The third year of Basalt’s beloved Summer Concert Series kicks off next Wednesday, June 18, at 5:30pm in Basalt River Park. Alt-country singer Taylor Shae will support Denver-based rock band Ipecac for the first of 10 free shows happening every Wednesday through Aug. 27. This year’s Summer Concert Series features a diverse lineup of new […]
Will Buzzerd
Posted inNews
HR-passed “Big Beautiful Bill” to impact local healthcare, food security
On May 22, the U.S. House of Representatives passed budget reconciliation package H.R. 1 — also known as the “One Big, Beautiful Bill Act” (BBB) — which includes hundreds of provisions, including trillions in tax cut extensions and slashed federal funding over the next 10 years. While the bill will face changes before it is […]
Posted inLocal Government
Basalt Report: Council considers financially supporting mobile home parks purchase
Prior to this week’s regular meeting, Basalt Town Council held a work session and presentation on early designs for a planned affordable housing/community center in Willits. The center is planned to be built on two to three acres of Town-owned land known officially as Sopris Meadows Parcel 2E. Located on Lewis Lane, just across the […]
Posted inLocal Government
Basalt Report: Divided council passes short-term rental fee
Over the past two months, Basalt Town Council has been discussing a hotly contested ordinance that would establish a fee on short-term rentals (STRs) in order to generate funding to address the affordable housing crisis in Basalt. After several public hearings and despite continued pushback from the community, as well as divided outlooks among council […]
Posted inLocal Government
Basalt Report: BPD seeks to match population growth
This week’s Town Council meeting opened with a status update from the Basalt Police Department (BPD) provided by Chief Greg Knott. He presented on some of the staffing and space strains the small department has been facing as the Basalt community continues to expand. Currently, BPD operates with 14 staff members. Two patrol officer positions […]
Posted inEnvironment
Clearing a path for Avalanche Creek bighorns
In the spring of last year, The Sopris Sun published a report on the herd of bighorn sheep at Avalanche Creek. At the time, The Sun reported that the bighorn herd was in a precarious position due to a disease contracted from local domestic sheep, and Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) was considering different strategies […]
Posted inLocal Government
Basalt Report: Short-term rental fee continues to stir debate
This week, Basalt Town Council convened for a very busy night, unable to come to a conclusion on a possible regulatory fee which would cost short-term rental (STR) owners $2,532 per bedroom per year on their rental properties. For background, the Town of Basalt currently only requires STR owners to pay for a sales tax […]
Posted inLocal Government
Basalt Report: New lighting, parking laws coming to Midland
This week’s meeting in Basalt Town Hall was sparsely attended by both citizens and council members on account of spring break being in full swing in Basalt public schools. With an equally sparse agenda, the meeting was adjourned in less than half an hour. However, that was enough time for Town Engineer Catherine Christoff to […]
Posted inLocal Government
Basalt Report: Town adopts new hazard and emergency plans
This week, Basalt Town Council convened to approve new hazard mitigation and emergency operations plans local to Pitkin and Eagle Counties. In addition, council reviewed a request by Colorado Mountain College (CMC) to purchase nine deed-restricted units at Basalt Center Circle to be built at the site of the now-demolished Clark’s Market. Emergency plansThe Town […]
Posted inLocal Government
Basalt Report: Town continues conversation on short-term rental fee
This week, Basalt Town Council convened to discuss potential park and public space projects as well as a potential regulatory fee for short-term rentals which has become a subject of criticism from Basalt residents. Parks updatePrior to the meeting, Basalt Parks, Open Space and Trails (POST) held a public session to discuss its five-year Capital […]