Commercial inventory
Following last week’s article, “Commercial inventory remains scarce in Carbondale,” Amoré Realty’s Lynn Kirchner and Kathie Jaycox invited The Sopris Sun to view a database tool that hadn’t existed when our counting efforts began in 2017. A quick search revealed five properties available to lease in Carbondale, including a 1,968-square-foot space on West Main Street that’s also for sale, in addition to 12 other properties for sale (two of which are associated with existing businesses). “That’s a lot of listings for a small town,” Kirchner pointed out. “Maybe not so scarce.”
Seeking health care contacts
The Sopris Sun is seeking readers who have non-traditional health care and insurance plans and are willing to be interviewed for a story. We are looking for input from providers as well as patients. The different insurance formats we are interested in are direct payment health care, group pool insurance and any other kind of coverage that differs from a standard deductible plan. We are hoping to showcase the various insurance options other locals are using and any local providers who accept these alternative methods. If you’re interested in being interviewed for this story, please contact our reporter, Jessica Peterson, at jessica@soprissun.com
Grizzly Creek
Reconstruction work on Grizzly Creek and Jessie Weaver (No Name) trails in Glenwood Canyon began July 31. Debris flows in 2021 destroyed bridges and prompted a closure two miles up the Grizzly Creek trail. The extended closure begins near the trailhead and also three miles up the Jessie Weaver trailhead. This work will restore a popular connection between the trails. The project is being funded by the City of Glenwood Springs, National Forest Foundation and U.S. Forest Service.
Garfield budget
Garfield County has begun its budgeting process for 2025. The county is projecting a significant revenue decrease in oil and gas property taxes in 2025 compared to 2024, and a moderate decline in residential property taxes over the same period. The county’s 2024 amended budget anticipates revenues at $131.4 million, and $139.2 million in expenditures, with a projected total fund balance of $100.7 million at year’s end. The budget is slated for review through October and adoption in November.
Lumberyard housing
The City of Aspen announced Monday that its Lumberyard affordable housing project was awarded a $2 million grant from the State of Colorado Department of Local Affairs. The project will provide 300 affordable housing units in Aspen. This grant will kickstart “Phase 0” which involves transforming the existing industrial site into a residential-ready site with utilities where a private developer can build housing on behalf of the city.
Pitkin 2050
Pitkin County announced the launch of its Vision 2050 project and will begin the process of modifying policy to align with recommendations from the Community Growth and Advisory Committee (CGAC) outlining the next 30 years of land use and energy conservation. During an 18-month process that concluded in 2023, CGAC addressed some of the challenges facing the county, including rapid growth, maintaining its rural/wild character and housing. “The identified values laid the groundwork for the Pitkin County Vision 2050: bold climate action while balancing the economy, preserving rural and wild lands and maintaining equity and affordability,” a press release detailed. CGAC will continue engagement and data analysis which will eventually amount to amended codes and a comprehensive plan. For more on Pitkin County Vision 2050, visit www.tinyurl.com/PC2050
Traffic safety
Halfway through 2024, the Colorado Department of Transportation is sharing preliminary data on traffic fatalities. The results show a decrease in risky driving behaviors compared to last year. In the first six months of 2024, there were 294 fatalities on Colorado roads, down 9% from this time last year. This follows a steady increase in speeding-related fatalities between 2019 and 2023.
They say it’s your birthday!
Folks celebrating another trip around the sun this week include: Anibal Guevera and Sarah Uhl (Aug. 1); Jeff Dahl, Hattie Gianinetti, Catherine Masters, Maciej Mrotek and Justin Patrick (Aug. 2); Margarita Alvarez, Gavin Dahl and Sara Preston (Aug. 3); Megan Gianinetti, Kallie Hyer, Jay Leavitt, Tony Madrigal and Andrew Roberts-Gray (Aug. 4); Cilla Dickinson, Rosie McSwain, Shiloh Merriott and Ixchel Muniz (Aug. 5); Steven Haines and Carly Merriott (Aug. 6); Ed Engelki, Charlotte Graham and Marcelo Lott (Aug. 7). Wish to share a birthday for print? Contact us at news@soprissun.com
~ C A L E N D A R ~
THURSDAY, AUGUST 1
CMC OFFICE HOURS
Colorado Mountain College offers open office hours with an advisor on GED, ESL and digital literacy resources from 4:20 to 5:30pm at the Basalt Library. For more info, call 970-236-0451.
