20 08 20

Because every town needs a park, a library and a newspaper

Carbondale’s weekly

Volume 12, Number 28 | August 20 - August 26, 2020

community connector

Flight of the firefighters - While the big jets understandably got the most attention in the effort to control the Grizzly Creek Fire, they were far from the only resources in the air. Photo by Christopher Mullen

Fires affect infrastructure in the valley and beyond

By James Steindler Sopris Sun Correspondent

While the fight against the Grizzly Creek Fire wages on, infrastructural repercussions continue to mount — some of which will not be fully assessed until the inferno is extinguished.

Transportation The prolonged closure of I-70 has caused delays for businesses and institutions which rely on supply chains coming from the east.

As of Aug. 18, it is uncertain when I-70 will reopen.

SoprisLiquor.com 970.963.5880 1026 CO-133 Carbondale CO

“There are several safety components that have to be evaluated before I-70 can reopen,” Elise Thatcher with the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) explained. That evaluation process has yet to occur and it’s undetermined as to when it can begin.

“It's too soon to know exactly what we'll need to do to reopen I-70 in Glenwood Canyon due to the ongoing fire activity,” Thatcher stated. When the time comes, “We will inspect bridges and other structures to determine if there has been damage and will also assess rock fall risk and other issues associated with fire impacts,”

she summarized.

Thatcher could not speak to the condition of the Hanging Lake Tunnel renovation — which has been going on for several months — and how serious the damage has been.

CDOT strongly suggests that truckers stick to the suggested detours to circumvent the canyon. “The recommended detour is US 50 to US 285 to Denver,” said Thatcher.

Tension ensued between Garfield and Pitkin County officials regarding Pitkin’s decision to close Independence Pass after multiple semi drivers got stuck on the route. Garfield officials claimed Pitkin

County was acting arbitrarily and should monitor traffic to permit personal vehicles but restrict semis.

Eventually it was reopened and, “is a good option if motorists are using a passenger vehicle and are comfortable with winding, narrow mountain roads,” said Thatcher.

Local grocery stores experienced delays getting products to the shelves because of the I-70 closure. “We are redirecting our trucks and anticipate a 2-8 hour delay in our deliveries,” said King Soopers and City Market’s Corporate Affairs Manager Jessica Continued on page 9

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GUEST

OPINION

By Fred Malo

As I stood on the Sopris Park gazebo looking out over the crowd that assembled for the Strike for Climate Action I organized last September, I had a combined feeling of relief, satisfaction, and extreme personal pride. It was a daunting task. I’d never done anything like this before.

It wasn’t like the throngs Greta Thunberg was attracting at the time, but it was about 150 socially conscious people in the small town of Carbondale expressing concern and demanding action over what’s perhaps the greatest threat mankind has ever faced. It was particularly gratifying to see a full third of the attendees were students, the generation that’ll be most affected by climate change.

I thought back to five years ago when a hopeless drunk spent every waking hour sitting in front of the TV watching sitcom reruns while a bottle of Jack Daniels slowly sucked out his essence. I didn’t have the ambition to empty my mailbox.

I never would’ve been able to put together something like this.

Not that I did it alone. Pam Rosenthal ran the show, shuffling speakers on and off the stage. Illene Pevec took care of the signage.

Jimmy Byrne sang a song. Bill Flanagan handled the sound. Laurie Loeb got the crowd fired up with her patented drum circle. Richard Vottero did most of the heavy lifting.

Many others pitched in. I harkened back to my days as a supervisor in a steel mill. I relegated.

Getting student involvement was a challenge. The Roaring Fork School District told us any student who participated would receive an unexcused absence. Finally, we caught the interest of Roaring Fork High School teachers Matt Wells and Wendy Boland. Wells was the sponsor of the school’s Energy Club and those members attended.

They were followed by students from Carbondale Middle and Waldorf Schools.

Although generally considered a success, there are aspects of organizing the event I would do differently. The publicity wasn’t smoothly done. We put up crude, handwritten posters on the various bulletin boards around town. I

My climate story

know a graphic arts designer who could’ve put together some much more professional-looking flyers, but I forgot about her.

I suppose my interest in climate issues began with viewing former Vice President Al Gore’s 2006 documentary “An Inconvenient Truth” at the Crystal Theatre. I listened to Gore’s dire climate change predictions, then watched them come true.

Nineteen of the last 20 years have been among the hottest years on record. The last four years have been the hottest with 2020 on pace to break 2016’s record. The polar ice caps are melting six times faster than in the 1990s. The resulting sea level rise has been 2.6 inches since 1993.

Eleven cities including Miami, Houston, New Orleans, and Virginia Beach, Virginia are partially underwater and in jeopardy of becoming completely submerged.

Gore predicted ground zero where the World Trade Center used to be would be underwater. The 2012 Hurricane Sandy made that happen.

Sea temperatures have risen 1.5 degrees since 1901. The Gulf of Mexico was four degrees warmer than ever in 2017 when Hurricane Harvey hit causing it to be the wettest storm on record. Forty inches of rain fell on the Texas gulf coast in four days. There have been 16 Category 5 hurricanes in the last two years, an unprecedented total.

Refugees aren’t fleeing to El Norte from Central America, the Middle East, and North Africa because of political strife and gang violence only. Their home countries have become uninhabitable due to persistent drought.

In 2015, Carbondale’s Julia Williams and Glenwood Spring’s Jennifer Moore had a booth at Carbondale’s Farmers Market.

Williams was the volunteer coordinator for 350 Colorado, a subset of 350.org, climate activist Bill McKibben’s organization. The Farmer’s Market is right outside my door, so I spent quite a bit of time discussing climate issues with Williams and Moore.

Attending college in the ‘60s, I was quite politically active.

I joined a somewhat radical campus political party called the Progressive Reform Party.

We were mostly concerned with campus issues like open dorms and disarming the campus police, but we were very antiwar, procivil rights, and pro-women’s rights as well.

I circulated petitions for the Equal Rights Amendment and to have the Communist Party USA put on the 1972 ballot. Also in 1972, I went to Greenville, Mississippi on a voter registration drive sponsored by the Congress of Racial Equality.

I faced the business end of a shotgun

more than once.

Then came the 1972 election.

Richard Nixon was reelected in one of the biggest landslides in history. I figured what’s the point?

I slumped away from politics for about 45 years.

Strangely, another absurd presidential election result awakened my public spirit. An absolute horror of a human being named Donald Trump was elected in 2016. The most dangerous aspect of his presidency is he’s a climate change denier who calls it a Chinese hoax. I said Fred, it’s time to get involved again. I have no children, but I accept responsibility for the future of everyone else’s young ones.

That future is in peril.

July 1, 2016 is also my sobriety date.

I became active in 350 Colorado, first as a volunteer, then, along with Jennifer Moore, as a co-leader of the newly formed 350 Roaring Fork. Carbondale’s Will Hodges has recently been hired as the coordinator for 350 Roaring Fork.

We put on educational presentations showing climate change films at the Carbondale and Glenwood Springs libraries. We made public comments at Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission, Air Quality Control Commission, and Garfield County Board of County Commissioners meetings. We circulated petitions for the 2018 Proposition 112, the oil and gas setback initiative.

This year, I signed up for the Climate Reality Leadership Training that was scheduled for Las Vegas in March. That was wiped out by the coronavirus, so I’m currently taking an online version of it. That program actually inspired this piece as one of our assignments is to write our climate story.

It’s hard to be optimistic about our climate future. We’re so far behind on the goals set by the 2015 Paris Accords it seems unlikely we’ll get caught up in time to avert the climate catastrophe the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change has predicted in ten years. We’re already seeing the negative effects of climate change and we’re not doing anything about what’s causing it. It’ll get nothing but worse in the coming years.

I take hope from the younger generation. They’re very climate conscious. The millennials will take the steps that’ll allow us to ride through the ensuing calamity and build a better future for their children, which we’ve failed to do so miserably.

What I’ve put into the climate movement is nothing compared to what I’ve gotten out of it. Unlike five years ago, I get up in the morning with a purpose. No paying job I ever had was this fulfilling.

