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una nueva publicación semanal con noticias Volume 13, Number 44 | Dec. 9-15 2021 locales en español.

Cowboy Christmas In true Western Colorado fashion — and given the lack of snow — Santa's sleigh was more of a horse-drawn carriage at this year's Light Up Carbondale event, with rides available for the general public as well. See page 13 for more. Courtesy photo by Jaime Wall

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OPINION

BRANCHING OUT

By Genevieve Villamizar The last time I fished this spot was with this same friend and darn it all if we hadn’t stumbled upon fireflies while hiking out. Have you ever seen these Midwestern points of light in real life? All aglow and aglimmer, across a midsummer’s eve? It’s gasp-worthy magic.

Though it is almost winter and fireflies are long past, our jaunt to the river still held promise, if only because of the memories.

At the easement access, we slid into our waders, joking about our lame seasons; I blamed the low water, warm river temps that kept many of us away for a chunk of the summer. Truly? It was mostly work and fatigue.

We double checked our gear and the beer stash then hiked down to the river. Late autumn sunlight danced in everything: the tangles of wild autumn clematis,

It's the darndest thing grass tops in the pastures and the riffles and runs coursing through the valley, just up ahead.

Unless it’s an obvious, annual hatch, I never know what I’m going to tie on until I get to the banks and can zen out for a while.

I turn on “soft eyes,” watching just above the film. I study the air just above it, zone out on the pockets and pillows, looking for snouts, fins, bulges, shadows. I look at the grass and shrubbery, watching for bugs. I push up my sleeves and pull stones from the river bottom — what’s wriggling?

In years past, eagerness always cost me. Visions of water from the road above gave me the zoomies. I’d string my rod and miss ferrules. I’d drop gear in the river or forget it altogether in the truck. Somewhere along the way, I slowed down — letting in others’ stories and experiences, perhaps.

This day, a bluebird November day with nary a hint of snow, felt like a streamer day. As had the last one — way back in June, maybe?

Late runoff ? I still had a yellow streamer tied on; I was surprised to note its silver mesh body. How had I not noticed that before?

Sitting on the river bank with my fishing buddy, stringing up and feeling like a Norman Rockwell cover, this massive Rottweiler, all feet, loose coat and wagging tail, joined up with us. Twin trails

of slobber hung from his jowls beneath two huge pools of limpid brown — those puppy eyes. He stole me over, dragging contrails of slime, rubbing, wiggling, panting and pawing. “Conrad” read his tag; he wasn’t even two, yet.

This stretch of river was his home and the regulars seemed to know him.

Doofus nature aside, Conrad was clearly a river dog: wandering far from the barn, checking out eddies, banks and boulders — independent, safe, chill. He reminded me of my past river/ bird dog, Zoe. Whistling him back over, the bond was instant.

The distraction, compulsory.

He settled in beside me, his hide warm. I rested my head on his flanks as the truth washed over me: I didn’t know how to fish anymore.

I have a brain injury.

Three years ago last month, I flipped my Ford on black ice.

Within 24 hours, I couldn’t distinguish one graduate school course from another, let alone which professor taught it, or how to decipher peer review literature. X-rays, neurologists, MRIs, spinal surgery, neuropsychologists — no test and no doc so far has been able to explain the inexplicable chaos of my mind for the last three years.

I function in a seemingly

harmless haze, often not knowing the day or time or what the heck I have committed myself to that day or that week — until I consult my iPhone, the Post-its, or the Sharpie scribbles on my left hand.

Talking to others with brain injuries, I’ve come to understand more what has happened to my grey matter — and my nervous system. Traditional docs, insurance policies and specialists have little to offer. So, I approach each day anew, discovering along the way what my limitations (many) and my capacities (extraordinary) are.

Nothing is what it used to be, except perhaps the familiarity of our chickens and the comfort I find in messing about the yard. I don’t remember my conversation with you from yesterday and I often can’t tell — did I actually do that thing? Or did I simply think about doing that thing?

I can’t read books anymore.

I can’t run anymore. And now, apparently, I can’t fish anymore.

So — thank you, chickens, and your silly, goofy ways. Thank you yard, for your steadfast liveliness.

Thank you, sun, for your light on my face; and summer fireflies; and the winter to come, bearing hoar frost and sun dogs. I thank our lucky stars for the promises of nature, rivers and all those other phenomena… in such peril these days.

LETTERS Wurst way to go I was incredibly saddened to see the abrupt closing of WineTime this fall. The former owners and employees had built a truly unique retail experience.

Apart from the quality selection of beverages, the German deli and authentic staff recommendations provided something special to Carbondale.

The owners gave an emotional farewell to the community via email in June, assuring customers that the new owner would be keeping the store and staff the same. In an apparent change of heart, the new owner closed the store. This is a loss for the community.

If the new owner has another local business, I would recommend offering bratwurst, Ritter Sport, and Mozartkugel at checkout for a boost in sales.

Nick Pinto Carbondale

Your attention, please Did you know Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) 2021 statistics show 619 fatalities for Colorado?

Consequently, CDOT electronic signs along I-70 currently are posting the message: Speed Kills, Slow Down. CDOT, Colorado State Patrol, businesses and families everywhere want us home at the end of the day.

Take A Minute/Slow Down in Town wants

the same thing in our communities, where encounters between motorists and pedestrians are the most deadly for pedestrians.

Take a minute, think about it… invest and protect our communities. Let our actions speak louder than words. Slow down in town.

Diane Reynolds Glenwood Springs

Glenwood woes The building to sell pot (Kind Castle) is being built near the same corner where kids from Glenwood Green Apartments wait for the school bus.

I considered calling OSHA because they have been operating heavy equipment so close to the sidewalk that it is no longer safe. The back hoe had dirt flying into the air. I could barely walk my dog. There is now a six-foot ditch dug just one foot from the corner of the sidewalk where about a dozen kids wait for the bus.

A fence needs to be erected on that side. The school buses also need to be rerouted so they can safely pick up the kids nearer the complex.

They’ll need to drive up the street that is curved and only has sidewalk on one side.

A sidewalk should be built on the other side of the street, so people who have to walk, like older people without cars, can be safe. We also need a stoplight installed and street lights, Please see what can be done to make our children and elderly safe.

I find it interesting also that the pot shop is being built by the same person who built half of Glenwood Green Apartments’ affordable units, and then sold the remaining land for a profit to the developer who built the lofts that are very high-end.

He said he had trouble working with the city, so didn’t develop further. However, he was able to work with the city to get this pot shop.The west end of Glenwood is really going to the dogs.

Nancy Bernard Glenwood Springs

50 years of Wild Horse Act The Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act will turn 50 years old on Dec. 15.

Wild horse roundups leading up to this day are intensifying, as are government-issued press releases (and news reports) that leave out crucial government data.

These data tell a different story than what the public is told. Specifically: Under its current plan, the Bureau of Land Management (Bureau) will spend $59 million to get wild horses off public lands. The Bureau will then pay $43 million annually to pasture the horses that it has removed. The forage those horses were surviving on will be transferred to livestock, for which the Bureau can only charge $955,800/year. Bottom line — the government will spend $59 million initially, plus $43 million Continued on page 31

The views expressed in opinion pieces do not necessarily reflect those of The Sopris Sun. The community is invited to submit letters up to 500 words to news@soprissun.com. Longer columns are considered on a case-by-case basis. The deadline for submission is noon on Monday.

2 • THE SOPRIS SUN • soprissun.com • Dec. 9-15, 2021

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STRs narrow housing options for long-term residents

By James Steindler Contributing Editor

With companies such as AirBNB and VRBO settling into communities around the world during the past decade, many townships are pushed to address issues arising from shortterm rentals (STR). Carbondale trustees are scheduled to discuss just that during a public work session on Dec. 21.

While Carbondale officials have acknowledged that unfettered short-term rentals need to be reined in, the issue was recently given greater prominence by a newly-formed advocacy group, Community First Carbondale (CFC).

CFC is the brainchild of three full-time residents of Carbondale: Kevin Rayes, Shirley Powers and Ali O’Neal. Rayes works as a planner for the city of Aspen and previously worked in planning for Colorado Springs. His advocacy work with CFC is unrelated to his position with the city of Aspen. Still, Rayes has learned through experience that “planning is really political.”

Initially, CFC intended to petition enough signatures to get an initiative on the ballot by way of the people. However, once the group put the Town on notice they were informed that that may not be necessary.

Carbondale Mayor Dan Richardson said he conveyed to Rayes, “that in my opinion using a ballot initiative to create public policy is not constructive unless it's an absolute last resort.”

The mayor encouraged Rayes and CFC to work with the trustees to try and get something done.

“Considering I only learned of their initiative a couple weeks ago and our board has been willing, and more recently eager to address the

issue, I think we are very far from a last resort scenario,” added Richardson.

"We are no longer planning to push this to a vote, but rather hope to work with the board of trustees to get something approved," Rayes told The Sopris Sun. The group drafted a memo which they provided to the Town ahead of the Dec. 21 work session. In part, the memo says, “Homeowners and landlords who previously rented to longterm locals are now enticed to use a residential property as a STR or sell out to a company that will do the same.”

“We each have friends or family-members who have been pushed out of Town because of the lack of housing options available in the area,” the memo further declares, “and we believe STRs, and MTRs [medium-term rentals] are a

contributing factor.”

CFC defines an MTR as “a property or dwelling unit that is rented for a period between 30 to 90 consecutive days.” In Carbondale, STRs are taxed the same as hotels for overnight stays of 30 days or less — any length beyond 30 days is exempt. Oftentimes, according to Rayes, people will opt to prolong their stay to 30 days to avoid paying the STR tax.

CFC recognizes a distinction between hotels (and other overnight lodgings) and STRs. Whereas a hotel room was initially intended for short-term stays, STR and MTR units are located within homes zoned as permanent residences and arguably remove a living space for a long-term resident. “When somebody stays in a hotel, they are not taking away housing from somebody else,” explained Rayes.

OUR AN NU AL

IT'

S

OR F ME I T

Carbondale Trustee Marty Silverstein (center, left) speaks with Shirley Powers and Kevin Rayes who were gathering signatures at Batch on Dec. 3. While the petition may no longer be necessary, CFC continues collecting signatures to demonstrate the level of community support. Photo by James Steindler

In their proposal, CFC acknowledges that STRs and MTRs can provide extra income for full-time residents. Therefore, the coalition proposes a permitting system for STRs and MTRs. Since the intention is to limit outside investors from gobbling up the housing market, CFC proposes that only owners who occupy a home full-time should be granted a STR permit.

If a home is not occupied by a full-time resident, the owner would not be granted a STR permit.

MTRs would be “allowed by right” for fulltime occupying-owners to rent without having to obtain a permit, whereas a non-occupyingowner would be required to obtain a permit to rent out a space as a MTR. How would the Town pay for enforcement of these regulations? CFC proposes that a 10% municipal tax should be imposed on permitted STRs and MTRs — specifying again that hotels would be exempt. A proposed tax increase, pursuant to TABOR, would ultimately go to the voters for approval.

“We studied the issue pretty thoroughly a couple years ago,” Mayor Richardson told The Sopris Sun, “but at that time it was more difficult to parse out the pros and the cons and non-owner-occupied STRs didn't appear to be nearly as rampant as they appear to be now.”

Currently, AirBNB and VRBO pay a lump sum of the taxes it collects to the Town of Carbondale. Therefore, the town does not have recent data regarding the number of STR units.

Those interested in learning more about CFC can visit the coalition’s website at: www. communityfirstcarbondale.org “To us, housing is not a commodity; housing is more of a human right,” Rayes concluded.

y a d i l Ho

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SCUTTLEBUTT Electric road show

include: keep lit candles away from decorations; replace any worn or damaged strinsg of lights; use clips, not nails, to hang lights; blow out candles and turn off light strings before bed; and entertain guests by sharing your fire escape plan.

On Dec. 11, CLEER, Garfield Clean Energy, Xcel Energy and Grid Alternatives are putting on an eclectic vehicle road show at the Garfield County Fairgrounds in Rifle. Attendees can test drive a variety of electric vehicles. Under a Xcel Energy rebate, income eligible people can qualify for up to $5,500 on a new EV, or up to $3,000 on a used one. Xcel will also pay up to $1,300 toward the installation of a home EV charger, explains the press release. More info is available at www.garfieldcleanenergy.org

Season of giving In its 41st year, Aspen Community Foundation’s Community Grantmaking program allocated $375,000 to 25 nonprofits from Parachute to Aspen in the areas of youth success and essential human services. Support is made possible through contributions from dozens of individuals, families, businesses, foundations and donor advised funds.

Light the Night Light the Night with Love will return on Valentine’s Day weekend, 2022. This collaboration between the Carbondale Creative District and KDNK creates an interactive “HeART Walk” along the Rio Grande Trail.

