While Klaus Kocher and I were coordinating with mothers as they arrived for the Mother’s Day photo shoot this year, we came across a 1991 bound volume of the Valley Journal. The archive included that year’s Mother’s Day edition, which featured a former editor of The Sopris Sun, Will Grandbois (as a baby, of course), along with his mother, Becky Young, one of the founders of the Valley Journal.
It got me thinking. How long has this tradition been going on? So I headed over to the Carbondale Library, which has a complete set of the Valley Journal canon, to find out.
The Valley Journal started the Mother’s Day tradition in 1984, featuring just portraits of new babies starting out. The following year, the Carbondale paper included mothers with their babies in the portraits, which has been the modus operandi ever since.
I had missed the opportunity with my daughter, Elizabeth, two years prior and was determined not to miss out a second time. To my amazement, Valley Journal photographer Carol Craven offered to come to my house and take our portrait. I am forever grateful for her generosity.
I still have a copy of that issue and posted it to Facebook when my son graduated from Roaring Fork High School in 2014. It was fun to see so many of his classmates and their moms all together on the pages of the classic Valley Journal.
For over 41 years, mothers in this valley have graced the pages of either the Valley Journal or The Sopris Sun with their babies. As can be the case with long-standing traditions, full-circle moments unfold from time to time. Take Sabre Scout Brothers for instance, who was featured with her mother in 1993 and this year — in this very issue in your hands — appears with her son, Teddy Huck Brothers.
By Terri Ritchie
Our current editor, James Steindler, was also featured with his twin brother, William, and their mother, Anne Rector, in the Valley Journal’s 1991 Mother’s Day issue — along with Grandbois. Some fun synchronicity happened again this year, with not one but two mothers who welcomed twins into their families and are featured in this issue: Christie Qual (Beckham & Everett) and Hannah Said (Maya and Freddie).
Every year during the photo shoots, The Sopris Sun office is abuzz with so much joy, excitement and baby energy.
My son, Zachary, and I were lucky to be included in 1997. Zack was just getting over the chicken pox, so we were unable to participate in the official photography sessions. I inquired if there was any way we could get in.
5-Point award — there’s more
We accidentally missed an award in our first email and want to be sure we celebrate “Arctic Alchemy” for winning the Hayden Kennedy Award. This award represents the best of human endeavor to better understand and experience our world.
Team 5Point Newsletter excerpt
THANK YOU for your teaching
When a member of our community achieves an academic milestone, it becomes a collective celebration. Professors, mentors, friends and family all contribute in one way or another through guidance, advice, support or simply by listening.
To everyone who has been part of my journey, thank you. From my English as a Second Language teachers and tutors, to my GED instructors, to my incredible graphic design teacher and the faculty at Colorado Mountain College, THANK YOU endlessly for your teaching. I truly appreciate you all.
Ingrid Zuniga Parachute
Glenwood against ICE
I am so grateful to the women and men who give their time to serve on Planning and Zoning in Glenwood Springs, and the
Bound editions of the Valley Journal are available at the Carbondale Library by request. There are also digital versions available, from 1975 to 1992, on the Colorado Historic Newspapers Collection’s website (coloradohistoricnewspapers.org) thanks to an effort taken on, and funded, by the library. The remaining volumes are scheduled to be on the website in the next month or so, according to Branch Manager Tracy Kallassy.
The Sopris Sun is proud to carry on the tradition of giving space each year to local mothers and their newborns. Whether it be welcoming a new addition to their growing family or experiencing motherhood for the first time, we honor all our community moms.
If you enjoy seeing special editions like this Mother’s Day issue. Please consider signing up as a SUNscriber to help The Sopris Sun and Sol del Valle newspapers thrive. Visit soprissun.com/donate to chip in.
Thank you to photographer — and Sopris Sun board treasurer — Klaus Kocher for volunteering his time and expertise to capture the essence of motherly love.
Happy Mother’s Day!
Terri Ritchie is The Sopris Sun’s lead editorial graphic designer, and so enjoyed meeting all the new moms and babies who took time from their busy lives to be a part of this tradition.
time they allotted to hear everyone who came to testify last week about ICE abuses in our area. After hearing that ICE had detained immigrants beyond the 12 hours allowed by the lease many times, the P&Z voted to terminate the lease even though the town lawyer had made it clear it would be difficult to get ICE out of that building. Taking a stand against the illegal actions of ICE is important for our community.
We are not a mean-spirited community in this valley. Many people volunteer in myriad ways to provide needed services to people of all backgrounds and ages. Human decency comes from awareness that we are all one human family, and I am grateful to live where most people care for others with kindness and generosity.
I just read an article about the number of children in ICE detention facilities across the country being denied adequate medical care when they are ill and also being kept far longer than allowed by law. Why did the Trump administration run on “making America great again” and decide to make America the biggest bully in the world?
The billions spent to destroy Iran over the past two months could have provided adequate medical insurance and safe, decent, affordable housing to American citizens. Representative Hurd does
not stand up for the law, which requires Congress to authorize a war, not the president to bomb whomever he pleases. I am sad, ashamed and appalled by our nation’s actions.
Vote for decency and courage come fall. Illène Pevec Carbondale
Cozy Home progress
The Cozy Home Project launched by Mountain Valley Developmental Services in January is making good progress.
Recently, with the help from our partners, Black Hills Energy community grant, Kiwanis Club Glenwood Springs, Habitat for Humanity Roaring Fork Valley and Belmont Clean & Restoration, our first residential home is finished and cozier than ever.
New windows, paint, furniture and clean carpets go a long way in creating a sense of home. Many thanks to our partners; on to the next home!
Sara Sims Glenwood Springs
Hon. Rep. Jeff Hurd
You are a pretty smart man and I’m hoping that you have been observant of the massive deterioration of the federal government and the debilitating effect continued on page 26
Editor James Steindler
970-510-3003
news@soprissun.com
Managing Editor Skyler Stark-Ragsdale
Sol del Valle Editora Bianca Godina bianca@soldelvalle.org
Digital Editor Ingrid Celeste Zúniga ingrid@soldelvalle.org
Lead Editorial Designer Terri Ritchie
Partnerships & Engagement Manager
Luise Nieslanik
Advertising Department adsales@soprissun.com
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Margarita Alvarez margarita@soldelvalle.org
Advertising Designer
Emily Blong
Delivery
Frederic Kischbaum
Bartlett
Proofreaders
Lee Beck
Tracy Kallassy
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Hank van Berlo
Executive Director
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todd@soprissun.com
Board Members / Mesa Directiva board@soprissun.com
Klaus Kocher • Kay Clarke • Eric Smith
Roger Berliner • Elizabeth Phillips
Anna Huntington • Loren Jenkins
Carlos Ramos • Gayle Wells
The Sopris Sun Board meets at 6pm on second Thursdays at the Third Street Center. The Sopris Sun, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation with a mission to inform, inspire and build community by fostering diverse and independent journalism. Donations are fully tax deductible.
Sincerest thanks to our Honorary Publishers for their annual commitment of $1,000+
Kathy & Carter Barger
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Kay Brunnier
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Frances Dudley
Sue Edelstein & Bill Spence
Deborah & Shane Evans
Greg & Kathy Feinsinger
Peter & Mike Gilbert
Michael & Nancy Kish
Gary & Jill Knaus
Jan & Warren Koster
Bob & Dori Libson
Lee Mulcahy
Donna & Ken Riley
Eric Smith
Patti & George Stranahan
Gayle & Dick Wells
Elizabeth Wysong
Legacy Givers for including us in their final wishes. Mary Lilly
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520 S. Third Street #26 970-510-3003 soprissun.com/Donate
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OUR UNDERWRITERS AND NONPROFIT PARTNERS!
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NONPROFIT PARTNERS
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Interested in becoming an Underwriter or Nonprofit Partner? Email Todd@soprissun.com or call 970-987-9866
Artists of any genre or medium who are in need of funding to further their careers are invited to apply for Carbondale Arts’ 2026 Artist Fellowship Program. Thanks to the Wolfpack Foundation and Carbondale Arts supporters, there is $12,000 worth of grant funding this year. Awardees can use the funding to develop a vision, buy supplies, rent studio space and more, but the grant requests should be specific. The deadline is June 1. To apply, visit tinyurl.com/ CarbondaleArtsfellowship Email Staci at staci@carbondalearts.com with questions.
Following an April 30 victory at the first regional-level Civics Bee hosted at Carbondale Middle School, Jude G. of Glenwood Springs is set to compete for the state title this summer, when students will be asked once again to test their knowledge of government structure and processes. Also placing last week were Steamboat Springs Middle School’s Violet B. and Sylvie F., who came in second and third behind Jude at the regional competition and will likewise compete at state.
The Roaring Fork Outdoor Coalition, a collaboration between local, state and federal land managers “working together to conserve natural resources and support outdoor recreation across the Roaring Fork Watershed,” is developing a strategic plan for conservation and recreation-focused efforts in the coming years. The coalition is seeking community input to help shape some of
those decisions. People can share their two cents by completing a questionnaire at roaringforkoutdoors.org The deadline to chime in is May 18.
RFSD departure
Roaring Fork School District (RFSD)
Assistant Superintendent Dr. Stacey Park will depart the district in June, having accepted a position as chief of academics at Denver Public Schools. “It’s been an honor to serve the students, families and staff of the Roaring Fork schools,” Park said in a May 1 press release. During her time at the district, math and language arts proficiency rates increased, according to the release. “We are so grateful for Dr. Park’s leadership and dedication to the Roaring Fork Schools these last four years,” Superintendent Dr. Anna Cole said.
Basalt survey
Basalt is seeking community input regarding the Town’s Public Services Facility funding proposal. The new facility would host both the Basalt Police and Public Works departments in the same building, “designed to improve safety, efficiency and long-term service to the community,” a press release stated. Currently in the planning phase, the project is a priority for Basalt Town Council, according to the release. Find the survey at letstalk.basalt.net
Visitor parks pass
Those with an out-of-state license plate on their vehicle are now subject to a $15-per-day fee to visit Colorado state parks, effective May 1. Individuals with Colorado-plated vehicles can buy state parks passes for $10, or
purchase the annual Keep Colorado Wild pass for $29 when registering a vehicle. Chatfield, Elkhead Reservoir, Golden Gate Canyon, Pearl Lake, Stagecoach, State Forest and Steamboat Lake state parks require an additional $2 for vehicle entry, regardless of license plate location. Visit cpw.state.co.us/ parks-passes to learn more.