It all seems like a strange twist on the Don Quixote analogy. By promoting windmills, I may be jousting with them. Whatever, this is my quest, the impossible dream.

Sincerest thanks to our

Honorary Publishers for their annual commitment of $1,000+

Email marilyn@soprissun.com for more information.

Jim Calaway, Honorary Chair Kay Brunnier Scott Gilbert Bob Young – Alpine Bank Peter Gilbert Umbrella Roofing, Inc. Bill Spence and Sue Edelstein Greg and Kathy Feinsinger Carolyn Nelson Jim Noyes True Nature Healing Arts Nicolette Toussaint Jill and Gary Knaus Megan Tackett Ken & Donna Riley Michelle & Ed Buchman CoVenture Lee Beck and John Stickney Deborah and Shane Evans

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for including us in their final wishes.

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And all our SunScribers and community members for your support.

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P.O. Box 399 Carbondale, CO 81623 520 S. Third Street #32 970-510-3003 www.soprissun.com Editor Will Grandbois • 970-510-0540 news@soprissun.com Advertising Todd Chamberlin • 970-510-0246 adsales@soprissun.com Graphic Designer: Ylice Golden Reporter: Roberta McGowan Delivery: Tom Sands Proofreader: Lee Beck Current Board Members Raleigh Burleigh, President Marilyn Murphy, Vice President Linda Criswell, Secretary Klaus Kocher, Treasurer Kay Clarke • Carol Craven • Lee Beck Megan Tackett • Gayle Wells Donna Dayton • Terri Ritchie The Sopris Sun Board meets at 6:30 p.m. on second Mondays at the Third Street Center.

Contact board@soprissun.com to reach them.

Founding Board Members Allyn Harvey • Becky Young Colin Laird • Barbara New • Elizabeth Phillips Peggy DeVilbiss • Russ Criswell

Rebecca Binion took a moment to stop for a little Sopris Sun action during a recent ride with her husband, Darin.

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 • August 20 - August 26, 2020

The Sopris Sun, Inc. is a proud member of the Carbondale Creative District The Sopris Sun, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation. Donations to The Sun are fully tax deductible.

Back to school A student gets help with her mask on Tuesday morning.

All students and staff are required to wear masks throughout the school day. Families stay outside when dropping off or picking up their child.

Ross Montessori held a “soft opening” this week, welcoming approximately half of their students at a time for half day sessions. Teachers and staff worked through new procedures with kids and families designed to mitigate the risks of COVID-19. The school joins other local state charter and private schools in opening this week for in person lessons while the Roaring Fork School District transitions to online learning. With few options for in person learning this year, Ross Montessori has received a large increase in enrollment applications and has a wait list of students for every grade.

Garden Manager Kallie Hyer wears a mask with a butterfly attached as she works with kids in the school garden.

A class plays a warm-up game outside on Tuesday morning.

Teachers are encouraged to take their classes outside as much as possible.

Teaching Assistant Denise Gonzalez demonstrates how to safely social distance during snack time.

Kids social distance at their desks on Monday morning. Next week, the school will be fully reopened with class sizes of up to 25 students.

Photos and text by Laurel Smith Sopris Sun Correspondent

Upper elementary student Maggie Cole waters a sunflower just outside of the school’s greenhouses.

Student art from last school year still lines the hallways at the school. Teachers noted that some of the artwork felt “dark” — oddly predictive of what was to come.

THE SOPRIS SUN • Carbondale’s weekly community connector • August 20 - August 26, 2020 • 3

SCUTTLEBUTT To market Although there won’t be an official grand-opening ceremony, the new City Market is due to open its doors on Wednesday, Aug. 26. The store will feature a full and fresh produce department, full service meat, seafood and deli departments, Starbucks, and specialty food bars such as sushi and a Murray’s Cheese destination. It will also have a drive through pharmacy and will carry a variety of over the counter and wellness items. Perhaps most importantly at the moment, the store will offer an online ordering and pick up service.

Treading water You might have noticed that the ditches (and the rivers, for that matter) are running awfully low. Even if you don’t have a pump to worry about, that’s probably a sign that you should be a little more careful in your water usage. Carbondale is not yet rationing water, a little conscious conservation could help keep it that way.

The whole enchilada You're invited to join KDNK's virtual bilingual community dinner, “Our Town One Enchilada” from 6 to 9 p.m. Aug. 30, with games, music, and more broadcast live at 88.1 FM. You can cook at home before joining — see next week’s paper for recipes — or support participating restaurants like El Pollo Rico, The Landmark

Café, Dos Gringos, and Carbondale Beer Works offering special takeout options for lasagna and enchilada dishes. It's suggested to place an order before August 27. Visit KDNK.org for virtual bingo cards and the zoom chat room link.

Get creative You don’t have to wait for First Friday for a bit of art. Carbondale Arts presents a pop-up event with Philip Tarlow from 5:30 to 7 p.m.

Aug. 28 at the Launchpad, and he has invited local musician Marc Bruell to enhance the experience and dialogue of "Everything is a Creative Process."

This event is free and open to the public, it will be outdoors and public safety measures will be a priority.

Natasha Seedorf 's metalsmithing work will also be on display, which has been receiving accolades.

Cautious clay Last month’s Clay in the Yard was a big hit, so the Carbondale Clay Center is bringing it back from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Aug. 22! Swing by for ceramics by local artists — including Boo + Finni, Giana Grossman, Matt Eames, Savanna LaBauve, & Sandie Gardner — under the big white tent and our new summertime retail space in the Artstream Nomadic Gallery on the CCC lawn. This will also be the final day to check out Jennifer Arnold's “Remember Me” exhibition!

Heart and soul

They say it’s your birthday

The Arts Campus at Willits and Crown Mountain Park’s @ the Drive-In! series will continue — but not right away. The “Soul Power” event slated for this week has been moved to Sept. 19 after the wildfire prevented the screen and projector vendor from making it to the Valley.

Folks celebrating another trip around the sun this week include: Sid Smock, Dan Whitney, Katherine Whitney, Eric Skalac and Torrey Udall (Aug. 20); Kevin Schorzman, Jan Edwards and Rick Norman (Aug. 21); Kathy McCann and Jeannie Perry (Aug. 22); Chrissy Leonard (Aug. 23); Andrea Porter (Aug. 24); Danielle Rozga and John Hoffmann (Aug. 25) Linda Froning and Julia Tallmadge (Aug. 26).

Paperback writer Carbondale native Simone Lamont is working on a new book called “Fooling Sheep” — a young adult mystery with a science fiction twist. She wrote it to tell a story about her high school experiences and coming of age, but also touch on themes of technology in our generation. She’s planning to publish with New Degree Press in December, but first she’s running a pre-launch campaign through Indiegogo — visit tinyurl.com/ foolingsheep to participate!

Don’t play with fire If our cover, centerspread and parting shots aren’t enough to discourage you from open burning, there’s also a statewide ban. No campfires, no burning brush piles, no dynamite, no driving through fields of dry grass and no flicking your cigarette butts out the window. Sheesh.

DOG WASH OPEN We are allowing five (5) customers in the store at a time. Social distancing respected and practiced within the store.

Avoid the afternoon rush, try shopping in off hours. Or call ahead for curbside pickup.

Delivery Specials for Seniors (age 65) or Quarantined individuals.

COME CHECK OUT THE SUPER MONTHLY SPECIALS!

Don't worry about Broley or trainer Charissa Carvel. Colorado Animal Rescue hasn't been evacuated — but they are pausing all animal intake at the moment and working with Rifle Animal Shelter to accommodate animals. Photo by Laurel Smith

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At Aspen Valley Primary Care, our physicians provide comprehensive medical care at two convenient locations, plus virtual clinic visits from the comfort of your home.

Monday – Friday, 8 am – 5 pm

Aspen | 0401 Castle Creek Road Basalt | 1460 East Valley Road, Suite 103 Call 970.279.4111 to request a virtual clinic visit or in-person appointment with one of our physicians.

EXPANDED COVID-19 TESTING AVAILABLE

If you are experiencing ANY COVID-19related symptoms (cough, fever, shortness of breath, etc.), call your primary care physician.

