A proposed plan to build a new fire station to house the Gunnison Volunteer Fire Department took a step forward on Tuesday. Gunnison County Commissioners signaled support for the project during a work session with Gunnison City Manager Amanda Wilson and Fire Chief Hugo Ferchau.
Fire station A6
OPINION: Biondini says farewell to the Times, A4
COMMUNITY: New local podcast focuses on motherhood, B1
SPORTS: U14 baseball takes down Montrose, B4
A2 OPINION A4 CLASSIFIEDS A14-A17 SPORTS B4
Starman named Gunnison High School football head coach
Former Mountaineer to start summer practice this week
Alex McCrindle Times Sports Editor
Gunnison High School has appointed Chase Starman to take over as the head football coach following the departure of Paul Vickers last fall. Starman is a former Western Colorado University wide receiver, and currently teaches elementary PE at the Gunnison Community School.
Starman A6
BUSTIN’ SOME MUTTON: Lily Long shows her fierce competetiveness at the Cattlemen’s Days mutton busting event last week at the Gunnison County Fairgrounds. (Photo by Evan Bjornstad)
Chase Starman leads the football team at practice on July 8. (Photo by Evan Bjornstad)
“I’d like to create a culture, and get guys that can control their effort, that can control their attitude, and let’s take some pride in what cowboy football can be.”
— Chase Starman, GHS footbal head coach
See story on A1
Public input sought on GMUG projects
The U.S. Forest Service is accepting public comment throughout the month of July on two major forest management projects: the Spruce Beetle Epidemic and Aspen Decline Management Response (SBEADMR) and the Taylor Park Vegetation Management Environmental Assessment.
Both projects are aimed at improving forest health through a mix of commercial and noncommercial vegetation treatments in the Gunnison, Paonia, Ouray, Grand Valley and Norwood Ranger Districts of the Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forest.
To comment or request more information, email SBEADMR. TaylorPark.ProjectInput@usda. gov. The comment period is open through July 31.
Valley organizations awarded opioid settlement funds
The Southwest Colorado Opioid Regional Council has awarded nearly $500,000 to four organizations serving Gunnison and Hinsdale counties.
Crested Butte State of Mind received $40,000 for its therapy scholarship program. Gunnison Sanctuary Housing was awarded $140,000 to assist in providing a sober home in Gunnison for women in recovery, including women with children.
The Gunnison Valley Mentors Rite of Passage Project received $100,000, and $215,600 went to the Western Colorado University Harm Reduction Workforce Development program.
Colorado's opioid settlement funding stems from legal settlements with pharmaceutical companies and distributors, such as Johnson & Johnson, Purdue Pharma and major drug distributors, for their role in the opioid epidemic. These funds, totaling nearly $870 million as of 2025, are distributed over several years to address the crisis through prevention, treatment, recovery and harm reduction.
Patrick John Wren
It is with great sadness that we announce the loss of Patrick John Wren, who passed away on July 9, 2025, after valiantly fighting a brain abscess and thyroid cancer for many months.
Born on Nov. 13, 1946 in Thermopolis, Wyoming, Patrick was the son of Maurice Cofer Wren and Francis Flora Corson Wren. After graduating from Gunnison High School in 1964, he earned dual degrees in English and psychology/ sociology at Western State College in 1968. Upon graduation from Western, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served in Vietnam. Following an honorable discharge from the Navy, he returned to Gunnison, Colorado, where he began his career in teaching in 1974. Patrick spent the early years of
his career teaching and coaching boys’ basketball at Ruland Junior High School. He later taught at Gunnison High School, where he also served as assistant principal and girls’ JV basketball coach. His love of teaching was evident in the students’ lives he touched.
In 1962, he met Dorothy Pasqua at Gunnison High School. They were married in the summer of 1967 and went on to have two children, Jill Wren and Abigail Wren.
After 27 years of teaching in the Gunnison school district, Patrick retired in 2001. At this point, he was able to spend more time enjoying his passion: the great outdoors. Consistent with his love of the outdoors, Patrick also spent his summers and early retirement years hanging with the guys doing “Mosquito Control.” On any given free day, he was happiest going for a drive in the hills and riding his ATV.
Patrick’s ability to connect with his community was one of his greatest gifts. From the teller at the bank to the nurse at the clinic to the many students that he taught over the years, Patrick enriched the lives of those he encountered. He always took time to listen to a story or share
Xeriscaped beauty
The Top O’ The World Garden Club has selected Steve and Tammy Shelafo of 411 North Wisconsin for the Yard of the Week award. “Steve and I had a vision to semi xeriscape our front yard. This was due to the grass not being able to grow because of the large spruce tree and the waste of water. With the guidance from Sol Food Gardens and Tomichi Trees, our vision became reality. We decided to get rid of the grass that was not thriving by laying cardboard down and spreading mulch. We used the existing rocks that boarded the lawn to make a flower garden in the center. The flowers from local nurseries consist of bleeding hearts, columbines, catmint and Russian sage. Surrounding flowers are from wildflower seeds that were tossed with the hope of them thriving, which we take great pleasure in watching flourish. We collected driftwood from the area for an accent.”
a laugh or two. His smile brightened the lives of those around him.
Patrick was a proud member of the Gunnison Elks Lodge, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the Disabled American Veterans and the American Legion.
Patrick was predeceased by his mother and father, Francis and Maurice Wren, and his sister, Charlene Lynn Wren. He is survived by his daughters, Jill Wren and Abigail Wren (Chad Thralls), his grandson Parker Thralls, his nieces Valerie Horney and Karen Pearce (Mark Pearce), and his great nieces Kelsey Pearce (Haley Pittman), Lauren Pearce (Charles Benoit) and Hannah Pearce.
Services will be held on Wednesday, July 16 at 2 p.m. at the Fred Field Center in Gunnison. Graveside service and celebration of life will follow. In lieu of flowers, Patrick requested that donations be made to the Disabled American Veterans. Donations may be made online at help.dav.org or mailed to Disabled American Veterans, 860 Dolwick Drive, Erlanger, KY 41018.
On June 26 at
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Brooke Sophia Greene
Brooke Sophia Greene was born to parents Jena and Jack Greene of Gunnison. She has a big sister, Taylor.
(Courtesy Steve and Tammy Shelafo)
Gunnison County under Stage 1 fire restrictions
Decision comes after two human-caused wildfires
Alex McCrindle Times Sports Editor
Gunnison County Sheriff
Adam Murdie implemented Stage 1 fire restrictions on Thursday, July 3.
The decision was made in coordination with the Bureau of Land Management and the U.S. Forest Service. The restrictions ban fireworks and campfires outside of established campgrounds within designated fire rings, among other limitations.
“We all go together into fire restrictions stages, so when Forest Service and BLM go, we follow as a county,” Murdie said.
The Stage 1 restrictions are in response to worsening drought conditions, firefighter availability and fuel dryness. Murdie said he also took into account two, human-caused wildfires in Gunnison County this summer. The first occurred in June northwest of Taylor Reservoir. The fire burned roughly five acres before its containment. On July 1, a brushfire ignited east of Crawford Reservoir and was contained by July 2.
Under Stage 1 restrictions, the following are prohibited, according to the Gunnison County website:
• Campfires outside of permanently constructed fire rings.
• All personal fireworks use.
• Smoking, except within an enclosed vehicle or building, a developed recreation site, or while stopped in an area of at least three feet of barren or cleared of all combustible material.
• Explosive targets.
• Welding or operating acetylene torches with open flame, except in cleared areas of at least 10 feet in diameter and when the operator is in possession of a chemical-pressurized
fire extinguisher with a minimum rating of 2A.
• Operating or using any internal or external combustion engine without a sparkarresting device that is in effective working order and has been properly installed and maintained.
• Agricultural burning.
The following activities are still allowed:
• Permanent/established fire devices - fire within permanently constructed fire devices on private property or in developed recreational sites such as campgrounds or picnic areas. Flame length cannot exceed two feet in height.
• Temporary/portable fire devices: fires in portable chimneys, fire pits, and tiki torches are permitted only on private property.
• Stoves, lanterns, cooking, and heating devices: fires may be fueled by liquid, jellied petroleum or gas, and they must be contained within the devices.
• Chainsaws: chainsaws are allowed only if the device includes a USDA forest service or SAE approved spark arrester, and where the operator is in possession of a chemical-pressurized fire extinguisher with a minimum rating of 2A.
Each week, the Gunnison County Sheriff’s Office meets with regional and local agencies to discuss current conditions in the valley. A Tuesday call includes members from the BLM, Forest Service, local fire departments and sheriffs from Colorado’s Seventh Judicial District, including Gunnison, Delta, Hinsdale, Ouray and San Miguel counties. On Wednesday, a local meeting typically outlines the staffing and availability of wildland firefighter crews, should a wildfire occur.
“[Fire restrictions] can be really effective, because it prevents people from doing stupid stuff,” Murdie said. “If we don't have human-caused fires in the county, all we have to deal with are natural-caused ones.”
According to the U.S. Drought Monitor, Gunnison County is currently experiencing a moderate to severe drought. The conditions are expected to worsen throughout the summer months, and last until at least late September. Murdie said the forecast could lead to Stage 2 fire restrictions being implemented in the upcoming months.
“Right now, things are going to burn really well, because it’s been hot and dry, and the fuel humidities are very low,” Murdie said. “Light fuels, like grass and sagebrush will burn like crazy, and heavy fuels, like large trees, will burn hard and fast.”
To stay up-to-date with current fire restrictions, follow the QR code below.
To Report a wildfire, call 911. Attempt to provide the following information if in a safe environment: location (as specific as possible), smoke color, smoke direction, size of area (if possible) and flame height (if possible).
(Alex McCrindle can be contacted at 970.641.1414 or alex@ gunnisontimes.com.)
Production Manager Issa Forrest issa@gunnisontimes.com
THE GUNNISON COUNTRY TIMES (ISSN 0892-1113) is published weekly by Alan Wartes Media LLC., 218 N. Wisconsin St., Gunnison, Colorado 81230. Periodical postage paid at Gunnison, Colorado. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: The Gunnison Country Times, 218 N. Wisconsin, Gunnison, CO 81230-0240
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Notes from the uphill
The Big Dipper, perched just above the crest of the mountain, was the only source of familiarity as I scanned the milky black with my headlamp. Each step crunching into the glacier, I followed faint crampon footprints like a trail of bread crumbs through the strange ice formations. The rope attached me to my partner, but he was far behind, enveloped by the cold and dark. The light had only faded a couple of hours before.
The pit-in-the-stomach feeling that I wasn’t supposed to be there suddenly came over me. Prior to our arrival at camp, our climbing team had been halved following a drastic change in plans, and then a tendinitis flare-up on the approach. This June would be my third attempt on Mount Rainier. I thought it would be my third time turning back.
Proceeding with a rope team of only two, with me at the lead, felt like an impossible proposition. When my climbing partner presented the idea, my train of thought filled with all the things you want to avoid on a big mountain: self-doubt, fear, anxiety. Now I was under the upper mountain’s shadow once again.
This time around, I was physically stronger, the weather forecast was stable and I had years more of experience. But the feeling of unease crept back in as I approached an edge on the glacier, its surface fractured by a deep crevasse. Swallowing my fear, like a spoonful of coarse peanut butter stuck at the back of my throat, I leaped.