The Garfield County Coroner’s Office is investigating the death of a driver in Glenwood Springs following a routine traffic stop Tuesday, May 5 by a Garfield County Sheriff’s Office deputy. The deputy conducted the traffic stop on West 6th Street close to Hotel Glenwood Springs, according to a press release. “After the deputy had returned to his patrol vehicle to write a summons, he heard a gunshot,” the release states. “The deputy then discovered the driver of the stopped vehicle had sustained an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound. Emergency response was initiated; however, the individual was pronounced deceased at the scene.”
They say it’s your birthday!
Folks celebrating another trip around the sun this week include: Amanda Leahy (May 7); Judy Milne, Ricky Ross and Karen Tafejian (May 8); Cheyenne Booher, Jillian Livingston and Karen Crownhart-Nieslanik (May 9); Kay Bell, Bianca Godina, Chris Perry and Damian Sequichie (May 10); Mark Chain (May 11); Dylan Rose Emmer (May 12); Camy Britt, Jimmy Byrne, Megan Cook, Bill Jochems, Pat Noel, Renee Prince and Dave Taylor (May 13).
KEN PLETCHER
Sopris Sun Correspondant
Yes, Bonedaleans, it’s true!
After a years-long process (including two seasons without a municipal pool), the brand-new Carbondale Aquatics Center is scheduled to open Saturday, May 23, during Memorial Day weekend. The new facility replaces the old John M. Fleet pool, which operated from 1979 to 2023.
Instead of the former single pool, the center will now have three components: a 25-yard, six-lane lap pool that is 12 feet deep at one end to accommodate a 1-meter diving board; a zero-entry entertainment (or recreation) pool with a toddler shelf and play features; and a hot tub. It is also a marvel in advanced pool-construction technology.
The Sopris Sun met with Eric Brend linger, Carbondale Parks & Rec. director, and Brian Froelich, the department’s aquatics and health and wellness coordi nator, to learn more about what has been accomplished in roughly a decade after it was decided to replace the aging John M.
After the initial funding was secured through a successful bond issue approved by the electorate in 2022, Brendlinger said that they “made some pretty conscious choices” in 2023 to hire Carbondale-based Land+Shelter Architecture for the design and AD Miller Services, Inc., a Colorado construction company that “had just built a pool very similar” in Denver to lead the building process.
The aquatic center’s final design was
Chief among the advanced technology used in construction are six highly efficient “Great Big Bopper” rooftop all-electric, air-sourced heat pumps, which supply hot water for the three pools. Using these without gas-fired heaters as a backup was a leap of faith, but initial concerns whether they would work adequately were allayed when, as Froelich related, during a mid-April cold snap, “They handled keeping [the pools] close to temperature without covering [them] overnight.”
Brendlinger continued, “They work
hard to get the pools up to temperature, but then once they’re at temperature,” they shut off and only come on when necessary. But, he noted, “Part of our operations will be, every night, covering these pools with these thermal covers to retain that heat that’s already been produced by these units.” The heat pumps have an added benefit, Froelich explained, because they may allow the center to stay open “beyond the traditional Labor Day” closing, depending on staffing and weather.
The facility sports an extensive array of solar panels on the roof of the new service building (housing changing rooms, offices, mechanical equipment and storage), which are tied into the grid and can generate up to 48 kilowatts. However, Brendlinger said that not enough panels could be installed “to produce a net-zero result, so greenproduced energy will need to be purchased off the grid with Xcel [Energy].”
One notable feature of the solar array is the use of bifacial solar panels on the lower side of the southward-facing awning projecting from the service building. These cells generate power by utilizing light reflected upward from the lap pool and deck.
As with pretty much all construction projects planned before COVID, costs subsequently ballooned from an initial estimate of $7 million to a final total of about $13.4 million. The first $8 million was covered by the 2022 bond approval, and the Town added close to another $2 million from contingency funds.
continued on page 20
Sopris Sun Correspondent
Dandelion Day is nearly upon us, and will be taking over Main Street and Sopris Park this Saturday, May 9. For its 28th year, the Carbondale celebration, held in partnership with the Aspen Indigenous Foundation (AIF), will be centered on the theme “Common Ground.” The 2026 festival also has a new fiscal sponsor: The Western Mosaic Fund, an affiliate of the Carbondale Historical Society that supports free community gatherings with a focus on the town’s agricultural roots, including Potato Days, too.
To learn more about this year’s Dandelion Day, The Sopris Sun spoke with event producer Kat Hardy. She shared that meditation practices inform each year’s theme.
“When I quiet myself and clear out my head, answers become clear,” she explained. The ‘Common Ground’ focus came to Hardy while she was in nature last autumn. Later, she reached out to AIF founder Deanne Vitrack Kessler. They agreed “that it was time to reach across cultures, backgrounds, skin color, political differences and create space to celebrate that we are one human family and we all have the responsibility to have a healthy relationship with our home, Mother Earth,” Hardy relayed.
AIF and Western Mosaic are looking to bring community members together through more modern forms of expression on Saturday, opting to forgo traditional Indigenous regalia or dances.
“Deanne wanted to bring hip hop artist Nataanii Means to Carbondale,” Hardy said. “Nataanii agreed with the theme and said he will be wearing his street clothes … [He thought] in this instance, it [seemed] powerful to not include regalia or other things that separate modern Americans from their Indigenous kin.”
Means is the son of Russell Means, a famous Lakota activist. In addition to Means’ hip hop performance on the Gazebo in Sopris Park at 12:30pm, there will be several
other events throughout the day. The festivities will start with the Parade of Species down Main Street at 10am. People of all ages are encouraged to dress in costumes portraying their favorite species or creatures and march in the parade. No registration is required to participate, and folks who’d like to are asked to be at 2nd and Main Street by 9:45am. Hardy said she looks forward to some extravagant costumes.
“I am hopeful that our local legend, ‘Fungi’ Hamilton Pevec, may bless us with some of his award-winning costumes that have been created for past Telluride Mushroom Festivals,” she said, for one.
Following the parade, Sopris Park will be filled with local farmers, nonprofits and other vendors from 10am to 5pm. KDNK Community Access Radio will serve 21+ beverages at the beer garden from noon to 5pm.
At 1:45pm, following Means’ performance, there will be an expert panel discussion on the gazebo, featuring Means, Ute Indian Museum representative CJ Kimimila Bradford and local environmental stewards Sheehan Meagher and Jake Renner. The panel will discuss ways to educate, inspire and take action in the community that supports each other and the planet.
This is Hardy’s fourth year helping to organize Dandelion Day.
“I think Carbondale, as a whole, is already very progressive with environmental awareness,” she said. “What I have seen is more fiscal support from sponsors to help elevate the quality and impact of the event, as well as feedback from the community on how much they enjoy seeing Dandelion Day grow.”
Hardy sees Dandelion Day as a celebration of spring,
and important places in the community gathering arena,” she explained. “Dandelion Day is a special time to uplift our youth.”
In addition to young people in the parade and Bonedale Ballet dancers and Sopris Soarers aerialists in the park, there will be a youth poetry contest and jam session.
“No matter how I’m feeling going into a session, I am happy in Mishe’s presence and feel better when I leave.” client testimony
10AM - PARADE OF SPECIES
10:45 - BONEDALE BALLET 11:00 - SOPRIS SOARERS
12:30 - NATAANII MEANS
1:15 - YOUTH POETRY 2:45 - YOUTH JAM SESSION
1:45 - PANEL DISCUSSION 3:30 - THE ROSIE JOES KDNK BEER GARDEN 12-5
BETSY WELCH
Sopris Sun Correspondent
Have a craving for asparagus, peas and tender green onions? Seasonal eating just feels right this time of year, and one of the best ways to lean into it is through a CSA, or Community Supported Agriculture, program.
In a CSA model, customers buy shares of a local farm’s harvest in advance, then receive regular boxes of whatever is in season. Depending on the farm, that can mean produce, herbs, flowers, meat, eggs and more. Joining a CSA not only opens the door to new foods, but also provides farmers with critical early-season support and helps strengthen local food systems.
For locavores in the Roaring Fork and Crystal River valleys, a growing group of farmers are offering CSA programs in 2026. From flowers grown in Silt to poultry raised in the shadow of Mount Sopris, it’s never been easier to eat locally and with the seasons.
dooleycreekfarm.com
Contact: 970-618-4396, dooleycreekfarm@gmail.com
Months of service: Year round
Pricing: $125 monthly or $1400 annually Delivery: Monthly delivery to any doorstep within 40 miles of the farm.
Growing practices: Regenerative and humanely raised with no pesticides, herbicides or hormones
Offerings: 100% grass fed/finished beef, non-GMO pastured pork and organically fed pastured chicken. There’s also an option to add pastured eggs.
“Here at Dooley Creek Farm, we provide the community with the means to make a positive impact through their food choices,” Owner Mollie Shipman said.
modernwestfloral.com
Contact: 614-307-4451, vanessa@modernwestfloral.com
Dates: June–October
Pricing: $35/week; available weekly or bi-weekly delivery
Pickup: New Castle on Tuesday at Salon West, and at the farm in Silt and Botany Houseplant in Carbondale on Thursdays Growing practices: Organic, regenerative, drought-tolerant focused, water-wise Offerings: Weekly and bi-weekly bouquets, bulk buckets, floral designs for weddings and events.
“We are a flower farm and floral studio with a background in landscape architecture and design,” Founder Vanessa Gilbert Meredith said.
aspennature.org/locations/ rock-bottom-ranch
Contact: 970-927-6760 or Cmatts@aspennature.org
Dates: Wednesday, June 3, until Wednesday, Oct. 4 (19 weeks)
Pricing: $855 for RBR CSA share only; $980 share plus weekly half bread loaf;
$1085 share plus weekly whole loaf
Pick up: Wednesdays from 2–6pm at the ranch
Growing practices: Regenerative
Offerings: Seasonal crops. Eggs and meat available for purchase at RBR.
New in 2026 are the Aspen Saturday Market CSA Pickup and the Bread Share Add-on. Prepay and receive a 10% discount on vegetables and eggs at the RBR Aspen Farmer’s Market stand.
juniper-flower.com
Contact: 518-487-1573, juniperfarminfo@gmail.com
Dates: July 9 to Oct. 1 (13 weeks)
Pricing: $30 per week, with biweekly and monthly options available
Pick up: Wednesdays at 3pm at Glassier Open Space or at the farm on Hooks Spur Road
Growing practices: No spray, chemical free, minimal tillage and with a focus on growing soil.
