Potato Day parade
The 116th Annual Potato Days is just around the corner, Oct. 3 to 5. One of its most beloved traditions is the parade, to be held on Oct. 4 this year at 10:30am. Parade floats must register in advance. The fee is $40 for commercial floats, but is free for nonprofits and youth organizations. Find the parade application at www.tinyurl.com/PotatoParade or contact tkallassy@gcpld.org for more information.
Carbondale grants
Local nonprofits can now apply for 2026 Town of Carbondale grants. The town allocates 1% of projected revenues to support nonprofit organizations through grants of up to $7,000. The online-only application process is now open until 5pm on Oct. 13 on the Community Grants Request page of the town’s website. Visit www.tinyurl.com/CarbondaleGrants for more information.
GarCo Sheriff contender
It looks like longtime Garfield County Sheriff Lou Vallario will have at least one opponent in 2026. Former Garfield County Sheriff officer Brent Baker has thrown his hat in the ring. Baker, a Republican, is a Garfield County native with a Bachelor of Science in business administration and 23 years in law enforcement. More information regarding his candidacy is available at www.baker4sheriff.com
From wolves to health insurance
Colorado lawmakers passed an amended version of Senate Bill 5 this week during the general assembly’s special session. The bill prohibits Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) from using allocated money from the state’s general fund to bring new wolves into Colorado during fiscal year 2025-26. Instead, that money — close to $265,000 — will go to reducing health insurance costs. The original bill sought to pause wolf reintroduction next year but was amended to allow CPW to find funding elsewhere. The goal is to prohibit the use of taxpayer money for bringing in new wolves. According to the amended bill, “Colorado should spend money originally allocated for the procurement, capture, transport and release of new wolves on matters more immediately impactful and beneficial to Colorado families…” CPW, however, can still use allocated taxpayer funds to pay for wolf predation claims and livestock-wolf conflict prevention. The bill now heads to the Governor’s desk.
Derby Fire update
Monsoonal rains have helped and hindered efforts to knock down the Derby Fire north of Dotsero. The blaze has burned 5,723 acres as of Wednesday, Aug. 27. There was 4% containment and 864 personnel were on-scene. Weather prohibited pilots from the Monday night infrared mapping flight, according to a Rocky Mountain Team 3 operations update Tuesday morning. But officials are confident that there has been little change in the size of the fire. A helicopter pilot involved in a crash on Friday while working the fire escaped the incident with minor cuts and bruises. The U.S. Forest Service reduced White River National Forest closures on Tuesday to the area northeast of Sweetwater Lake continuing along the Derby Mesa Rim. The latest information on the the fire is available at www.tinyurl.com/DerbyFire
Hick on ICE
U.S. Senator John Hickenlooper toured the GEO Group, Inc. ICE facility in Aurora last week, raising concerns about facility conditions, communication delays, reports that ICE is pressuring detainees to self-deport, moving detainees without notice and other irregular changes in procedure. According to a press release, Hickenlooper introduced legislation this month to increase transparency by prohibiting face coverings and requiring identification for immigration enforcement officers. He was told by officials at the Aurora ICE facility that questions must be submitted via email. “That is not good enough,” Hickenlooper said.
Wolf Creek pipeline
Rocky Mountain Natural Gas, LLC wants to replace three miles of aging three-inch natural gas pipeline in the Wolf Creek Storage Field in Pitkin County with a new 10-inch pipeline. And the public has until Sept. 15 to weigh in. The pipeline proposes to increase transmission capacity and meet current regulations and requirements. Temporary land disturbance would total about 17 acres along a previously disturbed right-of-way. Construction would occur from June through Oct. The Wolf Creek Storage Field is in Pitkin County. For more information and to comment, visit www.fs.usda.gov/r02/whiteriver/projects/68621
They say it’s your birthday!
Folks celebrating another trip around the sun this week include: JoEllen Maynard and Phil Maynard (Aug. 28); Reina Katzenberger and Tyler Treadway (Aug. 29); Christina Cappelli, Lauren DeAre, Caito Foster, Elizabeth Henry, Lynn Kirchner, Emma Martin and Barbara New (Aug. 30); Sean Jeung and Chloe Shirley (Aug. 31); Veronica Smith and Ella Yeats (Sept. 1); Lori Haroutunian and Dean Perkins (Sept. 2); Samuel Bernal, Kim Kelly, Pat Pier, Ken Pletcher, Jeannine Ravenscraft and Kathy Webb (Sept. 3).
CALENDAR
THURSDAY, AUGUST 28
SENIOR PROM!