Your physician will evaluate your symptoms and can give you a referral to be tested at AVH’s Respiratory Evaluation Center. If you do not have a primary care physician, call Aspen Valley Primary Care at 970.279.4111.

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OPEN Mon - Fri 9:00-6 | Sat - Sun 10:00-5:00 4 • THE SOPRIS SUN • soprissun.com • August 20 - August 26, 2020

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If you advertise with us and your business is shut down or an event is canceled due to Covid-19 after the paper is published (between Thursday and Wednesday), we will credit you with a new ad when you reopen. No questions asked.

Todd Chamberlin Advertising Manager 970-987-9866 adsales@soprissun.com Deadlines, Rates and Specifications: www.soprissun.com/advertise/

THE SOPRIS SUN • Carbondale’s weekly community connector • August 20 - August 26, 2020 • 5

Mind Springs kicks overdose awareness up a notch

By James Steindler Sopris Sun Correspondent

August is overdose awareness month and Mind Springs Health (MSH) is using the time to educate locals about the opioid epidemic and how overdosing can be prevented or even reversed at the time it’s taking place.

According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), 67,367 people — on record — died of an overdose in the United States in 2018 (their most recent statistics).

MSH Peer Recovery Coach Maggie Seldeen says that, “statistics on illegal activity are often hard to get exact numbers for,” and furthermore that, “ small populations often suppress their data to protect the privacy of individuals and the latest data is usually a couple of years old.” Not to mention, “We usually don’t hear about overdoses that don’t end in death,” she summed up.

That said, Seldeen also explained that on record Colorado saw a 9 percent increase of overdose deaths throughout the state in 2019.

On top of which, “We have seen a 35 percent increase in the first months of 2020, with 443

overdose deaths between January and April,” Seldeen stated.

Needless to say, she is addressing a problem people are in jeopardy of losing their lives to.

If you haven’t seen her already, you can catch Seldeen holding down the MSH booth at local farmers’ markets in Basalt, Carbondale and Glenwood

“We usually don’t hear about overdoses that don’t end in death” Springs through the end of the month. “I meet people in every town who understand the importance of the work I’m doing and have been very welcoming about broaching this sensitive subject,” Seldeen said.

MHS partnered with Garfield County Libraries for a virtual event on Aug. 17 where, from her home, Seldeen discussed harm-reduction strategies, how to identify an overdose and even how to administer Narcan in response to an opioid overdose.

Narcan is a drug which offsets the effects of an opioid overdose.

Narcan can be purchased without a prescription and anyone can administer it, “without liability — even if the product is expired,” said Seldeen.

“If you interact with the public, there is a chance that you could witness an overdose,” Seldeen stated, “carrying Narcan is the best thing you can do.”

Seldeen also believes that, “Talking about drug use and mental health” is important for the community at large to do, in order, “to reduce shame and stigma and to get people the help they need.”

At 2 p.m. on Aug. 31 — the official date for overdose awareness recognition — Seldeen will be hosting a virtual event via MSH’s Facebook page where she is expected to discuss the nuances of her position. It will be presented in English as well as Spanish.

Seldeen’s position is funded by a state opioid response grant; hence the emphasis on opioids this month. Although, Seldeen was happy to mention that, “In September, the state grant will expand to include stimulants, so I am working to open up the conversation surrounding the risks

Seldeen will once again be at the KDNK booth at the Carbondale Farmer's Market from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Aug. 26. Photo by Will Grandbois of both stimulants and opioids.”

In 2018, stimulants caused the majority of overdose related deaths in Colorado, Seldeen explained.

Seldeen is also working on a public affairs show with KDNK staff member, Kenna Crampton (Steindler), called ‘Chemical World’ which is meant to broaden peoples’ understanding

of chemical dependence, how common it is and various methods of recovery. At 4:30 p.m. on Aug. 31, KDNK will air a segment where the duo will talk about how to identify an overdose.

Seldeen can be reached at mseldeen@mindspringshealth. org or 531-5060 for any questions or to facilitate a presentation.

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www.carbondalefamilydental.com 6 • THE SOPRIS SUN • soprissun.com • August 20 - August 26, 2020

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Leaving a legacy of love and laughter

By Roberta McGowan Sopris Sun Staff

“He was the funniest person I’ve ever met,” said a longtime friend of Tyler Ribich.

But Tyler is gone. He was tragically killed May 2019 in a horrific automobile accident on a winding country road on Missouri Heights. He was 16 and a junior at Basalt High School (BHS) and would have been part of the 2020 graduating class. He left behind many now saddened friends, but they all said he had made a magical and permanent mark on their lives.

Tyler’s remarkable life is now depicted in the documentary “Livin’ like Ribich,” recently produced by his older sister Rebecca and her husband Michael Trehy. It was shown at Buttermilk Aug. 11 and plans are in the works for an additional screening mid valley.

Tyler’s brother-in-law Trehy explained at the beginning of the film, “It’s about sharing joy — the value of living is to bring a little joy to people” and is “a way for us to keep Tyler’s light shining.”

Also, Rebecca introduced the documentary by saying, “Tyler always liked to make videos. He wanted to be an actor and rapper.”

Tyler had selected making a film for his capstone project which is required to graduate.

“In the film, he was going to play a guy who wanted to be rich and famous,” said Trehy, “and after he became rich and famous would realize that rich and famous isn’t what it’s all about. It’s about bringing joy to people.”

“In the spirit of him wanting to make that film, we decided to make the film about Tyler. The film that he couldn’t make, that he wanted to make.”

The film concluded with his friends dancing to Tyler’s last rap song in celebration of his life.

The movie can be seen on YouTube.com courtesy of Grassroots TV. Support for the film and its first screening came from the Aspen Community Foundation’s Basalt Area Gives Fund, Aspen Skiing Company and people around the country. So far, Rebecca reported, the fund has raised approximately $5000.

As Hannah Berman, sustainability manager at Aspen Skiing Company, said, “It’s just the community thing to do.”

Also, Allison Daily, grief counselor with Pathfinders, was very helpful and compassionate, the family said.

In addition to the film, his family founded “The Tyler Ribich Ray of Life Fund.” - Ray was Tyler’s middle name. The fund was created, according to its Facebook page, “in honor of Tyler Ray Ribich. We seek to honor Tyler by offering and supporting artistic opportunities for young people.”

It is geared “to support arts education and youth outreach in the Valley and beyond.”

Donations can be made at any Wells Fargo bank.

Basalt High School Principal Peter Mueller shared the sad news about Tyler in an email the day after he passed and wrote: “Junior Tyler Ribich was a beloved member of the Basalt High School community. He was just elected to serve as one of two head students in his senior year, having given an election speech to the entire student body last week.

He brought down the house as Jack Scott in the school's production of High School Musical this winter. He sang in Men's Chorus and rapped in front of hundreds during Choir Coffeehouse last December.”

Tyler’s schoolmates, friends and family echoed those feelings in the film.

When asked what each would say if given the chance to talk with Tyler now, one friend said, “Tyler, I miss you a lot buddy. I just wanted you to know how much you’ve impacted my life and a lot of people’s lives. You were one of my best friends.”

And another said, “I hope you make as many people laugh up there as you did down here.”

In addition, one friend said, “You taught me how to express myself and be the person I am today.”

Plus, one more said, “Ever since I found you, you made me feel less lonely.”

As BHS Vice Principal Megan Baiardo said, “I miss Tyler and his beautiful energy. His classmates all do. I like that his middle name is Ray, for ‘ray of light.’ Seniors talk about how he was the heart of the class.”

Tyler’s nickname was “Ty the Rayman.” He also liked to go by “Tyler R.” His mother Janice Ribich said, “He truly was a gift, and will be forever in our hearts.”

She continued, “You would instinctively know when someone needed you the most.”

Tyler was very involved with the Andy Zanca Youth Empowerment Program in Carbondale which encouraged participation at KDNK Community Access Radio.

One staff member at the station described Tyler as “a ray of light here at KDNK.” Many of his teachers and friends called him a comedic genius who loved stand-up comedy, improv and just about anything that made people laugh.

