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Volume 7, Number 40 | November 12, 2015

Charles Goure dropped in at the newly remodeled Roaring Fork Valley Co-Op last weekend to show employees puppies from his new litter. Although it appears that Goure brought in three dogs, a count revealed there were actually four, which in dog terms is called “an armful of puppies.� In related news, the Co-Op held its annual meeting at the Orchard on Friday. For pics of that party, please turn to page 5. Photo by Jane Bachrach

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Carbondale Commentary The views and opinions expressed on the Commentary page do not necessarily reflect those of The Sopris Sun. The Sopris Sun invites all members of the community to submit letters to the editor or guest columns. For more information, e-mail editor Lynn Burton at news@soprissun.com, or call 510-3003.

Joint Budget Committee swings into action this week After a week of great fall weather, it was snowing hard at my We’re accustomed to having some budget for new programs and exhouse the last two mornings. Summer was way too short. Joyce and pansions of existing programs and we will have none this year.

I go back to Denver this week and start activity that will be non-stop To balance the budget with this projected shortfall the governor is through next May. But we’re not complaining. It’s an suggesting specific cuts that the JBC will consider. These honor to represent northwest Colorado in the legislature cuts include an additional $50 million from K12 funding, and we look forward to what’s coming. $20 million from higher education, a $19 million cut The six-person Joint Budget Committee (JBC), of from Medicaid provider rates and more. which I’m a member, was scheduled to start hearings on We are expecting to exceed TABOR revenue limits Nov. 12. We’ll be grinding through the performance next year so the recommended budget includes $289 measures, organization, and budgets of 22 state governmillion for tax refunds. It’s, of course, strange to be cutment departments. Our wonderful non-partisan staff ting vital spending while refunding money but our comspends all year analyzing every aspect of all the departplex set of constitutional and legislative constraints and ments in detail and then, in their first presentation, shovmandates have created an unusual situation to say the els it to us in a few hours. They seem to have a sincere least. The most significant is Medicaid growth and its belief that we can absorb so much information and data. the associated hospital funding mechanism known as the The committee asks a lot of questions and the departHospital Provider Fee (HPF) that are included in the

By Bob Rankin ment comes back another day and answers our quesTABOR limit. That limits other spending. My view is tions. We put together a balanced budget by March and that approval of the Medicaid funding mechanism, inpresent it to both houses of the legislature. cluding the HPF, should be presented to the voters under the proviThe JBC starts with a budget recommendation from the governor sions of TABOR next year. Otherwise we will continue to squeeze that is synthesized from department inputs and revenue forecasts. This out other critical spending. year looks to be problematic and I expect a tumultuous process to get Is this too much information? By the way, thanks for the vote on to our March budget. To start with, the forecasts (they will change the recent ballot issue BB to allow us to spend the marijuana tax twice before March) indicate a $160 million shortfall for the current money. We’ll spend the money on school buildings, and marijuana year ending in July. The recommendation is that we take this sum education and treatment. from our 6.5 percent reserve and replace the reserve next year. That means, however, that based on forecasts, we will have to make up Representative Bob Rankin, House District 57, lives in the Carbon$373 million after mandatory spending in the year starting next July. dale area and represents Garfield, Rio Blanco and Moffat counties.

Under Dome

Taxpayers should be amazed at schools’ programs As a new member of the seven-member State Board of Education, pre-K-20 experience. Programs include innovative teaching combined I’ve been visiting school districts and doing a lot of listening. I’ve met with technology for blended learning opportunities.

I was very proud to attend a presentation for Leticia Guzman Insome wonderful educational professionals and I’ve learned a lot about gram, named Teacher of the Year in Colorado. She teaches Western Colorado schools and the challenges we face. I English language development at Basalt High School and believe the average taxpayer would be amazed by the inwill travel to Washington, D.C. to visit the White House novative, forward-thinking programs in our schools. and compete for the national award.

Bruce Hankins, superintendent, from Dolores However, even with the bright spots, results from the County (Dove Creek and Rico) has a Journey of DisNational Assessment of Educational Progress are in and covery program. His K-12 curriculum focuses on sturesults are disappointing. Colorado students, although dents accepting responsibility for their actions by slightly higher than the national average, are not improvadopting consistent strategies for behaviors. With very ing in math and reading as we had hoped. On Nov. 12, the reliable, repeated actions understood and practiced by highly anticipated Colorado Measures of Academic Sucall adults and students, good results are emerging in access (CMAS) test scores are scheduled for public release. ademic expectations and accomplishments.

Our Western Slope teachers and administrators are West End Public Schools’ Superintendent Mike the Epright has challenges facing his small, 260-student working hard to meet the continued challenges of new school district that includes Nucla and Naturita. Sixty By Joyce Rankin standards, curriculum and testing. I’ll take what I’ve learned to the next state board meeting and continue to students ride a school bus 45 minutes one way to attend a Charter school in Paradox. listen to educators in the Third Congressional District.

Steve Schultz, superintendent in District 50 (Mesa County) operates the 12th largest school district in the state with over 21,000 stu- Joyce Rankin is on the Colorado Board of Education representing dents. The district has a unique partnership with Colorado Mesa the Third Congressional District. Board of education meetings are University and Western Colorado Community College to provide a held … across the street … from the Capitol.

Across Street

Letters

The Sopris Sun welcomes your letters, limited to no more than 400 words. Letters exceeding that length may be edited or returned for revisions. Include your name and residence (for publication) and a contact email and phone number. Submit letters via email to news@soprissun.com or via snail mail to P.O. Box 399, Carbondale, CO 81623. The deadline to submit letters to the editor is noon on Monday.

Thoughts from a cyclist Dear Editor: While riding my bicycle around Carbondale I am noticing MANY motorists doing the following things: • Zipping through the round-about at a rapid rate and not SEEING pedestrians and cyclists; • Failing to stop for pedestrians and cy-

clists waiting at cross walks; • Driving distracted by the compulsion to answer texts or phone calls.

I am compelled to remind motorists that cyclists and pedestrians are vulnerable to momentary lapses of attention from motorists. By Colorado law, cyclists are fully entitled to ride on state and local roadways and down the middle of the lane along des-

2 • THE SOPRIS SUN • www.SoprisSun.com • NOVEMBER 12-18, 2015

ignated shared-use routes.

Living in a community committed to promoting and facilitating walking and cycling as viable alternatives does indeed require mutual respect and a SAFETY mindset, but also importantly inclusivity.

We would prefer to SEE and be SEEN by motorists and fellow roadway users as citizens committed to a mutually respectful LETTERS page 15

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Honorary Publishers for their generous, ongoing commitment of support.

Jim Calaway Kay Brunnier Bob Ferguson – Jaywalker Lodge Scott Gilbert Bob Young – Alpine Bank George Stranahan Peter Gilbert James Surls Umbrella Roofing, Inc.

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It truly takes a village to keep e Sun shining.

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Donations accepted online or by mail. For information call 510-3003 Editor: Lynn Burton • 970-510-3003 news@soprissun.com Advertising: Bob Albright • 970-927-2175 bob@soprissun.com Reporter: John Colson Photographer: Jane Bachrach Graphic Designer: Terri Ritchie CURRENT BOARD MEMBERS board@soprissun.com Barbara Dills, President Debbie Bruell, Secretary Colin Laird • Cliff Colia • Diana Alcantara The Sopris Sun Board meets regularly on the third Monday evening of each month at the Third Street Center. Check the calendar for details and occasional date changes.

Honorary Board Members Denise Barkhurst • Sue Gray David L. Johnson • Laura McCormick Jeannie Perry • Trina Ortega • Frank Zlogar Founding Board Members Allyn Harvey • Becky Young • Colin Laird Barbara New • Elizabeth Phillips Peggy DeVilbiss • Russ Criswell

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Bumper hay-crop year drives down prices ree cuttings for some

By John Colson Sopris Sun Staff Writer Roaring Fork Valley ranchers were able to “make hay while the sun shines,” as the saying goes, growing a bumper crop of hay this year.

But ranchers who depend on income from all that hay may not be enjoying the kind of sales that would make this a year for significant profits as well as massive production.

That, according to one area expert, is because there currently is a lot of hay available for sale but not a lot of buyers, because most of the growers on the Western Slope experienced the same great hay-growing weather and hay does not travel well over long distances.

Pat McCarty, who retired in July as the Colorado State University Extension agent for Garfield County, confirmed for The Sopris Sun on Monday that 2015 was a good summer for growing hay.

