quarter of a mile long.

The company used the marble for at least four types of products: ornamental, monumental (such as the Taylor mausoleum in Glenwood Springs), firewalls (yes, it’s true) and interiors and exteriors of buildings and other structures (including the interior for the Fitzsimmons Hospital in Denver and the plaza at Cheesman Park in Denver).

The company landed its first big contract in 1908, supplying Cuyahoga County, Ohio with $500,000 worth of white marble for its courthouse in Cleveland.

At the time, Marble’s population stood at 700 according to Oscar McCollum Junior’s book, “Marble: A Town Built on Dreams, Volume One.” CYCM had a free-standing building for its drafting department that was big enough to lay out gigantic plans on the floor.

A Cuyahoga County employee who worked on the project said the pieces which CYMC sent them were cut so precisely that they fit together perfectly and no adjustments were needed.

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THE SOPRIS SUN • Your weekly community connector • November 16 - November 22, 2023 • 17

LETTERS buffalo were the hides and the tongues, which were considered a delicacy in Europe. When the Native Americans killed a bison, they used every part of it. It was considered sacrilege to waste any. When the whites wiped them out, they destroyed the Native Americans’ means of sustenance.

On Friday, I went to the Crystal Theatre to see Martin Scorsese’s film “The Killers of the Flower Moon.” It’s about how greedy, white supremacist whites methodically murdered Osage Native Americans in Oklahoma so they could inherit the rights to their oil wells.

All this has left me with the impression that Europeandescended Americans are the most gawdawful critters that have ever inhabited this planet. And, I haven’t even considered slavery lately. Conservatives and Christian nationalists say we shouldn’t teach about these atrocities in school. We should lie to our children so they come to believe that everything that's white is wonderful. Is that the way we learn from our mistakes? I left TRTC moved and shaken. That’s as it should be.

Fred Malo Jr, Carbondale

Public comment

I attended my first Garfield County commissioners meeting on Nov. 8 to voice my opinion about their upcoming library board decision.

Commissioners take public comment at the beginning of every meeting. It’s supposed to be a time for anyone to speak up to their elected officials about any topic that concerns them.

It’s already intimidating to make a recorded and streamed public comment in front of the commissioners and a room full of people. What made this experience even more intimidating was the behavior of at least one commissioner during what should have been a welcoming forum for the public.

Commissioner Mike Samson took time away from the public comment portion of the meeting to spew his opinion repeatedly and emotionally while an unsuspecting citizen sat nervously, but politely while he “blew his stack.” You can watch him by visiting www.garfield-county.com/ board-commissioners/meetings and clicking on the Nov. 8 meeting.

It’s fine for Mr. Samson and his fellow commissioners to express their opinions, but I think they should wait to do so until after everyone has had a chance to speak, not while we’re still sitting at the table!

You may be trying to intimidate us but we’re going to keep coming to your meetings and letting you know what we think. We are also going to rally our friends and neighbors to go to the polls when the time comes to elect new commissioners who will treat their constituents with more respect.

Pat Fitzpatrick, Carbondale

18 • THE SOPRIS SUN • soprissun.com • November 16 - November 22, 2023

continued from page 2

Main St. (Carbondale) vs Wall St. (USFS)

"If you are neutral in situations of injustice, you have chosen the side of the oppressor. If an elephant has its foot on the tail of a mouse and you say you are neutral, the mouse will not appreciate your neutrality." Archbishop Desmond Tutu Oppression is a state of being subject to unjust treatment or control.

Drastic measures are necessary to have the elephant (US Forest Service) get their foot off the mouse (the community of Carbondale, population roughly 6,600)! The Forest Service (USFS) continues to disregard vocal outrage concerning plans to begin demolition and construction on their property located on Main Street in early 2024.

The USFS deceitfully bypassed the need for adequate public input in November 2019, originally using a categorical exclusion of "repair and maintenance" reserved for minor projects such as painting and roofing contracts. Clearly this classification is not appropriate for a $6.3 million administrative site’s redevelopment in the heart of downtown Carbondale. In letters submitted to Colorado’s congressional representatives, the USFS believes this was "the appropriate level of analysis," and falsely claims, "our staff has spent significant time coordinating with the town of Carbondale about the project since 2019."

The Carbondale board of trustees (BOT) recently endorsed a detailed letter that was submitted to Scott Fitzwilliams, the White River National Forest supervisor. The BOT raised concerns about the deceitful categorical exclusion and a failure to list the project on the USFS website along with Butler Creek culvert replacements, etcetera. The Carbondale project was belatedly added to the USFS website on Sept.

25. A contract was awarded on Sept.

29. The BOT believe USFS plans are "a rushed process" with "a lack of formal comment period." The BOT endorsed a need "to incorporate more public comments" to pursue a "mutually beneficial collaboration."

As reported in the Aspen Daily News on Oct. 7, Fitzwilliams "acknowledged that the level of community concerns suggests extra discussion would have been helpful."

Please call your three congressional representatives to demand the USFS place their redevelopment plans on hold to allow all stakeholders to engage in a mutually beneficial collaboration to maintain the integrity of our beloved community. Time is of the essence!

Jim Coddington, Carbondale Due to space constraints this week, not all letters made it into print. Visit www.soprissun.com/ opinion/letters for more community perspective.

PARTING SHOTS

Carbondale report

continued from page 7

• Trustee support for a $20,000 contribution to the Mt. Sopris Nordic Council for its Spring Gulch cross country ski trail system capital campaign.

• Approval of some minor revisions to the town’s Short Term Rental ordinance.

• An executive session with Town Attorney Mark Hamilton to discuss pending litigation involving Michael Francisco v. Town of Carbondale, and Donna Burkett v.

