“If we take care of that water, we know that water is going to take care of us,” stated Lorelei Cloud, who has spent a lifetime advocating for water conservation and access. Cloud, a former vice chairman of the Southern Ute tribe, was also the first tribal member on record to serve on the Colorado […]
Annalise Grueter
Posted inEnvironment
Federal shutdown placed public lands strain on local governments, nonprofits
As of Nov. 11, the federal government had been shut down for over 42 consecutive days. While some employees in various agencies remained at work with or without pay, many were furloughed or otherwise suspended via reduction in force orders. These limitations strained public lands management throughout the country. Colorado, as the state with the […]
Posted inEducation
Aspen Science Center sparks curiosity at Sopris Elementary
This school year, students at Sopris Elementary School in Glenwood Springs have run experiments in building and propulsion engineering, DNA extraction and chemical reactions. They have done this with help from Aspen Science Center (ASC) instructors, who have visited the school throughout the autumn thanks to a funding grant intended to increase fun and accessible […]
Posted inLocal Government
RFSD Report: Language program reviews, superintendent evaluation, public outreach
In October, the Roaring Fork School District (RFSD) held two regular Board of Education meetings and a special session, Oct. 15, for a superintendent review. The board conducted its annual review of Dr. Anna Cole’s performance in the role. Next week, district voters will elect two new board members for four-year terms. Oct. 8 meeting […]
Posted inArts & Entertainment
Jan Garrett and JD Martin plant musical seeds in Carbondale on Oct. 25
This Saturday, Oct. 25, the Third Street Center in Carbondale will host a special concert by local musicians. In “The Power of the Seed,” singer-songwriters and longtime locals Jan Garrett and JD Martin, together with Marcy Baruch, aim to plant ideas and sow community. The concert is co-sponsored by The Center for Human Flourishing. Garrett […]
Posted inEnvironment
RFPLWF unites common interests
In late spring and early summer, signs began appearing at many outdoor access points throughout the Roaring Fork Valley. These notices included reminders to recreate responsibly alongside information about reduced public lands funding and ways to steward outdoor spaces. These signs are just one aspect of work being done by a new local coalition: the […]
Posted inLocal Government
7B asks voters whether or not to renew Basalt Library mill levy
Next month, some Roaring Fork Valley voters will weigh in on a ballot question about the Basalt Regional Library. Measure 7B applies to people living within the library district, which includes Old Snowmass, Missouri Heights and up Fryingpan Road all the way to Norrie Colony. The Sopris Sun spoke with the library’s executive director, Amy […]
Posted inLocal Government
RFTA Report: Budget amendments, e-bikes and more
October has been a busy month for RFTA. In addition to launching the Fare Free Fall pilot program, which offers free ridership on all regional routes through Nov. 30, the transportation authority hosted Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) representatives for a site visit at its Glenwood Maintenance Facility and Operations Center on Oct. 15. During […]
Posted inArts & Entertainment
Mountain Gazette marks 60 years with new anthology
“When in doubt, go higher” is the slogan of Mountain Gazette, the Aspen-born biannual magazine. This coming winter, that tagline could well be “when in doubt, go bigger.” The publication is coming up on the 60th anniversary of its first issue. In 1966, the magazine was called Skiers’ Gazette and focused on the Colorado Rockies. […]
Posted inColumns
First-ever Aspen Literary Festival offered inspiration for bookish community
Note: Annalise Grueter is a member of the Aspen Writers Network and participated in an Aspen Summer Words juried workshop this past June. Literature came alive in Aspen the last weekend of September. Tents full of books, artwork, readers and writers decorated the lawn of the Red Brick Center for the Arts. The main tent […]