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Volume 18, Number 23 | July 16-22, 2026

Like no one is watching Dancers in the Roaring Fork Valley continue to step out and inspire audiences through the power of movement. The recent “Larger Than They Appear: Ripple Effect” performances at Old Town Yoga in Basalt to Aspen Dance Connection’s upcoming “EMERGENCE” at TACAW on July 17 (more on that on this week’s calendar page) are but two instances. “It feels like we’ve begun our own ripple,” read the program for the former, a series designed by Mellie Test and composed of its own ensemble of local choreographers and dance artists.

Mellie Test performs her piece, “Staying Afloat,” as part of the “Larger than they Appear: Ripple Effect” performance at Old Town Yoga in Basalt on July 10. Photo by Bob Rugile

A departing gift to local journalism Last month, The Sopris Sun lost a former board member and a Yet, the need for Sol del Valle has not diminished. In many longtime believer in the importance of local journalism. ways, it has become even more important to our entire commuLinda Criswell gave her valuable time, energy and support to nity. It was created because everyone in our community deserves The Sopris Sun because she understood that a strong community a voice and access to trusted local information in a language they needs a trusted source of local news. She never hesitated to let us understand. It has become an essential resource for our Spanknow we got something wrong, and was just as quick to offer us ish-speaking neighbors, co-workers and friends. a pat on the back for a job well done. All of us here were deeply We remain committed to Sol del Valle and our youth-led newssaddened to learn of her passing and profoundly moved to learn room, The Sopris Stars. At the same time, we are looking carefully she had also remembered The Sopris Sun in her will. at how to make each of our publications financially sustainable Linda’s impact on The Sopris Sun extended beyond her own for the long term. service and generosity. It was through her relationWe believe a printed newspaper serves ship with Mary Lilly that The Sopris Sun received a critical public need. It helps sustain a the largest legacy gift in our history in 2016. healthy, informed, connected community Gifts like Linda’s and Mary’s mean more than while supporting local businesses and the the amount written on a check. They are expresregional economy. In an era of AI generated sions of trust. They tell us that the work we do content, it also gives readers the reassurance matters and that this organization is worth of knowing where their information comes sustaining, so future generations will continue from, who reported it and who is accountable to have access to free, independent, commufor its accuracy. nity-centered journalism. They are also gentle Each year, The Sopris Sun must generate reminders that the relationships built through approximately $850,000 through advertising, this organization can continue to make an sponsorships, grants and individual donaimpact long after someone’s volunteer service tions to keep this work going. We are currently has ended. projecting a deficit of approximately $250,000 EXECUTIVE For a small nonprofit newsroom like ours, this year because of the financial pressures NOTE legacy gifts are especially meaningful. They give described above. us breathing room during difficult times, help Every source of support matters. A one-time

By Todd Chamberlin us retain talented staff and support reporting donation matters. Becoming a monthly that does not generate revenue.

SunScriber matters. Advertising or sponsorship from a local Linda’s gift comes at an especially important time for us. Like business matters. A grant matters. And a legacy gift can carry many newsrooms across the country, we are facing significant someone’s commitment to the community far into the future. financial challenges in this current economic climate. Local busiA donation today can support the immediate work of our nesses and nonprofit organizations are facing their own rising newsrooms, while including The Sopris Sun in a will or estate costs, and our overall advertising revenue has declined by about plan can help ensure that independent local journalism 20% in the last six months. remains part of this community for generations to come. We These pressures have been particularly difficult for Sol del would be honored to speak with anyone interested in learnValle, our Spanish-language newspaper. As one of only a hand- ing more. ful of nonprofit Spanish-language newspapers in the country, it Linda believed in The Sopris Sun during her lifetime. Through serves a community deeply affected by the intensified immigra- her final gift, she made sure that belief would continue. tion crackdown.

We are deeply grateful for Linda’s service, generosity and trust Fear and uncertainty have spread throughout the community. in this organization. Her gift will help sustain the work she cared Families and businesses are having to re-prioritize where they so deeply about and strengthen The Sopris Sun during a chalspend their money. Many are also thinking carefully about how lenging moment in our organization. publicly visible they are willing to be regardless of their immigraToday, local news is truly the gift we give one another in our tion status. These conditions have directly affected advertising community. Sometimes, that gift also becomes one of our legacies. and sponsorship for Sol del Valle.

Thank you, Linda.

OPINION

LETTERS CORRECTION: Last week’s GarCo Report covered the GAME Act, a proposed legislative land exchange, regarding lands on the Roan Plateau. The article did not mention B Scott Smith’s Out of Bounds Ranch (OOB) on County Road 115. Bureau of Land Management land near the OOB Ranch may be subject to the potential land exchange. The GAME Act has yet to be introduced in Congress. The Sun is looking into this clarification and will provide more information as it becomes available.

Welcome to Camp Bonedale

Deborah Colley and Jamie Abbott are all smiles come fair time. Courtesy photo

Some might say, “It’s hard to believe we’re celebrating 55 years of Mountain Fair,” but anyone who has been part of the spirited and mighty volunteer crews that have planned, built and run this fair year after year wouldn’t be surprised at all.

Mountain Fair has an enduring magic and momentum, fueled by the love, generosity and dedication of this community.

In our 55th year, we’re tipping our hats to Mountain Fair’s legendary “Camp Bonedale”— an unofficial but beloved gathering spot within the fairgrounds during the 1980s and 1990s, where friends and family reunited and spent time together throughout the fair.

Over the past five and a half decades, the Carbondale Mountain Fair has taken many forms, shaped by the unique cast of community members who have contributed something special year after year.

Some traditions have endured, like the Pie & Cake Contests, while others have faded and later returned, like Tug-O-War.

2 THE SOPRIS SUN | soprissun.com | July 16-22, 2026

Through it all, the fair’s strongest and most enduring tradition has been its multigenerational volunteer spirit — the force that has kept Mountain Fair joyful, vibrant and free for all.

We invite you, dear fair-goer, to bring your own special offering to the 55th Carbondale Mountain Fair in whatever way you are able!

Jamie Abbott Executive Director Carbondale Arts Deborah Colley Chief of Operations Mountain Fair

A community inspiration I was shocked and saddened to learn of Linda Criswell’s passing from the lovely obituary in the July 2-8 issue of The Sopris Sun. I did not know Linda well, though I admired her greatly, so the news of this loss had not trickled to me. Living on Missouri Heights, as I have for the past four years, I no longer bump into the grapevine like I did when I was in town.

My admiration for Linda was mostly from afar, even then: for her leadership in establishing the community oven and the sharing it facilitated (I only participated continued on page 18

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

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Send your scuttlebutt to news@soprissun.com

RVR sale

OUR UNDERWRITERS AND NONPROFIT PARTNERS!

Following The Sun’s reporting of its impending sale, The Aspen Times reported on July 14 that the River Valley Ranch golf club transaction is a done deal. Palm Tree Crew, cofounded by Norwegian DJ and producer Kygo, Major Food Group and 8K Capital partnered to acquire the 187-acre facility, previously listed at $24.5 million.

“The buyers want to further activate the site as a driver for regional economic and cultural growth, drawing more visitors, bolstering the area’s luxury hospitality and residential markets and lifting the surrounding community’s long-term profile,” The Times reported based on a press release.

Mountain Fair volunteers Join an impassioned group of over 500 Mountain Fair-minded folks by volunteering for the vibrant, community-focused weekend, July 24-26, with Carbondale Arts. “Volunteers are the heartbeat of Mountain Fair, and in all ways we can’t do it without that support,” Carbondale Arts said in a newsletter. “But also, the folks that step up to make this event happen every year are dedicated, most often hilarious, hardworking and make great company. It’s the best way to experience the fair.” Folks who volunteer for more than four hours get a free “Friend of Fair” shirt. Sign up at tinyurl.com/ mountainfairvolunteer2026

Climate discussion

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

Learn about Carbondale’s climate progress and take part in a discussion about community environmental goals during “Carbondale’s Climate Progress: Past, Present & What’s Next.” The event, hosted by CLEER, Garfield Clean Energy, the Town of Carbondale and its Environmental Board, will take place from 6 to 7:30pm, Tuesday, July 21, in the Third Street Center’s Calaway Room. The event is free, open to the public and snacks and drinks will be provided.

Structure smoke The Carbondale & Rural Fire Protection District responded to a report from a resident of a possible structure fire at Red Hill Lofts on July 8, resulting in the evacuation of the building. “Firefighters traced the smoke to melted insulation inside walls of the structure and confirmed there was no active fire in the building,” according to a press release. “The smoke in the Red Hill Lofts was caused by hydrofluorocarbons from their HVAC unit,” Deputy Chief Jenny Cutright later told The Sun. “There was no fire.”

Lethal wolf removal Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) last week released a final report regarding its lethal removal of an uncollared gray wolf in Routt County on June 12. Evidence showed that the wolf, CPW said in the report, was responsible for at least 22 depredations from July 2025 to June 2026, including two in Routt County on June 10 and 11. Before the removal, the livestock producer tried a variety of nonlethal deterrence methods, to no avail, and did not have any known attractants drawing the wolf to the area. The agency concluded that depredation would continue unless the wolf was lethally removed. To view the report, visit tinyurl.com/CPWwolfremoval

Indecent exposure The Carbondale Police Department (CPD) is investigating an alleged indecent exposure incident involving a child victim. The allegation is that a man approached the fence of a home on the 100 block of Garfield Avenue around 3pm on Saturday, July 11, exposing himself in front of the victim. While neighboring security camera footage does

The Carbondale & Rural Fire Protection District responded quickly to a fire on White Hill Sunday afternoon, July 12. The department was paged at 3:09pm and the 0.6-acre fire was out within a matter of a few hours, with crews clearing the scene at 7:20pm. “We want people to know that fire danger remains extreme. Although we have received small amounts of rain — and more may be coming — it has not been enough to meaningfully reduce the risk,” Deputy Chief Jenny Cutright told The Sun. “We encourage anyone who sees smoke to call 9-1-1 immediately. The sooner we know about a fire, the faster we can respond and work to keep it small.” Photo courtesy of Carbondale Fire

corroborate that someone did approach the fence, the video quality is not clear enough to provide an accurate description at this time, according to CPD. The department is working with the Colorado Bureau of Investigation to see if the video quality can be enhanced to better identify the suspect. The department could only say that the suspect was wearing a dark T-shirt and dark shorts. In cases involving child victims, forensic interviews are conducted through Riverbridge Regional Center. Any information can be reported to CPD at 970-963-2662.

They say it’s your birthday!