Offerings: Seasonal flowers
After four years of selling flowers and produce at the Basalt Farmers Market, Juniper Farm owner Abby Zlotnick switched her focus to flowers only.
wildmountainseeds.com
Contact: info@wildmountainseeds.com
Dates: June 11 to Oct. 10 (18 weeks)
Pricing: $565 bi-weekly or $985 weekly
Pick up: Wild Mountain Seeds, 211 Sunfire Lane (formerly 6333 Highway 133)
Carbondale, Thursdays from 3–6:15pm
Growing practices: Regenerative
Offerings: Seasonal vegetables and the option for pick-your-own bouquets when available. Eggs available for purchase at CSA pick up at the farm. This year we are also offering a flower CSA! Come pick a bouquet each week for 14 weeks (July 9 through early October). $325 for the full season. The 2026 Wild Mountain Seeds CSA offers a seasonal share of fresh, nutrient-dense produce grown in the high mountain climate of the Roaring Fork Valley.
PAONIA FOOD MOVEMENT paoniafoodmovement.com
Contact: 720-263-0852, sarah@paoniafoodmovement.com
Dates: Year round
Pricing: Prices vary based on customized boxes
Pick up: Fridays at various locations, including Basalt Library: 10:30–11:30am; Aspen Chapel: 12:30–1:30pm; Glenwood Springs Sayre Park: 3–3:30 pm; Carbondale Nature Park: 4:30–5:30pm; and Redstone at 6:30pm
Growing practices: Organic, chemical-free and regenerative
Offerings: Veggies, fruits, meat, cheese, bread, pastries, pre-made meals, herbs, honey, tea, coffee, fresh cut flowers and skincare products
“Paonia Food Movement works with over 40 farms, ranches and makers in the North
Fork Valley to bring over 200 products over the pass every Friday,” Owner Sarah Peterson said.
thelivingfarm.org
Contact: thelivingfarm1938@gmail.com
Dates: Ten-week segments from May 1 to July 3
Pricing: $470
Pick up: Fridays at various locations throughout the RFV and in Redstone, per the Paonia Food Movement delivery schedule
Growing practices: Organic and regenerative Offerings: Two bags of greens and five vegetable varieties per week
The Living Farm is a 130-acre regeneratively managed family farm, with an additional 80 acres under lease. According to its website, the farm’s regeneratively managed pastures nourish Black Angus cross cattle, dairy and wool sheep and laying hens.
tworootsfarm.com
Contact: 970-376-6039, farmers@tworootsfarm.com
Dates: May 26 to Oct. 17
Pricing: $755 for alternating weeks or $1390 weekly
Pick up: CSA pick up is on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 2–5:30pm at the farm. Anyone (including non-CSA members) can enjoy the Friday farm stand from 9am–1pm, located at Two Roots Farm in Basalt (end of May–end of October)
Growing practices: Regenerative, no-till and chemical free Offerings: Vegetables, herbs, flowers, fruits, eggs, honey, ferments, mushrooms and meat
“This year our all-female team will break new ground for vegetables, expand our floral offerings, increase our distributions to LIFT-UP and enjoy more local partnerships for farm stand offerings,” Owner Harper Kaufman said.
farmrunners.com
Contact: 970-872-9633, csa@farmrunners.com
Dates: Summer: June 10–Sept. 23; Fall: Sept. 30–Nov. 4; Winter: Dec. 16–March 11
Pricing: Multiple sizes and payment options available (starting at $40 per week).
Pick up: Wednesdays at Aspen City Hall, Basalt’s Mountain Heart Brewing, Carbondale’s Aloha Mountain Cyclery and Glenwood Springs’ Homsted
Growing practices:
Organic or naturally grown
Offerings: Subscription boxes contain a mix of fruits and vegetables. Members can customize their order with other local products through exclusive access to our online market.
Farm Runners works closely with multiple small farms to deliver a season of harvests for individuals and Roaring Fork area restaurants.
highwaterfarm.org
Contact: 716-248-0525, becca@highwaterfarm.org
Dates: June through October
Pricing: $825 for a full share; $575 for a half share
Pick up: Tuesdays in Glenwood Springs from 4–7pm or in Carbondale from 4:30–8pm. Boxes can also be picked up at Highwater Farm in Silt on Thursdays from 4–6pm or Saturdays from 8–10am. Growing practices: Regenerative and chemical-free farming Offerings: Diversified produce “We are a Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)-certified retailer for CSA. SNAP shareholders receive a 50% discount which is matched by Double Up Food Bucks (DUFB),” Owner Rebecca Roberts said.
PEDRO’S FARM
pedrosfarm.com
Contact: 970-200-6919, pedrosfarmllc@gmail.com
Dates: 16 weeks
Pricing: $620
Pick up: Wednesdays at the Carbondale Farmer’s Market and Saturdays at the Aspen Farmer’s Market
Growing practices: USDA-certified organic Offerings: Fruits and vegetables with addon options from a large product list, including meat, dairy and eggs
In 2025, Delta’s Borden Farms became Pedro’s Farm, after longtime owners Lynn and Guy Borden asked their stalwart foreman Pedro Rodriguez to take over the business. Now, Rodriguez and his wife Maria run daily operations, which include growing food and flowers for area farmer’s markets and the farm’s own CSA
ON APRIL 24 & MAY 1-2,
CMC CELEBRATED nearly 150 students who graduated from CMC’s Aspen and Carbondale campuses from last summer through this spring.
Collegewide, more than 2,000 students graduated from CMC’s 11 locations during the 2025-26 academic year, a 20% increase from 2024-25 and the college’s largest graduating class ever.
Chris Klug Foundation’s Jessi Rochel puts rubber to pavement
KATE PHILLIPS
Sopris Sun Correspondent
Jessi Rochel is a runner with a cause. For nearly four years, the Carbondale local and executive director of the Chris Klug Foundation (CKF) has been quietly chipping away at the elusive Six Star Medal presented by Abbott World Marathon Majors all while raising critical funds and awareness for organ, eye and tissue donation.
“Running [a marathon] for a charity is the best way to do it. It makes those miles really meaningful,” Rochel said. “When it gets tough I think about how this is something bigger than myself. It feels great to raise those funds and awareness.”
Based in the Roaring Fork Valley, CKF is a national nonprofit organization that educates individuals to register as organ, eye and tissue donors and inspire
the transplant community to live their fullest lives. Popular events like Summit for Life, the uphill race in Aspen, and numerous race teams are key initiatives that amplify the nonprofit’s vision to eliminate the transplant wait. Currently, charity runners can race for Team CKF in three world marathon majors, New York City, Cape Town and Sydney.
Running the majors is a coveted event. Introduced in 2016, the Six Star Medal honors athletes who complete the original six: New York City, Boston, London, Berlin, Tokyo and Chicago. It’s a challenging endeavor few have accomplished. For perspective, each year roughly 1.1 million runners worldwide finish a marathon, including athletes who run more than one. As of 2025, there are only 23,260 Six Star Medal finishers.
While Rochel has been dabbling in the marathon distance since 2010, she first ran for Team CKF in the 2022 New York City Marathon. Since then, she has finished Berlin, Chicago, Sydney and most recently London. Tokyo is scheduled for 2027 and on May 24 she will run the Cape Town Marathon, which is under
Local Carbondale runners Sara Porter (left) and Jessi Rochel (right) showing off their latest hardware following the 2026 London Marathon. Rochel, executive director of the Chris Klug Foundation, is currently fundraising for Team CKF by running all of the Abbott World Marathon Majors. You can next catch the active pair fundraising for NMDP, a global nonprofit saving patients with blood cancers, on June 9 at the Crystal Theatre with a showing of the Disney classic “Homeward Bound.”
Courtesy photo
evaluation to become part of a new Nine Star Medal.
“It is so amazing that these majors offer the opportunity for charities,” Rochel said. “The races are a great way to connect with people to help share our message.”
She elaborated that grants are challenging to obtain. Fundraising is a way to reach new financial donors excited to support their people during big athletic pursuits. The momentous miles also connect CKF with new ambassadors who help organize educational events and support others through the
donation and transplant process.
Even more so, Team CKF can inspire transplant recipients and living donors to run.
“It’s a really cool way to highlight what’s possible for people who have had the experience of donation and transplantation,” Rochel said. “Maybe they’re a transplant recipient or living donor and now they get to show people they can run a marathon … It highlights how important donation and transplantation is and gives these people a great way to celebrate what they’ve been through.”
The Ultimate Gift
For Rochel, every mile logged and dollar amount raised is a reminder of the greatest gift someone once gave to her family.
“In 2007, my dad was diagnosed with cardiomyopathy,” she said. “He came home from work complaining about chest pain, thinking it was bronchitis. My mom took him to the doctor and they immediately ground transported him to Denver because the pumping function of his heart was at 5%. A normal heart pumps at about 50 to 75%.”
While medication worked for a while, her dad ultimately needed a heart transplant. The surgery was a success and on Aug. 20, 2025 he celebrated his 10-year anniversary.
According to CKF, 93% of Americans agree with organ donation, but only 44% of individuals are registered donors. Last year, 49,064 people received an organ transplant, and yet over 103,000 adults and children in the United States are still on the transplant waitlist.
“It’s a deeply personal decision [to become a donor] that people say yes or no to for different reasons,” Rochel said. “We just hope people will educate themselves, know the facts and then make an informed decision that is appropriate for them and their family.”
continued on page 20
MONDAY - FRIDAY, MAY 11-15, 7-9AM
Free coffee from Bonfire, tea, hot chocolate, and breakfast snacks provided by Plosky's for all cyclists on the corner of 4th & Main Streets (Chacos Park).
TUESDAY, MAY 12, 7PM
Bike-In Movie Night at The Crystal Theatre (427 Main). Celebrate this 1982 classic: E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial!!
WEDNESDAY, MAY 13, 4-7:30PM
YewFlow and Bonedale Bike Week Kids’ Bike Extravaganza! @North Face Bike Park (Meadowood Dr. near the high school).
ALSO WEDNESDAY, MAY 13, 7PM
Spoke'n Word bike poetry limerick event at Phat Thai (343 Main).
A lively and our most lyrically improper Bike Week event! Drink specials and prizes abound for poetic people.
THURSDAY, MAY 14, 5:45PM
Bike Scavenger Hunt and after party, get your teams of 2-6 ready! @Aloha Mountain Cyclery (580 Hwy. 133), All ages are encouraged, extra “family” division this year. More info about what to bring online. Register by 5:45pm, start at 6pm.
FRIDAY, MAY 15, 5:30-8:45PM
Progressive Art Studio Tour at 5:30pm (meet at The Launchpad, 76 S 4th St); Youth Art Park Hootenanny on Rio Grande ArtWay at 7pm w/live music & refreshments (NA bike blenders!), plus decorate your bike for the 8pm Inaugural Illuminated Bike Celebration w/prizes and more, ending at Townline Trucks by 8:45pm.
FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM @BONEDALEBIKEWEEK
JOHN STROUD
Sopris Sun Correspondent
Two Roaring Fork High School spring sports teams are in the state playoffs, and another is also in a good position to earn a postseason bid.
