2022-11

Letters to the Editor

BoB Braudis Believed in Joe disalvo

Dear Editor,

Bob Braudis believed in Joe DiSalvo, and so do I. In his more than 30 years of law enforcement work, "Joey" has shown himself to be highly responsive to his constituents and consistently respected by other law enforcement communities.

When it became obvious that the community had outgrown the current configuration of the jail, Joey took steps to solve the problems. He brought suggestions to the county commissioners, without a preconceived notion of which solution might be best. In concert with the BOCC, he arranged for inmates to be housed temporarily at the Garfield County Jail while upgrades were constructed in our own jail. Joey has worked to protect both the detention officers and the inmates. Working with the BOCC to develop an optimal Justice Center which aids and respects those with mental illness and provides facilities for those with addiction issues, as well as providing safe incarceration, is another expression of his commitment.

In addition, Joey has developed one of the leading law enforcement communications system in Colorado. He has developed a staff which includes 15 bilingual employees and has worked to diversify the law enforcement department. He has managed responses to all types of events from wildfires to homicides with alacrity and professionalism. The Sheriff’s office operates with efficiency and transparency thanks to Joey’s leadership.

Sheriff Joe DiSalvo is a humble man who operates from the heart and is quick to take responsibilities for any miscues or mistakes. Please join me in supporting Joe DiSalvo for Sheriff.

Sincerely, Francie Jacober

laura Puckett daniels is committed to our communities

Dear fellow Gunnison County residents,

I am running for Gunnison County Commissioner, and I am committed to representing you.

I currently work as the Marketing and Development Director at Crested Butte Nordic. As a Board Member and Deputy Director at the Crested Butte Mountain Bike Association, I helped organize trail work days, memberships, and other festive community events. You also may know me from the Gunnison County Planning Commission, where I’ve served since 2018, this last 18 months as Chair. I coach cross-country for the Crested Butte Community School, and I’ve been active in supporting our schools on the District Accountability Committee and previously as a teacher in our school district.

Since moving to Gunnison County in 2009, I’ve developed a deep love for this place. Like many of you, I was drawn here by the recreation opportunities and the close connection to our natural world. But the thing that has kept me here is the community. It is you.

I recently visited Marble and Somerset and was able to visit with some wonderful people. I am struck by how similar the problems we face are despite the mountains that divide us geographically. I am continually inspired by the kind, responsible, hard working people of Gunnison County. It isn’t easy to live here, whether it’s fluctuations in weather or our economy, but we choose to make it work, over and over again, committing to our families, our work, and our home. I am ready to take this commitment further. I want to be sure that Gunnison County continues to be a place where we can thrive now and into the future. I am committed to Gunnison County. I am committed to you.

I am running for County Commissioner to protect our vibrant communities, fight for housing for everyone, and foster environmental resiliency. We need strong, engaged leaders who are willing to work collaboratively and strategically to confront the challenges we’re facing. I have the skills, experience, and energy we need to tackle our biggest obstacles head-on and make the most of our opportunities.

I hope you will join me in ensuring a thriving future for Gunnison County. Learn more about my campaign at LauraForGunnisonCounty.com

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 • (806) 374-0055

CONTRIBUTORS

Amber McMahill • Alex Menard

Melissa Sidelinger

ADVERTISING SALES

Gentrye Houghton gentryeh@hotmail.com • (806) 374-0055

DISTRIBUTION

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

NEWSPAPER BOX LOCATIONS:

Carbondale (old) City Market • Village Smithy

Carbondale Post Office • Redstone General Store

The Marble Hub FOR SUBSCRIPTIONS

Please send $50 for print or $35 for digital editions along with address information to:

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

ATTENTION PITKIN COUNTY VOTERS THE 2022 GENERAL ELECTION IS

TUESDAY, NOV. 8.

Ballots were mailed to your address of record the week of Oct. 17. Go to pitkinvotes.com to check your registration record or call 970 429 2732.

All ballots must be received by 7:00pm Election Day, November 8 to count. Postmarks do not count.

WAYS TO VOTE BEGINNING OCTOBER 17

24/7 Secure Drop Box

BASALT TOWN HALL 101 Midland Avenue, Basalt

SNOWMASS VILLAGE TOWN HALL 130 Kearns Rd, Snowmass Village

PITKIN COUNTY ADMINISTRATION AND SHERIFF’S OFFICE 530 East Main Street, Aspen

WAYS TO VOTE ON ELECTION DAY, NOVEMBER 8

Secure Drop Box (Election Day Only) from 7 am until 7 pm

THE CHURCH AT REDSTONE 213 Redstone Blvd., Redstone

Staffed by a bi-partisan team of election judges

Vote In-Person from 7 am until 7 pm at:

BASALT REGIONAL LIBRARY 14 Midland Avenue

SNOWMASS VILLAGE TOWN HALL 130 Kearns Road

JEWISH COMMUNITY CENTER – CHABAD OF ASPEN , 435 West Main Street FOR

$3 Million in Grant Funding for EV Charging Stations Announced

From Dave Reed, CLEER Communications Director

A state program that provides grants for installing community-based electric vehicle (EV) charging stations has announced a new $3 million funding cycle with increased grant amounts.

The Colorado Energy Office’s Charge Ahead grant program helps cover the costs of purchasing and installing EV charging stations in workplaces, apartment/condo complexes, government buildings and other sites that offer public or visitor parking.

Most types of qualifying projects are eligible for grants of up to 80% of costs. New this cycle, the program is offering up to 90% for installations in income-qualified housing developments, as well as additional incentives for projects in disproportionately impacted communities.

The deadline for applications is November 16th, except for workplaces and multi-family housing complexes applying for projects of three or fewer Level 2 stations, which are accepted on an ongoing basis.

Grant application information and materials are available at the website energyoffice.colorado.gov (search for “Charge Ahead”).

Prospective applicants can receive free technical advice and grant support from Carbondale-based Clean Energy Economy for the Region (CLEER), which is the Colorado Energy Office’s designated “coach” for 14 counties on the Western Slope. For more information, contact Martín Bonzi at mbonzi@cleanenergyeconomy.net

Marble Wetlands Reclamation Complete

Reclamation means taking back something that was lost. Another definition is putting wasteland back in production. At the Marble Wetlands, reclamation is part of a process that will bring a large natural parcel into a protected wildlife refuge status and also allow non-motorized public use.

