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Volume 18, Number 38 | October 29-November 4, 2026
Ghouls who groove together
Flashmob brings Halloween spirit to Main Street PHOTOS AND TEXT BY BOB RUGILE Sopris Sun Correspondent
About 20 dancers from Bonedale Flashmob dressed in their spooky costumes and braved the elements to put on a memorable performance Saturday afternoon, Oct. 24, for a crowd of about 60 of their die-hard fans at Chacos Park in Carbondale. Every year, the group recruits dancers and participates in the worldwide “Thrill the World” synchronized dance to Michael Jackson’s “Thriller,” the video of which premiered in 1983. The dance included stomps, sharp head twitches, stiff zombie walks and jazz-inspired footwork. The Carbondale event, organized by local Alexandra Jerkunica, also acts as a fundraiser, which, this year, benefits the Safe and Abundant Nutrition Alliance (or SANA). To donate, visit sanaco.org
The scary movie that made me say ‘never again’
Photo by Lisa Zimmerman
When my parents were young marrieds, they saw “Psycho.” repeated phone calls. A man’s weirdly polite voice asks, “Have you My mother liked — still likes — buzzy films from talented direc- checked the children?” tors, and it was revolutionary. Movies in 1960 didn’t just dispose Another line in the film is from a police sergeant: “We’ve traced of their main characters in the first 47 minutes. The now-iconic the call. It’s coming from inside the house.” moody, brutal shower scene takes only 45 seconds, with 78 camera Those lines gave me some bad moments over the years. Psychoangles and 52 cuts, and invokes the power of the unseen. Alfred path films like that are the worst and, unlike Frankenstein-style Hitchcock’s most famous film, “Psycho” has a screechy-strings monster movies, way too relatable. My sister Meg, who lives in soundtrack, which my parents called “chicken noises.” Manhattan, avoided elevators for days after “Dressed to Kill” (1980), My mother was so terrified that when my dad drove the babysit- and if you’ve seen it, you know why. Frankenstein won’t show up at ter home, she locked him out of the house until your house or building. A menacing person could. he promised not to scare her. But for the rest of “The Shining” did me in. The psychological his life he, a trickster, could infuriate her with a thriller, directed by Stanley Kubrick, was from the knowing smile and high-pitched squawk. Stephen King novel inspired by a night he and Later, as a widow, she once went on a date to his wife were the sole guests in the Stanley Hotel “The Silence of the Lambs,” thinking the movie in Estes Park, Colorado, just before it closed for was about a farm. Imagine how well that went. winter and at a time when the author, like the Growing up, I saw just a few horror films. “The protagonist, was struggling with recovery from Birds,” which I was accidentally allowed to see alcoholism. The movie was filmed not at the on TV five years after its 1963 debut, cost me a lot Stanley, but largely in England, on stages emulatof sleep. People of my generation still bond over ing the grand and rustic interior of the Ahwahnee certain images of this master work, also from Hotel in Yosemite National Park, California. An Hitchcock, where birds turn against humanity. opening scene is from Going-to-the-Sun Road GUEST OPINION “The guy with the eyes!” we shriek, covering in Glacier National Park, Montana, and exterior By Alison Osius our own, remembering the dead farmer with shots of the imaginary Overlook Hotel are of the the pecked-out hollows. Timberline Lodge on Mount Hood in Oregon. “The Birds” was the most watched television film of the time This film, too, was innovative, using the then new technoland held the record for four years, until the nicer but not a whole ogy of a Steadicam. In a 3,800-word review for The New Yorker, lot lighter “Love Story” came along. Pauline Kael discussed this “marvellous invention” for stabilizing It’s October, and our beloved Crystal Theatre has been running a camera: ”Kubrick uses it spectacularly: we glide behind Danny the annual Spooktober theme: “Weapons,” “The Shining,” “Teen- (Lloyd), the boy in peril (he looks about five), who is at the center of age Sex and Death at Camp Miasma,” “Train to Busan” (zombies) the film, as he pedals his low-rider tricycle up and down the corriand “Rocky Horror Picture Show” on Halloween weekend. That dors of the huge Overlook Hotel.” The “visual feat,” she wrote, “is last one alone I’d see (again), a little jumpy but with great music. joined to an aural one: The sounds of the wheels moving from rug “The Shining” (1980), though … even the promo image — of to wood are uncannily exact.” Jack Nicholson’s toothy grimace in his famous “Heeeere’s Johnny” Snow amplifies an overwhelming sense of isolation as Nichmoment, an improvisation transforming the chipper intro to “The olson’s character, Jack Torrance, descends into paranoia and Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson” into derangement — is delusion and threatens his wife, played by Shelley Duvall, and disconcerting. I hate scary movies. small child. I wanted to bolt from the theater when he chases the Films are immersive, extremely involving, and, to me, lines blur, wife into a bathroom and starts chopping through the door as she as they do for the protagonist in “The Shining.” What is imagined tries to push their son out a window. And when Scatman Crothers, becomes too real. a rescuer on a snowmobile, is in peril, I would have left, but was In high school I sat through “Carrie” passably, though jumping paralyzed. That was that. Never again. half a foot at the final scene, but mostly considered the Brian De The only time I broke that credo was when my husband, Mike, Palma now-classic to be sympathetic and tragic rather than threat- away traveling, said I should see “The Sixth Sense” (1999, M. ening. I almost hit the wall in college, when “When A Stranger Night Shyamalan). Calls” (1979) came to town. The first 23 minutes put it on Collid“It’s really good,” he said. “It’s not that scary.” So I watched it that er’s list of 10 Most Terrifying Movie Opening Scenes of All Time, as night and cursed him. a high-school girl, babysitting in a big, dark, quiet house, receives “Oh,” he said later. “I forgot about the opener.” Well, I sure remember.
LETTERS Know your vote Almost a year ago, I wrote a post-election column for this paper about my parents, their “Greatest Generation” and the impression those folks might have of this country since 2016. Election Day this year, Nov. 3, would be my dad’s 101st birthday. If I thought last fall that my mom would have expressed “horror and dismay” at what has transpired under the dark shadow of Trumpism in the decade up to then, I can’t begin to imagine how she might handle what has transpired with this administration in the past 12 months: the rampant greed and corruption, the unconscionable violation of civil liberties and human dignity, the contempt for the rule of law, the overt racism and xenophobia, the all-out and obvious effort to undermine the electoral process to tilt the outcome in their favor. No question my folks would see us sliding into authoritarianism, as I think would nearly all of their Greatest Gen contemporaries. They were decent and caring people regardless of their beliefs or political leanings; they experienced first-hand the evils of fascism. I’m not sure they would know us anymore.
So, the question is: Do enough of us see what’s happening? Clearly, die-hard MAGA supporters — like the recent Sun letter writer who said, “God did help us when Trump became president.” — do not, or choose not to. But what about those who I still believe constitute the great majority who subscribe to basic decency, the Constitution and the rule of law? Do we not see that an antidemocratic administration and elite cabal of the super-rich are willing to subvert those ideals for nothing more than power and personal gain? Obscene amounts of money from wealthy individuals and corporations have been poured into political campaigns across the country, overwhelmingly for Republican candidates. Mendacious and defamatory attack ads against Democratic candidates — notably James Talarico in Texas and Abdul El-Sayed in Michigan — have been funded in their attempt to maintain a grip on the reins of power. And the Republican opponents they support, like Ken Paxton in Texas and Mike Rogers in Michigan, are often morally and ethically bankrupt individuals, willing sycophants to
2 THE SOPRIS SUN | soprissun.com | October 29-November 4, 2026
the administration and oligarchs. Closer to home, these billionaires and their minions have sprung upon Coloradans a blizzard of ballot initiatives designed to benefit their special interests or ideology and not the greater citizenry. As Debbie Bruell pointed out in her recent letter to The Sun, Amendments 81, 82, 83, 84, 85 and 86, and Propositions 132, 133, 134, 135 and 136, have all been promoted and financed by far-right, mostly outside-money entities. They all contain insidious, misleading language masking their true intent. Conversely, the wealthy are spreading misleading and false information on two tax-related measures — Proposition 137 and Proposition NN — that would be of great benefit to the general populace. Please educate yourselves. Vote FOR these two and AGAINST those others that have no place in our Constitution and laws. And please, vote for candidates who will stand up to authoritarianism and the ultra-wealthy. Do it for my folks, for your children, for all future generations! Ken Pletcher Carbondale continued on page 18
Editor James Steindler 970-510-3003 news@soprissun.com Managing Editor Skyler Stark-Ragsdale Sol del Valle Editora Owen McArdle owen@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
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Election
OUR UNDERWRITERS AND NONPROFIT PARTNERS!
As of Oct. 26 at 11:59pm, 988,189 ballots have been returned statewide, according to the Colorado Secretary of State’s office. In the tricounty area, the last day to mail in a ballot was Oct. 26. Voters can still vote early by dropping their ballot in a designated 24-hour drop box or voting in person at a voting center. Voting centers will be open until 7pm on Election Day, Nov. 3. Voters who have questions regarding ballot measures can call the Election Protection hotline, “a national nonpartisan” coalition, at 866-OUR-VOTE (866-687-8683) (English) or 888-VE-Y-VOTA (888-839-8682) (Spanish), or visit their website, 866ourvote.org
Fashion show deadlines
Hilary Porterfield
Deadlines for the 16th annual Carbondale Fashion Show, hosted by Carbondale Arts and slated for March 11-13, 2027, are right around the corner. Dancer registration (currently open) closes Nov. 11. Model registration, which is capped at 80 models, opens Nov. 4 and closes Dec. 2; model auditions are on Dec. 6. Those who have been modeling for four years or more can take a year-long “fashion sabbatical” if they would like to give new models an opportunity, according to Carbondale Arts. Dancer auditions are on Nov. 15; dancers will be notified of acceptance on Nov. 24. The first dance rehearsal is on Dec. 3 and the first all-cast rehearsal is on Jan. 10, 2027. To register, visit carbondalearts.com/fashion-show
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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
Carbondale residents may have noticed the recent lack of traffic-calming cones on Sopris Avenue. The cones, used to slow traffic by forcing vehicles to curve their way down the wide road, disappeared last week, and crews were hard at work on Tuesday morning, Oct. 27, washing the bending paint lines away from the pavement to prepare the street for winter. The temporary traffic calming features were part of an ongoing effort by the Town to test out and gain feedback for potentially permanent infrastructure in the future.
River report Rivers rose with the recent rainfall, with local flows ranging from 63 to 333% of normal for the time of year, improving regional drought conditions, according to the Roaring Fork Conservancy river report released on Oct. 22. Water levels on the Crystal River near Penny Hot Springs rose by more than four times over a 36-hour period, beginning the early afternoon on Oct. 22, from 100 cubic feet per second to 466 cubic feet per second,
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Larry Day, known locally, in part, for his many illustrations in The Sun, won first place in the Colorado Watercolor Society’s 2026 Member Exhibit for his piece, “Ranch A, Point Reyes” (seen here), an 11”x15” watercolor with gouache. “There were 11 multi-generational ranching families that were evicted from the Point Reyes National Seashore in California by the National Park Service,” Day said. “Ranch A was one of them. I was struck by the absence of families no longer living in homes that were slowly deteriorating. It’s what was not there that was unsettling.” The exhibit can be viewed at the Taza Gallery-Adams County Government Center in Brighton, Monday through Friday from 8am to 4:30pm, running through Jan. 5.
according to American Whitewater. The increase in precipitation raising the rivers “is finally easing short-term moisture deficits in western Colorado,” Roaring Fork Conservancy stated in its report, crediting the U.S. Drought Monitor. Roaring Fork Watershed drought conditions are still a mix of severe, extreme and exceptional.
DMV closure As of Tuesday afternoon, Oct. 27, the Glenwood Springs Motor Vehicle Office had been closed for two consecutive days. Customers were encouraged to use online motor vehicle services at myDMV.Colorado.gov In-person assistance is available at the Rifle Motor Vehicle Office, 195 W. 14th St., Building D. Garfield County said in a press release it will “provide additional updates as more information becomes available regarding the restoration of services at the Glenwood Springs office.”
RFU at Sopris Elementary Roaring Fork United (RFU) soccer club is currently working with Sopris Elementary School third through fifth graders for a three-week, instructional soccer unit during physical education classes on Mondays
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and Fridays. The club said in an email that the partnership with the school “will help RFU explore opportunities to expand similar outreach throughout the Valley, with the long-term goal of connecting every child to soccer, whether through competitive play or school-based programming.” Sopris Elementary Physical Education Teacher Sarah Cova added that these types of opportunities “help make soccer accessible to all students, regardless of their experience level, and hopefully inspires some of them to keep playing!”
They say it’s your birthday! Folks celebrating another trip around the sun this week include: Zachary Cashin, Chase Fenton, Katee Peach, Daniela Rivera, Lisa Ruoff, Trinity Stebleton and Nicole Zugschwerdt (Oct. 29); Lowry Camp, Brendan Cochran, Andrea Harris, Gracyn Overstreet, Claudia Pawl and Trent Reeds (Oct. 30); Julia Lee, Jill Steindler, Marty Voller and Kaleigh Wisroth (Oct. 31); Angel Cruz, Justin Marshall, Don Parkison, Vanessa Porras and Jay Riley (Nov. 1); Marge Palmer and Dave Weimer (Nov. 2); Suzie Brady, Zack Jones, Kay Hagman Knickerbocker and AJ Waski (Nov. 3); Jeff Achey, Debra Burleigh and David Cappa (Nov. 4).
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THE SOPRIS SUN | Your weekly community connector | October 29-November 4, 2026 3
New Ute Players troupe brings ‘Lend Me a Tenor’ to the stage MYKI JONES Arts Correspondent
Josh Adamson of New Castle rehearses his role as Max. Courtesy photo
IN A NUTSHELL What: “Lend Me a Tenor” Who: Ute Players Where: Ute Theater in Rifle When: Nov. 6-15, Fridays & Saturdays at 7pm, Sundays at 2pm. Tickets: utetheater.com
The Ute Players are bringing Ken Ludwig’s nine-time Tony-nominated farcical comedy, “Lend Me a Tenor,” to the Ute Theater. The new theatre troupe, headed by Wendy Tennis, who is directing and co-producing the production, along with Betsy Banks, who is also co-producing and stage managing, came to be after the success of three showings of “Rumors” at the Ute Theater last year with Aspen Community Theatre. “We had designed [“Rumors”] specifically so that it could travel, and it was very successful at finding an audience here. It was evident after that experience to both [Banks] and I that the Rifle community was hungry for live theater,” Tennis said. “We [discovered] that by word of mouth from our actor friends that live in New Castle and Battlement Mesa and everywhere in between, and decided to start our own theater company.” “We wanted to house it at the Ute … because we love, love, love the venue, and it just cries out for local theater,” she continued. “So we call ourselves Ute Players.” Banks, whose husband, Michael Banks, will be appearing
in this production as Tito Merelli, expressed how she is excited to bring this inaugural show to the stage and hopes that audiences will be drawn in by the comedy. “Our goal is to grow community theater in Rifle and the surrounding areas. We’d like for people to come away with that sense of, ‘Oh, we needed a comedy,” Banks said. ”It’s a funny show and our actors are really good and they’re very comedic and talented.”