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Email letters to editor@gunnisontimes.com or send to 218 N. Wisconsin St., Gunnison, CO 81230. Include your full name, address and a phone number — for our internal use only.
The deadline is Tuesday at 12 p.m. Letters may be edited for grammar, clarity or length.
I had much to think about as we trundled uphill. Before we flew out of Colorado, I was both packing up piles of mountaineering gear for the trip, and the stack of old newspapers sitting on my desk at the office. Upon my return home, I knew I would have to take another leap of faith. This time, into a new stage in my career. As I prepare to move on from the Gunnison Country Times, I want to reflect on what my time as a local reporter has given me.
In his classic book, “Into Thin Air,” Jon Krakauer wrote: “Climbing was a magnificent activity, I firmly believed, not in spite of the inherent perils, but precisely because of them.” The same description can be applied to writing, and specifically, to my pursuit of journalism.
The work, especially given the political climate, comes with its own set of innate perils. Widely disseminating false or misleading information — even if it's by mistake — can tear at the threads of truth. Reporting on breaking news, or topics that have the power to influence change can be, at times, exhilarating. But the emotional tangles one encounters as the frequent bearer of bad news take a toll. Sometimes we write, and walk away. Other stories become part of what we carry with us.
Yet, despite these perils, I return to writing like I do to the foothills of the mountains that bring me simultaneous suffering and joy. I believe that journalism is a challenging, magnificent — and truly rewarding line of work.
I wrote my first news story from my dorm at Western Colorado University. My editor informed me I had only a week to complete the assignment. Flustered, I rushed to get words on the blank page. I wanted to turn in a flawless draft. It was far from that.
Soon, I would write not one story a week, but three, or some-
times four. During each round of editing, I was met with the undying patience and support of my colleagues in the newsroom. When the drafts were marked with a signature “e,” signaling a story was ready for print, I felt proud of the writing we had done.
I still struggle to satisfy my desire to string people, places and paragraphs into a perfect story. Tiny mistakes will always lurk in the text, even after you’ve combed through it again. In the beginning, I was also desperate to constantly find meaning in my work. I wanted every word, and each story printed to matter. But while some news stories are impactful just by the nature of the topic, the above sentiment isn’t always true. Some pieces are simply designed to fill space in between ads, and others are quickly forgotten after the last edits are made in red ink.
I’ve come to learn that the process undergone to build a story is the true adventure, rather than the outcome. It’s why I continue to write. Over the years, I have been welcomed into the homes (boats, planes, school buses, laboratories, snowcats, art studios, hot air balloons and classrooms) of strangers over and over again. Each conversation offered me new perspective, the same thing I searched for in the mountains.
Conservationist John Muir reflected on what he gained from a bird’s-eye view from the summit of Rainier in an account of his climb in 1888.
“One feels far from home so high in the sky, so much so that one is inclined to guess that, apart from the acquisition of knowledge and the exhilaration of climbing, more pleasure is to be found at the foot of the mountains than on their tops,” he wrote. “Doubly happy, however, is the man to whom lofty mountain tops are within reach, for the lights that shine there illumine all that lies below.”
Hidden in thousands of hours
of interviews were invaluable gifts: how to see both sides of an issue; how to unabashedly talk about mental health; how to celebrate being a woman in the outdoors; how to use art for healing; and how to reimagine the idea of ‘home.’ Thank you for all that you have shared. Your words have molded me as both an individual and a writer. Your trust has helped me build better stories with the hope of using the newspaper as a means of building a better community. I now understand the value of living in one.
Once you surrender to the weekly newscycle, a living and breathing entity all on its own, you quickly realize how history moves along with or without you. My job as a journalist is to document a brief moment in time, the spirit of a place and the people and events that shape it. This task requires a great deal of perspective, which only becomes available to the writer willing to listen and recognize there is much to learn.
After winding through a maze of rock and ice in the night, we reached the top of Columbia Crest, the rim of Rainier’s caldera, shortly after sunrise. I surveyed the thick layer of clouds below with wonder, as if I was peering out of the window of an airplane for the first time.
Thank you again, readers, for this grand adventure, and for making those lofty mountain tops feel a little more within reach. I am still writing, and my cell phone number is the same. Please stay in touch.
(Bella Biondini can be contacted at isabellaebiondini@gmail. com or 985.273.4633.)
Reflections on ‘Independence Day’
The government in Washington, with the passage of President Trump’s budget bill, has put the final stamp on the “Reagan Revolution” that began 44 years ago. Our government is now officially back beyond the
dangerous view that government should be by, for and of the people. We’re back to the earlier conviction that those blessed by birth into an aristocracy deserve a government whose first duty is the protection of their property, privilege and power.
As a result, we the people not so blessed by high birth have summarily been regranted our independence: We are again free as rugged American individualists to make our own way as best we can with less input from big government; free to take care of ourselves with no whining about disappeared federal assistance; free to eschew any help from those to whom we pay our taxes, comfort-
ed in the knowledge that our taxes will be used to protect us from enemies whom we will be told to fight, from the invaders from other lands whose willingness to hard work will fall to us; and free from any further worry about our rights or ourselves since the ICE army is at the ready to disappear anyone who objects too loud against the freedom we’re being granted.
Thus the passage of Trump’s Big Beautiful Bill — America’s biggest “legal” transfer ever of wealth from the middle and underclass to the upper class — will be another great step forward in the power elite’s long-sought marriage between the completely dominated feudal vassal of old and the
still occasionally bullish industrial worker. It’s a marriage whose political genes the power elites hope will recombine in a disciplined, docile work force easily manipulated by media the elites control to work willingly for subsistence wages, thus not disrupting the flow of wealth to the selfproclaimed deserving.
Well, that might or might not be the way the power elites in America think about it, but they don’t appear to believe that they have to defend or justify the new laws to those of us who will pay — some of us with lives made fragile as medical services go out of business, some of us with livelihoods made fragile as the currency flow
2025 Member
Bella Biondini Times Editor
George Sibley Special to the Times
that is the economy’s lifeblood goes anemic as it disappears into offshore accounts.
What to do about this most transparent and egregious pillage (so far) of the have-nots by the have-mores? Polls show that most of us oppose what is happening in America, but what the majority wants makes no difference to the power elites. So if we are to thrive — or even survive — we are going to have to figure it out on our own, here, where we are. But what can we do? In a remote highattitude (sic) mountain valley, for example?
On July 4, 2025, with the president triumphantly preparing to sign the Big Beautiful Bill, I find myself wondering if we should maybe consider beginning to quietly, carefully and subtly declare our independence from the power elites who run our lives through centralized grids of food and fuel and finance, power to run the technology they send us, and the endless array of bright shiny
LETTERS
Put TV on the ballot
Editor:
My fellow voters of Gunnison County and I have been reminded of the $400,000 annual tax revenue earmarked for over-the-air TV (OATV). Yes, that is $4 million over the last 10 years. As we know, special districts such as the Gunnison County Metropolitan Recreation District have specific marching orders that they levy taxes to perform.
The voters of Gunnison County voted to form Met Rec back in 1978 to provide OATV as specified in a ballot question. It was later expanded to include, and provide funding for, the northern portion of the district and to fund other forms of recreation.
There is no question, without a proper vote by the public, their mission cannot be changed at the whim of the board. I urge the taxpayers of Gunnison County to contact board members to put OATV service on the ballot. Our 1 mill tax money should be refunded if the voters send the message to discontinue service.
The current board decided to pull the plug on the OATV one week before the board election. This executive order to discontinue service reminds me of our current state of affairs in our national government. Put this on the ballot for next fall and see where it lands, and stop taxing us for service not received.
Jeff Neumann Gunnison
things the corporate megaeconomy labors to sell us through the media they generate to entertain us.
Nice stuff, to be sure, some of it. But we don’t have to give all of it up; we just have to discipline ourselves to think more about the costs that accrue from all benefits, costs we must pay, or our children will have to, and try to act with a little wisdom.
Does “beginning to declare our independence from the Washington government” sound too radical? It cannot be a quick and violent process, because the government controls superior violence — look at the ICE army the BBB creates. So it would have to be a slow subtle process.
But looking around, it is surprising how much of a modest running start we have on this. More of us are learning again how to grow a growing portion of our own food. There are more roofs with solar panels, more homes with passive solar construction. More
bicycles. More of us are learning again how to entertain ourselves in and outdoors without needing much or any external power. There are other more communitylevel steps that could be taken — and maybe we’ll actually want to pursue them when the BBB really kicks in.
And what I remember, as I write on Independence Day, is that Thomas Jefferson, as he was writing our first Declaration of Independence 249 years ago, was envisioning a nation of decentralized and semi-self-sufficient communities populated by educated people too smart to fall for the Old World system of the commonwealth all flowing from the exertions of the commoners to kings and their attendant aristocratic elites.
(George Sibley is a Gunnison Valley elder, thinker and writer.)
kicking off our Independence Day by declaring his hatred for democrats. Well, hatred for citizens who ever disagree with him. Roughly half the country some of the time.
Someone please tell me how this is okay?
The someone who accused all the 'No Kings' protesters of being unpatriotic doesn't know. The someone who applauds the cruel and inhumane way ICE is grabbing and detaining law-abiding migrants doesn't know.
The someone who cheers and pumps a fist at the hatred and vitriol that is often puking out of the White House doesn't know.
Thank God my republican dad is not alive to witness this recent rant from our Commander-inChief. Not very presidential, Donald. And so embarrassing.
Jane Thomas Gunnison
Republican version of ‘equity’
Editor:
Fact: half of the country has debt and no equity!
Donald Trump and the Republican Party have now redefined equity. It will benefit millions of newborn babies of American citizens when they turn 18.
“Invest in America” was passed last week in the One Big Beautiful Bill. Babies born from this year onward will receive $1,000 placed into a tax-free account in their name that invests in the S&P 500. Each baby will own that account.
Disappointing
Editor:
I woke up early on the Fourth of July. I was sipping coffee and listening for the hot air balloons and remembering all the Independence Days I've celebrated in the past. Love of country was a big deal in my childhood. My dad flew P-47s in WWII and later was a flight instructor for B-25 Mitchells, and trained pilots for the Doolittle raid.
I was weaned on patriotism. It was so disappointing to hear the president of the United States
The account is locked in until the age of 18. Parents cannot raid it. In 18 years that original $1,000 can possibly grow to $40,000. An 18-year-old can use the funds to start a business or pay for trade school or college. Letting it ride until they are 65 years old, earning 10% per year, would result in a nest egg of $550,000.
And the beauty is that anyone can donate to it. Get an A at school, win a spelling bee or be recognized for good behavior for the year, and the school district could add $100 or more to it. Write a letter to the editor, this newspaper adds $100. Have a
clean police record between the ages of 14-18, the local municipality participates.
Now growing up in America with equity as a co-owner in our county gives you real skin in the game. It eliminates the percentage of Americans that only have debt. It’s an investment in the workings of capitalism, the kind of equity that benefits everyone.
