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Pigging out on pumpkins
Volume 12, Number 39 | November 5 - November 11, 2020
For six years, Alizabeth Koster has invited folks to bring their Halloween pumpkins to Happy Day Ranch, where they get to watch Daisy the pig excitedly devour them. Photo by Jane Bachrach SoprisLiquor.com 970.963.5880 1026 CO-133 Carbondale CO
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‘Maybe it’s time to let the old ways die’ OPINION
Ps & Qs
By Jeannie Perry Like Donald Trump’s mother. An immigrant from the slums of Scotland, Mary Anne MacLeod truly went from rags to riches, living the spectrum of wealth firsthand. Unlike her offspring, who have never known poverty. It is typical, their family’s social-climbing game of chutes and ladders; usually it takes three generations for a family’s empire to crumble and then it is up to the fourth to rebuild. The first generation climbs the ladder, the second generation plays on the jungle gym and heads for the slide— Whee! Leaving the third generation to wander around the dirt playground penniless and hungry… But I have a feeling
Trump’s kids will transfer to another school and take all our sack lunches. Trump is a poster child for the middle generation. For the record, I think there is another generation between the Boomers and GenX; those born between 1950 and 1965 should be recognized as their own generation, not lumped in with the Boomers. C’mon, why would someone born in 1960 still be counted as part of the boom of babies from WWII? Maybe we call them the sex, drugs, and rock ‘n roll generation; SDR for short. Whaddya think? But for argument’s sake, we’ll stick with the Boomers being a huge generation. The Biggest Generation. The Best Generation— not to be confused with The Greatest Generation, who built everything in the first place, so that the Boomers could ride the wave of industrialism all the way to the shore. Which is where we find ourselves today; sitting in the sand, crying like a toddler who just got sucked under and rolled in the shallow. “You’re not wrong, Walter.” -the Dude. If you don’t know the Dude, he is a character played by Jeff Bridges in the movie The Big Lebowski. The Dude abides. He
epitomizes the terrible beauty of human nature; philosophical and pathetic, yet still fun to go bowling with. Sort of like an edgy, unpredictable Phil Donahue with a drinking problem. I would actually like to meet the Dude because I have a burning question regarding humanity throughout the ages. What do humans do that selflessly benefits this planet? Or anything else on it? Like termites recycle and bees pollinate, what purpose do humans serve that does not solely benefit us? I’ve been noodling on this for quite some time, and I’ve only come up with three possibilities, none of which seem nearly as beneficial as the bugs or the bees. 1) Humans move bacteria/ viruses around the globe free of charge. 2) We invented corgis— arguably one of the cutest things in the universe. And 3) once dead, we feed the soil (excepting airtight caskets and cremation.) So just moving around in the world and eventually dying is our great contribution. The unemployed daydreamer taking a nap in the park, shedding dead skin cells into the grass, is actually better for the planet than the suited CEO flying around the globe eating tortured baby cow and using hand
sanitizer, i.e., bacteria killer. One could even argue that keeping a human alive past its ability to aid and abet virus migration is a sin against Nature. I’m not advocating a massive boom of suicide here. I’m simply pointing out that our role in the natural cycle of creation, life, death, and rebirth, from individuals to generations, is not as significant as we sometimes make it seem. Right now, we are nearing the end of a generational cycle, watching these greedy old guys who hate unborn babies once they are born, take and take. But their turn on the playground will be over soon, and it’ll be time to plant some trees and rebuild the whole thing. The two generations before GenX created, and ran through, many resources. Luckily, we are a generation used to disappointment, and it will mainly be left up to the Millennials to re-create a sustainable system. C’est la vie. I bet I know what the Dude would say. Whatever happens, relax; just by being here and one day dying, we’re already doing our part. And maybe try to curtail the amount of assholish things we say and do while we let the bacteria hitch a ride.
Sincerest thanks to our
Honorary Publishers for their annual commitment of $1,000+
Email marilyn@soprissun.com for more information.
Jim Calaway, Honorary Chair Kay Brunnier Scott Gilbert 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 Ken & Donna Riley Michelle & Ed Buchman CoVenture Lee Beck and John Stickney Deborah and Shane Evans Carly and Frosty Merriott
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.
LETTERS Full on fall Dear Editor: Rust sage ochre slate November’s muted palette Winter in the wings JM Jesse Glenwood Springs
Let Them Roar Dear Editor: Be still, look around everything leaves a footprint including your heart We send this because we care. In a week from now it’s clear our country will change, and we want to ensure your heart does not. No matter who “wins” the election, we want to remind us that our lives and love for one another are greater than any ballot measure. Our values are bigger than any candidate or measure. It seems we’re in a time that has placed constraints on us seemingly with no way out but to be divisive. We know deep within, this is not so. This election makes it clear (no turning back), that we’ve been positioned with a win / loss calisma, and we’ve naively taken the bait. We know there is more to our lives than an election, there’s more to you and me than our affiliation, there’s more to our world then our country’s politics, there is more to life than our human dimension. Look towards beauty within one another. “Beauty is something you experience, not something you prove. Beauty is
invisible, individual, and intangible. It is something you know, yet technically, it is not there. Like Music, it lives inside you, and you impress its qualities on whatever you choose.” Within the “beautiful is that which the many, still seen as many, become one.” -Victor Wooten’s “The Music Lesson” As a child, learning to stand and to walk, I’m sure it took many of us many tries, while more importantly we did so looking upward towards the beauty and loving presence of loved ones around us smiling - looking here, not at the ground. It’s important to share because we care. We love you, we thank you, and we are thinking about you smiling, looking up towards the beauty that is you. When we see the beauty in each other (in the many, still seen as many), we become one. Let them roar with love, let them roar of love, let them roar from love. Sophia, Olivia, Mateo, & Ashton Carbondale
Thank you for running Dear Editor: Every person that runs for office wants to give back to their community, thinks they have good ideas and wants what is best for where they live. Running for office is not an easy thing to do. It takes a lot of hard work. You must be able to hear people scrutinize you, ask people for money, spend hours on the phone and talk endlessly to fellow citizens. You also have to be able to let people that
you do not know use your bathroom. It's called campaigning. I would like to take a moment to acknowledge everyone who has run for office and has served in some elected office. I hope that folks realize this can be a thankless job. Almost always, someone will not like a decision you have had to make. So, before we know who won and who lost this election, from the bottom of my heart, thank you all for running for office. James Gilliam Carbondale
A bad example Dear Editor: Donald Trump's experience of having had and recovered from COVID-19 has absolutely no bearing on the experience of an average American. He was being tested on a regular basis, so his case was caught early. He did not have to find out how or where or what it might cost to have a test. He did not have to arrange for child care or take time off from work to try to get tested. He did not have to drive anywhere or wait in line, only to be told "we need to save the tests for people who really need them." Trump had access to the best doctors in the world. He was treated with multiple drugs, one of which is not available to you or me. The cost of his treatment and hospitalization, how he was going to pay for it, feed his family or pay his rent never Continued on page 13
The views expressed in opinion pieces do not necessarily reflect those of The Sopris Sun. The community is invited to submit letters up to 500 words to news@soprissun.com. Longer columns are considered on a case-by-case basis. The deadline for submission is noon on Monday. 2 • THE SOPRIS SUN • soprissun.com • November 5 - November 11, 2020
Donate by mail or online. 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 Reporter: Roberta McGowan Delivery: Crystal Tapp Proofreader: Lee Beck Current Board Members Raleigh Burleigh, President Marilyn Murphy, Vice President Linda Criswell, Secretary Klaus Kocher, Treasurer Kay Clarke • Carol Craven • Lee Beck Megan Tackett • Gayle Wells Donna Dayton • Terri Ritchie The Sopris Sun Board meets at 6:30 p.m. on second Mondays at the Third Street Center. Contact board@soprissun.com to reach them. Founding Board Members Allyn Harvey • Becky Young Colin Laird • Barbara New • Elizabeth Phillips Peggy DeVilbiss • Russ Criswell
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.
