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School district renovations on track Gunnison meeting set for Jan. 31 Abby Harrison Times Staff Writer
WINTER TRACKS: Gunnison Nordic board member and trail groomer Mark Fonken drove the organization’s small snow cat on the front side of Hartman Rocks on Wednesday, Jan. 17. Trails are firming up, and ready for riding, including Jack’s, Tailpipe, Moto Loop and more. According to Gunnison Trails, routes on the McCabe’s side are next on the list. (Photo by Jacob Spetzler)
A l t h o u g h b a re l y a n y o f t h e Gunnison Watershed School District's (GWSD) $95 million renovation budget has been spent, planners are refining the design for the historic project. In the coming weeks, an executive committee will match the “scope” of the proposed renovations to the existing budget. The school district’s bond money, supported by a property tax increase in 2023, will fund district-wide renoSchools A6
Whetstone design Ouray newspapers TODAY deadline extended stolen after story Still waiting about alleged rape for Crested
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Butte utility connection
Abby Harrison Times Staff Writer
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Last week, Gunnison County Commissioners approved a deadline extension for the valley’s largest affordable housing project, Whetstone. County planners and the project’s developer Servitas received another year to submit a detailed architecture and engineering report, also called the “preliminary plan.” But, planners anticipate they’ll only need a few weeks. Whetstone is the countyowned affordable housing project in development just south of Crested Butte. It will contain
255 units — offered only to locals for as low as 80% of area median income — a pedestrian trail circling the development and a central park space. John Cattles, assistant county manager for operations and sustainability, requested the year-long extension at a regular meeting on Jan. 16. But before the county can submit the plan, it still needs approval from the Crested Butte Town council for a utility connection. The preliminary plan will give the public the most clarity so far as to what the project will look like. Since 2001, the county has processed nine building applications that, like Whetstone, require a major impact land use change. At least four of those applications received the same time extension, Assistant County Manager for Community and Economic Whetstone A6
Plaindealer incident grabs national attention Bella Biondini Times Editor
The Ouray County Plaindealer, a locally-owned weekly Western Slope newspaper, became the center of national headlines after newspapers were stolen following the publication of sexual assault allegations last week. The Jan. 18 edition of the Plaindealer featured a frontpage story detailing an alleged sexual assault that occurred at the home of the Ouray police
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chief. The morning after publication, co-publishers Erin McIntyre and Mike Wiggins found that the majority of the Plaindealer racks across both Ridgway and Ouray were empty. “Whoever did this took the time to steal hundreds of newspapers from around the county to prevent you from reading the news,” the Plaindealer’s online newsletter read. On Jan. 20, the Ouray County Sheriff ’s Office cited Ridgway resident, Paul Choate, 41, in connection with the petty theft of more than 200 printed copies of the weekly edition. Choate admitted to stealing the newspapers early Thursday morning, but returned them to the Plaindealer’s office that same Ouray A7
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Rocky’s Gym:
THE TRANSFORMATION
BACKYARD CHICKENS
KOREAN FARMING
PATIO PROJECTS
RENOVATING WITH KIDS
A2 • NEWS • Thursday, January 25, 2023
QUOTE
of the week
Gunnison Country Times
OBITUARIES Judith Carol Ebaugh
“After the spotlight is gone here, we’re still going to be there covering this case to the very end.”
soon be published to honor and remember the remarkable journey of a beloved man.
Stella May (Kay) Willden
— Erin McIntyre, Ouray County Plaindealer
See story on A1
BRIEFS CPW to source next group of wolves from Washington Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) and the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation announced on Jan. 19 that the Tribes will be the source for up to 15 wolves for the state’s reintroduction effort. In December, CPW released 10 gray wolves onto public land in Summit and Grand counties. Although the agency is permitted to release up to five more wolves this capture season, it chose not to release more wolves until December 2024. The additional time will allow CPW to adjust to the increased workload. CPW and the Colorado Department of Agriculture are still waiting for the governor to approve additional resources for ranchers.
City allocates money to employee housing The City of Gunnison has budgeted almost $100,000 for employee housing in 2024. A portion of the money will maintain its existing singlefamily home at Lazy K, which is used as transitional housing for new hires. This year, the city is also looking to support existing employees that may not have stable housing. On Jan. 23, city council approved a request for the city to negotiate two master lease agreements that could be offered to city staff at subsidized rents. Details regarding the units are unknown.
Judith Carol Ebaugh was born on Oct. 18, 1952 in Denver, Colorado to Phoebe and David C. Ebaugh, Sr. and died on Jan. 10, 2024 in Grand Junction, Colorado after an illness at the age of 71. She was a graduate of South High in 1970 and attended Colorado Mountain College in Leadville. As a native of Colorado, Judy loved the mountains and built her home in Pitkin. She was strong and independent, as well as a talented artist who made beautiful beadwork and wonderful quilts. She created beautiful memories with each of her nieces that they will cherish. Judy was delighted to know her great-nieces, Piper and Phoebe Reeves. Sh e i s su r v i ve d by h e r brother, David Ebaugh Jr. of Denver, two sisters, Meredith Mallett and Heather Ebaugh of Durango, Colorado, three nieces, Autumn Reeves of Grand Junction, Ariel Mallett of Ypsilanti, Michigan, Hayley Mallett of Durango, and nephew, Dillon Reese Ebaugh of Denver. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Habitat for Humanity.
Larry Wayne Benson Lar r y Wayne Benson of Gunnison passed away on Jan. 19, 2024, surrounded by his children and their families. Larry’s legacy is not only in the life he lived but also in the love he shared with those around him. A full obituary with details for his celebration of life will
Gunnison’s Cranor Hill Ski Area lift will spin for the first time this season on Jan. 27. It will operate on Wednesdays from 1-4 p.m. and Saturdays and Sundays from 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Skiing will be free on Wednesdays thanks to sponsorship from the Crested Butte Snowsports Foundation and the Gunnison Valley Health Foundation.
Edith Phoebe Hildreth Ruggera Stella Willden was born on Jul. 7, 1936 in Twin Falls, Idaho to George Earl Fenn and Emma Josephine Peterson. She married Rex Bruce Willden on Jun. 18, 1954. She is survived by her children, Shanna Jardine (Rick), Kathy Painter (Darrell), Karma Adamson, Cindy Hatfield, Br uce Willden and Peggy Cummings (Tobey), 17 grandchildren, 29 great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren. She is preceded in death by her parents, husband, daughters, Shirley and Joyce Willden, siblings, Delmar, Jarvis, Faye, George and Joe, greatgranddaughter, Tenley Grace, son-in-law, Robbie Hatfield and her fur buddy, Duke. Stella loved to work in her garden and show off her prizewinning roses, go on camping trips and spend time with her loved ones. She loved cooking for family and made the best apricot jam you've ever tasted. She never said "I can't do that,” nor "no" to anyone. Stella never stopped — if she wasn't working on the farm, she was taking care of her loved ones (or one of the many animals Rex brought home). She was always there for anyone who needed a helping hand. Her love was felt by everyone around her, as she made people feel like they were truly loved and wanted. She loved being around family, cooking, laughing, doing crafts, sewing, embroidering and making
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Edith Phoebe Hildreth Ruggera peacefully passed in her home, surrounded by family, in Gunnison on Jan. 17, 2024. Edith was born on Mar. 14, 1931 at Log Hill Mesa, Ouray County, Colorado to George and Bertha Hildreth, the 12th of 13 children. Some locals referred to the family as "the Hildreth tribe." Edith's family worked a ranch on Cebolla Creek, where Edith learned to swim early in her life after being thrown in the raging Cebolla runoff by her older siblings. Edith graduated from Gunnison High School, class of 1948, and had just turned 17 years old. She met the love of her life, Kenneth Marvin Ruggera, at a local dance. They married in July of 1951 and were blessed with four children. Kenny, currently in the Air Force, was stationed in Japan, so Edith moved with some of her sisters to Colorado Springs, working as a telephone operator. During Kenny’s military enlistment, they were relo-
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cated to Holloman Air Force Bas e, New Mex ico. When Kenny's military commitment ended, the family returned to his hometown, Crested Butte. One job opportunity landed the Ruggera family in Baldwin, Colorado, where the living arrangements were very rustic. Water was carried in buckets from an outside pump to accommodate bathing. Snow regularly found a way into the home through the poorlychinked log walls. Picture perfect, with the outhouse just within walking distance. Edith worked continuously from birth to well past social security retirement age. She worked various retail positions, managed Montgomery Ward and clerked in the treasurer's office while tending her wellloved family. She is survived by her children, Charmaine Clarke (Jeff ), Kenneth “Kim” Ruggera (Lois), Lance Ruggera (Andie), d a u g h t e r- i n - l a w , S h i r l e y Lovato Ruggera (Randy), four grandchildren, Marie Clarke, Tony Clarke, Jason Ruggera and Landon Ruggera, eleven great-grandchildren, Shane, Joey, Aceus, Devin, Zaden, Decker, Cayden, Randy, Otto, Roman and Dante, numerous nieces and nephews and many more family members. She is preceded in death by her parents, her spouse, Kenneth, son, Randy Ruggera, sisters, Dorothy Hildreth, Harriett Barnes, Idane Osgood, Lila Webb, B etty Jens, Ardath Longyear, Laverna Singer and Delphie Bifano and brothers, Harry, George "Bud", Douglas and Wallace Hildreth. A family farewell will be held at a later date.
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quilts to give to loved ones. Special thanks to Dr. Brening, her caregivers and Enhabit Hospice for all the special, loving care that Mom received. The graveside service is Jan. 27 at 1 p.m. at the Mayfield City Cemetery in Mayfield, Utah. A viewing will be held on Jan. 26 from 5-7 p.m. at McD ougal Funeral Home, 4330 South Redwood Road, Taylorsville, Utah. Interment will follow at Mayfield C i t y C e m e t e r y , May f i e l d .
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Thursday, January 25, 2023 • NEWS • A3
Gunnison Country Times
Forest and Park Service look to limit use of fixed anchors in wilderness climbing Comment period open until Jan. 30 Bella Biondini Times Editor
Late last year, the National Park Service and the U.S. Forest Service released draft recreation management plans that would limit fixed anchors in wilderness areas. Fixed anchors are a type of gear used by climbers to safely ascend technical faces. Rock climbers have used fixed anchors for more than 150 years, predating the passage of the Wilderness Act of 1964. While both the Park Service and the Forest Service consider climbing a “legitimate and appropriate use of wilderness,” the new policies would limit the use of new and existing anchors across the country. Climbers, and the greater outdoor recreation community, worry the draft plans will discourage safe climbing practices and place a significant burden on agencies that are already short on resources. These policy changes could impact popular climbing areas near Gunnison, such as the Black Canyon, as well as storied routes beyond the valley. This includes, but is not limited to, El Capitan in Yosemite, the Wind River Range in Wyoming and Joshua Tree’s Wonderland of Rocks. The Park Service and Forest Service are seeking public comment until Jan. 30, 2024. At the same time, bipartisan legislation is moving through Congress to protect the legal use, placement and maintenance of fixed anchors. In Colorado, Gov. Jared Polis and former U.S. Sen. Mark Udall have supported responsible climbing ethics in wilderness. “It clearly would not be a good outcome for Colorado, especially given Colorado is a state that depends on a recre-
ation economy, and celebrates mountain culture and the American climbing legacy,” said Access Fund Interim Executive Director Erik Murdock. The Access Fund protects both the sport and the nation’s climbing areas. A new interpretation of the Wilderness Act Fixed anchors include bolts, pitons and slings. Once an anchor is placed, it is often permanently “fixed” to a rock. Bolts and pitons are small and can be difficult to spot from a distance without a trained eye, but protect climbers in the case of a fall. The question of “To bolt, or not to bolt?” arose when the land management agencies proposed changes to how they manage climbing in wilderness areas, as the sport grows in popularity. Wilderness areas are free from roads and development, and are highly sought after by hikers and climbers for solitude. Although small, “the combined impact of many fixed anchors in a single area or rock wall can have a significant impact on wilderness character,” the Park Service draft guidance says. The proposals offer a new interpretation of the Wilderness Act. In the draft policy, the Park Service states that climbing can help “preserve wilderness character by providing opportunities for primitive and unconfined recreation.” But the draft proposals reclassify fixed anchors as permanent “installations” in wilderness areas, which are not allowed. “It's like saying you can go skiing in the wilderness, and we really appreciate skiing and think it's an appropriate use, but you can't use skis,” Murdock said. If the plan is accepted, placing anchors would require an administrative exception, the same type of review used to build a fence or bridge in wilderness. Existing fixed anchors and equipment may continue to be used if forest supervisors and
park superintendents complete a “minimum requirement analysis,” as funding and resources allow, the guidance reads. Both the Park Service and Forest Service suffer from tight budgets and overburdened staff. Murdock worried that the new policies could result in the removal, rather than replacement of worn anchors — deincentivizing safe climbing practices and normal fixed a n c h o r ma i nt e na n c e. Fo r example, at the Black Canyon of the Gunnison, there’s no telling how long it would take the small Park Service team to go through the minimum requirement analysis, he said. “This highlights the ridiculous nature of this proposal,” Murdock said. According to National Park spokesperson Cynthia Hernandez, the purpose of the draft guidance is not to ban the use of fixed anchors, but to standardize the process by which climbing is managed. “Where a minimum requirement analysis has not been completed, emergency replacement of a fixed anchor may be made when health or safety are at risk in a manner that allows the climber to exit the route in the most expeditious manner,” she wrote in an email. (Bella Biondini can be contacted at 970.641.1414 or bella@ gunnisontimes.com.)
