The Garfield County Public Library District is seeking trustees (our word for library board members) to fill three vacancies. (For more information, visit www.bit.ly/GCPLD-wanted). Applicants do have to live in Rifle, New Castle or Parachute. By the end of the year, the Rifle position will have been vacant for six months, due to delays in […]
November 2025
Posted inColumns
Wildlife crossings make economic and ethical sense
By Tom Cardamone Roaring Fork Safe Passages Tom Cardamone is the board chair of Roaring Fork Safe Passages, a nonprofit intent on providing wildlife crossings in the Roaring Fork Valley. Wildlife crossings over and under highways save lives, are cost effective and enhance the vitality and ecological functioning of the large landscapes they connect. […]
Posted inColumns
The power of giving — Every contribution counts
I have to be honest and admit that this month marks the beginning of my favorite time of the year. Not just for the celebrations and delicious meals, but also for that beautiful energy that invites us to embrace, connect — and give. I grew up in a household of three siblings, the daughter of […]
Posted inFiction
Works in Progress – Nov. 20, 2025
Creating a MonsterBy Tom MercerCarbondale-ish Victor Smith and Archibald Thomas had been close friends in earlier years. They grew up in the same small town, both attended the same college, and both men shared an acute interest in programming and the development of Artificial Intelligence, which is commonly called “AI.” Both men wanted to test […]
Posted inColumns
Handwritten letters: increasingly vital in our digital age
As a member of the “chronically online” Generation Z, I am well acquainted with how technology seems to be fused with the human hand. I discovered the art of letter writing four years ago, when I began a pen pal correspondence that has since flourished into an irreplaceable friendship. I believe handwritten notes are an […]
Posted inArts & Entertainment
Surls’ ‘Reflections’ installed at the Bush Presidential Center
Last week, I spoke with artist James Surls about his artwork’s installation at the George W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum, located on the campus of Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas. The commission sits in a historically sensitive context. A Texas native, Surls noted previous disagreements with the former president’s policies, including being among […]
Posted inLocal Government
GarCo Report: Term limits, a Highway 82 analysis — and that’s just the public comments
“I maintain it is high time to legislate for term limits for all elected [Garfield] county positions,” offered Carbondale resident Susan Rhea during the public comment period at Monday’s Garfield County Commissioners’ (BOCC) meeting. For the second week in a row, a small crowd showed up at 8am to speak before the BOCC dove into […]
Posted inLocal Government
Carbondale Report: Trustees take conservative approach to 2026 budget
After honoring Veterans Day with a day off, Nov. 11, trustees held their regular meeting on Nov. 18 to continue drilling down on a 2026 budget. All were present. Following student of the month awards, a consent agenda was approved including meeting minutes and a contract for improving irrigation and landscaping at the Jail and […]
Posted inSports
Rams, Longhorns land a few among fall sports All-Conference selections
The 3A Western Slope League All-Conference selections have been announced upon the recent conclusion of the boys soccer and girls volleyball seasons. For Carbondale’s Roaring Fork High School, making First Team All-Conference in soccer were senior Jason Clemente and junior Cal Stone. Stone was the leading scorer for the Rams this season, amassing 12 goals […]
Posted inLocal Government
RFTA Report: Board approves grant applications to CDOT to support planned purchase of 23 new buses
As the calendar year heads to a close, Roaring Fork Transportation Authority (RFTA) is preparing for future grant opportunities and long-term projects. The Nov. 13 board meeting included much momentum-focused conversation. The board also reviewed a second draft of the organization’s 2026 budget with plans to vote on the final version in December. There were […]