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Vol. 142. No. 6
Thursday, February 9, 2023
Colo. River states seek solution for shrinking water supply Reclamation initiates process to revise shortage guidelines in Lower Basin Bella Biondini Times Editor
At the end of January, six of the seven Colorado River Basin states reached a consensus on criteria to help protect storage levels at Lake Powell and Lake Mead as the two reservoirs slowly dry up. River A6
INSIDE
TODAY NEWS: Winter concert series brings life and crowds to Almont, A14
Like rock climbing, but cooler
Ice climbers of all ages gathered in Lake City for the annual ice climbing festival on Saturday, Feb. 4. Competitions in men’s and women’s top rope, lead and adaptive were held at the ice park’s Beer Garden wall. A reception and taco dinner followed at the Moseley Arts Center. For more photos, see B7.
State gas prices among highest in country Front Range refinery temporarily closes doors and disrupts supply chain Abby Harrison Times Staff Writer
COMMUNITY: Gunnison Country Shopper turns 50, B4
SPORTS: Cowboy swim and dive eyes state meet, B9
Bella Biondini
Over the last six weeks, unusually high gas prices have gripped the Gunnison Valley, as residents have been paying nearly $1 per gallon over 2022 averages, which had remained fairly stable over the last year. Colorado residents were hit with the steep price uptick in
January due to the temporary closure of the state’s only crude oil refinery, located on the Front Range. C o l o ra d o c u r re n t l y h a s the fourth highest gas prices in the country, according to the Amer ican Automobile Association (AAA). As of Feb. 7, AAA reported average gas prices in Colorado nearly 50 cents higher than national averages, trailing only California, Nevada and Washington. The northwest counties — Moffat, Rio Blanco, Garfield and Routt — are seeing the highest prices in the state, sitting between $4.10 and $4.40 per gallon. The price hikes resulted from a refinery shut-down on the front range. Suncor, in Gas A6
Abby Harrison
A motorist pumps gas at the City Market gas station, where prices hit $3.99 per gallon on Feb. 7 for regular gasoline.
Western trustees approve tuition increase for 23/24 school year OBITUARY A2 OPINION A4 CLASSIFIEDS A19-A21 SPORTS B8 ONLINE GUNNISONTIMES.COM
University cost still below state averages Abby Harrison Times Staff Writer
T h e We s t e r n C o l o r a d o University Board of Trustees approved tuition and fees increases for the 2023-2024 school year at a board meeting on Feb. 3 in Denver. Shifting enrollment demographics, inconsistent appropriations from the state and persistent
inflation have put stress on the university’s budget. Trustees approved increases across the board: 2.8% for resident tuition, 4.1% for non-resident tuition, 2% in mandatory fees and 4% in on campus room and board. Collectively, these changes represent about $470
to residents, and a little over $1,000 for non-residents. Even with the increases, the university remains slightly below 22/23 state-wide tuition averages for residents and several thousand below for non-residents. Incoming students to the Western A3