His film teacher, Leticia Ingram, recalled, “He was the most passionate student I’ve ever had. He

just knew how to bring smiles to everyone’s face.”

As one friend said, “Tyler was one of the most talented people I’ve met. He was so creative. He expressed himself in so many different ways.”

And sister Rebecca remembered, “Tyler was the first person to make our then one month old daughter Grace Tyler laugh.”

Tyler Ribich brought friendship and giggles to everyone he knew. Courtesy photo from the Ribich family

Lyrics from Tyler’s last rap song “I am a Phoenix rising Something's awoke inside me Time to be reborn Like I'm living twice, see Now I'm flying like a kite Death may be the end of life But not the fire inside me.”

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THE SOPRIS SUN • Carbondale’s weekly community connector • August 20 - August 26, 2020 • 7

Carbondale firefighters are always on call

By Roberta McGowan Sopris Sun Staff

With 320 square miles and 15,000 residents to protect, the Carbondale & Rural Fire Protection District truly understands the value of dedicated volunteers who serve at headquarters and at the district's six outlying stations.

It takes a strong commitment to volunteer, said Fire Chief Rob Goodwin. He explained the intense training requires days at the Carbondale New Member Academy over four to 12 weeks, plus 40 hours annually. Members can be certified in structural or wildland fires or both, to be able to handle different strategies.

Volunteers can also learn technical rope and river rescue. Additional paramedic and emergency medical technician (EMT) classes are offered at Colorado Mountain College.

Goodwin added, “Our job is to keep small fires small. We learn to look at the fire and not the flame.”

And they are response ready for the ongoing Grizzly Creek and any other massive fires.

Presently, the 25,000 acre fire ignited near I-70 is

under federal fire fighting management.

Just ask 37-year volunteer Mike Gilfry, who first was at headquarters and then shifted to the Missouri Heights Station #85 on County Road 100 (Catherine’s Store Rd.) 18 year ago.

His primary responsibility when not answering emergency calls is maintaining the fire fighting and water hauling apparatus (called a water tender) at the station. He reported that several planes are doing flyovers to keep track of where the Grizzly Creek Right now, Gilfry is the only volunteer there and hopes more people will consider helping out..

“We all do the best we can,” he said, “If the word comes from Carbondale headquarters, we go.”

He, like many volunteers, has a day job, so he keeps his department issued pager and radio communications device with him 24/7, especially in light of the two massive fires burning now on the Western Slope.

Deputy Chief and Operations Division head Bob Wagner recently visited Glenwood Springs Station, designated #84 off Highway 82 at the CMC turnoff, where an addition is nearing

completion. This addition will have its grand opening when circumstances permit.

Wagner noted, “We will be able to have more equipment “ Wagner recalled he has been with Carbondale for eight years and started, as nearly 100 percent of the paid staff has, as a volunteer.

“I truly enjoy helping people,” he said.

The Marble Station #83 is the other site undergoing addition construction. The firefighters are permitted to go to just over the McClure Pass summit.

In Marble, two old red wagon wheels on display go back to when the fire equipment was pulled by horses around 1893. There’s also a vintage sign proclaiming sweet corn and cold drinks.

Local volunteer Max Gibbons recalled, “The sign was used for fundraising before Marble became a part of the Carbondale & Rural district. That was in 1983, I think.”

Gibbons also explained, “I’m a lifelong volunteer, and Marble is my home:” He added, “For the right person, volunteering is very satisfying.”

“I once had helped put out a local fire, and

the chief asked me to join the volunteer effort.”

Gibbons said, adding avalanche rescue is part of training as is rescue in the many different Marble Quarry portals.

Another Marble volunteer, Paul Wahlbrink, has been at it for two years.

“I would encourage residents to look into volunteering. it's a big, serious job.” Wanhlbink said, plus “I really enjoy the camaraderie with fellow firefighters.”

Marble works closely with Carbondale headquarters, Mountain Rescue of Pitkin County, West Elk Mountain Rescue out of Paonia and Gunnison County emergency rescue groups.

“If we need a helicopter, it can be here from Grand Junction in only 15 to 20 minutes,” Wahlbrink said.

Department volunteer coordinator Kat Bernat said, “People have a need to enhance and be part of and help the community.”

“We plan to have open house recruitment meetings in the fall,” she announced, adding “We can’t do this with just paid staff.”

Fire Stations

Headquarters Building Carbondale, Meadowood Rd. #81 Carbondale, Meadowood Rd. #82 Redstone, Redstone Blvd. #83 Marble, West Park #84 Near CMC Rd. and Highway 82, County Road 154 #85 Missouri Heights. County Road 100

Long time volunteer at the Missouri Heights Station Mike Gilfry is dedicated to keeping the firefighting equipment ready to go. Photos by Roberta McGowan

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Deputy Chief and Operations Division head Bob Wagner recently visited the Marble Station and showed off the vintage red wagon and an old sign on display. Photos by Roberta McGowan.

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So far, the fire hasn't ventured much closer to Glenwood than its initial ignition point, and is moving into lighter fuels on the rim of the canyon and toward Dotsero (top). Graphic enabled by Modern Forager and Google Earth

Fire from cover

Throwbridge. Regardless of the setbacks, the new City Market in Carbondale is still set to open its doors on Aug. 26.

Additionally, the area's fuel supply chain was disrupted.

According to Roaring Fork Valley Co-Op Manager Don Boos they were able to obtain fuel from other sources to the west and north as far as Wyoming. However,, “Normally we pull a lot from the Denver area and it’s affected that,” Boos stated.

The railroad system through the Canyon has also had to reroute its trains. “Union Pacific (UP) has experienced minor damage from the Grizzly Creek wildfire,” a statement from UP read. “Traffic has been stopped per the U.S. Forest Service,” it continued, “Once we receive permission to resume traffic, we will be able to do so, but no timeline has been given.”

Freight trains — including

coal supply — which typically go through the canyon, “Have been paused or rerouted,” the statement read.

Water and power Glenwood Springs’ water supply has reached a point where the City has notified its population with the possibility of nixing outdoor watering altogether. An Aug. 18 press release read, “Residents are advised that the City has limited access to water out of its No Name water source and no access to our Grizzly Creek water source. This means the City is relying solely on the Roaring Fork pump station as the City’s sole source of water for domestic and firefighting purposes.”

The city implemented an odd/even watering schedule on Aug. 14 but water usage has not lessened. If the city does not see a decrease in water use before Aug. 21 they will enforce a “no lawn watering” restriction.

It’s expected that watering restrictions will likely last into 2021, “And potentially beyond,” according to the statement.

Glenwood Springs Public Works Director Matthew Langhorst explained that, “The City owns 500 acre feet of Ruedi water that can be released at a rate of up to 6.773 cubic feet per second if requested.” He went on, “This amount of water would allow the City to technically run at full water capacity from the pump [in the Roaring Fork] station for approximately 32 days.”

Langhorst further mentioned that the city is, “Also working with the State on a long term water rights transfer option.”

The Shoshone hydroelectric facility has stopped operating “Due to damage to the power lines that run from the plant to customers throughout the Western Slope,” a statement from it’s operating company, Xcel Energy read. The water that is typically used to generate power to the facility is being released downstream.

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Interstate 70 is just one of several pieces of infrastructure threatened by the fire.

Courtesy photo According to Langhorst, the city pulls energy from three separate Xcel facilities — Shoshone being one of them.

Langhorst assures that until the plant is operational again, the city will be able to rely on its other feeds for electrical needs.

Other fires As a result of the Pine Gulch Fire many oil and gas wells have had to suspend operations. "Operators have shut down wells that may be in the path of the fire in an abundance of caution,” said Chris Arend, Communications Director with Colorado Department of Natural Resources.

“They are also assisting the firefighting operation by providing tanks with fresh water as well as freshwater pits for helicopter operations,” continued Arend. Because oil and gas wells are generally devoid of brush, firefighting crews have used the locations to set up staging areas.

Fortunately, a blaze near the

Rifle Fish Hatchery on Aug. 16 was quickly contained and the hatchery was not directly impacted according to it’s manager David Trojanovich.

