This Week: THE YEAR IN REVIEW
Happy New Year!
Your nonprofit
community newspaper
Photo by Amy Hadden Marsh
igh Burleigh
Photo by Rale
Volume 17, Number 47 | January 1-7, 2026
Courtesy photo
REMEMBERING A YEAR OF CHALLENGES, PERSEVERANCE AND ACHIEVEMENT For a good part of the year, The Sopris Sun covered a new protest in nearly every week’s issue, with either a full-length article or simply a photograph and caption. Civil unrest across the country echoed through the Valley in response to federal policies ranging from increased immigration enforcement to cuts to the Forest Service and the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. Whether it be a handful of people outside Town Hall, dozens in the Carbondale roundabout or thousands along Grand Avenue in Glenwood Springs, local residents exercised their right to assemble, time and time again.
Courtesy photo
Photo by Romina Cabrera
Photo by Klaus Kocher
The Sopris Sun had its hands full capturing these peaceful demonstrations. Mirroring the community’s tenacity, we will continue to show up and document whatever 2026 may bring.
Courtesy photo
Photo by James Steindler
AND WELCOMING IN
2026
gh
Photo by Raleigh Burlei
Photo by Klaus Kocher
Toasting in 2026 As we reflect on 2025, a difficult year by many measures, I the way to Parachute, brightening the lives of countless more wish to raise a cheers to every conscious effort made to share people. Editor Bianca Godina — together with Ingrid Zúniga, kindness and understanding. Here at The Sopris Sun, we strive Margarita Alvarez and all of the Sol team (advisory counto be a bridge to many places and, most importantly, between cil, contributors, cartoonists, advertisers and readers) — has people. This isn’t achieved by casting judgement, but honor- taken that resource to the next level. From its humble origins ing each perspective. as a four-page insert back in 2021, to its boosted reach with Among our staff, contributors, board of directors and in our Aspen Daily News, to the relaunch in June of 2024, Sol del Valle interactions with the community, while we gather each week’s has seen a meteoric rise indicative of the plain need for such a stories, we extend courtesy. We support one paper in our Valley — totally dedicated to our another and cheer each other forth. Because robust Spanish-speaking population and the these days, simply existing is an act of courmany cultures that compose it. At The Sopris age. Showing up in the turmoil and making Sun, we constantly draw inspiration from the the best of it is how we survive, with care and Sol del Valle team. humor intact. I am beyond proud of Contributing Editor The Sopris Sun is, consequentially, an James Steindler and his efforts to bring our incredible place to work. Our team hums along, creative Works in Progress into the fold, and laughing often, pausing to check in, trusting for sustaining the Youth Journalism Program one another with personal truths and sketches with unwavering commitment. Each year of thought. Our regular Monday-morning we are astounded by the crop of bright high editorial meetings are attended by far-flung school students drawn to that program and contributors. Some tune in who moved away the work they produce. We take pride in years ago and rarely write, I believe simply to educating the next generation of journalists LETTER FROM enjoy the thoughtful, inclusive company. while providing their perspectives in print to It’s no mistake we’ve amassed an all-star our readership with the now-monthly Sopris THE EDITOR team, from exceptional artists like Brian Stars insert. By Raleigh Burleigh Colley and Larry Day to now-seasoned reportAnd we couldn’t do it without a steady ers like Myki Jones and Kate Phillips and longtime Valley flow of support from advertisers, donors, grantmakers, volunjournalists like Amy Hadden Marsh, John Stroud and now Ray teers and faithful readers. I wish to begin this year by thanking K. Erku. We have guest appearances by writers of renowned every single person who did something to support The Sopris caliber, like Jon Waterman and Alison Osius, and some of the Sun in 2025. Your care does not go unnoticed and we couldn’t best photographers I’ve met (looking at you, Jane Bachrach, exist without you. Will Sardinsky, Landan Berlof ). Since the Valley Journal first printed in April 4, 1974, In case it’s not evident from the colorful pages meticulously Carbondale has churned out a weekly newspaper serving dialed in by our talented designer Terri Ritchie, week after the region. That’s 2,701 consecutive weeks, with the excepweek, we delight in doing this work for you. Not only are we tion of six in early 2009 while citizens conjured The Sopris so lucky to labor for a thriving newspaper in a heavenly place, Sun from the ashes of its abruptly folded predecessor. You you our readers are fortunate to hold it in your hands. Not are part of keeping that tradition alive, which in turn helps every town shares in this fortune; a growing number of places keep all the other traditions alive which form the culture of are without a newspaper to call their own. this place, our home. Through Sol del Valle, we’ve spread the community-driven Let’s keep it rolling, from hard times to good times, newsmaking brand to our Spanish-reading population, all through it all.
OPINION
LETTERS Compassion for self & others Kurt Vonnegut, in his iconic novel “Breakfast of Champions,” tells of how the protagonist of the story, car salesman Dwayne Hoover, becomes increasingly detached from his life and ends up having a mental breakdown due to the influence of what Vonnegut describes as “bad brain chemicals.” We are all subject to the effects of our inner workings, with the subconscious interactions of our brain chemicals affecting how we lead our lives and even what we might choose to have for breakfast. But we operate at a conscious level without usually even considering how we do it, without thinking about all of those chemicals, molecules interlocking, helping us to digest that breakfast. Regarding the larger landscape we find ourselves in, with all of the mind-numbing things going on, I think it’s important that we realize how much our brain chemistry affects it all — how we react, how we perceive, how we form our biases, who we think is cool, who we think isn’t. And also realize that other people have the same things going on inside their heads — the same brain chemicals floating around, making them do things underneath conscious awareness, just like we do, without being aware of it — to be redundant but to underscore the point. And because of all of this, we need to realize how we can be our own better selves, by being more compassionate with others, whose brain chemicals, perhaps
like ours, may not be in harmony due to environmental things we cannot comprehend, except in light of our own difficult environments, maybe. My long-winded and perhaps unorthodox point for the New Year (2026 already!) is this: Be nice to each other to the greatest degree that you are capable of in each moment, remembering that we are all more alike than we are different. And have a Happy New Year! Roger Miller Glenwood Springs
The birds chirp thanks Roaring Fork Audubon (RFA) extends a big thanks to R.J. Paddywacks for supporting RFA with its annual bird seed fundraiser. Locally-owned R.J. Paddywacks donated 15% of its sales to this important event, helping our all-volunteer board bring awareness to local conservation issues facing our native animals, especially the birds. We hope that awareness and education will engender protection. Please join us in supporting R.J. Paddywacks! To learn more about feeding birds, please visit our website: www.roaringforkaudubon.org Catherine Hagen & Mary Harris Roaring Fork Audubon
BPTC Year in Review As part of the Town’s and the Bike, Pedestrian and Trails Commission’s (BPTC) efforts to grow Carbondale’s culture of safe,
2 THE SOPRIS SUN | soprissun.com | January 1-7, 2026
shared streets for walkers, cyclists and drivers alike, numerous street improvements, including bike lanes, medians and road narrowing (via temporary plastic bollards) were trial tested around town this summer. Here is a summary of bike and pedestrian related activity from 2025. January: The Board of Trustees (BOT) approved the Mobility and Access Plan (MAP) designed to protect and enhance Carbondale’s pedestrian, cycling and transit infrastructure. MAP was developed through a two-year process with suggestions and feedback from several hundred residents, a steering committee and the BPTC. February: The BOT approved the crafting of a Complete Streets policy in accordance with national standards to prioritize safety over speed on our streets, and ensure safe access for all travel modes. March: The BPTC, along with a group of citizens, made recommendations for phase-one testing of specific improvements suggested in the Town’s MAP document. May - June: Carbondale’s Public Works Department installed and began trial testing of bike lanes on Hendrick Drive and West Main, temporary medians in numerous places including Highway 133, a mini-traffic circle on Hendrick and painted “sharrows” on several busy streets to heighten driver awareness of cyclists, and to remind drivers and cyclists to share the road safely. August - September: A new pedestrian crosswalk was constructed on Hwy 133 near Nieslanik Ave. continued on page 14
Editor Raleigh Burleigh 970-510-3003 news@soprissun.com Contributing Editor James Steindler Sol del Valle Editora Bianca Godina bianca@soldelvalle.org Digital Editor Ingrid Celeste Zúniga ingrid@soldelvalle.org Lead Editorial Designer Terri Ritchie Partnerships & Engagement Manager Luise Nieslanik Advertising Department adsales@soprissun.com Sol del Valle Marketing and Development Manager Margarita Alvarez margarita@soldelvalle.org Advertising Designer Emily Blong Delivery Frederic Kischbaum Youth Journalism Instructor Skyler Stark-Ragsdale Proofreaders Lee Beck Tracy Kallassy Ken Pletcher Hank van Berlo Executive Director Todd Chamberlin 970-510-0246 todd@soprissun.com Board Members / Mesa Directiva board@soprissun.com Klaus Kocher • Kay Clarke • Eric Smith Roger Berliner • Elizabeth Phillips Anna Huntington • Loren Jenkins Carlos Ramos • Gayle Wells
The Sopris Sun Board meets at 6pm on second Thursdays at the Third Street Center. The Sopris Sun, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation with a mission to inform, inspire and build community by fostering diverse and independent journalism. Donations are fully tax deductible. Sincerest thanks to our Honorary Publishers for their annual commitment of $1,000+ Lee Beck & John Stickney Kay Brunnier Frances Dudley Michelle & Ed Buchman Sue Edelstein & Bill Spence Deborah & Shane Evans Greg & Kathy Feinsinger Michael & Nancy Kish Gary & Jill Knaus Eric Smith Peter and Mike Gilbert Patti & George Stranahan Elizabeth Wysong Alpine Bank Emily & George Bohmfalk Kathy & Carter Barger Sandy & Paul Chamberlin Karen & Roger Berliner Donna & Ken Riley Gayle & Dick Wells
Legacy Givers for including us in their final wishes. Mary Lilly
Donate by mail or online: P.O. Box 399 Carbondale, CO 81623 520 S. Third Street #26-B 970-510-3003 soprissun.com/Donate The Sopris Sun, Inc. is a proud member of the Carbondale Creative District
SCUTTLEBUTT
Send your scuttlebutt to news@soprissun.com
Drought relief
OUR UNDERWRITERS AND NONPROFIT PARTNERS!