Small community battles for safe water By Roberta McGowan Sopris Sun Staff
Great towns deserve great Internet! Help us bring Ting Internet to the Roaring Fork Valley
Somerset Water District board member Debbie Pennington, board president John Mlakar and the other three other members are working hard to solve the town’s serious water issues. Photo by Roberta McGowan For nearly 60 years, the tiny village of Somerset in Gunnison County has been fighting for clean drinking water. Nestled on the far side of McClure Pass, just 49 miles south of Carbondale, sits the small community. It’s not incorporated as a town, and the only governing body is the elected five member Somerset Domestic Water Works District Board. Gunnison County oversees all of the other services besides the water. And therein lies the rub. According to Somerset Water District Board President John Mlakar, the county has not lived up to its responsibilities to help Somerset with this major problem. However, County Manager, Matthew Birnie said several weeks ago the Somerset Special Water District is fully responsible for the water. He said “Gunnison handles street lights and snow plowing.” The March 2019 District Statement of Purposes explained that historically the district has received its water from Oxbow Mine which is regulated as a water wholesaler. The raw water comes from the North Fork of the Gunnison River, is treated at the Oxbow Plant, goes to a finished water storage tank, then to a master meter and, finally, the water is distributed to the homes. Most of the town’s 100 residents feel they are fighting for survival as water experts report the potable (drinking) water is not safe. Somerset water quality concerns include the presence of dangerous chemical interactions that may result in trihalomethanes (TTHMs). A study by the Environmental Working Group showed TTHMs are contaminants that form during water treatment with chlorine and other disinfectants. Water quality tests have failed frequently from 2015 to 2020, including a just concluded yearlong evaluation. Many water plants in Colorado have faced this same challenge. In a 2019 agreement between the district and Oxbow, the mine agreed to install TTHM removal equipment, which, Mlakar said, was not done. The challenge, Mlakar said, has been to work out a final and reasonable deal with Oxbow and the Colorado Department of Health and Environment. Mlakar, born and raised in Somerset, compared the present state of affairs
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to a “David and Goliath” situation with the 100 people living there going up against a huge global conglomerate. Mlkavar described the conflict as, “Big money versus the limited resources of a struggling community.” He added, “We also can’t afford to continue with high cost water lawyers.”
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Somerset has three options on the table: hidden fees construct a brand new water treatment plant in Up to 1000 Mbps the town, accept Oxbow’s offer to turn the entire No caps or limits upload and download existing plant (valued at more than $500,000) over to the district, which from then on would Connects right to Real, human support 24/7 be responsible for all operating and maintenance your home costs or continue researching, negotiating and and getting additional water expert input. Mlakar believed the village’s monthly water bills could jump from $82.50 to $200 per residence if the district took over the existing Why Pre-order? water plant, presently located near the mine. He explained this increase would be hard to afford, Pre-orders help Ting determine where to build our as the majority of residents are retired or living on fiber Internet network. By pre-ordering today you’ll be fixed incomes. The district projected a monthly operating cost casting your vote to help bring fiber Internet to your of $7,000 if the present Oxbow water treatment town. plant is taken over. The anticipated price tag is $80,000 if a brand new water treatment system The more pre-orders in your area, the more likely you on community property is approved. are to get Ting Crazy Fast Fiber Internet® so don’t Mlakar concluded “The cheapest solution forget to share this with your community! I feel is to build a new treatment plant, not take over the existing structure.” Despite a recent contentious district board meeting, members voted four to one to move ahead and directed members to meet with the Pre-orders: three entities involved: Oxbow, the Colorado Pre-order State Department of Health and Environment • are refundable for just (CDPHE) and independent water experts who have been involved for several years. • help bring Ting to your area Mlakar said, “We want to get consensus from water quality professionals on the best option for • get you a free install and $50 Somerset. ” toward future bills (a $250 value) The sole dissenting board member, Debbie Pennington, preferred the third option which calls for the town to continue researching and to pressure Oxbow to make more concessions. . She also was concerned that Oxbow might just shut off water to the town. Pre-order at ting.com/roaringfork Pennington explained, “The main issue is Continued on page 13 THE SOPRIS SUN • Carbondale’s weekly community connector • November 5 - November 11, 2020 • 3
9
$
SCUTTLEBUTT On the case
Where there’s smoke
The front desk of the Carbondale Police Department is closed for the time being as staff members isolate pending “some health determinations,” according to Town Manager Jay Harrington, who termed the approach “pretty standard on possible exposure.” The situation is not anticipated to impact police staffing or coverage.
Firefighters from the Upper Colorado Interagency Fire and Aviation Management Unit plan to burn nearly 5,000 slash piles later this fall and winter when conditions allow in several locations on the White River National Forest in Eagle, Pitkin and Summit counties, with Nast in the upper Fryingpan River Valley being the closest. Most of the smoke will dissipate during the day; however, some smoke could remain in valley bottoms and drainages at night for short durations. For more information about pile burning in these areas, contact Ryan Hughes at 328-5891.
Rain, sleet or snow The Sun has received numerous tips about extreme delays in postal delivery. Numerous attempts to discuss the issue with the post office in recent weeks have been unsuccessful, but rest assured that we’re working on it. One more time-sensitive concern is the possibility that some residents may have missed notification that their ballots weren’t accepted, so make sure you signed up for ballot tracking at govotecolorado.gov before the curing deadline. We’d also like to hear from you — email news@soprissun.com if you have an experience to share.
Suck your blood The St. Mary’s Grand Junction Bloodmobile will be at the Carbondale Rec. Center from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 9. Visit tinyurl.com/bloodmobileNov9 to register.
The show must go on Sopris Theatre Company’s virtual (for now) season kicks off this week with John Patrick Shanley’s “Rogues’ Gallery” — ten bizarre, explosive and darkly humorous monologues from this Pulitzer winner, about the absurdity of being human. It streams at 7 p.m. Nov. 6, 7, 13 and 14 and 2 p.m. Nov. 8 and 15 — visit showtix4u.com for tickets. And mark your calendar for Jeffery Hatcher’s “Three Viewings” — three dark comedy shorts set in a Midwestern funeral parlor— February 19-21 and 26-28; Steven Dietz’s “Nina Variations” — an homage to Chekhov’s “The Seagull” that examines one couple’s fiercely funny romantic — April 9-11 and
16-18 and a series of student workshop productions on April 29.
Honoring service The American Legion Post 100 is planning Veteran’s Day Dinner beginning at 4 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 11. They’ll be serving spaghetti, garlic bread, salad and dessert free for veterans and $10 for others. Due to COVID, the event is members only — and it’s unclear how additional rumored restrictions may impact the event, so it’s worth calling 963-2381 for up-to-date information.
Just breathe True Nature Healing Arts offers a Kundalini Breathwork Journey from 4 to 6 p.m. on Nov. 8. Kundalini is an ancient practice of tuning into our higher self. Shamanic Breathwork is a method of breathing that elicits an altered state. Combined, this heart opening experience will give you the opportunity to find healing, clarity, and transformation. Tickets are $35; visit truenaturehealingarts. com to reserve your spot.
Sweet serenade Natalie Spears and Nick Pinto provided a soundtrack to the final hours of voting as they strummed outside the Town Hall dropbox. After the polls closed, the cows down on the floodplain took over, lowing deep into the night.
April Carter, 6, of Silt, came out on top in this year's race for Sunlight Mini Mayor. She wants all skiers and riders to know that “You can do it and never give up even if you fall down. You can always get back up. Remember it’s just snow!” Watch for April's plans for a new Fairy Mailbox installation on the mountain. Courtesy photo
They say it’s your birthday Folks celebrating another trip around the sun this week include: Trina Ortega and Niki Burns (Nov. 5); Murry Daniels and Beth Broome (Nov. 6); Noreen Steiner, Brett Nelson and Lee Beck (Nov. 7); Rick Carlson (Nov. 8); Stephen Molloy (Nov. 9); Natalie Rae Fuller and Tim Ireland (Nov. 10) and Nicolette Toussaint (Nov. 11).
