Graduation ceremonies last weekend had the Valley abuzz with smiling faces, cheers and some tears, ushering in yet another cohort of young minds who’ll each make their own distinct impact wherever they may land. Bridges High School graduates walked across the stage at the Orchard Church to accept their diplomas Friday evening. Then, friends and family of all ages embraced and showered the graduates with flowers and mementos on the terrace in the golden glow of the summer evening following the commencement .
Earlier that day, the Roaring Fork senior class carried on the tradition of walking the halls of the middle and elementary schools in their caps and gowns, celebrated by the youngsters who will one day walk the same path. The following morning, hundreds of family members and friends met at Rams Field. Graduate Gus Richardson opened with the National Anthem on saxophone. Then, toward the middle of the ceremony, graduates took eight minutes to hand out flowers to their mentors and peers who helped get them through high school, while graduate Katherine Huttenhower serenaded the crowd with a rendition of “America” by Simon and Garfunkel on guitar.
Congratulations, Frogs and Rams!
Photos by James Steindler Contributing Editor More graduation photos on page 10
Sopris Sun graduates shoot for the stars
JAMES STEINDLER Youth News Coordinator
Yesenia Benavides Burgos, Gus Richardson and Isaac Sterling have made the most of their time as interns at The Sopris Sun. The former two, who graduated on Saturday from Roaring Fork High School, have been enrolled in the youth journalism program (or Youth News Bureau, as we like to call it) since their sophomore year. Sterling, graduating on June 7 from Colorado Rocky Mountain School, came on board at the end of his junior year. They each excelled in the trade and now prepare to utilize what they’ve learned in their future endeavors.
Benavides Burgos has a proclivity to investigate and report on what matters most to her and her community.
While she’s covered a variety of topics, from a youth-directed skateboard company to the Buddy Program, she settled into reporting on immigration. Having the opportunity to interview local immigration attorneys, including one live on a local Spanish-language radio station, La Nueva Mix, she skillfully completed a relevant piece informing both English and Spanish readers about immigration laws and what to expect if detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
She and Richardson have been a steady presence on The Sopris Sun’s own weekly radio program on KDNK Community Access Radio, “Everything Under The Sun.” Benavides Burgos, who hardly ever misses a show, even learned to engineer the soundboard in the studio. She was the second recipient of The Sun’s youth journalism scholarship and plans to study political science at the University of Colorado before going on to law school with the intent to become an immigration lawyer.
Richardson has published more reports than any intern that’s come through The Sun’s Youth News Bureau. Readers are sure to miss his distinct and fun style, but, fortunately for us, that’s still a little ways off. After graduation, Richardson decided to join the professional freelance pool at The Sun, and will be tuning in for Monday editorial meetings. Notice the story on page 4 of this issue — he is recognized as a “Sopris Sun Correspondent” rather than a “Youth Correspondent.”
Richardson was the first recipient of The Sun’s youth journalism scholarship, which he applied toward attending Boston University’s 2024 Summer Journalism Academy. He was accepted to the University of Missouri and will be studying journalism. Go Mizzous!
LETTERS
CORRECTION: Brian Leasure’s name was misspelled in last week’s article, “A Venezuelan Celebration defies prejudice.”
Speak up!
June 5, at 2pm at the Carbondale Library, the library board of trustees discusses if it is their role as trustees to restrict access to books found objectionable by a small group of people based on a political or religious ideology. Censorship is to restrict or impede access to information.
This past year, this well-organized political/religious group showed up at Garfield County Commissioners (BOCC) meetings, requesting the BOCC take control of the appointment of the library board of trustees . The BOCC did take control of the appointment of the library board of trustees, emboldening this group to continue calling for books to be moved around in the library.
Last year, this group showed up in large numbers at the library board meeting in Carbondale. They put a lot of pressure on the library board of trustees to censor books. This year, it is expected they will do the same.
June 5 at pm at the Carbondale Library is your chance to let your voice be heard. Show up, speak up and always protect our GarCo libraries — www.protectgarcolibraries.org
Susan Use
Glenwood Springs
Swimming season
Ahhh, the hazy, crazy, lazy days of summer are upon us. I so want to grab my swimsuit and head over to the pool for a refreshing splash and swim. But oh no! Not this year!
The construction site is humming along, it might actually be finished this September, but that’s too late for a swim this year. I can only hazy-lazy dream of next summer — a full time lap pool, a full time recreation pool, a hot tub for easing those muscles sore from yesterday’s hike or bike, new lounge chairs under colorful umbrellas, listening to kids laughing while they play in the water features, all heated by an all-electric pv system and heat pumps. It’s going to be so great!
But — there is a but — in spite of Town’s careful budgeting, the chaos of the real world messed with us. Everything costs more and every funding opportunity is hammered by other communities just as needy as we are. We need 800,000 more dollars to finish the pool with all the cool stuff you’ve seen in the drawings. In a town and community of over 10,000 people, we should be able to donate an average of $80 a person.
A big SHOUT OUT to all who have donated so far! If you haven’t yet, please step up soon. Let’s get this funding over the finish line so we can stop fretting about it.
Sterling stepped up to fill the big shoes of The Sun’s longtime sports photographer Sue Rollyson during the 20242025 season. He collaborated with veteran reporter John Stroud to deliver weekly sports updates, immersing himself in the role. His photos have made the cover on more than one occasion, including likely the paper’s first-ever coverage of the Winter X Games — fulfilling a lifelong dream of his.
This budding professional also plans to continue studying journalism at the University of Colorado Boulder. Sterling has a gift of getting to the root of a story through photography and intends to continue that important work through college and as a career.
The Sopris Sun could not be more proud of these young reporters we have had the pleasure of guiding and working alongside. We look forward to following the trajectory of these Sopris Stars in the years to come.
BONUS, if you give $1,000 or more, your name will be forever included on the donor wall. All those people in the future will know you cared.
You can split your donation over two years through a pledge form. Stop by Town Hall or Rec Center for info on that. Or donate directly at www.carbondaleconnect.org/pool
Susan Rhea Carbondale
Insanity
There is a saying that insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result. And yet here we are, with another Republican Congress selling tax cuts for the rich.
Tax cuts would just result in more wealth inequality, more homelessness, more suffering for the hourly wage worker, and higher interest rates due to our additional national debt to fund them. It is a big cruel lie rather than a “big beautiful bill.”
We know what it takes to balance the budget; Democratic President Bill Clinton produced a surplus in every year of his second term. Hint: it requires taxing the rich more, cutting defense spending, and constraining the growth of social programs.
continued on page 22
Editor Raleigh Burleigh 970-510-3003
news@soprissun.com
Contributing Editor
James Steindler
Sol del Valle Editora Bianca Godina bianca@soldelvalle.org
Advertising Rep
Margarita Alvarez margarita@soldelvalle.org
Digital Editor
Ingrid Celeste Zúniga ingrid@soldelvalle.org
Lead Editorial Designer
Terri Ritchie
Partnerships & Engagement Manager
Luise Wollesen
Advertising Designer
Emily Blong
Delivery Frederic Kischbaum
Hank van Berlo
Proofreaders
Lee Beck
Tracy Kallassy
Ken Pletcher
Hank van Berlo
Executive Director
Todd Chamberlin 970-510-0246
adsales@soprissun.com
Board Members / Mesa Directiva board@soprissun.com
Klaus Kocher • Kay Clarke
Donna Dayton • Eric Smith
Roger Berliner • Elizabeth Phillips
Jessi Rochel • Andrew Travers
Anna Huntington • Loren Jenkins
Carlos Ramos
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+
Lee Beck & John Stickney
Kay Brunnier
Frances Dudley
Michelle & Ed Buchman
Sue Edelstein & Bill Spence
Deborah & Shane Evans
Greg & Kathy Feinsinger
Gary & Jill Knaus
Eric Smith
Peter and Mike Gilbert
Patti & George Stranahan
Elizabeth Wysong
Alpine Bank
Emily & George Bohmfalk
Kathy & Carter Barger
Sandy & Paul Chamberlin
Karen & Roger Berliner
Donna & Ken Riley
Gayle & Dick Wells
Legacy Givers for including us in their final wishes.
Mary Lilly
Donate by mail or online: P.O. Box 399
Carbondale, CO 81623
520 S. Third Street #26-B 970-510-3003 soprissun.com/Donate
The Sopris Sun, Inc.
is a proud member of the Carbondale Creative District
OUR UNDERWRITERS AND NONPROFIT PARTNERS!
ASPEN VALLEY HOSPITAL
SCUTTLEBUTT
APR stands tall
Aspen Public Radio (APR) has joined Colorado Public Radio and KSUT to file a lawsuit with National Public Radio (NPR) against the Trump administration’s executive order which seeks to end federal funding for NPR and PBS. The lawsuit claims the action violated the Constitution and First Amendment protections. “Free press is not optional in a democracy — it is foundational,” a joint press release published by APR states. “When the government tries to limit press freedom or control the flow of information, we have not only the right, but the obligation, to speak out and defend our rights that make independent journalism possible.”
Redstone General Store
After a few-month hiatus for building repairs and renovations, the Redstone General Store is again open daily from 7am to 7pm.
