2023-04

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 • Melissa Sidelinger Alex Menard

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: Third Street Center • Village Smithy

Carbondale Post Office • Carbondale Park & Ride

The Marble Hub • Redstone General Store

Prescribed Fires Planned Near Redstone

Press Release from the U.S. Forest Service

Fire managers from the Upper Colorado River Interagency Fire Management Unit (UCR) are closely monitoring conditions as they plan several prescribed fires on federal lands in Eagle, Mesa, Pitkin, and Rio Blanco counties.

Prescribed fires are carefully planned burns to reduce dense vegetation and other fuels, which helps lower the risk of large wildfires and stimulates new vegetation growth that benefits wildlife.

“We closely monitor weather and fuels prior to burning, and we will only ignite these prescribed fires if conditions are good for a safe, effective burn,” said Lathan Johnson, UCR Assistant Fire Management Officer. “We are also watching weather conditions for optimal smoke dispersal to minimize impacts to nearby communities.”

Smoke may be seen from nearby communities and roads. Smoke should dissipate during the day but may remain on the valley floors as temperatures drop.

Carefully planned fires will reduce hazardous fuels and improve wildlife habitat.

Fire managers are planning the following burns in the Crystal River Valley this spring on White River National Forest and Bureau of Land Management administered lands if conditions allow:

• Avalanche Creek Prescribed Burn: Approximately five miles north of Redstone, the burn will be up to 500 acres.

• Braderich Creek Prescribed Burn: One mile west of Redstone, the burn will be up to 2,000 acres.

David Boyd, USFS Public Affairs Officer for the White River National Forest, told The Crystal Valley Echo that predicting the timing for these burns is difficult, and mid-April would be the earliest available window but it very well could be after that.

Fire managers have developed a detailed prescribed fire plan and obtained smoke permits from the State of Colorado for each planned burn. Prescribed fire smoke may affect your health. For more information, visit www.colorado. gov/pacific/cdphe/wood-smoke-and-health

The Upper Colorado River Interagency Fire Management Unit (UCR) includes Bureau of Land Management and U.S. Forest Service firefighting resources that cover 5.8 million acres along the Interstate 70, Colorado River and Roaring Fork River corridors from the Continental Divide to the Utah state line. The UCR includes the White River National Forest and the BLM’s Colorado River Valley. The UCR cooperates with other federal and state agencies, local communities, and fire departments on a wide range of activities including fuel treatments, fire prevention, and suppression.

Redstone Parks and Open Space Management Plan Update Set for 2023

From Pitkin County Open Space and Trails

Pitkin County Open Space and Trails (OST) will update the management plan for Redstone parks and open spaces in 2023. A community survey to collect initial public input is scheduled to open on April 15th and continue through May 15th

The original Redstone Parks and Open Space Management Plan, adopted in 2010, addressed the management of both Redstone and Elk parks plus the Redstone Boulders Open Space. Since then, Elk Park has been developed into the park that exists today and Redstone Park has seen significant improvements. The work for last year's park update will be completed this spring by Enviornmental Excavation out of Carbondale.

The 2023 plan will address the management of both Redstone and Elk parks and Redstone Boulders, as well as other open spaces near Redstone including the 70-acre Coke Ovens parcel, Sawmill Hill, and The Drool, a popular ice climb. Open Space and Trails will also update the management plan for Filoha Meadows Nature Preserve this year but it will follow a slightly different schedule.

Last fall, OST launched phase one of the process and began collecting data on the areas they will be addressing through site tours, mapping, and creating an existing conditions report. This phase was completed in February when they began their public outreach.

Phase two includes partner discussions with the United States Forest Service, Colorado Parks and Wildlife, Colorado Department of Transportation, other Pitkin County Departments, the Pitkin County Healthy Rivers Board, Roaring Fork Conservancy, and the West Elk Scenic Byway Board. Last month, Carly O’Connell, OST Senior Planner, appeared before two community boards providing information on the process and requested input from those in attendance.

The Community Survey falls under the outreach phase with findings discussed during a public meeting in July and additional pop-up events over the summer.

Draft planning and review for both plans will take place from August through October. OST will review the Redstone Parks and Open Spaces plan in August, which will launch the public comment period, and the final plan will be adopted in November.

OST will review the plan for Filoha Meadows Nature Preserve in September, launching the public comment period for this Open Space. The final plan will be adopted before the new year.

The online survey welcomes feedback regarding both plans and can be found by visiting www.pitkinOSTprojects.com The link will be live starting April 15th

We want to hear from YOU!

Redstone Parks and Open Spaces & Filoha Meadows Management Plan Updates

Learn more about the planning process and provide your feedback: www.pitkinOSTprojects.com

Online Survey April 15th - May 15th

Letters to the Editor

Protecting the Crystal River

I am encouraged to see that Gunnison and Pitkin Counties, the Town of Marble, and the Colorado River District are convening a stakeholder process that will look at permanent protection for the Crystal River. Interested and impacted citizens can now participate in the process to accomplish this, starting with their initial meeting this month.

