The first day of spring has come and it feels like winter itself hibernated this season, with the exception of a sparse flurries, including a recent snow on March 6, decorating the Roaring Fork Valley. The Roaring Fork Conservancy reported on March 19 that snowpack decreased by 2.1 inches at McClure Pass in a week, “nearly a quarter of the total [snowpack] accumulated at the site this winter.” Colorado, Wyoming and Utah all experienced their warmest winter season on record. Photo by Tommy Sands

Ace reporter seeks housing
Amy Hadden Marsh, one of the Valley’s top reporters, and her indoor cat (Dizzy) are in need of a place to live. Marsh lost her housing of 27 years due to circumstances beyond her control and hopes to remain local. If you know of a reasonably-priced place, please email amy@soprissun.com

Ski and snowboard recycling
Ready to ditch this season’s rock skis/board? The City of Aspen, in partnership with Colorado Ski Furniture, is collecting skis and snowboards to be recycled now through May 16 at the Rio Grande Recycle Center. Bindings and poles are also eligible, but not helmets nor boots. Last year, this program diverted over 1,200 pounds of gear from going to the Pitkin County landfill. 

5 Point Film lineup
Carbondale’s 5 Point Adventure Film Festival announced last week the film lineup for its 19th annual festival, slated for April 21-26 at the Crystal Theatre, Carbondale Rec Center and other locations in town. Headliners include “Les Tufs,” a film by French freeskier Candide Thovex, “Old Ladies Against Underwater Garbage,” a story about a group of elders tackling environmental stewardship, “Rodeo On Ice,” a skijoring film, and more. For tickets and more information, visit www.5pointfilm.org

GarCo v. Glenwood Springs
Garfield County last week threatened the City of Glenwood Springs with an injunction, should the City refuse to file a permit request giving the County increased authority over aspects of the South Bridge Project. The project would construct a bridge across the Roaring Fork River south of Glenwood connecting Highway 82 with Airport Road. “The most expensive part of the project will likely be the bridge crossing the Roaring Fork River and that’s in unincorporated Garfield County,” Commissioner Tom Jankovsky said in a press release. “This is really about the procedure in our land-use code and not a motion for or against the project.”

CMC revamps paramedic education
Interested in pursuing careers in emergency medicine? Colorado Mountain College’s (CMC) newly improved paramedic program offers students in-depth training over the course of a year. The program is hosted at the CMC Vail Valley campus in Edwards, though is open to all students in the CMC district, with 16 to 18 admitted per cohort. Applications for the 2026-27 program, which will run from August to August, are currently being accepted. Graduates will be eligible to take Colorado and National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians certification exams, and will be awarded a certificate of occupational proficiency. For more information, visit coloradomtn.edu/programs/paramedic

Prop 110
The Colorado Secretary of State’s office announced on March 17 that proponents for Proposed Initiative 110, “Prohibit Certain Surgeries on Minors,” submitted enough signatures for the measure to appear on the Nov. 3 general election ballot. If passed, surgeries “altering [a] minor’s biological sex characteristics” would be prohibited, as well as government funding for associated procedures. 

Craig coal plant
Environmental advocacy nonprofits including the Sierra Club and Environmental Defense Fund are suing the Trump administration over an emergency order to keep the Craig Unit 1 coal plant operational past its scheduled retirement date (Dec. 31, 2025). The State of Colorado has filed its own challenge. The coal plant’s owners, Tri-State and Platte River utility companies, were the first to request a rehearing of the order, warning it causes them to incur costs which will be passed along to billpayers. 

Boot Tan, no ski boots
The women and gender-queer exclusive Boot Tan Fest is still a go at Sunlight Mountain Resort, despite skiing not being an option due to the lack of snow. The Sun received an email from a ticketholder that organizers have not responded to requests for partial refunds, though the event typically includes snow sports and lift access. Tickets are currently advertised for $275 for the April 10-12 weekend event, which is still expected to be a good time! 

Opioid overdoses
The Common Sense Institute (CSI), a conservative-leaning think tank, reports that “while synthetic opioid overdose deaths have begun declining nationwide, Colorado is moving in the opposite direction.” According to CSI research fellow Paul Pazen, deaths in Colorado have increased by 17% since December 2024. Colorado was one of five states to see an increase in deaths in this period. CSI recommends strengthened criminal penalties for fentanyl possession and distribution, which has been effective in other states including Texas. 

They say it’s your birthday!
Folks celebrating another trip around the sun this week include: Ruby Marker and Brian McIsaac (March 26); Shea Courtney and Drea Marsh (March 27); Hank van Berlo, Madilyn Ebel, John Field, Damon Scher and Pat Wanner (March 28); Stacey Bernot, Lyzzi Borkenhagen, David Hayes, Lucy Perutz, Bob Schultz and Jesse Terrell (March 29); Jorie DeVilbiss and Megan Wussow (March 30); Georgia Ackerman, Colleen Borkovec and Jane Hart (March 31).