Cori Dobson Neil Watko Gunnison County Republicans
Thumbs up
Editor:
As a distant subscriber to the Gunnison Country Times , ever since Alan and Issa took over the paper, let me just say how much I appreciated Joe Dix's "No better place" letter in the June 26 edition. Joe appears regularly in the letters section and he always has strong opinions, often dissident with those of others.
But I don't think anyone would disagree with his sentiments about the pleasures of living in small town Colorado on the Western Slope.
Thank you Joe and thank you to the Times for giving your citizens a platform to speak their minds, dissident or not.
Art Goodtimes Norwood
Fundraiser thanks
Editor:
The members of the Taylor Canyon Fire Department would like to thank the Reynolds family of Harmel’s on the Taylor for generously hosting a fundraiser for us. The money raised will help us purchase gear and equipment needed for our volunteer station. The fundraiser was held on the back deck of the restaurant overlooking the Taylor River, which is an amazing venue.
Don Sabrowski TCFS Fire Chief Almont
Last week, City Council reviewed and approved the recently completed “Gunnison Fire Station Needs + Feasibility Assessment” submitted by design and construction firm Neenan Archistruction. The study was paid for by a grant from the Colorado Department of Local Affairs.
The city and the Gunnison County Fire Protection District are currently exploring ways to pay for the project. According to Wison, that will most likely involve two ballot questions presented to voters this fall. One would ask city residents to approve a new mill levy, and the other would seek approval from people living within district boundaries to approve an increase to its existing mill levy. A joint work session is scheduled for July 17 to hammer out final recommendations.
Proposed ballot language must be filed with the Gunnison County Clerk’s office for approval by Aug. 26.
While Gunnison is not included in the boundaries of the district, the city has for decades contributed money out of its general fund. In recent months the city entered into a more formal contract for services from the district.
The needs assessment presented to council last week found that the current fire station, built in 1974, is not only inadequate to support the department’s mission, but is unsafe for firefighters. The dis-
trict provides fire services to roughly 2,700 square miles in Gunnison County and portions of Saguache and Hinsdale counties. The department is staffed by 41 volunteer firefighters.
“Critical issues include aging infrastructure, lack of proper ventilation, inadequate safety systems and insufficient space for operations, posing significant risks to firefighter health, equipment security, and emergency response capabilities,” the report stated.
The fire department responded to an average of 324 calls between 2014 and 2023. Roughly a third of those were within the City of Gunnison. The majority of calls were for incidents involving rescues or the need for emergency medical services. Around 40 calls per year were for reports of fire, with most of those being wildfires.
The average time between an incoming call and volunteer firefighter turnout is between 6 and 7 minutes.
“We'd like to see that closer to 4 minutes when people are responding from home,” Ferchau told the commissioners. “We were there about a decade ago, but as people have moved further away, filling those final seats takes a little bit longer.”
Among other improvements, a new fire station would include on-site housing for a crew of on-call firefighters, significantly improving response times, Ferchau said.
County participation
The assessment identified three possible locations within the City of Gunnison for a new,
roughly 30,000 square-foot station. Council approved the option that would build on the site of the existing station on New York Avenue and expand the footprint to the south on property currently owned by the county. The current site is .31 acres, with the building covering roughly 70% of the available space. Planners estimate two acres are required for a facility that would meet project goals.
Commissioners expressed interest in finding a way to support the request for the property transfer, while doing “due diligence” to protect county interests.
“We will need to talk with our staff about what are the needs for the fairgrounds in the future and think about how this piece of land fits into that?”
Commissioner Laura Puckett Daniels said. “What opportunity costs are we giving up if we lose this land?”
The parcel that would be transferred to the city is currently part of the Gunnison County Fairgrounds complex.
“One thing I really appreciate about the Gunnison Volunteer Fire Department is the level of service and the commitment,”
“Gunnison High School is thrilled to have Chase join the coaching family, bringing his vision, enthusiasm and knowledge to the head football position,” said GHS Athletic Director Kevin Mickelson. “He’s been an assistant coach for a number of years, and will bring a little continuity — and that’s always a good thing when you have a program that’s had success like GHS football has had in recent years.”
This week, Starman will lead the football program through the first week of its summer practice schedule. The Times sat down with Starman to talk about his coaching journey, and his vision for the future of Cowboy football.
(Editor’s note: The following conversation has been edited for length and clarity.)
What originally brought you to Gunnison?
I grew up in Strasburg, Colorado and came to Gunnison in 2017 after being recruited to play receiver at Western. I played from 2017 through 2021 and ended my career after hurting my knee in 2021. My first experience with coaching was student coaching for Western in 2022, and helping out with receivers, and then I fell in love with the coaching process. I started coaching baseball through the rec league during the summer
of 2023, and ultimately met all of the current seniors at GHS. So it's been fun seeing them grow up through the years. I'm now an elementary PE teacher, and don't plan on leaving anytime soon.
What lessons did you learn in the Mountaineer Bowl that you hope to bring to GHS? Hard work and dedication.
As a young freshman, I knew I probably wasn't going to play, but I had effort and attitude, and those are two things I could control. You show up every day, you put in the work, you put in the time. You might not feel satisfied in the moment, but it's a time thing. Coaches will take notice of it, and things will start going in your direction. For me at Western, I didn't play until my redshirt freshman year. My only playing time was on special teams, and I remember my first experience playing in a college football game. We played Idaho State, I was on a punt return unit and I lined up against a guy who got NFL invites. I was trying to block him, and he said, ‘I don't care about that ball anymore, I just care about putting you on your butt.’ And he did. He literally threw me on my butt, and I'm like, ‘All right, welcome to college football kid.’ So really, I’d like to create a culture, and get guys that can control their effort, that can control their attitude, and let's take some pride in what cowboy football can be through effort and attitude.
How have coaching roles with GHS prepared you for the head coach position?
My first experience with Gunnison High School was as the C team basketball coach. [Cristian] Aguilar was the head coach, and I got full reign of all the freshmen, and kind of fell in love with creating practice schedules, overseeing everything and managing playing time. Obviously, I didn't know a whole lot at the moment. But I grew a lot as the year went on. I was fiery and rowdy, and have learned how to contain that a little bit, but still embrace that passion and everything too.
Then I started as a wide receivers coach assistant on the football team. That was a great season. The kids were great, the team effort and attitude was all there, and we made the second round of the playoffs.
Vickers named me the offensive coordinator last season, and I was honestly terrified. I had no idea how to call an offense, or how to create an offense. But luckily, I had some support from Cody Mulvin, who played at Western before my time. He stepped in as a run coordinator, and I was more of the pass coordinator — and we kind of fed off each other, developed a new playbook and tried to simplify some things.
During my first game as offensive coordinator, our stud running back, Grady Buckhanan broke his arm on the second play of the game,
and then Ethan Pierce, our starting quarterback, broke his ankle. At that point, my confidence as a play caller just went way down. We started the season 0-3, but I still credit the kids' attitude and effort. You could see discouragement, but they kept showing up.
We started this season 0-6 with some hard losses, but finished 3-0 with wins against Pagosa Springs, Bayfield and Salida. I opened up the playbook against Salida and we threw all the trick plays at these guys. On the second play of the game we threw a double pass to score a touchdown. We ended on a high note, and hopefully that can spark this upcoming season.
Practice starts this week, what values or culture do you hope to instill in this program?
There are five factors I hope to build this program on. Competition is one. I believe that this program, at some point, could be one of the top programs in the state, because of the work ethic, the cowboy pride and mentality. The second is discipline. Discipline is the difference between good teams and great teams. If the players can be disciplined and hold each other accountable, then that's the sign of a great program. The third is toughness, which I don't think is hard to find in Gunnison. These kids are tough, they're always undersized, but they're always out-
Commissioners agreed to consider terms and conditions of a potential land transfer at an upcoming regular meeting.
(Alan Wartes can be contacted at 970.641.1414 or publisher@ gunnisontimes.com.)
Commissioner Jonathan Houck said. “All of that has been just top notch forever, despite facilities that don't meet standards or needs. What we have here has been amazing, but that doesn't mean that the facilities are okay, and we can just keep moving in that direction.”
working and out-hitting other teams.
Then just being smart, knowing how and when and why to do something. Not necessarily your Xs and Os, but more so integrity, doing the right thing when nobody is watching. Can these kids be smart in all aspects of life, and take pride in their classroom, their job, their relationships. The final factor is community. Like I said, I want these kids and myself to give back to the community, whether that be through fundraising or just being a highlight that the community can rally behind.
You’re met with a young roster, coming off a tough season last year. What are your goals for your first year as the head coach?
It's not about wins and losses. For me, it's about can these kids leave Gunnison High School better off than they entered it. I want their effort to be there, because I can't coach effort. It comes from within and it comes from being around a group of kids that are going to give effort even when times are hard or even when the cards are stacked against you. If you can embody the five factors of Cowboy football, then you're setting yourself up for great things to happen.
(Alex McCrindle can be contacted at 970.641.1414 or alex@ gunnisontimes.com.)
Gunnison Fire Chief Hugo Ferchau and City Manager Amanda Wilson discuss the recently-released “Gunnison Fire Station Needs + Feasibility Assessment” with county commissioners. (Photo by Alan Wartes)
To honor a humble artist
The official Cattlemen’s Days t-shirt this year features artwork recreated from a leather engraving by Larry Benson. Benson, now deceased, was a longtime resident of Gunnison County. According to Larry’s brother, Fred Benson, Larry created the original piece by hand in his early 20s while on leave from the U.S. Navy during the Vietnam War.
“My older brother, Ronnie Benson and younger sister, Dawna Hillis, and I wanted to share this with people in the community to honor him,” Nyla Benson said. “He was an incredibly humble man and wouldn’t have shared it with anyone.”
Pat’s Screen Printing adapted the artwork for printing. The t-shirts are for sale at the Cattlemen’s Days ticket booth in the Gunnison Bank and Trust parking lot and at Pat’s Screen Printing.
(Courtesy the Benson family)
NOTICE OF VACANCY
UPPER GUNNISON RIVER WATER
DISTRICT BOARD OF DIRECTORS VACANCIES
Please take notice that a resignation presents the opportunity to apply for appointment to the following seats on the Board of Directors of Upper Gunnison River Water Conservancy District
Division Term Expiration 6 Division Area Ohio Creek Division June 2026
Applications for appointment as director will be accepted until 5:00pm, Friday, August 15th, 2025. To apply, please send a letter of interest for the board seat you are seeking, along with any letters of recommendation, to the Honorable Kellie Starritt, District Court Judge, Gunnison County Courthouse,200 E. Virginia, Gunnison, Colorado 81230, who will make the appointment.
A description of the geographical boundaries of the divisions listed above may obtained from the Upper Gunnison River Water Conservancy District, 210 West Spencer, Suite A, Gunnison, Colorado, 81230, (970)641-6065, sue@ugrwcd.com or from the District’s website: www.ugrwcd.org.
Applications must specify that the applicant has resided within the District for a period of one year and resides in and is the owner of real property within the Division for which he or she seeks appointment. Applicants shall be knowledgeable in water matters.
Elks Lodge Rodeo BBQ
Annual Burger BBQ at Gunnison Elks Lodge Saturday July 12th after the parade. Great price for a big burger. All proceeds go to our Scholarship fund.
