2021-05

Crystal River Tid Bits

The Crystal River Caucus will be holding their next regular meeting via Zoom on Thursday, May 13, at 7 p.m.

The preliminary agenda includes:

• An update on the permit application and mitigation plan by Colorado Stone Quarries (the Yule Creek marble quarry)

• An update on recent discussions regarding Wild and Scenic designation of the Crystal River; a presentation by the Pitkin County Telecommunications Staff on broadband service in the Crystal Valley

• And a discussion on wildfire mitigation and fire/emergency evacuation planning.

If you would like to attend the meeting and are not on the caucus email list, you may join the list and request a Zoom link to the meeting by emailing crcaucus@gmail.com

The residents along the Redstone Boulevard would like to kindly request vehicles slow down in town. The speed limit is only 15 mph, and pedestrians have the right of way. Please pay attention to your speedometer as 15 is much slower than you may realize.

It's Time to be Bear Aware

Materials provided by Coloraodo Parks & Wildlife.

Bears have super sensitive noses, and can follow scents from five miles away!

• Don’t leave trash out overnight, and disinfect cans regularly with ammonia or bleach cleaners.

• Feed birds only during hibernation months, November-March, and bring hummingbird feeders inside at night.

• Keep all doors and windows locked when you are not at home or overnight.

• Scare bears that come onto your property

• And for goodness sake, DO NOT feed bears or any other wildlife! After all, a fed bear is a dead bear.

For more information and tips, visit www.wildlife. state.co.us/bears

Letters to the Editor

Shangri-La?

I'm tired of the false narrative of our valley as an untouched Shangri-la. Let's not forget that our valley was built on the idea of capitalism. Everywhere you look you can see its legacy. Hillsides are pockmarked with mining claims, the rivers run with tailings, and we live in structures conceived by some of the wealthiest men in history.

I'm not saying that the Crystal River Valley is a bad place to live. On the contrary, I have chosen it as my home because of its beauty and ruggedness. But trying to stop progress in this valley is a ridiculous notion. We are communities conceived of progress. We need to be open and receptive to change. Even the mountains that surround us constantly change over time.

Anonymous Crystal River Valley

Dispatch from Marble

In approximately 40 days Marble and the surrounding backcountry will begin its descent into a throbbing congested hellscape of internal combustion engines. Last summer we saw an unprecedented number of visitors and an exponential increase in Off-Highway Vehicles. This traffic is unmanaged and unregulated. There are no bathroom facilities and the headwaters of the Crystal River continue to be fouled with toilet paper and human waste. If immediate action is not taken, an environmental and human safety crisis is imminent.

We have been imploring our elected officials to take action for years. A County Road OHV ban is not a radical or untested idea. It follows the same

model that Aspen successfully implemented a few years ago, and is the only viable option until the Forest Service can put together a permit system.

Gunnison County has the authority to reinstate this ban immediately, but apparently, the Town and the County have concerns about possible repercussions. These concerns should be clearly defined and directly addressed, not dismissed with vague generalities and false narratives. Affected residents should be allowed to contribute to the discussion, not shut out of private meetings and work sessions. If business interests are to be considered, so too should the property devaluation of homeowners who live on the front line. And when our representatives present arguments based on incorrect information, they need to be called out.

Colorado is potentially facing another summer of extreme drought conditions. Considering that one very popular OHV manufacturer recently recalled hundreds of thousands of their vehicles due to fire hazards (yet these machines continue to burst into flames even after the recalls), the fear of forest fires is real.

Fire extinguishers, spark arrestors and low-emission / low decibel exhaust systems should be mandatory on all OHVs traveling in the National Forest, but until there is sufficient enforcement, a ban is essential.

The wilderness belongs to all of us. So why won’t our county commissioners take a meaningful step toward protecting it?

Please ask them.

T HE C RYSTAL VALLEY E CHO &

Marble Times

Mission Statement: To provide a voice for the residents of the Crystal River Valley; to bring attention to the individuals and local businesses that are the fabric of the Crystal Valley region; to contribute to the vitality of our small town life.

Editor • Gentrye Houghton gentryeh@hotmail.com CONTRIBUTORS

Stephanie Deaton • Alex Menard

James Steindler

ADVERTISING SALES

Gentrye Houghton • 970-963-1495 gentryeh@hotmail.com DISTRIBUTION

The Crystal Valley Echo is published monthly, and is distributed throughout the Crystal Valley.

NEWSPAPER BOX LOCATIONS:

Carbondale City Market • Village Smithy

Carbondale Post Office • Redstone Inn

Propaganda Pie • Marble Hub

FOR SUBSCRIPTIONS

Please send $40 for print or $25 for digital editions along with address information to:

The Crystal Valley Echo 364 Redstone Blvd. Redstone, CO 81623

for the

For 2020, all tours are with a private reservation. Please email info@theRedstoneCastle.com or phone 970.963.9656 to select and reserve your preferred time. For an exceptional experience, stay the night in a beautifullyrenovated historic suite.

Marble Teen Races for a Chance at National Championships

At just 15-years-old, Zaida Leslie is ranked in the top 150 motocross racers, for her class, across the nation. She speeds for the finish line in hopes of a chance at the Loretta Lynn National Championships that takes place annually on the Lynn family ranch in Tennessee.

“Zaida came out swinging,” says her dad and coach, Alan Leslie, “she’s a twin and has always been competitive.”

“While pregnant with Zaida and Nina,” her mom, Julie, chimes, “her side of my belly was always active - made me a firm believer in predisposition! It was actually her sac that broke and started the whole labor.”

Even Zaida calls herself quite competitive. She’s been skiing and snowboarding from the time she started walking and started playing baseball with friends at Marble Charter School that landed her on a league in Carbondale where she was the only girl. Julie says she has always put her all into whatever she is passionate about.

“I fell in love with riding,” says Zaida. “For me, I get really excited and feel really good — it's the adrenaline — and I kind of feel like I’m on top of the world.”

She started riding 3.5-years ago when a group of friends begged their parents to take a one-day class at Aspen Dirt Bike School in

Willits; after learning the basics, she was immediately hooked and started racing six months later.

“My dad encouraged me to sign up for my first competition; it was supposed to be just for fun, but I fell in love with competing,” says Zaida.

She has been working her way up the ranks with racing in Colo. during the summer months, and Utah and Nevada while the snow falls closer to home. In 2020, she placed 2nd in the Girls' class at the Colorado State Championships. Over the winter, she earned the top ranks in both Utah and Nevada Winter Series Championships and, in March, signed up for National Area Qualifiers in Lakewood, Colo., and Delta, Utah.

Area qualifiers happen all over the nation and advance riders to the eight Regional Championships. Winning just one Regional Championship secures a spot at the dance.