The new snow stake at Sunlight Mountain Resort reported six inches on Sunday morning, Dec. 28. The Mt Sopris Nordic Council said this could restore some access to Finlandia at Spring Gulch. The Marion lot remains open, but grooming has halted, snowpack is thin and many hazards are present. “Rock skis only,” recommended a recent report.
Tree recycling Through Jan. 11, residents of Glenwood Springs can drop off their used Christmas trees at the old rodeo grounds next to the airport. All decorations, streamers, tinsel, litter, tree stands and anything else that will not compost should first be removed. The Town of Basalt welcomes residents to recycle their trees through Feb. 1 at Arbaney Park. Carbondale’s service is open to residents through Feb. 8 at the dirt lot across from Town Hall. The City of Aspen, in partnership with Aspen Tree Service, is offering free tree recycling, not limited to residents, at the Rio Grande Recycle Center until Feb. 14.
FirstBank Alpine Bank Colorado Mountain College Nordic Gardens Hilary Porterfield Basalt Library
NONPROFIT PARTNERS Two Rivers Unitarian Universalist Carbondale Arts Carbondale Rotary Club Colorado Animal Rescue
Interested in becoming an Underwriter or Nonprofit Partner? Email Todd@soprissun.com or call 970-987-9866
ADN acquired Members of the Aspen Daily News Journalism Fund received notice on Tuesday, Dec. 30, that the independent newspaper founded in 1978 has been acquired by Hoffman Media Group, “a family-owned media company with a growing commitment to independent local journalism,” Associate Publisher Megan Tackett stated in an email. “Our leadership remains local. Our editorial independence remains intact. Our mission remains exactly the same,” Tackett assured.
Carbondale elections The Town of Carbondale will hold elections in April for the mayor and two trustee positions. Nomination forms can be picked up at Town Hall beginning Jan. 6 and must be returned by Jan. 26 with at least 25 signatures from Carbondale registered voters.
SoL Theatre auditions Sol Theatre Company is gearing up for its spring production of Roald Dahl’s “James and the Giant Peach,” adapted for the stage by James Wood, at Roaring Fork High School in March. Auditions are set for Jan. 15-17, and the age range for the production is 7-14. Sign up for an audition at www.tinyurl.com/SolTheatre
Selby Hall takes some turns on Aspen Mountain, enjoying fresh powder on Dec. 28 following a weekend storm that dropped nine inches over all four Aspen mountains. Courtesy photo by Olivia Klein
Booze & guns After stopping a vehicle leaving the Fravert Reservoir outside of Rifle, the Garfield County Sheriff’s office arrested two young males, a 16-year-old juvenile and a 19-year-old, who were allegedly intoxicated and in possession of several firearms. “The investigation revealed several weapons in the vehicle, including rifles and handguns, along with magazines and ammunition,” according to a press release from the Sheriff’s Office which noted a pattern of “youth consuming alcohol and engaging in dangerous behavior at the reservoir.”
Large-print books Age-Friendly Carbondale used grant funding it received from the American Association of Retired Persons to purchase $1,000 worth of large-print books for the Carbondale Library. Some are already shelved, with more still to come.
Airport survey There’s still time to chime in on the Aspen/Pitkin County Airport terminal survey, open through Jan. 4. Two concepts have been identified and the survey asks participants to weigh both options.
CAR
Working To gether For Pets A nd Their Peo ple Glenwood 2801 CR 114 Springs, C (970)947-9 O 173
E cu 5 cats, 4 gurrineneatly has 7 dogs, 1 bird up for pigs, and Rebel adoption.
“Community input from the survey will determine the final concept before advancing into the schematic design phase,” detailed a press release. Find the survey at www.tinyurl.com/ASEterminalsurvey
Marijuana sales On Dec. 22, the Colorado Department of Revenue released a report that state-wide marijuana sales had already reached nearly $1 billion in 2025, generating almost $200 million in tax and fee revenue. The department anticipated that both of those figures would be surpassed by year’s end, although complete data will not be available until February.
They say it’s your birthday! Folks celebrating another trip around the sun this week include: Ryan Camp, Anne Grice, DJ Hill and Dan Sadowsky (Jan. 1); Dustin Eli and Eric Rudd (Jan. 2); Angela Bruno, Patrick Casse, Jay Engstrom, Mark Hamilton, Kerry Honan and Lucas Pulver (Jan. 3); Bob Albright, Skip Bell, Rick Herrington, Pat Murray, Brad Palmer and Melinda Schultz (Jan. 4); Logan Doherty, JP Bauer and Rachel Orosz (Jan. 5); Taylor Faczak and Peter Lamorte (Jan. 6); Corby Anderson and Sean Passmore (Jan. 7).
.A.R.E. CKS offers a “C ies, A W Y D D A P J R mil new adoptive fa lan package” for p ” ts n s for Poi including a “Paw % discount e 15 and a first timpet. ew n r u for yo
is read adventure gay to be your next 8 years fool l! Don’t let her of energy an you; she is still full or camping. Ad is great on trails she’s a big sn fter a day out, well-manner uggle bug! She is and is lookin ed, knows her tricks, she can be ang for a home where Are you her only dog. home full of forever and attentio love n?
RJ Paddywacks
400 E Valley Rd. # I/J
Next to City Market in El Jebel
970.963.1700 rjpaddywacks.com
THE SOPRIS SUN | Your weekly community connector | January 1-7, 2026 3
Year in Review: 2025 For many, 2025 was a challenging year. Institutions, identities, entire industries were foundationally rocked. Notably, the list of obituaries was exceptionally long and included many community staples. For months, there were protests nearly every week. From outer instability, we were challenged to draw on inner strength and the Roaring Fork Valley rose to the occasion. We saw an outpouring of support between neighbors — decrying federal layoffs, backfilling funding gaps for essential social services and, perhaps most poignantly, the successful acquisition of two Valley trailer parks to avoid displacement of those families. Our little pocket of paradise is not immune from the national strife, and we may have something of an anecdote in community banding together.