304 N. 9th Street Unit 5A MLS#817553 $240,000 2 bed 1 bath 826sqft built 1979 Top floor 2 bedroom 1 bath condo unit located on the west side of town. Property had received a fresh coat of paint last year along with new ceiling fan. Property has historically been a rental property but will be vacant and ready for move in after August 31st! This unit would be a great first time home or a rental investment! All new carpet installed!
Donors help Cattlemen’s parade thrive
301 F Joseph Lane , MLS#825203 $505,000 Lovely 2 bedroom, 1.5 bath end townhome unit with a 5’x8’ exterior storage closet on exterior of unit on the alley. All stainless steel appliances, granite counter tops, vaulted ceilings in bedrooms and fenced yard. Property is in a HOA and Pets are welcome!
TBD W Denver Ave. MLS# 816647 $589,000 Spectacular 2.5 acre level lot located in Gunnison’s new subdivision Elk Ranch. This parcel is located just outside City limits on the west side of town and seller has it set up to be built on immediately. Lot has a well permit already in place along with the required approval for well from the Upper Gunnison Water Conservancy District which can be transferred at closing. Buyer of lot may also pay for tap fees to hook into the City water and sewer main that will has already been extended north by the City.There is a shared road/driveway into the subdivision and it will be completed by this fall as well. Lot has been surveyed and a building envelope has been established for a single family residence but other dwellings such as barns/sheds etc. will be allowed. Come enjoy some country living with incredible views of mountains up Ohio Valley and the Palisades while being so close to town.
457 Ute Dr. (Arrowhead) MLS# 820145 $40,000 Beautiful, secluded 1 acre lot located on the north edge of the Arrowhead subdivision off of the main road. Bring your RV or plan to build your private mountain retreat on this sloped, nicely treed lot with plenty of wildflowers and wildlife to be seen. This subdivision is quaint community located on the Alpine Plateau Road and has quick access to the Arrowhead Lodge where you can enjoy food and drink on their outdoor patio along with occasional live music. Come discover what living in the Rockies is all about!
Ted Harbin Special to the Times
Volunteers who help produce the annual Cattlemen’s Days celebration know it takes great teamwork to pull off something of that magnitude.
From working with the carnival to organizing the 4-H and FFA exhibits to partnering with the rodeo contract personnel, little happens without that synergy. There’s no way Cattlemen’s Days is a success without it.
With 125 years invested, this is truly a community effort, and that’s being showcased more than ever with this year’s Cattlemen’s Days parade, set for 10 a.m. Saturday, July 13, along its traditional route.
“There was some talk about having to alter our parade route, shortening it to just four blocks on Main Street,” said Kevin Coblentz, a longtime volunteer with the organization. “Fortunately, we’ve had some people really step up so we can continue to have the type of parade this community is used to and that this town deserves.”
FirstSource, a millwork company that served as the presenting sponsor for the Colorado Stampede in Grand Junction, Colorado.
The company invested $5,000 into the project, and the foundation was laid.
“The city really stepped up and helped us,” Coblentz said, acknowledging City Manager Amanda Wilson and Streets Superintendent Jason Kibler. “Those two really helped us out with the negotiations, and we got another $6,000 from the city to help us with putting on the parade as we’ve always been able to.”
While it’s a community event, the Cattlemen’s Days parade is no small-town affair. It’s a big deal to residents and former residents. Many who are originally from Gunnison return to town for the annual celebration, which is why class reunions are always a special feature during the procession.
“The city continues to do a great job for this community,” Coblentz said. “I think Cattlemen’s Days has formed a great relationship with the city, and that’s always going to benefit everybody.”
The celebration began in 1900 and features the oldest continuous rodeo in Colorado. Cattlemen’s Days was created as a way to bring everyone in the county to town for fun-filled events and a chance to gather together. It may have been the only time all year that friends saw one another, and that legacy continues today.
The most necessary adjustment was to provide barricades to help direct traffic, especially off E. Tomichi Avenue, where Hwy. 50 comes into town from Monarch Pass. Members of the volunteer committee were searching for ways to help pay the $12,000 fee it will take for a barrier company to provide assistance.
Local home health care provider Bre Norris made the first donation and got the ball rolling Then Richard Buffington decided to get involved. He’s the regional manager for Builders
“Everybody wants to see our 125th year be successful,” Coblentz said. “I think that’s a big reason why this all came together. This is what our community needs.”
(Ted Harbin is the Cattlemen’s Days media director.)
The Cattlemen’s Days parade is an integral part of the annual celebration and rodeo. (Courtesy Cattlemen’s Days)
$625,000 MLS #826222
Cheery 4 bedroom/2 bath home in a great location! A few blocks from City Market/Wal Mart and Western Colorado University. Refinished hard-wood floors, plus a huge living room addition. Bedroom, bath & bonus room in the basement could be turned into a separate unit. Mature front yard, city irrigation ditch, fenced backyard, & patio. 2-car detached garage, space for 4 cars to park off alley.
$675,000 MLS# 824144
1,120 S.F. 3 bedroom 2 Bath home on a spacious 1.25-acre double lot in Blue Mesa Village. Just minutes from the shoreline of Blue Mesa Reservoir. Enjoy incredible lake and mountain views from the wraparound deck. Private well with excellent water pressure. New flooring throughout the main living area and hallway, and a brand-new washer and dryer.
$925,000 MLS # 824869 Spacious 2,632 S.F., 4-Bedroom/2 Bath Home in the highly desirable Fairview Subdivision along scenic Ohio Creek, only 10 Minutes from Gunnison. Family room, workout space, and updated appliances. Set on 1 acre with its own well and septic system. 532 sq ft two car attached garage & fenced-in yard. Loafing sheds ideal for hobbies, storage, or 4-H projects. Horses allowed and close to public lands.
www.BHHSTodayRealty.com
Mountain Roots honors Guerrieri family
Launches agriculture education fund
Mountain Roots Food Project has selected Phyllis and Richard Guerrieri and the Guerrieri family as the 2025 community honorees for Feast in the Field, the organization’s summer farm-to-table gala. The award recognizes generations of stewardship, sustainable ranching and community service in the Gunnison Valley.
“The six generations of the Guerrieri family in our valley exemplify what it means to care for the land and community,” said Holly Conn, executive director of Mountain Roots.
“Their commitment to sustainable food production, ranching and agricultural education aligns deeply with our mission, and it’s an honor to celebrate their legacy.”
The Guerrieri family has been living and ranching in the Gunnison Valley for over a century, raising livestock, stewarding water resources and caring for wildlife while modeling what it means to work in harmony with the land. Through their dedication to hard work, family and land stewardship, the Guerrieri family has helped shape a local food system rooted in sustainability and care for the community.
In addition to stewardship of the land, the Guerrieri family has actively supported local food systems and conservation efforts, strengthening the fabric of the Gunnison Valley through volunteerism and community leadership. Their commitment to mentoring and engaging younger generations in agriculture inspires the community to remain connected to the land, food and each other.
To celebrate this legacy, Mountain Roots is launching the Guerrieri Agriculture
Education Fund — a community-driven effort to prepare tomorrow’s ranchers, farmers and environmental stewards. The Fund will expand agricultural education opportunities throughout 2025 across the Gunnison Valley, including:
• Youth environmental education programs that connect students to environmental science, food systems and land stewardship;
• The NextGen|ReGen beginning farmer training program, a registered apprenticeship to train new farmers in sustainable practices and environmental resilience. Mountain Roots alumni have gone on to become farmers, ranchers and other professionals who manage our land and our food;
• Mountain Roots summer camps that provide hands-on outdoor experiences in nature, including growing and cooking food and caring for the land.
“Honoring Phyllis, Richard and the Guerrieri family is not just about looking back — it’s about continuity and investing in the future,” Conn said.
Help celebrate the Guerrieri family at Feast in the Field on July 26 at Red Dog Ranch, at the base of Whetstone Mountain. Tables and tickets are available now. You can also invest in agricultural education for the next generation by making a gift in support of the Guerrieri Agriculture Education Fund through the end of the year.
More information available on Feast in the Field and the Guerrieri Agriculture Education Fund at mountainrootsfoodproject.org/feast.
(Source: Mountain Roots Food Project)
Phyllis and Richard Guerrieri with all five children at the Mill Creek Ranch in 2022. Left to Right: Phyllis, Mike, Richard, Ruth, Cara, Burt, Dexter. (Courtesy Mountain Roots)
Your health is important; don't take a chance on mold. Valley Restoration will remove harmful mold from any surface. Our certification in Applied Microbial Remediation means that we will do all that we can to make sure the contaminated area has the right amount of remediation to meet our high standards. We can even add vapor barriers to your crawlspace to ensure mold won't return!
Balloons take over town
The Gunnison Balloon Rally filled Jorgensen park in celebration of Independence Day. Due to weather conditions, the balloons were limited to tethered rides until fully taking to the skies on July 5 and 6. Spectators enjoyed the magic of seeing colorful balloons float across the Gunnison horizon.
All homes can be at risk for radon! Radon gas is invisible, odorless, radioactive gas that leads to over 22,000 radon-lung cancer deaths in America each year. Valley Restoration can help you with testing and mitigating your home for radon. This is often a timely issue so we work hard to schedule your residential or commercial testing quickly.
(Photos by Evan Bjornstad)
Classifieds CARS & TRUCKS
GUNNISON WATERSHED SCHOOL DISTRICT
See GWSD website for details gunnisonschools.net
Gunnison Watershed School District believes that students thrive when they are connected to something bigger than themselves. That’s why we create learning experiences that spark curiosity, helping students discover who they are and how to make a difference in the world around them. As they excel in academics, athletics and the arts, students find the confidence to pursue any opportunity in life. Our team is “Driven to be the Difference!”
DESK AGENT: The Lodge at Mountaineer Square and Grand Lodge Spend your summer in beautiful Mt. Crested Butte with an awesome team and a fun, fast-paced work environment! We’re hiring full time or part time Front Desk Agents who are friendly, dependable, and ready to make guests feel at home. Highest compensation rates in the industry and many perks including 40% off retail, great team vibes, and a summer full of adventure. No experience? No problem—we’ll train the right people! Starting Wage: $20/hr. Apply now and make this summer one to remember!
WE’RE HIRING: Full-time Small Center director and part-time/full-time teacher’s aide at Wee Care in Lake City. Apply by sending your resume, references and interested position to weecareboard@gmail.com.
DISHWASHER WANTED AT PUBLIC HOUSE: This role will load and unload dishwashing machines, monitor the cleanliness of machines, ensure dish cleanliness, and properly dry and store clean dishes in designated areas. This part-time, seasonal role starts at $18 - $20/hour, plus tips. The season runs to October. Please apply online at elevenexperience.com/ careers/ or email jobs@elevenexperience. com for more information on how to apply.
POWERSTOP is looking for head cook. Pay is $50,000 minimum, position also offers paid time off and health insurance reimbursement. Pay is based on 40 hours a week. Applications must be able to work mornings or evenings and weekends. Resumes to be in a sealed envelope attention Sean. Drop off at Powerstop.
GUNNISON COUNTY EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES
Patrol Deputy Sheriff: Full-Time, 40 hours/week, the annual salary range is from $72,397.26 to $102,405.83 plus full benefits.