Folks celebrating another trip around the sun this week include: Diana Alcantara, Katie Browne, Bel Carpenter, Tony Spires and Niki Turner (July 16); Eric Brendlinger, JoAnn Glassier, Merrill Johnson, Luke Spaulding, Kim Stacey and Jason Steinberg (July 17); Kenna Crampton, Heidi Paul, Dawn Rains, Molly Stark-Ragsdale and Jacque Whitsitt (July 18); Tony Comer, Edgar Reyna and Annie Van Druten (July 19); Ed Anderson, Amy Burdick, Dave Dixon, Pat Morrissy and Heather Henry (July 20); Jordan Ebel, Ernie Kollar, Colleen Weinfurter, Brian Wexler and Bonnie Williams (July 21); Louie Girardot, Jessica Kollar and Elley McBrayer (July 22).

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THE SOPRIS SUN | Your weekly community connector | July 16-22, 2026 3

Local educator aligns the stars to ease college applications KATE PHILLIPS Sopris Sun Correspondent

Robin Colt, a University of California, Los Angeles-certified college admissions consultant, knows what it takes to help students shine in the admissions room.

“What we want is to create a story,” Colt said. “The admissions person wants to see that whole person on the page and not just a checklist. I’m here to help connect the dots.”

Since launching Robin Colt College Consulting a few years ago, the Carbondale resident has been empowering students to create compelling applications for their best-fit schools.

She offers multiple one-on-one comprehensive packages that span the entire arc of college admissions from ninth grade to college move-in day. And now, Colt is thrilled to announce her latest offering, Star Map: a selfpaced, online college planning course for high school students.

“Star Map has been in the corner of my mind since I started consulting,” Colt said. “I am so excited to bring the same content and resources I use with my one-on-one students to a broader community at a fraction

of the price.”

According to the American School Counselor’s Association, guidance counselors only spend 38 minutes per student discussing college admissions. Colt said Star Map is a great access point for students.

“There is a wide range of access to college counseling in the U.S., and some schools are lucky to have an integrative curriculum in place, many are not,” Colt said.

“School-based counselors often have more than 300 students on their caseload and that individualized time becomes challenging.

I see my work as another opportunity and resource to lean on.”

Star Map is unique in that it provides trusted, high-quality consulting at a self-guided pace.

Already adopted by collegeprep institutions nationwide, the cumulative program includes eight online modules, supplemental materials and live office hours. With over five hours of instruction the program begins with a self-discovery module that illuminates the student’s north star through personal inventories, career quizzes and strength surveys. Onward, the modules focus on college list inventories, test strategies, resumes and letters

of recommendation, financial aid, an essay workshop, understanding the Common Application (an online platform where students can apply to over 1,000 colleges and universities), the decisions and enrollment period and special circumstances.

“Module eight you can choose your own adventure,” Colt said. “I wanted to provide individualized lessons on things like military academies and ROTC (Reserve Officers’ Training Corps), student athletes, neurodivergence and LGBTQ+ support on campuses.

This last module spans this wide range of both student interest and special circumstances.”

Star Map students stay organized with the College Research Tracker that monitors details like upcoming college visits, scholarships and supplemental essays for the student’s prospective schools.

In a clear spreadsheet, students can share their progress with parents or a guidance counselor for additional accountability.

More than a “plug and play” online course, Colt provides three live Zoom sessions. In these meetings, students ask questions and receive additional guidance during critical application periods in the fall. The sessions are

Robin Colt, Carbondale resident and founder of Robin Colt College Consulting, eases the complexities of the college admissions process with her comprehensive consulting packages. Recently she launched Star Map, a self-paced online program that offers premiere college consulting at a fraction of the cost. Courtesy photo

recorded and archived for revisiting even years later.

Fit over fame philosophy An educator with over 15 years of classroom experience, Colt became interested in college consulting while teaching at Colorado Rocky Mountain School (CRMS). She was also a dorm parent and often spent those hours advising seniors on academic course selection, college lists and essay writing. It was also during that time she connected with Betsy

Bingham-John, CRMS’s former director of College Counseling and Colt’s mentor.

“She is such an incredible and experienced college counselor and wonderful member of our community,” Colt said.

“So much of her legacy and now my work in terms of best practices and approach of working with students is really studentcentered. It’s balanced and very focused on fit over fame.”

With fit over fame, Colt helps students become less concerned about the school’s name and more interested in how they fit into the campus community.

“I want to throw prestige and college rankings out the window and not focus on the bumper sticker,” Colt said. “Instead I want to understand the student’s Four P’s: people, passion, place and price.”

By taking the time to better understand their Four P’s and details, like learning styles and preferred environments, students can find their best-fit school. Citing a Wake Forest University study, Colt said the best indicator for student success is a sense of belonging. When a student can see themself on campus they feel safe enough to stretch their comfort zone and apply for a research position or internship, study abroad or try out for the team. continued on page 15

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Air quality safety, as recommended by an expert ANNALISE GRUETER Sopris Sun Correspondent

Air quality impacts of wildfire go beyond visible smoke.

In a year that Colorado has seen 17 fires over 1,000 acres, with six of those large wildfires having started in the last month, air quality is top of mind for many people. The Sopris Sun spoke with air pollution and environmental health expert Michael Petroni, PhD, to learn more about how wildfires affect air quality and what people can do to protect themselves.

Petroni did his graduate work at Syracuse University and State University of New York Environmental Science and Forestry, but has family ties to Colorado and has been visiting the Rockies since he was a child. He has worked with ProPublica on air pollutant exposure risk factors and spent over three years with the United States Environmental Protection Agency’s Sustainability and Pollution Prevention Branch. Petroni describes his motivation for his work as “making invisible environmental exposures visible and useful to regular people.”

Petroni says that self-protection from smoke and other transient air pollution is all about timing.

“The most useful thing I can tell people is that smoke is forecastable,” he said, “and the window before it arrives is when you have the most leverage. Most people react once the sky is already orange — the payoff is in acting a day ahead.”

Colorado’s location in North America means that winds often move northeast across the state, though they can sometimes move due north or northwest when powerful pressure systems push up from the Gulf of Mexico. Even when the state does not have active wildfires, smoke can move through from Utah, Nevada, Arizona and New Mexico.

Petroni recommends having a clean air plan for bad smoke days.

“When you know smoke is inbound, set up one ‘clean air room’ — usually a bedroom — with a HEPA purifier before

the air turns. The actions compound, sealing windows alone cuts indoor levels roughly in half and adding HEPA filtration brings a room from hazardous to moderate inside the same house,” he said.

“Stage your N95 or KN95 respirators where you can grab them, run your [ventilation or air conditioning] on recirculate with a good filter and reschedule anything strenuous outdoors,” Petroni continued. “Have a specific plan for the higher-risk people in the household — kids, older adults and anyone with heart or lung conditions.”

“The biggest misconception is that a bad smoke day is just a bigger version of a normal bad air day,” Petroni said.

“They are not the same. Urban PM2.5 tops out around 55 µg/m3 on a rough day and ozone peaks are predictable; a nearby wildfire can push past 450 µg/m3, a qualitatively different exposure. Furthermore, evidence suggests wildfire PM2.5 may be more toxic per microgram than ordinary urban particulate.”

“The second misconception is that once the sky clears, you’re fine,” Petroni said. “The biology doesn’t reset that fast. Each heavy smoke event sets off lung and cardiovascular inflammation that can linger for weeks, and repeated seasons leave measurable, lasting changes. This includes lung function that never fully returns to baseline, accelerated cardiovascular damage, even emerging evidence of neuroinflammation. The clearest example is wildland firefighters, otherwise fit adults, who show elevated lung-cancer and cardiovascular mortality.”

Fortunately, there are multiple levels to protecting oneself during periods of poor air quality, according to Petroni.

“Reduce what you breathe in,” he said, take advantage of filtered indoor air, and use properly fitted N95. “Fit matters as much as the rating,” he continued. “Press the nose bridge and check for leaks.” He noted that “surgical and cloth masks do essentially nothing against smoke particles.” Finally, “Cut physical exertion, since heavier breathing drives particles deeper.” continued on page 7

Screenviews from the new PollutionProfile app show Western wildfires and smoke patterns and cumulative air quality tracking. Courtesy photo

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THE SOPRIS SUN | Your weekly community connector | July 16-22, 2026 5

Photojournalist shines a light on forgotten communities of the American West MYKI JONES Arts Correspondent

Dustin Mullin, a resident of the Roaring Fork Valley for two years, has always had a passion for telling stories through photography. His current project, “Derailed,” displays the day-to-day lives of the community in Green River, Utah, more specifically, who and what remains of the town.

The project, which Mullin says will be a small chapter in a much bigger photographic documentary about isolated towns in the American West, focuses on why few remaining residents choose to stay.

Having gotten into documentary photography in his teenage years back in his home state of Maryland, he has always used his lens to focus on the stories and experiences of people in communities facing hardships — casting a light of resilience and nostalgia.

He recalled his first big photo essay project, which took place shortly after the September 11 attacks in New York City, when he discussed with locals how still living in the city was affecting them.

“I was 15, and I was living about four hours from New York City. In November of that year, my mom took me out so I could document what there was to document, and I did a little short photo essay of what the people were experiencing at the time.

I took some photos of the recovery, and I think that’s what sparked my interest in this type of photography,” Mullin told The Sun. “Then, I spent many years moving back and forth across the country, just taking

Dustin Mullin captures the view through the fence of a cattle enclosure in Green River, Utah in 2026. Photo courtesy of Dustin Mullin

photographs, not really pursuing it seriously up until more recently.”

The idea for “Derailed” came to him when he was living in Philadelphia, but had gone on a camping trip to Goblin Valley State Park with a group of friends. On a grocery run to Green River, Mullin was immediately struck by its ghost-town-like presence.

“My first time visiting [Green River], I had noticed this place was declining. There are buildings falling apart and not being maintained,” Mullin said. “I was curious.”

“I was curious as to why I was even in this town getting groceries. I thought, ‘Is there a grocery store?’ At first, it looked like I had

6 THE SOPRIS SUN | soprissun.com | July 16-22, 2026

maybe gone on the wrong road,” he continued. “And when I got into that grocery store and saw how well-kept and beautiful it was for being where it was, I started to think more deeply. Like there are people here, and I wonder what keeps them here in this isolated place.”

During his many trips back to Green River since that 2022 camping trip, Mullin has collected stories of those who remain, tying them back to the area’s history.

Green River, according to a 2020 census, was home to 847 people.

During his time there, Mullin also researched surrounding areas. Cisco, Utah,

located near the junction of State Route 128 and Interstate 70, once boomed as the host to a railway depot, and later as a center of oil mining in the 1920s, before declining in the 1970s after the construction of Interstate 70.

“I thought of what I have seen on a broader level; like how a lot of these older towns that are more isolated used to have industry that kept them afloat: mining, railroads, etc.,” Mullin said. “Green River itself had an Air Force base there for a while that brought in economic movement … and then things changed. Interstates are built, railroads aren’t as important as they used to be, things like that just struck my curiosity.”