GUITAR ENSEMBLE
Young local musicians taught by Mateo Sandate perform at Carbondale Library from 5 to 6pm.
LIBRARY RESOURCES
Basalt Library teaches about how to access all its resources in Spanish and English at 5pm.
WILD WEST RODEO
The Carbondale Wild West Rodeo continues every Thursday through Aug. 22 with a free shuttle to the Gus Darien Riding Arena from both The Orchard and 4th and Colorado (across from Town Hall) between 6 and 10pm. Gates open at 5pm, slack is at 5:45pm and grand entry at 7:30pm.
SOL THEATRE
Stage of Life Theatre Company presents a coming-of-age musical called “13 Jr.” at 6pm tonight, tomorrow and Saturday with a 2pm matinee on Sunday. Tickets are available at www.soltheatrecompany.org
CRYSTAL THEATRE
The Crystal Theatre shows “Thelma” tonight at 7:30pm. “Twisters” opens tomorrow and continues Saturday, Wednesday and next Thursday at 7:30pm with a Sunday show at 5pm.
MEN’S GROUP
HeadQuarters provides a space for men to “gather sincerely with other men, to express the fullness of their experience and to witness other men doing the same” from 6 to 7:30pm. This offering is free and open to all male-identifying persons 18 and older.
CEREMONIAL BREATHWORK
Davis Cowles leads a “Men’s Ceremonial Breathwork Circle” at True Nature from 6 to 8pm. To register, visit www.truenaturehealingarts.com
AUDIENCE PLANT
The Aspen Art Museum presents “AUDIENCE PLANT 2024” — a concert at the top of Aspen Mountain merging electronic and orchestral tracks at 7:30pm. The event is at-capacity, however a limited number of tickets may be available on a first-come, first-served basis.
FRIDAY, AUGUST 2
STORYTIME
The Carbondale Library hosts storytime for little ones from 10:30 to 11am.
RED EARTH
Once again, 13 Moons will host Red Earth: The Mountain West Women’s Herbal Gathering. Events begin at 11:30am and continue through Sunday at 4pm. Find the schedule and tickets at www.redearthherbalgathering.com
NATURE JOURNALING
The Carbondale Library invites naturalists to practice journaling with words and sketches every First Friday from 1 to 2:30pm.
WINE & DINE
The Chris Klug Foundation (CKF) hosts Wine & Dine at the Snowmass Club from 5 to 10pm. CKF award winners will be celebrated, a three-course meal served with an open bar and champagne toast and it all ends with a dance party. Tickets at www.chrisklugfoundation.org
VOICES
VOICES celebrates its youth queer residency students and teaching artists with a presentation at The Painted Pig from 5 to 6pm.
JAZZ
Chris Bank plays jazz at Triangle Park in Willits at 5:30pm.
FIRST FRIDAY
Valle Musico performs at Chacos Park from 5:30 to 8:30pm.
JERRY PLUGER
Join family and friends of Jerry Pluger for a celebration of life at the Third Street Center from 6 to 8pm.
ART RECEPTION
The Carbondale Clay Center hosts a reception for “Women Working with Clay” from 6 to 8pm.
SOUND JOURNEY
Dr. Zachary and Krista Cashin lead a healing sound journey at True Nature from 6:30 to 8pm. To register, visit www.truenaturehealingarts.com
‘COME FROM AWAY’
Theatre Aspen’s “Come From Away” opens tonight at 7:30pm and continues through Aug. 24. The story celebrates Gander, Newfoundland, a town that received 38 diverted planes and 7,000 stranded passengers on Sept. 11, 2001. Tickets at www.theatreaspen.org
THE DEAD ROOTS
Celebrate First Friday with The Dead Roots performing at Steve’s Guitars at 8pm. Tickets at www.stevesguitars.net
TRACE BUNDY
TACAW presents intentionally-acclaimed guitar virtuoso Trace Bundy at 8pm. Tickets at www.tacaw.org
ARTCRUSH
DJ Alexandra Richards performs the Aspen Art Museum ArtCrush after-party at the base of Buttermilk from 9:30pm ‘til midnight. Tickets at www.bit.ly/ArtCrushParty
SATURDAY, AUGUST 3
RIVERFEST
Help clean the Colorado and Roaring Fork river corridors through Glenwood Springs from 9am to 3pm. After a float or walk along the banks picking up trash, participants will be treated to a picnic in Two Rivers Park. Find details at www.bit.ly/RiverFEST2024
ART LECTURE
The Powers Art Center welcomes Jonathan William Henery highlighting the achievements of his aunt and uncle, Christo and Jeanne-Claude, from 4 to 6pm. To RSVP, visit www.bit.ly/PowersArtAug3
ARTISTS TALK
The Carbondale Clay Center presents a free artist talk with Jen Allen and Sanam Emami at El Dorado at 6pm.