Starting off with the combined Roaring Fork-Glenwood-BasaltCRMS girls lacrosse team, the Rams enter the 24-team 4A state playoffs as the No. 3 seed — the highest postseason seeding in the program’s eight-year history.
The Rams concluded the regular season at 13-2 overall and finished second in the 4A Mountain East League at 8-2, behind only Battle Mountain. The Huskies handed Roaring Fork its only two losses this spring and earned the No. 1 seed for the state playoffs. Golden is the No. 2 seed.
The Rams closed out the regular season last week with a 17-3 win at Summit on April 29 (six and five points respectively for seniors Jordyn Miller and Juliana Pittz) and a 22-1 win at Denver North on May 1 (six points for freshman Scarlett Jones).
The win streak solidified a first-
Sopris Sun Correspondent
round bye, and the Rams are set to play on their home field at 6:30pm Thursday against No. 14 Fruita Monument, 13-11 winners over No. 19 Horizon on Tuesday. “The captains have been huge this year, just setting the pace and the tone, and really working hard in practice,” first-year head coach Dahl Miller said of senior co-captains Alivya Malcolm, Ava Montemayor, Jordyn Miller and Juliana Pittz. “We’ve been doing a lot of competitive practices, just to keep sharp and keep that energy up.”
Dahl also credited new assistant coaches Jessica Owings and Ashley Travis for helping to establish team expectations and getting player buy-in this season.
“We’re not playing ‘me’ ball out there,” he said. “We have a handful of younger kids that are really contributing a lot this year, and I think that stems from that leadership.”
A win Thursday will give the Rams another home quarterfinal game on Saturday afternoon, game time to be determined.
*Also making it to the postseason was the combined
Glenwood-Roaring Fork-Basalt boys lacrosse team. The Demons entered as the No. 15 seed, but fell at home Tuesday 6-5 to No. 18 Mullen.
Girls soccer is in
The Roaring Fork Lady Rams soccer team also earned a trip to the 3A state playoffs, as the 30th seed in the 32-team field.
The Rams were set to travel to play No. 3 Colorado Academy on Thursday, after concluding the season at 4-8-3 overall and 3-3-2 in the 3A Western Slope League, finishing fifth.
Roaring Fork lost 5-2 at home versus Mullen on April 30 (goals by sophomore Helina McCracken and freshman Jocelyn Rivera), and closed out the regular season with a 4-1 win at Rifle on May 2.
The Rams baseball team carries a four-game win streak into the final two games of the regular season. A 7-6 win over North Fork at home Tuesday night bettered the Rams’ position ahead of the 3A playoffs, to be announced this weekend.
Before the latest win, Roaring Fork scored a 4-1 win at Rifle on April 29, and won a doubleheader sweep (8-4 and 12-2) over Moffat County in Carbondale on senior night May 1.
As of earlier this week, Roaring held the No. 28 spot out of 32 playoff teams. The Tuesday win improved their record to 10-11 overall, while sitting at 5-5 in league play.
The Rams were set to close out the regular season with a pair of games against league-leading Aspen, starting at the Skiers place on Wednesday (game result not available by press time), and closing things out at home this Saturday, May 9 (12pm game time at Ron Patch Memorial Field).
Roaring Fork’s track and field athletes competed at the Class 3A Western Slope League Championships, held at Coal Ridge High School on April 30 and May 1. Placing in the top eight of their respective events (several with personal record times along the way) to earn team points were:
The 13th annual Rams Run fundraiser at Crystal River Elementary School on May 1, began amid welcomed dampness and clouds that covered the view of Mt Sopris, then segued into beautiful spring sunshine amid the green, with the snow-coated peak emerging.
At this winsome event, where students simply run as much as they can or as they choose, every child in the school got a T-shirt with a fresh logo (soon signed with markers by friends and teachers) and half an hour to run on a staked-out track an eighth of a mile long. Kids had collected pledges from families and friends, and local businesses support the event as well.
At 8:30am, third graders kicked things off in cool temps, families and friends cheering from the side and offering high
music played, an announcer conveyed the action and the Ram mascot
strolled by in costume. Some parents and younger siblings joined in and ran with
GIRLS — junior Karysa Close, fifth 100-meter dash (14.11 seconds); senior Caroline Cole, eighth in both the 1600- and 800-meter runs (5:53.06/2:36.49); sophomore Kinley Richmond, seventh 3200 meters (13:45.14); sophomore Juni Mullet, seventh 100-meter hurdles (20.12); 4x100 relay (Close, Mullet, and juniors Kenna Bure and Sadie Silcox), fifth (55.29); 4x200 relay (Friel, Mullet, Bure, and sophomore Sophia Warner), fifth (2:07.43); 4x800 relay (Richmond, Cole, Silcox and junior Miley Stuart), fourth (10:57.32); 4x400 relay (Warner, Richmond, Mullet, and freshman Maggie Cole), sixth (5:11.3).
BOYS — sophomore Levi Friday, third 1600 (4:43.14) and eighth 800 (2:07); junior Quentin Galbraith, sixth 400 meters (53.24); senior Eli Norris, sixth long jump (18 feet, 8 inches); freshman Colby Horst, seventh 100 (24.64); 4x100 (Galbraith, Horst, junior Davey Noyola and sophomore Michael Fefes), fourth (45.62); 4x800 (Friday, sophomores Kaiden Werth and Waylon Applegate, and freshman Elliot Galbraith), sixth (10:14.26). Roaring Fork athletes were set to compete at a pair of “last chance” meets this week, at Grand Junction on Wednesday and in Parachute on Saturday.
the students — toddlers charging for all they were worth — and friends and family members lined the way with cameras raised.
Among the all-day event’s highlights were the running kindergarteners in the early afternoon, and the presence of older kids on the sidelines extending high fives to smiling younger ones. Kids made goals and maintained or changed previous totals, with many students making more than 20 laps (20 laps is 2.5 miles). Two children did 28 laps in their 30 minutes. In the halls and at tables afterwards, students asked each other eagerly, ”How many did you get?” or exclaimed about their tiredness. Every student exited the field under a victory tunnel made by two rows of adults, clasped hands held high. A few hours later at the First Friday festivities on Main Street, race T-shirts on proud wearers dotted the throngs.
MUSIC AT HEATHER’S
Nick Lenio performs at Heather’s Savory Pies at 7pm.
The Community Office for Resource Efficiency (CORE) and The Art Base are giving children, ages 7-11, a chance to learn about decarbonization from 3:30 to 6pm. Hosted at The Art Base, attendees will “explore building science, the carbon lifecycle and steps toward decarbonization, then create a craft using recycled materials.”
ENTRE DOS MUNDOS
Kids, ages 10-13, are invited to the Carbondale Library to explore new stories and adventures in Spanish every first Thursday of the month at 3:30pm. To sign up, stop by or call the library at 970-963-2889.
KIDS’ SEWING
The Basalt Library hosts “Sew it Begins: Intro to Sewing for Kids” from 4 to 5pm. Kids will learn hand-sewing techniques while creating donut keychains, and how to use a sewing machine while sewing their own pencil cases.
SCIENCE FAIR
Middle school students present their science fair projects at the Rifle Science Fair from 4:30 to 7pm at the Rifle Library.
AVLT BBQ
Aspen Valley Land Trust hosts a barbeque celebrating the local conservation community at Down Valley Brewing in New Castle (589 West Main Street) from 5 to 8pm. Tickets at avlt.org
CLAY CENTER MIXER
The Carbondale Clay Center hosts a community mixer, bringing people together while filling them in about its capital campaign, at Sprazzo from 5:30 to 7:30pm.
ORCHID WORKSHOP
The Botany Houseplant Shop presents its orchid workshop from 5:30 to 7:30pm in anticipation of Mother’s Day. “Plants can be a long-lasting and meaningful gift for Mom,” the shop said in its newsletter.
MOUNTAIN BIKE FILMS
The Roaring Fork Mountain Bike Association brings the Ritual Mountain Bike Film Tour to the Third Street Center from 6 to 9pm. Tickets at tinyurl.com/ RitualRFMBA
‘COMMON WATERS’
American Whitewater and the Roaring Fork Kayaking Club present “Common Waters,” a film about stream access, at 7pm at the Crystal Theatre, followed by a panel discussion regarding legislation in Colorado that would ensure lawful river passage. Tickets at tinyurl.com/ commonwaters-crystal
MUSIC AT HEATHER’S
Pat Winger and Larry Dutmer perform at Heather’s Savory Pies in Basalt at 7pm.
FRIDAY, MAY 8
STORYTIME PLAYGROUND
Children up to 3 years old are welcomed at the Basalt Library from 10:30 to 11:15am for Storytime Playground.
ART OPENING
The Art Base hosts an opening, along with an interactive element, for “Echoes,” an exhibit by Savanna LaBauve, from 5 to 7pm. The exhibit will be up through June 6.
CARBONDALE TYPE-IN
Bring a typewriter or tap on one that’ll be provided at Mountain Heart Brewery in Carbondale (1841 Dolores Way) from 6 to 8pm.
CRYSTAL THEATRE
The Crystal Theatre screens “The Drama” at 7pm tonight, tomorrow and Monday. Catch a captioned showing at 5pm on Sunday.
FLY FISHING FILM
The Fly Fishing Film Tour — “the original, largest, and most celebrated fly fishing film event of its kind” — comes to TACAW, preceded with a pop up art show by Cassidy Wiley and followed by a post-show panel discussion on river health, at 7:30pm. Tickets at tacaw.org
SATURDAY, MAY 9
HOGBACK HUSTLE 5K
The Hogback Hustle 5k will kick off at 9am, beginning at New Castle City Market and ending at Burning Mountain Park. Registration is $35 and proceeds go to the New Castle Recreation Department.
CLAY PLAY
Preschoolers try their hand at ceramics from 10am to noon at the Glenwood Springs Community Art Center. Register at tinyurl.com/GWSclayplay
MOVE WITH ME
Children, ages 18 months to 3 years, learn the “joys of dance” with the Basalt Library’s Move with Me program from 10:30 to 11am.
RFOV & RFMBA
Roaring Fork Outdoor Volunteers and Roaring Fork Mountain Bike Association team up to remove thistle and other invasive weeds along Talbott’s Burning Mountain Trail outside of New Castle from 9am to 3pm. Register to lend a hand at rfov.org
DANDELION DAY
The 28th annual Dandelion Day kicks off in Carbondale with the Parade of Species down Main Street at 10am, followed by a day in Sopris Park. Lakota hiphop artist Nataani Means, the son of Russell Means, will offer an opening prayer and later perform at 12:30pm. KDNK’s beer garden will be open from noon to 5pm. For a detailed list of dandy happenings, visit carbondale.com/events
MUSIC AT TOWNLINE
Hard-hitting alternative rock band Quadrasonic performs at Townline Trucks at 7pm.