I’ve been a long-time supporter of a Wild and Scenic designation for the Crystal River and see that as our best chance at keeping the river as it is: Free-flowing, undammed, and free of out-of-drainage diversions.

I’ve spoken with Crystal Valley residents over the years, many of whom support a Wild and Scenic designation, and some who have questions about what that would mean for their property, their water, or their future. One thing is clear: We all love the Crystal River and want to keep it the way it is today

It’s going to take all of us coming together, listening to concerns and questions, and having the willingness to seek answers together. The upcoming collaborative process being led by our local communities will be an opportunity for us to listen to each other and learn how we can work together for the benefit of the Crystal River and future generations.

I spent my earlier years roaming the upper Frying Pan Valley and have seen, all too well, what can happen to a river if there isn’t a community organized and united against out-of-basin diversions and river-wide dams. Protecting the Crystal River in this way is not only important for our generation but also for many gen-

Wild and Scenic Designation

Editor:

Many thanks to the Gunnison County Commissioners and the Marble Trustees for their commitment to the upcoming Crystal River Wild and Scenic stakeholder collaborative.

Since only a very small percentage of rivers in the United States are considered for the Wild and Scenic designation, I feel very fortunate that our beautiful Crystal River is eligible. The Crystal was chosen for its historic, cultural, recreational, and geologic values; its fish and wildlife properties, and its natural unspoiled beauty. Wild and Scenic status would ensure the greatest level of protection against dams, and the very real threat of water being diverted out of our local watershed. It would preserve water quality and keep the Crystal River flowing free for future generations.

Although the designation will not affect existing water or property rights, it is understandable that property owners may have specific questions or concerns. This is why the Wild & Scenic stakeholder collaborative is so important. In the upcoming months, every resident will be able to have their voice heard through stakeholder representatives, public meetings, and surveys. I believe the stakeholder collaboration will be a valuable forum for clearing up any confusion and clarifying the finer points of the designation.

I encourage my Crystal River Valley neighbors to participate in the upcoming meetings and surveys. By sitting down together we can work toward solutions

Wild and Scenic Designation

The Upper Crystal River is one of the scenic wonders of our county. Currently, the river is not diverted until closer to Carbondale. As our state's population explodes, the need for additional water sources grows with it. Already so much of the Western Slope's water is diverted to meet the needs of the Front Range metro areas. Seeing these diversions when hiking on Independence Pass and the Upper Fryingpan is heart-wrenching. The Upper Crystal River is one of the few rivers left in our state that could qualify for a Wild and Scenic Designation, which would protect it from the fate of diversion. I've lived in this area for 50 years and watched the Crystal and Roaring Fork River Valleys transform from rural to semi-urban. By far the majority of residents here love and enjoy our river and want it protected. Please write to your representatives (County Commissioners, Marble Board of Trustees, and Congressional Representatives) and tell them you support preserving this incredible natural

Letter from Board of Pitkin County Commissioners Chair

Hello Readers,

I’m writing to let you know about an outreach effort Pitkin County is undertaking to better understand how Short-Term Rentals (STRs) are regulated in the Historic Village of Redstone. As many may know, the Pitkin County Commissioners (BOCC) adopted an ordinance last June that established the STR licensing and regulation code for Unincorporated Pitkin County. Throughout the adoption of the code, and in a subsequent meeting in Redstone, the BOCC heard that circumstances within the Village of Redstone warrant consideration of regulations different from what's in the code for the rest of the county. In our outreach effort, we want to specifically hear more about what changes might meet the diverse needs and perspectives of the Village of Redstone. We want to hear from residents, businesses, property owners, neighbors, and visitors.

The BOCC recognized that the expansion of short-term rental activity was having many unintended negative impacts within county communities. The STR licensing and regulations were adopted to mitigate these adverse impacts such as increased demands for housing, recreation, water resources, transportation infrastructure, and other quality-of-life variables. Learn more about the STR regulations in the county at www.pitkincounty.com/STR.

We know Redstone has unique zoning and historical character. Based on your concerns, we are soliciting feedback about whether STR regulations should be applied differently to the Redstone Historic District, which includes Redstone Boulevard, areas zoned Village Commercial, Village Residential, and the R-30 zone district which generally covers neighborhoods surrounding Redstone Boulevard, such as Firehouse Road. Areas outside the Redstone Historic District are not subject to change at this time.

Our outreach efforts will happen throughout April with our survey going live on April 1st with both online and paper versions, as well as community meetings in Redstone. Find a link to the survey on our website, www.pitkincounty.com/1521/Redstone-Short-Term-Rentals, on fliers at Redstone businesses, and postcard mailers.

Paper surveys are available at the Redstone Inn. Our County staff will hold an outreach and informational meeting on Thursday, April 13th from 5:30 — 7 p.m. at the Church at Redstone; there will be a hybrid option. And, we will hold a BOCC work session on Thursday, May 18th from 5:30 — 7 p.m. at the Church at Redstone to hear the outcomes of the outreach and give direction on what, if any changes, should be made to STR regulations for Redstone.