Independence Pass
Seasonal closure gates on both sides of Independence Pass are open for motorists as of May 22, following precautionary avalanche mitigation and road maintenance. This is the earliest Independence Pass has opened in the past five years. Commercial and recreational vehicles 35 feet or longer are prohibited from taking the pass due to tight curves, steep inclines and narrow lanes.
Disc golf
FirstBank
Alpine Bank
Colorado Mountain College
Nordic Gardens
Hilary Porterfield
Basalt Library
NONPROFIT PARTNERS
Two Rivers
Unitarian Universalist
Carbondale Arts
Carbondale Rotary Club
Colorado Animal Rescue
Interested in becoming an Underwriter or Nonprofit Partner?
Email Todd@soprissun.com or call 970-987-9866
Riverview School has opened a new nine-hole disc golf course designed by 7th and 8th grade students. The course winds through wooded trails, sagebrush and open fields and is open to the public after school hours, on weekends and during the summer. Jack Wheeler and The Home Group Inc. provided labor and materials and received support from district staff, Timberline Excavations, River Bend Equipment and the Orozco family. “Mrs. Waaler and her 7th and 8th grade Peak class have gone above and beyond,” remarked Principal Adam Volek. “This was a true example of experiential learning where students had to submit plans, garner approval from district leaders, seek resources and work together as a team.”
Summer drought
At 27% to 42% of normal, “Rivers across the Roaring Fork Watershed are flowing well below average for this time of year,” reported the Roaring Fork Conservancy (RFV) on May 22. The watershed is already experiencing moderate to severe drought according to the U.S. Drought Monitor. “Now is the time to start thinking about water conservation,” RFV asserted. Find resources at www.roaringfork.org/drought
ICE activity
There have been multiple claims from locals that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has been active in the Valley. A May 21 post on the Carbondale Facebook page generated more than 200 comments, including that ICE had been at Garcia’s Market that morning. The Post Independent reported that ICE had detained someone with an outstanding warrant just outside of Carbondale proper the same day, but did not specify where. The Carbondale Police Department was aware of the arrest, but was not involved. Chief Kirk Wilson later told The Sopris Sun that his understanding was that the arrest was made under the Highway 133 bridge. The New Castle Police Department told The Post it was aware of ICE being present there, but didn’t know any details. Other local law enforcement agencies claimed to have no knowledge of ICE in the area. Perhaps worth noting, and as reported in Scuttlebutt on May 7, the Department of Homeland Security’s Enforcement and Removal Operations division did assist the
FocusedKids, a nonprofit teaching kids from Parachute to Aspen about mindfulness and brain development, brought three Brain Buddy mascots to greet children outside Ross Montessori on May 22. This followed months of trainings at the school which introduced the children to Wise Owl, Miss Elephante and Guard Dog, each representing a different part of the brain — the prefrontal cortex, hippocampus and amygdala, respectively. “We can teach kids skills to counteract technology and social media,” FocusedKids Executive Director Amanda Petersen told The Sopris Sun. With the rise in constant distractions and subsequent emotional dysregulation, she considers it a “nonnegotiable” to give children, parents and teachers the tools to talk about and understand how our brains function. Find resources, including a summer calendar with daily mindfulness practices at www.focusedkids.org
Photo by Raleigh Burleigh
Garfield County-based SPEAR team in conducting a warrant for a drug bust in Glenwood Springs on April 29.
Immigrant protections
On May 23, Governor Jared Polis signed a bill sponsored by Representative Elizabeth Velasco with the moniker “Protect Civil Rights Immigration Status.” The bill repeals affidavit requirements for people applying for in-state tuition and identification documents. The bill also prohibits a jail custodian from delaying a defendant’s release for the purpose of immigration enforcement and extends a person’s ability to petition a court to vacate a guilty plea to misdemeanors and petty offenses. Find a complete summary at www.leg.colorado.gov/ bills/sb25-276
No cents
“It doesn’t make sense to make cents,” Governor Jared Polis stated in response to the Treasury Department’s decision to stop printing the penny. “It costs more money to make a penny than it is worth, and this move will save Americans millions of dollars every year while reducing the negative impacts on our environment from zinc and copper mining,” he said.
They say it’s your birthday!
Folks celebrating another trip around the sun this week include: Clark Cretti (May 29); Rianna Briggs (May 30); Chip Munday, Shea Nieslanik, Debbie Romanus and Carolyn Sackariason (June 1); Li McBrayer, Easton O’Flannery and Tracy Trulove (June 2); Emily Elizabeth, Cheryl Frymire, Trary Maddalone LaMee and Anna Ramirez (June 3); Francie Jacober and Rachel Kelmanson (June 4).
Aquatics Center needs community support to close funding gap
GUS RICHARDSON
Sopris Sun Correspondent
The Carbondale pool, formerly known as the John M. Fleet Pool, named after a Carbondale mayor, was originally built in 1978. Since its creation, the pool has served the community as a hub for connection, recreation and education. Despite its importance, and likely due in part to its popularity, the pool had endured some wear and tear over its 47 years. That and a few minor unanticipated design errors led to a need and desire for something new and improved.
This was the impetus of a six-year mission to replace the Carbondale pool and introduce the new Carbondale Aquatics Center — coming in the spring of 2026. To fill a funding gap and include all of the features the people want, the Parks and Recreation Department launched the “Let’s Make a Splash” fundraising campaign.
“Swimming is obviously an important skill for any youth to have, especially living around here,” said Liza Logan, the youth member of the Parks and Recreation Commission. “Water-related deaths are a lot more common than we think.”
Which makes such services as the Aquatics Center’s anticipated affordable learn-to-swim opportunities that much more important.
Logan is passionate about the pool and has a personal connection with it. Her brother, Misha, used to work as a lifeguard there before it closed for renovation.
She recalled him constantly telling her about “the amount of times it would break, or certain parts would need to be fixed.”
She added, “Then, that would affect the revenue because the pools would have to be closed for these extended periods of time during peak season.”
The pool has always been an affordable option for local residents and visitors. But, on the flip side, “It was always running on a loss,” explained a spokesperson for the campaign. “The revenue that was generated was trying [but] failing to generate enough to pay the salaries [to] make it a wellrun facility.” This was partly due to subsidized admissions, which allowed town residents to swim and play even if they couldn’t afford the total price of a ticket.
The final price point for the Carbondale Aquatics Center is still yet to be known for certain, but is expected to be around $11 million.
That is up from the initial estimate in 2020, which was for $7 million. At the time of the first estimate, the project received an $8 million bond, approved by a town-wide majority vote. That, of course, falls short of what is now projected.
The reasons for the higher cost are inflation and the cost of construction materials. The “Let’s Make a Splash” capital campaign intends to close the gap and give Carbondalians what they asked for. Back in 2020, more than 1,200 people responded to a survey, and that community input influenced the direction the Aquatics Center would take.
Logan, the rest of the department and kids in Carbondale and beyond are clearly passionate to bring the Aquatics Center to fruition, and include all of the bells and whistles as it was initially designed. But they need community support to get across the finish line. During one tabling event, a youngster donated $5 of his own money toward the campaign, which speaks to the buy-in from the youth.
Thus far, the “Let’s Make a Splash” campaign has raised about $1.6 million. The goal is $2.5 million.
According to an information pamphlet, the new pool will
have a six-lane lap pool, a 2,500 square-foot recreation pool with a toddler shelf, a 16-person hot tub, a 2,700 square-foot building for changing rooms, offices, storage and more, a modern bathhouse, a diving board, a climbing wall and multiple shade structures. The new Aquatics Center will also be fully electronically powered — the first of its kind in Colorado.
For more information or to donate to the “Let’s Make a Splash” campaign, visit www.carbondaleconnect.org/ pool Anyone can contribute anywhere from $1 to whatever it is they can afford. Community members who donate at least $1,000 will be recognized on a plaque at the entrance to the pool.
Courtesy graphic
AZYEP rings in a quarter century of empowering young people
JAMES STEINDLER
Contributing Editor
The Andy Zanca Youth Empowerment Program (AZYEP) is celebrating a quarter of a century of getting kids on the airwaves. Coming up on June 7, the youth radio team will host a party — of the century — in front of its home at KDNK Community Access Radio.
The entire block from Main Street to Garfield Avenue will be closed off and a stage will be rolled in whereupon teen bands and DJs shall entertain the masses, along with current participants and alumni who will share how their experience at AZYEP changed their lives, and in the best way.
The program is older now than Andy was when he left this plane, as his niece, Megan Webber, pointed out. Andy was a Carbondale kid through and through, and his presence at KDNK in the ‘80s and through the ‘90s inspired youth radio as we know it here locally. Walking through the doors and up to the second story of the Dinkel Building, where KDNK was originally stationed, young Andy was welcomed with open arms — a contrast to some of the bullying he endured outside that safe haven.
“When he was 9, he wandered into KDNK … and the adults took him in and embraced him,” Andy’s sister, Annemarie Zanca, told The Sopris Sun.
Tragically, Andy died by suicide at 21. Not long after, Annemarie started AZYEP in his memory with a mission to provide young people with the same sense of empowerment and belonging
her brother once cherished — all through community radio.
“He had a place where he belonged,” she reiterated. “That was so much of what I wanted to create, was a place where young people feel like they belong.” Just as KDNK embraced her brother, it embraced the formation of AZYEP, which began with just 30 minutes of airtime as a talk radio show.