“Memory and nostalgia are a huge reason as to why a lot of people stay,” he continued. “The serenity, the quiet, the beauty of nature around them. And it is beautiful. I mean, it’s this massive open desert surrounded by the Book Cliffs … all these Mesas, and it’s a beautiful place. I can see why they wouldn’t want to leave.”

Mullin has submitted his photos for the project to several open calls and is hoping to have the full catalog available in print by the end of the year. He hopes that his work and the stories of those living in these areas will help to shed light on economic shifts that continue to happen, and how such massive changes affect the common person.

For more information or to see where this project takes him next, visit dustinmullin.com

How wide is your Pondo?

JAMES STEINDLER Editor-in-Chief

Chuck Ogilby is proud of his trees, in particular a couple large Ponderosa pines on his Hell Roaring Ranch property off of the Crystal River Road, about halfway between Carbondale and Redstone. One of the Ponderosas may even be the largest one in the area … but that remains a mystery.

For Ogilby’s 65th birthday, he wanted to climb that tall tree, along with some help from his son Kayo and his friend Mark Sumera.

After shooting an arrow with a climbing rope attached to the end of it high in its branches, Ogilby made it about half way up, but his fear of heights got the best of him. The younger two made it to the top for an eagle’s eye view.

That was nearly 20 years ago.

Ogilby couldn’t say how much the tree has grown since his family moved to the property in 1979, but an Engelmann spruce, another prized arbol at Hell Roaring, has doubled in size since.

Today, from the downhill side, the sky-scraping pine measures at 147 inches (or 12-feet, 3 inches) in circumference at chest height. In comparison, Colorado’s Champion Ponderosa, according to the Colorado Tree Coalition, measured last at 178.04 inches in circumference. It’s located where many of the great Ponderosas in Colorado are, in the southwest part of the state in the San Juan National Forest.

Colorado’s Champion Tree List is put together and maintained by the Colorado Tree Coalition, a volunteer-based organization that monitors the state’s inventory.

“One of the second place Ponderosa pines is right at 147-inch[es in]

circumference,” Champion Tree Coordinator Neal Bamesberger told The Sun. Champion tree measurements factor in the circumference, height and spread of the branches (or crown spread). So while the first place Ponderosa has a circumference of 178.04 inches, a Ponderosa tied in second place has a circumference of 194.37 inches.

Carbondale Town Arborist Carl Meinecke recently became a board member with the Colorado Tree Coalition, and noted that there are a few trees in town on the 2026 Champion Tree list, including an Arborvitae and a Silver maple. He nominated another Arborative next to the historic Thompson House, which he said is the second or third champion of its kind.

“I am not aware of the largest Ponderosa Pines in our area,” Meinecke said, “but I do love a big pondo.”

Meineke hosts the Carbondale Tree Walk on Thursday, July 16, starting out from Town Hall at 6pm, ahead of the Town’s tree inventory project getting underway on July 21.

No Ponderosas in the Roaring Fork Watershed are currently on the championship list, but one tied for fourth is in the Gunnison National Forest. Ogilby is aware of another Ponderosa in Redstone that he said measures slightly larger than his in circumference.

Do you think you know of a burgeoning Ponderosa in the area with a larger circumference? Let us know by emailing news@soprissun.com If you have a Champion Tree contender, you can nominate it at coloradotrees.org

Chuck Ogilby measures his (personal) prize Ponderosa with a grin. Photo by James Steindler

AIR QUALITY from page 5 “The part people rarely hear is that how you take care of your body matters too, because so much of smoke’s harm runs through inflammation and oxidative stress,” Petroni said. “Emerging evidence suggests an antioxidant-rich diet. This includes plenty of fruits and vegetables, omega-three fatty acids, which may help blunt some of that inflammatory response.

Staying well hydrated supports your body’s clearance, and it’s worth going easy on alcohol during heavy smoke since it adds to the inflammatory load.”

And, apparently, cleaning after smoke is important.

“When the smoke clears, fine soot and ash don’t disappear,” Petroni said. “They settle onto surfaces inside and outside your home, and they’re not just burned wood.

Wildfire and especially structure-fire residues can carry PAHs, heavy metals and other combustion byproducts. Ash from burned buildings can contain lead and asbestos. The hazard is that this settled soot gets re-suspended into the air you breathe every time it’s disturbed — walking across it, dry-sweeping or running a leaf blower.”

Petroni recommends using damp wiping and a HEPA vacuum rather than dry sweeping, wearing an N95 mask while cleaning, keeping kids and pets away from ash and avoiding tracking outdoor soot into the home. Petroni said that he recommends the WatchDuty app for tracking fire and smoke. He has also been developing his own app, PollutionProfile, which forecasts air pollutant exposure and offers guidance for managing such risks.

THE SOPRIS SUN | Your weekly community connector | July 16-22, 2026 7

GARFIELD COUNTY REPORT

AMY HADDEN MARSH Sopris Sun Correspondent

Water, housing study and a new subdivision on the books

Longtime Peach Valley resident Fred Kuersten spoke up about water during the morning public comment period at Monday’s Garfield Board of County Commissioner (BOCC) meeting.

“Every week, you see in the paper where the people want to do new subdivisions and tear up farm ground and whatnot,” he began. “And this year it’s been especially bad, because one thing I don’t think anybody’s looking at is the water. What are these people going to do for water for these places?”

Kuersten mentioned his well, drilled in 1974, and how the water diminishes every year, how people go to Silt, New Castle and Rifle to haul water and how some Silt Mesa wells have run dry.

“The commissioners need to sit back and hold off on any more development until they do some kind of research on the water,” he continued. “Because, you know, once water’s gone, it’s gone.”

The BOCC largely agreed with Kuersten.

Commission Chair Tom Jankovsky said, “Water is the lifeblood of Western Colorado.”

He added that the BOCC has approved minor subdivisions as a use-by-right and that developers must show adequate water supply.

“But that doesn’t necessarily mean that they have the water,” he explained. “They have it maybe legally, but it doesn’t mean

“Fires, wells dry, critters gone. Perfect. When do we start building?” that they have the physical water.”

They approved the consent agenda, including a comment letter to the Bureau of Land Management concerning the December 2026 oil and gas lease sale.

Jankovsky made it known that he did not want to go through another environmental review about leases on the Roan Plateau.

He added that negotiations resulted in protection for the area for 20 years, except for two of the leases that may be up for auction in December.

“I’m sure that you’ll see the letters to the editor and comments from the environmental community about how beautiful and pristine this is — and it is,” he said. “But it’s not any different than the rest of Western Colorado.”

A presentation of a housing needs assessment of the Roaring Fork and Colorado River valleys was next up, which did not sit well with Commissioner Mike Samson.

“It’s a little depressing to me,” he commented after the presentation. “It really is.”

In 2024, the Colorado legislature passed Senate Bill 24-174, requiring local governments to complete a housing needs assessment (HNA) by Dec. 31, 2026.

The report for the Roaring Fork and Colorado River valleys is being showcased from Aspen to Parachute.

The Sopris Sun reported on the HNA in June, when it was presented to the Carbondale Town Trustees.

Liz Axberg, housing policy analyst for the City of Aspen, and Rachel Shindman of Economic & Planning Systems, Inc., contracted for the project, handled Monday’s report and fielded questions from the BOCC. The HNA explores housing trends, prices and demographics in Pitkin and Garfield counties and the Roaring Fork Valley portion of Eagle County.

“This is really intended to help us understand the magnitude of housing need in the area, where that need is coming from and then what trends we’re seeing,” said Shindman.

Highlights included population age, job types and housing trends, area median income (AMI) and how locals are struggling to afford housing. Shindman pointed out that more people call Garfield County home than work in the county, and that more housing units are occupied in Garfield County than in Pitkin. continued on page 14

MARBLE REPORT

Freight Farm fracas, more groaning about zzzoning DJ SUGAR MONKEY Sopris Sun Correspondent

The July 10 meeting of the Town of Marble’s Board of Trustees began well enough, but soon turned fractious. Noting a welcome change in the weather, Mayor Ryan Vinciguerra declared, “Bring on the rain!” in welcoming the dozen or so attending residents.

Presenting the Treasurer’s Report, Amy Rusby cheerfully proclaimed that the Town’s reserves stood at $585,000, up a vertiginous 24% from the same point in 2025. There followed a short public hearing, after which a variance was granted to Dylan and Stella Craaybeek to construct a new garage on their property on West Park Street. The Mayor took the opportunity to serve up a reminder that “The town does not grant variances casually.”

Next on the agenda was a discussion about the East Marble Freight Farm and the building adjacent to it owned and operated by Jyoti’s Seeds for Change, a nonprofit managed

by Karen Good, also the owner of the nearby Beaver Lake Lodge and Cabins. The farm grows top-quality produce to sell to the community, and is incorporated within a larger structure intended to be an educational space for

students of the Marble Charter School and a venue for agricultural tourism. This space is still under construction, and has yet to be granted a certificate of occupancy (COO).

Good argued that the farm (which has been operating as a commercial entity for three weeks without a certificate) be treated as a stand-alone unit, adding that she “could find nowhere in the [Town’s] code that says you can’t walk through a construction site that has no COO.” Trustee Dustin Wilkey noted that “If it was just by itself, [there would be] no issue [as a] stand-alone agricultural unit.” Acknowledging the farm’s unquestionable value to the community, Mayor Vinciguerra told Good that nonetheless she had “jumped the gun a little.”

The trustees agreed to provide Good with a letter to share with the board of the nonprofit, explaining why the farm has to cease business until a COO has been issued.

Trustee Amber McMahill read out a letter of complaint from Good’s neighbor, Kelsy Been, who criticized the shortcomings of the Town’s zoning code. In response, Town Administrator Ron Leach said he considered the container and venue space a single structure, and proceeded to describe the

8 THE SOPRIS SUN | soprissun.com | July 16-22, 2026

increasing tension he experiences between the need to stick to the zoning code and that of helping residents work together.

“We do the best we can in good faith,” he said, adding that “zoning codes can be tough to interpret and enforce.”

The Mayor concluded that until the local building department issued a COO for the entire building, the Freight Farm would not be allowed to operate as a commercial entity.

Next, liquor licenses were renewed for the Slow Groovin’ restaurant and Raspberry Ridge Café (both owned by Mayor Vinciguerra), leading Mayor Pro Tem Larry Good to quip, “That was so quick and easy. Are you sure you’re not getting special treatment?”

Representing her 7-year-old daughter MJ, Town employee Karly Anderson submitted a business license application for Critter’s Lemonade and Snacks, an occasional refreshment stand.

Under Colorado law, children are not obliged to have a business license for such an operation, but the mayor praised Anderson and her young daughter for their enthusiasm to adhere to the rules.

Councilman Wilkey, however, questioned the threat that the child’s lemonade stand might pose to Brian Souter’s nearby pop stand,

nine years in the making and still not open for business. Wilkey’s comments were met with an audible sigh of dismay but the license was unanimously granted.

