HOMES
GARDENS &
Top Mountain Builders 2023 & 2024
Recognized as one of the BEST
ELEVATED LIVING:
WHERE MODERN DESIGN MEETS MOUNTAIN BEAUTY
Our mission is to craft the highest quality custom homes that seamlessly blend modern design with the rugged beauty of the surrounding mountain landscape. We specialize in creating sophisticated, nature-inspired spaces that embrace clean lines, natural materials, and breathtaking views. With a commitment to excellence and deep industry expertise, we guide you through every step of the building process to bring your Mountain Modern vision to life.
Mountain Modern Building
BUILDERS INC.
Thank you to all our employees, subcontractors, suppliers, and clients for your ongoing support.
- Christopher Klein & Robert Lovato
We are seeking a motivated Project Manager/ Estimator, with a minimum of 5 years mountain custom home and/or commercial management experience in Gunnison Valley. We specialize in both custom residential and commercial projects.
We offer a benefit package that includes paid time off, retirement, health insurance, bonuses, and paid overtime.
Responsibilities include but not limited to:
-Coordination with clients, engineers, and architects throughout the project
-Permitting, scheduling, budgeting, estimating
-Subcontracts, purchase orders, material take offs
-Maintain drawings and information for the field team
-Daily site visits and coordinate with field crews
Competitive compensation based on experience Apply online at ChristopherKleinConstruction .com
Voted Best Contractor 14 Times!
Publisher: Alan Wartes
Editor: Toni Todd
Editorial: Toni Todd, Maryo Ewell, Danica Bona, Bobbie Duft
Advertising and Sales: Steve Nunn, Bobbie Duft
Production: Alan Wartes, Issa Forrest
Online: www.gunnisontimes.com
For more information regarding this publication or other special publications of Alan Wartes Media, call 970.641.1414, or e-mail publisher@gunnisontimes.com
Copyright© 2025
No part of this publication may be reproduced without the written consent of the publisher. No part may be transmitted in any form by any means including electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise without permission of the publisher. Any work (written, photographic or graphic) which the publisher “hired-out” becomes the property of the publisher. Publisher accepts no liability for solicited or unsolicited materials lost, damaged or otherwise.
What’s inside
What makes a house a home?
Toni Todd
After graduating high school, I moved around a lot. A habitual dwelling-hopper, I moved from dorm to dorm, dorm to apartment, apartment to apartment to house to house, back to apartment — you get the picture. Through it all I learned a bit of wisdom from my grandmother. She said, “I guess you can make a
home wherever you are.”
That sentiment has stuck with me ever since, and comes to mind whenever I stop to ponder what “home” really means. A house is just four walls and a roof, but when you live even a portion of your precious life in it, when you add a bit of yourself and those you love, it becomes a home. In the case of the Channell family in Gunnison, an old house became a home through blood, sweat, tears, a smashed thumb here and there, but also loads of laughter and countless memories.
The Channells also share a reverence for the history and tradition of their house and their home town. In the case of Maryo Ewell and her fence, her self-expression connects her to the mother of all mothers — Earth — but also to friends and family, the people who have made her who she is. Home
can be a small garden that produces blooms or even food, or it can be a few potted plants nurtured daily in a sunny window. It can be a family portrait or a gift from a friend on a shelf. It can be a bookshelf with all your old, or soon-to-be favorites. Home is safety. And in towns like ours, home is community. It’s our friends, neighbors and the colorful characters we’ve come to know and appreciate.
With all this in mind, I hope this edition of Gunnison Country Homes and Gardens gets you thinking about what makes a house a home for you, and that you find some inspiration in these pages. n
(Courtesy Hap and Narcissa Channell)
Half a century of labor, love and devotion to a special family home
In a time when most things we own are ready-made — including our homes — it’s rare to find stories of people committed to a handmade, homemade life. It is hard, slow work. Though gratifying, there is nothing instantaneous about it. In Gunnison, just such a story can be found in a modest stone house at the corner of Wisconsin and Ruby streets, home to the Channell family for nearly 50 years. Its full history is more than twice that long.
A pioneer quarryman
Before a town becomes a town, there’s a stretch of time when folks wander into a place and consider whether it might be suitable to inhabit, even if people have lived there before. The steps within the timeline are called phases, and they typically go from exploration to settlement, settlement to camp, and camp to town.
Gunnison's camp phase was short compared to most communities — from 1879-1881 — partly because of a quarryman named David Fisher, and two ambitious stone masons, Fred and Frank Zugelder. Not long after he arrived in the Gunnison Country, Fisher spotted some good, sandstone outcrops near town along the Gunnison River and opened a small quarry in 1880. He then hired the Zugelders to build his house at what is now the corner of Wisconsin and Ruby from that same quarry stone. A cottage on the adjacent lot came soon after.
These are the first stone houses built in Gunnison. Today, they are known as the Fisher-Zugelder House and Smith
continued on 12
Toni Todd
Cottage. It’s believed that the cottage, then a separate property, was built for Gunnison’s first judge. The two lots were eventually joined into one, and for the past 48 years it’s been home to the Channell family.
“We bought it because we could afford it and wanted a place in town,” Narcissa Channell said.
Her husband Hap remembers shoveling coal daily during the winter to heat the house in those early years. Of course, there are many more memories; it’s where Hap and Narcissa raised their two girls, Narcie and Leslie. When they bought the place, it was showing nearly 70 years of wear and tear. To call it “historic” was an optimistic kindness. Today, thanks to years of labor involving the whole family, the place has been restored and modernized. It’s also listed on the National Registry of Historic Places.
An evolving vision
The Channell’s adventures in renovation didn’t start right away and didn’t happen quickly.
“We didn’t have a vision to do it because we didn’t know to do it,” Hap said. “So, it was kind of, ‘Well, if we do this, then we have to do that.’”
Initially, they made basic repairs only out of necessity, but eventually, those basic repairs became a little bigger than they could handle on their own. At one point, Hap and his brother-in-law tried to stabilize a beam that went across the ceiling, but were unable to do it. That’s when they shifted their focus from working on the house to the cottage.