While Webber doesn’t remember her uncle, who passed away when she was just 9 months old, she has felt attuned with him as a kindred spirit. She recalled going to the radio station with her mom
and feeling the same sense of welcoming her uncle did. She went on to participate as a youth DJ, an intern during college and, today, works as its news and education director.
Webber passionately affirmed that AZYEP is a safe space for all, and that diversity is one of its pillars. Especially today, with hateful rhetoric being vindicated and institutions facing federal funding cuts for using inclusive language, she considers these as invaluable components of the program. To Webber, the fact is that kids may not always feel safe among
their peers, or even at home. She holds dear that AZYEP is a place where anyone will always be free to be themselves.
Today, AZYEP reaches hundreds and is a second home to any kid who wants to make it so. Programming includes classroom collaborations, where staff and interns go to the schools to record voices that might not otherwise get on the radio; six hours a week of live radio curated by a pool of 60 youth DJs; youth-produced public affairs podcasting, including five regular series; radio classes and summer workshops; and its internship program.
In short, the program has grown exponentially. Executive Director Brendan Girardot, following in his predecessor Beth Wysong’s footsteps, endeavors to expand to western Garfield County — particularly through its classroom collaborations — to reach even more kids.
Mental health remains a staple of the program. In fact, the interns help facilitate regular roundtables, where adults and youth community members come together to chime in on a topic related to mental health. This speaks to a sort of intergenerational blending through AZYEP that helps young people feel listened to.
Intern Caden Smith, 15, initially came to AZYEP by way of Ross Montessori School, which sent a handful of students over on Wednesday afternoons. He took to the inclusive atmosphere at the station, and the program nurtured an existing passion for music. From spinning tracks live from the studio to interviewing popular and up-and-coming artists and
continued on page 17
RJ PADDYWACKS offers a “C.A.R.E. package” for new adoptive families, including a “Paws for Points” plan and a first time 15% discount for your new
Andy Zanca in the KDNK studio back in the day. This image, along with a photo of the late Mary Ferguson, host of “This I Remember,” appeared in the 1999 Mountain Fair guide in his memory. Photo by Missy Bowen, former station manager
Modern West Floral keeps it local
LOU GALL
Youth Correspondent
Modern West Floral, a locally owned — and grown — flower business, operated by Vanessa Gilbert Meredith, is working to bring sustainable and locally sourced flowers to the Roaring Fork and Colorado River valleys.
Curating the natural beauty of our region is an important part of the business’ mission. On top of growing the flora locally, Modern West Floral offers unique arrangements and displays for everyday enjoyment and to breathe life into events and special occasions.
“I find it fun transferring the vision people send me of tropical flowers into a local palette,” Gilbert Meredith told The Sopris Sun. This mindset is prevalent from all of the arrangements it provides, brought to fruition through the hard work done daily at the farm in Silt. The majority of the flowers grown are annuals, starting out from seed each spring, however, they have begun to cultivate perennial flowers as well.
We are taking you through a flower journey of the summer.
When it comes to the growth of flowers, Gilbert Meredith takes utmost care — watching germination temperatures, stem direction and much more to eventually pluck the perfect flower.
- Vanessa Gilbert Meredith
We are delighted to offer you, our community, the opportunity to take advantage of low-cost blood tests
Online aspenvalleyhealth.org/health-fair, or by phone 1.800.217.5866
Monday–Friday, 9 am–4 pm
June 6 & 7
ASPEN
Aspen Valley Health
Hosted at Aspen Ambulance 0403 Castle Creek Road
June 8 EL JEBEL Eagle County Community Center 20 Eagle County Drive
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
• CBC (Complete Blood Count) – $32 By appointment only 8-11:30 am
• PSA, Total – $47
• Vitamin D – $54
• T3, Free – $32
• T4, Free – $32
Modern West Floral has a flower-share program from June to October, offering seasonal flowers, both weekly and biweekly, at pickup locations in Carbondale and Silt.
“We are taking you through a flower journey of the summer,” explained Gilbert Meredith. The flower-share brings an immersive seasonal floral presence to customers’ homes, and offers the peace of mind that they’re supporting both a local and ethical flower company.
While starting a business can be a daunting idea, for Gilbert Meredith her degree in landscape architecture helped guide the path. She moved from Ohio to Carbondale, where she enrolled in a permaculture class and worked at Sustainable Settings, which helped her realize her love for plant life even more.
“I want to meet the plants and know them,” she said.
While working at a local landscape architecture firm, Gilbert Meredith began plotting how to achieve a dream of providing native flower arrangements to the community. She finds passion in the colors and textures of flowers. Upon beginning this journey, she discovered the beauty in the temporary nature of flower design.
From seed to bloom, Modern West Floral cultivates its flowers with love and care, focusing on reducing waste and building a more environmentally sustainable flower community. Modern West Floral uses no pesticides, herbicides or chemical fertilizers. They also strive to be 100% waste-free by using compostable materials. Gilbert Meredith finds fault in flowers being shipped nationally and worldwide and that 40-60% of flowers are wasted, creating millions of pounds of trash.
“We should try to capture the beauty of what’s here,” concluded Gilbert Meredith.
Modern West Floral will host an open house at its farm (1401 County Road 237 in Silt) on June 28 from 9am to 5pm. For more information, visit www.modernwestfloral.com
SKETCHING AND DRAWING II Mondays, 10-11am, 7/14-8/4
*METAL CASTING - ASPEN Tues, 5:10-9:30pm, 6/3-8/5
*ADOBE FOR ARTISTS -ASPEN Tues, 5:10-9:30pm, 6/3-7/1
* Credit Classes: Contact campus for info & registration today.
690 Colorado Ave, Carbondale 970 963 2172
Vanessa Gilbert Meredith (right) with Sopris Sun youth correspondent Lou Gall. Photo by James Steindler
Vanessa Gilbert Meredith in her element on the flower farm. Courtesy photo
Trustees approve cellular water metering system
RALEIGH BURLEIGH
Sopris Sun Editor
Once a month, a Town of Carbondale employee spends about three days slowly driving near every house the Town provides water service to. This is currently the only means of gathering data on water usage. Not only is it an inefficient use of time and resources, the information obtained is limited.
For these and other reasons, Assistant Public Works Director Scott Wenning spent months researching an alternative. On May 27, he recommended a solution with a $1.3 million price tag to the Board of Trustees.
But first, a consent agenda was approved that included meeting minutes, liquor license renewals for El Dorado and Downtown Liquors on Main, special event permits for Wilderness Workshop and Roaring Fork Youth Orchestra, accounts payable, appointment of Francisca Deloya to the Latino Advisory Board, reappointment of Drew Sorenson to the Parks and Recreation Commission and appointment of Josh Crawford and Noah Sakamoto to the Tree Board.
During general public comments, Patrick Guerra returned to raise concerns about a house under construction in River Valley Ranch he deems an anomaly due to its height and retaining walls. He requested a meeting with the planning director and building official to address mitigation.
The Town Center Master Association includes several buildings abutting Town-owned property that will be developed into affordable housing. Pink indicates easements to be maintained by the Town once the association is dissolved; orange highlights private parking required to be preserved. Courtesy graphic
The first of three action items involved April Long, West Mountain Regional Housing Coalition executive director, and Tim Townsend, Thistle ROC program director, with an update on the Mountain Valley Mobile Home Park, located just outside Carbondale
limits. Townsend gave an overview of Thistle ROC, an organization that works to purchase mobile home parks and convert them to a resident-ownership model.
Trustees had the opportunity to ask questions and air concerns. Ross Kribbs
asked if keeping rents low may paradoxically cause the price of homes in the park to rise. Townsend responded that some resident-owned communities place requirements in their bylaws to prioritize selling to low-income families.
Colin Laird asked if this and the Aspen-Basalt Mobile Home Park must be purchased together. Townsend said they’re not linked, necessarily. Separate offers will be made for each park depending on at least 80% buy-in from residents.
Mayor Ben Bohmfalk admitted to struggling with the notion of committing public funds now that it’s known there’s a deed restriction which requires Mountain Valley to remain a mobile home park no matter to whom it’s sold — assuaging concerns the land would be redeveloped, displacing all 64 families. Townsend revealed there’s a statewide trend of investor portfolios selling mobile home parks, possibly related to Colorado’s more stringent laws. Nonetheless, “There’s a very real possibility that a corporate group will come in and pay the large amount of money because they know they will raise the rents,” Townsend said.
“I think it’s really easy for us to say that just because the previous owner doesn’t have high rates means that the market can’t bear it,” said Jess Robison. “That’s a dangerous assumption to make. Nobody would have thought five
continued on page 22
The Marble Historical Society is operating its museum this summer in the historic Swift House, located at 407 W. Main, due to construction across the street in the Marble Charter School building, which the museum shares with the school.
The museum is open Thursdays through Sundays, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Donations are being accepted.
Council considers financially supporting mobile home parks purchase
WILL BUZZERD
Sopris Sun Correspondent
Prior to this week’s regular meeting, Basalt Town Council held a work session and presentation on early designs for a planned affordable housing/community center in Willits.