When the issue of pay raises for the Town’s three employees arose, McMahill suggested an increase of 7%, which was countered by Wilkey at 5%. Good remarked, “This really isn’t a good time to be a grinch,” and the matter was settled at 7% by four votes to one, Wilkey dissenting.

The Town and the privately

owned Marble Water Company (MWC) are due to discuss a potential resolution, which Leach described as “the most important issue facing the town.” MWC leases the Town’s water rights in a contract that expires in August 2028. The two parties have been at loggerheads for months and Leach proposed he act as mediator in an effort to break the impasse. An executive session was set to discuss the topic at 5pm on August 6, ahead of the regular monthly meeting at 6pm.

Trustee Amber McMahill suggested a 7% pay increase for the three Town employees, which was approved by the board (4-1).

Photo by DJ Sugar Monkey

CARBONDALE REPORT

Highway 82 decongestion could need the stick, not the carrot SKYLER STARK-RAGSDALE Managing Editor

Disincentives might be the way to cure Highway 82 traffic qualms.

The Roaring Fork Transportation Coalition discussed this conclusion with the Carbondale Board of Trustees at a work session Tuesday evening, part of an effort to gather feedback throughout the Roaring Fork Valley on their initial congestion solutions.

Currently, 34,500 empty seats enter Aspen every day, said representatives of the 28-person coalition, composed of current and former elected officials, business leaders, commuters and more. Filling 7% of those seats would essentially cure the Valley’s congestion, they told trustees. Orchestrating ride sharing, enhancing Roaring Fork Transportation Authority bus services and improving aspects of the roadways are necessary steps — and part of the coalition’s plan — to improve congestion.

But while these measures would improve traffic in the short term, drivers could return to the road when they see congestion improving, eliminating the progress, Coalition Member and Snowmass Town Councilor Susan Marolt told The Sopris Sun on Wednesday.

“So you need some sort of a disincentive to make sure people don’t fill those lanes back up after the overall volume was reduced by those solutions,” she added.

This disincentive could come in the form of tolls and congestion fees, according to the coalition. They presented a two-phase approach to disincentivize low-occupancy vehicles and incentivize carpooling or public transit usage.

Phase one would introduce a High Occupancy Toll (HOT) Express Lane, in which cars with three or more occupants could use for free at their leisure.

When space allows, vehicles with two or less occupants could use the lane for a fee. The fee to use the lane would be dynamic, changing every five minutes depending on congestion, Coalition Member and Former Aspen Mayor John Bennett said.

“They’re based on traffic levels,” Bennett said. “When the speed [of traffic] slows down, the algorithm increases the fee.”

He added that the community would set a minimum speed for the lane. When the traffic speed of the HOT is too slow, low occupancy vehicles would be barred from using it, Marolt told The Sun. The HOT would not always have to be

Retired physical therapist Sue Zislis, backed by Age-Friendly Carbondale, spoke to the Carbondale Board of Trustees during public comment on Tuesday evening about the need for an accessible door to Town Hall. Photo by Skyler Stark-Ragsdale

an express lane. It could be put to use, for example, during rush hour upvalley in the morning, and rush hour downvalley in the afternoon, Marolt said. The coalition plans to study where it would be most effective, but has not yet determined specific locations for the lane.

Phase two of disincentivizing low-occupancy vehicle use would introduce a Peak Hour Congestion Reduction Fee, charging all vehicles with two or less occupants, regardless of lane, in certain areas of the Valley. The fee would be calibrated to keep traffic from slowing below a desired speed.

He added that, from a financial perspective, this phase would save the average

commuter in winter and summer seasons 2.5 to five billable hours per week.

“That’s more time than you could spend with your families,” Bennett said. “And it’s also more time you could work.”

The fees would also generate revenue that could be reinvested into rideshare systems, public transit or roadway improvements. The coalition estimated that the HOT lane would generate $5 million, to $10 million, annually, while the two-lane congestion fee would generate $10 million to $20 million annually.

Trustee Ross Kribbs asked how the lanes and fees would be enforced, especially given the “surveillance state concerns that we have already.” continued on page 14

BASALT REPORT

Residential-storage development continues to stir debate WILL BUZZERD Sopris Sun Correspondent

During this week’s meeting, Basalt Town Council continued a hearing for an application to build a split commercial storage and residential development at 555 Basalt Avenue for a third time. The project has proven to be a tough sell over the past several months.

The council also made moves toward the development of its portfolio of municipal properties, holding hearings for the acquisition and annexation of municipal land for a new public services building.

The contested application for the development at 555 Basalt Avenue was first presented to the council by MREH LLC on March 24 as a plan to develop 54 commercial storage units and 47 residential units. Due to objections by councilors, including that the project in its current state did not serve community needs for affordable housing and that the commercial storage aspect of the plan would have the unintended consequence of increased traffic in the area, the first reading of this plan has been continued several times — first to April 28 and then to June 9.

The plan presented to council this week has changed to include a reduction in the quantity of

A 3D mockup shows the residential-storage development proposal for 555 Basalt Avenue in its latest form, which includes 12 live/work units and two community-serving commercial spaces at the property’s north end.

Courtesy graphic

commercial storage and residential units to 42 and 30, respectively, and the addition of 12 live/ work units and two communityserving commercial spaces.

Fifty-percent of the residential units have been designated as deed restricted. Furthermore, much of the development has been prioritized for the usage of Basalt residents and workers.

The applicant proposed that six of these live/work units be deed-restricted, while the other six be part of a “locals” program and offered to Basalt residents and business owners exclusively for the first 90 days on the

market. In addition, the applicant proposed that 18 of the storage units be offered for sale as art studios or business incubator spaces for the first 120 days.

Several councilors argued that the “locals” proposal was insufficient in its current form.

“That model has been used before unsuccessfully,” Councilor Elyse Hottel said. “It needs to be marketed early and often so that people understand what it is and what the value is.”

Hottel added that other projects approved by the council have included a tiered approach to what kind of worker or

resident in the Roaring Fork Valley is prioritized to purchase certain properties, rather than just Basalt residents. Councilor Greg Shaffran and Mayor David Knight also emphasized that purchase prioritization should be offered at every resale in perpetuity.

Several Basalt residents came forth during the period for public comment to argue that the development was overall unfriendly to the surrounding residential and industrial neighborhood.

Residents argued that the development would increase the vehicle traffic in a neighborhood which is already overburdened, especially

by travel to and from Basalt High School. It was argued that this increased traffic would reduce local parking and pose a safety hazard to residents.

Another heavily contested point of the project has been its adjacency to Fiou Lane, which is a one-way road that has been viewed as insufficient in its current state for the level of use proposed by the development.

“The locals program and similar programs where there’s an initial offering period, I generally feel are inadequate for preserving workforce housing,” Knight said. “They just turn into free-market housing, so there has to be something more binding in the long run.”

The council has opted to continue the first reading a third time, pushing another review out to Aug. 11.

In terms of developing its own municipal properties, the council has approved the annexation of two parcels of land for the development of its combined Public Works and Police Department building.

The Town is also hosting an open house on the site at 20526 Highway 82, off of Original Road, at which participants can meet the development team, ask questions and offer feedback on the plan. The open house will be held Monday, July 20 from 5 to 7pm.

THE SOPRIS SUN | Your weekly community connector | July 16-22, 2026 9

CALENDAR THURSDAY, JULY 16

‘EMERGENCE’ Ahead of Aspen Dance Connection’s “Emergence” performance at TACAW tomorrow, Maureen Breeze teaches youth some dance moves at the Carbondale Library today at 10am.

CARE FOR CAREGIVERS True Nature welcomes caregivers to receive support from 5:30 to 7pm.

Register at truenaturehealingarts.com TREE WALK Join Carbondale’s arborist for a tour of trees and information about the upcoming tree inventory beginning at Town Hall at 6pm.

LIBRARY MUSIC The Basalt Library invites talented students from the Aspen Music Festival and School Chamber Recitals to play from 5:15 to 6:15pm.

Celebrate World Breastfeeding Week 2026 In honor of World Breastfeeding week, join AVH for an Ice Cream Social to recognize the Roaring Fork Valley’s families.

Where: Aspen Valley Health Lawn When: Friday, August 7, 2026 Time: Noon-2 pm Enjoy complimentary ice cream and meet our team of experienced Lactation Consultants.

No RSVP necessary, just come by!

THE AMERICAN EXPERIMENT James Cleaver guides an open discussion, “Freedom, Power and the American Experiment,” examining key tensions in American civic life from 6 to 7:30pm at Colorado Mountain College’s Glenwood Center. Register at tinyurl.com/CMCAmericanExperiment GLENWOOD VAUDEVILLE Glenwood Vaudeville Revue screens “The Great K&A Train Robbery,” a silent film, at 6pm in partnership with Glenwood Springs Historical Society. Tickets at gvrshow.com/ reserve.html#reservations SINGER-SONGWRITERS Steve’s Guitars hosts the Mountain Fair 2026 singer-songwriter contest auditions at 6:30pm.

‘THE PROM’ Stage of Life Theatre Company’s mainstage summer production, “The Prom,” premieres at the Thunder River Theatre tonight and continues tomorrow and Saturday at 7pm with a Sunday show at 2pm. Next weekend also features Thursday-Saturday shows at 7pm and a Sunday matinee. Tickets at soltheatrecompany.org SMOKIN’ & ROCKIN’ Smokin’ Joe and Rockin’ Randall perform at Heather’s Savory Pies from 7 to 10pm.

FRIDAY, JULY 17 To stay up-to-date on all things AVH, join our social media community. Follow us on Instagram, Facebook or LinkedIn, @aspenvalleyhealth, and sign up below for a chance to win a Mompush Ultimate 2 Baby Stroller. One lucky winner will be notified on Monday, August 10, 2026.

LEARNING FESTIVAL The Glenwood Library hosts a free learning festival for kids, kindergarten through high school, with STEM activities presented by students of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology from 9:45am to 3:15pm.

VICTORIA PENNOCK Catch the music of Michael and Victoria Pennock as part of the Garfield Public Libraries Summer Music Series at the Third Street Center at 4pm.

SIR DAVID ATTENBOROUGH The Aspen Center for Environmental Studies presents “Forty Years of Wildlife Filmmaking with Sir David Attenborough” at Paepcke Auditorium in Aspen at 5pm, free with registration at aspennature.org

10 THE SOPRIS SUN | soprissun.com | July 16-22, 2026

RIVER SPELL River Spell, featuring local musician Zack Ritchie, plays at Townline Trucks at 7pm. Details at riverspellmusic.com VALLE MUSICO Valle Musico performs at Heather’s Savory Pies from 7 to 10pm.

‘EMERGENCE’ Aspen Dance Connection presents “EMERGENCE,” a Colorado Choreographers Showcase, at TACAW at 7:30pm.

