19 10 17

Because every town needs a park, a library and a newspaper

Carbondale’s weekly

community connector

Honoring those who came first

Volume 11, Number 36 | October 17, 2019

BALLOT GUIDE INSIDE

Carbondale opted to celebrate Indigineous Peoples Day instead of Columbus Day for the first time this year, with a special ceremony featuring the Ute (known to themselves as People of Substance or Nuche, pronounced Nooch).

Northern Ute Elder Roland McCook, singer / drummers Albert and Ray and dancers Timber and Lisa invited all to learn some history, language song and dance against the backdrop of a beautifal fall day in Sopris Park.

Among the tales told were numerous anecdotes on how misinterpretation of the Nuche language created many of the place names were are familiar with today. Folks learned how the native music was composed and got to hear both traditional songs and an original piece by Timber. The Bear Dance and Round Dance didn't quite go on for days like they once would have, but there's plenty of room for the event to grow — visit the Roaring Fork Valley Circle Facebook page to get involved and check out pages 10 and 11 for more indigenous affairs. Photo by Sue Rollyson

Mail-in ballots go out this week for the Nov. 5 election. Voters in Carbondale will be asked to weigh in on questions from Garfield County Libraries, Roaring Fork School District, Colorado Mountain College and a couple of state-level propositions.

To help our readers make an informed choice, we've assembled a set of stories on each topic on pages 6 through 9 of this week's paper. We have also received a wide array of letters, and encourage folks who want their opinions printed to send them our way by Oct. 28. We've done our part, now get out there and vote!

Street tacos $2.50 during happy hour 3-6 daily.

580 Main St. Carbondale Open Daily 11am-9:00pm

Join us for Monday Night Football

Be Happy. Eat at Mi Casita.

Carbondale’s Favorite Mexican Food.

Coping with an overheated climate of anxiety OPINION

SEEKING HIGHER GROUND

By Nicolette Toussaint

“Is this the house you’re giving to the church?” my friend asked. After I nodded, he commented, “That’s a very generous gift.”

Generous – or worthless?

As I told Larry, everything in this valley depends on snow in its various forms. It’s not just that Aspen tourism provides the cornerstone for the local economy, it’s that all our economic endeavors depend on that silver dusting that mercifully reappeared on Mt. Sopris this week.

Without snow, we wouldn’t have skiing, snowshoeing or snowmobiling. But without melted snow, we wouldn’t have Palisade peaches. Western Slope agriculture.

Ranching. Or Gold Medal fishing.

Or whitewater rafting. Or forests filled with aspens, spruces and wildflowers for tourists to come see.

Yes, we locals do head to Utah’s deserts to hike. But what if our

local climate morphed into that of Rangely over the next 20 years?

Projections say that’s likely. What would that do to local businesses?

Jobs? Property values?

Twenty years is longer than I’m supposed to live, but I’m having a tough time wrestling with a foreshortened future. It’s not just that my own years are numbered, but also that civilization’s chances seem slim.

As I have imagined the cascading effects climate collapse will have on humans – droughts, famines, wars and billions of refugees – I have gradually abandoned the idea of writing a memoir. What would be the point? Increasingly, even small acts like bequeathing my home have begun to feel like acts of blind faith or futility, I’m not sure which.

Then, deep breath! If I had survived the Titanic, I would have been one of those who lead the singing in the lifeboats. So I paint and keep writing columns.

For 67-year-old me, climate collapse looks like a Sisyphean tragedy. But for a 16-year-old like Greta Thunberg, it looms with titanic menace. Reflecting on the school strike she undertook two years ago, Thunberg wrote, “Why should any young person be made to study for a future when no one is doing enough to save that future?”

In early October, three parents showed up at the Aspen Board of Education’s meeting to complain about the schools’ response to climate change. According to the

Aspen Times, the parents describe themselves as environmentally conscious enough to recycle, but reject what they consider to be “climate change histrionics.”

A little backstory here: In preparation for last month’s global climate strike – during which 401 Aspen high school and middle school students joined a protest that was not endorsed by the school district – some teachers showed National Geographic’s film “Explorer: Bill Nye’s Global Meltdown.” In it, scientist Guy McPherson expresses his view that the world will end by 2030 due to a warming climate.

Some Aspen kids, unsurprisingly, found that prediction terrifying.

When Greta Thunberg learned of it a few years back, she stopped eating and talking.

At times, this approaching cataclysm stuns me into silence too.

I understand why parents want to protect their kids from it.

I wish someone could protect me from the terror I feel over three billion missing birds, methane boiling out of the Arctic’s melting permafrost and evacuations due to wildfires. Intellectually, I agree with the parent who said, “I don’t think anybody here can or will say the Earth is going to end in 12 years. So why in the hell are we telling these kids that, and basically giving them no reason to live?”

At the core of the parents’ concern is a struggle to hang onto something emotionally essential:

LETTERS Late to lunch Dear Editor: You're the worst.

Sidny Roach Dos Gringos Cashier

Harbinger Dear Editor: Bleak mid-October Gold, gray, faded Autumn day Wind-blown leaves form drifts JM Jesse Glenwood Springs

Whence cometh evil Dear Editor: Your last issue contained an article announcing a new book by a Carbondale resident called “180 on God.” The author worked with some folks with strong religious backgrounds. Their goal is to answer questions that people have about God. He ends with the sentence “God is kind, open-armed and loves us all…”

A new fellow in town I met recently said: “Carbondale is a paradise.” I agree. When living in this paradise one might be inclined to maintain a very rosy view of life and of the spiritual side of life. One of the most endearing aspects of religion and belief is easing the burdens that many endure in life. Not so many burdens in Carbondale. Life is pretty good.

My reading of the Bible early in life did not leave me with as encouraging an image of God;

Jesus yes. Without Jesus, of course, there would be no Christianity. The Old Testament God would be very hard to sell. Maybe this is why “180” is in the title, which means a complete change of opinion.

Still, I have trouble reconciling the “loving God” image with any number of human calamities. Currently we have a devastating opioid crisis, wars all over the planet, starvation, refugees, diseases like Ebola and cancer and global warming is bearing down on us.

Historically, we have had the Holocaust, the Crusades, the plague, The invasion of Iraq, Vietnam and two World Wars. Only a short list.

I’m just saying: count your blessings, but let’s be realistic.

Pat Hunter Carbondale

Soul art Dear Editor: Carbondale is a gem for all types of art.

Like the bike path entrance to Artville, is there another in the world? What always amazes me though is that big art that just comes and goes, like in front of Town Hall and all those pieces on Main Street. We must be special people, because this art never stays too long and the movement of these pieces is quite the task that require big trucks, forklifts and a bunch of people. Thank you all who are involved.

I would like to share my thoughts about one piece of Lawn Art at the doctor’s office front entrance area across from MANA Foods on Highway 133. The piece has been there for a while, but I just met the Artist William Morrow recently,

2 • THE SOPRIS SUN • soprissun.com • OCTOBER 17, 2019 - OCTOBER 23, 2019

hope.

I sympathize. More, I empathize. As a teen, I struggled with depression. I contemplated suicide. (Bullying added to my woes.

Some Aspen kids reportedly were bullied and that is categorically reprehensible.) Depression can be paralyzing. Even for adult me, the spectre of climate collapse makes it difficult to contemplate planting a tree in my yard. When I think about leaving bequests to my favorite local nonprofits – The Sopris Sun, my Two Rivers Unitarian Universalist congregation – I buffet between hope and despair. Will those organizations be here, will our TOWNS even be here, after I am gone?

The planet, I’m sure, will survive.

But I’m not at all sure that our country or civilization, let alone our local land values, will.

Adults often feel duty-bound to offer hope to the young. But Greta Thunberg says she doesn’t want our hope. She wants us to panic, to act like the house is on fire.

Much as I empathize with the Aspen parents’ desire to safeguard their kids, I’m feeling the flames. Experience has taught me that denial offers no defense against despair, and I’m afraid that censoring the news won’t prepare the next generation to deal with the reality of climate collapse.

Ironically, the best hope I see on the horizon comes from the young who are yelling, “Fire!”

The views expressed in opinion pieces do not necessarily reflect those of The Sopris Sun. The and he told community is invited to submit letters of up to 250 words to me the P.O. Box 399 or 500 words to news@soprissun.com. Longer story of columns are considered on how it came a case-by-case basis. The deadline for submission together. is noon on When they Monday.

came and asked him if he was interested in the project to make a caduceus he said, sure. He then did his research to see what a caduceus looked like and in his mind the project began. He is a collector of metal stuff, and his yard is filled with stuff that some of us call junk. He decided to search his yard where he found all the pieces.

I am going through lots of experiences right now and find them challenging, somehow that visual of all my emotional attachments with closets filled with secret stories that is my junk.

After hearing the story about this piece of art, and how it came together — that he had all the components right there the whole time — I felt like I need to create my own invisible piece of art. Right now, my experience is that all the pieces of my life are scattered around looking like trash, so my new perception is see them all together as a piece of creation and continue.

Well that’s what I decided and thanks for this special piece of soul art that whenever I need a little organizing I can go see how someone else did it.

That’s what a caduceus is all about health and well being, so thanks to William and the doctors who share that concept.

Paramroop Khalsa Carbondale

Continued on page 18

Sincerest thanks to our

Honorary Publishers for their annual commitment of $1,000+

Email barbara.dills@gmail.com for more information.

Jim Calaway, Honorary Chair Kay Brunnier Scott Gilbert – Habitat for Humanity RFV Bob Young – Alpine Bank Peter Gilbert Umbrella Roofing, Inc. Bill Spence and Sue Edelstein Greg and Kathy Feinsinger Carolyn Nelson Jim Noyes True Nature Healing Arts Nicolette Toussaint Jill and Gary Knaus Megan Tackett

Legacy Givers for including us in their final wishes.

Mary Lilly

And all our SunScribers and community members for your support.

It truly takes a village to keep The Sun shining.

Donate online or by mail.

P.O. Box 399 Carbondale, CO 81623 520 S. Third Street #32 970-510-3003 www.soprissun.com Editor Will Grandbois • 970-510-0540 news@soprissun.com Advertising: Todd Chamberlin • 970-510-0246 adsales@soprissun.com Graphic Designer: Ylice Golden Staff Reporter: Roberta McGowan Delivery: Tom Sands Current Board Members board@soprissun.com Marilyn Murphy, President Raleigh Burleigh, Vice President Linda Criswell, Secretary Klaus Kocher, Treasurer John Colson • Kay Clarke Carol Craven • Megan Tackett The Sopris Sun Board meets regularly on the second Monday evening of each month at the Third Street Center.

Founding Board Members Allyn Harvey • Becky Young • Colin Laird Barbara New • Elizabeth Phillips Peggy DeVilbiss • Russ Criswell Send us your comments: feedback@soprissun.com The Sopris Sun, Inc. is a proud member of the Carbondale Creative District The Sopris Sun, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation.

Donations to The Sun are fully tax deductible.

HARD TRUTHS

Our Latino and Anglo communities don’t interact much, but they could

By James Steindler Sopris Sun Correspondent In school students learn that what makes America unique is that it is a melting pot of many cultures. This sentiment can be compromised in the “real” world, and when it comes to the Latino and Anglo populations in the Roaring Fork Valley the notion is put to the test.

According to the most recent census, 47.5 percent of Carbondale’s population is Latino.

It would reason that Latinos and Anglos cross paths regularly, but the community as a whole can fall short of integrating the two ethnic populations.

Merriam-Webster defines integration as the “incorporation as equals into society…” While institutions in the Valley are taking steps to create equal access and representation within our blended Latino and Anglo community there is still much work to be done. There is often a disconnect between Latino and Anglo persons in the Valley. Fortunately, there are several entities and individuals who intend to change this stasis.

Above: Latinos and Anglos bridging their communities by building a playground in August 2018. Photo by Paul Hilts Left: Aaron Munch and Elmer Canales are a paired duo in the EIA program.

