NEWS: Western receives extreme risk protection order, A8
VOL. 143 NO. 9 | THURSDAY, FEBERUARY 29, 2024 | $1.00
Fentanyl seized in valley doubles
Narcan reduces stigma and prevents overdoses Bella Biondini Times Editor Abby Harrison Times Staff Writer
GET A CLUE: Thespians of all ages gathered on Feb. 23 for the first weekend of SonofaGunn’s 34th annual theater performance. This year’s production was held in Western Colorado University’s Taylor Auditorium. The play was a fusion between the 1995 cult-classic film “Clueless” and the popular whodunit board game “Clue.” For more, see A15. (Photo by Mariel Wiley)
While the prevalence of fentanyl in the Gunnison Valley is rising, the availability of Narcan and the community’s recent push to destigmatize substance abuse disorders is likely saving lives. In 2 0 2 3 , t h e Gu n n i s o n Po l i c e Fentanyl A6
Gunnison Arts School district TODAY maps locations for Center leadership to possible housing change hands again INSIDE
NEWS: MetRec grant pot over $720,000, A10
COMMUNITY: Dance for the year of the dragon, B1
SPORTS: Cowboy basketball falls in first round, B4
OBITUARIES A2, A3, A5 OPINION A4 CLASSIFIEDS A18-A21 SPORTS B4 ONLINE GUNNISONTIMES.COM
Staff shortages and retirement cliff likely to push leaders to build Bella Biondini Times Editor
The Gunnison Watershed School District has been hesitant to jump into the housing business. But a new housing action plan, solicited by the school board last year, lists the district-owned properties that could be used to house employees. The plan, which is still a draft, does not guarantee that the school district will begin
to use taxpayer dollars to buy, build and offer housing to its teachers and faculty. But without a “landing zone” in place, Superintendent Leslie Nichols worried the district will continuously struggle to attract highquality educators to the valley. “We are big enough to look at being part of the solution,” Nichols said. The plan, if adopted, will help Nichols understand in what capacity the school board, and the wider community, wants the district to enter the housing market. Some of the valley’s largest employers, like Western Colorado University and Gunnison Valley Health, already offer employee housing. The school district wants to be prepared for if and when those Housing A9
Elise Park named new executive director Bella Biondini Times Editor
Elise Park will step in as the Gunnison Arts Center’s new executive director on March 4, marking the organization’s second leadership transition in the past year. Departing executive director Grace Thurlow took over in mid-2023, quickly moving from her initial role as the director of development. Thurlow announced her resignation in mid-February. She said she
decided to leave the arts center to move closer to family in Denver. Park and Thurlow will continue to work together over the next few months to ensure the transition is smooth. A Western Colorado University graduate, Park returned to the valley with experience in museum management and in the nonprofits sector. Her work as a cultural anthropologist has taken her around the West where she has held leadership roles with organizations in Crested Butte, Lake Tahoe, Jackson Hole and Moab. Park said she’s ready to guide the organization into the future as renovations of the historic building that houses the Gunnison Arts Center near completion. The project is GAC A7