FOOD DISTRIBUTION KDNK Annual Membership Meeting
NOVEMBER FOOD DISTRIBUTION
2:00 – 4:00 p.m. pick-up at all locations • CARBONDALE: Mondays Third Street Center
All current KDNK members, staff, Board of Directors, and members of the public are invited!
• PARACHUTE:
Tuesdays 201 E. First Street
Monday, November 23, 5:30-7:30 pm Via ZOOM Video Chat
• NEW CASTLE:
Wednesdays Cristo La Roca – 880 Castle Valley Blvd. Thanksgiving week: Monday 11/23
• GLENWOOD:
Thursdays Glenwood Church of Christ – 260 Soccer Field Rd. Thanksgiving week: Monday 11/23
• RIFLE:
Fridays Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Thanksgiving week: Tuesday 11/24
Link available www.kdnk.org on 10/9
Anyone interested in serving on our Board is invited to email for more info: board@kdnk.org.
https://www.kdnk.org/get-involved
• ASPEN & BASALT: For food distribution information & updates go to LIFTUP.org.
EXTENDED TABLE (Soup Kitchens)
• GLENWOOD: Monday – Friday • 5 – 6 p.m. First United Methodist Church (824 Cooper Ave.) • RIFLE: Tuesday & Thursdays • 5 – 6 p.m. Rifle United Methodist Presbyterian Church, Lovell Building (200 E. 4th St.)
FINANCIAL DONATIONS & VOLUNTEERS NEEDED! Visit LIFTUP.org for secure online donations or to volunteer. MAILED DONATIONS: LIFT-UP, P.O. Box 1928, Rifle CO 81650 VOLUNTEER HOTLINE: 970.456.2804
4 • THE SOPRIS SUN • soprissun.com • November 5 - November 11, 2020
The Redstone General Store will prevail By James Steindler Sopris Sun Correspondent
Redstone Boulevard does not have the same vivacious feeling when the doors to its general store are shut, which has been the case since March. But hermits living up the Crystal Valley — as well as frequent visitors — are in for some good news. Locals Oriana Ourboros and Rochelle Norwood are the most recent entrepreneurs to reboot the Redstone General Store. Their goal is to open for business on Jan. 1 to usher in the new year. Ourboros grew up in the Valley — The Crystal Valley that is. Her parents owned Avalanche Ranch, “Up until I was about 12 years old,” she said. Her father, Jeff Bier, is a long time local who worked in the coal mines and subsequently as a realtor. In fact Bier has been the agent for the general store for its last five transitions — which includes this most recent sale to his daughter. Ourboros said that some of her earliest memories include moments perusing the general store. “Redstone was the community we went to because it was closer than Carbondale,” she said, “When we made a few coins as kids we’d come down here and buy a treat at the general store.” It has come full circle for Ourboros whose own children have indulged in any opportunity to spend some of their earned allowance there. Norwood lives in the Crystal Valley as well but grew up in a small rural area in California, which to her resembles Redstone. The nearby California towns, Caloma and Lotus are, “So small there’s not even a grocery store; so our gas
Ourboros and Norwood plan to use the walk-up window to sell goodies such as ice cream and espresso — and if COVID-19 flares up again perhaps more than that. Photo by James Steindler station is the general store.” So Norwood feels right at home in Redstone. The two women found each other by way of their personal passions to attend to their community. Norwood’s work with Scavenger Industries — a local organization which upcycles peoples’ throwaways to make art — led her to work with the Near New, where they both were inducted as Daughters of Rebekah. Ourboros also provided a space for Scavenger Industries to create on her property: 13 Moons Ranch. The pair spent a chunk of time apart due to the COVID-19 regulations. Upon reuniting they discussed the closing of the general store and the impact in which it had on the community. Someone had to do something
Eastwood Carbondale is pleased to announce the extension of community use of 579 Main Street through November. Read more below about our plans.
about it — why not them. “The owners were very firm that they wouldn’t sell to anyone who wouldn’t keep it a general store,” Norwood stated, “It definitely felt like we had to be chosen.” The building has been on record as a business since the 1950s and may have served as such even earlier. Somewhat at the behest of the previous owners, the two decided the only way to do it was as a family endeavor. Therefore each of their sets of children will likely be found at various times tending the ice cream machine or perhaps sweeping the front porch. Norwood’s mom has a one way ticket — figuratively speaking — and will any day now to help get the business up and running.
“We will have a full-on little grocery store,” said Norwood, “From eggs to local bread and semi-local dairy.“ Crystal River Meats will supply local meat and Ourboros also hopes to sell some of her own lamb raised on 13 Moons Ranch. Many of the dairy products and other farmed by-products, like jams and lotions, will be ordered through Farm Runners, based out of Hotchkiss. As the stars align, they hope to discover local farmers, bakers and other local tradespeople who want to sell their goods. While on the subject, Ourboros brought up that her friend is opening a bagel shop in Willits and without skipping a beat Norwood exclaimed, “Oh good, we need bagels!” Next summer, they plan to host farmers’ markets in the parking lot as part of their mission to become a community gathering place and simultaneously support more local growers. Another scrumptious perk for local consumers is that Norwood was once a chocolatier and plans to make delicacies again to be sold at the store. On the liquor side of things they’ll offer, “Organic hard cider, hard kombucha, hard seltzers, local wines from Paonia, some mead and obviously IPA and pale ale,” Norwood listed. Furthermore, they hope to sell local artists’ pieces as well as art supplies — with a twist — made by artists for artists. Norwood spent several years teaching art to young people in Carbondale. On top of all that, “We’re going to sell matches and motor oil,” Norwood laughed, among other essential supplies.
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WHAT’S HAPPENING NOW
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• When Carbondale needed us, Eastwood Carbondale welcomed the opportunity to partner with the Town, local businesses and non-profits this summer, like hosting the Maker’s Market part of Mountain Fair. We are happy to continue our relationship with the Town keeping the lot open for community use through autumn. • If your organization is interested in use of the lot please contact:
• This site is a privately owned, mixed use development site. • The site will be developed in keeping with the Carbondale development codes, including providing community housing. • Site located in Historic Commercial Core Zone of Carbondale. • Site sits at the gateway to Main Street. • Architecture will be designed to integrate into Carbondale’s unique downtown character. • More detail & direction to come soon.
TOWN CONTACT Eric Brendlinger ebrendlinger@carbondaleco.net
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THE SOPRIS SUN • Carbondale’s weekly community connector • November 5 - November 11, 2020 • 5
ELECTION
Commissioners close in Garfield County
Jacober takes Pitkin County District 5 By Will Grandbois Sopris Sun Staff The incumbent Garfield County commissioners led by a narrow margin as the final ballots were counted on Wednesday afternoon. The fourth round of unofficial election results showed Republican and longtime incumbent John Martin had with 14,424 votes to Democratic challenger Beatriz Soto’s 13,907 with unaffiliated Brian Bark’s 1279 in District 2, while incumbent Republican Mike Samson led Democrat Leslie Robinson 15,077 to 14,086. Martin didn’t consider anything over until the whole election is certified, noting that “sometimes people go to bed thinking they’re a winner and they end up being the loser.” For him, the closeness of the race was a good sign. “That’s the way it should be,” he said. “People are really paying attention to the candidates, getting out and voting, and it’s not one-sided.” He did note that this election seemed to be “less about local issues, but about national issues
and movements,” and that he’d been heavily outspent in this race, with his particular brand of campaigning is more “off the cuff and from the heart.” Soto, speaking to The Sun and KDNK on election night and similarly cautious of her slight lead at that time, called her late-start campaign a “sprint.” “We worked really hard for two and a half months… to make sure our values were out there,” she said. “COVID made a lot of the social racial issues that are happening around our community very apparent.” In particular, Soto offered a voice for a disenfranchised demographic. “Garfield County is at a point where 30 percent of our population is Latino,” she said. “Unfortunately, we have not had that representation at a county level.” Along with Robinson, she also campaigned on environmental protection. “We can feel it now,” she said. “We’ve lost a month of winter over the last decade.” Both women intended to continue fighting for those causes whether they won or lost. “I’m not going anywhere,”
Robinson said. “I’ve crashed through many a glass and concrete ceiling here in Rifle.” “It really doesn’t come down to conservative or liberal politics, it’s how we come together for a better future,” she added. “I look at this as just a temporary setback. You can lose a battle but win the war.” Samson did not respond to efforts to reach him through official channels.
