Land-use issues filled this week’s Garfield Board of County Commissioners’ (BOCC) agenda on Tuesday, beginning with Sweetwater residents against the proposed state park at Sweetwater Lake. They voiced concerns during the public comment period about what they and the land have to lose if the park is approved. When the White River National Forest (WRNF) […]
Environment
Posted inEnvironment
Carbondale residents show up for the trees
On July 16, Carbondale Town Arborist Carl Meinecke led the Town’s annual tree walk. The summer stroll offered community members the opportunity to learn about the public tree canopy from Meinecke and members of the Carbondale Tree Board, who otherwise are kept busy ensuring planting and maintenance of a healthy mountain town forest and park […]
Posted inEnvironment
Smart irrigation system slashes water use at Crown Mountain Park
A new, smart irrigation system is now fully operational at Crown Mountain Park that can slash the mid-valley park’s water usage by 20% to 30%, or tens of thousands of gallons of water a day — coming not a moment too soon during a historically dry year. The new irrigation system, called Baseline, uses real-time […]
Posted inEnvironment
How wide is your Pondo?
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, […]
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. […]