Thank you for your time as we continue to refine our STR program so that it reflects the desires of the people we serve in Pitkin County.

Francie Jacober, Chair of Board of Pitkin County Commissioners

Mike Kennedy, Broker/Owner 970-379-3907

mikekennedy@sopris.net ColoradoHomesRanches.com

Redstone

Senior Days

At the Redstone Inn

Redstone programs are open to all! RSVP: (970) 920-5432

APRIL 11 & 25

• 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

April 11: Foot Care with Karen Kashing –Four appointment slots available. Call 970-920-5432 to sign up.

Play Games! – Chad Federwitz will bring a few to play after lunch.

April 25: Chris Klug Foundation –Organ & tissue donation information provided by Jessi Rochel, Executive Director of the Chris Klug Foundation

WANT TO BE KEPT IN THE LOOP? Send us your email address: (970) 920-5432 • seniors@pitkincounty.com

Crystal River Restoration Project near the Redstone Inn Fishing Ponds

Last month, several Crystal Valley residents expressed concerns upon spotting heavy equipment near the Redstone Inn’s fish ponds. According to the Crystal Valley Environmental Protection Association (CVEPA), “Pitkin County and the US Army Corps of Engineers have issued permits for this project which is designed to prevent further erosion and imminent capture of the fishing ponds by the Crystal River.”

The project will stabilize the eroding bank in place with a boulder toe wall, cobbles, logs, and native vegetation. Once the ground has thawed, willow and seed plantings will occur.

By Gentrye Houghton

Pitkin County’s Community Development Director, Suzanne Wolff, told CVEPA that erosion resulted from natural hydrology. “The main channel of the Crystal River in this area has migrated laterally approximately 150 feet to the north and west since August 2005.”

CVEPA issued a statement stating that the organization supports this work to prevent further erosion to the banks of this area. The project is located near the Redstone Inn fishing ponds, south of Coal Creek Road on the east side of State Highway 133.

Wolff assured that during the review of the permit, the County worked with the Business Owners, Artists,

County Open Space and Trails, adjacent land owners, and the Army Corps of Engineers.

She explained that the project is also designated to conform with the requirements of a Nation Wide Permit 13 from the US Army Corps of Engineers which includes compliance with the Clean Water Act. “Engineering best management practices will be performed to route and care for the waters of the Crystal River during construction,” she said.

Wolff and her team at Community Development worked with the Redstone Inn to ensure the project would maintain scenic standards as viewed from State Highway 133; any scenic issues created by the project are only temporary during the construction process. Construction began in mid-January, and the only necessary in-water work lasted about three weeks to complete. The revegetation phase for this project will not require being in-stream.

Environmental Excavation, in Carbondale, Colo., was hired to perform the work for this project; Peter Blake, who owns the company alongside his wife, was contracted last year to perform the work for the Redstone Park update.

“In regards to the stream and embankment work currently underway in the Crystal River for the Redstone Inn,” Blake told CVEPA, “the work is moving forward and, as expected, with the early spring timing of work activities, we have had a few slow days hampered by extreme cold and blowing snow. In all, we should have the majority completed by spring runoff.”

Why Wilderness Workshop remains opposed to the Redstone to McClure Pass Trail

In mid-March, Wilderness Workshop submitted our objection to the final Environmental Assessment (EA) and draft decision notice for a proposed seven-mile section of trail connecting Redstone with McClure Pass (a portion of the proposed Crystal Valley Trail and the even longer Carbondale to Crested Butte (CCB) Trail). I wanted to share more about why we objected to this project and our concerns regarding the planning and development of new trails.

Proposed by Pitkin County (who would construct and maintain the trail), five miles of the proposed trail are on White River National Forest (WRNF) lands, which triggers National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) analysis. As the final part of this process, objections are a chance for individuals and organizations to ask the Forest Service to make changes to the draft decision. Our full objection — and 30 others — can be found in the online “Public Comment/Object Reading Room” for the project.

include several measures designed to benefit wildlife like paying for a forest protection officer, habitat restoration projects, and protecting bighorn sheep. Additionally, the Forest Service decision for this trail segment includes a seasonal closure to protect winter big game habitat.

Will Roush, Executive Director

At the same time, we are increasingly concerned about the growing impacts of recreation and other human development on wildlife and public lands. Any new trail in the Crystal River Valley or elsewhere should be sited to have the least possible impact on wildlife and ecosystems. No single trail or recreational experience can be held responsible for the declines in wildlife populations – and yet collectively our trail systems and recreation uses are undeniably impactful.

The rapid increase in recreation use and development poses one of the most significant impacts on wildlife and one of the greatest challenges facing our local land managers. The Forest Service’s own data shows the WRNF is the most visited national forest in the country and recreational use on the WRNF generates more economic activity than any other National Forest. As anyone who has spent time on public lands over the past few years knows, this use has dramatically increased in a very short time.

