Four years in the making
Bridges and Roaring Fork high school seniors completed their secondary school journeys this past weekend, celebrating their graduations on May 29 and 30 in Carbondale.
Roaring Fork High School Valedictorian Caroline Cole speaks to the graduating class of 2026 at the school’s graduation on Saturday, May 30 in Carbondale. RFHS photos by Ray K. Erku
Senior Dayra Gómez Bogarín speaks to the Roaring Fork High School graduating class.
Roaring Fork High School senior Nikki Tardif receives a hug after receiving her diploma.
Senior Yakelín Núñez-Hernández is all smiles after receiving her diploma during the Roaring Fork High School graduation ceremony.
Roaring Fork High School senior Ismael Marín-Cisneros at graduation.
The Bridges High School Class of 2026 celebrate graduation at The Orchard in Carbondale on Friday, May 29. From left to right: Anderson Serrano, Aaron Brown, Enrrique Terriquez Jr, Fisher Gensch, Santiago Rios, Ana Sanchez, Adrian Reneau, Dioseline Hernandez, Maya Lopez and Jack Theron. Photo by Bob Rugile
Colorado Rocky Mountain School
A free-flowing river, and the need for continuing vigilance
According to Ute elder Roland McCook, the Ute name for the Crystal River Valley was “Nuche-Mu-Gu-Avatum-Ada’he,” or “The People’s Place of the Heart.” The first white settlers who arrived in the Valley somewhat unimaginatively named the river “Rock Creek.” The contrast in cultural sensitivity was palpable. It was soon realized by early settlement boosters that “Rock Creek” wasn’t great advertising. John Osgood and his burgeoning interests in Redstone promoted a name change, eventually persuading the Department of the Interior in 1901 to rename it the Crystal River.
For over a century, water users south of Silt and Rifle have dreamed of impounding the Crystal, one of the last undammed rivers in Colorado. These dreams were formalized in the Colorado River Storage Act of 1956. In 1957 the Colorado River Water Conservation District obtained conditional water rights for the “West Divide Project,” which would use Crystal water for “generation of electric energy, domestic and municipal purposes, industrial purposes, including but not limited to the production of oil shale, irrigation purposes and stock watering purposes.”
Water Conservancy District to let go of most of its conditional water rights in 2001. And efforts by this group finally persuaded the Colorado River District to drop the West Divide Project altogether in 2013.
OPINION
All that is now required to permanently protect the Crystal is Congressional action. However, such designations are unfortunately rare, as Congressional delegations require virtual unanimity from locals before proceeding. While a passionate group of river advocates has continued to push for this protection for the Crystal, the effort has thus far been stymied by misplaced paranoia of some influential landowners afraid of federal protection of the river.
By Dale Will
The proposed Placita Dam would have created a reservoir that would have flooded a huge area which includes the largest and most ecologically valuable wetland in the Crystal River Valley. The West Divide Water Conservancy District was formed in 1964 with taxing authority to make it happen.
Meanwhile, the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act was passed in 1968 as one of several keystone environmental laws enacted with bipartisan support during that era. This act required federal agencies to determine the eligibility of waterways for inclusion in the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System. In 1972, the Crystal Valley Environmental Protection Association (CVEPA) was founded out of opposition to dams on the Crystal River. In the 1980s, the White River National Forest deemed the Crystal River eligible for permanent protection as a Wild and Scenic river.
Local concern for our rivers and streams led to the creation of the Pitkin County Healthy Rivers program in 2008. With new support from the Pitkin County Attorney’s Office, a coalition of river advocates succeeded in getting the West Divide
LETTERS
Support Cavern Springs
This political deadlock led to the formation of the Crystal River Collaborative Steering Committee, with representatives from Gunnison County, Pitkin County, Marble, the Colorado River Water Conservation District and West Divide Water Conservancy District. While the committee has not been able to agree on permanent protections, it recently approved the Crystal River Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) whereby the five government entities agree not to support any new reservoir or impoundment of water on the main stem of the Crystal and to oppose any water rights application that would remove water from the Crystal River basin.
CVEPA lauds the commitment of these five agencies to respect the sanctity of our river. The present political consensus has been hard won and a long time coming. However, we are disappointed that a more durable protection has not yet been achieved. Paragraph 3 of the agreement provides that each signatory may simply “terminate their participation” at any time. David Brower once famously quipped that environmental protection requires constant victories where even a single loss is often permanent. There is nothing in this agreement that would bar the Colorado River Water Conservation District or West Divide Water Conservancy District from again proposing dams and diversions.
For this reason, the CVEPA Board remains cautious. Given the stated transience of the commitments made in the Crystal River IGA, we must remain vigilant to protect “Nuche-Mu-GuAvatum-Ada’he,” or “The People’s Place of the Heart.”
For more information about CVEPA, please visit www.cvepa.org
As faith leaders, we ask your support for Cavern Springs mobile home park’s effort to become resident-owned and save their homes from a corporate buyout.
For decades, hundreds of residents have called Cavern Springs home. These workers make the Roaring Fork Valley tick. Their park, 98 units adjacent to Glenwood Springs, is for sale for $23M. Without matching this offer by June 13, 2026, and closing by October, they risk losing their homes to outside investors with a record of doubling rents and displacing residents.
Local businesses say the loss to them of this number of workers would be incalculable. Schools would face a worsening enrollment decline. What distinguishes this challenge? Cavern Springs residents are fighting back. They’ve organized their own cooperative, the Sopris Mountain Collective. They’ve been tenacious, securing $5.7M in pledges: $5.5M from local governments (Glenwood Springs, Carbondale, Aspen, Snowmass Village and Pitkin County — only Garfield County declined). The Collective is working with seasoned lenders (ROC USA and Impact Development Fund) to finance $16M in loans.
The gap: $2.3M needed from philanthropic donations to reach their $24M goal and ensure they jointly own their park and make essential improvements to
decades-old infrastructure.
This is not a handout. It’s an investment in local businesses that depend on these workers; in families seeking economic stability; in schools that need stable enrollment; and in strengthening our community against economic forces eroding it.
As Archbishop Tutu said, “Do your little bit of good where you are; it’s those little bits of good, put together, that overwhelm the world.”
To donate online, visit mountainvoicesproject.org/cavern_springs
Donate by check at Aspen Community Foundation, 455 Gold Rivers Court, Basalt, CO 81621.
Attention: Sopris Mountain Collective. Thank you for helping to sustain affordable housing in the valley, Father Bert Chilson, Father Salvador Sanchez, Reverend Jeff Carlson, Reverend E. Wendy Huber, Reverend Bruce McBurney, Lauren Martin, Reverend Kimberly Law, Rob Benedetti, Reverend Emma Bridgeman and Reverend Andrew Bridgeman
Thank you RE-1
To the RE-1 Community,
We would like to thank the RE-1 School District for the beautiful retirement
celebration honoring employees who have dedicated their lives to the children and families of this community.
The evening was heartfelt and deeply moving, filled with stories that reminded all of us what makes a school district truly special. From transportation, custodial and maintenance staff, paraprofessionals, teachers, principals, administration and support staff, each retiree represented years of dedication, compassion and service. Together, they represented more than 453 years of combined service to our children and community. It was especially meaningful to hear that the transportation department alone represented more than 100 years of combined service, a remarkable reflection of loyalty, commitment and care for generations of students.
The presentation honoring each retiree was especially meaningful. Every individual’s story and contribution was recognized with warmth, dignity and genuine appreciation. It was clear how much care went into making the evening memorable.
A special thank you to Aimee Brockman, Chief of Human Resources and Talent, whose leadership and compassion shined throughout the celebration.
As Gene retires after nearly five decades of safely transporting children to and from school, we were reminded that the continued on page 22
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
Sol del Valle Marketing & Development Manager
Margarita Alvarez margarita@soldelvalle.org
Advertising Designer
Emily Blong
Delivery Frederic Kischbaum
Bartlett
Proofreaders
Lee Beck
Tracy Kallassy
Ken Pletcher
Hank van Berlo
Executive Director
Todd Chamberlin 970-510-0246 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
Lee Beck & John Stickney
Karen & Roger Berliner
Emily & George Bohmfalk
Kay Brunnier
Michelle & Ed Buchman
Sandy & Paul Chamberlin
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
Donate by mail or online: P.O. Box 399
Carbondale, CO 81623
520 S. Third Street #26
970-510-3003
soprissun.com/Donate
The Sopris Sun, Inc. is a proud member of the Carbondale Creative District
CVEPA VIEWS
SCUTTLEBUTT
CR 108 bridge
OUR UNDERWRITERS AND NONPROFIT PARTNERS!
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
Repairs continue on the County Road 108 bridge over the Crystal River near the Colorado Rocky Mountain School (CRMS). The bridge will remain closed while decking is replaced and new girders are potentially installed. A pedestrian walkway remains open, though temporary closures may occur. On May 18, the Garfield County Commissioners approved $650,000 for emergency repairs. A full closure is anticipated to last six weeks at most. After repairs, the bridge should last another 40 to 50 years, officials reported. Notable impacts include the CRMS graduation this weekend, scheduled cattle drives and motorists trying to get to and from Carbondale from anywhere along the private Crystal River Road, plus County Roads 108 (Dry Park/Four Mile, Crystal River Ranch, Thompson Creek recreation) and 109 (Coryell Ranch, Aspen Glen, Ironbridge, West Bank, Teller Springs, Sievers Gravel Pit).
Dinkle Lake
Dinkle Lake in the AspenSopris Ranger District will remain empty through August 2026 while dam repair work is completed. Work to repair seepage issues on the reservoir’s interior dam face is anticipated to begin in mid-June and take approximately six weeks to complete. The day-use recreation area will remain open, however visitors will encounter construction traffic and equipment operating in the reservoir and on the dam.
Ride & Drive
This First Friday, June 5, Clean Energy Economy for the Region and Garfield Clean Energy invite you to test drive new electric vehicles (EVs) and take a look at Carbondale’s new EV chargers and police and public works EVs. From 4 to 8pm, EVs from Mountain Chevrolet, Columbine Ford, Bighorn Toyota, Phil Long Subaru, Nissan and Tesla will be available to test drive at Town Hall.
I-70 delays
The Colorado Department of Transportation is resuming work on the Interstate 70
Straight Creek Culvert Repair Project between Silverthorne and the Eisenhower-Johnson Memorial Tunnel. Single-lane and shoulder closures will be in place, eastbound and westbound, Monday through Thursday into the fall of 2026. The speed limit for this section will be lowered to 45 mph.
Funding opportunity
The Roaring Fork Valley Community Health Fund, administered by the Western Colorado Community Foundation, is accepting grant applications through July 17 for projects and programs that enhance the overall health and wellbeing of people living in our region. Last year, the fund awarded $40,000 in grants to nine organizations. Learn more at wc-cf.org/explore-funding or by emailing info@wc-cf.org
Memorial Scholarships
The Redstone Art Foundation’s Jack Roberts Memorial Scholarships program awarded $2,000 each to five students this year. Graduating seniors throughout the Crystal and Roaring Fork river valleys are eligible. Congratulations to Sofia Harwood, Kali Thomas, Kevin Castillo, Giselle “Gigi” Rascon and Sofia Carmona Diaz! Since its inception, the program has awarded more than $90,000 to local youth pursuing studies in the arts, architecture, design and related creative fields.
Now hiring
The Basalt Regional Library is seeking “a dependable, hard-working and self-motivated” patron services associate to work 20 hours a week at $23 per hour. “Successful candidateswillbecustomer-focused, adaptable, tech-comfortable and able to work independently while also contributing to a strong team culture.” Weekend and evening availability required. Learn more at www.basaltlibrary.org/jobs
Bear-luring negligence
Governor Jared Polis signed into law a bill enhancing enforceability around feeding bears. No longer is it required to prove an individual “intentionally” lured bears through mismanagement of food or edible waste. It is also no longer required that first-time offenders receive a warning and the penalty for third and subsequent offenses has been raised from $2,000 to $5,000. “This bill strengthens our ability to address these conflicts by updating the culpable mental state tied to this offense,” commented Colorado Parks and Wildlife Director Laura Clellan.
They say it’s your birthday!
Folks celebrating another trip around the sun this week include: John Armstrong, Francie Jacober and Rachel Kelmanson (June 4); Kelsey Buss, Stephanie Ayala, Lacy Hughes, Johnny Nieslanik and Jim Ryan (June 5); Lisa Goddard, John Klusmire and Illène Pevec (June 6); Jenn Roeser and Gayle Wells (June 7); Burk Golden, Tyler Vaughan and Diane Zastrow (June 8); Jared Ettelson, Chad Knaus, Rock Leonard and Henry Ortiz (June 9); Rachael Boyle (June 10).
