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Volume 17, Number 48 | January 8-14, 2026
Time Out!
Local time capsules preserve Valley histories JOHN STROUD Sopris Sun Correspondent
… Time, flowing like a river Time, beckoning me Who knows when We shall meet again, if ever But time keeps flowing Like a river to the sea … ‘Til it’s gone forever … Unless, of course, it’s properly preserved, to counter that line from the 1980 Alan Parsons Project song, “Time.” Indeed, time does live on in a few obvious and maybe not-so-obvious places around the Roaring Fork Valley in the form of time capsules. Often just metal boxes or tubes of various shapes and sizes, the capsules are filled with relics and memorabilia from a particular period of time. They’re then placed inside cornerstones, or under a marked floor panel of notable buildings or other structures at the time of construction — to be unearthed decades, or even a century later. One such time capsule was opened last spring at Crystal River Elementary School in Carbondale (CRES), 29 years after it had been placed within the original north wing of the school in 1996. It was perhaps a bit earlier than intended for the unveiling, but necessary after the flat metal box had to be removed when the remainder of the CRES building was constructed about 10 years later. When a former parent inquired about it with then-Principal Aimee Brockman, longtime building custodian Dean Black recalled that the school’s late librarian, Bonnie Fischer, had kept it safe in a storage closet in the library.
School days of the past
A time capsule from 1996 that was buried in the original north wing of Crystal River Elementary School at the time it was built was opened last spring, revealing artifacts from the late 20th century including: (top to bottom) an April 25, 1996 edition of the Valley Journal newspaper, a student letter about the regular use of pencils as a writing instrument, a 32-cent postal stamp, a photo of a student decorating the time capsule box and a Mac System users’ guide and CD. Photos by John Stroud
The CRES staff decided to have an unveiling, which was probably a good thing because the loosely sealed box had been buried underground and its contents were deteriorating. Inside, students of today were able to get a glimpse of what daily life was like at the former Carbondale Elementary School (now the Third Street Center) back in the 1980s and early ‘90s. There were photos of children in some
of the classrooms, including that of a popular late teacher, Jerry Pluger, who famously had an old bathtub in his room that served as a reading lounge. One photo shows a student decorating the time capsule box itself in art class. There was also the American and Colorado state flags that flew outside the school, along with student essays, a 32-cent postal stamp, a Mac user’s guide and compact disc, architectural drawings of what would become CRES, and an April 25, 1996 copy of The Valley Journal, Carbondale’s hometown newspaper at the time. “Yeah, it brought back memories of a lot of familiar faces,” said Black, who is one of the few school employees who was even around at that time. “It was just ironic that it popped up when it did.” The contents of the time capsule remain on display in the main hallway case outside the school’s gymnasium. Elsewhere in Carbondale, a time capsule was placed inside the north entrance cornerstone of Town Hall on Colorado Avenue when the building was dedicated on Sept. 26, 1997 — not to be disturbed until Sept. 26, 2097. Contained within, according to newspaper accounts from that time, are a Peppino’s Pizza menu, a Mountain Fair guide, a Potato Day poster, a Carbondale newcomers’ guide, a River Valley Ranch commemorative golf ball, a telephone book, a Carbondale Police badge, town government documents, music CDs, a Colorado Rockies baseball schedule, copies of local newspapers and more. Another time capsule resides in a support column of the Grand Avenue Bridge in Glenwood Springs, placed when it was dedicated in June 2018. And, local sculptor Vaughn Shafer referred in a recent “Everything Under the Sun” interview on KDNK to a collection of 11 mini time capsules contained within the El Jebel roundabout, where his elk sculpture serves as the centerpiece, to be opened in another 45 years.
Time-honored tradition Time capsules became popular around the turn of the 20th century, during the middle part of that century when a lot of modern buildings were being built, and again around the turn of the 21st century, said Will Grandbois, former board member of the Carbondale Historical Society. “We’ve benefited from some of those being opened up in more recent years, but we don’t really have a good inventory for how many more are out there,” he said. One work in progress for the historical society was inspired when the calendar rolled past Aug. 16, 2023, or 8/16/23, which continued on page 5
Time to raise the white flag? I’ve never let on to be all that smart. I was a poor performer movement. He and his cohorts, Secretary of the Interior Doug in school and I never accumulated enough merit badges to go Burgum and Secretary of Energy Chris (Mr. Fracking) Wright are beyond the rank of First Class in the Boy Scouts. promoting fossil fuels to the max. I’m cool with that because I never put much stock in intelColorado Senator Michael Bennet is running for Governor ligence quotients. Unless you have some kind of disability, we and Senator John Hickenlooper is up for reelection. Before I vote all have basically the same equipment upstairs. It’s all culturally for either one of them, they’re going to have to explain to me how influenced anyway, and different people are smart at different they could’ve voted to confirm those two oil and gas lackeys. things. When I took my Scholastic Assessment Test, I got a 760 on Trump justifies everything by declaring a national emergency the verbal and a 490 on the math. That tells me I’m pretty good and that’s what he’s done with energy, despite the fact that the United with words, but really lame with numbers. States is producing more oil than any country in What I am is tenacious. I flunked out of history and we’re the leading exporter of liquified college after my freshman year, but I went natural gas. back and graduated with a bachelor of arts Plans to furlough the coal-fired power plant degree in history and journalism. I threatened in Craig have been cancelled. Emissions reducto quit Carbondale’s Environmental Board for tions and regulations have been repealed. Tax what I saw as a lack of action, but then-chair incentives for electric vehicles (EVs), rooftop Hannah-Hunt Wander gave me an assignment. solar and heat pumps have been removed. I performed my duty with newfound enthusiTariffs prevent the importation of high quality asm and today I’m the chair. Chinese EVs and solar panels. General Ulysses S. Grant wasn’t the tactiTrump seems to have a particular case of cal genius Robert E. Lee and Stonewall Jackson the ass for offshore wind. He’s cancelled all were, but he hung in there when things got projects including some that are only weeks rough. His Union troops would get clobbered, away from producing much needed energy. THE VIEW FROM suffering twice as many casualties as the Trump’s justification is a sudden concern for Confederates, but at the end of the battle Grant THE THERAPY POOL the environment. I doubt if any wind turbine is had organized the soldiers he had left and capable of the destruction caused by the 2010 By Fred Malo moved them forward toward Richmond. That’s Deepwater Horizon fire and oil spill. kind of the way I’ve approached my life. I’m still hoping I’ll have These are powerful forces we climate crusaders are up as much success. against. Do we throw in the towel? Hell no! There’s too much at My cause is climate change. As a youngster, I got into my moth- stake. At best, we’ll be leaving the planet in much worse condier’s copies of “Fail Safe” and “On the Beach” and had mushroom tion than we found it for our descendants. clouds hanging over my head. Today, I see another less confronLocally, there’s reason for hope. The aforementioned Environtational way humans can be the first species in earth’s history to mental Board has become quite active. Trustee Erica Sparhawk cause its own extinction. is a former worker for Clean Energy Economy for the Region, and We’ve had periods of global warming before, like coming out just may be the next mayor of Carbondale. The Community Office of the last Ice Age, but that took thousands of years and think for Resource Efficiency is active up valley. Another organization of all the large mammals that went extinct in those times. Large I volunteer for, 350 Roaring Fork, is busy educating the public on mammals don’t do well in heat. We’ve warmed two degrees fahr- climate issues with a film series and promoting solar energy. enheit since the Industrial Revolution. We’re large mammals, None of this is the silver bullet required to solve the climate and if we don’t kick our addiction to fossil fuels, the Anthropo- crisis, but they’re all part of a thousand shotgun pellets heading cene Age could be over. in the right direction. Trump 2.0 presents a clear and present danger to the climate If we fail, it won’t be from lack of effort.
