Gunnison Country Times, May 2, 2024

‘It

takes three villages’

Hwy. 50 bridge closure has farreaching impacts

Abby Harrison Times Staff Writer

Typically, Peggy Stockton’s trip to Grand Junction for her husband Tom’s chemotherapy appointment takes two hours. Last week, the couple woke up a little after 5 a.m., piled into their car and drove nearly seven hours, along I-70, for the same appointment.

The couple, both in their early 80s, have lived on a 100-acre plot of land between Powderhorn and Sapinero Bridge A6

NEWS: Hispanic-owned businesses awarded state grant, A13

COMMUNITY: Aerial dancers defy gravity, B1

SPORTS: CB lacrosse finishes home campaign with win, B4

A3

A4

A15-A18

B4

County working to clear Kebler for early opening

State money lifts some burden from local budgets

Abby Harrison Times Staff Writer

Nearly two weeks ago, Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) officials closed the Hwy. 50 “middle bridge” after inspectors found cracks in the steel. Since then, Gunnison County Public Works crews have been working to clear remote county roads, which are usually buried in snow this time of year, as possible detours.

Public works staff are working with CDOT employees to clear Kebler Pass, which connects Crested Butte to Hwy. 133 and the North Fork Valley, earlier than its usual Memorial Day opening date. As of Monday, April 29, the pass is at least three weeks out from being ready for traffic, said Assistant County Manager for Public Works Martin Schmidt.

“Hopefully we can underpromise and over-deliver,” Schmidt said. “But everything would have to come together perfectly. We were going to work as hard and as quickly as we can to get it open.”

With the help of CDOT snow blowers, Gunnison County Road and Bridge Department

Kebler A8

With less ice, boaters push for winter access on Blue Mesa

Park Service plans to relaunch hotline for locals

Bella Biondini Times Editor

Because much of Blue Mesa Reservoir remained free of ice this winter, boaters wanted to take advantage of the open water. But the National Park Service, which manages the Curecanti National Recreation Area around the reservoir, wor-

ried that unrestricted access could introduce aquatic invasive species into the reservoir. Invasive species are nonnative plants and animals that are unintentionally carried outside of their historic range. Populations of zebra and quagga mussels, New Zealand mudsnails, rusty crayfish and Eurasian watermilfoil, can wreak havoc on lake and reservoir ecosystems and can cost millions of dollars to mitigate.

During summer months, a team of Park Service rangers inspects motor and trailer boats before they are launched into Winter boating A5

WILD RIDE: Katherine Browne of West Elk Equine arrived at the Legs, Kegs & Eggs 5K Fun Run on April 27 in style atop her Texas longhorn steer, Groot. For more, see A14 (Photo by Mariel Wiley)

“Tourism is our lifeblood up here. We’re very isolated, and on our own.”

— Jessica Amie, Arrowhead Mountain Lodge

Nelson sentenced to 12 years

Charges include forgery, extortion and retaliation

Abby Harrison Times Staff Writer

See story on A1

Brett Andrew Nelson, 44, has been sentenced to 12 years in prison in the Colorado Department of Corrections (DOC). After a seven-day jury trial in early March in Gunnison District Court, Nelson was found guilty of 20 of 24 counts brought against him by a Colorado grand jury in April 2022.

The charges include various counts of criminal extortion, retaliation against a judge, attempt to influence a public servant, stalking and forgery.

Late last month, a vinyl banner was hung outside the former Taco Bell building at 310 W. Tomichi Ave. The banner read “Waffle House coming soon.” Grand Junction real estate broker Mike Foster debunked the claim after the community debated whether the sign was legitimate.

“I don’t know who might have placed the sign and why, other than maybe personal amusement,” Foster said. Although the Waffle House case has been closed, Foster said the property is under contract. He declined to disclose more details before press time.

Gunnison attorney a finalist for 7th Judicial District judge

Deputy County Attorney Alex San Filippo-Rosser has been selected as one of three finalists for the 7th Judicial District court judge vacancy.

The 7th Judicial includes Delta, Gunnison, Hinsdale, Montrose, Ouray and San Miguel counties. The nominating commission, which included several locals, also selected Kellie L. Staritt of Montrose and Bennet A. Morris of Lake City.

The vacancy, which will start on July 1, was created by the retirement of Judge. J. Steven Patrick, who has served as a district judge in Gunnison since 1993.

The Colorado Constitution dictates that the governor has 15 days from April 30 to appoint one of the nominees as the new district judge.

Free fraud alert service

A free fraud alert service is now available to all Gunnison County property owners through the Gunnison County Clerk's Office.

This system sends an automated email notification to the subscriber when there is activity on a property associated with the homeowner’s name. For further questions, call the county’s recording technicians at 970.641.2038.

The victims included several judges, law enforcement officers and prosecutors in Western Slope counties, including Gunnison.

According to an April 24 press release from the Colorado Attorney General’s Office, “State prosecutors presented evidence that Nelson used sovereign citizen-like tactics starting in 2018 to submit numerous fraudulent documents, such as powers of attorney and default judgments, against public officials and individuals involved in criminal and domestic relations cases where he was a defendant.”

“Brett Nelson’s actions undermined the integrity of our legal system and endangered the safety of several Coloradans who were doing their job. This conviction and sentencing advances the rule of law and protects public safety,” said Attorney General Phil Weiser, whose office prosecuted the case.

Nelson has been held in the Gunnison County Detention Center since February of 2023. He was granted a 60-day stay of sentence, so he’ll remain in the detention center until at least June 23, said Gunnison County

Plantains and house plants

or abby@ gunnisontimes.com.)

Gunnison residents shopped for houseplants and dined on fresh Jamaican cuisine during the Gunnison Country Chamber of Commerce’s Business After Hours event on April 25. Sierra Joy sang classic rock hits with her acoustic guitar on the front porch of Rocky Mountain Rose. The Rose co-hosted the evening with the Plant’N Tree Jamaican food truck.

Sheriff Adam Murdie. Anytime after that, the DOC can transport him.

(Abby Harrison can be contacted at 970.641.1414

(Photos by Mariel Wiley)

Waffle House hoax

Brett Andrew Nelson in February 2023. (Times archives )

Thomas Wayne Anthony

Affectionately known by many as “Tommy Wayne” and by his beloved grandchildren as “Mon,” Thomas Wayne Anthony peacefully left us on April 11 for his heavenly home to be with his lord and savior, Jesus Christ and to be reunited with his wife and love of his life, Desse Pinckard Anthony. His family will miss how he couldn’t pray without crying, his encyclopedic knowledge of all things, his love for books and reading and the endless joy he derived from being with his family and sharing with them his love of God’s creation.

Born in Dallas, Texas to Francis Wayne “Tony” Anthony and Kathrina “Burns” Irby Anthony, Tom was raised in Sherman, Texas with his brother, William Douglas “Bill” Anthony. He was a star athlete in high school, excelling in the discus and shot put in track and field. He attended the University of Texas in Austin, leaving his senior year to enter the aviation program of the Texas Air National Guard. He met Desse in Dallas through friends, telling her on their first

date, “You know, this is going to lead to something permanent.” They were married in Chipley, Florida on July 30, 1960. They had their three daughters in Dallas before moving to the mountains above Golden, Colorado in 1969, where their son was born.

Tom pursued a career as a real estate broker and developer in Denver, making significant contributions to the landscape on the front range. After moving from Golden to Gunnison in 1983, Tom and Desse shuttled between Colorado, Florida and Texas, but their hearts were always in Colorado. They were Gunnison residents for over 40 years.

Tom loved the Colorado mountains and everything outdoors, taking his family skiing, hiking and camping every weekend. Tom loved Labrador retrievers and he and Desse raised five of them. He was an avid hunter and fisherman. He floated most of the floatable rivers in the west in his treasured McKenzie drift boat, fly-fishing in every eddy along the way. He joined his favorite clan of sportsmen to float the last wild section of the lower Gunnison River through the Black Canyon — a harrowing adventure to help preserve Colorado’s best trout river before it was lost forever.

Tom was a Texas gentleman who loved his country and proudly raised his family to do the same. Every Colorado blue sky, clear flowing river, Marty Robbin’s song and grove of golden aspen trees will remind

us of him. We will miss him every day, but are grateful God gave him to us as a devoted husband, father and grandfather. We know we will see him with our mother again someday in heaven.

Tom is survived by his four children, daughters, Eve Hayward (Dan), Lea Easter (Robert), Glyn Nordstrom (Jim), son, Clay Anthony (Brenda), grandchildren, Jordan Taylor (Steele), Will Easter (Anne Banks), Maryn DeYoung (Jon), Beck Nordstrom, Alden Lopez (Max), Haley Nordstrom, Skylar Hayward, Britt and Annika Nordstrom and Dylan, Ben and David Anthony, great-grandchildren. Sam, Margot and Lane Taylor, his niece, Annamari Lannon (Matt) and their children, Lennox, JohnPaul and Freedom, his brother-in-law, William “Buzz” Pinckard (Lisl), his nephews, Devin and Casey Pinckard and his cousin, Gail Natale.

A celebration of life will be held in Gunnison on June 30. Please consider a gift to Six Points of Gunnison at sixpointsgunnison.org. Tom was a proud volunteer of the year there many times.

Deanna Lee Hood Deanna Lee Hood, 75, of Olathe, Colorado and formerly of Gunnison, passed away at her residence on April 22, 2024. Crippin Funeral Home and Crematory is assisting Mrs. Hood’s family. For more information, please call 970.249.2121.

Gray-sky grazing

Cattle munch on spring shrubbery beside County Road 18 on April 27.

This presentation will cover parent satisfaction — the extent to which you are satisfied with your relationship with your child — specifically in relation to parent-child interactions and behaviors. Parent satisfaction is often low during the teenage years. This presentation will help create understanding of adolescence and explore ways to find more satisfaction in the relationship.

RSVP HERE

and

5/17 — TOP GUN I AND II

WCU Theater at 5 and 8 p.m.

FRI. 5/24 — SHREK IN SPANISH WCU Theater at 5 and 8 p.m.

970.641.1414

© 2024 Gunnison Country Times

Publisher/Owner Alan Wartes publisher@gunnisontimes.com

Office Manager Bonnie Gollhofer bonnie@gunnisontimes.com

Editor Bella Biondini bella@gunnisontimes.com

Staff Writer Abby Harrison abby@gunnisontimes.com

Photo Editor Mariel Wiley mariel@gunnisontimes.com

Sports Editor Alex McCrindle alex@gunnisontimes.com

Advertising Manager Steve Nunn steve@gunnisontimes.com

Advertising Assistant Issa Forrest issa@gunnisontimes.com

Production Manager Issa Forrest issa@gunnisontimes.com

THE GUNNISON COUNTRY TIMES (ISSN 0892-1113) is published weekly by Alan Wartes Media LLC., 218 N. Wisconsin St., Gunnison, Colorado 81230. Periodical postage paid at Gunnison, Colorado. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to:

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2023

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

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When the lights go out

Bonnie Gollhofer Times Special Publications Editor

Sequin-clad revelers swayed beneath the spinning of a disco ball, drinks in hand. Music and laughter echoed across the dance floor into the wee hours of the morning. For some, this was nothing more than a festive evening among friends. For others, as the music faded and party-goers stumbled into the night, drunken celebrations led to darker territory.

The darkness I refer to was once my own. Just over 10 years ago, I attended a community party in Crested Butte. Like many before me, I drank excessively that night and met an attractive stranger. I blacked out after leaving the party with him and woke up the next morning in an unfamiliar apartment, unsure of what had occurred. I was naked and alone.

Later that year, I left a party in Mt. Crested Butte. This time I was with someone I knew. We missed the last bus down the mountain and drunkenly decided to walk back to Crested Butte while attempting to hitchhike. It was early spring and the temperature plummeted fast. We were picked up by a passing driver after over an hour in the cold.

In 2017, I detailed my private struggle with depression in a social media post. I didn’t want to be alive anymore. Many

LETTERS

Waiting for someone to say something

Editor:

Is it time yet to talk about Palestine? Can we say genocide? Can we condemn antisemitism and Islamophobia? Can we figure out how to mourn all deaths and lament American complicity? Can we connect the dots between Netanyahu, Orban, Trump and other right wing lunatics?

I’ve been watching and waiting for someone to comment on the disaster in Gaza: the sorrow we all feel for dead Israelis in October, the pain for hostages and their families, the horror over dead Palestinians, the grief for Palestinian children in Israeli jails; the shame many of us feel for having neglected thinking about Israel and baked in Christian assumptions about Israel as essential to the return of Christ; the stupidity of American political propaganda about Israel as our stable democratic partner in a region of

friends responded with infinite love and support. One was a practicing therapist. She was among the first to offer me helpful ideas for processing complicated emotions. My journey toward sustainable mental health is ongoing.

Today, public conversations about sexual assault, mental health and suicide are happening in our communities and on the pages of this newspaper. That hasn’t always been the case. I’m grateful for the courage of those who choose to speak out because lives are being saved. Mine is one of them.

And yet, with all of this talk about awareness, resources and support, I’ve noticed a piece missing from local discourse: substance use. Specifically, alcohol consumption and its effect on decision-making and emotional well-being.

Alcohol is an addictive depressant. Drinking causes imbalances in the brain’s neurotransmitters. This temporarily reduces inhibition, alters thoughts and feelings and reduces cognitive function. Essentially, when we drink, we aren’t ourselves.

According to a 2022 survey done by the Community Foundation of the Gunnison Valley, the rate of adult binge drinking (consuming four to five drinks over approximately two hours) in Gunnison County was between 22 and 24%. That’s nearly 3% higher than the state average.

The Community Foundation survey also revealed that the number of individuals found with alcohol in their systems after suicide was 9% higher in Gunnison County than the state average. Substance use and

dictators — while completely propping up Saudi Arabia without a hint of shame.

How about the parade of liberal talking points about how protests in the past were good, but what’s happening on college campuses is too extreme?

I’ve been waiting for someone to say something so I could support or oppose them, which is the coward’s route, I guess.

If you’re interested in talking, crying and planning, if you know that being pro-Palestine doesn’t mean being antisemitic, if you understand Hamas does not equal Gaza, let me know. We’ll try to put something together: ianwrisley@gmail. com.

Ian Wrisley Gunnison

A note of thanks

Editor:

Our family fell in love with Gunnison the moment we

abuse often paralleled emergency hospital admissions for mental health crises and suicide attempts.

