Gunnison Country Times May 25,2023

Strong runoff season brings relief to Gunnison Valley

Blue Mesa set to fill more than 90%

Bella Biondini Times Editor

The river roared through the Gunnison Whitewater Park’s second wave, much of the rocky beach nearby already flooded by the high water. With wetsuits to stave off the cold, river surfers dove in for the chance to ride some of the largest waves the park has o ered in years.

After an afternoon surf session on May 19, local surfer Jason Lakey said he caught one of the best waves of his life.

“At this level, the wave has so much power and we can do things we never get to at low ows,” he said. “Everyone is really excited to see how the wave changes each day as the river reaches [its] peak.”

High water A8

MetRec embarks on valley-wide recreation planning

Effort aims to cover Gunnison to Crested Butte

Abby Harrison Times Staff Writer

The Gunnison County Metropolitan Recreation (MetRec) District has been busier than usual, following a recent election that welcomed

two new board members, a bigger-than-ever grant pool and dreams of a regional recreation master plan.

At a May 17 board meeting, members took the first formal steps toward the recreation plan when they unanimously voted to direct District Manager Derrick Nehrenberg to start drafting an RFP for the yearslong process. e plan, which is still in the early stages of development, is meant to include

everything from indoor, outdoor, summer and winter recreation from Gothic to Gunnison, including planning along the Hwy. 135 corridor extending into all main drainages and trailheads.

Nehrenberg said there’s some age-old needs, like more field and rink space in Crested Butte, that the plan may be able to address, but be yond that, no speci c goals have been identied.

“I do not want to get ahead of the process,” Nehrenberg told the Times. “It could change once you get in there. It could change, and it's really not worth speculating on.”

Region-wide planning will be no small task. Other recreation stakeholders, like the Sustainable Tourism and Outdoor Recreation (STOR) Committee, have grappled MetRec A6

District wants community input on school renovations

Lake School first on the list

Bella Biondini Times Editor

As the Gunnison Watershed School District prepares to undertake major renovations at each of the valley’s schools, the project team is searching for community members to help guide the process from start to nish.

In November of 2022, the dis-

trict passed its ballot measure with a slim margin of 125 votes out of approximately 8,900 ballots cast on the issue. The $95 million ask, which is supported by a property tax increase, will fund capital improvements across the school district that include addressing overcrowding at the Crested Butte Community School, expanding student programs and improving security systems at each of its schools. This was the first School bonds A6

Superintendent Leslie Nichols and the district’s partners gave an update on the valley-wide school improvements project during an open house at Gunnison Community School on Thursday, May 18.

Sean Turner catches a wave at the Gunnison Whitewater Park on May 19.

Bella Biondini

Bella Biondini

See story on B1

BRIEFS

City ditch leak repaired

is spring, the City of Gunnison discovered a leak in the main ditch that carries water into town. Water crews worked to identify the source of the leak to seal it, but it required extensive digging.

As of May 23, the leak was xed and the water turned back on. According to sta , it may take a few days for water to get into town, depending on where speci c ditches are located. e city’s water rights generally permit local ditches to switch on May 15 each year.

Seven Basin states agree on approach to protect Colorado River

On May 22, the Department of the Interior announced signicant new developments in the Biden-Harris administration’s e orts to protect the Colorado River System.

Representatives from the seven Colorado River Basin states have agreed to the submission of a Lower Basin, consensus-based system conservation proposal. ey are requesting the proposal be fully analyzed as an action alternative under the Bureau of Reclamation’s draft supplemental environmental impact statement, published last month.

e consensus-based proposal commits to measures to conserve at least 3 million acre-feet of system water through the end of 2026, when the current reservoir operating guidelines are set to expire. Of those system conservation savings, 2.3 million acre-feet will be compensated through funding from the In ation Reduction Act.

Under this consensus proposal, the remaining system conservation needed for sustainable operation will be achieved through voluntary, uncompensated reductions by the Lower Basin states of Arizona, California and Nevada.

Correction

In the May 18 edition of the Times, the Sports Section ran a photo of the U19 soccer team with names for the U15 soccer team. To see the correct photo, visit page B8.

CONSIDER ACTIVE PARTICIPATION IN LOCAL GOVERNMENT

In a rapidly changing world, civic engagement and involvement at the local level is a cornerstone of thriving societies. It is the active participation of individuals in the social, economic, and political affairs of their communities who make the difference. By getting involved, citizens can shape their surroundings, enhance the community’s quality of life, help set the future course, and drive positive change.

Are you interested in getting involved in local government? The City of Gunnison has a variety of options for engagement, including participating in focus groups on selected topics, attending City Council* meetings, or joining a Council-appointed Board/ Commission or Committee. Joining a Board/Commission or Committee is an effective way to share your ideas, contribute to Council’s decision-making process, and understand the inner workings of local government.

Each Board/Commission and Committee has its own unique purpose, your interest is, there may be a committee for you! The City of Gunnison has vacancies on multiple Boards/ Commissions and Committees.

Are you interested in working with Community Development on city planning and the long-term design of Gunnison? The Planning & Zoning Commission has two vacancies available.

Do you have experience in building, construction, and zoning rules? If so, the Zoning Board of Adjustments and Appeals wants you! This Board hears and determines appeals regarding building permits in violation of the zoning ordinances and makes decisions on other important zoning regulations. Two vacancies are available.

Are you an active 55+ resident of the Valley? The Senior Center Advisory Committee (SCAC)

programs, planning, projects, and budget

considerations into overall Parks and Recreation planning. Three vacancies are available.

PRAC, consider joining the Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee to help keep the community ‘active’! PRAC was created in 2019 to advise the City Council on topics relating to parks and recreation planning, projects, and budget formulation. Four vacancies are available.

Each of these Council-appointed Boards/Commissions or Committees require members to have been residents of the City of Gunnison for at least one (1) year immediately preceding the time of appointment and they may not City administration. Applicants should the City when they are appointed, and throughout their tenure.

Time and commitment levels vary depending on the committee. For commissions or committees, check out gunnisonco.gov/vacancy.

Would you like to make an even more profound impact? Consider running for City Council. Gunnison’s Council is a representative democracy but nonpartisan. Councilmembers have the essential responsibility of actively listening to diverse constituents and creating policies, laws, and regulations that guide the City. This November, there will be three open seats on City Council. If you are considering running for Council and would like to learn more, City staff is hosting two Council 101 information sessions on Thursday, July 27, at either noon or 5:30 p.m. in Council Chambers.

It serves us all to have diverse perspectives represented in local government. It strengthens our democracy by ensuring that power remains in the hands of the many, rather than the few. It fosters innovation and creativity as it brings together different ideas and harnesses the collective wisdom of the community. By engaging in open dialogue, citizens problems. Civic engagement leads to improved public services, well-designed neighborhoods, useful program offerings and a community where all voices can be respected and heard.

Come be a part of this work! Letters of interest for serving on a Board/ Commission or Committee must be submitted to City Clerk Erica Boucher by Wednesday, June 7th, at 5:00 p.m. Applicants will be appointed to Boards meeting.

*City Council is held at 5:30pm, the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of the month, in Council Chambers located at 201 W. Virginia Avenue.

Big valley views from this 4 bdrm/3 bath, 2,788sf home on 4.7 acres with loafing shed. Lovely open kitchen, office off the mudroom, main floor master suite. Downstairs features 3 bedrooms, bath, living room, wood stove & bonus space for a home gym or game room. 262 Sage Drive; $875,000.

NEW LISTING 3 bdrm/2 ½ bath nearly 1,700sf home with additional family room & attached 2 car garage features a fully fenced backyard on just over half an acre. 430 Fairway Lane; $675,000.

with endless development possibilities. Crest View Drive; $3,000,000.

NEW PRICE Fantastic opportunity to run your business out of this 2535sf shop with two 14 foot

$875,000.

NEW LISTING Ranch style 3 bdrm/2 bath, 2,500sf home on over 7 acres of horse property with barn & detached garage that features a huge workshop above. Large sunroom, gas fireplace insert, spacious master suite with views of the Anthracites & Carbon Peak. 776 Pashuta Dr.; $900,000

1 ACRE RIVERFRONT PROPERTY on the Ohio Creek. Property has electric to the lot line with central sewer available. Water is serviced by a shared well. 205 Spring Meadows Trail; $335,000.

PRICE REDUCED 3 bdrm/2 bath, ranch level home with a walkout basement. Open kitchen & dining area with a pellet stove. Property has an attached 3 car garage. Over 1,800sf with great southern views of Sawtooth Mountain & W Mountain. No HOA or covenants. 851 County Road 18; $399,000.

OHIO CITY Opportunity knocks at Sportsmans Resort! Year-round access location, mature trees, positioned on 1.28 acres, would make a great retreat or base camp. Ride Cumberland Pass over to Taylor Reservoir for the day. 116 County Road 771; $499,900.

“If I don’t get that paper, I’m ne with it, because I can go to sleep tonight knowing that sh is alive and well, swimming around in the Mesa.”

Scott Enloe, local sherman

OBITUARIES

Fred Haverly memorial service

The family of Fred Haverly invites you to share in a memo-

WEDDING

Ryan Jackson Helzer

Todd and Yvonne Marshall of Gunnison are thrilled to announce the wedding of their daughter Zoe Rachelle to Ryan Jackson Helzer on April 29 at the Hillside Vineyard in Ft. Collins, Colorado. Numerous friends and family members were in attendance, including Ryan’s parents, Andrea and Jacks Helzer of Maryland, Grandparents, Tom and

rial service in his honor on June 3 at 11 a.m. at Trinity Baptist Church in Gunnison. A reception will follow. In lieu of flowers please donate to Rick

Barton Ministries, PO Box 1155 Gunnison, CO 81230 or Lighthouse Pregnancy Center, PO Box 7103 Gunnison , CO 81230.

Riley Jane Bergman

On Feb. 24, 2023, Riley Jane Bergman was born to Rod and Whitney Bergman of Gunnison. She was seven weeks premature and weighed only 3 lbs. 12 ozs. at birth and measured 17 inches in length. Her grandparents are Cletus and Amanda Zerr of Wheat Ridge, Colorado and Kevin and Erin Bergman of Vero Beach, Florida.

Marilyn Marshall of Gunnison and Linda and Ernie Foster of Washington.

The couple will reside in Fort Collins as Zoe pursues her masters in early childhood education from Colorado State University, while Ryan starts his employment with Northwest Mutual.

Baker charged with two counts of homicide

Next court date set for May 26

Abby Harrison Times Staff Writer

Zachary Baker, of Grand Junction, was charged with two counts of murder in the first degree on Tuesday, May 16. Baker was charged with killing Estefan Coronado, 33, of Fruita, Colorado and Colin Williams, 45, of Clifton, Colorado. As of May 23, Baker had not entered a plea.

On May 8, around 4:15 a.m., sheri 's deputy Ross Downs was

patrolling Hwy. 50 and observed a truck about 50 yards off the highway in the sagebrush, just east of the Sapinero Trading Post. Downs then observed Baker, walking away from the truck onto the roadway, yelling on the phone.

“Zachary was yelling ‘they were going to kill me,’ and that he shot them. Deputy Downs asked Zachary if he shot someone down at the truck and Zachary stated ‘yes,’” an A davit for Probable Cause Arrest stated. Downs placed Baker in handcu s and in the back of his patrol vehicle. He then walked down to the

truck and found Coronado and Williams in the front seats, with multiple bullet wounds to their torsos.

Baker was arrested May 9 and is currently being held in the Gunnison County Jail without bond. His next hearing is set for May 26 at 11 a.m. in the Gunnison County Courthouse. The investigation is ongoing by the Sheri ’s O ce, the Colorado Bureau of Investigation and the Gunnison County Coroner.

(Abby Harrison can be contacted at 970.641.1414 or abby@gunnisontimes.com.)

Zoe Rachelle weds

970.641.1414

© 2023 Gunnison Country Times

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Staff Writer Abby Harrison abby@gunnisontimes.com

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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

OPINION

‘Will it all happen again?’

Every year, as summer nally begins to look like more than just a rumor, Memorial Day offers an opportunity to pause and honor those who sacriced themselves to defend the visionary promise that America has held since its founding. And every year, that message seems more or less the same. Successive ceremonies at the cemetery are practically identical — which, of course, is part of what makes ritual so powerful: mindful repetition.

But that also makes it easy to forget that the real purpose of Memorial Day is not simply to commemorate the past, but to consider the future in light of it. Those we’ve lost challenge us to be still and answer the question: What will you do with what we’ve given you?

is year, taking time to think about that is more important than ever. First, the potential for war abroad is greater than we’ve known in a while. And, at home, Americans appear to be closer to real con ict with each other than has happened in over 150 years.

While pondering this, I had a serendipitous conversation with Maryo Ewell. With trademark grace and wisdom, she pointed me to an event that had just taken place in the Gunnison High School auditorium. Mike Callihan and a number of local

Alan Wartes Times Publisher

actors presented an adaptation of a radio drama that originally aired on May 8, 1945 (Victory in Europe Day). The show was called “On a Note of Triumph.”

“Listen to it,” she said, suggesting that I’d nd insight into many of the same questions we urgently need to consider now. She was not wrong.

The play’s writer, Norman Corwin, created a character simply called, “Soldier.” The narrator introduced him like this:

“Who is he? Well, his name and rank and nationality don’t matter much. Just picture him where he may be tonight in Europe: Perhaps in his cot in a barracks … thinking things over. Perhaps he’s standing on a village green before a monument to the dead of World War I … Close your eyes, and it could reasonably be this boy, that boy, any boy at all with war still

thumping in his ears.”

Then came the boy’s turn to speak.

“If you don’t mind, there are some things we guys would like to ask … Who did we beat? How much did it cost? What have we learned? What do we do now? Is it all going to happen again?”

It’s remarkable that, just moments after the guns fell silent in Europe, this production was already pairing celebration with a healthy dose of introspection. So much so that the soldier’s questions served as the backbone of the entire play. Here are some highlights:

Who did we beat? We’ll return to this one in a moment.

What did it cost? “A surplus of widows and fatherless children … the remembering eyes of a sweetheart … the stammering speech of a shell shocked boy … Shall the balance sheet be balanced? By whom? How?”

What did we learn? “[That] evil is not always as insidious as advertised, but will, upon occasion, give fair warning, just as smoke announces the intention of ame to follow.” In other words, we can’t always claim ignorance or innocence in the face of growing danger.

Will it happen again? “Shall we merely assume it will happen again in the course of human nature, and make up our minds not to make up our

minds about anything important?”

Bingo. If there is an X to mark the spot where we can find guidance for today in this piece of radio history reenacted here in Gunnison, this is it.

Will all these things happen again? Yes, so long as we continue to assume it is not in our nature to be better and to “make up our minds to not make up our minds about anything important.” That is, if we restrict ourselves to consider only the sound bites, talking points and simplistic answers that are so plentiful these days.

So, what is important? That brings me back to the question I skipped: “Who did we beat?” e Germans? Japanese? Vietnamese? Serbians? Afghanis? Iraquis? Libyans? Russians? Chinese? That list could go on forever — and probably will, creating ever-longer lists of names to honor on future Memorial Days — until we turn the question inward to ask the only thing that matters: What dark impulses will we finally overcome in ourselves? What are we willing to sacri ce for that victory?

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

Veto shows lack of respect for Western Slope ag

Jason Peterson Gunnison Stockgrowers’ Association

2023

Winter Hours: 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. Monday through Friday 2023 Member

LETTERS POLICY

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Email letters to editor@gunnisontimes.com or send to 218 N. Wisconsin St., Gunnison, CO 81230. Include your full name, address and a phone number — for our internal use only.

The deadline is Tuesday at 12 p.m. Letters may be edited for grammar, clarity or length.

As livestock producers in Gunnison County, we are beyond frustrated with the Governor’s decision to deny the will of the legislature and veto SB23-256, Management of Gray Wolves Reintroduction. This decision has disregarded the needs of our industry and the voices of producers.

This bill would have provided much-needed flexibility in wolf management practices to protect the livestock industry. SB23-256, with broad bipartisan support, was carefully crafted with input from various stakeholders, including livestock producers and Western Slope community members. e nal wolf management plan itself says, “The 10(j) rule provides management exibility that is a critical component to the success of this Plan and on which other components of the Plan depend.”

We did not ask for wolves to be introduced into our rural communities. We did not vote

for Proposition 114, which narrowly passed. Throughout the wolf introduction process, we have cooperated to ensure the introduction is successful while ensuring we have all the tools in the toolbox to protect our livelihoods. The Gunnison County Stockgrowers’ Association (GCSA) themselves attended every single public comment meeting and offered meaningful comment at every opportunity that was available.

The governor’s veto shows a lack of understanding of the needs of our industry and discounts the critical role that livestock producers play in our state’s economy and food supply. We have attempted to mend relationships and work with our state’s leadership, and in return, these choices show a lack of respect and care for our industry and communities. e GCSA has worked for decades to help preserve the Gunnison sagegrouse. The state has been a valuable partner to help ensure the success of the species. is veto undoes years of partnerships that were created at the state capitol.

As our rural communities are struggling, it is disappointing to see Gov. Jared Polis continue prioritizing political interests over the interest of Colorado’s hardworking farmers and ranchers and the viability of Western Slope communities.

We want to thank the bill’s sponsors for standing steadfast with the constituents and representing the voices of the Western Slope. We applaud their ability to gather overwhelming bipartisan support for this bill. It is frustrating to see how this decision outright ignores the hard work of Colorado’s elected officials throughout the legislative session to represent their constituents.

Colorado’s agriculture community faces challenges daily, including the increasing frequency of extreme weather events and uncertainty in markets. They don’t need to also worry about how state government officials may affect their abilities to operate. Even with this decision to veto this bill, livestock producers will continue to provide for our state, even

with the impending wolf reintroduction.

How can we work together to ensure agriculture production and producers will not be harmed through the wolf introduction process? Prop. 114 specifically stated the need to “prevent and resolve conflicts between gray wolves and livestock,” and livestock producers need certainty for management flexibility before wolves are introduced. Gov. Polis, how can you veto a bill that would have helped you uphold Prop. 114?

Our ask is simple: we must work together and support the industry that feeds, clothes and fuels our state. Let’s recognize the bene ts that livestock producers bring to the environment, wildlife and rural communities and work together to ensure the future of our Western Slope communities.

(Jason Peterson is a local Gunnison Valley rancher and the former president of the Gunnison County Stockgrowers’ Association.)

LETTERS

VanTuyl is part of our city, valley and way of life

Editor:

ank you for your excellent column in last week’s paper pulling together the details of the city’s proposed industrialgrade water treatment plant on our VanTuyl property.

One has to wonder, how did it come to this? City residents, strapped as we are by brutal in ation, face dramatic water rate increases to treat our headwater's water? Otherwise, we’re liable for signi cant state-imposed nes for not doing so?

Ironically, the taste of Gunnison’s tap water strongly in uenced my decision to move to Gunnison 42 years ago. I’d surveyed the entire American West, a clockwise four-month journey by car from Texas to Colorado looking for where to escape from Houston and what it had become in the late-1970s. My determination of “best-tasting water in the West” was wellfounded.

I’m no water quality scientist, but I can google. Selenium levels threaten four species of sh downstream from us. Our water must contain 0.2 parts per million (ppm) of chlorine.

Ours tested 2.0 ppm. Copper and lead levels, sometimes in uenced by home plumbing, tested acceptably.

e Gunnison County

WSD 2023 Drinking Water Quality Report concludes with “No Violations or Formal Enforcement Actions.”

Repeated googling returned no problems, other than climate change-induced water quantity issues. I was left wondering if the state-required water treatment plant de ned a solution looking for a problem.

Ensuring su cient water quantity appears to be the pressing issue. ank goodness locals fought and prevailed when Front Range water bandits plotted to divert our water over the Divide. Had we failed, how empty would Blue Mesa Reservoir have gotten last year? At 30% capacity, things were worrisome enough.

e Colorado River Compact of 1922 grants downriver states rst dibs on Colorado River water. Hopefully, our longterm drought will break given Mother Nature ignores human demands. Relying on surface water sources in an uncertain legal and climatological climate seems suspect.

You noted that a “hearty” water supply is required for Gunnison’s future, and that the most “cost-e ective place” may be the VanTuyl location. You wisely noted we should “consider these wild places and what they mean to the community,” as few such places remain unspoiled.

Amen, sister. Most “coste ective” conclusions fail to include a dollar value for the natural capital of unspoiled places like VanTuyl. I submit that a price-e ective, not coste ective solution has been proposed, a price-e ective

solution ignoring the true costs to be born in perpetuity by us and our progeny. Pricee ective solutions applied to our priceless parcel of community-owned land insult both the parcel and our progeny.

e price of building an industrial water treatment plant must not ignore the cost of losing the natural capital of our priceless parcel of pastoral land. Make no mistake, once lost, it’s gone, and not coming back … ever. Industrializing VanTuyl poses a cost that far exceeds the advertised price. Speaking of city water, when can I expect water in my ditch?

