Private well owners around Gunnison County now have the chance to have their water wells tested, for free, for radioactive elements like uranium and thorium. The research offers a chance for landowners to take a look into what metals may hiding in their drinking water, while bolstering the state’s baseline groundwater data.
The Colorado Geological
Survey (CGS), a state agency within the Colorado School of Mines, is overseeing the five-year study. CGS Senior Hydrogeologist and study lead Lesley Sebol is seeking private well owners around the county to request test kits to sample their well water. It will be the first time that private wells in the county will be comprehensively tested for heavy metals that can seep into ground and surface water.
“[The study] is to help people be aware of what they're drinking and allow them to make informed decisions as to what they want to do, if they find they have stuff that's of concern,” Sebol said.
Unlike municipal water systems, which are routinely
While the North Valley has become used to limited school bus service, this is the first time Gunnison will feel pressure from a driver shortage that has continued to worsen, both locally and nationwide.
Powderhorn and Sargents. But headed into the 2023-24 school year, the District is down to five and a half routes due to a shortage of school bus drivers.
Gunnison has lost two bus routes since last year. It will be able to make up one by splitting the route among four other buses, but the district will completely shut down the Gold Basin, Dos Rios or #6 bus until it finds additional drivers. To the north, the district plans to only run one route from Crested Butte South in the morning, with no service in the afternoon.
Crested Butte has been short bus drivers for nearly three years, but this is the first school year Gunnison students Wells A6 School bus A7
It typically takes seven school buses to run the Gunnison Watershed School District’s full routes, which cover most of the Gunnison-Crested Butte corridor and stretch as far as
in the power of families, the power that parents have on kids and the reason kids need their parents.”
Maryo’s title of “Director of Community Impact” is a perfect way to describe what she does for the Gunnison Valley. In her time on the board and then on staff at Community Foundation of the Gunnison Valley (CFGV) she has been foundational to CFGV’s program delivery and community involvement.
As she prepares to retire this week, we are celebrating Maryo’s community impact, both through CFGV and beyond her formal job description. Since the early 2000s, Maryo has taught a class on grant writing through Western Colorado University’s Center for Learning and Innovation. We’re not sure exactly how many people have taken that class, but we estimate it is somewhere between 150 and 200. We interviewed two former students, from her first class and her most recent one, to give you a glimpse into how Maryo supplied 150+ students with a toolkit to secure funding for local organizations.
with writing the organization’s application for CFGV’s Community Grants program. Coco had never written a grant application before, and through this process became acquainted with Maryo.
Every summer, Maryo offers one-on-one feedback sessions to every organization who submitted a grant application after the review committee makes decisions on grants. Coco shared, “the number one thing Maryo has done to impact me is give me feedback on that first grant… when Maryo gave me the feedback it was so specific and actionable I knew exactly what to improve on.” One year later, Coco signed up for the grant writing class taught by Maryo, where she learned about refining her organization’s approach to grants as well as the nuts and bolts of writing an effective application. As Coco charts out her career path, Maryo is a huge reason she is considering working in nonprofits in the future.
See story on A10
In an effort to slow traffic down at the intersection of Spruce Street and Virginia Avenue, the City of Gunnison temporarily placed barricades in the center. The intent was to cause confusion and slow down vehicles. This was effective, however there were “some unintended concerns” so the barricade was removed, City Manager Amanda Wilson said at a city council meeting on Tuesday, Aug. 22.
In addition to the crosswalks that are already at the intersection, the city plans to use reflectors and green paint to increase visibility for bicyclists and pedestrians. These are all temporary solutions.
This spring, CPW offered up to $1 million through a competitive grant process. Fourteen projects were selected including the City of Gunnison, which received $69,000 for waste management improvements in town. On Aug. 22, Gov. Jared Polis and Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) announced the 2023 recipients of the Human-Bear Conflict Reduction Community Grant. This grant program provides funding for local communities to create innovative ways to reduce human-bear conflict.
Bear conflicts are a major concern in Gunnison, especially neighborhoods adjacent to the Gunnison River. History has shown that most of these interactions occur at unmanaged and overfilled dumpsters, with many resulting in property damage.
The city will use grant funding to help residents in high-conflict areas purchase bear-resistant trash cans. It will also purchase bear-resistant dumpster containers that are routinely visited by bears.
The Times left out an “I” in the political ad for Anne Brookhart ad on B12 of the Aug. 17 edition of the paper. The Times apologizes for the error.
Sonja Chavez: Water Resource Specialist
Sonja Chavez, now the general manager of the Upper Gunnison River Water Conservancy District (UGRWCD), took Maryo’s grant writing class the first year it was offered in either 2004 or 2005. At the time it was co-taught by Maryo and Colleen Hannon. Sonja had completed her master’s degree in Limnology (study of freshwater systems) and moved to Gunnison with her newborn in tow. She wanted to keep her skills sharp and her foot in her chosen field and saw the opportunity to learn a valuable skill in Maryo’s grant writing class that she could use while being a stay-at-home mom.
Sonja built upon her education and the foundation of skills she learned in Maryo’s class and became a seasoned grant writer for entities looking to implement natural resource projects. Since taking Maryo’s class Sonja calculates that she has secured over $43 Million in grant funding to support regional water improvement projects including on and off-farm irrigation efficiency, water quality, stream and habitat restoration, hydroelectric generation, and more. The impact of that $43 Million in funding extends far beyond the significant effect on regional water resources. Sonja pointed out that those grant dollars serve as an economic stimulus for local communities by creating solid jobs in the construction field or by supporting local material suppliers, as an example. She also always incorporates funding for public outreach and education in her grant proposals. She clearly remembers Maryo talking about how important it is to get to know your granting entity/funder and to be creative in building strategic partnerships with stakeholders (local, state, or federal).
Sonja is proud to say that she has taken a page out of Maryo’s book and is teaching her staff members at UGRWCD the same skills she learned in Maryo’s grant writing class nearly 20 years ago. Last year alone, UGRWCD managed $1.4 Million in grant funding.
Coco Stevens: Next Generation of Grant Writers
Coco Stevens is another one of Maryo’s grant writing students. Coco is a current Western student studying Exercise and Sports Science who is also a member of the Western Mountain Rescue Team. Two years ago, she became the development coordinator for the group and was tasked
Legacy of Good
From Sonja to Coco, and all her students in between, Maryo has empowered dozens of local leaders to pursue funding from within and outside the Gunnison Valley through grants. Please join us at IOOF Park on Friday, August 25, from 4-7 PM to celebrate Maryo and her tremendous legacy.
NEW PRICE 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.
GREAT BUY Nicely appointed 55 and over condo in downtown is a 725sf end unit featuring 2 bedrooms & a full bath, stackable washer & dryer, carport and individual storage cabinet. 228 W. Georgia Ave.; $295,000.
IN-TOWN HOME on 5 City lots is 2 bdrm/2 bath with large windows for passive solar, two inviting patios, metal roof, sprinkler system & detached 2 car garage with separate workshop & bunkroom. 205 N. 11th St.; $795,000.
Spacious 4 bdrm/3 bath home positioned on one acre across from Hartman Rocks features 2,366sf with hardwood floors, RV parking, 2 car attached garage, plus an oversized 2 car detached garage with upstairs storage. 49 Columbine Road; $849,000.
HISTORIC BASSICK MINE in Ohio City has produced Gold & Silver on the over 50 acres of 5 mining claims. Property includes a 3 bdrm/2 bath house with huge attached garage & is fronted by 300 feet of Gold Creek. 5498 County Road 771; $2,500,000.
NEW LISTING Absolutely stunning 2800sf home at the end of the Ohio Creek valley sits on 40 acres with Carbon Creek running through the acreage. Custom home & garage offer in-floor heat, 3 bdrms/3 bath, south facing windows with incredible views and a 4 car garage with work space & a walk-in cooler. 3750 County Road 737; $2,500,000.
3 BDRM/2 BATH 1554sf home with open kitchen & dining room and a fully fenced backyard with storage shed. New metal roof in 2020 as well as exterior painting. Master bathroom was remodeled & includes two separate vanities with walk-in closet. 404 N. 7th St.; $375,000.
PROPERTY POTENTIAL Here’s your chance to purchase R-3 lots & finish the West End Townhomes for a spec option, rental investment or employee housing. City approved site plans allow for two more duplex units. Water & sewer taps are already installed. Centrally located near the schools & RTA bus stop. 817 W. Denver Ave.; $297,000.
AFFORDABLE and fully remodeled home has a large master bedroom, full bath & open living & dining room with spacious kitchen. Updated electric, large windows for passive solar, mud room & storage shed for your outdoor gear. 95 George Bailey Dr #23; $75,000.
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.
BUILD YOUR OWN HOME 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.
VIEWS OF BLUE MESA Reservoir from this 3 bdrm/2 bath, 1620sf home with 40 x 26 garage with 14 foot garage door for your boat to park next to the fish cleaning station in the garage. Bunk house above the garage sleeps 6 in the 2 bdrms & half bath. 33000
Highway 149; $385,000.
“[Cheever] really believes
— Joni Reynolds, Health and Human Services
On Aug. 10, 2023, Marie Francis Spencer went to meet the Lord she adored and to reunite with the love of her life, Clinton Spencer, who preceded her in death. Marie was born on Dec. 28, 1926 in the railroad and ranching town of Sargents, Colorado, as was her sister, Margaret, who was close to her all of her life and also preceded her in death. Her father and mother, Frank and Lena Costanzo, were both Sicilian immigrants and operated a store in Sargents at the time.
Marie lived her entire 96 years in Gunnison County, attended Gunnison schools and later Loretto Heights College in Denver. She married Clint Spencer in 1946 and had four children, all surviving, Priscilla Spencer, Barbara Saute (Dave), Susan Danni (Joe), and Clint Spencer (Trish). She unconditionally loved her six grandchildren, now scattered from
California to Oklahoma to Pennsylvania, and her 13 greatgrandchildren. Her grandchildren remember the special notes and cards she wrote to them, sometimes for no other reason than to say how proud she was of them. She always made them feel loved in her home which they regularly visited and they reciprocated with love of their own.
Marie was a woman for all seasons, literally and figuratively. In all of her endeavors she was guided by her deep Catholic faith. She also had numerous other passions, from attending the Santa Fe Opera to skiing both downhill and crosscountry, a passion she passed on to her children. She loved to travel, including a memorable trip to Italy with her nephew, Father John Costanzo.
She enjoyed making women feel beautiful with her work with Mary Kay cosmetics and Doncaster clothing. Marie found the balance between being a great wife, mother, sister, daughter, friend and strong business woman.
Nothing made her happier than having regular, loving, loud and laughter-filled dinners with family and an ever-changing, often impromptu array of friends and guests. Her love of cooking, Italian, of course, was derived from her Mother, Lena, however, her culinary skills also included an eclectic variety of items from watermelon pickles to meringue pies and popcorn balls for Halloween trick-ortreaters.
mugs: $10
Hats: $20
Marie was one of the founding members of the Gunnison Meals on Wheels program and also a hospice volunteer, where she devoted many years to compassionately comforting the dying. Her care for neighbors and community members extended well beyond hospice. Marie and her mother were also “caregivers” to numerous individuals whenever the need arose.
Her legacy is that she touched many lives in her family and community. She had an unwavering faith and attended mass on a daily basis whenever possible. She taught her children and grandchildren to take time to relax and enjoy life, to look at the clouds and find shapes, to dream. However, it should also be noted that Marie had an unmitigated fear of going over Monarch Pass in the winter, a legacy that she passed on to at least one of her children.
All of the memories of Marie and the life lessons she conveyed will live on in the lives of her grandchildren, Gannon Mendez (Angie), Angela Hart (Chris), Sara Mirolli (Nick), Tony Danni, Perry Spencer (Katie) and Laura Story (Shandel) and their children.
A funeral mass will be held at St. Peter’s Catholic Church at 10 a.m. on Sept. 16. In lieu of flowers, should friends desire, contributions in Marie’s honor can be made to Gunnison Valley Health Hospice and Palliative Care.
T-SHIRTS: $20
Hoodies: $40
PRICE IMPROVEMENT!
MLS # 805627
700 Sierra Vista Way
$2,300,000
3 Bedrooms
4 Bathrooms
13.060 +/- Acres
Premier horse property. Masterful custom designed home with 4,514 SF. Attached 3 car garage, detached 2 car garage + multiple outbuildings. Horse barn with 10 stalls, water point, tack room, storage and electric. 2 bonus rooms + an oversized game/workout room. Incredible views of the mountains and valley. Custom cabinetry, granite counters, bar seating, stainless steel appliances, travertine floors. NO covenants, excellent water rights on the Hyzer ditch.
MLS # 805148
381 Tomichi Trail
PRICE IMPROVEMENT!
$1,890,000
5 Bedrooms
4 Bathrooms
1.037 +/- Acres
Premium location, incredible access and views of the Gunnison River. Featuring 5 bedrooms, 3.5 baths and 3,216 square feet of living space to host your family and friends. Spacious kitchen, formal dining area and a wood burning fireplace. The garden level has a spacious game area with a pool table and entertainment space. Attached 2 car garage, two decks overlooking the Gunnison River, and the home has operated as a very successful VRBO.
MLS # 807104
7810 Aspen Glen Lane
$1,225,000
3 Bedrooms
3 Bathrooms
35.160 +/- Acres
Newly built, off-grid luxury home in the Gold Basin High Country Ranch Subdivision. 4,026 square feet of living space. Heated, attached 2 car garage. Two furnaces, 1 wood burning stove. Vaulted ceilings, open floor plan, mountain views. Spacious kitchen, granite counters, stainless steel appliances, bar seating. Finished walk out basement with 1/2 bathperfect space for entertainment/game room & hosting gatherings.
Whenever the rainbow appears in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant between God and all living creatures of every kind on the earth.
So God said to Noah, “This is the sign of the covenant I have established between me and all life on the earth.”
970.641.1414
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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
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lished (documents, interviews, research), also went into the black bag.
Alan Wartes Times PublisherMarion, Kansas — located at the center of the state north of Wichita, with a population of 1,775 — is around 600 miles east of Gunnison. Normally, nothing that happens there would ever qualify as “local news” in our neck of the woods. Normally. In fact, something did happen in Marion that is anything but normal and is headline news no matter where you live in America.
On Friday, Aug. 11, the town’s newspaper, the Marion County Record, was raided by police officers and sheriff’s deputies. While employees were forced to stand outside in sweltering heat for hours and forbidden from communicating with anyone, law enforcement officials searched the building, confiscated personal cell phones and seized all the paper’s computers and servers. Everything the staff needed to publish the newspaper the following week (ads, birth announcements, sports results, production software) was loaded up and hauled away. Everything related to stories the newsroom was working on, but had not yet pub -
What did they write?
Simultaneously, officers entered the home of the Record’s co-owners, Erik Meyer and his 98-year-old mother, Joan. They seized phones, computers and other electronics — including the Alexa device Joan depended on for information and communication — and photographed personal papers. Not far away, a similar raid was taking place at the home of Marion city council member Ruth Herbel. One of the Record’s reporters received a minor injury during the raid. Tragically, Joan Meyer collapsed and died the following day.
All of this was done under the cover of a search warrant issued by Marion County Magistrate Laura Viar and carried out by Police Chief Gideon Cody.
The affidavit that police presented to Viar to “justify” the raids had not been released as of press time, even though it is a public record. When we do get a look at it, what will it contain?
Allegations of terrorism? Human trafficking? Did law enforcement suspect the Record of espionage? Distributing fentanyl?
Nope. We at least know they are suspected of receiving a publicly available document from an anonymous source, going to a public website to verify its authenticity — and then deciding not to publish it. In other words, they are accused of doing journalism.
What sort of radioactive
information must this document have contained? Only the driving record — including details of a license suspension for drunk driving — of a local restaurateur, Kari Newell, who was in the process of applying for a new liquor license to sell alcohol at her catering business. (It’s also worth noting that Newell had recently forced reporters to leave her establishment during a political appearance by U.S. Congressman Jake LaTurner.)