January
Pat Noel was among Valley Journal panelists hosted by the Carbondale Historical Society. Photo by James Steindler
CRMS alumna Kate Oldham won the 10K freestyle competition in the U.S. Cross-Country Ski Championships in Alaska and went on to represent the U.S. at the FIS Nordic World Ski Championships where she secured three top 20s. The Carbondale Historical Society hosted a panel of Valley Journal contributors, honoring the legacy left by The Sopris Sun’s predecessor. Two middle schoolers felt sick after eating homemade cookies found in the community pantry outside the Carbondale Library — they then tested positive for THC. Measures are now in place to prevent such incidents in the future. Carbondale’s Downtowner ondemand ride service was approved through 2025, following a successful six-month pilot program. Local firefighters traveled to California to help combat devastating
4 THE SOPRIS SUN | soprissun.com | January 1-7, 2026
fires in Los Angeles County. Carbondalian Patrick Keleher made his television debut in the ABC series “The Rookie” and brought a screening to the Crystal Theatre. The female bald eagle in Aspen Glen whose mate was hit by a car on Highway 82 found a new companion. Carbondale completed its Mobility and Access Plan and began updating building codes (approved in April). Colorado Parks and Wildlife completed the second release of gray wolves, bringing the total number of introduced wolves in the state to 25. Ten of these wolves have since died by “removal,” accidents and natural causes. An unknown number of pups have been born and four packs have formed. Thunder River Theatre Company hosted the first show in its new Pink to Black concert series.
Perry Will was sworn in as Garfield County’s District Two commissioner by Judge John Neiley, filling the boots of former chairman John Martin, who sat on the commission for 28 years. Art by Larry Day
February
Response opened a shelter for survivors of domestic and sexual abuse. Many Latino-owned businesses in the area participated in a nationwide “Day Without Immigrants” strike. The Valley mourned the death of Casey Piscura, a young farmer from Virginia who left an indelible mark on the Valley with his business Wild Mountain Seeds and nonprofit Seed Peace. Friends at Sunfire Ranch rallied
to carry his farming legacy on, with family repurposing Seed Peace to offer much-needed health support to farmers. Carbondale Town Manager Lauren Gister announced her plans to retire. Garfield County Sheriff Lou Vallario and Carbondale Police Chief Kirk Wilson each clarified their policies regarding assisting ICE. “I work with ALL law enforcement agencies, from local to international, to the degree continued on page 5
YEAR IN REVIEW from page 4 I legally can,” stated Vallario, noting that state law restricts local police from enforcing federal immigration law. Wilson outlined his department’s commitment to uphold the Town’s 2017 Resolution 10 supporting immigrants. “We enforce state laws fairly and without bias, and we do not ask about immigration status when responding to calls for help, speaking with witnesses or interacting with the public,” Wilson stated. The Mind Springs board of directors decided not to move forward with a proposed mental healthcare contract with ICE. Lift-Up responded to rising demands, declining donations and leadership gaps by narrowing its focus on food distribution and appealing to the community for help. The Trump administration eliminated more than 3,400 Forest Service jobs,
including 140 in Colorado. Former White River Forest supervisor Scott Fitzwilliams resigned from his position after 15 years, accepting an offer to retain pay and benefits through Sept. 30. Deputy supervisor Heather Noel accepted the same. Indivisible groups hosted a town hall for Congressman Jeff Hurd which he declined to attend. The Aspen Skiers celebrated two state ski championship wins on home terrain. The Red Hill Council installed a “Muddy Meter” for users to communicate trail conditions and together mitigate erosion. The Glenwood Springs Withdrawal Management Facility, managed by Mind Springs Health, closed its doors after nine months of operation. The closure was attributed to a funding shortfall and surprise federal regulations. Aspen Valley Land Trust completed the purchase of Three Meadows Ranch
The Carbondale Arts Fashion Show took on a noir mystique with “Camera Obscura,” utilizing projections and a dance-driven murder plot amidst stylings by designers from near and far. Photo by Tommy Sands
TAKE THE TERMINAL DESIGN SURVEY! ¡PARTICIPA EN LA ENCUESTA DEL DISEÑO DE TERMINAL! The Aspen/Pitkin County Airport is getting a new terminal. This is a key moment for community guidance and your feedback on the final conceptual options will help shape the future of the airport. SCAN HERE TO SEE DETAILED DESIGN GRAPHICS, AND GIVE US YOUR INPUT BY TAKING THE SURVEY.
El Aeropuerto de Aspen/Condado de Pitkin está por tener una nueva terminal. Este es un momento clave para la orientación de la comunidad y tus comentarios sobre las opciones conceptuales finales ayudarán a darle forma al futuro del aeropuerto.
with Pitkin and Eagle counties, conserving 4,251 acres of wildlife habitat along Cottonwood Pass in Missouri Heights.
March
Cook Inclusive opened a Queer Resource Space in New Castle where LGBTQ+ individuals could find support and connection. It closed a few months later along with Cook Inclusive concluding. The Colorado Rocky Mountain School boys climbing team won a state championship. Roaring Fork High School celebrated their first league basketball title in 12 years with the boys going undefeated in their league. The formidable girls team completed their regular season second only to Cedaredge. Carbondale Arts presented “Camera Obscura” — it’s 14th take on the annual fashion show. Agaricus julius was crowned the state mushroom. Spring Gulch closed for the season following a weekend of unprecedented vandalism with vehicles driving on the trails and a melted porta-potty. Honey Butter closed shop at 155 Highway 133 with a final blow-out brunch, making way for the new 502 Diner. The Wheeler Opera House expanded its audience by welcoming an all Spanish-language comedy show. More than 100 people protested federal layoffs outside the White River National Forest Supervisor’s Office in Glenwood Springs. Educators across the state took a stand, calling for funding protection and
We are supporting the Roaring Fork Audubon by Donating 15% of sales from bird seed and related wild bird products. !
RJ PADDYWACKS Next to City Market El Jebel 970.963.1700 Open 7 Days-a-Week
For the first time in 12 years, Roaring Fork boys won a league basketball title. Photo by Isaac Sterling
protesting additional cuts to statewide education funding. It was announced that two mobile home parks were on the market for a combined $42 million — Mountain Valley and Aspen-Basalt. Thanks to the community rallying, and over $12 million in local government contributions, the parks were successfully acquired and converted to resident-owned.
April
The Sopris Sun welcomed political analyst Ken Rudin for the first of a new speaker series in partnership with TACAW. continued on page 7
Annual Benefit
SALE
for
ESCANEA AQUÍ PARA VER GRÁFICOS DE DISEÑO DETALLADOS Y DANOS TU OPINIÓN RESPONDIENDO LA ENCUESTA.
THE SOPRIS SUN | Your weekly community connector | January 1-7, 2026 5
Happy New Year Through every season of life, we’re committed to your wellbeing, here at Aspen Valley Health. As we head into 2026, we’ll continue to champion community wellness in the Roaring Fork Valley, just as we’ve done for 134 years. Together, we’ll grow stronger, healthier and more connected in the New Year!
6 THE SOPRIS SUN | soprissun.com | January 1-7, 2026
YEAR IN REVIEW from page 5 The national defunding of public media threw KDNK, Aspen Public Radio and other community-driven radio stations in the lurch. Listeners have since risen to the occasion to keep these resources operating. Glenwood Springs launched its own Downtowner microtransit service, joining Basalt and Carbondale, with the difference of a $1 fee per ride (as opposed to free). The Town of Basalt received a 2025 Downtown Colorado Excellence Award for its Midland Streetscape project. Governor Jared Polis vetoed a bill that sought to require social media platforms to cooperate more readily with law enforcement and remove accounts engaging in illegal activity. He also signed the Protecting the Freedom to Marry Act that repealed statutory language that marriage is between a man and a woman.
The Rams baseball team won their home tournament trophy. Photo by Isaac Sterling
May
An anonymous poet initiated a monthly First Friday treasure hunt with big prizes and clues published inside The Sopris Sun. The Village Smithy celebrated its 50th anniversary with a lively Cinco de Mayo party. After 53 days and 3,000 miles, Carbondale resident Dan Blake completed a transcontinental ride to benefit Stroke Onward, a nonprofit that supports stroke survivors. On May 1, Roaring Fork Conservancy reported that snowpack was quite below average, at 57% of normal. A week later, snowpack had fallen to 38% of normal. Garfield County property values (and subsequent taxes) increased about 15% on average, with some properties seeing a 25% jump. The second phase of the Valley Journal
KDNK staff remained steadfast as funding via the Corporation for Public Broadcasting disappeared thanks to the Trump administration. Federal actions created an estimated $310,321 gap for KDNK and $372,943 for Aspen Public Radio in 2025, also ending nearly 60 years of annual grant funding toward myriad radio and television stations. Photo by James Steindler
digitization project was completed thanks to the Carbondale Branch Library. Over 900 issues, from June 11, 1975 to Oct. 15, 1992, are now fully searchable at the Colorado Historic Newspapers Collection website. After extensive debate, Basalt Town Council established a $2,532 per-bedroom annual fee for short-term rental operators. Roaring Fork Outdoor Volunteers celebrated its 30th anniversary, championing a culture of stewardship benefitting recreational lands in the region. Riverview School opened a new ninehole disc golf course designed by 7th and 8th grade students. The U.S. Treasury Department announced the end of penny production. Keegan Oldani set a new record for Independence Run & Hike’s Mt. Sopris Run-Off 25K race in the men’s division. For the women, Ariel Rittenhouse defended her title and bested her own course record. In the 10-mile race, Brett Wachtendorf set a new record. Also setting a new course record, Cameron Mackenzie won the women’s race. For every race entry, $30 was donated to Roaring Fork Outdoor Volunteers, totaling $4,800. The Sopris Sun congratulated Youth News Bureau graduates Yesenia Benavides Burgos, Gus Richardson and Isaac Sterling.
