Each spring, communities around the world celebrate a variety of holidays around growth and living things. In the U.S., a new tradition started in 1872, when Nebraskan journalist and politician J. Sterling Morton prompted the secular observation of Arbor Day. Morton coordinated with communities across the state to plant one million trees on April 10 […]
Annalise Grueter
Posted inEnvironment
Local beaver advocates discuss dead-in-the-water legislation
In March, the Colorado legislature considered House Bill 26-1323, “Wildfire Resiliency Prohibiting Taking of Beavers,” sponsored by HD57 Rep Elizabeth Velasco. The proposed legislation would limit hunting or killing of beavers on public lands to protect the animals and stabilize their role in ecosystems, which also serves as a mode of wildfire management. The Colorado […]
Posted inNoticias
Sequía persistente y altas temperaturas rompen récords regionales, provocando cierres anticipados de centros de esquí y restricciones de agua
El manto de nieve en Colorado y el Valle de Roaring Fork se desplomó en marzo debido a una combinación de temperaturas por encima del promedio y precipitaciones por debajo de lo normal. A principios de mes, la organización sin fines de lucro Roaring Fork Conservancy (RFC) emitió una alerta en un boletín comunitario, destacando […]
Posted inEnvironment
Continued drought and high temperatures set regional records, prompting early ski closures and water restrictions
Colorado and Roaring Fork Valley snowpack plummeted in March, due to a combination of above-average temperatures and below-average precipitation. Early in the month, watershed nonprofit Roaring Fork Conservancy (RFC) raised alarms in a community newsletter, highlighting that snowpack in the Valley was at 65% of normal on March 4, with average site depths of 8.7 […]
Posted inEnvironment
Fire & Water takes cinematic journey along Colorado River and through wildfire
The Middle Colorado Watershed Council (MCWC) will host the second event of its 2026 Fire & Water Speaker Series next week. The Rifle-based nonprofit organizes events each spring to engage community on topics around water, wildlife and humans within the Colorado River Basin. The first event, hosted last month, introduced hydrologist and writer Robert R. […]
Posted inLocal Government
RFTA Report: Rifle and Garfield board members appointed, comments heard on Hogback funding
The March Roaring Fork Transportation Authority (RFTA) meeting moved forward several easement resolutions, created new board member positions for representatives of Garfield County and the City of Rifle and considered funding strategy options for Hogback transit services beyond November 2026. While RFTA has assured Hogback commuter routes until November, the organization is seeking collaborative solutions […]
Posted inEducation
RFSD confirms Carrie Hassel as principal of Sopris Elementary
Last month, the Roaring Fork School District (RFSD) announced its pick for the new Sopris Elementary School principal, who will assume the role, permanently, next school year. Carrie Hassel has been serving as the school’s interim principal this year, after nearly a decade spent as its vice principal. She was selected to step into the […]
Posted inEnvironment
Douglas fir beetle management addressed at Naturalist Nights
The wood-accented room was full. Adults of all ages sat in rows from wall to wall, filling the space from the lit projector screen in front to the conference table in the back at the Aspen Center for Environmental Studies’ Hallam Lake location. Dr. Dan West of Colorado State University (CSU) and the Colorado State […]
Posted inLocal Government
RFSD Report: District launches mill levy override exploratory process
Earlier this month, the Roaring Fork School District (RFSD) board of education officially launched a mill levy override (MLO) exploratory process. Superintendent Dr. Anna Cole shared this at the Feb. 11 board meeting in Carbondale. The research work will evaluate the possibility of initiating and promoting a ballot initiative for this autumn, November 2026. A […]
Posted inBusiness
New sparks at Bonfire Coffee — instant blends and other news
For nearly 15 years, Bonfire Coffee has stood as a place to gather on the north side of Main Street in Carbondale. The cafe has become a community treasure for its message board packed with event posters and social opportunities, for exhibiting local art on the walls and, most of all, for its delectable coffee. […]