Re: Safety
In a few recent issues of The Sun, problems with pedestrian safety or signage or speeding were mentioned. One aspect of these issues where the Town of Carbondale could improve drastically is the marking of crosswalks.
At a few busier intersections, tinted concrete crosswalks were built at considerable expense to provide permanent marking. However, at most of these the tint has faded, though it was supposed to eliminate annual painting. (At Hendrick and 133, the crosswalk’s faded concrete coloring was upgraded by grinding recesses into it and inserting some bright white plastic mats, which are definitely more visible and have proved durable.)
ToC’s typical white painted markings seem to be dim from the start, and barely visible after a few months. It seems like we’re just getting the cheapest paint job available. I’m not sure if the applicating crew even power washes the grime layer off the street before spraying their thin runny paint.
Much better paints are in common use elsewhere. Apparently the “state of the shelf” is MMA, basically Superglue. If you notice the bright green bike lanes in Denver, that’s it. It’s more expensive and probably requires upgraded sprayers but seems to last multiple years even with winter wear.
The ToC has plans for all kinds of pedestrian features often requiring intricate and expensive concrete work. We have “free” bus and bike programs that cost about a million bucks a year, though not all from ToC’s taxpayers. It seems we could spare some change for reasonably visible crosswalks.
Fred Porter
Carbondale
A choice we can’t undo
The proposed Harvest development at Sanders Ranch presents our community with a decision that will shape the Valley for generations. While the need for affordable housing is urgent, this proposal fails to address that need and instead accelerates traffic congestion and permanently damages a critical wildlife corridor.
For decades, land trusts and county open space programs have recognized Sanders Ranch as past and potential prime habitat for elk, deer, and riparian species, as well as a key winter crossing area near Highway 82. Efforts to purchase development rights or restore the land have repeatedly failed, not because the land lacks value, but because preservation is never guaranteed—even when funding, public support, and expertise exist.
The Harvest proposal offers little housing relief. Only 10% of units would be “work force housing mitigation units,” while the development introduces commercial build-out into an area with minimal infrastructure, questionable water supply and a 50% projected traffic increase. Added vehicles will not ease congestion; they will worsen it.
More troubling is the permanent loss of wildlife habitat; the idea that displaced wildlife will simply “move elsewhere” is a myth. Productive forage areas, especially riparian zones, cannot be replaced once paved over. Crowded wildlife experience declining nutrition, lower birth rates, and increased mortality. Sanders Ranch has been identified by biologists as an important loafing and high-value winter grazing area, and it lies in a known wildlife-vehicle collision zone.
Proven solutions exist. Wildlife overpasses and proper fencing reduce collisions by over 90% and restore habitat connectivity. Workforce housing works best when placed near jobs, reducing long commutes and traffic pressure. These goals are not mutually exclusive — but this proposal achieves neither and represents a slow erosion of our Valley’s natural heritage while failing to solve the housing crisis. We need regional planning that looks 50 to 100 years ahead, guiding development away from intact wildlife corridors and toward areas that truly serve working families.
Everyone has a voice! Cattle Creek Confluence Coalition (cattlecreekcc.com) has an extensive website with easy access to your commissioners. Attend the Public Hearing at Spring Valley Campus Ascent Center Feb. 25 at 6pm.
Franz Froelicher
Carbondale
Epstein
Deep down a rabbit hole, QAnon discovered that a cabal of uber-wealthy child molesters allied with the Deep State trafficked children and occasionally baked them in pies.
While dining on children might seem far-fetched, the idea that certain elites enjoy a life of privilege far beyond the law has been borne out by the release of the Epstein files. Jeffrey Epstein is no longer with us, but his socialite partner Ghislaine Maxwell got 20 years for luring teenage girls and grooming them for sex with powerful friends of Epstein. She’s no ordinary prisoner, however. Following a meeting with Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche, she was transferred from a Florida jail to a more accommodating “Club Fed” facility in Texas, where she gets custom meals, private workouts, and a puppy.
Alas, her jail spa still doesn’t suit her. What she really wants is a presidential pardon. Then she’d be happy to spill her guts about Bill Gates and the various presidents and princes who curried favor with Epstein. She promises to tell the truth, Girl Scout’s honor.
Despite having already pardoned any number of convicted cop beaters, drug lords, and big-time swindlers, President Trump hasn’t said yes, yet.
Confidant of global leaders and captains of industry, Epstein held the keys to the kingdom. Some took their sport with Maxwell’s teenie boppers on Epstein’s private Caribbean island. While their names are largely redacted from the files, the victims they preyed upon were not so lucky.
After all this, no prosecutions appear forthcoming. The DOJ says it’s time to move on. Can you say “Deep State?”
Ed Colby
New Castle
Trump’s first year
This morning I watched a tape of the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) giving the annual report estimate of the country’s economic picture. Trump campaigned saying he would raise the economy, stop inflation, and stop the annual budget deficit. CBO projects that the 2026 deficit will be $1.9 trillion this year and will increase to an annual amount of $3.1 trillion by 2036. The current total national debt is $38.7 trillion (www.usdebtclock.org ). By the end of year, it will be around $41 trillion.
We were warned about the large deficit from the “big” bill created by Trump supporters. More expenses and reduced taxes on the wealthy and big business. The increasing annual deficits are also driven in large part by increasing interest payments on the debt. And less confidence in the dollar means paying higher interest on government bonds.
The annual inflation rate for 2025 was 2.6%, down from 2.9% for 2024. But today’s dollars do not buy as much as they did. A purchase of $1.00 in 2016 now requires $1.34. That is a loss of 34.1%. I’m retired. Inflation kills my savings. Social security increases but not enough. Several states have increased their minimum wages. Some states never have. Red states, of course.
The economy is projected by the CBO to stay about the same as it is now. But consider the effects of taking hundreds of thousands of working people out of jobs by deporting them.
“Examples of occupations in which immigrants play a crucial role include farm labor, meatpacking and other food processing, and construction. Foreign-born workers also play crucial roles in providing health care” (Paul Krugman). We are already short of people in health care and construction. Who will process the food? Prices will rise.
CBO does not present a rosy picture and Trump’s campaign promises are not coming true.
Patrick Hunter
Carbondale
Un-American
My husband and I were very much looking forward to Aspen Santa Fe Ballet’s presentation of “Les Ballets Africains” by the national dance company of Guinea scheduled for Feb. 12. We bought our tickets early and even splurged on good seats.
We were terribly disappointed when our tickets were refunded and wondered if perhaps illness was responsible for the cancellation of the performance.
It turns out that the dancers’ visas were revoked at the last minute by the Trump administration under the guise of “protecting our nation and its citizens.”
Excuse me, from what are we being protected? Supporting an internationally acclaimed dance troupe and enjoying a wonderful cultural experience?
Please join me in notifying our representatives in Congress that the current administration’s policies of political and cultural retribution are reprehensible and un-American.
Annette Roberts-Gray
Carbondale
Gratitude
The Cornerstone Christian School would like to thank and express our appreciation to Brian Leasure of Aspen Snowmass Sotheby’s International Realty for facilitating our use of the RVR Old Thompson Barn for our annual Valentine Sweetheart Dance. It enabled our students and their families to enjoy a special and enjoyable dinner and dance. A great family time was had by all. Thanks again.
Kathy Whiting
Principal Cornerstone Christian School
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