June
The CoWest Noticias Collaborative — made up of the Aspen Daily News, Aspen Public Radio, The Aspen Times, KDNK, the Post Independent, Sopris Sun/Sol del Valle and Radio La Tricolor — brought
the community together at Morgridge Commons in Glenwood Springs to hear Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser address challenges facing the Western Slope. Community members banded together to revive the Roaring Fork High School biodome and surrounding gardens. The Carbondale Beautification Club began a number of restoration, landscaping and cleanup projects around town led by volunteer extraordinaire Jeff Basler. A settlement agreement signed by the Rock Creek Association ensured non-motorized public access to Filoha Meadows Nature Preserve. Local band Typical Ghost celebrated their debut album launch with a party at KDNK. The U.S. Department of Agriculture rescinded the 2001 Roadless Rule, stating the “outdated” rule impedes the ability of the Forest Service to responsibly manage forests and grasslands. According to Wilderness Workshop, the rollback of this rule “poses a significant threat to the Thompson Divide and numerous other beloved public lands across Colorado and the West.” Ryan Hyland was announced as the Town of Carbondale’s next town manager. By late June, rivers reached peak flows and fire restrictions were instated. English in Action celebrated the opening of its new Center for Communication in El Jebel, following a successful $5.5 million fundraising campaign. The Sopris Sun’s Spanish-language sister paper, Sol del Valle, celebrated its four-year anniversary at the Glenwood Springs Library.
Crystal River Elementary School’s 12th annual Rams Run raised $8,950 from a record 23 sponsors. Photo by Sue Rollyson
heart later in the month. The Redstone Historical Society purchased an Osgood-era cottage from the Durrett Cousins that will eventually serve as its new museum space. Roaring Fork High School junior Mali Sparhawk returned from a five-month stint in the U.S. Senate Page Program, having gained first-hand experience on Capitol Hill. Public Works installed temporary traffic features throughout Carbondale and asked the community for feedback to help gauge future streetscape projects. The Garfield County Commissioners enacted a hiring freeze for administrative staff due to a $9 million property tax shortfall.
July
Sol del Valle celebrated its four-year anniversary thanks to community support and an active advisory council. Photo by Klaus Kocher
The Crystal Theatre Alliance publicly announced its formation as a nonprofit and its intent to preserve and sustain Carbondale’s beloved movie theater for years to come. Ahead of his passing, late metal sculptor William “Bill” Morrow donated a few of his prized pieces to the Town of Carbondale (“The InsaneA-Cycle”), KDNK Radio (“Flight” and “Butterfly & Lily”) and The Sopris Sun (“Molecular Inquisition”). Founder of Carbondale’s Rotary International chapter and beloved KDNK DJ Art Ackerman celebrated his 100th birthday with friends and family at the Third Street Center. He passed away with a full
The Mountain Fair stage featured a dancing skeleton “brought to life” using artificial intelligence — the result of a collaboration between artists Loren Wilder, Wylie Fox, Brett Haynes and Corey Summers. Courtesy photo
The Town of Carbondale approved an 11-unit lodging complex at 888 Main Street, where an old log cabin had recently been demolished. Pitkin County presented plans to the Crystal River Caucus concerning the replacement of the south bridge leading into Redstone. Demolition was set to begin in March of 2026. continued on page 10
THE SOPRIS SUN | Your weekly community connector | January 1-7, 2026 7
ARCTIC CRISIS: BEYOND THE ICE FREE: Thursday, 1/15, 6-8pm
CROSS-COUNTRY SKI LESSONS
AT SPRING GULCH Fridays/Saturdays starting 1/3
Community Education Classes
PEACEMAKING IN COMMUNITY MEDIATION TRAINING FREE Join Wendy Huber for this 40-hr certificate course for conflict management used by courts, schools and communities. Offered with support from The Center for Civics. Mon, 5:30-8:30pm, 1/26-5/4 INTRO TO TAI CHI Mon, 10:30-11:30am, 1/12-3/30 PILATES WITH PURPOSE Mon/Wed, 12-1pm, 1/12-3/4
AIKIDO Tue/Thur, 6-7:30pm, 1/13-3/5 EXPLORING LOSS, GRIEF, AND RECOVERY Thurs, 6-8pm, 1/22-2/26
DRAWING FOR KIDS AGE 10-17 Wed, 3-4:30pm, 1/14-2/4
690 Colorado Ave, Carbondale
QIGONG Wed, 10:30-11:30am, 1/14-4/1 PILATES BLEND Wed, 9-10am, 1/14-3/4
SPANISH... BEGINNING Thursdays, 5-7pm, 1/22-3/19
ZUMBA Mon, 5:30-6:30pm, 1/26-3/16
INTRO ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE Wed, 1:30-3:30pm, 1/28-2/18 CHAI AND NATURAL MEDICINE Thursday, 6-9pm, 1/29
*Credit Art Classes BOOKMAKING AND COLLAGE Wed, 10:10am-1:50pm, 1/14-2/11 INTRO TO PRINTMAKING Thurs, 9-11:50am, 2/19-4/30
ART OF THE POSTER Mon, 5:10-8:50pm, 2/23-5/4
*Senior tuition discount.
Call for registration information.
970.963.2172 Campus Closed 12/23-1/4
CALENDAR THURSDAY, JANUARY 1
NEW YEAR’S CLOSURES All six Garfield County library branches will be closed New Year’s Day, along with Carbondale and Basalt municipal offices. Garfield County administrative offices will be closed Jan. 1 and 2. Happy New Year! NEW YEAR RITUAL Aspen Shakti welcomes the new year with elixirs, yoga, meditation and more from 2 to 5pm. Register at www.aspenshakti.com CRYSTAL THEATRE ALLIANCE “Song Sung Blue” screens at the Crystal Theatre today at 3pm, Friday and Saturday at 7pm and Sunday (captioned) at 5pm.
FRIDAY, JANUARY 2
RECOVERY YOGA The Meeting Place and A Way Out offer free yoga to all people in recovery at 981 Cowen Drive at 5pm. Mats, blankets and props included! FIRST FRIDAY Roast some hot dogs and marshmallows at Chacos Park from 5 to 8pm during January’s “Starry Night” First Friday. PAUL JAS CENTER The Paul JAS Center hosts a grand opening at 422 Cooper Avenue (Aspen) with Shelly Berg and Tierney Sutton performing at 6:30 and 8:45pm. MISTER WHATEVER The Wheeler Opera House presents John Mulaney performing comedy tonight and tomorrow at 7:30pm. Tickets at www.aspenshowtix.com
SATURDAY, JANUARY 3
ARTFUL STORY HOUR The Powers Art Center presents a creative story hour on the first Saturday of each month from 11am to noon. No sign-ups required!
MONDAY, JANUARY 5
WINTER READING CHALLENGE Garfield County Libraries invites adults to participate in a winter reading challenge beginning today. Stop by any library for a free mug and bingo card to track your reading through Feb. 28, with the chance for additional prizes. Details at www.gcpld.org/winter-reading ICE SKATING Celebrate National Skating Month with a special storytime at the Carbondale Library at 10:30am with Colorado Extreme, free and open to all. CONCENTRIC RECOVERY True Nature offers a free addiction and recovery meeting exploring social and spiritual dimensions at 5:30pm. ON THE RISE The Collective Snowmass hosts a new open mic night from 6:30 to 8pm every Monday through March 30 with a free drink for brave participants.