Recent incidents covered in the Gunnison Country Times left me feeling frustrated and heartbroken. A young local’s life was snuffed out due to hypothermia. At the time of her death, alcohol and cocaine were present in her system. She died alone in the snow. In a sexual assault case handled by the Gunnison District Court, both the accused and the female plaintiff had been drinking when alleged events occurred. There is always more to a story than what ultimately goes on record, but substance use plays a role.

Both of these women had family and friends who loved them deeply. Both were under the influence of substances when their lives were forever altered. The only difference between me and anyone who becomes a headline is that I was lucky.

It’s not my place to make accusatory statements, or tell anyone how to live. I do want my story and those of others to spark more discussion about the ripple effects of substance use.

Sobriety is an option and appears to be gaining traction.

A 2024 analysis by consumer research group NCSolutions found that 41% of Americans surveyed were attempting to drink less. That percentage rose to 61% among those aged 21 to 26. Of that group, over half said they were choosing to live alcohol-free to support their mental health.

Many local restaurants and bars now offer an assortment of “mocktails” as alternatives to boozing the night away. My own

visited to tour Western. The Gunnison Country Times has kept me updated on the latest happenings in the city and connected to your amazing community.

After four unbelievable years of education at Western Colorado University, my daughter will graduate on May 4. Thank you Gunnison for taking care of my daughter these past four years. I dropped her off in August 2020 in the middle of a pandemic. She trusted you from day one. I knew that I could too, and that was a huge sigh of relief.

We did not know how much we would love you and your community. From the friends she has made, the professors she’s learned from, the girls hockey team and the amazing hockey community that she played with and coached — you wrapped her in a hug and took care of her.

I watched as she stepped out of her comfort zone. There were people in her Western com -

vision is of a late-night arts and culture hub offering food, music and connection in a substancefree environment.

I hope that community discussion around substance use will lead to further actions valley-wide. If events wind down well past midnight, transportation should be readily available at all hours. Gunnison’s free SAFERIDE program runs on Wednesday, Friday and Saturday nights from 8 p.m. to 2:30 a.m. Crested Butte’s after-hours shuttle service runs seven days a week from 10 p.m. to 3 a.m. and costs $10 per person. Private taxi services and rideshare apps like Uber operate sporadically. How can we fill in the blanks to get people home safely? Winter nights are long and frigid. Places to socialize away from the allure of substance use are few and far between. “Social drinking” is embedded in mountain town culture.

As Mental Health Awareness Month comes to a close and the green lights in our doorways go dark, keep in mind that while we all make individual choices around substance use, we owe it to ourselves and our loved ones to look out for one another. Can we check in with our friends and neighbors when things don’t feel right, or will we be too drunk and high to notice?

(Bonnie Gollhofer can be reached at 970-641-1414 or bonnie@gunnisontimes.com)

(A confidential, 24-hour crisis hotline is available at 844493-8255 or by texting TALK to 38255.)

munity that gave her the confidence when she wanted to quit. They literally and physically held her hand and helped her through panic attacks to conquer her fears.

Your hockey community taught her that there is life beyond her junior hockey days. Your ice invited her to explore, and once again find that little girl that fell in love with the game. She was able to share that love with the next generation by coaching. Your mountains took her on long runs to clear her head, and camping on weekends with friends. And they taught her to ski. She arrived a California girl and is leaving a true Coloradan. This is not good-bye Gunni, this is “see you soon,” because you are a good friend that we can’t wait to visit again.

Sandy Alvares San Jose, California

Blue Mesa to reduce the chance these species unintentionally enter the water. The agency’s seasonal rangers depart with the summer crowds before the snow flies, leaving a skeleton crew behind. Over the winter, boat inspections have generally not been available. Blue Mesa is usually dominated by ice fishermen and women as the reservoir is covered in ice up to a foot thick in some places.

The reservoir is closed off naturally by a sheet of ice most years, so the winter boat inspection slowdown generally isn’t an issue. But this winter, 40% of Blue Mesa remained free of ice, and many boaters launched from the shoreline to access the open water without inspections — putting Blue Mesa at risk.

Last month, the Park Service held a public forum at the Fred Field Center to discuss Curecanti’s boat inspection season and the agency’s limited capacity in the winter. A second meeting followed shortly after in Montrose. With warmer temperatures becoming more common, management hoped to put a better system in place at Curecanti for the upcoming winter.

After deciding that boat launches without inspection were an unacceptable risk to the long-term health of the reservoir, Park Service managers plan to launch a winter hotline for those who want to float when the water and ramps are ice-free. Boaters will be able to call a specific number and rangers, if available, will inspect boats and open the gate at the Lake Fork or Elk Creek ramps.

Bill Brueggeman, the aquatic invasive species coordinator and supervisory park ranger for Curecanti National Recreation Area and the Black Canyon of the Gunnison, expected a similar lack of ice next winter. But due to tight federal budget and staff shortages, the Park Service still planned to close the boat ramps along the reservoir in mid-December — whether the ramps were frozen over, or not.

“I can’t break that cycle, I simply don’t have the money or staff to do it,” Brueggeman said to a full room of local boaters and fishermen on April 8.

Curecanti’s main boat ramps — Elk Creek to the east, and Lake Fork to the west — are usually open from the first of May until mid-December. Boats with electric or gas-powered engines entering the reservoir must be inspected and sometimes decontaminated prior to launching. To do their part, boat owners are required to clean, drain, and dry in between each use. This protocol is in place at lakes and reservoirs around the state.

As winter sets in and the reservoir and ramps freeze over, backing trailers into the water can become dangerous and the Park Service liable for possible accidents, Brueggeman said. At the same time, the Curecanti’s crew of seasonal rangers disperses, cutting the amount of employees available for boat inspections down by more than

80%. This is the first year the Park Service has been able to stagger start dates through the end of December.

For years, boaters could call a specific number at Curecanti and reach law enforcement rangers, who could assist with launches. While this system used to work, the Park Service’s team has shrunk, and many rangers’ first priority is providing emergency services in the recreation area, said Superintendent Stuart West.

“Why is our season so short?” West said. “Many of our employees are seasonal. They are restricted and can only work six months out of the year. Period.”

The group gathered at Fred Field made a multitude of suggestions the Park Service could use to try and potentially create safer winter access at Blue Mesa, including: a volunteer inspection program; denying access to boats that have been on other lakes; and an honor system for those who only plan to put in on Blue Mesa over the winter.

“I think everybody here could say ‘I wouldn’t risk my lake over a snail, because this is our livelihood,” said Joe Rota, owner of the Sapinero Village Campground. The property is located on the western side of the reservoir.

Boaters also asked for clarification on whether the Park Service will allow the shore launch of boats with electric motors. Unlike gas-powered boats, vessels with electric motors do not take up water to cool the engine, and pose less risk of introducing invasive species. But Jon Hare, High Country Conservation Advocates new advocacy director, said he supported boat inspections, both electric and gas, citing Highline State Park.

In 2022, Highline Lake, near Fruita, was the first Colorado body of water categorized as “infested” with zebra mussels. It will be drained this year in an attempt to eradicate the invasive species.

Some electric motors still have compartments that can hold infected water, Hare said.

“Nobody wants to limit access to public lands,” He said.

“It's important as a value to our community, and I agree with everybody in this room. But the consequences of having aquatic

nuisance species get into our reservoir are far greater.”

The continued range expansion of zebra and quagga mussels throughout the West over the last decade has put water bodies in Colorado at a much higher risk of infestation. Mollusk populations can grow exceptionally over a short period of time.

The mussels attach themselves to surfaces such as boats, water distribution pipes and hydroelectric equipment, leading to millions of dollars of damage to infrastructure. The mussels are also filter feeders, and can alter water quality and lead to collapse of the aquatic food chain. On average, Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) inspects 500,000 boats each year. In 2023, less 1% were found to be contaminated with invasive mussels.

Another species CPW encounters regularly throughout the state is the New Zealand mudsnail. The snails can consume much of the food available in a water body, and can reproduce asexually. This means a single snail can start an entirely new population. The mudsnails pass through a fish’s digestive system unharmed, leaving native fish malnourished. They were discovered in the Uncompahgre River near the Town of Montrose and the Gunnison River west of Delta between 2016 and 2017.

In fiscal year 2022-23, the department spent $5.8 million on its aquatic invasive species prevention program, according to CPW Invasive Species Program Manager Robert Walters. But it’s a price that’s worth it, he said.

“This is not a cheap program to do all this prevention,” Walters said. “But the cost is significantly less than dealing with the potential implications of an established mussel population.”

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

The BLM Gunnison Field Office is closing gates on BLM roads in the Gunnison Basin as part of the annual closure from March 15-May 15 to protect Gunnison sage-grouse during their mating and nesting season. The closures are in coordination with Gunnison County, Gunnison Ranger District, and Colorado Parks and Wildlife. The gates will reopen on May 15.

For specific information on closures on BLM lands, contact the Gunnison Field Office at (970) 642-4940.

The majority of Blue Mesa Reservoir has already melted out and the Lake Fork, Iola and Elk Creek boat ramps are open for the season.

(Photo by Abby Harrison)

for over two decades. On April 18, the Colorado Department of Transportation shut down the Hwy. 50 “middle bridge” after inspectors found a crack in the steel. Days after, the county opened County Road 26 for restricted travel and placed cement barriers on County Road 25 (high mountain roads that offer a detour around the closure). As a result, the Stockton’s lost their most efficient route to get to cancer treatment.

While the couple is managing the detour for now, it’s not without great effort, Peggy said. Even using the county’s detour on CR 26, there’s either a need to stay the night in Grand Junction, or wait for hours in line in the evening for the last travel window— after hours of blood tests, PET and CAT scans. The couple has three apportionments scheduled for the coming month.

“When you get done with the chemo and other things, you're pretty tired and you're pretty sick, and you want to get home,” She said.

Due to the community’s high demand for more travel opportunities across CR 26, Gunnison County is opening three more slots for eastbound and westbound travel on May 3. But the Stocktons’ story is just one of hundreds, if not innumerable, ways the Blue Mesa bridge closure has already disrupted the lives of Gunnison Valley, Lake City, Sapinero and Montrose residents, among others.

Facebook’s Gunnison Marketplace has become a brokering ground for rides, favors and suggestions on how to deal with the closure. The Times posted an informal query on Facebook, asking people to describe the immediate impacts to their businesses.

Many residents are facing missed medical appointments, stifled tourism, delayed construction projects and orphaned cattle stuck between winter and summer pastures. Elsewhere, a family unable to attend a funeral in Delta; hunters locked out of prime turkeyhunting spots; friends missing birthdays and graduations; patients canceling surgeries; and even long-distance lovers cut off from meet-ups.

For all, the closure of Blue Mesa bridge is a reminder of place — that Gunnison, Crested Butte, Sapinero and Arrowhead are tucked between two bottlenecks: Monarch Pass on the east and many bridges of Blue Mesa Reservoir to the west. And, a reminder that on the Western Slope, the bonds that keep goods flowing and life here practical are not only necessary, but fragile at best.

Local business Gunnison, like many resort towns in the Mountain West, is reliant on its swelling tourism industry. Out-of-state, Front Range and Western Slope tourists have yet to spill into the valley in summertime droves for fishing, hiking and camping. However, they’re supposed to

start arriving in just a few weeks. Employees at Sun Sports Unlimited, the Wanderlust Hostel and Miller Furniture all replied to the Times’ Facebook survey. Supply chain hold ups have stifled gear deliveries at Sun Sports, and Miller is facing delayed wholesale furniture delivery. A number of people have already canceled reservations at Wanderlust.

Zak Trafton, co-owner of H&H Towing in Gunnison with Jason and Dillon Navidi, said the bridge closure has slowed down tow calls. With the bridge closure, the men are cut off from the dealerships and repair shops they most often haul vehicles to. And the CR 26 detour isn’t an option, as H&H’s small tow trucks weigh 16,000 pounds empty (the road’s weight limit).

“We go out and rescue people all through the night, 24 hours a day, holidays, nights, weekends, blizzards,” Trafton said.

“So being restricted in that way has been challenging for us.”

Like most Gunnison Valley businesses, H&H is headed into its busy season. In the summer, calls come in at “100 miles per hour, all day long,” Trafton said. The business fields 10-20 requests a day. With the bridge closed, H&H won’t be able to help many of those drivers, some of whom will be stranded and in need of repairs on the county’s remote back roads.

The Hwy. 50 closure also cut off Cement Creek Welding owner Scott Gillman from his only steel supplier, Recla Metals in Montrose. Recla has suspended steel deliveries to Gunnison for the time being, said Structural Steel Manager Lonnie Sammons. Last week, this forced Gillman to make an over 15-hour trek around the closure, fill his pickup truck with supplies and circle back.

But if suppliers like Recla choose to restart deliveries to

the Gunnison Valley, those companies could tack on fees to account for extra mileage and staff time. Even if Gillman could make the all-day trip regularly, he would still be unable to haul lengthy I-beams (which support heavy loads in construction projects) with the weight and trailer restriction on CR 26. Without regular delivery, Gillman worries his ability to keep jobs on schedule will wane.

Tourism

For the valley’s many campgrounds, guest ranches and lodges, uncertainty about the bridge is proving a serious obstacle for visitors’ summer trip planning.

At Tomahawk Guest Ranch south of Powderhorn, the closure has already led to a string of cancellations, said co-owner Melanie Stair. Several of the ranch’s guests from Texas and Oklahoma, and some from

Grand Junction and Montrose, have called in to cancel or put reservations on hold pending news of the bridge opening. “I feel like it's just going to get worse from here,” Stair said. Tomahawk doesn't have a restaurant or bar, unlike Arrowhead Mountain Lodge, which has both. Arrowhead is northwest of Tomahawk, across Hwy. 149. There, the question of food delivery is even more pressing. The lodge’s food and liquor vendors come through Gunnison, and have yet to offer a workaround, said lodge owner Jessica Amie.

Further, Colorado liquor laws prohibit businesses from buying over $2,000 a year from local liquor stores. This means Amie can’t solely rely on any locallyowned liquor stores when she’s running dry. The lodge’s food vendor is offering deliveries to Montrose, but not right to the lodge, forcing staff to figure out how to haul it up to the lodge.

CDOT put up scaffolding to help workers reach areas beneath the bridge for inspection and possible repairs. (Photos by Abby Harrison)

Thirteen students in the Gunnison Watershed School District live west of the “middle bridge.” In the immediate few days following the closure, parents boated them across Blue Mesa Reservoir in order to get to school. (Courtesy Skye Reid)

“Tourism is our lifeblood up here,” Amie said. “We're very isolated, and on our own. We get a lot of traffic from people just going to Blue Mesa, or to the Black Canyon of the Gunnison. So we're really worried about our traffic this summer.”

