Gunnison Country Times, September 18, 2025

Monarch Mountain installs Tomichi Lift

‘No Name Basin’ gets its trail new trail names

Alex McCrindle Times Associate Editor

During the week of Aug. 31, helicopters cruised over Monarch Pass, dangling 50-foot ski-lift poles like giant fishing lures.

The airborne operation marked

NEWS: County announces flu vaccine clinics, A3

SPORTS: Callahan leads GHS cross country, B6 COMMUNITY: RE/MAX under new ownership, A4

A3

A6

A14-A17

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Kelloff kickstarts campaign to flip CD3 Democratic congressional

candidate prioritizes jobs and public lands

Alex McCrindle Times Associate Editor

Alex Kelloff, a fourth-generation Coloradan and entrepreneur, announced his candidacy for Colorado’s 3rd Congressional District last spring. Drawing on a career in telecommunications, and his role as co-founder for Armada Skis, Kelloff’s campaign centers around job creation and public land protection. He hopes to win the democratic nomination and challenge Jeff Hurd for the CD3 seat. Democrat Kyle Doster has also announced his candidacy. The filing deadline for others to

announce is in March 2026.

This month, Kelloff has received endorsements from a number of Colorado leaders, including State Sen. Dylan Roberts, State Rep. Katie Stewart, former State Rep. Diane Mitsch Busch and former State Sen. Gail Schwartz. Kelloff sat down with the Times to discuss his views on Gunnison County issues.

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

Tell me about your background and what inspired you to run for congress?

I'm running because I care about the district. I care about the state and I care about our country and the direction we're going in, or lack thereof.

I've never been involved in politics. My whole, 30-plus year career has been in business, specifically in the telecommunications industry and building telecommunications infrastructure. But after the

A Timberline helicopter lowers a tower head into place for the new Tomichi Lift at Monarch Mountain. (Courtesy Monarch Mountain)

(Courtesy Alex Kelloff)

Kelloff A9

QUOTE of the week

“When you get to the top of No Name ... you don’t see a parking lot, a major highway or a base lodge or hotels — you just see these beautiful mountain peaks.”

— Chris Haggerty, Monarch Mountain

See story on A1

Gunnison County enters stage 1 fire restrictions

Following weeks of consistent rain, Gunnison County scaled back fire restrictions from Stage 2 to Stage 1 on Sept. 5.

Under Stage 1 restrictions, the following are prohibited:

• Campfires outside of permanently constructed fire rings.

• All personal fireworks use.

• Smoking, except within an enclosed vehicle or building, a developed recreation site, or while stopped in an area of at least three feet of barren or cleared of all combustible material.

• Explosive targets.

• Welding or operating acetylene torches with open flame, except in cleared areas of at least 10 feet in diameter and when the operator is in possession of a chemical-pressurized fire extinguisher with a minimum rating of 2A.

• Operating or using any internal or external combustion engine without a sparkarresting device that is in effective working order and has been properly installed and maintained.

• Agricultural burning.

The following activities are still allowed:

• Permanent/established fire devices - fire within permanently constructed fire devices on private property or in developed recreational sites such as campgrounds or picnic areas. Flame length cannot exceed two feet in height.

• Temporary/portable fire devices: fires in portable chimneys, fire pits, and tiki torches are permitted only on private property.

• Stoves, lanterns, cooking, and heating devices: fires may be fueled by liquid, jellied petroleum or gas, and they must be contained within the devices.

• Chainsaws: chainsaws are allowed only if the device includes a USDA forest service or SAE approved spark arrester, and where the operator is in possession of a chemical-pressurized fire extinguisher with a minimum rating of 2A.

Across the City of Gunnison our conversations about housing and opportunity continue to ebb and flow. Some may ask, “What is the City doing about housing?” One of the answers is taking shape now as we near completion of a comprehensive update to the Land Development Code (LDC) and Zoning Map for the City of Gunnison. This effort, which typically happens only once every 10 to 12 years, is an important opportunity to align our community’s development rules with today’s needs and tomorrow’s goals. The process began in April of 2024 and included an analysis of the LDC and research of best practices, public input sessions and open houses, open meetings with City Council and the Planning and Zoning Commission, and revisions to reach today’s current stage of presenting a proposed draft to the community.

What Is the LDC and Why Does It Matter?

The Land Development Code is the City’s rulebook for how land can be used and the standards that apply to buildings and properties within the city limits. It addresses details like building height, housing types, parking, landscaping, and design. The Zoning Map is the Code’s visual companion, showing where each type of zoning (i.e. residential, commercial, industrial, mixed-use, etc.) is located across the city. Together, the LDC and Map shape what neighborhoods feel like, where businesses can grow, how housing can be built out, and the way downtown and corridors develop. They influence both the look of our community and the prosperity of our local economy.

What’s Changing?

The updates encompassed in the proposed documents are not about drastic changes to neighborhoods. They are about creating more opportunities for housing, for businesses, and for community prosperity. By modernizing our development standards, the City aims to encourage reinvestment, support affordability, and activate spaces in ways that reflect the values of Gunnison residents. The proposed revisions are based directly on community feedback and focus on three core goals:

Expanding housing opportunities. The new Code allows more diverse housing types and densities, giving property owners flexibility like accessory dwelling units (ADUs) in every zone type and creating more choices for residents. By making room for additional supply, the Code helps support housing affordability.

Encouraging economic vitality. Updates to commercial and industrial zoning create space for businesses to thrive, bring new jobs, and strengthen Gunnison’s economy. Downtown districts, in particular, are shifting toward uses that activate storefronts and public spaces, enhancing the character and energy of the area.

Modernizing and simplifying standards. Development standards are being updated to reflect best practices and community values, while the approval process is becoming more predictable and efficient for property owners, developers, and businesses.

Facebook: facebook.com/CityofGunnison

Importantly, nothing changes for existing buildings or uses unless a property owner chooses to redevelop or applies for a new building permit. These updates create more options and clearer guidance for when a property owner goes through their desired changes.

Why It Matters for Everyone

For property owners, the Code creates new options for what can be built or how land can be used. For renters, it helps open the door to more housing choices at a variety of price points. For businesses, it makes the rules clearer and provides the flexibility needed to grow and invest locally. For residents who care about community character, the standards are designed to balance new opportunities with preservation of Gunnison’s unique identity. This is more than a technical update. It is a community-wide conversation about how we want Gunnison to grow and prosper in the years ahead.

Your Voice Matters

The City cannot do this work alone and has produced the current draft based on extensive public input. We want to hear input on the proposed Land Development Code and Zoning Map from the people in the community we serve.

The first public hearing for the proposed drafts is scheduled with the Planning and Zoning Commission on Wednesday, September 24, 2025, at 6:00 p.m. at the Gunnison Recreation Center (200 E. Spencer Avenue). This is your chance to ask questions, share ideas, and provide feedback. No action will be taken at this meeting, the purpose is to listen to the public.

All information regarding the LDC and Zoning Map is available online at gunnisonco.gov/ProposedLDC. If you cannot attend the public hearing, please share your input via our online form also available online.

Instagram:

instagram.com/cityofgunnison

County announces flu clinic schedule

Flu season is around the corner, and Gunnison County Health and Human Services (HHS) is once again teaming up with local partners to host flu vaccine clinics. This year’s clinics will be held at both ends of the valley, offering community members convenient options to get protected.

“When more people get vaccinated, we all benefit,” said Joni Reynolds, Assistant County Manager and Director of Gunnison County HHS. “Flu shots protect not just individuals, but families, neighbors and our most vulnerable community members. It’s one of the ways we can take care of each other.”

Influenza, often simply called the flu, once had such a strong hold on people’s lives it was nicknamed the grippe — from the French word gripper, meaning “to seize.” Thanks to advances in medicine and vaccines, it no longer has that same grip, especially when communities stay on top of yearly flu shots.

Each year, the flu vaccine is updated based on the strains scientists predict will be most common. A yearly shot gives your immune system a “sneak peek” so it’s ready to fight off those viruses. Even if you still get the flu, the vaccine helps reduce symptoms and lowers the risk of severe illness or hospitalization. And when more people are vaccinated, the whole community benefits — fewer people get sick, and there’s less strain on local healthcare systems.

BIRTHS/OBITUARIES

More than a shot

Flu vaccine clinics do more than protect individuals — they prepare the community for emergencies. Gunnison County HHS uses these events to practice setting up mass dispensing clinics, a skill that proved invaluable during the pandemic.

“Because of years of practicing with flu clinics, we had a strong foundation when Covid hit,” Reynolds said. “We knew how to organize, how to set up and how to keep things running smoothly, and thus we were able to scale up to meet the entire community need.”

Planning for the vaccine clinic begins in mid-summer and follows the Incident Command System (ICS), the same structure used by emergency response agencies nationwide. ICS designates section leads — for public information, safety, planning, logistics, operations, and finance — all reporting to an incident commander. This system ensures clinics are efficient, safe and adaptable.

After each clinic, staff gather for an “after action report” to reflect on what went well and where improvements can be made. Collaboration is key: roles are also filled by Gunnison County Emergency Management, Gunnison Valley Health, Crested Butte Fire Protection District and the local Red Cross.

“Practicing together year after year makes a real difference,” Reynolds said. “When we need-

Quinn Xavier Peplinski On Sept. 9, 2025 at 4:22 p.m.

Quinn Xavier Peplinski was born to parents Amelia and Aaron Peplinski of Gunnison. He weighed 6 lbs. 2 oz. and measured 20.25 inches in length. His grandparents include Ervin and Crystal Peplinski of Houghton Lake, Michigan and Terry and Stella Billingsley of Birmingham, Alabama. Everybody jumped for joy!

ed to respond during the pandemic, these partnerships meant we could move faster and more effectively.”

By coming to these clinics, residents not only protect themselves and their families, they also continue to help Gunnison County HHS strengthen its emergency readiness.

“Offering clinics in different parts of the valley makes it easier for people to access vaccines while also giving our team practice in different settings,” Reynolds said. “We encourage everyone to come through, roll up their sleeve and help us keep Gunnison County prepared.”

2025 FLU VACCINE CLINICS

Gunnison

• Sept. 30, 3–6 p.m.

• The Health and Human Services parking lot, W. Virginia Ave.

• For the drive-thru option, please enter the clinic off W. Virginia Ave. from N. Wisconsin Ave.

• For the walk-up option, please park in the main HHS parking lot off N. Spruce St.

Crested Butte

• October 9, 3-5:30 p.m.

• Queen of All Saints Parish Hall, 401 Sopris Ave.

• Walk-in only.

• Limited parking available in front of the hall and around town.

(Source: Gunnison County)

Fred Schmalz

A celebration of life for Fred Schmalz will be held Saturday, Sept. 20 from 2-4 p.m. at the Fred Field Center at 257 S. Spruce St. in Gunnison. All are welcome.

Gems from the BiBle

JESUS THE HEALER

When the sun was setting, all those who had any that were sick with various diseases brought them to Him; and He laid His hands on every one of them and healed them.

RE/MAX turns the page under new owners BIZ CENTS

Ferchau changing roles after 25 years

Gia Wright Times Staff Writer

RE/MAX Community Brokers has been a Gunnison Valley real estate fixture ever since Gunnison native Erich Ferchau opened both the Gunnison and Crested Butte franchise offices in 2000. Now, the ownership of the Gunnison office has passed hands to a new team of agents: Ahren “AJ” Cattles, Meaghan Nicholl and Brieonna Aljets. Although they may be new owners at the RE/MAX Community Brokers office, all three realtors are long-time residents of the Gunnison Valley and well-established in the industry.