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THURSDAY, JANUARY 25, 2024
ALANWARTESMEDIA
OPINION An election year look ahead
970.641.1414 © 2023 Gunnison Country Times
Publisher/Owner Alan Wartes publisher@gunnisontimes.com Office Manager Bonnie Gollhofer bonnie@gunnisontimes.com Editor Bella Biondini bella@gunnisontimes.com Staff Writer Abby Harrison abby@gunnisontimes.com Photo Editor Mariel Wiley mariel@gunnisontimes.com Sports Editor Alex McCrindle alex@gunnisontimes.com Advertising Manager Steve Nunn steve@gunnisontimes.com Advertising Assistant Issa Forrest issa@gunnisontimes.com Production Manager Issa Forrest issa@gunnisontimes.com
THE GUNNISON COUNTRY TIMES (ISSN 0892-1113) is published weekly by Alan Wartes Media LLC., 218 N. Wisconsin St., Gunnison, Colorado 81230. Periodical postage paid at Gunnison, Colorado. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: The Gunnison Country Times, 218 N. Wisconsin, Gunnison, CO 81230-0240 Hours: 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Monday through Friday
2023
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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.
Alan Wartes Times Publisher
In a normal year, election fatigue doesn’t start setting in until August or so. By then, most voters are saturated with campaign noise and just want the whole circus to be over. However, in 2024, people are already showing signs of burnout well before Valentine's Day — which may be some kind of record. Truth is, we’ve already been at it for a while now. Former P re s i d e n t D o n a l d T r u m p announced his candidac y back in November of 2022, and President Biden followed suit last April. For months, ever y national news stor y about Trump’s legal woes or Congressional opposition to Biden’s policies has quickly turned to what the issues mean for their respective prospects at the ballot box. But, what I hear in conversations with many people around
town is something more than ordinary fatigue. An unmistakable hint of dread is present in their words, demeanor and body language. It doesn’t really matter which side of the fence they stand on, the sense of foreboding is the same. That’s because each side has done a good job of making us believe that democracy itself is somehow hidden between the lines on the ballot. There may be something to that, but not in the way that those spinning such “narratives” would have us believe. Both sides want you to think the very future of the nation depends on the outcome of this election. It’s a binary choice, they say: democracy or dictatorship. T hat ’s p re p o s t e ro u s, o f course, for one simple reason: democratic self-governance is not a single outcome; it’s an ongoing process. There is no one-time trip to the polling station that can result in game over for the republic, because on the day after that, the process outlined in the constitution for running the country will still be in place — so long as we don’t lose our nerve and let it fade into disuse. Yet, the most important (and currently vulnerable) parts of
the process of holding fair elections and abiding by their results are not written down in founding documents or laws. Success in preserving our brand of self-governance depends on hanging on to ineffable qualities that can’t be legislated: integrity; empathy; patience; a willingness to consider other viewpoints and to compromise when making decisions. If democracy faces a threat today, it’s not because of what might happen on Nov. 5, 2024, but in how we behave every day between now and then, and beyond. How we treat each other through this process — especially those we passionately disagree with — is far more important than any particular electoral outcome. Why? Because the bridges we burn today will stay burned through any future challenges we face as a community. It’s always harder to rebuild crucial relationships than to preserve them in the first place. In addition, big picture drama can cause us to forget the importance of other elections closer to home. That’s right, there’s more going on in the world than a presidential rematch. For instance, two seats on the Gunnison County Board of County Commissioners will
were out at intervals of one or two hours all night between Saturday and Sunday, sweeping or raking the heavy wet snow off trees, shrubs and bushes in their yards … The City of Gunnison’s electrical crews worked 22 hours over the holiday weekend without sleep and REA linemen were on duty even longer.” Many people dispute the official 6 inch figure as too low, and that is agreed upon by the workers at Frontier Airlines who had just taken charge of our official weather station. They pointed out that the snow was so wet that it compacted rapidly and continuously all through the night and the 6 inches was determined by one reading on Sunday. Crested Butte reported 8 inches of snow on Sunday and 3 inches more on Monday. A report from Lake City claims that 12 inches fell up the Henson Creek road above town. Because of this, hundreds of people were stranded in Gunnison with no place to stay. Charlie Page, Director of the Chamber of Commerce, knowing there would be trouble, and as a public service, reopened his office late Sunday afternoon. He was surprised to find many people standing in line seeking shelter since all the motels were full. Responding to the emergency, O.C. (“Oley” — but not to his face) Kjosness, the formidable Dean of Students at Western State College, opened up Chipeta Hall and some 200
travelers were given shelter there on Sunday night.
be up for grabs this fall. So far, incumbents Jonathan Houck and Liz Smith have not officially announced their intention to run for reelection, and no one else has signaled a challenge. But these are important positions that deserve our full attention come election day. Fo r m e r C o l o r a d o S t a t e Representative Kathleen Curry has announced her candidacy to replace term-limited Republican Marc Catlin to represent House District 58, which includes Gunnison County. As a Gunnison Valley local, Curry hopes to return to the capitol and advocate for Western Slope communities. After previously switching affiliation to “independent,” she will run again as a Democrat. And, of course, there is a vacancy to fill in U.S. Congressional District 3, following the departure of incumbent Lauren Boebert. Those on both sides vying for that seat will now have to demonstrate being more than simply “not Boebert.” There’s important democratic “process” work to do. Let’s get to it (Alan Wartes can be contacted at 970.641.1414 or publisher@gunnsiontimes.com.)
LETTERS The Great Blizzard Editor: In my discussion on big Gunnison snowstorms, I absent-mindedly forgot the Great Blizzard of Labor Day, 1961. I discussed this in the Gunnison Country Times on Aug. 21, 2018. Here’s a summary of the report. According to the Gunnison News Champion newspaper of Sept. 7, 1961, a big storm along with chilling winds swept down from the Yellowstone area of northwest Wyoming on Friday night. A light rain turned to snow Saturday evening, Sept. 2 and many campers who were up in the mountains around Gunnison found themselves in snow up to several feet deep by Sunday morning. “Snows were bumper deep in the upper Taylor River Canyon and drifted up to three feet in depth between Tincup and Mirror Lake where two families of campers were stranded over Sunday night.” Power was out beyond Almont in the Crested Butte and Taylor River areas from about 10 p.m. Saturday for 24 hours according to the News Champion. Here in Gunnison, 6 inches of heavy, wet snow blanketed the town, breaking thousands of tree branches, as well as bringing down power and telephone lines not only in town but all over the surrounding countryside. “Some Gunnison families
Bruce Bartleson Gunnison
Does Gunnison care about local business? Editor: I would like to address the article about the closing of Cabin Cannabis. Everything in the article was absolutely true. We have been fighting with the state, county and local government since 2014 when we opened the cultivation center and didn't have a retail operation yet. However, the article does not address the actual reason we made the devastating decision to close our doors. As of Dec 1. 2023, we were fully ready to re-up our licenses and go for another year. I would like to give a short timeline of when we moved the retail store from near the airport to our recent location on Tomichi Avenue. When we moved, there was no retail space. Nonetheless, we started paying several months on the lease, trying to help another local business owner stay afloat. We then went through the process of condominiumizing the property to have a retail space. We then used our money to gut and rebuild a useless space in the back of the building and built ourselves the ADA acces-
sible retail storefront space that became the cabin. For the length of our lease, we paid well over market value for the lease on the space, again trying to help another local business owner. This year we tried to compromise some terms on our lease. It was a nonstarter. The sick irony is that after 10 years of fighting the government to make this more sustainable and advocating for local business, a difficult and changing lease was the reason we actually closed our doors. So in the end, there is a beautiful ADA accessible retail storefront that we bought, paid for and built ourselves — that can be rented again — and we are out of business. I guess no good deed goes unpunished. We loved and will greatly miss being a part of the Gunnison business community. We are all in this together, right? Well, some of us anyway. The letter is really a commentary on the false narrative that Gunnison cares about local business. From the top down, city government officials, and even people who work for you, walk out of Walmart with beer and wine in their cart. And obviously even down to local business owners. We are not in this together. Everyone is still looking out for themselves. Joey Costello Gunnison
Gunnison Country Times
Coldharbour seeks greater presence in community
Thursday, January 25, 2023 • NEWS • A5
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A view of Coldharbour Ranch (Courtesy Hannah S chaefer Tibbett)
Long-term vision includes visitors center and museum Abby Harrison Times Staff Writer
In 2024, Coldharbour Institute, the Gunnison Valley’s outdoor “learning laboratory,” is planning for a new visitor center, museum and more education classes than ever before. The goal, according to board members, is to cement Coldharbour as a gathering space for all in the community, not just researchers. The nonprofit Coldharbour Institute welcomes students, professionals and locals for e d u cat i o na l p ro g ra m m i ng and research on its 340-acre ranch just seven miles east of Gunnison. Most of the land is under a restrictive conservation easement and welcomes families of mule deer, elk and waterfowl each year. This year, the five-person board plans to hire more staff, expand partnerships with local land management and wildlife agencies and loop in local high schoolers for paid work opportunities. The board is also preparing for a multi-million dollar capital campaign, meant to support its long-term vision for the institute. This includes turning the historic homestead into a visitor center and museum, with office space. As of now, the amount of the capital campaign is not final and the board has yet to approve these goals, contained in its strategic plan. “We want to have a visitor center where folks coming in from the Front Range or from our community can go and learn about the incredible history of our valley,” said the institute’s Interim Executive Director Hannah S chaefer Tibbett. Through a partnership with Western Colorado University, Coldharbour has long offered
students the chance to do research on local wildlife populations, build beaver dams and even catalog the tiny macroinvertebrate species found in Tomichi Creek. While Western’s fellows have worked on the property for years, the board wants to welcome the younger generation. Its applied sustainability program, which provides educational programs for children and adults, will add the “youth regenerative corps.” This is a new internship program for high school students in which they’ll get paid and receive class credit for work with nonprofits and local governments. The goal is to have a pilot program by this fall, Tibbett said. The institute plans to bolster its solar panel program by hiring a paid staff member to increase outreach to the Gunnison Valley. That program collects, tests and installs used solar panels on low-income homes in Gunnison County. The board plans to help the Gunnison Country Food Pantry and a mobile home park in the City of Gunnison install solar panels. The institute has offered regenerative agriculture classes to farmers and ranchers for a few years. This includes financial planning and land management. In 2024, Coldharbour plans to contract with more accredited teachers, increase course offerings and partner with more universities on the Front Range. There’s a fee to take the course, but Coldharbour has offered scholarships in the past. The organization hopes to use the money from the capital campaign to renovate the ranch’s historic homestead into a museum, classrooms and visitors center. Members are looking to designate parts of the building, built in 1906, with the Colorado State Register of Historic Properties, which would open up more grant opportunities. Tibbett hopes the new space will facilitate teaching students from the Gunnison Watershed School District about water
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ecology. They would start in a classroom, but soon put on waders and wander out to the Tomichi or Cochetopa creeks and see and feel the water for thems elves, she said. Classrooms would provide research space for the institute’s Western fellows and maybe be available for rent to the public. “This could potentially be not only a learning classroom, but also a place where people can come to enjoy and reconnect with land,” said board member Rachel Sabbato. One of the institute’s “biggest” pushes in 2024 is to work with Mountain Roots Food Project to fundraise for a new water well on the east side of the ranch that would not only support its farming operations, but potentially serve future buildings, Tibbett said. Mountain Roots rents about an acre of land from Coldharbour to grow the many vegetables that locals receive in their CSA box each year. These expansive goals are meant to capture the goal of longtime locals Butch and Judy Clark of seeing the ranch preserved to benefit the community in perpetuity, offering a space for locals to gather and play outdoors. The Clarks donated the 340-acre ranch in 2015. Board members also imagine that Coldharbour might offer a trail network in the future, to create more ways for the public to use and enjoy the open lands. “[Butch] was always willing to learn and introduce new ideas. His generosity will be a legacy that reaches generations,” Sabbato said. “Hopefully, through the ranch, we can continue to spread that ripple effect into food systems and building techniques, and general care and regenerative practices for the land.” The board will review these goals before potential approval at its February meeting. (Abby Harrison can be contacted at 970.641.1414 or abby@ gunnisontimes.com.)
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A6 • NEWS • Thursday, January 25, 2023
Schools from A1 supported by a property tax increase in 2023, will fund district-wide renovation projects at each of the Gunnison Valley’s schools. This includes updating aging infrastructure, expanding student programs and improving security systems. The district’s goal is to finish construction by the end of 2026. Chris Guarino and John Usery, from Artaic Group, GWSD’s owner’s representative, gave the school board an update on the design timeline and potential grant funding at a regular meeting on Jan. 15. For months, community members and district faculty have shaped the project through design advisory groups. At the same time, contractors have completed energy modeling, demographic studies and land surveying. That feedback and data contributes to the project’s schematic design phase, when the renovation plans get more detailed and trade-offs are identified. “We encourage everyone to dream big during schematic design, and we capture everything, all the needs and wants and desires,” Guarino said. The schematic designs came in about 10-15% over budget, but this is an expected part of the process, Guarino said. Now, the executive committee — composed of Superintendent Leslie Nichols, board president Tyler Martineau, the district’s Business Manager Tia Mills and Transportation Manager Paul Morgan — will whittle the plans down to fit the district’s budget.