Photo by Michelle Cardamone Photography

Resources English In Action (EIA) is one such program that has made strides to bridge the gap. The organization’s mantra is, “discovering community, two people at a time.” EIA provides tutoring to Spanish speakers learning English. A tutor and a student will meet regularly one on one and get to know each other. They will invite each other into their homes and introduce one another to their families. While a basic goal is for the student to develop their English language skills, the relationship builds and connections are made between their two worlds.

Samuel Bernal, a board member for EIA, wholeheartedly believes in EIA’s method stating “it’s a way to build community and integrate the Anglo and Latino communities.” Bernal points out that much integration is done through commerce. He explains that “commerce is the human activity that gets people together — it doesn’t matter what your religion or political affiliation is.” For instance, when an Anglo person has dinner at El Pollo Rico they get to experience the food, music and language of a different culture. Valley Settlement is another organization that assists with the integration process. Valley Settlement has six programs which according to Sally Boughton, Assistant

Neither Valley Settlement nor EIA refuse people based on immigration status. EIA Executive Director Lara Beaulieu explains, “ we have a policy that we do not ask for documentation from our participants and we don’t accept any funding from sources that would require us to ask for documentation.”

Representation

Director of Development, “are co-created with the Latino immigrant population here in the Roaring Fork Valley.” Valley Settlement’s Parent Mentor program trains volunteers to work one on one with students in classrooms within the Roaring Fork School District.

The Parent Mentor Program is at a standstill due to an update in the District’s background check process for volunteers. A prospective volunteer is expected to complete a digital questionnaire. One of the questions inquires what the applicant’s citizenship status is. The prompt discourages some to participate in the Parent Mentor program. The school board is expected to revisit this issue at the next meeting on Oct. 23.

Try Out Our Delivery Services

Bernal also serves on the board of Ross Montessori Elementary School, where he is the only Latino representative. Bernal is grateful for the efforts Ross Montessori makes to accommodate Latino students and parents, including his own children. Bernal says, “I want to recognize that they do a great job with integrating kids.”

To Roaring Fork School District’s Superintendent, Rob Stein's knowledge there has never been a Latino person that has served on the District’s school board. Stein recalls an editorial piece he wrote to the Post Independent this past summer, “expressing my hope that the school board look more like the community.”

It just so happens that Jasmine Ramirez, a Latina community member and graduate of Glenwood Springs High School, is running

for a seat on the school board. While Ramirez aims to increase Latino representation within the District, she is running with the entire community in mind. Ramirez elaborates,“as an elected representative I would have the duty to represent all of the students, teachers and parents in this district but I have the advantage of being bilingual and being Latina to serve a larger demographic within our District and I intend to do that.”

With the current political climate, it is no secret that immigration is a contentious topic.

It can be difficult to reach a middle ground between two persons (or entities) which disagree on the issue. One unfortunate result is that members of the Latino community are burdened by fear. A Latino person may fear being discriminated against and/or deportation.

Even if someone is a citizen they may have relatives that are not and are potentially at risk of deportation. Often Latino children are US born citizens but their parents immigrated.

Families fear being separated.

Bernal is the station manager for La Tricolor Aspen radio station. A portion of the news broadcasts relate to Immigration Custom Enforcement (ICE) raids. This worry often debilitates immigrant participation within the larger community. He is very grateful to live in this valley. He was born in Mexico City and his wife and children immigrated to the US as well.

Bernal thinks it is important for Latino persons to feel welcomed in the community. Ramirez echoes this stating, “we need the support of all communities, specifically the Anglo community, to help open the doors for us.”

Latinos and Anglos working together to reach a common goal is an effective way to integrate. For example last year Valley Settlement along with Crawford Properties, The Colorado Health Foundation, KaBoom!, and Eagle County organized a group of 170 multicultural volunteers who built a playground in El Jebel. This brewed camaraderie between members of both cultures.

Anglos attending Latino events and vice versa is another way to bond the community.

One such opportunity is coming up. EIA will be celebrating their 25 year anniversary by hosting a “Fiesta de Tamales” from 5 to 9 p.m. Oct. 19 at Basalt High School. All are welcomed to attend.

While many are working toward creating a blended community, or comunidad mezclada in Spanish, they implore everyone to contribute by reaching across the table.

We Love Pumpkin You will too!

Pumpkin Spice Body Wrap,

Back, Neck, Shoulder Massage, Private Thermal Mineral Bath and a Day Pass to the Historic Vapor Caves “It’s a Day at the Spa” $143

970-963-1700 • RJPaddywacks.com

Open 7 Days a week − Mon.-Fri. 9:00-6:30 ~ Sat.-Sun. 10-5pm 400 E. Valley Road # I/J, Next to City Market in El Jebel

Aveda Salon open 7 days a week

For Information & Reservations call 970-945-0667 • yampahspa.com Spa Open 9-9 Salon Open 9-7 • One Block East of the Hot Springs Pool

THE SOPRIS SUN • Carbondale’s weekly community connector • OCTOBER 17, 2019 - OCTOBER 23, 2019 • 3

SCUTTLEBUTT Ride and read

Ace Hardware has generously stepped up to host a Sopris Sun rack in the City Market shopping center after Kroger kicked free weeklies to the curb — and we’ve made some other distribution changes as well. Permission has come down from RFTA to place racks at their park and rides, and we’re in the process of delivering them to West Glenwood, 27th Street, Basalt and Brush Creek. In the shuffle, we’ve also decided to nix our already meager deliveries to downtown Aspen, but upvalley folks can still nab papers at the Woody Creek and Old Snowmass post offices and in front of Roxy’s in the Airport Business Center.

Where the buffalo roam

The recycled pallet bison sculptures in the Sixth Street roundabout in Glenwood Springs are up for individual auction at publicsurplus.com until 4 p.m. on Oct. 30. These pieces were originally installed as a temporary solution prior to permanent landscaping following the completion of the Grand Avenue Bridge project and range in size from approximately 5’x5’ to 7’x5’9”.

Each piece was handcrafted by Krzysztof and Noemi Kosmowski, local Glenwood Springs artists, in 2019.

All proceeds from the bison sales will go toward funding public art projects in Glenwood Springs.

Send your scuttlebutt to news@soprissun.com.

Clean breast In celebration of national breast cancer awareness month, Valley View Hospital is excited to announce an incredible gift of $400,000 from breast cancer survivor and advocate Marlane Miller. From breast cancer prevention to screening and treatment, the gift enables Valley View to advance its work to provide a comprehensive and compassionate breast health experience to its patients. The gift, made to the Valley View Foundation, reflects Miller’s personal journey with breast cancer, both at the Calaway Young Cancer Center and other facilities.

Survey says Our partners at KDNK Community Radio are conducting a listener survey and would appreciate your input. One lucky survey taker will win a custom FM radio designed by local artists Amber Sparkles and Chris Hassig. Visit surveygizmo.com/ s3/5122570/KDNK-Survey to participate!

Sew it goes Registration is underway for a five-week adult sewing course taught

by Delia Bolster. The class will teach folks with a basic understanding of how to sew simple alterations to rejuvenate your closet or just make your wardrobe fit better, then how

to use and alter a pattern to create a garment “from scratch.” It runs 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesdays Nov. 6 through Dec. 11 at the SoL Theatre classroom in the Third Street Center and costs $160 for Carbondale Arts Members and $175 for others. Space is limited, so visit carbondalearts.com to register now.

Get a job

In a little under a year, our nation will conduct the once-a-decade census, which is a population count of everyone in the United States. As you can imagine, this is a huge task, and that is why the U.S. Census Bureau is hiring employees across the country. Hundreds of thousands of people are needed to ensure we get an accurate count. If you’re interested in working for the Census Bureau and being a part of this historic event, visit 2020census. gov/jobs or call 1-855-JOB-2020.

Down the lane

The Andy Zanca Youth Empowerment Program is the beneficiary of the inaugural Disco Bowl, Boogie and Benefit at Bowlski's (280 Favre Ln. in El Jebel) from 6 to 10 p.m. on Oct. 19. Teams of six people ages 21+ can register at azyep.org/events. It’s $100 per player and gets you four full hours of unlimited bowling, shoe rental, bowling socks, a drink ticket, door prizes and endless Disco music and fun – 70’s costumes are encouraged!

Mt. Sopris got more than a dusting of snow last week — some might even call it a mantle. But as winter looms, ranchers like the Nieslaniks are sitting on plenty of hay from a long growing season. Photo by Will Grandbois

Feed me Coldwell Banker Mason Morse is partnering with Lift-Up for its food drive. You can drop off non-perishable, non-expired food donations at any Coldwell Banker Mason Morse Office — including 290 Highway 133 in Carbondale, 727 E. Valley Rd. in Basalt and 1614 Grand Ave. in Glenwood Springs — throughout the month of October.

Coffee chat Brett Lear, executive director of the Garfield County Libraries, would like to hear from you! Join him at 9 a.m. Monday, Oct. 21 at the Carbondale Branch Library.

Chat about our community and

the libraries with free coffee from Bonfire Coffee and pastries from Sweet Coloradough. For more information, call the library at 9632889.

They say it’s your birthday Folks celebrating another trip around the sun this week include: Mike Grandbois and Ian Edquist (Oct. 18); Hannah Condon (Oct. 19); Gabe Alcala (Oct. 20); Heidi Hendricks (Oct. 21); Lisa Quint (Oct. 22); Olivia Savard, Jeremy Cerise, Dave Kodama, Alicia Zeringue, Mary Kenyon and Ron Speaker (Oct. 24).

After-Hours Medical Care in Basalt

When you have unexpected medical needs, we are here for you.

No appointments necessary. Walk-ins welcome!

NEW, EXTENDED HOURS! Monday – Friday 3:00 – 11:00 pm

Saturday & Sunday 8:00 am – 5:00 pm 970.544.1250 234 Cody Lane, Basalt aspenhospital.org |

4 • THE SOPRIS SUN • soprissun.com • OCTOBER 17, 2019 - OCTOBER 23, 2019

AspenValleyHospital

Small-town scholar recognized for big ideas

By Will Grandbois Sopris Sun Staff You may have forgotten about the Panama Papers (much less the Paradise Papers), but Briana Boland hasn’t — and she’s making sure others remember as well.

The Marble native is proof that growing up in a small town doesn’t prevent you from getting involved in the world, having just completed her International Studies degree at Fordham University in New York in time to be recognized by the Dublinbased Global Undergraduate Awards.

“I’ve basically always been interested in aspects of the international system that aren’t super well publicized” Boland said of the attitude that led her to tackle topics like migrant smuggling and tax dodging she feels “are misunderstood and misrepresented in the media.”

“Accounting doesn’t make very sexy news stories,” she added. “There’s this almost intentional boringness and confusion about international finance — it’s not meant to be easy to understand.”

“Tax Injustice: The Failure of Public Scrutiny to Translate into Global Tax Governance,” started out as a regular assignment, but she continued research even after the class was over and ended up getting the piece published.

“I thought this was something

people should be so much more outraged about,” she explained.

“International tax structure really can have a huge impact on people, particularly in developing companies.

Changing where tax revenues come from trickles down to every single taxpayer.”

Her paper tracks the practice and perception of dodging taxes overseas over time, with particular emphasis on the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development’s 1998 assertion that offshore tax evasion was harmful to the international economy coupled with the public release of the Panama Papers in 2016 and Paradise Papers in 2017. She concluded that, while governments have made few strides to crack down on regulation or enforcement, public sentiment has shifted.

“The idea that tax evasion through offshore banking and secrecy in financial dealings is damaging to the world economy and should be illegal is much more prominent in political discussions and global civil society agendas today than it was 20 years ago,” she wrote. “The sensational impact of the Panama and Paradise Papers dealt a blow to the defensive wall of opacity and secrecy that have long protected the offshore financial system. While the prospect of real financial reform remains far from assured, international attention on global tax infrastructure is certainly an important step towards

instigating change. Public engagement and activism to hold states and intergovernmental organizations accountable for regulating tax governance is critically important to ensuring any future justice and equality in the international economy.”

And therein lies the rub. Boland is well aware that public attention rarely stays on one topic long enough to bring reasonable change.