The center is planned to be built on two to three acres of Town-owned land known officially as Sopris Meadows Parcel 2E. Located on Lewis Lane, just across the street from TACAW, the property was acquired by Basalt and designated for “civic uses.” After Town Council directed staff to explore the potential for affordable housing on the site, they secured a More Housing Now grant from the State of Colorado in 2024 for design and engineering fees on the project.
The Town of Basalt contracted Aspenbased Charles Cunniffe Architects for the design and subcontracted architecture firm Design Workshop to manage community outreach which would inform the final design of the center. In the winter of 2024, Design Workshop held nine focus group sessions, two pop-up events and an educational session at Basalt High School to get a sense of what teens might want out of a potential community space.
Participants in the in-person events and online surveys supported the construction of a YouthZone space with after-school
events for different age groups, flexible use rooms, outdoor spaces and even a community kitchen.
After compiling all this feedback, the design team drafted a conceptual plan which includes a full-sized basketball court (the #1 request from Basalt High School students), two miniature parks and a climbing wall. In terms of housing, the site is planned to have 44 residential units, 23 of which will be in the same building as the Community Center with the remaining 21 existing as townhomes separate from the main building.
Now that a conceptual plan is complete, the design team will go back out into the community, gather feedback on the new design and collect that feedback to draft an official sketch plan to be completed by October.
Aspen-Basalt Mobile Home Park
During the public comments portion of the meeting, Town Hall swelled with dozens of attendees from the Aspen-Basalt Mobile Home Park. The attendees, including representatives of the park’s homeowners cooperative and families who have lived in the park for several years, requested financial support from the Town of Basalt to help cover acquisition costs and development expenses for
the purchase of the park for conversion into a resident-owned community.
Lorena Vargas, who spoke for the homeowners cooperative, stated that the park is facing pressure from outside investors looking to purchase and redevelop the land, which would displace 74 households and around 250 individuals — including 84 children. The average resident has lived in the park for roughly 15 years, and according to the many residents who came to speak at the podium, losing their property would mean Basalt would lose business owners, workers, classmates, elders and entire families.
Vargas urged Town Council to offer financial support so as to safeguard increasingly rare affordable housing and not to repeat past mistakes, perhaps alluding to redevelopment of Pan and Fork Mobile Home Park 10 years ago.
Town Manager Ryan Mahoney responded that local jurisdictions have
been discussing how to financially support the purchase-by-residents of both Aspen-Basalt Mobile Home Park and Mountain Valley Mobile Home Park in Carbondale, which have received offers of purchase for $26.5 and $15.5 million respectively from an anonymous buyer. According to Mahoney, since it is a full price offer, the $42 million-total price tag can’t be talked down. Mahoney suggested the Town contribute $250,000 toward the purchase of the mobile home parks. This value is approximate and subject to change as it is formalized. Town Council unanimously agreed that the word needs to be spread across the Basalt community in order to raise funds, suggesting outreach at the Sunday Market and other community events in order to reach business owners and potential private donors. “Everybody has to help in some way – that’s the only way,” said Mayor David Knight.
As the Midland Streetscape Update finally approaches completion, members of Basalt Town staff and contractor Stutsman-Gerbaz pose proudly in the center of Midland. Courtesy photo
GRADUATION
Roaring Fork High School Assistant Principal Mary Kate Adams offered some sage advice during her commencement speech on Saturday, May 24, with a quote from Maya Angelou: “Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better.”
Photos by James Steindler
All-conference, state honors awarded for spring sports seasons
JOHN STROUD
Sopris Sun Correspondent
The selections are in, and several Roaring Fork High School spring sports athletes have been bestowed with all-conference and all-state honors.
The Rams girls lacrosse team had the most picks among the Roaring Fork teams for both the 4A Mountain East League and 4A All-State picks.
Two members of the team, senior draw specialist Josie
McKinley and junior attacker Jordyn Miller were named to the 4A All-State first team.
McKinley had a 0.674 draw percentage on the season, while leading the team with 4.6 goals per game, 149 shots on goal and 90 total points.
Miller had 85 points for the Rams, including 58 goals and 27 assists.
Both McKinley and Miller were also among the 4A Mountain East all-conference picks, where Player of the Year honors went to senior goalie Ella Gunning.
Gunning, who earned an All-State second team pick, recorded an impressive 224 saves on the season, with a save percentage of 0.620.
The Carbondale Community School held its triathlon on Monday, May 27. Due to construction on the new Aquatics Center in Carbondale, River Valley Ranch was generous enough to allow the young triathletes to use its lap pool for the swimming portion of the event.
Photo by Jane Bachrach
Joining them on the all-conference first team were senior midfielder Hailey Wolfe (AllState second-team, team points leader with 91), and junior defensive player Ava Montemayor (All-State second team, 15 caused turnovers).
For girls soccer, 3A Western Slope League (WSL) first-team honors went to senior Carley Crownhart, who had 32 points
LOCAL PRIDE
JUNE 6 | 5-9pm
In The Heart of the Carbondale Creative District
Featuring extended hours and special events at local shops, galleries, and restaurants. Plus a Pride Parade, live music, food trucks, street activities, and games with community booths.
Opening Reception of Youth Arts Showcase
Carbondale Arts | 5-7pm
KDNK Spins Live | Main & 2nd St | 5-8pm
Live Music By River Spell | Chacos Park | 5:30-8:30pm
VOICES Storytelling & Music at The ARTery
Main & 3rd St | 5:15-6:15pm
Carbondale Pride Parade
Main & 2nd St | Line Up, 5:45pm & Parade, 6:15pm
Pairings
Carbondale Clay Center | 6-8pm
Sign up to volunteer with us during First Fridays! Main Street is closed to thru traffic from Weant Blvd to Snowmass Ave. 2nd and 3rd Streets will remain open for cross traffic.
and averaged 1.4 goals per game on the season, and senior Maddie Anderson (0.5 goals per game and eight points).
Second team selections were senior Lexy Sanchez and sophomore Riley Bevington, and honorable mention was given to senior Annika Anslyn.
And for baseball, making the 3A WSL first team was senior Cole Fenton. As a pitcher,
Fenton finished the season with a 3.33 earned run average and on offense he collected 25 hits, 25 runs, 13 doubles and 16 runs batted in, with a slugging percentage of 0.696.
In addition, seniors Teo Menconi and Josiah Wheeless earned honorable mentions in the All-League selections. All-State selections are not yet out for baseball.
100% Grass Fed & Finished 100% Pasture Raised
Added Hormones Antibiotic and Pesticide Free Born & Raised in Carbondale
Ram junior Jordyn Miller fights for a goal during a game against Aspen in March.
Photo by Isaac Sterling, youth correspondent
CALENDAR
Come Rock the
Mountain & Support Local Journalism!
Saturday, June 14, 6 PM - 9 PM
Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park
Get ready for a night of Latin Ska, blending Cumbia, Funk, and Reggae. Enjoy themed cocktails, great music, and stunning views! . By attending, you’re helping Sopris Sun & Sol del Valle, your community newspapers, continue their mission of sharing community stories and voices.
for independent journalism.
THURSDAY, MAY 29
CMC AT THE LIBRARY
Colorado Mountain College hosts open office hours at the Basalt Library informing people about ESL, high school equivalency and other resources from 4:30 to 5:30pm.
CU AT THE LIBRARY
Simultaneously, the CU Department of Psychiatry will be at the Carbondale Library at 4:30pm with an introduction to behavioral health services and a presentation on psychedelics and cannabis in Colorado. RSVP for free at www.bit.ly/CUCDALE
HOME ON THE RANGE
Volunteers from Friends of the Mustangs and the Piceance-East Douglas Herd Management Area present “Wild Mustangs of Colorado: From Range to Home,” an informative event about wild horses that are removed from the range and placed in an Bureau of Land Management adoption program, at the Glenwood Springs Library from 6 to 7:30pm. More details at www.gcpld.org
A VENEZUELAN CELEBRATION
BenFeng Music Productions presents a concert featuring Venezuelan musicians playing Venezuelan music at the Old Thompson Barn in River Valley Ranch at 7pm tonight and tomorrow. Tickets at www.benfengmusicproductions.org
CRYSTAL THEATRE
“Mission Impossible: The Final Reckoning” continues at the Crystal Theatre tonight, tomorrow, Friday, Saturday and Monday at 7pm. Sunday’s show is at 5pm.
MARTY STUART
TACAW presents Marty Stuart & His Fabulous Superlatives at 8pm. Find tickets at www.tacaw.com
FRIDAY, MAY 30
PEACE GARDEN
Laura Kirk leads a botanical tour of True Nature’s Peace Garden f rom 8 to 9am. RSVP at www.truenaturehealingarts.com
‘THE SERVICEBERRY’
Claudia Cunningham facilitates a conversation around “The Serviceberry,” a book by Robin Wall Kimmerer, at the Catto Center at Toklat at 10am. More details at www.aspennature.org
BLUEGRASS AND ROOTS
The Palisade Bluegrass and Roots Festival kicks off at 11am today and continues through Sunday. For the schedule and tickets, visit www.palisademusic.com
BARD AT THE WHEELER
Olivia “The Bard” Pevec performs with John Hatanaka at the Wheeler Opera House at 7pm. Tickets at www.wheeleroperahouse.com
OTIS TAYLOR
Otis Taylor headlines the free concert at Big B’s in Hotchkiss at 7:30pm.