Wilderness Workshop supports sustainable recreation uses on our public lands, including, in some cases, the development of new recreation experiences. It’s worth acknowledging and applauding that Pitkin County’s plans

When this new trail proposal was submitted, Forest Service officials had a chance to develop a holistic plan for the Crystal River Valley and comprehensively analyze the impacts not just of this seven-mile trail but also of the dozens of other miles of trails being proposed and discussed. This trail segment is part of the much longer 83-mile CCB Trail, but the Forest Service ignored that broader plan as well as other foreseeable recreation developments, including illegal user-created trails and their impacts.

As our objection highlights, the Forest Service should holistically analyze and plan for recreation impacts throughout the Crystal River Valley and along the entire CCB Trail; no future trails should be approved until this is complete. Instead, the agency is considering just one segment of the trail, without a comprehensive plan that weighs recreational proposals alongside the ecological integrity and capacity of a stressed forest.

The agency’s cumulative impact analysis should acknowledge the extent to which the CCB Trail proposal and other foreseeable recreation will transform the Crystal River Valley and the trail corridor. But the EA fails to do any of this, continuing an ecologically damaging practice of piecemeal planning and analysis that leads to death by a thousand cuts for our wildlife and wildlands.

Regardless of what happens with this specific project, Wilderness Workshop will keep fighting for a holistic approach to any new recreation in the Crystal River Valley and across our public lands. It’s our strong belief this is necessary and beneficial for the human and non-human residents who call this special place home. We’re an organization fiercely committed to protecting wild places — and sometimes that means taking stances that not everyone agrees with, stances that put the needs of wildlife before recreational developments. But we also believe public land managers and local communities can work together to look at proposals holistically and intentionally plan for both recreation and conservation.

Will Roush is the Executive Director at Wilderness Workshop, a nonprofit organization dedicated to protecting the wilderness, water, and wildlife of Western Colorado’s public lands. When not in the office, you can most often find Will, his wife Margaret, and their two children out on public lands.

Town of Marble Board of Trustees: March 2nd Meeting Recap

An account from DJ Sugar Monkey

There was a welcome atmosphere of relief pervading the Marble Community Church Fellowship Hall as everyone settled down, waiting for the March Board of Trustees meeting to begin. The culmination of February surely would mean less snow moving forward and fewer sleepless nights for the valiant snow shifters in town. Alas, several weeks on, the days may be a little longer, but the snow is no less frequent and significantly heavier.

Having said hello to a cheerful and studious-looking Richard Wells in a dapper Hunalei School cap (apparently, he has quite the collection) and enigmatic “Birds aren’t real” sweatshirt, I grabbed a Squirt from the fridge and threaded my way through the throng of 17 Marble residents to find a seat with an unobstructed view of a big projector screen displaying the words: “The Crystal River. Flow. Free. Forever.” Just like my fizzy drink, I thought, as I took a large and satisfying swig.

Noticing my need for refreshment perhaps, Allie Wettstein graciously nodded me in the direction of a plate of White Chocolate Macadamia Cookie Dough cookies at the back of the hall, one of which I grabbed and guzzled. Delicious — thanks, Allie. The meeting was off to a great start and it hadn’t even started yet.

I nodded good evening to Tony Petrocco who looked suspiciously collaborative in a grey sweatshirt adorned with the slogan “Healthy Rivers.” When I asked him what was going on he said, “Do you want Marble to turn into Gatlinburg, Tennessee?”

Having never visited Gatlinburg or Tennessee, I had no idea what Petrocco was talking about. Fortunately, Wells leaned over and explained to me that Gatlinburg was once a small unspoiled town (the gateway to the Smokey Mountains no less) but is now a seething, tourist-ridden Gomorra, replete with a ski resort and amusement parks. Perhaps my suggestion at the Town Meeting a few months before to build a cable car from the shore of Beaver Lake to the summit of Whitehouse Mountain had been taken more seriously than was intended.

No ski resort for me in Marble — thanks, Tony, I think that’s been tried before.

Emma Bielski, Mayor Ryan Vinceguerra, Amber McMahill, and Petrocco were all present, with Larry Good joining on speakerphone from Philadelphia, Pa.

Vinceguerra started the meeting at 7:10 p.m., introducing Francie Jacober, the Pitkin County Commissioner who is spearheading the effort to designate the Crystal River “Wild and Scenic,” together with three colleagues. Jacober delivered a comprehensive slide presentation, peppered with breathtakingly beautiful images of the wildlife along the Crystal River. Her overall message was quite sobering: 40 million people depend on water from the Colorado River; the population of Colorado is set to almost double by 2050; the threat of dams and divisions has never been greater, and “bad ideas in water development never go away.”

Rather alarmingly, Jacober warned that “our community may not prevail over the next development of this threat.” To preserve the river and its environs, Jacober is looking to drum up support for the Crystal Wild and Scenic Coalition in their efforts to designate the entire Crystal River as “Wild and Scenic,” under the National Wild and Scenic Rivers Act of 1968.

The thrust of the designation is to preserve certain rivers — those with outstanding natural, cultural, and recreational values — in a free-flowing condition for the enjoyment of present and future generations. A wild and scenic designation would prohibit the construction of new dams and trans-basin diversions, ensure that water quality is maintained or enhanced, and authorize federal funds to assist landowners (both private and public), states, and local governments in the planning, protection, and management of the river. More information is available at PitkinCountyRivers.com/CrystalWild.

