Gunnison Country Times, September 11, 2025

SUPPORT LOCAL JOURNALISM SUBSCRIBE NOW

OPINION: Hot weather nothing for record books, A9

NEWS WORTH DEVOURING SINCE 1881 VOL. 144 NO. 37 | THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2025 | $1.00

Medicaid cuts pose threat to GVH Amrich embraces ‘abundance approach’ Alex McCrindle Times Associate Editor

Following a summer of sweeping federal health-care funding cuts, Gunnison Valley Health (GVH) CEO Jason Amrich addressed Gunnison County Commissioners on Sept. 9 to outline how the hospital is preparing to adapt.

Despite facing funding reductions and tighter Medicaid eligibility rules, Medicaid A8

INSIDE

TODAY

WET MEADOW MAKE-OVER: On Sept. 3 and 4, High Country Conservation Advocates teamed up with the Upper Gunnison River Water Conservancy District and the Bureau of Land Management for some hands-on restoration work at Upper Gunnison’s Gold Basin wet meadow site. Twenty-six volunteers completed 12 structures and performed maintenance on five existing ones. (Courtesy HCCA)

Drought brings out the bears Gunnison Basin sees increased food-seeking activity

NEWS: ‘Spark the Arts’ meets funding goal A10

COMMUNITY: Giving through ‘stock options’ A5

Gia Wright Times Staff Writer

While bears are typically more active this time of year, there has been a slight uptick in bear movement in the Gunnison Valley this season, particularly trash-centered incidences occurring at night.

“While it’s pretty normal this time of year to see bears, we have seen more bears in town [this season] than we have in the past,” said Gunnison Chief of Police Sam Costello. “It’s not really aggressive, more foodseeking. The majority of the destruction has been knocked

SPORTS: Cowboy football stumbles in Delta A20

OBITUARIES A2 OPINION A6 CLASSIFIEDS A17-A19 SPORTS A20 ONLINE GUNNISONTIMES.COM

A black bear forages for food. (Courtesy Colorado Parks and Wildlife)

Bears A8

A2 • NEWS • Thursday, September 11, 2025

QUOTE

of the week

Gunnison Country Times

OBITUARIES Linda Boston

“We were afraid. We were parents who, up to that point, had felt capable of handling most of the things, but we felt helpless.”

Bear Valley Bible Institute, 2707 S. Lamar St, Denver, CO 80227.

Donald Frederick Schmalz

— David Suddereth, Golden Circle parent

See story on A10

BRIEFS New Sergeant in town At the Sept. 9 city council meeting, Gunnison Police Officer James Beda was sworn in by Chief Sam Costello as the new Police Sergeant. Born and raised in Gunnison, Beda previously served as a Staff Sergeant in the U.S. Army, and then with the Crested Butte Marshall’s office.

His appointment as Sergeant will enable the Gunnison Police Department to staff a supervisor and two officers throughout town across all hours of the day.

Parks and Rec presents master plan findings Gunnison Parks and Recreation took the first major step in drafting its new master plan on Sept. 9. After a summer gathering community feedback, Norris Design, the Coloradobased consulting firm drafting the plan, presented its findings to council.

Key findings included an expanded fitness area at the Gunnison Rec Center and additional group fitness rooms. Parks also emerged as a community hotspot, with residents calling for more bathrooms and shade options. Community connectivity and events was another major theme, with survey participants expressing a desire to walk and bike more if routes could be made safer and more accessible.

Residents also expressed interest in family-friendly outdoor movie nights and food and beverage festivals to bring the town together.

Now, Norris Design will move into a conceptual design phase and translate the community feedback into recommendations on how to move forward. This phase will also include the cost and operations implications layered into the new master plan.

City secures $1.75 million grant for water plant The city of Gunnison received its second EPA grant for the city’s planned water treatment plant project. The $1.75 million in congressional directed spending funds is one of the “biggest pieces to the puzzle” for Project One funding, which involves construction of a raw water intake, according to Project Manager Frank Campo.

Linda Boston passed from this life on Sept. 3, 2025, at the age of 78. Linda was born in Ft. Worth, Texas on Feb. 20, 1947, to Boyd and Virginia Farrow.

Linda was married to Randy Boston on July 23, 1971, and they were married for 50 years until Randy’s death in 2021.

Before moving to Gunnison, Randy and Linda lived in Ennis, Texas where she was an English teacher until they had their three children. Then she was a stay-at-home mom.

In August of 1986 they moved to Gunnison where Linda did various part-time jobs and then kept several children in her home. Linda was a member of the Gunnison Church of Christ.

She was a unique force and left a lasting impression on everyone she encountered.

Linda was preceded in death by her husband Randy Boston, her father Boyd Farrow, her mother Virginia Stepp and her stepfather, Hugh Stepp.

Linda is survived by her d a u g h t e r M e l i s s a We b e r (Chris), son Andy Boston, daughter Michelle Love ( Tu c k e r ) , g ra n d d a u g h t e r s Aubrey Love, Adeline Love, and Ava Love, brother Frank Stepp (Nancy), nieces, nephews and many friends who loved her and will miss her. She is also survived by Scott and Mary Nordberg, Casey Nordberg (Sammie, Henry and Eddie), Carey Nordberg, Rylee Johnson (Dane) and Ryann Nordberg, a family by choice, though not by blood, that was, and will always be, considered family.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to

Fred Schmalz passed away in Gunnison Hospice on July 3, 2025. He was 76 years old.

He had resided in Gunnison S enior Care Center since Januar y and as his health declined, entered into Hospice a few weeks prior to passing.

Fred, his family and friends were grateful that he was able to stay in Gunnison, where they could visit and spend time with him and take him out for a steak.

Fred pulled through colon cancer more than 15 years previously. He was in chemo for eight months, but was determined to finish treatment and leave for a month-long trip to Turkey and Greece.

In December 2020 he contracted covid and was rushed to Montrose where he spent a month in ICU. He was strong and defied the odds as the doctors and nurses told him he wasn’t going to make it. During the last four and a half years he has endured numerous complications, one after another, and finally succumbed to kidney failure. Jeff Wilkinson, a family friend and minister, said, “Fred, you beat cancer, then covid, and now is the time.”

Donald Frederick Schmalz was a life-long resident of Gunnison, Colorado. He was born to Donald J. Schmalz and Patsy June Schmalz (Spiers)on April 7, 1949.

Fred and Valerie Williams were high school sweethearts and married in 1967. They celebrated their 58th anniversary

on June 3. They have two sons, Jeff and Tony.

Fred went to Western State College and worked for “Van the Candy Man.” He was a lineman for Gunnison County Electric. Then, at 22 years old, Fred and Valerie started their business, Schmalz Construction. They worked in a five-state area and had 75 employees at one time.

Schmalz began work installing underground electric and phone utilities. The first project was laying cable from Almont to Taylor Reservoir, then to the foot of Cumberland Pass and up Cottonwood Pass to the ranger station.

Gunnison's economy was experiencing boom and bust cycles, so Schmalz Construction began water and sewer work.

They eventually went into asphalt paving, highway and heavy construction, bridges, crane service, septic service and building portable toilets.

Schmalz Construction completed numerous projects for the City of Gunnison, Gunnison County, the State of Colorado and many federal agencies.

Some of these were work on the Gunnison Schools, Western State Colle g e, Gunnis on Courthouse Remodel, numerous subdivisions, Gunnison Airport and hangars, rodeo grounds grandstand and a bridge across the Rio Grande River. They completed a twoand-a-half-year project for the Bureau of Reclamation at Altus Dam, including underwater telemetry equipment so the dam in Oklahoma could be controlled from Montana.

Schmalz held open-ended contracts with Mountain Bell, US West, ATT, Greeley Gas, Public Service and numerous electric and phone companies.

Fred would have preferred to operate a piece of equipment than to work in the office. He was still going to the office every day when his health mandated care in the nursing home. He looked forward to sharing a cup of coffee with his buddies.

Fred and Val loved to travel,

having visited more than 100 countries and all seven continents, including the North Pole and Arctic Circle and Antarctica. They had planned to go to Easter Island, but unfortunately Fred became too ill.

They loved to four-wheel, AT V and ride motorcycles, especially in Colorado and Utah. Camping with family and friends was a highlight, including frying turkeys for Thanksgiving. Fred and company rode many trips to Sturgis, South Dakota.

Another highlight was hunting and camping with the crew, including babies, grandkids and great grandkids and cousins. Those times as well as holidays at their house are precious memories.

Many concerts were attended.

Fred was preceded in death by his father Don, mother Pat and sister Sherrye. He is survived by his brother Shane of Ridgeway, Colorado; sons Jeff (Bobbi) of Gunnison and Olathe and Tony (Kelly) and 1-year-old Hank of Gunnison.

Jeff and Bobbi have three children, Tiffany (Shawn King) of Fruita, Chris (Mackenzie Clark) of Palisade and Savannah of Olathe. Four grandchildren, six great-grandchildren.

The family was blessed to honor Fred’s wishes with a graveside service. Fred requested that family and friends join in a celebration of life Sept. 20, from 2-4 p.m. at the Fred Field Center in Gunnison. Please bring a special story or memory to share.

Thursday, September 11, 2025 • NEWS • A3

Gunnison Country Times

OBITUARIES Christopher Michael Rouse

Christopher Michael Rouse, who spent his childhood in Crested Butte, passed away on May 12, 2025, of natural causes at his home in Denver. Chris was born Nov. 6, 1965 in Evergreen, Colorado. In 1969 Chris moved to Crested Butte with his parents, Ron and Sharon Rouse. Chris spent his childhood in Crested Butte and attended the Crested Butte Community School and Gunnison High School.

Chris had two standout passions since a young age: aviation and music. He went on to make both professional careers. Like his father Ron (who had Crested Butte Air Service at the Crested Butte Airport), Chris was drawn to aviation.

After high school he enrolled at the Colorado Northwestern Community College Aviation Technology Flight program in Rangely, Colorado, graduating in 1988. He accrued his initial hours flying for Red Tail aviation out of Moab, then later returned to Colorado to fly first for Mesa Airlines and later for America West Airlines where he was based out of Denver.

After many years in the cockpit as a first officer, he transitioned to training new pilots as a flight instructor. At the time of his passing, he worked for Southwest Airlines Ground Operations out of Denver.

Starting in elementary school, Chris began learning to play the accordion. His initial lessons were with Botsie Spritzer in Crested Butte. Chris was affectionately known as Crested Butte’s “youngest old timer” and spent most of his afternoons at Tony’s Conoco playing music, listening to stories and sitting by the pot belly stove with Tony Mihelich, Botsie Spritzer, Tommy Sneller and many other older timers of Crested Butte. His friends tell of him getting out of class early to get to Tony’s to be

with the old timers and he used “music lessons” as the reason to leave class early.

He continued to play polka music throughout his teenage and adult years including performing at festivals throughout the Midwest and Oktoberfest in Grand Junction, Boulder and Denver, as well many memorable shows at Pleasure Park at the confluence of the Gunnison and North Fork Rivers. For years he shared the stage with Pete Dunda, a good friend and mentor. He was friends with and played with the legendary Frank Yankovic Band.

Chris was extremely well known in the national polka community. Much of Chris’ stage presence and storytelling skills could be attributed to his youth in Crested Butte and the nurturing tightknit community of old miners, their past and the musical traditions that they passed on to him. He was honored to sit in for Pete Dunda a few years back and play Flauschink and see that Crested Butte still loved to polka!

Chris had a sequence of losses prior to his passing, including that of his longtime partner in 2020, followed by his biological mother Diana Pecht Harper in 2023, and then his beloved dog Shelby. Chris also left behind a close-knit and very loving work family at Southwest Airlines.

He was a very kind person, the best friend to so many and an extremely thoughtful and caring brother and son.

Chris is survived by his father Ron Rouse and his partner Sally Zimmerman of Hotchkiss, stepmother Sharon Rouse of Boulder, stepfather David Harper of Parker, sister Roanne Rouse Houck and brother-inlaw Jonathan of Gunnison and brother Damon Rouse and sisterin-law Molly of Burnsville North Carolina. Additionally, his nieces and nephews Iris and Porter Houck and Oscar, Alma and Lia Rouse will deeply miss their Uncle Chris.

Chris’ life took him to many places, but his heart was always in the place he never stopped calling home: Crested Butte.

Please join our family in a celebration of Chris’ life and a polka dance with the Pete Dunda Band at Tony’s Conoco, now the Crested Butte Heritage Museum, at 4 p.m. on Friday Sept. 26. Local attendees, please consider bringing a light dish to share. We will

provide additional food, beer, wine and non-alcoholic beverages. Please bring your remembrances of Chris and your polka shoes! We will plan to remember Chris and share stories starting at 4 p.m., polka dance starting thereafter.

Robert George (Bob) Reinhardt

Robert George (Bob) Reinhardt passed away peacefully at home on Aug. 24, 2025, surrounded by family. Born in Denver, Colorado, on Oct. 4, 1933, Bob was a devoted husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather, as well as a friend to many.

Bob is survived by his wife, Catherine; children Patty (Dan) Donovan, Max (Michelle) Reinhardt, Karen (Dave) Evans, Molly Reinhardt (Steve Rosati), Jason Lake (Deb), and Josh Fryer.

His grandchildren are Eamon Donovan, Dave Donovan, Erin (Andrew) Hammond, Benjamin Reinhardt, Daniel Reinhardt, Johnny Reinhardt, Nathaniel Evans, Ethan (Jordan) Evans, Amanda (Alex) Stedman, Ethan Lake, Abi Fryer, Dillon Fryer, Molly Fryer, Owen Fryer and Josie Fryer; and great-grandchildren Eoin Donovan and Colin Hammond. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Phyllis.

Bob’s legacy of love and family lives on through all who knew him. He was a true masterpiece — devout Jesuit, lover of literature, food, travel and adventure.

He made a positive impact on everyone he met.

His funeral will be held at Sacred Heart Catholic Church on Sept. 19, 2025, at 10 a.m. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to directly support Alzheimer’s research. We recommend the Alzheimer’s Drug Discovery Foundation at ALZDiscovery.org/ donate.

Gems from the BiBle JESUS THE HEALER

Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father. ~JOHN 14:12 (NKJV) Selected by Renee Balch & Leta Haverly

THE ALL NEW 2025 TOYOTA LAND CRUISER IS PERFECT FOR THE GUNNISON COUNTRY. 2 02 5 Toyota L A N D C R U I SER premium 4X4

WWW.TURNERTOYOTA.COM

TAKE A TEST DRIVE AT TURNER TOYOTA IN MONTROSE. TURNERTOYOTA.COM.

