Basalt elections
There are four candidates vying for three Basalt Town Council seats this spring: Angela Anderson, Benjamin Fierstein, Elyse Hottel, Greg Shaffran. Registered voters will receive a mail-in ballot due back by April 7. Do you have a question for these candidates? Please email raleigh@soprissun.com with “Basalt election” in the subject line.
Red Hill alert
According to the Red Hill Council, since markers went up surrounding degraded soils, meant to keep hikers away to allow for restoration, many trail users have disregarded the barriers and trampled right through. “People are annihilating the place, including carving new routes through previously intact biocrust gardens,” said Chris Brandt, council president, on Feb. 9. He acknowledged that some people may be sidestepping the muddy trail, but emphasized that that still causes damage. “There are only two trails that are bone-dry, moon-dusty even: Mushroom Rock and Ruthie’s. All other trails lead to squishy, slippery, sticky mud, and bypassing it causes even more damage to the adjacent environment.”
GarCo GOP candidate
Eric Rudd of Carbondale has thrown his hat into the race as a Republican candidate for the District 1 seat of the Garfield Board of County Commissioners, currently held by Chairman Tom Jankovsky. He’s served on the Planning and Zoning Commission for more than a decade, according to a press release. “I am committed to practical and principled leadership, and I am grateful for the opportunity to serve all my neighbors in Garfield County and preserve our county’s unique character for future generations,” Rudd stated. The Garfield County Democrat candidate(s) will be announced Feb. 17, said a spokesperson.
Snowpack report
Last week, Roaring Fork Conservancy reported that snowpack in the watershed is well below average — 57% of normal for this time of year. Due to dry and warm conditions not letting up, the snow-water-equivalent (SWE) reached historic lows daily over a two-week period, with the SWE tracking at 0.9-inches lower than the last snow drought of 2018. Flows from Ruedi Reservoir decreased by 15cfs, and the Bureau of Reclamation forecasts that the reservoir will not fill this summer.
FAB grants
The City of Glenwood Springs Financial Advisory Board (FAB) is now accepting 2026 grant applications. This City Council-appointed group of community volunteers allocates a portion of sales tax revenue and tourism funds toward bolstering human services, special events, tourism promotion and other public purposes deemed appropriate. Applications are due on April 8 by 5pm at www.gwsco.info/fab-grant
BOCES grant
The Garfield County commissioners granted $25,000 to the Colorado River Board of Cooperative Education Services (BOCES) last week. BOCES offers career-oriented educational programming to high school students from Aspen to De Beque; almost 700 participated in its Educational Pathways to Innovative Careers program between 2022 and 2025. “We’re going to use these funds for professional development and programming support,” said Mark Gregory, BOCES’ career and technical education director. “It’s almost all going to be based on skill trades, including automotive, aviation, construction and architecture needs.”
Redstone bridge replacement
Pitkin County has awarded the construction contract for the Redstone South Bridge Replacement Project to Myers and Sons Construction. Construction activities will begin mid-February and the bridge will close in early March and remain closed through the summer. Built in 1947, the Redstone South Bridge is the oldest bridge in Pitkin County. Its replacement will improve safety and reliability and include a new trail connectivity component. The contractor has been offered a $2,000 per day incentive to complete the project up to 25 days ahead of the Sept. 4 target date.
Gray wolf mortality
The 3-year-old breeding male in the King Mountain Pack died during routine collaring operations in Routt County on Jan. 28. Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) performed a necropsy with results still pending. CPW has decided to cease capture operations while the circumstances of this mortality are investigated. The wolf’s collar had low batteries, and CPW aimed to replace them to comply with the Colorado Wolf Restoration and Management Plan, a press release explained. With the additional death of a female wolf on Jan. 16, KDNK News reported, this “brings[s] the total [number] of wolf deaths in the state to 14 since relocation began in 2023.”
CPW leadership
The CPW commission and Executive Director Dan Gibbs have chosen Major General Laura Clellan as the sole finalist for the CPW director position. On Feb. 23, the commission will hold a special virtual meeting to consider the appointment. Clellan has served as CPW’s acting director since December of 2025. She served as adjutant general and executive director of the Colorado Department of Military and Veterans Affairs before retiring in October of 2025.
Libertarians stand apart
The Libertarian Party of Colorado board has formally denounced and nullified the “Liberty Pledge” used during the 2024 election cycle to support Republican candidates who were claimed to hold “Libertarian-leaning” views. The state board determined that the “Liberty Pledge” conflicts with its party’s bylaws which explicitly state that only Libertarian Party nominees for partisan public office may be endorsed. Chair Keith Laube emphasized that Libertarians are not aligned with either major political party. “Libertarians are strong defenders of personal liberty and equal rights for all adults,” he said. “The Libertarian Party has long supported the LGBTQ community, immigrants and marriage equality — positions that the Republican Party has historically opposed.” He added, “The current Republican administration’s actions — including deploying ICE and masked military police into communities and intimidating schools — are unacceptable to Libertarians.”
They say it’s your birthday!
The Sopris Sun, Roger Berliner, Raleigh Burleigh, Sam Hayes, Anna Huntington, Ciara Low, Faith Magill, Sarah and Laura Nelson, Jamie Ramge and Gene Schilling (Feb. 12); Amy Rota (Feb. 13); Camille Backman, Cliff Coalia, Winnie Crampton-Steindler, Deatra Glock, Gabriela Mejia and Andrea Stewart (Feb. 14); Richard Allen, Jesse Hill, Scott Levine, Dave Plumb, Skyler Stark-Ragsdale and Megan Tackett (Feb. 15); Cody Lee, Luby Lubrant, Tristan Mead, Jessie Murillo and Dale Will (Feb. 16); Emma Scher and Jade Wimberley (Feb. 17); Sarah Emily Murray (Feb. 18).