“There is a gigantic crop,” said McCarty, who lives on Morissania Mesa near Parachute.

“But, along with it, the demand is down in the entire area,” he added.

All over the Roaring Fork Valley, the abundance of hay is evident in hay barns and other storage areas, many of which seem stuffed to bursting.

Ranchers have gotten up to three cuttings of hay over the summer, thanks to a plethora of rain in the spring and early summer followed by days or even weeks of relatively dry weather.

Hay was commanding as much as $250-$500 per ton a few years ago, and there was plenty of demand to keep the prices high, McCarty said.

“We used to have lots of horse ranches and operations that would buy the hay,” he said, and the area’s ranchers were eager to expand their hay crops to meet that demand.

But the Great Recession seems to have sapped the vitality of the market, McCarty continued. He also blamed the poor market for hay, in part, on the out-migration of

workers forced to move by the ongoing slump in gas drilling in the western part of Garfield County.

Many of those working in the gas industry, and living in semi-remote areas with a little land of their own, would keep horses on that land.

But, he said, “There isn’t much of that any more.”

The result has been a decrease in demand even as supplies this year grew exponentially.

“I’ve actually had guys call me and say, ‘Jeez, Pat, I can’t get anybody to buy my hay,’” McCarty said.

He noted that, while he is “not in the loop” like he once was, he has heard that hay prices now stand as low as $150 per ton, and “it’s a buyer’s market. It’s great for them (buyers).”

Another problem with the local hay market, he said, is that the same beneficial weather pattern came to the entire Western Slope, not just Garfield County, so there is not a lot of demand for shipping hay to nearby communities.

As for sending it farther afield, McCarty said, “It’s very expensive. Generally, you don’t see hay being hauled very far.”

An incredible year Others have confirmed McCarty’s statements.

“It’s been the most incredible year for hay that we’ve ever seen,” said Marge Perry, who with her husband, Bill Fales, runs a ranch just south of Carbondale.

But, she added, the resultant glut of hay has a down side.

“You can’t sell it,” she said. “You can’t give it away.”

She said classified ads in an agricultural publication, The Fence Post in Greeley, lately have offered hay for free to anyone who wants to haul it away.

But luckily, Perry said, their ranch does not depend on the market for selling hay.

“Oh, we may sell a ton or so,” said Perry, “but we usually just feed most of it to our cows.” She noted that they run a couple hundred head of cattle that need the hay to make it through the winter.

The same story holds true for the nearby Sewell family, who also grow hay primarily for feed.

“It was a banner year,” confirmed Jayme Sewell, whose husband, Jason, is a fifth-generation rancher and runs his family’s historic property.

But she said the Sewells’ 70-head herd of cattle generally consume whatever the ranch produces, which puts the family, like many others in the area, in the position of not having to pay a lot of attention to the swings of the hay market.

“Everybody that I know of, personally, they’re growing for sustenance,” she said. “Of course, they will sell their excess.”

She added that there are other areas in Colorado, such as the Grand Valley near Grand Junction and the eastern plains, where vast acreage and a longer growing season create better conditions for growing hay for sale.

“This is not ideal hay-growing landscape here,” she remarked, at least not for someone in the business of growing hay as a money crop in and of itself.

Fantastic “It was a fantastic year,” enthused Felix Tornare, who runs Milagro Ranch on Missouri Heights, a few miles north of Carbondale. “We haven’t seen it like this in a long, long time.”

With his wife, Sarah, Tornare, a Swiss immigrant, also owns the Louis Swiss Pastry business in Aspen. Like others, Tonare was worried when the skies dried up in the middle of the 2014-2015 winter, but was overjoyed when storms dumped snow on the mountains in the early spring and the rains followed suit.

He said the abundance of moisture and cooperating weather meant he was able to get three big cuttings out of his own hay crop, and was kept plenty busy as a contract hay-cutter for other growers.

As for the market, he said he has not noticed a slump, although he characteristically sells to buyers who have bought from him before.

“People know what you put up, and they want to buy that,” he said proudly. “We put up super-nice horse hay.”

He said he sells to large horse-boarding operations and others that characteristically do not grow their own hay.

Road trip Brian Kent, 44, is working his way across America 70 miles at a stretch in a Nissan Leaf electric vehicle. He found Carbondale’s free charging station at town hall after encountering an Alpine Bank vice-president in Grand Junction. As of Tuesday, Kent had covered 15,820 miles in 78 days, crossing through 27 states, after rolling out from New York state. He said he’s trying to demonstrate that long-distance trips are feasible with an electric vehicle, which typically has a range of less than 100 miles. Said Matt Shmigelsky of CLEER: “Brian’s journey is a testament to the ability of electric vehicles to meet the transportation needs of a vast majority of everyday Americans ... The current and future deployment of publicly available fast charging, affordable, extended range vehicles and the best incentives in the country make projections for EV adoption in Colorado rising to 1 million vehicles by 2030.” Photo by Lynn Burton

THE SOPRIS SUN, Carbondale’s weekly community connector • NOVEMBER 12-18, 2015 • 3

Town Briefs

Numerous limbs found in Dumpsters Catherine Store Road (Garfield County Road 100) east of town, in preparation for installation of the wintertime ice skating rink, in addition to working on some drainage problem areas along Highway 133. Harrington specifically mentioned that “one area in front of Garcia’s is problematic.”

The town arborist, David Coon, is continuing with the installation of LED holiday lights in the trees along Main Street. The town also removed protective fencing around a large Spruce tree in the Thompson Park construction site, which was put in place to protect the tree during infrastructure construction at the project.

Harrington reported that work at Thompson Park continues, and that the contractor charged with building public rest rooms at the Historic Thompson House park has yet to begin work on that facility, but predicted that it should start soon.

At the Carbondale Recreation and Community Center, Harrington wrote, a wide variety of programming is underway every week, and is available for public review and registration at the website, www.carbondalerec.com. Harrington noted that this week marks the second week of the Dinky Dunkers basketball program for kids in first and second

Photo by Jane Bachrach

Sopris Sun Staff Report The town-sponsored Dumpsters for Leaf Days remained in the empty lot across from Town Hall, where citizens are invited to dump leaves raked from local yards, the town manager reported in his weekly memo to staff, trustees and others. Harrington went on to say that last weekend (Nov. 6-7) both Dumpsters contained limbs and other yard and garden debris, which is not in keeping with the town’s plans to deliver fallen leaves to local agricultural operators for mulch and winter cover.

In other news from Harrington’s report, the town’s parks workers, in preparation for winter, switched to twice-weekly maintenance scheduled for trash receptacles and dog-waste stations (Mondays and Fridays); continued working on installation of engineered wood chips at the Miners Park playground; and checked out the small snow removal equipment.

ArmorProseal, the town’s contractor for filling cracks in the street pavement this year, finished up its program for 2015 after applying 30,000 pounds of material.

Some remaining cracks and faults will be handled by the street crew over the winter, Harrington reported.

Town workers graded the ground at the Gus Darien Riding Arena, on

grades, adding that the boys program is full up but that the girls program still had a couple of open spots as of Oct. 30.

In addition, Harrington wrote, the fall adult volleyball league is continuing this week, with 11 teams signed up; registration is open for the men’s basketball league (Dec. 21 deadline for signing up), and for the youth basketball league (girls and boys, grades 3-6) and the adult broomball league (deadline is Dec. 14).

Police Lt. Chris Wurtsmith and administrative assistant Anna Ramirez had an informational session with the Valley Settlement Project Latino advocacy group last week, chatting about such issues as domestic violence and how the U.S. justice system works. The pair plans to hold more such meetings in the future, Harrington wrote.

Police reported that Halloween night in Carbondale was “pleasant and relatively quiet,” according to Harrington.

Extra officers were on patrol, and handed out hundreds of “glow sticks” in the neighborhoods over the course of the evening, an act that was “well received by parents,” Harrington wrote.

Harrington also noted that the police department planned an internal meeting this week “with a focus on ‘customer service.’”

Cop Shop From Oct. 29 to Nov. 5, Carbondale officers handled 221 calls for service. During that period, officers investigated the following cases of note:

SATURDAY, Oct. 31: At 12:38 a.m. a local woman calling from an address in the 300 block of Main St. reported that her wallet, containing her driver’s license and credit cards, had been stolen.

MONDAY, Nov. 2: At 9:22 a.m. police received a report of slashed tires on a vehicle in the 300 block of South 8th Street.