970.249.6691

MONTROSE, CO

A4 • NEWS • Thursday, September 11, 2025

Gunnison Country Times

Trail time The Gunnison Senior Center hosted a variety of hikes this summer. Destinations included the Whetstone Vista and Upper Loop trails, Mill Creek and the Snodgrass to Washington Gulch trail. To learn more about senior activities, email Elizabeth Gillis at EGillis@gunnisonco.gov.

(Courtesy Elizabeth Gillis/Gunnison Senior Center)

Help Shape the Future of Healthcare in Our Community!

Please complete our Community Health Needs Assessment by 9/19/25 Complete la Evaluación de Necesidades de Salud de la Comunidad antes del 9/19/25

Call 719-851-0474 FOR A FREE QUOTE! Residential and Commercial Roofing. All metal roofs are manufactured on-site!

JCROOFING@UPWARDPRINT.COM

GUNNISONVALLEYHEALTH.ORG/SURVEY

Thursday, September 11, 2025 • NEWS • A5

Gunnison Country Times

Giving by ‘stock options’ Cattlemen’s Days committee donates swine to family

bringing dreams home | bbre1.com

Ted Harbin Special to the Times

The foundation of every county fair is giving back to the community, especially youth.

It’s no different for Cattlemen’s Days. It’s an opportunity for children to showcase their hard work and fortitude as they carry on an agriculture-based legacy. In the process, it teaches the importance of helping out and caring for others.

The volunteers with the Cattlemen’s Days committee are taking it up another level this year.

The beneficiary of the group’s giving nature is pediatric cancer through the Golden Circle of Champions.

The proof came during this year’s Junior Livestock Auction in July, when the committee purchased a swine from Grady Buckhanan for $4,230, then donated the animal to the family of 15-year-old Wesley Sudderth, who is undergoing treatments for leukemia at Children’s Hospital of Colorado in Aurora.

“He is one of five children in his family,” said Karla Rundell, the second vice president of the Cattlemen’s Days Committee.

“Essentially, he was playing basketball one week and diagnosed with cancer the very next week.

The fact that his family’s supporting three kids in college, another one in high school, plus Wesley, it really stuck to us.”

The Sudderths can use the animal however they wish.

“It can feed their family and take care of what they need to take care of,” Rundell said. “Our kids are literally our future, and when a child goes through cancer, it’s the whole family that goes through cancer; life takes place outside of cancer. Groceries still have to be bought. Rent and utilities still have to be paid. It’s a whole-family battle.”

Wesley started feeling ill earlier this year. He felt like he had a bad cold, but it lingered for weeks.

When he finally got it checked out, doctors found that the teen was severely anemic. He was flown to Aurora and diagnosed with leukemia in February.

“We were afraid,” said David Sudderth, Wesley’s father. “We were uncertain of what would happen. We were parents who, up to that point, had felt capable of handling most of the things, but we felt helpless.”

That’s what happens when a family is affected by cancer.

First, it’s the unpredictable diagnosis, then the mad scramble to get everything figured out. There were logistics that had never been foreseen. There were three-and-a-

Needle Creek Ranch | Saguache County | $1,995,000 160-acre private inholding, surrounded by Gunnison National Forest.

Needle Creek runs through, plus irrigated meadows, cabins, equestrian facilities & endless views. Hunt, fish & ride out your back door, just 30 minutes to Gunnison & jetport.

Cattlemen’s Days representatives Karla Rundell and Tyler Hanson are pictured with 4-H participant Grady Buckhanan. (Courtesy Cattlemen’s Days)

half-hour, one-way trips to Aurora.

“They give you what they call a road map, and it changes constantly,” David Sudderth said.

“You think you have the ability to do this or that for your other children or for work or for your spouse or for yourself, and those, inevitably don’t work out. It’s incredibly stressful and difficult for Wesley, because he is someone who loves order and routine and predictability, and he’ll have none of that for basically two years. It’s really tough.”

But so is Wesley. He’s felt the illness, the pain, the side effects, the uncertainty of it all and he’s just 15 years old. To look at him, though, he stands tall in his own skin.

He understands the challenges, maybe better than many in his situation. But there’s no doubt about it, fear is part of his life, too. One can look at fear and cower, or one can look at it and attack. Wesley Sudderth is doing the latter.

“I instantly thought of my grandpa, who passed away from skin cancer in December,” he said.

“I was like, ‘OK, well, leukemia isn’t that bad,’ but I just always thought of myself as someone who was always going to see people that had cancer and not actually have it myself. I just froze. I didn’t really know what to think in that moment.”

He’s gone through a series of steroids and “probably a dozen different types of chemos.” The plan right now is to continue weekly treatments through February, then transition to monthly appointments. The regimen will continue until 2027. It’s still early in the process.

Because every step of this is filled with conflicts, emotions and life-changing moments for all seven members of the family, folks in the Gunnison community have stepped up to offer a hand.

That’s where the Cattlemen’s Days committee and Golden Circle of Champions have entered the show ring.

“It goes back a lot more than just being a member of the Cattlemen’s Days committee,” said Tyler Hanson, the group’s first vice president. “I had a sister that had a swimming accident, and this community stepped up and helped us when my sister was in need. This is a way for me to help give back to this community.

I’m just so fortunate to be part of an organization that can put the funds together to help a family in need again.

“I understand the financial burden that another family goes through. It’s important to me that they get some relief in any way they can.”

It’s a long-lasting impact. The swine the committee purchased will go a lot further for the Sudderths than the potential meat alone.

“We felt like while this was really hard, we’ve got this,” David Sudderth said. “We came to realize that there’s a reason groups like this exist, and we’re really grateful, because we’re always going in different directions with this. You’re part of something bigger, and there’s a lot of strength you can get from that.”

(Ted Harbin is the Cattlemen’s Days media director.)

Mindy Costanzo Broker Associate 970.209.2300 Mindy-Land.com

Offering a comprehensive variety of PERSONAL & COMMERCIAL INSURANCE HOME HOME

•Primary • Primary Residence Residence •Secondary • Secondary •Renters • Renters •Builders Risk • Builders Risk •Flood • Flood •Hard to Insure • Properties Short & Long Term Rentals -short term • High Value Homes rentals, cabins

AUTO AUTO

• Personal/ • Personal Commercial • Commercial •RV • RV •Motorcycle/ATV • Motorcycle/ATV

COMMERCIAL

•Business Owners •Workers Comp •General Liability

Give us a call for a quote today!

Local Service Since 1994

Scott Shondeck

Due to recent escalation to the valuation of your home contact us today to make sure your home is accurately insured.

970-641-4700 / 970-349-1041 970-641-4700 / 970-349-1041 Gunnison: 114 N. Boulevard St. Suites 102 & 105 Gunnison: 114214 N. Boulevard 102 Bucket & 105 Crested Butte: 6th St. SuiteSt. 9, Suites in the Ore CrestedCommercial Butte: 214 6th St. Suite 9 Center

STAND OUT IN A MOUNTAIN CROWD!

Signs • Vehicle Decals & Wraps Store front signs and lettering Screenprinting • Embroidery Promotional Products • Stickers Banners • CANVAS PHOTO WRAPS

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2025

ALANWARTESMEDIA

OPINION

An era of consequences

970.641.1414 © 2025 Gunnison Country Times

Publisher/Owner Alan Wartes publisher@gunnisontimes.com Associate Editor Alex McCrindle alex@gunnisontimes.com Staff Writer Gia Wright gia@gunnisontimes.com Advertising Manager Bobbie Corn bobbie@gunnisontimes.com Advertising Associate Annie Mears anniegunnisontimes.com Production Manager Issa Forrest issa@gunnisontimes.com

THE GUNNISON COUNTRY TIMES (ISSN 0892-1113) is published weekly

by Alan Wartes Media LLC., 218 N. Wisconsin St., Gunnison, Colorado 81230. Periodical postage paid at Gunnison, Colorado. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: The Gunnison Country Times, 218 N. Wisconsin, Gunnison, CO 81230-0240 Hours: 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Monday -Thursday 9 a.m. - noon Friday

Alan Wartes Times Publisher

Historians who study the rise and fall of civilizations often point out the similarities between our time and the “decline” phase of past empires.

Though it’s not an exact science, spotting patterns and tendencies can be useful when you want to make sense of a world that grows crazier by the day.

If we’re not careful, however, it’s easy to get the idea that the whole repeating process is inevitable. Even the phrase “rise and fall” pairs the two like conjoined twins, seemingly inseparable. True, history tends to support this idea, having left us no clear examples of civilizations that achieved a stable orbit after liftoff, without crashing back to earth.

But, as philosophers might point out, “possibility is not limited by precedent.” Just because

something hasn’t happened yet does not mean it can’t or never will. Choosing words like “decline” or “fall” betrays our fearful bias and predisposes us toward extremism in the face of collapse. That matters, because solutions are most likely to be found in the center, not on the wild-eyed fringes.

Which leads me to suggest what I think is a better way to describe the moment we find ourselves in today. I propose that this stage in the life of any civilization should be described as the era of facing consequences, unintended or otherwise.

This is the time when we must own up to and unwind all the bad — or at least short-sighted — decisions we made and allowed during the ascent phase of our collective life.

This is not a partisan perspective at all. Every flavor of political leadership is culpable — and capable of better.

Politics is ultimately the process by which we divide the plunder when economic times are good and then figure out how to equitably distribute the pain when times are lean. That is generally when we find out what the consequences are of previous choices and have to decide

what to do about them.

I like this approach because it leaves open the possibility (however difficult it may be) that we might, for once, do a good job at this. So long as we are honest with ourselves and take responsibility for our actions, with the greatest possible common good in mind, then there is nothing yet “inevitable” about our fall.

It’s meaningful to me that I’m writing about consequences on Sept. 11, the anniversary of the 2001 attack on our nation.

It would be hard to find a better case study on consequences than that. The attacks themselves were the consequence of really bad decisions on both sides going back decades. But the ramifications of actions taken in the aftermath are still reverberating through our society and the world. Some of those have absolutely contributed to the sorry state of national affairs we experience today — even bringing us to the precipice of a “fall.”

But we don’t have to simply ride those consequences to the bottom. Whether we do that or not depends on key questions: Are we able to learn from the past, or not? Do we yet have agency over our choices, or not?

Will we face our mistakes, own them and work to correct them, or go on avoiding that at all cost?

The consequences of seriously bad decision-making are coming at us fast and furious right now — ridiculous levels of government spending; the madness (and tragedy) of the national response to the pandemic; open borders; the nation’s health and wellbeing (especially of children) sold off for a pile of campaign dollars; mainstream news media operating without a shred of integrity left; years of lawfare that has eroded trust in the rule of law. That’s just the short list.

Historians are justified in looking at these kinds of things and saying, “Yep, that’s what decline looks like.” But it’s wrong to shirk our responsibility by calling it inevitable. For as long as we can, let’s support efforts to untangle this mess, with goodwill and a never-say-die sense of possibility.

Is our nation worth saving, or not?

if Trump loses. If he wins, it’s all good, right?

We can talk about it while we’re standing in line waiting to cast our paper ballots. Who knows what might happen. It’s kinda like when a riot starts. It’s often hard to pinpoint the actual moment it blows up. I wonder if there’ll be an actual moment when folks say enough is enough.

Not looking much like that right now.

not have been more pleased or proud of them. They worked very hard and were extremely polite.

When asked about the experience, they said they learned a lot about volunteering and what it takes to keep the museum so proudly preserved. Several expressed they would like to come back and go through the museum, while others said they’d volunteer again — and couldn’t wait to tell their family members about the experience.

Thank you to Western for providing this opportunity to students. Thank you students for your hard work. You really made a difference.

Monarez, has been fired by RFK Jr. after she stood up for scientific truth.

2. The CDC is being dismantled with 1,500 firings, closure of half of the national CDC offices and resignations of several department heads this past week following the firing of Monarez.

3. All members of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices have been fired and some replaced by vaccine skeptics.

4. Decreased funds have been allotted to the CDC for the upcoming budget for: • President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, which provides HIV research and medications for countries worldwide • malaria prevention and control worldwide • tuberculosis control worldwide • eradication efforts of HIV, TB, and polio worldwide • elimination of poisons in the environment • studies of occupational health • studies on nutrition • studies on opioid management • cancer prevention • elimination of many other CDC public health programs Threats to access and affordability of health care for Coloradans: 1. American health care will be less equitable than ever.

2. More difficult to qualify for

(Alan Wartes can be contacted at 970.641.1414 or publisher@ gunnisontimes.com.)

LETTERS Enough is enough

2025 Member

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 fact-checking.

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.

Editor: Trump is turning America into an “also-ran” nation. China, Russia, India and plenty of other developing nations will turn to where they can find a somewhat stable business climate, rather than TACO (Trump Always Chickens Out) tariffs and meaningless deadlines that either shift or vaporize. You see how much they frightened Putin.

Meanwhile, threats and disrespect from Trump, Vance and Hegseth, heaped on our former friends, trading partners and NATO allies, are causing them to figure out how to go it either together or alone.

Never mind the trillions Trump has added to our debt or how he and Republican plutocrats turned Colorado’s $250 million budget surplus into a $1.2 billion deficit. How many times have Trump’s businesses declared bankruptcy? What is it?

Six? So why shouldn’t we expect he will bankrupt the business of the United States? I mean, he’s bankrupted lots of folks’ perspectives who seem to be willing to follow him off the cliff.

Maybe we could vote him and the Republicans out of office. But wait, you know with the support of the Republican Congress and the Supreme Court, Trump will finagle a way to get elected again and the Republicans will redistrict themselves back into office.

No, wait, our election system is rigged, right? No, wait, that’s only

Joe Dix Gunnison

Students preserving heritage Editor: The Gunnison Pioneer Museum consists of 41 buildings on 14 acres of land and an exceptionally large amount of local historical memorabilia that must be maintained.

On Aug. 22 and 23, approximately 40 Western Colorado University freshmen came to the museum to do anything they could to be of service. Volunteer m u s e u m b o a rd m e m b e r s assigned the students a variety of tasks, such as washing windows, loading and hauling lumber, pulling weeds, spreading gravel and painting a very old train car housing a railroad display. Eagerly and without hesitation, the students worked very hard — and all the tasks were completed.

I had the pleasure of being with these students and I could

Dan R. McDonough Gunnison Pioneer Museum board member

Threats to health care Editor: We are concerned about the effects on health care of the federal One Big Beautiful Bill Act. The information is based on an Aug. 14, 2025 article in the New England Journal of Medicine, pages 625-629. There are threats to public health and threats to access and affordability of care for everyone. You should be very worried.

We will then discuss the importance of the Colorado bill on health care reform (SB25-045).

Threats to public health/ reduction of CDC programs: 1. CD C Dire ctor Susan

continued on A7

Thursday, September 11, 2025 • NEWS • A7

Gunnison Country Times continued from A6 health insurance programs.