The idea was that it would take less time to fix up the smaller cottage, and then they’d have a place to stay while they made repairs to the main house. But the cottage was also showing its age and signs of neglect.
“Skunks were living under the floor,” Narcissa said.
After gutting the cottage completely, the family squeezed into one room in the main house with beds on the floor. One night, a pipe broke upstairs. Water dripped down on them as they slept and they awoke to ice-crusted blankets frozen to the floor.
Once the smaller structure was restored, the family moved out of the main house and into the tiny, but now livable cottage. The girls bunked in the loft while Hap and Narcissa slept below.
“I figured we could do it for maybe a year. It is really small,” Narcissa said. “Three years later, we moved back into the house.”
Throughout that time, the house received the same treatment as the cottage.
“We took it down to dirt and blue sky in some places,” Hap said. They continued on 14
The Channell's home was built in the early 1880s by pioneering stonemasons, Fred and Frank Zugelder.
chipped all the old plaster from the rock walls, put in a crawl space, new flooring, and eventually, a new roof.
Several original construction elements remain from the original building, such as the stone arches over the windows, baseboard trim and door casings, and, of course, the original stone structure itself, with its unique corners, stone milling and design, emblematic of the Zugelders’ building style. It’s these unaltered, original features that helped qualify the home for a spot on the National Historic Registry.
The Channells credit their friend and historic preservation enthusiast Tracy Coleman for her help gathering and documenting the home's historic value. They also received support from members of the Zugelder family and others who shared old photos. The Channells used that information to restore features that had gone by the wayside.
“There is, and has been, a weak historic preservation ethos in town,” Hap said, noting the demise of beautiful old buildings like the La Veta Hotel.
“I had contractors ask, ‘What the hell are you doing, Channell? Just tear it down.”
Coleman helped them complete the paperwork and make an application to the Colorado State Historical Society, now known as History Colorado.
Hap believes their house is the only residence in Gunnison on the registry.
A team effort
The Channells credit “several local contractors” for their help in restoring the house, but none more than local woodworking craftsman David Treadway, who recreated the front door and many other wood features of the house either from photos or samples he copied.
“Dave said, ‘I’ll tell you what. You and Narcissa buy the knives for my planer, and I will run this pattern for you anytime you want,” Hap said.
They also found companies via catalog that could replicate certain historical features from photographs. The entire Channell family had to adapt to living in a house that was always under construction.
“The girls joke that their chores had nothing to do with cleaning,” Narcissa
Hap Channell and his daughter Leslie at work on the home's exterior.
Narcissa Channell removes nails from reclaimed lumber.
said. “Instead, they were moving rock or tearing off plaster.”
One Thanksgiving, the family was working on insulating what is now the living room. They stopped, put a piece of plywood over two saw horses, ordered pizza for Thanksgiving dinner, then went back to work.
“I think the girls had some resentment about it when they were young,” Hap said. “But now, they both say they appreciate and are thankful for the experience.”
The Channells consider themselves fortunate to have not only found this unique house but also to have accomplished what they did in restoring it to something that resembles its early life.
“It amazes me that we did it,” Narcissa said. “It got to the point where we were both teaching, so we would go in and out of the energy and the money to work on the house. We did not do it all ourselves, of course, but it was a labor of love, for sure.”
A legacy in stone
Brothers Fred and Frank Zugelder built several other stone houses in
Gunnison, including Alonzo Hartman’s in-town home a few blocks from the Channell’s place. Hartman is the namesake of Hartman Rocks near where his ranch and out-of-town "castle" were located. The Zugelders also built several notable public structures in town, including the original Gunnison Hardware building, in 1882. It still stands, 142 years later, at the corner of Tomichi and Main Street, as the Gunnison Arts Center — which is also listed as a historic building.
Fred Zugelder’s fame grew beyond Gunnison a few years later. In 1889 he filed a claim on an outcropping of granite he discovered 5 miles southwest of Gunnison near Beaver Creek. Zugelder was taken by the quality and color of the granite and presented a sample to the folks tasked with finding just the right stone for the new Colorado state capitol building in Denver.
His rock beat out all competitors, and the newly christened Aberdeen Quarry was in business. The Denver and Rio Grande Railroad built a narrow-gage spur off its closest main line to reach
continued on 16
continued from 14
the quarry so the rock could be transported to Denver by train. The stones rode the rails through the Rockies and were milled on the capitol grounds. A small community sprung up around the quarry during the three years it took to build the Capitol, with upwards of 200 people, a post office, a small school and general store.
Aberdeen, both the quarry and the town, were named after a renowned, granite-producing city in Scotland. The contract to build the capitol was awarded to William F. Geddes and David Duff Seerie. They, along with the quarrymen and stone masons who built the Denver capitol were skilled craftsmen from Scotland, Ireland, and throughout Europe.
A plaque at the Channell’s house acknowledges the home’s listing on the National Registry and the original owners and builders. Living in such an old and storied home comes with a certain mystique — a unique feeling you can’t get from your everyday tract home.
“We are reminded constantly by people who drive by and say, ‘This is my all-time favorite house in Gunnison,' or, because we used to rent out the cottage, they’ll ask to peek into the cottage windows because they once lived there and want to see it again,” Hap said.
It’s the perfect example of history coming to life in the present, transporting people to a time and place that represents the roots of our community, the foundations of our mountain town culture, and the very way of life we still cherish and nurture today. n
(Photos by Mariel Wiley)
The Zugelder family poses in front of the house when it was new.
Conquering CLUTTER
(Freepik)
How to reclaim your home from the tyranny of unwanted stuff
Bobbie Duft
Most of us have too much stuff, and it’s weighing us down. Whether you need an extreme purge or to gently let go of a few items, everyone is likely holding onto something they probably don’t need.
