08062026 Issuu

This Week: 7 - PLANNED PARENTHOOD 8-9 - LOCAL GOVERNMENT 12 - LIMESTONE QUARRY 14 - ‘BIG FISH’ 16 - SOL DEL VALLE Your nonprofit

community newspaper

Volume 18, Number 26 | August 6-12, 2026

No swipes needed Photos by Bob Rugile

‘Dating in the Valley is weird …

Let’s make it weirder.’ — No Swipe Social

N

o Swipe Social’s BAEWATCH: AFTER HOURS edition at the Carbondale Aquatics Center went off with a splash, fewer clothes, no apps and the partying spirit. One hundred and fifteen people attended the 21-plus dating event, brandishing wrist bands to denote their dating status as single, taken or … somewhere in between. Various games and team challenges lit up the night, and live DJ Thump3r rocked out at the venue with a set of house music. The good times kept rollin’ with an after party at Sprazzo.

From top to bottom: Contestants climb and dive off the Carbondale Aquatics Center climbing wall; No swipers party on in the pool; A competitor spreads their arms preparing for impact in the belly flop contest; Two no swipers go noodle-to-noodle in a stand-up paddleboard battle.

A ranch in a valley along the river Long before River Valley Ranch (RVR) was a posh golf course standard food pyramid: lima beans, bare baked potato, etc. An neighborhood, it actually was a ranch in a valley along the river. insurmountable amount of my least favorite foods that I was My younger sister, Annie, remembers sitting in the big comfy expected to finish completely, especially if I wanted dessert. chair in our grandparents’ living room when some men showed Luckily, there were always hungry ranch dogs under the table, up in clean western-style shirts and brand-new cowboy hats. circling like sharks at a capsized cruise ship. Sneaking food into Thirty-odd years ago, she witnessed the initial investors negoti- my napkin, then to my lap where it magically disappeared was ating with our grandfather for land and water rights they would the only way I was ever gonna see an ice cream sandwich. And need to build their golf course community. this was one time Bogie could be counted on to be gentle, eating They all took a seat at the dining table with Gan, in his usual our scraps under the dining room table. He didn’t want to get spot at the head of the large table that easily sat 10. They were caught any more than we did. merely steps away from where she sank down Whether or not my grandfather knew this into the leather armchair — not exactly hiding, was going on is debatable. Not much got by him. but Annie knew she could stay and listen, I often wonder what he would think of Carbonunnoticed as long as she kept still. dale these days, but I’ve got a pretty good idea When we were kids, staying at the ranch what he would say about a Florida crew buying came with a heightened awareness. More like RVR and “elevating the experience.” trepidation than fear, it was the uncertainty of Anyone who has experienced Carbondale ranch life: What was in that simmering crockalready knows that this community is the real pot that we would be expected to completely deal. Ranchers and golfers living together in clean off our plates? What kind of mood was harmony; hippies and hipsters coexisting on Gan’s dog, Bogie, in? Does fluorescent lighting mountain town time. make every room feel this sad …

Carbondale knows how to have a good time, Today, when I stand at the southern edge of and anyone wanting to Aspen-ify us will learn RVR, I can still see the ranch of my childhood. that our connectivity roots run deep. All the way The back of the two-story house and basement back to pre-RVR days, like the time Josh and Ps & Qs garage, the pool with a giant rock for diving Justin Lent (Mal’s boys) and their friends helped

By Jeannie Perry in the deep end, the tennis court surrounded my grandfather wrangle some loose horses in by weeds and the little rock wall enclosure their black leather jackets and combat boots. where they burned the trash. Back then, there wasn’t nearly as Or when their ride broke down, and Gan came along in his much packaging as today, and glass and plastic containers were old Ford pickup — with Bogie riding shotgun no doubt. He pulled washed and reused, so all the paper, cardboard, etc. was burned over without hesitation, telling them all to climb in the back. As behind the house. he pulled out onto the road, a couple of men watched them go “What about the food waste,” you ask? Well, there wasn’t any. by and one said to the other, “There goes Bob Perry with a load of Sunday supper was as reliable as death and taxes, and we had punks in his truck.” just as much control over the portion put on our plates. FinishThat image lives rent-free in my mind, capturing the essence ing your dinner was non-negotiable and rummaging through the of the Carbondale community. All of us, enjoying this ranch in a fridge later was not a thing on the ranch. valley along the river.

Beef was the centerpiece of every meal, seeing as it was a cattle ranch and all. The blood running across my plate was the only The film “The Last of the Cowboys” is showing at the Crystal dipping sauce available, and it inevitably ran into the rest of the Theatre on Wednesday, Aug. 19, at 7pm. See ya there!

OPINION

LETTERS CORRECTION: It was incorrectly reported that Adam Quisenberry took third place in singles horseshoes at the 55th Annual Mountain Fair. He placed first!

Steve Morris made sure to include a copy of The Sun in his luggage ahead of a trip to Jost Van Dyke Island in the Virgin Islands. Courtesy photo

2 THE SOPRIS SUN | soprissun.com | August 6-12, 2026

Medicaid cuts Colorado’s medicaid cuts are shortchanging addiction recovery. As Colorado continues to grapple with a devastating overdose crisis, state officials are quietly pulling back the safety net for our most vulnerable neighbors. Recent cost-containment measures targeting Health First Colorado (Colorado Medicaid) are gutting addiction treatment services precisely when our communities need them most.

Under the banner of budget balancing, the state has canceled planned reimbursement rate increases for behavioral health providers, reinstated burdensome prior authorization requirements for routine drug testing and peer support, and tightened controls on life-saving medications. But perhaps most damaging is what is happening behind closed doors to residential treatment programs.

Medicaid is increasingly refusing to cover standard 30-day residential rehab stays upfront. Instead, coverage is being handed out in brief, 7-to-14-day increments, forcing clinicians

to spend hours filling out bureaucratic paperwork to prove “medical necessity” just to keep a patient in a bed. When additional days are denied, patients are rushed into lower levels of outpatient care before they are clinically stabilized.

Addiction is a chronic disease, not a minor inconvenience that can be solved in a week. Short-circuiting residential treatment and burning out providers with administrative red tape doesn’t save Colorado money — it simply pushes those costs onto emergency rooms, county jails and grieving families.

We cannot claim to prioritize mental health and substance use recovery while starving the system of resources. Lawmakers and the Department of Health Care Policy and Financing must reverse these short-sighted cuts, streamline approval processes and put clinical decisions back where they belong: in the hands of doctors and treatment professionals, not state budget spreadsheets.

Thank you.

Susan Sullivan Carbondale

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 and Special Section Designer Emily Blong Delivery Fred Kirschbaum 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 Jamie LaRue • Adele Craft

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 Linda Criswell

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

SCUTTLEBUTT

Send your scuttlebutt to news@soprissun.com

told The Sun that she is not representing any individual or organization, and filed the complaint of her own volition. Hanlon’s memo also states that City staff recommends filing suit.

Traffic calming

OUR UNDERWRITERS AND NONPROFIT PARTNERS!

The Town of Carbondale’s Traffic-Calming Test Project is back, this time primarily affecting Sopris Avenue. Some motorists were perplexed by the temporary zones, bulging from each side of the street intermittently and causing traffic to weave in an “S” shape through 10-foot lanes at various sections of the street. Public Works Director Kevin Schorzman told The Sun that a temporary yellow line will be added “that should hopefully make it easier to understand that, if folks just slow down a bit, both directions can fit through the ‘narrow’ looking areas.” Other temporary features on Sopris include: adjustments to on-street parking, a raised pedestrian crossing at the 8th Street intersection and tightened turning radii at the Sopris and Snowmass Drive intersection. Additionally, a temporary raised crossing is being tested at the preexisting crossing next to Crystal River Elementary School on Snowmass Drive. The Town is soliciting feedback via an online survey that will be up through Oct. 1. Find the survey at tinyurl.com/Sopris-Snowmass

‘Beetlejuice’ “The ghost-with-the-most” comes to the stage in SoL Theatre Company’s “Beetlejuice JR,” a Halloween performance open to ages 7-16, running from Oct. 28 to 31. Auditions will be hosted from 4 to 7pm on Sept. 11 and 9am to noon on Sept. 12 at Roaring Fork High School. Sign up at tinyurl.com/Solbeetlejuice2026

Harvest Village

Alpine Bank Colorado Mountain College Nordic Gardens Hilary Porterfield Basalt Library

NONPROFIT PARTNERS Two Rivers Unitarian Universalist Carbondale Arts Colorado Animal Rescue

Interested in becoming an Underwriter or Nonprofit Partner?

Email Todd@soprissun.com or call 970-987-9866

Staircase Park was reopened to the public on July 22, following repair work to the upper steps of the long staircase. In a newsletter, the Town thanked the Building Department and Parks and Rec, more specifically Building Inspector Japeth Hoffman and Parks Supervisor Jesus Ortiz, for completing the in-house project. According to Parks and Rec Director Eric Brendlinger, the fix is temporary, and the Town is looking at potential material changes — either custom concrete stairs with a landing or metal prefabricated stairs — for a permanent solution to address the wood stringers that have been deteriorating due to environmental conditions.

“We will be pricing out some options to include in our 2027 budget,” Brendlinger told The Sopris Sun. Courtesy photo

Midland ICE facility On Thursday, Aug. 6, Glenwood Springs City Council plans to discuss enforcement of a special use permit (SUP) revocation for an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention center at 100 Midland Ave. The City’s Planning and Zoning Commission revoked the SUP on April 28, and notified the federal General Services Administration, ICE and the property owner, none of whom replied by the appeal deadline.

A memo from City Attorney Karl Hanlon, included in the City Council’s Aug. 6 agenda packet, states that the Glenwood Springs Fire Department responded to an EMS call at the facility on July 24, confirming that it was still in use for detention purposes. The City has yet to take action on the SUP revocation despite public outcry and is expected to make a decision on Thursday. In addition, Glenwood resident and licensed attorney Claire Noone filed a complaint Tuesday with Trent Hyatt, director of community development, alleging Glenwood Springs Municipal Code violations. Noone stated in the complaint that “The City’s own code makes the duty to enforce mandatory, not discretionary, and 90 days of inaction is not a choice that code authorizes.” Noone

Working To gether For Pets A nd Their Peo ple 2801 Glenwood S CR 114 prings, CO (970)947-9 173

.A.R.E. CKS offers a “C ies, A W Y D D A P J R mil new adoptive fa lan package” for p ” ts n s for Poi including a “Paw % discount e 15 and a first timpet. ew n r u for yo

CARE cu 13 dogs,s, 23rrently has 2 guinea p cats & kittens, ready for igs, and 1 turtle PATRICE is one adoption! has a kittenis special older lady who pie! She thriveh face and is sweet as and don’t be fos on love and attention, she still has a oled by her 10 years has only ever playful streak. Patrice would love to known one home, and time, window return to a life of lap snuggles with watching, and sleepy RJ Paddywacks need some sweeyou. If you 400 E Valley Rd. # I/J t purrs and kitty biscuits Next to City Market in yo ur lif e, consider meeti in El Jebel Patrice today! ng 970.963.1700

rjpaddywacks.com

The Cattle Creek Confluence coalition recently obtained documents through an open-records request pertaining to Harvest Village.