Francie Jacober
Meanwhile, in Pitkin County… Francie Jacober ran away with the race for Commissioner District 5, with 7,603 votes to Jeffery Evans' 2,895. She praised him for making it a race. “When I decided to do this
Other contests
I was unopposed, and I think by him coming on board in the election has inspired me to work hard and think deeper,” she said. “I just wish him all the best.” Her initial platform centered on agriculture, community and education, though she added support for undocumented workers as a priority in the process. While she emphasized that all commissioners represent the entire county, she did express hopes that she could provide a voice for residents of her own Crystal River Valley as well as those in the Fryingpan. “I certainly will work to protect our water rights in the Crystal River… I know that the Redstone residents in particular are concerned about short term rentals, and I want to look into what our countywide regulations are,” she said. “I want to keep an eye to the whole Valley, and I think our overall health depends on all the different communities. Evans, for his part, said in his own statement that, “an overwhelming majority of Pitkin County residents are happy with the entrance to Aspen as is, and see no reason to change.”
Results as of press time
U.S. Senator for CO John Hickenlooper (D): 1,565,775 Cory Gardner (R): 1,280,289 U.S. Representative, CO Dist. 3 Lauren Boebert (R): 209,496 Diane Mitsch Bush (D): 187,211 State Board of Education, Dist. 3 Joyce Rankin (R): 217,374 Mayling Simpson (D): 180,028 Pitkin County District 4 Steve Child (D): 7,459 Chris Council: 2,945 Eagle County District 1 Matt Scherr (D): 16,588 Jennifer Woolley (R): 10,759 Eagle County District 2 Kathy Chandler-Henry (D): 17,099 Thomas Crisofulli (R): 10,240
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6 • THE SOPRIS SUN • soprissun.com • November 5 - November 11, 2020
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ELECTION
Certain and uncertain results in General Assembly races By James Steindler Sopris Sun Correspondent The local races for seats in the Colorado State General Assembly have delivered results in one race and the other is too close to call. KDNK and The Sopris Sun partnered up on election night and had the chance to speak with a couple of these candidates. Colorado’s House District 57 incumbent Republican Perry Will has secured his seat for another term. This is Will’s first time being elected to office by the people as he was appointed to replace Bob Rankin in 2019. “It won’t change anything for me; I’m over there to represent the people of this district whether I’m appointed or elected,” he stated, “But I am excited about the people choosing to send me over there.” Will indicated he intends to start with healthcare when the next
Perry Will
session commences. This includes the Colorectal Cancer Bill — which would require carriers to provide coverage for colorectal cancer screenings in accordance with American Cancer Society guidelines — which he supports and said will be good for rural Colorado. He would also like to see telehealth expanded. Will spoke on the subject of an energy transition stating, “Well I think you’d have to have your head buried in the sand if you don’t think we’re moving away from that [nonrenewables], because we are.” At the same time he thinks that natural gas is supplying the bulk energy needs and that can not be changed immediately. “You’re not going to run the grid on renewables,” he stated, “I’m not saying we won’t ever get there — because we will — but at the current time that’s not going to happen.” Will said that many bills from last year were put on the back burner due to COVID-19 and he looks forward to revisiting those again. “For those who didn’t vote for me I hope I’ll do well and next time they’ll choose to vote for me,” he quipped, “Sometimes philosophically maybe we’re quite a ways apart but I’m always there to listen.” As of the morning following Super Tuesday, Will’s opponent Democrat Colin Wilhelm received 36.62% of
voters in his favor. Wilhelm fought a tough campaign in a district that historically votes Republican and it wasn’t his first rodeo. He contested Bob Rankin for the same seat in 2018. If his tenacity holds up perhaps we’ll see him again in 2022.
race, like the national election, was up in the air on Wednesday morning. This may not come as a surprise considering the candidates are relatively moderate on party issues. As of press time, incumbent Republican Bob Rankin was up 228 votes out of a total of 80,146.
Colin Wilhelm Wilhelm was not available for comment for this article but did post a statement on his campaign’s Facebook page which read in part, “Today we move forward,” and went on, “We will continue to push for those issues that we believe need to be addressed and will continue to work to make the Western Slope a thriving community for all.” Colorado Senate District 8’s
Bob Rankin The Sopris Sun caught up with Rankin, who spoke with us on the condition that we preface that the race is too close to call. If he does maintain the lead and crosses the finish line Rankin said he’d, “look forward to helping the citizens of Western Colorado go
toward the future,” by overcoming the setbacks of 2020. He served as the representative of House District 57 for three terms before being appointed to his seat in the senate this last legislative session. Rankin would prioritize reducing the cost of healthcare and economic recovery. He also feels passionately about helping rural schools, “Who are not allocated equitable funding relative to Front Range school districts.” This would mean providing more money to school districts, “But also a more fair distribution to rural schools.” In regard to public lands, Rankin believes that, “As Western Colorado we have a special responsibility to protect our public lands,” he stated, “I do not advocate selling off public lands and would not propose that.” He would like to see increased access to public lands for locals and our neighbors on the Front Range. “I represent people whether or not they vote for me and I would continue to reach out and listen to all of my constituents — that’s my job,” Rankin summed up. Rankin’s opponent, Democrat Karl Hanlon, did not provide a statement when asked to comment.
THE SOPRIS SUN • Carbondale’s weekly community connector • November 5 - November 11, 2020 • 7
ELECTION
Gallagher repeal stabilizes special district funding By Roberta McGowan Sopris Sun Staff Voters hoping to repeal the Gallagher Amendment to the state’s constitution are deep breathing sighs of relief. As of Nov. 4, 85 percent of votes were in with 57.5 percent in favor of repeal. Previously, special districts like Colorado Mountain College (CMC) and Carbondale and Rural Fire Protection District, have seen their revenues slip every several years as the rate of population growth exploded, and the tax burden went up under Gallagher. The 2020 vote tally so far is 1,573,790 for repeal, and 1,164,871 or 42.5 percent against repeal. A 55 percent approval is required for an amendment to pass. A Denver Post article reported Democrats rallied to the cause of repealing Gallagher because they see its attacks on small business – especially first-time business owners in lower income neighborhoods. Republicans backed repeal of the Gallagher Amendment because the convoluted amendment destroys good paying jobs. The controversial constitutional amendment has been under scrutiny for years, as it froze the residential assessment rate for residences at 7.15 percent . However nonresidential property owners have seen their tax bills regularly rise to pick up the slack. As explained by Building a Better Colorado, “The Gallagher Amendment has forced Colorado’s Residential property tax rate to decline by 75 percent since 1982,when it was approved while at the same time
Carbondale Fire's funding level for both fire and ambulance service has been secured with the repeal of the Gallagher Amendment — as well as a backup de-Brucing had the state effort failed. Courtesy photo reducing funding for local public services like K-12 schools and fire districts. It shifts the property tax burden to the point that small businesses and farmers pay four times as much in property tax as residential owners on the same value of property.” CMC Chief Operating Officer Matthew Gianneschi said, although final voter counts were not in, “It appears to be passing.” “This is great for rural districts throughout Colorado,” he said. “We are extremely grateful that people took the time to understand the complex issue.” Gianneschi stressed, “The repeal does not necessarily mean more money for college operations, but it does stabilize our funding.”