3. Limitation of access by making eligibility very difficult.

4. Ten million fewer Americans insured by 2034.

5 . Th e i d e a t hat s o m e Americans don’t deserve health care.

6. Politicization of health care.

7. Medicaid: • Work requirements of 80 hours per month.

• State-conducted eligibility reassessment every 6 months.

• New $35 copay for many services.

• Decreased state provider taxes reducing funds for Medicaid services.

• Reduced funding for Medicaid by $900 billion over 10 years.

• Reduced funding to partly make up for unrelated budget deficits.

8. SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program): reduced funding for food, adversely affecting health.

9. ACA (Affordable Care Act/ Obamacare) • New stringent eligibility verification requirements.

• No more automatic reenrollment.

• Reduced tax credits for enrollees.

• Termination of eligibility for lawful immigrants.

• Premiums for all ACA insured to increase significantly in 2026.

• 10. Medicare: automatic cuts up to $490 billion triggered by any increase of budget deficit.

Fortunately, we have an opportunity to study the feasibility of health care payment reform to assure access to care for all Coloradans through the passage of SB25-045, which mandates the Colorado School of Public Health to do this study. It will only be completed if $750,000 can be raised through tax-deductible donations. The Colorado Foundation for Universal Health Care is spearheading fundraising efforts.

Laird Cagan, MD Marsha Thorson, MSPH Crested Butte

Banquet thanks Editor: Thank you to the community for making the World Record

Chapter’s 35th Annual Banquet of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation a great success. Our community businesses, merchants, artisans and attendees have raised more than $1 million in donations that directly benefit conservation and habitat for wildlife.

Over 35 generous businesses, organizations and individuals donated products, trips, merchandise, monetary funds and talent to the annual fundraiser.

They recognize the value of conservation efforts and maintaining and rebuilding habitat for wildlife in the Gunnison and Hinsdale counties. The Rocky Elk Foundation has been a presence locally since the 1980s.

The evening’s venue included a great meal by Ol’ Miner. The Cattlemen’s Days Royalty hosted the auction items. Of course, the volunteers, who are the soul of any nonprofit organization, were dedicated to making the night enjoyable.

We look forward to continuing the tradition at the 36th Annual Banquet, Aug. 1, 2026.

Terry Klug Gunnison

Think outside the box Editor: I am writing in support of Greg Swan's Sept. 4, 2025 letter to the editor in reference to the proposed new fire station mill tax increase. I 100% agree with Greg that the article was very misleading; that the average cost will be more than stated in the article. Also, this is not a one-time assessment, but rather an additional tax for 20 years.

I agree that $35 million seems a bit high, plus overruns, as per the norm. The board needs to find another way to fund this project.

Continuing to tax local, hardworking folk is not the answer.

When an individual comes upon an unexpected expense, you find an inventive way to get that bill paid, think outside the box, rob from Peter to pay Paul, go without in one area so as to be able to pay for your necessary unexpected expense, etc.

Just taxing us is not the answer.

Be inventive. Figure out another way.

RFK Jr. a bad hire Editor: I thought the letter that Pete Gauss wrote last week was excellent. I think President Trump nominated RFK Jr. as a kind of “fluke.” He has no medical background. I did some research and he has no experience in viruses, disease control or any kind of health care. Perhaps Trump thought he would try to gain some kind of favor by nominating a Democrat for a post in his cabinet.

He’s had at least four people in the Department of Health and Human Services and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention quit in protest. The theories the guy believes in are too numerous to mention.

Here’s what I think President Trump should say to Kennedy: “I caught your testimony to the congressional committee.

You blew it. I thought we had this anti-vaccine argument down. We both share your views the public doesn’t get. I’ll be short and sweet: You’re fired! I’ll get someone who can follow my orders in that office.”

That probably won’t happen, but I can dream. _As a person who takes his health very seriously, I find his talent for saying stupid things to be horrendous. Viruses like Covid are nothing to take lightly. I’ve lived through one cancer.

I watched about two hours of his televised senate hearing on Thursday and was astounded by the audacity of the man. Telling U.S. senators they are all wrong in what they think of him is no way to curry favor.

In closing, I think you did a fine job in producing this year’s hunting guide. A good job was done by local photographers and writers alike. Even though I am known as a wolf reintroduction advocate, I’m not anti-hunting.

Hunting and fishing has always been what has kept ungulate and fish populations in check in the state.

Kevin Chedd Gunnison

HERE IS WHAT'S

Coming Up

Sue Oberly-Spritzer Gunnison

Sunday, September 14

BIRTHS Liam Cortner

Walker Eugene Wasson

On July 10 John and Meghan Cortner (Finney) welcomed their son, Liam, into the world.

He weighed 8lb 8oz and measured 21 3/4 inches long.

Liam’s grandparents include Brian Finney, Suzy Sauer and Kathleen Cortner.

On August 24 at 3:32 p.m.

Walker Eugene Wasson was born to parents Blair Jordan Burgess and Wesley Eugene Wasson. He weighed 7 lbs. 9 oz. and measured 20 inches in length. He has an older brother, Weston Michael, who is 20 months old. His grandparents are Jack and Deanna Ponce and Rick and Loretta Burgess of Long Beach, California, Mike and Kay Conaway of Avinger, Texas and Gary Wasson of Colorado Springs, Colorado.

His great grandparents are Tom and Marleen Mooney of Cerritos, California and Mary L ee Swanson of Colorado Springs.

We want your announcements!

The Gunnison Country Times publishes birth and wedding announcements free of charge.

• Please keep your announcement brief (3-5 sentences).

You may include one photo.

• Our deadline for submissions is noon on Tuesdays.

• Please send announcements to issa@gunnisontimes.com.

TEEN Gaming Guild

new 3-4pm: Ages 11-13 times! 4-5pm: Ages 14-18

Learn to play Dungeons & Dragons and embark on a new campaign!

Refreshments provided, free and open to all.

Gunnison Library Teen Lounge

GunnisonCountyLibraries.org

A8 • NEWS • Thursday, September 11, 2025

Gunnison Country Times

Medicaid

New!!

from A1

LIMITED TIME OFFER THROUGH OUR ON-BILL REPAYMENT PROGRAM, GCEA IS OFFERING A LIMITED TIME 10% DISCOUNT FOR MINI SPLIT HEAT PUMPS

SIGN UP TODAY!

Fill out our interest form at: ccef.info/gcea

and tighter Medicaid eligibility rules, Amrich said GVH is well-positioned to navigate the changes. But instead of cutting costs and services, he said the challenges pose an opportunity to grow and adopt an “abundance approach.”

“There have been a lot of knee-jerk reactions, like ‘let’s cut our way to prosperity, cutting staff, cutting programs, reducing hours,’ and we label that the scarcity approach,” Amrich told commissioners.

“Instead, is there a way to grow through these challenges? Can we provide additional services needed by the community? Our abundance approach is, ‘what do we provide? Who do we partner with? Are there opportunities to collaborate with other health systems?’”

National Medicaid cuts In July, H.R.1 — also known as the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act,” (OBBBA) — cut over $793 billion from federal Medicaid funding and reshaped Medicaid eligibility and reimbursement.

Even before OBBBA , Coloradans struggled with Medicaid renewals post-pandemic, ranking 46th out of 50 states, according to Amrich.

Under OBBBA, Medicaid eligibility checks will now occur every six months instead of annually, and a work requirement of 80 hours per month is needed to maintain eligibility. Additionally, undocumented individuals will be barred from Medicaid coverage. The Colorado Department of Health Care Policy and Financing estimates 377,000 Coloradans

Bears from A1

The news you need.

The excellence you deserve.

SCAN TO SUBSCRIBE OR DONATE

Support local journalism today.

over trash cans and, ironically, a knocked over bear-proof dumpster that they got into.”

According to Colorado Parks and Wildlife’s District Wildlife Manager Clayton Bondurant, bears are likely roaming farther this year in search of food due to the effects of drought conditions in the valley.

“This year with the drought, some of the mash crops like acorns and forage crops like serviceberries were not looking great. Those crops hurting has caused the bears to move around the Gunnison Basin more, looking for food,” Bondurant said.

Although more bear sightings have occurred in town — particularly on the Northwest side — the Gunnison Police Department noted that no lethal measures or distraction measures (like bean bag rounds) have been needed to deter any of the bears that they have been called to handle.

None of the trash-related bear encounters have resulted in any reported physical harm or injury.

Both GPD and CPW confirm that there have been a couple of incidents this summer in which

could be at risk of losing coverage due to the new eligibility requirements, and an additional 21,000 undocumented individuals could lose coverage.

The National Rural Health Association projects a 21% loss of Medicaid funding for rural hospitals. For context, in 2024, GVH’s total patient revenue was $84 million. Medicaid comprised 11.4% of the payer mix, or roughly $9.4 million.

GVH estimates that a 21% loss of Medicaid reimbursement would result in a nearly $2 million reduction in revenue every year, and that number doesn’t account for uncompensated care for patients who lose Medicaid eligibility.

“If folks are losing their health insurance, they're going to stop preventative care, routine care and start accessing the health system when they're only in crisis,” Amrich said at the meeting. “They will come to GVH, we will treat them and take care of them. But of course, that will turn into more uncompensated care for the organization.”

Rural hospital trends The cuts to Medicaid pose an additional challenge to rural hospitals in the United States.

To date, nearly 48% of rural hospitals have a negative operating margin, and over 400 are vulnerable to closure, according to GVH. There are also growing “care deserts” for OB-GYN and chemotherapy. Between 2011 and 2023, nearly 300 hospitals stopped offering OB-GYN services and over 400 hospitals closed chemotherapy services in the last ten years, according to GVH. Last year, GVH delivered 134 babies, held 18,000 primary

bears were hit by vehicles on Hwy. 135 and Hwy. 50. The animals are believed to have come near roadways to graze on roadkill.

“The issue with bears on the [Gunnison] roadways is a bit of a newer development. We advise the public to be aware and use caution while driving,” Costello said.

The increase in bear activity is also due to the time of year, because bears are busy bulking up before a long winter hibernation.

“I view trash and bird feeders as the gateway drug for bears,” Bondurant said. “This time of year bears are going through hyperphagia [a phase of excess hunger and eating] where they are eating for 20 hours per day.

One bird feeder can provide a bear with 10,000 calories — the same as a full day of foraging for berries.”

How to minimize bear encounters B o n d u ra nt a d v i s e s t hat Gunnison residents can assist by keeping trash secure in garages, sheds or bear-proof containers, and putting it out on the curb as close to trash pickup as possible. Bringing in bird feeders or outdoor pet food can also help avoid enticing the bears towards homes.

“And obviously, don’t feed

care visits and 17,000 oncology appointments, with many including chemotherapy treatment. Demand has increased in 2025, with primary care visits jumping to 25,000, and urgent care growing to 6,000 visits. “[These trends] signify that GVH is providing a valuable service to the community and we are continuing to grow alongside community demand,” said GVH Board of Trustees Chair Mark Kaufman at the meeting.

Abundance versus scarcity Despite the mounting challenges, Amrich said GVH is better positioned to weather the national changes than other rural hospitals because of an experienced management team and strong clinical care. Instead of cutting costs and staff, GVH will respond by expanding service lines and incentivizing the Gunnison community to seek care in the valley instead of travelling to other hospitals.

This year, GVH added dermatology services, cataract and mohs surgery and orthopedic subspecialist services — care that would previously require a significant drive and longer wait time.

“While we definitely think it's incumbent upon the GVH management team to make sure that we're efficient and that we're a good steward of our resources, we believe that an abundance mindset is going to set us apart, and enable GVH to thrive and weather this storm,” Amrich said.

(Alex McCrindle can be contacted at 970.641.1414 or alex@ gunnisontimes.com.)

the bears,” Bondurant said.

If you should encounter a bear at close distance, stay calm and do not run, as it can trigger a bear’s prey drive. Try to appear as large as possible, make loud noises and avoid coming between a bear and its cubs.

“Do not ever run after a bear or any wild animal. If you are at a distance where you can safely bang on pots and pans, making loud noises can make it [auditorily] uncomfortable for bears to be there,” Bondurant said.

“Don’t ever put yourself in a dangerous situation. Report any unusual bear behavior, sightings, locations or incidents of bears getting into trash with the CPW office. If you encounter a bear in a building or a house or find yourself in a dangerous situation with a bear, call police dispatch or 911 for assistance."

(Gia Wright can be contacted at 970.641.1414 or gia@gunnisontimes.com.)

Thursday, September 11, 2025 • NEWS • A9

Gunnison Country Times

270 +/- Acres | 5 Bed, 4 Bath | Cabin & Barn | $3,850,000

ne

w

pr

ice

28890 County Road 33-EE | Saguache

Home + Guest House | Shop/Gym | 35 Acres | $5,500,000

42246 US Highway 50 | Gunnison 4 Bed | 3.5 Bath | 3,324 SF | 17 Acres | $2,225,000

ice

289 Star Mountain Drive | Gunnison 36 Acres | 3 Bed | 3.5 Bath | 3,712 SF | $3,650,000

pr

Although it has been quite a bit cooler lately, July and August 2025, were hot, (mostly) dry and several degrees warmer than the long-term average. We had a temperature of 89⁰ on Aug. 22 and I was flooded with requests (two or three) as to whether this is a record.

The short answer is no, the current official record for hottest day in Gunnison history is 98 degrees set on Aug. 15 and 25,1931. Some reports show a temperature of 105 degrees on Aug. 5, 1894, but the state climatologist has recently expunged that temperature as being unreliable. Here’s the long answer to the question of how hot it gets in Gunnison: Just for fun, I decided to plot how often it has reached 90 degrees in Gunnison since 1900.

Yes, there are weather records dating back to 1893, but they are incomplete and, as noted above, some are considered unreliable.

Not surprisingly, the bulk of the 90-degree readings are in the 1930s.

For you young people, those are the infamous “Dust Bowl” years, which were notoriously hot, dry and very windy throughout the Great Plains, and seem to have even affected us up in the mountains as well.

There were six days of 90 degrees or above in the summer of 1931, but that is not the record.

That belongs to the summer of 1936, which shows 13 days in the 90s. No other year comes close to 1936, except, surprisingly, the summer of 1990, which had eight days of 90-degree weather, including six days in a row in late June and July. That seems to be the record for consecutive days of 90-degree temperatures.