OPINION
LETTERS Holiday Baskets The Holiday Baskets Program, run entirely by volunteers, was once again a joyful community effort. For 44 years, this program has provided new toys, gifts, clothing and food to people in need in our Valley. This past holiday, we served 270 families and over 1,000 individuals. We are so grateful to the more than 300 volunteers who purchased individual gifts, shopped for entire families, sorted, wrapped and transported gift bags. And we certainly appreciate those who made monetary donations which enabled us to gift over $40,000 worth of City Market food cards. In addition to all our volunteers, we especially wish to thank our Steering Committee: Elaine Bonds, Marsha Cook, Kathy Dreher, Suzi Jenkins, Elizabeth Parker, Bobbi Teliska and Rachel Guest who spent countless hours and lots of energy matching families with Holiday Angels and making sure all the gift bags were ready on pick-up day. We also thank the 13 agencies and schools who referred the families and delivered their gift bags. We are extremely grateful to Mike Garbarini, who once again coordinated our online system. Mike carefully monitored the applications and assisted the agencies and volunteers, saving us all many hours and a tremendous amount of paper. We greatly appreciate the Aspen Chapel Gallery for serving as a drop-off site for gift bags and wrapping materials, and St. Peter’s Church in Basalt for providing space in which to coordinate and distribute the
thousands of gifts and gift cards. We are thankful for continued financial support from Aspen Thrift Shop, Aspen Rotary, Traffic Clothing, Aspen Elks Lodge, the Aspen Chapel Gallery and many individual donors. It was truly a joyful experience to witness the generosity and caring of so many members of our community! Please visit our website: www.holidaybasketsprogram.com Anne Blackwell & Sarah Murr Holiday Baskets
Come together, Colorado Our state must come together and resist the intrusion of our sovereignty by the federal government. We are being attacked as a state for simply following the law and exercising states’ rights within the federal system. Attacks from Washington on our governor, attorney general, members of Congress and even our internal infrastructure crosses party lines and impacts us all. The Governor’s refusal to grant convicted criminal Tina Peters a pardon has earned us the ire of the president, and a water project designed to help citizens on our eastern plains, which has unanimous bipartisan support, has been denied by the president. In addition, a decommissioned 45-yearold coal plant in Craig has been ordered to stay open in spite of huge repair costs that customers will have to pay for. Red or Blue, we must act together and resist these childish retributions by an
2 THE SOPRIS SUN | soprissun.com | January 8-14, 2026
administration that sees itself as the sole arbiter of what is acceptable. Please call your state and federal representatives and insist they stand up for Colorado. John Cordasco New Castle
Venezuela There is no love lost with removing Maduro from Venezuela. He was, after all, a man who was initially elected legally but who then denied the results of a later election and became a dictator who was only benefiting his friends and supporters while hurting the country as a whole. It’s ironically similar to the situation here. However, the ends don’t justify the means. A president doesn’t have the power to unilaterally declare war. That falls to Congress, which wasn’t even consulted and has become pathetically impotent because of Republican obsequiousness. Our stated reason for regime change (narco-terrorism) is also pathetically weak, given Trump’s pardon of Juan Orlando Hernandez, former president of Honduras who was convicted in the U.S. as a drug lord and sentenced to 45 years. It’s more than worrisome that Trump now says “we” will run Venezuela to protect “our” oil. To say the U.S. has a troubled military history in Central and South America is a huge understatement. It’s time for ordinary Americans to stand against our own government’s tyranny. Peter Westcott Carbondale 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
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Sopris Sun party
OUR UNDERWRITERS AND NONPROFIT PARTNERS!
The Sopris Sun is celebrating its 17th anniversary on Feb. 19 at the Old Thompson Barn in River Valley Ranch and needs your help to pull it off. Just like this newspaper, it takes a community to throw a party. We’re humbly requesting local restaurateurs to contribute bites and drinks, help from volunteer caterers and for donated goods and services to include in the silent auction. Please reach out to board@ soprissun.com to offer your support, and pencil in The Sopris Sun’s annual birthday celebration the evening of Feb. 19. Thank you.
Carbondale elections Nomination petitions are now available from Carbondale Town Clerk Patrick Thibault for citizens interested in running for mayor or one of three board of trustee seats. Candidates must be a qualified elector of the Town, a citizen of the United States, at least 18 years of age, and must have resided in the Town of Carbondale for one consecutive year immediately prior to the date of the election, April 7. Petitions must be returned to the Town Clerk no later than 5pm on Monday, Jan. 26. The Town of Carbondale is a non-partisan body of local government, therefore, there is no party affiliation designation.
Rec updates
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
The Carbondale Aquatic Center is preparing for its grand opening this spring and is now hiring lifeguards, swim instructors and additional staff. Contact Aquatics and Health & Wellness Coordinator Brian Froelich at bfroelich@carbondaleco.net for details. Additionally, submissions are now being accepted for the photo or art to grace a 500-piece puzzle for the Town’s 2026 Puzzle and Pie Night contest. Multiple entries are allowed and the winning submission will receive one free team entry. Images should be an aspect ratio of 4:5 and all artwork must have a ¼-inch bleed and a resolution of 100 to 300 pixels per inch. Email your entry to bfroelich@carbondaleco.net by Jan. 25.
Historic preservation updates As part of Carbondale’s Historic Preservation Commission’s Structure of Merit Plaque Program, seven more historic signs were posted in 2025. Applications for the 2026 program can be submitted anytime through early August online (www.bit.ly/CdaleHPC). Carbondale’s Historic Preservation Design Guidelines have a proposed update adding a chapter to inform new construction and existing building modifications in the Old Town Residential zone district. This will be presented to the Board of Trustees for approval in late February or early March. Find details at www.carbondaleconnect.org
Basalt meet-and-greet The community is invited to meet Gloria Kaasch-Buerger, the Town of Basalt’s new town manager, at CC’s Cafe (104 Midland Avenue) on Jan. 8 from 10 to 11am and/or at Starbucks in Willits (719 East Valley Road) on Jan. 16 from 9 to 10am. Alternatively, appointments can be made at www.basalt.net
National Radon Action Month The Pitkin County and the City of Aspen are offering free radon test kits to residents during regular business hours at City Hall and the Pitkin County administrative building. Test kits are also available at CLEER and Garfield County offices. Radon is an invisible, odorless, naturally occurring radioactive gas that can enter homes through cracks in floors and foundations. It is the leading cause of lung cancer among non-smokers. Due to Colorado’s geology, approximately 50% of homes in the state have elevated radon levels, making testing particularly important.
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On New Year’s Day, Jan. 1, Antonio Ichazu’s 3DSelene food truck was reliably open for business near the old Glenwood Springs mall (23 Mel Ray Road). As the snow steadily fell, Ichazu, an immigrant from Venezuela, served up arepas, empanadas and more. He told Sol del Valle in December that his dream is to open a full restaurant offering traditional Venezuelan cuisine here in the Valley. Photo by Raleigh Burleigh
Ski report While rain came down on the floor of the Roaring Fork Valley, snow accumulated on Aspen Ski Co’s four mountains, including 12 inches at Snowmass, in a 24-hour period as of Tuesday morning. Sunlight Mountain Resort gained 6.5 inches in the same cycle, but only one lift remains open. More snow is in the forecast for Thursday.
Holy Cross Energy The Holy Cross Energy board of directors has proposed a rate change to take effect April 1 introducing a new $1 per kilowatt demand charge for small residential and small commercial/general services members with a monthly peak demand of less than 50 kilowatts. These charges have long been part of the rate structure for large residential and large commercial/general services. Under the proposal, existing charges will increase slightly. For details, visit www.holycross.com/ rates and comment before the final decision on Feb. 18.
Bennet on Venezuela Regarding the capture of Nicolás Maduro and U.S. control of Venezuela, Senator Michael Bennet stated, “The Trump administration’s Venezuelan misadventure sets a precedent for authoritarian regimes around the world to intervene militarily under the guise of going after leaders accused of criminal conduct or simply to access valuable natural resources or critical technologies under their control.” He added, “President Trump’s continued abandonment of basic principles of international law and order eventually will reverberate against America’s national interests; the only question is when.”
They say it’s your birthday! Folks celebrating another trip around the sun this week include: Stephen Paul (Jan. 8); Anne Hillmuth, Rick Holt, Kay Jacobson and Jim Mitton (Jan. 9); Lorraine Escue, Mary Finley, Ron Razzore, Erica Sparhawk and Jake Strack-Loertscher (Jan. 10); Kim Anne, Emily Goldfield, Crystal Holley and Nick Penzel (Jan. 11); Betsy Bingham-Johns, Michael Perez and Richard Vottero (Jan. 12); Marianne Ackerman, Chuck Bauer, Michael Hassig, Tracie Wright and Annemarie Zanca (Jan. 14).
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THE SOPRIS SUN | Your weekly community connector | January 8-14, 2026 3
Celebrating birthday magic with the big 50 BETSY WELCH Sopris Sun Correspondent
It usually shows up in the dark. By morning, it’s impossible to miss: a pair of giant wooden numbers — just over seven feet tall — propped up in the front lawn, leaning against a deck or tucked into the bushes. Waking up to that scene means only one thing: It’s somebody’s 50th birthday. In Carbondale, the “50” is equal parts prank, rite of passage and community celebration. What began as a single birthday gag has quietly evolved into one of the town’s most beloved traditions. The traveling numbers belong to Craig Wheeless, creative director at Rainy Day Designs, though even he admits they’ve taken on a life of their own. Nearly seven years ago, Wheeless used them to surprise his wife, Erin Rigney, on her 50th. Now, the oversized 5-0 circulates through town on an honor system, marking this major life milestone one front yard at a time. The origin story begins in late June 2019. Wheeless and Rigney were driving up to Aspen when they noticed a huge “50” perched on the steeple of the Prince of Peace Chapel — the church happened to be celebrating its own 50th. Wheeless joked that he’d called ahead and arranged the
display for his wife. “I was trying to make light of the fact that I would never coordinate something that flashy,” he said, describing his approach as “less is more” when it comes to birthdays. If Rigney was disappointed, she didn’t show it. A few months later, the joke became a reality. In September, Wheeless spotted the same numbers on Facebook Marketplace — the chapel was getting rid of them. “They said it was free; I just had to come pick it up,” he said. He quickly enlisted his friend Andy, and Andy’s pickup truck, for what seemed like a simple retrieval. It wasn’t. “When I arrived at the chapel, I turned the corner to see how massive the sign actually was,” Wheeless said. “The zero for the 50 was seven feet wide and did not fit on the back of a truck. Luckily, my friends don’t really care about such limitations when it comes to a gag.” Rigney happened to be out of the country at the time, which made the eventual reveal even sweeter. She returned home from Australia to find the 50 installed in their backyard. She was far from embarrassed about the public spectacle. “It was so funny, outrageously over-the-top and just so unexpected,” she said. “It put a massive smile on my face seeing it every morning, and we left it on display
4 THE SOPRIS SUN | soprissun.com | January 8-14, 2026
The traveling 50 was hauled up the Prince Creek Road in 2020 to celebrate a half-century milestone among friends (left to right) Greg and Carolyn Williams, Erin Rigney, Damien Webster, Emily Hightower, Mike Shook (birthday boy), Sara Shainholtz, Susan Christman, Bill Madsen, Chad Roach and Allan Porter. Courtesy photo
until the snow flew.” “You would have thought I gave her the best gift of her life, given the level of her surprise and excitement,” Wheeless added. At the time, the 50 had no future plans. When winter arrived, the couple stored the numbers against the side of their house. Eight months later, during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic,
the 50 found its calling again. A friend’s 50th birthday party had turned into a socially-distanced outdoor gathering at the top of Prince Creek Road. With the help of a willing co-conspirator, Rigney hauled the 50 up the road and stashed it into the sagebrush to greet her friend after his ski tour. After that, the 50 was off to the races.