In these difficult economic times, he said, the uncertainty for special districts has been growing. And, he continued, programs waiting on the chopping block are much more secure now. Carbondale & Rural Fire Protection District Chief Rob Goodwin said if Gallagher wasn’t repealed, the district would lose approximately $768,000. That equals the amount approved by the previous mill level increase. “It’s been very frustrating for special districts,” he noted. Now he neported, “We can continue moving ahead with our current master plan which calls for increasing wildfland patrols plus having six paid officers on every shift.” Goodwin added, “We will be able to answer two emergency calls at the same time. Although Gallagher repeal will not affect capital improvements, The approved $7.5 million dollar bond issue from 2018 will allow the district to construct a multifunction training site near the Carbondale headquarters campus plus an additional small building. Both Goodwin and Gianneschi stated they were grateful for the continued support from their communities. Gianneschi said he was “humbled” by the community’s commitment to the college. The repeal would remove the expected $6 million anticipated shortfall. “We now can tell students that operations will continue as they are,” he emphasized.
Other ballot items Results as of press time Amendments require a 55 percent approval
Amendment C (allowing Bingo / raffles) No: 1,321,325 Yes: 1,415,356
Proposition 115 (abortion limits) No: 1,676,245 Yes: 1,161,625
Amendment 76 (citizenship to vote) Yes: 1,781,029 No: 1,061,679
Proposition 116 (income tax reduction) Yes: 1,616,729 No: 1,219,964
Amendment 77 (gaming restrictions) Yes: 1,651,940 No: 1,111,960
Proposition 117 (state enterprise oversight) Yes: 1,414,954 No: 1,291,682
Proposition EE (nicotine tax increase) Yes: 1,938,525 No: 908,805
Proposition 118 (paid leave) Yes: 1,607,082 No: 1,210,461
Proposition 113 (popular vote compact) Yes: 1,485,429 No: 1,349,983
7A (Colorado River District funding increase) Yes: 163,384 No: 61,689
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Wolves winning by a whisker By Ken Pletcher Sopris Sun Correspondent
Proposition 114, the ballot initiative mandating the reintroduction of gray wolves into Western Colorado by the end of 2023, appears to have been approved by voters by the slimmest of margins in the Nov. 3 election. The overall unofficial tally, as of press time, gave those for the proposal less than a half percent lead (some 10,000 votes) over those against it out of some 2.8 million votes cast statewide for the measure. The narrowness of the result reflected the contentiousness of the issue, which pitted ecologists, environmentalists and wildlife biologists against farmers, ranchers and hunters. Proponents of wolf reintroduction have stressed the importance of having a top predator to re-create and maintain a balanced ecosystem in Colorado and point to the success of wolf reintroduction in Yellowstone National Park and the Northern Rockies. Opponents have voiced their concern about potential livestock losses for ranchers, their belief that wolves will negatively impact deer and elk populations already stressed by population increases in Colorado and their concern about possible wolfhuman interactions. Statewide, the results were fairly predictable, with strong support for
the measure in the heavily populated areas along the Front Range and in the I-70 skiing towns, and comparable opposition in the rural parts of the state, both in and east of the mountains. Locally, about three-fifths of voters in Pitkin County supported the measure, while in Garfield County the vote was almost two to one against it. Eagle County voters also opposed the measure, but by a smaller margin. Marj Perry, a longtime rancher in the Carbondale area and a staunch opponent of Prop 114, alluded to “unintended consequences” that might accompany reintroducing wolves, such as “small ranches going out of business.” She added that, since we’re “elevation dependent” here, “everything has to come low for the winter … and the wolves will come down here [to follow the deer and elk] when the snow comes. Then you have a lot more interaction with people.” When asked if she thought there would be chances for wolf-human interactions in the heavily populated areas on the valley floor of the Highway 82 corridor — given that there are fewer elk here now— Perry still thought it was likely. “Wolves will follow the prey,” she said. “We’ll all be here together,” meaning people, elk and deer and wolves. She added, “It seems to me that there needed to be a lot more research before we put wolves on the landscape.”
Delia Malone, one of the strongest proponents of Prop 114, is the volunteer wildlife chair of the Colorado Sierra Club and has been involved in education and outreach on the issue of wolves in the state. She is also an ecologist who has conducted surveys across Colorado and has witnessed firsthand environmental degradation in the state and how much wolves would help restore ecological balance. “I know Colorado needs wolves, and wolves need Colorado,” adding, “Basically, Colorado would become a refuge, Colorado would become a sanctuary for wolves if we can just get them here.” When asked to respond to Perry’s belief that wolves will follow prey (i.e., elk and deer) into lower areas with higher population density, Malone first pointed out that the population density in the area of western Colorado proposed for wolf reintroduction was slightly less than that for what she dubbed “wolf country,” the three states in the Northern Rockies already with a significant wolf population. She also pointed out that wolves “are very shy and retiring; they’re afraid of people. We’ve wiped them out, and they have learned that.” Malone noted that, “Yes, [wolves] will follow elk down into the farmers’ hay meadows,” but she noted that one of the problems ranchers have had in the Northern Rockies is that when elk
ELECTION
Regardless of the vote, some wolves have already entered the state. Courtesy photo come down from high country they eat the grass in their hayfields. “When wolves follow the elk into those hay meadows, the elk leave [them].” She noted that, “Colorado spends upwards of a couple of hundred thousand dollars compensating ranchers every year for damage to
their hay meadows from elk.” Regardless of the outcome of the vote on Prop 114, both sides of the issue agree that wolves appear to be entering the state, meaning that sometime in the near future they will most likely become established here.
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THE SOPRIS SUN • Carbondale’s weekly community connector • November 5 - November 11, 2020 • 9
Waiting for the storm that ends fire season Burned Area Emergency Response
By Olivia Emmer Sopris Sun Correspondent On Thursday, Oct. 22, the Grizzly Creek Fire grew 150 acres. The total burn area is now recorded at 32,641 acres and 91% contained. According to Marcia Gilles, Deputy District Ranger for the Eagle-Holy Cross Ranger District of the White River National Forest, “We were able to use some aerial resources: helicopters, and retardant drops, and things like that to slow growth. And we were just hopeful and waiting for this storm that was anticipated over last weekend to come in and help knock it back. Thank goodness, that's exactly what happened. We received roughly a foot of snow on the fire, especially in the Flat Tops area.” But despite last week’s storm, Gilles confirmed that the Grizzly Creek fire is not yet out. Due to the hot and dry weather over the past several days, much of that storm’s snow has melted, and more precipitation is needed to officially end the 2020 fire season in Colorado. Aerial infrared mapping done on Oct. 28 detected, “heat signatures on top between Grizzly Creek and No Name, as well as in Grizzly Creek proper, mostly on the west side of the drainage, as well as down near the bottom. The remainder of the fire appeared cold… I expect most of the area will be bare ground by early- to mid-next week, with spread potential remaining low through that period.” The incident team got lucky last week. Despite now being classified as a middle-priority
Grizzly Creek BAER
« 0
Grizzly Creek No Name Creek
Soil Burn Severity Imagery Date: 8/27/2020
New Castle Chacra
White River National Forest September 10, 2020 0.5
1
2
3
Dotsero Gypsum
Glenwood Springs
4 Miles
Cattle Creek
Soil Burn Severity
Grizzly Creek
Mulford El Jebel Carbondale Catherine Basalt
High soil burn severity:
All or nearly all of the pre-fire ground cover and surface organic matter (litter, duff, and Rifle Ranger fine roots) is generally consumed, and District charring may be visible on larger roots. Soil is often gray, orange, or reddish at the ground surface where large fuels were concentrated and consumed.