The Sopris Lodge, in collaboration with KDNK and The Sopris Sun, hosts its Senior Prom, free for all adults 55 and up, featuring live music by a KDNK DJ, light bites and a best-dressed contest, from 3 to 4:30pm. RSVP by calling 970-678-0057 or visiting www.soprislodge.com/events
POKÉMON TRAINING
Middle schoolers are invited to the Basalt Library’s “Pokémon Battle Training Camp” from 4 to 5:30pm. Register by calling 970-927-4311.
TREE MEDICINE
Explore the healing properties of tree species in the Valley at Colorado Mountain College’s Carbondale campus from 5 to 7pm. For more details, call 970-963-2172. To register visit coloradomtn.augusoft.net
REGENERATION BALL
The Farm Collaborative hosts its Regeneration Ball fundraiser at the Hotel Jerome featuring celebrity chefs and a keynote by Dr. Zach Bush, plus “a goat-assisted raffle” — all beginning at 5pm. Proceeds support the new learning center at Cozy Point Ranch. Tickets at www.thefarmcollaborative.org
‘TWILIGHT IN THE CEMETERY’
The Aspen Historical Society guides 1.5 hour tours through Red Butte Cemetery with rolling start times every 15 minutes from 5 to 6:30pm. Register at www.aspenhistory.org
SUPREME COURT REVIEW
Learn about the structure of state and federal courts and review a handful of current Supreme Court cases at the Basalt Library from 5:30 to 7pm.
OLIVIA THE BARD
Olivia “The Bard” Pevec performs with friends at a house concert in Carbondale from 6 to 9-ish this evening. For tickets and address, visit www.tinyurl.com/OliviatheBard
WOMEN’S GROUP
The Common Roots Women’s Group explores this month’s theme, “triggers,” at HeadQuarters in Basalt from 6 to 7:30pm. Anyone who identifies as female is welcome. Register at www.headq.org
‘BOOKS IN BARS’
Local librarians and the general public discuss “The Rachel Incident” by Caroline O’Donoghue at the Brass Anvil in Carbondale at 7pm. For more details, call the Carbondale Library at 970-963-2889.
CRYSTAL THEATRE
The Crystal Theatre screens “Bad Shabbos” at 7pm tonight and 5pm tomorrow. “Mr. Blake at your Service!” shows tomorrow and Saturday at 7pm and Sunday at 5pm. “The Life of Chuck” returns for one last showing on Saturday at 4:30pm.
GARY CULLEY
Gary Culley performs a show at Steve’s Guitars at 8pm. Tickets at www.stevesguitars.net
FRIDAY, AUGUST 29
GARDEN MORNINGS
True Nature invites you to tour the Peace Garden with Laura Kirk from 8 to 9am. RSVP at www.truenaturehealingarts.com
MUSIC UNDER THE BRIDGE
Enjoy live music by Party Party under the Grand Avenue Bridge from 4:30 to 7:30pm.
REDSTONE ART SHOW
The 29th annual Redstone Art Show kicks off this evening at 6pm with an opening reception and continues through Sunday with artist demonstrations, kids activities, live music and more throughout the weekend. For a schedule, workshop registrations and further details, visit www.redstoneartfoundation.org
‘TRUE WEST’
Thunder River Theatre Company kicks off its season with “True West” by Sam Shepard, directed by Missy Moore, opening tonight at 7:30pm and continuing this, next and the following weekend. For showtimes and tickets, visit www.thunderrivertheatre.com/events
SATURDAY, AUGUST 30
SUMMER RETREAT
True Nature celebrates the end of summer with a day of nourishment beginning at 8am. Find the itinerary and tickets at www.truenaturehealingarts.com
BOTANY BIRTHDAY
The Botany Houseplant Shop, 586 Highway 133, celebrates its third anniversary with discounts and treats from 3 B’s Bakery from 10am to 5pm.
COOPER GALLERY
The Cooper Gallery in Glenwood Springs hosts a sidewalk sale, with featured watercolor artist Carlyle Stem on site, from 11am to 2pm.
LGBTQIA+ BRUNCH
Two Rivers Unitarian Universalists hosts its monthly “TRUU Colors Brunch,” a potluck welcoming LGBTQIA+ folks in the Valley, at the Third Street Center from 10 to 11:30am.
SUNDAY, AUGUST 31
OVERDOSE AWARENESS DAY
Join a host of local organizations in Glenwood Springs’ Sayre Park from 10am to 4pm for music, speakers, activities, food, information, resources and more — all to spread awareness and break the stigma around substance use and addiction. A memorial walk, honoring people lost to overdose, takes place at 2:30pm.