MICHAEL LILLE
Steve’s Guitars presents Michael Lille performing at 8pm. Tickets at www.stevesguitars.net
THE CLEVERLYS
Enjoy some bluegrass and comedy with The Cleverlys at TACAW at 8pm. Tickets at www.tacaw.org
SATURDAY, MAY 31
RIVER FLOAT
Roaring Fork Conservancy invites river rats to join its educational 2025
River Float from Basalt to Carbondale starting at 8am. After the float, participants will be shuttled back to the River Center in Basalt for a provided lunch. Tickets and more details at www.roaringfork.org
SPRING GULCH WEEDING
The Mount Sopris Nordic Council invites you to help pull weeds at Spring Gulch from 8 to 11am beginning at the Marion Lot. “Please bring a hat, work gloves, sunscreen, sturdy shoes and a water bottle. If you have a heavy-duty garden spade or weed fork, please label it with your name and bring it along!”
QIGONG WELLNESS
The Red Thread Institute offers medical Qigong healing sessions at True Nature from 10am today through 5pm tomorrow. Donations are recommended but no one will be turned away. Book a 90-minute session at www.redthreadinstitute.org/ medical-qigong-treatments
ASPEN FILM
Aspen Film live-screens “Met Opera 2025: Il Barbiere Di Silviglia” at the AF Isis Theatre at 11am.
SUMMER READING
The Basalt Library hosts a Summer Reading Kickoff Party, replete with an inflatable water slide, obstacle course, face painting and more, from noon to 3pm.
HOTEL COLORADO
The Hotel Colorado presents an event showcase featuring a real wedding ceremony. There will be displays, vendors, giveaways, entertainment, dancing and cake, all beginning at 2pm.
THUNDER BALL
Thunder River Theatre hosts its “Thunder Ball” gala, to include yard games, such as “Thunderput,” food trucks, a “Drunken Shakespeare” halftime show, a best sports gear costume contest, a dance party and more, all beginning at 5pm. Tickets at www.thunderrivertheatre.com
PATIO NIGHT LIVE
Local comedians Beth Brandon, Miller Ford, Garrett Hall, Michael Coyle and Zoë Rom perform at the Wheeler Opera House at 7pm. Tickets at www.aspenshowtix.com
BRIDGING BIONICS
Bridging Bionics hosts a sold-out fundraiser at Steve’s Guitars at 8pm featuring Dusty, “a troubadour of the six-string, weaving tales of love, life and the occasional misadventure with a wink and a smile.” There may be a few standing room tickets sold on show night.
SUNDAY, JUNE 1
MONTHLY MEDITATION
The Carbondale Meditation Circle of Self Realization Fellowship, based on the teachings of Paramahansa Yogananda, meets the first Sunday of every month from 9 to 10:30am in the meditation room at True Nature.
FAIRIE PATH
A Spiritual Center presents Jory Barnes sharing knowledge about “A Journey into the Other” and “an ancient path to Faerie” at the Third Street Center (Room 31) from 10 to 11:30am.
THOMPSON BARN MARKET
Shop local with more than 30 vendors at the Old Thompson Barn (333 River Valley Ranch Road) from 2 to 6pm.
OPEN CHANNEL
Medium Janutsa Falco opens a channel allowing participants to receive helpful guidance and inspiring messages from
Carbondale Arts celebrates youth artists with a showcase in its gallery highlighting the Carbondale Arts Creative Apprentice Program and Stepping Stones Artist Residency Program. An opening reception takes place at The Launchpad from 5 to 7pm on First Friday, June 6. Courtesy photos
spirit helpers in the unseen realms at True Nature from 3 to 4:30pm. Register at www.truenaturehealingarts.com
ART OF CONVERSATION
Pick up a conversation with a complete stranger at the Carbondale Library every first Sunday of the month from 6 to 7pm.
MONDAY, JUNE 2
EL PLACER DE LEER
Basalt Library welcomes you to enjoy Spanish-language literature with Angélica Breña from 5 to 6:30pm.
TUESDAY, JUNE 3
VENTRILOQUIST
Catch Joshua the Ventriloquist performing at the Basalt Library at 10:30am.
LIBRARY SPLASH PARTIES
The Garfield County Libraries host Summer-Reading Sign-Up Splash Parties at the Glenwood Library at 1pm and the Carbondale Library at 4pm. For a list of Splash Parties at other libraries and more details on the Summer Reading Challenge, visit www.gcpld.org/summer-reading
DRAWING CLUB
The Roaring Fork Drawing Club tours the Roaring Forge, Carbondale’s blacksmith collective at 618 Buggy Circle, at 6:30pm for sketching and socializing.
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 4
CAVESIM
Stop by the Basalt Library from 10am to 7pm to explore the depths of caves with CaveSim, an interactive educational experience for kids of all ages. The program will be offered in English and Spanish.
COLOR YOUR WORLD
The Basalt Library has coloring kits available for teens to pick up from 10am to 7pm, while supplies last.
BOOK CLUB
Join the Basalt Library’s first-Wednesday book club to discuss new releases and books in the news from noon to 2pm .
PRINCESS WARRIOR
True Nature’s middle school summer camp for teenage girls kicks off today at 3pm and continues every Wednesday in June. Find registration information at www.connectionisthemedicine. com/initiatives
DEATH CAFE
Akaljeet Khalsa opens a thoughtful conversation about death and dying at Sopris Lodge from 3:30 to 5pm.
‘A TOAST TO TRAILS’
Roaring Fork Outdoor Volunteers hosts its 30th anniversary celebration, “A Toast to Trails,” at Spring Creeks Ranch from 5 to 9pm. Tickets and more details at www.rfov.org
TRAIL STEWARDSHIP
Carbondale Arts invites you to help keep the Rio Grande ARTway beautiful by volunteering today and next Wednesday from 5 to 7pm. RSVP at www.carbondalearts.com/ the-artway-1
COMEDY TOUR
The Unteachables Comedy Tour stops at the Wheeler Opera House for a show at 7pm. Tickets at www.aspenshowtix.com
ASPEN FILM
“Jane Austen Wrecked My Life” screens at the AF Isis Theatre at 7:30pm. Tickets at www.aspenfilm.org
THURSDAY, JUNE 5
ZINE WORKSHOP
Basalt Library invites you to create a mini magazine exploring collage, drawing and typography techniques from 5 to 7pm. Registration is required at www.basaltlibrary.org/ events-calendar.html
ART AROUND TOWN
Tour Carondale’s new public art on loan! The caravan will depart from Town Hall at 5:30pm and conclude with an artist reception at Marble Distilling.
CEASEFIRE FILM
Ceasefire Now RFV presents “No Other Land,” a documentary co-directed by Palestinian journalist Basel Adra and Israeli journalist Yuval Abraham, at the Glenwood Springs Library at 7pm.
TYLLER GUMMERSALL
Steve’s Guitars presents Tyller Gummersall performing at 8pm. Tickets at www.stevesguitars.net
FRIDAY, JUNE 6
NATURE JOURNALING
Adults who wish to explore, observe and creatively document nature are invited to join other sketchbook artists and writers at the Carbondale Library from 1 to 2:30pm.
New classical quartet hits the right notes for music access on the Western Slope
ANNALISE GRUETER
Sopris Sun Correspondent
This month, the Colorado Plateau Chamber Music Society (CPCMS) played several concerts in Carbondale and Fruita. This new spring concert series was a celebration of sorts for its members. The group was founded just last year and recently acquired official nonprofit status. At the Mother’s Day concert in Carbondale, they filled a sunny room in the Third Street Center sharing the lilting sounds of piano quartets by Mozart and Gabriel Faure.
The group said they chose Mozart’s Quartet No. 1 in G minor and Faure’s Quartet No. 1 in C minor from a wide range of expressive and vibrant musical characters that they explored. The iterative and emotional string and ivory movements bring to mind spring weather and waking birdsong, which fit well for a Mother’s Day weekend performance.
Two of the quartet, Camille Backman (violin) and Sarah Graf (cello), live in Carbondale. They coordinate with violist Charles Hebenstreit (Grand Junction) and pianist Tamara Goldstein (Boulder). All four musicians have impressive resumes.
Backman grew up in Utah,
where she started playing violin when she was six years old. She earned a bachelor’s degree in violin performance at Oberlin College and Conservatory before traveling to Belgium to continue her studies. There, she earned a master’s classical and contemporary performance at the Conservatoire Royale de Bruxelles in Brussels. Graf is the group’s cellist in addition to serving as the executive director and co-music director of the Roaring Fork Youth Orchestra. She earned a bachelor’s degree in cello performance from the Eastman School of Music. Graf enjoys the intersections of musical genres,
and plays baroque cello and viola de gamba (fretted with six or seven strings, unlike four-stringed cellos) in addition to modern cello. She plays with a number of ensembles and orchestras across the state.
Violist Charles Hebenstreit is a member of multiple Western Slope symphonies in addition to his role with CPCMS. He is principal viola of the Grand Junction Symphony Orchestra and plays in the San Juan Symphony. His chamber music training includes coaching from members of internationally renowned ensembles like the Takács Quartet — originally of Hungary, but now based in Boulder — and the Manhattan
and New York string quartets.