The driving record was also sent to the vice mayor. The publisher, Meyer, suspected the information came from the woman’s estranged husband to gain advantage in divorce proceedings and rightly declined to run with it. He did, however, inform the police of the information.
Here’s where conjecture takes over. Turns out, the Record newsroom was also investigating information suggesting that Chief Cody — only on the job for a few weeks — was forced to leave his previous, higherpaying position in Kansas City because of allegations of sexual harassment.
All of that material was also on the seized devices. Curious. And now we’ve arrived at why I’ve described the event as seismic and why it qualifies as national news. The truth is, details of what occurred leading up to the raids are beside the point. Petty political dramas over liquor licenses or building permits or questionable government contracts play out all the time. Newspapers get paid to
report on them and, hopefully, separate facts from embellishments or outright fictions. It’s an age-old tug of war between those who want to tell the truth and others who’d rather they didn’t. What has made America so different among most nations in the world is that the struggle here has been waged mostly with words.
The naked fact that an American newspaper was shut down by people with badges and guns, backed by the power of the state; the fact that the tools and fruits of the trade of journalism were confiscated — trampling the First and Fourth Amendments and ignoring decades of case law — represents a very dangerous sea change in the life of our nation. In truth, the distant rumblings have been growing louder for some time now.
Does this story matter? Yes, because it demonstrates how easy it can be to get a warrant to stifle free speech on even trumped up suspicions. Should you care? Absolutely, because all that stands between the America we’ve known, where these kinds of things simply don’t happen, and a bleak future where brute force makes the rules is our courage and determination to hold the line.
(Alan Wartes can be contacted at 970.641.1414 or publisher@gunnisontimes.com.)
2023
Letters to the editor must be 500 words or less. We favor local topics and discourage argumentative letters addressed to particular people. If you reference data, please include sources for fact-checking.
We will not print letters from candidates for public office.
Email letters to editor@gunnisontimes.com or send to 218 N. Wisconsin St., Gunnison, CO 81230. Include your full name, address and a phone number — for our internal use only.
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Editor:
A never-ending source of amazement is how an ignorant group of people cultivate suppositions that hustle a campaign.
I have read outlandish claims by liberal lemmings during the past few weeks that need archival, should any of them or their associates have a desire to become future public figures. It’s too bad the fact-checking of their comrades, including the newspaper, didn’t salvage them from future humiliation.
Most should agree that any political party has the privilege of inviting participants to meetings. Indeed, the Gunnison County Republicans had an excellent meeting with Commissioner Houck in December, and Duane Vandenbusche will be a keynote speaker at a Lincoln Day Dinner. Maybe the prolific letter writers could explain any reaching-out of the Democrat Party to a Republican to participate? The hypocrites can’t.
That segues to Republicans inviting school board candidates seeking to restore value to
the school district. All parents want their children to succeed when they graduate from high school. Any graduate should pursue their career path without the need for “remedial education.”
The Republican Party wants to hear from candidates that desire core values, such as reading, writing and arithmetic — and acceptable grade-level test scores. Social engineering will not get a Gunnison County graduate into Stanford, Harvard, CU, a trade school or a cashier position needing the skill to make change.
Since some members of the Democrat Party have no knowledge of the Gunnison County Republican Party, the ink provided during the past few weeks provides a teachable moment. Political parties have fundraisers. Imagine the need for money to print mailing pieces and postage. Some may remember that the Gunnison County Republicans awarded three scholarships to graduating seniors in 2022.
Perhaps the teeming letterwriters are new to the county. It would explain the unfamiliarity with hunting firearms. The
letters expressing opposition to the right to own a hunting rifle is consistent with the liberal anti-second amendment mantra.
Having a firearm for a silent auction is not a first for the Gunnison County Republicans. Although having a patriotic flag on the stock might be. Is that the reason for the liberal angst?
By the way, proceeds from the silent auction are not directed to non-partisan elections. Liberal ignorance is on parade. If county residents want to have a constructive conversation about elections, maybe it could start with balance. Is there any wisdom in having a school board focused on social engineering with potential board votes of 4 to 1 or 5 to 0? Is there wisdom in not having balance on any board and commission?
Stu Asay Gunnison County GOP
A reality most people don't want to face
Editor:
True, tourism isn't a grossly polluting industry, like smelt-
ing zinc. Still, the industry negatively impacts the environment, sad but undeniably true, raises locals' insurance premiums and tax bills, while creating a whole lot of low-paying jobs.
As the story goes, local governments collect tourism taxes to finance tourism associations and sometimes offer airlines guarantees to airlines to provide air service, further expanding the scope of the challenges created by tourism.
Next thing you know, the local government is building affordable housing. Capitalism always turns to socialism when the need presents itself, which often it does.
I wish the folks on Maui success in their hopes to retain a good environment, human and natural, but whether tropical isles or rocky mountains, the formula hasn't been found just yet.
It’s a reality most people don't want to face.
Paul Wayne Foreman Gunnison
On Aug. 15, Gunnison local Kathleen Curry announced her intent to run for the Colorado House of Representatives District 58 next year. If elected, she would represent Gunnison, Hinsdale, Montrose, Ouray, San Miguel, Dolores and portions of Delta and Montezuma counties.
Curry previously served three terms in the Colorado Legislature, after being elected in 2004. She chaired the House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee for five of those years, where she carried numerous pieces of legislation addressing the state's water and natural resources challenges — both areas she hopes to focus on if she is elected to represent HD 58. She currently works for Western Slope water providers, agricultural producers and wildlife advocates at the capitol as a professional lobbyist.
Curry is the former manager of the Upper Gunnison River Water Conservancy District and is a member of the Colorado River Water Conservation District board of directors. She is also an active member of the Gunnison County Stockgrowers Association and Gunnison Cattlewomen.
The Times sat down with Curry to learn more about why she chose to return to the Democratic Party, and how she expects the recent redistricting of Gunnison County to affect her campaign.
(Editor’s note: this article has been edited for length and clarity.)
Why are you running again? Do you feel like you have unfinished business?
Our current Rep. Marc Catlin is term limited in 2024. He has been the go-to person in the House on water issues. When he leaves, there wouldn't be anyone that has that background.
I've been working in the water business for 25 years. So I thought, it is time to try this again, and bring our voice forward from this District.
Why do these water issues matter so much right now?
There are definitely critical issues in addition to water (such as funding for education, mental health and affordable housing). But the lack of experience in the House related to that topic is problematic, because we are so affected by the decisions that the General Assembly makes, and by what happens with water management — both on the supply side and the water quality side. How do we move forward to protect the interests of Colorado, given the ongoing shortage on the Colorado River? That's probably what most people are reading
about the most. Other water related issues, like water quality, are going to be on the table, but I think what's pending, and could have the most impact on us, would be the situation with the Colorado River Compact.
During your last term, you changed from a Democrat to unaffiliated. How do you think voters will respond?
There were some pretty disappointed people and a lot of confusion about why. In the last 13 years, I've learned a lot and come to the conclusion that it would have been preferable to work inside the structure and push back on the things that I didn't think were good. And mainly, what I'm thinking about is the influence of money in politics. What I saw happen was that the money was taking precedence over good policy in some cases. That's what I was most objecting to, so I left the party. In retrospect, it really is a two-party system. It's a team sport, and working in isolation, I was not able to really help people at home. I'm hoping that as I explain that to folks they will at least hear me out. And then maybe think about the issues we need to work and focus on and whether they think I would be the best candidate to do that.
Do you feel that the most recent round of redistricting is going to help your candidacy?
I am running in a Republican district. The goal of the Redistricting Commission was to try to keep counties more whole. And to do that, we got put with a more southern and western group of counties, and that made it a Republican district. One thing good about it, though, is that I think the peo-
ple in the district are open to learning about the candidates and then voting based on who they think will do the best job. I'm just going to have to make sure that I meet and talk to enough people about what I would do and how I'd approach it. But no, the redistricting didn't make it any easier.
We’ve already talked about water. What other priorities do you have?
Agriculture and wildlife. I'm also worried about rural hospitals and state spending. We’ve had a period where the budget wasn't as tight as it has been in the past, so they've had more flexibility to fund optional programs at the state. I think that's going to start changing. The budget would be an area that I would want to make sure that the Western Slope is treated fairly and all the dollars don't go to just one part of the state. Also affordable housing, I'm not sure exactly what the state's role should be. There were a couple of fights about this last year at the General Assembly, and some of them are philosophical. What is the role of the state versus the local governments versus the private sector? I don't know if those are really resolved. I would be paying close attention, but trying to follow the leadership of people that are more knowledgeable, especially our local officials.
measure in front of voters this fall in the hope of relieving its tight road maintenance budget.
Although each ballot question has looked a little different, this will be the third year in a row the city has asked Gunnison voters for help creating a dedicated funding source for its slowly deteriorating street system. In an attempt to solve two long-standing problems at once, the city has developed a new strategy that would remove the looming parks and recreation tax decrease, or “sunset,” and distribute a portion of the money to its road budget.
During a regular meeting on Tuesday, Aug. 22, city council unanimously agreed to place a question on the upcoming November ballot before the Sept. 8 deadline to file language with Gunnison County — 60 days before the election.
Pending voter approval, this would create what is being called a “rec and roads” tax, without putting an immediate sales tax increase on the ballot again. In 2007, Gunnison voters passed a ballot that raised the city’s sales tax from 3% to 4%, which paid for the Gunnison Rec Center, the indoor Jorgensen Ice Rink and the construction of a non-motorized trail system around the city. The ballot measure included a sunset from that 1% increase to a quarter of a percent in 2032.
Since then, city leaders say it has become clear that the sunset would make current rec center programs and operations
Wells from A1
monitored for elements like lead, copper, uranium and fluoride, private wells on county land have no testing requirements from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE). At-home test kits don’t typically include radionuclides, Sebol said. Instead, the kits generally look for bacteria like E. coli and coliform, or other common metals like iron and manganese, which are only harmful in large quantities.
“When we're talking about a public system, the water quality is very well known, but in a private well, there's a whole lot more unknown,” said CDPHE Physical Sciences Researcher Robert Hillegas.
CDPHE is funding the well study for five years, to the tune of around $50,000 a year. It is the first comprehensive groundwater study CDPHE and the CGS has supported, Hillegas said.
The benefit is twofold, he said. Private well owners get free testing for their wells, and the state gets groundwater data that’s otherwise difficult to access. Compiled, it may help scientists better understand how groundwater moves in and around hard rock. CDPHE will eventually upload that data
unsustainable. If the proposed measure were to pass, it would keep the city’s existing sales tax rate at 4% past 2032, rather than allow it to decrease to 3.25%.
Following passage, the restructuring and redistribution of funds would occur in January of 2024. The existing parks and rec city sales tax allocation would then be reduced from 1% to approximately 0.63%, and stay at this rate permanently. The remaining 0.37% would be funneled into the city’s road
into the National Water Quality Monitoring Council, a database for surface and groundwater quality across the U.S.
budget, which has an annual gap of $1 million.
In December, the terms of councilors Mallory Logan and Boe Freeburn will expire, along with Mayor Diego Plata. Council member Jim Miles resigned earlier this month for personal reasons. This leaves four open seats on city council this fall.
According to City Clerk Erica Boucher, six residents so far
have shown interest in running to fill the open seats on council.
Nomination petitions are due next week on Monday, Aug. 28. Boucher will send out letters to qualified candidates after their signatures have been verified by the end of the week.
“I'm excited,” Boucher said. “We have four seats, which is a lot of seats, and six interested. I think that shows that people are engaged and want to be involved with what's happening within the city.”
After elections, new council members will be sworn in and a new mayor chosen at a regular meeting on Dec. 12.
(Bella Biondini can be contacted at 970.641.1414 or bella@ gunnisontimes.com.)
“We wanted to set up a system so we could judge future changes in groundwater quality, to see if things were getting better or if they were getting worse,” Hillegas said. “We needed that baseline to compare things with.”
Radioactive elements are present in rock formations throughout the county, following old fault lines and volcanic activity where hot liquid
mobilized metals, like uranium and thorium, and condensed the minerals in certain areas.
Mining is one way for these elements to enter the watershed, simply by physical disturbance of the rock. But this study is aimed more at areas that naturally contain those metals in the bedrock.
Participants will get a document that includes recommended limits for these ele -
ments in drinking water to help them discern if the water contains dangerous levels. The kit also includes a symptom and resource sheet, so owners can determine if they have symptoms of heavy-metal poisoning and who to reach out to for help.
To decide where to sample, Sebol used a geology report from 1999 that listed minerals that have been encountered at
those various mining districts around the county. Five areas across the state were selected for sampling due to those areas’ known problems with radionuclides, especially uranium and thorium. These areas include in and around the Wet Mountains (west of Pueblo), Gunnison County, the Uravan Mineral Belt, the South Platte River and the Arkansas River.
Sebol is seeking 50 water samples from Gunnison County residents. She broke the county down into a grid to divide the space equally, and is requesting one to two samples per grid space. Most of the two-sample grids are clustered in the southern part of the county, accounting for more rock formations known to contain the radionuclides.
Once the data gets back to the lab, it is anonymized before being cataloged. Interested volunteers can email LSEBOL@ mines.edu with names, shipping address and phone number. A boxed sampling kit will be sent, via FedEx Ground, to each participating household.
(Abby Harrison can be contacted at 970.641.1414 or abby@ gunnisontimes.com.)
“When we’re talking about a public system, the water quality is very well known, but in a private well, there’s a whole lot more unknown.”
Robert Hillegas CDPHE
will be impacted. Director of Transportation and Facilities
Manager Paul Morgan said he expected 40 students to be affected by the cancellation of the #6 bus, which picks up kids from the west side of town.
“It’s nothing we're happy about,” Morgan said. “We had a meeting with all the drivers to see how we could make this happen, but we just need drivers. It's a tough thing.”
Morgan has been driving a regular route for four years and mechanics and other employees have often filled in for substitutes. In Crested Butte, the Rural Transportation Authority has even stepped in to try and help students get to school.
Despite this patchwork, the district still came up short in Gunnison this year. School leaders have continued to try different methods to attract new drivers, but with little, to no success amidst a national shortage. In addition to offering a competitive salary and benefits package, the district gave its drivers a more than 25% raise over the past two years. The district also offers new drivers a full training program for no cost.
Although a lack of drivers
isn’t a completely new problem, it’s one that, despite the hard push at marketing and recruitment, the District is still experiencing, said Superintendent Leslie Nichols.
“On the Front Range and in other rural parts of Colorado, there are districts that have no bus service at this point and others that are doing what we're doing, and having to combine and cancel routes,” she said. “It's really unfortunate because busing kids to school is one of the best ways that we support good attendance, which is the absolute foundation for success in schools.”
(Bella Biondini can be contacted at 970.641.1414 or bella@ gunnisontimes.com.)
It’s really unfortunate because busing kids to school is one of the best ways that we support good attendance, which is the absolute foundation for success in schools.
Leslie Nichols
Superintendent
As a busy summer of fieldwork winds down for public lands agencies and conservation crews, local leaders are already planning for the next year, and looking for grants that bring federal dollars to Gunnison Basin projects.
Earlier this year, the Upper Gunnison River Water Conservancy District applied for a $4.9 million America the Beautiful Challenge grant — one of the largest the agency would have ever received — to continue its local conservation work. But the opportunity fell through when the U.S Forest Service, a key partnering agency, couldn’t provide the necessary staff or time.
The grant is awarded by the National Fish and Wildlife
pave career paths for college students in sagebrush ecosystem management, by allowing the Forest Service and Upper Gunnison to bring on more conservation crew members — some from the Mountain Ute Tribe — to learn the basics of seed collection, treating noxious weeds, road decommissioning and juniper removal.
The application set aside $1.5 million for Colorado Parks and Wildlife to buy conservation easements. These easements allow the private landowners to keep the land but it prevents any future development or subdivision of the lot — a critical step for protecting the imperiled Gunnison sage-grouse, Simic said.
