Rick Liebermann (right) flew in all the way from California to help Carbondale Historic Preservation Commission (HPC) member John Williams sink a post with a plaque that pays respect to the Liebermann family, who owned and operated the Liebermann Bakery at the turn of the 20th century. The bakery burned down in a fire, but the stone oven still remains at the site, across the alley from Steve’s Guitars on 4th Street. Rick’s grandfather, Reinhardt Liebermann, and his wife, Anna Marie, along with their three children (Rick’s dad and aunts) are included in a photo on the plaque. The HPC has installed a few dozen such signs commemorating historical structures of merit in town. To inquire about having a sign installed at your historic home or business, contact Kae McDonald at the Town Planning Department. Photo by James Steindler

Rockfall mitigation on hold
The Colorado Department of Transportation has shut down rockfall mitigation work along Highway 82 outside of Carbondale for the winter. Safety for workers and motorists is the primary concern. Work started mid-May and included clearing culverts, rock scaling and more. Crews will resume work next spring.

Lift-Up ups service
In the first week of November, Lift-Up, a regional organization that confronts food insecurity, served 15% more individuals, 1,001 recipients total, compared to the first week in October. The organization’s software system recorded 29 new registrations the first week of the month as well, which may not include onboarding paperwork that has yet to be processed. There are currently more than 40 food drives benefiting Lift-Up from Aspen to Parachute, including at Roaring Fork High School. The winning homeroom class at Roaring Fork will be treated with donuts from ColoraDough for their efforts. “Our community has stepped up in a big way, and we couldn’t be prouder or more honored,” said Lift-Up’s interim executive director, Elyse Hottel. 

Another wolf dies
Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) reported that female collared grey wolf #2506 died on Oct. 30. She was one of 15 wolves brought from British Columbia to Colorado in January. Grey wolves are federally listed under the Endangered Species Act. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is investigating the death, which occurred in the southwestern part of the state. According to Denver7, six wolves have survived of the original 10 released in December 2023. Three of the five pups from the Copper Creek pack plus 10 out of the 15 from British Columbia remain in the wild. An unknown number of pups were born to four wolf packs in Colorado this year. 

GarCo welcomes HR director
Renee Thomas has been selected as the new Garfield County human resources director. According to a press release, Thomas’ career spans 25 years in the human resources field, including at Roaring Fork Fire Authority, Commerce City and the Interstate Brands Corporation for Wonder Bread/Hostess Cake. She is a Colorado native and has lived in the Roaring Fork Valley for 12 years. She holds a bachelor of science degree in business management from Metro State University in Denver and two professional certifications from the Society of Human Resource Management. She begins work on Nov. 13. 

Butch and Sundance set free
Governor Jared Polis pardoned Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. He did not mince words when he said, “We value freedom as much as these birds do.” Butch and Sundance are two Colorado-raised turkeys and they have been excused from Thanksgiving dinner. First Gentleman Marlon Reis, Lt. Governor Dianne Primavera and other state officials joined Polis to talk turkey on Monday, Nov. 10 in Denver, encouraging Coloradans to think of their neighbors in need and to give to community food banks.

CMC transfer scholarship
Colorado Mountain College has teamed up with The Denver Foundation to offer the Reisher Bridge Scholarship, intended for students who plan to transfer from CMC to one of nine participating four-year colleges in Colorado. Recipients can receive up to $2,000 a term while at CMC and anywhere from $6,000 to $22,000 upon transferring. To qualify, students must be Colorado residents and either U.S. citizens or permanent residents and currently enrolled in a transferrable CMC associate degree program with fewer than 30 credits left and a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.0. For more information, visit www.coloradomtn.edu/scholarships/reisher-bridge 

Longhorns bow out of state
Basalt High School football ended its season at 6-4 after making it to the 2A state playoffs as the 16th and final seed, but very nearly upsetting No. 1 Strasburg on Saturday, Nov. 8, falling by a score of 17-21. Playing on the road, the Longhorns held a 17-7 lead through the third quarter, before giving up 14 points in the fourth quarter. Basalt scores came when senior quarterback Karson Schneider connected with senior Parker Sims for a 30-yard touchdown pass, and sophomore Jude Webb ran it in for another touchdown. Junior kicker Sam Volf added a field goal to the tally and senior Will Tarallo had a 2-point conversion.

Fishing is Fun grants
The 2026 round of Colorado Public Wildlife’s Fishing is Fun Grant Program is underway, with up to $650,000 to award to potential projects that enhance public access and protect habitats. “For nearly 40 years, the Fishing is Fun program has supported 375 angling improvement projects across the state, from the smallest towns on the Eastern Plains and the West Slope to the largest cities along the Front Range,” said CPW Grant Manager Travis Long. Applications are due Jan. 9, and can be found at www.cpw.state.co.us/fishing-fun-grants 

They say it’s your birthday!
Folks celebrating another trip around the sun this week include: Bob Ezra, Maria Flores, Pola Oginska and Riley Skinner (Nov. 13); Amy Fulstone, Ron Leach, Sue Rollyson and Morgan Williams (Nov. 14); Rachel Baiyor and Joyce Leeman (Nov. 15); Martín Bonzi (Nov. 16) Thomas Cerise, Katie Hankinson and Robin Tolan (Nov. 17); Larry Smith and Erin Patricia (Nov. 18); Rowynn Anthes, Kelsey Clapper and Heather Lafferty (Nov. 19).