FEEDING GIANTS
Feeding Giants performs at Heather’s Savory Pies at 7pm.
SUN JR
Psychedelic rock band Sun Jr. performs at TACAW at 8pm. The show is 21+. Tickets at tacaw.org
SUNDAY, MAY 10
MOTHER’S DAY BRUNCH
The Homestead hosts Mother’s Day brunch from 9am to 1pm. Email dan@rvrgolf.com for reservations.
BRUNCH AT HEATHER’S
Local musician Chris Phillips performs during Mother’s Day brunch at Heather’s Savory Pies from 11am to 2pm.
SPIRITUAL CENTER
A Spiritual Center hosts “Mother’s Day, A Look at Connecting: Links, Love, & Our Loopholes” from 10 to 11:30am in Room 31 of the Third Street Center. The event is presented by Golden Sha.
MOTHER’S DAY AND CLAY
Families are invited to paint ceramic pieces at the Carbondale Clay Center in celebration of Mother’s Day from 10:30am to noon. Participants can pick up their piece to take home within a few weeks after the event. Register at carbondaleclay.org
CRYSTAL THEATRE
The Crystal Theatre screens “The Wild Robot” at 1pm.
MUSIC AT TOWNLINE
Carbondale’s own Kevin Corrigan performs at Townline Trucks at 7pm.
MONDAY, MAY 11
BONEDALE BIKE WEEK
Bonedale Bike Week kicks off with free Bonfire coffee (or tea or hot chocolate) and breakfast snacks from Plosky’s for all cyclists at the corner of 4th and Main Street from 7 to 9am. This offering repeats throughout the week at the same time, same place. Follow along on Instagram at @bonedalebikeweek or visit bonedalebikeweek.org
COFFEE & ART
Enjoy free coffee with Carbondale Arts from 8 to 9am at the Latino Folk Art Garden on The Artway.
MOVIE NIGHT
The Basalt Library hosts Teen Movie Night, “a fun, relaxed space just for teens to hang out and enjoy a great film on the big screen,” from 4 to 5:30pm.
TUESDAY, MAY 12
RFOV AT RED HILL
Roaring Fork Outdoor Volunteers head up to Red Hill Sage Meadows for some drainage work from 4 to 8pm. Register to lend a hand at rfov.org
SOUNDS OF ZIMBABWE
Zimbabwean dancer Rujeko Dumbutshena and musician Napoleon Jambwa perform at the Glenwood Springs Library at 4:15pm, then again at the Dance Initiative studio in the Third Street Center in Carbondale at 7:15pm.
HOME BUYING
The Valley Home Store hosts a homebuyer class from 5 to 7pm at the Basalt Library for folks looking to learn more about buying a home.
FIRST TEE YOGA
Cari Eisenson guides a free yoga session on the first tee of the River Valley Ranch golf course every Tuesday from 6 to 7pm. Participants must be 12 or older and bring their own mat.
OPEN MIC
Marc Demier hosts an open mic night at Townline Trucks from 6 to 9pm.
Students check out the newly unveiled Hero’s Journaling Project mural during a Celebration of Learning outside Carbondale Middle School on Monday, May 4. The project, organized by VOICES, was the result of young students recalling and processing significant life transitions, such as immigration, through art and storytelling.
Photo by John Stroud
DRAWING CLUB
The Roaring Fork Drawing Club meets up at White River Books in Carbondale at 6:30pm.
BIKE-IN MOVIE NIGHT
In celebration of Bonedale Bike Week, the Crystal Theatre screens “E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial” at 7pm for free!
WEDNESDAY, MAY 13
KIDS’ BIKE EXTRAVAGANZA!
YewFlow hosts the Kids’ Bike Extravaganza! at the North Face Bike Park from 4 to 7:30pm. Details at bonedalebikeweek.org
‘THE LAST CHAPTER’
Pitkin County Senior Services provides community members with information about end-of-life legal and financial tasks and physical and emotional challenges at the Basalt Library from 5 to 6:30pm.
TRADES SYMPOSIUM
Colorado Mountain College presents information on the school’s trades programs from 5:30 to 7:30pm at the Glenwood Center. Register at tinyurl.com/3fftvr5y
DRUM & DANCE LESSONS
Zimbabwean dancer Rujeko Dumbutshena and musician Napoleon Jambwa teach a drum lesson from 5:45 to 6:45pm, followed by a dance lesson from 7 to 8:30pm at the Third Street Center. To register, visit danceinitiative. org/store/p/rujeko
BIKE POETRY
Phat Thai hosts a “spoke’n” word and poetry event at 7pm. Details at bonedalebikeweek.com
WILD FLIGHT AT HEATHER’S
Wild Flight performs at Heather’s Savory Pies at 7pm.
THURSDAY, MAY 14
ASL STORYTIME
Children, ages 3–7, are welcome to “Storytime in Sign” from 3:45 to 4:45pm at the Basalt Library, where stories will be read aloud and signed in American Sign Language.
RIFLE RENDEZVOUS
Enjoy a car show, archery, vendors and more at the Rifle Rendezvous, open until May 17.
AMY HADDEN MARSH
Sopris Sun Correspondent
A warm winter and historically low snowpack in western Colorado has left the West Divide Water Conservation District (WDWCD) and the Silt Water Conservancy District (SWCD) thirsty. District representatives on Monday asked the Garfield Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) for help since the county owns rights to 400 acre-feet of water in Ruedi Reservoir.
Back in 2013, the county purchased those rights via a perpetual contract with the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation. Since 2021, 350 acre-feet have gone to the Colorado Water Conservation Board (CWCB) in late summer or early fall to support endangered fish in the Colorado River’s 15-Mile Reach east of Grand Junction.
This year, however, the water will go to the WDWCD and the SWCD.
“The way the contract is written, the board, at your sole discretion every year, can
distribute [the water] how you would like to,” explained County Manager Fred Jarman on Monday.
Letters submitted to the BOCC from both districts were almost exactly the same, citing drought, made worse by the unprecedented low snowpack this past winter. It’s sort of a domino effect. The 66,000 acrefeet Historic Users Pool in Green Mountain Reservoir, where the districts get water in the summer, did not fill this year, so the districts won’t have enough water to augment supplies for agriculture and irrigation in the western part of Garfield County as the summer wears on.
In fact, they said they don’t have enough water now.
“2026 hydrology is resulting in reduced water supplies and extended administrative call duration like we have never seen before,” WDWCD states in its letter. The district’s regular 200 acre-feet from Green Mountain Reservoir is not available this year. “We have had to schedule
“Is this your first rodeo, Doc?”
replacement supplies for May and June, which are typically free river conditions.” In other words, to avoid a downstream call on the water, which could put junior water rights at risk, the district needs more water.
Commission Chair Tom Jankovsky recused himself from
the discussion and vote, stating that he is on the WDWCD Board.
“I believe this is the first year in the history of our users that this has happened,” SWCD states in its letter. “We are scrambling to try and secure some water to pump to our users for [agriculture] and irrigation use.”
Sam Potter, president of the WDWCD, said that the district has about 500 contracts for water augmentation. “Some of those represent multiple households or users,” he explained. “So there’s a lot of people out there that are affected and have legal
continued on page 26
JAMES STEINDLER
Editor In Chief
High Rockies Harm Reduction (HRHR) has two new sets of wheels rolling out services across the Valley and beyond. Mugsy Seldeen, the executive director of the nonprofit, greets clients without judgement, sliding open the side door of one of the sleek new Ford Transits to invite them in for care.
“It’s such a game changer,” Seldeen said of the 2025 vans during an April 16 interview with The Sopris Sun on its weekly public affairs show, “Everything Under The Sun,” on KDNK Community Access Radio.
“To have this upgrade of this private, safe, temperature-controlled office space that we can bring to folks to get these services is huge,” she said. “It’s so wonderful.”
Last year, HRHR received funding from the Colorado Attorney General’s Opioid Abatement pool to purchase the vehicles and provide mobile services across Opioid Abatement Region 5, which includes Garfield, Pitkin, Eagle, Summit and Lake counties, Seldeen explained in an email. “After several years of utilizing personal and used vehicles for mobile services, HRHR officially acquired these converted Ford Transits near the end of January,” she stated.
The two vehicles are customized on the inside as patient rooms, very much resembling a doctor’s office. A chair, secured with a strap during travel, rolls out from under a desk behind the driver’s seat and a bench lines the opposite wall, where
people can have a seat and consult with an HRHR rep. Across the aisle, stacked cabinets are labeled with the essentials: sharps (IV supplies and disposal), naloxone, wound care, hygiene, smoking supplies and snorting kits.
Whether someone needs fentanyl test strips to check their drugs or condoms to reduce the risk of disease transmission, the mobile offices are stacked to the nines.
In 2020 and 2021, HRHR conducted a needs assessment while hosting pop-ups at local community spaces from Aspen to DeBeque.
“We really discovered that because there’s so much stigma — not just around these services but around substance use and HIV and of all these things — that folks were not super comfortable coming into these buildings,” Seldeen explained.
“We determined … that bringing supplies to the people, meeting people where they are physically and emotionally, was going to work best for our rural populations,” she continued.
Seldeen introduced harm reduction care to the Roaring Fork Valley in November 2020, and has steadily acclimated communities to the nonjudgemental approach addressing addiction.
“Harm Reduction … is basically reducing harm from our everyday actions,” she said, adding that bandaids and seatbelts are prime examples. Cars weren’t initially equipped with seatbelts, rearview mirrors or airbags, she explained, but because of
the inherent danger associated with driving, these harm-reducing features were introduced over time.
“When we’re talking about substance use, it’s just reducing the very real harm that can occur,” Seldeen said.
The nonprofit provides weekly services from Aspen to Glenwood, monthly services in Rifle and will resume weekly services in the Eagle, Edwards, Breckenridge, Dillon and Leadville this month.
“But we also work with a lot of our neighboring regions,” Seldeen clarified.
“We’ve been in conversations with our northwestern counties for many years to try and get these services up there. We’ve worked with our southwestern counties … specifically in Durango to get programs up
and running there.” She added that HRHR has its sights set on Delta County as well.
Currently, HRHR has one other staff member, but volunteers are also invited to assist with its mission.
Seldeen has a regular column in The Sopris Sun, “Reducing Harm,” and hosts a public affairs show, “Chemical World,” on KDNK every second Monday at 4pm. To listen to the full interview with The Sopris Sun, visit kdnk.org/podcast/ everything-under-the-sun
Folks can find HRHR’s full service schedule at highrockiesharmreduction. com People interested in supporting its mission can email mugsy@highrockies harmreduction.com
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OPINION
BY
SARAH PLETTS
Special to The Sopris Sun
EDITOR’S NOTE: Sarah Pletts is a Colorado Mountain College community education instructor.