The lodge has already experienced a string of cancellations, and is now considering offering a boat shuttle for weddings, to not lose those clients, too. Some campers who park their RVs at the lodge have been cut off by the weight limit on CR 26, and have chosen other campgrounds, Amie said. And, this all comes after years of dealing with the Little Blue Creek Canyon construction closures.

“I feel disenfranchised,” Amie said. “We can't catch a break. I'm not sure how much longer we can keep this together with all of these challenges that we've been having just with the road.”

Ranchers and agriculture

The ground is thawing and Gunnison’s high country is once again becoming hospitable for cattle. Many ranchers winter their cattle in warmer Western Slope pastures, in the Montrose and Grand Junction areas. Come springtime, they need to move the animals back to Gunnison to graze all summer and fatten up to be sold.

With the highway closure, those who winter their cattle in these warmer areas also face expiring pasture leases and dwindling food supplies with no simple, or cheap way to transport the animals home.

“Agriculture on the Western Slope is incredibly interconnected, and the negative consequences may spread beyond our local area,” Gunnison County CSU Extension Director Hannah Cranor-Kersting wrote in a statement to the Times

It’s not just ranchers mov-

ing hundreds or thousands of cattle that are feeling the pinch. Sarah Davis owns a couple hundred chickens that supply eggs for the Mountain Roots Food Project. After the bridge closed, she was cut off from her main animal feed supplier, West Slope Farm and Ranch in Olathe, which delivers her a 2,000-pound palette of chicken feed once a month. West Slope Farm and Ranch also delivers to Gunnison Gardens and Gunnison County 4-H.

“Luckily I'm stocked up at the moment, but that's only going to last for so long,” Davis said. Davis also spent thousands on stud fees for out-of-state horse sperm to breed her mares at Walsh Quarter Horses in Montrose. Same goes for Kayla Daugherty, whose family owns Cross Slash Ranch, just five miles east of Gunnison.

Daugherty and Davis now

GOD GUIDES HIS CHILDREN

“I will instruct thee in the way you should go. I will guide you with mine eye.”

Psalm 32:8

“... and do not lead us into temptation ...” Matthew 6:13

GUNNISON ARTS CENTER

The Tredway Gallery will host “Maternal Marvels” a group exhibit comprised of Mother Artists to celebrate Mother’s Day. Meanwhile the Café Gallery will exhibit “The Wheel as Spoke(s)person” a

GUNNISON GALLERY

Featuring watercolor, oil, acrylic, and ink drawings created by HANNAH CRYDER, a WCU graduating senior, a Pen and Ink Artist Demonstration by Hopi Artist KIMBALL KOINVA, Oh Be Joyful Watershed Wallets by SAMA HUNTER and Live Piano Music by ALICIA BELGIOVANE, a collaborative WCU pianist for a fun evening.

124 N. Main

SUBVERSIVE SEW SHOP

WONDERLAND CLAYWORKS

Wonderland Clayworks - Join us for Art in Action as we make May Clay Flowers. Come clay with us! One of a kind local art for Mother’s DayEnjoy 10% off in the gallery. Featuring work by Kristin Gruenberger, Karolina Szumilas,

DILLY DELI

WESTERN COLORADO UNIVERSITY

Please join the WCU Art and Design Department from 5-7 in the Quigley Art Gallery for our BA Senior Exhibit. Quigley Hall, 800 Escalante Drive

BLUE THUNDER CIRCLE

Amanda Sage and Joe Bob Merritt. Vibe and Flow at the Train Cars and jump in on the community art jams in the Blue Thunder Circle Artifactory. 8 - 11pm Family Friendly and all are welcome. 513 South Main

Featuring Darkson Magrinelli

the WCU Jazz Quartet. We are also proud to host Heidi and the Firebrand pop up bakery and mixed media paintings by Rosalie Reymond

Joe Rota, Hal Hearne and Jeremiah Proffitt boat across Blue Mesa on the morning of April 28 to help Hearne catch a flight out of Montrose.

Students who live in Sapinero and Arrowhead walk up the Elk Creek Marina boat ramp on their way to school.

(Courtesy Skye Reid)

continued on A9

Harvested & delivered fresh every Tuesday Lettuce Mix, Pea Shoots, Microgreens & Bok Choi

Taste the Gunni-Gal difference!

Stop by to check out the ever-changing selection Supporting Local Producers since 1998!

804 N. Main Street 970.641.5928

Kebler from A1

employees are plowing the road and then will need to wait for it to dry. For the road to be a viable bypass for Hwy. 50, the county has to blade it and put the surfactant magnesium chloride down, Schmdit said.

Until Kebler opens, the public can use County Road 26, also known as the Lake City cutoff, as a detour. Starting on Friday, May 3, the road will be open four times a day. Westbound travelers can use it at 6:30 a.m., noon, 6:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. Eastbound travelers can use it at 7:30 a.m., 1 p.m., 7:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. Still, no trailers or vehicles over 16,000 pounds can use it.

In between the CR 26 road openings, county crews and contractors brought in by the state (Kiewit Corporation and its subcontractors) have fixed half a dozen “soft spots” or areas where the road was failing. They are also laying gravel across muddy parts of the road and grading and watering it.

CR 26 isn’t the only highmountain road that connects Hwy. 149, the road to Lake City, back to Hwy. 50. County Road 25, about four miles west of CR 26, practically parallels the road as it meanders north to the highway. It hits Hwy. 50 a few miles west, across the Lake Fork Bridge. The road is in worse shape than CR 26, but is still used each year for travelers to arrive in Lake City or residents to get to Montrose for errands.

But CR 25 is currently closed for Gunnison sage-grouse mating season, and will be at least until May 15. Last week, crews placed cement barriers across the road about nine miles in from Hwy. 149, to “harden” the closure after a number of people cut through the lock to use the road, Schmidt said. The barriers are positioned so that residents still have access to their properties as they would through the annual sage-grouse closure.

But the sight of cement barriers was startling for residents along the road, who accom -

modate the annual sage-grouse road restrictions and patiently await the unlocked gate on May 15.

“It looks to me like they will not be opening that road,” said Blue Mesa Subdivision resident Robyn Neel. Blue Mesa Subdivision is just west of CR 25. “And that puts us and everybody who lives on County Road 25 in a real disadvantage.”

County officials are not currently planning to use that road for local detours in the same way they’re using CR 26, Schmidt said. Montrose emergency response, which agreed to cover all of the county’s emergencies west of the closure, has been made aware of the barriers, he said. Emergency vehicles can continue to use CR 26 without restrictions. Public Works will continue to assess all county roads for possible detours, Schmidt said.

“My biggest concern, by far, is the safety of the general public,” Schmidt said. “And we might be cautious, but we're being cautious so that we don't end up with extra car accidents. And we also are not dragging our feet when we see an opening to do more for the community.”

Price tags

The unexpected bridge closure has forced extra spending in the road and bridge department’s budget, which already runs a structural deficit of about $1.5 million each year. By state statute, the department can’t receive revenue from local property taxes, and instead relies on a collection of vehiclerelated state fees, grants and the notoriously volatile severance tax from the county’s extractive industries, like coal and natural gas.

On April 22, four days after the closure, Lieutenant Gov. Dianne Primavera declared the incident a state disaster emergency. The decision frees up additional funding to support the state’s efforts to inspect the bridge, repair it and help the county reinforce high mountain roads.

Last week, the Transportation Commission of Colorado, which sets CDOT’s annual budget,

freed up $10 million for ongoing “middle bridge”-related projects. It’s likely that more funding will be approved in coming months, said CDOT transportation commissioner Karen Stuart in a briefing on April 23.

The state hired Kiewit, a national construction and engineering firm, to work on both the bridge and CR 26. All of Kiewit’s work on CR 26 is being paid for by the state, County Manager Matthew Birnie wrote in a statement to the Times

“The county has expended significant resources, especially in the time between the bridge closure and the state bringing Kiewit in, but that will be a fraction of the cost of the work Kiewit is doing,” Birnie wrote.

Schmidt estimated that Public Works has spent about $15,000-$20,000 extra on gravel and the same amount on staff time since the bridge closed. That number would have been far higher had CDOT not brought up their equipment, fuel and operators, he said. However, the county is keeping track of the bridge-related costs, both in staff time and materials.

Up-to-date information on traffic releases, changes in the weight restrictions and in changes to the condition of the bridge can be found at gunnisoncounty.org/1078/Hwy-50Bridge-Closure.

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

The cement barriers placed across CR 25. (Courtesy Jeremiah Proffitt)

can’t easily get to Montrose to breed their mares. If Daugherty's family doesn’t get mares bred, they will lose both the stud fee and their ability to sell those horses next year — up to $20,000 for 2- and 3-year-olds, Daugherty said. The mares, who have a limited ovulation window, also have to have their unweaned foals with them.

“Those babies can't do a seven, eight hour trip,” she said. “Anything over four hours, you need to pull horses out and start walking them so they don't get edema and they don't swell up. It’s [the I-70 detour] just not a viable resource.”

Daugherty’s family also runs about 30 head of cattle, and hauls in alfalfa and supplements from Montrose, and “that’s out now,” Daugherty said. A horse that the family boards needs bi-monthly eye injections in Montrose, as well.

Her mother, Trudy Vader, runs trail and cattle drive challenges which brings riders and ranchers from around the West to compete in obstacle events. Daugherty anticipates the closure will stifle the summer business.

Gunnison County, the Colorado Department of Agriculture, Colorado State University Extension, and Western Slope 4-H offices are working to help producers figure out how to move their cattle without going broke. A meeting for local producers will be held on Thursday, April 2 at 6 p.m. in the Fred Field Western Heritage Center. Gunnison Valley producers can call 970.641.1260 or email Hannah.kersting@colostate.edu for help.

Arrowhead and Sapinero families

For the 13 kids from Sapinero and Arrowhead who go to school in Gunnison, the decision was either to adjust, or not attend classes for the remainder of the year. The day after the bridge closed, elementary to high school-aged kids clamored onto a boat to make the trek from Lake Fork Boat Ramp to Elk Creek Marina — bypassing the closure by sailing under the bridge. The story made its rounds on state news outlets. While boating kids to school might be a spectacle, it’s not a long-term solution. One of the afternoon boat rides back to Sapinero had kids huddled down on the floor, evading whipping wind and rain while driver Joe Rota cut the boat through the beating waves.

“All of us have jobs and businesses to run, and the weather is so unpredictable in the afternoon especially,” said Dani Sedler, who has two boys in the Gunnison Watershed School District. “Safety wise, looking out for what is best for the kids, it’s not the best option.”

The difficulty of the boat trek and limited time windows on CR 26 have forced the Arrowhead and Sapinero families to either homeschool their kids, or find places for them to sleep overnight in Gunnison. Sapinero residents Jeremiah and Chandra Proffitt’s son,

Paden, found a couch to crash on until the school year ends.

The district is providing remote learning through the Pathways Program for several of those kids, but there are no remote options for Lake Preschool and Kindergarten students. The district also issued a school vehicle to a parent to shuttle the kids over CR 26 early in the morning.

“Not only is school all of a sudden a completely different situation … but these families are also stranded when it comes to their businesses and just daily living — groceries, medical appointments, meetings and community connections,” Superintendent Leslie Nichols wrote in a statement to the Times. “It is a major upheaval for them and we are sure to support them in all the ways we are able.”

But for the Proffitts the difficulty won’t end when school does. Their daughter has gymnastics twice a week that finishes at 8:30 p.m., and will stretch into the summer. Their options? Boat her back home late at night, or find a place she can stay with friends in town.

“It's the school thing, but it's also the extracurricular thing,” Jeremiah said. “School would be easy to let go or easy to homeschool, but you can't ‘home’ gymnastics and you can't ‘home’ golf team.”

A couple from Broomfield who own a second home in Gunnison reached out to GHS Vice Principal Susan Power after hearing about the kids traveling to school on a boat. They offered to delay their summertime stint in Gunnison to allow the stranded students and their parents to stay there to finish school. Some Sapinero kids have already slept there several nights.

Sedler, who works full-time at the Arrowhead Mountain Lodge, said that even though the district is offering virtual options for middle and high schoolers, she still has to be present to coax her kids through worksheets and facilitate online classes. The extra time for homeschooling has made juggling her job at the lodge and parent duties more tedious.

Despite the difficulty in getting kids to school, Sapinero parent Skye Reid said she’s impressed by how the district has tried to accommodate her kids. Reid’s sons, Hayden and Kamden, have stayed a few nights at the house in Gunnison. Still, until the end of the school year, the boys will get to school through a mix of overnights, early mornings on CR 26 and a few boat rides in between to accommodate field trips and other activities.

“It is really beautiful to watch this community come together and embrace all of these displaced children … My mother always told me it takes a village to raise a child. I had no idea it was going to take three [Gunnison, Sapinero and Arrowhead],” Reid said.

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

44901 Deer Play Run | Gold Basin | Gunnison

An apron-clad group of locals bustled around the Fred Field Center kitchen during a dehydrating class on April 18. CSU Extension Specialist Tina Haney led participants through the basics of preparing fruits, vegetables, herbs and meat to be dehydrated and preserved. They chopped and arranged apples, carrots and bell peppers onto round trays before stacking them inside a dehydrator. After about a week in the machines, the fruits and vegetables will be fully dried and ready to eat.

(Photos by Mariel Wiley)

County buys 14 acres near Gunnison for housing

‘Land banking’ for the future

Abby Harrison Times Staff Writer

Weeks ago, Gunnison County signed off on a $1.5 million purchase of a 14 acre parcel it intends to use for housing. The county has no immediate or detailed plans for what that housing will look like, said County Manager Matthew Birnie.

“It’s large enough for us to do something at scale, which is the most efficient way to try to drive costs down on these housing projects.”

Matthew Birnie Gunnison County Manager

The parcel is about a mile north of the City of Gunnison, just south of Discount Storage. The parcel is near a number of amenities, most importantly the city’s utility grid. It’s also close to the county’s sewer collection system and the city’s coming water treatment plant, Birnie said.

“It's a similar property to Whetstone, we would probably look at a similar project,” Birnie said. “But we're not anywhere close to designing or even really thinking that through other than we think the location is

right for housing.”