That said, the hatchery typically supplies lakes to the east and has not been able to deliver those fish due to the Grizzly Creek Fire. “We even stock fish near South Park at Antero Reservoir but haven’t stocked this week’s supply due to the closure of I-70,” said Trojanovich.

As a result of the Fish Hatchery fire an evacuation order was issued for nearby residents as well as the Rifle Falls State Park Campground. Park Manager Brian Palcer said evacuating the campground went smoothly due to there being only two camping groups present. Ironically, he assumes this was thanks to the I-70 closure, which thwarted travelers’ plans to visit the area.

Otherwise, according to Palcer, “This summer we’ve been absolutely packed to the point we’ve had to turn people away.”

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THE SOPRIS SUN • Carbondale’s weekly community connector • August 20 - August 26, 2020 • 9

TOWN REPORT CPW buys land along Fork Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) has completed the purchase of a 1.5-acre parcel of land along the Roaring Fork River that will allow for the expansion and improvement of river facilities at the Sam Caudill State Wildlife Area. The boat ramp at the SWA is used extensively by anglers to access the river during the busy summer season. Due to heavy use at the ramp, CPW was looking for an opportunity to improve the ramp and expand parking options at the small property.

CPW will also be adding a retaining wall and guardrail along Old Highway 82. Design and engineering of the project will begin soon and construction is anticipated in 2021.

North Star drain plugged Pitkin County Open Space and Trails has contracted with Diggin’ It Riverworks to plug a drain that is contributing to the drying of the wetland. Ditches were created decades ago, when North Star was under private ownership, in an attempt to dry up the spot for agricultural purposes.

Though the drain was not entirely successful, it did alter this area of ecological importance. The restoration project will involve

plugging a small portion of the main ditch that connects the fen to the Roaring Fork River. Two smaller ditches will be plugged with straw bales and wattles to slow the outflow of surface water from the area. Construction activities will be excluded from the fen itself, while work in the two smaller ditches will be done entirely by hand.

Rifle airport lands grant Garfield County has secured a $3.1 million grant from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) toward a project to expand the Rifle Garfield County Airport apron, allowing for additional parking space for aircraft. The total cost of the project, which has been contracted to Scott Construction and Armstrong Engineering, is $3,763,741.

Garfield County had already committed $644,000 toward the project out of the airport’s land improvement capital fund. The expanded parking apron will provide an additional 18,000 square yards, up from its current apron square yardage of 81,300, creating space for up to an additional 18 large aircraft.

State regulates campaign finance The Colorado Secretary of State’s Office has adopted a

set of new rules pertaining to campaign finance compliance and enforcement, including clarifying the process for filing complaints and for reaching settlement agreements for violations. In 2019, the Colorado legislature passed the Campaign Finance Enforcement Act, which modernized Colorado’s enforcement process to be more fair, efficient, and constitutional.

A Campaign-Political Enforcement team was created in the Elections Division within the Secretary of State’s Office and tasked with handling complaints.

The temporary rules go into effect immediately and will become permanent in accordance with the State Administrative Procedure Act at a later date.

Democratic senators support mail Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet joined the entire Senate Democratic Caucus in a letter urging U.S. Postmaster General Louis DeJoy to provide answers regarding reports of recent changes to long-standing practices at the postal service that would result in increased delivery times and costs for election mail, and urged him not to take any further action that makes it harder and more expensive for states and election

jurisdictions to mail ballots.

“Like voting itself, the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) is vital to our democracy. Since you assumed the role of Postmaster General, there have been disturbing reports regarding changes at USPS that are causing significant delays in the delivery of mail.

Under normal circumstances, delayed mail is a major problem – during a pandemic in the middle of a presidential election, it is catastrophic,” wrote Bennet and the lawmakers.

Want to get involved?

Contact your elected officials about the issues that matter to you Senator Michael Bennet 261 Russell Senate Office Bldg.

Washington, DC 20510 (202) 224-5852

Senator Cory Gardner 354 Russell Senate Office Bldg.

Washington, DC 20510 (202) 224-5941

Protecting pre-existing conditions U.S. Senator Cory Gardner (R-CO) introduced the PreExisting Conditions Protection Act, legislation that would guarantee coverage protections for individuals with pre-existing conditions. “My bill is simple – it guarantees coverage for people who have pre-existing medical conditions and ensures that people cannot be charged more because of a pre-existing condition,” said Senator Gardner.

“I will continue to fight for preexisting condition protections as well as measures to lower health care costs, strengthen innovation, and expand access for all Coloradans, including those with pre-existing medical conditions.”

Their faces tell a story...

Congressman Scott Tipton 218 Cannon HOB Washington, DC 20515 (202) 225-4761

CO Senator Bob Rankin 200 E Colfax, 346 Denver, CO 80203 (303)866-5292

CO Rep Perry Will 200 E Colfax, 07 Denver, CO 80203 (303)866-2949

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Odd water year leaves Ruedi levels low

By Heather Sackett Aspen Journalism

Ruedi Reservoir is feeling the effects of an unusual water year, with less water for endangered fish and with low reservoir levels predicted for late summer and fall.

“This year was a strange year,” Tim Miller, a U.S. Bureau of Reclamation hydrologist who manages operations at Ruedi, said at an annual public meeting about reservoir operations held virtually Wednesday. “For most of the year, it seemed like we were doing well, we thought we would get a fill on the reservoir. However, things really turned around in late spring and early summer.”

At the meeting convened by the Bureau of Reclamation, Miller said the reservoir, which holds just over 102,000 acre-feet of water, topped out at 96,750 acre-feet this year — about 5,000 acre-feet short of filling. That means there is 5,000 acre-feet less water available this season to boost flows downstream for endangered fish in what’s known as the “15-mile reach” of the Colorado River near Grand Junction.

As reservoir levels continue to drop over the next month, Aspen Yacht Club members may not be able to access the boat ramp over Labor Day weekend. By Sept. 1, reservoir levels are predicted to be down to about 84,500 acre-feet and the surface to be at an

Sailboats docked at the Aspen Yacht Club marina in 2018. Levels in Ruedi Reservoir are projected to be down to about 84,500 acre-feet around Sept. 1, which could reduce access to the club’s boat ramp. Photo by Brent Gardner-Smith/Aspen Journalism

elevation of 7,747 feet, which is 19 feet lower than when it’s full.

“After Sept. 1, it’s going to be dicey,” Miller said of accessing the private marina’s boat ramp. The U.S. Forest Service boat ramp will still be accessible at those levels, he said.

Bruce Gabow of the Aspen Yacht Club said that when water levels are 13 feet below full, the club’s docks become grounded and inoperable.

He said that most years, boats are taken out of the reservoir by midSeptember, but with water levels dropping sooner this year, many will need to go before the end of August.

“Everyone has kind of been expecting it, but they will be bummed

out,” he said of the club’s members.

Ruedi Reservoir is currently 92 percent full, at 94,065 acre-feet.

It topped out on July 17 at 96,914 acre-feet. In 2018, the reservoir also didn’t fill, topping out at 92,650 acre-feet, according to Miller.

Each spring, Miller must decide how much water to release from Ruedi and when to release it to make room for inflow from snowmelt. Those decisions are based on streamflow forecasts from the Colorado Basin River Forecast Center and the Natural Resources Conservation Service, as well as the Bureau of Reclamation’s statistical forecasts.

This year’s unusual conditions

made for tricky forecasting, leading some to question whether more and better data collection is needed, instead of relying primarily on snow telemetry, or SNOTEL, data.

These automated remote sensors collect weather and snowpack information in remote watersheds, but they provide only a snapshot of a specific location. Each of the three forecasting agencies over-predicted Ruedi inflow for the months of April, May and June.

Usually, the amount of runoff closely mirrors snowpack. And with snowpack in the Roaring Fork River basin slightly above normal, as measured by SNOTEL sites, it seemed that is where runoff would also end up.

But parched soils from a dry fall sucked up some of the moisture before it made its way to streams and eventually the reservoir. Miller also suspects that a high rate of sublimation — where snow goes from a frozen state to vapor, skipping the liquid phase — may have also played a role.