We wanted to house it at the Ute … because we love, love, love the venue, and it just cries out for local theater. - Wendy Tennis The comedy follows eight characters as they navigate twists and turns, mistaken identities and a myriad of other hijinks while preparing for a grand operatic performance in Cleveland, Ohio, after Tito Merelli (Banks) is presumed dead following an intense argument with his wife, Maria. The cast also includes Joshua Adamson (Max), Katherine AyalaArias (Maggie), Anson J. Hahn (Saunders), Blair A. Bracken (Maria), Sharon Brady (Julia),
Mandy Frale (Diana) and Scott Elmore (the bellhop). Bracken expressed her excitement for more theater opportunities. As a Colorado River Valley local, she shared that she ended up passing up a lot of opportunities due to most projects being based in areas such as Glenwood, Carbondale, Basalt and Aspen. “I really wanted to be a part of ‘Rumors,’ [but], unfortunately, because of the schedule and how everything was kind of more upvalley, it was a little harder to get to, and I could not commit,” Bracken said. “Having [‘Lend Me a Tenor’] here in Rifle was a huge draw for me … When I looked into the show, my character, Maria, immediately stood out to me.” Frale said gathering for a night of storytelling is pivotal to the foundation of community, humanity and sharing. Having worked in theater — from playwriting to costuming to professional cosplaying — Frale hopes to see more expansion of live theater. “Theater and storytelling are so important. It’s this primal thing for humans. It goes back as far as we do, and there is a healing aspect to it,” Frale said. “Especially when COVID hit and theater kind of had to take a back seat for a long time, and, unfortunately, a lot of community theater companies didn’t survive that, and theater almost went away. Now that it’s coming back, that is so exciting to me.”
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Early one morning last winter, I was sitting at a stoplight on my way to work. I noticed something strange coming down the hill across from me. There was a soft, circular light that looked like a glowing halo, about the width of a hula hoop, floating through the air.
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4 THE SOPRIS SUN | soprissun.com | October 29-November 4, 2026
As it got closer, I could see the outline of a person below the halo and finally realized what was going on. A woman was walking to a bus stop, and above her she had a children’s toy on a string that would light up as she spun it. This was her guardian in the cold, dark morning hours, a message to oncoming traffic that she was there. To make an impact, we often think projects need to be major endeavors. The reality is that some of the greatest impact can come from small, simple projects that improve our community, like expanding the shoulders of our roads to give pedestrians and bikers a safer buffer. — Eric Rudd
Dance Initiative revives Folklórico for Día de los Muertos MYKI JONES Arts Correspondent
Carbondale Arts and Dance Initiative are teaming up to kick off the annual Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) celebration in Town on First Friday, Nov. 6. Dance Initiative’s Folklórico program will lead the annual procession, starting at 6pm from the Third Street Center and continuing on to Chacos Park. Dance Initiative Executive Director Joan Dizon said that she is looking forward to bringing Folklórico back to the community with help from instructors Lizbeth Landa, Juan Peña and Angel Najera. “The most rewarding part of building up to this has been seeing Lizbeth, Juan and Angel really spearheading this program, and knowing that they wanted to teach the kids and to carry on this program,” she said. “The most rewarding thing is actually seeing it realized, and that being validated by the community and by the kids and the families. That has just been incredible.” “Since starting our [Folklórico] program in April of 2026, we have grown it significantly,” she continued. “We have experienced a lot of success in our kids program, have been invited to perform around the valley and were very fortunate to be invited by Carbondale Arts to
participate in First Friday’s Día de los Muertos.” Landa, Peña and Najera all studied the traditional style of dance through Aspen Santa Fe Ballet’s Baile Folklórico program, before that chapter sunsetted last year. The Aspen Santa Fe Ballet program was led by longtime director Francisco “Paco” Nevarez-Burgueño and headed up the Día de los Muertos procession for many years. Each of the three new instructors has over a decade of experience in the dance style. “Right now, we’re doing local small events. We’re aiming towards bigger programming and events and gathering a larger audience around us who enjoy it as much as we do,” Najera said. “We plan to just keep going and pushing as far as we can and as much as we can.” His sentiments were shared by his co-instructors, Peña and Landa, who hope to see the same growth. They hope for the upcoming procession to be a good starting point for future events. “We’ve come a long way since the beginning of this program, and so have our students,” Peña said. “We do plan to keep on going, one after the other. We have no plans to stop. Personally, I think I speak for all of us. We really don’t want to slow down and we want to keep
Dancers from Dance Initiative’s Folklórico program perform in “Vaquero” attire during the City of Aspen’s Mall Fest 50 Art Parade. Photo courtesy of Jordan Curet
giving the kids what they want in the community.” His sentiments were echoed by Landa, who expressed a desire to see the program continue to grow and get as big as possible. Folks are also invited to head to the Carbondale Library at 4:30pm on Nov. 6 for face painting, hot chocolate and some pan de muerto (bread of the dead) ahead of the procession. Community members are welcome to show up to Chacos Park at 5pm, when food
IN A NUTSHELL What: Día de los Muertos When: Nov. 6 Where: Downtown Carbondale More details: carbondalearts.com/upcoming-events trucks will be open for business and activities will commence, ahead of the procession arriving at the park around 6:45pm. For more information or to get
involved with Dance Initiative’s Folklórico program, visit danceinitiative.org For details regarding the Day of the Dead celebration, visit carbondalearts.com
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THE SOPRIS SUN | Your weekly community connector | October 29-November 4, 2026 5
CARBONDALE REPORT
Trustees discuss another 3-story build on Main SKYLER STARK-RAGSDALE Managing Editor
Another request to build past the allowed development height on Main Street saw the desks of the Carbondale Board of Trustees this week. Land + Shelter, a Carbondalebased architecture studio founded in 2005, discussed on Tuesday, Oct. 27, its alternative compliance request to surpass the town’s 35-foot building height limit with a three-story, commercial- and residential-use design at 155 Main Street. The building would sit on the north side of Main, directly west of the Carbondale Clay Center. The proposal, of which the Planning & Zoning Commission recommended approval, is the second time in the past few months the trustees have seen an alternative compliance request to surpass the height limit on Main. They denied the first. “It’s deja vu all over again,” Trustee Colin Laird said, referencing the earlier proposal submitted by Forum Phi and Smith Mountain Builders. Land + Shelter Architect Andrea Korber, however, said she had been told that earlier compliance decisions by the trustees
Land + Shelter architecture studio proposed constructing a three-story building on Main Street that exceeds the town’s 35-foot height restriction. Design courtesy of Land + Shelter
wouldn’t serve as precedent for future development-related compliance decisions. Mayor Erica Sparhawk agreed. “It’s completely different from the last application,” Sparhawk said, “so I don’t want to really even reference that.” Land + Shelter’s design requests a max building height of nearly 38 feet, with the third floor and roof stepped back from Main Street. The roughly 38-foot max is measured from the base to the mid-span of the sloped roof,
as is “pursuant to the definition of building height” for pitched roofs, according to a staff memo. The peak height of the sloped roof hits 40 feet on the north side of the building. The first two floors would rise straight from the sidewalk, measuring 29 feet 6 inches, providing Main Street onlookers with more of a two-story perception of the building, given the stepped-back third floor. The design, made of brown and dark-brown materials,
6 THE SOPRIS SUN | soprissun.com | October 29-November 4, 2026
includes a driveway passing from Main under the center of the building to provide access to nine internal parking spots. Along with parking, the first floor would include storage and two commercial spaces. The second floor would provide three commercial spaces and one deed-restricted apartment for rent and affordable to those making 100% or less of the area median income, and the third floor would provide four leasable apartments.
Central to the trustees’ deliberation on the design was its community benefit, a requirement for proposals requesting alternative compliance and something part of the board felt the project was lacking. The benefit, the architecture studio argues, is that the two-story, 29-foot 6-inch height of the design rising from Main Street is a less imposing view than a 35-foot, uninterrupted building rising straight from Main. “I think the benefit of the perception of the building does impact the community a lot,” said Sparhawk, who said she would pass the design as proposed. Land + Shelter also argued that the second story’s 12-foot floorto-floor height, as proposed, would allow the level’s ceiling height to exceed 9 feet, providing better leasable commercial space. And the design would allow the ceilings of the top-floor to exceed 9 feet. Trustee Chris Hassig was mostly in favor of the proposal, though asked that Land + Shelter work with the town on various landscaping ideas to keep that area of “Main Street green to some degree.” continued on page 13
BASALT REPORT
South side storage/housing complex forges ahead WILL BUZZERD Sopris Sun Correspondent
This week, a divided Basalt Town Council approved on second reading a long-contested commercial storage/ housing complex on the south side of Basalt. Councilors voted 5-2 to approve both a series of amendments to the 2020 Basalt Master Plan and a PUD, allowing the development to move forward. Mayor David Knight and Councilor Greg Shaffran put forward a motion to deny the Master Plan Amendments, which was not supported by the five other councilors. Instead, Councilor Angele Dupre-Butchart submitted a motion to approve the amendments, which was supported along the same divided line of 5-2. “It’s housing near public transit, there is community benefit … I’m not saying it’s perfect, I hear and understand the concerns, but I don’t see all the downsides everyone else does,” Dupre-Butchart said. The proposed development combines 42 storage units, 42 housing units and two commercial spaces at 555 Basalt Avenue. The first reading was continued four times since first being introduced on March 24, and was approved by the council by a vote of 4-3 on Aug. 11. A second reading was held on Aug. 25, but due to some councilors being absent, the applicant requested a continuation. Since then, multiple continuations have been requested so that the applicant could perform additional outreach to neighboring homeowner associations. Public comments during the meeting were generally favorable. Tom McCauley, the chief human resources officer at Aspen Valley Health, offered his organization’s support for the project for the purposes of creating employee housing. “There’s a large percentage of [our employees] that have to get back to the hospital within 30 minutes, and this is within that circle,” he said. “We may or may not partner with this project, but we did want to throw our support behind it.” Since first being introduced, the applicant has altered
the application due to council comments to reduce density from an original proposal of 54 commercial storage units and 47 residential units. Of the now 42 units, 30 will be purely residential, while 12 others will be live-work units. Of the live-work units, five will be prioritized for sale to local residents. Presently, 64% of the residential units will be deed-restricted. Furthermore, the applicant proposed to set aside three industrial storage units for an artist incubator program, with the spaces initially made available exclusively to start-up small businesses or artists for 120 days. Annie Henninger, executive director of The Art Base, did not appear before the council as a representative of her organization, but voiced her personal support for the project, especially for its affordable housing and artist incubator program, which she described as “desperately needed.” “One of our employees recently moved to Arkansas because they could not afford housing or artist studio space, so I see the value of this project,” Henninger said. Resistance to the development has primarily consisted of safety concerns due to increased traffic in the area, which already sees a burden of vehicles coming to and from Basalt High School. In addition, the development would require improvements to nearby Fiou Lane and Cody Lane to bear additional traffic, and to address an existing drainage issue on Cody Lane. To help address concerns about traffic, the applicant will contribute a per-square-foot fee to any future transportation improvements necessary to mitigate traffic created by the development. The applicant has also agreed to contribute approximately $40,000 (calculated by a rate of $944 per dwelling unit) to an already planned “mini-roundabout” at the intersection of Basalt Avenue and Cody Lane. In terms of Cody and Fiou lanes, the applicant has committed to a total contribution of up to $355,000 to improve both streets. Up to $175,000 of that total will be
A draft site plan of the proposed development at 555 Basalt Ave. includes 42 storage units, 12 live-work units and 30 residential units. Courtesy graphic
used to create a 10-feet wide public and emergency vehicle access easement on Fiou Lane. $180,000 will go toward addressing the drainage issue on Cody Lane.
continued on page 13
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THE SOPRIS SUN | Your weekly community connector | October 29-November 4, 2026 7
8 THE SOPRIS SUN | soprissun.com | October 29-November 4, 2026
SPORTS
Longhorns cross country teams state bound, boys soccer playoffs underway
JOHN STROUD Sopris Sun Correspondent
The dual force of long distance runners from both Basalt and Roaring Fork high schools has been a successful combination for Longhorns cross country in recent decades. But this marks the first season since 2022 that both the boys and girls squads have qualified for the Class 3A State Championships, taking place this coming weekend in Colorado Springs. Competing at the 3A Region 1 qualifier hosted by Aspen High on the Aspen Golf Course Friday, Oct. 23, both Longhorns teams — or Ram’horns, if you prefer — punched their tickets to the state meet with respective fourthplace finishes. The boys were paced by a trio of Roaring Fork runners who finished in the top 20 overall, led by junior Levi Friday in ninth, covering the 5-kilometer course in 17 minutes, 53.3 seconds, sophomore Elliot Galbraith in 17th (18:36.4), and junior Kaiden Werth in 18th (18:51). Rounding out the scoring were senior Kian Sullivan (22nd, 19:06.9) and sophomore Bode Schoenbrunn (24th, 19:24.1).
Ram volleyball seniors (left to right) Hazel Jenkins, Kate Taylor, Ember Golden, River Sherman, Tesame Hayes and Liz Revilla were recognized at the game on Tuesday evening, with their families by their sides. Photo by Milo Berger, RFHS senior
At 85 points, Basalt was just four places out of third place, which was secured by Aspen with 81. Moffat County won the regional championship with 46 points, and D’Evelyn out of Denver was second with 56. “The boys team has been running well all year, and I think they were confident going in that they could be competitive for that final spot and ended up almost getting third,” head coach Ron Lund said. “I think just another year of racing and figuring things out has helped get them to where they are.” In the girls race, the Longhorns were led by sophomores
Scarlett Jones in fifth (20:41.6), Jude Tiernan in 11th (21:38.5), and Maggie Cole in 23rd (22:47.8), junior Eva Feinsinger in 29th (23:20.8) and senior Sadie Silcox in 30th (23:32.6). Basalt tallied 98 points to Coal Ridge’s 97, just one place shy of third place for the Longhorns. And they did it short a couple of key runners. “Our depth was critical with two of our top five runners out of commission,” Lund said. “They stepped up collectively and got it done.” Aspen won their home regional with 63 points, and Moffat County
was second with 71. Saturday’s State Championships for all classifications will be held at the Norris Penrose Event Center in Colorado Springs. The 3A girls run at 9am, and the 3A boys race takes off at 10:20am. Races will be livestreamed on the NFHS network.