Art installations and performers are currently being sought, with grants available to artists and groups. Projects must be weather-appropriate and self-illuminating. Nonprofits can also contact WeLightTheNightWithLove@gmail. com to get involved.

Avalanche Creek closure As of Nov. 29, Avalanche Creek Road, approximately nine miles south of Carbondale, is closed for the season. While a gate prevents most motorists from disobeying the closure, the Forest Services wants to remind people that dogs are also not allowed in the area. The purpose of the closure, in place since 1996, is to protect bighorn sheep and other big game in the area.

“As more people are using the area, compliance with the closures has decreased,” reads a press release, “particularly involving dogs.”

Daniels Fund Sean Jeffries, long the Thunder River Theatre Company's technical wizard behind the scenes, still seems a little reluctant to step into the spotlight after being named TRTC's new executive director in late November. He replaced Corey Simpson, who left the position in September. Photo by Paula Mayer

Griswold wants you

Christmas bird count

Colorado Secretary of State Jena Griswold is campaigning for support in Carbondale on Dec. 9, beginning with a meet and greet from 3:30 to 4:15 p.m. RSVP to info@garcodems.org. A reception for donors runs from 5:30 to 7 p.m.

Email ceila@jenaforcolorado.com for more info.

People are invited to join the Roaring Fork Audubon Society in this year’s Christmas bird count. Participants will meet at the Third Street Center on Saturday, Dec. 18, at 7 a.m. and set out in groups of three to cover as much of the region as possible. Later, the group will gather and discuss the data over lunch at The Village Smithy. Email fulcon@comcast.net or immac@ rof.net for more info or to sign up.

Ag interns As part of its Agricultural Workforce Development Program, the state Department of Agriculture is accepting applications for internship grants for the 2022 growing season.

Agricultural businesses can get up to $5,000 to support an intern for the season. Visit www. ag.colorado.gov to apply by Jan. 7.

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4 • THE SOPRIS SUN • soprissun.com • Dec. 9-15, 2021

Winter safety The Carbondale & Rural Fire Protection District reminds folks that “winter holidays are a time for families and friends to get together, but that also means a greater risk for fire.” Safety tips

The Daniels Fund, named for its founder Bill Daniels, has surpassed $1 billion in giving.

In just over two decades, the foundation has awarded more than 13,000 grants and nearly 4,600 college scholarships benefitting residents of Colorado, New Mexico, Utah and Wyoming.

They say it’s your birthday Folks celebrating another trip around the sun this week include: Jennifer Johnson (Dec. 9); Bob Johnson, Bill Laemmel, Krista Paradise, Scott Skinner and Vicki Yarbrough (Dec. 10); Marc Bruell, Gerald DeLisser, Leslie Johnson and Lea Linse (Dec. 11); Olivia Emmer, Beth Mohsenin and Laurel Janeen Smith (Dec. 12); Jon Araujo, Amy Broadhurst and Claire Markoya (Dec. 13); Alex Curtis, Steve Keohane and Natalie Spears (Dec. 14); Ciarra Bristol, Lynn Burton, Rachel Filter, Alya Howe, Arturo Ortiz and Anthony Ortiz (Dec. 15).

Much more than just flowers

By Jeanne Souldern Sopris Sun Correspondent

Everywhere you turn in Susan's Flowers & Artisan Boutique you'll find local jewlery, books for both kids and adults, fine chocolates and more. Photos by Will Grandbois

It’s the end of another busy day for the Susan’s Flowers & Artisan Boutique staff.

The shop is closed, but the bustle and cheer inside haven’t stopped — the telephone is still ringing and a final tidying up of displays commences. All is in step with the holiday season’s hectic pace.

Within 453 Main Street, the Dinkel building, which once housed the Valley Journal’s newspaper offices, Jody Ensign and Mikki Jordan oversee the shop’s artisan front-of-house section, where the focus is on goods from Carbondale and Roaring Fork Valley artists. Floral bouquets are arranged in the back.

Owner Susan Burr, who also ran a flower shop in Basalt for about 15 years, has been at the current location in Carbondale for about eight years.

Ensign, a former co-owner of the Basalt Gallery, met Burr when she had her shop across the street. Ensign and her partners later sold the gallery to Ann Korologos, and Burr, now in Carbondale, asked for Ensign’s assistance.

“We've always been good friends,” said Ensign, “and she asked me to kind of coordinate the artists for the boutique of local art.”

Burr’s Carbondale shop, selling flowers and chocolates, was first housed in the back half of its current location.

When the previous tenant in the front of the store left, she took over the space and asked Ensign for merchandise ideas. Her

reply: “Local artists need space.”

Ensign, the first director of the Third Street Center, knew many artists from there and from her gallery days. She and Burr made a list of artists and contacted them to ask about selling their wares, and, “some have been here since day one,” said Ensign.

With visually appealing displays, the attention to detail makes for a pleasant shopping atmosphere. Everything, except the clothes and handbags, is made in Colorado. “That makes us different, because you don’t get the usual gift shop,” she continued.

Burr and Ensign collaborate on the blueprint for store inventory. There seems to be something for everybody. From stuffed animals and onesies for babies to children’s books.

For “big kid” fare, they carry wine glasses, locally-authored books, lotions, soaps, popcorn, jams, spices, hummingbird feeders made from recycled bottles, greeting cards, jewelry, artwork, women’s clothing (including pajamas and loungewear), handbags, journals and calendars.

During a visit by The Sopris Sun, floral designer Lynn Rouff was completing a tabletop holiday arrangement in the back of the shop. She began working at Susan’s this year and arrived with years of experience in organic farming, landscaping and working with flowers and plants. Her focus now, Rouff explained, has been on decorating homes for the holidays with Christmas trees,

poinsettias, wreaths and garlands.

The Christmas trees come from a couple of Colorado sources, Rouff explained. And, while some of their plants “come from all over the world,” they also get organic plants and flowers from Zephyros Farm and Garden in Paonia.

Arrangements are available for every occasion, including funerals, birthdays, anniversaries — with deliveries from Rifle to Aspen. Floral design is an intriguing blend of color, texture and shape.

Rouff explained, “You know what it is?

It's divine alchemy. You’re tapping into the source, you're getting out of the way and you're letting that happen. And it's alchemy because everything is incorporated, all of it, the shapes and sizes and all the color stuff, and the designer as well.”

Did I forget to mention chocolates?!

“Susan has always done flowers and chocolate,” Ensign shared.

A Glenwood Springs chocolate maker creates most of them, and “many use our exclusive recipes.” A few are made with vodka from Carbondale’s Marble Distilling Company, including the Midnight Espresso chocolates.

At the end of a busy day, Ensign is tankful for the Carbondale shoppers she sees every week. “We are really pleased with our Carbondale loyalty,” she said, “I’m very thankful for our Carbondale clientele.”

Store hours are Monday through Friday (10 a.m. to 4 p.m.) and Saturdays (10 a.m. to 2 p.m.). To visit their website, go to: www.susan4flowers.com

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6 • THE SOPRIS SUN • soprissun.com • Dec. 9-15, 2021

GARFIELD COUNTY UPDATES

Preserving history and filling bellies

By James Steindler Contributing Editor

The Garfield Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) had their first regular meeting of the month and addressed a plethora of agenda items. As a reminder, all BOCC meetings are available to stream during or after the fact on the county’s website: www.garfieldcounty.com At the Dec. 6 meeting, the commissioners approved the 2022 Garfield County mill levy at 13.655 mills. For perspective, one mill is equivalent to one dollar for every $1,000 in assessed property value.

Roaring Fork Outdoor Volunteers’ Community and Communications Engagement Manager Jacob Baker requested funds for rebuilding the Hanging Lake Trail which was severely damaged due to the mudslides in Glenwood Canyon. The board approved a $5,000 discretionary grant for the project.

This was the last of the discretionary funds from the 2021 budget. In his verbal motion to approve the request, Commissioner Tom Jankovsky specified, “So Jacob,

I want these funds to go to the work on the Hanging Lake Trail.”

Baker assured, “They’ll be earmarked specifically for that work next year.”

Glenwood coke ovens Bill Kight, executive director of the Glenwood Springs Historical Society, presented on the coke ovens east of the city near its municipal airport.

Kight informed the board that there were originally 249 coke ovens and the historical society was deeded 50 of them. The ovens have endured partial demolition, vandalism (as of late) and are overgrown with shrubbery.

Kight shared that the historical society is working to obtain a Save America’s Treasure grant and, contingent on its approval, requests that the county contribute $50,000 to restore the ovens. According to Kight, the city of Glenwood Springs signed a letter also committing $50,000.

The commissioners discussed the possibility of taking money from the conservation fund to go toward the project. Chairman John Martin explained that the county can’t simply provide a nonprofit with funds from the conservation

A few of the Glenwood Springs coke ovens in their current form. Photo by James Steindler fund, but could channel the funds through the city of Glenwood Springs to the historical society.

“We’re not asking for the funds right now — just a letter of commitment,” explained Kight.

“We won’t know until June of next year if we get the grant.”

Commissioner Mike Samson gave his support, saying, “I think that’s a perfect example of conservation funds use.”

Ultimately, the commissioners signed a letter of support for the commitment of $50,000 for Kight to include with the historical society’s grant application.

“It’s not just to honor history,” said Kight, “but we’re honoring the

men and women — hard working people — who toiled to accomplish things that we are really enjoying today.” He concluded, “I think we owe a moral obligation to those people.”

Valley Meals After a lot of back and forth, the commissioners allocated $40,000 toward the Valley Meals and More senior meals program based out of Carbondale. The organization had requested $85,000.

“We don’t want anybody to go hungry in Garfield County — nobody does,” said Samson, “but we have to seriously look at resources and how we can best serve all

people.” Samson then referred to Carbondale’s affluence relative to West Garfield County. There was some concern among the board that residents without need may take advantage of the free meal delivery program.

“There is systemic discrimination occuring in Garfield County where we are profiling older adults based on their zip code,” replied Valley Meals and More Executive Director Mary Kenyon.

“We do need to provide some funding for this program, but not the entire $85,000,” said Jankovsky.

Samson replied, “I don’t want to be the Grinch, so merry Christmas...”

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While the Catherine Store intersection has a bad reputation thanks to some prominent fatal accidents, many other stretches of Highway 82 saw more accidents in 2020 and 2021. Photo by Will Grandbois

A deadly stretch: Highway 82 like a 'mini-interstate'

By Dyana Z. Furmansky Sopris Sun Correspondent

Troopers with the Colorado State Patrol (CSP) are focused on preventing death, injuries and traffic mayhem on Highway 82’s 45-mile stretch from Glenwood Springs to Aspen, until at least the year’s end. The increased patrols come in response to CSP’s several years’ worth of vehicular crash data, requested by the Sopris Sun under the Colorado Open Records Act (CORA). Through 2020 and up to mid-November 2021, a total of 384 accidents have been reported. Between 2019 and 2021, 91 crashes resulted in serious bodily injuries and five fatalities, one of which occurred this year.

“The Highway 82 corridor has the potential to become one of the most

dangerous state highway corridors in Colorado,” says Frisco-based Captain Jared Rapp, commander of CSP District 4C that includes Summit, Garfield, Eagle and Pitkin counties.

“Highway 82 is a mini-interstate now. It’s like how Interstate 70 was 15 years ago."

CSP data for 2020 and 2021 combined suggest that Mile Marker 6, south of Glenwood Springs, has been particularly dangerous for drivers, with one fatality and 16 pile-ups — more accidents than at any other single location. While crashes have occurred at many points along Highway 82, at least 30 crashes were reported between Mile Markers 4 and 7, seemingly making this the most accident-prone section of the route.

In second place was the

intersection at El Jebel and Highway 82, with five reported crashes in 2021.

Smith Hill Road and the Aspen Airport Business Center were other sites of multiple accidents. While many Roaring Fork Valley residents consider Catherine Store a dangerous intersection, CSP data report only one crash there this year. Hitting animals accounted for a total of about 50 crashes in 2020 and 2021.

“As commutes have increased in length over the years, so have the speeds at which commuters are trying to make their daily drives up and down the Valley,” says Rapp. “The drivers on Highway 82 are mainly jockeying for position with their neighbors and fellow commuting residents. It isn't just your family that is counting on you walking in the door to celebrate your

safe return, it is your friends and your neighbors that are anxiously awaiting their loved one's safe arrival as well.”

Rapp cited excessive speed and a failure to yield the right of way as the two main causes of the 31 injury crashes this year. “Excessive speed” does not only mean driving over the posted limit, but includes driving too fast for weather and traffic conditions.

For sober drivers, the top preventable causes of accidents were: inattentive driving, following too closely and lane violations. Although injury accidents caused by alcohol or drug impairment were responsible for fewer crashes this year, the captain warns that this statistic might be an “outlier.” After a significant decline in driving accidents in Colorado involving substance abuse, that number is increasing, he says.

