Drought relief
The new snow stake at Sunlight Mountain Resort reported six inches on Sunday morning, Dec. 28. The Mt Sopris Nordic Council said this could restore some access to Finlandia at Spring Gulch. The Marion lot remains open, but grooming has halted, snowpack is thin and many hazards are present. “Rock skis only,” recommended a recent report.
ADN acquired
Members of the Aspen Daily News Journalism Fund received notice on Tuesday, Dec. 30, that the independent newspaper founded in 1978 has been acquired by Hoffman Media Group, “a family-owned media company with a growing commitment to independent local journalism,” Associate Publisher Megan Tackett stated in an email. “Our leadership remains local. Our editorial independence remains intact. Our mission remains exactly the same,” Tackett assured.
Tree recycling
Through Jan. 11, residents of Glenwood Springs can drop off their used Christmas trees at the old rodeo grounds next to the airport. All decorations, streamers, tinsel, litter, tree stands and anything else that will not compost should first be removed. The Town of Basalt welcomes residents to recycle their trees through Feb. 1 at Arbaney Park. Carbondale’s service is open to residents through Feb. 8 at the dirt lot across from Town Hall. The City of Aspen, in partnership with Aspen Tree Service, is offering free tree recycling, not limited to residents, at the Rio Grande Recycle Center until Feb. 14.
Carbondale elections
The Town of Carbondale will hold elections in April for the mayor and two trustee positions. Nomination forms can be picked up at Town Hall beginning Jan. 6 and must be returned by Jan. 26 with at least 25 signatures from Carbondale registered voters.
SoL Theatre auditions
SoL Theatre Company is gearing up for its spring production of Roald Dahl’s “James and the Giant Peach,” adapted for the stage by James Wood, at Roaring Fork High School in March. Auditions are set for Jan. 15-17, and the age range for the production is 7-14. Sign up for an audition at www.tinyurl.com/SolTheatre
Large-print books
Age-Friendly Carbondale used grant funding it received from the American Association of Retired Persons to purchase $1,000 worth of large-print books for the Carbondale Library. Some are already shelved, with more still to come.
Booze & guns
After stopping a vehicle leaving the Fravert Reservoir outside of Rifle, the Garfield County Sheriff’s office arrested two young males, a 16-year-old juvenile and a 19-year-old, who were allegedly intoxicated and in possession of several firearms. “The investigation revealed several weapons in the vehicle, including rifles and handguns, along with magazines and ammunition,” according to a press release from the Sheriff’s Office which noted a pattern of “youth consuming alcohol and engaging in dangerous behavior at the reservoir.”
Airport survey
There’s still time to chime in on the Aspen/Pitkin County Airport terminal survey, open through Jan. 4. Two concepts have been identified and the survey asks participants to weigh both options. “Community input from the survey will determine the final concept before advancing into the schematic design phase,” detailed a press release. Find the survey at www.tinyurl.com/ASEterminalsurvey
Marijuana sales
On Dec. 22, the Colorado Department of Revenue released a report that state-wide marijuana sales had already reached nearly $1 billion in 2025, generating almost $200 million in tax and fee revenue. The department anticipated that both of those figures would be surpassed by year’s end, although complete data will not be available until February.
They say it’s your birthday!
Folks celebrating another trip around the sun this week include: Ryan Camp, Anne Grice, DJ Hill and Dan Sadowsky (Jan. 1); Dustin Eli and Eric Rudd (Jan. 2); Angela Bruno, Patrick Casse, Jay Engstrom, Mark Hamilton, Kerry Honan and Lucas Pulver (Jan. 3); Bob Albright, Skip Bell, Rick Herrington, Pat Murray, Brad Palmer and Melinda Schultz (Jan. 4); Logan Doherty, JP Bauer and Rachel Orosz (Jan. 5); Taylor Faczak and Peter Lamorte (Jan. 6); Corby Anderson and Sean Passmore (Jan. 7).