Boys soccer playoffs The Roaring Fork High School boys soccer team held on to the No. 3 seed going into this week’s Class 3A state playoffs, despite a 2-2 tie at Delta to close out the regular season on Oct. 23. Delta held the 1-0 advantage
at the half, and scored again in the second. Both Roaring Fork goals came in the second half, one each from senior Wesley Serrano and freshman Inmar Gutierrez. The Rams secured the 3A Western Slope League title with a 6-0-1 record, and at 12-2-1 entered their first-round game Wednesday night at Rams Field as the third seed against No. 30 Peak to Peak. The winner advances to the second round match to be played on Nov. 3. Wednesday’s game result was not available at press time for this report, but please read next week’s Sopris Sun for details. continued on page 13
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
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THE SOPRIS SUN | Your weekly community connector | October 29-November 4, 2026 9
R E
CALENDAR THURSDAY, OCTOBER 29
PUMPKIN FAIRY HOUSES The Basalt Library hosts a pumpkin fairy house workshop for kids ages 6-12 from 3:45 to 4:45pm. Details at basaltlibrary.org THE VALLEY JOURNAL The Carbondale Library recently finished digitizing the entire Valley Journal archive, and will celebrate the project along with some pivotal players in local journalism, including Valley Journal founders Pat Noel and Becky Young, during an event at the library starting at 5pm. Come and bring stories about The Valley Journal to share. The Sopris Sun was invited to partner with the library for this event. Appetizers and refreshments will be provided. ‘BEETLEJUICE JR.’ SoL Theatre Company presents “Beetlejuice JR.,” a collaboration with Sopris Soarers, taking the stage at the Roaring Fork High School today and tomorrow at 6pm, and Saturday, Halloween, at 2pm. Tickets at tinyurl.com/beetlejuicejr2026 ‘FIRST DRAFT’ “First Draft” podcast host Mitzi Rapkin speaks with Abby Geni, the author of “The Body Farm,” from 6:30 to 7:30pm at the Basalt Library. Details at basaltlibrary.org WILD & SCENIC FILM FEST The 12th annual Wild & Scenic Film Festival, celebrating “water, wild places and the people working to protect them,” screens at the Glenwood Vaudeville Revue at 6:30pm. Doors open at 5:30pm. A virtual streaming option will be available through Nov. 4. Tickets at midcowatershed.org/events
Credit Art Classes at Aspen Call or stop by campus for more info and registration DRAWING II
Explore expressive drawing with emphasis on composition, color media, and content or theme. Thurs, 10:10a-2pm, 1/14-5/6
HANDBUILT CLAY I
Learn several methods of handbuilding with functional and decorative design elements. Thurs, 10:10a-2pm, 1/14-5/6
CERAMICS III MOLDS & SLIP CASTING
Intermediate-level approaches, surface design, glazing, and firing for molded and cast forms. Thurs, 5:10-9pm, 1/14-5/6
Culinary Classes at Aspen VIETNAMESE SPRING ROLLS Wed, 5:30-8:30pm, 11/4
AUTUMN SOUPS Tuesday, 5:30-8:30pm, 11/11
HERBS Wed, 5:30-8:30pm, 11/18
PASTA ALFREDO Tuesday, 5:30-8:30pm, 12/2
Community Classes in Carbondale CREATE A PERSONAL REFUGE NEW FOR THE HOLIDAYS HAND WOVEN BASKETS Saturdays, 9am-12pm, 10/31-11/21 TWILL MARKET BASKET Thursday/Friday, 9am-2pm, BEGINNER ACRYLIC PAINTING Tuesdays, 5:30-8:30pm, 11/3-12/8
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10 THE SOPRIS SUN | soprissun.com | October 29-November 4, 2026
TACAW Catch filmed live theater with Benedict Cumberbatch and Jonny Lee Miller in “Frankenstein” at 7pm at TACAW. The performance was directed by Danny Boyle. Tickets at tacaw.org
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 30
TRUNK OR TREAT IN RIFLE The Rifle Police Department and the Garfield County Libraries are teaming up for trunk or treating on 3rd St. in Rifle from 11am to 1pm. Questions? Call Rifle PD at 970-665-6500. BOARD APPOINTMENT DEADLINE The deadline to apply for the Carbondale Chamber Board and Tourism Council of Carbondale is today at noon. Apply at tinyurl.com/chambertourism TRUNK OR TREAT, BONEDALE Ascendigo Autism Services hosts an inclusive trunk or treat event at Carbondale Town Hall from 4 to 6pm. Families can expect sensory-friendly Halloween activities, decorated trunks and, of course, trick-or-treating. Folks interested in having a trunk or sponsoring the event can email gsinclair@ascendigo.org Details at ascendigo.org ‘ROCKY HORROR’ AT THE CRYSTAL Spooktober continues with the screening of “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” at 7pm at the Crystal Theatre; goody bags will be included. Tickets at tinyurl. com/rockyhorrorpictureshow2026 The film will screen again at 7pm tomorrow, Halloween night, with the Roaring Divas emceeing, followed by an afterparty featuring Sweet Jessup & The Dirty Buckets. Tickets at tinyurl.com/ rockyhorrorsweetjessup STEVE’S GUITARS Stray Grass performs an All Hallows Eve pregame set at Steve’s Guitars at 8pm. Tickets at stevesguitars.net
‘ROCKY HORROR’ AT TACAW TACAW screens the “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” at 8pm. Tickets at tacaw.org
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 31
HALLOWEEN ZUMBA Dance Initiative hosts a Halloween Zumba party at the Third Street Center, room 20, at 10am. No experience necessary. Costumes welcome. POWERS ART CENTER Today is the last chance to see the current “Jasper Johns: A Whole Can be Only a Part” exhibit at the Powers Art Center. The center will be closed for the month of November to prepare for its upcoming install: “Differences and Samenesses: Jasper Johns Decoys.” HALLOWEEN AT TACAW TACAW hosts its Halloween Bash (21-plus), featuring Chaparelle and Heavy Diamond Ring at 8pm, as well as a costume contest. Tickets at tinyurl.com/chaparelletacaw HALLOWEEN IN G-WOOD Glenwood Springs Parks and Rec hosts its Halloween celebration, with games and prizes at the community center from noon to 2:30pm and a spooky skate at the ice rink from 2:30 to 4pm. Tickets at tinyurl.com/glenwoodhalloween2026 HEATHER’S HALLOWEEN Heather’s Savory Pies & Tapas Bar hosts a costume party and music from John Michel at 7pm. Dinner is served until 9pm. Register at heathersbasalt.com/halloween-2026 HALLOWEEN AT THE LEGION The American Legion Post 100 in Carbondale throws down a Halloween Party at 7pm with live music by the Goodman Band and a costume contest — the winner takes home a $100 prize. Open to the public. KDNK HALLOWEEN BASH KDNK and Townline Trucks present a Halloween bash at Townline from 8pm til late. A costume contest is at 9:30pm, and the winner gets a cash prize.
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 1
A SPIRITUAL CENTER Kay Knickerbocker presents “Insights from the Rear View Mirror” at A Spiritual Center (room 31 of the Third Street Center) at 10am. ‘BUILT FOR THE BARN’ Windwalkers’ “Built for the Barn” was postponed from Oct. 24 to today due to rainy conditions last week. Bring a team of three and compete in running, synchronized burpees and kettlebell throwing for this farm-centric event co-hosted by Aspen CrossFit and Twin Acres at 1038 County Road 102 in Carbondale from 10am to 2pm. The event includes an open house. Register at tinyurl.com/builtforthebarn2026 WRITING MONTH The Garfield County Libraries launch a month-long series for local writers, including a short-short, flash-fiction writing contest and The 5 to 50 Challenge for long-form writers (5,000 to 50,000 words), meeting on Mondays from 5 to 7pm. It all starts with a kick-off Flash Story Party today from 2 to 3:30pm at the Glenwood Library. The series culminates with a Writing Celebration Party on Dec. 5 at 2pm. All events are free and open to adults and teens. For details, visit gcpld.org/GarCoWriMo
e h t
s i r S p t a o rs S A youth newspaper powered by The Sopris Sun
Volume 2, Number 1 | October 29 - November 25, 2026
More than competition High school seniors took to soccer pitches, volleyball courts, football fields, cross country courses and more in October, celebrating senior night across the Roaring Fork Valley. From top right to bottom left: Glenwood Springs High School football senior Sebastian Romo tackles a Palisade High School Bulldog on senior night, Oct. 16, in Glenwood (photo by Caden Smith); Colorado Rocky Mountain School boys soccer senior Micah Hopkins looks for an open teammate against Grand Valley High School on Oct. 15 in Carbondale (photo by Kayla Steele); Roaring Fork High School boys soccer celebrates their senior night win over Vail Mountain School on Oct. 15 in Carbondale with Head Coach Nick Forbes (photo by Milo Berger); Glenwood Springs High School volleyball junior Thea VanDyke (left) and senior Brooke Jewell go for a block against Summit High Schoo on Oct. 17 in Glenwood (photo by Indi Michel).
THE SOPRIS SUN | Your weekly community connector | October 29-November 4, 2026 11
The newly rising Stars The Sopris Stars is back for its second year of youth-led audience and share ideas in a welcoming environment. news in the Roaring Fork Valley. I am thrilled to continue As a teen we often find ourselves stuck in a bubble of this newspaper allowing more youth than ever to have the friends, family or even school work, rarely meeting and opportunity to gain hands-on learning experience in jourconnecting to the world around us. However The Sopris nalism. This year we have seen an influx of interns leading Sun fosters this connection. “It has given me a lot more to more content than ever! A few bylines perspective on other people's beliefs … it has return: Aurora Egan, Arthur Cherith and also opened up connections and I made a lot myself, Lou Gall. Along with that, our new more friends through it [The Stars],” returninterns include, Caden Smith, Aya Robinson, ing Stars Correspondent Aurora Eagan said. Layla Reiss, Luke Incze, Donovan Gutierrez Having been with the program for multiple Gonzalez, Austeja Vaskaite, Kyra Chopra, years Aurora shared how much fun she has, Yaritza Lopez Perez, Kayla Steele, Arabelle watching new interns “find their footing” Moffitt, Owen Furderer and Indi Michel. Viviand using this opportunity to write about enne Shapiro, one of last year’s Stars, might her passions, spreading news of live theater, contribute from afar, and a couple more bands or just thoughts on the world. interns may still join the team. Every intern was asked to share what This year's array of interns are excited to they look forward to in the coming year and get to work, from sports reporting to the fuevery intern shared excitement for various ture of local scholarships; we are committed passions, some have a desire to cover EDITOR'S to share it all. We strive to deliver trustworthy sports, others want to discuss upcoming DESK and reliable news every month keeping the scientific studies. Despite the varying kids, tween and teens of the Roaring Fork interests the office is full of life with students By Lou Gall Valley informed. The Sopris Stars is for everycollaborating and laughing at every turn Sopris Stars Editor one; we aim to work with the community. If working toward a common goal. you have any opinions, events or corrections to share, reach The Sopris Sun is nothing if not welcoming, from your out to us with your ideas at youthnews@soprissun.com very first day to the very last The Sun feels like a big hug. The Sopris Stars are also taking to the air waves, plan“I feel very believed in at The Sopris Sun,” third-year Stars ning a monthly takeover of “Everything Under the Sun,” Correspondent Arthur Cherith said. The Sopris Sun’s weekly radio show on KDNK, from 4 to Having a space to belong has been instrumental in my 4:28pm on the same Thursday that The Stars prints each high school experience and I know most of our returning month. Along with that we are partnering with the Andy students share the sentiment. Growing up is scary and Zanca Youth Empowerment Program (AZYEP), bringing confusing; having the space to feel heard and seen not only audio versions of your favorite Sopris Stars stories to your allows for growth but acceptance, helping students to flourlocal radio! ish in whatever they choose to pursue after high school. In a time of social media many interns describe feeling Personally having been with The Sopris Sun for three years a need for self expression in a productive way. “The youth, I have found a passion for journalism and plan to continue we need to express ourselves, seriously because if we can’t that passion throughout my life, taking what I have learned get our opinion out there, who is going to get our opinion here into the world! out there for us?” said Stars Correspondent Luke Incze, who I have yet to see a student walk away from The Sopris felt strongly about the prospect of allowing teens a place to Sun worse off than they started. Every single person pours publish their work. their heart and soul into this paper and it shows. We are The growth of The Stars has allowed so many young made by the community for the community so if you feel so adults to find their voice. I myself have grown so much inclined reach out to us at youthnews@soprissun.com Let through the continuation of this program. I continue to us know what you want and thank you for another amazing watch my peers grow alongside it learning to engage an year of The Sopris Stars!
the
Sopris Stars Youth Editor Lou Gall lou@soprissun.com Senior Correspondents Arthur Cherith arthur@soprissun.com Aurora Egan auroa@soprissun.com Vivienne Shapiro Vivienne@soprissun.com Correspondents Kyra Chopra kyra@soprissun.com Owen Furderer owenf@soprissun.com Donovan Gutierrez Gonzalez donovan@soprissun.com Luke Incze luke@soprissun.com Yaritza Lopez Perez yari@soprissun.com Indi Michel indi@soprissun.com Arabelle Moffitt arabelle@soprissun.com Layla Reiss layla@soprissun.com Aya Robinson aya@soprissun.com Caden Smith caden@soprissun.com Kayla Steele kaylasteele@soprissun.com Austeja Vaskaite austeja@soprissun.com Youth Journalism Director Skyler Stark-Ragsdale skyler@soprissun.com Youth Journalism Instructor James Steindler james@soprissun.com Graphic Designer Terri Ritchie terrir@soprissun.com 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. The Sopris Stars is made possible thanks to The Sopris Sun. Support The Sopris Stars Youth News Bureau by making a donation at www.soprissun.com/donate
CORRECTION: The May issue of
The Sopris Stars incorrectly stated that the Roaring Fork baseball player on the cover was pictured with his parents, when the two folks accompanying him were in fact the parents of Trent Goscha, whose memory is honored each year during the annual Trent Goscha Tournament.
