Carbondale elections
Petitions to run for election to the Carbondale Board of Trustees are now available at Town Hall and can be retrieved from Town Clerk Jessica Markham. There will be three seats available. To qualify, petitions must be turned in by Jan. 22 with 25 signatures from Carbondale residents who are registered to vote. Basalt is also accepting nomination petitions through Jan. 22 with three councilor positions and the mayor seat up for four-year terms.
Not a real gun
On Dec. 31 at approximately 5pm, the Carbondale Police Department (CPD) was dispatched to the 700 block of Main Street for a call regarding a male walking around with an assault-style rifle. Officers contacted the man, and verified the rifle was, in fact, a BB gun. The officers were informed that the man had not threatened anyone and had no intention of harming anyone. They further determined that the man was suffering from a mental health crisis. His private clinician transported him for further evaluation, and he was not charged. CPD informed The Sopris Sun that its officers are trained to recognize individuals in crisis and act appropriately. If you or someone you know is in crisis, call the Aspen Hope Center at 970-925-5858 or the Colorado Crisis Line at 844-493-8255.
Penny Hot Springs
The Pitkin County Open Space and Trails Board will review Penny Hot Springs trail access and parking improvements when it meets Thursday, Jan. 4 at the Redstone Inn at 9am. All are welcome. A draft management plan for Filoha Meadows Nature Preserve will also be on the agenda. Find meeting materials here: www.bit.ly/PlanningPenny
Forest Service work
Construction activity at the Aspen-Sopris Ranger Station will begin next week with the installation of fencing and the job trailer, arrival of equipment and abatement for removing interior material within the building, such as sheetrock. Sidewalk access around the construction site will be blocked off on both Main Street and Weant Boulevard. Demolition is expected to begin in February, with construction beginning in March to be completed in early 2025.
New laws
Five new laws signed by Governor Jared Polis came into effect on Jan. 1. These include: allowing farmers and ranchers to repair their own equipment, instead of requiring it to be sent to manufacturers or dealers; simplifying the process of claiming property tax exemptions for veterans with disabilities; capping the cost of epi-pens at $60 for a two-pack for Coloradans with health plans issued on or renewed after Jan. 1; new and expanded refundable tax credits for electric bikes, heat pumps and more (bringing the state’s total tax credit for electric vehicles up to $7,500); and doubled fines for commercial trucks caught speeding in steep downhill-grade zones.
Wetlands funding
Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) is seeking applications for wetland and riparian restoration, enhancement and creation projects. CPW will award over $1.1 million in funds from Great Outdoors Colorado and Colorado Waterfowl Stamps to projects that support: 1) the distribution and abundance of ducks and opportunities for public waterfowl hunting, and 2) the status of declining or at-risk species. Applications are due by Feb. 12, find details at www.bit.ly/CPWwetlands
Bon voyage, Boebert
The news is out, Lauren Boebert will not seek reelection in Colorado’s Third Congressional District. Rather, Boebert has opted to run for the state’s Fourth Congressional District (CD4) seat, currently held by Representative Ken Buck who will not run for reelection. In an interview with MSNBC, Buck stated that he is disappointed that the Republican Party “continues to rely on this lie that the 2020 election was stolen.” Boebert prevailed over her challenger, Democrat Adam Frisch, by only 546 votes in the 2022 election. CD4 is a strong Republican district, where Boebert will face a number of contenders in its primary, including Richard Holtorf who currently is a representative of District 63 in Colorado’s General Assembly.
Noxious Weed Committee
Colorado seeks to recruit three new members for its Noxious Weed Advisory Committee. The committee is tasked with making recommendations to the Colorado Department of Agriculture concerning designation and classification of the state’s noxious weeds. The committee’s members are appointed by the Commissioner of Agriculture and represent varying interests and geographic locations. For the three vacancies, the department seeks 1) a public or private weed scientist, 2) a municipal government representative and 3) a county government representative. Members serve two year terms. To apply, visit www.bit.ly/ApplyNoxiousWeed To find out more about the committee, visit www.bit.ly/NoxiousWeedCommittee
They say it’s your birthday!
Folks celebrating another trip around the sun this week include: Bob Albright, Skip Bell, Rick Herrington, Pat Murray, Paul Nieslanik, Brad Palmer and Melinda Schultz (Jan. 4); Logan Doherty, JP Bauer and Rachel Orosz (Jan. 5); Taylor Faczak and Peter Lamort (Jan. 6); Corby Anderson (Jan. 7); Stephen Paul (Jan. 8); Anne Hillmuth, Rick Holt, Kay Jacobson and Jim Mitton (Jan. 9); Lorraine Escue, Mary Finley, Will Masters, Ron Razzore, Erica Sparhawk and Jake Strack-Loertscher (Jan. 10).
C A L E N D A R
THURSDAY, JANUARY 4
TEEN LIBRARY COUNCIL
The Basalt Library Teen Library Council meets from 4 to 5pm. Students involved commit to one hour per month and can influence the games, books, movies and programs that the library makes available.