“[My wife] Beth and I are enjoying more time with our children, their family and our three adorable grandchildren,” Ferchau said. “In doing so, we decided it was best to pass the baton onto the next generation of leaders in our community.”

Ferchau has spent two and a half decades cultivating close relationships with the people and families in the Gunnison valley. Although he has transitioned out of the ownership role at the RE/ MAX Community Broker office, he remains an essential part of the team as an active agent and is still available there to help buyers and sellers.

“When Beth and I started the business 25 years ago, our mission statement for RE/MAX was to ‘provide dedicated, reliable, topquality service, always!’,” Ferchau said. “Real estate is a relationship business and it was important to us that we turn the business over

to someone who shared our philosophy about business and also treated people with the respect and consideration that we believe in.”

In the beginning of 2024, Ferchau and his wife sold half of the business to Cattles, a seasoned builder and contractor who expanded his professional reach to include real estate. His extensive construction and development expertise offers clients a rare and unique combination of industry insight, practical experience and infrastructural knowledge.

“We have worked with AJ for almost 20 years. [He] and his wife Jamie are wonderful people and proven business owners,” Ferchau said.

A year later, Ferchau decided to sell the rest of the business to agents Nicholl and Aljets. Also a Gunnison native, Nicholl’s story is similar to Ferchau’s in that they both left the valley to pursue school and other dreams, but returned to raise their families because they value the community.

“I’ve known Erich since 1999,” Nicholl said. “His son Evan and I were best friends throughout high school.”

The expertise of the new ownership team is rounded out by Aljet’s capabilities. She holds a degree in education and has a passion for training and consulting, allowing her to educate her clients as well as up-and-coming realtors in the industry. Her goal is for her clients and students to be able to take the information they learn from her and have the ability to easily apply it to real-life real estate situations.

The unique and diverse backgrounds and strengths of the three new owners of RE/MAX allows for an even wider range of expertise from a team that’s deeply invested in the success of their clients.

From educational abilities to deep knowledge of building codes, structural soundness, local markets and the latest real estate happenings, the new RE/MAX team has their clients covered from all angles.

“People don’t hire a realtor, they hire someone to walk them through one of life’s biggest moments — that is usually emotional, stressful and complex,” Nicholl said. “That is a responsibility we take very seriously. Our goal is to continue raising the bar on customer service, whether that’s through better marketing, dialed in processes, stronger negotiation or creative solutions to challenges.”

Nicholl emphasized that while the ownership of the office has changed hands, it is still the same community and relationshipfocused brokerage that Ferchau built — just with some fresh energy and new (but familiar) faces added to the mix. She encourages community members to stop into the office, not just to meet the new team, but to utilize their collective expertise as a resource.

“We want our office to be a resource for people, not just a real estate office,” said Nicholl. “If you need a recommendation for a contractor, would like an annual statement on your property’s value or have any questions at all, we want to have the opportunity to serve people without it being transactional. Real estate is always changing, but our commitment is constant: to serve our community with professionalism and heart.”

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

New RE/MAX Community Broker co-owners Brieonna Aljets, Meaghan Nicholl and AJ Cattles. (Photo by Michaela Keefe)

Tourism marketing and managing impacts

TAPP adapts to changing role

Gia Wright Times Staff Writer

The Tourism and Prosperity Partnership (TAPP) is a nonprofit organization that works with boosting one of the largest drivers of the Gunnison Valley’s economy — tourism.

The organization — originally called the Tourism Association — started out with the promotion of tourism as their sole purpose. As the needs of the Gunnison Valley have grown and changed, so has the organization evolved, and in 2019 took on a new name TAPP, along with an expanded set of goals and areas of focus.

“Tourism is our biggest [economic] driver, so to keep the economy turning, we have to keep that as one of our main priorities,” TAPP Executive Director Andrew Sandstrom said. “But at the same time can we diversify and create pillars in our community that are not just reliant on tourism.”

TAPP’s areas of focus now include four main branches: tourism marketing (both for snow and non-snow seasons), local economic development, recruitment and retention for Western Colorado University and stewardship collaborations with the Sustainable Tourism and Outdoor Recreation Committee (STOR). The arm of TAPP that focuses on economic development works closely with the Innovation, Creativity and Entrepreneurship (ICE) Lab to assist Gunnison Valley businesses to build, finance, or grow their businesses in a large variety of different ways. The ICELab is a co-working space born from the Western business school.

“[With the ICELab] we focus on companies that are exporting goods or services out of the valley. The ICELab helps them bring jobs and/or money [from the business] back into the county by giving them access to business accelerators, business advisors, investor networks to raise money or office space,” Sandstrom said. “If there’s a new [non-exporting business] like a coffee shop that comes to town, TAPP could assist in driving its business by bringing more visitors and also by creating more high-paying jobs locally that support the shop.”

TAPP is also in the process of establishing a new space north of Natural Grocers that can help handle businesses’ shipping, receiving and manufacturing.

Aside from some grant funding, the majority of the budget for TAPP comes from the Local Marketing District, a fund that is accrued from a 4% tax on shortterm stays in the valley, including hotels, short-term rentals, campsites or any lodging under

30 days. Local voters approved this tax in 2002 and solidified it in perpetuity in 2007.

Gunnison County commissioners serve as the LMD board, and on an annual basis, TAPP presents a budget request to the board based on some of the priorities that the commissioners have identified. Tourism funds TAPP and, in return, TAPP helps encourage more tourism as well as other factors that support economic growth for the Gunnison Valley.

“One of the things we’ve been discussing internally is that the cost of living has outpaced incomes, which is causing problems with housing for the locals,” Sandstrom said. “TAPP is trying to tackle that income problem by creating more local, high-paying jobs to make it easier to live here and is working to build a year-round economy that’s less reliant on the booms and busts of tourism.”

“We have to keep tourism robust to keep those revenues coming, but we also have to recognize that there are other acute issues for the community that need addressing.”

Andrew Sandstrom Tourism and Prosperity Partnership

In 2022 voters of the county approved opening up the usage of the LMD funds further, allowing the LMD to use up to 40% of the fund for work force support. This allowed the county to spend $1 million of revenue raised by tourism on the Sawtooth affordable housing project in 2023. In both 2024 and 2025, $500K went towards the Whetstone affordable housing project near Crested Butte. In 2025, $100,000 funded a child care program with a few different initiatives.

These funds, which were formerly delegated solely for the purpose of tourism marketing, are now a balanced give-andtake between TAPP and economic development projects such as these — between bringing tourism into the valley and using tourist dollars spent in the valley wisely to reinvest back into our own communities.

“It’s a balance for the commissioners,” Sandstrom said. “For the first 12-15 years, the LMD fund hovered around $1 million. Now it’s increased to around

$3.8 million. We have to keep tourism robust to keep those revenues coming, but we also have to recognize that there are other acute issues for the community that need addressing.”

TAPP also works closely with both the Rural Transportation Authority (RTA) and the airport.

RTA is funded by a sales tax in the Gunnison Valley that excludes gas and groceries — a parameter which was set to ease the tax’ impact on the local population. This tax serves two main purposes, one being the local bus service, and the other the airline guarantees.The community guarantees the airlines minimum revenue should bookings fall below an agreed upon limit..

“That tax gives us air service as a community and free bus service as a community,” Sandstrom said. “TAPP works very closely with RTA to help fill those flights because we would much rather have those flights full of high paying-visitors coming to the valley to spend money and boost our economy — the goal being to fill flights and fill our lives. When our flights are full, the RTA has more money to put into bus service, which helps the locals.”

Winter tourism forecast

While it’s still a little bit too early to say exactly what the upcoming winter season’s tourism will look like, TAPP does have some data-driven tools that they use to predict trends. For the winter 2025-2026 season, Sandstrom said rates (for lodging) are up slightly from previous years, while occupancy is slightly down.

“We have a number of data sets that we look to, both retroactively and forward-looking,” Sandstrom said. “In July 2025, we had fewer unique people visiting the valley, but those visitors were staying longer and paying more for hotel rooms, so even though there were less visitors, local tax collection was up 4%.”

One of TAPP’s priorities for the season is to capture the destination visitor, rather than the drive-market visitor.

“The vast majority of our visitors are driving here from the front range and we have become extremely reliant on the drive market visitors,” Sandstrom said. “We saw that last winter January was very cold and had very little snow, so many of these visitors didn’t come. Airline visitors aren’t as fickle with chasing the snow and they book [their trips to the valley] further out. We are working to insulate ourselves from the [unpredictability] of the drive market visitors.”

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

970.641.1414

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‘Consequences’ — one week later

Last Wednesday afternoon we had just sent the week’s newspaper to the printer when news of Charlie Kirk’s assasination reached me. He had not yet been declared dead, but it was clear from the horrifying video circulating on social media that, barring a miracle, he soon would be.

As so many others have described since then, the news hit me hard in a shockwave of pain, sorrow and anger. The intensity of that reaction took me by surprise. Perhaps the subconscious mind is able to recognize the true magnitude of some events before the rational brain has even drawn a breath to process them.

Then I remembered that the paper we’d just put to bed included a commentary I’d written proposing that our time could be called “the era of consequences.” I wrote that this is when we must face and attempt to “unwind” the results of decades of misguided choices and poor leadership. The coin-

cidence in that left me stunned.

“The consequences of seriously bad decision-making are coming at us fast and furious right now,” I wrote.

Who knew that, before the ink was even on the page, that statement would be underscored by one of the most consequential events to occur in America in many years. We have already been reaping what we’ve sown in growing division and dysfunction, but this assassination has set that bitter harvest on fire.

It feels like we’ve crossed a threshold that it may well be impossible to uncross. The point of last week’s commentary was to argue that the worst outcomes in this “era of consequences” are not yet inevitable. We shouldn’t be too quick to compare our time to the “decline and fall” phases of past civilizations, I argued.

“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-saydie sense of possibility. Is our nation worth saving, or not?”

I must admit, in retrospect — on this side of last week’s threshold — this idea seems suddenly naive. Heart-felt and well-meaning, but naive. I say

that for two reasons, both of which are an assault on the very concept of “goodwill.”

The first is the assassination itself. It was not an attack on a single person, but on everyone who holds similar conservative beliefs and values — on millions of people. Shooting Charlie Kirk in his voice (literally), delivered an undeniable message that anyone who believes as he did and dares to speak up is vulnerable to violence. To say that this poses a fatal threat to what we’ve commonly called “democracy” would be a laughable understatement. It cannot be ignored or explained away as anything other than what it plainly is.

Second, leftist politicians, media personalities and social media influencers could have starved that conclusion of fuel by immediately, and without equivocation, denouncing the act as unacceptable anywhere, anytime, against anyone. They could have joined the prayer vigils that spontaneously arose across the country, adding their voices to the cries of mourning and prayers for peace. They could have called on every would-be assassin currently nurturing similar plans to stand down or face our unified wrath.

But that’s not what happened. Apart from statements from a few brave souls, what we’ve seen is an evil display ranging from suggestions that

Charlie Kirk “brought this on himself” (in classic domestic abuser style) to outright gleeful celebrations. Some have viciously wished the same fate on other prominent conservative leaders and their families.

That’s the threshold we can’t uncross. Those are the things we can’t unsee and unhear. The message in it was sent and received: there is no goodwill on the left.