Tamara Goldstein makes the trip from Boulder to serve as the group’s pianist, but the commute is nothing new to her. She has been traveling to the Roaring Fork Valley since the ‘90s and was a member of the Aspen Music Festival and School’s collaborative piano faculty from 1999 through 2022. She was a musical faculty member at the University of Denver and Metropolitan State University-Denver and holds a doctorate of musical arts from the University of Colorado.
CPCMS aims to make classical music more accessible across the Western Slope. Performances are
entirely donation based, asking patrons to only pay what they can afford. While they enjoy meeting with one another to practice chamber music, the group also hopes to connect the many rural communities in this part of the state through their music.
“As a musician, nothing compares to the joy of playing chamber music with friends and colleagues and then getting to share that experience live with an audience,” said Graf.
The Mother’s Day concert was just over an hour. After lulling the audience into a relaxed state through the three movements of the Mozart quartet, they shared some about Gabriel Faure’s unique music education and influences. The Faure quartet is more emotionally complex and genre-subversive. The group described the piece as “sonorous and sublime.”
CPCMS aims to perform an autumn chamber music series to be announced at a later date. Those interested can follow the group on Facebook, connect with them via email at coloradoplateaumusic@gmail. com or reach them by phone at 970-306-1235.
The Colorado Plateau Chamber Music Society captivated their Third Street Center audience on Sunday, May 11.
Photo by Annalise Grueter
Aspen Chapel Gallery exhibits reality of warming ‘CLIMATE’
Curated by Greg Watts
MYKI JONES Arts Correspondent
On May 28, Aspen Chapel Gallery opened ‘CLIMATE’, a photography showcase meant to highlight the effects of climate change in several areas of the world. Made possible through curator Greg Watts and gallery co-founders Tom Ward and Michael Bonds, this show will not only feature Watts’ photography but also the works of Seth Andersen, Joe Baldwin, Andy Better, Theo Corwin, Katalin Domoszlay, Peter McBride, Summers Moore, Greg Poschman, Deb Shannan and Sallie Dean Shatz.
“We have artists that deal with macro photography of spiders and all the way to master photographers with stars, galaxies and everything in between. I just wanted to get a lot of people’s points of view,” Watts told The Sopris Sun. “There’s a lot in the way their types of photography and perspectives differ as well.”
This show will feature shots of nature, animals, mining sites and protests — all demonstrating the effects of climate change over time and the conversations
around climate change that have evolved and shifted.
It also kicks off the Aspen Chapel Gallery’s 40th anniversary celebration. The gallery opened its doors in June of 1985. According to Ward, upcoming exhibits from various curators are sure to spike curiosity, including his own.
Awareness is key, but only one part of the issue. I want the show to communicate and educate through the medium of photography the consequences of inaction.
- Greg Watts
“This show is essentially the start of this next year, where we’ll be looking at various things to celebrate the 40th anniversary in the gallery,” said Ward. “Particularly, [in] this show, we have a lot of new photographers, so I’ll be curious to see their work.”
Watts said he was inspired to raise awareness among viewers about what is going on with climate change, in hopes of encouraging viewers to be more mindful of the world we live in.
“Each curator gets one show a year and for a while I was struggling to pick a topic. That was until October of 2024, when I saw where this country was heading politically,” Watts explained.
“My show is not political, but I knew then that I wanted my show to help raise awareness. It’s not like people don’t know what’s happening, but a good portion of the population doesn’t believe it’s happening,” he continued.
“Awareness is key, but only one part of the issue. I want the show to communicate and educate through the medium of photography the consequences of inaction.”
The exhibit is brought in partnership with Wilderness Workshop, a nonprofit that has worked with Aspen Chapel Gallery since 2017. Every show at the Aspen Chapel Gallery includes a nonprofit sponsor and beneficiary. In what happened to be a
sweet full-circle moment, Watts chose Wilderness Workshop as this show’s nonprofit sponsor.
“The first partnership Aspen Chapel Gallery did was with Wilderness Workshop, and Greg chose them to be the partner for this show — not knowing they were our first,” explained Ward. “In a way, it is also a celebration of that as well. We know that Wilderness Workshop is right out there in the forefront regarding our lands.”
Ten percent of sales from the exhibition and 20% of sponsorships will benefit Wilderness Workshop.
Ward and Watts expressed their excitement for the opening and for the photographers featured in the showcase, many of whom are premiering their work
in a gallery for the first time.
“I like to give people a chance to put their work up on a wall. It’s one thing to look at stuff in your studio, but it’s an entirely different thing to put something you put a lot of work into on a wall with hundreds of people looking at it and hopefully getting good feedback,” said Watts. “That’s what I like about the Aspen Chapel Gallery; it gives people that opportunity.”
While the opening has passed, there will be a conversation with the artists and Will Roush from Wilderness Workshop moderated by Andrew Travers on Wednesday, June 11 at 6pm. For more information, visit aspenchapelgallery.org or call 970-925-7184
Growing Stronger Together
At Aspen Valley Health, we understand that true wellness begins with a community that looks out for one another. That’s why we prioritize care that empowers individual and community vibrance by making it easy to access world-class services close to home. This commitment is a reflection of our vision to create one of the healthiest communities in the nation. Join us, and let’s thrive in this beautiful place we call home. For you. For life. aspenvalleyhealth.org
“Antarctica Graham Land by Kayak and Sailboat.” Photo by Pete McBride
September symposium to confront existential questions of life, the universe and humanity
ANNALISE GRUETER
Sopris Sun Correspondent
Nonprofits from Texas and California are partnering with local media to present Frontiers of Knowledge on Saturday, Sept. 13. The symposium will bring together 10 experts from the fields of physics, cosmology, natural and social sciences, and psychedelics research for four educational lectures.
This ambitious event aims to explore topics from physics and astronomical understandings of the universe to theories of consciousness, creativity and social connection. The lectures will take place at the Wheeler Opera House in Aspen. The California Institute for Integral Studies (CIIS) and Austin, Texas-based Center for MINDS are partnering with Aspen Public Radio to host the symposium with support from the Mays Family Foundation.
Breeze Richardson, executive director of Aspen Public Radio, said the station is “thrilled at the opportunity to partner with these remarkable individuals and organizations to bring this contemporary exploration of the Aspen Idea to our community,” referencing Walter Paepcke’s notion of collectively nurturing mind, body and spirit in a naturally beautiful setting. “Convening people to learn together, encouraging curiosity and exploring how these new discoveries in cosmology, neuroscience, physics and altered states of consciousness are
changing how we see the universe is going to make for an amazing day.”
Frontiers of Knowledge is the brainchild of Candice Olson, a former television executive and current CEO of community and education companies iVillage and Fullbridge. Olson is also an advisory board member for Center of MINDS and pursuing doctoral studies at CIIS in Philosophy, Cosmology and Consciousness.
The first lecture — “The Journey of the Universe” — will feature mathematician Brian Swimme and writer Mary Evelyn Tucker in conversation with Oxford physicist Jude Currivan about their book of the same name. The presentation will cover everything from atoms to galaxies
Itzy Bitz Catering
to animals through the lens of quantum physics. In the authors’ view, “mind and matter cannot be understood as separate.”
Next, scientist Bruce Damer and philosopher Matthew David Segall will discuss The Origin of Life. Their hypothesis integrates biological evidence with social theories around community dynamics and emergent complexity. They are interested in the how and why of biological life origins, and where concepts like consciousness and agency come into those equations.
After lunch, the presentations will move inside the human head, though from cultural and philosophical perspectives.
Author Richard Tarnas and psychiatrist
David Abram will be one of many speakers at September’s Frontiers of Knowledge Symposium. His second book, Becoming Animal: An Earthly Cosmology, explores the existence and consciousness of animals including ravens, foxes, and bumblebees. Photos by Annalise Grueter
and philosopher Iain McGilchrist will present “Mind, Brain, and the Unfinished Journey of the Western Mind.” They will explore Western intellectual and cultural history and successes and failures of civilization as well as specific functions of each hemisphere of the human brain. McGilchrist sees the different brain processes of interacting with the world as complementary and a means to
continued on page 17
Author
A white-necked African raven on the slopes of Mount Kilimanjaro. Photo by Annalise Grueter
valuable insights on problem-solving and connection.
The final lecture of the day, “Consciousness and the New Worldview,” will take a step into contemplation of awareness beyond humans. Philosophers Jeff Kripal and Jake Sherman will speak with author David Abram about theories of consciousness that go beyond awareness housed exclusively in the gray matter of the brain. There are over 100 theories of consciousness currently in academia, and these thinkers posit that the time is ripe for a paradigm shift. Some theories suggest that consciousness is not a phenomena that occurs within individuals, but is a participatory state that connects humans with each other and other beings.
Passes for the symposium are being sold online at aspenshowtix.com for $100 per person. Interested attendees under the age of 40 can use a code to access tickets for just $75 per person. The organizers are also
AZYEP from page 5
producing content, Smith said that AZYEP meets kids, such as himself, where they’re at and provides them with the tools to develop their interests and skills.
“It doesn’t feel like, ‘You have to do this,’ or you have to do these certain projects,” explained Smith. “It’s very much like you get to do whatever you want with it.”