Take home vehicle & uniform allowance provided by the Sheriff’s Office.
Heavy Equipment Operator
Public Works: Full-Time, 40 hours/ week, hourly range from $23.60 to $31.69 plus full benefits.
Summer Seasonal Public Works: 40 hours/week, hourly range from $21.20 to $24.14, depending on experience, plus partial benefits.
Planning Technician/Planner I Community Development: 40 hours/week, hourly range from Planning Technician: $27.84 to $31.69 Planner I: $31.28 to $35.61, depending on experience, plus partial benefits.
IT Help Desk Technician
Information Technology: 40 hours/week, hourly range from $26.51 to $30.19, depending on experience, plus partial benefits.
Public Health Nurse II – Nurse
Family Partnership Health & Human Services: 32 hours/week, hourly range from $34.81 to $42.31, depending on experience, plus full benefits.
APPRAISER I Assessor: 32 hours/week, hourly range from $27.84 to $31.69, depending on experience, plus full benefits.
Utility Water/Wastewater Manager
Public Works: 40 hours/week, hourly range from $39.11 to $44.53, depending on experience, plus full benefits.
For more information, including complete job descriptions, required qualifications and application instructions, please visit GunnisonCounty.org/jobs.
THE GUNNISON COUNTRY TIMES
is looking for a delivery driver with a reliable car to distribute the Times in Gunnison during the early hours every Thursday morning. It is about a 3 hour commitment. $125+$25 for gas.
Please call the Times at 970-641-1414, come in the office at 218 N. Wisconsin St. or email issa@gunnisontimes.com for
GUNNISON VALLEY HEALTH IS HIRING:
Care Associate, Family Medicine Clinic, FT - $18 - $21 Cook - $18.90 - 23.40/hour DOE
Benefits Eligibility: Medical, dental, vision, health care FSA, and dependent care FSA: All active employees working 40 or more hours per pay period are eligible for benefits on the first of the month following date of hire. PRN staff are not initially eligible for benefits.
Please visit our website for more indepth position descriptions, specific qualification requirements and to apply online at gunnisonvalleyhealth. org/careers or call HR for questions 970-641-1456. (PRN = as needed). All offers of employment are contingent upon the successful completion of a negative 10 panel drug screen test, criminal background check, reference checks, infection prevention procedures (TB test, Flu Shot, immunization records, etc.), physical capacity profile and acknowledgement of policies.
THE TOWN OF CRESTED BUTTE is seeking an experienced Finance and Administrative Services Director. This fulltime, year-round role offers a competitive salary ($116K–$142K DOQ) and a generous benefits package, including 100% employerpaid health coverage. If you have a strong background in financial management, budgeting, and leadership—and a passion for serving your community—apply today! Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, or a closely related field required. MBA and CPA preferred. Minimum of ten years of professional experience, including at least five years of directly relevant work in an accounting or financial management
THE TOWN OF PITKIN is seeking a town attorney. Please submit proposals, including a fixed monthly rate and hourly rate for additional services, to thetownofpitkin@ gmail.com.
Monthly requirements are typically 5-hours or less and include: - communicate with the Mayor and Clerk as needed - review/draft ordinances as needed - attend monthly meetings on the 2nd Monday of the month 7pm - 9pm (remote attendance is an option and preference will be given to someone who could travel to be at one meeting each quarter)
Additional work is billed at an hourly rate. Additional work hours have been typically minimal (2023 - 12.2 additional hours; 2024 - 18 additional hours; 2025 to date - 8.4 additional hours).
WE’RE HIRING: Service Dispatcher
Location: Gunnison, CO | Full-Time | Pay Range $22-$24/HR . Alpha Mechanical Solutions is looking for a skilled, organized Service Dispatcher to coordinate our busy plumbing, HVAC, and controls, and service teams. You’ll schedule jobs, communicate with customers, match techs to tasks and help manage records and invoicing. Ideal candidates have strong communication skills, industry experience, and thrive in a fast-paced environment. Send resumes to Kandace.G@ alphamechanical.co.
position. Government accounting experience is preferred. The Town of Crested Butte is an equal employment opportunity employer. Please send your resume, cover letter, and application to jobs@crestedbutte-co.gov.
GUNNISON LIQUOR (The Ghost) is currently looking for part-time help. Nights and weekends a must. Pay DOE. Stop by with a resume. 603 W. Tomichi Ave., Gunnison.
GOLDEN EAGLE is looking for CDL and non-CDL drivers. Pay is based on experience. Call 970-641-3230.
THE MT. CRESTED BUTTE WATER AND SANITATION DISTRICT is accepting applications for a full-time Wastewater Operator and/or Licensed Electrician to join a team responsible for operating and maintaining the wastewater treatment plant and collection system for the District.
Entry-Level: Starting salary $53,100 to $59,500. A valid Colorado driver’s license is required, and a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) is preferred at time of hire or must be obtained within one (1) year. A State of Colorado Collections and Wastewater license, or the ability to obtain both within one (1) year, is required (training material provided).
Experienced Operators or Licensed Electricians: Starting salary $59,500 to $75,000. Operators must meet entry-level qualifications and have experience in construction, field operations, lab analysis, and electrical/mechanical/maintenance repair.
Operators work a 4-day, 10-hour work schedule, participate in an on-call rotation, including select weekends and holidays. The District offers an excellent benefits package including the following: 100% employer-paid family health, dental, vision, disability, and life insurance premiums, 12 paid holidays, paid vacation, personal and sick leave, a wellness bonus, employer-provided uniforms, boots, personal protective equipment, and a retirement plan with up to 8% employer match. To apply, please submit a cover letter and resume to Mt. Crested Butte Water and Sanitation District, PO Box 5740, Mt. Crested Butte, CO 81225, or email info@mcbwsd.com. Position is open until it is filled. Full job description available at mcbwsd.com. MCBWSD is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
PROJECT HOPE OF THE GUNNISON VALLEY seeks a Program Advocate for a 28 hour/week position to serve victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, human trafficking, and/or stalking. To apply, send resume, cover letter, and 3 references to: director@hope4gv.org. See further info on our website at hope4gv.org/employment.
THE TOWN OF CRESTED BUTTE PARKS AND RECREATION Open Space & Trails Department is seeking Recreation Instructors for a variety of programs including Skateboarding, Soccer, Flag Football, Gymnastics, Indoor Climbing and Umpiring. Pay range of $19-22/hour dependent on program role. Come help provide valuable programming to your community by being a facilitator for one of our many programs! Please submit your resume via email to jobs@crestedbutte-co.gov. Town of Crested Butte is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
WE’RE HIRING: Bluebird Bottleshop in Gunnison is looking for a full-time Associate to join our friendly, knowledgeable team. $20/ hour + profit share, wine/spirits education, and a fun, supportive environment. Must be upbeat, detail-oriented, and able to work 4+ shifts/week. Drop off a resume or email us at bbbottleshop@gmail.com. Come grow with us.
SAGUACHE COUNTY LAND USE DEPARTMENT is accepting applications for a full time Code Enforcement Officer position. Salary to be determined on experience starting at $42,000/year. Applicants must have a valid Colorado Drivers License, must pass a criminal background check as well as a pre-employment drug test. The County Employee benefit package includes vision, dental and health insurance coverage, paid time off, and a generous 401k retirement plan. The employment application and job description can be found on HYPERLINK “http://www.saguachecounty.colorado.gov” www.saguachecounty.colorado.gov, picked up at the Saguache County Administration Office, 505 3rd Street, Saguache, CO or can be emailed to you, please contact April Quintana at 719-655-2231.
Completed applications can be hand delivered to the Saguache County Land Use Department, Attention Amber Wilson, 505 3rd Street, mailed to PO Box 326, Saguache, CO 81149 or emailed to HYPERLINK “mailto:atorrez@saguachecounty-co. gov” atorrez@saguachecounty-co.gov. Applications will be accepted until filled. Saguache County is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
GUNNISON SAVINGS AND LOAN IS ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR A TELLER: We have served the Gunnison Valley for over 100 years are looking for an individual who wants a career in banking. This position allows for hands on interactions with customers and requires work to be completed with professionalism, accuracy, and in accordance with company standards and policies.
Preferred Qualifications: Excellent communication and customer service skills, ability to maintain a high level of confidentiality, experience with office equipment and familiarity with Microsoft products, and cash handling experience. Benefits: Competitive Salary (entry level skills $35,000 - $45,000; higher with experience) 401(k) retirement plan; Group life and health insurance plans; paid time off; paid Federal Holidays; free checking account; Work Environment: Hours: Mon.-Fri. 8am5pm. Dress: Business Casual. Please submit your resume, references, and letter of application to Imbra Taramarcaz, Vice President/Chief Savings Officer 303 N Main Street, Gunnison, CO 81230 itaramarcaz@ gunnisonsl.com 970-641-2171.
SEEKING PROJECT LEAD FOR IMMEDIATE HIRE: residential construction, terrific opportunity with growing, locally born company. Call or Text 970-765-7414.
JOIN OUR TEAM! PARADISE INTERIORS is seeking a reliable & hardworking individual to join our glass installation crew in CB South.
significant event
planning duties. Pay based on experience and contract scope. Apply by July 13 at www.cbsnowsports.org/director. Equal opportunity employer.
THE GUNNISON COUNTRY TIMES is looking for a delivery driver with a reliable car to distribute the Times in Gunnison during the early hours every Thursday morning. It is about a 3 hour commitment. $125+$25 for gas. Please call the Times at 970-641-1414, come in the office at 218 N. Wisconsin St. or email issa@gunnisontimes.com for more information or to apply.
ADVERTISING ACCOUNT ASSOCIATE:
Alan Wartes Media is recruiting for an Advertising Account Associate for the Gunnison Country Times and Gunnison Country Shopper. We’re seeking a proven sales professional that has a demonstrated track record of driving growth and new business development. Great opportunity for an experienced media sales rep, recent college grad or those looking to make a career change from outside of the media business. We offer an excellent compensation plan ranging from $50K to $80K+, great support and training, a fun work environment and lots of autonomy.
Position Overview:
The Advertising Account Associate is responsible for managing client relationships, developing advertising strategies and ensuring client satisfaction. This role requires a blend of sales, marketing and communication skills.
Key Responsibilities:
Client Management:
- Act as the primary point of contact for assigned clients.
- Build and maintain strong, long-lasting client relationships.
- Understand clients’ business objectives and advertising needs.
Strategy Development:
- Collaborate with internal teams to develop effective advertising campaigns.
- Present campaign proposals to clients and negotiate terms.
- Monitor campaign performance and adjust strategies as needed.
Sales and Business Development:
- Identify and pursue new business opportunities.
- Prepare and deliver sales presentations.
- Engage in networking activities.
- Meet and exceed sales targets.
Reporting and Analysis:
- Provide regular reports on campaign progress and results.
- Analyze data to identify trends and insights.
- Present findings to clients and internal teams.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Advertising, Business Administration, or a related field.
- Proven experience in sales or account management, preferably in the advertising industry.
- Strong communication, negotiation and presentation skills.
- Ability to build and maintain client relationships.
- Excellent analytical and problem-solving abilities.