If you would like a copy of Jacober’s slide presentation, please email Allie Wettstein at

The Marble Town Council meets on the 1st Thursday of each month starting at 7 p.m. in the Marble Community Church’s Fellowship Hall.

Town of Marble meetings are open to the public. 2023

wettstein@townofmarble.com.

Trustee Bielski pointed out that there was initial resistance in 2016 to the Coalition’s efforts from Marble landowners who were concerned about the Federal Government infringing upon an individual’s water rights. Bielski saw the Coalition’s latest efforts as an opportunity to dispel these fears through better education.

Tim Hunter, Marble resident and waterfront property owner, added that back in 2016 it was a big unknown for property owners as to what reclamation improvements could be made to their land eroded by the river. He expressed his concern that successive administrations would flip-flop on former commitments.

The Wild and Scenic Feasibility Collaborative has scheduled a community summit for interested stakeholders regarding the Designation on April 30th at the Marble Fire Station starting at 5 p.m.

There followed a short intermission while the representatives from the Crystal Wild and Scenic Coalition packed up their stuff and exited, after which Ron Leach, Town Administrator, took to his feet to announce that the Town had received nearly a dozen applications for the Master Planning Committee, all of whom were Marble residents.

Councilman Petrocco suggested that the application process be left open until the Town received confirmation of the $12,500 grant from the Department of Local Affairs to cover half of the Master Planning budget. Hunter echoed Petrocco’s sentiment saying “word of mouth travels slowly in this town, keep it open.”

Leach confirmed that a condition of the DoLA grant is that the Town puts the appointment of a Master Plan Facilitator out to competitive bid and that he was finalizing a request for proposals (RFP) to be published in the Glenwood Springs Post Independent and on the Town of Marble website, townofmarble. com. A work session for the Marble Town Board of Trustees was set for March 15th to discuss progress.

April 6th May 4th June 1st

Next, Amy Rusby of the Parks Committee confirmed that the volunteers’ weekend would be going ahead on June 24th and 25th, and that she and her fellow Committee members were working on mapping out Mill Site Park trails and working on ways to “beef up” their website presence.

The next item on the agenda was Land Issues. Dusting and Samantha Smith-Wilkey, who together run Crystal River Jeep Tours, have requested a zoning change for the property they intend to develop at 575 Park Street, which is currently residen tially zoned. Dustin presented detailed architectural plans of a three-bedroom home for themselves with an office from which to run their business, thus requiring a change of zoning.

The couple is currently shelling out $1200 per month to run the business located at 407 West Main Street, close to the Mar ble Charter School. It was generally agreed that the less traffic around the school, the better.

A public hearing was set for April 6th, and a camping permit was granted for the remainder of this year to enable the con struction of the home to get underway. On behalf of the resi dents of Marble, I would like to thank Dustin for all the hard work and sleepless nights he has endured keeping our roads free of snow and ice and wish him and "Sam" all the best with their new project.

The Board of Trustees is quite divided on the issue of zoning. At one point Mayor Vinceguerra went blank at the prospect of discussing zoning options any further. “That’s what happens when you get old,” teased Sue Blue. All agreed that zoning needs to be addressed as part of the Master Planning process.

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.

As for New Business, it was agreed that the liquor license application for the Raspberry Ridge Café should be heard at the next Board of Trustees meeting on April 6th, and on the issue of Business License renewal applications, the Beaver Lake Retreat, owned and operated by Vince Savage, would be reminded that the renewal of its license is dependent on its adherence to a 9 p.m. amplified music curfew.

The meeting ended at 9:30 p.m. Terry Langley, MVP extraordinaire, who had been taking the minutes all of that time, yawned loudly. Sweet dreams, El Tel! The next meeting of the Marble Board of Trustees will be on Thursday, May 4th at 7 p.m. See you on International Star Wars Day!

THE MARBLE TIMES

A LOOK AT LIFE AT THE MARBLE CHARTER SCHOOL

Costa Rica

By August Manz, 7th Grade

In the summer of 2022, my family and I took a two week trip to Costa Rica. We had so many fun adventures, and visited new places I had never been before. Before I go on with my story, I am going to introduce you to my family. First, we have Copeland, he is six years old and very wild. Copeland is the youngest member of the family. My second brother, Crosby, is nine, and my sister, Farrah is eleven. They are the middle children in our family. Farrah is artistic and smart, while Crosby is creative and adventurous. Next, there is me, August, age twelve. Among many things, I like skiing, mountain biking, and dirt biking. I am also the oldest child. Then there is my amazing mom and dad. My mom is artistic and owns a hair salon. My dad is funny, adventurous, and owns two magazines. Finally, there is our two year old dog named Luna. She is funny and likes to kill any rodent she sees. Sadly she was not able to come with us to Costa Rica.

The day before we left for the trip we had to pack all of the items we needed for the long vacation. “Mom, I'm tired of packing all this luggage,” Copeland said.