TUESDAY, JANUARY 6
PARKINSON’S SUPPORT GROUP People living with Parkinson’s and loved ones are invited to a support group at the Orchard Church every first Tuesday from 1 to 2pm. STORY CIRCLE VOICES hosts the first of a monthly Story Circles series at the Basalt Library facilitated by Mitzi Rapkin from 5 to 7pm. Participants are invited (but not required) to share a personal story. RSVP at www.basaltlibrary.org/events DRAWING CLUB The Roaring Fork Drawing Club gathers at Botany Houseplant Shop in Carbondale at 6:30pm.
NEW YEAR SALON Enjoy intimate dance, storytelling, musical performances and more from a variety of artists at The Launchpad at 6:30pm. Tickets at alyaasnewyearsalon. eventbrite.com
VIDEO TRIVIA The Crystal Theatre Alliance invites you to gather a team of four and prove your knowledge of movies, television and more. Doors open at 6:30 and the competition begins at 7pm.
THE OTHER BROTHERS TACAW presents The Other Brothers, an Allman Brothers Band tribute with an all-star cast, at 8pm. Tickets at www.tacaw.org
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 7
LUKE THE KNIFE McMission Presents brings you Luke The Knife (aka Luke Miller of Lotus) with local legend Heady Hooligan performing a disco-themed party benefitting High Rockies Harm Reduction at The Black Nugget from 8:30pm to midnight.
‘USE MY IMAGINATION’ Anderson Ranch opens a new exhibit curated by Brad Reed Nelson featuring artists Sam Harvey, Jordan Kepler, Savanna LaBauve and Claire Wright. The show will remain on display through March 27. BUSINESS BITES The Colorado River Valley Chamber of Commerce invites members to network at Rib City in Rifle from noon to 1:30pm.
KARAOKE Enjoy karaoke night at Rock Island in Snowmass Village from 9pm to midnight.
TEEN FLY TYING Basalt Regional Library offers a fly tying club for teens from 3 to 4:30pm.
SUNDAY, JANUARY 4
STRANGE PHYSICS The Aspen Center for Physics hosts “Following the Neutrino into Physics’ Strangest Realms,” a free lecture at 5:30pm. More info at www.aspenphys.org
OPEN DISCUSSION Golden Sha facilitates a discussion on a wide range of topics at A Spiritual Center, Room 31 of the Third Street Center, from 10 to 11am. SACRED CONNECTION Enjoy nourishing movement, sound and words to restore a sense of connection with Jessica Amber Barnum at the Glenwood Library from 3 to 4pm. The event repeats every first Sunday. ECSTATIC DANCE Celebrate the first full moon of the new year with an ecstatic dance at the Old Thompson Barn in River Valley Ranch from 5 to 7pm. 8 THE SOPRIS SUN | soprissun.com | January 1-7, 2026
RANDOM CONVERSATIONS The Carbondale Library hosts an opportunity for strangers to converse, along with expert facilitation, from 6 to 7:30pm.
PILATES Alexandra Jerkunica leads a free, fourweek Pilates mat series for adults at the Carbondale Library from 5:45 to 6:45pm on Wednesdays in January. Register at www.gcpld.org NATURALIST NIGHTS The first of Wilderness Workshop’s Naturalist Nights speaker series in partnership with the Aspen Center for Environmental Studies and Roaring Fork Audubon features journalist Elizabeth Stewart-Severy and former White River
The Sopris Sun returns to the Crystal Theatre with another journalism-themed classic at 7pm on Jan. 22. “Almost Famous” tells the story of a young Rolling Stone Magazine reporter (played by Patrick Fugit) who, while covering a rockstar band on tour, falls in love with a groupie (Kate Hudson). Tickets at www.bit.ly/SSAlmostFamous Courtesy graphic
National Forest supervisor Scott Fitzwilliams on federal neglect of public lands at the Third Street Center tonight and Hallam Lake tomorrow at 6pm. Register for free at www.wildernessworkshop.org ‘THE SECRET AGENT’ Aspen Film screens its January Indie Showcase, “The Secret Agent,” Brazil’s 2026 Academy Awards Best International Feature Film submission, at the AF Isis Theatre at 6:30pm. Tickets at www.aspenfilm.org
THURSDAY, JANUARY 8
NONFICTION BOOK CLUB The Carbondale Library’s Nonfiction Book Club meets from 2 to 3:30pm, discussing diverse titles on the theme of “assassinations.” CODING CLUB The Aspen Science Center teaches coding for young teens at the Carbondale Library from 3:45 to 4:45pm. SIGN, READ, LEARN Basalt Library hosts storytime with sign language for children ages 3 to 7 from 3:45 to 4:45pm. BANNED BOOK CLUB Basalt Library’s Banned Book Club discusses “Hood Feminism: Notes from the Women that the Movement Forgot” from 4 to 5pm. WRITING WORKSHOP The Glenwood Springs Library hosts a writing workshop open to adults and teens every second Thursday from 5 to 7pm.
SPORTSPERSONS MEETING Sportspersons from across Colorado Parks and Wildlife’s Northwest Region are invited to attend a meeting to discuss a variety of issues involving hunting, fishing and conservation at CPW’s office in Grand Junction (711 Independent Ave) from 6 to 8pm. Folks who can’t make it in person are welcome to Zoom in. Find a link and more info at www.tinyurl.com/NWsportspersons MONTY FRANKLIN Australian-born comedian Monty Franklin, who’s toured with Rob Schneider, Joe Rogan and John Cleese, performs at the Wheeler Opera House at 7pm. Tickets at www.aspenshowtix.com WIFFENPOOFS The Wiffenpoofs of Yale University perform at TACAW at 8pm. Tickets at www.tacaw.org
FRIDAY, JANUARY 9
SKIER APPRECIATION It’s Skier Appreciation Day at Sunlight Mountain Resort. Ski or ride for $25 and help raise money for the Two Rivers Community Foundation. This year sports a “Slopeside Circus” theme with a doughnut-eating contest, giveaways and more! ‘CURIOUSER AND CURIOUSER’ Mt Cirque Entertainment presents “Curiouser and Curiouser,” an immersive aerial performance filled with illusions that “will leave you curious,” at Thunder River Theatre tonight at 5:30pm and again at 8pm. Tickets at www.soprissoarers.com
Find more events at www.SoprisSun.com
THE SOPRIS SUN | Your weekly community connector | January 1-7, 2026 9
YEAR IN REVIEW from page 7 Carbondale and beyond celebrated the 54th annual Mountain Fair. This year’s stage included a giant moving skeleton animated with AI assistance.
August
A worrisome wildfire season began with the Coulter Creek Fire spreading quickly on Missouri Heights and prompting evacuations. It was quickly contained, however, by the Carbondale & Rural Fire Protection District, which speculated that lightning was likely the cause. John Emerick of Redstone was appointed to the Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commission, filling the at-large position. The Town of Carbondale approved installation of a pedestrian crossing on Highway 133, prompting a detour through the City Market parking lot. The detour,
which caused some frustration, was shortlived and the highway was reopened quicker than anticipated. The Garfield County Public Library District Board of Trustees tabled a motion to introduce age-restricted library cards. The 34-unit Benedict Apartments building, named in honor of Fritz and Fabienne “Fabi” Benedict, opened as affordable housing for seniors in Glenwood Springs. Basalt Town Council approved Jadwin Park, LLC’s amended application for a proposed development consisting of 64 residential units, half deed-restricted, and 12 lodging cabins. Sopris Lodge hosted its inaugural Senior Prom, not for high school seniors but esteemed elders. Clean Energy Economy for the Region launched Two Rivers Connect, an app that rewards commuters for carpooling, bicycling, walking and using public transportation. The Sopris Sun brought home 20 awards from the annual Colorado Press Association Convention, a record for the Carbondale newsroom.
September
A moose was spotted moseying around River Valley Ranch and gained Sopris Sun “cover girl” celebrity status. Photo by Sindy Smith
Neurobloom, a psilocybin-assisted healing center, opened in Basalt. Crystal River Elementary School students formed the shape of a Ram captured with an aerial photograph by Daniel Dancer of Art for the Sky, a photographer and a climate change activist. Dancer included the number 427 in the frame, reflecting the parts-per-million carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere at the time. Becky Oliver assumed the principalship
10 THE SOPRIS SUN | soprissun.com | January 1-7, 2026
The Coulter Creek Fire kicked off a fearful wildfire season, prompting Missouri Heights evacuations. It was quickly contained thanks to the Carbondale & Rural Fire Protection District. Photo by Jane Bachrach
at Carbondale Community School. Glenwood City Council narrowly approved applying a toll for the planned South Bridge project to deter commuters from using the future bridge as a Highway 82 bypass, but later in the month voted to reconsider at a later date due to warnings the toll could jeopardize a $50 million federal grant for the project. The council reversed the decision in October. Roaring Fork School District state testing scores improved overall for 20242025, but a significant achievement gap remained for English-language learners. Around 100 people gathered in Sayre Park in Glenwood Springs to mourn the loss of conservative icon Charlie Kirk.
