Gunnison Country Times, October 30, 2025 by alanwartesmedia

City budget focuses on inflation

Revenue expected to remain flat

Alan Wartes

Special to the Times

Gunnison City Council held a public hearing on Tuesday to present details of the proposed 2026 budget and to solicit comments from the public. As proposed, total city expenditures next year will reach almost $64 million.

A first reading of the ordinance adopting the budget and setting the mill levy will take place on Nov. 18 in a regular meeting of the city council. A final budget must be approved no later than Dec. 15.

City Manager Amanda Wilson clari -

budget A8

INSIDE TODAY

To the big leagues and back home again

COMMUNITY: Snowbird survival guide, A14

SPORTS: buffington comes back stronger, A21

NEWS: Q&A with Leslie Nichols A3 OPINION A6 CLASSIFIEDS A17-A19 SPORTS A21

Former Dodgers Coach Taylor Miller to resurrect Colorado Fitness

Alex McCrindle Times Associate Editor

On Oct. 27, the Los Angeles Dodgers first-baseman Freddie Freeman ended an 18-inning, 7-hour World Series game 3 with a walk-off rocket to center field. Los Angeles Head

Coach Dave Roberts called it “one of the greatest World Series games of all time,” as the Dodgers are now two-wins away from their second consecutive world title. But to one Gunnison local, the Dodgers aren’t just a collection of global superstars — they’re friends, former colleagues and part of a tight-knit clubhouse he once knew well.

For the past three years, Gunnison native Taylor Miller served as the Triple A Assistant MiLB Performance Coach with the Dodgers organization. He helped rehabilitate World Series stars, such as pitchers Yoshinobu Yamamoto and

Walker Buehler and infielders Tommy Edman and Max Muncy in route to the 2024 championship. Now with a World Series ring to his name, Miller is returning to the Gunnison Valley and re-opening Colorado Fitness — a new gym, kitted out with big-league “bells and whistles” but built with the Gunnison community in mind.

“Colorado Fitness is a place for everyone,” Miller said. “If your goal is to lose weight, to build muscle, to prevent skiing injuries, to be a better mountain biker — if it’s to compete in weightlifting competitions, if you’re a college athlete, professional athlete — this is a place where everyone should feel welcome.”

Colorado Fitness, formerly located at 405 W. Tomichi Ave., closed in 2022 after more than 20 years of operation. Miller considered purchasing the old business, but lived out-ofstate at the time and couldn’t make his passion project a reality. The new Colorado Fitness will be located at 881 Bidwell, Unit B and will be open 24/7 for members through a bluetooth app. The facility will include modern physiotherapy tools, such as force plates, blood-flow restriction technology and movement screens. Combined with individualized training,

Taylor Miller stands in front of the future Colorado Fitness location. (Photo by Alex McCrindle)

GHOSTS AND GHOULS ON ICE: The Western Colorado University club hockey teams hosted a Spook Skate event at Jorgensen Ice Rink on Saturday, Oct. 25. A live DJ, photobooth and halloween treats filled out the event before a costume contest. (Photo by Jacob Spetzler)

“I’m

— Leslie Nichols, GWSD superintendent

GCEA rate increase

On Oct. 23, the GCEA Board of Directors approved publication of a proposed 7.2% overall rate increase for 2026, set to take effect on Jan. 1. This increase spans all rate classes and will be distributed across the energy or kWh charge and demand charge (for large power and industrial accounts). There will be no increase to the monthly service availability charge.

The key details are as follows:

• The rate adjustment is necessary to cover increasing operating costs and ensure continued delivery of safe and reliable electric service to GCEA members.

• Through a combination of cost management measures and revenue adjustments, GCEA achieved a lower rate increase than originally proposed for 2026.

• The average monthly residential member bill will increase $10.28 based on 688 kWh per month of usage.

• The monthly service availability fee will not increase in 2026.

• Nov. 5, 2025, GCEA member virtual meeting scheduled to review proposed rate changes.

The proposed rate increase is primarily driven by rising costs for wholesale power, labor, materials and support services and the need to replace aging infrastructure to maintain reliability. To help lessen the impact of these higher operating costs on members, GCEA’s board approved the use of deferred revenue to cover part of the increase needed to meet the 2026 budget. The remaining expenses will be recovered through a 7.2% overall increase in member rates.

As a not-for-profit cooperative, GCEA sets rates solely to recover expenses, meet financial commitments and ensure sufficient cash flow to fulfill annual debt obligations while supporting the continued return of unretired patronage capital to our members.

GCEA will hold a virtual member meeting on Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2025, at 6 p.m. to review rate increase details and answer member questions. To receive a link to the meeting, visit gcea. coop.

Nichols announces final year with school district

Superintendent reflects on 8-year tenure

Alex McCrindle Times Associate Editor

Last month, Gunnison Watershed School District

Superintendent Dr. Leslie Nichols announced that the 2025/26 school year will be her final one in the position. Nichols, who took on the role in 2018, has since guided the district through a global pandemic and spearheaded major renovations and expansions to school facilities.

This week, Nichols spoke with the Times to reflect on her 8-year tenure.

(Editor’s note: The following conversation has been edited for length and clarity.)

Why did you decide this was the right time to step down as superintendent?

This is a hard job and I’ve loved it every day that I’ve had the privilege of [having] this job. I really feel lucky that I’ve been able to lead this district and do the work of public education in this gorgeous place. I think public education is the foundation of our democracy, and that really matters a lot to me. Both of my parents

were incredible leaders — my dad as a career officer in the Marine Corps and my mom as a priest in the Episcopal Church. From both of them I learned that leadership has an arc — you step into your role, work hard to do all you can to leave things better than when you started and hand things off in good condition to the next leader. There is a time to lead and a time to move on, and my time to hand everything in the Gunnison Watershed School District off to the next leader is here. I think, personally, I have felt the weight of the work. It is exhausting and, listening to my own inner-voice and intuition, I’ve known I need a rest. This is just time to take a break and for the next iteration of leadership in the valley to step in. I’m really proud of the work I’ve done, and I’m excited for the next leader to take the district to the next level. I just felt like it was the right time.

What are you most proud of when reflecting on the eight years as superintendent. And what were some of the biggest challenges?

This might be surprising to folks, because it’s kind of a quiet thing that I’m really proud of and it’s the work we’ve done district-wide to establish restorative practices as the foundation of our schools. Restorative practices are rooted in relationships and understanding each other as humans and as people. It’s a philosophy that goes back in America to John Dewey — you meet the child where they are and you take them as far as they can go. In education, to do that, we have to have strong relationships. Then to jump forward to the 21st century and the research that’s occurred in education, we know that it is in relationship that learning occurs best. We are emotion scientists. We are developmental scientists and acknowledge through restorative practices, that these relationships actually are everything for the work that we do. It’s almost revolutionary. It means that kids feel safe when they show up at our schools, because they know there are adults here who love them, care about them, want the best for them and expect the most from them.

I’m also extremely proud of this district for being open

Dr. Leslie Nichols

everyday from the first day of school in 2020 through the entire pandemic. We were not closed a single day after spring of 2020 when the whole state was closed by governmental order. I’m proud that we were one of the first districts to recognize the seriousness of that pandemic. I’m proud of the collaborative work that this valley did across agencies, with the school districts, with the county, emergency services and the city of Gunnison and the town of Crested Butte — so kids could be back in school and parents could go to work. I learned a lot during that time on how essential school districts are to the economy, and being open really matters for kids to do all the beautiful learning that we do — but that also really matters for the economy to function.

I’m also very proud of the $120 million bond project — it’s just such a big deal for this community, and I was humbled when we passed the bond. Almost half of this community did not want to spend money and raise their taxes for this purpose, and I hope that we are making every member of this community proud with the investment that we are putting into facilities for career and technical education, for improved learning spaces so that we can use the science of reading, the science of math and the science of learning to meet our kids needs the best and help them grow as much as they can grow. I hope they’re proud of our new playgrounds and our new athletic fields. These are the community’s facilities. This is multiple generations worth of investment in public school in this valley. You can tell so much about a community by how they take care of their young ones, and this valley is doing it right. It’s been a huge responsibility and we take it very seriously and I’m really proud of that as well.

What are challenges and future projects that you hope to see undertaken by the school district?

I’m really excited that the board had the wisdom to jump into strategic planning over the past school year, and we are launching that strategic plan this year. That document and that work will be an exceptional stabilizing force for this transition in leadership, because the board has identified their focus areas and priorities for the next leader to run with. The next leader [will be able to] take that charge from the community through the board, and say, ‘Yes, we are going to continue our path towards exceptional academic growth and learning with purpose and student well being.’ We’re going to continue our collaborative structures across this district. We are one district and we are stronger when we work together. We are so lucky to have these two communities and incredible staff across the valley. There are differences in communities, in populations, but we learn from each

other, we support each other and continuing the collaborative structures that we’ve established is important for the next leader — that’s our Wednesday early release structure, our professional development structures and then instructional coaching that is a specific piece of how we support our teachers to be the best that they can be. Then to continue growing our family and community partnerships through stronger outward communication. I think there is going to be continued work for the next leader and to value and expand and capitalize on those partnerships, both with families and community organizations. We’re excited about that, and that’ll be great work for the next leader to continue. I also get really excited about our pathways expansion, with our career and technical education (CTE) programming that is such fertile ground to strengthen with our healthcare and outdoor industry and tourism.

Given changes to education at the federal level, what message do you have for parents and educators?

I hold on to optimism that we will make it through the national narrative that is undervaluing the importance of public education in America. Again, I think that our public schools are critical structures in our grand American experiment in democracy. I think we’re learning in this moment that democracy is maybe more fragile than we have felt it to be in the past and I do have optimism that we will recognize that we value the core principles of democracy, that recognize every individual as important and then that we recognize the importance of public schools. Because without an educated, engaged electorate — without a citizenry that can read and write and do arithmetic, we don’t have voters who can share their voice to make our government run the way that as Americans, we hold importance where every voice matters.