Furthermore, the obvious conclusion is that this assassination wasn’t solely political; it was religious. The beliefs in the crosshairs of that rifle are Christian beliefs. Fortunately for the nation, those are the very values that prompt conservatives to hold prayer vigils instead of burning down whole city blocks at times like these. Those prayers include asking God to help us follow His commandment to “love your enemies, bless those who persecute you, bless and do not curse.” That is who we are and what we aspire to, no matter how hard others make it to stand firm. But, that fact should not be mistaken for weakness — just the opposite, in fact. We will stand firm. We will speak up, now with greater conviction and resolve than ever before.

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

‘Belonging’ more than a slogan

Liz Smith Special to the Times

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.

(This commentary was cosigned by the Welcoming Week Steering Committee: Gunnison County Commissioner Liz Smith; City of Gunnison Community and Policy Liaison Ricardo Esqueda; City of Gunnison Clerk Erica Boucher; Gunnison County Multicultural Resources Coordinator Yazmin Molina; DHHS-Gunnison County Health Navigator Specialist Mayte Burton; Juntos por Gunnison Marketa Zubkova; Gunnison Valley Hospital Bilingual Patient Navigator Cinthia Saenz; Gunnison Country Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Leora Wallace; Gunnison Country Food Pantry Food Security Coordinator Jake Bartholomew; Gunnison Country Food Pantry Food Security Coordinator Natalie Pax; Western

Colorado University Dean of Students Gary Pierson; Sanctuary Somatics representative Heidi Magnus; Community Foundation for the Gunnison Valley Executive Director Lauren Kugler.)

This week, our community is joining with others around the world to celebrate Welcoming Week, a time to honor the ways immigrants and long-term residents together weave the fabric of belonging in the Gunnison Valley. This year’s theme, “Stories We Share,” reminds us that our community identity is not a single story, but rather the many stories we tell about our past and the stories we are writing together now.

For the fourth year, we invite you to be part of the evolving story of welcoming in the Gunnison Valley. We’re celebrating with a full week of events, from a music cruise and Welcome Western event at the Quigley bandshell on campus, cultural celebrations, a diversity walk down Main Street, and more. Each of these events is designed to create moments of connection, from seeing friends and neighbors, listening to one

another’s experiences and discovering how our lives intertwine. The events are made possible by a growing coalition of local partners, including nonprofits, schools, faith groups, housing advocates, health providers and local governments. Our coalition is itself part of the stories we tell: welcoming flourishes when we bring our collective resources and commitments together.

This collaboration builds on decades of groundwork.

In the mid-1990s, community institutions stepped forward to address the needs of Latino and Indigenous Mexican families living in the Valley. The Gunnison Public Library expanded its Literacy Action program to serve Spanishspeaking adults and the school district hired its first English Language Learner teacher in 2001. The county’s Multicultural Resource Office was founded in the same era to help new families navigate health services. These were the earliest steps toward creating a culture of welcoming.

A few years later, partnerships deepened. The Colorado

Trust’s Serving Immigrant and Refugee Families Initiative brought resources that sparked unprecedented collaboration among local institutions. At the same time, immigrant families themselves organized through Inmigrantes Unidos de Gunnison, growing a voice of self-advocacy that remains active today. By the time federal DACA protections arrived in 2012, Gunnison’s families and allies were ready: schools, churches and volunteers mobilized to help Dreamers secure education, work permits and stability.

These efforts remind us that welcoming has always been a group endeavor — not the work of one organization, but of many. The Hispanic Affairs Project helped nurture local advocacy; teachers supported students who would become the valley’s first college graduates from immigrant families; volunteers across churches and nonprofits opened their time and homes to mentor young people. Each generation has built on the one before, steadily

Alan Wartes Times Publisher

transforming Gunnison into a place of belonging.

Welcoming Week is a chance to pause and recognize this trajectory. The events themselves are not isolated celebrations but part of a living story that shows what happens when a community chooses inclusion, invests in connection and continues to widen the circle of belonging.

Belonging is more than a slogan. It is felt when a child hears

LETTERS

Let’s have lunch

Editor:

Joe Dix, your letter to the editor in last week's Gunnison Times was titled, “Enough is Enough.” I agree that enough is enough, but not in the context you articulated. After trashing Trump in the first section of the letter you close with the following: “We can talk about it while we’re standing in line 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.”

I have a hard time interpreting your “Enough is Enough” as a call for open dialog between those with differing views. Joe, let’s have lunch and respectfully share our views. It’s not hard to get my cell number. Try Alan or Mark. Until then, Brother Joe, turn it down and enjoy life.

KOA Dave Taylor Gunnison

Prove me wrong

Editor:

Charlie Kirk was assassinated this past week by a person who chose violence instead of a debate forum which Charlie Kirk promoted on college campuses. Charlie’s message to America was that we can move forward through a divided political environment through peaceful and thoughtful conversations with the youth of America.

Charlie would be proud that his message got through to America. There are no protests, riots, deaths, burning and looting of buildings by conservatives. Only peaceful prayer vigils and forgiveness. This is the America Charlie envisioned and promoted. Charlie now rests in the arms of his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, wearing the crown of a martyr.

Cori Balch Neil Watko Gunnison

Hate and violence not the answer

Editor:

Charlie Kirk was assassinated last Wednesday. He was a Christian, a husband and a father. He believed in God, family and country. He traveled the country, inviting the people that disagreed with him to come forward first and discuss their points

their name spoken with care, when families can speak in their primary language when visiting a doctor or when neighbors share food and music across differences. Welcoming Week is our opportunity to affirm that Gunnison is a place where everyone is valued.

We invite residents from all corners of Gunnison County to join us at one or more events next week. Whether you come to dance at the Hispanic Heritage Celebration, cheer at

of view and he would share his. He would debate opinions and beliefs with anyone who wanted to engage with him.

He believed in free speech, regardless of whether he agreed with what others were saying. His life was taken in a senseless act, by someone who disagreed with him, a person who felt he must be silenced, something I feel I have seen in our community.

Since then, I have seen many videos of people dancing around celebrating his death. How horrific, barbaric, unfeeling and disgusting! No matter what your beliefs or opinions are, to celebrate someone’s death is heartless. Ironically, Charlie Kirk championed everyone’s freedom of speech, even yours.

I ask the people who celebrated his death, would you do that to his wife or children’s faces? Do you see how ugly that is? He had a wife, a 3-year-old daughter and 16-month-old son. He was just beginning his life with his family. I can assure you, Erika Kirk would not celebrate the loss of anyone. I pray God forgives you for your hateful behavior. We should be able to disagree without hate and violence. Instead, just agree to disagree. I hope and pray no one makes another hurt the way these people have made Kirk’s family, friends and followers suffer from their unfeeling comments.

Tom Marshall Gunnison County

Fire station price too high

Editor:

We desperately need a new fire station — AND we can’t afford a $35 million dollar building. The recent Gunnison Times article failed to mention that not only will City of Gunnison property taxes increase by an average of 23% for the first 20 years (ours will be closer to 25%), but almost half of the increase (6 mills) will be assessed in perpetuity.

After reading the Needs and Feasibility Assessment for the new station, I’m not convinced that every effort was made to design a facility that would meet our basic needs and be most cost effective during a time when many in our community are struggling to stay afloat financially. To put $35 million in perspective, it is almost three times the cost of the new EMS building and four times the cost of the new library (referred to as a “Taj Mahal” in the report).

I realize that a fire station has very specific, and costly, needs and I wonder if those could be accommodated in a smaller, less

the soccer game or walk down Main Street with neighbors during the Diversity Walk, your presence matters. By showing up, you are part of a living story about how our community thrives when everyone is seen, valued and included.

Welcoming Week reminds us that the stories we share are not only about where we have come from, but also about the future we are building together. We hope to see you there.

cost prohibitive, building. For example, do we need a “reception area with museum/flex space” in the building? Do we need meeting space to accommodate large groups (60-80 in the report) when the Fred Field Center is a short distance away? Do we need more bays and more overall square footage than the new facilities in Cañon City (almost three times the population of Gunnison) and Salida?

City residents have had regular, steep increases in utility costs over the past few years, with more on the horizon with the much needed water treatment facility. Citizens have very few opportunities to say “no” to increasing expenses and I fear that the proposed hefty mill levy will not pass with this exorbitant price tag.

Kathleen Kinkema Gunnison

‘Poor planning and malignant mapping’

Editor:

The undeveloped southern region of the Gunnison Valley provides a critical safety buffer for our community and important resources for hikers, fisherman, campers, farmers/ranchers, hunters, historians, skywatchers, birdwatchers, wildlife and more. There is value in rangeland being close to town, there is interest in Hartman Rocks being dark and not having more urban growth nearby.

Often, local planners have considerate conversations and create thoughtful development plans, but this one seems uncharacteristically off the mark. This unique part of the region contributes greatly to human experiences, water quality and wildlife. This same type of open space resource is urgently being protected elsewhere throughout the West. Overlooking the wideranging benefits and functions of this undeveloped land would be unwise.

As a proponent of smart growth, I find recent planning involving large-scale undeveloped land to be quite troubling. As a professional familiar with this topic, it appears dismissive of public health/safety and valuable/sensitive resources. It brings up other local half-baked plans that have resulted in disturbance, unaccountability, questionable investments and little results. General safety concerns are legitimate, environmental worries are substantial, historical value impacts are notable/irreversible and public resources are at risk.

the finale of the nearly yearlong expansion into Monarch Mountain’s “No Name Basin” area. Once the helicopters had safely transported all 13 towers, the newly named “Tomichi Lift” zippered up the west-facing hillside. The lift’s construction will add 400 skiable acres to Monarch Mountain and crown the independently operated resort as the only ski area in the United States to access both sides of the Continental Divide.

Now, nearly two months away from Monarch’s opening day, the Tomichi Lift is set to open on schedule. The opening date will be decided entirely by Old Man Winter’s cooperation, not installation delays, Monarch General Manager Chris Haggerty said.

“It’s been incredible to see this whole thing take shape,” he said. “This was an idea from over 15 years ago, and it’s been a long process to get to where we are. As we sit today, everything is on schedule — things can still change, but we’ve been on schedule, or ahead of schedule for every one of our milestones.”

Throughout the summer, teams from the Monarch Mountain operation team and SkyTrac, a Utah-based ski lift company, worked to complete the lift installation before snowfall. One team cleared and leveled two terminal areas, dug erosion-control trenches and built a service road down the basin. Another team thinned dense tree pockets, cleaning up glade runs and reducing beetle kill and wildfire risk. The SkyTrac team installed the foundations and the footings for the lift towers.

At the end of August, Timberline Helicopters hauled all 13 towers and the tower heads — the top assemblies that guide the haul rope — setting them one-by-one along the slope. In the upcoming days, SkyTrac will thread the haul rope and install individual chairlifts.

With the Tomichi Lift nearly complete, and 1,000 new vertical feet of terrain set to open, Monarch turned to another vital task: naming the runs.

“Our general [guideline] for naming No Name was, ‘how do we honor the history of this area?’” Haggerty said. “There is an incredible amount of history in this area, between mining, prehistoric and cultural history. We wanted to protect that.”

Monarch started with the new fixed-grip triple lift, naming

it after the Tomichi Dome — a landmark visible from the top of No Name Basin. The title is also a nod to the town of Tomichi that sprang up in 1880, but collapsed in 1884 after persistent avalanches ripped through the area.

The ski slope underneath the lift is steeper than the other intermediate runs in the area, and is set to earn a black diamond badge. It will be named “Buckhorn,” after a nearby creek that runs through the hills, and to honor the herds of deer, elk and moose that call the terrain their home.