“The exciting news,” says Alan, "is Zaida advanced to Regional Championships in Texas, Washington, and California starting in late May through mid-June.

Beaming, he continues, “If she advances from one of the Regional races then she will be one of 42 competing at the National Championship. It’s a very difficult road ahead but very exciting!”

Julie explains that Zaida seems to vibrate on a whole different level, and motocross shows her discipline and how she can harness that energy

into something fun and constructive.

“It takes a lot of commitment to get where she is today,” says Julie. “Alan definitely has taken on that role of manager, trainer, and mechanic. It’s a lot, but they make a great team and she gets results!”

Zaida will head to Regionals in Washington towards the end of May and California early in June.

Redstone Senior Days

The Redstone programs are for residents & visitors of the Crystal Valley. RSVP: (970) 920-5432

We hope to resume programs at the Inn in June. Details and safety plans are still being finalized.

JUNE 8 & 22 (tentative schedule)

• 12:00 p.m. – Fitness Class TBA ($5)

• 1:00 p.m. – Lunch ($10)

RSVP at least one week prior – space is limited. Plated lunch will be served. There will be a gluten-free option.

• 1:45 p.m. – Program See details in June newsletter.

Send us your email address: (970) 920-5432 • seniors@pitkincounty.com

Redstone Community Association Bulletin

After canceling the Easter Egg Hunt Festivities in 2020, the RCA, pulled off an amazing Easter weekend filled with smiling, joyous children and thankful parents! There were a total of 85 baskets thoughtfully put together by the amazing Sara Lewis with the help of Julio Maciel, Brook-Lynn Lowery and Jackson Gilmore A big thank you goes out to Steve Pavlin, Andrea & Bruce Garr, Amber McMahill, Sawyer Lowery, & Lindy Morton for their help the day of It was truly wonderful to see all the children have such a festive moment after a difficult year

Redstone Paint Out! A Plein Air Event

from RAF Board Member Stephanie Deaton the Redstone Art Foundation website www.redstoneartfoundation.org

Redstone hosts its 1st Annual Plein Air Paint Out on Memorial Day weekend. Plein Air is French for “out of doors.” It is the process of creating artwork outside in the open. Before the 1800s, painters often started work outdoors, but it was rare to paint an entire painting outside of the studio. The invention of paint tubes (which look like toothpaste tubes) made painting en Plein air much easier. Before their invention, artists mixed their colors using minerals, pigments, and linseed oil, which was messy and not very transportable.

This year’s Plein Air Paint Out features 8 regional artists. They convene in the Crystal River Valley May 26 - 29 to paint our community and the surroundings. You are invited to get to know the artists and watch them as they work throughout the week. In addition, each artist will have work at a Redstone business for sale Saturday and Sunday.

Grand Junction artist, Barbara Churchley is offering a two-day art workshop May 29 - 30 at the Redstone Inn. Registration is required and can be completed online at

Tour the Boulevard on Saturday afternoon from 12 – 5 p.m. Many Redstone businesses are hosting artists — their completed work will be on display and for sale at marked locations. Look for the Paint Out signs. Also, one artist will win a People’s Choice Award valued at over $100. To vote for your favorite artist, pick up a ballot Saturday in an RAF information tent located at the Redstone Inn and Propaganda Pizza.

As a special treat, performance painter Marcel Kahhak will be at Propaganda Pie on Saturday from 3 – 7 p.m. to paint the goings-on. Mr. Kahhak owns and operates Kahhak Fine Arts and School on Main Street in Carbondale and has been invited to paint at Georgetown University, The Kennedy Center, The Aspen Jazz Festival, The National Women's Museum, and the Skin's Game. It is an honor to have him at our 1st Annual Paint Out.

A Wet Paint Sale and reception for the artists happens at Propaganda Pie at 5 p.m. Saturday. Judges Connie Hendrix and Gary Miller will award 1st, 2nd, and 3rd prizes along with the People’s Choice Award.

Sunday includes a quick draw art competition. Artists of all ages and skill levels are invited to create their own Plein air painting starting at 9 am. Sign up at the Redstone Art Gallery Sunday at 9 a.m. or in advance at www. redstoneartfoundation.org. Paintings entered in the competition will be auctioned off at 1 pm at the Redstone Art Gallery. Half the money raised goes to the artists with the remaining half benefitting the Redstone Art Foundation’s Scholarship fund. This scholarship benefits Roaring Fork

The Redstone Paint Out!

A juried competition fine art exhibition and sale

air

For More Event & Registration Information: www.Redstoneartfoundation.org/pleinair-2021

High School seniors pursuing a career in the arts. Pick up your very own work of local art. Anyone age 10 and up can participate. Pop-in rock painting happens at 364 Redstone Boulevard (across from the skating rink) on Saturday from 2 - 4 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. - noon. Paint your own piece of the Crystal River. This event is open to all ages and donations are encouraged for our hardworking volunteers.

When asked, "Why host this event in Redstone?" Becky Trembly responded, "The inspiration for this event comes from all the beauty that surrounds us. Many artists can be found painting in the picturesque Crystal River Valley and the Redstone Art Foundation seeks to promote and support those artists by creating this community event.”

Redstone is a beautiful place. Come help capture the magic this Memorial Day weekend at the 1st annual Plein Air Paint Out!

To learn more about this or other Redstone Art Foundation events, go to www.redstoneartfoundation.org. Register for workshops, download an event schedule, become a sponsor or a volunteer.

All unsold Plein Air paintings are featured at the Launchpad in Carbondale June 1 – 10. Don’t miss them!

SATURDAY, MAY 29

9am – 4pm: Creating Dynamic Landscapes Workshop with Barbara Churchley

12pm – 5pm: Tour the Boulevard & View Plein Air Paintings

Pick up your ballot and vote for Your Favorite Artist.

2pm – 4pm: Pop-In Rock Painting

Paint your own piece of the Crystal River Valley, Fun for all ages.

3pm – 7pm: Marcel Kahhak of Kahhak Fine Art and School

Performance Painter at Propaganda Pizza

5pm: Wet Paint Sale and Reception At Propaganda Pizza; Prizes for Top 3 & People’s Choice!

SUNDAY, MAY 30

9am – 4pm: Creating Dynamic Landscapes Workshop with Barbara Churchley

9am: Quick Draw Competition Begins

Open to artists ages 10 to 102

Register in advance online or at the Redstone Art Gallery

10am – 12pm Pop-In Rock Painting

Paint your own piece of the Crystal River Valley. Fun for all ages.

1pm: Live Auction of Quick Draw Paintings Redstone Art Gallery, Artists Age 10+ welcome!

Purchase your own local work of art

50% of sales go to the Redstone Art Foundation Scholarship Fund

THE REDSTONE CLUB

The Redstone Club is perhaps as finely appointed a club as is to be found in Colorado, outside of Denver. If any criticism could be offered, it would be that it is almost too elaborate, for J. C. Osgood, the generous founder of the club, has spared neither time nor money in making this a beautiful and attractive place for men to spend their leisure hours.

