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Achieving the ‘impossible’

Permaculture pioneer Jerome Osentowski receives recognition

MYKI JONES

Sopris Sun Correspondent

Jerome Osentowski, known for his pioneer-level work in the permaculture world, recently accepted a lifetime achievement award at this past Dandelion Day celebration for his impacts in the Valley and beyond through his education efforts with students and community members from all over as founder of the Central Rocky Mountain Permaculture Institute (CRMPI), located on the side of Basalt Mountain.

“Jerome is a visionary when it comes to creating ecosystems and long-term food production, especially in harsher climates with shorter growing seasons,” Dandelion Day organizer Kat Hardy stated.

Typically, Dandelion Day sees community members inducted into the “Order of the Dandelion” which highlights individuals dedicating themselves to initiatives that exemplify Earth stewardship and sustainability practices. This tradition was adapted due to the untimely loss of Casey Piscura, a friend to CRMPI and Dandelion Day who received mentorship from Osentowski.

“Innovative farming and Earth stewardship were passions of both Casey and Jerome,” Hardy elaborated. “Dandelion Day was the perfect opportunity to honor these men and educate the community on their work and vision. We have high hopes for the future of Dandelion Day continuing to anchor the agricultural community and foster sustainable living for generations to come.”

Having partnered with many nonprofit organizations in the Valley — including Lift-Up, the Aspen Center for Environmental Services and The Farm Collaborative — CRMPI also offers a variety of classes and workshops. As the year progresses, Osentowski will step back from a majority of his responsibilities at CRMPI while the organization undertakes a succession, financial and strategic planning process, involving the current board, staff and other stakeholders.

“I’m in the process of turning my whole place over to the next generation,” Osentowski said. “I’m creating these livelihoods, and people are taking over my operation and making a living.”

This was made possible thanks to Osentowski’s practices with the perennial economy, a concept wherein economic systems focus on long-term sustainability, resilience and stability, often involving perennial plants as their key element. Jerome shared some thoughts on this system, expressing his desire to remove limits for his students and agricultural workers.

“Capitalism is very limiting. It’s expensive to get into, with no cost sharing whatsoever. It’s just dog-eat-dog, and that’s no way to live,” he said. “I’m providing all the food, energy, housing and livelihoods at my place. It’s called the perennial economy, revolving around a farm — and it’s working. I have 20 different income sources coming into my one place, where most farmers have one or two. Over the years, I’ve figured out how to tap into various diverse income sources.”

With CRMPI Osentowski has cultivated an environment amenable to a myriad of food plants, such as pear trees, grapevines, as well as dates, dragonfruit and other exotic fruits which he sells to others to grow themselves. He also raises and sells meat rabbits and recycles food waste and other materials from local businesses.

Additionally, through his consulting business with Michael Thompson, Eco Systems Design, Osentowski and his collaborators have helped to build sustainable food and other agricultural services for the community at large. Additionally, some of the projects he’s done internationally form part of his retirement plan.

“I’ve done projects all over the world: Nicaragua, Mexico, Cuba, Europe. I helped jump-start the permaculture movement in Finland with my book [‘The Forest Garden Greenhouse’],” Osentowski recalled. “I’m planning to do permaculture on a sailboat, hopefully in New Zealand.”

Coming to the Valley in the ‘70s, Osentowski didn’t initially intend on building the compound he purchased in Basalt, which has grown exponentially over the past several decades.

“I bought the land just to build a cabin,” he said. “I wasn’t planning on doing permaculture, so it took 10 years before I even heard the word ‘permaculture.’ It was the cheapest land I could find. I sold my sailboat and I had $5,000 in my pocket, so I bought this land and started building a cabin from recycled material.”

The journey of this organization was not without its share of challenges. In 2007, a

massive fire destroyed one of CRMPI’s greenhouses. Osentowski and his associates were able to clean up the damage and rebuild, but he later spent nearly a quarter of a million dollars fighting legal challenges with Eagle County over a zoning issue when he applied for a special use permit in 2021.

“I’m solvent again and moving on to a whole other perspective,” Osentowski expressed about that now resolved situation.

Although he will not be as intimately involved with operations as time passes, folks will still have opportunities to learn from him. Discussing the future of

CRMPI and how the community can support the organization, he encouraged folks to volunteer their time, read his book and written works featured the website (www.crmpi.org) and to keep an eye out for a new book project he is working on, “The Perennial Economy.”

“Volunteering is a good way to stay involved. Folks can also support by taking our classes, buying the book and our products. There are all kinds of ways on our website that they can get involved, such as taking a workshop or taking a tour. It all just brings in resources and spreads the word,” Osentowski concluded.

Jerome Osentowski proudly displays his lifetime achievement award at Dandelion Day 2025. Courtesy photo

The American Dream costs about $300k

When I was a kid, you could buy a house in Aspen for about $300k and I remember when my parents sold our house on Twining Flats Road in 1979 for $179,000. Fast forward 20 years to Carbondale in 2000, when the first house on your right as you entered Satank was for sale for about $300k. Today, both of those properties are worth millions of dollars and roughly $300k is the real estate value of a lot in the Mountain Valley Mobile Home Park.

In case you haven’t heard, the Mountain Valley Mobile Home Park (behind the old diner on Highway 133) is for sale. There is already an offer for $15.5 million dollars, but the residents have started the process of becoming a resident owned community (ROC). Thistle Community Housing is involved, and I was thinking Habitat for Humanity should chip in — if nothing else, to save themselves the time and expense of building 64 new homes for all the working families who could be displaced.

OPINION

People who don’t work from home are continuously being run down the valley, forced into longer and longer commutes. As we all learned during the pandemic, without the people who transport and stock our groceries, cook and serve our favorite foods out or respond early to our emergencies, we won’t have a community. And without affordable housing for the people who work in the insatiable tourism industry upvalley, Carbondale could become the Simone to Aspen’s Kiki (the scary monster boss in “Sirens”). In fact, the endless traffic on Highway 133 makes me wonder if we are already past the point of no return.

the added stress of watching out for ICE agents who are kidnapping people and hauling them off to a detention center — or worse: out of the country without constitutional due process. Has anyone looked into who is profiting from building all these detention centers? If we follow the money, I bet we’ll find the true villain behind dear “Ol’ Yam Tits’” deportations. Ah, Trump: the man, the myth, the legend … Of all the used country salesmen in the world, we got the one who can’t even string a coherent sentence together. The man who thinks habeas corpus is Spanish for, “I do what I want.” The deception that his administration is trying to pull on the American people is horrific, and it’s affecting Main Street, America. Taking from the working class to give bigger tax breaks to billionaire corporations? That’s the plan to make this a great place to live?! It’s like a dark and dystopian (redundant, I know) alternate reality Robin Hood. What is the opposite of philanthropy? Oh yeah, good old-fashioned greed.

PS&QS

By Jeannie Perry

I am grateful it took so long for Carbondale’s real estate market to flare up like the Crepes Suzette it is today. When I was younger, dessert was the Barmuda Triangle: the Pour House, the old Ship of Fools and the Nugget. Perched on our barstools, we ate peanuts and threw the shells on the floor while watching full-moon bike riders go right through the bar.

Nowadays, we have fancy shops and restaurants downtown, but with fewer and fewer people who work there. And we have

LETTERS

MVDS gratitude

Many thanks to the generous members of our community who supported Mountain Valley Developmental Services (MVDS) at our Greenhouse Open House & Picnic on May 17. We had the best first day of sales since the Mountain Valley Greenhouse opened in 1984 as a year-round commercial greenhouse selling annual and perennial bedding plants, house plants, herbs and vegetables to retail and business customers. It was great fun, too, to have many of our intellectually and developmentally disabled participants at the sale and picnic. Because of our adult job-training program, Greenhouse staff members are also participants who engage in meaningful work in a nurturing environment while earning a respectable wage. The plants our supporters hold in their hands today literally germinated from seeds to hardy plants thanks to the skill and loving care provided by our MVDS employees and volunteers, and now they will flourish in your summer gardens!

We are open for business Monday through Friday, 9am to 3pm, at 700 Mt. Sopris Drive in Glenwood Springs.

Sara Sims

MVDS

Protect libraries and children

I’m writing to voice concern over the exclusively conservative board

Don’t they realize that without the rest of us, they’ll just be sitting around waiting for someone to get them a glass of water? There won’t be anyone to clean their house, maintain their property, or keep it from burning to the ground during the next wildfire. It feels like we are all watching Trump light the fuse on a national catastrophe. Honestly, some nights all I can do is make a drink and watch the movie “Protocol” with Goldie Hawn again — scarily relevant 41 years later!

What do they say? “The more things change, the more they stay the same.” And if I had a dollar for every time someone in this valley said “affordable housing” while demolishing a trailer park … Well, I could buy the Mountain Valley park myself. Honestly, I can’t imagine a better way to spend my retirement than keeping the feeling of community in Carbondale by preserving 64 affordable homes at the entrance of our town.

Please support the Mountain Valley Mobile Home Park gofundme: www.gofundme.com/f/help-us-preserve-our-home

appointments and decisions recently made by the Garfield Board of County Commissioners concerning our public libraries.

The history of libraries is long, beginning with the Ebla Library, located in present day Syria between 2500 – 2250 BC. This library had stone tablets containing written documents. Libraries have grown and changed since then, with Benjamin Franklin, who founded the first library in America in 1731, being quoted as having said, “Libraries improved the general conversation of the Americans and made the common tradesmen and farmers as intelligent as most gentlemen from other countries.”