What’s the scoop? The Cocoa Club, located in Carbondale’s Red Rock Plaza, is expanding its offerings. Not only will they sell locally-made chocolate, coffee, cocoa and specialty drinks, owner Mark Burrows is welcoming the summer with 12 varieties of ice cream by Third Bowl, based in Hotchkiss! Beginning with scoops and toppings, The Cocoa Club will soon add milkshakes, sundaes and parfaits to the menu, and now stays open until 9pm nightly.
Photo by Jane Bachrach
Crystal River wins support through regional intergovernmental agreement
ANNALISE GRUETER
Sopris Sun Correspondent
Over two years ago, a group of stakeholders announced the recommendation to seek federal Wild and Scenic classification for the Crystal River, one of three potential preservation measures identified through a scoping process that began in 2022. Last week, after ongoing conversation, five area governments and water districts signed an intergovernmental agreement (IGA) pledging to defend the river against new dams and water diversions.
The Crystal River, which has headwaters in the western Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness Area in Gunnison County, flows for over 40 miles before meeting the Roaring Fork River near Carbondale. Valley conservationists have been campaigning for the conservation of the Crystal River since 2002. The Wild and Scenic Rivers Act was signed into law by Lyndon B. Johnson in 1968, and designates certain free-flowing rivers as protected based on factors including particular aesthetic, geologic, cultural or historic values.
The recent IGA is a step in that direction. The agreement was reached among Gunnison County, Pitkin County, the Town of Marble, the Colorado River Water Conservation District and West Divide Water Conservancy District. The collaboration formalizes shared opposition to developments that would alter the tributary’s status as a free-flowing river.
Proponents of the agreement cite the Crystal River’s beauty and importance for agriculture, recreation, tourism and economics.
“The [Colorado River Water Conservation] District is proud to have been a partner in this effort,” said Zane Kessler, director of government relations for the Colorado River District and Steering
Committee co-chair. “This agreement demonstrates that conservation and protection of working landscapes, local agriculture, recreation and existing water rights are not mutually exclusive.” Kessler added, “By working together, the parties were able to develop a balanced framework that serves to protect the Crystal River from transbasin diversions and new
mainstem dams while preserving local control and respecting existing water uses.”
Other participants recognized the challenge of reaching a successful IGA. “Protecting a river as special as the Crystal requires people to stay at the table for hard conversations,” explained steering committee co-chair Elizabeth Smith, also a Gunnison County Commissioner, in a press release announcing the agreement. “[We must] thoughtfully consider a wide range of tools that can work together to preserve the river for future generations.”
Both counties, the Town of Marble and the two water districts have agreed not to advocate for or otherwise support any new impediments or on-channel reservoirs on the main section of the Crystal River. By signing the agreement, they also have agreed to oppose any water rights applications or projects that intend to divert water from the basin to any other watersheds. The document notes the importance of downstream water rights for streamflows and legacy ranching and farming operations.
Local nonprofits have shown support for the IGA. “Community members in and around the Crystal Valley have been working for decades to protect the river from the possibility of big water developments,” said Wilderness Workshop campaign director Michael Gorman. “We are excited to continue working with the stakeholder
The Crystal River flows beneath Crystal Bridge Drive on the evening of Monday, June 1. The river is home to a wide variety of mountain species, and is one of the few places in Colorado that still hosts fireflies in warmer months. The watershed, which has helped supply marble for multiple national monuments, is a candidate for potential Wild and Scenic federal designation. Photo by Skyler Stark-Ragsdale
Saving soil with AVLT
ELIZABETH KEY
Sopris Sun Correspondent
Founded in 1967, Aspen Valley Land Trust (AVLT) is a local, nonprofit land trust dedicated to protecting special places and open spaces. It serves a region stretching from the Roaring Fork and Middle Colorado River valleys from the top of Independence Pass and out west to De Beque. Through conservation easements on private land, the organization has helped preserve more than 70 square miles of landscape, including 104 miles of river frontage, 33 miles of trails and parks and thousands of acres of wildlife habitat and working agricultural land.
AVLT complements the work of other Valley conservation advocacy organizations, including Pitkin County Open Space and Wilderness Workshop. With more than 200 conservation easements, AVLT is responsible for ensuring these properties are properly stewarded and that their conservation value is protected. Even if the land is sold or transferred, the easement remains in place in perpetuity.
AVLT raised $5.8 million in a capital campaign to purchase Coffman Ranch in 2021. Pitkin County holds the conservation easement on behalf of AVLT for this “ambassador property.” The
historic 141-acre homesteading ranch sits along the banks of the Roaring Fork River on Catherine’s Store Road. Located just two miles east of Carbondale, the working ranch was identified by AVLT as an ideal place to advance its new direction, expanding public access to land and supporting schoolchildren’s connection to the natural environment.
For AVLT, the ranch represents more than a single land purchase.
Torrey Udall, deputy director, told The Sun, “Our vision for the property reflects many of the pressures we face in the Valley, including development, habitat fragmentation, climate, water, housing and food insecurity.” He added, “One pressing need is for schools and families to have naturebased learning and quality time opportunities.”
AVLT is already restoring the land for the next generation. Regenerative agriculture is central to AVLT’s land management and organic ranching practices. Over the past three years, the organization eliminated the synthetic fertilizers the ranch relied on for decades, improved irrigation and water flow and adjusted grazing systems, resulting in a strong recovery of native vegetation. The community benefits are clear: limiting large-scale development while keeping working lands
in production supports both the local environment and the Valley’s agricultural heritage.
Brian Hightower, Coffman Ranch manager for AVLT, said the foundation of ranching begins with the soil itself. “There’s a symbiotic relationship between a diversity of plant matter and a diversity of biology in the soil. The soil is the most important thing, not only for growing plants, but also for supporting all of the other living creatures on the ranch, including livestock, wildlife and birdlife. I think all ranchers are soil farmers, then grass farmers, and somewhere down the road, livestock farmers.”
The biology of the soil helps explain why this approach matters. The historic practice of tilling the land is giving way to methods that preserve cover crops, which shield the soil from heat and evaporation. Bugs, worms, nematodes and other organisms that naturally occur in the soil all contribute to a healthier ecosystem. The more diverse the soil profile, the more it supports plant diversity, and that benefit carries all the way up the food chain.
At Coffman Ranch, AVLT interseeds legumes that fix nitrogen and support perennial grasses. Alfalfa is limited because cows gorge on it to the point of bloat.
Brassicas, turnips, radishes and other taproot plants are especially beneficial because they naturally penetrate and aerate the soil. Hightower said, “When we are talking about cover crops, especially for pasture, you don’t want there to be bare soil, because the biology of your soil cooks off and you lose your microbes and you lose the functionality of that soil ecosystem.”
Cattle can also help develop cover crops by pressing grasses into the soil as they graze. AVLT keeps the cattle moving, allowing them to graze grass only down to a height of four inches. This practice mimics the movement of ungulate herds that once traveled constantly to avoid predators and helps ensure that the roots of cover crops remain healthy.
continued on page 15
Brian Hightower, Coffman Ranch manager with AVLT, is focused on healing the land from the soil up. Photo by Elizabeth Key
The state of renewables, Part One
KEN PLETCHER
Sopris Sun Correspondent
It has been five years since Garfield Clean Energy (GCE) launched its successful Solarize Garfield campaign in the county that netted more than 100 new rooftop photovoltaic (solar-power) installations on homes and businesses; roughly one-fourth of them also included battery storage. Since then, the push toward cleaner energy generation in our region (mainly solar) has intensified significantly, spurred by the state of Colorado’s mandate that utilities must supply at least 80% of their power from renewables by 2030.
Carbondale-based Clean Energy Economy for the Region (CLEER) is a nonprofit that manages and oversees a wide array of programs, including GCE. For almost two decades it has been a leader in promoting, managing and facilitating advances in renewables and is an indispensable source of information on them.
“Solar has shifted from being
a new technology to more ‘business as usual.’” CLEER Communication Manager Peter Baumann said. “For many developers and organizations, it is standard operating procedure to consider a rooftop solar installation coupled with battery energy storage systems (BESS).”
Associate Director Morgan Hill commented, “The grid keeps getting cleaner and cleaner,” noting the strides made by the major power utilities toward incorporating more renewable energy — this despite the reduction or loss of federal funding for many of the programs.
Although rooftop solar remains important — especially for maintaining public interest in solar power — much of the actual progress to date has been made with large commercial solar projects.
“I think a lot of the interest now is in coupling solar with batteries, so that solar isn’t dumping power out to the grid at a time when it can’t be used … but rather when it can be
used during peak energy times,” Hill said.
Following is a brief overview of strides that have been made. More in-depth discussions of generating technologies will come this summer or early fall.
Holy Cross Electric (HCE)
HCE is reaching beyond the state target with its “100X30” program to obtain all of its power from renewables by 2030. As of mid-2026 the figure stood at 92%, with the bulk supplied since 2023 by a large wind farm in eastern Colorado, along with a growing number of commercial and rooftop solar arrays. A small percentage also comes from hydropower.
Achieving that final 8%, though, is the biggest challenge. HCE President and CEO
Bryan Hannegan used the analogy of “going from Camp IV to the summit of Mount Everest.”
Increasing the amount of solar generation — including installing annually some 200 to 400 new rooftop systems (half now including battery storage) that add about 2 to 4 megawatts (MW) to HCE’s capacity — is still part of the mix, but crucial to achieving the 100% goal is the growing push toward BESS.
“With so much of our power supply coming from wind and solar resources, we need to make sure that the supply of those resources balances the
demand for energy from our members and their communities,” Hannegan said. “This is where battery storage comes in. It allows us to store renewable energy when we have too much of it and release that energy back onto the grid later when there is more demand for it.”
He continued, “Another way to balance the supply of wind and solar with the demand for electricity is to seek out what I call ‘flexibility’ — the ability to shift demand for electricity to different times of the day when renewables are in abundance.” As examples, he listed charging electric vehicles when the sun is shining or using heating systems
The sun hits a portion of the High Mesa solar array and battery-storage units near Parachute, which came online in March 2025. Photo courtesy of Holy Cross Electric
GARFIELD COUNTY REPORT
John Martin urges BOCC to cover $1.7 million to finish Shoshone water right deal
AMY HADDEN MARSH
Sopris Sun Correspondent
Monday’s Garfield County Commissioner (BOCC) meeting lasted less than an hour. Former commission chair John Martin made a surprise cameo appearance during the morning public comment period, urging the BOCC to seal the Shoshone water right deal.
“Today I’m going to let you know that you’re on the threshold of greatness — all three of you,” he announced. “You have a golden opportunity to close a chapter on something that’s been going on for at least 12 years. That happens to be the Shoshone Power water diversion.”
He praised their efforts so far against the “Eastern Front” that, he said, wants to “control the Colorado River.” He told the BOCC, “Dig deep. Don’t wait for any more partners because if you wait too long, Denver is going to step in, and that’s what scares me.” He advised his former colleagues to work with Andy Mueller, general manager of the Colorado River Water Conservation District (CRWCD), who, at that exact moment, walked into the meeting and sat down next to
Martin. “I happened to run into former commissioner Martin at the grocery store checkout line,” he said, looking at Martin. “And here you are.”
Mueller reiterated Martin’s plea. “I do think that it is an amazing moment in history that we’re $1.7 million short,” he said. “You know, our representative [Jeff] Hurd and a number of other key constituents really pulled off a
tremendous victory last week with the administration and getting that further commitment for the $40 million. So we’re within striking distance. And, if it is possible for the county to step up, we would greatly appreciate that.”
The $40 million was awarded to the CRWCD in late 2023 but the Trump Administration froze the funding. Colorado’s congressional contingent has been pushing
the feds to release the money. On May 22, the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation did just that. Now, the goal is $1.7 million away and Martin and Mueller want Garfield County to finish the race. “We wouldn’t guarantee that $1.7 [million], but would like to see the other big contributors participate as well,” Commission Chair Tom Jankovsky said. “But, we will get you over the top.”
“Let’s stop kicking the can down the river.”
Commissioner Mike Samson said there is no way the BOCC would let this opportunity slip by. “If it takes another $1.7 million, we will do it,” he offered. “It would be nice to see other people step up, but I don’t want that to be the Denver people. I want it to be the Western Slope people to step up.” “Well, if you wait too long, you may have some partners, but you may not have partners. Don’t let it slide by,” Martin warned. “And if you do it now, you can always take those new partners in after the deal, and at that point, you’ve got it sewed up.” Martin added that the Western Slope is waiting for Garfield County’s leadership.
Commissioner Perry Will said he was “good with fronting the money” until other partners stepped up. “I definitely wouldn’t want something to happen to Shoshone over $1.7 million, trust me,” he said.
Garfield County committed $3 million toward the purchase in June 2024. At the same time, Western Slope water entities and local governments had contributed over $14 million, including the City of Glenwood Springs
continued on page 19
Roaring Fork Valley stories told at Mountainfilm
WILL SARDINSKY Sopris Sun Correspondent
EDITOR’S NOTE: Interviews have been edited for brevity and clarity.