347 Overlook Trail | Horse River Ranch | Gunnison

w

Bruce ‘Barometer’ Bartleson Special to the Times

The warm spell of the 1930s dwindled down in the 1940s and into the 1950s. The exception is the outlier summer of 1954 that had eight days of 90-degree temperatures — with 95 degrees on June 23,1954. This is somewhat odd, since the mid-1950s were notable for some of the heaviest snow falls in our history. For example, we had 101.3 inches in the winter of 1955-56, and 98.1 inches in 1956-57. Our longterm average is about 50 inches, but it’s been about 40 inches in the last 30 years. The town of Crested Butte shows a similar pattern with a couple of years with 300+ inches of snow in the 1950s, compared to their longterm average of about 200 inches of snowfall.

There are some other interesting patterns in the data worth your attention. For example, going backwards in time, although we had two 90-degree days in 2021, there is a gap of 5 years before we find another in 2016, and then a gap of 11 years until we find another in 2005. The biggest hiatus in our history is a 15-year gap between 1976 and 1961 with zero 90-degree days in between.

We’re certainly not constantly sweltering in the heat! Overall, I counted about 104 days of 90-degree weather in the last 125 years, meaning there is less than a 1% chance we’ll have a 90-degree day in any given year.

In 2024, Grand Junction had 94 days of 90-degree temperatures, and Montrose experienced 90-degree weather 59 days in 2023, 60 days in 2022 and 78 days 2018. There are no gaps in their records.

Need I remind you that Phoenix recently hit its 100th straight day of at least 100 degrees? ‘Tis a joy to be in Gunnison — and winters are getting warmer, despite that stinker of a January we had this year.

featured properties

ne

Ninety degrees a record? Nope.

43495 County Road 18VV | Saguache County

388 Columbine Road | Gunnison

4 Bed | 4.5 Bath | 60+/- Acres | Heated Shop | $2,000,000

3 Bed | 2.5 Bath | 2,436 SF | 1 Acre | $899,000

518 E Georgia Avenue | Gunnison

755 Gothic Road, #10 | Mt. CB

Fiveplex | WCU Adjacent | Rental Opportunity | $895,000

3 Bed | 3 Bath | 1,438 SF | $875,000

(Bruce Bartleson is a retired emeritus professor of geology at Western Colorado University.

He spends most of his time now watching the weather.)

27 Crystal Road, #7 | Mt. Crested Butte 2 Bed | 1 Bath | 640 SF | $475,000

215 S 7th Street | Gunnison 3 Bed | 1 Bath | 1,191 SF | $425,000

commercial

322 N Main Street | Gunnison Commercial + 2 Residential Units | $2,000,000

This graph plots a steady increase in average August temperatures in Gunnison from 1998 to 2024. (Courtesy Alantha Garrison/Gunnison County Electric Association)

970.275.8022 | bcteam@bbre1.com

A10 • NEWS • Thursday, September 11, 2025

Gunnison Country Times

GAC ‘Spark the Arts’ fundraiser a success Gunnison Arts Center hits goal with community support Gia Wright Times Staff Writer

A month-long fundraising campaign benefiting the Gunnison Arts Center has just come to a close this week. The “Spark the Arts” campaign was the first of its kind and was ultimately successful, with donations from the public hitting — and surpassing — their targeted $50,000 fundraising goal.

GAC is a nonprofit organization, which means it relies on donations and grants for funding. Board member Hap Channell explained to the Times that this fundraising campaign was for general “operational funds” which can be utilized in a variety of different ways, as GAC needs them. This differs from “restricted funds” which have a specific, allotted purpose.

“As is the case with all nonprofits, [GAC] needs public support,” Channel said. “[Spark the Arts] was part of a plan to help raise funds for operations [which include] the costs of running a 12,000 square-foot business, supplies, salaries, utilities and a variety of other things.”

Channell has been involved with the GAC since its very founding in 1984. In fact, he was the original founding president of the Gunnison Council for the Arts, which is the group that went on to found the Arts Center.

“I feel like so much of what

MILK

forms a community is the kind of institutions that we support. The institutions of Gunnison make it what it is,” Channell said. “The main reason I’m involved is the impact that the arts have on our community.”

The GAC is a community space that provides classes, programs, performances, events, meeting spaces, rentable space, concerts and artwork to the citizens and visitors of Gunnison.

“We have a strong cultural bent in our community and the GAC provides people with cultural opportunities,” Channell said. “Our programming includes classes in performance art, visual art, dance, ceramics, culinary arts, and more. In addition to the educational component, there are two galleries, live performances and events, as well as local art cooperatives that can display and sell their artwork to visitors.”

Fundraising campaigns like “Spark the Arts” are essential to keep these services available to the community, and its success is a testament to the value that Gunnison places in retaining these cultural opportunities.

Although “Spark the Arts” has come to a close, GAC will always accept donations from anyone.

“We just completed a $4 million remodel of the [GAC] building, and now we’re just working on building cash reserves so we can program events and run our beautiful new building,” said Channell. “The fact that we met our $50,000 goal was largely due to the substantial generosity of the community — a few donors were especially notable and we really appreciate the support.”

(Gia Wright can be contacted at 970.641.1414 or gia@gunnisontimes.com.)

DO YOU NEED FOOD? DOES SOMEONE YOU KNOW? 114 S. 14th Street • Gunnison gunnisoncountryfoodpantry.org A patron peruses original artwork on display at the Gunnison Arts Center during First Friday Art Walk on Sept. 5. (Photos by Aric Olson)

Thursday, September 11, 2025 • NEWS • A11

Gunnison Country Times

Chili, beer and bluegrass at the Butte The 27th Annual Mt. Crested Butte Chili & Beer Festival returned to the base area Sept. 6.

The event featured a day of bold flavors, Colorado craft brews and live music by Grammy winner Bronwyn Keith Hynes and the Pickpockets.

*summer evening cruises - we hope you will join us*

(Photo by Aric Olson)

2025 MUSIC CRUISE SERIES SEPT. 16TH WCU MUSIC DEPARTMENT Sponsored By: Western Colorado University

Music cruise starts rolling @ 5:30pm

Start/Inicio: IOOF Park Time/Tiempo: 5:30pm Finish/Termina: Western Colorado University

*for additional information contact* www.gunnisonco.gov/musiccruise

A12 • NEWS • Thursday, September 11, 2025

Gunnison Country Times

Midsummer makebelieve On Aug. 3, Firebird Theatre closed out its free-admission run of Shakespeare's “A Midsummer Night's Dream” at the Western Colorado University Quigley Bandshell with over 120 attendees. Helmed by Artistic Director Tristan Buss, Shakespeare’s Athenian pastoral comedy about fairies, donkeys and rude mechanicals is considered one of the Bard’s greatest works.

In Firebird's production, over one night in the woods, eloping lovers, amateur actors and immortal fairies found themselves clashing with mischievous schemers Oberon and Puck and their magical love potions.

(Courtesy Firebird Theatre)

Thursday, September 11, 2025 • NEWS • A13

Gunnison Country Times

PEOPLE & HAPPENINGS Silent auction You're invited to a "Splatter With Love" event featuring a collection of art from talented local artists with special needs.

Your winning bid directly supports the artists and our program. Opening reception is Oct. 3 at 5 p.m. The auction runs all month long at 102 S. Main St, Gunnison. For more info visit gunnisonartscenter.org/upcoming-exhibits.

Shamanic journeying workshop On Oct. 2 at 5:45-7:45 p.m., Barbara Haas will guide you in this month’s theme: The Bone Mother & The Skeleton Dance.

Ignite your intuitive power. Preregister for limited spaces at Sanctuary Somatics. The cost is $35.

PTA fundraising chair needed Gunnison Valley PTA seeks a creative, organized volunteer to lead fundraising events and campaigns supporting local students and teachers. Make a big difference in our schools.

Contact Donita Bishop at gunnisonvalleypta@gmail.com for details.

Ice cream social Yo u a re i nv i t e d t o t h e Welcome Back to School Ice Cream Social on Sept. 11 at 4 p.m. at Gunnison Community School. Reconnect, meet new faces and enjoy some delicious ice cream. We’ll also take time to chat about our classrooms and share what’s ahead for the year.

Sage-Grouse Strategic Committee The next meeting of the Gunnison Basin Sage-Grouse

Strategic Committee will be Sept. 17 at 10 a.m. via Zoom or in the planning commission meeting room at the Blackstock Government Center. For more updated information, including the most recent agenda and access to the virtual meeting, please visit Gunnisoncounty. org/187/Gunnison-Basin-SageGrouse-Strategic-Com.

Tennis round robin fundraiser Come play in the tennis round robin fundraiser Sept.

13. Advanced players start at 9 a.m.-12 p.m. Intermediate players start at 1-4 p.m. The cost is $15. No partner necessary. The funds raised will go towards equipment for the Char Mar tennis courts. To sign up, call or stop by the Gunnison Rec Center 970.641.8060 or sign up online through the Rec Center website. Hope to see you on the courts.

Move the Butte The Crested Butte Dance Collective is thrilled to open the call to choreographers for Move the Butte 2026. Please visit movethebutte.com after Sept. 15 to fill out your application to choreograph for the 17th annual Move the Butte. Call for dancers will open mid-Oct. Performances are Feb. 19-21.

Mountain Roots Harvest Hoedown Please join us to celebrate the end of the harvest season on Sept. 26 at 7 p.m. at South Main in Gunnison. The festivities include square dancing, a silent auction, family friendly activities, live music and more.

Tickets are available on our website at mountainrootsfoodproject.org: $15 early bird, $20 at the door, 18 and under are free. Volunteers are needed for

the event and all volunteers receive free entry. If interested, please email Jen at jennifer@ mountainrootsfoodproject.org.

High Country Conservation Advocates HCCA invites you to our firstever Public Lands Palooza Sept.

13 starting at 3 p.m. at Zuni West Brewery 235 Elcho Ave, Crested Butte South. Enjoy live music from the local duo Strand Hill, drinks from Zuni and exciting door prizes for all attendees. This is a free family friendly event.

Elk Mountains Backcountry Alliance annual meeting The community is invited to join the Elk Mountains Backcountry Alliance (EMBA) for its annual meeting and potluck on Sept. 21 from 5-8 p.m. at the Crested Butte Depot. It is open to anyone interested in human-powered recreation.

Enjoy BBQ, beverages, live music and door prizes. Bring a dish to share and celebrate a summer evening with friends.

For more information email info@EMBA.earth.

Pioneer Museum The annual meeting of the Gunnison Pioneer Museum and Historical Society will be Sept.

19 at 10 a.m. at the museum.

All members are encouraged to attend. Reports on the season, what needs to be tackled in the future and meeting the board members are part of the agenda. Your input is important.

City of Gunnison - Notice of Public Hearing Proposed Land Development Code and Zoning Map What is the Land Development Code (LDC) and the Zoning Map? The Land Development Code (LDC) is a comprehensive legal document that outlines regulations and standards for how land can be developed within the City of Gunnison. It includes zoning and land use standards. The Zoning Map shows the locations of zones (such as commercial, single-household, and multihousehold) identified in the LDC. What can I expect as a community member in the City of Gunnison with the LDC/Zoning Map changes?

The new LDC and Zoning Map may affect your individual property rights and the character of our city. Potential impacts may include, but are not limited to, development opportunities or limitations (e.g., types of structures you can build, density allowances, and height) and land use opportunities or restrictions based on zone districts (i.e., what types of buildings can go where).

A public hearing is scheduled with the Planning and Zoning Commission on Wednesday, September 24, 2025, beginning at 6:00 p.m. at the Recreation Center, 200 E. Spencer Avenue. The purpose of the hearing is for the Commission to hear comments from the public on the proposed LDC and Zoning Map - no action will be taken at that time. More information and a preliminary schedule for adoption can be found online at gunnisonco.gov/ProposedLDC. En español Audiencia Pública sobre el Código de Desarrollo Territorial propuesto y el Mapa de Zonificación Miércoles 24 de septiembre de 2025 a las 6:00 p.m.

Centro Recreativo, 200 E. Spencer Avenue, Gunnison, CO La información sobre el Código de Desarrollo Territorial propuesto y el Mapa de Zonificación está isponible en línea y puede traducirse en el sitio web.

Los documentos del proyecto pueden ser descargados y traducidos por cada usuario.

gunnisonco.gov/ProposedLDC

Worked in Uranium Before 1990?

You May Qualify for $100k

GUNNISON ARTS CENTER BRIEFS GAC Fall catalog

Adult and youth dance

Beginners watercolor

All of our fall programs and events went live Aug. 30 at gunnisonartscenter.org. Whether you’re looking to try something new or dive back into a favorite class, we can’t wait for you to join us — come create, connect and celebrate the season with us this fall and winter.

Adult and youth dance begin Sept. 10-11. Spots are limited.

Register at gunnisonartscenter. org/movingarts.

Join Artist Karen Hill from Sept. 10-Oct. 1 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. in this relaxed class where you will learn essential techniques like brushwork, color mixing, and layering.

The Radiation Exposure Compensation Act (RECA) is back and now covers uranium workers through 1990.

CB CENTER FOR THE ARTS BRIEFS Fall Folk: The Ditchwalkers Enjoy an evening of free Folk Music at the Center for the Arts Atrium on Sept. 16 from 5-7 p.m. Featured are local musicians Matt Shugert, Madeline Shugert and Lizzy Plotkin, collectively known as The Ditchwalkers. Enjoy the sounds and grab a complimentary drink.

CB Dance Collective Presenting A Fall Production: Echoes of the First Laugh.

Dancers in Crested Butte and the Gunnison Valley are invited to register for classes and join performance pieces to be presented on Nov. 7-8 at the Center for The Arts. Registration is open at dancecrestedbutte.org.

Classes begin the weeks of Aug. 25 and Sept. 22.

Cookbook Club Join us Sept.18 from 6-8 p.m. for a collaborative potluck inspired by Kin: Caribbean Recipes for the Modern Kitchen

by Marie Mitchell. This gathering celebrates the bold, sun-

soaked flavors of the Caribbean.

Sign up for a dish, and bring your flavorful creation to share.

We’ll set the table and provide the wine. The cost is $25.

The crucial role of field stations in science Join The Organization of Biological Field Stations on Sept. 19 from 6:30-9 p.m. for “The Crucial Role of Field Stations in Science,” featuring Miles O’Brien, national science correspondent for PBS NewsHour. The cost is $25.

CNS Cares is here to help you: ‣ Understand your eligibility. ‣ Prepare you to file your RECA claim.

Don’t Wait!

Contact CNS Cares Today.

Call 855-CNS-RECA or visit CNSCares.com/RECA

Caring for Colorado Energy Workers

A14 • NEWS • Thursday, September 11, 2025

Gunnison Country Times

3:30 - 6:30

www. gu n n is on time s .co m

ONLINE ALL THE TIME!

See your local news on any device.