If you’re already living a clutter-free lifestyle, hats off to you. It’s not easy. Getting rid of all those accumulated things, simplifying, and even resisting the urge to buy just one more cool gadget or bit of clothing because it’s so nifty or cute — that’s tough.
Research shows that too much clutter around you makes it hard to focus, and the burden of clutter can have a detrimental effect on your mental health.
Freeing yourself from clutter may seem like a forever task, and in a way, it is. But once you get through that initial, big purge, staying on top of it is easier, even if it does require some diligence and maybe a change in your shopping habits so it doesn’t overrun you again and again.
As daunting as it feels, it’s worthwhile. Research shows that too much clutter around you makes it hard to focus, and the burden of clutter can have a detrimental effect on your men-
continued on 18
continued from 17
tal health. Decluttering your life sets you free from the burden of all that stuff. It sets your descendants free, too.
Your long-held treasures — a favorite old sweater you haven’t worn in 10 years because the elbows are worn through; the nicknacks you’ve picked up from travels or gifts from friends; or that cool gadget you saw on YouTube that you just had to have and used once — they may be among your prized possessions, but they won’t be so prized by
your kids or whomever inherits them. Other than a few meaningful mementos, they likely don’t want any of it and it’s a huge bummer when they’re faced with the time and money it will cost them to get rid of all your stuff.
So, in the spirit of your soon-to-be newfound freedom from clutter, here are some tips to make the process easier and to help you get motivated.
Start small. File cabinets, junk drawers, a shoe bin. Something that won’t
take much time and will give you a sense of accomplishment and motivation.
Make a plan . Set aside decluttering time. If your goal is to eventually go through your entire home, doing it over a stretch of time is both relieving and realistic. It won’t happen in one weekend.
Be thorough. Start in one space and go through it in its entirety. Every item.
Clutter can accumulate in every nook and cranny of your home.
If you start skipping or procrastinating there will still be that one area (mine is typically Tupperware) that doesn’t get touched. Be diligent — you will be glad you did.
Break it up. If the above tip feels too daunting, break the area up into multiple sections. Tackling one area at a time.
The hanger trick. Put all of your hangers backwards in your closet. After doing laundry and while putting clothes away, face the hanger in the right direction. Give yourself a deadline, and at the end of that time period, anything that is on a hanger that is still facing backwards was not worn and may not serve you anymore.
While we’re on to clothing, ditch the sock that you swear you have a match to but has been unmatchable for years.
The 60 seconds rule. If it takes less than 60 seconds, just do it.
Never empty handed. Never leave a room empty handed. Grab something that doesn’t belong and put it where it needs to be.
Linger no more. Once you have decided something needs to be purged, get rid of it. Don’t let it linger.
If you wouldn’t move it, don’t keep it. If you wouldn’t want to pack an item up and move it to a new house, it probably doesn’t deserve space in your current home.
Have a system. Once your space is sorted, enforce a system. Make your space work with you, not against you. This is key in maintaining your tidiness.
Hold a yard sale. The item you no longer need or want might be just the thing that someone else is searching for. Why not make a little money in the process?
The intangibles. Delete old emails. Unsubscribe from undesired newsletters. Delete unused apps on your phone. Remove redundant photos on your phone.
continued on 20
Once you get to a place where you feel everything has been decluttered, fine tune. It won’t be perfect the first time, or the last. The point is to start somewhere. Once everything has a home, this will become a lot less daunting.
Donate items that still have life to a local thrift store or sign up at a consignment store. Put a basket at the front door and when friends and family come over tell them to take what they could
use! There are plenty of options to keep items out of the landfill. Reduce, reuse, recycle is the mantra here.
Before, during and after you start a decluttering project, have a realistic expectation of what a home is supposed to look like. Lived in. Don’t be fooled by photos online or in magazines that depict the most perfectly tidy spaces.
And keep in mind this process will look different at different stages of life. Something that has served you in the past may not in the present or future. You may purge often, or never again.
However or whenever, take it as an opportunity to be grateful. Thank your items for the purpose they had and let them live a new life… so you can too!
I hope you got a few ideas on how to simplify your space. If anything, I hope you are inspired to clear out your Tupperware drawer. n
Consider donating unwanted items to Six Points Thrift Store in Gunnison — to support their mission of assisting adults with developmental disabilities. (Metro Creative)
Take security seriously
Home security systems can lower insurance costs and increase peace of mind
Homeowners go to great lengths to make their properties comfortable places to call home. Whether it’s new
interior furnishings or renovated outdoor living areas or the installation of various smart home technologies, there’s no shortage of ways to upgrade a home with comfort in mind.
When homeowners renovate a home in an effort to make spaces more relaxing and welcoming, it’s important they recognize the relationship between comfort and safety. A home is only as comfortable as it is safe, as residents might struggle to relax if they’re concerned about their safety. Security cameras can help quell such concerns, which is one of a handful of reasons
homeowners should consider these increasingly popular safety features for their homes.
• Security cameras can help to deter criminals. Property crimes may not garner the same level of news coverage as violent crimes, but a recent report from the Federal Bureau of Investigation indicated that there were still nearly 900,000 burglary offenses in the United States in 2022. That figure represents a decline of more than 50% since 2012, when FBI data indicates more than 1.8 million such offenses
The cost of security systems has dropped in recent years making home surveillance more affordable to the average homeowner. (Metro Creative)
were committed. A host of variables undoubtedly contributed to that decline, and the greater availability and increased affordability of security cameras has made it easier than ever for homeowners to make their homes less appealing to prospective burglars.
• Security cameras may help to lower insurance premiums. Exterior security cameras can help individuals lower the cost of their homeowners insurance policies. The extent of those savings may depend on the type of cameras homeowners install and whether or not the cameras are integrated into a whole-home security system. The Insurance Information Institute notes that whole home security systems can save homeowners anywhere from 2-15% on their homeowners insurance policies. More advanced systems, such as those which feature alarms and exterior cameras, can earn homeowners greater savings on their policies.