While there has long been zero tolerance for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, state troopers on major and minor roads in Summit, Eagle, and Garfield Counties have been instructed to give sober drivers “less latitude,” says Rapp. The lower tolerance policy went into effect after Thanksgiving. “The results could very well end up being much more serious than a ticket.”

Statewide, “The 2021 crash picture is the worst we have seen in Colorado in over five years,” CSP Chief Col. Matthew C. Packard was quoted as saying in a Nov. 29 departmental press release. By October of 2021, State Patrol data recorded a 60% increase in fatal crashes for the I-70 mountain corridor over the same time last year.

Continued on page 9

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8 • THE SOPRIS SUN • soprissun.com • Dec. 9-15, 2021

AspenValleyHospital

Highway from page 8 Many of the most serious and fatal crashes on the mountain portion of the roadway were on Saturdays, the weekday evening rush hour period and Monday morning rush hours between 6 and 9 a.m.

Rapp can put more troopers on Highway 82 because the State Patrol is temporarily moving additional troopers to enforcement from other details, such as investigations into past accidents.

Four CSP troopers live along Highway 82, says Rapp, making more “eyes and enforcement” available. Nevertheless, total CSP staffing is 50% lower than it should be. Rapp says a spate of retirements, coupled by cadet training academy closures during COVID means the Highway Patrol, like many businesses and agencies, is handicapped by personnel shortages.

Whether troopers patrol I-70 or Highway 82, their presence “is the number one deterrent” against poor driving, says Rapp. CSP identifies “keystone” locations, which Rapp defines as points along the highway where seeing a state patrol car improves everyone’s driving for miles in both directions. For example, with strict enforcement on I-70 in South Canyon last June and July, there was a 44% reduction in serious crashes, says Rapp. Elsewhere, when CSP trooper presence was reduced between August and October from the Eisenhower Tunnel to Debeque, there was a 233% increase in serious injury and fatal crashes.

Highway patrolling, says Rapp, “is like eating an elephant. We can’t do it all at one time. We can only manage to take bites.”

You can fill your tank, but it will cost you

By Will Grandbois Sopris Sun Correspondent

Filling up at Carbondale Car Care. Photo by Will Grandbois

Gas prices over time

CDALE CAR CARE COWEN CENTER THUNDER RIVER CO-OP 7/11 CATHERINE STORE CITY MARKET

2019 $3.18 $3.20 $3.20 $3.25 $3.30 $3.35

2020 $2.49 $2.39 $2.50 $2.39 $2.49 $2.74 $2.39

2021 $3.74 $3.74 $3.74 $3.69 $3.74 $3.84 $3.74

For regular unleaded, rounded down, in early December

Low gas prices were one of the few perks of 2020, but 2021 turned that on its head in a big way — when you could find fuel at all.

The southeast took the brunt of pipeline cyber attack in May, with panic at the pumps leading to increased shortages and hoarding in all manner of unapproved containers.

The Valley, by contrast, saw its crunch in late summer, when mudslides in Glenwood Canyon interrupted supply chains repeatedly.

Add in a shortage of truck drivers, and Carbondale Car Care’s pumps ran dry more than once, according to owner Jim Wheeler.

“If you had fuel, they came in droves and took it,” he said. “We’d get 5,000 gallons and it’d be gone in a day.”

Car Care’s Phillips 66 gas station isn’t what pays the bills, though its premium non-ethanol fuel makes them an essential stop for many snowmobilers and motorcyclists.

And as costs go up, their margin drops even further.

The Sun began tracking holiday gas prices in 2019, hoping to establish a baseline for the major stations in Carbondale and nearby before the new City Market shook things up.

At the time, the average price per gallon was a not-insignificant $3.25 for regular unleaded (though the exact octane level of bottom grade can vary slightly), with a 17¢ between the cheapest (Carbondale Car Care) and most expensive (Catherine Store) — before any member discounts.

This time in 2020, you’d have paid $2.48 on average, but with a 35¢ difference between the high and low prices. That somewhat undermines the idea that competition from Kroger would drive a new standard in town, but City Market was in a three-way tie for the lowest price. Catherine Store, the furthest upvalley, was again the most expensive surveyed — although Value Card fuel points do provide some discounts at Shell stations, as well.

Although prices are no longer flirting with $4 a gallon in Carbondale, this year still saw the most expensive prices so far. That seems to bring the most consistent prices, with all but two surveyed stations charging $3.74.

The Roaring Fork Co-Op undercut that by 5¢, while Catherine Store upped it by 10¢, slightly skewing the mean.

With just three sets of data from wildly different years, it remains to be seen what trends will emerge as we continue into 2022.

THE SOPRIS SUN • Your weekly community connector • Dec. 9-15, 2021 • 9

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Wheeler Tickets: www.aspenshowtix.com | 970.920.5770 10 • THE SOPRIS SUN • soprissun.com • Dec. 9-15, 2021

The Chocolate Chef Photos and text by Jane Bachrach Sopris Sun Correspondent

Mark Burrows is spending most of his time in the kitchen these days and it’s beginning to pay off. He quickly outgrew his kitchen at home (this page), and now practically lives in his commercial kitchen in Willits (facing page) where he makes chocolate —and not just any chocolate. He crafts one-of-a-kind chocolates using cacao beans that are ethically sourced from farmers around the world.

As an eco-conscious chocolate lover, Burrows began to study the process of making chocolate several years ago, by reading, researching, taking classes and traveling to countries that grow and produce cacao beans. He is now a proud chocolate snob, finding Hershey’s and other commercial chocolates boring. This attitude, however, only increases his desire to create unique, irresistible chocolates using fine ingredients that tantalize the taste buds.

Burrows also loves bees, hence the name of his company: Pollinator Chocolates. Before he was making chocolate, Burrows was (and still is) keeping bees. “My two favorite things in life,” besides his kids, of course, “are bees and chocolate,” said Burrows.

A year ago, Pollinator Chocolates were only sold locally. But, due to his hard work and the positive buzz, Burrows now has customers in Denver and other parts of Colorado, as well as in other states around the country. When asked what his goal is, Burrows smiled and said, “I want to have a chocolate empire.”

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“The Burn Unit”

Live Homecoming Service with Rev. A.G. Norris Sunday, December 12 at 10:00am Third Street Center, Carbondale, Colorado As we explore the theme of healing in the month of December, we will have Rev. Norris back in the pulpit on Sunday.

Rev. Norris did his Clinical Pastoral Education unit at University Hospital’s burn, orthopedic and rehab units. His exploration will reflect on that time and what injury and illness have to do with our meaning making process. Jimmy Byrne will provide live music.

When visitors enter the inner sanctum of Pollinator Chocolates, they’re greeted by the sweet aroma of chocolate and immediately transported into the magical, modern-day world of Willy Wonka.

But, when Burrows swoops into the room and begins to buzz around his “hive,” you know that you’ve arrived at the chocolate factory. Learn more at www.pollinatorchocolate.com

Two Rivers Unitarian Universalist

Note: Our in-person services are available to fully vaccinated people. Our services are also available online. Contact truu.office@ gmail.com for more information.

Sunday Services at 10am at 520 S. 3rd Street Carbondale CO THE SOPRIS SUN • Your weekly community connector • Dec. 9-15, 2021 • 11

Have an artist in the family? ¿Hay un artista en tu familia?

Enter the Spruce Up The Sun holiday cover design contest! ¡Entra a nuestro concurso de diseño Spruce Up The Sun! Theme: Healthy Future Temática: Un futuro sano RULES:

• Students from kindergarten to high school are invited to enter • Paper size: 8 ½ x 11” • A variety of media is permitted, but not glitter or three-dimensional elements • Bright, bold colors are recommended • Please write the child’s name, age, grade, school and a parent’s contact information (on the back of the page)

REGLAS:

DEL AÑ NER/GANADORA LAST YEAR’S WIN

O PASADO: MARISA

MCSHANE

• Estudiantes de kindergarten a high school están invitados a entrar • Tamaño de papel: 8 ½ x 11” • Se puede utilizar una variedad de materiales, pero no destellos ni elementos tres-dimensionales • Se recomienda colores brillantes • Por favor, incluir el nombre del artista, su edad, curso, escuela y información de contacto para su pariente (en la parte atrás de la página)

DEADLINE: 5 P.M. ON TUESDAY, DECEMBER 14 FECHA LÍMITE: 5 P.M. EL DIA MIERCOLES, 14 DE DICIEMBRE

The winner will have their art printed on the cover of our Dec. 23 issue.

Quien gana tendrá su arte en la tapa de nuestra edición de 23 de diciembre.

DROP OFF/ ENTREGA: The Launchpad, 76 S. Fourth Street, Carbondale MAILING/POR CORREO: : P.O. Box 399, Carbondale CO 816234 For more information, contact/Para más información:

news@soprissun.com / 970-510-5003

12 • THE SOPRIS SUN • soprissun.com • Dec. 9-15, 2021

It's lit!

Left: Santa Claus stopped by on First Friday to light Carbondale's holiday decorations with help from the fire department. Hundreds of gleeful onlookers gathered around the Town's customary Christmas tree at the Forest Service building. Photo by Tommy Sands Right: A few youngsters climbed an elm across the street from the tree to get a better look. Photo by James Steindler

Below: Carbondale's Parks and Rec crew dressed festively to welcome Santa. From left to right: Margaret Donnelly, Will Tempest and Chris Gleason.

Photo by Jamie Wall

`

REGISTER NOW!

Gingerbread smells like Christmas It’s Our Monthly Special

`CROSS-COUNTRY SKI LESSONS AT SPRING GULCH

Ginger(bread) Body Wrap Private Thermal Mineral Bath, and a pass to our Historic Underground Vapor Caves.

“Time for a Spa Day” $126

Beginner to Intermediate lessons in Classic and Skate styles in January.

See our bulletin, or search and register online for dates and times.

`ART Find Your Creative Spark .................. Mondays, 1/31-3/7......... 6:30p-9:30p

Beginner Watercolor Painting .......... Tuesdays, 2/8-3/15 ........ 8:30a-11:30a Beginner Oil Painting ........................ Tuesdays, 2/8-3/15 ..................12p-3p

`COMPUTERS Beginning Microsoft Excel ................ Tuesday, 2/8 ............................. 4p-7p

Microsoft Excel Fundamentals I ....... Tuesdays, 2/15-2/22 ................. 4p-7p Microsoft Excel Fundamentals II ...... Tuesday, 3/1-3/8 ....................... 4p-7p

`PHOTOGRAPHY Photo Editing on a Mac LiveStream . MWF, 2/7-2/18 .................... 6p-7:30p

’s become So good it dition!

Tra a Holiday

No WALKINS - Please Call for Appointments For Information & Reservations call 970-945-0667 • yampahspa.com Spa Open 9-9 Salon Open 9-7 • One Block East of the Hot Springs Pool

Family and Street Photography ........ MWFS, 5/2-5/9 ........................ varies

`WELLNESS Zen and the Art of Dying ............... Tuesdays, 1/18-3/8..................10a-12p * * The Roots of Mindfulness .............. Tuesdays, 3/29-5/3 ................10a-12p

`HUMANITIES Local Geology ................................. Wednesdays, 3/2-3/23 ........ 1p-2:30p

* * Creative Writing ............................ Wednesdays, 1/19-2/16 ............6p-8p * Multi-Cultural Literature ............... Mondays, 1/24-2/28 ...... 6:30p-8:30p * Poetry Exploration ......................... Wednesdays, 3/2-3/23 .............6p-8p * Students may choose to attend these classes in-person at the Carbondale

campus, or remotely via livestream.

FOR MORE INFO AND TO REGISTER...

coloradomtn.edu/community-education Carbondale Lappala Center • 690 Colorado Ave • 963-2172 THE SOPRIS SUN • Your weekly community connector • Dec. 9-15, 2021 • 13

COMMUNITY CALENDAR THURSDAY, DECEMBER 9

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 12

HOLIDAY SHOW

HOLIDAY MUSIC

Anderson Ranch invites folks to a holiday open house from 5 to 7 p.m. with an exhibition opening and original artwork for sale.

Roaring Fork Orchestra cellists perform at The Launchpad's Deck the Walls market from 2 to 3 p.m.

MALA MAKING

TRUE TOUR

Mindy Arbuckle teaches making malas (prayer beads) at True Nature from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.

Tickets at www.truenaturehealingarts.com

True Nature co-founder Eaden Shantay leads a tour from 3 to 4:30 p.m. Sign up at www.truenaturehealingarts.com

CVEPA MEETING

MONDAY, DECEMBER 13

The Crystal Valley Environmental Protection Association holds a board meeting at 6 p.m. at the Carbondale Library. Developers of the proposed Treasure Mountain Ranch at Crystal City will answer questions.

HEATHER’S

Rodrigo Arreguín performs at Heather’s in Basalt at 6:30 p.m.