The federal cuts to the Department of Education, one of the smallest agencies that exist, are concerning. I still think the value this country holds in education will persist. I think some of the cuts, the impacts, are very difficult to explain and pinpoint. But for example, it’s up in the air right now because of the shutdown, but what will happen to federal support for school nutrition is a little unknown right this moment. If federal support for school nutrition goes away, then we may not be able to serve breakfast and lunch the way we do now for students and it might not seem like a big deal, but if kids aren’t fed, they really have a hard time learning and that is why the federal hot lunch program exists.

Additionally, some of our funding in Colorado [could be impacted] because of revisions to the school finance act. I was on a school finance task force that got to participate and

these resources will give athletes new insight into their fitness, injury risks and development plans. In the big leagues, Miller said athletes come into the gym on their own schedules and the coaching staff is there to provide support. Similarly, Colorado Fitness will incorporate an “open gym,” culture, where members can work out at specific time slots and receive consultation and programming from on-site trainers.

The new facility will open on Dec. 1 with a hard-launch celebration featuring live music, fitness presentations and food.

But long before Miller resurrected Colorado Fitness, or climbed the ladder as a performance coach, he starred as the starting centerfielder and quarterback for the GHS baseball and football teams. After graduating in 2014 and being “too stubborn” to choose between his two passions, Miller pursued both sports at Lewis and Clark College in Portland, Oregon.

The year after, he followed his freshman football coach to Southern Utah University, but only played one season of D1 football before tearing both of his hamstrings. Sidelined with injury, Miller sent out emails to other collegiate programs, hoping they would take a chance on an injured athlete. He only received a single response. It was from Western Colorado University, so Miller moved back home.

While at Western, Miller stepped away from the gridiron, but fell back in love with baseball. He joined the club baseball team, ran the GHS weight room and helped train the high school varsity team. Before earning his bachelor’s degree, Miller met Todd Ward, the former sports medicine director at Gunnison Valley Health, who convinced him to pursue his master’s degree.

For the next handful of years, Miller worked alongside Ward at GVH, took on a performance training role with the Western NCAA teams and accepted the head coaching position with the Mountaineer club baseball team. On top of it all, he completed his masters thesis.

“I look back on two of my coaches, and they are two of the biggest reasons why I coach,” Miller said. “Tom Percival, who is still the head baseball coach at GHS, really planted that seed of pushing myself and loving baseball. Brandon Haas was a Western football player at the time and helped out in the weight room. He taught me about delayed gratification and how to invest in my future self.”

Armed with a masters degree in exercise sport science, Miller applied for nearly 150 collegiate programs. Louisiana State University called him the following day, and within a few weeks, he started up the car and headed to Baton Rouge as a strength and conditioning intern. While working with the Tigers, Miller spent 90% of his time with one of the top-ranked NCAA baseball programs in the nation. He spent the other 10% training the football program, and working alongside now NFL superstars Joe Burrow and Ja’Marr Chase. Although initially signed on as a “shadow intern,” Miller helped develop a red shirt program that prepared underclassmen and oversaw rehabilitation and injury development.

Miller’s experience at LSU prepared him for a career in strength and conditioning coaching at nearly any Power Five university. But when LSU baseball strength and conditioning coach Travis Roy asked him what he wanted to do next, Miller said what most childhood baseball fanatics only dream of: “I want to go to the show.” He began a grueling application and interview process and competed against nearly 1,500 applicants, but still, the Gunnison kid earned his spot with the Dodgers organization.

“I moved down to Phoenix for the offseason, and was thrown right in with the wolves,” Miller said. “We had over 60 minor league guys there when I first got there, and I was like a deer in the headlights. I walked into the weight room and was just like, ‘There’s Julio Urias, there’s Walker Buehler,’ and you’re just awestruck — and then I realize, ‘I’m the one that’s supposed to help coach these guys.’”

In his first season, Miller worked as the Single A MiLB performance coach, and spent the majority of his time helping with major league rehabilitations in Rancho Cucamonga, California. But he still got his first glimpse of the big-league lights at Dodger Stadium. Miller worked 24 games with the major league squad that year — and on his very first day with the Dodgers, worked one-on-

one with three-time Cy Young Award-winning pitcher Clayton Kershaw, who coincidentally knows the Gunnison Valley well.

After two years, Miller earned a promotion and moved to Oklahoma City with the Triple A side. There, he played a major role in the rehabilitation of big league players like Yamamoto, Edmond and Buehler. In total, Miller oversaw six players who made the leap back to the show for the world-series winning campaign.

But it was the friendships he made inside the clubhouse — playing Rocket League with Cody Bellinger, talking about snowboarding, fishing and topics away from baseball — that helped take the players’ minds away from the “circus” of the major leagues.

“My connection with the players is what I think helped me skyrocket within pro ball — I was able to build a connection and be relatable,” Miller said. “Then, getting these guys rehabbed and back to the bigs so they could make a contribution really made me feel like I helped us win the World Series. That was a pretty amazing experience.”

At the end of 2024, Miller decided his “childhood dream was complete.” He missed the Gunnison Country and decided to step away from the Dodgers organization and move back home. Now, he runs his own remote training business for professional athletes in the MLB, NFL and NBA — all while fulfilling his dream of re-opening Colorado Fitness.

“I’m most excited for the open gym atmosphere — to be able to walk around, talk to people and create connections and relationships,” Miller said. “I’m really looking forward to being a central hub of social connection and a bright light in the community.”

Miller expects the renovations to be complete next month, with the hard launch set for Dec. 1.

(Alex McCrindle can be contacted at 970.641.1414 or amccrindle@orourkemediagroup. com.)

Miller’s 2024 World Series ring. (Photo by Alex McCrindle)

Miller assists in a pre-game warmup with the Oklahoma City Comets in Triple A. (Courtesy Taylor Miller)

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2025 Member

No one need go hungry

Editor: Here in the Gunnison Valley, where outdoor recreation, grazing ranchland and hardworking farms define our community, food security is a mountain we face together. The November interruption of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) during the federal government shutdown is not an abstract policy; it is a sudden pause in grocery carts, skipped meals, tighter budgets and higher stress for our neighbors. It impacts the restaurant worker washing dishes on Elk, the retiree on a fixed income, the family of four leaning into local agriculture as a lifeline.

Food insecurity is a significant concern in our region where grocery prices continue to rise, the growing season is short and the cost of living, from housing to heating, is higher than many American towns.

Combine the SNAP hold-up with anticipated federal foodassistance cuts in 2026, rising grocery and medical-insurance costs and you get a perfect storm for local families.

That is why our local food security institutions matter now more than ever. Mountain Roots Food Project and the Gunnison Country Food Pantry are coordinating a rapid response to increase community support during this uncertain time.

The Pantry (gunnisoncountryfoodpantry.org) has long been anchored in Gunnison, helping residents regardless of background, offering no-cost groceries. Starting November, we will extend distribution hours to help working families and increase food resources throughout the week.

ernment reopens and SNAP resumes, the demand is expected to continue rising.

If you live here, work here, visit here or raise a family here, we invite you to join in: volunteer to pack food boxes or staff extended hours at your local non-profit, make a donation to help meet this need, host a food drive at your business, tell a neighbor about our local food resources, support a local grower who supplies fresh produce to our programs.

No one in our valley need go hungry.

Holly Conn Mountain Roots Food Project Jodi Payne Gunnison Country Food Pantry

GCEA rates clarified

Editor:

After reading Jay Hill’s letter last week, I saw an opportunity to help clarify GCEA’s upcoming rate structure change. CEO Mike McBride and I recently met with Mr. Hill to walk through the details, and he left the conversation feeling less concerned about GCEA’s introduction of a peak demand charge. My hope is that, with a little more education, other members will feel the same way.

each month, not to every hour in the peak window. An average residential account with a peak demand of 3.3 kW would have a $3.30 charge for the month, which will be offset by a lower kWh charge.

During our conversation, Mr. Hill learned that, based on his usage patterns, he could actually save money under the new structure — and with a few small adjustments, save even more.

Now, to be fair, Mr. Hill was correct. Electricity rates are going up and GCEA is no exception. Over the past four years, retail electric rates have risen nationwide at an average compound rate of 8% annually. Over the same period of time, GCEA’s average compound rate increase has been 3.6%. Some electric utilities have announced double-digit increases for next year — GCEA’s 2026 rate adjustment will be lower, at 7.2%.

If you’re a GCEA member wanting to better understand these changes, visit gcea.coop or call 970.641.3520. We’re happy to walk you through your bill and help you take advantage of the opportunities this change provides.

Alliy Sahagun Member Relations Supervisor GCEA

Trump’s illegal and unethical actions are legion.

The power to levy tariffs is the responsibility of Congress. Trump has used the unfounded excuse of an economic emergency to bypass the separation of powers. He then used his simple minded and chaotic approach toward tariffs to disrupt world trade, alienate and bully our allies and impose inflationary pressures on all U.S. consumers. The spineless Congress has refused to stand up to the wannabe king and reassert their rightful control over tariffs.

LETTERS POLICY

Letters to the editor must be 500 words or less. We favor local topics and discourage argumentative letters addressed to particular people. If you reference data, please include sources for factchecking.

We will not print letters from candidates for public office. 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.

Mountain Roots, the second largest provider of food assistance in the valley, is ramping up its reach. We are prepared to add 50 households to the Backyard Harvest program, fresh and healthy family food boxes delivered directly to homes of families struggling with food insecurity. Mountain Roots will also sponsor Saturday produce distribution at the Pantry with 800-1,000 lbs. of fresh healthy food. In addition, registration is open for new Holiday Meal Boxes to provide a special meal this Thanksgiving and Christmas. If you or someone you know is experiencing food insecurity, register or nominate a recipient online at mountainrootsfoodproject.org.