The largest hurdle was cleared by a beautiful, high jumper which easily soared over the bar. The land work to reduce the environmental hazard presented by the historical Hofmann Smelter and stabilization of the disturbed area is now complete. Slag, which is the waste product from the smelting operation is hazardous.

bed of the historical Treasury Mountain Railroad.

Next, to prevent any water from percolating through the site and running off with heavy metals, a series of culverts, swales, and wattles were installed. Swales are ditches that divert the water away from the slag pile, and wattles are long tubes of natural decomposable material about a foot in diameter, which temporarily slows down and redirects runoff.

By Alex Menard

This is the first acknowledgment of the official name for the parcel, which formerly defied description because of its multifaceted qualities including history, recreation, and nature. Marble Wetlands is the best description for the 55-acre area.

The Trust for Land Restoration (TLR) based in Ridgeway, Colo., currently owns the property. Under the leadership of Director Pat Willits, TLR acquired the property to perform the reclamation needed to protect the ultimate landowner from liability for environmental damage or personal injury caused by the tailings present at the smelter site.

TLR's first step was to assess the hazard. Although it was determined that the site was not an environmental hazard, it did present a mild safety risk from slightly elevated levels of lead and arsenic in the slag piles.

Trout Unlimited provided an experienced crew to do the actual reclamation work. The Town of Marble acted as a fiduciary agent to receive the State grant and contract services. Funding for the project was provided by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment.

The first part of the project was to round up all the slag in one place and bury it. The roads passing by the slag pile were scraped and the slag was deposited on the pile. Screened and amended topsoil was brought in to bury the slag, in addition to borrowing rich topsoil adjacent to the pile. The crew even used material from the big debris flow which buried the corrals at the bottom of Slate Creek in August. The road base was used to finish the access road and rail

With the drainage system in place, the problem of erosion was addressed. Stabilization of the slopes was accomplished with other decomposable landscape materials including erosion control blankets and aspen wood mulch. The blankets are made of coir, which is coconut fiber, and the aspen mulch is a byproduct of aspen lumbering. Both biodegrade at known rates.

Revegetation involves improving the soil and reestablishing vegetation. This was done with both seeds and small grass plants. The seed mixture consisted of native grasses and selected wildflowers carefully matched to the site.

One thousand small grass plants were planted. These were raised in trays of long, thin ecological restoration grow cones, which develop roots 8-inches long. A pry bar was used to make a deep narrow

hole and the grass plant is dropped in with a deep root immediately in place.

The treatment of the north end of the slag heap, a small steep slope, was different. Burial would have required a large amount of fill and great stabilization efforts. Since this is a historic site, it was decided to leave the north side exposed behind a protective fence with an interpretation panel to explain the historic significance.

A large, rustic timber fence was erected around the entire smelter site. The fence, easily 6-feet high, is called a jack-leg fence. It features freestanding timbers crossing each other to form an 'X' with horizontal logs connecting the uprights. The bold nature of the fence will draw attention to the historical site, but also keep people away from the slag heap.

Future work at the site involves weed management, further erosion control, and the establishment and enforcement of a user policy. Multiple varieties of weeds have invaded the recently widened railroad bed and have spread both into the forest and the wetlands. Last summer's torrential rains resulted in erosion and debris flow impact on the trail. The non-motorized user policy will require signage, gates, and enforcement.

Funding is available through History Colorado for an archeological assessment of the Smelter site, which will provide accurate information for the interpretative sign.

"After this restoration project is complete, TLR plans to continue to study and observe the property for the next 12 to 18 months before donating it to the Town of Marble with a long-term management plan in place that has been prepared in consultation with the Town, Colorado Parks and Wildlife, and Aspen Valley Land Trust," says Pat Willits, TLR Director.

Senior Days

NOVEMBER 15 & 29

• 12:00 p.m. – Lunch ($10)

RSVP by noon the Friday prior – space is limited. Plated lunch will be served.

There will be a gluten-free option.

• 12:45 p.m. – Program

November 15: Aspen Compassion David Freeman shares information about in-home companion care and memory care services.

November 29: Aspen Compassion Adventures

Learn about fun adventures you can join in the Crystal & Roaring Fork valleys. Presented by Taylor Freeman.

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A Major Milestone for the Thompson Divide

On October 17th, Interior Secretary Deb Haaland initiated a process to administratively withdraw 225,000 acres of the Thompson Divide from future oil and gas leasing and mining for the next 20 years. For everyone who has fought to protect the Divide: This is a huge step forward that we should celebrate and support!

If you’re unfamiliar with the longstanding “Unified for Thompson Divide” campaign, more than a decade ago a coalition of cowboys and conservationists joined together to eliminate the threat of drilling on over 220,000 acres of cherished public lands southwest of Carbondale.

The Thompson Divide is foundational to our economy and culture. It provides critical wildlife habitat, recreation opportunities, grazing lands, and clean air and water relied upon by local communities and beloved across the country. But when the effort began, more than half of the Divide had been leased to oil and gas companies without environmental review and consultation. The threat of drilling brought together people from all walks of life and political persuasions who agreed that it should be protected.

With bipartisan support from local elected officials, communities surrounding the Divide asked Congress to pass legislation permanently protecting the area from new leasing. In 2013, Senator Bennet responded by introducing the Thompson Divide Withdrawal and Protection Act. Now part of the CORE Act, this legislation has been passed the House 5 times and we continue to advocate for it in the Senate.

Over the years, public land managers also embraced the need to protect Thompson Divide. In 2015, officials at the White River National Forest closed tens of thousands of acres in the Divide to new leasing. In 2016, Bureau of Land Management (BLM) officials canceled dozens of leases after acknowledging they were sold illegally. Now, agency officials have asked Secretary Haaland to close the Divide entirely to new leasing for the next 20 years.

These were hard-fought victories for the Thompson Divide – the result of consistent community engagement and strong legal advocacy. When we started, there were over 80 leases in the Divide; today only a handful remain. But our work is far from done and the threat of new leasing remains.

A 90-day public comment period is now underway; we need to step up again and tell the administration why protecting Thompson Divide is so important. Wilderness Workshop and our partners will submit technical comments and provide information on how members of the public can support protection for this incredible landscape.