LIVE MUSIC
Victoria Pennock will perform music at Bodegón from 6 to 8pm.
STEVE’S GUITARS
Lauren Podjun plays at Steve’s at 8pm. Tickets at www.stevesguitars.net
EL DORADO
The Milemarkers perform classic rock at El Dorado from 8 to 10pm.
SUNDAY, AUGUST 4
SUNDAY MEDITATION
The Carbondale Meditation Circle of Self Realization Fellowship, based on the teachings of Paramahansa Yogananda, meets the first Sunday of every month from 9 to 10:30am in the meditation room at True Nature. More info at www.truenaturehealingarts.com
BROADWAY GAME NIGHT
Theatre Aspen hosts “Broadway Game Night: An Evening of Music, Mayhem and More” from 1 to 3pm at the Hotel Jerome in Aspen. Tickets and more info at www.theatreaspen.org
MUSIC AT THE HANDLEBAR
The Sopris Mountain Boyz perform at The Handlebar at the Homestead Grill in River Valley Ranch at 5pm.
RANDOM CONVERSATIONS
The Carbondale Library hosts “The Lost Art of Random Conversations,” a community-building event filled with meaningful conversations among strangers, at 6pm.
MONDAY, AUGUST 5
IN STITCHES
The In Stitches Knitting Club meets at the Carbondale Library at 1:30pm.
EL PLACER DE LEER
Practice Spanish by reading literature with Angelica Breña at the Basalt Library at 5pm. More info at www.basaltlibrary.org/events-calendar
AIKIDO
Crystal River Aikikai teaches aikido to adults and teens at 13 Moons Ranch from 5:15 to 6:15pm. Another class is taught on Wednesdays from 9:30 to 10:30am. More info at www.crystalriveraikikai.com
SOURCE DIALOGUES
Lisa McKenzie leads a book group exploring Gary Springfield’s “Source Dialogues” from 6:30 to 8pm at the Third Street Center. More info at www.thecenterforhumanflourishing.org
MONDAY MEDITATION
Practice insight meditation and hear teachings of the Buddha at 13 Moons Ranch, south of Carbondale, from 7 to 8:30pm. More info at www.roaringforkinsight.org/events
ELI LEV
Eli Lev performs at Steve’s Guitars at 8pm. Tickets at www.stevesguitars.net
BALTHVS
Colombian psych-trio BALTHVS performs at Belly Up Aspen at 8pm. Tickets at www.bellyupaspen.com
TUESDAY, AUGUST 6
YARN GROUP
Yarn crafters gather at the Basalt Library to share tips and projects at 5pm.
BIG FIVE
The Big Five group, hosted at HeadQuarters in Basalt and open to all, discusses mental health at 6pm. The group will reconvene and recap on the last Tuesday of the month to rehash the same topic. Email lindsey@headq.org for more info.
TYPOGRAPHY
The Aspen Institute presents a conversation about Bauhaus design and typography at the Paepcke Auditorium at 6pm. Registration is required at www.aspeninstitute.org/events
DRAWING CLUB
The Roaring Fork Drawing Club meets at Crown Mountain Park in El Jebel at 6:30pm. BYO-drawing stuff.
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 7
BACK TO SCHOOL
Elementary through college students are invited to grab some free school supplies, decorate pencil pouches and meet with 12 different local organizations that support students year-round at the Basalt Library from noon to 2pm. More info at www.basaltlibrary.org/events-calendar
BASALT BOOK CLUB
Discuss your favorite and least favorite reads at the Basalt Library from noon to 2pm.