“It just turned into a catalyst to raise the bar of pranking, honoring and celebrating our friends as they joined the 50 club,” Rigney said. Today, the rules are simple — even if the unwieldy execution is not. The 50 circulates widely, often without its original owners knowing exactly where it has gone. At this point, they consider themselves “stewards” of a community resource that doesn’t have a true owner. “Sometimes we’ll be driving around town, see it, and have no idea whose house it is or how it got there,” Rigney said. The only requirement for borrowing the 50? Sign the back with your name and the date you joined the club, then return it for the next birthday. The list of signatures keeps growing. The 50 has even visited institutions, including Carbondale’s beloved Village Smithy for its 50th anniversary. “It really has taken on a life of its own, which is fantastic,” Rigney said. Local dentist Andrew Nardecchia joined the ranks of the prank on Oct. 29 of last year. That morning, he left before sunrise for a mountain bike ride at Red Hill. When he returned, there it was. Nardecchia wasn’t that surprised. “I had a suspicion since it was across the street at my neighbor’s on the 25th,” he said. The 50 continued on page 11
TIME CAPSULES from the cover corresponds with Carbondale’s ZIP code of 81623, Grandbois explained. The idea was to begin collecting day-to-day artifacts that would really tell the stories of the third decade of the 21st century, to be either kept as a regular display, or possibly sealed up in a locked safe to be opened on Aug. 16, 2123, by whoever the keepers of history are at that time. “The old-school concept of a time capsule was to place it inside a building, which is cool but kind of impractical,” Grandbois said, noting that a lot of public buildings are torn down and replaced within 100 years. A safe or traveling display that’s more mobile and can be kept wherever time might take it seemed more logical, he said. “We’re still working to assemble a good, fairly compact representation of Carbondale in the 2020s that people can look at down the line and understand our times. It’s not only useful for the future, it’s useful for us now to put some thought into who we are, and where we’re going.” Added Carbondale historian Sue Gray, “I love the time capsule concept, because even if they’re items commonly used today, they won’t be in the future. It’s good for people to see and try to understand that. “And things change so quickly now,” she said. “Even in 20 years, it seems everything changes.” Current CRES Principal Kendall Reiley said the time capsule that they opened last year sparked some interest in assembling a new one depicting school life in 2026. She said some of the things the kids were saying when they opened The Colorado Freemasons’ cornerstone at Carbondale Town the date of the building’s formal dedication. Behind the capsule were Hall markslies a Carbondale time capsule, filled with relics and the stone funny to hear. memorabilia from 1997, not to opened until Sept. 26, 2097. For instance, there’s a classic No. 2 yellow pencil with an eraser that’s on display, along with a short student essay about this odd writing instrument. Of course, that same type of pencil is still used today, but it did make some of the students think about what will happen in the future if all the trees that are used to make pencils get cut down, Reiley said. “I am curious what questions our kids will want to ask kids 30 years from now,” she said. “I know it was fun for me seeing that we have a lot of the same people still around, like Mr. Dean, and other people who keep our school and our community going.” Are you, the reader, aware of any other time capsules buried in our midst? If so, please contact the Carbondale Historical Society via email: info@carbondalehistory.org, or by phone at 970-414-1078, so that they can keep a proper record of where they are and when they are to be opened.
“It says here that Butch Kurowski is still in detention.”
Jodi Burgart, a board-certified behavior analyst with a master’s in Early Childhood Special Education and yoga teacher certification, founded Mindful Me Playhouse in Carbondale. Photo by Raleigh Burleigh
You belong at Mindful Me Playhouse KATE PHILLIPS Sopris Sun Correspondent
JodiBurgart,founderandco-ownerofCarbondale’s premiere indoor play space, Mindful Me Playhouse, knows that the right tone means everything. “Something that’s very sweet is that for every single class we implement mindful moments,” said Burgart. She then gently struck her singing bowl and a harmonic sound radiated. “The kids who come a lot all stop, look and then come over for three deep breaths. We always start and end with deep breathing.” With over 20 years of expertise, Burgart holds a master’s in Early Childhood Special Education, a yoga teacher certification and is a board-certified behavior analyst. She said mindfulness supports a regulated nervous system and allows children to access the tools they need to enjoy activities at the playhouse. Situated down the road from Ragged Mountain Sports at 215 12th Street Suite B in Carbondale, Mindful Me Playhouse provides a safe environment for children ages 0 to 5 and their caregivers to explore, play, learn and grow together. Through open play time and research-based programming, Burgart has curated a core class schedule that fosters healthy childhood development, from fine and gross motor skills to social-emotional wellness. Current core classes include Mindful Me Open Play, Itsy Bitsy Yoga, Music and Movement, Mini Makers and In My Feelings. Programs like Mini Makers and Music and Movement encourage more creative exploration, whereas In My Feelings focuses on intentional education caregivers can bring home. Specialty classes include a monthly social-emotional skills group led by nonprofit Focused Kids and an affordable Community Play option is available for newbies or those who find membership cost-prohibitive. A testament to Burgart’s creativity and desire to create programming that resonates, she said “I’m always open to evolution … We’re always going to have open play windows and specialty guided programming, but program specifics are going to change based on community feedback and what’s working.” Perhaps what makes Mindful Me so special is that during every session Burgart and her team of highly experienced childhood experts directly engage with every child. Harnessing her extensive background working with children who have neuro-differences like ADHD or autism and operating her successful sister company Mindful Me Behavior Support, Burgart routinely brings meaningful insight and support for parents. “When you walk through our doors you’re getting me and my team … I’ve had parents email me and tell me their child is autistic or really wild or has been biting, and I’m like, ‘Get in here,’” said Burgart. “I can accommodate any child in this space … and as I really get to know every child, I
know what they need when they’re here.” True to its motto “You belong here,” the playhouse was intentionally designed to support children across the sensory spectrum — from neurotypical to highly sensitive. Upon entry, visitors are immediately wrapped in natural light that exudes warmth and ease while a view of Mt. Sopris brings awe. Soft earth tones reign supreme, but pops of color can be found in delightful features, such as the sensory liquid tiles or the banana-yellow trampoline courtesy of playhouse co-owner and Burgart’s husband, lovingly known as “Mindful Mike.” On the wall, Burgart chose simple, yet impactful pieces of art that celebrate each child’s uniqueness with positive affirmations. “There is a big sensory component throughout this space,” said Burgart. “I think about the variety of toys, colors and textures that are going to promote regulation.” Playhouse toys are plentiful and spark creativity for curious minds. Burgart rotates them regularly to complement the seasons and increase novelty. By gently guiding when necessary, Burgart helps children remain regulated throughout their time. “At each play station there is this sort of expectation and routine associated with it, which is very regulating for children,” she elaborated. “If someone is having a hard time I can steer them toward these stations. They sit down, touch and focus without being told to stop.” She added that these stations are a great opportunity for parents to model and play alongside their children. Each play station highlights a different developmental stage. For those who gravitate toward imaginative play, an enticing open play space has blocks, cars, trucks and trains. Overlooking this spot, there is a social-emotional space complete with comfortable chairs, books, puppets, puzzles and helpful calming posters. Children who crave a quiet moment can retreat to the nearby sensory nook with the option to close the curtains to reduce overstimulation. Inside are sensory jars and toys, plush blankets and pillows. At the fine motor skills table the cubby is popping with grounding, grasping and balancing activities whereas a nearby gross motor skills area is ready for children to navigate climbing structures, a slide, soft foam tunnels and self-created obstacle courses. Of course, there are many spots where children can snuggle with a book while their caregiver enjoys a free coffee or tea in the kitchen — the perfect tone to end with at the playhouse. “You belong here,” concluded Burgart. “Every child is welcome; every parent and caregiver is welcome. You will be met with warmth and kindness. We will accommodate you. Just come on in!” Visit www.mindfulmeplayhouse.com to learn more about specific programming, scheduling and various pricing options including first-time discounts, drop-in and monthly memberships.