An administrative withdrawal wouldn’t have the permanence of a Congressional withdrawal. But it would provide strong protections above and beyond what we’ve secured to date and it would protect the Divide while we work with Congressional leaders - Senators Bennet and Hickenlooper and Rep. Joe Neguse - towards permanent protection.

Right now we need to rally around the meaningful interim protection of an administrative withdrawal. And we look forward to one heck of a community party when this process is complete.

Thanks for all you’ve done and forever remaining, Unified for Thompson Divide!

Peter Hart is the Legal Director at Wilderness Workshop and for years has led the Workshop’s efforts to permanently protect the Thompson Divide. When not exploring public lands, you can find him spending time with his family and raising two young boys with an appreciation for wild places.

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Get Ready for This Year’s Annual Caucus Membership Meeting

From Crystal River Caucus Chair John Emerick

The next Crystal River Caucus meeting will be held on Thursday, November 10th, from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at the Church at Redstone. This is our annual meeting, during which we vote for new or returning board members whose terms have expired.

Also on the agenda is a review of topics the Caucus has discussed this year, including Wild and Scenic designation for the Crystal River, various potential impacts to the river from development projects, the Crystal Valley recreational trail, management of Penny Hot Springs and Redstone Park, short-term rentals in the valley, methane release from abandoned Coal Basin mines, and broadband status on Elephant Mountain.

What is the crystal river caucus?

Many of our valley’s residents may not have an idea what the Crystal River Caucus is, or that they are already a member. The Caucus was formed in 1994 pursuant to Pitkin County’s Home Rule Charter and is one of nine caucuses in the county. The caucuses are an important element of our representative democracy at the most local level.

The primary function of the caucuses is to make recommendations to the County in the development of laws, budgetary appropriations, land-use approval, and other rules and regulations. The geographical area of the Crystal River Caucus includes the Pitkin County portion of the Crystal River Valley.

There are no dues required for membership, yet anyone whose primary residence is, including those renting homes, or anyone who owns property in the area is a member of the Caucus!

The Crystal River Caucus has an eight-member board (seven regular members plus one alternate) whose most important function is to set the agenda for the regular Caucus membership meetings.

The Caucus regularly meets on the second Thursday of each odd-numbered month, and the board typically meets on the second Thursday of each even-numbered month. The regular membership meeting in November is considered the Caucus's Annual Meeting when board elections take place and changes to the caucus bylaws can be adopted. All meetings are open to the public, including board meetings.

When the board sets meeting agendas, the primary consideration is given to topics the County has brought to the Caucus for its recommendations. However, the board often includes other topics it believes would be of interest to our members; ensuing recommendations from those discussions are made to raise awareness at the County level. Many of these latter topics are brought to the board by caucus members.

Historically, all caucus meetings were held in person. However, due to the outbreak of COVID-19, Caucus meetings in 2021 and 2022 have been virtual via Zoom. The upcoming Annual Meeting will be the first time in over two years that an in-person meeting will be held. The meeting is also available via Zoom to accommodate members who are unable or unwilling to attend in person. A Zoom link will be sent to all members of the Caucus email list.

An ongoing concern of the board is low attendance due to the possibility that not enough members know about the Caucus or have provided email addresses to receive meeting announcements. We want you to know that this is your Caucus — a direct lifeline to our local democracy — and with your support, the Caucus can be an effective voice to the county commissioners for our members.

The board urges all members who haven’t already done so to email  crcaucus@gmail.com with your contact information, as well as to let the board know of any matters you think the Caucus should discuss. This list is not shared!

In 2003, the Caucus completed the Crystal River Valley Master Plan; which was later updated and adopted by the Pitkin County Planning and Zoning Commission in 2016. The Master Plan was created to guide the County in its governance of the Crystal River Caucus area. The plan includes a number of core values, including the preservation of the natural environment and the protection of the valley’s rural character.

As stated in the plan, the Caucus values the preservation of open space, wildlife habitat, the Highway 133 scenic corridor, and water quality in the valley, and supports climate change mitigation and protection to prevent environmental deterioration. Support is also stated for limiting housing growth in the valley and encouraging small-scale commercial activities and the economic vitality of existing and home-based businesses.

A link to the Crystal River Valley Master Plan can be found on the caucus website at  www.pitkincounty.com/949/About-the-Crystal-River-Caucus Meeting minutes, agendas, and other information

about the caucus can also be accessed there.

ongoing toPics of discussion

Of the many issues the Crystal River Caucus has considered over the last few years, one of the most important is the Wild and Scenic designation for the Crystal River. The Caucus has consistently supported Wild and Scenic designation, given climate change and potentially increased demand for Western Slope water by the megalopolis on Colorado’s Front Range and other users. Wild and Scenic designation by Congress would be the strongest protection from water withdrawals from the basin.

Another topic discussed several times this year has been short-term rentals. This has been a controversial issue, as many local motels and bed and breakfasts complain that short-term rentals are detracting from their bottom line, while many property owners are taking advantage of the short-term rental market. The Caucus has been working with the County to adopt a short-term rental management plan.

There have been numerous discussions about a Carbondale to McClure Pass recreational trail proposed by Pitkin County Open Space and Trails, which the Caucus has generally supported so long as it is not located in wildlife-sensitive areas.

The Crystal River Caucus exists for the benefit of the citizens of Pitkin County in the Crystal River Valley. The board asks that you please support the Caucus by attending the annual meeting.

This is your Caucus; this is your voice in local County government!

NOTICE OF INTENT TO FIX OR INCREASE FEES, RATES, PENALTIES OR CHARGES FOR WATER AND SEWER SERVICE.

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that, pursuant to § 32-1-1001(2)(a), C.R.S., the Board of Directors for the Redstone Water & Sanitation District will consider fixing and/or increasing fees, rates, or charges for water and sewer fees at a public meeting to be held on December 13th, 2022, at 7:00 P.M, in person at the Redstone Inn. Any interested member of the public may attend the public meeting.

Marble Art Guild Features Garrett Hughes

By Melissa Sidelinger

Sometimes our setbacks lead us down paths we never expected to follow. This is certainly true of local artist Garrett Hughes, whose passion for flint knapping and all things related to rocks, gems, and minerals were the result of a personal setback of his own.