Tickets at tacaw.org CARY MORIN DUO Cary Morin and Celeste Di Iorio return to Steve’s Guitars for an American roots concert at 8pm. Tickets at steveguitars.net

SATURDAY, JULY 18

CARBONDALE OPEN The Maroon Belles Volleyball Club hosts the second annual Youth Outdoor Volleyball Tournament at Miners Park in Carbondale with 12U, 16U and 18U pairs competing on grass and sand.

Register at carbondale-open-volleyball. eventbrite.com C’DALE YARD WASTE Carbondale residents are invited to drop off yard waste at 4th and Colorado from 9am to noon.

MEDICINAL PLANT WALK True Nature hosts a medicinal plant walk with Sondra Hamilton from 10 to 11am at the Peace Garden. Attendees will learn about plant botany, identification and wild medicine growing beneath their feet. Register at tinyurl.com/plantwalk2026 ‘MAKING MULTIPLES’ Dara Hartman teaches mold-making and slip-casting at the Carbondale Clay Center from 10am to 4pm. Register at carbondaleclay.org RANCH PICNIC Snowmass’ Anderson Ranch Arts Center invites the community to its annual Picnic and Auction from 11am to 4pm as part of its 60th anniversary celebrations.

Details at andersonranch.org RITUAL SPACE Ananda Mandala hosts Ritual Space Sound Healing with the theme of quantum shifts at 11:11am in El Jebel.

Limited space is available. The address of the event will be shared with RSVP, which can be made by emailing to ananda.mandala12@gmail.com or calling 720-726-0387.

REDSTONE CONCERT The Redstone Magical Moments concert series continues with Mai Ty, Tyler Treadway and Madi Raichart performing at Coal Basin Ranch starting at 6pm.

LP HERD LP Herd performs at Heather’s Savory Pies from 7 to 10pm.

THE DELTAZ The Deltaz perform a sold-out show at Steve’s Guitars at 8pm.

SUNDAY, JULY 19

CRYSTAL THEATRE Crystal Theatre screens “Minions & Monsters” at 6pm. The movie will also screen at 6pm on Saturday, July 18, Sunday, July 19 and Monday, July 20.

RFOV AT INDEPENDENCE Roaring Fork Outdoor Volunteer teams up with the Independence Pass Foundation, Arc’teryx Aspen and Ute Mountaineer for a maintenance project on the Jr. Olympic Climbing Access Trail on Independence Pass from 9am to 3pm.

Register to lend a hand at rfov.org

FRIDAY FLICKS Enjoy a new movie at the Basalt Library from 7 to 9pm. Seating is first come, first serve. The night will include popcorn and light refreshments until supplies run out.

TRUU Two Rivers Unitarian Universalist hosts “A Course in Miracles” with speaker Donna Lee Humble during its Sunday worship from 10 to 11am at the Third Street Center.

CARBONDALE

Community Education Classes Fundraising for Non-profits

Provides non-profit professionals with development tools to build their resource base.

Online Tues, 5:30-8:30pm, 8/4

t

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 Aspen Dance Connection presents “EMERGENCE,” a Colorado Choreographers Showcase featuring Alexandra Jerkunica (Carbondale), Amy Anderson (Engage Movement Arts), Maureen Breeze Dance Theatre (Denver) and Rebecca Fleishman and Liz Vrettos (Grand Junction) on Friday, July 17, at 7:30pm at TACAW. Aspen Dance Connection staged the Colorado Choreographers Showcase at the Wheeler Opera House for 34 years before bringing it to TACAW. Tickets can be purchased at tacaw.org Breeze, of Maureen Breeze Dance Theatre (pictured), will teach youngsters some moves ahead of the performance at the Carbondale Library on Thursday, July 16, from 10 to 11am. Courtesy photo

ORAN MOR Oran Mor performs at Heather’s Savory Pies from 11am to 2pm.

WORLD CUP FINAL The Crystal Theater hosts the World Cup Final at 1pm.

LINDA CRISWELL Join the community in celebration of Linda Romero Criswell’s many contributions and a life well-lived from 3 to 5pm at the Third Street Center.

INTERNAL FAMILY SYSTEMS Learn about internal family systems with Sayle Hutchison at True Nature from 3 to 4:30pm. Tickets at truenaturehealingarts.com SOPRIS PARK MUSIC Carbondale’s free Music in the Park series continues at Sopris Park with DJ Camo, Dank Cilantro and King David James & The Love from 5 to 8pm.

MEN’S VOICES Writ Large presents a live storytelling event at The Collective Snowmass from 6 to 7:30pm featuring five men speaking about their lived experiences. Tickets at thecollectivesnowmass.com GAY PROM SOL Theatre Company invites everyone to “The Gayest Prom You’ve Ever Heard Of,” an inclusive dance for all ages at 6pm at Thunder River Theatre, following the matinee of “The Prom” musical.

MONDAY, JULY 20

SCIENCE OF AI “The Science of Music: Music & AI” will be hosted by Aspen Science Center and the Aspen Music Festival and School at 5pm in Aspen’s Harris Concert Hall.

Tickets at tinyurl.com/musicandAI2026 KINDER STEM Kinder STEM, a camp hosted by the Aspen Science Center exploring force and motion, runs from 9 to 3:30pm daily through Friday, July 24, at Basalt Elementary School and is oriented for ages 5 and 6. Details at aspensciencecenter.org

TUESDAY, JULY 21

DINOSAUR STORY HOUR The Glenwood Library hosts dinosaur story hour at 11am, when attendees learn about their favorite extinct animals. A second dinosaur story hour

will be held at 2pm on Wednesday, July 22, at the Carbondale Library.

R E

GRIEF TO GROWTH Join one of the “Grief to Growth: Healing After Loss” sessions at the Carbondale Library from 3:30 to 5pm.

The four-part series is hosted by Sopris Lodge and HomeCare & Hospice of the Valley. Register at soprislodge.com/ grief-growth-healing-after-loss DRAWING CLUB Roaring Fork Drawing Club hosts a gathering at 6:30pm at Coal Basin Ranch near Redstone.

CLIMATE DISCUSSION The public is welcome to join a climate discussion hosted by CLEER, Garfield Clean Energy, the Town of Carbondale and its Environmental Board to discuss Carbondale’s climate progress and next environmental steps. The discussion runs from 6 to 7:30pm at the Third Street Center’s Calaway Room.

WEDNESDAY, JULY 22

Coming this Fall Zumba

High energy, aerobic fitness with upbeat world rhythms to make exercise feel like a dance party.

Mon, 6-7pm, 8/10-10/5

Aikido (TRY IT FOR FREE)

Re-direct, neutralize, or avoid an attack with this peaceful practice for conflict resolution.

Tue/Thur, 6-7:30pm, 8/11-10/1

Pilates Blend w/Natalie

Improve balance, muscle coordination, strength, and stability with Pilates principles.

Wed, 9-9:50am, 8/12-9/30

Bennett Bramson teaches “Fundraising for Non-profits,” “Pleasant Dogs...” and “How to Build a Consulting Career.”

Philosophical Tools w/Bo Persiko

Introduces ideas and strategies from philosophers’ writings and explores values and moral principles in this changing world.

Wed, 9-9:50am, 8/12-9/30

Citizenship Basics

Prepares adults for the U.S. citizenship and naturalization exam and interview. FREE Sat, 10:30am-12:30pm, 8/29-12/5

Registration for Fall is Open Don’t wait for the printed schedule to sign up.

690 Colorado Avenue Carbondale 970.963.2172

CELEBRATING A

Life Well Lived

Linda Romero Criswell Feb 11, 1949 - June 3, 2026

BASALT MUSIC SERIES Basalt’s summer music series continues with the Tyler Rust Band opening for Thrift Store Cowboys at 6pm at Basalt River Park. Can’t make the show? Tune in live at kdnk.org TIE DYE PARTY Get ready for Mountain Fair by dyeing a T-shirt or other item of clothing at the Carbondale Library from 5 to 6:30pm.

DEEP REST AND REPLENISHMENT True Nature hosts the “Shamanic Journey for Deep Rest & Replenishment” from 6 to 8:30pm at True Nature Kiva. The event is guided

by Meghan Gilroy. Register at truenaturehealingarts.com GARY SPRINGFIELD The Center for Human Flourishing hosts a livestream with Gary Springfield from 6:30 to 8pm at the Third Street Center. Author of “Source Dialogues: The Miracle Mechanism of Manifestation,” Springfield will guide attendees through meditation and teaching.

GLENWOOD CONCERT Zivanai Masango and ZiMBiRA perform world music from 6:30 to 9pm in Two Rivers Park as part of the Glenwood Springs Summer Music 2026 Concert Series.

JOIN LINDA’S FAMILY TO CELEBRATE

Linda Romero Criswell, Her many talents, great laugh, love of Carbondale, and a life well lived.

SUNDAY JULY 19TH 3:00 - 5:00 PM

THIRD STREET CENTER, COMMUNITY HALL 520 South 3rd St. Carbondale, CO.

THE PROGRAM WILL START AT 3:30 PM

If you would like to help with appetizers, flowers from your garden, or offer helping hands for this celebration contact Phi (Phi.Filerman@gmail.com).

Find more upcoming events at www.soprissun.com/tag/curated-calendar

THE SOPRIS SUN | Your weekly community connector | July 16-22, 2026 11

Sol Theatre’s ‘The Prom’ hits the TRTC Stage MYKI JONES Arts Correspondent

Beginning July 16 and running through July 26, Sol Theatre will be housed at Thunder River Theatre Company (TRTC) in Carbondale for the first show of their MainStage season, Matthew Sklar and Bob Martin’s “The Prom.” The musical details the story of four Broadway actors who travel to the conservative community of Edgewater, Indiana to vouch for Emma, a student who was banned by her high school Parent Teacher Association from taking her girlfriend Alyssa to prom. “‘The Prom’ is a story I saw on Broadway years ago with the original Broadway cast,” said Luke Ryan, director and choreographer of ‘The Prom’ and creative consultant of Sol Theatre. “I was in college at the time, and I had a lot of college alums in the show, so we got free ticket offers. And I went four different times, and I just fell in love with it.”

He explained that he fell in love with the production during this time because the show was so original and fresh. This story is inspired by a real case in which, in 2010, Constance McMillen, a high school senior at Itawamba Agricultural High School in Fulton, Miss., was banned by her school’s board from taking

From left to right: Cameron Scott, Marsalis Causey and Kaden Weis dance during tech rehearsal for “The Prom,” a musical comedy about community, acceptance and self discovery. Choreographed and directed

by Luke Ryan, the performance is full of impressive musical and dance numbers. Photo by Jennifer Austin Hughes

her girlfriend to prom. McMillen challenged this, resulting not only in the prom being canceled but also in the school being sued

by McMillen in collaboration with the American Civil Liberties Union. The school was found to have violated the student’s First Amendment rights.

“The writers of the show took this concept and this story and integrated it into a musical comedy,” Ryan said. “Still, at its core, it has this beautiful, powerful, queer message about empowerment and how the world is not

12 THE SOPRIS SUN | soprissun.com | July 16-22, 2026

great, but it’s getting better.”