In a place where our community is shaped by high-country winters, short summers and a ranching/farming ethic rooted in self-reliance and neighbor care we know we are stronger when we lean on each other.

As November and December approach, one thing is clear: it will take a valley to manage local hunger. Nonprofits can help off-set gaps in assistance, but they cannot do it alone. Even once the federal gov -

First, it’s important to know that GCEA’s rate structure change is not designed to increase revenue. We are a notfor-profit, cost-based organization that operates with very thin margins. We exist to serve our members, and rate impact is a factor in every decision. The goal behind GCEA’s new rate design is to better align the way members are billed with the costs we incur.

About 25 percent of GCEA’s expenses come from a peak demand charge on our wholesale power bill. That charge is determined by our peak demand for electricity each month, typically between 5 and 9 p.m.

In other words, when we use electricity drives that cost. By working together to control costs, GCEA rates and member bills can be lower in the future with some action. The peak demand charge creates an incentive to take action.

Small changes — like doing laundry on Sundays (which are off-peak all day) or scheduling your EV to charge after 9 p.m. — can help lower your peak demand charge. Simple tools like programmable thermostats and water heater timers can be even easier.

Change can feel unsettling when we don’t understand it. This new rate structure actually gives you more control over your bill, not less. And to ease the transition, GCEA is phasing it in over five years, starting with just $1 per kilowatt (kW) in the first year. To be clear, this charge will be applied to only one hour

Reasons for ‘No Kings’ rally

Editor:

I’m sorry to hear Steve Dorzweiler (Letters, Oct. 23) was unable to find a productive conversation at the No Kings rally regarding the motivation for the march. I can offer some perspectives for you.

The American Revolution was fought to free us from the king of England’s oppressive rule. Our Founding Fathers wisely designed the Constitution to create a system of checks and balances to prevent excessive power being concentrated in any one branch of government or any one man lest we once again fall under the oppression of a tyrant.

From his first day, Trump and his enablers assaulted the checks and balances outlined in the Constitution. With every action he has sought to inappropriately and illegally grab more and more power for himself to become the imperial tyrant our founders were trying to avoid. The examples are too numerous to fully list but I’ll note a few.

The Inspectors General of federal departments are there to ensure they follow the laws and rules of ethics that govern them. One of Trump’s first acts was to fire 18 IGs along with the head of the Office of Government Ethics. The clear motivation was that he didn’t want anyone telling him his actions were illegal or unethical. So far those positions remain vacant and

The rule of law is a foundational principle of our democracy. Trump’s actions have ignored, assaulted or upended the law. Examples include the release of the January 6 rioters; the shameless soliciting and receiving of bribes from luxury planes, to shady cryptocurrency schemes to presidential pardons for sale; extorting money from universities, law firms and businesses for fear that the power of government would inappropriately be brought against them; illegally using the DOJ to persecute his enemies; extrajudicial deportations; illegally killing suspected drug smugglers without providing proof. His message to the military is that they should illegally battle the “enemy within,” meaning anyone who dares to question his imperial rule. He labels them as terrorists to justify their persecution.

Finally, in the fantasy world of Trump’s AI-generated social media, he regularly portrays himself as a king wearing a crown. Ridiculous as it is, I think it shows where his aspirations are.

With these and countless other examples I hope you can see why hundreds of your neighbors in Gunnison and millions around the country stood up to show how much they reject a childish, petty, vindictive, ignorant, bullying, power hungry criminal grabbing and exercising an inappropriate and illegal amount of power in his chaotic presidency.

Arden Anderson Gunnison

Why we protest

Editor:

In reply to Steve Dorzweiler’s letter last week: Sorry that you did not find me at the rally, Steve! I would have been respectful with my answer to your query, although I think that the signs held by the marchers told the story. We are very disturbed by the actions taken by the president and his cronies.

We shudder as we see the east wing of the White House obliterated. We wonder at the responses from universities, lawyers and media outlets as they kowtow to his demands. We are aghast at the persecu -

tion of the civil servants who he has on his enemies list. We cringe when warplanes are deployed to Central America and we see boats and people blown out of the water for no proven crime.

We are disgusted when ICE thugs violently detain and disappear our neighbors regardless of their backgrounds. We commiserate with our farmer and rancher friends when tariffs and outrageous gifts to Argentina undermine their livelihoods. We suffer as safety net programs are abolished and our communities are left to deal with high prices and insecurity. We are shocked at the utter impunity of one lie after another. We worry about the suppression of our protests because we too may end up in one of the concentration camps.

I did not observe any one-onone yelling exchanges at all, but I regret that a few of my fellow protesters may not have politely explained our motivation to gather with the seven million patriots around the country who protest the wanton degradation of our Democracy by a narcissist and his sycophants. Sometimes in our anger and frustration, we are perplexed why anyone would question our motivations or support this horrific attack on the Constitution

and American ideals.

“You say you want a Revolution, well, you know, we all wanna change the world!”

One person at a time.

Vikki Roach Archuleta Gunnison

Superintendent survey

Editor:

The Gunnison Watershed School District (GWSD) has launched a search for its next superintendent, beginning a process designed to include broad community input and ensure a strong, transparent selection.

To guide the effort, the District Board of Education has hired McPherson & Jacobson, L.L.C., a nationally recognized education leadership search firm that partners with the Colorado Association of School Boards. The firm has conducted superintendent searches across the state and country, emphasizing stakeholder engagement and equitable hiring practices.

The search will unfold in five phases over the coming months. Early steps include gathering input from students, staff, parents and community members on the qualities and priorities they value in a superintendent. This feedback will

shape the candidate profile and guide recruitment.

Community members are invited to participate in a brief online survey to share their perspectives. The survey is available at surveymonkey. com/r/387K7XR (English) or surveymonkey.com/r/ RJ378Y5(Espanol) through Nov. 5.

McPherson & Jacobson will also hold a series of stakeholder meetings in Gunnison to gather additional feedback. After applications are reviewed and screened, semifinalist and finalist interviews will be conducted this winter. The board expects to select the new superintendent by spring 2026, with the selected candidate beginning duties in summer 2026.

We encourage everyone in our community to share their input — your voices will help define the leadership our district needs for the future.

Gunnison Watershed School District board of directors

Notable first frost this year

Editor:

In response to a question from a reader concerning our

continued on A11

The City Center

Share your survey response and tell us

-How are you getting City information?

-What kind of information are you looking for?

-Have you par ticipated in public input oppor tunities?

-Tell us what we are missing!

gunnisonco.gov/CommEngage

The

meeting of the Gunnison Valley Transportation Authority (RTA) will be on November 7, 2025, at 8:00 a.m.

For copies of the Board of Directors meeting packet, please go to www.gunnisonvalleyrta.com/meetings or call Scott Truex at 970-275-0111. Two or more County Commissioners may attend these meetings.

the Gunnison County Commissioners’ Room in the Gunnison County Courthouse, 200 East Virginia Avenue in Gunnison.

fied that the proposed budget assumed the passage of ballot initiatives 2B and 7A, which would raise property taxes to fund construction of a new fire station in Gunnison and fire department operations going forward. Should those initiatives not pass, staff identified adjustments that would need to be made to the final budget. In particular, the city will have to continue paying for fire services from the general fund.

According to Wilson, falling or flat revenue combined with persistently high inflation in some expense categories complicated the budget development process. That’s especially true in light of the need for large capital improvement projects such as the new wastewater treatment plant, she said.

“The 2026 budget is largely focusing on adjusting for inflation, the cost of doing existing business, not on new capital improvements,” Wilson said in

the meeting. The budget contains no reduction in funding for existing services such as the Gunnison Senior Center or parks and recreation programming. However, funding for the city’s community grant program — money awarded to local nonprofits for services provided to the community — is proposed to fall from $84,000 in 2025 to $67,200 next year. As of the application deadline on Oct. 15, a total of 18 applications for funding were received, totalling $176,000.

In addition, support for the Gunnison Country Chamber of Commerce and the Tourism and Prosperity Project’s ICELab will fall by 20%, if the proposed budget is adopted.

Rate increases for utility services are projected to be limited to roughly the rate of inflation and rise by an average of 6% for the typical user. These include increases for water (5%), wastewater (3%), electrical (10%) and refuse (5%). These numbers are only projections for budgeting purposes

that could change next year with action from the council, City Finance Director Ben Cowan said.

Revenue challenges

City sales tax revenues flattened in 2022, and have not recovered significantly. The proposed 2026 budget “includes a conservative 0.5% increase in sales tax revenue,” city staff wrote in a memo to council. Out of a projected $10.5 million in sales tax revenue, nearly half a million is earmarked for debt service for the ice rink improvements, among other things.

“People think that the City of Gunnison is close to 100% funded by sales taxes or property taxes, and that’s simply not the case,” Cowan said. “Usually we’re around 23% on sales tax. This year, it’s budgeted at 13% and that’s because of that large miscellaneous revenues [should the fire station initiatives pass].”

Another expected drop in city revenue next year comes from a sharp decline in sever-

ance tax collected by the state on resource extraction activities and paid to local jurisdictions. In 2023, the city received just over $1 million — but projects that figure to fall to $20,000 in 2026.

“That’s a substantial hit to our source of revenue,” Wilson said.

Special tax collected on marijuana sales in the city is another source of revenue that is expected to continue falling — down 22% over 2022. This money is specifically earmarked to fund law enforcement, victim advocacy and community programs that aid in youth substance abuse prevention.

Not all the revenue-side news is bad. The city looks to retain just over $400,000 in “vendor service fees” traditionally paid to local business owners in exchange for help in collecting local sales tax receipts. Council is expected to approve doing away with this program in the coming weeks and move to let the state take over tax collection.

In addition, in the wake of the dissolution of the Gunnison Valley Regional Housing Authority — and Gunnison County’s absorption of many of the services it provided — the 2026 budget allocates $50,000 instead of the $224,000 spent in 2025. This money will mostly be spent on compliance enforcement for deed restricted properties owned by the city.

