CR 108 bridge
Repairs continue on the County Road 108 bridge over the Crystal River near the Colorado Rocky Mountain School (CRMS). The bridge will remain closed while decking is replaced and new girders are potentially installed. A pedestrian walkway remains open, though temporary closures may occur. On May 18, the Garfield County Commissioners approved $650,000 for emergency repairs. A full closure is anticipated to last six weeks at most. After repairs, the bridge should last another 40 to 50 years, officials reported. Notable impacts include the CRMS graduation this weekend, scheduled cattle drives and motorists trying to get to and from Carbondale from anywhere along the private Crystal River Road, plus County Roads 108 (Dry Park/Four Mile, Crystal River Ranch, Thompson Creek recreation) and 109 (Coryell Ranch, Aspen Glen, Ironbridge, West Bank, Teller Springs, Sievers Gravel Pit).
Dinkle Lake
Dinkle Lake in the Aspen-Sopris Ranger District will remain empty through August 2026 while dam repair work is completed. Work to repair seepage issues on the reservoir’s interior dam face is anticipated to begin in mid-June and take approximately six weeks to complete. The day-use recreation area will remain open, however visitors will encounter construction traffic and equipment operating in the reservoir and on the dam.
Ride & Drive
This First Friday, June 5, Clean Energy Economy for the Region and Garfield Clean Energy invite you to test drive new electric vehicles (EVs) and take a look at Carbondale’s new EV chargers and police and public works EVs. From 4 to 8pm, EVs from Mountain Chevrolet, Columbine Ford, Bighorn Toyota, Phil Long Subaru, Nissan and Tesla will be available to test drive at Town Hall.
I-70 delays
The Colorado Department of Transportation is resuming work on the Interstate 70 Straight Creek Culvert Repair Project between Silverthorne and the Eisenhower-Johnson Memorial Tunnel. Single-lane and shoulder closures will be in place, eastbound and westbound, Monday through Thursday into the fall of 2026. The speed limit for this section will be lowered to 45 mph.
Funding opportunity
The Roaring Fork Valley Community Health Fund, administered by the Western Colorado Community Foundation, is accepting grant applications through July 17 for projects and programs that enhance the overall health and well-being of people living in our region. Last year, the fund awarded $40,000 in grants to nine organizations. Learn more at wc-cf.org/explore-funding or by emailing info@wc-cf.org
Memorial Scholarships
The Redstone Art Foundation’s Jack Roberts Memorial Scholarships program awarded $2,000 each to five students this year. Graduating seniors throughout the Crystal and Roaring Fork river valleys are eligible. Congratulations to Sofia Harwood, Kali Thomas, Kevin Castillo, Giselle “Gigi” Rascon and Sofia Carmona Diaz! Since its inception, the program has awarded more than $90,000 to local youth pursuing studies in the arts, architecture, design and related creative fields.
Now hiring
The Basalt Regional Library is seeking “a dependable, hard-working and self-motivated” patron services associate to work 20 hours a week at $23 per hour. “Successful candidates will be customer-focused, adaptable, tech-comfortable and able to work independently while also contributing to a strong team culture.” Weekend and evening availability required. Learn more at www.basaltlibrary.org/jobs
Bear-luring negligence
Governor Jared Polis signed into law a bill enhancing enforceability around feeding bears. No longer is it required to prove an individual “intentionally” lured bears through mismanagement of food or edible waste. It is also no longer required that first-time offenders receive a warning and the penalty for third and subsequent offenses has been raised from $2,000 to $5,000. “This bill strengthens our ability to address these conflicts by updating the culpable mental state tied to this offense,” commented Colorado Parks and Wildlife Director Laura Clellan.
They say it’s your birthday!
Folks celebrating another trip around the sun this week include: John Armstrong, Francie Jacober and Rachel Kelmanson (June 4); Kelsey Buss, Stephanie Ayala, Lacy Hughes, Johnny Nieslanik and Jim Ryan (June 5); Lisa Goddard, John Klusmire and Illène Pevec (June 6); Jenn Roeser and Gayle Wells (June 7); Burk Golden, Tyler Vaughan and Diane Zastrow (June 8); Jared Ettelson, Chad Knaus, Rock Leonard and Henry Ortiz (June 9); Rachael Boyle (June 10).