The plot is currently registered to an O A Pesnell Jr. in Mobile, Alabama. Pesnell owns five properties in the Gunnison area, according to the Gunnison County Assessor's website. The county has been eyeing the parcel for years, as it's gone on and off the market, for a strategic area for future development.

The county spent the $1.5 million out of its new Housing Authority Fund (separate from the Gunnison Valley Regional Housing Authority). The fund was created last year to streamline money the county receives from rent revenue, affordable housing-related grants and more.

The land is right on Hwy. 135, with an easy connection to the Rural Transportation Association (RTA) bus line. It’s well within the city’s 3-mile plan area — a region that staff are looking to for future urban expansion. The parcel is suited for housing as it's relatively flat.

It has historically been used as a horse and cow pasture so there’s been no previous development.

“It's large enough for us to do something at scale, which is the most efficient way to try to drive costs down on these housing projects,” Birnie said.

The county has purchased smaller parcels of land in the past, like a piece of land next to the Gunnison-Crested Butte Regional Airport, for the airport, and several parcels in Larkspur that it recently sold to the Crested Butte Fire Protection District for workforce housing. The recent purchase is the county’s second considerable effort to purchase large tracts for land banking, Birnie said. The first was Whetstone.

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

The county’s newly-acquired piece of land is just north of Gunnison, next to the Discount Storage. (Photo by Mariel Wiley)

Plants for the people

The Gunnison Valley Producers’ Guild held its annual spring plant sale next to Sanctuary Somatics on April 27. Shoppers picked up

(Photos by Mariel Wiley)

State grant supports Hispanic-owned businesses in Gunnison

Four businesses receive $30K to combat pandemic aftereffects

Bella Biondini Times Editor

Owner Dulce Marisol Luna has stocked the shelves of the D’Luna Mexican Store with a colorful assortment of products from Guatemala, Columbia, Peru and Mexico for 10 years. Even though the business recently moved its storefront across town, it has continued to serve Gunnison community — offering Hispanic residents foods and flavors from their home countries.

Luna is just one of the many entrepreneurs within Gunnison’s growing Hispanic business community. Despite the large number of barriers that come with starting any new business, these owners have found ways to bring their crafts and cuisine into the valley and create new jobs. But it’s these same small businesses that are still suffering from the long-lasting impacts following the pandemic.

Last month, the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade awarded $130,000 to a group of four Hispanic-owned businesses in Gunnison — D’Luna Mexican Store, Agave Family Mexican Restaurant, CJMTZ Painting and El Paraiso Family Mexican Restaurant — through its Community Business Preservation grant program.

In total, the state approved $1.7 million for independently owned Colorado businesses that are central to the culture of their respective communities. Some preserve the local history and heritage of the area, while others create welcoming spaces for LGBTQ+ and immigrant community members or promote tourism. The grants will be paired with up to two years of training and consultation.

“It is important to support culturally significant small businesses because they serve as gathering places for different generations and community landmarks,” Gov. Jared Polis said in a press release in March. “I look forward to seeing how these grants help drive small business, support good paying jobs and enhance the Colorado we love.”

Each group of businesses is working alongside a “sponsoring entity,” such as a local

government, economic development organization or community-based nonprofit. The Gunnison group partnered with Region 10, a nonprofit that supports economic development in Delta, Montrose, Hinsdale, Gunnison, Ouray and San Miguel counties. Region 10 will help manage the grant money, and received $10,000 for technical assistance.

The state targeted groups of businesses that may be struggling with lingering financial losses from the pandemic, rising rents and property taxes, supply chain issues and staff shortages.

“When you look at a lot of the communities around Colorado, including places like Gunnison and Crested Butte, we see a lot of things that are forcing businesses to close or putting them in a more precarious position to keep continuing to do business … I think that those more diverse or minority owned businesses see a lot more impact from those destabilization pressures,” Callie Koch, a program manager at Region 10, said.

The grants can be used to upgrade or purchase new equipment or do building renovations and expansion projects. Luna said she will use the grant money to upgrade her refrigeration system and for advertising.

“We're really grateful that we've been given this opportunity to grow and to serve our community,” she said.

Joel Cruz Martinez founded CJMTZ Painting, a small Gunnison Valley company that paints homes and commercial spaces, five years ago. He plans to use the grant to purchase a van to help him transport materials and workers to and from job sites, and potentially reach new customers outside of the valley.

“It was difficult to get going in the beginning,” he said. “We had to knock on doors and people did not always take us seriously as I didn’t have any recommendations. Over the past

couple of years I’ve done really well … But this is a huge help for us.”

Over the past few years, local entities, such as the City of Gunnison, the Gunnison Country Chamber of Commerce and the Hispanic Affairs Project have also been working to connect Gunnison’s Spanishspeaking business community to more resources. Their work in the valley has reduced language barriers, aided business growth and increased the amount of opportunities available for small business owners.

Last year, the ICELab hosted a training workshop for local Hispanic start-ups through the Rocky Mountain MicroFinance Institute. Fifteen entrepreneurs attended. The Small Business Development Center in Gunnison recently hired a bilingual consultant, increasing to help Spanish-speaking residents navigate the complexities of starting their own business in the valley.

The grant applications were written in Spanish by each business owner and translated to English before they were sent to the state, allowing them to tell their stories, said Ricardo Esqueda, the city’s community outreach liaison.

“I hope it's an example for other Hispanic or immigrantowned businesses here … There are opportunities for people to take those risks and really go after what they want,” Esqueda said. “Because these are all dreams of these entrepreneurs.”

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

Mayra Garcia assists a customer at D’Luna Mexican Store on April 23.

(Photo by Mariel Wiley)

Run like the wind

Racers put their best foot forward during the annual Legs, Kegs & Eggs 5K Fun Run from The Dive to I Bar Ranch on April 27. After crossing the finish line, runners refueled with free burritos. Riders and their steeds from West Elk Equine also stopped by for a visit. Funds raised during the annual event go toward Gunnison Valley Mentors.

Bethany Church

909 N Wisconsin St.

(behind Powerstop) • 970-641-2144

Two services at 9 a.m. and 10:30 a.m.

FREE lunch for college students following the 10:30 a.m. service gunnisonbethany.com

9 a.m.: Family Service with nursery & children’s church

Check out our website for updates! Or download our app on the App Store by searching, Gunnison Bethany.

B'nai Butte Congregation

PO Box 2537 Crested, Butte CO 81224 305-803-3648 bnaibutte.org

Serving the Jewish communities of Crested Butte, Gunnison and the East River Valley in Colorado

Spiritual Leader Rabbi Mark Kula is available for you at RabbiMarkKula@gmail.com bnaibutte@gmail.com

New Song Christian Fellowship

77 Ute Lane • 970-641-5034

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

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

Faith Directory

Community Church of Gunnison

107 N. Iowa • 970-641- 0925

Pastor Larry Nelson

Sunday Morning Worship 9:30 a.m.

Weekend Services 9:30 a.m. Nursery & Age-Graded Ministry

Weekly Student Ministry

Weekly Adult LifeGroups

Office Hours: Mon-Thurs, 9-4

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

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

Transforming Lives • Building Community

First Baptist Church

120 N. Pine St. • 970-641-2240

Pastor Jonathan Jones

9:30 a.m. Share & Prayer Fellowship

10 a.m. Sunday School Classes

11 a.m. Morning Worship Service

6 p.m. Evening Service

Wednesday 7 p.m. - Children's Patch Club

Gunnison Bible Institute

Thursday 7 p.m. - College & Career

Christian Fellowship firstbaptistgunnison.org.

Gunnison

Congregational Church

United Church of Christ

317 N. Main St. • 970-641-3203

Open and Affirming Whole Earth · Just Peace

Sunday, 10 a.m.

Casual, Relaxed, “Come As You Are” Worship gunnisonucc.org

Trinity Baptist Church

523 N. Pine St. • 970-641-1813

Senior Pastor - Joe Ricks Sunday Service 9:30 a.m. Adult Bible Study 8 a.m. trinitybaptistsgunnison.com

Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church

711 N. Main • 970-641-1860

Senior Pastor Robert Carabotta

Assoc. Pastor Jacob With Childrens Sunday School – Sunday 9 a.m. Adult Sunday School – Sunday 9 a.m.

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

The Good Samaritan Episcopal Church

307 W. Virginia Ave. • 970-641-0429

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

Alternating at Good Samaritan and All Saints in the Mountains

Check our websites for location

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

Children’s Sunday school –2nd and 4th Sundays, monthly Office hours: M-TH 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.

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

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

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

403 Maroon Ave, Crested Butte

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

Church in the Barn 8007 County Road 887 Waunita Hot Springs Ranch • 970-641-8741 Sundays, 10:30 a.m. Non Denominational Come as you are.

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

Sunday Morning Worship 9:30 a.m.

Nursery and Children’s ministry through Middle School “Remedy” Worship Nights Small Group Ministries mcmchurch.org

St. Peter’s Catholic Church 300 N. Wisconsin • 970-641-0808 Fr. Andres Ayala-Santiago gunnisoncatholic.org crestedbuttecatholic.org or call the Parish Office.

St. Peter’s - Gunnison Sat 5 p.m. & Sun 10:30 a.m., 12 p.m. (Spanish) Mass First Sunday of every month bilingual Mass 11 a.m.

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

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

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.

(Photos by Mariel Wiley)

EC ELECTRIC IS SEEKING

Journeyman & Residential Wireman for projects in the Gunnison and Crested Butte areas. Must have a valid Colorado driver’s license and pass a pre-employment drug screen. Top pay & Benefits.

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

www.ec-electric.com/careers

GUNNISON WATERSHED SCHOOL DISTRICT

See GWSD website for details gunnisonschools.net

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

HOURLY OPPORTUNITIES: Bus Drivers Food Service

Lead Custodian - Lake School

Educational Assistant - Lake School

Substitute Teachers

Special Education EASignificant Needs

PROFESSIONAL OPPORTUNITIES:

School Psychologist - District

CBSS Assistant Principal

CBSS Science

CBSS Spanish (one-year only)

CBSS Language Arts (one-year only)

CBSS and GHS Special Education Teacher

GES 3rd grade (2 positions, full-time and one year only)

GES 2nd grade (2 positions, full-time and one year only)

GMS 7th grade Science

GMS 8th grade Science (one year only)

GMS 7th grade Language Arts

COACHING:

GHS - Speech and Debate

GHS - Assistant Girls Basketball Coach

CBHS - Volleyball Coach

CBHS - Head Basketball Coach

CBMS - Assistant Track and Field Coach

Please contact: Superintendent’s Office JoAnn Klingsmith 800 N. Boulevard 970-641-7760 jklingsmith@gunnisonschools.net

GUNNISON COUNTY EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES

Public Health Nurse II –Substance Abuse Prevention Juvenile Services: 20 hours/ week, hourly rate range from $33.79-$41.08 plus partial benefits.

Patrol Deputy Sheriff: Full-time, 40 hours/week, monthly salary range from $5,857-$6,669 plus full benefits.

Detention Deputy Sheriff: Full-time, 40 hours/week, monthly salary range from $5,263-$5,992 plus full benefits. Only work 14 days a month.

Heavy Equipment Operator I:

Full-time, 40 hours/week, hourly rate from $22.91-$26.08 plus full benefits.

Permit and Right-Of-Way Manager: Full-time, 40 hours/week, monthly salary range from $5,857-$7,120 plus full benefits.

Landfill Foreman: Full-time, 40 hours/week, hourly rate from $31.88-$36.29 plus full benefits.

Seasonal Public Works: Guaranteed 40 hours/week, hourly rate range from $20.58-$23.43 depending on experience, plus partial benefits. Outdoor work that includes traffic control, fencing, tree and brush removal, trail work, recycling, equipment training and much more, all in a 4-day work week.

Administrative Generalist Full-time, 40 hours/week, hourly rate range $22.91-$26.08 plus full benefits.

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

HAS IMMEDIATE OPENINGS FOR A SERVICE TECHNICIAN AND COLLISION CENTER TECHNICIAN

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

Apply at John Roberts Motor Works.

212 WEST HIGHWAY 50 GUNNISON, CO 81230

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED AT THE PIONEER MUSEUM

Work 4 hours per week

Hours: 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. or 1 p.m. - 5 p.m. 7 days a week.

This is a chance to meet people from many states and foreign countries.

The museum will open May 15 and be open until September 30.

Please call volunteer coordinator Darrah Miller at 970.596.2226 with questions or for more information.

Details will be discussed at a volunteer meeting on May 10 at 10:30 a.m. at the Fred Field Center, 275 S. Spruce Street.

All are invited to attend. Refreshments will be served.

Pay DOE. Stop by with a resume. 603 W. Tomichi Ave., Gunnison. LUNA BAKERY is hiring for a baking position. Experience preferred. Pay starts at $20 hour, but opportunity to grow with the business. Part-time to start and closer to full-time during the summer, weekends off. Contact Deven, 970-231-3247.

JC SERVICES is seeking full-time automotive technician with intermediate understanding of theory operations of automotive systems.

NTERPRISES OF MONTROSE LLC.

NOW HIRING:

APPRENTICES, RESIDENTIAL WIREMAN, JOURNEYMAN ELECTRICIANS

Skills/qualifications:

• High-end residential and commercial experience a MUST.

• Team player

• Physical, hands-on environment

• Must have basic hand tools.

• Employer will provide specialty tooling.

EXCELLENT WAGES AND BENEFITS!

Please email a resume to reception@raelectric.com.

4 DAY WORK WEEK

WESTERN COLORADO UNIVERSITY

seeks applicants for the full-time (40 hours/week) Security I position.

Starting pay rate $16.53/hour. This benefited position is scheduled for night shifts (8 p.m.-6 a.m.) and is paid an additional 14% ($18.84/ hour) for weeknights and 20% ($19.83/hour) for weekends. Duties include campus/grounds patrol, verifying safe conditions, crowd and traffic control for campus events, incident documentation and working with local law enforcement, as needed.

Western’s benefit package includes Colorado PERA retirement, low-cost insurance plans (with generous employer contributions to medical/dental/vision), employee and dependent tuition benefits, paid vacation, paid sick leave and 11 paid holidays per year. Employees receive basic life insurance and disability insurance at no cost. Employee wellness programs and professional development trainings are available for FREE.

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

environment (including marijuana), Equal Opportunity Employer and we participate in E-Verify. Apply at accbuilt.com. For more information, call 303-795-2582.

LOOKING TO GET ROOTED THIS SUMMER? Connect with nature, planting and caring for perennial gardens throughout the valley. Laborer/gardener positions available May 1-Oct. 31. Experience preferred but we can teach, too. Small company, pay starts at $26/hr. horizonfinegardens@gmail.com or 970-275-1020.