Skills
- Client Relationship Management
- Sales and Business Development
- Strategic Planning
- Communication and Presentation
- Data Analysis
Interested candidates should apply directly with an email message and resume to Alan Wartes at publisher@gunnisontimes.com.
SAGUACHE COUNTY IS SEEKING TO
HIRE A PROJECT CONSULTANT:
Saguache County is soliciting a qualified Management Consultant to assist in the project management of development of county-owned properties for future affordable housing projects that will serve as a liaison between the architect, builders, contractors and elected officials, facilitating regional collaboration with municipalities, and tracking, documentation and reporting of Proposition 123 requirements.
Saguache County is seeking to hire a qualified consultant with housing expertise that will also support county staff with grant related reporting and activities and expertise to increase professional capacity.
Roles and Responsibilities: Consultant will assist in the management of the construction of affordable housing projects in the Mobile Home Estate Subdivision (aka Casita Park), while working as a liaison between the architect, builders and contractors while facilitating regional collaboration with municipalities and elected officials. This consultant will also in the support of County staff with grant related reporting and activities.
1.3 Qualifications:
• Previous project management experience and outcomes, including contact information for a minimum of three (3) relevant projects of similar scope and scale.
• Knowledge of local building standards, codes, and practices.
Knowledge of Proposition 123. Knowledge of grant related activities and reporting. Experience with workforce/affordable housing development and construction. Responses must be submitted to the Saguache County Administration office –505 3rd Street, Saguache, CO by Thursday, July 24, 2025. Responses may also be emailed to Wendi Maez, Saguache County Administrator at wmaez@saguachecountyco.gov.
THE CLUB AT CRESTED BUTTE is hiring a part-time yoga instructor. $50/hour must be certified. For more information or to apply, please visit theclubatcrestedbutte.com or email jobs@clubatcrestedbutte.com.
THE CLUB AT CRESTED BUTTE is hiring the following part-time and full-time seasonal positions: Dishwasher, $21/hr. +gratuity. Front Desk Attendant, $18-22/hr. (Saturday and Sunday AM or PM shifts); Servers, $16/ hr. + gratuity; Market Attendants, $16/hr. + gratuity; Bunker Crew Team Member, $18$20/hr. Employee benefits include employee discounts and complimentary golf. For more information or to apply, please visit theclubatcrestedbutte.com or email to jobs@ clubatcrestedbutte.com.
PROJECT HOPE OF GUNNISON VALLEY seeks a Director of Community Engagement for a 25 hour/week position to plan and execute our annual fundraiser that supports victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, human trafficking, and/or stalking. To apply, send resume, cover letter, and 3 references to: director@hope4gv.org. See further info on our website at hope4gv.org/employment.
LEGAL SECRETARY wanted for law firm located in Gunnison (Schumacher & O’Loughlin, LLC). Candidate must be highly organized, detail-oriented and able to effectively communicate verbally and in writing. This position will be responsible for tasks related to general law firm operations and assisting attorneys as needed. Experience in a legal or accounting office is preferred but not required. Experience with Microsoft programs is required. Position is 24-32 hours per week, with flexible weekday hours. Initial hourly range is $19$23/hour, dependent upon experience and qualifications. Email cover letter, resume, and 2 reference contacts to Abigail at abigail@gunnisonlaw.net. Position is open until filled.
FOR SALE
BUSINESS FOR SALE: Red Mountain Logworks is a 30 year established business, building outdoor furniture. All tools, equipment, materials included. Must move locations. Lease is expiring. Owner is retiring. Will train. $125,000. Call Reggie Masters Coldwell Banker Mountain Properties. 970-596-3568 for details and showing.
REAL ESTATE
2 BDRMS VACANT in a 4 bedroom apartment in Gunnison, CO. Please email: healthyfutures@mountainrootsfoodproject. org for further inquiries. Move-in date: ASAP
ARTIST STUDIO SPACE: Please see beautiful artist studio spaces at 235 Off Main studios in the rear alley. $225 for the first 6 months. Call Paul 970-710-9604 or 847-7697800.
FLAT LAND FOR LEASE AVAILABLE IN GUNNISON: Easy access - call Geoff 978473-9256.
PITCHFORK MT CRESTED BUTTE: 3 bedroom, 3 BA furnished garage 1.5 space, and Fireplace, hardwood floors, laundry new, pets ok with deposit, Available August 1. $4,200 plus utilities 847-769-7800 or Angelovskimar@gmail.com
PRIME GROUND FLOOR RETAIL SPACE Next to City Market in Gunnison - 1,500 sqft of prime ground floor retail space available in the Meadows Mall next to City Market in Gunnison - Huge parking lot, tons of foot traffic, excellent 135 highway visibility - For more information, call Jordon Ringel at 817733-6947 or visit GunnisonMeadows.com.
10 ACRE MINING CLAIM: Established in 1896. Hand dug shaft, unit 66, spring-fed pond, partially fenced, good hunting, easy access off Hwy 149. $47,000. Call 970-7846722.
Legals
NOTICE OF NAME CHANGE
PUBLIC NOTICE OF PETITION FOR CHANGE OF NAME
Public Notice is given on June 18, 2025 that a Petition for a Change of Name of an adult has been filed with the Gunnison County, Colorado Court.
The Petition requests that the name of Luke Andrew Diggs-Marshall be changed to Luke Andrew Diggs
Cirenda S. Fry
Clerk of Court/Deputy Clerk /s/ Cirenda S. Fry
Gunnison Country Times
Gunnison, Colorado. Publication dates of June 26, July 3 and 10, 2025
17751
PUBLIC NOTICE
MEETING NOTICE
Upper Gunnison River Water Conservancy
District WATER ACTIVITY ENTERPRISE MEETING
Monday, July 28, 2025, 7:45 PM
The Board of Directors of the Upper Gunnison River Water Conservancy District (UGRWCD) will conduct a regular semi-annual meeting of the Water Activity Enterprise on Monday, July 28, 2025 at approximately 7:45 PM at the UGRWCD Offices, 210 W. Spencer Ave., St. A, Gunnison, CO 81230 and via Zoom video/ teleconferencing. This meeting will immediately follow the UGRWCD Board Meeting scheduled at 5:30 PM on Monday, July 28, 2025. For questions or for Zoom login information, please contact the District at (970)641-6065.
Gunnison Country Times
Gunnison, Colorado
Publication date of July 10, 2025
17906
PUBLIC NOTICE
MEETING NOTICE
Upper Gunnison River Water Conservancy District Board of Directors Meeting Monday, July 28, 2025, 5:30 PM The Board of Directors of the Upper Gunnison River Water Conservancy District (UGRWCD) will conduct a regular board meeting on Monday, July 28, 2025 at 5:30 PM at the UGRWCD Offices, 210 W. Spencer Ave., St. A, Gunnison, CO 81230 and via Zoom video/teleconferencing. For questions or for Zoom login information, please contact the District at (970)641-6065.
Gunnison Country Times
Gunnison, Colorado Publication date of July 10, 2025 17907
PUBLIC NOTICE
IN THE DISTRICT COURT OF OKLAHOMA COUNTY STATE OF OKLAHOMA
LOCKE SUPPLY CO., an Oklahoma Corporation Plaintiff, v. SLATE RIVER SYSTEMS, INC., a Texas Corporation; BENJAMIN YORK, an individual; and CHRISTOPHER YORK, an individual Defendants
Case No. CJ-2025-3325
NOTICE BY PUBLICATION
STATE OF OKLAHOMA TO: Benjamin York
You are hereby notified that an action has been filed in the District Court of Oklahoma County, State of Oklahoma, Case No. CJ-2025-3325, styled Locke Supply Co., an Oklahoma Corporation v. Slate River Systems, Inc., a Texas Corporation, Benjamin York, an individual, and Christopher York, an individual, by Plaintiff Locke Supply Co, an Oklahoma Corporation. This summons is specifically direct to Benjamin York. The nature of the suit against you is for unjust enrichment, fraud, tortious interference, and piercing the corporate veil. The recovery of money damages sought is in excess of $5,000,000 but not in excess of $10,000,000, plus all recoverable interest, fees, and costs.
You are hereby notified that you have been sued in this action and must answer the Petition by Plaintiff on or before the 11th day of August, 2025. You are further notified that in the event you do not appear and respond to the allegations contained in the Petition, the allegations will be taken as true and judgment will be entered in Plaintiff’s favor, together with the requested relief prayed for in the Petition.
WITNESS my hand and seal this 25th day of June. 2025./s/ RICK WARREN, COURT
CLERK OKLAHOMA COUNTY, OKLAHOMA
By: DEPUTY
Approved as to form:
Christopher M. Scaperlanda, OBA #31703
Gatlin C. Squires, OBA #34795
Justin R. Cajindos, OBA #36063
McAfee & Taft A Professional Corporation 8th Floor, Two Leadership Square 211 N. Robinson
Attorneys for Locke Supply Co. Gunnison Countrtimes Gunnison, Colorado Publication dates of July 3, 10 and 17, 2025
17874
REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS
Request for Qualifications (RFQ) 2025 Emergency and On-Call Water and Wastewater Services Gunnison County, Colorado
Gunnison County is seeking contractors for Operations and Repair Services to provide repair services and operational assistance on an as-needed basis to support the Water and Sewer District. The County has not set a maximum number of Task Orders to be awarded to any single firm but intends to distribute discipline-specific assignments among the selected firm(s). Submitting qualifications and executing an on-call contract related to this RFQ allows for the County to have a developed list of prequalified contractors able to respond to the District’s needs.
On-Call contracts may be bid and awarded without a specific public works project or scope of work in mind but rather are categorized around general types of anticipated work or trades. When a specific scope of work is identified, individual work orders are authorized based on either a not-to-exceed time and materials basis or on a negotiated lump sum amount, using unit prices bid by the contractor and the contractor proceeds to complete the work. Most typically, on-call Contracts may be used for repair, renovation, and maintenance of public facilities and are typically on an annual basis, with optional renewals. This on-call RFQ is related to water and wastewater work.
Responses to this Request for Qualifications (“RFQ”) will be used to identify a qualified contractor or contractors to lead or support this organizational need. This RFQ is intended to be consistent with the Gunnison County Procurement Policy (Policy Number 1.2.10). All submittals must be submitted digitally to:
Martin Schmidt, Assistant County Manager for Public Works mschmidt@gunnisoncounty.org Submittals must be received no later than 4 pm on July 31.
Questions generated by respondents and subsequent answers by the County will be answered and posted on the County website at: https://www.gunnisoncounty.org/Bids. aspx. The County will answer questions from potential respondents only in writing, no verbal responses shall be considered binding. All such questions and the County’s answers will be provided by numbered addendum, by email and by public publishing. Please email questions to: Martin Schmidt, Assistant County Manager for Public Works, at: mschmidt@gunnisoncounty.org. Please allow 2-3 work days for responses. No answers will be provided after April 30th.
A question and answer meeting will be hosted on Microsoft Teams on July 24th at 1pm.
Please contact Martin Schmidt for the meeting details and login information.
FOR THE FULL RFQ PLEASE VISIT
THE GUNNISON COUNTY WEBSITE AT GUNNISONCOUNTY.ORG.