This production also comes hot on the heels of not one but 10 Henry Award nominations from the Colorado Theatre Guild for Ryan’s previous directorial venture, “Cabaret,” which premiered on the TRTC stage last summer. Ryan said this news came to him powerfully and movingly and has given Sol a new burst of passion and inspiration behind their projects.

“I’m still very young to be doing what I’m doing, and so thank God Jennifer believed in a

26-year-old with Laduca boots,” Ryan said. “It’s been really exciting — I think every year we’re going to get bigger and bigger, especially now that we’ve had the honor of being recognized by the Colorado Theatre Guild and are among these other huge professional theaters in Colorado. It does mean a lot because this has been a passion project for a few years. So that was a nice way to take off.”

This cast includes the local talents of Sol Theatre Executive Director Jennifer Austin Hughes as well as Jennetta Howell, Nathan Cox, China Kwan and Christopher Wheatley. Hughes, who will be appearing on the Sol Theatre stage for the first time in a decade, looks forward to bringing this story to the community.

Additionally, she is excited for her fellow crew and castmates to connect with audiences and get a taste of the community in the Roaring Fork Valley.

“The process has been an unmitigated joy,” Hughes said. “I can’t wait for [the audience] to see the cast in full swing. The energy they bring to the stage is the same energy they have as people.

They’re a happy group of people, and we’re telling a happy story.”

In discussing the company’s main theme for this season,

Hughes said many of the shows selected for this year’s programming share a throughline of acceptance and inclusion.

“Theater is built on the blood, sweat and tears of the LGBTQIA+ community,” Hughes said.

“Theaters don’t exist without that community, and so it’s always been a safe and inclusive place.

But it’s more important than ever to highlight that. Like we told the kids in ‘Shrek’ and sang the song ‘Freak Flag.’ You have to fly your freak flag so the other freaks know where to find you. This is our way of waving a flag and saying this is where you can find us.”

Special talents from out of state include Rachel Grodek, Kurt Perry, Samuel Meyer, Justine Verheul, Annabelle Woodard, Caitlin Walsh, Marsalis Causey, Kaden Weis, Maddy Smith and Cameron Scott.

Perry, who has a background performing on several stages, including two years playing Mr. Smee in the new Broadway revival of “Peter Pan,” said his time working with Sol and being in the community has been rewarding. When asked what he hopes the show will offer audiences, Perry said he hopes that families with queer children and allies of the queer community will find a continued on page 19

Guitar poetry

Hiroya Tsukamoto teaches in Carbondale RALEIGH BURLEIGH Field of Birds Media

Imagine, what would poetry sound like without words? Hiroya Tsukamoto’s guitar stylings are one response. Inspired by the melodies of nature — cascading like water over polished stones or dancing with trees in a steady breeze — Tsukamoto crafts lush soundscapes with the power to transport listener and performer alike.

Tsukamoto, a Japanese-born guitarist now at home in New York City, has made an annual visit to Carbondale for close to a decade. This began with a performance at Steve’s Guitars, has included True Nature’s Kiva and most often occurs in the intimacy of the Round Room at the Third Street Center.

What sets his upcoming visit on July 23 apart, is that, for the first time, Tsukamoto will offer a guitar technique workshop for up to 10 curious musicians. Knowledge of basic chords and a guitar to play are the only prerequisites.

“When I play shows, dozens of guitar players in the audience ask me questions after the concert,” Tsukamoto explained.

This prompted him to begin incorporating teaching workshops into his touring schedule. “That’s what I’ve been doing since last year at different venues.”

Tsukamoto is committed to working with people of varying skill levels, from basic proficiency to seasoned mastery. As any musician knows, there’s always more to learn. Tsukamoto primarily focuses on teaching foundational practice strategies

that have improved his playing. He considers these exercises “very important, no matter what kinds of music people play.”

“Wisdom on scales, thumb placement, tunings, improvisation and more to help players improve and expand their talents will be presented with kindness, patience and easy laughter by one of the best fingerstyle players in the world,” a promotional flyer describes. “[Tsukamoto] will demonstrate fingerstyle techniques including chords and basic theory, breaking down elements such as tone and rhythm, explaining how to apply them to a practice routine.”

In addition to nature, Tsukamoto’s textured and dreamy music is inspired by jazz artists like Pat Metheny and extensive travels throughout the United States and the world. His fifth studio album, “Rainshadow,” was recorded last August in Washington state and consists of 10 original compositions. The core concept of the album is “melody.” Tsukamoto sings on several tracks and even provides a bassline for four of the songs, borrowing a skill he developed while playing bass for a band in Japan “a long time ago.”

Tsukamoto’s musical journey began at the age of 13 when his father, a fan of bluegrass music, brought home a used banjo from a thrift store. Tsukamoto trained himself by attempting to play along with Earl Scruggs’ fast-paced “Foggy Mountain Banjo” album. For anyone unfamiliar, it’s worth a listen to appreciate the ambitions of this young musician.

Back in 2024, Carbondale’s Mateo Sandate, who is part-Japanese, joined Hiroya Tsukamoto for a spontaneous jam session outside the Carbondale Library. Tsukamoto hopes to connect with Sandate and other friends while back in Carbondale. Photo by Raleigh Burleigh

In 2000, Tsukamoto received a scholarship to the Berklee College of Music. He studied Spanish and South American folk music and later formed a group in Boston called INTEROCEANICO with musicians from different continents. In 2018 and 2022, Tsukamoto earned 2nd place in the International Fingerstyle Guitar Championship competition.

He enjoys coming to Carbondale because it’s reminiscent of his grandparents’ village in Japan. “I feel comfortable being surrounded by mountains,” he said. “I just love the landscape.” And over the years, he has made musician friends in the area, like Lisa Dancing-Light and Mateo Sandate. He

hopes to deepen those relationships and spark new ones with each visit.

The workshop will cost $40 and begins at 5pm on July 23. For registration, email hiroyatsukamoto@gmail.com The concert will cost $25 and begins at 7pm. For tickets to the concert, visit bit.ly/ Tsukamoto-July23. Both events occur at the Third Street Center.

To learn more about Tsukamoto’s music, visit hiroyatsukamoto.com You can catch an interview and on-air performance with Tsukamoto on Everything Under The Sun, The Sopris Sun’s weekly talk show on KDNK, on July 23 at 4pm.

THE SOPRIS SUN | Your weekly community connector | July 16-22, 2026 13

OBITUARY

Manuela Meraz DeCarmona March 5, 1949 July 9, 2026

Manuela Meraz DeCarmona was born on March 5, 1949, in Nonoava, Chihuahua, Mexico, and passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by her loving family. She was the daughter of Blas Meraz and was raised in Nonoava, where she enjoyed her childhood alongside her brothers, Fil, Leo and Blas.

Manuela met her husband, Hector Carmona, while in Mexico, and the two were married on Dec. 30, 1974. They relocated to the United States in the early 1970s, first making their home in Delta, Colorado, where they welcomed their three beautiful children. Over the years, they lived in various parts of Colorado before settling in the Roaring Fork Valley, spending time in Basalt before making Carbondale their home.

Manuela will be remembered for her extraordinary kindness, her bright smile and her delicious cooking. She loved spending time with her grandchildren, preparing meals for those she loved, watching telenovelas, gardening, taking long walks, cheering for the Denver Broncos and enjoying the company of her cat.

Manuela endured the heartbreaking loss of her beloved daughter, Janet, on May 8, 2002. In the years that followed, she lovingly helped raise Janet’s twin daughters, Lourdes and Xiomara, becoming a motherly presence in their lives. She was also a gracious and devoted grandmother to Luis and Valeria.

Manuela will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her. She was preceded in death by her father, Blas, her husband, Hector, her brother, Leo, and her daughter, Janet. She is survived by her son, Hector Carmona, her daughter, Laura Carmona, her grandchildren, Lourdes Alvarez, Xiomara Alvarez, Luis Martinez and Valeria Loya, her brothers, Fil Meraz and Blas Meraz, and many nieces and nephews.

There will be a vigil in her memory on Thursday, July 16, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Carbondale from 6 to 8:30pm. Funeral Mass will be held at the church Friday, July 17, at 8:30am. Burial and committal services will follow at Evergreen Cemetery.

14 THE SOPRIS SUN | soprissun.com | July 16-22, 2026

GARCO from page 8 “In some communities, vacancy can mean a house that’s waiting to be sold, a house that’s waiting to be rented,” said Shindman. But in resort areas, she added, “Vacant typically means a second home or a vacation rental.”

The report shows 41% of housing units in Pitkin County are vacant, compared to 8% in Garfield.

The median home price in Basalt and Carbondale in 2024 was $1.4 million. In the Glenwood/New Castle area, it was $640,000 and $418,000, respectively.

But, Garfield County’s median income is $82,000 for a two-person household.

“So to afford that $480,000 home, this household still needs to earn one and a half times that income,” said Shindman.

She said to buy a median-priced home in Glenwood Springs or New Castle, that household must earn twice the median income, or 200% of the AMI. Samson’s concerns focused on additional housing costs — insurance, property taxes and other fees — and how difficult it is for working families to afford to live where they work. He added that traffic has increased from Rifle to the Roaring Fork Valley.

“We’ve made it much easier to subdivide small subdivisions in our county,” he said. “You can take [35 acres] and divide it into seven lots and you have more land available, but then your questions on water and livability and traffic are out there.”

Resident Siri Olson mentioned increased traffic and water use, wondering if it might be time to close the door on further development.

“I feel like we’re at a breaking point in this state and in the West with this endless push for more and more people [moving] here,” she opined. “I think the state as a whole needs to ask itself, ‘How many more people can we safely support with our finite resources?’”

Localized housing action plans based on the HNA are expected by the end of the year.

During the afternoon session, the BOCC approved a preliminary plan for a major subdivision application for the Hogback View Estates between Canyon Creek and New Castle.

You can watch all archived BOCC meetings at the Garfield County website.

CARBONDALE from page 9 The coalition said the restrictions could be enforced using an app that tracks the numbers of cell phone signals in a car at a given time.

Trustee Chris Hassig asked how bus lanes could be legally changed to account for the coalition’s plan.

“It’s a new question. It’ll have to be studied,” Bennett said, adding that if worse came to worst they might have to ask the Federal Highway Administration for an amendment to change the bus lanes to “transit only” so they could include rideshare systems.