POWERSTOP is hiring cooks. Cooking experience a must. Pay based on experience but the minimum would be guaranteed $20/ hr after tips earned. The yearly average is between $25-$28 per hour. Kitchen manager position is also available. Please drop resume at Powerstop, 905 N. Main St. Attn: Sean.

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

Experienced and have own tools. Major holidays off paid. No weekends. Pay based on experience and knowledge. Apply in person only with resume and references. JC Services, 702 W. Tomichi Ave, Gunnison CO 81230. 970-641-4310.

ACC MOUNTAIN WEST is hiring heavy equipment operators, CDL drivers and laborers for the US 285 and Highway 9 project. Hourly wages from $20-$35 and great benefits. ACC MW is a drug-free work

THE TOWN OF MT. CRESTED BUTTE is looking for a full-time, year-round 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. For a full job description, please go to mtcb.colorado.gov. Schedule is four 10-hour days with one weekend day in the winter required. Overtime is required based on weather and snow storms. Must have a seven-year clean driving record, the ability to obtain your flagger certification, safety lift 80 pounds, good customer service, communication and team work skills, ability to work outside in the winter and summer for an extended period of time. Starting pay is between $44-$66,000, depending on experience. The town offers an amazing benefit package with paid health, vision and dental insurance for you and your family, 401(k) or pension plan, 12 paid holidays, generous vacation and sick time, wellness program and more. Contact Addison Ives at aives@mtcb.colorado.gov with any questions. To apply, email your resume, cover letter and three references to Tiffany O’Connell at toconnell@mtcb.colorado.gov.

WESTERN COLORADO UNIVERSITY seeks Director of Dis/Ability and Accommodation. For application or information, please scan the QR code.

TAYLOR RIVER RANCH is looking to hire summer staff. Positions needed are housekeeping, waitstaff and ranch maintenance. Also need laborers for month of May. Great pay and gas allowance. Possible housing available. Please call Rory or Becky, 970-641-2606 or 970-901-8500.

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

ADVANCED PRACTICE PROVIDER

the

POSITION

county in the lower

surrounded by approx. 96% public lands, five 14,000’ peaks, over twenty 13,000’ peaks, home to three national forests and less than five miles of paved roads.

This is a FT (3-4 days in clinic and 3-4 nights after hours phone triage service.) Benefit package includes health, dental, vision and life, retirement, tenure-tiered PTO program, conference/CE allowance of up to $2,000/ year, COLA, merit raises, health savings account and temporary use of an on-site apartment if needed. $95-$105,000/yr. EOE. Send CVs to lcmedcenter@lcamc.net or request job descriptions.

CONSTRUCTION LABORER: David Gross

General Contractor is hiring full-time, hourly construction laborers. Duties include driving dump trailers, job site cleaning, receiving and handling of materials and variety of other needs. Must have current driver’s license. Please submit resume to david@ davidgrossgc.com or call 970-901-1798.

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. Excellent pay 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. Clean driving record is required. No phone calls please.

ROCKY MOUNTAIN TREES AND LANDSCAPING now hiring for our 40th summer season. Come join a team that’s deeply rooted in the Gunnison Valley. Visit rockymountaintrees.com/employment/ to view available positions.

FINISH CARPENTRY: High volume, professional general contractor seeks fulltime, detail-oriented carpenters for a variety

of carpentry needs, including back out framing, finish trim work, custom millwork and potential for other custom work. Competitive salary DOE, fuel stipend, vacation pay, health insurance, ski pass among top benefits. Please submit resume to david@ davidgrossgc.com or call 970-901-1798.

OPEN SPACE AND TRAILS ASSISTANT, TOWN OF CRESTED BUTTE: The parks, rec, open space and trails department seeks an Open Space and Trails Assistant for the 2024 field season. This position is responsible for general field maintenance on conserved properties and rec access areas in the town’s open space and trails portfolio. General duties include conservation easement monitoring, data collection, trail maintenance, agricultural lease maintenance and other divisional tasks. Candidates could start as early as mid-May and work through October, although start/end dates are flexible. This position is scheduled for 24 hours/week at $18-22/hour DOE. To apply, send application, resume and cover letter to jobs@crestedbutte-co.gov. The Town of Crested Butte is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

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.

THE ELEVATION HOTEL TEAM IS GROWING: We are adding team members in the front office, engineering and food and beverage. Bell Captain $20/hr, Bell Person $17/hr, Night Auditor $21/hr, Night Audit Supervisor $22/hr, Guest Service Agent $20.25/hr, Front Desk Supervisor $22/hr, Engineer I, II, II $21-$24/hr, Bartender $17/ hr. Full-time team members are eligible for full benefits including medical, dental, vision, PTO, 401k, gym membership, room night discounts and housing. For details and to apply, please visit highgate.com/careers. Questions can be directed to elustig@ elevationresort.com.

ALPINE INN is hiring a breakfast attendant, front desk and laundry help. Call Teresa at 970-275-0611.

LITTLE RED SCHOOLHOUSE is seeking a long-term, full-time, qualified early childhood teacher to join our fantastic team. Very competitive pay, benefits and perks offered all the time. This is a super rewarding career and a fabulous group of families and teachers. Please email interest letter and resumé to Jessica at lilredschoolhouse1@ gmail.com.

THE TOWN OF CRESTED BUTTE is hiring a finance and administrative assistant to provide services and functions critical to the day-to-day operation of the town. This includes accounting, human resources, purchasing, contracting, IT support, budgeting and communications. The finance and administrative assistant is responsible for daily financial tasks including but not limited to administration of the sales tax and business license process, cash receipting, departmental customer service and file and records maintenance. Starting hourly range is $25.48-$31.12 and includes 100% employer-paid health, dental and vision benefits for employee and dependents. The full job description, benefits and application are available on the town’s website at townofcrestedbutte.com. To apply, submit an application via email to jobs@crestedbutteco.gov. The Town of Crested Butte is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

THE CLUB AT CRESTED BUTTE is hiring the following part-time and full-time seasonal positions for summer 2024: Line cook $2125/hr. + gratuity, market attendant, $16/hr. + gratuity, assistant market manager, $18-19/ hr. + gratuity, lead bartender, $18-22/hr. + gratuity, facility maintenance technician, $2124/hr., housekeeper, $21-23/hr., clubhouse attendant, $16-18/hr. Employee benefits include complimentary golf and employee discounts. For more information or to submit a resume, please visit theclubatcrestedbutte. com or email jobs@clubatcrestedbutte.com.

an effective team member. Ability to plan, initiate and complete work assignments with a minimum of direction. Comprehensive knowledge of use of financial, worksheet and word-processing software, including Excel and Word. Recognition as a CPA is a highly desirable qualification, with a minimum of four years of progressively responsible experience in accounting. Competitive and comprehensive benefits package includes 401(k), medical insurance, vision insurance, life insurance and disability insurance (ST and LT), paid time off, holiday pay and wellness benefits. Monthly salary range: $4,875-$6,250 DOE. Please email resume to apply@gunnison.bank.

ELEVEN IS SEEKING A TEAM-ORIENTED AND FLEXIBLE LODGE AND PREP COOK to support the Colorado Culinary team with food preparations, transportation and meal service throughout Eleven’s entire Colorado footprint. This position will systematically execute food prep and transportation with quality and efficiency, as well as assist the team with managing food inventory and maintaining a clean, food-safe and organized kitchen. This position requires at least 1 year of food and beverage experience. The ideal candidate will have a team orientation with flexibility and willingness to do what is needed to complete Colorado Culinary team goals and meet guest needs and expectations. These are full and part-time seasonal positions starting at $21/hour depending on experience and qualifications. The summer season runs from May through Oct. For more information and to apply, please visit elevenexperience.com/careers.

HOT TUB TECHNICIAN: Year-round position with great growth, career and possible equity opportunities for the right person. Train at $22.50/hour. Pay starts at $25/hour plus incentives. Prior experience, weekend shifts and skilled repair work pays more. AWD work van, work clothing and ongoing support provided. Real end-of-year bonus with a 13th check. We respect and value our employees. Call CB Hot Tub at 970-275-5700.

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, PO Box 5740, Mt. Crested Butte, CO 81225 or email info@mcbwsd.com. Position is open until filled. MCBWSD is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

COME JOIN THE HARMELS TEAM IN ALMONT: We are looking for housekeepers with experience but will train the right person. Pay starts at $16/hour; higher wage with experience. Onsite housing possible. Call 970-641-1740, or email resume to jointheteam@harmels.com.

THE CLUB AT CRESTED BUTTE is hiring a part-time, year-round front desk attendant for $16-$20/hr DOE. Weekend availability required. Employee benefits include complimentary golf and employee discounts. For more information or to submit a resume, please visit theclubatcrestedbutte.com or email jobs@clubatcrestedbutte.com.

MOUNTAIN EXPRESS SHOP TECHNICIAN: JOIN OUR TEAM. Mountain Express is looking to recruit a shop technician for immediately available shifts. Applicant required to hold a CDL class BP-2 with no air brake restrictions, or we will pay for you to obtain one. Starting wage is $22.60/hr. Health insurance is available based on hours worked. Ski locker benefit. Shop technicians are responsible for daily fueling and cleaning of fleet vehicles and other related tasks at the direction of the shop supervisor. Please contact Leah Petito at lpetito@mtnexp.org to apply. For a complete job description, visit mtnexp.org. EOE.

UNASE AL EQUIPO DE HARMELS EN ALMONT: Buscamos camaristas con experiencia pero capacitaremos a la persona adecuada. El pago comienza en $16/hr; salario mas alto con experiencia. Posibilidad de alojamiento en el lugar. Llame al 970641-1740 o envie su curriculum por correo eletronico a jointheteam@harmels.com.

DESIGN-ORIENTED GARDENING BUSINESS is looking for a full-time seasonal operations manager. Experience in perennial garden design, greenhouse care and crew management necessary. Please email resumes to horizonfinegardens@gmail.com or 970-275-1020.

THE GUNNISON BANK AND TRUST is seeking applications for an assistant to the CFO. This is a full-time position that will be responsible for supporting the financial department of the bank. This includes, but is not limited to, the handling of transactions, month-end closing tasks, financial statement preparation, internal/external audit preparations, year-end close-outs, budget preparations, risk calculating and reporting and other job-related duties as assigned. This position will support general accounting, accounts payable and payroll. Applicant should have a thorough understanding of accounting principles. Essential duties and responsibilities: monitors and maintains the general ledger, performs account analysis and reconciliation of balance sheet accounts and all subsidiary ledgers at month end, compiling and analyzing financial information for month-end reporting, including welldocumented journal entries for approval to ensure financial records are accurate, resolving accounting discrepancies, yearend closing tasks, fixed asset accounting; investment accounting, monitoring cash balances daily. Assist other departments and bank officers as needed. Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from employees and/or customers. High level of oral and written communication skills, attention to detail, ability to organize work and set priorities to meet deadlines, be

THE TOWN OF MT. CRESTED BUTTE IS HIRING FOR A SUMMER PARKS POSITION: Hours will be between 30-40 hours per week. Minimum age requirement is 15 years old. Responsibilities include planting flowers, watering, weeding flower beds, mowing, cleaning up after events in the pavilion and garden, cleaning bathrooms, emptying trash containers and more. Candidates should be expected to work outdoors in variable mountain and inclement weather conditions. They should be able to stoop, bend and carry up to 40 pounds. Pay range is $22-$25 per hour. For the full job description, please go to mtcb.colorado.gov. If you have any questions, please email or call Addison Ives at aives@mtcb.colorado. gov or 970-349-6632, ext 115. To apply, please email your cover letter and resume to Tiffany O’Connell at toconnell@mtcb. colorado.gov.

WATER TREATMENT FACILITY

FOREMAN: The Mt. Crested Butte Water and Sanitation District is accepting applications for a full-time Water Treatment Facility Foreman 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 treatment operations, employee supervision, construction and electrical/mechanical/ maintenance repair. A State of Colorado Water B and Distribution 3 license or the ability to obtain such within one (1) 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 $74,200-$91,000 DOQ. Excellent benefits package, including 100% employer-paid premium family health, dental, vision and

HIGH-VOLUME, PROFESSIONAL GENERAL CONTRACTOR seeks fulltime, experienced controller with 5+ years experience. Duties include overseeing general ledger and accounting functions, balance sheet reconciliation, maintaining accounting systems access controls and oversight of accounting managers including accounts receivable, accounts payable, billings functions and payroll preparation. Successful candidates will be detail-oriented and proactive in our fast-paced environment, with proficiency in Quickbooks and experience in ProCore a bonus. Competitive base salary and benefits. Please submit resume to david@davidgrossgc.com or call 970-901-1798.

THE CRESTED BUTTE SCHOOL OF DANCE is hiring a managing director: The managing director is responsible for the successful leadership and management of the organization’s business. The managing director provides ethical, strategic, transparent and value-centered leadership. Equally comfortable managing the external and internal aspects of the job, the managing director recognizes the importance of these different spheres to the organization’s ultimate success. The managing director is responsible for oversight and handson execution of all key administrative and business functions, including providing leadership and vision that ensures financial and organizational success. The managing

director is the spokesperson, advocate and visible representative of the Crested Butte School of Dance and takes an active part in the life of the community. The managing director takes a leadership role in fundraising for the organization. This role works closely with the board of directors to ensure good governance, communication and transparency and fosters a culture of success among all stakeholders. Salary range: $58,000-$63,750, 3/4 time position. Possibility for expansion into full-time employment. Salary commensurate with experience. See full description here: dancecrestedbutte.org/now-hiring. To apply: Please submit a cover letter and resume to Chrissie Nehrenberg, CBSOD Board President, ccnehrenberg@gmail.com.

REAL ESTATE

GUNNISON TOWNHOUSE: 3 bedroom, 1.5 bathroom, hardwood floors and a small garden and shed. Pets ok. $2,600 plus utilities. liskorinternational@gmail.com. 847769-7800.

1,500 SQ. FT. RETAIL/OFFICE SPACE

AVAILABLE in the Gunnison Meadows Mall next to City Market. Address: 722 N. Main. $22/ft. NNN = $2,750/month. For more information, call Jordon Ringel, 817-7336947 or visit GunnisonMeadows.com.