Whetstone from A1 sion, Assistant County Manager for Community and Economic Development Cathie Pagano wrote in a memo. Commissioners approved the more general design, a sketch plan, in early 2023. After months of feedback from the community, the plan was refined to include another 20 units, space for a turf field and
The team hopes that the project will ultimately cost less than what’s been budgeted, Guarino said. So far, Artaic has spent nearly $1.3 million. Most of that has been on design work for the Crested Butte Community School, which will undergo some of the district’s most expansive renovations. The team expects to have a final price for the entire project by the end of the year. Project planners will continue to meet with district staff and community members to focus on more specific areas of the school, like individual classrooms, and what Gunnison Community School’s (GCS) expanded cafeteria or the Lake School’s playground will look like. Even with significant taxpayer support, the team plans to submit two grants to the Colorado Department of Education’s BEST program, which funds the construction of new schools and renovation of existing schools. Submitting grants throughout the process is a part of the Artaic’s strategy to “stretch bond dollars further,” Guarino told the Times. “ When we're planning construction projects, it's in our best interest to try to get as many resources as possible, to try to make the dollars go as far as we can,” he said. The team is applying for the most “urgent” renovations. This includes HVAC mechanical systems at GCS and Crested Butte Community School. A large portion of the HVAC equipment — air handling units and boilers — date back to the late 90s. Planners estimate the total cost of the HVAC overhaul will be about $11 million. The security grant, which a room for community gatherings. But not much else has changed with the site or the surrounding land, project architect Elena Scott wrote in a letter to commissioners. Before county officials can submit the preliminary plan, they need approval from the CBf Town Council to connect with the town’s water and sewer utilities. The town and the county went back and forth on the decision for months, as councilors requested the county prove the connection would not
Gunnison Country Times
District-wide renovations are expected to be complete by the end of 2026. (Photo by Mariel Wiley)
would cover renovations district-wide, includes the secure entryway vestibule, interior push lock buttons and security cameras. This cost is expected to be around $4 million. Artaic is hoping the grants would cover about a third of the overall cost. Current designs also plan for bullet-proof glazing at school entrances and moving administrative offices to the front of the building. These details provide general security, but are also motivated by the trend of continued school shootings in the last five years. Each district is given a unique match amount for the BEST grants, calculated off its overall
budget, student population and enrollment. Gunnison’s is 61% this year, but Guarino suggested the district opt into a 65% match to strengthen the application. Voters approving the bond last fall should also give Gunnison a leg up, he said. The district would be pitted against schools around the state, vying for the same limited pot of money. If the district receives the money, it will have three years to complete the outlined projects. The district will know if it received the funds by July of this year. However, the team is not factoring grants into their budget as they work to complete the design. “It would be irresponsible for
us to count on it. So we have to take this as a bonus if it comes,” Guarino said. Community meetings on Jan. 31 in Gunnison, and Feb. 1 in Crested Butte will offer a closer look at the current schematic design. At a school board meeting on Feb. 12, Artaic will report on the updates scope of the project, the budget and alternative design options.
impact current ratepayers, or put the town’s infrastructure at risk. The county presented a study that found that the town’s current utility infrastructure could support Whetstone without “expensive and exhaustive expansion.” It also stated that increased use would be covered by the town’s monthly user rates. A surcharge would cover the few cases where maintaining Whetstone’s system goes “over and above” normal operations, the study stated.
Planners anticipate approval from CB council before the end of February.
Housing Authority Fund (separate from the Gunnison Valley Regional Housing Authority) for utility design. The fund is not yet two years old, but was created to keep the county’s ledgers clear as it consolidates loans, rent revenue and grant funding for its housing projects. The county can’t get reimbursed for the money spent. But utility infrastructure will cost more than $10 million, and officials were expecting to spend into its own funds eventually. “We were just not able to spend [the grant] on these early design phases like we would have preferred,” Birnie said. But grants often come with a requirement that money be spent by a certain date, and with the Gunnison Valley’s short building seasons, risk increases as more time passes without a contract. Without that grant money, the county won’t break ground on utility infrastructure, he said.
Locals and planners walk around the Whetstone site in the summer of 2023. (Courtesy Gunnison County)
State money woes The county has spent roughly $1.7 million on Whetstone already, County Manager Matt Birnie told the Times. That’s divided between consulting services, surveying, engineering and architecture to design both the development’s future utilities and buildings. The county will finance the over $120 million project through a mix of grants and bonds, and hopes to start issuing those bonds before the end of the year. In the spring of 2023, the county received a $10 million grant from the Colorado Department of Local Affairs (DOLA) that is expected to cover nearly the full cost of roads, water, sewer, electric and sidewalks. But the state has yet to issue a contract that will detail how the money can be spent and what data must be reported back. Without the contract, the county won't see a dime. “Every grant that we're seeking with the state has a very long, arduous selection process that is just drawn out for months and months,” Cattles said. “Then the contracting process is even worse.” In the interim, the county has spent nearly $500,000 out of its
(Abby Harrison can be contacted at 970.641.1414 or abby@ gunnisontimes.com.)
(Abby Harrison can be contacted at 970.641.1414 or abby@ gunnisontimes.com.)
Thursday, January 25, 2023 • NEWS • A7
Gunnison Country Times
Ouray from A1 evening. Within its coverage, the Plaindealer did not disclose Choate’s relationship to the sexual assault case. The story of the stolen newspapers made headlines across the county. The New York Times, CBS News, the Denver Post and CNN, among countless others, reported on the incident. The Plaindealer received positive and negative feedback about the article, McIntyre said. She and Wiggins plan to address the feedback in a column this week.
“We’re going to tell the stories that are important for our community to know, even if they’re ugly.” Erin McIntyre Ouray County Plaindealer
Despite the uproar, McIntyre said if the newspaper fails to report on these kinds of stories, they get “swept under the rug.” “After the spotlight is gone here, we're still going to be there covering this case to the very end,” she said. “And we're going to tell the stories that are important for our community to know, even if they're ugly.” McIntyre and Wiggins plan to press charges against Choate. Under Colorado law, stealing newspapers is a civil infraction punishable by a fine of up to $5,000, depending on the number of newspapers involved. The offender must have the intent of preventing others from reading
that edition. “The messenger is always an easy target,” she said. “But the people who support us understand we're doing our job.” According to Jeffrey Roberts, the executive director of the Colorado Freedom of Information Coalition, this was a “shameful” attempt to try to stifle the distribution of a story of significant public interest in Ouray. “Stealing newspapers from a newspaper rack doesn’t stop a story in the internet age. It’s online, as well as in the print edition, and now it’s been shared probably thousands of times since we learned about the theft,” Roberts said. Stolen newspapers are not unheard of in Colorado. In 2019, copies of Colorado State University’s student newspaper, the Rocky Mountain Collegian, disappeared after the publication of a story about violated rules during student government elections. According to a story from the Denver Post, the paper’s editors reported that an estimated 1,000 copies were removed from campus racks and thrown out. Attempted censorship of local news has also happened closer to home. In 2015, the Gunnison County Times published a story about a Gunnison local who had been sentenced for sexually assaulting a woman whom he’d helped get work as a housekeeper. The next morning, racks were found empty. The newspapers were recovered shortly afterward, and former publisher Chris Dickey decided not to press charges.
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A8 • NEWS • Thursday, January 25, 2023
Gunnison Country Times
A local legacy: horses and a helping hand Brett Redden dies at 60 Bella Biondini Times Editor
The Gunnison County CSU Extension archives contain a faded photograph of Brett Redden as a child standing outside the fairgrounds with his steer. The snapshot was just the beginning of what would become a lifetime dedicated to youth education through the valley’s 4-H programs. A man of painstaking patience, Brett was known for decades of selfless acts of service to those around him. He died in December at just 60 years old, taking with him a wealth of knowledge about horses, water and the land. Brett left behind two daughters along with a large hole in Gunnison’s 4-H horse program that will take time to fill, said CSU Extension Director Hannah Cranor Kersting. “If you had a question, you asked Brett, and he always knew the answer,” Kersting said. “He would drop everything to help 4-H kids.” Brett was born to Wilbur and Alice Redden in 1963, and raised on the family ranch in
rolling hills of the Ohio Creek Valley. His younger sister, Wendy, was born a little over a year later. He grew up on horseback, helping his parents move cattle from the ranch to Red Mountain. Sometimes the family would hire an extra hand, but often it was just the four of them, Wendy said. The Reddens didn’t have much money and rarely took a vacation, except the occasional venture to the shores of Lake Powell. From the time Brett and Wendy were old enough to stand up, they skied every weekend. Ski passes were expensive ($250 for a family season pass). But they splurged and the children were required to ski every weekend to get their money’s worth. “And through the trees we’d go, up and down and off trail — nothing like they do today. That was big fun,” Wendy said. Brett and Wendy were inseparable from the beginning. In high school, their parents bought them snowmobiles. They’d come home after school, do their chores and vanish into the evening on adventures that would later characterize their youth. “On more nights than not we got home after dark, but Brett always got us home,” Wendy
said. “He always took care of his little sister.”
“Water was important to all of them as ranchers, but Brett wanted to give back to the community that had given so much to him growing up.” Wendy Redden Although the two had their fights, they were best friends. The pair spent “hundreds of thousands of hours” together, and didn’t need to use many words to work together on the ranch, she said. Brett and Wendy were working with their steers one day when Brett said something to make his sister angry. She marched into the house to get the broom because she knew she wasn’t tough enough to beat him. “He said ‘You better turn around and see who is standing behind you,’” Wendy said. “My
mom followed me out to the corral, so that took care of the fight. That’s probably the worst we ever got into.” In his youth, Brett participated in the Junior Hereford Association, Future Farmers of America and joined Gunnison County’s 4-H program. Through these programs, he began his life-long pursuit of knowledge, and learned how to lead through example. At conferences, he would walk up to strangers and introduce himself. Meeting new people was an adventure, Wendy said. Brett attended Colorado State University in the 1980s, earning a bachelors in agricultural science. He grew interested in politics, and his studies led him to Washington D.C. — an experience that eventually guided him to the Upper Gunnison River Water Conservancy District’s board of directors. He served as chair for nearly a decade. “Water was important to all of them as ranchers, but Brett wanted to give back to the community that had given so much to him growing up,” Wendy said. Brett stayed ceaselessly busy, and held many positions through the years, serving as the exalted ruler of the Gunnison Elks Lodge and Cattlemen’s Days president. He had a knack for fixing things, worked at the
airport, as an EMT and even directed the Cattlemen’s parade and horse races for a period. After being bucked off the backs of many horses when he was younger, it wasn’t until later in his life he discovered he had a real talent for the animals. He would spend 30 years working with local kids on 4-H horse projects — something that became his passion as his own daughters, Lily and Maddie, entered the program. He led Boots and Bridles, the same club he was a member of in his youth. In the 4-H horse program, members learn how to ride, feed and take care of horses. Although the group had recently lost a few seniors, Brett continued to build the program. If kids didn’t have a horse, he would bring an extra down to the fairgrounds. He led Monday night rides, and remembered every detail from the 4-H horse rulebook because he wanted the kids to excel. “He didn't do it because he had to anymore, he just did it because he truly loved it … He was the heart and soul of that program,” said Kirsten Paulson, the co-chair of the program. (Bella Biondini can be contacted at 970.641.1414 or bella@ gunnisontimes.com.)
Brett teaches 4-H members about horse safety during the spring of 2023. (Courtesy Perri Pelletier/Gunnison County Extension)
Brett and his daughter, Lily, at 4-H achievement night in Gunnison.
Brett shows a steer when he was a member of 4-H.
Thursday, January 25, 2023 • NEWS • A9
Gunnison Country Times
Election season inches closer Adam Frisch, a Democratic candidate for Colorado’s Third Congressional District (CD3), visited with locals at High Alpine Brewery on Monday, Jan. 22. Incumbent U.S. Rep. Lauren Boebert narrowly defeated Frisch in the race to represent CD3 in 2022. Boebert recently announced she was switching districts, and will seek the Republican nomination in Colorado’s Fourth District.
(Photo by Abby Harrison)
43110 US Highway 50 | Gunnison
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Stevens honored for sage-grouse conservation work Last week, the Gunnison County Sage-Grouse Strategic Committee selected Brian Stevens as the 2023 recipient of its stewardship award. The committee recognized Stevens’ tremendous contributions to sage-grouse conservation over many years as a Bureau of Land Management (BLM) employee. Stevens has used his skillset to deliver on-theground cheatgrass control to preserve healthy sagebrush ecosystems. In 2018, the community informally united to address the growing concern about the spread of cheatgrass in the valley. Since then, Stevens has been at the forefront of cheatgrass inventory efforts, seed collections, hand pulling, road decommissioning, spraying cheatgrass and many more projects. He has also been a key organizer of numerous Public Lands Day events hosted by the BLM in partnership with Western Colorado University and others. “Brian has brought hundreds of thousands of dollars to bear on the effort, one that is holding the line on cheatgrass invasion,” said Western’s Pat Magee. “If the sagebrush dominated valley vanishes under cheatgrass fueled fires, there is little doubt that the Gunnison Sage-grouse will spiral to extinction. Therefore, the Strategic Committee recognized Brian’s creative leadership, tireless work ethic and unique ability to make friends and make people laugh.”
217 W Rio Grand Avenue | Gunnison
30 Caddis Fly Lane | Gunnison
2 Bed | 2.5 Bath | 899 SF + finished basement | $385,000
1.12 Acres | Level Building Site | $265,000
The Brian Cooper Team 970.275.8022 | brian@bbre1.com
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if you’d like to get an ad into the homes and gardens, contact Steve nunn by NOON 2/16 at admanager@gunnisontimes.com OR 970.641.1414
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A10 • NEWS • Thursday, January 25, 2023
Gunnison Country Times
1203 Van Tuyl Circle, MLS #805249, $769,000, 4-Bedroom 3.25 Bathrooms 1766 sqft built in 2017. This quaint contemporary single family home is surrounded by magnificent views of the Palisades in the quiet neighborhood of Van Tuyl Village. This 4-bedroom 3.25-bathroom property, a primary bedroom with full bathroom on the ground floor and half bedroom by the utility room that is easily accessible by guests and friends when entertaining. The living room is equipped with a pellet stove, moving into an open kitchen area with granite countertops, a deep sink and dining area nearby. The upstairs consists of a second primary bedroom with 3/4 bathroom and two large bedrooms with a full bathroom in the hallway. The natural sunlight from the expansive windows throughout the property provides views and sun exposure. The huge fenced in front yard will enable you to garden and play with your pet(s) and/or entertain your family and friends during the beautiful sunny summers in Gunnison. The irrigation ditch is available during spring/summer/ fall months to water the yard and provide you with ambient noise to enjoy during the pleasant Gunnison evenings. Call the listing agent for further questions and to schedule a showing.
SOLD!
