During its monthly meeting on Monday, Nov. 2, the Carbondale Latino Advisory Board (LAB) discussed the most recent statistics presented by members of the Roaring Fork Transportation Authority (RFTA) on its master plan survey.
“We urge you to push the survey out to your communities because the Spanish-speaking participation in the survey and mapping is not representative of the Spanish-speakers that use the service,” said Mavis Fitzgerald, who is leading the master plan’s community engagement.
Of the 500 responses received thus far, just 4% correspond to individuals who identify as Latino. RFTA looks to increase this percentage so that the responses better reflect their overall ridership, of which approximately 50% identify as Latinos.
However, RFTA has had more success hearing from the Latino community through a series of in-person, community events, engagement that’s not reflected in the master plan survey results.
“So we have been reaching people outside the website, which is sometimes the better way to go,” RFTA Regional Director of Planning Hannah Klausman said.
One event in particular at the City Market in New Castle saw a large amount of interaction and Spanish-speaking communities in Silt and Rifle also saw increased participation, according to Klausman.
The first phase of the master plan culminated with a public open house on Thursday, Nov. 5, at the Glenwood Library. Although phase one marks the end of the first stage of community engagement, stages two and three of the master plan will offer new opportunities to hear from the community once RFTA has developed its findings and recommendations. The RFTA members present emphasized that this initial deadline was not the only chance to participate. The survey is available to fill out online at tinyurl.com/masterplanRFTA until Nov. 13. For more information, write to MasterPlan@RFTA.com or call 970-925-8484.
High Country Volunteers seeks Spanish-speaking support
LAB also heard from High Country Volunteers, an organization that connects volunteers with nonprofit organizations in Garfield, Pitkin and Eagle counties. The organization has operated in Garfield County for 53 years and its volunteers account for more than 20,000 hours of community service each year, according to a presentation by Program Manager Laura Kay Good. Good also spoke about the organization’s Tax Assistance program and its Medicare Counseling program.
“The most important thing right now is, if you know anyone on Medicare, there were two prescription plans that used to be absolutely free, and next year they’re going to be charged. If the clients don’t make arrangements to pay for their monthly bill, they’re going to lose coverage for all of 2027,” Good said.
In an effort to inform older adults in the region about this change, High Country Volunteers is looking for Spanish-speaking volunteers to assist with its Medicare Counseling program. Volunteers simply need to complete the free training modules available on their website, highcountryvolunteers.org/#. All services offered by High Country Volunteers are free. If you need help with Medicare, call 970-896-6210.
In other news …
In accordance with new laws that came into effect in August, certain Carbondale streets will be incorporated into school zones in the coming weeks. The town will publish a press release featuring a map of the new zones on its website and on social media once these changes have been actualized.
Those interested in participating in a Thanksgiving activity on Thursday, Nov. 26, can join Carbondale’s annual Turkey Trot. The information will soon be available in Spanish at the Carbondale recreation center.
LAB also discussed potential ways to increase its visibility, including appearances at community events and information released in Spanish-language WhatsApp groups. And, the board considered finding an easier way for interested community members to join their ranks in an effort to reach more members of the Latino community. LAB meetings are held on the first Monday of each month at 6:30pm in the Board Room at the Third Street Center. For more information, reach out to Public Information Officer and staff liaison Anna Ramirez at
aramirez@carbondaleco.net
Translation by Owen McArdle