Following an application denial by Garfield County in February, a Texas-based developer resubmitted a new planned-unit-development application in June to build 1,500 residential units off of Highway 82 between Carbondale and Glenwood Springs. According to the application, 30% — or 450 residential units — would be deed-restricted on the 283-acre plot of land. The pending application asserts that it has “reduced overall project density by at least 450 residential units because the application now prohibits ADU’s [accessory dwelling units] throughout the entire Harvest community,” though the original application also proposed a 1,500-unit build. In an email on July 29, a Garfield County spokesperson told The Sun that the application “has not yet been deemed technically complete.” To view the pending application, visit tinyurl.com/newapplicationharvestvillage

Ruedi release & ramp closure Ruedi Reservoir increased its water release by an estimated 77-cubic-feet-per-second (cfs) on Monday, Aug. 3, to aid Grand Valley irrigation entities, according to the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation. The Bureau estimated last week that the release would increase the flow of the Fryingpan River below Ruedi to 222 cfs. American Whitewater recorded a flow jump the afternoon of Monday, Aug. 3, to 214 cfs, a rise from 147 cfs. White River National Forest (WRNF) announced the closure of the Ruedi Reservoir boat ramp beginning Monday, Aug. 3, due to low water and mud on the normally-submerged ramp. “The drought conditions, mud and need for water to be released from the reservoir to fill downstream water rights will make the ramp unusable as the reservoir continues to drop,” a WRNF press release states. continued on page 18

Fresh annuals, perennials, veggies and herbs are arriving weekly and trees and shrubs are fully stocked.

We have a variety of soils, mulch, amendments, saturday fertilizers, pest control supplies and more may 2nd for all of your gardening needs!

10am-2pm

2551 Highway 133 Carbondale, CO I NORDICGARDENS.CO (970) 963-3023 I Hours: Monday-Friday 8-6 Saturday 9-5 Sunday - Closed

THE SOPRIS SUN | Your weekly community connector | August 6-12, 2026 3

The late freeze

Western Slope growers had varying luck with crops after April’s late freeze

ANNALISE GRUETER Sopris Sun Correspondent

Back in April, a cold spell hit Western Colorado, with temperatures dropping below 28 degrees in the North Fork and Grand Valleys west of the Roaring Fork region. After above-average temperatures in February and March, including multiple warm spells, crops in the area were ahead of growing schedule. Farmers sprang into action; some fared well, but others were less lucky.

By early May, Denver Westword described the hard freeze as “the most devastating loss since 2020,” particularly in the North Fork Valley. The winter warm spells led trees to bud earlier, and fruit was at a later and more vulnerable stage of development. Operations including Ela Family Farms of Hotchkiss and Topp Fruits of Paonia and Hotchkiss described the results as a total loss.

Western Slope farmers are familiar with late freezes, and have tactics for combatting the weather. Crop mitigation can include applying a calcium-based spray to make buds and fruitlets more cold-resistant, as well as using propane heaters, burn piles and wind machines to warm the air in orchards and fields.

For some operations, particularly in the Palisade area, that was enough. In Cedaredge, Hotchkiss and Paonia, it was not.

North Fork Valley crop devastation was widespread.

Ten percent of Colorado’s peach crop is grown in the area, and by early May, the Colorado Sun reported that the peach crop in that valley was “totally wiped out.” In a follow-up article in July, the Front Range newspaper highlighted family-run First Fruits, where the Kropp

family grows fruit across over 140 acres in the Paonia area. The Kropp family reported that “not a single cherry, plum, peach, nectarine, pear, apricot or apple will be harvested this year.”

Farms in the Grand Valley, around Palisade, had a luckier outcome. Back in 2020, the region experienced a total loss from a hard freeze. This year, despite rumors of more devastation, the community avoided the crop losses of their southern neighbors. An estimated 80 to 90% of Palisade’s peach crops survived the freeze through the mitigation actions of area farmers.

Palisade Chamber of Commerce president Jessica Burford shared her excitement with The Sopris Sun. “Palisade is experiencing an exceptional peach harvest, with growers reporting an early, healthy and abundant crop,” she said. Burford attributed some of Palisade’s

crop resilience to the geography and wind patterns the community experiences. “Palisade benefits from natural katabatic winds — cool air that continually drains downhill during cold nights, reducing the likelihood of damaging frost settling over the orchards,” she said. “Combined with the tireless efforts of local growers, who worked through freezing nights operating wind machines and smudge pots to protect their trees, the community emerged with an outstanding crop.”

Other concerns facing Western Slope growers this spring and summer have included extreme drought conditions and wildfire smoke. Palisade’s location close to the Colorado River has helped alleviate impacts from those threats as well.

“Local businesses, orchards, wineries, restaurants and attractions remain open and ready to share one of Colorado’s most iconic harvest seasons,” Burford said, adding, “Our growers never stop working to protect this incredible agricultural legacy. While we’re certainly mindful of Colorado’s drought conditions and continue encouraging responsible water stewardship, we’re incredibly grateful that Palisade’s orchards have produced a beautiful harvest. We want visitors to know that Palisade is open, thriving and ready to welcome them.”

Burford noted that overnight visitors to Palisade have decreased slightly this year. “Palisade has seen a slight dip while Grand Junction is trending up,” she said.

“We feel people are staying more centrally in Grand Junction while still visiting our orchards and vineyards, especially those who have adapted over the years to create experiences such as concert series, game nights, yoga and art sessions, ‘bubbles and brunch’ [and] pairing dinners.”

Palisade Town Manager Janet Hawkinson praised farmers and first responders alike for their response to the environmental stressors this year. “Palisade has continued on page 18

Our Town - One Table

30 years in business

Celebrating Colorado’s 150th!

SUNDAY, AUGUST 16 Location: 4th & Main St.

Table Check-In: 3:30 pm Dinner: 5:00 pm Clean Up: 7:30 pm

Full Line Pet Store

RJ Paddywacks Located in the heart of the Roaring Fork Valley Established in 1995

Open 7 days a week

BRING YOUR OWN CHAIRS & FOOD FOR YOUR RESERVED TABLE(S).

DECORATE YOUR OWN TABLE FOR A CHANCE TO WIN A PRIZE! NO ALCOHOL PERMITTED To reserve your table(s) email Robin Jacober at: rjacober@carbondaleco.net Table reservations required.

All are welcome!

4 THE SOPRIS SUN | soprissun.com | August 6-12, 2026

From live crickets to organic and raw food nutrition. RJ’s is the one stop shop for all your animal needs Home delivery and Self Service Dog Wash available

RJ Paddywacks next to City Market El Jebel 970. 963.1700

Renowned Nepali mountaineer to speak in Aspen KEN PLETCHER Sopris Sun Correspondent

On Thursday evening, Aug. 13, Paepcke Auditorium in Aspen will host an extraordinary event: “Summit of Hope: An Evening with Lhakpa Sherpa,” featuring the world-renowned mountaineer.

In 2000, Lhakpa was the first Nepali woman to successfully summit and return from Mount Everest. She has subsequently climbed the mountain numerous times, completing her 11th ascent — the most by any woman — this past May. She is also the survivor of domestic abuse, which she credits with furthering her resolve to pursue climbing and other challenges.

The event is being sponsored by the nonprofit Response, which serves survivors of domestic and sexual abuse in the Roaring Fork Valley and surrounding communities. Founded in 1983, the organization offers a variety of programs and includes a new secure shelter at its Basalt headquarters that can accommodate up to nine adults and 15 children at a time.

“Summit of Hope is an opportunity for our community to hear directly from a world-class athlete and survivor,” said Shannon Meyer, Response’s executive director, in a press release. She continued, “Lhakpa Sherpa’s story is not only inspiring because of what she accomplished on Mount Everest, but because of the resilience and strength she showed in rebuilding her life after abuse.”

Lhakpa Sherpa, photo by Devin Whetstone

Lhakpa Sherpa Lhakpa Sherpa was born in 1973 in Makalu, in the Himalayas of northeastern Nepal, the middle sibling of 11 children.

Her love of climbing began early, and by her teens she was accompanying her father as a porter on expeditions in the region’s high peaks — even though Sherpa women traditionally did not climb. Back then, they also did not go to school. She still is unable to read.

On May 18, 2000, Lhakpa completed her first summit of Everest; another Nepali woman had reached the top several years earlier but had perished during the descent. Working as a guide, she continued to climb until 2006, each time breaking her own record for the

most ascents by a woman. She then took a nearly 10-year break from climbing.

Lhakpa met Romanian-American climber Gheorghe (George) Dijmărescu in 2000. The couple married two years later and moved to Connecticut. There they had two daughters, but the relationship became strained, with Dijmărescu becoming increasingly abusive. They finally separated in 2012 and divorced two years later. Dijmărescu died in 2020.

During her climbing hiatus while raising her children in Connecticut, Lhakpa worked a number of basic jobs to support her family, including cleaning houses and dishwashing at a Whole Foods store.

By 2015, however, she was ready to return to mountaineering, summiting Everest five more times between 2016 and this year — each, again, another record.

She also successfully scaled K2 in 2023, which she said was her “proudest accomplishment,” as quoted in Response’s July 2026 newsletter. She continued, “K2 is an extremely difficult and technical mountain, and getting to the top felt like I graduated in the sport of mountaineering.”

and photographs existed of a particularly brutal assault by Dijmărescu when the two of them were on an Everest expedition in 2004.

However, at the urging of her children, she agreed to include that painful period in the film. As they said to the BBC in 2024, “The struggle we have been through as a family, and how we have used it to strengthen not weaken us, is such a crucial part of our mother’s story.”

And, indeed, it became one of the most poignant aspects of the documentary.

The film, “Mountain Queen: The Summits of Lhakpa Sherpa,” was released for festival viewing in 2023 and on Netflix in 2024. Response’s Meyer, who had trekked in Nepal, watched the film. She realized, “It’s not only a story about mountaineering and mountains; it’s about survivorship,” and contacted Lhakpa about speaking here.