‘Only in America’

Amara

I started writing this column on July 4th, I feel guilty because, on July 2nd, I exactly 250 years after our Founders signed didn’t take pity, even though I was sure America’s Declaration of Independence. the man’s salary didn’t support much. But The second sentence of that document more than guilt, I feel anger. asserts, among other things, that all men Why doesn’t the owner pay this man are created equal and that governments more and charge us enough to make that derive their just powers from the consent possible? I’ve visited many democracies of the governed. on four continents, and communist counAt the time, it was far from a done deal, tries on two, without seeing tip jars. “Only and even today we are obviously still strug- in America”, as they say. gling with how these once radical ideas Two neighbors recently sold their ordiought to play out in everyday life. But, from nary Carbondale homes for just north and day one, that audacious sentence created south of a million, in favor of cheaper houses a powerful roadmap for elsewhere. Their profits our country and, soon, will help fund their retirefor much of the world. On ments, and, while they this 250th anniversary, aren’t complaining, they dozens of governments are sad to be cashing out are implementing, or at their homes and leaving least aspiring to, these their communities to keep ideals to varying degrees. their modest lifestyles.

It’s been called “the greatBut they are also relucest sentence ever written.” tant to put tip jars on their And yet . . . porches or sit in their driveEarlier in the week, ways with upturned caps Niki and I stayed at a and pencils in order to pay barless hotel in Georgeever–rising property taxes.

MATURE town. Niki wanted a glass Aspen accommodates of wine after dinner, so about 80 billionaires CONTENT we went to the only liquor with a combined wealth

By Ron Kokish store in town. We arrived of nearly $680 billion just before closing, took a bottle from a shelf dollars. “The billionaires,” I often hear, “are and went to the counter to pay for it. On pushing the millionaires down-valley.” It that counter sat a jar labeled “Tips,” seeded sure seems that way. Just ask my neighbors. with a couple of dollar bills. Not wanting Like those neighbors, I’m not complainto encourage the great American tipping ing either. America has worked out well trend, we didn’t add to the jar, but my heart for me, for my family and my friends. But was suddenly broken, and I haven’t stopped still, tip jars, pencils and 80 billionaires in thinking about it. a mountain town of less than 6,500? Is that I’m not sure why. I’ve ignored such jars what our Founders envisioned when they in other markets without a thought. I’ve wrote the greatest sentence? seen them in bike shops, where I’ve occaHow did we get here? Blaming the sionally added to them when a mechanic super-rich is fashionable and there’s helped me beyond my expectations. I some truth to it, but I think that many of think it was the neatly dressed, tired look- us, including me, have been all too willing ing middle-aged man behind that counter to stand apart from people we considered so obviously, and yet so politely, waiting to intellectually inferior, and whose spiritual leave work. He took our money, wished us values we didn’t share. How can we get a good evening, followed us out the door back on the greatest sentence’s roadmap? and locked it.

The Statue of Liberty symbolically faces Presumably, he took the pittance from the ocean, from whence came the teeming the jar, but I didn’t see that. I did see masses she was built to welcome. This fact him rush into an old car and drive out struck me on July 5th, as I listened to the of the parking lot ahead of us. Where, I modern opera “Nixon in China.” The charwondered, was he going? Was anyone acter of President Nixon’s wife, Pat, sang: waiting for him? We followed him out of “Let the expression on the face the lot, on to our upscale hotel.

Of the Statue of Liberty Yes, this was an outstandingly pathetic Change just a little. Let her see. tip jar. But why should I tip someone just What lies inland, across the plain.” for taking my money?

As a child on Manhattan’s Midtown I wonder, have we spent so much time West side, my grandmother sometimes looking in one direction that we didn’t took me to the Woolworth five and dime notice the economic dignity of those standstore, where a legless man selling pencils ing behind us being ground into dust? was often planted on the sidewalk. My Here’s wishing you a thoughtful and grandmother, whose only income was Happy Birthday, USA, and many more her small monthly Social Security check, to come! invariably placed a few cents in his upturned cap, but she never took a pencil. Mature Content is a monthly feature from Age-Friendly Carbondale.

She took pity.

“Amateur Eats” is The Sopris Sun’s new food review, written by Carbondale resident and eating enthusiast Jake Skardon and published on the third Thursday of each month.

OPINION

COLLEGE from page 4 “I want to make sure students are feeling confident that they can be a little bit of that big fish in a small pond,” Colt said. “There are 4,000 undergraduate institutions in the U.S. with an average acceptance rate of 73% … the data is starting to show that if you find a school with the Four P’s and the best fit and you’re in the top third you’re going to thrive.”

Robin Colt is currently offering a special price for Found Star Map members through July 31.

Stay tuned for upcoming affordable programming, including an in-person essay workshop in Carbondale. Visit robincoltconsulting.com/ to learn more.

Amara is, in Carbondale’s ever- with potato chips, onion and lemony changing restaurant scene, a breath of aioli, gave a “chips and dip” theme. While fresh sea air. Offering a robust Medi- the portion was a bit small for sharing, I terranean/Middle Eastern menu, would recommend it as a fun appetizer complemented by an excellent bar and for meat lovers. large wine list, Amara is poised to outlast After the double-tartare and a few new-restaurant hype and establish itself drinks, I was hungry for the next plates: as one of the best restaurants in town. flambeed saganaki and grilled dates.

Located at North 4th off of Main The saganaki, a skillet of sheepmilk Street, Carbondacheese, is lit tableside, lians will recognize a fajita-esque spectathe building formerly cle that turns heads. occupied by Bodegon Mine happened to set and the long-runoff the smoke detector. ning AXKAWA before Served with lemon juice, that. While one of the roasted garlic cloves and pricier restaurants fresh pita, I enjoyed the downvalley, Amara’s crunch of the burnt ends vibe is welcoming and the pulls of gooey, and unpretentious; cheesy goodness. The this is as much a place heaviest item I ordered, to meet a friend for a I recommend you enjoy quick cocktail as it is it with company so you AMATEUR for date night. I visited can save room for other on a Thursday night, dishes. The grilled dates EATS and was surprised to were incredible: subtle

By Jake Skardon find it almost full at crunch from caramel6:45pm. Without a reservation, I was sat ized sugars, wrapped in salty, smokey at the bar, which is probably the best way chorizo and served on top of a not-tooto experience Amara. First, the two-tops tangy yogurt sauce. This is an Amara are a bit small. I noticed that other diners must-order, and my only complaint is were cluttered with the many plates they don’t give you more. they ordered (you will be ordering a For my entree, I ordered the beef lot). Second, the bartender, Jannet, is tagine, a massive pot of stewed beef with wonderful. She kept the bar entertained a mound of couscous salad. The beef was with banter and behind-the-scenes info an assortment of bone-in cuts that melted on the menu, particularly her cocktails, in my mouth. Despite the fragrance of the which she described as “classics, with a stew, it retained a meaty, present flavor slight [Mediterranean] twist.” that stood on its own. The couscous was Jannet was spot on; the drinks are delicious: fluffy and light with apricots, mostly traditional, with the “twist” being raisins, almonds and spices mixed in. unique liquors and botanicals. My favor- Some whole carrots were wedged in, ite was the Aegean Sour, the Greek cousin naturally sweet with saltiness from the of Pisco Sour, with Pixari added for an absorbed broth, serving as an intermediearthy, herbal aftertaste that complicates ary between the couscous and beef. This is the traditional foamy sourness. Another one of the best entrees I’ve had in Carbonwinner was the Olive Oil Martini; the oil, dale, and priced at $32, also arguably the extra salty brine, and blue cheese olives most bang-for-buck. With everything come together as a boozy yet refreshing else I had eaten, there was plenty to take gulp of ocean water. The cocktail menu home. I wish I had room for dessert, may not seem bold on paper, but I loved but that’s just another reason for me to the depth added to familiar drinks, and return. Dishes like the Aleppo Chicken appreciate that Amara steers away from and Lemon Saffron Linguine also caught the excessively fruity and sweet, which my attention for next time. Additionally, I is becoming too common across other learned that paella is served every Tuesvalley restaurants and bars. day, and is a great opportunity for dining When I first sat down, I was encour- with larger groups. aged to order everything up front, which In all, I was very impressed by ended up being sound advice as it took a Amara. The food, drink and ambiwhile for the first dishes to hit the table. I ance all scratch an itch that other new started with two tartares, beef and water- restaurants in Carbondale have strugmelon. Admittedly, I was a bit skeptical gled to reach. You may leave with a of the watermelon “tartare” — grilled lighter wallet, but your full belly makes watermelon on a salad of spaghettied it well worthwhile. If you crave Meditercucumber topped with whipped feta, ranean, want to impress a date or just nuts and spices — but was pleasantly want to splurge on an excellent meal, surprised by the layer of textures in each make your next reservation at Amara. bite. Crisp, spiced almonds break ground for meaty watermelon, which dissolves into the soft cucumber. This was one of RESTAURANT RATING the more unique options on the menu, Cuisine: Mediterranean and while I’m glad I tried it, I felt the flavor was in limbo between salad and Quality: (5/5) dessert. Still, this is worth ordering if Price: $70-$100+ per person, you want a meat-free starter, or are feelif you order as many drinks as I do ing adventurous. The beef tartare, served

OPINION

THE SOPRIS SUN | Your weekly community connector | July 16-22, 2026 15

ASPEN & SNOWMASS Pitkin county Library Hyman Avenue Box Wheeler Opera House Box Snowmass Town Park Station Aspen Valley Hospital Mi Chola Snowmass Clarks Market Snowmass Mall Alpine Bank in Snowmass Alpine Bank in AABC BASALT & EL JEBEL Willits General Store Alpine Bank ANB Bank Basalt Quick Lube Basalt Regional Library Big O Tires El San Miguel Box Casa Tequila CC’s Cafe Whole Foods Eagle County Courts Crown Mountain Express Lube El Jebel Mobile Offices El Korita Hightone Autobody El Jebel Laundromat Mountain Family Health Cazadores Scottie’s The Basalt Store Timbo’s Hightone Automotive and Tires CARBONDALE 3rd St. Center Alpine Bank Carbondale Library Main St. Box Catherine’s Store Food Truck Carbondale Recreation Center City Market Carbondale CMC Edna’s Hair Salon Gloria’s Boutique Garcia’s Jalisco Grill La Fogata La Perla La Placita La Roca Lift-up Sunburst Valley Meats First Bank GLENWOOD SPRINGS Glenwood Springs Library Centennial Park Box Comfort Dental Coin Laundromat Glenwood Recreation Center Glenwood CMC El Yaqui First Bank Frida’s Glenwood Hot Springs Yampa Hotsprings Valley View Hospital Impuestos Seguros La Michoacana Mountain Family Health Post Office Garfield County Human Resources Sal Mex Tequila’s Tony’s Bakery Super Taco Alpine Bank on Grand Ave New Castle New Castle Library City Market Carniceria Elias Hacienda San Miguel Post Office Tapatios Alpine Bank SILT Silt Library La Placita 2 La Placita Market LeMora Pizza Silt Roundabout RIFLE Cafe y Pasteleria Galea East Ave & 3rd St. Box City Hall Box E 12th St. Box El Patron El Rincon Jalisco Grill Mercado San Jose Momma’s Nachos Mexican Dining Paleteria La Korita Promex Bakery Remington Square Spyderwash Tapatios La Baja Espresso Rifle Library Imperio Variedades Dinora Diversity Salon Alpine Bank on 4th St Alpine Bank on Airport Rd PARACHUTE Nalini’s Taqueria Jalisco El Tapatio City Hall Box Parachute Library Running Burrito Lift-up Fifty Shadz Salon Sinclair Vero’s Mexican Bakery

Look for stories like this in this week’s Sol del Valle!