Capital investments If adopted, the 2026 budget will spend $22.5 million on capital improvements, spread over a variety of projects, mostly in the public works arena. These include vehicle fleet replacements ($1.7 million), the East Gunnison Feeder project to extend electrical infrastructure to Gunnison Rising and the southeast portion of the city ($2.5 million), street improvements ($2.3 million) among others. (Alan Wartes can be contacted at 970.641.1414.)

‘Prepare yourselves to follow me’

A tribute to famous residents of the Gunnison Cemetery

Enid Holden Special to the Times

“My good people as you pass by

As you are now, so once was I. As I am now, you soon must be Prepare yourselves to follow me.”

(A chilling quote from the gravestone of Mary Bambrough at the deconsecrated Irwin Cemetery.)

As Halloween approaches, we have a chance to remember some of the famous people who have lived in this community and shaped its history. They now lie buried in the peaceful Gunnison Cemetery along with many local families and, sadly, many graves of children who did not make it

through the difficult frontier days.

Dan Thornton

Dan Thornton was the Republican Governor of Colorado from 1951-1955. The Denver suburb of Thornton, developed during his tenure, was named after him. He was a breeder of Hereford cattle in Gunnison before moving into politics and created a unique brand of cattle. In 1950, the Republican candidate died suddenly and Thornton was asked to replace him. He put together a hasty campaign and won by several thousand votes.

His Gunnison ranch was sold in 1957. When Thornton died in 1976, he was buried in the Gunnison Cemetery. His boots and hat are carved in rose granite as a marker on his grave with these words inscribed in stone: “A man who matched our mountains.”

Susie H. Julian Miller

When Miller was five, her family moved to Irwin camp from Pennsylvania. Five years later, the Julian family moved to nearby Crested Butte. Her father bought a livery stable and Miller often

helped him drive a team from Irwin to Crested Butte.

At nineteen, she married George Miller who worked with his father in the family furniture and undertaking businesses. Later, the young couple moved to Gunnison to run the Miller Furniture and Funeral Home. She attended school in Chicago to learn embalming and became the first female mortician in Colorado. She died in Gunnison at the age of 83.

Cyrus W. “Doc” Shores

Doc Shores was the sheriff in Gunnison for two terms beginning in 1884. He chased down many outlaws during that time and was also involved in communications with the miners’ strike in Crested Butte. He recorded his life in “Memoirs of a Lawman.”

He also had dealings with Alferd Packer, the alleged cannibal, who was jailed in Gunnison for a time. Shores had correspondence from Packer in his possession which proved that the man’s character was notably corrupt. Shores later served as a deputy U.S. marshal, a railroad detective and chief of police for Salt

Lake City, Utah. His tombstone in the Gunnison Cemetery reads: “Western Colorado’s most noted frontiersman, pioneer and lawman.”

Mary A. Lawrence

For 58 years, Lawrence was a resident of Crested Butte and Gunnison. Born Mary Axtell in Chicago, Illinois, she attended Ferry Hall at Lake Forrest where her family resided and in 1883 came west with her mother and sister, Josephine. After coming to Colorado, Lawrence attended Wolfe Hall in Denver and then taught there for two years following her graduation.

She married Clinton I. Lawrence in Crested Butte. He was the station agent for the Rio Grande Railroad in Crested Butte and passed away in 1906. In 1912, Mrs. Lawrence again entered the teaching profession, first going to Paonia, where she taught two years. In 1914 she returned to Gunnison as a teacher in the public schools and continued in that capacity until 1926. During the later part of this period, she was in charge of the teacher training

program in the schools. In 1926 she was elected county superintendent of schools and served until 1931. During the years of her teaching she continued her studies, and was granted a bachelor of arts degree from Western State College.

She ran a boarding house for female teachers in the house that was later named after her. As a member of the Gunnison Chapter of P. E. O., and of Gunnison Valley Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution, she held offices in both organizations and headed many committees.

The headstone of Mary A. Lawrence and her husband Clinton at the Gunnison Cemetery. (Photo by Enid Holden)

rst freeze of the year, I looked it up and it was rather early on Aug. 11. Although long-term residents will know a freeze in mid-August used to be common, that has changed starting in the 1970s. at date has slowly moved to later in September, so that we now have a frost-free growing season of at least 80 days, instead of the traditional 50 days.

What was really odd about it this year was that it was extremely local, apparently restricted to the lower Gunnison River valley west of town near the official GCEA weather station. e West Ruby weather station didn’t have a freeze, the airport did not have a freeze and usually reliable sources north of town did not have a freeze in North Elk Meadows, which usually is very close to the o cial GCEA temperature station.

Furthermore, it didn’t freeze again for over a month until Sept. 15 and then it kept on freezing consistently. In modern jargon, the Aug. 11 freeze appears to be a “one-off” event (or a unicorn). Alantha Garrison, the keeper of the weather station at the GCEA site tells me that when she went to check the weather at 8 a.m., the temperature was 41, but the recorder showed a 31 degree reading from earlier in the morning. That’s a rather rapid increase of ten degrees in just a few hours. It was in the 40s for a low the day before and after Aug. 11.

Incidentally, the last frost of the spring was May 27, so we still had about 75 frost-free days this year. Nonetheless, the date of Aug.11 will go down in the o cial record books as the rst freeze.

Bruce Bartleson Gunnison

Take back language

Editor:

e truth of the matter is that those who control the language also control the narrative and by controlling the narrative through confusion, disingenuous misrepresentation, as well as manufactured falsifications great lies can be presented as truths. The anti-democratic forces at work in the United States have latched onto the shortened term “Antifa,” trying to use it as a proper noun rather than an abbreviation, intending to distort its actual reference and instead identifies it as a hostile organization, a particular group associated with violence and fear.

It is my suggestion that in an attempt to take back the language and therefore the narrative, progressive forces should drop the use of the term Antifa and instead return to the full expression and more informative phrase anti-fascist, which is direct and unambiguous rather than using the copped reference Antifa.

By depriving the anti-democratic forces their use of a false proper noun (Antifa) and replacing it with anti-fascist, anti-fascist is acknowledged as not being a specific group or organization but rather a social-political philosophy in opposition to fascist ideologies, theories and individuals. By abandoning and refusing to respond to the use of Antifa, and reinstating anti-fascist in all discussions or references not only are progressive organizations able to regain control of the language and there by the true narrative it also proves the observation that a fascist government does not declare itself fascist — it declares anti-fascists the enemy of the people.

Don Eugene Seastrum Gunnison

No Dig Moratorium

The City of Gunnison will begin the No Dig Moratorium effective November 19, 2025.

Effective November 19, 2025 no excavation will be allowed in the City right-of-way until further notice. The Moratorium will be lifted when the ground thaws in Spring 2026.

ROW permits for the 2025 season must be submitted to the City no later than November 3, 2025 at 5 p.m.

TAKE A TURKEY TO WORK DAY

NOVEMBER 10, 2025

(OR CHICKEN, OR HAM, OR OTHER TRADITIONAL THANKSGIVING CENTERPIECE!)

The Gunnison Country Food Pantry is short more than 150 turkeys, and local businesses can help!

Join us for Take a Turkey to Work Day and let’s take care of each other. Turkey pick-up will be form 9-11 AM on Monday, November 10. To be included on the pick-up route, email chamberdirector@gunnisonchamber.com. We’ll be taking photos of participating businesses and their turkeys!

PRICE ADJUSTMENT

PEOPLE & HAPPENINGS

Wilderness Pursuits gear swap

The Wilderness Pursuits gear swap will be held Nov. 5 from 12-2 p.m. and 4-6 p.m. at the University Center Ballroom upstairs. Cash only sellers please. Drop-off items on Oct. 31 and Nov. 3-4 from 10 a.m.3 p.m. Lowest price $5. A 20% commission goes toward fundraising and the rest goes back to you. Reach out with any questions at 719.360.8234.

250th Marine Corp birthday

All Marines are hereby ordered to attend the 250th birthday-anniversary of our beloved Corps on Nov. 8 at rendezvous point LZ BPOE 1623 and no later than 1800 hours. Dress is casual with a light dinner and cash bar available so please RSVP to Steve Dorzweiler at 970.596.3363 or Brad Burton at 970.250.9495 and please bring a photo of your personal (not platoon) boot camp graduation picture.

Top O' The World Garden Club rum cakes

Pre-order rum cakes now through Nov. 1 at TOWGardenClub@outlook. com. We have chocolate rum/walnut, butter rum/pecans (specify no-nuts if needed) and coconut rum. Cakes are $40 each. Pickup cakes during the Sugarplum Festival at the Fred Field Center on Nov. 7 4-7:30 p.m. or Nov. 8 9 a.m.-4 p.m.

Gunny Valley Sessions

On Dec. 10 at 6 p.m. the Gunny Valley Sessions will hold an event in the Kincaid Concert Hall in the Quigley Building on Western’s campus. This free community event invites young musicians and vocalists, grades K–12, to perform and the call for

participants is still open. To register, email Heather at gunnyvalleysessions@gmail.com.

Gunnison County Republicans

Gunnison County Republicans’ monthly meeting will be held Nov. 1 at 8:30 a.m. at Palisades Restaurant. The guest speaker is CD3 Candidate Hope Scheppelman. We will also be holding a meet-and-greet of governor candidates on Nov. 8 at 10 a.m. Attending will be Bob Brinkerhoff, Barbara Kirkmeyer and William McBride. All are welcome.

Headwaters Drought Resilience Game

Join Gunnison High School students and local water leaders for a fun, interactive board game about drought resilience on Nov. 8 from 3-5 p.m. at Western Colorado University, Rady Building, Room 106. Taco dinner provided after the game. For more information contact Julia Nania, director@coldharbourinstitute.org.