The other seven tree-cut runs will be groomed intermediate chutes. One is called “Bonanza,” a Spanish word for prosperity that miners used as a celebratory cry after hitting a big strike of ore. Another blue run is named “Snowblind” and commemorates a legend of two prospectors that struck gold in the nearby hills. The miners are said to have overstayed their visit along the pass and were caught in a blizzard, becoming disoriented and snowblinded by the extreme conditions. To this day, the area is called “Snowblind Gulch” in their remembrance.

Two runs on the front side of Monarch will also receive new titles. The former “Upper and Lower No Name” trails have been renamed to alleviate confusion with the No Name Basin. The former “Upper No Name,” will now be called “Zorro,” the Spanish word for a male fox, and the name of a resident fox that calls the mountain home.

The “Lower No Name,” trail will now be called “Berry’s” to memorialize the work of Ray and Josephine Berry, who ran and operated Monarch Mountain from 1955 to 1967.

The Tomichi Lift and No Name Basin are expected to open this December, but the exact date will be determined by snowpack.

“When you get to the top of No Name, and you look out towards Gunnison and the Western Slope, you don’t see a parking lot, a major highway or a base lodge or hotels — you just see these beautiful mountain peaks,” Haggerty said. “It's going to be so cool to see people's faces when they get back there and they drop into the No Name terrain for the first time.”

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

The newly installed Tomichi Lift rises against the backdrop of the Tomichi Dome.

elections in November, I was concerned about the direction of the country. I knew at that point I had to get involved.

My family roots go back in the district over 130 years. My dad's family settled in Trinidad, Colorado, our family moved west over time and they were small business people. Specifically, my grandfather started Kelloff’s Food Markets, a chain of grocery stores throughout the south and west of Colorado, mostly in the San Luis Valley where my dad grew up.

My whole history and roots in the district [go back] generations. I think my values are informed by the roots and those roots are typically of small business people. I'm running to restore those values and espouse those values in the district and I'm very focused on creating good jobs by building the critical infrastructure that I think we need. That's not just with respect to telecommunications, but obviously transportation, housing, ensuring that our public lands are secure and our water is secure, with respect to shoring up our dams and reservoirs. I think by doing that and focusing on those things, it will also reduce the cost of living. It'll protect our communities and allow them to thrive over time.

What do you think can and should be done at the federal level to help solve a perceived housing crisis in Gunnison County?

Most housing is dictated by local issues and maybe some level at the state, but I do think that we can help Gunnison housing at the federal level by having smarter tax policies. I think also we could serve at the national level to demonstrate best practices, like what works across the U.S.? Where are communities able to build affordable housing and do it in a way that demonstrates best practices? So I think we can serve as that template and be the leader at the federal level and help communities and states carry out more affordable housing. I've been involved substantially in public private partnerships that allow us to build critical infrastructure by partnering with communities, by bringing in private capital to help offset taxpayer funds to fund this type of development. So I think we can do that at the federal level as well — demonstrate best practices and share those across Colorado and the district.

Regarding public lands, what is your position on the GORP act?

I'm supportive of GORP. I'm still educating myself, but from what I know of it, I'm fully supportive with respect to the public lands issue overall. I'm an avid outdoorsman myself. I grew up hunting with my grandfather. I’m a fisherman, a big skier, biker and snowmobiler. So public lands are extraordinarily important to me. The public lands issue got extracted out of the One Big Beautiful Bill, and in my view, Jeff Hurd was trying to take credit for some of that.

There are multiple fronts of attack that are rolling back all

of the protection of our public lands. Whether it's a repeal of the roadless rule, or whether it's the Bureau of Land Management — I think this month BLM leases will be the largest in over 20 years with respect to the acreage they're looking to sell and lease off. Notwithstanding that this issue is quieted down because it got taken out of the One Big Beautiful Bill, I think those of us that are paying attention [can see] it moving ahead full steam. We need to do everything possible to continue to ensure our public lands are safe and there for generations to come.

The Interim Guidelines that have governed water management in the Colorado River basin since 2007, in response to shrinking supply, are set to expire at the end of 2025. In your opinion, what is the federal government’s role in crafting an updated agreement between upper and lower basin states?

I would like to see this solved amongst the states themselves. I would hate to see the federal government, which they've threatened to do, step in and say, “We'll force a decision.” I do think there needs to be a concerted push by all of the states to come to a reasonable agreement and settlement as to how we're going to divide up this dwindling resource.

What is your pitch to Republican and independent voters within CD3?

When you look at the polling numbers, [the district] is trending to the middle. I think this district is very pragmatic. I think people care about putting a roof over their head, affording to put food on the table, ensuring that their kids get a good education and grow up to have good jobs. So we need to create those jobs. I'm very focused on business formation and job creation. When you look at this district in particular, there’s not a lot of large employers. The Western Slope is primarily comprised of small businesses that are ownerrun. That's where my family came from and I think I understand small business. Those are the things I'm very focused on. I think that speaks to both sides. I think that's a non-partisan issue, and my family was well known across the San Luis Valley in Southern Colorado as being good neighbors. That's what I'm hoping to run on.

I'm very focused and I'm running to restore the rule of law — to restore Congress as a co-equal branch of government. When Jeff Hurd ran, he didn't have a [voting] record. Now he has a legislative record, and people know who he is and there's a lot of disappointment in the way his legislative record is standing up. In fact, it's worse than Lauren Boebert’s. We want to focus on the things that people care about, but we also want to ensure that people understand what Jeff Hurd stands for, how his votes have hurt his constituents and the voters that put him in office.

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

Development is effectively permanent and there is no easy or affordable recourse. Placing undeveloped land on a plan for urban growth is unreasonable when other viable options exist with better continuity and minimal impacts.

The winding road used for river access parking on the way to world class mountain biking and priceless dark skies would be forever destroyed with this development. This style of planning is reckless and should not be a focus when much needs to be done elsewhere, mandated development forecasting notwithstanding.

The area near the KOA is unlike any other, regionally. The natural environment is exceptional with cranes, herons, vultures, frogs, foxes, ospreys, owls and eagles. Current infrastructure in the area has pronounced the importance of this open space. Several Migratory Bird Treaty Act issues come to mind; and that is important to everyone, from birdwatchers to hunters. Yes, that regulation has flaws, but it is relevant to many avian species, along with countless benefits to other resources.

Neighborhood Plan, completed in June 2008, stated “There is no support for creating a neighborhood characterized by dense, tract housing.” Yet the city planning department and West Thorn project are trying to shove this through.

This proposed density is a major increase and the only undeveloped property included is on the west side of Gunnison. The city will create a major traffic problem within the city limits if this is adopted.

At 80 units an acre, Gunnison is looking at 4-5 story buildings. Yes, we need housing, but the traffic impacts will have vehicles backed upped for blocks during the rush hours. Currently, we see vehicles stopped blocking the Main and Virginia intersection during rush hour. I’m curious if the city has performed a comprehensive traffic study to support this design criteria.

Building insanely dense units on the west side of Gunnison for workers in Crested Butte doesn’t make sense. There’s no city bypass feasible for the traffic that this will generate. Can our current infrastructure handle such a population increase? During the summer months grocery shelves empty out quickly during peak tourist season. It doesn’t make sense to have the highest density residential area at the furthest point away from local services, let alone Crested Butte.

The community should be aware of developments that greatly reduce or ruin the Valley’s value in this crucial global system. Influencing migrations with this development would be a major misstep with lasting impacts, fragmenting habitat, changing flight patterns and diminishing related local benefits.

Wetlands are also a primary concern as another resource that would be negatively impacted. The consequence of cattle doesn’t compare to a cul-desac and 50% of Colorado wetland habitat has already been destroyed, according to Colorado Parks and Wildlife. A bottleneck created by the airport alone makes this area undevelopable without major, costly expansions.

These high-density residential areas are car dependent. I encourage Gunnison residents to familiarize themselves with this proposed Land Development Code. I’ve only begun to dig into it and see major problems down the road if this is adopted. Money and greed shouldn’t dictate Gunnison’s future, but it’s trying hard to.

Dave Kozlowski Gunnison

From death, new life

The list of reasons goes on for why the southern region should not be included in tentative development plans — public safety, wildlife corridor, wildfire buffer, various recreation, open space resources, dark skies, nesting birds, indefinite costs and widespread negative impacts.

Editor:

Joseph Kean Gunnison

Area plan has major problems

Editor:

All the divisive violence and hatred currently infecting these United States reminds me of a covert psyop operation that's dedicated to the transformational downfall of our traditional way of life. As so-called "revolutions" sometimes go, more liberty and prosperity for the ruled is not the ultimate goals of the rulers, but ultimate power over the people is.

I can't help but think those who desire to thoroughly run our lives to their wishes are now laughing at all of us as we fight amongst ourselves like a jar full of shaken ants.

The City of Gunnison is proposing major changes to the Land Development Code. The meeting takes place Sept. 24 at 6 p.m. at the Rec Center. Why should you care? First of all, these changes, especially with high density and mixed residential designations, seem to have been written with the intention of accommodating the West Thorn project. They are proposing 80 units per acre for maximum density in the high density residential areas. The mixed residential areas are set at 35 units per acre. The current code for high density is 35 units an acre.

The West Gunnison

To those who maliciously cheered on social media about the assassination of a fellow human being, I say there are reportedly 18,000 new chapters of this 31-year-old murdered man's organization filing applications for start-up around the world. Hatred has left a grieving widow with two small children, but from the ashes of death a new life is born.

Jon Matuszczak Gunnison

Julian Young Ft. Brett Darby Price

Officially open for business

Lake School Director, Jennifer Kennedy and Gunnison Watershed School District Superintendent, Leslie Nichols hold the ribbon as a student cuts it to commemorate the substantial completion of the Lake School renovation project, part of the 2023 Bond Program.

Making their voices heard

A crowd gathered to protest gun violence and advocate for peace at the corner of Tomichi Ave. and Main St. on Saturday, Sept. 13.

Vaccine Clinics Flu Vaccine Clinics

Sleeve Up and Fend Off Flu!

Regular and High Dose Vaccines Available!

Gunnison Clinic

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.

Crested Butte Clinic

October 9th

3 - 5:30 pm

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.

Clínicas de vacunación antigripal Clínicas de vacunación antigripal

¡Sube

Vacunas de dosis normal y alta disponibles

Clínica Gunnison

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.

Clínica Crested Butte

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.

(Photos by Jacob Spetzler)

(Courtesy Jennifer Kennedy)

Commander Cranor

On Sept. 1, Rebekah A. Cranor was promoted to the rank of Commander in the U.S. Navy. She is a 2010 graduate of the United States Naval Academy, currently working in the office of the Secretary of Defense at the Pentagon. In 2026, she will take over Training Command of Search and Rescue at Whidbey Island, Washington. Col. Anthony Fuscellaro, the Department of Defense executive secretary, administered the oath of office at Theodore Roosevelt Island, Washington, D. C. Cranor flies the MH-60S helicopter, having done numerous overseas deployments.

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 Cit y of Gunnison with the LDC/Zoning Map changes?

The new LDC and Zoning Map may affect your individual proper ty rights and the character of our city. Potential impacts may include, but are not limited to, development oppor tunities or limitations (e.g., types of structures you can build, density allowances, and height) and land use oppor tunities 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

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

gunnisonco gov/ProposedLDC En español

(Courtesy Margaret Cranor)

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!”