MONDAY, Nov. 2: At 11:33 a.m. police arrested a man at an address on Highway 133 on charges of check fraud and possession of a controlled substance.

MONDAY, Nov. 2: At 4:33 p.m. police arrested a local man on a charge of drunk driving.

TUESDAY, Nov. 3: At 9:56 p.m. police stopped a vehicle for weaving on Highway 133, and arrested the driver on charges of drunk driving.

WEDNESDAY, Nov. 4: At 1:02 p.m. police took a report from a local woman about an alleged fraudulent telephone call by someone claiming to be from the Internal Revenue Service, who said they were filing a lawsuit against the recipient of the call and advising her to contact them immediately.

WEDNESDAY, Nov. 4: At 4:16 p.m. police were advised that a load of laundry in a communal washroom at a Colorado Avenue address was vandalized, by someone dumping bleach into the washing machine.

No suspects were reported.

the Crown Catho f o lic ary Ch in M t ur n Carbondale i ch Sa

38th Annual

ELK/turkey DINNER and Country Store Saturday, November 14, 2015 Elk/Turkey Dinner Served from 4:00 to 7:30 p.m.

Dave and Lois Hayes

We support The Sopris Sun. Carbondale’s nonprofit newspaper

Donation: Adults $12 5 to 12 and Seniors $8

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4 • THE SOPRIS SUN • www.SoprisSun.com • NOVEMBER 12-18, 2015

395 White Hill Road, Carbondale, Colorado (970) 704-0820

Co-Op celebrates 65th

The Roaring Fork Valley Co-Op held its annual meeting, and celebrated its 65th year, at the Orchard on Friday night. Members pretty much ďŹ lled the place and also got to meet new GM Ben Thompson. The Co-Op’s extensive remodel project is not ďŹ nished but will be in 2016, Thompson told The Sopris Sun. Clockwise from upper left: Board president Tom Harrington makes a few remarks, Donna Marie Parker accepts her safety check from Thompson, Sophia Loren keeps an eye on the men.

Photos and text by Lynn Burton

THANKSGIVING DAY IS NOV. 26

SOPRIS SUN DEADLINES AUDUBON SEED SALE! Oct. 30 - Nov. 13

10% of All Wild Bird Seed

purchases will be donated to Roaring Fork Audubon.

Call 963-1700 to preorder.

(Preorders available for pickup on Nov. 6) Open M-F 9-6:30pm, Sat/Sun 10-5pm /FYU UP $JUZ .BSLFU JO &M +FCFM t & 7BMMFZ 3E 4UF * + t r Open seven days a week

Ad reservations, letters and public service announcements due Friday, Nov. 20 by noon.

Publicize your Black Friday and Small Business Saturday sales!

Contact Bob Albright 970-927-2175 bob@soprissun.com

THE SOPRIS SUN, Carbondale’s weekly community connector • NOVEMBER 12-18, 2015 • 5

Scuttlebutt

Send your scuttlebutt to news@SoprisSun.com. vans on the road as part of its Traveler system. The Roaring Fork Transportation Authority and Garfield County received several grants to fund the vehicles, according to a press release. Garfield County provided several grants as well. “This fits into our overall goals, one of which is to support compressed natural gas use in our community,” said Garfield County Commissioner Tom Jankovsky. “This uses some of the natural gas produced in our community to support the natural gas industry locally, rather than exporting it.”

It takes a village Anakeesta Ironwood, 10, has been cast in the Broadway Dreams Foundation’s theatrical showcase in New York City on Nov. 23.

It’s quite an honor, as only 50 out of more than 850 students of all ages from across the country were chosen. She has been involved in theater in the Roaring Fork Valley since she was 4 years old, participating in productions with Theatre Aspen (“Les Miserables”), Theatre Aspen School, Jayne Gottlieb Productions, SoL Theatre and more. In the past year, she co-edited, co-directed and performed in a production of the musical, “Free to Be … You and Me” with SoL Theatre, performed as Lady Larken in Theatre Aspen School’s production of “Once Upon a Mattress,” sang at the Carbondale Historical Society’s Shindig fundraiser, at a fund-raiser for SoL Theatre and recorded for a local puppet production for Dia de Los Muertos. She also sings at Two Rivers Unitarian Universalist on special occasions and is in rehearsal for SoL Theatre’s “A Muppet Christmas Carol.” So, now that you know a bit about Anakeesta, here’s some more. She and her family are looking for help to fund her trip to New York City, her third to the Big Apple this fall for auditions and such. Her webpage is generosity.com. On it you will find her singing, dancing and writing about her adventures. It can be found through the following link: http://igg.me/at/-8I-JTdsJiQ. “It would be wonderful to really have her community behind her,” said her mom, Asha. “Every little bit helps. It takes a village … .”

Need health insurance?

Carbondale trustees recognized their Students of the Month on Tuesday night. They are (left to right, back row): Fiona Laird (RFHS), Robert Thompson (RFHS) and Anja Simpson (Ross Montessori); (left to right, back row): Abby Campos (Carbondale Community School) and Allie Johnson (Carbondale Community School). Not shown is Dario Osorio (Ross Montessori). Photo by Lynn Burton

Elide needs your help A Go Fund Me account has been set up for Elide Andrade at gofundme.com/p28s2mg8.

Elide’s friends say she’s the type of person who always makes you smile and always cares about others. She is enrolled in the Colorado Mountain College nursing program and works at Heritage Park Care Center. At Roaring Fork High School she was an honor student, part of the pre-collegiate program, a

Aspen Community Theatre Presents

cheerleader and soccer player. She is part of the Buddy Program. On Nov. 5 Elide was critically injured in a car accident and her hospital bills are mounting fast. As of Wednesday, 121 Go Fund Me donations, ranging from $10 to $100, totaled just over $5,000 with a goal of $10,000.

It’s a gas, gas, gas The Garfield County Senior Program recently put a two compressed natural gas

The Basalt Chamber of Commerce is organizing a health insurance Enrollment Fair at the El Jebel Community Center from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Nov. 14. The chamber also organized a health forum featuring Colorado legislators, Colorado Division of Insurance representatives, hospital executives and others for a public forum that is scheduled for Basalt Middle School from 5 to 7 p.m. on Nov. 12. The events were prompted after Colorado HealthOP announced it would not operate in 2016, leaving 112,000 people scrambling for health insurance.

They say it’s your birthday Folks celebrating their birthday this week include: Kelsey Freeman and Estefania Montoya (Nov. 12); Maria Flores and Riley Skinner (Nov. 13); Sue Rollyson, Ron Leach and Morgan Williams (Nov. 14); Joyce Leeman (Nov. 15); Robin Tolan (Nov. 17) and Larry Smith (Nov. 18).

At the Aspen District Theatre

November 6, 7 & 11, 12, 13, 14 at 7 pm November 8 & 15 at 2 pm Tickets at the Wheeler Box Office

SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL SMALL BUSINESSES

920.5770 or aspenshowtix.com Music by Alan Menken Lyrics by Howard Ashman & Tim Rice Book by Linda Woolverton

SHOP LARGE! SMALL BUSINESS SATURDAY

NOVEMBER 28!!!! rve Rese e spac . i

by Fr 0 2 Nov.

SUPPORT BASALT & CARBONDALE SMALL BUSINESSES BY TRYING THEM FIRST The Sopris Sun will run 1/4 page ads for $150 in color and 1/8 page ads for $80 in the Thursday, November 26 edition readable in print and on line at soprissun.com.

Reserve your ad space with Bob Albright, bob@soprissun.com 1-970-927-2175 6 • THE SOPRIS SUN • www.SoprisSun.com • NOVEMBER 12-18, 2015

Culture in Carbondale If you’re into culture, Carbondale was the place to be last weekend. The Roaring Fork Cultural Council presented opera singer Sue Patchell and her accompanist, Franz Vote, at Thunder River Theatre on Friday night (top). On Friday and Saturday nights, Dance Initiative presented “Vacuum: A Multi-Media performance” that included dance, a video and (you got it) vacuum cleaners. Left: Meegan Shapiro and Deb Colley apply their lipstick. Below, left to right: Kirsten Frantzich; from Denver, Cynthia Gottlob and Sean Ericson; and Emily Fifer. Dance Initiative’s artist-in-residence Alya Howe choreographed the piece.

Photos and text by Jane Bachrach

VACUUM Do you?

