Snow is accumulating on the peaks, Indy Pass is closed for the season, snow guns are roaring at the ski resorts and the Colorado Avalanche Information Center (CAIC) is observing its 50th anniversary of avalanche forecasting and education. In an Oct. 26 press release marking the milestone, CAIC Director Ethan Greene said, “Much has changed […]
Environment
Posted inEnvironment
Carbondale geothermal project wins Dept. of Energy grant
Dave Reed is communications director at CLEER. A local team has kicked off the design phase of an innovative geothermal demonstration project in Carbondale, with test drilling likely to begin in early November. The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) gave the official go-ahead to the Carbondale Community Geothermal Coalition to begin work on the project […]
Posted inEnvironment
Crystal River committee hosts community summit, Oct. 26
Few would disagree that the Crystal River is a treasure worthy of protecting. This undammed, wild river is boasted for its scenic beauty, sustaining local agriculture, residences, recreational opportunities and wildlife habitat. The river has faced previous threats, including two dam attempts, one of which would have flooded Redstone. In 2013, the Colorado River District […]
Posted inEnvironment
Glenwood receives $600k federal forestry grant
On Sept. 14, the City of Glenwood Springs was awarded a $600,000 grant for urban and community forestry, expanding the city’s community forestry program sixfold over the course of the next five years to make for a greener, more environmentally equitable Glenwood. The grant was received as part of a sweeping action by the U.S. […]
Posted inEnvironment
Carbondale launches Home Energy Score pilot program
Dave Reed is communications director at CLEER. Garfield Clean Energy is teaming up with local electric utilities to launch an energy-efficiency campaign to help residents save money by saving energy in their homes. As part of the Get Your Home Ready for Winter campaign, Garfield County customers of Xcel Energy, Holy Cross Energy and Glenwood […]
Posted inEnvironment
Crystal River augmentation study raises hopes and concerns
Just downstream of the confluence of Avalanche Creek and the Crystal River, a 50-acre floodplain has become a site of optimism — and controversy — among water users in the Crystal River Valley. Early this summer, the West Divide Water Conservancy District and the Colorado River Water Conservation District published a report on a joint […]
Posted inNews
Seeing the Forest Service for the trees
Construction on the new Aspen-Sopris Ranger District buildings in Carbondale is one step closer to becoming reality. The White River National Forest (WRNF) awarded a $6.3 million contract to Dare-Case Contracting Services LLC of Grand Junction on Sept. 28 — one day after WRNF Supervisor Scott Fitzwilliams signed a new decision memo for the project. […]
Posted inEnvironment
Carbondale youth stand to make a difference
Last year, on Fridays after school, Delilah, Camille, Violet and Ava would meet at the Carbondale Library. These four friends are each 10 years old and in the fifth grade at Carbondale Community School. They decided that with concerted effort, they could make a difference in the world. Initially, their ideas started big. Violet thought […]