HOURLY OPPORTUNITIES

GES - Significant Support SPED EA

GES - SPED EA

GMS - .5 Enrichment Coordinator Substitute Teachers Food Service Bus Drivers

PROFESSIONAL OPPORTUNITIES

CBSS - .57 Spanish Teacher

CBSS - Math Teacher District Psychologist

GCS - Special Education Teacher

COACHING

CBMS - Asst. Volleyball Coach

CBHS - .5 Asst. Cross Country

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

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.

CRESTED BUTTE DENTAL IS HIRING: Build a career, not just a job – apply today. Full-time, 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.

THE TOWN OF CRESTED BUTTE is seeking an experienced Finance and Administrative Services Director. This fulltime, year-round role offers a competitive salary ($116K–$142K DOQ) and a generous benefits package, including 100% employerpaid health coverage. If you have a strong background in financial management, budgeting, and leadership—and a passion for serving your community—apply today.

Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, or a closely related field required. MBA and CPA preferred. Minimum of ten years of professional experience, including at

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.

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.

Senior Accountant

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

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

CITY OF GUNNISON EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES

Part-Time Openings

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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.

MAINTENANCE TECHNICIAN: Crested Yeti Property Management is hiring for a Maintenance Technician. Full-time yearround 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.

THE TOWN OF CRESTED BUTTE PARKS AND RECREATION Open Space & Trails Department is seeking Recreation Instructors for a variety of programs

WESTERN COLORADO UNIVERSITY

seeks applicants for our fully benefitted Custodian I position.

Full-time (40 hours/week). Starting pay rate $19.16/hour. Western’s benefit package includes PERA retirement and medical/dental/vision insurance plans (with generous employer contributions), employee and dependent tuition benefits, paid vacation, paid sick leave, and 11 paid holidays per year. Employees receive basic life insurance and disability insurance at no cost. Employee wellness programs and professional development trainings are available for FREE!

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

DE WESTERN

COLORADO

busca solicitantes para Custodio I ¡Beneficios incluidos!

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 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@crestedbutteco.gov.

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.

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

IDS provides secure, year-round indoor and outdoor work in a unique fabrication environment with opportunity for advancement. We offer benefits including 80 hrs. of PTO annually, (10) paid Holidays annually, a healthcare plan including medical, dental & life, and matching 401(k) retirement. ID Sculpture is a Playcore company, an equal opportunity employer. We are currently seeking: Logistics Manager Ideal candidates possess a positive attitude, good work ethic and are eager to learn. Individual must be detail oriented and able to multi-task in a fast-paced environment. Duties and responsibilities include coordinating logistics for incoming and outgoing projects and materials, reviewing and maintaining documentation, and providing logistical and material support for the production team. Application and full description listed at Playcore.com/careers. Salary: 50k - 65k DOE . THE ADAPTIVE SPORTS CENTER is seeking a Development Coordinator to help the organization continue to grow and thrive. Work for a local non-profit that provides therapeutic adventure-based programming for people with disabilities, their friends and family members. Join a fast-paced, professional team in a state-ofthe-art facility in the Crested Butte Mountain Resort base area. The ASC has been rated Outside Magazine’s 50 Best Places to Work many times. The Development Coordinator

Tiempo completo (40 horas/ semana). Tasa de pago inicial $19.16/hora. El paquete de beneficios de Western incluye jubilación de PERA, planes de seguro (con generosas contribuciones del empleador para su seguro médico/dental/de la vista), beneficios de matrícula en la Universidad para empleados y dependientes, vacaciones pagadas, tiempo de descanso pagado para enfermedad y 11 días festivos pagados por año. Los empleados reciben seguro de vida básico y seguro de discapacidad sin costo. ¡Los programas de bienestar para empleados y las capacitaciones de desarrollo profesional están disponibles GRATIS!

Para ver el anuncio de trabajo completo y entregar una solicituda, visite western. edu/jobs y haga clic en “Ver carreras” (EOE). Si tiene preguntas, envíe un correo electrónico a HR@western.edu.

works closely with the Development Team in the planning and execution of the annual Development Plan for the Adaptive Sports Center, raising approximately $4,000,000. The DC plays a key role in the success of the Development Team and helps coordinate all aspects of development for the organization. For a full job description visit https://www. adaptivesports.org/about-us/careers. This position is year-round exempt. Starting hourly wage range is $46,000$51,000, depending on experience, plus a competitive benefits package including 401(k), Paid Time Off and Holidays, Health Insurance Reimbursement, Season Pass, Ski/Equipment Locker, and Professional Licenses/Certification Reimbursements. Estimated annual starting benefit value of an additional $12,135. Desired start date is October 1, 2025 or until the position is filled. To apply, submit a letter of interest, resume, and three references to Gabe Walker, Development Manager at gabe@adaptivesports.org. Subject Line: “Development Coordinator Application.” Please no phone calls. The Adaptive Sports Center is an inclusive organization and an Equal Opportunity Employer.

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

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 DecemberApril and June-November. Please apply online at elevenexperience.com/careers/ or email jobs@elevenexperience.com for more information on how to apply.

HOME TOGETHER VET is hiring a parttime office assistant. Searching for a compassionate and professional individual to join our mobile pet care team. Duties include client services and administrative tasks. Veterinary experience is preferred. Email info@hometogethervet.com.

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

PRIME GROUND FLOOR RETAIL SPACE:

Next to City Market in Gunnison. 1,500 sqft of prime ground floor retail space available in the Meadows Mall next to City Market in Gunnison-huge parking lot, tons of foot traffic, excellent 135 highway visibility-for more information, call Jordon Ringel at 817733-6947 or visit GunnisonMeadows.com.

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

HOUSE FOR SALE: 3BD/2BA, 1,272sft, plus oversized 1-car garage. Excellent location in a quiet neighborhood behind the Gunnison Recreation Center. Easy walk to WSCU, City Market, Walmart, Gunnison Hospital, bus stop and schools. Great starter home with lots of storage in the oversized

one-car garage All lawn care provided by HOA. Low HOA dues and taxes. Offered at $499,000. Contact owner at 970-596-3625.

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. 515-2029610.

COMMERCIAL SPACE FOR RENT: Private offices and gym space on North Main Street in Gunnison. Shared space/common areas include kitchen, bathrooms, handicap lift, laundry and conference room. Pricing varies based on space sizes. Contact: Peggy at 970-275-4047.

FOR RENT: Built in 2007. 3BR, 2.5 bath town home in Gunnison. 1140 W. New York. All appliances plus washer/dryer. $2,230 monthly for one year lease. Call owner at 361-550-0919 or Nesbitt & Co 970-596-0922 for more information.

10 ACRE MINING CLAIM: Unit 66. Spring fed pond. Partially fenced. Good hunting campsite, tables, camper trailer. Much more. Easy access off HWY 149. 15 miles from the Lake City bridge. 970-784-6722.

SKI SEASON RENTAL: Nov. 1-May 1. $3,500 per month includes utilities. 3BR 21/2 bath. Washer/dryer, 2 car heated garage. Fenced yard. Ohio Meadows in Gunnison. 970-209-3509.

SPORTING GOODS

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

WANTED

WANTED: Colorado Unit 67 cow elk voucher, any season. Contact George, 713201-7916.

DIVISION 5 WATER COURT- AUGUST 2025 RESUME

Work Session September 22, 2025 5:30pm Gunnison - Lake School

This meeting will be conducted in person and by distance using the video conferencing platform ZOOM Webinar. Please check the GWSD website for further instructions.

Items for Discussion

1. District and School Preliminary Performance Frameworks 2. Unified Improvement Plan

3. Strategic Plan communications plan

4. Superintendent hiring process

Gunnison Country Times

Gunnison, Colorado

Publication date of September 18, 2025 18769

NOTICE OF CANCELLATION

CANCELLATION OF SCHOOL BOARD ELECTION

WHEREAS, the only matter before the electors at the regular biennial school election on November 4, 2025 is the election of two persons to fill two offices of school director; and

WHEREAS, two individuals have nomination petitions with sufficient signatures to qualify as candidates; and

WHEREAS, the deadline for filing an affidavit of intent to be a write-in candidate has passed with zero individuals) filing such an affidavit; and

WHEREAS, state law at Colo. Rev. Stat. § 1-5-208(1.5) authorizes the Board of Education by resolution to cancel the election and declare the candidates elected if at the close of business on September 2,

WATER RESUME

(This publication can be viewed in its entirety on the Colorado State Judicial website at: www.coloradojudicial.gov).

2025 there are not more candidates than offices to be filled at the election, including candidates filing affidavits of intent to be write-in candidates.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Education of the Gunnison Watershed School District has determined that the prerequisites for canceling the election have been met so the 2025 regular school biennial election is canceled.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that Kim Fuller, the designated election official for the regular school biennial election, is authorized to take all necessary and appropriate steps to cancel the election, including providing notice of the cancellation by publication and by posting notice at each polling location, in the office of the designated election official and in the office of the county clerk and recorder; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the designated election official shall officially notify the county clerk and recorder of this action so that election expenses to date can be pro-rated accordingly; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the following individuals are hereby declared elected by acclamation: Katya Schloesser, for the seat of South of Round Mountain and Jennifer Reithel, for the seat of North of Round Mountain; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the designated election official shall notify these candidates of the cancellation of the election and of their resulting election by acclamation; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that between Election Day and the next regular meeting of the Board of Education or the Board’s organizational meeting, whichever comes first, the designatedelection official shall provide these candidates with certificates of election after which they shall each take the oath of office within 10 days and will thereafter be qualified to participate in meetings ofthe Board of Education. Approved this 8th day of September 2025,by a vote of 5-0.

Gunnison Country Times

Gunnison, Colorado Publication date of September 18, 2025 18770

NOTICE OF INTENT TO DISPOSE

Notice is hereby given to the following parties that their personal items stored at Discount Self Storage, 1825 N. Hwy 135, Gunnison will be sold or disposed of unless claimed prior to October 3, 2025.

Unit 39 - Jacob Neil

Date of Redemption: October 3, 2025

Gunnison Country Times Gunnison, Colorado Publication dates of September 18 and 25, 2025. 18771