THE SOPRIS SUN | Your weekly community connector | January 8-14, 2026 5
Roaring Fork Watershed faces ‘exceptional’ drought, state snowpack at 62% of average ANNALISE GRUETER Sopris Sun Correspondent
January 2026 began with a drought that persisted through 2025. Signs were already apparent last winter, which saw the lowest average snowpack in a decade. Despite rains in September and October, for much of last year, all of Colorado was experiencing drought conditions. Both November and December saw less precipitation than average, and warmer temperatures statewide. In December, much of the Western Slope accumulated between 1 and 2.5 inches less precipitation than usual. As of Dec. 31, the entire Western Slope remained dry, with most of Eagle and Pitkin counties classified under “extreme” or “exceptional” drought conditions, and the majority of Garfield County as “moderate” to “severe.” On Dec. 31, Roaring Fork Conservancy reported the snowpack in the Roaring Fork Watershed at 53% of normal. Nine local SNOTEL sites measured snowpack-waterequivalent (SWE) increases in the last week of the year, varying between 0.2 and 1.9 inches. Rivers and streams in the watershed were measured as flowing 55-77% of normal. As of Jan. 6, snowpack remains below average, despite Jan. 5 precipitation that yielded 12 inches of new snow on Aspen Highlands and Snowmass ski resorts. The new snowfall brought the snowpack up to 62% of normal — “normal” being based on documented history. Notably, the Roaring
Typically a fully white landscape, the upper Castle Creek Valley was noticeably dry on Jan. 4, with bare east- and south-facing slopes. Photo by Annalise Grueter
Fork Watershed is experiencing the worst drought conditions in Colorado. The state briefly dropped out of drought status in 2023, following an above-average winter, but returned to dry conditions that summer. Between 40-60% of the state has remained in a drought ever since. Tracking by the Natural Resources Conservation Service indicated that Colorado’s SWE from October 2025 to present is within 20% of the lowest levels in documented history. Low precipitation coincides with various impacts to the ecosystem and recreation. Sunlight Ski Resort has only opened a fraction of its terrain on one of three lifts. The higher-elevation Aspen Ski
6 THE SOPRIS SUN | soprissun.com | January 8-14, 2026
Co mountains have more terrain open, from 42% on Snowmass to 90% on Aspen Highlands, but conditions remain unstable and subject to change. The Spring Gulch nordic trail system outside Carbondale has kept its upper trails open, but has not seen enough snow to groom the majority of its 28-kilometer system. The Aspen Snowmass trails span up to 60 miles, typically. This winter, the only sections of the upvalley trail system that have remained open are the sixkilometer Aspen High School trail and the privately maintained Maroon Creek Road. The crosscountry ski trails that are open mostly lack classic tracks due to low
snowpack. Aspen’s annual Cross Country Ski Extravaganza, previously scheduled for Jan. 11, was canceled. Colorado meteorologists expressed skepticism as to whether snowpack averages will recover as winter progresses. OpenSnow founder Joel Gratz described the current snowpack as “near record low.” He predicted that “we’re going to stay near the bottom of the barrel for the foreseeable future,” despite upcoming weather systems. National Weather Service meteorologist Maggie Ideker suggested it’s possible snowpack could recover, depending on how many and how heavy of storms occur in coming months. “Really, it’s going to take about two to three good snowstorms in order for us to get back to normal,” she stated. December 2025 temperatures were 10-11 degrees warmer than average in Colorado. January 2026 has so far followed a similar trend, with daytime temperatures often above freezing and sometimes 20-30 degrees above average. Recorded historical averages in the Roaring Fork Valley show daytime temperatures in the 20s and 30s and nighttime temperatures in the low teens to single digits. The National Weather Service issues bimonthly drought outlook predictions. Its Dec. 31 forecast, for Jan. 1 through March 31, anticipated that the drought will persist throughout Western Colorado. Its next forecast will be issued on Jan. 15, following an expected weather system.
Zelena Medicine plays its part in patients’ healing plans MYKI JONES Sopris Sun Correspondent
Martina Skenderova, better known by her peers care, incredibly inspiring and beautiful things. For and patients as Mishe, has been working in the me, it’s an honor to walk alongside people through realm of holistic wellness since 2007, obtaining her very challenging experiences.” acupuncture license in 2014 and practicing ever This philosophy is rooted in her own healsince. In addition to acupuncture, Skenderova incor- ing journey. Skenderova is a breast cancer porates Eastern medicine and has worked as a grief survivor, and said that while she had an amazing and death doula, with over 18 years of experience. team of medical providers focused on the “lifeShe recently opened her business, Zelena Medicine, saving part” of her treatment, she struggled with on Market Street in Basalt, where she offers services the internal battle of needing to be seen as more focused on pelvic floor health, women’s health, than just her illness. aging, peripheral neuropathy, emotional well-being She shared that this experience not only gave and holistic cancer support. her firsthand insight into what it’s like from Skenderova, who has lived in the Valley for over a patient’s perspective, but also shaped her a decade, was born and raised in Bulgaria and approach as a provider. spent time in South Korea in her youth While getting to know a patient, Skenbefore making it to Colorado — the derova collaborates with them to come Front Range, initially. She discovered up with treatment and wellness planher passion for holistic medicine at a ning that fits their situation and young age. wishes. She added that patients don’t “I had a sprained ankle, and I have to stick to one form of medicine was hobbling around on crutches. over another, and that both tradiMy parents took me to get acupunctional and alternative approaches can ture. After the treatment, I got up and - Martina Skenderova, coexist through treatment. In fact, she Zelena Medicine walked out and forgot my crutches,” she wouldn’t advise a cancer patient to only told The Sopris Sun. “That stuck with me.” undergo alternative treatments. “As I went through my undergrad program, I “In all the years that I’ve worked in health care, realized I cared about health care and a way of healing I’ve never seen an alternative method cure cancer,” that’s more than a cure — something that’s more rela- she stated. “I think it’s wrong to encourage people tional [and] a little bit different than … the standard in that way.” medical practice,” she continued. “Some misconceptions I encounter with people Skenderova began practicing in the area at the [are that] they feel they have to pick one route or the end of 2016, taking a job as an acupuncturist in a other — standard traditional Western medicine or the cancer center of a regional hospital. Now that Zelena so-called alternative route. I don’t see health care in Medicine has opened its doors, she looks forward to that way,” she concluded. “I think all of the philosowelcoming patients into a healing environment the phies and approaches are necessary, both Western moment they walk in. She added that a supportive and Eastern, both holistic and allopathic. I love workcommunity plays a big part in the healing process. ing as part of someone’s whole treatment team.” “We heal when we’re seen as full and complex beings,” she said. “ I’ve seen and learned a lot of For more about Zelena Medicine, visit their incredibly challenging things while working in health website at www.zelenamedicine.com
I love working as part of someone’s whole treatment team.
Martina “Mishe” Skenderova, courtesy photo
Building physical strength through mindful training with Resilient Goddess Coaching MYKI JONES Sopris Sun Correspondent
With the new year upon us, people are making resolutions and setting goals. Bettering one’s physical health is always a popular resolution, and local Patricia Rose Pettit-Blair is helping women, near and far, stay on track. Through her personal training business, Resilient Goddess Coaching, Pettit-Blair aims to help clients feel their best through physical training and nutrition. For her one-on-one coaching sessions, Pettit-Blair uses Trainerize — an app — which enables her to work with people from around the state, and even across the country. “When I was deciding to build this business, it was really important for me to make it on an online platform. I found an app that many personal trainers use, and it works so well for my clients,” Pettit-Blair told The Sopris Sun. “I love it. It breaks down everything that you need within a training program.” “People are already nervous about taking this step in their lives: starting to work with a personal trainer and a nutrition coach. I wanted to make it as easy as possible for my clients,” she said, noting
the accessibility component. Growing up in the Valley, she described a childhood driven by her love of athletics and pushing her limits, whether it be through volleyball, track, skiing or any of the other sports
For me, strength means showing up on the days you don’t want to show up. - Patricia Rose Pettit-Blair she participated in. Pettit-Blair spent part of her early life in foster care, when her diet was something she didn’t give much thought to. But when she was adopted at 10 years old, her family introduced her to organic foods and the benefits of a healthier lifestyle. “That opened up my eyes,” she stated. “Since I was young, I have always been interested in knowing where your food is from,” she continued, but “in foster care, I was used to eating Kellogg’s cereal and similar stuff I thought
was totally normal.” Before dedicating her time to personal training, Pettit-Blair initially thought she’d work in the mental health field. She studied psychology at Humboldt University in Arcata, California, but after receiving her degree chose to pivot to the world of fitness, realizing the interconnectedness between the two. “I am so grateful to have my psychology degree … because it helps me to connect with people and meet them where they’re at [sic],” she said. “The biggest thing for me is that I learned how habits work and the psychology behind them.” Through her program, which she also offers full and partial scholarships throughout the year for, Pettit-Blair’s main objective is to help her clients find their inner strength and power through personalized plans. She acknowledges that fitness journeys are hard, and that some days she herself struggled keeping up with her own routine. “It’s not just physical in the gym. It’s also mental. It takes discipline, and discipline is mental and not always easy. For me, strength means showing up on the days you don’t want to
Patricia Rose Pettit-Blair of Resilient Goddess Coaching, courtesy photo
show up, and reminding yourself why the commitment to yourself is important,” she said. “Knowing when to push yourself and then doing it takes so much mental strength … I’m still improving on
that every day.” For more information, people can email Patricia at ppettitblair@gmail.com or follow @patriciarose__fitness on Instagram.