THE SOPRIS SUN, Carbondale’s weekly community connector • NOVEMBER 12-18, 2015 • 7

Carbondale trustees “punt” on trash ordinance

By John Colson Sopris Sun Staff Writer Carbondale’s elected leaders on Tuesday once again “punted,” in the words of Trustee Allyn Harvey, on a proposed revision to the town’s trash-collection ordinance that has been under discussion for at least six years.

Harvey, speaking on the KDNK radio station Wednesday morning, used that word to describe the lack of action by the Board of Trustees (BOT) at their regular meeting the night before.

The town government has been trying for all those years to come up with ways to modify the trash-hauling system in Carbondale that would increase residents’ access to recycling and composting collection services, consolidate trash pickup days and reduce the number of trash trucks that regularly ply the town’s streets and alleyways.

The task of crafting an ordinance to that effect has fallen to the volunteers serving on the town’s Environmental Board (known as the E-board), in partnership with town staff and the Community Office of Resource Efficiency, or CORE, a collaboration that resulted in an initial draft ordinance submitted to the BOT in August.

On Tuesday, an updated ordinance was once again before the trustees, but once again there were questions about particular aspects of the proposed ordinance, skepticism and threats of rate hikes from some of the trash haulers serving Carbondale, and expressions of urgency for adopting the ordinance and working out the bugs later from some of those closely connected

with the work done so far.

“From what I can tell, we have everybody about equally upset about this,” quipped Town Manager Jay Harrington when he opened up the discussion about the proposed ordinance, which addresses only residential trash pickup and leaves commercial trash hauling for a later time.

“This is not anything perfect,” conceded Trustee A.J. Hobbs, who is the BOT’s liaison to the E-board and who was one of those pushing for adoption on Tuesday night.

“It’s going to have its kinks that need to be worked out,” Hobbs continued. “It’s only a step in the right direction.”

Trustee Katrina Byars, a former E-board liaison, concurred with Hobbs that the ordinance should be adopted that night, and then fine tuned later.

“It’s been going on and on,” Byars said, adding, “I don’t know if we can get to a place where everybody’s happy” with the language or even the direction of certain parts of the proposed ordinance.

Many of the questions that came up Tuesday night were about how the town will handle pick up of compostable materials, which are defined in the proposed ordinance as “any organic material that will naturally degrade and that has been designated as compostable by the public works director’s regulation in the ‘Compostable Materials List, and readily accepted by licensed composting facilities.”

Those “materials,” according to the proposed ordinance, could include animal or vegetable scraps from preparing and serv-

ing foods, “paper products (without plastic coating) and products designed to completely break down in commercial composting facilities within 120 days,” and “organic yard materials.”

“I don’t know if we can get to a place where everybody’s happy” – Katrina Byars

But the ordinance, if approved, would not require haulers to actually do the compost pickup themselves, simply to “offer” it, perhaps by subcontracting that part of the trash collecting to some other company, a detail that appeared to be problematic for the trustees.

Trustee Pam Zentmyer, after hearing that rate hikes might be one result of passage of the ordinance as proposed, said that rate increases could be avoided if the town simply went to a “single hauler” system where one company does all the trash collection.

According to statements made at the meeting, Carbondale currently is down to “two or three” trash hauling companies,

following a recent merger of two firms.

“I think a single hauler will address a lot of the problems that we keep spinning out on,” said Zentmyer, who added that she felt strongly that compost pickup should be required of haulers.

“I think that should be our first priority,” she declared, explaining that composting removes food waste from the “refuse stream” and would cut down on the emission of methane gas from landfills, which contributes to global warming.

Mayor Stacey Bernot, clearly frustrated by the direction of Tuesday’s discussion, stated at one point, “We’re not getting any closer. We are no closer, in my view,” to passage of a trash ordinance.

She suggested that the matter needs more work, perhaps a work session of the BOT and the E-board, to iron out remaining wrinkles.

But Jason White, an E-board member, urged the board to pass the ordinance as presented, maintaining that some of the objections and questions “are already being addressed” by the E-board and can be dealt with in the coming weeks.

“The ordinance that’s in front of you is actually pretty benign,” White said, calling it a compromise among the E-board, the haulers, staff and other participants in the trash talks.

“I think that, for all the moving parts, we’ve done a really good job,” White concluded.

But the trustees were not ready to pull the trigger on passage of the ordinance, and TOWN COUNCIL page 14

ompson Divide actions come down to two avenues Legislative and administrative

By John Colson Sopris Sun Staff Writer In the ongoing and sometimes confusing saga of the Thompson Divide backcountry region near Carbondale, a leader of the groups trying to keep gas drilling rigs out of the region this week said it all comes down to two avenues of effort — legislative and administrative.

According to Zane Kessler, director of the anti-drilling Thompson Divide Coalition, the activists hoping to prevent drilling will continue seeking help from Congress for a legislative resolution to the debate, but without environmental impact analyses of the leases as required under federal law.

Kessler said a decision by the BLM on that appeal is due out in a matter of weeks.

The Board of Garfield County Commissioners (BOCC) this week gave its official support to the idea of permanently protecting part of the Thompson Divide from future oil and gas leasing.

At a meeting on Nov. 9, the BOCC endorsed a letter, proposed by Commissioner Tom Jankovsky, that would set aside “the Garfield County portion of the Thompson Divide area,” while not specifying exactly how much acreage is involved.

The Garfield County decision on Monday would protect 39,000 acres of the area from future leasing, according to a news

story about the Nov. 9 meeting, but would leave thousands of acres still open for future leases.

Kessler, in that news story, said the decision represents an acceptable compromise

mentioning lands “inside or outside of the Thompson Divide.”

In that op-ed, Tipton wrote that he would support “targeted legislation” based on the idea of swapping the federal leases in the Thompson Divide for federal leasable lands elsewhere in Colorado, but that he

“This is the first time that the Garfield County Commissioners have supported a permanent withdrawal (from future lease consideration) for federal public lands in the Thompson Divide or anywhere else.”

– Zane Kessler in the ongoing dispute over drilling in the Thompson Divide.

The unanimous decision puts the Garfield County Commissioners, all of whom are in the Republican party, in opposition to the publicly stated position of their fellow Republican, U.S. Rep. Scott Tipton (R-3rd Dist.), who represents much of the Western Slope in the U.S. Congress.

Tipton, in an op-ed published in various Western Slope newspapers, recently declared that he would not support permanent withdrawal of any federal lands from future leasing considerations, particularly

8 • THE SOPRIS SUN • www.SoprisSun.com • NOVEMBER 12-18, 2015

could not agree to permanent protection of any portion of the area out of concern that the energy reserves underlying the Thompson Divide might be needed in the future.

Activists hoping to protect the Thompson Divide from gas drilling reacted to the Garfield County decision with appreciation.

“This is the first time that the Garfield County Commissioners have supported a permanent withdrawal (from future lease consideration) for federal public lands in the Thompson Divide or anywhere else,” wrote Kessler in an e-mail to The Sopris Sun. The TDC has been working for several

years to prevent oil and gas drilling in the Thompson Divide, a 221,500-acre remote and largely undeveloped region southwest of Carbondale. The TDC is made up of people representing a wide array of local interests, including environmentalists, ranchers and recreationalists.

The region is home to a number of drilling leases, including about two dozen held by two energy companies — Ursa Resources, with offices in Denver, Rifle and Houston, and SG Interests, based in Houston.

A total of 65 or so leases in the Thompson Divide, including the ones owned by Ursa and SG Interest, currently are being reviewed by the U.S. Bureau of Land Management to determine whether the leases should be canceled. Proponents of canceling the leases have argued that they were improperly issued by the BLM in the 1990s and were never subject to a certain level of environmental impact review required of such leases.

Ursa and SG Interest last April proposed a swap of leases in the Thompson Divide area for other leases on U.S. National Forest lands in the region around the North Fork of the Gunnison River, across McClure Pass from the Roaring Fork Valley.

Garfield County came out in favor of the swap shortly after it was proposed, in a letter addressed to all three members of Colorado’s Congressional delegation — Tipton, THOMPSON DIVIDE page 14

Community Briefs Co-housing group forming The Carbondale Co-Housing Group meets at the Third Street Center from 6 to 8 p.m. on Nov. 12, Dec. 3, Dec. 17 and Jan. 7. The group is working to build supportive living in the Roaring Fork Valley. These are potlucks so bring your own utensils. For details, e-mail Philip Hone Williams at uiux@yahoo.com.

UDC comments due Nov. 24 Comments on installment three of Carbondale’s draft UDC are due by Nov. 24, according to a press release. The UDC (Uniform Development Code). The Carbondale Board of Trustees is expected to adopt the UDC early next year.