Cameron Doherty
What is your relationship to Carbondale?
I was born and raised in Carbondale. It will always be home to me. Making a film that showcases a place and community that means so much to me was truly special.
What is your film about?
“Buckwild” is about Nate Nieslanik, a rancher and bronco rider marked by a troubled past. After substance abuse, legal trouble and a near-fatal crash, Nate fights to rebuild his life through family, faith and rodeo, while carrying forward the multi-generational ranching legacy of the Nieslanik family.
I wanted to make a film about the Nieslanik family because they represent something rare: a multi-generational ranching family that has not only preserved a way of life in Carbondale, but also helped shape the identity of the community itself. Their story is one of resilience, tradition and quiet leadership— values that feel increasingly important in a changing world.
How was it to have your film show at Mountainfilm?
As a kid, Mountainfilm played a huge role in inspiring me to become a filmmaker. Being surrounded by so many incredible films, artists and storytellers showed me the power of cinema. Returning there with my own film was a true honor and felt especially meaningful.
What does it mean to have roots in Carbondale as you’ve pursued a career in filmmaking in Los Angeles?
Growing up in the action sports world in Carbondale had a huge
influence on my path as a filmmaker. Making ski films at a young age taught me how to tell stories through movement, emotion and visuals, while also giving me an early appreciation for the creative process. I was surrounded by so many artistic, adventurous and driven people who approached life in a unique way, and that environment constantly inspired me to create.
Sierra Schlag
What is your relationship to Carbondale?
I’ve lived in Carbondale for six years. What is your film about?
Our film is called “That One Friend” and it is about how every pro skier needs that one friend to remind them to not take skiing or life too seriously. I think the main theme of this film is that we all love going outside with our best friends and the memories we take from our mountain adventures will always be more about the people than the place or the ski objective. We hope that everyone can think of their best friend when watching the film!
How was it to have your film show at Mountainfilm?
It was so fun to show our film at Mountainfilm! It remains one of my favorite festivals that always has the most impactful storytelling, so it was an honor to even have our film included in the lineup.
What does it mean to have Carbondale roots and tell a Carbondale story, especially a personal one about your lives and friendship?
Carbondale is the best place ever with the most amazing community, so to have a full film about our home is so special. I think everyone that lives here knows how special a place it is, so hopefully we got to convey how much fun we have living here with the people, ski lines and access.
Tamara Susa
What is your relationship to the Roaring Fork Valley?
I moved to the Valley 14 years ago, and while I can’t say I have roots here, most of my adult life has been shaped by the experiences and relationships I formed in this place.
What is your film about?
My film is about snowmaking. I filmed everything in Snowmass. The idea with the film was to highlight the work that goes into getting the ski seasons moving at the beginning. And, especially this year, we had a very slow start to the winter season and if we didn’t have snowmaking we wouldn’t have had season opening at all. The job is very dangerous and it was really interesting to see that because I don’t think any of us really realize that.
How was it to have your film show at Mountainfilm?
Amazing! I made this whole film in one day as part of a one-day documentary challenge and then edited it in three days. I live in Snowmass and I sleep with the window open. I woke up in the middle of the night one night and I could hear the guns running and I thought, ‘Oh, I should make a film about the snowmakers.’ There’s some really amazing films in this festival and it’s actually pretty crazy to get to be a part of it with a film that I made in three days.
Is there anything you want audiences to know about the film?
When I made the film in November, I had no idea that we were going to have the worst season on record. So it just kind of happened to be a very timely film. The film was also just to highlight how snowmaking is not a bad thing. The way that it’s done, especially at Aspen/ Snowmass, they don’t put any chemicals in the water, all of the water goes back into the watershed.
Since 1979, Telluride has hosted Mountainfilm annually on Memorial Day weekend.
Sierra Schlag (right), professional ski athlete from “That One Friend,” best friends with Waverly Chin (left).
Cameron Doherty, director, cinematographer, editor of “Buckwild.”
Tamara Susa, director of “The Architects of Winter.”
All photos by Will Sardinsky
Carbondale Arts brings tattoo art into the gallery
MYKI JONES
Arts Correspondent
Carbondale Arts debuted “Visceral Alchemy” on May 29, showcasing an art exhibition curated by Marketing & Communications Director Sarah Overbeck and local tattoo artist Matt Hays. The show features mixed-media works by over 20 artists, many of whom are primarily based in Colorado, with several out-of-state creatives included. Gallery goers can anticipate viewing not only stencil designs of some of the artists’ best tattoos, but also wood carvings, ceramics, paintings and an immersive look into iconic pieces from tattoos in media over the years.
At the opening reception, Overbeck and Hays spoke to those in attendance, thanking them for coming and paying homage to the art of tattooing. They shouted out gallery manager Brian Colley, who bridged the collaboration between the two, and Carbondale Arts for making this exhibition possible.
“It was at Brian’s suggestion that I reach out to Matt,” Overbeck said. “Once I did, we went to lunch, and I ran the idea by him. He thought it was cool, and he then gave me a list of people to reach out to, some of whom were artists I wanted to reach out to on my own anyway.” Overbeck and Hays were both born in the Valley and have deep local connections.
Hays is entering his 20th year of his tattooing career. In addition to this craft, he is also a musician and recalls that the first tattoo he received was his band’s logo, and the first one he ever did, also on himself, was a koi fish. Discussing “Visceral Alchemy,” Hays credited Overbeck with launching the show and also expressed that a show like this was something he had always been interested in.
“Having grown up here and being so close to this sort of lifestyle, [a show like this] is something I’ve always wanted to do but hadn’t thought about how to go about it — I think this is an incredibly diverse group of artists, who all show a wide range of talents that are all connected by one thing: tattooing. I would encourage anyone in the community to come and see it,” Hays stated.
The second day of this exhibition saw an especially immersive activity: a first-come, first-served walk-up tattoo event for anyone 18 years and older. While I, the proud owner of nearly 20 tattoos, put my name down with Ben Merrell at Wildland Tattoo Studio in Fort Collins, I was unfortunately unable to get my next piece done. I did, however, have the privilege of seeing him and many other incredible artists, including Hays, work on several designs for those who stopped in.
One of these walking canvases was Hannah Beal, who
attended the event to work with Denver-based artist Mike Strescino on a design honoring her late friend, nicknamed “Arctic Wolf.” Beal said she was drawn to Strescino’s linework and attention to detail in his animalthemed pieces.
“I would say this is the coolest Launchpad art show I’ve ever seen,” Beal proclaimed. “I think it is incredible to see tattoo artists who also create physical artwork that relates to their tattooing style. Making this art form accessible to the public in this way, I feel, helps it to be more accepted by the general public.”
Also present for this event were Joey Armstrong of Thunderhand Tattoo out of Richland, Washington, Kevin Bledsoe of Tribal Rites Tattoo Studio out of Fort Collins and Neon Falcon Tattoo Studio in Denver, Curtis Burgess of Tribal Rites, Brett Herman and William Thidemann of Mammoth American Tattoo in Denver, Samantha “Samazon” Kuhn of Copperhead Tattoo Parlor in Denver, Mike Pinto from Thick as Thieves in Denver, Matt Rousseau from Your Flesh Tattoo in Durango and Jher Seno of Landmark Tattoo in Denver.
The artists also featured in the exhibition lineup include Sandi Calistro from Denver, George Campise and Ben Cheese from Berkeley, California, Ishmael Johnson from Fort Collins, Justin Nordine from Grand Junction, Rodney Raines from Richmond, North Carolina, Olivia Britz-Wheat from Portland, Oregon and Carbondale’s Bonedale Tattoo artists Brett Haynes and Heather Quinn.
Based on a handful of friendly conversations I shared with attendees, the community would love to see more events and activations like this in the future, whether that is curated by Carbondale Arts or if the artists would come together for their own event. Much like the feeling you get after receiving your first tattoo, this community of art lovers is itching for more.
“Visceral Alchemy” will be on display at The Launchpad through July 3. For more information on the exhibiting artists, visit www.carbondalearts.com
From a turn-of-the-century hospital for silver miners to a Network of Care that spans Primary Care to Surgical Specialists, we have been proud to serve the Roaring Fork Valley for more than 100 years. It’s our commitment to making extraordinary, wholeperson healthcare accessible—season after season, generation after generation. For you. For life.
Join Our Monthly Newsletter
Stay up-to-date on our services, providers, upcoming events and tips to live your healthiest life
aspenvalleyhealth.org Our Roots Run Deep
“Rock of Faeges” by Carbondale’s Olivia Britz-Wheat (now based at Mortal Emblem in Portland, Oregon) displayed over an immersive video experience, “Tattertainment.”
Photo by Myki Jones
Annual Recovery Celebration brings community together
RAY K. ERKU
Sopris Sun Correspondent
As Karlynn Fulmer currently prepares for an upcoming shindig celebrating those in recovery, she’s looking at the numbers.
According to an annual report for Carbondale recovery nonprofit A Way Out, the organization helped 861 people in 2025 — an increase of 182 individuals from 2024. It’s a positive statistic for the peer and family support supervisor, who herself has personally benefited from A Way Out’s services.
“We are in the jails, we’re in the hospitals, law enforcement is familiar with us,” Fulmer said. “But also there’s, a lot of the time, people who hear about us word of mouth.”
Soon, A Way Out will pay homage to these folks through its annual Recovery Celebration, which is slated for 11:30am-1:30pm Saturday, June 13 at Crown Mountain Park, 501 Eagle Count Drive in El Jebel. The event includes live music, burgers, hot dogs and side dishes. It also includes a bouncy house and lawn games.
According to its mission, A Way Out itself connects “individuals and families in crisis with drugs and alcohol [with] access to treatment and recovery support.”
The organization’s coverage area includes residents of Garfield, Eagle, Pitkin, Summit and Lake counties, and Fulmer added that that individual has to have a “desire to get sober.”
“Is it a good fit?” Fulmer said of the process of connecting people to services. “What treatment plan is best for you? We also request scholarships and financial support.”
Of the folks A Way Out helped in 2025, 532 individuals received scholarships and connections to services, which include year-long case management, peer support services, sober housing and more. Meanwhile, 329 new family members received guidance, free counseling and online group support in 2025 alone, numbers show.
A Way Out Executive Director Becky Gordon said in a recent newsletter that “the volume of calls, assessments, and requests for treatment support surged far beyond previous years.”
“In 2025, our team expanded critical services to meet this rising demand,” she noted. “We increased access to bilingual clinical assessments, ensuring that language and cultural barriers never stood between someone and the help they needed.”
These same services helped Fulmer some time ago, she said. Fulmer, who has worked for A Way Out for the past four years, received a scholarship for sober living. After treatment she studied counseling in grad school.
Now, she’s a professional clinician.
“It really is a full-circle story,” she said.
But the Recovery Celebration isn’t just an event for the sober. Fulmer said it also honors “those we lost” to substance abuse.
“Sadly,” she said, “not all of us make it.”
Fulmer said many community partners are set to attend the Recovery Celebration. One of those partners is The Meeting Place, a local spot for 12-step meetings based out of Carbondale. Since it’s gaining more momentum, Fulmer said it is soon going to switch from monthly to weekly meditation meetings. Starting this week, the meetings take place at The Meeting Place, 981 Cowen Drive, from 5-6 pm.
In the meantime, Fulmer is looking forward to the Recovery Celebration event.
“It’s just like a cookout and it’s a lot of fun and a lot of connections are made,” she said. “It’s really cool to see the recovery community come together.”
Visit A Way Out at awayout.org or call them at 970-340-4505.
CARE. PRIMARY REGION’S LARGEST NETWORK OF
With board-certified pediatricians, internists and family medicine physicians on our team, primary care at Valley View is here to care for your needs, regardless of your age or circumstances. We are proud to have multiple offices and locations in Carbondale, Eagle, Glenwood Springs, Silt and Willits, providing multigenerational primary care across the region.
vvh.org/primarycare The best is ahead. Because Valley View is behind you.
PeopleCare. That’s Valley View.
People gather at a previous Recovery Celebration at Crown Mountain Park. Photo courtesy of Karlynn Fulmer
Glenwood Garden Club celebrates 95 years with Garden Tour
KATE PHILLIPS Sopris Sun Correspondent
After a notably wet season, the hues of spring have arrived, and the Glenwood Springs Garden Club is ready to showcase some spectacular sights at their upcoming garden tour. Happening this Saturday, June 6, attendees will spread like the seeds of a dandelion throughout Glenwood Springs to visit various commercial and residential gardens.
“This is a nice way to get the word out about our club and that we are still very active,” said Garden Club board member Carolyn Meadowcroft. “It’s a way to generate funds to enable us to do some great community projects, afford plants and support other organizations with similar goals.”