Paul Wayne Foreman Gunnison

Happy spring, Slate River floaters!

Editor:

As snow melts in the high country, our local rivers begin to swell, and migrating great blue herons return to their nesting grounds in the Slate River Valley, we are writing to ask for your participation in our community’s e ort to balance recreation on the Slate River with protection of Crested Butte’s high-elevation heron nesting colony.

Great blue herons returned from their winter migration in late March and have occupied 12 nests. Western Colorado University researchers will be keeping a close watch on the population this spring and summer. Breeding, nesting and rearing of chicks will be taking place in the coming months, and research is indicating that reducing recreational impacts near the rookery until the end of the breeding season (early to late August), when chicks have edged, may help increase chick survival rates and the number of occupied nests in the colony.

As we enter the fth successful season of the voluntary no- oat period, please join us in honoring the no- oat period on the Upper Slate River between Gunsight Bridge and the Slate River Boat Launch through July 15 to protect the great blue heron rookery. Floating elsewhere during the herons’ sensitive nesting period reduces disturbance to the birds, allowing them the best chance for survival.

If you plan to oat the Slate River prior to July 15, please plan to oat the middle Slate between the Slate River Boat Launch on Pyramid Avenue and the Skyland Bridge at Brush Creek Road. ank you!

Due to the exceptional winter we experienced this year, ows are rising to dangerous levels and a high level of caution should be exercised if you choose to oat. Multiple bridges that span the river are close to being impassable. Additionally, any regulatory closures that are put in place should be abided by.

Here are a few more tips for oating the Slate River this season:

-Leave your dogs at home

to prevent trespassing and to reduce negative wildlife and livestock encounters.

-Most of the land on either side of the river, including the river bottom, is private property. Please stay on your watercraft between access points and take care to avoid trespassing on private property.

-As the cattle grazing season begins, river fences will be going up — get low and glide underneath.

-Floater access at the Rec Path Bridge will be closed beginning in 2023 as the area continues to undergo restoration. Please plan to launch from the Slate River Boat Launch adjacent to Pyramid Avenue located just upstream from the Rec Path Bridge.

-Know before you go. e river may be too high to oat under bridges or too low to oat without trespassing. Please be an informed river user. For more information about oating the Slate and the Slate River Working Group, please visit: cblandtrust.org/slateriver- oaters/. Our thanks, and please be safe out there!

e Slate River Working Group

Look up

Editor:

As the Gunnison Valley faces a major boom in development and a litany of related growing pains, I urge our local residents, elected o cials, visitors and community stakeholders (City of Gunnison, Gunnison County, Town of CB, Town of Mt. CB, Ohio Creek Valley, heck even Marble, Gunnison Rising, Vail at CBMR, Western, etc.) to better champion and conserve one of our most special yet unacknowledged natural resources: dark skies.

For each resident we welcome to our community, our light pollution grows exponentially, and permanently. Light pollution a ects our health and well-being as humans, and more importantly, it a ects the health and viability of wildlife and the natural world in massively detrimental ways.

It is costly and time-consuming to x bad lighting once it has been built, and we must all do better at including dark sky-compliant measures and lighting in future planning. As my tenure on Gunnison City Council draws to a close, I acknowledge I have failed in my push to have the City of Gunnison certi ed as an International Dark Sky Community.

With the immense price tags, impacts on utility bills, and sta hours it has taken to bring forth essential infrastructure and community projects like the wastewater treatment plant overhaul and Lazy K development (among many more), it proved daunting to advocate that dark skies are vital enough to add to the list.

It must be done. Big projects that have already had an Letters A9

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with the task of inter-agency rec planning. The committee is years deep into conversations about a Gothic corridor travel user management plan, and members have stated that attempting coordination between the many stakeholders has created significant roadblocks. The Crested Butte to Crested Butte South multimodal trail, only seven miles long, has also stretched into a years-long process, entangled in negotiations with private property owners, budget constraints and right-of-way approvals from the Colorado Department of Transportation.

According to Nehrenberg, the recreation plan could streamline and coordinate recreation efforts, acting as a valley-wide roadmap for all.

“It will be a big endeavor, but I don’t think it's too big,” he said.

Board member Cassia Cadenhead said she hopes it will be a catalyst for community collaboration. Although the valley is well-known for its recreational offerings, planning has been limited to individual entities, districts and committees.

“It's helping bring us all together to do things we couldn't do as the smaller municipalities and [property owners associations],” she said

in the meeting. “Although I love action, I see the point of having a solid plan to march towards.”

The district is already gauging community priorities via a recreation survey that went out at the start of the month. As of May 17, the survey received 222 responses, but Nehrenberg said he would like to get to 1,000 by the June 30 deadline. e plan is also meant to guide long-term funding decisions, Nehrenberg said. With the passage of ballot measure 6B, which added 2 mills onto North Subdistrict tax collections, the district is working with a $1.2 million budget in 2023 — the largest budget in its over 40-year history.

“I became convinced I didn't know how to proceed without [the plan], that I couldn't adequately represent the constituents,” said board member Earl Marshall in the meeting.

“I mean, we could be talking seven gure awards within four or five years without a good roadmap to achieve that goal.”

Nehrenberg met with consultants who do conduct master planning, architectural design and environmental analysis. Some of the firms, yet to be named, have done multiple planning projects in this community and around the state, he said. All are o ering services in the $300,000 range.

According to Nehrenberg, the U.S. Forest Service, the City of Gunnison and the Committee have expressed their support.

“The STOR Committee signaled general support for the effort but did not discuss the topic in detail nor receive a detailed presentation,” Assistant County Manager for Community and Economic Development Cathie Pagano said in a statement to the Times “I know [Nehrenberg] would like to engage more with STOR as MetRec develops the plan that may be coming.”

Marshall said he worried there may be community fatigue from other master planning processes, like the Crested Butte South Parks master plan or Mt. Crested Butte master plan — both completed in 2022. MetRec Board Director Loren Ahonen agreed, questioning whether there was “a critical mass of interest” and the essential stakeholders are interested.

Nehrenberg disputed the point, saying that concurrent planning, like the City of Gunnison’s Three Mile Plan or the highly-anticipated Grand Mesa Uncompahgre and Gunnison Forest Plan, is a boon to process rather than a detriment.

“The timing is really good, because we're not going to have to do all the planning. We can take the plans that people put hard work into and assimilate them,” he said.

e question of critical mass is timely, as MetRec recent board election saw a mere 1-2% voter turnout. Of the 12,000

eligible voters in MetRec’s district, only 206 cast votes last month. But Nehrenberg attributed it to MetRec communication about the election, rather than signaling a lack of the constituent’s interest in engaging with the district. MetRec’s lawyer advised the board to refrain from sharing information about the election, a decision Nehrenberg believes led to low voter turnout. With board approval, he will start drafting the RFP with a goal of hiring a contractor in September of this year.

MetRec intends to have a nal plan ready by the first quarter of 2025.

“The community already does a good job of working together. I believe that people can get together and have open discussions and disagree and still nd a way to reach consensus … So, you know, if we can't pull off a regional recreation master plan, woe to all other communities,” he said.

(Abby Harrison can be contacted at 970.641.1414 or abby@ gunnisontimes.com.)

“[But] there's always going to be a certain degree of risk, we will not have a crystal ball,” he said.

time the district passed a bond in almost 15 years

Superintendent Leslie Nichols and the district’s partners gave an update on the valley-wide school improvements project during an open house at Gunnison Community School on Thursday, May 18. Nichols presented the progress that has already been made on the colossal project, as well as details about the three-year timeline.

e school district is now in the initial stages of recruiting members of the community to serve on “design advisory groups” — committees for each school that will help the district work through detailed design plans before construction begins.

“You may be wondering what is going on, like we passed this in November, and we're ready to go,” Nichols said. “I know that's how I'm feeling. But it does take a minute to assemble the team and then to have our next steps gured out.”

The district went to market and successfully sold its bonds this January. Although no ground has been broken nearly six months later, the district has been busy assembling a team that will make the renovations possible.

It has already hired an owner’s representative, the Denverbased Artaic Group. The “owner’s rep” will oversee the bond program in its entirety and is responsible for the budget, project schedule and managing communications. Once hired,

the Artaic Group became the district’s construction department and helped the team select an architect.

Project managers are in the process of hiring a general contractor and held interviews on May 18. According to Artaic Group principal Chris Guarino, the goal is to hire as many local workers as possible, keeping the bond money in the community.

e team anticipates the facility upgrades to take three years to nish, with the nal completion set for the end of 2026. The main themes of the renovation projects are addressing security at all schools, relieving crowding in Crested Butte and numerous mechanical and facility upgrades aimed at increasing energy e ciency.

In order to make sure the community’s vision is aligned with architectural plans, school designs will be guided by numerous stakeholder groups

consisting of a mix of residents, teachers, administrators, school board members and students. An executive team will make final recommendations to the school board for approval.

design, and we'll make it happen.”

The school district is searching for members to join five advisory groups that will guide the improvement projects. Each campus will have its own group, while the fifth will specifically focus on district-wide security upgrades. e goal is to ensure that entry sequences feel the same at all of the schools.

All of the projects will be staggered to help with budgeting. According to the project team, the community should expect to see activity at Gunnison’s Lake School first, starting with the playground and site work during the summer of 2024. Right around the same time, the district will be going through the design process for the Crested Butte Community School and Gunnison High School, followed by Pathways and Gunnison Community School.

Because summer break is on the horizon, design work will not ramp up until August when students and teachers return to the classroom. Design advisory group meetings will start this fall.

“There's hundreds of people that are going to be involved in design,” said TreanorHL architect Chad Novak. “We facilitate it, but really, this design is your

Gunnison resident Mark VanderVeer asked how the district will make sure the first projects don’t exhaust all of the funds over the course of the three-year timeline, especially considering rising costs of building materials and labor. e owner’s rep must include contingencies when it drafts project plans — budgeting over and above what it thinks the renovations will cost, Guarino said. The advisory groups will also help the team separate project needs versus wants.

The school district will hold another project launch event on ursday, May 25 at Crested Butte Community School from 6-7 p.m. To learn more about the school improvement and expansion projects or submit a design advisory group interest form, visit GWSDSchools.com.

(Bella Biondini can be contacted at 970.641.1414 or bella@gunnisontimes.com.)

“This design is your

design, and we’ll make it

happen.”

TreanorHL architect Chad Novak

Jacob Spetzler

Abby Harrison

School bond from A1

In 2022, MetRec gave $5,000 to the Gunnison County Library District for the Library Loop Trail.

First graders play at the Gunnison Community School on May 17.

Prefabricated units for the Gunnison County-owned affordable housing development Sawtooth arrived in the city in mid-April 2023. Eighteen units, a part of phase one of the project, are expected to be move-in-ready by early fall.

Huge beautiful kit/din/fam main level w/pine bettle kill T&G Vaulted Ceiling! Dual Zone Central Heat W/16 Panel solar plus backup16-20KW Generator! Prewired for Satellite, 600 sq ft attached garage, plus huge detached metal barn. Call

SAGUACHE COUNTY SEEKS BOARD OF EQUALIZATION REFEREES

SAGUACHE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS SITS AS THE SAGUACHE COUNTY BOARD OF County Assessor.

hearings for Saguache County Board of Equalization and make recommendations to the SCBOE. The Saguache County Board of Equalization is accepting resumes for the appointment to the Board of

Sawtooth units arrive in Gunnison

Gunnison County’s next affordable housing project, Sawtooth, is inching closer to opening its doors. Just a month after county officials broke ground on the plot, the first 18 modular units (in phase one of the project) arrived in Gunnison from Buena Vista in mid-April. Sawtooth is located on county-owned land on South 14th Street, just west of the Gunnison County Fairgrounds. County officials hope construction crews will finish laying the foundations in mid-June, so the units are ready to welcome occupants in early September. On Tuesday night, the City of Gunnison preliminarily approved a zoning change that would allow the county to proceed with phase two of the development. Final approval will follow at a regular meeting in June. Representatives from the community, the Gunnison Valley Regional Housing Authority and the Valley Housing Fund (VHF) expressed their support.

“Every home gives the opportunity to someone or a family to build a life, and because of that every parcel is extremely valuable,” said VHF board member John O’Neal. “And there’s just not many parcels that are left that could be an R3 or a multifamily parcel.”

INTERESTED PARTIES MAY SUBMIT THEIR RESUMES TO:

Saguache County Board of Commissioners

0.9% APR1

GMC SIERRA 1500 MODELS PLUS, NO MONTHLY PAYMENTS FOR 90 DAYS2 FOR

BUYERS

Abby Harrison

The inside of two Sawtooth homes.

Crews lay concrete foundation for Sawtooth.

970.641.0435

High water from

As the weather warms, snowmelt has continued to rush into the Gunnison Valley’s rivers and streams — many of their flows exceeding historical averages and threatening to overtop banks. Although emergency managers and local law enforcement agencies have kept a close eye on areas at risk of ooding, the boating community is only at the start of what will be a long and exciting season on the water.

In 2022, the Gunnison River’s ow rate at the whitewater park peaked around 2,100 cubic feet per second (cfs) before quickly tapering o . is year, ows have hovered around 3,000 for days, spilling into the parking lot. River goers don’t foresee it dropping any time soon, Lakey said.

Last year, the “good chunk” of Gunnison’s typically short surfing season only lasted about six weeks. This year it could be a solid three months, Lakey said.

“ ere’s a lot of sur ng still to come, it’s going to be a long season,” he said.

Flows have been variable due to cooler spring conditions and steady precipitation at both ends of the valley — with spikes occurring during periods of warmer weather. But all of the streamflow gauges across the Upper Gunnison Basin are recording signi cant ow increases as temperatures gradually rise.

As of Tuesday, the Gunnison River at the whitewater park was running more than 1,000 cfs above the historical average for that speci c date. e Taylor River at Almont, the East River below Cement Creek and Ohio Creek were all running hundreds of cfs above normal.

With more snow still to melt, downstream reservoirs are also finally experiencing some relief after persistent dry conditions in recent years pushed reservoirs like Blue Mesa to new lows. Blue Mesa levels have received an extra boost from a wet spring so far, paired with the high volume of water owing in the rivers downstream of the reservoir, said Bureau of Reclamation hydrologist Erik Knight. According to projections, Blue Mesa is expected to ll between 90-95% this year.

“When we try to do our spring peak operation to meet those downstream targets, we're send-

ing out a whole lot less water than we originally anticipated that we would need to send … it’s been a nice surprise this year for sure,” Knight said.

Even though the snow has melted out in town in Crested Butte, it is still lingering at higher elevations. It looked like “full on winter” last week in Paradise Basin and much of the Slate Valley, said David Gochis, a hydrometeorologist for the National Center of Atmospheric Research in Boulder.

“I was pretty amazed how much snow is up there and still has yet to come down,” Gochis said.

Although the recent moisture hasn’t added greatly to the water supply, the new snow at higher elevations buried a fairly signi cant layer of dust that coated many of the peaks in the Upper Valley in brown in early April. Exposed dust on snow can lead to more rapid snowmelt earlier in the season.

Gochis said there is some indication that one of the factors driving the sustained runoff is the amount of snow that accumulated at lower elevations over the winter season. Evidence has been documented by ights from the Airborne Snow Observatory (ASO) in April, comparing snapshots of the snowpack to similar time periods over the past three years in the East and Taylor basins.

The ASO flights revealed a much larger total volume of snow at the valley oor elevation. is is the snow that melted out rst, giving the flows an early boost, he said.

“ e fact that there's still a lot of good high elevation snow is a good sign that they'll be sustained for quite a bit longer into the summer,” Gochis said.

Paddling season got an early start, with river goers getting

out on the water long before Memorial Day, said Kestrel Kunz, the Southern Rockies Associate Stewardship Director at American Whitewater. While the Upper Taylor is a well-known stretch of Colorado whitewater, the low flows over the past few years haven’t provided what more experienced paddlers, kayakers and rafters were looking for, she said. But Kunz is hopeful the high runo will help attract more visitors to the river and local outtters from other areas over the summer.

Because this is the first high water year since 2019, new boaters who learned how to paddle during the pandemic may be experiencing these flows in the valley for the rst time, Kunz said.

“That can come with a lot of excitement, but also with some learning curves and extra safety that’s involved … there's really no replacement for an o cial swiftwater rescue course,” she said.

Last week, the Gunnison County Sheriff’s Office warned of “dangerous” river conditions along the stretch of the Gunnison River between Almont and the North Bridge on Hwy. 135, including bridges that are unnavigable because of how high the water is flowing underneath. In Crested Butte, bridges on the lower section of the Slate River are also becoming risky due to low clearance, said Peter Horgan, a stewardship manager with the Crested Butte Land Trust.

“I think we're definitely approaching that stage where flows are really dangerous and trying to pass under those bridges may be virtually impossible,” he said.

(Bella Biondini can be contacted at 970.641.1414 or bella@gunnisontimes.com.)

A1

Bella Biondini

Jacob Spetzler

Local river surfers Willy Miller and Sean Turner prepare to hop back in the water on May 19.

Blue Mesa is expected to fill between 90-95% this year, according to projections from the Bureau of Reclamation.

impact and, or will continue to add signi cant light pollution to our communities and surrounding wild lands include Western capital projects (soccer elds, Rady building, Mountaineer Stadium, $9 million campus-wide lighting update project), the Gunnison Airport renovation, Gunnison’s water treatment plant, the Whetstone project, Garden Walk Apartments, Sawtooth housing and Gunnison Rising.

It is unfathomable to think that with budgets in the millions of dollars, including millions in grants and public funding, we can’t include simple dark sky measures in the planning of these projects. It must be done. Our corner of the state is bursting with role models, dark sky advocates and champions of the night including: Lake City and Hinsdale County, Curecanti National Recreation Area, Black Canyon of the Gunnison, Westcli e and Silvercli , Great Sand Dunes National Park and Sangre de Cristo Dark Sky Reserve.

e list is long and full of opportunities and solutions. Dark sky preservation is a nonpartisan issue with bene ts for all and it must become a high priority as the Gunnison Valley faces irreversible change and growth.

How can you help today? Awareness is the rst step. With every lightbulb you install, consider our night skies. Turn o your porch light at night. Push your family, friends, neighbors and local entities to champion our night skies. Visit and volunteer with the Gunnison Valley Observatory. Learn more about the impact of light pollution and steps you can take at home at darksky.org.

Consider joining me in a citizens' alliance to advocate for our night skies. Will you join me in looking up and championing our dark skies? Carpe noctem — seize the night!

Mallory Logan Gunnison

Celebrating our passion for public lands and wildlife

Editor:

Last weekend for Colorado Public Lands Day, Backcountry Hunters and Anglers (BHA) organized an event in which volunteers from around the state pulled 5 miles of no longer necessary barbed wire fence from critical wildlife habitat around Gunnison. Work sites included Hartman Rocks, Wiley Lane, the Beaver Creek State Wildlife Area, Signal Peak and a wet meadow restoration worksite as well. Removing this fencing provides one less obstacle for wildlife to navigate, particularly important in challenging winters like the one we just experienced.

is event celebrated our public lands and passion for wildlife habitat restoration.

With a wild game potluck on Friday, and Beers, Bands, and Barbed Wire Strands on Saturday, an excellent weekend was had by all.

In addition to thanking the 150 volunteers who joined us this weekend, BHA would like to thank all of our sponsors who donated funds, services, giveaway prizes and auction items for the weekend, the help of other amazing non-pro t organizations who showed up to support the cause, as well as Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) and the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), which provided us with the opportunity and the leadership on the fence removal sites. A major shout out goes to our volunteer crew leader team who made sure the workday was fun, successful and safe.

If you missed out on the fun but would still like to participate in future public land events, BHA will be joining the Gunnison Wildlife Association, West Elk Archers, the BLM and CPW on Saturday, July 15, to work on a wet meadow restoration project. Speci c details will be announced shortly.

We will also be joining the Crested Butte Land Trust for a similar fence removal project on Aug. 1 and Aug. 8, from 4 p.m.-7 p.m., speci c details to be announced in the near future. Cheers to a successful and oh so important weekend.

Gunnison Backcountry Hunters and Anglers Crew

The community holds you tightly in this difficult time

Editor:

Saturday, May 20 was the celebration of life for Donna Bratton. What a wonderful gathering of the communities of Gunnison and Crested Butte.