She continued, “This is a perfect fit for our Valley and our nonprofit, because, obviously [the] mission connection, because she is a survivor,

The documentary

IN A NUTSHELL What: Summit of Hope: An Evening with Lhakpa Sherpa When: August 13, doors open at 6pm, event starts at 6:30pm Where: Paepcke Auditorium in Aspen Tickets: responsehelps.org

Lhakpa was approached by British documentary filmmaker Lucy Walker to profile her mountaineering and personal life, including her 10th summit of Everest in 2022. She agreed to the project but was initially reluctant to delve into her difficult private life with Dijmărescu, especially when it came to light that video

continued on page 18

Meticulously Maintained Income Producing Duplex 430 & 432 Whiteriver Avenue, Rifle, CO 4 beds, 4 baths, 2,024 sq.ft., $700,000

Your Mid-Valley Real Estate Expert Professionally representing you with 19 years of experience.

970 319-5757 roaringfork-homes.com hilary@hilaryporterfield.com Call me. I love to talk real estate. ©2026 Engel & Völkers. All rights reserved. Each brokerage is independently owned and operated.

THE SOPRIS SUN | Your weekly community connector | August 6-12, 2026 5

OPEN

T N E M L ENROL GRADES 1-12

APPLY NOW AT WWW.CXA.LIFE

$10K TUITION INCLUDES:

ACCREDITED EDUCATION

PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT

ATHLETIC SKILL DEVELOPMENT

ENRICHMENT

PS I H RS BLE A OL ILA H SC AVA

COMMIT. EXECUTE. ACHIEVE. INFO@CXA.LIFE 6 THE SOPRIS SUN | soprissun.com | August 6-12, 2026

970-205-9122

Planned Parenthood due to reopen in the fall JAMES STEINDLER Editor-in-Chief

Planned Parenthood hires either nurse practitioners or advanced practice cliniFolks generally keep to themselves cians as providers. in the lobby of Planned Parenthood in “We try to minimize or avoid any Glenwood Springs, with the exception coverage gaps,” continued Mansanares, of patients interfacing with the outgo- “but it just happens in this particuing and affirming staff, who seem to lar instance there is just a gap between be happy to help. The organization has when the previous clinician left and been providing services in Glenwood when the new clinician can start.”

Springs for about 50 years, and will Planned Parenthood has had a prescontinue to do so once it gets through ence in Glenwood since the late ‘70s. a current pause.

“The core of services, like “Temporary closures birth control consults, are unfortunate, but they treatment and testing can be pretty common,” for sexually transmitPlanned Parenthood of ted infections, breast the Rocky Mountains exams, cervical cancer President and CEO exams, all that has Adrienne Mansanares been around for quite said, whether it be some time,” she said. a problem with the “The newest services - Adrienne Mansanares, building or, “like in this we rolled out were mediPlanned Parenthood case, when there’s been a cation abortion care and gap in provider coverage.” gender-affirming hormonal The closure is due to the departherapy for transgender folks.” ture of the location’s former healthcare Mansanares said that about 2,000 provider. Fortunately, and despite a patients are seen at the Glenwood locanationwide healthcare workforce short- tion each year. age, as mentioned in a press release from “We’re projecting … a worst case Planned Parenthood, a replacement has [of ] about 500 patients that this could already been hired. The organization impact,” she said. didn’t give the name of the new recruit, but Over the weekend and through the did say they were from the Western Slope. week, Planned Parenthood has been During the closure, the new provider will following up with patients “to make sure be onboarded and trained. they’ve got some coverage during that

We’re projecting … a worst case [of] about 500 patients that this could impact.

All was quiet at the Planned Parenthood location in West Glenwood Wednesday morning, Aug. 5. Photo by James Steindler

gap, or that they can just come in for their care in the fall when we reopen,” Mansanares said.

Many services can be provided over Planned Parenthood’s virtual telehealth system.

“Through telehealth appointments, patients can obtain a range of reproductive and sexual healthcare services,” stated the press release, “including birth control, medication abortion care, treatment for sexually transmitted infections, gender-affirming hormone therapy and other healthcare services.”

There are also patient-assistance funds that can be utilized for

transportation needs to another Planned Parenthood facility for urgent, in-person procedures, such as abortion care.

“Our patient navigators work really closely in English and Spanish to make sure that those patients have the care that they need,” Mansanares said. “And we’ve got donors all throughout the Valley that help to make sure that cost isn’t a barrier.”

There are about half a dozen employees at the Glenwood location.

“We’re still working really closely with all of our local staff,” Mansanares said. “There is a temporary leave plan, continued on page 18

Growing Care for Our Community Aspen Valley Health is proud to welcome our experienced physicians to the Primary Care team—strengthening care for individuals and families across the Roaring Fork Valley.

Together, we continue a legacy of trusted care as part of Aspen Valley Health.

Mary E. Harris, MD, FAAP Pediatrician

Lisa Hicks, DMS, PA-C Women’s Health

Megan Hiles, MD, MBA, FACP Internal Medicine

Kelsea Loveless-Hoffman, MD, FAAP Pediatrician

Primary Care Medical Center | Aspen 0401 Castle Creek Road

Downtown | Aspen NEW! 101 Founders Place, Suite 109

Midvalley | Basalt 1460 East Valley Road

970.279.4111

Monday-Friday, 8 am-5 pm Virtual visits available

aspenvalleyhealth.org

Now accepting new patients THE SOPRIS SUN | Your weekly community connector | August 6-12, 2026 7

New school district staff housing project slated for El Jebel JOHN STROUD Sopris Sun Correspondent

The Roaring Fork School District hopes to take the first step toward fulfilling its goal to secure another 300 units of staff housing over the next 10 years through a partnership with a Colorado affordable housing developer.

Earlier this year, the district selected Colorado Rural Homes to carry forward a plan to build 60 homes on 8.6 acres of district-owned property on JW Drive near the Blue Lake neighborhood in El Jebel.

The project would be solely intended to provide homeownership opportunities for RFSD staff with a mix of single- and multi-family housing units at price points ranging from $300,000 to $500,000.

It would be the first housing available for purchase by teachers and other staff since the completion of Habitat for Humanity’s Basalt Vista project four years ago. That 27-home development, located directly behind Basalt High School, included 14 below-market homes designated for district employees.

Combined with the school district’s 117 rental units spread across Basalt, Carbondale and Glenwood Springs, RFSD’s housing program has gone a long way to help hire and retain teachers and other critical staff in recent years.

But not far enough, according to a district housing master plan completed

late last year. That study quantified just how many units would be needed over the next 10 years — 326 — to stabilize staffing, said Ben Bohmfalk, chief operating officer for the district.

The El Jebel project is the new starting point as the district enters the next phase of meeting its staff housing goals.

“What the study recommended is that we do this project first, using district-owned land and working with an outside developer to build housing,” Bohmfalk explained.

The district has made strides on the rental housing front, using $15 million in dedicated funds from a 2015 bond issue to build new rental units and convert several existing units to below-market rental units meant for district staff.

“We don’t have enough capital financing to do another rental project, so it makes sense to get a development partner to come in that has the resources and can sell the units directly to staff,” Bohmfalk said.

“We’re contributing as much as we can for the planning part of it, but nothing like paying for a whole project.”

All 117 of the district’s rental units are occupied, with a waitlist of about 20 currently, he said. The rental stock includes a single-family home in Carbondale’s River Valley Ranch that had originally been intended to house the district superintendent. It didn’t end up being needed for that

8 THE SOPRIS SUN | soprissun.com | August 6-12, 2026

Colorado Rural Homes is working with the Roaring Fork School District to put forward a plan for 60 deed-restricted homes intended for teachers and other district staff on this 8.6-acre parcel along JW Road in El Jebel. The district purchased the property in 2019 for a possible new school site, but with declining enrollment in the Basalt-area schools and a more urgent need for workforce housing, the property is proposed to be repurposed. Photo by John Stroud

purpose, at least not immediately, but it has proven valuable in the district’s recruiting of district-level staff, Bohmfalk said.

The vision with the rental housing program as a whole was that staff would be able to rent for a few years at below-market rates based on their household income, and save up to be able to buy a home.

“The market has changed so much even since then, though, where we’ve had people in rentals for almost 10 years now and they’re feeling stuck there,” he said.

“This represents our first big expansion of our home ownership opportunities.”

Rural Homes has a strong track record of building workforce housing across Colorado, including 59 units recently completed in Ridgway, Ouray and Norwood.

“By leveraging modular construction and affordable financing, we can deliver high-quality homes quickly and

cost-effectively, which means we can build homes priced for those who work in the community,” David Ware, CEO of Rural Homes, said in a June news release announcing the partnership with the RFSD. It won’t happen overnight, though. The project must first be submitted to Eagle County and go through its land-use review process, where it will likely face scrutiny from the public over a variety of development-related impacts, including traffic.

The 8.6-acre proposed project site on JW Drive was purchased by the school district in 2019 when it was thought a new school would soon be needed for the Basalt attendance area. Declining enrollment, especially in the Basalt-area schools due in part to higher housing costs in that area, have meant there’s no immediate need for a new school, Bohmfalk said. continued on page 12

GARFIELD COUNTY REPORT

Hogback route, flooding impacts and supplemental funding requests

JAMES STEINDLER Editor-in-Chief

Following the customary Pledge of Allegiance and a moment of silence at Monday morning’s Garfield Board of County Commissioners meeting, Rifle resident Rebecca Briesmoore provided a public comment imploring the commissioners to approve a renewed temporary plan to extend the Hogback bus service.

“I just want to request, or beg you, please, to consider that funding proposal,” she said. “I have confidence that this funding proposal is different from the first one you all received many years ago, when it was proposed to be a temporary solution. I think this one is actually a temporary solution. It has a timeline and the cities of Rifle and Silt are at the table to find a long-term solution.”

She added that the RFTA (Roaring Fork Transportation Authority) service in West Garfield is not only important for the people who live there who can’t afford to live up valley, but also for traffic congestion throughout the county and how that affects all of its residents. She said she had asked several people to join her at the meeting, but that “based on it being 8am on a Monday, I couldn’t get anyone else here.”

Chairman Tom Jankovsky noted that though they’d be discussing the proposal on Tuesday during a work session, no decision would be made. “That happens during budget time,” he said. He added that they’re “leaning toward just telling the municipalities we’ll match their funding. However, that does leave about a $75,000 shortfall.” He noted that it could take a passionate group of people to work toward getting a tax question on the ballot.