GERMAN FARE • KID FRIENDLY LIVE MUSIC • 2 DRINKS FOR 21+ 232 W TOMICHI AVE

Thursday, September 11, 2025 • NEWS • A15

Gunnison Country Times

First Friday punk rock During the First Friday Art Walk on Sept. 5, the Gunnison Arts Center presented “Decked Out,” a one-of-a-kind fundraiser exhibition where local skaters and artists transformed blank skateboard decks into gallery-worthy works of art. The result blended street style with fine art flair. Three local punk bands — Tiger Electric, Bad Guys Wear Black, and Down Valley Trash — rocked the house until 9:30 p.m.

(Photo by Aric Olson)

A16 • NEWS • Thursday, September 11, 2025

Gunnison Country Times

Flu Vaccine Clinics Sleeve Up and Fend Off Flu!

Regular and High Dose Vaccines Available!

Gunnison Clinic

Crested Butte Clinic October 9th 3 - 5:30 pm

September 30th 3 - 6 pm Health & Human Services parking lot off of W Virginia Ave Drive-thru and walk-up options.

Parking for the walk-up clinic is in the Spruce St. parking lot.

Inside the Queen of All Saints Parish Hall Indoor clinic only. Parking is available in front of and around the Parish Hall property, or a short walk from Elk Ave.

Please bring a HARD COPY of your insurance card with IDs to confirm information. We DO NOT ACCEPT Kaiser Permanente insurance. $25 for vaccines if you are uninsured. Cash, checks, and credit cards are accepted.

Persons 6 months and older can be vaccinated.

For more information, get in touch with Health & Human Services Mondays through Fridays from 9 am to 4 pm.

220 N Spruce St. Gunnison, CO

(970) 641-3244

Clínicas de vacunación antigripal ¡Sube la manga y frena la gripe!

Banana-filled breakfast for school days When a new school year is on the horizon, that means families once again must adjust to getting out of the house to the school bus or carpool on time.

It is important to begin busy days with a breakfast that will facilitate learning, but parents know convenience is important as well. Parents may want to incorporate some new breakfast options into the mix, particularly ones kids will enjoy.

This tasty recipe for “Banana a n d Pe ca n G ra n o l a B ow l with Caramelized Bananas” from “Rainbow Bowls” (Sourcebooks) by Niki Webster relies on bananas in two different ways to impart a sweet taste that is hard to beat. The granola makes about four to six portions, so there will be leftovers to enjoy as a snack later in the day or stored away for another time.

Banana and Pecan Granola Bowl with Caramelized Bananas Serves 2 2 tablespoons coconut oil 4 tablespoons maple syrup 2 very ripe medium bananas 1 teaspoon almond extract 100 grams (3.5 ounces) oats of your choice 3 tablespoons unsweetened shredded coconut 2 tablespoons ground almonds 3 tablespoons sunflower seeds 3 tablespoons chopped nuts, such as hazelnuts or almonds 40 grams (1.4 ounces) pecans Pinch of sea salt

To serve Coconut yogurt 1 teaspoon maple syrup (optional) Pinch of thyme (optional) Preheat the oven to 180 C (350 F).

Blend the coconut oil, maple syrup, bananas, and almond extract in a blender until smooth.

Add all the dry ingredients to a large bowl and mix well. Add the wet mixture to the bowl and stir well to combine.

Line a large baking tray with baking paper and then tip the granola mix on to the tray and flatten out. Bake for 25 minutes, until starting to brown.

Carefully flip over on the tray, then return to the oven and bake for a further 15 minutes (until you get a nice brown color).

Leave to cool before breaking into smaller chunks, then store in an airtight container for up to 1 week (if not eating straight away).

To make the caramelized bananas, chop off the top end of each of the bananas, then carefully slice through the middle lengthways. Now, peel the bananas.

Melt the coconut oil in a pan on medium heat. Add the banana slices and fry in the oil on one side for 1 to 2 minutes until browned, then flip over to caramelize the other side for another 1 to 2 minutes.

Serve the granola with yogurt, caramelized bananas, a drizzle of maple syrup and a pinch of thyme if you fancy.

For the caramelized bananas 2 unpeeled bananas 1 tablespoon coconut oil

Vacunas de dosis normal y alta disponibles Clínica Gunnison Clínica Crested Butte 30 de septiembre 3 - 6 pm Salud y Servicios Humanos en el parqueadero junto a W Virginia Ave Puede obtener la vacuna estando en su carro o puede caminar a la clínica que esta en Spruce St.

October 9th 3 - 5:30 pm Interior del Salón Parroquial Reina de Todos los Santos Clínica cubierta solamente. El aparcamiento está disponible en frente y alrededor de la propiedad del Salón Parroquial, o un corto paseo de Elk Ave.

Por favor traiga una COPIA DURA de su tarjeta de seguro con identificaciones para confirmar la información. NO ACEPTAMOS el seguro de Kaiser Permanente. $25 por las vacunas si no tiene seguro. Se aceptan efectivo, cheques y tarjetas de crédito.

Las personas a partir de 6 meses pueden vacunarse.

Para más información, póngase en contacto con Salud y Servicios Humanos de lunes a viernes de 9 am a 4 pm.

220 N Spruce St. Gunnison, CO

(970) 641-3244 (Metro creative)

Thursday, September 11, 2025 • NEWS • A17

Gunnison Country Times

Classifieds

LISTINGS TODAY

EMPLOYMENT

37

GUNNISON WATERSHED SCHOOL DISTRICT See GWSD website for details gunnisonschools.net Gunnison Watershed School District believes that students thrive when they are connected to something bigger than themselves. That’s why we create learning experiences that spark curiosity, helping students discover who they are and how to make a difference in the world around them. As they excel in academics, athletics and the arts, students find the confidence to pursue any opportunity in life. Our team is “Driven to be the Difference!”

970.641.1414 Stop by: Gunnison Country Times 218 North Wisconsin Gunnison, CO 81230

HOURLY OPPORTUNITIES GES - SPED EA GMS - .5 Enrichment Coordinator GES - ELL EA Substitute Teachers Food Service Bus Drivers

Email: classifieds@ gunnisontimes.com

PROFESSIONAL OPPORTUNITIES CBSS - .57 Spanish Teacher CBSS - Math Teacher District Psychologist GCS - Special Education Teacher

Ad policy & Rates:

• $7 for 20 words or less, 20¢ each additional word.

• Display Classified rate is $9.40 per column inch.

• Deadline is NOON SHARP TUESDAY.

COACHING CBMS - Asst. Volleyball Coach CBHS - .5 Asst. Cross

gunnisontimes.com

Please contact: Superintendent’s Office Kim Fuller 800 N. Boulevard 970-641-7760 kfuller@ gunnisonschools.net

SCAN TO PLACE AN AD

CLASSIFIEDS EMPLOYMENT REAL ESTATE RENTALS

A14 A15 A16

NOTICES

A16

CROSSWORD

A15

LEGALS

THE TOWN OF CRESTED BUTTE is seeking an experienced Finance and Administrative Services Director. This full-time, year-round role offers a competitive salary ($116K–$142K DOQ) and a generous benefits package, including 100% employer-paid 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.

COMMUNITY WEEKLY AD SPECIAL PLACE AN AD:

THURSDAY, MARCH 31, 2022

NEED A JOB?

CHECK OUT THE FOLLOWING

Online all the time!

PAGES FOR NEW EMPLOYME

NT LISTINGS EVERY WEEK

Mail or stop by: Gunnison Country Times 218 North Wisconsin

THE CLUB AT CRESTED BUTTE is hiring part-time and full-time Golf Course Maintenance Technicians; $20-$23/hr. Employee benefits include employee discounts and complimentary golf. For more information or to apply, please visit theclubatcrestedbutte.comor email jobs@ clubatcrestedbutte.com.

Fish Fry Friday

Gunnison, CO 81230 Email:

classifieds@ gunnisontimes.com Ad policy & Rates:

BAKED OR FRIED

DINE IN OR CARRY OUT 5:00PM-6:30PM 400 WEST GEORGIA AVE. GUNNISON FRIDAY, APRIL 1ST $12 ADULTS, $7 CHILDREN ST. PETER'S PARISH HALL COD - POTATO -

ST. PETER’S WEBSITE:

• $7 for 20 words or less, 20¢ each additional word.

• Display Classified rate is $9.40 per column inch.

• Deadline is NOON TUESDAY.

COLESLAW - HUSHPUPPIES

WWW.GUNNISON

CATHOLIC.ORG

DOS RIOS GOLF COURSE IS NOW ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR THE UPCOMING SEASON

Need a quality 78 employee?

gunnisontimes

Full time lead cook, full and part time cooks, bartenders, beverage cart and wait staff.

Course maintenance and cart department.

Stop by and fill out an application Monday-Friday 10am-3pm.

.com

641.1414 CLASSIFIEDS

501 Camino Del Rio, Gunnison CO. Please call 970-641-1482 regarding any questions.

Listings today

PUBLIC HOUSE SEEKS A SERVER to provide an excellent dining experience for restaurant guests. This role will provide suggestions and take orders for food and drinks, get feedback from diners, clean and set tables for future guests, and work closely with front of house and back of house staff and managers. This role requires a High School diploma or equivalent, and 18 years of age in order to legally serve alcohol in Colorado. The ideal candidate has proven work experience in guest service and is willing to work in shifts and/or occasionally during weekends and holidays. This part time, seasonal role starts at $11.79/hour plus tip pool. The season runs December-April and June-November. Please apply online at elevenexperience.com/careers/ or email jobs@elevenexperience.com for more information on how to apply.

to obtain one within THE CENTER FOR thirty THE ARTS SEEKS of employment. Experience(30) days of date PART-TIME FACILITIES driving loaders, MANAGER rollers, backhoes and A16 responsible for the other heavy equipment maintenance of the required. This is Crested Butte Center a full time position for the Arts which with benefits. Starting pay houses the Steddy REAL ESTATE is $40,000 - $57,000 Theatre, the Kinder A18 DOQ. Benefits include Padon Gallery, the RENTALS fully subsidized Jones Dance Studio, medical, dental and and A18 a number of public vision insurance, spaces life insurance and retirement art studios, and bar/event like classrooms, are also position spaces. Duties benefits. Full job description include managing, is updating, and executing available on the Town’s website DRIVE YOUR CAREER the yearly maintenance at townofcrestedbutte.

FORWARD: schedule for com. Please submit Hiring immediately! Become the building; performing application to Town routine a bus of Crested upkeep Butte via email jobs@crested and maintenance Western seeks applicants driver with the Gunnison of building systems, butteWatershed co.gov. Position is open for specialized equipment, Equal Opportunity School District and make until filled. The Town Officer (EOO). and machines; of Crested Butte a positive working with outside Responsibilities include is an Equal Opportunity impact in the lives of contractors/vendors Employer. children in our to assist in upkeep of NOTICES to employment-related responding the building’s systems, community while safely A18 discrimination interior, exterior, and transporting complaints or equity grounds; perform minor them to and from school, issues, GOLDEN EAGLE repairs; and other duties. as well as is looking for CDL drivers, conducting intake meetings Compensation $45 field trips and activities a mechanic and extra - $65/hour D.O.E. To with for additional employees and students, Apply, email cover helpers to join letter our hours. Shifts are 7:30 team. For more info and resume with providing call 970-641-3230 references to melissa@ – 9:00 a.m. process and support crestedbuttearts.org resources, and 3:00 – 4:30 p.m.

Please put ‘Facilities performing impartial but are paid Manager’ in the subject investigation SPALLONE for 4 total hours. Learn s, line. E.O.E. Full job CONSTRUCTION writing reports of findings, more at description: crestedbuttea has immediate openings CROSSWORD and gunnisonschools.net/jobs rts.org for dump truck drivers following policy/proce A17 . in the Gunnison, sses for WEATHER Crested Butte area. successful complaint 3-5 years experience A1 ALPENGARDENER resolution. Full required.

CREATE A NEW RECIPE IS HIRING FOR THE announcement and to assist laborer performing Must be able SUMMER: FOR application YOUR CAREER: Hiring physical tasks western.edu/jobs. AA/EOE at involved in construction May - Oct. If you immediately. love the outdoors, activities. Must have Gunnison Watershed have a valid drivers license, gardening experience School District references required. we want you on our is looking for a kitchen Western seeks applicants $18-24 hr depending team. manager in on experience, benefits for the following State available after one Looking for experienced Crested Butte, as well of Colorado year of employment. machine operators, as kitchen Please submit hardscape and gardeners team members. Schedule Classified positions: resume to: office@ with top pay for is Monday spalloneconstruction.com. experience. We also through Friday 6:30 could train the right a.m. – 2:30 p.m. reliable people.

Security I (full-time Cook up your career Security with GWSD by Send email to garden@alpe ELEVEN IS SEEKING Guard) – Responsibil applying at gunnisonsch ngardener.com LODGE STAFF ities include to interview or call ools.net/jobs. for our Crested patrolling campus grounds 970-349-0252.

Butte/Almont properties, and Scarp Ridge Lodge, buildings, identifying BUSINESS SERVIC Sopris House and and ES Taylor River Lodge.

PRECISE PAINTING to policy/traffic violations responding TEACHERS AND EDUCATION Eleven Experience is hiring interior and and safety is an adventure travel exterior painters. No AL hazards, documentin company that provides experience necessaryMOVE IT RIGHT: ASSISTANTS ARE g incidents and comfortable lodging, happy to train the right HEROES: Are actions taken, conducting seasonal food and candidates. Pay starts Professional moving, you dedicated to making crowd and guided outdoor adventures. at $20/hr with no experience bonded and insured, a traffic control during household, furniture, Our Lodge Staff and goes up for impact within our communitypositive campus events, are the foundation experienced candidates estates, pianos, you of the daily operation notifying and working name it. with future options through with responsibilitie for benefits. Flexible with teaching or assisting students? s including shuttling schedule, awesome Call Brad 970-200-130 enforcement to respond local law guests, executing crew! Call Rob at 970-509-085 0 to criminal Gunnison Watershed fine dining service, activity (as needed), 1 School District light housekeeping, inventory and more. has many positions stocking available. For and assisting in an array EMPLOYMENT GARDENER: full position descriptions of other tasks that Custodian I (starting contribute to providing , please visit Join the Town of pay $15/ an Crested gunnisonschools.net/jobs hour) and Custodial experience. This position exceptional guest Crew. Limited Housing Butte Gardening .

Trainee (no is a great way to available at The experience needed) gain hospitality experience Ruby starting in positions. on a creative, April. Contact LaDonna SUBSTITUTES AREN’T professional Apply online or email Garcia @ lgarcia@cres and hardworking tedbutte-co.gov or team.