Although the grant made it through the first stage of review, it was ultimately pulled from consideration when the pair learned that the Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison (GMUG) National Forest was already at capacity with projects and would not be able to conduct the required NEPA analysis or get archeological, cultural or hydrologic clearances.
At the time, there wasn’t enough staff or time for the Forest Service to get the job done, said Gunnison District Ranger Dayle Funka.
“It opened up [the fact] that we need some of that capacity, which is something the Forest Service has been struggling with for a long time … We've been hiring and we've been successful, but we're not building capacity, we're just maintaining at best,” Funka said.
GMUG has already received millions in Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) funding for infrastructure and timber projects, Funka said. With logging contracts and work up Taylor River Canyon, the agency is tapped out.
hydrologist,” Chavez said.
Funka and Chavez agree that money is not the issue. The federal government, through the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation and BIL, are dispensing millions for watershed projects.
“The resources are there, some of these agencies have a lot of money that they need to spend,” Chavez said. “What we don't have is the human resource component of it. Are we going to lose money? Are we going to lose the opportunity to make improvements on our watershed that are really important?”
For Chavez, the need for a local hydrologist will only become more pressing with time. As fires burn and Colorado River negotiations wear on, the need for a local hydrology expert who can weigh in and help the basin plan is essential.
The partners agreed to put the application on the back burner for a year and revisit it in 2024, if the money was still available and the Forest Service was able to take the project on. For Funka, the missed grant is a chance to take a hard look at planning and be ready for com-
ing opportunities. Involving federal and state public lands agencies with private landowners in large-scale projects, like fire or cheatgrass treatment, will be the “biggest bang for our buck,” she said.
“It illuminated some areas of need here in the Gunnison Basin with natural resource management and restoration and conservation, so I think [the grant] was a positive thing,” Simic said. “It showed what we need to work on and how, how necessary and needed these positions are.”
Foundation and was created to support new, large-scale conservation and restoration projects around the country. Cheryl Cwelich, Upper Gunnison’s watershed program coordinator and Petar Simic, Gunnison County’s cheatgrass and habitat restoration coordinator, cowrote the grant application.
“It would have laid a lot of groundwork for the future of conservation and restoration here in the Gunnison Basin, and also do a lot to enhance and improve Gunnison sage-grouse habitat,” Simic said.
The $4.9 million was meant to bolster wet meadow work, cheatgrass treatments and overall habitat restoration efforts occurring in the basin for the next five years. Cwelich also hoped the grant funds would
“We're receiving all this funding for great project work, but we're not receiving more bodies, more competitive wages or better housing opportunities … the capacity to put more on folks plates just wasn't there. It was like a perfect storm,” Funka said.
Conceivably, the Forest Service employee to take on the task would be the hydrologist. But GMUG’s one hydrologist recently left the position for a remote job with the Washington D.C. office. To this day, the position remains vacant, but Funka said the office is trying to fill it as quickly as it can. The Bureau of Land Management Gunnison Field Office also has a recently-vacated hydrologist position. For Cwelich and Upper Gunnison General Manager Sonja Chavez, having local hydrologists is a priority.
“Not having a hydrologist just seems incredible. We're the second largest tributary to the Colorado River system, this basin, and we don't have a
“We’re receiving all this funding for great project work, but we’re not receiving more bodies, we’re not receiving more competitive wages and we’re not receiving better housing opportunities.”
Dayle Funka Gunnison District RangerUpper Gunnison conservation crew members stop to check out a frog and debate the type of species. (Courtesy Cheryl Cwelich)
From synchronized swimmers to flips and tricks, the Gunnison Rec Center pool filled with pageantry on Tuesday, Aug. 22, for a water show. Hosted by Gunnison Parks and Rec and organized by Aquatics Director and swim coach, Tami Maciejko, the show featured performers from summer swim lessons including athletes, coaches and lifeguards. In the lap pool, divers grouped by age from young ‘Guppies’ to the older Stingrays, showed off their bravery and skills on the diving board. Simultaneously, in the leisure pool, tots through Level 3 swimmers competed in cross-pool races. In the corner, a mermaid by the name of Periwinkle Sherbert lounged and entertained young swimmers between events. A synchronized swimming lifeguard show capped off the evening.
Abby Harrison Times Staff Writer
The work is largely invisible. It unfolds in conversations behind closed doors, gathered at a kitchen table in a private home or in a conference room tucked away at Gunnison County Health and Human Services. For caseworkers assigned to child welfare cases in Gunnison County, it’s a labor that requires patience, empathy and, at times, decisiveness when the safety of a child is at risk.
For Marilyn Cheever, child and family services manager at Health and Human Services, that has been the last 17 years of her life. Since the early 2000s, Cheever has worked with hundreds of families in Gunnison and Hinsdale counties, often in those families’ darkest moments. But in just a few weeks, Cheever will be moving on from the department to Gunnison Valley Health, where she’ll serve as a behavioral health provider.
Cheever started at Health and Human Services as an intern doing eligibility determinations for Medicare and food stamp programs.Six months later, she transferred to the Child Protection Team as a caseworker, where she served seven years before taking a supervisory role, overseeing a team of five caseworkers — two of whom speak Spanish.
A caseworker’s role is to ensure the safety of the child or at-risk adult, said Joni Reynolds, assistant county manager for Health and Human Services. Often, this means working with families who need resources for child care, mental health, substance use or physical disabilities.
For Cheever, the work of child welfare professionals is founded in one’s ability to “walk with people at their worst moments,” set aside one’s preconceptions and really listen to what parents need and what struggles may lie ahead. Caseworkers must look beyond the initial reason they were called in, to see what else might be at play — did a family just lose child care or is the parent struggling to find a ride to work?
“I think if you painted the stories of some of the families that we see, it might be hard for the average person to hear those stories and still, with good intent, want to work with them,” Reynolds said. “That has never stymied Marilyn … She really believes in the power of families, the power that parents have on kids and the reason kids need their parents.”
The work is tedious, down to the importance of the first inter-
action a caseworker has with a family. If it goes poorly, the relationship could be difficult to salvage. Caseworkers walk a fine line between expressing empathy and being clear about why caseworkers are there and what they can do, Reynolds said. Removing a child from their home or taking parents to court happens in a minority of cases, but remains a tool that the department can use to make sure the child is safe.
These skills have been passed on to Cheever’s caseworkers, some of whom have worked with her for upwards of a decade. The newest recruit, Jacob Griego, said shadowing Cheever taught him how to interact with families.
“I have seen how well she connects with families and how she can stay at their level and just offer them what they need,” Griego said. “She lets the family direct the conversation.”
In the nearly two decades that Cheever has worked for Health and Human Services, she’s seen the model of child welfare shift from a punitive one to a social work-oriented model that helps families become safer. Every family struggles, and all parents have their bad moments, Cheever said, but the goal is now to see that family’s strengths and build on those.
“When somebody says, ‘that kid deserves a better home,’ that's so subjective, based on their own history,” Cheever said. “I believe that kids deserve their families, as long as it can be done safely.”
As she’s witnessed a decade of family-focused, restorative care grow, the role of the caseworker, too, has changed. They
are more involved in families’ lives than ever before, a shift that is both challenging and rewarding, she said.
“You're either way too involved in people's lives, or we're not doing enough in, in many people's eyes,” she said. “That's probably the part that's the most challenging is just trying to stick with the state rules and helping people understand why we do what we do.”
Cheever recalls the many car rides to Grand Junction with a teen who wants a driver’s license or a mother who has a health appointment. The hourslong trips through the canyon and across desert landscapes were filled with stories of parental struggle and triumph.
In her 17 years, she has worked with a generation of people. Teenagers she met a decade ago have grown up and many have kids of their own. Although Cheever will move on, her legacy is made permanent by the families who send her letters, call her or reach out for help, Reynolds said.
“People trust and love Marilyn. They do that because she comes to it from a place of truly trying to make the family, as a whole, as good as it can be so that children are safe,” Reynolds said. “She never comes at it from a place that's not helpful, and that's why people keep her in their heart.”
The Gunnison County Democrats hosted its annual Unity Dinner fundraiser at Rainbow Park in Crested Butte on Sunday, Aug. 21. A series of prospective Democratic candidates spoke at the event. Kathleen Curry, a local rancher who is running for House District 58, gave the first talk. She was followed by Cole Buerger and current Montrose Mayor Barbara Bynbum, who will both be running for Senate District 5 in next year’s primary. Adam Frisch was also in attendance, along with Anna Stout, who is currently serving as mayor of Grand Junction and will primary against Frisch next year. He narrowly lost last year’s national election to Lauren Boebert for Colorado District 3.
The fundraiser featured a taco dinner served by Pelayo’s Tacos and a dance performance by the Gunnison High School LULAC Club. Local singer Ron Earl rounded out the evening by leading the crowd in a rendition of “America the Beautiful.” Gunnison County Democrats Secretary Marsha Collins said the evening was a success. “I was really happy with the turnout,” she said. “I was very impressed by all the candidates. I wish we could elect all of them.”
•Volunteers are Needed at the Gunnison Valley Health Senior Care Center located at 1500 W. Tomichi Ave.
•The Gunnison Valley Health Senior Care Center provides the perfect combination of person-centered care, with all the comforts of home.
•Volunteers do one on one visits with residents as often as possible, assist with bingo, attend activities, play games, assist with personal computing, attend off center outings, take walks and most importantly establish relationships with residents. Weekend companionship is encouraged!
•As a Region 10 RSVP (Retired Senior Volunteer Program) volunteer you will receive supplemental health, liability and auto insurance as well as a .50 per mile reimbursement and a� ��������� meal �������������
Interested?
If you are 55 years of age or ������� and are interested in making a difference in the lives of the ��������� �� ��� Senior Care Center Contact Gunnison RSVP Coordinator Scott LeFevre at 719-239-1364 or email: slefevre@region10.net.
101
Members of the Elk Mountains Backcountry Alliance, formerly known as Silent Tracks, gathered at the historic rail depot in Crested Butte on Saturday, Aug. 19 for the group’s annual meeting and dinner. Attendees provided the food while Frank Stern and Randy Swift played music. After dinner, Alliance president Keith Bauer spoke before MetRec District Manager Derrick Nehrenberg and Michael Whiting, the Colorado policy manager for the Winter Wildlands Alliance, offered remarks.
11,118 SF of Fully Rented Commercial Space
9 Retail & Office Units | Offered for $1,300,000
Maggie Dethloff
Top Producing Bluebird Broker in 2021 & 2022 c 970.209.7880 maggie@bbre1.com CrestedButteNow.com
Very nicely maintained Ohio Creek Valley home with terrific views and no HOA. The 4 Br, 2 bath, home with 2 car attached garage features a roomy kitchen with updated appliances, formal dining and living rooms, and a huge family/game room with patio door and south facing deck. The beautiful one acre lot has a separate irrigation well and deeded water rights for your lawn and garden and loads of room to roam or expand and add barns or animal amenities for horses or 4-H animals.. A great location, home and opportunity for you. $895,000.
This beautiful home on the western edge of Gunnison has a wonderful 3 BR, 2.5 bath floor plan with a huge second floor bonus room for family and guests. Awesome kitchen features such as granite counters, soft close oak cabinets, oak hardwood flooring, high end appliances and lighting. Custom LR amenities of hardwood flooring, natural gas fireplace, and vaulted ceilings, and a fabulous main entry.The MBR is private and spacious with a large walk in closet and tiled bath with soaking tub, double vanities and double shower. Radiant in-floor heat, 2 more fine bedrooms with tiled bath between, extra large utility room, attached garage, professionally landscaped yard, and a great privacy fenced back patio/BBQ area are all in outstanding condition and ready for you. Call Matt to see this fabulous home and its other custom amenities. $849,000.
Very productive small ranch consisting of 53 acres with excellent senior water rights, a one level 3 BR, 2 bath home with expansive master suite, private Ohio Creek fishing out your back door, barn with vet room, hay sheds and cross fenced for pasture rotation. The 2023 hay crop produced 65 tons of high quality hay on appx. 30 acres of hay meadow, and there are 20 + acres of irrigated pastures too. A quaint historic guest cabin, and another cabin and cellar round out the improvements. No HOA so make your own plan for thus extremely rare offering with acreage, views and easy access to Gunnison. $2,200,000.
MANY MORE PHOTOS OF THESE BEAUTIFUL PROPERTIES ARE VIEWABLE AT: www.monarchrlty.com
Matt Robbins, CRS, GRI Monarch Realty, Inc. 970-596-0715 l matt@monarchrlty.com
1203 Van Tuyl Circle, MLS #805249, $784,000, 4-Bedroom 3.25 Bathrooms 1766 sqft built in 2017. This quaint contemporary single family home is surrounded by magnificent views of the Palisades in the quiet neighborhood of Van Tuyl Village. This 4-bedroom 3.25-bathroom property, a primary bedroom with full bathroom on the ground floor and half bedroom by the utility room that is easily accessible by guests and friends when entertaining. The living room is equipped with a pellet stove, moving into an open kitchen area with granite countertops, a deep sink and dining area nearby. The upstairs consists of a second primary bedroom with 3/4 bathroom and two large bedrooms with a full bathroom in the hallway. The natural sunlight from the expansive windows throughout the property provides views and sun exposure. The huge fenced in front yard will enable you to garden and play with your pet(s) and/or entertain your family and friends during the beautiful sunny summers in Gunnison. The irrigation ditch is available during spring/summer/fall months to water the yard and provide you with ambient noise to enjoy during the pleasant Gunnison evenings. Call the listing agent for further questions and to schedule a showing.
613 W New York, MLS #804709, $857,000, 4 houses located on W. New York Ave. in a growing area of town. The 4 houses contain 5 units that have been rented for many years. Theproperties have excellent rental history and good cash flow. New water lines installed last year and sewer lines in 2 small houses on 12th have been replaced in the last 5 years along with new roofs for these 2 houses in the last 4 years. The small house at 613 W New York had a new heater and refrigerator installed this past winter. All units currently have leases in place so an investor can start cash flowing the property immediately. Property is older and in need of some deferred maintenance but is being sold “as is” at this price. This property includes the addresses: 202 S. 12th, 206 S 12th, 613 W New York and 615 W New York.
216 Lochleven Lane, MLS #804508, $$990,000, 3-Bedroom 2-Bathroom 1,988 sqft, built in 1985, and with1.056 acres with attached car garage. Well built home situated in the beautiful little Homestead Subdivision in Almont. Sit on your large front deck and revel in the views up the East River Valley. Located just 10 min from Gunnison and 20 min from CB, you are centrally located to enjoy the activities the area has to offer from world class fishing, rafting and hiking to snowmobiling and skiing. This 2 story home has its main living area on the top floor with a large open kitchen/ dining living room area with a wood stove that keeps the top floor nice and warm. This area is a great space to gather and entertain as you take in the views surrounding the property. The property also has a sunroom that can be accessed from the second level or has 2 separate entrances from the exterior. There is a 1 car oversized attached garage and located next to the garage is a very large storage room/closet for all of your storage needs. The home has a lot of deck area on the outside for outdoor entertaining or to casually relax and take in the many different views. Almont is a quaint small town with 2 restaurants/bars located within minutes from the property. There is a free bus that runs up and down the valley from Gunnison to CB with a stop located in Almont. 459 Fairway Lane MLS #806172 $899,00 4-bedroom 3-bathroom 2291sqft. built in 1979
This contemporary quaint rustic house is within a profoundly well known subdivision, Dos Rios III. Close vicinity to the back 9 of the Dos Rios Golf Course. On a .46 of an acre, has 4-bedrooms and 3-bathrooms, the house features hardwood/tile floors, kitchen fully equipped with stainless appliances, kitchen cabinets and an open concept living room with a wood burning stove and second living room or/an office has a pellet stove. On the first floor you have a half bathroom that is easily accessible. On the second floor the master suite has an oversized bedroom with a full bathroom and a walk-in closet with a sliding barn door. The other full bathroom is down the hallway between the other two oversized bedrooms. The enormous backyard has a shed and plenty of sun exposure to plant/seed flowers, play with your pets and have get-togethers with friends. The two car garage is attached to the house and is very spacious and heated by a wood burning stove. There is sufficient amount of parking in the driveway and along the east side of the house. This home is magnificent so don’t miss out and schedule a showing by contacting the agent.
