Today we turn a leaf, beginning Volume 18 of The Sopris Sun. For 17 years, we’ve delivered a vibrant weekly newspaper with many changes along the way. We hope you’ll celebrate our continued growth and evolution at the Thompson Barn in Carbondale on Feb. 19. There you can catch the official announcement of our next editor-in-chief — drumroll — and bid me a fond farewell. 

After more than five years at the helm of our editorial team, and three years on the Sopris Sun board prior to that, I am departing my role at the end of March. It’s been a difficult decision, compounded by the loving kindness I’ve received since the news broke, affirming that my work here is valued. Thank you for trusting me with the responsibility of curating this publication. 

My time at The Sopris Sun has been transformative. I extend heartfelt gratitude to everyone who has supported me along the way. This community has a special knack for lifting people up, allowing them to blossom. It’s a beautiful thing to witness and experience, and I will sorely miss these days of sharing stories with Carbondale, my hometown, and the surrounding localities.

As announced by KDNK News on Jan. 28, I’ll be moving to New Mexico in April. The horizon is open, and it lights a fire within me not knowing exactly how that will look. But it’s likely you’ll continue to see my byline in this and other publications. 

Now 33 years old, I am motivated to fly beyond my proverbial cradle — safely held within these paradisiacal valleys — to experience more of the world at a tumultuous time. I carry countless blessings with me and treasure every relationship that helped me grow. I am proud to come from here: a place of deep caring, joyful communion, creative expression and grand reverence. I am honored to have woven a strand into the tapestry of our shared histories.

And I have total faith in The Sopris Sun’s bright future. The team we’ve built is delightful and strong. Our cadre of contributors is unparalleled. Our faithful base of readers, volunteers, donors and advertisers make it possible, week after week. 

Sol del Valle has existed for close to five years and benefits tremendously from the leadership of Bianca Godina, Margarita Alvarez and Ingrid Zúniga. A recent field trip to the Colorado Mountain News Media printing press highlighted for me the passion these three bring to the Valley’s only Spanish-language newspaper. A Sol del Valle Advisory Council meeting the following Saturday highlighted the impact this resource is generating for our Latino neighbors.

And the Sopris Stars team has accrued some of the most brilliant high school students I’ve ever met. The energy they carry into our office each week enlivens all the work we do. James Steindler, as director of that youth news program, helps channel their enthusiasm into a monthly print edition that continually impresses.

We are beyond fortunate that The Sopris Sun exists to do this work — advancing diverse, independent, community-centric news with heart. We bring innovation to a long and vital tradition, actively exercising democracy by sustaining a common place for meaning-making. 

I should be so lucky to discover another job quite as purposeful. The lessons and memories will fuel me onward.

Wherever I end up, this place will live forever in my spirit, informing how I interact with the world, as it always has. I look forward to frequent visits and checking in. As the Sopris “curse” goes, I may very well find my way back to stay when the time is right.

Until then, thank you for everything. Let’s keep cheering each other on; it makes a tremendous difference.