The ticketed event begins at 10am at the Wulfsohn Community Garden, where attendees can grab a map and proceed on the self-guided, nine-stop tour. In addition to Wulfsohn, the tour will include the Frontier History Museum’s garden, Sixth Street and six private homes located around downtown Glenwood or just outside of town.
“We maintain the Frontier Museum garden and the herb garden in the back. The museum [team] is just so excited and people can go inside if they want to,” said
Meadowcroft. “We included Sixth Street … because they’ve done such a wonderful job with low water and sustainable plants. You don’t need to buy a ticket to see that, anyone can go, but we wanted to include them as a nice option.”
At each location, Garden Club members will welcome visitors, provide light refreshments and share tidbits about the gardens and the plants. Earlier than usual this year, Meadowcroft noted that people may see vibrant spring gardens and be inspired to try new methods at their own homes.
“One of the benefits of a garden tour is seeing what your neighbor is able to grow, and what they planted, how they are displaying their gardens and how they are saving water,” said Meadowcroft. “A few of our gardens are very water-wise. We are all going to deal with this and [on the tour you] can see how someone else has a beautiful garden but it doesn’t require much water.”
As an added incentive, attendees can turn in raffle tickets at each site for the chance to win some fabulous prizes.
“It’s very casual; it’s relaxing,” said Meadowcroft. “You go in the order you want, and you can spend as much time or as little time as you can fit into your schedule.”
Operating as a key fundraiser for the nonprofit, the funds will help amplify the club’s mission to enhance community and
The Glenwood Springs Garden Club bursts with colorful events sprinkled throughout the community. Upcoming gatherings include the June 6 Garden Tour and the nonprofit’s annual plant sale happening on June 13 at Sopris Elementary, 1150 Mt Sopris Dr, Glenwood Springs. Courtesy photo
enrich the lives of others through gardening. Historically, the club has jumped in to help local organizations, from beautifying neglected planter boxes at the Glenwood Springs Post Office to supporting the installation of a greenhouse at Mountain Valley Developmental Services. The club continues to maintain the Cardiff Glen Community Garden.
“A lot of people contact us to beautify something, add flowers or weed.
Sometimes the organization pays for the plants, other times we pay for them. The [Garden Tour] funds will be used for plants, mulch and fertilizer to maintain those projects,” said Meadowcroft. “We work with other organizations like Advocate Safehouse. We want them to know we’re here supporting them.”
In its 95th year, the club has made its mark as the longest running club in the community. Since its establishment, the club has accumulated over 70 members. They meet on the second Thursday of every month to enjoy a craft or learn from guest speakers. On occasion, the group embarks on informative field trips, including an upcoming visit to the insectary in Palisade, the oldest biological pest control facility of its kind in the U.S.
Meadowcroft emphasized that anyone can join, from the novice to the master, as everyone has something to offer. A self-proclaimed novice gardener, Meadowcroft shared she was able to help the club navigate its nonprofit status.
“We all have the same respect for nature and there’s a great camaraderie from having the same interest. It’s so rewarding,” said Meadowcroft. “If people are interested, they don’t have to attend everything. For $20 you can become a member. Even if there’s one thing you want to learn, that’s enough. You make some friends and talk about plants!”
Tickets for the garden tour cost $30 and can be purchased at the Wulfsohn Community Garden. To learn more about upcoming events and meetings, including the June 13 plant sale at Sopris Elementary, visit www.bit.ly/GWSGardenClub
Community Classes
Natural Hormone Balancing
Discover how your hormones shape your life and simple, strategies to regain balance.
Thursday, 6-8pm, 6/29
Beginning Swing Dance
Learn the basics of Jitterbugturns, spins, dips, and fun moves.
Wed, 6:30-8:30pm, 7/1-7/22
Exploring Loss, Grief, and Recovery
Personalize the vocabulary, explore thoughts, and create a sense of coherence.
Thursdays, 6-8pm, 7/2-8/6
How to Build a Successful Consulting Career
Maximize your life and career experiences into a viable business and financial freedom.
Online Tues, 5:30-8:30pm, 7/7
Adobe Lightroom
Practical strategies for organizing, editing, processing, and sharing digital photographs.
Tuesdays, 6-8:30pm, 7/7-28
Dickens and the Law
Explore legal themes, use of comedy and satire, and even some supreme court decisions based in Dickens’ literature.
Tuesdays, 6-8pm, 7/14-8/4
Watercolor: en Plein Air
Two-day workshop with tips and techniques then go outside to paint what we see.
Wed/Thurs, 1-5pm, 7/22-7/23
Fundraising for Non-profits
Provides non-profit professionals with development tools to build their resource base.
Online Tues, 5:30-8:30pm, 8/4 Free
Talks and Exhibits
Citizenship in Action Wednesday, 6-8:30pm, 7/8
Healing Properties of Grief Thursday, 6-8pm 6/18
America 250 Exhibit 6/19-7/7
THURSDAY, JUNE 4
GOLF DEMOS
Demo new golf equipment at the Taylormade Golf Demo Day, hosted from 10:30am to 2:30pm at River Valley Ranch.
ASPEN SCIENCE CENTER
The Aspen Science Center offers Carbondale STEM Exploration Hour from 3:30 to 4:30pm. For more information, visit aspensciencecenter.org
MULTI-CHAMBER MIXER
Get to know chamber members from Fruita to Vail to Aspen in the 2nd Annual multi-chamber networking event. The mixer will be held from 4 to 7pm at the Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park. Chamber registration is required to attend the event.
RODEO TIME
Rain or shine, the Carbondale Wild West Rodeo kicks off and continues every Thursday through Aug. 20. Catch a free shuttle from the Orchard Church or 4th and Colorado (Town Hall). Gates open at 5pm, Slack starts at 5:45pm and Grand Entry starts at 7:30pm.
ART AROUND TOWN
Carbondale’s Public Art Commission offers a tour of 21 new sculptures on loan for the year, meeting at Town Hall at 5:30pm. An artist reception follows at Marble Distilling at 7pm.
WILDFIRE PREPAREDNESS
The Wheeler Opera House presents “Proactive & Prepared: Wildfire in the Roaring Fork Valley.” The presentation begins at 6pm, and attendees will learn about the state of wildfire conditions in the Roaring Fork Valley and the actions officials are taking to prepare.
NO SWIPE SOCIAL
The No Swipe Social dating game returns to the Crystal Theatre, this time with an “Under the Rainbow” Pride theme, at 7pm. All relationship statuses and sexual orientations are welcome.
TIM VEAZEY
Tim Veazey will perform at Heather’s in Basalt at 7pm.
J. PLANK
Steve’s Guitars presents J. Plank performing at 8pm. Tickets at www.stevesguitars.net
FRIDAY, JUNE 5
GOLF TOURNAMENT
River Valley Ranch hosts the sixth annual Basalt High School Boosters Golf Tournament from 9am to 2pm.
GENEAOLOGY
Explore your genealogy and solve family mysteries at the Glenwood Genealogy Group from noon to 1:30pm at the Glenwood Springs Library.
SKETCH, PAINT, PLAY
Work on art projects at an open art studio from 1 to 3pm at the Carbondale Library. All are welcome. Bring materials and projects.
MARBLE DISTILLING
Marble Distilling celebrates its anniversary with live music, dancing, paella and a mechanical bull from 5 to 10pm.
GROUP RIDE
Hit the trails with Sunlight Mountain Resort’s South Canyon Shuttle Laps Group Ride meeting at the Sunlight Ski and Bike Shop at 5:45pm. All abilities welcome.
FIRST FRIDAY
Carbondale celebrates Pride with a street party from 5:30 to 8:30pm featuring live music and a parade at 6:30pm. Dance Initiative will offer a street line dance and jam on Main Street from 5 to 8pm. Mountain Tide Provisions Co. will celebrate its one-year anniversary from 5 to 8pm. Beer Works hosts an after party from 6 to 10pm.
‘PAIRINGS’
The Carbondale Clay Center hosts a reception for “Pairings” from 6 to 8pm. Any purchase at the show can be redeemed for a handcrafted beverage from sponsors Marble Distilling, Beer Works, El Dorado, Pollinator Chocolate, Townline Trucks, Bom Dia, Mountain Heart Brewing.
CRYSTAL THEATRE
“Obsession” opens at 7pm, and continues tomorrow and Monday at 7pm. Sunday’s captioned show is at 5pm.
THE LOW END
Heather’s in Basalt hosts The Low End, a night of live music beginning at 7pm.
MOJOHAND
Catch Brooklyn-based band Mojohand at Steve’s Guitars at 8pm. Tickets at www.stevesguitars.net
SATURDAY, JUNE 6
THE MOR YOU KNOW
The Carbondale Community School hosts “The Mor You Know” from 8am to 5pm. The annual event, organized by Kingdom of the Outlands (www.outlands.org), is open to the public and includes conversation, education and feasting.
TRAILS DAY
Roaring Fork Outdoor Volunteers and Coal Basin Ranch celebrate National Trails Day from 9am to 3pm. Structured youth activities will be provided for ages 4 to 8 while parents or guardians help complete trail improvements. Propaganda Pizza will feed volunteers and Stray Grass performs a bluegrass concert at 6pm. Register to volunteer at www.rfov.org
WEST HUNTER
The Colorado West Hunter Jumper Association hosts a show benefiting the Roaring Fork Hounds Pony Club at 9am at the Strang Ranch.
GARDEN TOUR
The Glenwood Springs Garden Club offers a tour of local gardens from 10am to 3pm beginning at the Wulfsohn Community Garden.
PSYCHEDELIC SYMPOSIUM
EV RIDE & DRIVE
CLEER invites you to learn about electric vehicles at Carbondale Town Hall from 4 to 8pm.
KIDS NIGHT
Glenwood Springs Parks & Recreation hosts Kids Night at the rec center from 4:30 to 9pm. “The kids take over — the parents take off!” The venue will include a bounce house, ice skating, swimming, rock climbing, crafts and more. For more information, visit tinyurl.com/kidsnight1
DRAG SHOWS
The Roaring Divas perform drag at Sprazzo at 4:45pm and Beer Works at 5:30pm.
Aspen Public Radio, Aspen Psychedelic Resource Center and Healing Advocacy Fund present the third annual Aspen Psychedelic Symposium beginning at 10am. Single-day and two-day passes at www.aspenshowtix.com
BIKE RODEO
The Carbondale Police Department hosts a bike rodeo for kids from 10am to 2pm with prizes, maintenance tips, a pump track and obstacle course at Roaring Fork High School.
READING KICK-OFF
Basalt Library hosts its Summer Reading Kick-Off Party from noon to 3pm,
COLORADO ROCKY MOUNTAIN SCHOOL Congratulations CLASS OF 2026
CLASS OF 2026
Meet Our Seniors
Brady Beazley Gardner Berry
Gabe Bieler Lexi Bier-Moebius Zeeland Bowers
Keke Brabeck Emma Bright Olive Brule Pedro Carcedo del Pozo Ryder Davies
Maddie Davison Luca Dewey
Sasha Fielder Ethan Flynn Kai Galbraith
Colin Glackin Carter Goss
Emerson Greenwald
Nick Ingram
Joseph Khouri
Kekoa Kim Hazel Lazar Alivya Malcolm Finn McDermott Ty Nolan
Felix Ortiz
Juliana Pittz Soleil Scott Fritz Simmons
Chapin Turner
Ada Wanko Cici Wen Penelope White
Tuco Williams Rowan Wolfson
Highlights of the Class of 2026
Colorado Rocky Mountain School was founded on the belief that real learning happens when students are challenged to discover who they are, what they stand for, and how they can contribute to the world around them. The Class of 2026 has lived that fully — as scholars, athletes, artists, and community builders, from the backcountry to communities near and far. This year’s seniors hail from across the United States, including Colorado’s backyard to Maryland and Hawaii, and around the globe, from Spain, Vietnam, Afghanistan, and beyond. They leave as a community of friends richer for having known one another.
Scholars, Athletes, Artists & Entrepreneurs
The Class of 2026 includes a Coca-Cola Scholars Finalist selected from over 107,000 applicants who also launched his own lip balm company, three seniors who earned the Colorado Seal of Biliteracy, a medical assistant apprentice who worked in Acute Care at Valley View Hospital throughout the year while carrying a full course load, an enduro mountain biker who took first at the Sea Otter Classic against elite pro athletes, a freestyle kayak national champion, a lacrosse goalkeeper ranked first in Colorado and fourth nationally, a climber who earned third place and an All-American nod at the Scholastic Climbing League state finals, a recipient of the Colorado Positive Athlete Award, a ski photographer who earned second at the NEPSA photography awards, a filmmaker whose work screened at Aspen Shortsfest, and a vocalist who performed the national anthem before thousands at the National Volleyball Championships — and finished tenth in the nation with her team.