Letters to the Editor
The Sopris Sun's youth news bureau works to meet deadline from the Third Street Center on Oct. 21, putting together the first 2026-27 edition of The Sopris Stars. Photo by James Steindler
Have something to shout about? Email letters to the editor birthday shout-outs and more for publication in The Sopris Stars to youthnews@soprissun.com
2 THE SOPRIS STARS | The Sopris Sun Youth Journalism Publication | October THE SOPRIS 29 - November SUN | Your 25, weekly 2026 community connector | October 29-November 4, 2026 12
Is artificial intelligence really that intelligent? The future of AI locally and nationally INDI MICHEL Sopris Stars Correspondant EDITOR'S NOTE: Indi Michel is a student of both Gregory Sustad and Paul Freeman. Since its inception, artificial intelligence (AI) has grown rapidly over the past six years. From its use in the consumer market, to the tools many researchers use nowadays; it continually remains closely involved with the day-to-day activities of the general public. As the years go by, AI’s dangers and benefits become readily apparent, with it quickly becoming a concern across many populations, according to Stanford University’s public opinion survey on the outcomes of AI. Danger from the usage of AI comes in many forms, as a report from Anthropic’s own Threat Intelligence team has demonstrated over the past eight months, covering December 2025 to September 2026. Notable instances come in the form of a “Covert frontier model access for orthopoxvirus research,” which saw an anonymous randomly generated account use the cover of an Orthopoxvirus laboratory to gain access to data involving bioengineering viruses, the report stated. Anthropic’s Claude AI system was also used for, a “Russia-based operation using Claude to engineer an autonomous military drone swarm,” which folded out as a Russian-based actor utilizing Claude to code a chain of drones with built in behaviors like return-to-base settings, a geolocator for opposing drone operators and a call to detonate the drone remotely. The uses aren’t limited to biological and conventional warfare either, with China utilizing Claude to create a “deceptive dating app network,” that saw “more than 4,700 distinct AI personas that engaged in conversations with at least 25,000 unique individuals.” The report comes after the first espionage campaign using AI was discovered not three months earlier. Strategies among malicious actors and government are evolving at breakneck pace and Anthropic has even admitted that, “the barriers to performing sophisticated cyberattacks have dropped substantially.” The dangers of AI pose a threat to the general public’s safety at large, demonstrating state actors’ ability to create massive amounts of disruption within governments at a much cheaper cost. Locally, the implications aren’t great, leading to the potential targeting of power grids, across the western United States, according to the U.S Government Accountability Office, which could leave millions without access to internet or basic lighting. Local history professor
Gregory Sustad from Colorado Mountain College expressed concern over the effects of AI in our daily lives. “We’re not ready for the levels of disruption it [AI] is going to create,” he told The Stars. This comes after reports of the Hugging Face Incident broke out on Aug. 26 by tech giant OpenAI. The incident involved over 1,200 individual instances of a new model of AI breaking out of their secure sandbox server and blazing a trail across the internet. The situation coalesced into a catalyst for what leaders of the industry have begun recognizing as a degree of sentience never before seen in machines. Despite AI’s disconcerting aspects of what it could lead to in the future, there are benefits to reap as well. Glenwood Springs High School Principal Paul Freeman sees some potential uses for AI as a tool. As an administrator, Freeman has already begun implementing it in ways that save him time and allow him to create accessibility for students within the school. Freeman mentioned students may, “[use] AI not to do the work for me [as a student], but to teach me how to do it.” Additionally, he described its use as, “an infinite number of very patient, very knowledgeable, but also capable of being very stupid, interns for me.” Ultimately, Freeman recognized it as a technology that wasn’t going to go away, so he chose to make the most of it. Afterwards, he demonstrated an aspect that proved very useful both to him and the dual language speakers within the high school; translating an article into around six different levels of Spanish and English, making it easy for every group to understand. With some human review and slight tweaks, it became a very useful tool that allowed Freeman to complete a weeks-long task in less than a day. There are numerous concerns and benefits that are intricately intertwined with the rise of AI as a technology. As individuals, it’s important to separate the two and recognize that the technology itself creates a very fine line to walk on. The policy locally is remaining unchanged for now, according to Principal Freeman, who has stated the Roaring Fork School District advisory is to “be very careful.” This could change in the future, as Freeman has demonstrated with his thought process, but for now that remains to be seen. The situation is best put by Professor Daron Acemoglu, part of the Economics Department at MIT, who said, “AI could be either a blessing or a curse,” as quoted from the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs.
Normandy Discovery Tours Guide Thomas Neighbour teaches a group of students from a hill above Omaha Beach using a photo booklet on June 30. Photo by Caden Smith
A legacy in transition: Questions lie ahead for ACF’s Normandy Academy scholarships CADEN SMITH Sopris Sun Correspondent EDITOR’S NOTE: Caden participated as a 2026 ACF student on the Normandy Academy trip. When Francisco stood among the rows of graves at the Normandy American Cemetery, the scale of the loss was hard to take in. “There are things that no matter how good of a picture it is, you will not get the impact of it until you see it with your own eyes,” said Francisco Santana, an Arizonan student who joined one of the 2026 Normandy Academy trips. “Standing in the middle of the cemetery and seeing how the graves have no end was a truly life-changing thing for me.” For nearly a decade, Aspen Community Foundation (ACF) scholarships have helped local high school students travel to New Orleans, Normandy and Paris to study World War II. The 2027 funding is now indefinite following the passing of Paul Bushong, the Korean War veteran and philanthropist who established the fund behind it. In an email to The Stars in early October, ACF Program Officer Scott Kenner explained that the 2027 program funding remains uncertain due to the lengthy process of estate planning. “Bushong made a planned gift to the foundation intended to sustain the scholarship program, but the foundation does not know when the funds will be distributed,” he said. “Settling an estate can take several months and, in some cases, up to a year.” This leaves students, families and educators without a clear answer about whether next year’s cohort will be able to go. Bushong established the Normandy and World War II Education Fund at ACF in 2017. Its purpose was to help students understand the significance of the Battle of Normandy by learning about it in
the places where it happened. ACF reported in December 2025 that the fund has supported 93 local students’ participation in the 11-day Normandy Academy. The program is open to eligible 10th and 11th graders from the Aspen to Parachute region. The 2026 tuition was listed at $5,895 per student; students were asked to contribute $1,200, with the scholarship covering the remaining $4,695. Students apply through the National WWII Museum, with ACF as the local scholarship contact. The museum describes the academy as an 11-day program that includes New Orleans, Normandy and Paris. Bushong’s aim went beyond sending students on a trip. ACF said that he wanted them to return home and share what they learned so the history would not be forgotten. “We have deeply appreciated the opportunity to honor something he was so passionate about,” ACF CEO Erica Snow said via a spokesperson. “His dedication to our local students cannot be overstated, and it is with immense gratitude that we mourn his passing alongside his family and friends.” In a 2025 foundation article, Bushong remarked, “What happened in Normandy in 1944 is one of the most important events of recent history. I created this to help our local students understand this history, experience it firsthand and return home to share what they learned with friends and family.” ACF also described students researching an individual veteran during the academy and sharing their reflections with local groups and classrooms. The emphasis on sharing history is part of what students said made the experience remarkable. For Santana, the trip was also a lesson in encountering people and cultures beyond his own. “Going to a whole new country, it’s more than learning continued on page 8
THE SOPRIS STARS THE SOPRIS | The SUN Sopris| Sun YourYouth weekly Journalism community Publication connector| |October October29 29-November - November 25, 4, 2026 202613 3
RFSD Report
The superintendent got a good review. So why was the board disappointed?
KYRA CHOPRA Sopris Stars Correspondent
Getting a good review is usually something to celebrate. But at the Roaring Fork School District's Oct. 21 Board of Education meeting, Superintendent Dr. Anna Cole's positive evaluation came with one big concern: Only about half as many people filled out the community survey as last year. Cole received an overall rating of "effective," and board members had plenty of good things to say about her work. Still, several were disappointed by the low participation. Just 214 people responded to this year's survey, compared with 426 last year. Of the 214 people who responded, 56.1% were parents and 24.8% were certified employees, including teachers. Students made up only a small part of the responses. For a district with more than 5,600 students, the drop in responses stood out. Board Member Jasmin Ramirez wanted to make sure the drop wasn't ignored. "I want to make sure someone notes ... the drop in feedback we received this year," Ramirez said during the meeting, adding that the board should talk more about how to get feedback from different people across the community. Board Member Kathryn Kuhlen-
The Roaring Fork School District Board of Education discussed Superintendent Dr. Anna Cole's evaluation on Oct. 21 at the Roaring Fork Schools District Office in Carbondale. Photo by Skyler Stark-Ragsdale
berg called the drop disappointing and suggested changing when the district sends out the survey to encourage more people to respond. The survey, which ran from Sept. 18 through Oct. 4, showed that 80.4% of respondents agreed Cole supports the district's goals for student learning. Another 78.5% agreed that she works to make students feel safe, welcome and included at school. During the meeting, one board member pointed out how much blue was on the survey's pie charts, representing positive responses, and said they appreciated the progress the district was making.
Board Member Lindsay Defrates also talked about the positive feedback, saying that many community members seemed to appreciate Cole's work. And the discussion went beyond just the survey. Kuhlenberg brought up something else: how many people actually understand what a superintendent does? Most students could probably name their principal without even thinking about it. They see their teachers every day and know who to go to when something happens at school. But the superintendent? That's someone students might have
heard of without really knowing what they do. While principals are in charge of individual schools, Cole oversees the whole district. Her job includes decisions about staffing, school programs and the district's priorities. Kuhlenberg suggested the district could do more to help people understand that role and how it affects students. Though Cole received a positive evaluation, the board still had things it wanted her to work on, including improving student achievement, strengthening classroom instruction and communicating better with the community. The board also recognized Cole's work supporting school leaders, hiring staff and making district finances more transparent. Toward the end of the discussion, the focus shifted from Cole's performance to the evaluation process itself. Kuhlenberg suggested looking at the timing of the survey, while Ramirez emphasized making sure more community members have a chance to share their opinions. One board member suggested the evaluation have more regular checkins throughout the year instead of just once a year, and said the process was "due for an evolution."
Glenwood Springs Demons make their mark across fall sports OWEN FURDERER Sopris Stars Correspondent
Steamboat Springs high schools in their final two games. The Glenwood boys soccer team From Friday night lights to packed also played its senior night this past gyms, Glenwood Springs High Thursday, Oct. 15, with a convincing School’s fall sports teams have been 6-0 win against Rifle High School, competing across the state. In an interview with Glenwood Athletic Direc- bringing the Demons’ season record to 8-6 as it faces tor Jordan DeCrow, Steamboat and The Sopris Stars Summit in its final takes a closer look two games. at how these teams That said, the are performing and men’s soccer team the challenges they isn't the only team have faced so far in Glenwood this year. with success; the As the fall sports - Jordan DeCrow, Demons’ girls season continues, volleyball team Glenwood Springs Glenwood Athletic Director currently has a has competed across multiple sports with many ups 12-4 record, ranking No. 2 in the 4A Western Slope League. They conand downs; here are some of the recent scores and updates. Glenwood’s tinued this winning streak taking on Eagle Valley on Oct. 21 in a 3-2 win high school football team recently for senior night. competed during their senior night, Regardless of the season's rewhere they lost to the Palisade High School Bulldogs 6-42, with their only sults, DeCrow emphasized that high school sports are about more than touchdown scored by sophomore wins and losses. With 18 to 19 varsity Oliver Furlong, bringing their record sports, including cheer, DeCrow said to 0-8 as they face Eagle Valley and
“MY GOAL IS TO MAKE EVERY SPORT FEEL LIKE THEY’RE THE ONLY SPORT AT THE SCHOOL.”
Glenwood Springs High School Football player Patrick Jewett (No. 4) faces off against the adjacent Palisade player in the final Glenwood home game on Oct. 16, 2026. Photo by Caden Smith
one of the biggest challenges is making sure every program receives the support and attention it deserves. “My goal is to make every sport feel like they’re the only sport at the school,” DeCrow said. DeCrow also highlighted the role the Glenwood Springs community plays in supporting its student-athletes, pointing to local sponsors and community partners who help provide resources for the school’s athletic programs. “Our community is super giving, and they’re willing to … rally together to make sure that our kids have what-
ever they need,” DeCrow said. Although winning remains a goal for Glenwood’s teams, DeCrow said the lessons athletes learn through competition are just as important as their results. From commitment and dedication to learning how to overcome adversity, DeCrow believes sports help prepare students for life beyond high school. “Winning’s obviously our goal, but it’s not our purpose,” DeCrow said. “And our purpose is to create young men and women of character and people who will thrive in a changing world.”
4 THE SOPRIS STARS | The Sopris Sun Youth Journalism Publication | October THE SOPRIS 29 - November SUN | Your 25, weekly 2026 community connector | October 29-November 4, 2026 14
When your best still doesn’t feel like enough
I feel like school is about more than just getting good grades. It feels like I am working towards something bigger than myself, something I cannot explain. As a Hispanic student, I sometimes feel pressure to do well because I want to make my parents proud and show them that their hard work means something. Even when nobody directly tells me I have to be perfect, I feel like I should be doing more. The hardest part is that I do not always know what doing my best is supposed to look like. Sometimes I wonder how I am supposed to meet an expectation that I cannot even define for myself. I know that my parents want the best for me, and I believe many of their expectations come from wanting me to have a good future. When I think about how hard parents work to provide opportunities for their children, I sometimes feel like I owe it to them to succeed. I want them to be proud of me, and I want them to see that their efforts weren't in
vain. Growing up in a Hispanic family, I have sometimes connected academic success with the sacrifices my family makes. I cannot speak for every Hispanic student, but for me, that connection can make school feel more personal than just completing assignments or earning a grade. What makes this pressure difficult is that I do not think it always comes from my parents. Sometimes, I put more pressure on myself than anyone else does. I get caught up thinking about what I should be doing, what grades I should be getting and how much further ahead I could be. Even when I accomplish something, I sometimes focus on what I could have done better instead of recognizing what I have already accomplished. Eventually, that pressure became more than I knew how to handle. It stopped being just about schoolwork and started affecting my mental health. I struggled with depression and anxiety, and it became difficult to man-
OPINION By Yaritza Lopez Perez Sopris Stars Correspondent age the expectations I had placed on myself. I had spent so much time trying to do enough that I did not realize how much I was struggling along the way. One moment that stands out to me is when a teacher asked me if I was okay. It might have seemed like a simple question, but it made me stop and think about what I had been going through. Until then, I had been so focused on keeping up with everything that I had not fully recognized how
much I needed help. Having someone notice and ask me that question helped me realize that I did not have to keep everything to myself. I eventually reached out for help, and that became an important step in my journey. Looking back, I realized how much it mattered that someone took the time to ask instead of assuming I was fine or believing the mask I put on every day. Getting help did not suddenly make every expectation disappear, but it helped me learn how to face them differently. Eventually, I was able to feel that academic pressure again without feeling completely consumed by it. I could care about my grades and my future without letting them define every part of me. In a way, I started to understand that I did not have to choose between wanting to succeed and taking care of myself. I could still have goals, work hard and make my family proud while also recognizing when I needed support. That experience changed how I look
at success because it showed me that pushing through everything alone is not the same as being strong. I also think about how difficult it can be for students and parents to understand each other when it comes to academic pressure. From my perspective, parents may worry about their children’s futures, while students may worry about disappointing the people they love. Sometimes, both sides care deeply but struggle to communicate what they are feeling. I do not believe that wanting your child to succeed is wrong. However, I think it is important to recognize that a student’s grades do not always show what they are going through. I wish it were easier for students to explain when things become overwhelming for them and to feel that asking for help does not make them a disappointment. And if there is one thing my experience has taught me, it is that sometimes, the most important thing someone can hear is a simple question: “Are you okay?”