The Club is incorporated for social purposes, and governed by a Board of Directors composed of thirteen active members, who elect a president, vice-president, secretary and treasurer. Active members are required to pay an initiation fee of one dollar and six months dues in advance, at fifty cents a month. The amount is small as compared with the expense of maintenance of the club, but still the member is made to feel that he is paying for what he gets, and may, therefore, enjoy perfect freedom in taking advantage of the privileges.

LOUNGE ROOM AND BAR

The employe [sic] finds here rest and recreation after his day's labor. The commodious lounging room is most inviting, with big leather-cushioned armchairs and settees placed conveniently about, and tables for serving refreshments. A generous fireplace at each end of the room adds cheer and comfort on winter evenings, and a large Regina music box and a graphophone furnish music and entertainment.

THE "NO TREATING" RULE

All kinds of the best grades of liquors are served at reasonable prices from a well-stocked bar. A "No-Treating" rule operates to promote the temperate use of liquors, so that no one may "drink himself under the table." If he is seen to be getting too much, he is told quietly that he has had enough, and can buy no more at that time. All "soft drinks," as well as sandwiches, hot chocolate and cake are served at cost. Copies of the house rules are are printed in three languages and posted conspicuously. Visitors are admitted when introduced by members, and during their stay are entitled to all the privileges enjoyed by the members.

CARD ROOMS

Adjoining the lounging room on the north is a large, well-lighted billiard room supplied with one convertible and two pool tables. On the south is the reading room, supplied with popular magazines and daily and weekly newspapers, the latter in English, Italian and Slavonic. A small reference library is found on the shelves. The card room and reading rooms adjoin and are reached through the lounging room. The former contains six card tables each of which has its serving table. Cards, dominos checkers and other games afford amusement. In the basement are numerous shower and tub baths, dressing rooms for women and men, also the secretary office and the board of directors' room.

Vintage Valley: WANTED

effect, or makes one image dissolve into another).

LADIES' EVENING AT THE CLUB

A much appreciated feature which must not be overlooked is the "Ladies' Evening at the club. Although women are not eligible for membership, they are not barred from privileges of the club. Wednesday evenings are given over to the wives and daughters and visiting friends of members. Whist and euchre parties, billiards, pool and light refreshments, together with instrumental music, combine to make these evening pass away all too quickly.

Excerpted from Camp and Plant, Vol. IV, No. 19, November 21, 1903, Colorado Fuand Iron archives. Camp and Plant was published weekly by the CF&I Sociological Departmet to inform employees about various activities and happenings. Some articles were written in German, Spanish, Italian, and Slovenian.

THE THEATER

On the third floor is the theater equipped with stage scenery and drop curtain painted by good artists, dressing rooms, electric stage light and arc illuminant stereopticon (a type of slide projector that combines two images to create a three-dimensional

Summer 2021 Heats Up with Beats, Eats, and Art

Get your muck boots ready because it’s nearing time to paint the Crystal Valley red. Summer 2021 is shaping up to be a honky tonkin', root’n toot'n good time with a whole lot of art, music, and general fun along the Boulevard and upstream to Marble. Hopefully, this byline brings a feeling of optimism as compared to the bleak projections from last spring. Here’s some of what’s in store:

The Music

by James Steindler

Live music will flow again on the Crystal; from the stage at Slow Groovin in Marble — which will host bands Friday evenings beginning Memorial Day weekend — downstream to a town whose name speaks for itself, Redstone.

Christy Villalobos with the Marble Crystal River Chamber (MCRC) says MCRC, “is supporting Marblefest and local events while maintaining social distancing and masks.” Marblefest, “is held outdoors and we are abiding by Gunnison County regulations,” she added. This year’s festivities may be particularly appreciated since most all were canceled last summer in the small mountain town.

But the fun doesn’t stop there. Downriver, the com-

munity of Redstone will be dancing in the street... and in the field. The Redstone Magical Moments concerts will take place again at the Redstone Stables — the same as last year. Organizer Lisa Wagner continues a 23-year tradition of offering free live music throughout the season.

In the past, the concerts were held at Redstone Park but due to the pandemic, the gated Redstone Stables became the safer option in 2020. As it turned out, it’s a great venue!

Last year the concerts were limited to 50 people but previously, around 250 would show up. Wagner is hoping not to have to limit attendance and says part of the benefit of the new venue is the vast space that makes social distancing more practical.

The Art

The Marble Art Guild (MAG) will once again host Second Saturdays with displays and artists sprinkling the paved or unpaved streets. Second Saturdays are making a comeback beginning June 12 after having been nixed last year. Marble’s first annual Gem and Mineral Show is scheduled for June 11-13 and the Marble/marble Stone Carving Symposium during the month of July.

The ‘Redstone Paint Out! A Plein Air Event’ organized by The Redstone Art Foundation will take place May 26-30 and culminate in an awards ceremony at Propaganda Pie. Art pieces will be auctioned off and those remaining will later appear at The Launchpad in Carbondale. The Labor Day Weekend Art Show at the Redstone Inn is also scheduled — it was postponed to November last year.

The Food

Not only will the foodie hotspots in the Crystal Valley, like Slow Groovin and The Redstone Inn, be slinging good grub and drinks but fresh local veggies will be widely available thanks to The Redstone General Store (TRGS). TRGS has local organic products on its shelves already but this year will expand to the street. Manager Rochelle Norwood says they, “will begin the General Store Farm Stand at the end of June.”

As of late, TRGS has welcomed musicians to play around the campfire out front and, Redstone rumor

has it that, Propaganda Pie will host some live music as well. The Redstone Inn is hosting private parties again but has no public events planned — except for the Labor Day Art Show.

The Rules

As of April 15, the State does not require counties to follow its COVID-19 dial and its current public health order expires May 15.

Gunnison County follows its own “coronometer” which is currently at level blue. If someone is going to hold an indoor event with more than 25 people or an outdoor event with more than 50, they need to complete an Event Risk Mitigation Application. Indoor events are capped at 50 people and outdoor at 250. “When Gunnison County reaches Green on the coronameter there will no longer be restrictions on event sizes,” said County spokesperson Loren Ahonen.

Pitkin County is following the State’s dial and guidance through May 27 and currently falls in the blue zone (caution). There is no capacity limitation for outside gatherings but still requires six feet of distance between parties. If the venue is larger than 30,000 square feet, an event would also require approval from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. On May 13, the County’s health department will pitch to the Board of Health its COVID-19 plan which should go into effect after May 27.

Pitkin County Interim Public Health Director Jordana Sabella says that the best way to diminish restrictions is for everyone to get the vaccine; more vaccinations equals fewer limitations.