Service and Senior Projects: Learning Without Walls
True to CRMS tradition, the Class of 2026 served throughout their four years — on campus through countless kitchen, garden, and ranch crews, and beyond CRMS through trail building, community projects, and service embedded in every season of outdoor trips. Seniors also helped lead English in Action, supporting adult community members building their English skills. This spring, seniors fanned out for month-long Senior Projects ranging from wildlife conservation in Kenya and animal rehabilitation in Hawaii, to film production in Australia, drone work with the European National Defense, and campaigning alongside U.S. Senator Michael Bennet — with service to others at the center of nearly every project.
College Acceptances
Appalachian State University, Arizona State University, ARTFX - School of Digital Arts, Bard College, Bennington College, California Polytechnic State University, Carleton College, Carroll College, Chapman University, Colby College, College of Charleston, College of Idaho, Colorado College, Colorado Mesa University, Colorado School of Mines, Colorado State University, Creighton University, Depauw University, Drexel University, Exeter College, Eckerd College, Elon College, Flagler College, Fort Lewis College, Furman University, George Washington University, Grinnell College, Hawaii Pacific University, Lehigh University, Lewis & Clark College, Linfield University, Loyola Marymount University, Marquette University, McGill University, Michigan State University, Middlebury College, Montana State University, The New School, Northeastern University, Northeastern Illinois University, Northern Arizona University, Oregan State University, Pepperdine University, Richmond American University, London, Rollins College, Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology, San Diego State University, Santa Clara University, Savannah College of Art and Design, School of the Art Institute of Chicago, Southampton University, Texas Wesleyan University, Tufts University, University of California-Santa Barbara, University of California-Santa Cruz, University of Colorado-Boulder, University of Denver, University of Kansas, University of Kentucky, University of Miami, University of Michigan, University of New Hampshire, University of Oregon, University of Pennsylvania, University of Puget Sound, University of Redlands, University of San Diego, University of Vermont, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Western Colorado University, Western Washington University, Westminster University, and Xavier University.
To the Class of 2026
Dynamic, driven, and full of heart, you have competed on world stages, created work that turns heads, and shown up for others in ways both large and quiet. You leave this place having made it better. We couldn’t be more proud of you!
Journalists and educators gathered for a five-hour event hosted by Colorado Mountain College in Aspen last Friday, May 29. The inaugural Roaring Fork Valley Civics and Media Summit featured a dozen speakers and focused on the future of local news, civic engagement, democracy and trust. The event was free and included lunch. Youth journalists Vivienne Shapiro, Eleanor Carroll and Hana Creyts earned Aspen Peak Press Awards for, respectively, “Best News Story,” “Best Opinion” and “Best Feature.” Shapiro and Creyts are both Sopris Stars and Carroll has served as editor-in-chief of Aspen High School’s Skier Scribbler. Aspen Daily News editors judged from among 41 entries across the three categories, and each student received a $250 prize. Photo by Alison Osius
featuring a DJ, foam bubble dance floor and bounce castle.
DAY RETREAT
True Nature offers an immersive yoga retreat from noon to 5pm. Registration at www.truenaturehealingarts.com
GLENWOOD PRIDE
Glenwood Springs celebrates Pride at Two Rivers Park from 3 to 8pm beginning with a parade and continuing with a drag show, storytime, local speakers and a DJ.
ARTIST TALK
Savanna LaBauve delivers an artist talk closing her show at The Art Base in Basalt at 4pm.
MUSIC ON THE MOUNTAIN
Enjoy live bluegrass with the Deer Creek Sharp Shooters Band at the Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park from 5 to 9pm.
EL DORADO MUSIC
El Dorado hosts live music every Saturday at 8pm all summer.
GOLDPINE
Steve’s Guitars presents Goldpine performing at 8pm. Tickets at www. stevesguitars.net
SUNDAY, JUNE 7
SPRING HEALTH FAIR
Get discounted lab tests at the Eagle County Community Center in El Jebel from 8 to 11:30am as part of Aspen Valley Health’s 2026 Spring Health Fair. Appointments are required. Make one at tinyurl.com/avhealth1
RFOV
Roaring Fork Outdoor Volunteers helps out at Nancy’s Path in Basalt from 8:30am to 3:30pm. Registration at www.rfov.org
A SPIRITUAL CENTER
A Spiritual Center welcomes Katia Fernandinho on “Appreciating the total parts of human experience” from 10 to 11:30am at the Third Street Center, Room 31.
CARBONDALE CLAY CENTER
Join Carbondale Clay Center’s Family
Helping You Live the Extraordinary— Every Day
Clay Play Workshop from 10 to 11am in Carbondale.
CONNECTION MEDICINE
Meditate with Eaden Shantay in the Connection is The Medicine at True Nature from 11 to 11:45am.
BIG GAY BINGO BRUNCH
Join the Big Gay Bingo Brunch from 11am to 1pm at TACAW, benefiting the Jack Raife Mental Health Fund.
MUSIC AT HEATHER’S
Chris Phillips, “known for his polished sound and engaging presence,” will play live music at Heather’s in Basalt from 11am to 2pm.
RVR MARKET
Catch 30+ local vendors (plus music and cocktails) at a summer market at the Old Thompson Barn in River Valley Ranch from 1 to 5pm.
WILDLIFE PHOTOGRAPHY
Develop wildlife photography skills with professional Jack Small from 3:30 to 5pm at the Carbondale Library.
THE HOMESTEAD MUSIC
Kriss Harmony plays live music at The Homestead & Handlebar in River Valley Ranch at 5pm.
WESTERN MEDICINE
Steve’s Guitars presents Western Medicine performing at 7pm. Tickets at www.stevesguitars.net
MONDAY, JUNE 8
GARDEN OF YUM
Children 4 and up are invited to attend a five-day gardening camp at the Carbondale Community School from 9am to 3pm. For details, email dianagardengoddess@gmail.com
AUTHOR TALK
Local author Al Atkinson presents “Upstream,” a 2026 Mom’s Choice award-winning children’s book, at the Carbondale Library at 10am. Stick around after the reading to make a themed-craft. This event is recommended for ages 2 to 6 with a parent/caregiver.
Our team of Surgical Specialists is here to support your lifelong health, offering advanced surgical services crafted with your unique needs in mind.
• General Surgery
• Breast Surgery
• Cancer Surgery
• Laparoscopic Surgery
• Robotic Surgery with the latest da Vinci 5
• Trauma and Acute Care
Surgery
• Specialized GI Services
Now seeing patients in Basalt and Aspen 8:30 am–5:00 pm 970.544.1200
Basalt 1460 East Valley Road, Suite 103 Aspen 0401 Castle Creek Road
Chris Roseberry, MD
Alexandra Kovar, MD
Post-season honors bestowed on spring sports athletes
JOHN STROUD Sopris Sun Correspondent
Several Roaring Fork High School athletes were recognized with All-Conference and All-State selections following the conclusion of the spring sports seasons.
Racking up the most honors was the state quarterfinalist Lady Rams lacrosse team. Senior Jordyn Miller was named Class 4A first team All State in the attacker position, and fellow senior Alivya Malcolm was First Team All State as goalie.
Miller was also named the 4A Mountain East League Player of the Year, joining Malcolm on the first team along with senior Ava Montemayor (defense) and junior Marin Weaver (draw specialist). Montemayor and Weaver were both given honorable mention in the All-State selections.
Second team league selections were senior Hazel Barker (defense) and sophomore Kayla Steele (midfield).
Other post-season selections:
Baseball
Senior Andy McMichael, first team 3A Western Slope League (WSL); seniors Donny Read and Kenny Riley, second team WSL; junior Chase Fenton WSL honorable mention.
Girls soccer
Junior Bianca Braun, second team 3A WSL and All-State honorable mention; senior Maya Lindbloom, second team 3A WSL and All-State honorable mention; freshman Jocelyn Rivera, second team 3A WSL; senior Amalia Sparhawk, 3A WSL honorable mention.
Summer hoops
The Roaring Fork girls basketball
team hosts the Summer Shootout tournament at the Rams Gymnasium this Saturday, June 6.
Roaring Fork plays North Fork at 10am, Meeker at 12:15pm and Palisade at 1:45pm, with games matching the other three teams in between.
Games will consist of two 18-minute periods with a running clock. And, in preparation for the new shot clock rules coming next season, a shot clock will be in use.
group on durable solutions for the watershed, including instream flows and a Wild and Scenic designation.”
The Roaring Fork Conservancy provides information on Wild and Scenic designation eligibility, and confirms that the Crystal River has been classified as eligible by the U.S. Forest Service. According to the Roaring Fork Conservancy, the next step in the process is a suitability study, which will establish whether the designation will protect the river’s free-flowing status, whether there are other historical or contextual considerations and the level of commitment among local stakeholders for implementing protective management plans.
If suitability is confirmed, the final step of the process is congressional action. The federal group reviews documentation from the eligibility and suitability phases to decide whether to designate a river as Wild and Scenic. Roaring Fork Conservancy notes that the river hosts significant biodiversity, has significant mining history with national implications and is important for local agriculture and recreation alike.
Detractors have voiced concerns about the enforceability of the IGA, and the strength of protection for the river. Some have described it as the weakest protection for the basin. You can read more about the Crystal River and potential Wild and Scenic designation at www.bit.ly/ WildCrystalScenicRiver
Congratulations to all the student-athletes and graduating seniors! Photo by Ray K. Erku
Second annual Aspen Literary Festival aims for community connection
ANNALISE GRUETER
Sopris Sun Correspondent
EDITOR’S NOTE: Annalise Grueter is a member of the Aspen Writers Network and a scholarship recipient for this year’s Aspen Summer Words.
In late September, writers and readers will again flock to the Valley. After last autumn’s inaugural Aspen Literary Festival, the weekend event will return Sept. 25-27. The 2025 debut earned enthusiastic reviews from participants including Michael Lewis, author of “The Big Short” and “Moneyball,” and bestselling fantasy author Leigh Bardugo. Tayari Jones, acclaimed author of the award-winning “An American Marriage,” said: “The Aspen Literary Festival proves that American literature is more than just alive — it thrives!”
Earlier this spring, Aspen Words announced 16 headlining authors confirmed for the festival. The names include many New York Times bestsellers and award winners. To name a few: Jennette McCurdy, Veronica Roth, Lisa See, Pulitzer Prize recipients Richard Russo and Michael Cunningham and Aspen daughter Maria Semple.
Aspen Words Executive Director Adrienne Brodeur explained the vision for the festival’s second year. “Building on the electric energy of our inaugural year,” Brodeur said, “we’re creating a festival for anyone who’s ever fallen in love with a book. [The Aspen Literary Festival] isn’t about being a literary insider — it’s about joy, belonging and celebrating community. In a culture that rewards speed and distraction, we’re making space for something slower, deeper and far more human — a weekend of real conversation, unexpected connection and lasting inspiration.”
The second annual festival is being designed with events to appeal to readers of all ages and demographics. Last year’s community events will be expanded: the festival will include youth programming all weekend for young readers to meet popular children’s authors and hear them speak. Aspen Words staff are also planning experiential events for the indoorsy and outdoorsy alike, including book signings, scenic hikes and even late-night block parties. This will include a party at the Paul JAS Center, where readers can mingle with attending authors over appetizers and drinks.
Following last year’s example, many of the author talks across town will be free with advanced registration to make them as accessible as possible. Aspen Words is integrating feedback from the first year and working on tiered passes for special events and headline panels. They plan to announce details on passes and early registration this summer.
Leading the moderating team for the festival will be Tim Ehrenberg, literary podcaster, marketer and an avid reader. Ehrenberg created the popular Tim Talks Books platform and co-hosts the “Books, Beach, & Beyond” podcast with bestselling author Elin Hilderbrand. He is the president of the Nantucket Book Foundation and supports events for both of Nantucket’s independent bookstores. He writes the “Need to Read” series in N Magazine and has been featured in national literary media.
Additional confirmed moderators will include Miwa Messer, who created, produces and hosts the Barnes & Noble podcast “Poured Over.” The show is designed for close readers who devour books and love the small details of sentences and characters. Messer and Ehrenberg will also be joined by Kate Tuttle, former president of the National Book Critics Circle. Tuttle is the editor of the books section for the Boston Globe and writes a weekly column for the paper.
All of the confirmed 2026 festival authors have books that have been or are being released this year. After her bombshell bestselling memoir “I’m Glad My Mom Died,” former child-star McCurdy’s first fiction effort was published by Ballantine in January. “Half His Age” has been lauded as “provocative” and a “reverse Lolita” by Publishers Weekly and The New York Times Book Review, respectively.