UNDER CONTRACT
Guilty plea entered for 2022 pedestrian death in Gunnison
216 Lochleven Lane, MLS #804508, $875,000, 3-Bedroom 2-Bathroom 1,988 sqft, built in 1985, and with1.056 acres with attached car garage. Well built home situated in the beautiful little Homestead Subdivision in Almont. Sit on your large front deck and revel in the views up the East River Valley. Located just 10 min from Gunnison and 20 min from CB, you are centrally located to enjoy the activities the area has to offer from world class fishing, rafting and hiking to snowmobiling and skiing. This 2 story home has its main living area on the top floor with a large open kitchen/ dining living room area with a wood stove that keeps the top floor nice and warm. This area is a great space to gather and entertain as you take in the views surrounding the property. The property also has a sunroom that can be accessed from the second level or has 2 separate entrances from the exterior. There is a 1 car oversized attached garage and located next to the garage is a very large storage room/closet for all of your storage needs. The home has a lot of deck area on the outside for outdoor entertaining or to casually relax and take in the many different views. Almont is a quaint small town with 2 restaurants/bars located within minutes from the property. There is a free bus that runs up and down the valley from Gunnison to CB with a stop located in Almont. 459 Fairway Lane MLS #806172 $850,00 4-bedroom 3-bathroom 2291sqft. built in 1979 This contemporary quaint rustic house is within a profoundly well known subdivision, Dos Rios III. Close vicinity to the back 9 of the Dos Rios Golf Course. On a .46 of an acre, has 4-bedrooms and 3-bathrooms, the house features hardwood/tile floors, kitchen fully equipped with stainless appliances, kitchen cabinets and an open concept living room with a wood burning stove and second living room or/an office has a pellet stove. On the first floor you have a half bathroom that is easily accessible. On the second floor the master suite has an oversized bedroom with a full bathroom and a walk-in closet with a sliding barn door. The other full bathroom is down the hallway between the other two oversized bedrooms. The enormous backyard has a shed and plenty of sun exposure to plant/seed flowers, play with your pets and have get-togethers with friends. The two car garage is attached to the house and is very spacious and heated by a wood burning stove. There is sufficient amount of parking in the driveway and along the east side of the house. This home is magnificent so don’t miss out and schedule a showing by contacting the agent. 413 W New York MLS #805945 2125 sqft 1 bathroom Commercial Retail $525,000 Perfect Opportunity to Move a Business and/or a Start a New Business with great past history of tenants using the retail storefront i.e for nail/salon, daycare, mechanical auto body, pet/animal feed and accessories-retail and granite-retail/distribution to name a few. The property consists of about 1500 sqft of retail space with storefront access to New York and a half bathroom that is easily accessible for staff and customers to use. An added bonus is having an attached garage with about 625 sqft with an overhead garage bay. The garage could be a storage facility or part of business operations. The property has 5 parking spaces and close to Safeway and the new location of 5 Bs. A growing and upcoming neighborhood. Don’t miss this opportunity contact the listing agent to schedule a showing.
71 Caddis Fly Lane - $200,000, MLS# 809269 Nice level 1.07 acre lot with trees located on on dead end road so there is ultimate privacy. Electric to corner of lot and it is with in close walking distance to HOA rental house for owners use. Subdivision located just minutes north of town and includes fishing rights along the Gunnison River and also includes many walking paths throughout the subdivision. Lot A next to this lot is also for sale, now is a great opportunity to pick up 2 lots to create more privacy!
SOLD!
KELLY
MCKINNIS
970.641.4880
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Hearing set for Jan. 30 Abby Harrison Times Staff Writer
The driver who hit and killed Irene Flores-Zeferino, 25, with his car during the summer of 2022 pled guilty to a count of careless driving resulting in death and one count of reckless driving. In July of 2022, William Hines, 32, struck Flores-Zeferino while she was crossing Hwy. 50 at the intersection of New York Avenue. The Gunnison Police Department responded to the call just before 9:30 p.m. FloresZeferino was transported to Gunnison Valley Hospital, and later, St. Mary’s Hospital in Grand Junction, where she was pronounced dead. On Jan. 4, just six days before a trial was set to start, the parties agreed to a deferred judgment and sentence for the first count of careless driving resulting in death. This agreement means the defendant enters a guilty plea in exchange for a probationary period with certain conditions. The deal followed nearly a year of back and forth in county court, in which the case nearly progressed to a jury trial twice. If Hines completes the terms of the deferred sentence, the case against him will be dismissed with no conviction. If he breaches any condition of the agreement, the court will enter a judgment and sentence for the guilty plea. For the next two years, Hines will be on unsupervised probation. During that time, he agreed not to commit any criminal offenses (excluding minor traffic infractions), report changes in his phone number
or address and pay any victim compensation and restitution fees. He also agreed to 10-15 days in jail, 120 hours of public service, abstaining from “excessive” drinking and marijuana. He is also required to complete a mental health evaluation. Hines also entered a guilty plea to an additional charge of reckless driving, a Class 2 traffic offense. In Colorado, Class 2 traffic offenses are punishable by 10 to 90 days in county jail and/or $150 to $300 in fines, plus DMV points. A sentencing hearing is set for Jan. 30 at 11 a.m. The community has continued to put pressure on the city to address Gunnison’s busy, and often dangerous intersections. It is not uncommon for speeding cars to race through neighborhoods, while Gunnison itself is intersected by two major highways. City manager Amanda Wilson, who is still relatively new in her position, said that improving street safety is a priority headed into 2024. “One fatality is unacceptable. The loss of Irene is unacceptable,” Wilson wrote in a statement to the Times. “While the city is investing several million in federal, state and local tax dollars in 2024 to improve safety on our streets, the work is never done. This recent plea deal serves as a renewed reminder that our actions as a municipality and as roadway users can have a direct impact on lives and families.” (Abby Harrison can be contacted at 970.641.1414 or abby@ gunnisontimes.com.)
Thursday, January 25, 2023 • NEWS • A11
Gunnison Country Times
Woytek represents school district in Denver
Hiring Executive Director Position
GHS principal attends education advocacy conference
3/4- time position with competitive pay. Job description & duties available at www.CrestedButteWildflowerFestival.org Please email resume & cover letter to info@cbwildflower.com
Abby Harrison Times Staff Writer
Last week, Gunnison High School principal Jim Woytek climbed up the stone steps of the Colorado State Capitol for the first time in over a decade. The last time was when he was in high school and GHS civics teacher Tom Percival took his class to the fabled golden dome. On Jan. 17, Woytek visited the Front Range for a conference with the Colorado Association of School Executives (CASE), a lobbying and networking group for public school administrators. CASE represents more than 3,600 school and district leaders from nearly every one of Colorado’s 178 school districts. Educators attended the conference to network, share their district’s unique challenges and listen to their legislators in open session. Woy t e k s at i n t h e ga l lery of the Colorado General Assembly where representatives sparred over the earned income tax bill. Later, the House Education Committee discussed the coming end to the Budget Stabilization Factor, a tool that has siphoned money from Colorado school districts in order to balance other state budgets. The Colorado School Finance Project, a nonprofit that collects and aggregates school finance data, estimates that Gunnison Watershed School District has lost nearly $22 million in the last decade and a half. The committee’s discussion
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GHS principal Jim Woytek with Sen. Perry Will. (Courtesy Lynn Bartels)
touched on Universal Pre-K and concurrent enrollment, a program that allows Colorado high schoolers to take college classes before they graduate. Each district pays into the program in order to keep it free for students. Legislators considered capping the program to limit each district’s financial losses. Woytek was the only educator from Sen. Perry Will’s district —which includes Gunnison, Delta, Eagle, Garfield, Hinsdale, Montrose and Pitkin counties. Woytek said that while administrators from the Front Range face common issues like low test scores and staff retention, districts in rural and resort areas also contend with soaring home prices, limited recruitment ability and high construction costs. “People on the Eastern Slope don't always understand how
remote we really are,” Woytek said. “If we have a broken HVAC system and it's something that a local can't do, you have to schedule somebody to come over from Grand Junction or Denver three weeks out. The added time and energy, and cost, is huge.”
“We believe that stories of adventure have the power to ignite positive change in our communities and our world. Through adventure, we find our best selves and encourage those around us to do the same.” 5POINT Film Festival
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DON’T MISS THIS EXCITING AND INSPIRING EVENING. FILM TIME IS ABOUT 90 MINUTES.
(Abby Harrison can be contacted at 970.641.1414 or abby@ gunnisontimes.com.)
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A12 • NEWS • Thursday, January 25, 2023
Gunnison Country Times
BUY OF THE WEEK
ABSOLUTELY STUNNING 2,800 square foot home positioned at the end of the Ohio Creek Valley sitting on 40 +/- acres surrounded by beautiful mountain and valley views. Located 45 minutes from Gunnison and 1 hour from Crested Butte. The kitchen features stainless steel appliances, custom cabinets, recessed lighting throughout and million dollar views of the valley while cooking. Stay warm all winter long with in-floor radiant heat in the entire 3 bedroom/3 bath home and garage. Two of the oversized bedrooms feature their own bathrooms and closet organizers. The master bedroom has south facing windows with incredible views, his and her walk-in closets with a separate office/bedroom. The laundry room /office has cabinets for additional storage or pantry items. You’ll love the 2,800 square foot, 4 car oversized garage’s amazing work space with a walk-in cooler and 3 bay stainless steel sink. Property has high speed internet from Xtream internet. Carbon Creek runs through the acreage with an abundance of wildlife including elk, deer and an occasional moose. This is a must see property! 3750 County Road 737 $2,500,000
HONEST, ETHICAL, PROFESSIONAL ClArke AgenCy reAl esTATe Audrie Townsend Broker/Owner
(970) 209-6208
241 N. Main St. Gunnison, CO 81230 www.clarkeagency.net
People’s Choice Award for Best Realtor 2021 & 2022
Josh Townsend Broker/Owner
(970) 209-4479
HAPPY NEW YEAR TO THE GUNNISON VALLEY!
Best wishes in 2024 from everyone at the Coffee Trader
Your coffee gift card headquarters! We look forward to serving you in 2024!
ON THE CORNER OF MAIN ST. AND DENVER
Community mental health survey opens Results will guide Gunnison Valley providers Abby Harrison Times Staff Writer
Crested Butte State of Mind is asking Gunnison County residents to participate in a survey, offered in English and Spanish, that will help local health providers get a better understanding of the community’s mental well-being. The survey will close on Feb. 16. Residents in resort communities as close as Eagle County, Colorado and as far as Jackson, Wyoming and Truckee, California are also completing the survey. By the end of April, the data will be compiled into a dashboard that participating communities use to support local behavioral health work. While the shared issues between mountain resort towns — loneliness, substance use and lack of resources — aren't a secret, the data can help disparate communities learn from one another, said CB State of Mind Executive Director Meghan Dougherty. “It's a way to highlight what the needs are, and how other communities are looking to address them,” Dougherty said. “Then sharing that knowledge and those success strategies
across these mountain communities.” CB State of Mind was created by the Gunnison Valley community to respond to the growing mental health crisis. Gunnison County has nearly two times the rate of suicide deaths than the state-wide average, but its residents have less access to mental health care providers. This survey, unlike previous ones in the valley that have focused on broad issues like affordable housing and health care, is dialed in for behavioral health, Dougherty said. The questions measure aspects of life in the valley that have not yet been captured locally. “It’s connectedness to your community. Do you feel safe in your neighborhood? If you know what resources exist in our community, do you know how to access them? If somebody came to you for help, do you feel equipped to help that person?” she said. The survey is funded by the Katz Amsterdam Foundation, co-founded by Vail Resort’s former Chief Executive Officer Rob Katz and his wife, Elana Amsterdam. This foundation already gives money to both CB State of Mind and Gunnison Valley Health. “They have been pouring funds into their resort communities for several years now to help focus on behavioral health efforts to kind of address that
mental health crisis in mountain towns,” she said. Behavioral health providers in the valley will receive their own survey, meant to reveal what services are already provided, the state of insurance coverage and what populations are not being served. CB State of Mind is sponsoring the local survey and plans to conduct one every two years — allowing the organization to create a baseline that shows what is working and what still needs to be addressed. Nearly 200 households will be selected at random for a phone survey, conducted mid-January and February by the national research firm PRC of Omaha, Nebraska. An online survey is also available at cbstateofmind.org. Both the online and phone versions should take less than 10 minutes to complete. For more information visit cbstateofmind.org (Abby Harrison can be contacted at 970.641.1414 or abby@ gunnisontimes.com.) Scan QR code to take the survey
Paradise Paradox Western Colorado University students, community members and local health care professionals gathered on Jan. 18 at University Center Theatre for a film showing of “Paradise Paradox.” The film explores the mental health crisis in mountain towns across the American West, focusing on the Vail Valley. The county’s GRASP consortium and its partners, Crested Butte State of Mind and Axis Health, hosted the event. After the film, a panel that included a ski patroller, a Western student and a Crested Butte Mountain Resort employee answered questions.
MAJESTIC THEATRE
SHOWTIMES FRI JAN 26- THURS FEB 1 CLOSED MONDAY JAN 29
POOR THINGS (R) DAILY: 4:00 & 7:00 PM
ANYONE BUT YOU (R) DAILY: 4:15 & 7:15 PM
WEAK LAYERS (NR) SUNDAY: 4:30 & 7:30 PM WEDS + THURS: 4:00 PM
CBMAJESTIC.ORG
(Photo by Abby Harrison)
Thursday, January 25, 2023 • NEWS • A13
Gunnison Country Times
A crafternoon at the library The Gunnison County Library hosted its monthly crafternoon on Thursday, Jan. 18. So many residents attended the free event that the group overflowed from the meeting room into the main library. Using beads and pliers, Ellen Davis instructed crafters on how to make crystal suncatchers.
(Photos by Bella Biondini)
Hibernation hangout Keelin McCarthy read several books out loud to a large group of children and parents at the Gunnison County Library on Saturday, Jan. 20. The crowd donned their coziest pajamas for storytime.
(Photos by Jacob Spetzler)
A14 • NEWS • Thursday, January 25, 2023
Experience Dinner at Taylor River Lodge.
Join us for an enchanting evening tucked away in the Taylor Canyon for the finest of local flavors.
Gunnison Country Times
TAYLOR RI V ER LOD GE COLORADO
Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat & Sun nights
Prescribed fire in wilderness research team honored by Forest Service
Seatings: 5:30, 6:00, 6:30, 7:00, and 7:30 pm
$225 per person Includes 4-course dinner and all house alcohol. Private shuttle available at an additional cost.
Reservations: trldinnerreservations@elevenexperience.com (970) 319-3693
(Courtesy Western Colorado University)
STAND OUT IN A MOUNTAIN CROWD!