Hughes grew up between Redstone and Carbondale, Colo. An avid outdoorsman, he was in the Boy Scouts as a child and as well as an active skier, rock climber, bow hunter,

and ice climber as an adult. Then, an accident occurred eight years ago that left him with a severely injured back and a need to find a new direction in life.

“I had to learn to walk again. The injury took all of those outdoor activities I loved away from me,” Hughes said. “After about a year, I felt like I was going crazy. I had to find something to occupy my time and my hands.”

Hughes had always been interested in Native American art and culture. At the age of 5, he had taken a class where he had learned, among other things, how to make a traditional stone drill. With a desire to create objects with his hands, Hughes began to experiment with flint knapping.

“Flint knapping is the process of making arrowheads and stone knives,” he explained. “I started with the traditional Native American technique of using an antler tine to chip and form the stone. But I was breaking more pieces than I was finishing, so I eventually turned to the more modern technique of shaping the stone with copper. I’d say about 70% of flint knappers rely on this method.”

“Flint knapping," Hughes continued, "led me towards an interest in rocks of all sorts, from minerals to precious gems. I started traveling around North and Central America to collect rocks and gemstones.”

He had his first artist booth dedicated solely to knives, arrowheads, rocks, and gemstones in June during the 2nd Annual Marble Gem and Mineral Show. Hughes grew up with the gem show’s founder and local lapidary artist

Monique Villalobos, who had been in the same grade and classes as Hughes when they were children in school.

At the Gem Show, Hughes sold knives and arrowheads made from stones as varied as opals, obsidian, agate, jasper, chert, flint, petrified wood, and opalized wood, as well as an extensive rock and gemstone collection.

“About 70% of my stones are self-sourced,” he said. “The rest are purchased from dealers online or gem shows.” Hughes often travels to Mexico for rock hounding and would love to someday undertake his dream of traveling around South America to hunt for stones.

Hughes has now joined the Marble Gem and Mineral Show board and is helping to orchestrate and organize the third annual event next June, where he plans to display his work once more.

“It’s been great to reconnect with Monique and geek out about rocks together,” Hughes said. “I moved into a new place between Marble and Redstone this past winter, where I now have my studio instead of just working out of a shack in the woods like I was doing before.”

“I’ve enjoyed the last few years. It’s been a really fun road,” Hughes added. “It’s led to good people and beautiful places. My favorite part is the adventure of traveling and finding stones. It’s like striking gold when you do.”

Redstone Art Foundation Presents the 3rd Annual Holiday Market

By Gentrye Houghton and Stephanie Deaton

Mark your calendars. The Redstone Art Foundation (RAF) hosts its 3rd Annual Redstone Holiday Market on Saturday, December 3rd, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and you don’t want to miss it!

Beginning at the Redstone Inn, shop and stroll to Crystal Dreams Bed & Breakfast taking in the old-fashioned ambiance. Pick up unique holiday gifts while shopping locally and supporting community artists.

In 2020, due to COVID restrictions, RAF was unable to host its annual Labor Day Art Show and members of the board recognized that many artists were struggling to promote their work without open galleries.

"The Foundation still wanted to support artists, and so that’s how the winter Holiday Market was created,” said Frances Bogle, RAF President. “We just happened upon something, and didn’t initially intend to host this event annually, but it’s great for both the artists and the Redstone business community."

Author Kate Manning is a special feature this year, and will be joining the Market to sign her book. More information about her new release, Guilded Mountain, and other book tour opportunities, can be found on the following page.

RAF partners local artists with Redstone businesses along the historic Boulevard for this outdoor event. Each artist is located out front in this open-air market and is selling hand-made goods for the holidays. Not all vendors will be equipped with credit card readers, so please be prepared to pay with cash or check; an ATM is located in the Grill at the Redstone Inn.

Visitors will stay cozy and warm by the crackling fire rings spread throughout the town. Stop in for hot chocolate and see Santa from noon – 2 p.m. at Crystal Dreams Bed and Breakfast. Afterward, visit the Redstone Inn, Redstone General Store, or Propaganda Pie for food, snacks, and libations.

This is a one-of-a-kind experience. Come feel the charming atmosphere of Redstone and find that unique gift at the Redstone Holiday Market. To learn more, go to www.RedstoneArtFoundation.org

Historical Fiction Novel Release and Book Signing in Redstone

A new historical novel, Gilded Mountain, is based on local history and was released on the first of this month. The national book tour begins on the east coast, hitting Denver at the Tattered Cover Bookstore, and then comes to Redstone on Saturday, December 3rd as part of Redstone Art Foundation's annual Holiday Market. On Sunday, December 4th at 4 p.m. the tour continues in Aspen at Explore Bookstore and Coffeehouse.

Gilded Mountain takes place in the mythical Colorado mountain towns of Moonstone and Ruby during the turn of the 20th century.

Moonstone is a marble mining town, while down the Diamond River, Ruby contains the lavish estate of a "Robber Baron." Sound familiar?

Kate Manning, the author, has a long and distinguished career as an author, journalist, and television producer. Manning's family history also has significant, historical connections in this valley.

Manning appeared at the Marble Museum about six years ago bearing two historical photographs. Each one was narrow but over several feet long; they contained hundreds of people lined up at the Marble Mill wearing funny pointed hats. Near the center of the photo is a tall distinguished man in a white suit — Manning only knew that that man was her great-grandfather.

stone Castle.

At the Redstone Holiday Market on Saturday, December 3rd, you can meet Manning and get a signed copy of her book. Manning will have a booth on Redstone Boulevard along with other artists and vendors from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. A reception and program follow at 4:30 p.m.

By Alex Menard

Manning's great-grandfather, Colonel J. F. Manning, was actually the president of the marble company during the time that the contract for the Lincoln Memorial was secured and the project completed (a little over 100 years ago). Although much less is known about Col. Manning than the company founder, Colonel Meek, Manning's accomplishments were significant.

Kate Manning's character Sylvie Pelletier is the protagonist through whose eyes we see the historic events unfold in Guilded Mountain. Because Pelletier is very young, inexperienced, naive, and trusting, the book has a parallel theme as a comingof-age story. The characters she meets in the story help with her character development. These include the privileged son and wife of the company owner, the radical newspaper editor, and two union labor strike organizers.