It has been said that weddings and funerals are the reunions in life. What a reunion this was! It was such a joy to see young and old gather to celebrate Donna. To see the “old timers” greet one another, many of whom had not seen each other in years, was nothing short of fabulous.

Donna touched and shaped many lives, none more than Dick, Susan, Sara and Sara’s three beautiful daughters Anna, Katie and Abby. e community holds you all tightly in this di cult time of mourning.

Cindy Jenkins Gunnison

Please vote for Stern

Editor:

It is with great enthusiasm that I support electing Frank Stern to the Gunnison County Electric Association (GCEA) Board of Directors.

I look forward to receiving a ballot mailed on Monday, May 22, which I must and will mail in time to allow receipt in Minnesota by Tuesday, June 20.

I will do so as soon as possible, unless I decide to vote

electronically, which I must do by Friday, June 16. If all else fails, I would vote at the GCEA annual meeting on June 20 from 5-6 p.m. I will curb my enthusiasm and vote just once, to prevent canceling multiple votes!

It would have been su cient to support Stern if only he had worked for 30 years as an engineer in the electric utility industry focusing on green energy. It would have been sufcient to support Stern if only he had been a homeowner and GCEA customer for 18 years, who has frequently attended GCEA board and climate action coalition meetings in his spare time.

It would have been su cient to support Stern if only he had been an active, knowledgeable and collegial member of the Gunnison Valley Climate Crisis Coalition (GVC3), along with the Nordic Center, the Crested Butte Mountain Bike Association, and the Gunnison Country Food Pantry, and whose Atmospheric River Band delivers a knockout version of Tangled Up In Blue.

It would have been su cient to support Stern if only he had substantial previous work with electric co-ops and authored over 30 professional publications about clean energy that is also cost-e ective and reliable.

In short, it would have been su cient to support Stern if only he was either absolutely over-quali ed to be an electric co-op board member or had a long-standing commitment to clean, cost-e ective energy.

To have both makes the choice to support Stern pretty much a slam dunk. I join Bill Mooz, Keith Bauer, Kevin and Sonda Donovan, Ian Billick, Rose Meier, Laird Cagan and Steve Schechter who have stated their support in the last three editions of the Crested Butte News. Like it or not, change from fossil fuels is coming at breakneck speed — or rather must if we are to leave this earth functioning for our grandchildren — and we need both the professional expertise and demonstrated long-term commitment to green energy to help us through the transition.

Local elections matter more than ever. Every vote matters. Representative Boebert’s recent “landslide” was by all of 546 votes.

So pickleball and tennis players, skiers, bikers and hikers; hunters and gatherers and wild ower watchers; GVC3 supporters and Writer’s Group members; Dylan fans, old and young; parents of my grandchildren and everybody’s grandparents: Please vote for Stern for the GCEA Board of Directors.

determining the make-up of its electricity generation portfolio are long past.

GCEA is now faced with the requirement to replace and diversify its generation portfolio with very signi cant levels of renewable energy, 7% of which will be locally sourced. However, not all renewables’ technologies and projects are created equally.

As a retired developer of multiple utility-scale renewable projects in Scotland, I can attest to the fact that the process for determining the most appropriate and productive renewable technologies in a given location requires a deep level of technical competency.

Frank Stern’s extensive and speci c industry experience is exactly what will be required in making these choices. His presence on the GCEA board will add signi cantly to the depth of the board’s technical competency.

If we, as a community, want a high-quality, productive and sustainable electricity generation portfolio in Gunnison County, Stern represents our best opportunity to ensure this happens.

I will be marking my GCEA board ballot for Stern and I encourage other GCEA members to do the same.

Bonnie Priest Crested Butte

A lifesaver

Editor:

I left my home at 7 a.m. from Grand Junction to go to La Jara. A friend of mine had passed away, and we were going to the funeral. On the way the re, we came up to some construction and we were delayed for 45 minutes. At that time, the solar-powered generator that runs my oxygenator machine stopped working.

ere I was at 7,000 feet with no oxygen at all, and my oxygen dropped to 54. After some time I got it back up to 90, but struggled to keep it there as we started to move through the worksite at about 5 mph. ere were about 25 cars ahead of us and no place to stop and pull o the road to get a bottle of oxygen from the back of my truck.

Finally, we arrived in Gunnison, and I asked a young man at McDonalds if there was anywhere in Gunnison that I could buy a generator. He said to go to Napa and they would help me. at’s what I did, and I told them what happened to me. ey said you’re not leaving this store until we take care of this problem.

A grandmother for Stern

Editor:

I am a Crested Butte homeowner and a grandmother. As a candidate for the GCEA Board, Frank Stern brings an unusual amount of expertise and experience to the serious job of helping bring electric co-ops successfully into our new and uncertain future.

I especially worry about my granddaughter because of the extreme weather events we are already seeing. I believe that people like Stern are the ones who can help us reach the important goals of reasonablypriced, reliable and sustainable electricity as we move into this new future.

To my neighbors in the Gunnison Valley who also care about these issues, please be sure to vote in the upcoming GCEA election, and cast your vote for Stern. I found out that you can nd out all the voting details you need at gcea. coop/2023-election/.

Here is a quick summary:

5/22: Ballots will be mailed to you.

6/16: Last day to vote online.

6/20: Mailed ballots must be received by the out-of-state voting service by this date. Mail within a few days after you receive your ballot.

6/20: You can vote at GCEA in Gunnison from 5-6 p.m.

I feel that getting our votes in for Stern is the most positive and important thing we can do right now. If you are forgetful like me, you can put this newspaper article on your kitchen counter as a reminder.

Dana B. Delaney Crested Butte

In support of Wiggins

Editor:

I am writing this letter in support of Greg Wiggins for GCEA Board of Directors. I have known Greg for 35 years and have interacted with him in multiple capacities during that time period. Whether it was business dealings, community non-pro ts or kids’ sports, I have always found Greg to be honest, reasonable, straight forward and interested in what is best for the Gunnison County community.

In his 12 years on the GCEA board, I have been impressed with not only the service provided but the direction our co-op is headed regarding sustainable and reliable sources of energy at reasonable rates.

Michael A. Bell Crested

Butte South

Mark your GCEA ballot for Stern

Editor:

e days where Gunnison County Electric Association and its board could make simple decisions between coal or gas- red generation in

ey came out to my truck and took a look at what I had. After a lot of trial and error that involved running cables through the oorboard and securing them with zip ties, my oxygenator ran like a champ.

I want to thank Courtney and Josh from the bottom of my heart. ere are people in the world that take the time to really help people out when they're in trouble.

Victor J. Romero Grand Junction

Greg understands that it is the employees at GCEA who play a key role in keeping our lights on and has supported the employees with training, competitive wages and bene ts. I believe Greg’s experience on the GCEA board and his time in the community are invaluable assets and encourage stability in regards to costs, service and alternative energy sources.

Please support Greg and vote in the GCEA election.

Bill Frame Crested Butte

TRAILHEAD SERIES

GVH honors ‘loved ones we lost’

On Saturday, June 10, Gunnison Valley Health Hospice and Palliative Care will host the third annual Celebration of Life. e event is a memorial celebration o ering the opportunity to honor loved ones who we have lost. e event begins at 10 a.m. in West Tomichi Riverway Park and will include a light brunch, music and the release of memorial lotus owers.

GVH Bereavement

Coordinator Dawn Stewart said she hopes the event will provide an opportunity for families to honor their loved ones and nd comfort and support.

“ e loss of a loved one is difficult, and each person experiences grief differently,” Stewart said. “The Celebration of Life is an opportunity to reconnect with hospice sta , nd support and honor the life and memory of a loved one.”

e event is built around the lotus flower which is symbolic of transition and change. Lotus flowers grow in murky waters, blooming in the light.

“The lotus flower is a symbol of transition,” Stewart said. “Growing through the darkness and emerging into the light is a meaningful symbol of the process of loss, grief and healing.”

While the event will honor all patients served by Gunnison Valley Health Hospice over the past year, all members of the community are invited to call and reserve a lotus flower in honor of their loved ones.

To RSVP and reserve a lotus, visit gunnisonvalleyhealth.org or call 970.641.4254 by May 25.

(Source: Gunnison Valley Health.)

Get your ice cream!

Spenny’s Ice Cream Stand opened for business on Friday, May 19, serving cones of a community favorite, honey lavender, as well as plenty of classics like strawberry and cookies and cream. The stand, located at 200 W. Tomichi Ave., will be open from 12-9 p.m. over Memorial Day weekend.

Scenes from Gunnison Valley Health’s 2022 Celebration of Life. Jacob Spetzler

Western absorbs its nonprofit fundraising arm

Administrative shift meant to increase philanthropy

Abby Harrison Times Staff Writer

Western Colorado University is in the process of internalizing its fundraising arm, the Western Colorado University Foundation.

The Foundation is a private nonprofit corporation founded in the mid 70s to garner private funding from alumni, friends and companies. For the last decade, the board has answered to Executive Director Tom Burggraf, but in the coming weeks, Western will take over operations, and the board will soon report to senior administration.

“[It’s] an opportunity to collaborate and coordinate more efficiently with our engagement arm of the university — like alumni relations and career services. We believe that will lead to enhanced outcomes for philanthropy,” wwMike LaPlante said.

Burggraf will step down on June 30 after 26 years at the Foundation. The Times reached out to Burggraf, but he declined to comment. Beginning July 1, Vice President of Advancement Mike LaPlante will oversee the Foundation staff and support its board of directors.

Logistically, the move will create a few changes. The first is that Foundation staff will now be employed by the university in the Office of Advancement. The second is that oversight of the university’s fundraising will now be delegated to Western administration rather than a separate nonprofit board. The $270,000 that Western has kicked into the foundation each year will not be a “savings,” but will instead go back into the nonprofit to help fund operations, Western President Brad Baca said.

Over the years, the Foundation has funded student scholarships, campusimprovement initiatives — like the privately-funded Borick Business Building — and helped expand academic offerings. The Foundation’s 2021-22 annual report states that the nonprofit has raised over $100 million since it formed and given more than $4 million to the university each year, with the greatest portion going to scholarships.

A move to amp up fundraising efforts may come as no surprise, as the university is

about to move into the public phase of Elevate Western, a fundraising campaign that kicked off in 2019, meant to bring in $60-80 million over eight years. The campaign supports capital projects like the Mountaineer Bowl Events Complex and the renovation of the Paul Wright Gym, alongside more comprehensive academic programming and scholarships.

Internalizing the Foundation is also “best practice,” Baca said. Most similarly-sized state universities already follow the same model. Fort Lewis College and Adams State University both have fundraising organizations that report up through senior administration. The intent was to reduce the need for the operations, so Foundation staff and board members can focus their energy around fundraising, he said. But the move is also meant to improve the relationship between the board and the university.

“There is a lot of pent up desire to build a strong relationship between the two boards. I will say they feel like it hasn't happened, and that they're not as well regarded, not as well respected as they would like to be coming from the institution and from this body in particular,” Baca said in a May 5 Board of Trustees meeting. “And I have communicated very clearly that it is the interest of this board to build that relationship as well.”

Moving forward, the priority is to spend “a significant amount of time” building relationships, discussing roles and expectations of each entity, he said. The Foundation board will still have the autonomy required of a nonprofit, like investment policies, donor agreements and other aspects required to maintain a 501(c)3 status, which allows for taxexempt donations.

“It's critical that we're all synched up and doing everything we can to bring in as much money as we can to help support the student learning our educational mission,” Baca said.

The Foundation board has a draft of the Memorandum of Understanding, which codifies the change, and members will provide feedback before the agreement is set in stone.

(Abby Harrison can be contacted at 970.641.1414 or abby@gunnisontimes.com.)

Bluebird Real Estate welcomes Josh Young to our team!

Josh moved from North Carolina to the Gunnison Valley in 2010 to continue his education at Western State Colorado University. As an avid fly fisher, skier, mountain biker and overall outdoor enthusiast, the move to the Gunnison Valley was a perfect fit. Over the past 8 years, Josh has been selling real estate in the Gunnison Valley, where he specializes in commercial, residential and mountain recreation properties. In his free time, Josh can be found out with his dog Abe hiking in the high country or floating the river. Grateful for the community that has supported him, Josh makes sure new residents are welcomed with open arms and good times ahead.

LIVE. WORK. PLAY.

Gunnison Rising is the newest mountain town development with a bold vision. It is a premier destination for people, businesses, and entrepreneurs that hold a love for the natural world. Gunnison Rising is a place to live, work, play, and raise a family in an environment that fosters a commitment to community and the lands which surround it, making Gunnison, Colorado one of the best mountain towns to live in.

To discover more about the lifestyle Gunnison Rising offers, visit gunnisonrising.com.

Airport solar array held up by supply chain woes

Officials hope it will hum to life this year

Abby Harrison Times Staff Writer

Although construction on the parking lot solar array at the recently-renovated GunnisonCrested Butte Regional Airport was nished in 2020, it has yet to produce any kilowatts of power.

Hold-ups in mechanical equipment like power poles, transformers and PVC pipe have extended the timeline, but city and county officials hope to see it up and running within the year. Once it comes online, clean energy will flow to the array’s three beneficiaries: the City of Gunnison, Gunnison County and Western Colorado University.

The airport array is not only the city’s only self-generating solar array, but it is the only one that’s jointly-owned in city limits. All three entities contributed to the project, so each will receive a share of the power produced. e county provided the site, the city negotiated a deal with private solar company Pivot Energy to build the array and Western Colorado University contributed matching funds for a Department of Local Affairs (DOLA) grant that brought the project to life.

e idea for the array came out of Western Colorado University in 2018, when Masters of Environment and Sustainability student (and now MetRec board member) Loren Ahonen started to research new ways to provide the Gunnison Valley with renewable energy. Ahonen saw an opportunity in Western’s studentsupported Renew able Energy Fund, money that was historically used to purchase renewable energy credits.

But the push was always for the university to build its own solar infrastructure rather than buy renewable credits, Ahonen said.

“You know for a fact that you are generating electricity when

you build something, and you can see that it is generating electricity, right?” he said. So the impetus for students to make the renewable energy fee was to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions, and you can do that with varying success and varying intellectual honesty in the [renewable energy credit] game.”

It quickly became clear that Western would need partners to bring the project to life, to ensure enough money could be raised and more people benefit. With the DOLA grant secured and the county’s contribution of land, the array moved from schematics to construction.

Once up and running, the array is expected to produce 1.29 to 1.45 million kilowatt hours of energy every year. All of the power will go into the city’s electric grid, and then a third allotted to each partner.

Pivot Energy owns the array, and the city entered a 25-year power purchase agreement (PPA) with the company to buy energy at a xed rate. e city received a $510,000 grant from DOLA that brought the project to life, and Western matched to the tune of $300,000 from the Renewable Energy Fund. As a condition of the DOLA grant, the company will transfer ownership of the array to the city once the PPA expires.

e partnership was also brokered through the Municipal Energy Agency of Nebraska (MEAN), the city’s wholesale power provider, as the city is contractually capped to only produce 5% of its own energy, or about 1.6 megawatts total. The solar array is expected to produce 0.6 megawatts, said the city’s Electric Superintendent Will Dowis, meaning the city will be left with a little over 60% of its self-generation share unused.

“[The array] shows that we could work enough stakeholder relationships to do complicated things and work together towards a common goal — and it took a long time to get there,” Ahonen said.

(Abby Harrison can be contacted at 970.641.1414 or abby@ gunnisontimes.com.)

SOLD

26 Meadowlark Trail $995,000 MLS 792288. Built 2022 4bed 3bath 2471 sqft.

26 Meadowlark Trail is the newest home within highly coveted North Elk Meadows subdivision. This custom home is meticulously built and designed from solid cedar including the exterior siding with rock accent. Large foyer with vaulted 18 feet ceilings, a large 8 x 24 back deck, solid wood front door, abundant windows throughout the home giving natural light and views of Carbon Peak, Red Mountain, Flat Top and SignalPeak. This property has an open kitchen with 9 ft ceilings throughout the main level.

SOLD

304 C Van Tuyl Circle - $392,000 - 2 bed/1.5 bath Townhome located in the Van Tuyl Townhomes. This unit is a well kept, 2 story townhome with all appliances included and completely fenced front yard. Great location that is centrally located in town and close to Van Tuyl trails, grocery store and shops and blocks from the bus stop. Call for a showing today!

Lazy K, Gunnison’s newest subdivision has several units still available for purchase by individuals or institutions/businesses! MORE UNITS COMING THIS SPRING. We have 1 unit at 80% AMI units meaning if you make less than $50k-$70k/year depending on household size, you may qualify to purchase this new 2 bedroom/1.5 bath unit at $268,271! Applications to determine your eligibility can be found at GVRHA.org. To arrange a viewing or questions about the property, please contact Gunnison Real Estate & Rentals.

1207 Van Tuyl Circle, 3 bed 2.5 bath, 1628 sqft $710,000

MLS#798505

This hidden gem, single family home within the Van Tuyl Subdivision consists of 3 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms, approximately 1628 sqft. with a detached one car garage with a carport. Updated, move in ready, high ceiling, recessed lights, and open kitchen with an island separating the kitchen from the living room, pellet stove. The abundant natural light from the makes this home appealing and speculator. The other two bedrooms are upstairs with a 3/4 of a bathroom that consists of a walk-in shower with modern touches located in-between inviting, and intriguing home with a master suite downstairs with its own entrance and mini fridge/microwave section. The modern walk-in tiled shower and glass door is an impeccable touch. The storage space in the utility room is fully utilized with shelving and cabinets with front loading washer/dryer easily accessible. It's a must see property that's very inviting worth calling your agent today.

ALL UNDER CONTRACT, MORE COMING! NEXT LOTTERY WILL BE IN JULY!

The solar array at the Gunnison-Crested Butte Regional Airport is expected to produce between 1.29 to 1.45 million kilowatt hours of energy every year. All of the power will be allocated in equal thirds to the city, Western Colorado University and Gunnison County.

Jacob Spetzler

Monarch at the Crest reopens under new ownership

Times Staff Report

Monarch at the Crest, a retail shop, restaurant and visitor center located at the top of Monarch Pass, reopened its doors on Friday, May 19.

Monarch Mountain Ski Resort announced that it had purchased the Monarch Crest, as it was then known, and the Scenic Tramway, in October of 2022. The business, which was in operation for almost 70 years, closed last winter for rebranding and remodeling with the goal of better suiting the needs of those who recreate in the area.

Now that renovations are complete, the popular roadside stop includes a welcome center, restaurant and sports store stocked with gifts and outdoor gear — serving as an extension of Elation Sports, the ski area’s sport shop. e ski resort plans to continue to provide ample parking space for the existing recreation endeavors on the pass. e area is frequented by backcountry skiers over the winter and mountain bikers in the summer.

“We invite you to come explore

this new addition to our valley,” Monarch Mountain’s general manager and chief operating ocer Randy Stroud said in a press release. “As an organization, we genuinely think that you will nd the changes we made a valuable resource for years to come.”

Monarch Mountain’s lift mechanics are in the process of upgrading the Scenic Tramway. e tramway is the oldest still in operation in the state and runs to an observatory situated along the Continental Divide. e business plans to host a grand opening when the historic attraction is ready with a target date set for mid-June.

Management is still undecided if the business will stay open during the winter season, Crest Manager Cait Wilber told the Times. Part of that is due to the challenge of snow removal, while the other is sta ng. Most of the Crest’s employees will get pulled back to the ski resort in the wintertime, she said.

Over the summer months, the Crest will be open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. To learn more, visit monarchatthecrest.com.

Courtesy Monarch Mountain

Volunteers Carlie Gentry and Heidi Zimmerman join Sundrop Flora flower owner Alexis Taylor to string

Crews work to clear Kebler and Cottonwood by holiday

Summer road maintenance well on the way

Abby Harrison Times Staff Writer

With Memorial Day fast approaching, Gunnison County Public Works is working hard to clear both Kebler and Cottonwood passes, the roads that offer shortcuts to Aspen and Buena Vista. According to a Public Works press release, Cottonwood will open at 4 p.m. on May 25.

Martin Schmidt, assistant county manager for Public Works, said it would take “a stroke of luck” to open Kebler by this weekend. Wet snow, a pipe failure and potential for unknown damage beneath the snow may delay the opening.

Last week, crews plowed the road to Gothic and started up Kebler Pass. They made it just under five miles from Crested Butte, up to Splains Gulch, and encountered between 5 and 7 feet of snow along the way. While doing so, they exposed a failing pipe that had been overrun by high spring runoff and washed out. at forced Public Works to close Kebler on May 17, but they were able to replace the pipe the next day and reopen the road.

“There's still a substantial amount of snow up high,” Schmidt said. “If you go to the Kebler winter trailhead right now, it doesn't look like there's any, but as you climb there is still a lot of snow on the roads.”