Juego de Resiliencia ante la Sequía de las Cabaceras

Únete a los estudiantes de la preparatoria de Gunnison y líderes locales del agua para participar en un divertido e interactivo juego de mesa sobre la resiliencia ante la sequía en Nov. 8 de 3 a 5 p.m. a Western Colorado University, Rady Building, Salon 106. Después del juego se ofrecerá una cena de tacos.

‘Friday Night Fuego’

The Gunnison High School production of “Friday Night Fuego” will be Nov. 6-7 at 6 p.m. and Nov. 8 at 4 and 7 p.m. Concessions will be available and donations are appreciated.

COOKBOOK CLUB

GUNNISON ARTS CENTER BRIEFS

First Friday Art Walk openings

Join us for the First Friday Art Walk on Nov. 7 starting at 5 p.m. Patricia Amlin presents new and select oil paintings celebrating a lifetime of movement, transformation and enduring creative energy in the Main Cy Baird Gallery. “Fresh + Giddy” by Laura Jane Wrzesinski features her signature dogs, adventurous wild women and whimsical journeys in the Nancy Tredway Gallery.

Un-Dead ball

Join us for the Gunnison Arts Center’s rst-ever Un-Dead Ball — a frightfully fun Halloween night with music by Skyler Matthias, creepy craft cocktails and the crowning of our Un-Dead royalty. Step into our haunted courtyard-turned-

graveyard for games, surprises and a scream-worthy celebration on Oct. 31 from 9 p.m.-12 a.m. is is an 18+ event.

BOSS Ross

Join us Nov. 15 from 5:308:30 p.m. with instructor Sarah Sharsmith For an evening of Bob Ross inspired painting. She will take you through a classic step-by-step process to create a serene landscape filled with happy accidents.

Handmade for the holidays-ceramic gifts

Join us for 3 ursdays starting Nov. 6 from 5:30-6:30 p.m. for a cozy handbuilding class where you can make one-of-akind ceramic gifts perfect for the holidays for friends, family or yourself.

CB CENTER FOR THE ARTS BRIEFS

‘Echoes of the First Laugh’

Join us Nov. 7-8 at 7 p.m for “Echoes of the First Laugh,” an intimate, meaningful performance rooted in somatic movement, personal storytelling and inner child work presented by the Crested Butte Dance Collective and Crested Butte School of Dance. The cost is $25-$35.

The Dean’s List

The Dean's List Film Tour lands in Crested Butte on Nov. 9 at 6 p.m. featuring independent ski lms from crews you've probably never heard of — MOONSHED, BIRD FLU, VVX PRODUCTIONS and more. If you don't like free swag, ski rafes, degenerate skiers and selfproclaimed filmmakers, then definitely don’t come to this premiere. e cost is $15.

What’s next, and what are you most excited about in this new chapter of your life?

really push for recognition that rural districts in Colorado have greater funding needs because of our remoteness from urban areas. That remoteness factor was designed to use national data based on the census, and helped us identify how remote a school district is. That center was part of the Department of Education and so that data is no longer being gathered and updated. Most people don’t really care, but for students in the Gunnison Valley, their funding depends on that wonky o ce in Washington DC to do really good work telling us about how remote we are, so that we get funded in a way that makes sense. Colorado’s guring it out — but the devaluing of education at the federal level right now is concerning. It breaks my heart because I care so much about education and I also am optimistic we will work our way through this and reground as Americans and recognize the importance of education.

I am looking forward to taking a rest. I’m going to take a gap year, as the kids say these days, and just rest and recover. I don’t know what’s next. My tenure at Gunnison Watershed started unexpectedly with the death of my husband. I have two beautiful kids who are now young adults. Solo parenting for the last eight years while having this big job has been a challenging adventure. So resting and reflecting on that is going to feel good. I also have a fairly new partner in my life, and we plan on getting married. His name is Chuck, and he lives in Salida, and that’s in my future. I will share time between Salida and a little house in Lake City. It’s like 900 square feet of heaven. Those are kind of the broad logistical plans and personal, joyful plans. But professionally, I’m a little bit of a blank slate right now and excited to see what calls to me next. I’m not not nished, but I’m also not certain today what that’s going to look like.

ELDER BEAT!

Snowbird survival guide

Tips for wintering in warmer places

There are many reasons to welcome the arrival of winter each year. The holiday season, recreational activities like skiing and snowboarding and the undeniable beauty of snowcovered landscapes are just some of the reasons to look forward to winter.

Winter certainly has its positive attributes, but some may shudder at the thought of colder temperatures and shorter hours of daylight. In fact, some people dislike the cold so much they take to the road each winter and make for locales noted for their mild temperatures. Snowbird is a term used to refer to individuals who depart their homes around the beginning of winter so they can spend the ensuing months in warm climates.

Snowbirds often are retirees, but the flexibility of remote

working has enabled more and more working professionals to become snowbirds too. Those considering a pivot to the snowbird lifestyle can consider these tips to make that transition successful.

• Find the right locale. Those new to the snowbird lifestyle might assume anywhere that isn’t cold will fit the bill, but warm weather isn’t the only variable to consider when choosing where to spend your winters. Many snowbirds spend several months at their winter destinations, so you will want somewhere that can accommodate the lifestyle you’ve grown accustomed to.

First identify your priorities and then consider variables like the accessibility of nightlife, the availability of recreational activities and opportunities to socialize. A warm but especially remote location might appeal to some, but those who like to get out might do best spending their winters in a more vibrant locale.

• Get a firm idea of the cost. Though there’s ways to save on

the snowbird lifestyle, it can be costly. Whether you plan to rent a winter home or purchase a second home, there’s notable costs that come with each approach. The costs of renting might seem more straightforward, as renters may think a deposit and monthly rent is all the added expense. But snowbirds who plan to work during the winter will need to consider the tax implications if they will be living and working in a different state or province. Buying a second home also comes with its own tax implications, so it might be best for aspiring snowbirds to work with a certified financial professional who can help them navigate those costs. Certain locales may be tax-friendly for retirees, who also can work with a financial professional to identify locations where the financial implications of snowbirding might not be too significant.

• Don’t forget your pets. Pets merit consideration when pondering the feasibility of the snowbird lifestyle. If you plan to rent lodgings for the winter,

you must find a pet-friendly option, which can prove difficult depending on the type and size of your pet(s). Pets’ comfort also merits consideration. If you have a dog, a winter residence with access to a yard or nearby dog park should be a priority. And some complexes that specialize in offering winter lodgings may restrict pets or charge hefty fees to allow them.

• Don’t forget your current home. Snowbirds also need to arrange for the homes they live in most of the year to be looked after. If you plan to rent your primary home over the win -

ter, that might come with hefty tax implications. If not, someone will need to look after the home while you’re gone. Snow removal and security are two notable components of winter home care that will need to be arranged before you head for warmer locales.

The snowbird lifestyle is tailor-made for people who prefer year-round warm weather. But several variables merit consideration before adults can commit to the snowbird lifestyle. (Source: Metro Creative)

1ST • 12 PM - 4PM

El Consejo de Educación del Distrito Escolar de Gunnison Watershed está comenzando su búsqueda para un nuevo Superintendente—

The Gunnison Watershed School District School Board is beginning our search for a new superintendent — and we want your input. Please take a few minutes to share what qualities and priorities you value in our next district leader. y necesitamos su opinión. Por favor tómese unos minutos a fin de compartir qué cualidades y prioridades usted valora en nuestro próximo líder del distrito escolar.

This is an opinion letter.

BALLOT ISSUES 2B & 7A PLEASE VOTE NO

NOW IS NOT THE TIME

We all know that the Gunnison County property taxes are expected to increase by around 50% or more due to a combination of rising property values, plus higher assessed values as 2025 was a reappraisal year, and a new Colorado State law which will change how assessed values are calculated.

Such an increase will considerably boost the tax revenue collected by the City of Gunnison and the Gunnison County. These additional funds should (must) reduce the burden placed on taxpayers (you, me, all of us) for the financing of the Fire Station. At a future election, the City and the County are welcome to ask taxpayers for any shortage which may exist. But until we know precisely the impact of the extra property tax revenue (negatively on the taxpayers and positively on the City and the County finances) we should not be asked for unknown amounts of tax dollars, which may not be needed as currently calculated... NOW IS NOT THE TIME.

If Ballot Issues 2B & 7A are approved, they will represent an additional increase on top of the higher valuations, most likely doubling the property taxes next year. Here is a little math, which calculates how your property tax will most likely double or more if 2B & 7A are approved:

• For every $1,000 paid previously, a 50% increase will bring next property tax to $1,500. This is without the impact of Ballot Issues 2B & 7A. Add to that, anywhere from 30% to 60% more for the impact of Ballot Issues 2B & 7A, the next property tax will range between $1,950 to $2,400.

• If your property tax was $2,000, based on the same calculations, your next property tax rate will range between $3,900 to $4,800.

• Calculate your own property tax. Last year's tax amount X 1.95 to X 2.4 will give you your range.

The impact of such increases will be devastating to the property values and the economy of Gunnison County. It will affect all of us. Inevitably, rent rates will increase as the tax increase is passed along to renters. Not to mention, other related increases such as to insurance, electricity or heating, will make housing less affordable.

ELECTED OFFICIALS, HERE ARE SOME QUESTIONS FOR YOU, STARTING WITH... FEDERAL GRANTS:

1. There are federal grants available for upgrading fire stations in a rural District. Were these considered and requested?

Here is a link to the Google Search: "all federal grants available for upgrading fire stations in a rural District" https://www.google.com/gasearch?q=all%20federal%20grants%20available%20for%20upgrading%20fire%20stations%20in%20a%20 rural%20District&source=sh/x/gs/m2/5

federal grants available for upgrading fire stations in a rural District - Google Search

Federal funding is available through the Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). A rural fire district may be eligible for grants or loans for construction, renovation, and equipment.