Telling others they’re hell-bound won’t make you heaven-bound Christianity has changed the lives of many people. For me, this has been a fundamentally positive change that has transformed my life for the better. Unfortunately, and undeniably for many others, the push for Christianity has also harmed, either through personal experiences or the treatment of others. The shame I feel when I realize that the same belief that has given me so much joy has hurt others is immeasurable. For a long time, I couldn’t reason with this catch-22 and held the belief that so many other Christians today grasp onto: Those who have a distaste towards Christianity are simply just hateful. However, through the experiences I have lived and the observance of those close to me, I have come to realize that this disdain many Christians feel comes down to a miscalculation, one often
reached through an attempt to bring others to the religion. Many Christians fear what challenges their beliefs. Because the values of Christianity are so deeply important to so many, when they are tested the immediate reaction can be inspired by hate.
a Christian personally views homosexuality as un-Godly, it is hard to deny that it gets a lot more flak than other ways of being or actions that Christians view as sinful. Homophobia creates an unbreakable cycle that runs rampant in churches and
“THOU SHALT LOVE THY NEIGHBOUR AS THYSELF.” - Matthew 22:39
Hate is highly scrutinized in the bible. Even those who have never read the bible or practiced Christianity know the infamous verse of Matthew 22:39: “Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.” One extremely popular and controversial example is homophobia. It's hard to comprehend the egregious amount of homophobia in Christian circles today. Regardless of whether or not
Christian communities. A queer person may be shamed, ostracized or rejected when attempting to join a Christian space that has such hate-filled views. Then, that person most likely will not return to that space, feeling shunned. It’s likely that separation from the community will not end there, and they may feel a sense of contempt towards Christians. Seeing people leave or
separate themselves from the church hurts Christians. Some might focus their hurt outward onto the group that left the faith, creating more bitterness and anger. This will continue to fester and repeat once another person from the group joins and is treated the same way. The divide grows every time. This same cycle can be observed in countless other spaces, including other religions and cultures. Regardless of the situation, it has a constant output of rejection, hurt and hate. Many Christians are so passionate that what they believe is right that they find shame and humiliation are reasonable reactions. It’s no surprise when someone doesn’t feel welcome in church that they will not want to come back. It may be hard for many Christians to come to terms with, but the only way to bring people into
OPINION By Aurora Egan Sopris Stars Correspondent this faith is through kindness, a willingness to put aside differences to seek common ground and showing the love expected of every Christian. There is no possible way to spread the ever-loving and forever forgiving love of Jesus if you yourself lack love towards others, even if they are different from you, even if they don’t share your belief and even if they don’t return the love you give. The only way to demonstrate God’s love is through kindness, acceptance and tolerance, not hate.
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The case against Flock cameras With the modernization of new technology and AI, different technology has surfaced. One of those specific technologies is known as “Flock” cameras. A Flock camera is a privately held American manufacturer and operator of surveillance technology primarily automated to store data on license plates, and details of cars that pass such cameras. If you're driving on Highway 82 headed toward Carbondale from the north, you have passed one of these cameras, which subsequently registers time, date and direction along with licence plate, car make, color, roof racks and even bumper stickers. This data is held within the database for up to 30 days where it is eventually discarded. Within this time period private owners of the camera (usually law enforcement) are able to freely access the data on your whereabouts. Within Garfield County, there are 31 documented Flock automated license plate reader (ALPR) locations. According to the February Post Independent article, “Glenwood Springs restricts outside access to police license plate reader data,” there are 21 cameras currently operated within the city of Glenwood Springs.
Flock cameras, for a lot of concerned citizens, have raised the argument against mass public surveillance. It reminds some, including myself, of literary works like George Orwell’s “1984,” or at least the start of it. The
officials across the country have been accused or charged for misuse of the technology, most using cameras to stalk ex-partners. According to ABC15 Arizona’s “Kentucky officer accused of using police cameras to track ex
the duty of removing Flock, vandalizing and destroying cameras across the country, as reflected in the August NPR article, “Amid intense backlash, people are vandalizing Flock surveillance cameras.” Vigilantism is a complicated debate of right and wrong, however these actions do prove something specific. If individuals are willing to risk the criminal charge of vandalising police property, it truly shows how some feel about the technology and its implications. Those advocating for their rights legally have taken every approach to keeping Flock cameras out of their counties, to the point where Darth Vader became involved. A viral social media clip recently surfaced of a San Diego City Council meeting, in which a particular individual dressed as Darth Vader spoke to council about how he favored the cameras as they would help progress his evil agenda and allow him to stalk Luke Skywalker across the galaxy. As a teenager growing up with this technology, it bothers me. I feel as though technology, though invented for the right reasons, can too easily be corrupted. I don't want to drive on highways
"AS A TEENAGER GROWING UP WITH THIS TECHNOLOGY, IT BOTHERS ME. I FEEL AS THOUGH TECHNOLOGY, THOUGH INVENTED FOR THE RIGHT REASONS, CAN TOO EASILY BE CORRUPTED." - Luke Incze Fourth Amendment of the United States Constitution has dictated laws, trials and courts system in the attempts to protect citizens from unlawful search and seizure. The use of Flock cameras in recent years have been a heavily debated issue within the U.S. courts, which begs the question, what is the expectation of privacy on public roads and what makes it different from an officer writing down a license plate. The answer is simply, a cop couldn't track thousands of cars within an hour and retain the vast detail and information the cameras store. Within the time that Flock cameras have been installed, over 50 law enforcement
over 2,000 times,” written in August. “Investigators found Zahir had conducted 2,048 Flock searches from January into May to track two vehicles registered to the victim, his child’s mother, in Kentucky and Indiana, court records show,” the article states. Furthermore, individuals have hacked into the Flock database, allowing someone without authorization to get ahold of such vast information and highlighting how, if the technology falls into the wrong hands, catastrophic consequences can incur. The public’s reaction to Flock has generally been received negatively. Many individuals across the country have taken upon themselves
OPINION By Luke Incze Sopris Stars Correspondent that can track my every move and feel that if these companies can get away with this level of mass surveillance, it may only be the start. Within no time their capabilities may grow into monitoring our driving, conversations or even personal lives; this is a future which may be closer than imagined. The brightside, however, is that on a community level, we have the power to decide. Carbondale Town Manager Ryan Hyland said in a May board of trustees meeting that, “With respect to the Flock cameras, there’s no plans to bring any proposals for Flock cameras to the board from the police department at this time.” However you may feel about the new technology of Flock, you're entitled to your opinion, whether it's spreading the word, voting or community involvement. Just remember you have a choice.
The evolution of Oktoberfest
In downtown Carbondale, under the cover of a tent the yearly celebration of a wedding took place. Although this wedding occurred nearly 216 years ago across the world its legacy remains today. Throughout the world, Oktoberfest is celebrated as one of the world’s largest folk festivals. In fact, over 1.7 million gallons of beer are consumed every Oktoberfest. Millions of locals, tourists and global beer corporations use this as an opportunity: locals for fun and festivity, tourists as an excuse to travel and corporations as a way to build corporate value. What began as a localized royal wedding in Bavaria has transformed into a globally franchised enterprise, revealing a shift from authentic community culture to modern corporate capitalism. In October 1810, Bavarian Crown Prince Ludwig I and Princess Therese von Sachsen-Hildburghausen were married, marking the
OPINION By Arabelle Moffitt Sopris Stars Correspondent first royal wedding in Germany to celebrate unity and the regional pride of Bavaria. People celebrated with beer and music gathering in Munich Germany on Theresienwiese, featuring horse races and local agricultural displays centered around civic unity and sports. The festival continued yearly in Munich and soon spread worldwide, keeping Bavarian culture and community spirit alive across generations. Oktoberfest started as a celebration of localized Bavarian agricultural heritage and royal marriage. Early traditions resonated deeply with the Bavarian people. However, as the Industrial Revolution swept across Europe in the late 19th century, small family-owned shops and taverns were gradually replaced by large commercial
venues. A small family-run pub has a much lower capacity than the giant beer halls sweeping across the nation. These new venues and factories created the industrial infrastructure required for mass commercialization. Whether Oktoberfest takes place in Munich or Carbondale, visitors expect to find the same iconic cultural markers: giant warm pretzels, traditional brass bands and heavy glass beer steins. Over time, these traditional symbols provided beverage companies and travel agencies with a readymade template for global marketing campaigns. Commercial advertisers quickly recognized that they could leverage the festival’s authentic, rustic origins to market these regional customs to an international audience. While the original beer stands at Oktoberfest were operated by small, independent local brewers, today the festival’s lucrative
A paper lantern dangles at Carbondale’s Oktoberfest, full of live music across from Peppino’s Pizza on Oct. 17. Photo by Arabelle Moffitt
beverage market is strictly dominated by Munich's Big Six breweries: AugustinerBräu, Hacker-Pschorr, Hofbräuhaus, Löwenbräu,
Paulaner and Spaten. These brands, which once operated as local businesses, have grown into giant commercial continued on page 8
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What ‘Coraline’ teaches about societal collapse and the age of AI Henry Selick’s adaptation of Neil Gaiman’s 2002 classic, “Coraline,” pairs whimsical characters and striking silhouettes with a darker story, but still grounded in warmth. Its carefully crafted details make for a memorable film. And, upon closer inspection, its plot echoes a civilization-wide extinction theory known as the comfort paradox. A theory that can also explain how reliance and dependence on AI can lead to these consequences. Coraline struggles to adjust to her new life in a gloomy Oregon town. At the Pink Palace, where she lives, she discovers a tiny door leading to a near-perfect replica of her world. There, everything is better, thanks to the “Other Mother,” or Beldam, who seems able to shape reality around Coraline’s desires. (Think of AI's ability to generate surreal hallucinations with modern technology.) On Coraline’s third visit, Beldam offers her a life in this new world in exchange for sewing buttons over her eyes. (A technology was
OPINION By Donovan Gutierrez Gonzalez Sopris Stars Correspondent introduced to a population guaranteeing ease, but the trade off is to give up a previous world or purely human-generated creativity and tenacity.) Coraline refuses and tries to undo the choices that led her there. The comfort paradox describes a cycle in which a drive for safety and convenience helps societies prosper, but also can erode resilience. As people become less able to tolerate hardship, societies grow more vulnerable. This may end in collapse, as populations lose the capacity to respond to problems or become so absorbed in comfort that their will to live gradually fades. This loss of physical and psychological resilience and passion leads to systemic hibernation, and even rejection of new experiences and advancements. A population with no problems left to face or goals left to conquer remains stagnant.
So Coraline rejects Beldam's offer and attempts to reset her previous decisions. Coraline’s desire to find peace leads her to a solution that would allow her to experience her most outlandish fantasies in a near-symmetrical world of her own. The film clearly mimics the comfort paradox, except that Coraline breaks the pattern by choosing to detach from the Other World. But first, her search for peace leads her to a world where her fantasies can come true. Was breaking from the Other World the right choice? And is it ethically or morally wrong to surround ourselves with a kind of “other world?” Despite a lack of studies, we can still make an educated guess about the decision Coraline could have made. In the Other World she would have full bodily autonomy, except for her eyes becoming buttons. Imaginative wonders would forever surround her, and anything she could wish for would be manufactured to her heart's content. Coraline clearly has compassion for her parents, so
Graphic by Donovan Gutierrez Gonzalez
why would that change with her “other” parents? Looking past their physical differences, her other parents could provide levels of love unmatched to that of her real ones, along with fulfilling her needs for shelter, safety and survival. In terms of evolution and bioengineering, Coraline should have chosen to stay in the Other World. So what drove her to stray from that decision? It was the mere thought of sewing her eyes shut that steered her away from a more optimized reality. It was also clear that she yearned for “real” love. In humans there is a difference between a manufactured
personality and a genuine one, but, seemingly, the line can be blurred. Americans overwhelmingly prefer human-created products and creativity, as opposed to AI. Due to a push toward AI integration in everyday life, there are a terrifying number of people who are in favor of its increasing prevalence. Implementing highly advanced AI systems into routines is not only considered optimal by some, but as inevitable by most. But the film shows the complete opposite in the most beautifully illustrated way. Near the end, Beldam continued on page 8
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Roaring Fork highlights outstanding students of the month PRESS RELEASE Roaring Fork High School EDITOR’S NOTE: These write ups were cleaned up using AI, according to Roaring Fork High School, and edited by The Sopris Stars. Every month, Roaring Fork High School will highlight its students of the month in The Sopris Stars. This is the result of a collaboration between RFHS and The Sopris Stars.
Josephine Brasier, 10th grade
Sophomore Josephine Brasier thrives at the intersection of structure and creativity, listing math and art as her favorite subjects. Beyond her schoolwork, she stays busy crocheting, painting, drawing, practicing archery and reading. Brasier looks up to her art teacher, Ms. Carpenter, who has taught her the importance of self-compassion. Proud of her Cherokee heritage, Brasier dreams of visiting the Cherokee Reservation, as well as studying abroad, traveling the world and simply spending time restoring cars with her dad. Teachers Carmen McCracken and Michael Black praise her as a kind, caring and thoughtful student who consistently shows respect for others.
NORMANDY from page 3 about the Eiffel Tower or the beaches,” he said. “It’s more like understanding the cultures, more like understanding other people.” Madalynn Casey, another student on a 2026 trip, said visiting the D-Day beaches made history feel immediate in a way textbooks could not. “Being able to step foot on those beaches and just see how much land and how much they had to take control of in such a short amount of time really opens your eyes to WWII itself,” Casey said. She also came home with a stronger grasp of the subject. “I’m able to say a whole lot more about what I learned when I talk about World War II and D-Day specifically than I was before,” she said. Both students emphasized the lasting connections they formed with their fellow travelers. Santana said that after spending two weeks together, students who had started as strangers felt like family. Casey said she still talks with the students she became close to on the trip. Those experiences are why the ambiguity of the 2027 scholarships reaches beyond a line in ACF’s budget. The scholarships give students access to an intensive history program and ask them to bring what they learn back to their communities. Whether that opportunity is offered in 2027 depends, for now, on when Bushong’s planned gift becomes available and what support can sustain the program in the meantime. Academy slots are not generally awarded until January or February, and Kenner said ACF is still waiting on information before determining whether the program will be paused for the 2027 cohort. For Francisco, the value of the trip is clear: “We should really support these types of events, because they really change people … and keep expanding them.”
