A vigil for the trees in front of the Aspen-Sopris Ranger District office in Carbondale on First Friday set a somber tone. Close to 20 people formed a circle in the front yard to honor the iconic evergreen trees that may be lost when the 1930s-era buildings are demolished.Carbondale resident Richard Vottero, a vigil organizer, […]
Local Government
Posted inLocal Government
Carbondale’s response to migrants
When Town officials first learned that up to 80 people were camping under the bridge at the entrance to Carbondale in early November, we decided to respond in a humanitarian way that is consistent with Carbondale’s values, balanced with pragmatism based on our limited capacity. We determined that the impacts on the community and the […]
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Carbondale Report: Town Center advances as newcomer response shifts
A dividing wall partitioned the Town Hall meeting room in preparation for receiving 20 newcomer refugees from the 60 sheltered at the Third Street Center. All trustees were present, minus Erica Sparhawk.The unanimously approved consent agenda included accounts payable, designation of www.carbondalegov.org as the primary place for posting public meeting agendas, a special event liquor […]
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Basalt Report: Council keeps seat empty until general election
The Basalt Town Council convened for its first meeting of the year to discuss some lighting issues on the Spur, as well as the upcoming general election this April and the temporary position left open by Councillor Glenn Drummond’s resignation last fall. Many citizens from the condominiums at 100 and 104 Midland Avenue came to […]
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GarCo Report: Updates, funding, more Manga and the 2020 election
Silt resident John Lepkowski and his Garfield County Libraries complaints are becoming fixtures during the open public comment period at Garfield County Commissioners (BOCC) meetings. This week, he disseminated information that he said he got from Daniel Kail. Kail, the director of Trailhead Christian Counseling in Glenwood Springs, is registered in Colorado as a licensed […]
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Real estate transfer bill would assist local affordable housing efforts
A bill that’s expected to be introduced by state Rep. Elizabeth Velasco when the Colorado Legislature convenes for the 2024 session next week aims to provide another tool in the effort to create more affordable housing locally. Velasco, D-Glenwood Springs, who represents House District 57, will be joined by state Sen. Dylan Roberts, D-Eagle (Senate […]
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GarCo Report: New year, new subdivision, old library woes
John Martin was absent from 2024’s first Garfield County Board of Commissioners (BOCC) meeting. Commissioner Tom Jankovsky chaired the meeting, which was short. First thing, Silt resident and library malcontent John Lepkowski was back, carrying a satchel with at least two manga books in it and complaining that the manga series in the Silt Library […]
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GarCo Report: Library malcontents keep at it, fence at St. Finnbar blocks angler access
Trisha O’Grady, John Lepkowski and Robin Pruett were out in force at Monday’s meeting to register their ongoing complaints about the Garfield County Public Library District board and a series of Manga books at the Silt Library. O’Grady said that her local petition has garnered 1,315 signatures, acknowledging that the library board has already responded […]
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RFSD Report: Board responds to drug concerns
At the Dec. 13 Roaring Fork School District board meeting, Interim Superintendent Dr. Anna Cole said, “We do have an increasing concern regarding the presence, use, abuse and transmission of illegal narcotics, like cocaine, opioids, fentanyl, at our high schools.” In her superintendent update, she shared what was discussed at a meeting with the District […]
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Michael Francisco lawsuit against the Town of Carbondale and three police officers has stalled
It’s been three years almost to the day that Michael Francisco was arrested at the Carbondale City Market and charged with obstruction of government operations, disorderly conduct and resisting arrest. All because he pointed at someone who worked in the gas station kiosk. Even though the resisting arrest case was dismissed in May 2021, a […]