Chop those trees Christmas tree cutting permits on the White River National Forest are now available at the Sopris Ranger District ofďŹ ce on Main Street. The cost per permit is $10 and may be purchased with cash, check or credit card at ofďŹ ce locations. There is a maximum of ďŹ ve tree permits per person. Christmas tree cutting is allowed in most areas on the White River National Forest with the following exceptions: wilderness areas, scenic byways, Glenwood Canyon, the Maroon Bells Scenic Area, commercial timber sale areas, recreation and ski areas, campgrounds, trailheads, developed sites and administrative areas. Trees may not be cut within 100 feet of any road or trail. Maps are available showing where Christmas tree

Please submit your community briefs to news@soprissun.com by noon on Monday.

cutting is allowed. Trees must be less than 15 feet tall from the stump, may not be greater than six inches in diameter at the base of the tree, and the stump height should be no greater than six inches high.

Trees are for personal use only and cannot be resold. Tags must be attached to the tree at the cutting location and must be left on the tree until it arrives at its ďŹ nal destination. For details, call 963-2266.

RSVP offers Medicare advise High Country RSVP is offering free advice on Medicare open enrollment, which continues through Dec. 7. People can compare Medicare beneďŹ ts for the next year and change their prescription drug plan, Medicare D or Medicare Advantage Plan, according to a press release. Trained counselors from High Country RSVP (Retired Senior Volunteer Program) are available to help with free, unbiased assistance. For details or an appointment, call 384-8744.

Labor of Love returns The KDNK Labor of Love auction and community mixer returns to the Carbondale Recreation Center from 6 to 9 p.m. on Nov. 20. If you’d like to donate an item, call Megan at 963-0139 or e-mail megan@kdnk.org.

Libraries closed after T-day GarďŹ eld County libraries will be closed the day after Thanksgiving Day and will reopen on Saturday, Nov. 28.

Shawn Tolle, formerly of Roadside Gallery, has opened Sopris Printing at 326 Highway 133.

Sopris Printing offers ďŹ ne art and photographic printing for designers, photographers, ďŹ ne artists and the general public. He also does digital restoration on damaged photographs. For details, call 510-5333, e-mail shawn@soprisprinting.com, or go to soprisprinting.com.

Photo by Jane Bachrach

Non-profit highlight

ROTARY CORNER

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In the world of Rotary, November is Rotary Foundation Month. Why is the Rotary Foundation so important? You may have heard how close we are to eliminating Polio from the world. Polio Plus is part of the Rotary Foundation. And, the Gates Foundation matches Polio Plus contributions $2 for every $1 contributed. – Bob Delavan, Rotary District 5470 governor Carbondale Rotary meets at 6:45 a.m. each Wednesday at the Carbondale Firehouse.

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NOVEMBER/DECEMBER PROGRAMS: Nov. 11 – Veterans Day special honors Nov. 18 – Matt Hamilton, Aspen Skiing Co. Sustainability Director, “What SkiCo is doing for sustainability�

Nov. 25 – Thanksgiving week Dec. 2 – Club meeting Dec. 9 – Robin Hamill, Haiti Children project Dec. 16 – Sara Sims and Randy Lowenthal, Mountain Valley Developmental Services For program suggestions, contact Rick Carlson, ccarlson@gmail.com For membership and other Rotary Club information, visit www.rotarycarbondale.org

THE SOPRIS SUN, Carbondale’s weekly community connector • NOVEMBER 12-18, 2015 • 9

Community Calendar

To list your event, email information to news@soprissun.com. Deadline is noon on Monday. Events take place in Carbondale unless noted. For up-to-the-minute valley-wide event listings, check out the Community Calendar online at soprissun.com. View events online at soprissun.com/calendar.

THURS.-SAT. Nov. 12-14

FRIDAY Nov. 13

THEATRE • Colorado Rocky Mountain School presents “Once Upon a Mattressesâ€? in the Barn at 7:30 p.m. Tickets at the door are $15 for adults, $10 for children.

MOVIES • The Crystal Theatre presents “Truthâ€? (R) at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 13-19; “Burntâ€?

(R) at 5:15 p.m. Nov. 14 and “He Named Me Malala� (PG-13) at 5:30 p.m. Nov. 15 (captioned).

THURS.-SUN. Nov. 12-15 BASKETBALL CAMP • Joe Markham is offering a basketball shooting camp for boys in grades 6-8 at Carbondale Middle School at 3:30 p.m. The cost is $5; snacks are included. Info: 963-1109.

THURSDAY Nov. 12

THE STARLETTS • At the Black Nugget, the Starletts take the stage at 9 p.m.

No word on a cover charge, crowd control measures, special VIP sections or media coverage.

LIVE MUSIC • Steve’s Guitars in the old part of the Dinkel Building presents live music every Friday night.

Info: 963-3340.

MARBLE DISTILLING • Marble Distilling at the east end of Main Street hosts a Bernie’s Burn to watch the Democratic debate at 6:30 p.m. The debate starts at 7 p.m.

Seating is limited; RSVP Michael Levengood at 970-274-8864 or John Field at 970-989-3880.

FILM • The documentary “Take Back Your Powerâ€? is screened at the Carbondale Branch Library at 7 p.m. Admission is free. Info: e.blout@yahoo.com.

MEETING • The Crystal River Caucus meets at the Church at Redstone at 7 p.m.

ROTARY • The Mt. Sopris Rotary meets at Mi Casita at noon every Thursday.

GONG MEDITATION • Rising Crane training center (768 Highway 133) presents gong meditation with Barry Chapman at 7 p.m. The suggested donation is $20. Info: 456-8929.

THURS.-SUN. Nov. 12-15

SATURDAY Nov. 14

THEATRE • Aspen Community Theatre presents “Beauty and the Beastâ€? at the Aspen Community Theatre at 7 p.m. on Nov. 1214, and 2 p.m. on Nov. 15. Tickets are available at the Wheeler Box OfďŹ ce (920-5770) and aspenshowtix.com.

LIVE MUSIC • Carbondale Beer Works presents Hell Roaring String Band from 7 to 10 p.m.

BOOK TALK • Darrell Munsell discusses his new book “Jack Roberts: Painting the Westâ€? at the Carbondale Branch Library at 3 p.m.

The late Jack Roberts lived in Redstone and was known throughout the U.S. and beyond for his colorful and often humorous depicNitty Gritty Dirt Band Founders

John McEuen and

Jimmy Ibbotson Sunday, November 22nd at 7:30pm

tions of the American West. Books will be available for purchase and light refreshments will be served. Info: gcpld.org.

ELK DINNER • St. Mary of the Crown serves up its 38th annual elk/turkey dinner and country store from 4 to 7:30 p.m. The suggested donation is $12 for adults and $8 for kids 5-12 and seniors.

St. Mary of the Crown is located at the top of White Hill Road; info 7040820.

LIVE DANCING • Let’s Just Dance holds its inagural Harvest Ball from 7:30 to 10:30 p.m. at the Third Street Center. The Caleb Dean band provides the music. Light refreshments and non-alcoholic beverages will be sold. Partners are not necessary. Admission is $15. Info: Bill at 970-366-6463.

LIVE MUSIC • The Carbondale Rhythm Collective presents a marimba program starting at 7 p.m. at Carbondale Community School. The evening includes marimba ensemble music; African drum/dance; the Flying Mallets youth marimba band; Eric Baumheier, Aja McAdams, Soozie Lindbloom, Ann McAlpin all from Carbondale; David and Arlyn Deva Alderdice from Embodying Rhythm in Hotchkiss; and special guests! Admission is $15 for adults and $5 for kids. This is a fund-raiser for the Carbondale Rhythm Collective’s marimba program.

For tickets and info please visit www.carbondalerhythm.org or call Eric at 303-717-1310.

BONEDALE BALLET • Coredination and Bonedale Ballet present “Dance Celebrationsâ€? and “Nutcracker Variationsâ€? at Carbondale Middle School at 2 and 7 p.m. The program includes classical ballet, contemporary ballet, modern and tap, with dancers from 4 years old to adult. Ticket info: 379-2187.

CHRISTMAS BOUTIQUE • The 39th annual Christmas Boutique returns to the Carbondale Fire House from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Local artisans offer handmade jewelry, paintings, prints, candles, holiday decorations, notecards, quilted bags, scarves, up-cycled children’s clothing, toys/bags, handmade soap, lotions/creams, jellies, fudge and more.