• Security cameras provide peace of mind while traveling. Modern security camera systems now provide remote access through smartphone apps. That can give homeowners peace of mind when traveling, as they can monitor their properties when they’re away from home and potentially alert local authorities if they notice anything suspicious on their remote feeds.
• Security cameras can give parents peace of mind. Much like security cameras help travelers keep an eye on their property while they’re away, parents also may find that access to realtime video footage of their homes can calm their nerves when children are in the house. Parents can utilize cameras to keep tabs on youngsters playing in the yard and monitor feeds to see what older kids are up to while Mom and Dad are at work or away from the home for other reasons.
Home security cameras are a worthwhile investment that can save homeowners money and provide peace of mind that they’re doing everything possible to make their homes comfortable, safe spaces to live. n
Earth, Air, Fire, Water
(Courtesy Maryo Gard Ewell)
One Gunnison woman's mission to turn drab into dazzling
As I write this, the winter day outside is grim, gray and cold. What will get me through is the thought of summer — and, to me, summer is synonymous with color. When the world goes crazy with wildflowers of all hues, when we bask in “three Crayola days,” as my husband calls them — bright blues, greens and reds. I love color. I love summer.
I didn’t love the dull brown-fadingto-gray privacy fence that shields our back yard from the alley. For a long time, I tried to figure out how to make that part of the yard less grim. I fanta-
sized about climbing roses (tried that, wouldn’t grow). Clematis? (Nope.) Surely hops? (Not even hops.) Summer mornings, that gray fence just was an unhappy splotch amidst all the colors of nature and my flowers.
Then one Christmas, my sister-in-
law sent us an ornament. It was a wonderful metal morning glory, painted with gaudy colors. I liked it too well to stick it away for the next 11 months and, for a while, it sat on my desk, continued on 27
CUSTOM HOME ACCENTS
The author displays one of many treasures adorning her fence. (Courtesy Maryo Gard Ewell)
Maryo Gard Ewell
continued from 25
helping me through grim March grays and browns.
That spring, as I was staring bleakly at my grim gray and brown fence, it hit me: if flowers won’t grow in front of the fence, why not put that metal flower on the fence?
Well, that was about 20 years ago. That first morning glory is now one of scores of items bringing color and pleasure and memory.
The fence project, unplanned, became my autobiography and travel diary.
There’s something there that brings to mind and heart every member of my family:
• costume jewelry of my mother’s
• a knitting needle from my sister
• a souvenir plate from Allen County, Kansas, where my dad was born
• a “just between us” gift I received from George
• the collar from our beloved border collie, Zoe.
And mementos of my friends near, far and gone:
• a tile from Sylvia
• a metal star that Greg, my neighbor, gave me when he moved
• a dragonfly that Sally painted
• a glass fish from Pam.
My personal life is represented, too:
• a Green Bay Packers tile (Go Pack Go!)
• a goofy little trinket from Clark’s Dairy Bar in New Haven, where I gulped many a milkshake
• a faded laminated ticket from a Chicago Cubs game
• an ornament saying “Participation!” from my days at the Colorado Council on the Arts.
How about trips I’ve taken?
• there’s a brass potato from the Boise airport
• a ceramic chili pepper from a trip to Santa Fe with George
• a beaded lobster from Maine.
continued on 28
View Villa, Mount Crested Butte
Lookout Over Lapis, Mount Crested Butte| Vacation Rental
Open May 17th-Late June
MONDAY-SATURDAY: 10AM-6PM, SUNDAY: 11AM-3PM
Colorado-grown hanging baskets, pre-done planters, window boxes, landscaping plants, perennials, herbs, vegetables, & more are available at the Greenhouse at 133 East Tomichi (by the Arts Center).
Support a local business & Colorado-grown and get the best hanging baskets in the Valley! This year, we will have more dahlias, zinnias, pansies & many other gorgeous blooms. See you in May!
As that section of the fence started to get crowded, I noticed some themes. There were a lot of bright tropical fish. Stars — metal, wooden, beaded, wire. Memorial tiles that had warped in the firing from my friend Emily, commissioned to make tiles for a hospital garden. Lots of autumn leaves. And birds.
I thought there could be a panel for each of the life-giving elements: earth, air, fire and water. So now, those beautiful tropical fish are together (along with a trout and a catfish!) in a “water” panel. The stars are “fire,” of course. All the birds? Air. And Emily’s tiles and the autumn leaves — dust to dust, ashes to ashes: earth.
The fish and the birds are mostly on little hooks, so when the wind blows, they shimmer and the motion is intoxicating. If there’s a knothole, I’ve hung something of colored glass in front so that the morning sun bursts through in a blaze. A few (that will withstand winter) are nailed on. But most? They stick around through the miracle of Velcro! In November, I simply pull them off. And because I can leave half of the Velcro on the fence (they last for about three years before I have to replace them), each grim, gray, brown March it’s easy to start sticking things back, wherever they seem to want to go. Suddenly, color. The flowers will catch up.
Now, as I pull weeds or as we sip our morning coffee or our afternoon beer, I gaze at my fence. The colors are intoxicating to me and bring great pleasure. The fence seems to bring pleasure to the neighbors and the dog-walkers, too.
But even more, always with me are George and Mom and Timi and Mark and Kelleen and Zoe and so many, many more. Memories of the places I’ve lived, places I’ve visited, moments of joy, moments of sorrow. Earth, air, water, fire. The great cycle of life, death, rebirth.
Kind of like the seasons. Thank goodness, it’s finally summer. n continued from 27
Fish ornaments represent the element of water.
TODDLER PROOF UNDER YOUR ROOF
(Photos by Danica Bona)
As your little one grows, it’s both exciting and a bit daunting to watch them transform from a helpless infant to a curious toddler exploring every nook and cranny of your home. Before you know it, that baby who couldn’t even roll over will be crawling, toddling and using all five senses to discover the world around them. But those senses — especially touch and taste — can sometimes lead to trouble.