413 W New York MLS #805945 2125 sqft 1 bathroom Commercial Retail $525,000
Perfect Opportunity to Move a Business and/or a Start a New Business with great past history of tenants using the retail storefront i.e for nail/salon, daycare, mechanical auto body, pet/animal feed and accessories-retail and granite-retail/distribution to name a few. The property consists of about 1500 sqft of retail space with storefront access to New York and a half bathroom that is easily accessible for staff and customers to use. An added bonus is having an attached garage with about 625 sqft with an overhead garage bay. The garage could be a storage facility or part of business operations. The property has 5 parking spaces and close to Safeway and the new location of 5 Bs. A growing and upcoming neighborhood. Don’t miss this opportunity contact the listing agent to schedule a showing. 970.641.4880
As of last month, the Gunnison County Sheriff's Office no longer has its canine companion, Freya. After six short months with the sheriff, Freya’s was sold to the Grand County Sheriff's Office, north of Vail, when her handler left the office.
The sheriff’s office bought Freya for $7,500 in December of 2022, and she was assigned to then-deputy and certified K9 handler Anthony Janssen. Freya, a Belgian Malinois German shepherd mix, had already received some training when the office bought her, but Janssen had to spend a month and half in Utah training with her, one-on-one, before she could arrive in Gunnison. During training, Janssen was taught how to recognize Freya’s subtle, but telling, changes in behavior when she recognizes a distinct odor or trail.
“It's a complete change of lifestyle, because the dog doesn't just stay at work. It comes home with you and she becomes part of your family,” Janssen said. “And that was the hardest part about leaving, as I lost a family member at the same time.”
Freya is not yet two years old, and still in training as a fully-fledged police dog. She was specifically trained for narcotics detection and in-training for search and rescue. Janssen said he put about 30 hours a month into training with her. Freya also accompanied Janssen everywhere he went — hours spent riding in the patrol car or relaxing at home.
Freya was not the only
K9 in Gunnison. The City of Gunnison Police Department also has a K9, Beno, handled by Deputy Chris Isham. Janssen was inspired by Beno and Isham to want to work with his own dog, in addition to a longtime interest in K9 law enforcement.
The Police Department bought Beno in 2019 for $10,000, and Isham spent two months in Utah training with him. Beno, also a Belgian Malinois German shepherd mix, is trained in narcotics detection and patrol, which means he can apprehend suspects who are barricaded or running away. Fortunately, Beno has not had to bite anyone yet, Isham said.
“He's been a huge asset, and he has stopped, fortunately, a lot of fights and a lot of things from happening just by being present,” Isham said. “But it is a huge responsibility and a lot goes into having him.”
After Janssen left, there wasn’t another deputy in the office who was willing to undergo the training, said Sherriff Adam Murdie. Freya was sold to the Grand County Sheriff's Office, which has a far more robust K9 program, Murdie said. There, she fell right into lockstep with her new handler.
The sheriff’s office will wait for someone who has expressed interest in both the dog, and in longevity in the role, before sending someone else to train, Murdie said. In the meantime, Beno is available for interagency use, so he can travel around the county and assist different agencies if needed.
“I wish Freya and [her handler] the best of luck, because I know that she's still a young dog, and she's gonna excel greatly,” Janssen said.
(Abby Harrison can be contacted at 970.641.1414 or abby@gunnisontimes.com.)
Pediatric therapy can occur in a school setting or at Gunnison Valley Health’s dedicated pediatric therapy space. Our experienced therapists can support care of:
SPEECH THERAPY
• Reading difficulties
• Stuttering / fluency
• Voice and resonance disorders
• Concussion recovery
• Autism spectrum disorder
• Feeding & swallowing difficulties
• Traumatic brain injury
OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY
• Daily self-care skills
• Gross & fine motor play & function
• Handwriting deficits
• Developmental delays
• Self-regulation skills
• Sensory processing disorder
• Attention deficit disorder
FOR MORE INFORMATION OR TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT, CONTACT GUNNISON VALLEY HEALTH’S REHABILITATION TEAM AT 970-641-7248.
WWW.GUNNISONVALLEYHEALTH.ORG
Since 1977 Mindy has been building her career in the Gunnison Valley, focusing exclusively on buyers’ and sellers’ real estate goals. Mindy began her residency in the Gunnison Valley at Western Colorado University, where she earned her business degree and graduated in 1975. She then raised two children and now resides in the Dos Rios community in Gunnison with her Dog Miley, and Cat Star. When Mindy is not out listing or selling, she likes to play pickleball and golf, loves to travel and garden, and takes in the recreational pursuits of Gunnison County. As a long-time resident and fulltime broker, Mindy’s professional career is powered by service, knowledge of the Gunnison Valley, and unparalleled professionalism.
970.209.2300 | mindy@bbre1.com | bbre1.com
As the City of Gunnison prepares to pursue yet another ballot measure to address its thin road budget, its community grant program is one of the areas council has considered cutting back to save money.
Each year, approximately $250,000 is budgeted for Gunnison’s long-standing community grant program. This money supports local organizations and nonprofits that deliver services the city doesn’t have the capacity to provide itself. Past recipients include organizations such as Gunnison Cvounty Substance Abuse Prevention Project and the Gunnison Country Food Pantry.
The grants are also used to support youth activities and educational programs, as well as events that promote economic development — for example, Cattlemen’s Days and the Gunnison Country Chamber of Commerce’s Fourth of July celebration. This program has been in place for several decades and is common among city governments.
This fall, the city plans to ask voters for a third time for additional money to increase its road maintenance budget. Over the past few months, the Finance Department has looked for other areas where cuts could potentially be made, the community grant program being one of them. Some members of city council wanted to ensure the city took a close look at its overall budget and consider internal cuts before asking residents to put more money into the roads.
During a regular meeting on Aug. 8, City Manager Amanda Wilson asked council if they wanted to continue the grant program in 2024. After a number of failed motions, and unable to come to an agreement, city council members created a sliding scale for how much money they wanted to dedicate to each of the grants’ three categories — appropriations that could shift based on the fate of the ballot.
Between $45,000-56,000 will be available for the public service category, and $35,000-
44,000 for economic development. Council agreed to keep $2,000 available for youth challenge grants.
The total amount budgeted for the community grant program will not be finalized until the city’s 2024 budget is adopted this fall, after the results of the upcoming election.
Money for the community grant program is pulled from the city’s general fund, mostly supported by sales tax dollars. More than half is gathered from a special tax on local marijuana sales.
But between 2021 and 2022, the revenue generated by local marijuana sales fell just over 17%. As a result, a third of this money will not be available next year to ensure the city’s spending from this reserve is sustainable. Council agreed to reduce the amount from $145,000 to $90,000.
Councilors also debated lowering the amount of grant money pulled from the general fund by a third. But Finance Director Ben Cowan warned that the events and programs funded are an investment in the city’s sales tax revenue.
“If the event were to go away as a result of a funding shortage, theoretically, it would also reduce your sales tax,” Cowan said. “But that doesn't mean that all those events would just disappear if you didn't fund them. It's just something that might play into your consideration.”
Council member Mallory Logan said she was not in favor of additional reductions.
“For me, economic development grants pay for themselves and bring events to town that enrich our culture and our community … We have this perspective that we're trying to portray to the public of, ‘We're pinching pennies everywhere we can.’ But to me, personally, at what cost? At the cost of the health of our community and the abilities of our nonprofits to function?” she said.
Applications for the city’s community grant program will open on Sept. 1 and are due by Oct. 31. The review will review and select award recipients in November with funding distributed in 2024.
(Bella Biondini can be contacted at 970.641.1414 or bella@ gunnisontimes.com.)
Gunnison hosted the 35th annual car show over the weekend, Aug. 18-20. The event kicked off with a cruise-in on Friday afternoon. Vintage cars paraded up Main Street before proud owners parked in rows along several blocks for the duration of the evening. On Saturday, dozens of cars filled Jorgensen Park for the main event. The weather was perfect and the crowd of automobile enthusiasts stayed consistent throughout the day. The weekend wound down on Sunday with a final caravan cruise and breakfast.
Each summer, Crested Butte’s popular drainages overflow with tourists, putting a growing strain on the Gunnison Valley public lands. With another busy summer in the books, local leaders are digging for solutions to ease congested parking lots and heavy traffic on the trails.
The Sustainable Tourism and Outdoor Recreation (STOR) Committee, which consists of representatives from the city and county as well as each sector of the recreation industry including water, agriculture and wildlife, is planning for additional recreation infrastructure in Crested Butte’s busiest drainages — a goal outlined in its recently updated strategic plan. This includes Gothic, Kebler, Slate River, Brush Creek and Washington Gulch. The intent is to accommodate a rising demand for recreation and public lands access, while protecting the places that characterize the Gunnison Valley.
The committee recognized that regional recreation planning is a daunting task, one that it has wrestled with for decades. Using its strategic plan as a guide, the STOR committee hopes to break the goal into more bite-sized pieces. The timeline established gives the committee until the end of 2024 to create a concrete plan of action for the upper valley drainages. The committee dug into the issue again during a regular meeting at the end of July.
The first step was choosing locations that could potentially house new recreation infrastructure such as parking, bathrooms and signage. These sites could also connect trail users to a transit system to get to and from a trailhead. The committee drew immediate attention to the East River corridor, home to Gothic and the Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory (RMBL), and the Peanut Lake area right outside of downtown Crested Butte.
“While we're keeping a longterm plan in mind, maybe we pick one or two locations, and try to tackle them,” said MetRec District Manager Derrick Nehrenberg. “That will give us traction on the others … We can't solve all the problems at once.”
As the STOR committee looked for good starting points, it prioritized the East River
drainage, the location of a discontinued Mountain Express shuttle system. Visitation to the corridor has been growing steadily. This summer, the RMBL visitor center in Gothic recorded 650 visitors in just one day, said Executive Director Ian Billick.
RMBL is considering moving its visitor center closer to Crested Butte — allowing tourists to learn about the research lab without needing to travel to Gothic. A mass transit or shuttle system could also be integrated at or near this site.
The site that will be used for a future development called “The Village” is nestled just south of the popular Snodgrass trailhead and is on the last few hundred feet of the paved Gothic Road. Under an informal agreement, it may be the future location of RMBL’s visitor center, Billick said.
“It's akin to driving to the visitor center at Yosemite, taking some pictures of the visitor center, grabbing a pamphlet and telling everybody you've been to Yosemite,” said Crested Butte Town Council member Roman Kolodziej. “We could be diverting a significant amount of people out of the Gothic Valley just by moving the visitor center to a less impactful area.”
RMBL has the closest phone and, in the case of an emergency, offers the point of first response for the East River Valley. The nearby Judd Falls has historically been the mosttraveled trail in the county and, despite signage, is the site of multiple accidents this summer alone. Although offering help is a top priority, it places a significant burden on RMBL operations, Billick said.
“It's important to understand just how bad it is out there,” Billick said. “My operations three out of the last 50 days have been consumed with responding to public emergencies. Not because of our people, but because of tourists. The numbers game out there is just out of control. We just can’t sustain that.”
STOR also eyed Peanut Lake Road, which would be a smallscale project compared to the East River corridor, as a spot to pilot a transportation management system. The short road gets used like a rec path, but it is a county and residential road, said Crested Butte Land Trust Executive Director Jake Jones. It's also used for Nordic skiing in the winter.
The committee believes demand exists to shuttle mountain bikes and hikers to and from other trailheads across the North Valley to reduce the amount of vehicle traffic and trailhead congestion. Mountain Express’ goal is to eventually explore running this kind of service, but it all comes down to funding, Kolodziej said. Charter bus transportation may also be another option to consider, committee members said.
But offering additional shuttle services in Crested Butte ultimately means more people can get to trailheads, which isn’t solving the underlying problem, said Forest Service representative Emily Nutgrass.
“There’s other management decisions, if you’re really trying to reduce impacts, that need to be made like closing the road or limiting parking,” she said. “All of those things are worked into that idea.”
County Commissioner Laura Puckett Daniels agreed that a more comprehensive approach must be taken, exploring questions such as: What does parking look like? What about transit? Education? What’s the overall capacity?
“It’s about looking at the drainages as an overall ecosystem for recreation … I think it’s important to understand that we aren’t going to get it right the first time. We’re going to try and put some things in place, but we can adapt these things over time,” Puckett Daniels said.
(Bella Biondini can be contacted at 970.641.1414 or bella@ gunnisontimes.com.)
Over the weekend, Aug. 18-19, the Gunnison Watershed was once again the site of the Superfly Fly Fishing Competition — an annual fundraiser for the Gunnison Angling Society (GAS) which has been put on for almost three decades. Before fishing began, GAS member Chris DeBow hosted a party at his house on Friday, featuring live music, hors d'oeuvres and a silent auction. Fishing began early on Saturday morning with 14 teams spread out up and down the valley. Each team of two was accompanied by a ‘monitor’ who weighed and measured each catch. The duo of Annika Engholm and Cam Chioffi finished first. Chioffi also earned the Top Rod and the Superfly award. Money raised from the event is directed to several projects GAS supports, according to Patrick Blackdale, GAS secretary and outfitting manager at Willowfly Anglers. The group is working to build a bridge across a heavily-used portion of Spring Creek to protect the river bed and restore a portion of Tomichi Creek after decades of cattle grazing.
Bethany Church
909 N Wisconsin St. (behind Powerstop) • 970-641-2144
Two services at 9am and 10:30am!
FREE lunch for college students following the 10:30am service 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
Jewish communities of Crested Butte, Gunnison and the East River Valley in Colorado bnaibutte@gmail.com
Spiritual Leader: Rabbi Mark Kula; available for you at: RabbiMarkKula@gmail.com www.bnaibutte.
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.
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, 403 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
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
The Rising Church
92 C.R. 17 • 970-444-1545
Service times: Sundays @ 9:30 a.m., Men’s and Women’s group, Tuesday @ 6:30 p.m.
Rising Gen (youth ministry) Thursdays @ 6 p.m. Gunnisonrising.church for more details!
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
(Photo by Jacob Spetzler)*Housing is held for Gunnison County employees and may be available to rent*
Senior Administrative Assistant Community Development: 40 hours/ week, monthly salary range from $3,990-$4,850, plus full benefits.
Senior Operations Accountant
Finance: 40 hours/week, monthly salary range from $5,885-$7,924, plus full benefits.
Airport Operations Manager
Airport: 40 hours/week, monthly salary range from $6,238-$8,194, plus full benefits.
Public Health Nurse II – Family Planning Coordinator
HHS: Part-time, 24 hours/week, hourly rate range from $32.03-$45.31, plus partial benefits.
Family Advocacy and Support Team (FAST) Coordinator
Juvenile Services: Part-time, 35 hours/ week, hourly rate range from $28.78$34.03, plus full benefits.
Eligibility Technician
HHS: 40 hours/week, monthly salary range from $3,764-$4,285, plus full benefits.
Summer Seasonal Public Works: Guaranteed 40 hours/ week, hourly rate range from $15.75$22.28 depending on experience, plus partial benefits. Outdoor work that includes traffic control, fencing, tree and brush removal, trail work, recycling, equipment training and much more, all in a 4-day work week.
Patrol Deputy Sheriff: Full-time, 40 hours/week, monthly salary range from $5,552$7,853 plus full benefits.
Detention Deputy Sheriff: Full-time, 40 hours/week, monthly salary range from $4,989$7,057 plus full benefits. Only work 14 days a month.
For more information, including complete job descriptions, required qualifications and application instructions, please visit GunnisonCounty.org/ jobs.