The character who is the wife of the company owner is a clear reference to Osgood's second wife, Alma who was known as Lady Bountiful. The newspaper editor is modeled after historical editor Sylvia Smith, who was run out of town on the rail for an editorial. Interestingly, according to the book, it is Pelletier who actually writes the editorial that gets Smith run out of town.

Discerning readers will be able to identify locations where some events took place, including Quarry town, Smith's newspaper office in Marble, and Red-

Hang around for Manning's audio-visual program at Crystal Dreams Bed and Breakfast at 4:30 p.m. Enjoy a storytelling session from Manning, who is also an Emmy award-winning television producer. The long skinny photos mentioned above will be on display. Come inside out of the cold and warm up with hot beverages and pastries supplied by The Marble Hub.

Interest in local historical fiction is contagious and we hope this book will serve to highlight other local authors as well. Larry Meredith's This Cursed Valley recently celebrated its 20th anniversary of publication and still is a local bestseller. Helen Kline has several novels with local themes, which she will also be selling at the Holiday Market.

Manning is apologetic about her deviations in the novel from actual historical events. She is also guilty of conflating characters, locations, and events. Manning quotes E. L. Doctorow in defense: "The historian will tell you what happened. The novelist will tell you what it felt like." She is right; the more historically accurate a book is, the more tedious, academic, and dull it becomes.

Because of the unexpected plot twists, character development, and off-the-wall humor, Gilded Mountain is a page-turner and all-night read. The national promotion of this novel by a major publisher is sure to generate interest in this area and its history. Stay tuned to next month's issue for an in-depth interview with the author.

This event is co-sponsored by the Marble Museum, The Marble Hub, and Deb Strom.

THE MARBLE TIMES

A LOOK AT LIFE AT THE MARBLE CHARTER SCHOOL

From summer to fall then winter in a snap! Marble Charter School students roll with the change of seasons. Students enjoyed their recess time by rolling the perfect snow to make snowmen during the first snow of the 2022-2023 MCS school year!

Thanks to Jaime Fiske for capturing these moments.

Lead King Loop Race Thank You from MCS

MCS would like to say a huge THANK YOU to all of this year’s Lead King Loop 25k race sponsors, prize donors, and participants! We’ve enjoyed working with Hal Sports and are grateful for their help with race times, advertising, and including our race in their series. Race results can be found by visiting https://halsports. net/event/lead-king-loop-2022/

This year, our school profited a little over $28,000 from this fundraising event, which is an increase from last year. Our staff and students are so thankful for the tremendous amount of support we continue to receive.

Thank You from the Marble Charter School!

2022 Prize Donors: Aloha Cyclery, Aspen Skiing Company, Avalanche Ranch, Bonfire, Roaring Fork Valley Coop, Desire Archuletta, Glenwood Caverns, Granetta Panini, Hotel Colorado, Independence Run and Hike, Iron Mountain Hot Springs, Marble SUP, Mellie Test, Monique VIllalobos, New Jammies, Nicole Zugschwerdt, Obermeyer, Peppinos, Pro-

paganda Pie, Redstone General Store, Redstone Inn, Sarah Uhl, Smoke Modern BBQ, Summit Canyon, Sunlight, Terry Langley, Ute Mountaineer, and Yampah Spa.

2022 Sponsors: Alpine Bank, Bay Equity, Beaver Lake Lodge, Carbondale & Rural Fire Protection District, Castle Valley Children's Clinic, Chalet, Clyde’s Customs, City Lifestyle, Coldwell Banker Mason Morse, Colorado Stone Quarries Inc., Cripple Creek Backcountry, the Dillard team at Integrated Mountain Properties, Dominos, Dynamic Window Cleaning, Elevate Payment Alliance, Environmental Process Control, Independence Run & Hike, Jessica Owings, Marble Community Church, Marble Crystal River Chamber, Marble Gallery, Mason Morse Redstone, Nelson’s Auto Body, New Jammies, Pete Bellande, Pifco Excavating & Trucking, Propaganda Pie, RPS UTV Rentals, Slow Groovin’ BBQ, Shayna Yellon, Sopris Engineering, State Farm, Todd Fugate with State Farm, Verde Land Management, Wild Roots Landscaping, and Yuko Tashiro.

Lead King Loop Stakeholder Group Final Recommendations

For the past two years, representatives from local stakeholder groups have been meeting to discuss the issue of overuse on the Lead Kind Loop road. Participants include the White River National Forest Service, Gunnison County, the Town of Marble, as well as residents from Marble, Crystal, and unincorporated Gunnison County. Although the group considers all user groups in the discussion, the main bulk of the problems identified by residents is OHV users.

The group presented their final recommendations to the Gunnison County Board of Commissions during the October 25th work session. The group identified eight areas that could be addressed to help alleviate the issues. The full list of recommendations can be seen in the following page.

tion system could be used to fund the reservation system.

Education: Using a grant received by the Marble Crystal River Chamber, Marble stakeholders will be working with the Western Colorado University's Center for Public Lands (which is the current facilitator for the Lead King Loop Steering Committee) to develop interpretive signage and communication plans. In addition, the group is working with Stay the Trail for OHV user-specific messaging.

Parking: This was one of the biggest conversations of the group. At one time, the discussion included exploring the possibility of moving all truck and trailer parking to property owned by the U.S. Forest Service at the base of Daniel's Hill; however, the idea was tabled due to objections and feedback from residents living in that area. The final recommendations include tightening up and organizing the area where the current parking is at the base of Daniel's Hill and adding some facilities such as porta-potties and trash receptacles.

This parking would be for passenger vehicles only (with an area available for local outfitters' trailers) with the only legal truck and trailer parking being 12 reservable spots at the Mill Site Park. Signs and an information campaign would alert all visitors to the lack of any other legal parking within the town of Marble.