“To do our statistical forecast, it’s 90 percent snowpack only,” Miller said. “We had some different variables this year.”

By the end of May, Miller realized inflow projections were too high and began scaling back releases.

Ruedi also did not participate in Coordinated Reservoir Operations this year. In the annual CROS, which began around May 29, water

managers from across the state aimed to enhance peak spring runoff by releasing water from reservoirs at the same time. The peak flows have ecological benefits, especially for fish in the 15-mile reach.

“It was pretty much a last-minute declaration we couldn’t do CROS,” Miller said.

Better data?

April Long, executive director of Ruedi Water & Power Authority, suggested that water managers should explore other ways of collecting data in addition to SNOTEL information to improve forecast accuracy. The city of Aspen and Denver Water have experimented with LiDAR technology — which analyzes the reflection of laser light to create detailed three-dimensional maps — to track the depth of mountain snowpack, providing a more complete picture of the water contained in that snowpack.

“With this year of unexpected results from our snowpack and the way it melted off, I have concern that with climate change and climate variability, we are going to see more uncertainty,” Long said in a followup interview with Aspen Journalism.

“I wonder how much benefit we could gain if we knew a little more.”

Water is a valuable resource and your efforts are required to conserve water supplies and maintain the health of our waters.

Tips on Conserving Water: Avoid wasting potable water such as washing hard surfaces and avoid over-watering and watering in windy conditions.

Set timers to avoid overwatering, and cut your lawn no shorter than 3 inches to reduce soil moisture loss. Avoid planting trees and sodding new lawns during the drier, hotter months.

Plant native grasses and shrubs, or a drought tolerant species.

Check for leaks and consider replacing showerheads and or toilets with a low flow option.

Toilets are the main source of water usage inside a home, they account for nearly 30% of indoor water use — more if your toilet

tank is leaking into the bowl.

Flows in the Crystal River above Avalanche Creek and at the Fish Hatchery gauging stations have been receding to below 100 CFS and 20 CFS respectively. This low flow condition is expected to continue to the end of the irrigation season.

Flow into the town’s ditch system and South Nettle Creek follows this pattern, thus the levels in the ditches and South Nettle Creek will be flowing at minimal levels. We have been able to maintain flows throughout the ditch system, however, they are minimal. It is suggested that all users conserve water and

users of the ditch system install low level cutoff switches on pumps to protect pumps from running dry.

Water conservation efforts at this time may delay or eliminate the need for mandatory water restrictions during the next several months. Everyone’s voluntary conservation efforts are appreciated.

THE SOPRIS SUN • Carbondale’s weekly community connector • August 20 - August 26, 2020 • 11

Old phone building slated for demolition

By Will Grandbois Sopris Sun Staff

Although an obscure provision of the municipal code won’t be enough to save a historic building, it did help tell its story.

It all started when the owners of 234 Main Street — built to house the original telephone switchboard and most recently the home of Defiance Social Club and Tattoo Parlor — requested a permit to raze the structure. Since the building in question is over 50 years old and part of the Historic Commercial Core zone district, that automatically triggered a review to see if it qualified for a landmark designation.

The Carbondale Historic Preservation Commission (CHPC) thought it did.

“The building is significant in the growth of Carbondale during the early part of the 1900s,” Commission Members Nick Miscione and Eric Doud determined. “It was built specifically for a technological innovation and represents a certain level of prosperity in the community at the time. The architecture of the building is very modest and may have been a repetitive type provided by the telephone company for their specific use.”

The lot, they discovered, was sold for taxes several times between 1888 — the year Carbondale was incorporated — and 1928.

The Mountain States Telephone & Telegraph Company brought a line into the valley in 1895, but accounts differ on where exactly the original hub was located. The building in question first appears on a 1912 Sanborn map commissioned for fire insurance purposes, and a very similar structure still stands in Basalt.

The replacement structure (left) will bear a resemblance to the original building (above).

Courtesy illustration and photo The telephone infrastructure — presumably a manned, manual switchboard at the time — eventually moved across the street (the same switch Alpine Animal Hospital would later make) before ending up in its current location on the corner of Fourth and Main streets.

As the CPHC prepared for a public meeting, one essential piece of the puzzle was missing: an owner interested in pursuing a historic designation. Contractor Rock Leonard layed out the development perspective in a letter to staff.

“The initial intent was to save the original front part of the building as she liked the look of it,” he explained, but the lack of a proper foundation, access issues, structural integrity and the possibility of mold made that a nonstarter.

“The owner likes the way the old building looks.

It is her desire to build a new building that incorporates the original design elements.”

At the virtual public meeting, Planner John Leybourne explained that a designation would

likely require the exterior to be restored as close to its original condition as possible — a challenge with an original wall missing and new windows in the rest.

“It’s just not feasible; it’s not reasonable,” owner Lauren Poleski told the board. “There’s no way I’ll be able to do what I’d like to do and also give consent to keep what’s here.”

No one from the general public participated in the public hearing, although the commission did receive a letter.

Noted Leonard, “I haven’t run into anybody that has very many concerns about this building with the exception of the Historical Preservation Committee.

Commission Member John Williams, also a member of the Carbondale Historical Society, took issue with that. He and fellow Commissioner Kim Magee discussed the idea of preserving the facade in some capacity — perhaps in the history park at the intersection

of Weant Boulevard and Highway 133 — but Leonard felt that would be impractical.

Meanwhile, Miscione felt that although components of the structure were eligible for preservation, he wasn’t sure it was reasonable to ask the applicant to restore or repair it.

Williams felt that it was, while Doud didn’t think it was the CPHC’s job to decide that.

In the end, while Miscione made a motion to enter into negotiations Poleski’s lack of interest rendered it moot.

“CHPC would like it on record that we’ve decided unanimously that the structure is eligible for landmark status, has asked the owner to take steps to preserve elements of the structure that are historic, and the owner has chosen to move forward against the CHPC’s advice,” Miscione said.

The demolition could take place at any time, although new construction would be subject to permitting and review.

Watch when development and art intersect

By Roberta McGowan Sopris Sun Staff

When the Carbondale Planning and Zoning Commission adjourned its recent meeting, the members had just voted to continue the major site plan review of the Eastwood 133 LLC Self-Storage Facility to the next public hearing on Thursday, Aug. 27.

The continuance will allow for public comments and questions.

But what makes this project different from many others is it intertwines artistic murals with construction.

Commenting on the plans, commission member Marina Skiles said “The presentation was amazing” and congratulated the 133 Team on its hard work.

Member Jeff Davlyn also complemented the group for making an “impressive effort and design.”

Planner/landscape architect Doug Platte of the Eastwood 133 Self Storage team, explained, “We’re looking to find a connection to the Carbondale community with this project.”

The developers presented their site plans for the 2.8-acre site and requested Carbondale annex it, as it is contiguous with the Town.

As Town Planning Director Janet Buck said, “This area is ripe for development,” and the Town would prefer the site would be governed by

A rendering of the final building as seen heading south on Highway 133 from Highway 82. Courtesy graphic

Carbondale regulations rather than Valley Mobile Home Park. The Garfield County. entrance and exit to Highway 133 Buck noted the traffic impact will be right-in right-out with a study requested by the Colorado raised median in the center of the Department of Transportation traffic control area.

(CDOT) will help determine if The rezoning application, additional highway development according to the packet, meets improvements are required. the following approval criteria for Developers also requested amendments to the zoning map: if annexation is approved, the promoting public health, safety and parcel will be rezoned from the general welfare. It is also consistent unincorporated Garfield County with the Town’s Comprehensive general and commercial zone to Plan and the purposes stated in the the Carbondale commercial/retail/ Unified Development Code. wholesale zone district.

The self-storage facility is This switch, according to Town planned for approximately 590 selfregulations, allows for a flexible storage units in a combination of mix of retail, restaurants, service, exterior and indoor access units plus commercial, lodging, offices and an office. other uses. Multiple story mixed-use The project will total 70,694 buildings may include residential square feet for the several buildings upstairs. The developers said they with most structures facing are only planning for self-storage Highway 133. The frontage would and not the other options. display several murals with the Also, the scenario includes art managed by the Carbondale a gated emergency access road Creative District, according to through the neighboring Mountain Andrea Korber, representing Aspen12 • THE SOPRIS SUN • soprissun.com • August 20 - August 26, 2020

based Land+Shelter architects.