THE SOPRIS SUN | Your weekly community connector | January 8-14, 2026 7
CALENDAR THURSDAY, JANUARY 8
ARCTIC CRISIS: BEYOND THE ICE
with Sarah Johson FREE TALK: Thurs, 1/15, 6-8pm
*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
CROSS-COUNTRY SKI LESSONS AT SPRING GULCH Fridays/Saturdays PILATES WITH PURPOSE Mon/Wed, 12-1pm, 1/12-3/4
AIKIDO Tue/Thur, 6-7:30pm, 1/13-3/5
Call for registration information.
EXPLORING LOSS, GRIEF, AND RECOVERY Thurs, 6-8pm, 1/22-2/26
Community Education Classes
QIGONG Wed, 10:30-11:30am, 1/14-4/1
*Senior tuition discount.
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
RJ PADDYWACKS Next to City Market El Jebel 970.963.1700 Open 7 Days-a-Week
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 a Movement Forgot” from 4 to 5pm.
DRAWING FOR KIDS AGE 10-17 Wed, 3-4:30pm, 1/14-2/4
WRITING WORKSHOP The Glenwood Springs Library hosts a writing workshop open to adults and teens every second Thursday from 5 to 7pm.
PILATES BLEND Wed, 9-10am, 1/14-3/4
D&D AT THE LIBRARY The Basalt Library hosts a Dungeons & Dragons campaign from 5:30 to 7pm. All levels are welcome, but a basic familiarity with D&D is helpful.
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
Lapalla Center Scan for Community Ed 690 Colorado Ave, Carbondale 970.963.2172
We are supporting the Roaring Fork Audubon by Donating 15% of sales from bird seed and related wild bird products. !
NONFICTION BOOK CLUB The Carbondale Library’s Nonfiction Book Club meets from 2 to 3:30pm, discussing diverse titles on the theme of “assassinations.”
NATURALIST NIGHTS Folks who missed the first Naturalist Nights speaker series event of the season last night, featuring journalist Elizabeth Stewart-Severy and former White River National Forest supervisor Scott Fitzwilliams on federal neglect of public lands, can catch a repeat at Hallam Lake tonight at 6pm. Register for free at www.wildernessworkshop.org 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
Annual Benefit
SALE
for
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! TRUE NATURE RETREAT True Nature hosts a weekend retreat to “release, awaken and align” beginning today at 5pm. Offerings are available individually or as a full package. Learn more at www.truenaturehealingarts.com ‘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 at 5:30pm and again at 8pm. Tickets at www.soprissoarers.com SOUND JOURNEY Danielle Klein leads a cosmic sound journey at True Nature at 6:30pm. Tickets at www.truenaturehealingarts.com CRYSTAL THEATRE “Song Sung Blue” continues at the Crystal Theatre tonight and tomorrow at 7pm and Sunday at 5pm (captioned). SOUND HEALING Zachary and Krista Cashin lead a vibrational sound healing journey at the Third Street Center from 7 to 9pm. Tickets at www.thecenterforhumanflourishing.org/events
8 THE SOPRIS SUN | soprissun.com | January 8-14, 2026
IN PROGRESS P2 DanceAspen presents part two of its “Dance in Progress” series at TACAW at 7pm. Tickets at www.tacaw.org SAM GRISMAN PROJECT Bass player Sam Grisman, son of David Grisman, leads his musician fans in a show at the Wheeler Opera House at 7pm. Tickets at www.aspenshowtix.com VARSITY HOCKEY Glenwood Springs Demons varsity hockey faces off with the Rampart Rams at the Glenwood Springs Community Center rink at 7:30pm. THE RESCUE BAND Rock Island in Snowmass Village welcomes high-energy, rocking grooves with The Rescue Band at 9pm.
SATURDAY, JANUARY 10
TEACHER APPRECIATION DAY RE-1 and RE-2 teachers are invited to hit the slopes on Sunlight for free today! Just bring a school ID and head to the ticket window at the resort. CAREGIVER RELEASE Trauma/tension release exercise professionals Jacy Sundlie and Lyndsey Sackett-Harder guide a “compassion fatigue” release and support session for caregivers and health workers from 9am to noon at the Third Street Center. Register at www.thecenterforhumanflourishing.org/events ‘TITS DEEP’ Sunlight Ski & Bike in Glenwood Springs screens “Tits Deep,” a film about fighting breast cancer, from 6 to 9pm. CONTRA DANCE Roaring Fork Contra Dance returns to the Carbondale Community School for a night of toe tapping. An instructional walkthrough begins at 7pm ahead of the dance from 7:30 to 9:30pm. ‘MOUNTAINS OF THE MOON’ TACAW screens “Mountains on the Moon” — “an immersive adventure film driven by the timeless music of the Grateful Dead” — at 8pm followed by a set from DJ Castanea.
SUNDAY, JANUARY 11
UPHILL CLINIC Sunlight Mountain Resort hosts a clinic for people new to uphilling or looking to build confidence from 10am to 1pm. Passholders are eligible for a 20% discount. Register at www.sunlightmtn.com LOVE AND FREEDOM Author Michelle Zinanti talks about the book “CAPTURE!” at A Spiritual Center (Room 31 of the Third Street Center) from 10 to 11:30am.
MONDAY, JANUARY 12
INTRO TO TAI CHI Colorado Mountain College offers a 12-week introduction to Tai Chi community education course every Monday at 10:30am through March 30 at the Lappala Center in Carbondale. Register at www.tinyurl.com/CMCTaiChi FOREST SOUND BATH The Catto Center at Toklat hosts a sound bath and forest bathing experience from 5:15 to 6:30pm. Register at www.aspennature.org SACRED BROTHERHOOD Kyle Jason Leitzke guides the monthly Sacred Brotherhood conversation, an open meeting “for heart-centered male-identifying individuals committed to their personal growth and fulfillment,” from 6 to 7:30pm at True Nature. Details at www.truenaturehealingarts.com
RAMS REPORT
RFHS VARSITY BASKETBALL HOME SCHEDULE The Roaring Fork High School boys and girls basketball seasons resume following the holiday break this weekend, with road games at North Fork on Friday, Jan. 9, and home contests on Saturday to open the 3A Western Slope League schedule. The girls return to action with a 6-0 record and are ranked third in the state among Class 3A teams, while the boys team is 4-2 and ranked 18th. Below is the schedule of home games for folks who wish to support the teams. Go Rams!
Paonia-based musician David Alderdice gave the audience a global tour of percussive instruments at the Jan. 3 Alya’s New Year’s Salon event. Alderdice was one of eight performing artists who showcased their talents. Photo by Raleigh Burleigh
TUESDAY, JANUARY 13
ARTIST LECTURE Visiting artist Sharon Harper — a lensbased artist with works included at the Museum of Modern Art New York, the Whitney Museum of American Art and the Denver Art Museum — speaks at Anderson Ranch Arts Center from 4:30 to 5:30pm. Register at www.andersonranch.org DRAWING CLUB The Roaring Fork Drawing Club meets at Carbondale Beer Works at 6:30pm. FIRST DRAFT Mitzi Rapkin records a fresh episode of the “First Draft” podcast at TACAW, interviewing author R.L. Maizes at 6:30pm. Tickets at www.tacaw.org AZYEP CONCERT Steve’s Guitars hosts a concert featuring The Half Cabs and Unrestricted, bands associated with the Andy Zanca Youth Empowerment Program and the Rock and Roll Academy, beginning at 7pm.
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 14
BUSINESSES & ICE Mountain Action Indivisible invites business leaders to better understand Immigration and Customs Enforcement compliance audits and proper I9 practices from 8:30 to 9:30am at the Basalt Library. To register, email MountainActionIndivisible@gmail.com “HAPPY FEET” The Crystal Theatre celebrates early-release Wednesdays with films for kids this January! Catch “Happy Feet” at 3pm today and “Smallfoot” on Jan. 28 — same time, same place! TEEN FLY TYING The Basalt Library offers a fly tying club for teens from 3 to 4:30pm every Wednesday through April. ‘BEYOND BOATS & BONYTAILS’ Heather Lewin, director of science and policy at Roaring Fork Conservancy, presents “Beyond Boats and Bonytails: How Innovative Management of Ruedi Reservoir is Benefiting the Roaring Fork Watershed” at the Basalt Library from 5 to 6:30pm. Register at www.roaringfork.org
NEW YEAR’S PILATES Alexandra Jerkunica continues a special Pilates offering at the Carbondale Library every Wednesday this month from 5:45 to 6:45pm. Register at www.gcpld.org SAFE TRAILS The Roaring Fork Valley Safe Trails and Pathway group meets at the Basalt Library at 6pm.