After centuries of evolution and change, libraries in the 21st century offer the public a place to access computers and to read, write, study and learn. The scope of humanity today is broad, containing a full spectrum of thoughts and behaviors. Freedom of speech allows almost anything to be written, which presents the challenge of managing that right in a country as divided as America is in 2025.

It’s imperative that library boards in America represent our full, diverse spectrum. Also, libraries must protect children from books inappropriate for their level of maturity. They do this NOT by banning or blocking books with perspectives that don’t match theirs, but rather by sorting and cataloging books. A library board that dictates books that

may or may not be offered violates the First Amendment of the Constitution. For the protection of children, what matters is not which books are there, but how they are accessed.

The Carbondale Public Library has careful control over the children’s section. It is physically and spatially removed from access to adult books. Visit the library to see. And please, encourage our county commissioners to appoint a board that represents our entire, diverse community and not stack it strongly towards the conservative dimension, as is now the case.

Nancy and Wolf Gensch

Carbondale

Nutrient Farm PUD

Efforts to protect Canyon Creek from the Nutrient Farm PUD proposal, and to seek answers to many questions from the recent planning commission meeting are ongoing. It takes incredible diligence, enormous resources and focused time and commitment to participate in our democratic process; unfortunately, without this, many decisions that will permanently affect all of us can happen without prior awareness. Our power to uphold a sustainable quality of life here in our valley will require building relationships, establishing trust and working together with transparency and commitment.

Editor Raleigh Burleigh 970-510-3003 news@soprissun.com

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SCUTTLEBUTT

Town manager finalists

The Town of Carbondale has narrowed its search for a new town manager down to four finalists: Ryan Hyland, former Silverthorne town manager; Shannon Kelly-Fong, current assistant city manager for Lacey, Washington; Sara Ott former Aspen city manager; and Kara Silbernagel, current deputy county manager for Pitkin County. The Town will host a meet-and-greet with the candidates on Thursday, June 12, from 5:30 to 7:30pm at the Third Street Center.

Nutrient Farms

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The Garfield County Planning Commission voted unanimously on May 28 to recommend that Garfield County Commissioners deny three rezoning applications, which means the 1,136-acre proposed Nutrient Farms Planned Unit Development has failed round one of the county approval process. Citizen concerns include “weeds, water and neighborhood,” as one planning commissioner put it. According to Friends of Canyon Creek, the proposed development threatens to dry up the creek. Nutrient Farms has existed on the property, south of the Colorado River, since 2018 as an organic farm and livestock producer. Over 100 citizens who oppose the development have made their voices heard at several meetings. But Danny Teodoru, attorney for the applicant said this isn’t the end. “We’re not going anywhere,” he warned. “We’re not running away from this.”

Moose management

Colorado Parks and Wildlife is reminding the public to be aware of potentially aggressive cow moose after responding to three recent attacks. Cow moose give birth to calves in the late spring and early summer and can be more aggressive toward perceived threats to their young during this time. Most moose conflicts involve dogs. When recreating near riparian or willow habitats, dogs should be kept on-leash. If a calf is spotted, distance should be maintained.

Summer meals

The Summer Meals Program, funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, is offering free seven-day meal kits to youth 18 and younger with no identification or proof of income or enrollment necessary. Local pick-up sites on Thursdays from 4 to 6:30pm, June 16 through July 17, include the Carbondale Middle School, Basalt Middle School and Glenwood Springs High School. Sign up at www.tinyurl.com/RFSDMealsForKids

Boulder attack

The United States Department of Justice has charged Mohamed Sabry Soliman, a 45-year-old Egyptian national who overstayed his visa, with a federal hate crime after he attacked a peaceful, regularly scheduled demonstration on Pearl Street in Boulder advocating for the release of hostages held by Hamas. Eight victims, ages 52 to 88 were hospitalized. “Boulder has recovered before from acts of violence and we will again recover,” stated Boulder Police Chief Stephen Redfearn. “I urge this community to come together. Now is not the time to be divisive.” Nearly 50 Palestinians were killed by the Israeli military at designated aid centers in Gaza over the past week, according to Red Cross officials. At least 54,510 Palestinians have been killed since the war began when Hamas killed an estimated 1,139 people in Israel on Oct. 7, 2023.

On May 30, the U.S. Supreme Court (SCOTUS) overturned a 2023 District Court decision that ruled against the 2021 federal approval of the 88mile Uinta Basin Railway (UBR) that would connect Utah’s oil fields to the national rail line. The 2023 ruling upheld plaintiffs’ claims of an incomplete environmental review (EIS) and violation of the National Environmental Policy Act. SCOTUS overturned claims that the EIS neglected to address upstream and downstream impacts. Colorado Sen. Michael Bennet and Rep. Joe Neguse have decried the SCOTUS ruling. The Supreme Court did not address Eagle County claims that were filed in the lawsuit nor did it approve the UBR. Railway proponents must still seek federal reauthorization and permit reinstatements to move forward. As captured in this photograph by Fred Porter, trains carrying oil are already traveling through Glenwood Canyon. If connected to the national railway, the amount of waxy crude hauled through Colorado and southeast to the Gulf Coast could increase up to 350,000 barrels (14.7 million gallons) daily.

Highway 133 chip sealing

The Colorado Department of Transportation is chip sealing Highway 133 from Carbondale to McClure Pass. Motorists should anticipate 20-minute delays during construction hours, Monday through Friday from 8am to 5pm, through mid-August.

Hot Springs scholarship

Glenwood Hot Springs Resort’s $16,000 Higher Education Scholarship was presented to Glenwood Springs High School graduate Matthew Helms this year. He plans to study integrative physiology at the University of Colorado Boulder.

Spring Valley update

As reported by Aspen Daily News, Georgia-based Storied Development has withdrawn its name from an application with Garfield County to amend the Spring Valley Ranch PUD to develop 577 residential units, a 100-acre golf course and a private ski area on 6,000 acres above Colorado Mountain College’s Spring Valley campus. The property owner, Spring Valley Holdings LLC, is set to replace Storied Development on the application.

They say it’s your birthday!

Folks celebrating another trip around the sun this week include: Francie Jacober and Rachel Kelmanson (June 4); Kelsey Buss, Stephanie Ayala, Lacy Hughes, Johnny Nieslanik and Jim Ryan (June 5); Lisa Goddard, John Klusmire and Illène Pevec (June 6); Jenn Roeser and Gayle Wells (June 7); Burk Golden, Tyler Vaughan and Diane Zastrow (June 8); Jared Ettelson, Chad Knaus, Rock Leonard and Henry Ortiz (June 9); Rachael Boyle (June 10).

Local wolf, cattle deaths alarm ranchers and wolf advocates

AMY HADDEN MARSH

Sopris Sun Correspondent

Two collared grey wolves have died in Colorado since Memorial Day weekend, including one in the Roaring Fork Valley. The male yearling, identified as #2405, was part of the Copper Creek pack. Another wolf, #2407, died on May 31 in the northwest corner of the state. No necropsy has been released.

Wolf #2405 had four siblings who were captured last summer in Grand County along with the adults. One pup was missed during capture so does not have a collar and may still be alive. The sire died from injuries unrelated to capture, said Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW). A necropsy showed a gunshot wound to his right hind leg. The mother and four pups were kept in captivity until January when they were released into Pitkin County.

CPW “lethally removed” wolf #2405 on May 29 due to suspected cattle predation. According to a CPW press release, one calf was injured on May 17, one died on May 23, another died and one was injured on May 24, and a cow and calf were injured on May 25. Wolf collar data indicated a wolf from the Copper Creek Pack was in the area during all events.

The Colorado Cattlemen’s Association (CCA) said the animals were attacked at the Crystal River Ranch south of Carbondale and the Lost Marbles Ranch and McCabe Ranch in Old Snowmass. Tom Harrington, CCA president, manages the

Crystal River Ranch. He told The Sopris Sun that he was alerted on Thursday, May 22, that a range rider was dispatched to the ranch’s Bureau of Land Management (BLM) allotment. This usually means a wolf is in the area, but Harrington had received no wolf alerts from CPW. “I didn’t know anything was in the area,” he said. Harrington said the wolf had come over the Crown from Capitol Creek where the pack was released last winter.

But, due to the way CPW collects data from wolf collars, Harrington got the news too late to save a calf. Collars record a wolf’s position every four hours. Once four locations are recorded, data is transmitted to CPW. “So, at best, it’s four hours old and some of it is 16 hours old,” explained Harrington, who said the local wildlife manager did not get anything until Friday morning.

“He had no way of knowing because he couldn’t access the data. It didn’t download to him,” explained Harrington. He added that it’s a weak point in CPW’s system. “We have the luxury of these collars and the ability to at least have some information but it’s not working for everybody. Even when it does, depending on the area, they don’t share it well,” he said. He added that the range rider did not have the correct location or contact information.

So, Harrington gets the data Friday morning and sends the ranch foreman to check the herd on the south side of

the ranch next to the BLM allotment. “I had 200 cows over there with the babies. We check it every day because it’s a water system that we have to monitor daily,” he explained. “I said, ‘Get over there now and just see if there’s anything unusual.’ And sure enough, he called me back in 10 minutes and said, ‘I found a dead calf right next to a water tank.’” Harrington said he doesn’t applaud the death of #2405 but he said it’s appropriate based on chronic depredation, which CPW defines as three events caused by the same wolf or wolves within 30 days. He added that things could be better. “I believe that if we had taken a pause last year to be better prepared, have the non-lethal [co-existence methods] in place, better communication from the very top of the administration all the way down, that perhaps we

wouldn’t have had dead livestock and now a dead wolf,” he said.