Retail sales will take place out of the ground floor sales office for the purchase of boxes, tape, tape dispensers, bubble wrap, foam and storage door locks.

Land+Shelter noted the architecture is designed to breakup the massing of the buildings and provide appropriate screening when possible. Smaller buildings are placed closer to the highway and break up the overall length.

To add visual screening, approximately 30 feet of landscape is proposed within the property along Highway 133 that utilizes plant materials and street trees of a species and spacing recommended by the Carbondale Tree Board.

An additional landscape zone is proposed on the north side of the property along the proposed pedestrian/bike path to the adjoining manufactured home park to the west.

An additional landscape zone is

proposed in front of the screen fence on the west side of the property to benefit the adjoining manufactured home park residents.

“Our goals are to integrate trails, art and storage,” Platte noted, by including asphalt paths along the highway and connecting to the mobile home park community. This path would additionally connect to the Roaring Fork Transit Authority (RFTA) Park and Ride and the existing pedestrian crossing at Cowen Drive.

Developers’ proposed community benefits: Parcel identified as desirable for annexation in the Carbondale Master Plan Sidewalk provides safety and connectivity to the Rio Grande Trail and for the residents of the adjacent neighborhood Net zero energy building Public Arts and Arts District partnerships View of landscape and murals at the entrance to Carbondale

OPINION

CVEPA Views

By John Armstrong Six months ago, none of us could have imagined the new reality in which we live.

Many of the constraints we endure daily seem logical given the nature of the insidious virus.

Other collateral effects could not be predicted.

Camper and RV sales are burgeoning, competition for campsites and boat launches is more difficult than ever. Real estate sales are going through the roof as we are marketed as the best place to weather the pandemic. (And just try to find a place to park your Learjet!)

Local trail use has doubled and even tripled in places. Our mountain paradise is seeing increased pressure on all fronts.

The Crystal Valley Environmental Protection Association (CVEPA) sees another very disturbing trend that was well in motion before COVID. As people scramble to buy up the last bits of the Rocky Mountain West a darker side of human nature surfaces. The exclusivity, the desire to shut everyone else out of “My Private Valhalla” is pervasive. CVEPA respects private property rights and we expect the same respect for the people’s access to public lands.

Perhaps I was naive when I regarded our Federal Lands, National Forest and Parks in particular, as inalienable assets.

We have seen the wealthy assert their power to buy public lands to enhance their estates.

We watch as the State of Utah attempts to take over large tracts of federal land .

On a local level we see the avarice in new “neighbors” trying to usurp legal and historical public access from you. Public access to the

Defend your public access

fabulous and diverse Pitkin County Open Space Filoha Meadows below Redstone is closed to the public this year.

The Rock Creek Association, a group of residents along Dorais Way, installed a heavy metal electronic gate closing the 135 year public right of way which was the original Crystal Valley route. Many Pitkin County signs were stolen in the action.

Newcomer and co-president Terry Knapp, along with Phil Youngman, claim they have the legal right to lock the public out of their historic right of way.

CVEPA has supported Pitkin County’s attorneys in filing the District Court lawsuit which we hope will be settled with a permanent injunction in favor of the people later this summer.

Meanwhile, the Filoha access remains blocked.

By the confluence of the Crystal River and the Roaring Fork we have watched another exercise in selfishness unfold.

Teaming with Garfield County, the State Historical Society and the Town of Carbondale, John Hoffman of CVEPA and the Carbondale Trails Committee worked tirelessly to restore the 1900 Satank Bridge. The oldest wooden truss bridge in Colorado sits adjacent to the Rio Grande Trail ( administered by Roaring Fork Transit Authority) and has become increasingly more popular every year. Locals cycle, walk, and jog and with children, dogs and fishing poles come to this spot to commune with the river or beat the heat. The bridge is 120 years old but the road and public use predates Garfield County.

RFTA holds a 200 foot right of way for the Rio Grande Trail through this area of the valley. They also own outright ( fee simple) this section of the riparian corridor. Sometime around 2015 Amy Fulstone bought the property several hundred meters downstream

of the bridge, DBA Confluence Lodge. The public access to the river is steep and slippery. In 2017 Roaring Fork Outdoor Volunteers was poised to install stone steps to the river to create the long-awaited safer access route. Improved access had been long planned by both RFTA and the Garfield County Commissioners (BOCC). The week of the volunteer workday Fulstone threatened to sue RFOV claiming she owned the property. RFOV abandoned the project. The improved safer access to the river has now languished for over three years.

In 2016 a district court judge issued a Consent Order with an injunction forbidding Fulstone from interfering, contacting or harassing RFTA employees or the public in their work or peaceful enjoyment of the property. CVEPA thanks RFTA for persevering in the legal action. In defiance of this Consent Order, Fulstone continues to harass the public informing them that they are trespassing on her property. She has circulated erroneous flyers with maps and even installed metal signs in the middle of the Roaring Fork River.

This spring CVEPA contacted RFTA agents and the Garfield County BOCC to insist on completion of the safe descent to the river. Through meetings, phone calls and a letter writing campaign we have received RFTA’s pledge that the overdue work will be completed this summer.

Appearing before the BOCC on July 6, Fulstone proposed moving the river access point to someone else’s property. “In a perfect world” Fulstone stated that fencing the people out of their 130 year old historic access “is the perfect solution” “to keep the public from doing harm to themselves.”

CVEPA has a different vision of a perfect world in which we protect, conserve and share our environment and the public’s access to it. If we fail to defend these values now it will be a very different world for the next generation.

Visit CVEPA.org to learn more about us or to support our mission.

Access to Filoha Meadows remains a challenge.

Courtesy photo

wants to

Shopping locally is now more important than ever.

To show our appreciation, we have partnered with Carbondale Creamery and Cafe, Carbondale Beer Works, and Dos Gringos Burritos. We will be awarding a $25 gift card to the first 5 customers to visit each business every Friday in the month of August!

$25

Thank you for shopping local!

NO PURCHASE OR PAYMENT OF ANY KIND IS NECESSARY TO WIN. Certain restrictions apply. FirstBank employees and their immediate families are not eligible. Limit of one (1) gift card per customer and per household for the duration of the promotion. Winner(s) may decline the prize. Gift card cannot be substituted for cash prize. Contact the FirstBank — Carbondale at 970.476.3500 for more details.

THE SOPRIS SUN • Carbondale’s weekly community connector • August 20 - August 26, 2020 • 13

PARTING SHOTS

Welcome

Smoke from the Grizzly Creek and Pine Gulch fires filled the Valley this week, creating spectacular sunsets (photo by Will Grandbois) but shrouding Sopris (photo by Andrew Yager / CMK Pro Media) and generally making outdoor tasks less pleasant (photo by Laurel Smith).

ADVENTURE - CREATE SHOP - DINE - AD ENTURE

TO THE CARBONDALE CREATIVE DISTRICT

TOWN-WIDE ECONOMIC RECOVERY

Carbondale Mask Ordinance: Mandatory wearing of masks or facial coverings in public spaces including stores, restaurants, and the Wednesday Farmer’s Market.

Please practice social distancing and frequent hand-washing.

WWW.CARBONDALECREATIVEDISTRICT.COM WWW.CARBONDALE.COM

14 • THE SOPRIS SUN • soprissun.com • August 20 - August 26, 2020

Work in Progress Mural by Stanley Bell & Chris Erickson. PC: Lewis Cooper

LEGALS PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a Public Hearing will be held before the Carbondale Board of Trustees for the purpose of considering a Petition for Annexation submitted by Eastwood 133, LLC. The address is 0430 Highway 133 (Parcel #2393-284-00011). It is the 2.602 acre parcel along the west side of Highway 133, just north of the Public Service electrical substation.