A portion of the proceeds go to the Carbondale Fire District.

DAVI NIKENT • Davi Nikent presents “Voyage of Discoveryâ€? with Margaret Gilfoyle at the Third Street Center from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Info: one.heart.world@aol.com or 970-490-2975.

CAFÉ FILM • The Beat on Main Street presents a ďŹ lm at 8 p.m.

SUNDAY Nov. 15 OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD • The Orchard holds an Operation Christmas Child shoe box wrapping party and fundraiser starting at 11 a.m. Residents are asked to pack shoe boxes with gifts (including small toys, personal care items, school supplies and hard candy) that will be distributed to children in more than 100 countries. In 2014, the Roaring Fork Valley contributed more than 700 shoe boxes to the Operation CALENDAR page 11

Labor of Love Auction

& Community Mixer

ALL TICKETS ARE $30.00 and available at City Market

The founding members of The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band bring music, stories, and your Dirt Band favorites to the Ute Theater stage!

Charge by Phone at 800-325-SEAT (7328) or go to www.ticketswest.com

The Ute Theater Now Serves Beer and WineTo Our Friends Over 21!!

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Back, N Back, Neck, eck, S Shoulder houlder M Massage, assage, Private P r iv va ate a at te e Thermal Thermal Mineral Minerra al Bath Batth and a nd a Day Day Pass Pass to the Pa the Historic H isttoric V Vapor apor Caves Ca av ves “It’s “It ’s a D Day ay a att tthe he S Spa” pa” $125 $125

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Friday Nov. 20th Carbondale Recreation Center 6:00-9:00pm

Community Calendar Christmas Child effort. Info: Kara Montie at 963-8773 ext. 104.

ASC • A Spiritual Center in the Third Street Center presents Kely & John Field (“Living the Highest Vibration of Grace and Gratitude”) at 10 a.m.

MONDAY Nov. 16 SUN BOARD MEETS • The Sopris Sun board of directors meets at the Third Street Center at 6:30 p.m. The public is invited (check the meeting schedule at the TSC for the room number).

TUESDAY Nov. 17 BOOKS AND BREWS • The Carbondale Branch Library hosts its first Books & Brews club at Roaring Fork Beer Company starting at 7 p.m. The club will discuss “The Dog Stars” by Colorado author Peter Heller.

Happy hours prices will be offered on all beer. Info: 963-2889.

CCAH • At this month’s CCAH Art & Wine Break, folks will be making holiday cards at the Third Street Center. Experience is not necessary but space is limited. The cost is $25. It goes from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Info: carbondalearts.com.

CLASSICAL MUSIC • The Basalt Regional Library presents the Altius string quartet Altius at 7:30 p.m. Admission is free. The quartet includes Andrew Giordano (violin), Joshua Ulrich (violin), Andrew Krimm (viola) and Zachary Reaves (cello).

“MESSIAH” REHEARSALS • The Aspen Choral Society continues rehearsals for its

continued from page 10

2015 performances of Handel’s “Messiah” from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Grace Church in Basalt. The ACS presents “Messiah” on Dec. 10-13. Info: 309-9836.

WEDNESDAY Nov. 18 ROTARY • The Rotary Club of Carbondale meets at the Carbondale fire station on Meadowood Drive at 6:45 a.m. Info: rotarycarbondale.org.

ASPEN WORDS • Aspen Words presents Writer-in-Residence Marcia Butler from 6 to 7 p.m. at the Woody Creek Center. It’s free.

Info: aspenwords.org.

LIVE MUSIC • Dan Rosenthal hosts an open mic night at Rivers restaurant in Glenwood Springs from 8 to 10 p.m. every Wednesday.

Further Out THURSDAY Nov. 19

CCAH CELEBRATION • CCAH holds its annual membership meeting/celebration from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Launchpad. There’ll be food, surprise entertainment, updates, stories on CCAH from the past year and a preview of the upcoming “Deck The Walls” holiday show.

Members will also vote on new board members. Info: 963-1680 or carbondalearts.com.

FRIDAY Dec. 4 VALLEY VISUAL ENTRIES • Entries for the 36th annual Valley Visual art show at the Launchpad are due by 5 p.m. The show is open to CCAH members who reside in the 816 Zip Code. Info: carbondalearts.com.

Save the Date

FRIDAY Nov. 20

LABOR OF LOVE • Community-access radio station KDNK holds its annual Labor of Love auction and community mixer from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Carbondale Recreation Center. To inquire about donating items, volunteering or becoming a sponsor, call Megan at 963-0139 or e-mail megan@kdnk.org.

FRI.-SAT. Dec. 4-5 FILM FESTIVAL • The Thompson Divide

Coalition hosts the Wild & Scenic film festival at the Crystal Theatre. The festival will feature conservation and adventure films that illustrate the Earth’s beauty, the challenges facing the planet and the work communities around the world are doing to protect the areas they cherish. Tickets are available at salsalabs.com. Last year’s festival quickly sold out so another day has been added this year.

Partners in the festival include CLIF Bar, Sierra Nevada, Patagonia and others.

Ongoing CLAY CENTER • The Carbondale Clay Center’s annual Holiday Invitational Exhibition and Sale takes places through Dec. 18. Participating artists include: Alleghany Meadows, Angus Graham, Anne Goldberg, Brandon Whitacre, Bryan Hopkins, Chandra DeBuse, Collette Spears, Donie Hubbard, Doug Casebeer, Elina Jurado, Frank McGuirk, Ginny Beesley, HP Bloomer, John Cohorst, K Rhynus Cesark, Lisa Ellena, Liz Heller, Lori Dresner, Matthew Eames, Mike Stumbras, Molly Berger, Peg Malloy, Rain Harris, Sandie Gardner, Staci DeBolt, Steven Colby, Susie Pentelow, Tyler Bopp and others. Items for sale include handmade cups, bowls, plates, vases, pitchers, cream and sugar sets, ceramic jewelry, small sculptures and more. Gallery hours are Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. through 5 p.m. with holiday weekend hours in December. The Holiday Invitational is sponsored by Prism Work Spaces (prismworkspaces.com). Info: 963-2529 or director@carbondaleclay.com.

MEDITATION/DHARMA TALKS • Every Wednesday, the Way of Compassion Dharma

Center in the Third Street Center offers a short meditation (24 minutes) and dharma talk led by John (Chophel) Bruna) from 5:30 to 7 p.m. The teachings are offered freely; donations are tax deductible. Also, Way of Compassion offers weekly support for those wishing to establish a Buddhist practice with the focus of Chenrezig.

The practice incorporates meditation, purification, contemplation and lojong (mind training).

It’s held at the Third Street Center from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. on Saturdays. All are welcome.

IMMUNIZATION CLINICS • Garfield County Public Health offers immunization clinics at the Carbondale Family Resource Center (400 Sopris Ave.) the second and fourth Thursday of the month. To schedule an appointment, call 945-6614 ext. 2030.

CARBONDALE LIBRARY • Kids and teens are invited to snack and play iPad and Wii games from 4 to 5 p.m. on Thursdays. The program is offered in partnership with Food Bank of the Rockies as part of the After School Snack Program. Info: 963-2889 and gcpld.org.

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THE SOPRIS SUN, Carbondale’s weekly community connector • NOVEMBER 12-18, 2015 • 11

EAT. SHOP. PLAY. CONFLUENCE OF RIVERS, RECREATION & CULTURE

Mystery photo What and where is this Basalt mystery photo? Give it a few minutes but if you think you need a hint, drop down to the bottom of the page.

The first person to correctly guess where this photo was taken, and what it shows, gets his or her name in next week’s Sopris Sun. Our e-mail address is news@soprissun.com.

Hint: This elongated creature rhymes with “born,” and from rams, it draws much scorn.

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12 • THE SOPRIS SUN • www.SoprisSun.com • NOVEMBER 12-18, 2015

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Taking off: Launchpad celebrates one-year anniversary Lots of collaboration, happy surprises, more to come

By Nicolette Toussaint Sopris Sun Contributor Wearing a sign that reads, “Please play me if you know how,” a piano has appeared on the Launchpad’s porch. It’s the latest in a series of golden eggs that have hatched since the Carbondale Council for Arts and Humanities (CCAH) and the Dance Initiative decided to nest together in the former Gordon Cooper Library.

“We knew that this creative synthesis would happen, but we didn’t know what it would look like,” said CCAH Executive Director Amy Kimberly. “One of greatest things has been the integration of the arts that has occurred.” As an example, Kimberly mentioned the recent show “Square Footage: Art in Redux.” In the show, five artists and dancers from CoMotion were given up to 16 square feet to present or perform their work. Over the period of a month, the size of the space was reduced, culminating with a final performance and show.