Diane Williams Perry, a Rifle resident of 26 years who has worked in Glenwood all that time, spoke to the affordability of the bus system and how it’s enabled her to get to work without breaking the bank.

Both of the women spoke to new friendships that have blossomed after meeting people on the bus. Perry said she even went on vacation with two of her “bus buddies.”

Commissioner Mike Samson asked what time Perry usually gets on the bus and how many others are generally waiting at the City Market bus stop in Rifle, where she typically boards, to which she answered 7:45am and about 10, respectively.

Peach Valley residents spoke during the

grant request she is working on with the City of Glenwood Springs. She noted that the county has supported the LoVa trail for more than 20 years, and that the application is based on plans created by the county in 2008.

“It was Garfield County that got the first grants to build the trail,” she said. “Over time, the county has invested probably about $3 million of taxpayer funds and staff time, put up as local match[es] to leverage these large outside grants.”

The FLAP grants only come around every three years, Golay said, and there is $64 million to award within Colorado this cycle. “If awarded, it could possibly bring in $15 million of federal funds into our community,” she said.

Jankovsky acknowledged that he denied the request for an action item due to the county also applying for funding through the same program for two Road and Bridge projects, deeming it a conflict of interest.

Golay read a letter from FLAP Manager Julia Dietsch, stating that including a letter of support for another project is not considered a conflict of interest.

“It might hurt us not to have a letter of support after this came from Julia,” Jankovsky said. “We’ll talk about it some more and see if we can’t get it on the agenda.”

In other news … public comment period strategies to alleviate future regarding the recent flash disasters, but also for more Do you wish to see the flood and mudslides on immediate costs, includI-70. Resident Luise del Rio Hogback route continue? ing waiving landfill fees. claimed that the episode The commissioners and that closed the interstate staff recommended that the had significant economic residents work with staff to impacts. He also noted get an action item, outlinthat homes there are in a ing immediate funding and floodplain and that floods reimbursement requests, on have occurred there historan upcoming BOCC agenda ically. “It won’t be the last,” so the commissioners can del Rio said, adding that make a decision. residents there don’t have Wrapping up public Chime in on the flood insurance. comment, Jeanne Golay, Community Hub Del Rio said that the director of the Lower residents there are also Valley (LoVa) Trail Assoincurring the costs of the ciation, asked that the continual cleanup on their properties, and commissioners reconsider including an requested that the commissioners not agenda item to sign a letter of support for only consider funding and engineering a Federal Lands Access Program (FLAP)

DJ of the Week: Mamabird Tune in for the “Flow Diggity” every other Tuesday from noon to 2 PM. The Flow Diggity with Mamabird is a curated guide of brand new music across electronic, downtempo, trip-hop, and indie disco pop. Warm sunny vibes radiate from Mamabirds set and her on-air personality. As a talent buyer for Mountain person Fair, Film Festival, Pink Black, Fai air ai ir, 55Point oin int in nt Fil illm il m Fe esti tiv ti iva val al, Pin ink in nk to Bla acck k, regional Aly tracks what's aand an d re ional a ev al eevents, vent ve n s, s Al A ly ttr ly racck ks w wh hat a 's coming what's comi min mi in th tthrough hrough hr g an gh aand nd wh w hat a 's fr ffresh esh in i th tthe he music m mu sic scene. cenee.

Seee fu S Se ffull ullll sc ul sschedule ched ch e ul ule le at k kd kdnk.org d dn nk nk k.or orrg or g

Scott Marsh, director of Road and Bridge, submitted a $110,000 supplemental request for the county’s Motor Pool due to increased gasoline prices, which was unanimously approved by the BOCC. The Garfield County Fairgrounds received $13,000 in supplemental funding for unplanned parking lot repairs caused by repeated bus traffic during the Bus Rodeo, as well as an $11,000 supplemental for its electricity expense account due to spikes caused by a “high-demand vendor,” the nonprofit Colorado Extreme youth hockey program, since 2024.

Presentations included McMahan and Associates LLC’s, the county’s independent auditor, 2025 Annual Comprehensive Financial Report and a semi-annual update for the Garfield County Landfill.

The entirety of the BOCC meetings can be viewed at the county’s website: garfieldcountyco.gov/board-commissioners

We walked & biked to Mtn. Fair.

Let’s keep it going!

WALK. BIKE. CONNECT.

Why not pledge to walk or bike whenever you go downtown year round? BE the Carbondale you love: outdoorsy, neighborly, small-town, connected!

Carbondale’s Bike Ped Trails Commission THE SOPRIS SUN | Your weekly community connector | August 6-12, 2026 9

Queer VOICES Project 2026 CALL FOR AUDITIONS Directed by Micha Schoepe

Queer VOICES Project brings the vibrant experiences of LGBTQIA+ people in the Roaring Fork Valley to the stage, honoring the journeys that have shaped us through storytelling, music, and movement.

AUDITIONS

Rehearsals September–October, 2026

Saturday, August 8, 1–4 p.m.

Third Street Center, Carbondale Sunday, August 9, 1–4 p.m.

Glenwood Vaudeville, Glenwood Springs

Prepare a 2–4-minute story from your life.

Performances October 23–25, 2026 Glenwood Vaudeville Revue

Schedule Now.

Join us in creating an original theater production built from our own stories.

CALENDAR THURSDAY, AUGUST 6

GERI-FIT The Carbondale Branch Library hosts strength training for older adults from 12:30 to 1:30pm. The strength training sessions continue each Thursday at the same time and place for the rest of the month.

HITCHING TO THE FAIR Older adults are invited to hitch a ride to the Garfield County Fair from the Glenwood Community Center at 9am.

Call Laine at 970-309-5911 or the front desk at 970-384-6301 with questions.

Register by phone or at tinyurl.com/ ridetothefair by Aug. 4.

ADULT DANCE CLASS The Glenwood Springs Community Center offers a jazz-funk dance class on Thursdays, today through Aug. 27, from 11am to noon. Register at tinyurl.com/ DanceGlenwood MUSIC AT THE LIBRARY The Basalt Library hosts Aspen Music Festival and School students, who will play from 5:15 to 6:15pm. The recital returns to the library at the same time on Aug. 13 and Aug. 20.

COSMIC SOUND Danielle Klein hosts Cosmic Sound Journey at True Nature from 6 to 7:15pm.

Register at truenaturehealingarts.com ‘BIG FISH’ Stage of Life (SoL) Theatre Company presents “Big Fish.” The musical takes the stage at 7pm in Carbondale’s Thunder River Theatre. It will continue at the theater at 7pm Friday, 2pm and 7pm Saturday, and 2pm Sunday. Tickets at soltheatrecompany.org SoL is looking for volunteers to help out at the shows; sign up at tinyurl.com/ bigfishperformance BAND OF HEATHENS The Band of Heathens perform at TACAW at 8pm. Tickets at tacaw.org ‘ANGRY BIRDS 2’ The City of Glenwood Springs screens “Angry Birds 2” in Bethel Plaza — under the bridge — at 8pm.

FRIDAY, AUGUST 7

YOGA Join The Meadow Wellness Series at Iron Mountain Hot Springs for yoga with The Yoga Collective from 8:15 to 9:15am. Details at ironmountainhotsprings.com STORYTIME PLAYGROUP Children, ages 0 to 3, and parents are invited to Basalt Library’s Storytime Playgroup from 10:30 to 11:15am. Children will “listen to stories, participate in large motor movements, experience sensory activities and be able to interact with other children and caregivers.”

SENIOR ART STROLL Seniors and locals are invited to a free stroll through the gallery of the Powers Art Center at 11:30am. Details at powersartcenter.org MARBLEFEST Live music hits the stage beginning at 3:30pm at Marble Mill Site Park for the 20th year of MarbleFest. Running through Saturday night, catch bands like Emotional Rescue, Flutter, MoonBeem, Dragondeer, Rootbeer Richie and the Reveille and more. And don’t miss the fest’s libations, crafts, food trucks, artisans and authors. Details at facebook.com/MarbleFestco UNDER THE BRIDGE The Chaplains perform in Bethel Plaza — under the bridge in downtown Glenwood — from 4:30 to 7:30pm.

10 THE SOPRIS SUN | soprissun.com | August 6-12, 2026

FIRST FRIDAY Carbondale Arts hosts First Friday in downtown Carbondale, including performances from 5:30 to 6:30pm on the VOICES ARTery Stage, KDNK DJs spinning live tunes, live music in Chacos Park by Duncan Coker and The Flat Top Riders from 5:30 to 8:30pm and more. Main Street will be closed to traffic between Weant and 2nd Street to make way for the “recess” themed event. Details at carbondalearts.com BEATS AT TINY TIKI BAR DJ Jero performs at Tiny Pine Bistro’s Tiny Tiki Bar from 6 to 8pm.

SAWYER BROWN BAND The Sawyer Brown Band performs on the eve of the final day of the Garfield County Fair at 7pm at the Garfield County Fairgrounds. Tickets and a list of other fair events (Aug. 1 to 9) can be found at garfieldcountyfair.com CRYSTAL THEATRE “Spider-Man: Brand New Day” screens at the Crystal at 7pm. The Crystal will also screen the film on Saturday at 7pm, Sunday at 5pm (captioned), Monday at 7pm and Tuesday at 7pm.

SATURDAY, AUGUST 8

ZEN MEDITATION Billy Wynne guides a half day of silence and stillness through Zen meditation at True Nature from 9am to 2pm. Register at truenaturehealingarts.com HIP HOP FOR KIDS Kids, ages 7-13, are invited to pick up some new dance moves from Dizon with Dance Initiative at the Glenwood Community Center from 4:30 to 6pm. Register at tinyurl.com/ Hip-HopDanceInitiative

SUNDAY, AUGUST 9

‘EMPOWERED CREATOR’ Erin McElroy guides a workshop focused on making consciously-powered changes in one’s life at True Nature from 10am to 6pm. Register at truenaturehealingarts.com ‘TWO OBJECTS’ A Spiritual Center hosts “Relate: Boundaries and Permeability of Two Objects,” a playful presentation by Michelle Zinanti from 10 to 11:30am in Room 31 of the Third Street Center.

MONDAY, AUGUST 10

ROCK ‘N’ ROLL The Rock and Roll Academy invites kids, ages 8-18, to the Glenwood Springs Community Arts Center, running from 10am to 3pm every day until Friday, to learn guitar, bass, drums, keys, vocals and more. Tickets at tinyurl.com/ rockandroll2026 TAI CHI Older adults focus on fitness through Tai Chi from 1 to 2pm at the Sunnyside Retirement Center in Glenwood Springs. The Tai Chi sessions continue each Monday for the rest of the month at the same time and place.