June 11-13, 2021

at the Millsite Park

Friday 10am to 4pm

Saturday 10 to 4pm  with Live music from Wooden Rock starting at 4pm

Sunday 10am to 3pm

www.marbleartguild.com

Marble Mo Creations in Aspen, Plus New Summer Event in Marble

by Gentrye Houghton

Have you met Monique Villalobos? She’s bubbly, creative, a Marble Charter School alum, and posts mesmerizingly cool Facebook videos of her hand-crafted marble jewelry. She’s also got a few tricks up her sleeve that has come to fruition this spring and coming summer.

Villalobos started making jewelry during the summer of 2012, when her daughter, Aisha, was born. “Charr Graham asked me if I could make jewelry from marble,” she explains.

She bought her first drill press for $75 plus marble drill bits, little teeny tiny ones specifically for jewelry, and picked up some scrap pieces of marble from her dad, Mario, and started making earrings and pendants. Thus, Marble Mo Creations was born.

“I was an artist who painted before, but then I learned about lapidary,” says Villalobos. Lapidary relates to the work involved in engraving, cutting, or polishing gems and stones.

Today, she creates and sells custom designs as well as an inventory that’s growing. Popular items are her water drop, arrowhead, and heart pendants — all made from marble coming out of the Colorado Stone Quarry.

“I’ve been carving green marble now too. It’s very hard to come by and super popular,” says Villalobos. “This green marble comes out of our local quarry — they only find it as little chunks and consider it scrap because there’s not enough of it to sell.

“They give it to local artists,” she continues, “and we

barter for it amongst ourselves. For example, Greg Tonozzi helps me, and I’ll make him a trinket from the green chunk he gave me so he has something hanging around his house with a story to tell.”

Just a couple of months ago, in March, Marble Mo Creations landed a new retail location in Aspen at the Emporium & Flying Circus, across from the Hotel Jerome.

Villalobos explains that she “saw a post that they were looking to add artists to their collective — they have over 80 artists and is one of the only places for small businesses to get their foot in the door in Aspen. They have been voted the number 2 jewelry store two years in a row, and I’m excited to be there. So far, it’s going really well!”

Villalobos is also one of several putting together a new event this summer, the 1st Annual Marble Gem & Mineral Show happening June 11-13 at the Mill Site Park.

She says that last summer, “A small group of us got together when Mark Lutrell brought over some of his collection [of gems] and jewelry, and we got to talking about this event idea. He commented how crazy it was that we don’t already have a show like this going on; after all, Marble is a town of rock then you go to the other side of the valley and it’s a completely different geological makeup!”

The group decided they’d just go for it and started planning the event. Currently, 17 gem and mineral vendors are participating, Wooden Rock will offer live music that Saturday night, and they’re still working to secure food vendors.

“Plus,” Villalobos adds, “the Marble yard sale is happening the same weekend, so locals will have things out to sell and participants can also walk around town finding antiques and collectibles!”

You can find Marble Mo Creations locally at The Marble Gallery, as well as online at www.marblemocreations.com. For more information on the Marble Gem & Mineral Show, contact Monique at marblemocreations@gmail.com

Fire on the Mountain

As the season warms, concerns about fire in our arid community arise. Many residents of the Crystal River Valley live in a Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI), an area where humans construct homes, roads, buildings, or any man-made structures near natural terrain and flammable vegetation. Wildfires are particularly dangerous in these settings.

to ‘surface fires’ that burn along the forest floor. However, when the needles and seeds are consumed across a large area, they also have difficulty re-populating the area.”

Additionally, defensible space provides an especially important advantage during a fire: Improved safety for firefighters. Defensible space allows firefighters to do their job more safely. This increases their ability to protect your home and your family.

by Stephanie Deaton

The population in our community is growing, and we are seeing an increase in homes, businesses, and subdivisions on or near forested lands. These lands historically see regular fires, and the forest health even benefits from fire. To preserve human life and property, firefighters work to suppress and control fires. Fire suppression and human improvements lead to a more vulnerable forest ecosystem and a complicated situation when fires arise.

Colorado State Forest Service suggests that to help return forests to a more balanced state, it is important that forest managers and property owners work together. Buildings and property situated near natural vegetation must make it easy for firefighters to do their job safely. Man-made structures should be adapted so that they are protected while allowing the fire to take its natural course in the ecosystem. Allowing natural fires to occur helps create a healthier forest and ultimately reduces the risks associated with large, unmanageable fires.

You probably noticed recent postings on Coal Basin Road from the US Forest Service. Firefighters were out recently to measure the fuel moisture near Braderich Creek on the west side of Redstone. They use fuel sticks as a way to estimate fuel moisture and also take samples from the vegetation. If the conditions and the fuel moisture are right, they are planning for a prescribed burn on Braderich Creek this spring.

“Prescribed fires are an important tool available to land managers to create fuel breaks so fire suppression efforts can be more effective, reducing risk to firefighters and nearby communities,” said Larry Sandoval, BLM Colorado River Valley Field Manager.

Firefighters plan to ignite the 1,500-acre Braderich Creek prescribed fire soon. A prescribed burn typically happens in April or early May when the areas still retain moisture from the recent snow. These fires improve wildlife habitats by encouraging new, nutritious growth. They also reduce the amount and type of fuel for wildfires, and typically lasts one to three days and between four and six hours per day.

During this time, the Braderich Trail will be closed and crews will be on hand to monitor the spread of the fire. Several other prescribed fires are planned in the White River National Forest this spring. Visit https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/whiteriver/news-events/?cid=FSEPRD895390 or sign up for a Pitkin County alert at https://pitkincounty.com/AlertCenter.aspx

The USFS has also been working hard to create fire breaks near Swiss Village on Highway 133. According to the USFS White River Facebook page, fuel breaks are an important part of fire mitigation, even if they might look a little ugly at first. “Breaks in continuous fuels can reduce wildfire intensity and give firefighters places to more safely engage a wildfire. The resulting mosaic of open areas within the brush benefits wildlife by creating more structure diversity and by stimulating new, nutritious plant growth.”

According to Dr. Monique Rocca, Climate Scientist with Colorado State University, Fires can help the ecosystem: “Fire severity, or the impact of fire on ecosystems, is a more complicated story. Some Colorado mountain forests are adapted to fires that kill all the trees, which means that the trees (aspen, lodgepole pine, spruce) grow back after fire…but fires in Pinyon-Juniper forests are more destructive now than before. Pinyons and junipers are not well-adapted to grow back after they are killed in a fire. Ponderosa pine forests are adapted

Garfield, Pitkin, and Gunnison counties are in severe, extreme, and exceptional drought conditions according to the US Drought Monitor. We are running low on water this year which means we need to watch out for fire risks. There are no fire restrictions in our counties yet, but dry weather and low snowpack mean they are probably in our future. In addition, the number of large wildfires (greater than 400 hectares) has increased steadily each

In the event of a tragic fire, like the Grizzly Creek fire last year or the Lake Christine fire in 2018, firefighters and the community do everything they can to help. They work together to inform the public to keep us safe and even restore the fragile area after it has burned.