“We are almost done, we have to be ready for the big day tomorrow. Just think of all the fun we are about to have!” said mom.

The next morning we woke up at 4:00am with all our bags packed, and headed to the airport. Since it was such a long distance, we first had to fly to Houston, Texas, and would then change planes for Costa Rica. As we began to board the plane, my siblings and I bickered on who got the window side. It was a two hour plane ride, so to pass the time, Crosby and I played video games and looked out the window. We arrived at the Houston airport, and after a quick pit-stop at Chick-Fil-A, we immediately boarded our next flight to Costa Rica. The view was phenomenal from so high up, and as the coast appeared in sight, we knew our adventure was near. When our plane finally landed, we had to wait in a very long line at customs. Once we made it through that process, my dad stopped by the currency exchange to trade U.S. dollars for Costa Rican Colones. As the sliding glass doors whooshed open, we were relieved to finally be out of that hot, sweaty airport.

Our spirits were high once we found our shuttle driver, and just like that, we were on the home stretch to Santa Teresa, through small villages and windy roads. After five long hours, we finally arrived in Santa Teresa, but since there was no cell service or GPS, the shuttle driver was not exactly sure which villa to take us to. To make things more interesting, it was pitch black out! As the driver crept slowly by some houses, my dad jumped out to ask some locals if they knew where Rayo Verde (the name of our villa) was located. Thankfully, someone in the group spoke English, and pointed us in the right direction. Finally, at 10:00 at night, we found the house we would be staying at for the next two weeks. The staff had a hot pizza waiting for us, and we took it down in record time!

That night we got a tour of the house. It had three bedrooms, all with king sized beds and outside of the bedrooms there was a deck with an ocean view. Down-

stairs, our kitchen was practically outdoors unless you used the sliding glass door to make it enclosed, to keep the wildlife out. The best part was that it had a pool! After the long tiring day, the sounds of the jungle and crashing waves of the ocean put us to sleep. The next morning we were awoken by the playful sound of monkeys swinging next to the palm trees of our deck. “Look, those two are playing tag,” said Farrah.

“I just saw one of them jump from tree to tree,” Crosby said.

After watching the monkeys, my mom made bacon and eggs. Once my dad and I were full we walked a few blocks to the local surf shop to rent surf boards. The owner of the surf shop, Jesus, was very friendly and helped us pick out the perfect surf boards. Later in the week, Jesus would give our family surf lessons. After that our family went around town, and went to a restaurant with the best fish and chips you will ever have. That evening my dad, Farrah, and I went to the beach with our surf boards even though we didn't know how to surf. But it didn't take us long to find out how, it felt like surfing through the air.

“Woohoo,”I said,

“This is amazing,” said Farrah, as we surfed the same wave. But it was getting dark out so we had to go to bed, knowing we could surf another day.

Due to space, this essay will continue with photos in the May edition.

Crystal River Facilitated Stakeholder Group Kicks Off in Marble

A

The Wild & Scenic Feasibility Collaborative hosts a community summit to hear from all interested stakeholders on what they value about the Crystal River and what they envision for the future. The meeting will be open to the public and hosted by the Town of Marble in the Marble Fire Station at 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, April 27th

Gunnison County Commissioner Laura Puckett Daniels said, “The incredible natural environment of Gunnison County makes this place so special. I am excited to engage with other folks who love the Crystal River to talk about how we can protect its unique values for generations to come.”

Ron Leach, administrator for the Town of Marble encouraged stakeholders to participate in the process by stating, “We have a great opportunity to come together and learn about ways to protect this resource that is central to our community.”

Earlier this year, the Collaborative announced the selection of Wellstone Collaborative Strategies and P2 Solutions to facilitate and lead a stakeholder process intended to engage local communities and water users in a public dia-

logue process to evaluate community interest in pursuing lasting protections for the Crystal River. The stakeholder process will be chaired by representatives from the Town of Marble, Gunnison County, Pitkin County, and the Colorado River District. American Whitewater is supporting the facilitators and co-chairs in an administrative role.

“The Collaborative has worked carefully to develop a stakeholder process to identify shared values amongst a wide variety of user groups in the Crystal River Valley,” said Zane Kessler, Director of Government Relations for the Colorado River District.

The stakeholder process will include two community summits, one this month and another during September. In addition to these public meetings, a dedicated steering committee will meet monthly over the course of this calendar year. We are seeking to assemble a diverse group representing a variety of users and affected communities on the Crystal River. The facilitators and group chairs ask all interested participants to fill out an interest form to indicate their commitment to joining the steering committee in addition to the community summits.

If you are interested in participating, please visit www.surveymonkey.com/r/PQMZKGX

The April 27th Summit is intended to identify shared community values as they relate to the future management of the Crystal River. The co-chairs encourage the participation of a diverse group of community members. The steering committee will meet to discuss what they hear from the broader community and prepare presentations on management options for the second community summit in September with a goal of further public input.

The steering committee strives to identify shared values and goals of the community and present a range of opportunities to provide lasting protections for the Crystal River while helping to provide education and a forum for all perspectives to be heard by the public.