Eric Barajas-Medina, 11th grade
Gianna Baiardo, ninth grade
Freshman Gianna Baiardo brings warmth and curiosity to her school community. Her favorite subject is Spanish, as she loves learning new ways to connect with local community members and is building a foundation for Italian — another language she is working at. Outside the classroom, Baiardo enjoys baking creative dessert combinations, cooking and diving into good books, especially when she can discuss them with friends or compare them to film adaptations. A fun fact about Baiardo is that she was born on Christmas Day. She looks up to her grandmother, Gemma, for her constant guidance, as well as activist Emma Watson. Her future goals include attending a college that helps her explore her passions, with sights set on a career in English. Teachers Ed Danahey and AJ Crowley describe Gianna as a conscientious, helpful and a welcoming presence, and someone who instantly brightens any room.
Junior Eric Barajas-Medina excels in English class, where he feels in his element, expressing his ideas through writing. When he isn’t in class or working outside of school, Barajas-Medina loves playing soccer. He draws his inspiration from his mother, admiring her strong work ethic and how she taught him to be a caring, supportive person. Driven and ambitious, Barajas-Medina is striving for a 4.0 GPA, while building toward a stable future career. Teachers Meg Ravenscraft and Mary Groome have been thoroughly impressed by his rigorous study habits and exam scores, noting that he is genuinely kind and always steps up to help others without being asked.
Viri Chimal Moreno, 12th grade
Senior Viridiana "Viri" Chimal Moreno finds her passion in anatomy and physiology, captivated by the inner workings of the human body. The oldest child in her family, Chimal Moreno spends her free time reading and journaling about her daily experiences. She credits her hard-working parents as her greatest role models. Her primary goal after graduation is to pursue a career path she truly loves. Described by teachers Leslie Keery and Eric Sgambati as a curious and natural leader, Chimal Moreno is known for her helpful nature and her exceptional ability to lift up the students around her.
OKTOBERFEST from page 6 enterprises or state-backed entities that produce millions of barrels annually. Ultimately, what was originally created as a simple civic gathering focused on community unity has been systematically repackaged into a highly profitable corporate venture. This corporate takeover creates a profound paradox for modern communities by disrupting the genuine desire for local festivals and community gatherings. In an increasingly digital world, opportunities for real human connection have been restricted. Humans are social beings and by nature, need other human interactions. Yet, those interactions have become increasingly confined to screens. The perseverance of local festivals such as Oktoberfest has kept traditions alive across generations, giving people a reason to gather in person. However, multinational corporations frequently dilute small festivals by prioritizing profit margins over the community, turning cultural celebrations into standardized marketing opportunities. By replacing authentic local craft and heritage with mass-produced merchandise, these corporations threaten the true originality and spirit of the event. Ultimately, this tension between cultural heritage and corporate interests is not unique to Oktoberfest. Across the globe, countless local gatherings face the pressure of commercialization. In our own small valley, local traditions like Mountain Fair, Dandelion Day and Potato Days remain deeply cherished because they are built on neighborhood volunteers, local artists and genuine community pride. These festivals reflect the authentic character of our town, standing in stark contrast to globalized corporate events. The evolution of Oktoberfest serves as a powerful reminder for small towns everywhere: as local celebrations grow, communities must actively protect their cultural roots to ensure that shared human connection remains at the heart of the festival.
CORALINE from page 7
Josephine Brasier (left), Eric BarajasMedina (center) and Viridiana Chimal Moreno. Photo by Christi Gubser
and her facade completely crumble to dust as Coraline peels back the curtain of novelty and pleasure to reveal Beldam’s true reality and nature. At the film's climax, she watches the Other World collapse into instability, mirroring the potential outcome of AI-dependent societies. Coraline embraces her real parents, real love. Coraline choosing the real world parallels the eventual erosion of AI, which would become an unfathomable risk to the inner workings and infrastructure of such a dependent civilization. Of course, singularly relying on the comfort paradox cannot 100% accurately depict how an AI-based civilization may play out. However, I believe that when you closely examine the film's parallels, the themes fit together in a way that can help you form a personal stance on the possible role AI can play in humanity's future.
HAPPY HALLOWEEN! 8 THE SOPRIS STARS | The Sopris Sun Youth Journalism Publication | October THE SOPRIS 29 - November SUN | Your 25, weekly 2026 community connector | October 29-November 4, 2026 18
Box cleaning day! Sol del Valle and The Sopris Sun will be detailing and painting a selection of newspaper boxes that need some serious attention, and are inviting the community to lend a hand and meet with the staff, including Sol’s new Editor-in-Chief Owen McArdle. Please feel welcome to drop in at the office, room 26 of the Third Street Center, and lend a hand on Friday, Nov. 6, anytime between 11am and 4pm. Photo by James Steindler
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 2
SEWING CLASS Learn how to sew at the Glenwood Library with a class offered on Mondays, today through Dec. 21 (except Nov. 23), from 3 to 4pm. RSVP to tlamee@gcpld.org or call the library at 970-945-5958 for more details.
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 3
ELECTION DAY Ballots are due by 7pm at a designated drop box or in person at a voting center. DRAWING CLUB The Roaring Fork Drawing Club sketches together at Downtown Liquors in Carbondale at 6:30pm. ELECTION LIVESTREAM Age-Friendly Carbondale hosts a livestream of the General Election at the Crystal Theatre beginning at 7pm.
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 4
‘HOUSEPLANTS 101’ The Botany Houseplant Shop hosts a “Houseplant 101” workshop from 5:30 to 7:30pm. Register at botanyhouseplantshop.com ‘UP IN SMOKE’ Catch the Crystal Theatre’s 7pm showing of “Cheech and Chong’s Up in Smoke,” the first of a month-long stoner comedy series, “Weedy Wednesday.” Please do not smoke in the theater. Tickets at the door. RECOVERY TRIVIA The Meeting Place hosts a recovery fundraiser with live music by Mugsy Seldeen at the Hoffman Hotel. Dinner is served at 6pm and trivia starts at 7pm. This event is sold out.
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 5
RF CONSERVANCY AT 30 Roaring Fork Conservancy celebrates its 30th birthday at The River Center, 22800 Two Rivers Road in Basalt, from 11:30am to 1pm. The event is free. RSVP at roaringfork.org FOCUSED KIDS FALL FLING Focused Kids hosts a fundraising event, including a silent auction that goes live online on Nov. 2, at the Old Thompson Barn in River Valley Ranch from 5:30 to 8pm. Tickets at focusedkids.org RFTA MASTER PLAN Roaring Fork Transportation Authority hosts an open house, filling folks in and taking comments regarding the direction of its 20-year Master Plan, at 6pm
Supporting Your Vibrant Life
at the Glenwood Springs Community Center. Learn more about the Master Plan at rfta.com ‘V FOR VENDETTA” The Crystal Theatre screens “V For Vendetta” at 7pm. Tickets at the door.
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 6
WATERSHED SUMMIT Catch up on all things water at the Roaring Fork Watershed Summit, hosted at the Third Street Center from 9am to 3pm with speakers from the Colorado River District, the state climatology office, Roaring Fork Conservancy and more. RSVP at tinyurl.com/ watershedsummit2026 DÍA DE LOS MUERTOS Día de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, kicks off at the Carbondale Library with crafts and face painting from 4:30 to 6:30pm, along with offerings of pan de muerto (bread of the dead) and hot chocolate. The procession starts from the Third Street Center at 6pm and continues on to Chacos Park. Food trucks will be open for business at 5pm at Chacos Park, plus more face painting and hot chocolate. The party continues at Chacos Park with performances by Folklórico, Cumbre Sol, Mezcla Socials, Roaring Fork Youth Orchestra and el Proyecto de Mariachi until 9pm. Carbondale Arts is seeking volunteer support; people can sign up at tinyurl.com/diadevolunteer CLAY CENTER EXHIBIT Carbondale Clay Center guest artist Theo Hirschfield presents “Blossom,” a weekend-long exhibition, at the Clay Center with a reception today from 5 to 7pm. ‘LEND ME A TENOR’ The Ute Players, a new troupe of local, seasoned theater folk, presents “Lend Me a Tenor” this weekend and next with Friday and Saturday showings at 7pm and Sunday matinees at 2pm at the Ute Theater in Rifle. Tickets at utetheater.com BENNY BLEU Benny Bleu, a “train-traveling” singer, songwriter, banjo-player and guitar-player, serenades True Nature with meditative licks at 7pm. Doors open at 6:30pm. Tickets at truenaturehealingarts.com CONSENSUAL IMPROV Thunder River Theatre hosts Consensual Improv, a performance composed of local comedians and actors, at 8pm. Doors and bar open at 7pm. Tickets at tinyurl.com/consensualimprov
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THE SOPRIS SUN | Your weekly community connector | October 29-November 4, 2026 11
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12 THE SOPRIS SUN | soprissun.com | October 29-November 4, 2026
Third Backcountry Symposium featured Paul Andersen keynote on environmentalism ANNALISE GRUETER Sopris Sun Correspondent
Saturday, Oct. 17, marked the third annual Backcountry Symposium, hosted by The Arts Campus At Willits (TACAW). Aspen Public Radio produced the event, with local journalist and endurance athlete Kaya Williams serving as lead producer. Williams said Aspen Valley Health stepped up as lead sponsor, with additional support from the Aspen Valley Ski and Snowboard Club (AVSC). Since its inception, the Backcountry Symposium has aimed to help educate recreationalists and build community to increase backcountry safety given the many outdoor enthusiasts who call the Roaring Fork Valley home. This third iteration of the gathering introduced a new format, kicking off the day with options for a group run and a group bike ride at 10:30am, and allowing time for attendees to visit the annual AVSC sport swap in Willits. The AVSC swap ran from 9am to 2pm. Williams’ logic was that the outdoorsy folks most interested in the information shared at the Symposium would also want to spend part of a beautiful October day adventuring. The actual workshops started at 1pm, with choices of Backcountry First Aid, Backcountry Safety Skills, and Bike Maintenance and Repair. Also at 1pm, local children’s author Jill Sheeley and Ute Mountaineer founder Bob Wade hosted a session about backcountry safety for elementary and middle school-age adventurers. Sheeley signed copies of books from her “Adventures of Fraser the Yellow Dog” series. Williams said that throughout the day, attendees told her team how useful they found the events. “From its inception in 2024, a central goal of the Backcountry Symposium has been safety and preparedness,” she said. “Hearing that people
Paul Andersen’s keynote closed the third annual Backcountry Symposium, which was hosted by TACAW and Aspen Public Radio. Photo by Annalise Grueter
actually feel more prepared is a huge win.” Other afternoon events included a presentation on managing backcountry medical emergencies by Aspen Valley Health trauma medical director and chief of medical staff Dr. Christopher Roseberry. OpenSnow meteorologist Sam Collentine shared a long-term forecast for the upcoming winter, as well as recommendations for finding powder throughout a winter. Williams moderated a panel about healing from backcountry disasters with insights from local guide Chris Edwards, Aspen Hope Center’s Lily Larkin, Colorado Avalanche Information Center Deputy Director Brian Lazar and Mountain Rescue Aspen team member Jordie Karlinski. “A big takeaway was to show up — and keep showing up — for community members who have experienced something traumatic,” Williams said. “There’s often a flood of support right after a difficult event … but that support can dwindle over time.” The symposium wrapped with a keynote
presentation by writer and outdoorsman Paul Andersen, who shared his journey as “The Evolution of an Environmentalist.” Andersen moved to the Roaring Fork Valley in 1984 to work as a reporter for The Aspen Times after 14 years living and working in journalism in Crested Butte and Gunnison County. While on the south side of the Elk Range, Andersen had covered Crested Butte’s community battle against the proposed AMAX molybdenum mine, which would have taken ore from nearby Mount Emmons. During his years in Crested Butte, Andersen learned how to mountain bike and telemark ski in addition to climbing mountains. Over the course of Crested Butte’s protests against the AMAX mine development, he met environmentalists who traveled to support the local activism. These included thinkers such as writer Edward Abbey, biologist Paul Ehrlich, botanist Stuart Mace and historian Roderick Nash. Andersen chronicled
the full story in his book “The Town That Said ‘Hell No!’” which was published in March 2022. Andersen was hired by The Aspen Times in 1984 following an interview with editor Mary Hayes and publisher Bil Dunaway; Dunaway was impressed that Andersen had mountain biked over backcountry roads for the appointment. Once he arrived in Aspen, Andersen began learning about the Aspen Institute, including the organization’s inception during the Goethe Bicentennial of 1949, when Walter and Elizabeth Paepcke enticed humanist Dr. Albert Schweitzer to the valley to speak about reverence for life and intentional society. The Paepckes envisioned building a community that elevated the cultivation of mind, body and spirit. In the 2000s, Andersen grew more selective about his journalism work as he wrote books and helped develop programs connecting people with the environment. He introduced Aspen Institute guests to local wilderness in “Nature and Society” seminars that explored environmental and humanist thought. In 2008, he co-created a Wilderness Seminar program with former Aspen mayor John Bennett; participants traveled to and learned in 10th Mountain Huts. Andersen then founded the nonprofit Huts for Vets in 2013, leading opportunities for United States veterans to heal and build community through backcountry experiences. Through all this work, Andersen refers to himself as an environmental preacher. “There are many environments that we traverse in our lives,” he said. “Something I find myself so grateful for is to be here, surrounded by an outdoor environment where I can immerse myself.” Andersen closed his keynote by encouraging the audience to “Be the best kind of environmentalist you can be. Just be one.”
SPORTS from page 9
CARBONDALE from page 6
Also making the playoffs from the league were Coal Ridge at No. 19, Delta at No. 23 and Gunnison at No. 27
The other trustees, barring Kade Gianinetti, who was absent, were less convinced, citing height, building color, lack of obvious community benefit and the obtrusiveness of the driveway underpass as reasons they weren’t yet on board. Carbondale resident Oliver Sweet approachead the mic during the public comment period of the hearing, telling the trustees he spoke on behalf of people trying to enforce the town’s 35-foot height restrictions. He said he gathered 137 signatures in opposition of the design’s alternative compliance request. He, too, questioned the community benefit of the project. Sweet was followed by Carbondale resident Steve Zlotnick, who also voiced his concerns about the design, specifically the height perception of the proposed building from the Rio Grande Trail. The trustees did not come to a conclusion regarding the proposal on Tuesday, but moved to continue the public hearing to Nov. 10.