“It just seems like the scandals are buried under further scandals,” she observed. “It’s hard to think that we’re making any impact, but it’s also useless to assume that we don’t.”

While the issue may seem more immediate to someone living in New York where many of the implicated corporations are headquartered, she thinks it’s just as relevant in the Roaring Fork valley.

“People in Carbondale can be connected to people all over the world,” she said. “Americans have a huge amount of influence over foreign affairs.”

She particularly encouraged students to go beyond the classroom and get involved with civics and is happy to send her paper to anyone who might care to read it — just email brianajboland@gmail.com for a copy.

Its “highly commended” status places it among the top ten percent of submissions in each subject area, and it was later named a Regional Winner, as well, making it the

Far from resting on her laurels, Boland spent the summer in China on a Critical Language Scholarship through the Department of State and is now back in New York City interning for U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand.

Courtesy photo organization’s favorite work on the subject from the United States or

Canada. Boland will fly to Dublin in November to accept the award.

LET THE GOOD TIMES ROLL 61+ STRAINS DAILY SPECIALS $20 EIGHTHS REWARDS CLUB

CARBONDALE DISPENSARY 9:00am–7:00pm 970–510–3065 304 Highway 133

TUMBLEWEED420.COM

THE SOPRIS SUN • Carbondale’s weekly community connector • OCTOBER 17, 2019 - OCTOBER 23, 2019 • 5

Two contested seats, Salida on ballot for CMC

By Roberta McGowan Sopris Sun Staff Five seats are up for election — two contested — on the Nov. 5 ballot for the Colorado Mountain College (CMC) Board of Trustees. Each term of office is for four years except for Trustee District 7 which is two years.

Also on the ballot will be whether to annex the Salida School District in Chaffee County.

If approved, CMC Salida students will pay indistrict tuition rates of $80 per credit hour. Currently, those students pay out-of-district rates of $170 per credit hour. The lower tuition rate is possible because taxpayers within the CMC district pay a 3.997 mill levy that supports the college. Taxpayers in Salida would pay that same rate if the town is added to the CMC district. The current in-district tax rate would not be affected..

The Steamboat Springs School District in 1982 was the last school district to be successfully annexed into the CMC community.

Trustee candidates •

•

•

•

Trustee District 2 (Roaring Fork School District RE-1 boundaries) – Mary Nelle Axelson and Marianne Virgili are running. This seat was vacated by Kathy Goudy, due to term limits.

Trustee District 4 (Summit School District RE-1 boundaries) – Current trustee Patricia J. Theobald is running unopposed.

Trustee District 5 (Steamboat Springs School District RE-2 boundaries) – Current trustee Bob Kuusinen is running unopposed.

Trustee District 6 (Lake County School District RE-1 boundaries) – Bob Hartzell and Christine Whittington are running. This seat was vacated

by Pat Chlouber, due to term limits.

•

Trustee District 7 (Eagle County School District RE-50J boundaries) – Current trustee Chris Romer is running unopposed; he was appointed to the board in 2018 and is running for the remaining two years of the four-year term that began in November 2017

Mary Nelle Axelson, of Glenwood Springs, running for the District 2 seat, explains she has been thinking about running for the board while on staff at CMC, “I want to help CMC work even better for all of our communities. If you live in a community, you should be involved.”

Axelson taught developmental studies at CMC for 28 years, adding, “I’ve basically been in school since I was four,” and many of her family members have been teachers. Her experience includes volunteering on high school scholarship committees.

“I firmly believe education is the way forward for all of us.”

She favored annexing the Salida district, as it is a good fit. She said “We should listen to what our communities need.”

Marianne Virgili, of Carbondale, also on the ballot for District 2, said participating as a CMC trustee is a good way to pay back to the community as “education is the key to a better future for all of us.”

Virgili would like to see more four-year degree programs; “We should research the skills employers want, and what jobs are going unfilled.”

She worked as CEO of Glenwood Springs Chamber of Commerce for 30 years. Virgili also served as a volunteer CMC lobbyist at the Colorado State Capitol in Denver. She worked to emphasize CMC’s ability to offer 4-year bachelor’s degrees.

Her goals include providing affordable education for students to be able to study, reside

and work where they live and training first responders, nurses, law enforcement and teachers Robert Hartzell, of Leadville, is a trustee candidate for District 6. He served as Leadville campus dean and was also integral in starting a nine-county (CMC service area) leadership development program.

Central Rockies Leadership (CRL) was the result and functional from 1993 through 2002.

Hartzell saw encouraging signs for the college,” I am really very impressed with the leaders we have.”

His top priorities include bringing all of the communities together as one. He approved of Salida becoming a full partner with the District as it has a strong outdoor component.

When asked about CMC’s facilities in the town, Hatzell remarked, “We’ll have to study whether any new construction is warranted.”

Christine Whittington, of Leadville. is vying for the District 6 seat. As director of the Leadville CMC Library since 2014, “I have been very impressed with the level of academic instruction. The faculty has provided good mentorship to our students,” “I believe instructors should have the freedom to teach the way they want to,” she stressed. “When we hire the best people as faculty and staff, we make it possible for students to do the best they can.”

She noted many college-age residents may be leaving Leadville to attend other academic institutions, a pattern she’d like to reverse. Salida faces the same issue.

As for the Salida question on the ballot, “I can’t think of any downside to adding the town into our district.”

The Colorado Mountain College Board of Trustees has seven at large seats which are elected by all the voters in the six counties comprising the CMC District.

Mary Axelson

Marianne Virgili

Robert Hartzell

Christine Whittington

Helping The Sopris Sun shine year ‘round

One of the special things about living in a small town is a sense of belonging. People know one another in a respectful way as neighbors.

There are many communities within our larger community: schools, churches, cultural groups, arts , special interests, and so many more. These groups are an important part of how we belong to a town and they bring a vibrancy that allows a community to continue to reinvent itself over time. This local newspaper tells this story of our town and writes our history and informs us, an independent press so fundamental to an effective Democracy. We are honored to support The Sopris Sun. –Jill and Gary Knaus, Honorary Publishers

Thank you for your generous commitment to local, independent journalism.

Honorary publishers commit $1,000 yearly (or $85 monthly).

We welcome any contribution!

Donate today at soprissun.com or PO Box 399, Carbondale.

6 • THE SOPRIS SUN • soprissun.com • OCTOBER 17, 2019 - OCTOBER 23, 2019

RFSD board election features Oct. 23 candidate forum

By Debbie Bruell and Jeanne Souldern Sopris Sun Correspondents Three of the five Roaring Fork Schools Board of Education seats are up for election on Tuesday, Nov. 5.

The school district, which encompasses Glenwood Springs, Carbondale, and Basalt, is divided into five director districts. Candidates must reside in that sub-district, but the whole RFSD electorate votes on each seat.

Three candidates are on the ballot for District D, which includes north and west sections of Glenwood Springs.

Amy Connerton and Jasmin Ramirez are challenging incumbent Shane Larson.

Connerton has a doctorate in education and is an associate professor at Colorado Mountain College, teaching in the Allied Health Education Programs. Connerton has lived in the Roaring Fork Valley for 32 years and in Glenwood Springs since 2007. She has two daughters attending Glenwood Springs High School. She believes the school board’s role includes “working with and evaluating the superintendent (and) serving as advocates for all children.” She states, “I believe my strong desire for student success and personal commitment to stay the course rather than succumb to the lure of a quick fix will allow the board to be more focused and effective.”

Larson has served on the school board for nearly four years. He is vice president of student affairs at Colorado Mountain College and a former middle school math teacher.

He has two daughters at Glenwood Springs High School and a son at Glenwood Springs Middle School.

Amy Connerton Shane Larson He noted that working with many RFSD high school graduates at CMC has enabled him to bring to the school board “a view on [the] transition for students from high school into higher ed.” The local teachers’ union, Roaring Fork Community Education Association, has endorsed Larson.

Ramirez has worked as a preschool teacher for the Valley Settlement’s Busesito program, a bilingual teacher at CMC Mini College, and a secretary for the school district and Two Rivers Charter School. She has two children, including a fourth-grader who has an Individualized Education Program (IEP).

Ramirez says, “The Roaring Fork School District is made up of 58 percent minority students, more than 55 percent … being Latino students. I hope to be a voice for that community across the district by highlighting the current diverse experience of our Latino families within our public schools.”

Ramirez seeks to bring representation to the experiences of special needs children and their parents as well.

The District B seat encompasses the areas west of Highways 133 and 82 from Carbondale to Glenwood Springs, including Ironbridge/West Bank and Four Mile. The seat, which is currently vacant, was held by

Jasmin Ramirez Natalie Torres Matt Hamilton before he resigned earlier this year.

Candidates for District B are Natalie Torres and write-in Matthew Cova.

When The Sopris Sun contacted Cova for an interview and photo, he responded that he is “not actively campaigning.”

Torres lives in Glenwood Springs. She has worked in higher education for 12 years and currently works as the College Registrar at Colorado Mountain College. She has two children at Riverview School. Torres has coached her daughter's soccer team and Girls on the Run group. Torres says, “School board members need to listen and understand the needs of their communities and collaboratively work towards finding solutions. I understand that communication is key when working with diverse groups of people and important for maintaining valuable partnerships.”

In District C — encompassing the south and east sections of Glenwood Springs, Spring Valley, and western Missouri Heights — Maureen Stepp is on the ballot and Molly Peterson is running as a write-in candidate.

Molly Peterson works for Edward Jones investment firm and is a former teacher who taught in Rifle and Glenwood Springs.

Peterson states, “I am running for [the] school

Molly Peterson Maureen Stepp board to represent the educators of our area and be a voice for our teachers and support staff. Having personally been a teacher for ten years in our area schools, my first-hand experiences working in classrooms, on instructional leadership teams, and on district content teams are perspectives our decisionmakers need to consider.”

Stepp has a doctorate in education and has been an educator and administrator for the past 15 years. Last year, she participated in State Senator Bob Rankin’s Education Leadership Council. She has a son attending a district school. Stepp says, “I see the role of the school board as a collaborative, supportive role, to help the school district administration do their jobs more effectively, to be a voice for teachers, parents, and community members, and to research and find examples of innovative, effective programs to bring to the district.”

The Roaring Fork Schools and Roaring Fork Community Education Association are co-hosting a Board of Education candidate forum from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 23 at Bridges High School (444 Weant Blvd.).

The forum will be live-streamed at facebook. com/RoaringForkSchoolDistrict. Cova and Peterson are not planning to participate.

Your Story, Digitized Craft your online narrative Beautiful Website Design Effective Email Campaigns Best in Social Media Tactics Compelling Search Marketing

Midweek pass just $299.

BUY ONLINE PRICES INCREASE NOV. 1 ST! PURCHASE ONLINE AT SUNLIGHTMTN.COM FootStepsMarketing.com

970.510.5233

/

Carbondale, CO

(970) 945-7491 #somuchtosmileabout

FOLLOW US

THE SOPRIS SUN • Carbondale’s weekly community connector • OCTOBER 17, 2019 - OCTOBER 23, 2019 • 7

‘I want people to see what a library can be’

By Ken Pletcher Sopris Sun Correspondent For the second time in as many years, the Garfield County Public Library District is requesting a funding increase on the November ballot.

Last year’s ballot question 6A asked that the district be allowed to keep all of the revenue it received from sales taxes, which would include the money above the mandatory limit set by the state’s Taxpayer Bill of Rights (TABOR) law.

Supporters of the measure emphasized that 6A was not a tax increase, and it passed by a large margin, allowing the library district to purchase more books and other materials.

This year, the library district has placed another county-wide question on the ballot (also called 6A), in which it is asking for a new 1.5 mill levy on property tax bills to go along with one already in place.

Last year’s measure provided a small amount of additional funding, but it did not address a number of larger issues that have been looming for the district.

For several years dropping tax revenues have resulted in libraries having to reduce hours (including closing on Sundays), lay off staff, provide fewer educational opportunities for the community and curtail or eliminate other services.