Delia Malone, local ecologist and board president of conservation nonprofit Colorado Wild, agrees. “It was a needless combination of mistakes primarily due to the lack of CPW communicating with the ranching community,” she said. “This was not the wolf’s fault. This wolf pack was set up for failure and this was a needless loss of livestock.”

Malone added that her goal is to improve communication between wolf advocates and livestock producers. “CPW has communicated with ranchers. CPW has communicated with advocates. There’s like these two separate groups and it’s not working,” she said. “We need to come up with a strategy that works for everybody and that’s what I hope will come out of this.”

A wolf runs across a snow-covered field in British Columbia as a helicopter flies overhead during capture operations in January 2025. Courtesy photo

Nuclear power in Western Colorado revisited

KEN PLETCHER

Sopris Sun Correspondent

In November 2022, The Sopris Sun published an article on the possibility of one or more nuclear generating plants being built in Western Colorado. It was prompted by an initiative from the Associated Governments of Northwest Colorado earlier that year that favored establishing nuclear power in the region; this was in response to the planned decommissioning of large coal-fired power stations in the state, notably one near Craig, over the next several years.

At that time, there were no such plans for northwestern Colorado, nor anywhere else in the state. However, a project mentioned in that article — a nuclear power station with a small modular reactor (SMR) — broke ground last June near Kemmerer, Wyoming. The new plant will partially replace generation from a coal-fired station there scheduled for decommissioning this year.

HB25-1040

The Sun decided to revisit the issue after Gov. Jared Polis signed House Bill (HB)251040 at the end of March, which added nuclear power to the list of renewable energy sources Colorado deems as “clean energy,” making it eligible for grants and incentives available for renewables. The Sun wondered, with this policy shift by the state, if electric utilities might show more interest in nuclear power at Craig and elsewhere.

The short answer is no — at least, not yet. Xcel Energy’s state-approved 2022 Colorado Clean Energy Plan, aiming to eliminate coalfired stations by 2030, does not include any plans for nuclear power. However, the company has investigated the

“Amazingly fresh after 4.5 billion years.”

possibility of utilizing SMR technology in the 2030s.

Likewise, Tri-State Generation and Transmission, a cooperative that operates and partially owns the Craig station, has not yet pursued a nuclear option. In communications with The Sun, Mark Stutz, Tri-State’s public relations specialist, noted that nuclear power is not under consideration in the company’s 2023 Electric Resource Plan (awaiting state approval) for reducing hydrocarbon emissions and increasing generation by renewables. But, he wrote in an email, “Tri-State supported House Bill 25-1040,” and continued, “Nuclear will continue to be considered through our future electric resource planning process, to determine the best mix of generation for our members.”

Closer to home, Holy Cross Energy (HCE) also has no plans to implement nuclear generation, which Jenna Weatherred, HCE’s vice president for member and community relations, told The Sun, “is a question for our board [of directors]. We have not discussed nuclear

power as a specific option for HCE with them.” Noting, however, that the company had just issued an “all-source request for proposals,” she explained, “If we were to receive a proposal for nuclear power that is safe, reliable and offered at a competitive price, I am sure our board would be interested in reviewing the proposed project.”

Concerns and opposition

While the actual generation of electricity using nuclear power certainly can be considered “clean energy” under the state definition, many have pointed out the importance of understanding the entire nuclear fuel cycle. Two of the most outspoken voices in Colorado are mining activist Jennifer Thurston of Paradox, in the southwest corner of the state, and Jeri Fry, a founder and co-director of Cañon City-based Colorado Citizens Against Toxic Waste (CCAT). Each spoke recently with The Sun.

Fry began by noting the half-life of the most abundant uranium isotope, U-238, is 4.5 billion years — i.e., the

approximate age of Earth — essentially, forever toxic. The less-abundant but fissile U-235 used in reactors is 700 million years. Fry’s word for the front end of the nuclear-fuel cycle (ore mining and milling into what is called yellowcake): “filthy.” She should know. Her father was the lead chemist at Cotter Corporation in Cañon City, one of the mills that produced yellowcake. He blew the whistle on Cotter’s unsafe practices. The mill and surrounding area were declared a Superfund site in 1984; but to date there has been no cleanup, and the area remains highly contaminated with millions of tons of radioactive waste. Fry testified against HB25-1040 in the state legislature and said to The Sun, “We must insist that [those promoting nuclear power] look at the entire nuclear cycle; you can’t just be looking at reactors.”

Thurston lives close to scores of abandoned uranium mines, worked during “the heyday of the Cold War” in the 1950s and ’60s. Generally, those sites remain contaminated and radioactive, many of them near Native American communities. She told The Sun, “We really don’t have regulations in place to protect us” from mining practices, and those that do exist “are getting snipped and slashed.”

There is also the issue of handling and disposing of nuclear waste, including from processing operations and spent nuclear fuel. As the CCAT website points out, “Between 1951 and 1975 the United States had no policy for nuclear and radioactive waste disposal.” Much of the contamination at the Cañon City site is waste brought in from elsewhere that was improperly handled. Commenting on the renewed interest in nuclear power, Fry said, “We’re hurtling into untested territory,” continuing, “We have so many better choices with renewables.”

The half-life of the most abundant uranium isotope, U-238, is 4.5 billion years — i.e., the approximate age of Earth — essentially, forever toxic.

On that last point, Lauren Suhrbier, director of strategic development at Clean Energy Economy for the Region, wrote in an email, “We have been promoting geothermal development, which is possibly competing against an SMR for redevelopment at the Craig [plant].” Noting that the cost for installing geothermal compared to an SMR is essentially the same, she asked, “Why would ‘we’ (as State regulators and legislators) not be promoting that first?”

Lindholm defies Alcatraz lore

with a little help from a friend

JAMES STEINDLER

Contributing Editor

Soren Lindholm is akin to a legend in the making. After facing what might curtail most, he picked up where he started, reinventing the wheel so he could once again fly fast through air, snow and water.

“I came to love swimming because I grew up in the summers spending time in the Northwoods in Minnesota,” Lindholm told The Sopris Sun. “Once I got hurt it was a great way to exercise — just being kind of weightless in the water.”

Lindholm was born in Boulder, but essentially grew up in the Valley after moving here when he was just 5 years old. He attended Waldorf School on the Roaring Fork and then Colorado Rocky Mountain School (CRMS), where he graduated from in 2018.

His junior year, and second season on the CRMS telemark big-mountain ski team, he broke his back after dropping a cliff while competing in Grand Targhee.

“I’m a T-12 paraplegic,” he stated. “I still ski. I still do a bunch of stuff.” It took a little time, but 2021 was the year he “really started getting back out.”

There’s no need to dwell on the past, said Lindholm. “It’s one of those things that’s not really worth thinking about, because you can’t really change it.” And while there may be a part of him that misses competing, he said that “the fun aspect overrides that. It’s still skiing. It’s still hanging out with friends outside.”

Kayo Ogilby was Lindholm’s biology and geology teacher at CRMS, as well as the coach of the big-mountain team at the time of Lindholm’s accident. The two have remained close to this day, fishing on the Roaring Fork, skiing or just catching up when they get the chance.

“I don’t even really know how to put words to it, but [it was the most] challenging, distressful, emotional moment of my career, if not my life,” said Ogilby of

Lindholm’s accident. “He was most likely going to win that competition,” he added.

Today, Ogilby is glad to know Lindholm is still making turns, noting that “watching him ski on a sit-ski is impressive — he’s full send.”

Ogilby and Lindholm also bonded over the fact that they both spend part of their summers in the Northwoods and enjoy open-water swimming in its lakes. And after Lindholm graduated, Ogilby first pitched a crazy idea: escaping Alcatraz. The Neptune Swimming Foundation, based in Arizona, holds an annual weekend event in the Bay Area, with the Alcatraz Swim one day and the Golden Gate Bridge Swim the next. All proceeds from the event go toward teaching kids to swim and preventing drownings in Maricopa County. Lindholm wasn’t quite at a place in his recovery to meet the challenge then, so the breakout was put on hold. That is, until this year.

Ogilibly comes from a family of strong swimmers. His daughter’s, Amélie and Laia, have joined their dad for the event in San Francisco. The whole family headed out this year, mostly to watch, and Lindholm jumped onboard.

Since December, he’s been training a few days a week, preparing to defy the urban legend and swim toward freedom from the notorious penitentiary. Not only were former inmates of the prison duped into believing the swim is a near impossible feat, but the general public has fallen for the claim as well thanks to tall tales and films, such as Don Siegel’s “Escape from Alcatraz.”

“I think that was a psychological thing the prison used. They’d tell everybody that if you touched the water, you’d drown and get eaten by sharks,” said Lindholm. “It was challenging, but it was not the hardest thing in the world.”

For the Alcatraz Swim, participants deboard from boats near the island and aim for the shore of San Francisco, about 1.4 miles away.

“The two biggest challenges are the water temperature and the current,” explained Ogilby. “They drop you at slack tide, and the longer you’re in the water, the more powerful the currents get.”