Notably, four of AZYEP’s current employees, including Girardot and Webber, were once youth participants themselves. Parker Wilson graduated high school last year, but
offering a $350 ticket that includes all four lectures and a private speakers dinner for more personal conversation. The dinner at Sant Ambroeus is scheduled to begin shortly after closing comments at the Wheeler Opera House.
CIIS, based in San Francisco, offers more than 30 undergraduate and graduate programs in social sciences, psychology, philosophy and spirituality. The university examines both Eastern and Western intellectual and spiritual traditions for a holistic view of human potential. The Center for MINDS promotes creativity and outside-the-box approaches to science, social issues and leadership. The organization’s hypothesis is that altered states of consciousness can prove essential to social transformation and technological breakthroughs.
More information about Frontiers of Knowledge is available at www.frontiersofknowledge.org
remains onboard as a broadcast instructor. It’s a revolving door, so to speak.
“I don’t ever feel like my opinion is not heard here, and that is what makes it feel like a home,” concluded Smith.
So come on down to KDNK (76 South 2nd Street in Carbondale) on June 7 between noon and 4, have a mocktail, enjoy some Dustino’s Pizza Strada and souped-up snow cones from Colorado Snow, lawn games and tie-dying your very own 25th anniversary AZYEP t-shirt. For more information, visit www.azyep.org
OBITUARY Jerry Duckowitz
August
20, 1947 –November 4, 2024
There will be a memorial gathering for longtime former Carbondale resident Jerry Duckowitz at the Mt. Sopris trailhead at 1pm on Saturday, Aug. 9, followed by a reception at the Village Smithy at 5pm.
Known to his many friends in Carbondale as “Duck,” Jerry died on Nov. 4, 2024, at his home in Orlando, Florida, with his wife, Kathy, at his side. He was 77.
Jerry was born in New York City on Aug. 20, 1947 to Saul and Blanche Duckowitz.
He served in Vietnam in the 1960s, and moved to Carbondale in 1977. He married Gayla Tippett and they had one son, Jason.
Jerry is the namesake for a menu item at the Village Smithy restaurant in Carbondale, “Jerry D’s French Toast.” He was a cook at the Smithy and managed the Smithy II in Glenwood Springs from 1983 to 1986. He later worked for Destination Resorts in Snowmass Village.
The family relocated to Isle of Palms, South Carolina in the early 1990s, where Jerry continued to work for Destination Resorts. After a divorce, he returned to Carbondale for a few years in the mid-1990s, where he co-owned a restaurant in the Dinkel Building.
Jerry then relocated to Florida to help care for his father after his mother had passed away. There, he married Kathy Banach. They had been married 28 years, residing in Boca Raton, Boynton Beach and Orlando.
He was preceded in death by his parents, ex-wife Gayla, and stepson Craig.
He is survived by his wife, Kathy; son, Jason Duckowitz of Langley, Washington, and two grandchildren, Holden and Ellis; four stepchildren, Christina Montes de Oca, Matthew Starr and Kate Hillert; and six step-grandchildren.
How to be a good Carbondale resident or visitor
We’re a small town full of mostly friendly, respectful folks, who believe that it is up to us to create and maintain the wonderful quality of life we’re so blessed to enjoy. That means we have a responsibility to and with one another to exercise awareness and common courtesy to all.
Acknowledge and honor other people (known or strangers). Say hello, look them in the eye, smile, feel and express delight in sharing this time and space with other fortunate folks.
Respect and maintain the tranquility and safety of our town. Although we’ve grown so much, we can still promote a peaceful life shared with others. Be considerate by:
• Yielding to pedestrians.
• Observing good bike (and all other forms of wheeled transit) etiquette by audibly announcing your presence before passing another user of a public way, and slowing down and maintaining a safe distance when approaching other path users.
• Not riding on sidewalks (except for really young folks just learning to navigate on a bike, scooter, etcetera).
• Taking turns at intersections and not proceeding into an intersection until pedestrians, especially those with kids or dogs, are fully out of the roadway.
Although we’ve grown so much, we can still promote a peaceful life shared with others.
• Not parking within 20 feet of an intersection to avoid blocking the view of oncoming traffic; and not allowing your parked vehicle to extend into a traffic lane.
• Not letting your vehicle’s engine idle more than two minutes, because it wastes fuel, causes engine wear and produces harmful effects to the environment (as per municipal ordinance No. 23, Section 8-3-10).
• Picking up your dog’s poop and putting it, and litter, in the proper receptacles.
• Please keep your dog physically restrained on all property, private and public, except in our designated dog and Delaney Nature parks. We do have a leash law!
Get out into nature. Enjoy, respect and protect the wonders of our beautiful natural environment by:
• Conserving water.
• Preserving healthy air quality by not spraying or dumping contaminants or chemicals, or burning refuse.
• Maintaining a dark night sky.
• Minimizing fossil fuel consumption by biking, walking or using public transportation (RFTA, Downtowner) to get around.
• Not riding or driving off trails, which causes erosion and destroys habitat.
Please do not disturb the peace by producing sound that emanates more than 25 feet from its source, such as loud vehicles with ineffective or no mufflers, blaring music, loud private outdoor gatherings, shouting in
public places, etcetera. Last but most certainly not least, participate in community. Volunteer for any of our many nonprofits that depend on community support, let your voice be heard, listen to others, love, honor and respect everyone! Be grateful and joyous for the beauty, friendliness, kindness, safety, tranquility, creativity, mutual respect and strong sense of community that we nurture and share. This is the one and only Carbondale, Colorado. And it’s up to us to keep it the very best place to live!
RHYTHMS OF THE HEART
By Laurie Loeb
“A man is truly ethical, only when he obeys the compulsion to help all life which he is able to assist, and shrinks from injuring anything that lives. Life as such is sacred to him. He tears no leaf from a tree, plucks no flower and takes care to crush no insect.” - Dr. Albert Schweitzer (1875-1965)
Carbondale filmmaker Dave Taylor was honored at the Shining Mountains Pow Wow in Aspen by relatives of the late Anuk Lloyd Bald Eagle, who Taylor collaborated with on the film “Whitewashed.”
Photo by Mark Burrows
Such stuff that dreams
To mark one year of this column, I would like to share my own dream that I had when I was first questioning if I should follow the path of a dream guide years back. I had many signs pushing me in this direction, but I was unsure and didn’t want to make a large life change. So, I asked my subconscious before I went to bed to show me how dreams worked, and if I under stood when I woke up, I would dedicate myself to this path.
I dreamed that night of being in a place and state of pure bliss and harmony. I knew all and loved all. I was love. I was everything, and everything was me. I understood everything in this place. The answer to my question was so clear, and so simple, that I almost didn’t give it much mind. The information of it felt light and blissful, like everything around me. Then my perspective shifted from first person in this blissful body, to that of an omnipresent observer. I saw that I was floating above the physical world with a colorful light grid between my blissful body, and another version of myself as a human below. I had a tether to that body below but was freely exploring this place of bliss.
By Natalia Snider
I then saw the reintegration of the blissful body above into the human body below. I watched like I was using an interactive digital map, able to zoom in and out at will to best understand what was happening. I watched as the blissful body pushed down the light grid feet first, creating a funnel shape with the grid, to re-enter the body through the top of the head. Like a pencil slowly trying to poke through a balloon. As the bliss ful body began to enter the human body, the funnel started to spin in a downward spiral with the information that the blissful body was trying to bring with it. As it spun, the colors of the grid in the funnel illuminated and sparkled. Curiously, I zoomed into this light show. I saw that the illumination happened when data passed through it. I then discovered that when the infor mation passed through, it converted from clear raw information into a predefined visual language. The dream language! I had to know more, so I zoomed in to what felt like the quantum level. This is where it
Photo:
Pope Francis: A voice from the end of the world
In 2013, after the traditional Habemus Papam announcement from the Vatican balcony, the newly-elected Pope Francis greeted the world with unexpected humility: “It seems my brother cardinals went all the way to the end of the world to find me.”
With those words, Jorge Mario Bergoglio, an Argentinian Jesuit from Buenos Aires, offered the first glimpse of a papacy shaped by simplicity, humor and powerful symbolism. Referring to the cardinals as “brothers” signaled a new tone in Church leadership, one more fraternal, less hierarchical. And by invoking his homeland, the land at “the end of the world,” he began outlining a pastoral vision centered on the forgotten, the distant and the marginalized.
Francis quickly became known as “the Pope of the Peripheries.” Before Rome, he was a priest who celebrated Mass in the dusty streets of Buenos Aires’ villas miseria: urban slums where poverty and resilience live side-byside. His ministry was forged on the outskirts, where he confronted the deep wounds left by inequality and disillusionment in Latin America.
He would later say,“If we dare to step outside ourselves and go to the peripheries, that’s where we’ll find Jesus. Reality is better understood from the margins than from the center.”
His choice of papal name — Francis — was itself unprecedented. Inspired by Saint Francis of Assisi, the Pope embraced a model of compassion, detachment from material wealth and kinship with creation. His 2015 encyclical Laudato si’ remains one of the most urgent calls to care for our “common home,” the Earth.
Like his namesake, Pope Francis preached not with
pomp, but through gestures. He invited to kiss the wounds of today’s lepers, call for economic humil ity and treat all of creation as sacred. He often echoed the words attributed to Saint Francis: “Preach the Gospel at all times. When necessary, use words.”