Deborah Colley handles space rentals and has booked 36 different renters in the year since the Launchpad opened. The facility offers two professional-grade dance/music studios: the Open Studio and Studio C, a 680-square foot, sound-proofed space outfitted with mirrors and barres. They rent from $16 to $20 per hour.

Before the Launchpad opened in October 2014, the former library was extensively remodeled. Interior columns were removed and a large header beam was installed to open up the space. Spring-loaded Harlequin dance floors like those used by New York’s Martha Graham dance company were added under both dance studios.

Those changes enabled Dance Initiative to pioneer a series of artists’ residencies, hosting three professional dancers who have all

Just inside the Launchpad’s front door, Artique items come mostly from artists who live in the Roaring Fork Valley. From left to right: staff members Deb Colley (operations), Brian Colley (gallery manager) and Laura Stover (design and marketing manager).

Photo by Jane Bachrach been veterans of New York City’s vibrant dance scene. “When resident artists first walk in and see the tall ceiling, the aerial silks, the gallery and the wonderful exhibitions there, they are astonished,” commented Dance Initiative Executive Director Peter Gilbert. “This place is inspiring.”

Gilbert estimates that about twothirds of the Launchpad’s current pro-

Foot traffic in CCAH’s R2 Gallery is up 30 to 40 percent since the non-profit organization opened the Launchpad on Fourth Street just over a year ago. Upcoming R2 Gallery shows include Deck the Walls (opening on Nov. 20) and the 36th annual Valley Visual Art Show. The Launchpad is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Monday through Friday. Photo by Jane Bachrach

grams and classes “just wouldn’t exist without the Launchpad’s professional dance space and the reasonable rental fees.” The facility offers dance classes that range from ballet and contemporary to tango, jazz and hip hop.

“We have had renters from out-of-town,” Kimberly adds, relating the story of cyr wheel artist Sam Tribble. The cyr is a large aluminum or steel wheel with a diameter roughly six inches taller than the performer. A cyr artist stands inside and grasps the wheel’s rim, rolling and spinning it gyroscopically while performing acrobatic moves. “Tribble was from Orange County and he was on his way to a competition in Boulder. His brother lives here,” Kimberly explained. “We were able to accommodate him in our Open Studio.

Our minds were blown as he proceeded to rehearse his work ‘Galaxies’. He said this was one of most beautiful spaces he had ever practiced in.”

“People are still discovering the place,” Kimberly continued. “A sheriff’s deputy came in the other day looking for a library book and was stunned by the change. He liked it and said he would be back to visit the CrossCurrents exhibition.”

Broadening the diversity In moving from its previous headquarters in the Third Street Center, CCAH sought both to broaden the diversity of arts programming and increase gallery traffic.

“We have about 30 to 40 percent more foot traffic now, especially since CCAH is once again an active participant in First Fridays,” said Kimberly. The Launchpad’s guest book shows that over the past few months, visitors from Texas, Illinois, Florida and other states have begun to appear, supplementing local crowds that have come since opening day.

Kimberly ticks off multiple ways that the Launchpad has enabled CCAH to broaden its offerings and collaborations: The Artique offers gift items from 24 to 30 artists. CCAH used the facility over the summer for an “amazing camps for kids.”

Dia de los Muertos brought puppetry inside the Launchpad and included an outdoor ritual around the fire pit. Alya Howe’s “Vacuum” packed the place last weekend, with more than 70 adults and 20 kids viewing a multimedia film, listening to poetry and enjoying a dance performance for two nights running.

The Launchpad’s ongoing improvements included the installation of edible landscaping in the Betty Jane Shush gardens last spring. “They are an incredible gift,” said Kimberly. “We had strawberries and even a cantaloupe over the summer.

Once we get tables and benches next year it will be even more welcoming.”

What’s next? For one thing more dance residencies are in the works. CCAH will soon be screening entries for its annual Valley Visual Arts show. Capoeira classes are on the way.

What about that piano on that porch? It was donated in August by a piano tuner from Boulder and it’s staying. “He wanted it to be a public piano that anyone could play,” Kimberly explained. “He promised to come back every now and again to tune it.”

THE SOPRIS SUN, Carbondale’s weekly community connector • NOVEMBER 12-18, 2015 • 13

Town council om page 8

ompson Divide om page 8

directed staff to make some changes and bring it back to the BOT at a future meeting, possibly on Dec. 8.

U.S. Sen. Cory Gardner, also a Republican, and U.S. Sen. Michael Bennet, a Democrat.

The swap, if approved, would wipe out the two companies’ leases in Thompson Divide, but the swap has been criticized by citizens groups in the North Fork area opposed to the deal’s intent to open up leases in the North Fork region for drilling.

That is because the swap would sterilize leases in the Thompson Divide, but would offer SG Interests, in exchange, leases in Delta, Mesa and Gunnison county. Ursa, under the swap, would get leases in Rio Blanco County.

Kessler made it clear that the TDC, while eager to see the swap go trough, “will only support an exchange if communities on the receiving end are supportive and if it leads to long-term conservation (keeping drillers off the lands in question) at both ends of the exchange.”

Regarding Rep. Tipton’s published opposition to permanent withdrawal, Kessler noted that a trio of county commissioners from the Western Slope — John Martin of Garfield County, Rob Ittner (also a Republican) of Pitkin County and Paula Swenson (a Democrat) of Gunnison County — had in February 2014 written to Tipton urging him to support legislation that “protects the Thompson Divide area from future leasing.”

But, Kessler noted in an e-mail, “Tipton’s office never responded to that letter.”

Also in response to Tipton’s published comments, local rancher Jason Sewell, current president of the TDC, wrote a letter published on Oct. 23 laying out the TDC’s plan of future action.

“Congressman Tipton’s position is disheartening, yes, and we hope he changes his mind,” Sewell wrote. “But this is not the end of this story.

“The U.S. Forest Service recently moved to temporarily protect the majority of the Thompson Divide from future leasing,” Sewell continued, referring to a recently released Forest Plan for the White River National Forest. “That decision specifically noted the near-unanimous public and local government support for protecting this area. Now it’s up to us to ensure that the BLM exercises its legal authority to cancel undeveloped, improperly issued leases in the heart of the Divide.”

In other action, the board: • Decided to move its meeting night to Wednesday, based on a request from the mayor, who explained in a memo that the Tuesday meetings led to “scheduling difficulty in my personal life” due to the fact that her two teenaged children are active in high school sports and “many games are on Tuesday, Thursday and Friday nights, as well as other important school functions.” Other trustees quickly went along, noting among other things that changing the meetings to Wednesdays would provide more time for the trustees to absorb the information in the meeting packets. The issue will be brought up at a future meeting, with time for public comment, and the change would not go into effect until January, 2016 at the earliest.

• Approved liquor license renewals for The Goat Kitchen and Bar, White House Pizza, Rumba Girls Liquors and Phat Thai; • Agreed to spend approximately $3,000 as a share of the cost of $9,750 for an independent review of the U.S. Bureau of Land Management’s Environmental Impact Statement concerning gas drilling in the Thompson Divide; • Approved a lease of adjacent public property to the owners of White House Pizza on Main Street; • Approved a marijuana business license renewal for the ACME Retail Marijuana Store in the Sopris Shopping Center complex; • Approved a transfer of a special use permit to the Blue Lake Preschool, which will begin using a property at the corner of 8th Street and Merrill Avenue, once used by the Faith Lutheran Church preschool; • Approved a franchise agreement with the Comcast cable television company, after the town had gone eight years without an agreement and had considerable difficulty in negotiating a new agreement.

Honoring veterans Observers agreed that the Carbondale Middle School Ram Band never sounded better at its Veteran’s Day program on Nov. 11. The 15-minute program included a presentation of the colors, patriotic songs, addresses and announcements from students and recognition of veterans. Clockwise from upper left: The Troop 235 color guard (left to right, front: Trent Goscha and T.J. Metheny; left to right, back: Conner Richmond and Brady Samuelson); Noah Wheeless, Bailey Griebel and Ruben Samuelson, and Bailey Griebel. Check out next week’s Sopris Sun for the Crystal River Elementary School Veteran’s Day program. Photos by Lynn Burton

14 • THE SOPRIS SUN • www.SoprisSun.com • NOVEMBER 12-18, 2015

Letters continued om page 2 multi-modal community.

