On Friday, May 24, Governor Jared Polis and the Colorado Energy Office (CEO) announced $7.7 million in grant awards to 35 geothermal projects statewide. Among those recipients was Carbondale-based nonprofit Clean Energy Economy for the Region (CLEER), which received two grant awards for the design and installation of a geothermal energy network underneath the Third […]
Environment
Posted inEnvironment
Audubon brings on free birding and music this summer
A whole season of guided birdwatching takes flight this spring, brought to you by Roaring Fork Audubon (RFA). On May 20, RFA kicked off a dense schedule of free birding field trips through July, with more to be announced as the summer progresses. RFA, a local chapter of the National Audubon Society, is a volunteer-operated […]
Posted inEnvironment
After decades of work, state lawmakers approve wolverine reintroduction
Unlike the gray wolf (Canis lupus), Colorado voters did not approve the reintroduction of the North American wolverine (Gulo gulo luscus);. state lawmakers did. In late April, the Senate vote was 29-5 in favor of SB 24-171. In early May, the House followed suit with a 51-13 vote. The bill was sponsored by Republican Sen. […]
Posted inArts & Entertainment
5 Point highlight: Dams to rivers
Last Friday, I had the opportunity to visit Carbondale’s famed 5 Point Adventure Film Festival and had a great time. The films were interesting, informative and all around impressive. After the showing, I had the opportunity to interview Weston Boyles, one of the filmmakers and the executive director of Ríos to Rivers, a nonprofit organization […]
Posted inEnvironment
RFOV unveils its 2024 project season
Carbondale-based nonprofit Roaring Fork Outdoor Volunteers (RFOV) is gearing up for one of its biggest seasons to date. With the help of business partnerships and a state grant awarded earlier this year, RFOV has planned a whole slew of volunteer stewardship opportunities, training events and more. Sign-up is now open for everyone looking to lend […]
Posted inEnvironment
Youth Art Park on the horizon as Chacos trails behind
Carbondale is a friendly place where people like to bask in the sun or shelter in the shade in the company of others. So it’s no surprise that one park is about to open and plans for another are in the works. The Sopris Sun caught up with Nicholas DiFrank of re:LAND, the local urban […]
Posted inEnvironment
The emerald ash borer and Carbondale’s dubious distinction
If you see “D” shaped holes in your ash tree, the emerald ash borer (Agrilus planipennis) may just be your new neighbor. “The emerald ash borer (EAB) is an invasive, green metallic beetle that came over from Asia,” said Carbondale town arborist Carl Meinecke. “It’s been on the Front Range of Colorado for about 10 […]
Posted inEnvironment
Panel discusses Western water needs and challenges
On the evening of April 10, The Arts Campus at Willits (TACAW) hosted a panel discussion titled “Hanging in the Balance: Competing Needs for Water in the West.” The event was presented under the auspices of Aspen Journalism (AJ) and the Denver-based Colorado Water Trust (CWT), who partnered to produce it with TACAW and Aspen […]
Posted inEnvironment
Weighing in on tons of methane at Coal Basin
The coal mining chapter of Redstone’s history has been closed for the past few decades, and although that sounds like good news for the fight against climate change, the abandoned Coal Basin mines are far from benign. Even though new rock isn’t being broken, these mines are still releasing copious quantities of methane into the […]
Posted inNonprofits
Finding home in a dome
Kate CollinsGuest Contributor A nonprofit with deep Carbondale roots is advancing the green economy one tiny dome home at a time. Using their hearts, hands, brains and brawn in equal measure, In Our Hands has invented an inexpensive, replicable and low-carbon-impact process in which cellular concrete is poured into a form to create an 18-foot-diameter […]