Volleyball seniors bid farewell The Roaring Fork girls volleyball team closed out their season at 4-18 overall and 2-12 in the 3A WSL after a pair of home game losses on Monday and Tuesday. The Rams dropped a 3-0 decision to Middle Park on Monday (16-25, 20-25, 17-25), ahead of a competitive showdown with local rival Basalt for Senior Night on Tuesday. After opening an eight-point advantage in the first set, the Rams let the Longhorns back in it, ending in a 23-25 advantage for Basalt. The Rams fell 20-25 in set two, before finally gaining the edge and coming away with a 25-23 win. Basalt responded with a 21-25 over the Rams to close it out, 3-1, to improve to 6-13 overall and 4-10 in the league ahead of their final match of the season on Saturday at home against Kiowa. Honored before the game were six Rams seniors, including co-captains Hazel Jenkins, Tess Hayes and River Sherman, along with Kate Taylor, Ember Golden and Liz Revilla.
2A football playoffs Making the Class 2A football playoffs once again is the Basalt High School team, which concluded the season at 6-3 overall and 4-2 in the 2A Western Slope League, finishing second to 6-0 Delta. Basalt closed out the regular season with a 35-21 win over valley rival Aspen on Oct. 24. The Longhorns host a first-round playoff game as the 11th seed versus No. 22 Florence this Saturday, Oct. 31. Kickoff is at 1pm.
Mountain biking rescheduled
BASALT from page 7 Councilor Hannah Berman found herself struggling to vote to approve the project, but ended up throwing her hat in. “The bells and whistles are great, but what I grapple with is that the core of it is luxury storage; and I think the best-intentioned plans are up against the massive pressures of the wealth in Aspen trying to find a place to store their Ferrari that’s a little cheaper,” Berman said. Mayor Knight resisted making changes to the Basalt Master Plan and maintained opposition along with Councilor Shaffran. “We can be pickier. We don’t have to be afraid that if it’s not this, it’s going to be worse,” Shaffran said. However, with a 5-2 vote to approve the amendments and the PUD, Basalt’s south side can expect to see new construction in the coming years.
The Colorado Cycling League State Mountain Biking Championship races have been rescheduled to this weekend, Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 31 and Nov. 1, at Colorado Mountain College Spring Valley, after the trails were too wet to ride last weekend. Freshman and JV races for both boys and girls are slated for Saturday, followed by sophomore and varsity races on Sunday. THE SOPRIS SUN | Your weekly community connector | October 29-November 4, 2026 13
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14 THE SOPRIS SUN | soprissun.com | October 29-November 4, 2026
Local ladies launch a library In 1959, two Carbondale school teach- lived on a ranch near town. Still, Gordo was ers, Dorothea Ike (later Farris) and Patricia a frequent visitor to the area and considered Richmond, were lamenting the fact that Carbondale his adopted hometown, even their students couldn’t do any research after joining the local Freemason Lodge 82. school because the school library was closed From Richmond’s memoir, concerning and the nearest public library was in Glen- Cooper’s 1963 space flight: wood Springs, too far for the kids to travel. The radio station in Glenwood Springs From Richmond’s journal, “Roaring Fork had conveyed reports about Cooper’s earth Valley Recollections 1958-1963”: orbits. When the station broadcasted the As Miss Ike and I talked about the latest update about the space capsule’s situation, the notion reentry into Earth’s emerged to create atmosphere, Carbona library within dale and other Roaring Carbondale … In Fork Valley residents carrying the concept congregated along into discussions with Carbondale’s Main neighbors and friends, Street. Carbondale’s and like Mary Ferguson, Basalt’s marching band Betty deBeque and members stood ready to Dorothy Marshall, the lead a parade when the idea of developing a news came of Cooper’s town library began to module splashing down take root. successfully. As the The women organbands moved forward ized a grassroots com- HISTORIOGRAPHY upon the signal, decomittee and approached rated bicycles, cars and By Sue Gray Richmond’s husband, other vehicles followed Wallace deBeque, who had inherited the along Carbondale’s Main Street, past the large brick building at the corner of Fourth building with the words “Gordon Cooper and Main that his grandfather, William Library” painted upon the front window. Dinkel, built in the late 1800s. They wanted In 1984, a new library building was erected to locate the library in a small storefront in at 76 South 4th St. Its official dedication on the Dinkel Building, which had become Sept. 29 coincided with the 75th annual vacant when deBeque moved his Carbon- Potato Day celebration. Retired astronaut dale Light and Power office to a newer Gordon Cooper was the grand marshal in the building. He initially offered the space at no parade, and cut the ribbon alongside Mayor cost. The Town eventually provided a rental Bill Gray at the library’s dedication. budget for the library, as it wasn’t part of the The Valley Journal, Oct. 4, 1984: Garfield County Library system yet. Nearly 100 people gathered outside From Richmond’s “Recollections”: the soon-to-be completed Gordon Cooper Conversations about the creation of a Library last Saturday, to hear dedication town library grew into reality. Townspeo- speeches and comments from a variety of ple donated time and materials toward local luminaries and former astronaut transforming the empty building’s inteGordon Cooper … rior into a functional library setting. Cooper, namesake of the library, is The lumberyard donated boards that the son of local resident Hattie Cooper … became shelving for the dozens of books [whose] family … bought a ranch in the donated ... Residents cleaned, painted Frying Pan area in 1929. He said he spent and varnished surfaces ... Carbondale countless summers in this area long before residents also had provided easy chairs to he thought of being a spaceman … accommodate readers. Noting that his mother moved to The volunteer library committee had Carbondale in 1954, Cooper said he has considered various names for the proposed spent “all my spare time visiting her as community entity. Some residents argued much as possible, frequently on holidays.” in favor of one or another of particular Hattie Cooper died in 1991 and is buried local influential citizens. The committee alongside her husband, Leroy Gordon considered that doing so might affect public Cooper Sr., in Carbondale’s White Hill support for the library, depending upon Cemetery. Gordon Cooper passed in 2004 personal experiences and relationships. and his ashes were launched into space. Gordon Cooper, the youngest of the origIn 2013, the library moved from the inal Mercury astronauts, never resided in 3,600-square-foot building on 4th St. to a new Carbondale. However, during an interview 13,000-square-foot building at 320 Sopris he once cited a connection to Carbondale, Avenue. The facility, now part of Garfield because his parents had acquired property County Public Library District (GCPLD), near the town. With the popularity of the goes by the name of the Carbondale Branch space program and focus on Cooper’s pend- Library. But the town’s historical connecing flight, the committee designated the new tion to the space race was retained when facility as the Gordon Cooper Library. Carbondale Arts moved their headquarters In 1963, Leroy Gordon Cooper Jr., aka into the old library building and named it “Gordo,” made history for his record 22 solo The Launchpad. orbits around the Earth in the last Mercury Carbondale Library Branch Manager spacecraft: Faith 7. In news articles, Cooper Tracy Kallassy still has the old 4th St. Gordon was said to be from Carbondale, but it was Cooper Library sign in her office, along with actually his mother, Hattie Cooper, who the astronaut’s flight suit.
OPINION
AUTHOR’S NOTE: Many thanks to 89-year-old Patricia Joy Richmond for the gift of her journal to the Carbondale Historical Society in 2026.
Shining Mountains Film Festival waters seeds of resilience “What you water grows” is a saying that applies to the obvious, but also to what we water with our focus and attention. Where our attention goes, so does our energy. Deanne Vitrac-Kessler, founder of the Aspen Indigenous Foundation, has steadily been watering the highly humanistic Shining Mountains Film Festival since 2018. Shining Mountains, held at the Wheeler Opera House, was born as a meaningful way to celebrate the first anniversary of Indigenous Peoples’ Day, recognized in Aspen in 2017. Its roots started in 2005, when Vitrac-Kessler met Ute elder Loya Arrum-Cesspooch at Sunlight Mountain Ski Resort. The now annual festival takes place during the weekend following the second Monday of October, when the commemoration of Indigenous Peoples’ Day occurs. According to the American Psychological Association, resilience is “the process and outcome of successfully adapting to difficult or challenging life experiences, especially through mental, emotional and behavioral flexibility and adjustment to external and internal demands.” It was during the GUEST OPINION pandemic that this word became very popular, but for Native American commuBy Alejandra Rico nities, its meaning has been an intrinsic part of their existence for centuries. This year’s festival portrayed through beautiful cinematography and captivating storytelling what resilience looks like for particular Indigenous tribes and individuals, according to their own specific and complex historical and geographical context. The common thread that could be perceived through the films at this year’s festival was the firm resolution of Indigenous people to focus on how resilience has shaped, and continues to shape, their existence in a way that ain’t just about surviving, but embracing the full potential of their dreams and connection to their powerful roots and ancestors, in their unique tribal ways. The festival speaks to people who are engaged to keep learning about stories untold in history books, popular culture and mainstream arts and entertainment; stories about the humans who “are not immigrants nor colonizers, but that have been here since day one,” as stated by Jimmy-John Thompson, director of one of the award-winning films this year, “We Are Still Here.” The Best Film award went to “Sacred Dog,” a story about a Native American family’s use of the exhilarating Indian Relay to rise above their historically bloody and impoverished past, restore the primacy of the horse in Lakota tradition and to teach their young to be proud of their roots. The film also spotlights “The Victory Ride,” an annual inter-tribal ceremonial ride and living commemoration of a rare and celebrated triumph for Indigenous people over the U.S. Army in the face of westward expansion in 1876. In remembrance of the battle, known as the Battle of the Little Bighorn, for over 34 years Lakota elder William “Shorty” Brewer, awarded the Curator’s Award at the festival, has continued this empowering tradition, while training and mentoring Lakota youth to participate and to give them “a blueprint for the future.” People can find this amazing film online. The Best Short Film award went to “Children of the Mountains,” a precious telling (also available online) that captures the process of elder Ron Six Bears Alec passing on the sweat lodge tradition he was taught. Alec has faced tribal disenrollment, a form of banishment and ostracization from tribal membership that about 11,000 Indigenous people in the U.S. have been facing over the past two decades. The film, as expressed by its director Ryan Flynn, served as healing medicine for the You’re No Indian social movement team. The Audience Award went to short film “We Are Still Here,” which portrayed the Timbisha Shoshone people inhabiting what is known as “Death Valley” in California, an unfortunate term that Timbisha people have never liked. This tribe’s reservation is the only one within the boundaries of a national park. Their struggle for sovereignty and the survival of the community is the central point of the film. “The land has a spirit, but protecting it requires a new generation to stand its ground,” the creators of the film expressed. I have the deep conviction that the people that attend this film festival in the future will unavoidably be deeply touched by witnessing fellow humans portray their very profound form of resilience. The festival moves one’s soul, which is sure to be inspired and also motivated to do something in support of a cause. After all, we are all Indigenous to this earth, no matter our tribe, no matter our ancestry. My prayer is that this precious gem of a festival gets bigger, that the voices of Native American communities get to be widely heard and, most importantly, that the attentive response from their relatives (all of us) gets bigger too.
THE SOPRIS SUN | Your weekly community connector | October 29-November 4, 2026 15
ASPEN & SNOWMASS Pitkin county Library Hyman Avenue Box Wheeler Opera House Box Snowmass Town Park Station Aspen Valley Hospital Mi Chola Snowmass Clarks Market Snowmass Mall Alpine Bank in Snowmass Alpine Bank in AABC BASALT & EL JEBEL Willits General Store Alpine Bank ANB Bank Basalt Quick Lube Basalt Regional Library Big O Tires El San Miguel Box Casa Tequila CC’s Cafe Whole Foods Eagle County Courts Crown Mountain Express Lube El Jebel Mobile Offices El Korita Hightone Autobody El Jebel Laundromat Mountain Family Health Cazadores Scottie’s The Basalt Store Timbo’s Hightone Automotive and Tires CARBONDALE 3rd St. Center Alpine Bank Carbondale Library Main St. Box Catherine’s Store Food Truck Carbondale Recreation Center City Market Carbondale CMC Edna’s Hair Salon Gloria’s Boutique Garcia’s Jalisco Grill La Fogata La Perla La Placita La Roca Lift-up Sunburst Valley Meats First Bank GLENWOOD SPRINGS Glenwood Springs Library Centennial Park Box Comfort Dental Coin Laundromat Glenwood Recreation Center Glenwood CMC El Yaqui First Bank Frida’s Glenwood Hot Springs Yampa Hotsprings Valley View Hospital Impuestos Seguros La Michoacana Mountain Family Health Post Office Garfield County Human Resources Sal Mex Tequila’s Tony’s Bakery Super Taco Alpine Bank on Grand Ave New Castle New Castle Library City Market Carniceria Elias Hacienda San Miguel Post Office Tapatios Alpine Bank SILT Silt Library La Placita 2 La Placita Market LeMora Pizza Silt Roundabout RIFLE Cafe y Pasteleria Galea East Ave & 3rd St. Box City Hall Box E 12th St. Box El Patron El Rincon Jalisco Grill Mercado San Jose Momma’s Nachos Mexican Dining Paleteria La Korita Promex Bakery Remington Square Spyderwash Tapatios La Baja Espresso Rifle Library Imperio Variedades Dinora Diversity Salon Alpine Bank on 4th St Alpine Bank on Airport Rd PARACHUTE Nalini’s Taqueria Jalisco El Tapatio City Hall Box Parachute Library Running Burrito Lift-up Fifty Shadz Salon Sinclair Vero’s Mexican Bakery
Look for stories like this in this week’s Sol del Valle!