Since 2006, when the library district was created, much of its overall funding has come from a voter-approved 1 mill property tax levy. That money was designated for constructing

new facilities or expanding existing ones, maintaining those facilities and servicing the incurred debt. However, other components of the district’s budget – such as facilities operations and acquisitions – continued to depend on sales-tax income, as it long had. As the district’s finance manager Kevin Hettler put it, “Operating revenues were susceptible to all market changes, both local and national.”

And tax revenues have been declining for about a decade, notably because of a slowdown in oil and gas production. Hettler noted that the district’s overall budget shrank by about $1.9 million between 2009 and 2019.

If Ballot Initiative 6A is approved by voters on Nov. 5, it would give the library district a more reliable revenue source than currently exists. For fiscal year 2020, it is projected to provide an additional $4 million, which would be an increase of nearly 75 percent over estimates for the budget without the mill increase. The additional levy would add $10.80 for every $100,000 of assessed residential property value and $43.50 per $100,000 for assessed commercial property value.

The “2019 Tabor Notice” sent out to registered voters recently by the Garfield County clerk provides details on Ballot Issue 6A, including requirements for “an independent annual audit of expenditures.” Also included are summaries of more than 20 written comments sent to the clerk favoring 6A. No comments were submitted opposing the proposal.

Sept.

NOW13 GOING THROUGH throUgh ON OCT.19 Now19 oct.

The Carbondale Branch Library hosts an array of public events, including a childhood resource fair earlier this year.

Courtesy photo

The home front How will that affect the Carbondale library, one of the system’s six branches?

“The biggest thing people will see,” according to Lacy Dunlavy, the Carbondale branch manager, “is a restoration of hours – we’ll be open earlier and later,” and more on weekends.

The branch will have the funds to buy more materials, such as multiple copies of books on teachers’ required reading lists. The library will also be able to retain more staff and offer competitive salaries.

“People who work in Carbondale should be able to live here,” she observed.

One area that Dunlavy is especially keen on is updating technology. She noted that patrons regularly come to the branch to use its WIFI, computers, printer and copier facilities. “A lot of people don’t have access” to these tools at home and come in from Redstone, Marble or other locales to use them.

“This is not a ‘traditional’ use of a library,” she notes, “But there really is no other place in Carbondale that has all of these resources available.”

Another nontraditional service offered by the Carbondale branch is providing a place schoolkids can gather

on early dismissal days. As many as 80 or 90 children take advantage of the program, and many apply for and participate in a free meal program that is offered.

Other improvements to services that will be realized if 6A is approved include making literacy and homework-help programs more available for children and teens, offering more classes and events for seniors and providing more training programs for veterans and other job seekers. As Dunlavy puts it, “I want people to see what a library can be!”

Munchie Monday

Did you know early fall is a great time for planting trees, shrubs, perennials, id you know early spring flowering bulbs, grass and wildflower seeds? Cooler temps, still warm soils, rains and fall is a great time plant dormancy combine to create ideal planting conditions. for planting trees, Here is one more great reason to plant now…

10% off Nature’s High Edibles

D

Wax Wednesday

shrubs, perennials, spring flowering bulbs, We’re having a SaLe! $5 off all Double Black Concentrates grass and wildflower Come in temps, early for best selection. Sale is limited to stock on hand. seeds?

Cooler still • warmall soils,trees rains & shrubs 40% off or more and • plant perennials dormancy 40% off $5 off and flower eighths Friday & Saturday combine to create ideal • Selected plants (red ribboned) 50% off planting conditions. & select garden art 40% off Here• is onepottery more great • to plant other specials throughout the store reason now…

• prizes

Flower Power weekend!

• Trees & shrubs 25%-50% off Up to • Pottery & select garden art 40% off • Perennials 40% off • Other specials throughout the store

50% oFF

WE’RE 970.963.1173 HAVING eaglecrestnursery.com A SALE! Store hours:

ComeMon-Sat in early for best CARBONDALE • 9AM-5PM 970-963-9323 selection. Sale is limited In El Jebel next to El Jebowl 580 Main Street #300 to stock on hand.

Store hours: Mon.-Sat. • 9am-5pm Closed Sundays In El Jebel 970.963.1173 eaglecrestnursery.com

Carbondale, CO 21+ Recreational

GLENWOOD SPRINGS 970-384-2034 716 Grand Avenue Glenwood Springs, CO 21+ Medical & Recreational

DOCTOR’S + GARDEN FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM @DRSGARDENDISPENSARY

8 • THE SOPRIS SUN • soprissun.com • OCTOBER 17, 2019 - OCTOBER 23, 2019

Propositions CC and DD have serious implications

By John Frank The Colorado Sun There’s no presidential election or U.S. Senate contest on the 2019 ballot, but the Nov. 5 election will ask Colorado voters two fiscal questions with major ramifications for the future of the state.

Proposition CC and Proposition DD pose questions related to taxes — whether to keep the tax money the state collected and whether to add a new tax on sports gambling. And the interests that will benefit are spending big money to make their case. Ballots hit the mail starting Friday.

Here’s a look at the two statewide ballot questions.

Proposition CC Here’s what the ballot question asks: “Without raising taxes and to better fund public schools, higher education, and roads, bridges, and transit, within a balanced budget, may the state keep and spend all the revenue it annually collects after June 30, 2019, but is not currently allowed to keep and spend under Colorado law, with an annual audit to show how the retained revenues are spent?”

What it really means: Prop. CC is asking for voter permission to end the limits on state tax revenue embedded in the Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights, known as TABOR. If voters agree, the state would be allowed to keep an additional $542 million to $1.7 billion more in the next three years and split the money evenly between K-12 education, higher education and transportation.

If voters say no, money would be returned to taxpayers as a TABOR refund, and likewise in any years when tax collections exceed the limits.

Aspen Journalism dove deep into Proposition DD's impacts on Colorado's Water Plan — visit aspenjournalism.org for their coverage. Photo of Arkansas River improvements by Brent Gardner-Smith The latest projections from legislative economists show taxpayers would receive anywhere from $20 to $62 for single filers and $40 to $124 refunds for joint filers, depending on a person’s income. But the rebate could reach as much as $248 for single filers and $638 for joint filers over three years, if estimates from the governor’s office are correct.

The supporters say: Led by education advocates, colleges and the transportation industry, the measure’s advocates argue that the money is required to help keep pace with Colorado’s economic growth and meet longignored needs in the state. It doesn’t increase the tax rate but allows the state to keep existing tax revenues, and retains the TABOR requirement that voters approve new taxes.

The opponents say: A consortium of fiscal conservatives believe state government collects enough taxes under the TABOR cap and doesn’t

need the additional money. The critics also point out that it holds no guarantee that the three priority areas — education, higher education and transportation — will get new dollars. State lawmakers can change the law directing how the money is spent or move existing appropriations in the budget.

Proposition DD Here’s what the ballot question asks: Shall state taxes be increased by twenty-nine million dollars annually to fund state water projects and commitments and to pay for the regulation of sports betting through licensed casinos by authorizing a tax on sports betting of ten percent of net sports betting proceeds, and to impose the tax on persons licensed to conduct sports betting operations?

What it really means: A U.S. Supreme Court case in 2018 struck down a federal prohibition on

sports gambling in most of the country, allowing states to move forward with legalization. The taxes the state would impose on sports gambling would generate between $6 million and $15 million annually in the first three years.

The revenue from taxing sports bets would first go toward covering the cost of the state’s regulation of gambling. The next portion goes to local governments that may see reduced tax revenues from existing forms of gambling and horse-race betting. Another portion goes to treating gambling addiction and a crisis-support line. The remaining money would go toward projects on the state’s water conservation plan.

The full cost of the water plan is estimated between $20 billion to $40 billion.

What supporters say: A bipartisan coalition, backed with money from casinos and sports betting industry, is pushing Prop. DD and touting that it will help with a perpetual issue in Colorado, namely the lack of water available to support population growth, industry and agriculture.

What opponents say: The opposition is not well-funded or organized. And it splits into different camps. An environmental organization is worried that the gambling revenues will fund water projects like dams that would interrupt the normal flow of the state’s rivers.

Other opponents include Colorado Christian University’s Centennial Institute, which said “gambling is sinful, it disproportionately harms the poor, is rooted in the sin of greed and it leads to the breakdown of the family.”

The Colorado Sun is a reader-supported news organization that covers people, places and issues of statewide interest. To sign up for free newsletters, subscribe or learn more, visit ColoradoSun.com

GARFIELD COUNTY, COLORADO NOTICE OF COORDINATED MAIL BALLOT ELECTION Election Date: Tuesday, November 5, 2019

Election Type: Mail Ballot with in person voting options at Voter Service & Polling Centers

Ballots will be mailed between October 11th and October 18th to all active registered voters.

Voters who do not receive their ballots may request replacement ballots in person at the County Clerk’s Offices in Glenwood Springs or Rifle or by phone (970-384-3700 option 2), fax (970-947-1078) or email (elections@ garfield-county.com). The last day to request that a ballot be mailed is October 28, 2019. After that date voters must appear in person at the County Clerk’s office or a Voter Service and Polling Center (VSPC) to request a replacement ballot, register to vote, or complete a change of address and receive a ballot. Any voter may surrender their mail ballot and cast their vote on an ADA accessible ballot marking device (BMD) located at the Clerk’s office County Office Drop-off sites for voted ballots - Beginning October 14, 2019 GARFIELD COUNTY CLERK & RECORDER 109 8th St, Glenwood Springs, CO East Entrance M – F : 7:30 am – 5:00 pm Suite 200 M - F : 8:30 am - 5:00 pm Election Day Open 7:00 am -7:00 pm 24/7 Drop-Box

COUNTY ADMINISTRATION BUILDING 195 W 14th St Bldg. D, Rifle, CO M - F : 8:30 am – 5:00 pm Election Day Open 7:00 am – 7:00 pm 24/7 Drop-Box

Election Hours: 7:00 am to 7:00 pm on Election Day

in Glenwood Springs or the Early Voting VSPC located at the County Administration Bldg. at 195 West 14th St. #D in Rifle beginning Monday October 28th. Each VSPC open on Election Day will have at least one ADA accessible ballot marking device (BMD) available for use from 7:00 am to 7:00 pm.

Return voted ballots by mail with appropriate postage affixed ($0.55) or you may hand deliver your ballot to one of the designated drop-off sites listed below. Ballots must be received at a Voter Service and Polling Center or the County Clerk’s offices by 7:00 pm on Election Day to be counted. Postmarks do not count. Verify your voter registration information and track your ballot (sent and received) at www.govotecolorado.com.

Town Hall Drop-off Sites: October 15 – November 5, 2019 NEW CASTLE TOWN HALL 450 W Main Street, New Castle, CO M: 8:00 am -5:00 pm T-F: 10:00 am – 5:00 pm

PARACHUTE TOWN HALL 222 Grand Valley Way, Parachute, CO M -Thursday: 7:30 am - 5:00 pm

SILT TOWN HALL 231 N 7th Street, Silt, Colorado M - F: 8:00 am- 5:00 pm

Early Voting Service & Polling Centers-October 28 –Nov 4, 2019 (excluding Sundays)

Additional Voter Service & Polling Centers open from 7:00 am to 7:00 pm on Election Day Only

GARFIELD COUNTY COURTHOUSE, Room 200 ― M-F 8:30 am to 5:00 pm & Election Day from 7am to 7pm COUNTY ADMIN BLDG., Rifle 195 W 14th St. ― M-F 8:30 am to 5:00 pm & Election Day from 7am to 7pm Voter Service and Polling Centers located at the Courthouse in Glenwood Springs and at the County Administration Building in Rifle will be open Saturday November 2, 2019 from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm.

All voter services available at both of these sites.