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

17. PURSUANT TO C.R.S., §37-92-302, AS AMENDED, YOU ARE NOTIFIED THAT THE FOLLOWING PAGES COMPRISE A RESUME OF THE APPLICATIONS AND AMENDED APPLICATIONS FILED WITH THE WATER CLERK FOR WATER DIVISION 5 DURING THE MONTH OF AUGUST 2025. The water right claimed by this application may affect in priority any water right claimed or heretofore adjudicated within this division and owners of affected rights must appear to object and protest within the time provided by statute or be forever barred. 25CW3137 Pitkin County. Application for Findings of Reasonable Diligence. Applicant: The Estate of Julia S. Marshall, c/o Sara M. Dunn & Andrea J. Hall, Balcomb & Green, P.C.; P.O. Drawer 790, Glenwood Springs, CO 81602; (970) 945-6546; www.balcombgreen.com. Thorne Warner as personal representative of the Estate of Julia S. Marshall (“Applicant”) requests the Ct. find Applicant has exercised reasonable diligence in the development of the conditional water rights decreed to the Marshall Well, Placita Springs First Enlargement, Marshall Pump and Pipeline, and Marshall Pond (“SWRs”). A map depicting the location of each of the SWRs is attached as Exh. A. Please note that Sec. 6, T. 11 S., R. 88 W. of the 6th P.M. is a tall, irregular Sec. as depicted in Exh. B showing Applicant’s property boundary and adjacent proprieties with landowner designations. (All exhibits mentioned herein are incorporated by reference and may be inspected at the office of the clerk of this Ct.) All SWRs were originally decreed in Dist. Ct., Water Div. 5 in 04CW120 entered on 11/8/2005 and subsequent diligence decreed in 11CW158 on 1/5/2013 and 19CW3004 on 8/11/2019. Structure: Marshall Well, groundwater right. Legal Description: NW1/4 NE1/4 Sec. 6, T. 11 S., R. 88 W. 6th P.M. at a point 3,050 ft. S. of the N. Sec. Line and 3,150 ft. E. of the W. Sec. Line of said Sec. 6. (UTM Coordinates X: 304408.5 and Y: 4333872.5). Source: Groundwater tributary to the Crystal River, tributary to the Roaring Fork and CO Rivers. Date of Approp.: 8/16/2002. Depth: 50 ft. Uses: Dom. Amt.: 0.1 c.f.s., (45 g.p.m.), of which 0.033 c.f.s. (15 g.p.m.) was confirmed absolute in 11CW158 for dom. use inside two dwelling units, with 0.067 c.f.s. (30 g.p.m.) remaining conditional. Remark: The well operates pursuant to the plan for aug. decreed in 04CW120 and Well Permit No. 64842-F. Dom. use is limited to ordinary household purposes inside six dwelling units. Name and address of owner of the land upon which the structure is located, or upon which water is or will be placed to beneficial use: See Application, paragraph 3.9. Structure: Placita Springs, First Enlargement, surface water right. Legal Description: NW1/4 NE1/4 Sec. 6, T. 11 S., R. 88 W. 6th P.M. at a point 2,708 ft. E. and 2,312 ft. S. of the NW Corner of said Sec. 6. Source: A spring tributary to the Crystal River, tributary to the Roaring Fork and CO Rivers. Date of Approp.: 8/16/2002. Uses: Irr. and aug. Amt.: 0.23 c.f.s., conditional, of which 0.01 c.f.s. (5 g.p.m.) was confirmed absolute in 11CW158 for delivery of water to Marshall Pond for subsequent irr. and aug. use, with 0.22 c.f.s. remaining conditional for such uses and 0.23 c.f.s. remaining conditional for irr. Remark: Water may be used for irr. through direct diversion from the spring or delivered into the Marshall Pond for subsequent use for irr. or aug. Irr. use is limited to 1.1 acres of lawn and gardens around six dwelling units located in the NW1/4 NE1/4 Sec. 6, T. 11 S., R. 88 W. 6th P.M. Name and address of owner of the land upon which the structure is located, or upon which water is or will be placed to beneficial use: See Application, paragraph 4.8. Structure: Marshall Pump and Pipeline, surface water right. Legal Description as Changed in 11CW158: NW1/4 NE1/4 Sec. 6, T. 11 S., R. 88 W. 6th P.M. at a point 2,250 ft. from the N. Sec. line and 3,350 ft. from the W. Sec. Line. Source: Crystal River, tributary to the Roaring Fork and CO Rivers. Date of Approp.: 8/16/2002. Uses: Irr., pisc., fire protection, aug. and dom. Amt.: 0.5 c.f.s., conditional. Remark: Water may be used for irr., fire protection and dom. use by direct diversions through the Marshall Pump and Pipeline or delivered to the Marshall Pond for subsequent use for irr., pisc., fire protection and aug. and dom. use. Irr. use is limited to 1.1 acres in the NW1/4 NE1/4 Sec. 6, T. 11 S., R. 88 W. 6th P.M. Name and address of owner of the land upon which the structure is located, or upon which water is or will be placed to beneficial use: See Application, paragraph 5.8. Name of Structure: Marshall Pond, a storage water right. Legal Description: NW1/4 NE1/4 Sec. 6, T. 11 S., R. 88 W. 6th P.M., 2,350 ft. S. of the N. Sec. Line and 3,250 ft. E. of the W. Sec. Line. Source: Crystal River and spring tributary to the Crystal River, tributary to the Roaring Fork and CO Rivers. Date of Approp.: 8/16/2002. Uses: Irr., pisc., and aug. Amt.: 3.0 AF, conditional, of which 0.3 AF was decreed absolute in 11CW158 for irr. and aug. and 0.3 AF was decreed absolute in 19CW3004 for pisc. use, with 2.7 AF remaining conditional for irr., aug., and pisc. uses. Rate of Fill: 0.5 c.f.s., conditional. Surface Area: 0.5 acre, of which 0.08 acre has been constructed. Dam Height: 10 ft.; to date, the dam has been constructed to a height of 5 ft. Dam Length: 150 ft. Capacity: 3.0 AF all of which is active capacity, of which 0.3 AF has been constructed. Remark: Irr. is limited to 1.1 acres in the NW1/4 NE1/4 Sec. 6, T. 11 S., R. 88 W. 6th P.M. The Marshall Pond is an off-channel pond that may be filled using the Marshall Pump and Pipeline and/or the Placita Springs First Enlargement as described above. Name and address of owner of the land upon which the structure is located, or upon which water is or will be placed to beneficial use: See Application, paragraph 6.8. Integrated Water System: The SWRs are part of an integrated water supply for Applicant’s property as decreed in 04CW120. C.R.S. § 37-92-301(4)(b). A list of diligence activities performed in the six years preceding the filing of this Application is on file with this Water Ct. (8 pages of original application, Exhs. A & B) YOU ARE HEREBY NOTIFIED THAT YOU HAVE until the last day of OCTOBER 2025 to file with the Water Clerk a verified Statement of Opposition setting forth facts as to why this application should not be granted or why it should be granted in part or on certain conditions. A copy of such statement of opposition must also be served upon the applicant or the applicant’s attorney and an affidavit or certificate of such service shall be filed with the Water Clerk, as prescribed by Rule 5, CRCP. (Filing Fee: $192.00) KATHY POWERS, Water Clerk, Water Division 5; 109 8th Street, Suite 104 Glenwood Springs, CO 81601.

Gunnison Country Times

Gunnison, Colorado Publication date of August 14, 2025

18750

WATER RESUME

DIVISION 5 WATER COURT- AUGUST 2025 RESUME (This publication can be viewed in its entirety on the Colorado State Judicial website at: www.coloradojudicial.gov).

28. PURSUANT TO C.R.S., §37-92-302, AS AMENDED, YOU ARE NOTIFIED THAT THE FOLLOWING PAGES COMPRISE A RESUME OF THE APPLICATIONS AND AMENDED APPLICATIONS FILED WITH THE WATER CLERK FOR WATER DIVISION 5 DURING THE MONTH OF AUGUST 2025. The water right claimed by this application may affect in priority any water right claimed or heretofore adjudicated within this division and owners of affected rights must appear to object and protest within the time provided by statute or be forever barred. 25CW9 (18CW15) GUNNISON COUNTY- NORTH POLE CREEK TRIBUTARY TO THE CRYSTAL RIVER TRIBUTARY TO THE ROARING FORK RIVER TRIBUTARY TO THE COLORADO RIVER. Judith K. Murray; 3734 E. 81st Pl.; Tulsa, OK 74137. (918)481-0240. Murray North Pole Creek Pipeline-Application for Finding of Reasonable Diligence. Location: The point of division is located at the NE corner of Section 12, Township 12 South, Range 87 West of the 6th P.M., thence South 86 degrees 50 minutes West 3,560 feet. This can also be described as in the NE1/4 NW1/4 of Section 12, Township 12 South, Range 87 West of the Sixth Principal Meridian 3,560 feet from the south section line and 3,560 feet from the northeast section line. Appropriation: 11.16.1993 Amount and Uses: 0.303 c.f.s., conditional, for domestic purposes and 0.33 c.f.s., conditional, for irrigation of lawns

Bethany Church

909 N Wisconsin St. (behind Powerstop) • 970-641-2144

One service at 9 a.m. with nursery & children’s church.

Check us out on YouTube at Gunnison Bethany. gunnisonbethany.com

B'nai Butte Jewish Congregation

PO Box 2537 Crested Butte, CO 81224 305-803-3648 bnaibutte@gmail.com

Serving the Jewish communities of Crested Butte, Gunnison and surrounging areas.

Spiritual leader: Rabbi Mark Kula is available for you at RabbiMarkKula@gmail.com bnaibutte.org

Community Church of Gunnison

107 N. Iowa • 970-641- 0925

Pastor Larry Nelson

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

Church Service - 10:30 a.m.

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

For more info: ccgunnison.com or email info@ccgunnison.com

Join us in-person, listen to our broadcast on 98.3 FM, or view online stream on YouTube

Transforming Lives • Building Community

Faith Directory

First Baptist Church

120 N. Pine St. • 970-641-2240

Pastor Jonathan Jones

SUNDAY

Sunday School at 10 a.m.

Sunday Morning Worship at 11 a.m.

Sunday Evening Service at 6 p.m. (during school year)

WEDNESDAY (during school year)

Truth Trackers Kids Club at 6:30 p.m.

Youth Group for Teens at 7:30 p.m. firstbaptistgunnison.org.

Gunnison

Congregational Church

United Church of Christ

317 N. Main St. • 970-641-3203

Reverand Ian Wrisley

Welcoming, Open and Affirming, Building a Just world for All. Sundays, 10 a.m.

Fridays Meditation, 12:30-1 p.m. “Come-as-You-Are” Worship gunnisonucc.org

Trinity Baptist Church

523 N. Pine St. • 970-641-1813

Senior Pastor - Joe Ricks

Sunday Service 9:30 a.m.

Adult Bible Study 8 a.m. trinitybaptistsgunnison.com

Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church

711 N. Main • 970-641-1860

Senior Pastor Jacob With

Childrens Sunday School – Sunday 9 a.m.

Adult Sunday School – Sunday 9 a.m.

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

Wednesday night service at 7pm.

New Song Christian Fellowship

77 Ute Lane • 970-641-5034

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

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

St. Peter’s Catholic Church

300 N. Wisconsin • 970-641-0808 Fr. Andres Ayala-Santiago gunnisoncatholic.org crestedbuttecatholic.org or call the Parish Office.

St. Peter’s - Gunnison Sat 5 p.m. & Sun 10:30 a.m., 12 p.m. (Spanish) Mass

First Sunday of every month bilingual Mass 11 a.m.

Queen of All Saints - Crested Butte, 401 Sopris Sun 8:30 a.m. Mass

St. Rose of Lima - Lake City Communion Service, Sun. at 10 a.m.

Church in the Barn 8007 County Road 887

Waunita Hot Springs Ranch • 970-641-8741 Sundays, 10:30 a.m. Non Denominational Come as you are.

Church of Christ

600 E. Virginia • 970-641-1588

Sunday Morning Bible Class: 9:30 a.m.

Sunday Morning Worship: 10:30 a.m.

Sunday Evening Worship: 6 p.m.

Wednesday Night Bible Class: 7 p.m.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints Gunnison Branch 810 N 11th St. 970-648-4804

Sacrament Meeting 10 a.m.

Attending church each Sunday is a respite from fast-paced daily living. Join us to worship God, strengthen your spiritual connections, and focus on Jesus. Worship with a community of people who are trying to be more Christlike and learn from each other.

The Good Samaritan Episcopal Church

307 W. Virginia Ave. • 970-641-0429

Rev. Laura Osborne, Vicar First Sunday of each month –11 a.m. Holy Eucharist, Rite II

Alternating at Good Samaritan and All Saints in the Mountains

Check our websites for location

Second Sunday-Fifth Sunday –9 a.m. Holy Eucharist, Rite II

Children’s Sunday school –2nd and 4th Sundays, monthly

Office hours: M-TH 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Taize – 1st Wednesday, monthly - 7 p.m. goodsamaritangunnison.org

Visit our partnership church: All Saints in the Mountains, Crested Butte

Meeting Second-Fifth Sundays at 5 p.m., Holy Eucharist, Rite II

403 Maroon Ave, Crested Butte

Visit our website for location of 11 a.m. Holy Eucharist, First Sunday of each month allsaintsinthemountains.org

Yard of the Week

Jimmy Watters of 810 W. Georgia Ave. has been awarded Yard of the Week by the Top O’ the World Garden Club.