Lindholm is likely one of just a handful of adaptive swimmers who participate. He and Ogilby swam both events with no breaks, other than checking in on one another with little more than a nod or a couple of quick strategic words exchanged while on the move.

Part way through the Golden Gate Swim (1.2 miles), while coming up on an eddy, the duo came within about 10 feet of a sea lion. It was the first time Ogilby, who was participating in the event for his sixth time, had seen one from the water.

“Part of the power of witnessing his journey has been him being able to fully get back to pursuing these passions,” said Ogilby.

“I’m super thankful to Kayo and his family for letting me tag along,” Lindholm humbly concluded.

Soren Lindholm with Kayo Ogilby after a successful escape in April. Courtesy photo

Community rallies to revive RFHS greenhouse, garden

RALEIGH BURLEIGH

Sopris Sun Editor

Editor’s note: I, Raleigh Burleigh, was a student at Roaring Fork High School and in its inaugural agriculture-biology class in 2011. The experience gave me a connection with several local elders in sustainability, as well as a greater appreciation for the wisdom of plants.

In the year 2010, Roaring Fork High School (RFHS) — with assistance from local nonprofits Fat City Farmers and Central Rocky Mountain Permaculture Institute (CRMPI) — welcomed the installation of a new 42-foot diameter “grow dome” greenhouse on campus. This was just a few years after the new high school was built along Highway 133. Yampah Mountain High School paved the way, completing their own grow dome in 2009.

Making use of “climate battery” technology, circulating sun-warmed air via underground pipes, the dome maintains year-round growing conditions without the use of fossil fuels. Eco Systems Designs provided the blueprint, modeled after successes at CRMPI, including the presence of a fig and pomegranate tree.

Illène Pevec, then a University of Colorado PhD candidate, arranged an AmeriCorps program on the site, earning student-interns money toward college along with real-world work experience. Her interviews with students at RFHS, Yampah, Colorado Rocky Mountain School and others resulted in a book: “Growing a Life: Teen Gardeners Harvest Food, Health, and Joy.”

RFHS science educator Hadley Hentschel used the dome for an agriculture-biology class which welcomed local experts to teach about the pitfalls of our industrial food system and potential solutions. With the addition of outdoor growing beds and fruit trees surrounding the dome, students were soon producing food to be used by the school cafeteria for more nutritious meals. In 2014, the project received a visit from Janey Thornton, then an undersecretary for the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

“The mental health aspect of it for kids is enormous,” Pevec commented. “They have time outside, touching the Earth, watching things growing, feeling empowered by what they do. They can see the results of what they’re doing; they work

with adults who are in a mentorship relationship with them.”

Gradually, the gardens fell into decline and that program was put on pause. With Hadley now teaching at Carbondale Middle School, RFHS principal Lindsay Hentschel (also Hadley’s wife) is working with RFHS science teacher Megan Ravenscraft to revive the gardens with help from volunteers and the Garfield County CSU Extension. At a Feb. 6 planning meeting, Lindsay attributed the current state of affairs to responsibility falling on individuals, rather than a system. Also, with so much work to be done during the summer months, when students are out of session, it was a losing battle with the weeds.

Nonetheless, “Where else can one be part of a community garden with a greenhouse harboring a year-round Mediterranean climate, complete with a mature and productive fig tree and kiwi vines?” Michael Thompson, an architect who first brought the dome to fruition, mused. “Where else to harvest plenty of pears, apples, apricots and plums in the first year, on mature trees outside?”

Efforts are already underway to rebuild the raised bed soil in the greenhouse, replace the climate battery fans, build a new

irrigation system indoors and outdoors, repair the dome roof vents, retape the polycarbonate glazing panels on the outside and replace the insulation in the north side.

This group hopes the community will get engaged as they see fit. There’s even a set-up for keeping bees — complete with an electric fence — that is currently unused, Pevec noted, if any community member desired to take that aspect on. Additional improvements will include a shade structure and benches. There’s also a hoop house on the property in need of a new skin and end walls. Roaring Fork Outdoor Volunteers is already actively hosting projects on the site.

Eventually, the group would like to have an accessible sensory garden planted, to compliment all the other features. Mariah Foley works for the CSU Extension and lives at the new Meadowood teacher housing nearby, thanks to her husband working for the school district. She is optimistic about getting other members of that housing development involved. Lindsay called her presence “a perfect miracle.”

“It can be a really amazing space,” Lindsay said. “There’s no reason that only one class needs to use it. There should be potential for English classes to go out and

have writing time, art classes to paint flowers. [Woodshop teacher] Mr. Black wants to build benches and things to go out there.”

RFHS parent Karen Crownhart has also come forth to help shape up the irrigation system and outdoor gardens. She sits on an advisory committee meeting regularly to secure funding and keep projects on track.

“My hope is that with an advisory committee, even if certain individuals leave, because it’s a standing committee, other people would join,” remarked Lindsay. Those interested in joining the committee, or lending a hand (or heavy machinery), can contact lhentschel@rfschools.com

Specifically, a contractor is sought to 1) help bury an electrical line and 2) dig a trench and tap into the water main, ideally this summer into early fall.

Keep an eye out for future volunteer opportunities, including a tour of the property on June 23. Community members are invited to lend a hand anytime from noon to 5:30pm followed by a focused interest meeting and a potluck. The grow dome is located on the east side of the RFHS building. Questions? Contact the garden coordinator at mariah.foley@colostate.edu

From left to right: Illène Pevec, Mariah Foley and Michael Thompson helped lead a tree pruning workshop with Colorado Edible Forest at RFHS in February. Photo by Raleigh Burleigh

Maddie Lucks first to represent Roaring Fork High School Speech and Debate Team at Nationals

GUS RICHARDSON Sopris Sun Correspondent

Editor’s note: Gus Richardson was a member of the speech team for three years, including as the captain of interpretation events for one year.

Roaring Fork High School’s (RFHS) Speech and Debate Team has had a storied past. Pre-pandemic, the team was doing just swell — attending local conferences and meets, but not going too far beyond that. Sadly, when COVID-19 hit, the speech team fell apart more or less. But in 2021, with the help of Coach Denise Wright, the Speech and Debate Team returned with unprecedented success.

Over the forthcoming three years, RFHS competed against teams 10-times its size and consistently held its ground. RFHS took home first place medals from state competitions, trophies for all categories and gained major amounts of respect from teams that had never expected the Rams to show up on their radar.

Keeping up the streak, Maddie Lucks, a sophmore on the team, will be the first RFHS student to go to the National Speech and Debate Tournament later this month. Lucks is a formidable force of the speech team, consistently taking home first place in many different event categories — particularly Lincoln-Douglass and Original Oratory debates. However, Lucks is taking on a somewhat new venture at Nationals: Congressional Debate.

“I ended up qualifying because someone who actually qualified couldn’t go, so they called me in as a runner up,” Lucks told The Sopris Sun, laughing. “So I’m kind of disappointed I didn’t qualify for one of my main events, but it’s fine.”

Despite her self-deprecation, Lucks is at least a few steps above proficient in Congress, as she was a strong contender in the national qualifiers for the event. She has proven her skill level in the art of debate throughout the season, and has placed a total of six times this year alone.

To tie her back in with the rest of the team, Lucks is the

RFHS Speech and Debate Team’s captain of debate events, a title that indicates her ability to answer questions and offer support when it comes to all forms of debate. She is well liked by the team, which is proud of her and positive that she will do incredibly well at the conference.

Lucks heads to Des Moines, Iowa for the national tournament on June 15, and returns June 20. Her goals for the competition are to improve her extemporaneous speaking and to “reach as far as [she] possibly can” past the preliminary rounds. The achievement of going to nationals in and of itself isn’t lost on her, however.

“I’m excited that Roaring Fork finally has somebody going to Nationals for speech and debate,” said Lucks. “Regardless of how we do, we’re going out and being recognized at a national level.”

For more on the 2025 National Speech and Debate Tournament and to follow Lucks’ progress, visit www.speechanddebate. org/national-tournament-2025

Top: Maddie Lucks (left) with teammate Nicola Stringham. Photo courtesy of Denise Wright

Bottom: Roaring Fork High School Speech and Debate team (left to right from the top): Maya Lindbloom, Iggy Richardson, Kayla Kaufman, Maddie Lucks, Kate Taylor, Noah Kihnley, Kinley Richmond, Nicola Stringham, Gus Richardson, Juno Zislis and Coach Denise Wright. Courtesy photo

Bidding adieu to 2024-2025, and prepping for next school year

ANNALISE GRUETER

Sopris Sun Correspondent

Last month, the Roaring Fork School District (RFSD) announced new school leaders, reviewed district policies, recognized departing high school graduates and navigated public tensions. Busy agendas marked a year of challenges, changes and resilience.

On May 6, RFSD announced two additional assistant principal hires, following earlier administration appointments made in late March and early April. Missy Britton will serve as the interim assistant principal for Riverview School during the upcoming school year. Britton has worked at Riverview in teaching and administrative roles since the school opened in 2017. Nicole Johnson will be the new assistant principal at Crystal River Elementary. Johnson spent the past four years as the assistant principal at Fort Morgan High School, and previously taught for 10 years.

On May 16, the district additionally announced interim principal and interim assistant principal hirings at Sopris Elementary School. Carrie Hassel, who has been the school’s assistant principal for eight years, will assume the interim principal position. Sam Hawk has taught at the school for seven years and is stepping into the interim assistant principal role. The process to hire permanent placements will launch in November.

