BIZCENTS: A community in conversation, A12
SUBSCRIBE TODAY gunnisontimes.com
VOL. 144 NO. 13 | THURSDAY, MARCH 27, 2025 | $1.00
Challenges to rural health care deepen GVH focused on efficiency ahead of possible cuts Alan Wartes Times Publisher
In the face of potential federal funding cuts for health care programs, Gunnison Valley Health (GVH) administrators are doubling down on pursuing “operational excellence” as a way to prepare for what could be an increasingly challenging future for the county-owned health system. So far, available information about possible cuts to federal health care funding has been characterized by mixed messaging. On one hand, President Donald Trump has repeatedly stated — before the Health care A8
INSIDE
TODAY NEWS: Kattnig pleads not guilty, A5
COMMUNITY: Shallbetter rises to rodeo stardom, B1
MARCHING ON: Demonstrators gathered outside the Gunnison County Courthouse for a non-partisan “Valley Rally” on March 22. For more, see A11. (Photo by Mariel Wiley)
Cattlemen’s Days Harmels on the Taylor plans major goes for Gold New cancer support partnership to replace TETWP Alan Wartes Times Publisher
SPORTS: GHS Spring Sports Preview, B10
BIRTHS A3 OBITUARIES A3 OPINION A4 CLASSIFIEDS A14-A17 SPORTS B10 ONLINE GUNNISONTIMES.COM
The Cattlemen’s Days committee has announced an end to the collaboration with Tough Enough To Wear Pink (TETWP) at the annual Cattlemen’s Day Rodeo. Gunnison Tough is a new local non-profit that has evolved from its origins as Cattlemen’s Day TETWP to move in new directions as a cancer support provider in the Gunnison Valley. But while Cattlemen’s Days pink is headed into the sunset,
a new shade of gold will take its place — in a new partnership with the Golden Circle of Champions, an organization that focuses on raising awareness and funds in the fight against pediatric cancer. According to their website, cancer is the leading cause of death by disease among children under the age of 19. “Gunnison Tough is going to carry on our long tradition of the Cattlemen’s Days Tough Enough to Wear Pink campaign,” said Brad Tutor, Cattlemen’s Days president. “We wish Gunnison Tough the very best along their path to continue helping cancer patients.” Fo r t h e p a s t 2 0 y e a r s, Cattlemen’s Days TETWP has raised funds to combat breast Cattlemen’s A7
expansion Neighbors worry about increasing volume of tourist traffic in canyon Bella Biondini Times Editor
Last month, Gunnison County Commissioners approved the sketch plan for a large expansion at Harmels on the Taylor. Just seven miles northeast of Almont, Harmels on the Taylor is a historic ranch resort that is
surrounded by national forest. The Taylor River flows nearby and trails zig-zag through the canyon, giving guests easy access to horseback riding, hiking, fly fishing and whitewater rafting. The nearly 150acre property houses the Bites & Brews restaurant, roughly 40 cabins, corrals and a stable, bunkhouses and a laundry facility. Harmels has been a familyowned business for more than a century. During the mining boom in the late 1800s, the property served as a midway point for miners traveling between Gunnison and Crested Butte. The Roberts family, which managed the ranch for more than 40 years, made it Harmels A6