October
RFTA launched its Zero-Fare October & November initiative, inviting commuters to utilize the majority of its services free of charge. Sopris Sun cartoonist Larry Day’s solo exhibition, “Ha Ha Ha,” opened at The Art Base. Carbondale hosted the 116th annual Potato Days, themed “The Grate Spudsby” — a nod to the 100th anniversary of “The Great Gatsby” novel. A share of the proceeds went to Seed Peace - Casey’s Fund Supporting Farmers, a nonprofit supporting farmers’ mental and physical wellbeing. continued on page 11
YEAR IN REVIEW from page 10 Latino business owners and guests gathered at the Hotel Colorado to recognize standout entrepreneurs during Hispanic Heritage Month. KDNK’s Amy Hadden Marsh interviewed National Public Radio correspondent Kirk Siegler at the Crystal Theatre, with event proceeds benefiting the local radio station’s newsroom. The Rotary Club of Carbondale held the “Bike for Bikes” bike-a-thon on the lower Rio Grande Trail, raising funds to purchase bicycles for health care workers combating malaria in east-central Africa. Basalt Middle School students who participated in a semester-long Watershed Pen Pals program informed their town council of correspondences with Front Range students about the impacts of excess water consumption. An estimated 4,000 protesters turned out for a “No Kings” rally in Glenwood Springs. Spring Valley Holdings, LLC withdrew its PUD amendment and rezoning application for its proposed Spring Valley Ranch development. The Youth News Bureau, a team of high school reporters guided by Sopris Sun staff, printed the first issue of The Sopris Stars, a special insert that can be found within the newspaper on the last Thursday of each month during the school year. The Roaring Fork Rams soccer team advanced to the second round of 3A state playoffs, but bowed out after a loss to No. 1 seed Colorado Academy.
November
The Cattle Creek Confluence Coalition held a public meeting regarding the
proposed Harvest Roaring Fork development — which would include 1,500 residential units, 450 accessory dwelling units, 55,000 square feet of commercial space and a 120-room hotel — and the impacts this would have on wildlife and the Valley as a whole. Regional voters elected Tammy Nimmo and incumbent Kathryn Kuhlenberg to serve on the RE-1 Board of Directors. Voters approved the formation of a special taxing district for early childhood education, Carbondale & Rural Fire Protection District’s proposed 1.5% sales tax and $30 million bond, Colorado Mountain College’s measure to set its mill levy above the state property tax limit, Basalt Library’s renewed mill levy and the Town of Basalt’s proposal to increase lodging taxes to help fund affordable housing. Dos Gringos celebrated a quarter century of serving up delicious burritos and gourmet coffee. The Valley rallied to support food-insecure families in the wake of a federal SNAP benefits pause, setting up food drives to fill local Lift-Up pantries. Entrepreneur Stephen Shapiro launched an online community hub for civil discourse, Mountain Perspectives, in partnership with The Sopris Sun. With longtime Executive Director Francisco “Paco” Nevarez-Burgueño set to retire, Baile Folklórico awed audiences with its final Día De los Muertos performance in Carbondale. The Art Base in Basalt paid off its mortgage following a successful fundraising campaign. After a few years on the market, Sustainable Settings founder Brooke LeVan announced the biodynamic nonprofit is here to stay and that the listing was a
The Art Base in Basalt paid off its mortgage with Alpine Bank. Photo by Bob Rugile
Roaring Fork High School junior Grace Freeman competed in the Junior National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas. Photo by Boaz Elkes
publicity stunt. Youth-led theater company Upstage Productions opened its second show, “The 39 Steps,” at Roaring Fork High School. Crystal River residents spoke in favor of and against Treasure Mountain Ranch, Inc.’s proposed development at the Town of Crystal, including a new 4,900-square-foot maintenance barn and four new cabins totaling approximately 5,000 square feet. Sunlight Mountain Resort finished replacing its Segundo and Primo chairlifts ahead of opening day. Crews tackled substantial wildfire mitigation work on Basalt Mountain.
(New Castle). The commissioners are set to announce the selectees on Jan. 5. The Jesus Saves Homeless Day Shelter opened in the basement of the Glenwood Springs Catholic Charities church, where Feed My Sheep formerly operated a similar program. The Sopris Sun board of directors passed an editorial policy limiting AI use to research and basic design applications, upholding a soulful standard for human creativity. continued on page 15
December
The lady Rams basketball team won the annual Brenda Patch Tournament. The Basalt Police Department shared how it’s using AI to help with paperwork, providing more time for policing. Roaring Fork High School junior Grace Freeman and her 17-year-old horse, John Henry, competed in the Junior National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas. Upon approving its 2026 budget, the Town of Carbondale also pledged $500,000 toward Cavern Springs Mobile Home Park residents’ bid to purchase the land beneath their homes. The Garfield County Commissioners interviewed 12 candidates vying for three seats on the library board of trustees. The library board later recommended appointing Gregorio Rios (Rifle), Lynda Prendergast (Parachute) and Brit McLin
Santa braved a blizzard to light Carbondale’s Christmas tree in early December. Photo by Raleigh Burleigh
Your Mid-Valley Real Estate Expert Professionally Representing You with 19 Years of Experience
HILARY PORTERFIELD
Call me, I love to talk real estate! 970.319.5757 • hilary@hilaryporterfield.com • roaringfork-homes.com ©2025 Engel & Völkers. All rights reserved. Each brokerage is independently owned and operated.
THE SOPRIS SUN | Your weekly community connector | January 1-7, 2026 11
ASPEN & SNOWMASS Pitkin county Library Hyman Avenue Box Wheeler Opera House Box Snowmass Town Park Station Aspen Valley Hospital Mi Chola Snowmass Clarks Market Snowmass Mall Alpine Bank in Snowmass Alpine Bank in AABC BASALT & EL JEBEL Willits General Store Alpine Bank ANB Bank Basalt Quick Lube Basalt Regional Library Big O Tires El San Miguel Box Casa Tequila CC’s Cafe Whole Foods Eagle County Courts Crown Mountain Express Lube El Jebel Mobile Offices El Korita Hightone Autobody El Jebel Laundromat Mountain Family Health Cazadores Skotties The Basalt Store Timbo’s Hightone Automotive and Tires CARBONDALE 3rd St. Center Alpine Bank Carbondale Library Main St. Box Catherine’s Store Food Truck Carbondale Recreation Center City Market Carbonaldale CMC Edna’s Hair Salon Gloria’s Boutique Garcia’s Jalisco Grill La Fogata La Perla La Placita La Roca Lift-up Sunburst Valley Meats First Bank GLENWOOD SPRINGS Glenwood Springs Library Centennial Park Box Comfort Dental Coin Laundromat Glenwood Recreation Center Glenwood CMC El Yaqui First Bank Frida’s Glenwood Hot Springs Yampa Hotsprings Valley View Hospital Impuestos Seguros La Michoacana Mountain Family Health Post Office Gafield County Human Resources Sal Mex Tequila’s Tony’s Bakery Super Taco Alpine Bank on Grand Ave New Castle New Castle Library City Market Carniceria Elias Hacienda San Miguel Post Office Tapatios Alpine Bank SILT Silt Library La Placita 2 La Placita Market LeMora Pizza Silt Roundabout RIFLE Cafe y Pasteleria Galea East Ave & 3rd St. Box City Hall Box E 12th St. Box El Patron El Rincon Jalisco Grill Mercado San Jose Momma’s Nachos Mexican Dining Paleteria La Korita Promex Bakery Remignton Square Spyderwash Tapatios La Baja Espresso Rifle Library Imperio Variedades Dinora Diversity Salon Alpine Bank on 4th St Alpine Bank on Airport Rd PARACHUTE Nalini’s Taqueria Jalisco El Tapatio City Hall Box Parachute Library Running Burrito Lift-up Fifty Shadz Salon Sinclair Vero’s Mexican Bakery
Look for stories like this in this week’s Sol del Valle!