FRIDAY, JANUARY 5
NATURE JOURNALING
Adults wishing to explore, observe and creatively document nature are invited to join novice and experienced sketchbook artists at the Carbondale Library from 1 to 2:30pm.
FIRST FRIDAY
Carbondale hosts a family ice skating party at the Chacos Park Ice Rink from 5 to 8pm.
TREE VIGIL
Spruce tree advocates are encouraged to attend a peaceful prayer vigil at Weant and Main in Carbondale from 5 to 5:30pm.
GLENWOOD CAVERNS
Pam and Dan perform at the Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park from 5 to 8pm.
WHIFFENPOOFS
Yale University’s famous a capella group, the Whiffenpoofs, performs at TACAW at 8pm. Epicure Catering’s Supper Club will serve a pre-show dinner for up to 60 patrons at 6pm. Find tickets at www.tacaw.org
SATURDAY, JANUARY 6
SALON
Alya Howe presents “Caught by the Light of Creativity,” a multidisciplinary art showcase, at The Launchpad at 6pm. For tickets, visit 2024CarbondaleSalon.eventbrite.com
AI UNTETHERED
The Aspen Science Center is partnering with Aspen Film for three Science on Screen nights at the Isis Theatre, beginning with “AI: Untethered” tonight at 6:30pm. The films “Her” and “The Sun Like a Big Dark Animal” will be presented along with special guests Cristina Nowak and Jessica Ann of aiEDU, an educational nonprofit.
CRYSTAL THEATRE
After taking off Friday, Jan. 5, the Crystal Theatre will show “The Boys in the Boat” tonight at 7pm, tomorrow at 5pm and on Wednesday and Thursday at 7pm.
STEVE’S GUITARS
Friend of a Friend performs at Steve’s Guitars at 8pm. Tickets at www.stevesguitars.net
SUNDAY, JANUARY 7
MINING HISTORY
The Carbondale Historical Society kicks off a speaker series with a panel of former Mid-Continent and Thompson Creek miners from 5 to 6pm at KDNK.
RANDOM CONVERSATIONS
The Lost Art of Random Conversations kicks off the new year with a community-building event at the Carbondale Library from 6 to 7:30pm. No RSVP is necessary.
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 10
TRANSITION TIME
The Northwest Small Business Development Center hosts “Exit Planning Office Hours,” a free Q&A with staff and consultants to have an “exit-ready” business, ready for sale. The interactive conversation is on Zoom from 11am to noon, register at www.bit.ly/SBDCexit-ready
GENTLE MOVEMENT
Linda Loeschen teaches “Pilates & Gentle Movement” at the Basalt Library from 11:30am to 12:30pm. Questions? Call 970-927-4311 or email edewetter@basaltlibrary.org
SCRAPBOOKING
Angela Shetzer teaches scrapbooking techniques at the Basalt Library for adults and teens from 5 to 6pm. Registration is required by calling 970-963-2889.
NATURALIST NIGHTS
The Naturalist Nights speaker series, hosted by Aspen Center for Environmental Studies and Wilderness Workshop, kicks off with “Yellowstone Wolves: A Quarter Century of Research and Observations” at Roaring Fork High School at 6pm. The presentation repeats at Hallam Lake in Aspen tomorrow at 6pm. Registration at www.wildernessworkshop.org
SCIENCE ON SCREEN
Aspen Science Center and Aspen Film’s Science on Screen series continues at the Isis Theatre with “Life Reimagined” at 6:30pm, featuring a feature documentary and short film, with special guests Amanda Boxtel, CEO of Bridging Bionics, and director Lucy Walker.
THURSDAY, JANUARY 11
STORYTIME
Basalt Library offers bilingual storytime for children up to 6 years old from 10:30 to 11am.
FREE LEGAL CLINIC
Basalt Library hosts volunteer attorneys for free legal advice from 2 to 5pm. To sign up, call 970-927-4311 or email info@basaltlibrary.org
FLAMENCO MUSIC
Basalt Library hosts a free evening of flamenco, jazz and world music with Denver-based ensemble Miguel Espinoza Fusion. A rhythm workshop will be hosted from 4:30 to 5:30pm followed by a concert at 6pm.
COMEDY
Steve’s Guitars hosts “Patio Night Live” with Beth Brandon and Miller Ford, plus a special guest, at 8pm.
FRIDAY, JANUARY 12
WINTERSKÖL
Aspen Film celebrates Wintersköl with the Aspen Chamber Resort Association by screening “Weak Layers,” a comedy that takes on the male-dominated ski industry, at the Isis Theatre at 7:30pm.
COMEDY NIGHT
Comedians Ben Roy and Christie Buchele perform stand-up at TACAW at 8pm. Tickets at www.tacaw.org
SATURDAY, JANUARY 13
THE MOTET
TACAW presents The Motet, a six-piece funk favorite, at 8pm. Tickets at www.tacaw.org