WALDORF EDUCATION

Waldorf School on the Roaring Fork invites parents to hear from long-time educator of the Denver Waldorf School, Laurie Clark. Registration is required. For more info, visit: www.waldorfschoolrf.com FOOD DRIVE

OPENING DAY

Sopris Lodge is partnering with LIFTUP to collect non-perishable food items through Dec. 17, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Sunlight Mountain Resort opens for the season.

Dust off those ski boots and hit the slopes.

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 15

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 10

WORKFORCE CONSULTING

Colorado Workforce provides technical and professional guidance during its “mobile office hours” making a stop at Basalt Library from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Register by calling 970-927-4311.

GINGERBREAD COMPETITION

Pick up a gingerbread house kit at Basalt Library between 2 and 5 p.m. and work on it over the weekend before this year’s competition.

More details at www.basaltlibrary.org PARENTS NIGHT OUT

Roaring Fork High School students offer childcare at Crystal River Elementary School from 5 to 8 p.m. Parents can sign up their kids by emailing madams@ rfschool.com or calling 781-454-6834.

SAWLIDAYS ART SALE

The annual SAWlidays art show and sale goes from 5 to 8 p.m. and on Saturday from 2 to 4 p.m. Visit sawcarbondale.com for more.

A CHRISTMAS CAROL

SoL Theatre Company presents “A Christmas Carol: A Ghost Story” at the Third Street Center at 6 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and at 2 p.m. on Sunday. Tickets are available online (www.soltheatrecompany.org) or at the door. Proof of vaccination or a recent negative COVID test will be required.

SCIENCE EDUCATION

Join the Aspen Science Center for free, hands-on science and engineering programs for youth of all ages at the Carbondale Library at noon and Glenwood Springs Library at 2:30 p.m. More info about programming is at: www.aspensciencecenter.org PIÑATAS

The Basalt Library continues its Latino Art History program with a creative lesson on piñatas from 2:30 to 5:30 p.m. The class is suited for students in fifth grade and up.

More info at: www.basaltlibrary.org LIVE MUSIC

Rodrigo Arreguín performs at the Glenwood Springs Library at 6 p.m.

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 16 HOLIDAY ORNAMENTS

Create a holiday ornament with your toddler at the Basalt Library at 10:30 a.m.

More info at: www.basaltlibrary.org OUTLOOK BASICS

Learn how to get the most out of Microsoft Outlook by attending a tutorial at Basalt Library from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. For info and registration, email: agiertz@basaltlibrary.org

SOUND JOURNEY

5POINT

Dr. Zachary Cashin leads a healing sound journey at True Nature from 6 to 7:30 p.m.

Tickets at www.truenaturehealingarts.com

5Point Film premieres three new films online at 8 p.m. For access, donate any amount at www.5pointfilm.org

CRYSTAL THEATRE

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 17

The Crystal Theatre shows “Being The Ricardos” at 7:30 p.m. through Monday, except on Sunday at 5 p.m. “The French Dispatch” shows on Saturday at 5 p.m.

HANDEL’S MESSIAH

The Aspen Choral Society presents its 45th annual rendition of Handel’s Messiah, showing nightly at 7 p.m. starting at the Wheeler Opera House on Friday, at Grace Church in Basalt on Saturday and at the First United Methodist Church in Glenwood Springs on Sunday. More info and tickets at: www.aspenchoralsociety.org

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 11 SHOPPING SONGS

Hillery McCallister performs jazzy, upbeat holiday classics at The Launchpad's Deck the Walls market from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m.

LIVE MUSIC

Rodrigo Arreguín plays a concert at the Glenwood Springs Library at 6 p.m.

WILDERMISS

14 • THE SOPRIS SUN • soprissun.com • Dec. 9-15, 2021

Visit soprissun.com to submit events.

Wildermiss, a Denver-based indie rock band plays at The Contemporary in Willits at 8 p.m. Ticket are at: www.tacaw.org

LIVE MUSIC

Kyle Jones serenades at the Carbondale Library at 5 p.m.

DARK NIGHT

Author Craig Childs presents a multimedia performance at The Paradise Theatre in Paonia at 7:30 p.m. Masks are encouraged for the Friday show. Vaccination and masks are required for the Saturday show. For tickets, visit: www.bit.ly/DarkNight2021 HOLIDAY JAZZ

The Josefina Mendez Quintet plays current jazz renditions of Christmas classics at The Contemporary in Willits at 8 p.m. Tickets are at: www.tacaw.org

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 18 WINTER MARKET

In addition to Deck the Walls, Carbondale Arts will host a pop-up farmers’ market at The Launchpad on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and on Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Masks are required for all people inside The Launchpad.

Sol del el

Conectando comunidades

Valle

A este su agrpadec nu e o y o e m o vo p par s ro y a ecto .

Volumen 1, Número 41 | 9-15 de diciembre de 2021

Nuevo director de Defiende continúa tradiciones Por Raleigh Burleigh Sol del Valle Editor

Omar Sarabia (izquierda) es el nuevo director de Defiende Nuestra Tierra. Acá está con Axel Contreras (derecha), gerente y talento de la radio La Nueva Mix (102.5 FM, 107.1 FM y 94.5 FM). Foto de cortesía por Osbaldo Castillo/Blue Diamond Production

Traer dentro de la casa a algún tipo de follaje durante los días más oscuros del año es una tradición que ha tomado muchas formas durante miles de años.

Lo que llamamos hoy “árboles de navidad” provienen de los tiempos antes de Cristo, con los celtas, vikingos y egipcios todos honrando a las plantas de hoja perenne — símbolo de la vida eterna — alrededor del solsticio de invierno.

El día 5 de diciembre, Wilderness Workshop tomó la oportunidad para hacer un evento de Defiende Nuestra Tierra junto con el Servicio Forestal.

Defiende es un programa de Wilderness Workshop para alcanzar a la comunidad latina con oportunidades educativas. Recién contrataron a Omar Sarabia como su nuevo director.

“En Mexico”, Sarabia nos informó, “solamente 5% de la tierra es pública. No tenemos el mismo acceso a la naturaleza. Hasta los parques nacionales con privados”.

Sarabia, nacido en California y criado en Chihuahua, México, fue introducido al Roaring Fork Valley hace seis años. Fue gracias a su amiga, y la directora previa de Defiende, Beatriz Soto. Como estudiante de jardines urbanos, Sarabia fue un interno de Sustainable Settings en 2015. Como mucha gente, se enamoró de la región, y ahora es dueño de una casa con su esposa e hijos en New Castle.

“Nuestra comunidad es una parte fundamental del valle,” dijo Sarabia. “Somos trabajadores incansables que forman una parte importante de la economía de la región y somos afortunados por poder vivir en un lugar tan espectacular”.

Para educar a residentes que no conocen los privilegios de acceso a tierra pública, Wilderness Workshop hizo una pequeña posada en el estacionamiento del sendero Babbish Gulch, arriba de Sunlight Mountain Resort. El Servicio Forestal traía las herramientas y permisos, mientras Defiende sirvió tamales hechos a mano y champurrado cerca de un fogón calentito. Smokey Bear, el oso-mascota del Servicio Forestal, se sumó, tomando fotos con la gente y ofreciendo sugerencias para prevenir incendios forestales.

El evento todo-inclusivo atrajo a cerca de 100 personas durante el día. Muchas de ellas jamás habían cosechado su propio árbol de navidad. Familias estacionaban en el lodo grueso, entraron al bosque y volvieron arrastrando a un abeto. Allí cerca, los jóvenes jugaban en trineos con la poca nieve que había.

“Estamos contentos de tener a tantas personas acá", dijo el guardabosques, Kevin Warner. “Buscar un árbol de navidad es una manera muy buena de construir conexiones de familia, y con las tierras públicas”.

Sarabia estuvo de acuerdo, “Cuando conozcas la naturaleza, vas a querer conservarla”.

Los permisos para cortar árboles de navidad están disponibles a $10 hasta la víspera de navidad. Se los puede conseguir en la oficina del distrito de bosques Aspen-Sopris y Roaring Fork Coop en Carbondale, Big John’s Ace en Glenwood Springs y Bristlecone Mountain Sports in Basalt. Permisos también están disponibles en línea: www.bit.ly/COtreepermits Para saber de futuros eventos de Defiende, visita: www.wildernessworkshop.org/defiende

OPINIÓN

ESQUINA LEGAL Por Jacqueline Argueta Nevarez Colorado es uno de los estados con más crecimiento de residentes en la nación, pero para cientos de miles de residentes locales, el precio de la vivienda de calidad está fuera del alcance.

El inventario del mercado inmobiliario es bajo y, como consecuencia, los costos continúan aumentando con la demanda de nuevos residentes.

Ahora más del 25% de los habitantes de Colorado gastan más del 50% de sus ingresos solamente en su vivienda.

Muchos de los trabajadores esenciales de nuestro estado, incluyendo maestros, policías, trabajadores de la salud y empleados de restaurante, no ganan lo suficiente para pagar las tarifas de alquiler

¿Existe la vivienda asequible en el Valle? del mercado y mucho menos oportunidades de creación de capital, como ser propietario de una casa o apartamento.

Como resultado, muchos residentes locales corren un riesgo financiero que desestabiliza nuestras comunidades al forzar a la mayoría de la fuerza laboral a vivir cerca de una hora de donde trabajan.

Con la temporada de esquí comenzando de nuevo, la vivienda asequible ha sido un tema reciente en las noticias a nivel local y entre otras ciudades populares de esquí. El Estudio Regional de Vivienda de Roaring Fork Valley informó que Aspen y Snowmass Village continúan generando empleos a un ritmo mayor del que pueden mantener con viviendas asequibles, observando qué Aspen y Snowmass Village importan un promedio de 7,500 trabajadores por día.

Lo que significa que Aspen y Snowmass Village requieren 7,500 trabajadores transmitiros de otras ciudades para satisfacer sus necesidades laborales.

Esto se documenta de otra forma, por los resultados de la encuesta del estudio que concluye que entre el 62-97% de los encuestados entre Snowmass y El Jebel tenían un miembro

del hogar que trabaja en Aspen.

Además, entre el 18-20% de los hogares de New Castle y Silt informaron tener al menos una persona en su hogar que trabaja en Aspen.

Si las necesidades de unidades de vivienda asequibles continúan sin satisfacerse al ritmo actual para el año 2027, la demanda insatisfecha aumentará a hasta 3,400, según el estudio.

Al observar estas cifras altas, la escasez de viviendas asequibles es atemorizante. La brecha entre lo que un trabajador promedio puede pagar y el precio medio de la vivienda es bastante amplia y, según el estudio, seguirá creciendo.

La realidad es que ciudades como el Roaring Fork Valley han priorizado continuamente el turismo sobre sus residentes locales en un esfuerzo por promover la estimulación económica.

Como el Roaring Fork Valley somos más conocidos por nuestro rafting, pesca con mosca, senderismo y el esquí. Sin embargo, detrás de escena, está la fuerza laboral que impulsa y sostiene estas atracciones turísticas. ¿Qué podemos hacer?

Tenemos que unir nuestros esfuerzos como el Roaring Fork

16 • el Sol del Valle • soprissun.com/espanol/ • 9-15 de diciembre de 2021

Valley para buscar cambios a través de políticas y cambios de zonificación, así como un cambio drástico en nuestras prioridades.

Aunque existen actualmente movimientos y organizaciones diseñadas para ayudar en estos esfuerzos, como las Autoridades de Viviendas de los condados de Garfield y Pitkin, organizaciones sin fines de lucro como la Coalición de Casa Prefabricadas de Colorado (CoCoMHO), Alpine Legal Services, Valley Settlement, Habitat for Humanity y muchas otras, aún necesitamos más apoyo.

Como colectivo, debemos buscar opciones con un mayor impacto que la contracción de capital, como parques de casas móviles propiedad de los residentes en forma de COOP y viviendas asequibles para la compra del trabajador local promedio.

La política pública que respalda la vivienda para la fuerza laboral es algo que nuestra comunidad debe respaldar, ya que la necesitamos con urgencia, ya sea un proyecto de ley para alentar el desarrollo de viviendas asequibles para la fuerza laboral o un proyecto de ley para mantener intactas las viviendas asequibles actuales.

Donaciones por correo o en línea P.O. Box 399 Carbondale, CO 81623 970-510-3003 www.soprissun.com Executive Director Todd Chamberlin • 970-510-0246 adsales@soprissun.com Editor Raleigh Burleigh • 970-510-3003 news@soprissun.com Traductoras: Jacquelinne Castro y Dolores Duarte Distribucion: Frederic Stevie Miembros de la Mesa Directiva Klaus Kocher • Kay Clarke Lee Beck • Megan Tackett Gayle Wells • Donna Dayton Terri Ritchie • Vanessa Porras Eric Smith • Larry Day The Sopris Sun, Inc. Es un miembro orgulloso del Distrito Creativo de Carbondale The Sopris Sun, Inc. es una 501(c) (3) organización benéfica sin fines de lucro. Contribuciones financieras son deducibles de impuestos. ¡ESCRÍBENOS! Para contribuir ideas y contenido al Sol del Valle, escribiéndonos a: sol@soprissun.com Para comprar espacio publicitario en español, inglés, o ambos, mándanos un correo electrónico a:

adsales@soprissun.com También se puede contactarnos llamando a 970-510-3003.