ALTA CONVENIENCE is looking to hire store managers and associates. Applicants will need to have open availability, (days, nights, weekends, and holidays). Must be at least 18 years of age and pass a criminal background check. Please call 719-849-1636 for an interview and/or more information.
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 qualified applicants will be contacted for an interview.
Competitive pay, 401K, insurance, paid vacations. 40 hour work week. Apply at John Roberts Motor Works.
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! Benefits 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 Certified 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
Police Officer
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 Certification 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
Ice Rink Concessions - up to $21.62/hr.
Zamboni Drivers - up to $22/hr. The City of Gunnison offers a competitive benefit package including 75% of medical, dental and vision premiums paid for the employee and their dependents, 5% of gross wages in a retirement plan, 3 weeks of vacation (increasing based on the years of service), 12 paid holidays, and 12 days of sick leave per year.
For more information, including complete job descriptions, benefit packages, required job qualifications and application instructions, please visit GunnisonCO.gov/HR
PAVEMENT MAINTENANCE
TECHNICIANS WANTED TO JOIN THE SEALCO TEAM: $33+ hourly - $1,800+ weekly potential with performance and safety bonuses. Seeking motivated, hardworking and dependable individuals. No experience necessary. On the job training working outdoors. Paid weekly. Must be capable of lifting 60 pounds. Email resumes to Aaron@sealcoincorporated.com or call 970-641-4260.
ARE YOU READY for a year-round, fulltime, stable job with benefits in this seasonal town? Tired of trying to piece together offseasons? Do you love little people and being creative? Little Red Schoolhouse is the place to be! Looking for a committed, full-time, long-term teacher and another part-time aide who is willing to learn and grow, take necessary classes and trainings and be a part of an amazing team. Starting pay $20-$25/hr depending on education and experience, full benefits including health insurance stipend, retirement, season pass financing, paid vacation and sick days and many more perks. Please send resume and interest letter to Jessica at lilredschoolhouse1@gmail.com.
PROJECT HOPE OF THE GUNNISON VALLEY seeks a bilingual advocate for a 25 hour/week position to serve victims of domestic violence, sexual assault and/or human trafficking. To apply, send resume, cover letter and three references to info@ hope4gv.org. See further info on our website at hope4gv.org/employment.
THE ADAPTIVE SPORTS CENTER is seeking adaptive ski and snowboard instructors to facilitate exceptional adaptive sport and recreation activities for the 20232024 winter season. Pay ranges from $2029/hour based on experience. Benefits for full-time seasonal staff include proforms, certification and membership dues, exam reimbursement, paid sick days, 5-day stipend and a 401(k) match. More information and the winter application are at adaptivesports.org/about-us/careers. The deadline to apply is Sept. 15.
ethic, attention to detail and an enthusiastic, positive attitude. Benefits include an enjoyable and friendly work environment, employer-assisted health insurance, monthly health savings account contribution, 401-K retirement plan, paid vacation and sick leave. Starting salary will depend on qualifications and experience. Please submit a letter of application and resume with references to Janice English, Sr. Vice President, 303 North Main, Gunnison, CO 81230, jenglish@gunnisonsl.com or 970642-4642. Equal Opportunity Employer.
NUVISTA FEDERAL CREDIT UNION in Gunnison is looking for a highly-motivated, positive and dedicated member service representative who enjoys meeting and helping people, is a team player, great communicator, detail-oriented and has a desire to learn and have a positive impact on an organization as well as the community. Roles and duties: Assist members with financial transactions including, but not limited to, member deposits and withdrawals, servicing vault/ATM maintenance and following all credit union policies and procedures. Send resumes to trhodes@ nuvista.com or bring to NuVista Federal Credit Union, 205 Sydney St. in Gunnison.
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: 970349-5679. Email info@timberlinemech.com.
ALL POSITIONS OPEN: Looking for front desk, housekeeping and maintenance. Come in for an application at 411 E. Tomichi Ave. Immediate hire. $250 gift card after three months of employment.
BARISTA: Mochas Coffeehouse and Bakery in Gunnison is seeking baristas to join our team. Good pay plus tips and shift meals in a positive and fun work environment. Drop your resume off or fill out an application at 710 N. Main St., or email mochasbarista@ gmail.com.
Journeyman & Residential Wireman for projects in the Gunnison and Crested Butte areas. Must have a valid Colorado driver’s license and pass a pre-employment drug screen. Top pay & Benefits. Send resumes to info@ec-electric.com or call 970-641-0195 www.ec-electric.com/careers
CAREER OPPORTUNITY: Gunnison
Savings and Loan Association is seeking applications from qualified individuals with strong customer service skills looking for a career in banking. The position includes performing teller functions and assisting in the loan department. The successful applicant will demonstrate a strong work
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, benefits available after one year of employment. Please submit resume to: office@spalloneconstruction.com.
GUNNIRENTS TOOL AND EQUIPMENT
RENTAL is looking to fill two part-time roles to assist in the daily operations of this growing business. We are looking for someone with experience in administrative work, sales and general customer service, pay starting at $22/hr. We are also looking for someone with experience towing a trailer, completing basic maintenance tasks on tools and equipment and detailing said equipment, pay starting at $25/hr. For both positions, experience with tools, equipment or the construction industry is preferred but not required. Please feel free to stop by for an application at 918 W. San Juan Ave., Gunnison, or call 970-412-9956 to coordinate.
Colorado Statewide Network
To place a 25-word COSCAN Network ad in 91 Colorado newspapers for only $300, contact your local newspaper or email Colorado Press Association Network at rtoledo@colopress.net
DIRECTV. New 2-Year Price
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$84.99/mo for 24 months with CHOICE Package. Some restrictions apply.
Call DIRECTIV - 1-888-725-0897
PORTABLE OXYGEN
Portable Oxygen Concentrator May be Covered by Medicare! Reclaim independence and mobility with the compact design and long-lasting battery of Inogen One. Free Information Kit! Call: 844-823-0293
See GWSD website for details gunnisonschools.net
Gunnison Watershed School District believes that students thrive when they are connected to something bigger than themselves. That’s why we create learning experiences that spark curiosity, helping students discover who they are and how to make a difference in the world around them. As they excel in academics, athletics and the arts, students find the confidence to pursue any opportunity in life. Our team is “Driven to be the Difference!”
HOURLY OPPORTUNITIES
Bus Drivers Food Service-CBCS and GCS
Office Manager-CBSS
Special Needs Educational Assistants
SPED EA-GMS
ELL Educational Assistant-CBCS and GHS
Building Manager-CBCS
Assistant Building Manager-CBCS
Lead Custodian-Lake School
Permanent Substitute-CBSS and GHS Substitute Teachers
PROFESSIONAL OPPORTUNITIES
Counselor-CBES
COACHING
GHS-Speech and Debate
Please contact:
Superintendent’s Office
JoAnn Klingsmith 800 N. Boulevard 970-641-7760 jklingsmith@gunnisonschools.net
Please contact:
Superintendent’s Office JoAnn Klingsmith 800 N. Boulevard 970-641-7760 jklingsmith@gunnisonschools.net
Please note this is not a complete list of all our open jobs. You can view all open positions at our website at jobs.gunnisonvalleyhealth.org.
IT/Computer Technician - FT $22.61-$26/hr. DOE
Personal Care Provider/Assisted Living - FT $17-$19.55/hr. DOE
Housekeeper, Senior Care Center - FT $17-$19.55/hr. DOE
Unit Coordinator, Emergency Department - FT $19.10-$21.96/ hr. DOE
Benefits Eligibility: Medical, dental, vision, health care FSA and dependent care FSA. All active employees working 40 or more hours per pay period are eligible for benefits on the first of the month following date of hire. PRN staff are not initially eligible for benefits. Please visit our website for more indepth position descriptions, specific qualification requirements and to apply online: gunnisonvalleyhealth.org/careers/ or call HR for questions at 970-641-1456. (PRN = as needed). All offers of employment are contingent upon the successful completion of a negative 10-panel drug screen test, criminal background check, reference checks, infection prevention procedures (TB test, Flu Shot, immunization records, etc.), physical capacity profile and acknowledgement of policies.
ROCKY MOUNTAIN CHOCOLATE FACTORY in Crested Butte is now hiring an assistant manager, previous management experienced preferred, and counter help to provide 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.
PART-TIME REGISTERED NURSE OR NURSE PRACTITIONER in Crested Butte, CO for Fusion Health and Wellness Clinic. Pay starts at $35/hr and up depending on experience. Must be willing to perform tasks such as IV hydration, vitamin injections, weight loss, blood draws and aesthetics. Will train. Must be a team player. Send your resume to Lisamerck1@gmail.com and call 970-355-9686.
THE TOWN OF CRESTED BUTTE seeks applicants for an HR manager to join the finance and administrative services team. The HR manager is responsible for the daily operations of human resources to include, but not limited to, payroll processing, recruitment, staffing, retention, training, benefits administration, wage administration, employee relations, terminations, workers’ compensation, risk management and the smooth operation of the HR office in compliance with all company policies, as well as federal, state and local legislation. This year-round position includes an excellent benefits package with 100% employer paid health, dental, vision, life insurance and contribution to retirement plan after one year of employment. Starting salary is $67,089-$80,320 DOQ. Full job description is available on the town’s website at townofcrestedbutte.com. Please submit application, cover letter and resume via email to jobs@crestedbutte-co.gov. Position is open until filled. The town of Crested Butte is an equal opportunity employer.
Employer. FRITO LAY IS HIRING for a route sales position in Gunnison,CO. Are you looking for a job that doesn’t require sitting at a desk for 8 hours a day? Here’s a fantastic opportunity: the starting salary is $63,000 with a $1,000 sign-on bonus. Work for a wellestablished company offering benefits that work as hard as you do, with industry-leading day one healthcare coverage, savings and investments to support different life stages and continued education opportunities. Visit fritolayemployment.com to apply today.
DAVID CROSS GENERAL CONTRACTOR is hiring for a full-time, salaried office manager position for our fast-paced office environment. Duties include company asset management, obtaining bids and maintaining various insurances, fleet management, procurement for office and project needs, assisting project managers with subcontractor agreements and documents and personal assistance to the owner and general manager. Experience with Google Suite and Quickbooks is preferred. Compensation package includes ski pass, vacation time, paid holidays and health insurance. Please email resumes to david@davidgrossgc.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, benefits available after one year of employment. Please submit resume to: office@spalloneconstruction.com.
filling potholes and maintaining the town’s ditches and culverts. Class B commercial driver’s license or the ability to obtain one is required for this position. This position is subject to pre-employment and random drug testing as per federal law regarding the Class B commercial driver’s license. Starting pay range is $48,590-$56,436 depending on experience.
The town offers an amazing benefits package: full health, vision and dental insurance premiums paid for you and your immediately family, paid life insurance, retirement plan through PERA, 12 paid holidays, generous vacation time, wellness program, Aflac and more. All positions require a clean, seven-year driving record. For the full job description and more information please visit mtcb.colorado. gov/employment. To apply for a position please email your resume, cover letter and three references to Tiffany O’Connell at toconnell@mtcb.colorado.gov.
STORAGE UNIT SALE: New merchandise added weekly. 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturdays. 108 S. 11th, alley side.
HOME FOR SALE: 1700 sq. ft. 2020 build. Very accessible single story home in great west Gunnison location. For further details enter 600 Carbon Court, Gunnison, Colorado into Zillow search and/or contact terravistalimited@gmail.com, 970-497-9113.
OFFICE SPACE TO RENT: In Gunnison. Health, beauty, general. Shared bathrooms and kitchen. Call 970-641-2423 or text only 970-497-6121.
PINNACLE ORTHOPEDICS has F/T and P/T openings for a medical assistant and receptionist in both our Crested Butte and Gunnison offices. On-site training provided. Strong interpersonal, organizational and computer skills are important, but overall we value a good fit for our team. $20+ DOE. Send resume and references to office@ pinnacleorthocolorado.com.
HEARTH DESIGN BUILD: Small, local, dynamic firm dedicated to community housing. Seeking passionate and driven individuals. Experience appreciated, not necessary. 802-595-9576, hearthdesignbuild.org, hearthdesignbuild@ gmail.com.
IRWIN BACKCOUNTRY GUIDES is seeking on-mountain hospitality candidates for our cat skiing operation. Position requires ability to work in an alpine environment with high physical demands and long days. This role is guest-facing and applicants must have a strong desire to provide exceptional hospitality to a high-end clientele while maintaining a professional appearance. The diversity of this role requires experience in both food preparation and mountain operations, as well as a hard-working team player with attention to detail and good communication skills. Marker certification, CPR/First Aid and the ability to operate a snowmobile is preferred. Clean motor vehicle record mandatory. Full-time and parttime winter positions available starting in November. Please send resume and cover letter to jobs@elevenexperience.com. More information about our company can be found at irwinguides.com and elevenexperience. com. This is a winter seasonal position starting November 25 through April 15 and starts at $180-$230 per day, plus tips depending on experience and qualifications.
LAKE CITY AREA MEDICAL CENTER is seeking a full-time or part-time RN, LPN or MA with some reception coverage, 1640 hrs/week, $18-30/hr with benefits (FT). Email your CV to lcmedcenter@lcamc.net.
EOE.
HOT TUB TECHNICIAN: Year-round PT or FT position with great growth opportunities. Train at $22/hour. Pay starts at $25/hour plus incentives. AWD work van, clothing and more provided. Position starts immediately. Call Graeme at CB Hot Tub, 970-275-5700.
THE MT. CRESTED BUTTE WATER AND SANITATION DISTRICT is accepting applications for a full-time water operator position to be part of a team environment focused on operation of the water plant and distribution system for Mt. Crested Butte. Important qualifications include a combination of construction, field operations and electrical/mechanical/maintenance repair. A State of Colorado water and/or distribution license or the ability to obtain such within one year is mandatory. Training for certifications provided. Operators are required to take on-call responsibility including select weekends and holidays. A valid Colorado driver’s license is required. Starting salary is $44,500-$51,500 for entry level. $58,000-$75,000 salary available for operators with experience and appropriate state licenses. Excellent benefits package including 100% employer paid premium family health, dental, vision and life insurance, 12 paid holiday days, two weeks paid vacation, employer contribution to retirement plan (5% automatic mandatory employer matching with 1-3% optional additional matching), employer provided uniforms and a seasonal ski pass. Full job description is available at mcbwsd.com. Please submit cover letter and resume to Mt. Crested Butte Water and Sanitation District, P.O. Box 5740, Mt. Crested Butte, CO 81225 or email info@mcbwsd.com. Position is open until filled. MCBWSD is an equal opportunity employer.
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/Affirmative Action
INTERESTED IN A CAREER WITH BENEFITS? The Crested Butte Bank, a branch of the Gunnison Bank and Trust Company, has an opening for a full-time teller to join the operations side of our growing bank. Applicants should have strong customer service skills, the ability to multitask, 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. Robust benefits package includes 401(k), medical insurance, vision insurance, life insurance and disability insurance (ST and LT). Pooled transportation is available. Send resume to abrown@crestedbuttebank. com or lbeda@gunnisonbank.com.
GUNNISON LIQUOR (The Ghost) is currently looking for part-time help. Nights and weekends a must. Stop by with a resume. 603 W. Tomichi Ave., Gunnison. THE TOWN OF MT. CRESTED BUTTE has 3 full-time, year-round positions available.
Parks Supervisor: Responsible for managing a parks crew of 2 full-time and 1 seasonal position. In addition to overseeing a crew, the parks supervisor works closely with his/ her crew to maintain the parks, recreation path, campground and special projects. This is an exempt position. Starting salary is $68,372-$82,046 depending on experience.
Parks Worker: This position has a wide range of duties from landscaping, maintaining playgrounds, cleaning up after events, installing and repairing sprinkler systems, operating chain saws, vehicles, power and hand tools, light equipment such as skid steer and lawn mowers, snow removal in the winter with hand shoveling, ice picking and using a bob cat. Starting pay is $44,000$61,000 depending on experience.