USDA RURAL DEVELOPMENT

Grant amounts: Grants can cover 15% to 75% of project costs, with a higher percentage available for smaller, lower-income communities. Eligible uses: It can be used for constructing, enlarging, or improving facilities, as well as refinancing debt. Rural areas: A portion of funds are specifically reserved for smaller communities with 20,000 or fewer people.

FEMA GRANTS

FEMA provides grants to equip and train fire departments, with funding eligible for facility modifications related to health and safety.

2. How come the Notice of Election rarely includes arguments against ballot issues? Examples of "against" are evident in recent editions of the Gunnison Country Times. Here are a few:

3. Taxpayer burden. Have you considered the "real" financial impact on property owners and residents? The proposed mill increases are a significant financial burden on taxpayers for years to come, especially for those on fixed incomes.

4. Fiscal responsibility. Are there not less expensive alternatives, such as remodeling the existing facilities or using a smaller, phased-in tax increase to fund improvements over time?

5. Budgetary scrutiny. The fiduciary responsibility of our Elected Officials requires that all other options, including the scrutiny of the district's current finances should be considered, before requesting more money from taxpayers. Was this done, including requesting Federal Grants?

6. Long-term commitment. The ballot measure proposes a 20-year tax increase, with a smaller portion sunsetting after that period. This is a long-term tax requiring a financial commitment from residents for decades. Why did you not consider waiting until after the real impact is known after the below unknowns are known?

* Rising Property Values,

* Waiting for the reappraised values calculated during 2025,

* Changes to statewide property tax laws how assessed values are calculated.

We need only one reason to vote NO on Ballot Issues 2B & 7A which is...

person. Full and part-time available. Competitive pay. Email resume to: garden@alpengardener. com or call 970-349-0252

GOLDEN EAGLE is looking for CDL and non-CDL drivers. Pay is based on experience. Call 970-641-3230.

HEARTH DESIGN BUILD (.org) (@gmail).

Small local dynamic ﬁrm dedicated to community housing. Seeking passionate and driven individuals for Carpentry & Excavation work. 802-595-9576

ID SCULPTURE designs and manufactures climbing boulders, playground sculptures, and ﬁne art sculptures for parks, schools, and public spaces across the country. We use a combination of technology and traditional methods to create unique interactive environments.

IDS provides secure, year-round indoor and outdoor work in a unique fabrication environment with opportunity for advancement. We offer beneﬁts including 80 hrs. of PTO annually, (10) paid Holidays annually, a healthcare plan including medical, dental & life, and matching 401(k) retirement.

ID Sculpture is a Playcore company, an equal opportunity employer. We are currently seeking: Production Assistant(s): Ideal candidates possess a positive attitude, good work ethic and are eager to learn. Applicants must have physical strength, hand eye coordination, and endurance. Initial responsibilities are to provide general labor and assist artists, fabricators and shipping departments as needed. Compensation is $22-$27/hr. DOE. Project Fabricator(s): the ideal candidate for this position has: construction trades experience (min 5 years), welding experience (structural certiﬁcation preferred), steel fabrication (min 2 years preferred), the ability to work well with a team, and a positive attitude. Responsibilities are to fabricate various components for standard and custom products using steel and a variety of other materials. Compensation is $26.00-$35.00/ hr. To apply for this unique opportunity, A position application and full description is available www.playcore.com/careers

WESTERN COLORADO UNIVERSITY

is seeking applicants for the following fully benefitted positions:

Western’s benefit package includes employer contributions to retirement, generous employer contributions to medical/dental/vision insurance, employee and dependent tuition benefits, paid vacation, paid sick leave, and 11 paid holidays per year. Employees receive basic life insurance and disability insurance at no cost. Employee wellness programs and professional development trainings are available for FREE!

Lecturer in Sustainable Tourism and Hospitality: Full-time. Starting annual salary of $67,000 to $80,000. We seek a dynamic teacher-scholar who is committed to student-centered learning, professional preparation, and inclusive, interdisciplinary education. This is an in-person, oncampus position on our vibrant residential campus in Gunnison, Colorado.

Builders FirstSource in Crested Butte is looking to hire full-time CDL and Non-CDL delivery drivers. Full Beneﬁts, dental, vision, 401k, and quarterly proﬁt sharing available. MUST HAVE: Valid driver’s license. Pass MVR review. Obtain a DOT medical card. NON CDL-$26-29. CDL-$30-$34. Please Call or email Evan Gosda, 720-613-7167 Evan.gosda@bldr.com

FRONT OF HOUSE MANAGER-PUBLIC

HOUSE Seeking a hands-on, guest-focused leader to oversee FOH operations, team development, and exceptional service in a fast-paced restaurant. Seasonal, full-time (Dec-Apr), $5,000/month. Must have prior supervisory experience, strong hospitality skills, and ﬂexible availability. Join a team passionate about great food, service, and atmosphere. Apply at: https:// elevenexperience.com/about-us/careers

IRWIN BACK COUNTRY GUIDES is seeking On Mountain Hospitality candidates for our cat skiing operation. This role is guest facing and applicants must have a strong desire to provide exceptional hospitality to high-end clientele while maintaining a professional appearance. The diversity of this role requires experience in both food preparation and mountain operations, as well as a hard-working team player with attention to detail and good communication skills. Marker certiﬁcation, CPR/First Aid certiﬁcation, and the ability to operate a snowmobile is preferred. Clean motor vehicle record is mandatory. Compensation is $200 per day, plus tips. Full time and part time Winter positions are available for the season running December through midApril.

NORDJORK is seeking a passionate crosscountry skier who wants to be a part of our nordie-verse. This role is responsible for packing, picking orders, handling customer service questions, and other administrative duties from our Gunnison location. Must be extremely detail-oriented, customer service focused, with an ability to work autonomously & love candy. $25 an hour with a ﬂexible 10+ hrs./wk. Contact us skadi@nordjork.com

POWERSTOP is hiring a line cook and a lead cook. Looking for people that are available 20 to 40 hours a week to work. Pay is based on experience and starts at $17-$20 before tips. Average daily tips will add $5-$10 an hour to base pay. Some beneﬁts available after 6 month period for a long term position. Submit resume in person at Powerstop.

GUNNISON VALLEY HEALTH IS SEEKING A

to work in the Culinary Services Department $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.

PROJECT HOPE OF THE GUNNISON VALLEY seeks a Bilingual Advocate for a 25-27 hour/week position to serve victims of domestic violence, sexual assult, 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 CLUB AT CRESTED BUTTE is hiring the following part-time and full-time winter seasonal positions: Ski Valet, $18-$21/ hr; Line Cook, $21-$26/hr + Gratuity; Sous Chef, $27-$30/hr +Gratuity; Server $16/hr + Gratuity; Bartender $16/hr + Gratuity; Lead Bartender $20/hr + Gratuity; Snow Removal, on-call/early morning availability, $25-$30/ hr. Employee beneﬁts include employee discounts and ski storage at the base area. For more information or to apply, please visit theclubatcrestedbutte.com or email jobs@ clubatcrestedbutte.com.

THE TOWN OF CRESTED BUTTE PARKS AND RECREATION Open Space & Trails Department is seeking Recreation Instructors for a variety of programs including Soccer, Flag Football, Gymnastics, Indoor Climbing, and Referee. 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.

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 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.

THREE RIVERS RESORT IN ALMONT seeks Cabin Cleaners to join our dynamic Housekeeping Team. Work 32 hrs/week with Sundays required. Enjoy a supportive, well organized work environment, located on the RTA bus line. Wages start $20/hr plus tips with plenty of room to grow with us. Join our family owned

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.

BILINGUAL JUVENILE CASE MANAGER

JUVENILE SERVICES: 28 Hours/week, hourly range is from $31.28 to $35.61, depending on experience, plus partial beneﬁts.

SENIOR ACCOUNTANT

FINANCE: Full-Time, 40 hours/week, the annual salary range is from $86,226.40 to $110,496.21, plus full beneﬁts.

DEPUTY CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER

FINANCE: Full-Time, 40 hours/week, the annual salary range is from $108,859.10 to $153,981.08, plus full beneﬁts.

DEPUTY COUNTY ATTORNEY

COUNTY ATTORNEY: Full-Time, 40 hours/week, annual salary range is from $105,000 to $139,000, plus full beneﬁts.

FAST CASE MANAGER

JUVENILE SERVICES: Part-Time, 20 hours/week, hourly range is from $29.51 to $33.59, plus partial beneﬁts.

ELIGIBILITY TECHNICIAN

HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES: Full-Time, 40 hours/week, hourly range is from $23.60 to $26.87, plus full beneﬁts.

Pipe/Mechanical Trades II: Fulltime (40 hours/week). Starting pay rate $28.30/hour. Duties related to operation, maintenance, and repair of campus mechanical, HVAC, water, and plumbing systems and equipment.

Structural Trades I: Full-time (40 hours/week). Starting pay rate $21.12/hour. Duties related to carpentry, painting, drywall repair, door/window repair, furniture repair, key shop needs, and general labor on campus.

Please visit our website for more in-depth position descriptions, specific qualification requirements and to apply online at www. gunnisonvalleyhealth. org/careers or call HR for questions 970-641-1456.

MAINTENANCE TECHNICIAN 1

FACILITIES: Full-Time, 40 hours/week, hourly range is from $25.01 to $28.48, plus full beneﬁts

GUNNISON-CRESTED BUTTE REGIONAL AIRPORT INTERNSHIP PROGRAM

AIRPORT: Part-Time, 16 to 30 hours/week, hourly is $21.20, plus partial beneﬁts.

To view the full job announcements and apply, visit western.edu/jobs and click on “View Careers” (EOE)

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.), and acknowledgement of policies.

For more information, including complete job descriptions, required qualiﬁcations and application instructions, please visit www.GunnisonCounty.org/jobs.