CHISME DEL PUEBLO Vehículos eléctricos El 11 de diciembre, CLEER, Garfield Clean Energy, Xcel Energy y Grid Alternatives presentarán un show de carros eléctricos en Garfield County Fairgrounds en Rifle. Participantes pueden probar una variedad de vehículos eléctricos.

Las personas que usan Xcel Energy y que tengan ingresos elegibles pueden calificar para hasta $5,500 para un nuevo EV o $3,000 para uno usado.

Xcel también pagará hasta $1,300 para la instalación de un cargador EV para el hogar, explicó el comunicado de prensa. Para más información visite www.garfieldcleanenergy.org

Fondos Daniel El Daniels Fund, llamado así por su fundador Bill Daniels, ha sobrepasado $1 billón en ofrecer. En solo un poco más de dos décadas, la fundación ha premiado más de 13,000 becas y casi 4,600 becas escolares beneficiando a residentes de Colorado, Nuevo Mexico, Utah y Wyoming. Para saber más visite DanielsFund.org

Cierre de Avalanche Creek Desde el 29 de noviembre, Avalanche Creek Road, aproximadamente 9 millas al sur de Carbondale, esta cerrada esta temporada. Aunque la carretera esté obstruida a los motoristas, Servicios Forestales les quiere recordar a las

personas que los perros tampoco están permitidos en el área. El propósito de este cierre, desde 1996, es proteger los borregos cimarrones y otras especies en el área. “Ya que más personas están usando el área, el cumplimiento de los cierres ha disminuido.” dijo el comunicado de prensa, “particularmente involucrando perros.”

Ilumina la noche Light the Night with Love regresará para el fin de semana del día de San Valentin del 2022. Esta colaboración entre Carbondale Creative District y KDNK creará una caminata interactiva “HeART Walk” a lo largo del Río Grande.

Por el momento se están buscando instalaciones de arte y artistas intérpretes, con becas disponibles a los artistas y grupos. Los proyectos deben ser apropiados para el clima y auto-iluminado. Las organizaciones sin fines de lucro que quieran participar tambien pueden contactar a WeLightTheNightWithLove @gmail.com

Internos Como parte del programa Agricultural Workforce Development, el departamento de agricultura de Colorado está aceptando inscripciones para becas de internos para la temporada

de cultivo del 2022. Negocios de agricultura pueden recibir hasta $5,000 para ayudar a un interno durante la temporada. La fecha límite de inscribirse es el 7 de enero.

Para más información, visite www. ag.colorado.gov

Temporada de generosidad En su 41o año, el programa Community Grantmaking de Aspen Community Foundation asignó $375,000 a 25 organizaciones sin fines de lucro desde Parachute hasta Aspen en las áreas de logro juvenil y servicios humanos esenciales. La ayuda fue posible a través de contribuciones de docenas de individuos, familias, negocios, fundaciones y fondos asesorados por donantes.

Seguridad de invierno El Carbondale & Rural Fire Protection District les recuerda que “las festividades navideñas son un tiempo para reunirse en familia y amigos, pero también significa que hay un gran riesgo de incendios.” Consejos de seguridad incluyen: mantengan candelas lejos de decoraciones; reemplace luces o conexiones de bombillas sueltas; use ganchos en lugar de clavos para colgar luces; apague las candelas y apague las luces antes de irse a dormir; y entretenga a sus invitados con su plan de escape en lugar de un incendio.

Smokey Bear estuvo presente para el evento de Wilderness Workshop, el 5 de diciembre. Foto por Osbaldo Castillo/Blue Diamond Production

Conteo de aves

Noche de padres

Las personas están invitadas a unirse con Roaring Fork Audubon Society para el conteo de aves de navidad. Participantes se reunirán en Third Street Center el sábado 18 de diciembre a las 7 a.m. y formarán grupos de tres para poder cubrir la mayor región posible. Luego, el grupo se reunirá y discutirá la información durante el almuerzo en The Village Smithy. Para más información o inscripción, envíe un correo electrónico a fulcon@ comcast.net o immac@rof.net

Los estudiantes de Roaring Fork High School están “regresando el favor” y ofreciendo un cuidado de niños para que los padres puedan tomar la noche libre el viernes 10 de diciembre de 5 p.m. a 8 p.m. Los padres pueden dejar a sus hijos en Crystal River Elementary School y recogerlos después de una noche de diversión. Para más información e inscripción de niños, contacte a Mary Kate por teléfono al 781-454-6834 o por correo electrónico a madams@ rfschool.com

El Pueblo de Carbondale

INFORMACIÓN

Remueve la Nieve de las Aceras

¡Mantenga nuestras aceras seguras durante el invierno!

RETIRE EL HIELO Y LA NIEVE Conozca sus responsabilidades de Remover la Nieve: Es responsabilidad de los dueños u ocupantes de cualquier propiedad en el pueblo de remover la nieve y el hielo en las aceras que rodean su propiedad (incluyendo las aceras de los terrenos ubicados en esquinas).

Límite de tiempo: Los negocios deben tener las aceras limpias entre las primeras 4 horas despues de que la precipitación haya parado. Los residentes deben tener sus aceras limpias en las primeras 24 horas despues de que la precipitación haya paraado. ¡Limpie su acera! ¡Mantenga en Carbondale ! to n movimie

Visite la página web de la Municipalidad de Carbondale o su perfil en Facebook para obtener actualizaciones.

Para mass información, contacte al Departamento de Policias de Carbondale: 970-963-22662

¡Dona!

Apoya a The Sopris Sun Como una organización 501c3 sin fines de lucro, The Sopris Sun no existiría sin la ayuda de nuestros lectores y amigues.

The Sun es más que un periódico — es nuestro conector de comunidad. La publicidad cubre solo una porción del costo de producción de la versión impresa y la mantención del sitio web, pero no la enchilada completa.

En el 2020, tuvimos más de 300 donantes individuos donando cantidades pequeñas de $5 hasta una donación de $2,000. En cada publicación y en el sitio web, publicamos fuentes y donantes que nos ofrecen más de $1,000 anuales.

soprissun.com/donate

P.O. Box 399, Carbondale, CO 81623

VISITE UNO DE LOS SPAS MAS ANTIGUOS Y RESPETADOS EN AMERICA y las Cuevas históricas de Vapor

Baños naturales minerals termales “Más privado que una piscina” No WALKINS Por favor.

Llame para citas Para información y reservaciones llame a 970-945-0667 • yampahspa.com El Spa esta abierto de 9 a.m. a 9 p.m. y el Salón de 9 a.m. a 7 p.m.

el Sol del Valle • Conector de comunidad • 9-15 de diciembre de 2021 • 17

La época navideña y su impacto en la salud Por Josie Sanchez Sol Corresponsal

La montaña Sopris brilla con la suavidad de la nieve. La ciudad está envuelta en blanco y luces vibrantes iluminan la calle principal por la noche.

La risa estalla cuando los seres queridos se reúnen para celebrar. Las casas están adornadas con árboles de Navidad, coronillas y decoraciones verdes y rojas.

No hay nada más que amor y energía despreocupada en el aire. Así es como la gente tiende a pensar en la temporada navideña. Sin embargo, para algunos, esta época no es tan alegre.

En una encuesta realizada por la Alianza Nacional de Enfermedades Mentales (NAMI), la organización sin fines de lucro más grande de Estados Unidos dedicada a la salud mental, el 57% de las personas experimentaron "expectativas poco realistas" durante la época navideña. El 63% de las personas experimentaron la sensación de “demasiada presión” durante estos tiempos y el 55% recordó momentos pasados ​​en los que se sintieron más felices.

Brian Madrigal, un estudiante universitario de Colorado Mountain College, entiende estos sentimientos y por qué la gente los experimenta durante estas épocas. Él dice: “Como estudiante universitario, tengo que balancear los exámenes finales, mis tareas, mi trabajo, familiares y amigos.

A veces siento que no hay tiempo

para tomarme un descanso. ¡Es como si tuviera que ser un buen estudiante, empleado, hijo y todas estas otras cosas a la vez! Definitivamente llega a ser muy agotador”.

Diana Montoya, estudiante de último año en Roaring Fork High School, está de acuerdo y agrega: “Siento que no entendemos en realidad cuánto estrés viene con la época navideña. Yo intento mantenerme tranquila, pero sé que siempre me siento más irritable durante este tiempo. Siento que si amo a mi familia y me gusta que estemos todos juntos, pero a veces solo quiero tiempo para ser yo misma lejos de todo el ruido".

Como Madrigal y Montoya, muchos se sienten estresados ​​durante la época navideña. Según la Atención Médica Primaria de Colorado, una institución de atención médica en Denver, el estrés puede tener una variedad de efectos en la salud de una persona. Cuando una persona está estresada, el cuerpo utiliza su sistema nervioso simpático. Esto aumenta los latidos del corazón y causa una respuesta aguda en el cuerpo como si estuviera en peligro. El estrés momentáneo no tiene efectos duraderos, pero si una persona está constantemente bajo presión, puede provocar complicaciones de salud. El estrés puede provocar depresión, ansiedad, enfermedades cardiovasculares y presión arterial alta, entre otros.

Esto hace que sea vital para las

personas encontrar buenos mecanismos para afrontar el estrés durante la época navideña. Madrigal lidia con el estrés “... haciendo bromas. Soy como el Chandler Bing de mi familia. Ser capaz de hacer reír a los demás siempre me hace sentir mejor, sin importar lo estresado que me sienta".

Montoya, por otro lado, trata el estrés de manera diferente, dice: “Cuando me estreso mucho, encuentro una manera de alejarme de la situación.

A veces me voy a mi habitación por un rato o voy a caminar.

De esta manera puedo reflexionar y recordarme a mi misma 'tu familia está aquí, tus amigos están aquí, y a pesar de que todo es una locura, hay tanto amor a mi alrededor aquí'”.

Para lidiar con el estrés, los Centros para el Control y la Prevención de Enfermedades, recomiendan que las personas: "Coman de manera saludable, hagan ejercicio, duerman lo suficiente y descansen si se sienten estresados". así como, “Hablar con personas de confianza sobre sus preocupaciones y cómo se sienten. Compartan sus problemas y cómo se sienten con un padre, un amigo, un consejero, un médico o un pastor".

Aunque las vacaciones no son un momento agradable para todos, las personas pueden encontrar formas de cuidarse de modo que, como Diana, puedan sentir que "hay tanto amor a mi alrededor aquí".

Elegir lo sano para nuestro cuerpo y mente es una práctica diaria. Y cada instante es una nueva oportunidad para volver a hacer elecciones a favor de nuestra autenticidad.

Dibujo por Larry Day

Town of Carbondale

AL CONDADO DE PITKIN LE IMPORTA

INFORMATION

Sidewalk Snow Removal This winter keep our sidewalks safe!

Permítanos encontrar los recursos que necesita.

CleAR SNOw & ICe

Servicios Humanos del Condado de Pitkin Asistencia Económica

Servicios para Adultos y Familias

Servicios para Personas Mayores

Alivio para COVID

Recursos Comunitarios Vivienda y Renta

Comida

Cuidado de Niños

covid19.pitkincounty.com/get-help

Salud Mental y Física

(970) 920-5235

18 • el Sol del Valle • soprissun.com/espanol/ • 9-15 de diciembre de 2021

KNOw yOuR SNOw ReMOvAl ReSpONSIbIlITIeS:

Owners or occupants of any property in town are responsible for clearing the snow and ice from sidewalks along their property (including sidewalks on both sides of corner lots.)

TIMINg:

Businesses need to have the sidewalks cleared within 4 hours after the precipitation stops.

Residents need to have the sidewalks cleared within 24 hours after precipitation stops.

Shovel your Sidewalk!

Keep Carbonda!le Moving

visit the Town of Carbondale’s website or Facebook page for any updates.

For more information, contact the Carbondale police Department: 970-963-2662

By Raleigh Burleigh Sopris Sun Editor

To bring a piece of foliage indoors during the darkest days of the year; it’s a tradition that has taken many forms over millennia.

What we call Christmas trees today signal back to preChristianity, with the Celts, Vikings and Egyptians all honoring evergreens — symbols of eternal life — around the winter solstice.

On Dec. 5, Wilderness Workshop took the occasion to host a Defiende Nuestra Tierra (Defiende) event in conjunction with the U.S. Forest Service.

Defiende is Wilderness Workshop’s Latino/a/x outreach program, which recently hired Omar Sarabia as its new director.