Between 8 and 12 feet of wet, heavy snow sat on the road to Cottonwood. Crews used loaders, motor graders and snowblowers to remove and groom the road for vehicles. e snowblower broke last week, forcing the department to hire out a

smaller one to continue to chip away at the snow removal.

Although the amount of snow on Cottonwood and Kebler is not unusual for this time of year, the snow is wetter and denser than usual, Schmidt said. Crews are already seeing damage from runoff, he added, mostly from sustained ows of water in places where there is usually only water for a couple weeks. This is partially due to the amount of snowpack lingering in the mountains, he said, but more so that snow is holding moisture.

Just weeks ago on April 29, high spring runoff contributed to a culvert failure along Hwy. 133, a popular thoroughfare to the Roaring Fork Valley. High water ate away at the infrastructure until the culvert failed and a giant sinkhole opened that has now consumed both lanes of traffic. The Colorado Department of Transportation, which maintains jurisdiction over state highways, estimates that the portion of highway will be closed for months.

“We're keeping an eye on all of our culverts and all of our bridges and doing the work that we need to to support and protect our infrastructure,” Schmidt said.

Heavy snow has also hit Public Works’ pockets. Of the department’s overall 2023 budget, $1.1 million has already been spent of the nearly $1.5 million budgeted for plowing. Although the department has not yet exceeded its overall budget — and fall is always less expensive, Schmidt said — it spent about $250,000 more than expected the first few months of the year. To accommodate the early-year spending, Public Works will forgo smaller projects like culvert installations, new cattle guard construction and guardrail retro ts.

Summer road preparations

Come springtime, the department starts to assess any winter damage done to county roads and infrastructure, and to do repairs in preparation for summer. Already, crews are blading roads and putting down magnesium chloride on county roads almost every day, a process that will last until the last week of June. Mag chloride helps keep dust down and harden gravel and dirt roads for summertime usage.

Public Works prioritizes high-use county roads first, data known from traffic counters situated throughout the county. Vehicle density is the biggest driver for what gets the treatment, he said, but road composition matters too. Mag chloride is most effective on “non-native” surfaces like gravel, so the chemical treatment is preferentially applied to those roads. Housing density and the overall safety of the road will also in uence if, and how soon, a road is treated.

Public safety is just one benefit of mag chloride, Schmidt said. Treatments increase the lifespan of a road by reducing the number of times crews have to go out and perform maintenance with a motor grader. When a once-a-month task becomes a once-a-summer task, the department saves money and frees up time for other projects.

“Good winter maintenance means that you can have good summer maintenance,” he said.

“While we had a lot of snow, we were able to reasonably manage it with our plows and so we aren't seeing any outsized damage from the snow.”

High quality 6,080 Sq. Ft. Building

(Abby Harrison can be contacted at 970.641.1414 or abby@ gunnisontimes.com.)

A plow on Cottonwood Pass last week.

Courtesy Gunnison County Public Works

Public lands love, all weekend long

The Gunnison Valley community came together last weekend to celebrate Colorado’s many public lands — which account for nearly 80% of Gunnison County. On Saturday morning, May 20, Backcountry Hunters and Anglers, Colorado Parks and Wildlife and the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) hosted a fence-pulling workday at Hartman Rocks, Signal Peak and in the Ohio Creek drainage. That same morning, members of Gunnison Trails, BLM, the City of Gunnison, Gunnison County, Gunnison Nordic, GOATS and the Gunnison Valley Climbers completed two trail maintenance projects: one at the bottom of the Backbone Trail and the other on the Luge Connector Trail at Hartmans. In total, around 260 volunteers showed up and removed five miles of barbed wire fence, over 1,700 pounds of trash and a whopping 176 pounds of dog poop.

The celebration side of the weekend took place in the form of the Beers, Bands, & Barbed Wire Strands with a Colorado Public Lands Day kick-off potluck at the I-Bar Ranch on May 19 hosted by BHA before fence pulling began on Saturday.

"This event is a way to get people together from different communities to meet together, eat good food and have a huge impact," said Brittany Parker, BHA habitat stewardship coordinator.

THE AMERICAN FIGHTING MAN

His average age is 19.

He is a short-haired, tight-muscled kid who, under normal circumstances, is considered by society as a half man, hal oy - not yet dry behind the ears, not old enough to buy beer but old enough to die for his country.

He never really cared much for work, and he would rather wax his own car than wash his father’s, but he has never collected unemployment either.

He’s a recent high school graduate; he was probably an average student, pursued some form of sports activities, drives a 10 year-old jalopy and has a steady girlfriend who either broke up with him when he le or swears to be waiting when he returns from half a world away.

He listens to rock 'n' roll, hip-hop, rap, jazz, or swing and weapons re.

He is 10 or 15 pounds lighter now than when he was home. He is working or ghting from before dawn to well a er dusk. He has trouble spelling, thus letter writing is a pain for him, but he can eld-strip a ri e in 30 seconds and reassemble it in less time, in the dark.

He can recite to you the nomenclature of a machine gun or grenade launcher and use either one e ectively if he must.

He digs foxholes and latrines and can apply rst aid like a professional.

He can march until he is told to stop or stop until he is told to march.

He obeys orders instantly without hesitation, but he is not without spirit or individual dignity. He is self-su cient. He has two sets of fatigues; he washes one and wears the other. He keeps his canteens full and his feet dry.

He sometimes forgets to brush his teeth but never to clean his ri e.

He can cook his own meals, mend his own clothes and x his own hurts. If you’re thirsty, he’ll share his water with you; if you are hungry, his food.

He’ll even split his ammunition with you in the midst of battle, when you run low. He has learned to use his hand like weapons and weapons like they were his hands. He can save your life - or take it - because that is his job.

He will o en do twice the work of a civilian, draw half the pay and still nd ironic humor in it all. He has seen more su ering and death than he should have in his short lifetime.

He has wept in public and in private for friends who have fallen in combat, and is unashamed. He feels every note of the National Anthem vibrate through his body while at rigid attention, while tempering the burning desire to “square away” those around him who haven’t bothered to stand, remove their hats, or even stop talking. In an odd twist, day in and day out, far from home, he defends their right to be disrespectful.

Just as did his father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, he is paying the price for our freedom. Beardless or not, he is not a boy.

He is the American ghting man who has kept this country free for more than 200 years.

He has asked nothing in return except our friendship and understanding. Remember him always, for he has earned our respect and admiration with his blood.

-Author Unknown

• American Legion Post 54 Gunnison Veterans of Foreign Wars

Gunnison Elks Lodge BPOE 1623

Abby Harrison and Julia Sams

Bethany Church

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

Summer schedule, One service at 9am! gunnisonbethany.com

9 am: 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 www.bnaibutte.org

Jewish communities of Crested Butte, Gunnison and the East River Valley in Colorado PO Box 2537 Crested, Butte CO 81224 bnaibutte@gmail.com

Spiritual Leader: Rabbi Mark Kula; available for you at RabbiMarkKula@gmail.com (805) 803-3648

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.

Fai Directory

Community Church of Gunnison

107 N. Iowa • 970-641- 0925

Pastor Larry Nelson

Sunday Morning Worship 9:30 a.m.

Nursery & Age-Graded Ministry Weekly Student Ministry Weekly Adult LifeGroups

Office Hours: Mon-Thurs, 9:00-4:00

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 PM - Children's Patch Club

Gunnison Bible Institute

Thursday 7 PM - College & Career Christian Fellowship www.firstbaptistgunnison.org.

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, 407 Maroon Ave., Crested Butte.

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

Grace Covenant Church Gunnison

101 N. 8th St. Gunnison Meeting at the Historic 8th St School House

Reformed, Confessional & committed to Expository preaching Sundays 10:00 a.m.

Thursdays 1:00 p.m.

Women's Bible Study gracegunnison.com

Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church

711 N. Main • 970-641-1860

Bible Study and Sunday School at 9:00 a.m. on Sundays Church Service at 10:00 a.m. on Sundays Pastor Robert Carabotta, Pastor Jacob With

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 10am / Wednesday 7pm

www.newsonggunnison.net

Rocky Mountain Christian Ministries

1040 Highway 135 (1/4 mile N. of Spencer Ave.) • 970-641-0158

Sunday Morning Worship 9:30am

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 8:30 am, 6:30 pm & Sun 10:30 am, 12:00 pm (Spanish) Mass First Sunday of every month bilingual Mass at 11am Queen of All Saints - Crested Butte, 401 Sopris Sun 8:30am Mass

St. Rose of Lima - Lake City Mass Service, Sat 4:00pm

Trinity Baptist Church

523 N. Pine St. • 970-641-1813

Senior Pastor - Joe Ricks

Sunday Service 9:30 a.m.

Adult Bible Study 8:00 AM

www.trinitybaptistsgunnison.com

Classifeds EMPLOYMENT

GOLDEN EAGLE IS LOOKING FOR FULLTIME WORKERS: Mechanics, painters and welders. CDL and non CDL employees. Pay doe. to schedule an interview call 970-64123230.

LUNA BAKERY is looking for a retail assistant for our Gunnison Farmers Market booth every Saturday. $18/hr plus bread perks. Please contact Deven at 970-2313247

PINNACLE ORTHOPEDICS is seeking a FT medical assistant to join our thriving practice. This is an excellent opportunity for one looking to develop a skill set in patient care including X-rays, clinical documentation, casting/splinting and medical supply inventory management. Good interpersonal, organization and computer skills while working in a fast paced environment are important. Position is for both our Crested Butte and Gunnison offces. Salary DOE. Please send resume to offce@ pinnacleorthocolorado.com.

SPALLONE CONSTRUCTION has immediate openings for laborers in the Gunnison, Crested Butte area. Experience required not required, but preferred. Must be able to assist laborer performing physical tasks involved in construction activities. Must have a valid drivers license, references required. $22/hr or higher depending on experience, benefts available after one year of employment. Please submit resume to: offce@spalloneconstruction.com.

CITY OF GUNNISON EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES

Communications Assistant/ Records Manager Full-time, $47,500-$55,500/yr. $22.84-$26.68/hr.

Provides a high level of customer service to both internal and external customers of the City. This position has the important responsibility of records management and invests substantial amount of time in online communication and the implementation of strategic communication through social media, the website, video, photos and print. This position collaborates internally and externally to drive civic engagement through transparent, clear and proactive communications.

Police Offcer Full-time, $62,200-$84,000/yr. $29.90-$40.38/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 Certifcation not required. The City will pay for the Police Academy if needed and pay a cadet wage while attending the Academy. Includes a $5,000 signing bonus.

Part-time openings: Parking Attendant -up to $25.44/hr.

The City of Gunnison offers a competitive beneft 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), 12 paid holidays and 12 days of sick leave per year.

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

SERVICE PLUMBER TECHNICIAN:

Timberline Mechanical Contracting is looking for a service technician for troubleshooting and plumbing repair. Plumbing and customer service experience preferred. We offer high pay, paid holidays, paid vacation, health insurance and ski pass. Clean driving record is mandatory.

Timberline Mechanical Contracting Crested Butte, CO. Phone: 970-349-5679. Email info@timberlinemech.com.

INTERESTED IN A CAREER WITH BENEFITS? The Gunnison Bank and Trust Company has an opening for a full-time teller to join the operations side of our growing ank. Applicants should have strong customer service skills, the ability to multi-task and a willingness to learn. GB&T fosters a learning environment where you will gain exposure to multiple areas of the bank with a strong foundation in operations. Pay starting at $18$18.50 depending on experience. Robust benefts package includes 401(k), medical insurance, vision insurance, life insurance, disability insurance (ST and LT) and more. Send resume to LBeda@gunnisonbank. com.

THE CLUB AT CRESTED BUTTE is hiring the following part-time and full-time seasonal positions: Line cooks and dishwasher $20$25/hr. + gratuity; Housekeeping, fexible schedule available, $20-$25/hr.; Swim instructors for both private and small groups, must be CPR/First Aid certifed, starting pay $25/hr.; Front desk attendants, $16-$18/hr.; General facility maintenance $18-$20/hr.; Employee benefts include complimentary golf rounds and employee discounts. For more information or to submit a resume, please visit theclubatcrestedbutte.com or email: jobs@clubatcrestedbutte.com.

THE ELEVATION HOTEL AND SPA AND JOSÉ CRESTED BUTTE are hiring for the summer season and beyond. Full time team members are eligible for full benefts including medical, dental, vision, PTO, 401k, gym membership, room night discounts and housing. The following roles are available to high quality candidates: Bellperson $17/ hour plus tips, front desk agent $20.25/hour, bartender $17/hour plus tips, barback $16/ hour plus tips, server $15/hour plus tips, host $18/hour, cook $19/hour, dishwasher/ steward $17/hour, part time banquet server $15 hour plus tips, room attendant $18/hour, engineer 1 $21/hour, engineer 2 $22.50/ hour, engineer 3 $24/hour, assistant chief engineer $55-65k/year, food and beverage manager $65-70k/year. For details and to apply, please visit highgate.com/careers.

CRESTED BUTTE BURGER COMPANY is hiring the following positions: Cooks and cashiers, fexible schedule available, starting pay $16-$18/hr. + gratuity. Assistant manager, full-time seasonal, starting pay $18-$20/hr. + gratuity, pay DOE. For more information or to submit a resume, please email crestedbutteburgerco@gmail.com.

AUTOMOTIVE PAINT TECHNICIAN:

Kaizen Collision Gunnison. $23.50 per hr. Full-time. KaizenAutoCare.com/careers Call or text Luke at 970-812-6609.

ELEVEN IS SEEKING A HOUSEKEEPER in Crested Butte, CO to maintain the Scarp Ridge Lodge, Sopris House and Taylor River Lodge properties. This role is responsible for cleaning guest rooms and common areas throughout the properties and will communicate daily with the housekeeping manager about the needs of guests as well as team members. This is a full-time, seasonal role for Summer 2023. The salary range is $20-$22/hr. Please submit a cover letter and resume to rlayton@elevenexperience.com.

KDCB IS LOOKING FOR LEAD CARPENTERS AND CARPENTERS. Call 970-275-6969.

PRECISE PAINTING IS HIRING PAINTERS:

Seasonal or year-round full-time. Must be willing to commit for at least Spring/Summer/ Fall. Pay starts at $22/hr. for inexperienced candidates, more with experience. 4 or 4.5 day work week, earn PTO, raises come quickly, opportunity for benefts. Happy to train the right people. Call Rob at 970-5090851.

ALPINE GETAWAYS: Local property management company hiring motivated maintenance workers. 30-40 hours per week / $20-$25 an hour DOE. Apply with a resume erik@alpinegetaways.com or call 970-9016657.

LOCAL LAWN CARE SERVICE COMPANY looking for a full time seasonal employee, four 10hrs. mon-thur May through Oct. Zero turn mower operation, grass trimming, and general yard maintenance experience necessary. Sprinkler system knowledge and maintenance a plus.Pay DOE. Submit resume or contact j2funke@gmail.com.

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INFANT TODDLER TEACHER: Tenderfoot

Child and Family Development Center is seeking early childhood qualifed teachers to work with children aged birth-3 years old. Infant and Toddler program lead teacher positions with part-time ($19.16/hr.) or fulltime ($21.16/hr.) schedules. Tenderfoot will support professional development to earn credentials for these positions. Benefts include fexible scheduling, a supportive team, paid time off, free child care while working and continuing education. Email tfootdirector@gmail.com or call 970-6421949 for more information. EOE

SAGUACHE LAND USE DEPARTMENT is accepting applications for a full time second Code Enforcement Offcer. Salary to be determined on experience starting at $35,000/year. Applicants must have a valid Colorado Drivers License, must pass a criminal background check as well as a preemployment drug test.

The County Employee beneft package includes vision, dental and health insurance coverage, paid time off, and a generous 401k retirement plan. The employment application and job description can be found on saguachecounty. colorado.gov, picked up at the Saguache County Administration Offce, 505 3rd Street, Saguache, CO or can be emailed to you, please contact April Quintana at 719-6552231.

Completed applications can be hand delivered to the Saguache County Land Use Department, Attention Amber Wilson, 505 3rd Street, mailed to PO Box 326, Saguache, CO 81149 or emailed to atorrez@ saguachecounty-co.gov. Applications will be accepted until flled. Saguache County is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

WONDERLAND NATURE SCHOOL is looking for a passionate director to lead our non-proft infant through Pre-K nature-based school. The director will be responsible for overseeing all aspects of the school, including: curriculum development (in collaboration with classroom teachers); staff training, team building and mentoring; parent communication; and fnance management. We are looking for a leader who is committed to providing a safe and nurturing environment for our students and who can ensure that our preschool meets all regulations and our strategic goals. The director must hold or be close to holding a Director’s Certifcate. The ideal candidate has extensive early childhood education experience, excellent communication and confict resolution skills, leadership/ management experience and a passion for working with kids. Annual salary starting at $60,000 (DOE) plus benefts including free childcare while working. For a full job description, visit wonderlandnatureschool. org. To apply, send a resume and cover letter to admin@wonderlandnatureschool. org.

CRESTED BUTTE AUTO REPAIR IS

HIRING: We are looking for a full-time service writer/offce assistant for a fastpaced environment. Experience preferred but willing to train. Computer skills and strong attention to detail required. Tasks include communicating with customers, scheduling appointments, answering multiple phone lines, billing and developing cost estimates. Pay starting at $20/hour or more based on experience. We offer health insurance, retirement, vacation and sick pay. Please email resume to crestedbutteauto@ yahoo.com or stop by 301 Belleview to fll out an application.

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GUNNISON COUNTY ELECTRIC ASSOCIATION, INC. is currently seeking applications for an apprentice journeyman line worker position. This is a full-time position that will be reporting to the Crested Butte Outpost location. This position will assist with the installation, repair and maintenance of overhead and underground electrical power lines and auxiliary equipment. The pay range for a line worker position is between $82,032 - $109,377 a year. Starting pay will be dependent on qualifcations and experience and will be paid on an hourly basis. Pay increases over time are based upon progress. Being on-call on a regular basis as well as working overtime hours is required. On-call and applicable overtime pay will apply. Upon meeting eligibility requirements this position offers health care benefts, retirement benefts, paid time off and paid scheduled holidays. To see the complete list of duties and qualifcations and to learn how to apply please see our website at: gcea.coop (about tab, careers section). Deadline to apply is June 5, 2023.

AVFLIGHT HIRING A FUELING POSITION:

Full-time. Annual bonus, health benefts and PTO. Duties include fueling, parking and towing of private and corporate aircraft. We work with college schedules. Interested in Aviation. Call 970-641-0526 or Apply online at Avfight.com.

SAGUACHE COUNTY, COLORADO IS

SEEKING AN ATTORNEY to represent the People of the State of Colorado and Department of Human Services in child protection matters including dependency and neglect cases and in child support matters, as well as other DHS matters that arise. Telecommuting and working remotely may be available. Deadline May 31, 2023.

Description: The special assistant county attorney for the Department of Human Services acts as the attorney representing the Petitioner in Dependency and Neglect matters, and as attorney for the Department of Human Services in child support matters and advises Department of Human Services on legal issues related to all cases.

The special assistant county attorney may also represent the State of Colorado or Department of Human Services in administrative hearings and court trials related to collections or overpayments of assistance funds, assists in administrative hearings contesting payments or over-payments of assistance fund to Human Services clients.

COLORADO MOUNTIAN CLUB is hiring for stewardship crew members based in Salida/ Gunnison. Spend your summer being paid to hike and live outdoor, while giving back to our public lands and maintaining trails! For more information or to apply visit cmc.org/about/ jobs/trail-stewardship.

FRONT DESK AVFLIGHT: Full-time position. Benefts and PTO. Qualifcations: a willingness to learn and a service oriented personality. We like to have fun so come join the team. Call 970-641-0526 or apply online at Avfight.com.

INTERESTED IN A CAREER IN REAL

ESTATE BUT NOT SURE HOW TO GET

STARTED? Coldwell Banker is seeking a broker support specialist to join our team. This position a perfect way to learn the business and get paid to do it! We are looking for an individual who works well with all types of people, has a strong attention to detail, will creatively help with marketing and is capable of implementing systems. The job requires strong computer knowledge for work on a PC in Excel, Word and many web based programs. This is a full time, year round position. Email resume to molly@cbmp.com or call 970-209-4234.

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 & Benefts.

Send resumes to info@ec-electric.com or call 970-641-0195 www.ec-electric.com/careers

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 i er t an t e selves. T at’s y we create learning experiences that spark curiosity, helping students discover who they are and how to make a difference in the world around them. And as they excel in academics, athletics, and the arts, st dents fnd t e confdence to pursue any opportunity in life. Our team is “Driven to be the Difference!”