The Glenwood Canyon Restoration Alliance has been working hard since the ignition of the Grizzly Creek fire in Glenwood Canyon last summer. They will host a virtual town hall meeting about the effects of the fire on Thursday, May 13 at 6:00 p.m. The USFS will be on hand to answer public questions. You can also tour the trails that were affected by the burn and volunteer to help restore some of the affected areas. More information is at https://www.rfov.org/calendar

decade. The area that burns during a fire has also expanded steadily over time.

As more people choose to live in forested areas, more homes and lives are threatened every year. Firefighters do everything they can to protect rural residents. In the end, it is your responsibility to protect yourself and your property from wildfire.

The best tool is defensible space - the area around a home or structure modified to reduce fire hazard. Fuel sources are treated, cleared, or reduced in this area to slow the spread of wildfire. Defensible space also decreases the chance of fire spreading to neighboring homes or the surrounding forest.

What's Up with Pitkin County?

Crystal River, Wild, and Scenic

As many of you are no doubt aware, there is a renewed push to have the Crystal River designated “wild and scenic”. No matter how you feel about this, I recommend you watch Pete McBride’s film (entitled Crystal Voice) which you can find on the website www.crystalwildandscenic.com or on YouTube. When I watch this short film, I am reminded of why I moved to this beautiful valley almost thirty years ago. You will also, no doubt, enjoy this beautiful portrait of our river.

Those who support the move to have the river designated “wild and scenic” want our river to run free – as we all do, I feel certain, although not everyone agrees on the best way to achieve this. In the past few weeks, proponents of the designation have gathered and discussed the merits of this potentially historic move and they have brought together many stakeholders who are also in support of seeking the official federal designation.

Organizations that support the Crystal River becoming “wild and scenic” are the Crystal River Caucus, Pitkin County, American Rivers, Wilderness Workshop, Roaring Fork Conservancy, Crystal Valley Environmental Protection Association (CVEPA), American Whitewater, and the Roaring Fork Chapter of the Sierra Club, among others. In an effort to impel the movement forward, the Board of County Commissioners approved $100,000 to provide support in pursuing the federal designation.

The Wild and Scenic Act was passed by the U.S. Congress in 1968 to “protect selected rivers with outstanding remarkable natural, cultural, and/or recreational values to be preserved in a free-flowing condition…” The section of the Crystal River which runs from the two branches of its headwaters in the Snowmass-Maroon Bells Wilderness Area for 39-miles to the Sweet Jessup Ditch has been determined as eligible for “wild and scenic” designation by the White River National Forest Eligibility Study.

Although the Colorado River Conservation District initially opposed the movement in 2013 and ended up in court in an attempt to maintain its hold on the waters of the Crystal

River, Pitkin County prevailed and the District ceded its control of the water rights. Today the District does not oppose the “wild and scenic” designation, according to Andy Mueller, General Manager.

It will be quite a journey to attain the designation which will prevent dams and diversion projects from impeding the waters of the Crystal from flowing freely downstream. Although there is a provision for the Secretary of the Interior to declare a river “wild and scenic” if the request comes from the state’s governor, the usual path is through Congress. This can be a long and frustrating process and will require a lot of work.

COVID-19 and Pitkin County

It’s been a long road we’ve been traveling down with COVID – locally and globally. The local good news is that Pitkin County has moved to “BLUE” designation on the State Dial. The Board of Health and the Commissioners are looking forward to the County opening up in the following ways:

• All schools are recommended to be fully open.

• Group sports and camps can have 50 participants per activity.

• Restaurants are at 100% capacity, 6 feet distance

• Outdoor Events have no capacity restrictions.

• Bars are finally open, at 25% or 75 people.

• Gyms are open at 100% capacity, 6 feet distance.

We can now look forward to events we sorely missed last year, such as Carbondale Mountain Fair, JAS Aspen Snowmass concerts, Redstone’s Magical Moments concert series, and so many others. While we still need to wear masks inside, at last, we can get together – have people for dinner, eat out together, go to concerts, and myriad other ways.

Pitkin County has vaccinated at least 60% of its residents, as well as many of the people from neighboring counties who commute into the County. As tourists from around the world begin to visit us for the summer season, we are increasingly prepared to handle the influx due to our growing immunity. As a member of the BOCC, I encourage everyone to get vaccinated. It will protect you, your family and friends, and allow our businesses to stay open.

The Water Situation & Fire Mitigation

We are all aware that we are facing drought. In fact, our part of the Western Slope has been classified as experiencing “extreme drought.” This means we are also facing extreme wildfire risks. You may have noticed some fire mitigation work taking place just north of Swiss Village. The US Forest Service, along with funding from Pitkin County, the Carbondale and Rural Fire Protection District, as well as contributions from Swiss Village residents, is working to create areas that can slow the advance of wildfires.

Twenty-nine acres at this site near Swiss Village have been covered with old oak trees which can stand 15-20 feet high. The older, decadent trees – although still producing leaves – become highly flammable. The Forest Service has contracted with Western Vegetation Management to “masticate” these trees.

Give me a call if you are interested in Selling or Buying

As you can see, the market is very active at this time!

A bulldozer with an adapted drum in front “ingests” the trees, smashes them, and returns the broken and shredded products to the soil. When a fire, raging and hot in the tall oaks, reaches these open swaths of treated ground, it will slow down, drop to the ground, and allow the firefighters time to get control.

Other fire mitigation projects in our area include mastication projects on 100-acres near Redstone and 26-acres near Marble, as well as a prescribed 115-acre burn near Marble.

Please assess your own property. Do you have trees and vegetation on your property that could carry fire right to your home? Take the time to clear it and create a safe space. If you are unclear on how to assess your fire risk, contact the Carbondale and Rural Fire Protection District. They can advise you and help you mitigate the increasing risk of wildfire in your area.

The Pitkin County Commissioners hold weekly work sessions on Tuesdays and bi-monthly public hearings on Wednesdays in our BOCC meeting room at the Pitkin County Administration and Sheriff’s Building. Both meetings are televised live and repeated on locater CG12 TV. They are also streamed live and available on the County website. Agendas are posted in the Aspen/Glenwood newspapers and on-line at www.pitkincounty.com. In this column, your District 5 Commissioner, Francie Jacober, offers her take on current matters. You can reach her at

OHV Issue on Marble's Front Burner

Spring has sprung and longer, greener days are on the horizon. Folks in Marble are bracing for the tourist season which brings a significant increase in off-highway vehicle (OHV) traffic each year. Frustrations regarding the management of OHV use in Marble and on the Lead King Loop (LKL) continue to mount.