“I am retired, in my 70s. My motivation to stay active is my yard. My favorite bush is a yellow rose that came from Pennsylvania during the1860s in a covered wagon with my family. It blooms in June, though some late buds opened recently. I have three crabapple trees, one with pink and two with red blooms. We planted one of them as a memorial for my brother who died in the 1960s. My hedge is shaped by July. It all has to look its best for every holiday. My lawn is the most important. It’s very green because of the fertilizer I use. Jirdon has one more mineral than most. You can’t find it here on the western slope, but it’s easily found on the eastern slope. Flowers are a struggle because of the deer population. I planted 40 sunflowers, but only about half made it. When they were young I sprayed them with deer repellent.”

Yard of the Week — part two

Katherine Meyer has been awarded Yard of the Week by the Top O’ the World Garden Club.

“I have been gardening at 411 N. Pine St. for many years. We bought the property in 1974. At that time, it had a lilac hedge and two tall spruce trees in front of the house, and two at the back. All the rest of the trees, shrubs and flowers I’ve added in the years since. It’s been a fun project. One of the more recent challenges has been the free-roaming deer. A few years ago we fenced the whole yard which has been a great help. I enjoy growing perennials and adding annuals to the flower bed. My friend, Briony Coady, and I have been working the vegetable patch together. It’s so much more fun than doing it alone. I appreciate the town’s ditch system. Otherwise this area would have looked a lot different.”

Two Convenient Locations

(Courtesy Top O’ the World Garden Club)

(Courtesy Top O’ the World Garden Club)

The ‘Dead’ of late summer

(Photos by Jacob Spetzler)

Dress Up Theme:

Adam Sandler Day

JV Football vs Olathe @ 4: Home

V Golf

-Gypsum: Away

Jr. vs Senior Volleyball @ 7 in the GHS main Gym

Dress Up Theme:

Dress as Your Type (Dress as someone you would want to date)

JV, V Soccer vs Salida @ 4 & 6: Home

JV, V Softball vs Alamosa @ 4 & 6: Home

JV Golf

-Montrose: Away

Dress Up Theme:

Twin Day/ Matching Day (Dress alike with another person or group)

Lighting of the G

Dress Up Theme:

Life Cycle Day: Freshman: Babies

Sophomore: Toddlers

Juniors: Midlife Crisis

Seniors: Senior Citizens

C, JV, V Volleyball vs North Fork @ 4, 5, 6: Home

Dress Up Theme:

GHS Spirit/Letter Jacket

8:25-8:30 Adv. Check in (Computer attendance)

8:30 Awards Ceremony Float Building 10-11:00

Adv. Check In 11am-11:15 (Blue Slip)

Lunch 11:15 - 12

Adv. Check in 12:05-12:15 (Blue Slip)

Pep Assembly 12:15-1:45pm

Parade: 2pm (line up) 2:30pm (start)

Friday Night Lights @ 7

Halftime - Royalty and Band

Helping others feel at home

The fourth annual Welcoming Week celebration is underway in the Gunnison Valley this week. Events kicked off on Friday, Sept. 12 and will continue through Saturday. These included a film screening, an interfaith community potluck, an economic development workshop and more. For more, see the commentary by Gunnison County Commissioner Liz Smith and the Welcoming Week steering committee on A6.

(Courtesy Ricardo Esqueda/City of Gunnison)

Welcoming Week under way

Laura Cardozo Special to the Times

Since Sept. 12, the community of Gunnison has been celebrating the fourth edition of Rural Welcoming Week, which will extend until Sept. 20 under the theme "Stories We Share."

This event has become a tradition that began in 2022 as part of the city's initiatives to improve its services and strengthen community connections, in collaboration with the Welcoming America program.

This year, the programming was inaugurated with the screening of the film "Clearing the Shadows" at the Gunnison Arts Center, launching nine days of activities that connect residents of all nationalities throughout the valley.

During the scheduled activities, attendees participated in a civic engagement session with the League of Women Voters of the Gunnison Valley, who pro-

vided information about the voter registration process with interpretation services available.

The Gunnison Country Chamber of Commerce, along with various organizations such as ICELab, Region 10 and Small Business Development Center Colorado, hosted an economic development workshop.

"The event was well-organized and the information provided was very useful for those who have business creation initiatives, as well as for those seeking support to expand their projects to other places in Colorado or other states," said attendee Tracy Gutiérrez.

"During the fourth edition of Welcoming Week, the community has participated significantly, demonstrating interest and commitment to civic participation and the inclusive values that distinguish valley residents," City of Gunnison Community and Policy Liaison Ricardo Esqueda said.

Thursday, Sept. 18: Under the theme "Community and Government Leadership," a soccer match between law enforcement and first responders will take place at 6:30 p.m. at the Katy O. Rady soccer field at Western Colorado University.

Saturday, Sept. 20: The grand closing of the event will be celebrated, beginning with the "Diversity Walk." Meet at 1 p.m. at 525 N. Main Street.

The activities of the last day of Welcoming Week include the celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month at Legion Park for an afternoon full of diversity, history, legacy,and the pride of being one community.

Finally, the Gunnison community will be able to come together to enjoy an authentic display of Latin music and rhythms at the Chimbangle musical band concert at I Bar Ranch.

Welcoming Week once again demonstrates the city of

Gunnison's commitment to making every resident feel welcome and valued in the community.

(Laura Cardozo is a Gunnison-based freelance writer.)

Así avanza la Semana de Bienvenida 2025

Laura Cardozo Special to the Times

Desde el pasado 12 de septiembre se celebra en la comunidad de Gunnison la cuarta edición de la Semana de Bienvenida Rural, que se extenderá hasta el 20 de septiembre bajo el tema "Historias que compartimos".

Este evento se consolida como una tradición que inició en 2022 como parte de las iniciativas de la ciudad para mejorar sus servicios y fortalecer las conexiones comunitarias, en colaboración con el programa de Iniciativa de Bienvenida Rural conocido como Welcoming America.

Este año, la programación se inauguró con la proyección de la

película "Aclarando las Sombras" en el Centro de Artes de Gunnison, dando inicio a nueve días de actividades que conectan a residentes de todas las nacionalidades del valle.

Durante el desarrollo de las actividades programadas, los asistentes participaron en una jornada de involucramiento cívico con la Liga de Mujeres Votantes de Gunnison, quienes brindaron información sobre el proceso de registro electoral con servicios de interpretación disponibles.

La Cámara de Comercio de Gunnison, en compañía de diferentes organizaciones como ICELab, Region 10 y SBCD Colorado, desarrolló una jornada de desarrollo económico.

Soy

Tracy Gutiérrez, asistente al taller, expresó que "el desarrollo del evento tuvo una buena organización y la información brindada fue muy útil para quienes tienen iniciativas de creación de negocios, así como para aquellos que están en busca de soporte para expandir sus proyectos a otros lugares de colorado u otros estados".

Según Ricardo Esqueda, facilitador de enlace comunitario y político, "durante la cuarta edición de la Semana de Bienvenida, la comunidad ha participado de forma significativa, demostrando interés y compromiso con la participación cívica y los valores inclusivos que destacan a los residentes del valle".

Jueves 18 de septiembre: Bajo la temática “Liderazgo Comunitario y Gubernamental”, se llevará a cabo un partido de fútbol entre las Fuerzas del Orden y los Primeros Respondedores a las 6:30 p.m. en el campo de soccer Katy O. Rady de Western Colorado University. Sábado 20 de septiembre: Se celebrará el gran cierre del evento, que iniciará con la “Caminata de la Diversidad”. El punto de encuentro será a la 1:00 p.m. en la calle principal (525 N. Main Street).

Las actividades del último día de la Semana de Bienvenida incluyen la celebración del Mes de la Herencia Hispana. El parque Legion será el escenario elegido para una tarde llena de

diversidad, historia, legado y el orgullo de ser una sola comunidad.

Finalmente, la comunidad de Gunnison podrá unirse para disfrutar de una auténtica muestra de la música y los ritmos latinos en el concierto de la banda musical Chimbangle en el I Bar Ranch. La semana de bienvenida demuestra una vez más el compromiso de la ciudad de Gunnison con hacer que cada residente se sienta bienvenido y valorado en la comunidad.

(Laura Cardozo is a Gunnisonbased freelance writer.)

Members of the immigrant community attended an economic development workshop for businesses on Monday, Sept. 15. (Photo by Laura Cardozo)

GriefShare

Move the Butte

Are you grieving the loss of a family member or friend? Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church in Gunnison will be hosting a 13-week, scripture based support group on a schedule that will accommodate all participants. Email Rod Morrill at rodmorrill2@gmail.com for more information and to register.

The Gunnison Nordic Club

The Gunnison Nordic Club (GNC) will have its annual kickoff drive Oct. 8 from 5-7 p.m. at Dos Rios Golf Club. The purchase of a 2025-26 membership includes a meal ticket for a hamburger and chips, provided by CC’s Burgers. Members will also get discounts from local retailers and a 20% discount on a Crested Butte Nordic pass. A season GNC membership is $35 for individuals, $55 for a couple and $70 for a family. Business memberships range from $100$500. Dues go directly into trail grooming. For questions, contact gunnisonnordic@gmail. com.

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.

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.

The Crested Butte Dance Collective is thrilled to open the call to choreographers for Move the Butte 2026. 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-October. Performances are Feb. 19-21.

Mountain Roots Harvest Hoedown

Join us to celebrate the end of the season on Sept. 26 at 7 p.m. at South Main in Gunnison. Festivities include square dancing, a silent auction, family friendly activities, live music and more. Tickets are available at mountainrootsfoodproject. org: $15 early bird, $20 at the door, 18 and under are free. Volunteers are needed for the event and will receive free entry. If interested, email Jen at jennifer@mountainrootsfoodproject. org.

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. 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.

The League of Women Voters of the Gunnison Valley

The League of Women Voters of the Gunnison Valley will meet from 4:30-6:30 p.m. on Sept. 25 at Crested Bucha (315 1/2 N Main St., Gunnison), to meet and greet and better understand the League. The public is invited.

Celebration of Life event

Oct. 14 would have been Charlie Kirk’s 32nd birthday. We want to honor him with others who Charlie has positively influenced. We hope you can join us and invite others in the community, from your churches, work and groups. We are working on putting together a Celebration of Life event for all in our community. Please save the date Oct.14, location and time TBA. If you would like to help plan or contribute to this event, contact Cori at 719-2098158.

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.

GUNNISON ARTS CENTER BRIEFS

2025 Annual Gala

Join us for the GAC’s annual Gala on Sept. 27 from 6-11:30 p.m. The theme is “Under the Stars” inspired by Van Gogh’s Starry Night and features live music, twinkle lights, food by Burnells Food Truck and stellar cocktails at the outdoor Cosmic Lounge. Tickets are $75 for the full evening or $50 for the latenight experience.

Pastels + Palomas

Sept. 18 from 5:30-8:30 p.m. Sip and create in this playful pastel workshop with local artist Gail Sovick. Enjoy a refreshing Paloma while exploring the vibrant world of soft pastels. No experience needed.