Full edition is available every Friday afternoon on newstands and at businesses from Rifle to Aspen

Until we meet again POEM BY LIZBETH DURÁN

My dear Valley, You raised me among mountains and rivers. The Colorado River will forever run through my veins.

You were the breeze that reminded me to breathe whenever I felt life slipping away from me.

I will return to you like a tourist searching for an escape from reality. And although I never stopped admiring you throughout more than two decades, I know I will continue to marvel at every corner, every curve of your mountains, every time you dress yourself in vibrant reds and the softest shades of purple.

I have cherished every part of you, and you have given me life’s greatest gifts.

A piece of me will always remain in your land, in every corner, in every first courageous step I took, and in every laugh I shared.

Your land holds my tears, and every wildflower holds my accomplishmaents.

You, my dear Valley, will forever be my greatest toxic love.

They say you have to leave you to truly grow, and I clung to the belief that here, among the songs of your birds and the sound of your flowing waters, I would become the best version of myself.

And don’t misunderstand me. You have given me my little one’s first steps, a beautiful family, and within you my love for life has flourished.

I will return, perhaps to reconnect with every trace of the love you planted within me.

I may be leaving you, but I know the way back. Your rivers are etched into my skin, and the scent of your breeze lingers with me still.

My dear Valley, I hope you can let me go, too.

I know that where I am going I will find small pieces of you — hidden in the sunsets, in trees disguised as palm trees and in the sound of rushing water beneath the noise of the crowds.

And I will carry a piece of you with me forever, in the curiosity you awakened within me and in the sense of wonder you taught me to embrace.

The Colorado River Valley flaunts its majesty.

Photos by Lizbeth Durán

Until we meet again, my dear Valley.

Bianca Godina — Editor • bianca@soldelvalle.org | Margarita Alvarez — Advertising • margarita@soldelvalle.org www.soldelvalle.org • info@soldelvalle.org • 970-510-0234

16 THE SOPRIS SUN | soprissun.com | July 16-22, 2026

Share your works in progress with readers by emailing illustrations, creative writings and poetry to fiction@soprissun.com Comparte tus proyectos creativos aún en proceso con nuestros lectores.

Puedes enviarnos un correo electrónico con tus ilustraciones, creaciones literarias y poesía a fiction@soprissun.com

Go Fish (a summer fantasy)

By Nancy Bo Flood, Four Mile

Jump

A bathtub can be

in

As big

duck

As the deep blue sea

under Mask on Blow bubbles up your snorkel Flutter kick webbed feet Gaze at turtles, sharks — look, there — a whale!

Shawn and Carrie Haberern brought a copy of The Sun to Park Street Church in Boston, while celebrating their 23rd anniversary and United States’ 250th. Courtesy photo

Swim!

Empowering Your Life’s Journey We believe together, we flourish. Come home to supportive independent senior living—in the heart of the Roaring Fork Valley.

For you. For life.

Whitcomb Terrace Aspen

0275 Castle Creek Road Call or email Maggie Gerardi to schedule a tour.

970.544.1530

mgerardi@aspenvalleyhealth.org

Discover how a little assistance can preserve your independence! aspenvalleyhealth.org THE SOPRIS SUN | Your weekly community connector | July 16-22, 2026 17

LETTERS once or twice, but loved it); founding a (too early for me) morning meditation group open to all; and so much more.

I did have the chance to serve briefly with her on the board of The Sopris Sun during my final year as president. There I got to appreciate up close Linda’s straightforward style and sense of humor. Also, her deep commitment to this paper, which she understood was critical to the community building that was her passion.

What most do not know is that it was thanks to Linda’s quiet efforts as her friend and liaison that Mary Lily was able to include The Sopris Sun in her will, establishing the paper’s first ever Legacy Gift.

The beautiful tribute to Mary on the back page of last week’s paper describes how critical this generous donation was to the paper’s well-being and future at the time.

In this, as in all things, Linda never sought the spotlight. But she was an inspiration to many, myself included.

I look forward to heralding her many gifts and contributions with the community this Sunday, July 19, from 3 to 5pm at the Third Street Center. My heartfelt condolences go to Russ, her whole family and all who knew and loved her.

Barbara Dills Carbondale

Easy entry The Carbondale community is asking for an accessible entrance that allows every resident to enter Town Hall independently.

The Town has long acknowledged this barrier, and we appreciate that funding for this project has finally been included in this year’s budget. But a budget line is not the same as an accessible entrance.

For at least the past three years, members of our community have repeatedly asked the Town to install an accessible push-button entry. Yet the barrier remains.

Most public meetings are held in the evening, when the reception desk is unstaffed. If someone cannot open the door independently, there is no reliable way to get assistance. Residents have come intending to participate in public meetings, found themselves unable to enter the building, and gone home. They were excluded from participating in their own local government simply because they could not get through the front door.

This is not just an issue for older adults or wheelchair users. These doors are heavy and awkward. Anyone recovering from an injury, using crutches, pushing a stroller, carrying a child or transporting packages may struggle to enter.

This barrier is more than an inconvenience. It denies people the dignity, independence and equal opportunity to participate in the civic life of our community.

We recognize there are other accessibility improvements that also deserve attention. But none is more fundamental than ensuring people can get through the front door. Without access, there can be no participation. After three years of discussion, we respectfully ask the board and staff

from page 2

to publicly establish a specific timeline for completing the accessible entrance and to make this project a priority.

We also request an immediate temporary solution until the permanent entrance is installed. A simple video doorbell system with a speaker and monitor in the Community Room would allow residents to request assistance during evening meetings.

As an Age-Friendly community, Carbondale has committed to ensuring residents and visitors of all ages and abilities can fully participate. We know many efforts have been made toward improvements, but we have been dragging our feet too long on this one.

Sue Zislis Carbondale EDITOR’S NOTE: After Age-Friendly Carbondale showed up to the trustee meeting on Tuesday, Town Manager Ryan Hyland committed to installing an accessible front door by the end of September, according to Zislis.

Basalt planning Why can’t the Basalt Planning Commission just say no?

I recently attended the Basalt Planning Commission meeting regarding the proposed Marriott Residence Inn at the old Movieland site in El Jebel, and I left utterly baffled.

During the hearing, a clear consensus emerged: Each and every planning commissioner expressed major reservations about the project. The overwhelming majority of public comment echoed these exact concerns, painting a clear picture that this massive extended-stay hotel is fundamentally incompatible with our community.

Yet, despite a room full of red flags and their own deep misgivings, not a single commissioner could bring themselves to simply say, “No.” Instead of denying a clearly flawed proposal, the commission voted to continue the discussion in one month, kicking the can down the road and giving the developer yet another bite at the apple.

Why are we continuing the agony?

When a project is this poorly aligned with the community’s vision and the Master Plan, the standard shouldn’t be: Let’s see how much the developer can patch up in a month. The standard should be a firm denial, allowing the developer to withdraw, regroup and come back in the future with a genuinely viable, communityminded proposal.

By bending over backward to accommodate a mismatched development, the Planning Commission is wasting their own time, valuable civic time and stretching the community’s patience thin. It’s time for our local leaders to listen to the public, trust their own instincts and find the courage to reject proposals that just don’t fit.

Susan Sullivan Carbondale

LETTERS POLICY: The Sopris Sun welcomes local letters to the editor. Shorter letters stand a better chance of being printed. Letters exclusive to The Sopris Sun (not appearing in other papers) are particularly welcome. Please, no smearing, cite your facts and include your name and place of residence or association. Letters are due to news@soprissun.com by noon on the Monday before we go to print.

18 THE SOPRIS SUN | soprissun.com | July 16-22, 2026

PARTING SHOT

The Thompson Creek Road (County Road 108) bridge is is back in action, reopenging to all traffic as of Tuesday, July 13. Crews paved the bridge on Monday, finishing the maintenance work 10 days ahead of schedule. Con-Sy, Inc was contracted to the complete the job, after a pothole was discovered on the bridge in April, as well as corrugated metal decking that showed corrosion and some eroded welds, according to a press release. “It was rebuilt to meet greater use for the public in just two months, and almost two weeks ahead of our projected schedule, for which we accomplished for the community,” Garfield County Deputy Manager Rob Hanna said. Photo courtesy of Garfield County

PROM from page 12 sense of hope and belonging, all while enjoying the strong music and dance routines.

“Having never been to the Roaring Fork Valley before, I do have to just say how fabulous everyone has been and what a lovely, incredible reception that we’ve had,” Perry said. “We are blown away by the hospitality, kindness, fabulous food and joyful time we’ve had here.

I would say that this is a family show. I mean, there are some PG-13 moments, but this is a story of a found family, and this is a story of a girl finding herself and finding her strength and finding her identity. It’ll be a great time for everyone.”

To purchase tickets, make a donation or get involved in other ways, visit solsummertheatre.org

Connection, Community and C.A.R.E. July Events

Free and Open to the Public.

Paws for a Cause Pet Food & Supply Drive July 1 - 31 | Daily 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Flavors of the Mediterranean Summer Cooking Demo July 23 | 2:30 p.m.

Learn More & RSVP soprislodge.com/events 970-540-4573

295 Rio Grande Avenue, Carbondale Assisted Living | Memory Care | Independent Living WellAge Senior Community THE SOPRIS SUN | Your weekly community connector | July 16-22, 2026 19

Carbondale Chamber Member Celebrations January - July 2026 Congratulations to the Carbondale Chamber Members who marked milestone achievements with a Ribbon Cutting or celebration! We are proud to be your partner in making Carbondale a more vital and dynamic place to live, work, and visit.

Carbondale Aquatics Center Ribbon Cutting, May 23

Two Rivers Design Center Ribbon Cutting, June 23

Welcome, New Members!

The Expresso Hut Ribbon Cutting, July 6

Aspen Financial and Insurance Services Aspen WaterWise Beth Simonetti Churchill Group Inc EB-5 Investors Magazine First Southwest Community Fund Habitat for Humanity of the Roaring Fork Valley Hoffman Law Office, LLC Patatina Foods Pika Coffee Co. Sopris Property Management Successful Solution Mediation The Carriage House, LLC The Expresso Hut Two Rivers Design Center Waldorf School on the Roaring Fork Zelena Medicine

For more information regarding the Carbondale Chamber, membership and ribbon cutting opportunities, visit carbondale.com, or email chamber@carbondale.com.

20 THE SOPRIS SUN | soprissun.com | July 16-22, 2026