Toddlers are naturally curious and eager to understand the world around them. You’ll see their glee as they push over a block tower, discovering cause and effect, or you’ll see their surprise at getting a mouthful of fur after licking the dog. These amusing moments are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to what they will discover — and they highlight the importance of safety in your home.
As your child becomes more independent, it is essential to create spaces where your little explorer can thrive without being at risk. With some thoughtful adjustments and an understanding of common household hazards (some that may surprise you!), along with a few products to prevent harm, you can create a safe and stimulating environment for your toddler.
When beginning the process of toddler-proofing your home, start by getting down on their level. See your home how they will see it — from the bottom up. What catches your attention? What can be pulled down with a little force? What small objects are hidden under furniture or what cabinets are easily accessible? Here are some basic things to consider:
continued on 32
Danica Bona
Choking and swallowing hazards
• Toilet paper tube rule. A good guide is that anything that can fit down the tube of a toilet paper roll can block the airway of a toddler.
Easy to overlook items. These include small toys like bouncy balls, doll accessories, hair clips and bottle caps.
• Magnets. Loose magnets keeping notes on the fridge, tiny magnets that may be a part of a to, and especially high-powered magnets, can be exceptionally dangerous and even lethal, if swallowed. If two or more magnetic components are swallowed, they could attract each other through the walls of the intestines, which could trap the magnets, causing twisting, holes and infection. Keep magnets out of reach, and be mindful if toddlers are playing with objects that have magnets in them.
• Button batteries. These small, coinshaped batteries are especially dangerous to little ones because they are in so many household items such as remote controls, holiday decorations and cards, watches, calculators, hearing aids, toys, etc.
If swallowed, button batteries can cause chemical burns inside the body and immediate medical attention is needed.
If you have items in your house with button batteries, keep them out of reach and routinely check them to make sure the batteries inside are secure with screws if available and tape as an added measure. Secure all extra batteries in a locked cabinet out of reach.
Furniture
Something you can’t hide out of reach is your furniture. With a toddler’s low center of gravity, they can easily exert their force on furniture at a low point, pulling even the heaviest items down. Toddlers can also pull furniture down by climbing on open drawers and shelves, redistributing the weight and making the item top-heavy. From shelves to a television to your giant
dresser, furniture tipping can cause serious injury and even death. Luckily, these injuries are preventable by using anchors or safety straps on your furniture. These inexpensive and easy-to-use items connect the furniture to the wall studs preventing them from being able to tip.
Baby Gates
These are a great way to keep your toddler from accessing a space that isn’t ready for their solo adventures. Whether you want to keep them from getting up or down the stairs, from heading out the open porch door or
Baby enclosures are a good way to ensure your little one only has access to proper toys.
from coming into the kitchen while you’re cooking, baby gates are a great option.
There are a few options for baby gates, and choosing the right type for your needs is important.
• Pressure-mounted. These are a great temporary option as they are installed using pressure on both sides of the wall or opening. These are portable and often work well for lowerrisk areas. These are not suitable for stairways — especially at the top of the stairs as too much pressure from pushing or leaning can cause them to come undone.
• Hardware-mounted. These require drilling into the wall to secure the gate in place. While more permanent, these are also a much safer option especially for high-risk areas of the home.
Water
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, drowning is the leading cause of death for children 1-4 years old. Young chil-
dren can drown in as little as 1-2 inches of water and it can happen quickly and silently.
Hazards include pools (above and in-ground), hot tubs, inflatable pools and kiddie pools. Any recreation involving water can pose a risk to our kids. Here in Gunnison, irrigation or drainage ditches, wells and ponds are also a high risk area for water danger. Even containers like buckets and coolers with melted ice and features in your yard like bird baths and fountains can create an unneeded risk.
If you are having a water day in the yard, be sure an adult is on watch at all times.
Sign up your kiddos for swim lessons at one of our city’s great resources, such as the Gunnison Rec Center or Western Colorado University swim team.
Windows
Use cordless window coverings as young children can get entangled in hanging cords. If you are on an upper floor, install a window stop that prevents windows from opening more
than 4 inches. Or install a window guard that covers the lower half of the window.
Safety locks, latches and covers
There are locks and latches for almost everything in your home you don’t want your toddler getting into — cabinets, refrigerators, toilets, ovens, dishwashers, washing machines and dryers, etc.
While every toddler starts exploring at their own pace, the best time to start toddler-proofing your home is when they are still infants or even before their arrival. That way you can get used to the new safety features, and you can be prepared for incidents before needing to worry about curious hands finding things they shouldn’t. It’s never too early to implement these safety tips in your home even if you’re little adventurer isn’t yet running around. n
Neighborhood HOW TO FEED the
Choose
bird feeder to liven up your yard
Toni Todd
Birds are beautiful creatures that can make a lawn and garden feel even more serene. Providing snacks to supplement what birds naturally find in the wild guarantees up-close and personal interactions with the scores of species that call neighborhoods home.
Bird feeders are particularly important in colder climates and during wintertime when food may be scarce. Keeping birds well fed helps them survive over winter and continue to repopulate in the spring.
“Most folks just like seeing birds moving around in their yards so any birds you can get to your feeder are popular,” said local naturalist and avid birder, Arden Anderson. “Still, some provide a little more entertainment than others. In the summer, hummingbirds are always popular because of their beauty, frequent interactions and amazing flight. Broad Tailed Hummers are the most common but come July the bossy Rufous Hummers come in and try to push the others out.”
Hummingbird feeders offer sugar water, which may not sound nutritious, but the wanter keeps them hydrated, while the sugar provides the energy they need to keep their little wings flapping.
According to the National Audubon Society, the best (and least expensive) solution for your feeder is a 1:4 solution of refined white sugar to tap water. That’s ¼ cup of sugar in 1 cup of water. Bring the solution to a boil, then let it cool before filling the feeder. You can make a larger batch and refrigerate the extra solution, just remember to bring it up to room temperature before you refill the feeder.