Legals AGENDA

Regular Meeting Agenda

May 6, 2024

5:30pm Lake School Conference Room Gunnison, CO

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

• Call to order

• Roll call

• Pledge of Allegiance

• Approval of agenda (ACTION, All)

• Commendations and celebrations (Information, Successful Students, Strong Employees)

Public comment (Information, Engaged Community)

Please use the public participation form, or use the Q&A feature in Zoom, and indicate your name, address, and topic for comment.

• Consent agenda (ACTION, All)

Items in the consent agenda are considered routine and will be enacted under one motion. There will not be separate discussion of these items prior to the time the board votes unless a Board Member requests an item be removed from the grouping for separate consideration.

Board of Education Minutes

April 8, 2024 Regular meeting

Finance: Approve for payment, as presented by the Director of Finance, warrants as indicated: General Account # 43790-43872

• Payroll Direct Deposit # 60431-60829

• Personnel

• Sam Johnson-Math InterventionCBSS

• Savannah Matzinger-PE/Health-CBSS

• Carmen Surillo-SPED EAAchievement Center

Alexis Guyton-Food Service-GCS Drew Hanks-Assistant Track CoachGMS Ann Colbert-Resignation-7th grade Science-GMS

Kjerstin McCune-ResignationSecondary Math-CBSS

• Aspen Auer-Resignation-Lake Preschool EA

• Greta Durbin-Resignation-Permanent Substitute-CBCS

• Lane Giannone-Resignation-General EA-CBES

Heidi Pankratz-Resignation-Lake EA

Items for information, discussion, and action

Healthy Kids Colorado Survey Data

(Discussion, Successful Students)

Kari Commerford and John Powell, Gunnison County Juvenile Services

Facilities Improvement Program

Update (Information/Discussion, Functional Facilities)

• John Usery & Chris Guarino, Artaic Group

• Housing Action Plan (ACTION, Strong Employees)

• School Board Policies (All)

CBI-Evaluation of Superintendent (ACTION)

Board committee reports (Information, All)

• Board/Student Engagement - Dr.

Coleman and Mrs. Roberts

• School Board Policy - Mrs. Brookhart and Dr. Coleman

• Executive Committee for Bond Project

- Mr. Martineau

• Superintendent Evaluation- Mrs. Brookhart and Dr. Coleman

District Accountability Committee (DAC) - Mrs. Roberts

School Accountability Committees (SAC)

GHS - Dr. Coleman

GCS - Mrs. Brookhart

CBCS - Mr. Martineau

• Gunnison County Education

Association Negotiations - Mr. VanderVeer

• Gunnison County Education Association 3x3 - Mr. VanderVeer

• Fund 26 - Dr. Coleman

• Gunnison Memorial Scholarship - Mrs. Roberts

Health Insurance Committee - Mr. VanderVeer

Housing Advisory Committee-Mr. VanderVeer

Gunnison Valley Education Foundation-Dr. Coleman

Upcoming agenda items and meeting schedule (Information, Engaged Community)

• Monday, May 20, 2024 Regular meeting/Proposed Budget@5:30pm-CB

• Sunday, May 18, 2024

Gunnison High School Graduation 2:00pmWCU

Saturday, May 31, 2024 Crested

Butte Graduation 10:00am CBCS

Monday, June 10, 2024 Regular meeting/Budget Hearing@5:30pm-GUN

Monday, June 24, 2024 Regular meeting/Budget Adoption @5:30pm-GUN

Executive Session: (Discussion, Strong Employees)

C.R.S. 24-6-402 (4)(f) that the Board enter executive session to discuss a personnel matter. The particular matter that is to be discussed behind closed doors is the superintendent evaluation.

• Adjournment

Gunnison Country Times Gunnison, Colorado Publication date of May 2, 2024

13185

PUBLIC NOTICE

District Accountability Committee

Agenda Tuesday, May 7th, 2024, 4:00pm - 5:30pm Lake School Conference Room

This meeting will be conducted in person and by distance using video conferencing. Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom. us/j/89846274414

District Accountability Committee (DAC)

Membership

Three parents of students enrolled in the district

• Suzanne Hadley, CBCS, term through May 2025; Chair

• VACANT, GCS, term through May 2024;

• VACANT, GHS, term through May 2025

One teacher employed by the district Jennifer Diamond, GCS, term through May 2024

One school administrator employed by the district Ernie Kothe, CBCS, term through May 2025

One person involved in business in the community within district boundaries

• Scott Clarkson; term through May 2024

Ex-Officio Members

• Mandy Roberts, School Board

Member, appointed November 2021

• Leslie Nichols, Superintendent Shari Sullivan-Marshall, Director of Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment

Gina Mile, Director, Marble Charter School

Call to Order - 4:00 - 4:05

Present: Absent:

• Approval of Minutes - 4:05 - 4:10

• Consider approval of March 19, 2024 Minutes - ACTION ITEM

• Review of DAC Annual Timeline: Six

Meetings - 4:10 - 4:15

September

Organizational meeting to confirm members, elect DAC officers

Final Review of District Strategic Plan (UIP) - due to CDE October 15 Good orientation for new DAC members

• Include CMAS/PSAT/SAT data breakdown

• November • CB/Marble schools UIP Presentations

• December

• Budget presentation: year to date and forecast for the next fiscal year Consider next school year’s calendar draft from Calendar Committee Data Dive

CMAS/PSAT/SAT (July)

DIBELS/iReady/NWEA (ongoing; BOY, MOY, EOY)

May Data Dive for UIP

• October Count demographic data

• Healthy Kids Colorado Survey (May)

• Teaching and Learning Conditions in Colorado Survey (May)

• Goal: school climate surveys (not in action yet)

• Review this Timeline for the coming year!

Regular Business - 4:15 - 5:15

Data Dive for UIP

1. October Count demographic data

2. Healthy Kids Colorado Survey

3. Teaching and Learning Conditions in Colorado Survey

4. Goal: School Climate Surveys

B. Review this timeline for the coming year

C. Finish review of Draft Budget (carried over from March)

V. Old Business - 5:15 - 5:25

VI. Reports - 5:25 - 5:30 (only if time allows) CBCS SAC

Project No./Title:2021-037M21 Upgrade

HVAC Systems Academic Buildings

Notice is hereby given that on May 1, 2024 at 1 Western Way, Colorado, final settlement will be made by the STATE OF COLORADO with McKinstry Essention, LLC, hereinafter called the “CONTRACTOR”, for and on account of the contract for the construction of a PROJECT as referenced above.

1. Any person, co-partnership, association or corporation who has an unpaid claim against the said project, for or on account of the furnishing of labor, materials, team hire, sustenance, provisions, provender, rental machinery, tools, or equipment and other supplies used or consumed by such Contractor or any of his subcontractors in or about the performance of said work, may at any time up to and including said time of such final settlement, file a verified statement of the amount due and unpaid on account of such claim.

2. All such claims shall be filed with the Authority for College, Institution, Department or Agency.

3. Failure on the part of a creditor to file such statement prior to such final settlement will relieve the State of Colorado from any and all liability for such claim.

Authorized Facility Manager or Authorized Individual

• School District Operations - Leslie Nichols

VII. Adjournment - 5:30pm

Gunnison Country Times Gunnison, Colorado

Publication date of May 2, 2024 13184

PUBLIC HEARING

NOTICE OF A PUBLIC HEARING

CONCERNING AN APPEAL OF THE APPROVAL OF THE DEVELOPMENT OF A TRIPLEX

HEARING DATE, TIME AND LOCATION: The Gunnison County Board of Adjustment on May 22, 2024 at 2:15 p.m. in the Planning Commission Meeting Room, 221 N Wisconsin St., Gunnison, Colorado, will hear public comment concerning an appeal of the decision of the Crested Butte South Property Owners Association and the subsequent decision by the Gunnison County Planning Department regarding the development of a triplex on a parcel legally described as Lot 8, Block 9, Crested Butte South, Filing 2.

APPEAL: The appellants have submitted an appeal of the decision by the Crested Butte South Property Owners Association and a subsequent decision by the Gunnison County Planning Director relative to the development of a triplex. The appellants argue that there are multiple standards in the Crested Butte South Special Area Regulations for which the proposed development is not compliant.

APPELLANTS: The appellants are Andy and Susan Tyzzer, Craig Maestro, Norman Dumas, and Rebecca Bell-Dumas

APPLICANT: The applicant is South Butte LLC.

PARCEL LOCATION: The parcel is legally described as Lot 8, Block 9, Crested Butte South, Filing 2.

PUBLIC PARTICIPATION: The public is invited to submit verbal or written comments at the hearing, or to submit written comments by email: planning@gunnisoncounty.org; or letter (Community Development, 221 N. Wisconsin, Suite D, Gunnison, CO 81230), so long as they are received by 5 p.m. the afternoon before the date of the meeting so that they may be submitted for the public record during the hearing. A copy of the application is available online at: https:// permitdb.gunnisoncounty.org/citizenaccess/ Select “Projects” Select “Application Number” and type “APPEAL-24-00002”

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

/s/ Cathie Pagano

Assistant County Manager for Community & Economic Development

Gunnison Country Times

Gunnison, Colorado

Publication date of May 2, 2024

13186

PUBLIC NOTICE

STATE OF COLORADO

OFFICE OF THE STATE ARCHITECT STATE BUILDINGS PROGRAM

NOTICE OF CONTRACTOR’S SETTLEMENT

Study completion and submittal date, October 1, 2024 Report submitted and reviewed by BOCC, October 8, 2024 Report accepted and approved, October 15, 2024

II. Background Saguache County has outgrown the current space the county and judicial staff occupy. There is no additional space to expand and the need for more space continues to grow.

III. Project Description

Saguache County is searching for a vendor to conduct a feasibility study which will assist in deciding the option that best suits Saguache County, it’s needs and its circumstances. The options are – a) Construct a new “Judicial Building” that would house the judicial portion of the current courthouse, b) Remodel the 3rd floor of the courthouse to better accommodate the Judicial Department, c) Build a new County Government complex.

Cost of project study not to exceed $70,000.

IV. Submittal Requirements Saguache

Name: Sherry Ford, AVP of Campus Operations and Construction Approval Date: 4/30/2024

Agency: Western Colorado University Phone: 970-943-7052

Fax: 970-943-3329

Email: sford@western.edu

Gunnison Country Times

Gunnison, Colorado

Publication date of May 2, 9, 2024 13183

REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL

REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL FOR SAGUACHE COUNTY COURT FACILITIES FEASABILITY STUDY

For:

SAGUACHE COUNTY PO BOX 100 505 3rd Street

Saguache, CO. 81149

REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL FOR SAGUACHE COUNTY COURT FACILITIES FEASABILITY STUDY

Table of Contents

I. OVERVIEW

II. BACKGROUND III. PROJECT DESCRIPTION IV. SUBMITTAL REQUIREMENTS

V. SCHEDULE

I. OVERVIEW PROPOSAL DUE DATE/DELIVERY REQUIREMENTS – Responses due by June 10,2024 at 3PM

Delivery of 4 original copies either by USPS or hand delivered in a sealed envelope to:

Wendi Maez PO Box 100 505 3rd Street

Saguache, CO 81149

All official communication with Candidates and questions regarding this RFP will be via email to the Wendi Maez at wmaez@ saguachecounty-co.gov.

No inquiries will be accepted after the clarification deadline as indicated in the project schedule.

All Candidate inquiries will be responded to at the same time which will be after the “Clarification Deadline”. Candidates should not rely on any other statements, either oral or written, that alter any specification or other term or condition of the RFP during the open solicitation period. Candidates should not contact any team member, or any individual associated with the Owner or Saguache County regarding this RFP or this project except to schedule an optional site visit.

RFP Schedule

RFP Available, May 1, 2024

Optional Site Visit, By apt with all

RFP Clarification Deadline, May 28, 2024

RFP Clarification Responses, May 31, 2024

RFP Responses Due, June 10, 2024

Interview Invitations Sent, June 12, 2024 Interviews, June 25, 2024

Selections Made and Candidates Notified, July 3, 2024

Contract Negotiations/discussionComplete, July 9, 2024

Notice to Proceed Given to Successful Firm, July 16, 2024

January

•

• Dr.

• Items introduced by Board Members (Discussion, All)

• Gunnison schools UIP Presentations

• March • Budget: Review draft budget; prepare recommendations for Board

Institution/Agency: Western Colorado University Notice Number: One (1)

Study to begin , July 17, 2024

Lights & Sirens

APRIL 28

ANIMAL - RUNNING AT LARGEMUNICIPAL — 513 1/2 N. 14TH ST.

APRIL 22

ACCIDENT — 100 W. DENVER AVE. FRAUD - INFORMATION/WIRE —

TOMICHI AVE. MUNICIPAL CODE VIOLATION —

S. 2ND ST.

- INFORMATION/WIRE —

GEORGIA AVE. CRIMINAL MISCHIEF - DAMAGE TO PROPERTY — 520 S. BOULE -

ASSIST — 711 N. TAYLOR

APRIL 23 TRAFFIC - DRIVING WHEN REVOKED HTO — C.R. 38

MISCHIEF - DAMAGE TO PROPERTY — 1099 N. 11TH ST.

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE — 600 N. COLORADO ST.

APRIL 24

ACCIDENT — 909 N. MAIN ST. PROPERTY - FOUND — 200 N.

WISCONSIN ST.

THEFT: TWO OR MORE THEFTS IN 6 MONTHS X3 — 900 N. MAIN ST. INFORMATION — W. HWY. 50

APRIL 25

ALCOHOL VIOLATION - UNDERAGE POSS./CONSUMPTION — 218 N. MAIN ST. AGENCY ASSIST — 910 W.

BIDWELL AVE.

PROPERTY - FOUND — 804 N. MAIN ST. WELFARE ASSIST — N. 8TH ST.

APRIL 26

ANIMAL - RUNNING AT LARGEMUNICIPAL — 1312 W. TOMICHI AVE.

SEXUAL EXPLOITATION OF A CHILD: POSSESSES/VIES

APRIL 27

WELFARE ASSIST — N. 10TH ST. MUNICIPAL CODE VIOLATION — 200 W. ELIZABETH AVE.

MUNICIPAL CODE VIOLATION —

223 N. IOWA ST. PROPERTY - FOUND — 800 W. TOMICHI AVE.

MUNICIPAL CODE VIOLATION — 212 S. BOULEVARD ST.

ANIMAL - RUNNING AT LARGEMUNICIPAL — 806 W. RIO GRANDE

AVE.

CIVIL PROBLEM — 1010 W. VIR -

GINIA AVE.