A passionate supporter of San Lorenzo, his local soccer team, Francis spoke like a parish priest. His messages were filled with everyday wisdom: “Argue all you want,” he told couples, “but make peace before going to bed.”
speaking out against what he called “cultural euthanasia,” where older generations are neglected or pushed aside. “Talk to the elderly,” he urged. “Learn from them. Don’t cast them off.”
ANCHORS AWEIGH
With his accessible language, he sidestepped cold academic theology and pharisaical legalism. He once warned: “Those who exclude others in the Church aren’t religious. They’re impostors.”
And he was blunt on human flaws too, “Gossip destroys community, sickens the heart and leads nowhere.”
One of his deepest concerns was the role of the family — the “domestic church.” He also championed an often forgotten population, the elderly,
Though once accused of complicity with authoritarian regimes during Argentina’s dictatorship, Francis was later cleared and has since become a staunch advocate for compassionate democracies. For some, he was a thorn in the side. For others, a moral compass. His papacy centered on defending migrants, especially those forced to flee poverty and violence. He repeatedly called for a Good Samaritan attitude toward immigrants and expressed particular solidarity with Mexico and other Latin American nations. His outreach extended to those long marginalized by the Church — LGBTQ+ people, divorced couples, atheists urging dialogue and mutual respect. His theology wasn’t one of exclusion, but of encounter.
In this spirit, he earned admiration not only from devout Catholics but from secular and interfaith communities alike. Videos of his heartfelt interactions with young people, survivors of abuse and historically silenced groups circulate widely on social media. His willingness to acknowledge the Church’s failures — like the abuse of Indigenous children in Canadian residential schools — speaks volumes in a time when accountability matters more than ever.
Francis reminds us that true change doesn’t begin in grand palaces but in everyday places: our families, our jobs, our neighborhoods. He invites us to start revolutions not with banners, but with daily acts of justice, tenderness and awareness — to live the Gospel in ordinary life, to walk together, no matter our faith or background, toward a future grounded in dignity and solidarity.
I had the chance to see him in person several times in 2013, specifically during a vigil at World Youth Day in Brazil. I was young then, but something changed in me as I watched him pass by, doing good as he moved through history. His words still echo: “Make a mess. Shake things up. Never stop dreaming.”
Follow Leonardo Occhipinti’s “Nuevo Mundo” in Sol del Valle every week in Spanish.
By Felipe Perez Sol del Valle
Share your works in progress with readers by emailing illustrations, creative writings and poetry to fiction@soprissun.com
Ode to Shoulder Season
By Rachel Leigh Cohen
a time nestled between visiting electric storms.
soft like a collar bone peeking out beneath a loose necked cashmere sweater on a body that tends to lean towards coverage.
subtle like classically sweet perfume mixed with light sweat culminating between cycles of sunbathing & cold plunges in rivers spiked with mountain run off.
golden like hours spent giggling swapping harmless gossip with a kindred heart & sewing dreams long forgotten in the bustle of hustle.
transcendent like magicians who slow down time by writing in cursive, flipping through a damn good book at a measured pace & learning something new not to produce excellence, rather, to flirt with reverence birthed in the art of trying.
remarkable like a body in healing motion navigating each step of an orange coned street. quiet like a spiritually curious butterfly that knew where she was going all along.
delicious like the first bites in Eden … before ~ before before.
now go hug a tree showing off this season. whisper into her delicate blossoms, “You are absolutely fabulous.”
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
during a morning walk
Memorial
across a
Tim
with the assistance of several local ranchers, not only guided the drive but cleverly navigated traffic as they corralled the cattle to higher pastures. The cowhands had their lariats at the ready and were whistling and hollering to keep the cattle on task. Photo by Terri Ritchie
Nonfiction Book Club
Second Thursdays at 2pm
Read a nonfiction book of your choice around a theme and then join us as we discuss. June theme: Adventure
Club de Lectura en Español
Segundo Jueves a las 6pm
Reúnase con otros lectores para discutir novelas escritas en español. Libro para Junio: "Corazón tan blanco" por Javier Marías
Books in Bars
Thursday, June 12 at 7pm
Join your local librarians at Beer Works as we discuss “The Great Gatsby” by F. Scott Fitzgerald.
Third Thursday Book Club
Third Thursdays at 2pm
Explore a mix of fiction and non-fiction. June selection: “Still Alice” by Lisa Genova
Photo courtesy of Rachel Leigh Cohen
Sopris Sun Lead Editorial Designer Terri Ritchie came
cattle drive on West Main Street
on
Day.
Nieslanik,
LETTERS
As soon as Clinton left office, the Republicans passed major tax cuts, primarily for the rich, and the deficits grew out of control. Since then, presidents from both parties have piled on big deficits.
The richest 5% of people in the U.S. now possess two-thirds of the wealth. The richest U.S. man invested $290 million in the 2024 campaign and now has control over removing subject experts in the government, even those responsible for investigating his corporate malfeasance. Billionaire families invested over $2.5 billion dollars on the 2024 campaign. Their investment returns come in the form of tax cuts, reduced inheritance taxes, the carried interest loophole, and control over regulators.
Insanity describes this administration’s actions on several fronts. In a democracy the citizens are expected to require a course correction. Will we stop the madness or just keep staring at our Instagram or TikTok feed? The choice is ours.
Robert Schultz Carbondale
Ceasefire film
On June 5, Ceasefire Now RFV will host a free screening of “No Other Land” in Glenwood Springs. This is a powerful documentary co-directed by a Palestinian and an Israeli journalist, unambiguously documenting Israel’s forced displacement of Palestinian families in the West Bank. Despite winning an Oscar, the film has faced censorship, including attempts by politicians to shut down screenings here in the U.S.
In the Roaring Fork Valley, where we pride ourselves on standing for justice, we must confront uncomfortable
truths. The film reveals home demolitions, armed settler attacks, and military violence — realities that undermine the narrative pushed by U.S. media and politicians. Meanwhile, Israel’s war on Gaza has killed over 36,000 Palestinians, including 15,000 children — more than all the kids in Garfield and Pitkin counties combined. Yet our government continues sending billions in military aid to support this violence.
This screening at the library is more than just a film showing — it’s an act of solidarity and defiance. In a time when speaking out for Palestinian rights is met with backlash, our community must stand against censorship and dehumanization. I urge Carbondale and RFV residents to attend, bear witness, and join the call for a ceasefire and an end to U.S. complicity in this genocide.
The truth will not be silenced.
Robyn McBurney Redstone
Jewish homeland
The terrorizing state of Israel needs to be reined in by stopping all arms shipments and support of the genocide by the U.S. The criminal ring leaders of Israel must be removed and brought to justice. Then, a declaration of Palestine as a brother state would immediately release all hostages and cease all hostilities from Palestinians, Houthis, and other Arab States. The 70-year occupation and containment of Gaza, as an open-air prison by the Jews, must be converted to normal International border protocols. This is the only way that Hebrews will find peace in their homeland.
John Hoffman 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.
CARBONDALE REPORT
from page 8
years ago that the median home price in Carbondale would have been $2.3 million for a single-family home … There’s people who are willing to pay whatever it takes to get into this market.”
Colin Laird referred to the opportunity as a “buydown program on steroids.” He said, “It’s a way to maximize our investment and get more affordable units.”
“Does this pass the sniff test?” asked Ross Kribbs. “Are we being hoodwinked on some level to consider this out of desperation rather than opportunity?” Townsend said he’s seen similar terms on previous deals and believes it’s legitimate. Because there’s already a $15.5 million offer on the park, the residents have only a few months to match it.
No action was taken.
Back to a new water meter system, Wenning recommended the Town purchase cellular-based infrastructure from Mountain States Pipe and Supply that would transmit data remotely every hour, helping to adjust rates and detect leaks. With unanimous board approval, staff will pursue grant funding to offset the $1.3 million cost and devise an implementation strategy which could take place over 10 years or less.
Lastly, trustees returned to a discussion of the Town Center Master Association which Town Manager Lauren Gister has labored to dissolve as part of developing land donated to the Town for affordable housing. She called the 134 pages of documents “fall asleep at the dinner table legalese.” The goal is to have a vote on the matter at the June 24 meeting.
The public will have an opportunity to meet four town manager finalists at the Third Street Center on June 12 — time to be determined. Trustees will interview those candidates the following day, weighing feedback from the public.
American Legion Post 100 carried out its annual 21 gun salute starting at the White Hill Cemetery bright and early on Memorial Day, honoring the men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice for every American’s right to freedom. From there, they went on to Evergreen Cemetery on 8th Street and then to the Veterans Memorial Bridge, where the wreath was cast into the Roaring Fork River. Veterans graves were marked prior to the processions at both cemeteries with American flags.
Photos by James Steindler
Get ready for of Music on the Mountain! an epic night
In support of Sopris Sun & Sol del Valle, your nonprofit community newspapers. Your presence makes a di erence! .
Saturday, June 14, from 6 PM to 9 PM
Featuring: Roka Hueka, Denver’s premier Latin Ska band, bringing a high-energy mix of Cumbia, Funk, Reggae, Soul, Punk, and Ska.