“In Mexico,” Sarabia informed The Sopris Sun, “only 5% of the land is public. We don’t have the same access to nature. Even national parks are private.”

Sarabia, who was born in California and raised in Chihuahua, Mexico, was introduced to the Roaring Fork Valley six years ago by Defiend’s previous director, Beatriz Soto.

As a graduate student studying urban agriculture, Sarabia landed an internship with Sustainable Settings in 2015.

Like so many others, he fell in love with the area and now owns a home with his wife and children

Defiende's new director continues old traditions

Omar Sarabia, director of Defiende Nuestra Tierra, assists a family with placing a Forest Service permit on a freshly-picked Christmas tree. Photo by Osbaldo Castillo/Blue Diamond Production

in New Castle.

“Our underrepresented Latino community is a fundamental part of this valley,” said Sarabia. “We are tireless workers who are a very

important part of the economy of this region and are very fortunate to live in such a spectacular place.”

To educate residents unfamiliar with the privileges of access

Aspen Center for Environmental Studies (ACES) is a non-profit environmental education organization whose mission is “educating for environmental responsibility.”

ACES is a community resource where you can recenter yourself through nature, where all ages come to learn. When you have questions about the natural world, when you want to be part of building a sustainable future, you are welcome here!

Check out aspennature.org for more information about our upcoming community programs, events, and adventures!

Our work focuses on environmental education, regenerative agriculture, forest health, ecosystem restoration, and connecting people to nature.

Discover something new today at aspennature.org

to public lands, Wilderness Workshop hosted a small Posada — a Christmas celebration — at the Babbish Gulch trailhead above Sunlight Mountain Resort. The

U.S. Forest Service supplied the tools and permits and Defiende served handmade tamales and champurrado — Mexican hot chocolate — beside a steadilyburning fire. Smokey Bear was there too, posing for photos and offering wildfire prevention tips.

The all-inclusive event attracted roughly 100 people throughout the day, many of whom were first-time tree harvesters.

Families parked in the sticky mud and plodded into the forest, dragging back a fir and lingering around the warmth of the fire.

Nearby, children whizzed down a humble patch of snow in sleds.

“We’re glad to have everybody out here,” said District Ranger Kevin Warner. “Getting a Christmas tree is a great way to build family connection, as well as connection to public lands.”

Sarabia agreed, “When you have gotten to know nature, you will want to conserve it.”

Christmas tree permits are available for $10 each, right up to Christmas Eve, at the Aspen-Sopris District building and Roaring Fork Coop in Carbondale, Big John’s Ace in Glenwood Springs and Bristlecone Mountain Sports in Basalt. Permits are also available online at www.bit.ly/ COtreepermits Stay apprised of future Wilderness Workshop events by visiting: www. wildernessworkshop.org/events

Add Your Voice to the Environmental Defense of the Crystal Valley

Join the Crystal Valley Environmental Protection Association, the environmental watchdog for the Crystal valley since 1972.

Learn more at cvepa.org

THE SOPRIS SUN • Your weekly community connector • Dec. 9-15, 2021 • 19

Holiday Shopping Showcase Shop Local This Year!

I'm just waiting until you say the magic word…

Tre a t s !

El Jebel, Colorado 970-963-1700 RJPaddywacks.com

20 • THE SOPRIS SUN • soprissun.com • Dec. 9-15, 2021

KARAOKE THURSDAYS

7:00-9:00 Drink Specials!

FOOTBALL

SEASON SPECIALS EVERY DAY Burger, Fries and a Beer $15 Any Large Pizza and a Pitcher of Coors $30

Carbondale

NFL Sunday Ticket!

Supporting 50+ Makers & Artisans

70% of each purchase goes directly to the creator. Shop local.

SIP, SHOP + CONNECT Healthy Holiday Happy Hours at True Nature Healing Arts Join us at True Nature Healing Arts every Thursday in December for after-hours shopping specials, cafe offerings, and LIVE MUSIC! Sip, shop, and connect with our community.

Boutique specialists will be on hand to explain the ethics behind our collection of consciously curated gifts. We want you to feel good about what you are supporting and bringing in this season while treating your loved ones.

Open daily through December 24th Full details available at carbondalearts.com

THURSDAYS IN DECEMBER 6-8PM DECEMBER 2ND, 9TH, 16TH, 23RD, 30TH THE SOPRIS SUN • Your weekly community connector • Dec. 9-15, 2021 • 21

Helping out the trout at Canyon Creek

By Olivia Emmer Sopris Sun Correspondent

This large culvert runs beneath I-70 just west of Glenwood Springs. It connects the majority of Canyon Creek with its final stretch before joining the Colorado River, but has been an impediment to fish swimming upstream. Photo by Olivia Emmer

When the culvert was built in the ‘70s, planners knew it would be a problem for fish. The box culvert is two channels, each 10 feet wide and 300 feet long. It runs beneath Interstate 70 west of Glenwood Springs, connecting the cascading Canyon Creek with its final yards before it joins the Colorado River.

Canyon Creek is similar in size to Grizzly Creek. The natural stream is moderately steep and features big boulders and lots of cobble areas — good habitat for trout. But, for about 50 years, the culvert has impeded, though not entirely excluded, spawning trout.

Built to carry 100-year floods, the concrete rectangular tube flows with huge velocity during spring runoff, but is barely inches deep with water in fall. This creates problems for brown trout during low flow, as they struggle to swim the culvert. Rainbow trout spawn in the spring and are also affected, with flow velocities preventing some from getting through. During spawning, hundreds of trout stack up in the pool below the culvert. The mouth of the creek has fishing closures in spring and fall to protect these reproducing fish.

To fix the problem, the project’s engineer modeled different features for the floor of the culvert to determine how to simultaneously slow flows and make them deeper. The best model called for a combination of

hemispheres and baffles that create a less direct flow of water and help water pool.

Baffles resemble the tire stops common in parking lots. In this case, the contractor cast more than 300 hemispheres and more than 20 baffles. Both shapes were cast in concrete off site, and then later glued and grouted into the floor of the culvert.

The engineer on the project, Scott Schreiber, of Wright Water Engineers, says the modeling used for this project is cuttingedge technology in the fish passage world.

According to presentation documents, the new features should reduce maximum velocities by more than half and increase minimum depth from just a few inches to about one foot.

If trout can’t access a tributary to spawn in, they’ll spawn near its confluence or in the Colorado River. But, as Kendall Bakich, an aquatic biologist for Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) explains, trout do best with large, clean gravel to spawn in. Much of the Colorado River has fine sediment in it, exacerbated locally by debris flows from the Grizzly Creek Fire. Also, steeper and more turbulent streams are better at aerating the eggs.

Bakich speculates about the size of the population that will be aided by the project, “I've never censused that pool [below the culvert] during a spawning run, but one day I was there — there had to be at least three to Continued on page 23

Beautiful Poinsettias • Wreaths • Garlands & Greens for decking the halls • Unique Ornaments & Décor

Find y r “best Chris as ee e r” at the Chris as Sh pe

Come see our spectacular lights Take family photos in our festive settings Warm up by the fire (socially distanced) Take a family wagon ride around the nursery

Give e avorit f r u o y ner a garde RD CA GIFT them t and le spring! of dream

We are committed to honoring holiday traditions while keeping us all safe.

400 GILLESPIE DRIVE, EL JEBEL | 970-963-1173 | EAGLECRESTNURSERY.COM 22 • THE SOPRIS SUN • soprissun.com • Dec. 9-15, 2021

Continued from page 22 500 fish in there… You could say 1,000 fish and that might even still be an underestimate.”

Once this culvert is improved, fish will have easier access to over a mile of habitat, before encountering another barrier upstream, an irrigation diversion.

Says Richard Van Gytenbeek of Trout Unlimited, “What we're doing is we're starting out at the bottom of these streams and moving up through them. Each time we do, we open more and more spawning and juvenile-rearing habitat.” In this case, the impediment was a highway culvert, but Van Gytenbeek says irrigation structures are a more common barrier. As he explains it, the many creeks which come off of the Flat Tops and drain into the Colorado River have a lot of underutilized capacity as spawning and nursery habitat for fish. If passage can be improved on some of these streams, he sees it as a win-win for the environment and recreation. “It's really great to be able to have that kind of natural reproduction capacity supplying a mainstem river which has so much public access.”

The culvert retrofit is the result of three years of planning by partners: Trout Unlimited, Wright Water Engineers, CPW and the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT). Since the culvert is highway infrastructure, CDOT’s support and permission was critical. It’s a $250,000 investment that was funded by the Colorado Water Conservation Board, the Fish and Wildlife Service, the Colorado River District, Trout Unlimited donors, the Trout and Salmon Foundation and in-kind contributions. The project is on track to wrap up on Dec. 12.

Above: A raft floats below the Canyon Creek confluence with the Colorado River. Trout Unlimited’s Richard Van Gytenbeek is enthusiastic about improving fish access to the creeks that come off the Flat Tops, citing their capacity as fish nurseries and the resulting benefits to recreation.

Left: Concrete hemispheres and baffles are being installed on the floor of the culvert. In modeling, the features have been shown to slow the flow of water and increase depths, which should aid spawning trout in both spring and fall.

Photos by Olivia Emmer

THE SOPRIS SUN • Your weekly community connector • Dec. 9-15, 2021 • 23

Thank you to the Buddy Program’s 2021

G i n g e r b r e a d Ho use W o r k sho p Spon sors Hosted by

Helen DeFrance, Molly Gilmore, Amanda Hirsh and Karen Wing

Project Architect $10,000+ Karen Wing Builds a Foundation $5,000 - $9,999

Katie & Adam Goldsmith, Lorrie Wright-LaRose & Tim LaRose, Jeanne & Ned Walker

Builds a Frame $3,000 - $4,999

Allison & Randall Bone, Molly & Will Gilmore, Amanda & Bret Hirsh, Mona Look-Mazza & Tony Mazza, M&W Properties, MBS Associates, Jennifer & Joe Mason, Becky & Mike Murray, Billy Stolz

Builds a Wall $1,000 - $1,499

Laurie Michaels & David Bonderman, Elizabeth Gilmore, Annie & Jerry Hosier, Soledad & Bob Hurst, Alex Kendrick, Paul MacCaskill, Mary Ellen Rogers, Hannah Thompson

Builds a Floor $500 - $999

Laurie Cappello, Tom Cooper, Elaine Gerson, Jefferson Hughes, Maley Nehasil Real Estate, Lucy Moncada, Ruth Owens, Phyllis Sica, Alex & Fabrizzio Zangrilli

Builds a Window up to $250

Brooke & Jake Allen, Heather Anthes, Aspen Rent-All, Elyse Elliott & Jeremy Bernstein, Morgan & Matt Brown, Lauren McCann Burke, Ruth Carver, Sabrina De Baets, Annie Denver, Kelly Doherty, Julie Donovan, Patsy Malone & William Darby Glenn, Anna & Matt Freedman, Claire & Brad Hathaway, Nicole Hernandez, Johnanna & Todd Hoeffner, Sandy & Peter Johnson, Kristen Kellman, Jennifer & Justin Kennedy, Doug Lake, Kristin McCullough, Mariah & Craig Morris, Katherine Meier & Lee Schumacher, Elizabeth Slossberg, EKS Events, Gail Stanger, Katya Sternberg, Michelle & Ken Stiller, Kendall Taylor, Donna & Roy Wiedinmyer, Kaitlin Windle, Brenna Young, Russell Young

Thank you to our Volunteers

Payton Barill, Erin Becker, Gay for Good, Molly Gilmore, Adam Goldsmith, Katie Goldsmith, Susanna Goldsmith, Nancy Hoffmann, Peter Hoffmann, Heidi Houston, Sarah Clark, Mark Iola, Alex Kendrick, Steve Mills, Rebekah Pullis, Jessi Rochel, Sara Shaw, Jett Shaw, Farah Stevenson, Ela Stevenson, Kendall Taylor, Jamie Wall, Kiira Walsh, Heather Wooldridge, Brenna Young

S

A A All set aspen

24 • THE SOPRIS SUN • soprissun.com • Dec. 9-15, 2021

Colorado Wild Public Lands watchdogs land swaps

By Raleigh Burleigh Sopris Sun Editor

Colorado Wild Public Lands (COWPL), based in Basalt, originated in 2014 in direct response to a controversial land swap known as the Sutey Ranch Land Exchange.

Now complete, the deal saw the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) trade 1,369 acres south of Carbondale and 201 acres southwest of Eagle to Two Shoes Ranch, owned

by Leslie Wexner, and Lady Belle Partnership LLLP. In exchange, the public gained the 557-acre Sutey Ranch parcel adjoining the Red Hill Special Recreation Area, 112 acres along Prince Creek Road, $100,000 toward developing a management plan and $1 million for long-term management of the acquired land.

Additionally, all lands that became private are now protected by a conservation easement.