CARBONDALE TOWN HALL, 511 Colorado Ave GLENWOOD SPRINGS COMMUNITY CENTER, 100 Wulfsohn Rd NEW CASTLE LIBRARY, 402 W Main St SILT LIBRARY, 680 Home Ave PARACHUTE LIBRARY, 244 Grand Valley Way

CARBONDALE TOWN HALL 511 Colorado Ave Carbondale, CO 24/7 Drop-Box ONLY

Designated Election Official: Jean M. Alberico, Garfield County Clerk & Recorder

Sample Ballots available at www.garfield-county.com or www.govotecolorado.com Questions: 970-384-3700 Option 2 for Garfield County Elections Department THE SOPRIS SUN • Carbondale’s weekly community connector • OCTOBER 17, 2019 - OCTOBER 23, 2019 • 9

You are cordially invited to:

Death Chocolate by

"Life is like a box of chocolates. You never know what you're gonna get." --Forrest Gump

Oct 18 3:00-5:00 p.m

Nov 1

3:00-5:00 p.m

Enjoy decadent desserts and join a facilitated discussion on death, dying, and our own mortality. As part one of our two part series, we will break the taboo of discussing death and end-of-life care. We will start to think about our own wants and needs and prepare for conversations with our loved ones.

Today's the Day! If you've waited to complete your advance care documents (Power of Attorney, Advance Directives) wait no more. We will have advance care planning information, documents & 5 Wishes, and a notary to help you complete those ever important papers, because having your wishes in writing is an amazing gift to your loved ones.

Eagle County Community Building 20 Eagle County Rd El Jebel, CO 81623 RSVP: (970) 455-1069 or arensmoon@nwccog.org

Better care for patients.

Better health for all.

ASPEN VALLEY PRIMARY CARE

Comprehensive medical care for your whole family — at one convenient location.

• • • • • •

Annual Physicals Chronic Health Management Post-hospital Care Coordination Medicare Wellness Visits Nutrition Services Immunizations

• • • • • •

Pediatrics Care Well-woman Exams Skin Cancer Screenings Behavioral Health Services Acupuncture Laser Skin Treatments

Monday – Friday, 8:00 am – 5:00 pm | After-Hours on call 24/7 1460 East Valley Road, Suite 102, Basalt, CO 81621 | 970.279.4111 Se habla español.

P R I M A RY C A R E

aspenhospital.org |

AspenValleyHospital

10 • THE SOPRIS SUN • soprissun.com • OCTOBER 17, 2019 - OCTOBER 23, 2019

Remains and artifacts returned to Mesa Verde

By Kevin Simpson The Colorado Sun When Swedish researcher Gustaf Nordenskiöld arrived at Mesa Verde in 1890 and surveyed the ancient cliff dwellings, he seemed to have the best of intentions.

But his subsequent efforts to meticulously — and urgently — unearth and catalog the human remains and artifacts of the tribes who once inhabited the area unfolded in a period of rampant excavation, a busy black market for antiquities and scarcely any regard for the cultural significance of the objects rediscovered in southwest Colorado.

To the white residents, he was just a foreigner elbowing his way into a lucrative business. To the Native Americans in the region, he was just another thief. Still, he managed to load hundreds of items onto a train and ship them east. Eventually, they wound up at the National Museum of Finland in Helsinki, where they provided a cornerstone exhibit that fed the growing European fascination with North America’s indigenous civilizations.

More than a century later, many of those items — including 20 sets of human remains and 28 funerary objects — will find their way back to the region, where a group of native tribes will repatriate them and, perhaps, mark another turning point in evolving efforts to return artifacts to indigenous people.

The announcement, which coincided with a state visit by Finnish President Sauli Niinisto to the U.S. last week, represents a new and significant step forward in discussions that date back to 2014. It also shines a light on a unique character in Colorado history whose visit to the state, and unscheduled detour to Mesa Verde, led to what many consider a groundbreaking development in the difficult conversation around repatriation.

Clark Tenakhongva, vice chairman of the Hopi in Arizona, said his tribe will handle the administrative aspects of the return, while the Zia, Zuni and Acoma represent more than a dozen pueblos from the area in the transaction.

The Hopi initiated internal discussions on how to approach the issue. Leigh Kuwanwisiwma, until recently director of the Hopi Cultural Preservation Office, then brought on a private consultant to help with the international inquiry, the tribe says.

The items could be returned early next year and will be reburied in the vicinity of where Nordenskiöld found them. Such ceremonies are intensely private and according to Native American belief allow the individual to continue their journey to the next world.

Within the U.S., both newly discovered remains and those in public museums are subject to the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act. But international collections don’t fall under the 1990 law that seeks to return such objects to their rightful place. So the agreement with Finland represents a high-profile gesture that could extend the growing sensitivity toward cultural artifacts beyond U.S. borders.

“We’re grateful to the Finnish government to be accepted in this way,” Tenakhongva says. “The Hopi have had to constantly fight this battle with international actors,

auction houses auctioning off our cultural patrimony. We’ve constantly been in the news the past 10 years to seek international cooperation to respect our culture.”

For tribes who inhabited the area over many centuries, this announcement begins to close a long-open wound.

“For me, it’s been traumatizing ever since we recognized what happened,” Tenakhongva says. “In the 1900s, we uncovered the history of how much looting and vandalizing occurred. We’re still suffering the consequences of the first contact of non-natives to America, and the history endures today. This is only to mend the wounds they created here and do so with the best processes we can in putting remains back where they belong.”

Science or commerce Nordenskiöld didn’t plan to intersect with the archeology of the Mesa Verde area.

The son of a scientist and scientifically trained himself, he embarked on a world tour for a change of climate to treat his tuberculosis — as many people of means did at that time. Along the way, he wrote articles about various subjects to help finance his itinerary, which eventually took him to Denver.

There, he met a local botanist who told him about the ancient civilization in southwest Colorado. Intrigued, he took the train to Durango and, armed with a letter of introduction, connected with the Wetherill family, ranchers who showed him the area where collectors and profiteers successfully mined the landscape for evidence of ancient civilizations.

“He recognized how important this was as an archeological project,” says Judith Reynolds, who with her late husband, David, spent 10 years researching and writing a biography of Nordenskiöld.

“When he toured some ruins, he saw how much looters and black-market traders had taken out.”

That inspired a sense of urgency to obtain his own artifacts. He tried to make it clear that he had undertaken a scientific project, as he logged the region’s flora and fauna as well as each new archeological find with documentation like location, time of day and photos — something Reynolds likens to a frontier GPS. And here is where Nordenskiöld’s efforts kicked up dust in the Durango area.

Locals were of two minds about him: Some respected him for his scientific rigor; others viewed him as a European interloper eating into their market. As he prepared to send his archeological finds east, he was arrested and spent one night in jail before authorities could find no law under which they could charge him.

The controversy over this foreigner taking artifacts out of the country made news from Durango to Stockholm. But mostly, the concern — and his short-lived arrest — stemmed from fears over his possible impact on the local black market.

“That had more to do with it than with any concern about antiquities,” says Fred Blackburn, who also has written extensively about the region’s history.

Continued on page 11

Let’s connect and talk about

The Cliff Palace at Mesa Verde, as photographed by Swedish researcher Gustaf Nordenskiold in 1891. Photo courtesy of the Mesa Verde Archive RETURNED from page 10 “Remember, we’re talking 1891. But he brought attention to archeology and the cliff dwellers — not just nationally, but internationally. In any case, he really did open up a can of worms.”

For the tribes that occupy that corner of Colorado today, the difference between science and commerce remains irrelevant.

“Nordenskiöld excavated these human remains, funerary offerings and objects and other artifacts from what was then part of the Southern Ute Indian Reservation,” the Southern Ute tribe said in a statement. “By Treaty with the United States, the Tribe was entitled to ‘the absolute and undisturbed use and occupation’ of these lands. When Nordenskiöld removed these remains and other artifacts he did so without the permission of the Tribe and by unlawfully trespassing on the Tribe’s lands.”

Terry Knight, a tribal preservation officer for the Ute Mountain Ute tribe, puts the Native American view of the Nordenskiöld collection even more bluntly.

“The fact is, those items were taken from Mesa Verde,” he says. “That was after (the Wetherills) had taken other items, this guy went and followed them and took some more. They all stole those items, those artifacts from those cliff dwellings, without permission and became famous.”

In 1893, Nordenskiöld published his findings in a large volume, “The Cliff Dwellers of the Mesa Verde,” that remains in print in both Swedish and English.

Reynolds calls it a “foundational text.”

“Anthropology was yet to become a serious field of inquiry,” she says. “In the 1880s and ’90s, it was a time that Europeans started to look at world cultures in a different way. That’s what he saw when Richard Wetherill took him out there on horseback. He saw ruins of cliff dwellings and looting. He saw a civilization disappearing.”

Some also credit Nordenskiöld and his work for playing a part in the American Antiquities Act, the federal law signed by President Theodore in 1906 that provided protections for historic and cultural sites as well as allowing for creation of national parks like Mesa Verde. It all makes for a complicated legacy of the young man who spirited more than 600 items across the ocean. When he died of tuberculosis, he was just shy of his 27th birthday.

Coming home

Tenakhongva, of the Hopi tribe, anticipates that a cultural preservation director will visit the Helsinki museum to take recept of the remains and physically transport them back to Colorado.

Because of the international nature of the transaction, he expects the State Department also will be involved.

“We’re thankful to the government of Finland for taking a major role in the first step toward something of a healing process,” he says. “We’re thankful and looking forward to a better relationship in the future, so we can both understand each other’s boundaries.”

Cliff Spencer, superintendent of Mesa Verde National Park, says that once the four tribes have received the 20 sets of remains and 28 funerary objects, they’ll contact Mesa Verde and arrange a date for reburial.

“There’s an area where they’ve done prior reburials,” Spencer notes. “In 2006 there was a fairly large one, and another last year. It’s in a remote area visitors don’t normally see, far in the backcountry. We excavate graves, the tribal folks do their ceremony, and our folks fill them in.”

Shelby Tisdale, director of the Center of Southwestern Studies at Fort Lewis College in Durango, notes that even domestic repatriations are painstaking and difficult undertakings. Case in point: her center’s work since 1996 — and very actively over the last two years — with 26 different tribes on repatriating some of the unidentified remains in the school’s collection.

“It’s long overdue and probably this will set a precedent for other European museums to assess their collections,” Tisdale says. “But it’s a great first step.”

Blackburn, whose writing details much of the Wetherills’ history with Nordensköld, was shocked to hear that Finland had stepped up in this manner.

“Europeans don’t have much incentive to tell us anything,” he says of the repatriation. “That’s what I find intriguing and wonderful.”

The Colorado Sun is a reader-supported news organization that covers people, places and issues of statewide interest. To sign up for free newsletters, subscribe or learn more, visit ColoradoSun.com.

Tuesday October 22nd

The Wheeler 5:30 - 7:30pm PRESENTATIONS BY:

KEYON DOOLING Reered NBA star.

Wellness coach for the NBA .

GEORGIE WISEN-VINCENT, LMFT, RPT-S Managing Director at The Play Strong Insstute

Learn more at:

aspenstrong.org/PLAY

THE SOPRIS SUN • Carbondale’s weekly community connector • OCTOBER 17, 2019 - OCTOBER 23, 2019 • 11

COMMUNITY CALENDAR THURSDAY OCT. 17 STONE SOUP

Join the Rebekahs and the Near New Volunteers in celebrating the harvest season from 2:30 to 5 p.m. at the store (302 Main St.) with pumpkin carving and costumes to boot.

FLY TYING 101

Learn the basic use of tools and materials and view the short film “Bugs of the Underworld” at 6 p.m. at the Carbondale Branch Library (320 Sopris Ave.) in a free, family-friendly event.

FILM NIGHT

“The Gate: Dawn of the Bahá’í Faith” screens from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at The Third Street Center (520 S. Third St.). It tells the true story of The Báb’s indelible impact and message through dramatic reenactments with interviews of renowned historians, religious scholars and experts. It’s free, but reserve your seat at tinyurl.com/ thegatecdale.

THU & FRI OCT. 17-18 AERIAL SHOWCASE

The Sopris Soarers show off their stuff at 5 p.m. at the Third Street Center (520 S. Third St.). Email cdaleaerialartists@gmail.com for more information.

FRIDAY OCT. 18 FUN & GAMES

Garfield County Libraries partner with Colorado Parks & Wildlife for a familyfriendly hour of outdoor themed trivia and more at 6 p.m. at Carbondale Branch Library (320 Sopris Ave.).