Full edition is available every Friday afternoon on newstands and at businesses from Rifle to Aspen
Sol del Valle wishes you a very happy and prosperous 2026 EDITOR’S NOTE: Pick up a copy of Sol del Valle’s Year in Review at a newsstand near you, or find it online at www.soprissun.com/soldelvalle The past year brought many changes and much growth to Sol del Valle. It was, without a doubt, our most challenging year to date but, at the same time, the year in which we received the greatest support from our community. Some may say we sound like a broken record, but the truth is that we remain deeply grateful for the response and backing the community has shown us. To some, Sol del Valle may seem like a “magical unicorn” — a unique outlet in the region, entirely in Spanish, serving two valleys at once and connecting the Latino community. When we say that our work would not be possible without your support, we mean it wholeheartedly. Every sponsor makes this work possible, but so does every person who opens the doors to their business, their home, their daily lives and shares their stories with us. And everyone who shares Sol’s content or gives us a “like” on social media helps make every story, every translation and every conversation that much more impactful. In January 2025, during a meeting with our incredible distribution team, the Pérez family, Sol del Valle reviewed its list of drop-off locations, intending to slightly reduce that number. To our surprise, the Pérez family shared
The Sol del Valle team: (left to right) Bianca Godina, Margarita Alvarez and Ingrid Zúniga. Courtesy photo
that in most, if not all, distribution locations only one or two copies were left behind each week. This led to a revelation that returns were just between 50 and 80 copies overall. We left that meeting with full hearts, knowing that out of 1,400 copies delivered, only 5% went unclaimed each week. Sol del Valle’s Year in Review invites Spanish-speaking and bilingual readers to revisit everything that was accomplished, not only as a newspaper, but as a community. There are many people who make Sol del Valle possible, from its reporters, who week after week introduce quality news, to its Community Advisory Board and The Sopris Sun Board of Directors, who support, guide and accompany Sol’s staff every step of the way, to its community contributors, who
add a spark to every cranny of the paper through columns, photographs and the always-surprising Creativity Corner. Sol’s social media presence has expanded, engaging regularly with followers through every challenge and every achievement experienced as a community. Check us out at Sol del Valle on Facebook or @soldelvalleco on Instagram. The year 2025 brought us tears, gifts and great joy. From this side of Sol del Valle, the newsroom wishes you a very happy and prosperous 2026. May this new year arrive filled with growth, many “yeses,” moments shared with loved ones, affection and, above all, the opportunity to continue moving forward together as a community, hand in hand with friends and neighbors. In 2026, Sol will continue to be there to accompany you and a cup of coffee, to open the door on diverse conversations and to continue serving, week after week, a better-informed Latino community. With appreciation, Bianca Godina, Margarita Alvarez and Ingrid Zúniga The Sol del Valle Team
Follow Leonardo Occhipinti’s “Nuevo Mundo” in Sol del Valle every week in Spanish.
Bianca Godina — Editor • bianca@soldelvalle.org | Margarita Alvarez — Advertising • margarita@soldelvalle.org www.soldelvalle.org • info@soldelvalle.org • 970-510-0234
12 THE SOPRIS SUN | soprissun.com | January 1-7, 2026
Share your works in progress with readers by emailing illustrations, creative writings and poetry to fiction@soprissun.com
Comparte tus proyectos creativos aún en proceso con nuestros lectores. Puedes enviarnos un correo electrónico con tus ilustraciones, creaciones literarias y poesía a fiction@soprissun.com
Missed, not forgotten
The Works in Progress page has become so popular, it wasn’t possible to print every submission in 2025. These are but a few of the poems received which haven’t, until now, met the page. Going on four years, it’s been a pleasure to share creative works by talented poets and artists sprinkled throughout the Valley on the Works in Progress page. Readers can look forward to more in 2026 and beyond. Thank you to all of the participating artists who make this section possible.
Redwood Forest Rick Davis Glenwood Springs
“The redwoods, once seen, leave a mark or create a vision that stays with you always. No one has ever successfully painted or photographed a redwood tree. The feeling they produce is not transferable. From them comes silence and awe. It’s not only their unbelievable stature, nor the color which seems to shift and vary under your eyes, no, they are not like any trees we know, they are ambassadors from another time.” - John Steinbeck How would you describe the sound of the wind as it winds its way through the tree tops of a forest? Moving, flowing almost river-like, loud and strong, or soft and gentle like a mountain stream.
A view over Glenwood Springs of a rare visit from the Northern Lights on the cusp of winter. Photo by Chris Tobias
Preposterous! By Nancy Bo Flood Four Mile
oh so quiet, No Wars Allowed
A full moon last night so I Pedaled My new blue bicycle Up, up, past mountain peaks onward into space Wearing a no-atmosphere safety suit, Snorkel, mask, helmet 238,855 miles Arrived! whew, safely landed on the far / dark side of the moon
Alone I sat, a zillion stars silently smiling overhead like happy fireflies Sh-sh-sh, If you tell any earthlings They’ll politely smile and mutter, preposterous. Next time, you come too. We’ll soar together. Magic happens Every blue moon.
The Corner Daniel Spiller Glenwood Springs
I would like to be the embodiment of March in both life and art. carry the air one forgets each year return memories then disappear like a ghost revealing what you already know. Still you’ll find me under an empty bottle, soaked into sponges, at the bottom of a portfolio. Oils and paints tucked away in a suitcase, In some dark corner on the edge of some place
Describe to me the forest sun shining between the trees and the tree boughs, sunlight twinkling, moving in between the shadows and the towering trees dancing on the forest floor and in the colorful meadows. The air is filled with the earthy scent of the forest, the moisture of the ground, the warmth of the sun and the coolness of the shadow, offering a unique fragrance that only the forest can gift you. It all speaks to me, not in words nor in images, it speaks to me in a language of my heart; a language I have forgotten so very long ago. It tells me of time passing slowly, stretched out over hundreds and thousands of years; a wisdom that has grown from patience and age, from observation and understanding. I am not witnessing a single tree or even a group of trees, but an extended family. Each tree reaches out its roots, some sprouting new life, its roots intertwining with other tree roots, creating a vast underground network. Each tree supports another, forming a community. The growth around an old tree, the Mother, is called a Family Circle. The tree’s sacredness intertwines with our own, connecting us to its circle. It speaks to us on a deeper, soulful level, washing over us with the richness and fullness of the forest. We find ourselves not in nature, but with nature. No painting or photograph can capture its essence, no poet’s words can express its beauty and wonder. Having experienced a Redwood forest, how can I now live an ordinary life?
THE SOPRIS SUN | Your weekly community connector | January 1-7, 2026 13
Trump steals your candy, baby Happy New Year! Dear gods, please judge signed deportation orders in absenlet us turn it around in 2026… I think we tia. Oftentimes, the “heinous crime” simply can all agree that when Trumpty Dumpty being that the person didn’t file a change of finally falls off the wall, it’s going to take address with the court. all of us to put this country back together One man caught my hazel eye as he again. I used to think that there was a walked into the courtroom, taking a seat in basement level standard for U.S. pres- the back. He wore a turban and sat quietly idents, but this year has shown me how through all the other appointments. A wrong I was. We are several levels below translator for anyone who spoke Spanground now, and if ish sat to the left of the Trump’s base isn’t going judge, speaking into a to revolt and charge microphone that linked to the surface over the to a headset. Each person raping of children, then who needed translation I don’t even know. would put the headset on We can now see as soon as they sat down that “cracking down on to plead their case. immigration” was a ploy When this man’s to take Americans’ hardname was called, he got earned money from up and walked through their tight little fists, and the little gate to sit at the it worked. All we have to table, facing the judge. do is follow the money He put the headset on Ps & Qs to find those responsible even though his native for kidnapping innolanguage wasn’t SpanBy Jeannie Perry cent people off the street, ish. Luckily, his lawyer holding them illegally in detention centers, appeared on the screen, teleconferencand sending them to a foreign country to ing in to answer the judge’s questions in be tortured. This is a very dark chapter in English. After settling the man’s case, the our nation’s history, even if some Ameri- judge said, “Adjourned.” The lawyer signed cans still can’t see it through the barrage of off and the screen went dark. The judge media white noise. And I do mean “white.” finished signing paperwork and looked “White people get to have every differ- up, seeming surprised to see the man still ent hair and eye color there is possible sitting there. She made a motion for him to naturally, and every other race gets the take off the headset and stand up. exact same ones. White people can have He did, and he walked back through red hair and blond hair and auburn hair the little gate, but then he just stood there, and green eyes and blue eyes and hazel awkwardly looking around at the DHS eyes, and every other race gets black hair lawyer, the translator, the judge, the rest of and black eyes. Across the board. Every the courtroom. When his eyes met mine, I other race: Asian people, Black people, smiled and made a motion that he should my kind of Asian people, Hispanic people leave the room. He looked unsure, but he — we just get black hair and black eyes. nodded and smiled as he headed for the exit. Wtf is that about? I can’t figure it out. The Imagine not understanding a word that best I can come up with is that God loves was spoken as your fate was decided in a you more, but I know that can’t be true. fluorescent-lit courtroom by white strangHe sees what you’re like.” - Comedian ers. Now imagine knowing our tax dollars Kumail Nanjiani are funding harassment and torment I’ve been to immigration court, my white- instead of the legal recourse granted by our woman-self, to see firsthand the incredible constitution. Trump is a swindler and he is number of cases suddenly brought back actively stealing from all of us in plain sight. to life after years of inactivity. Right around But this is a brand-new year! Hopefully, in the time DOGE pried into all our personal 2026 we will climb out of the information files, cases that had dwindled off or hit a trenches we all dwell in to actually see what dead end were suddenly reopened and the is happening to our neighbors.
