Chuck Ogilby is proud of his trees, in particular a couple large Ponderosa pines on his Hell Roaring Ranch property off of the Crystal River Road, about halfway between Carbondale and Redstone. One of the Ponderosas may even be the largest one in the area … but that remains a mystery. For Ogilby’s 65 birthday, […]
Environment
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 inLocal Government
Glenwood Springs Fire Department faces $2.9 million funding gap
As Stage 2 fire restrictions kick in in Garfield County, wildfires push the air quality index into the triple digits and emergency calls steadily increase, the Glenwood Springs Fire Department (GSFD) is enduring it all while staring down a $2.9 million funding gap. The word is being spread to Glenwood Springs residents to generate awareness […]
Posted inEducation
Age-Friendly Carbondale wants you to prepare for wildfires
The best part of the Age-Friendly Carbondale (AFC) booth at July’s First Friday was the Wheel of Fortune. Modeled after the TV show’s giant spinning wheel, this one was a petite, blue, yellow, red and green handmade version. Instead of winning money, contestants won items to stock a “go bag,” like a flashlight, first aid […]
Posted inEnvironment
Carbondale electrifies town fleet with 6 new vehicles
This summer Carbondale Police Department and Public Works have made electrifying new strides in sustainability by adding several new electric vehicles (EVs) to their respective fleets in a bid to make Carbondale’s infrastructure safer and more sustainable. Unveiled to the public during June’s First Friday festivities, Carbondale Public Works now owns a new purpose-built electric […]
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 […]
Posted inEnvironment
‘This administration is burning the rule book’
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) wants to open 125,744 acres of public and private land across Colorado to oil and gas drilling. An upcoming December 2026 oil and gas lease sale includes several parcels covering almost 5,000 acres on the Roan Plateau. The agency opened a 30-day public comment period on June 9. […]
Posted inEnvironment
Community turns out for Red Hill trails this spring
Three Tuesday evenings in May, the Roaring Fork Outdoor Volunteers (RFOV) brought 92 community volunteers to the Red Hill trails for a focused stretch of trail work — and the results were significant. RFOV coordinated with the Red Hill Council to prioritize these impactful trail projects. Projects were completed on the Red Hill Sage Meadow, […]
Posted inBusiness
Uan Hollow’s wool pellets enhance soil health
For generations, wool has been a staple in the textile industry. Known for its moisture-wicking properties and breathability, it’s a durable and renewable resource favored among outdoor enthusiasts. However, as the demand for cheap synthetic materials increases, the global wool market has entered an era of unpredictability and shepherds are faced with the difficult reality […]
Posted inEnvironment
Treasure Mountain Ranch yet to file land exchange proposal
This spring, members of the Crystal River Caucus have heard presentations from Treasure Mountain Ranch (TMR), which owns 700 acres of land in and around the historic town of Crystal. TMR is looking to exchange much of its land with the White River National Forest and place near the rest of it under conservation. It’d […]