The property is legally described as follows: A parcel of land situated in Lot 16 of Section 28, Township 7 South, Range 88 West of the Sixth Principal Meridian, being more particularly described as follows: Beginning at a point on the Westerly right-of-way line of Colorado State Highway No. 133, whence the East Quarter corner of said Section 28 bears North 24°43'21" East, 2372.8 feet; thence South 01°16'00" East, 511.89 feet along said Westerly right-of-way line; thence leaving said Westerly rightof-way line along the boundary of that Exception Parcel described in that document recorded as Reception No. 232893 South 88°44'00" West, 195.0 feet; thence continuing along said boundary South 01°16'00" East, 49.14 feet to a point on the Northeasterly right-of-way line of the Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad; thence leaving said boundary North 33°10'35" West, 47.30 feet along said Northeasterly right-of-way line; thence leaving said Northeasterly right-of-way North 01°16'00" West, 520.88 feet; thence North 88°44'00" East, 220.00 feet to the point of beginning. Containing 2.602 acres more or less.

Said Public Hearing will be held at 6:00 p.m. on September 22, 2020.

You may watch a live streaming of the meeting on You Tube. Search Town of Carbondale 22, 2020 meeting. Please be aware that you will experience a 15-30 second delay.

If you would like to submit comments regarding this application, email your comments or letter to msikes@carbondaleco.net by 3:00 p.m. on September 22, 2020. This email or letter will be entered into the record. You may also call Mary Sikes at 510-1210 to find an alternative way to submit a letter.

If you would like to comment during the meeting, email msikes@carbondaleco.net with your full name and address by 3:00 p.m. on September 22, 2020.

You will receive instructions on joining the meeting online prior to 6:00 p.m.

Also, you may contact msikes@carbondaleco.net to get a phone number to listen to the meeting, however, you will be unable to make comments.

WiFi will be available in the lobby of Town Hall and a phone will also be available in the lobby for the public to listen to the meeting.

Please email Janet Buck at jbuck@carbondaleco. net or call 970/456-3036 by 3:00 p.m. the date of the public hearing if special accommodations are necessary to participate in the meeting.

Copies of the Petition and Annexation Plat are available on the Town's website at www. carbondalegov.org. Please contact msikes@ carbondaleco.net or at 970/510-1210 if you are unable to view the application on the Town's website and would like to request an alternate method of review.

Janet Buck Town Planner ORDINANCE NO. 8 Series of 2020 AN ORDINANCE OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE TOWN OF CARBONDALE, COLORADO, APPROVING THE APPLICATION REZONE OF 35 N. 7TH STREET AS PART

OF THE COMMERCIAL/TRANSITIONAL (C/T) ZONE DISTRICT NOTICE: This Ordinance was introduced, read, and adopted at a regular meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Town of Carbondale, Colorado, on August 11, 2020.

This Ordinance shall take effect thirty (30) days after publication of this notice. The full text of said Ordinance is available to the public at www. carbondalegov.org or at the office of the Town Clerk, 511 Colorado Avenue, Carbondale, Colorado, during normal business hours.

THE TOWN OF CARBONDALE Dan Richardson, Mayor ORDINANCE NO. 9 Series of 2020 AN ORDINANCE OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE TOWN OF CARBONDALE, COLORADO, REVISING ARTICLES 4 AND 5 OF CHAPTER 6 OF THE MUNICIPAL CODE TO REVISE RETAIL AND MEDICAL MARIJUANA ESTABLISHMENT LICENSING REQUIREMENTS RELATED TO PROHIBITED LOCATIONS NOTICE: This Ordinance was introduced, read, and adopted at a regular meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Town of Carbondale, Colorado, on August 11, 2020.

This Ordinance shall take effect thirty (30) days after publication of this notice. The full text of said Ordinance is available to the public at www. carbondalegov.org or at the office of the Town Clerk, 511 Colorado Avenue, Carbondale, Colorado, during normal business hours.

THE TOWN OF CARBONDALE Dan Richardson, Mayor

Grizzly Creek Fire

Word List Ash Bair Ranch Coffee Pot Road Containment Cottonwood Pass Evacuations Fire Retardant Firefighters Glenwood Canyon Grizzly Creek

Gypsum Hanging Lake Helitanker High Aspen No Name Skycrane Smoke Spring Valley Wildfire Wind

SERVICE DIRECTORY

Visit HeathersSavoryPies.com for menus.

Lovely outdoor — safe social seating

ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN With over thirty years of local design & construction experience, we stand ready to assist you in your new or remodel project.

970 274 1718

Strict adherence to all county safety protocols.

— Live Music —

Thursday, August 20, 7pm Smokin’ Joe Kelly & Radall Utterback

Saturday, August 22, 7pm Josefina Mendez, Mark Johnson & Tim Fox

Friday, August 21, 7pm Chris Bank & Mark Johnson

Sunday, August 23, 10am Chris Bank

CARBONDALE ANIMAL HOSPITAL New location!

Complete CompleteInterior Interior and and Exterior wash package.

Exterior Wash Package

289 Main Street, Carbondale on the corner of Third and Main Street

Dr. Benjamin Mackin Monday-Friday 8 a.m.-5:30 p.m.

208 Midland Avenue, Basalt | (970) 309-7549 erickaanderson812@gmail.com | thehealinggrove.com

eW imaatte Wa ash iitm l sh t CLEAN Ul Cleans Inside U INSIDE & OUT & Out

See Thundercat at

Find us on Facebook

In-person and tele-health (Zoom) appointments available to treat Anxiety, Depression, and Trauma.

Ericka Anderson, MA LPC

Text “heathers” to 31996 to get music updates.

RESERVATIONS: 970-927-0151 | 166 Midland Ave Basalt, CO 81621 | Mon - Sat: 11a.m.-10p.m. Sun: 9a.m.- 9p.m.

(970) 963-2826

You’re not alone if you’re feeling life’s challenges are overwhelming right now.

Car ash Car W Wash Detailing Detailing Oil changes Oil Tires Changes

Weather Insurance Insurance Weather

If it rains or snows bring the vehicle back within If it rains48orhours snowsand bringweback vehicle will the rewash it. within

48 hours and we will rewash it.

Full service veterinary care | Chiropractic and Acupuncture

970-963-8800 745970-963-8800 Buggy Circle in Carbondale www.sunburstcarcare.com 745 Buggy Circle in Carbondale

WINDSHIELD House Calls from Aspen to Rifle | Hours M-F 9am-5pm REPAIR & Open Monday - Saturday 8am to 5:30pm and on Sunday from 9am to 4pm for washes only.

(970) 456-3277 | AllPetsMV@gmail.com | www.allpetsmobilevet.net AUTO GLASS REPLACEMENT WINDSHIELD Tires

www.sunburstcarcare.com Open Mon.-Sat. 8am-5:00pm and on Sundays from 9am-4pm for washes only

REPAIR & AUTO GLASS REPLACEMENTMo

970-963-3891 970-963-3891

Mobile Service Available

Thinking about selling your home?

Contact me today for a free market analysis!

bile Service Available Ingrid Wussow 970.404.5105

Locally Owned by David Zamansky

Locally owned byby Jake Zamansky Locally Owned David Zamansky

500 Buggy Circle, Carbondale, CO 500 Buggy Circle, Carbondale, CO cbmasonmorse.com THE SOPRIS SUN • Carbondale’s weekly community connector • August 20 - August 26, 2020 • 15

Calling all volunteers—no skills needed!

Volunteers are the very foundation of our organization—thousands of individuals in our community come together each year to help build homes with our partner families and help in our ReStore. Won’t you join us? // No special skills are required and we’re flexible—some volunteers come out weekly, some monthly and some just once. Any help is welcome! // Come alone or bring a group of friends or co-workers (volunteering with Habitat is a great team building opportunity). // To learn more or to sign up, please contact our Volunteer Coordinator at Volunteer@HabitatRoaringFork.org or 948-7207

HabitatRFV.org

FirstBank is a proud painter of walls, adviser of families, and financer of projects for Habitat for Humanity Roaring Fork Valley.

601 E Hopkins Ave #1, Aspen | eFirstBank.com We are proud to underwrite this ad to help Habitat make a difference in our community.