Dotsero Soil Burn Severity Imagery Date 8/17/2020
Federal Highway Administration, US Department of Transportation,
Fire Perimeter on 09/05/2020
No Name Creek Moderate soil burn severity:
Eagle Ranger District
Up to 80 percent of the pre-fire ground cover (litter and ground fuels) may be consumed but generally not all of it. There may be potential for recruitment of effective ground cover from scorched needles or leaves remaining in the canopy that will soon fall to the ground. Soil structure is generally unchanged.
Municipal Water Supply Intake
Low soil burn severity:
_ ^
The ground surface, including any exposed mineral soil, may appear (lightly charred), and the canopy and understory vegetation will likely appear “green.”
Very Low or Unburned:
Little to no burn expected within these areas. Canopy and ground litter completely intact. Little to no vegetative mortality expected. For additional information including photo examples of soil burn severity see the Field Guide for Mapping PostFire Soil Burn Severity at http://www.fs.fed.us/rm/pubs/rmrs_gtr243.pdf Municipal
Water Supply Intake
_ ^
Sopris Ranger District
Glenwood Springs
_ ^
Fire Perimeter 09/05/2020
Perennial
5 - HIGH DEGREE OF USER COMFORT
Intermittent
4 - MODERATE DEGREE OF USER COMFORT
Ephemeral
3 - SUITABLE FOR PASSENGER CARS
ArtificialPath
2 - HIGH CLEARANCE VEHICLES
CanalDitch
Municipal Water Supply Intake
Connector Pipeline
Soil Burn Severity Mapping – This soil burn severity mapping was completed with limited field verification due to COVID-19 concerns. Standard Disclaimer This product is reproduced from information prepared by the USDA, Forest Service or from other suppliers. The Forest Service cannot assure the reliability or suitability of this information for a particular purpose. The data and product accuracy may vary due to compilation from various sources, including modeling and interpretation, and may not meet National Map Accuracy Standards. Airbus,USGS,NGA,NASA,CGIAR,NCEAS,NLS,OS,NMA,Geodatastyrelsen,GSA,GSI and the GIS Community, USGScontact: The National Map:River National Boundaries Dataset, 3DEP Elevation Program, Geographic Names Information This information may be updated, corrected or otherwise modified without notification. ForUser more information White National Forest Supervisors Office at (970)-945-2521. System, National Hydrography Dataset, National Land Cover Database, National Structures Dataset, and National Transportation Dataset; USGS Global Ecosystems; U.S. Census Bureau TIGER/Line data; USFS Road Data; Natural The USDA is anData; equal opportunity and employer. Earth U.S. Department provider of State Humanitarian Information Unit; and NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, U.S. Coastal Relief Model. Data refreshed May, 2020.
Grizzly Creek soil burn severity from low (green) to severe (red). Courtesy graphic fire, Grizzly Creek got speedy access to air support on Friday, because of an inversion on the front range that prevented flights fighting the Cal-wood and East Troublesome fires for part of that day. While crews are still monitoring the Grizzly Creek fire, the recovery phase has already begun. In September, a Burn Area Emergency Response (BAER) team released a soil burn severity map, which helps agencies determine the risk of post-fire debris flows. Said BAER Team Leader David Callery in a press release, “The BAER team expects erosion and run-off within much of the Grizzly Creek burned area to increase,
especially where soils burned more severely, generally indicated on the map as areas of moderate or high soil burn severity.” Grizzly Creek fire is reported to have had 12 percent of the burn area burned severely, and 43 percent of the burn area burned moderately. Various agencies are already planning for public safety. Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) is expecting an estimated $2.5 million in rockfall fence repair and new rockfall fence construction on the I-70 corridor through Glenwood Canyon, to respond to increased soil instability from the fire. Additionally, according to Elise Thatcher,
NW Colorado Communications Manager for CDOT, “If there is moderate, heavy or extreme rain in Glenwood Canyon over the Grizzly Creek burn scar, it is very likely there will be a debris flow, mudslides or rockfall... If there is a Flash Flood Warning for the Grizzly Creek burn scar, CDOT will close I-70 in Glenwood Canyon from Exit 116 (Glenwood Springs) to 133 (Dotsero). All traffic will be affected and CDOT will immediately evacuate travelers from the canyon.” The cost to fight and recover from fire is significant. To-date, fighting the Grizzly Creek fire has cost approximately $37 million. The BAER response, actions such as installation of erosion and water run-off control structures, temporary barriers to protect recovering areas, and installation of warning signs, is currently estimated at about $245,000. Initial CDOT roadway repairs to I-70, not including rockfall mitigation, are estimated at $1.4 million. These costs do not take into account other recovery that may occur under the management of the City of Glenwood, power companies, the Union Pacific Railroad, the Bureau of Land Management, or private landowners. The multi-year restoration of burn areas will also take resources, and the National Forest Foundation has created the White River National Forest Restoration Fund to raise money for these efforts. In the meantime, Gilles says there’s a lot of work to be done to make sure trails are safe for the public. While trail rehabilitation and signage has already begun, she says the earliest any of the Glenwood Canyon trails would reopen is in June 2021, after run off.
Carbondale & Rural Fire Protection District
Distrito de Protección de Incendios de Carbondale y Rural
Proposed 2021 Budget
La Propuesta del Presupuesto 2021
The Board of Directors of the Carbondale & Rural Fire Protection District will be discussing the proposed 2021 budget at their regular monthly meeting Wednesday, November 11, 2020 • 11:00 a.m. Carbondale Fire Station 301 Meadowood Drive, Carbondale
La Junta Directiva del Distrito de Protección de Incendios de Carbondale y Rural estarán hablando sobre la propuesta del presupuesto 2021 en su junta mensual. Miércoles 11 de noviembre 2020 • 11:00 a.m. Estación de Bomberos en Carbondale 301 Meadowood Drive, Carbondale
10 • THE SOPRIS SUN • soprissun.com • November 5 - November 11, 2020
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November 2-6 ! Ee E FJoiR 6th n th 1 Annual tion! Celebra
Altar Exhibition at The Launchpad | November 2 - 6 Join Carbondale Arts, Valley Settlement Project and Thunder River Theatre Company for a celebration honoring our ancestors and those we have lost. A community ofrenda, or altar, will be created on Monday, November 2nd. Community members are invited to add their own memorials throughout the week. The ofrenda will be located on the porch of The Launchpad. More at carbondalearts.com
Virtual First Friday | November 6 Thunder River Theatre Company will broadcast a virtual First Friday on their YouTube livestream channel, ThunderStream, as well as Facebook Live from 6-7 pm. Join hosts Amy Kimberly, Corey Simpson, Samuel and Iliyana Bernal as they highlight traditions and customs of the holiday along with a quick tutorial on the iconic calavera face painting. More info at carbondalearts.com
El 2 a 6 de noviembre Únase a Carbondale Arts, Valley Settlement y el Teatro Thunder River para una celebración, en honor a nuestros antepasados y los que hemos perdido. Se creará una ofrenda comunitaria el lunes 2 de noviembre. Se invita a los miembros de la comunidad a agregar sus propias ofrendas conmemorativas durante la semana. La ofrenda estará ubicada frente a Launchpad. Un "Primer Viernes" (First Friday) virtual, del 6 al 7 en Thunderstream de YouTube y Facebook contará con las tradiciones del Día de Muertos, junto con una lección sobre cómo crear pinturas faciales. Únase a Amy Kimberly, Corey Simpson, Samuel y Iliyana Bernal. Más información en carbondalearts.com
THE SOPRIS SUN • Carbondale’s weekly community connector • November 5 - November 11, 2020 • 11
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12 • THE SOPRIS SUN • soprissun.com • November 5 - November 11, 2020
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80 mile corridor • 14 towns • 90,000 people With the COVID-19 crisis, ACF is leading community response efforts to help individuals and families impacted by the pandemic. This includes working with government, nonprofits, and schools to coordinate assistance and outreach, engaging donors to support needs, and disbursing funding to nonprofit organizations providing critical services.