Recap

When asked if ATV use is of concern to the FS, Grail replied, “increased use, in general, has been an issue for the FS for the last few years.” She goes on, “We’ve had issues with increased trash, conflicts between user groups, resource damage, etc. as a result of increased visitation across the Forest, and public lands in general.”

to the top of Daniel’s Hill is not exempt from the Colorado state law barring OHV vehicles on public roads.

by James Steindler

In 2018 a group of stakeholders created the Lead King Loop Steering Committee (LKLSC) which aimed to address the OHV issue. LKLSC recruited Corinne Truesdell, a graduate student studying Environmental Management at Western Colorado University, to collect data and investigate the effects of OHV use. Truesdell’s research is documented and titled Lead King Loop Convening Report. The report can be found on the Town’s website.

An excerpt reads, “Had the Loop remained a hidden gem and numbers remained low, a recreation management plan may not be needed. However, factors such as social media, increased population, wealth, and leisure time have led to a rapid increase in the popularity of outdoor recreation nationally, especially motorized recreation.”

Marble Trustee Ron Leach says OHV use grows exponentially each year and the townspeople ultimately would like to see recreation vehicle access limited.

LKLSC convenes monthly and met most recently on April 6, 2021. The group will reconvene on May 4.

Christy Villalobos with the Marble Crystal River Chamber says, “This is the first year the chamber is not promoting private motor vehicles on the Crystal and Lead King Basin Road.” Instead, “We are encouraging folks to access this area by Crystal River Jeep Tours or RPS Rentals until there is a permit system implemented by the Forest Service (FS).”

Leach agrees that the FS will have to partake in a long-term solution by limiting and monitoring OHV use on the LKL.

Jurisdiction and Enforcement

The LKL is part of White River National Forest land and therefore managed by the FS. The FS will dispatch one ranger to the Gunnison County area two days a week who will primarily oversee the LKL. According to FS Recreation Manager Shelly Grail in order for them to limit OHV access, “The FS would need to go through the public process of updating our Travel Management Plan (TMP). The current TMP direction is that all vehicles are allowed on the LKL.”

Grail listed Maroon Bells, Hanging Lake, and Conundrum Hotsprings as examples of when limiting access to serene environments has been successful.

Grail thinks the solution depends on an interagency response. “It’s important that we aren’t narrowly focused on only FS issues,” she says, “the community wants to see change on Marble and Gunnison County roads as well.” She concluded, “collaboration is the only way to successfully manage areas like the roads leading out of Marble to the Crystal Mill and LKL.”

County Road 3 leading to the LKL is Gunnison County’s jurisdiction. In 2018, the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) passed a resolution permitting OHV use on a stretch of CR 3. The resolution has been relied upon so OHV users can park their trailers in town and drive up the county road to access LKL.

The county roads are patrolled by the Sheriff’s office and currently one deputy, Cpl. Scott Leon patrols the Marble and Somerset areas. However, Sheriff John Gallowich says they have a new recruit graduating from the academy any day now who will train with Cpl. Leon over the summer. Once the cadet finishes training, likely in August, a second patrol vehicle will be added to the area’s fleet.

In the March 2021 issue of The Crystal Valley Echo, Commissioner Liz Smith wrote that she, “would not necessarily be opposed to,” rescinding the 2018 resolution if a better solution doesn’t materialize soon. Due to an interesting turn of events, the county may not have to do anything, except possibly admit to a geographical miscalculation...

Plausible Loophole

In their research the group came across the 2018 BOCC Resolution 18-14 which reads, “Use of ATVs, OHVs and UTVs shall be and hereby is authorized on that certain portion of County Road #3 a/k/a Marble Road, beginning at the town limits of the town of Marble at Beaver Lake to the bottom of that area known as Daniel's Hill, a distance of approximately 0.7 of a mile.”

In their letter, the team pointed out to the commissioners that the section of CR 3 from the bottom to the top of Daniel’s Hill is not included in the resolution. If their argument holds up it could effectively prevent OHV drivers from accessing LKL via CR 3 without the commissioners having to rescind an old, or enact a new resolution.

The discovery could bide some time beyond the scheduled reopening of LKL over Memorial Day weekend. However, locals recognize there is an outside interest group, with increasing numbers, which would like to continue using OHV vehicles on the LKL. Therefore, a long-term solution will have to be reached to effectively manage the OHV traffic in years to come.

A small group of Gunnison County and Marble residents recently wrote a compelling letter to the BOCC dated April 26. The letter affirms that the section of CR 3 from the bottom

CVEPA Newest Project: A Trail with No Name

There is a trail that starts just outside the Marble town limits. It is not known by many as it does not appear on any map nor have an official name. The trail is short, easy, beautiful, historic, biologically diverse, offers shade on hot days, and is well-loved by those who frequent it.

by Alex Menard

A historian may refer to the trail as the bed of the Treasury Mountain Railroad This was the standard gauge rail access to the Strauss Quarry, which was developed on Treasure Mountain above what is now Treasure Mountain Bible Camp. The line ran from the Mill Site along the Crystal River to Yule Creek, where it went through a complex system of switchbacks to reach the quarry, which required backing up the train. The portion of the rail line is now the trail which is straight, flat and parallels the river.

The trail goes by the Hoffman smelter and crusher, which processed ore from silver, lead, zinc, and copper from mines in Marble, Crystal, Schofield, and even Crested Butte between 1898-1911. This activity predated almost all marble mining. Large white blocks line the route, which is evidence of dumping from the rail. One area is belatedly known as Marblehenge, a site where massive marble blocks have been stacked in artistic forms.

A botanist may call the trail the nature walk. Led by Dr. Dave Clark, emeritus professor from Colorado Mountain College, nature walks have been held on this route since 2015. A plant list for this walk has been created and catalogs over 100 trees, shrubs, and wildflowers.

The first two weeks of June are the season for blooms here, which goes largely missed by the July crowding of alpine flower watchers. This month, the wildflower walk will be held on Sunday, June 6 at 1 p.m. as well as another walk on Sunday, June 13, that will focus on trees and flowering shrubs.

An ecologist might call this trail The Edge because the trail itself is a very clear dividing line between two plant communities: Mixed forest and wetlands.

The wetlands owe their existence to the creation of dams by a large beaver population. Active beaver dams and lodges are easy to spot here, and wetlands provide habitat, food, and protection for wildlife as well as storage and filtration of water for man. The natural succession of the landscape, from wetlands to meadows to the forest, is seen here. On the forest side some high altitude trees, like the subalpine fir and limber pine reach their lowest extent here.