Roaring Fork Transportation.

Garfield County BOCC denied Rifle resident Hanna Arauza’s application for the Rifle representative vacancy on the library board of trustees.

It remains unclear if the BOCC’s decision is final. The Sopris Sun has stated that “the library board can still appoint someone despite disapproval from the commissioners'' (Garco Report, Oct 18) but in a Nov. 14 email, Jamie LaRue, GCPLD’s executive director, told The Sun that the library cannot appoint Arauza over the BOCC’s decision. “If the County Commissioners had taken NO action, Hanna would have been automatically appointed after 60 days,” he wrote. “But since they voted against her — a first, I'm told, since the founding of the district — that seems to deny her the position.” The Sun will continue to investigate this further.

The Roaring Fork Drawing Club celebrated its 6th birthday at Beer Works on Tuesday, Nov. 14.

(Above) This beauty was cooked up by Chef Briän Collé.

continued from page 11

The BOCC also passed a resolution disapproving the library board’s policy regarding two Japanese manga books at the Silt Library. The resolution is not legally-binding. “I want to make sure that the public knows that the BOCC are not asking to ban any books,” said Martin. “We’re not trying to censor anyone.”

Public discussion about these books has been ongoing for months and does not show any signs of stopping. Opponents and supporters of the library’s policy were on hand at Monday’s meeting, repeating the same concerns. Some opponents, including Robin Pruett, stated that they might apply for the Rifle vacancy on the library board.

RFTA housing a cooperative regional approach to accomplish that, he said.

Aspen Mayor Torre noted that Aspen has a budget placeholder of $450,000 to support the coalition’s buy-down program, but as a RFTA representative he wants more details before agreeing to have RFTA fund the effort.

“I don’t know that it's the best use of RFTA funds right now. We would need

Happy Birthday Roaring Fork Drawing Club!

Charcoal by Valeria Fiala

continued from page 15

to make sure it’s a good fit and return on our dollars,” Torre said.

Other board members expressed similar concerns, but agreed RFTA should at least be a member of the housing coalition. Board representative and Glenwood Springs city council member Shelley Kaup was appointed to be RFTA’s representative on the coalition board.

Public Notice November 2023

Notice of Opportunity to Comment On Issuance of a Restrictive Notice at the Marble Wetlands Site Facility: Marble Wetlands Site Address: Parcel 2917-264-00-005 Marble, Gunnison County, CO

LABOR OF LOVE AUCTION IS DEC. 1ST over 100 auction items drinks, food, fun special details to follow KDNK.ORG 76 S. 2ND STREET, CARBONDALE

Background: The Marble Wetland Preserve is a designated Voluntary Cleanup Program property, which includes a remnant slag pile from the Hoffman Smelter,an operation thatceased operation over 100 years ago.The Trust for Land Restoration, the property owner, in conjunction with the Town of Marble, completed cleanup of the site by consolidating looses lag and other materials in a capped repository, addressing drainage erosion,and revegetating the site to support the long-term health of the property. Because historic mining waste remains on site, this Restrictive Notice is being placed per the request of the Trust for Land Restoration to protect the site remedy and capped mine waste.

Public comments: Please submit comments by December 9, 2023 to: Mark Rudolph, CDPHE Project Manager CDPHE/HMWMD 4300 Cherry Creek Drive South Denver, CO 80246 mark.rudolph@state.co.us | 303.916.2179 | Toll free: 888-569-1831, ext 3311

The Restrictive Notice is available online for review at: https://cdphe.colorado.gov/hm/HMWMD-public-notices

THE SOPRIS SUN • Your weekly community connector • November 16 - November 22, 2023 • 19

Help celebrate OUR BIRTHDAY AND MAKE IT THE BEST YET!

An informed community is empowered. Working together, we all thrive.

Una comunidad informada es una comunidad empoderada. Trabajando juntos, todos prosperamos.

Sopris Sun: 15 years of building community 15 años construyendo comunidad

HELP FUND THE SUN FOR ANOTHER YEAR! Thank You for your support! ¡Gracias por tu apoyo!

Sol del Valle: 3 años empoderando a la gente 3 years of empowering people

Double Your Impact All Donations Matched through 12/31/2023

HOLIDAY EVENTS!

FRIDAY, FRIDAY, DECEMBER DECEMBER

8TH

CCC’s 25TH ANNUAL

CUP AUCTION FRIDAY, DECEMBER 8TH | 6-9PM HOSTED AT THE THIRD STREET CENTER

Over 200 200 cups cups from from Over local & & national national artists. artists. local One night night only! only!

One CARBONDALE CLAY CENTER | 135 MAIN STREET CARBONDALE CO INFO@CARBONDALECLAY.ORG | 970.963.2529 | CARBONDALECLAY.ORG Featured cups by Stephanie Seguin, Kenyon Hansen, Lori Dresner, Steven Rolf, Jodi Henderson, Giana Grossman, Nancy Barbour, Ishara Sweeney.

20 • THE SOPRIS SUN • soprissun.com • November 16 - November 22, 2023

Holiday Cookie Contest

Friday, December 8, 4-6 pm, $10 registration fee Bring 2 dozen of your best homemade cookies arranged in a basket, platter, on a sled, in a tree etc, and a recipe to share. Prizes will be awarded for Most Creative, Best Presentation, and Best Overall.

Register at coloradomtn.edu/commity-education using “cookie” in the keyword search, or stop by the Carbondale Campus or call 970-963-2172

Student Art Show and Party

Tuesday, December 12, 6-8 pm Come see what our Art Students have been creating this semester and help us celebrate their accomplishments with some Holiday Cheer.

Carbondale Lappala Center

690 Colorado Ave • 963-2172