Paris-based writer and actress Robinne Lee’s second novel, “Crash Into Me,” will be published in July. Her 2017 debut novel, “The Idea of You,” was adapted for a 2024 Amazon Prime film starring Anne Hathaway and Nicholas Galitzine. Semple, who grew up in Aspen, has also had work adapted to the screen. Her 2012 novel “Where’d You Go, Bernadette” starred Cate Blanchett in the 2019 film version. Her most recent novel, “Go Gentle,” was just published in April and centers a protagonist who is both a Stoic philosopher and a single mother to a teenager.
Aspen Words will share more details at www.aspenliteraryfestival.org as additional authors confirm participation and the events schedule develops.
during the sun’s midday maximum rather than in the early afternoon. He noted the company’s various pricing incentives and member programs to encourage such flexibility.”
Recent notable projects, all solar with BESS, include a 4.5-MW installation at CMC’s Spring Valley campus, with 15 megawatt-hour (MWh) storage (completed 2023); the 10-MW High Mesa array near Parachute, with 20 MWh storage (2025); and the Mamm Creek project near Rifle, also with 10 MW and 20 MWh storage (2026). A current project involves replacing the batteries at the CMC campus with ones that will respond better to commands to release stored power to help balance the grid.
Wheeler Gulch solar array
One of the recently completed and more unique projects in the region is the large Wheeler Gulch solar installation near Parachute. Built, owned and operated by Massachusetts-based Standard Solar, Wheeler Gulch is distinctive in that it supplies its power output directly to only one user: the nearby Middle Fork gas-compressor station owned by the Caerus Piceance energy company.
The array came online in late 2025, and its 12.18-MW output supplies a portion of the compressor’s total electricity needs, the remainder obtained from the grid.
“Wheeler Gulch is a meaningful project for Standard Solar, because it demonstrates how solar can deliver practical value across a wide range of industries, including energy-intensive operations,” Standard Solar Vice President Megan Byrn wrote via email.
Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association (Tri-State)
Farther afield on the Western Slope, the Denver-based not-for-profit cooperative Tri-State has embarked on a number of renewables projects. These will help it reach the state-mandated goal as they retire the large coal-fired Craig thermal plant in northwestern Moffat County by the end of 2028.
Notable solar projects that came online recently include the 145-MW Axial Basin array in Moffat County and the 110-MW Dolores Canyon unit in southwestern Dolores County. Other planned renewable projects include solar and wind installations in eastern Colorado and adjoining states and several standalone BESS units throughout the state.
“Alongside our GCE partners, CLEER put in years of hard work to help build support for renewable energy and local climate goals in Western Colorado,” Hill summarized. “Solar becoming business as usual today is the result of many people working together: from solar companies to Garfield County residents who helped advance solar deployment and demonstrated the long-term reliability and value of photovoltaic energy systems.”
RANCH from page 5
“Our grazing lease cows come in the first of June and graze until they’ve had their fill, while we measure the forage that remains standing. Last year, 220 pairs came in and grazed for only nine days. They came back in the fall,” Hightower said.
AVLT ultimately hopes Coffman Ranch will emulate the Aspen Center for Environmental Studies’ Rock Bottom Ranch by creating future opportunities to strengthen local food systems, including a native plant nursery and a vegetable garden. Downvalley schools are also seeking more easily accessible outdoor education opportunities.
For Udall, the ranch is part of a larger vision of community-centered conservation. Udall said AVLT increasingly sees education and access as core to its mission, “We need dozens of Rock Bottom Ranches throughout this entire region, and it is really inspired by the success they have had and validation from the community saying, ‘Yeah, we want more of this.’”
Coffman Ranch offers hands-on learning opportunities that help children and families understand how ranching, soil health, food systems and ecosystems are all interconnected. Visitors can see animals at work, explore soil conditions, learn about pollinators and native plants and experience food production in a direct, sensory way. AVLT envisions the ranch as an outdoor classroom that helps people build a stronger connection to the land, understand how healthy ecosystems function and to develop a deeper commitment to protecting the Roaring Fork Valley and similar landscapes throughout Colorado.
For more information, visit www.avlt.org
Moderator Tim Ehrenberg interviews Tayari Jones and Nathan Hill on love in American literature at the first annual Aspen Literary Festival, September 2025. Photo by Annalise Grueter
COFFMAN
MYKI JONES
Arts and Culture
Wild Flight to see ‘full circle’ performance at Crystal Theatre
Starting at 7pm on June 18, local music group Wild Flight will be performing a showcase of their original works at The Crystal Theatre in Carbondale. After coming off the high of performing with country artist Hugh Phillips at Aspen’s Wheeler Opera House for the Roaring Fork Rising series, band creators Emily Jurick and Eric Gross are excited to perform the first musical showcase in the theatre since the inception of the Crystal Theatre Alliance. They will be accompanied by bass player Bill Rich. In addition to their inaugural performance, they will be premiering a music video for their song “Road River Railway.”
“I find it thrilling,” Jurick said of performing at The Crystal. “It’s such a wonderful place to be able to play live music because of its intimate size, and to be able to be the first band to be in there in this era is an honor.”
As a longtime local of the Roaring Fork Valley, Jurick is especially excited to have this performance take place at The Crystal because of the impact it has had on her life over the years.
“With the music video that we’re screening there, it comes full circle,” she said. “If that alliance hadn’t come together, or the good folks before the Crystal Alliance, if they hadn’t refurbished that theatre, it would have gone into ruins, and it would have been something of the past, but somebody stepped in and preserved it.
It’s a wonderful thing.”
The music group combines the sounds of jazz, rock ’n’ roll and country in a style which creates a warm, soulful, sensual and powerful sound. They perfectly encapsulate the themes they often sing about, which include love, loss, nostalgia and change. Gross, who grew up on the Jersey Shore before making Carbondale his home over three decades ago, has been playing piano since the age of 7.
Having played in several different bands throughout his life, he said he draws inspiration for Wild Flight’s catalog from his
lived experiences in the music scene and from the relationships he had in between his creative experiences.
“I would say many of our songs are relationship-oriented stories of … having intimate relationships, and where that path takes you through time,” Gross said. “We also have a sense-of-place theme in a lot of our songs. We have a song that was KDNK’s original song of the year this year, called ‘Home Assisted Memory’, which I wrote when I was 21 after I went back to my hometown and observed how much it had changed after coming off the road on
all those years of touring.”
He said that he thinks songs such as “Home Assisted Memory” will resonate with audiences, especially those who have experienced what it is like to leave the place you have called home a majority of your life, only to return and have to adjust to changes that came about in your absence.
“I think it will strike a chord with people who left Carbondale and came back,” Gross said, adding that “Road River Railway” is the theme of the night at the Crystal.
Jurick echoed her bandmate’s sentiments and shared how a lot of her written contributions to the band revolve around her experiences with love and close friendships, and how those relationships hold an equal amount of importance to romance.
“There are a couple few songs that are about the intense feelings I think that come with deep friendships and how those may develop over time,” Jurick said. “I have a number of the songs that I sing with my own voice, because it is my story, [that] have to do with the end of a long-term relationship that had a big influence on me. I was married for 21 years, and it wasn’t a very smooth relationship, but it ended in friendship, which I find to be a good and inspiring thing.”
With this showcase, which is one of the many booked for summer 2026, 30% of ticket sales and all sales made from concessions will support the Crystal Theatre Alliance. For more information or to book your tickets, visit crystaltheatrecarbondale.com
Eric Gross (left) and Emily Jurick (right) of Wild Flight look forward to sharing their storytelling songs with a Crystal Theatre crowd. Courtesy photo
The day my mother had a stroke and no one noticed
Sometimes I think the trouble started on Saturday, and sometimes, with yet more chagrin, earlier. I remember noticing on that day before Easter that my mother’s walking had deteriorated. She looked wobbly. But walking has increasingly been, due to neuropathy, hard for her.
“Well,” I thought, “age may finally be catching up.” Last year we had a party for her 95th.
Now I see what seem like the “heuristic reasons” (shortcuts in cognition, or distractions, that lead to ignoring salient factors) that are analyzed after an avalanche accident.
and the lack of barriers align like the holes in Swiss cheese.
A guide’s decision on Everest in 1996 didn’t seem like a great mistake at the time, Jon Krakauer wrote in “Into Thin Air.” “But it would end up being one of many little things — a slow accrual, compounding steadily and imperceptibly toward critical mass.”
GUEST OPINION
By Alison Osius
Our holiday was typically chaotic, with relatives and friends coming in and out of the family home in Annapolis, Maryland, from several states.
For Saturday we planned a lunch at the historic Annapolis Yacht Club, and complications started first thing. My nephew Sam was to pick up his mother, my sister Lucy, who, following a severe stroke in 2019, uses a wheelchair and is in care.
He called from the car-rental office, exclaiming, ”All they have is a huge Ram pickup. We’d never get her up into it. I asked for a sedan!”
“I’ll go,” Ryer, a visiting friend, offered, amid a flurry of rejiggering carpool and parking plans.
He arrived in the nursing home parking lot amid screaming fire trucks, because smoke had been seen coming from the roof. No one was allowed in or out, he called to say. Yet Ryer sneaked inside, then tracked down Lucy. They begged and bolted and, amazingly, we all convened at almost the same time.
On Sunday, just before Easter dinner for 11 people, I noticed my mother’s rickety-looking gait anew, and a catch in her voice.
Yet I was setting out dishes, then carrying a plate through the buffet for my sister, while others filled them for my mother and her friend. Lucy, who is paralyzed on one side, requested I cut her ham, my mother simultaneously asking me to turn on music.
As an outdoor writer, I’ve often considered the Swiss Cheese Model of Causation as it applies to disasters in mountaineering; it does in aviation and hospitals as well. I first learned of it in Gene Weingarten’s Pulitzer Prize-winning “Fatal Distraction” (2009), about children accidentally left in cars by otherwise careful parents. The model refers to a string of events, the absence of any one of which could have prevented an ill outcome. Occurrences, happenstance
Sam later said he, too, noticed my mother slurring, but others at dinner didn’t; it was noisy. Nor did they observe her walking, since Ryer, formerly a professional cook in Aspen, was graciously cooking dinner, and others bustled around helping. (We’d later find my mother could barely write, but that went unseen as well: keyboards.)
The next day Mom was still slurring a little. I offered to take her to a doctor, but she declined, urging my stepsister, Lisa, and me to proceed with a plan to take Lucy to a marina. On our return, my mother’s slurring seemed more pronounced (though that, I admit, is an odd word for it).
We packed her up and, heart now thudding, I drove to the ER. My mother calmly read her book for the two and a half hours we waited.
Nothing showed on a CT scan, which was briefly reassuring, but the hospital kept her in observation, a relief to me. The next day, as a PA from neurology told us, an MRI showed my mother had had a “small” or minor stroke, “a few days ago.”
Acute ischemic infarction.
I was surprised. So was my mother.
The good news, the PA said, is that there was no bleeding, and my mother should recover within a couple of weeks. The stroke was in the coordination center of her brain, affecting walking, speech (which was worse this day; symptoms fluctuate) and fine motor skills, but not personality or reading.
Two years ago my mother had a transient ischemic attack, a ministroke. She spoke off-topic, then lost her words such that we others at dinner knew she was in trouble. It happened suddenly and was clear. This time my mother was herself.
Stricken, I asked, “Should we have brought her in sooner?”
The PA said no. “It was a small stroke, and wouldn’t need any intervention.” She added, “These strokes tend to get better on their own.”
Each day Lisa and I charged around working as a team on the myriad details of care management. On Thursday, Mom was released to rehab for speech and physical therapy. On Monday, Lisa was in a car accident, got sideswiped at 50 mph.
It’s time to slow down
By now, we have all heard the sentiment that “AI is the future” and we must “adapt or get left behind!” This is all or nothing rhetoric.
Pause. Breathe in and exhale. Let’s think for a moment.
We have been using “AI” for decades. You read that right: since 1956, when the term “artificial intelligence” was coined AI has been implemented and integrated into many systems. In fact, there are different AI categories with distinct functions. Not all of them are bad.
As a writer, I love spell check, word count, word finder, automatic formatting, read aloud and voice typing. These are all automated systems coded into programs such as Google Docs, Microsoft Word, Adobe Acrobat and more. Those handy hacks are available through types of AI called traditional rulebased and predictive models.
I use those types of AI the same way I use a hammer. A hammer does not think for me and I do not rely on a hammer to tell me where or how I should hang art. I have the hammer in my hand only
when I need it to remove or add a nail. The nail is also a tool. When using these tools together, I can hang up the artwork my mother just created. She used water, paint brushes, paint and canvas to make art, but the tools themselves did not create or try to tell her how to paint. Without her command, they are just tools.
I do not use AI to come up with ideas or “write” for me because AI does not think or write. AI simply responds to commands and regurgitates information. Writing requires thought, initiative and an ability to reflect. In fact, I have an incredible organ in my body that self-reflects and produces good ideas with practice. We all have this organ, let’s use it!
