Drought and heatwaves affect more than just humans, which is the case this summer as the Roaring Fork Watershed continues to experience “exceptional” drought — the most severe rating per the United States Drought Monitor. Human residents can see visible stress in local plant life as well as animals. To learn more about drought stress […]
Annalise Grueter
Posted inEnvironment
Pitkin, Eagle counties, local municipalities awarded energy funding
This summer, 10 Roaring Fork Valley and Colorado River corridor jurisdictions were awarded over $4 million in climate and energy funding from the Colorado Energy Office’s Local IMPACT Accelerator program. The IMPACT Accelerator awarded $30.1 million statewide during this allocation round, meaning the local cohort landed over 13% of funding. The $4 million award will […]
Posted inArts & Events
Frontiers of Knowledge 2026 to explore intersections of consciousness
In late August, Frontiers of Knowledge will once again bring a day of conversation about human consciousness to the Wheeler Opera House in Aspen. This year, after the presentations and storytelling on Sunday, Aug. 23, the discussion will continue Aug. 24 in Carbondale at True Nature, where participants will process the information together through movement […]
Posted inEnvironment
Western Slope growers had varying luck with crops after April’s late freeze
Back in April, a cold spell hit Western Colorado, with temperatures dropping below 28 degrees in the North Fork and Grand Valleys west of the Roaring Fork region. After above-average temperatures in February and March, including multiple warm spells, crops in the area were ahead of growing schedule. Farmers sprang into action; some fared well, […]
Posted inEducation
Literacy Outreach puts a call out for volunteer tutors
Literacy Outreach is in its 40th year of community empowerment. The organization has been facilitating development of literacy skills since 1985, based on the belief that the ability to read is an essential survival skill. Literacy Outreach believes that illiteracy holds people back from their full potential, and that improving reading skills allows them to […]
Posted inEnvironment
Carbondale residents show up for the trees
On July 16, Carbondale Town Arborist Carl Meinecke led the Town’s annual tree walk. The summer stroll offered community members the opportunity to learn about the public tree canopy from Meinecke and members of the Carbondale Tree Board, who otherwise are kept busy ensuring planting and maintenance of a healthy mountain town forest and park […]
Posted inNoticias
Calidad del aire y cómo protegerse, según un experto
Los efectos de los incendios forestales sobre la calidad del aire van mucho más allá del humo visible. En un año en el que Colorado ha registrado 17 incendios de más de 1,000 acres, seis de ellos iniciados en el último mes, la calidad del aire se ha convertido en una preocupación para muchas personas. […]
Posted inEnvironment
Air quality safety, as recommended by an expert
Air quality impacts of wildfire go beyond visible smoke. In a year that Colorado has seen 17 fires over 1,000 acres, with six of those large wildfires having started in the last month, air quality is top of mind for many people. The Sopris Sun spoke with air pollution and environmental health expert Michael Petroni, […]
Posted inColumns
Ice, literacy and the pursuit of happiness
When I was younger, dreaming of a writing future, I knew that building a career in this field can take time. I knew that so well that my ambition was tempered by it. As a pre-teen and a teenager there was this active thought: “I won’t have a book published until I’m in my 40s, […]
Posted inEnvironment
Roaring Fork Watershed still in ‘exceptional drought’ as fires rage
As of the beginning of July, the Roaring Fork Valley remains one of the regions experiencing the highest level of drought in Colorado. After a warm and dry winter, the region also saw a drier-than-average spring. Last week, the Roaring Fork Conservancy’s (RFC) weekly watershed report noted June 25 and 26 rain showers as “the […]