Maintenance Worker: Maintenance duties vary from season to season and will include but are not limited to snow shoveling, plowing of the Mt. Crested Butte roads and various parking lots, maintaining town equipment and vehicles, emptying trash cans, repairing fence lines, building maintenance, road maintenance including sweeping, flagging,
MT. CB CONDO: 2 bedroom, 3 bathroom fully-furnished condominium located in the Lodge at Mountaineer Square. Includes underground, heated parking for one car, all utilities, access to pool, hot tub and fitness center. $3,495 per month. Available Sept. 1. Call Bill at 970-349-2338.
RETAIL/OFFICE SPACE FOR LEASE at the Gunnison Meadows Mall next to City Market, +/-1,500 sqft available. For more information and pricing visit GunnisonMeadows.com or call Jordon Ringel at 817-733-6947.
PRIME OFFICE SPACE on Main St. Five private offices. Client waiting/conference room, reception desk, 12 paved parking spaces. Call or text 970-596-9999 for more info.
ROOM FOR RENT: Taylor Canyon, 3 bed/3 bath house. Professional/student, respectful, mature desired. Dogs. October 1st. $900, all included. Text for info: 802-595-9576.
Work Session Agenda
August 28, 2023
Lake Conference Room
5:30 p.m.
This meeting will be conducted in person and by distance using the video conferencing platform ZOOM. Please check the GWSD website for further instructions.
Work Session discussion items:
1. Athletic directors and fall sports
2. Discuss cell phone policy update
3. CASB Regional meeting:
Thursday, Sept. 28, 2023 4:30-7:30 p.m. Ridgeway, CO
Gunnison Country Times
Gunnison, Colorado
Publication date of Aug. 24, 2023
10460
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 7:00 PM on the 13th day of September, 2023, in the City Council Chambers, Gunnison Municipal Building, 201 West Virginia Avenue, Gunnison, Colorado on the merits of Conditional Use Application CU 23-4 submitted by Anthony and Mollie Contreras, for a temporary commercial activity of food truck in the Commercial (C) zone district.
The real property for which the conditional use is sought is legally described as follows:
Lot D, Block 2, Mountain View Addition, City and County of Gunnison, State of Colorado.
More commonly known as 811 North Main Street, Gunnison, Colorado
And
Lots 13-24, Block 32, Original Gunnison, and, Lots 16-23, Block 15, Boutcher’s Addition, City and County of Gunnison, State of Colorado.
More commonly known as 411 East Tomichi Avenue, Gunnison, Colorado.
AT WHICH TIME AND PLACE you may attend and give testimony, if you so desire.
CITY OF GUNNISON PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION
The public may attend Public Hearings and Regular and Special Sessions in person or remotely. To attend the meeting go to: us02web.zoom.us/j/82673074678?pwd=cG pEbXJiQmZ6QmRva3l2M0s1OGk5QT09
/s/Caree Musick, Planning Technician
Gunnison Country Times Gunnison, Colorado
Publication date of Aug. 24, 2023 10441
NOTICE TO CREDITORS
NOTICE TO CREDITORS
Estate of MARK STEVEN REEB aka REEB
Deceased
Case Number 2023PR30035
All persons having claims against the above named estate are required to present them to the personal representative or to the District Court of GUNNISON County, Colorado on or before December 21, 2023 or the claims may be forever barred.
AARON J. HUCKSTEP, ATTY. REG # 39898
ATTORNEY FOR APPLICANT PO BOX 2958 CRESTED BUTTE, CO 81224
Gunnison Country Times Gunnison, Colorado
Publication dates of Aug. 24, 31, Sept. 7, 2023 10405
NOTICE TO CREDITORS
NOTICE TO CREDITORS
Valerie J. Hoagland, Deceased
Case Number 2023PR30033
All persons having claims against the abovenamed estate are required to present them to the Personal Representative or to the District Court of Gunnison County, Colorado
on or before December 15, 2023, or the claims may be forever barred.
Randall R. Fornecker
Personal Representative
c/o Kathleen L. Fogo, P.C.
Attorney for Personal Representative
P.O. Box 7200, Gunnison, CO 81230
Gunnison Country Times Gunnison, Colorado
Publication dates of Aug. 17, 24, 31, 2023
10300
James A. Pendergraft, Deceased
Case Number 2023PR30034
All persons having claims against the abovenamed estate are required to present them to the Personal Representative or to the District Court of Gunnison County, Colorado on or before December 15, 2023, or the claims may be forever barred.
Stacy Gail Pendergraft
Personal Representative
c/o Kathleen L. Fogo, P.C. Attorney for Personal Representative
P.O. Box 7200, Gunnison, CO 81230
Gunnison Country Times
Gunnison, Colorado
Publication dates of Aug. 17, 24, 31, 2023
10299
Estate of Donna Rae Bratton, aka Donna R. Bratton, aka Donna Bratton
Deceased Case Number 2023 PR 30031
All persons having claims against the above named estate are required to present them to the personal representative or to District Court of Gunnison County, Colorado on or before December 10, 2023 or the claims may be forever barred.
L. Richard Bratton
Personal Representative
c/o Hoskin, Farina & Kampf, P.C. Post Office Box 40 Grand Junction , CO 81502
Gunnison Country Times
Gunnison, Colorado
Publication dates of Aug. 10, 17, 24, 2023
10220
Homestake Mining Company has filed a notice of completion of reclamation and has requested release of reclamation responsibility for Forest Service lands on its mining permit at the Pitch Mine Reclamation Site. The location of the Pitch Mine Reclamation Site is approximately 10 miles ESE of Sargents, Colorado in Saguache County. Homestake Mining Company has completed reclamation activities on Forest Service lands within its permit area and requests to be released of financial warranties for the land. The affected lands total 2,302.67 acres. The land sought to be released to the Forest Service is generally described as an Access Road between the Marshall Pass Road (Forest Service Road #243) and the private property access control gate, a former millsite and stormwater pond, and a former limestone quarry.
Public comments concerning the appropriateness of the release should be sent in writing within thirty (30) days of this publication to the Division of Reclamation, Mining and Safety (DRMS) office at:
Colorado Division of Reclamation, Mining and Safety Room 215 1001 E. 62nd Avenue Denver, CO 80216
Gunnison Country Times
Gunnison, Colorado
Publication dates of Aug. 24, 31, Sept. 7, 14 10417
Request For Proposal (RFP) Trash and Rubbish Removal
Saguache County is looking for a contractor for the removal of and disposal of trash, rubbish, debris and assorted waste materials from land located in Saguache County. This shall include, but not be limited to, the removal and disposal of trailers, building materials, trash, debris, asbestos and various materials that require removal. This position shall be on call or as needed. Bids should include, but not be limited to, hourly rates, and the rate for special material removal that may not be allowed for disposal in a land fill or conventional waste facility.
For questions, please email Amber Wilson at atorrez@saguachecounty-co.gov or call 719-655-2231.
Proposal may be emailed, mailed or hand delivered. Email RFP to atorrez@ saguachecounty-co.gov, mail to PO Box 326, Saguache, CO 81149 or hand deliver to 505 3rd Street, Saguache, CO.
Proposals must be received by 3pm on Thursday, August 31, 2023.
Gunnison Country Times
Gunnison, Colorado
Publication dates of July 27, Aug. 3, 10, 17, 24, 2023
10037
RFP for Contractor Services
Saguache County is soliciting interested contractors related to updating/remodeling
Saguache County Social Services lobby area, 605 Christy Ave., Saguache, CO 81149
Work to be completed:
Update of Lobby area/Restrooms
Plaster patching
Updating light fixtures
Painting
Flooring
Carpet removal
Some plumbing
Please text your email address to 719221-3173 to receive information regarding contractor requirements.
Letters of interest are due by 4:00PM on Friday, September 1st, 2023.
Interested parties should submit a letter of interest with costs for the project to the
The American Public Works Association West Slope Branch is hosting a public “Vendor Day” at 9 am, Thursday the 7th of September for all interested parties. Equipment, supplies, materials, and resource vendors related to dirt work, safety, compliance, and construction activities will be in attendance. There will be a $10 per company fee to attend. This is a great opportunity to get big city access in the mountains. For further information please contact Gunnison County Public Works Department at 970-641-0044
IF YOU’RE NOT AT YOUR LAST JOB, YOUR 401 ( k ) SHOULDN’T BE EITHER.
Leaving a 401(k) with a previous employer could mean leaving it alone with no one to watch over it.
At Edward Jones, we can explain options for your 401(k) and help you select the one that’s best for you. If you’d like to roll it over into an Edward Jones IRA, we can help you do it without paying taxes or penalties. So you can feel confident someone is looking out for you and your 401(k).
To find out why it makes sense to talk with Edward Jones about your 401(k) options, call or visit your local investment representative today.
IF YOU’RE NOT AT YOUR LAST JOB, YOUR 401 ( k ) SHOULDN’T BE EITHER.
IRA, you’ll have access to investments that could provide a higher return than you currently earn.
IF YOU’RE NOT AT YOUR LAST JOB, YOUR 401 ( k ) SHOULDN’T BE EITHER. Leaving a 401(k) behind could mean leaving it with no one to watch over it.
If you have an IRA elsewhere, it’s easy to transfer to Edward Jones and begin receiving the face-to-face advice you deserve.
To learn more about the benefits of an Edward Jones IRA, call or visit by April 17.
* IRAs are tax-deferred accounts.IRAs do not have rates.Only the underlying investments within an IRA may have rates.Based on corporate bond yields to maturity effective xx/xx/xx, subject to availability and price change.Yield and market value may fluctuate ifsold prior to maturity,and the amount received from the sale ofthese securities may be less than the amount originally invested.Some ofthe available issues are callable.Bond values may decline in a rising interest rate environment.Your local Edward Jones Financial Advisor can provide more information about maturity dates and applicable call provisions.Any bonds called prior to maturity would result in reinvestment risk for the bond owner.
* IRAs are tax-deferred accounts.IRAs do not have rates.Only the underlying investments within an IRA may have rates.Based on corporate bond yields to maturity effective xx/xx/xx, subject to availability and price change.Yield and market value may fluctuate ifsold prior to maturity,and the amount received from the sale ofthese securities may
We can explain your options, and if you’d like to roll your 401(k) over into an Edward Jones IRA,we can help you do it with no taxes or penalties.We’ll look out for you.
To find out about 401(k) options that makes sense, call today.
THE RIGHT INVESTMENTS IN YOUR IRA CAN MAKE ALL THE DIFFERENCE.
To learn about the benefits of an Edward Jones IRA, call or visit today.
copy:Bodoni
URL:News Gothic
SIPC line:News
IR name:News Address, Phone:News
Alert: This ad
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AUGUST 25, 26 and 27
3 p.m. - 7 p.m. Friday
9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Saturday
9 a.m. - 2 p.m. Sunday
BUY, SELL & TRADE!
Guns, Knives, Indian Jewelry, Coins & MORE!
On Saturday, Aug. 19, I Bar Ranch hosted “Erika's F**k Cancer, Love Camo … On The Hunt For A Cure” to raise money to support Erika Buscovick, a Gunnison local who was recently diagnosed with cancer. The crowd ebbed and flowed well into the evening for a variety of festivities including a 5K run, volleyball tournament, silent auction and a series of hard-driving electronic DJs. The Dive, Mario's Pizza & Pasta and I Bar sponsored the event.
Chaffee County Fairgrounds Poncha Springs, CO
OPEN TO THE PUBLIC Admission is $8, Children 12 & under FREE with an adult Snack Bar - Free Parking Call Doug 719-221-3213
Stops and times are subject to change over the next two weeks.
Please arrive at your stop 5 minutes before your scheduled pick up time.
Rider agreements and route maps will be available soon on the district website (www.gunnisonschools.net) under the transportation tab. Please direct questions to Paul Morgan, 970-596-0450.
Bus Route #6 to Gold Basin/Dos Rios has been cancelled until further notice due to a shortage of Bus Drivers
Wildwood 7:58
AUG 16
AGENCY ASSIST — N. MAIN ST.
INFORMATION — S. 5TH ST.
ACCIDENT — 800 W. TOMICHI
AVE.
THEFT: INTENDS TO PERMA -
NENTLY DEPRIVE — 226 N. MAIN
ST.
CAMPING PROHIBITED — 900 N.
WISCONSIN ST.
THEFT: INTENDS TO PERMA -
NENTLY DEPRIVE — 720 N. COLO-
RADO ST.
WELFARE ASSIST — N. SPRUCE
ST.
AUG 17
ACCIDENT - HIT AND RUN — 900
N. MAIN ST.
ACCIDENT — 880 N. MAIN ST.
THEFT - UNDER $100 MUNICIPAL
— 900 N. MAIN ST.
HARASSMENT: MUNICIPAL —
880 N. MAIN ST.
ACCIDENT - HIT AND RUN — 728
N. MAIN ST.
WELFARE ASSIST — S. 2ND ST.
PARKING VIOLATION — W.
TOMICHI AVE.
ACCIDENT - HIT AND RUN — 302
VAN TUYL CIR.
ANIMAL - RUNNING AT LARGE
- MUNICIPAL — 137 W. TOMICHI
AVE.
AGENCY ASSIST — W. RIO
GRANDE AVE.
AUG 18
ASSAULT: THIRD DEGREE -
BODILY INJURY — W. HWY. 50
FRAUD / HACKING - COMPUTER
INVASION — 301 S. 2ND ST.
ANIMAL - RUNNING AT LARGE -
MUNICIPAL — 902 N. COLORADO
ST.
AUG 19
DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE
- ALCOHOL — 200 W. TOMICHI
AVE.
DEATH INVESTIGATION — E.
TOMICHI AVE.
DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE
- ALCOHOL — 121 N. COLORADO
ST.
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE — E.
TOMICHI AVE.
CRIMINAL MISCHIEF - DAMAGE
TO PROPERTY — W. GOTHIC AVE.
AUG 20
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE — N. BOULEVARD ST.
HARASSMENT: FOLLOWING — 139 N. MAIN ST.
CRIMINAL TRESPASS: THIRD DEGREE — SUNNY SLOPE DR.
PROPERTY - FOUND — 500 E.
TOMICHI AVE.
INFORMATION — E. TOMICHI
AVE.
ANIMAL - RUNNING AT LARGE -
MUNICIPAL — 623 N. 12TH ST.
WARRANT SERVICE - OTHER JURISDICTION — 412 E. TOMICHI
AVE.
DISTURBING THE PEACE — 617 N. COLORADO ST.
VIOLATION OF PROTECTION
ORDER: CRIMINAL ORDER — 720 N. COLORADO ST.