Brains are organs that lose function without use. The more you rely on an artificial machine to do your thinking and creating the more you allow your brain to rot. And this is my issue with “the future is AI” rhetoric.
The type of AI called “generative” allows people to input prompts such as “make a country song” and this AI
GUEST OPINION
By Katalina Villarreal
model steals data to “make” a song (again, AI cannot create, make, write, etc.). You have seen and unknowingly consume videos and artwork “made” through this system.
As a creative and moral person, I find generative AI to be disgusting. Generative AI stops us from thinking critically and disconnects us from our natural state of creativity. We do not need AI to create. AI companies need us to stop creating because creating requires brain power that comes from self-reflection, education and soul. We need to allow ourselves to make imperfect art because that is inherently human and it is also power.
Now she was in the ER and hospitalized, with a concussion and myocardial trauma. One of her symptoms was slurring.
“I sound like your mother!” Lisa said, and how could we not laugh?
So my mother and stepsister were both slurring, and my sister slurs since her stroke, and I was visiting all three daily in their respective medical facilities, and feeling like I was on Mars.
Our family is aware that the fact that my sister had her stroke (which followed an ablation procedure) in the middle of the night, in another country, delayed treatment. With most strokes, time is crucial. Every minute the brain lacks oxygen can be damaging.
Here we were spared. My mother’s doctor, too, told us that coming in sooner wouldn’t have made a difference.
“With something like this, it can be hard to know if the person is just having an off day,” he said. “But if the symptoms don’t get better, go to the ER, which you did.”
Still I learned a lesson or two to share, starting with the perpetual life reminder to pay attention, to heed.
Common stroke symptoms are known by the acronym BEFAST: Balance loss, Eyesight changes, Facial drooping, Arm weakness, Speech difficulty — Time to call 911. Yet some strokes come in quietly, with symptoms you could put off to being dehydrated, standing up suddenly or the onset of a UTI. They include lightheadedness, blurry vision, confusion, a headache or intermittent weakness.
Art comes from being a living bleeding human. There are people who have no limbs and paint with their mouths. There are no excuses — pick up a pencil and draw a stick figure.
There is the illusion that we have to be “good” at something to do it. “I can’t sing, so that’s why I had AI do it.” That is horrifying. Just sing. Allow yourself to be “bad” at singing and sing anyways. The beauty of art is not the product; the beauty of art is the friction it takes to create it. This friction is what keeps our brains healthy. Using generative AI, we will slowly decline in creative pursuits because then we are less likely to think for ourselves and come up with problem solving capabilities. We do not have to be good at art to participate in art and to create. We just need to create.
For example:
“I am a human, not a robot, do you see? This is a poem.” (Haiku in 20 seconds.)
Is that the best poem I have written? No. Is it better than using generative AI which uses data stolen from real humans? Yes. More importantly, I like it!
Besides, every moral human should be appalled by the lack of regulations around AI. Currently, generative AI is accessible without restriction and many people are abusing it. This system allows its users to perpetuate gruesome violence and sexualization of children and women. What more proof do we need to stop this? Protective policies need to be in place. To scratch the surface, I refuse to use ChatGPT or any generative AI. I will not “adapt” to this false reality. No, I’m not worried about AI replacing me because in real life people enjoy reading authentic pieces written by real humans. The CEO’s of this technology say “AI is the future” and “you will be left behind,” fearmongering phrases used to scare people into thinking there is only one option. That is not the truth. We have many possible futures. AI is a future, not the future. AI has already been and will continue to be a part of the future. It’s time to fight for the future that regulates AI. It’s time to fight for the future that cares about all of nature and humanity and slows down to appreciate real art.
Lucy Osius, Alison Osius, and Nancy Osius Zimmerman enjoy spring sunshine at Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital in Bowie, Maryland. Zimmerman was told she’d stay at least a week, but was sprung in six days. Osius Collection photo
Legacy Donor Mary Lilly passed away at the age of 100 in 2016. She included e Sopris Sun along with other local nonpro ts in her will. At a time when e Sun’s nances were looking dire, that $55,000 gift helped pay o an outstanding line of credit and bolster our reserves fund.
Consider Planned Giving to Support Local Journalism
HOW TO LEAVE A LEGACY
• Include e Sopris Sun in your will or trust.
• Name e Sopris Sun as a bene ciary of your retirement account or donor-advised fund.
Planned giving is one of the most meaningful ways to ensure independent, community-powered journalism continues in the Roaring Fork and Colorado River valleys for generations.
www.soprissun.com/ planned-giving
e Sopris Sun is a 501(c)(3) community nonpro t newsroom.
Redneck pride One must imagine Sisyphus happy
This June marks the 10th annual Redneck Olympics in my neighborhood. Satank is in unincorporated Garfield County, about a 20-minute walk from downtown Carbondale. Satank, née the Townsite of Cooperton, predates Carbondale and was named for Isaac Cooper who ventured down the valley from Aspen in the late 1800s. Still lawless as far as HOA constraints, Satank has a long and distinguished history of crazy characters who worked hard for a living.
OPINION
Ps & Qs
By Jeannie Perry
As for the Redneck Olympics, it began innocently enough in Mark Taylor’s yard with two lawn chairs set about 15 feet apart, each with an empty five-gallon bucket placed on the ground in front. Satankers sat in each chair with a pile of small rocks at their feet, which they proceeded to flick into the opposite bucket between sips of beer. Hence the first-ever event of the inaugural Redneck Olympics: “flickin’ rocks.” Obviously, the winner was the neighbor with the most rocks in said bucket, but as with most events in Satank, crowd participation plays a big part by assigning points for attitude and/or costume.
Over the years the best-dressed have shown up in quintessential redneck attire: bathrobe and slippers, spike heels and leopard print, sleeveless denim-on-denim (giving away free tickets to the gun show!) and long hair rolled up in empty beer cans for curlers. Our neighborhood goes all out with redneck themed activities like Spam-carving contests and toilet plunger relay races. Snacks are simple and filling: fish ‘n’ chips = a big bowl of Goldfish crackers mixed with potato chips.
Every year I look forward to this event as I, myself, come from a long line of proletarian posers. My great aunt Zinny was, in the words of Frank Smotherman, “the first woman to put a modular in Starwood.” In the late 1960s, Uncle Dick and Aunt Zinny brought their house into that neighborhood in pieces, forming a neomodern structure that was dubbed “the trainwreck.” Their furniture store, Bethune & Moore, was housed in the old Aspen train station (and is now located across from FedEx in the AABC.)
My own parents were married at Dick and Zin’s house in 1969, and it is great fun to watch the sporadic video running over the crowd in their cat-eye glasses, skimmer dresses and Big & Tall-sized suits; ranchers wearing their “good” felt cowboy hats — saved for special occasions. Pure gold: this black and white footage of rednecks looking sharp, milling around with city slickers in the hills above Aspen, like a vintage Taylor Sheridan show.
Boy, that guy sure can write a Western drama! He’s really got a hold of ranch life usurped by wealth, and what I like most is the favorable light he shines on ag people. They’re hardworking, easy-going guys and gals who will always stop to lend a hand with a flat tire and probably end up inviting you to supper. The kind of people who welcome a stranger to town.
I think that’s exactly what happened to Aspen and the Roaring Fork Valley. A billie (local term of endearment for billionaires) got a flat tire on Highway 82 and that was that. The Valley morphed from a place where everyone could play in privacy, into a place to be seen. Back in the day, actual stars would come to town to get away from the spotlight and enjoy a real vacation. Even Starwood was unpretentious, as illustrated by my cousin Mac Moore’s “Just Married” ride in an Aspen trash truck, thanks to his best man, Billy Goodhard. Today it feels more exclusive, as though standing alone at the top of the mountain is more rewarding than climbing with others. How long Aspen will continue to believe her own legend, I cannot say.
What I do know is that there won’t be any paparazzi at this year’s Redneck Olympics. In Satank, these are still the good old days with neighbors who care more about how you are than how you look. And how fast you can shotgun a beer, set the empty on the firepit and run back to hit it with a slingshot. That is, unless you need to save the can for curling your hair up real pretty.
The other night, I asked my students: If you are dedicated to righting a “wrong” in our world — say addressing your most urgent environmental issue, with inspired and assiduous effort — yet your efforts bring no change to the world, would you continue to engage, or give up? There was a long pause, and finally, soft-spoken Isaac from the very back of the room said, “It’s a lot like Sisyphus.” Quietly awed, I asked him exactly what he meant. He said, “It is simply a matter of who you want to be … it is part of who you are, so you do it.” Isaac responded matterof-factly, without any pretensions or pride; his answer was refreshing to hear, and so dramatically different from our culture, where we care too little about the process of being, and too much about the results. A kind of existential ends justify the means. Isaac’s comment has stayed with me, slowly steeping.
make life truly meaningful. Perhaps no other culture so myopically seeks the quick fix. “Winning” is truly all that matters, and in order to win, anything goes, and that is the death knell of true education, and ultimately, our nation’s future.
OPINION
Isaac inspired two related lines of thought. One, he nailed French Philosopher Albert Camus’ key point, referencing “one must imagine Sisyphus happy” (a favorite of mine and never far from my classes), positing that “happy” means living a life of purpose. Secondly, he inadvertently made the best case for investing in education, creating opportunities for youth to explore the age-old question: what gives our lives meaning?
SEEKING HAYSTACKS
By A.O. Forbes
Our culture, with its rapacious appetite for results and the metrics of measurement, misses the most generous of earthly gifts: the intrinsic wonder of living in the present, and the accompanying rituals that are the sole crucibles for love, learning and connection. Being alive and present for each and every moment is the gift that we all yearn for, the gift that fills our hearts and souls with true sustenance. Camus’ ultimate point is that life’s meaning only comes from the conscious act of living and struggling — life takes place in the process, not just the result. We push our respective rocks up hills to know ourselves. It is our soul’s high adventure. Isaac knows this. His comment was a sure-footed response from a student who, with his family, had left the fear and uncertainties of his country only to face the brutal realities of making a life in our nation.
America’s appalling record on education, health and poverty reflects our unwillingness to invest adequately in the process of our children’s education. While America ranks first for the number of millionaires and billionaires, Gross Domestic Product and military spending, we do not lead industrialized nations for money spent on public education. And it is not surprising that our academic results disappoint. It is hard to conceive of a nation more dedicated to commodifying our humanity. When humans are defined purely by economic terms, we hollow out the spiritual, moral and emotional dimensions that
GARCO
from page 7
($2 million), Eagle County ($2 million) and the Ute Water Conservancy District ($2 million), according to the county. The Colorado Water Conservation Board Project Bill (HB24-1435) appropriated $20 million and the CRWCD’s Community Funding Partnership has raised another $20 million.
On Monday, Mueller said he is going to push potential partners. “I just need to keep running into John at the grocery store,” he added.
“And we’ll each have a can in our hands,” Martin replied.
Jankovsky said a final decision would need to be on the agenda.
Primary election looms
“We are 30 days away from the [primary] election,”
I began teaching when I was 23. Facing 180 junior high students each day, in six atomic, energetic bundles we called classes, was my first exposure to what we righteously referred to as “education.” On my first day as a teacher, I was told not to smile until February, and “don’t give the little shits an inch.” It was a profoundly painful first semester. Flying back from Christmas to face my students, I steeled my resolve and mused, “Well, if the plane crashes, at least I won’t have to teach on Monday.” In my eyes, Sisyphus had it easy! I had 180 rocks, but I did have summer off … The year was rife with insights, summed up by the school superintendent telling me, “Our country is more interested in money than children, so please hold tight to your idealism.” I have held tight. In part because I fully believe Nelson Mandela’s observation, “There can be no keener revelation of a society’s soul than the way in which it treats its children.” Our children are wise and funny and true-hearted. They are wicked smart, idealistic, show up and “hang in there,” despite our flagrant neglect, or, at best, our casual support for their future. They are eager to be moved, not molded, and hungry to be held aloft by a sated soul and an engaged mind. They know the power of self-purity, dignity, and justice, and seek the “creative tension” in issues of environmental and social justice; they haven’t lost their idealism, yet they are far from naive. They sense the generous power and sheer magnificence of life. Despite a culture that reduces human endeavors to winning or losing, our children understand the powerful grist of a soul tied to a higher purpose, and dare to seek it.
Kate Taylor, a student last year, wrote, “When education prioritizes conformity and outcomes over curiosity and conscience, innocence is lost, and justice collapses. To remain morally viable, education must restore legitimate power, protect freedom and equality, and commit to forming creative, intelligent individuals, rather than underprepared copies of one another.”
Isaac’s quietly profound comment reminds us that being human means seeking to understand who we are, and struggling to conjure up the courage each day to navigate life with our values intact. However Sisyphean it might appear, that is where happiness lives.
This above all: to thine own self be true, And it must follow, as the night the day, Thou canst not then be false to any man.
