Carbondale wildfire
An 8-10 acre fire spread from what began as an agricultural burn about 5 miles south of Carbondale along Colorado Highway 133 on the afternoon of Thursday, March 26. The Carbondale & Rural Fire Protection District reported on Facebook that crews had “knocked down the fire and are working to extinguish hot spots” at 4:03pm. The district said in a press release issued later that day that the fire was brought under control. “The fire was actively burning and expanding but the winds were not really high and we were able to get control of the fire spread fairly quickly,” the release states. “We appreciate the rapid response and strong partnership from our neighboring fire department, and the Pitkin County Sheriff’s Office.”
Have you Hurd?
Pitkin County Republicans announced in a newsletter that U.S. Rep. Jeff Hurd, R-Grand Junction, who is running for reelection for the Congressional District 3 seat, is now the sole Republican candidate in the race. The district encompasses Pitkin, Garfield and 25 other counties across western and southern Colorado. The announcement follows Donald Trump’s endorsement of Hurd on March 20, a change of heart from his support of Hope Scheppelman, who had been running as a Republican against Hurd. Scheppelman dropped out of the race after Trump invited her to join his administration.
GarCo Sheriff on SPEAR
Garfield County Sheriff Lou Vallario issued a letter on Monday, March 30 clarifying the role of the Special Problems Enforcement and Response Team (SPEAR) in relation to the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). “To be clear, SPEAR does not work with ICE or provide information to them,” he wrote, adding later, “SPEAR’s mission is to investigate the most serious crimes that occur in Garfield County.” SPEAR, he wrote, is a multi-jurisdictional crime task force including personnel from Garfield County Sheriff’s Office, Rifle Police Department, the Drug Enforcement Administration and Homeland Security Investigations. The letter comes after residents raised concerns during a Glenwood Springs City Council meeting about the management of information collected by inter-agency police.
El Jebel construction
Eagle County announced on Monday, March 30 that construction at an El Jebel intersection, just off of Highway 82, was to begin on Wednesday, April 1. The changes include the relocation of Valley Road around the south and west sides of El Jebel’s Roaring Fork Transportation Authority parking lot, which will be expanded to the north. Sopris Village Boulevard will also be “re-configured,” the county said in a press release. Traffic delays should be expected. “Motorists are encouraged to take the alternate routes of Valley Road to the north, or Willits Lane to East Valley Road to the south,” the release states. “Planning ahead and avoiding the project locations will reduce potential delays caused by construction.”
‘Not-So-Fairy Tales’
SoL Theatre Company hosts a “Not-So-Fairy Tales” playwright workshop for kindergarten through fourth grade students. Participants will
create a play, from dreaming up characters to building exciting worlds, and then invite families for a performance at the conclusion of the course. Rehearsals occur every Wednesday, April 8 to May 27, from
2:30 to 3:45pm. Sign up at www.tinyurl.com/SoLplaywrights
RFOV 2026
Roaring Fork Outdoor Volunteers’ 2026 Stewardship Season calendar is now available! Folks can choose from a wide variety of volunteer opportunities, including signature projects such as the Red Hill Trail series, as well as efforts on new terrain, including up Babbish Gulch. RFOV is also inviting volunteers to sign up as Trail Ambassadors, who’ll educate trail users about responsible recreation. Registration is available as of April 1 — no fooling! Find out more at www.rfov.org
Wild Mountain Seeds
Registration for Wild Mountain Seeds’ community supported agriculture (CSA) program is now open, including veggie, eggs and flower options. Signing up for the flower CSA comes with a bonus arrangement workshop. Half shares are also available. For details, visit www.wildmountainseeds.com
Assistant principal hires
The Roaring Fork School District announced three assistant principal appointments, two of whom have already been carrying on with the role in an interim capacity at their respective schools: Missy Britton of Riverview School and Sam Hawk of Sopris Elementary School. Whitney Carper Bell will begin her role as the vice principal of Basalt Elementary School in the 2026-2027 school year, although she is also not new to those halls. “We are pleased to see school leaders growing from our very own classrooms,” said Joel Hathaway, RFSD executive director of schools.
They say it’s your birthday!
Folks celebrating another trip around the sun this week include: Walter Gallacher, Jake Hawkins, Dave Ritchie, Francis Stuckens and Ed Troy (April 2); Jeff Busk, Lorena Medina Jones, Dan Montoya and Terri Ritchie (April 3); Wendy Damari Avila, Dan Hardin, Marilyn Murphy and Kevin Passmore (April 4); Will Sardinsky and Judy Schilling (April 5); Savanna LaBauve, Maddie Nieslanik, Adam Rudd and Mark Wolfe (April 6); Cassie Cerise, Paula “Sam” Hunter, Ellen Huttenhower, Sonja Linman, Beth Simonetti and Anais Tomezsko (April 7); Trish Anderson,
Jeff Finesilver and Cait Kennett and Sarah Sutherland (April 8).