The BLM’s description of this exchange explains that “land exchanges are conducted on a valuefor-value, not acre-for-acre, basis,” due to “location and development potential.” With close to half of all land in the West being public, and over 150 land exchanges in Colorado since 2000, COWPL posits itself as a staunch defender of the public interest.

The nature of the exchange garnered national attention, and

This old growth ponderosa pine stands on public land that would be made private by the Valle Seco Land Exchange. Courtesy photo the founders of COWPL began to study “a whole system of public land exchanges that happen in Colorado that are not swept under the rug, per se, but are outside of the public notice,” said COWPL Community Engagement Director Graham Ward. “[COWPL] formed in an effort to expand public involvement in those processes and awareness of them in general.”

COWPL filed an appeal of the Sutey Ranch Land Exchange’s approval in December 2014,

asserting that the appraisals for the exchange did not “accurately reflect the values of the lands in the exchange and that the appraisals were commissioned by the proponents and beneficiaries of the exchange, not the BLM.” COWPL had filed an action under the Freedom of Information Act to have the appraisals released to the public and says these were shared only after the exchange approval. In April 2021, COWPL followed up with a Motion to

Reconsider, challenging whether the BLM followed the rules and acted in the public interest.

COWPL Project Coordinator Suzanne Jackson says that their efforts did result in the public receiving more benefits, but “the organization is still not in favor of that type of exchange,” calling it “apples to oranges” trading wild land for recreation.

In the southwestern region of Colorado, near Pagosa Springs, COWPL is now challenging a land exchange in the San Juan National Forest dubbed the Valle Seco Land Exchange.

The proposal trades one private 880-acre parcel for nine federal parcels that total 380 acres and include roadless areas, wetlands and dispersed camping. The exchange was proposed by Kelcy Warren, owner of Bootjack Ranch LLC and CEO of Energy Transfer Partners.

Warren would receive three of the federal parcels. Other parcels would go to David Skidmore and Cynthia Sites and David Lindner Trust and Dynasty Trust, parties that, COWPL notes, “do not appear to be giving any land themselves.”

A Durango Herald op-ed penned by Forest Supervisor Kara Chadwick says the exchange “would secure important winter rangeland, a crucial corridor for elk and mule deer and additional public access for motorized use in the Valle

Seco area.” Chadwick continues, “Forest Service has been discussing potential land exchanges with former and current owners of the 880-acre private inholding in the Valle Seco area since the 1980s.”

Attempts through the Freedom of Information Act to acquire unredacted appraisals of the lands have so far been unsuccessful. “We’ve been trying to get our hands on the appraisals of those exchanges for a long time,” said Ward. He believes that information should be made available to the public, “the actual owners” of the parcels in question.

COWPL has filed objections and requests for clarification to the Draft Decision Notice, Finding of No Significant Impact and the Final Environmental Assessment (released in September 2021).

COWPL also points out the absence of public engagement events, even virtual meetings, which have been typical of past exchanges.

The Objection Hearing is scheduled for Tuesday, Dec. 14, online.

“Agencies are supposed to make sure that the values of the lands are equal or better for the public,” states the COWPL website. “That doesn’t always happen. That’s when we step in.” The organization includes six board members, one parttime staffer and over 150-member volunteers. To learn more, stay updated and donate, visit www. coloradowildpubliclands.org

Now Open

After Hours Urgent Care Life keeps going after hours and so do we.

Valley View is proud to announce the opening of After Hours Urgent Care. From nasal congestion to a sprained ankle, our walk-in clinic is here to treat you. Thanks to its convenient location inside Valley View next to the Emergency Department, you get to decide the right level of care for you at the right price.

OPEN EVENINGS AND WEEKENDS FOR SAME-DAY, WALK-IN CARE IN GLENWOOD SPRINGS.

LEARN MORE AT VVH.ORG/URGENTCARE THE SOPRIS SUN • Your weekly community connector • Dec. 9-15, 2021 • 25

Glenwood Canyon monitoring gets funding for second phase

By Heather Sackett Aspen Journalism

Water managers are dealing with the after effects of the Grizzly Creek Fire and subsequent mudslides in Glenwood Canyon by continuing a water quality monitoring program.

The Middle Colorado Watershed Council received funding approval this week for the second phase of a program that will continue to collect and distribute data about weather and river conditions downstream of the Grizzly Creek burn scar. The Colorado Basin Roundtable approved $72,200 in state grant money for continued data collection at seven rain gauges in Glenwood Canyon, which will provide information to the National Weather Service, an automatic water quality sampler, soil moisture sensors, a new stream gauge and water quality monitoring station in the Rifle/Silt area and a data dashboard for easy access of the information.

The first phase of the project, which was implemented early last summer before the monsoons, addressed immediate water quality issue. The second phase amounts to an early warning system that will let water users downstream of Glenwood Canyon know when dirty water from mudslides is headed their way.

The MCWC hopes to have all the pieces in place before spring runoff.

“With the way post-fire events happen, we are going to be looking at impacts for the next two to five years,” said Paula Stepp, executive director of the Middle Colorado Watershed Council. “The part I’m really excited about is the cooperation

between stakeholders and downstream users.” On July 29, a heavy rainstorm triggered mudslides in Glenwood Canyon, which left some motorists stranded overnight, and closed Interstate 70 for weeks. Because soils scorched by the 2020 Grizzly Creek Fire don’t absorb moisture, the rain sent rocks, sediment and debris flowing down drainages, across the highway and into the Colorado River. But the mudslides didn’t just affect the river at the site of the rainstorm — they also had impacts to agricultural and municipal water users downstream in Silt, whose only source of water is the Colorado.

The sediment-laden water caused problems for the town of Silt’s water treatment plant, which had to use more chemicals to get the sand to settle out. The increased manganese and iron suspended in the water gave it a brownish tint at taps. It also fouled a set of filters, which the town spent $48,000 to replace. The filters normally last four to five years, but had to be replaced after just one, said Public Works Director Trey Fonner.

“If we knew what was coming down the river, we could shut off the intake and we could let the river clean up a little bit before we turned it back on,” Fonner said. “If our tanks are full, we can shut off and let the worst part of it go by.”

The mudslides also created challenges for the Silt Water Conservancy District, which delivers water from the river to about 45 headgates via a canal and pumphouse. Although the town can temporarily shut down its intake because it has about a three-day supply of water in storage, the conservancy district pumps water continuously and shutting off briefly of time is difficult.

Silt Public Works Director Trey Fonner points out how the water treatment plant’s filters were affected by turbid water from the mudslides last summer. Photo by Heather Sackett / Aspen Journalism “It’s not really a system that can be shut down easily,” said Nathan Bell, a consultant for the district and roundtable member. “It’s extremely cumbersome. It’s a nightmare.”

The main problem for the district is that the earthen canal which takes water from the river to the pump station silts up. The turbid water also acts like sandpaper, causing more wear and tear on the machinery and reducing its lifespan.

The district is planning on more frequent canal cleanings and installing drop structures to catch the mud before it makes it to the pump house.

The data generated from the monitoring project will allow the district to better plan and budget for the inevitable increased maintenance and repairs, Bell said. “It reduces the variables you’re having to manage,” he said. “It lets us get ahead of the game.”

The data dashboard will let downstream users and the general public set up text alerts for when a parameter of interest is too high or

outside a specific window. Silt water users, for example, could set an alert for when rain gauges in Glenwood Canyon record a certain amount of rain, which increases the likelihood a plume of dirty water is headed their way.

The total cost of phase two of the project is nearly $1.3 million. The council is asking the Colorado Water Conservation Board for about $650,000 in grant money and also expects funds from the U.S. Geological Survey. Garfield County has committed to $15,000 over the next three years and the state Department of Public Health and Environment will contribute $50,000.

Aspen Journalism is an independent nonprofit news organization.

See www. aspenjournalism. org for more.

proudly presents

The Mount Sopris Nordic Council depends on annual memberships to keep Spring Gulch nordic ski trails groomed and open to the public. Become a member for the 2021/2022 season!

Support Spring Gulch

: A Ghost Story

adapted by Jerry R. Montoya

You could score a new Spring Gulch Headband!

The first 175 people to contribute at $125 or more will receive a custom made in Colorado headband

by Kind Design, Inc.

www.springgulch.org Friday Saturday Sunday Dec. 10 Dec. 11 Dec. 12 6:00 p.m. 6:00 p.m. 2:00 p.m.

Promotion item only valid for 2021-2022 members.

While supplies last. Visit our website for details.

www.springgulch.org 26 • THE SOPRIS SUN • soprissun.com • Dec. 9-15, 2021

The Round Room at the Third Street Center, 520 S 3rd Street in Carbondale $20 for Adults and $10 for Students Tickets available at the door or by visiting soltheatrecompany.org

COVID RESTRICTIONS: The audiences for this production will be required to provide proof of vaccination or a negative Covid test within 48 hours of the performance, and will be masked for performances.

Rapid Covid tests will be available at check in for those without either requirement.

We are deeply grateful to the following organizations for their support

First deadline for individual health insurance purchases approaching People need to sign up by Dec. 15 for health insurance to begin Jan. 1

By Allyn Harvey The Valley Health Alliance The Valley Health Alliance urges people who still need to buy health insurance on the individual exchange to act promptly, as the deadline for coverage beginning on Jan. 1 is fast approaching.

“I encourage people who still need to purchase insurance to go to the Connect for Health Colorado website to shop for insurance,” said Valley Health Alliance Executive Director Chris McDowell. “There are real choices on the exchange for people and their families, so it’s worth reviewing the plans online or calling the number for assistance.”

Connect for Health Colorado is the marketplace exchange for people who are not covered by an employer’s health insurance plan.

It is designed to help people find the right plan for their budget and needs, as well as determine if they are eligible for a monthly premium reduction under the Affordable Care Act. Many are, especially since last spring when Congress and President Biden made it easier for more people to qualify.

Connect for Health Colorado can be reached by calling 855-752-6749 or online at connectforhealthco.com Insurance bought through Connect for Health Colorado between Dec. 16 and Jan. 15, the end of open enrollment, will have an effective date of Feb. 1.

The Valley Health Alliance is a collaboration between large employers and healthcare

providers from Aspen to Parachute.

Its leadership includes local primary care doctors, the Aspen Skiing Company, the city of Aspen and Pitkin County, the three hospitals in our region — Grand River Health Centers, Valley View Hospital, and Aspen Valley Hospital — as well as Mountain Family Health Centers and the five local chambers of commerce.

MORE DEADLINES Jan. 1, 2022 2022 coverage starts, if you've enrolled by Dec. 15, 2021 and paid your first premium.

Jan. 15, 2022 Last day to enroll in or change plans for 2022 coverage. After this date, you can enroll or change plans only if you qualify for a Special Enrollment Period.

Feb. 1, 2022 2022 coverage starts if you enrolled by Jan. 15, 2022 and you've paid your first premium.

If you don’t act by January 15, 2022, you can’t get 2022 coverage unless you qualify for a Special Enrollment Period due to a life event, like losing other coverage, moving, getting married, or having a baby. You may also be able to enroll now if you got or were approved to get unemployment compensation in 2021.

GUEST

OPINION Amy Fiala Black Hills Energy

Cooler temperatures have arrived and the days are shorter, which means Coloradans may start to use more energy to keep their homes comfortable and day-to-day activities running.

Several factors impacting utilities across the U.S. are pointing to higher prices for natural gas this winter. These include lower inventory levels of gas in storage, higher summertime use to generate electricity for cooling and interrupted offshore gas production due to Hurricane Ida. We recognize the impact this will have on all our Colorado customers, which is why we’re here to help customers get winter-ready.

Making your home more energy efficient is easier and less expensive than you might think and it has a big impact on your bills. Did you know energy usage is the single largest portion of your energy bill and temperature is one of the biggest factors in increased usage?

Together with simple behavior changes to cut back on energy waste, weatherization and energy efficiency can help you save energy and money this fall and winter.

The first step to making your home more energy efficient is knowing what simple fixes it needs.

Here are a few spot tests to help detect where you may be losing the most energy: The Flashlight Test: Have someone go outside at night and shine a flashlight at and around doorways, while you stay inside; you’ll see the light shining through

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Save energy, save money this winter any cracks or openings that need to be resealed.

The Tissue Test: Hang a piece of tissue on a clothes hanger next to a closed window. If the tissue is moving, there’s a leak from your window seals.

The Money Test: Slip a quarter underneath a doorway. If it fits, heat is escaping. To test windows, place a dollar bill across the weatherstripping on a window, close the window, and pull out the bill. If it comes out easily, the window doesn’t have a tight enough seal.

After identifying the areas of your home that may need help, here are a few inexpensive DIY weatherization tips to reduce wasted energy and help you save on monthly energy bills: Seal cracks with caulk.