Signs • Vehicle Decals & Wraps Store front signs and lettering Screenprinting • Embroidery Promotional Products • Stickers Banners • CANVAS PHOTO WRAPS
In December, the U.S. Forest Service honored a research team from Western Colorado University’s Center for Public Lands for its paper, “Prescribed Fire and U.S. Wilderness Areas: Barriers and Opportunities for Wilderness Fire Management in a Time of Change.” T h e g ro u p re c e i v e d a n “Excellence in Wilderness R e s e a rc h” aw a rd f o r t h e paper, which was published in September of 2023. The research team included graduate student Dagny Signorelli, who is earning her Master of Science in Ecology, and Master of Environmental Management student Alyssa Worsham, along with faculty members Melanie Armstrong and Jonathan Coop. The paper was a synthesis of the discussions held during the
Wilderness and Fire Workshop in Gunnison in December 2022. It explores the threats posed to wilderness by fire exclusion, barriers to ideal fire management and opportunities for managers to use prescribed fire as a tool to restore degraded wilderness landscapes. The workshop was a collaboration between Western’s Center for Public Lands and the Rocky Mountain Research S t a t i o n ’s A l d o L e o p o l d Wilderness Research Institute. It brought together participants from land management agencies, Tribes, and organizations from across the country to consider the dilemma posed by prescribing fire within wilderness areas. In addition to acknowledging the work of all the project par-
ticipants, Coop said the award indicates an increasing recognition within the Forest Service that the fire management paradigms of the last century need to evolve to keep up with the times. “Ecological science and Indigenous knowledge tell us that we need fire on the landscape in order to sustain many of the values these places provide,” Coop said. “Prescribed fire may be the best means we have of getting the right kind of fire on the ground, and it is rewarding to see an emerging consensus around this view.” (Source: Western Colorado University.)
‘The Crow and The Raven’ The Kitchen Dwellers, which play an upbeat twist of bluegrass, folk and rock, performed at the Crested Butte Center for the Arts on Saturday, Jan. 20.
(Courtesy Nolan Blunck)
THURSDAY, JANUARY 25, 2023
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CLASSIFIEDS EMPLOYMENT REAL ESTATE RENTALS
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Classifieds EMPLOYMENT
GUNNISON VALLEY HEALTH IS HIRING: Please note this is not a complete list of all our open jobs. You can view all open positions on our website at jobs.gunnisonvalleyhealth.org. Financial Counselor, Customer Service - FT $18.50-$23.12 Cook, Senior Care Center FT $17-$19.55/hour DOE Housekeeper - FT $17-$20.50/hr DOE Benefits Eligibility: Medical, dental, vision, health care FSA and dependent care FSA. All active employees working 40 or more hours per pay period are eligible for benefits on the first of the month following date of hire. PRN staff are not initially eligible for benefits. Please visit our website for more indepth position descriptions, specific qualification requirements and to apply online: gunnisonvalleyhealth. org/careers/ or call HR for questions 970-641-1456 (PRN = as needed). All offers of employment are contingent upon the successful completion of a negative 10-panel drug screen test, criminal background check, reference checks, infection prevention procedures (TB test, Flu Shot, immunization records, etc.), physical capacity profile and acknowledgement of policies. EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OPENING: Gunnison Valley Regional Housing Authority (GVRHA) is seeking an executive director. Primarily operating out of an office in Gunnison, GVRHA is managed by an intergovernmental agreement among the City of Gunnison, Town of Crested Butte, Town of Mt. Crested Butte, and Gunnison County. The executive director reports to a nine-member board of directors and oversees a budget of $900,000 and a team of four staff. Core services include property management, monitoring deed restrictions, overseeing programs such as GV Heat, and consulting with community partners on affordable housing development. This is a great opportunity for a strong manager, creative problem solver and collaborative leader to join a passionate board and community partners in tackling the most important problem facing Gunnison Valley today. Salary range is $115,000-$150,000 annually DOQ and first review is Jan. 28. For more information, visit GMP Consultants at gmphr.com/job-postings/. THE CLUB AT CRESTED BUTTE is hiring the following part-time and full-time seasonal positions: Front desk attendant, $16-$20/ hr., line cook, $21-$25/hr. + gratuity, server/ bartender, $16/hr. + gratuity, host, $16/ hr. + gratuity. Employee benefits include employee discounts and ski storage at the base area. For more information or to submit a resume, please visit theclubatcrestedbutte. com or email jobs@clubatcrestedbutte.com. CARPENTERS NEEDED: Growing regional, local, Crested Butte born, residential construction company. Excellent pay and benefits. Text 970-765-7414. THE CRESTED BUTTE WILDFLOWER FESTIVAL is hiring an executive director. The CBWF is a well-loved event by both locals and visitors that takes place over two weeks in July. An ideal candidate has a background in non-profit work, experience with project development and execution, excellent communication and leadership skills and an interest in the natural world and trail systems around Crested Butte. The position is 3/4-time. Mid-May through MidAugust is the most time-intensive period of the year and the candidate must be available during those months to be considered. For more details and info on compensation, please visit CrestedButteWildflowerFestival. org and email resume and cover letter to info@cbwildflower.com.
GUNNISON COUNTY EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES Motor Vehicle/Recording Technician Clerk and Recorder: 40 hours/ week, hourly rate range from $21.82-$24.85 plus full benefits. Administrative Assistant III/ Clerk to the Board of County Commissioners Administration: 40 hours/week, monthly salary range from $4,209$4,984 plus full benefits.
Caseworker I HHS: 40 hours/week, monthly salary range from $5,263-$6,399, plus full benefits. Public Health Nurse II – Substance Abuse Prevention Juvenile Services: 20 hours/ week, hourly rate range from $33.79-$41.08 plus partial benefits.
Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LEAP) Administrative Assistant HHS: 5-10 hours/week, hourly rate range from $24.29-$27.65, plus partial benefits. This position is grant funded and will end in April of 2024.
Seasonal Public Works: Guaranteed 40 hours/week, hourly rate range from $20.58-$23.43 depending on experience, plus partial benefits. Outdoor work that includes traffic control, fencing, tree and brush removal, trail work, recycling, equipment training and much more, all in a 4-day work week.
Administrative Generalist HHS: 40 hours/week, hourly rate range from $22.91-$26.08 plus full benefits.
Patrol Deputy Sheriff: Full-time, 40 hours/week, monthly salary range from $5,857$6,669 plus full benefits.
Case Management Aide HHS: 40 hours/week, monthly salary range from $4,966-$6,037 plus full benefits.
Detention Deputy Sheriff: Full-time, 40 hours/week, monthly salary range from $5,263$5,992 plus full benefits. Only work 14 days a month.
For more information, including complete job descriptions, required qualifications and application instructions, please visit GunnisonCounty.org/jobs.
EC ELECTRIC IS SEEKING
Journeyman & Residential Wireman for projects in the Gunnison and Crested Butte areas. Must have a valid Colorado driver’s license and pass a pre-employment drug screen. Top pay & Benefits. Send resumes to info@ec-electric.com or call 970-641-0195 www.ec-electric.com/careers
FOUR DAY/32 HOUR WORK WEEK: CB South Metro District is now accepting applications for a road manager and heavy equipment operator. This position would be responsible for planning, organizing and directing all activities and staff related to the district’s roads and maintenance. Duties include road maintenance, snow removal, drinking water operations, wastewater operations and other day-to-day tasks of running a utility. This job requires the applicant to have motor grader and heavy equipment experience. Applicants must be 18 years of age and have a valid Colorado driver’s license. The successful applicant is eligible to receive an elite benefit package. Full job description, requirements, pay ranges and benefits are available on the district’s website at cbsouthmetro.net. Email resume to info@cbsouthmetro.net or drop off at 280 Cement Creek Road. CLEANER POSITION: The Town of Mt. Crested Butte is hiring for a part-time cleaner. This position will be Monday through Friday, approximately 3-4 hours per day. The cleaner will clean the Mt. Crested Butte Town Hall, police department, maintenance building, TC-1 (Gothic lot) bathrooms and the sitting area in the transit center. The Town Hall and police department cannot be cleaned until after 5 p.m. but other areas can be cleaned on your own schedule. Must be at least 18 years old with a clean driving record, valid Colorado driver’s license and the ability to pass a CBI/ FBI background check. Town pays sick time for all part-time employees. Pay is $25-$35 per hour based on experience. To apply for this position, please submit a resume, cover letter and references to Tiffany O’Connell at toconnell@mtcb.colorado.gov or drop off your application materials at the Mt. Crested Butte Town Hall, 911 Gothic Road, Mt. Crested Butte, CO 81225. If you have any questions please email or call Tiffany O’Connell at 970-349-6632 or toconnell@ mtcb.colorado.gov.\
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!”
CITY OF GUNNISON EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES Construction Project Manager Full-time, $83,200-$112,400/yr This is a temporary, full-time position that is anticipated to be renewed annually for technical oversight for a 5-7 year long, $50 million multi-phased design and construction program for the city’s water system improvements project. Police Officer Full-time, $68,900-$93,100/yr $33.13-$44.76/hr Performs technical, professional, and administrative duties related to maintaining the security of the city, protecting constitutional guarantees of all persons, protecting life and property, preserving public peace and order, preventing, solving and detecting crimes, facilitating the safe movement of people and vehicles and other emergency services as needed. POST Certification not required. The city will pay for the police academy if needed and pay a cadet wage of $50,900 while attending the academy. Includes a $15,000 signing bonus. Increased wages over abovelisted salary available for working nights. Personal liability insurance paid by the City of Gunnison. Housing is available. Part-time Openings Ice Rink Concessions up to $24.23/hr. The City of Gunnison offers a competitive benefit package including 75% of medical, dental and vision premiums paid for the employee and their dependents, 5% of gross wages in a retirement plan, 3 weeks of vacation (increasing based on the years of service), 13 paid holidays, and 12 days of sick leave per year. For more information, including complete job descriptions, benefit packages, required job qualifications and application instructions, please visit GunnisonCO.gov/HR
HOURLY OPPORTUNITIES: ELL-Educational Assistant - GMS Bus Drivers Food Service - CBCS ELL Educational Assistant - CBCS Assistant Building Manager - CBCS Lead Custodian - Lake School Substitute teachers
Counselor - CBES
JOHN ROBERTS MOTOR WORKS SEEKS COLLISON CENTER TECHNICIANS AND AUTOMOTIVE CENTER TECHNICIANS.
MARBLE CHARTER SCHOOL Marble Charter School Director - (See posting on GWSD website)
Apply at John Roberts Motor Works.
PROFESSIONAL OPPORTUNITIES:
Competitive pay, 401K, insurance, paid vacations. 40 hour work week.
COACHING: GHS - Speech and Debate GHS - Assistant Girls Basketball Coach CBHS - Assistant Track coach GHS - Assistant Track coach Please contact: Superintendent’s Office JoAnn Klingsmith 800 N. Boulevard 970-641-7760 jklingsmith@gunnisonschools.net
WHITEOUT SNOW REMOVAL in Crested Butte is looking for part-time and fulltime roof shovelers. Pay rate depends on experience. Call Ben at 970-787-0702. TRIBUTARY COFFEE ROASTERS: Parttime baker and food prep. Early mornings and some weekends. Starting wage is $17/ hr plus shared tips. PINNACLE ORTHOPEDICS is seeking a FT medical assistant to join our team. Duties include clinical documentation, x-rays, medical supply inventory management and casting/splinting. Good organization and computer skills while working in a fastpaced environment are important. On-site training is provided. Position is for both our Crested Butte and Gunnison offices. $24/ hr DOE. Please send resume to office@ pinnacleorthocolorado.com.
Thursday, January 25, 2024 • CLASSIFIEDS • A16
Gunnison Country Times THE GUNNISON CONSERVATION DISTRICT is hiring for the position of district manager. This is a part-time position (30 hrs/ wk). Required skills include strong accounting skills and knowledge of QuickBooks, Microsoft Office, PowerPoint, Excel, grant writing and management and supervisory ability. Applicants with a strong dedication to natural resource conservation, agriculture, watershed science, demonstrated ability to work with minimal supervision and strong attention to detail preferred. Salary range $22-$25/hour. Questions and/or resume may be submitted to gunnisoncd2006@ gmail.com. CB FARMER’S MARKET is seeking a reliable, organized and highly motivated individual to fill our market director position. Must be available most Sundays, May 26-Oct. 6, have a vehicle that can tow a small trailer and be physically able to lift/ set-up market tents, tables, etc. Good communication skills are important as you’ll be the main point of contact for all market vendors. It is estimated to be 13 hours/week, with most of that on Sunday. This is a contract position with a $6,650 stipend for the entire season. Email info@ cbfarmersmarket.org for more information or to submit your resume.
REAL ESTATE ELK AVENUE OFFICE SPACE: Looking for the ideal office space that combines convenience and charm? Look no further. With a variety of sizes to suit your unique needs, our spaces are conveniently located and affordably priced. Contact Kezia for details. kezia@toadpropertymanagement. com. 970-349-2773. HOME FOR SALE: 1,700 sq. ft. 2020 build. Very accessible single story home in great west Gunnison location. For further details enter 600 Carbon Court, Gunnison, CO into Zillow search and/or contact terravistalimited@gmail.com, 970-497-9113. HOUSE FSBO: 10-year build. 2,200 sq. ft. Two car garage. Two story. Fireplace. 1/3 acre. Greenhouse., shed, chicken coop. End of Cul-de-sac. As is. Showing to pre-qualified buyers. $755,000. Call 970-648-4113.
PALISADES AFFORDABLE HOUSING COMMUNITY
Palisades Apartments is currently accepting applications for our waiting list. Our 2 bedroom, low income apartment community is income-based. You must meet restrictions. Our newly renovated 2 bedroom apartments are a must see. Apply in-person at 600 N. Colorado in Gunnison.