A landscape architect could cite this trail as an example of a model of excellent trail design. Even though this trail has been developed as a result of use rather than deliberate design, a trip on this trail demonstrates the design qualities of a spatial sequence of experiences.

There is a sense of entrance and the rail bed provides a strong feeling

of direction, There is continuity of character, unity, and contrast, and a magnificent climax at Yule Falls. Along the way, the sense of enclosure opens to show panoramic views of distant peaks. Focal points include beaver dams and lodges and the tall white trunks of a mature aspen grove.

A zoologist would call this trail the habitat for our natural neighbors, including beaver, elk, bear, moose, bald eagle, great blue heron, and even sightings of Mountain goats straying far from the herd on Treasure Mountain. Canada geese return to the same spots every year to raise their young.

Nordic skiers would call this trail The Secret Stash North facing and shaded by tall trees, it is an area of the valley floor with the longest season of snow coverage.

An artist would call this Inspiration Trail. Ephemeral details, which are fleeting, include reflections on the water, the fall colors of aspen, red, and orange stemmed willows that persist through winter, and spring wildflowers during May and June.

The owners of the actual real estate that the trail traverses include: Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW), the Town of Marble, as well as a private landowner who holds the land in a wetlands trust and attempted to donate the land to Aspen Valley Land Trust (AVLT) and CPW. The tailings from the Hoffman smelter were considered a potential toxic cleanup site which caused these groups to not accept the donation.

An entomologist would call the trail Butterfly Heaven. On a sunny spring day, he would be chasing Mourning Cloaks, who appear before the snow melts after overwintering as adults and tiny blue Azure butterflies.

A fisherman might call this trail their Secret Spot after pulling the largest native brookies of his fishing career out of Yule Creek. The river bed here is white marble that colors the colored swimming pool a brilliant aqua.

An ornithologist would call this trail Birdland as they watch dippers, kingfishers, a trout rising from the clear waters in the talons of a bald eagle, a longlegged great blue heron, various ducks, and other water birds, which could include the rare sighting of a white pelican.

Everyone might call this trail the Yule Falls Trail as it climaxes in a magnificent twisting, turning cascade down sculptured rocks that are intriguing during every season.

Weed management personnel could call this trail an Invasive Weed Site. Disturbed areas from road widening have caused an invasion by thistles, mullein, oxeye daisy, absinthe wormwood, and toadflax. These weeds have spread from the roadside onto wetlands islands on one side and into the forest on the other.

An environmental protection group, like the Crystal Valley Protection Association (CVEPA), would call this trail Our Newest Project! CVEPA, which started to fight ski area development in Marble in the 1970s, has recognized the value of this trail and surrounding area as open space and wildlife habitat. President John Armstrong has raised $1000 from CVEPA and found $5000 in matching funds from Pitkin County's Healthy Rivers Initiative to test the tailings from the smelter site.

The results now show that a major cleanup is not necessary. “The Colorado Department of Health and Environment tested the slag heap at the site of the Hoffman Smelter and determined that it shows minimal contamination,” stated Armstrong in an email. Peter Westcott was able to obtain this evaluation pro bono. So the $5000 pledged by Pitkin County Healthy Rivers and Streams for testing may be used for Historic Interpretation of the site. AVLT will meet this month, to reconsider the acquisition of the property to preserve it.

While this trail has no name, it is not because there is a lack of character; rather, it has so many features that it seems unfortunate for the trail name to highlight just one.

What would you call it?

What's Up with Gunnison County?

The Gunnison County Commissioners hold alternating work sessions and regular meetings on Tuesdays in our BOCC meeting room at the Gunnison County Courthouse Building. Meetings are streamed live by Zoom. Agendas and links to work sessions and meetings are available on the County website at gunnisoncounty.org. In this column, your District 1 Commissioner, Liz Smith, offers her take on current matters. You can reach her at  eksmith@gunnisoncounty.org

Updates from Gunnison County are numerous and cover a lot of ground, so bear with me as we hop around in this month's column.

As the snow melts and ground thaws, construction is ramping up. Groundbreaking ceremonies for the library and airport took place on April 14 and April 30 (respectively)— two projects that will have big impacts on the county.

The property for the library, along with $1 million, was donated by Raymond P. Van Tuyl to support the construction efforts. In 2019, voters passed ballot issue 6a to provide a permanent funding stream that made it possible to finance construction and ensure resources, such as programming and expanded digital library holdings, into the future.

Renovations for the Gunnison County airport have been in the works for several years now, but the original plans had them staged over decades due to funding limitations. However, because the county was hit so hard early on in the COVID-19 pandemic, the airport received more than $26 million in CARES Act funding from the FAA. The aggressive project timeline will make flying in and out of the airport less than ideal, but it will not close and most of the renovations should be complete before the end of 2021.

Plans are underway to expand local early childhood education infrastructure. Seasons Schoolhouse, which currently serves 14 pre-K students in Gunnison, is undergoing a transformation in branding and location: The new Wonderland Nature School expansion, scheduled to open June 14, will introduce more than 30 new slots for early childhood education.

Work on a critical highway connection to the Gunnison Valley is upon us as well. The initial schedule

for the Little Blue Highway 50 project had closures slated to begin in early April, but the timeline has been delayed by a couple of weeks. At the time of this writing, one-way traffic was scheduled to begin April 26 with full closure periods on weekdays scheduled for April 29.

CDOT has designated Highway 92 as the primary detour for vehicles under 70-feet in length, and we do expect more traffic over Kebler Pass. Vehicles under 50-feet and weighing less than 30-tons will be allowed once the pass opens.

The Sheriff’s office has committed to a stronger presence in Marble this summer so a new deputy assigned to the area can complete on-the-job training, which means a likely increase in law enforcement on Kebler this summer as well. The new deputy is expected to complete training in August.

A collaboration between the Gunnison County Library District and the Gunnison Valley Community Foundation is bringing Dr. Nita Mosby-Tyler of The Equity Project in for a two-part “Deconstructing Equity” free workshop that is available to Gunnison County residents with a cap of 130 participants. Part One will be held virtually (Zoom) on May 4 from 9:00-11:00 a.m. Pending availability, Part one is also available to participants and organizations in other counties for a $25 fee.

In Part Two, on May 5 from 9:00-11:00 a.m., Dr. Mosby-Tyler will tailor equity issues to specific Gunnison County community concerns. After the workshops, the Community Foundation will open an application process to participants for modest grants to support equity initiatives.

The registration link can be found on the Community Foundation’s website (cfgv.org/equity/), and concerns, themes, or specific questions people would like Dr. Mosby-Tyler to address during the May 5 workshop should be directed to maryo@cfgv.org.

Camping at the north end of Gunnison Valley will look a little different this summer, as dispersed camping has been discontinued. Early demand suggests we’re in for another very busy summer season: Reservations for 26 designated campsites from July 15 through Labor Day were 99 percent filled by early March.

