Literacy Outreach is in desperate need of volunteer tutors, facing increasing demand with 110 Garfield County resident tutees already on its waiting list. Tutors help participants with basic language skills and practical tasks, like preparing for a citizenship exam or filling out a job application. Most participants are Spanish-speaking, but tutors don’t have to be! Literacy Outreach will host four informational sessions this month: Jan. 15 (3-4pm) at the Glenwood Springs Library, Jan. 16 (3-4pm) at the Carbondale Library, Jan. 23 (4-5pm) at the Rifle Library and Jan. 29 (2-3pm) at its office in Glenwood Springs (1127 School Street). No RSVP is required. Contact Megan Webber at meganwebber@literacyoutreach.org or call 970-945-5282 for more information. Pictured: Volunteer tutor Deb Loter (second from left) poses with four students that she teaches in a class at the Rifle Library. Courtesy photo

Basalt art grants
Grants of up to $10,000 are available to local artists, organizations and nonprofits via the Basalt Public Arts Commission. Funding may be used for one-time or continuing public arts projects and programs that have a measurable benefit within Basalt. Submissions are due by 5pm, Feb. 20. Find details at www.basalt.net/bpac

RFSD declining enrollment
The Roaring Fork School District (RFSD) observed a 4.2% decline in student enrollment this year, based on the October 2025 student count. According to the Colorado Department of Educations, student enrollment declined an average of 1.2% across the state in the fall of 2025 compared with the year prior. The shift is attributed to declining school-aged populations, increased racial and ethnic diversity and increased online learning opportunities. 

North Star management
Pitkin County Open Space and Trails is in the final stages of updating its North Star Nature Preserve Management Plan. The community is invited to review a draft and take a questionnaire by Feb. 4 (online at www.bit.ly/North-Star-Plan). Experience North Star on skis with a free, one-hour guided tour, Jan. 19, 25, Feb. 4, 15 at 11am; registration at www.bit.ly/North-Star-Ski

O&G replacement sale
On Dec. 9, 2025, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) held an oil and gas lease sale during which the industry chose to pass on 40% of the acreage offered for lease. As mandated by Congress under the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act,” the BLM then announced a “replacement sale” on Jan. 8 where all the parcels that did not sell were again offered. Not a single re-offered parcel received a bid, “a clear example of how wasteful and inefficient this process is,” stated Wilderness Workshop in a press release. 

Glenwood Chamber awards
The Glenwood Springs Chamber Resort Association is calling for nominations for Citizen of the Year, ATHENA Leadership, ATHENA Young Professional, Top Brass Outstanding Business, Top Brass Outstanding New Business and Top Brass Milestone. Awardees will be honored at a gala at the Hotel Colorado on Feb. 28, sponsored by Alpine Bank and Valley View. The community is encouraged to nominate individuals or businesses for these awards by Jan. 31 at glenwoodchamber.com/annual-gala

SoL auditions
Stage of Life Theatre Company announced audition sign-ups for “Alice by Heart,” a musical inspired by the 1865 novel Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. In-person auditions will be held at the Thunder River Theatre Company on Feb. 21-22 and video submissions emailed to brittany@soltheatrecompany.org will be accepted through Feb. 20. This advanced training production is open to high school and college students. Find details at www.bit.ly/SoL-Alice

Art Base opportunities
The Art Base in Basalt is seeking a part-time office administrator, as well as a bilingual art instructor for youth and adult classes. Learn more about both positions at www.theartbase.org/about/work-opportunities

Range riders
Colorado Park and Wildlife (CPW) is expanding its Range Rider program this spring and looking to hire additional riders. Eleven range riders were brought on for the initial 2025 summer season, helping livestock producers navigate and prevent wolf-livestock conflicts, mostly in the northwest part of the state. “With continued wolf dispersal, CPW is hoping to expand the program into the southwest and increase the number of contracted riders,” read a press release. An information session will be held on Jan. 16 at the CPW Grand Junction Office, with a virtual attendance option available. Requests for proposals are due by Feb. 6, and riders mount up in April. For more information, visit www.tinyurl.com/2026RangeRiders 

Childcare assistance
The City of Aspen and Kids First’s annual financial aid program, offsetting childcare costs for parents who live or work in Aspen with children under 5 and attending a participating licensed childcare program in Pitkin County, is accepting applications until Feb. 1. Families already receiving assistance through the program do not need to reapply. The online application includes a translation option, and can be found at www.aspen.gov/316/Financial-Aid 

Photos by Klaus Kocher

In response to the shooting of Renee Good by an ICE officer in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Mountain Action Indivisible organized protests in Parachute, Glenwood Springs and Basalt over the weekend, as well as a candlelight vigil in Carbondale. “The murder of Renee Nicole Good by ICE follows a string of horrific assaults, abductions and killings of immigrants across our country,” described Mountain Action Indivisible in a press release. “Our response must be loud, peaceful and undeniable.” 

Glenwood Springs ICE Out for Good Visibility Brigade, photo by Dave Ritchie

They say it’s your birthday!
Folks celebrating another trip around the sun this week include: Crista Barlow and Frank Nadell (Jan. 15); Johann Aberger, Kimberlie Chenowith and Drew Walters (Jan. 16); Brenda Buchanan, Katrina Byars, Ron Kokish, Roy Rickus and Tanner Rollyson (Jan. 17); Patrick Anderson, Joe Flores, Tarie Lahet, Katie Woltjer and Shannon Pelland (Jan. 19); Bryan Alvarez-Terrazas, Brooke Bockelman, Olivia Emery and Lewis Cooper (Jan. 20); Maisa Metcalf (Jan. 21).