We are a no smoking property. For further information please contact us at 970-641-5429 or palisadesmanager@ silva-markham.com
CLUES ACROSS
1. Winged nut 7. __ Humbug! 10. One who sets apart 12. Circle above a saint’s head 13. Unpleasantly loud and harsh 14. Expressed pleasure 15. Feminine given name 16. Company of badgers 17. Popular Dodge pickup truck 18. Witty sayings 19. Leader 21. Autonomic nervous system 22. Premolar 27. Atomic #28 28. Holiday decorative item 33. Exclamation of surprise 34. Rusk or cracker 36. Returned material authorization (abbr.) 37. Scottish or Irish Gaelic language 38. Eat 39. Marxist economics theory (abbr.) 40. Ceases to exist 41. Male Arabic name
Legals
participation form.
*Visitors who wish to address the Board, please make known at the beginning of the meeting via Zoom or if in-person, please complete the public participation form.
IX. Items introduced by Board Members a. X. School Board Member Assignments Board/Student Engagement Dr. Coleman and Mrs. Roberts School Board Policy Mrs. Brookhart and Dr. Coleman Executive Committee for Bond Project Mr. Martineau Superintendent Evaluation Mrs. Brookhart and Dr. Coleman District Accountability (DAC) Mrs. Roberts School Accountability (SAC) GHS - Dr. Coleman GCS - Mrs. Brookhart CBCS - Mr. Martineau GCEA Negotiations Mr. VanderVeer GCEA 3X3 Work Group Mr. VanderVeer backup Dr. Coleman Fund 26 Oversight Committee Dr. Coleman Gunnison Memorial Committee Mrs. Roberts Health Insurance Committee Mr. VanderVeer
1. Facilities Improvement Program Update-Artaic Group
XI. Forthcoming Agendas/ Meeting Dates and Times
VI. Administrative Action Summaries A. Superintendent Summary - Dr. Nichols 1. Successful Students 2. Strong Employee 3. Engaged Community 4. Healthy Finances Amended FY24 Budget Presentation-Mrs. Tia Mills, Business Manager 5. Functional Facilities
a. Monday, February 12, 2024 Regular meeting@5:30pm CB b. Monday, February 26, 2024 Work Session@5:30pm Gunnison c. Monday, March 4, 2024 Regular meeting@5:30pm CB d. Monday, March 25, 2024 Work Session@5:50pm Gunnison
AGENDA Regular Meeting/Amended Budget January 29, 2024 5:30pm Lake School Conference Room 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. I. Call to Order II. Roll Call III. Pledge of Allegiance IV. Approval of Agenda ACTION ITEM V. Commendations, recognition of visitors, and public comment
VII. Action Items A. Consent Grouping Note: Items under the consent grouping are considered routine and will be enacted under one motion. There will not be separate discussion of these items prior to the time the board votes unless a Board Member requests an item be clarified or even removed from the grouping for separate consideration. The Superintendent recommends approval of the following: 1. Board of Education Minutes a. January 15, 2024 minutes moved to the February 12th agenda 2. Finance Approve for payment, as presented by the Business Manager, warrants as indicated: a. General Account Last update 1-152024 b. Payroll Direct Deposit Last update 1-15-2024 3. Personnel* Joseph Garrett-Bus Driver-Diistrict Sam Johnson-Math Interventionist-CBSS Katheryne Hinze- Asst. Track coach-CBHS Kylie Collins-Resignation-Elementary teacher-CBES 4. Correspondence
XII. Adjournment Gunnison Country Times Gunnison, Colorado Publication date of January 25, 2024 12037
AGENDA Work Session Agenda January 29, 2024 Lake Conference Room 6:30 pm This meeting will be conducted in person and by distance using the video conferencing platform ZOOM. Please check the GWSD website for further instructions. Work Sessions do not allow for public comment. Work Session discussion item: 1. Comprehensive Health Education discussion Gunnison Country Times Gunnison, Colorado Publication date of January 25, 2024 12035
1. Classify 2. Dismounted 3. Produced 4. Consumed 5. Director Howard 6. The products of human creativity 7. Thai monetary units 8. Away from wind 9. Builder’s trough 10. Relating to Islam 11. It can sometimes ache 12. Small quantities (Scot.) 14. Poisonous plant 17. Laugh at 18. Vogul
CROSSWORD ANSWERS FOR PREVIOUS WEEK
Case Number 2023PR10 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 May 11, 2024, or the claims may be forever barred. Kevin M. Graham 2048 Brook Way Montrose, CO 81403 Gunnison Country Times Gunnison, Colorado Publication dates of January 11, 18, 25, 2024 11820
NOTICE TO CREDITORS NOTICE TO CREDITORS Estate of TERRENCE MICHAEL FOLEY, Deceased Case Number 2023PR30048 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 May 9, 2024 or the claims may be forever barred. AARON J. HUCKSTEP, ATTY. REG # 39898 ATTORNEY FOR APPLICANT PO BOX 2958 CRESTED BUTTE, CO 81224 Gunnison Country Times Gunnison, Colorado Publication dates of January 11, 18, 25, 2024 11891
43. Containers 44. Root mean square (abbr.) 45. Commercials 46. I.M.__, architect 47. 007’s creator
PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE OF A PUBLIC HEARING CONCERNING AN APPLICATION FOR AN ONSITE WASTEWATER TREATMENT SYSTEM ON A PARCEL LESS THAN ONE ACRE HEARING DATE, TIME AND LOCATION: The Gunnison County Environmental Health Board will meet on Thursday, February 15, 2024 at 1:30 P.M. to hear public comment concerning a request for a variance to the Gunnison County On-site Wastewater Treatment System (OWTS) Regulations. APPLICANT: The applicant is Joseph Baker. PARCEL LOCATION: The parcel on which the OWTS is proposed is located at 20 Paul Pl, Lot 19, Mitzel’s Green Acres near Gunnison, Colorado. PROPOSAL: The applicant is proposing an OWTS (septic system) for a future dwelling on the 0.87-acre parcel within Mitzel Green Acres, near Gunnison, Colorado. The septic application was denied by the Environmental Health Office because the parcel does not meet the minimum standard of one-acre in accordance with Section 3.A.9 of the Gunnison County OWTS Regulations. The applicant is requesting a variance to this Regulation in order to permit the proposed OWTS on the parcel. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION: The public is invited to submit verbal or written comments at the hearing, or to submit written comments by email: planning@gunnisoncounty.org; or letter (Community Development, 221 N. Wisconsin, Suite D, Gunnison, CO 81230), so long as they are received by 5 p.m. the afternoon before the date of the meeting so that they may be submitted for the public record during the hearing. A copy of the application is available in the Community Development Department’s Permit Database, under permit OWTS-23-00146, which can be accessed at: https://www.gunnisoncounty.org/436/PermitDatabase Additional information may be obtained by calling the Community Development Department (970) 641-0360. LINK TO THE ZOOM MEETING CAN BE FOUND AT:
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CLUES DOWN
Estate of ZETA IRENE GRAHAM, Deceased
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NOTICE TO CREDITORS
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B. New Business ACTION ITEM 1-3 1.Adopt FY2023-24 Amended Budget 2. 2023-24 Appropriation Resolution 3. Use of Beginning Fund Balance Resolution
44. Series of ridges on an organ wall 45. Places where bees are kept 48. One-time Yankees sensation Kevin 49. Church office 50. Single lens reflex 51. Pieces of fibrous tissue
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A17 • LEGALS • Thursday, January 25, 2023 https://www.gunnisoncounty.org/144/ Community-and-Economic-Development ADA ACCOMMODATIONS: Anyone needing special accommodations as determined by the American Disabilities Act may contact the Community Development Department prior to the day of the hearing. /s/ Rebecca Ricord Building & Environmental Health Inspector/ Plans Examiner Gunnison Country Times Gunnison, Colorado Publication date of January 25, 2024 12027
REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL Request for Proposal – Mt. Crested Butte Wayfinding – Phase 2 Fabrication and Installation Project The Town of Mt. Crested Butte is requested bid proposals from qualified firms for the Phase 2 fabrication and installation of wayfinding signs in the Town. This Project is for Phase 2 of the Mt. Crested Butte Signage and Wayfinding Master Plan (dated March 2023), and includes twelve (12) signs, with the Phase 2 sign installations concentrated in the downtown ski base area. The Phase 2 Project entails the fabrication and installation of three (3) sign types, including: Destination (D = 8 Signs), Destination Building Mounted (DB = 3 Signs) and Destination Building Mounted Town Hall (DBTH = 1 Sign). The Bid Documents can be found on BidNet and the Town Website at the following Town link (https://mtcb.colorado.gov/request-forproposals).
Gunnison Country Times
REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL - HOUSING NEEDS ASSESSMENT The Gunnison Valley Regional Housing Authority (GVRHA) is working with local governments and partner organizations to complete a Housing Needs Assessment (HNA) to provide current metrics on the housing market and the needs of the community. The most recent comprehensive HNA was completed in 2016, with an update added in 2021. Due to the significant changes in the housing landscape of the Gunnison Valley, a materially updated HNA to better predict and understand the existing and upcoming needs of the Gunnison Valley is in order. GVRHA is inviting proposals from qualified consultants for the preparation of this HNA for the Gunnison Valley, segmented for the north valley and south valley. This work will include an in depth market analysis with a graphically rich executive summary of the findings for public distribution and to support development of housing plans. All proposals submitted in response to this solicitation must conform to all the requirements and specifications outlined in the proposal document in their entirety. Proposals are due on February 12, 2024. For more information and to review the RFP in its entirety, please visit https://gvrha.org/ housing-needs-assessment-rfp-gunnisonvalley/, or email director@gvrha.org. Gunnison Country Times Gunnison, Colorado Publication date of January 25, February 1, 2024 12033
Gunnison Country Times Gunnison, Colorado Publication dates of January 25, February 1, 2024 11982
Bethany Church 909 N Wisconsin St.
(behind Powerstop) • 970-641-2144 Two services at 9 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. FREE lunch for college students following the 10:30 a.m. service gunnisonbethany.com 9 a.m.: Family Service with nursery & children’s church Check out our website for updates! Or download our app on the App Store by searching, Gunnison Bethany.
B'nai Butte Congregation
PO Box 2537 Crested, Butte CO 81224 305-803-3648 bnaibutte@gmail.com B’nai Butte Congregation serving the Jewish communities of Crested Butte, Gunnison and the East River valley in Colorado Spiritual Leader: Rabbi Mark Kula is available for you at RabbiMarkKula@gmail.com www.bnaibutte.org for additional details and locations
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. www.newsonggunnison.net
Faith Directory
Community Church of Gunnison
107 N. Iowa • 970-641- 0925 Pastor Larry Nelson Christmas Eve Service 7:00 p.m. Sunday Morning Worship 9:30 a.m. Weekend Services 9:30 a.m. Nursery & Age-Graded Ministry Weekly Student Ministry Weekly Adult LifeGroups Office Hours: Mon-Thurs, 9-4 For more info: ccgunnison.com or email info@ccgunnison.com Join us in-person, listen to our broadcast on 98.3 FM, or view online stream on YouTube Transforming Lives • Building Community
First Baptist Church
120 N. Pine St. • 970-641-2240 Pastor Jonathan Jones 9:30 a.m. Share & Prayer Fellowship 10 a.m. Sunday School Classes 11 a.m. Morning Worship Service 6 p.m. Evening Service Wednesday 7 p.m. - Children's Patch Club Gunnison Bible Institute Thursday 7 p.m. - College & Career Christian Fellowship www.firstbaptistgunnison.org.
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.
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. www.trinitybaptistsgunnison.com
Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church
711 N. Main • 970-641-1860 Children’s Christmas Program Sunday, December 17th at 10 a.m. Christmas Eve Candlelight Service at 7 p.m. Christmas Day Service at 10 AM
The Good Samaritan Episcopal Church 307 W. Virginia Ave. • 970-641-0429 Rev. Laura Osborne, Vicar Sunday Morning Holy Eucharist, Rite II 9 a.m. Children's Sunday school 9 a.m. - 9:40 a.m. Office Hours: M-Th 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. www.goodsamaritangunnison.com Visit our partnership church: All Saints in the Mountains, Crested Butte Holy Eucharist, Rite II, Sunday 5 p.m. Union Congregational Church, 403 Maroon Ave., Crested Butte.
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
Rocky Mountain Christian Ministries
1040 Highway 135 (1/4 mile N. of Spencer Ave.) • 970-641-0158 Sunday Morning Worship 9:30 a.m. Nursery and Children’s ministry through Middle School “Remedy” Worship Nights Small Group Ministries www.rmcmchurch.org
St. Peter’s Catholic Church
300 N. Wisconsin • 970-641-0808 Fr. Andres Ayala-Santiago www. gunnisoncatholic.org www. 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 Mass Service, Sun. at 10 a.m.
Gunnison Congregational Church United Church of Christ 317 N. Main St. • 970-641-3203 Open and Affirming Whole Earth · Just Peace Sunday, 10:00 a.m. Casual, Relaxed, “Come As You Are” Worship www.gunnisonucc.org
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Gunnison Country Times
Lights & Sirens CITY OF GUNNISON POLICE REPORT
GUNNISON COUNTY SHERIFF’S REPORT
JAN. 16
JAN. 16
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE — N. TAYLOR ST. BURGLARY: SECOND DEGREE — 608 W. NEW YORK AVE. PROPERTY - LOST — 200 E. SPENCER AVE. ACCIDENT - HIT AND RUN — 500 W. TOMICHI AVE. ACCIDENT — 720 N. MAIN ST. MUNICIPAL CODE VIOLATION — 300 S. 11TH ST. ANIMAL TREATMENT: FAILED TO PROVIDE FOOD, SHELTER, WATER, CARE — N. 12TH ST. ACCIDENT - HIT AND RUN — W. NEW YORK AVE. WARRANT SERVICE - OTHER JURISDICTION — 1006 W. TOMICHI AVE. ASSAULT: SECOND DEGREE STRANGULATION — N. COLORADO ST.
-Obscenity report – under investigation -Deputies did a welfare check and brought in Mobile Crisis
JAN. 17 -Deputies removed two dead elk from east Hwy. 50 and found a damaged license plate - contacted owner -Civil assist for an eviction lock-out -Deputies assisted the Gunnison Police Department with a traffic stop
JAN. 18
ANIMAL - VICIOUS/DANGEROUS - MUNICIPAL — 908 SUNNY SLOPE DR. JUVENILE PROBLEM — E. TOMICHI AVE.