BROTHERHOOD CIRCLE Kyle Jason Leitzke hosts the monthly Sacred Brotherhood Circle at True Nature from 7 to 9:30pm. Register at truenaturehealingarts.com All male-identifying individuals are welcome to participate.

TUESDAY, AUGUST 11

MAH JONGG The Glenwood Library hosts Mah Jongg drop-in games for all levels from 1:30 to 3:30pm. The games continue at the same time at the library each Tuesday for the rest of the month.

ONGOING EVENTS ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS The Meeting Place in Carbondale (981 Cowen Drive) offers “Hole in the Donut AA,” Monday through Saturday at 6:45am, plus “Daily Reprieve” at noon on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Find a full schedule at www.meetingplacecarbondale.org PARKINSON’S EXERCISES An exercise class for people living with Parkinson’s Disease, MS or any other neuromuscular conditions is offered at the Glenwood Springs Library every Monday from 1 to 2pm. For more details, email dnovak@parkinsonrockies.org or call 866-718-2996.

IN STITCHES The In Stitches Knitting Club meets at the Carbondale Library every Monday at 1:30pm.

RAGING GRANNIES All are welcome to join the Raging Grannies, singing for a healthy planet and a kind world, on Wednesdays at the Two Rivers Unitarian Universalists office at the Third Street Center from 4 to 5:30pm.

Live music hits the stage beginning at 3:30pm on Aug. 7 at the Marble Mill Site Park for the 20th year of MarbleFest. Running through Saturday night, catch bands like Emotional Rescue, Flutter, MoonBeem, Dragondeer, Rootbeer Richie and the Reveille and more.

And don’t miss the fest’s libations, crafts, food trucks, artisans and authors. Details at facebook.com/MarbleFestco Photo courtesy of Dragondeer

ASPEN CHAPEL GALLERY The Aspen Chapel Gallery hosts its annual English Garden Party fundraiser, but with a western twist — a hoedown!

The event is from 4 to 7pm, and will include music, bites and more. Tickets and details at aspenchapel.org TAP DANCE Grown ups learn to tap dance from 5:30 to 6:30pm at the Glenwood Springs Community Art Center. The lessons continue on Tuesdays until Sept. 1.

Register at tinyurl.com/adulttapdance

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 12

CRYSTAL THEATRE The Crystal Theatre screens “Balto” (1995) at 2:30pm.

MUSIC IN BASALT Catch the final iteration of the Basalt Summer Music series, featuring opener Natalie Spears and headliner Amythyst Kiah, from 6 to 9:30pm at Basalt River Park. Can’t make it in person? Tune in at kdnk.org MUSIC IN GLENWOOD The Glenwood Springs Summer Music Series concludes with a performance by Grateful Dead tribute band Easy Jim at Two Rivers Park from 6:30 to 9pm.

THURSDAY, AUGUST 13

FOUR PASS Get your hands dirty with four days of trail work alongside Roaring Fork Outdoor Volunteers, Wilderness Workshop and a professional trail crew on the Four Pass Loop Trail Project, which runs until Aug. 16. Breakfast and dinners will be provided. Register at tinyurl.com/fourpassloop2026 LHAKPA SHERPA Response presents “Summit of Hope,” featuring Lhakpa Sherpa — a domestic abuse survivor, the first Nepali woman to summit Everest and the women’s worldrecord-holder for the number of summits to the tallest point in the world — at the Paepcke Auditorium in Aspen at 6:30pm.

Tickets at Responsehelps.org/events ‘CLAY & MOONLIGHT’ Local and internationally acclaimed artist James Surls will be recognized at Carbondale Clay Center’s “Clay and Moonlight” fundraiser hosted at the

Aspen Glen Club on Aug. 13 from 6 to 9:30pm. Tickets at carbondaleclay.org

ENGLISH IN ACTION Volunteer English tutors and developing learners meet for informal conversational practice at the Carbondale Library every Monday at 6:30pm. Interested in becoming a tutor? Email angela@englishinaction. org or call 970-963-9200.

BIJA BEAT Tracy Straus hosts Bija Beat, a highenergy, all-levels dance experience, at True Nature from 6:30 to 7:30pm.

Tickets at truenaturehealingarts.com

BIKE PROJECT The Carbondale Bike Project Shop helps people repair their bicycles on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 2 to 6pm and Sundays from noon to 6pm on the east side of Third Street Center.

STEVE’S GUITARS Will Overman performs at Steve’s Guitars at 8pm. Tickets at stevesguitars.net

FARMERS’ MARKET The Carbondale Farmers’ Market takes place every Wednesday from 10am to 3pm through Sept. 30 at 4th and Main Street.

SENIOR LUNCH Every Wednesday at noon, Garfield County Senior Programs provides a nutritious meal for seniors at The Orchard.

To reserve a place at the table, call 970-404-1193.

ASK A LAWYER Alpine Legal Services offers a hotline clinic on Wednesdays from 5 to 7pm. Call 970-368-2246 and visit alpinelegalservices. org for the schedule of dates by legal topic.

RODEO TIME Rain or shine, the Carbondale Wild West Rodeo kicks off and continues every Thursday through Aug. 20. Catch a free shuttle from the Orchard Church or 4th and Colorado (Town Hall). Gates open at 5pm, Slack starts at 5:45pm and Grand Entry starts at 7:30pm. Details at carbondalerodeo.com UNDER THE SUN Join Sopris Sun correspondents and guests for “Everything Under The Sun,” airing every Thursday on KDNK at 4pm.

GROUP RUN Independence Run & Hike leads a weekly group run on Thursdays departing from the store’s location, next to the Carbondale City Market, at 6pm.

REDSTONE LIBRARY A Pitkin County Library staff member brings services to the Redstone Inn every Friday from 10am to 2pm.

BINGO AT 502 The 502 Diner on Highway 133 hosts Bingo night every Friday at 6:30pm.

SOBER QUEER CLUB The Meeting Place hosts an LGBTQIA+ specific recovery meeting every first and third Saturday at 5:30pm. For more details, visit www.meetingplacecarbondale.org

FRIDAY, AUGUST 14

ART CAMP Glenwood Springs Community Arts Center hosts a summer camp from 9am to 5pm. Kids will take home an art piece of their own creation by the end of the day. Register at tinyurl.com/ glenwoodsummercamp2026 ART CONTINUED The Glenwood Springs Community Arts Center hosts “Art Kids Friday Night “from 5:30 to 8:30pm, when participants explore art projects, sunny-themed games and more. Tickets are available at tinyurl.com/artkidsfriday STEVE’S GUITARS Gillian Grogan performs at Steve’s Guitars at 8pm. Tickets at stevesguitars.net COMEDY AT TACAW Head over to The Arts Campus at Willits for a laugh at 8pm with standup comic Sammy Anzer. Tickets are available at tacaw.org/calendar/ comedian-sammy-anzer

SATURDAY, AUGUST 15

COLORADO 500 TRIBUTE Colorado 500 Founders Wally and Peppy Dallenbach will be honored R with a parade on Main Street in Basalt at 2pm, as well as with a tribute next toE Alpine Bank at Dallenbach Park (137 Midland Avenue) at 2:30pm. “The 50th Colorado 500 Charity Invitational Ride,” an invitation-only, motor-powered trail ride across the Rockies, runs Aug. 16-21.

WATER SUPPLY Water Supply Reserve Fund grant applications, which assist water users in critical need, are due. Details at cwcb.colorado.gov/funding/ water-supply-reserve-fund-grants

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

Community Education Classes Zumba

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

Mondays, 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

Matwork to improve balance, strength, and stability with the fundamentals of Pilates Wed, 9-9:50am, 8/12-9/30

Philosophical Tools

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

Tues, 6-7:30pm, 8/25-9/15

What is Astrology

An introduction to astrology as a tool for self-knowing, personal growth, & quality of time.

Thursday, 6-8pm, 8/27

Carbondale

690 Colorado Avenue

970-963-2172

Citizenship Basics

Prepares adults for the U.S. citizenship and naturalization exam and interview.

Sat, 10:30am-12:30pm, 8/29-12/5

Beginning Swing Dance

Prepares adults for the U.S. citizenship and naturalization exam and interview.

Wed, 6:30-8:30pm, 9/2-9/23

Pilates Matwork w/Pamela

Increase core strength, overall muscle tone, and flexibility with focused and precise techniques Mon, 10-10:50am, 9/14-12/7

Pleasant Dogs

Bennett Bramson’s “Seven P’s...” basic and common-sense training tool for dog owners Online Tues, 6-8:30pm, 9/15

Scan for Community Ed

THE SOPRIS SUN | Your weekly community connector | August 6-12, 2026 11

Bill to stop quarry expansion would protect Ute sacred site AMY HADDEN MARSH KDNK News

According to Yampah Spa and Vapor Caves, 6,000 gallons of water per minute, naturally heated to 125 degrees Fahrenheit, flow through Democratic Sen. Michael Bennet and Republican Representative the rooms of the cave, which was a sacred healing spot for the Utes Jeff Hurd introduced the bipartisan Glenwood Hot Springs Protection long before white settlers found it.

Act in the U.S. House and Senate on July 23. The proposed legislation Marvin Pinnecoose, acting chairman of the Southern Ute Tribe, would prohibit the U.S. Secretary of the Interior from processing or also joined the press call and said that Pagosa Springs, Ouray and approving any application for the expansion of the Mid-Continent Glenwood have hot springs that were used by his people for centuries limestone quarry, also known as the Transfer Trail limestone quarry. during annual tribal migrations.

The bill comes just a short time after the Bureau of Land “Natural, cultural, ceremonial resources thrive in specific Management (BLM) accepted an application from areas; and certain animals, they live in certain places Rocky Mountain Industrials, the owner of the mine, during specific times of year; plants grow in certain for a 43-acre expansion upslope of the existing places,” he explained. “And all of these are the quarry. Community leaders and officials from reasons why we migrated to these areas, because local, state, tribal and federal governments are we could rely on them year after year.” joining together to oppose it.

Pinnecoose added that the hot springs The 43-year-old mine is a stone’s throw have medicinal and spiritual value. from Glenwood Springs and sits on top of the “These are our sacred sites, and the hot limestone geological formation that supports springs themselves, they hold medicine. They area hot springs. Mining there could irrepahold power, the power to heal, the power to rably damage the geothermal structures that soothe the soul, to relax and to pray,” he said. feed the hot springs, say proponents of the bill, “And any threat to that harmony that brings that - Marvin Pinnecoose, who gathered for a recent virtual press call with kind of peace to mankind is an offense to the great Acting Chairman of the Bennet and Hurd. blessing that the Creator has given us and allowed Southern Ute Tribe Hurd reminded everyone that he is pro-mining, us to utilize facilities like that.” pro-energy and pro-resource development.