(EOE)

Editor

O’Rourke Media Group is searching for a talented editor to lead the digital and print newsroom at the Gunnison Country Times, a trusted and award-winning community newspaper in Colorado. This role is not an administrative one, but rather a role for someone who can lead a newsroom and cover their own beats at the same time.

Our journalists are driven to find stories that matter to our community and are dedicated to fairness, accuracy and ethics. The successful candidate for this position is a strong leader and storyteller who understands both the nuances of rural mountain life and the broader forces shaping it. Gunnison is a place where national issues play out on a local scale — from water rights and public lands to housing, endangered species, and economic sustainability — and we’re looking for someone who can guide coverage that helps readers make sense of it all. The ideal candidate has exceptional editing and management skills, values community journalism, understands how to grow our digital audience and knows how to produce a newspaper that reflects the lives, priorities and passions of the people who live here.

RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDE:

• Develop and execute a plan to grow our digital audience;

• Post multiple stories a day to the Gunnison Country Times website;

• Oversee daily news operations, including story planning and editing for print and online;

• Manage and mentor a small but dedicated team of reporters and correspondents;

• Write news and feature stories on a regular basis (this role will include regular beats, including government meetings);

• Coordinate with designers and production staff to meet tight deadlines;

• Uphold high standards of accuracy, fairness and ethical reporting;

• Represent the Gunnison Country Times in the community, building relationships with readers, local leaders and organizations;

• Collaborate with O’Rourke Media Group’s broader editorial network to share ideas and support companywide initiatives.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS FOR THIS POSITION INCLUDE:

• Degree or diploma in journalism, communications or a related field;

• At least 3–5 years of newsroom experience, including prior editing or leadership responsibilities;

• Strong editing, writing and storytelling skills across both print and digital platforms;

• Familiarity with AP style, SEO best practices and social media engagement;

• Excellent organizational, communication and decisionmaking skills;

• The ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment and meet tight deadlines;

• A valid driver’s license and reliable vehicle;

• Willingness to live in or near Gunnison, Colorado. The range for compensation is $45,000 to $50,000, depending on qualifications.

O’Rourke Media Group is a family-owned publisher and agency, dedicated to revitalizing local media and connecting communities.

If this sounds like the perfect position for you, we would love to hear from you!

To apply, please send your resume, letter of interest, and relevant samples of your work to Chad Richardson, Vice President of News, at crichardson@ORourkeMediaGroup.com

JOIN OUR TEAM

ADVERTISING ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE

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. And 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!”

HOURLY OPPORTUNITIES

Lake Ofﬁce Manager/Assistant Preschool Director GCS - .5 Signiﬁcant Needs EA GCS - Permanent Substitute Substitute Teachers Bus Drivers

PROFESSIONAL OPPORTUNITIES

District Psychologist

GCS Special Education Teacher (2026/27)

Please contact: Superintendent’s Ofﬁce JoAnn Klingsmith 800 N. Boulevard 970-641-7760 jklingsmith@gunnisonschools.net

Are you the type of salesperson who sees opportunity everywhere? Do you thrive on the challenge of closing deals, growing accounts, and getting rewarded for your results?

We’re looking for a motivated Advertising Account Executive to join our sales team. This is a growth role — ideal for someone who wants to build their own client portfolio and become a go-to resource for local business owners.

You’ll be backed by an award-winning newsroom, a full-service digital agency, and leadership that values autonomy and hustle. You bring the energy. We’ll bring the support.

WHAT YOU’LL DO

• Grow your territory by prospecting and closing new business

• Build long-term client relationships and recurring revenue

WHAT WE’RE LOOKING FOR

• Sales experience or a strong desire to break into the business

• Excellent communication and presentation skills

WHAT YOU’LL GET

• Base salary + commissions

• Full benefits, 401(k), and PTO

• Training, mentorship, and sales playbooks that set you up to win

ABOUT OMG

• Collaborate with internal teams to execute effective ad campaigns

• Guide clients through print and digital marketing strategies

• Self-starter mindset — you take ownership and drive your day

• Competitive edge with a customerfirst attitude

• Full suite of marketing products — from print to SEO to social media

• Strong internal support and a collaborative team environment

• Drive results that keep your clients coming back

• Interest in marketing, business growth, and local impact

• Flexibility, autonomy, and the ability to carve your own path

• The chance to grow with a fast-moving media company

O’Rourke Media Group is a family-owned, rapidly growing media company operating in 8 states and 40 markets. We own over 55 hyper-local newspapers and websites and run a full-service digital agency. Our mission is simple: deliver impactful local journalism and help businesses succeed. Learn more at orourkemediagroup.com

Notice

GUNNISON COUNTRY FOOD PANTRY:

The first Wednesday of each month a semi-truck from Colorado Springs brings thousands of pounds of food for neighbors and we need groups and individuals to help unload the truck at 9:45 a.m. We are also looking for dedicated volunteers to help with food pickups from local vendors on Wed’s and Fri’s 8:30-11a.m. This role is a vital link between generous stores and the families we serve. It includes lifting up to 50 lbs, driving safely and timeliness. Additionally, we need volunteers in-store, with opportunities for greeters, organizers, drivers, stockers and more. No matter your skills, there’s a spot for you. Varying shifts throughout the week, all times of day. Together, we can keep food on every table. Call 970-641-4156 to get involved.

Legals

Notice Saguache County Board of Commissioners

The Saguache County Board of Commissioners invites the public, local fire districts, and town boards members within Saguache County to attend a Public Hearing on the Colorado Wildfire Urban Interface (WUI) Code. Date: Tuesday, November 12, 2025 Time: 5:00 p.m. Location:

This

Opinions regarding the WUI Code.

• The ability to enforce its requirements.

• The ability to write the required codes.

• Authority and feasibility of adopting related fees. Y our participation is important to help guide

how the WUI Code will be applied within Saguache County. Pizza will be provided. For more information, please contact the Saguache County Administration Office at (719) 655-2231. By Order of the Saguache County Board of Commissioners Gunnison Country Times Gunnison, Colorado Publication dates of October 9, 16, 23, 30 and November 6, 13, 2025 18925

PUBLIC NOTICE

ORDINANCE NO. 8, SERIES 2025: AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF GUNNISON, COLORADO, REPEALING AND REENACTING TITLE 3 FINANCE, CHAPTER 3.10 CITY SALES AND USE TAX CODE

A full copy of the ordinance can be found on the City of Gunnison’s website at www.gunnisonco.gov, in the City Council e-packet information or at the City Clerk’s Office in City Hall, 201 West Virginia Avenue in Gunnison or by calling 970.641.8140.

ORDINANCE NO. 9, SERIES 2025: AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF GUNNISON, COLORADO, AMENDING TITLE 8, BUSINESS REGULATION, OF THE GUNNISON MUNICIPAL CODE BY ENACTING CHAPTER 8.60

BUSINESS LICENSING, AND ESTABLISHING A BUSINESS LICENSE FEE

PUBLIC NOTICE

Notice of Public Hearing Town of Pitkin, Colorado

Pursuant to the Onsite Wastewater Treatment System Act, Section 25-10-101, C.R.S., et seq., and the Colorado Code of Regulation,5 C.C.R. 1002-43, Regulation 43.4(A)(3)(c), take notice that the Board of Trustees of the Town of Pitkin, acting in

their capacity as the Town of Pitkin Board of Health, will hold a public hearing at 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, November 19, 2025, as part of a special meeting at the Newcomb Community Center, 801 State Street, Pitkin, CO, 81241. At that time, the Board of Health will consider adoption by ordinance of revised local regulations governing onsite wastewater treatment systems within the Town of Pitkin. Members of the public are encouraged to attend and participate.

By /s/ Stacie Busby, Town Clerk

Published in The Gunnison Country Times October 30, 2025.

The Saguache County Board of Commissioners will hold a Public Hearing at the Saguache County Road and Bridge meeting Room located at 305 – 3rd Street, Saguache, Colorado, on the following date: MONDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2025, at 11 AM to consider proposed changes to the Saguache County Land Development Code.

ARTICLE 2, ARTICLE 4, ARTICLE 6, ARTICLE 8, ARTICLE 10, ARTICLE 13, DEFINITIONS

To view the proposed changes, you may contact the Saguache County Land Use Department – PO Box 326, Saguache, CO 81149 or HYPERLINK “mailto:atorrez@saguachecounty-co.gov”atorrez@saguachecounty-co.gov or by calling 719-655-2321 or you may also view the changes on our website at HYPERLINK “http://www.saguachecounty.colorado.gov”www.saguachecounty. colorado.gov.

Written comments will be accepted until Thursday, November 13, 2025, at 3pm, and may be sent to Saguache County Land Use Department at PO Box 326, Saguache, CO 81149 or email to HYPERLINK “mailto:atorrez@saguachecounty-co. gov”atorrez@saguachecounty-co.gov. Gunnison Country Times Gunnison, Colorado Publication dates of October 9, 16, 23, 30 and November 6, 13, 2025 18923

The Saguache County Board of Commissioners will hold a Public Hearing at the Saguache County Road and Bridge meeting Room located at 305 – 3rd Street, Sagua-

che, Colorado, on the following date: MONDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2025, at 1 PM to consider proposed changes to the 1041 Regulations.

To view the proposed changes, you may contact the Saguache County Land Use Department – PO Box 326, Saguache, CO 81149 or atorrez@saguachecounty-co.gov or by calling 719-655-2321 or you may also view the changes on our website at www.saguachecounty.colorado.gov.

Written comments will be accepted until Thursday, November 13, 2025, at 3pm, and may be sent to Saguache County Land Use Department at PO Box 326, Saguache, CO 81149 or email to atorrez@saguachecountyco.gov.

Gunnison Country Times

Gunnison, Colorado Publication dates of October 9, 16, 23, 30 and November 6, 13, 2025 18924

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

Age Graded and Adult Ministry - 9 a.m. - 10 a.m.