Gunnison Country Times Gunnison, Colorado Publication date of July 3 and 10, 2025 17875
SUMMONS
SUMMONS
DISTRICT COURT, GUNNISON COUNTY, COLORADO
Address: 200 East Virginia Avenue Gunnison, Colorado 81230 (970) 642-8300
Plaintiff: CHRISTOPHER BROADFOOT
v. Defendants: ESTATE OF ENID BEAN, Deceased; ESTATE OF WILLIAM BEAN, Deceased,
individually and as heir to the Estate of Enid Bean; PHILLIP LYNN BEAN, as heir to the Estate of William Bean and the Estate of Enid Bean; DAVID ALLEN BEAN, as heir to the Estate of William Bean and the Estate of Enid Bean; DOUGLAS ISAAC BEAN, as heir to the Estate of William Bean and the Estate of Enid Bean; JEANETTE BEAN WARNER, as heir to the Estate of William Bean and the Estate of Enid Bean; the unknown heirs of the Estate of Enid Bean; the unknown heirs to the Estate of William Bean; ESTATE OF DALE MADSEN aka JOSEPH D. MADSEN aka JOSEPH DALE MADSEN aka J. DALE MADSEN, Deceased; ESTATE OF JEAN MADSEN, Deceased, individually and as the heir to the Estate of Dale Madsen aka Joseph Dale Madsen; DALENE FRANCIS, as heir to the Estate of Jean Madsen and the Estate of Dale Madsen; LYNETTE WILKES, as heir to the Estate of Jean Madsen and the Estate of Dale Madsen; MELODY LONGHURST, as heir to the Estate of Jean Madsen and the Estate of Dale Madsen; TAMMY DAVIS, as heir to the Estate of Jean Madsen and the Estate of Dale Madsen; the unknown heirs to the Estate of Dale Madsen aka Joseph D. Madsen aka Joseph Dale Madsen aka J. Dale Madsen; the unknown heirs of the Estate of Jean Madsen; ESTATE OF WILLIAM CRAIG, Deceased; ESTATE OF MAURINE CRAIG, Deceased, individually and as the heir to the Estate of William Craig and the Estate of Maurine Craig; WILLIAM J. CRAIG, as heir to the Estate of William Craig and the Estate of Maurine Craig; DIANA DEFRIEZ, as heir to the Estate of William Craig and the Estate of Maurine Craig; ELLEN ATWOOD; as heir to the Estate of William Craig and the Estate of Maurine Craig; FRANCEEN JONES, as heir to the Estate of William Craig and the Estate of Maurine Craig; JANET HAZELTON, as heir to the Estate of William Craig and the Estate of Maurine Craig; DAVID CRAIG, as heir to the Estate of William Craig and the Estate of Maurine Craig; the unknown heirs of the Estate of William Craig; the unknown heirs to the Estate of Maurine Craig; and all unknown persons who claim any interest in the subject matter of this action.
Attorney for Plaintiff: Ann Jefferson, Atty. Reg. #: 44695 JVAM PLLC 114 Old Stage Road, Unit A Salida, CO 81201 Phone Number: (719) 960-4847 E-mail: ann@jvamlaw.com
THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF COLORADO TO THE ABOVE-NAMED DEFENDANTS:
This is an action of declaratory judgment and to quiet title to certain real property located in Gunnison County, Colorado, described as follows:
A PORTION OF H.E. SURVEY NO. 324, IN TOWNSHIP 51 NORTH, RANGE 4 WEST, N.M.P.M., DESCRIBED AS FOLLOWS: BEGINNING AT A POINT 20 RODS SOUTH 20°17’ WEST OF CORNER NO. 1, FROM WHICH THE STANDARD QUARTER CORNER TO SECTION 34 IN TOWNSHIP 15 SOUTH, RANGE 89 WEST 6TH P.M. BEARS NORTH 4°1’ EAST 226.56 CHAINS DISTANT AND RUNNING THENCE SOUTH 20°17’ WEST 40 RODS; THENCE SOUTH 69°36’ EAST 16 RODS; THENCE NORTH 20°17’ EAST 40 RODS; THENCE NORTH 69°36’ WEST 16 RODS TO THE POINT OF BEGINNING.
ALSO, ONE-FOURTH OF ONE CUBIC FOOT OF WATER FROM WEST SOAP CREEK FOR USE WITH SAID LAND.
COUNTY OF GUNNISON, STATE OF COLORADO.
Tax Parcel Number: 3509-000-00-005, at TBD Forest Road 721, Gunnison, CO 81230 (the “Property”).
All Defendants personally interested in this matter are hereby summoned and required to file with the Clerk of this Court an Answer or response within 30 days after the date of the last publication of this Summons. A copy of the complaint may be obtained from the clerk of the court.
If you fail to file your answer or other response to this Complaint in writing within the applicable time period, judgment by default may be entered against you by the Court for relief demanded in the Complaint without further notice.
Respectfully submitted June 20, 2025.
JVAM PLLC Ann Jefferson, Atty. Reg. # 44695 Attorney for Plaintiff
Gunnison Country Times Gunnison, Colorado Publication dates of June 26, July 3, 10, 17, 24, 2025.
17725
Faith Directory
Bethany Church
909 N Wisconsin St. (behind Powerstop) • 970-641-2144
One service at 9 a.m. with nursery & children’s church.
Check us out on YouTube at Gunnison Bethany. gunnisonbethany.com
B'nai Butte Jewish Congregation
PO Box 2537 Crested Butte, CO 81224 305-803-3648 bnaibutte@gmail.com
Serving the Jewish communities of Crested Butte, Gunnison and surrounging areas.
Spiritual leader: Rabbi Mark Kula is available for you at RabbiMarkKula@gmail.com bnaibutte.org
Community Church of Gunnison
107 N. Iowa • 970-641- 0925
Pastor Larry Nelson
Sunday Morning Worship 9:30 a.m.
Weekend Services 9:30 a.m.
Nursery & Age-Graded Ministry
Weekly Student Ministry
Weekly Adult LifeGroups
Office Hours: Mon-Thurs, 9-4
For more info: ccgunnison.com or email info@ccgunnison.com
Join us in-person, listen to our broadcast on 98.3 FM, or view online stream on YouTube
Transforming Lives • Building Community
First Baptist Church
120 N. Pine St. • 970-641-2240
Pastor Jonathan Jones
SUNDAY
Sunday School at 10 a.m.
Sunday Morning Worship at 11 a.m.
Sunday Evening Service at 6 p.m. (during school year) WEDNESDAY (during school year)
Truth Trackers Kids Club at 6:30 p.m.
Youth Group for Teens at 7:30 p.m. firstbaptistgunnison.org.
Gunnison
Congregational Church
United Church of Christ
317 N. Main St. • 970-641-3203
Reverand Ian Wrisley
Welcoming, Open and Affirming, Building a Just world for All.
300 N. Wisconsin • 970-641-0808 Fr. Andres Ayala-Santiago gunnisoncatholic.org crestedbuttecatholic.org or call the Parish Office.
St. Peter’s - Gunnison Sat 5 p.m. & Sun 10:30 a.m., 12 p.m. (Spanish) Mass First Sunday of every month bilingual Mass 11 a.m.
Queen of All Saints - Crested Butte, 401 Sopris Sun 8:30 a.m. Mass
St. Rose of Lima - Lake City Communion Service, Sun. at 10 a.m.
Church in the Barn 8007 County Road 887
Waunita Hot Springs Ranch • 970-641-8741
Sundays, 10:30 a.m. Non Denominational Come as you are.
Church of Christ
600 E. Virginia • 970-641-1588
Sunday Morning Bible Class: 9:30 a.m.
Sunday Morning Worship: 10:30 a.m.
Sunday Evening Worship: 6 p.m.
Wednesday Night Bible Class: 7 p.m.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints Gunnison Branch 810 N 11th St. 970-648-4804 Sacrament Meeting 10 a.m. Attending church each Sunday is a respite from fast-paced daily living. Join us to worship God, strengthen your spiritual connections, and focus on Jesus. Worship with a community of people who are trying to be more Christlike and learn from each other.
The Good Samaritan Episcopal Church 307 W. Virginia Ave. • 970-641-0429 Rev. Laura Osborne, Vicar First Sunday of each month –11 a.m. Holy Eucharist, Rite II Alternating at Good Samaritan and All Saints in the Mountains Check our websites for location Second Sunday-Fifth Sunday –9 a.m. Holy Eucharist, Rite II
Visit our partnership church: All Saints in the Mountains, Crested Butte Meeting Second-Fifth Sundays at 5 p.m., Holy Eucharist, Rite II
403 Maroon Ave, Crested Butte Visit our website for location of 11 a.m. Holy Eucharist, First Sunday of each month allsaintsinthemountains.org
Independence Day
Gunnison celebrated Independence Day with fireworks, food and paddleboard races. The celebration started early with the Gunnison Balloon Rally filling the sky with color, along with a free Pancake Breakfast hosted by the Gunnison County Farm Bureau. Then, a food court and beer garden filled Jorgensen Park in preparation for the grand finale firework show. Partygoers filled Pac Man Pond with paddle boards and dogs ready to race. The celebration concluded with a vast firework show cementing the celebration.
GUNNISON PARKS AND RECREATION MASTER PLAN
(Photos by Evan Bjornstad)
MOUNTAIN CLINIC
The only state licensed emergency center and certified urgent care provider on the mountain. Located at the base of the Silver Queen Lift.
Mountain Clinic | 970-349-0321
12 Snowmass Rd., Axtell 100 Mt. Crested Butte, CO 81225
URGENT CARE CLINIC
O ering convenient care for minor injuries and illnesses that can’t wait for a doctor’s appointment. No appointment necessary and open seven days a week.
Urgent Care | 970-648-7105
707 North Iowa St. Gunnison, CO 81230
EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT
Our Emergency Department (ED) is a fully-sta ed eight bed ED which provides emergency care 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Care by Board Certified Emergency Physicians and nursing sta who are either certified in emergency nursing or hold advanced degrees.
Emergency Department
711 North Taylor St. Gunnison, CO 81230
‘It Takes a Village’
New local podcast a resource for mothers and women
Gia Wright Special to the Times
Three children were gathered on a couch watching television on the lower level of Brieanna Radford‘s Gunnison home. Whether they knew it or not, their existence has inspired the creation of a local, homegrown podcast — “It Takes a Village” — that is recorded upstairs each month in Radford’s art studio.
Podcast creators Megan West, Liberty Lyons and Radford are friends — and each is a mom to one of the children. Facing the numerous and complex challenges that new motherhood presents inspired the women to explore the evolving landscape of emotions, experiences, difficulties and questions faced by the women of the Gunnison Valley with candor and empathy.
“It Takes a Village” is a mixture of dialogue between friends who have helped each other through the various stages of raising children, and interviews with fellow community members and experts. The trio launched the podcast this past April and have already created six episodes and have a growing base of listeners.
“We really wanted to find a way to help moms and women in the community,” West said. “We are all moms now and it is a very hard new journey to go through.”
The goal, the women said was to create a container of inclusivity, connectivity and empowerment, where resources and support could be shared amongst community members.
“Everyone has a different experience, every kid is different, every mom, every background, so we’re trying to paint a picture of truth with our experiences and [also] interview local people who can help bring more context to everything,” Lyons said.