He said that his people understand mineral extraction “Those industries have been and continue to be a vital part of our due to the natural gas deposits on the Southern Ute Reservation, and economy, and I’m going to continue fighting for them in Congress,” that it must be done responsibly. he said. But, he is not in favor of an expansion of the limestone “We’ve had opportunities to drill in areas that would’ve been profquarry near Glenwood Springs. itable and to be able to provide that resource to the public. But in Contamination of local hot springs could not only tank tourism our due diligence process, we also have to look at, you know, are we in Glenwood, but would also disturb an ancient site long used by the coming across cultural sites, significant plants, animals that might be Ute Nations. in danger?” he said, adding that the Utes consider themselves stew“The Glenwood Hot Springs are one of Colorado’s true treasures,” ards of the land and take that role seriously.

Hurd said. “They are an economic engine for Western Colorado, they The Glenwood Hot Springs Protection Act now goes to commitare a national landmark and they are also a place that has a deep, tee. Bennet said there may not be any action on the bill until after the cultural significance that has drawn people for generations.”

November election.

These are our sacred sites, and the hot springs themselves, they hold medicine. They hold power, the power to heal, the power to soothe the soul, to relax and to pray.

At Unitarian Universalist congregations, we celebrate spiritual curiosity and honor many paths to truth.

You don’t have to believe in the same way—or at all— to belong here. Whether your inspiration comes from science, poetry, ancient traditions, or something entirely your own, you’re welcome to explore it with us. We believe in the freedom to grow your spirit without boundaries and the power of community to help you along the way.

12 THE SOPRIS SUN | soprissun.com | August 6-12, 2026

HOUSING from page 8

“The schools aren’t growing, but the staff we do need can’t afford to live there,” he said.

The site is adjacent to another smaller parcel that was dedicated to the district for a future school site when the Blue Lake subdivision was approved in the 1980s.

That parcel, which has some park amenities, is not included in the housing plan.

“We see this fitting into that neighborhood well,” Bohmfalk said, noting the planned 60 units is well short of the 194 units the site could accommodate.

“It was never our plan to max out that site with hundreds of units,” he said.

Bohmfalk counters any growth-related concerns, saying the school district project, and even the 163-unit Aspen One workforce housing project that’s being proposed across JW Drive, are geared toward housing existing workers and residents, not adding to the population.

For the school district’s part, the new project could allow current renters of district units to buy a home at an affordable price, thus freeing up a rental unit for another staff member, he said.

If approved, the El Jebel project would be phased in over several years, with the first units possibly coming online in 2028.

‘Trust the process’

Women’s Triathlon Team celebrates end of season with local and world competitions KATE PHILLIPS Sopris Sun Correspondent

In athletics, triumph can be defined in many ways.

For the Roaring Fork Women’s Triathlon Team (RFWTT) it is defined in every moment, big or small — from learning to swim in open water to standing atop a podium. Now, with just a few weeks left in their season, RFWTT is ready to celebrate their hard work at key races, including amateur and world competitions, together.

“Triathlon is an individual sport, except when it comes to this team,” Co-head Coach Carla Westerman said. “Everyone feels that they are part of something that is absolutely bigger than themselves.”

Since 1999, RFWTT has been teaching the sport’s foundational skills of cycling, swimming and running or walking to help Western Slope women complete their first triathlon. Founders Judy Haynes and Nancy Reinisch focused on fun and collaboration to create a supportive community.

“We support women, in all walks of life and all abilities no matter if they are beginners or progressing to be an elite athlete,” Co-head Coach Sharma Phillips said. “We give them a community, resources and guidance.”

While developed to be a beginner program, RFWTT is proud to cheer on three assistant coaches as they prepare for the world stage.

Up first, Sydney Pena will race at the Ironman 70.3 World Championship held on Sept. 12-13 in Nice, France. A former NCAA swimmer and Colorado Mesa University coach, Pena is the team’s swim coach and loves learning alongside her athletes.

“The amount of information Carla and Sharma gives our athletes is absolutely amazing,” Pena said. “I have grown so much within my triathlon racing. Learning to race after having kids is so completely different.”

Next, Sherrie Setterberg will represent Team USA at the World Triathlon Championship Finals in Pontevedra, Spain from Sept. 23-27. A former synchronized

Roaring Fork Women’s Triathlon Team Assistant Coaches Sherrie Setterberg (left), Jamie Boutilier (center) and Sydney Pena are all smiles at Harvey Gap Reservoir.

Inspiring their athletes to be triumphant, the trio will be competing at their respective world championships in the coming months.

Courtesy photo

swimmer, Setterberg will tackle hilly cobblestone roads to race against the best in her age group. For her, this is a dream come true.

“I was with my daughter at a triathlon and I saw these people from Team USA with their names on their butts,” she said.

“I thought, ‘I want that. Someday in my life I’m gonna have a kit with my name on my butt and chest.’ I went to nationals last year and they only take 18 to the worlds and guess what place I got — 18th!”

Relatively new to the sport, Jamie Boutilier will compete in her second world championship at the World Triathlon Multisport Championships held from July 16-25 in Edmonton, Canada. Boutilier joined RFWTT in 2019 not knowing how to swim or cycle beyond the basics.

But after a few races she was hooked and now represents Team USA while also being a role model for the next generation of athletes.

“I recently volunteered at my son’s preschool and did a little triathlon for them,” Boutilier said. “That’s what this is about for me.” continued on page 15

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!

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.

The Roaring Fork Women’s Triathlon Team (RFWTT) poses for a picture after the 2026 Strawberry Shortcut. As the largest women’s triathlon team in Colorado, RFWTT is expanding access to the sport while helping women achieve their goals whether they are beginners or emerging elites. Courtesy photo

THE SOPRIS SUN | Your weekly community connector | August 6-12, 2026 13

MYKI JONES Arts Correspondent

SoL Theatre to stage ‘Big Fish’

From Aug. 5 through Aug. 9, SoL Theatre will be staging its next mainstage production, “Big Fish.”

Based on the book by Daniel Wallace and the film by Tim Burton, this musical adaptation tells the story of traveling salesman Edward Bloom, portrayed in this production by Gerald DeLisser and Landan Berlof, who play the present and past versions of Edward, respectively. The whimsical, wacky and outlandish adventures of his life mesmerize the people around him, but especially his wife Sandra, portrayed by Kassidy Birdsong and Brittany Crooke.

“I got to do this show for the first time when I was in high school.

I was in it, and it was like one of my favorite theater experiences I’ve ever had in my life. I’ve done theater since I was five — this show always stuck out to me as one of my favorites,” Maizy Post, director of this production, said.

Berlof, who is coming into this production on the heels of Theatre Aspen’s “A Chorus Line,” expressed his excitement for being a part of this immersive production with an equally immersive community before he departs back to New York. Berlof said this show holds special meaning for him and he is excited to finally be able to engage with the production.

Landon Berlof (front and center) during teach rehearsal alongside the 35-community-member cast.

Photo by Maizy Post

“I’ve been called to ‘Big Fish’ for a long time. It actually reminds me a lot of this phase of life I’m going through,” Berlof said. “When I came here, I was challenged to stay for a full year. Being immersed in the community, and especially with SoL, finding that love of theater with other people of this community that have a myriad of jobs, mothers, fathers, florists, you know, real estate agents, like all these different things, and aerialists; finding that community has been so special.”

Post, who is making her SoL Theatre directorial debut with this production, took the creative liberty to split the roles of Edward and Sandra between two actors per role to provide more perspective on the characters’ lives and to give more opportunities to

14 THE SOPRIS SUN | soprissun.com | August 6-12, 2026

community members involved in the production.

“In the Broadway show, Edward and Sandra are played by one actor, but because it’s a community show, I wanted to make more opportunities and let this be something that everyone could be a part of,” Post said. “I also thought that it would be interesting to have the perspectives of different actors at different stages in their lives and use something different in the flashbacks versus the present that you wouldn’t get with one person. Something I’m drawn to about this story is it’s a very human show with really real people, which in musical theater you don’t always get. There’s a lot of extravagant, over the top things, but this is about real people.”

The story also follows Bloom’s son, Will, portrayed in this production by John Konstantopoulos, who is about to become a father and takes it upon himself to uncover the truth behind his father’s larger-than-life stories. “[This show] speaks to how you can become immortalized through the memories you make with people who know and love you, and through the stories they may have about you,” DeLisser said when discussing how audiences may see themselves or their lives through this show.

DeLisser also expressed how the element of community and connection speaks to him through his role as Edward Bloom.

“One of my favorite parts of playing Edward is how he makes

everyone feel around him. He makes everyone feel important.

As much as he tries to make his life about him being a hero and him being magical, he also does that for the other people around him too, makes them bigger than life, and I’ve always admired that in characters,” DeLisser said.

His points were echoed by Birdsong, whose three children will also be appearing in this show alongside the over 30 cast members, who expressed gratitude for this production and how the community has exuded the same magic and care for one another that will be seen on stage.

“Initially when I heard about this show, I was like, ‘It’s a boy story, and I don’t want to do a boy story.’ But shame on me for losing the Sandra plot. In my role, I’m excited to have a role in the show that celebrates being a consistent, faithful, loving light in the world,” Birdsong said.

“I think the most rewarding part of it has been how the community has shown up for my family. The other kids in the cast have played Legos with the little guy, and SoL kids are my best babysitters, and some of the 20-somethings helped me move. It’s given back as much as I’ve put in.”

The show at Thunder River Theatre runs Aug. 5 to 9. For times/tickets, visit SoLsummertheatre.org

RFWTT from page 13 Phillips said that with a single word or action, the assistant coaches inspire their athletes daily.

“It transforms us every year to be better coaches and to do better because they are such shining examples,” Phillips said. “The well is endless for the love of the coaches and the inspiration that they bring.”

All the while, the coaches are championing their athletes (fondly referred to as Tri-Babes) as they prepare for RFWTT’s annual capstone race: the Coeur Outdoor Divas Sprint Triathlon.

Happening on Aug. 16 in Longmont, athletes will compete on a closed, beginner-friendly course that features a half-mile swim, 12.4-mile bike ride and 3.1-mile run.

“The atmosphere seems lighter and happier,” Pena said. “Everyone is trying to have fun and supporting one another.”

The race is capped at 600 athletes and RFWTT accounts for about 10% of the field.