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Water from page 3
who is responsible for Somerset's water quality,” and said after reviewing the 1962 contract, “Anybody who bought the mine has to follow the terms of that agreement, especially ‘to provide domestic potable water.” Bill Sterns, also a district board member insisted, “For us to survive we have to get water rights, which are presently owned by Oxbow.” But, all agreed, the goal was to reach a permanent agreement with the mine while keeping residents and dissenters on the same page Somerset falls under the Ragged Mountain Fire District’s umbrella. That district’s President Terry Commander urged, “I believe it is a time to come together and look at the bigger picture of what Somerset really is and should be known for. I am a believer in “Greater Somerset” and look forward to a strong future.” In a recent interview with Oxbow President Mike Ludlow, he would only state, “We are working with the board.” He responded “no comment” to all other questions. Financial concerns are a major stumbling block, Mklavar said. “We will need loans and grants to fund any of the options” in addition to grants previously received from the Colorado Department of Local Affairs (DOLA) and loans from Gunnison County. The present board took over in May 2020, after half the previous board was forced to resign and the
With its modest homes and narrow streets, Somerset remains as a respite from the hustle and bustle of larger towns and cities. Photo by Roberta McGowan other half was voted out, reportedly because of financial concerns. The state set up two important reporting dates for the district. First, November 8 requires an update on the current water quality yearlong test. The December 8 deadline mandates Somerset file its final remediation plan. In addition, Somerset’s Colorado State Representative Julie Christie (D-61), when recently informed by the Sun of the situation, decided to become involved and is looking forward to meeting with the district. Oxbow is currently owned by billionaire Bill Koch, who also controls Gunnison Energy, now involved in the situation as part of his global energy organization. Koch is also known for building a replica Old Western Town to be visited only by him and his guests. Many will recall Koch’s brothers were major donors to conservative political causes.
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Thanksgiving: Nov. 20 for Nov. 28 issue Holiday: Dec. 18, for Dec. 24 issue Year in Review: Dec. 18 for Dec. 31issue
In 2012, after Koch’s futile attempt to have the public dirt road through two ranches he owns (used significantly by local townspeople for hunting and other outdoor activities) be changed to private, he closed the mine. Some in town consider the move an act of retaliation. High Country News reported In 2016, “The Oxbow mine coal silo in Somerset, Colorado was demolished this morning. It is part of the reclamation effort of the coal mine now that it is out of business.”
How it all started….. In 1962, the initial agreement between Somerset and the ColumbiaGeneva Steel Division, United States Steel Corporation - the then owner and operator of the Somerset minewas signed. The document called on Columbia, in case it terminates operations, “to give the settling pond,
pumps, filters, chlorinating systems, tanks and pipelines to the district at no charge.” In addition, Columbia agrees that “The district shall have the right at any time to test and inspect such meters and instruments.” The present Water Board felt these items and others have not been fully followed by the mine. In 1985, Columbia sold the mine to Kaiser Coal Company. Then Pacific Basin operated the plant until the mid 1990s. Oxbow bought the complex and still maintains ownership. Oxbow Executive Vice President Mike Ludlow, who also sits on the Colorado Mining Association (CMA) board of directors, would not comment on the 1962 contract, the water quality or other questions about Somerset but did say, “We’re working with the Somerset Water District.” Somerset homes sell for $31,000 to $100,000 making the community an affordable place to live. Many in the town are afraid if water and other costs go up, people will have to sell their homes and the village will turn into a Redstone, as property values and prices will skyrocket.” But one continuing problem in Somerset is its narrow roads which cause difficulties with parking and emergency responses. When the mine was first built, the company just told the miners that all of them could build a home anywhere in town, so more and more residences were constructed on tiny lots.
Help our Valley’s native birds survive the winter. R.J. Paddywacks hosts the 8th Annual Benefit Seed Sale in support of the
Starting Saturday, November 7th, 20% of all proceeds from wild bird sales will be donated directly to the Roaring Fork Audubon.
LETTERS from page 2 once had to cross his mind. Regardless of what Trump's propaganda machine is spewing, the facts don't lie. Go to worldometers. com. For each of the past 3 days more than 1,000 Americans have died of COVID-19. We continue to be the country in the world where the most people are dying from COVID-19. This is intolerable. What has happened to our country? We have lost more than 234,000 Americans. By comparison, 10,000 Canadians have died, 1,700 Japanese, 907 people in Australia, and 25 in New Zealand. Even in China where the virus originated, only 4,600 have died. Unlike in the US, leaders of these countries enacted a cohesive, aggressive response to the pandemic. Not only did Trump repeatedly lie to the American people and horribly mismanage the pandemic response, his politicization of this health issue has pitted us against each other. Now, more than ever, we need to follow the health guidelines of our communities. Annette Roberts-Gray Carbondale
Cool Brick Studios
world-class multimedia studio
photography • film • video 360° virtual tours
Friday by 5p.m.
Monday at 5p.m.
Friday by 5p.m.
A 20% Cancellation Fee will be charged after the deadline.
Audio and visual excellence all under one roof ! MON-FRI 9:00 am – 6:30 pm SAT-SUN 10:00 am-5:00 pm
970-963-1700 Located next to City Market, El Jebel
CoolBrickStudios.com
86 S 3rd St. Carbondale, Colorado
THE SOPRIS SUN • Carbondale’s weekly community connector • November 5 - November 11, 2020 • 13
Across 3.____ gambelli, or scrub oak as it is known locally. 6. Popular waterway that runs through Golden (2 words). 11. Tallest cliff in Colorado (2 words). 14. Naturally magnetized piece of magnetite. 15. Incorporated in 1888, this town is situated under majestic Mount Sopris. 18. Rapid flooding caused by a sudden thunderstorm (2 words). 21. Range near Marble. 23. Spanish term for a man who takes care of cattle. 24. Rock anchor for climbing. 25. Fire-formed. For example, Mount Sopris. 26. Handy for riding through heavy brush. 28. ______ granite, the basement rock of Glenwood Canyon (2 words). 30. Butcher shop in Carbondale. 31. A small volcano is located near this community at the east end of Glenwood Canyon. 32. Town named after the peony flower
By Chromostome
Your Big Backyard VIII
Down 1. Site of the famous Box Canyon. 2. Storage place for potatoes. 4. Single out a steer from a herd. 5. Building material on the Nebraska plains. 7. Cowboy event. 8. Pitch on the surface of pinyon bark is a kind of ______. When it has crystallized, it can be chewed as gum. 9. German for 'children'. 10. Metamorphosed limestone. 12. Neon and krypton are examples of ____ gases. 13. Common site pulling into the D&RGW station in Glenwood in the olden days (2 words). 16. Anno domini. 17. Man ___. Popular hairstyle for men. 19. Holds a rider's foot. 20. Glenwood, Pagosa, and Ouray are sites of popular geothermal ____. 22. Tranquil lodge in Ouray with its own hot spring. 26. Product of Olathe. 27. Wintertime conveyance. 29. French, relating to the birth of Christ.
ANSWERS: 1. OURAY; 2. CELLAR; 3. QUERCUS; 4. CUT; 5. SOD; 6. CLEARCREEK; 7. RODEO 8. RESIDUE; 9. KINDER; 10. MARBLE; 11. PAINTEDWALL; 12. NOBLE; 13. LOCOMOTOVIES; 14. LODESTONE; 15. CARBONDALE; 16. AD; 17. BUN; 18. FLASHFLOOD; 19. STIPRRUP; 20. SPAS; 21. ELK; 22. WIESBADEN; 23. VAQUERO; 24. PITON; 25. IGNEOUS; 26. CORN; 27. SLED; 28. PRECAMBRIAN; 29. NOEL; 30. CARNICERIA; 31. DOTSERO; 32. PAONIA •
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PITK
SAVE THE THE DATE! SAVE DATE!
