Lift-Update
Lift-Up, the nonprofit operator of food pantries and supplementary food programs from Parachute to Aspen, announced on Dec. 18 that Samantha Freese will serve as the organization’s next executive director. Freese, a New Castle resident, has worked for the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment as well as Mountain Valley Developmental Services and most recently as financial literacy and marketing director at YouthEntity. “I have spent much of my career working alongside individuals and families in this community who are navigating economic instability and systemic barriers,” Freese stated in a press release. “Those experiences shaped my understanding that asking for help is not a weakness, it is often an act of strength. That belief, along with my commitment to this community, guides how I lead.”
CMS transition
Carbondale Middle School (CMS) Principal Michael Logan announced his plans to resign from the position at the end of the 2025-26 school year. “Serving families at CMS as principal over the past three years has been the honor of a lifetime, and I am grateful to have worked with people who care so deeply about our youth and our community,” Logan stated in a letter. “Leaving the principal position is a transition toward the next stage of my career,” he added. “I hope to retire as a teacher, the way I began in 1997.” The position will be posted in January on the Roaring Fork School District website.
History gardens help
Carbondale Heritage Gardens is seeking help to maintain the Pioneer Heritage Garden, next to the Jail and Cabin History Park, as well as gardens at the Thompson House, meticulously cared for by Sue Gray. An appreciation for seed-saving practices is essential, as well as interest in teaching visiting school groups about the gardens and their histories. For details, email carbondaleheritagegarden@gmail.com or call 970-618-1849.
Oil and gas
“To meet the requirements of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act,” a recent Bureau of Land Management (BLM) press release begins, “the [BLM] will hold an oil and gas lease sale on Jan. 8, 2026, offering 23 parcels totaling 20,451.34 acres in Colorado.” The BLM’s regular fourth-quarter lease sale on Dec. 9, 2025 generated nearly $4.9 million, and the Big Beautiful Bill requires a replacement sale if there are no bids on 25% or more of the acreage offered during a previous sale. Find parcel details at www.bit.ly/182026BLMCO
River boost
Roaring Fork Conservancy has partnered with the Colorado River Water Conservation District, Town of Basalt, Basalt Water Conservancy District and Colorado Water Conservation Board to increase winter flows on the lower Fryingpan River by release water from the Ruedi Reservoir contracted to the Town of Basalt in order to minimize the formation of anchor ice and its impacts on aquatic life. “Maintaining minimum winter flows at 60-700 [cubic feet per second] increases both recreational opportunities, ecological resiliency and economic benefit,” a press release stated. As of Dec. 18, Roaring Fork Conservancy recorded snowpack at 53% of normal for the Roaring Fork Watershed.
Naturalist Nights
Wilderness Workshop, the Aspen Center for Environmental Studies and Roaring Fork Audubon have released the schedule for their 2026 Naturalist Nights free winter speaker series. Each presentation will premier at the Third Street Center on a Wednesday and be repeated the following night at Hallam Lake, as well as archived on YouTube. Find the list of speakers and topics at www.wildernessworkshop.org/naturalist-nights-2026
Basalt SRO
Pitkin County commissioners approved an emergency ordinance authorizing an intergovernmental agreement with the Town of Basalt to provide supplemental law enforcement services, allowing for a dedicated school resource officer (SRO) to return to Basalt schools for the remainder of the 2025-26 school year. “This agreement allows us to prioritize the safety and well-being of students,” said Basalt Town Manager Gloria Kaasch-Buerger. Under the agreement, Pitkin County Sheriff’s Office deputies will provide patrol services within the Town of Basalt, allowing the police department to refocus its resources while efforts are underway to recruit more officers.
CPW director sought
The Colorado Department of Natural Resources is seeking candidates for the position of director of Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW). “CPW is a national leader in conservation, recreation and wildlife management,” the press release describes. Applications are being accepted through Dec. 31 at www.bit.ly/CPW-director
They say it’s your birthday!
Folks celebrating another trip around the sun this week include: Tashreen Alam, Daniel Giese, Hanah Jundt and Greg Mohl (Dec. 25); Caitlin Causey, Emma Danciger and Darryl Fuller (Dec. 26); Laura Hader and Eduardo Torres (Dec. 27); Chip Bishop (Dec. 28); Willoughby Bourne, Sue Edelstein, Mark Gray, Jordan Hirro, Randy Schutt, Will Tempest, Nick Walgren and Debbie Wilde (Dec. 29); Beymar Silva and Stephanie Syson (Dec. 30); Chris Barlow and Kris Cook (Dec. 31).