NEWS: GCS grounds closed during school hours, A13
Check out your neighborhood businesses, A26,27 VOL. 143 NO. 21 | THURSDAY, MAY 23, 2024 | $1.00
Bridge may open to limited traffic in July Permanent repairs could be complete by fall Abby Harrison Times Staff Writer
Barring high winds and inclement weather, the Blue Mesa “middle bridge” is set to open for limited, oneway traffic by the July 4 holiday weekSENIOR SUNDAY: The Gunnison High School Class of 2024 tosses their caps into the air at the end of the commencement ceremony in Western Colorado University’s Paul Wright Gymnasium on May 19. For more, see A8. (Photo by Mariel Wiley)
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TODAY NEWS: GVH invests in Cora health care, A17
COMMUNITY: Gunnison Roping Club: part-time cowboys, B1
The crowded race to Whetstone team represent Colorado’s asks Town to Third District waive $7.5 million Frisch runs unopposed, six Republican candidates emerge Bella Biondini Times Editor
SPORTS: GHS track and field excels at state, B8
OBITUARIES A2, A3 OPINION A4 CLASSIFIEDS A19-A24 SPORTS B8 ONLINE GUNNISONTIMES.COM
Bridge A9
Following United States Rep. Lauren Boebert’s departure, the race to represent Colorado’s Third Congressional District (CD3) will likely be one of the most contested during the upcoming primary election. So far, six Republican candidates are vying for a chance to face Aspen Democrat Adam Frisch this fall and represent the Western Slope.
The Colorado primary election is Tuesday, June 25. Gunnison Valley residents should expect their ballots to arrive during the first week of June. Voters who want to change their party affiliation, or need to update their mailing address must do so before Monday, June 3, otherwise the changes will not go into effect until after the election. This year, all of the Gunnison County commissioner candidates are running unopposed within their respective parties. Democratic incumbents Liz Smith and Jonathan Houck will not face Republican candidates Lisa Henry and Steve Bathje until November during the general election. The term of Laura Puckett Daniels will not expire Election A6
in utility fees Brush Creek intersection not guaranteed in project design Abby Harrison Times Staff Writer
The future of Gunnison County’s affordable housing project Whetstone remains attached to the status of an underpass and roundabout, a North Valley corridor plan and, now, a request that the Town of Crested Butte waive all tap fees. A tap fee is a one-time cost
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for new builds that covers the long-term capital needs of the utility system. The town has a policy of covering, or waiving, tap fees on some affordable housing projects. But to make sure the town can finance longterm maintenance on the system, the cost has to be accounted for somewhere, Crested Butte Mayor Ian Billick told the Times. At Whetstone, tap fees would amount to just over $7.5 million. Whetstone is the county’s 252-unit affordable housing development planned just south of Crested Butte. If it’s built, it will be the Gunnison
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