[Parking] Reservation System: While permitting the use of OHVs was discussed at great length, the time it would take to study the feasibility of such a plan made the idea out of the scope of the current group sessions. It was discussed that one of the best ways to accomplish a permit-type system in the short term was through parking reservations. This would be managed by the Town of Marble and could include restrictions on modified mufflers and the ability to educate users. Fees from the reserva-

Enforcement: Enforcement continues to be the highly desired solution by many Upper Crystal Valley residents. Short-term solutions include increased coverage by Gunnison County Sheriff and Forest Protection Officers. Currently, the Town of Marble and Gunnison County work together to pay for additional coverage by Forest Protection Officers and additional sources of funding could mean increased enforcement.

Noise Regulations: The Forest Service is already utilizing handheld decibel measurement devices to educate OHV riders about their noise levels. Recommendations also include exploring a stricter noise ordinance within the town of Marble and unincorporated Gunnison County.

Road Conditions: When addressing non-OHV traffic that might cause issues on the Lead King Loop road, the discussion quickly turns to the increasing rate of unsuitable vehicles that attempt to travel to Crystal or local trailheads, particularly low clearance all-wheel drive vehicles.

The group began to explore the option of a gatekeeper at the bottom of Daniel's Hill. This is an obstacle built to represent the most challenging sections found on the road and would prepare and alert drivers for what they will face on the Loop. This would be combined with a code locked through the gate for local traffic and emergency vehicles.

An alternative would be to use signage and examples out of the flow of traffic to educate people about what they will face.

Trail Construction: This idea revolves around

building a trail adjacent to the road that would allow and encourage more use by non-motorized users. Although the idea has support, the feasibility of such a trail would need more study.

OHV Management: The ability to drive from the Marble to the high country on an OHV is possible through a Town Ordinance allowing OHV use within the town limits and a variance in Gunnison County that allows OHV use on the county road from Beaver Lake to the top of Daniel's Hill. There is discussion and pressure on the Board of County Commissioners to rescind this variance, effectively making it illegal for OHVs to access the high country from Marble - this would include Town of Marble residents.

The topic was explored at great length and found the possibility of allowing resident access to public lands and not visitor access could be illegal.

The recommendation by the group is to continue the variance and use of OHVs on the road to see the effects of the other measures. This includes data collection on impact and the reconvening of the group if the measures do not improve the quality of life.

Final Note: Although consensus was reached by the group on the recommendations there were reservations from the Crystal Valley Environmental Protection Association (CVEPA) that "CVEPA is directed by our mission to protect and preserve the natural environment and its scenic resources as well as restoring and maintaining the integrity of the ecosystems within the Crystal River watershed. Consequently, CVEPA cannot endorse any effort that seeks to accommodate or provide infrastructure to the very activity that is causing the problems we are all trying to mitigate."

Another reservation was made on behalf of residents of Crystal who

FREE FOOD BAGS AVAILABLE IN MARBLE

If you’re needing assistance stretching your food budget, Gunnison County Officials currently have bags of food available through the Marble Community Church.

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

To arrange a pickup, please call the Marble Community Church at (970) 963-1464.

NOTICE is hereby given that a proposed budget has been submitted to the Redstone Water & Sanitation District for the ensuing year of 2023; a copy of such proposed budget has been presented to the board, where the same is open for public inspection; such proposed budget will be considered at a regular meeting of the Redstone WSD to be held at 7:00pm on December 13th at the Redstone Inn.

Any interested elector may inspect the proposed budget and file or register any objections thereto at any time prior to the final adoption of the budget.

lkl recommendations continued... reservation systems

are in support of CVEPA's statement except for the concern that should there be a ban on OHV use "at this time, [there is] no legal assurance they would be able to access their private property via those types of vehicles.”

summary of recommendations for management of the lead king looP

Parking

• Gunnison County and Aspen-Sopris Ranger District explore/develop/plan to establish parking spots, landscaping, signage, turnaround options, and facilities (e.g., bathrooms, trashcans, kiosks) on land adjacent to County Road 3 at the base of Daniels Hill to accommodate parking for approximately 20 passenger vehicles and 2 horse trailers. All OHV trailer parking will be at Mill Site Park in Marble.

• The Town of Marble reduces truck and trailer parking spaces within the town limits from an estimated 20-30 poorly regulated spaces to 12 well-managed and reservable spaces.

• Pending outcomes of the OHV ban and an assessment of the effectiveness of delineating clear roadside parking spaces to constrain impacts, Gunnison County, Aspen-Sopris Ranger District, and the Town of Marble study parking lot and parking reservation options on County, Forest Service, and Town properties.

• The Town of Marble develops a reservation system for 12 truck and trailer parking spaces across from Mill Site Park. The stakeholder group supports the collection of fees for truck and trailer parking in this area to maintain the reservation system and fund education and enforcement efforts. Reservations should be accompanied by educational information.

education

• Under the “More Mindful Marble Tourism Management Project” funded by the Colorado Tourism Office, Western Colorado University’s Center for Public Lands develop an interpretive signage and communication plan for the Upper Crystal River Valley.

• Western Colorado University’s Center for Public Lands engages the Stay the Trail organization in the development of educational materials to enhance/ create/support/promote a culture of responsible OHV use in the Upper Crystal River Valley.

• Gunnison County, Aspen-Sopris Ranger District, and the Town of Marble incorporate education whenever possible into all other management approaches listed in this document, such as parking management, reservation system administration, and enforcement.

• The Town of Marble places an electronic sign at the Junction of Highway 133 and County Road 3 to inform visitors about parking availability.

enforcement

• Gunnison County Sheriff Department provides increased law enforcement presence in the Upper Crystal River Valley, especially on weekends and

during peak season.

• Aspen-Sopris Ranger District has a Forest Protection Officer assigned to the Lead King Loop, especially on weekends and during peak season.

• The Town of Marble and Crystal explore opportunities to raise funding for increased summer law enforcement presence through private donations offered as matching funds for U.S. Forest Service law enforcement. Treasure Mountain Ranch is considered a likely first entity to offer such a contribution.

• The Town of Marble develops a program to train Upper Crystal River Valley residents to act as ambassadors of the destination and educate both visitors and residents about conserving natural and cultural assets in and around Marble.

noise regulations

• Aspen-Sopris Ranger District, Gunnison County, and the Town of Marble purchase affordable devices to measure decibels at a vehicle’s tailpipe to increase enforcement of the 96-decibel limit and educate visitors about the noise levels of their vehicles.

• The Town of Marble and Gunnison County explores the feasibility and impact of implementing a noise ordinance that sets stricter decibel levels for OHVs than those already established at the state level.