Church Service - 10:30 a.m.

Office Hours: Mon-Thurs, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.

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

Faith Directory

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.

Sundays, 10 a.m.

Fridays Meditation, 12:30-1 p.m.

“Come-as-You-Are” Worship gunnisonucc.org

Trinity Baptist Church

523 N. Pine St. • 970-641-1813

Senior Pastor - Joe Ricks

Sunday Service 9:30 a.m.

Adult Bible Study 8 a.m. trinitybaptistsgunnison.com

Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church

711 N. Main • 970-641-1860

Senior Pastor Jacob With

Childrens Sunday School – Sunday 9 a.m.

Adult Sunday School – Sunday 9 a.m.

Divine Service of the Word – Sunday 10 a.m.

Wednesday night service at 7pm.

New Song Christian Fellowship

77 Ute Lane • 970-641-5034

A Christ Centered Gospel Sharing Community where we want to be part of a community who encourage and support one another in our spiritual journey.

Sunday 10 a.m. / Wednesday 7 p.m. newsonggunnison.net

St. Peter’s Catholic Church

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

Children’s Sunday school –2nd and 4th Sundays, monthly Office hours: M-TH 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. Taize – 1st Wednesday, monthly - 7 p.m. goodsamaritangunnison.org

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

Not even spinal surgery could slow down Gunnison’s Bristol Buffington

James Nokes Special to the Times

Deena Buffington felt tears well up in her eyes. A pack of runners emerged from a grove of trees in Ouray. When she saw her daughter, Bristol, stride down the hill, she couldn’t hold back the emotions. It was a mixture of relief and joy.

In March 2025, Bristol spent 12 days in the Intensive Care Unit at a New Jersey hospital. Bristol had severe scoliosis and the Buffington’s met with specialists in Atlanta and Denver. e condition prevented Bristol from fulfilling her passion for distance running. When she reached three miles into a run the pain in her knee and hips forced her to stop. The doctors ruled out running a metal rod down her spine, in fear it could limit Bristol’s future mobility. Instead, a surgeon in New Jersey cut the cartilage in between each vertebra, releasing and straightening Bristol’s spine where needed. Screws were placed to tether the spine

straight.

The doctor also collapsed both lungs during the procedure. Bristol was supposed to be in the hospital for four days. But she has an overactive immune system and her body rejected the tubes in her chest. e family spent an entire month in New Jersey — and it’s easy to understand Deena’s tears after all their trials and tribulations.

“Even at the last race, at regionals, all I could think about was I hope she doesn’t push herself too hard,” Deena said.

“It’s still scary, when they disappeared at the race in Ouray I couldn’t see them. When she came down the hill I was crying, one, because I was in shock. And two, because of what I saw her go through” is year, Bristol started slowly with her cross country training. She would run for a minute, walk for three and slowly adjust until she could run a mile and rest. It was a grueling process, the muscles in her legs hadn’t been used for a while and she

Three GHS runners headed to state meet

Baker, Jones and Callahan

to represent Gunnison at season finale

James Nokes Special to the Times

Blake Davis saw an inexperienced GHS cross country team reach its peak. e young Gunnison roster gained valuable experience and advanced three runners out of the Class 3A Region 2 race on Oct. 23 at Monument Valley Park in Colorado Springs.

Freshman Jordan Callahan (19 minutes, 56.77 seconds,

11th) and sophomore Elora Jones (2:06.44, 14th) on the girls side and sophomore Ian Baker (16:57.28, 15th) on the boys side advanced to the state meet at Norris Penrose Event Center on Oct. 25 in Colorado Springs. e girls team nished 5th with 152 points in the 10-team eld. e GHS boys nished 7th with 105 points in the 11-team eld.

“Being in one of the most competitive regions, it was right there for the girls,” Davis said. “ e boys did what they needed to do to put themselves in a position at races. We feel like they’ve taken the next step to be a state level team.

“Our team culture was extremely positive and very welcoming. It was great to show up regardless of where a runner’s skill level was with the goal to get better no matter where it was when you came to us.”

When Callahan and Jones can nd each other in the pack, they have the ability to find inspiration in their strides.

“ ey do a good job of making each other better at practice,” Davis said. “They run at meets together and make each other better when they get out and find each other. They’ll push each other and when that happens they pass everyone which has been awesome to watch. ey are competitive with each other in the best way possible.”

Even though Ian Baker’s regular season meets might not have met his high expectations, the rugged courses on the Cowboys’ schedule proved to be solid prep work for regionals. Davis said his “ascent” started at Grand Junction and carried into Colorado Springs last ursday.

And they’ll get to see it one more time this week at the state meet.

James Nokes writes for Colorado Preps.

“Ian worked hard through the summer,” Davis said. “It actually started during track season for him as he’s been on an upwards trajectory ever since. Early this season we ran a lot of challenging courses, and he didn’t see the success he thinks he’s capable of. But, we saw it in practice day in-and-day out.”

The GHS XC girls team at a recent meet.

continued on A23 Bristol Bufﬁngton learns the anatomoy of the spine in New Jersey. (Courtesy Deena Bufﬁngton)

ROUND UP

Gunnison football team snags first win of the season

The GHS football team scored as many touchdowns in one game as it had all season.

In a 38-7 win at Bayfield on Saturday, the Cowboys (1-7, 1-3 2A Intermountain) got their elusive first win and proved they can persevere through a challenging season.

“We looked good on offense and defense,” said Head Coach Chase Starman. “Our guys had fun and played together. I’m happy for the boys and proud of them.”

Del Magdaleno led GHS with 21 carries, 113 yards and two touchdowns. Ethan Pierce completed 6 of 10 passes for 43 yards and a touchdown.

Up next for the Cowboys is a Thursday night tilt at Salida to close the season.

Soccer moves to survive and advance

A 4-1 loss to Delta closed the regular season for the GHS boys soccer team. But, that’s a result that’s quickly been pushed aside. It’s playoff time and the Cowboys are seeded No. 21 in the field and will play at Campion Academy in the first round on Oct. 30 at 11 a.m.

GHS coach Susan Powers said the Cowboys can build upon the postseason run from last season.

continued on A24

CITY TREE DUMP

Closing for the Season on Friday, October 31st

Monday-Friday, 12pm-6pm • (970) 901-5129

137 County Road 51, Gunnison, CO

• Organic yard waste (grass, leaves, and tree limbs)

• Wood (no plywood, treated wood, wood with nails/screws/ metal, railroad ties, or landscape timbers)

• Asphalt

had to rebuild. But she wanted to run.

“It was hard because everyone else was running a lot more than me,” Bristol said. “It was really fun coming back though. It was an accomplishment every day just to run for a few more minutes. Then it was a few more miles. I’m feeling better now. I can run farther and not feel pain. I feel great and even beat my PR from last year. I’m running even faster.”

Bristol pushed through the regular season and at the end was training with the lead pack

of GHS runners. Cowboys’ coach Blake Davis was inspired by her effort.

“I’m amazed and very proud of her,” Davis said. “She’s so deserving. She’s a tremendous human being. To have a setback like that and to be able to say, ‘I got this, I’m good,’ it gave me chills to see how well she did.”

Even when she was still in rehab, Deena said one thing was on Bristol’s mind.

“From the second she got home all she asked about was when she could run,” she said. “That’s all she wanted to do.”

James Nokes writes for Colorado Preps.

Sunday Oct.

Deena and Bristol Buffington before the procedure in New Jersey.

(Courtesy Deena Buffington)

26, volunteers from the Rotary Club of Gunnison partnered with the Gunnison Senior Center to provide much-needed yard work at the home of Bob Koepsel in Gunnison. Koepsel, over 90 years old, lives alone. This week, additional volunteers from Gunnison Mentors will return to the house to finish the yardwork.

(Photo by Elizabeth Gillis)

“It was our first time moving into the second round,” Powers said. “Having a sense of knowing what it takes, an intensity level to play with, regardless of ranking is beneficial to have under our belts.”

With a healthy roster that is at full strength, GHS has made a few adjustments. Zavier Drendel will stay at center back, while Tilden Martinez will move up to center midfield.

“We just have to show up and play 80 minutes of soccer,” Powers said. “We’ve been brilliant in flashes. We’ve had solid halves throughout the season. But, we haven’t been super consistent. We have to put together 80 minutes of solid soccer.”

Volleyball marches on

After last year’s run to the state tournament, the GHS volleyball team has experienced players that know what to expect. As the Cowboys prepare for a playoff run, that experience could come in handy.

“We don’t always make it to the big show with many of our sports,” GHS coach Lindsay Hart said. “It’s a special thing to get to state. We might have had a little shell shock last year. Even though it’s the same court, the same ball and the same people we are four hours away and maybe panicked a little. If we can make it happen again, I think we learned a lot from last year.”

The Cowboys close out the regular season at Salida on Oct. 30 and will then wait for

What brought you to the Gunnison Valley?

I grew up in the Front Range and have always considered Colorado my home. When my husband (an avid hiker who also missed Colorado) and I found out about this opportunity we were ecstatic. I am excited for the opportunity to provide a variety of specialty surgical services to members of the valley and collaborate with folks here and across the state to allow our community to thrive close to home.

MEET DR. BROOKE BREDBECK

What types of surgery do you typically perform?

As a general surgeon, I love that I get to perform a variety of surgeries! I perform emergency and trauma surgeries, as well as operations for many types of cancer or suspected cancer. I also perform hernia operations, colonoscopies, upper endoscopies, intestinal surgery, lumps and bumps, and more.

What excites you most about being GVH's newest surgeon?

I am looking forward to working in a rural setting, because I think it brings with it new opportunities and challenges. My goal is to expand surgical services offered here in the valley, including surgical breast care. This is close to my heart and has been a research and clinical focus of mine. I also look forward to collaborating with our amazing EMS and emergency medicine colleagues to further our mission of clinical excellence in the management of injured patients.