HOURLY OPPORTUNITIES

Food Service-CBCS and GCS

ELL Educational Assistant-GMS

Building Manager-CBCS

Assistant Building Manager-CBCS

Lead Custodian-Lake School

Special Education EA- CBSS

Permanent Substitute-CBSS

Bus Drivers Substitute Teachers

PROFESSIONAL OPPORTUNITIES

IT Professional-DISTRICT

3rd grade Teacher-GES

Counselor-GES-(1 year only)

Counselor-CBES

ELL Teacher-GMS

Special Education TeachersGMS and GHS Newcomer Teacher and Integration Specialist

Coaching: GHS-Speech and Debate

Please contact: perintendent’s fce

JoAnn Klingsmith 800 N. Boulevard 970-641-7760 jklingsmith@gunnisonschools.net

learn how to apply please visit our website

at gcea.coop, About tab, Careers. Job will remain opened until flled.

THE CLUB AT CRESTED BUTTE is hiring an accountant. This is a full-time yearround position with medical, retirement and vacation benefts. Additional benefts include employee discounts and complementary golf rounds. Salary range is $60,000-$68,000/ year. For more information or to submit a resume, please visit theclubatcrestedbutte. com or email: jobs@clubatcrestedbutte.com.

PUBLIC HOUSE is seeking a general manager in Crested Butte. Public House celebrates local food, drinks and the community of live music. The general manager is responsible for the effcient operations, growth and overall leadership of Public House Pub and Tap Room. This position is an integral contributor to daily operations. We are seeking a reliable leader with previous experience in restaurant management and supervisory of a large staff. This is a full-time year-round position with benefts. The salary range is $60,000$90,000/year. For a detailed job description and to apply please visit elevenexperience. com/careers.

ESTIMATOR: Kaizen Collision Gunnison

$50,000-$100,000.Full-time. KaizenAutoCare.com/careers

Call or text Luke at 970-812-6609.

OFFICE MANAGER needed for a growing construction and design frm. The ideal candidate will be someone who has excellent communication and organization skills, likes working closely with a team and is professional in dealing with clients. A successful manager will be able to handle product ordering/tracking, inventory, AP/ AR and bank balancing. Knowledge in Quickbooks and Google Suite is a must. Please send resumes and inquiries to margie@paradisecb.com. Competitive Pay based on experience.

WILD RIVER BUILDERS IS HIRING CARPENTERS both journeyman and lead. We are a small company that works hard and appreciates our employees. Competitive wages with regular pay raise opportunities, $500 signing bonus after 3 months, transportation from Gunnison or mileage reimbursement, retirement match after 1 year and more. Contact Evan 970-596-2897.

TEMPORARY LABORERS NEEDED: Need some cash this off season? The Town of Crested Butte Parks and Recreation Department is hiring temporary laborers for spring prep/cleanup season. Work will begin once the snow is gone from the majority of parks and public areas. Duties include raking, power washing, painting and general cleanup and repairs. Full job description and application available online at townofcrestedbutte.com click on “Careers”.

Pay $19/hour. The Town of Crested Butte is an Equal Opportunity/Affrmative Action Employer.

DOS RIOS GOLF CLUB RESAURANT AND BAR: Now hiring for AM/PM line cooks.

Starting pay $21 per hour. Rate increase after two months. Please call 979-530-3801 to set up an interview. Free golf. Restaurant opens April 1.

AUTO BODY TECHNICIAN: Kaizen Collision Gunnison. $40,000 - $75,000 Fulltime. KaizenAutoCare.com/careers/ Call or text Luke at 970-812-6609.

GUNNISON VALLEY HEALTH

Gunnison Valley Health is hiring. Please note This is not a complete list of all our open jobs - you can view all open positions at our website, jobs.gunnisonvalleyhealth.org

Insurance Counselor, Admissions FT $18-20.50/hour DOE.

Logistics Specialist FT $17-$19.55/hr. DOE.

Care Associate, Crested Butte FT $18-$20.50/hr DOE.

Housekeeper, Senior Care Center FT $17-$20.80/hr. DOE.

n fts li i ilit Medical, dental, vision, health care FSA, and dependent care FSA: All active employees working 40 or more hours per pay period are eligible for enefts on t e frst o t e ont following date of hire. PRN staff are not initially eli i le or enefts and GVH follows all Affordable Health Care Act Eligibility guidelines.

Please visit our website for more indept position descriptions specifc alifcation re ire ents 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. p ysical capacity profle and acknowledgement of policies.

SPALLONE CONSTRUCTION has immediate openings for dump truck drivers in the Gunnison, Crested Butte area. Experience of 3-5 years required. Must be able to assist laborer performing physical tasks involved in construction activities. Must have a valid drivers license, references required. $25-$38 depending on experience, benefts available after one year of employment. Please submit resume to: offce@spalloneconstruction.com.

HIRING CASHIERS AND COOKS: Full and part time pay based on experience. But expect $22+ after tips. Drop resumes at Powerstop.

WESTERN COLORADO UNIVERSITY

is seeking applicants for the ull ti positions lo n ft package includes a shared contribution retirement plan, health and dental insurance, life insurance, employee and d p nd nt tuition n fts and more.

Human Resources Specialist:

Duties include new employee onoardin enefts ad inistration compensation and HR information system support. Requires a ac elor’s de ree. ccess l candidates must have excellent interpersonal skills, a high level of attention to detail, solid computer expertise and work experience in an related feld.

Payroll and Liability Accountant:

Duties include processing payroll and related liability payments for employees; maintaining records, handling payroll questions and completing other tasks necessary for onitorin and overseein estern’s payroll processes. ac elor’s de ree in acco ntin fnance or related feld is re ired. ccess l candidates must be technologically savvy, possess strong numerical aptitude and attention to detail, and have excellent communication, collaboration and customer service skills.

To view the full job announcement(s) and apply, visit western.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/western. AA/EOE

GUNNISON COUNTY EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES

*Housing is held for Gunnison County employees and may be available for you to rent*

Summer Seasonal Fairgrounds: 20 hours/week, hourly rate range from $15.75-$17.93, depending on e perience pl s partial enefts.

GRASP Co-Coordinator Juvenile Services: Part-time, less than 20 hours/week, hourly rate range from . . pl s partial enefts.

Parents as Teachers (PAT) – Parent Educator Juvenile Services: Part-time, less than 20 hours/week, hourly rate range from . . pl s partial enefts.

Juvenile Diversion Case Manager/ School Based Inspire Mentor Juvenile Services: Full-time, 40 hours/week, hourly rate range from . . pl s ll enefts.

Clinical Case Management Coordinator Juvenile Services: Part-time, 35 hours/week, hourly rate range from $28.78-$40.71 plus full enefts.

Accountant I Treasurer: 40 hours/week, monthly salary range from $4,440-$6,281 plus full enefts.

Summer Seasonal Public Works: Guaranteed 40 hours/week, hourly rate range from $15.75-$22.28 depending on experience plus partial enefts. tdoor or t at incl des tra fc control encin tree and brush removal, trail work, recycling, equipment training and much more, all in a 4 day work week.

Building and Environmental Health Inspector and Plans Examiner Community Development: 40 hours/week, monthly salary range from $5,552pl s ll enefts.

Health Coalition Coordinator HHS: Part-time, 25 hours/week, hourly rate range from $27.15-$38.41 plus partial enefts.

Facilities Maintenance Custodian Facilities: Full-time, 40 hours/week, hourly rate range from $21.72. pl s ll enefts.

Event Manager Fairgrounds: 40 hours/week, monthly salary range from $5,238-$6,537 plus full enefts.

GENERAL MANAGER: Kaizen Collision Gunnison $75,000 - $95,000 Full-time KaizenAutoCare.com/careers Call or text Luke at 970-812-6609.

HIGH ALPINE BREWING COMPANY is hiring for all positions for summer an beyond. Join our team and enjoy a fastpaced, fun and positive work environment. No experience necessary. Servers: $10.63/ hr. plus excellent tips. Kitchen staff: $14-$21/hr. dependent upon experience & responsibilities. $500 signing bonus for all kitchen staff after completion of 3 consecutive months of full time employment. Email gm@highalpinebrewing.com or drop off your resume in person.

GUNNISON COUNTY ELECTRIC ASSOCIATION, INC. is currently seeking application for an electrical engineer position. This is a full-time position that will be reporting to the Gunnison Headquarters location. This position is responsible for the design, coordination, over current protection, voltage regulation, load balancing, planning and troubleshooting of the cooperative’s electric power distribution system. This position will assist other departments using, confguring, and maintaining AMI, SCADA, GIS, OMS and billing systems. The wage for an electrical engineer is between $87,568 - $116,750 annually. Actual compensation offer to candidate may vary outside of the posted hiring range based upon work experience, education and/or skill level. Applicable overtime pay may apply occasionally or when needed. Upon meeting eligibility requirements this position offers health care benefts, retirement benefts, paid time off and paid scheduled holidays. To see the complete job description and to

SIGN ON BONUS WITH ROCKY MOUNTAIN TREES AND LANDSCAPING: Now hiring all positions for the 2023 summer season. Come join a great team. To apply and see what positions we have visit rockymountaintrees.com/employment/ or give us a call at 970-349-6361.

ASSISTANT CHIEF ENGINEER AT ELEVATION HOTEL AND SPA: The assistant chief engineer is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the engineering department inclusive of maintenance and managing a team. This position is eligible for full benefts including medical, dental, vision, PTO, 401k, gym membership, room night discounts and housing. For more information and to apply, please visit highgate.com/ careers. $55k-$65k per year DOE.

TOAD PROPERTY MANAGEMENT is always looking to add to our amazing team. We are currently looking for maintenance technicians. If you have skills fxing things, solving problems and being awesome we would love to have you. $25/Hour and a $400 starting bonus. Call 970-349-2773 or apply online at ToadPropertyManagement. com.

WE NEED YOU! Find your niche at Six Points helping adults with disabilities with activities of daily living. No experience needed. Clean driving record preferred and background check. Part- and full-time available. 50% off everything in the store, plus the intangible benefts of building meaningful relationships. $15/hr. Contact resmg@sixpointsgunnison. org.

WANT A JOB THAT IS EXCITING, FLEXIBLE, FULFILLING, AND NEVER BORING? Six Points is seeking a highly motivated administrative assistant/offce manager to work with our management team. Organizational and basic Microsoft Offce skills a must. Clean driving record preferred and background check. Partand full-time available. Potential for a hybrid work situation. 50% off everything in the store; stipend for 30+ hours/week worked. $15-$18, DOE. Contact director@ sixpointsgunnison.org.

THE CB CENTER FOR THE ARTS seeks a marketing manager. This full time, salaried with benefts position supports the Center’s mission through the marketing and promotion of Center programming, including content creation and dissemination in performing, literary, visual and culinary arts. A degree or equivalent experience in marketing is required. $45k - $60k/year DOE, with years of experience and experience in higher level strategy translating to the higher end of the salary. Email cover letter and resume with references to melissa@crestedbuttearts. org. Please put ‘Marketing Manager’ in the subject line. For more information and a full job description, please visit crestedbuttearts. org.

ARE YOU TIRED OF WORKING MULTIPLE JOBS TO MAKE IT IN THE VALLEY? Iron Horse is looking for the right individual to join our expanding property care team. This individual is responsible for property inspections, inventories, and the overall quality and presentation of vacation rentals in our luxury inventory. You will work hand in hand with our maintenance, housekeeping and reservation teams to ensure that our guests experience vacation perfection. Pay starts at $22 per hour plus a company car, health insurance, on-call pay, paid vacation, ski or health and wellness pass, 5 day work week and more. If you are detail oriented, organized, punctual and only want the best, then submit your resume to steve@ ironhorsecb.com and qualifed applicants will be contacted for an interview. Clean driving record is required. No phone calls please.

Summer Seasonal Facilities: 30+ hours/week, hourly rate range from $15.75-$22.28 depending on e perience pl s partial enefts.

Case Management Aide HHS: 40 hours/week, monthly salary range from $4,707-$6,658 plus full enefts.

Planning Technician Community Development: 40 hours/week, monthly salary range ro pl s ll enefts.

Eligibility Technician HHS: 40 hours/week, monthly salary range from $3,764-$4,285 plus full enefts.

THE CRESTED BUTTE/MT. CRESTED BUTTE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE is seeking a qualifed membership coordinator is responsible for selling Chamber memberships and for building sustainable relationships with new and existing members, for the coordination of accounting for memberships, accurate data capture and entry, invoicing new and existing members. This position is responsible for membership communications and membership sales, renewals and onboarding new members. This position will work to generate new memberships as well as monitor compliance of Chamber responsibilities related to fulflling memberships. The membership coordinator will document membership sales and report regularly to the director and BOD. Attention to detail is key. Experience in the hospitality or retail industry is preferred. Knowledge of QuickBooks preferred. Must be able to lift at least 30 pounds. This is a contractor position starting in June. Email cover letter and resume with references to director@cbchamber.com Please put ‘Membership Coordinator’ in the subject line. E.O.E. cbchamber.com. (5/26/153).

Patrol Deputy Sheriff: Full-time, 40 hours/week, monthly salary range from $5,552-$7,853 pl s ll enefts.

Detention Deputy Sheriff: Full-time, 40 hours/week, monthly salary range from $4,989 to $7,057 pl s ll enefts. nly or days a month.

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

DO YOU HAVE MAINTENANCE SKILLS?

Are you looking for a full time year around position in the valley with great pay, health insurance, on-call pay, company vehicle, company phone, paid vacation, ski or health and wellness pass, 5 day work week and more? Iron Horse Property Management is adding another position to our maintenance team and we are looking for the right individual to help maintain our luxury homes. We are looking for someone who has a great work ethic, maintenance skills, is punctual and wants to quit having multiple jobs to make it in the valley. If this sounds like you, and you have a clean driving record, then please send your resume to steve@ ironhorsecb.com and qualifed applicants will be contacted for an interview. No phone calls please. Pay DOE.

ROCKY MOUNTAIN CHOCOLATE

FACTORY in Crested Butte is now hiring and assistant manager – previous management experienced preferred. Counter helpprovide excellent customer service, scoop ice cream, stock cases and other duties. Fun job, great tips. Flexible hours. Apply in person at 314 Elk Ave., Crested Butte or send resume to ashlee.rmcf@hotmail.com.

JOHN ROBERTS MOTOR WORKS SEEKS COLLISON CENTER TECHNICIANS AND AUTOMOTIVE CENTER TECHNICIANS.

Competitive pay, 401K, insurance, paid vacations. 40 hour work week.

Apply at John Roberts Motor Works.

4 DAY WORK WEEK M-TH (4x10)

AUTOMOTIVE MASTER TECHNICIAN. If you are curious about how your current job compares to Precision Automotive? EMAIL your resume to precisionauto4040@hotmail.com, call or text Steve at 970-596-9999

ALL INQUIRIES ARE STRICKLY

CONFIDENTIAL! Benefts include: PAID VACATION, PAID HOLIDAYS, MEDICAL, DENTAL, MATCHING IRA.

AUTOMOTIVE APPRENTICE Do you love cars? Get your start in the well paid and exciting world of Automotive Repair that could turn into your life passion. Work along side your mentor a Master Certifed Technician while completing online modules such as: Electrical, Engine mechanical, Transmission, Drive train, Suspension & Steering, Heating & A/C, Engine Performance and Brakes.

CAR WASH/DETAILER/SHOP MAINTENANCE. Call or text 970-596-9999 for interview.

PRECISIONAUTO.NET

ICLEAN IN CRESTED BUTTE is looking for cleaners. Pay DOE Please call 970-3312417. Buscamos limpiadores. Por favor, comuníquese con IClean a 970-331-2417. Para trabajar en Crested Butte.

REAL ESTATE

STUDIO APT. AT CEBOLLA LODGE: $750 plus utilities. Lease, deposit, no pets. Contact Zo at 303-810-5052.

FOR SALE: Mobile Home, 3 Rivers Resort, Almont, CO. 81210 #23. $75,000 plus monthly Lot Fee $700. One big bedroom, one big bathroom, open concept through-out completely new remodel, new roof, new appliances. Must be approved and follow guidelines of land owner. Contact AlmontMobileHome@gmail.com 970-404-0218.

PRIME OFFICE SPACE on Main St. Five private offces. Client waiting/conference room, reception desk, 12 paved parking spaces. Call or text 970-596-9999 for more info.

WANTED

FIREWOOD WANTED: Call Bill at 970-6411524.

Legals

NOTICE OF BUDGET

Notice is hereby given that a proposed budget has been submitted to the Board of Education of Gunnison Watershed School District for the fscal year beginning July 1, 2023 and has been fled in the offce of the Superintendent where it is available for public inspection. A Public Hearing is scheduled

Board of Education

Dated: May 22, 2023

Gunnison Watershed School District RE1J

Anne Brookhart, Secretary

Gunnison Country Times

Gunnison, Colorado

Publication date of May 25, 2023

9197

NOTICE OF INTENT TO DISPOSE

NOTICE OF INTENT TO DISPOSE:

To the following parties that have their personal property stored at Plott’s Mini Storage, LLC. 312 W. Hwy 50 Gunnison, CO

81230.

All property will be sold or disposed of, unless claimed and/or all rent and fees paid prior to June 2, 2023

A40 Amy Woody

Gunnison Country Times Gunnison, Colorado.

Publication dates of May 25 and June 1, 2023

9177

NOTICE OF NAME CHANGE

PUBLIC NOTICE OF PETITION FOR CHANGE OF NAME

Public Notice is given on MAY 3, 2023 that a Petition for a Change of Name of an Adult has been fled with the Gunnison County, Colorado Court.

The Petition requests that the name of ALLA RUBINSTEIN be changed to ALLA FUTTERMAN

Joy Case Clerk of Court/Deputy Clerk

/s/ Joy Case

Gunnison Country Times

Gunnison, Colorado

Publication dates of May 11,18, and 25, 2023

8929

NOTICE OF VACANCY

NOTICE OF VACANCY ON THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF GUNNISON RISING METROPOLITAN DISTRICT NOS. 1-4

TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN, and particularly to the electors of the Gunnison Rising Metropolitan District Nos. 1-4 (the “Districts”), City and County of Gunnison, Colorado.

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, pursuant to Section 32-1-808, C.R.S., that one or more vacancies currently exist on the Boards of Directors of the Districts. Any qualifed, eligible elector of the Districts interested in serving on the Boards of Directors for the Districts should fle a Letter of Interest with the Boards by 5:00 p.m., on June 5, 2023. Letters of Interest should be sent to Gunnison Rising Metropolitan District Nos. 1-4, c/o White Bear Ankele Tanaka & Waldron, 2154 E. Commons Ave., Suite 2000, Centennial, CO 80122.

Gunnison Country Times

Gunnison, Colorado Publication date of May 25, 2023

9178

PUBLIC HEARING

The Board of County Commissioners will hold a Public Hearing at the Saguache County Commissioners meeting Room located at 501 – 4th Street, Saguache, Colorado, on the following date:

TUESDAY, JUNE 6, 2023 at 1:00 PM

to consider proposed “Resolution Designating Site Selection and Construction of Major New Domestic Water Systems and Major Extensions of Existing Domestic Water Systems and Municipal and Industrial Water Projects as Activities of State Interest”.

To view the proposed resolution Thursday, May 4, 2023, you may contact the Saguache County Land Use Department – PO Box 326, Saguache, CO 81149 or atorrez@ saguachecounty-co.gov, or by calling 719-6552321 or you may also view the changes on our website at www.saguachecounty.colorado.gov .

Written comments will be accepted until Friday, JUNE 2, 2023 at 3pm, and may be sent to Saguache County Land Use Department at PO Box 326, Saguache, CO 81149 or email to atorrez@saguachecounty-co.gov.

By: Tom McCracken, Chairman Saguache

County Board of Commissioners Gunnison Country Times Gunnison, Colorado.

Publication dates of May 11, 18, 25 and June 1, 2023

8909

CITY OF GUNNISON

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN:

PLEASE TAKE NOTE THAT, pursuant to Sections 6.5 and 10.3 of the Land Development Code of the City of Gunnison, Colorado, a public hearing will be held at the hour of 7:20 p.m. on the 14th day of June, 2023 in the City Council Chambers, Gunnison Municipal Building, 201 West Virginia Avenue, Gunnison, Colorado on the merits of Major Change to a PUD application

ZA 23-4 submitted by the City of Gunnison to modify the VanTuyl Ranch PUD Standards regarding uses within the PUD Agricultural zone district. The real property is legally described as: Parcels of land within the S1/2SE1/4SE1/4 Section 23, S1/2SW1/4SW1/4 Section 25, NE1/4, SE1/4, E1/2SW1/4, E1/2NW1/4 Section 26, NW1/4NE1/4, NE1/4NW1/4 Section 35, Township 50 North, Range 1 West, N.M.P.M, Gunnison County, Colorado A complete legal description is available at the Community Development Department, 201 West Virginia, Gunnison, CO.