The feeder will be a supplemental source of nectar for your local hum -
continued on 36
We get it. There’s a lot that goes into lending. Fine lines, red tape, and endless hoops to jump through. But that’s where we shine, we know the business like few lenders do.
mingbirds, and can help them through times when there aren’t as many blooming flowers available nearby.
“Do not use red dye in the feeder,” said Anderson. “The birds can find the clear stuff just fine.”
The type of bird feeder a person places in the yard determines which species may be drawn to the property. The following are various types of feeders to consider.
Sugar water feeder
As noted above, these feeders attract hummingbirds. They come in a variety of different shapes, from tubes to round dishes. Sugar water feeders typically have some feature on them that’s red that attracts these high-speed flyers, so all the more reason not to add red dye.
Suet feeders
Suet cakes are high-energy food sources that attract birds like woodpeckers and nuthatches. They are particularly beneficial in colder months or regions where birds need extra fat for energy. These cage-like feeders snap around the rectangular suet cake and hang from a pole or tree.
Ground feeder
Ground feeders are simple screenbottomed trays that sit several inches off of the ground or on a deck to help keep seeds and grain from coming in contact with droppings. Ground feeders are a favorite of juncos, sparrows, goldfinches, and cardinals, among others.
Nyjer bird feeder
Small birds like goldfinches love to dine on nyjer seeds, which are tiny, black thistle seeds. These feeders are tube-shaped mesh socks designed to hold this specific seed. The small feeding ports prevent seed waste and cater to the small beaks of finches.
Hopper bird feeder
These are the feeders many people think of when they envision bird feeders. Hopper bird feeders hold a large
Creative)
amount of seed and often have a roof or a design that mimics a house or barn. The covered design helps to keep seeds dry and might be the best hanging feeder for people who live in areas with a lot of rain. Hoppers will attract blue jays, grackles, cardinals, and blackbirds.
Tube feeders
Tube feeders will attract an array of birds. They are cylindrical in shape with various ports to enable birds to perch and feed.
Window and smart bird feeders
These types of bird feeders attach to windows to allow homeowners to view the birds up close. Smart varieties have cameras on the feeders that will send a feed via an app to a smart phone or computer. Some even may identify the bird species on the feeder at any given point in time.
Bird feeders provide enjoyment for bird watchers and nutritious food various species.
“Colorful birds always bring an extra bit of joy,” said Anderson. “In this category you can count Western Tanagers, Bullock’s Orioles, Evening and Black Headed Grosbeaks, American Goldfinches, Cassin’s Finches and
Hanging wooden birdfeeders are a
A combination of tube and suet feeders meets the needs of a variety of birds. (Metro
Hummingbirds are attracted to sugared water feeders.
traditional favorite.
House Finches as well as Downy and Hairy Woodpeckers and Northern Flickers.”
Some birds show their personalities around the feeder. Black Capped Chickadees are common and can get used to being close to people around the feeder.
“If you are a good bird whisperer,” Anderon said, “you might even be able to get them to eat out of your hand.”
Anderson also suggested that putting some fresh water nearby, perhaps with a rock in it to make it easier for the birds to perch and drink, or bath, can also attract more birds to your yard.
There are also a couple of things to consider for feeder safety. Birds feel safest when they have some nearby cover to jump into in case a cat or hawk comes by looking for a meal. Place feeders just under leafy trees or near dense bushes and you will likely get more participants.
People are also tempted to put the feeder next to windows so they can see the birds, but that increases the likelihood of birds running into the window and being injured or killed. Instead, put them further away from the window and watch them with binoculars.
Seed feeders need to be washed every 7-10 days to kill bacteria. Hummingbird feeders tend to grow mold that can make the birds sick. Try to put out only a few days worth of nectar at a time for hummingbirds, then wash the feeder well before refilling it.
Finally, It’s important to note that birds aren’t the only wild creatures who enjoy feeders. Bears also appreciate a free snack of sweet nectar or seeds.
“Deer and squirrels can also plunder your feeders,” Anderson said. To avoid attracting bears. bring your feeders in at night. To keep them away from deer, put the feeders high enough so the deer can reach them. Good luck avoiding the squirrels,” Anderson said. “They are devilishly good at getting at feeders wherever you put them. Maybe just learn to enjoy watching squirrels, too.” n
(Some material was drawn from Metro Creative)
THE POWER OF
GET A HEAD START in Spring
A
gardener’s
guide to beauty and bounty in the growing season
Many people view spring as a season of rejuvenation. That renewal may be somewhat metaphorical for human beings, but it’s literal for lawns and gardens that begin to grow anew as temperatures rise and hours of daylight increase in spring.
Each spring presents an opportunity for homeowners to get back outside and tend to their gardens. As the tem-
peratures rise, homeowners can consider these spring planning pointers to ensure their landscapes look lush and full in the months ahead.
Start with the soil
Soil can serve as the starting point each spring. Winter can take its toll on a garden and even overwhelm the area with debris over the colder months.
continued from 38
Clear rocks and other debris from the area before loosening the soil. The Farmer’s Almanac recommends loosening soil to a depth of at least eight inches if planting a new garden. An existing garden may only need to be loosened to a depth of around six inches, after which homeowners can mix compost into the soil in early spring. Compost is organic matter that provides nutrients and helps to build strong plant roots.
Beware of a June freeze
“There could be weeks of frostfree weather in late May or early June and then, wham, mid-June freeze!” said Paula Swenson, owner of The Greenhouse on Tomichi Avenue. “Watching the weather and covering for frost are a must for a successful garden in Gunnison.”
Consider a raised garden in colder climates. The Farmer’s Almanac notes raised gardens can help homeowners in colder climates dry out and warm up wet, cold soils more quickly. Homeowners in such regions also can cover their beds with black plastic or cardboard prior to planting. Doing so can protect the beds from late-season snow and spring rains and also helps to overcome erosion.
Be sure to water early enough in spring and late enough in fall for perennials, trees and shrubs. “ “March can be warm and dry and roots need to be watered or the "freeze dried" effect happens. Even though the temperatures drop in September, watering is a must until the ground is completely covered or frozen,” Swenson said.