GUNNISON COUNTY SHERIFF’S REPORT

APRIL 23

-Civil paper service x 2

-Deputies issued a citation for failing to maintain lane and driving when license is revoked

-Trespassing report under investigation

-Information report on harassment

APRIL 24

-Deputies responded to an out-ofcontrol burn. You are required to call dispatch when you burn. 970641-8200 ext.1.

-Information report on irrigation water issues

APRIL 25

-Information report/welfare check

-Information report regarding drone policies

-Welfare check -Welfare check

-Information report - family dispute

APRIL 27

-County ordinance 2018-30 - dog at large - owner located and dog was released with a warning regarding licensing

-Information report regarding a possible theft

APRIL 28

-Deputies assisted the Gunnison Police Department with a dispute in progress

APRIL 29

-Deputies in Marble responded to an ongoing dispute - under investigation

-Somerset deputies responded to a stuck semi call

-Information report - dog at large -Deputies responded to harassment in progress

Care designed for ... CHILDREN

At Gunnison Valley Health we have the expertise to keep our youngest community members healthy.

PEDIATRICS

DR. AMANDA HILL CARES FOR THE HEALTH OF YOUR CHILD AT EVERY STAGE OF DEVELOPMENT FROM BIRTH THROUGH TO 18 YEARS OF AGE.

FAMILY MEDICINE CLINIC | 970-642-8413

707 N. IOWA ST., GUNNISON

PEDIATRIC THERAPY

CRESTED BUTTE CLINIC | 970-642-8413

305 S. 6TH ST., CRESTED BUTTE

PEDIATRIC SPEECH AND OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY TO HELP YOU SUPPORT THE SUCCESS OF YOUR CHILD. REHABILITATION & ATHLETIC MEDICINE IN GUNNISON & CRESTED BUTTE | 970-641-7248

BEHAVIORAL HEALTH

FREE, INDIVIDUAL COUNSELING WITH LICENSED AND EXPERIENCED CLINICIANS WHO ARE EMBEDDED IN THE SCHOOLS. THEY PROVIDE A FAMILY-CENTERED APPROACH THAT SUPPORTS THE WHOLE FAMILY TO MAXIMUM SUCCESS FOR THE STUDENT.

BEHAVIORAL HEALTH IN GUNNISON & CRESTED BUTTE | 970-648-7128

Dr. Blake Clifton is fellowship trained in pediatric and adult sports medicine. This expertise makes him uniquely qualified to support children and adolescents to heal from injuries and return to sport stronger than before their injury.

WE WORK HARD TO KEEP YOU PLAYING HARDER

GUNNISON | 970-641-8899

112 SPENCER AVE, STE A | GUNNISON

CRESTED BUTTE | 970-349-5103

405 ELK AVE | CRESTED BUTTE

Defying

SPORTS: Bridge closure scrambles spring schedules,

GUNNISON COUNTRY TIMES • THURSDAY, MAY 2, 2024

Dancers reconnect with their bodies through aerial dance

Mariel Wiley Times Photo Editor

Beneath the warm glow of stage lights, Sasha Chudacoff danced in the sky. Her body shifted fluidly between different poses, all while suspended 15 feet in the air in a swath of golden silk.

“There is something I love about the dichotomy of getting to be a poet and a warrior at the same time,” Sasha said. “A lot of aerial dancing is hard. It requires the strength of a warrior. But then you get to be soft and poetic to express [the emotion] that needs to come through.”

Sasha founded Wild Hare Dance in 2021 with the goal of helping students build a sense of body “wisdom” — a connection with the body through dance. Her students develop an awareness of the way their bodies feel and move through space as they dance with the silks. This differs from the aesthetic-driven movements taught in other disciplines like ballet.

Aerial arts bring dancers off of the ground and into the air. The practice emerged from circus schools in Europe in the 1960s. Performers moved beyond the classic trapeze, swinging from long strands of silk fabric and metal hoops called “lyras.”

Dancing with aerial silks slowly gained popularity in the following decades, making its way into American dance and yoga studios in the early 2000s.

Alongside her sister, Sophia Chudacoff, Sasha teaches aerial and other dance classes at the Crested Butte Center for the Arts. Wild Hare’s aerial dancers are sometimes hired to perform at local events such as weddings or KBUT’s annual Disco Inferno.

“I saw a need for something slightly different in the valley,” Sasha said. “There are so many approaches with dance, and there were some students that weren’t being creatively met.”

Before moving to the Gunnison Valley, the pair worked in the dance industry in the San Francisco Bay area.

Sasha was a dance specialist in the public school system, while Sophia taught pilates and danced professionally.

Sasha made her way to Crested Butte 11 years ago after wanting a change from the West Coast dance scene, and Sophia followed shortly after.

When the sisters moved to

Crested Butte, they jumped into teaching dance for the former Crested Butte Dance Collective, now known as the Crested Butte School of Dance. Sasha helped direct the Collective’s annual Move the Butte dance performance, where she met aerial dance artist Joanie Garcia Grant. Grant had previously introduced aerial dance to the valley during the inaugural Move the Butte show in 2010.

“I remember the audience just gasping,” Grant said. “It was such a stunning moment, and it felt thrilling to be exposing the audience to this new art form that they hadn’t seen yet.”

The audience’s positive reaction encouraged Grant to incorporate aerial elements into the next several Move the Butte shows. After a back injury prevented her from performing a trapeze sequence, Grant tapped Sasha to take her place. Sasha agreed to give it a try, despite never having done any aerial dance before.

“Being a ground dancer first and foremost, it could feel scary at times,” Sasha said. “But when you have a good teacher, they help you learn to trust where your body is in space, and where the aerial apparatus supports you.”

Sasha’s introductory experience with flying trapeze quickly

gravity

Sasha Chudacoff hangs from a golden aerial silk in the Crested Butte Center for the Arts’ Steddy Theater. (Photos by Mariel Wiley)

A student makes her way up the silk while another dances with her silk from the ground.

STAND OUT IN A MOUNTAIN CROWD!

Signs • Vehicle Decals & Wraps

Store front signs and lettering

Screenprinting • Embroidery

Promotional Products • Stickers

Banners • CANVAS PHOTO WRAPS

Wild Hare from B1

evolved into a passion for all aerial arts. She began practicing with other aerial apparatuses including the lyra and the long silks that she uses today.

Grant relocated to Flagstaff, Arizona in 2013, and took her aerial practice with her. Following Grant’s departure, Sophia saw an opportunity to keep aerial dance alive in the Gunnison Valley amongst growing interest in the art. Sasha had been toying with the idea of starting their own dance studio when she saw a hare leaping through the underbrush, and inspiration struck.

There are so many approaches with dance, and there were some students that weren’t being creatively met.

Sasha

Chudacoff Wild Hare Dance

“Hares are highly sensitized animals, and that’s the sensitivity that we bring to our program,” she said.

Aerial dance has taken off with Wild Hare, but the company offers other forms of dance classes, including hip-hop and contemporary dance. Each class merges elements from other dance disciplines, creating a well-rounded learning environment. Fostering students’ creativity and artistic voice is at the core of all of Wild Hare’s classes, Sasha said.

forcing them into strict poses. In aerial dance, this means allowing students to find a form of practice that feels best to them, she said.

Sasha hopes to make more aerial classes available in Gunnison. However, using aerial silks requires buildings with high ceilings and structural support beams, so potential classes in Gunnison depend on a suitable location, she said.

She also runs a mentorship program where she works with each student one-on-one all year to help them develop their own choreography. These mentees, alongside her other students, display their work at an annual performance.

“It is so powerful,” Sasha said. “That’s been the most inspiring part of it for me is just to watch the students become their own dance artists.”

Sasha studied dance movement therapy and somatic psychology in college, which she incorporates into her classes. She teaches students to develop an intuitive sense of what their bodies are doing, rather than

Over the next few years, she hopes to develop programs that champion inclusive dance. This means lessons for “all bodies and all cognitive ways of learning,” Sasha said. For example, moving the practice outdoors could provide a more engaging, natural environment for students. Classes catered to students with different physical mobility levels could include adjusted movement patterns or poses.

The Wild Hare dance student showcase will take place in the Crested Butte Center for the Arts’ Steddy Theater on May 11 at 4 p.m. Entry is free with a suggested donation of $10 to support the studio.

(Mariel Wiley can be contacted at 970.641.1414 or mariel@gunnisontimes.com.)

A student rests on a mat beneath the “cave” that she created with the silk.

Sophia Chudacoff helps a student tie her silk into a sling during practice.

Live theater

Crested Butte Mountain Theatre presents “Every Brilliant Thing” from May 2-5 and 9-12. Find more information at cbmountaintheatre.org

Film screenings

The Gunnison Valley Climate Crisis Coalition will screen two films, “ A Good Neighbor” and “The Hypocrite” on May 3 at the Majestic Theater in Crested Butte. A short question and answer session will follow. Find more information at gunnisonvalleyclimate. com.

Volunteer day party

Habitat for Humanity will hold a kick-off party for its first volunteer day on May 4 at 211 S. 6th St. in Gunnison. Festivities begin at 9 a.m. and volunteering begins at 10 a.m. Find more information at hfh-gunnisonvalley.org.

Annual spring river clean-up

Gunnison Waves will host its annual spring river clean-up at the Gunnison Whitewater Park on May 4 from 9:30 a.m. to noon. Lunch and surfing is planned after the work is complete.

Dance festival

The Crested Butte School of Dance presents the “Speak Up and Dance” festival on May 4 at the CB Center for the Arts. The festival will feature over 95 local youth dancers. Stay for food and fun between the performances. Visit dancecrestedbutte.org/ speak-up-and-dance for the full

schedule and to purchase tickets and catered dinner reservations.

GCRC meetings

The Gunnison County Republicans Committee will meet on May 4 at Palisades Restaurant. Doors open at 8 a.m. and the meeting begins at 8:30 a.m. The committee will also meet on May 8 at Miller Furniture at 6:30 p.m. Guest speakers will attend both meetings. Find more information at gunnisoncountyrepublicans.org.

PTA supply drive

The Gunnison Valley PTA is hosting a supply drive to thank teachers on May 7. See items requested and sign up to donate at shorturl.at/hXY57.

Sacred feminine circle

Come explore the divine within you at the sacred feminine circle on May 7 at 7 p.m. in the back room of Union Congregational Church, 403 Maroon Ave, Crested Butte. Call Kelly Jo at 970.209.1613 with questions.

HCCA happy hour

High Country Conservation Advocates invites the public to meet their new advocacy director, Jon Hare, on May 9 at High Alpine Brewing in downtown Gunnison from 5-7 p.m.

Dance classes

Crested Butte School of Dance registration is open. Classes run from now-June 7 for adults and May 9 - June 3 for youth. Half and

For the love of tech talk

full-day summer dance camps for kids and over 30 weekly classes for dancers of all ages and skill levels begin June 17. Visit dancecrestedbutte.org for program details and registration. Email programs@dancecrestedbutte.org with questions.

Public Lands Day celebration

Backcountry Hunters and Anglers presents Public Lands Day festivities at the I Bar Ranch in Gunnison May 17-19. On May 18 from 8 a.m. - 2 p.m., volunteers will remove miles of area fencing, improving habitat for multiple species, followed by a community party at 7 p.m. Camping is available. Learn more and sign up at backcountryhunters.org/ beers_bands_and_barbwire_ strands_2024.

Garden club plant sale

Top O’ the World Garden Club is now taking pre-orders for its annual plant sale. Visit the club’s Facebook page and enter the number of plants you’d like to order in the comment area. Plants are $6.50 each plus tax. The public plant sale will take place on May 18 from 9 a.m-noon at the Gunnison Fairgrounds covered parking area.

Community read and author talk

Free copies of Laura Pritchett’s “Playing with (Wild) fire” are available at the Old Rock, Gunnison and Western Colorado University libraries. The Community Read Program will culminate during the Mountain Words Festival with a free author

talk at the Crested Butte Center for the Arts on May 26 at 2 p.m. For more information, contact drew@gunnisoncountylibraries. org.

Trail closure

The Doctor Park trail is closed to all uses from now to Memorial Day weekend for bighorn sheep protection. Please respect all trail closures.

Producers’ Guild plant sale

The Gunnison Valley Producers’ Guild will host a vegetable and herb plant sale on May 25 at 513 S. Main St. from 11 a.m.2 p.m.

100th birthday celebration

Friends of Thomas McKelvie are invited to attend his 100-year birthday celebration on May 26 from 12-2 p.m. at the Western Colorado University Center.

Volunteers needed

Habitat for Humanity Gunnison is seeking volunteers on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays from 8 a.m.-12 p.m. and 1-5 p.m. at 211 S. 6th St. in Gunnison. Help with painting, landscaping and basic construction tasks. No experience is necessary. Volunteers get a free t-shirt and lunch on Saturdays. Call 970.641.1245 or visit hfhgunnisonvalley.org for more details.

Rotary grants

The Rotary Club of Gunnison invites proposals from local char-

itable organizations for grant support, specifically those that serve children from birth to high school graduation. Organizations must be 501(c)(3) tax-exempt or other type of charitable organization. The application deadline is June 3 at noon. Email Pam Montgomery at pgmflower@gunnison.com or call 970.901.9950 for more information and to apply.

GHS reunion

Gunnison High School’s 60-year class reunion will be held on July 12, with dinner at 5 B's BBQ at 5 p.m. For more information, call Bob at 970.596.1556.

Youth nicotine anonymous

Nicotine Anonymous for Young Adults meets every Wednesday from 2-3 p.m. at 601 6th St. in Crested Butte and from 4-5 p.m. at the Fred Field McDonough Room in Gunnison. This is a mutual support group with no religious affiliation. Contact ajohnson@gunnisoncounty.org with questions.

Overeaters Anonymous

Overeaters Anonymous (OA) meets on Thursdays from 11 a.m.-12 p.m. at The Last Resort, 114 Wisconsin St. in downtown Gunnison. This is an open meeting.

Scientists, engineers, business owners and Western Colorado University students and alumni gathered at the Rady School for its annual Industry Night on April 25. The event allowed students to network with industry professionals and showcase recent projects.

(Photos by Mariel Wiley)

Titans win barnburner against Pirates

Lacrosse takes down St. Mary’s in final home game

Alex McCrindle Times Sports Editor

The Titans lacrosse team closed out its home campaign with a fiery, 14-3 victory over the St. Mary’s Pirates on April 26.

The win moves Crested Butte to a 5-8 overall record, and 4-6 in the 4A Mountain League. Despite the strong result on Friday, the Titans fell short of their goal to achieve a winning record this season, and will miss out on playoffs in the varsity program’s second year.