Applicants must be SHORT-TERM: Gunnison JUST 970-943-5338x122 HR@western.edu. dedicated team players Watershed for more information. who thrive in a fast-paced School district has multiple Spend your summer Journeyman & Residential work environment, on Elk Ave. and longhave strong communicatio Wireman among the Town’s La Universidad de Western term substitute positions for projects in the Gunnison n skills and are beautiful garden beds. available. eager to contribute and A flexible work schedule Crested Butte areas.

Colorado está contratando to a growing company.

Enjoy a regular schedule is Must available May Eleven is a global have a while being through Sept. Experience valid Colorado driver’s posiciones de un Custodiolas company with evolving a part of a team who license and products and locations.

1 cares about pass a pre-employm maintenance of flowers, with planting and de tiempo-completo The company has ent drug trees and shrubs is student success. Learn y Aprendiz implemented strict preferred but not required.

Top pay & Benefits. screen. more at PPE, Custodio (no se necesita and cleaning protocols social distancing gunnisonschools.net/jobs be able to work outdoors Candidates must experiencia). Los beneficios in line with CDC, . and lift 50-100 lbs.

State and County Send resumes to info@ec-ele and possess a valid incluyen regulations to assist un plan de retiro por driver’s ctric. in protecting employees Colorado SHARE YOUR PASSION description and application license. Full job com and guests during PERA, beneficios de this pandemic. For or call 970-641-019 tuición, tiempo at townofcrestedbutte.com available online HIGH SCHOOL COACH: AS A more information and 5 de descanso pagado, click on jobs. Pay to Gunnison apply, please visit $18-20/hr. DOQ. The y planes de elevenexperience.com/ High School is presently Town aseguranza de costo-bajo. www.ec-electric.com/care careers/. hiring for is an Equal Opportunity/A of Crested Butte Para ers both a Head ffirmative Volleyball ver el Action anuncio Coach Employer.

EMPLOYMENT

LEGALS

GUNNISON WATERSHED SCHOOL DISTRICT

WESTERN COLORADO UNIVERSITY

COMMUNITY

Classifieds

EC ELECTRIC IS SEEKING

Place your help wanted ad here.

Deadline: TUESDAY AT NOON Head Boys Basketball

and

FINANCIAL AID/STUDEN Coach. Help T ACCOUNTS play a role in supporting COUNSELORS: CERTIFIED RIVER our athletic GUIDE TRAINING programs empower The Student Financial COURSE youth through Services Office is sports they love! Learn seeking dynamic staff May 16-27 plus members with strong how you can another whole week customer service BLIND of experience on the FAITH join our team at and communicatio CUSTOM River, ON US! WINDOW n skills to fill financial FASHIONS is looking Top quality instructors, gunnisonschools.net/jobs aid counselor and for an incredible free gear rental, . student accounts showroom teammate hiring for this summer. counselor positions. and installer to join Best job ever!

The financial aid counselor our team. This is $475 includes a FULL-TIME (4.5 (full-time position) everything, days) provides position. We will need training important financial rebate after 50 commercial this person to be able aid counseling trips. Limited and student account to install manual, enrollment to ensure motorized and wireless information, while an excellent learning the student accounts shades and blinds environment. in high end residential Scenic River Tours, time position) provides counselor (partInc. www. homes and condos, scenicrivertours.com. student accounts accurately measure Locally owned and receivable/billing information windows and doors operated since 1977. for future installation and services to students, parents and be able to and university staff load/unload products. members. Exceptional Excellent customer PLUMBING SERVICE service, follow through benefit package including health insurance, TECHNICIAN on customer service Immediate opening situations, paid vacation for service technician. and sick leave, and use a computer, communicate the ability to Knowledge of basic 401K retirement plan via email and plumbing and customer for both positions. make phone calls is ELEVEN is seeking Start date service preferred. a must. a full-time, summer We offer high pay, view the full job descriptions of April 15. To This team member seasonal Experience paid holidays, paid vacation, will also need to have: and apply visit Planner to join the western.edu/jobs. a Valid Colorado Driver’s health insurance, operations team in training, ski pass.

Crested Butte. This Clean driving record (adjust on the fly accordingLicense, flexibility role is responsible for is mandatory. all pre-trip to schedule and appointments), respect Eleven groups, coordination planning for SPALLONE Timberline Mechanical CONSTRUCTION for co-workers and with vendors Contracting clients while being has and group logistics. immediate openings Crested Butte, CO dependable and punctual.

The ideal candidate for heavy equipment This is an hourly, is eager, enthusiastic, operators in the Gunnison, Phone 970-349-567 plus commission position very organized and Crested 9 and a company paid Butte a strong multi-tasker. area. 3-5 years experience Email info@timberli ski pass is provided.

Strength in both guestrequired. Must nemech.com Please send a resume facing and administrative be able to assist laborer or request for an performing physical interview to admin@blind experience in hospitality roles as well as tasks involved in faithcb.com or call construction activities.

THE TOWN OF CRESTED is essential. This Kelly 850-855-8838. position requires a Must have a valid drivers BUTTE is looking flexible schedule and for a Public Works license, references maintenance worker the ability to work in a required. $22-28/hr to fill fast-paced environment. depending on experience, an open position.

Qualifications: Colorado The company has benefits available. implemented strict Please Commercial Drivers PPE, License (CDL) or ability social distancing and office@spalloneconstructiosubmit resume to: cleaning protocols n.com. in line with CDC, State and County regulations

entero del trabajo y para aplicar, por favor governmentjobs.com/ca visite colorado o mande correo reers/ electrónico a HR@western.edu.

Western offers a great environment, Colorado work PERA retirement, tuition benefits, paid time off, and low-cost insurance plans! To view the full job announcement(s) and apply, visit governmentjobs.com/c areers/ colorado. AA/EOE

to assist in protecting employees and guests during this pandemic.

For more information and to apply, please visit elevenexperience. com/careers/.

SUBMIT ONLINE Need a quality employee?

GUNNISONTIMES.COM Place your help wanted

here.

Call today.

641-1414

CRESTED BUTTE DENTAL IS HIRING: Build a career, not just a job – apply today. Fulltime, year-round. $20–$25/hr DOE + benefits (health, PTO, retirement). No dental experience required—training provided.

Friendly, organized, customer-service minded applicants welcome. Apply at amy@crestedbuttedentist. com.

GUNNISON COUNTY EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES Patrol Deputy Sheriff: Full-Time, 40 hours/week, the annual salary range is from $72,397.26-$102,405.83 plus full benefits.

Take home vehicle and uniform allowance provided by the Sheriff’s Office.

Heavy Equipment Operator Public Works: Full-Time, 40 hours/ week, hourly range from $23.60-$31.69 plus full benefits.

Bilingual Juvenile Case Manager Juvenile Services: 28 Hours/ week, hourly range is from $31.28-$35.61, depending on experience, plus partial benefits.

Facilities – Summer Seasonal Facilities: Part-Time, 30 hours/ week, hourly range is from $21.20-$24.14 plus partial benefits.

Senior Accountant Finance: Full-Time, 40 hours/ week, the annual salary range is from $86,226.40-$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-$153,981.08 plus full benefits.

Health Educator – Health Services Intern Health and Human services: Part-Time, 5 hours/week, hourly range is from $25.01-$28.48 plus partial benefits.

Youth Prevention Services Intern Juvenile Services: Part-Time, 10 hours/week, hourly range is from $21.20-$25.10 plus partial benefits.

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

Part-Time Openings

For more information, including complete job descriptions, benefit packages, required job qualifications and application instructions, please visit GunnisonCO.gov/HR.

THE TOWN OF CRESTED BUTTE is seeking a skilled Mechanic to join our Public Works team. This position performs maintenance and major repairs on a wide range of vehicles and equipment, including diesel, gas, and electric-powered systems. Responsibilities include diagnostics, preventative maintenance, welding, fabrication, equipment operation, and record keeping. 2+ years of experience in vehicle/equipment repair required. This full-time, year-round role offers a competitive salary ($55,458-$80,406 DOQ) and a generous benefits package, including 100% employerpaid health coverage. The Town of Crested Butte is an equal employment opportunity employer. Please send your resume, cover letter, and application to jobs@crestedbutte-co. gov.

THE TOWN OF PITKIN is seeking a town attorney. Please submit proposals, including a fixed monthly rate and hourly rate for additional services, to thetownofpitkin@gmail.com.

Monthly requirements are typically 5 hours or less and include: - communicate with the Mayor and Clerk as needed - review/draft ordinances as needed - attend monthly meetings on the 3rd Monday of the month 7-9 p.m. (remote attendance is an option and preference will be given to someone who could travel to be at one meeting each quarter) Additional work is billed at an hourly rate.

Additional work hours have been typically minimal (2023 - 12.2 additional hours; 2024 - 18 additional hours; 2025 to date - 8.4 additional hours).

MAINTENANCE TECHNICIAN: Crested Yeti Property Management is hiring for a Maintenance Technician. Full-time year-round position. Benefits include IRA match, ski pass, PTO, paid personal fuel, and use of company truck during work hours. Duties include driving bobcat for snow removal, general maintenance, and mowing on a riding mower. $30 per hour.

Send resume to Hop@CrestedYeti.com.

ALPEN SNOW MOVERS is looking to hire snow removal staff for the winter season. We are looking for machine operators and ground shovelers. Experience is preferred, but we are willing to train the correct person. Full and part time available. Competitive pay. Email resume to garden@alpengardener.com or call (970) 349-0252 LITTLE RED SCOOLHOUSE is seeking a part time teacher to work with both infants/ toddlers and preschoolers starting in the next couple of weeks! This is a fabulous opportunity that will lead to more full time hours when ski season starts. Great opportunity for a stable and rewarding career with great pay and benefits! Please inquire with Jessica at lilredschoolhouse1@gmail.com with resume and letter of interest.

THE CLUB AT CRESTED BUTTE is hiring part-time and full-time Front Desk Attendants, $18-22/hr.

Employee benefits include employee discounts and complimentary golf.

For more information or to apply, please visit theclubatcrestedbutte.com or email jobs@ clubatcrestedbutte.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.

KALOW ELECTRIC is looking for a reliable electricial apprentice to join our team. The apprentice’s responsibilities include completing all tasks assigned by the supervising electrician, which may include assisting with installations, troubleshooting, repairs and calibrations of electrical systems and equipment. Please contact Bill Kalow 970-596-6832 or email resume to Kalowelectric@gmail.com.

CITY OF GUNNISON EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES Lifeguards: $23-$29.33/hr.

Rink Concessions: $20.91-$23.64/hr.

Senior Meals Assistant Cook: $25.09-$27.82/hr.

Zamboni Drivers: $21.33-$24.06/hr.

Climbing Wall Attendant: $20.91-$23.64/hr.

Senior Meals Assistant Cook: $25.09-$27.82/hr.

ADENA CORPORATION is hiring for a Project Engineer, Superintendent and Foreman for Adena Construction. Salaries negotiable DOE. Full time M-F, with benefits. Chaffee, Gunnison and surrounding counties. Contact 970-7074055 or email hr@adenacorporation.com.

STRATEGIC PLANNER NEEDED! The Upper Gunnison River Water Conservancy District (UGRWCD) is requesting proposals from interested, qualified, and experienced professional strategic planning firms or individuals to provide strategic planning and facilitation services.

A Request for Proposals (RFP), which includes instructions for its completion, and a draft of the previous Strategic Plan, is available for viewing on the UGRWCD website at ugrwcd.org on the home page.

Respondents to this RFP shall submit completed proposals and/or a digital PDF to the UGRWCD no later than 5 p.m.

MST on Friday, Sept. 19, 2025 at the following address: UGRWCD, 210 West Spencer Avenue, Suite A, Gunnison, CO 81230 or by email to schavez@ugrwcd.org.

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 a Senior Accountant to join the Finance & Administrative Services team.

The Senior Accountant is responsible for the daily operations of maintaining and balancing accounts by verifying, allocating, posting, and reconciling transactions and resolving discrepancies.

This includes, but is not limited to, payroll processing, budgeting, grant management, bank reconciliations, compliance reporting, and data analytics. It is imperative the Senior Accountant maintains the smooth operation of the Finance and Administrative Services Department in compliance with all company policies and federal, state, and local legislation. This year-round position includes an excellent benefits package with 100% employer paid health, dental, vision, life insurance, and matched contribution to retirement plan. Starting salary is $73,815 - $88,578 DOQ. Full job description is available on the Town’s website at townofcrestedbutte.colorado.gov. Please submit application, cover letter, and resume via email to jobs@crestedbutte-co.gov. Position is open until filled. The Town of Crested Butte is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

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

THE ADAPTIVE SPORTS CENTER is seeking qualified adaptive instructors to facilitate professional adaptive ski and snowboard activities for the 2025-26 Winter Season. Pay ranges from $23-$33/hour based on experience.

Benefits include season pass, certification and membership dues, paid in-house training, paid sick leave, on mountain locker, pro forms, exam reimbursement, mental health program, 401(k) match, workers compensation, monthly stiped, complementary accident insurance and professional development scholarship opportunities. More information and application are at adaptivesports.org/careers. Applications are due Sept. 15 and offers may be made earlier for strong candidates.

NOTICE BLACK CANYON LIMO seeks secure parking for 5-vehicle fleet. Need fenced yard or commercial parking lot in Riverland, Gunnison, or Crested Butte. No indoor storage required.

Local transportation business looking for long-term arrangement to meet insurance requirements. Contact us at 970-251-1223 if you have available space.

REAL ESTATE FOR RENT: 2BD/1.5BA. Fully furnished twostory home with river and mountain views + yard. Available Oct. 15. $2,600/mo + utilities.

1st and security deposit required. References required. No pets, no smoking. Full-size washer/dryer. Email shavanohouse@gmail. com.

PRIME GROUND FLOOR RETAIL SPACE: Next to City Market in Gunnison. 1,500 sqft of prime ground floor retail space available in the Meadows Mall next to City Market in Gunnisonhuge parking lot, tons of foot traffic, excellent 135 highway visibility-for more information, call Jordon Ringel at 817-733-6947 or visit GunnisonMeadows.com.

FSBO: Quaint, remodeled 2bd/2ba home in Sargents, CO. 24X40 shop, 15X20 storage building. New septic and well, Adjacent to pasture. Perfect for outdoor enthusiasts. $600K OBO. Motivated seller. 515-202-9610.

FOR LEASE: The newly renovated mall building located at 123 W. Tomichi Ave. Gunnison. $850/mo. Includes utilities. Contact 720-308-8239.

FOR RENT: Built in 2007. 3BR, 2.5 bath town home in Gunnison. All appliances plus washer/ dryer. $2,330 monthly for one year lease. Call owner at 361-550-0919 or Nesbitt & Co 970596-0922 for more information.