Full edition is available every Friday afternoon on newstands and at businesses from Rifle to Aspen
Together we make el Sol shine Where did you learn Spanish? published Spanish-language content, and decided to form That simple question has always been so hard to answer. a trilingual magazine for the University of Virginia’s (UVA) Was it in kindergarten, when I learned how to say Spanish, Italian and Portuguese Department. They called numbers and colors? In high school, as I racked my brain the magazine ‘La UVA,’ a play on the Spanish word for grape looking up definitions in my textbooks? Or in college, when and the university’s commonly known acronym. I decided to study Spanish as my major? I worked hard with them during my final year at UVA to The correct answer is none of those places. I truly began put together the first edition of the magazine, which celeto learn Spanish in the same place I fell in love with the brated the role speakers of these languages played in the local language. Not in the pages of a dictionary, but from converand university communities. With original, Spansations with my coworkers who spoke it at an Italian ish-language content, which was also translated sandwich shop in my hometown of Arlington, into English, I felt I had helped make a signifVirginia. There, three women originally from icant crack in the wall that separated the Guatemala, El Salvador and Colombia taught two communities. me words and phrases from their home As the new editor of Sol del Valle, I’m countries, while earning 13 bucks an hour, thrilled by the opportunity to continue the same as me, a 14-year-old kid. to ensure that the only Spanish-lanAs my Spanish continued to improve, I guage newspaper in the Roaring Fork learned that they had received degrees to and Colorado River valleys continbecome lawyers or business administraues to be a platform for Latino tors from Latin American universities, voices, stories, artists and busithat their daughters played the piano, that nesses in this region. they had siblings and parents living in four My goals as editor are to expand different countries. I learned all of this as the coverage in the Colorado River Valley, customers passed them by, simply because publish more original, Spanish-language they couldn’t understand them. content written by Latinos and to see Sol del When I got to college, I involved myself in the Valle grow alongside the community. Latino communities at my university and within the Above all, I want to meet all of you, share LETTER FROM surrounding city in Charlottesville, Virginia. I began your stories, listen to your feedback and continue THE EDITOR to volunteer as a tutor with a local nonprofit that offered to learn and grow as the editor of Sol del Valle and as a By Owen McArdle English classes for Spanish-speaking adults. I worked recent inductee of this beautiful community. closely with professors and other faculty to establish new This is your newspaper. I am always open to programs across the campus, such as the Languages Across the Curric- suggestions, comments and collaborations. Sol del Valle exists to serve ulum pilot program and a cultural exchange program for international the Spanish-speaking community and would not be possible without university employees and students. our readers, donors and advertisers. Your involvement makes el Sol Again, I heard fascinating stories from such genuine, interesting shine a little brighter each day. people. Stories from artists, entrepreneurs and dreamers. A multitude of incredible voices, struggling to be heard. A language barrier so large that Please feel free to shoot me a message at owen@soldelvalle.org. the two communities were almost oblivious to the existence of the other. I would love to hear your perspective, your opinions and your That’s when I discovered journalism. vision for this newspaper. Two of my Spanish professors, one from Spain and the other from Mexico, recognized the importance of creating a news source that EDITOR’S NOTE: This column was translated by Owen McArdle.
Follow Leonardo Occhipinti’s “Nuevo Mundo” in Sol del Valle every week in Spanish.
Owen McArdle — Editor • owen@soldelvalle.org | Margarita Alvarez — Advertising • margarita@soldelvalle.org www.soldelvalle.org • info@soldelvalle.org • 970-404-7208
16 THE SOPRIS SUN | soprissun.com | October 29-November 4, 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
The Ghost Pirate By Tom Mercer Carbondale-ish
Jeremiah lived in a stately old house on the edge of town. The house was built in the mid-nineteenth century, and it was undoubtedly the grandest in town in those early years. But, as the years passed, the house inevitably began to show its age. It was sorely in need of a coat of fresh paint and a number of windows needed to be replaced, but Jeremiah had grown to love the house just as it was. He loved the creaking floorboards, the foggy glass in the windows, and the unusual noises and quiet voices that could be heard as the house continued to settle further into its hillside location. The most unusual noises that Jeremiah heard consisted of people talking in one of the upstairs
rooms. Jeremiah would often open the door to the room to better hear whatever was going on inside, but each time he opened it the talking instantly stopped. By far, the single thing that Jeremiah appreciated most about his “haunted house” only occurred once each year on Halloween night. Most trick-or-treaters in the neighborhood avoided Jeremiah’s house. Despite the lure of candy, the house frightened them. It was just “too spooky.” Still, Jeremiah loved Halloween, for that was the only night of the year that the “ghost boy” would knock on the massive front door. The boy was always alone, and he never spoke — not even to say “trick or treat.” He always appeared wearing the
Works in Progress all-star contributor Tom Mercer has updated his wardrobe since moving to spooky-ooky Florida. Courtesy photo
same pirate costume, and upon receiving his candy, he simply disappeared into thin air. Jeremiah had mentioned the lone trick-or-treater to other people in the neighborhood, but
nobody really believed him. So, while he rarely had any other costumed trick-or-treaters, the young pirate solely visited his home every Halloween. Happy Halloween, me hearties!
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THE SOPRIS SUN | Your weekly community connector | October 29-November 4, 2026 17
LETTERS
from page 2
RFSD mill levy
financial pressures, cooperation between county and municipal governments is more important than ever. Godes’ municipal leadership experience provides a valuable perspective on strengthening those relationships and developing practical, county-wide solutions. We need someone with municipal experience on the Garfield Board of County Commissioners. Election Day is Nov. 3. Vote for Godes for Garfield County commissioner. Colin Laird Carbondale Trustee
On this Nov. 3 ballot, the Roaring Fork School District (RFSD) Board of Education is asking you to consider a mill levy override (MLO). It is important that you vote YES! This measure would generate an additional $5.6 million annually for educator funds — going directly to salaries for teachers and classified staff (bus drivers, custodial, kitchen and specialists). I’ve been in education for a quarter-century, a near high-water mark in any career, and I know many of the voters in the RFSD community. I have worked at Basalt, Roaring Fork and Glenwood Springs high schools. Additionally, I have worn the career hats of science teacher, substitute teacher, instructional coach, assistant principal and principal. My tenure in our schools and in this district has compelled me to share my “sagely” thoughts on our MLO measure. As the former Principal of Roaring Fork High School, my most pressing responsibility was hiring, developing and maintaining quality teachers. All principals will agree, this is challenging work, especially in the small, albeit heavenly Roaring Fork Valley. Plainly stated, our teachers struggle to afford to live here, and many who live here cannot afford to stay. Those in the field of education love our communities and our kids, but for many the cost is untenable. According to a 2026 Colorado Legislature Survey, “The cost of living within RFSD has spiked 18.66% since 2023.” As John Stroud cited in the Sopris Sun, RFSD is the fourth most expensive school district to live and work in across the entire state. Educational state funding is changing this year, and with the cost of living on the rise many districts across Colorado are attempting to navigate MLOs and other ways to improve education funding. Without the support of our community we will lose teacher superstars to other communities, including mountain towns with more competitive salaries: Aspen, Summit, Steamboat and Eagle County. I hope you get out and vote on Nov. 3, or vote early by dropping your ballot at a drop box or voting in person at an election center. However you vote, think of your neighborhood schools, the students we serve and the teachers who make a difference, when you vote for 5C. Megan Baiardo Carbondale
Godes for commissioner Garfield County and its municipalities face many of the same challenges: a shortage of affordable housing, economic uncertainty, transportation and infrastructure needs and the rising cost of public services. County and municipal governments also serve many of the same residents and businesses. In fact, most county residents live in our municipalities. By working more closely together, they can coordinate investments, share resources, reduce duplication and address regional challenges more effectively. Jonathan Godes brings valuable experience from serving on the Glenwood Springs City Council, including four years as mayor. He understands the challenges of balancing budgets, managing growth and meeting community needs — and how county government can be a collaborative partner. As Garfield County faces growing 18 THE SOPRIS SUN | soprissun.com | October 29-November 4, 2026
No on 137 The science behind forest ecology, restoration and wildfire mitigation is complex and nuanced. I’ve struggled to express my concerns with Prop 137’s oversimplifications and the significant negative effects it could have on forest ecosystems and, in cases, make wildfire risks/hazards worse. Then, I got a pro Prop 137 mailer that leads with, “Prevent Wildfires.” Wow. It’s hard to tell if they are naïve, disingenuous or cynical. Wildfires aren’t preventable, full stop. And, in the right place and right time, are essential for ecosystem health. Anyone that tells you they can/should prevent wildfire is manipulating your fear and seeding false hope. There are so many things wrong with Prop 137. I speculate that is why they bundled the bad with the good, hitching the motherhood and apple pie of Great Outdoor Colorado funding to the turf wars and conflicts of interest built into the wildfire language. Forests can’t be fireproofed, nor should we try. What we can do, and there’s decades of scientific research and lived experience supporting it, is harden homes and infrastructure to make them highly ignition resistant. This occurs upon the structure itself and within a 100-meter ignition zone. Yet, these cost effective and proven measures were intentionally excluded from Prop 137. And there are no sideboards/guardrails to keep these millions of dollars from being destructively spent in the backcountry far from communities, doing nothing to keep us safe. I say go back to the drawing board and bring us a proposition that is based on sound ecological science, with language that prioritizes hardening and prevents misguided backcountry logging. Sloan Shoemaker Carbondale
Vote Republican I believe this midterm election is about policy not personalities. I will vote for the party that shares my values. I will not vote for “no bail” laws that put criminals back on the street, nor Medicare for all that spends our tax dollars on undocumented immigrants, nor allowing boys in girls’ sports, nor allowing trans butchery of our children, nor drag queen stories for kids. The Dems’ big tent welcomes socialists that want to abolish borders, prisons, the Senate, Potus, the Supreme Court and police. I will vote a straight Republican ticket. Bruno Kirchenwitz Rifle
Follow the money The flyers in your mailbox attacking Amendment 87 argue that seniors and continued on page 19
PARTING SHOTS
Three local firefighting agencies banded together in Basalt on Oct. 11 for an annual softball tournament, fostering an afternoon of camaraderie through sports and food, hosted by Roaring Fork Firefighters Local 4327 (RFFR). Roughly 30 firefighters from Roaring Fork Fire Rescue, Aspen Fire Protection District and Carbondale & Rural Fire Protection District joined the ball game. “This was an excellent opportunity to meet the community that we serve and to interact with our brothers and sisters in a relaxed, fun environment,” said Matthew Rotman, a firefighter/EMT with the RFFR union. The agencies maintained emergency services during the event, and Carbondale Fire took home the gold! Courtesy photos
LETTERS veterans will pay more if this progressive tax measure passes. I guess if you’re going to tell a stretcher, it might as well be a big one! I was reminded of the 2008 Garfield County commissioners election. Two seats were up for grabs, so a double Democrat victory could have reversed the sitting three-man Republican policy stranglehold. But at the 11th hour, residents found in their mailbox a shadowy fake newspaper that called itself The Garfield County Post. We can only guess at who sent it. Nobody’s seen a copy since. It featured smear attacks on Democrats Steve Carter and Stephen Bershenyi, who both went on to lose, Bershenyi by a mere 50 votes. There was of course a great public outcry and much wailing and gnashing of teeth, even some
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crocodile tears. But what could anybody do? Freedom of speech can mean the freedom to lie and then hide in the shadows. Moral of my sad tale: Don’t believe everything you read, and always, always follow the money. Ed Colby New Castle
Vote Kolbe As voters consider their choice for Pitkin County commissioner, we encourage support for Emily Kolbe. Kolbe has been an Aspen resident since the 4th grade and successful business owner for more than 20 years. Her experience, practical judgement and long-standing commitment to the community make her well qualified to help guide important
decisions affecting our county, including the proposed airport modifications and other issues that will shape our future. However, the commission seat represents more than Aspen. It also includes the rural communities of Pitkin County, including Redstone and the Crystal River Valley. Our small-valley residents have needs and priorities that are often quite different from those of Aspen. We are a community of working families, artists, shop owners, restauranteurs, retirees and senior citizens whose voices deserve to be heard. What impresses us most about Kolbe is her willingness to listen. She understands that effective leadership requires hearing from all residents, regardless of where they live. Time and again, she has demonstrated respect for differing viewpoints and
a genuine interest in understanding the challenges facing communities throughout the county. Pitkin County needs a commissioner who can bring people together, balance competing interests and make thoughtful decisions that benefit the entire county. Kolbe has shown that she has the experience, integrity and commitment to do exactly that. We are confident she will be a strong voice for both Aspen and the rural communities that make Pitkin County such a special place. Frances and Tom Dudley Redstone For a bonus letter go to soprissun.com
LEGAL NOTICES NOTICE OF FINAL SETTLEMENT
NOTICE
NOTICE is hereby given that on November 2nd, 2026, at 5:00 p.m., final settlement will be made with Excavation Services, 226 N 12th Street, by the Roaring Fork Community Development Corporation., PO Box 2026, Carbondale, CO 81623 on a contract for labor and materials for a project known as 3 Mile Infrastructure Improvements Project and that any person, co-partnership, company, association of persons, or corporation who has an unpaid claim against Excavation Services 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 November 2nd, 2026, at 5:00 p.m, file a verified statement of the amount due with the Roaring Fork Community Development Corporation (Attn. Chris Woldum info@roaringforkcdc.org pursuant to Section 38-26-107, C.R.S., as amended.
PURSUANT TO THE LIQUOR LAWS OF COLORADO MOUNTAIN TIDE PROVISION, LLC., D/B/A MOUNTAIN TIDE PROVISION CO. HAS REQUESTED THE LICENSING OFFICIALS OF THE TOWN OF CARBONDALE TO APPROVE A NEW LIQUOR LICENSE FOR A BEER & WINE LICENSE LOCATED AT 423 MAIN ST, CARBONDALE, CO 81623
Failure on the part of the Claimant to make such verified statement, prior to the final settlement on the contract with Excavation Services will relieve the Roaring Fork Community Development Corporation from any liability for such Claimant’s claim.
HEARING ON APPLICATION TO BE HELD AT: 511 COLORADO AVE. CARBONDALE, CO 81623 AND VIRTUALY AT WWW.CARBONDALEGOV.ORG FOR A LINK TO THE MEETING TIME AND DATE: 6:00 P.M., NOVEMBER 10, 2026 DATE OF APPLICATION: OCTOBER 7, 2026 OFFICER(S): GREG MORRIS
PUBLISHED BY THE ORDER OF Roaring Fork Community Development Corporation.
BY ORDER OF: TOWN CLERK ADDRESS OF THE PLACE AT WHICH PETITIONS OR REMONSTRANCES MAY BE FILED: Town Clerk’s Office, 511 Colorado Ave., Carbondale, CO 81623
Published in The Sopris Sun on October 29, 2026.
Published in The Sopris Sun on October 29, 2026.
THE SOPRIS SUN | Your weekly community connector | October 29-November 4, 2026 19
FREE EVENTS CALENDAR Holiday Invitational Exhibition November 9 - December 23 Reception: Friday November 13, 6 - 8PM Sale: Friday December 4th, 6-8PM Main St. Gallery & The Framer, 399 Main St, Carbondale Join us for the annual exhibition of over 15 national and local contemporary ceramic artists! Exhibition Sponsor: Land+Shelter Gallery Sponsor: Slifer, Smith & Frampton
Holiday Open House
November 15, 1 - 4PM 215 12th Street, Unit D, Carbondale Come learn about the 12th St. Annex! Paint ceramic ornaments & enjoy hot cocoa from Pollinator Chocolate! Sponsored by PNC Bank
29th Annual Cup Auction
December 11, 6 - 9PM The Old Thompson Barn at River Valley Ranch Join our holiday fundraiser featuring cups made by local and national ceramic artists.
Kids’ Holiday Sale
Learn More WWW.CARBONDALECLAY.ORG 20 THE SOPRIS SUN | soprissun.com | October 29-November 4, 2026
Tuesday December 15, 4 - 5:30PM 135 Main St. Carbondale All items $10 or less, perfect for a piggybank budget! Featuring ornament painting and snacks! Sponsored by PNC Bank 970-963-2529