ALARMING

THRILL THE WORLD CARBONDALE 2019 A Worldwide Zombie Dance Event Celebrating Dance & Community

Hosted by Bonedale Ballet & Bonedale Flashmob

Saturday, October 26 at 4 p.m. ● 4th Street Plaza, Carbondale

The Launchpad (76 S. Fourth St.) hosts an exhibition by K. Vuletich, Perry Taga, and Sarah Espinoza which uses interactive technologies and mixed media collage to emulate how human identity has changed in the digital age. Find out more at the 6 to 8 p.m. opening.

BLUEGRASS

‘HOPE AND GRAVITY’

Donations will be accepted for Family Resource Center of the Roaring Fork Schools to connect families, schools and communities for improved student health, well-being and academic achievement.

www.bonedaleballet.com • (970) 379-2187

12 • THE SOPRIS SUN • soprissun.com • OCTOBER 17, 2019 - OCTOBER 23, 2019

Violinist MinTze Wu and pianist Chih-Long Hu interweave the narratives of Tolstoy’s novella with the music of Rachmaninoff, Shostakovich, and Beethoven’s monumental masterpiece that inspired the story at 4 p.m. at the Sage House (804 7 Oaks Rd.). Suggested donation of $20.

FIESTA DE TAMALES

Join English In Action for its annual fundraiser featuring live entertainment, a homemade meal, a tamale contest, pinatas, prize drawings, bouncy house, and more from 5 to 8 p.m. at Basalt High School (600 Southside Dr.).

SHE-BOP

A two-day jazz workshop for local kids culminates with a 6:30 p.m. performance at Carbondale Middle School (180 Snowmass Dr.).

SUNDAY OCT. 20 FAMILY FALL FEST

River Bridge Regional Center invites you to New Castle Gardens’ pumpkin patch (6501 CR 214) from noon to 4 p.m. — tickets free in advance at eventbrite.com or $6 at the door.

SOUNDING CIRCLE

Let Bonte Lane guide you through chakra clearing and singing to find your authentic voice 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at True Nature Healing Arts (100 N. 3rd St.). Register at eventbrite. com or email bontelane@gmail.com for more information.

MONDAY OCT. 21 DIVA CABARET

Jennetta Howell takes the Thunder River stage at 7:30 p.m. for a night of diverse music accompanied by spirited storytelling. Tickets are $25 at thunderrivertheatre.com or call 963-8200.

TUESDAY OCT. 22 FINGERSTYLE BLUES

Pastor Mustard presents another amazing Missouri Heights Schoolhouse (498 CR 102) concert at 8 p.m. with Brooks Williams. Visit houseofmustard.com for tickets.

Randy Utterback and Steve Johnson perform WEDNESDAY, OCT. 23 from 7 to 10 p.m. at Marble Distilling (150 BEYOND THE STRIKE Main St.). No cover charge.

Members of the public are invited to join CLEER and CORE for a free 5 to 7 p.m. climate forum FRI OCT. 18 - THU OCT. 24 focusing on solutions and positive actions at the MOVIES Third Street Center (520 S. Third St.).

The Crystal Theatre (427 Main St.) presents 5G DOC “Judy” (PG-13) at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 18-20 and 22-24; “Downtown Abbey” (PG) at 5 p.m. Davi Nikent invites you to learn about and Oct. 18; “Brittany Runs A Marathon” (R) discuss the new wireless communication at 5:15 p.m. Oct. 19 and The Peanut Butter technology from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Third Street Center. Donations appreciated.

Falcon (PG-13, captioned). Closed Oct. 21.

FRI OCT. 18 - SUN OCT. 27

Free & open to the public

KREUTZER SONATA

Enjoy the Sopris Theatre Company’s first production of the season at 7 p.m. Oct 1819 and Oct. 25-26 at New Space Theatre, Calaway Academic Building Colorado Mountain College Spring Valley (300 Country Rd. 114). Matinees are 2 p.m.

Oct. Oct. 20 and 27. Tickets available at eventbrite.com: $18 for adults, and $13 for seniors, students and CMC employees and graduates.

SATURDAY OCT. 19 VISUAL STORYTELLING

FURTHER OUT FRIDAY OCT. 25 CREEPY CAMPOUT

Carbondale Branch Library (320 Sopris Ave.) offers an escape room from noon to 2 p.m. plus plenty of spooky campfire stories to add to the ambiance. Register for this free event by calling 963-2889.

SATURDAY OCT. 26 HAZARDOUS WASTE DAY

Drop off your electronics, prescription drugs and other stuff you shouldn’t just throw out from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. around Town Hall.

ZOMBIE PUB CRAWL

Write a short story about your art and Drinkeries throughout downtown offer specials convert to a multi-dimensional work 10 a.m. and entertainment for the walking dead. to 4 p.m. at The Art Base (99 Midland Spur, Basalt). Visit theartbase.com for tickets; $60 members and $75 non members with supplies ONGOING HEALTH THROUGH NUTRITION included.

Free opportunities include a PowerPoint GOLDEN LIGHT MEDITATION presentation by Dr. Greg Feinsinger about Join Lisa McKenzie to focus and quiet the the science behind plant-based nutrition at 7 thinking mind while becoming aware of p.m. the first Monday of the month, free oneemotions and creating balance and harmony. hour consultations for heart attack and other Get in touch with your kindness, compassion chronic illness prevention by appointment and peace at 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. at Carbondale Monday mornings (call 379-5718) and a plantPublic Library (320 Sopris Ave.) Suggested based whole-foods potluck at 6:30 p.m. on Donation $15-$20. the fourth Monday of the month — all at the Third Street Center (520 S. Third St.).

WHAT’S MORE FALL THAN A PUMPKIN SPICE LATTE?...FLU SHOTS! Walk-in flu clinics: Wednesday, October 23, 2 pm - 6 pm Garfield County Public Health (Glenwood Springs) 2014 Blake Avenue, Glenwood Springs

Friday, October 25, 1 pm – 5 pm

Garfield County Public Health (Rifle) | 195 W. 14th Street, Rifle

Michael Banks, Christina Cappelli, Joshua Adamson and James Steindler rehearse for Sopris Theatre Company’s “Hope and Gravity." Photo Scot Gerdes

STORYTIME

Sex and Love Addicts Anonymous, a 12-step group will meet from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. every Tuesday at Holland Hills United Methodist Church (167 Holland Hills Rd., Basalt).

Young children (accompanied by an adult) are invited for stories, songs, and more beginning at 10:30 a.m. Wednesdays at the Carbondale Branch Library (320 Sopris Ave.) — please use the side entrance to the Calaway Room.

MINDFULNESS IN RECOVERY

An inclusive, peer-led recovery support group open to anyone with a desire for recovery — independent of faith and regardless of race, gender or orientation — meets Tuesdays from 6 to 7 p.m. in room 36 of the Third Street Center (520 S. Third St.) MINDFULNESS

KARAOKE

LET’S JUST DANCE

Feel great, have fun and dance Tuesdays at The Third Street Center (520 S. Third St.). Catch a free lesson at 7 p.m., then from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. it’s open dancing with two-step, swing, waltz, line dance, salsa and more. No partner or experience necessary. $8/person; $14/couple. Questions?

Call 970-366-6463 or email billypat4@gmail. com.

RF INSIGHT

RUN AROUND

Monday Night Meditation meets from 7:15 to 8:30 p.m. at Roaring Fork Aikikai (2553 Dolores Way) and offers instruction in the Buddhist practice of Vipassana. RFI also offers secular mindfulness at the Carbondale Community School and is working with CMC to provide a class on “Zen and the Art of Dying” — more info at roaringforkinsight.org.

Independence Run and Hike hosts a weekly Group Run on Thursday nights. Meet at 6:30 p.m. at the store, 596 Highway 133 (in La Fontana Plaza) during Daylight Saving time and at 6 p.m. during the darker months for a 4-mile loop around Carbondale. All paces are welcome.

Info: 704-0909

COMMUNITY MEAL

Kids get to eat the dishes they make and work with other children in a fun, hands-on environment in this Fork & Pan Cooking Class for Kids. Ages 8-12. Wednesdays, Oct. 2 through Nov. 20. Cost: $15/day. Information: https:// www.forkandpan.com/classes.

ROTARY

YAPPY HOUR

Senior Matters (520 S. Third St. Suite 33) offers a table tennis club for adults from 4 to 6 p.m.

Tuesdays. Contact Marcel Kahhak at 963-5901 for more information.

YOUR STORY, YOUR LIFE

A free facilitated workshop for adults, writing

•

EA

AR FIEL

SENIOR

LAW DAY

ALPINE LEGAL SERVICES • AREA AGENCIES ON AGING

YOUR RSVP BY OCT. 18TH INCLUDES:

KIDS’ COOKING CLASS

Faith Lutheran Church (1340 Highway 133), in collaboration with Carbondale Homeless Assistance, hosts a free community meal from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on the third Saturday of the month. Info: 510-5046 or faithcarbondale. com.

Colorado Animal Rescue’s Yappy Hour at the Marble Bar (150 Main St.) takes place at 5:30 p.m. the third Thursday of the month. Sip on handcrafted cocktails and meet a C.A.R.E. dog, with $1 from every drink donated to C.A.R.E. Bring your own dog along as well.

IN

BACHATA

Learn a Latin dance with Erik and Claudia Peña presenting weekly classes from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. every Thursday at The Launchpad (76 S. Fourth St.). $10 drop-in fee; info at 963-8425.

Devika Gurung demonstrates how chant is about more than spirituality, but also breath and rhythm at 4:30 p.m. Sundays at The Launchpad (76 S. Fourth St.).

www.garfield-county.com

Stubbies Sports Bar (123 Emma Rd.) and Sandman bring you over 30,000 songs to choose from and a quality sound system to release your inner rockstar at 9 pm. every Thursday.

Free silent meditation sessions are held at the Launchpad (76 S. Fourth St.) from 6:45 to 7:30 a.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays (info at 306-1015).

SANSKRIT MANTRA

Public Health: Rifle 970-625-5200 | Glenwood Springs 970-945-6614 Appointments available other dates

•

MEDITATION

$15 children, $25 adults Accepting Medicare Part B, Medicaid, CHP+, RMHP, BCBS, and UHC insurances

G

The Way of Compassion Dharma Center holds a Dharma talk and meditation from 6 to 7:30 p.m. on Wednesdays and a silent meditation and Buddha of Compassion practice at 8 a.m.

Saturdays at the Third Street Center (520 S. Third St.).

NO HIGH-DOSE flu vaccine for age 65+ available until November

E

DHARMA

Take the stage at Riverside Grill (181 Basalt Center Circle, Basalt) from 5 to 8 p.m.

Wednesdays. Food and drink specials. Free.

Downtown Drug, 825 Grand Avenue, Glenwood Springs

GL

The Mindful Life Program in the Third Street Center (520 S. Third St.) offers group sessions Mondays at 7:30 p.m. Admission is by donation and registration is not necessary. Info: mindfullifeprogram.org and 970-633-0163.

OPEN MIC

Wednesday, October 30, 11 am – 1 pm

D

LOVE ADDICTS

Gordon Cooper Library, 320 Sopris Avenue, Carbondale

PITK

The Compassionate Friends of the Roaring Fork Valley, a group for parents, grandparents or siblings who have lost a child of any age, meets at 6:30 p.m. the first Tuesday of the month at The Orchard (110 Snowmass Dr.).

your personal history, one story at a time.

Facilitated by Shelly Merriam, historian/writer/ genealogist. First and third Fridays, 10 a.m. to noon at the Glenwood Springs Branch Library, (815 Cooper Ave.). Info at 945-5958 or gcpld. org.

•

LOSS SUPPORT

Saturday, October 26, 1 pm – 3 pm

The Carbondale Rotary Club meets at the Carbondale Fire Station (300 Meadowood Dr.) at 6:45 a.m. Wednesdays.