The district’s first board meeting of the month covered significant territory, lasting more than three hours and included a review of the 2024-2025 Equity Impact Statement, a finance update, a health insurance recommendation, multiple resolutions recognizing holidays, an intergovernmental agreement with the City of Glenwood Springs and final adjustments to the 2026-2027 academic calendar.

For the superintendent report, Dr. Anna Cole addressed the district’s 2024-2025 Equity Impact Statement, touching on its progress toward aligning, integrating and advancing diversity and inclusion in schools.

The document includes 10 categories and lays out goals for the 2025-2026 academic year.

Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Christy Chicoine provided a third-quarter financial update, highlighting near-term expectations for five funds — including the Technology Mill Fund and Health Insurance Fund.

The board heard presentations regarding seven policy updates, ranging from bullying prevention and education to open enrollment. The full text for each proposed policy adjustment is linked in the board agenda and approval is recommended as soon as possible. Two more policies were presented for first readings regarding early literacy and reading comprehension and graduation requirements.

That same week, RFSD recognized its 245 graduating seniors ahead of commencement ceremonies on May 23 and 24. Over 20% of the graduates were awarded a total of $850,400 in local scholarships. Two district students, Ty Hesse and Amanda Madden, were among 50 statewide Boettcher Scholarship recipients.

“We are so proud of the class of 2025. We look forward to celebrating their many accomplishments along with their families, friends and, importantly, the teachers, staff and administrators who supported their academic journey,” Cole stated.

During May 28’s superintendent report, Cole shared a thorough one-year strategic plan update and co-presented a school safety and security update with Chief Operating Officer Ben Bohmfalk and School Safety and Security Coordinator Dustin Gehring. CFO Chicoine then presented a draft of the 2025-2026 budget. The board reviewed the early literacy and graduation requirement policies introduced at the previous meeting, with recommendations to adopt and implement those as soon as possible. From there, its members proceeded to formally certify the 2025 district graduates.

On May 23, Riverview School opened a public disc golf course designed and built by its seventh and eighthgrade students.

“We’re thrilled to offer a new opportunity for our community to connect, be active and explore the outdoors,” said Shawn Waaler, a Riverview teacher who supported the project. “This fast-growing sport, often described as a mix of traditional golf and frisbee, now has a home here.”

Last week, the regional Latino advocacy group Voces Unidas de las Montañas announced it would halt collaborations with RFSD and Superintendent Cole. Voces Unidas expressed that RFSD is not moving quickly enough to address inequities and the achievement gap between Latino and white students. Cole has indicated that she and the board are making efforts to address Voces Unidas’ concerns and resume regular collaborative meetings.

The final regular board meeting of the 2024-2025 school year will be held on June 11, 6:15pm, at the District Office in Carbondale. The board will host a virtual meeting on June 25 to approve the 2025-2026 budget.

Carrie Hassel (left) and Sam Hawk will assume the interim principal and assistant principal positions, respectively, at Sopris Elementary school. Courtesy photo

Get ready for of Music on the Mountain! an epic night

THURSDAY, JUNE 5

ZINE WORKSHOP

DANCEASPEN

Basalt Library invites you to create a mini magazine exploring collage, drawing and typography techniques from 5 to 7pm. Registration is required at www.basaltlibrary.org/events-calendar

ART AROUND TOWN

Tour Carondale’s new public art on loan! The caravan will depart from Town Hall at 5:30pm and conclude with an artist reception at Marble Distilling.

NUTRITION

TACAW presents “In Progress,” a new series offering the opportunity to witness the creative processes behind some of the Valley’s arts organizations. DanceAspen will kick it off at 7pm. Tickets at www.tacaw.org

BIG B’S

Big B’s in Hotchkiss presents Glitterfox at 7:30pm.

EMILY HICKS

Emily Hicks performs at Steve’s Guitars at 8pm. Tickets at www.stevesguitars.net

SPANISH MENTALIST

Madeline Kent teaches “Energetics of Nutrition” at True Nature from 5:30 to 7pm. Tickets at www.truenaturehealingarts.com

In support of Sopris Sun & Sol del Valle, your nonprofit community newspapers. Your presence makes a di erence! .

Saturday, June 14, from 6 PM to 9 PM

Featuring: Roka Hueka, Denver’s premier Latin Ska band, bringing a high-energy mix of Cumbia, Funk, Reggae, Soul, Punk, and Ska.

WILD WEST RODEO

The Wheeler Opera House welcomes Santiago Michel, a renowned mentalist, for a magic performance in Spanish at 8pm. Tickets at www.aspenshowtix.com

ROOFTOP SCREENING

The Carbondale Wild West Rodeo kicks off its summer season at the Gus Darien Riding Arena with trick riding by Cortney Clabaugh. Gates open at 5pm, slack starts at 5:45pm and grand entry is at 7:30pm. Free shuttles run from The Orchard and 4th and Colorado between 6 and 10pm.

CEASEFIRE FILM

Ceasefire Now RFV presents “No Other Land,” a documentary co-directed by Palestinian journalist Basel Adra and Israeli journalist Yuval Abraham, at the Glenwood Springs Library at 7pm.

TYLLER GUMMERSALL

Steve’s Guitars presents Tyller Gummersall performing at 8pm. Tickets at www. stevesguitars.net

FRIDAY, JUNE 6

BIKE RODEO

The Carbondale Police Department hosts a bike rodeo at Roaring Fork High School from 10am to 2pm. Participants will enjoy an obstacle course, barbeque lunch, safety tips, bike repair training and the chance to win prizes.

BLUEGRASS AND ROOTS

The Palisade Bluegrass and Roots Festival truly kicks off at 11am today (not last Friday as mistakenly reported) and continues through Sunday. For the schedule and tickets, visit www.palisademusic.com

NATURE JOURNALING

Adults who wish to explore, observe and creatively document nature are invited to join other sketchbook artists and writers at the Carbondale Library from 1 to 2:30pm.

YOUTH ARTS

Gates Open 5:00 p.m. Slack 5:45 p.m. Grand Entry 7:30 p.m.

Admission: Adults

Reduced price tickets available at Roaring Fork Valley CO-OP in Carbondale and at Bullock’s Western Wear in Glenwood Springs.

Gus Darien Arena

1 mile East of Carbondale on Catherine Store Road

The Carbondale Arts gallery presents its “Youth Arts Showcase” with a reception from 5 to 7pm and artist talk at 5:30pm.

RIVER SPELL

Catch a live performance by River Spell at Chacos Park from 5:30 to 8:30pm.

PRIDE FRIDAY

Carbondale’s First Friday celebration includes a Pride parade tonight at 6:15pm. LGBTQ+ folks and allies are welcome to join the lineup at 2nd and Main at 5:45pm.

CLAY CENTER

The Carbondale Clay Center hosts a closing reception for its “Pairings” exhibit from 6 to 8pm. All purchases can be redeemed for a complimentary beverage to enjoy in your new vessel.

CRYSTAL THEATRE

“The Phoenician Scheme” opens at the Crystal Theatre at 7pm and continues tomorrow, Wednesday and Thursday at 7pm. Sunday’s show is at 5pm.

Aspen Film and the Aspen Art Museum present a screening of Douglas Sirk’s film, “Imitation of Life,” on the museum roof at 8:30pm. Tickets at www.aspenfilm.org

SATURDAY, JUNE 7

RFOV AT COAL BASIN

For National Trails Day, Roaring Fork Outdoor Volunteers continues its 30th anniversary celebrations with a community restoration project at Coal Basin Ranch from 9am to 3pm. Register at www.rfov.org

UNITIVE CONSCIOUSNESS

The Aspen Chapel hosts “The Aspen Forum on Forming a Unitive Consciousness” from 9am to noon today and tomorrow, online and in-person. Speakers include Marianne Williamson, Tim Shriver, Mirabai Starr, Matthew Fox, Cynthia Bourgeault, Andrew Harvey and Susan Aposhyan. Register at www.aspenwisdom.org

WAKE THE VOICE

Liat Arochas invites you to unlock the healing potential of your voice with a workshop at True Nature from 10am to 1pm. Tickets at www.truenaturehealingarts.com

AZYEP BIRTHDAY BASH

Andy Zanca Youth Empowerment Program, Carbondale’s beloved youth radio nonprofit, celebrates 25 years of getting kids on the airwaves with a youth block party and music festival in front of KDNK Community Access Radio (76 South Second Street) from noon to 4pm.

GLENWOOD PRIDE

Cook Inclusive hosts a Pride celebration in Glenwood Springs at Two Rivers Park from noon to 10pm with live music, drag performers and more.

MAGICAL MOMENTS

Redstone’s Magical Moments summer concert series kicks off with River Spell, a Colorado-based jam band with Carbondalian Zach Ritchie on drums, at Coal Basin Ranch from 4 to 5:30pm - in conjunction with Roaring Fork Outdoor Volunteers’ 30th anniversary restoration project.

RIVERFEST

North Fork Valley groups host Riverfest at Paonia River Park from 4 to 5:30pm, with music, food and activities in celebration of the North Fork of the Gunnison River.