-Mental health call - deputies took one person to hospital for evaluation and help -Deputies took one person into custody from the court house who had warrants, violation of protection order and unlawful possession of a controlled substance -Deputies assisted the GPD with a juvenile with a knife -Private property accident -Agency assist to the Colorado State Patrol and Mt. Crested Butte Police Department with a one-vehicle accident north on Hwy. 135 -Deputies issued a citation to a driver who did not possess a valid driver’s license and for failing to display headlamps when required
JAN. 19
JAN. 19
JAN. 17 ACCIDENT — N. COLORADO ST. ACCIDENT — N. COLORADO ST. DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE - DRUGS — 400 W. HWY. 50
JAN. 18
CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE: PARAPHERNALIA, POSSESSION — 1099 N. 11TH ST. WELFARE ASSIST — 711 N. COLORADO ST. INFORMATION — 312 E. TOMICHI AVE. WEAPONS OFFENSE - CARRYING FIREARM IN LICENSED ALCOHOL ESTABLISHMENT — 226 N. MAIN ST.
JAN. 20 CIVIL PROBLEM — 311 N. 12TH ST.
JAN. 21
-Agency assist to the CSP and National Park Service with a slide-off and noncompliant driver under the influence -Deputies took one person to the hospital, then to jail for false imprisonment -Deputies issued four summonses for underage possession and consumption of marijuana
JAN. 21 -Deputies assisted the CSP with a felony warrant traffic stop -Deputies assisted the GPD with two disorderly males
JAN. 22
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE — E. GEORGIA AVE. ANIMAL - RUNNING AT LARGE - MUNICIPAL — 200 W. VIRGINIA AVE. DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE - ALCOHOL — 404 W. RIO GRANDE AVE.
-County resolution 2018-30 - dog at large - owner was located
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Thursday, January 25, 2023 • NEWS • A19
GUNNISON SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT MEETING Join us for a school improvement project overview, design update, and Q & A on Wednesday, January 31 from 5:30 – 7 PM at the Gunnison High School cafeteria.
REUNION DE MEJORAS DE LA ESCUELA Únase a nosotros para la revisión del proyecto de mejoras de la escuela, actualización del diseño y preguntas y respuestas, el día miércoles, 31 de enero desde las 5:30 pm hasta las 7:00 pm en la cafetería de la escuela secundaria de Gunnison.
Wednesday, Jan. 31 5:30 - 7 PM Gunnison High School
A20 • NEWS • Thursday, January 25, 2023
Gunnison Country Times
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Care designed for ...
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At Gunnison Valley Health we have the expertise to keep our youngest community members healthy.
PEDIATRICS
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Dr. Blake Clifton is fellowship trained in pediatric and adult sports medicine. This expertise makes him uniquely qualified to support children and adolescents to heal from injuries and return to sport stronger than before their injury.
WE WORK HARD TO KEEP YOU PLAYING HARDER
GUNNISON | 970-641-8899 104 W RUBY AVE | GUNNISON
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WWW.GUNNISONVALLEYHEALTH.ORG
SPORTS: Titans hockey celebrates colossal win, B5
PHOTOS: Locals compete in giant slalom, B8
GUNNISON COUNTRY TIMES • THURSDAY, JANUARY 25, 2024
Rooted in Western Colorado
Briana Wiles stands in the back room of Rooted Apothecary amongst the herbal serums, buckets and tools she uses to craft her products. (Photos by Abby Harrison)
Briana Wiles’ herbal empire blossoms in Gunnison Alex McCrindle Times Sports Editor
Lauren Smatana poured a strange liquid into glass bottles at Rooted Apothecary. It smelled of lavender and filled the workshop with a sweet perfume. Behind the curtain, separating the retail store and the laboratory, were sacks of loose herbs and dried plants. Jars of all shapes and sizes, some filled with colorful elixirs, others empty, lined the shelves. It is here that Rooted founder Briana Wiles crafts her products, like serums, essential oils, candles and cleansers from the wildlands of western Colorado. While the company has
grown to reach customers far beyond the Gunnison Valley, the magic happens in the colorful back room on Main Street. Wiles uses her knowledge of medicinal plants to help and heal, and is eager to pass on this wisdom after more than a decade of study. “The Gunnison Valley has always been accepting of weird ideas,” Wiles said. “It has allowed us to ride our weird little niche all these years, and continue growing. This business was built from everything I’ve learned in this valley. It’s the accumulation of time spent in these mountains, reading and learning about these plants. All along, Gunnison has supported my dream.” On Jan. 17, Smatana and Wiles hurried around the workshop. Wearing denim smocks tied at the waist, the two alchemists distilled lavender in the back alley before blending the liquid with elderflower and Rooted B2
Smatana uses a dropper to top off the final bottle of lavender spritz.
B2 • ROUNDUP • Thursday, January 25, 2024
Rooted from B1 witch hazel. The result was a natural skin toner that, according to Wiles, harnesses medicinal properties to tighten and cleanse pores. Immediately after pouring the new batch of serum, Smatana began melting wax for jasmine and piñon pine scented candles. The products created inside Rooted Apothecary stem from Wiles’ 15 years studying botany and medicinal chemistry. In 2009, she was mesmerized by the lectures of Dr. Robin Bingham at Western Colorado University. Wiles veered off the traditional botany path years later and pursued mentorships. Her studies have now taken her across the United States, into
Rooted has connected with so many people because it’s opened their eyes to their health in a new way. Brianna Wiles Rooted Apothecary
Central America and beyond. Rooted Apothecary began as a booth at the Gunnison farmers market. Wiles started tinkering with cottonwood buds during her college years. The antimicrobial and healing properties of the tree’s buds fascinated her. She added usnea and Oregon grape to create her self-titled “Ouchie Ointment.” The salve uses naturally occurring antibiotic properties to heal scrapes and cracked skin. The flagship product was then
accompanied by face cleansers, serums, soaps and candles. “Herbalism is a safer and faster alternative to the pharmaceutical route,” Wiles said. “It’s such an easy path that starts by making small changes. For example, elderberry helps with head colds, and mint tea cures bellyaches. It starts there and then forms daily habits and lifestyle changes.” What started as a humble farmers market stand blossomed into an international online store and buzzing community. Wiles began teaching her “Plant Camp” in 2020. The program teaches foraging and herbology in a wilderness setting. Alongside teaching events, Wiles speaks across the country and hosts a herbology festival every September in Paonia. “I could never have imagined my little farmers market idea snowballing into such a vibrant community,” Wiles said. “I think Rooted has connected with so many people because it’s opened their eyes to their health in a new way. It has helped them move away from old methods and connect with natural remedies.” At the heart of Wiles’ exploding company is a tiny, red storefront tucked away on Main Street. There, her small team keeps up with towering online orders, while also providing the Gunnison Valley with handmade products close to home. Smatana, who recently moved to Gunnison from Michigan, said Rooted has connected her with the valley. “Briana has immersed me in herbology, and hands-on instruction,” Smatana said. “Rooted has made me feel connected with the people here, the land, its plants and this amazing place.”
Gunnison Country Times
Smatana pours a bottle of lavender facial toner.
(Alex McCrindle can be contacted at 970.641.1414 or alex@ gunnisontimes.com.)
Behind the curtain, loose herbs and dried plants like lavender and bee balm are stored in plastic bags.
Lauren Smatana and Wiles prepare to bottle a serum.
Thursday, January 25, 2024 • ROUNDUP • B3
Gunnison Country Times
PEOPLE & HAPPENINGS Museum fundraiser dinner Nordic ski or snowshoe out to the Magic Meadows Yurt in Crested Butte at 6 p.m. on Jan. 29 for a catered dinner and exclusive presentation on local history. Ticket sales directly support the Crested Butte Museum and include a wine pairing for $150 or mocktail pairing for $125. Find tickets and more information at crestedbuttemuseum.com or by calling 970.349.1880.
Adventure film fest Join Elk Mountains Backcountry Alliance for the 5POINT Adventure Film Festival fundraiser on Feb. 1 in Gunnison at 7 p.m. in the University Theatre at Western Colorado University and Feb. 2 at the Majestic Theatre in Crested Butte at 6:30 p.m. Each night will feature a different 90-minute series of short adventure films. Tickets are available at emba.earth.
Pet expo The Gunnison Valley Animal Welfare League presents a community pet expo on Feb. 3 from 10 a.m.-2 p. m. at the Fred Field Center. Local pet providers will offer low-cost services such as pet nail trims and ear cleanings, sell products and answer questions. Register your pet with the city and meet adoptable dogs in the valley, along with face painting, mini horse rides and more. Leashed, friendly dogs are welcome.
Daddy-daughter dance Gunnison MOPS and Moms Next will host a daddy-daughter dance on Feb. 5 at Webster Hall, 107 N. Iowa St. in Gunnison from 6-8 p.m. Tickets will be available at the door for $20 per daddy/ daughter and $5 for each additional daughter. Guests will enjoy a live DJ, desserts, photo booth and fun!
Banquet volunteers needed The Gunnison chapter of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation seeks volunteers to help with their upcoming banquet fundraiser to be held on April 27. An informational meeting for volunteers will take
place on Jan. 31 at 6 p.m. in the Gunnison Library, Room A. For more information, contact Terry Klug at 970.209.0196.
Origami and quilling exhibit “Paper for Food: Origami and quilling artwork for The Gunnison Country Food Pantry” is on display at Gunnison Gallery until Jan. 27. Origami notecards and quilled ornaments are available for a donation to the food pantry. Gunnison Gallery is open Tuesday-Saturday. Volunteers are welcome to join in folding origami and quilling on the first and third Wednesday of the month from 5:30-8 p.m. at Gunnison Congregational Church, 317 N. Main St. Call 970.641.6111 for more information.
Free cooking course Mountain Roots Food Project will host a free Cooking Matters course on Wednesdays from Feb. 21-Mar. 27, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. at the Gunnison County Library. This six-week course is for lowincome adults seeking to gain confidence in the kitchen and improve their overall health. Spanish translation and childcare are available. For more information, contact Hayden Keene at 603.667.5311 or hayden@mountainrootsfoodproject.org.
Gunnison history podcast Join Duane Vandenbusche on Zoom for the History of the Gunnison Country Podcast every Tuesday evening at 6 p.m. through Feb. 27. Each session will include 20-25 historic photos. This series is offered for free. To sign up, visit crestedbuttemuseum.com.
Youth nicotine anonymous Nicotine Anonymous for Young Adults meets every Wednesday from 2-3 p.m. at 601 6th St. in Crested Butte and from 4-5 p.m. at the Fred Field McDonough Room in Gunnison. This is a mutual support group with no religious affiliation. Contact ajohnson@gunnisoncounty.org with questions.
GUNNISON VALLEY SENIORS CALENDAR SENIOR CENTER PROGRAMS
Ongoing Senior Services
• Jan. 25: Nordic Ski Lesson. Registrants will be provided details. • Jan. 30: Snowshoe Hike – Brush Creek. Rated Intermediate. Join us for this beautiful trek withAssistance views of the Hotline: East River (970) Valley and surrounding mountains.with Transportation Delivery 641-7959 - assistance ordering, provided. Registration required! pick-up and delivery prescription • Feb. 1, 8, 15 – Nordicof Skigroceries Lessons – and Second Session. Signmedications. up today to enjoy our local This includes deliveries Bank. winter outdoor recreationfrom trails! the FREEFood lessons from Gunnison Nordic Club instructors + FREE equipment rentals from Crested Butte Nordic. Costs: Senior or Rec Center + Gunnison Nordic memberships. Never-evers to intermediate levels. Join us! Senior (970)Hike 641-8272 advance orders (970) 641-2107 for • Feb.Meals: 6: Snowshoe – Woods for Walk. Rated Easy. This isOR a great hike to do if you’ve never triedservice. snowshoeing or would like to get in shape to do more challenging same-day Pick-up or delivery only! Meals served Mondays,hikes. Registration required!
Wednesdays, & Fridays. Please note: all meals, all days are $4 during this time. Regular – Bridge @ 1 pm; Tuesdays Order inActivities: advanceMondays if possible! Upcoming menu: – Canasta @ 2pm; Wednesdays – Book Club @ 1 pm on 1st Weds. of month; Thursdays – Bridge @ 1 pm; Fridays – Art Club @ pm27: & Mahjong @ 1green pm beans, salad, garlic bread, dessert •12:30 March Lasagna, •All March steak, potatoes, corn, rolls, fruit, dessert RSVPs30: and Salisbury more info on Seniormashed Center programs: egillis@gunnisonco.gov or 970-6418272. • April 1: Stew, carrot/raisin salad, Mandarin oranges, rolls, dessert FITNESS @ THE REC CENTER – Sign up at the Rec Center front desk!
Senior Shopping Hours: Mondays & Wednesdays in the Gym SilverMarket Sneakers– Boom MuscleWednesdays, @ 9:30am • -City Mondays, Fridays (7AM – 8AM) Silver Sneakers Classic @ 10:15am • Safeway – Tuesdays & Thursdays (7AM – 9AM) • Tuesdays Walmart@–10AM Tuesdays (6AM – 7AM) in the Leisure Pool • -Silver Gunnison Vitamin Health Food Store – Monday - Saturday (8AM – 9AM) Sneakers Splash & Class (all levels) • SENIOR Clark’sMEALS Market (Crested Butte) – Every day (8AM – 9AM) Mondays, Wednesdays & Fridays @ 11:30 am. $5.00 per meals. Advanced orders appreciate (24 hours). between 11 – 11:15 am (advanced orders only). Self-reporting Form:Pick-ups www.gunnisoncounty.org/covid19. ORDER MEALS: 970-641-8272
If you have symptoms but are otherwise OK, please fill out the form. (all fill meals dessert!) If youMenu: cannot outcome the with form, call the Call Center (970) 641-7660.