What happens when you join an art class? Can you quantify the experience gained?
When you start to read this, pause a few moments and take stock. Look closely around yourself and identify three objects. Take a chair for example — most are the evolution of hundreds of years. The designers, wood crafters (the trees even!) and creators who dreamed them up all play a role. Over, say, three hundred years, there were several subsequent designers, wood crafters and artists who came up with colors and finishes. One chair.
Examine your favorite book. How many writers, editors, graphic designers, publishers, painters or illustrators put it into your hand?
Clearly, art is not extra. It’s an essential component underlying our lives. Exploitive and domineering people making loud noises would have us believe that art comes after a bank account. But it isn’t true. Art comes first. Art is making something from the uncensored stream of universal creativity knocking on the door of ourselves every second we live.
We here in the Roaring Fork Valley are fortunate. There are many classes available through Colorado Mountain College’s community education program starting in mid-May. Firstly, in Carbondale we have: drawing, painting, photography and a variety of classes in textiles and sewing. In Glenwood we have: improvisation with Theater Operations Manager Brad Moore, Butterfly Dreams in Crystal, Strawberry Days: A Summertime Jewelry Celebration, Cricut Fundamentals: From Setup to Finished Product, an adult acting class and Sketchbook — which is my class. What a lineup.
Good news for young artists, too. CMC offers three children’s camps beginning June 15 through July 31 at the Glenwood Center, in dance, drama, art, music and cooking.
The first art class I led through CMC was 40+ years ago, and now I offer “Sketchbook” to write and draw or paint. It’s for all levels. Your sketchbook is a journal. It holds each creator’s dreams, fears and expression. Prompts are given but are not necessary. One can share what comes up or keep it private. This class is for expressing one’s self continually in a supportive environment, and for problem solving with others.
Shown here is my watercolor of my Pratt painting instructor, Franklin Faust. He was a color genius. On a scholarship I studied painting with him for two years. One morning I was late and he glared at me like a quiet storm. I was fortunate to study art, and wasting time wasn’t okay. I wasn’t late again. Art requires self-discipline. After saving up for months, I traveled to Italy and wrote this:
And who do you think brings the brushes and puts the paint on them?
Who mixes the paint, prepares the surface?
Who faces the surface, blank as endless time, and dares to mark the surface?
Who sits in stillness, patient, providing the inspiration
is it a woman, a man, the calm sea allowing its mass to reflect the setting sun?
Who persists until the painting’s done? Who has the courage to buy it and hang it on the wall?
Who made the wall?
Do you think Michelangelo (or you?) fell from the sky, unattached to the human family
and do you think his angel body purchased a special one-way ticket, first class? Do you think he put his feet up on the plane and do you think no one sat next to him?
Do you think he wore suits of the finest cloth tailored only for him?
Maybe.
But he got paint on it.
Do you think that you could not own such a suit? You can. But you must pay for it. Or you must know
February 2, 1947April 11, 2026
The Cosmos spoke and the Earth answered; tundra shook under the rapture of the beast’s hoof and the sky cried for glory. The enigma of the stars gathered and, in Peekskill, New York on Groundhog’s day 1947, a baby came into being named Mallen Everitt Lent. His shadow would envelope all who loved him for the next 79 years.
For this was no regular man. This man would become a firefighter while still a teen in Montrose, New York, serve in the Airforce in South Dakota and graduate from the Culinary School of New Haven in Connecticut. He would also get to be a saucier at the Waldorf Astoria in New York, New York and a sous chef at the Bird and Bottle, also in New York. Mal also got to experience Woodstock, and was married twice.
In 1976, he moved his family to Clearwater, Florida, where he was a chef at the Innisbrook Resort. California came calling, so the family loaded up and headed west. But Independence Pass had other plans for Mal. Broken down in Aspen, he thought for sure he could get a restaurant job, but, unfortunately, no one would pay him for his skills so he found the highest paying job in the Roaring Fork Valley he could. He headed up to the coal mine. He worked for the Anschutz/Snowmass Coal Company
right up until it closed, and would later work toward the reclamation of that same mine.
He and his family moved to Redstone, where he would go on to help set up the first Redstone Volunteer Fire Department and serve as fire chief. Mal and his fellow firefighters organized Redstone’s very first Fourth of July Parade. He would eventually move down to Carbondale, where he worked almost everywhere in town, including Earthworks Excavation, Main Street Spirits, the Nugget and for the Town of Carbondale, helping take care of the pool, plowing streets, mowing the grass in the parks and working at the poop plant.
His love for food never stopped and he cooked at multiple places in the Crystal Valley. He was known for his wit and loved for his humor. He could fix anything electrical or mechanical and was smart as a tack, especially about astronomy. He leaves his legacy to his children Tina, Josh and Justin, and his grandkids Evelyn, Johnnie and Michael. The flora and fauna of this realm weep the loss of their friend.
To raise the final $3.5 million, the “Make a Splash” fundraising campaign was launched in June 2024, which, Brendlinger noted, was “The first capital campaign for Carbondale” with a previous bond approval. And it was a success, raising $3.1 million — roughly half from grants and half from private donations; the final amount needed was again acquired from the Town’s contingency funds.
The success of the campaign allowed the Town to “build what we wanted,” as Brendlinger put it, which, with “three bodies of water” will now provide “different experiences than what was offered before.” He continued, “The way we designed it was for all ages,” with “simultaneous use. This is for everybody.”
The center will host an open house on May 21 for donors who gave $1,000 or more to the campaign, with the doors opening to everybody two days later.
Information on the aquatics center, including passes (note the early-bird pricing) can be found at carbondalerec.com/aquatics POOL from page 4
Rochel said individuals can do so much while living, like donating blood at one of the Valley’s pop-up blood mobiles or registering to be a blood stem cell and bone marrow donor. She noted that donating blood stem cells and bone marrow can be the cure for someone’s blood cancer.
Sensitively creating ways to start the donation conversation, CKF offers bilingual curriculums for school-age children to learn about organs and donor superheroes. The organization also offers upcoming summer campaigns like Create for Life and Bake for Life that use art and baking respectively as mediums to gently cultivate meaningful conversation.
“It can be a tough conversation,” Rochel said. “We try to get creative to make it less daunting and scary. You can talk while you bake or create art and
then share it with your [community].” By thoughtfully approaching the conversation and sharing their own anecdotes, Rochel and the CKF team have been able to reach over 1.3 million people to date, and hope to reach even more to save lives.
“I have met and spoken with so many people that I would not have crossed paths with because of CKF,” Rochel said. “People have the most amazing stories including those connected to donation and transplantation. The more we’re out there in the public talking and giving others a platform, the more people realize their own connection and how they can help.”
Visit www.chrisklugfoundation.org to learn more about CKF and upcoming events like the communal Transplant Games in Denver. To help Jessi Rochel reach her next fundraising goal on her Six Star Medal journey visit runsignup.com/jessifortoyko2027
Initially, I was cavalier about motherhood, treating reproduction as an experience to be had — an item to be checked off a bucket list. After two years of trying, pregnancy became an obsession, measured in doctor’s visits, sperm counts and the painful flushing of contrast dye through my fallopian tubes. When the pregnancy tests finally showed two lines— I used up a stockpile— I fanned out the positives in triumph.
Hearing my baby’s first heartbeat made me euphoric — a visceral awakening to motherhood. I listened, addicted to its rapid rhythm of her lifeblood, knowing my own steady pulse echoed around it. I became the poster mother for “What to Expect When You’re Expecting,” flushed with estrogen, progesterone and hCG, glowing like a stereotype and devouring baby books as she grew from a poppy seed (zygote) to a blueberry (embryo) to a watermelon (fetus).
Nothing prepared me for how quickly the abstract became flesh. I was birthed into motherhood in an epiphany of instinctual, cellular love. As my womb was sliced open, she was lifted from my body — bottom first and slippery. From the operating table, I yearned to hear her cry — her breath propelling her into life. The instant of her first wail, I became “mother,” born into a lifetime of aching love and persistent vigilance.
The world narrowed to her body and mine in relentless efforts of survival. I struggled to breastfeed, living by the mantra, “breast is best.” I pumped and pumped my “liquid gold,” while
swaddling, swinging and shushing her through the fourth trimester.
She regularly drenched me in a torrent of “spit up” and our wardrobe changes were prolific. I was thrilled by the ritual of laundry, from the tiny hangers to sorting clothes and playing dress up as she bloomed. As she toddled forward, I bent to her, my back aching as I steadied her uncertain steps — every one worthy of my position as her personal paparazzi.
By Elizabeth Key
With the joy came fear — RSV, croup, EV-D68— and those late-night hospital drives, somehow always on a weekend, with the windows down, hoping cold air would ease the swelling in her airways so she could stop barking like a seal and freely draw life-sustaining breaths.
The first two years were the hardest, juggling work and the self-inflicted pressure to be the best mother possible. I read her hundreds of stories thousands of times and then went to bed to research motherhood, yet again. As a bubble wrap mother, my love sharpened into hyperawareness. I smothered her with “be carefuls,” constantly alert to the smallest tripping hazard. I was terrified of choking hazards — grapes,
popcorn — and particularly paranoid about tacks, scanning the floors beneath the community bulletin boards.
I professed to be one and done, until she turned two. I called them the terrific twos and greedily wanted to double my darling girl. I read that the most consistent friend is often a sibling: the one who knows you across nearly an entire lifetime, and all your versions. I campaigned for a year, and conceived my son the first month of trying.
I am eternally mother, the facilitator of love and happiness.
Time collapsed into a survival swirl. Unlike my daughter, my son took to breastfeeding almost manically, which I indulged even as it depleted me. He tortured me with eight months of sleep deprivation while I worked full time. The toil bound us in early attachment, though his babyhood is mostly a blur, preserved in pictures and snippets of memory — strolling the Sunday farmers’ market, hunting for changing tables in public restrooms, breastfeeding while watching the eclipse.
We were still in survival when language became song, and I still sing him the song I made up during our rocking chair days:
Ute Culture Conversation with Skyler Lomahaftewa Tuesday, 6-7:30pm, 5/19
Ute Traditions Exhibit 5/15-5/29
US Constitution - Of, For, and By the People with Eric Heil Wednesday, 6-8:30pm, 5/20 America 250 Exhibit 6/19-7/7
Spiritual Practices w/ Bo Persiko
Explore the major traditions with readings and conversations. Tuesdays, 6-7:30pm, 5/19-7/7
Watercolor: en Plein Air
2-day workshop in studio for tips and techniques and then go outside to paint what we see. Wed-Thur, 1-5pm, 5/20-5/21
“I love you, yes I do. I love you, yes it’s true. I love you, my little Finnegan boo. I love love love love you because you are sweet and silly and kind and so amazing to me. I love you so. You will never know how much you mean to me. Kiss kiss.”