The episodes touch on topics ranging from pregnancy and birthing to lactation and breastfeeding, mental health struggles, and more. They are raw, relatable and intimate — but also funny and light-hearted.
In addition to sharing knowledge and wisdom gleaned from personal experience, “It Takes
a Village” also provides education, resources, comfort and reassurance.
“[As new mothers] you are expected to just know what you’re doing and be perfect and happy,” Radford said. “But the truth is, being a mom, a woman, a human being can be tough at times."
Though the podcast is focused on the needs of moms and women, the creators of “It Takes a Village” said they want it to be accessible to anyone needing a reminder they are not alone. They also encourage feedback from their audience.
“What else do you need? What can we help build together?” Lyons said. “We want to create something bigger, better, more connected.”
New episodes are released on the second Thursday of the month. Follow the journey on Instagram @ita_village_pod, listen on all major podcast platforms or watch video recordings on YouTube.
(Gia Wright is a Gunnison Valley writer.)
Left to right: Liberty Lyons, Megan West and Brieanna Radford. (Photos by Gia Wright)
nights and carnival lights
(Photos by Evan Bjornstad)
Craft show
The annual Pitkin Art and Craft sale is July 18 and 19 at the Newcomb Community Center, 800 State Street. The show is open from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. both days. All artisans are local.
Alpine Run/Walk
On July 26 The Alpine Run/ Walk is the opening event for the annual Pitkin Day festivities. It starts at 8 a.m. in front of the Silver Plume at 9th and State Street. This is a timed 2-mile and 5-mile run. Everyone is welcome. Arrive early to register. No fee and certificates are awarded to all, with a “Golden” Railroad Spike for 1st place.
Gunnison Valley Animal Welfare League
Gunnison Valley Animal Welfare League’s annual yard sale, with items priced by donation, will be held July 18-19 from 8 a.m.-3 p.m. at 508 N 7th Street in Gunnison. Athletic gear, home decor, kitchen items, tools, art work, furniture, pet gear, books, name brand clothing, hiking boots and so much more. Cash only please. All proceeds go to GVAWL.
Music cruise
The music cruise will be July 15 at 5:30 p.m. at Natural Grocers and ends at 7 at The Sanctuary on S. Main. At the end of the Cruise will be a community party. Handmade street tacos, churro wagon, a DJ and more.
ARTS CENTER BRIEFS
Broadway Bound musical theater camp ages 8-13
Join us July 14th-18th with Macy Vinther from 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. for Broadway Bound. This camp offers young performers a fun and supportive introduction to live theater, where they’ll build acting skills, grow in confidence, and showcase their talents in a final performance for family and friends.
Drawing the figure
Join us in a figure drawing class on either 7/10, 7/24, 8/7, 8/28 from 5:30 - 8:30 p.m. This interactive class features a live nude model, whether you are a beginner or brushing up on fundamentals, this class is a great way to connect with your art and the human form.
2025 Arts Ball
Step into a world of color, creativity and celebration at the 2025 Arts Ball on July 10 from 5-10 p.m., benefiting the Center for the Arts. This event champions the Center’s mission to bring arts and cultural experiences to everyone in Crested Butte.
Wine + food festival
Join us July 13 - 20 for an annual epicurean celebration that brings world-class chefs, winemakers, brewers, distillers, sommeliers, and spirits experts together.
Wild Rumours
- A Fleetwood Mac Experience
Wild Rumours is like Fleetwood Mac at their peak: no guardrails, all gas, no brakes. Delivering a full on Fleetwood Mac concert experience rock show that will blow your mind. The show is July 13 at 8 p.m. and the cost is $65.
AND series
Join us July 17 from 5:30 - 8:30 p.m. and relax with watercolor and wine. Join artist Karen Hill for a fun, no-experience-needed evening of painting, sipping and socializing in a laid-back, creative setting.
Dance returns at the Gunnison Arts Center
Dance begins again on July 23 for the rest of the summer. For more information on all classes visit GunnisonArtsCenter.org/ movingarts.
Alpenglow: Easy Jim
Join us on July 14 from 5:307:30 p.m. for Easy Jim, known for their exciting original improvisations, high energy performances and attention to detail. Easy Jim’s mission is to provide a visceral concert experience that pays tribute to one of the most infamous rock ‘n’ roll bands, The Grateful Dead.
Summer Classics in the Courtyard
The acoustic jazz ensemble, Rhythm Future Quartet is keeping the spirit of Gypsy jazz alive and expanding in today’s musical universe. The virtuosic foursome, named for a Django Reinhardt tune, offers up a newly minted sound, influenced by the classic Hot Club of France, yet wholly contemporary. Crested Butte residents may remember Rhythm Future Quartet from previous years with the Crested Butte Music Festival. The show is on July 15 from 5:30-7 p.m.
U14 baseball dominates against Montrose
Gunnison wins in five-inning blowout
Evan Bjornstad Times Staff Writer
Gunnison's U14 baseball team took down Montrose 14-4 at Jorgensen Park on July 7. Gunnison's defense, led by Wyatt Stone on the mound, quickly secured three outs to earn their first plate appearance of the afternoon.
Bodhi Bacalis took the batter’s box first for Gunnison. With the pressure on, the shortstop smacked a ground ball past second base, landing a single to kickstart the home offense. Bacalis then stole second and third base to reach a scoring position. Tytus Williams then drew a walk and Bacalis stole home to propel Gunnison up 1-0.
Baseball B6
Western swim and dive earns Brechler Award
Team awarded for 3.6 GPA
Gregg Petcoff
Special to the Times
Western Colorado University’s swim and dive program earned its fourth consecutive Brechler Award on July 3. The Brechler Awards, named in honor of former RMAC commissioner Paul W. Brechler and his wife Wanda, were the first inductees into the RMAC Hall of Fame. The award honors teams with the highest GPA in each of the RMAC sport offerings.
Posting a cumulative team GPA of 3.601, the 2024-25 swim and dive program improved on last year's leading GPA of 3.518 to extend a string of Brechler honors that began with the
2021-22 award. The program earned its first Brechler in the 2014-15 academic year.
Also on Thursday, the College Swim Coaches Association of America (CSCAA) released its list of Scholar All-America teams. Western was one of the 763 teams from NCAA Divisions 1, 2, and 3, the NAIA and the junior college ranks to earn a spot on the list.
Scholar All-America teams are required to post a cumulative team GPA of 3.00 in the spring semester. Western registered a cumulative GPA of 3.65 to earn its place on the Scholar All-America team list.
(Gregg Petcoff is the assistant athletics director for communications at Western Colorado University and can be reached at gpetcoff@western.edu.)
Joseph Stoeber knocks a fastball. (Photos by Evan Bjornstad)
(Courtesy Western Colorado University Athletic Communications)
Stingrays shine in Montrose
Members of the Gunnison Stingray swim team practiced at the Gunnison Rec Center pool on July 7, and worked on kickboard and fin drills. At the last meet in Montrose on June 28, 7-year-old Brett Corey led the Stingrays with six first-place finishes, racking up 153 points. Elora Jones contributed 67 points and Citrina Gerlock added 53.5 points to the team tally. The Stingrays will return to action at the 2025 Western Slope League Championships in Grand Junction July 11-13.
Lake City is looking for a full time director and full or part time aide at Wee Care Child Care Center!
The Director qualified in the state of Colorado with a minimum of 3 years of experience or a relevant degree in Early Childhood Education.
Part-Time/Full-Time Teacher’s Aide to assist in a learning environment to support children as they engage in meaningful work and play!
We encourage all interested individuals to apply! To apply, email your resume and cover letter to weecareboard@gmail.com.
We just wanted to take a moment to make sure the news about the new process concerning recycling glass gets out to everyone. We have posted it at our Recycle Center and our staff is happy to share more information in person.
As most of you are aware we no longer are required to sort the glass brought to our Center into different color categories. The company that we sell the glass to for recycling has optical reading machines that sorts all the glass they receive into different color categories. This change allows us to process product faster and recycle more glass product.
Even though colors are now combined we take clear, green and brown glass ONLY. The list of glass items that we DO NOT take is the same: blue glass, glass blocks, windows, tempered glass, vases and ceramics.
If you have any questions please feel free to contact Gunnison County Public Works at 970-641-0044 or come visit our Recycle Center at 195 Basin Park Drive, Gunnison.
Citrina Gerlock completes a practice lap on July 7. (Photos by Evan Bjornstad)
Henry Michalak and Stephen Jones wait for instruction
Gerlock cruises on a kickboard.
Baseball from B4
Learn about restoring wolverines to Colorado
Joseph Stoeber took to the plate next and drove home Williams with an RBI down the first-base line. After Gunnison loaded the bases, Zair Uziel Daniel followed in Stoeber's footstep with a consecutive RBI.
Gunnison steamrolled pastMontrose, stealing home four more times before the end of the first inning to take a sevenrun advantage.
Stone continued his defensive dominance in the second. The Gunnison ace tallied three strikeouts to maintain the shutout. Cody Vick stepped up to the plate and crushed a ball for
a leadoff single. Williams added a double, and after a trio of RBIs from Stoeber, Lane Stone and Uziel Daniel, Gunnison finished the second up 10-0.
Montrose finally kicked into gear in the third after a sacrifice groundball moved their first run across home. Montrose’s offensive revival led to four runs in the inning, prompting Gunnison to act quickly.
The fourth inning was quiet on both sides, with equal ambitions. Gunnison could only sneak one baserunner home in the fourth, moving the lead to 11-4.
Gunnison needed to score three runs to enforce the mercy rule and to cement their hardearned victory in the fifth and
final inning. After shutting down Montrose in the first half, Gunnison continued strong with Uziel Daniel leading the offensive charge, batting leadoff and reaching first base.
Rylan Holler put the ball in play at the next at bat, and made it to second base to advance two runners in scoring position. Both runners stole home, and extended the lead to 13-4. After loading the bases, Montrose walked Williams allowing John Dempsey to score the winning run.
The home victory wrapped up the 2025 summer season.
(Evan Bjornstad can be contacted at 970.641.1414.)
Learn about restoring wolverines to Colorado
Join a free event about event about wolverine ecology & restoration in our state.
Join a free event about event about wolverine ecology & restoration in our state.
Thurs, July 31 | 5:30 PM - 7:00 PM
Thurs, July 31 | 5:30 PM - 7:00 PM Gunnison County Fairgrounds 275 S Spruce St A, Gunnison, CO 81230
Gunnison County Fairgrounds
275 S Spruce St A, Gunnison, CO 81230
Sat, August 2 | 10:30 AM - 12:00 PM Gunnison County Library 1 Quartz St, Gunnison, CO 81230
Sat, August 2 | 10:30 AM - 12:00 PM Gunnison County Library 1 Quartz St, Gunnison, CO 81230
Hosted by: RSVP at:
Hosted by: RSVP at:
Wyatt Stone throws a fastball.
Joseph Stoeber dashes towards third base.
Gunnison football hits the gridiron
along with fresh senior leadership, the
On July 8, the GHS football team took the field in preparation of the 2025/26 season. Led by new Head Coach Chase
a
PLOTKIN & JENN Y HILL PANKRATZ
Sponsored By: Community Foundation the Gunnison Valley