“Senior Town Hall” with County Commissioners Steve Child, John Martin, and Jeanne McQueeney Full day of information on Wills & Trusts, Powers of Attorney, Living Wills, Probate, Fraud, Planning for Long-Term Care, Memory Issues & More A copy of the 2019 Colorado Senior Law Handbook with Handmade Tote Bag from GarCo Sewing Works (While Supplies Last) - LUNCH PROVIDED -

*

COST: FREE

PING PONG

REGISTER AT:

https://alpinelegalservices.org/events or call

PUNCH PARKINSON’S

Rising Crane Training Center (768 Highway 133) offers free boxing / fitness classes for folks with Parkinson’s from 11 to noon Tuesdays and Thursdays. More info at 274-8473.

970-945-8858 Sponsored by:

THE SOPRIS SUN • Carbondale’s weekly community connector • OCTOBER 17, 2019 - OCTOBER 23, 2019 • 13

Call your vet if you see these equine virus symptoms

By Roberta McGowan Sopris Sun Staff If you are around horses a lot and you notice drooling or blisters on the mouth, be alert and contact your vet.

A nasty equine virus, vesicular stomatitis (VSV), is going around the Valley.

Although less than a dozen animals here have been involved so far, it is worthwhile to pay attention.

Generally, biting flies are the culprits as they transmit the disease from animal to animal. The time from exposure until the first signs appear ranges from two to eight days.

This disease is not strictly limited to horses. Cattle, donkeys, mules and swine can be affected. Sheep and goats are resistant and rarely show signs of the disease.

The virus causes blister-like sores on the mouths, lips, tongues, ears or feet of infected animals. The signs of this disease mimic three other important animal diseases: foot and mouth disease, swine vesicular disease and vesicular exanthema of swine.

Chuck Maker, D.V.M., of Alpine Equine Hospital, explained VSV comes to the Valley from Southeastern Colorado every two to five years. This year, Maker noted, he has seen approximately six to eight infected horses. When Maker confirms the diagnosis by

Holly McClain of Rumble Ridge here giving lots of tlc to her horse, Tesla.

Photo by Roberta McGowan blood and swab tests, he must report the incident to the Animal Health Division, Colorado Department of Agriculture which then quarantines the entire property for at least 14 days.

The disease, he said, usually runs its course in 14 to 21 days. Although the mortality rate is very low, “It can

be fatal if it affects the animal’s feet.”

Horses may have trouble eating and drinking as the disease can cause mouth lesions. Veterinarians recommend feeding wet hay and softened grain. When cattle come down with the virus, it can have a negative economic impact for ranchers, but there is no danger in

eating the meat, Maker said, adding he hadn't seen the disease in cattle this year..

The American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) recommends anti-inflammatory medications may be used as supportive care help to minimize swelling and pain so a horse will continue to eat and drink. If the horse becomes dehydrated from not drinking enough water, a veterinarian may need to use intravenous fluids.

Secondary bacterial infection of ulcerated areas is another concern. If fever, swelling, inflammation or pus develops around the sores, treatment with antibiotics may be required.

Holly McClain, owner of Rumble Ridge in Missouri Heights, said that her ranch practices aggressive fly prevention and hasn’t had any disease outbreaks. Liquid and sticky fly traps, fly masks and fly sprays help control fly populations.

At the small, private boarding facility McClain additionally applies furazone ointment to the animals’ ears.

Unfortunately, the disease can be transmitted through saliva or polluted water.

Darlene Woodward and Martha Collison, owners of the reining horse operation Skyline Ranch in Carbondale, reported that they too implement regular fly prevention protocols.

Woodward said, “We know that flies can travel many miles between ranches, so we need to be vigilant.

We are glad that at our none of our animals have been infected.”

But hold on — humans can catch VSV from handling infected animals. In affected people it causes a flu-like illness with symptoms of fever, muscle aches, headache and weakness. Rarely, humans can get oral blisters similar to cold sores.

Recovery usually takes four to seven days.

Gloves, masks and frequent hand washing help prevent any spread.

Colorado horse shows, rodeos and local county fairs may accelerate the spread of VSV as horses travel from many different locations — and some have been canceled in the wake of the disease.

Colorado has seen a total of 667 cases in 2019. Garfield County had five, Eagle had one and Pitkin had none. Elsewhere in the state, the highest numbers were Larimer with 142, Weld with 73 and La Plata with 66. Maker was hopeful that the coming colder weather will minimize and eliminate fly swarms.

All experts strongly insist on staying vigilant. As Rachel Corbman, operations manager, Colorado Horse Rescue, said, “You hate to see your animal get sick, especially when it’s nothing you have control over.”

OPEN THE LATEST

RETAIL MARIJUANA | 21 +

STOCK UP ON YOUR WINTER NECESSITIES AT THE CO-OP! The Co-op has everything!

From warm outerwear by brands you trust, like Ariat, Carhartt, Wrangler, and Cinch; to shovels, scrapers, lawn winterizer and RV anitfreeze.

HUNTERS SPECIAL

DAILY SPECIALS ON ORGANICALLY-GROWN BUD, EDIBLES, CONCENTRATES, TOPICALS & CBD PRODUCTS!

HUNTERS RECEIVE

15 % OFF PURCHASE WITH VALID HUNTING LICENSE

Offer Valid September 1 – November 30, 2019. See store for details.

844-420-DANK(3265) | www.HighQRockies.com 730 MAIN ST • SILT EXIT 97 OFF I-70

922 HWY 133 • CARBONDALE IN THE SOPRIS SHOPPING CENTER

14 • THE SOPRIS SUN • soprissun.com • OCTOBER 17, 2019 - OCTOBER 23, 2019

And if we don’t have what you need in the store, you can order from TrueValue.com, select ship-to-store and have it sent to the Co-op for free!

0760 HWY 133, CARBONDALE CO

Did you know?

If we don’t stock it, you can always visit TrueValue.com and use Ship-To-Store for free shipping right to the Co-op!

•

(970) 963-2220

•

WWW.ROARINGFORKCOOP.COM

THE SOPRIS SUN • Carbondale’s weekly community connector • OCTOBER 17, 2019 - OCTOBER 23, 2019 • 15

COP SHOP

TOWN REPORT From Town Manager Jay Harrington's weekly report to trustees, staff and others.

From Oct. 4 through 10, Carbondale Police handled 216 calls for service.

During that period, officers investigated the following cases of note:

BEST IN SHOW for the 2019 Art Around Town was given to “Chameleon” by Trisha Kyner and David Friedheim. The pair will receive a $1,000 bonus.

LEAF DAYS is ongoing through Nov. 6 across from Town Hall. Hazardous Waste Day will take place from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Oct. 26 alongside e-waste and prescription drug drop off.

WINTERIZATION is being conducted on park irrigation systems. Leaf removal began this week, with composting taking place at the Thompson House permaculture demonstration garden.

Carbondale Mayor Dan Richardson was among an array of RFTA board members and interested parties who took a ride on one of the agency's new electric buses on Oct. 10. The circulator route proved noticeably quieter than it would have been on a diesel or CNG bus, and this particular model was even equipped with seatbelts. Photo by Will Grandbois

DELANEY NATURE PARK will be closed for a couple of hours around noon on Friday, Oct. 18 due to a water treatment plant delivery.

PLAYGROUND DEMOLITION is complete at Miner’s Park and replacement is still scheduled for Oct. 21 with the goal of completion by the end of October.

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES include part-time, year-round recreation assistants (call 510-1279) and climbing instructors (510-1214).

SALES TAX was up 8 percent year-over-year in September, leaving 2019 5.1 percent ahead of 2018 overall.

THE DITCH SYSTEM is no longer running as of Oct. 15. A flow survey was performed on the Weaver Ditch, which should give a good representation of any losses from the flume to the outfall.

THE AQUATICS FACILITY master planning process netted six proposals. Staff and a selection committee are reviewing the proposals and will be conducting interviews of potential consultants, if needed, the week of Oct. 14-18.

WATER DEMANDS were down during the recent cold spell, and the Roaring Fork Plant and Crystal Well are now in maintenance mode until spring.

SEWER LINE cleaning and inspection continues through Old Town as time permits.

THE TOWN BUDGET is available for review and comments at carbondalegov.org and at Town Hall. It will be considered for adoption on Dec. 10.

A STOP THE BLEED on critical care informed Officers Kirkland, Leach and Lazo, who will teach the techniques to others in the department.

PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSION Open seat on the Town of Carbondale Planning & Zoning Commission.

Contact Janet Buck 970.510.1208.

Applications may be found at www.carbondalegov.org or at Town Hall.

Applications are due by October 31, 2019 at 5 pm.

Leaf Days starts Friday, October 11 4th Street & Colorado Avenue

Please separate leaves (no plastic bags) and branches before dumping in containers.

Clean leaf containers will be hauled to local ranches for composting.

Visit CarbondaleGov.org or “Town of Carbondale Public Works” Facebook page for updates.

PLANNING AND ZONING, along with Town staff and the Tree Board, requested some changes to a Major Site Plan Review at Highway 133 and Main Street, which the applicants accepted. The public hearing was continued until Nov. 14.

FRIDAY Oct. 4 at 9 a.m. Officers took a report on an accident on Main Street, photographed the damage and issued a citation to one driver.

SATURDAY Oct. 5 at 4:02 p.m. Police took the second of a pair of theft reports.

SUNDAY Oct. 6 at 10:58 p.m. Someone reported a sexual assault on a minor.

MONDAY Oct. 7 at 12:06 a.m. After contacting a 23-year-old man struggling to carry a large box and shovel, an officer noticed a pipe in his pocket and, upon arresting him, methamphetamine as well.

TUESDAY Oct. 8 at 10:09 a.m. A pair of bicycles were stolen from Roaring Fork High School — and two other theft reports were made.

WEDNESDAY Oct. 9 at 9:54 p.m.

Following a domestic violence call, a 41-year-old man was charged with harassment for allegedly shoving a woman and breaking her phone.

WEDNESDAY Oct. 9 at 11:35 p.m. A 29-year-old man fled on foot follow a traffic stop for speeding and failing to stop at a stop sign, and was later arrested on a laundry list of additional charges: felony violation of bail bond conditions, misdemeanor violation of a restraining order, driving under suspension, driving under the influence, criminal trespass and criminal mischief.

Bears are back!

All garbage or refuse containers must be stored in a secured enclosed area or own a bear resistant container.

(Except on collection day between 6:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m.)

Up to $1,000 fine for violating trash/bear ordinance!

Warnings will not be issued!

Help keep the bears out of town and Carbondale safe.

Contact the Carbondale Police Department for more information at (970) 963-2662.

Carbondale Town Ordinance:

Sec. 7-3-60 (b) No person, including but not limited to an owner, occupant, lessee, person in possession or control, homeowners’ association officer, property manager or agent of a given premises, shall place any refuse or garbage container in any street, alley or other public place or upon any private property, whether or not owned by such person, within the Town, except in proper containers for collection, as provided in Section 7-3-50 above. No person shall place any such refuse or garbage container in any public street right-of-way for trash collection purposes by the Town or a private trash hauler, except for on the day collection occurs. For purposes of determining compliance with this requirement, refuse and garbage containers may be stored in a public street right-of-way only between 6:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. on the day of collection. Placement of refuse or garbage containers outside of this time period shall result in the levying of fines, pursuant to Subsection (g) below. Except for between 6:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. on the day of collection, and except in the instance that a refuse or garbage container is bear-resistant, as defined in Section 7-3-10 above, all refuse and garbage containers must be stored in secure enclosures when not out for collection.

16 • THE SOPRIS SUN • soprissun.com • OCTOBER 17, 2019 - OCTOBER 23, 2019

Fun and games at the firehouse

At Carbondale and Rural Fire Protection's Community Open House event, kids enjoyed hugging Spark the fire department mascot, riding in a giant red fire truck, jumping on the inflated slide, trying on a munchkin-sized fire helment, munching on hot dogs and taking a peek inside a helicopter. Photos by Roberta McGowan

TWIN LABS APPLIANCE REPAIR LLC Serving Clients from Aspen to Rifle

Installation & Repair of all Major Brands AVAILABLE 24 / 7 Call

970-379-1575 Today!