Take soil temperatures
Unpredictable weather is among the noticeable effects of climate change in recent years. That lack of predictability can make spring planting a little more tricky than it once was. Experts note that soil temperatures around 50 F are best for cool-season crops, while soil should be 60 F or warmer when planting warmweather plants such as tomatoes.
Work with a garden center
The right plants for one region may not be ideal for another, so homeown-
Soil health is key to a bountiful harvest.
Setting out plant starts is a great way to accelerate your gardening season.
ers are urged to work with a local landscaper or garden center before planting. Be wary of large chain stores that sell plants.They often take a one-plantfits-all-growing-regions approach. Look to local, independently — owned garden centers. Such a consultation can be especially useful for homeowners planting a new garden. Landscapers and garden center professionals will know which plants work in the local climate.
“There could be weeks of frost-free weather in late May or early June and then, wham, mid-June freeze!”
— Paula Swenson
Various garden experts note that spring is an ideal time to plant a vegetable garden. If planted at the right time, a vegetable garden can save homeowners money on their grocery bills and provide a season’s worth of fresh veggies.
“Root vegetables, such as carrots, turnips, beets, radishes and potatoes do quite well in Gunnison,” said Swenson. “Garlic and horseradish, planted in the fall, can produce quite the summer crop (and keep giving year after year). Strawberries and raspberries are two of my very favorite perennial fruits to grow in Gunnison! And most all leafy greens can be planted and harvested during the summer months.”
Spring is a season of rejuvenation for gardens. That’s even more true when homeowners consider some conventional planting wisdom in early spring. It also never hurts to consult a local gardening pro who knows the soil, climate, and best practices for successful gardening in this unique mountain community. n
(Source: Metro Creative. Toni Todd contributed to this article.)
How to navigate a costly real estate market
Don't let uncertain times lead to missed opportunity
Real estate has long been touted as a worthy investment. Home values historically appreciate in value over time, making real estate a desirable investment opportunity and one that simultaneously fulfills an investor’s need for a place to live. That sounds like a win-win for those with the means of purchasing a home. But recently, many people have found themselves priced out of the real estate market due to a number of variables beyond their control.
It’s no secret that home prices have been on the rise in recent years. According to the National Association of Realtors, the median sale price for a home in the United States reached $419,300 in May 2024. Such high prices, coupled with decreasing yet still high interest rates, has made homeownership as expensive as ever and left many aspiring home buyers to wonder what they can do as they seek to buy a property to call their own. Though there’s no foolproof way to navigate the current real estate market to a satisfying end, the following are some strategies buyers can consider as they begin searching for a home.
Average home prices in the U.S. have steadily risen in recent years. (Metro Creative)
R O F E S S I O N A L S A L E S A N D I N S T A L L A T I O N
D e l i v e r i n g A u d i o / V i d e o , N e t w o r k a n d C o n t r o l
S o l u t i o n s f o r y o u r R e s i d e n t i a l a n d C o m m e r c i a l n e e d s .
N e w C o n s t r u c t i o n & R e n o v a t i o n P r e - W i r i n g
S i m p l i f y i n g H o m e & O f f i c e I n t e g r a t i o n
W i r e l e s s H i F i I n d o o r / O u t d o o r A u d i o
C u s t o m T V & P r o j e c t i o n M o u n t i n g
N e t w o r k i n g & W i F i S o l u t i o n s
R e s i d e n t i a l & C o m m e r c i a l L i g h t i n g S y s t e m s
C o m p l i m e n t a r y C o n s u l t a t i o n & S i t e S u r v e y i n g
Be patient
Patience is a virtue prospective home buyers will need to embrace. The NAR reported a 3.7-month supply of housing inventory in May last year, which is low and suggestive of a seller’s market. Buyers confronting a low inventory market must remain patient if they hope to find a house that checks all their boxes. Such a house may not be on the current market, and might not be for some time. But forecasters predict the interest rate reduction announced by the Federal Reserve in September will lead to a higher inventory, even if real estate sales tend to be lower in winter than spring and summer. As indicators like lower interest rates gradually point to a higher inventory, buyers may benefit by remaining patient.
Be ready to pounce
Of course, a market characterized by limited inventory is typically competitive, and the real estate market in recent years has certainly played out
that way. Real estate markets can vary considerably, even within the same country, but an analysis from the New Jersey Real Estate Network indicated the average time homes in the Garden State were on the market decreased from 39 days in 2023 to 35 days in 2024. Patience is important when buying a home, as buyers don’t want to act too fast and then end up living in a home they don’t like. But it’s equally important that buyers be ready to pounce if they see a property they like. Limited inventory means sellers are likely to receive multiple offers, and hesitancy on the part of buyers could prevent them from finding a new home.
Line up your finances
Mortgage preapproval and a solid nest egg have long been vital when buying a home, and that remains true in the current market. The competitive nature of the current market might make mortgage preapproval more important than ever. A preapproval indicates to sellers that a buyer has already arranged financing and been approved to purchase a home for the
amount of their offer. Buyers without a preapproval might be seen as more risky to sellers, some of whom may want to sell their homes as quickly as possible. Sellers in a competitive market may feel they need not wait around for a buyer to be approved, so it’s best to line up finances before beginning a home search. Lining up finances includes building a substantial nest egg that demonstrates an ability to make a sizable down payment as part of your offer.
The real estate market has been tough on buyers in recent years. A successful navigation of the current market may require some patience, a readiness to pounce and some conventional financial wisdom. n
(Source: Metro Creative)
The Gunnison - Crested Butte Association of REALTORS is proud to announce that since launching our Homebuyer Assistance Program in August 2023, we’ve given out 16 grants totaling $28,000 to hardworking locals! Some of the community members we’ve been able to help include those who work for Adaptive Sports Center, Gunnison Valley Hospital, Gunnison Watershed School District RE1J, RMBL, Vail Resorts, Waste Management and more.