ROOTBEER RICHIE
Basalt’s summer concert series continues with The Low End opening for Rootbeer Richie & the Reveille beginning at 5:30pm.
KNEE PAIN EXPLAINED
Tomas Pevny, MD, an orthopedic surgeon and sports medicine specialist at Valley View, presents “Why Does My Knee Hurt? Five Common Causes Explained” over Zoom at 6pm. Register at www.tinyurl.com/KneePainVVH
WILD FEAST
Join Wilderness Workshop for Wild Feast at the St. Regis Aspen Resort for a special dinner beginning at 6pm with a performance by VOICES followed by a silent disco dance party at 9pm. For tickets, visit www.wildernessworkshop.org/wild-feast
GLENWOOD MUSIC
Louie & The Lizards performs at Two Rivers Park with The Know Bodies Band opening at 6:30pm.
THURSDAY, AUGUST 8
PAWS & CONES
Colorado Animal Rescue brings pups up for adoption, and ice cream for everyone, to Sopris Lodge in Carbondale from 3 to 4pm. Call 970-456-6871 to RSVP and for more info.
BANNED BOOK CLUB
The Banned Book Club discusses “Crank” by Ellen Hopkins at the Basalt Library at 4pm. Limited copies are available at the front desk at the library.
MUSIC AT THE HANDLEBAR
Rodrigo Arreguin performs at The Handlebar at The Homestead Grill in River Valley Ranch at 5pm.
FILM PREMIERE
TACAW presents the local premiere of “Feel It All,” a Colorado-based documentary relating to mental health in the mountains at 7pm. Drew Petersen, a professional skier and director, will give a talk after the film. Tickets at www.tacaw.org
FRIDAY, AUGUST 9
BAT HOUSING
Middle and high schoolers are invited to learn about the importance of bats in the ecosystem while building bat houses with Roaring Fork Outdoor Volunteers at the Basalt Library from 1 to 2:30pm. More info at www.basaltlibrary.org/events-calendar
SUMMER REFLECTIONS
True Nature presents “Beat the Heat and Lunarize Your Life” with Kaitlyn B. Hilliard from 4 to 6pm. Register at www.truenaturehealingarts.com
MEN’S GATHERING
The Mountain Heart Men’s Ceremony convenes at 13 Moons at 5:30pm and continues through Sunday. Tickets at www.13moonsranch.com
MARBLEFEST
Marblefest kicks off with Aggie Flores and the Drunken Hearts beginning around 5:30pm. The music will continue all weekend.
GONZALO TEPPA QUARTET
Enjoy the Gonzalo Teppa Quartet, featuring Josephina Mendez, performing at Steve’s Guitars at 8pm. Tickets at www.stevesguitars.net
DEAD FLOYD
TACAW presents Dead Floyd at 8pm, celebrating the music of The Grateful Dead and Pink Floyd. Tickets at www.tacaw.org
BONNY LIGHT HORSEMAN
Roaring Fork Sessions presents Bonny Light Horseman with The Faux Paws at the Paepcke Auditorium in Aspen at 8pm. Tickets at www.aspenshowtix.com
SATURDAY, AUGUST 10
RFOV
Roaring Fork Outdoor Volunteers pulls fencing at the Coke Ovens Open Space near Redstone from 8:30am to 3:30pm. Register to help out at www.rfov.org
REDSTONE CONCERT
John Whooley and Helen Hightower perform music at Redstone Park beginning at 6pm.
VOICES x AVLT
VOICES and Aspen Valley Land Trust present “Our Land, Our Voices” at Coffman Ranch at 7pm. The event is by-donation and will include Spanish interpretation. RSVP at www.voicesrfv.org
CABARET
Thunder River Theatre Company hosts a cabaret at 7:30pm.
JEREMY FACKNITZ
Steve’s Guitars presents Jeremy Facknitz performing at 8pm. Tickets at www.stevesguitars.net
LOWDOWN BRASS BAND
The Lowdown Brass Band performs at TACAW at 8pm. Tickets at www.tacaw.org
SUNDAY, AUGUST 11
VICTORIA PENNOCK
Local musician Victoria Pennock performs at Tiny Pine Bistro in Carbondale from 6 to 8pm.