PHOTO WORKSHOP

Professional conservation photographer Jon Mullen leads a free Wilderness Workshop photography outing at the Ruedi Reservoir from 5 to 9pm. A free dinner will be provided with registration for all attendees. Sign up at www.wildernessworkshop.org/events

TAYLOR RAE

Taylor Rae performs at Steve’s Guitars at 8pm. Tickets at www.stevesguitars.net

SUNDAY, JUNE 8

HOLDING PRACTICES

A Spiritual Center welcomes Gwen Garcelon discussing useful practices for holding your personal grounding in the face of today’s challenges at the Third Street Center (Room 31) from 10 to 11:30am.

TRANSFORM & TRANSCEND

Christian Minson leads an integrative breathwork event at True Nature from 4 to 6:30pm. Tickets at www.truenaturehealingarts.com

REDSTONE HISTORY

The Redstone Historical Society hosts geologist-historian Ron Sorter in conversation with Dorothea Farris at the Redstone Inn at 5pm.

EL PLACER DE LEER

Discover the joy of reading in Spanish with Angélica Breña at the Basalt Library from 5 to 6:30pm. Participants should be comfortable reading and speaking Spanish. More details at www.basaltlibrary. org

MARC DOUGLAS BERARDO

Steve’s Guitars presents singer-songwriter Marc Douglas Berardo at 8pm. Tickets at www.stevesguitars.net

TUESDAY, JUNE 10

KID YOGA

Kids, ages 3 to 10, are invited to a fun yoga session at the Basalt Library from 10:30 to 11:30am. Guardians are also welcome!

INTERNET SECURITY

Learn tips to help keep your computer and personal information safe at the Basalt Library from 2:30 to 3:30pm.

SACRED BROTHERHOOD

Kyle Jason Leitzke guides a conversation for “heart-centered men committed to self-leadership and fulfillment” at True Nature from 6 to 7pm. Registration at www.truenaturehealingarts.com

DRAWING CLUB

The Roaring Fork Drawing Club meets at White River Books at 6:30pm.

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 11

FARMERS’ MARKET

The Carbondale Farmers’ Market season is underway, every Wednesday from 10am to 3pm at 4th and Main.

BLAST OFF!

The Basalt High School Aerospace Club shows middle schoolers how to make small rockets with real engines at the Basalt Library from 1 to 2:30pm. Registration is encouraged.

KIVA TOUR

True Nature invites you to tour the Kiva, a 2024 AIA Colorado Design Award of Honorable Mention, from 5 to 6pm.

RIO GRANDE WEEDING

Carbondale Arts welcomes help stewarding the Rio Grande ARTway from 5 to 7pm. RSVP at www.carbondalearts.com/ the-artway-1

FLOWER ARRANGING

The Aspen Art Museum offers a flower arranging workshop with Keegan Amit and Mountain Flowers of Aspen at 5pm. Registration at www.aspenartmuseum. org/calendar

KIDS FLICKS

TACAW presents a free, Pride-themed screening of short films for kids at 6pm. RSVP at www.tacaw.org

RAINY EYES

Steve’s Guitars welcomes Rainy Eyes for an 8pm performance. Tickets at www. stevesguitars.net

THURSDAY, JUNE 12

WILD WORDS

Jess Barnum teaches “Wild Words Whisper,” a three-part storytelling and journaling series at True Nature from 10am to noon. Learn more at www. truenaturehealingarts.com

NONFICTION BOOK CLUB

The Nonfiction Book Club explores this month’s theme, adventure, at the Carbondale Library from 2 to 3:30pm. For more details, call 970-963-2889.

BANNED BOOK CLUB

The Banned Book Club discusses “Nineteen Minutes” by Jodi Picoult at the Basalt Library from 4 to 5pm. There is a virtual attendance option. More details at www.basaltlibrary.org

WEST AFRICAN MUSIC

Sean Gaskell performs melodies on the kora, a 21-stringed West African harp, at the Basalt Library from 5:30 to 6:45pm. Refreshments will be served at 5pm.

TOWN MANAGER FINALISTS

Meet the four finalists vying to be Carbondale’s next town manager at the Third Street Center from 5:30 to 7:30pm.

COMMUNITY PARTY

Wilderness Workshop’s annual Community Party takes place in Sopris Park from 5:30 to 8:30pm with music by Sweet Jessup and the Dirty Buckets, dinner, drinks and activities for all ages.

WOMEN’S HEALTH

The Aspen Institute presents “The New Menopause: Navigating Your Path Through Hormonal Change with Purpose, Power and Facts” from 6 to 7pm. For more info, visit as.pn/ acpevents

PRIDE PAGEANT

The Aspen Art Museum hosts a free drag pageant from 6 to 9pm. Register for free at www.aspenartmuseum.org/ calendar

SHOSHONE HISTORY

Join the Glenwood Springs Historical Society and Josh Mattson of Xcel Energy for a look at the construction and modern operation of the Shoshone Hydroelectric Plant at the Glenwood Springs Library at 6:30pm. The event is free and donations are welcome.

BOOKS IN BARS

The Carbondale Library invites you to meet at Beer Works to discuss “The Great Gatsby” by F. Scott Fitzgerald at 7pm.

‘ASSASSINS’

SoL Theatre Company presents “Assassins” at Thunder River Theatre with shows tonight and tomorrow at 7:30pm and Sunday at 2pm. Shows will continue next week, too. Find tickets at www.soltheatrecompany.org

COUNTRY MUSIC

TACAW hosts a country music night with Dave Alvin and Jimmie Dale Gilmore with The Guilty Ones and the Taylor Scott Band. Tickets at www.tacaw.org

More info at www.rfyo.org

) Join us for a community meeting, where you'll have the opportunity to meet the finalists for the Town Manager position and ask them questions.

THURSDAY, JUNE 12, 2025

5 : 3 0 P M - 7 : 3 0 P M

The Carbondale All-Stars String Band (Larry Gottlieb, Natalie Spears, Mike Facey, Ross Kribbs, Delaney Meyers, William Brown, Lindsay Bobyak, Paul Holsinger) will perform “Bach to Bluegrass,” from 6 to 9pm June 13 at the Thompson Barn in River Valley Ranch — a fundraiser for the Roaring Fork Youth Orchestra (pictured; courtesy photo).

Fatherhood retreat invites introspection, healing

RALEIGH BURLEIGH

Sopris Sun Editor

Consciously or not, most people are at least partially defined by their relationship to a father figure, or lack thereof. Fathers have much to teach us about how to responsibly engage with the world. Sometimes, we’re inadvertently left with emotional wounds to heal.

Kyle Jason Lietzke came upon a trove of sentiments when he poised a “fatherhood” theme at a monthly men’s group hosted at True Nature last year. This inspired him to dedicate a day to the topic with a retreat at 13 Moons Ranch this June 14.

“Whether you’re a father, a father-to-be, dream of becoming a father or have chosen a different path — we are all sons,” the invitation reads. “Every son carries a story about fatherhood and that story shapes how we lead, love and live.”

The day-long convening will blend dialogue with ceremony, intending to celebrate the masculine while also addressing unresolved pain. Participants will be empowered with skills and practices for processing their emotions and communicating effectively with others.

“When I was 7, my older brother, Ryan, died,” Lietzke told The Sopris Sun. “The positives of that were, I saw how sacred life was and wanted to make my life count.” Among the challenges, “That on top of some other tragedies my father had already experienced in his life really broke him to another degree. A part of him died and maybe wasn’t accessible for me in my life growing up.”

Lietzke witnessed his father as “a man who was unhealed in many ways and unfulfilled in many ways, feeling some regret in his life.” Before his father succumbed to cancer and to this day, Lietzke has deliberately mined that relationship for lessons. “I saw the power in my own life with my father of how doing my work around my relationship with him helped me be in better relationship with myself.”

Joining Lietzke, co-facilitator Christopher O’Connell brings a passion for holding ritual and providing sacred space for personal transformation. He has trained in the necessary skills to gather men vulnerably in order to shift patterns and make meaningful choices. O’Connell said his father was once an alcoholic and a “rage-oholic” who came to his own healing via a Christian lineage, and the two now enjoy a good relationship thanks to doing their inner work.

“Kyle is leading the way,” O’Connell remarked. He called the retreat “another step in creating a really powerful men’s community,” helping local fathers, sons and brothers learn to rise above reactionary blame, rage and victimhood to take responsibility for their experience. He acknowledged how traditions around the world initiate boys into men, often with an intense ceremony like a vision quest, to teach emotional and psychological maturity.

He added, “An initiation gives the opportunity to say, ‘Something has happened but I am responsible, so I need to look inside and see how this has triggered me and how I can shift something within me so I can be sturdy, I can be strong — for myself, for my family, for my community.”

Lietzke will incorporate his Fulfillment Code approach — helping participants balance purpose with prosperity and pleasure to cultivate inner peace. An Ayurvedic coach, Lietzke created this framework based on ancient Vedic philosophy.

“All of us want to feel full. I’m the guest chef that comes in and checks what’s the ingredients, what’s missing and how do we put it together in a fulfilling meal for each of us in this season of life,” he mused.

He noted that “the medicine of these mountains is so strong, it’s almost kind of a double-edged sword. When we don’t have it, it’s hard to be without it.” He added, “People come to these beautiful mountains to heal and to enjoy nature and let it be our teacher and our healer. And also part of that process is bringing things up we didn’t always know were there.”

The ultimate goal is to create a safe enough space that men might open up about things they’ve never shared, then feel acceptance and love from fellow men. The day will include somatic work and the elements to journey into a soul-level experience from which to build a more authentically aligned life. To preserve intimacy, the retreat is limited to 10 participants.