GUNNISON COUNTY SHERIFF’S REPORT
AUG 11
-County resolution #2018-30 - vicious dog
-Theft of trail cameras - under investigation
-Agency assist to the U.S. Forest Service with a cold dispute at a USFS campground
-Agency assist to the USFS with a camper refusing to leave or pay
-Information report - check on smoke from a controlled burn
-Information - 911 hang-up
-Found property - wallet
AUG 12
-Agency assist to the Colorado State Patrol with locating a suspicious vehicle
-Agency assist to Arapahoe Sheriff’s Office on a sex assault on a child
-Medical call assist
-Agency assist to the Gunnison Police Department with a domestic in progress
-Driving under the influence of alcohol arrest
AUG 13
-SOS beacon activated for injured party in Marble area
-Agency assist to the CSP with an ATV vs. car accident with injuries
-County ordinance #2018-30 - dog at large - unable to locate dog
-Summons issued for over 20 miles over the speed limit
-Arrest for driving under the influence, careless driving, operating an uninsured vehicle, failed to display valid registration and driving without a valid driver’s license
-Agency assist to the National Park Service for a disorderly camper
AUG 14
-Unattended death
-Information report - family dispute
AUG 15
-Information report - family dispute
-Out-of-county warrant arrest
-Possible theft - unfounded
-Theft of a gun - under investigation
AUG 16
-Information report - suicidal male - contacted in Crested Butte
-Deputies responded to a rolling domestic. One arrest for driving under the influence and 3rd degree assault, and another arrest for harassment
AUG 17
-Motorist assist in Marble - stuck semi
-Found property from Iola - one Pirelli Scorpion 1 tire
-Agency assist to the CSP with a 2-vehicle accident near Garlic Mike’s
-Lost property report - air pods
-Turning in prescription medication question - they can be dropped off at the GPD in their prescription lock box safely
-Arrest - domestic violence
Event Leadership
Gala Chair
Kathy Barnhart
Gala Co-Chairs
Annie Amrich
Megan Mensing
Gala Committee
Doris Altman
Carol Ann May
Stacee VanAernem
Jenny Birnie, GVHF Executive Director
Tammy Scott, GVHF Coordinator
Carlie Kenton, GVHF Development Coordinator
Stephanie Prater, Princess Productions
Joel Benisch and Elisabeth Laux, Hosts
Chef Taj Cooke
Chef Christoph Peherstorfer
Chef David Anthony Temple
Jack & Mary Blake
Title Sponsors
Joel Benisch and Elisabeth Laux
Jack and Mary Blake
Tough Enough to Wear Pink
Major Sponsors
Living Journeys
Owens Property Management
PNC Bank
Zimmer Biomet
Supporting Sponsors
Crested Butte Personal Chefs
Gunnison Bank and Trust
JVA Consulting Engineers
Lockton Companies
George and Clare Nelson
SEH Architects
Gold Table Sponsors
Doris and Bill Altman
Jason and Annie Amrich
Kathy and Clif Barnhart
Jack and Mary Blake
Carol Ann May and James Saindon
Suzanne and Bill Sullivan
Silver Table Sponsors
Black Dragon Development
Marla and Bruce Crockett
Jim and Rachael Deer
Gunnison Valley Health
Don Haver
Integrity Medical
Betsy Roistacher
Western Colorado University
WCU/CU Boulder Engineering
Dr. Charles and Rebecca Wilkins
Live Auction Sponsors
Doris Altman
Chef Christoph Peherstorfer
Chef David Anthony Temple
Jeri DeFeo
The Kay Gentry Family
Nancy Kenton
Carol Ann May
Dr. Eric McCarty
Dave Query
Rad Hatter of Austin
Jud Skaife
Suzanne and Bill Sullivan
Wheelies and Waves
TITLE SPONSORS
Drawing Card Sponsors
Alison White Photography
Claudio and Yvonne Alvarez
Chef Michael and Traci Busse
Martha Walton Darby
Irwin Guides
ROMP Skis
Martina and Scout Walton
Entertainment
Marc Broussard
Luke De La Parra
Gregg Tobo
Special Thanks
Alpenglow Rentals
Halie Behr, Auctioneer
Rylie Behr
Blackbelly
Blackline Entertainment,
Matti Brown and Andrea Hoffman
Blaze Associates,
Kim Carroll Bosler and Susan Gellert
CB Rentals
Crested Butte Personal Chefs
Dolly’s Mountain Shuttle
Empire Distributors
GVH Marketing Department
Gerard Bertrand Winery
The Homestead Hut
Horsefeather Mobile Bar
Irwin Brewing
Janniebird Farms
Lucky Penny Rentals
Mountain Spirits, Aaron Tomcak
Nathan Bilow Photography
Stems Floral, Lisa Blunck
Steve Gibbs Design
Sundrop Floral
Volunteers and Staff
Kristy Acuff
Raven Bryson
Anna Carroll
Jonathan Civatelli
Molly Dillon
Jen Faison
Wendy Fisher
Gary Garcia
Betsy Heartfield
Nancy Jackson
Carlie Kenton
Alex Lambro
Eli Lambro
Corky Lucks
Shane Mensing
Alison Nicole
Sarah Otero
Kati Roan
Lyndsey Ruehle
Haley Russell
Susan Russell
Mandy Scortino
David Stephan
Martina Walton
Davina Weitman
Amy Woody
Lacey Yerdo
MAJOR SPONSORS
SUPPORTING SPONSORS
We are very grateful to all the attendees, donors, sponsors, volunteers and staff who made our third annual gala a huge success! Together, we raised $1.2 million for the new station for Gunnison Valley Health Paramedics!Joel Benisch & Elisabeth Laux George & Clare Nelson
The Blue Mesa Reservoir is home to vibrant Kokanee salmon, hordes of crawdads and world-record-sized lake trout. However, amidst the aquatic fauna and silty green hue, Gunnison residents breathe compressed air below the surface. Members of the National Park Service (NPS) Submerged Resources Center SCUBA Dive Team work in public safety and train at the reservoir.
Melissa Post heads the team at Curecanti National Recreation Area. She dives to salvage personal property and conduct search and rescue operations throughout western Colorado and its many reservoirs.
Every summer, members undertakes training dives at Blue Mesa to refresh their skills. On Aug. 21, Post led a group of three from Elk Creek Marina in the late morning hours. Despite
the frigid hint of autumn, the divers donned 9-millimeter wetsuits with attached hoods. While squeezing into neoprene sleeves, members reminisced about the crystal-clear, balmy waters of the Dry Tortugas National Park. Volunteer Matt Frey winced while splashing water into his mask, defogging the glass before pressing it against his face.
Once geared up, the team strode into the water, conducting buddy checks while bobbing on the surface. Each diver checked their pressure gauges, then bit down on their regulators and slowly descended into the hazy green water.
Post said the team is a necessary resource for western Colorado and its bodies of water.
“It's really important to have a dive team that can respond and be there for incidents when they do occur,” she said. “We're here for the people that are recreating, but also for emergencies and worst case scenarios.”
In previous years, Post’s team was dispatched to raise a sunken fishing vessel, retrieve a construction-grade tool box and lift the engine from a car wreck. However, the divers also work hand-in-hand with the state of Colorado’s Marine Evidence
Frogmen from B1
from there. I had great mentors through the NPS, and went on to get my Divemaster and Instructor certifications in 2003. I was totally thrown into it, but it has been really rewarding.”
On Monday morning, despite the cool temperatures and bulky wetsuits, the divers entered the reservoir in high spirits. Plumes of bubbles burst at the surface as they descended deeper. At 60 feet, they played among a boulder pile and enjoyed higher visibility.
Frey said the conditions provide an unusual experience.
“We’ll often be surrounded by clumps of blue-green algae, where you really can’t see for more than 5 or 7 feet,” he said.
“The visibility isn’t too bad today, and sometimes it clears up at certain depths. These conditions really make you appreciate Mexico.”
water grids. They deploy nyloncoated lift bags that inflate with air to raise heavy objects to the surface. The conditions at Blue Mesa pose a number of challenges for the frogmen. For one, Gunnison sits at over 7,000 feet, which shortens dive times due to risk of decompression sickness. The team is also working in low-visibility, often seeing only 7 feet in front of them with temperatures ranging from 50-70 degrees fahrenheit.
For Post, a career in SCUBA diving was quite unexpected.
“When I applied for a law enforcement position with the NPS, the supervisor asked me to take over the dive program as a condition of my employment,” she said. “The only problem was, I wasn’t a diver. I received my basic SCUBA certification first, and then it really took off
Throughout the intense conditions, tedious searches and aching cold fingers, Post said the dive team has bonded through shared experience.
“Every time we go down, we’re trusting our equipment, but also our dive partners,” she said. “We’re a really tight team because of trust and mutual respect for each other. All the different calls we’ve been on, all the different reservoirs — they’ve really brought us closer.”
(Alex McCrindle can be contacted at 970.641.1414 or alex@ gunnisontimes.com.)
Matt Frey strides off the stern of the dive boat. Post gently kicks at the surface fefore the first morning dive.. Blue Mesa from the NPS dive boat.“All the different calls we’ve been on, all the different reservoirs — they’ve really brought us closer.”
Melissa Post NPS Dive Team
When firefighters descended upon the Gunnison Valley weeks ago to fight the growing Lowline Fire, Gunnison High School became their home base. While not all of the over 400 firefighters dispatched stayed at GHS, the ones who did occupied nearly 15 classrooms, the common space and even slept in the library and infirmary — rumored to have the most comfortable cot. Before leaving, the crew printed and laminated personalized notes for each classroom they stayed in, thanking the GHS staff who supported their stay.
“They were very organized, it was really neat to see. They were very friendly people. One guy even helped me water my plants … Taking care of those guys was quite a privilege,” said GHS custodian Carma Lepinske.
Following Gunnison’s new status as a Creative District, local artist Jennifer Vannatta began working on revitalizing the sculpture in front of the Gunnison County Chamber of Commerce on Tuesday, Aug. 22. Aside from a thorough cleaning, she applied fresh paint and a new skull.
Dan Estep and Suzanne Hetts Special to the Times
We recently had lunch with a collegial group of fellow hikers and rafters. Not surprisingly the conversation turned to the subject of pets, cats in particular. Anecdotes were shared about various aspects of cat personalities.
We remarked that cats don’t usually show territorial aggression to people. However, we remember one remarkable case we were consulted on in which an extremely territorially aggressive cat chased a Denver police officer out of the house and down the street. When Suzanne rang the doorbell for her appointment with the family, she saw the feline culprit sitting on a half-wall at the door hissing, spitting and growling with all its might. She avoided getting attacked, but the cat sat at her feet staring throughout the visit.
That’s an uncommon example of one type of cat personality. Many cats are under-socialized, and often disappear when visitors arrive. They may not be very friendly and cuddly even with the family. The sensitive period for socialization occurs much earlier in cats than it does in dogs. Studies show that cats that are handled and socialized between 2 and 7 weeks of age are more likely to be friendly to people than those whose socialization was delayed past seven weeks.
But early experience is not the only factor that influences a cat's personality. Genetics play a significant role. Research has shown that a trait initially labeled as “friendliness,” but later modified to “boldness,” is passed to kittens through their fathers. The same socializa -
tion study mentioned above found that cats from “friendlyfathered” parents — and were socialized early — were not only “friendlier to unfamiliar people, but less distressed when approached and handled by them.”
There is also a substantial amount of anecdotal evidence from those working in shelters and cat rescues that orange tabby cats tend to be friendly, calm and easily adjust to change. There is some research to support this as one study found orange cats had the highest scores in the study for being trainable, friendly and calm. We’ve had two orange tabby cats, and our experience is in line with this finding. Our three-legged female, named Tipper because of a traumatic amputation of one of her front legs, loved to lay on our chests whenever we were in the prone position. Our big male, named Buffett (after Jimmy Buffett), never met a stranger. Contrary to the territorial cat we described above, Buffett usually joined the dogs at the door with friendly greetings.
Speaking of dogs, another story shared over lunch was about how easily it seems cats can intimidate dogs. You’ve likely seen one or more online video compilations of cats easily controlling dogs with just a look and restricting their access to food or favorite resting places in the home. In our experience, cat-dog relationships are quite variable. We’ve been called out on many cases where a cat and dog weren’t getting along, and we were concerned about both the cat’s safety and quality of life. If conflicts occur, it's more likely to be the dog acting in a predatory way toward the cat, or playing too roughly such that
there is a risk of injury. It’s rare for cats to stalk and harass dogs in the family, although this type of behavior directed at other cats is not uncommon.
When cats in the same family aren’t getting along, it’s either a territorial or personal space problem. With time and patience, personal space issues can usually be resolved through behavior modification and helping cats become more tolerant of each other. Territorial disputes are much more difficult. In some cases, one cat just wants the other completely off the planet! In cases in which one cat was hiding in the basement or one room of the house, too afraid to come out, and all attempts at behavior modification failed, we’d recommend re-homing one of the cats. That sort of constant stress and fear results in a very poor quality of life.
How well individual cats get along with both people and other animals is influenced by both their experiences throughout their lives. If having the most sociable cat possible is important to you, then it’s best to acquire a kitten and provide that kitty with numerous positive experiences with all sorts of people, novel situations and objects and whatever other species you want her to co-exist with. You can go one step further and acquire a kitten from a reputable breeder known for breeding cats with good temperaments. But with so many shelter cats needing homes, we’d suggest starting there.
(Suzanne Hetts and Daniel Estep are certified animal behaviorists and part-time residents of the Gunnison Valley.)
•Aug. 29: Hike – Baldy Chato Peak. Rated Difficult. RSVP Required.
•Sept. 5 (10am): Splash Class starts! Join Sarah Schaefer, head lifeguard for the Aquatic Center, for a fun-filled class in the Leisure pool. Laugh, smile, enjoy the water – all while getting a good workout focused on balance and strength. This class is open to all levels. Please arrive early to sign up at the Rec Center front desk.
•Sept. 7: Pass Creek Hike. Rated Easy. This is a great hike for all levels – join us to enjoy our beautiful public lands! Hikes fill up so sign up early!
Sign up at the Rec Center front desk!
Mondays & Wednesdays in the Gym
• Silver Sneakers Boom Muscle @ 9:30am
• Silver Sneakers Classic @ 10:15am
Splash class will resume on September 5th! (Tuesdays @ 10am)
Mondays, Wednesdays & Fridays @ 11:30am. $5.00 per meals. Advanced orders appreciate (24 hours). Pick-ups between 11am – 11:15am (advanced orders only). ORDER MEALS: 970-641-8272
Menu: (all meals come with dessert!)
•Mon., Aug. 28 - Fri., Sept. 1: CLOSED for cleaning week.
Walk-ins & visitors welcome! Homebound adults ages 55 & up eligible for delivery. If you need a ride, call GVH Senior Bus @ 970596-6700 (call in advance).
AT
970-641-8272.
The Top O’ the World Garden Club awarded Kim and Gary Matheny of 912 Sunny Side with Yard of the Week. “Our house was built in 2017, and we bought it in the summer of 2018,” the pair wrote. “The previous owners left us with two tiny aspens and a pine tree in the front yard, along with a small patch of turf and sixteen various landscaping rocks scattered amongst the surrounding landscape gravel. The trees, small five years ago, have since bushed out and provide some welcome shade. We added two small flower beds in the gravel, barrels and pots of annuals, two lilacs and a clump of "short" tallgrass besides. All this gets a deep covering of snow, shed off the roof each winter, and has amazingly greened up each spring. Gary pulls weeds all over the lot and plants vegetables in the backyard. Kim takes care of the front yard, choosing and buying and planting plants for the barrels and pots, deadheading and watering and yet refusing to take much credit for the beautiful results. (Perhaps she hasn't quite yet gotten over killing the geranium she was entrusted with as part of her plant propagation and gardening class at Western State in the 1970s.) The barrels and planters hold osteospermum, gazania, stocks, daisies, lantana, dahlias, zinnias, angelonia and coleus this year. The beds have Asian, California, and Iceland poppies, delphiniums, balloon flowers, Asian lilies, gaillardia, sweet william and chrysanthemums. Each year, Gary grows some clarkia from seed, a plant he picked out of the Burpee catalog when he lived in Gunnison in the 1970s because it was said to like cool conditions. It went in the front yard on North Taylor along with kale, ranunculus and fava beans. Apparently some people in the garden club liked it well enough to start growing it themselves. Some of it wound up gracing table bouquets in the Epicurean Restaurant. It's a fun reminder of years past. Some citrus trees that spend the cold months inside, campout on the porch during the summer. All were planted from seeds collected from the breakfast table, one grapefruit tree still growing since 1991. Kim's Norfolk Pine gets the same treatment. Getting Yard of the Week is a real honor and a humbling experience. We always joked about getting Yard of the Weekend, or Yard of the Day, but never a full-fledged Yard of the Week. Thanks to the garden club.”
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.
Caregiver support group
The Alzheimer’s and Dementia Caregiver Support Group meets on the first Wednesday of every month from 4:30-5:30 p.m. at the Gunnison County Library. For more information, contact group facilitator Mary at 970.596.5667 or taktser8@gmail. com.
Alcoholicos Anonimos
Cada semana, lunes y miércoles. 8-9:30 p.m. 101 N. 8th Street, Gunnison. Si tiene alguna pregunta, por favor póngase en contacto 970.275.2241.