— Shakespeare
Garfield County Clerk and Recorder Jackie Harmon said on Monday. She added that her office will mail a little over 38,000 ballots on June 9 with a projected return of about 70%. Each of the six municipalities in the county will have a ballot drop box plus one outside the courthouse in Glenwood Springs. Ballots returned by mail need one stamp and must be mailed by June 22. “Postmarks do not count,” she said. “And if you happen to be across the state, you can drop them at any other facility, and they’ll get them over to us.” Voters who have not received a ballot by June 19 are encouraged to visit www.coloradosos.gov/voter
All election information is at the Garfield County website on the clerk and recorder’s page. You can also watch all BOCC meetings at the county website.
Unsolved hit-and-run leaves family speculating
BIANCA GODINA
AND AMY HADDEN MARSH
EDITOR’S NOTE: KDNK Community Access Radio and Sol del Valle are collaborating on an investigative reporting series regarding the death of Ramon Chacon. This is the second installment of that series, made possible through a grant from the Colorado Media Project.
Ramon Chacon, a 42-year-old Rifle resident, died on April 29, 2024, after being struck by a vehicle on Highway 13, north of the Rifle Bridge and within city limits. Two years later, authorities have not identified the vehicle or the driver. The case remains unsolved.
On May 7, 2024, Chacon’s family members and friends held a protest outside the Rifle Police Department. Gabriela Gonzalez, Chacon’s widow, explained in an interview with Sol del Valle that they were seeking answers.
“A week passed and then we buried him,” she said. “It was a Tuesday, and later that same day, after we buried him, we came here to the police department and held a protest outside, and the police [chief] came out, but she was angry.”
During the protest, the group chanted, “We want justice.”
Jessica Gonzalez, Gabriela’s sister-in-law, led the protest. At the time she stated, “We need justice, that is what we are asking. We haven’t received any answers in a week.”
As the protest continued, an exchange took place between some demonstrators and then-Police Chief Debra Funston. After members of the group questioned the progress of the investigation, Funston responded that the department had more than one investigator assigned to the case, stating, “We wanted that person in custody that day… I sympathize with you. We are so sorry. We are working as hard as we can.” She later added, “I will just be honest, the investigator that is working on it does not speak Spanish.”
Funston retired from her position in April 2026 and was unavailable for comment regarding the Chacon case.
The Rifle Police Department issued three urgent appeals for information about the case through four posts on its Facebook page. The last was a repost by the Rifle Police Foundation on July 9, 2024.
Two public records requests filed by KDNK — one in August 2024 and another in September 2025 — resulted in the release of a partially-redacted incident report. No witness statements or other investigative documents were included.
In late April of this year, Interim Police Chief Mike Kuper agreed to an interview with KDNK but later canceled after consulting with department staff, stating that the case remained active.
However, after Gabriela and Jessica visited the Rifle Police Department on May 21, 2026, Gabriela told Sol del Valle she was told the case was closed. In a phone call to confirm the information, KDNK verified with Angela Mills, public information officer for Rifle PD, that the case had been reclassified as “closed inactive.”
Closed inactive does not mean the case is concluded or fully resolved. “All that means is you’ve kind of exhausted
your leads and you can go back at any time and change it back to active when you get presented with something new,” said Angela Hawkins, program director for the Colorado Law Enforcement Training Academy at Colorado Mountain College in Breckenridge. “But, you know, the thing about the cold case is that the leads have stopped coming in and there’s no new direction to follow.”
Some investigations last years
An unrelated homicide case in western Garfield County was recently brought to a conclusion five years and one day after Wayne Moore was found shot to death inside his vehicle on May 21, 2021 on Highway 6 west of Parachute.
Josh Craine, commander of the investigations division at the Garfield County Sheriff’s Office, told KDNK that investigators had very little evidence at the beginning of the case.
“We had a handful of shell casings that we presumed at the time were from the murder weapon,” he said. “And that’s all we had.”
Craine said the limitations were significant, “We didn’t have any tire tracks, footprints. We didn’t have fingerprints. We didn’t have DNA. We didn’t have any witnesses.”
He also described some of the investigative work by his team. “We analyzed the victim’s cellphone. We analyzed GPS data, cellphone tower data,” he explained. “A lot of it was just true, dogged, old-fashioned police work.”
Approximately a year and a half later, people began coming forward with information that helped identify a suspect. The investigation progressed from those leads and, on May 21, 2024, exactly three years after Moore was found dead, authorities made an arrest.
Two years later, John Michael Worley was found guilty of second-degree murder and tampering with physical evidence. On May 22, five years and one day after Moore’s body was found, he was sentenced to 40 years in prison.
In need of leads
Craine explained that in both homicide investigations and hit-and-run cases, one of the most important elements is information provided by the community.
“We are looking for someone who’s willing to put themselves out there, to step up and say, ‘I know
something and I’m willing to give it to you,’” he continued. “And whether what they know, to them, may be nothing, it may be the Rosetta Stone of a case for us.”
He also noted that there is a balance between informing the public and protecting an ongoing investigation. According to Craine, sharing information can be helpful in some cases, while in others certain details are considered sensitive to the investigation.
“It’s not necessarily that we’re stonewalling, but we do protect case information because it is ongoing,” he explained. He gave an example, “It’s like, we have a person of interest. We have who’s most likely our suspect, but if we start releasing a bunch of information, we’re gonna lose anything we have.”
For Chacon’s family, the lack of information about the progress of the investigation led to uncertainty and questions.
In an interview with Sol del Valle, Jessica recalled a conversation with authorities. “I told them that they were trying to hide something. I asked if it was because we are Mexican, because we are Latino, that they didn’t want to help us,” she said. “And they told us to control ourselves and calm down, that they needed to investigate more and that they would be in better communication.”
Two years after Chacon’s death, the Rifle PD has released no further information.
Anyone with information related to the case can contact the Rifle Police Department at 970-625-8095 and request to speak with a detective. Tips or comments related to this story may be sent to info@soldelvalle.org
Follow Leonardo Occhipinti’s “Nuevo Mundo” in Sol del Valle every week in Spanish.
Ramon Chacon, courtesy photo
Share your works in progress with readers by emailing illustrations, creative writings and poetry to fiction@soprissun.com
Remembering Mike Bouchet
August 23, 1964 - June 1, 2025
Jen
Bouchet Carbondale
Mike believed in connection and had a rare gift for it. “Mike’s magic, pass it on” began as a simple phrase during his celebration of life, inspired by his extraordinary ability to connect with people across differences and make others feel seen, welcomed and included.
On this first anniversary of his passing, “Mike’s Magic, Pass It On” continues as an invitation… to find ways to connect with others through differences to lead with curiosity rather than judgment to ask questions to listen to encourage to laugh to take the time for it to slow down for it to try
As many know, mountain biking was also extremely important to Mike, providing a special platform through which he experienced freedom, presence, challenge and joyful connection. He wanted others to be able to experience all of that as well. Because of this, he deeply valued organizations that support cycling access in the Roaring Fork Valley. Closest to his heart were three nonprofits: Roaring Fork Cycling; Carbondale Bike Project; and Roaring Fork Mountain Bike Association (RFMBA).
Mike loved the time he was coaching young mountain bike riders with Roaring
Fork Cycling, coming home energized by the experience — full of stories about their challenges, successes and growth. He saw the sense of belonging and possibility that cycling created for young riders. He also loved spending hours at the Carbondale Bike Project where he could swap parts, access tools and guidance for repairs or bike-builds, and simply relish “talking bikes” with whomever was in the shop. And he knew that the magic happened on trails cared for through the incredible stewardship of RFMBA. His gratitude for these organizations and what they bring to the Valley was enormous.
To honor Mike at this one-year mark, in the spirit of his interpersonal generosity — Mike’s Magic — I encourage you to “pass it on” by creating connection with someone outside of what feels convenient or easy. As another meaningful way to honor him, please consider making a donation to Carbondale Bike Project, Roaring Fork Cycling and/or RFMBA. As nonprofits, this helps them in their beautiful missions that provide opportunity for connection, community and the joy of riding.
Ride on Mike. We love and miss you.
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
Hank van Berlo and Shelle de Beque stay up on Valley news while visiting Amersfoort in The Netherlands. Courtesy photo
Mike’s magic, pass it on. Courtesy graphic
true impact of these employees can never fully be measured in years alone. Their kindness, reliability and quiet dedication helped shape generations of students.
To all RE-1 employees, past and present, thank you for the difference you make
Gene and Stephanie Schilling
Contrary to public interest
Am here at Redstone, Colorado on vacation with wife, daughter and grandkids. Picked up a copy of Sol del Valle and among other stories within, I read about the unsolved hit-and-run death of Ramon Chacon. At a dangerous pedestrian crossing.
Then farther along I see reported that the victim’s autopsy revealed a 0.242% ethanol concentration. That’s three times the legal limits had Chacon been the driver. One site said that at that level one may reach stupor
My point? The Chacon family must have grieved yet again to have this information revealed. Chacon could have been spared the public revealing of his femoral blood exam, as it may appear that the victim could have been staggering around that dangerous location. Who knows?
It’s one thing to hold back certain information. As Rifle Police is quoted in the article, it is “contrary to public interest to release investigation details which could jeopardize the investigation.” But the autopsy results? The victim was victimized
Lynchburg, Virginia
Bennet should stay in the Senate
I was pleased to see that Senator Michael Bennet is working to preserve public lands, as indeed he should. Not so pleased that this was a veiled campaign promotion rather than simply doing his job. I would like him to finish his term, finish the job.
I support Phil Weiser as our next governor. He has done more for the people of Colorado than most members of Congress. He has been an exemplary state attorney general and will be an even better governor. Did I mention he clerked for Ruth Bader Ginsburg, served as an Obama White House advisor and was Dean of University of Colorado Law School? Beyond all this, he is first a listener — reaching out to grassroots Colorado — then tirelessly goes to work for us.
Kay Clarke Carbondale Gratitude for Rams Run fundraiser
I am writing on behalf of Crystal River Elementary School, with gratitude for our community and the support received year after year at the annual Rams Run fundraiser. On May 1, students from preschool through fourth grade ran for 30 minutes straight on a 1/8-mile track to raise money for the physical education program, the other specials programs at the school, and the Parent Teacher Organization. The money raised this year achieved a new record: $41,260.86!
Twenty-two businesses throughout the valley sponsored the 13th annual event, contributing at least $350, often even more. Contracting business TE Builders served as our title sponsor, donating $1,000!
We would like to publicly thank each of these companies by name: Alpine Bank, Artisan Fine Finishing, Blue Sky Carpet and Upholstery Cleaning, Carly Passchier Real Estate, Comfort Dental, Cruz Construction, Imperio Mexican Restaurant, Isberian Rugs, JRO, JVAM Law Firm, Katie J Photography, Level Build Co., Pony Pardners, Rib City Grill Rifle, Ridge Runner Construction Inc., Rocky Mountain Ranch Services, Taplinea, TE Builders, Valley Orthopedics, Villas Window Cleaning, Vista Bank, and Xen Technology.
In addition to the incredible generosity offered by these businesses, the families, friends, and community members who pledged flat donations, or by-lap dollar amounts to the individual students who ran in the event, made such a difference to what these children have the opportunity to experience.
Marty Madsen, famed Physical Education teacher at CRES and founder of the Rams Run, plans to use some of the funds this year for new baseball and lacrosse equipment. In the past, money earned from this event has made it possible for Mr. Madsen to bring activities and equipment such as ice-skating, cross-country skiing, tumbling mats, and new soccer goals to our students.
Without the indelible support from parent volunteers, joyful contributions, and local business backing, this expansion of experience and excellence would not be possible. Thank you so much for showing up for our school community! And next time you’re out and about, see if you can spot local kids sporting their official Rams Run t-shirt!
Sincerely, Autumn Evans-Lough, Jess Klumb and Marty Madsen Dan Loya for sheriff
Because my family has lived in this valley for over 50 years, I am concerned about it and its future; therefore, I am supporting Dan Loya for Garfield County Sheriff. My son attended high school with Dan, and I have recently become reacquainted with him. I have grown to greatly respect him as an honest, hard-working man who loves his family, Garfield County and the United States.
Dan amazes me with the knowledge and expertise he has acquired in his 30 years of law enforcement leadership. He is very serious about protecting the citizens of this county through law and order. He has been extremely successful in battling drug problems in our valley and fighting against human trafficking.
Because he is bilingual, he can communicate with and relate to the diverse population of Garfield County. This ability is an asset that will serve him well in relating to more communities and more citizens of the county.
Dan is a team player, and he sees the value of working with other agencies in nearby counties, including fire and police departments. He understands the importance of being professional in the way he presents himself and the way he represents the sheriff’s department.
Please join me in casting your ballot for Dan in the primary later this month; your vote will help ensure professional protection that is required to the highest level. Lynee Kerst Glenwood Springs