Wherever you discovered a leak, apply new caulk to seal cracks and joints, keeping drafts and moisture out of your home. And remember, leaks aren’t just found around windows and doors; consider every other area that may leak air, including where wood siding meets the concrete foundation.

Weather-strip windows and doors. In addition to caulking cracks, consider installing a foambacked tape around windows and doors to keep heat inside.

Windows and doors are important areas to make energy efficiency upgrades, as 7-12% of a building’s heating and cooling loss occurs around these areas.

Check your furnace. Conduct regular maintenance on your furnace, like cleaning your furnace filter monthly and replacing it every three months. We also encourage you to get a professional furnace check-up each year, to make sure your home’s largest energy user in the winter is running efficiently.

Upgrade your thermostat.

According to the Department of Energy, you can save an estimated 10% a year on heating and cooling costs by using a programmable

thermostat.

Upgrading your thermostat to a programmable model with a heating schedule is a great way to save energy. Black Hills Energy offers a rebate on Energy Star certified smart thermostats to help cover the cost.

Saving energy and money also means making small changes to your routine, to use less energy at times of peak demand, typically between 2 and 6 p.m.

For those working at home, there are also a few ways to conserve energy during and after your nineto-five. For example, opening blinds for all south-facing windows is a great way to let the sun heat your home during the day, so that you can turn down the thermostat by a couple of degrees.

Remember to close your drapes or blinds at night, which will help insulate your home from any energy leaking from windows.

Black Hills Energy is committed to providing the safe, reliable energy that our communities need to thrive, regardless of the weather outside.

If you’re not sure what energy efficiency projects are most needed for your home, consider a virtual home energy assessment.

Trained professionals will provide recommendations for reducing your energy consumption and often will identify projects and rebates to help you save money.

Black Hills Energy also offers an online assessment that provides customers with a free home energy kit with hot water blanket, faucet aerators, showerheads, weatherstripping and more.

For more energy-saving tips, energy efficiency program information and to apply for an energy audit and rebates, visit www.blackhillsenergy.com/winterready. And, if you’re struggling to pay your energy bill, reach out to our customer service team, who can help with billing options and energy assistance programs.

Town of Carbondale Special Event Task Force Meeting Announcement

The Special Event Task Force reviews special events within Town Parks, Streets and Facilities. Proposed 2022 events will be discussed on Wednesday, Dec. 15th. from 6-7:30 pm at Town Hall.

These meetings are open to all interested citizens.

For more info /virtual option e-mail:ebrendlinger@carbondaleco.net

Audio and visual excellence all under one roof !

THE SOPRIS SUN • Your weekly community connector • Dec. 9-15, 2021 • 27

Help Two or More Nonprofits with Your December Donation Donate to The Sopris Sun in December and we’ll give your favorite local charity an equal amount of free advertising space in The Sopris Sun in 2022.

Choose to give a recurring donation and we will provide an equal amount of space each month for your favorite charity.

Yes, you can choose a different charity each month, or let us choose one on your behalf!

As with all ads in The Sopris Sun the nonprofit also receives complementary ad design and translation services for Spanish ads.

A win-win for all of us! Please donate today! $100 covers the cost of an article and photo $500 covers the cost of a student in our journalism program $1,000 covers production costs for a week’s Sol del Valle $2,500 covers a full semester of our Future of Journalism high school mentorship program $5,000 covers the cost of a full issue $10,00 covers our printing costs for two months The Sopris Sun is a 501c3 Nonprofit Community Newspaper A free press is a cornerstone to our Democracy. Our mission is to inform, inspire and build community by fostering diverse and independent journalism.

Thank you for your generous support! www.coloradogives.org/TheSoprisSun

THE SOPRIS SUN • Your weekly community connector • Dec. 9-15, 2021 • 28

This holiday season, make miracles happen!

GUEST

OPINION

By Wayne Winton Tri-County Locksmith As the cold weather descends upon our beautiful valley and you search for ways to spread love in your community, please keep Turner in mind. Turner is a 12-year-old young man who enjoys camping, country music, Cheetos, root beer and hanging out with his friends. He is living just down the street from you in Glenwood Springs.

Turner is one of the happiest kids you will ever meet, despite the fact that he lives with an extremely rare genetic condition called KAND, a KIF1A-associated neurological disorder. Because of this, he lives every day with spastic paraplegia, dystonia, developmental delays, scoliosis, many foot ailments and he currently uses a wheelchair. He

has had to endure nearly a dozen surgeries on his spine and feet, and countless tests and procedures in his young life.

Unfortunately, this is commonplace for his family and he will always be in need of these things.

Here at Tri-County Locksmith Service, we hold Turner and his family close to our hearts.

Our Christmas wish this year is to raise awareness through the Roaring Fork Valley for our friend, Turner, and to help him afford the robotic walking device (called the Trexo) that he desperately needs to increase his mobility and quality of life. The sheer thought of Turner gaining more independence and confidence brings the biggest smiles to his parents, Matt and Jenni!

Being able to finally purchase the Trexo will be life-changing for both Turner and his family. Once he is suited for this new chapter of life, he will be able to interact with his peers at eye level and begin home therapy to increase his mobility and strength. This is pertinent for him, as he now has to build back all of the progress that was lost due to the shutdown of his therapy facility caused by COVID-19.

If Turner does not raise the funds to purchase his Trexo in the

next few months, he risks suffering many medical complications in the future, including but not limited to: bone loss, muscle atrophy and hip dysplasia. In order to give this young man the best Christmas ever and the autonomy that everyone deserves, we are asking for your help.

As of right now, Turner’s family still needs $14,000 to purchase the specialized device. We know that this is a large sum, but we have faith that if anyone can raise the money, it is the amazing people of our quaint little valley. In Lieu of a Christmas party this year, the folks at Tri County Locksmith Service have opted to support Turner and his family.

You can help by sharing Turner’s story by joining the #GiveTheGiftChallenge on social media! We hope that, together, we can make a meaningful impact on our community this holiday season.

From the bottom of our hearts, we truly appreciate you and are eternally grateful for your love and support.

Visit www.bit.ly/SupportTurner to help Turner and his family reach their goal. Please contact Jenni Fautsko at Jenfautsko@gmail.com for further details on ways to give.

Turner casts a big smile for the camera. Courtesy photo

Stop on by. We’re in the neighborhood.

Ready for personal financial service actually in person?

Or to just ... see a person again? Us too. Our doors are still open and likely not far from your own. So come on in.

We sincerely can’t wait to see you.

Talk to a personal banker today at 970 -704 -1012.

anbbank.com

THE SOPRIS SUN • Your weekly community connector • Dec. 9-15, 2021 • 29

Suddenly spring? llene Pevec photographed these confused daffodils embracing a very early spring in December before winter graciously rolled back in. Courtesy photo

HELP WANTED Graphic Designer The Sopris Sun seeks a team player able to meet deadlines and work collaboratively with editorial, advertising and management. Proficiency with Adobe Creative Suite: InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator, Acrobat and InCopy. Newspaper or print publication experience preferred. Website and social media posting experience helpful; bilingual Spanish/ English also helpful. 24-32 hours per week; wage based on experience.

Please respond to board@ soprissun.com Bilingual Ad Rep The Sopris Sun and el Sol del Valle seek a bilingual advertising

representative. This is a parttime position supported by commission. If you would like to earn more money, engage with the community and be part of our talented team, please call 970-510-0246.

Housekeeper Reliable and professional housekeeper wanted to take care of general cleaning and earn $20 - $40 an hour easily. Contact: fordr139@gmail.com Lululemon, Aspen Join our one-of-a-kind team! We offer competitive benefits that can support you professionally and personally.

Learn more: www.bit.ly/ lululemonAspen

The Aspen Science Center The Aspen Science Center is seeking an energetic communicator with excellent interpersonal skills to serve as a part-time STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) Educator. The STEM Educator will be responsible for developing and facilitating fun, hands-on STEM programs for preschool to twelfth grade youth, their caregivers and families. Email dhenderson@ aspensciencecenter.org or call 970-236-2360.

Help Wanted Ads are FREE. To place an ad visit: www. soprissun.com/free-helpwanted-ads/

30 • THE SOPRIS SUN • soprissun.com • Dec. 9-15, 2021

PARTING SHOTS

SERVICE DIRECTORY

LETTERS from page 2

Practicing minimal contact check-in.

annually so that it can "make" $955,800 annually from public lands grazing fees.

Rangeland health reports show widespread damage across public land caused by livestock, not wild horses, yet wild horses are blamed and removed while the livestock WINDSHIELD REPAIRremain. & 289 MAIN STREET | (970) 963-2826 | CARBONDALEAH@GMAIL.COM Bureau press releases this AUTO GLASS year (115 to date) incorrectly REPLACEMENT state that roundups "save WINDSHIELD taxpayers money" and REPAIR & AUTO GLASS "protect rangelands from REPLACEMENT deterioration," and make other claims that are unsupported by the government’s own data.

Mobile Erik Molvar Service Available Western Watersheds Project Locally Owned by David Zamansky Locally owned byby Jake Zamansky Locally Owned David Zamansky

970-963-3891

970-963-3891

Mobile Service Available

500 Buggy Circle, Carbondale, COLEGALS 500 Buggy Circle, Carbondale, CO

NOTICE TO CREDITORS BY PUBLICATION PURSUANT TO § 15-12-801, C.R.S. Notice to Creditors Estate of Rebecca Lee Ciucci Passed on 9/27/2021 Case Number: 21PR34 All persons having claims against the above named estate are required to present them to the personal representative or to District Court of Garfield County, Colorado on or before April 2, 2022, or claims may be forever barred.

John A. Ciucci 629 Saddleback Road Carbondale Colorado 81623, Published in The Sopris Sun on December 2, 9, 16, and 23, 2021

Brenda Patch died in a tragic car accident 35 years ago. As a way to honor her and her commitment to Roaring Fork athletics, the school hosts an annual tournament to start off the basketball season. All money raised from the gate receipts go to scholarships for two students who best exemplify the leadership, sportsmanship, determination and love of the game that Brenda embodied. This year's tournament was attended by teams from Basalt, Rifle, Moffat, Summit and Steamboat Springs high schools.

Photos by Sue Rollyson

THE SOPRIS SUN • Your weekly community connector • Dec. 9-15, 2021 • 31

s y a D w o Sn with

Join us this Winter!

All events are free & open to the public | Registration required

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 18

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 20 – BILINGUAL

Sunlight Mountain Resort, Glenwood Springs

Garfield Creek State Wildlife Area, Near New Castle

Advocacy & Apres

Wildlife Walk and Talk

Learn about the importance of seasonal habitat and with Advocacy & Ales is back with a winter twist! Stop by after a day on the slopes and enjoy a drink while learning about ways some luck, watch wintering animals from afar. This is a bilingual event for all ages! to get involved with our work to protect public lands.

SUNDAY, JANUARY 9 – BILINGUAL

Crystal River Snowshoe Daniels Hill, Near Marble

Join us for a snowshoe along the North Fork of the Crystal River and learn about the proposed Wild and Scenic River designation along the Crystal.

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 13 | THURSDAY, JANUARY 14

Naturalist Nights: Winter Speaker Series 3rd Street Center, Carbondale | Hallam Lake, ACES

“Small Mountain Owls,” by Scott Rashid, Colorado Avian Research and Rehabilitation Institute

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 23 | THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 24

Naturalist Nights: Winter Speaker Series 3rd Street Center, Carbondale | Hallam Lake, ACES

“Using Goats for Habitat Restoration on Public Lands” by Hilary Boyd, Bureau of Land Management

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 9 | THURSDAY, MARCH 10

Naturalist Nights: Winter Speaker Series 3rd Street Center, Carbondale | Hallam Lake, ACES

“Three Billion Birds” by Arvind Panjabi, Bird Conservancy of the Rockies

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 26 | THURSDAY, JANUARY 27

SUNDAY, MARCH 13

3rd Street Center, Carbondale | Hallam Lake, ACES

Blodgett Campground, near Red Cliff

Naturalist Nights: Winter Speaker Series

“Soil Carbon in Colorado Agroecosystems: Practice and Promise,” by Dr. Courland Kelly, Colorado State University

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 9 | THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 10

Naturalist Nights: Winter Speaker Series 3rd Street Center, Carbondale | Hallam Lake, ACES Speaker to be announced.

Check wildernessworkshop.org/events to find out.

Homestake Valley Snowshoe Join us for a snowshoe along Homestake Creek and learn about efforts to protect the Homestake Valley from future dam building efforts.

SATURDAY, MARCH 26

Advocacy & Apres

Highlands Ski Resort, Aspen

Advocacy & Ales is back with a winter twist! Stop by after a day on the slopes and enjoy a drink while learning about ways to get involved with our work to protect public lands.

Additional events may be added. Scan this QR Code for the latest calendar or to register for any of these events!

COVID-19 Protocols are in place for our events to prioritize everyone’s safety.

www.wildernessworkshop.org/events