NATURE CONNECTION
Deanna Jenne, an animist, wisdom keeper and healer, guides an inner journey to discover one’s vital connection to nature at A Spiritual Center, room 31 of the Third Street Center, from 10 to 11:30am.
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 1
LABOR DAY
County, municipal offices and all Garfield County library branches will be closed in observation of Labor Day.
C’DALE PROTEST
Mountain Action Indivisible declares “workers over billionaires” this Labor Day with a protest in Carbondale at the roundabout from 10am to noon.
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 2
YOGA AT THE LIBRARY
Devika Gurung guides movement and mindfulness yoga sessions at the Carbondale Library from 7:30 to 8:30am every Tuesday in September. For more details, call 970-963-2889.
THE GREAT LIBRARY HUNT
Elementary through high schoolers participate in a scavenger hunt, with new mystery booklets available every Tuesday at the Basalt Library’s circulation desk, through the end of the month.
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 3
DEATH CAFE
Sopris Lodge hosts a Death Cafe, a safe, relaxed space to explore topics around death and dying through meaningful conversation, led by Akaljeet Khalsa, a death doula and end-of-life consultant, from 3:30 to 5pm. RSVP at www.soprislodge.com/events
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 4
BUILDING SYMPOSIUM
The first annual Colorado Building Symposium West takes place at the Glenwood Springs Library today and tomorrow. For a schedule and details, visit www.tinyurl.com/BuildingSymposiumGWS
MEN’S GROUP
The Common Roots men’s group discusses this month’s theme, “emotional bank account,” from 6 to 7:30pm at HeadQuarters in Basalt. For details, visit www.headq.org All who identify as men are welcome.
‘MUSIC DU JOUR’
BenFeng Music Productions presents “Music du Jour” — “an evening of original compositions celebrating our time and our stories” — at the Old Thompson Barn at 7pm. For details, visit www.benfengmusicproductions.org
‘BILL’S ROOM’
William H. Macy hosts the second ‘Bill’s Room’ at TACAW, an evening of songs and stories with guests Natalie Spears and Frank Martin, at 8pm. Tickets at www.tacaw.org
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 5
ELECTRIC VEHICLES 101
With federal electric vehicle incentives set to expire, Clean Energy Economy for the Region and Drive Clean Colorado offer two back-to-back events: a “pizza-fueled” workshop today at the Third Street Center, from 4 to 7pm, and a test-driving event tomorrow in the Town Hall parking lot from 3 to 7pm. More details at cleanenergyeconomy.net/recharge
MUSIC UNDER THE BRIDGE
The Hell Roaring String Band performs at Bethel Plaza, under the Grand Avenue Bridge in Glenwood Springs, from 4:30 to 7:30pm.
FIRST FRIDAY
This First Friday, Carbondale hosts the first “Bondale Flea,” featuring local and vintage goods from a variety of makers and artists, on Main Street from 5:30 to 8:30pm. Sign up to volunteer at www.carbondalearts.com/first-friday
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 6
ALEX EDELMAN
Critically acclaimed comedian Alex Edelman performs at the Wheeler Opera House at 8pm. Tickets at www.aspenshowtix.com
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 7
GRANDPARENTS DAY & CLAY
Celebrate Grandparents Day by creating ceramic art with your grands at the Carbondale Clay Center from 10am to noon. Register at www.tinyurl.com/GrandsClayDay
SHAMANIC JOURNEYING
Shamanic healer Meghan Gilroy guides a day-long retreat where attendees gain clarity, without the means of psychedelics, at True Nature from 10am to 4pm. This retreat is ideal for empaths, coaches, healers and seekers. Register at www.truenaturehealingarts.com
ART OF CONVERSATIONS
Pick up a meaningful conversation with a stranger at the Carbondale Library from 6 to 7pm every first Sunday.
ECSTATIC DANCE
The Heart Barn at 13 Moons Ranch, south of Carbondale, hosts an ecstatic dance, featuring DJ Lydia Bain, at 6pm. For details, email alyahowe@me.com
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 8
BUDDY CLASSIC
The annual Buddy Classic Golf Tournament, benefiting the Buddy Program, kicks off at Ironbridge Golf Course at 11am and wraps up with post-tournament cocktails and appetizers from 4 to 6pm. Arrive as early as 9:30am to practice your swing. Register at www.buddyprogram.org/buddyclassic