This look back at this month in history is drawn from the newspaper archive at the Carbondale Branch Library. Digitization efforts are underway, with 1975 through 1982 expected to be available at www.coloradohistoricnewspapers.org this summer. Contact tkallassy@gcpld.org if you’re interested in supporting the project.
Meanwhile, The Sun is in the process of binding issues from 2018 to present, and needs your help tracking down the following Volume 11 (2019) issues: 4 (March 7), 7 (March 28), 11 (April 15), 12 (May 2), 17 (June 6), 19 (June 17), 20 (June 27), 22 (July 11), 26 (Aug. 8); as well as issues 50 (Jan. 17) and 53 (Feb. 7) of Volume 10. Please email news@soprissun.com if you can help!
April 4, 1974
“Good morning, Carbondale,” the Roaring Fork Review — the town’s first newspaper in decades — declared on its inaugural cover, alongside a hazy sunrise shot and a thank you to the Sage Reminder, Roaring Fork Bank and Circle Super for making it all possible. Editors Pat Noel and Rebecca Young acknowledged their newcomer status, but vowed to “make every attempt to incorporate as many of those in the community into this paper as possible.” The first issue included coverage of the municipal elections in which John M. Fleet was elected mayor, a bond proposal that would lead to the construction of the Roaring Fork and Basalt High School buildings that now serve as middle schools, and the launch of the Retired Senior Volunteer Program.
April 19, 1984
A fierce debate was underway around a proposed ordinance that would protect solar access for homeowners’ rooftops. It was championed by the Carbondale Energy Review Board, drawn up by Town Planner Mark Chain and opposed by prominent local developers. “I’m not against solar,” Ernie Gianinetti asserted, “I am against any legislation that forces people to do things.” The paper itself held with those in favor, editorializing that the law “is simple, it will not make life insurmountably difficult for developers as some seem to feel, and it will guarantee future generations the ability to use the sun to heat their homes, grow their food in winter, heat their water and power their appliances.”
April 14, 1994
Mid-Continent Resources received approval to liquidate all assets, more than two years after attempting to sell the Dutch Creek coal mine near Redstone and ultimately filing for bankruptcy instead. Formerly one of the largest employers in Western Colorado, the company had gone from an asset to a liability due to the cost of reclamation. With money freed up by the sales, work on the 333-acres disturbed by four decades of mining was projected to wrap up in 1996.
April 1, 2004
The Valley Journal got in the April Fools’ spirit with a not-so-subtly edited cover photo of President George W. Bush, “whose popularity in Carbondale is well documented,” leaving the Black Nugget “on his way to campaign for several candidates in the Carbondale municipal election.” The illustration was courtesy of “The Cosmos” and more information was reportedly available on page 37 of the 36-page paper.
April 17, 2014
Four different proposals were vying for Town approval to make use of the old Gordon Cooper Library building. The space had previously been slated for transformation into a museum featuring the works of local sculptor James Surls, until financial backing fell apart. The Carbondale Chamber of Commerce liked the idea of relocating their Third Street Center office back to Main Street, Jim Breasted advocated for a hostel and newly elected trustee A.J. Hobbs recused himself at his first meeting to push for a cafe and community events space. Ultimately, the board supported a partnership between the Carbondale Council on Arts and Humanities and Dance Initiative for a combined dance facility and arts center which would become The Launchpad.