OPINION
LETTERS October: The four-way stop at Hendrick and West Main was declared permanent! Most of the other trial features came down in preparation for winter street maintenance. Fall 2025: As part of the trial improvements process, a survey was conducted with 361 responses received, which will help inform recommendations for both permanent projects and future trial locations and strategies. Thanks to everyone for providing feedback! The BPTC is committed to preserving and growing our eco-friendly vibe and small-town character by enhancing bike and pedestrian access throughout town, and encouraging folks to slow down, share our streets safely, walk and bike more and connect with each other. Join us at our monthly meetings on the first Monday of 14 THE SOPRIS SUN | soprissun.com | January 1-7, 2026
from page 2
each month at 6pm at Town Hall. Everyone is welcome. Rick Blauvelt & Lori Patrick Bike, Pedestrian and Trails Commission
Christmases 1941 and 2025 Christmas 1941, I was three years old. Those early Christmases were delightful, waking and running down the stairs to behold the wondrous gifts spread round the tree. But only 18 days before that Christmas of 1941, Japan attacked Pearl Harbor and our nation got caught right between General Tojo and Der Fuhrer Adolph Hitler in a worldwide war. My mother must have thought of her father, continued on page 15
LETTERS dead from a bullet wound he suffered in the First World War. My father might have thought it would be his time on the front line. Despite, they lighted the tree and spread the gifts, while I, the happy child, was unaware. Christmas 2025, in another century and eight decades later, I try to picture what my parents faced. And I try to compare. This time, too, our nation’s democracy is threatened. Not by enemy bombers, but by a bombardment of emergency edicts, undefended by any checks and balances. Moreover, way beyond what my parents could have imagined and almost beyond what I can comprehend, is the overwhelming and existential threat to the whole world’s climate. Life for humans is already unsustainable in some quarters, and that threat grows ever greater, with no end in sight. Somehow, we humans can always summon hope to our aid. I see my parents around the big radio, listening to Roosevelt and Churchill’s speech from the White House that Christmas Eve, 1941. They would have let me stay in the room, knowing I would not understand. They looked at the radio cabinet as they heard President Roosevelt say that that night he was lighting the nation’s Christmas tree for the ninth time, while he knew many were having trouble lighting their own trees. My parents would have heard Prime Minister Churchill say that while men were killing each other, with the most fearsome weapons science could devise, let the children have their happiness. Now, I ask you to listen to those inspiring speeches, and hear what those great and eloquent men had to say. We must get stirred up, not give up. Somehow all Americans, who cherish the democracy we have and who wish to preserve it, and all world citizens, who wish to preserve a livable climate, must recognize our
from page 14
common cause. We must unite in our efforts. We must find and follow great leaders or messiahs who come forth, from any nation, of any faith, of any gender, and lead us to salvation. The only thing I know for sure is that we’ve come too far, and lasted too long, to let it all go. I have hope and faith that with courageous and diligent effort, the threats to our country’s democracy can be overcome, and the deadly trend of our world’s climate can eventually be halted. Bill Jochems Redstone
Dichotomous leadership What kind of leader do we want for America? One passes a major infrastructure bill that benefits the states that voted against him slightly more than states that voted for him, but overall helps the whole country. The other sends in a special police force against a governor’s wishes and denies disaster aid to states that voted against him. The major bill he passed enriches himself, his friends and other billionaires while taking away healthcare and protections for everyday Americans. One signs dozens of bills that protect consumers and reduces corporate greed, the other sells presidential pardons for millions of dollars and does away with regulations that protect consumers and the environment. One sets a course to address climate change, the other denies it even exists. One has been a decent human being his entire life, the other is a pathological liar, cheats on his wives and business deals and is both a felon and possibly a pedophile. The choice should be crystal clear, but somehow it isn’t … Peter Westcott Missouri Heights
YEAR IN REVIEW from page 11
In remembrance of … Frances Mikel Raley, Casey James Piscura, Mark Johnson, Terry Swanton, John Edward Collins, Wendy Jan Bogner, Carol Shure, Etta Louise Holgate, Ardeen L. Arbaney, John Seidel, Judy Merritt Pratt Welch, Richard Kirk, Jerry Duckowitz, Michael Tyree Bouchet, Matthew Cox, Lois Vagnuer, Ronald Neil Jones, Jerry English, Steven Gonzalez, Johnny Weiss, Arthur Waldron Ackerman Jr., Kristin Lawrence, Nancy Jeremy Davis Kish, Denise O’Connor, Sharill Hawkins, Phillip Dean Maynard, Lisa Kent Reinhardt Cerise, Deborah Ratiu Bannon, Mary Strang, Ernest Gianinetti, Mark Otto Hockmeyer, George Salem Abraham, Paul Limbach, Thomas H. Bailey, Paul Raymond Nieslanik, William Montague Ferry Jr., Renata Scheder-Bieschin, Joy E. Wilker, James Doenges, Ciarra Bristol, J. Robert Young, Stephen Clement Diemoz. This list was derived from obituaries submitted to The Sopris Sun in 2025. We print obituaries under 500 words for people with local connections for free. Just send a photo and text document to news@soprissun.com
OBITUARY
Stephen Clement Diemoz April 18, 1952 - December 4, 2025
Stephen Clement Diemoz, 73, passed away suddenly in his home from heart issues on Dec. 4, 2025 with his wife, Deb, at his side. In the spring of 1952, Steve was born in Glenwood Springs, where he joined his parents Oscar F. and Vivian L. Hutchison Diemoz to live near the Roaring Fork River at the family ranch outside Basalt. This family ranch was purchased in 1901 by Aosta Italian immigrant grandparents, Marie and Clement. Steve enjoyed ranch life throughout his youth and graduated in 1970 from Basalt High School where he played basketball on the first team to play in a state tournament. He had various jobs throughout the Valley, attended the University of Northern Colorado in Greeley and worked in the oil fields leading him to Nebraska where he became an avid Go Red fan. In Kimball, he met and married Dianne Allison and raised their children Anna Marie and Christopher Michael (Stacey). Steve is survived by his children; wife, Debra; sister, Janice (Leroy) Duroux of Basalt; seven stepchildren and 14 grandchildren; numerous cousins; niece and nephew and circle of friends. On Dec. 13, Steve was buried at Kimball Cemetery. For the full obituary, visit www.cantrellfh.com
PARTING SHOT
“We call it, 2026” THE SOPRIS SUN | Your weekly community connector | January 1-7, 2026 15
A new year brings new possibilities. Together, we’ll keep building stronger communities and brighter futures. Here’s to connection, care and community in 2026!
Happy New Year!
Member FDIC
THE COMMUNITY AD SPACE BELOW IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY ALPINE BANK
MOVE IN TODAY Elevated living in Glenwood Springs
LiveTheMeadowsCO.com 970.469.8259 515 Flat Tops View Dr Glenwood Springs, CO 81601 16 THE SOPRIS SUN | soprissun.com | January 1-7, 2026