He created a response song, “I love you, yes I do. I love you, yes it’s true. I will never forget you, with a kiss on your cheek and a hug so bright. I love you. Good night.” Love, once singular, became comparative. As they grew and sibling rivalry flared, they turned my love into a commodity, vying for lap sits and declarations of adoration. I felt torn and implemented a timer-based system for lap claims. I told them, “I love you both equally but differently,” which left them both unsatisfied. In the end, I measure my success by their happiness, and I measure their achievement by the shape of their character.
As I’ve transformed from mommy to mom, and “play dates” to “hangouts,” I have become more free range. I find myself newly inducted into the sandwich generation, where puberty and perimenopause collide with elder care and an unfiltered preview of aging.
“The Golden Girls” made it look effortless, but aging gracefully remains on my to-do list. I am a middle-aged mother of two, unexpectedly preoccupied with preserving muscle mass, bone density and a thick epidermis. I am balancing being a soccer mom and seniors’ daughter, as I bus both tweens and septuagenarians across the valley. But I am eternally mother, the facilitator of love and happiness.
New Fitness Teacher
Mat Pilates TTh, starts 11am 5/26
Barre Pilates TTh, starts 12pm 5/26
Yogalates Fri, starts 9am 5/29
Erika is also offering: Natural Hormone Balancing Monday, 6pm, 6/29
We are delighted to offer you, our community, the opportunity to take advantage of low-cost blood tests.
or by phone 1.800.217.5866
Monday–Friday, 9 am–4 pm
June 5 and 6
ASPEN
Aspen Ambulance Building
Aspen Valley Health Medical Center
0403 Castle Creek Road
June 7
EL JEBEL Eagle County Community Center 20 Eagle County Drive
By appointment only 8-11:30 am
Lab Tests Offered
• HealthScreen w/CBC – $79 Includes CBC, CMP, Ferritin, Iron Panel, Lipid Panel, TSH and Uric Acid (Fasting Required)
• hsCardio CRP – $42
• Hemoglobin A1C & EAG –$44
“I still have a dream. It is a dream deeply rooted in the American dream. I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up, live out the true meaning of its creed: ‘We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal.’” — Martin Luther King Jr. Dreams are hard to come by these days.
We live in liminal moments, floating between the physical world and our mental and spiritual constructs — somewhere between the “real” and our dreams. When we pay attention, we can understand who we are by what we dream of, and we can live our lives to make that dream a reality. Hopefully, our dreams honor our world’s need to dream, as we seek dignity for all. Dreams that are born of integrity, lofty ideals, and courage illuminate the magnificence of human possibilities. Dreams hover above us, in perfect view of our imperfect humanity, floating lightly above, calling on us to honor our souls’ high adventure. They are sacred beacons, a light to be seen and aspired to, lifting us above the crass, brutal and selfish. “We the People,” is our foundational dream — the crucible from which our national promise was forged.
“We the people” is a timeless ideal, an end, and a means to an end. When we meld our individual dreams into collective dreams, we underwrite the ultimate source of power, derived from the consent of all people, freely given. Yet throughout our history, we have been vendors of verbal trickery, a verbal judo, where simple, generous mantras like “We the People,” “More Perfect Union,” fall sway to the language of manufactured terms like “illegal aliens,” “colorblindness” and “reverse racism” — manufactured terms that lay siege to the generosity of our collective soul. The labelers ascend to an exclusive “us”, redefining themselves as righteous people — a select, privileged group, with a license to exclude. This semantic evolution — recasting the inclusive “we” into an exclusive “us” — further marginalizes the vulnerable, defining them as property, non-citizens, aliens and Woke. These deceitful and tricky words suck the oxygen out of our human connection and excoriate our nation’s soul.
By A.O. Forbes
Eventually, laws follow suit: “white rights,” “reverse racism,” and “colorblind” swallow up the 14th Amendment, a guarantee for equal rights and equality. Citizens United allows corporations a ‘voice’ and unlimited funds to usurp extraordinary rights. “Big Beautiful Bills” strip women’s reproductive rights and access to personhood and voice. And the “SAVE Act” strips our access to vote. All these clever euphemisms exclude groups of people from “members-only clubs” based on race, self-serving criteria, and money. And, our culture schools us to worship these exclusive clubs that allow only those who toe the line or don the correct veneer to enter, silently shunning and stripping people of their dignity. It’s important to remember that despite the inspired vision of our nation’s founders, the authors of our collective dream, they too were a club, a slave owning, color blind, and sexist group of white men. As Barbara Jordan, the first Black woman representative from Texas, said in 1974, “When that document was completed on the seventeenth of September in 1787, I was not included in that ‘We, the people.’ I felt somehow for many years that George Washington and Alexander Hamilton just left me out by mistake. But through the process of amendment, interpretation, and court decision, I have finally been included in ‘We, the people.’” Despite its seminal importance, today our collective dream needs the same vigilant and farsighted protection as it did in Barbara Jordan’s era. Sam Stableford, a student from last year, echoes Jordan’s call for more than fairweather patriotism:
• PSA, Total – $47
• Vitamin D – $54
• T3, Free – $32
• T4, Free – $32
• CBC (Complete Blood Count) –$32
We can’t be a democratic republic that truly honors its founding ideals while millions remain trapped in structures built out of racial terror and neglect. As a Black American, I don’t experience this as a distant historical idea; it’s very personal. My existence in this country is shaped by both survival and loss, and by what generations before me built despite being stripped of so much for people who look like me. When [Bryan] Stevenson talks about truth and repair, I hear a call for both justice and healing: justice for what’s been stolen, and healing for what’s been carried in silence. I do see myself as a part of this process and as someone who can help push it forward, not just someone who is affected by the system. My part is learning, speaking, and staying involved, because, as King said, “we are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality.” Freedom isn’t individual, it’s collective. If we want to move toward the country our founding documents promised, we have to build by facing the truth, together.
The current administration leans heavily on stoking fear of the “other” to justify what they take from us. By recognizing our commonality, our common dreams and the clarity that our lives are inextricably intertwined, we diminish this fear. We feel the might of standing up for each other. We are learning the truth of Sam’s statement: “Freedom is collective.” The Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh said it was possible that the next Buddha will not be an individual, but rather a community practicing understanding and loving kindness — a Buddhist notion aligned with “We the People.” Dreaming together has the power of an exponential function. Our collective imagination brings meaning, resilience and vitality to our existence and hones essential biological instincts that favor cooperation, equality and collective hope — the same neural and evolutionary mechanisms that help us thrive as a species (thank you, Darwin).
Our country’s foundational dream was, and is, wildly ambitious, complicated, messy and extravagantly inspiring. Our dream is an exquisite gift. Today, we are called upon to stand up for that dream. To rise up, as King saw, to unfold the promise of this country. Because to explore this mysterious existence together — on this small pale blue dot we call Earth — is the most beautiful thing the universe has dreamed up.
When it comes to human nature: all our peaceful sit-ins and flat-out wars for war’s sake, the goody-goodies and the Machiavellian masterminds, altruism and flagrant greed, humanity is patient. We can look back and see how the ship was righted throughout history many times … But I’m worried that mining an endless cul-desac of everyone’s ideas and essays over the years may not be the kind of thing we can totally come back from. As much as I want to like AI, its access to knowledge is limited by human conception. Don’t get me wrong — I love using it when I’m writing hate mail to the TSA, but you gotta admit, dealing with AI is like playing Go Fish with a younger sibling that can’t find a full deck.
who allegedly committed suicide in 2016, was actually murdered because of refusal to hand over nuclear material to private contractors,” a March 14 New York Post article reads.
As much as I want to believe that aliens would intervene to rescue us from ourselves, or that a few intelligent beatniks are gathering a group for an underground think tank, the straight line actually points to someone with little-to-no imagination playing the part of Dr. Evil by eliminating people with access to our nuclear program. And the first suspect that comes to mind is old Poison ‘Em If You Got ’Em, himself.
AI is a closed loop. And there is no voice chiming in for nature or animals or random coincidence. You know that extra weight in a body between when it’s alive and dead? Yeah, that thing we still struggle to name: Soul, Atman, Enrique, whatever. Well, AI has no knowledge of that. I’m just saying that entrusting our only planet to something we ourselves invented might not be our smartest play. Especially with our country’s current administration. They’re like if the short bus got lost on a field trip to the coal plant and started a useless war with Iran.
By Jeannie Perry
I’m afraid Putin has watched too many ‘80s movies and actually believes he can destroy the United States’ nuclear program. Worse yet, I’m not sure he can’t. With his aging orange pawn running amok, destroying innocent lives — not to mention our country’s reputation around the world, our own scientists are being disappeared or shot point-blank on their porch like Carl Grillmair.
Trump has caused a lot of damage in a short amount of time, no question. But what if all of his antics are simply a distraction from Dr. Evil’s grand scheme? In other words, what if Trump is Number 2?! When I read about the 12 missing and/or dead Americans with direct connections to our nuclear program and top-level clearances I couldn’t help but imagine a terrifying scenario.
Retired US Air Force Major General William ‘Neil’ McCasland was at home in Albuquerque as his wife left the house for an appointment. When she came back an hour later, he was gone. An X account believed to be the general’s “…shockingly claimed just months before McCasland’s disappearance that Maj. Gen. John Rossi,
ART from page 19
how to order it and you must wait, no matter how long, for it to come in.
Perhaps the first suit is not so good, perhaps the knees bag, or it is too long. Okay you have it altered. Or you alter it yourself and then you pick up the brush. That’s it, pick it up.
Wave it in the air if you like, I don’t care. But pick it up, I implore you. “What will happen?” you ask. I don’t know. Does anyone?
There is one assurance though, life feels different. It changes you. Like a baby learning to walk, it takes you somewhere each time. Could Michelangelo have
When I’m Trump’s age I hope to be sitting on a porch somewhere, enjoying my Jello and watching the sunset. But not him, no sir! He bullies his way past everyone, right into the party, helping himself to whatever he wants and acting like the rest of the partygoers are glad to see him. Spoiler: they’re not. The only reason the civilized world puts up with the US — keeps inviting us to the party at all — is because we have the most expensive military pool toys.