When your appliances fail, don’t chase your tail - Call Twin Labs THE SOPRIS SUN • Carbondale’s weekly community connector • OCTOBER 17, 2019 - OCTOBER 23, 2019 • 17

LETTERS

Continued from page 2

Give back

A vote for Virgili is a vote for CMC

Dear Editor, As the Buddy Program celebrates 25 years of serving youth and families in Basalt we want to thank the organizers behind Basalt Area Gives, a coordinated effort to support nonprofits that support and enrich the quality of life in the Basalt area.

I urge Basalt residents to consider donating a portion or all of their tax refund to this effort and consider earmarking your donation for the Buddy Program. For more information on Basalt Area Gives effort see www.facebook.com/BasaltGives.

Thank you for supporting the Buddy Program!

Lindsay Lofaro Buddy Program Executive Director

Dear Editor: Please join me in voting for Marianne Virgili for Colorado Mountain College Trustee. In her 30 years as CEO of the Glenwood Springs Chamber Resort Association, Marianne helped lift that organization and the town of Glenwood Springs to regional and national prominence. Her strategic thinking developed a stable, multi-million dollar revenue stream for the local economy. Along the way, her work also benefited many other Colorado communities.

Read more about her accomplishments at virgiliforcmc.com.

Marianne understands how to work with diverse businesses and citizens toward a common goal, for the common good. During my time as Colorado Mountain College Marketing Director, I worked with Marianne on several projects. She always brought energy, insight and a collaborative spirit, leveraging available resources for maximum effectiveness.

Marianne is the kind of experienced, insightful leader we need to guide Colorado Mountain College. With her leadership, CMC will continue forward, elevating the vitality of our beautiful Rocky Mountain communities.

Doug Stewart CMC alumnus and former employee

Marianne Virgili for CMC board Dear Editor: Time, talent and treasure are critical traits for those wanting to build community.

Everyone offers something, but in my 20+ years of community involvement, never have I met someone as effective at community building as Marianne Virgili. She is a community champion that has a proven track record of making great things happen.

Marianne’s resume and awards speak for themselves, but there is an impressive story of community leadership that weaves through those accomplishments. She led Glenwood Springs’ Chamber Resort Association for decades and grew it from a small-town chamber of commerce to a nationally recognized organization. But more important to me, she did so in a community that has its share of division and diverse opinions, while earning unwavering respect from everyone with whom she worked.

Many Chamber executives are cautious enough to stay out of political issues to avoid conflict. Marianne on the other hand not only jumped in head-first, she successfully championed at least a dozen local election campaigns. Elections are an amazing amount of work and she was often the spark, the engine and the accelerator that inspired incredible progress not only in Glenwood Springs, but throughout Western Colorado with her efforts to challenge the Gallagher Amendment and support CMC’s four-year bachelor degrees. A person simply can’t achieve what Marianne has without integrity, wisdom and a strong will. She is now willing to dedicate her time and talent to CMC and I urge you to vote for Marianne Virgili as a CMC Trustee.

Dan Richardson Carbondale Mayor

Mary Axelson for CMC board Mary Axelson doesn’t even know what a powerful mentor she was to me when I attended CMC. I saw her as a cool and grounded professor and leader. She was the Faculty Senate president and served on numerous leadership committees throughout her tenure.

As a non-traditional older student, it amazed me how she connected with students, other faculty and management at CMC. After graduating, I returned to serve on the CMC board for a term so I am super aware of what it takes to be effective on this challenging board. Mary is perfect for the job. I know she will raise the bar as a policy maker at CMC as she does with everything she endeavors.

Do the community a favor. Elect Mary Axelson to the CMC board.

Jacque Whitsitt Basalt Mayor

Mary Axelson knows CMC Dear Editor: I am voting for Mary Nelle Axelson for Colorado Mountain College Board of Trustee.

It’s an easy decision for me! Mary knows the college!

She was a full-time professor at CMC. She has over 30 years of college teaching experience in writing, reading and history.

Mary knows the students. She knows the strengths, weaknesses, concerns, challenges and the rich diversity each student brings to the classroom.

She has inspired students to have a love for learning and to be the very best in class, home and community. Many of her students have gone on to be teachers, nurses, photographers and veterinarian technologists. Her classes have been life changing. I consider her to be a master teacher!

Mary knows the college! She has been the college-wide faculty senate president. She has served on budget committees for the Roaring Fork Campus and the college. She has been the lead faculty in guiding faculty through the promotion process.

Mary has mentored, given advice and guidance in the classroom and been a cheerleader for the success of new faculty. She has served on numerous staff and faculty search committees helping the college to bring excellence to key positions. I consider her to be a leader!

Mary knows what it means to serve as our trustee. She will listen, make sound evidence based decisions in regards to student learning, fiscal responsibility and college policy.

Vote for Mary Axelson! She knows our college! She cares for our college! Vote!

Nancy Genova Retired CMC Executive Vice President

Axelson is involved Dear Editor: I encourage all in the district to vote for Mary Axelson for CMC Board of Directors.

Mary taught history, English, and remedial (Dev Ed) English for over 30 years at CMC.

During that time, she was on every conceivable committee — faculty, community, and state — and learned a lot about how colleges function. She was a faculty representative for the Higher Learning Commission on CMC's re-accreditation process and to that end made CMC stronger. She worked alongside (and survived) six CMC presidents, so she knows the history of the college and its administration inside and out.

In addition, Mary Axelson is smart and funny. She is beholden to no special interests in the valley; rather, she has students' best interests at heart. She will be a knowledgeable and independent voice on the CMC Board.

Christie Smith Carbondale

Virgilli and Hartzell for CMC Dear Editor: For the past 20 years, I have been involved with CMC as a student, president of the CMC foundation and currently chair of the CMC Board of Overseers. In the upcoming CMC Board of Trustee election, I encourage you to vote for Marianne Virgili and Bob Hartzell.Both Marianne and Bob are proven community leaders and involved with CMC throughout their careers.

Marianne retired as President of the Glenwood Springs Chamber of Commerce. She was instrumental in getting 4 year bachelor's degrees approved by CMC and currently serves on the CMC Foundation Board. Bob is a proven educator and retired after 25 years at CMC. He served as Instructor, Assistant Campus Dean, CMC Faculty Development Coordinator and Leadville Campus Dean.

Jon Warnick Carbondale

Hard times Dear Editor: Regarding the Aspen Times' sensationalized story on my family and the newspaper's refusal to cover any of the City of Aspen housing authority's flagrant violations of our constitutional right to free speech as detailed in Judge Neiley's recent order found in the link posted below, I'll paraphrase my hero Glenn Greenwald: One of the principal institutions devoted to monitoring and checking abuse of state power is the political media. The theory of a 'fourth estate' is to ensure transparency and provide a check on government overreach. However, that check is only effective if journalist act adversarially to those who wield political power.

Instead, the Aspen Times has abdicated this role, being subservient to the government's interests, even amplifying, rather than scrutinizing, its messages and carrying out its dirty work.

We are grateful for the Sopris Sun's courageous sunshine on our eviction.

Judge Neiley's order: tinyurl.com/2018CV18 Lee Mulcahy Aspen

Celebrate Sukkot, the Jewish Harvest Festival

PRESENTS

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2019 | 5-8 PM B A S A LT H I G H S C H O O L

INFO & TICKETS | 970.963.9200 | englishinaction.org/events IN ADVANCE (‘till 10/18): $20 adult | $7 child AT THE DOOR: $25 adult | $10 child

TOP SPONSOR THIS COMMUNITY AD SPACE DONATED BY COOL BRICK STUDIOS.

18 • THE SOPRIS SUN • soprissun.com • OCTOBER 17, 2019 - OCTOBER 23, 2019

TRUU welcomes Aspen Rabbi Shereen Sarick to its pulpit to celebrate Sukkot, the Jewish fall harvest festival. Unitarian Universalism’s fourth “source” of inspiration is “Jewish and Christian teachings which call us to respond to God’s love.” So we welcome this opportunity to learn more about the holiday, and why it emphasizes eating and sleeping outdoors, giving offerings, attending to the poor, inviting guests, shaking a lulav (bundle of 3 kinds of branches), and sniffing an etrog (rare fruit). A lulav and etrog will be provided for worship service at 10 a.m. in the Community Room at Third Street Center in Carbondale.

Religious Exploration with Ana Chynoweth Music with Jimmy Byrne Preschool with Justice Bouchet

Two Rivers Unitarian Universalist

PARTING SHOTS

SERVICE DIRECTORY

“don’t trash it – cash it” We pay CASH for METALS! ALUMINUM CANS • COPPER • BRASS • LEAD • STEEL • CARS/TRUCKS APPLIANCES • EXTENSION CORDS • BATTERIES • RADIATORS STAINLESS STEEL *ANYTHING METAL* New Location Glenwood! (2 miles south of Walmart, next to Airgas)

3710 Hwy 82 Glenwood Springs, CO 970-948-0333 Open - Tue-Fri 9-4 • Sat 9-1 • Closed Sun/Mon

Gypsum location accepts large steel quantites please see our Gypsum location by Costco Guaranteed best prices in the mountains!

Trinityrecycle.com

MASSAGE John Ackerman

Licensed Massage Therapist

970-379-0575

See Thundercat at

CARBONDALE ANIMAL HOSPITAL New location!

289 Main Street, Carbondale on the corner of Third and Main Street

(970) 963-2826 Find us on Facebook

Dr. Benjamin Mackin Monday-Friday 8 a.m.-5:30 p.m.

eW imaatte Wa ash iitm l sh t CLEAN Ul Cleans Inside U INSIDE & OUT & Out Complete CompleteInterior Interior and and ExteriorWash wash package.

Exterior Package

Car ash Car W Wash Detailing Detailing Oil changes Oil Tires Changes

Weather Insurance Insurance Weather

If it rains or snows bring the vehicle back within If it rains48orhours snowsand bringweback vehicle will the rewash it. within

Tires

48 hours and we will rewash it.

970-963-8800 745970-963-8800 Buggy Circle in Carbondale www.sunburstcarcare.com 745 Buggy Circle in Carbondale

www.sunburstcarcare.com Open Mon.-Sat. 8am-5:00pm and on Sundays from 9am-4pm for washes only Open Monday - Saturday 8am to 5:30pm and on Sunday from 9am to 4pm for washes only.

LEGALS

Celticfest and Oktoberfest are two sides of the same coin in Carbondale, with traditional — albeit cell-phoned tuned — music and dancing before the men's best legs in a kilt contest on Friday night (photos by Will Grandbois) followed by a cornhole tournament, more music and the liter-holding competition on Saturday (photos by James Whaley).

NOTICE OF BUDGET (Pursuant to 29-1-106, C.R.S.) NOTICE is hereby given that a proposed budget has been submitted to the Carbondale & Rural Fire Protection District for the ensuing year of 2020; a copy of such proposed budget has been filed in the office of the Carbondale & Rural Fire Protection District, where the same is open for public inspection; such proposed budget will be considered at the regular monthly meeting of the Board of Directors to be held at Carbondale Fire Headquarters, 301 Meadowood Drive, Carbondale, Colorado on November 13, 2019 at 11:00 a.m. Any interested elector of Carbondale & Rural Fire Protection District may inspect the proposed budget and file or register any objections thereto at any time prior to the final adoption of the budget.

NOTICE OF BUDGET Notice is hereby given that a proposed budget has been submitted to the Town of Carbondale Board of Trustees for the ensuing year of 2020; that a copy of such proposed budget has been filed in the office of the Town Clerk at Town Hall, 511 Colorado Avenue, Carbondale, Colorado, where same is open for public inspection and on the Town website – www. carbondalegov.org; that such proposed budget will be considered for adoption at a regular meeting of the Board of Trustees to be held at Carbondale Town Hall on December 10, 2019 at 6:00 p.m.

Any interested elector within the Town of Carbondale may inspect the proposed budget and file or register any objections thereto at any time prior to the final adoption of the budget.

Jay Harrington, Town Manager

THE SOPRIS SUN • Carbondale’s weekly community connector • OCTOBER 17, 2019 - OCTOBER 23, 2019 • 19