• Mon., Jan. 29: Shepherd’s Pie, cottage cheese, homemade bread, fruit • Weds., Jan. 31: Chili, cornbread, carrot & raisin salad, Jello symptoms, cannot fillrolls, outsalad, the Call Center: (970) 641-7660. If you are having • Fri., Feb. 2: NEW Menu Item! Hawaiian Meatballs with Rice, homemade fruit online form, or your symptoms are worsening, call the Call Center. DO NOT go & visitors welcome! Homebound 55 & up eligible delivery. If you need to Walk-in your doctor’s or the hospital. If itadults is anages emergency, callfor 911. a ride, call GVH Senior Bus @ 970-596-6700 (call in advance) or call the Senior Center 970-6418272.
Please practice social isolation. Remain SERVICES 6 feet or more from others when ONGOING needing to be Food out, Pantry but staying at(1home if Wednesdays at all possible. Gunnison Country – Mondays – 4 pm), (1 – 7 pm), Thursdays for 60+ (10 am – 2 pm). Contact: 970-641-4156, Located on the SW Corner of Main St. & Ohio Ave. GVH Senior Bus: 7 days a week, 9 am – 4 pm. Call in advance! 970-596-6700. The Gunnison Senior Center & –Community Recreation Center Crested Butte Senior Bus: Monday thru Friday, 9 am 4 pm Services Montrose & Grand Junction for medical appointments. Call at least 1is week in advance, or more. 970-275-4768. closed until April 30th. Gunnison County HHS Senior Resource Office: Call for appointments. 970-641-3244.
CB CENTER FOR THE ARTS BRIEFS ABBA tribute band In an exhilarating, two-hour recreation of one of ABBA’s most memorable concerts, MANIA, brings to life the flamboyance of the 70s on Jan. 25 at 7:30 p.m. at the CBCA. Tickets range from $39.50-$64.50 and may be purchased at crestedbuttearts.org.
Infamous Stringdusters Nashville-based acoustic band the Infamous Stringdusters will perform at the CBCA on Jan. 26 at 7 p.m. This show is almost sold out. Tickets range from $40-$70 and may be purchased at crestedbuttearts.org.
‘The Circle of Time’ piano recital Longtime Crested Butte resident Randi Stroh shares her enthusiasm for music as it relates to time, life cycles and community in this solo piano recital at the center on Jan. 30 at 7 p.m. Tickets are available via donation at crestedbuttearts.org
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WRESTLING: Harris becomes a Mountaineer, B6
GUNNISON COUNTRY TIMES • THURSDAY, JANUARY 25, 2023
Cowboy grapplers dominate over weekend Miles Harris awarded ‘Outstanding Wrestler’ at North Fork Alex McCrindle Times Sports Editor
The Cowboy wrestling team is gaining confidence and momentum heading into the final weeks of the season. The boys dominated a weakened Delta Panthers side, 50-21, on Jan. 19, before finishing third at the Fight at the Fork tournament at North Fork High School on Jan. 20. Miles Harris was the star athlete at the tournament. He won the Outstanding Wrestler award and finished first place over the weekend. “We’ve seen a boost in confidence recently, and that’s our
Kleber Flores returned to the wrestling mat for the first time this season after recovering from an injury. He marked his first bout with a defeat over the Panthers. (Photos by Jacob Spetzler)
Wrestling B6
GHS falls in Meeker duel Cowboys defeated in back-and-forth contest
ience and toughness to keep that game close for all four quarters,” he said. “But credit to Meeker for making plays when it counted.” On Friday night, GHS hosted the Meeker Cowboys in a backand-forth gunfight. The game opened with a defensive battle. Both sides vied for possession, but Meeker fired first. The opposing Cowboys jumped to an 8-0 lead thanks to a quick offense and technical foul. The Gunnison offense slowly worked its way back into the contest. Gael Ayala calmly finished the basketball in the paint, getting GHS back 10-4 at the end of the first quarter. Hu n t e r V i n c e n t d a r t e d around the arc throughout the contest. He fired off passes into the key and made plays. Fellow senior Gifford Jauregui was also impressive, showing defensive strength to win back posses-
Alex McCrindle Times Sports Editor
T h e G H S b o y s b a s k e tball team suffered two league defeats over the weekend — falling first to Meeker 56-50 on Jan. 19, and then to Roaring Fork 55-36 on Jan. 20. The back-to-back losses drop the Cowboys to a 2-9 overall record, and 2-3 in the 3A Western Slope League. Despite the losses, Head Coach Cristian Aguilar complemented the players for their grit against Meeker. “The guys showed great resil-
sion. GHS stayed within reach of Meeker late into the third quarter. Slowly, the away team distanced themselves and kept a 5-point buffer throughout the final minutes. The game ended 56-50 for Meeker. “There were stretches where we played solid basketball, but it’s impossible to win games when we get out-rebounded and turn the ball over,” Aguilar said. “I’m telling the guys basketball is a marathon, not a sprint. Our focus is to get better every day, and keep pushing ourselves.” The Cowboys will play at home on Saturday, Jan. 27, taking on league rivals Cedaredge at 2 p.m. (Alex McCrindle can be contacted at 970.641.1414 or alex@ gunnisontimes.com.)
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Wolfgang Anderson drives to the basket. (Photo by Jacob Spetzler)
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Gunnison Country Times
Grady Dietrich scores hatty in colossal win The Crested Butte Titans hockey team put on an electric performance at home against Glenwood Springs on Jan. 19, defeating one of the top teams in the state, 6-4. After falling behind 1-0 in the first period, the Titans rebounded in the second with crucial goals from Vojta Jirka and Grady Dietrich. During the third, the home team put the game to bed with strikes from Rhodes Moffett and two more for Dietrich. The win moved Crested Butte to a 7-1-1 overall record, and proved it can compete with the best in the state.
Thursday, January 25, 2024 • ROUNDUP • B5 HERE IS WHAT'S
FREE MOVIE NIGHT!
PAGE SCREEN SERIES
Celebrating books that have inspired on-screen adaptations
LITTLE WOMEN
film directed by Greta Gerwig 2019 - Rated PG - 2h 15m
Friday, January 26, 2024 5:30pm at the Gunnison Library GunnisonCountyLibraries.org
Grady Dietrich attacks the Demons’ goal. (Photos by Jacob Spetzler)
Dominick Cerio controls the puck.
The Titans embrace after a crucial second-period goal.
B6 • ROUNDUP • Thursday, January 25, 2024
Wrestling from B4 goal in the weeks leading up to the regional tournament,” said Head Coach Dave Uhrig. “We’re hoping our guys are feeling sure of themselves and mentally strong.” For the first time this season, the Cowboys welcomed Damyon Funk and Kleber Flores back from injuries. Both grapplers didn’t miss a beat during the home matchup against the Panthers. Funk opened the dual with a dominant victory in the 113-pound division, stashing 5 points for the home side. Flores traded blows with his opponent, but scored on escapes and reversals to notch a victory in the 285pound class. Cody Casebolt and Harris cemented a strong night for the Cowboys. Casebolt won his bout in the 120-pound division, fighting out of trouble and ultimately pinning his opponent. Harris was also an oak. He silenced the Panthers coaching staff with massive takedowns and a pin. GHS celebrated its Tough Enough To Wear Pink night with a 50-21 victory. On Saturday, the Cowboys returned to action at the Fight at the Fork Tournament. The GHS senior heavy hitters, Harris and Royce Uhrig, each tacked on first-place victories in the 144and 150-pound brackets. Brock Fry, Funk and Casebolt boosted the Cowboy score with third-place finishes. Zach Benson, Preston Gomez and Flores also stood on the thirdplace podium. GHS finished the tournament with a third-
Gunnison Country Times
place team finish, falling behind Cedaredge and Meeker. “We took third behind two really high-quality opponents,” Coach Uhrig said. “I’ve been so impressed by Miles, he’s been dominating guys and really shined this weekend. Preston Gomez has also been making strides.” The boys squad will be back in action on Saturday, Jan. 27 at a tournament in Cañon City. The girls took on Grand Valley on Jan. 23, but scores were not available by press time. Both the boys and girls teams will return to their home mats on Jan. 31 for a combined duel at 6 p.m. (Alex McCrindle can be contacted at 970.641.1414 or alex@ gunnisontimes.com.)
Miles Harris attempts to pin his opponent.
The Cowboy wrestlers cheer on Flores in the final bout of the evening.
Miles signs for Mountaineers Gunnison High School’s Miles Harris was joined by family, friends and faculty on Jan. 22, when he signed a letter of intent to wrestle at Western Colorado University after graduation. has already shattered the 47-year-old Cowboy takedown record, and finished runner-up at the state tournament in 2023. Now, Harris has his sights on a state championship this February. He will stay in the Gunnison Valley and wrestle for the Crimson and Slate in the fall.
(Photo by Alex McCrindle)
Gunnison Country Times
ELDERBEAT
Thursday, January 25, 2024 • ROUNDUP • B7
Powerhouse foods to boost your diet
A nutritious diet is a key component of a healthy lifestyle. That’s an important thing to remember for people looking to turn over a healthier leaf and accomplish their long-term wellness goals. Avoiding certain ingredients, like saturated fats and added sugars, and choosing foods known for their nutritional benefits is one way individuals can utilize diet to live healthier. Although such foods cannot entirely eliminate risk for certain diseases or make a person invincible, eating more of them certainly can benefit individuals’ overall health. Kale: Kale long has had a place on healthy eating lists. Kale is a good source of vitamins A, C and K, and also contains alphalinolenic acid, which is an omega-3 fatty acid. According to Britannica, studies show kale can help combat heart disease and cancer, and also boost eye health by reducing risk for cataracts and macular degeneration. Kale is not the only dark,
leafy green vegetable that has earned superstar status. Swiss chard, spinach, collard greens and turnip greens are equally beneficial. Berries: There is strong antioxidant capacity associated with berries that helps reduce the risk of heart disease and other inflammatory conditions. That’s why blueberries, strawberries, blackberries, raspberries and cranberries are so revered by nutritionists. They’re also great sources of fiber, vitamins and minerals. Honey: This natural sweetener is a powerful ally to animals and insects. Honey is one of the most appreciated and valued natural products, according to the study “Honey and Health: A Review of Recent Clinical Research,” published in 2017. Since ancient times, honey has been used therapeutically due to its antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and antiproliferative effects.
Walnuts: Studies have found that those with higher nut consumption have improved cardiovascular risk factors and lower rates of cardiovascular disease. Nuts are an important part of the Mediterranean diet, which has been found to be heart healthy as well, according to Harvard Health. Walnuts are a particularly good choice for lowering LDL cholesterol, triglycerides and apoprotein B (a protein linked to cardiovascular disease). L e g u m e s : L e g u m e s, a l s o known as pulses, include beans, lentils, peas, peanuts, and alfalfa. Legumes are full of nutrients, like minerals, protein, fiber, and B vitamins. Legumes also improve feelings of fullness, which may help people eat less at each meal. Teff: Not too many people have heard of teff, which is a very small grain that is a dietary staple in parts of eastern Africa. Teff is high in the nutrients iron, magnesium, zinc, calcium
and vitamin C. Teff also contains ample protein and fiber. Teff also is gluten-free, so it can be ground and used in place of other flours in cooking. Kefir: Fermented foods and b e v e r a g e s h av e g a r n e re d increased attention recently because of their effect on helping maintain gut health. Kefir is loaded with vitamins, minerals and nutrients. It is a fermented milk that boasts higher concen-
trations of probiotics than some other fermented foods, like yogurt. Kefir has approximately 12 active probiotic strains. These nutrient-rich foods can make great additions to healthconscious individuals’ diets. (Source: Metro Creative.)
Questions to ask before a new fitness regimen Exercise is widely recognized as a vital component of a healthy lifestyle. Despite that, a recent analysis of data from the 2020 National Health Interview Survey found that more than two-thirds of individuals are not getting enough exercise. Though the survey was conducted amid the onset of the pandemic, which suggests the overall figures might be somewhat lower than they might have been had the data been collected in a more typical year, just 28% percent of respondents were meeting the physical activity guidelines established by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Routine exercise is beneficial for people of all ages, and seniors are no exception. Aging adults who want to be more physically active but think they are among the 72% of individuals who aren’t meeting CDC exercise guidelines can speak with their physicians and ask these three questions to ensure the transition to a less sedentary lifestyle goes smoothly. Should I get a heart checkup? Doctors may already be monitoring aging individuals’ hearts even if they have not exhibited symptoms of heart problems in the past. However, it’s best to discuss heart health in greater detail prior to beginning a new fitness regimen. Experts believe the risk of heart attack or cardiac complications slightly increases when individuals begin to participate in a moderate or intense activity. So a phy-
sician might want to conduct a heart checkup in order to determine if a patient has an underlying heart condition. Which types of activities should I consider? A physician also can recommend certain activities depending on a person’s age and medical background. Though exercise is beneficial for everyone, certain activities may not be. For example, high-impact activities like jogging and jump rope may not be suited for individuals with arthritis. In addition, aging individuals with physical limitations that require them to use a wheelchair should not write off their ability to exercise, as physicians can recommend exercises for patients with mobility issues as well. Should I take extra caution while on medication? Prescription medication use is another variable that must be taken into consideration before beginning a new exercise regimen. The CDC notes that roughly 84% of adults between the ages of 60 and 79 use one or more prescription medications. Each medication produces different effects, and research has indicated that certain medications evoke an acute drop in blood pressure, which can disturb balance and increase fall risk, while others actually facilitate greater improvements in health outcomes. That means the dynamic between medications and exercise is unique to each medication, which underscores the importance of speak-
ing with a physician whenever a fitness regimen is started or tweaked and/or a new medication is prescribed. These are just three of the questions seniors can ask when discussing exercise with their
physicians. Seniors are urged to ask any additional questions they might have during such discussions. (Source: Metro Creative.)
B8 • ROUNDUP • Thursday, January 25, 2024
Gunnison Country Times
Showdown on the slopes The Crested Butte Race Series kicked off its 2024 season at West Wall on Saturday, Jan. 20. Community members of all ages competed on the giant slalom course, cruising down the piste and setting top times. First place men U18
Kanai Narayana
29.60
18+
Tucker Schultz
28.15
U18
Hailey Bloomer
33.57
18+
Hayley Armbruster
30.81
U12
Sierra Field
37.84
First place women
(Photos by Jacob Spetzler)