Saturday, Jan. 10 vs. Grand Valley Girls – 2:30pm Boys – 4pm
Saturday, Feb. 7 vs. Gunnison Girls – 12:30pm Boys – 2pm
Tuesday, Jan. 13 vs. Basalt Girls – 5:30pm Boys – 7pm
Tuesday, Feb. 10 vs. Meeker Girls – 5:30pm Boys – 7pm
Saturday, Jan. 17 vs. Olathe Girls – 1:30pm Boys – 3pm
Friday, Feb. 20 vs. Cedaredge Girls – 5:30pm Boys – 7pm
Tuesday, Jan. 20 vs. Aspen Girls only – 7pm Saturday, Jan. 31 vs. North Fork Girls – 2:30pm Boys – 4pm Tuesday, Feb. 3 vs. Coal Ridge Girls – 5:30pm Boys – 7pm
POTBELLY PERSPECTIVES Rebecca Weiss gives the first lecture in Aspen Center for Environmental Studies’ Potbelly Perspectives series, “Across the Hemispheres: Birds Connect Us Through a New Sister Cities Exchange,” at Hallam Lake at 6pm. Register at www.aspennature.org C.A.R.E. BINGO Colorado Animal Rescue (C.A.R.E.) hosts a bingo fundraiser at Carbondale Beer Works at 6:30pm. ‘GWYNETH GOES SKIING’ As part of Aspen Gay Ski Week, the Wheeler Opera House presents “Gwyneth Goes Skiing,” an Awkward Productions comedy show, at 7:30pm tonight and Friday. Tickets at www.aspenshowtix.com
THURSDAY, JANUARY 15
THIRD THURSDAY BOOK CLUB The Third Thursday Book Club discusses “So Far Gone” by Jess Walter from 2 to 3:30pm at the Carbondale Library. SOAP-MAKING Join the Aspen Center for Environmental Studies for a soap-making workshop at Rock Bottom Ranch from 5:30 to 7:30pm. Registration at www.aspennature.org ARCTIC CRISIS Climate educator Sarah Johnson presents “Arctic Crisis: Beyond the Ice,” a free presentation in partnership with Colorado Mountain College in Carbondale from 6 to 8pm. Topics will include dynamics of the cryosphere, accelerating changes and the role of indigenous knowledge. Register at www.bit.ly/CMC-Arctic MOONLIGHT UPHILL The second Moonlight uphill race of the season takes place tonight from 6 to 9pm at Sunlight Mountain Resort. Register at www.tinyurl.com/SunlightMoonlight
Find more events at www.SoprisSun.com
THE SOPRIS SUN | Your weekly community connector | January 8-14, 2026 9
RFSD REPORT
Financial audit reviewed, 10-year staff housing plan approved
ANNALISE GRUETER Sopris Sun Correspondent
Though the Roaring Fork School District (RFSD) had only one regular board meeting during the month of December, the end of the year was full of news and changes. On Dec. 3, newlyelected board members Tammy Nimmo and Kathryn Kuhlenberg were sworn in for four-year terms. The election, which spans five sections of the school district across three counties, had a final count on Nov. 4 and results were certified on Nov. 25. “We are delighted to welcome Tammy Nimmo to the Board of Education and welcome back Kathryn Kuhlenberg. Serving as a school board director requires a great deal of time, a strong commitment to continuous improvement. and high levels of engagement,” said Superintendent Dr. Anna Cole. “We are grateful for the continued leadership of Kathryn Kuhlenberg, and Tammy Nimmo’s willingness to step into this leadership role.” Nimmo, who is a parent and has taught within the district, expressed her gratitude to join “a team that is skilled,
Carbondale Middle School is seeking a new principal for the 2026/27 school year. Current principal Michael Logan is resigning at the end of this school year, with the intention to return to teaching. Photo by Annalise Grueter
passionate and focused on the health of our schools and, therefore, our community.” Kuhlenberg served as board chair during her previous term. She reaffirmed her passion for the board’s work. “My commitment to RFSD is unwavering and I will continue to lead by placing students first and working to professionalize the school board so that it is best positioned to
impact student outcomes, both academically and socially.” At the special meeting, the board also elected officers from within their community-elected team. Lindsay DeFrates was voted to serve as board president; Kuhlenberg was selected as board vice president; and Jasmin Ramirez was chosen for the dual role of secretary and treasurer of the board.
Said DeFrates, “I am humbled by the trust put in me both by the community and my colleagues on the board. Maintaining accountability and transparency when it comes to fiscal responsibility is a huge priority, along with supporting the professionals who work in classrooms and schools, and staying focused, with urgency, on closing the achievement gap so that we can serve all students in
our classrooms today.” At the regular December meeting two weeks later, the board reviewed the district’s financial audit and a master plan for staff housing. The 2024/25 audit, presented by McMahan and Associates, confirmed the district’s overall financial position. The report included recommendations to strengthen internal controls and processes. Key indicators, including the general fund balance, remain above RFSD’s minimum policy thresholds, supporting financial stability and the ability to respond to unexpected needs. Stabilizing RFSD finances has been a priority for the board, superintendent and other district leadership for the past several years. Cole commented on the audit results and progress made: “Over the past two years, our teams have worked diligently and transparently to rebuild internal financial systems that left the district at risk. The outcomes of this audit are evidence that we are on track.” She added, “We couldn’t have stabilized internal systems continued on page 14
GARFIELD COUNTY REPORT
SPEED Act, library trustee appointments, new dozer for the landfill AMY HADDEN MARSH Sopris Sun Correspondent
Monday, Jan. 5, marked the first Garfield County Commissioners (BOCC) meeting of 2026. The agenda opened with the appointment of three trustees for the Garfield County Public Library District. Library Board of Trustees Chair Adrian RippySheehy and Executive Director Jamie LaRue were on-hand. Describing the selection process, Jankovsky explained, “The library will get one vote and then I’ll go one commissioner at a time.” He asked everyone to provide their first and second choices. “If there is a tie, then it will go back to this board, three commissioners, to break that tie.” Commissioner Mike Samson said that he was not in favor of giving the library a vote. “I don’t think that’s appropriate,” he said. County Attorney Heather Beattie pointed out that it was not in the [March, 2024] resolution. “Okay, it’s not in the resolution,” said Jankovsky. “But I want to give them, for sitting through these meetings, I want to at least give them a voice.” With that, the appointments began. The Parachute/Battlement Mesa seat was first. Jankovsky chose David Baugh and Cindy
Bjerstedt in that order. Samson chose the same but reversed the order. Commissioner Perry Will chose Bjerstedt with Lynda Pendergrast as his second choice. The library recommended Pendergrast. Bjerstedt was appointed. For the Rifle position, Jankovsky chose Ed Green and Gregorio Rios Aguilar. Both Samson and Will chose the same. The library board recommended Rios Aguilar. Green was appointed. Brit McLin was reappointed to the New Castle seat, hands down. LaRue told The Sopris Sun in an email that the library received a lot of qualified applicants. “Many community members greatly value the library and the right to read freely,” he said. But he added that the BOCC still isn’t saying what their criteria are for library board members. “They ignored the clear recommendations of the library board for two of the three [appointments],” he explained. “In a community that is about a third Hispanic, we now have no native Spanish speakers on the board.” LaRue, Rippy-Sheehy and the library board treasurer, John Mallonee, presented the 2026 budget, which the BOCC approved. Samson questioned the $24 million in reserves. He said he understands
10 THE SOPRIS SUN | soprissun.com | January 8-14, 2026
“As new library trustees, you each get new library cards.” the need to guard against hard times. But, he added, “What are you going to do with $24 million? That seems like a lot of money for a library board.” Mallonee said that one goal is to avoid a repeat of 2016. “I’ve looked at the minutes of the [BOCC meetings] and, in 2016, the library board was in here saying there’s a 25% hole in our budget because of the unexpected fluctuation in oil and gas revenues,” he explained. “And we don’t want to be in that position again.” The other goal is to finish refreshing all library buildings from Parachute to Carbondale. LaRue added that all branches are shifting their hours of operation. More information about library hours is at gcpld.org Next, the BOCC approved a letter to U.S Senators Michael Bennet and John
Hickenlooper, urging them to support the Standardizing Permitting and Expediting Economic Development, or SPEED, Act, which has already passed the U.S. House of Representatives. The bill limits the scope of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA). It modifies the environmental review of major federal actions under NEPA to generally speed up the review process. County Manager Fred Jarman pointed to the “coordination component” of the bill. “[The BOCC] has for a long time advocated for a higher seat at the table for decision-making for local governments and that’s what this also includes,” he explained. Carbondale-based public lands watchdog group Wilderness Workshop (WW) is against the bill. In an email to The Sopris continued on page 14