Six additional designated sites will be subject to availability on a first-come, first-serve basis. Organizations like the Sustainable Tourism and Outdoor

Marble Community Church

Recreation Committee have been preparing educational campaigns to inform visitors of the changes and how to recreate responsibly in the backcountry.

Following numerous conversations with regional stakeholders invested in the long-term goal of revisiting the travel management plan for the White River National Forest, several short-term solutions have been identified until a more restrictive permitting plan can be put into place.

As many of you know, the process of collecting data to amend travel management plans takes years. In a recent joint meeting with the BOCC and Town of Marble, the town plans to contract with a graduate student from Western Colorado University to continue the data collection process.

The County has partnered with Marble to contract a Forest Protection Officer from the White River National Forest to increase patrolling and enforcement on the Lead King Loop, and Colorado Parks and Wildlife has committed to enforcing hunting and fishing requirements for using Beaver Lake. As previously mentioned, there should be a stronger presence from the Sheriff’s office and a new deputy will be stationed in Marble starting sometime around August.

None of these initiatives are capable of addressing the systemic problem of unregulated numbers of OHV’s being allowed on the Lead King Loop, but they do show a good faith effort from all parties involved to mitigate impacts until we have long-term solutions to parking capacity and OHV volume.

At the state level, and in response to new resources from the American Rescue Plan, several listening sessions across stakeholder groups in Colorado have rolled out to get feedback on what types of projects will help us build a stronger Colorado. Individuals can also submit suggestions on buildbackstrongerco.com.

During the local government session I attended, several key issues emerged around sustainable tourism, affordable housing, early childhood education, transportation, infrastructure (roads/bridges), and broadband. With this influx of one-time funding, the State is seeking ways to erect long-time solutions rather than investing in short-term programs.

As always, I welcome comments and outreach from all Gunnison County residents. Take care and be well.

Food Bags Available in Marble Body Fusion with Lisa Wagner returns Mid-May Yoga - Pilates - Strength Training Tuesday & Thursday 9:00-10:45 a.m. in Elk Park Call 963-8240 to confirm.

For anyone needing help stretching their food budget, Gunnison County Officials currently have boxes of food available distributed through the Marble Community Church.

There is no charge to the recipient and no reservation is needed; boxes are available for an individual or up to a family of four and contain enough meals to last approximately three days.

Please call Pastor Jon Stovall at the church to arrange a pickup time for your box today, (970) 963-1464.

THE MARBLE TIMES

A LOOK AT LIFE AT THE MARBLE CHARTER SCHOOL

An Interview with MCS Alumni Elizabeth Robinson

The most high-reaching in the world of academics of all the alumni I have interviewed, Julia Lee attended her entire elementary and middle school years at MCS. Now a 21 year old attending Stanford, and a recipient of the Daniel’s Scholarship, Julia Lee is the very representation of MCS’s success as a school.

1. Do you think Marble Charter School prepared you for high school and beyond? If so, how?

Julia said that attending MCS was very helpful in her early years. She noted that Wendy Boland was the principal during her time at MCS and had inspired her in Science and Stem as well as outdoor activities.

2. Where have you been attending college?

This is Ms. Lee’s fourth year at Stanford University in Palo Alto, California.

• When will you graduate? What are you studying?

Julia thinks that she will most likely graduate next year. She took some time off during this past year, and says that she is not in a rush.

Ms. Lee is studying Ecology and Biology and really enjoys it but she had to take a lot of required classes first. RIght now, she is taking classes she is really interested in like her soils class which she finds interesting.

• Has Stanford been an expensive college to attend?

Julia was a Daniel’s Scholar which meant she earned one of the most prestigious scholarships which essentially pays for four years of college at any university in the country. However, Stanford University was so generous, she didn’t really need it. Working hard in high school, taking rigorous courses, and only receiving one B during her four years at Roaring Fork High School really paid off for Julia Lee.

• What do you hope to do after that?

“My ultimate dream is to be a professor some day. I am interested in agriculture and possibly working as a soil consultant.”

3. What are you doing now?

Julia has been a waitress here locally on most summer breaks. She worked at Slow Groovin when she lived in Marble, and after she moved to Carbondale, she worked at the Red Rock Diner and Beer Works. There haven’t been enough waitressing hours in the past year so she has been working for her uncle at a concrete company. She does bids for foundations, sidewalks.

4. How has the Pandemic affected you?

When the Pandemic hit last March, Stanford really had no plan and kicked everyone off campus really fast. Classes were on-line. She was a little burned out then so it gave her a chance to take a break and get re-inspired about finishing her degree.

5. How long are you home from college?

Julia has been home part of every summer. This time, she’s been home for about a year.

• Do you think you will return to live in this area in the future?

She said she would probably not return to live in our valley but she thought that she might choose to live in a community that is similar. “When you’ve lived in a small town for a long time, it’s good to get out and find my own place in the world.”

6. Do you have any advice for students at Marble Charter School?

“Prioritize your curiosity and what you are interested in exploring. Don’t get bogged down going down a traditional track - stay open. Stick with your curiosity - reach out, take a risk.”

Among the most intelligent, accomplished and outgoing individuals I have ever met, Julia presents the archetype of a hard working, quick-witted, talented student. I have little doubt that Julia Lee will become a successful, contributive member of society. Quick-witted, but patient Julia has proven to be an inspiration to what one could hope to accomplish at such a young age. This seems to be more proof that MCS prepares students not only for school, but for life.

April: National Poem Month

The End Of The Year

by Loch Wempe

Oh dear, oh dear, not a great year, And it’s left me with an empty feeling in here.

My heart, my heart, Not a great start, And yet I feel some sort of spark?

Oh life, oh life, it gives you might it gives you fright. Oh might, oh might, might, Caused greed,Greed caused light.

Oh life, Oh life, I feel right so I guess it’s time to say goodnight. Ring, ring, “That’s mean I certainly don’t feel like a king.”

The mornings they leave me morning, They leave me morning for no mornings.

Afternoons, afternoons, They leave me feeling like I can touch the moon.

Evenings, evenings, they leave me screaming. They leave me screaming, wondering if there’s no meaning. The evenings, the evenings they leave me dreaming. They leave me dreaming dreams of no meaning.

It’s time to stop listening to my rhyming, and it’s time to stop watching my miming. It’s time to stop with great timing. Friends by

And

Ali Wofford

Before you go to bed, You look into the sky, As you look ahead, And see a star cry, The little star stops, As soon as you talk, While your mother mops, And the little crow cawks, You float out of bed, As the star sees you, You see a little star head, As you do, The star becomes happy, And it lifts you up, You feel nappy, Go to sleep with your sippy cup!

CONTACT: Redstone Cliffs Lodge, (970) 963- 2691 or info@redstonecliffs.com

REDSTONE: