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 faces and fan favorites from near and far. Each show will feature a regional opener at 5:30pm with a main touring act playing at 7pm.
Music fans are encouraged to bring picnic blankets and snacks, as well as partake in the improved concession stands. The Town of Basalt has partnered with 10 different nonprofits who will receive a portion of the proceeds from the concessions. “This, along with the ongoing support of our impressive sponsors, makes this a true community celebration, and the Town looks forward to seeing our friends and neighbors at Basalt River Park every Wednesday night this summer,” said Town Planning Director Michelle Thibeault.
Town Staff is excited to invite visitors to the River Park bandshell, and to kick off another rockin’ summer on the shores of the Roaring Fork River. More information can be found here.
Aspen-Basalt Mobile Home Park
During the period for general public comments at this week’s Town Hall meeting, more residents of the Aspen-Basalt Mobile Home Park requested financial assistance. At the May 27 meeting, dozens of residents from the park came forth to ask for any support possible in order to finance the purchase of the park by its residents. On April 9, an anonymous buyer placed an offer to purchase both Aspen-Basalt Mobile Home Park and Mountain Valley Mobile Home Park near Carbondale for a total of $42 million. This purchase is anticipated to raise rents in the parks beyond affordability for their residents, who have 120 days from that date to place a counteroffer lest many workers, students, community members and families stand to lose their homes in the Roaring Fork Valley.
“We’re going to do everything we possibly can, and we encourage every other organization, business, individual to do everything they can — this is a huge priority for us,” said Mayor David Knight in response to the comments.
After convening for a retreat earlier on the day of the meeting, Town Council decided to double the previous meeting’s commitment of $250,000 toward the purchase of the parks and will now be contributing $500,000. In addition, the Town of Basalt signed on for a grant with the Colorado Department of Local Affairs which, though it can’t be used to directly finance a purchase, would fund efforts by the West Mountain Regional Housing Coalition to gather resources from various municipalities.
Natural medicine
Town Council also held a second reading on a series of town code amendments which would allow for the sale, manufacturing and use of natural medicine in Basalt — including psilocybin.
The code amendments are written in response to the State of Colorado’s Proposition 122 which allowed for the supervised use of natural psychedelic medicines at licensed facilities and prohibited local governments from banning said facilities.
Originally, the Town code amendment in question would enable the disbursement of these medicines in facilities already zoned as “Medical Centers,” which only includes the Midvalley Medical Center and the Aspen Valley Health building. However, after some discussion, Town Council directed staff to pursue amendments to the Town code in order to add “Healing Center” as a distinct use. Town Council agreed to continue the reading and public hearing to June 24 for this possibility to be explored.