“When you go to an event and you’re part of a team it’s just so powerful,” Setterberg said. “It’s a pretty great experience that the entire time you are constantly seeing and cheering for someone you know.”

Beyond the finish Spanning 13 weeks from May to mid-August, RFWTT meets in Glenwood Springs for workouts, lectures and clinics. Phillips, a certified Ironman Triathlon coach, said RFWTT is a training team, which is different from an exercise program. Athletes learn and implement practices that allow them to safely progress, avoid injury and show up in the best shape both mentally and physically.

“We’re introducing them to new things that might sound too hardcore, but we teach them that anyone can come here and do these things,” Westerman, a USA Triathlon level 1 coach, said.

Setterberg said the training is a self-discovery process where athletes realize the tools and skills they already have in their package.

“We all have these self doubts that come in,” she said. “But you start to learn and realize you’re accepted. And then maybe you start to think maybe I can do that.”

For Boutilier, the team’s lessons can be applied to life beyond the finish line.

“One of the things that Carla, Sharma and the other coaches have taught me is where I am, where am I going and what do I need,” Boutilier said. “I do that all the time at work, like maybe I need to lead a workshop and I’m nervous, but then I apply those principles.”

While the goals may vary, RFWTT has woven together a community rich in support, hard work and plenty of triumph — you just have to show up.

“Trust the process,” Westerman said.

“If you keep showing up we’ll get you across the finish line.”

Visit roaringforktriteam.com to keep up with the Roaring Fork Women’s Triathlon Team or learn more about membership for next season.

Don’t sugarcoat the dangers of added sugar Big Food cares about their bottom line, not your health. Like glucose, high fructose corn syrup, honey, malt syrup, maple the tobacco companies before them, they hire scientists to figure syrup, molasses, raw sugar and sucrose. out how to make their products more addictive. The scientists Sugar Sweetened Beverages (SSBs): These are the number one found that people get hooked on sugar, salt and fat. source of added sugar in the American diet. One of the reasons Respected nutrition expert Dr. Michael Greger notes that “the they are so harmful is this: After eating solid food containfood industries bank their billions by manipulating the pleasure ing added sugar, you have some sense of fullness, and are less centers within your brain, the so-called dopaapt to eat additional calories. However, SSBs mine reward system — the same reward system don’t cause fullness, making intake of addithat keeps people smoking cigarettes and snorttional calories more likely, resulting in obesity. ing cocaine.” As with addictive drugs, tolerance Following is a list of several SSBs with number to sugar, fat and salt develops and bigger doses of teaspoons of sugar and total calories for are required to obtain the same pleasure. Big each: lemonade, 3 teaspoons of sugar/55 caloFood spends billions marketing harmful prodries; sports drink, 5/97; sweetened tea, 7/115; ucts to kids and adults. They especially target energy drink, 9/162; regular soda, 10/155; fruit minority and financially-disadvantaged neighjuice, 10/186; orange soda, 13/195. borhoods, as described in Dr. Joel Fuhrman’s Garfield County Public Health and SSBs: book “Fast Food Genocide.” As the U.S. market In general, the U.S. has a disease management for junk food declines somewhat, Big Food system rather than a healthcare system: we wait now targets low- and middle-income people in diseases occur and then spend trillions GUEST OPINION until developing countries. trying to manage them. Local public health

By Greg Feinsinger, M.D. Natural sugar in whole fruit is not a probsystems are an exception — they do what they lem. Due to fiber and other nutrients, it is can to prevent disease through immunizations absorbed slowly without causing a significant rise in blood and other measures. sugar, and with the help of insulin it enters cells to use as energy.

The Garfield County Public Health Department has partAdded sugar, on the other hand, contributes to the following nered with seven other public health agencies in Colorado health problems: childhood and adult obesity, cardiovascu- to reduce consumption of sugary beverages. Their effort lar disease such as heart attacks and strokes, prediabetes and is funded through grants using tobacco tax dollars. Since Type 2 diabetes, fatty liver, tooth decay, inflammation and gout. tobacco taxes successfully decreased use of that harmful It also causes toxic hunger — when you consume sugar, your product, some cities in the U.S. have adopted sugar taxes, with blood sugar rises for an hour. To counteract that your pancreas successful drops in consumption of SSBs and the diseases secretes insulin, and during the second hour blood sugar levels they cause. For more information on local efforts to reduce often drop below normal. This hypoglycemia leads to over- consumption of SSB’s check out garfieldcountyco.gov/publicwhelming toxic cravings, different than natural hunger caused health/healthy beverages by need for calories.

SSBs in schools and hospitals: While sugary beverages in When you read food labels while grocery shopping, keep schools are now limited by federal guidelines, SSBs continue to in mind that 4 grams of sugar is a teaspoon. Food companies be available in most hospitals, including local ones. For example, try to deceive consumers by using different names for added Valley View Hospital offers SSBs in vending machines, in their sugar, such as natural organic cane sugar, beet sugar, corn syrup, cafeteria and at Starbucks. Grand River and Aspen Valley hospidextrose, fructose, fruit juice concentrate, fruit nectar, agave, tals are no better.

Head on over to the Rio Grande trail and check out the goats who are here on their annual visit to consume as many weeds as they can to help reduce fire fuel along Catherine Store Road. These goats were taking a muchneeded break from the heat and bellies full of weeds.

Photos by Jane Bachrach

THE SOPRIS SUN | Your weekly community connector | August 6-12, 2026 15

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

Photo by Anahi Gazga

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

BAKED POTATO WITH CARNE ASADA ANAHI GAZGA

Flavors of el Sol

INGREDIENTS 8 potatoes 1 stick of butter 2 lbs your choice of beef for grilling Cheddar cheese, shredded, to taste 1 bunch cilantro 1 onion 1 box aluminum foil INSTRUCTIONS Cook the potatoes (as many as needed, depending on the number of servings) until they are tender.

Mash the potatoes and season with salt, pepper and butter.

Set aside.

Grill the beef and season with salt and pepper to taste. Once cooked, cut it into small pieces or lightly shred it. Set aside.

Slice the onion into thin strips and sauté until translucent or lightly golden.

Shred the cheddar cheese and set aside.

Wash, sanitize and finely chop the cilantro.

Cut large sheets of aluminum foil, one for each serving.

Spread a little butter on each sheet of aluminum foil to prevent the potatoes from sticking. Add a layer of mashed potatoes, then top with the grilled beef and shredded cheddar cheese. Fold the foil tightly to seal the packet and heat it on a griddle or in the oven for about 10 minutes, or until the cheese has melted.

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

‘Al cliente lo que pida’

‘Whatever the customer wants’

BIANCA GODINA Sol del Valle

Adriana “Adri” Monje Balderrama, from Santa Isabel, Chihuahua, has lived in the valley for 30 years and resides in Rifle. On Jan. 9, 2026, she opened Adri’s Tacos in New Castle.

How did the idea of opening a food trailer come about?

I’ve always loved cooking. I’ve owned a cleaning company for nine and a half years, but for a long time I had the idea of opening a food truck. For one reason or another, I kept putting it off.

I’ve never worked in a restaurant; it simply came from my passion for cooking.

What has been the most rewarding part of opening your business?

I had customers from the very first day. The people of New Castle have been so kind. They welcomed me with open arms and kept telling me the town needed a place like this. When the opportunity came up to open here, I thought it was the best location I could have found. One family that comes all the way from Glenwood even told me our Chihuahua-style barbacoa was the best they had tasted in the Valley. In fact, they all came back again on Sunday to eat.

How do you adapt your menu to your customers’ preferences?

I listen closely to my customers. At first, I didn’t have any vegetarian options, but several

Adriana “Adri” Monje Balderrama stands in front of her New Castle taco shop, Adri’s Tacos, which she opened in January. Photo by Bianca Godina

people asked for them, so I added vegetarian tacos so everyone could enjoy the menu. I always try to recommend dishes based on what each person is looking for.

Whatever the customer wants.

What advice would you give someone who wants to start a business?

Go for it. It’s normal to feel afraid when you’re starting something new, but you can’t give up just because the results don’t come right away. The most important things are consistency and perseverance. Little by little, everything is possible. I encourage people to give it a try. This is the land of

opportunity, and we shouldn’t let fear hold us back.

Adri’s Tacos is open every day from 9 am to 9 pm at 677 W. Main St. in New Castle. The menu features carne asada, adobada, al pastor, barbacoa, carnitas and fish tacos, along with a vegetarian option, veggie tacos. They also serve burritos, including specialty burritos such as the montado, as well as tortas, chicken wings and their popular papa asada (baked potato), among other dishes. On weekends, customers can enjoy one of the restaurant’s specialties: birria sold by the liter.

EDITOR’S NOTE: This translation was assisted with AI.

Carefully open the foil packet. Top with the sautéed onions, chopped cilantro and your favorite salsa.

Serve immediately and enjoy!

Buen provecho, enjoy!

Follow Leonardo Occhipinti’s “Nuevo Mundo” in Sol del Valle every week in Spanish.

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 | August 6-12, 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

Between Suns and Moons

By Daniel Torres Translated by Freda Barron

The inevitable departure of the moons makes the older self more present, stained by so many suns.

The less archaic self, an apprentice of the moons, yearns for more suns.

In the shadow of the years (those past, those future), hazy memories emerge, filled with shadows and nostalgic longings.

Always the passing of bitter memories of distant deaths, I see myself again and thus confirm that those were not my deaths.

In the dawns that grant hope, that always mark the beginnings of days and the wait for countless nights, of opposite endings, of different phenomena that attract each other and seem like one.

Like the cycle that ends in winter and begins in winter, and the sunset that lingers until dawn, with the greater stars as witnesses, in a night that is only intermittent.

The similarities of opposites, the end that grants a consecutive beginning, a cry that chases joy, the despair that stems from faith, the perseverance of death, that which only comes after a life.

The poetry written on the shelves of a memory, to be read by some other memories, among the immovable rocks that force the water to dance and sustain a subtle ripple along the burdened shores, where a little bird talks with itself, while it feeds, between suns and moons.

Fun fact: A wood ibis can grow to be two feet tall when mature.

Photo by Tom Mercer, Florida Bureau

Rooted in Excellence

Vote for Exceptional Care Have you experienced outstanding care from a nurse, provider or staff member?

Help us celebrate the individuals who go above and beyond.

Submit a nomination today!

DAISY Award Honoring extraordinary nurses Poppies, Bee and Bloom Awards Recognizing exceptional providers and staff

Stay Connected Follow us on social media for program updates, stories, and to find out the quarterly award winners.