• Through work under the Colorado Tourism Office grant, the Town of Marble and Western Colorado University’s Center for Public Lands identify opportunities to incorporate noise regulations into existing and future enforcement and education efforts. Even with limited enforcement, a noise ordinance, associated media attention, and signage informing visitors of stringent decibel limits could have a desirable effect on visitor behavior.

Jeff and Chris have raised their respective families here and know the area as only long-time locals can. They know Carbondale and the Crystal Valley intimately. It would definitely be worth your while to consult with them if you are considering selling or buying in this everchanging market.

jeffbier@masonmorse.com

chris lawrence 970.309.4605

chrislawrence@masonmorse.com

Town of Marble Board of Trustees: October 6th Meeting Recap

An editorial account from DJ Sugar Monkey

Praise the Lord! Or rather, praise Jon Stovall, Pastor of the Marble Community Church and benevolent custodian of the adjacent Fellowship Hall, the venue for The Town of Marble monthly meetings. Why the jubilant outburst you might ask? Regular readers of this column will remember that Sugar Monkey left September’s meeting a rather dejected figure, having forgotten to stash a can or two of his favorite Squirt in the refrigerator to chill down for October's get-together.

After a regret-filled month, I arrived for the meeting to find that my prayers had been answered. Nestling deep in the bursting belly of the Fellowship Hall’s refrigerator I discovered to my delight a couple of cans of my favorite grapefruit-flavored beverage. Thanks, Jon!

Cheered by this discovery, the first thing I noticed was Tony Petrocco sporting a new haircut and his arm in a sling after rotator cuff surgery. Despite his obvious discomfort, I was impressed that he managed to maneuver the offending limb through the cuff of a well-fitted black sweatshirt adorned with a snazzy design depicting a colorful group of joggers, err, jogging.

Terry Langley was a welcome sight, returning to take the minutes. Taking Petrocco’s cue perhaps, Langley sported a snazzy yellow top featuring a group of festive spangly conifers. Not one to mince her words, El Tel attempted to call me out for “Vince bashing,” but before I had time to justify my attempts the meeting was called to order. The time was 7:02 pm.

Council members present were Emma Bielski sitting as usual to the right of Mayor Ryan Vinciguerra, Amber McMahill, and Tony Petrocco to her left, with a virtual Larry Good joining on speakerphone. Ron Leach, Town Administrator and Marble MVP, took his seat next to El Tel having kindly offered me his condolences on the passing of her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. RIP your Maj. I was one of five townsfolk in attendance.

Mayor Vinciguerra kicked off proceedings by thanking everyone for a successful and generally mishap-free summer season. He then jumped straight to the issue of the Marble Water Company, and the proposed acquisition thereof by the Town of Marble.

Marble is one of only a tiny handful of towns in Colorado in which all the utilities are not run by the town itself. Larry Good, a wealth of knowledge on the subject, informed all those present that the intent when the Marble Water Company was formed by a small group of families in 1979, was for it to be turned over to the Town once it was “up and running.” He emphasized that Marble Water has been well run, with no accidents nor burst pipes reported in its operating history.

The Water Company was established under the Town’s jurisdiction and the two have enjoyed a good working relationship over the last twenty-five years. The Town owns all the water rights and takes responsibility for the collection of the annual dues used to pay down the original loan taken out by the Company. Mayor Vinciguerra advised that documents were to be circulated among all Council members, although Petrocco made the point that some of these may be missing, citing an incident he referred to as “the theft from the loghouse.” When questioned about this, he replied, “It’s a long story.”

McMahill suggested that the Town reach out to a third-party mediator to aid in the acquisition, warning of the “so many unknowns” likely to be buried in the process. How many of these unknowns are known or unknown is yet to be established. She intends to contact the Department of Local Affairs, which could have grants available for such endeavors.

Petrocco highlighted the potential liability issues that could arise for the Town, given that most of the pipes are now 50 years into their expected average life span (around 60 years). When asked what

the Town stood to gain or lose from the acquisition, Mayor Vinciguerra listed as pros: First, the Town water would, at last, be made available to East Marble (or Clarence as it is more commonly referred to by residents) -- virtually all of whom rely on well water; second, there would be a much higher degree of transparency and control for Marble residents than is currently the case.

Then came the cons: The added responsibility and workload for the Town Council members (all of whom are volunteers), potential liability issues given the advanced age of the infrastructure, and the issue of perhaps having to cede control of operations to a third party to come in and manage the transition. It was generally agreed that the acquisition of the Marble Water Company would be an onerous, complicated, and drawn-out affair. Citizens of Clarence, don’t hold your breath.

There followed a flurry of approvals of minutes from previous meetings and for current bills, all of which passed smoothly. I managed a swig or two of you-know-what before Ron Leach presented his Administrator’s Report. A public hearing will be needed to consider the approval of Ordinance #2022-4 to agree on a supplemental budget regarding the Wetlands Clean-Up.

There followed a brief moment of amusement when a munching noise similar to that of a horse enjoying the last remnants of its nosebag exploded from the speakerphone. Virtual Larry Good later assured me the sound had come from a train passing in the background, and not from him.

Ron Leach, MVP, then presented his first crack at the 2023 preliminary budget, emphasizing that it would probably take a further two months to solidify all the details. Town Council Members were asked what they would like to see prioritized. Top of the list was a technology upgrade in the form of improved tablets/computers and Starlink internet access for all Council members and administrative staff.

One of the largest single-line items in the budget is $12,000 earmarked for Master Planning. The last time a long-term plan for the town was put together was in 2000, and it was due to be refreshed in 2020. It was also suggested that the time had come

to dredge Carbonate Creek at a suggested cost of around $5,000.

A motion to engage excavators was agreed upon. McMahill requested more funds for grant writing expenditures and office building expenses. A figure of $10,000 was suggested for this. It should be noted that McMahill has done the Town of Marble a great service in raising funds. She is in discussions with the Historic Preservation Commission, the Department of Local Affairs, and the Colorado Tourism Office, among others, the latter having granted Marble $20,000 to kick off a rebranding effort away from an OHV mecca to a place of quiet enjoyment of nature. Way to go, Amber!