Pitkin County Commissioner, Kelly McNicholas Kury said, “I am appreciative of all of the effort, by many people, that brought about this opportunity for everyone in the community to weigh in on the future of the Crystal River. These discussions are a vital step in the path to protecting this river we all love and rely on.”

This initial community summit is the beginning of a stakeholder process that will bring together a robust and representative cross-section of interested individuals to provide informed input; examine, explore, and investigate river protection; access and rely on experts in the river and riparian health; engage experts to provide factual information relevant to protective designations; agree upon rules of engagement; be a process grounded in the highest integrity and inclusiveness; and result in the identification of shared principles for protection of the Crystal River.

“The Collaborative has worked carefully over the past months to set the table for a robust discussion amongst diverse perspectives on the Crystal River,” said Kessler. “The River District is looking forward to this process kicking off with a community forum and encourages the participation of all water users on the river.”

NOTICE OF CANCELLATION AND CERTIFIED STATEMENT OF RESULTS

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN by the Redstone Water & Sanitation District, Pitkin County, Colorado, that at the close of business on the sixty-third day before the election, there were not more candidates for director than offices to be filled, including candidates filing affidavits of intent to be write-in candidates; therefore, the election to be held on May 2nd, 2023 is hereby canceled pursuant to section 1-13.5-513(6) C.R.S.

The following candidates are hereby declared elected: Dirk Eldredge, until May, 2027 for a 4-year-term Hank van Berlo, until May, 2027 for a 4-year-term Peter Menardi, until May, 2027 for a 4-year term

Marble Community Church Pastor to Leave Marble

Marble Community Church Pastor Leaves Marble From Larry

K. Meredith

When Jon Stovall agreed to become the Marble Community Church Pastor, it was only for a one-year trial. Now, after 12 years in that role, Stovall has decided it is time to try something new. However, he refuses to say he is “retiring,” but rather that he is “refiring.”

Stovall and his wife Peggoty will move for a while to a townhouse they own in Myrtle Beach, S.C. They hope to move back to Marble before too long, to live in the community and area of mountains that they have come to love.

Stovall, who was ordained in 1980, spent 28 years in the U.S. Air Force as a chaplain and now has spent more than 40 years in full-time ministry.

“It has been a wonderful run,” he said.

Stovall said he is sad to leave Marble but “God has really blessed this little community and I am pleased that the Church is doing well.”

He pointed to an increase in attendance at Sunday services as one of the church’s achievements in the past 12 years. “It has been a privilege to have pastored this spectacular church,” Stovall said. “I am pleased I can leave on a high note.”

Peggoty agrees. She adds that when they took on the Marble Pastorate they shared a feeling that they were being called to the

community. She says “these mountains have become woven into my soul.”

The Stovalls have moved 19 times since they were married right after both graduating from college and first took a short-term missionary assignment to the Netherland Antilles. Then, after completing two seminary degrees Jon quickly joined the US. Air Force as a chaplain.

Stovall says, “depending on where we were stationed in the Air Force, I was pastor of a Contemporary service, a General Protestant service, or sometimes a Gospel service.”

He says he served as pastor to various units of the military; flying units, maintenance units, medical hospital units, and as the prison chaplain. Additionally, he deployed twice with flying units during the Global War on Terror to Afghanistan and Iraqi Freedom. He also served twice as Wing Chaplain for the entire base and supervised from five to 12 other chaplains. In his last assignment, he was the Command Chaplain for five bomber and missile bases overseeing approximately 50 chaplains and chaplain assistants.

Peggoty is a nurse by profession but also has a creative side, often leading a dramatic presentation of a Bible story or offering a dramatic reading for the congregation.

They have two grown children, a daughter Rylie and a son Joshua who is married to their daughter-in-law, Laura.

Jon says if you can’t find him or Peggoty at the church or parsonage, they are probably “hiking the outback and enjoying God’s wonderful creation.”

The Church’s congregation is loath to see them leave but all seem to understand that the time has come for them to make a change. In fact, several members spoke on the Stovalls’ behalf and echoed the feelings of many when they said:

“Jon is a friend to all of us but, primarily, he is a friend of God. His greatest asset is he is kind and always available to talk and listen. Whenever I talk with him, I feel like I am the most important person to him at that moment and I have his full attention. His success at the Marble Community Church, by and large, is this innate talent and it has become infectious to everyone around him.”

— Bob Rue

Rue is a former President of the Church Council. He and his wife Lisa, are officials and managers of the Marble Retreat.

“God has touched the lives of Jon and Peggoty and filled them to overflowing. They are filled with the spirit of love and

compassion. Jon’s sermons have always been uplifting and hit home with God’s love. We are so proud to call them Brother and Sister!” — Russ and Deb Poll

The Polls divide their time between Marble and Florida. Russ is a member of the Church Council and often substitutes for Stovall in the pulpit when he is unavailable.