Five fabulous accounts you should have As you know (if you’ve been reading this column), your money should be growing for you as much as possible, as soon as it comes into your hot little hands. This way you can be financially independent early in life and do all the lovely things you dream of. At the end of the day, the whole shebang is about taxes. If taxes weren’t a thing, you would just pick an account, save as much as you can and call it good. But, alas, Congress ... So how do you maximize your money with regards to taxes? Different accounts have different advantages. Here are the basic five everyone (ish) should have. 1. Roth IRA. In 1997, less than 30 years ago, senators William Roth and Bob Packwood came up with the idea for a new retirement account. They called it the “IRA Plus.” Up to that point, IRAs were tax-deferred, meaning the money that went in wasn’t taxed. This was in exchange for that money being taxed later, upon withdrawal at retirement age. Well, if you were a person who retired with lots of money and a pension, you’d be in a high tax bracket and owe lots of taxes on your IRA money at withdrawal time. So the Roth is amazing because you can pay taxes now, be done with it, and never look back. 2. Traditional IRA, 401k, 403b, etc. These are all tax-deferred accounts. You might wonder why you’d ever use a traditional account when you could Roth all day long. Well, with investing, diversification is the name of the game so let’s put some of your money in tax-free growth (Roth) and some in tax-deferred growth (traditional retirement accounts). If you are a high earner now and have reason to believe you’ll be in a lower tax bracket when you retire, you want to pay less taxes later. 3. HSA. I can’t toot this horn enough. Take the best of both worlds above and don’t pay any taxes. MONEY JUICE When you’re enrolled in a qualified high-deductible health insurance plan (Google it for By Megan Janssen your state), you can put money into this account tax-free. It goes in without taxes, grows without taxes, and is withdrawn without taxes. The only catch is it must be used for qualified health expenses. Of course you will have health expenses, so go ahead and max this one out every year ($4,400 for individuals in 2026, $8,750 for families in 2026). Don’t forget to invest it. 4. Brokerage. A brokerage account is just an investment account. These accounts, as are all of the above, are invested with the goal of growing. The difference between a brokerage and all of the above is that a brokerage can be used for anything, while other accounts must be used for qualified expenses. IRAs must be used for retirement at a certain age (with some exceptions) and HSAs must be used for health expenses. Brokerage accounts are available at any time for any reason. As such, they have slightly higher, but still favored, tax implications. If you invest in Apple and it gains $100,000 in two years and you decide to sell, you have to pay taxes on that income. But you don’t pay ordinary income taxes, you pay capital gains taxes, which use a different bracket system and are often lower than income taxes. 5. HYSA. Your high yield savings account is for emergencies and short-term goals. Find a high yield savings account that offers a “bucket” approach and an interest rate of at least 3.5%. Put a chunk of money in one bucket for your emergency account and more chunks of money for upcoming goals like travel, a new car, or braces for your favorite tween. And, while not an account, another handy tax trick is to stop withholding more than you need to from your paycheck. Many folks like that little bump they get from the IRS when they’re owed money. But you can look at it like this: All year you’ve been giving the IRS a no-interest loan and then they pay you back after tax season. This is silly. You could be investing that money all year long and enjoying the delights of compounding interest. In the end, you’ll want to check in with your tax professional to help you mitigate your tax burden, but these accounts will help tremendously on your road to wealth. Make all the money, save all the money, live all the life.
OPINION
Megan Janssen is the founder of Money Juice (www.money-juice.com) and a financial advisor with Forum Financial Management, LP. The ideas and language written here are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of Forum.
BIG 50 from page 4 stayed put for two days before moving on. For Nardecchia, the takeaway was simple: “It’s so cool that we have this kind of community.” Rigney said that sense of shared joy is exactly the point. “Turning 50 is not something to grudgingly arrive at; it’s something to revel in,” she said. “I aspire to have others meet that magic day with a laugh, knowing they have made it.” As more friends edge toward the
next milestone, the question of evolution has come up. “We’re trying to figure out a way to add a hinged piece of wood to morph into a 60,” Rigney said. “We are open to any woodworkers out there who want to hatch a design plan on our 50’s evolution.” Until then, the 50 remains on call, waiting on the side of a house, ready to reappear overnight and announce another major milestone — and another reminder that in Carbondale, growing older is cause for celebration.
OBITUARIES
Gregory Neal Watts
November 6, 1958 - December 20, 2025 Tragically, Gregory Neal Watts of Carbondale, Colorado passed away Saturday Dec. 20, 2025 of acute lung failure at Valley View Hospital in Glenwood Springs, Colorado. He was 67 years old. He was born Nov. 6, 1958, in Los Angeles, California, to parents Noralee and Neal M. Watts. He is survived by his brother, John, wife, Nancy, son, Kyle, first cousins, Sandra Stanton, Tom Moore, Dale and Michael Kyle, sistersand brother-in-law, Martha Campbell and Amira and John Cranor, and many more loving relatives. He was preceded in death by his parents, Noralee and Neal M. Watts. His early years were spent in the San Fernando Valley, California. In the 1960s, his parents moved the family to San Diego County. He graduated from Valhalla High School in El Cajon, California. He studied architecture first at the University of Utah, then transferred to Southern California Institute of Architecture (SCI-ARC), where he met Nancy in 1981. They married in 1982. After his time at SCI-ARC, he started his own architecture design firm, WATTS DESIGN, in Northern San Diego County and began building a portfolio of built projects. In 1990, Greg and Nancy followed a small group of crazy San Diego friends to Telluride, Colorado. Shortly after that move, Greg restarted WATTS DESIGN in Telluride and continued to build his portfolio. Kyle was born in 1991. In 1997, the Watts family moved from
Telluride to the Roaring Fork Valley. After living in many amazing places, the family landed in Carbondale in 2002. Greg loved Carbondale and was proud to be part of such a special community. The Roaring Fork Valley gave Greg the opportunity to work for a number of outstanding architecture firms. He formed many long lasting friendships with the people he worked with throughout the years. He worked on both large and small projects right up until he passed. He also started GREG WATTS PHOTOGRAPHY and photographed many interesting projects for architects, contractors and designers in our region and beyond. Greg had many, many interests and passions. He loved being one of the Aspen Chapel Gallery curators, a responsibility he took very seriously. He was a hardworking creative and passionate person who above all loved his family, friends and pets the most. Besides loving architecture, he also loved music, history, photography, snowboarding, backpacking, reading, debate and community. What he looked forward to the most, though, was taking family and friends on multi-day backpacking trips or canoeing adventures down the Green or Colorado River through the Canyon Lands of Southern Utah. A great camp spot is what he lived for. There will be a celebration of life in the spring. The date and time will be posted on Greg Watts’ Facebook page.
Larry Alan Woolley April 1943 - December 27, 2025
Our beloved Larry Woolley, who loved life in Meredith, Colorado, Apache Junction, Arizona and Fruita, Colorado, passed away on Dec. 27, 2025, at the age of 82. Larry was born in April 1943 in Longmont, Colorado to John Morgan Woolley and Helen Jorgensen Woolley. He attended Basalt Elementary and High School. Larry spent his life working as a truck driver and heavy-equipment operator. He worked as a snowcat driver at Snowmass Ski Area in the 1970s, and later owned his own truck, working throughout the Valley and for a time with Mayflower Moving Company. Known as an exceptional operator, he worked in challenging and dangerous conditions, Including at the Montezuma Iron Mine near Ashcroft, hauling coal on the hill route for the Mid-Continent company in Redstone and for many years with Frank Bishop Trucking and Excavation. His final job was driving a concrete truck for LaFarge. When Ruedi Dam was built, Larry and his brother, Darol, relocated cabins and the Meredith Store to higher ground, allowing the store and post office to continue operating to this day.
He and Darol were very proud of that project and loved their cabins in Meredith. In 1998, Larry suffered a severe stroke that left him with limited mobility and speech. Though not expected to survive, he lived another 27 years. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, Jeeping and good times with friends and family. Larry is survived by his wife, Betty Lou, his daughter, Pamela Woolley (Fred Malone), Betty Lou’s daughters, Denise Neilsen, Brenda Goolsby, and Laurie Diaz (Daniel), grandchildren, Jason (Marielle), Krissy (Jeremiah), Marsha (Michael), Jake (Becky), Douglas, Alicia, and 22 great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his sister, Marilyn Lee (Henry), and nieces, Teresa Lee and Cristal Logan. He was predeceased by his parents, brother Darol Woolley, grandson Clayton, and great grandson Cole. In accordance with his wishes, no funeral service will be held. His ashes will be scattered in the Frying Pan Valley he loved so dearly. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Thomasville Community Church, P.O. Box 3, Meredith, CO 81642.