Join our newsletter to learn more about the Rooted in Excellence Awards and the incredible people behind them.

aspenvalleyhealth.org aspenvalleyhealth

THE SOPRIS SUN | Your weekly community connector | August 6-12, 2026 17

SCUTTLEBUTT

from page 3

Colorado River The Bureau of Reclamation released a 10-year Colorado River water management framework, targeting cuts to water usage by Arizona, Nevada and California — the lower Colorado River basin states — and requiring operating guidelines of the agreement to be renegotiated every two years. Upper Colorado River Basin state governors from Colorado, Wyoming, Utah and New Mexico released a statement regarding the plan. “While the final details are still being analyzed by Upper Division states, we are encouraged that new operating guidelines will better reflect existing water supply, which must underpin any practicable plan going forward,” the statement read. In another statement, the Colorado River District said that the plan “fails to provide the certainty needed by West Slope communities to plan for the future” but keeps the Upper Basin in a “cycle of crisis management” due to the proposed renegotiation every two years. The Environmental Impact Statement released by the Bureau was created after the seven states managing Colorado river water supply failed to meet a deadline in February to establish a new water management agreement.

They say it’s your birthday!

Folks celebrating another trip around the sun this week include: Steven Haines and Carly Merriott (Aug. 6); Ed Engelki, Charlotte Graham and Marcelo Lott (Aug. 7); Amber Sparkles, Chris Peterson and Jasmin Ramirez Ramos (Aug. 8); Dru Handy and Sarah-Jane Johnson (Aug. 9); Jeanne Souldern (Aug. 10); Tripp Adams, Morgan Hill, Bill Hofto and Sean Keery (Aug. 11); Sebastian Dunn, Caitlin Evans, Brian Gaddis and Alyson Romanus (Aug. 12).

LATE FREEZE from page 4 always been defined by its resilience, its agricultural heritage, and the people who work tirelessly to preserve both,” Hawkinson said. “We want to thank the hard work of our firefighters this season. We have fires in the regional area, but the town is thriving in this year’s harvest.”

The late freeze affected more than fruit. Due to impacts on Olathe corn crops, the Tuxedo Corn Company has not supplied to any grocery stores this year. The producer does have yield, but given available products has elected to sell directly to consumers via a truck tour. Colorado sales locations are on the Front Range, but visitors to Olathe can schedule pick-up directly from the Olathe Corn Shed for $22 per box.

Western Slope communities plan to celebrate annual harvest festivals regardless of how their crops fared this spring and summer. Palisade’s Peach Week will take place Aug. 13-22, capped off with the Peach Festival on Aug. 21 and 22 at Riverbend Park. The Olathe Sweet Corn Festival will be held on Aug. 22 in Montrose. Despite crop losses, the Mountain Harvest Festival for the Hotchkiss and Paonia communities is still scheduled for late September. Organizers are lining up live music and other cultural opportunities for the event. Popular Hotchkiss cidery Big B’s has scheduled its annual CiderFest for Oct. 9 to 11.

SHERPA from page 5 but … what a great way to get people into a conversation that’s about being a survivor of domestic violence in the context of someone who does amazing cool things in the world of mountains.”

As Lhakpa said to Response, “The mountains taught me the meaning of strength and endurance. I have hurt a lot throughout my life, and the mountains helped me persevere through everything. They taught me to work very hard and to never give up.” And to the Valley, she added, “My message to people is that everyone hurts one way or another. Try your best to stay healthy, stay happy and go outside into nature to heal your soul.”

The Summit of Hope program will kick off by screening the documentary, followed by a conversation with Lhakpa Sherpa and moderators Meyer and Alison Osius. The doors open at 6pm, with the event beginning at 6:30pm.

For more information on Summit of Hope and the Response organization and its mission, visit responsehelps.org

PLANNED PARENTHOOD from page 7 so we’re excited to be welcoming everybody back in when our operations resume.”

The last day of providing in-person patient care was July 31, according to a press release, and the expectation is to reopen in the fall.

Mansanares added that Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains is always looking for qualified providers to join its travel team and serve rural and mountain communities.

Patients seeking information about available services or appointments can visit PPRM.org or call 1-800-230-PLAN.

18 THE SOPRIS SUN | soprissun.com | August 6-12, 2026

PARTING SHOTS

HOOP D’VILLE

LADY RAMS WIN THE HIGH SCHOOL GIRLS DIVISION

SERVICE DIRECTORY

THE VALLEY HOPPER Need a ride? Call us at 970-355-4961

Members of the Roaring Fork High School girls basketball team took part in the annual Hoop D’Ville outdoor 4-on-4 basketball tournament at Sayre Park in Glenwood Springs on Saturday, Aug. 1. The Lady Rams won the high school girls division, going undefeated and beating the combined Meeker/North Fork team 30-21 for the championship. Pictured top right, junior Sydney Ostberg controls the ball against Rifle (photo by John Stroud), and above, the team made up of Ostberg, Riley Bevington, Annalise Bumgarner, Avery Tezanos, Lyrah Kreiling, Ivy Cheney, and Alexa Pena celebrates with assistant coach Rich Law. Courtesy photo

Private Rides Events Weddings Eagle-Aspen-Grand Junction Airport Rides w w w. t hevalleyhopp e r. c o m

LEGAL NOTICES NOTICE OF FINAL SETTLEMENT

NOTICE OF FINAL SETTLEMENT

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

NOTICE is hereby given that on August 12th, 2026, at 5:00 p.m., final settlement will be made with STUTSMAN GERBAZ, INC., 30376 State Hwy 82, Snowmass, CO 81654 by Basalt Sanitation District 0701 Emma Road, Basalt, Colorado, 81621 on a contract for labor and materials for a project known as FRYINGPAN RIVER CROSSING SEWER REPLACEMENT PROJECT and that any person, co-partnership, company, association of persons, or corporation who has an unpaid claim against STUTSMAN GERBAZ, INC. or its subcontractors, for labor and materials, may, at any time, up to closing of business the last work day prior to final settlement, that is, by August 12th, 2026, file a verified statement of the amount due with the BASALT SANITATION DISTRICT (Attn. Ian Quillan i.quillan@basaltsanitation.org pursuant to Section 38-26-107, C.R.S., as amended.

NOTICE is hereby given that on August 11th, 2026, at 5:00 p.m., final settlement will be made with X FIELD SERVICES, LLC, P.O. Box 1313, Craig, Colorado, 81626 by the TOWN OF CARBONDALE, 511 Colorado Ave., Carbondale, Colorado, on a contract for labor and materials for a project known as ROARING FORK WELL VAULT PROJECT and that any person, co-partnership, company, association of persons, or corporation who has an unpaid claim against X FIELD SERVICES, LLC., or its subcontractors, for labor and materials, may, at any time, up to closing of business the last work day prior to final settlement, that is, by August 11th, 2026, file a verified statement of the amount due with the TOWN OF CARBONDALE (Attn. Scott Wenning swenning@ carbondaleco.net pursuant to Section 38-26-107, C.R.S., as amended.

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a Public Hearing will be held before the Carbondale Board of Adjustment for the purpose of considering a Variance request to increase the property’s maximum impervious lot coverage from 42% to 52%.

Failure on the part of the Claimant to make such verified statement, prior to the final settlement on the contract with STUTSMAN GERBAZ, INC., will relieve the BASALT SANITATION DISTRICT from any liability for such Claimant’s claim.

PUBLISHED BY THE ORDER OF BASALT SANITATION DISTRICT. Published in The Sopris Sun on August 6, 2026.

Failure on the part of the Claimant to make such verified statement, prior to the final settlement on the contract with X FIELD SERVICES, LLC., will relieve the TOWN OF CARBONDALE from any liability for such Claimant’s claim.

PUBLISHED BY THE ORDER OF TOWN OF CARBONDALE. Published in The Sopris Sun on August 6, 2026.

Project Description: The application requests a variance to allow the property to revert from the established Old Town Residential (OTR) zone district maximum impervious lot coverage of 42% for a 5,500 sf lot to a maximum of 52% as allowed under the Residential/Low Density (R/LD) zone district to build a detached Accessory Dwelling Unit.

Property Location: 206 S. 3 rd Street (Original Townsite, Block 7, Lots 9 through N 55’ of 12; Section: 34 Township: 7 Range: 88) Applicant: Kenneth Teitler

Copies of the proposed application are on file in the Planning Department office, Town Hall, 511 Colorado Avenue, Carbondale, CO and may be examined during regular business hours, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.

The application may also be viewed on the Town’s website at: https://www.carbondalegov.org/ departments/planning/current_land_ use_applications.php If you would like to submit comments regarding this application you must send them via email to jbarnes@ carbondaleco.net by 5:00 pm on August 26, 2026. The comments will be entered into the record. If you have questions regarding the application, please contact Jared Barnes, Planning Director, at 970-510-1208.

Published in The Sopris Sun on August 6, 2026.

Owner: Kenneth Teitler and Karla Stukey Said Public Hearing will be held at the Carbondale Town Hall, 511 Colorado Avenue, Carbondale, CO at 6:30 p.m. on August 26, 2026.

THE SOPRIS SUN | Your weekly community connector | August 6-12, 2026 19

No ing brings us toge er like community!

We believe in supporting the people and places that make our local communities special.

alpinebank.com Member FDIC

THE COMMUNITY AD SPACE BELOW IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY ALPINE BANK

Practice is on!!! 5 pm at RFHS COME BE A PART OF CARBONDALE HISTORY!!

9 Time Quarterfinalist 6 Time Semi-finalist 3 Time State Runner up 3 Time Winner State Championship With two former Head Coaches on staff, we are committed to restoring Roaring Fork Football’s culture and winning tradition while using modern, safety-focused methods to teach the game.

FULL VARSITY 1A WESTERN SLOPE SCHEDULE North Fork HOME 7pm

We have invested heavily in protective gear and safer training equipment to create the best possible environment for playing football.

8/20 Gunnison HOME 7pm

10/9

9/11 Salida HOME 7pm

10/16 Moffat County HOME 7pm

9/18 Grand Valley AWAY 7pm

10/23 Cedaredge AWAY 7pm

FOOTBALL IS FUN!

9/25 Meeker HOMECOMING 7pm

10/30 Ellicot TBD

Come be a part of our new winning team!

Please contact John Nielsen with any questions: 970-309-9539. Come to practice at the high school and see what the buzz is all about.

10/2 Olathe AWAY 7pm

20 THE SOPRIS SUN | soprissun.com | August 6-12, 2026

Full Fresh / JV Schedule to complement the Varsity Schedule Weight Room is OPEN Monday- Thursday for players and alumni 4-6:30pm