D
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AR FIEL
SENIOR
AFTER-HOURS MEDICAL CARE ASPEN VALLEY HOSPITAL
LAW DAY
ALPINE LEGAL SERVICES • AREA AGENCIES ON AGING
LIVE EVENT
Virtual EVEnt
VIDEO REPLAY EVENT
Friday, November 13
Friday, Tuesday, watch online at alpinelegalservices.org October 25 October 29 This year’s Roaring Fork Senior Law Day will be a virtual experience! You will have the option to watch and re-watch a host of presentations on various topics at your leisure. Basalt Middle School Rifle CMC Auditorium
pmbe open for viewing starting Friday, – 4 pm 9 am – 4will 9 am Presentations November 13th. In addition to the presentations, you will also have the opportunity to sign up for and schedule 1:1 legal consultations with attorneys. Complimentary Lunch Served (RSVP Required) Presentations will be available for viewing at alpinelegalservices.org. Stay tuned for more information!
FREE copy of the 2019 Colorado Senior Law Handbook Topics for all attendees —Covered: while supplies last
When you have unexpected medical needs, After-Hours Medical Care is here for you. We are staffed with doctors and nurses to answer your medical questions and treat minor injuries and illnesses, including: sprains, simple fractures, lacerations, UTIs ...and more. If you have respiratory symptoms, fever, sore throat, or flu/COVID-19-like symptoms, we can arrange a telemedicine consult for you by calling 970.544.1250.
• Wills & Trusts • Guardian & Conservatorship • End of life decision making • Scams targeting older adults • Estate planning • Local resources for older adults in Probate · Powers of Attorneys · Living Wills Fork · Estates • Alzheimer’s and dementia the Roaring Valley · Trusts
970.544.1250
234 Cody Lane, Basalt Monday - Friday 3:00 – 11:00 pm
Guardianships · Conservatorships · Common Scams · Fraud Brought to you by: One-On-One Consultations · Planning for Long Term Care · & More!
REGISTER NOW AT:
11, 2020 14 • THE SOPRIS SUN • soprissun.com • November 5 - November RoaringForkSeniorLawDay2019.eventbrite.com • 970-945-8858
Saturday & Sunday 8:00 am – 5:00 pm aspenhospital.org |
AspenValleyHospital
PARTING SHOTS
The holidays may be different, but folks are still finding ways to celebrate. Village Smithy Manager Alejandra Aliaga brought her daughter Claudia's CRMS preschool class to delight and scare the diners on Oct. 30 (top left, photo by Jackson Burcham). Carbondale Fire decorated an engine and drove around town playing spooky songs on Halloween itself (bottom left, photo by Will Grandbois) and Marisol Palomo and Sarai Ramirez helped Carbondale Arts set up a Dia de los Muertos ofrenda for public contributions through Friday (above, photo by Will Grandbois).
SERVICE DIRECTORY Carbondale Acupuncture Center Serving the valley since 1997 Acupuncture Massage Therapy Herbal Medicine
Service Directory Ads $100 per month for 4 SMALL $200 per month for 4 LARGE
Gift certificates available!
We Sell Tires!
CARBONDALE ANIMAL HOSPITAL
Come to Sunburst for your Winter tire changeover!
New location! 289 Main Street, Carbondale on the corner of Third and Main Street
Dr. Benjamin Mackin Monday-Friday 8 a.m.-5:30 p.m.
Thinking about selling your home? Contact me today for a free market analysis! Ingrid Wussow 970.404.5105
Contact Todd Chamberlin adsales@soprissun.com 970-510-0246
You’re not alone if you’re feeling life’s challenges are overwhelming right now. In-person and tele-health (Zoom) appointments available to treat Anxiety, Depression, and Trauma.
Ericka Anderson, MA LPC
cbmasonmorse.com
Call Matt Roeser for a free estimate today! 970-317-7549
GreenWallsPainting.com
See Thundercat at
Find us on Facebook
Serving the Valley since 2005 Interior/Exterior, new construction, remodels, repaints, and more.
GreenWalls is an environmentally friendly company. We use only non-toxic (low and no voc) paints and finishes.
Downtown by Sopris Park | 704-1310
(970) 963-2826
GreenWalls Painting
208 Midland Avenue, Basalt | (970) 309-7549 erickaanderson812@gmail.com | thehealinggrove.com
We are open Monday through Saturday from 8am-5pm and Sunday’s 9am-4pm (car washes only).
WINDSHIE
970-963-8800 745 Buggy Circle in Carbondale w w w. s u n b u r s t c a r c a r e . c o m REPAIR
AUTO GLA REPLACEM WINDSHIELD
REPAIR & AUTO GLASS REPLACEMENTMo
970-963-3891 970-963-3891
Mobile Service Available
bil Servic Availab
Locally Owned by David Zamansky
Locally owned bybyJake Zamansky Locally Owned David Zamansky
500 Buggy Circle, Carbondale, C 500 Buggy Circle, Carbondale, CO
THE SOPRIS SUN • Carbondale’s weekly community connector • November 5 - November 11, 2020 • 15
Celebrating 20 Years! Join us on
To keep our customers and employees safer this winter, DOS is adding heated enclosed outdoor seating and indoor air purification.
Wednesday 11/11! Enter to win over 100 prizes throughout the month of November!
Many thank s to our s te llar s taf f ! EMILY BAKER
JAMES AURELIO
JENNIFER DEGGES
RICKY CAMACHO
ISIDRA MORALES-JIMENEZ
DEATRA JONES-DIXON
KATE OLDHAM
BERIT BRADDY
JASPER GERMAIN
KATHY FUNES
CALEB COFSKY
LUPE HERNANDEZ-ARELLANEZ
RYAN ARMSTRONG
BEN OLDHAM
We would also like to invite any of our 168 former employees to stop by, say hi and enjoy a free coffee drink on Wednesday, 11/11. http://www.dosgringosburritos.com/ our-employees-throughout-the-years
DOS is so grateful to our loyal customers and their steadfast support for all these years. We will continue to be here to serve you dine-in, take-out or curb-side. Order in-person, by phone or online. We will continue to support the causes and organizations that help our community thrive. One year ago we launched our 1111 Non-Profit in the Spotlight Campaign - here are the amazing organizations that were highlighted over the past year. Addy’s Oasis
COVID-19 Emergency Response / Town of Carbondale
Roaring Fork Mountain Bike Association
Advocate Safehouse
Davi Nikent Center for Human Flourishing
Ascendigo Autism Services
Eco Flight
Roaring Fork Outdoor Volunteers
Aspen Community Foundation Aspen Hope Center
Glenwood Springs Citizens Alliance “Don’t Mine Glenwood”
Aspen Valley Ski & Snowboard Club
Grizzly Creek Fire: Free Coffee for All Local and
Bridging Bionics Foundation
US Wildland Firefighters
Buddy Program
Habitat for Humanity / ReStore
Carbondale & Rural Fire Protection District
Junior Achievement of the Roaring Fork Valley
Carbondale Arts
KDNK
Carbondale Clay Center
Lift-Up
Carbondale Homeless Assistance w/ the Faith
Mt. Sopris Nordic Council / Spring Gulch Trail System
Lutheran Church
Patrick’s Place / Stepping Stones
CLEER (Clean Energy Economy for the Region)
Pauline S. Schneegas Wildlife Foundation
Colorado Animal Rescue (C.A.R.E.)
RESPONSE
Colorado Wild Public Lands / NEPA
Return to Dirt
Windwalkers
CORE (Community Office for Resource Efficiency)
Rifle Animal Shelter
YouthZone
Roaring Fork Rampage Seedpeace.org / Wild Mountain Seeds Smiling Goat Ranch, Equine Therapy Stepping Stones Sustainable Settings TACAW - The Arts Campus at Willits The Sopris Sun Thunder River Theatre Valley Land Trust Valley Life For All (Featuring Ella Munk) Valley Settlement Voices Way of Compassion Bike Project
Our Menu!
Open 7 days a week: 7 am – 7 pm | 588 Highway 133, Carbondale |
970-704-0788 | www.dosgringosburritos.com