One of our submarines can carry 24 nuclear weapons. Just one sub. That’s where most of our tax dollars have gone for decades. We see ourselves as an action hero: Sylvester Stallone, headed into the fray with nothing but a tank top and a big gun. Our reflection in the world’s mirror is a jacked dude with flowing hair, surrounded by huge flames and explosions. But what happens if we are so busy watching all the things go BOOM! that someone (AI?!) steals our weapons of mass destruction? Then what?
AI will just roll the credits, I guess.
An Easy Way for you to Help Fund the Sun At No Cost to You Every Time you Buy Groceries
known how many eyes would glance at the hand of God/Goddess touching one human in just one day?
Probably not. I think he just picked up the brush. Do it.
I dare you.
Returning to a blank sketchbook page or a blank canvas again and again taught me to examine and love my world. Art is a challenging but rewarding life. Everyone is an artist. And art is a practice that can, frankly, save humanity from extinction. Studying art makes us sensitive and respectful of our Earthly home.
For a list of community education courses, visit coloradomtn.edu/ community-education
Thank You to the 29 Households who have signed up for City Market Rewards and made Sopris Sun the benefactor of the rewards. You have helped us raise $342.15 so far this year. It's collective e orts like this that help keep the Sopris Sun financially stable for years to come.
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10 Sign ups would support a weekly column 100 Sign ups would support our annual Youth Journalism Program 1,000 Sign ups would support the Annual Cost of our local Government Oversight - a journalist covering every local City/Town, County, School Board, Library Board meeting for a full year.
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CMC Spring Valley introduces its new generation of professionals to the community
BIANCA GODINA
The Colorado Mountain College (CMC) Spring Valley campus welcomed community members with a sense of pride during its Portfolio Night on Thursday, April 30, where students in design, photography, filmmaking and integrated media presented their final capstone projects.
The capstone represents the culmination of the academic journey and is an opportunity for students to connect their education with their next professional stage by synthesizing and applying the knowledge gained throughout their degree programs to realworld problems or topics.
Mark Millhone, integrated media program director at Spring Valley, celebrated the graduation of his third cohort of students, describing himself as “humbled and proud.” Speaking about Portfolio Night, he said, “The portfolio night has been our traditional event where we get a chance to invite the community in and the students get to represent themselves as artists and creators.” Millhone emphasized that this event allows the community to meet and support emerging professionals.
Matt Gianneschi, president of CMC, also expressed deep pride in this year’s graduating class. “It is an extraordinary year for CMC and for our graduates. We are graduating the largest class in the history of CMC and the most diverse,” he said. He added that there were 20% more graduates this year across all areas compared to last year.
Gianneschi also highlighted the institution’s national impact, noting that according to national data-based rankings, CMC has been recognized as one of the top 25 community colleges in the United States. “To have a small rural college recognized as one of the best high-performing institutions is an honor,” he said.
Among the students, Maya Berber-Corriero, a recent grad-
uate and now entrepreneur behind Mayan Photography, shared her journey. She began several years ago covering events such as proms and will be photographing her first wedding this summer. Reflecting on her achievement, she said, “It has been a long time coming … 17 years of continuous schooling, it has been a lot, but the last four years I dedicated myself to photography.”
The Portfolio Night featured a wide variety of projects, from magazines and video games to short films and photography books, offering attendees the opportunity to see the world through each artist’s unique perspective.
McKenna Barnhart presented her photography book “The Art of Seeing,” which she described as a collection of images capturing simple yet detailed moments, “I shoot for simple detailed moments that draw my eye.”
Additionally, Ingrid Zúniga, digital editor of Sol del Valle and a graduate of the associate degree program in graphic design, presented her magazine “Nuestras Identidades.” She shared that she felt happy to showcase a unique concept and was satisfied to see how her project connected with different audiences through the use of both languages, as well as color and photography.
Regarding her professional vision, she said, “My goal is to contribute to the community by supporting local businesses and
organizations, highlighting the importance of building strong foundations rooted in cultural identity, whether individual or collective, through both digital and print design.”
Zúniga also invited the community to continue getting to know and celebrating emerging artists and creators, emphasizing that the true impact of art lies in its ability to connect. “I believe that today we need a greater human touch in everything we do in order to authentically connect with the emotion behind each idea,” she said.
Finally, Gianneschi reiterated his admiration for the students’ talent, saying he is “blown away by the quality of what they are doing,” and expressed his hope that more people in the valley recognize their creativity. He added that these graduates are now ready to “take these talents and apply them in ways that this community needs.”
Share your works in progress with readers by emailing illustrations, creative writings and poetry to fiction@soprissun.com
Comparte tus proyectos creativos aún en proceso con nuestros lectores. Puedes enviarnos un correo electrónico con tus ilustraciones, creaciones literarias y poesía a fiction@soprissun.com
By Megan Flood
For
from
I don’t want to try with poetry
I just want to smell the guava ripening on our windowsill, Taste the silk and crunch of the flan in the sticky Plastic cup
And celebrate the pelican
As it folds from Soar Into spear Into sea.
Dive
Under the wave Into foam Sand swirl
Seaweed hair tangle and grit in my teeth, Brine on my lips.
And hold your hand, Which is smaller than mine now, As we step carefully down The cobblestone path To the sea.
on our country along with America’s new role as the ally-less, laughing stock of the
With your abilities to work across the aisle, I would like to offer you a chance to become an American hero. Become a Democrat. Step across the aisle and work with the people who are striving to save
Everyone of your initiatives would benefit and be strengthened by the Democrats, from economic development, currently being shattered by the Republicans; energy independence that has come to a grinding halt and defunded by the Republicans; water infrastructure, agriculture and new technologies, all of which are prized by the Democrats and ignored by Republicans, whose gaze is solely on tax breaks for billionaires.
The Republican congress is beginning to waken from its hypnotic slumber
and you may be able to talk one or two others to join you in your escape to freedom of thought in the Democratic party. Imagine what you would unleash with a Democratic majority. We would get a new speaker that would unleash a wave of empowering legislation ready for the new Democratic senate in November.
John Hoffmann
Carbondale
LETTERS POLICY: The Sopris Sun welcomes local letters to the editor. Shorter letters stand a better chance of being printed. Letters exclusive to The Sopris Sun (not appearing in other papers) are particularly welcome. Please, no smearing, cite your facts and include your name and place of residence or association. Letters are due to news@ soprissun.com by noon on the Monday before we go to print.
the dandelion and other natural materials to make art that shows our communion with nature. Through the lens of Earth stewardship, the art, the plant starts and the music … are all expressions of the same idea: that love is the answer and tapping into our creative hearts is key for a brighter future.”
Western Mosaic will be streaming Dandelion Day this year in partnership with Earth Mother Media, so that those unable to attend in person can still view mainstage events. Among the many vendors that will be in Sopris Park, Hardy pointed out that Inkswell will be screenprinting this year’s Dandelion Day logo, designed by Heather
The event schedule and details are available on page 6 of this newspaper, Dandelion Day social media pages or at carbondale.com/events To sign up to volunteer, visit tinyurl.com/Dandyvolunteer
from page 16
water supplies only due to the augmentation plans that we operate.”
Potter added that the district needs 100 acre-feet to cover the augmentation plans. “In addition to that, every year we have new contractees come in, and we would like to have a buffer.” The WDWCD is also willing to work with the CWCB to send water to the Colorado River Engineering’s Michael Erion explained that the SWCD came online in 1966. At that time, the first 52,000 acre-feet in Green Mountain Reservoir went to the Colorado Big Thompson Project. The next 5,000 acre-feet went to the SWCD. Erion said that about three weeks ago, the federal government cut the 5,000 acre-feet from the SWCD. He added that after some discussion, the feds returned 300 acre-feet. The SWCD will also get some water from evaporation from the Colorado Big Thompson Project. “So the Silt project will get about 900 acre-feet,” he said.
The BOCC, sans Jankovsky, agreed to lease 200 acre-feet to the WDWCD and 185 to the SWCD, setting aside 15 acre-feet for county use. They will decide on the price per acre-foot at a later date.
The Carbondale Wild West Rodeo is set for its 21st season. Commissioners approved a permit from June 4 through Aug. 20 at the Gus Darien Arena.
The BOCC opened a previously frozen Garfield County Sheriff Patrol Deputy II position at $76,015 for the rest of the year. They approved a letter of support for funding for a Western Slope Veterans Coalition housing project, and a grant for county jail inmate behavioral services. Ten nonprofits requested funding. Kirby Wynn, county oil and gas liaison, ended the meeting with an update about the recent, county-hosted energy symposium and state rulemakings.
Last week, the BOCC approved a letter to the state senate opposing the confirmation of two Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commission appointees, and stated that they would ratify the letter at this week’s meeting. County Attorney Heather Beattie, who was absent from Monday’s meeting, told The Sopris Sun last week in an email that the letter could be sent before ratification under certain circumstances.
“Generally, these are for letters of support or disapproval for various projects or positions,” she wrote. “Then, of course, it must be put on the agenda at the next regular meeting for ratification. The ratification is the legal mechanism that gives the previously signed letter its authority.”
Letter ratification was not on Mondays’ agenda and it was not mentioned during the assistant county attorney’s update. The county has not responded to a recent request for comment from The Sopris Sun.
Shovels broke ground and dirt was flying as community members, including 4-year-old Carbondale resident Osa Sakamoto, rallied to plant a honey locust during an Arbor Day tree-planting event at Hendrick Park on Saturday, May 2. Carl Meinecke (bottom right), Carbondale’s town arborist, oversaw the planting of the drought-resistant tree native to the central United States.
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a Public Hearing will be held before the Carbondale Planning and Zoning Commission for the purpose of considering a subdivision exemption request for a lot split for a residential-zoned lot at 785 Sopris Avenue.
Project Description: This project proposes splitting an existing lot, containing 4 original townsite lots, two new lots zoned Old Town Residential (“OTR”). One lot will contain the existing dwelling unit, while the new lot will allow for the development of a new dwelling unit.
Property Location: 785 Sopris Avenue (Lots 13-16, Block 24, Original Townsite)
Applicant: A4 Architects, Brad Zeigel
Owner: James & Khara Gaw
Said Public Hearing will be held at the Carbondale Town Hall, 511 Colorado Avenue, Carbondale, CO at 7:00 p.m. on May 28th, 2026.
Copies of the proposed application are on file in the Planning Department office, Town Hall, 511 Colorado Avenue, Carbondale, CO and may be examined during regular business hours, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. The application may also be viewed on the Town’s website at:
https://www.carbondalegov.org/departments/planning/ current_land_use_applications.php
If you would like to submit comments regarding this application you may send them via email to jbarnes@ carbondaleco.net by 5:00 pm on May 28th, 2026. The comments will be entered into the record. If you have questions regarding the application, please contact Jared Barnes, Planning Director at 970-510-1208.
Published in The Sopris Sun on May 7, 2026.