Overeaters Anonymous
Overeaters Anonymous meets on Thursdays from 11 a.m.-12 p.m. at The Last Resort, 114 Wisconsin Street in downtown Gunnison. This is an open meeting.
Two free legal clinics for parties with no attorney will be held on Sept. 13 from 2-5 p.m. at the Gunnison and Crested Butte libraries. Volunteer attorneys will answer questions and explain the process and procedure for areas of Colorado civil law including family, property, probate, collections, appeals, landlordtenant law, small claims, veterans issues and civil protection orders. Call 970.641.3485 in Gunnison or 970.349.6535 in Crested Butte to be added to the sign-up sheet. Space is limited.
Since 1984, the un-juried Paragon People’s Fair in Crested Butte has celebrated local artists over Labor Day weekend. This year, visit over 75 booths, enjoy live music, a dog show with costume contest and more. Please bring your own reusable shopping bag and refillable water bottle. Find more information at paragonartgallery.com.
On Sept. 2-3 at the Paragon People's Fair from 10 a.m.-4 p.m., browse well-loved, gently-used, rare and new books for kids and adults. This sale is a fundraiser for a service work trip to Guatemala.
All Gunnison School Board candidates have been invited to participate in three forums to be broadcast live on 98.3 KEJJ FM radio. The first forum will be held on Aug. 29 from 6-8 p.m., broadcast from the W Cafe, 114 N. Main St. in Gunnison. Doors will open at 5:30 p.m. Seating is limited, so please tune-in to 98.3 FM. The next forums will be held on Sept. 14 and Oct. 18.
Meet author Ben Goldfarb
On Aug. 28 at 6 p.m., High Country Conservation Advocates and the Western Colorado University Master of Environmental Management Program present Ben Goldfarb, author of “Eager: The Surprising, Secret Life of Beavers and Why They Matter” at the Gunnison Library. Refreshments will be served.
The High Country Conservation Advocates annual potluck is Aug. 27 at 5 p.m. at The Depot, 716 Elk Ave. in Crested Butte. This year's guest speaker is Ben Goldfarb, author of “Eager: The Surprising, Secret Life of Beavers and Why They Matter.” Enjoy live music by Sunny Downpour. Please bring a dish, beverages and your own eating and drinking utensils.
The Crested Butte School of Dance will host an open house on Aug. 27 from 4-6 p.m. at the Pump Room Studio at 306 Maroon Avenue in Crested Butte. Dancers of all skill levels and ages are welcome. Visit dancecrestedbutte.org or contact programs@dancecrestedbutte.org for more information.
The Crested Butte School of Dance will hold an open call for dancers aged 18 and up at the Pump Room Studio at 306 Maroon Avenue in Crested Butte on Aug. 27 at 6 p.m. Visit dancecrestedbutte.org or contact programs@dancecrestedbutte.org for more information.
The Crested Butte Mountain Runners will meet at the old Irwin Lodge above Lake Irwin to run Scarp’s Ridge on Aug. 26 at 8 a.m. Please consider carpooling, as parking is limited. For trail maps and further information visit cbmountainrunners.org.
Alex McCrindle Times Sports Editor
The GHS boys soccer team hosted a dream opening match on Aug. 19 against the Pagosa Springs Pirates. Once the dust had settled, the Cowboys walked away with a 9-2 victory in the first match of the season. The win moves the GHS record to 1-0 ahead of the turbulent, three-game week ahead.
Head Coach Susan Powers said she was encouraged by the teamwork amongst her players.
“You never really know what you’re going to step out onto the field with for that first game,” Powers said. “I was super pleased. In previous seasons, we’ve relied heavily on individual talent, but we’ve been work-
ing hard to perform better as a team. I was happy to see some of that starting to click.”
Against the Pirates, senior attackers Henry Hubbard and Alonso Garcia each bagged three goals apiece. Sophomore Cesar Marmolejo scored a brace and junior Owen Powers scored one.
Coach Powers was quick to highlight her senior center backs, Gael Ayala and Brain Perez for a strong defensive showing.
“They take care of business and show really great leadership on our back line,” she said.
Next up, GHS is slated to host Colorado Springs Christian on Aug. 26 at 11 a.m., before traveling to Manitou Springs on Aug. 29.
Coach Powers said the boys are preparing to face stronger opposition in upcoming matches.
“We want to improve our pass completion and capitalize on opportunities more consistently,” she said. “I want to see more of a focus on build -
up play through the midfield, rather than countering quickly every time. But it's been a really encouraging start.”
Jacob Spetzler
Times Photo Editor
In a series of tight sets, the Cowboy varsity volleyball team kicked off its fall season with a dramatic 3-1 win over the Sanford Mustangs on Saturday, Aug. 19. The first two sets followed a similar arch, both finishing 25-23. The score stayed even until the late teens before Sanford put together a three or four point win. The Cowboys fought back during each set to close the gap and seal the deal.
The Mustangs managed to
steal the third match 25-19, but Gunnison stymied Sanford’s comeback attempt in the fourth, taking the set 26-24.
Head Coach Lindsay Hart said the win was exciting, in part because of the precedent the team set by winning the season opener. It was also a moral builder due to the strength of Sanford’s volleyball program. Gunnison has consistently struggled against the Mustangs over the past few seasons so an early season win bodes well for Gunnison.
But Hart said the most important outcome of the win was that it gestured at a change in her team’s mental game.
“Last year, we struggled a lot with mental fortitude, toughness and ability to fight back after losing a couple points,” Hart said. “But in this game,
being down six or seven points most of the game and coming out on top, that's a pretty incredible win for us to take and I'm really pleased to see it.”
Hart highlighted Sienna Gomez, the team’s setter, for the impact she had on the course of each match.
“She was the player of the game,” Hart said. “She did a lot to break us out when we would be on a point losing streak, or had made some hitting errors or serving errors. She worked really hard to turn that around and made smart plays.”
The Cowboys will face Aspen Skiers at home this Friday, Aug. 25, with game time set for 4 p.m.
(Jacob Spetzler can be contacted at 970.641.1414 or jacob@gunnisontimes.com.)
Western Colorado University is entering the season ranked third, the league announced Wednesday in its preseason poll release. The RMAC Football Coaches Preseason Poll is voted on by the league’s 10 head coaches, who are not permitted to vote for their own program.
The Mountaineers round out the top-three positions with 62 points and one first-place vote. Western is seasoned and poised to make another run at a conference title after earn ing a share in 2021. The season will begin at home on Sept. 2 against West Texas A&M.
Mines leads the way with nine first-place votes and 81 points after a historic season in 2022 where the team made a berth in the NCAA Division II Championship. The Orediggers will be led into action behind first-year Head Coach Pete Sterbick.
Colorado State University
Pueblo checks in at No. 2 in RMAC preseason voting with 71 points behind firstyear head coach Philip Vigil. The ThunderWolves earned a postseason berth in 2022 and reloaded ahead of the 2023 campaign with plenty of offensive and defensive weapons.
South Dakota Mines occupies
host Grand Valley State. South Dakota Mines is slated to host NAIA opponent Valley City State on Friday, Sept. 1.
On Saturday, Sept. 2, six more RMAC football programs will be in action, including Black Hills State at University of St. Thomas, Fort Lewis at William Jewell College, Colorado Mesa at home against Texas A&M Kingsville, Western Colorado at home against West Texas A&M, Adams State at home against Lincoln University and CSU Pueblo hosting Midwestern State.
Each game that is hosted by a RMAC institution will be broadcast on the RMAC Network throughout the 2023 campaign.
(Source: Western Colorado University.)
The Cowboy football squad opened the season with a bang, defeating Del Norte 49-0 on Aug. 19. The victory gives the team a 1-0 record ahead of its opening home game against Aspen on Aug. 25 at 6 p.m. The Cowboys’ first league match-up is slated for Sept. 15 at home against Buena Vista.
e Colorado Geological Survey (CGS), a department of the Colorado School of Mines, has been funded through a grant from the Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment (CDPHE) to conduct a 5-year study of baseline radionuclides and metals in groundwater obtained from privately owned residential water wells throughout Colorado. CDPHE’s reason for this study is education focused for homeowners on wells. Note: CDPHE has no regulatory authority over private wells. e grant is covering the costs so is free to home owners.
For this e ort, 50 water samples are currently available for Gunnison County. ese were divided up in a grid, with each grid space containing 1 or 2 proposed water samples. If the number of volunteers in a given grid space exceeds the quota, the CGS will prioritizing selection of participants by spatial distribution combined with geologic considerations, and secondarily a rst come, rst-served basis.
For this e ort we are seeking volunteers to whom we will ship, via FedEx Ground, a boxed sampling kit that contains sample bottle, instructions, a sample form to complete, and a pre-paid FedEx Ground return shipping label. Once we receive a water sample, we will assign a sample number to anonymize it. us, the owner’s contact information will stay solely with CGS. We anticipate at least 2 or maybe 3 month turn-around times before we can email lab results to the individual well owners.
Volunteers, please send an email to LSEBOL@mines.edu with your name, shipping address, (physical address of property if di erent) and phone number (FedEx requires phone numbers for shipping). A reply email will be sent with more detailed information. If possible, please also identify which grid space the well is located within (grids are shown on our county grid map).
The Cowboy softball team dominated its fourth game of the season, defeating Florence High School 18-2 on Aug. 22. Starting pitcher Brooke Rickert only threw four innings before the score was determined out of reach. The win extends the GHS record to 3-0-1, having drawn Montrose 1-1 on Aug. 16. Up next, the girls will face Strasburg High School at home on Friday, Aug. 25 at 5 p.m.
The Butte Kickers co-ed adult soccer team played in the Telluride Adult Invitational Tournament Aug. 19-20. The team included members from the Gunnison, Crested Butte and Denver soccer communities, including five former Western Colorado University women's players. The team beat Telluride United 2-1, with goals scored by Brice Koval and Graham Koval. The Butte Kickers tied Cuddly Babies 1-1, and lost it’s final match against The Resistance 3-0.
Maddy Bacalis slides into home.
Kylee McDougal hammers a line drive into left field.
(Courtesy Laurel Fisher)
Players rejoice inside the home dugout. (Photos by Jacob Spetzler)
There was an explosion in the barracks!
Was it a hand grenade?
Something else? All the soldiers knew is that the barracks was locked down for several days. In good military fashion, nobody told the soldiers what was going on. This is one event during the army service of long-time Pitkin and Gunnison resident John Espinoza.
He joined the U.S. Army with a buddy, Henry Medina, from his hometown, Pitkin, Colorado. The buddies were soon separated, though, as Henry became a cook and John
served in a communications unit. John was on active duty from 1958 to 1960.
He completed basic training at Fort Carson, Colorado, then joined his unit, which was deployed to West Germany. At this time — before the days of mass air travel — units were shipped by train and ship. It took three troop trains to ship Espinoza’s unit and equipment to the east coast.
He loved Germany and the German people. It was only 13 years after the end of World War II, but the Germans went out of their way to treat Americans well. So well that Espinoza said he would have reenlisted, if he could have stayed in Germany. His service was during the
Cold War. At the time, many believed that huge Soviet armies could blast through the West German border at any time. So the training was serious. He eventually was put in charge of his own communications team. They ran and maintained the radios. They also would set up a series of landlines at each new position, since an enemy could not easily intercept phone calls across this internal system. This was serious business.
Espinoza has many interesting memories of his time in Germany, such as the time in a Gasthaus (pub) close to Berlin when several Russian soldiers walked in. The Americans tried to talk with the Soviets, but
with no success. He once met a German at a Gasthaus who invited him home to meet with his family. When a group of German youths visited his small communications team of four soldiers, one boy, about 12 years old, attempted to steal a rifle from the unit.
John was discharged in 1960. He returned to the Gunnison Valley, raised a family with his wife, Francis, and worked at various jobs, ending with his 30-year stint at Blue Mesa Lumber, now Alpine Lumber.
(Mark High is a Gunnison vet eran of the U.S. Marine Corps.)
SPONSORED BY:
VETERAN EVENTS & LOCAL INFORMATION
Sat. Sept. 2nd: VETERAN BREAKFAST at The American Legion, 9am-11am. All veterans, their families and friends are welcome!
Mon. Sept. 11th is Patriot Day. Fly your flag at half-staff.
Fri. Sept. 15th is National POW/MIA Recognition Day
Wed. Sept. 20th: The American Legion Post 54 monthly meeting, dinner at 5pm, meeting at 6pm.
Do you or a veteran you know need help? Please call the Veterans Crisis Line, DIAL 988 then PRESS 1, TEXT 838255, or go to veteranscrisisline.net
Excerpt from Abraham Lincoln’s 2nd Inaugural Address, 1865: “To bind up the nation’s wounds, to care for him who shall have borne the battle, and for his widow and his orphan”
RYAN JORDI • 970-596-1906
Interested in sponsoring this page? Contact Steve to learn more, steve@gunnisontimes.com or 970.641.1414
Earlier this month, a group of students from Community Church of Gunnison, along with a few adult leaders, spent nine days in the country of Cuba. The team helped with numerous events for children, served in a youth sports ministry and canvased neighborhoods doing outreach for those with no connection to the church. “There are no national boundaries or borders that can prevent the spread of God’s Kingdom and the good news about Jesus Christ,” said Pastor Larry Nelson. “As followers of Christ, we’ve been left with a commission from Jesus to take the gospel to the nations. Though Cuba is a next-door neighbor, less than 100 miles off the coast of Florida, life there seems like a world away from where we live, and this was an opportunity for our students to obey Christ’s command.”
Legion Park was once again the site of the annual High Octane Arts and Crafts Festival in conjunction with the Gunnison Car Show on Aug. 19. Vendors, both local and from across the state, sold a variety of art, ceramics and snacks during the day-long event.
The providers at the Gunnison Valley Health Women’s Health Clinic are specialists who offer a broad continuum of care that support women to access the services they need without leaving the community. The available services encompass everything from prevention to surgery.
The Six Points All Stars returned to the blacktop on Aug. 19, competing at the Special Olympics State Cycling meet. The athletes took on top competitors from across Colorado and pedaled around the Air Force Academy athletic fields in Colorado Springs.
Coach Brian Smith said the event was rewarding to be a part of.
“Over the weekend the guys got to meet up with friends and competitors from previous events,” Smith said. “That’s really what these events are all about, the camaraderie of catching up with old friends. The whole event was a blast.”
The All Stars donned brand new, custom jerseys from OffCenter DeSIGNS, and stayed cool under a new canopy donated from Heights Physical Therapy.
“We really lucked out with all the community support to make this event happen,” Smith said.
Dr. Deborah Tozer, MD is a board-certified OB/GYN who enjoys having the opportunity to provide continuity of care from adolescence and beyond. Dr. Tozer prides herself in offering high quality and patient centered care in both obstetrics and gynecology.
Joy McElyea, DNP, WHNP is a women’s health nurse practitioner who specializes in healthcare for women from adolescence through the post-menopausal period. She has a passion for women’s healthcare and is excited to offer her specialty at Gunnison Valley Health.
The clinic is open Monday and Wednesday and is located in the specialty clinic on the second floor of the hospital. Appointments are required and can be scheduled by calling 970-641-3927. More information about the specific services offered is available at WWW.GUNNISONVALLEYHEALTH.ORG/WOMENSHEALTH.
Direct Access Testing gives you the option to choose selected tests without a clinical provider’s order. Direct Access Testing is an important resource but should not be a substitution for treatment by a medical provider. You should discuss test results with your primary care provider.
Payment for testing is due at the time of service and insurance will not be billed.
Direct Access Testing is available at the hospital laboratory on a walk-in basis, no appointment necessary.
Monday to Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
FOR CURRENT PRICING AND TEST DESCRIPTIONS, VISIT WWW.GUNNISONVALLEYHEALTH.ORG/DAT
A market-goer surveys the goods. (Photos by Jacob Spetzler)
Pam Carroll, Pat McMahen and Pat Lutz pose for a photo in their booth while selling a variety of sweet treats.