A18 • NEWS • Thursday, September 11, 2025 SPORTING GOODS

Gunnison Country Times

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

NOTICE OF BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT PUBLIC HEARING

NOTICE OF BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT PUBLIC HEARING

WANTED

CONCERNING BOA-25-00002, A SETBACK VARIANCE REQUEST

CONCERNING BOA-25-00001, A SETBACK VARIANCE REQUEST

WANTED: Colorado Unit 67 cow elk voucher, any season. Contact George, 713-201-7916.

LOT 4, CLINE’S HOME SITES SUBDIVISION COMMONLY KNOWN AS 60 Mystery Lane Parcel No. 3701-240-01-010

A PARCEL OF LAND LOCATED AT TOWNSHIP 49 N, RANGE 1 W, N.M.P.M.: TWO TRACTS OF LAND IN THE NE ¼ NE ¼ OF SAID SECTION 23, COMMONLY KNOWN AS 81 COUNTY ROAD 40 PARCECL NO. 3787-231-00-003

18’ SOURIS RIVER PORTAGE CANOE with Minkoto electric trolling motor, outriggers and paddles. $990 OBO. Contact Scott at 720-320-7304.

WANTED: Indoor garage or storage for storing small DW car for winter. Desired dates Oct.May.Call 216-533-2890.

Legals NOTICE OF FINAL SETTLEMENT NOTICE OF CONTRACTOR’S SETTLEMENT City of Gunnison State of Colorado Notice is hereby given that on or after the 2nd day of September 2025, final settlement will be made by the Gunnison-Crested Butte Regional Airport, for and on account of the contract of said: Oldcastle SW Group dba United Companies For the reconstruction ramp and drainage installation The Taxiway Connector A4 – A8 project at Gunnison-Crested Butte Regional Airport, Schedule I, AIP Project No. 3-08-0030065-2024 and any person, co-partnership, association or corporation who has an unpaid lien against Oldcastle SW Group dba United Companies for or on account of the furnishing of labor, materials, team hire, sustenance, provision, provender or other supplies used or consumed by such Contractor or any of the subcontractors in or about the performance of said work, may at any time up to and including said time of final settlement on said 2nd day of September 2025, file a verified statement in the amount due and unpaid on account of such claim with the Gunnison-Crested Butte Regional Airport.

Failure on the part of the claimant to file such final statement will relieve said Owners from all and any liability for such claims.

HEARING DATE, TIME AND LOCATION: The Gunnison County Board of Adjustment will conduct a public hearing on September 30, 2025 at 1:30 p.m. in the meeting room upstairs in the Blackstock Government Center, 221 N. Wisconsin St. in Gunnison and/or by ZOOM meeting. To attend via zoom, use the zoom link posted on the agenda at https://gunnisoncounty. org/Archive.aspx?AMID=48&Type=Recent APPLICANT: Allan Johnson PARCEL LOCATION: The property is located 60 Mystery Lane, Gunnison, CO. Legally described as Lot 4, Cline’s Home Sites Subdivision

HEARING DATE, TIME AND LOCATION: The Gunnison County Board of Adjustment will conduct a public hearing on September 30, 2025 at 1:00 p.m. in the meeting room upstairs in the Blackstock Government Center, 221 N. Wisconsin St. in Gunnison and/or by ZOOM meeting. To attend via zoom, use the zoom link posted on the agenda at https://gunnisoncounty. org/Archive.aspx?AMID=48&Type=Recent APPLICANT: Julia Thackaberry, represented

by Bob Davison

PROPOSAL: The applicant is requesting a variance from Gunnison County’s 25 foot front setback. The applicant would like to place a carport at an angle with a 16’ and 18’ setback from Mystery Lane.

PARCEL LOCATION: The property is located 81 County Road 40, Gunnison, CO. Legally described as Township 49 N, Range 1 W, N.M.P.M.: Two tracts of land in the NE ¼ NE ¼ of said section 23.

PUBLIC PARTICIPATION: The public is invited to submit oral or written comments at the hearing, or to submit written comments by email: planning@gunnisoncounty.org, or by letter (Community Development, 221 N. Wisconsin, Suite D, Gunnison, CO 81230), so long as they are received by 5 p.m. the afternoon before the date of the meeting so that they may be submitted for the public record during the hearing. A copy of the application is available in the Community Development Department, 221 N. Wisconsin, Suite D, Gunnison, CO; additional information may be obtained by calling the Planning Office (970) 641-0360.

PROPOSAL: The applicant is requesting a variance from Gunnison County’s 15 foot side and rear setbacks. The applicant would like to place a 28’ x 36’ storage building on their parcel.

The building would be placed 7 feet from the eastern parcel boundary.

ADA ACCOMMODATIONS: Anyone needing special accommodations as determined by the American Disabilities Act may contact the Community Development Department prior to the day of the hearing.

Gunnison-Crested Butte Regional Airport State of Colorado

/s/ Rachael Blondy Planner II Gunnison County Community Development Department

Gunnison Country Times Gunnison, Colorado Publication dates of September 4 and 11, 2025.

Gunnison Country Times Gunnison, Colorado Publication date of September 11, 2025

18548

18650

PUBLIC PARTICIPATION: The public is invited to submit oral or written comments at the hearing, or to submit written comments by email: planning@gunnisoncounty.org, or by letter (Community Development, 221 N. Wisconsin, Suite D, Gunnison, CO 81230), so long as they are received by 5 p.m. the afternoon before the date of the meeting so that they may be submitted for the public record during the hearing. A copy of the application is available in the Community Development Department, 221 N. Wisconsin, Suite D, Gunnison, CO; additional information may be obtained by calling the Planning Office (970) 641-0360.

ADA ACCOMMODATIONS: Anyone needing special accommodations as determined by the American Disabilities Act may contact the Community Development Department prior to the day of the hearing. /s/ Caroline Danielson Planner I Gunnison County Community Development Department

Gunnison Country Times Gunnison, Colorado Publication date of September 11, 2025 18649

NOTICE TO CREDITORS NOTICE TO CREDITORS Estate of RYAN WATKIN FULLMER Deceased Case Number 2025PR30017 All persons having claims against the above named estate are required to present them to the personal representative or to the District Court of GUNNISON County, Colorado on or before January 15, 2026 or the claims may be forever barred.

AARON J. HUCKSTEP, ATTY. ATTORNEY FOR APPLICANT PO BOX 2958 CRESTED BUTTE, CO 81224 Gunnison Country Times Gunnison, Colorado Publication dates of September 11, 18 and 25, 2025 18596

PUBLIC NOTICE MEETING NOTICE Upper Gunnison River Water Conservancy District Board of Directors Meeting Monday, September 22, 2025 at 5:30 PM The Board of Directors of the Upper Gunnison River Water Conservancy District (UGRWCD) will conduct a regular board meeting on Monday, September 22, 2025 at 5:30 PM at the UGRWCD Offices, 210 W. Spencer Ave., Suite A, Gunnison, CO 81230 and via Zoom video/teleconferencing. For questions, or for the Zoom registration link, please call the District at (970)641-6065).

Gunnison Country Times Gunnison, Colorado Publication date of September 11, 2025 18591

PUBLIC NOTICE IN THE DISTRICT COURT OF OKLAHOMA COUNTY STATE OF OKLAHOMA LOCKE SUPPLY CO., an Oklahoma Corporation Plaintiff v.

SLATE RIVER SYSTEMS, INC., a Texas Corporation; BENJAMIN YORK, an individual; and CHRISTOPHER YORK, an individual Defendants Case No. CJ-2025-3325 NOTICE BY PUBLICATION STATE OF OKLAHOMA TO: Benjamin York You are hereby notified that an action has been filed in the District Court of Oklahoma County, State of Oklahoma, Case No. CJ2025-3325, styled Locke Supply Co., an Oklahoma Corporation v. Slate River Systems, Inc., a Texas Corporation, Benjamin York, an individual, and Christopher York, an individual,

by Plaintiff Locke Supply Co, an Oklahoma Corporation. This summons is specifically direct to Benjamin York. The nature of the suit against you is for unjust enrichment, fraud, tortious interference, piercing the corporate veil, and violation of Construction Trust Fund Statute 42 O.S. § 152. The recovery of money damages sought is in excess of $5,000,000 but not in excess of $10,000,000, plus all recoverable interest, fees, and costs.

You are hereby notified that you have been sued in this action and must answer the Amendment to Petition by Plaintiff on or before the 13th day of October, 2025. You are further notified that in the event you do not appear and respond to the allegations contained in the Amendment to Petition, the allegations will be taken as true and judgment will be entered in Plaintiff’s favor, together with the requested relief prayed for in the Amendment to Petition.

WITNESS my hand and seal this 22 day of August, 2025.

RICK WARREN, COURT CLERK OKLAHOMA COUNTY, OKLAHOMA By: DEPUTY Approved as to form: Christopher M. Scaperlanda, OBA #31703 Gatlin C. Squires, OBA #34795 Justin R. Cajindos, OBA #36063 McAfee & Taft A Professional Corporation 8th Floor, Two Leadership Square 211 N. Robinson Oklahoma City, OK 73102-7103 Telephone: (405) 235-9621 Facsimile: (405) 235-0439 christopher.scaperlanda@mcafeetaft.com gatlin.squires@mcafeetaft.com justin.cajindos@mcafeetaft.com Attorneys for Locke Supply Co. Gunnison Countrytimes Gunnison, Colorado Publication dates of August 28, September 4 and 11, 2025 18502

BUSINESS DIRECTORY

GUNNISON + Thursday, September 11, 2025 • NEWS • A19 CRESTED BUTTE

Gunnison Country Times

FINANCIAL SERVICES

CONSTRUCTION

RENTALS

SF hondeck

CRAFTSMAN CONSTRUCTION

REAL ESTATE

REAL ESTATE

inancial ServiceS & inSurance

Still working hard on one job at a time.

Thanks for waiting on me!

Life • Health • Disability Long-term Care Retirement Plan Design Employment Benefit Design

Frank Patin 715.892.1673

Serving the Gunnison area since 1994.

SOLAR

114 N. Boulevard, Suite 102 641-4700

970-642-5554 www.nunatakenergy.com

YOUR LOCAL TOOL AND EQUIPMENT RENTAL SOURCE gunnirents@gmail.com 650 S 11th St. Gunnison, Colorado 81230 970.707.4271

SIGNS & SCREENPRINTING

Real Estate and Property Management

Ryan Jordi

PAINTING

970.596.1906

DANCO Painting Services

ryan@tavarealestate.com

Interior Painting • Exterior Painting Wallpaper Removal • Power Washing

Contact Dan at 908-693-1528

ADVERTISE YOUR BUSINESS HERE

CHURCH OF CHRIST 600 E. Virginia • 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.

WANT TO ADVERTISE YOUR BUSINESS? Contact Advertising Manager, Bobbie Corn

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

CH A E R EW N NTS E CLI

RELIGIOUS SERVICES

bobbie@gunnisontimes.com

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

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

Trinity Baptist Church

8007 County Road 887 Waunita Hot Springs Ranch • 970-641-8741 Sundays, 10:30 a.m.

Non Denominational Come as you are.

Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church

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.

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

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.

Church of Christ

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

MOUNTIAN BIKING: Cowboys takes second in Eagle, A22

SOCCER: U6 soccer kicks off at the Rec Center, A23

GUNNISON COUNTRY TIMES • THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2025

Cowboy football falls to Delta Casebolt shines despite 0-2 start James Nokes Special to the Times

The GHS football team lost 47-7 at Delta on Sept. 5. The Cowboys couldn’t get out of the starting gate against the Panthers, who GHS coach Chase Starman said, “popped them in the mouth,” right away.

Ahead of practice this week, Starman said the Cowboys will need to tighten up their approach.

“The team we saw against Eagle Valley in week one wasn’t the same team we saw against Delta,” Starman said. “We take the ball at the start of each game. We work hard to teach desire and aggression. But we have to keep grinding. We haven’t had our ‘ah-ha’ moment where we get the first shot in, where we fire off the ball first.”

Football A22

Del Magdaleno celbrates on the sideline. (Photos by Evan Bjornstad)

Cowboy golf continues to grow GHS boys work to adapt mid-round James Nokes Special to the Times

Jake Ebbott competes on home turf. (Photo by Evan Bjornstad)

Calm nerves will be key for the Gunnison boys golf team.

Not just in their play as hosts of the 16-team Gunnison Invitational at Dos Rios Golf Club on Sept. 9, but throughout the entirety of the fall season. The Cowboys battled at the Vail Golf Club on Aug. 2, but still struggled to break 90.

The ability to tweak a swing mechanic or thought during a round is something of which the Cowboys are still in search. It’s not an exact science either. It’s a delicate balancing act which amateur golfers are always seeking.

“Our big point of emphasis right now is we have to get better at adjusting throughout the round,” said head coach Kevin Mickelson. “Whether it’s the conditions, the course or the layout. Sometimes it’s your own swing you need to adjust to. All of us are amateur golfers and our guys are just learning how to make those adjustments.”

The Cowboys have hosted the Gunnison Invitational since 1991, and Dos Rios is a course they know well — which can be a benefit and a barrier to success. While the challenging layout at Vail took its toll, Mickelson said GHS had to play to its strengths on its home track.

“When it’s your home course and tournament, guys will get amped up,” Mickelson said.

“These guys have to focus on the things they can do and not let the ‘can’ts’ get in the way.

They have to slow their brains down and find a rhythm on the course.”

In the hunt to get as many golfers as much experience as possible, 16 golfers traveled to Grand Junction for a dual meet with Palisade. It wasn’t a varsity meet, so the teams played a tw o-man s cramble. For Mickelson, it’s all about getting game reps in for an inexperienced roster. GHS also has similar duels scheduled with Salida and Buena Vista.

Only three meets remain before the Class 2A state tournament on Oct. 6 and 7 at Elmwood Golf Course in Pueblo. ( James Nokes writes f or Colorado Preps.)

Thursday, September 11, 2025 • NEWS • A21

Gunnison Country Times

ROUNDUP James Nokes Special to the Times

GHS volleyball make finals appearance The Gunnison volleyball team also managed to play its way to the championship game at the D’Evelyn Tournament Sept 6 in Denver. The Cowboys lost 2-1 to league rival Aspen in the finals — a team they’ll have another shot at later this season.

“Our first three matches we started slow but hit our stride,” said head coach Lindsay Hart.

“We just couldn’t find our connection in the championship match.”

Aubrey Welfelt and Rose Kowal were stout in the front row, Ruthie Lock “stepped up” in the back row and libero Aubriel Loken continued to establish the GHS offense.

“Aubrey and Rose are our first line of defense,” Hart said.

“When we need a point, we send them the ball and they are responsible for a lot of our points.”