When the five other attendees were invited to chime in with their spending suggestions, Richard Wells, perched on his chair in a fetching purple woolen cap, sprang into action urging the Town to earmark more funds for law enforcement on issues of traffic congestion, less responsible OHV operators, and parking. Echoing Wells' concerns, Paul Wahlbrink, a popular resident of Marble for 51 years and much-valued member of the volunteer Fire Department, made a personal and warmly received appeal for all drivers to slow down and exercise more care in town, describing how traumatic it would be for a first responder to take the call in the event a child had been hit by a vehicle.

I am grateful to Wahlbrink for reminding us of the real-world dangers that are sometimes overlooked in our magical little town. Ron Leach weighed in that the Town also needed more funds for zoning enforcement, but that any attempt to beef up progress on that front would require redress to a Municipal Court with all its attendant expenses. The estimated sum for a municipal court allocated to this in the 2023 budget is a meager $1,500. Expect Marble to remain lawless for a little while longer.

Vintage Valley: Crystal River & San Juan Railroad Fading Glory on a Colorado Short Line in 1941, Part II

By Bruce Collins

Part I of this article began in the October issue of The Crystal Valley Echo, and is reprinted from the Summer 2005 edition of Marble Chips, the newsletter from the Marble Historical Society. Some paragraphs have been omitted for space requirements.

The Crystal River & San Juan was, on the day of its demise [in 1942], somewhat unusual compared with other Colorado mountain railroads, in that it retained its original 7.3 miles in length, from Placita to endof-track in Marble. With the exception of tipple racks at Placita and Camp Genter, and the usual occasional changes in industrial trackage around the Marble Mill, no additional track had been abandoned during its 35-year life.

Facilities remained little changed as well, although the original 40-pound iron rail had been replaced with 75-pound steel in 1931. In 1939, the small steam-heating plant at Marble had been cleared out and tracks installed to replace the original engine house that had burned to the ground in 1926.

Oddly, considering the wartime demand for steel scrap, locomotives No. 1 and 2 sat on the wye at the Carbondale interchange with the Denver and Rio Grand Western until 1946 before being hauled away for dismantling.

The CR & SJ had acquired Fairmont gasoline motor car and trailer A-6 for tri-weekly passenger and mail service in 1932 and a trailer in 1933. A second-hand combine, No. 9, was purchased from the C & P in 1934. Every known photograph of the tri-weekly service in the last years shows Combine No. 9 and either locomotive No. 1 or No. 2,

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with or without a few freight cars; and the use of the moto-car near the end is unknown.

Operations varied little in the last years. The Tuesday-Thursday-Saturday mixed train (or motor car) departed Marble at 715 a.m. and Redstone at 8:10 a.m. and arrived in Carbondale at 9:15 a.m. After switching the locomotive and No. 9 turned on the wye at the D & RGW interchange, the train left Carbondale at 11:30 a.m. and Redstone at 12:50 p.m. and arrived at Marble at 2:00 p.m. Special marble shipments were handled as extras, and stock extras were frequently required in the fall, resulting in two trains on days when the regular mixer operated.

With the closure of the quarries and abandonment of the CR & SJ, the Crystal River Valley went into hibernation. Few tourists ventured up what was, for all practical purposes, a narrow, winding deadend dirt road. Redstone and Marble were essentially abandoned, and the valley was left to cattle and sheep, deer and elk, and the beavers whose dams south of Placita had plagued the CR & SJ all the years of its existence.

In 1956, the Mid-Continent Coal and Coke Company opened the Dutch Creek Mine in Coal Basin, not far from the original Coal Basin Mine served by the Crystal River’s narrow-gauge “highline” from Redstone. With the new coal mine, which operated until 1991, came pavement, with the pavement, tourists, and today the Crystal River Valley south of Marble is a popular residential area and tourist destination.

Although obscured by construction in some places, much of the abandoned CR & SJ remains evident and were close to its namesake river, in many locations its embankment remains rip-rapped with scrap marble, dumped to slow erosion by the roaring whitewater mountain stream that will nevertheless someday reclaim the CR & SJ grade.

Although not widely known, the CR & SJ had two brushes with resurrection. In 1956, Leighton S. Wood, a Kentucky coal operator, opened the Dutch Creek Mine. Wood was a conservative businessman of the old school and believed his operations should avoid reliance on others – especially government entities like highway departments!

To this end, he began reassembling the right-of-way from Carbondale to Redstone. According to local lore, he was very nearly successful, purchasing or leasing all but a couple of small but critical stretches. He considered incorporating as a common carrier and invoking Colorado’s eminent domain law to get them, but dropped the whole idea when it was pointed out that common carrier is just that.

“I’ll be damned if I’ll be forced to haul somebody’s sheep!” he’s been reported as exclaiming.

In the late 1970s, Wood’s successors (he died in 1966) at Mid-Continent Coal and Coke wondered if there were a better way to ship production, then approaching 1 million tons a year. The company was trucking from its Coal Basin preparation plant down winding Colorado Highway 133 to a flood-loader east of Carbondale for shipment on the D & RGW unit trains. They concluded that while reconstruction of the railroad made economic sense at sustained production over a long period, the upfront investment was too high for the risk. Trucking continued until the Coal Basin Mines were closed in early 1991.

Bruce Collins, author of this piece, spent 25 years as a coal geologist, including at Coal Basin. He has been a consultant on minerals evaluation for conservation easements and open-space acquisitions.

Cr ystal River Caucus Annual Meeting

T hur sday, November 10, 7-9 pm At the Church at Redstone on the Boulevard*

T he a genda will include election of board member s, as well as a r ecap of various topics discussed by the caucus this past year, including Wild and Scenic designation f or the Cr ystal River, shor t-ter m r ental policy, Penny Hot Springs mana gement, the Cr ystal valley r ecr eational trail, and methane r elease in Coal Basin, among other topics. All r egistered voter s whose principal residence is in the Pitkin County por tion of the Cr ystal River water shed, or those who own pr oper ty in that area, ar e voting member s of the Cr ystal River Caucus. *Those member s who cannot attend the in-per son meeting may join via Zoom. A Zoom link will be sent to all member s on the caucus email list. If you ar e not on the list and would like to be, email . T he caucus does not share its email list! crcaucus@gmail.com

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