Date Night/Friends Night clay

Join us for three special evenings of clay magic with guest artist Melissa Michel from Art Spot Silverthorne on Sept. 25, 26 and 28 from 6:30–8 p.m. Each night features a unique class— wheel throwing, mug making and pumpkin sculpting. All materials, tools and firing are included.

Stitching Stories

Join artist and cultural advocate Sandy Dolak on Sept. 27 from 12-4 p.m. to explore Colcha Embroidery, a traditional folk art of Northern New Mexico and Southern Colorado. Using one simple stitch, you’ll create beautiful motifs or tapestries while discovering the rich heritage behind the craft. Perfect for beginners.

CB CENTER FOR THE ARTS BRIEFS

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, sunsoaked 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.

After the Snowfall

Join us Oct. 4 at 7 p.m. or 9:30 p.m. for “After The Snowfall” a celebration of skiing in its purest form. From deep powder mornings in Japan to pond skimming in California, the film explores what skiing brings to our lives. The cost is $25.

Putting arts and culture in the spotlight.

• September 26, 2025

• Homestead Golf Course

• 9:00 am Shotgun Start

FOOTBALL: Mountaineers prepare for Colorado Classic, B10

SOCCER: Cowboys battle Crested Butte at home, B9 GUNNISON COUNTRY TIMES • THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2025

Gunnison volleyball swings with confidence

Loken leads from all corners of the floor

James Nokes Special to the Times

Confidence to hit hard could be what helps the Gunnison volleyball team reach its full potential.

The Cowboys went 0-2 on Aug. 13 against Alamosa and Centauri, but senior outside hitter Aubrey Welfelt thought GHS handled its step up in competition well. The Mean Moose are ranked No. 2 and the Falcons No. 7 in the Class 3A Selection and Seeding Index on CHSAANow.com.

While Alamosa posted a 3-0 win, GHS took Centauri to a fifth set before they dropped a 3-2 decision.

“Centauri and Alamosa are good teams,” Welfelt said. “We

GHS XC prove to be tough mudders

Callahan takes second overall

James Nokes Special to the Times

Heavy, wet shoes and a saturated course made the Bayfield Invitational the most challenging course the GHS cross country teams had ever faced.

“It was insane,” said top boys finisher Ian Baker. “We ran on the course the day before and were like, ‘ok, it’ll be pretty muddy.’ We didn’t realize the challenge that awaited when we started up this massive hill.”

Unfazed by the challenge and buoyed by their first road trip of the season, the girls team finished first as a team, and freshman Jordan Callahan finished second overall, just .01 seconds behind the winner.

“It was a hard course with so

much mud and a lot of hills,” Callahan said. “It was a pretty close race, the leader was pretty fast on the downhill and had cleats on, too”

GHS coach Blake Davis backed up the course assessment from his top runners. Constant rain had brought out the most challenging conditions imaginable. The turf and soil rendered into a sludge loaded with puddles, holes from other runners' footprints and slippery hills that beckoned a fall to anyone that lost their balance.

“It was raining, it was muddy and it was probably the hardest course I’d ever seen,” Davis said. “It rained all day, there was mud, there was clay and it was super hilly. Their shoes were covered in mud and it was hard to run, but it was a fun opportunity.”

(James Nokes writes for Colorado Preps.)

The GHS cross country team poses for a group photo. (Courtesy Colorado Preps)

Volleyball B7 Aubriel Loken warms up at GHS (Photos by Evan Bjornstad)

knew we would have good competition and came so close to winning both. We were just a couple points off in both games. We learned what we need to do to keep our energy up, but also learned how hard we have to play to keep up with those kinds of teams.”

If the Cowboys can establish an offense that gets them consistently attacking, it will place pressure on opponents’ defense. That’s where Welfelt said GHS has to be willing to take big swings.

“We’ve got to swing hard every play,” Welfelt said. “We’ve got to have the confidence to take charge. We’ve got to keep our offense aggressive and hit it to the ground. That way no one can dig it or tip it back at us.”

Aubriel Loken has shifted between positions through her high school career. She played setter as a freshman, defensive specialist as a sophomore, returned to the setter position as a junior and has now settled in as libero for her final campaign.

As a utility player that can do it all, Loken has transitioned

from right back to middle back. She’s adjusted to the different spin on the ball and said she believes she spends more time diving for balls.

“This weekend I figured out how to change my mindset,” Loken said. “It felt really good that the mentality shift I was waiting for took place. As a libero I needed to be more aggressive, I didn’t need that as a setter. I played more intensely and fast paced.”

As the Cowboys look to make it back to state for consecutive seasons, Loken’s maturation into a new position and the new players pushing a pair of challenging teams gives GHS a road map of what to work on.

“I think the games with Alamosa and Centauri highlighted where we are strong and also showed where we lack in some spots,” Loken said. “Even though we lost, it was beneficial.”

(James Nokes writes for Colorado Preps.)

Merci Williams practices her service with a smile.

Mountaineer soccer battles in the rain

Two goals from Western Colorado University senior striker Natsuki Murakami could not elevate the Mountaineers over visiting Texas-Dallas at home on Sept. 12. Despite entering the locker room with a 2-1 lead at half time, the Mountaineers conceded four unanswered goals in the second half. The defeat moves Western to an 0-5 start to the fall campaign. The girls will next host California State University, San Bernardino on Sept. 19 at 3 p.m., and University of Nebraska Kearney on Sept. 21 at 10 a.m.

(Photos by Jacob Spetzler)

SPORTS ROUND UP

Emotional softball win sparks big week for GHS

The tears rolled when Caroline Sudderth caught the final out. It could have been relief after the Cowboys snapped a six-game losing streak with an 11-8 win over Rocky Ford on Sept. 12, tears of joy, after they overcame a 5-0 deficit or worry about Romie Uhrig, their teammate who left the game after being struck in the eye by a line drive.

GHS Athletic Director Kevin Mickelson confirmed Uhrig had no fractures and is in concussion protocol.

“We came back out and played hard,” DiLorenzo said. “We played for Romie. We could have quit and just kind of let it go but we battled and fought.”

The big swing was Mckayla Singer’s 2-run home run. Josie Vollendorf went 3-for-5 with a run and three RBIs and Ashlyn Cowan hit 3-for-3 with two doubles and two RBIs as GHS pounded out 11 hits.

Soccer scoring binge

An offensive outburst led the GHS boys soccer team to an 8-0 win over Ridgway on Sept. 10. Charlie Wolfenbarger, Eli Coop and Cesar Mamolejo each tallied two goals. Jericho Espinoza and Avren Hartzel also found the back of the net for the Cowboys.

“We scored early and that’s good mentally for this crew,” said GHS head coach Susan Powers. “We played well as a team and I always like to see that.”

The Cowboys took a 4-0 lead into halftime and tacked on another four goals in the second half.

“We started strong and kept going through the whole game,” Coop said. “When we come out strong it’s hard for any team to compete. It’s easy to come out strong but to stay strong is harder.”

Zavier Drendel had three assists and Wolfenbarger, Coop and Hartzel also handed out assists for the Cowboys. On Friday night under the lights, Crested Butte topped the Cowboys 4-0. Powers said the Titans are “one of the top teams in the state.”

GHS held Crested Butte at bay for 35 minutes until the Titans converted on a corner kick and later scored on a penalty kick for a 2-0 lead.

“We played pretty well in the first half,” Coop said. “In the second half we had to make a move and that came with the risk of them coming at us. They scored scrappy goals and took advantage of our mistakes.”

Home course advantage at Dos Rios

GHS senior Paden Davis played Dos Rios all summer. He was eager to have a non-shotgun start format for the Cowboy Invitational.

"The first thing that came to my mind was starting on Hole 1," Davis said. "I haven't done that in a long time. I was excited to go 1 to 18 and have home court advantage."

Insider information came in handy when navigating the course. As a team, the Cowboys finished seventh out of 16 teams. Davis followed up his 88 with an 84 at Keystone Ranch on Sept. 11.

"There's a lot of water on Dos Rios," Davis said. "It's good to know there are little creeks out there that you can't see on the course maps. I know where all the little nooks and crannies are."

(Photos by Jacob Spetzler)

(Times archive)

Mountaineers prepare for 78th Colorado Classic

Western travels to Alamosa to face fierce rival

Gregg Petcoff Special to the Times

The fifth-ranked Mountaineers will take on Adams State on Sept. 20 for the 78th Colorado Classic, the second longest continual football rivalry in the state.

Western Colorado University holds a 43-34 edge in the history of the rivalry, which began with a Mountaineer victory in 1934. The Grizzlies claimed the series’ longest win streak, stringing 12 consecutive wins together from 2002 to 2013. But the Mountaineers, champions of the past four games, boasted an 11-game winning streak from 1991 to 2001.

The Mountaineers moved up to No. 5 in the D2Football. com rankings and to No. 7 in the AFCA Division II poll despite a bye last weekend. Western brings the No. 11 scoring offense into the matchup — an attack that’s averaging 41.5

RoundUp

from B9

Football regroups on bye week

Relief is on the horizon. After a 40-8 home loss to Meeker on Sept. 12, the GHS football team, still in search of its first win, heads to an off week.

The Cowboys didn’t have an answer for the Meeker Wing-T offense that was content to grind out consistent running yards.

There’s no game plan this week for GHS coach Chase Starman to install, rather it’s all about internal scouting and managing minute details.

“The bye week is all about not pushing the panic button,” Starman said. “We are going back to basics. We’ll reestablish the trust among the team and get more disciplined in a week

points per game.

The Crimson and Slate defense is also ranked in the top 20, including 12th in team tackles for loss. All-American quarterback Drew Nash operates Western’s offensive threat. He ranks 10th nationally in points responsible for and 30th in total offense.

The Grizzlies enter Saturday’s rivalry with an 0-2 record this season. Their most recent win came on Sept. 30, 2024 at New Mexico Highlands by a score of 21-14. However, the seasonopening loss came against a Western New Mexico squad that is averaging 39 points per game and their second loss was to University of Texas Permian Basin, which is ranked No. 7 in the D2Football.com poll.

So far this season, Adams State has unveiled a run-oriented offense, and averages 181 YPG on the ground and just 77 YPG through the air.

Sophomore Ahmare Merrida spearheads the ground attack, averaging 91.5 YPG, a figure that includes a 134-yard game in the loss to UT Permian Basin.

True freshman quarterback Tyson Smith is taking the snaps for the Grizzlies, hitting on 45

percent of his throws, with two touchdown passes and three interceptions. He’s also been sacked seven times over ASU’s first two games. Junior linebacker Mafileo Tupou is the Grizzlies’ leading tackler with 19 total tackles including 14 solo stops.

where we don’t have anything to prepare for. We’ll address all the details. Even the small ones, like are we wearing the right attire, or are we finishing all our blocks — those things matter.”

Last year, GHS closed its season on a three-game winning streak. Starman said there’s plenty of football left and was pleased the team continues to play hard on game day.

“It’s been done, it can happen and I think it will happen,”

Starman said. “I keep telling the guys we lost and it looked ugly on the scoreboard and in person. We had too many guys doing their own thing. We need to trust each other, our alignment and do our job every single play. We’ll practice trying to find that before we get into another game week.”

(James Nokes writes for Colorado Preps.)

The Mountaineers will return home to face New Mexico Highlands on Sept. 27.

(Gregg Petcoff is the assistant athletics director for communications at Western Colorado University and can be reached at gpetcoff@western.edu.)

(Courtesy Western Colorado University)