AT WHICH TIME AND PLACE you may attend and give testimony, if you so desire.

The public may attend Public Hearings and Regular and Special Sessions in person or remotely. To attend the meeting remotely go to: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/8313361388

2?pwd=Nk9qY0dZb1daRVV4L1htOHAxWl cwQT09

City of Gunnison, Colorado Planning and Zoning Commission

/s/ Andie Ruggera, Senior Planner Gunnison Country Times Gunnison, Colorado

Publication date of May 25, 2023

9145

CITY OF GUNNISON

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN:

PLEASE TAKE NOTE THAT, pursuant to Sections 6.5 and 8.2 of the Land Development Code of the City of Gunnison, Colorado, a public hearing will be held at the hour of 5:30 p.m. on the 15th day of June, 2023 in the City Council Chambers, Gunnison Municipal Building, 201 West Virginia Avenue, Gunnison, Colorado on the merits of Variance application, VA 23-1, submitted by Jansen Tredway, requesting a variance from the minimum front setback of 15 feet to fve feet from the 5th Street and Gunnison Avenue rights-of-way, within the Residential Mixed-Use (RMU) zone district. The property is legally described as: Eagle Cove Townhomes, Future Development as shown on the Eagle Cove Townhomes, Reception No. 509360, City and County of Gunnison, Colorado. For a complete legal description please inquire at the Community Development Department.

AT WHICH TIME AND PLACE you may attend and give testimony, if you so desire.

The public may attend Public Hearings and Regular Sessions in person or remotely. To attend the meeting remotely go to: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85887802801?p wd=L2tOK014V2U0TlF5dmRodkRmN3ZB UT09

CITY OF GUNNISON ZONING BOARD OF ADJUSTMENTS AND APPEALS

/s/ Caree Musick, Planning Technician Gunnison Country Times Gunnison, Colorado

Publication date of May 25, 2023

9146

CITY OF GUNNISON

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN:

PLEASE TAKE NOTE THAT, pursuant to Sections 6.7 and 7.2 of the Land Development Code of the City of Gunnison, Colorado, a public hearing will be held at the hour of 7:15 PM on the 24th day of May, 2023, in the City Council Chambers, Gunnison Municipal Building, 201 West Virginia Avenue, Gunnison, Colorado on the merits of Conditional Use Application CU 23-2 submitted by Brian Gilchrist for a Single-Family residence in the Commercial (C) zone district. The real property for which the conditional use is sought is legally described as follows: Lots 23-24, Block 114, West Gunnison Amended, City and County of Gunnison, State of Colorado.

AT WHICH TIME AND PLACE you may attend and give testimony, if you so desire.

The public may attend Public Hearings and Regular and Special Sessions in person or remotely.

To attend the meeting go to:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82158877391?p

wd=Si8xeXhVTnNPbG1SVG92VkxGSmpk

Zz09

/s/Caree Musick, Planning Technician

Gunnison Country Times

Gunnison, Colorado

Publication date of May 25, 2023

9147

REQUEST FOR BIDS

Request for Bids for a concrete project at the GVTA’s bus facility located at 905 W. Evans, Gunnison, CO 81230

The Gunnison Valley Transportation Authority (GVTA) is seeking bids from qualifed concrete contractors for constructing an approximately 21,000 square feet concrete apron around its bus maintenance facility. The project will include removal and stockpiling six (6) inches of road base, excavating six (6) inches of ground below the road base, replacing the road base and compacting it, removal and disposal of any excess material, and pouring and fnishing a concrete pad using a 12” grid of #4 rebar and a broom fnish.

PUBLIC NOTICE

LEGAL NOTICE

Pursuant to the liquor laws of Colorado

Wilder’s Organic Market LLC dba BlueSky

Mercantile has made an application dated April 27, 2023 to the licensing offcials of Gunnison County to grant a Liquor

License to Wilders’s Organic Market LLC

dba BuckSky MercantileLLC, dba BluSky

Mercantile located at 10209 Highway 135 Suite A, Almont, Colorado 81210. A hearing will be held on this application on June 6, 2023 at 8:30 A.M. at the Gunnison County Commissioners Meeting Room, 200 E. Virginia Ave., Gunnison, Colorado 81230. Comments may be made in writing to the Gunnison County Clerk & Recorder, Kathy Simillion, 221 N. Wisconsin St., Gunnison, Colorado 81230 prior to the hearing or in person at the hearing.

Gunnison Country Times Gunnison, Colorado.

Publication date of May 25, 2023

8997

PUBLIC NOTICE

The Saguache County Land Use Offce will be holding a series of education / outreach for the public on the passage of the Saguache County Nuisance Ordinance that was recently passed by the Board of County Commissioners. Dates, time, and location will be as follows;

June 20, 2023 – 5:00PM Center Kiwanis Club of Center – 510 S Broadway St., Center, CO 81125

June 21, 2023 – 5:00PM KV Homeowners Association – 26415 Woodward Ave., Moffat, CO 81143

June 26, 2023 – 5:00PM Tomichi Creek Trading Post – 71420 US-50, Sargents, CO 81248

June 27, 2023 – 5:00PM Baca Grande Property Owners Association – 68575 Co. Rd. T, Crestone, CO 81131

June 28, 2023 – 5:00PM Saguache County Road and Bridge – 305 3rd Street, Saguache, CO 81149

To view the Saguache County Nuisance Ordinance that was passed, you can go on the Saguache County Website at www. saguachecounty-co.gov or pick up a copy at the Saguache County Land Use Offce, 505 3rd Street, Saguache, CO 81149.

Gunnison Country Times

Gunnison, Colorado.

Publication dates of May 18, 25, June 1, 8, 15, 22 and 29, 2023

9041

NOTICE OF 2023 Commissioner Redistricting

A public hearing will be held on June 6, 2023, for redistricting commissioner district boundaries, pursuant to CRS 30-10-306(1):

“In no event shall there be more than fve percent deviation between the most populous and the least populous district in each county, at the time such district boundaries are adopted.”

The hearing will be held at the Road and Bridge Department located at 305 3rd St Saguache, CO at 5:00 pm. A draft copy of a map with the boundary changes will be available for viewing, followed by a 30-day public comment period.

Proposed re-districting map may be viewed at the Saguache County Clerk and Recorders offce at 501 4th Street, Saguache, CO.

For more information contact Wendi Maez, Saguache County Administrator at 719-6552231 or email at wmaez@saguachecountyco.gov.

Gunnison Country Times Gunnison, Colorado

Publication dates of May 25 and June 1, 2023 9153

The time schedule for the selection of a contractor for this project is as follows, but is subject to change:

RFP issue date: May 19, 2023

Mandatory pre-bid walkthrough:June 5, 2023

Questions and clarifcations due: June 9, 2023

Questions answered: June 13, 2023

Bids due: June 23, 2023

Target award date: June 30, 2023

Project completion date: October 31, 2023

To receive a copy of the full Request for Bids and submission requirements, please contact GVTA Executive Director, Scott Truex at struex@gunnisonvalleyrta.org.

Gunnison Country Times Gunnison, Colorado.

Publication dates of May 18 and 25, 2023 9036

SUMMONS

DISTRICT COURT, GUNNISON COUNTY, COLORADO

Court Address: 200 E. Virginia Avenue Gunnison, CO 81230 (970) 642-8300

Plaintiff: LAND JACK LLC, a New Mexico limited liability company v.

Defendants:

JAMES N. CLARK; CHRISTINE M. CLARK; MIRIAM BETULA LEPORE; NICOLE C. CLARK; RACHEL GRACE LAPORE A/K/A RACHEL G. LAPORE A/K/A APRIL GRACE ASTA A/K/A APRIL G. ASTA A/K/A APRIL G. ASTA-HORNER; WILLIAM G. HORLBECK, P.C.; ABRIL MEADOWS HOMEOWNER’S ASSOCIATION; THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF THE COUNTY OF GUNNISON; and ALL UNKNOWN PERSONS WHO CLAIM UNDER OR THROUGH THE NAMED DEFENDANTS AND ALL UNKNOWN PERSONS WHO CLAIM ANY INTEREST IN THE SUBJECT MATTER OF THIS ACTION

Attorneys for Plaintiffs: Zachary A. Grey, Atty. Reg. 49269 Frascona, Joiner, Goodman and Greenstein P.C. 4750 Table Mesa Drive Boulder, CO 80305

Telephone: 303-494-3000

Facsimile: 303-494-6309

Email: zac@frascona.com case number: 2023CV030011

TO THE ABOVE-NAMED DEFENDANT(S):

You are hereby summoned and required to appear and defend against the claims of the complaint fled with the court in this action, by fling with the clerk of this court an answer or other response. You are required to fle your answer or other response within 21 or 35 days after the service of this summons upon you. Service of this summons shall be complete on the day of the last publication. A copy of the complaint may be obtained from the clerk of the court.

If you fail to fle your answer or other response to the complaint in writing within 21 or 35 days after the date of the last publication, judgment by default may be rendered against you by the court for the relief demanded in the complaint without further notice.

Dated: April 27, 2023

Frascona, Joiner, Goodman and Greenstein, P.C.

/s/Zachary A. Grey Attorney for Plaintiff

Gunnison Country Times

Gunnison, Colorado.

Publication dates of April 27 and May 4, 11, 18, 25, 2023

8718

Don't SELL them. Tell them a great STORY.

MAY 16

VIOLATION OF PROTECTION

ORDER: CRIMINAL ORDER — W.

GOTHIC AVE.

PROPERTY WATCH

ACCIDENT — 200 N. MAIN ST.

PROPERTY WATCH

MAY 17

WELFARE ASSIST — N. 12TH ST.

CRIMINAL MISCHIEF - DAMAGE

TO PROPERTY — 500 E. GOTHIC AVE.

PROPERTY - FOUND

FRAUD — 305 N. 10TH ST.

CRIMINAL TRESPASS -

MUNICIPAL — 700 N. MAIN ST.

MAY 18

DISORDERLY CONDUCT — 124 E.

VIRGINIA AVE.

HARASSMENT: TELEPHONE

CALLS

MAY 19

PROPERTY - LOST — 222 N. MAIN ST.

HARASSMENT — 600 N. COLORADO ST.

ADMIN - UNASSIGNED

INCIDENT

PROPERTY - FOUND — 310 W.

TOMICHI AVE.

MAY 20

WELFARE ASSIST — 720 N.

COLORADO ST.

CONTROLLED SUBSTANCEPOSS MARIJUANA UNDER 21 — 501 E. TOMICHI AVE.

VIOLATION OF PROTECTION

ORDER: CRIMINAL ORDER — 1202 W. NEW YORK AVE.

CRIMINAL MISCHIEF - DAMAGE TO PROPERTY — 120 N. MAIN ST.

DISTURBING THE PEACE — 715 W. GEORGIA AVE.

MAY 21

AGENCY ASSIST — 999 E.

TOMICHI AVE.

ANIMAL - VICIOUS /

DANGEROUS - MUNICIPAL — 1420 ROCK CREEK RD.

ANIMAL - RUNNING AT LARGEMUNICIPAL — 300 N. MAIN ST. ACCIDENT — 221 W. HWY. 50

ACCIDENT — 411 E. TOMICHI AVE.

GUNNISON COUNTY SHERIFF’S REPORT

MAY 16

-Arrest- two felony warrants

-Civil irrigation

-Information report- possible abandoned vehicle

-Vin inspection

-Agency assist to GPD with the arrest of combative subject

-Welfare check

-Agency assist to the Colorado State Patrol with a car versus elk accident – no injuries

MAY 17

-Check back

-Paper service

-Arrest- violation of protection order

-Arrest- felony warrant

-Agency assist- Colorado State Patrol with a vehicle versus deer accident

-Welfare check for an overdue party- located safe

MAY 18

-Paper service

-Paper service attempt

-Suspicious person acting erratic under the influence

-Welfare check on two people walking to Grand Junction

MAY 19

-Dog at large call- unable to find

-Deputies responded to a cat that was frantic and stuck in a tree- deputes were able to dislodge it and bring it safely down from the tree

-Welfare check for a possibly abandoned car – unfounded

-Civil questions on ownership of a vehicle

-Vin inspection x 2

MAY 20

-Deputies stood by as cover officers as an inmate was transferred to our detention center for a local warrant

-Welfare check on a car on the side of Hwy. 50

-Driving under the influence arrest

-Agency assist to the Gunnison Police department on a violation of a protection order

MAY 21

-Deputies responded to a reported fight with about twenty people involved- parties dispersed prior to law enforcements arrival

-Deputies responded to check on a suspicious person by the lake with a rifle- turned out to be a photographer with a tripod

-Information report on four juveniles who appeared to being throwing rocks at a local business late at night

-Welfare check

-Harassment report

-Dog bite report

-Information report on civil child custody questions- referred to the courts or a lawyer

-Arrest for driving under the influence of alcohol and unlawful possession of a controlled substance

-Paper service

-Information report involving criminal mischief / mental health issue with a child

Hospice 2023

New grocer hosts meet and greet

Staff from supermarket chain Natural Grocers held a community meet and greet on May 17 at the Gunnison Workforce Center. Public Relations Manager Katie Macarelli, Senior Recruiting Manager Michelle Hines and Recruiter Sarah White shared a hiring timeline and fielded questions from local residents and business owners. New staff will train through July and August. The grand opening is scheduled for Sep. 13, 2023.

SACRIFICE IS MEANINGLESS WITHOUT REMEMBRANCE.

We ask that we as American Citizens be aware of, and take a moment this upcoming Monday to pause a moment, just a few moments of personal silence, to pay tribute to those Americans who died defending our country throughout the world since 1775. They came from all walks of life and regions, but they all had one thing in common, love and loyalty to country. Whether done individually or collectively, it is the thought that counts.

Originally known as “Decoration Day,” local springtime tributes to the Civil War dead commemorated by placing Mississippi, who in April 29, 1866 honored the Confederate dead from the battle of Shiloh; or Waterloo, New York

After World War I, the day of remembrance was extended to honor those who have died in all American wars. In 1971, by act of Congress, Memorial Day was declared a national holiday, and placed on the last Monday in May. In 2000, “The National Moment of Remembrance Act” was signed into law, encouraging the people of the United States to give something back to their country, including promoting Memorial Day as the sacred and noble event that day is intended to be. Along with the Act, a Presidential Proclamation designated 3 p.m local time on Memorial Day for a minute of silence to remember and honor those who have died in service to the Nation.

The American Legion Post 54 in honor of Memorial Day will be decorating the town of Gunnison with US Flags. Please join us for a Memorial Day Ceremony at 10 a.m. at the Gunnison Cemetery.

Abby Harrison

Powers receives excellence in teaching award

Gunnison High School math teacher and soccer coach Susan Powers was honored with the 2023 Dan Tredway Memorial Excellence in Teaching award at graduation on May 21. Powers spent over 20 years working in the school district. “Powers is an incredibly versatile teacher who has made an instrumental impact on her students over the years in both her math and English instruction,” said GHS Librarian Lisa Danos. “Beyond the classroom, she has been instrumental in developing the soccer program at GHS. She goes above and beyond to support her athletes and has a very successful program as a result.”

Each spring, a local Gunnison Valley teacher who exemplifies Dan Tredway’s values of being dedicated to students, committed to the community and creating a classroom culture that promotes excitement about learning is honored with the award. Tredway was a pioneer in rural education, and a longtime Gunnison resident.

The award is a component fund of the Community Foundation of the Gunnison Valley, which is responsible for stewarding the funds that provide the award money and orchestrating the nomination and review process each spring in coordination with the school district.

We are super excited for all of the events planned, groups coming to our neighborhood and special ways to enjoy our Valley.

Live music from Monarch Crest to Mount Crested Butte, to Almont, to Taylor Canyon, to Sapinero at Blue Mesa Reservoir to Arrowhead Resort and in between.

Art walks and ways to participate through the Gunnison Arts Center to the Center for the Arts CB to Western Colorado University.

Museums open both North & South.

Multiple Festivals celebrating multiple genres all season long.

flying, outdoor dining, meeting friends in the parks, night sky in the dark.

Abby Harrison

Susan Powers walks up to the podium to receive her award.

Scott Enloe reels in world record in his own backyard

Alex McCrindle Times Staff Writer

In the early morning hours of May 5, as the springtime mist drifted over the Blue Mesa Reservoir, a local father-son duo set out in their fishing vessel. It was opening day for boating access, and the reservoir bustled with excitement as anglers put-in.

Scott Enloe and his son Hunter began scanning their sonar for telltale signs of massive lake trout as soon as they reached open water. When a gigantic spot appeared on the screen a few hours later, nobody could have predicted the size of the monster swimming beneath them.

Upon capture, the trout weighed 73.29 pounds, smashing both the state and world records. But there was a problem: to be official, the fish would have to be taken and measured on land. Instead, Scott happily released it. Now, it is unknown if the Gunnison man will ever receive the o cial record.

Hours earlier, waves lapped

up against the hull of their fishing boat as the Enloe’s cruised the inlets of Blue Mesa Reservoir. The pair have dedicated years to studying lake trout, and have memorized feeding locations where massive fish thrive. Their strategy seemed to be effective as Hunter, who works as a guide for Alpine Out Sport sh Colorado, had already reeled in a 31-pound lake trout when a enormous mark lit up the sonar.

ir have dediudying memorized where maseffective as s as a shing Out tters and , nd lake trout s

“ irty pounds is a huge it's trophy quality for anyone,” Scott said. “We were looking at big ones on the screen, and then the monster fish showed up, and it was three times the size of the others. It made a nosedive for my jig, my line moved, and I set the hook.”

s a sh, re lookn d e ig, my et the hook.” ed to the surined

m Th e re el out

h

0 feet. After a ttle he rm an a nd he two men

The behemoth swallowed the jig and rocketed to the surface. Scott maintained control, preparing for the sh to plunge back to the bottom. The reel hissed as the trout dragged heaps of line with it, returning to a depth of 40 feet. After a back-and-forth battle between the seasoned fisherman and gigantic trout, the two men hauled it aboard.

The nearly 74 pound fish

LAKE CITY: Dark Skies on display, B3

CRESTED BUTTE: Mountain Words Literary Festival returns, B4

SPORTS: U19 soccer close season with big win, B7

GUNNISON COUNTRY TIMES • THURSDAY, MAY 25, 2023

Scott Enloe stands on the banks of the Gunnison River.

Enloe reveals the size of the fish, its belly stuffed with kokanee salmon.

Abby Harrison

To All GCEA Members:

Don’t let the Gunnison Valley Climate Crisis Coalition and its letter writing campaign mislead you. While I have been on the Board GCEA has done this:

Supported Tri-State and its Energy Transition Plan to green the grid without sacri cing reliability.

Installed Community Solar in Crested Butte and at Headquarters in Gunnison. It is now fully subscribed and we are looking for another place to build more.

Installed 14 car charging stations spread throughout GCEA service territory for locals and guests to power up. I support the greening of our transportation system. Electric cars and bikes are cool!

More than 10 years in the making, Taylor Hydro will break ground this spring. Most of you would not believe the bureaucracy to get that done!

Strengthen our distribution system to improve our reliability to keep the lights on. Support a strong safety culture in the workplace and all through our distribution system.

And many more programs that I do not have room for here.

As a Board and GCEA member, this is what I do. Please get your vote out and help me keep my challenger from Boulder out of the District 1 seat.

Crested Butte Mountain Theatre Presents Tigers Be Still

A comedy written by Kim Rosenstock

Directed by Kristen Joyce

Thursday Friday Saturday

May 25-27June 1-3

Record fish

was 47 inches long, numbers that would break the world record for largest lake trout ever caught. However, after the duo measured and weighed the sh aboard their boat, they released it back into the lake — an action that could prevent them from receiving the o cial record.

For record applications, the State of Colorado and the International Game Fish Association have requirements that each angler must follow. e two most important are killing the sh and weighing it on land — not in a boat.

“Who am I to kill that fish?”

Scott said. “According to officials, it is estimated to be 60 years old — as long as the Blue Mesa has been there, that fish has been in there. I can only imagine how many eggs that fish has laid over her 60 year period, and how many sh she has produced. I’m not going to be the one to end that cycle.”

Even though Scott may never receive an o cial record for his prized catch, the weight would easily break the state record of 50.5 pounds and the world record of 72 pounds, achieved

in Canada in 1995.