GHS, now sitting 4-2 overall, and 1-0 in the 3A Western Slope, will compete at the Alamosa-Centauri Tournament on Sept. 13.

“I’m excited to see the team in another pressure situation,” Hart said. “It will be interesting to see growth from one weekend to the other. We want to clean up our errors and be more aggressive at the net. I’m excited to see how much we can grow in a week.”

Softball snaps losing streak The GHS softball team entered the week with five straight defeats.

The tough stretch prompted head coach Leslie DiLorenzo to shake things up at practice on Sept. 8. The Cowboys had “softball olympics” — a fun collection of games that served as a break from the monotony of practice. The usual focus on ground balls, hitting cutoff men and batting technique took a back seat to a good laugh and some team bonding. “ W e ’ v e p l a y e d t i g h t ,” DiLorenzo said. “We have to learn to let things go, we were loose at Rocky Ford and Strasburg. Our expectations changed when we won some games. But, now we are at a point where we are too tight.

We have to celebrate the little things. We’ve had a double play in every game and good hits. We have to celebrate that.”

the athletes to be confident. We knew they had been doing all the physical things they needed to do. It was a matter of showing it on Saturday, to buy into the physical training and see that they can run fast and give themselves an opportunity to get into state.”

Ian Baker led the boys as he broke 18 minutes on a 5K course for the first time. Zach Benson and Reigo Kepsoel broke their PRs by 90 seconds.

On the girls side, Freshman Jordan Callahan led the GHS pack and her classmates. Caris Storkel and Kinley Dziekan had been posting times in the 29 minute range, but came in under 25 minutes at Alamosa.

“We are starting to believe we can run fast,” Davis said. “It’s all about entering uncharted territory. If you’ve never run that fast you have to be exposed to feeling that it’s OK to keep going.”

Marmolejo guides Cowboys to away draw Cesar Mamolejo tallied the Cowboys lone goal in a 1-1 draw at Grand Valley on Sept. 6. But the GHS striker missed most of the second half with a hip injury after a dangerous play earned Grand Valley a yellow card. GHS coach Susan Powers expects him to return this week.

“We played the whole game at Grand Valley flat,” Powers said. “We dominated shots and time of possession and had so many opportunities. We just couldn’t find the net. We probably had three times as many shots as they did.”

The Cowboys kicked off league play on Sept. 3 against Ridgway. GHS welcomes their rival for a night game with rival Crested Butte lined up for Sept. 12. Since the inception of its program, GHS soccer has

The Cowboys regroup at a mound meeting. (Photos by Evan Bjornstad)

( James Nokes wr ites f or Colorado Preps.)

Jesus Chona gallops to the finish line. (Courtesy Colorado Preps)

rivalled its in-district opponent.

Last year the Cowboys dropped a 1-0 match and netted a tie for the first time against the Titans.

“We’re right there now,” said Powers about the competition level evening out with Crested Butte. “It’s been a climb to get there since we first started playing. They are right up there in the state for 2A and now we are in the same league so we will play them twice.”

Cross country beginning to believe Belief coursed through the entire GHS cross country lineup when the Cowboys traveled to Alamosa for the 32nd edition of the Joe Vigil Open on Sept. 6.

It was a meet GHS coach Blake Davis circled on the calendar before the season started. If the Cowboys put in the proper amount of work this was the time their legs and conditioning should be peaking.

“We knew this would be a pivotal point in our season and they executed exactly how they needed to,” Davis said. “We had 15 runners and many beat their personal records by three to four minutes. It was a beautiful thing to watch. We expressed to

Reese Japuntich winds up.

A22 • NEWS • Thursday, September 11, 2025

Gunnison Country Times

21st ANNUAL

BRIDGES BUTTE of the

Townie Tour

THANK YOU RIDERS, SPONSORS, DONORS, STAFF, AND VOLUNTEERS!

PRESENTING SPONSOR Signature Properties

CRESTED BUTTIAN SPONSOR

Cimarron Wealth Management

CORE Crested Butte Crested Butte Electrical Toad Property Management

NUMBER PLATE SPONSOR

BASE CAMP SUPPORT

COURSE SPONSOR

LIV Sotheby’s International Realty – Crested Butte

CYCLE SPONSORS Bobo’s Bars Crested Butte Dental Crested Butte Sports GCEA & Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association HVM Security ID Sculpture Link2Speech Therapy & Behavior Clinic Mountain Mobile Bike Repair OffCenter Designs Servpro Tin Cup Ice Cream & Desserts Tully’s

CLASSIC CRUSIER SPONSORS Crested Butte Ace Hardware John’s Trikes and Bikes The Kyle Family Resource Engineering Group Treasury Liquors & the Store

Acli-Mate Crested Butte Center for the Arts Crested Butte Nordic Center Floyd Bauler and the Riverland Band Irwin Brewing KBUT Johnny Konuk The Trailhead Children’s Museum

SPECIAL THANKS Alpineer Nolan Blunck Bonez The Breadery Camp 4 Coffee Crested Butte Anglers Crested Butte Farmers Market Crested Butte Fine Art Gallery Crested Butte Museum Dragonfly Anglers DJ Anna Legere Oh Be Joyful Gallery Paragon Gallery Pitas in Paradise Redline Gallery Rumors Coffee & Tea House

Ryce Town of Crested Butte Marshal Office, Public Works, Parks & Recreation, Fire Protection District, and Mt. Express Bus Service Townie Books Zachariah Zypp

IN-KIND DONORS

Coffee Lab Chopwood Mercantile Hustle Bike Labs The Majestic Theatre Montanya’s Mountain Tails Pfisters Handworks The Secret Stash Thai Chili 78

BRIDGES OF THE BUTTE COMMITTEE Michael Blunck Garrett Dimon Angela Huberty Gigi Lorence Catherine Popper Dayna Regan Meg Smith Dana Williams

Football from A20 Getting to the ball hasn’t been a problem for senior running back and linebacker Cody Casebolt. When Starman reviewed the Delta game film Saturday morning, Casebolt’s activity stood out.

“Cody was all over the place,” Starman said. “I watched a lot of film Saturday and in the first quarter he’d already notched six tackles and a bunch of assists.

He was just flying around on both sides of the ball.”

Casebolt said he prides himself in doing the little things right and making the most of each opportunity to make a play.

“I think about it like this, I don’t want to disappoint myself later on, so I just give it my all

• September 26, 2025 • Homestead Golf Course • 9:00 am Shotgun Start

( James Nokes writes f or Colorado Preps.)

GHS MTB takes second in Eagle Emily Cattles and Jacey Jones battle together Marlo Frazier Special to the Times

970-349-2296 AdaptiveSports.org

at that moment,” Casebolt said.

“Also, when one person is doing their job as hard as they can, I think it motivates everyone.”

Even though GHS has been outscored 75-14 after two games, Casebolt said it won’t take much to get things rolling for the Cowboys.

“We need to create more of a winning environment,” Casebolt said. “With every little win, we have to be excited about it and celebrate it. A win at Meeker would start it for us. It would spark us. Last year, we got a big game win against Pagosa Springs and kept the momentum rolling with two wins after that. A good game against Meeker would get us rolling for the rest of the year.”

The GHS mountain bike team claimed another second-place finish at the Haymaker Classic in Eagle on Sept. 7 in the second race of the season.

Spirits were high on race morning at Eagle, a favorite venue for many teams and riders. The 6-mile loop featured 600 feet of climbing per lap, fast rollers and a steep, twisty slalom descent. More than 300 riders from 24 Colorado high schools lined up, making for a highly competitive day.

Sol Hausdoerffer led the way in the field of Freshman girls, and raced to a third-place finish in 1:03:46. Her time stacked up impressively, eight seconds ahead of the fourth-place Sophomore girl and 10-seconds faster than the fifth-place JV racer.

Laney Olmstead won the S o p h o m o re G i r l s ra c e i n 1:00:16, finishing over a minute ahead of the runner-up.

Teammate Judit Hausdoerffer also turned in a solid race, placing 10th in the same field.

Olmstead said the team dynamic played a big role in her race.

“Riding with the team has helped me so much — we push each other on the climbs and descents,” she said. “My coaches have worked with me on technique, skills and fitness, and that’s made a big difference.”

The JV riders added valuable points to the team total.

In the boys race, senior Colin Bloomer finished 12th in 56:58, while juniors Zeke New and Kyle Mason also contributed strong rides with 18th and 34th-

place finishes. On the girls side, seniors and close friends Emily Cattles and Jacey Jones finished just four seconds apart in 10th and 11th, both breaking the 1:08 mark. Senior Aya Hausdoerffer added a 20th-place time of 1:13.

Together, the JV squad’s consistent performances continue to set the tone for the team’s younger racers.

For Jacey Jones, the highlight wasn’t just the result but racing alongside a longtime friend.

“Emily and I have been friends for as long as I can remember, so chasing each other in races is always a blast—it just makes everything way more fun and exciting,” she said. “Last time we raced together in Eagle, we finished four seconds apart, so finishing that close again was really cool.”

In Varsity action, junior Owen Frazier returned to racing after missing Frisco Bay. Starting at the back of the pack in 44th, he raced scrappy and strategic, surging through the field and overtaking 27 riders on a course with limited passing opportunities. His 17th-place finish puts him in a solid call-up spot heading into the next race.

In the Freshman boys race, Walker Sovick and Topher Lamar took 14th and 22nd, and overcame a course delay to secure solid finishes in a competitive field.

The team’s second podium of the season reflected contributions across every category, with riders pushing not only for themselves, but for the team.

The Cowboys will next take on the Cloud City Challenge in Leadville, a high-altitude test where they will build on lessons from their first two races, on Sept. 20.

(Marlo Frazier is a GHS mountain bike team parent.)

Thursday, September 11, 2025 • NEWS • A23

Gunnison Country Times

A taste of the game The Gunnison Rec Center kicked off U6 soccer classes on Sept. 3. For the next month, coaches will work to develop basic soccer skills during each practice with a focus on inner-squad games as the season progresses.

(Photos by Alan Wartes)

SEPTEMBER 24 - 28

CRESTED BUTTE Film FESTIVAL

CRESTED BUTTE Film FESTIVAL 2025 FILM SCHEDULE

2025 FILM SCHEDULE

CENTER FOR THE ARTS

MAJESTIC THEATRE #1

MAJESTIC THEATRE #2

EVENTS (see page 8)

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 24

4:30pm PRIME MINISTER (101 min, p. 20)

7:30pm TWINLESS (100 min, p. 17)

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 25 8:30am Coffee Talk

10:00am SPEAK. (104 min, p. 21)

1:00pm LOST WOLVES OF YELLOWSTONE (93 min, p. 19)

1:15pm The Mysteries Shorts

4:30pm DON’T LET’S GO TO THE 4:00pm LITTLE TROUBLE GIRLS DOGS TONIGHT (99 min, p. 16) (89 min, p. 16)

4:15pm Profiles In Courage Shorts (79 min, p. 30)

7:30pm Outdoor Adventure 1 Shorts (92 min, p. 31)

7:00pm TBA (see online film guide)

7:15pm THERE IS ANOTHER WAY (95 min, p. 21)

10:15am MIDDLETOWN

10:00am HOW TO BUILD A LIBRARY (103 min, p. 19)

8:30am Coffee Talk

1:00pm WHAT MARIELLE KNOWS 1:15pm Brothers In Arms Shorts (80 min, p. 25) (86 min, p. 17)

3:00pm Filmmaker Panel

4:30pm AT THE DOOR OF THE HOUSE... (84 min, p. 18)

4:15pm Out And About Shorts

6:00pm Fundraiser Party

7:00pm TWO WOMEN

7:15pm MR. NOBODY AGAINST PUTIN (90 min, p. 20)

(91 min, p. 22)

8:00pm Filmmaker Welcome Party

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 26 (110 min, p. 20)

1:30pm UKRAINE UNDER FIRE (40 min, p. 21)

4:00pm TWINLESS (100 min, p. 17)

8:00pm GIRL CLIMBER (83 min, p. 19)

(100 min, p. 17)

(99 min, p. 26)

9:00pm Party with the Filmmakers

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 27

10:30am Visiting Filmmakers’ Showcase (85 min, p. 34)

10:00am CREEDE U.S.A. (96 min, p. 18)

10:15am The Art Of It All Shorts 1:15pm Here And Now Shorts

4:30pm PRIME MINISTER

4:00pm Colorado Film Showcase (97 min, p. 33)

4:15pm WHAT MARIELLE KNOWS

7:00pm Outdoor Adventure 2 Shorts (89 min, p. 32)

7:15pm SORRY, BABY

(101 min, p. 20)

7:30pm An Evening with Ed Zwick

8:30am Coffee Talk

(91 min, p. 27)

1:30pm LOST WOLVES OF 1:00pm DAHOMEY YELLOWSTONE (93 min, p. 19) (68 min, p. 18)

CBFILMFEST.ORG

3:00pm Kick-Off Bike Rally

3:00pm Filmmaker Panel

(80 min, p. 24) (86 min, p. 17)

9:00pm Red Carpet Party

(103 min, p. 16)

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 28 10:00am MR. NOBODY AGAINST PUTIN (90 min, p. 20)

10:15am She Says Shorts

1:00pm TWO WOMEN

1:15pm Student Film Showcase

(94 min, p. 23)

(100 min, p. 17)

(118 min, p. 35)

4:00pm Youth Film Program

4:15pm TBA (see online film guide)

(118 min, p. 37)

7:00pm DON’T LET’S GO TO THE 7:15pm MIDDLETOWN DOGS TONIGHT (99 min, p. 16) (110 min, p. 20)

9:00pm Closing Night Party Schedule subject to change. Updated 9/8/25.

A24 • NEWS • Thursday, September 11, 2025

Gunnison Country Times

50 YEARS AGO THIS WEEK

SEPT. 11, 1975 GCEA GCEA Join us for an interactive workshop where you’ll learn practical tips to reduce your peak demand and prepare for our new rate structure launching in January 2026!

CEO Mike McBride will open the event at 10 a.m. with a brief overview of the new rate structure, followed by three engaging breakout sessions.

MORE POWER TO YA

STOP STACKING CHORES

Cut peak costs with solar and battery tips.

Tips to spread out chores and avoid peak demand.

DON’T BE PEAKY

Charge smarter: EV tips for off-peak savings.

SEPTEMBER 16 FREE lunch & EV test drives offered afterwards!

Come check out Tri-State’s Chevy Silverado EV!

www.gcea.coop

A LOOK BACK IN TIME SPONSORED BY:

WANT TO SPONSOR? CONTACT STEVE@GUNNISONTIMES.COM

10:00 AM - 12:00 PM

The Depot 716 Elk Ave. Crested Butte 970-641-3520