IN A NUTSHELL

What: Healing & Celebrating Fatherhood Retreat

Where: 13 Moons Ranch

When: Saturday, June 14

Why: To empower a more healthy masculinity

How: www.bit.ly/June14retreat

Thriving

Kyle Jason Lietzke and his own father, now deceased. Courtesy photo

It’s not just about the books

My name is Jocelyn Durrance. I was a librarian for 30 years. I joined the Garfield County Public Library Board in March 2020. Things were good. Board meetings ran smoothly.

Library board trustees included an attorney, a single Latina mom with high school aged children, a 30-year retired librarian and a Parachute resident with years of board experience who knew the county history. Things were good until they weren’t. It all happened so suddenly. There was trouble in paradise.

In August of 2022, a gentleman made a public comment at the library board meeting. He stated that there was a book on display at a 6-year-old’s eye level and that the book was pornographic with illustrations you would not want a 6-year-old to see. He asked, “Why would a library do such a thing?” The fact is that the library staff did not place the book in that location where a 6-year-old could see it — someone else did.

There were, at the same meetings, many supporters, far outnumbering the complainants, who made public comments praising the Garfield County Public Library District (GCPLD). I genuinely thank them.

OPINION

Guest Column

As all of this was happening, the Garfield Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) passed a resolution stating that they would take over the process of appointing trustees to the library board. This meant that the BOCC would, from that point on, announce upcoming library board vacancies, create the interview questions, interview all applicants and make the final selection and appointment of the new trustee. One member of the library board was invited to create an interview question, participate in the interview process and make a recommendation to the BOCC, but the library trustee had no vote.

By Jocelyn Durrance

As time went on, the same gentleman attended every board meeting. His contingency grew in numbers. In the end, there were, and continue to be, approximately seven hardcore supporters who are sympathetic to this gentleman’s issues. They began to attend library board meetings. At each meeting, they continued to make public comments. The topics of the comments began to vary and broaden. They included the following:

• Librarians are groomers and pedophiles

• The American Library Association (known as the ALA) is a Marxist organization and the library should cancel its membership to ALA

• The executive director makes too much money

• The library executive director should be fired

• The library board president should be in prison

• The library should be defunded

Vacancies began to open. Adding insult to injury, as trustees came up for reappointment, they were asked to re-apply for the position, and were ultimately not reappointed. The BOCC was on its way to stacking the library board. The BOCC took up the cause of followers of right-wing agendas. The BOCC’s goal became: one, to remove the library board president and two, to fire the executive director.

Jamie LaRue, GCPLD’s executive director, is a nationally renowned hero of public libraries who has 20 years of experience as the library director of Douglas County Libraries and is known as an impeccable leader. LaRue ran the Office of Intellectual Freedom at the American Library Association. Let’s look at some 2024 data:

• Programs for children 1-5 numbered 768 onsite with 15,916 attendees

• 1,788 children, 350 teens and 898 adults signed up for summer reading programs

• 376,720 physical items circulated

• 137,725 electronic items circulated

• 2,316 people registered for meeting rooms

• 9,772 people booked study rooms

• There were 196 internet connected computers for public use

And let’s look at some awards received by the Garfield County Libraries:

• The Colorado Association of Libraries’ (CAL) Library Partnership of the year award won by Gabe Cohen and Amy Tonozzi for the Rifle Branch Library & Discovery Café

• CAL Outstanding Trustee of the Year Award won by Garfield County Library Board President Adrian Rippy-Sheehy

• CAL Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Award for Spanish Services

• The Glenwood Springs Post Independent Locals’ Choice award for Top Librarian this year went to LaRue, with New Castle Branch librarian Ana Gaytan as a finalist

• The district was also a finalist for Best Customer Service (non-restaurant)

Protect Our GarCo Libraries (POGL) would love your help. We ask that you visit the POGL website at www.protectourgarcolibraries.org and add your name to our contact list. Sign the petition on the website calling on the Library Board of Trustees and the BOCC to protect and preserve the nonpartisan values of our public library and ensure that everyone has access to a range of materials that meet the wide variety of interests and needs of Garfield County residents. Attend library board meetings and make a public comment. Attend BOCC meetings and make a public comment. Email the county commissioners.

In conclusion, Garfield County has six libraries from Carbondale to Parachute that provide services at a level equal to a city library district. As a rural library district, Garfield County libraries are the envy of many. So please, believe me when I say that libraries in Garfield County are not broken. What is there to fix?

PRIMARY REGION’S LARGEST NETWORK OF

CARE.

My class recently came to our house for the end-of-the-year dinner. It is always a tender time as we get to appreciate them for what they have done, what they have given us and who they are!

We ate, marveling at a large bull snake that seemed to want to share our burritos, and then the students spoke about their final projects.

As teachers, we listened, awed by their presence, their intelligence and kindness, and teared up hearing their passionate concerns for the health of our environment and our nation. We listened to their clear and precise notions about how to work toward a more just and sustainable world.

Everything they stated was infused with concern for an inclusive community, with notions of “self” held in the context of collective well-being. Their concerns often referenced respect for Aldo Leopold’s land ethic — to protect the beauty, stability and integrity of our communities. Their voices rang out loud and clear, exhibiting a tensile strength to right the wrongs they face. Each student showed selflessness and a desire to be a part of the “good fight.”

These same young people are currently in the crosshairs of a shockingly corrupt administration whose brutal antics could not be further from Leopold’s land ethic. These students’ futures are threatened by the administration’s efforts to destroy the “highest aspirations of the human spirit,” in the words of David Brooks. The erasure of climate protections, diminished

Part of ‘the good fight’

health care and educational opportunities and a flagrant disregard for basic rights, equality, safety and due process. But even as they face historic attacks, even as one by one their opportunities are stolen from them, they are not cynical. They are eloquent about how and where America’s celebrated yet risky allegiance to individualism went south.

Teddy Wroblewski, a student from Colorado Rocky Mountain School, wrote:

“Living in America, we are faced with a consumerist, capitalist mindset that has been the cause of injustices, such as slavery, economic inequality and environmental degradation.”

by their conscience. Basalt student Max Lowsky, while volunteering for a Congressional campaign last fall, wrote of a conversation where he learned the truth about health care.

and our voice to stand up for those who can’t speak, whether that’s vulnerable communities or the planet itself.”

Wroblewski further writes:

OPINION SEEKING HAYSTACKS

By A.O. Forbes

My students don’t fall for national anthems that privilege myth over hard facts. They are often living the hard facts, but still they are interested in learning how to create a more just society. They embody what John Dewey argued for: understanding that community must be the ultimate context for education, as it informs the collective conscience for our nation. They engage in our classes as a way of learning to respond to life’s challenges more skillfully, a way of shaping and being shaped

“[Author] Bryan Stevenson emphasizes the importance of proximity to an issue, arguing that ‘you can’t understand most of the important things from a distance.’ Speaking to this voter brought me into close contact with the harsh realities of a system that prioritizes pharmaceutical profits over people’s well-being. Her story forced me to come face-to-face with an issue I had previously viewed as abstract, forcing me to confront how it impacts people’s lives on a day-to-day basis. Stevenson states that, “‘the opposite of poverty is not wealth; the opposite of poverty is justice.’”

CRMS student Morgan Grotjahn wrote:

“The essentials to fighting the good fight must start with this: because we can — and because we must. I feel a deep connection to more than just other people; I feel it with the Earth, with the land, the air, the trees and all living things. That connection makes me want to protect what matters, not just for today, but for the future. Fighting the good fight means using our agency

“Solutions to (these) injustices do not lie in the outcome. Maybe our redemption comes from the struggle itself. Maybe it is in the effort, the striving for equality and freedom, that we become ‘human.’ We must embrace the struggle, the process, if we seek to change.”

To my students: Your reverence for decency and dignity has marked my soul. I’ve seen you try to redeem our nation’s untidy truths, passionately work to balance our individual and collective sensibilities and care for each other with a gentle ferocity, always giving your best. I am truly touched by “the better angels of your nature.”

To our community: As we wrestle with the heartless corruption of today’s government, might we be schooled by our youth, who know that we honor our humanity and the world by fighting for what is right. And that this is what makes us fully human. Roaring Fork student Jane Taylor beautifully articulated the power of mind, body and spirit that forge the core of America’s humanistic tradition:

“What makes our lives worth living is to engage in actions that are in accord with our values, whatever happens in the world … I cannot imagine what more we might ask for, than to live a life that is driven by our values, that is directed toward a project of world-historical importance, to heal both ourselves and the Earth.”

Best Buddies Friendship Walk returns to the Valley with about 300 participants

BIANCA GODINA & FELIPE PEREZ

Sol del Valle

Best Buddies, an international nonprofit with a local chapter, welcomed in the month of June at Basalt River Park with its “Caminata de la Amistad,” aka Friendship Walk. It was an event for people of all abilities, full of friendship, fun and community spirit.

This is the second year the walk has taken place in Basalt, as part of a national movement that promotes the inclusion of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Since its creation in 2009, the Friendship Walk has brought together more than 350,000 participants in over 80 cities across the United States — and raised more than $30 million. This year, the Basalt event boasted 53 teams and around 300 participants.

