Residents of Aspen Equestrian Estates, neighboring the polo fields east of Carbondale, were unable to stop their HOA from “removing” a weeping willow (Salix babylonica) estimated to be at least 50 years old. Kristin Melbye, the resident whose house is closest to the tree, considers herself a conservationist and offered to pay for annual inspections and maintenance, and to indemnify the HOA should the tree cause damage to her home. Since 2019, Melbye had already been paying for the tree’s maintenance. “I purchased my lot because of the proximity to the willow where a great horned owl perches,” Melbye wrote to neighbors, requesting help to prevent the tree’s demise. SavATree arrived on March 10 to cut it down, at a cost of around $11,500 to residents. The HOA board declared the tree, which extends over Equestrian Way, a liability due to its age and condition and acted “in the interest of and for the safety and well-being of the community as a whole.” A letter to the community detailed how the HOA’s insurance carrier considered the tree a known hazard due to documented issues including a large branch failure, which Melbye denies. “I'm devastated,” she told The Sopris Sun. “The tree could be providing joy and beauty for a possible six more years with adequate pruning.” Photo by Raleigh Burleigh

Highway 133 tragedy
The evening of March 1, Diana Quinn, a 76-year-old woman from the Carbondale area, lost her life after colliding with the back of a semi and trailer on Highway 133 south of Carbondale. At the time of the crash, the semi was parked in the northbound lane of the highway and unoccupied while “farm operations” were being conducted, according to a spokesperson with Colorado State Patrol (CSP). The semi’s hazard lights were reportedly on. The case is being investigated by CSP as a fatal crash, according to the spokesperson, who added that a conclusive report could take weeks or even months pending an investigation. According to the Coroner’s Office, an autopsy was completed on March 2, and the manner of death is being investigated as an accident.

Secret ICE hold rooms
The Colorado Times Recorder recently published an extensive article, “Secret ICE Detention Facilities Exist Around Colorado, Data Shows,” that details Immigration and Custom Enforcement (ICE) regularly utilizing temporary holding rooms in Colorado to detain people beyond the federal agency’s own 72-hour limitation for such facilities. The 2025 data, which was obtained through a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request, only spans January to October “due to ongoing FOIA litigation,” the report stated. During that time, 3,182 individuals, between the ages of 1 and 91 years old, were held in such facilities throughout the state, including 83 in Glenwood Springs. To read the full article, visit www.coloradotimesrecorder.com/content/news 

Your voice, your radio
Kicking off its spring membership drive, KDNK Community Radio initiated a comment line whereby listeners can leave a message professing their love for the station. Messages left may then be played on the airwaves. To comment, call 970-510-3250.

GCPLD executive director search
The Garfield County Public Library District has launched a nationwide search for an experienced and community-focused executive director to lead its six-branch system. Applications are due by March 20. Find details at www.gcpld.org/about-us/careers

Houseplant sale
Botany Houseplant Shop in Carbondale is offering 25% off all houseplants for the month of March. The store is open from 10am to 5pm, Tuesday to Sunday.

Rifle police chief resigns
Rifle Police Chief Debra Funston has formally announced she will retire from law enforcement this April after serving the Rifle community since 2021. She will transition into another role with the City of Rifle. Funston was awarded the Colorado Attorney General’s Award for Excellence in Law Enforcement in 2025. Lieutenant Mike Kuper has been named as interim police chief while the City undergoes a hiring process. 

Fur sales
At its March meeting, the Colorado Parks and Wildlife commission voted to initiate rulemaking related to a citizen petition to amend regulations to “prohibit the commercial sale of wildlife fur in Colorado.” The prohibition could apply to coyotes, beavers, bobcats, mink, pine martens, badgers, foxes, racoons, skunks, weasels, opossums and muskrats. A proposed rule will be drafted in the coming months. 

Meadow Creek Lake
With the completion of a dam rehabilitation project, Colorado Parks and Wildlife has removed an emergency fish salvage in place since August of 2024 at Meadow Creek Lake, north of Rifle. All regular bag and possession limits have been reinstated. “We want to thank the public for their support in reducing the loss of fish while water levels in the reservoir were lowered,” said aquatic biologist Kristina Morben.

Oil and gas leasing
The Bureau of Land Management is proposing to offer 174 parcels totaling 160,628 acres of public lands in Colorado up for oil and gas leases. The public comment period closes this Friday, March 13. Find details at www.bit.ly/BLM-lease-sale 

‘Death Cards’ investigation
Senators John Hickenlooper and Michael Bennet are demanding that the Department of Homeland Security disclose which ICE field office is conducting the investigation into reports that ace of spades “death cards” were left in cars belonging to individuals detained by ICE agents in Eagle County. The letter follows a February request for an immediate, independent investigation. The cards, historically used by white supremacist groups to intimidate people of color, had the address and phone number of the Aurora ICE detention facility printed on them. 

Funding for farmers
The U.S. Department of Agriculture is awarding over $26.8 million to help local and regional food-related businesses develop, coordinate and expand producer-to-consumer marketing, local and regional markets and local food enterprises. The programs require a 25% cost share amount of federal funds being requested. Learn more at www.bit.ly/LAMP-grants

They say it’s your birthday!
Folks celebrating another trip around the sun this week include: Laura Bartels, Dean Bowlby, Hilary Burgess, Rose Rossello, Laura Segura and Lee Swidler (March 12); Alex Alvarado, Mike Cuseo, Jared Kennedy, Justin McBride, Denise Moss, Mark Nieslanik, Nancy Thal and Caitlin Walker (March 13); Sonya Meyer and Athena Wright (March 14); Paula Stepp and Sierra Thompson (March 15); Hannah Burleigh, Jordan Clingan and Trae Moxley (March 16); Annie Tempest and John Foulkrod (March 17); Michelle McGrory (March 18).