“Pastor Jon and Peggoty leave big shoes to fill. Their love and caring reach far beyond the walls and membership of the church and include the entire community. Whether welcoming new residents, sitting with a grieving family, encountering someone on the trail, or calling a greeting from the front porch, Jon’s love for people is obvious.” — Terry Langley

Langley, who lives near Marble with her husband Gary (a retired minister) is a member of the Church Council. She is chair of the search committee, is charged with finding a new Pastor, and is active in many roles in the church and greater community.

“Our valley was blessed when Jon Stovall became the pastor of the Marble Community Church. Pastor Jon ministers not only to the church community but also to the locals regardless of their beliefs. You can often find a friend or stranger on the front porch of the parsonage engaged in conversation, and if you’re lucky, Jon might be serving root beer floats. Jon and Peggoty both “walk the talk” which is an outward expression of their love for the Lord.” — Becky and Peter Bone

Becky is the chair of Missions for the church. Peter, a former Chair of the Church Council, is in charge of Buildings and Grounds. They live near Redstone.

Stovall will preach his final sermon for the church on Sunday, April __30th__. While he has not yet settled on a title for the sermon, he knows it will deal with “thankfulness” He says he has had a “wonderful run” in the ministry and has lived by a “critical determination” to serve the Lord faithfully.

In the meantime, Holy Thursday services will be Communion with music from 6:30 to 7:00 p.m. (come and go as one wishes); and Good Friday services with the Choir will be from 6:30 to 7:15 p.m., as always, all are welcome.

Larry K. Meredith, who lives near Redstone with his wife Ally, is a member of the Church Council, is the “Church Historian” and is the author of three published books, including This Cursed Valley. Ally is involved in the music program of the church.

Redstone Historical Society's Vintage Valley: Schofield and Crystal City: The First Settlements

By Mary Boland

The following is reprinted, with permission, The History of the Crystal Valley.

Even before the removal of the Utes in 1881, a group of prospectors came over Schofield Pass from Gothic into the head of the Crystal Valley. Several promising silver veins, as well as lead, gold, zinc, and copper, were found, and a group of town promoters led by one B.F. Schofield followed and surveyed and platted a townsite, called Schofield on the south fork of the Crystal [River] at an elevation of about 10,200 feet.

In 1880 ex-president Ulysses S Grant and ex-governor J.L. Rout made a wagon trip into the Crested Butte area and hearing much about the Eldorado at Schofield, decided to make the arduous trip on muleback to see it. According to local legend, the new town's denizens used ingredients on hand to hastily put together a barrel of whiskey that was little better than poison and went all out in every other way to show their famous guests a fine time.

At its peak during the early 1880s, Schofield had some 50 to 60 houses or cabins, a store, a hotel, a concentrating mill, and, of course, several saloons. But both the more realistic and the more adventurous residents were already prospecting and exploring further down the valley. The long winters at that elevation plus the lack of sufficiently accessible and high-grade ore in the immediate vicinity meant that Schofield's days were numbered. Virtually the whole town moved four miles downstream to Crystal in 1885.

Good silver ore was found on the north fork of the Crystal [River] below Schofield in 1880, and one claim in particular called the Lead King became a respectable producer. The ore was packed out by mule and milled first at Schofield and later on the other side of Schofield Pass at Gothic until a mill was erected at the mine site. The area where this mine and mill were located is still called Lead King Basin, although mining operations ceased many years ago.

Other prospectors working out of Schofield in the 1880s congregated at the confluence of the south forks of the stream and started the settlement called Crystal City. Silver and lead strikes made in the vicinity were expected to assure the area's property,

All content sponsored and provided by the Redstone Historical Society.

particularly after a wagon road was completed in 1883 down the rugged canyon from Schofield to Crystal City, putting to an end the long jack trains. However, the decline of silver prices during the 1880s, culminating in their severe collapse in 1893, mocked Crystal City's hopes and the settlement declined, although much more gradually than Schofield.

The wagon road from Schofield became impassable to vehicles due to rock slides sometime after 1916 and was not cleared for many years because railroad transportation into the by-then more populated lower valley had meanwhile arrived from Carbondale to the north.

Author Mary Boland (1936-2017), moved to Carbondale in 1973. She was the Glenwood Springs Bureau Chief for the Grand Junction Sentinel, a Professor at Colorado Mountain College, and a prolific writer for many national and local publications. This is one article from her publication The History of the Crystal Valley, commissioned by the Redstone Castle owner at the time, Ken Johnson.

Independent, Local Journalism Needs Your Support!

CRYSTAL RIVER COMMUNITY SUMMIT

PLEASE ATTEND on the FUTURE

The Wild & Scenic Feasibility Collaborative is hosting a community summit to hear from all interested stakeholders about their values related to the Crystal River and what they envision for its future. Additionally, the Collaborative seeks to assemble a steering committee, representing diverse perspectives on the Crystal River, to help guide our efforts.

5:00pm, Thursday, April 27

Marble Firehouse

300 W Park St, Marble, CO

WANT TO PARTICIPATE? PLEASE FILL OUT THE INTEREST FORM. If you would like to attend the community summit and/or become a member of the dedicated steering committee, please fill out the interest form using the QR code to the right, or the web link below. Thank you!

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/PQMZKGX