We are thrilled to be able to offer financial assistance to local homebuyers purchasing their primary residence! Eligibility requirements, application and more information on the program are available on our website.
www.GCAOR.org or scan the QR code
This program is primarily funded by local REALTOR members who donate their own money to the program every time they have a closing. We’d like to extend a huge THANK YOU to our participating agents and local title companies, as this would not be possible without them.
Abby Loken
AJ Mani
Alexandra Richland
Alla Rubinstein
Allison Lee
Anne Campbell
Annie Davis
Audrie Townsend
Barbra Myers
Bet Egelhoff
Betsy Wiebe
The Brian Cooper Team
Brittany Miramon
Candace Coen
Cassie Gates
Cathy Benson
Cathy Steinberger
Channing Boucher
Chris Kopf
Colette Kraatz
Cullen Tennant
Danielle Herder
Dave Ebner
Di Bridges
Eric Roemer
Erin Welfelt
Frank Konsella
Fred Sandusky
Gabriella Garcia
Gary Huresky
Heather Peterson
Heather Paul
Featherman
Hillary Spear
Jaima Giles
Jenna May
Jesse Ebner
Jill Sickels Matlock
Joel Vosburg
Joseph Garcia
Josh Townsend
Katy Hall Burchfield
Kelly McKinnis
Kelsey Loftis
Kiley Flint
Maggie Dethloff
Matthew Wood
Meaghan Nicholl
Meg Breathauer
Melanie Macartney
Mindy Costanzo
Molly Eldridge
Nikki Pulitzer
Rachael Miller
Reggie Masters
Ross Tunkey
Ryan Bak
Sam Lumb
Scout Walton
Steve Mills
Susan Gross
Tammy Armour
Teresa Anderson
Teresa Widner
Trent Bona
Trevor Bona
Zach Coffey
Bluebird Real Estate
Coldwell Banker
Mountain Properties
Gunnison County
Abstract Company
Land Title Guarantee Company
1,300 square foot riverside home nestled along the Gunnison River is 3 bdrm/2 bath with a main floor primary bedroom and an attached garage. Great location, close to town with access to Crested Butte for skiing. 32 Chatto Court; $750,000.
3 bdrm/2 bath home on 34 acres just minutes from Blue Mesa Lake. Ranch style home has a central living room with gas stove & large kitchen for entertaining. Located within Hunting Unit 66, no HOA and no covenants. 27785 State Highway 149; $695,000.
Absolutely fantastic 5 bdrm/4 bath custom designed country style home on 1 acre across from Hartman Rocks. Main floor features a remodeled kitchen, two living rooms, ½ bath & formal dining room. Upstairs is a master suite & 3 additional bedrooms with bath. Downstairs is another bedroom, laundry room & bath. 319 Columbine Road; $1,295,000
UNDERCONTRACT
Honest, Ethical, Professional
Charming 5 bedroom/3 bath stick built home near the Rec Center is 2,402 square feet and built in 2003 with a garage. Updated kitchen with granite counters & modern appliances. Features two living rooms & in-floor heat upstairs. 1136 N. Colorado Circle; $695,000.
Fantastic opportunity to own a 2 bdrm/2 bath condo on the Dos Rios golf course or purchase for a rental investment! Kitchen features granite counters & a tile backsplash. There is a common laundry facility.
144 Curecanti Drive Unit 7; $295,000.
Mountain home with loft nestled in the trees with Gold Creek in the back yard on over 3 acres. Just 3.5 miles from Ohio City, 1 bdrm/1 bath, bordered by national forest, built in 1994 with well & septic. 1,008 square feet with generator and shed too. 3491 County Road 771; $635,000.
3 bdrm/2 bath waterfront home located on .71 acres bordering the Gunnison River stream has fully remodeled bathrooms, updated hardwood floors & newer windows and doors. Home is 1400sf with stainless appliances & copper countertops. 38102 US Highway 50; $725,000.
Looking for the perfect location to build the home of your dreams? Check out 1080 Fairway Lane, a level building site located near the Dos Rios Golf Course. Great views of the surrounding mountains & ranchlands to the back of the property. $240,000.
Discover 36 acres of breathtaking potential just 40 minutes south of Gunnison in the Powderhorn area. This expansive property offers a serene escape, perfect for building your dream home, setting up a vacation retreat, or investing in a slice of Colorado’s beauty. No covenants or HOA.
230 Castle Circle; $230,000.
Welcome to 121 S. Taylor, a 4 bdrm/4 bath house where each bedroom features its own private bathroom with walk-in showers. Open kitchen & living room with south facing windows. Attached 4 car garage is ready for your toys!
121 S. Taylor St.; $1,195,000.
Nice lot that features a 32 x 28 detached garage with concrete floor & electric is ready for your manufactured home. Water and sewer taps are installed. You could also park your camper for the summer adventures in the Gunnison Valley.
7 Willow Lane; $275,000.
360 degree views from this 78 acre cabin site. Seller has built a shed/sleeping loft on the property. There are two decks for RV’s to park by, seasonal spring-fed pond, perfect for a hunting camp or summer cabin and just 5 minutes from Blue Mesa Lake. 12000 County Road 26; $129,900.
Make an offer on this 3 bdrm/1 bath home within the city limits that has stainless appliances, wood floors, new paint & a large 2 car garage. Included is a 1 bdrm/1 bath rental house.
311 N. 12th St; $599,000.
Commercial Building for sale. Nearly 1,700sf building set-up for a restaurant in the Central Business District. One public restroom & one private restroom. Most all restaurant equipment included.
107 S. Main St; $380,000.
Fully remodeled, main level Dos Rios condo with deck that overlooks the golf course & seasonal pond. 1 bdrm/1 bath, 680sf with tons of built-in storage, stainless steel appliances & an electric fireplace in the living room.
113 Shavano Dr. Unit 110C; $229,000.
3,125 square foot commercial property located in the heart of Gunnison’s Central Business District. Prime location for various business ventures. Building is equipped with 3-phase power. 237 N. Main St.; $455,000.