And for those that ride at night without lights, fail to stop and yield to other roadway users and ride irresponsibly — get with the program before you get hit. The way you ride (and drive!) really does matter. Darryl Fuller Cyclist Carbondale

from the meters is harmful to health, causes DNA breakages and a myriad of symptoms. Our bodies are bio-electric, as measured

by EKGs and EEGs. Interference from microwave radiation can alter the electrical activity that regulates the function of our hearts, brains and other organs. Heart rhythm disturbance, sleep disruption and headache are only a few of the common symptoms. “Smart� meters are wireless digital deWhat makes a man?

More on “smartâ€? meters vices that record the amount of energy you Editor’s note: This letter was addressed to Dear Editor: use in your home and send this information GarďŹ eld County Commissioner Tom Electric utilities are installing “smartâ€? to the utility company. They provide twoided by the kind, caring and chiefs in the Public Works Department ate all of you. Thank you.

Jankovsky). meters without customer’s knowledge or way communication to send your usage Chris Chacos cannot speak more highly of who gave permission to the project, and to consent, and in late July they even started data between your home and the Dear Editor: nt to their clients’ well being. Carlos Loya, the one who transformed that Project “Gunga Din!�

What makes a man wake up one day denying that what they had installed were utility. They are being installed around the Carbondale lt to observe our loved ones old look to the “new look.â€? world for multiple reasons, not one of and decide to negatively impact women’s “smartâ€? meters. d we strive to do all we can Also, thanks to our newest planting volwhich beneďŹ ts you the user. They can be There are signiďŹ cant health problems from health in the whole county? What do you Boogie’s thanks . I felt that every request that unteers: D’uan Hajdu, O. D., Jeanie Hays with read remotely and a primary reason for of scienhave against a woman who works 40 hours “smartâ€? meters identiďŹ ed by dozens age on her behalf was hon- the law offices of Whitsitt & Gross, and Zane Dear Editor: theirover installation is that they can match emitted a week, has four children and needs to tists. The pulsed microwave radiation This past Friday, 1,000 people kicked attempt was made to fulfill Kessler with the Thompson Divide Coalition. was treated with the utmost Thanks to the town’s new arborist, Dave off their Fourth of July celebration with one ct and loving care. I am very Coon, who in addition to his many duties of Aspen’s most popular traditions: the anwonderful folks at Heritage manages to water every flower pot in our nual Boogie’s Buddy Race to benefit the Buddy Program! This 5K race and 1-mile nate we are to have this fa- town three times a week! and canine walk provides funding to Sopris Sun Staff Report “Unlike typical jet programs, joining ASmembers canwith alsoplanting arrange tofamily “rideshareâ€? munity. Other volunteers involved support nearly 1,000 local youth and their CENT does not require a signiďŹ cant up-front ASCENT Private Air Club has targeted with fellow members to further reduce cost. tti Stranahan their own plants in those large pots are: Mary families through many critical services and is a membership-based private ďŹ nancial contribution or long-term commitCarbondale residents and visitors in a new ASCENT arbondale Beth Bos (new owner of Main Street Spirits), programs including individual ightGullwick company,(Koru structured like a golf ment,â€?

Philippinimentoring, said. There is no long-term marketing campaign.

Aimee and Anthony con-much groupreduces mentoring, leadership e crew country club, that dramatically commitment andeducation, members can elect to ter“By focusing exclusively struction on travelcompany), to, or Amy Kimberly (CCAH), Day, minate activities, scholarships, their membershipand at any time.â€? theDance Initiative cost of ying privately, offering unfrom and within the Rocky Mountain West,of the Peter Gilbert (soon-to-whileLemonade counseling. safety, on convenience and service.

For details, call 303-495-5928.

ASCENT allows members yoccupants on privateof theparalleled ost of you have noticed the to be old town library Fourth therapeutic David Houggy aircraftboxes for a along fraction the cost of other na-Evans & Friends, Susan’s Flowflower theofenStreet), Stacy Executive Director tionally-focused private aviation services,� ndale’s Main Street public ers plus 21 others who are repeat participants The Buddy Program said an ASCENT press release dated Nov. 6. w nice to see beautiful flow- since 2010. Thank you folks!

ASCENT partners with local operators these newly covered section What attractive and pleasandblack uses locally-based crew.your efforts are to cient railroad ties. planes and ant gifts having operate local ks to“By Smiley Wise, local one ofpilots the this community. We appreciplanes, we can ensure the utmost safety and convenience, while dramatically reducing the cost of private aviation versus our nationally$31.95 focused competitors,� said ASCENT CEO Desk: (970) 920.5224 Cleans Inside & Out Tom Philippini.

Complete Interior and Proposals be receivedaat wide the above address no Currently offering itsmust members Exterior wash package. later than 1pm MST, Wednesday, July 16th, 2014, to range of planes, from turboprops towilllight be considered.

There be aand mandatory Pre-Bid Weather Insurance 10am accommodate MST, Tuesday, July 1st, 2014, at the LLC and mid-sized jets, themeeting clubatcan If it rains or snows bring the vehicle back within project site, the current parking lot at Elk Park.

48 hours and we will Aspen), rewash it.

ASCENT operates primary bases in Colorado (including Montana, Idaho and various group sizes on ights that can reach SING ProjectUnique Goals. Theto CDOT EEO officer has set DisCARBONDALE Wyoming, and can access more than 5,000 airports nationwide. Courtesy photo either coast non-stop.

ASCENT, 970-963-8800 check a lump in her breast? Or a teenager who is forced to choose between a pregnancy and a scholarship? What if you could walk in their shoes for a day — or better yet, spend 10 minutes barefoot in the stirrups. I think you should rethink your decision to cut funding for Planned Parenthood.

Jeannie Perry Satank

Private air service targets Bonedale

Service Directory U

advantaged Business Goals at 3.5% for this project. There will be no on the job training goals. The CDOT Form 347, Certification of EEO Compliance, is no longer required to be submitted in the bid package. This form certified that the contractor/proposed subcontractors were in compliance with the Joint Reporting Committee EEO-1 form requirements. The EEO-1 Report must still be submitted to the Joint Reporting Committee if the contractors and subcontractors meet the eligibility requirements (29CFR 1602.7); we will, however, no longer require certification. For additional information regarding these federal requirements, please refer to: http://www.eeoc.gov/stats/jobpat/e1instruct.html .

This project includes funding by CDOT administered by FHWA grants, therefore Davis Bacon wages will apply.

Service Directory

AT:

4C

O BE HELD AT:

s! e r i T l l e S We

2014 AT 6:00 P.M. 1, 2014

NOT, MAYOR

m, and Petitions or th the Town Clerk orado Avenue, Car-

July 10, 2014.

e Construction for

9370

Printed Form for Bids: All bids must be made upon the Pitkin County Bid Form. Bidder must include CDOT forms 606 and 714 with his bid, forms 605, 621, and 718 the following day and form 715 within 48 hours of bid opening. If a work schedule is included 745 as partBuggy of the bidCircle packagein it must also be Carbondale completed in ink and signed by the individual who www.sunburstcarcare.com will execute the Contract Form. Any work form completed as part of the bid package shall indicate the commencement date for construction. The work schedule must conform to the commencement and completion dates for the contract.

Published in the Sopris Sun on July 10, 2014.

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

Estate of Clement F. Hughes, deceased Case No. 14 PR 30030

All persons having claims against the above-named

estate are required present them to the Personal Service directory adstostart at just $40.

Representative or to the District Court of Garfield County, Colorado on or before November 3, 2014, or the claims may be forever barred.

Contact #PC "MCSJHIU at 970- K. Hughes orRoxan CPC@soprissun.com Personal Representative P. O. Box 606 Carbondale, Colorado 81623

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electricity consumption with the real time demands on the grid. In other words, the “smartâ€? meter can track the time the energy is being consumed with the amount of electricity consumed. You will be charged higher rates for using electricity during peak demand times. Your information is open to thieves and hackers. Ask yourself: Does this beneďŹ t you more or the utilities more?

There is no law forcing us to accept “smart� meters or to pay “opt-out� fees.

Traditional analog meters track total consumption, period. And they do not put out extremely dangerous pulsed radiation, plus they are not vulnerable to cyber attack.

Learn more at the Carbondale Library and 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 12. Marilyn Shettel Glenwood

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THE SOPRIS SUN, Carbondale’s weekly community connector • NOVEMBER 12-18, 2015 • 15

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