For the Enloes, the historic morning acts as another crowning achievement in their fishing careers. While he has only lived in the Gunnison Valley for seven years, Scott has been shing Blue Mesa since 1992, and Hunter spent the first years of his life growing up in Almont. e two have been hunting and fishing together before Hunter could walk. Since then, Hunter won three youth fly fishing world championships. e duo also set a record for being the rst father and son to represent the United States on the men’s and youth fly fishing teams at the same time.

Scott said he is still in awe of that special morning.

“We were just in amazement and we just sat in the boat and oated along and just laughed,” he said. “I’m not going to kill the fish just to get a piece of paper on the wall that says ‘Hey, that’s the largest one in the world.’ If I don’t get that paper, I’m fine with it, because I can go to sleep tonight knowing that sh is alive and well, swimming around in the Mesa.”

As always, Best to you all, Greg Wiggins

Prepared and paid for by Greg Wiggins, PO Box 3185, Crested Butte.

Hunter Enloe (left) and Scott Enloe (right) fly fishing together in the Gunnison Valley.

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

from B1

Courtesy

The Enloe’s sonar displays two marks. One represents a larger fish, likely between 15-18 pounds.

Dark skies on display in Lake City

Festival draws stargazers from near and far

Paul Wayne Foreman Special to the Times

Lucky people who live in or visit Colorado’s backwaters have without a doubt experienced one of “those nights.” It often happens unexpectedly, when you step outside after an evening indoors and find yourself under a breathtaking sight: the night sky as few ever see it.

In 2023, skies dark enough to reveal the Milky Way in all its splendor are, unfortunately, endangered. e night sky over some 80% of Earth’s human population, 6.4 billion people, have become so light-polluted that our home galaxy no longer is visible. at even includes some places in Colorado. Happily, that doesn’t include Lake City. ere, and elsewhere in the Gunnison Country, the sky still appears on dark nights as the ancients might have seen it.

That’s worth celebrating, so that’s what the folks in Lake City decided to do. For five days, June 7-11, 2023, all astronomers, whether amateur or professional, as well as the sky-curious of all ages, are invited to the Lake City Star Fest. The Milky Way is sure to be in attendance as well. The Lake City Star Fest will feature free and low-cost events open to anyone interested in the night sky.

“We are blessed in Lake City and Hinsdale County to have extraordinarily dark skies for viewing the remarkable wonders of our star- lled universe,” said Lake City amateur astronomer Phillip Virden. “We want to do everything possible — such as the Lake City Star Fest — to preserve this unique setting for

our children, grandchildren and for all future generations who live and visit here.”

The Star Fest will begin on ursday, June 8, at 5 p.m., with the Lake City Arts’ Celestial Celebration. It’s held downtown at 300 Silver Street, and attendees will savor fine art aroused by Lake City’s spectacular night sky, photos by local astrophotographer Michael Underwood, a short film produced by the International Dark-Sky Association (IDA),and a keynote presentation from IDA Advocacy Intern Michael Rymer.

The Star Fest will offer the sky-curious a chance to safely gaze at our ever-active sun through a solar telescope — a must-see for the uninitiated — or take in some science ction flicks at the Mountaineer Movie eatre. Later, check out the stars at the Star Fest’s Star Party.

“Star Fest will not only be celebrating Lake City’s beautiful starry night skies but also our historical, cultural connection with the universe,” Virden said.

The Lake City Star Fest also hosts the Dark-Sky Summit, June 7-8. is ticketed, retreatstyle event will call together astronomers and dark-sky professionals. Keynote speakers for the summit include Colorado’s IDA board chair and Western

Slope chapter president, Aaron Watson, and Rymer. e IDA is the world’s recognized authority on light pollution and directs global e orts to combat its negative e ects.

Following IDA approval of the Lake Fork Valley Conservancy’s (LFVC) application, Hinsdale County is now home to the IDA’s newest International Dark Sky Park, the 58-acre Slumgullion Center at 1118 Silver Street. e Slumgullion Center is one of only 84 such designated dark sky centers on the planet.

Founded in 2001, the Dark Sky Places Program has encouraged communities, parks and protected areas around the world to take active steps toward preserving and protecting dark sites. The program leads efforts to establish outdoor lighting policies by educating the public on the negative environmental impacts of irresponsible night lighting.

For information on astronomy programs at the Slumgullion Center visit lfvc. org. For information regarding the Dark Sky Summit visit.lakecitystarfest.com.

After 32 1/2 years and over 200 children taught Sheila of Creative Corner is retiring!

Open House 1-3 p.m.

May 28 • Concrete Room at Fred Field Center

(Paul Wayne Foreman is a Gunnison writer and stargazer.)

Courtesy Michael Underwood

This week at the Pioneer Museum

“Cheers for the Living and Tears for the Dead”

Mountain Words Festival returns to Crested Butte

Submitted by Larry McDonald

It was 140 years ago this week that Gunnison Post No. 17 Commander E. K. Stimson declared that, “The 30th of May is designated by the statutes of Colorado as a legal holiday. By ordinance of the Grand Army of the Republic, it is known as ‘Memorial Day’.” He concludes his eloquent memoriam with, “Let us then go forth on Memorial Day, whether in sunshine or in storm, and mark their lowly habitation with our country’s undivided flag. Let us dedicate all the blooming petals of roseate May to them; let us by the imposition of intertwining garlands on monument and tomb, recall the devotion of those who drank from death’s canteen, and in a banquet of roses let us send incense to our comrades on that other shore where ‘beauty fadeth not away forever’.”

Decoration Day was originally established on May 5, 1868, when General John A. Logan, leader of an organization for Northern Civil War veterans, called for a nationwide day of remembrance later that month.

“The 30th of May 1868 is designated for the purpose of strewing with flowers, or otherwise decorating the graves of comrades who died in defense of their country during the late rebellion, and whose bodies now lie in almost every city, village and hamlet churchyard in the land,” he proclaimed. On that first Decoration Day, General James Garfield made a speech at Arlington National Cemetery, and 5,000 participants decorated the graves of the 20,000 Civil War soldiers buried there.

Memorial Day, as Decoration Day gradually came to be known,

originally honored only those lost while fighting in the Civil War, but during World War I the holiday evolved to commemorate American military personnel who died in all wars and continued to be observed on May 30 until 1968 when Congress passed the Uniform Monday Holiday Act establishing Memorial Day as the last Monday in May, taking effect in 1971.

Our valley has been honoring those lost in battle since the first settlers arrived in the late 1870’s, and the Gunnison Review of June 4, 1881, reported that Ute Chief Colorow paid tribute to lost warriors with his own oration, concluding it with, “Warrior’s adieu. I call you warriors from force of habit. Remember our noble dead. Although you did not die nobly yourselves, you can come and scatter warm tears and bacon rinds above the graves of those who did die nobly. Let us cherish the memory of those who fought for us, and when another spring shall come with its blue-eyed daisies and soft south wind, try to see how many of you will occupy reserved seats in the mysterious realms of shade.”

Our extensive military collections include many intriguing artifacts from the Civil War, and every war since, including our somber display of folded American flags paying tribute to local soldiers lost in battle, and an unopened bottle of champagne that was to be shared by Gunnison soldiers when they returned from World War I. We encourage both our valley residents and visitors to honor the memory of fallen heroes with a visit to the museum this upcoming weekend and participate in the solemn and intimate events conducted in Crested Butte and Gunnison by our surviving veterans.

MUSEUM OPEN DAILY 9:00 A.M.-5:00 P.M.

FROM MAY 15 THROUGH SEPTEMBER 30.

Admission $15 ages 13+, $5 for ages 6-12, Free for 5 and under. Follow us on Facebook for current information and amazing local history!

lating and thought-provoking writers and thinkers from across the state and nation and offer a rare opportunity to participate in a larger dialogue and thinking on diverse and timely topics,” said Festival Director Brooke MacMillan. “I think a common misconception is that the festival is only for readers and writers, but in truth, the weekend and events are for anyone who enjoys being stimulated by powerful ideas, stories and a good dose of humor.”

Access to the festival is central to its mission. To ensure inclusion for all, the weekend will feature over 20 free community events, along with student and senior reduced pricing, and full scholarships.

Panel discussions will include some of the nation’s leading experts, thinkers and reporters on topics that include, the future of land and water in the West, writing ethical crime, food justice and sustainability, reporting in mountain towns and the grit of writing. New this year,

journalists from the Crested Butte News, High Country News, and the Colorado Sun will participate in many of the panels. And in another festival first, Colorado Public Radio’s senior host Ryan Warner will present a live taping of Colorado Matters, discussing Joel Warner’s new book "Curse of The Marquis de Sade: A Notorious Scoundrel, a Mythical Manuscript, and the Biggest Scandal in Literary History."

The festival tradition of incredible live theater over lunch continues on Saturday, May 27 with “God of Carnage,” starring Tony Awardnominated actor Sam Robards, three-time CTG Henry Awardwinner Emma Messenger, Western Colorado University Artist-in-Residence Heather Hughes and acclaimed actor and Western Colorado University theater professor, Steven Cole Hughes.

Sessions for children include a collaboration with

the Trailhead Children’s Museum for two creative workshops, Box Books and Blackout Poetry, that combine literary and visual arts into hands-on crafting projects. The Farcical Fairytales improv performance returns on Saturday afternoon giving a one-of-a-kind fairytale experience for children ages 3 and up.

And back by popular demand, festival goers and trivia lovers alike can come together for a very special, bookish trivia, “Literature and Libations” with Quiz Quiz Bang Bang — winners will bag some killer festival prizes.

The 2023 Mountain Words Festival will take place at the Center for the Arts, located in downtown Crested Butte. For a full schedule, passes, scholarships, student/senior pricing, lodging info and more, visit mtnwords.org.

(Source: Crested Butte Center for the Arts.)

The Crested Butte Center for

Local author Shelley Read leads a workshop at the literary festival last year.

Scenes from the 2022 Literary Death Match.

Nolan Blunck

‘Here

time’

Abby Harrison

Crested Butte Museum camp and tour

Join The Crested Butte Museum June 11-15 for a fiveday journey throughout the San Juans exploring historic and geologic sites with historian Duane Vandenbusche and geologist Steve Jenkins. is tour includes all transportation leaving from Gunnison, all accommodations, all tour and activity fees, a field note booklet and select meals throughout the trip. Register by May 10 by visiting crestedbuttemuseum.com/san-juan-tour or call 970.349.1880 for more information.

Evening with Vandenbusche

On June 8 at 6 p.m., the Gunnison Pioneer Museum will host a slide show presentation by historian Duane Vandenbusche called “Old Days in the Gunnison

Country.” The show will feature a number of never-before-seen photos covering the Gunnison Country from Crested Butte to Lake City and Monarch Pass to Cimarron.

Memorial Day

Please join us for the 2023 Memorial Day activities on May 29 in Crested Butte. This event will start with a military march at 9:15 a.m. At 10 a.m., a mass for the fallen will be held at the cemetery chapel. At 11 a.m., there will be a military gun salute. At 11:45 a.m. lunch will be provided at the Queen of All Saints Parish Hall, 405 Sopris Ave. Following lunch, a polka dance featuring The Pete Dunda Band will be held from 1:30-4:30 p.m. at the Hall.

Garden club plant sale

e Top o’ e World Garden Club annual perennial plant sale

GUNNISON ARTS CENTER BRIEFS

Live music

Join us May 26 at 7 p.m. for live music with Roma Ransom. Great music should do three things: connect you to the past, inspire you to envision the future and nd you wholly in the present moment. Roma Ransom does all three. Tickets are $22.50 for members and $25 for non-members.

Adults Intro to wheel throwing

If you don’t want to commit to a multi-week class, this is the throwing class for you! On May 29 at 6-9 p.m., students will be introduced to wheel throwing and will focus on centering, pulling and shaping their own masterpiece. All ability ranges are welcome. The instructor is Rachel Cottingham and the cost is $64 per member and $75 for non-members.

will be held at the fairgrounds covered area on May 27 from 9 a.m.-noon. Plants are $6 each, plus tax. Checks and cash only please.

After Growler party

Celebrate the live Grateful Dead experience with Easy Jim at the I Bar Ranch May 28 at 7:30 p.m. for the Grateful Growler after party. This event is open to the public and tickets and information can be found at ibarranch. com.

Standard Mine meeting

e Environmental Protection Agency invites the public to learn about the status of remediation and bulkhead closure plans at the Standard Mine Superfund Site on Mt. Emmons. e public meeting will be held June 8 from 4-5 p.m. More info can be found by sending an email to duggan.jessica@ epa.gov

Boss Ross

Treat yourself to a night out and come paint along to an episode of a soft-spoken artist with a nurturing disposition who believed art was about not just skill, but a means to finding mindfulness and a respect for nature. On May 30 from 6-9 p.m., Sarah will walk us through the basics of acrylic painting. All skill levels are welcome. e cost is $45 per person and $140 for a group of four.

LWV annual meeting

Mark your calendar now for June 13 at 11:30 a.m. at Gunnison Library where the League of Women Voters will host a light lunch and the annual June official business meeting. Program is a recap of legislative action in Denver, election of officers and planning for summer events.

Free legal help

Get free legal advice on the second Wednesday of every month from 2-5 p.m. at the Gunnison County Library at 1 Quartz St in Gunnison and at the Old Rock Community Library in Crested Butte. Volunteer attorneys will offer assistance oneon-one, via computer link. In Gunnison call 970.641.3485 or in Crested Butte call 970.349.6535 to be added to the sign-up sheet.

Adult wheel throwing

On ursdays, from June 1-22 from 6-9 p.m., students will expand their throwing knowledge to create more advanced forms. All ability ranges are welcome. The instructor is Kit Wijkowski, and the cost is $201 per member and $236 for nonmembers.

MOUNTAINWORDSFESTIVAL

LIVEPERFORMANCES+EVENTS

Thurs,May25|5:30pm

CrestedButteMagazine Summer ReleaseParty+Reception

Thurs,May25|7pm

“Literature&Libations”literarytrivia withQuizQuizBangBang

Fri,May26|4-5:15pm

TheAntandtheGrasshopper film screeningwithRajPatel

Fri,May26|5-6:30pm Festivalreception,booksigning+sales withselectwriters

Fri,May26|6:30-7:30pm

Writers-in-ResidenceReadings+Karen ChamberlainAward

KIDSEVENTS

Sat,May27|9-10:30am

"BoxBooks"withTrailheadChildren’s Museum.Ages5-8

Sat,May27|11am-12:30pm

"BlackoutPoetry"withTrailhead Children’sMuseum.Ages8-11

Sat,May28 |3-4pm

FarcicalFairytales: Improvised Fairytalesforchildren withFirebrand TheatreCompany.Ages3-10+

Sat,May27|12-1:30pm

LiveTheatreatLunch: GodofCarnage starringSamRobards&others

Sat,May27|3-4:30pm CPR'sColoradoMattersliverecording: a literarydetectivestory

Sat,May27|5-6:30pm

Festivalreception+ForestWoodward galleryopening

Sat,May27|6:30-7:30pm

MAY25-28 CRESTEDBUTTE

PANELS+DISCUSSIONS

FriMay26|2-3pm

“PodcastingwithPurpose”withLauraKrantz, AnnieRijks,MitziRapkin,andDaveGonzalez

Fri,May26|3-4pm

Living Journeys

Living Journeys hosts free and confidential monthly support groups — open to all Gunnison County residents.

-Caregivers Support Group: 1st Monday of each month.

-Bereavement Support Group: 2nd Monday of each month.

-Cancer Support Group: 1st Thursday and 3rd Monday of each month.

Professional therapists facilitate in-person and zoom meetings, no RSVP necessary. Get details at livingjourneys.org/ Calendar.

Free gardening class

Join us for a free workshop at Gunnison Gardens located at 403 S. 6th St. from 2-5 p.m. on May 28. Learn about best practices for growing carrots at altitude.

Singles clay mixer

Singles nights will focus on an introduction to wheel throwing. On the first Friday of the month, starting June 2 from 6-9 p.m., students will learn to center, pull and shape their own masterpiece. All ability ranges are welcome. e instructor is Cat Avila and the cost is $64 per member and $75 for non members.

Festivalreadings:RebeccaMakkai,SuziQ Smith,RachelMonroe,TedConover

Sun,May28|10-11am

“FirstDraft”podcastliverecordingwith JennyQiandMitziRapkin

Sun,May28|12-4pm|1pmQ&A

GossipGirl marathonandQ&Awith"The Captain,"SamRobards(attheMajestic Theatre)

20+WORKSHOPS

MTNWORDS.ORGFORFULL WORKSHOPSCHEDULE

“TurningthePhysicalWorldIntoStory”

PamHouston

“ScreenwritingwithaSenseofPlace” AlessandraBautze

“TheTheoryandArtofCussing”Steven Dunn

“OriginsoftheOriginal”RebeccaMakkai

"TheMountainInfinite"LeathTonino

“WorldBuildinginaHurry”OliviaChadha

"HowtoWrite&PitchanOp-Ed"Megan

KateNelson

"FoodSustainability"withRajPatel,Susan Wyman,HollyConn,MJPickett

Sat,May27|9-10am

“TheFutureofLandintheWest”withBetsy Quammen,JustinFarrell,TedConover,Regina Whiteskunk,MeganKateNelson,NickBowlin

Sat,May27|11am-12pm

“CanTrueCrimebeEthical?”withRebecca Makkai&RachelMonroe

Sat,May27|2-3pm

TedConover’s CheapLandColorado withJustinFarrell

Sat,May27|2-3pm

“Thebeautyandbusinessofbooks”withCaroline Bleekey,PhilColeman,KirstenJohannaAllen

Sat,May27|4:30-5:30pm

"TheGritofWriting"withManuelAragon,OliviaChadha, StevenDunn,TeowLimGoh,LeathTonino

Sun,May28|11am-12pm

TheFutureofWaterintheWest”withHeather Hansman,ZakPodmore,GeorgeSibley,RosemaryCarroll

PASSES+TIX+SCHOLARSHIPS+ STUDENT/SENIORPRICINGMTNWORDS.ORG

BASEBALL: Cowboys fall in first round of playoffs, B8

SPORTS: Six Points athletes compete at regional Special Olympics B11

Cowboy girls track and field battles at state

Three athletes, one relay team place in top 10

Jacob Spetzler

Photo and Sports Editor

The Gunnison High School track and field season culminated last week, May 18-20, the state meet at Je co Stadium in Lakewood.

Ten Cowboy athletes from the girls team quali ed for the state competition, three of whom placed in individual races while the 4x800-meter relay team came in top 10. In order to qualify for the meet, an athlete must rank in the top 16 in the state.

The members of the 4x800meter relay team – Jemma Petrie, Madelyn Stice, Catalina Schwab and Izabella Hartzell — also placed in the top 10, taking eighth with a time of 10:19.92. The 4x200-meter relay team, composed of Sienna Gomez, Eden Williams, Caroline Track & field B11

U19 boys soccer finish season strong

8-1 win against Olathe solidifies winning record

Alex McCrindle Times Staff Writer

The U19 Gunnison select boys soccer team wrapped up its season with an 8-1 victory over Olathe on Saturday, May 20.

This comes after a roadtrip to Durango over the weekend of May 12, in which the Gunnison team won the consolation match. e team nished the season with an 8-1 overall record and 5-1 in the league.

Head Coach Susan Powers said the seniors’ collective leadership played a large role in the team’s success.

“We were super fortunate to have three seniors on our team and the leadership that they showed,” she said. “Jose Davalos, Jilverto Morales and Logan Breiner were definitely what we were looking for in leaders.”

The boys came out firing at Jorgensen Park against Olathe on Saturday. With techni-

GUNNISON COUNTRY TIMES • THURSDAY, MAY 25, 2023

Courtesy Bobby Reyes/Milesplit Abby Harrison Soccer B8

Madelyn Stice competes in the 3200-meter run at the state meet. She took fifth in the race.

Jilverto Morales winces after heading the ball towards goal.

Soccer from B7

cal passing and dribbling, the Gunnison players compressed the opposing defenders into their goal, allowing floated crosses and shots from outside the box.

Unable to endure the fast attack, Olathe cleared the pressure with long balls from defenders. Gunnison organized waves of attacking play, ultimately leading to the breakthrough. At full-time, the score stood 8-1, a commanding win for the home team.

Earlier this season, the boys endured a much closer game against Olathe. Following the

win, Breiner said the 8-1 victory showed how much the team has progressed.

“What’s crazy is we played them earlier and only beat them 1-0 the we’ve grown a lot since then.”

Following his Davalos and Breiner shared some of the keys to the team’s overall success.

“I think we played really wide, passed well and fought hard this season,” Davalos said.

”We’re a big family and it’s bittersweet and really sad to let everyone go.”