“Everyone was clicking, the energy was there and the boys played super hard all game,” said Head Coach Carter Brock. “There’s no playoffs for us this year, but I feel things are going in the right direction. Hopefully we can build on this season in the future.”

The Titans played through grueling weather conditions on Friday. Wind ripped across the field, and scattered showers and hail storms interrupted play. Still, the boys from the North Valley got the job done early. All 10 seniors started the

Gunnison athletes face roadblock

Hwy. 50 bridge closure scrambles schedules

Alex McCrindle Times Sports Editor

Athletic administrators around Gunnison were flung into a frenzy amidst schedule changes after the “middle

bridge” closure along Hwy. 50 on April 18.

The bridge crosses Blue Mesa Reservoir and connects Gunnison to the remainder of the Western Slope. Each week, Gunnison, Montrose and Grand Junction teams rely on the highway to travel to and from games. Now, Western Colorado University and Gunnison High School spring sports are facing budget increases, game cancellations and schedule updates.

“This is a nightmare-ish situation,” said GHS Athletic Director

and girls golf coach Kevin Mickelson. “But we’re not going to let the circumstances defeat us. It just forces us to think outside the box and get creative.”

Most spring sports are cruising into the final, vital weeks of the season. Cowboy athletes are vying for playoff and state championship spots, while Mountaineer track and field is the only Western sport still active for the season. But now, athletes are forced to work around the road closure.

Last week, Gunnison County

Public Works opened County Road 26, or the Lake City Cutoff, for limited traffic. As of Tuesday, April 30, the detour is open daily for four, 30-minute windows. While CR 26 prevents an almost six-hour drive to Montrose, sports teams have already had difficulty making the 30-minute windows.

The Cowboys track and field team is preparing for a long road trip on May 3. The team will travel to Grand Junction for the Western Slope League meet. However, if the meet goes

late and they miss the last CR 26 window, the team will have to make the six-hour drive home. Western’s track and field team faced a similar obstacle after traveling for the 2024 Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Championships in Grand Junction from April 26 to 28. Deputy Director of Athletics Greg Hinze said the detours forced the university to spend extra on hotels and food, which has now exceeded the team’s Bridge B6

game, cel-

Cy Davis battles against Pirate defenders. (Photos by Mariel Wiley)

Lacrosse B6

Cowboy golf takes fourth in Salida

Tomlin and Schwartz close to breaking 100

Alex McCrindle Times Sports Editor

The GHS girls golf team took home its most complete performance so far this season, finishing fourth out of 14 teams at the Salida Golf Course on April 25. Sophomore Aiden Tomlin led the way for the Cowboys, shooting 101 and almost breaking triple digits for the first time this season.

“It was a fun and challenging course, and the girls stepped up,” Head Coach Kevin Mickelson said. “The girls are getting better as they start to put more pieces together.”

It was a windy and chilly day in Salida, but the Cowboys outperformed at the tee. The first hole was a long and skinny par 5, and posed a difficult fairway to hit. Despite the tricky tee shots, Tomlin and senior captain Allie Schwartz scored well through 18 holes.

Schwartz finished three strokes behind Tomlin with a 104. The two have been trading scores all season. It was the first tournament in three that Tomlin returned to the top of the team leaderboard.

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

Lily Wild signs with Hastings College

Sophomore Faith Pederson notched third-place for the Cowboys with a 115, and freshman Norah Abila continued her impressive varsity showing with a 118.

The girls will return to the tee boxes on May 2 at Eagle Valley

Ranch in Vail, before hosting a home duel against Alamosa at Dos Rios Golf Course on May 6 at 10 a.m.

Aiden Tomlin pitches the ball from the edge of the green. (Courtesy Kevin Mickelson)

On April 29, Lily Wild, the star libero that led the Cowboy volleyball team to the regional championship in November, signed a letter of intent to play for the Hastings College Broncos in the fall. Wild was joined by family and friends in the GHS auditorium on Monday. She will continue her volleyball career in Hastings, Nebraska, wearing crimson and white.

(Photo by Alex McCrindle)

Lacrosse from

B4

ebrating their final home game as Titans.

The seniors made an immediate impact. Midfielder Riley Davis notched a number of assists, and senior Cy Davis added to his goal account. By the end of the first half, the Titans were up 10-0.

The pace slowed down in the second half, but the Titans fought through the blustery conditions to conclude the home season in style. The game ended 14-3 for the home team, and boosts the Titans confidence ahead of two crucial away games to finish the season. On May 3, the boys will take on powerhouse Middle Park, which sits undefeated in the 4A Metro League. On May 4, the Titans will finish the season against Denver North.

“It’s good to have lofty goals of making the playoffs and having a winning record, but we also have to take it one game at a time,” Brock said. “We just got to keep working in the offseason and come back strong.”

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

budget. If the bridge were open during the meet, Hinze said they would have shuttled athletes that didn’t advance back to Gunnison.

“The meet doubled our budget on hotel rooms, meal money and a six-hour drive both ways,” he said. “We were appreciative to have CR 26 open, but if you know anything about track, it’s impossible to make a 30-minute window.”

The track and field season will close out Western’s spring sports calendar, giving admin-

istrators a chance to breathe and prepare for the fall season. Without an official timeline from the Colorado Department of Transportation, Hinze cannot predict what travel might look like.

“There have been discussions about Kebler pass being an option for us — but as far as fall sports go, I’m having a hard time looking that far down the road,” he said.

At GHS, Mickelson is fighting an uphill battle to find baseball umpires. The majority of umpires travel from Montrose and Grand Junction to officiate games. Mickelson is relying on a few umpires from Salida, and attempting to coax Montrose

umpires into spending an entire day in Gunnison while they wait out the CR 26 detour.

“We’ve had a great deal of help from local dads officiating JV games,” Mickelson said. “But I’ve also had to sweeten the pot to lure Montrose and Deltabased umpires here. We offer lunches and extra money for them to spend the whole day.”

Out of the three GHS teams, the girls golf team may be the most impacted by the bridge closure. The Cowboys had to drop out of the JV championships, scheduled for 8 a.m. on May 3 in Grand Junction, due to the early start. The varsity team’s home tournament on May 6 will also take a hit, as Western Slope

teams can’t make the lengthy drive. Instead, varsity will face off against Alamosa in a home duel on May 6, and the JV girls will hold an informal championship at Dos Rios Golf Course.

Despite the scramble to save the spring season, GHS has had only a few canceled games. The JV baseball team had two games against Delta and one against Montrose canceled. These were replaced by four games against Buena Vista. Varsity baseball rescheduled a North Fork game, initially planned for late April to a doubleheader in mid-May, and will play enough games to remain eligible for playoffs in May.

“The cancellations are disap-

pointing,” Mickelson said. “But we’ll make our own parade if we need to. We’ll host our own JV golf championship, even if it's just our girls playing at home. We’re going to brighten our little corner of the world and overcome these circumstances.”

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

Bridge from B4

Cy Davis and Luke Walton celebrate a goal.

Grady Lipoma attacks the Pirates’ net.

Fraser Birnie faces off against the Pirates.

VETERANS’ VOICE

GHS students seek help with

memorial project

Mark High

Special to the Times

The members of the Gunnison High School (GHS) Legion Club have a mystery and need assistance from the community to solve it.

The mission of the Legion Club is to support those on active duty and veterans (both living and deceased). The members of the club show their patriotism through service. The Legion Club has been working with John Vader at the Gunnison Cemetery for about a year and a half.

We have raised about 16 veteran stones and replaced one cracked veteran stone. On Friday, April 19, five members of the club cleaned the 16 stones we had raised. We also found one bronze memorial that has a hole in it. We will work with Steve Otero, the Gunnison County veteran service officer to replace it.

During our work on Friday, Vader showed us a marker in the pauper section of the cemetery that is for “Maj. Harry Sehrman, 1839-1929.” We would like to obtain a Veterans Administration memorial for Sehrman, but we are unable to find an online source that documents his military service. Actually, we have not found him in any online source. We think he is a Civil War veteran given his birth date.

If you have any information about Sehrman, please contact Mark High, the GHS Legion Club co-sponsor, at mhigh@ gunnisonschools.net.

The Legion Club is also sponsoring an online memorial website for veterans buried in the Gunnison Cemetery. (Scan the QR code below, or search “GHS Veteran Memorial Index.”) Our GHS Journalism class, taught by Kelsey McDonald, is currently researching memorials for the veterans listed below. We realize that we can only obtain limited information from online

sources about the veterans.

Please contact Mark High if you have information about the veterans below.

• Lt. Wm. C. Adams, Company E, 2 Kentucky Cavalry

• Albert Blinerry, 7th New York Battery

• E. W. Burton, Company C, 9th Michigan Infantry

• Thomas R. Cox, Company D, I Colorado Infantry

• Sgtt Jos. G. Dean, Company I, 7 Missouri Cavalry

• Jackson C. Enbody, Nebraska, Private 134 Infantry, 34 Division, July 24, 1934

• Glenn J. George, Colorado, CFR 1 CL, 78 Balloon Company AS, July 5, 1891-July 25, 1954

• Jas. A. Haymaker, Company I, 193 Ohio Infantry

• Paul Hostrawser, Company B, 95th Illinois Infantry

• Lt. Henry B. Keefer, Company G, 40 Iowa Infantry

• Lewis E. Lore, Company C, 21 Missouri Infantry

VETERAN EVENTS & LOCAL INFORMATION

• Samuel G. Smith, Company E, 140 Illinois Infantry

• John Stanley, Company D, 10 Michigan Infantry

• Walter J. Thomas, Montana, Private 23 Engineers, Nov. 13, 1940

The research for each veteran is in different stages, so each veteran may not have a web page at this time. This is an ongoing project for the journalism class and Legion Club.

(Mark High is a Gunnison High School teacher and veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps)

VETERAN BREAKFAST: SAT. MAY 4TH, 9 TO 11 AM AT THE LEGION POST. ALL VETERANS, THEIR FAMILIES AND FRIENDS ARE WELCOME!

AMERICAN LEGION MONTHLY MEETING: WED. MAY 15TH, DINNER AT 5PM, MEETING STARTS AT 6PM. NO MEMBERSHIP REQUIRED TO PARTICIPATE! MEMORIAL DAY IS MONDAY, MAY 27TH: WEAR A POPPY, AND PLEASE JOIN OUR COMMUNITY AT GUNNISON CEMETERY AT 10 AM, FOR A PATRIOTIC OBSERVANCE OF THIS IMPORTANT DAY. -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

Members of the GHS Legion Club raise and clean the headstone of a military veteran buried at the Gunnison Cemetery. (Courtesy Mark High)

Mini Monets

Toddlers sat around a table covered in art supplies at the Gunnison Arts Center (GAC) on April 27. The young creatives painted abstract watercolors during the GAC’s Big + Little Art Days weekly classes for 2 to 5-year-olds. The second session of the program will run May 4-25.

Gunnison’s World Record Chapter of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation would like to thank the following donors for the success of our 2024 banquet.

Tenderfoot Outfitters

The Turquoise Junction

Trader’s Rendezvous

Pike Builders

Alpine Lumber

Buff’s Collision Specialists

Colorado Parks and Wildlife

Cowboy Steel - Terry Klug

Drake Woods

Fullmer’s Ace Hardware

Gene Taylors

Gunnison Inn at Dos Rios

Gunnison Savings and Loan

H & H Towing

Henry’s Radio and TV

John Roberts Motor Works

Mechanic on Duty

Morrison Tile & Stone

Ol’ Miner Steak House

Plotts Mini Storage

Red Mountain Furniture

Secret Creek Spirits

Singer’s Auto Repair

Jean Steelman

Thomas N. Stoeber, CPA

WCU Mountaineer Athletic

Western Slope Fire

2 Tree Woodworks

Gunnison Bank and Trust

Tom’s Shop & Signal Peak Towing

IM Silver - Ivy McNulty

Nicole Schultheis

Gunnison Country Times

Hope & Glory

The Toggery Elevated

The W Café

The Coffee Trader

Klingsmith State Farm

Rudy’s Recycled Ropes

Chopwood

Delektabowl

Abra Karbin Ceramics

Abracadabra!

Power Stop

Savage Arms

Tractor Supply

Critter Sitters & Gunnison Vet

Clinic

Treads and Threads

Gunnison Sportsmen’s Club

Villa Beaute

Sig Sauer

RNDC - Daren Thorn

OffCenter DeSigns

Dove Graphics

Prois

Miller Furniture

Laudick NAPA Auto Parts

Pawsitively Native Pet Boutique

Elk Creek Marina

Brandon Goerin

Dos Rios Golf Club

Gunnison Ice

Western Slope Fire and Safety

Gunnison Muffler and Pipe

Vortex Optics

Bay Equity - Brenda Sargent

Crystal Clear Window Washing

Zacchariah Zypp & Co.

Cattlemen’s Days Inc.

Fred Stinson

Rocky Mountain Frames & Trophies

Gunnison Auto Glass

Artist of the Month

Allison Sinkewich

Sinkewich is the reviver of lost craft Spooling old sweaters, knitting, sewing, mending and alter garments, dying--she is a master needle pointer and a new business owner-Subversive Stitch, where you can purchase sustainable crafting materials, or you (or your child) can take a class to learn a new practical skill. Come tour this exciting new learning space during First Friday’s Artwalk on May 3rd from 5-8:00pm 419 N Main Street

Shondeck Financial Services

Lake Fork Hunting & Fishing Club

Black Canyon Chiropractic

JC Services LLC

Mountain Legacy Veterinary Center

Sweeties Zoo - Artwork

Stice & Company LLC

Mountain Surfaces

5-B’s BBQ

Season of Eagles

Trophies Unlimited Taxidermy

Precision Automotive

RMD Powersports

Palisades Restaurant

Can-D-Lite

O’Reilly’s Auto Parts

The Club @ Crested Butte

Wild Mountain Healing LLC

Three Rivers Resort

Penguin Pest Control

Mikey’s Pizza

Crested Butte Ace Hardware

Montanya Rum

The Wooden Nickle

Garlic Mike’s Italian Cuisine

Dragonfly Anglers

Craig and Gayle Berkoben

Robert M. O’Hayre, LLC

Crested Butte Lodging

Elk Ave. Food & Beverage

Hair Repair II

Western Lumber

Buff’s Collision Specialist

Gunni Rents

Gunnision Library

(Photos by Mariel Wiley)