THE SOPRIS SUN | Your weekly community connector | January 8-14, 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
Becoming digital The oldest artifact of my digital existence was a photo from when good thing, no? What’s my play for tomorrow? Do I bring up this fateful I was 11 in 2009, living in Montrose. After a day of groveling, my sister encounter or play it cool and slow? What’s the etiquette for commentagreed to help me make a Facebook account. The kids at school were ing back on her post? Just to let her know I got the message. talking about it and I, a proverbial loser at the time, wanted to fit in, I can’t remember what I did and there’s no digital evidence of my even if I didn’t know what a Facebook even was (or what the internet response, but I do know I’ve never stopped going online and I’ve never was at all, really). stopped caring about what other people think. My sister, my baby niece and I posed for what The next day I thought I became god. would be my first-ever profile photo, taken on our now have myspace facebook and twitter laptop’s built-in camera. It was perfect. The first I’d done it. Collected more profiles and more order of business was to send out friend requests to platforms. Clearly to me, if Facebook was so criteveryone I knew at school, both my actual real-life ical to our grade’s social hierarchy, clearly having friends and people with whom I wanted to ingratiate other platforms would skyrocket you to the status of myself. After a few requests were approved, I moved social elite. MySpace even had a top friends list so on to my social singularity event: Announcing to the you knew where you stood amongst your cabal. It world that I have transcended into a digital existence was the go-to place for the latest rumors and gossip. through my first ever post. I amassed a very humble handful of friends online. wtf is Facebook Things were coming up Hec. And then in seventh Genius. grade, I moved towns. Cameron LeBlanc, who at the time was largely April 11, 1947. Jackie Robinson made his debut in regarded as the most popular kid in school — so the MLB. April 11,1970. Apollo 13 launched towards CRÍTICAS cool that during our music class’ talent show, he the moon. In 2010, I posted for the first time after By Hector Salas-Gallegos did an abridged crossfit routine to Falco’s “Rock Me moving: rifle isnt that bad Amadeus” — commented on my post. Montrose is better, Cameron responded. if u were at school i would be able to answer ur question Just like that my friends list went from a collection of my closest The blasé approach to capitalization. Blatant disregard for periods. friends and grade school powerplayers to a list of ghosts who I’ll gray in This guy was the real deal and he just left a comment under MY post. their memories a little more each day until I’m just a name with no face. I debate today if it was a good or bad thing for my social standing that Depending on who you were, my posts were either from the kid that I missed school on Aug. 26, 2009. Regardless, I was hooked. But before moved away and the new kid at school. Both a known commodity and I could leverage this newfound connection, my sister reclaimed her an unproven asset. Digitally alive and dead. Schrodinger’s Hector. And computer and booted me from her room. thus I was exiled to the annals of history, forced to rebuild my empire The next day, I got some computer time again and I wasted no time from scratch, one new friend at a time. following up on my viral post from the day before. The pressure was on. These were the early days of my journey trying desperately to express You’re only as good as your last post. myself, not through normal social conventions, but through the curated, homework sucks intentional medium known as the internet. Especially in grade school, I had done it again. Cameron was back in the comments. Agreed, presenting myself was hard. Even today, the idea of what I want to say is he said. But this time a new development. clear in my head, but the words to formulate the thought come to me all i finished mine like a minute ago(: ahha at once. But on the internet I can take time to think and choose the right That was Tyra Amaya. She had heterochromia and my bleeding words. Though I didn’t know it at the time, going online and posting and heart. Did she comment because she likes me or because homework commenting and even playing Farmville, I was understanding myself elicited a strong response from my peers? This at least confirmed my and letting others understand me. It’s because of the internet I became suspicion that she knew who I was. That can only be interpreted as a a writer, but I wouldn’t make that connection for at least another decade.
OPINION
Follow Leonardo Occhipinti’s “Nuevo Mundo” in Sol del Valle every week in Spanish.
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Drawn together Photos by Benny Blue
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The Roaring Fork Drawing Club once again filled out Botany Houseplant Shop in Carbondale, drawing inspiration from the many happy, healthy plants and a warm, social atmosphere. Stay abreast of the club’s weekly meetings throughout the Valley by following @rfdrawingclub on Instagram or requesting to join the email list, rfdrawingclub@gmail.com
MOVE IN TODAY Elevated living in Glenwood Springs
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LETTERS No right Even though Trump recently pardoned the former president of Honduras, who was serving jail time for being tried and convicted in a U.S. court for running a drug cartel that brought drugs into the country, Trump has just bombed Venezuela and kidnapped President Maduro and his wife, accusing them of running a drug cartel. President Trump did not have Congress’s authorization to attack Venezuela. Only Congress can declare war on another nation. The United States has no right to take over another country and run it, and kill its civilians in the process. Trump clearly does not have the mental capacity to be in charge of our country. He has already threatened Colombia and Cuba with similar invasions. He has no respect for U.S. law and international agreements. He should not have access to lethal force via the military and nuclear weapons. Write your Senators and congressmen please. Illene Pevec Carbondale
Dear Rep. Hurd, We the people should not need to list for you the numerous ways in which Donald J. Trump has violated and continues to violate the Constitution of the United States of America.
RFSD from page 10 at a better time; as we begin the budgeting process for the 2026/27 school year, we face external challenges like declining enrollment, instability of state and federal funding, and a rising cost of living that is outpacing staff and teacher salaries.” Housing is another focus for the district, which employs hundreds of teachers and other staff across its campuses. The board approved a 10-year Staff Housing Master Plan developed with support from consultants Economic & Planning Systems. RFSD Chief Operating Officer Ben Bohmfalk said the plan sets a high bar to eliminate housing as a barrier to staff retention. “[The plan] provides specific strategies based on data about our employees’ income levels, household sizes and housing needs.” DeFrates emphasized focus on providing affordable housing. “Our people are the key to student success, yet it is becoming increasingly difficult for staff to afford to
from page 2
A few examples come to mind: illegally firing Inspectors General; illegally defying court orders; illegally usurping the power of Congress to set tariffs, spending amounts and priorities for the federal government; illegally federalizing the National Guard; blatantly enriching himself, family and cronies, including accepting bribes for pardons; the violation of asylum laws set by Congress; ICE illegally detaining and incarcerating U.S. citizens; the illegal invasion of and killing of citizens of Venezuela. Representative Hurd, do not be swayed by Trump’s insistence that his invasion of Venezuela was necessary. What was necessary for Donald J. Trump at this particular point in time was to continue to create havoc, to dominate the news, to override your and the public’s attention to Jack Smith’s damning testimony before the House Judiciary Committee and the release of the horrific and incriminating Epstein Files. Trump has engaged in criminal activity his entire life and this is how he gets away with it. He just keeps throwing shit at the fan. Mr. Hurd, I believe you have shown courage in your representation of our district and are attempting to uphold the oath you took to abide by your country’s Constitution. Please continue to maintain your diligence of Donald J. Trump’s illegal actions and abuse of power. Annette Roberts-Gray Carbondale
live in the Roaring Fork Valley.” At the end of the autumn term, Carbondale Middle School Principal Michael Logan announced he will resign at the end of the 2025/26 school year. Logan has served in that role for three years, following almost two decades of teaching and instruction within the district prior to the leadership role. The principal position for the 2026/27 school year onward will be posted this month, and RFSD will include school staff and community members in the interview and hiring process. The January RFSD Board of Education regular meetings take place on Jan. 14 and 28 at 6:15pm in the Colorado Room of the District Office, 400 Sopris Avenue, Carbondale. RFSD board meeting agendas are available on the board website. Meetings are livestreamed on YouTube and recordings become available soon afterward.
GARCO from page 10 Sun, WW attorney Peter Hart called the SPEED Act “a giveaway to industrial developers.” Wilderness Workshop also wrote a letter to Senator John Hickenlooper, obtained by The Sopris Sun, suggesting the opposite of Jarman’s claim. “[The SPEED Act] would provide the Trump administration with new tools to entrench fossil fuels, limit future climate action, prioritize unsustainable logging and mining extraction over conservation, and otherwise undermine action to forcefully address the climate and ecological crises,” the letter reads. “It would also subordinate the interests of people and communities to developers.” In energy-related news, the county’s oil and gas liaison, Kirby Wynn, suggested that the BOCC provide scoping comments for 14 THE SOPRIS SUN | soprissun.com | January 8-14, 2026
the Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) upcoming June 2026 oil and gas lease sale. According to the BLM website, more than 160,000 acres will be up for grabs in Colorado. Wynn stated that 10,000 of those acres are in Garfield County. Scoping comments are due Thursday, Jan. 8. Commissioners also interviewed candidates for the county Planning Commission and the Board of Adjustment with decisions coming at the next regular meeting. They approved the purchase of a 2024 John Deere dozer for the county landfill and accepted the 2025 Highway Users Tax Fund Accountability Inventory. You can find recordings of all BOCC meetings at www.garfieldcountyco.gov/ board-commissioners
PARTING SHOTS
Friends, family and admirers of the late J. Robert “Bob” Young celebrated his life at The Orchard on a rainy afternoon, Jan. 5. Even the overflow parking lot was full, signifying a great love for this man who contributed millions of dollars to charities and established over 300 scholarships. Young opened Roaring Fork Bank in Carbondale in 1973 which grew into Alpine Bank, now serving 39 communities and employing over 890 people. Speeches centered on his generous spirit, love of racing cars and commitment to doing good. By the time the service concluded, the rain had cleared and a colorful rainbow arched over The Orchard. Photos by Raleigh Burleigh
THURSDAY, JAN. 22 7PM CRYSTAL THEATRE THE SOPRIS SUN presents
ALMOST FAMOUS
starring Kate Hudson and Patrick Fugit A film about a young Rolling Stone Magazine reporter who, while covering a rockstar band on tour, falls in love with a groupie.
Share your voice at:
mountainperspectives.soprissun.com
A FUNDRAISER FOR THE SOPRIS SUN AND SOL DEL VALLE LOCAL NEWSROOMS
Tickets: $20
www.bit.ly/SSAlmostFamous
THE SOPRIS SUN | Your weekly community connector | January 8-14, 2026 15
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!
16 THE SOPRIS SUN | soprissun.com | January 8-14, 2026