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

U15 soccer wins tournament

The Gunnison U10, U12, U15 and U19 youth soccer teams competed in a tournament in Durango. The U15 team battled its way through four bracket rounds to win its division. On Saturday, May 13, Gunnison beat the Gallup Thunderbirds 2-1 before overcoming the Pagosa Rangers 3-1. Then, on Sunday, the team beat Crossfire 5-2 which preceded the final game against Telluride. Trailing by one in the final quarter, Gunnison’s Eli Coop scored to tie the game, sending it into extra time. After two rounds of overtime, with 10 seconds left, Charlie Wolfenbarger scored the winning goal.

Cowboy baseball season concludes in Cortez

Back-and-forth playoff game ends in defeat

Alex McCrindle Times Staff Writer

The GHS baseball season came to a dramatic conclusion on May 21 with a 4-7 loss to Montezuma-Cortez High School in the rst round of the playo s. Following the postseason exit, the team’s record nished at 10-13 overall, and 4-5 in the 3A Western Slope League.

Head Coach Tom Percival said the team saw noticeable growth in the previous four games, with improvement in baseball IQ and defensive plays.

“There were times this year that we didn’t think we had a chance to make the playo s, but the last three and four games they put things together and looked like a team that can be competitive,” he said.

The Cowboys opened up the first inning against the Montezuma-Cortez Panthers with a single and stolen base from Rocky Marchitelli leading off. Then, Wade Johnson, batting as the cleanup hitter, poked an RBI single into shallow right

field to take a 1-0 lead against the home team.

The Panthers fought back, tacking on three runs and taking a 1-3 advantage. The Cowboy bats came to life in the fourth and fth innings, beginning with a single from Justus Williams and an RBI knock from his cousin Mason Williams. Marchitelli reached on an error to shortstop in the top of the fifth and was driven in by a Grady Buckhanan single and a sacrifice fly from Justus Williams. By the bottom of the fifth, the Cowboys had battled back — tying the game 3-3.

In the sixth inning, both teams continued tug-of-war for the lead. The Cowboys tied the game 4-4 after Jacob Riser stole second base, and Buckhanan hit an RBI single to shallow center field. With two outs in the bottom of the sixth, Montezuma-Cortez hit a tworun homer, putting the game out of reach. For the first time in the game, the Cowboys were unable to fight back, and the game ended 4-7, knocking GHS from the regional tournament.

“It was a well-played high school baseball game,” Percival said. “Pitchers threw strikes, defensively they made plays, it was a fun game to coach. We had some young kids step up

and get a lot of playoff experience and do really well.”

Talon Kibler threw a complete game and gave us a chance to be in the game the whole time, and Grady Buckhanan, Hunter Vincent and Mason Williams had some important hits and defensive plays. I was really impressed.”

The game at Montezuma-

Cortez was the last for seniors Justus Williams, Marchitelli, Duke Sloan, Wade Johnson, and Ty Taramarcaz. Reflecting on his time wearing the Cowboys’ uniform, Marchitelli said he was proud of the team’s nal performance.

“Nobody expected us to hang with Montezuma-Cortez except us,” he said. “We played with

high energy and had a really fast start with all the momentum. We all believed we could play with any team in the state, and that showed in the nal game.”

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

(Left to right) Birke Lafoe, Bruce Lafoe, Charles Wolfenbarger, Damien Struble, Dylan Boscaro, Elias Coop, Jane Barvitski, Jerico Espinoza, Kaiden Bartelli, Luis Aguilar, Maddox Duke, Sam Sawyer, Tristan Meyer, William Hubbard, Zavier Drendel, Sam Serrano, Issac Vitninio and Cian Odubhaigh

Courtesy Gunnison Rec Center

The Cowboys watch from the dugout between innings during a home game several weeks ago. Jacob Spetzler

Abby Harrison

Jose Davalos cuts away from an Olathe defender.

Jilverto Morales threads a pass through the maze of opposing players

Golf squad competes at regional tournament

Freshman Aiden Tomlin qualifies for state

Alex McCrindle Times Staff Writer

The GHS girls squad fielded a young team to compete in the 2023 regional tournament- at the Yampa Valley Golf Course on May 22.

Freshman Aiden Tomlin led the way for the Cowboys, shooting a 99 and qualifying for the 2023 state tournament in Aspen next week. Sophomore Madison Vollendorf shot a 113, missing state qualification by a single place. Junior Allie Schwartz and freshman Kaylee Vincent followed with scores of 118, and 128.

Nine schools from the Western Slope participated in the tournament, each elding a team of four golfers. Following a round of 18 holes, the top 21 girls would qualify to compete at the state tournament. Heartbreakingly for Vollendorf, her score placed 22nd, leaving her one slot away from qualication. The Cowboys finished the tournament sixth overall, with a combined score of 330.

“Regionals is hard because it's only one 18-hole round, and it's worth all the marbles,” said Head Coach Kevin Mickelson.

“But it was a great experience, it will bode well for us next year having four players return that have regional experience.”

Tomlin’s season will continue on May 30 and 31 at the upcoming two-day tournament at the Aspen Golf Course. Mickelson said her progress this season has been exceptional.

“Aiden has been making a lot of growth this season, I’m not surprised by her success at all,” he said. “Qualifying for state as a freshman is just excellent.”

The regional tournament was

the final competition for the girls golf team. Mickelson said the team’s growth has been exciting despite the weather delay at the beginning of the season.

“Golf is all about the endless pursuit of getting better, and we fulfilled that in our short season, even after spending the rst ve weeks indoors,” he said. “It was a great season, it was a lot of fun, so I’m proud of all the girls and the steps they made in becoming better players.”

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

Living Journeys hosts third annual cancer fundraiser

Golfers teed off last weekend at the Dos Rios Golf Course to support friends and family who have been affected by cancer. The golf tournament, hosted by local nonprofit Living Journeys Cancer Support, raised $68,000 from a combination of 36 business and private sponsorships.

Abby Harrison

Aiden Tomlin smiles after completing her round of 18.

Maddie Vollendorf, Aiden Tomlin, Kaylee Vincent and Allie Schwartz.

Sudderth and Aubrey Welfelt also competed, but did not place, finishing with a time of 1:53.10.

Stice was the top-placing individual athlete was Stice, taking fifth in the 3200-meter run with a time of 11:28.01. She also earned a personal record of 2:27.92 in the 800-meter run, nishing 14th overall.

The GHS jumpers also put together a solid showing. Sienna Gomez finished sixth in the triple jump and Angela Hindes came in seventh in the high jump. Williams also competed in the triple jump.

Head Coach Stacey Mickelson said she was proud of her athletes’ performances, highlighting just how much more time they have left in their high school tenure. Hartzell is a junior, the oldest of the group. The rest are only freshmen or sophomores.

“It gives those kids a lot of confidence,” she said. They

know that they deserve to be there. Maybe that will catapult them into working hard over the summer, really wanting to get back there and then placing higher than the year before.”

The athletes echoed Mickelson’s thoughts. Stice, a sophomore, said the experience itself was valuable and she saw meaningful improvement since last season. She hopes the hard work she put in will roll over into her other athletic pursuits.

“This season I ran more miles than I did last year so it felt good to get on the podium,”

Stice said. “I think this season was a good start and will help prepare me for cross country and track in the future.”

Gomez said she hopes it’s a jumping off point for the program in general.

“When competing I felt really nervous and anxious but I was just really grateful to be there,” she said. “For the next few years I think many people will come for track and will place at state.”

team could signify a very bright future. Nick Ferraro and Cael Medina are the only two athletes graduating out of the program. Ferraro has dealt with various injuries over the past

two seasons, but Medina has competed on the track and eld team all four years of his high school career.

“Cael’s worked really hard,”

lot of that leadership.”

(Jacob Spetzler can be contacted at 970.641.1414 or jacob@gunnisontimes.com.)

Gunnison athletes compete at Colorado Special Olympics

Twelve athletes from Six Points competed in the Regional Special Olympics on May 6 and 7, bringing home a load of accolades. On the swimming side, Jeff Crawley, Joe Day and Paul Carpenter made waves at the Bell Heddle Rec Center in Delta. Day took first in the 100meter butterfly, and also competed in the 50-meter fly and 400-meter freestyle. Crawley finished third in the 25-meter freestyle, while Carpenter received a first-place blue ribbon in the flotation race.

“Their practice and training really paid off,” said Jennifer Zeikus, a provider at Six Points.

On Sunday, May 7, 10 athletes endured cool and rainy weather at Stocker Stadium in Grand Junction to bring home several more first-place ribbons. For the first time, Six Points fielded two relay teams, one for walking and one for running, both of which earned first place. The walking relay team composed of Angela Lee, Calvin Curry, Tom Dunham and Tony Haus, exceeded its goal time of 4 minutes. The members of the running relay team were Alex Bittle, Jeff Crawley, John Iniego and Mark Tredway.

For the individual races, Lee placed second in the 100-meter walk, and second in the women’s shot put. Crawley placed

first in the men’s shot put and third in the 5000-meter run. Bittle earned third in the men’s shot put.

Curry was a triple threat. He collected three blue ribbons, one for the relay, one for the 200-meter walk and one for the 400-meter walk. John Iniego also received three blue ribbons, one for the running relay, one for the 200-meter run and 400-meter run. Iniego was invited to run the marathon at the upcoming state Special Olympics in June.

Donnie Schneider received blue ribbons for the 100-meter walk and the 200meter walk. Dunham earned first in the softball throw and the 1500-meter walk. Haus received first place for the 100meter walk, and finished third in the softball throw. Ron Ficklin came in second in the softball throw, while Tredway placed second in the shot put, and third in the 100-meter walk. Ricky Glatiotis, who has been involved in Special Olympics for more than 40 years, placed second in the 400-meter walk, and fourth in the shot put.

“Six Points is so proud of all of their accomplishments, hard work and dedication,” Zeikus said.

Jacob Spetzler

Courtesy Six Points Training and Evaluation

(Front) Paul Carpenter, (back row, left to right) Volunteer coach Kirk Mueller, Joe Day, Jeff Crawley and Coach Brian Smith

(Front) Tony Haus, (back row, left to right) Tom Dunham, Calvin Curry, Angela Lee

(Left to right) Mark Tredway, Jeff Crawley, Alex Bittle, John Iniego

Eden Williams competes in the triple jump.

The annual GHS Spring Fest took place on Friday, May 13. The year-end celebration included awards ceremonies, pep assemblies, game stations, teachers getting hit in the face with pies, barbeque lunch and snacks like homemade churros and Third Bowl ice cream.

Students from every grade were given awards for high grade point averages, scholarships, involvement in different programs and other

GIDDYUP

nizations, teachers and the administration.

Students then participated in a pep assembly to recognize student-athletes and clubs. Different classes competed in games against each other, such as finish the song, dodgeball, musical chairs, spikeball and more.

The pep assembly concluded with a senior slideshow showing a baby picture of all of the graduating seniors that then transitioned to their senior pictures.

Maria Kattnig, Krystal Brown and principal Jim Woytek. A variety of stations were available to students throughout the afternoon with activities like tie-dying socks, board games, cornhole and a smoothie bike that blended a smoothie of the participant’s choice when students peddled.

Spring fest is an amazing opportunity for the GHS community to recognize and congratulate graduating seniors.

GHS hosts reader’s theater

Program honors

WWII veteran

Jackson Dalleck Giddyup Staff Writer

On May 8 2023, Gunnison

High School hosted a reader’s

theater, presented by the Up Valley Down Valley Players.

The play — called “On a Note of Triumph” — was a reenactment of a vintage radio show celebrating VE Day, May 8, 1945, which marked the victory in Europe at the end of WWII.

Although VE Day is more

commonly celebrated in Europe, May 8 is a day for everyone to remember all of the sacrifices that were made and all the people who fought and died in the war.

The performance began with a small show about Graham Witherspoon, a 102-year-old WWII veteran

and the oldest living WWII veteran in our community. The audience was introduced to the characters. Actors included Jim Woytek, Mark High, Duane Vandenbusche and many more Gunnison locals. Some played multiple roles. Vandenbusche was the main narrator for the play.

Students also got involved, presenting the flag representing victory over Europe in front of a filled auditorium. The players presented a second show that evening for families and all members of the community.

The GHS sophomore class at the Spring Fest.

Robin Wilkinson

Registrar Janet Thurling pies Principal Jim Woytek.

LULAC goes on the road to Sweitzer Lake

2023 GHS Prom does Vegas

Field trip highlights outdoor industry careers

Gregory Blanco Giddyup Staff Writer

The Gunnison High School chapter of the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) visited Delta, Colorado on April 25 to attend the Outdoor Industry Sweitzer Lake Excursion. Kleber Flores, Greg Blanco, Maria Sabas Aguilar, Dayna Dominges Castro, Evania Lopez, Yadira Canare, Genesis Mendez and Angel Morales went on the trip.

Sweitzer Lake State Park is a day-use nature, picnic and water recreational area where visitors can fish, bike, paddle board, swim, boat, camp and hunt.

During this event, students from Western Slope school districts interacted with regional experts from the Nature

Connection, Colorado Parks and Wildlife, the U.S. Forest Service and Rigs Out tters. A River Watch representative facilitated the experiences to teach students about career pathways available to them in the outdoor and recreation industries.

“It was mostly rainy, and the activities were fun, like archery,” Flores said.

This trip was hosted by the western Slope Schools Career

Collaborative, an organization that aims to bridge the gaps between high school, college and careers for students through shared programming and resources between Western Colorado school districts, Technical College of the Rockies, Colorado Mesa University, Western Colorado University and industry partners.

Kylee McDougal Giddyup Staff Writer

On April 29, the Gunnison High School (GHS) commons was turned into the Las Vegas strip to celebrate the 2023 prom. The set was complete with tables, cards, drinks, food and a dance floor, thanks to the Student Leadership Council (SLC).

Those in attendance had the option to either dress chill and classy or bright and bougie. Common accessories were glasses, bright necklaces and fun earrings to complete the

Vegas look. Tables supplied with cards, a place to order drinks, a photo booth and lots of good food helped to bring the Vegas theme to life. A DJ completed the atmosphere, playing good music and taking requestents from students.

“We first got into groups for certain committees,” SLC sophomore Yaslin Hernandez said. “We then got to work on making the decorations. Once we were done with our decorations in a group we would move to another until we were done.”

Gregory Blanco and Kleber Flores fly fish at Sweitzer Lake.

Cooper Macort, Yaslin Hernandez, Kylee McDougal, Adrian Hernandez, Gael Ayala and Maria Sabas at prom.

Austin Gibney

Kylee McDougal

Maria Sabas Aguilar and Dayna Dominges Castro.

Upcoming eventS

FITNESS at

NOTE:

• May 25 (RSVP Required): Bird-Watching Walk with Arden Anderson. We will explore the Ponderosa Pine habitat along Highway 149. RSVP to: fsaltmarsh@gunnisonco.gov or 970-641-8060.

• May 30 (RSVP Required): Hike – Signal Peak. Rated Easy + to Intermediate. Wildflowers and wildlife to enjoy on this hike! Spaces limited, transportation provided. RSVP to: egillis@gunnisonco.gov or 970-641-8272.

• June 1 (RSVP Required): Guided Wildflower Hike – Almont Triangle. Prepare to be amazed on this hike featuring both sagebrush and alpine wildflowers. RSVP to: egillis@gunnisonco.gov or 970-641-8272.

SENIOR MEALSNEXT

Mon., May 29: CLOSED for Memorial Day Holiday.

Weds., May 31: BBQ chicken, tater tots, corn, cucumber salad, homemade rolls

Fri., June 2: Pork tenderloin, mashed potatoes, green beans, homemade bread

Mondays, Wednesdays, & Fridays – 11:30 a.m. arrival.

Pick-ups from 11 – 11:15 a.m. $5 per meal.

Advance orders encouraged: 970-641-8272. Homemade desserts with every meal!

Engaging hobbies for seniors

niable, especially for seniors.

A study published in the Journal of Occupational and Organizational Psychology found that employees who engaged in creative hobbies outside of work were more creative on work projects and had a better attitude on the job. Other studies have found significant health benefits for people with hobbies, such as lower blood pressure and the ability to maintain a healthy weight.

The myriad benefits of hobbies is good news for seniors, many of whom have ample time for leisure activities. Whether seniors are retired or still working but free from the responsibilities of parenting, the follow-

Cooking. Years spent hustling and bustling through the daily grind of personal and professional obligations might have forced individuals to embrace cooking that emphasized convenience over culinary skill. With more time to embrace one’s inner Emeril, seniors can look to cooking classes or take the selftaught route and purchase a new cookbook filled with delicious recipes. A well-cooked homemade meal can provide a sense of accomplishment and a ords seniors an opportunity to control the ingredients in the foods they eat, which can be important for individuals with health-related dietary restrictions.

ful people have penned memoirs after long, notable careers and lives. While not everyone will follow suit with the goal of making their memoirs public, writing can be a great way for seniors to document their own lives and the lives of their families. For example, interest in genealogy has risen considerably in recent years, as easily accessible websites like Ancestry.com and 23andMe. com have made it easier than ever for people to learn where they came from. Seniors can contextualize the information provided by genealogy websites by writing about their personal experiences and sharing what they know about the

grandparents and other family members. Retirement can nally o er the chance to nish that novel that’s been gathering dust for years.

Gardening. Seniors looking for hobbies that get them out in the great outdoors often need look no further than their own backyards. Gardening can bene t the body in many ways.

According to the Mayo Clinic Health System (MCHS), gardening can burn as many calories as working out in the gym. In addition, the MCHS notes that individuals who grow their own fruits and vegetables are more likely to include those foods in their own diets, saving money at the grocery store and also

Courtesy

Swimming. Swimming is an ideal exercise for seniors, as it’s low-impact, but still a great way to utilize the entire body.

A study published in Quality of Life Research found that water-based exercise improves older adults’ quality of life and decreases disability. A separate study in The Journal of Sports Medicine and Physical Fitness found that water-based exercise can improve or help to maintain bone health in postmenopausal women.

These are just a few of the many hobbies seniors can pursue as they look for positive and fun ways to spend their free time.

(Source: Metro Creative.)

Starts for spring

The Gunnison Valley Producers’ Guild held its second spring plant sale on Saturday, May 20 on South Main Street. Locallygrown flowers, fruit and veggie starts lined the path next to the boxcars — all provided by Gunnison Gardens, Iola Valley Farm, Thistle Whistle Farms in Paonia, Sundrop Flora and more. Plant-

Figuring out your roll

Kayakers convened in the Gunnison Rec Center pool last Tuesday to practice rolling before the season gets underway. Roll practice has taken place every Tuesday for the past six weeks and next week, Tuesday, May 30, will be the final iteration of the season.

PARENTS, WE CAN HELP YOU TO ENSURE YOUR CHILD CONTINUES THEIR SPEECH THERAPY DURING THE SUMMER. CALL US TO LEARN MORE.

Our team of speech language pathologists work with people of all ages who are impacted by speech, language, cognition and swallowing disorders.

SPEECH AND LANGUAGE CARE

•Stroke rehabilitation

•Parkinson’s disease therapy

•Apraxia treatment

•Autism/Social communication spectrum disorder treatment

•Attention deficit disorder / Executive function

FEEDING AND SWALLOWING CARE

•Dysphagia treatment

Sunday bike lessons at Jorgensen

Now that spring has (mostly) sprung, the outdoor covered rink at Jorgensen is dry as a bone and the perfect spot for skateboarders and bikers to practice their flip kicks and wheelies. On Sunday, May 21, Kevin Zimmerman and his sons Simeon, Cyrus and Azariah used the concrete floor to play soccer and bike. Simeon was learning to ride for the first time, and made several

COGNITION CARE

•Alzheimer’s treatment

•Dementia treatment

•Head and neck cancer rehabilitation

•Augmentative communication

•Pediatric therapy

•Traumatic brain injury / Concussion treatment

FOR MORE INFORMATION OR TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT, CONTACT GUNNISON VALLEY HEALTH’S REHABILITATION TEAM AT 970-641-7248.

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Positionincludes,butisnotlimitedto,hiring, training,supervising,andevaluatingcustodialstaff andcontractservices,assistancewithfacilityand groundsmaintenance,andcustodialservices. Includesexcellentbenefits,includingpaidtimeoff, paidindividualhealthcarepremium,alifeinsurance policy,andmore.Startsat$20.31/hourbasedon experience.WeareanEqualOpportunityEmployer. LearnmoreandapplyatGunnisonSchools.net/Jobs.

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Jacob Spetzler Shakti Lescault practices with Chris Doch.

Dave Bumgarner (right) coaches a student through earning his ACA kayak instructor certification.

Kevin Zimmerman helps his son, Simeon, learn to ride at the Jorgensen Rink.

Dawson Dalleck skateboards at Jorgensen Rink.