Throughout the day, there were activities for all ages, including crafts, an interactive farm and the return of popular DJ Naka G. The experience was made even more special thanks to delicious food prepared by Chef Matthew Zubrod and his team from Viceroy Snowmass, along with free mangos courtesy of Best Buddies and their dedicated team of volunteers.

According to Program Director Michelle Stiller, Best Buddies supports people with intellectual and developmental disabilities to build meaningful friendships with peers, find dignified jobs, live independently and develop skills to make decisions and advocate for themselves.

“The Friendship Walk brings communities and friends together. We are thrilled to promote inclusion in the Valley and create an event where everyone feels included,” Stiller shared. She added, “Everyone wants to be a friend.”

For her, it is very meaningful to see community members interact with one another, share a meal, a few words and

moments of togetherness, thus creating a more integrated and equitable community.

One of the most celebrated aspects of the event was the participation of the Gentlemen of Aspen Rugby Football Club, who joined as official sports ambassadors. This role included organizing inclusive, no-contact activities designed so people of all levels can play, have fun and feel welcome.

Ella Munk, a Best Buddies participant, said with a smile, “I’m glad there’s a rugby team that likes to play with us.”

commented, “Community is essential to our club, and we’re proud to support Best Buddies. Rugby, like this event, is about unity, teamwork and family.”

For those who wish to join this cause, there is still time to

contribute. The funds raised support local programs that promote one-to-one friendships, inclusive employment, leadership development, housing and family support for people with disabilities. Donations can be made through www.bestbuddies. org/donate

For his part, team captain Risteard Mulcahy

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

Best Buddies saw a great turnout for its 2025 Friendship Walk in Basalt last weekend.

Photos by Margarita Alvarez

Share your works in progress with readers by emailing illustrations, creative writings and poetry to fiction@soprissun.com

Carbondale Treasure Hunt

Inspired by Forest Fenn, we have a treasure hunt you can more easily win. Look for a clue in the Sopris Sun to let you know when the hunt has begun. The treasure vault awaits the clever mind, who reads the clues and seeks to find. Before each First Friday’s celebration starts, this treasure will be hidden in Carbondale’s heart. Through Main Street’s charm and gallery halls, past murals bright on building walls. The treasure waits where artists gather, where community bonds grow ever stronger. So, gather friends and family near, let the hunt begin without a fear. For somewhere in this valley blessed, adventure calls — begin your quest!

For First Friday, June 6

IN A TOWN WHERE COAL ONCE RAN LIKE RIVERS BLACK, AND RAILROAD DREAMS PUT US ON THE MAP, I STAND APART FROM THE BUSY STREET’S TRACK, A CRIMSON GUARDIAN FROM ACROSS THE GAP.

MY HOMELAND’S CROWN ONCE RULED THE WAVES, WHILE CARBONDALE’S MINERS WORKED IN CAVES.

THOUGH I’M FAR FROM LONDON’S FOGGY HAZE,

Comparte tus proyectos creativos aún en proceso con nuestros lectores. Puedes enviarnos un correo electrónico con tus ilustraciones, creaciones literarias y poesía a fiction@soprissun.com

I KEEP THE OLD TRADITIONS OF BYGONE DAYS.

RING, RING! BUT NO ONE ANSWERS MY CALL, FOR I’M A RELIC STANDING PROUD AND TALL.

STEP INSIDE WHERE SHADOWS FALL, AND CLAIM THE PRIZE THAT WAITS FOR ALL.

WHERE AM I HIDING IN THIS MOUNTAIN TOWN?

A Bond Beyond

As a not-for-profit health system, we exist to care for you. Our independent Network of Care enables us to broaden services tailored to your needs and support the health of our community. Together, we grow stronger, healthier and more connected—a bond that goes beyond medicine. For you. For life.

aspenvalleyhealth.org

The treasure chest awaits its discoverer.

LETTERS

Countless neighbors have been embedded in this community for generations and are aware of its history. The commissioners’ questions included many concerns that have yet to be addressed. These questions and others remain unanswered, partially because of the applicant’s lack of communication and collaboration, even when promised.

Many neighbors have requested assurance that the water would be used for an authentic organic farm, not bottled or made into a branded beverage. Many have asked that animal processing plans be further defined and that the presented land-use tables be addressed through a thorough review.

“Agreeing to” conditions without providing a plan caused many neighbors to speak about trust and an assurance that there would be follow-through. By agreeing to water conditions 4, 5 and 6, the applicant also “agreed” to potentially force our community into an expensive and ongoing court battle, while claiming to be able to proceed under current zoning conditions and uncertain water rights.

When water truly is life, you know it, you interact with it, you understand it and you tend it. We value this living creek and we protect it. We can testify to its movement because we know when and why and how it flowed, and when and why and how it didn’t.

The old Vulcan Ditch North hasn’t been maintained for decades. A new draw from Canyon Creek is not only unnecessary, but it would also harm other water-rights users, the fragile

ecosystem and homeowners throughout the watershed.

A simple agreement to use alternative diversion points on the Colorado and through alternate wells in perpetuity would have reassured the community that the intention to build an organic farm benefiting private owners would not harm an existing protected ecosystem that many of us depend upon in an already vulnerable watershed.

If we truly love and cherish our water, we will work to become good neighbors. I hope we will take the slow approach to a long game and work to secure the details that reassure our community that we indeed will work together.

In the meantime, I hope we will honor the sustainability of our most precious resources; not just irreplaceable land, water and air, but the deep historic roots of the people who lived here for generations and those who lived lightly upon the land before. We need each other now, and we will certainly need each other in the future.

Sonja Linman

Friend of Canyon Creek

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

In the process of expanding Cool Brick Studios, Dave Taylor discovered some artifacts that appear to predate European contact. After consulting the local Indigenous community, he opted to rebury

PARTING

Thunder River Theatre Company hosted their ThunderBall fundraiser this past Saturday, May 31. The event featured yard games, food trucks, a drunken Shakespeare bidding game and a mini golf course inside the theater modeled after recent productions. Members of the community gathered excitedly for the event. Throughout the evening, attendees placed bids to support the not-for-profit theater company and their upcoming season. Artistic Director Missy Moore concluded the night announcing the organization’s upcoming season’s shows: “True West,” “The Secretary,” “K2” and “For Peter Pan on Her 70th Birthday

Above: ThunderBall attendees hold up labeled paddles to make donations.

Right: Jack Trembath performs a monologue from Hamlet during the ThunderBall. The monologue was part of a “drunken Shakespeare” event that involved participants taking turns reciting scenes from plays to raise money for the theater.

Photos by Sam Brule

LEGAL NOTICE

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a Public Hearing will be held before the Carbondale Board of Adjustments for the purpose of considering a Variance request from front yard setback requirements and to encroach into the public right of way at 1197 Main Street.

Project Description: The variance request is to permit an existing tent structure, 1,040 square feet in area, to remain in its current location. The existing tent structure sits on a concrete pad and is located over the property line and partially within the Colorado Ave right of way. The structure’s existing location violates the lot setback along Colorado Ave. The application requests a variance from the lot setback along Colorado Ave and a license to encroach into the Colorado Ave right of way. The structure was permitted in 2010 and included a condition of final approval which required the structure to be removed if the neighboring property, 1201 Main Street, was developed. 1201 Main Street was developed in 2021.

Property Location: 1197 Main Street (Lot A, Boyles Subdivision Exemption)

Applicant: 1197 Main LLC

Owner: 1197 Main LLC

Said Public Hearing will be held at the Carbondale Town Hall, 511 Colorado Avenue, Carbondale, CO at 6:30 p.m. on June 25th, 2025.

Copies of the proposed application are on file in the Planning Department office, Town Hall, 511 Colorado Avenue, Carbondale, CO and may be examined during regular business hours, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. The application may also be viewed on the Town’s website at: https://www.carbondalegov.org/ departments/planning/current_land_ use_applications.php

If you would like to submit comments regarding this application you must send them via email to jbarnes@ carbondaleco.net by 5:00 pm on June 25th, 2025. The comments will be entered into the record. If you have questions regarding the application, please contact Jared Barnes, Planning Director at 970-510-1208.

Community Classes

BEGINNING SKETCHING & DRAWING FOR ADULTS

Tues’s, 10am-12pm, 6/17-7/15

HOW TO LEAD A TRANSFORMATIVE LIFE

Tuesday, 6-8:30pm, 6/17

INTRO TO PERMACULTURE DESIGN

Wed, 6-8pm, 6/17

Basalt In-person or Online GEOLOGY OF COLORADO, RF AND CRYSTAL VALLEYS Thursday, 6-9pm, 6/19

REGISTER TODAY

EAT YOUR WEEDSLEAVES AND SHOOTS Saturday, 1-3pm, 6/21

SEWING - PROJECT BASED Thurs’s, 6:30-9:30pm, 6/26-8/14

SLOW FLOW YOGA Wed’s, 9-10am, 7/2-8/13

Kids’ Classes

BEG. SKETCHING AGES 10-17 Mondays, 10-11am, 6/9-6/30

SKETCHING AND DRAWING II Mondays, 10-11am, 7/14-8/4

690 Colorado Ave, Carbondale 970 963 2172

Alexis Andrade

Alexis is a Personal Banking Representative at the Alpine Bank Carbondale branch and has been with the bank for two years.

Alexis appreciates working as part of a team and is passionate about protecting our public lands. This is why you'll see him volunteering for Roaring Fork Outdoor Volunteers.

Alexis and the Alpine Bank team are here to help you!

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